Loving and Acknowledging God

Pastor Dr Ravi Paul
National Director of Global International Correspondence Institute

I am actually from the North but have been in KL for more than 40 years. I want to introduce globalised ICI to you.

What is ICI? In the US, it is a highly regarded university. It is only a level below the premier universities like Harvard. In the US, it cost so much more per credit. It is so affordable here.

This programme have built many leaders. Churches have benefited and grown where they have leaders graduating from ICI.

We have a type of course where you can or have the options not to take exams. This is a tremendous flexibility.

Pastor John Kirby was one of the students that took this course 15 years ago. He never completed his course and when he recommended TOP, I said they are ahead of you with many students already taking the courses.

We have young students from 30 years old to 75 years. We have 57 lessons free for the young. We have a committee that does the notes so it is of the highest quality. We are not culture biased nor denominational biased.

My own church have 200 students taking these free courses. 150 people were saved on Easter as these leaders now know how to counsel the unbelievers.

I enjoyed the worship service. The worship leader had so much passion. We need that.

Though I was a layman, I have been actively serving God. After my retirement, I was asked to go full time but I knew that was not my calling, to be a pastor. Now I know where I am suppose to be at, and I have been traveling about doing this.

Psalms 91:14

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

How good must I be to merit God's favour? This is a wrong concept. We have many who wants to merit God's favour and many are genuine people who do good, more so than even some Christians

But do we sit at His feet learning His word and pray? Do we really know His name? Moses had that problem. He asked God, who are you and God said "I Am that I Am.".

God has many names.

We have El Shaddai, God Almighty
Jehovah Rapha, God our healer. That is in plural. Jesus says by His stripes we are healed.

I had a massive heart attack years ago and the doctors gave me a 50/50 chance. But I held onto the promises of God when I was lying there in pain.

God Jehovah, our Shepherd
Jehovah Nissi, the Lord our banner
Jehovah Jireh, God our provider
Jehovah Sabbaoth, the Lord of host
Jehovah Shalom, our God of peace
Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord our righteousness
Jehovah Shamah, the Lord is there, His presence

Deuteronomy 6:5

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

This verse is found in a few places including the New Testament.

Were the Israelite grateful to God? They were led by pillars of cloud by day and fire by night. They had manna, shoes and clothes that never wore out. God provided for them, protected them and delivered them. But when Moses was away, they worshiped other gods. Why? Because they never had the word of God. They only heard from Moses.

The longer we don't spend time with God, the further we moved away from God. Like the Israelite, though they come to the temple, their heart was far from God.

God brought back the relationship that was lost because of Adam's fall by having His only Son hang on the cross. An excruciating death. That is the love of God.

Ephesians 1:20-23

which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 2:6

and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

His love for us was so great yet it was not a defeated death. Every power and principalities is under His feet. Seated on the right hand of God.

And verse 6 says we will be seated with Him, in the heaven's throne room of grace. The same power He has given unto us, as Christians we are heirs and joint heirs with our Lord. But we will not know this if we do not know His word.

After I came out of the hospital, I had a natural bypass. I was told I had multiple blockages and told not to walk out as I can drop dead anytime. At first I was negative. But then I remembered the bible said Jesus's bone was not broken in fulfillment of the scripture. If I had an open heart surgery, they will have to break my bones, my rib so the next day, I told my cardiologist I want to go home.

He said if I go, don't ever come back to me. He called me a fanatic. But I went home and fasted and prayed. That was six years ago. As long as the Lord tells me I do not need an operation, I won't let them open me up.

But you must have faith, but it can only come with knowing God's word.

We must learn to memorise the word of God as in every circumstances of life we can hold onto the promises of God.

Today, there are many that contradict the word of God and yet sound so holy. Like we are told we only needed to repent once and for the rest of your life you will no longer need to confess your sins. This contradict Gods word and is being preached as truth.

I could have been a millionaire when I was with Felcra Plantation. There were so many opportunities for bribes. I was being tempted to take bribes and they even teach me how to do it. They told me for every one tree, I can make 10 cents a tree and I calculated its RM120,000.00 a month. I heard his formula for making money but I told him I'll trust my God to supply all my needs.

Sin is an absolute word in the word of God. Flee and run away from it. I said I don't want. I used to take my staff to Thailand to look at their orchards to learn. The contractors seems to know where I stay and they'll knock at my door and said they have some girls for me. I said I already got one at home which is hard enough to take care of. I humour them but they know where I stand.

As a result of walking with Him, He protects us. Once I was in Teluk Intan and I was asked to come to Sitiawan to share with their church. I took a short cut but that road was flooded. It was about 100-150 meters. The people there waved to me not to go but I prayed and went as the long way will be another 120 miles away. A car behind me sank and I realised it was swept away by a river. The road was gone and that was why the people waved to me to stop.

After passing I knelt down and prayed and gave thanks.

Another incident also with water and I remembered the Teluk Intan incident. God said wait and do what Moses did. But I told the Lord I don't even have a staff. But two trucks came along and as they drove through the flood, the water parted. That's my Red Sea. I quickly followed and a bus behind me also kept the water at bay. God answers prayer.

Another incident where I had to cross an area infested by all kinds of leaches. Leaches cannot take salt and blood is salty and I said I am covered by God's blood and I crossed through a wild boar path and went across without a single leach. The rest had to strip down to remove all kind of leaches, big fat short thin. They were surprised but I told them it is based on God's word.

We are living testimonies. Our help comes from the Lord. The word of God must be deposited in our life so that the Holy Spirit can bring to life His word in ours. The Holy Spirit can draw from that deposit to help us. That's why I can quote some of those verses by memory.

Are we spending time with God daily? Do we make it a point to spend these times? When we go into prayer we are in the throne room of grace.

When I was in Perak they poisoned me. I tightened the rule and regulations to stop corruption. I had terrible pain in my stomach and I prayed and out came bamboo shoots and mushrooms when I vomited. I never took them. Then I heard birds flapping and going out. These are real, rural areas where there are all kinds of practices. Such were the times but the Lord protected me. But we must learn to spend time with God no matter how busy we are. Then we can overcome so many things in life by the power of God.

Not by might nor by power but by His Spirit!

Encountering God in Love

Bro Koay Kheng Hin

My last message was on Encountering God in Holiness. That was part one. I was praying that God would give me the opportunity to complete the message and I got a call from Pastor Gideon to take this Sunday as he was conducting a wedding in KL so here is part two.

The word love is used very very often. It is one of the most used word in the English dictionary. Actually love is a word that all of us are familiar with. Sad to say this word is also one of the most abused word in the English language.

Divorce is increasing a lot today in the world but sadly also the church. Expression of love is so common during courting but also sadly two very loving people can un-love each other after some years of marriage.

Recently in movies, I hear this quite often. "No matter what happens, my life is complete and I can say I have once loved and have been loved. No matter what happens, come what may, I have no more regrets because I have once love and have been loved" Even though I am a fifty over year old man, I felt very young again. So romantic, something I am working on.

Once in an earthquake in China, they found a lady holding a baby and though she was badly crushed by rocks, the baby was kept safe. That is sacrificial love.

All of us have an emptiness. We are made in the image of God so there is a spiritual hunger to worship God. On the other hand, worship of God is a loving worship and hence our hearts seeks after this love that transcends all else and which makes us empty without it.

Today I will talk about this greatest story of love. The bible tells a story, and it's the greatest love story in the world. I shared this at a wake service some time ago.

It doesn't matter how old you are. You may be in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s or even 70s and have gone through some difficult times. If you were asked to think of the deepest hurts you have ever felt you'll find that the scars remain. It is the most important thing in your life that hurts you the most.

Sometimes, when you lose a lot of money, there will be pain, anxiety and despair but you often will get pass it. However if you are betrayed, you can feel a pain that is so painful, so deep that sometimes in the middle of the night you break down. This kind of hurt is the most painful.

This is because this is how we are made. When we don't know the Lord, other relationship takes its place and hence you'll feel a deep hurt.

John 12:32

And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”

Jesus in the 10 verses before talked about His impending death and the cross. But here, Jesus talked about how He dies, when He is lifted up, literally as on the cross.

The question is, what motivated Jesus to die a humble death on the cross of Calvary? What draws us to Him?

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

This verse tells us when He was on the cross it was a demonstration of His love for all men. The bible has a special word "agapao" for this love, unconditional love. All of us have not really developed agapao love. This is a love where God sees a sinner, condemned and no merit in them but God in His grace chose to love us. It is a choice, by will. God sees us as not deserving love yet He loves us.

Imagine Jesus on the cross until when He says "It is finished". It is a picture of God's love. It goes beyond words. A picture speaks a thousand words. This is love that He gave His life for you and me. It is a love that surpasses everything we know in our heart and head.

The sad part is the diagrams that you and I draw. We draw a picture of a cross where we cross over from being a sinner to becoming a new creation.

The problem with this diagram is that we see the cross behind us after this event. The problem with this is that we will relate with God based on the current circumstances. If it is good, you appreciate the love of God and when things are not so good you don't see the love of the cross. This problem is because you see the cross behind you.

Actually the cross is eternally before us. He is the author and the finisher of our faith. We are only able to slowly grasp the love of God when we have the cross always before us. The hymn, "The world behind me and the cross before me" is so true.

So in one sense the cross was behind us but in truth the cross is eternally before us. The bible says while we were yet sinners, God sent His Son to save us. There is a correspondence between sin and our love for God. If you think you are not a bad person, the value of the work of Christ on the cross may not be that significant. However if you are a terrible sinner, your appreciation of God's love may be much greater. John Newton saw what God had done for him when he wrote "Amazing Grace" because he was a slave driver.

This is something we have to learn. We were saved from a terribly hopeless state.

Learn to reflect on Jesus dieing on the cross. See how much He love you and you will reciprocate this love in your life. That love of God is poured out into your life. We will learn and grow to love God. We will grow in that intimacy. The Lord love me and laid down His life for me. A time will come when we can finally say I will lay down my life for Him.

The reason we can sit here and learn about Christ is because 300 years ago, many gave their lives for the preaching of the gospel to the heathens, to you and me. Many were killed by the very people they were trying to reach out to, like in Africa.

But things have changed much. Many who bring the gospel does so with fame and fortune today. What made Taylor Hudson and many like him lay down everything to go to faraway lands. If you ask them when you're in heaven, it'll be because of their love for Jesus.

If we ask a Christian, all will say they love the Lord. But God has a barometer to measure that love.

John 21:15-19

Jesus Restores Peter

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “ Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”

He said to Him, “ Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “ Feed My lambs.”

16 He said to him again a second time, “ Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”

He said to Him, “ Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “ Tend My sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, “ Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “ Do you love Me?”

And he said to Him, “ Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

Jesus said to him, “ Feed My sheep.

18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”

19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “ Follow Me.”

I used to read a lot of novels but after 16 years, my reading habit has changed. When you read a novel, you tend to go into the character. I used to read a lot of Tarzan. I was skinny and tall playing basketball, so I bought a whole series of Tarzan. I felt like Tarzan after reading them even though I was still skinny.

This is a real narrative, even more than Tarzan who is fictional. Here Jesus asked Peter a question. When Jesus asked Peter do you love me more than "these", the debate is what are "these" that Jesus referred to? We think it's the other disciples. See Matthew.

Matthew 26:33

Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”

The love here is agapao. Jesus asked Peter, "Do you truly "agapao" me more than these?" But Peter answered, "you know I "phileo" you". Jesus asked again, "Do you agapao me?" Again Peter answered, "Yes I phileo you". The third time, Jesus asked "Do you phileo me?" Then Peter replied "You know I phileo you."

Later in the epistles, Peter uses agapao and no longer uses phileo.

Agapao is unconditional love. Phileo is a love used between friends. Agapao is a love that refers to God. Phileo is between men. Agapao is total commitment and devotion but phileo is personal affection and fondness. They are of different levels of love.

Matthew 5:44

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.

The bible says love your enemies. I find it hard to understand when your enemies may do terrible things to you and your family. We can forgive them but how to love them?

I love you but I don't like you. How does this make sense? It puzzles you. To connect this you can say I agapao you but I don't phileo you. Phileo comes from interaction. You cannot phileo everyone in church. Agapao has nothing to do with this relationship or interaction. I love you with the love of God, that's agapao.

If we go for a family holiday, we will probably choose those we relate with where we have a fondness or affection. That's phileo. Agapao goes beyond emotion and relationship. If pastor ask you to pray for someone who you don't really know, you will go down on your knees and pray for him. This is agapao love, even though there is no relationship. The closest to this is kindness.

Jesus knew the time will come when Peter will use agapao. Jesus saw into his future. Peter would live out that agapao and Peter did die for the cause. Peter requested to be crucified upside down as he said he is not worthy to be crucified like his Lord. That is agapao love.

What is the relationship between agapao and phileo? Agapao perfects phileo love. Phileo enhances agapao love.

Coming back to the novel thing, three times Jesus asked Peter. I want this to speak to your heart. The Lord is asking you, do you agapoa him? He ask you again and I pray He will not need to ask you a third time, because if He does it will be "do you phileo Him". If you agapao Him then this message would bear fruit.

John 21:19

This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “ Follow Me.”

Finally Jesus say "Follow Me".

The barometer of the test is "Love your neighbour as you love yourself. In the Christian faith, it is impossible for you to say you love the Lord but not your neighbour. This is the barometer.

John 14:15

Jesus Promises Another Helper

15 “ If you love Me, keep My commandments.

If you love God you will obey. It is a love that move you to holiness and an unconditional love for all men.

John 14:21

He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

1 John 5:3-4

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.

Holiness is no longer burdensome when you love with the grace of God.

Word defining holiness - reverence
Word defining love - intimacy

Reverential intimacy
Intimate worship

A reverential intimacy. It is one that draws us to worship. In the aweness towards God, you still feel the intimacy of His love. That love will cause you to say because You are holy, I want to be holy. And because He laid down His life for you, you will lay down yours for Him.

I started with what hurts you most, or more aptly who hurts you most. Learn to lay it at the foot of the cross. Let agapao love take over and be able to forgive and pray for that person to be blessed.

Julius Caesar not just died but died a heart broken man because he was betrayed by Brutus. His last words was when he looked into the eyes of Brutus his friend, and cried "You too?" in Latin. He was not thinking about his empire or achievements, but about the betrayal of his friend.

I pray we will not be like that. And be victorious over the hurts that have held us captive. Agapao love allows us to move pass these hurts or betrayal.

Today I encourage all of us to feel the love of God and when the agapao love fills you it will change your Christian walk.

From the Crib, to the Cross, to the Cave

Resurrection Sunday

Pastor Gideon

Without the cross there would be no empty tomb. But today we will not be looking at the cross. We will be celebrating the wonderful work of God and that today He is alive.

Matthew 28:1-10

He Is Risen

1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

The Women Worship the Risen Lord

9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “ Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “ Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

An angel of the Lord greeted the women at the tomb and it was probably a shocking experience for them. Then the angel said "Do not be afraid. He is not here. He is risen".

They ran and told the disciples what had happened at the empty tomb.

Jesus is famous because of an empty tomb. But if you were to go to any tomb of famous men, they are still there, buried.

You may understand why I talk about the cross but why the crib? Again without the crib, there won't be the cross. Jesus was born because He has a purpose. Jesus was sent by the Father to save the world. Isn't it great Jesus came as a baby?

Human babies are different from animals. Animal babies after a few minutes will be able to stand up and walk and run. This is for survival. But not human babies. Why do you think so? Why such a big difference?

We as humans need to care for our children and that's where bonding happens. They are helpless at birth. He came as a baby but understanding His purpose. He is born flesh and blood. He can understand what you and I feel. Our despair, our dissapointments. Because He came we now have hope.

With sin, we do not have a healthy relationship with God. We try but everything we did was futile. And God saw our helplessness. Like a parent, He sent His only son.

If you notice the bible didn't tell us much about His growing up years. The bible is not about His biography. It focused on what He was to do. He probably had a normal childhood. If He came as an adult He probably will not understand what we go through growing up. He led a normal life like you and I.

His purpose was the cross and because of His crib we have the cross. His last words were "IT IS FINISH". He is making a point that He is ending on a victorious note. He came and finished a job He came to do. Because of the crib we have hope. Because of the cross we have life.

There is this famous chapel, called the Sixteenth Chapel renown for all their paintings. There's one that depicts Satan playing chess and in the painting you'll see Satan has a proud look like he is a victor. And in the picture is a man that looks defeated, forlorn. It has a message and people wonder why is it in the chapel. But a world chess champion came and looked at the chess board. He saw that the man has to just make one move and he would have checkmate Satan.

On Good Friday it looked like the enemy has won. That we have no hope with Jesus hanging on the cross.

But Jesus had one final move, three days after the cross, He rose from the grave. That's why today we celebrate the empty tomb, and that's why Jesus is famous for his empty tomb, unlike all the other heroes that died.

Going to the cross was not enough, that was only half the job. He had to rise again to complete the work. He had to overcome death so that He can offer us eternal life. I am so glad He didn't stay on the cross. He rose on the third day. He is alive forevermore.

From the crib, to the cross, to the cave. It is not the end. It is just the beginning. The story has to be continued with you and me.

Jesus said we are to go tell everyone. He has all authority and we have to go to all the nations to make disciples. He didn't say go make converts. That's easy. When we bring someone into the kingdom of God we need to disciple them. That is why as a church we are called to make disciples, we need to pour our life into theirs.

We are a people with a future. Because of the empty cave we have a future.

As a child come into this world, we don't tell them they are on their own. We don't do that. As Christians when we get someone saved we have to disciple them. In the church there should be no spiritual orphans.

Let's go make disciples. Our job is not ended yet. And in v20 Jesus said "I am with you ALWAYS even unto the end of the world". We cannot do it on our own strength or we will feel tired and discouraged. But if we do it under His anointing, we can fulfill our mission.

Why Good Friday is Good?

Good Friday Combined Service
Pastor Gideon

We are going to discover what happened 2,000 years ago and why we are now here. We will do something different tonight. I am going to read the whole chapter of John 19. Just close your eyes and listen.

John Chapter 19

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

1 So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. 2 And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. 3 Then they said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him with their hands.

4 Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.”

Pilate's Decision

5 Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!”

6 Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”

Pilate said to them, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.”

7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.”

8 Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, 9 and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.

10 Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?”

11 Jesus answered, “ You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”

12 From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar's friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”

13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold your King!”

15 But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!”

Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?”

The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”

16 Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away.

The King on a Cross

17 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, 18 where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. 19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was:

JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

20 Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.

21 Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.” ’”

22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. 24 They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says:

“They divided My garments among them,

And for My clothing they cast lots.”

Therefore the soldiers did these things.

Behold Your Mother

25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “ Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “ Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

It Is Finished

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “ I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “ It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Jesus' Side Is Pierced

31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

Jesus Buried in Joseph's Tomb

38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

One day a youngster asked his pastor. If Jesus died on Friday, why do we call it good. He went through hell for us. He was flogged, beaten, a crown of thorns put on his head and his back was like ribbons, strip of flesh. He was falsely accused. If you died of your crime, I can understand. What He was accused of was not deserving of death.

He was crucified one of the most cruel death by the Romans. Reserved for the worst kind of criminals. Certainly not for Jesus. His crime was only that the people says he claims to be the king of the Jews.

He was nailed and hung on the cross. The soldiers divided His clothes and what was left was His undergarments and they cast lots for it. He died naked on the cross. For modesty we see Him with a piece of cloth in movies and paintings. In actual fact He died naked on the cross.

Even in death they pierced a spear on His side. He had no grave or tomb to be buried in. He had to be buried in a borrowed tomb. Hard to understand right? But nobody would call all of this a good Friday.

Why call it good Friday? We can call it good because it express the heart of God to all humanity. What Jesus did expresses His heart for you and I. John 3:16 says For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Jesus would love us to death. If that was what it took to restore our relationship with God. God made a covenant in the form of a rainbow to Noah. The covenant is seen today when Jesus went to the cross for you and I. Good Friday is about relationship. Go created us in his image but that relationship was broken. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and because of that sin came into the world. Sin robbed us from a healthy relationship with God.

Augustine tells us that one day when he was 17 years old he passed by a pear tree. He wanted it so much so he climb over the fence, up the tree and stole the pear and ate it. Augustine was not poor. He could afford a pear. But he confessed he did it because he just wanted to steal the pear. He just took it. You may say stealing a pear is no big deal. Sometimes we justify it, like a neighbour's mango coming over our fence. We pick them and give reasons to justify it. But even with that little act the bible calls it sin. The bible is very clear. There is no distinction of sin in that sense.

It's like getting pregnant. You cannot say you are a little bit pregnant. You are either pregnant or not pregnant. He doesn't see the distinction. Sin is sin.

So here's the problem. God wants communion with you and I. He wants us to be BMF, best friends forever.

But sin that crept into humanity broke that relationship. It's not just what we do. It's even a wrong thought, bad thoughts. The bible says it's sin. Some things we ought to do but didn't is also called sin.

So here's the dilemma. God wants a relationship, He loves us so much but because of sin we are separated from him.

But this evening I have got good news for you. That's why it's called Good Friday. I wrote it in Facebook. God looks at our dilemma and I thank God He did not see it as just our problem. He was so concerned we cannot overcome sin. All of us have tried. We try very hard to be good. And sometimes we buy it with good works. To score points by doing good works. It is not wrong but it will still fall short. Because it has selfish motives. All it takes is one mistake and it cancels all our good works.

Let's say I invite Lin Ken to my house and I wanted to make an omelette for him. I broke 5 good egg but the last egg was rotten and it will spoil the omelette. You can say you have 5 good eggs. Lin Ken won't know. But the sad truth is, that one rotten egg will spoil the omelette. All it take is one rotten egg and it'll spoil all our good works.

We can't save ourselves. And God looks towards Jesus, His Son. Jesus said, don't worry dad, I'll go and help them (John 3:16). What's so special about Jesus? He was the Son of God and He knew no sin. And therefore He qualify to pay the penalty for you and I.

When you buy a new car you'll find that when you take a loan, what's on the "garan" is "Hak Milik" bla bla bla the bank you took the loan from. Until the loan is paid for in full, your car still belongs to the bank even though you are stated as owner. No transfer is made until you pay in full.

That was what Jesus did for you and I. There was no way we could come out of sin. And the bible says the penalty of sin is death. All of us including me deserves death. But praise God He sent His one and only Son. Because He qualify, knew no sin and is perfect in God's sight He has the power to pay on our behalf.

All we have to do is accept Him. To accept what He did for us. It's like we go have a meal and not enough money to pay for the meal. But unknown to us, one of our relative sitting at the corner saw our predicament and quietly went to the counter and paid the bill for us. But we don't know. We still try our best to pay, if not, sure wash dishes. We may call our friend to come help. You'll know who your true friends are then. Some of us here is like this. We are still trying to pay for our sins. But we didn't know Jesus have paid for our sins. We need to come before God and confess that we cannot do it. Help me. And God would say don't worry, my Son have paid for you in full. That's why we can call today Good Friday, because He is Good.

He saw our dilemma and saw we can't save ourselves. He went to the cross and because of that God no longer sees our sin but He sees His son on the cross. What did Jesus last said on the cross? It is finished. He didn't say I am finished. It was a cry of victory. IT IS FINISHED. Whatever He came to do for us was done on the cross. No need to sacrifice or slaughter animals. He became the perfect sacrifice for us. It was a cry of victory.

We look forward to Sunday. When they rushed to the tomb and saw the stone rolled away and went into the tomb and His body was no longer there, because HE IS RISEN! We are going to have a celebration. I prefer Resurrection Sunday to Easter because Jesus didn't stay in the grave. HE HAS RISEN!

I didn't mention what I wrote on Facebook. The cross is a symbol of a plus. He came to add into our lives. The only thing he takes away is our sin. He wants to add into your life. Let Him.

Palm Sunday - See the coming of the King

Pastor Gideon

Combined service.

Today is Palm Sunday. Today is also our TOP AGM.

Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday leads to the holy week with Christ being nailed on the cross on Friday and resurrected on Sunday. It is a significant time in the Christian calendar and we must remember what the Lord did for us.

Mark 11:1-11

The Triumphal Entry

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this? ’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly. ’”

4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna! ’”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“Hosanna in the highest!”

11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Palm Sunday was a joyous occasion. Palm branches was laid down as Jesus rode the colt into Jerusalem. It was a grand occasion. The people would line the streets to welcome him.

Today is April Fools day. Many of us have played pranks on our friends on this day. I did that to my friend in my school days by telling him teacher wanted to see him. Fearfully he would go see the teacher only to be told he never asked to see him. Gave us all a good laugh.

Actually some of them who came to welcome Jesus on Palm Sunday outside Jerusalem must have thought they were witnessing an April's Fool joke. They had come out to see the long awaited Messiah. They had heard about the miracles he did, healing the sick, the blind and even raised Lazarus from the dead. They have high expectations and jostle for position to see Jesus. They were expecting someone to deliver them from the Roman empire. They were under persecution so they expected Jesus was the person to come to deliver them. That kind of King to come to rule and drive out the Romans and establish the nation of Israel.

Their heart sank when they saw Jesus arriving on a colt. They would expect a king to come on a more glamorous vehicle. When the Romans enter victoriously they would parade the conquered in chains and all the soldiers would come dressed for grandeur. The people were used to seeing this.

But then they saw Jesus coming on a young donkey. Not even an adult donkey. If God can use a donkey I am sure he can use all of us. If I was Jesus I would probably have chosen a white stallion. Or maybe a big elephant with long tusk. But they saw a different picture. What kind of messiah is this? Where is his shining armour?

It didn't occurred to the people that Jesus was fulfilling scripture.

Zechariah 9:9

The Coming of Zion’s King

9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!

Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!

See, your king comes to you,

righteous and having salvation,

gentle and riding on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Jesus knew how he should enter Jerusalem. Isn't it odd that he would walk 90 miles from Bethany and the last 2 miles he asked for a colt. He fulfilled scripture to show he is the coming king.

Many people took off their cloak to let him walk on. Back in those days your cloak is the most important clothes you have. It was a significant action. It was a representation of their status. Underneath it was probably shabby. They cut branches and waved to Him, hosanna hosanna which meant save us save us.

But we know Jesus came to establish a different kind of kingdom. He ushered in a spiritual kingdom. Blessed is He who come in the name of the Lord, the son of David. But some of them must think its a joke. How can our coming king come so lowly.

v11 showed he came to Jerusalem, he went to the temple, looked around and went home. If he entered so triumphantly there must be expectation in something more from him.

I wondered what was on Jesus's mind when he entered Jerusalem. Was he thinking about all these money-lenders at the temple? Or was he looking at the magnificent temple that would be destroyed. Or that curtain that separates men from God and how it will be torn down. Or maybe the mockery or trial he will go through, the crucifixion. We don't know what he was thinking of.

In Mark 10:32-34 some days earlier, he already predicted his death and resurrection. This was not what the disciples had wanted to hear. Jesus stood on the courtyard understanding what was going to happen. But we know he had the courage to go through it.

He was a man of courage. History says he was reserved the worst of the worst. Surely he did not deserve this, what was his crime? But no matter what, He understood this was what he needed to do.

He was not just a man of courage but also a man of commitment. At the garden, his prayer was so intense that he sweated blood. Medically, it could be he was under such intense pressure that his blood vessels broke. But I am so glad he did not end there but said "Not my will, but Your will". It was not blind courage that motivated Jesus. It was a determination to do what the Father wanted. He walked the talk. What we preach we must be able to live out in our life. Jesus walked his talk. We can live it out. Our life must reflect Jesus.

He was also a man of compassion. He laid down His life for us. No greater works than to lay down your life for a friend.

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

It was not the nails that held him to the cross. It was his love for you that held him on the cross. On Friday he went to the cross and on Sunday he rose again. We don't know what he was thinking of at the temple but we know what he did. What he did for us.

I hope you know what kind of king to look for. Someone humble and meek who gave his life for you. He is our hero, a man of courage, commitment and compassion.

TOP's 29th AGM 2012 held after the combined service.