The Call to Missions

Bro Koay Kheng Hin

I always tell people that the call of God in my life is teaching. I was not very good with my hands and when I was growing up and in December when everyone fly kite, my kite were gone after the third day. And I'd have to ask my brother to make another for me. Not good for your self esteem. But during exams they'd flock to me. Praise the Lord.

For me, I always regard coming to the pulpit a very special privilege. When at the pulpit, not only am I speaking to you but God is listening. The devil and the angels are also listening. So praise the Lord I prayed and am covered in the blood before I come out.

When demons hear the word of the Lord preached they will tremble.

So today you are also one of the hearers and I pray you will be blessed.

What exactly is missions?

There are two words. One is missions and the other is mission without the "s". This is the way I look at it.

When we say missions, we often think of mission trips and the person that goes, a missionary.

The church has one mission. To bring a person who do not know Christ to come to the saving knowledge of Christ. The mission of the church is to complete that mission.

When we have a big party or evangelistic meeting, we fulfill the church's call to missions.

When we say missions, we often think only of one person, the missionary. But the mission field is not just the work of one person. We need everyone involved in missions including those staying at home covering those that are in the field in prayer as they are in enemy territory.

But if you are not called to go, don't. You won't last. Even a teacher like me can only impart what I have. So my work is to prepare the person to have an intimate relationship with the Lord. When I put it this way, you'll see all of us are involved with mission.

All of us are people with a mission. And that is to fulfill the call to missions. I am not comfortable with the word ambition. I believe we all are actually people with a mission. We have one mission and that is to preach the gospel to every creature on the earth. Not animals huh. Our mission is the
focus.

How we do the mission is what this is about.

Romans 10:14-15
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

I just want to expand on the word sent. This root word is meant for the apostle. The word mission did not come from the bible. The bible was written in Hebrew or Greek The Latin word is "missio" and from that we get the word mission.

The missionary must be sent for us to have missions. The next time when you pray for a missionary, you must understand it is a call. Not because you like the person.

Also when you put your money for the harvest mission you must understand that you are called to give. Not because you feel guilty for not giving.

This is calling. God sents him but who gives him the money? It will not fall from heaven. You are a part of that mission work by giving.

Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

I want to focus on the word go. It is imperative. It is not a suggestion. It is a command. Some may say the command is for the eleven disciples only. They are now gone, in heaven so its not for me.

Luke 24:48-49
You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Here the word is witnesses. What are they to witness? These things are in verses 45-47. Who were Jesus speaking to? See verse 33. The group has widen. That command is not for the eleven. You will realize that those others were no special apostles. They were just like you and I.

So the word go and witnesses includes you.

On Friday's cell I spoke about listening to God through His word. I spoke about intimacy to God. And I said that the word of God is for all of us, to draw us into an intimate relationship with Him.

Luke 24:45-47
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

This passage is basically the gospel. What is it? These are for men and women in a precarious position not knowing God. It is a pressing matter. They are destined for hell.

Some time ago I read in the papers a paid trip to visit hell. I can tell you they are blinded as many come out thinking hell is not so bad. Hell is not made for men, it is for the devil and his cohort. It is a terrible place. A place of gnashing of teeth where all your greatest fears come true. I am not trying to scare you to heaven but just to stress to you how real it is.

When we say missions and talk about the call, know it is an important call. So that these people can be reconciled to God and have a relationship with God.

In Jesus is the forgiveness of sin and a restored relationship. It is to all nations beginning at Jerusalem. There is a call from 2,000 years ago. The gospel must be preached in the context of disciple making.

With that in mind, each of us must know our place. That call is an imperative call, and we are called to obedience.

When you look at it this way, it refers to each and everyone of us. This is a corporate call. It's a call every single person need to answer. In verse 49, it shows it's mission possible as in Acts 1, we have the enablement.

God is the main actor. You are only the supporting cast. If in your ministry you have a lot of fruits, you need to remind yourself that it is the spirit of God that brings about the regeneration. We are only the supporting cast.

When I teach in bible study, it is the spirit of God that speaks to the people or they would have fallen asleep. I am called to teach. And I love to teach. Whether it's 5, 50 or 500, I will teach, not to say that I have 500 students (laughs). I thanks God there are people wanting to attend or how else will I get to teach? I must thanks them for coming.

Here our mission impossible has become mission Possible because with God all things are possible.

To the regenerated, to God be all the glory. The work is always finally enabled by Him. Sometimes I understand in some ministries, you listen and you come out and said it was good, very good. You ask what is good? And he said I don't know but it was good. The preacher is good not the message. If that is the case, then we are in trouble. It's a celebrity preacher. Where else if you heard a message that draws you to God and you can't even remember the speaker, then he's a good speaker.

The world's value system is about success. I'll take Lee Chong Wei as an example. He is world No. 1 for three years but do you think he can be world No. 1 without support. Without the physiotherapist, his cook, the coach, the supporters that cheer him on? But when he wins the championship, nobody will remember the supporters or those that supports him in all these other roles. This is the world system.

But God sees things differently. When a missionary accomplish much in the mission field, there are many that supported the work. When God rewards, he sees the heart whether that person is the driver, the person that pray or the person that gives the money. It is a call and if the driver fulfills his call and served wholeheartedly, God is well pleased. Money is not being judged by how much you give but what's left. God judge with a different value system.

We all have different function in God's call, not different status.

Even as I struggled with this, the picture of the call, you can hear snippets of it. What is the place of good works in mission? Good works supports the gospel call but they are not the gospel call. The church is taking this platform, all the facilities, the Big Party etc is to support the mission call. The essence of mission is the gospel call. This is so we all know what and why we are doing it.

Let's looks at Paul.

Acts 9:15-16
But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

When you see this you can see the call to Paul is very clear. Paul was on his way to Damascus when he was blinded by the light and God called Paul. Paul's call was a personal call. It was very clear for him to preach the gospel.

To us, we are talking about a general call. That general call is the corporate call that we are to be involved in missions. And they are related. In clarity, intensity and in function.

1 Corinthians 9:16
Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

This is the perfect example of Gods call. It is a personal call with a divine compulsion. Translated to us, we do not have that personal call to missions, but we all have a personal call to a specific area of mission. There is a divine compulsion. Like whether it is giving, teaching or worship leading, there is that compulsion to be involved. But that divine compulsion is not "Kee Tang". That is possession. We are talking about compulsion where you have a choice. Three o'clock and God calls you to pray for a need, you have a choice. You can be obedient to that call.

2 Corinthians 5:14
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.


2 Corinthians 5:20
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

This is the gospel. The love of Christ compelled Paul. The word love here is ambiguous.

Does it mean because Christ love me, I share the gospel?
Does it mean, I love Christ, that's why I do it?
Or does it mean because Christ love unbelievers so He compels Paul?
Or does it mean Paul is compelled to love the unbelievers which compels him?

I believe it is all four inside the apostle Paul.

Call of God will give you divine compulsion
The command of God leads you to obedience
The love of Christ in you represents the communion

That intimate relationship of Paul with Christ results in his answering that call.

We must remember, we are sent. We response in obedience. It is a command.

Don't put the cart before the horse. Don't put the commission as the horse and the communion as the cart.

The church's many programs and activities cannot be the platform to bring us into an intimacy with God.

It must be the intimacy that propels the commission. It is the engine. Then the church will move in the right direction. Draw our people to an intimate relationship with God and you will see the power of God working in the life of the people in our midst. The great commission will be fulfilled by the power of the spirit and will reflect what is in his heart.

Noah as a Successful Father

 

Rev Gideon Lee

On behalf of the Yeap family especially from Winnie and Sasha, a big thank you and their appreciation for your support during the funeral and wake services.

Have you given your presents or wishes to your father. Yes? Maybe your father is not here with you or perhaps it may be your spiritual father. Take them out for lunch or maybe durians. Yes? I hear this year's durian not as much but still must eat.

This morning I want to announce I have received my father's day present from my wife but I can only open it in early January, so the doctor say. We are expecting our fourth child. If someone ask me, did you plan for this I can only say, man plan but only God can fulfill. It came as a surprise. I will love this child as much as my other children and my wife too of course and my wife have made me sign an agreement that it's close factory after this.

Genesis 6

1 When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years.”

4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days–and also afterward–when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

5 The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth –men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air–for I am grieved that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

9 This is the account of Noah.

Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. 10 Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.

11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. 12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. 13 So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. 14 So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. 15 This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. 16 Make a roof for it and finish the ark to within 18 inches of the top. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks. 17 I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark –you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. 19 You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. 20 Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. 21 You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.”

22 Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

Here we read the story of the flood. Since today is father's day you'd expect me to talk about fathers. The bible has lots of names where there are references of good fathers. Like Abraham.

But we will seldom think of Noah as a father as he is often associated with the ark. But at the end of this chapter, it shows Noah was a successful father.

How do we rate a successful parent? Maybe when our children are doing well in life and in their career. Or they successfully raise a family of their own. The success of Noah is that he was able to win over his family.

How many was saved from this flood? Only eight. Not only did Noah save the physical lives of his family but also spiritually.

Noah and you and I are not much different. Noah raised his children during a wicked time, no different from today. As parents we want to bring our child up in the best environment. But like us he raised them during extreme wickedness and violence. Not only that but also during a time when God and His ways was ignored.

It was so bad only eight was saved. If you have unsaved love ones you'd know what it was like to reach them. They ignored God.

Also it's a time of impending judgment. That was the backdrop for Noah. And yet in spite of all this he won his family to the Lord.

To be a successful dad, there is no manual to follow. Except what is found in the bible. Noah was able to influence his family in spite of the circumstances. What can we learn from Noah this morning?

1. Noah walked with God

Genesis 6:8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Noah found grace in the eyes of God. This tells us that Noah was someone who knows God. He had a personal relationship with his creator. We as a parent should demonstrate to our children that we have a relationship with God.

He was a person that was consecrated to God. He was upright. It is one thing to say you know God and another to walk with God.

Noah was a consistent man. It took Noah 120 years to build the ark. Can you imagine you are preaching and doing all this from the command of God though there was no evidence of a flood. It was not a one day thing. It was 120 years!

Are we walking with God this morning. Are we an example to our children. I am not making judgment on whether we are good or bad fathers. All of us make mistakes me included.

There was an instance when I lost my cool when I saw the table was so messy. I warned the children I will throw all the mess on the table if it was not cleaned up.

And in the spur of that moment I swept all that was on the table onto the floor. Colour pencils and all.

My second daughter, with her big round eyes were take aback and tear weld up her eyes. I didn't see it as I was in anger. Then she ran up angry.

My wife asked me why I had to be so worked up over something so small. She had warned the children that if they spoil their colour pencil she will not buy it again for them and my daughter was afraid the pencils were broken when I swept them onto the floor. You know the lead in the colour pencil can easily be broken?

I had to calm myself and talked to her after. No, as fathers we are not perfect, you and I but we can be better.

2. Noah was someone that witnessed

2 Peter 2:5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;

How he did it? He did it through his conduct. He stood for what is right. He was witnessing to them that he served a God who is righteous. He opened his mouth. He also witnessed through his commitment. He was someone that was obedient to God.

3. Noah won his family

Noah saved his family. No one can claim that in the OT. Only his family was save. How did he do that? He won their respect. Especially over 120 years of commitment. Also they saw how Noah walked with God. Also we see how the children responded to his call to enter the ark. The children and their wife's enter the ark when told to without question. He won their respect and response.

As parents often we give them their material needs or even education. But we need to give them spiritual guidance. My own father provided me with a great spiritual example. My dad was a teacher but I see my father's love for God. He will send not only his children but also my cousins to Sunday school. Also the neighbour's children. He would do that for us. I also see how he served the Lord during the holidays. During year end holidays he would go on missions. He loved to go onto Logos and later Doulos. He spent his holidays like that. My dad loved animals too and that's something I learned from him. He would go catch fighting fish from drains and showed us about them. And we'd watch the fish sleep. My dad had four geese and collected eggs. We had turkeys and ducks, it was like a farm. My father taught me all these things. The reason that I am here today is because of my father. At his funeral, I answered God's call.

We only have one legacy to leave, and we need to show our children how to walk with God. If there's anything, at the end of the day we can say all my children are saved and I will see them one day in heaven.

It will be sad if we see those that are saved through us in heaven but not see our own children there.

Are you saved and in a relationship with God? Are you living a consecrated life where your children can see you? Is your family in the ark? Today, we will make a decision to be parents over our children by being a positive influence, by walking with God. You are in a position of influence because you are the spiritual head of the home. It is not just to put food on the table but to love them. That we would lead by example. That we will rise up in our position to do what is right. Take your place at home and lead your family. If you don't do it, your wife will have to lead the family and that would upset the order.

TOP Youth's presentation for all the fathers. 

Pastor Gideon praying for all the fathers, standing beside their spouse.

Time Alone with God

Kenny at Sungai Nibong Cell

Have you ever noticed that there are differences in believers? Some rush around with burdened hearts and worried minds. Others seem to have a tranquility about them no matter what is going on around them. What brings this tranquility of spirit? The single greatest factor is the practice of having a daily quiet time.

Take a moment and reflect. How we prioritize our day reflect on who we really are. Do you act on what you have to do first or what you like to do? Some will clear the necessary and enjoy without distraction what they like to do. Others enjoy first, then work on the necessary. Often, they use the phrase "I work better under pressure" Or the way you eat. Eat what you don't really like and save the best bits for the last bites.

But these are things we do. What about relationships? I've seen many parents shoo their child away, when they run up to ask something. "Daddy's busy, they bark." And you can always see the disappointment in the child's face. Or husbands who prefer time with their friends rather than their spouse. It says a lot about what's important in our life. What about our time for the Lord? Going to church, coming to cell, going to prayer meeting and even being at the Board Meeting or Leader's Meeting is not time with God, in the sense of what we're looking at tonight. Those are often still activity-centric. What we want to look at tonight is the one-to-one time. Time with the person you say you love with all your heart, with all your mind and with all your soul.

Psalms 23:2 tells us that "He leads me (causes me to) lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters"

Notice it is God that makes the first move. He takes the initiative by calling us and leading us to a place of rest. It's not because we are seeking God, but that He is seeking us.

Just as God's cry to the wayward Adam and Eve, "Where are you?" suggests God is always seeking us out. And the picture we get when we are at the place God is leading us is a place of calm, peace and tranquility. The image of still waters emphasizes the concept of rest, a place of safety and security, a place of contentment.

Deep within all of us is a restlessness that can only be removed by God. An emptiness and loneliness that only He can permanently fill. A thirst that only He can quench. He is that living waters from which we will never thirst again.

And what are those green pastures and quiet waters to which God leads us? The bible says God Himself is our "true pastures" in Jeremiah 50:7.

So for us to find that green pasture and quiet waters, we must come to Him and find rest. And how do we do that? It is found in taking time to be alone with God.

Jesus is the perfect example. Notice how so often, he would go off alone to seek the Father.

"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'" (Matthew 26:36).

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed" (Mark 1:35).

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" (Luke 5:16).

This is His quiet time with the Father. A place of intimacy, a place of renewal and a place of perfect rest.

Quiet Time - The Outer Challenge

We all live in a very busy world. Where activities often supersede the relationships. Where what we do can become more important than who we are. The noise level is deafening. And in a world like that it is so hard to find a place where we can be alone and away from the distractions of the world. The TV remotes, the smartphones, the computers all clamor for our attention, and we are seldom more than an hour away from them in our waking hours. But making time for daily devotion is critical to hearing God!

Quiet Time - The Inner Challenge

Quiet time involves an inner state of being, as well as an outward condition. Have you ever noticed that when you sit down to read your Bible or pray, your mind begins to wander or you suddenly remember what you needed at the store? Or what you have to do tomorrow? Inner "noise" can be just as troublesome as outer noise when it comes to having quiet time with God. Defeating the inner noise can be done, but it requires commitment and discipline.

Quiet Time - What is it?

With all the noise of the day, quiet time could refer to those precious moments after the kids are in bed, or all the day's work is done. But for Christians, a quiet time is more than that. Quiet time, or devotion time, refers to our daily appointment with God, when we shut out as much outside interference as possible. During our quiet time, we may sing praise songs, pray, read Scripture or daily devotions, meditate on God's Word, or simply be still and listen. Making that appointment is one thing; keeping it is something else entirely!

Proper Place and Time

Get alone and sit at Jesus' feet. Find a place where you can focus. Jesus said enter into your closet and pray (see Matthew 6:6). That simply means find a place of isolation where you can shut the door on the world and open the windows to heaven. Jesus sought out places where He could be alone, and so should you. It should be a place that offer you some privacy. Pick a time when there will be no interruptions. For many it's the early hours or the after the world sleeps. But it should be a time when you are still alert.

Proper Provisions

In order to have an effective quiet time, you need the right tools. You need a Bible. This is when God often speaks to you and many times, it is through His word. If you play a musical instrument, have it with you. I love the guitar, it does not wake up the whole neighborhood and is the perfect accompaniment in singing hymns, psalms and worship and praise songs to God. Have a place where you can jot notes or record things you learn. I love the digital bible as it allows me to add colour coded notes so easily.

Proper Practice

Finally, may I recommend some practices to follow in your quiet time? There is no hard and fast rules but here are some guide.

1. Praise and Thanksgiving
We have so much to thank God for and this is the perfect time to express them. You may sing your praises. The presence of God will just fill your room or wherever you are.

2. Read your Bible
Learn to use a bible reading plan or do topical studies. Read the Bible for quality and not quantity. It's good to have a goal to read the Bible through in a year, or a similar goal; but that's not the purpose of your quiet time. Reading the bible should never be rushed. Also, devotional books are wonderful. But again, this is not the place for them. This is the time when you simply read the Bible with an open mind.

3. Meditate on God's Word
As you focus on the Word of God and meditate, let it permeate you. Ask:
• Is there a command to obey?
• Is there a promise to claim?
• Is there a sin to avoid?
• Is there a lesson to learn?
• Is there a new truth to carry with me?

4. Pray
When you pray, pour out your soul. Be natural and honest with God. Tell Him how you feel. Pray not just for yourself but for others, your family, your friends, your church. When you hear of a need, note them down and bring them before God during your quiet time. Very often, when I get an update sms from Pastor, if I am alone, I just drop what I do and pray for that need, then in your quiet time, pray again.

Christianity is not a legal relationship, it is a love relationship. Ten thousand “don'ts” will never make you one bit more like the Lord Jesus Christ. It is Jesus Himself Who makes you to be like Him. But you need to spend time with Him. I pray tonight's lesson will help all of us draw closer to Him and we take time to be alone with God.

Making Right Decisions

Rev Gideon Lee

I have only been here about a year and during that time I got to know brother Freddy and the thing that strikes me about him was that he was always smiling. And when he was in the hospital and whenever he felt better he would go around the hospital beds to share Christ.

But today though we miss him, he is in a better place. Tonight, let's celebrate life at the wake service. Brother Freddy lived his life as a person with hope. Hope that God will somehow heal him, but he said he was okay even if God takes him home.

Friends, we need to look at life not just here on this earth but we need to look at life in terms of eternity. Death is but a door. We have no fear of death. Don't get me wrong, we believe God heals, we believe in divine healing but in death, we are free from all pain. Today he is there with Christ. He is in a better place. God has His plan and He does thing His way and He is sovereign.

This morning I want to share from the book of Genesis.

Genesis Chapter 13

1 Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. 2 Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord.

5 Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents. 6 Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. 7 And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land.

8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”

10 And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. 12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.

14 And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; 15 for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. 16 And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. 17 Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.”

18 Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the Lord.

Everywhere Abraham went, he pitched a tent, he built an altar to praise the Lord.

Here is also a place where the people needs to be united. As the enemies are also in that land.

Sodom and Gomorrah was mentioned to remind him that though the land was pleasant, it was once Sodom and Gomorrah.

Let's look at the chapter before this.

Genesis 12:1-4

1 Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country,

from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you.

2 I will make you a great nation;

I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you,

and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

4 So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy- five years old when he departed from Haran.

5 Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan.

Let me tell you the story. Many of you would have heard this many times before.

The bible says God called him to move but did not tell him the destination. If I was Abraham, I'd ask go where? But God never told him, so Abraham just packed up and go. And Lot followed him. God has blessed Abraham so much and Lot was also blessed. God blessed Abraham first and Lot knew that if he followed Abraham, he'd be blessed too.

Can you imagine you are blessed so much that Penang cannot contain you. This was what happened. Back in those days, you are known to be rich by the number of livestock you have.

They were competing for land for their livestock and quarrels started.

Abraham called to solve this and initiated a resolution. Uncle and nephew also quarrelled so he came up with a solution.

Abraham gave Lot the first choice. That's unheard of back in those times, maybe even now. He was so generous in that sense.

Lot looked up and saw the land was so nice, like the garden of the Lord not knowing Sodom and Gomorrah was there.

Can you imagine that the city was so bad that God wanted to destroy it and Abraham had to plead with God to spare the city.

He left with only his family and left everything behind, all his possessions but his wife that looked back become a pillar of salt.

We want to draw lessons here on making decisions.

1. Lets not make decisions based on greed.

Some decisions we make are irreversible. We cannot turn back the clock. There are consequences. Like our choices for studies, work and even a life partner. Don't make them solely on greed. Don't get me wrong, most of us here in general are selfish. We choose the best for ourself. Nothing wrong with that. We are not just human beings but we are Christians. There is always the call to think about the other person. It is more blessed to give than to receive. The world is mainly about what we can get.

Even companies understand CSR, corporate social responsibilities. Giving back to society and thinking about the environment. Lot made his decision based on greed. He forgot his uncle. He should have thought about his uncle, the reason he was blessed up till then. What he left Abraham was stones and barren land.

2. Don't base your decision on only what you see.

He saw and said it looked good but he forgot about Sodom and Gomorrah.

Now is the durian season. How do we choose your durian. We first look at the shape. And whether got holes. You don't want durian with holes. We also make sure the stem is there. So it's fresh. Then we shake and if it rattles, it's ripe. Then we smell. Even then we can't be sure. Then we ask them to open to see. They open a slit, the best part for you to see. Even in buying a durian, we don't base decisions just on what we see.

My wife was away for three weeks. First week she had eye infection, conjunctivitis, then she was in Klang. When we got married we went to Bali for honeymoon. Romantic right. Then the people there try and sell you stuff. This guy came up and wanted to sell us a dolphin carving.

When I held it in my hands, it was quite heavy so it felt like good wood. I asked what wood it was and he said ebony, an expensive black hard wood. It was priced high and after some bargaining I bought it. One day I placed it on display and it fell down and broke. The inside was not black. It looked like, smell like and was heavy but when it broke it I can see it was not ebony. Inside was not black. It was not what we saw.

Don't be like Lot when making decision.

3. Don't make your decision solely in the logical.

We can start with the logical as God gave us a brain to think. But we must end it with the spiritual.

Like in an interview, you may say the pay is good, working hours great and benefits good. But you may have to bring this to the Lord and look at the spiritual. Maybe the working hours may take you away from the Lord. Or the work circumstances may take you away from God.

Why did God reminded Abraham. If you have me, you will have success. That was why God wanted to tell Abraham. And Abraham understood that. Remember, don't only seek the blessing but the blesser. No matter what happens, you will have success.

We should make our decisions this way.

1. Always think of others.

As a church we make decisions that benefits the body. Abraham considered his nephew Lot. We need to consider others.

2. We should make our decisions acknowledging God.

Everywhere Abraham went he built an altar to worship God. Did the bible mentioned Lot doing that? When you acknowledge God we will have success. We need to put God in the picture. He knew it was not the circumstances but that if he was in God's will he will have success. Look at us, we are here because of his decision.

3. Submitting our will to God

When you bring an issue to the Lord do you submit to the will of God? At the Hokkien service I mentioned this. When choosing a partner do not be unequally yoked. That is God's criteria to us and it's important if not we cannot run together. When you pair horses for a chariot, you don't put a fine horse with one that's lame. It just won't work. After that, other physical attributes are your choice. Fat thin dark fair is your choice. That's why we have physical attraction. Don't say we have no choice. I am not a subscriber to choosing a partner for you. I can help bring to person together to meet but the choice is theirs to make. We need to submit to the will of God.

As Christians, let's not make our decisions based on greed. Let's not make our decisions based on what we see. As Christians we will make decisions that acknowledge God and not just because its the logical choice.

How many of you know I have to shift house again. One day our landlady called and said she wanted to see me. On passing me the receipt, she said she needed to take back the house. When she rented she said it was long term. But she said she needed the house as she wanted to get married. What can I say, but okay.

When she told me I said to myself I don't want to shift. I told God I already got so much to do but please help me to sort this out. Unknown to me, here was what was happening behind then scene.

My children plays at the playground and there was a Christian family nearby and their children just clicked with mine. The youngest daughter decided to go kindergarten with my son (laughs).

When they heard we wanted to shift, they said they don't mind renting the place to us but the timing was wrong as it won't be in time for us.

But again God is so good. The wife has three sisters and they have another house a few doors away. The sister were ready to shift and suggested the sisters house instead, two rows down our house. And to make it even better, she gave us the rent at the same price and she even will do the cabinets for us. They never intended to rent out due to bad experience with tenants in the pasts but they were willing to rent only to us.

I told my landlord and she was happy that I found a place and be her neighbour and she was willing to also give me the place one month free rental for the move. Same deal with the new landlord. So I have one month free rental from both landlords. That confirms to me God wants me to be here.

That was because I made my decision to move from Klang to pastor this church based on what we learned today.

Be filled with the Holy Spirit

 

 Rev Jeremiah Abel

What a wonderful God we serve. It's a wonderful testimony from Sis May. Let's put our trust in God.

Alfred Ho has kept a baptismal certificate that I did not sign. It is not my fault, it's the pastors fault. (smile). He was ten years old and he has this certificate with my name and I never signed it. He had it for so long but he needs it because he wants to go to Israel. He wanted to send it to Canada but I told him to send it here and I'll sign it. How many of you value your baptismal certificate? Still have it? I am so glad I have people I ministered to years ago and they are still in touch.

Last week was Pentecost Sunday. What is Pentecost Sunday? It is the day the Holy Spirit descended on the people gathered at the upper room back then. It was also the Global Day of Prayer.

I skyped my children and they said they did not know what it was all about. Anyone knows how the Global Day of Prayer came about? It started in a town in Africa as they wanted to see a revival take place. They prayed that it would become global and sure enough it became global.

Last year I was at Edmonton and they wanted to make sure I was in it fir the Global Day of Prayer and put me in a prayer group to pray for Israel. A lady ask if she can blow the shofar before prayer and she was refused. She came to me and I said I will call you to blow. The presence of the Lord was there when the person blew the shofar.

Pentecost Sunday started in Jerusalem and it has gone all around the world. And now they are talking about going back to the Jerusalem road.

Many do not realise the importance of coming together to pray for the unsaved. We need to be the ones crying out to the Lord. When May testified, she said God heard, how much more us in corporate prayer. Amen?

What I want to say today is this. Why was it the Lord wants the people to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

Jesus told them to tarry in Jerusalem so that they will be empowered by the Holy Spirit.

All of you should be filled with the Holy Spirit. Every believer ought to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus commissioned the disciples to wait in Jerusalem.

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Tell me now which words apply to you? Witnesses. I am to be a witness. Telling people. But many of us tutup mulut saja. We are to be witnesses telling people.

Many people love animals and talk to their animals but not to people. Telling people about what? About Jesus. Because He went to the cross for us. That's why we had communion to remind us of His love for us. To begin in Jerusalem, to Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the world.

And now we're coming back again. There's revival now in Asia, Africa etc but not in the West. We need to pray for them.

Why is God so desirous that we are witnesses for Him throughout the world? This is because salvation is only trough the person of Jesus Christ. All of you may have loved ones who is not saved. We are so close to the coming of the Lord. Many things point to His coming. The scripture says when you see these things happening, you know His coming is soon. He is coming for His church. We do not want any to be left behind.

Acts 1:4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

Jesus said I told you before. He has taught the disciples before concerning the Holy Spirit.

John 14:15-17 “If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever– 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 15:26 “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.

Read chapter 16 again where He stressed that it was important He leaves so that the comforter can come. That teaching shows the importance of them receiving the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit to be witnesses. As there are many perishing.

We as believers, what are we doing?

I have three prerequisites. Jesus talk about labourers, we are all labourers. Not just the pastor or leaders but ALL. It is everybody's job. We are to make sure all is involved in this ministry.

Matthew 9:36-38 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

1. We are to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit.

It is not about being filled then speaking in tongues and that's it.

Ephesians 5:18

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

The harvest is right now. 

This is harvest time. We are labourers in bringing these people into the kingdom of God.

Be filled. It's continuous sense. It is ongoing.

John 15:26 “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.

To be effective witnesses of Jesus we are to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. It is sad that many Pentecostal churches are not praying in tongues. It is a prayer language, a powerful weapon that we have. It is such an important gift. Why? It edifies you. But some is saying you don't have to pray in tongues. Some leaders are not even baptised in the Holy Spirit. We need to check it out. It is so important to us. To be baptised in the Holy Spirit and praying in the spirit.

One statement that stays with me all these years is this. Paul made a very clear statement about praying in tongues.

Paul said that "I thank God I speak in tongues more than you all".

1 Corinthians 14:18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

Underline that and apply it to yourself too. It is important that we pray in tongues as it is so edifying. The apostle Paul was always edified and ready to speak to the people. It doesn't matter if someone says it is not important or that no one understands. Just tell them because it edifies me. And through it you will operate in the spirit, with the gift of the word of knowledge, prophesy etc

2. Pray at all times.

Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Pray continually on all occasion. In the spirit. The prayer meeting is so important. Wednesday, 8:15pm. Remember that. The least attended service is the prayer meeting and yet it is the most important. Prayer is so essential today for churches to be effective. We need to be prayer warriors.

Even Jesus said always pray and not lose heart.

Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

Psalms 34:15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;

Psalms 34:17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

Be encouraged that every time you pray, God sees it and not only sees but also hears.

Psalms 107:6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

Psalms 107:12-13 So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help.

13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.

Psalms 107:19-20 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.

20 He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.

Psalms 107:28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

We used to sing this song! Rejoice in the Lord. Pray. Give thanks.

3. Love one another.

John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Love one another is a commandment, even as He has loved us. By this ALL (not some) will know that we are His witnesses. But only "if" you have loved one another.

Matthew 22:37-41 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. ’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

We should love God with all our soul, heart and mind and the second commandment should be like the first but towards our neighbour.

For the church to be blessed and grow, you and I need to be so filled with the Holy Spirit. If you have not been praying in the spirit, you are missing a great blessing.

Sister May giving her tremendous testimony on how she claimed 
God's promises for healing during her hospitalisation.