GMC Sermon Reading and Writing/typing(66)

29th August, 2010
Written By Rev Law Hui Seng
Posted By Teresa Han

Col 1:28

Main Idea: Read and write to give testimonies

Objectives: To challenge the congregation to read (listen to spiritual talks in DVDs) Christian literature and write testimonies to witness for Christ.

A. Introduction

- Who among us cannot read and write? I think all of you can do both. For the younger ones, I believe you can write in 3 languages (BM, Chinese, and English). For those of you in the 40s and above, you can read and write at least in English. God does not give you the reading and writing abilities just for the purpose of making a living. I pray that today’s sermon will help you to realize that you must use your reading and writing abilities to witness for Jesus.

- Reading and writing are powerful tools that you can capitalize to make a difference for Jesus.

- Paul in Colossians 1:28, exhorted us to claim Christ, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom.

- Reading and writing are part of wisdom given by God for us to proclaim Christ.

- This great letter of apostle tells us how he labored for the Church.

B. How apostle Paul labored for the Church

- In verse 24, chapter 1, Paul suffered for the church. You cannot understand why he still rejoiced when he suffered unless you believe that the presence of Christ with him.

- He said in verse 24, “Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s affliction, for the sake of his body, which is the church.”

- Next in verse 25, see how he as a tent maker, see how he regarded himself as a servant of the church. The church at that time being young, they did not pay him anything to support. He still labored with strong sense of God’s calling.

- You see what he said in verse 25, “I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness –“ He believed he was called by God to preach His word to the Colossians. Do you think that God only called apostles and pastors or those who so called serve God full time. If you think so, then, it is wrong thinking and you need to repent. Paul was a tent maker and yet he preached the word of God everywhere he went.

- If you do not believe that God also very much calls His disciples and lay people in GMC, then, you cannot explain why He gave the great commission to His disciples in Matthew 28:19, “… go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey anything I have commanded you …”

- Paul took the commission seriously and so must we. He regarded himself as a servant of the church to bring God’s word to the Colossians. He believed that the mysteries of God had been revealed to him and then it was up to him to the mysteries to the Gentiles (verses 26 and 27). That is why in verses 28 and 29 you heard him said, “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.”

- Can you think of a way, a wisdom which Paul talked about to present Christ, God’s word to other people? Some of us are actively in missions in long houses, overseas; reaching out to your colleagues and try to invite them to church services; I believe you pray for your friends and relatives for their salvation; etc. Recently, with the visit of pastor Cheli, we receive the inspiration to do reading bus (mobile) at Tudan Methodist Church, among the indigenous people of Tudan. The wisdom that God has given us is teaching children how to read English and preach the gospel using Alpha. The mission committee will begin the project in October. For now, we need people to contribute literature like Lady Bird series. Let us pray that many Indigenous people in Tudan will be blessed with improved English so that they come to know Jesus and become His disciples.

- Today is once a year Christian Literature Sunday. A Sunday we need to emphasize the importance of Christian Literature in our disciple making ministry. May be when you hear this two words, it is all about written words in book form, magazines, newsletters; today you also find God’s word very much typed and found in the internet, websites, blogs, even face books, in electronic forms. Praise the Lord for the word of God is so readily available!

- What you can do with all the numerous of forms of written word of God. God has given us the wisdom of using electronic devices to spread His word. Can you use it?

C. Applications

- First and foremost, you must read the written word of God in the bible. That is most fundamental, only when you are familiar with the word of God, then, you can share it with others. You must do this homework first.

- You can read Christian literature like on a special topics like marriage, raising children, great bibliographies of God’s servants throughout the centuries, prayer, etc.

- You can read Christian literature like Connection, Methodist Message, etc. Very few people become friends of Methodist Message from our church. They are appealing to us again.

- You can also write your testimonies and put articles in websites an face books so that you can proclaim Christ.

D. Conclusion

- Before you go to see Jesus, use your reading and writing abilities to make a difference for Jesus.

Trinity (Part 2 of 2)

15th August, 2010

(preached at SMCGC)
Written By rev Law Hui Seng
Posted By Teresa Han

Main Idea: doctrine of Trinity

Objectives: To help the congregation to understand doctrine of Trinity in balance.

A. Introduction

- In my last sermon, I preached to you the persons of Jesus Christ and God the Holy Spirit.

- For Jesus, I emphasized that He was a man; had personality; He is God; and the same for the Holy Spirit.

- Today, I shall give you a balance view of Trinity, God the Father, the Son and the Spirit both in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

B. Trinity implicit in OT and Trinity explicit in NT.

- The general term for God in the Hebrew word is Elohim, in plural. It refers to the transcendence of God: His power and ‘otherness’. He creates by means of the Word and spirit.

- Genesis 1: 1-3, “…the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light…”

- The teaching becomes clearer in Genesis 1:26 “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, …”

- In the NT the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophets 2Peter 1:21 “For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke form as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

C. The Trinitarian Implications in the NT

- The preaching of John the Baptist: Repentance toward God (Matthew 3:2, 7-8); Faith in a coming Messiah (Matthew 3:11); baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11).

- The baptism of Jesus: The Father’s voice from heaven (Mathew 3:17); the Spirit like a dove (Mathew 3:16). The announcement of Jesus’ birth: the work of the Spirit in the incarnation (Luke 1:35); Jesus would be called the son of God (Luke 1:35).

- The baptismal formula (Mathew 28:19).

- The relationship between the Father and Son: The Word was ‘with’ God shows a Trinitarian relationship. No one knew the Son except the Father, and vice versa (Mathew 11:27). The Father sent the Son (John 6:44).

D. Relationship between the persons of the Godhead.

- They heap praise upon each other.

- Father: glorifies the Son (Mathew 3:17; 17:5; John 5:20-23).

- Jesus: honors the Father (John 5:19, 30-31; 12:28).

- Spirit: honors the Son (John 15:26; 16:8-10, 14)

- Intercession is made for us by both the Son and the Spirit.

- By the Spirit (Romans 8:26-27)

- By the Son (Romans 8:31ff; Hebrews 7:25)

- There is no rivalry in the Trinity. You can pray to any person of the Godhead. Jesus said to pray to the Father (Matthew 6:9ff). But in the bible there are prayers addressed to Jesus (Luke23:42; Acts 7:59).

E. Conclusion

- The doctrine of Trinity is central to the Christian faith. Any teaching that does not affirm the Trinity is heresy. It means false teaching not according to the bible.

Where Are the Other Nine?

8th August, 2010

Written By Rev Law Hui Seng

Posted By Teresa Han

Luke 17:11-19

Main Idea: Thanksgiving

Objective: To teach the congregation to develop a heart of thanksgiving to God in our daily life.

A. Introduction

- Christians/ disciples of Jesus must thank God for what He has done for us.

- I love to thank to God (my Lord/ master) for what He has done in my life everyday. I offer myself as an example to you all in my area of thanksgiving to God in my life. I would like to share with you more later when it comes to application. Thanksgiving to God is very much part of my life, then, it is worth sharing it with you.

- Many Christians do not have that habit and do it once a while. When was the last time you open your mouth and say a prayer to thank God for what He has done for you? Lots of us do not say grace before we eat, so, we seldom thank God.

- The scriptural passage today has very powerful teaching about the need for Christians’ disciples of Jesus to do thanksgiving. It is our Lord’s teaching.

- I am always motivated by the story of the 10 lepers that Jesus told in the passage. I always remind myself not to the other 9. That is why my sermon title this morning isjust as what Jesus asked, “Where are the other nine?”

- The challenge is will you not become one of the nine?

B. The difference between the one Samaritan leper and the nine Jewish lepers

- In those days, leprosy was an uncurable disease. The disease carriers were all isolated from family members and they did not only suffer the physical pain of the disease as the flesh get decay; they were totally isolated from family members and no love would be shown to them as it was a contagious disease. They also suffered the in isolation.

- Jesus healed diseases all over the places in His time and the ten lepers knew it and they grasped the opportunity when they came across Jesus.

- You see the demonstration of Jesus’ healing power. As the 10 lepers could not get near Him and be touched by Him because it was required by the unclean law as it was a contagious disease. They stood at a distance and shouted to Jesus to ask Him for mercy. Jesus did not even get near to touch and He just told them to show them to the priests. Only after the priests examined them and they certified disease free, they could go home and be united with family members.

- You can imagine the excitement of being healed right on the spot. If you were one of the 10 lepers, what would you do immediately? May be you would like to thank Jesus immediately, right?

- But only one Samaritan (a mixture of Jews and Gentile descent) who did not get carried away with the excitement and immediately thanked and praised Jesus. The rest of the Jewish lepers (probably) forgot all about it. Their ingratitude was a concern to Jesus, that was why Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?... give praise to God except this foreigner?”

- You see Jesus expects gratitude from the other 9 also. Will you become the other nine?

C. Applications

- Do you see the need to thank God for what He has done for you? Personally, I give thank to God for everything in my life. As my heart tells me in gratitude, I will say it out with my mouth the moment I feel it. It ranges from food to relationships and all that have achieved for Christ. I thank God always and I find that it helps me to become very intimate with Jesus. Will you do the same?

- Thanksgiving is an act that strengthen your relationship with God. This is because you acknowledge his presence in your life. As you obey him, you do more and more of thanksgiving. Some Christians would like to express their gratitude to God with an offering.

D. Conclusion

- Thanksgiving matters to God.

Are you born again?

1st August, 2010.

Written By Rev Law Hui Seng

Posted By Teresa Han 

Main Idea: Born again through Jesus Christ

Objectives: a. To teach the need for people to be born again. B. To explain the meaning of born again. C. To change people to be born again.

A. Introduction

- Christianity is very relevant to our everyday life because it meets the need of the world which is full of sin. We need to find the answers to our problem of sin.

- Different religions and beliefs and world philosophy have all try to give answers.

- And today, we see one answer or the best answer Christianity is giving the world, to solve the problem of sin.

- It has to do with the question of: Are you born again?

B. Born Again

- This question arises out of the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee, a member of the powerful Jewish ruling council. He must be one of those Jews who was attracted to Jesus’ teaching and miracles and believed Jesus was sent by God. At the same time, he feared persecution by fellow Jews if he identified with Jesus in any way.

- So, he came secretly at night to ask Jesus about kingdom of God. Jesus recognized the visitor’s heart as He is God who is all knowing. He recognized the spiritual hunger for the kingdom of God. This was where Jesus took the opportunity to teach him that no one can see the kingdom of God unless he was born again.

- New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and New Jerusalem Bible (NJB) translated it as “You must be born from above.” Both the meanings of born again and born from above refer to how Jesus saves individuals from sins and forgiveness of his/ her sins.

- Naturally, Nicodemus misunderstood the meaning of Jesus and he thought one could not go back to his mother’s womb in order to be born again. So, Nicodemus asked, “How can one be born again?” This is where Jesus, being the word became flesh, grasped the opportunity to teach him and the world today and anybody who read this book of John will know answer in verse 5, “born of water of Spirit.”

- The water here refers to at least 2 meanings. One who is born of water means being baptized by water and life being transformed by the living word of God. Water here also refers to living word of God because Jesus Himself is living water. He offers the Samaritan woman living water that will not cause her to thirst. It is the living word of God.

- Jesus wanted to lead him into a personal relationship with Him. And for this to happen, it takes both the word and God’s Spirit, the wind, the pneuma. The action of the wind of God.

- It takes both the word of God and the Spirit of God together to transform a person’s life, to help him to repent to become a new person.

- Jesus went on to liken himself to bronze snake that Moses lifted up upon the instruction of God in the Old Testament for Israelites who received snake bites and the moment they look at the bronze snake, they would be saved and healed.

- Jesus is hinting that people who come into a personal faith in Him who would be crucified and lifted up high on the cross one and anyone who come to accept him and repent in Him shall have eternal life.

- He makes Himself very clear in verse 13 that he is the Son of Man coming from heaven. Then in this context, he says in verse 16, he says He is the only Son of God sent by God, to love the world, every human being. Not to condemn the world but to save the world and gives anyone who come to Jesus eternal life and salvation.

- He also equates Himself to the light of the world, in a world of darkness. He challenges people to come to this light and live by the light, do not do evil for the evil deeds cannot stand the test of the light. A person who is saved will live in the light.

C. Applications

- In view of the water (word of God), what should be our attitude towards the word of God? Do you believe and accept Jesus as the living water, word of God? If so, then, our attitude towards the bible must be that we are under the authority of the bible. we must obey all the teaching in it; not part of it. And this takes a life time.

- If born again is so crucial in deciding whether you enter the Kingdom of God or heaven, then, you have to be sure you are born again.

D. Conclusion

- The best life policy is to live a life in obedience to God’s word.