O Worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness

JESUS’ TRIUMPHAL ENTRY

Today is Palm Sunday commemorating the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. A triumphal entry is a ceremonial parade into a city to welcome triumphant kings and military leaders after their victorious battles fought against their enemies. This image fits the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem because it highlights His role as a humble yet victorious King who brings peace and salvation. 

His Love for Us 

2000 years ago, as Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a colt, He knew that in less than a week, He would be brought as “a lamb to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:6). He willingly gave Himself as a Passover Lamb to “take away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). He did not run away from His Father’s will to sacrificially die a vicarious death for us, to take on the guilt and punishment for sin on our behalf. 

Therefore, out of His great and unconditional love, He set in motion God’s redemptive plan. During the last year of Jesus’ earthly ministry, He focused His ministry in Jerusalem. He would bring to pass the events that would lead to His arrest, trial and crucifixion, “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day” (Matthew 16:21). No one is able to thwart God’s redemptive plan to save us. 

His Word is True 

God’s Word is true. The triumphal entry of Jesus is in fulfilment of a prophecy by the prophet Zechariah made about 500 years earlier. Zechariah prophesied the Messiah’s triumphal entry when he wrote, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass” (Zechariah 9:9). Conservatively, Jesus fulfilled at least 300 prophecies of His earthly ministry, to the jot and tittle. This one point alone is sufficient to convince us that the Bible is the Word of God. 

His Sovereignty 

Jesus’ riding on a colt as prophesied by Zechariah was not only a proof of the truth of God’s Word but also a manifestation of God’s sovereignty. He was having absolute command and control of His creation and His salvific work for us. Jesus directed His disciples to bring Him the donkey and her colt. He also knew that they would be questioned about taking the animals and that the owner would release the animals to them (Matthew 21:3). The mother donkey was brought along to induce the colt to cooperate. The colt would not easily have left its mother. To ride on an unbroken colt, “whereon yet never man sat” (Luke 19:30) is a feat by itself. A colt that has never been broken to the saddle would have been even more difficult to handle than donkeys normally are. Jesus’ ability to ride on the colt with ease, reveals His deity and thus, His sovereign rule and authority over His creation. 

His True Mission 

As Jesus made His way to Jerusalem, the people laid their garments on the road following an ancient custom as a sign of respect for the king. It was as if to say, “Because you are our king, we place ourselves at your feet, even to walk over us if necessary.” The Jews were waiting for a deliverer to save them from the Roman oppression. They witnessed and had heard of Jesus’ miracles especially the raising of Lazarus from the dead few days earlier. Moreover, the Passover feast was near, a time to remember how God delivered the Israelites from the Egyptian Pharaoh. With great expectation, this Jesus would be their political Messiah, delivering them from the Roman rule.  The waving of the palm branches was symbolic of deliverance and victory. Moreover, the people waved the palm branches as though they were waving Jewish flags, fanning the flames of Jewish nationalism. They hoped to see Jesus overthrow the Romans like what Judah Maccabee had done to the Greeks in 164 BC to re-establish an independent Jewish state. 

Therefore, when the crowd were shouting with frenzy, “Hosanna” which means “Save us”, they were crying out that Jesus would manifest His political reign, to deliver them and be their king. 

The people wanted Jesus on their own terms. They wanted a Jesus who could destroy Rome but not their cherished sins or their hypocritical and superficial religion. They did not understand Jesus’ true mission. When Jesus entered Jerusalem and cleansed the temple instead of conquering the Romans, the disappointed multitude had no qualms downgrading Him from a “political messiah” to just a “prophet of Nazareth of Galilee” (Matthew 21:11). A few days later, they turned against Jesus. Their “Hosannas” were turned to shouts of “Crucify Him!” 

People desire a Jesus who will give them a life of peace, safety, health, prosperity and happiness. While Jesus can and does give us many blessings in this life, we must never forget that He did not die for us on the cross to let us have a happier and better life on this earth. He died in order that we would be saved. Whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. The need for our sins to be forgiven and cleansed is met by Jesus’ death and the shedding of His blood for us. In Him, we are reconciled to God (Romans 5:10) and have everlasting life (John 3:16). 

Questions for Reflection 

To you who are believers in Christ, are you aware of and filled with gratitude for what He has done for you on the cross? 

To you who have not believed in Christ, do you know that the greatest need of your life is to be saved from your sins? God’s wrath is upon you. Your eternity will be spent in hell, forever separated from God. How then can you be saved? Believe in Jesus and you shall be saved!

– Rev Quek KK 

Appointments for the Week

Monday, Mar 25

        7.30 pm     ERBL: OT Prophetic Books (Rev Charles Seet)

Tuesday, Mar 26

        8.00 pm     Prayer Meeting (Eld Lim Ching Wah)

Wednesday, Mar 27

      10.00 am     SF Meeting

Thursday, Mar 28

      10.00 am     Ladies’ Prayer Group

        7.30 pm     ERBL: Bible Geography (Ms Lilian Lee)

Friday, Mar 29

        9.00 am     Good Friday Holy Communion Service: The Cost of the Cross Matthew 16:21-25 (Rev Quek K K, with Holy Communion)

Saturday, Mar 30

  3.00 pm LTF / YLM

Sunday, Mar 31

  9.00 am Easter Sunday Baptismal Service: The Road to Emmaus Luke 24:13-35 (Rev Charles Seet)

  9.00 am Chinese Service (MPH)

11.00 am Fellowship Lunch (No Sunday School)

  2.30 pm Thai Service (LMH)

  4.00 pm Indonesian Service (Rm 1-6)

Announcements

FRIDAY, 29 MARCH

Good Friday Holy Communion Service, 9:00 am

Sermon: “The Cost of the Cross” (Matthew 16:21-25)

by Rev Quek KK

SUNDAY, 31 MARCH

Easter Sunday Baptismal Service, 9:00 am

Sermon: “The Road to Emmaus” (Luke 24:13-35)

by Rev Charles Seet

* * *

Parking Arrangements

For the Easter service at 9am on March 31, please note the special parking arrangement to facilitate the brunch after service: 

• Main sanctuary and Beulah parking for those staying for lunch only.
• ⁠Please park outside or at Kai for those not staying for lunch. Please only park in designated areas in Kai to avoid misunderstanding with Kai Management. 

Please note that parking is permitted along single yellow lines on Sundays and Public Holidays. 

Appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation and we will do our best to find parking space for all. 

Parking is also available at Revenue House (RH).

Please contact Bro Kelvin or Dn Chan Yong if you need ferry service from RH to church.

Life BPC Job Vacancy

Estate Management Officer (EMO)

Responsibilities:

EMO plans, oversees and coordinates all property management and preventive maintenance activities associated for the church premises. Coordinates facilities usage for a range of Church activities and Church’s authorized users using the premises. The EMO reports to the Church Operation Manager.

Qualifications:

• Diploma or equivalent
• 5 years’ experience in real estate management and maintenance
• Certification in real estate management and maintenance is an added advantage
• Lifers are preferred 

Candidates with relevant qualifications and experience may submit your application and CV to the Church Operations Manager at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

In-Person Corporate Prayer

(Every 1st Sunday of the Month)

Date:        7 April 2024 (Sun)

Time:        5:00 PM

Venue: Beulah Room 2-1

Coffee Corner will be closed on Good Friday (29 Mar), Easter Sunday (31 Mar) and ACM (28 Apr).

Holy Communion Elements Preparation

Lifers are invited to serve in the Holy Communion elements preparation, clean-up and washing.

Those interested may contact Jenny or Wendy.

Traffic Warden Service

We welcome all church members to join in this work. Our TW’s role is to provide godly service to facilitate worship. We need help in following time slots for Sunday: 7.30-8am or 10.30-11am with a frequency of once or twice a month. Please contact Dn Chan Yong or Bro Kelvin.

Thanksgivings

1) Brother Ricky's words of appreciation:

“My family & I would like to thank the Session and lifers for the condolences, prayers, words of comfort and support during the bereavement of my father. God is merciful to my parents as my Dad was baptised at age 90. I would like to encourage all lifers to press on in sharing the gospel to our aged parents, grandparents, relatives & friends.

Psalms 121:1-2
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”

2) From brother Choo BS:

“My family would like to thank the pastors, session and members of LBPC for its utmost care and support to us during my mother’s bereavement. We are very touched and blessed by the Christian love shown. My father and siblings would like to express our gratitude.”

Seniors Fellowship Seminar: Bones of Contention: Osteoporosis

Date: 27 April 2024

Time: 4-6 pm (followed by dinner)

Venue: Beulah MPH

Register at https://lifebpc.com/sfseminar

Seminar: Pornography & Sexual Lusts

Date: 6 April 2024

Time: 2-6.30 pm (followed by dinner)

Venue: Beulah MPH

Register at https://forms.gle/Kf1aZefXGTvU3ojFA

Chiang Mai Mission Trip (25-29 June 2024)

This Mission trip is an evangelistic outreach cum VBS to school students in Thailand with Rev Nirand / Sis Jess. Interested Lifers may contact bro Benjamin Heng or Dn Surya  for more information and registration.

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is back!

Theme: Champions for God
Date: 29 May - 31 May 2024 

Calling all children aged 4-12 years old (N2-P6)! Registration for Vacation Bible School is now open! Registration deadline: 14 April 2024 

Lifers needed for the available areas of service: Teaching, Logistics, Craft, Games, F&B and Traffic/Security.  

Register now at lifebpc.com/vbs  

For further enquiries, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Church Camp 2024

will be held from 10 June to 14 June (Mon to Fri) at Resorts World Awana, Malaysia. 

Speaker: Pastor Tan Soon Yong

Theme: Truth Matters

Registration for Church Camp 2024 is now open. You may go to the church's website at www.lifebpc.com/church-camp-2024 to register online. Availability will be on a first come first served basis. Please do register early! If you require assistance, please contact Josiah Seah at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

From our Church camp speaker: 

Truth Matters; but as Pontus Pilate once asked in vexed perplexity, “What is truth?” (Jn 18:38). 

God Himself asserts, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jer 17:9); but do we realise just how sly and cunning our hearts are within us? 

In my short time in Gospel ministry, I have been stunned by how often it is precisely those who know the truth who are living a lie. It seems so illogical, so unreasonable. But Christ warned in another context: for some who consider themselves “children of the kingdom … there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Mt 8:12). 

It is seldom an intellectual error that leads us into moral wickedness – it is almost always fleshly lust. Proverbs 1:7 plainly says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge”. Yet, so many who profess (or even preach) Christ are content to go about their daily lives without the slightest fear of God, but will stubbornly insist that they are rich in knowledge of God. 

To be rooted in truth, one must live in obedience to the truth one already knows. Our Master said, “For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.” (Mt 25:29). 

I did not write this to get you to sign up for this year’s church camp. I write to urge you to come to camp broken and contrite, fearfully and prayerfully. And do be in earnest prayer for yourself, for your brethren, and (if you would be so kind) for the speaker.

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