tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38622362034473336142024-02-20T16:36:51.008+08:00From ShepherdEveryone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-84876729617106529092019-01-13T16:32:00.001+08:002019-01-13T16:32:08.022+08:00<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">An Amazing Great Political
Breakthrough Election – </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Pastor
Law Hui Seng (Taiwan, 21/10/18)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What do
you think of the recent just concluded Malaysia once in five years
parliamentary election on 9<sup>th</sup> May, 2018?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I call it amazing because I strongly believe
God is involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I call it great because
for the first time in 61 years the majority of the different races and even the
people of different religions could be so united in saying no to the former
ruling party coalition, despite the odds of gerrymandering in the newly drawn
constituencies for the national election and mighty machinery and resources
available to the last ruling party coalition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I call it a breakthrough because ever since independence there had not
been any change of ruling power. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most
importantly, it is in every sense a breakthrough as so many people said it was
impossible for a power change but it happened on the 9<sup>th</sup> May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A much awaited smooth transfer of political
power had happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A change that we are
so proud of as it will bring hope for a better future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A change that gives birth to a new Malaysia
that inspires the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rakyat</i> to move on
with a greater confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Malaysia
becomes new not only because a new batch of leaders with new mentality and
mindset has taken over the ruling power, but more so, these new leaders will
bring about changes in substance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Especially changes in fundamental systems and policies which are more
just.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It definitely brings about new
hope and direction for many years to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The Surprising Element<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The long
awaited breakthrough finally came about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most of us could not believe it for many reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even a lot of us Christians had prayed for
God to do justice, remove corruption and greed, cleanse our nation from the
power of darkness, and lots of other things, we did not think the power change
would happen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Privately, I even told
people the chance of changing the ruling power is at least 80% to 90%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my circle of friends, most of them
disagreed with the percentage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always
told them this time round, the whole political scenario in the country was very
different because of the Mahathir factor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He would unite most of the former opposition parties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even said in private to these close
friends, if there was a change in power it had to involve the surprising
element.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red;">That was
the top leadership of the last ruling power did not expect the power change
would happen.</span></i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had
made all the efforts to counter every expected attack and arrow shoot at them
from all sides. I tend to believe that in view of the extreme old age of
Mahathir, they did not expect him to be such a powerful factor (you may
disagree).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What could such a 93 years
old man do? (This was very much a prevailing general comment in the newspaper in
the months leading up to the election) How could he make a difference in the
national election as to the effect of bringing down the ruling party?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe this was one of the most unexpected
elements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May be they just expected
Mahathir and his new party would just win a few seats only and that was all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Another Surprising Element:
Tremendous Negative Effects of GST<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
believe another very unexpected factor that brought down the last ruling power
was the deep negative effects of GST.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When it was first materialized, most sensible people commented that it
was something necessary and most countries are practicing it and our country
needed it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people, especially
economic experts, bankers and the like said it was well justified. However, my
argument was if the government could survive with all kinds of taxes before the
introduction of GST, how she could not survive without it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There must have been a lot of abuse of power
and mismanagement of peoples’ money. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When GST
was introduced, my common sense told me it was a political suicide for the
ruling power. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would become such a
powerful factor that it would be a straw that brought down the ruling power. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would make most of the citizens in Malaysia
to feel the deep pain in financial limitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We suddenly found that our monetary value shrunk and our purchasing
power was reduced significantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone
was hit by it. We felt the economic pain which touched our ‘nerve’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It awakened us to vote for change and went
for an alternative ruling coalition which might be more responsible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">GST made
the poor suffered even further and even the most uneducated could experience
the economic pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt the pain
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even took steps to buy less
things and exercised my thriftiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
tightened my belt. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May be the last
ruling power expected the economic pain the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rakyat</i>
would experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I think they
miscalculated in the fact that the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red;">rakyat</span></i><span style="color: red;"> felt the pain <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">so deeply</b>.</span> The pain was so deep
that it overcame all the good measures taken by the previous government to
counter the negative effects of GST.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
pain was a great uniting force to mobilize a great majority of the voters to
vote against the ruling power.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Other Factors<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Other factors
such as the hot <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>national issue of
corruption (the number 1 enemy of Malaysia); 1MDB mismanagement of fund; the
great unequal treatment of different races owing to unjust government policies;
no freedom of religion (the forbidden usage of the word Allah; and etc);
nepotism and cronyism; the rich got richer and the poor got poorer; safety and
security of peoples’ lives (the missing pastor Raymond Kho was unaccounted for)
and property are stake; harder for people to find jobs and made ends meet owing
to slow economy and countless number of other issues, are affecting the voters
and caused the great majority of us to say no to the previous ruling
power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I personally believe that all
these voice down to a national leadership crisis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were not confident with the politicians
and government at different levels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
the top level leaders did not set a high level of integrity and honesty and of
great moral characters, there developed a great confidence crisis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The great majority of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rakyat</i> saw the nation was heading no way
if the last leadership were to continue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sarawak Parliamentary Election
Analyzed<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
Sarawak, beside the above factors, the indigenous people are very much bothered
by the issue of land acquisition, though the land is under the management of
Sarawak government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of lands were
acquired for personal gain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indigenous
people were very unhappy as they lost their court cases on the disputed
acquisition of lands. More and more lands were acquired and passed on to the
rich entrepreneurs at a low price in the name of development.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of empty promises were made and not
fulfilled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard from the long house
folks that building of roads and supply of electricity were promised but it
took the ruling power many long years to fulfill. Some were not fulfilled at
all. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also observed that the internal
strife, tensions among the leadership and struggles in certain ruling parties
had caused eroded support for the ruling power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Disunity was a heavy price for these parties which lost their
seats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarawak rights as a nation
forming Malaysia were greatly eroded (throughout the last decade) was also a
great factor that contributed to the dissatisfaction towards the ruling power. Of
course there were a lot of other accumulated factors which contributed to the
Chinese and indigenous people not voting for the last ruling power. (I believe
the political tsunami that happened among the indigenous people and the Chinese
in Sarawak will continue to reach its height in the coming Sarawak election,
which will be held in about 2 years’ time). All these combined factors had
caused the ruling power to lose 12 significant parliament seats from Sarawak
and this had contributed to the change of power to the Harapan Coalition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">God’s Factor<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As a
disciple of Jesus, I pray for Malaysia and really asked the almighty God to
come in and intervene and restore peace, justice and prosperity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I prayed for God to remove all the corrupted
politicians in His timing for more than 15 years. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I prayed that every since before year 8<sup>th</sup>
March, 2008 parliamentary election. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
the 5<sup>th</sup> May, 2013 parliamentary election, a lot of us were
disappointed as there was no change of ruling power though the opposition front
at that time scored a greater number of voting percentage than the ruling
power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even told<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yang Berhormat </i>after the 8<sup>th</sup>
March election that it was not God’s timing yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God being sovereign, He knows what is best
for every human being and every country in this world since He is the creator
of the universe and He created the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="color: red;">Apostle Paul even said in the letter to the
Romans in chapter 13 that God put the kings and ruling power (the government)
at the throne and the people were to obey the government of the day. </span>Then,
the implication is God can also remove the ruling power if He put it
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nobody, no king, no military
might, no government is more powerful than God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God has the sovereignty and control over all things and beings He
created.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the King of kings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who
dare to challenge God? Therefore, if we are the politicians and the governing
power of the day, we need to be answerable to God in the usage of the political
power which is entrusted by the people. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Politicians need to be humble before God,
whether they are Christians or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only
fear of God can empower him to distant himself or herself from greed and
corruption, dishonesty, hypocrisy, self-centeredness, and all kinds of
immorality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only fear of God can empower
one to rule with justice, peace and compassion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If one is not afraid of God’s punishment for one’s mistakes, sins, or
unrighteousness, one can do anything when one has the power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are familiar with the term ‘absolute power
corrupts absolutely.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand,
when one fears God, God will bless one with wisdom, like King Solomon to rule a
country. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In the
Old Testament, I notice that whenever Israelites and kings sinned against God
of Yahweh in idol worship, moral decadence, and after countless warnings by
prophets that went unheeded, God’s discipline and punishment would come on them
in the form of downfalls for both the Northern Kingdom and Southern Kingdom in
the hands of the foreign empires and being put in exiles in the foreign lands
like Babylon and Assyria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I strongly
believe that it is the same today if any ruling power does not fear God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God will send His messengers to come and
correct the repeated mistakes, sins and unrighteousness, after repeated
corrections that yield no repentance, then, God will remove the power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of us who do not subscribe to this
belief, you may like to produce your own analysis for the downfall of the
ruling power.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This
time, on the 9<sup>th</sup> May, this year, God heard the great cry of His
children in Malaysia and also His children in other parts of the world for
Malaysia, and He decided to intervene and brought down the ruling power by a
peaceful election.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is God’s
timing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever theology you may
subscribe to and you may choose to disagree with me, I strongly believe that
Christian prayers from all denominations had really contributed to the almighty
God hearing our prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What Can we contribute to the New
Malaysia?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The most
unexpected political breakthrough is very precious to all of us citizens of all
races and religions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must treasure it
like a new baby being born (a new Malaysia) and it is to be nurtured with love
and care and grow into maturity in all aspects of its life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you agree?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How to help this baby to grow? I strongly suggest that, since we voted
in the new ruling power, we must do our part to empower this new Malaysia to
grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pray that you agree with me on
this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I call
this new Malaysia a new born baby because in many aspects the new government
needs to start all over. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to
start all over because some of the present public institutions have been
damaged and much neglected owing to human weaknesses and moral decadence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new government needs to work extra hard with
great sincerity in these important institutions of democracy and national
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe the following institutions
and national life aspects need to be given top priority.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Firstly,
one of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the most fundamental aspects of
democracy, that is the separation of powers needs a redress; the institutions
of judiciary, government and the parliament need to work independently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a tough issue as the independency of
each institution has not been honored for too long and the whole Malaysian
constitution does not seem to advocate separation of the 3 powers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tedious tasks that involve amendments of
laws will take a long time to achieve the ideal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Secondly,
as a nation which makes up of different races and people professing so many
different religions and living with such different cultures, we need to be
united and move forward together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the
moment, unfortunately, when it comes to major social, political and economic considerations,
race and religion factors are still rated as very high in priority in the
political agenda for party politics and even national life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it comes making policies, race is still
a major factor of consideration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
example, a certain group of politicians which belong to a certain race still
feel insecure about the government recognizing Unified Examination Certificate
of a certain community in the public education institution. Our politicians of
all races and religions must work hard to pursue interest of all races, not
just a certain politician of a certain race pursuing the interests of his or
her own race. We are still divided along racial and religious lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red;">How can we be more
united is a great challenge to our new government.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Thirdly,
our natural resources like our lands and rivers, mineral resources, and the air
space need more thorough and far-sighted planning that involve equal
distribution of wealth among all races and people from all strata of our
society so that our economy is sustainable and self dependent in long
term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can do a good job if we work
harder at practicing meritocracy as widely as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our neighbor, Singapore, is good example in
this respect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Fourthly,
since manpower and intellectual ability will determine how well we are going to
survive as a nation, we really need to look into doing education that will
produce the brightest people (and keep them) to run our country. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By all means, curb the brain drain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red;">When it comes to
education, our politicians should not compromise on giving our people the best
quality and resources. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Fifthly,
steps need to be taken to return the original rights to the nation of Sarawak
and Sabah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The agreements signed when
these two nations participated in the formation of Malaysia need to be honored<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe these two
nations, given the rights to manage our own resources; we can eventually become
an advanced and prosperous country like Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea and
Japan.</span></i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been to the
first three countries in the last twenty odd years and I see prosperous they
are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Bearing
all these important aspects in mind, as disciples of Jesus, we can play important
roles in nurturing this new Malaysia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would like to propose the following suggestions and ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Nurturing a New Malaysia<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
Malaysia, Christianity is only made up of about 9% of 33 million populations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Islam occupies about 60%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Muslim population is growing not only
biologically but also in terms of conversion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It means Islam propagates and converts the non-Muslims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For Christianity, all efforts of all the
different denominations combined in our outreach and missions, our growth is
always between 9% and 10%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been
maintained in that range for more than 20 years now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least, ever since I became a pastor back
then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even in Sarawak, with a population
of 2.7 million, the only state with Christian majority of about 42%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The percentage is maintained between 40% and
42% also for more than 20 years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In such
a religious environment, what can 9% Christian population do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must thank God for the great effort of our
former missionaries coming from all over the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had done their best and left a great
spiritual heritage with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can say it
most passionately for the case of Sarawak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For most denominations here, with the political climate we have now, we
are growing stronger in terms of many new churches from all denominations which
have been built. Be it at the national level, or at the state level, we can
definitely make a difference for Jesus in terms of nurturing a new Malaysia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pray that God in the person of Jesus
Christ, in His mercy, will empower us to do the followings:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Firstly,
as united prayers from all denominations have made such a powerful impact, we
must persevere and pray for the above good changes to happen in His
timing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us pray that no changes will
happen at the expense of another race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let us pray that our politicians both from the ruling power and the
opposition to become more and more matured; and they always focus on the needs
of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rakyat</i> in particular and the
national interests in general.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By all
means, our prayers pursue God’s will be done in Malaysia for all races.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Secondly,
though different denominations have different doctrinal stands, we must by all
means work together through our top leaders like bishops, archbishops and
presidents to express our Christian stands on religious, social, economic and
political issues and matters on improvement of our national policies. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There can be unity in diversity. The present
inter-denominational platforms like the Council of Churches Malaysia, National
Evangelical Christian Fellowship, Sarawak Association of Churches and Sabah Association
of Churches can be further enhanced and mobilized to come together to pray and
building a close relationship among the top spiritual leaders so that they are
united to build bridges with the government to participate in the nation
building in terms of proposing holistic policies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Thirdly,
I suggest the respective denominations to form their fellowship of elected
state assembly men and women, and the members of parliament to sit down with
assigned pastors for bible studies and prayer so that they are trained in
discipleship and grow in Christian maturity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are equipped intentionally to stand against temptations of greed,
corruption and all forms of immorality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They will become great models for the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rakyat</i> to emulate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eventually, through the close relationships among the top spiritual
leaders, they can use the above platforms to call for an annual convention for
all our elected Christian politicians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of the important purposes of this convention is definitely to find
ways and means to contribute to our national building. The other purpose can be
for sharing of common ideas and interests, mutual support and understanding,
and working towards a greater solidarity among all elected Christian
parliamentarians and state assembly men and women.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Fourthly,
churches of different denominations must look into producing scholars who are
well-versed in Islam so that we can have meaningful cooperation with Muslim
scholars and their top spiritual figures to work on both Muslims and non-Muslims
to live together peacefully long term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Scholars and top spiritual figures of both sides must build bridges with
one another so that we reduce our misunderstanding about each other’s religious
teaching and religious conflicts among our followers to the minimum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we do not do this preparation now, when
there is a religious conflict, it might be too late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When damages are done, repairs may be
difficult to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Fifthly,
Christian spiritual figures and Muslim spiritual figures must be encouraged to
sit down and fellowship with one another on different religious occasions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are doing this now. It can still be further
enhanced so that it is practiced as often as possible, and at a greater scale. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They must be seen to do so, so that our
followers can see the fellowship before their eyes, be it through media
publication or life telecasts through televisions and internets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the top spiritual figures of both religions
are seemed to relate to one another in harmony, our followers will
emulate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we can visit one another and
share our lives together, the chances for religious conflict to happen in
Malaysia will be reduced to the very minimum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Conclusion</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">How this
new Malaysia is going to be does not depend absolutely on those elected
politicians only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are elected to
serve the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rakyat</i> and the nation as a
whole, in a parliamentary democracy like Malaysia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are flawed human beings, they are not
perfect, and they will make mistakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
matter how brilliant, capable and powerful they are, their ideas are limited,
their influence cannot penetrate every corner and society in Malaysia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They need the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rakyat</i> to support and cooperate to implement their national policies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They may devise laws to check on us but they
themselves are also very much under laws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therefore, the church as a whole can complement the government by
obeying her in implementing all the just policies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Areas where the government goes wrong, the church
must be courageous enough to voice out for the betterment and well being of the
overall <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rakyat</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The government, on the other hand, should be
humble enough to listen to the voice of the church. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-84146959365132167582016-02-29T22:03:00.004+08:002016-02-29T22:03:58.071+08:00Abundant Blessings of Moving out of Comfort Zone<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Abundant Blessings of Moving out of Comfort Zone</b><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I have been obeying Jesus and learn to move out of
comfort zone. By end of November 2013, I
was posted to Sibu and moved out of Miri, my comfort zone. I had ever written that I was so well
received and loved by Miri brothers and sisters. I could also just live in my
own newly purchased home at Lutong, Miri. However, I chose to obey Jesus and move to Sibu.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Prices to Pay</b><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Deep down in my heart, I knew, then, I would have to
pay a price for such a move. My dear
wife would have to separate with her close friends in Grace Methodist Church
(which we served for 9 long years) and other Miri Methodist churches. She had to let go of all the familiar home,
church ministry (especially Girls’ Brigade), doctors (who took very good care
of her and my family) markets and shopping complexes, roads, etc. She had to start to build new relationships
all over again. She had to face the
stress of finding new friends and building up ministry. She has to face the challenge of doing it
with a not so good heart condition as she is having heart valve leakage. She cannot be overstressed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My children would have to pay a price for me to obey
Jesus. They would miss their classmates
in schools. They grew up in Pujut
Primary School right from primary one to primary six. They finished Form One and Two in Miri Chung
Hua Secondary School. They were actually very used to Chung Hua School. They were used to the teachers, principals,
classmates, environment and the expectations at the school. They were at a point of building wonderful
relationships and enjoy the friendships.
They also began to like the ISCF.
They also wanted to study hard to do well in their studies. However, for the reason of my posting and
obedient to Jesus, they needed to let go of all the relationships, the familiar
and hopes. I may not be able to
understand how much they did not like my move.
I had tried to prepare them for my move and yet, the shock, the hurt,
the disorientation, the disappointments and the damages they faced were
something I might not fully grasped. I
did explain to them about the technicality of posting and my obedience to Jesus. It was hard still for them to
understand. They were reluctant to move
to Sibu. <b><i>They lost their zeal and
motivation to study and do well in studies</i></b>. Especially my twin boys used to study harder
and kept improving in their studies, but now, they felt it was pointless to do
so in the new school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>How we Responded?</b><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My wife and I did not force the twin boys to study and
took up tuition as they used to in Miri.
They did their PT3 this year and yet we did not send them for
tuition. We were patient with them and
tried to understand how much they were <b><i>disoriented and disappointed.</i></b> We made sure that they finished their homework.
We prayed very much for them to adjust to the new school (Methodist Secondary
School). We prayed for them to realize
the importance of education. They did
not throw their tantrum but they just refused to study hard to face the PT3
(Form 3 Government public examination)!
We parents were anxious at first, but we learnt to let go; and trusted
Jesus that He would open a way for them.
We prayed much and really expected Jesus to intervene. Things did not get better in the sense that
they would study harder as the examination was getting nearer last year. They did not really put in more effort except
going for 2 to 3 times of Science tuition before PT3 as they were invited by
their Science teacher. Also, I observed that they did study harder only the
night before the examination of each subject.
I expected them to fail most of the subjects!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The twins also did not adjust well in church life
though the youths of the church tried hard to relate with them. We also encouraged very much to be involved
in the youth activities but they were not keen to attend. We were careful not to force them to take
part.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Deep down in my heart, I did not blame Jesus for such
reaction in my twins. I took it as they
had to learn this life lesson of adjustment everywhere we go. Honestly, I knew Jesus would open a way no
matter what. We prayed and we never gave
up on our twins. We believe He would
help us to overcome the obstacle and the twins will be studious again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Mercy, our youngest daughter did miss her friends and
school in Miri but she adjusted quite well in the same Methodist Secondary
School as the twin brothers. She was
able to find good friends both in the new church and school much faster than
the twin brothers who tended to keep to themselves. She was put in a good class and competed well
with her classmates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Our eldest child, Grace finished her A level at Kuala
Lumpur Methodist College and came back in the middle of last year. She started work at Sibu Methodist Care
Centre among the children with special needs in early July last year. She plans to pursue a qualification in
special education as she has a burden for them.
She adjusted quite well in the new church and work environment after six
months though she hardly made any friends in church at first. Now she has a few friends at the work and in
the new church especially after she decided to participate in more activities. She enjoys her work. This year, she committed to join the church
youth choir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Owing to the fact that I believe it is God’s will for
us to move out of Miri, I had also prepared my wife and children for it. I am willing to face all the prices my family
has to pay. My wife and I believe after
twelve months, Jesus is blessing us tremendously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Blessings that Come with Moving out of Comfort Zone</b><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Willingness to pay the price for being obedient to
Jesus also comes with tremendous blessings.
I cannot help but keep thanking God for He moved me to move out of my
comfort zone!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When PT3 results were released, Tobias and Elliot did
not fail many subjects as we had expected.
Each one of them scored three to four As and they obtained B, C, D, and
E for the rest of the subjects. They only failed one subject. This is a blessing and a big surprise for the
whole family. In terms of the new church
environment, they started to relate to other youths lately. The youth fellowship is also active in trying
to get them involved in church ministry like choir, family group and
fellowship. In terms of school, before
the end of Form 3, they started to mention about their friends and building up
relationships with their classmates!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Mercy did well in her Form Two. She took the studies seriously. She studied much harder than she was in
Miri. She even managed to win a reward
from me and flew to KL with her mother for a year end holiday. She found new friends both in school and
church quite soon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Grace has also made quite a few new friends both in
church and at work. She is now exploring
the possibility of pursuing her special education degree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My wife tried her best to help me in the ladies’
fellowship. She would conduct bible
studies during my absence. She is slowly
getting used to Foochow and Hinghua Chinese culture. She is also involved in the Sunday School
ministry in terms of leading the committee for the year end children bible
camp. This year, she is involved (with a
few other ladies) in teaching and caring for the children while the adult
fellowship is doing meeting every Friday night.
I am so encouraged to see her involved in ministry in her own way
without pressure from me. Last year and
this year, I really do not want to ask to do much because I afraid that she
might be overstressed and develop heart trouble. She is actually undergoing half yearly
medical follow up a Kuching Samarahan Heart Specialist Centre. Praise the Lord, despite her heart condition,
she can serve in her own way. I believe
she takes risk (of heart trouble) when she decides to serve brothers, sisters
and children. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">These above blessings are just few major ones. The blessings I experienced are just
tremendous. I cannot help but keep
thanking Jesus for all the serving opportunities and discipleship making that come
my way. It is not only Jesus is
extending my ministry territory, He very much teaches me to serve people with
depth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I am very
overwhelmed by the ministry opportunities that come along my way. Invitations to preach in other Methodist
churches are quite many and I had to turn them down throughout last year. I need to focus on my own church and serving
in the Board of Evangelism. They invited
me to preach on reaching out the indigenous people and deliverance
ministry. End of last year and at the beginning
of this year I need to turn down many invitations again! I find the needs here are so many. Yet, I have to humbly turn them down for I
only have 24 hour a day in my life. I
really need to learn how to focus and not do so much that I end up not pleasing
Jesus. In all my life ministry I have
not rejected so many opportunities to preach.
Each time I reject, I learn to be humble and be pleasing to Jesus. I believe I am limited in my time, energy and
health. In the process, I am praying
about how I must train others to multiply what I am doing. In short, I experience the blessing of how to
be humble by admitting my own limitations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I learn to minister a group of sisters in the ladies
fellowship. I teach and serve with them
every Tuesday night. I am the only
brother in their midst. Most of them are
older than me. I feel it is such a
privilege to disciple them and build them so that they can be strong wives,
mothers and grandmothers, and disciples of Jesus to serve their family, the
church and the world outside. Quite a
few of them are zone leaders. It is such
a privilege to see their progress in their spiritual growth. I witnessed that their relationships with one
another are reconciled. They learn to
let go of their anxiety. I put in special
effort for cases that requires special attention; meeting them individually and
counseling so that they are freed from bondages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I am able to preach regularly in Mandarin again! I am trained theologically in English but
praise the Lord, I am confident to preach in Mandarin. I only studied Mandarin until Primary 6 but I
can do it over the pulpit. Thank God for
blessing me with the Mandarin bible and the newspaper which I read every now
and then. It helps to train and equip me
to be competent to preach and minister in Mandarin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I am able to minister at Iban long houses. My church is tasked to teach the Iban
children at three long houses. I am also
given opportunities to preach there from time to time. Compared to the past, I only get the
opportunities during mission trip to long houses. There are numerous long houses both near Sibu
and outside Sibu. Many long houses are
yet to be reached out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I also find that there is a big space in Sibu town to
do Bahasa Malaysia ministry. Praise the
Lord I could conduct a BM seminar at a Sibu town church and eventually, they
started the BM ministry. They have
thirty over people meeting weekly now. I
am always very excited to see more BM congregations planted in the town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In terms of ministering in a deeper way, I find that
Jesus bless me with the knowledge and skill to differentiate sharply between
mental problem and demon possession. I
really do follow up and counsel the cases faithfully and study each case with
patience and prayers. I really give each
case the proper attention he/she deserves.
At first, my skill of discerning the difference is not sharp at
all. Praise the Lord, after the two
three cases, I am so empowered by the Holy Spirit to do it more
accurately. I really come to know more
accurately what are bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, for example. I even personally accompanied 3 persons to
see psychiatrists. For most cases, I am
called to see if they are demon possessed or not. Most of the times, I discern that they are
hit by mental problems. Now, Jesus has
blessed me with the opportunities to ask the questions like what are the causes
of mental problems and how to avoid them.
I now have the desire to read more about the mental illnesses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I also had the great opportunity to use my Master of Theology
knowledge to teach five Iban pre-theological class. I taught them spiritual warfare and evangelism at Sibu Methodist
Theological School. I pray that I will
be able to teach a subject in BM on cross-cultural pastoral care for the
Chinese Theological students this year.
It is something that Jesus has put in my heart all this while.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I also have the great blessing of serving and making
disciples with Sibu West District pastors, church leaders and lay people. I come to know so many new faces and I am so
privileged to cross path with them. Each
new face I meet, I always try to remember them by taking their photos and
telephone contacts. Each new person whom
I come to know brings me new opportunities of disciple making. I just feel that because I know the person
before, now I can serve him/her better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My mind is greatly challenged to think and see things
(areas of need) that challenged me to be even more visionary in Sibu. I am here only for one year and I am so
blessed! I pray that I will be in this
present church, En Tao Methodist, for at least another five years. I have been working on a five year plan for
this church. Though I do not serve here
full time as I have to serve the Board of Evangelism, I enjoy the ministry with
the brothers and sisters (fellow disciples) here so much. My family is greatly loved and
supported. We are so blessed here in
this church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>A Disciple of Jesus - <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>Pastor Law
Hui Seng<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>(En Tao Methodist Church, Sibu, 3/1/2015)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-13836110030659003252015-01-17T13:07:00.002+08:002015-01-17T13:07:05.678+08:00Abundant Blessings of Moving out of Comfort Zone<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Written by Rev Law Hui Seng</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Posted by Teresa Han</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b><br /></b></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Abundant Blessings of Moving out of Comfort Zone</b><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I have been obeying Jesus and learn to move out of
comfort zone. By end of November 2013, I
was posted to Sibu and moved out of Miri, my comfort zone. I had ever written that I was so well
received and loved by Miri brothers and sisters. I could also just live in my
own newly purchased home at Lutong, Miri. However, I chose to obey Jesus and move to Sibu.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Prices to Pay</b><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Deep down in my heart, I knew, then, I would have to
pay a price for such a move. My dear
wife would have to separate with her close friends in Grace Methodist Church
(which we served for 9 long years) and other Miri Methodist churches. She had to let go of all the familiar home,
church ministry (especially Girls’ Brigade), doctors (who took very good care
of her and my family) markets and shopping complexes, roads, etc. She had to start to build new relationships
all over again. She had to face the
stress of finding new friends and building up ministry. She has to face the challenge of doing it
with a not so good heart condition as she is having heart valve leakage. She cannot be overstressed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My children would have to pay a price for me to obey
Jesus. They would miss their classmates
in schools. They grew up in Pujut
Primary School right from primary one to primary six. They finished Form One and Two in Miri Chung
Hua Secondary School. They were actually very used to Chung Hua School. They were used to the teachers, principals,
classmates, environment and the expectations at the school. They were at a point of building wonderful
relationships and enjoy the friendships.
They also began to like the ISCF.
They also wanted to study hard to do well in their studies. However, for the reason of my posting and
obedient to Jesus, they needed to let go of all the relationships, the familiar
and hopes. I may not be able to
understand how much they did not like my move.
I had tried to prepare them for my move and yet, the shock, the hurt,
the disorientation, the disappointments and the damages they faced were
something I might not fully grasped. I
did explain to them about the technicality of posting and my obedience to Jesus. It was hard still for them to
understand. They were reluctant to move
to Sibu. <b><i>They lost their zeal and
motivation to study and do well in studies</i></b>. Especially my twin boys used to study harder
and kept improving in their studies, but now, they felt it was pointless to do
so in the new school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>How we Responded?</b><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My wife and I did not force the twin boys to study and
took up tuition as they used to in Miri.
They did their PT3 this year and yet we did not send them for
tuition. We were patient with them and
tried to understand how much they were <b><i>disoriented and disappointed.</i></b> We made sure that they finished their homework.
We prayed very much for them to adjust to the new school (Methodist Secondary
School). We prayed for them to realize
the importance of education. They did
not throw their tantrum but they just refused to study hard to face the PT3
(Form 3 Government public examination)!
We parents were anxious at first, but we learnt to let go; and trusted
Jesus that He would open a way for them.
We prayed much and really expected Jesus to intervene. Things did not get better in the sense that
they would study harder as the examination was getting nearer last year. They did not really put in more effort except
going for 2 to 3 times of Science tuition before PT3 as they were invited by
their Science teacher. Also, I observed that they did study harder only the
night before the examination of each subject.
I expected them to fail most of the subjects!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The twins also did not adjust well in church life
though the youths of the church tried hard to relate with them. We also encouraged very much to be involved
in the youth activities but they were not keen to attend. We were careful not to force them to take
part.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Deep down in my heart, I did not blame Jesus for such
reaction in my twins. I took it as they
had to learn this life lesson of adjustment everywhere we go. Honestly, I knew Jesus would open a way no
matter what. We prayed and we never gave
up on our twins. We believe He would
help us to overcome the obstacle and the twins will be studious again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Mercy, our youngest daughter did miss her friends and
school in Miri but she adjusted quite well in the same Methodist Secondary
School as the twin brothers. She was
able to find good friends both in the new church and school much faster than
the twin brothers who tended to keep to themselves. She was put in a good class and competed well
with her classmates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Our eldest child, Grace finished her A level at Kuala
Lumpur Methodist College and came back in the middle of last year. She started work at Sibu Methodist Care
Centre among the children with special needs in early July last year. She plans to pursue a qualification in
special education as she has a burden for them.
She adjusted quite well in the new church and work environment after six
months though she hardly made any friends in church at first. Now she has a few friends at the work and in
the new church especially after she decided to participate in more activities. She enjoys her work. This year, she committed to join the church
youth choir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Owing to the fact that I believe it is God’s will for
us to move out of Miri, I had also prepared my wife and children for it. I am willing to face all the prices my family
has to pay. My wife and I believe after
twelve months, Jesus is blessing us tremendously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Blessings that Come with Moving out of Comfort Zone</b><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Willingness to pay the price for being obedient to
Jesus also comes with tremendous blessings.
I cannot help but keep thanking God for He moved me to move out of my
comfort zone!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When PT3 results were released, Tobias and Elliot did
not fail many subjects as we had expected.
Each one of them scored three to four As and they obtained B, C, D, and
E for the rest of the subjects. They only failed one subject. This is a blessing and a big surprise for the
whole family. In terms of the new church
environment, they started to relate to other youths lately. The youth fellowship is also active in trying
to get them involved in church ministry like choir, family group and
fellowship. In terms of school, before
the end of Form 3, they started to mention about their friends and building up
relationships with their classmates!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Mercy did well in her Form Two. She took the studies seriously. She studied much harder than she was in
Miri. She even managed to win a reward
from me and flew to KL with her mother for a year end holiday. She found new friends both in school and
church quite soon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Grace has also made quite a few new friends both in
church and at work. She is now exploring
the possibility of pursuing her special education degree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My wife tried her best to help me in the ladies’
fellowship. She would conduct bible
studies during my absence. She is slowly
getting used to Foochow and Hinghua Chinese culture. She is also involved in the Sunday School
ministry in terms of leading the committee for the year end children bible
camp. This year, she is involved (with a
few other ladies) in teaching and caring for the children while the adult
fellowship is doing meeting every Friday night.
I am so encouraged to see her involved in ministry in her own way
without pressure from me. Last year and
this year, I really do not want to ask to do much because I afraid that she
might be overstressed and develop heart trouble. She is actually undergoing half yearly
medical follow up a Kuching Samarahan Heart Specialist Centre. Praise the Lord, despite her heart condition,
she can serve in her own way. I believe
she takes risk (of heart trouble) when she decides to serve brothers, sisters
and children. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">These above blessings are just few major ones. The blessings I experienced are just
tremendous. I cannot help but keep
thanking Jesus for all the serving opportunities and discipleship making that come
my way. It is not only Jesus is
extending my ministry territory, He very much teaches me to serve people with
depth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I am very
overwhelmed by the ministry opportunities that come along my way. Invitations to preach in other Methodist
churches are quite many and I had to turn them down throughout last year. I need to focus on my own church and serving
in the Board of Evangelism. They invited
me to preach on reaching out the indigenous people and deliverance
ministry. End of last year and at the beginning
of this year I need to turn down many invitations again! I find the needs here are so many. Yet, I have to humbly turn them down for I
only have 24 hour a day in my life. I
really need to learn how to focus and not do so much that I end up not pleasing
Jesus. In all my life ministry I have
not rejected so many opportunities to preach.
Each time I reject, I learn to be humble and be pleasing to Jesus. I believe I am limited in my time, energy and
health. In the process, I am praying
about how I must train others to multiply what I am doing. In short, I experience the blessing of how to
be humble by admitting my own limitations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I learn to minister a group of sisters in the ladies
fellowship. I teach and serve with them
every Tuesday night. I am the only
brother in their midst. Most of them are
older than me. I feel it is such a
privilege to disciple them and build them so that they can be strong wives,
mothers and grandmothers, and disciples of Jesus to serve their family, the
church and the world outside. Quite a
few of them are zone leaders. It is such
a privilege to see their progress in their spiritual growth. I witnessed that their relationships with one
another are reconciled. They learn to
let go of their anxiety. I put in special
effort for cases that requires special attention; meeting them individually and
counseling so that they are freed from bondages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I am able to preach regularly in Mandarin again! I am trained theologically in English but
praise the Lord, I am confident to preach in Mandarin. I only studied Mandarin until Primary 6 but I
can do it over the pulpit. Thank God for
blessing me with the Mandarin bible and the newspaper which I read every now
and then. It helps to train and equip me
to be competent to preach and minister in Mandarin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I am able to minister at Iban long houses. My church is tasked to teach the Iban
children at three long houses. I am also
given opportunities to preach there from time to time. Compared to the past, I only get the
opportunities during mission trip to long houses. There are numerous long houses both near Sibu
and outside Sibu. Many long houses are
yet to be reached out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I also find that there is a big space in Sibu town to
do Bahasa Malaysia ministry. Praise the
Lord I could conduct a BM seminar at a Sibu town church and eventually, they
started the BM ministry. They have
thirty over people meeting weekly now. I
am always very excited to see more BM congregations planted in the town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In terms of ministering in a deeper way, I find that
Jesus bless me with the knowledge and skill to differentiate sharply between
mental problem and demon possession. I
really do follow up and counsel the cases faithfully and study each case with
patience and prayers. I really give each
case the proper attention he/she deserves.
At first, my skill of discerning the difference is not sharp at
all. Praise the Lord, after the two
three cases, I am so empowered by the Holy Spirit to do it more
accurately. I really come to know more
accurately what are bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, for example. I even personally accompanied 3 persons to
see psychiatrists. For most cases, I am
called to see if they are demon possessed or not. Most of the times, I discern that they are
hit by mental problems. Now, Jesus has
blessed me with the opportunities to ask the questions like what are the causes
of mental problems and how to avoid them.
I now have the desire to read more about the mental illnesses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I also had the great opportunity to use my Master of Theology
knowledge to teach five Iban pre-theological class. I taught them spiritual warfare and evangelism at Sibu Methodist
Theological School. I pray that I will
be able to teach a subject in BM on cross-cultural pastoral care for the
Chinese Theological students this year.
It is something that Jesus has put in my heart all this while.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I also have the great blessing of serving and making
disciples with Sibu West District pastors, church leaders and lay people. I come to know so many new faces and I am so
privileged to cross path with them. Each
new face I meet, I always try to remember them by taking their photos and
telephone contacts. Each new person whom
I come to know brings me new opportunities of disciple making. I just feel that because I know the person
before, now I can serve him/her better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My mind is greatly challenged to think and see things
(areas of need) that challenged me to be even more visionary in Sibu. I am here only for one year and I am so
blessed! I pray that I will be in this
present church, En Tao Methodist, for at least another five years. I have been working on a five year plan for
this church. Though I do not serve here
full time as I have to serve the Board of Evangelism, I enjoy the ministry with
the brothers and sisters (fellow disciples) here so much. My family is greatly loved and
supported. We are so blessed here in
this church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A Disciple of Jesus - <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>Pastor Law
Hui Seng<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(En Tao Methodist Church, Sibu, 3/1/2015)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-30397369969036385632013-11-23T22:19:00.003+08:002013-11-23T22:19:28.851+08:00Brunei Sermon Apostle’s Creed (4)
17th November, 2013
Written by Rev Law Hui Seng
Posted by Teresa Han
<b>Main Idea: Holy Spirit and the Universal Church</b>
<b>Objectives:</b>
a. To teach the roles of the Holy Spirit and the Universal Church.
b. To challenge the congregation to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to serve Christ in the church.
<b>A. Introduction
</b>
- This is the last part of my four parts sermon on Apostle’s Creed. I pray that as you recite the Apostle’s Creed every Sunday, you now become more aware of the meaning of it and you become very sure of your faith.
- This part is concerning : I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life ever-lasting.
<b>B. I Believe in the Holy Spirit</b>
- Most Christians do not understand the doctrine of the Holy Spirit well. It is an irony because the most powerful Spirit of Christ in the universe in inside us and yet, owing to our lack of understanding of the Holy Spirit, we fail to be empowered by the Spirit. I believe the most fundamental reason for the lack of empowerment is due to lack of knowledge of the Spirit. It happens because we do not read the bible thorough enough to have the overall or holistic picture of the Holy Spirit.
- In this sermon, I cannot preach much about the doctrine because of the time limitation. I can only preach on 3general roles of the Holy Spirit.
- God the Father is concerning His creation of the new world; God the Son is about how He gave new life and its substance and possibility; and God the Spirit is about a new relationship. Through God the Spirit, we believers can build up our new relationship with God the Father and the Son.
- One non-Christian has criticized Christianity that if there is only one God, then, this God is a lonely God. He could not accept this God. You see how he developed his human concept of God. To help him to understand more about our one God concept, I explain to him the relationship of the Trinitarian God. How they know one another and relate to one another; how God sent Jesus and how Jesus sent the Spirit; how only God the Father knows the timing of Jesus second coming and Jesus does not know; how Jesus was bearing the burden of sin and how on the cross at that dark moment, God the Father cut off His relationship with Jesus. And at the end of the day, I still told him, there is only one God. He seemed to nod his head slightly. I simply told him our God, Trinitarian, is in fellowship.
- In the New Testament, we can understand the Holy Spirit in terms of the gospel, book of Acts and the apostolic letters. After Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit came upon Him. Then, the Holy Spirit and the acts and words of Jesus were inseparable. However, Jesus only mentioned two times in the gospel of Mark, one time when He taught that blaspheming against the Holy Spirit is an eternal sin (Mark 3:29) and the other time was when the disciples were witnessing for Him (Mark 13:11). Scholars believed that it has to do with Jesus’ initial reluctance to reveal His Messiah identity. Let us now take a look at 3 roles of the Holy Spirit.
<b>
(1). The Holy Spirit empowers us to relate to God.
</b>
- Apostle Paul taught that Jews and Gentiles were united in Christ to enter into personal relationship with God. Together they were the dwelling place for the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:22).
- Apostle John in the Gospel of John 3:5 quotes Jesus in saying only those who are born of water and the Spirit can enter the kingdom of heaven. Through the work of the Holy Spirit a person enters into a close relationship with God.
<b>(2) The Holy Spirit empowers us to witness.
</b>
- Take for example, in the 16th century, the Roman Catholic monks, formed Jesuit Order, and observed 4 vows, celibacy, poverty, evangelism (to the Muslims) and obedience to Christ. Their great sacrifice has advanced the mission of Christ in terms of education, medical care, helping the poor and winning many to Christ.
- These institutions are made possible as the Holy Spirit empowers the disciples of Jesus to bear godly characters. With these godly characters (e.g., love and faithfulness), they persevere despite the odds. Galatians 5:22,23 ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…’
- In modern days, Churches are taking up the challenge to enter the society to serve the society as individual Christians and as churches or denomination, by setting up institutions like school, orphanage home, care for the poor and needy, mentally challenge children, kidney dialysis centre, counseling centre, giving tuition to the poor students, home for the aged, etc.
<b>(3) The Holy Spirit empowers us to do signs and wonders.</b>
- Denominational churches tend to have rigid liturgy, Christians who are secularized, hearts of believers grow cold, we need the Holy Spirit to empower us to worship Him in Spirit and truth. Our lives are empowered by the Holy Spirit to do signs and wonders. Believers are challenged to wake up to obey God’s call to make a difference for Jesus, both as individuals and as a church.
- Like what Apostle Paul prayed for the Ephesians in1:18-21, ‘I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at the right hand in the heavenly realms, far above the rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.’
- The power that resurrected Jesus from the death is also inside us, so, the Holy Spirit is able to empower us to do signs and wonders. No wonder, after ascension of Jesus to heaven, for example, Apostle Peter being empowered by the Holy Spirit to heal a crippled beggar. Acts 3:6-8, ‘Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazereth, walk. Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and naturally the man’s jumped to his feet and began to walk..”
- Apostle and disciples were indeed empowered by the Holy Spirit as taught by Jesus in Acts 1:8,9, ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’
- Are you convinced to do that we as disciples of Jesus are called to do signs and wonders because we empowered by the Holy Spirit? I pray that you do.
<b>C. The holy catholic Church</b>
- In the New Testament original Greek, the word for church is ekklesia, it is formed by 2 words, ek, which means ‘out’, klesis, which means ‘called’. Therefore, the word ekklesia means the community that is called out. The word is used in Mathew 16:18 when Jesus said, ‘And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church,…’ Mathew 18:17 when Jesus said, ‘If he refuses to listen to listen to them, tell it to the church…’
- Today, the meanings of the church is coming from the writings of Apostle Paul on metaphors of the church, the major ones are God’s people, body of Christ, communion and the spirit.
- As God’s people, Christians’ most important responsibility is to proclaim the achievement of Christ on the cross. It says in 2Corinthians 5:19, ‘that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.’ Therefore, Christians gather and meet as a church is not only for fellowship purpose, but it is also for the purpose of going out to spread the gospel of kingdom.
- As a body of Christ, she has her visible sign of mission, that is to love one another as commanded by Jesus. This is the centre of church life and it is also the whole purpose of fellowship. 1Corinthians 11:29 ‘For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.’ Colossians 1:13’For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.’ The fellowship of here is not because of the Christians’ nature which love it but it is because we belong to the same body whose head is the Christ. And Christ died a sacrificial death to for His body of followers.
- This is the foundation for church existence. How can we believers be faithful to this foundation? This involves the recreation power of the Holy Spirit. The fellowship community involves the power of Holy Spirit who dwells in the body of believers. Apostle Paul talked about believers, ‘…bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of Spirit through the bond of peace.’ (Ephesians 4;3,4) This is the meaning of fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
- The church is capable of mission, love and fellowship not because she is morally right or clean or perfect, because Trinitarian God is holy and living among the believers.
- The church is catholic because throughout history we believe in the same doctrine.
<b>D. The communion of saints
</b>
- This is about the relationship among all believers; believers and believers – the saints. Believers are called saints by Apostle Paul, John and Peter. 1Corinthians 1:2 , John 10:36 and 1Peter 1:2, the apostles addressed believers as saints. The common justification for the address is because the believers are made holy or sanctified (hoi hagioi) by the redemption of Christ, not because we are now morally right. We are now saints because Christ died a redemptive death, which results in the forgiveness of our sins. This can be done all because of the work of the Holy Spirit in the believers. This is why the communion of the saints has to be after the belief in the Holy Spirit. 1Corinthians 6:11 ‘…you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our Lord.’
- The communion of all the saints throughout the world is marked at least by freedom, equality and love. Communion of saints is marked by freedom. Apostle Peter said in Acts 15:10 ‘…why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?’ This is a concept that tolerates the freedom of choice.
- If we want the saints to serve Christ, we need to remove our control over them, otherwise, they will serve human beings and not Christ/God. Unless we are freed from fear, we cannot have love, we also cannot have real ministry. If we fear punishment, death, guilt, losing position or interests, we will be enslaved by punishment, death, guilt, gaining and losing. And we are no more living as saints.
- Communion of saints is marked by equality. Those who went to Antioch from Judea had gone against the principle of the Holy Spirit and did not treat all believers equally. Apostle Peter said in Acts 15:8,9 ‘God who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He make no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.’
- Recognizing the rights of others does not mean you forgo your own rights or opinions. Therefore, there can be differences in equality. It does not matter whether these differences are cultural, racial, because of skin, sex, or opinions or coming from different angles. To the Jerusalem believers, they see the gentile church this way because this is how God treats them.
- Communion of saints is marked by love. Only after we can treat one another with freedom and equality, only then, we treat one another as brothers and sisters with love.
<b>E. The forgiveness of sins
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- We are in the church because of one reality, that is, our sins are forgiven by Jesus. Because our sins are forgiven, we become new people and we are united in Spirit. We need to remind ourselves of the forgiveness so that we do not yield to the temptations of all kinds.
- Forgive in Greek is aphiemi, it is used 142 times in the New Testament. The central message of New Testament is Christ used His own life to exchange for the freedom of man, so that man do not need to be enslaved by sin. His preaching and actions show His willingness to forgive sinners. His forgiveness of man’s sins is not only reflected in His preaching but very much shown by His acceptance of sinners. His acceptance of sinners even costs His life.
- In view of Christ’s forgiveness, we must forgive and accept ourselves, others and fear God more than anything else.
<b>F. The resurrection of the body</b>
- As Christians look forward, we see resurrection, and we see the hope of resurrection with Christ, new life in Christ. There are only 2 key passages in the New Testament: Mark 12:18-27; 1Corinthians 15 bout resurrection of Christ.
- Concerning Mark 12, Jesus is answering the Sadducees who do not believe in the resurrection of the dead because they could not find the record of it in Mosaic Law. Jesus pointed out that resurrection is due to the power of God. Our body will be the glorified body, completely changed body. This body and this person will not continue the earthly relationships like husband and wife.
- Concerning 1Corinthians 15, Apostle Paul addressed Christians who believed in resurrection of the soul and spirit of believers but not with their changed physical body. This was because of the influence of the Greek philosophy on the Christians. Apostle Paul emphasized that Christ’s resurrection was not His soul and spirit leaving the physical body, but His resurrected body is both soul and spirit and physical body altogether which is transformed into glorified body. He has defeated the power of sin, He is no more escaping from the body, but owning the victorious body, transformed body. This is the kind of body which we are going to acquire.
<b>G. And life everlasting</b>
- Eternal life is a life maintaining close relationship with God. This is why John said in 1John 5:12, ‘He who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.’
- Eternal life emphasizes the importance of present life. We treasure all the present opportunities because we who have eternal life live in the kingdom of God, live in the space of God.
<b>H. Conclusion</b>
- I pray that every time you recite the Apostles’ Creed you will do it with understanding and it strengthens your relationship with Jesus.
Rev Law Hui Seng
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-10135045200931643202013-09-08T23:49:00.001+08:002013-09-08T23:54:04.810+08:00Apostle’s Creed (3)BruneiSermon 25th August, 2013
Written By Rev Law Hui Seng
Posted By Teresa Han
<b>Main Idea: Jesus’ resurrection, coming back and judgment.</b>
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1. To understand the significance of Jesus’ suffering, crucifixion, death and burial in relationship to our life.
2. To understand the meanings of His resurrection; sitting at the right hand of God; His coming back; and the judgment of the quick and the dead.
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<b>A. Introduction</b>
- In my last sermon on the Apostle’s creed, I preached to you on how God is Almighty; how we Christians believe in the person of Jesus; and His conception by the Holy Spirit.
- Today’s sermon will focus on Jesus’ suffering, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, sitting at the right hand of God, and His coming to judge the quick and the dead
- “suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, dead, and buried;
- He descended into hell.
- The third day He arose again from the dead;
- He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.”
- I pray the works of Jesus will inspire you and challenge each of you to be His great disciples.
<b>B. Suffered under Pontius Pilate</b>
- Why the name Pontius Pilate is so significant in the Apostle’s Creed? What is the importance of Jesus’ suffering in the creed? What is the purpose of suffering of Jesus for our faith?
- Nobody can deny the historical facts of the creed.
- Pontius Pilate is a historical person who existed.
- Jesus was crucified under his hand; He suffered, died and buried under his political rule.
- To all us Christians throughout the centuries, ‘suffered under Pontius Pilate’ means the Son of God for the purpose of redeeming us, He entered history. He suffered and died under Pontius Pilate, a real human. Nobody can deny it. It happened in time and space. It was not made up story. It did not happen in some imagination or through some psychological effects.
- Therefore, Jesus Himself embraced the world by becoming a human being. As He went through the motion of a human being and even suffered, we will be ever to find the meaning of our earthly suffering and a way out of it. This is the meaning of suffered under Pontius Pilate.
- Jesus is word of God became flesh 2,000 years ago at Bethlehem, doing preaching, healing and deliverance all over the places at Galilee and Jerusalem.
- At the age of 33, he suffered under Pontius Pilate. What He did can be seen, touched and measured. No wonder John said in 1John 1:1 ‘That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.’
- The suffering of Jesus.
- If Christians/ disciples of Jesus like you and me can understand Jesus suffering, then, one can practice his or her faith in our life and society. It can help those who face trials and suffering in life.
- Normally we understand Jesus’ 33 years of life on earth by focusing on his miraculous birth and His great suffering. We do this at the expense of not relating His process of life to His works of salvation.
- As a result, because we focus on the supernatural and so we neglect His ordinary life and we do not relate His ordinary life to our ordinary life. For example, how we do not ask Jesus to empower us to forgive others or ourselves.
- We always find it hard to relate His life long teaching to our lives. For most Christians, we do not dialogue with Jesus 33 years of life.
- So we need to put Jesus life into its proper perspective. His whole life is very much linked and it is an integrated whole. We need to do this correction.
- When we do that, for example, to understand the concept of forgiveness on the sermon of the mount, our method will not be to ask: How to love our enemies? Taking Jesus life as a whole, we should ask who is this person who teaches us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us? The standard answer of course is the Jesus who died for us sinners.
- The bottom line then is not whether I can forgive or not; or the heart of the matter is not whether I have the ability to forgive or not. The heart of the matter is what Jesus has achieved for all sinners, including our enemies or those who persecute us. Then loving our enemies become no big deal.
- What has this kind of approach of understanding Jesus to do with the suffering of Jesus? There are 3 aspects of Jesus’ suffering.
- Firstly, as long as we do not compartmentalize Jesus life, His whole life is a definition of suffering. For example, how He was denied a proper birth place; His nature of call or mission was not understood by His parents; when He was tempted in the wilderness, He was alone; living among the sinners, He experienced how sin brought about rejection; while healing the sick, He empathize with them; in His last days, He was rejected by different levels of leaders; and eventually He died a sacrificial death. In His last few days of earthly life, He was rejected by Judas, Peter and even God the Father on the cross.
- Secondly, Jesus suffering is for a great purpose. He died for the great purpose of redemption.
- Thirdly, as we understand Jesus’ birth till His death as suffering, we can see how He identifies with those who suffered in life.
- Let us see how Jesus’ suffering is related to us.
- Suffering and Christians.
- Suffering does not only inflict on our body but very much on our inner hurts. Things like I do not deserve this. It causes people to be bitter, doubting our own values, self-condemnation, self denial is the climax of suffering. A lot of us because we have not overcome our inner hurts, we become more and more self-centered. In other words, bitterness appears in other forms. It is sin in every form; it is sin who causes us to distance ourselves from Him.
- Good news today for you all, the suffering of Jesus ministers to our suffering.
- Jesus’ suffering is for our deepest sins and inner hurts. He understands our deepest hurts because He has gone through it.
<b>C. Was Crucified</b>
- It was such a shameful thing for Jesus to be regarded as a criminal though He was without sin, but still sentenced to death. The punishment on the cross on those days was the most humiliating instrument of punishment
.- Today, we use the cross as a symbol, the church uses it as a design, some hang it on our necklace, we sing about the cross, etc. Is there anything good about the cross?
- In fact, His crucifixion was foretold in the Old Testament. In Luke 24: 26, 27, Jesus said, ‘Did not Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scripture concerning himself.’
- When Jesus was tried, He did not answer much but whatever He answered, it had to do with His identity. His answers caused Him death. And Jesus, for the purpose of mankind, He knew the consequence of His identity answers.
- Mark 14:61, 62, ‘…the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus, “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
- Jesus’ death was the triumphant of the power of darkness but it is the turning point for mankind’s destiny. Now, people of all kinds have a hope of salvation.
<b>D. Dead, and buried; He descended into hell.</b>
- The consequence of crucifixion is dead, burial and descending to hell. It is an absolute consequence of all human death and now Jesus has successful redeemed it for us.- From God’s perspective, no matter how human beings try to go to God, it is absolutely no way because Christ has to do it for human beings.
- It shows that the created human beings have no way to save ourselves.
- Is dead the end of everything? To people who do not believe it, they say it is. But the Bible says otherwise.
- The term hell here is not referred to as a place of punishment, it is equal to the Greek term Hades or the Hebrew term Sheol. It means a place of stay for the dead.
- 1Peter 3:19 (Jesus preached to the spirits in the prison); 4:6 (gospel was preached to those who were dead).
- Those who choose Jesus can be assured that we will not go there. For us we go to paradise.- All the more the next phrase of the creed talks about resurrection.
<b>E. The third day He arose again from the dead
</b>- 1Corinthians 15:4, says ‘that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.’- The creed has singled out a belief, which is real and a fact.
- If it is a fact, then, it has these significance:
1. The date of its happening was the third day after the crucifixion;
2. The resurrection is proven by evidence, i.e., people saw Jesus who was alive, also the empty tomb;
3. The resurrection actually caused the formation of the church by first century Christians.
- Jesus lived with disciples for 40 days. This gave them hope. In fact, before this, the disciples had gone back to their own profession and buried their faith behind their mind.
- Acts 2:36, ‘…let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this, Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord, and Christ.’
- This is where we Christians believe we will resurrect like Jesus because He has the power to resurrect us. 1Corinthians 15:20 ‘But Christ has indeed raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.’
<b>F. He ascended into heaven
</b>- How do we understand ascension? The resurrection of Jesus, does it refer to His bodily resurrection? How His physical body who lived with the disciples for 40 days disappeared?- Acts 1:9 says, ‘After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.’
- New Testament does not emphasize the resurrected body like it emphasizes the birth and death.
- John 20:17, Jesus said to Mary, ‘Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father…’ And then in verse 27, Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, see my hands, Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
- How then Jesus ascended to heaven
?- Luke clearly recorded the independent incident of Jesus ascension. Luke 24:50-51, ‘When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.’
- It was a real event which happened in time and space and full of miracle and mystery. Mind you, when you read books by theologians like Macquarrie, Moltman, Kung, Barth and Tillich, you have to be careful as they do not believe in ascension of Jesus. This is because they do not believe in miracle.
- Now, how does ascension relate to our life today?
- Firstly, ascension is the pivotal point between word becomes flesh and Christ coming back again. We need to be accountable to Him for what we do on earth.
- Secondly, it singles the end of a time period. It marks the beginning of another period, a time of faith.
- Thirdly, it marks the beginning of a new relationship, where the relationship between human being and God is no more limited by time and space.
<b>G. And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty</b>
- An important reference that supports this part of the creed is Psalms 110:1, ‘The Lord says to my Lord:”Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your heart.” Jesus used this verse to answer the question of the great high priest about His identity. He said in Mark 14:62, ‘… “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” This is the famous Messianic text and because of this confession, He was sentenced to death.
- Jesus’ disciples also a verse like to prove that He is the Messiah.- With that Messianic identity being proven from the Old and New Testaments, now let us move on to the meanings of sitting on the right hand of God.
- Sitting on the right hand of God means the King who will judge the quick and the dead. He holds all the authority in heaven and earth.
- It also means He is now the priest, interceding for us, redeeming our sin, representing God in pronouncing forgiveness of our sins and His acceptance of us.
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H. from thence he shall come</b>
- The past of Christ, His present work and future work all cannot be separated.
- His coming back gives hope of salvation and eternal life; and we need to watch out for His coming back (like a thief) and be prepared to give an account for our life on earth.
- This makes whatever He taught to the disciples meaningful. He can check on us every now and then whether we obey His word. Confuscious or Buddha cannot do it.
<b>I. To judge the quick and the dead</b>
- His coming back is to judge the world. Does this make us fear Him? His judgment is about eternal death in and eternal life in heaven.
- The judgment is not the same meaning as the present court judgment according to the law of a country.
- The standard used is the justice of God. It is not only a future event but it is also something immediate. Meaning to say after ascension, Jesus continue to judge us every now and then.
- How? By whether we respond to His salvation or not. Whether we repent or not. By our conscience and the Holy Spirit who convicts us of our sins.
<b>J. Conclusion</b>
- Can you now explain your faith more clearly as you get to understand more of the Apostle’s Creed?
- I pray that it will not be a mere knowledge to you but it is something that empowers your Christian life and holiness on earth. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-17969811273058164192013-07-17T21:17:00.003+08:002013-07-17T21:17:35.392+08:00Make A Right Judgement GMC Sermon <br />
14th July, 2013 <br />
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Written By Rev Law Hui Seng<br />
Posted By Teresa Han<br />
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John 7:1-24<br />
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<strong>Main Idea: Make judgement based on the word of God/truth.</strong></div>
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<strong>Objectives: To challenge the congreation to make judgement based on the word of God/truth.</strong></div>
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<u><strong>A. Introduction</strong></u></div>
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- We all make judgements everyday. Sometimes we even make judgements about peoples’ character and personality. We say so and so is selfish, greedy, bias, telling lie, and proud. So and so is honest, can be trusted, hardworking, responsible and wise. These are negative and positive judgements we make about peoples’ character. We say so and so tend to be negative, boastful, and neglect details and careless. So and so tend to be a very positive person; very detailed person and hardly make mistakes in giving information and calculation; tend to be objective in his/her outlook. This is making judgements about someone’s personality. Do you agree?</div>
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- Judges in the court make judgements about who is guilty after both the acussed and the prosecutor submitted their facts that counter one another. Sometimes the judgements delivered according to the law of the country can result in fine, jail sentences, canning, confinement to a locality, and even death sentence. Judges make judgements and the guilty party will be punished.</div>
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- All of us who make judgements will have consequences also. Whatever the judgement you make, wrong or right judgement, there are implications. Therefore, we need to consider very carefully, before we make any judgement that has implications on ourselves, family, neighour, colleagues, relatives, and even the whole society. </div>
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- As disciples of Jesus, by all means we make judgements which bless as people as possible.</div>
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- In Jesus’ time, He challenged people to make right judgement about who He was. He was very frustrated with the fellow Jews who judged Him wrongly about His identity. That was why He said in verse 24, “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgement.” </div>
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- I strongly believe Jesus is still teaching us and challenging us to make a right judgement about Him and about the truth today? Let us see the context of His challenge. </div>
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<strong><u>B. The Context of His challenge to make a right judgement</u></strong></div>
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- The Gospel of John is written with the purpose to challenge readers to become disciples of Jesus, that is to choose to follow Jesus as Messiah or Saviour. So, you see the Jews, all the Jewish religious leaders and the Pharisees in the background actually either agree with Jesus about His messiahship or disagree with it. Jesus challenged them to switch over to His side and follow Him as messiah.</div>
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- As a result, there was great tension between Jesus and all the Jewish religious groups who could not agree with Him. You should sense this dangerous tension as you read the gosple of John. I say it was a dangerous tension because the opposing Jews actually plot to kill Him for they could not agree that He was the Messiah sent by God. They even accused Jesus of blaspheming God for His claim as Messiah.</div>
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- John 5:18, it says the Jews plot to kill Him because He made Himself equal with God. They mooted the idea to kill Jesus after He commanded the invalid to take the mat and walk. He did it and he was healed. Jesus broke the law of Sabbath because He asked someone to the mat and walked. The Jews were very angry with Him and wanted to to kill Him. </div>
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- And obviously, there were Jews, even including Pharisees who believe Jesus as the one sent by God. The famous example is Nicodemus. John 3 talked about Nicodemus who was a Pharisee who belonged to Jewish ruling council came to meet Jesus secretly at night and asked about how to enter kingdom of God. Jesus answered that a person must be born again by water and spirit.</div>
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- And in John 9:22, the author of the gospel of John quoted the parents whose son was healed by Jesus of his born blindness and was investigated by the Pharisees; the parents were of the Jews because they had decided that anyone who acknowleged Jesus as the Christ/Messiah would be excommunicated from the Synagogue. This shows that there were Jews who switched to Jesus secretly. All these show that some Jews were influenced by Jesus deeds and teaching.</div>
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- In the face of such tension Jesus’ life was endangered. In verse 1, it said so. Verse 13 says that nobody \dared to say anything public about Jesus for fear of the Jews who would excommunicate them from the synagogue. At the same time, there were Jews who could only whispered that Jesus was a good man (verse 12). Others said He deceived people (verse 12).</div>
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- Half way through the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacle (Jews commerating how God provided for them in wilderness when they managed to build shelter in the 40 years of wilderness life), Jesus decided to go to Jerusalem temple courts secretly and taught (verse 14). His teaching actually by any standard amazed people though He did not receive from any recognized Jewish authority (verse 15).</div>
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- Jesus was not lying when He secretly went to the Feast of Tabernacle though He did not go as invited by His brothers. He said the right time (kairos) had not come. For His brothers, they wanted Him to go to the feast to perform miracles to gain honor for Himself. But for Jesus, it was not the right time (moment) to do it. Instead, He went just to teach in the temple courts; no miracle was performed because the moment, the kairos to do it had not yet come. Therefore, there was no contradiction with His brothers.</div>
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- In response to peoples’ amazement, Jesus claimed only those who did the will of the Father would understand His teaching was coming from the one who sent Him (verses 16-18). Especially in verse 18, Jesus said, “He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth, there is nothing false about him. And He openly challenged the Jews in verse 19, “Has not Moses keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?’</div>
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- The crowd who might be made up of other Jews did not know of the plot against Jesus, and out of their ignorance, they reacted by suggesting that Jesus was demon possessed, paranoid, delusion.</div>
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- Jesus now tried to recall how the other Jews first became angry towards Him for healing the invalid on Sabbath day and broke the Mosaic law. Jesus argued back and said the Jews had also broken the Sabbath law by circumcising a child on Sabbath day, it was work and not rest. Circumcision was done to mark the Jewish covenant with God that they are His children in Old Testament.</div>
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- Jesus was going for the spirit and not the letter of the law by healing the sick, doing what was needed to help humanity, that was to heal the whole person on the Sabbath (verse 23). This provoked a conspiracy among the general Jews (John 5:1-18).</div>
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- It is in this great context, Jesus said in verse 24, “Stop judging by mere appearance, and make a right judgement.” Judging by appearance might be focusing on the letter of the law. Jesus challenged them to think, “Was He wrong by meeting the human need of healing the sick? Was He wrong by going after the spirit of the law?”</div>
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- Apostle wrote something very powerful to the Corinthians in 2Cor 3:6, “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter, but of the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” Focusing on the letter is to follow word by word which makes things legalistic; focusing on the </div>
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Spirit is to see the overall purpose of the law.</div>
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- The greek work krino which NIV translated as judge means to distinguish, decide (mentally or judicially). It means by implication, to try, condemn, punish. It is equal to avenge, conclude, damn, decree, determine, go to law, call in question, sentence to.</div>
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- In view of the great context, Jesus said, “Make a right judgement.” And I entitled my sermon, “Make a right judgement.” Of course we need to make the right judgement as taught by Jesus. For Jesus, He challenged the Jews to make a right judgement in view of the will of God about Jesus Himself.</div>
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- Unfortunately, the Jews made a wrong judgement about the person of Jesus, they judged Him as blaspheming God, disobeying the Sabbath law, and eventually pressurized the government of the day to put Him to death on the cross.</div>
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- As I said earlier, all our judgements have consequences.</div>
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<strong><u>C. Applications on making judgement.</u></strong></div>
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- Brothers and sisters, for Jesus He made judgement based on the will of the Father; for the Jews they made a judgement based on the letter of the Mosaic Law. For us Christians, what should be the basis of our judgement? It must be the word of God, the whole bible. Do you agree? Therefore, your whole life has to learn and study the bible.</div>
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- I always teach that when you face life, you need to face 3 persons: Jesus Christ, others and yourself. Whatever you do, you need to go through 3 persons. You make judgement about anything, you need to ask these 3 persons. And the bottom line of measure of right or wrong, ethical or not, moral or not, valuable or not, worth it or not, will the consequences be positive or not, building up people or not, will it hurt or not, wise or not, are the long term consequences good, must the word of God.</div>
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- One guy (a Christian) in his late 20s decided to buy a luxurious car (that was his initial decision and judgement) and he did not have the money to do it. He was persuaded by his friend to approach the power of darkness (to worship certain powerful) to pray to strike lottery tickets. He made a decision and judgement to worship the false god. Then, he really gained stakes of money as this god had blessed him by striking the 4 digit lotter ticket. You see how the devil uses our greed to tempt us. Praise the Lord, the word of God came to him and he realized he was compromising on his faith; he was selling away his life to the devil by worshipping the false God. Upon reflection on the word of God that says “Thou shall not worship the idols.”, he made a decision and the right judgement, then, he burnt all the money. I pray that you see the power of God’s word in making your right judgemnet.</div>
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- Let us apply what Jesus is teaching us into the issue of corruption. Corruption is wrong, do you agree? Why? Can anyone here explain why it is wrong in view of the word of God? It is wrong because it encourages both the giver and the receiver to be greedy. It is wrong because it involves abuse of power even to do bad things like denying others a fair chance of competion; concentrating too much wealth in a few hands in a country. When you bribe, you get your license of trading easily; the rakyat have to face the high prices of instructure and even cost of living. At the end of the day, the poor gets poorer, the rich gets richer all the time.</div>
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- Let us apply Jesus’ teaching today into finding a life partner today. Make your judgement about what kind of man or lady do you want. Can you make a judgement to choose someone who put greatest priority in obeying Jesus, serving Him and fearing Him with all the godly charaters? Can you not be carried away by his or her ‘thick’ wallet, good career, good look, sweet talk, and all the external appearance that Jesus teaches us?</div>
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- Let us apply the teaching today into how you use your time. Do you spend your time for godly purpose? Do you give priority to coming to small group, prayer meeting, spending time with your family members and friends and colleagues who give you positive influence? Can you make a right judgement about who you mix with? I do prison ministry, I find that all prisoners ended up there because they mix with wrong companies?</div>
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<u><strong>D. Conclusion</strong></u></div>
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- Can you see why we have to make a right judgement in view of God’s word? When you do so, I believe your whole life from beginning to the end will not be a regret.</div>
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- Be humble to do it.</div>
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Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-43832506141572814472013-05-28T23:09:00.002+08:002013-05-28T23:09:24.185+08:00Making Disciples Among Indigenous People in Postmodernism<u><strong>Introduction</strong></u><br />
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One of the key philosophies of postmodernism is there is no absolute truth. Everything can be subjective and relative. What you think is the truth, it is the truth? Under this philosophy, an individual opinion can become a truth. Whoever is championing the so called ‘truth’ after a while, his idea may be accepted as the truth. You can imagine how dangerous is the thinking. In the midst of it, how do should SCAC train the indigenous Christians to be disciples of Jesus? How do you shepherd them in a circumstance where they are hit by postmodernism.</div>
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If the Iban Christians believe that miring, mimpi (dream), manang (bomoh/witch doctor), antu (hantu/ghost) is as good as Jesus, and azimat (tallisman) is as effective as Jesus, how do we help them to realize that these traditional beliefs are not the truths. They worship these beliefs and also, at the same time, worship Jesus as God, it is called syncretism. It erodes their pure faith in Jesus. I pray that a simple summary of the outcome of my research will empower those of us who shepherd the indigenous Christians.</div>
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<u><strong>A Biblical Response to the Traditional Beliefs</strong></u></div>
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While each of the above requires a biblical response, but in this small article, I just give a general response to the root of the traditional beliefs. I believe that if the root or the foundation of their old beliefs is addressed, I have addressed the issue quite sufficiently. When I tackle the root problem, all the other surface problems will be taken care of.</div>
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The root of their traditional beliefs has to do with their old worldview. Their old worldview is daulistic. Victor T. King says Dayaks (including Iban) have a dualistic view of the cosmos. It is the union of the two deities; one representing the heavens, skies or the upper world, the other, the earth or the underworld. This duality is represented by bird symbols like the hornbill or hawk in the upper world; and in the underworld by the serpent or mythical dragon. The dual conception of the cosmos is also expressed by the association of the skies with maleness and head hunting, and the underworld is associated with femaleness and agriculture. Both the head hunting rites and agriculture ceremonies are central parts of a religion directed towards acquiring and increasing fertility. </div>
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Who are the deities in this dualistic cosmos? Iban can use the term ‘petara’ both in the singular and plural sense to represent their deities (gods). However, Petara is commonly used in the plural sense to represent deities of spirits; and the most important spirits with generic titles are the Salampandai, Sengalang Burung, and Pulang Gana. These three deities have important functions in the cosmos: Salampandai is the female spirit and the maker of man; Sengalang Burung (the Bird-chief) is the Iban God of war and the guarding spirit of brave men; and Pulang Gana the deity of the soil, the spirit which presides over the farm work. </div>
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Iban Christians cannot worship Jesus with the above dualistic worldview in their mind. Apostle Paul in his letter to the Colossians actually addressed the same syncretism issue experienced. Take for instance, in Colossians 2:8-23, ‘See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ…do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day…Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his spiritual mind puffs him up with idle notion…Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules. Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!...and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.’ Colossian Christians still practice hollow and deceptive philosophy, New Moon celebration, worship of angels and being harsh to their body. They were converted to Christ and yet they still held on to their old worldview of old religion. They practiced syncretism.</div>
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How did Apostle Paul responded to the syncretism issue of Colossian Christian? He countered the old worldview by emphasizing on by emphasizing on Christian identity and supremacy of Christ.</div>
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By emphasizing on their Christian identity, Apostle Paul is teaching the Colossian Christians that they were believing in doctrines which are different from their old traditional beliefs. They should leave the old beliefs; they should not mix the old and their new beliefs in Christ. Apostle Paul teaches Colossian Christians that they have not only died (Col 3:3) and been buried with Christ in baptism (Col 2:12), but have already been raised with Him to a new heavenly life (Col 2:12-13; 3:1). Paul strongly emphasized the Colossian Christians’ identity in Christ. By participating with Christ in his resurrection, they share in the fullness of resurrection life: Christ delivers the Colossians from the tyranny of the unseen powers. As Iban Christians are firm about their own Christian identity in Christ, hopefully, they will leave their former gods and spirits. This implies that our BM pastors need to teach to strengthen their identity in Christ. With much teaching and training of their minds, their old worldview may be transformed to a new Christian worldview.</div>
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Besides, Apostle Paul also emphasized on the supremacy of Christ to teach the Colossian Christians not to be fearful of the spirits of their worldview; just as the Iban Christians are fearful of the spirits of the old worldview which may harm them. Apostle Paul emphasized on the highest power of Christ in 1:15-20. He taught that Christ is the first born of all creation; things visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, all things were created by Him and for Him; He is the head of the Church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy; and through Him everything is reconciled with Him. If Iban Christians who are trained in their minds that Jesus is so supreme, I believe they will be courageous and not be scared of the spirits which haunted them in their old beliefs.</div>
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In view of their former worldview, besides empowering them in Christian identity and supremacy of Christ, BM pastors also need to train ourselves and our BM congregations to do spiritual warfare. The element of attacks by evil spirits is something very real. If this is not addressed, we may not be able to show them that Jesus is supreme and most powerful.</div>
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The Iban Christians whom SCAC BM pastors ministered now do not only have the above syncretism problem only. Many of them are educationally, socially, economically and politically weak. If these issues and needs are not addressed, then, we do not train them to be balanced, holistic and matured Christians. Take for instance, if the education of their children is not looked into, they may continue to be syncretistic. With a better education, they can understand the bible better and they may leave syncretism and embrace a pure faith in Jesus. All these also have very serious implications for BM pastoral ministry.</div>
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<u><strong>Proposing a BM Pastoral Disciple Making Model</strong></u></div>
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With the above biblical, theological, educational, social, economic and political considerations, my research propose a BM pastoral disciple making model that should include the following principles.</div>
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A. Teaching the Iban Christians on their Christian identity and supremacy of Christ.</div>
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B. Equipping BM pastors and Iban Christians on doing spiritual warfare.</div>
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C. Doing social concerns to overcome their poverty, educational, social and political problems.</div>
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D. Training more Chinese theological students and indigenous Christians to be BM pastors.</div>
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<u><strong>Conclusion </strong></u></div>
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I pray that the whole of SCAC, especially all pastors will pay attention to our BM ministry. Do mobilize your church to each out to the Iban and indigenous people of Sarawak by using BM. Many of them who are Christians may be syncretistic in this postmodern age, this challenge should become our opportunity to look into our resources like a great God in the person of Jesus, our connectionalism, financial strength, a great pool of younger generation who is well versed in BM, and the well furnished church buildings to train them to be powerful and matured Christians for Christ. I pray that through our efforts, we will produce the most powerful politicians which can become the chief minister of Sarawak and even the prime minister of Malaysian, the best doctors, engineers, accountants, teachers, and other professionals; and producing the most God fearing disciples of Jesus, indigenous men and women who will impact Sarawak and even Malaysia for Christ. Can you begin to pray more for them and reach out to them?</div>
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Written By Rev Law Hui Seng (Miri, 26th May, 2013)</div>
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Posted By Teresa Han</div>
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Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-75247259347140266852013-04-18T08:59:00.002+08:002013-04-18T08:59:37.275+08:00Brunei Sermon Apostle’s Creed 2<div style="text-align: justify;">
14th April, 2013</div>
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Bethel Church</div>
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Written By Rev Lau Hui Seng</div>
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Posted By Teresa Han</div>
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<strong><u>Main Idea: Who is this mighty God?</u></strong></div>
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<strong>Objectives : a. To explain the reality of almighty God.</strong></div>
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<strong>b. To explain the person of Jesus Christ.</strong></div>
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<strong>c. To explain the role of the Holy Spirit in conception.</strong></div>
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<strong><u>A. Introduction</u></strong></div>
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- In my last sermon I had explained to you what is a creed, reasons for the Apostle Creed. I also explained to you just one phrase, ‘I believe in God’.</div>
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- In this sermon, I will explain to you the meaning of ‘Father Almighty, Creator of heavens and the earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, given birth through Virgin Mary.’</div>
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- For the rest of the Apostle Creed, I will come back 2 times in later half of the year.</div>
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- I pray that this sermon will help you to have a clearer picture of this almighty God whom we believe, and how through the person of Jesus, you will find that this God is very real in our life.</div>
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1. 我信上帝,全能的父, 创造天地的主。</div>
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I believe in God, Father Almighty, Creator of heavens and the earth.</div>
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2. 我信我主耶稣基督,上帝的独生子;</div>
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I believe in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord,</div>
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3. 因着圣灵感孕,由童贞女玛利亚所生;</div>
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conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, given birth through Virgin Mary,</div>
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- Do you how our God is so almighty? Do you understand His almightiness in terms of His power only?</div>
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<u><strong>B. Father Almighty</strong></u></div>
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- This almighty God was revealed to us human beings through Old Testament record and Israel history. He did not just suddenly appeared. He is a person, full of emotion, and working in the universe. How do I know this almighty God?</div>
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- If I want to know the teachings of Mother Teresa I need to know her living background, and place of her work. So, also, we need to know the work of God.</div>
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- Very often we called our almighty God as omnipotence. We always understand it as God is so powerful that He can do whatever He wants. This is actually not the original meaning of the Hebrew word for almighty. It is not as understood by the Bible.</div>
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- If we understand God almighty to be so powerful that He can do whatever He wants, then, we subject ourselves to answer 2 stupid questions: a. If God is omnipotent, can He create a stone so huge that He could not carry? b. If God is omnipotent, how can allow suffering? If He cannot do it, then, He is not omnipotent, He is not God of love! If so, the conclusion is He is not God at all. You see how we created our own problem.</div>
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- All this is because we miss the original meaning of almightiness.</div>
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- Some people likened God’s almighty power to His power that is millions of times more powerful that atomic power. This is a wrong comparison. The focus is on the so called power in terms of human understanding. It is wrong theologically.</div>
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- Atomic power is destructive, that change something to nothing. Power of God almighty is the power of the cross, that bring order in chaos, that caused nothing to become something, that caused hatred to become love.</div>
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- In the Old Testament, God’s almighty has 3 shapes of meaning: a. Yahweh saved the Israelites from the hand of the enemy (Exodus 15). b. it is concerning our belief that creation is linked with God’s salvation for mankind (Isaiah 42:10-17). C. Almightiness of God is used in the ritual of worship of Israelites, here, almightiness refers to the glory of God (Psalm 69:14; 91:1; 132:2)</div>
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- when it comes to the New Testament, the 3 meanings combined to show the rule of God, the authority of God. For example in Rev 19:6, ‘For our almighty reign.’</div>
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- the creed does not say, almighty God, it says almighty father. It means this God is not a theory of the universe. He is working in the universe, He is our heavenly father who works in our place. We are all His children.</div>
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<strong><u>C. Creator of heavens and earth </u></strong></div>
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- this is the foundation of Christianity.</div>
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- theology of creation according to the bible gives us 3 very important meanings concerning our lives: a. theology of creation is not for the purpose of defending against theory of evolution; b. it is linking with our belief and life; c. creation tells us that all the creation needs to depend on God to maintain and exist.</div>
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- All these 3 meanings tell us we are just stewards of God’s creation. a. It is our belief, it role is not to debate with science and history. B. no matter how impact is our experience of the world, our creator always affirm His own creation; c. our creator is working and He invites us to work with Him.</div>
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<u><strong>D. I believe in Jesus Christ</strong></u></div>
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- This is the second statement of the creed. It is linked with the first one on the father. Now, it is the son. This second statement helps us to understand the first statement about God the Father, and the third statement, God the Spirit. It helps to solidify the first and the third statement.</div>
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- I believe in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son brings out the idea of God’s work and identity, from here, it brings out the relationship between believer and God.</div>
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- This ‘I believe’ is related to the ‘I believe’ in the first statement. It gives meaning to the first I believe. The second I believe solidify the first I believe.</div>
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- If I say I believe in Confucious, I only trust in his teaching. He does not know me. I do not have any relationship with him.</div>
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- If I say I believe in Jesus Christ is totally a different story. Why? I believe in Jesus who knows me, who works in me and reveals Himself to me.</div>
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- Who is He? He is hundred percent man and God. If He is just man, then, everything will remain as morality only. If He is God only, then, He has nothing to do with us.</div>
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- He is God incarnated, a mystery, God became man. Only when He is a real man and a real God, then, we can relate to Him, man and God can be reconciled.</div>
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- Also, Christ is the title that means God’s anointed one, the hope for everything.</div>
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<u><strong>E. His only begotten Son</strong></u></div>
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- One and only case. The sonship brings out the need for us to build a special personal relationship. Son here does not mean God has sex with a lady and gives birth to a human being. It challenges the world, all people either to accept or reject Him. There I no other choice. Because of this, (one and only choice), we have to do mission.</div>
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<u><strong>F. Our Lord</strong></u></div>
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- the title Lord refers to the Christ who holds authority that is above everything. </div>
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- Secondly, this Lord is the only God who forgives our sin.</div>
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- Thirdly, in future, this Lord is going to reveal Himself totally.</div>
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<u><strong>G. Conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, given birth through Virgin Mary</strong></u></div>
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- This third statement shows the channel where God became man.</div>
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- It shows the almighty power of God the creator, it is not as a result of human effort but it is all God’s initiative.</div>
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- Virgin Mary is a real person in history, not just some folks story, created by man.</div>
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<u><strong>H. Conclusion</strong></u></div>
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- I pray that as you worship the Trinitarian God, you will be very clear in your mind, who is this almighty whom you worship.</div>
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- As you are clear of Him, in your mind, then, you can relate to Him personally.</div>
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Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-88080192874111355452013-02-24T23:10:00.002+08:002013-02-24T23:10:55.364+08:00Many of Jesus’ disciples…no longer followed Him<div style="text-align: justify;">
GMC</div>
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17th February, 2013</div>
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Written By Rev Law Hui Seng</div>
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Posted By Teresa Han</div>
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<strong>John 6:41-71</strong></div>
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<strong><u>Main Idea: Follow Jesus all the way</u></strong></div>
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<strong><em>Objectives: a. To challenge the congregation to be a disciple of Jesus and follow Him every day.</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>b. To teach the congregation to follow Jesus in every detail of our life.</em></strong></div>
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<strong><u>A. Introduction</u></strong></div>
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- The more I understand the word of God, the teaching of Jesus, the more I want to follow Him all the way. The more needs and problems I see in my family, church members’ families, society, Malaysia and in the world, the more I see the urgency of helping people to follow Jesus. I see a lot of Christians do not have joy, under bondages of pride, anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, selfishness, superstition; immobilized by bad health and remained defeated and sad. I see how our society is so corrupted, unjust, the poor getting poorer and the richer getting richer and how we become richer at the expense of the poor. I see how people in Vietnam, in some parts of Africa who die of hunger that are not reported. I see how at the international stage big powers are bullying the small countries; how civil wars, political differences resulted in killing hundreds and thousands of innocent people.</div>
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- As you see the sin in yourself, in others, in the society and in the world, do you see the urgency for ourselves and as many people in this world to follow; to overcome our problems and to meet the needs by following Jesus?</div>
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- The more we are not following Jesus, the more the Church needs to do mission.</div>
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- What is at stake for you and me as disciples of Jesus is really, are we following Jesus or not?</div>
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- In verse 66 today, the writer John, wrote, “From this many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”</div>
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<strong><u>B. Following Jesus</u></strong></div>
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- The Greek word for ‘followed’ is peripateo, it means to walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow as a companion or votary (a regular worshipper of a particular god, holy person or religion). In the context of verse 66, it means no longer walking after, no longer worship Jesus; no longer a companion of Jesus.</div>
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- Verse 66 says many of Jesus’ disciples turned back and no longer followed him. The disciples in Greek is mathetes, a learner, pupil. The Greek for ‘turned’ is aperchomai, it means to go off (i.e., depart); figuratively, come, depart, go (aside, away, back out), pass away, be past. These pupils of Jesus who followed (peripateo) Him for some time, now, they decided to aperchomai (back out). They worshipped Jesus for a while and they backed out, probably, they never come back anymore.</div>
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- Why many of Jesus’disciples aperchomai (back out) and not peripateo (followed) Him anymore? It has to do with the dispute about Jesus’ claim of His divinity.</div>
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- In my last preaching I emphasize Jesus as the bread of life, and in verse 40, Jesus says, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” Anyone who believes in Him has eternal life and Jesus has the power to raise people from death. Jesus claimed that He was sent by God and He was divine, God.</div>
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- The writer John is portraying Jesus as the one sent by God and all this readers (especially the Jews) are challenged to make up their mind whether to follow Jesus or not; whether they wanted to follow Jesus or not. Many of Jesus disputed about His divinity, about Him to be the bread of life coming down from heaven. They could not accept Jesus as bread of heaven. They could not accept the divinity of Jesus as He was.</div>
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-In verses 42, They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, "I came down from heaven'?" And then, in verse 52, they said again, “ Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" </div>
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- This was especially so after Jesus taught in verse 51 He was the flesh which He gave for the life of the world. </div>
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- In the whole passage Jesus claimed His divinity as the bread of life; He could give eternal life; His relationship with God the Father.</div>
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- In verses 41 and 48, He highlighted again He is the bread of life. In verse 44, He claimed that people who came to Him were actually drawn by His Father who sent Him and He had the power to raise them from death in the last day, end time. He also claimed in verse 46, He has seen the Father. Take of His intimate relationship with His Father. In verse 47, He claims that those who believe Him have everlasting life. In verses 53 and 54, He claimed that only those who eat His flesh and drink His blood have eternal life and He will raise them up in the last day. And He went on to keep emphasizing on the need to eat His flesh and drink His blood.</div>
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- Jesus even asked in verse 61 if His such teaching offended His disciples. And He said in verses 63 and 64 there were disciples who did not believe though His words are spirit and life. And Jesus foresaw in verse 64 there would be disciples who would betray Him.</div>
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- Eventually, Jesus confronted His most inner circle disciples, the Twelve, if they wanted to leave Him or not in verse 67. In verses 68 and 69, Simon Peter, answered on behalf of the Twelve, recognizing Jesus to be the words of eternal life and He is the Holy One of God, affirming the divinity of Jesus. To this, in verse 70, Jesus still insisted one them would betray Him and He is the devil. </div>
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- Brothers and sisters, with all honesty, as we face Jesus; and Jesus knew all His disciples then, their HEART, inside out; which disciple would back out, aperchomai and not peripateo (followed) Him; and it is the same for today, He knows us inside out, He knows which one of us would back out and not follow Him.</div>
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<strong><u>C. Applications on Following Jesus</u></strong></div>
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- Some of us may not turn away from Jesus not in the sense of the totally disappearing from sight of Jesus like some of Jesus’ disciples in verse 66. We may not turn away from Jesus because of Jesus’ divinity issue.</div>
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- In my own experience with myself, with other fellow disciples of Jesus, we back out, aperchomai and not peripateo (followed) Him because of pride. With all my personal relationship with Jesus, the Spirit of Jesus, the word of God, let me define pride to you. It is the greatest sin of mankind, it is the devil inside us which we have to deal with all the time. It comes out every now and then to cause havoc in our life.</div>
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- What is pride actually? It is the putting yourself in the highest position in your life, it is the ego I who submits his willpower to himself and follow what is not true. A person who has pride in his or her life, he or she is blind to the truths or the word of God; or he or she may be having half truth. One of the most clear sign of a proud person is this: I am right, you are wrong. He himself or she herself could actually be wrong, but he or she could not see it. Today, in the name of Jesus I want to teach it and preach it, to help you to discern how you know you have been proud. How you sense it in your life? How you realize you have the sin of pride.</div>
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- The answer lies with the word joy. With all honesty, you know the word of God is the joy of the Lord is my strength, right? When you have pride, you are not more doing or serving Jesus’ will, God’s will, obeying Jesus’ teaching, YOUR SERVE YOUR OWN WILL, there is no more God’s will in your life, you suffer the consequences of your sin of pride, you only get frustration, anger, condemnation, complaint, unforgivenss, bitterness, and confusion.</div>
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- When you have pride, there is no more word of God in your life, no wonder you do not follow Christ at that moment.</div>
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- The moment you realize your pride, you repent, you submit yourself to Yesus, your will to Jesus, you say I choose to forgive, to tell the truth, to love, to be considerate, to be honest, to respect others, to be responsible for my sin of anger and awaiting God’s discipline, to be responsible for my wrong, for my carelessness, for my mistakes, you emphasize God’s word, His truth, Jesus’ teaching, Jesus takes over your will power, you will have peace and joy. </div>
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- When you choose to follow Jesus’ word, joy comes. Do you have joy now?</div>
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- When I participated in a recent deliverance I see clearly with my own eyes, how a Christian who is well versed with the word of God and not submit His life to Jesus but he submitted his will and life to the demons, how he was demon possessed. </div>
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- We have to encourage him to proclaim to the demons inside him that he belongs to Jesus and submit His life/ will to Jesus, and he did it and we see with our eyes, how demon left him one by one. He submit his life/ will to the demons by singing the unknown anti-Christ songs in foreign languages, spending lots of time on computer and internet games and video shows that are violent and demonic.</div>
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<strong><u>D. Conclusion</u></strong></div>
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- Will you submit your life/ will to Jesus and obey His teaching and do His will, and experience joy and peace? And follow Jesus and not back out. </div>
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Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-39806650977878499862013-01-28T22:18:00.000+08:002013-07-19T23:32:23.925+08:00Overcoming Racial Barrier in Worship<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Overcoming Racial Barrier in Worship </div>
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27th Jan, 2013</div>
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Written By Rev Law Hui Seng</div>
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Posted By Teresa Han</div>
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John 4:1-26</div>
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<strong>Main Idea: Jesus overcomes racial barrier</strong></div>
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<strong>Objectives: a. To empower disciples of Jesus to overcome racial barrier to reach out to the indigenous people of Sarawak.</strong></div>
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<strong>b. To teach the significance of worship.</strong></div>
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<strong><u>A. Introduction</u></strong></div>
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- The book of Revelation has great teaching about how we should do mission. It is a book which we Christians believe about eschatology, how our future will turn out to be. It is a beautiful picture of the future of God’s people. Therefore, when we live our lives on earth, we want to do mission, we need to bear that end picture in mind. This end picture or final picture must affect how we do mission on earth.</div>
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- Therefore, if you are expecting to see only Chinese when we see Christ in judgement or in heaven, we really miss the end/ final picture in Revelation. Revelation15:4 “Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” All nations will worship God. The Greek word for nation here is ‘ethnos’, it is also race or tribe. So, the final picture of people worshipping God in heaven is made up of different races.</div>
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- As I serve in the area of indigenous people evangelism and mission in Sarawak, as Board of Evangelism put in efforts to mobilize SCAC churches to do mission among local indigenous people, I find all kinds of excuses, prejudices, lacking in vision, and reasons for Chinese Christians reluctance, indifference, and inaction not to make disciples among the indigenous people of Sarawak. Some of us felt it is the ministry of Sarawak Iban Annual Conference because of Iban language; some feel it is difficult to do because of language and cultural barrier; some even feel they cannot be helped as it is very difficult to transform them; some say there is no manpower to reach out; some say they do not know how to preach to them; some honestly say they do not have the burden to reach out to them.</div>
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- Could all these excuses or reasons be due to our Chinese superiority mindset and our clannish identity? We subconsciously look down on other races or the indigenous people.</div>
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- I look to the Bible to find answers to answer all these challenges. In light of the word of God, all these so called reasons cannot justify their claims.</div>
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- So, here locally, in Sarawak, if we do outreach, evangelism and mission, we only focus on Chinese, we have totally missed the big end picture of nations, and we get our Missiology wrong. Jesus has a very teaching about overcoming racial barrier in evangelism. It is a very direct passage urging us to reach out to people of other tribes and races in John 4:1-26. Can you and I follow His example?</div>
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- Let us examine the context of the passage to bring out a message today for you. I entitle my sermon/message today as ‘Overcoming racial barrier in worship’.</div>
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<u><strong>B. Context and Brief Exegesis</strong></u></div>
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- Traditionally for many centuries, Jewish Judeans of the south were in enmity with the Samaritans in the north. The Samaritans are the descendants of a mixture of two groups. (1) The remnants of the Israelites who were not deported at the fall of the Northern Kingdom in 772 BC. (2) Foreign colonists brought in from Babylonia and Media by the Assyrian conquerors of Samaria (2Kings 17:24ff). The Samaritans (northerners) and the Jews (southerners) were in theological conflict because the Samaritan refused to worship at Jerusalem. After the Babylonian exile, the Samaritan blocked the Jewish restoration of Jerusalem. In 2nd century BC, the Samaritans helped Syrian monarchs to war against the Jews. In 128 BC, the Jewish high priest burned the Samaritan temple on Gerizim.</div>
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- Jesus was aware of such hostile background and He went to the North to engage in this powerful conversation with the Samaritan woman. Jesus rested at Sychar, Samaria (verse 5). He was tired after the journey, sat down by Jacob’s well when it was very hot, at the sixth hour, midday (verse 6). Into such conditions, the Samaritan woman came to draw water. Her arrival at this unsociable hour (because of the hot sun), tends to lead to the suspicion that she was an outcast. What caused her to be an outcast? Suspicion she has earned, for drawing water under the hot midday sun was not a consequence of her personal sin (sexual or otherwise) but of racism, that had isolated her and her people (of whom she was a representative) from their rightful place at God’s messianic banquet.</div>
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- Jesus totally disregarded the woman’s protest at the impropriety of the situation. He offered her a role reversal: if only she knew who she spoke to, she would ask Him for living water. From then on, Jesus tried to direct her to understand who God is. Jesus used the metaphor of living water to direct her to a knowledge of God. In verse 10, Jesus responded to her protest, “…If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” At this pivotal point, Jesus turned His request for a drink into an offer of living water for her. He engaged her in very deep theological talk, along the lines of living water. She did not understand the metaphor of the living water, as she was still stuck thinking of ‘physical living water’ in verses 11 and 12.</div>
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- To help the Samaritan woman to realize what the living water was, Jesus explained that He is the source of living water and a receiver of it would never thirst again. This living water would lead a person to eternal life (verses 13 and 14). Jesus had successfully stirred her to desire this living water so that she answered Jesus in verse 15, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” This positive response to Jesus also reflected her willingness to disregard cultural codes regarding men and women; and Jesus’ success in drawing her closer to God. Jesus was in the midst of His mission to reconcile both the Judeans (Jews) and Samaritans, and direct both ethnic groups towards God, through Himself. </div>
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- How did Jesus do it? He boldly created new systems, to break down cultural codes that limited opportunities for the sharing of resources between different groups of people. The new systems here referred to is the open interaction between men (it started with Jesus Himself) and women in a conservative society; and the metaphor of living water which leads to eternal life.</div>
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- How did Jesus try to reconcile Judeans and Samaritans? He did not do it directly. The answer probably lies with “Jesus’ Johannine mission: to call people away from commitments to man-made systems of identity and into rebirth as children of God.”</div>
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- On the surface, Jesus and the Samaritan woman may have shifted from one subject to another subject such as from the well and water to husbands, prophets, places of worship and the Messiah but below the surface of this narrative, lies a consistent thread: Jesus the ‘prophet’ knew the underlying Samaritan history of hostility with Judean Jews (cf. 2Kings 17:24-41; Ezra 4). Jesus’ mission in going to Samaria (John 4:4) was to offer an alternative to both Judeans and Samaritans to end their endless struggle over ethnic identity. In His effort to draw them to rebirth as God’s children, He urged them to disregard the racial barrier (man-made identity). </div>
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- He subtly broke down this great barrier of ethnicity by answering the woman’s question of dispute on the presence of God, in the choice of place of worship (this mountain or Jerusalem). He answered, “neither place”, in verse 21, “…Believe me, woman, a time is coming, when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.” God is present where worshippers worship in spirit and truth (verses 23 and 24). Jesus told the woman that God is not concerned with which race worships where, but He is concerned about all worshippers (all ethnic groups) worshipping Him in truth and spirit.</div>
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- The build up of insights from the metaphor of living water to the Messiah had enlightenedthe woman’s spiritual blindness, overcoming racial hostility and boundaries. The woman (regardless of the shame of living with a man and not being married) responded by being the first ‘apostle’ (in the sense of being sent forth), rushing back to her people and becoming a messenger for the Messiah, causing many people to drop what they were doing and follow her to see Jesus (verses 28-30). As the woman shared her testimony with her own people, many of them believed in Jesus (verse 39). Jesus had successfully reconciled some Samaritans with Judean Jews (starting with Himself). SCAC churches need to follow Jesus’ example, in regard to the Iban, and start with themselves. This Samaritan woman belonged to another race and another identity. She was a woman difficult to transform. </div>
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-The Samaritan woman belonged to a different race from Jesus, and was thus a social outcast. The Iban belong to another race, and some are marginalized economically. If Jesus, a Jew bridged the racial barrier to reach out to a Samaritan woman from another race, and a social outcast, He has set a precedent for SCAC Chinese (a race) Christians to do likewise to the Iban. </div>
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- The story of the Samaritan woman is used only to serve as a biblical response to the SCAC Chinese Christians mindset and identity barrier, the main reason being that through this story Jesus calls His disciples in SCAC to move away from a commitment to man-made racial identity and turn to help another race, such as the Iban to be reborn as children of God. A secondary reason is that though the woman was an outcast and marginalized, Jesus disregarded her status and still reached out to her. This should challenge SCAC to reach out to marginalizedIban who are weak socially and economically. </div>
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-Biblically, according to the Apostle Paul’s teaching, SCAC Chinese Christians need to be like Christ. In Christ-likeness, we need to be like Him in bridging racial barriers. </div>
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- Jesus, out of compassion for the lost, in His mission to direct other race, the marginalized and the social outcast to the kingdom of God, reached out to the Samaritan woman. Jesus rejected any excuse to avoid her. This move of Jesus must challenge SCAC Chinese Christians to change their superiority mindset towards the Iban. All races are equally accepted by Jesus Christ: He loved the world (John 3:16). </div>
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<strong><u>C. Applications</u></strong> </div>
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-Firstly, one fundamental implication of Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman is that SCAC Chinese Christians can no longer say that the socially and economically marginalized and outcast Iban are not related to them.</div>
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- Secondly, SCAC needs to change its clannish mindset to teach Iban the word of God; and accept them despite their race and economic and social status. SCAC cannot make excuses such as ‘the Iban are difficult to transform’, ignore the need to reach them, or leave the ministry to SIAC.</div>
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- Thirdly, since the Iban are another race, SCAC needs to overcome cultural barriers to bring the gospel to them in terms they can understand and accept; if they do, the Iban will own it.</div>
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<strong><u>D. Conclusion</u></strong></div>
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- 1st January, 2011, I joined a brother in sending a piece of furniture to a poor Iban family. In fact, the next day, 2nd January, I flew to KK for 2 years of theological studies. We were faced with a self-accident Iban with his motor bike lying on the road. We stopped our pick up and upon examination, we found it must be drunk driving as smelt alcohol. He was unconscious and his skull had a hole bleeding profusely. I thought to myself if I did not save him he would die of blood loss as I learnt in first aid. I quickly press my palm on this small size Iban guy and we carried him up and put him at the back of the pick up with me holding him and put my on my 2 thighs, while I sat.</div>
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- I kept my palm at the bleeding skull with much blood on my shorts, shirt and hands. Jesus spoke to me in a very deep manner in this encounter. As I looked at the blood on the head, it doomed on me that every human blood is red in color. My mind at the time thought of the white and black skin people (especially African), their skin can of different color but there is all red. Chinese blood is read, Iban blood is red, Penan blood is red. All the human beings are red. The powerful conviction comes when God told me as long as we are human being with red blood we deserve to be saved by Jesus. Jesus shed blood for all the human beings with red blood.</div>
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- Therefore, by no means practicing the bad theology of allowing racial barrier to prevent us from preaching the gospel to the indigenous people.</div>
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Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-90114285587376026262013-01-13T22:39:00.005+08:002013-01-13T22:39:55.821+08:00Apostle’s Creed <div style="text-align: justify;">
Brunei Sermon Apostle’s Creed 13th January, 2013 </div>
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Bethel Church</div>
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Written By Rev Law Hui Seng</div>
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Posted By Teresa Han</div>
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<strong>Main Idea: I believe in God</strong></div>
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<strong>Objectives: a. To relate the Apostle’s creed to our Christians’ life.</strong></div>
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<strong>b. To teach the doctrines of God, creator and Christ the Son of God.</strong></div>
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<strong><u>A. Introduction</u></strong></div>
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- You may have been reciting the traditional Apostle’s Creed Sunday in and Sunday out, but you do not much about its meaning and how it is related to your spiritual life or daily life. I pray that as I preach and teach you its meaning and background, you will appreciate it and each time you recite it, it will strengthen your faith in Christ.</div>
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1. 我信上帝,全能的父, 创造天地的主。</div>
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I believe in God, Father Almighty, Creator of heavens and the earth.</div>
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2. 我信我主耶稣基督,上帝的独生子;</div>
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I believe in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord,</div>
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3. 因着圣灵感孕,由童贞女玛利亚所生;</div>
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conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, given birth through Virgin Mary,</div>
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4. 在本丢•彼拉多手下受难,被钉在十字架上,受死,埋葬;</div>
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suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and buried,</div>
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5. 降在阴间;第三日从死里复活;</div>
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was descended into the Death, and the third day risen from the dead;</div>
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6. 他升天,坐在全能父上帝的右边;</div>
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He ascended into the Heaven, seated at the right hand of Father Almighty,</div>
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7. 将来必从那里降临,审判活人,死人。</div>
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and will come back from there to judge the living and the dead.</div>
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8. 我信圣灵,</div>
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I believe in the Holy Spirit,</div>
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9. 我信圣而大公之教会、圣徒相通,</div>
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I believe in the holy universal Church, the communion of the saints,</div>
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10. 我信罪得赦免,</div>
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I believe in the forgiveness of sins,</div>
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11. 我信身体复活;</div>
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I believe in the resurrection of the body,</div>
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12. 我信永生。阿们!</div>
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I believe in everlasting life Amen!</div>
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- I will begin with what is a creed, a simple historical background and the reasons to use it for the universal Christian church. Then, an explanation of its meaning and how it relates to our Christian life through a series of sermons.</div>
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<strong><u>B. What is a Creed? </u></strong></div>
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- The word creed in English is coming from the first Latin word of the Apostle’s Creed, ‘credo’, I believe.</div>
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- There are 2 meanings in reciting the Apostle’s Creed. Firstly, it is an individual’s believe in the Trinitarian God, therefore, out of the 12 statements, every statement begins with the phrase ‘I believe’. Secondly, it is a demonstration of the whole congregation’s faith origin and worshipping the true God.</div>
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- Historically, there are other 3 creeds: Nicean Creed; Chalcedonian Creed; and Athanasian Creed.</div>
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- Apostle’s Creed is among the simplest creed, it was formed out of early believers’ faith development.</div>
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- A creed is simple, short and precise for the purpose of memorizing.</div>
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<strong><u>C. A Simple Historical Background</u></strong></div>
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- A creed was formed out of the problems faced by the early church believers. It was used for personal devotion, public worship, dealing with cults and persecutions.</div>
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- There are quite a lot of creedal formulas in the New Testament. They became the backbone of the later creeds. For examples, popular ones are ‘...if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’. And believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.’ (Rom 10:9); the shortest ones are ‘Jesus is Lord’ or ‘Jesus is Messiah’.</div>
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- In the days of apostle, they used scripture as their creeds. Then, in the later days, it was not suitable. On the one hand, one or two verses cannot include the whole faith of Christianity. On the other hand, the challenges faced by the church were very different. For examples, to counter the cultic teachings, the church cannot just respond with one or two verses as the cults also used the scripture as their basis. The challenges had been thrown to Christians by the Ebionites, they made Christianity to be Judaism; Gnostics, they tried to Hellenize Christianity.</div>
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- Apostle’s Creed was slowly formed in the midst of all these struggles. It was not written by the apostles but by the early believers through a long process of debates in the first few centuries</div>
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<u><strong>D. Reasons to use Apostle’s Creed</strong></u></div>
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- Firstly, the apostles of the early Christian churches always repeated their important content in their preaching. And this method could have been learnt from Jesus, for example in preaching sermon on the Mount. Apostle Creed could be formed out of the need for preaching.</div>
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- Secondly, the young churches were newly formed, they needed established liturgy like the Holy Communion and baptism for public worships. An example is in Philippians 2:5-11. The declaration of their faith in their worships in the midst of persecution and cultic teachings had several functions: teaching, comfort, encouragement and expressing Christian stand with Jesus, therefore, confronting the evil power.</div>
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- Thirdly, the early church did not have a pure mentality as we assume, before Emperor Constantine made Christianity the national religion, different churches had their own separate individual explanation for their belief. There was no systematic teaching on their belief. The animistic believers of the Gentiles who converted had difficulty grasping their Christian belief. This called for the need of Apostle’s Creed.</div>
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- Fourthly, the cultic teachings had caused the formation of the creed. The creed would tell the believers what to believe and at the same time, pointing out the wrong teachings of the cults.</div>
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<strong><u>E. I Believe</u></strong></div>
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- When a person has a blur understanding of his belief, his object of belief will disappear, he will be disappointed with his past, he will have no hope toward himself now, and he has no expectation for his future.</div>
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- He does not feel important of himself, he has given up on himself, and now, anything can own him or her.</div>
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- Let us now examine our Christian understanding of ‘believe’. It has 2 parts, i.e., (1) the object of belief and (2) the response produced because of the belief, the meaning of belief.</div>
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- Christian believes in God, the object of our belief is God. We believe God in Christ who accomplished all the things for us. Because we have understood what He had done for us, we responded to Him in Christ, we commit to Him, love Him and obey Him.</div>
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- Therefore, the more you know the object of belief, the more you will respond to Him.</div>
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- The first part of belief is knowing and the second part is action. Knowing is knowing the object of belief; and action is actually the emotional response towards the object of belief. The 2 actually happened at the same time. After you know what you believe, then, you have a response. This process involves a relationship.</div>
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- So, the more you know this God whom you believe, the more personal in relationship you will have with this God. If not, you will not have a personal relationship with Him.</div>
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- It is very crucial for us Christians to understand our object of belief, God.</div>
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<strong><u>F. I believe in God</u></strong></div>
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- What do you mean when you declare ‘I believe in God’? It means I do not believe in a God who is defined by someone else; not believe in a God defined by myself because God is God on His own, He acted and spoke and reveal Himself throughout history.</div>
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- He entered time and space, and through His work on earth, we know Him.</div>
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- He is given to us; He presented Himself to us.</div>
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- Therefore, when you declare ‘I believe in God’ you believe in God who reveal Himself to you. You are not believing in a God whom people voted as God with such a definition.</div>
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- When you let this God be God on His own in your life, you have a relationship with Him. He definitely wants to know you and vice-versa.</div>
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- It becomes like a boy-girl relationship. In such a relationship, you want to know a guy better, you need to allow that person to ‘reveal’ himself or herself to you.</div>
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- You cannot imposed your own understanding about him or her on him or her.</div>
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- Similarly, when anybody wants to know God, it cannot be depending on his/her effort only. There must be initiative coming from God, revelation coming from Him, and words coming from Him. It must be the participation of both sides. In knowing God, there must be a dialogue. Otherwise, God is just what we made Him to be, our narrow view of God.</div>
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- God’s revelation to us through His creation, salvation and end time theology (eschatology), all are deeds of God which we can know in the bible.</div>
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- Through the deeds of God, we come to know Him in our inner life, so, in the process, if there is any mismatch, contradiction, etc, e.g., in view of God’s revelation of Himself to us, our own wrong understanding of him must be corrected in order to allow God to be God in our life. We cannot change him to match our understanding of Him.</div>
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- Take for instance, for many years, I assume that God does not love Muslims. This is my own understanding of God which is wrong in view of the Bible, where Jesus said, “For God so loved the world” and also Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations.</div>
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- So, when you said I believe in God, you mean, “I believe in God who has spoken, acted. He is not a dumb God.</div>
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<strong><u>G. Conclusion</u></strong></div>
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- Do you mean what you declare as you say, “I believe in God”?</div>
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Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-43474200684518223982012-12-06T21:44:00.001+08:002012-12-06T21:59:54.881+08:00GMC Sermon I Am the Bread of Life <div style="text-align: justify;">
18th November, 2012 </div>
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<strong>Written By Rev Law Hui Seng</strong></div>
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<strong>Posted By Teresa Han</strong><br />
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<strong>John 6:25-40</strong></div>
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<strong>Main Idea: Jesus is the bread of life.</strong></div>
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<strong>Objectives: a. To explain why Jesus is the bread of life.</strong></div>
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<strong>b. To teach how to bring the bread of life to others.</strong></div>
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<u><strong>A. Introduction</strong></u></div>
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- Why there are soldiers killing civilians (and vice-versa) in Syria? Why there are robberies and gun shots here and there in Sarawak? Why people resort to blackmail and killing? Why there are broken marriages? Why there corruptions are so rampant in our country? Why depression is such a phenomenon in our society? Why don’t people keep to moral standard ? Why don’t people keep to our behavioural boundary? Why don’t people keep to work ethics?</div>
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- It is as if people are looking for something and yet they do not really get it. They resort to cheating, blackmail, lying, threatening, killing, they thought they had got what they wanted, but they did not. For some who are not doing harmful things, thought they have found the peace and happiness, but they do not.</div>
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- I believe you will agree with me the answer lies with the sin of humanity of mankind. We desperately need a moral standard to follow; need to keep this standard. How to stop people from killing, hatred, divorce, depression, and greed? If people were to look into the Bible, they will find that the answer lies with Jesus, who has given humanity all the answers to our sinful problem. It is exactly because of our sin, He came to us.</div>
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- He claimed to be the bread of life. He claimed He could satisfy our life. He declared in John 6:35, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” What does Jesus mean by, “I am the bread of life”?</div>
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<u><strong>B. I Am the Bread of Life</strong></u></div>
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- To find out its meaning, we need to know the purposes of John writing this gospel and the context of the passage. One of his purposes is to challenge the Jewish and gentile readers to become disciples of Jesus; to follow Jesus. So, you will find that the writer wrote in such a way that Jesus challenged His audience to follow Him; come to Him; believe in Him.</div>
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- After Jesus and His disciples fed the 5,000, people even got into the boats and travel from Tiberias to Capernaum to search for Jesus (verse 24). Why do they search for Jesus? What was the purpose? In verse 25, we are told they asked Jesus when He arrived when they found Him.</div>
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- After feeding the 5,000, the crowd experienced a great miracle, in verses 14 and 15, we were told that they began to regard Him as the Prophet and Jesus sensed that they wanted to make Him king by force. So, they searched for Jesus with a wrong intention, or motive, which I preached to you in May this year. With this wrong intention, they asked Jesus in verse 25 when He arrived? He was very resourceful and He made full use of the wrong intention of the crowd to teach and challenge them and direct them to come to Him, the bread of life.</div>
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- Making full use of the wrong intention, from verses 26-27, Jesus pointed out that they looked for Him not because of the miraculous signs but because of the food. Since food has everything to do with the bread and butter issue of life; we need food for survival, Jesus used it to turn the whole thing around and direct people to what He had to offer and said, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”</div>
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- To Jesus’ offer, they misunderstood that they had to work in order to get the food, so they answered in verse 29, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus corrected their misunderstanding by telling them what to do in verse 29, “The work of God is this to believe in the one he has sent.”</div>
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- The Jewish crowd still failed to understand Jesus, they even requested Jesus for more miracles so that they could believe in Him and they even compared the bread that Jesus gave to the manna that their forefathers received in the exodus desert for 40 years (miracle of 40 years) through Moses (verses 30-31).</div>
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- Now, Jesus linked directly the bread from heaven to His Father in verse 32 and said directly and most clearly in verse 33, “For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Notice the bread is for the world, the vision of Jesus and His Father. To this, Jesus had successful caused them to ask the bread, the bread that endures eternal life in verse 34.</div>
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- Next, Jesus grasped the moment, the most appropriate moment to declare His message, His intention (mission) of coming to the world, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (verse 35) The tangible image of bread of life is so crucial in bringing out a spiritual truth. Bread is something you need in life to survive as a person and Jesus used to it to say He is the bread of life. Jesus used an earthly image to say the divine person God, the God identity is now down on earth and become a human being. The divine identity is now joined with a earthly image. The audience now either takes it or leave it.</div>
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- Jesus really built on the idea of food that lasts, to the work of God, then to bread from heaven, and finally, He proclaimed, “I am the bread of life.” I am what you need to live towards eternal life. And from then on He challenged people, you and me and all people out there in the world to come to Him to believe Him, and not miss Him.</div>
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- And from verses 36-40, especially in verses 38-40, He promised people who come to Him He will never drive them away; when it comes to judgement in the last days He will resurrect them and grant them eternal life.</div>
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- Why Jesus promised that people who come to bread of life will never be hungry and thirsty? I believe it has to do with human needs of all kinds which can be met by Jesus. Hunger and thirst imagery has to do with food and drink that human need. But how can Jesus, God, make you full in your stomach; and how can make you not thirsty? I believe the food and drink here bring out human needs for a proper destiny and meaning of life on earth. Otherwise, you cannot explain why He says in verse 40, “…everyone who looks to the son, and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”</div>
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- Today, this eternal destiny is offered to you, have you received it? Have you received Jesus into your life.</div>
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- But Jesus promises more than an eternal destiny because He says those who come to Him and believe in Him will never be hungry and thirsty. So, what needs do you have?</div>
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<u><strong>C. Bread of Life Applications</strong></u></div>
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- Individually, you may be depressed about something, right? Being Christian, you still find life empty. Some of us still allow hurt, disappointment, sadness, pride, bad memory to rule you. You cannot change the reality, facts, something already happened, you still wish it should never happen; you still cannot go of the past, whether good or bad things, you want to be in control but you are not in control. I tell in the name of Jesus, this is the greatest reason why you are so depressed.</div>
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- A lot of people in the midst of struggles use alcohol, drug, cigarette, womanizing, karaoke, hang out late at night at pubs or somewhere, or watching countless videos, or spend much time at face book and websites, deliberately long hours or even watch pornography to search for a solution or some find meaning or solutions to our present life bad situation and issues. Issues of whatever kinds as long as you do not face the truth and deal with the truth, whatever you do otherwise, it will only make your situation worse.</div>
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- You need to come to Jesus, the truth, and seek Him and He will give the meanings and answers in life as He is the bread of life; He will make full and not thirsty.</div>
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- On the other hand, you are a disciple of Christ, how do you bring the bread of life to others, at your family, at your work place, to the government, the long houses, Tudan Ibans and indigenous people of Sarawak, the lost in Indonesia, Philippines, China, Africa or even in England as SCAC target these countries.</div>
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- Back home here in Miri and in your family, you need to live a life of testimony to prove that Jesus is your bread of life. When you meet with problems, you need to help them to find meanings in their struggles and problems. You need to help them to think in the positive light or better still in light of the word of God. You need to be empowered by Jesus’ resurrection power to do it.</div>
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<u><strong>D. Conclusion</strong></u></div>
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- Jesus is the bread of life, what do you do with Him? Would you submit your life to Him and let Him rule you?</div>
<br />Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-13241523675495495232012-10-08T19:42:00.003+08:002012-10-08T19:42:45.451+08:00Preaching the Gospel like Apostle Paul <div style="text-align: justify;">
AMC</div>
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7th October, 2012 </div>
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Written by Rev Lau Hui Seng</div>
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Posted by Teresa Han</div>
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<strong>Acts 22:22-23:11</strong></div>
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<u><strong>Main Idea: Following Apostle Paul’s commitment in preaching the gospel.</strong></u></div>
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Objectives: a. To teach the congregation to follow Apostle Paul’s example of commitment to preach the gospel. b. To challenge the congregation to draw a difference between our Christian faith and others. c. To teach the congregation to emulate Apostle’s faith in preaching the gospel.</div>
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<strong><u>A. Introduction</u></strong></div>
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- I am sure for those of you who try to evangelize or invite family members and friends and colleagues to come worship Jesus or evangelistic meeting or small group meeting, at times we felt disappointed and felt like we want to give up.</div>
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- When we face difficulties in reaching out and bringing people into the kingdom of God, we allow rejections, peoples’ excuses, peoples’ cold response, teasing of people or even sarcastic remark to disturb and discourage us. Apostle Paul’s attitude towards the gospel and Jesus must inspire us not to allow those rejections disturb us; and challenge us to remain faithful to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations.</div>
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- Let us look at how Apostle Paul responded to the persecutions in his days as he tried to preach the gospel. I had preached to you before (chapter 21:1-16) that despite the prophecy that he would be persecuted in Jerusalem he still went ahead. Apostle Paul greatly pronounced in 21:12b, “I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” In fact, as prophesied, he was arrested in Jerusalem, beaten and his enemies tried to kill him.</div>
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- Today, as we deal with the passage, let us look at Apostle Paul’s attitude in advancing the gospel even in the midst of persecutions by the Romans, and the Sanhedrin and the Pharisees.</div>
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<u><strong>B. Apostle Paul’s attitude towards the Gospel</strong></u></div>
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- Despite Apostle Paul facing physical suffering and persecution as mentioned in the last few chapters and this long passage, he kept his faith in Jesus Christ; and he still preached his new found faith. He was greatly committed to preach Jesus Christ. He used all ways and means to protect himself as far as possible and yet at the same time he was committed to preach the gospel.</div>
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- He used his Roman citizenship to avoid unnecessary physical flogging which could result in great pain and shortening of life. But he was not spared from the distress and beating of the Sanhedrin; and Pharisees. The commander wanted to find out from these two Jewish groups why they were accusing Apostle Paul. In front of the Sanhedrin, the great high priest ordered people to strike Paul at his mouth after he spoke in 23:1, where he address them as brothers, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience.” Take note of how in the midst of distress and tension, Apostle Paul is seeking opportunity to make friend with all his Jewish community hoping to find a common ground to bring the gospel across. He addressed them as brothers with the hope that they could communicate properly with him.</div>
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- After being beaten at his mouth, it looked like Apostle Paul became very angry with the high priest Ananias and he responded in verse 3, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”</div>
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- After being told that Ananias was God’s high priest in verse 4, Apostle Paul toned down and became apologetic in verse, he said in verse 5, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.”</div>
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- His apologies helped to calm down the situation; and after noticing the presence of Sadducees and Pharisees, I believe he did not mean to create a conflict between the two, he just want to draw a clear line of what he believed between him and the others (Sadducees and Pharisees). He drew a line of difference between His belief in Jesus Christ, the gospel and their belief. Therefore, Apostle Paul said in verse 6, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee, I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead.”</div>
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- Whatever the circumstance, it was Apostle Paul’s policy to preach Jesus Christ, the living God. It was his focus. He faced the risk of being killed but he was daring to do it because he was prepared to die for Jesus in the process of his mission in Christ.</div>
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- His untiring effort to defend the resurrection of Christ, preaching Christ was very much acknowledged by Jesus Himself as He appeared to Apostle Paul the following night and said to him in verse 11, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (Personally, I feel that Jesus acknowledges my service in Him by His presence in my life by empowering me to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit and very much answering my prayers to do His will)</div>
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- At this stage you may ask why Apostle Paul perseveres in preaching the gospel despite the physical suffering from the persecution. Why he took all the trouble to bring the gospel to them?</div>
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- The answer is none other than he desired to complete God’s will for Him on earth. He had that great life transforming encounter with Jesus and Jesus gave him the life time mission on earth to bring the gospel to the Jews and Gentiles. Ananias, disciple of Jesus who healed the eye sight of Apostle Paul after he was made blind by bright light from Jesus received Jesus’ mission for Paul in a vision, Acts 9:15, 16, “This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how he must suffer for my name.” (That is why I always believe that once you are sure of God’s calling for you or God’s will for you in doing something for you, you can trust Him all the way to carry you through to do His will or mission on earth) Apostle Paul was doing just that. We can emulate him.</div>
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- Then, still there is the next question: what protects Apostle Paul to maintain that conviction, that momentum, that motivation to preach Jesus Christ? You cannot deny that it must be due to that kind of FAITH he had in Christ. We need to emulate this faith very much. Unless we preach the gospel with Apostle Paul’s faith, otherwise, our preaching will hardly bear any effect at all. </div>
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- What kind of faith that Apostle Paul has in Christ? The answer is simply that He believes Jesus is the resurrected God of the universe, the true God, Almighty God. Otherwise, why he needs to risk his life; why he needs to preach?</div>
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<u><strong>C. Applications on how to preach like Apostle Paul</strong></u></div>
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- My explanation of the passage today reflects Apostle Paul’s attitude towards the Gospel. I pray that his attitudes towards the gospel will be good examples to us; and by all means allow them to be absorbed into our lives and make them become part of our lives in Christ as we are united with Christ (as I preached to you last week). As we have resurrection power of Christ in us, we can share Apostle Paul’s attitude towards gospel in our lives.</div>
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- Firstly, we need to absorb Apostle Paul’s attitude of great commitment to the gospel. He has his own job as a tent-maker; he preached Christ all the time, despite the circumstances. Despite suffering in persecution, rejections and all kinds of ridicules, he persevere, he never gave up. Can you say that with him? As you listen to this word of God today, can you come to Jesus in humility and ask Him to grant you that attitude/ spirit of commitment to the gospel? Despite whatever future crisis/ hardship/ suffering/ challenges of any kind, your commitment to Jesus in preaching the gospel is not decreasing but ever increasing like that of Paul, can you?</div>
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- Secondly, in preaching the gospel, can you absorb Paul’s attitude of drawing a line of belief in the resurrected Christ with your transformed life in your work place, school, homes and the society at large? Can your life shows Christ’s teaching? Can your life say to others because of the living Christ inside me, I will do this (e.g., forgive someone who offended me; not take the corruption money or corrupt others; not enter into an adulterous relationship; not keeping hatred, jealousy, bitterness and anger against someone; not greedy; not pull down someone and you claim up the ladder of success; be a person of integrity)</div>
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- Thirdly, we need to absorb Apostle Paul’s kind of faith in Christ. Can you and I? Do you hesitate to say yes? Yes, no, why? I am afraid how humble, how powerful, how effective we are in witnessing for Jesus, how people are attracted to our lives and count on us to guide them and lead to Christ is depending on this FAITH! Without this faith, your prayers are just talking to the air; your praise and worship on Sunday is just some entertainment; your prayers before three meals will be mere rituals; your tithing or giving to church is just doing some good works which are not different from believers of any other faith; whatever your so called ministry is just some activity which keeps your time occupy and give you some meaning; but they all never end up with God, Jesus. You see why you must believe in this resurrected Christ 100%; 100%, not 50%, not divided loyalty? Failure to start this worship and belief in Christ, the rest is all human work. Jesus is not involved in your life.</div>
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<u><strong>D. Conclusion</strong></u></div>
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- Are you taken off guard this morning? Is this Jesus whom we pray and worship ever live in your life or not? If so, then, it must show in your life and my life.</div>
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- Apostle Paul got the heart of the matter correct. That is Jesus Christ, the resurrected God, living God, no wonder he could preach with those triumphing and wining attitudes which become our examples.</div>
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Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-53949157904248341972012-10-02T20:29:00.002+08:002012-10-02T20:29:31.558+08:00A New Life <div style="text-align: justify;">
AMC</div>
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30th September, 2012 </div>
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Written By Rev Lau Hui Seng</div>
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Posted By Teresa Han</div>
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<strong>Roman 6:1-14</strong></div>
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<strong>Main Idea: A baptized Christian lives a new life</strong></div>
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<strong>Objectives: a. To teach what is a new life.</strong></div>
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<strong>b. To teach a few applications on a new life</strong>.</div>
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<u><strong>A. Introduction</strong></u></div>
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- A lot of Christians after conversion, they live a life that may not be any different from before the conversion. The worst is he or she still continues to live in sin. He or she sins all the way till death. In his or her, you would not know what Christian life is all about.</div>
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- On the other hand, a person who is truly converted, baptized, a Christian who is born again, without he or she telling you, after you deal with him or her, living with her for a while, you will sense that he or she is a Christian. How do you know? The answer is very simple because he or she lives a Christian life.</div>
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- My sermon today deals partly with this Christian life. After conversion, Apostle Paul urged us to live a new life, new Christian life. Before going into the teachings on a new life, let us see the context of the passage today (6:1-14).</div>
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<strong><u>B. A New Life</u></strong></div>
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- Chapter 3:21 to 5:21, Apostle Paul very much explains to us on how we are saved and justified in Christ, that is the reason we are accepted by God. Then, from chapters 6 to 8, he explained about the doctrine of sanctification, that is after our conversion, how we should grow into maturity in Christ. In Chapter 6, he explains about our Christian needs to be free from sin. In Chapter 7, we are freed from the law’s condemnation. In Chapter 8, Christians live in the power of the Holy Spirit.</div>
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- So, how do we live a Christian life after our conversion, or especially after our baptism or even our confirmation; or simply put, after we become a Christian?</div>
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- The concern that Apostle Paul raised in verse 1 is a very real question which every genuine church and all Christians throughout the ages must be concerned. Here and there in my sermons, I address it. Today, in this verse 1, Apostle Paul puts it clearly. “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” He asked this question in view of his statement in 5:20, “…where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” The whole passage of today is dealing with the question: Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?</div>
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- I entitle my sermon as “A New Life” as I believe this summarizes Apostle Paul’s answer to his own question. I pray that you will always remember the answer because this empower you to live a victorious life.</div>
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- To the question, of course, Apostle Paul answered in verse 2, “By no means! We died to sin: how can we live in it any longer?” Then he gave a great elaboration of how we should overcome sin in order to live a new life. A new life is a life overcoming sin.</div>
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- Apostle Paul spelt our 3 steps towards overcoming sin, living a victorious Christian life. The first step is called dead to sin (verses 5-7) and alive to God (verses 8-10). The second step toward overcoming sin is we refuse to let sin to rule our life (verse 12). The third step is to offer ourselves to God. I pray that you say “Amen” all the way to all these powerful steps. I am very convicted by the Spirit of Jesus to preach to you these 3 steps as they would transform your life. This is something powerful that Christianity, or to be more exact, Jesus Christ offers to the sinful human beings. You and I no matter how long, how matured, we have a disciple of Jesus, we still need it.</div>
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<u><strong>C. Dead to sin and alive to God (A New Life)- the First Step</strong></u></div>
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- After conversion and especially at the point of baptism, a Christian experienced a change of identity, it is from non-Christian to Christian. But it is not as simple as that, something deep inside this Christian change, Apostle Paul called this dead to sin and alive to God. I called it a twist deep inside his heart happened. We need to pray that this happened to a person at the point of baptism or conversion.</div>
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- At the point of baptism, in verses 3 and 4, it says, a Christian is baptized into his death, he is buried with Christ into death, and he is raised from the dead just as Christ was raised from the death, and then, he lives a new life. That is dead to sin and alive to God.</div>
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- How can that twist or change happen? That twist happened when we are united with Christ in His death (verse 5) spiritually; our union with Christ in death means the sins which the old self (before conversion) are carrying are done away (verse 6) with because anyone united with Christ has died with Him and he has been freed from sin. The union with Christ can happen when you pray to accept Him as saviour; when you are baptized like today; when you agree in your heart Jesus saves you and gives you eternal life; when you worship Him and Him only. This is the good news for you and me. This should happen to all Christians.</div>
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- Now, you may ask how the union with Christ can free you from your sins. How the twist or the change happened? How the sins which the old self are carrying are done away? How can a Christian be dead to sin? How can you be powerful to overcome the sins? What happened to the sins? There must be some power or some means coming from somewhere or someone to overcome the sins, right? Do you want to know the answer?</div>
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- The answer is found in verse 4, 8, 9 and 10. I pray that you will not miss the answer; and you will forever remember the answer. You will see that it is real and true in your life. Now, that power that free you from sins, sins are done away with, you are dead to sin, that overcoming of sin is coming from Jesus Christ.</div>
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- In verse 4, we are told that Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, that we may live a new life. Through the glory of the Father, it means the power of the Father (the power gives the glory), Jesus was resurrected. As we died with Christ, united with Him and live with Him (verse 8), we obtained this resurrection power from Him who has overcome death (verse 9) to overcome sins which Christ died once for all (verse 10). We become alive to God. No more dead spiritually. Once sins are overcome, we are alive to God; linked with God; entered into meaningful personal relationship with God through Jesus. You see why Jesus makes all the difference in my life and your life. You see you must never miss Jesus in your life. You miss Jesus, you miss everything in life. There won’t be any answer to the sins of your lives.</div>
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- Do you now know for sure how you overcome sins and live a new life? Basically, it is Jesus who gives the power to overcome sins.</div>
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<u><strong>D. Refusal to let sin to rule our life (verse 12) – the Second step to New Life</strong></u></div>
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- As you died with Christ in baptism, your union with Him gives you the resurrection power to overcome your sins and you become alive to God in Christ (verse 11).</div>
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- Then, Apostle Paul directed you to the next step of new life. A step which I can see involves your own human will to make a decision not to allow sin to rule your life. That is why, you learn in verse 12, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” You see my point, it is your own decision not to allow your physical body to do sinful things like entertaining lustful desires, hatred, greed, gluttony, etc. Praise the Lord you have the power to overcome the sinful desires. That power is always available to you as you are united with Christ in His death and resurrection. You just have to come to Him in prayers and fasting, worship, in Holy Communion, baptism, fellowship, etc.</div>
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<u><strong>E. Offer your life to God (verse 13) – the Third Step to New Life</strong></u></div>
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- It looks like for Apostle Paul, it is still not enough to live a new with those 2 steps, you need to add the third step, more holistic step, complete step of offering your life and my life to God (verse 13). No wonder he says in verse 13, “Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.” And all this is because sin is not our master anymore but we are not under law but under grace (verse 14).</div>
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- If we continue to sin wilfully after our conversion or baptism, how do claim we have offered our life to God? A life that is offered to God will make sure that in every way we please God and not offend Him.</div>
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<u><strong>F. A few applications of a new life</strong></u></div>
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- (1). First application is this: is your union with Christ genuine or not? Is your prayer of acceptance of Christ in your heart as your saviour real or genuine or not? Is your repentance genuine or not? If you believe that Jesus can be manipulated, cheated, and He does not notice the sins of your heart, and you continue to sin against Him, I honestly tell you are not genuine. Next, of course you do not have the power to overcome sin; you will sin again and again. You may be acting as a Christian outwardly, but deep inside you, you never belong to Jesus.</div>
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- (2). This new life implies that we now become very sensitive to sins in our lives. It can be compared to a sheep which is sensitive to dirt. One who is not overcoming sin can be likened to a pig who is not sensitive to dirt which gets dirty all the time. Which are you and I?</div>
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- (3). We need to exercise our willpower to resist temptations to sin against God. When we sin, do not blame the devil or the environment. We need to bear the largest responsibility for our sins. We need to choose what is right and reject who is wrong to live a holy life.</div>
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<u><strong>G. Conclusion</strong></u></div>
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- A new life is really a life that we offer ourselves to God and live to please God. Jesus always empowers us to serve Him and He gives us the empowerment to overcome sins. Therefore, do you know how to live a new life now?</div>
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Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-36071704177736080562012-09-05T16:21:00.000+08:002012-09-05T16:21:07.070+08:00Ready to die for the Name of Jesus Christ 2nd Sept, 2012 Written by Rev Law Hui Seng,<br />
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Posted by Teresa Han<br />
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AMC <br />
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Acts 21:1-16<br />
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Main Idea: Be ready to die for Jesus<br />
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Objectives: a. To teach church members to be ready to die for Jesus.<br />
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b. To teach the congregation to do God’s will like apostle Paul.<br />
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A. Introduction<br />
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- I have preached about making sacrifice for Jesus here and there. I believe some of us who are ready (especially if you know Jesus and His teachings), you are ready for it. May be some of us who are not so ready you may resent it or be scared about it. All the more, you can be scared by the teaching today!<br />
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- Today, I go a step further, I bring you a model of how an apostle, like Paul who was ready to die for the name of Jesus. It is not just making sacrifices for Jesus but be ready to die for Jesus. I pray that at the end of the day, you will not misunderstand the teaching of the word of God today. I pray that you will not leave this church because of this sermon. I pray that as you understand Apostle Paul better through the whole book of Acts, you will understand why he was so ready to die in the name of Jesus.<br />
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- You may think that everything is so good, why be ready to die for Jesus? Those of you who are young, you have a bright future to look forward to, i.e., to find a career and to set up a family. Those of you who are established, and life is good. You may ask if we are facing the danger like Paul already, where because of faith, belief in Jesus, and preaching Jesus your life can be at stake.<br />
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- I want to preach to you this sermon because I want to prepare you when the situation comes.<br />
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- The title of my sermon is taken from Acts 21: 13, “…I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”<br />
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B. Ready to die for Jesus<br />
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- This is part of Apostle Paul’s third missionary journey; it was full of challenges because the Holy Spirit urged him not to go on to Jerusalem. I want you to take note that the writer Luke in the whole of Acts emphasized the work of Holy Spirit in the work of mission by Paul and his fellow apostles and disciples.<br />
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- In verse 4, we are told that when their ship landed at Tyre, they found the disciples there who urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem through the Holy Spirit. Before this chapter, in addressing the Ephesian elders, in Acts 20: 22-24, he says, “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Paul himself was also warned by the Holy Spirit concerning the dangers like imprisonment and hardships waiting for him at Jerusalem.<br />
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- Form Tyre, Apostle Paul and fellow disciples went to Ptolemais, and from there they moved to Caesarea and met up with Philip the evangelist (Acts 8: 26 -40, Philip and the Ethiopean), after more than 20 years (he was chased out of Jerusalem by the persecutor Saul then), they met again. You can imagine how the Holy Spirit used Jesus’ gospel to bring the two of them together. Verse 10 says they stayed together for a number of days.<br />
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- Then a prophet by the name of Agabus came down from Judea, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, in verse 11, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”<br />
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- When the group of disciples heard the prophecy, in verse 12, they pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. This is when Paul differed from them, and he said something we need to learn from him in verse 13, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”<br />
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- When Paul was not persuaded, in verse 14, Luke said they gave up persuading him, instead, they agreed with Paul that it was God’s will to go to Jerusalem.<br />
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- As I studied this passage, I noticed there seemed to be a contradiction between the works of the Holy Spirit. On one hand, the disciples at Tyre upon the prompting the Holy Spirit, they advised Paul not to go to Jerusalem; and prophet Agabus warned him in a symbolic manner how he was going to be chained and given over the Gentiles. On the other hand, Paul, disagreed with the persuasion not to go; and he responded with his readiness to be chained and die for the name of Jesus! Is there a contradiction of the work of the Holy Spirit. One commentator said no as Paul received a higher calling to do God’s will.<br />
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- My own reflection is this: It is very normal for the Holy Spirit to protect God’s people from harms and dangers, as we remained close with Him, we will be informed of the forthcoming dangers. For the fellow disciples to persuade him with tears not to go Jerusalem as his life was at stake. May be they did not want him to die earlier; and they did the persuasion out of love for Paul. They really hoped Paul would remain around on earth to accomplish more for Jesus.<br />
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- For Paul, his utmost concern was not life or death, his motive was whether his life was in danger or not! His motive was stated in Acts 20:24”…I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” <br />
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- When confronted with choosing life and testifying to the gospel of God’s grace, Apostle Paul felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to choose the later. He was so focussed on the mission of Jesus!<br />
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- Can we pray for this spirit of Paul to prevail in the Methodist circles? That is why I entitled my sermon, “Are you ready to die in the name of Jesus Christ?”<br />
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C. Applications<br />
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- Now remember Apostle Paul was a tent-maker, he got a job like those of us who are working. What he was different from us may be in terms of the office hours he did not need to follow. He was like some of us, who was converted as an adult to be a Christian.<br />
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- He could be so focused in preaching and testifying Christ. What made him so much into doing God’s will? It is very clear that doing God’s will is more important than the security of his life. Why is there such focus and great priority? I strongly believe that there is no other answer than Jesus Christ is the saviour, Messiah, the true God, who is responsible for his eternal life and the rest of the world. If he was not sure of it, why he was so ready to be killed by His opponents? Before this, Jesus was also certain of His own identity as God, and He was prepared to die for this identity.<br />
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- Paul had known Jesus and experienced Him so much that He felt the best in life is to do His mission and will on earth. Will you and I do the same?<br />
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- After preaching to you all these, I still need to ask you the question: Are you ready to die in the name of Jesus? If your answer is no, I can understand why. My mission here is to help you to upgrade from ‘not ready to die in the name of Jesus’ to ‘ready to die in name of Jesus’. It is not by might and power but in the power of the power of the Holy Spirit.<br />
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- I must tell you I myself is ready to die in the name of Jesus anytime. I have come to the point in life after studying the bible as a whole and experiencing Jesus, I find that what counts the most in life is Jesus and His mission. And so I want to preach to you this morning, in order to get ready in the name of Jesus, you need to work at these two things:<br />
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- Firstly, know Jesus Christ, your Lord, as far as possible, inside out by studying the whole bible. You have your whole life to do it. You have to be convinced by the person of Jesus, His words and works (mission).<br />
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- Secondly, you will expect me to say it: in view of Jesus (especially His words and works), when you compare the values of your life, your soul, your material possession, your family, your status, your money, your time on earth, with all the eternal values that Jesus offers, whatever you have is so insignificant; and so in order to be ready to die in Jesus name, you need let go and let God in the person of Jesus to have the final say about your everything in life. When someone challenges you to give up your faith or stop you from obeying Jesus and threaten to kill you if you do so, ready or not to die in the name of Jesus Christ all depend on whether you have let go of everything, especially your own life. If your bottom line or utmost concern is your parents still need; your wife or husband or children or your company or your money still you to take care, you simply are not ready to die in Jesus’ name. You are still very far from the readiness.<br />
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- On the other hand, if you are ready to die for Jesus, in whatever circumstance, then, you are going to be strong and powerful for Jesus. You are strong because you are not afraid to die for the mission of Jesus. You are powerful because your mission on earth for Jesus is going to bring lasting fruits in terms of people of all races becoming disciples of Jesus.<br />
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D. Conclusion<br />
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- I pray that you venture into the privilege of getting ready to die in the name of Jesus in your life time. This is not talking about not afraid to die; but be ready to die in the name of Jesus, in other words, to die for the cause or mission of Jesus. <br />
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E. Discussion Questions<br />
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1. How your readiness to die for the name of Jesus affects your ministry?<br />
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2. Share a few possibilities in your environment where you have to be ready to die for the name of Jesus.<br />
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Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-35642033931107979282012-07-02T20:01:00.001+08:002012-07-02T20:01:08.162+08:00Teaching them the Word of God<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>AMC Sermon 1st July, 2012 </strong></div>
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<strong>Acts 18:1-17</strong></div>
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<strong>Main idea: Teach the word of God</strong></div>
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<strong><u>Objectives: a. To teach that teaching is not just giving information.</u></strong></div>
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<strong><u>b. To show them how the truth is not taught but caught by walking the talk.</u></strong></div>
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<strong><u>A. Introduction</u></strong></div>
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- Today, at every level of the church of God, and especially the Methodist Church of Sabah and Sarawak, we are particularly about teaching the word of God, the Bible, in Sunday School, Youth Fellowship and all the age group fellowships, small groups and during Sunday service like this.</div>
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- Why are we so particular about teaching the word of God in the church to children of God and disciples of Jesus? You may give your answers. Whatever your answers, at the end of the day, you cannot deny that we want to train ourselves, direct ourselves to be like Christ. In our attitudes, beliefs, behaviour and practices, perspectives, life values, principles, personality, characters, and worldview; we want to be like Christ. Christ is our best example/ model. To achieve this purpose, we need to teach the word of God. Can the Methodist Church in Sabah and Sarawak be faithful to teach the word of God (Bible) from generation to generation? </div>
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- In my personal term, I always see myself as training children of God in the church to become disciples of Jesus/ followers. I disciple my own children also. To do that teaching is of the key element of the process.</div>
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- May be Apostle Paul had similar thought in the passage today. In verse 11, it says, “…Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.” The phrase ‘teaching them the word of God’ attracts my attention very much.</div>
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<strong><u>B. Context of Apostle Paul’s teaching</u></strong></div>
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- Why it does not say Paul staying back at Corinth for a year and a half to pray with them? Caring and loving them? Doing some planning to reach out? Spend the time there to do business of tent-making and make more money to support his own ministry? Out of so many things, the author Luke said Apostle Paul spent the time to teach the word of God.</div>
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- Apostle Paul must be believing that teaching the word of God is the top priority in order to build a long lasting church or congregation at Corinth. If not, I cannot think other more worthwhile reasons to stay back for so long.</div>
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- After Athens, he proceeded to do mission in Corinth. He joined venture with a Jewish convert Aquila and his wife, Priscilla, to do tent-making. At the same time, he preached to the Jews and </div>
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Greeks. After the arrival of Silas and Timothy, Paul devotedly himself exclusively preaching and testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. The Jews opposed him in the face and became abusive towards him. Paul was disappointed and he decided to move on and went to Gentiles.</div>
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- After he left the synagogue, we are told in verses 7 and 8, he went next door to reach out to Titus Justus, a worshipper of God and, he also reached out to the synagogue ruler, Crispus and his household; they believed and he baptized them. Besides, many Corinthians believed and were baptized. These peoples probably made up of the group whom Paul had to teach them in the one and a half year mentioned in verse 11.</div>
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- But why Jesus appeared to Paul in a vision in verses 9 and 10, and said, “…Do not be afraid, keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”? Jesus assured Paul of protection. May be God used Gallio a proconsul of Achaia to protect him from the attack of Jews who pursued Paul. He just dismissed the Jewish request to prosecute Paul based on the grounds of words and names and Jewish laws as nothing to do with the government of the day; they need to settle it internally (verses 14 to 16).</div>
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- Apostle Paul being a human being, after the bad experience with the abusive Jews and the possible attack from them; moral decadence, corruption filled and idolatry of the Corinth city caused him to be depressed and helpless and scared. He needed the intervention of Jesus to uplift Him.</div>
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- Obviously, the vision of Jesus helped him very much. He was greatly encouraged and so he stayed back to attend to his sheep in verse 11.</div>
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- I can understand the need for Apostle to stay back at Corinth to teach the newly converted Christians the word of God. If he were to be serious about planting a church there in response to the evils of the day, he must build them up with the word of God so that they became permanent followers of Jesus.</div>
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<strong><u>C. Applications</u></strong></div>
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- If Apostle Paul stayed back at Corinth to just teach the word of God for the young believers, the church, the Methodist churches must take heed of it seriously also.</div>
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- I always ask myself: can I produce strong and matured disciples of Jesus to help others to become disciples of Jesus? Can SCAC do it? Can SPAC do it? Can Agape Methodist Church do it?</div>
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- Can our preaching, teaching, worship and ministries produce people who are honest, responsible, mission minded, forgiving, caring and loving, become servants of God/ church leaders, ready to make sacrifice like Jesus, not agree to sex before marriage, not agree to homosexual practice, not practice corruption, practice good business ethics like practice good accounting system, not compromised on biblical principles like tithing, give willingly, be accountable to one another in marriage by being faithful to one another, responsible father and mother and children, not practising hypocrisy, etc?</div>
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- To do that we need to face two very important challenges in teaching the word of God.</div>
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- Firstly, whoever is in the position (pastor, Sunday school teacher, youth advisor, small group leaders or those leading the bible studies, church leaders, parents, etc) of teaching the word of God, can you and I not just give information? How do you bring across the word of God to your children? How do they understand the meaning of the 10 commandments? How do you bring across the message of God’s forgiveness of their sins? So that your students, your children, disciples of this church, and your family members will not just it as knowledge and mere information, where they can afford to listen and forget.</div>
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- I believe one answer lies with relevancy of our teaching of the word of God. If you are teaching forgiveness of Jesus for our sins? How do you help a person to feel the need for God’s forgiveness of his/her sins? To do it you need to understand what is a sin? Understand as much as possible the consequences of it. Why the need for a human being to forgive another human being? So, what you do and say must be relevant to the people whom you are teaching or ministering? So, is your teaching relevant to their life? When it is relevant, it attracts attention, people, young and adults will take it as a big deal. When that happens, the word of God, the truth strikes them, and it results in transformation of life, to be more like Christ.</div>
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- Secondly, the truths we are teaching are not taught but caught. Have you hear what some people say: Do what I say? If truths are to transform people they have to catch the truths from us, from those who teach by seeing us practising it. You only catch the truths and living it righteously from someone who is practising it. Do you still remember how are you are so convinced of believing Jesus and following Christ? Is it because you see the goodness of someone practising the truths of Christianity? How realized it is so important to be an honest person? How you realized it is so important to be forgiving? How you learn to be polite and respect others? How you realized the importance of doing mission? You must have caught it from a disciple of Jesus around you.</div>
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- So, we as church leaders, pastors, disciples of Jesus, can be good models for others to follow because no matter how good is a truth in Christians, it is not taught but caught. A person who is forgiven by you catches the meaning of forgiveness for his life from you. He will have a reference on how to do it to someone else.</div>
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- This is a real story told by E. Stanely Jones (died in 1973), a well known American Methodist missionary to India for 50 years. A Japanese Buddhist professor became blind as a result of a detached retina at the height of his career. He became a Christian. He came across the story of a person born blind from birth. Jesus answered the question of whose sin caused this man to be born blind, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” This professor believed the work of God could be made manifest in his blindness. People flocked to hear his testimony because he could take the severe blow with Christ’s help and turned it into a victory. He went to Scotland to learn theology and got higher degree and came back to Japan to teach theology and wrote great books during the remainder of his days. He did not ask why but he only asked how. He is definitely a good example of how to turn something bad to something victorious. He was not self pity, helpless and depressed. He turned to Christ, and lived a life of victory despite blindness. Can you and I do better than him?</div>
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<u><strong>D. Conclusion</strong></u></div>
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- Can you be a good example of a father or mother, a son or a daughter? Are you are a good example of a disciple of Jesus? If so, your life is actually teaching others around you. If not, let us work towards it.</div>
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</div>Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-20340184248808527542012-06-02T01:44:00.001+08:002012-06-02T01:44:13.370+08:00I am in youSenadin Methodist Campus Gospel Centre <br />
27th May, 2012.<br />
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Written By Rev Law Hui Seng<br />
Posted By Teresa Han<br />
<strong>John 14:15-28 (Pentecost Sunday)</strong><br />
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<strong>Main Idea: Jesus is in you</strong><br />
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<strong>Objectives: a. To teach the roles played by the Holy Spirit in our lives</strong><br />
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<strong>b. To raise awareness of the Holy Spirit inside us</strong><br />
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<strong>c. To challenge the congregation to obey the Holy Spirit inside us</strong><br />
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<strong><u>A. Introduction</u></strong><br />
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- Praise the Lord we are always reminded by the annual Pentecost Sunday on the mighty works of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of Jesus Christ by Apostle Paul in the letters to the Philippians. So, each time you think of Holy Spirit, you must relate it to the Spirit of Jesus Christ. You are very sure it is the Spirit of Jesus Christ, and not any other spirits. Apart from the Spirit of Jesus Christ, all other spirits will destroy you. Philippians 1:19, “for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”<br />
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- The doctrine of the Holy Spirit is a belief that the Church of God cannot do without. A wrong understanding of the doctrine, ignorance of it, lack of understanding of it, misunderstanding of it and weak awareness of it, will result in the church becoming powerless and cause us Christians and disciples of Jesus like soldiers going to the war to fight the enemies without weapons.<br />
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- I am much convicted to preach to you as a lot of Methodists (Christians) are unaware of the presence of the Holy Spirit inside us. This is the promise of Jesus for us in the gospel and yet we live as if there is no Holy Spirit in our lives, and we live a defeated Christian life.<br />
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- Jesus says in John 14:16,17, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth…”<br />
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- For us Methodist Christians and disciples of Jesus, we believe especially upon baptism, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. As Jesus promised, we receive the Holy Spirit at the point of baptism. So, the Holy Spirit of Jesus is living inside us, in our body. Apostle Paul in Ephesians 1:13,14, says “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.”<br />
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<strong><u>B. Holy Spirit promised by Jesus Christ</u></strong><br />
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- I do not simply tell you that the Spirit of Jesus is living inside you. Whatever I say here at the pulpit must not carry any weight, any authority at all. If I say it, it is only a human being who says. Human sayings can be a flaw; not the truth. What I say is just quoting what Jesus says in the passage today. You must believe what Jesus says when He says in today’s passage verse 20, “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” Hence, my sermon title, ‘I am in you.’ Jesus says, “I am in you.” That is why I say Jesus is living inside you. Do you believe? Are you aware or not. There are serious implications to this believe.<br />
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- This promise of the Holy Spirit is Jesus’ way of preparing the disciples before He is crucified and ascended to sit on the right hand of His Father in heaven. The preparation is needed so that the disciples can still continue to be empowered by Him to carry on His work after He left them. That promise of the Holy Spirit was materialized in the history of the church recorded in details in the book of Acts when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples as promised by Jesus (during Pentecost) and they were empowered by Holy Spirit to do mission and make disciples of all nations.<br />
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- The passage before this is about Philip asking Jesus where He was going; he and the other disciples did not know where Jesus was going. And Jesus answers in verse 6, 7 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well…” And then, Philip requested in verse 8, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” And Jesus goes on to elaborate He is in the Father, and the Father is in Him in verse 11. And in verse 12 He tells the disciples that anyone who has faith in Him will do even greater things than Him because He is going to the Father. Unless we believe in the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus; and believe in the power of Holy Spirit, otherwise, how can we explain about 2 billion (out of 7 billion of world population) who are Christians.<br />
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- See what Jesus will do in your life as He is living in you. I pray that you become very conscious of Jesus who lives inside you after the sermon today, if you are not so conscious yet.<br />
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- This is a very rich passage on the roles of Holy Spirit in your life. I pray that you are excited about it and live according to the teaching of Jesus on His Spirit.<br />
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<strong><u>C. Roles of Holy Spirit and Applications</u></strong><br />
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- What is the Holy Spirit doing in your life according to John 14:15-31?<br />
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- Firstly, in verse 16 Jesus asks the Father to give another counsellor (parakletos in Greek) to be with the disciples forever. Other translations for parakletos are helper, advocate, and comforter. It is a legal term which means counsel for the defence. It refers to any person who helps someone in trouble with the law. The Holy Spirit, who is the counsellor / advocate, is also ever ready to help Christians who are in trouble. The counsellor stands by Christ’s people.<br />
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- Secondly, in verse 17, the Holy Spirit is described as the Spirit of truth. The verse says this Spirit of truth lives with disciples and He will be with the disciples. This Holy Spirit is characterized by truth. He brings people into the truth, you see. You and I need to be aware of this and realize the powerful Holy Spirit will lead us into all the truths. Therefore, anything that happens, in sickness, in decision making, making a choice, in accepting advice of people, and in deciding the next cause of action, we are all the time asking and praying for the truths. Make sure whatever we think, do, and say is based on the truth. And you go to the Holy Spirit to listen and receive the truth. The Holy Spirit is the still small voice inside you all the time telling you the truth. You always need to be quiet before Him to hear the voice of the truth. You need to spend time before Him to find out the truth. If you are too busy you cannot hear the truth. Ask Jesus what is the truth and He will tell as He is the Spirit of Truth. How do you know somebody is lying or not, confirm it with the Holy Spirit inside you.<br />
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- When I counsel people face to face or over the phone every now and then, I always ask the Spirit of truth to help me. As I counsel and talk, deep down in my heart, I turn to Jesus to depend on Him. Therefore, helps in terms of truth always come to me. Recently, Jesus helped me to save one sister’s life. She wants to end her life in that critical moment. She asked for the reasons why she should continue to live. Deep in my heart, I asked Jesus for a quick answer right there and then. I know all the theological answers will not do the job. I was amazed how Jesus immediately told me to tell her relevant things in her life; truths that are important for her to know and things that are dear to her life. I told her if she died her husband will be the most guilty person throughout his remaining life as he would blame himself for not taking care of her; and her youngest child who is still dependent on the mother would suffer very much without the mother figure around. Eventually she thanked me for saving her life! Coincidentally, when she needed to talk to me I was available. Therefore, when people are depressed, they may ask what the purpose of life is. Be sensitive to the prompting of the Spirit of Truth to help them. Your friends who face failures in the examination; have nervous breakdown; suffered broken relationship; suffered from sickness or in the depressed condition, be there to give them meaning of life.<br />
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- Do practise this godly habit as I always try to do it. Live your life everyday expecting Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the counsellor, and the Spirit of Truth to help you any time you need help and you need to know the truth. <br />
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- Jesus kept reassuring the disciples that He would send them the Holy Spirit as the disciples might be fearful without Jesus around. That is why Jesus kept saying in verses 18, 19, 20, 21 that “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you; on that you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you; whoever loves me I will love him too and show myself to him”<br />
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- And when Judas asked Jesus why did He show to the disciples only and not to the world, Jesus answered in verse 23, if anyone who loves Him and obeys His teaching, His Father will love him; and they will come to Him and make their home with him. What a great promise, Jesus and His Father make their home inside the disciples’ life!<br />
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- Thirdly, in verse 25, Jesus says His Father will send the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name, He will teach the disciples all things and will remind them of everything Jesus taught. Can we be sure that we are reminded by the Holy Spirit, the counsellor about the teachings of Jesus in the gospel; including the meanings of Jesus’ teachings? For this reason, I urge you to spend time and understand God’s word not only on your own but also study it with others especially through the different levels of 9 month discipleship course. While you are students here for few years, grasp the opportunity to be familiar with God’s word and Jesus’ teaching to equip yourself and make disciples of all nations and face the whole world. God’s word answers all your questions in life. You do not have the confidence in God’s word; you easily fall and overcome by temptations.<br />
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- Jesus knows He has left the most precious words with the disciples and the disciples need the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth to understand them. And He continued to reassure them in verse 27 not to be troubled and afraid after He left as He has given them peace.<br />
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- He kept reassuring them and now in verse 28, He says He would come back. Still, He has to leave them and the prince of the world (Satan) cannot stop His mission on earth as commanded by His Father (verse 31).<br />
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<u><strong>D. Conclusion</strong></u><br />
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- Holy Spirit, counsellor, Spirit of Truth, is living inside us. That is the truth. Failure to realize or be aware of it, you are so powerless. You will be afraid of ghosts; worry a lot; living in fear of failures, disappointments, sadness and depression; overcome by sins and temptations; living a defeated life and there is no joy. As you obey the Holy Spirit and loves Jesus, you have all the resources available to live a victorious Christian life. That Holy Spirit inside you, have you turned it on? <br />
<br />Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-66215605450780118992012-05-23T21:33:00.001+08:002012-05-23T21:37:53.617+08:00Your intention matters before GodGMC Sermon Your Intention (79) 20th May, 2012 <br />
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Written By Rev Law Hui Seng<br />
Posted By Teresa Han<br />
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<strong>John 6:1-15</strong><br />
<strong>Objectives: a. To teach the congregation to come before Jesus with the right intention</strong>.<br />
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<strong>b. To teach the right intention (motive) will result in worship of God</strong>.<br />
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<strong>A. Introduction</strong><br />
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- Do you still remember what I preach to you last year 29th May? It is about one year later, I now ask you this question. My sermon then was, ‘Can your life testify for Christ?’ based on John 5:31-47. Today, I am going to continue from there. I pray that every time I come back as your former pastor, I shall be able to preach and continue from where I stop. I pray that through the gospel of John, Jesus will transform you to be like Him.<br />
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- Let us see what Jesus has to offer you today. At the end of the day, I pray that you will at least remember one point that strikes you. And the next time I ask you the same question (what was my last sermon about?) again, because you have practised what has been preached, you will be able to tell me the answer.<br />
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- After reading and studying the great miracle of Jesus on feeding 5,000, I decide to focus on verse 15, “Jesus, knowing they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.” I used to focus my interpretation of this passage on the provision of God. This time, I notice something very special about the comment that John made about Jesus after feeding the 5,000. I begin to ask why John commented that ‘Jesus, knowing they intended…’ I discover the key word here is intention. Hence, I entitle my sermon, ‘Your intention.’<br />
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<strong>B. The Context of Intention</strong><br />
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- John must have sensed the purpose of Jesus’ action for him to write a statement like that.<br />
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- It was such a great miracle that Jesus did, why did He not stay around to perform more miracles to convince people that He is the most powerful on earth? Why did He not prove that He was God who became a man right there?<br />
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- A great clue to the answer is found in verse 14, “After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, ‘Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”<br />
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- These people whose stomach were full and amazed by the miracle of Jesus, they were familiar with Deuteronomy 18:15,18, they thought about Moses said about God raising prophet like Moses; and through Moses, God had provided food and water for the Israelites in the desert in the old days. This is how they see Jesus – a prophet who had come to provide for their food.<br />
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- Through the feeding of 5,000, Jesus is directing people to Him as the Son of Man who provide of eternal life. That is why He says in verses 26 and 27, “…I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do now work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”<br />
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- Jesus claims Himself to be the Son of Man who offers eternal life but He read that these people only come for food and regarding Him as a prophet only. They want also to eventually make Him as a political who could save them from Roman ruler. It was a great honour, right? It was a position with great authority and power. If Jesus became a king, the whole race of Israelites and Jews would be at His command. Peoples’ surface interpretation of Jesus’ power in performing the feeding of 5,000 with 5 barley loaves and 2 small fish was mere prophet. They could not see how Jesus was offering eternal life. <br />
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- The interpretation of the miracle and the way they see Jesus were totally out of God’s plan for Jesus. Jesus knew their intention of coming to Him was all wrong. It is not in line with God’s intention/ mission for Him in this world.<br />
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- The original Greek word for knowing is ginosko; a few other versions of the Bible translated it as perceiving. NIV translates it as knowing their intention. In normal Greek, it means absolute knowledge.<br />
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- Jesus has the ability to discern the wrong intention, ginosko. When knowledge of the intention of people is wrong Jesus knows. Jesus did not buy into the prophet position and kingship though both these two bring great honour and status. He had the courage not to buy into it; not to say yes to it; not to identify with it; not to agree with it; to resist the wrong mission/ intention. I pray that you will have that Holy Spirit given courage also when you are tempted to do something that is not of God’s will. A lot of Christians do not ‘switch on’ this courage given by Holy Spirit when they are tempted and so they sin and suffer the consequences of it.<br />
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- How could Jesus resist such huge temptation of honour, status, position of power and authority? Of course it comes along with lots of money and all kinds of rewards being King and prophet.<br />
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- As a result of my meditation of the move of Jesus not to buy into kingship and prophet position, I strongly believe that Jesus holds on very tightly to His mission purpose on earth. What was He coming to the world for? Was it to become a political king as the Jews very much expected Him to be? So, what is His mission purpose on earth? To pay with His life, to die a sacrificial death, redeeming death, in exchange for penalty of our sin, that is eternal death and punishment in hell. He held it dear to His heart. He did not compromise on it. He did not allow earthly political kingship to distract Him. He was very focused on His mission on the cross. Actually, nowadays, we are faced with the same test. Regardless of what happens in life (sickness; disappointments in ministry and with people; discouragements experienced because there is lack of support from the church and from your own family members), can you still stick to; persevere to bring the message of the cross? Can you still focus on the cross; the crucified Christ?<br />
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- When your focus is the mission of the cross, then, you will be very strong, the spirit of Jesus (the Holy Spirit) will produce the great character of humility in you. Jesus focuses very much on the mission of the cross and therefore, He could humble Himself and resist the temptation of the kingship; instead, He chooses the path of suffering and death.<br />
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- I want to put it in a very simple manner, only if your focus in life is the mission of the cross or Jesus Himself or His teachings, then, you can humble yourself to do God’s will on earth. Now, let us apply these 2 points into our lives.<br />
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<strong>C. Application</strong><br />
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- Brothers and sisters, with all conviction, I speak to you Jesus knows our every thought (this is always in my thinking), therefore, you do not think He does not know your intentions. I dare to say the same for non-Christians, He created them, of course, He knows their intentions also. Jesus who is living in your heart knows your ginosko. For this reason, I always practise honesty with Jesus, people and myself; for this reason, I always tell myself to be able to face Jesus who is God; be able to face people (my wife and 4 children, my loved ones and my relatives, my fellow pastors and SCAC top leaders, my neighbours, government servants, private sectors, top politicians both from Barisan National and Pakatan Rakyat, and everyone out there) – and I always learn to see them as Jesus sees them; they need God in their lives; and be able to face myself as I am own greatest enemy.<br />
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- Jesus knows whether your intentions is greedy or not, self-centred or not, lying or not, self-pity or not, pride or not, lustful or not, stubborn or not, love Him or not, serve Him or not, worship Him or not, love your wife or husband or children or not, take revenge or not, hate or not, angry or not, you witness or not, you do mission or not, you let Him down or not… Therefore, do not think that things you do in secret as long as people do not know, nobody knows; but Jesus knows will tell your husband, wife, children, parents, your colleagues, your bosses, your relatives…<br />
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- Here comes the most powerful application in your life and my life: If Jesus minds about your intention of doing things, then, He must be the master of our lives; your intention must be godly; based on the word of God; your intention must be submitted to Jesus; your intention must be right, only then, Jesus can bless you and empower you to do His will. Jesus wants to have a say about how you live your life every day (not just Sunday) with yourself, people and God.<br />
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- The first point of application, as Jesus knows your intention likes He knows the intention of the crowd to make Him as the King, your intention must pass His test. Why your intention matters so much to Jesus? Your intentions are very much coming from your heart and let us hear what Jesus has to say about the heart.<br />
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Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”<br />
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Matthew 5:28 “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”<br />
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Matthew 6:21 “For where treasure your is, there your heart will be also.”<br />
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Matthew 15:18.19 “But the things that come out of the mouth comes from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.<br />
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Matthew 22:37 “…Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” <br />
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- This last verse is the greatest foundation stone of my intentions before; all my the practice of my loving God and man (including myself) hang on this verse. This verse guides my intention very much because if my intention is not loving Jesus, the Holy Spirit will tell me in a still small voice.<br />
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- The second point of application is this: Jesus will only bless the right and godly intention. Do you agree with me? Do you say amen to it? I strongly believe in it. When your intention is right, Jesus is with you to make sure your intention is carried out for His glory; He is with you’re and give you all the resources to materialize it. Therefore, whatever this church needs or you as individual disciple of Jesus need as your intention is to serve Christ’s purpose or the message of the cross, you can trust Jesus to provide. I experience this in my thesis writings. The books I need I get them in time; ideas just flow and flow; there are connections from ideas to ideas. God uses the church and His disciples to provide for our needs.<br />
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- A very important word for those of you who are doing mission as you make the sacrifice; leave your comfort zone to do mission both locally and overseas, mission is always a spiritual warfare. In the spiritual realm, the evil spirits are all the time trying to stop mission. Therefore, as your intention is to serve Jesus’ purpose; the message of the cross, you need to always go to Jesus for protection from accidents, diseases and attack of the devils. You need to be filled/ empowered to pray for the sick for healing; to ask Jesus for whatever you need in the mission field.<br />
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- The third point of application is this: as Jesus humbles Himself and let go of the kingship, you need to humble yourself to let go of all honour and status. If there are any conversions, transformation of lives and baptism as you serve in Sunday Schools, i-youth, BB and GB, young adults fellowship, small groups, discipleship course, visitation, LCEC, worship and music team, prayer ministry, prison ministry, outreach and in your personal evangelism and discipleship effort, by all means humble yourself to attribute all the success, breakthrough and growth to Jesus. He is the one and only who transforms life! We can give testimonies as instructed by Christ and give glory to Him. When you are able to focus on Christ and His humility, no matter who is the pastor here, you will serve well; who are in LCEC; who encourages you to serve and make disciples, you will do for Jesus.<br />
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- At the end of the day, through you and GMC, mission of Christ in making disciples continue.<br />
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<strong>D. Conclusion</strong><br />
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- In my conclusion, I pray that you will not underestimate/ ignore/ push aside, what the word of says. That is when you serve Jesus with godly intention, whatever it may be, you have the divine power to overcome all challenges. The power which raises Jesus from death is available to you as by taught by Apostle Paul to the Ephesian Christians. You tell me what problems you have that Jesus cannot overcome. Do you have such faith to believe that Jesus gives you all you need to serve Him.<br />
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- As your intention is to serve Christ, I pray that Apostle Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:17-20 will be materialized in your life. I pray as Apostle Paul prayed that Jesus will give you spirit of wisdom, and revelation so that you may know Jesus better; I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know the hope in the rich glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe - the power which raises Jesus from death, to be available to you.<br />
<br />Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-19622278892045121102012-05-07T20:49:00.001+08:002012-05-07T21:04:19.924+08:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>AMC Sermon What is Salvation?</b><b> </b></div>
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<b>6th May, 2012</b> </div>
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<b>Written by Rev Law Hui Seng</b></div>
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<b>Posted by Teresa Han</b></div>
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<b>Acts 16:25-40</b>
<b>Main Idea: Meanings of salvation</b>
<b>Objectives:</b></div>
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<b>a. To explain the meanings of salvation</b><b> </b></div>
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<b>b. The change in life that salvation brings.</b><b> </b></div>
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<b>c. To teach to use life circumstances to preach the gospel.</b> </div>
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<b>A. Introduction</b>
- Today we are dealing with a central doctrine of Christianity. A doctrine we cannot miss in our lives. It is one of the very fundamental doctrines of Christianity. Some of us can be very familiar with it and yet we may not fully appreciate the importance of it in our daily living.
- To a non-Christian, the term or the concept may be a totally new idea to them. So, you need to explain to them its meaning and relevance for their lives. For the non-Christians, we are actually offering them a totally different worldview. When you talk to them about salvation, their response may be why do they need to be saved. To many of them, if they first hear about the word salvation, and you talk about Jesus saving them from their sins and gives them eternal life, they may be wondering what you are talking about because they are doing well in life; happy and satisfied with life.
- They may ask what salvation is.
- How do I arrive at the topic today? What is salvation?
- It all starts with the jailer’s question of, “What must I do to be saved?” Have you ever asked the question? It was a most genuine question in the jailer context.</div>
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<b>B. What must I do to be saved?</b>
- Let us take a close look at how the jailer arrives at the question. See the process involved.
- Paul and Silas were jailed in the dark prison at Philippi for delivering a slave girl from spirit possession. It caused her owners to lose a lucrative income for she was no more capable of fortune telling. (If you are imprisoned in jail because of preaching to the Muslims, what do you do in jail?)
- Before the great encounter of the jailer, we were told (verse 24) the jailer exercised his full authority to put them in the darkest inner jail (you can imagine without light; smelly, warm, stuffy and horrible atmosphere) and fasten Paul and Silas’ feet to the stocks.
- Though the jailer was just following the order, he was harsh and cruel to them. Paul and Silas might have been badly injured by the attack of the crowd; and ordered to be beaten and flogged severely; and let us imagine they must be bleeding and experiencing exhaustion, feeling great pain, the jailer was so merciless, he still treated them like that! May be he was very proud to carry out the order also. And it was at night, he felt so secured that he went to sleep. In his mind it was possible for them to struggle and let loose the stocks and chains.
- On the other hand, the spirit of Paul and Silas were not dampened (depressed) at all. Only the presence of the Spirit of Jesus and empowerment by Jesus could explain this behaviour of joy. (Can your faith in Jesus/ relationship with Jesus produce such calmness, peace and hope? We need to work towards this kind of faith. Especially when you are sick, so disappointed with people and your failures, can you still persevere with great trust in Jesus to bring you out of the bad circumstance. Or, you give out on Jesus totally) They must have caught the rest of the prisoners by a great surprise! In great injury and physically weak, they still had the spirit and mood, and the energy to pray and sing and the other prisoners listened to them in verse 25.
- Either it was coincidence of an earthquake or it was a powerful genuine act of God that caused huge shake. All prison doors flew open and everybody’s chains came loose (verses 26). If you were Paul and Silas, what would you do?
- The proud jailer was so depressed that he wanted to suicide ( verse 27). He had better killed himself, rather than been put to shame and executed for the escape of prisoners. In the case of Peter’s escape from the prison in Acts 12:19, Herod killed all the security guards who allowed Peter to escape. So, you can imagine the great stress, hopelessness and shame the jailer faced that caused him to be so depressed to suicide.
- At that crucial moment, I believe the divine moment, where Paul and Silas, with all the opportunity to escape they could grasp, they decided to stay back to do evangelism. They ceased the divine moment to save the jailer and direct him to Jesus. (This is a great learning point for us in evangelism. Do you sense the divine moment that Jesus has provided for you in your life circumstances?)
- They shouted to the jailer at the top of their voice so that in the midst of chaos, jailer could hear clearly and saved himself, “Don’t harm yourself, we are all here!” (verse 28)
- I strongly believe that this daring move of Paul and Silas to stay behind was a step of faith; and it caused a paradigm shift/ a change in worldview for the jailer, and coming to know Jesus and be saved.
- The jailer was so surprised to see Paul and Silas and other prisoners who were still around and not escape. He must have sensed that it was an act of God they stayed back. He must felt these 2 persons were truly sent by God. This explained why he fell trembling before them. May be by now, in his mind, he flushed back about what he heard in verse 17, when the girl who was spirit possessed who shouted crazily, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”
- It was because of the deliverance of the girl that caused the duo to be imprisoned. Right at that moment, he must have linked all these events together, and he out of reverence towards the duo for saving his but also he truly believed in the message of the girl and also the gospel message spread by the duo, he asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (verse 20)
- The duo gave what is the most needed by the world today, and it was recorded in verse 21, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.” Their preaching did not end there, this jailer must have ignored all the prison rules and brought the duo into his house and allowed them to explain further the word of the Lord (verse 32) and eventually it led to the baptism of the whole household (verse 33). Methodists use one of the many verses like this to support our argument that there were children in the family who were baptised by the duo.
- It was the message of salvation that Paul and Silas preached that caused them to end up in jail. What is this salvation that is so precious that caused life transformation and change of worldview?
- Take note of the change in attitude after the conversion of the jailer. The jailer was so daring to break prison rules to bring the duo home; the jailer treated their wound (verse 33); he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God (whole family); asked them to leave in peace.
- But Paul, for the sake of well being of the fellow converts and believers in Philippi, he ‘jual mahal’, he brought the magistrates’ officer to the attention of their identity as Roman citizen which they were not supposed to beat without a trial. They wanted the authority to treat the future Christians according to law. They did not want to leave secretly but wanted an escort to show that things were done legally. Then, they proceeded to Lydia’s house.</div>
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<b>C. Applications on the salvation</b><b> </b></div>
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<b>(1) What is the salvation? Saved from what?</b></div>
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- Most of us will give a standard answer of we are saved with eternal life. That means our soul will be saved in heaven with Jesus. This is evangelical right answer but it is a very simplistic answer that will not help us to commit to grow as disciple of Christ. Basically, the answer only tells us to wait on earth and live until we see Jesus and to be with Him.
- That is why a lot Christians stop to grow into Christian maturity. We have no problem in accepting Jesus as saviour. We also believe that Jesus has forgiven our past, present and future sins. Some Christians as result can take the liberty to sin. May be he or she can end up even worse after accepting Christ. Some have this idea that since Jesus is always forgiving me and he has guaranteed me an eternal life, I have all the freedom to sin and ask for forgiveness. I am a married person, at my convenience, I can see prostitutes, practice one night stay, after all Jesus forgives my sin. I am a pastor and I know Jesus forgives my sin, I can take my liberty to tell lies to gain personal interests. I want to seriously ask myself has Christ saved me from the sin or the power of sin? Is Christ my saviour?
- Brothers and sisters, we are saved from what? We are saved from sins that lead to the eternal destruction in hell. If we say that Jesus is my saviour or my salvation, it means also mean that Jesus has empowered us to overcome sins of all kind. That was what happened to the jailer, his life changed after he was saved. His attitude changed; his worldview changed. There must be some changes from sinfulness to holiness all the time, between now on earth and the day we Jesus.
- An important point I want to preach to you today is you are saved from your sin. Yes, you may sin but Jesus who is your saviour will empower you to overcome your sin. You will love to repent and admit you are wrong; you feel sorrowful about your sin; you will hate sin; you are sensitive to sin; you want to distance yourself from any temptation to sin.
- A rich man interviewed 3 prospective drivers. Which one you think he will employ. The first one says, “I have the best skill in the world, I can drive you to the cliff and I make sure the car is one meter away from the cliff and we will be in a safe position.” The second one wants to beat the first one, “I will drive you so near the cliff until the tyre is only one centimetre away from the cliff.” The third is most humble, he says, “I will make sure the car is as far away from the cliff as possible. I expose you to no danger.” At the end of the day, which driver will be employed? Of course, the third one.
- If you claim you are saved from sin, this should be your attitude towards sin. You want to be as far away from it as possible.</div>
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<b>(2) If one claims that he or she is saved, you must expect that that person is all the time desiring changes in his or her life towards Christ-likeness.</b></div>
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- Every now and then, he or she may fall; he may be imperfect, but he or she will always become like Christ.
- Following Christ is the goal and top priority in his or her life. Apostle Paul in 1Corinthians 11:1 exalted the Corinthians to follow his example, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
- Brothers and sisters, you have the whole life to do it. To help yourself on that journey, you need the word of God or teachings of Jesus to lead you.</div>
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<b>(3) As Paul and Silas grasped the divine moment in the jail to preach the gospel to the jailer and resulting his whole turning to Jesus and be saved, we need to sense the divine moment that Jesus provides for us in our daily circumstances for us to help people to come to know Jesus and be saved.</b>
- I just want suggest some divine moments for you to consider: when people experience emptiness in life (a good sign to watch is when they ask you what the meaning of life is); when someone is seriously sick; when people experience failures of all kinds; depressed people; people experience crisis in life (marriage, finance, etc)…
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<b>D. Conclusion</b>
- Christianity is most powerful because of the saving power of Jesus over sin. However, if we as disciples of Him do not want to turn on that power; exercise that Jesus power within us, we need to ask ourselves, are we saved or not?</div>
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<b>E. Small Group Discussion Questions</b>
1. Discuss the meanings of salvation.
2. Discuss the some divine moments that Jesus may be calling you to share your testimonies (or preach the gospel or render help in any way you can) with others.
3. Share with one another what Jesus is doing in your life so much that you feel others can be encouraged by your sharing.</div>Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-71112040511230479222012-04-02T23:32:00.000+08:002012-04-02T23:32:42.155+08:00Who Is This?AMC Sermon <br />
1st April, 2012<br />
Written By Rev Law Hui Seng<br />
Posted By Teresa Han<br />
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<b>Matthew 21:1-11 (Palm Sunday)<br />
Main Idea: How much you know Jesus?<br />
Objectives: (1) To challenge the congregation to know Jesus Christ personally.<br />
(2) To teach the congregation to obey Jesus in their lives.<br />
(3) To challenge the congregation to introduce Jesus to the lost.<br />
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<b>A. Introduction<br />
</b>- In business, before you know who you are trading with, you want to know who are they. Who are the directors of the company you are trading with. When you ask the questions who are they or who is this person, you want to know the credibility of the persons whom you are trading with. Can this person be trusted? After the goods or service delivered, can he pay for the service or goods? Is his company registered? Or the person is a conman? The other company is not registered.<br />
- You ask the question who is this, for a good purpose. It has to do with the characters of the persons. You want to know the good standing of the persons in the society. You do not know the person whom you are dealing with, naturally you ask who is this?<br />
- In the days of Jesus, he was coming from Nazareth, he grew up as a boy at Nazareth; he was born at Bethlehem, near Jerusalem. He did not grow up at Jerusalem. He ministered more at the northern part; he performed many more miracles in the north than the south. Do you still remember what were the miracles he performed in the north near sea of Galilee?<br />
- Anyway, my point is, as Jesus was not as well known in the south before the crucifixion, during the Roman Empire’s time. During His 3 years of ministry, he moved from the north to the south, he did not spend much time in the south, though he performed miracles like raising Lazarus from the dead.<br />
- No wonder the writer Matthew, recorded that people asked, “Who is this?” when Jesus was heading for Jerusalem on a colt. Before I preach to you the significance of the question, “who is this?”, I like us to look at Matthew’ readership, and purpose, then, we may even better understand the significance of the question.<br />
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<b>B. Readership, purpose and context </b><br />
- The readers of the gospel must have been Jews. The author Matthew was very particular about the origin of Jesus – tracing of Jesus’ descendent from Abraham (Matt 1:1-17); the fulfilment of Old Testament; his reluctance to use the name God and used ‘kingdom of heaven’; his emphasis on Jesus as the son of David. Matthew may target his readers to be the Jews, as he try to convince them that Jesus is God, the Messiah, he also challenged them to reach out to the whole world by giving the commission at 28:18-20.<br />
- Matthew’s purpose of writing to the Jews was to tell them Jesus is God, the Messiah, the Saviour. He tried to prove from the OT scriptures that Jesus’ life and ministry was the fulfilment. Like in today’s passage, verse 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Matthew quoted Zechariah 9:9 to hint that the Messiah was going to be sacrificed as foretold by the OT scriptures.<br />
- Today’s passage is in the context of Jesus heading in the direction of Jerusalem, before Passover, where a few days later, the Messiah was going to be crucified. Jesus knew he was going to be killed and yet he went in the direction of Jerusalem. May be it is not fair for me to ask you this question because our context is different. Anyway, I still ask you the question to provoke you to do reflection in this Palm Sunday. The question is simply this: If you know you are going to be killed upon arrival at a place, do you still want to go ahead with the plan?<br />
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<b>C. Explanation of the passage<br />
</b>- The world may think Jesus was so stupid to go ahead with His plan. But for Jesus, He had done His calculations of all aspects as He is God. I believe Jesus deep down in His heart, He believed it was worth the sacrifice of His life. Why? Can we imagine with Jesus for a moment? Why it is worth the sacrifice? What is the worthwhile purpose? Why not live longer? Why die at the age of 33? The disciples might need more time to be trained to become more matured. Why it had to be the cross? What about being killed by knife? Or stoned to death?<br />
- Before I give my answer, please try give your answer? Christians down the centuries, disciples of Jesus throughout the ages can only give one purpose, one reason, one mission for Jesus’ willingness to go to the cross, that is for the purpose of redemption for the sin of mankind. That people come to know God, repent and be saved for eternally.<br />
- Now to help us to do some soul searching at this season of Palm Sunday and the coming holy week. If you know you are going to be killed by your enemies, for what is the worthwhile purpose you are willing to die? For the Libyan rebel soldiers and even the courageous civilians who fought the Gaddafi soldiers, for them, they were to die in the war just to topple the regime and set up a government that cares for the people. <br />
- I am asking this question so that we all are encouraged to make sacrifice for Jesus; or at least, in view of Jesus, the true God, our saviour, we respond to Him, and really believe what we do for Him is worth all our time, energy and money.<br />
- Now, as Jesus was on the way to enter Jerusalem, note that He was fully aware of His crucifixion ahead. He did it with only one purpose and mission. He entered dramatically and he caught people’s attention. He did it purposely at the outskirt of Jerusalem, starting from Bethphage, on Mt Olives. Jesus sent for His disciples to go ahead of Him into a village to request for a donkey and her colt, when the owner asked who needed, the disciples just had to say the Lord needed it and the owner would give. It happened. The owner knew Jesus as the Lord.<br />
- As Jesus entered Jerusalem on the colt, with the accompaniment of the donkey, (typical for mother donkey to remain close to the baby donkey) crowd shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!’. These are quotes from Psalm 118: 25 and 26, where hosanna in Hebrew, it means save us now.<br />
- Psalm 113 to Psalm 118 is a collection of praise psalms sung at the great Jewish feasts: feast of dedication, the feast of the new moons, and by families at the yearly observance of the Passover. At Passover 2 of the psalms were sung before the meal. Before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, He and His disciples gathered at the upper room for the Passover meal probably sung 2 psalms.<br />
- Jesus entered Jerusalem during Passover week, thousands of lambs would be killed for the Passover and that lines of Psalm 118 were on people’s minds and they shouted the Hosanna lines. I believe Jesus chose the Passover to come into Jerusalem so that He was the lamb of God who came to be slaughtered by the Jews for the redemption of mankind’s sin.<br />
- Did the people mean to say that Jesus, son of David come to save them from their sins as they shout Hosanna? Not at all, probably they misunderstood Jesus, as the triumphal political king, coming to save them from the rule of Roman Emperor.<br />
- Only a few persons, including, Mary of Bethany (John 12:7) who knew Jesus purpose of death.<br />
- They did not read the colt on which Jesus was riding, it was meant to bring peace; Jesus did not come on horse, which was meant for fighting.<br />
- When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “who is this?” They did not know the real purpose of Jesus’ coming; and most did not know Jesus at all, of course, they asked “who is this?” <br />
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<b>D. Explanation<br />
</b>- The crowd asked the question because: they did not know much about who was Jesus; the real purpose of His coming; they did not know Jesus was going to die for their sins; Jesus had no personal relationship with them.<br />
- At the end of the day, only some know Him to be Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee. This was the best that some of them in Jerusalem knew about Jesus.<br />
- Brothers and sisters, Jesus, then, was not crucified yet, therefore, a lot did not know him as saviour. Especially after resurrection, then, news spread, what Jesus claimed to do became important and His disciples preached about it and a lot of people repented from sins and became saved. You read about it in the book of Acts.<br />
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<b>E. Applications</b><br />
- Do you still ask who is this Jesus? You may still ask. I pray that you come to know Him as your personal saviour.<br />
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- (1) The more you ask about who is this Jesus, the more answers you get, should help you to build up a personal relationship with Jesus. Can we do an exercise here? Please give answers to this question: who is Jesus to you? Whatever knowledge you have about Jesus, should build up your closeness with Jesus. This is the greatest foundation stone of your faith. If not, all that you know about Jesus does not have anything to do with your life. At the end of the day, with or without Jesus, your life is the same.<br />
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- (2) That closeness with Jesus can only be developed through your obedience to His teachings. If you believe Jesus is your saviour, then, you must come to Him for forgiveness of your sins and repentance. If you believe He is the true God, then, you will practice what He is teaching you, your daily life will stand up for Jesus. You know how to do business in Jesus’ way. You know how to relate to your boss in Jesus’ way. You know how to treat your employees or those under you in Jesus’ way. The more you do unto Jesus, the closer you are with Him.<br />
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- (3) The more you come to know Jesus, you realize how good Jesus is to you, you will introduce Jesus to others who do not know Jesus; to those who asked: Who is this Jesus? Can your Christian life show to Christians and non-Christians alike, and cause them to ask in their heart: who is this Jesus that cause you to be so good?<br />
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<b>E. Conclusion</b><br />
- The question who is this Jesus, can be asked by anybody on earth. Christians can continue to ask; all of us who know Jesus more, should become the reason that causes people to ask who is this Jesus?<br />
- You and I need to take up the challenge.<br />
<br />
<b>Small Group Discussion Questions</b><br />
1. In view of Jesus Christ’s purpose of death, that is so worth of His self sacrifice, share your most important purpose to continue to live on earth.<br />
2. If you are not a Christian today, what will you be like? Give thanks to Jesus for all the precious lessons He has taught you in life.Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-24536480769564602872012-03-07T09:47:00.000+08:002012-03-07T09:47:57.158+08:00Through the Grace of Our Lord Jesus ChristAMC<br />
4th March, 2012 <br />
Written By Rev Law Hui Seng<br />
Posted By Teresa Han<br />
<br />
<b>Acts 15:6-22<br />
Main Idea: Salvation by the grace of Jesus Christ<br />
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Objectives: a. To teach the doctrine of grace.<br />
b. To correct the grave misunderstanding of grace.<br />
c. To teach on how to experience the grace of Lord Jesus Christ.<br />
</b><br />
<b>A. Introduction</b><br />
- Grace is word/ term which is greatly misunderstood by a lot of Christians. This misunderstanding has caused us very dearly.<br />
- I attribute the misunderstanding to the church imbalanced teaching on grace.<br />
- I shall preach to you the misunderstanding later on but for the early Christians in Acts, particularly, based on the passage today, many of them totally could not understand grace.<br />
- Let us see how they miss the doctrine of grace.<br />
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<b>B. The doctrine of Grace</b><br />
- Some Pharisees who were converted to Christianity still held on very much to the Mosaic Law in terms of circumcision. In this very crucial meeting in Jerusalem which involved apostles, elders, and believers and even the whole church (verse 12), they had decided once and for all, that the Gentiles do not need to be circumcised in order to become Christians. What happened?<br />
- In verse 1 of chapter 15 today, we are informed there were some men teaching salvation can only be obtained through circumcision. This put Apostle Paul and Barnabas into great disputes with them. You can imagine the heated argument that happened in that Jerusalem. The author Luke did not record all those angry debates. <br />
- The author Luke only recorded the arguments for the Gentiles who were not required to be circumcised. A few groups of people spoke convincingly and in unity. They were all consistent with one another. Thank God for their great courage to believe in a new doctrine of grace. They even claim that God wanted it that way.<br />
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- First of all, in that crucial meeting, Apostle Peter stood up to speak. Some who insisted on circumcision might have expected him to speak for it. But, he did not. He gave his most crucial testimony of how God directed him to Cornelius and his household (chapter 10) and he preached to them and they believed; and bestowed them the Holy Spirit. God made no distinction in giving the Holy Spirit to both the Jews and the Gentiles (verse 8). God purified the gentiles’ heart by their faith (verse 9). If Jewish Christians insisted on circumcision, then, they were putting God to test (verse 10). Peter concluded his argument by saying both the Jews and the Gentiles were saved by the grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord, not at all by being obedient to the Mosaic Law.<br />
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- Secondly, Barnabas and Paul claimed and gave testimonies in verse 12 that God used them to do miraculous signs and wonders among the Gentiles. If God rejected the Gentiles, why did He use Paul and Barnabas to perform miracles on them?<br />
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- Thirdly, James, the brother our Lord Jesus Christ affirmed the testimony of Simon Peter. Then, he went on to quote from the prophetic book of Amos that said it was the desire of God to rebuild David’s tent, the Jews, to bring them back to God; and also to call all the Gentiles back to Him (verses 16 to 18). He also concluded that the Gentiles must not be burdened with circumcision. But they need to live a holy life by abstaining from food offered to idols; from sexual morality; from eating meat of strangled animals and from blood (19 to 20) as a respect to Mosaic Law which still applied (verse 21). Then, the meeting concluded with the above decision and they asked Judas called Barsabas and Silas (who were leaders) to accompany Paul and Barnabas to go back to Antioch to report to the Gentile believers in a letter (verses 22).<br />
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- What is the doctrine of grace of Lord Jesus Christ? What is the meaning of saved by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ which Apostle Peter claimed so much? The basic idea behind this doctrine of grace is this: each human being, no matter who, he or she is entitled to salvation, forgiveness of sin, all on God’s term. A human being cannot do anything to earn that salvation. In the early Christian case, not even circumcision or being obedient to Mosaic. Apostle Peter and other apostles were united in teaching that the entrance qualification into the kingdom of God is the grace of Jesus Christ.<br />
<br />
<b>C. Grave misunderstanding of the doctrine of Grace</b><br />
- I believe a lot of pastors (me included) of the Methodist of Sarawak and Sabah made this mistake of teaching like this. We have pushed the doctrine of grace to the extreme; and we have blown it out of proportion. We have done a lot of damage to the spiritual life; the personal relationship between Jesus Christ and His disciples in the Methodist Church. What do I mean?<br />
- We often teach that Jesus saves us unconditionally; Jesus forgives our sin unconditionally. What a terrible mistake? A mistake that requires us to ask Jesus Christ for forgiveness. It is a terrible mistake, owing to this teaching, a lot of us begin to become very lenient and free in our life. It affects terribly because at the back of our mind now, we believe that we have all the freedom to sin and Jesus will forgive us anyway. Jesus Christ becomes our instrument to be manipulated. His teaching is no more the authority of our lives. He is no more our master or the Lord of life. In fact, when we misunderstand grace, we become our own master. Jesus is our servant.<br />
- We ended up preaching the cheap grace, a grace that does not require any sacrifice of Jesus at all. Let me now say the opposite of the normal teaching. Jesus forgives sins on condition that He died a sacrificial death. He paid the great price of the crucifixion in order for your sins and my sins to be forgiven. Please take note of this expensive price before you ask Jesus to forgive your sins based on the ground of grace. Yes, He is most willing to forgive your sins, but, bear in mind, it is done not without a price!<br />
- Therefore, this grace given to new believers and all of us is done with a great price. A lot of time, we neglect it, and as a result, we do not strive to live a life of holiness in our speech, thought, attitude, heart and a life of social concerns. We do not live a life of holiness, Jesus forgives our sins anywhere. We really need the season of Lent to remind us the suffering of Jesus and how He has done for us fon the cross.<br />
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<b>D. How to experience the grace of Jesus Christ?</b><br />
- I pray that what I preach here is not only for your information only; it is very much for your transformation. That means for your understanding and action.<br />
- Please do not misunderstand me. I never preach to you today that you need to live a holy life in order to deserve salvation in future.<br />
- Now that you have been saved, through the expensive grace of Jesus Christ offered to you and you accepted it, you can continue to enjoy that grace. How?<br />
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- Firstly, after you are saved, born again, you must continue to live a life of holiness in order to experience increasing grace of Jesus Christ. Take for instance, as you live a prayerful life, you hear Jesus more and more clearly; you will avoid more and more bad decision, attitudes, emotion. In doing so, you experience grace of Jesus Christ. The grace of Jesus here is you get to avoid bad decision or a sinful decision. Not the other way round, you took the liberty to commit a sin, you called on the grace of Jesus and ask for His forgiveness. Yes, there is grace of Jesus but have you counted the cost of the grace.<br />
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- Secondly, you experience grace of Jesus when upon conviction of your sin (whatever), you come to realize how wrong, how sorry, how regret; you are not only willing to confess to Jesus, you are also willing to say sorry to people; willing to repent. The forgiveness that comes from Jesus Christ out of His grace for you will be deep and powerful; life transforming. We Chinese need this grace very much because culturally we do not like to say we are wrong as we need to take care of our face. As a result we suffered spiritually. We are haunted by guilt and very much the accusation of our conscience. The devil also make use of our so called hidden sin to immobilize us and make us feel ashamed of ourselves so that we feel that we are not qualified to serve Him and make disciples of all nations. Will you say sorry to your husband, wife, children, parents, colleagues, and people whom you have offended? And repent? So that grace of Jesus’ forgiveness can come upon you. Your sorry is not a means to earn the grace of forgiveness. Somehow, spiritually, mysteriously, in the spiritual realm, when you say sorry, it breaks down the devil’s hold on you; it breaks the authority of the devil over your life. Jesus says let your yes be yes, your no be no, if you speak more than that, it comes from the devil (Mat 5:37). How you ward off the devil’s influence in your life, take a deep look at your inner life, is the devil holding you/ influencing you in anyway? Saying sorry really ensure the grace of Jesus coming upon you. You will not want to reject that grace, won’t you?<br />
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<b>E. Conclusion</b><br />
- I pray that you realize the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is not cheap, it is expensive.<br />
- To enjoy, the way is not to sin as much as possible, but, to live a holy life. Holiness in living is not earning it but it is a channel of Christ’s grace.<br />
<br />
<b>F. Discussion Questions</b><br />
1. After knowing Jesus had paid the highest cost for the forgiveness of your sins, how does it affect your life of holiness?<br />
2. Share your experience of Christ’s grace in your life? You may like to email (lawhuiseng@yahoo.com) your answers to me so that I can respond to you.Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-34421224325170733862012-02-06T21:45:00.000+08:002012-02-06T21:45:14.205+08:00Speaking Boldly For the Lord5th Feb, 2012<br />
Written By Rev Law Hui Seng<br />
Posted By Teresa Han<br />
<br />
<b>Acts 14:1-7<br />
Main idea: Speak boldly for the Lord<br />
Objective: To teach the congregation to depend on the Holy Spirit to speak boldly for Jesus.</b><br />
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<b>A. Introduction</b><br />
- Total population of Sabah, according to 2010 Malaysia Census, 3.2 million.<br />
- Bumiputera (indigenous people) and citizens – 2.3 million; foreigners – 0.9 million<br />
- Religions: Islam – 2.1 million; Christianity – 0.85 million; Buddhism – 0.2 million<br />
- Let us see the breakdown: Malays – Islam – 0.18 millions<br />
- Kadazans/ Dusuns, 0.57 million: Christians – 0.43 millions; Islam – 013 million<br />
- Bajaus, 0.45 million: Islam – 0.43; Christianity – 0.02.<br />
- Muruts, 0.1 million: Islam – 0.02 million; Christianity – 0.08 million<br />
- Chinese, 0.3 million: Islam – 0.01 million; Christianity – 0.1 million; Buddhism – 0.2 million.<br />
- Other bumiputera, 0.66 million: Islam - 0.53 million; Christianity – 0.12 million<br />
- Foreigners, 0.9 million: Islam – 0.75 million; Christianity – 0.12 million<br />
- I want to give you an overall picture of the Sabah population in terms of her religious beliefs, so that you know the target groups you need to reach out and speak boldly for Jesus in an Islamic environment like this. You also find that about 60% of Chinese have not come to be saved yet. So, your decision to start the Mandarin service is a very good move.<br />
<b><br />
B. Speaking boldly for the Lord</b><br />
- One way to help people or to draw people to the Lord or to the mandarin service, is to speak boldly for Jesus. If people do not know Jesus can save them from their sins and hell, how can they believe, repent and live a holy life. An information on the salvation in Christ and Christ alone must naturally come from disciples of Jesus like you and me.<br />
- This was very much in the mind and practice of apostles of Paul and Barnabas in chapter 14 of Acts today. Take note, they were still continuing their first missionary journey, and persevere, continuing the preaching of gospel despite opposition and persecution at the end of last chapter, in Pisidian Antioch.<br />
- This is a great mission point for me to learn as a disciple of Jesus, I learn from apostle Paul, when people reject the good news of Christ’s salvation, I must not give up preaching to them or some other people. If Jesus is the true saviour, why should I give up preaching Him? Because I truly believe in a true Saviour, I am never tired of preaching Christ. I shall never be tired of pursuing something is the truth!<br />
- In verse 1 of chapter 14, Luke said Paul and Barnabas went as usual preaching the gospel in the synagogue at Iconium, and they were so effective that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.<br />
- But then, the scenario changed in verse 2 because those Jews who refused to believe the gospel stirred up the Gentiles to go against the apostles. We can understand why as the apostles were pulling away the Judaism believers and exerting influence of Christianity and establishing Christianity. Being threatened, and of course, to the zealous Judaism Jews, it was a battle of truth. Was Jesus the messiah? Was Jesus God?<br />
- Despite the opposition, in verse 3, Luke still recorded they spent considerable time at Iconium, speaking boldly for the Lord (my emphasis today), the gospel of salvation, and Jesus confirmed their message of the gospel by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. Can we expect Jesus to do the same with us when we preach the gospel like Paul and Barnabas? Biblically, signs and wonders follow those who preach the gospel. Therefore, grasp every opportunity to pray for the sick, for the most difficult problem to be overcome, for the impossible to happen; so that it enhances the spread of the gospel, Jesus is glorified. Will you exercise your faith like this?<br />
- How the apostles could be so bold in speaking the message of the gospel in view of the possible persecution of death? In verse 5, we were informed that there was a plan to stone them. It was a threat of death!<br />
- May I ask you why the apostles were so brave in speaking the message despite the threat of death? I believe you know the answer. I pray that you are able to experience it as you obey Jesus to preach the gospel. The answer is none other than the empowerment by the Holy Spirit.<br />
- Before chapter 14 today, at the end of chapter 13, we were told in verse 52, the disciples were filled by the Holy Spirit in the midst of preaching the gospel and facing persecution.<br />
- In fact, apostle Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians said it so well, in chapter 2 verses 4 and 5, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.”<br />
- I strongly believe that it was not Paul’s spirit of timidity that caused them to flee Iconium when they discovered the plot to kill them. I believe that with their close relationship with Jesus, they knew it was not the time, the kairos, to die as martyrs yet, for Jesus still desired them to preach the good news at Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding country in verses 6 and 7.<br />
- My prayer to Jesus is this, the day He thinks that I have no more use to Him on earth, He should just take my life. If I am living, there must be a godly purpose for me to fulfil on earth every day. Will you pray the same prayer with me? Our attitude on earth should be as long as we live, Jesus desires us to preach the gospel to the lost and unsaved.<br />
- Therefore, while you are on earth, can you make full use of your life to speak boldly for Jesus?<br />
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<b>C. Applications</b><br />
- I have preached to you that you have the Holy Spirit but many of us are not filled the spirit. You need to pray to be filled by the Spirit to be bold to do Jesus’ job.<br />
- If you are giving yourself all the excuses like you have no time; you are scared to tell people about Jesus; people will not want to believe or come to church; faith in Jesus is a personal matter; it is not the time yet; you do not know how to preach the gospel, you dare not invite, etc, I would really say it from my heart that you have not ask the Holy Spirit to fill you to preach the gospel yet.<br />
- I pray that you will repent from it. My appeal to you today is simply this: ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and empower you to speak boldly your testimony of how good is Jesus to you; and you invite them to come to faith in Jesus.<br />
- Can you bear testimony of how good is Jesus to you? How real is Jesus to you? How Jesus bless you in your business? As a mother? As a father? In your career? Protect you? <br />
- Share your testimony and keep inviting them to your small group our church activity our Sunday services.<br />
- As Jesus has paid the penalty for your sins and give you eternal hope of salvation, will you now obey Him and present Him to others who are so lost and who are on the way to hell?<br />
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<b>D. Conclusion</b><br />
- It will be an irony, if we have the Holy Spirit and not be filled to speak boldly for Jesus.<br />
- It will be a greater irony, if Jesus is so good to us, and yet, we behave as if Jesus has never blessed us at all.<br />
- If others do not get to hear our testimonies, how do they know Jesus and be saved and become His disciples.<br />
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<b>E. Questions for Discussion</b><br />
- (1). Discuss some opportunities we can grasp to share our testimonies with backslide Christians and non-Christians.<br />
- (2). Spell out some names whom we want to reach out and help them to know Jesus and pray for them in the small group.Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-74665154784727528862012-01-09T13:31:00.000+08:002012-01-09T13:31:06.901+08:00My 2012 New Year ResolutionsDear brothers and sisters,<br />
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Praise the Lord for 2012.<br />
<br />
I look forward to writing my pastoral thesis proposal and its completion by this year. Thanks very much for your prayer support and words of encouragement I received in face book and emails. My face book account name is Hui Seng Law. I have successfully completed 9 subjects which help my thesis writing very much. I have also completed my 2 Master of Theology examinations and I am waiting for my results. I have set my thesis proposal to be on 3rd February, 2012.<br />
<br />
Do remember me again in your prayers. Praise the Lord and thank Him for sustaining my wife who coped with all the stress of taking care of 4 children without me in Miri, despite her heart valve leakage condition. Please pray that Jesus will continue to sustain her, and the children are understanding and be obedient to help out in the house chores. Pray for me that I am able to organize all the relevant information from the 8 subjects which I have put in lots of effort, to write a thesis on developing a BM speaking pastoral model among Iban Christians in Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference.<br />
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My new year resolutions continue to be the same as last year, except I will be more focused on reaching out to mother side relative, the Chieng’s family. Firstly, I shall continue to read the word of God and write reflection, from the book of Ruth onwards. Secondly, I shall evangelize the Chieng’s family with the help of Agape Methodist Church Mandarin service. Thirdly, I shall continue to read on how to bring up boys and girls in God’s way. Fourthly, I shall continue to encourage 2 persons a day.<br />
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Together, may we persevere to fear and love Jesus in 2012, by going out to make disciples of all nations.<br />
A Faithful disciple of Jesus,<br />
<br />
Pastor Law Hui Seng<br />
(9th Jan, 2012. STS KK)<br />
Posted By Teresa HanEveryone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-10380106493888184662012-01-09T13:26:00.000+08:002012-01-09T13:26:31.792+08:00Filled with Holy SpiritWritten By Rev Law Hui Seng<br />
Posted By Teresa Han<br />
<br />
AMC Sermon Filled with Holy Spirit 8th Jan, 2012<br />
<br />
Acts 13:4-13<br />
<br />
Main Idea: Be filled with Holy Spirit to serve Jesus Christ<br />
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Objectives:<br />
A. Teach the congregation to be filled with Holy Spirit to serve Jesus.<br />
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B. The congregation to learn the effects of being filled with Holy Spirit.<br />
<br />
<b>A. Introduction<br />
</b>- Too many disciples of Jesus Christ in the Methodist churches in Sabah and Sarawak have not discovered the powerful impacts of being filled with Holy Spirit.<br />
- I pray that today’s passage will inspire you to desire to be filled with Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus, to serve Jesus in the church and out there in the world to make disciples of all nations. <br />
- All the more now, you have the afternoon Mandarin service, you have made a historical decision, that will cause many people to come to this (Agape Methodist church) and be saved and become disciples of Jesus, not just believers and Christians. You must desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit to go out there to touch people’s life and invite them into the kingdom.<br />
- Let us see how Apostle Paul was so filled with Holy Spirit to serve the cause of Jesus.<br />
- Before that, let us turn to the Jerusalem map at the back of the bible to see Apostle Paul first missionary route so that you can imagine the hard efforts involved by him.<br />
- You see to the north of Jerusalem, there is a place called Antioch, from here, you go south-west, you see a place called, Seleucia, the sea port of Antioch. It is from here that apostle Paul, Barnabas and John (a cousin of Barnabas, a helper) departed went on sea journey to a big island called Cyprus. Many Jews lived there. Gospel had been preached there by disciples who were persecuted in connection to the martyrdom of Stephen in Acts 11:19. May be the team was asked to follow up on the converts. May be they had to travel for months before they reached Salamis, on the eastern side of the island Cyprus. As they arrived Salamis, verse 6, they travelled through the whole island, and we can assume they preached the gospel along the way. Then, finally, they reached Paphos, on the western side of the island. We are going to look at what happened there later on. But, for now, I want point out that, from this town, the team continued their first missionary to Perga in Pamphylia, at the mainland, where John left them and returned to Jerusalem in verse 13. From there, you will notice, Paul and the team continued their maiden missionary trip.<br />
- What happened at Paphos before they left for Perga? Along the whole journey from Salamis to Paphos there must be a lot of stops, rest and preaching of the word of God, but Luke, the author kept no records of the events. May be no significant events worth the mention, but when it comes to Paphos, Luke highligted this encounter of Paul with Elymas.<br />
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<b>B. Paul’s encounter with Elymas<br />
</b>- It is very interesting to take note that Paul from this passage onwards, he is playing key mission roles in the book of Acts. It is here in this passage (verse 9) his name was changed from Saul (a Hebrew name which means asked of God) to Paul (Hellenistic name which means little). It could mean that from now on, he would reach out to the Gentiles as he was called by Jesus to do it in Chapter 9:15. Jesus chosen instrument to make disciples among the Gentiles was in action now. But for this passage, it was his encounter with a Jew, before he encountered the Gentiles in his other parts of mission.<br />
- Let us see what happened at the mission field, at Paphos, where it was so significant that Luke wrote it down. In encountering Elymas, Paul was filled by the Holy Spirit (verse 9), the verse where I get my sermon title from. I regard this verse as the key verse as it is the verse where everything falls into place. Without being filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul would not be able to do mission with the proconsul, may be the governor of Cyprus. Anyway, right from verse 4, Luke says Pauls and Barnabas were sent by Holy Spirit to go for the mission. In verses 2 and 3, they say that, the commissioning of the 2 was as a result of Holy Spirit’s instruction, which happened during worshipping the Lord and fasting. For this matter, I strongly believe that when we worship Jesus on a Sunday service like this, we must expect the Holy Spirit to speak to us also. Do you say Amen to this? I start to reach out to my mother side uncle’s children (who are my cousins) and their children after I heard the Holy Spirit used a still small voice in my heart to tell me to invite them for last year moon cake evangelistic meeting during a service here at Agape Methodist.<br />
- Now, why Paul was so harsh on Elymas, pronouncing something like a curse on him? In verses 10 and 11, it says, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery...Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.” What was at stake that caused Paul to be so daring to pronounce such punishment on Elymas? <br />
- I can understand why, and what is at stake. The proconsul, the governor, Sergius Paulus, he could be the most powerful person in the political position under the Roman empire at Cyprus, and he showed interest in the word of God. In verse 7, it says, he sent for Paul and Barnabas because he wanted to hear the word of God. What an opportunity to grasp! If the Chief Minister of Sabah, Musa comes to you and expresses interest in the gospel, as you do mission, what do you do? I am sure you will by all means help him to know Jesus personally.<br />
- However, in this case, there was another, very influential person called Elymas, Jewish the sorcerer, in verse 8, we are told that he tried to pull away the proconsul from coming to the faith of Jesus. Before this, the proconsul must have mixed with Elymas who could do some supernatural power, and satisfied the interests of proconsul. Directly, Elymas gained some economic interest from the proconsul also. Elymas knew very well, the influence of God’s word on him would cause the loss of economic support for him. Therefore, he tried hard to prevent Paul and Barnabas influence on him.<br />
- At the same time, Paul, who was directed by God to do mission knew the spiritual warfare involved. Based on the pronouncement of the punishment, you can see that Paul had discerned the devil at work behind Elymas if not, he would not call Elymas, a child of the devil, an enemy of everything that is right, full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. You think Paul and Barnabas were able to counter Elymas who empowered by the devil, with their human flesh wisdom, strength and might?<br />
- How could Paul know the devil behind Elymas? Unless God helped him to discern. How could Paul be so courageous to pronounce a punishment on Elymas? He had no authority to do it. Unless God gave him the courage. At this critical moment, this is where in verse 9, Paul was filled by the Holy Spirit to do pronouncement. Take note of the supernatural power that Paul received after being filled with the Holy Spirit, receiving discernment and courage. The effects of being filled with Holy Spirit were Paul was blessed with courage and discernment. I believe, as you serve Christ, as you learn to love others and reach out to others for Christ’s sake, it does not matter who are they, Jesus Christ will be there to fill you with the Holy Spirit and give you courage and discernment. Do you say amen to that? You got to believe it and ask for it.<br />
- I always get courage to pray spiritual warfare prayer and fight the devil head on in praying for the sick, in Iban and Penan long houses, in removing charms of all kinds and burning them. I always experience Jesus’ protection in terms of journey mercy, good health and wisdom to minister on mission trip. One of the questions that the Holy Spirit always remind me to ask when I pray for the sick and the troubled is always, what sin have you committed. If the person is not able to tell me, as the Holy Spirit leads me, I ask about, what wrong one has done, any conflicts with people, any enemy, any hatred, any greed, any pride, etc. I strongly believe that as I apply the teachings of James 5, as people confess their sins, Jesus will heal them; and the devil will not have any foothold to attack us. As we confess our sins and repent, Jesus forgives and heals. If their sickness continues after I pray, I always remind them to consult a doctor as not all sicknesses are due to our sins or the devil.<br />
- Now, we know the immediate effect of the pronouncement of the punishment. In verses 11b, it says, “Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.” It was an evidence of the Holy Spirit at work so mightily.<br />
- Now, what is the ultimate result of Paul being filled with the Holy Spirit? The answer is found in verse 12, “When the proconsul saw what happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.” You see the powerful role of the Holy Spirit in converting an intelligent and powerful like Sergius Paulus?<br />
- I pray that the sermon today on being filled with Holy Spirit is not for information and knowledge, it is for practice.<br />
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<b>C. Applications</b><br />
- On the practice of being filled with Holy Spirit, I think you want to know whether the Holy Spirit fills every Christian or not? My answer is very simple and I always emphasize this. As you come to know Christ, your life is transformed, you are born again, the Holy Spirit lives in you. Then, as you serve the purpose of Christ, you ask for the Holy Spirit to fill you, He will fill you and empower you to do his work. Luke 11:11-13 Jesus teaches us, “which of your fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” <br />
- One application you can do with this verse is that our heavenly father will fill us with the Holy Spirit as we ask Him.<br />
- The trouble with a lot of us is we do not even ask. Now, why? May I ask you now, why? If you are ignorant of the teaching, after today, you should just ask as Jesus leads you.<br />
- But, a lot of us do not ask because we feel we are not up to the mark to the mission of Jesus yet. This is a wrong thinking, and sometimes it is an excuse. Jesus can use any child of Him to accomplish His purpose. You need to exercise your faith to step forward and answer the call of Jesus, like Paul and Barnabas.<br />
- Some of us are just to preoccupied with worldly things that we are all the time distracted from drawing near to Jesus and how can we even think of praying for Jesus to fill us with Holy Spirit to do His mission?<br />
- Some of us under certain bondage of a sin, which you have not let go and allow Jesus to forgive you and you repent, and the devil always get you. To this group of children of God, I urge you, all the more, you must ask Jesus to fill you with His Spirit to overcome the evil power?<br />
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<b>D. Conclusion and action</b><br />
- Can you now humble yourself, take a step of faith, and fill free to follow me in a prayer which asks Jesus to fill you to serve Him? If after listening to the sermon, you have heard the Holy Spirit telling you in your heart to be filled with the Holy Spirit to reach out to others, to solve your problems and to repent from your sins, please follow me in prayers.<br />
- Lord Jesus Christ, I hear your calling to ask you to fill me with your Holy Spirit, the spirit who filled apostle Paul to also fill me. I sincerely desire you to give me courage to open my mouth to give testimony about how you have blessed and invite them to come for small groups, fellowship and the Sunday services. I sincerely desire you to empower me to solve all my personal problems. I sincerely desire you to forgive me from all my sins and I repent from them. In Christ’s most powerful name I pray, Amen.”<br />
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Questions for discussion<br />
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1. Share some other effects of being filled with the Holy Spirit.<br />
2. Share your experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit.<br />
3. Share the verses from Acts 1 to 12 that touch on the doctrine of being filled with Holy Spirit.<br />
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By Rev Law Hui SengEveryone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3862236203447333614.post-25374259509464358922011-10-04T21:03:00.001+08:002011-10-04T21:03:34.029+08:00Praying for the SickMonday, 3 October, 2011<br />
AMC Praying for the Sick<br />
Kota Kinabalu<br />
Written By Rev Law Hui Seng<br />
Posted By Teresa Han<br />
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<b>Acts 9:36-43; James 5:13-16<br />
Main Idea: Pray for the Sick<br />
Objectives: a. To exercise faith to pray for healing of the sick.<br />
</b><br />
<b>A. Introduction</b><br />
- What is the first thing you do when you get sick?<br />
- Some of us may go to Jesus to ask for healing and get healed. Sister Lisa did it and she got healed from heart problem and thyroid.<br />
- Some of us did not pray at all when get sick and you to see a doctor straight away.<br />
- I hope that after the sermon today, you will change the order. The first thing you do is to pray for healing first. With all due respect, to doctors who are present here, God also uses medicine to heal or to bring about recovery in health.<br />
- The bible, especially the New Testament talks about praying for the sick, healing the sick and raising the dead.<br />
- Let us study the 2 passages today to learn more about praying for the sick. At the end of the day, after the sermon, I pray that you will love to pray for the sick.<br />
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<b>B. Peter Raised the Dead<br />
</b>- Acts 9:36-43, the main event was about apostle Peter raising the dead woman called Tabitha (or Dorcas). She was probably one fruit of Philip in chapter 8:26-40 (after the persecution of Christians in Jerusalem where they scattered) to preach the gospel all over the towns. You still remember, after Philip baptized the Ethiopian, he was taken away by the Holy Spirit. Then he appeared again in Azotus, 8:40, says, he travelled about preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.<br />
- I believe Philip preached at Joppa, one of the towns, on his way to Caesarea up North.<br />
- His preaching was very powerful and it resulted in conversion of a group of people, including Dorcas.<br />
- After conversion, she was zealously serving Christ by doing good and helping the poor.<br />
- In verse 37, we are told she became sick and died, and fellow disciples who might have been converted the effort of Philip quickly sent for apostle Peter who was at the nearby town of Lydda. Her body was delayed for burial for the purpose of prayer of Peter.<br />
- Immediately before the paragraph today, we read that Peter healed Aeneas who bed-ridden miraculously. The news of the great work of Jesus through Peter must have spread to Joppa which was just a few miles away from Lydda.<br />
- I believe Peter was told by these 2 disciples of great faith that Dorcs was dead and needed to be prayed for. By faith, Peter responded to the urgent to pray despite the death! Take note, it was out of faith, Peter went. Otherwise, there was no need to go as Dorcas was dead!<br />
- The widows showed Peter the clothing and robes, probably she had made for the poor. These widows who were crying probably were ministered by Dorcas before.<br />
- Peter, an apostle of great faith, now, faced with the impossible task of raising the dead.<br />
- When Peter was with Jesus, probably he had witnessed how Jesus raised the deads. (Matthew 9:24-25, Jesus raised the dead daughter of a ruler. Jesus said, "The girl is not dead but asleep." After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up; Luke 7:11-17 is about raising the dead son of a widow - Jesus simply commanded, "Young man, I say to you, get up!"; John 11:1-44, Lazarus was dead for 4 days, Jesus commanded, "Lazarus come out!"<br />
- Peter exercised his faith according to pattern of Jesus raising the dead. He sent the crowd out of the room as he learnt from Jesus, he just commanded like Jesus, "Tabitha, get up." And miracle happened.<br />
- In verse 42, it said the miracle caused many people to believe in Jesus. Notice the purpose of raising the dead is to cause people to come to Jesus in faith.<br />
- Then, in verse 43, it was specifically mentioned Peter stayed with an unclean man Simon, a tanner, treating animal skins for sale; it showed Peter's (a Jew) willingness to mix with the unclean as Simon treated unclean animal skin. He was prepared for the vision of eating the unclean animal in the next chapter.<br />
- I want you to especially take note of the faith that Peter exercise to raise the dead. I am not preaching to you to raise the dead, but I am preaching to you to at least exercise your faith to pray for the sick and heal them.<br />
- You may not have Peter's faith of raising the dead. But you are all challenged to exercise your faith to pray for healing of the sick.<br />
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<b>C. How to pray for the sick by Faith<br />
</b>- It was something practiced in the early church.<br />
- James 5:13-16, a passage that is very dear to my hear. I have been using it minister the sick and pray according for at least 10 years now.<br />
- James is a letter written by the oldest brother of Jesus, a leader of the important council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:13).<br />
- The instruction by James to the sick, was to call the elders of the church to pray and anoint him in the name of the Lord. Today, in our church, we have church leaders (Local Church Executive Committee) and they are equivalent to church elders.<br />
- The promise is this, in verse 15, it says the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.<br />
- What preparation we have to do before we pray for the sick? James says in verse 16, elders and the sick need to confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful an effective.<br />
- Take note of the faith and holiness involved in praying for the sick.<br />
- Now, I want to ask question why is it that the sick person and even the elders have to confess our sins?<br />
- I believe it has to do with the holiness needed to usher in the healing power of God.<br />
- The other reason could be the connection between sin and sickness. Your anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred, your worries, your sin of gluttony (of which I used to commit as I overeat), you smoke cigarette, you drink too much alcohol, you do not rest well, you commit adultery and get all the sexual diseases; our sins cause our body immunity system to go down and subject ourselves to all the attack of virus and germs.<br />
- We do not take care of our body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit, we sin against God.<br />
- We repent from our sins, God will heal.<br />
- As I pray for the sick, I always ask God for the forgiveness of my own sins first and I command the sickness or certain spirit (e.g., hatred, anger, lie, lust, jealousy, unforgiveness) to leave.<br />
- On top of healing, then, I pray for Jesus to fill the person with love, faith, joy, etc.<br />
- In all these, you got to believe Jesus heals.<br />
- Personally, as I pray for the sick, as far as possible I lay hands on their forehead as I anoint them with olive oil.<br />
- In some cases, I even lay hands on the affected partis as it is more personal to do so.<br />
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<b>D. Applications</b><br />
- (1) You really need to believe that Jesus heals. You must have the faith before you can pray for the sick. After your prayers, after the patient gets well or nor, we leave it to Jesus. Your role is to exercise your faith. Start to pray for healing for yourself when you are sick; then, your family members; then, come in person to pray for the sick.<br />
- (2) When there is a healing, you can give a testimony of God's healing. Remember you are just an instrument, you are not a healer, Jesus is the healer.<br />
- (3) There are people who are gifted to heal. If Jesus has given the gift of healing to you by all means, use it. 1Cor 12:9, specifically mentions gifts of healing. As there are so many kinds of sickness, Jesus distributes each gift of healing to a particular person whom he choose to use. Matthew 10:1 talks about Jesus giving authority to His 12 disciples to drive out evil spirits and to heal the sickness and every disease. I believe we are all authorize to pray for the sick to heal! Do you?<br />
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<b>E. Conclusion</b><br />
- Sickness and diseases will remind us of our mortality, weakness and fragility of life and physical body.<br />
- When we are willing to exercise our faith to pray for the sick and healings happen, it helps people to come to know Jesus and be saved eternally and become His disciples.<br />
- Those who are Christians who healed, we become more committted to serve Jesus.Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457180204237059898noreply@blogger.com0