Written By Rev. Law Hui Seng
9th August, 2009
Posted By Teresa Han
1Thess 5:16-18
Main Idea: Give Thanks In All Circumstances
Objectives: a. To challenge the congregation to give thanks in all circumstances. b. To challenge the congregation to take concrete action to show your gratitude to God for what He has done for you.
A. Introduction What Thanksgiving is all about?
- Too often our gratitude is dependent on the circumstances of life. A beautiful hymn to counteract such thinking was written by Martin Rinkart during 30 years war (1618-1648). Rinkart was a pastor in Saxony, Germany, as these turbulent years unfurled, and for a season he was the only pastor in Eilenburg. His pastoral duties caused him to preside at nearly 4,500 burials in 1637 alone. In the context of this bad circumstance, Rinkart penned the words to “Now Thank We All Our God.” It is a hymn of unconditional gratitude to God. We need to learn from the content of it in this thanksgiving season.
- A grouchy, young man was confronted by his pastor for being so negative during the Thanksgiving season. The young man responded, “Preacher, what do I have to be thankful for? I don’t have even enough money to pay all of my bills!” The wise pastor replied, “In that case, you should be thankful that you aren’t one of your creditors.”
- A little boy was asked by his father to say grace at the table. While the rest of the family members waited, the little guy eyed every dish of food his mother had prepared. After examination, he bowed his head and honestly prayed, “Lord, I don’t like the looks of it, but I thank you for it, and I’ll eat it anyway. Amen.”
- These are good examles of giving thanks in all circumstances.
- How can you give thanks to God when you have a car accident? Sickness and suffering? Broken relationship? Bad day?
- I pray that at the end of my sermon, you will be able to agree with word of God and start to practise “Give thanks in all circumstances” – especially in bad circumstances.
B. The Context of the 2 Verses
- Before verse 18, you have verse 16, Be joyful always, verse 17 says you need to pray continually.
- These 3 verses are among the last few verses of the 1Thessalonians. Why this kind of final instruction? According to the immediate context, from verses 12 to 15 the reason could be due to some interpersonal problems among the Thessalonians.
- Commentator Leon Morris believed the leaders of the Thessalonian church tried to put things right, and their manner of doing so may well have aroused opposition.
- To address the the problem, Paul came in to help the situation by instructing them: verse 12 to respect those who work hard among them
Verse 13 to hold them in the highest regard; live in peace
Verse 14 to warn the lazy, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient
Verse 15 don’t pay back wrong for wrong, try to be kind to each other.
C. Explaining the text.
- Joy. In doing all these things, the readers, the congregation is to approach all these things with a joyful attitude.
- That is why Paul wrote the verse 16, “Be joyful always;”
- For a christian to be joyful always requires him to be born again, a new creation; he does not see things from earthly perspectives.
- He sees things as a child of the heavenly father, he rejoices in the father’s world.
- He does not produce joy by his own efforts; take for instance, he is happy when things go well; not this joy that depend on circumstances.
- It is the joy that comes from being in Christ. How? In very bad circumstance, you have to think more of Jesus than your difficulties; you have to think more of your spiritual richness in Christ than your poverty on earth; you have to think more of your glorious future with Christ than your unhappy past; interpersonal relationship problem/conflict. If so, you can rejoice now.
- Prayer. From this joy, it will spring forth continuous prayer; joy in your life will give rise to a spirit of prayer.
- Christianity is a “faith” that turns your thoughts away from yourself and your small deeds to the great God who has blessed you with the great salvation in Christ.
- It is God, Jesus who saved you, you can’t bring about your salvation.
- After you are saved, you are to depend on God for everything; God surround you with love.
- Continuous prayer is the continuous expression of this dependence.
- Prayer and rejoicing are closely related, for often you find in prayer the means of removing that which is the barrier to joy.
- Give Thanks. Prayer removes obstacles to your joy, it results in Christians giving thanks to God in all circumstances, including the bad circumstance.
- You see, after you are saved by Christ, everything is changed. You have eternal life. Now, God has every right to intervene in your life; He wants to work out his loving purpose for your life.
- This leads to the thought that the same loving purpose is being worked out even in those events which the believer is inclined not to welcome at all.
- When you come to realize that God’s hand is in all things, you learn to give thanks in all things. It includes suffering.
- Suffering is unpleasant, yet in the midst of suffering, you will give thanks, knowing that the heavenly father who loves you so greatly has permitted suffering on you or your loved ones so that his wise and merciful purpose might be worked out.
- Out of this central truth, Paul calls all of you to give thanks to God in all circumstances.
- In chapter 1:6, we are told that in severe suffering, Thessalonians welcomed Paul’s message with joy given by the Holy Spirit.
D. Application.- How do you apply verse 18 “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
- When you do it, your faith will grow deeper. Your faith will not be superficial. That is you will not give thanks to God for good things only. You will also give thanks in bad circumstances. Take for instance, you will not let your emotions affect your relationship with God.
- Your faith will grow stronger. This is because you are able to stand the test. Bad circumstances test the strength of your relationship with God. In bad circumstance, you still trust God, hold on to Him and do not doubt Him, your faith will grow stronger.
- Fanny Crosby, a blind gospel hymn writer in the 19th century, wrote more than 8000 texts. One of her hymns is found in UMH 369 Bessed Assurance. In suffering of blindness, she can count God’s blessings and goodness.
- Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called to his purpose.”
- 1Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
- James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
- Whatever trials you face in life, as your faith is tested, it will produce the character of perseverance which leads to maturity.
- How do you practically give thanks to God? In terms of good things you get, remember to pray; tell others to witness for Jesus; write about it; give an offering; sing a song of thanksgiving.
- In terms of bad things you get, you also give thanks immediately and acknowledge God’s goodness; pray to give thanks for other things; after everything is over, you give thanks for the bad circumstance because God use it to mould your character.
E. Conclusion.
The best way to give thanks to God in all circumstances is to offer to serve God, tell God, “Here I am, I am available to serve you, as an act of gratitude to your blessings, moulding. I am willing.....”
Healing of Peter
Written By Rev Law Hui Seng
Missions Sunday, 12th July, 2009
Posted By Teresa Han
Acts 3:1-10
Main Idea: Healing of sickness is part of missions
Objectives: a. To teach that in missions, you need to meet the needs of people. b. To teach that in missions, you need to exercise your faith. c. To teach that in missions, you need to draw people to God.
A. Introduction
- David Livingston was a pioneer missionary to Africa (1813-1873). A native chief named Sachele once asked the missionary a piercing question: “Because it is true that all who die unforgiven are lost forever, why did your nation not come to tell us before now?”
- One of the strongest advocates for mission work was Annie Walker Armstrong. She was impassioned by our Lord’s command to be his witnesses throughout the world. As she sought to carry out this responsibility, she felt called to the role of raising missions awareness and support for missionaries. Her level of commitment to this calling is reflected in her zealous correspondence. Without the luxury of computers or telephones, she used a simple pen to revolutionize mission involvement. Each year she wrote thousands of letters, and in 1893 alone, Annie Armstrong wrote 17,718 letters as an advocate of missions. That’s nearly 50 letters a day, seven days a week. When we think of missions and cour commitment to reaching the world for Christ, may each of us pray for a passion equal to that of Annie Armstrong.
- Today, GMC is doing Missions Sunday, I am going to focus on healing as very much part of missions. The passage today shows it.
- Why healing is very much part of missions? The reason is very simple, every where you go, here in Miri, long houses in Balingian, Kapit, Bintulu, Belaga, and Cambodia; and everywhere, you find people who are sick. They are not accessible to a medical doctor immediately. So, you need to pray for healing.
B. What is so significant about Peter’s healing?
- In the early church, healing was very much part of the apostles’ and disciples’ ministry. You see this in today’s passage. I pray that after you have listened to the sermon today, when you go for mission or when anyone get sick you will pray for healing and expect God to heal.
- Now, bearing in mind, the event of the passage today is after the Pentecost, where the disciples have received the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It was the Holy Spirit who enabled apostle Peter to heal! You must not miss this point.
- On this usual day where every Jew was going to the temple to worship, apostles Peter and John did the same. They were stopped by a crippled beggar and he asked them to give him money. This is where the whole event of healing unfold.
- Let us see the significance of the event of healing. I see 4 element of significance for your learning in missions today:
- (1). Firstly, the crippled beggar expected to get money from Peter and John. You see this in verses 3 and 5. This was when Peter asked the beggar to look at them. This was when the beggar looked straight into the eyes of Peter and John. You see this in verse 4. For the beggar, who was so lost, so desperate, his immediate need was some money to buy food to feed his stomach everyday. But the apostles saw that his needs were more than that. Apostles saw that he needed healing and salvation.
- Brothers and sisters, in missions, you need to meet the needs of people. People who are lost may not be able to see their deeper need for salvation but in missions, we still need to meet their immediate needs. Meeting their immediate needs or short term needs are means to earn our credibility or our right to preach and make disciples among the people whom we reach out.
- (2). Secondly, the healing of Peter is a demonstration of the presence of power in the name of Jesus Christ. In verse 6, Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” And then, Peter went on to get him to walk and the crippled man from birth walked. A miracle happened. Notice the authority of healing is coming from the name of Jesus.
- Brothers and sisters, in doing missions, you believe that your God, Jesus Christ is living, you need to use the authority of His name to command for healing of diseases.
- (3). Thirdly, there is great faith in apostle Peter. In verses 7 and 8, after he commanded the crippled beggar from birth to walk, he did not just leave him alone. He took the action of faith and grasped his arm to ask him to stand up and the word of God says, “...instantly the man feels and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
- I pray that you now see why healing is very much a part of missions. When people see the power of praying in Jesus’ name and healing happened, people come to know Jesus and be saved. However, you healing must not become the only means to do missions. It is just part of it. When it happens, it is God’s doing.
- But, in order for us to do the healing, we must be like Peter, to exercise our faith to pray and heal. Do not be scare that after you pray, healing does not happen. You need to keep exercising your faith in Christ.
- (4). Fourthly, healing of Peter drew people to God. Healing of Peter is very significant because it not only drew the crippled beggar to God but also the crowd who watched. In verse 10, it says, “they regconized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what happened to him.” Notice the verse says that the crowd who watched were filled with wonder and amazement. Normally, in a miracle, it produces that kind of effect. But in this case, it was brought by apostle Peter, so, people would attribute the miracle to Peter’s God, that is Jesus Christ.
- This miracle drew people to God. If a miracle does not result in anybody worshipping God more; love Jesus more; serve Jesus more; life transformed, I believe God will do the miracle. God will only give a miracle for His purpose.
C. Applications.
- I pray the word of God today has ministered and you are totally convinced that the healing event of Peter is so relevant to help us to do missions. I pray that you are now excited to see how we apply the word of God in our life and in missions ministry in GMC.
- Firstly, as Peter met the needs of the crippled beggar from birth, I pray that you meet the needs of people in missions. I say with absolute certainty that in missions, you cannot just offer the gospel of salvation without meeting the immediate needs or the short term needs. If you have opportunities to pray for healing of sickness, you must do it because it is part of missions. Remember, you are empowered by the Holy Spirit to do it.
- So, in our missions to here in Miri, long houses in Balingian, Kapit, Bintulu, Belaga, and Cambodia, what needs you need to meet? Meeting the needs of people is doing missions!
- The greatest immediate and long term need of the Belaga Penans is education (Gospel of salvation is the primary need of course).
- Secondly, as Peter exercise faith to heal the crippled beggar from birth, you need to exercise faith in missions. I imagine that in this church, some of our faith our getting ‘rusty’ because we seldom exercise our faith in Christ. Because we do not even thank God for the food we take everyday; we do not pray for journey mercy when we travel; we do not preach the gospel to someone; we do not pray to God to overcome our problems; we do not pray to God to send us for missions; we take God for granted and we believe money cannot solve everything; materialism is the key to everything.
- Will pray for God to call you to do missions? Or, this question is simply irrelevant because by virtue of our faith in Christ, as a disciple of Jesus, mission is automatically part of us and a way of life. We have done the 40 days of purpose, you know missions is one of our 5 purposes on earth that God desires us to do.
- Even then, it requires to exercise lots of faith to do missions. We need the faith to overcome all the fears; all the inconvenience we can imagine; all the prices; in order to go out there somewhere to do missions. Jesus has paid the all the price on the cross for the redemption of our sinfulness. As He has done it, he did not without a complain. As He has done so much for you, what is your response to Him.
- I pray that every time when you hear me preach like that, you feel guilty and you will take action to love Him by doing missions in whatever way you can here locally or elsewhere. The point is do something outside the church; outside your family. Of course, if your family members, then, you have to do something about them.
- Thirdly, when you are in mission, make sure that your effort is to draw people to God, not yourself. It is all for Jesus.
D. Conclusion.
- Will people whom you ministered feel amazed by what you have done? Will you become a messenger of Christ in missions?
Missions Sunday, 12th July, 2009
Posted By Teresa Han
Acts 3:1-10
Main Idea: Healing of sickness is part of missions
Objectives: a. To teach that in missions, you need to meet the needs of people. b. To teach that in missions, you need to exercise your faith. c. To teach that in missions, you need to draw people to God.
A. Introduction
- David Livingston was a pioneer missionary to Africa (1813-1873). A native chief named Sachele once asked the missionary a piercing question: “Because it is true that all who die unforgiven are lost forever, why did your nation not come to tell us before now?”
- One of the strongest advocates for mission work was Annie Walker Armstrong. She was impassioned by our Lord’s command to be his witnesses throughout the world. As she sought to carry out this responsibility, she felt called to the role of raising missions awareness and support for missionaries. Her level of commitment to this calling is reflected in her zealous correspondence. Without the luxury of computers or telephones, she used a simple pen to revolutionize mission involvement. Each year she wrote thousands of letters, and in 1893 alone, Annie Armstrong wrote 17,718 letters as an advocate of missions. That’s nearly 50 letters a day, seven days a week. When we think of missions and cour commitment to reaching the world for Christ, may each of us pray for a passion equal to that of Annie Armstrong.
- Today, GMC is doing Missions Sunday, I am going to focus on healing as very much part of missions. The passage today shows it.
- Why healing is very much part of missions? The reason is very simple, every where you go, here in Miri, long houses in Balingian, Kapit, Bintulu, Belaga, and Cambodia; and everywhere, you find people who are sick. They are not accessible to a medical doctor immediately. So, you need to pray for healing.
B. What is so significant about Peter’s healing?
- In the early church, healing was very much part of the apostles’ and disciples’ ministry. You see this in today’s passage. I pray that after you have listened to the sermon today, when you go for mission or when anyone get sick you will pray for healing and expect God to heal.
- Now, bearing in mind, the event of the passage today is after the Pentecost, where the disciples have received the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It was the Holy Spirit who enabled apostle Peter to heal! You must not miss this point.
- On this usual day where every Jew was going to the temple to worship, apostles Peter and John did the same. They were stopped by a crippled beggar and he asked them to give him money. This is where the whole event of healing unfold.
- Let us see the significance of the event of healing. I see 4 element of significance for your learning in missions today:
- (1). Firstly, the crippled beggar expected to get money from Peter and John. You see this in verses 3 and 5. This was when Peter asked the beggar to look at them. This was when the beggar looked straight into the eyes of Peter and John. You see this in verse 4. For the beggar, who was so lost, so desperate, his immediate need was some money to buy food to feed his stomach everyday. But the apostles saw that his needs were more than that. Apostles saw that he needed healing and salvation.
- Brothers and sisters, in missions, you need to meet the needs of people. People who are lost may not be able to see their deeper need for salvation but in missions, we still need to meet their immediate needs. Meeting their immediate needs or short term needs are means to earn our credibility or our right to preach and make disciples among the people whom we reach out.
- (2). Secondly, the healing of Peter is a demonstration of the presence of power in the name of Jesus Christ. In verse 6, Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” And then, Peter went on to get him to walk and the crippled man from birth walked. A miracle happened. Notice the authority of healing is coming from the name of Jesus.
- Brothers and sisters, in doing missions, you believe that your God, Jesus Christ is living, you need to use the authority of His name to command for healing of diseases.
- (3). Thirdly, there is great faith in apostle Peter. In verses 7 and 8, after he commanded the crippled beggar from birth to walk, he did not just leave him alone. He took the action of faith and grasped his arm to ask him to stand up and the word of God says, “...instantly the man feels and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
- I pray that you now see why healing is very much a part of missions. When people see the power of praying in Jesus’ name and healing happened, people come to know Jesus and be saved. However, you healing must not become the only means to do missions. It is just part of it. When it happens, it is God’s doing.
- But, in order for us to do the healing, we must be like Peter, to exercise our faith to pray and heal. Do not be scare that after you pray, healing does not happen. You need to keep exercising your faith in Christ.
- (4). Fourthly, healing of Peter drew people to God. Healing of Peter is very significant because it not only drew the crippled beggar to God but also the crowd who watched. In verse 10, it says, “they regconized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what happened to him.” Notice the verse says that the crowd who watched were filled with wonder and amazement. Normally, in a miracle, it produces that kind of effect. But in this case, it was brought by apostle Peter, so, people would attribute the miracle to Peter’s God, that is Jesus Christ.
- This miracle drew people to God. If a miracle does not result in anybody worshipping God more; love Jesus more; serve Jesus more; life transformed, I believe God will do the miracle. God will only give a miracle for His purpose.
C. Applications.
- I pray the word of God today has ministered and you are totally convinced that the healing event of Peter is so relevant to help us to do missions. I pray that you are now excited to see how we apply the word of God in our life and in missions ministry in GMC.
- Firstly, as Peter met the needs of the crippled beggar from birth, I pray that you meet the needs of people in missions. I say with absolute certainty that in missions, you cannot just offer the gospel of salvation without meeting the immediate needs or the short term needs. If you have opportunities to pray for healing of sickness, you must do it because it is part of missions. Remember, you are empowered by the Holy Spirit to do it.
- So, in our missions to here in Miri, long houses in Balingian, Kapit, Bintulu, Belaga, and Cambodia, what needs you need to meet? Meeting the needs of people is doing missions!
- The greatest immediate and long term need of the Belaga Penans is education (Gospel of salvation is the primary need of course).
- Secondly, as Peter exercise faith to heal the crippled beggar from birth, you need to exercise faith in missions. I imagine that in this church, some of our faith our getting ‘rusty’ because we seldom exercise our faith in Christ. Because we do not even thank God for the food we take everyday; we do not pray for journey mercy when we travel; we do not preach the gospel to someone; we do not pray to God to overcome our problems; we do not pray to God to send us for missions; we take God for granted and we believe money cannot solve everything; materialism is the key to everything.
- Will pray for God to call you to do missions? Or, this question is simply irrelevant because by virtue of our faith in Christ, as a disciple of Jesus, mission is automatically part of us and a way of life. We have done the 40 days of purpose, you know missions is one of our 5 purposes on earth that God desires us to do.
- Even then, it requires to exercise lots of faith to do missions. We need the faith to overcome all the fears; all the inconvenience we can imagine; all the prices; in order to go out there somewhere to do missions. Jesus has paid the all the price on the cross for the redemption of our sinfulness. As He has done it, he did not without a complain. As He has done so much for you, what is your response to Him.
- I pray that every time when you hear me preach like that, you feel guilty and you will take action to love Him by doing missions in whatever way you can here locally or elsewhere. The point is do something outside the church; outside your family. Of course, if your family members, then, you have to do something about them.
- Thirdly, when you are in mission, make sure that your effort is to draw people to God, not yourself. It is all for Jesus.
D. Conclusion.
- Will people whom you ministered feel amazed by what you have done? Will you become a messenger of Christ in missions?
Powerful Impacts of Peter’s Sermon
Written By Rev. Law Hui Seng
5th July, 2009
Posted By Teresa Han
Acts 2:14-47
Main Idea: Preaching in the name of Jesus can produce life transformation impact.
Objectives: a. To explain the basis of Christ’s authority as God. b. To help the congregation to believe in the power of preaching in the name of Jesus.
A. Introduction
- Jonathan Edwards, a famous American preacher says, “I go to preach with 2 propositions in mind. First, every person ought to give his life to Christ. Second, whether or not anyone else gives his life, I will give him mine.”
- If Jonathan Edwards did not believe in the power of Christ to the world, he would not make those 2 statements. I agree with him on the 2 statements also.
- I believe the same with this great servant of God because I believe in the power of preaching and sermon. The Holy Spirit can use preaching and sermons to result in people coming to salvation in God.
- Do you believe that every sermon can impact your life if you are humble and serious to learn from it?
- In the early church history according to the passage today, after the coming down of the Holy Spirit, the apostles and disciples, especially the 120 who met in upper room, who received the Holy Spirit in the most spectacular manner.
- Now, especially, apostle Peter and the other 11 apostles, and also the writer of Acts, Luke, were ministering together in the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter explained the phenomenon of the work of the Holy Spirit.
- And then, he went on to preach the most powerful sermon in his life. A sermon that was based on Jesus Christ, and it resulted in the conversion of 3000 people.
B. Peter’s explanation of the phenomenon of the Holy Spirit (verses 14-21)
- Peter and the 11 apostle were very sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Since there was a great crowd who assembled around them as a result of the mighty manifestation of the Holy Spirit, he grasped the opportunity to explain and preach on the person of Jesus Christ. The crowd was made up of Jews and those who lived in Jerusalem (verse 14b).
- Appealing to logic, he explained that the 120 disciples of Jesus could not be drunk because it was 9 o’clock in the morning (verse 15). As the disciples were Jews and they did not eat so early in the morning.
- Then, Peter appealed to the authority of the Old Testament and quoted the relevant prophesies by prophet Joel (verses 17-21).
- He needed to appeal to the Old Testament for the Holy Spirit phenomenon as the Jews in the crowd needed it for the purpose of authentication. I believe a lot of Jews were later on convinced as some of them were cut to their hearts and asked what needed to be done after listening to Peter’s sermon (verse 37). They called Peter, brother.
- After appealing to the Old Testament, he got his perspective of the Holy Spirit, now, with all convictions, empowered by the Holy Spirit, he preached on the person of Jesus Christ. This was the person whom he and the rest of the disciples and apostles band on for salvation of mankind.
C. Basis of Christ’s authority as God (verses 22-28).
- I strongly believe that, by now, Peter, being filled with the Holy Spirit, he was ready to preach with all the fire, convictions, courage, without fear of death, to tell his audience especially the Jews where his authority of preaching was coming from.
- Before the Pentecost he was such a timid, when his master, Jesus, was arrested by the soldiers, he denied his relationship with Him 3 times, now, because of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, he was a completely different person, apostle.
- With all the courage, he spoke right into the face of the Jews in the crowd and literally told them this Jesus of Nazareth whom they had crucified had been sent from God as He had done miracles, wonders and signs witnessed by them. And raised Him from the dead, and now there was no way for death to defeat Him. He has defeated the death (verses 22-24).
- He really desired to tell the audience Jesus Christ was God sent and He is God.
- He also quoted from the Psalms of David to say that Jesus was prophesied by David and He would come from the line of David, and now it was fulfilled (verses 25-28).
D. Another basis of Christ’s authority: witness of Christ’s resurrection (verses 29-35).
- Then, with all confidence and trust in Jesus, Peter continued to emphasize the authority of preaching by reminding them in verse 32, “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.”
- He emphasized that Jesus was no mere human being, they saw him ascending to heaven with their naked eyes and He had even sent the Holy Spirit as He had promised; and experienced by them now. This is why he says in verse 33, “Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.”
E. Impact of Peter’s sermon (verses 36-47).
- After getting his authority of preaching right, now, his words were like a doubled edged sword that pierced into the hearts of his audience.
- He said in verse 36, “...God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” As if, he was calling his audience to consider what to do now with Jesus who has resurrected.
- How was the response to Peter’s sermon? The answer was found in verse 37, “...they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
- Peter’s revelation about the status and dignity of Jesus came as a total shock to them, and they were pierced to the heart by what he said. I believe this is the power of the Holy Spirit. When we pray for people to listen to the sermons, we must pray like that.
- The thought of piercing to the heart was from Psalm 109:16. It means being broken hearted and stand under conviction of sin.
- Next, with that kind of experience, even if you were there, you were also asked Peter what to do. Peter responded with conviction and certainty, without hesitation, in verse 38, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the Holy Spirit.”
- Peter put everything in a nutshell about what needs to be done. Peter called these people to repentance, first and foremost. Repentance in the sense of Jesus (Mark 1:15 , where Jesus says, “...The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.” Repentance indicates a change in a person’s life rather than simply a mental change of attitude or a feeling of remorse. It signifies turning away from a sinful and godless way of life.
- I stronly believe that this kind of repentance can only be brought by God, the power of the Holy Spirit, a gift of God.
- No wonder you need to be filled by the Holy Spirit when you preach. You need Holy Spirit in ministry and so He is promised to those who were converted right there and then.
- As a result of the sermon of Peter, verse verse 41 says that those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized and the number was 3000.
- The story did not finish there. It caused these converts to continue to meet together, in verses 42 to 47 it says that they continue for the purposes of teaching by apostles; fellowship; breaking of bread; prayers. That is why the church today, we still do the 4 means of grace.
F. Applications
- Let us now come back to you? Let us be honest with the word of God. Let us apply these 3 points:
- Firstly, on what authority you preach the gospel of salvation? I believe it must in the authority of the person of Jesus. You must be convinced of His death and resurrection are for your forgiveness of sin. You must be convinced He is still living and watching you. You must be convinced you must be responsible to Him and obey Him. You must be convinced He is the only God who judges you and gives you eternal life. You must be convinced that Jesus is the only answer to our human sinfulness, your sinfulness. Unless you have that kind of conviction, otherwise, your preaching has no authority at all.
- Secondly, can your preaching, bible studies, 9 month disciple course, BB, GB teaching of God’s word, Sunday School result in repentance? For repentace, it is turning away from sin and live a godly life. For that to happen, your life must be right with God; and you need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
- Thirdly, how do you follow up with people who have repented? You need to channel them to a small group or one of the groups in the church. You need to continue to meet for teaching, breaking of bread (Holy Communion), fellowship and prayer.
G. Conclusion.
- May we trust God to add to GMC the number of those who are saved.
Teaching Your Children To Fear God
Written By Rev. Law Hui Seng
28th June, 2009.
Parents Sunday
Posted By Teresa Han
Deutronomy 6:1-9
Main Idea: To teach your children to fear God.
Objectives: (1). Explain the purposes of fearing God. (2). To teach children how to fear God.
A. Introduction.- What gift you can give to children so that these children can stand the test and trials of all kinds when they are adults?
- Your answer must be something that can be counted for eternity.
- I strongly believe that the one gift that all parents/ adults must give to their children is this: Teaching your own children to fear God or teach children to fear God.
- Oswald Chambers says, “The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else.”
- Now, teaching children to fear God is something that is deep down in the heart of God. Today, God is still very much expecting us to do it.
- God expected the Israelites in Moses time to do it.
B. Background and Context- During Moses day, he was preparing a new generation of Israelites to enter the promised land, which was just over the Jordan River.
- Now, remember, it was something very difficult. The challenges were great because it was full of uncertainties, dangers from the attack of the enemies; mobilizing thousands of people to move along...
- How Moses prepared them? Normally, you would expect the writer of Deutronomy to at least mention about how Moses train the Israelites to fight. What a surprise? Fighting the enemies using warfare was not the emphasis in entering the promised land.
C. Explanation of text.- Instead, God used a very different approach. He wanted Moses to proclaim to the Israelites that He wanted them to observe all the commands, decrees and laws in the promised land.
- Take a look at the middle prat of verse 1, it says, “...God directed me to teach you to observe...” To observe what? The commands, laws, etc.
- And what was the ultimate purpose of obeying?
- The answer is clearly found in verse 2, “... so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God...”
- This was how Moses, and God prepared the Israelites to face the challenges ahead after crossing the river Jordan. Reminding the adult parents to teach their children and grandchildren to fear God.
- Now, in our context, the challenge is not to take on the physical promised land like the Israelites?
- Our challenge is how to help/ teach/ nurture/ train the next generation or the next next generation to face temptation of all kinds/ temptations that will bring them away from God; uncertainties of economic crisis that will come any time; challenge of illness; political uncertainties like a civil war or war between 2 countries....
- Our failure to prepare our children and grandchildren to face the world, a slight challenge that comes along, your children will give out their faiths; stop going to church, stop praying, stop practising christian values....
D. Applications/ Challenge of fearing God.- The best way to prepare our children and the next next generation is like the way Moses or the way of God. Now, in the first place, do you yourself fear God or not?
- (1). The first point of application is you yourself needs to set an example of fearing God when your children were still small; when they still depend on you. When you have done your best, if your children, or children who are under you still grow up to become gangsters, practise immoralities, not fearing God and not obeying God’s command, then, I believe God will understand you. But if you fail to give a good example, then, God will of course discipline you and hold you accountable.
- Do you yourself fear God? Do you desire to worship God? Do you desire to read bible and obey God’s word? When God says no, do you say yes? Do you consult God when it comes to decision making? All these show whether you fear God or not. Obedience to God’s commands show your fear of God.
- If you do not, then, you cannot nurture your children to fear God.
- Now, let me show you what are the differences of not fearing God and fearing God.
- People who do not fear God will say, “Where is God?” People who fear God will stick to the bible and believe in Psalms 14:1, “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
- People who not fear God believe, “Death is the end of everything.” People who fear God will understand and believe Hebrews 9:27, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement.”
- People who are not fearing God believe, “All good people can go to Heaven.” People who fear God believe what Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
- People who do not fear God believe, “I follow my conscience. My conscience will guide me.” People who are God fearing, they stick to Proverbs 16:2, “All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.”
- People who do not fear God complain, “How come I have had such a streak of bad luck?” People who fear God believe with all convictions what is written in Romans 8:28, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
- People who are not fearing God, they easily say, “The devil made me do it!” People who fear God will depend on God and believe in James 4:7, “Submit yourself to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
- (2). The second point of application is that you must know the purpose of fearing God. In verse 2b, it says, “so that you may enjoy long life” (health). In verse 3a, it says, “so that it may go well with you.” (it means a smooth life in making a living) In verse 3c. it says, “that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey. (you will have acquisition of health and wealth, food production) Fearing God gives you all these benefits and rewards, do you want to fear Him now? I pray that you do.
- (3). The third point of application is that you need to know how to fear God. Verses 4-9, we see how the writer of Deutronomy teaches the Israelites how to remember the commands so that they could obey them and fear God.
- The 2 commands “The Lord our God, the Lord is one” in verse 4 and “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” In verse 5 are even quoted by Jesus.
- The 2 commands show God is very particular about how we use our heart, soul and strength. We need to use our everything to focus on Him. He desires to govern our heart, soul and strength. Do you allow God to do so in your life? This is what He required Israelites to do.
- What the Israelites were to do with the 2 commands? You find the answer in verse 7, impress (teach)... talk... walk...lie... get up from sleep... (the commands are meant to govern the Isrealites’ homes.
- Then, in verse 8, it says the Israelites must tie them as symbol on hands and bind them on foreheads, write them on door frames, house and gates. All these efforts show that God desire the Israelites to allow the 2 commands to govern their habits and conducts, personally, privately and publicly). These are ways and means to fear God.
- For us today, God expects us to do the same thing as Israelites as we are believing in the same God of Abraham. We may not do exactly the same things as Israelites, but we need to fear Him. How?
- You need to be consistent in your word and action. When you nurture your children, does your word match your action? Do as I say or do as I do?
- Some of your may drop your children for Sunday School and not come to church. This is do as I say? If your children come to church and you also come, then, you practise do as I do. You set an example for your children to fear God. If not, they see your inconsistency, after primary 6, they also say bye-bye to Sunday School. By then, they have an independent mind, they choose not to come anymore.
- When you are inconsistent, you will be a confusing model to your children.
E. Conclusion
- How do you teach your children to fear God?
- Consistency is the answer.
- Decide to fear God now, the highest value of your journey of faith and that must be the way forward, the only way forward, in raising up your children. In helping your children to fight against all kinds of temptations and secul
28th June, 2009.
Parents Sunday
Posted By Teresa Han
Deutronomy 6:1-9
Main Idea: To teach your children to fear God.
Objectives: (1). Explain the purposes of fearing God. (2). To teach children how to fear God.
A. Introduction.- What gift you can give to children so that these children can stand the test and trials of all kinds when they are adults?
- Your answer must be something that can be counted for eternity.
- I strongly believe that the one gift that all parents/ adults must give to their children is this: Teaching your own children to fear God or teach children to fear God.
- Oswald Chambers says, “The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else.”
- Now, teaching children to fear God is something that is deep down in the heart of God. Today, God is still very much expecting us to do it.
- God expected the Israelites in Moses time to do it.
B. Background and Context- During Moses day, he was preparing a new generation of Israelites to enter the promised land, which was just over the Jordan River.
- Now, remember, it was something very difficult. The challenges were great because it was full of uncertainties, dangers from the attack of the enemies; mobilizing thousands of people to move along...
- How Moses prepared them? Normally, you would expect the writer of Deutronomy to at least mention about how Moses train the Israelites to fight. What a surprise? Fighting the enemies using warfare was not the emphasis in entering the promised land.
C. Explanation of text.- Instead, God used a very different approach. He wanted Moses to proclaim to the Israelites that He wanted them to observe all the commands, decrees and laws in the promised land.
- Take a look at the middle prat of verse 1, it says, “...God directed me to teach you to observe...” To observe what? The commands, laws, etc.
- And what was the ultimate purpose of obeying?
- The answer is clearly found in verse 2, “... so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God...”
- This was how Moses, and God prepared the Israelites to face the challenges ahead after crossing the river Jordan. Reminding the adult parents to teach their children and grandchildren to fear God.
- Now, in our context, the challenge is not to take on the physical promised land like the Israelites?
- Our challenge is how to help/ teach/ nurture/ train the next generation or the next next generation to face temptation of all kinds/ temptations that will bring them away from God; uncertainties of economic crisis that will come any time; challenge of illness; political uncertainties like a civil war or war between 2 countries....
- Our failure to prepare our children and grandchildren to face the world, a slight challenge that comes along, your children will give out their faiths; stop going to church, stop praying, stop practising christian values....
D. Applications/ Challenge of fearing God.- The best way to prepare our children and the next next generation is like the way Moses or the way of God. Now, in the first place, do you yourself fear God or not?
- (1). The first point of application is you yourself needs to set an example of fearing God when your children were still small; when they still depend on you. When you have done your best, if your children, or children who are under you still grow up to become gangsters, practise immoralities, not fearing God and not obeying God’s command, then, I believe God will understand you. But if you fail to give a good example, then, God will of course discipline you and hold you accountable.
- Do you yourself fear God? Do you desire to worship God? Do you desire to read bible and obey God’s word? When God says no, do you say yes? Do you consult God when it comes to decision making? All these show whether you fear God or not. Obedience to God’s commands show your fear of God.
- If you do not, then, you cannot nurture your children to fear God.
- Now, let me show you what are the differences of not fearing God and fearing God.
- People who do not fear God will say, “Where is God?” People who fear God will stick to the bible and believe in Psalms 14:1, “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
- People who not fear God believe, “Death is the end of everything.” People who fear God will understand and believe Hebrews 9:27, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement.”
- People who are not fearing God believe, “All good people can go to Heaven.” People who fear God believe what Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
- People who do not fear God believe, “I follow my conscience. My conscience will guide me.” People who are God fearing, they stick to Proverbs 16:2, “All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.”
- People who do not fear God complain, “How come I have had such a streak of bad luck?” People who fear God believe with all convictions what is written in Romans 8:28, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
- People who are not fearing God, they easily say, “The devil made me do it!” People who fear God will depend on God and believe in James 4:7, “Submit yourself to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
- (2). The second point of application is that you must know the purpose of fearing God. In verse 2b, it says, “so that you may enjoy long life” (health). In verse 3a, it says, “so that it may go well with you.” (it means a smooth life in making a living) In verse 3c. it says, “that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey. (you will have acquisition of health and wealth, food production) Fearing God gives you all these benefits and rewards, do you want to fear Him now? I pray that you do.
- (3). The third point of application is that you need to know how to fear God. Verses 4-9, we see how the writer of Deutronomy teaches the Israelites how to remember the commands so that they could obey them and fear God.
- The 2 commands “The Lord our God, the Lord is one” in verse 4 and “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” In verse 5 are even quoted by Jesus.
- The 2 commands show God is very particular about how we use our heart, soul and strength. We need to use our everything to focus on Him. He desires to govern our heart, soul and strength. Do you allow God to do so in your life? This is what He required Israelites to do.
- What the Israelites were to do with the 2 commands? You find the answer in verse 7, impress (teach)... talk... walk...lie... get up from sleep... (the commands are meant to govern the Isrealites’ homes.
- Then, in verse 8, it says the Israelites must tie them as symbol on hands and bind them on foreheads, write them on door frames, house and gates. All these efforts show that God desire the Israelites to allow the 2 commands to govern their habits and conducts, personally, privately and publicly). These are ways and means to fear God.
- For us today, God expects us to do the same thing as Israelites as we are believing in the same God of Abraham. We may not do exactly the same things as Israelites, but we need to fear Him. How?
- You need to be consistent in your word and action. When you nurture your children, does your word match your action? Do as I say or do as I do?
- Some of your may drop your children for Sunday School and not come to church. This is do as I say? If your children come to church and you also come, then, you practise do as I do. You set an example for your children to fear God. If not, they see your inconsistency, after primary 6, they also say bye-bye to Sunday School. By then, they have an independent mind, they choose not to come anymore.
- When you are inconsistent, you will be a confusing model to your children.
E. Conclusion
- How do you teach your children to fear God?
- Consistency is the answer.
- Decide to fear God now, the highest value of your journey of faith and that must be the way forward, the only way forward, in raising up your children. In helping your children to fight against all kinds of temptations and secul
The Descending of the Holy Spirit
Written By Rev Law Hui Seng
21th June, 2009
Posted By Teresa Han
Acts 2:1-13
Main Idea: The great impact of the Holy Spirit among the early disciples.
Objectives: a. To show the great impact of the Holy Spirit among the early disciples. b. To show that we need the impact of the Holy Spirit as well in GMC.
A. Introduction
- Oswald Sanders says, “A great deal of our ineffectiveness can be attributed to ignoring the Holy Spirit.”
- From Acts 12:2 we know that Herod beheaded the apostle James, brother of John, but do you know the rest of this story? According to tradition, James was the first apostle to suffer death after the martyrdom of Stephen. Although Herod was the authority that took his head, James’ fate started when a nameless individual brought charges against him before the tribunal. When the case was over and James had been condemned to death, the man who had instigated the trial was deeply moved by the behaviour and continence (the ability to control oneself especially the bodily desires and feelings) of the apostle. James was so filled with the Spirit of God that on the way to the place of execution the one who had initiated the charges against him made a confession of faith in Christ. When he asked James to forgive him, the apostle said, “Peace be to you, brother.” James then kissed him and both men were beheaded for their faith in 36 A.D. A spirit-filled life may lead to physical death, but more importantly, it always leads to eternal life.
- D. L. Moody, the American evangelist, once used a glass as an object to teach that the love of God overcomes our evil nature and controls lives. He asked his audience, “How can I get the air out of this glass?” One person said, “Suck it out with a pump.” But Moody insisted that this would create a vacuum and break the glass. He listen to a couple of other suggestions and then picked up a pitcher of water and filled the glass. “There”, he said, “all the air is removed. We cannot overcome evil and enmity, bitterness and temptation, simply by fighting against it. We must let the Holy Spirit fill our hearts, let Him pour in love until it overflows.”
- To all these disciple of Jesus, the person of the Holy Spirit is very real. Is He real to you? To the early disciples the Holy Spirit was very real to them. In fact, the Holy Spirit was so real to the early disciples that you can see the work of the Holy Spirit all over the pages of the book of Acts.
B. How real was the Holy Spirit to the early disciples?- The passage today really opens our eyes to see that the Holy Spirit was so real that the disciples could see and feel Him. This is recorded in verses 1 to 5.
- When the days of waiting called by Jesus were over, the Holy Spirit came upon the assembled group of disciples in a new way, accompanied by supernatural signs and causing them to burst out into the praise of God in languages other than their own.
- It is also fufilling the prophecies of prophet Isaiah 32:15, “till the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field,...” and prophet Joel also said in 2:28 -32, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions...And evryone who calls on the name of Lord will be saved...”
- The promised “Holy Spirit” by Jesus and the prophets of Old Testament came during Pentecost. Pentecost is the New Testament name for the feast of weeks, when the wheat harvest was celebrated by a one-day festival during which special sacrifices were offered (Ex 23:16; Lev 23:15-21).
- Now, how real the Holy Spirit to the disciples then? The Holy Spirit was like the blowing of a violent wind (verse 2). It was something they could feel. Then, in verse 3, it says that they saw with their own eyes what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of the disciples.. Not only that, they experienced something spectacular, in verse 4, we were told they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Holy Spirit enabled them. The sound of the violent wind and the tongue speaking must have been so loud that they caught the attention of the God fearing Jews nearby their place of prayer. In verses 5 and 6, they say they come in a crowd in bewilderment.
C. The impact of the Holy Spirit (verses 6-13).
- Personally, I see it the amazing power of the Holy Spirit at work. The work of the Holy Spirit was so powerful; and we cannot explain how He worked then. I think nobody can because it is such a mystery. In verses 6 and 7, we were told that these God-fearing Jews discovered the disciples were speaking Galileans and the crowd understand the message of the disciples in their own language, native language.
- I believe the author Luke really wanted to show the power and impact of the Holy Spirit in evangelism for all nationalities, he deliberately spell out the list of nationalities in the crowd who were present.You can find the list in verses 9-11, it began with 3 countries to the east of the Roman Empire in the area known as Persia or modern Iran, and then moves westward to Mesopotamia, modern Iraq, and Judea. Next come various provinces and areas in Asia Minor, (modern Turkey), and then Egypt and the area immediately westwards, followed by Rome.
- In verse 11, Luke told us that all these nationalities heard the wonders of God in their own language. Brothers and sisters, I do not doubt at all the record here is for the purpose to show that God made use of this great miracle to bridge the language barrier in order for these different nationalities to go back to their hometown or countries to witness to their own people so that at the end of the day the gospel will spread.
- The wonderful impact of the tongue made people amazed and perplexed (verse 12) and some people eve made of it and commented that it was drunkenness (verse 13). Of course, people who did not understand the work of the Holy Spirit will interpret as such. Including like us today, sometimes, we do not understand the work of the Holy Spirit, we may even be scared when it happened.
- However, for me today, in the name of Jesus Christ, I preach to you today that when the Holy Spirt moves, God works through the channel of language. It was impossible for anybody to understand the phenomenon. How can the Galilean disciples speak in the language understood by other nationalities? The Holy Spirit must have converted the original language into their own native language. It was a great miracle to ensure that the Gospel.
- That is why I preach to you with all conviction, as far as mission, evangelism, are concerned, helping people to understand God is concerned, we do not need to worry about the language. We can use our limited abilities in Chinese dialects, Iban language, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, etc; we can invite the Holy Spirit to fill us and empower us to use our limited language abilities to preach the gospel. The Holy Spirit will convert whatever language you speak into the language your audience can understand. It is all God’s idea for people to be saved and become Jesus disciples. Otherwise, we cannot make disciples of all nations.
- However, I do not rule out the need to learn the language and master it in order to give long term attention to a group of people, like the Penan people in Belaga. Sister Elsie Wong Hia Ching must polish her broken Bahasa Malaysia in order to make disciples among the Penan people.
D. Applications.
- Now, with this understanding of the great passage about the descending of the Holy Spirit, can we now see how the descending must impact us in a real manner.
- (a). How real is the Holy Spirit to you? Now, please do not get me wrong. We cannot make the Holy Spirit real to us. In other words, you cannot force the Holy Spirit to behave like you request. You cannot say to God that you want to speak in tongue now; and you ask him to fill you with the Holy Spirit to do it. Just in case, you misunderstand me, you must understand today’s passage in the context of the bible or at least the New Testament. Speaking in tongues is a gift, it is given by God to individuals for spiritual purpose. So, it is not for everybody. However, what is more important is, have we been experiencing the reality of the Holy Spirit? Yes, you cannot make the person of Holy Spirit real to you. But, have allowed the holy spirit or appropriate the Holy Spirit to work in you. If you do, then, the Holy Spirit must be real to you. When you receive the prompting of the Holy Spirit to do something like to say sorry to someone; to greet someone you do not like; to help someone; to say a prayer for someone; to sign up for a mission trip; to come for prayer meeting; to give to support church ministries; to love your children, your wives, your husband, etc, do you respond? If you do, you experience Holy Spirit. If not, then, you miss His work.
- I am very sure that these are the works of the Holy Spirit, because the person of the Holy Spirit always guide you into the truths, into obeying what is taught in the scripture. John 16:13, “... the Spirit of Truth, comes, he will will guide you into all the truth...” This is the greatest task of the Holy Spirit.
- (a). How has the Holy Spirit impacted your relationship with God? We cannot carry our bible us all the time. We do have mentor, pastor, or strong Christians beside you all the time. Praise the Lord, for Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinitarian God, He is with us all the time. Because He is a person, God the Holy Spirit can be personal to you; and you can build a personal relationship with Him. Because the Holy Spirit is a person, He can speak to you (Acts 28:25); teach you (John 14:25); convicts you of your sin; comforts you (Acts 9:31); helps you in your weakness (Romans 8:26), etc.
E. Conclusion: Don’t seek the Holy Spirit for experience sake.
21th June, 2009
Posted By Teresa Han
Acts 2:1-13
Main Idea: The great impact of the Holy Spirit among the early disciples.
Objectives: a. To show the great impact of the Holy Spirit among the early disciples. b. To show that we need the impact of the Holy Spirit as well in GMC.
A. Introduction
- Oswald Sanders says, “A great deal of our ineffectiveness can be attributed to ignoring the Holy Spirit.”
- From Acts 12:2 we know that Herod beheaded the apostle James, brother of John, but do you know the rest of this story? According to tradition, James was the first apostle to suffer death after the martyrdom of Stephen. Although Herod was the authority that took his head, James’ fate started when a nameless individual brought charges against him before the tribunal. When the case was over and James had been condemned to death, the man who had instigated the trial was deeply moved by the behaviour and continence (the ability to control oneself especially the bodily desires and feelings) of the apostle. James was so filled with the Spirit of God that on the way to the place of execution the one who had initiated the charges against him made a confession of faith in Christ. When he asked James to forgive him, the apostle said, “Peace be to you, brother.” James then kissed him and both men were beheaded for their faith in 36 A.D. A spirit-filled life may lead to physical death, but more importantly, it always leads to eternal life.
- D. L. Moody, the American evangelist, once used a glass as an object to teach that the love of God overcomes our evil nature and controls lives. He asked his audience, “How can I get the air out of this glass?” One person said, “Suck it out with a pump.” But Moody insisted that this would create a vacuum and break the glass. He listen to a couple of other suggestions and then picked up a pitcher of water and filled the glass. “There”, he said, “all the air is removed. We cannot overcome evil and enmity, bitterness and temptation, simply by fighting against it. We must let the Holy Spirit fill our hearts, let Him pour in love until it overflows.”
- To all these disciple of Jesus, the person of the Holy Spirit is very real. Is He real to you? To the early disciples the Holy Spirit was very real to them. In fact, the Holy Spirit was so real to the early disciples that you can see the work of the Holy Spirit all over the pages of the book of Acts.
B. How real was the Holy Spirit to the early disciples?- The passage today really opens our eyes to see that the Holy Spirit was so real that the disciples could see and feel Him. This is recorded in verses 1 to 5.
- When the days of waiting called by Jesus were over, the Holy Spirit came upon the assembled group of disciples in a new way, accompanied by supernatural signs and causing them to burst out into the praise of God in languages other than their own.
- It is also fufilling the prophecies of prophet Isaiah 32:15, “till the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field,...” and prophet Joel also said in 2:28 -32, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions...And evryone who calls on the name of Lord will be saved...”
- The promised “Holy Spirit” by Jesus and the prophets of Old Testament came during Pentecost. Pentecost is the New Testament name for the feast of weeks, when the wheat harvest was celebrated by a one-day festival during which special sacrifices were offered (Ex 23:16; Lev 23:15-21).
- Now, how real the Holy Spirit to the disciples then? The Holy Spirit was like the blowing of a violent wind (verse 2). It was something they could feel. Then, in verse 3, it says that they saw with their own eyes what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of the disciples.. Not only that, they experienced something spectacular, in verse 4, we were told they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Holy Spirit enabled them. The sound of the violent wind and the tongue speaking must have been so loud that they caught the attention of the God fearing Jews nearby their place of prayer. In verses 5 and 6, they say they come in a crowd in bewilderment.
C. The impact of the Holy Spirit (verses 6-13).
- Personally, I see it the amazing power of the Holy Spirit at work. The work of the Holy Spirit was so powerful; and we cannot explain how He worked then. I think nobody can because it is such a mystery. In verses 6 and 7, we were told that these God-fearing Jews discovered the disciples were speaking Galileans and the crowd understand the message of the disciples in their own language, native language.
- I believe the author Luke really wanted to show the power and impact of the Holy Spirit in evangelism for all nationalities, he deliberately spell out the list of nationalities in the crowd who were present.You can find the list in verses 9-11, it began with 3 countries to the east of the Roman Empire in the area known as Persia or modern Iran, and then moves westward to Mesopotamia, modern Iraq, and Judea. Next come various provinces and areas in Asia Minor, (modern Turkey), and then Egypt and the area immediately westwards, followed by Rome.
- In verse 11, Luke told us that all these nationalities heard the wonders of God in their own language. Brothers and sisters, I do not doubt at all the record here is for the purpose to show that God made use of this great miracle to bridge the language barrier in order for these different nationalities to go back to their hometown or countries to witness to their own people so that at the end of the day the gospel will spread.
- The wonderful impact of the tongue made people amazed and perplexed (verse 12) and some people eve made of it and commented that it was drunkenness (verse 13). Of course, people who did not understand the work of the Holy Spirit will interpret as such. Including like us today, sometimes, we do not understand the work of the Holy Spirit, we may even be scared when it happened.
- However, for me today, in the name of Jesus Christ, I preach to you today that when the Holy Spirt moves, God works through the channel of language. It was impossible for anybody to understand the phenomenon. How can the Galilean disciples speak in the language understood by other nationalities? The Holy Spirit must have converted the original language into their own native language. It was a great miracle to ensure that the Gospel.
- That is why I preach to you with all conviction, as far as mission, evangelism, are concerned, helping people to understand God is concerned, we do not need to worry about the language. We can use our limited abilities in Chinese dialects, Iban language, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, etc; we can invite the Holy Spirit to fill us and empower us to use our limited language abilities to preach the gospel. The Holy Spirit will convert whatever language you speak into the language your audience can understand. It is all God’s idea for people to be saved and become Jesus disciples. Otherwise, we cannot make disciples of all nations.
- However, I do not rule out the need to learn the language and master it in order to give long term attention to a group of people, like the Penan people in Belaga. Sister Elsie Wong Hia Ching must polish her broken Bahasa Malaysia in order to make disciples among the Penan people.
D. Applications.
- Now, with this understanding of the great passage about the descending of the Holy Spirit, can we now see how the descending must impact us in a real manner.
- (a). How real is the Holy Spirit to you? Now, please do not get me wrong. We cannot make the Holy Spirit real to us. In other words, you cannot force the Holy Spirit to behave like you request. You cannot say to God that you want to speak in tongue now; and you ask him to fill you with the Holy Spirit to do it. Just in case, you misunderstand me, you must understand today’s passage in the context of the bible or at least the New Testament. Speaking in tongues is a gift, it is given by God to individuals for spiritual purpose. So, it is not for everybody. However, what is more important is, have we been experiencing the reality of the Holy Spirit? Yes, you cannot make the person of Holy Spirit real to you. But, have allowed the holy spirit or appropriate the Holy Spirit to work in you. If you do, then, the Holy Spirit must be real to you. When you receive the prompting of the Holy Spirit to do something like to say sorry to someone; to greet someone you do not like; to help someone; to say a prayer for someone; to sign up for a mission trip; to come for prayer meeting; to give to support church ministries; to love your children, your wives, your husband, etc, do you respond? If you do, you experience Holy Spirit. If not, then, you miss His work.
- I am very sure that these are the works of the Holy Spirit, because the person of the Holy Spirit always guide you into the truths, into obeying what is taught in the scripture. John 16:13, “... the Spirit of Truth, comes, he will will guide you into all the truth...” This is the greatest task of the Holy Spirit.
- (a). How has the Holy Spirit impacted your relationship with God? We cannot carry our bible us all the time. We do have mentor, pastor, or strong Christians beside you all the time. Praise the Lord, for Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinitarian God, He is with us all the time. Because He is a person, God the Holy Spirit can be personal to you; and you can build a personal relationship with Him. Because the Holy Spirit is a person, He can speak to you (Acts 28:25); teach you (John 14:25); convicts you of your sin; comforts you (Acts 9:31); helps you in your weakness (Romans 8:26), etc.
E. Conclusion: Don’t seek the Holy Spirit for experience sake.
Evangelism series Pray to Choose Matthias
Written By Rev. Law Hui Seng
14th June, 2009
Posted By Teresa Han
Acts 1:12-26
Main Idea: To teach that we must involve God (Jesus) in decision making; all the more during crucial moment.
Objectives: a. To teach how the early disciples trust God to find a successor to replace; b. To teach that we must pray to seek God during crucial moments in life.
A. Introduction.- Most of us have not realized the power of prayer. I say this because we have not prayed as much.- Our problem is we try to get God to answer our prayers according to our ways and desires; and after we pray for a while , and it does not happen the way we want, we will stop praying. Furthemore, we see prayers like saying grace before meals, before a journey, before we go to sleep, after we wake up as something like a mundane, there is no use or power in it. We do not feel the difference and so we do not pray much. Are you like that? Not to mention praying constantly; prayer in decision making.
- Let us look at these quotes, they are very insipiring and they really encourage us to pray and not give up.
- Robert McCheyne says, “God will either give you what you ask, or something far better.”
- In October of 1996, Yankelovich Partners survey 269 doctors at a meeting of the American Academy of Family Physicians. The results showed that 99 percent were convinced religious belief can heal. That’s 20 percent higher than the figure gleaned from the general public. In response to the question, “ Why do doctors feel this way?” Dr Herbert Benson said, “ Because we’ve seen the power of belief. We see it all the time, and we can’t deny it.” He went on to note, “The real breakthrough is the acceptance of these approaches by modern medicine.”
- Names such as Martin Luther, John Wesley, David Brainerd, Geroge Fox, Adoniram Judson, and John Hyde are well known to those who have studied church history. The impact of these men has been very significant and can be traced to their practice of prayer. Martin Luther said, “I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer.” Wesley declared, “God does nothing but in answer to prayer.” His daily devotion of two hours in prayer demonnstrated the depth of this conviction. David Brainerd wrote in his journal, “I live be alone in my cottage, where I can spend much time in prayer.” William Penn said of George Fox, “Above all he excelled in prayer.” The most awful, living, reverent frame I ever felt or beheld, I must say was his in prayer.” Adoniram Judson withdrew from business and company seven times a day for the purpose of prayer. He began at dawn, then continued again at 9 o’clock, 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, 9 o’clock and mid night. John Hyde was so characterised by prayer that he was nicknamed, “Praying Hyde.” It is so small wonder that these prayer warriors wielded such powerful influence for the kingdom of God.
- Raymond McHenry says, “May we never experience success without prayer.”
- Oswald Chambers says, “Prayer does not equip us for greater works... prayer is he greater work.”
- I give you so many quotes on prayer in order to convince you that prayer is a very important part of our christian life. You miss a lot as a christian; as a diciple of Christ.
- The early disciples and all the apostles knew the value and power of prayers.
B. See how the early disciples spend time to pray constantly (verses 12-14).
- That is why after the commission of Jesus and the promise of the descendance of the Holy Spirit, 120 of them, including the 11 apostles who were used to be with Jesus; the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus, the brothers of Jesus all joined together constantly in prayer in Jerusalem in the upper room.
- What is so important about praying constantly after Jesus’ commission to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth and to make disciples of all nations; and the promise of descending of the Holy Spirit? 120 of them meeting together to pray? Later on in chapter 2, you see the descending of the Holy Spirit.
- I would go to the extend of teaching you that the 120 disciples must have realized that if they did not pray constantly, the Holy Spirit might not have the channel to fill and empower them. Before the descending of the Holy Spirit, in verse 4, Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem. The disciples knew it could not be just waiting without praying.
- May we learn one precious lesson today? Watch out for the pattern here. If the Holy Spirit is the divine gift which empowers and guides the church, the corresponding disciples’ or christians’ attitude toward God is prayer. It is as the church prays that it receives the Spirit.
- Brothers and sisters, if we do not pray as a church, then, our church will not receive the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
C. The Critical Moment.
- Next, with the homework of prayer, and when the disciples were most sensitive to God, apostle Peter, the leader of the group, he claimed that David had prophesied for the betrayal of Judas. He must have quoted from Psalm 109:8, “May his days be few, may another take his place of leadership.
- He exerted his authority to choose a leader to replace based on the Old Testament scripture. Then,he expressed the need to choose another person to replace Judas.
- I call this the critical moment. The moment of decision to choose a new leader. Peter did his homework, he did not want to simply choose one person. God must have put in his mind the criteria of the candidate. He must have 3 qualifications (verses 21 and 22). It is found in verses 21 and 22. (1). The person must be with Jesus the whole time; (2). He must be one of those who was with the disciples all the time; and (3). He must be there from the beginning of John’s baptism and he witnessed the resurrection of Jesus with the disciples.
D. How the early disciples made decision to choose Matthias to replace Judas.- The critical moment came to choose a new leader, so they have to propose two names, Joseph called Barsabbas and Mathias, for the the purpose of election.
- You see how they elect their leader in this critical moment. The answer is found in verses 24 and 25. They prayed as a big group and told God what they wanted. Take note the prayer was speficic, to take over the apostolic ministry of Judas. This person is to become an apostle.
- After they prayed, they still had to make a decision on how to elect among the 2. They must have discussed and felt that the best way was to cast lots.
- I want you to take note everything was done in the context of prayer. When it came to important decision, the early disciples prayed.
D. Applications.
- (a). How can you pray constantly? For those of you who are in the ministry, like the early disciples, the 120 of them, you cannot afford not to pray constantly. This is because the devils are always on the look out to attack you and make sure you fall, and you do not become effective for Christ. Let me say this to you in the name of Jesus, when you serve God, the devils will make us of your bad temperaments, watching of pornorgraphy, pride, greed, selfishness, immorality, stubbornness, etc. Somehow, when you have the sins of your life, the devils know them and they make sure that people do not cooperate with you in ministry; people do not respect you; people feel uncomfortable with you. Mind you, the devils know what is the standard of holiness and purity of a disciple. Do you know? Also, mind you, God is very particular about whether you are living a holy life inside out or not.
- To sure that you are coming more and more alert of the devils’ attack, you need to pray constantly. Especially those who are in leadership position, you need to pray constantly by attending Thursday night prayer meeting. We also welcome you to come to pray constantly every Saturday morning at 6-7am.
- Those of you who are not leaders, but you are in ministry, you need to come also, you need to pray more in order to maintain a strong relationship in Christ.
- Those of you who are not in position of ministry, you must pray 5 times a day. You should at least match the muslims who pray 5 times a day. The 3 times are before meals; 2 times are before you to sleep at night and after you wake up in the morning.
- (b). The need to pray during the critical moments of your life. The early disciples prayed much in the critical moment of choosing an aposlte to replace Judas, you must do so in the critical moment. For those of you who single and plan to find a life partner, you have a critical moment; who are married and have no children; rebellious children at home; marital problems; financial problem; choosing where to go after Form 5; having illness; our chruch is choosing leaders again; recruitment for missionaries to do short term missions; evangelism rally, etc, you need to pray.
E. Conclusion.- Prayer is one most neglected means of grace to ask God for blessing by Christians. Not many put a lot of faith in prayer. Not many felt the need to pray for more because we do not believe God is powerful. Unless we spend more time in prayer and build up our faith, otherwise, our faith is weak and shallow.
14th June, 2009
Posted By Teresa Han
Acts 1:12-26
Main Idea: To teach that we must involve God (Jesus) in decision making; all the more during crucial moment.
Objectives: a. To teach how the early disciples trust God to find a successor to replace; b. To teach that we must pray to seek God during crucial moments in life.
A. Introduction.- Most of us have not realized the power of prayer. I say this because we have not prayed as much.- Our problem is we try to get God to answer our prayers according to our ways and desires; and after we pray for a while , and it does not happen the way we want, we will stop praying. Furthemore, we see prayers like saying grace before meals, before a journey, before we go to sleep, after we wake up as something like a mundane, there is no use or power in it. We do not feel the difference and so we do not pray much. Are you like that? Not to mention praying constantly; prayer in decision making.
- Let us look at these quotes, they are very insipiring and they really encourage us to pray and not give up.
- Robert McCheyne says, “God will either give you what you ask, or something far better.”
- In October of 1996, Yankelovich Partners survey 269 doctors at a meeting of the American Academy of Family Physicians. The results showed that 99 percent were convinced religious belief can heal. That’s 20 percent higher than the figure gleaned from the general public. In response to the question, “ Why do doctors feel this way?” Dr Herbert Benson said, “ Because we’ve seen the power of belief. We see it all the time, and we can’t deny it.” He went on to note, “The real breakthrough is the acceptance of these approaches by modern medicine.”
- Names such as Martin Luther, John Wesley, David Brainerd, Geroge Fox, Adoniram Judson, and John Hyde are well known to those who have studied church history. The impact of these men has been very significant and can be traced to their practice of prayer. Martin Luther said, “I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer.” Wesley declared, “God does nothing but in answer to prayer.” His daily devotion of two hours in prayer demonnstrated the depth of this conviction. David Brainerd wrote in his journal, “I live be alone in my cottage, where I can spend much time in prayer.” William Penn said of George Fox, “Above all he excelled in prayer.” The most awful, living, reverent frame I ever felt or beheld, I must say was his in prayer.” Adoniram Judson withdrew from business and company seven times a day for the purpose of prayer. He began at dawn, then continued again at 9 o’clock, 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, 9 o’clock and mid night. John Hyde was so characterised by prayer that he was nicknamed, “Praying Hyde.” It is so small wonder that these prayer warriors wielded such powerful influence for the kingdom of God.
- Raymond McHenry says, “May we never experience success without prayer.”
- Oswald Chambers says, “Prayer does not equip us for greater works... prayer is he greater work.”
- I give you so many quotes on prayer in order to convince you that prayer is a very important part of our christian life. You miss a lot as a christian; as a diciple of Christ.
- The early disciples and all the apostles knew the value and power of prayers.
B. See how the early disciples spend time to pray constantly (verses 12-14).
- That is why after the commission of Jesus and the promise of the descendance of the Holy Spirit, 120 of them, including the 11 apostles who were used to be with Jesus; the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus, the brothers of Jesus all joined together constantly in prayer in Jerusalem in the upper room.
- What is so important about praying constantly after Jesus’ commission to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth and to make disciples of all nations; and the promise of descending of the Holy Spirit? 120 of them meeting together to pray? Later on in chapter 2, you see the descending of the Holy Spirit.
- I would go to the extend of teaching you that the 120 disciples must have realized that if they did not pray constantly, the Holy Spirit might not have the channel to fill and empower them. Before the descending of the Holy Spirit, in verse 4, Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem. The disciples knew it could not be just waiting without praying.
- May we learn one precious lesson today? Watch out for the pattern here. If the Holy Spirit is the divine gift which empowers and guides the church, the corresponding disciples’ or christians’ attitude toward God is prayer. It is as the church prays that it receives the Spirit.
- Brothers and sisters, if we do not pray as a church, then, our church will not receive the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
C. The Critical Moment.
- Next, with the homework of prayer, and when the disciples were most sensitive to God, apostle Peter, the leader of the group, he claimed that David had prophesied for the betrayal of Judas. He must have quoted from Psalm 109:8, “May his days be few, may another take his place of leadership.
- He exerted his authority to choose a leader to replace based on the Old Testament scripture. Then,he expressed the need to choose another person to replace Judas.
- I call this the critical moment. The moment of decision to choose a new leader. Peter did his homework, he did not want to simply choose one person. God must have put in his mind the criteria of the candidate. He must have 3 qualifications (verses 21 and 22). It is found in verses 21 and 22. (1). The person must be with Jesus the whole time; (2). He must be one of those who was with the disciples all the time; and (3). He must be there from the beginning of John’s baptism and he witnessed the resurrection of Jesus with the disciples.
D. How the early disciples made decision to choose Matthias to replace Judas.- The critical moment came to choose a new leader, so they have to propose two names, Joseph called Barsabbas and Mathias, for the the purpose of election.
- You see how they elect their leader in this critical moment. The answer is found in verses 24 and 25. They prayed as a big group and told God what they wanted. Take note the prayer was speficic, to take over the apostolic ministry of Judas. This person is to become an apostle.
- After they prayed, they still had to make a decision on how to elect among the 2. They must have discussed and felt that the best way was to cast lots.
- I want you to take note everything was done in the context of prayer. When it came to important decision, the early disciples prayed.
D. Applications.
- (a). How can you pray constantly? For those of you who are in the ministry, like the early disciples, the 120 of them, you cannot afford not to pray constantly. This is because the devils are always on the look out to attack you and make sure you fall, and you do not become effective for Christ. Let me say this to you in the name of Jesus, when you serve God, the devils will make us of your bad temperaments, watching of pornorgraphy, pride, greed, selfishness, immorality, stubbornness, etc. Somehow, when you have the sins of your life, the devils know them and they make sure that people do not cooperate with you in ministry; people do not respect you; people feel uncomfortable with you. Mind you, the devils know what is the standard of holiness and purity of a disciple. Do you know? Also, mind you, God is very particular about whether you are living a holy life inside out or not.
- To sure that you are coming more and more alert of the devils’ attack, you need to pray constantly. Especially those who are in leadership position, you need to pray constantly by attending Thursday night prayer meeting. We also welcome you to come to pray constantly every Saturday morning at 6-7am.
- Those of you who are not leaders, but you are in ministry, you need to come also, you need to pray more in order to maintain a strong relationship in Christ.
- Those of you who are not in position of ministry, you must pray 5 times a day. You should at least match the muslims who pray 5 times a day. The 3 times are before meals; 2 times are before you to sleep at night and after you wake up in the morning.
- (b). The need to pray during the critical moments of your life. The early disciples prayed much in the critical moment of choosing an aposlte to replace Judas, you must do so in the critical moment. For those of you who single and plan to find a life partner, you have a critical moment; who are married and have no children; rebellious children at home; marital problems; financial problem; choosing where to go after Form 5; having illness; our chruch is choosing leaders again; recruitment for missionaries to do short term missions; evangelism rally, etc, you need to pray.
E. Conclusion.- Prayer is one most neglected means of grace to ask God for blessing by Christians. Not many put a lot of faith in prayer. Not many felt the need to pray for more because we do not believe God is powerful. Unless we spend more time in prayer and build up our faith, otherwise, our faith is weak and shallow.
Jesus’ Commission for the Disciples
Written By Rev Law Hui Seng
7th June, 2009
Posted By Teresa Han
Acts 1:1-11 (Evangelism series)
Main Idea: Jesus’ Commission.
Objectives:To teach and challenge the congregation to take up disciple making ministry.
Introduction
- You can quote me in this statement I am going to make. With all humility, based on the teaching and authority of the Old and New Testaments, I called myself a disciple of Christ. I pray that you do also.
- It is for a very simple reason, Jesus called me to make discples of all nations. If I am not a disciple, how can I make disciples. If I do not obey the teachings of Jesus, I am merely a believer or a christian who believes and believes. Whatever I learn remain as belief and not more than that.
- I am very particular about how christians in this church are disciples of Jesus. All that Jesus expects you to do is are you working towards to be more and more like Him in the matter of life transformation to do His teachings.
- I emphasize much on life transformation because you can do what Jesus tells you to do but your inner life is not changed; take for instance, you can pray very well and do mission; you read bible but your inner life is still full of sin and darkness; unrepent, etc.
- Am I exaggerating if I say only one out of ten of us are engaged in discipleship in Jesus’ way. Our Lord Jesus is not looking for part time followers. He is looking for full time followers and disciples. It is not for me to judge who is a disciple in this congregation. Only God knows best and He will judge.
- I need to teach based on the word of God on Jesus’ commission on discipleship.
- Two quotes from Tiger Woods (a famous golf player) speak to the subject of discipleship. Of his earlier days in junior golf, Woods said, “I really didn’t know where the ball was going, except forward and a long way.” Discipleship is not about finding seasoned pros who have mastered the Christian life, but about helping each other refine and improve our lives so we can experience clearer direction and greater control. Discipleship is about encouraging one another with the reality that even though you might not be doing so well today, you may really excel in the years to come. When asked about improving his swing, Tiger Woods said, “I don’t believe that there is such a thing as perfection. But I have always been a big believer of professional excellence, and that is what I try to achieve.” Discipleship helps christians realize they are not perfect, and won’t be this side of heaven, but they can and should be moving toward spiritual excellence. Even though he was talking about golf, Tiger Woods said a lot about discipleship as well.
- Can we take on this challenge to be a disciple of Jesus? Only chrisitans (disciples of Jesus) have the privilege to be commissioned by Jesus to do this job.
- Discipleship is a huge ministry and it is dificult to define as a sentence. I pray that as you listen to my series of sermon on evangelism in the book of Acts, you will begin to see a good aspect of discipleship, mission and evangelism.
- To help you to understand the whole book of Acts better, let me help you to know the purposes of the book. Luke, the author, also wrote the gospel of Luke, must have written the document to present a church history; to give a defense for Christianity among Jews and Gentiles; to provide a guide for the rest of genaerations of disciples; and to depict the triumph of Christianity in the face of bitter persecution.
Jesus made sure His Disciples will continue his ministry of disciple-making (verses 1-5)
- As I examine this passage for today’s preaching, I find that Luke, being a disciple of Jesus, who was with Jesus one way or another, had really caught the vision of Jesus. He knew the burden and mission of Jesus on earth. His life was transformed by Jesus’ teaching and remembered lots of what Jesus said. He really saw that Jesus desired His disciples at that time and today all of us to continue the disciple making ministry.
- Luke must be one of those who had witnessed the resurrection of Jesus and how Jesus remained on earth for 40 days and tried to convince people about the kingdom of God.
- Luke knew that Jesus really desired His disciples to continue His ministry of disciple making when he quoted Jesus in verse 4 and 5, “...Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
- If not for the purpose of continuity of Jesus’ ministry on earth, there was no point to send the Holy Spirit whom He promised.
Jesus commissioned His disciples to witness for Him to the ends of the earth (verses 6-8)
- Some disciples could not understand the vision of Jesus for the whole world, they thought in a very narrow. They thought Jesus was only interested in restoring Israel.
- Jesus grasped this opportunity to correct and Luke was there to listen and put down the commission of Jesus to be witnessses in Jerusalem, all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. As you read the whole book of Acts, you will see the disciples did just that.
- The command is go to the ends of the earth to be His witnesses. Are you?
Jesus proved Himself to be the God who has the authority to commission His disciples.
- You may like to ask how come Jesus has the authority to command His disciples to witness for Him.
- After the 40 days, if Jesus did not ascend to the heaven and still remain around and eventually died again, there wiould be no Christianity. The ascension proved that whatever he said in past was and is the truth and He is God, He has the authority to command His discples and all of us today to continue His ministry on earth.
- But ascension will not make Jesus so authoritative also, Chrisitianity will not be as powerful as it is now if Jesus did say not He would come back again. He will come back to judge you and me and all the former disciples who have died, see how well we do in discipleship.
Applications
- (1). Jesus is also commissioning you today to make disciples of all nations. Take this as a privilege. And you need to make a stand whether you are responding or not. I love this commissioning. If Jesus did not issue this command, there will not be christianity either. What Jesus command has been taken very seriously by the churches throughout the world. Are you willing to pay the price to do the commission? Personally, I find that Christians can only respond if we have understood and really appreciate what Jesus has done on the cross for. Unless our lives are changed by Jesus, otherwise, we cannot respond. I pray that everyone of us who call yourself children of God will sense God’s calling to make disciples of all nations.
- (2). Jesus equips you to make disciples. When Jesus issued a challenge like that, He was most practical and He did not leave everything to us. He equips us with the most powerful, most needed Holy Spirit to guide us, and empowered us; and to give us whatever we need to make disciples. You tell me what you need in order to make disicples. Money? Miracels? Skills? Facility? God will give all that, the only thing now left is are we now willing to take the step of faith to do it. Here in the church, at home, at work place, at long houses, at Belaga, Cambodia, etc.
- (3). We need to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. If whatever we do here is only limited to blessing those in the church, four walls of the church, then, we are still not completely faithful the commission of Jesus. I pray that we are strong enough to extend our territory, and believe the Jabez prayer, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!” (1Chronicles 4:10). Any person who regards himself as a disciple of Christ will say, “That is God’s desire for me.” Unless we trust God to extend our territory, our discipleship will be limited to this small world of our families and church only. Then, of course we cannot do justice to the commission of Jesus.
- (4). We need to prove that Jesus is living in our lives. Jesus has resurrected and ascended to heaven and He is still living. But is he living in your life? If so, is Jesus real in your life? Has your life being changed by Jesus? Your darkest part of you life, has it being given to Jesus and allow Him to take over and cleanse it and repent? What is it you cannot let go and leave it to Jesus? You have to prove that Jesus is living in your life to Jesus, otherwise, your life on earth is only so so. You will be the same person as yesterday; 10 years ago; and 5 years in future: 10 years in future, etc. Unless you prove Jesus is living in you, otherwise, you can do nothing with the commission. You will sit on it only. You will only give lip service only. You will ask others to do it; and you are indifferent about it.
Conclusion
- I pray that you will be able to imagine this, one day, as you come to the end of your life, you will be able to say to Jesus, I have done my best in executing your commission, I have no regrets living on earth. I can face you now.
7th June, 2009
Posted By Teresa Han
Acts 1:1-11 (Evangelism series)
Main Idea: Jesus’ Commission.
Objectives:To teach and challenge the congregation to take up disciple making ministry.
Introduction
- You can quote me in this statement I am going to make. With all humility, based on the teaching and authority of the Old and New Testaments, I called myself a disciple of Christ. I pray that you do also.
- It is for a very simple reason, Jesus called me to make discples of all nations. If I am not a disciple, how can I make disciples. If I do not obey the teachings of Jesus, I am merely a believer or a christian who believes and believes. Whatever I learn remain as belief and not more than that.
- I am very particular about how christians in this church are disciples of Jesus. All that Jesus expects you to do is are you working towards to be more and more like Him in the matter of life transformation to do His teachings.
- I emphasize much on life transformation because you can do what Jesus tells you to do but your inner life is not changed; take for instance, you can pray very well and do mission; you read bible but your inner life is still full of sin and darkness; unrepent, etc.
- Am I exaggerating if I say only one out of ten of us are engaged in discipleship in Jesus’ way. Our Lord Jesus is not looking for part time followers. He is looking for full time followers and disciples. It is not for me to judge who is a disciple in this congregation. Only God knows best and He will judge.
- I need to teach based on the word of God on Jesus’ commission on discipleship.
- Two quotes from Tiger Woods (a famous golf player) speak to the subject of discipleship. Of his earlier days in junior golf, Woods said, “I really didn’t know where the ball was going, except forward and a long way.” Discipleship is not about finding seasoned pros who have mastered the Christian life, but about helping each other refine and improve our lives so we can experience clearer direction and greater control. Discipleship is about encouraging one another with the reality that even though you might not be doing so well today, you may really excel in the years to come. When asked about improving his swing, Tiger Woods said, “I don’t believe that there is such a thing as perfection. But I have always been a big believer of professional excellence, and that is what I try to achieve.” Discipleship helps christians realize they are not perfect, and won’t be this side of heaven, but they can and should be moving toward spiritual excellence. Even though he was talking about golf, Tiger Woods said a lot about discipleship as well.
- Can we take on this challenge to be a disciple of Jesus? Only chrisitans (disciples of Jesus) have the privilege to be commissioned by Jesus to do this job.
- Discipleship is a huge ministry and it is dificult to define as a sentence. I pray that as you listen to my series of sermon on evangelism in the book of Acts, you will begin to see a good aspect of discipleship, mission and evangelism.
- To help you to understand the whole book of Acts better, let me help you to know the purposes of the book. Luke, the author, also wrote the gospel of Luke, must have written the document to present a church history; to give a defense for Christianity among Jews and Gentiles; to provide a guide for the rest of genaerations of disciples; and to depict the triumph of Christianity in the face of bitter persecution.
Jesus made sure His Disciples will continue his ministry of disciple-making (verses 1-5)
- As I examine this passage for today’s preaching, I find that Luke, being a disciple of Jesus, who was with Jesus one way or another, had really caught the vision of Jesus. He knew the burden and mission of Jesus on earth. His life was transformed by Jesus’ teaching and remembered lots of what Jesus said. He really saw that Jesus desired His disciples at that time and today all of us to continue the disciple making ministry.
- Luke must be one of those who had witnessed the resurrection of Jesus and how Jesus remained on earth for 40 days and tried to convince people about the kingdom of God.
- Luke knew that Jesus really desired His disciples to continue His ministry of disciple making when he quoted Jesus in verse 4 and 5, “...Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
- If not for the purpose of continuity of Jesus’ ministry on earth, there was no point to send the Holy Spirit whom He promised.
Jesus commissioned His disciples to witness for Him to the ends of the earth (verses 6-8)
- Some disciples could not understand the vision of Jesus for the whole world, they thought in a very narrow. They thought Jesus was only interested in restoring Israel.
- Jesus grasped this opportunity to correct and Luke was there to listen and put down the commission of Jesus to be witnessses in Jerusalem, all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. As you read the whole book of Acts, you will see the disciples did just that.
- The command is go to the ends of the earth to be His witnesses. Are you?
Jesus proved Himself to be the God who has the authority to commission His disciples.
- You may like to ask how come Jesus has the authority to command His disciples to witness for Him.
- After the 40 days, if Jesus did not ascend to the heaven and still remain around and eventually died again, there wiould be no Christianity. The ascension proved that whatever he said in past was and is the truth and He is God, He has the authority to command His discples and all of us today to continue His ministry on earth.
- But ascension will not make Jesus so authoritative also, Chrisitianity will not be as powerful as it is now if Jesus did say not He would come back again. He will come back to judge you and me and all the former disciples who have died, see how well we do in discipleship.
Applications
- (1). Jesus is also commissioning you today to make disciples of all nations. Take this as a privilege. And you need to make a stand whether you are responding or not. I love this commissioning. If Jesus did not issue this command, there will not be christianity either. What Jesus command has been taken very seriously by the churches throughout the world. Are you willing to pay the price to do the commission? Personally, I find that Christians can only respond if we have understood and really appreciate what Jesus has done on the cross for. Unless our lives are changed by Jesus, otherwise, we cannot respond. I pray that everyone of us who call yourself children of God will sense God’s calling to make disciples of all nations.
- (2). Jesus equips you to make disciples. When Jesus issued a challenge like that, He was most practical and He did not leave everything to us. He equips us with the most powerful, most needed Holy Spirit to guide us, and empowered us; and to give us whatever we need to make disciples. You tell me what you need in order to make disicples. Money? Miracels? Skills? Facility? God will give all that, the only thing now left is are we now willing to take the step of faith to do it. Here in the church, at home, at work place, at long houses, at Belaga, Cambodia, etc.
- (3). We need to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. If whatever we do here is only limited to blessing those in the church, four walls of the church, then, we are still not completely faithful the commission of Jesus. I pray that we are strong enough to extend our territory, and believe the Jabez prayer, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!” (1Chronicles 4:10). Any person who regards himself as a disciple of Christ will say, “That is God’s desire for me.” Unless we trust God to extend our territory, our discipleship will be limited to this small world of our families and church only. Then, of course we cannot do justice to the commission of Jesus.
- (4). We need to prove that Jesus is living in our lives. Jesus has resurrected and ascended to heaven and He is still living. But is he living in your life? If so, is Jesus real in your life? Has your life being changed by Jesus? Your darkest part of you life, has it being given to Jesus and allow Him to take over and cleanse it and repent? What is it you cannot let go and leave it to Jesus? You have to prove that Jesus is living in your life to Jesus, otherwise, your life on earth is only so so. You will be the same person as yesterday; 10 years ago; and 5 years in future: 10 years in future, etc. Unless you prove Jesus is living in you, otherwise, you can do nothing with the commission. You will sit on it only. You will only give lip service only. You will ask others to do it; and you are indifferent about it.
Conclusion
- I pray that you will be able to imagine this, one day, as you come to the end of your life, you will be able to say to Jesus, I have done my best in executing your commission, I have no regrets living on earth. I can face you now.
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