9-to-5 Reality Check!

Bro Kenny Song

Pastor Koay took you all to heaven with his Three Gardens, then back down to earth with his Two Crosses, so I was thinking maybe I should preach on One Fire and take you all down to hell. On second thought, I'll let him do that when he next preach.

I am instead going to talk about something most of us struggle with on a daily basis. I titled my message "Your 9-to-5 Reality Check". 9 to 5 does not mean a fix time but rather your working hours.

How many of you work for a living? How many of you have experienced failure in your work or you labour and labour and don't see results? Not all the time but at least some of the time?

What do you do when you experience fruitlessness or even failure in your work? How do you respond when your hard work yields poor results? 

Whether you’re a businessman who's struggling to make ends meet, a diligent college student with poor grades, or a parent with a prodigal child — all of us experience the frustration of fruitless work.

At times it doesn’t seem fair, but the reality remains: hard work doesn’t always guarantee successful outcomes. I used to tell my team not just to work hard (that's mandatory) but also to work smart. But sometimes projects still fail and deadlines are missed despite our very best efforts.

We live in a performance-driven world, where poor results are usually difficult to accept. We expect immediate results and we can quickly become discouraged when we fall short of our own expectations. 

In times of fruitlessness, we may fall into self pity or blame others for our failures. But what is worst is that in our darkest moments, we can doubt God’s goodness — wondering why he isn’t blessing our work (while conveniently forgetting all the ways in which he already has).

Four Reminders for Seasons of Setback

In these seasons of fruitless despair, I’m often helped by a story from John 21.

John 21:3-6

3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

The disciples went on an all-night fishing expedition, only “they caught nothing” (John 21:3). As dawn breaks, Jesus asks them if they caught any fish. They hadn’t. Jesus then instructs them to “cast the net on the right side of the boat” (John 21:5–6). The result is miraculous. After utterly failing all night, the nets fill with so many fish, they begin to rip. 

This story offers four helpful insights to encourage us during seasons of setbacks. 

1. Fruitless work is a common experience.
 

We would presume that their labour would have been rewarded. After all, they devoted their lives to Jesus, leaving family, homes, and occupations to follow him. Some of them were also experienced fishermen. They seem to have the right credentials: committed Christians and competent professionals. And yet their efforts failed. 

We might not understand why our diligent efforts fail, and be tempted toward exasperation. But we must remember that as Christians we aren’t guaranteed success in our work. In his wisdom, God “makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). Seasons of fruitlessness are simply part and parcel of living in a world cursed by the effects of the fall. Our work in this present world is subject to “thorns and thistles” that impede progress and hinder fruitful outcomes (Genesis 3:18).

There were times when in our business, we seemed to do everything right. We pitched for campaigns and initial outcomes were positive. Then when it reached the table where money is discussed, we hit a snag. They want kickbacks. And we walk away. I've never felt dejected in times like these because we just knew it's not meant for us. I have the peace of God, but it does not negate the fact that many man hours have been invested into the project and we got nothing in return.

My non Christian staff knows our stand and even though some questioned my decision, in the long run, I think they all see why integrity is always more valuable than money. But the fact remains, hard work didn't always pay off. Even when it's honest hard work!

When success seems elusive, it’s important to remember that fruitlessness is a common experience for everyone. Our struggle isn’t evidence of God’s displeasure toward us, but a reminder that the world we live in is still awaiting full redemption (Romans 8:20–21).

Romans 8:20-21

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

2. Jesus will meet us in our failures.

When our labours are met with significant setbacks or failure, God can seem distant to us. We can be tempted to think Jesus cares little for our situation or for the outcomes that seem so important to us — that critical project gone wrong or the struggling business venture. Especially when we see unbelievers doing well under the same circumstances.

In these moments, we must not relegate Jesus to a detached, unfeeling Saviour who neither understands nor cares for our present needs. Rather, as Hebrews 4:15 states, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Remember, Jesus experienced all the limitations of working in a fallen world and he understands our struggle for fruitful outcomes. Most of all, remember he cares.

In this account, Jesus’s care for his disciples was evident in his tender address to them: “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” (John 21:5) After a long night of fruitless labour, Jesus met the disciples at the very point of their need and weakness. 

This is a Savior who draws near to us in times of perplexing trouble. He concerns himself with the ordinary — with fish and nets — to perform the miraculous for the good of his children. When we’re discouraged about our lack of success or progress, we can turn to Christ with confidence that he cares about our struggles.

3. God gives help in times of need.

Too often, I do not seek God’s help when facing obstacles and setbacks. Instead I “lean in” with my own abilities and forget to look to God. In fact, I’ve realized that much of my despair in fruitless seasons stems from my inability to succeed on my own. 

There were times in my business where we see no light at the end of the tunnel. Debts were piling and our OD fully utilised and we even had to sell our Invoices for cash advance (factoring) at a hefty interest. I will of course as usual be my stubborn self and try to juggle our finances out of the woods.

Then a time would come when I'd finally humble myself and asked our cell to pray for us. I've done that more than once and without fail, God would bail us out. Moral of the story, should have asked my cell to pray earlier la. But as usual, always stubborn. Never learn.

The disciples’ empty nets are reminders that we need God to work in ways that are beyond our capacities and resources. The disciples’ experiences and competencies alone weren’t enough to produce a fruitful outcome.

Like the feeding of the 5,000, this situation was designed to reveal the limitations of human power and reveal Jesus’s unlimited power to more than meet human need.

When we encounter obstacles beyond our strength or skill, let us not discount God’s ability to help through providential — sometimes even miraculous — means. God is in the business of displaying his glory in the face of our need. Let us learn to lean into him for help.

4. Jesus is the true prize of our work.

“When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment . . . and threw himself into the sea” (John 21:7). 

This was after Jesus' resurrection and this account was the third time that Jesus appeared. I love Peter’s response. Upon discovering it was Jesus on the shore, he plunged in and swam to him. Weariness from fruitlessly working all night didn’t matter, neither did the huge haul of fish. For Peter, nothing mattered more than the fact that Jesus was present. Fellowship with his risen Savior was incomparably more rewarding than a net bursting with fish. 

To have Peter’s perspective whether our work succeeds or fails! May our (very legitimate) pursuit for good results never obscure the true prize of our labours: to know and treasure Jesus Christ. In fact, it’s often in our struggles, not successes, where we experience the life-giving presence of our Saviour. 

Only when we realize worldly success alone is bankrupt do we rise with hope in our “inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for [us]” (1 Peter 1:4). 

Only when we come to the end of our strength do we discover that God’s “grace is sufficient for [us]” and that his “power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). 

Only after the discouragement of empty harvests are we able to receive this infusion of divine joy in our souls: “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound” (Psalm 4:7).

This is the reason why I do not subscribe to what is called the Prosperity Theology. Where they believe you have not because you asked not. Where even tithing is not about obedience but purely the pursuit of material blessings. And being poor means a lack of faith.

But I also do not subscribe to Poverty Theology. Where materialism is seen as a curse and equated to worldliness. This is the other extreme of the spectrum.

Then what theology do we subscribe to when it comes to money? I believe in Stewardship Theology. Where possessions is a privilege and not a right. And we are given the responsibility by God to wisely manage what has been entrusted to us.

Actually, this is another sermon for another time.

I want to relate back to instances where we failed to win an account because of kickbacks. I want to encourage you that at the end of the day, God will never short-change his children. Those worldly loss are not in vain.

I realised this at each of the economic downturn we encountered by refusing kickbacks, we ended up with very good clients who were good paymasters. These are the same ones that will ride through the economic downturn because of their sound principles.

And they become good friends, not just clients. And wherever they go, they will always come back to you and if they ever refer you to another client, you'll know they are birds of the same feathers.

The ones that receives kickbacks will be the first ones to run when trouble brew. Somebody once said this phrase and I never forgot it. Forgive the language - "Don't shit where you eat". The ones that take kickbacks are cheating the very company that feed them and their families. And if we give the kickbacks, we are encouraging them to do so.

But ultimately, as a child of God, it's not about that great quote I mentioned, but rather because we know it's the right thing to do and what honours God and bring glory to God. If we give money under the table, I don't think the other party will ever see Jesus in us and we can never be a good testimony for God. Lets do what is right and trust God for our situation.

Often, our struggles clarify our vision and strengthen our resolve to value eternal good over temporal success. Struggles often succeed in anchoring our hope and identity to Christ, rather than our achievements. 

The ultimate prize of our work isn’t the successful outcomes themselves, but seeing Jesus in our diligent labours. This is true in success or failure, in seasons of fruitfulness or fruitlessness. 

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

I want to end on a positive note. Just like how Peter and the other disciples toiled through the night, you may be in a situation where you think you are getting nowhere. It's like you are running on the treadmill, burning a lot of energy but seemingly going nowhere. No progress. No results. It is frustrating, but let us take comfort in this passage of scripture that we have just examined.

Remember, Jesus is watching, even if he's at the distant shore. And he cares. And he will help you in his time. In Peter's case, it was not at midnight. Not 2 a.m. Not 4 a.m. The bible says it was in the morning. Your morning will come. But more important than the blessing is the blesser. Like Peter, we can only find rest in our soul when we seek Jesus.

So whether your current nets are empty or bursting, if you hope in him, your labour will never be in vain.

A Story of Three Gardens

Ps Koay Kheng Hin

Today I'm quite excited because I've not been up here for quite a while. It's like when I make announcements I don't want to give away the Mic. I have an old fashioned sermon to share. I was telling Bro Andrew that I sometimes think that now that I'm officially part of the pastoral team, what comes to mind is the movie the Last Samurai. Tom Cruise and Ken Wanatabe in the last scene, shows the Samurai charging at guns and canons with their blade and that's why it's called the Last Samurai. All die.

I have an old fashion sermon and I only have the Word of God to offer you. I've had the opportunity to hear sermons and I realised that my messages are very old fashion.

There are a lot of fresh messages that is available online but I also believe that the insights into the Word of God is eternal and there are always fresh insights into the word. I noticed that most of my books are old old books. About 90% of my books.

The Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan is one of those old classics. How a young Christian when he searches for God and he uses a lot of analogy. It talks about the word itself drawn from Peter 1 that we are all pilgrims of this earth as we journey through life, God will keep us progressing.

What I can impart to you is my journey with the Lord. My task is to draw men and women into an intimacy with the Lord. What about missions you say? My task is to draw you into communion with God and it is God's task to call you to the commission.

When we talk about TOP as a church, it's you and me. If you are doing well spiritually, TOP will do well spiritually. When I say spiritually, I'm talking about the temperature of your spiritual life. Are you excited when we talk about the things of God? That is the spiritual gauge of your spiritual temperature.

The first garden is the Garden of Eden.

Genesis 2:8-9 (NIV)

8 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

It tells us two things. One, God did not create Adam in the garden. He was created outside the garden. God put him in the garden. The second is that the word Eden appeared. We sometimes use the word paradise. A garden of paradise. Delight and pleasure. It's a good garden.

A lot of trees there but there are two important trees. The tree of life and the tree of knowledge.

Genesis 2:15-16 (NIV)

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;

There are two trees. The tree that comes.to the foreground is the tree of knowledge of good and evil. In the background was the tree of life. They took the fruit of the tree and that disobedience caused death to come to the human race.

Adam and Eve were created with the capacity for immortality. To live forever. There was a tree of life where they would not have seen death. But towards the tree of life was the tree of knowledge and at that tree they stumbled.

Adam and Eve were offered two trees. To get to the tree of life they had to get through the tree of knowledge of good and evil. They failed miserably.

The book of the Bible begins here but it became the lost paradise. It represented disobedience.

Genesis 2:17 (NIV)

but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Death became the norm for the human race. It is this death that came over the human race that marks every man and every woman. Now when you talk about paradise and heaven to people they will say I am on earth and still young, why talk about heaven. They do not have any hope beyond what they have now.

But many of these people, when they reach the end of their life, they search. People who have near death experience, they'll say they see clouds and if you read some books like "Heaven is so Real", you think it sounds a little far fetched to believe.

I only believe what the Bible writes. I really don't know about any other experiences written in other books. I only believe what is written in the Word of God.

As children of God, there are two things that we should not be doing.

We should not be putting paradise and heaven aside. Why? Because your awareness and experience of it now will affect your spiritual life on earth. What is the relevance of your heavenly hope in relation to your life on earth? Or should we right from the beginning in our Christian life be excited about heaven.

When you look into the Bible there is a strong connection and it no accident that the Bible begins and ends with paradise. At Revelations it describes the glorified garden.

The second garden is the Glorified Garden.

Revelation 22:1-5

1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Before I interpret these few verses, let's look at the apostle Paul. He was thinking about the glory after death. He said to live is Christ and to die is gain. He had the consciousness that he was on a journey and his final destination is the glorified paradise.

Peter, he wrote that we are pilgrims and strangers on this earth and one day he will meet the Lord in glory.

And John wrote that he who testifies to these things he said come Lord Jesus. He was looking unto the glory of being with him in the glorified paradise.

There are a few things in this glorified paradise that would come true. There would be no more night. Where is this light from? You cannot trust Tenaga but you can trust God. The city of the New Jerusalem gets light from the glory of God. The glory of God lights up the glorified paradise.

Adam and Eve lost that covering of the glory of God when they took the fruit from the tree of knowledge. In the glorified paradise you have the second garden where salvation finally found its perfection. Fully manifested and the glory of God is everywhere.

In verse 4, it is written they will see his face. You will see Jesus face to face. In the lost paradise Adam and Eve lost the presence of God. Here you will see the Lamb of God on the throne.

Verse 3 says no more curse. No longer. The righteousness and truth and the perfection and full rest of the soul is found in paradise. Would we one day want to find a place where we can lay down all our burdens and all our anxieties are put away. Where the presence of God is seen and experienced forever. A place marked not by death but by life.

There was a movie called Shangri-La where a place of beauty, pleasure and life exists. Science uses the word Eutopia. Nobody wants to die. Even a man up to the very end will always have the hope of another day longer. Very few I've met who say why today cannot die, must wait until tomorrow?

Where is this second garden? The garden of the glorified paradise. Is it in heaven now or existing now, the answer is no. Revelations 21 tells us that it awaits a new heaven and a new earth.

There will come a time when there is a new heaven and a new earth. It will come down onto earth. The glorified paradise will still be on earth, a new earth. This is the hope of every sons and daughters of God. That one day we will be with our Lord Jesus experiencing the fullness of God.

The world is in the lost paradise trying to find the glorified paradise and they'll fail.

In Jonathan Edward's Christian Pilgrim, he wrote that we should not rest in the world and its desires but we should be desiring heaven. We should want to be with God and to be with Jesus Christ. We want to be in heaven not because it has more beautiful beaches than Batu Ferringhi or that it has more beautiful gardens than Hawaii but because Jesus is there.

He tells us to enjoy whatever God has given you. So don't go and sell your house because I say you look to heaven.

What is our heavenly hope in God? Now we look at the third garden.

The third garden is the Garden of Gethsemane.

Matthew 26:36-39

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

This third garden answers this question. The verse that stands out is this. My father if it's possible let this cup pass by me. But finally he says not as I will but as you will.

The first garden was a struggle between God's will and Adam and Eve's will. The devil pushed them - your will be done or God's will be done. Finally Eve decided my will be done. But Jesus said as God's will. The lost paradise represented the permissive will of God. Here it showed Jesus bowing to the will of the Father. It's the prescriptive will of God. God's will be done, the full providential will of God. We are all here on earth.

Every day we face this question. Is it my will or God's will be done. We are daily as a Christian in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The day we become a Christian we enter our Garden of Gethsemane. Everyday you will face this challenge, my will be done or his will be done.

Men and women who have captured the essence of that heavenly hope that whatever decision they make now will have eternal value. They will be able to say thy will be done. They have this hope of glory of Christ in them.

Many years ago even after becoming a Christian, I didn't really find rest in God. Until one fine day, I found two words. Strife and surrender. In these two words, I got the breakthrough as God illuminated it. God's will is about surrender. Eve did not do so, she had to use her hand to take it. It's strife. Everyday, are you going to strife to lay hold of things or will you surrender?

For us to surrender our finances, our career, our children, those things that are dear to us is easier said than done. It's a journey.

Many years ago, I'm a science teacher so I went through a period if I've surrendered my finances to God? My career to God? I ticked a list. Some things I stopped like chess because it's held on Sundays. So I ticked no. To surrender my wife to God. Don't want to say much. Tick la. That time Esther was two years old and Rebecca was seven. When it came to my children, I couldn't tick.

The tick means if God calls me back can I release them. Sometimes your life changes with just a little tick. Finally I ticked. You have to release. It does not mean your children is no longer with  you. It means surrender. Your will be done.

If we know there is a better life ahead of us, a heavenly hope, it gives you strength and the rest of the soul and it will be a barometer of your spiritual health.

Every single day of our life is the Garden of Gethsemane. Looking at the glorified paradise will give us strength and hope.

You have eternal life as children of God. But the more important is to have a victorious Christian life. The question is are you experiencing eternity in your life. If you are saying yes, then I want to encourage all of you that tomorrow as you wake up you will have that glorified paradise coming down to earth I to your life.

I end with this. The Bible has a poetic coherence to it. When God ordained that when you enter the tree of life, God maintains that principle that to enter the tree of glorified paradise is the tree in the Garden of Gethsemane. It is a prelude to Golgotha or Calvary. It's a tree of curse, shame and suffering and Jesus bored that. We now enter it through the tree of shame, it's our shame our suffering and our curse borne by Jesus.

Who Killed Jesus

Good Friday Healing & Miracle Rally

Rev Allan Chan

And why it matters that we know?

Introduction

John 18:1-8 (NIV)
Jesus Arrested
18:3-11pp — Mt 26:47-56; Mk 14:43-50; Lk 22:47-53
1 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.
2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.
8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”

• Who was really responsible for the arrest, unlawful trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ?
• Did Jesus have to die in such a cruel manner?
• Is anti-Semitism a justifiable movement?

JEWS as a People/Nation?

• Jesus upset Jewish leaders who plotted to kill Him (Jn.8:59; 10:31; 11:8; 11:53)
• Jesus was arrested by Sanhedrin (Mt. 26:3,4 & 47); brought Him to Romans to be killed (Mt. 27: 1 & 2)
• It was the Jewish religious leaders who were jealous, felt threatened, and instigated the people (Mt.27:20)
• Peter (Acts 2:22 & 23); & Paul blamed Jewish people (1 Thes.2:14-15)

Gentile ROMANS?

• Only Roman authority had power to sentence death (Jn.18:31)
• Roman soldiers scourged and mocked Jesus (Mt. 27: 1 & 2); nailed Him to the cross (Jn. 19:16 – 23)
• But, we can’t blame the whole Roman Empire for acts of Pilate & soldiers in Judea, much less all gentiles.

Annas & Caiaphas?

• High Priest was Caiaphas, but Annas was father-in-law (former corrupt High Priest) illegally questioned Jesus (Jn.18:12 - 24)
• They feared Jesus for reasons of political power, prestige and popularity (Jn.18:19)
• Their focus was on Jesus’ following, His disciples before His teachings.

Pontius PILATE?

• He was Roman Governor of Judea and allowed self-government by Jews, so long as imperial authority maintained and taxes collected (Jn.18:31; 19:4)
• He believed Jesus was innocent (Jn.19:4; Mt.2723) and could have set Him free, but wanted nothing to do with Jesus’ fate (Mt.27:19 & 24)
•  Pilate tried to absolve himself of the responsibility but yielded to mob demand and gave the order for crucifixion.

Answering Anti-Semitism

• Anti-Semitism based on Mt.27:25 “His blood be upon us and on our children”
• Interpreted as a multi-generational indictment on all Jews throughout time
•  In Acts 2:38 & 39, Peter used same words to offer salvation and Holy Spirit to all who would repent – he was referring to the  1st century generation then Peter added Vs. 39.
• Jews just as eligible for salvation thru Jesus as anyone else.

YOU  and  ME?!

• Rom.5:8 & 9 – “…while we were sinners, Christ died for us… justified by His blood”
• I Cor 15:3 – “Christ died for our sins”
• 2 Cor 5:15 – “He died for all…that we should live unto Him who died for us”
• Heb 2:9 – “…that Jesus should taste  death as a man for every man”
• 2 Cor 5:20 – He…became sin that we might be the righteousness of God.”

ABOVE ALL

GOD’S Sovereign Will

• Rev.13:8 – It was God’s plan from the start (Gen.3:15; Acts2:23: 2Tim.1:9; Tit.1:2)
• Mt.26:42; Jn.18:11, 37 – Jesus chose to submit to God’s will (Lu.22:42)
• Phil. 2:8 – Jesus was obedient unto death of the cross
• Jn.10:17 & 18; Mt.26:53 & 54 – Jesus had power to save Himself, but…
• “IT IS FINISHED”.

OUR  RESPONSE

• How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation (Heb. 2:3)
• You are bought with a price, you are not your own; so glorify God in body and spirit (1 Cor 6:20)
• We are God’s “workmanship”, created and called unto works He has ordained (Eph 2:10)
• Continue what Jesus began until completion (2 Cor 5:18 & 19)

These are notes compiled from the Powerpoint presentation by Rev Allan Chan.

Rev Allan Chan praying for those that needs healing or a miracle.

What Does it Mean to have God with Us?

Rev Gideon Lee

We are going to celebrate Christmas in a week's time and we know that is the day Christ came to be with us. Emmanuel, God with us. What does it actually mean?

The name Emmanuel only appeared 3 times in the Bible. Twice in Isaiah and once in Matthew.

Isaiah 7:10-14

10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”

12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”

13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

That's the first time it's mentioned.

Isaiah 8:8

and sweep on into Judah, swirling over it,

passing through it and reaching up to the neck.

Its outspread wings will cover the breadth of your land, Immanuel!”

That's the second time. Now let's look at Matthew.

Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

What does it mean to have God with us? What does it mean to have Emmanuel?

There was a story about a submarine in the war that sank. The people in there were clinging on to every oxygen tank in the submarine. They were desperate and clinging to any hope. The captain sent out mayday and all were waiting or a rescue. After a while, hope starts to diminish after every hour.

If it's a boat you can still jump out and cling to anything that float but this was a submarine. Suddenly, as divers were looking for the submarine, the people in the submarine was knocking in Morse code hoping the divers can pinpoint where the submarine is. The Morse code was their hope. And from outside, they'll knock back with the code, there is hope.

That is the cry of humanity. We all want to have hope. Someone posted that he dreamt that the ringgit was soaring. We all hope. Is there hope? Maybe you are going through a trying time and you're asking the same question. Is there hope?

John Wesley passed away in 1971 and his last words was that God is with us. He was suffering in pain but he said that God is with us. And that is what we are celebrating in a week's time. God is with us.

This morning I want to ask three questions. Emmanuel was mentioned in three instances. The question is what does the word Emmanuel meant to Isaiah? Second, what does Emmanuel meant to Matthew? And lastly what does Emmanuel meant to you?

Isaiah was speaking to King Ahaz. He was a terrible king. He would sacrifice his own children to the gods. This was a mean and cruel king. At that time the Assyrians were increasing in power. Syria and Israel and Judah wanted to form a coalition so that they can fight the army of the Assyrians.

King Ahaz wavered and was undecided whether to join or not. Because of this Syria and Israel wanted to punish him and put another king on Judah. But King Ahaz, being cunning, he made a pack with the Assyrians. But the pack didn't last and the Assyrians turned on him.

So he was in a desperate situation when the prophet asked him to turn back to God. But King Ahaz in all his pride refused and use men instead. Because of that Judah suffered greatly.

Isaiah 7:13-14

13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah announced to Ahab and told him he would have got a sign. And a name will be given even before the child was conceived. And that there will be peace in the land but the king refused.

In spite of King Ahaz failure, God did not withheld his son. God still sent his son on Christmas day. God is still faithful to bless and take care of you. Sometimes in our own stubbornness, God is still faithful. What Isaiah saw was God's faithfulness. He saw hope in the name Emmanuel. That there was still hope in God. Emmanuel, God with us. He is here with us. God's very presence is here to dwell amongst us.

Isaiah 9:6-7

6 For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

will accomplish this.

This is the God we serve. Isaiah saw hope in God. That God will come true for them. How many of you know this song that we sing from Isaiah 7?

What about Matthew. What does Emmanuel means to him?

Matthew 1:23

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

For Matthew it was something like this. There was an artist that drew a winter scene. It was a dark and dreary house that looked lonely and empty. It was not a cheerful picture. Right in it was a snowstorm. You could see that it was not cheerful. Then the artists took a dab of yellow and he showed the fire that was in the house through the window. In all that dark and dreariness was a beam of light.

And in Jesus  was that beam of hope. That was what it was like to Matthew. For him it meant salvation in the midst of darkness. They were living under the yolk of the Roman empire under king Herod. Emmanuel meant that God came to offer salvation. But we know Jesus  came not to establish a physical Kingdom but a spiritual Kingdom. Many of them thought he was coming to establish a physical Kingdom but that was not why Jesus came. Matthew saw salvation from sin.

So what does Emmanuel means to you? Is it just a name or just another celebration? To me it means a God who cares. He could have just stayed in heaven but he came. What does this earth means to him? He came because he cares.

He is also a God who understands. He went through life like how we will. In all its pains and disappointments. There was not much said about his life when young. Some of the cheeky youths ask me did Jesus fall in love. He understands us. If he was a God that stays in the heavenlies and he say he cares for me, I would ask how would he know? But Jesus went through everything including betrayal. He understands our weaknesses as well. Yet he still came.

Emmanuel also means a God who loves me. By his demonstration on the cross. How would you know God loves you if I ask you this? The Bible tells us so and all of us have experienced it. He bothered to send his one and only son. He went and made himself like man that he can understands me.

He's also Emmanuel, a God who forgives me. I don't know how many times I've failed him but he still forgives. This Christmas has been the busiest for me but wherever I shared I always tell them that God forgives.

I was speaking in USM in their Christmas Celebration event and they had a hall of about 150 people and it was packed, organised by the Christian Fellowship of USM. At first I was not sure because of my timing but I went ahead to go preached.

I shared about Christmas and at the end of it I made an altar call. Sometimes in my heart I still say what happens if nobody comes out? But I still made an altar call. This is USM with thinking people who questions. When I made the call, there were four that came out for salvation and I was surprised. That was the last place I'd expect people to come out. They came out and were crying. God still forgives. He came to offer us the forgiveness of sin.

Doesn't matter how well they looked on the outside, everyone who does not know Jesus  is not complete. They came out and gave their lives. God is just awesome.

Emmanuel is also a God that has saved me. I've tasted of his goodness. He is a God that saves and offers each and everyone of us the gift of salvation. In God we have everything. He who has the son has everything.

What does Emmanuel means to you church? That you have to sort it out. That you'll have an answer. What does Emmanuel means to you? What does God with us means to you? What does Christmas means to you?

For Isaiah it was hope. For Matthew it was salvation. For you, what does Emmanuel means to you?

Three Questions

Rev Gideon Lee

All of us go through life with questions. Like our children who grows to a stage where they start to ask lots of questions. I think it's important we learn to ask the right questions. Today we are going to look at the first three questions in the Bible. These questions did not come in a good way because they were asked to deceive man. We want to see how we can learn from this.

Genesis 3:1-11

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

The serpent asked the first question and notice how it was phrased. Eve wasn't really sure when you see how she replied the serpent. And it was not with conviction.

The Second question. God asked them "where are you?". God is still asking this same question today. Maybe to the lost or to some of you who have strayed from God.

And the third question was God asking them who told them this. When God asked the question where are you, God knew exactly where Adam was. He is God.

The serpent was very crafty when he asked Eve the first question. He is a master deceiver. He is real even though I'm not glorifying him we need to be careful. As children of God we are assured of victory.

The serpent asked Eve in a very sly and non threatening way. When God gave Adam the instructions, Eve heard it secondhand. Often when we hear certain things our brain processes it first. God gave us a brain and to rationalise things out. But after that it moves from our mind to our heart. That's when the conviction comes.

Like you have head knowledge of how you are saved. And if I ask you how do you know that you are saved it has to move from head knowledge to heart knowledge and the best answer is that you know that you know.

When God says you will surely die, yet the serpent told Eve you will not surely die. If the conviction was in Eve's heart would she have eaten from the tree? She heard it secondhand so the conviction was not there. If you ever have this thought, did God really say that? It is not from God. The enemy comes with this questioning quote. The devil has only one agenda. To come to steal, kill and destroy.

God's promises come with no strings attached even if there are conditions. Jesus came to give life and life abundantly.

The serpent knows about God's word.

James 2:19

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

The enemy knows the word of God. He wants us to answer him "I think". The best way to response to him is through the word of God. The serpent presents you with something that sounds like the word of God but is not the word of God. "Did God really say you cannot eat any fruit…" He did not say from this tree.

During the temptation of Jesus after fasting 40 days.  He was hungry and he asked Jesus to turn atone into bread. He knew Jesus was God and is easy for him to do that. But Jesus answered him with "man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes out from the mouth of God." He was quoting scriptures. We need to know the word of God accurately. It cannot be I think this is what God say. Then no conviction already. It has to be I know God says this.

What was the second temptation? To throw himself off the cliff. The devil quoted scriptures too. He knows the Bible. Don't read the Bible from just the mind but to meditate on the word so that it is a conviction that we can live by faith.

But Jesus says do not test the Lord your God. The devil was trying to get Jesus  to work outside his authority. Jesus  never used his power for himself but for the needy.

The third temptation the devil showed him the kingdoms of the world.

The devil presents himself like the angel of light. But he is a counterfeit. He showed Jesus  an alternative, bow before him and he'll give to Jesus  the world. No need to go to the cross and suffer all that pain. Just kneel before him.

Jesus replied, worship the Lord your God and serve only him. Jesus spoke with conviction. In what area has the enemy come to you and asked you this question: did God really say so?

Did God really say that there's no other God but him? Did God really say that Jesus was born of a virgin? Did God really say that he came back to life? Did God really say that Jesus is the only way to find eternal life? Did God really say that you have come to church? Did the enemy ask you these questions? He's trying to get you to think. You have to know that you know.

When we can answer these questions with full of faith and conviction, his lies becomes powerless. You cannot rely on secondhand knowledge. You cannot come to God based on your parent's faith. Your walk with God has to be your walk with God. Someone said to me, you cannot subcontract your faith to God.

The second question God asked where are you? God asked to reconcile Adam back to him. As parents we can relate to this. Sometimes my children drink their Milo and then leave their cups on the table. They are supposed to go and wash the cups. But sometimes they forget. I know whose Milo by the colour of their cups. So what do I do? I ask "whose cup is this?" I know whose cup this is but I asked. Why? Because I want them to own up.

But they try to get away. They use somebody or nobody. Then there's that not me. When God asked where are you Adam, God knew exactly where Adam is. He wanted Adam to own up to what he's done. Sometimes we blame Eve or Adam, that we are interested his state.

The first act of redemption was the sacrifice of an animal.to cover their nakedness. God is asking some of you here. Where are you? Have you walked away from him and God is wanting your fellowship. Where are you? I pray when God ask where are you, you'll know this is a question to bring you back to him. A reconciliation question and not to punish you.

Adam answered he was naked and afraid. And God said who told you you were naked? Adam did not get it. He hid with shame. That's what sin does to us. We hide away from him. God ask you told you so. God when he look at us sees Jesus' righteousness in us.

Sometimes we do that with ourselves. We say we are not talented. Who told you? I pray we will not hide when God ask us where are you.

We sometimes wallow in our sin instead of coming to God immediately. Our relationship is restored only when we come back to God but we want to wait or hide. I encourage you to come back and be reconciled back to God quickly.

Three ways we need to avoid deceit.

1. Stay away from temptation. When Joseph was being tempted, he ran. When you like something the enemy will come and tell you it's okay.
2.  Know what God says. Not just hear but be gut sure. You have to double confirm, if there's such a word.
3. Don't hide your sin or yourself from God. When we try to hide from God we are making excuses and hiding in the bushes. He wants to reconcile with you.

There was once a famous lawyer who was dying. He was one of the best Lawyers in the country and he won almost all his cases. At his deathbed, he called for his doctor. He knew he had no time left. He called for a Christian doctor. The lawyer asked for a bible. The doctor asked why you want a bible when you're not a Christian? He said he is sitting for his final exam so he want to try his best to see if there's any loophole in the Bible. I hope you're not like this lawyer.

There are no loopholes in the Bible. There's no back door. There's only one way. God's way. Know it in your heart.