Medway Community Church

02/06/2026

02/06/2026

It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose. Philippians 2:13

Read Philippians 2:12-13, 3:12-16
In Singapore, the government encourages people to support good causes by donation-matching. It “tops up” donations to specific charities by contributing an equal amount or more. By effectively multiplying people’s contributions, it hopes to encourage them to become more involved in charitable giving.

This two-pronged approach reminds us of how believers in the Lord Jesus are called to God’s standards of holiness in our discipleship journey. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul urges them “to work out their salvation” (Philippians 2:12) and “press on” (Philippians 3:12, 14). At the same time, he stresses that “it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).

Believers in the Lord Jesus aren’t made right with God by good works or performance. But there is an idea of partnership in our spiritual growth. It requires heart and effort on our part, yet we do not do it by human strength. Having saved us by grace, God calls us to be holy—set apart for Him—and we respond in sincerity and gratitude. As we seek to obey and please Him, He enables and helps us to do so. He shows us when we go wrong (Philippians 3:15), gives us strength to resist temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13), and empowers us to do what’s right in His eyes (Ephesians 2:10).

Reflection
What are your biggest challenges in seeking to be faithful and pleasing to God? How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit’s strength?
Prayer
Holy Lord God, please help me to be holy and faithful in my journey, for I know that You desire me to be like Your Son the Lord Jesus. Amen 👑👁️☝🏽✝️🤗🙌🏽👣❤️✝️

01/06/2026

Bring all the tithes . . . so that . . . the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows . . . may come and eat and be satisfied. Deuteronomy 14:28-29

Read Deuteronomy 14:23-29
When Oswald and Biddy Chambers ran a Bible college in London from 1911 to 1915, they continued with their life principle of not turning away those in need. Astute Londoners were aghast at this practice, thinking the college would be taken advantage of. In response, Oswald observed, without inviting others to follow in the practice, “My responsibility is to give. God will look after who asks.”

The couple followed the example of our generous Creator. Through His instructions to Moses, God laid out gracious ways for His people to live and serve others, including the giving of their food and possessions. Moses told the Israelites at the end of every three years to “bring all the tithes” so the Levites, “foreigners, the fatherless and the widows,” could come and “eat and be satisfied” (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). Through the generosity of His people, God cares for the vulnerable.

The Chambers’ trust in God was so strong that they gave willingly and without question. They’d learned to “revere . . . God always” (vs 23) and receive His blessing “in all the work of their hands” (vs 29).

We may also feel inspired to give freely while we lean on God for wisdom and discernment. We know that God will generously lead and guide as He provides for the foreigners, the fatherless, and the widows.

Reflection
What’s your view and practice of giving? How has God provided for your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs?
Prayer
Generous Lord God, I look to You for all I need. I know that You’re the source of all good things. I worship You. Amen 👑👁️☝🏽✝️🫲🏽🫱🏽🥰✝️

31/05/2026

This mornings sermon by David Williams:

Give Glory to God!

31/05/2026

If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! 2 Kings 5:3

Read 2 Kings 5:1-3, 9-11, 13-14
As a teenager, Karen had a strained relationship with her churchmate Lisa, so Karen was dismayed to learn they’d be roommates at their youth summer camp. The week at camp passed smoothly, though, with both of them being civil.

The most anticipated event was a bonfire gathering at the end of the week. On that evening, however, Karen had a fever. She went to bed early, but she could hear the laughter and music outside. An hour later, she was startled by Lisa, who was taking Karen's temperature. “I’m not joining them at the bonfire,” she said. “You’re sick. I need to stay with you.” Lisa could’ve stayed uninvolved, but she chose to care for Karen, which lifted her spirits.

We see another example of someone who cared in the story of Naaman. The commander of the Syrian army, Naaman had an Israelite servant girl who’d been taken captive and now “served Naaman’s wife” (2 Kings 5:2). Separated from family and forced to servitude, the girl could’ve chosen to not help her master, who had leprosy. But her faith moved her to help: “She said to her mistress, ‘If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him’ ” (vs 3). And God did, in fact, use the prophet Elisha to heal Naaman (vs 8-14).

Lisa and the Israelite girl chose to help, and God worked through them. Let’s ask God to show us who we can extend His care to and give us the wisdom how.

Reflection
Why might you resist helping others? How can helping others allow them to see God’s care for them?
Prayer
Dear God, I’ve experienced so much help from You. Please use me to help others. Amen 👑👁️☝🏽✝️❤️‍🩹👩🏻‍❤️‍👩🏾❤️🫂💒✝️

30/05/2026

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Read Ephesians 4:25-32
Sheridan said that he used to work with a woman named Madge, who was an amazing cook. “You should taste my pea and ham soup!” she said one day. After replying that Sheridan really didn’t like peas, Madge smiled and said, “You will after you try my soup.” The next day she handed Sheridan a container of her soup, made especially for him.

“Did you try my soup?” Madge asked him a couple of days later. “I will—soon!” Sheridan said, hoping she wouldn’t ask him again. But she did—the next day, and the next. “Don’t leave it too long or it’ll spoil,” she added on the fourth day.

A week later, Madge’s uneaten soup had spoiled, and Sheridan threw it away. He felt dread as she approached him. “You did try my soup, didn’t you?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said. “It was . . . delicious.”

In Ephesians 4, Paul calls us to deal with speech-related sins like angry words (vs 26), unwholesome talk (vs 29), and slander (vs 31). But before these comes a more basic call to “speak truthfully to your neighbour” (vs 25). Sheridan had looked at Madge and told her a lie. he knew what he needed to do.

He walked into Madge’s office, confessed his lie, and sheepishly asked for her forgiveness. Madge walked up to Sheridan and gave him a hug. “Of course I forgive you,” she said. “How could I not, when I know how much God’s forgiven me?”

Reflection
How many sinful words or actions has God forgiven you for? How can that reminder help you forgive someone today, with the Holy Spirit’s strength?
Prayer
Forgiving Lord God, please enable me to forgive others. Amen 👑👁️☝🏽✝️📖❤️🙏🏽🫂✝️