Christ’s finished work

Tag: Christ’s finished work

Behind the Writing of “The 26 Gifts of Christ’s Finished work”

11 December 2024 blogpastor Leave a comment

My sincere apologies for the lengthy period when this blog was down. Something went wrong and it needed to be fixed. My friend Vee, was occupied with her work but thankfully she found some time to do the backend work on the blog to get it up again.

Quite a few exciting things have happened in the meanwhile. While the blog was down, I concentrated on editing my first book. I had been stuck for some weeks after I had edited four-fifths of the book. This time, I used Grammarly and Co-pilot to help me spot grammatical errors, improve clarity and sentence structure but I noticed there was little editing input from their AI. Free apps are useful only to a limit. Chat GPT does a better job but after edits of two chapters it stopped serving me. It wanted money. Ultimately, I decided two rounds of editing with the former tools were sufficient although I have a sneaky feeling some error may have escaped my attention.

The more exciting thing was the book cover. I met with Grace Phua, founder of O’ LIVE & WRITE, a copywriting, design and brand building company. I requested her help in designing a book cover and she graciously consented despite her busy schedule. I was glad because she worked for many years in this line of work before she started her business. After interaction over WhatsApp, we finally met for further discussions. I picked up some solid ideas from her and somehow was persuaded to change the title of this book, and another possible future book.

She came back in a fortnight and sent me two options, one of which (see below) seem to call out to me to adopt it. I love it for the simplicity, elegance and class. I love minimalist designs. They appeal to me. What do you think of the cover and title of the book? Love to have your comments.

The Lord has really gone ahead of me to prepare the way. A Tung Ling Bible School classmate, Benjamin Foo, who is a speaker, author, coach, and publisher, generously offered to guide me through the process of publishing a book without consultation charges, taking on himself some of the onerous tasks in book publishing. Conversing with him, I was persuaded to print physical books although my original plan was to do an ebook and circulate it free of charge. “The mind of man plans his way but the Lord determines his steps,” goes a bible Proverb.

Currently, I am sending my book to pastor friends and seeking their comments and endorsements to include in my book and on its back cover. I see the generosity of these friends who had taken time out to read and comment. Here are those that have already come in:

“I highly recommend ‘The 26 Gifts Of Christ’s Finished Work” by Rev Kenny Chee, a profound and insightful exploration of the riches of God’s grace. This book is a treasure trove of spiritual wisdom, empowering believers to live in the fullness of Christ’s finished work. Rev Chee’s writing is both refreshing and anointed, making this book a must-read for all who desire a deeper understanding of God’s amazing love.”

– Rev. Gabriel Han, Lead Apostolic Elder, Ministers Fellowship International, Singapore

“It’s a unique way to utilize the 26 letters of the English alphabet to cover the finished works of Christ. Well written and succinct!”

-Rev Vincent Hoon, Priest and former missionary of St. John’s – St. Margaret’s Church

The 26 Gifts of Christ’s Finished Work by Rev. Kenny Chee deepened my appreciation for God’s love and grace. Through his clear and insightful exposition of God’s truth, Rev. Chee illuminates the divine purposes of God in a way that resonates deeply with readers. In the preface, Rev. Chee writes, “Over time, I realized that spiritual growth begins not with what we must do, but with understanding and resting on what Christ has already done.” This profound statement, along with the rest of the book, challenges and corrects the common misconception many of us hold about the nature of spiritual growth. His teachings invite readers to shift their focus from striving to resting in the finished work of Christ, offering a refreshing and transformative perspective.

-Rev Peter Koh, Faith Methodist Church

“Rev. Kenny Chee’s “The 26 Gifts of Christ’s Finished Work” is a theological treasure trove, creatively arranged with an alphabetical structure that mirrors the poetic brilliance of the acrostic Psalms. Each chapter unveils a profound aspect of Christ’s finished work, blending rich biblical insight with practical application. This book is not just a study; it’s an invitation to rest in God’s grace, rediscover your spiritual inheritance, and live out the transformative power of the gospel.”

-Rev. Dr. John Sim, Assistant Professor of Theology, Vanguard University of Southern California, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Religion, and Who’s Who Among Asian Americans

“This book gives us a refreshing reminder of all the spiritual blessings that are already ours based on what Christ has done for us. We do not have to earn these blessings, but appropriate them for our daily living.”

-Rev. Cheng Eng Hwa

“Rev Kenny Chee and I were first-fruits of a powerful revival in Singapore in the 1970s. I was a witness to how the founders of World Revival Prayer Fellowship travailed in prayer for three years before revival broke out among youths and the church was formed. This book reveals the divine truths and gifts God has prepared for us, to empower us to advance in his kingdom. It equips us to become the new wineskin for today’s end-time harvest.”

-Rev Dr Amos Jayaratnam, Prophet and Founder of Kingdom Apostolic

“The 26 Gifts of Christ’s Finished Work” distils precious insights from Pastor Kenny’s steadfast walk with Jesus. Written with clarity and simplicity, these transformative truths are powerful. Reading this book brings to mind Colossians 2:3: “For our spiritual wealth is in Him, like hidden treasure waiting to be discovered—heaven’s wisdom and endless riches of revelation knowledge” (Passion Translation). May this book help us rediscover our blessedness in Christ as we explore its many facets.
-Ps Andrew Foo, Rivers of Life Church

“Kenny’s wonderful insights into the multi-faceted beauty and multi-dimensional blessings of Christ’s saving work on the Cross will certainly warm your hearts. He is careful to remind us that these benefits are meant to be experienced and enjoyed personally, not just mere abstract doctrines to recite.”

-Rev Dr Keith Lai, International Director, International Disciple Making Network

This book reflects Kenny’s deep love for the Lord and his 40 years of pastoral dedication to biblical integrity. His personal stories enrich the writing, which is biblically grounded, succinct, and ideal for individuals or groups seeking to explore the topic in depth.

-Pastor Koh Seng Chor (retired)

Rev. Kenny Chee writes with the kind of wisdom and grace that only comes from years of walking closely with God. This book isn’t just a guide—it’s a gateway to discovering the boundless riches of life in Christ, leaving you encouraged, renewed, and deeply anchored in His love.

– Grace Phua, Founder of O’ Live & Write, influencer @ curiousbookreviewer

Sermons for Good Friday & Easter

6 March 2024 blogpastor Leave a comment

One of the tasks that pastors find challenging is to find fresh sermons to preach during Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

In the past, attendance increases during these special days in the Christian calendar, but nowadays more Christians are taking the opportunity to get out of the country for a break. This is sad because these are high days for followers of Christ to be present to receive the full significance of Christ’s death and resurrection. These high days mark the great turning point in the salvation history of the world.

The forty days of Lent before these high days are preparation for a more meaningful remembrance and experience of Christ’s death and resurrection. Look further back and there is Advent, with its theme of hope in the midst of darkness. Advent and Lent point us to this pivotal point in salvation history. It is meant to be the high point, the climax of the Christian year. Christians should all be geared to honour, celebrate and worship our God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Preaching sermons about Christ’s death and resurrection can be forbidding for some pastors. Partly because expectations are higher. Partly because there are usually special programs like evangelism and baptisms planned around it, and these can be tiring. Partly because the members half-expect and know what’s going to be preached. They can guess what the preacher’s next point is. Partly because the pastor has already preached so many Good Friday and Easter sermons in the past, that he or she is now scraping the bottom of his creativity pot.

My suggestion is to use a resource I have put up. They are actually a first draft of a book I have written titled, “A to Z of Christ’s Finished Work”. Here are my suggestions:

You can do a series on “Blessings of Christ’s Death & Resurrection” or some title like this and choose three points for each sermon. That’s a total of six points out of 26 points available. Use the ones that resonates with you, or that the congregation can be blessed with, or because it suits your purpose (eg. evangelistic sermons have to focus on facets of salvation).

Alternatively you can preach A, B, and C for Good Friday, and then D,E, and F for Easter and end it by encouraging cell groups to do the rest of the alphabets in their Bible discussion groups.

Or if the response and feedback is good, you can continue the series for the following Sundays. It only takes seven more Sundays to finish all the alphabets. It will give the congregation a good grounding and understanding of the whole gospel.

Well, have a look and pray about it. You can look at all the material HERE. You have full permission to use whatever you wish without acknowledgement, and add or subtract to make it suitable for your purposes and for the feeding of your people.

Have a great and exciting Good Friday and Easter.

Christ’s Finished Work: Zion

8 February 2024 blogpastor 1 Comment

This final portion of an e-book that I am writing has been a long time coming. With this final deposit, I have completed the first draft of my e-book titled: “A to Z of Christ’s Finished Work”. I will need to edit and refine and knit them all together before publishing the book.

Z could easily be “zest” or better still “zeal” both of which are certainly fruits of the finished work of Jesus Christ. However, what appeals to me more is “Zion”.

No, we do not mean “Zionism” which is defined by Collins English Dictionary as “a political movement for the establishment and support of a national homeland for Jews in Palestine, now concerned chiefly with the development of the modern state of Israel”.

I am talking about Zion, a geographical location, an emotive symbol and spiritually significant motif. In the Old Testament, we first hear of Zion as the fortress of the Jebusites that David conquered and made into his capital, Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6-7). Zion came to be synonymous with the city of Jerusalem, and and its inhabitants. Later, through its association with the Temple it took on spiritual significance as God’s dwelling place on earth with his people. During Israel’s captivity in Babylon, it became the pivot of their hope. Isaiah 65:17-19 states: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress”.

There will be a new Jerusalem at the heart the new creation at the end of this age. This is confirmed in Revelation 21: 1-3 where Isaiah’s vision will be finally fulfilled. “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God”. This end of the age fulfilment could not have come apart from Jesus’ death and resurrection from the dead. This is the final purpose and ultimate vision of the Holy Trinity: to dwell with his beloved children in new Jerusalem, in eternal Zion.

The writer of Hebrews talks about Zion as “the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God” (Heb 11:10). It is the eternal city “for here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come”(Heb 13:14). The writer sees Zion as a city in the afterlife, a physical reality, and part of the new heaven and new earth that God will create.

Interestingly the writer also refers to Mount Zion as a existing spiritual reality too. His purpose was to dissuade Jewish converts to Christ from backsliding into Judaism because of the persecution and pressure they encountered. So in Hebrews 12:18-24 he compared the old and new covenant, the Mount Sinai and Mount Zion experience. On Mount Sinai what they experienced were tangible, terrifying and threatening so much so that even Moses feared for his life.

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. (Heb 12:22-24)

The new covenant Mount Zion experience would be totally different because of the mediator Jesus Christ. Note that “you have come” is in present perfect tense, which refers to a past action that has continued into the present. While Revelations sees Mount Zion as a future hope, the writer of Hebrews present another dimension, the here and now, which followers of Christ have entered into.

Through Christ’s blood which speaks the better word of forgiveness rather than the blood of Abel crying out for revenge, we who are followers of Christ, have come to Mount Zion where God dwells. We are in fellowship with God the Judge, and Jesus the Mediator, and with angels though we do not see them, and with the universal church (including past Old Testament believers that are described as “the spirits of the righteous made perfect”). The writer of Hebrews is saying that under the new covenant, all followers of Christ are experiencing a foretaste of the new Jerusalem of Revelations 21. This is Mount Zion. There is much mystery here in this spiritual reality that we cannot fully grasp this side of eternity. But thankful we should be. Made possible by Christ’s finished work.

This is part of a planned series of writings on the topic, “The A to Z of Christ’s Finished Work”. I am writing it alphabet by alphabet. Thus far the others that I have written can be found HERE.