Agape Baptist Church - Sermons

"Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself. Thou must bleed for me."— Ralph Waldo EmersonWe are often guilty of loving the gifts more than the Giver.But God was never content to send gifts from a distance. His only Son bled – the final, ultimate expression of a love that refused to be replaced by anything less than Himself.As Daniel walks us through Exodus 33:12-23, a text where Moses refuses to settle. He does not just want God's blessings; he wants God's presence, and he won't move without it.How hungry are you for the same?Join us as we sit with this ancient longing, and meet the One who answered it once and for all.

As we come to the end of this opening series into Matthew, the question we're left with is:“What are you going to do about this Jesus?”Join us as Pastor Johanan leads us to wrestle with this question, in A City in Upheaval from Matthew 2:13-23.

“When Christ is most worthy, we are most happy.” Really??We look at our lives - and the obvious solution doesn't seem to be “more of Jesus”! Instead, we honestly feel like we need more of everything else but Jesus.Why can't we be happy & rested in Jesus? As we look at Matthew 2:1-12, as Jesus's coming continues to shake everything. Join us as Pastor Johanan brings us answers in A City Troubled.

We know the Christmas story. We know that Jesus's coming means “peace on earth” and “joy to the world”.But do we get just how radical, and how disruptive Jesus's coming truly was? That the arrival of the Prince of Peace was anything but “peaceful”?We all want deep, unshakeable peace. But what if the pathway to unshakeable peace is the shaking up of our lives and our world?As Pastor Johanan begins his first series into the book of Matthew: INVASION: The Chaos of Christ's Coming. Join us as we begin with An Engagement Interrupted from Matthew 1:18-25.

What does it mean to walk with God?In the genealogy recorded in Genesis 5, we are introduced to Enoch, a man uniquely described - for the first time - as one who walked with God.As we will learn from Enoch's distinctive life how the blessed life, in a world of sin and death, is marked by walking with God.Join us as Pastor GL preaches the sermon, Enoch: The One Who Walked With God from Genesis 5:1-24.

What is robbing you of your rest? This is a deep soul rest. Not merely sleep or having time to relax.How do you approach these rest-robbers? How do you deal with them? And how do you re-gain that rest - and then guard it jealously?Join us as Pastor Johanan closes this opening series of the year with Don't you miss Him?

How's the new year looking for you? Busy? Intense? Lots to do? But even with all the doing, what's going to become of us this year?This Sunday, we dig into a second needful question: What's your goal? As Pastor Johanan places before us an unexpected yet precious goal, from 1 Timothy 1:3-5. Invite a friend!

We begin 2026 with a 3-part sermon series, LET'S TALK: Questions that matter as we enter 2026 together.At the start of every year, we rush headlong into achieving our goals, making our changes, and just being better. New year, new you - right?Maybe what we really need is to pause and ask each other a simple, needful question: “How are you?”As Pastor Johanan leads us into Ephesians 6:21-24 together.

2025 is winding down. The resolutions are being written. Better finances? A healthier body? A major career move? We all have a vision for 2026. It feels responsible to plan; it feels safe.But in the middle of our strategizing, the book of James interrupts with a haunting question: “What is your life?”Is it possible that our confidence in the future is actually arrogance? Are we just a temporary "mist" acting as eternal gods?As we are diving into James 4:13–17 to explore what James says about planning for the year ahead.

In Singapore, December is loud — malls, messages, meals, and nonstop schedules. But in all that noise, what if we're missing the one voice that can actually give us peace?As Pastor Guna will unpack Luke 2:13–19 to discover how God speaks — not to the impressive, but to ordinary people — and how the Christmas story isn't just familiar background music, but a personal invitation to come to the Prince of Peace. If you're tired, restless, or quietly carrying more than you show, come. There's a peace you can't manufacture — only receive.

One reason we lose our peace is that we quietly give room to fear. It sits in our hearts, grows in our thoughts, and steals our rest. But how do we deal with these fears so that real peace can return?We'll explore a peace that cannot be achieved by effort, but can only be received as a gift. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, tells us that in this world we will have trouble—yet he also promises a peace that the world cannot give and fear cannot touch.Come and discover how this peace can be yours in the sermon “The Peace That Fear Cannot Touch”.This is the first of two sermons in our Christmas series, “Peace and A God Who Speaks”, brought by Pastor Guna.

Matthew 8:23-27 is short passage with only five verses but it's one of the most breathtaking moments in the Gospel of Matthew. The disciples are in a boat with Jesus. A violent storm hits. They panic. Jesus sleeps. Then with a single command, He calms the storm — and the disciples are left whispering, “What kind of man is this?”That's the central question of this story. And Matthew gives us the answer: Jesus is no ordinary man. He is the sovereign God who rules over creation, commands the chaos, and calls us to trust Him.Let's look through this narrative together and receive a word in season for you.

Are you ‘commitment-phobic'? Relationships are hard. But in Christianity, relationships are not something to avoid. They are something to be embraced & deepened. In Christianity, relationships can go beyond being transactional & superficial to becoming… covenantal.What does it mean to be ‘in covenant'? Join us as Pastor Johanan brings us answers in When Covenant Fuels Courage from Joshua 10:1-27.

Life isn't always what it seems:- ‘loyal' friends betray you- ⁠the ‘best' decisions prove to be the worst- ⁠we don't get what we rightly deserveHow nice if life was simple, straightforward, and just… safe. Sadly this is not quite how life works. So then, how do we live in a world like this? As Pastor Johanan begins a new series titled, When Life Isn't Black And White: Grasping God's great grace in a great grey world from Joshua 9-10. Join us for the first instalment: When Deception Meets Decision from Joshua 9!

How do we engage in an invisible war with an invisible enemy, for the sake of an invisible kingdom? (Hint: Not by taking up physical weapons.)As Pastor Johanan brings a close to the sermon series on spiritual warfare - with ATTACK from Ephesians 6:16-20.

Out of nowhere - you are struck with an incurable disease. A crisis emerges that may cost you your career. A loved one meets with a tragedy. Spiritual warfare falls upon us suddenly & without warning. But how do we know when it's spiritual warfare (and when it's not)? And if it is spiritual warfare - how should we respond? As Pastor Johanan begins his closing series on the book of Ephesians: FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! Join us as he bring us answers from Ephesians 6:10-17, with DEFEND.

As we celebrate God's continuous, faithful work in our lives, and witness the joyful Installation of our new Senior Pastor! Pastor Guna Raman will be preaching on Shepherding the Gospel into the City from Acts 20:17-38!

If you wait till the battle begins, to start sharpening your sword - you're too late.Paul tells us to put on the armour of God so that we might stand in “the evil day”. What does that mean? What does that look like? As Pastor Johanan closes this penultimate series on the book of Ephesians with READY from Ephesians 6:13-15.

Do you believe in ghosts? Demons. Spirits. Satan. Spiritual, supernatural evil is a reality in the Bible. What do we make of this? How do we deal with it?As Pastor Johanan begins a new sermon series BE ON GUARD. Hear answers to your questions from the first sermon VIGILANT from Ephesians 6:10-13.

One moment, your words sing like a melody. The next, they slice like a blade.Why is that?Some of us speak with blunt honesty. Some of us soften truth to protect or encourage.But how do we speak with wisdom—words that are both true and loving?As Pastor Too concludes our Proverbs series, Wisdom Shaped by the Gospel Lens, with a sermon titled: Speech Purified by Love.Join us as we explore Proverbs 4:23–24 and discover how our words can be shaped by love—more gentle, more life-giving, more wise.

What is the heart and why do we need to guard it?Popular culture tells us to “follow your heart,” to be free by listening to your feelings and emotions. But does the Bible teach the same about our hearts?AS Wilson will begin a two-part series on Proverbs, Wisdom Shaped by the Gospel Lens, with the sermon: A Life Directed by the Heart.Come and discover from Proverbs 4:20–23 how your heart reveals who you really are and why you do what you do.

For a church to truly fulfil its purpose - Christians need to submit to one another. But how does this look like outside the “four walls” of the church? How does submission work when relating to parents, children, bosses, colleagues who are not Christian? As Pastor Johanan ends this series by looking at submission in the family and at work. Join us for SUBMITTING (PART 2) from Ephesians 6:1-9!

Submission. This word doesn't often come with the best connotations.Yet we are told, that for a church to truly fulfil its purpose - Christians need to submit to one another. This is radical. But how does it work? What does it look like? We have the example of marriage. As Pastor Johanan brings us SUBMITTING (PART 1) from Ephesians 5:21-33.

Do you want to be successful? Of course you do! Success may not look the same for each person - it comes in many shapes and forms. But we all want to achieve what we believe will make us whole and happy. But can pursuing success become dangerous? And what would it look like for the Church to pursue success?We begin a new sermon series: How to “Church”: The church's building blocks from Ephesians 5. As Pastor Johanan brings us answers, in INLIGHTENED from Ephesians 5:5-21.

The Bible teaches us that the Christian life is a life of freedom, but for many believers, it seems like the opposite. Christianity feels more like a system of rules and regulations.But why? Why is our felt reality often so different from what is promised?The answer lies in the lens through which we view life.Pastor GL begins a new two-part series, Putting on the Gospel Lens (Not Just a Little Bit but Thick-Thick!)- with Free or Not Free? from Galatians 5:1-15.

Do you ever feel torn inside—longing to be patient, kind, or self-controlled, yet finding yourself doing the opposite? Why is it that the very change we desire most seems so hard to reach?In Galatians 5, Paul gives us precious insight into this very human experience. He describes how those who belong to Christ live with an inner war—our sinful desires pull one way, while the Holy Spirit leads us another.Pastor GL completes the two-part series with the sermon The Gospel Warzone: Spirit vs Flesh from Galatians 5:16–26.

In his recent National Day Rally speech, PM Lawrence Wong called for Singaporeans to arise as a “we-first” society.Interestingly enough, in the Bible, it is the Church that is called to be emphatically “we-first”.But what does that look like?Join us this Sunday, as Pastor Johanan closes his series From “I” to “We”: The church's building blocks from Ephesians 4 — with BODY-BUILDING from Ephesians 4:25-5:5.

Do you need to change? Chances are - yes, you do (and so do I)!But how does change happen? How do we go beyond just making external changes, to truly experiencing change?Pastor Johanan brings us TRANSFORMING from Ephesians 4:17-24.

Are you a mature person? How would you answer that question?Christianity celebrates childlikeness - but bemoans childishness. In this faith, maturity is a must.Pastor Johanan opens with the first sermon series: From “I” To “We”: The church's building blocks from Ephesians 4- with MATURING from Ephesians 4:1-16.

Ever found yourself comparing churches—feeling proud, discouraged, or even disconnected? Instead of building walls, what if we discovered Christ's heart for unity in Singapore's church family? With Day of His Power approaching, let's prepare by rediscovering what really matters to Jesus. Daniel shares “This Church, That Church”—a message from 1 Timothy 2:1-7 for all who long for oneness in the body of Christ.

”Religion is all about being a better person.”This is often said to reduce Christianity to mere religion. Yet the way we Christians practice our faith can also reflect this statement! This is especially when we look to Christianity primarily to gain more knowledge, moral improvement, and greater self-mastery. What is Christianity all about then?Join us this Sunday as Pastor Johanan closes this series with BURN from Ephesians 3:14-21.If you are not a Christian, come hear a perspective on Christianity you may not have heard before!

We all go through suffering. But should Christians face suffering? And should our suffering diminish our God-given glory as His Church?This Sunday, we begin a new series: SAVED FOR MORE: The Church's building blocks from Ephesians 3. Join us as Pastor Johanan brings us the first instalment ”SHINE” from Ephesians 3:1-13. Invite a friend!

Drawing Strength in Christ – Ps Guna | Agape Church Camp 2025Spiritual exhaustion is real—especially when we pour out without being rooted in the One who sustains us. From Colossians 3:1–4, Ps Guna reminds us that true strength, joy, and rest come only when our identity is placed fully in Christ. ✝️

In this Sermon, we'll be hearing from Torkis in a sermon titled “A Call for Compassion” based on Luke 10:25-37. He will dive deeper into the familiar and relevant topic of compassion. What does the Bible require of us as believers when we are placed in situations that call for us to be compassionate?Through the story that Jesus told, Torkis will unpack practical steps on how we can respond differently in light of the gospel.

You Are CALLEDPaul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God– Romans 1:1“Our high and privileged calling is to do the will of God in the power of God forthe glory of God.”— James Innell Packer

It's Youth Sunday!Pastor Johanan brings us Living Larger Than Life from Romans 2:6-11 - to challenge not only the youth - but all of us!

Greetings from Camp Called, Batam!We've been following through Paul's introduction from Romans 1:1-4. We will talk about the kind of church we want to be. What is our vision for our church?Listen in as Pastor Johanan closes Camp Called with Called to God from Romans 1:5-7.

In this sermon, Pastor Guna preaches on what the Bible instructs parents to give to their children for their flourishing and what children should give to their parents for their blessing.

What kind of heart posture should we have when coming before God?In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus shares a parable about two people praying - one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. Their different prayers are evaluated very differently by Jesus.In this last sermon of the three-part series leading to church camp, Pastor GL unpacks the essential posture we must have in our relationship with God.Don't miss the sermon, Two Postures, One For You!

Waiting for God involves more than just being in awe of His unique greatness. Active waiting also involves praying - not just for things but as an expression of our intimacy with God.It is also this intimacy with God that prepares our hearts to meet with Him at our upcoming church camp.Pastor GL unpacks Hebrews 4:14-16 and share three encouragements to deepen our intimacy with God through prayer during this season.Don't miss the sermon, Welcome To The Throne Of Grace!

Waiting for God is a recurring theme in the Bible, but it isn't always easy. Yet through it, God often shapes our hearts and deepens our faith.This Sunday, Pastor GL begins a new 3-part series: Waiting for God: Perspective, Prayer, & Posture. In the first sermon, based on Micah 7:18-20, we'll see the perspective that gave the prophet Micah the desire and confidence to wait expectantly for God.Don't miss this sermon, Who Is Like This God?

Jesus said more about money than any topic and yet we do not talk enough about it in church and amongst loved ones. Is managing our money an indicator of our spiritual health? Jesus seems to suggest so. What can go wrong if we mismanage our finances? And how can we do it right? Wilson preaches from the Parable of the Unjust Steward in Luke 16:1-13. Listen in and learn about this sensitive topic of money to better steward finances that God has entrusted us with.

Feeling apathetic? Does life seem mundane, mechanical, and meaningless? Do you feel like there's nothing that spurs you, nothing that fills you with purpose each day?Do you feel like you've already satisfied and explored the mystery and magnitude of God? That there's nothing more to God to behold and savour?Does the Church seem limp and pathetic - and it feels like that's all there is to her?This semron, Pastor Johanan gives us answers from Ephesians 2:18-22, in BUILT. Listen in to gain a renewed perspective and passion for life!

Are we the most divided people, ever? Some might say so. But even if we aren't, surely we do see the fractures and divisions along political, ethnic, social, religious lines (and many more).What can we do about these divisions? Is there any hope beyond basic tolerance for one another? Will we ever see true unity among diverse people?Pastor Johanan gives us an answer from Ephesians 2:11-18, in UNIFIED. Listen in - as we learn how we are NOT THE SAME because of Jesus!

Hypocrisy. Most people feel guilty of it, but Christians feel this guilt even more acutely. Over time, this guilt disillusions and discourages us from continuing in faith. How do we move from hypocrisy to a glad pursuit of holiness?Pastor Johanan begins a new 3-part series: NOT THE SAME: The Church's building blocks from Ephesians 2. Join us as he answers the questions above in his first sermon, “ENLIVENED” from Ephesians 2:1-10.

How will you respond when grief overwhelms you? What can you do when your world seems to crumble? How do you cope when despair threatens to drown you?In our struggles, we often seek refuge in methods, strategies, or coping mechanisms. Yet, the real solution lies in shifting our hope to the solid rock of Christ and discovering who Jesus is in the trenches of everyday life. In this stand-alone sermon, “Who is Jesus?”, Pastor Too guides us through John 20:1-18, showing us how Mary Magdalene's grief and despair transformed into immense joy and hope when she heard Jesus' voice and saw Him again.

This Easter Sunday, we're confronted with the deep longings of our hearts—for healing, for wholeness, for hope. In a world filled with brokenness, many of us ask: When will life be whole again?Through the encounter between Nicodemus and Jesus, and the bold declaration of Christ's resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15, we discover that true wholeness begins with being born again. It's not a change we can make ourselves, but a transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit. And it is possible because Jesus not only died but rose again.If Christ is alive, then nothing is impossible—not even wholeness for the most broken parts of our lives. This is the hope of Easter.

One people, one nation, one Singapore”—a familiar phrase sung almost every National Day, reminding us of our shared Singaporean identity. But as Christians, we are also part of a spiritual holy nation. What does it mean to be a holy nation? Join Daniel Loke to explore 1 Peter 2:9-10 in “Chosen, Royal, Holy, Possession” and discover the richness of this spiritual national identity.

WHO WE ARE Series 06/04/25

Christianity is all about getting the golden ticket to heaven.'Ever heard that before? Ever thought that before?Learn how faith in Jesus is so much more! Pastor Johanan brings us ENDOWED from Ephesians 1:11-14. Website: www.agape.org.sgFacebook: @agape.sgInstagram: @agapebc