Marvelous SUNDAY

Rev Gideon Lee

Today my message is connected to my Good Friday message. If you missed it for whatever reasons, it's okay.

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.”

Luke 2:8-15
Glory in the Highest
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you:You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”

As we read in the book of Matthew, it tells us a little bit about resurrection Sunday. To get an accurate and complete picture, read the account in all four gospels.

Mary came to the tomb and saw the stone being rolled away and she was afraid when she could not find the body of Jesus. She didn't know that Jesus had risen.

Many who did not find the body of Jesus they naturally thought otherwise and it did not dawn on them that Jesus had risen as according to scripture.

When we look at Good Friday, we must see it through to Sunday. If it's only on Good Friday, it is tragic and sad. But when you see Sunday, we are on the winning side. It is already written in the book of revelation that we are on the winning side.

When I mention the word Easter, what comes to mind. Rabbits, eggs, why? Because it is so commercialized. Eggs represents new birth. They use this to represent resurrection Sunday. Why rabbits? How many of you have kept rabbits before? Or have eaten them? I have and when they reproduce, it's prolific. Because rabbits are very fertile and they can have many babies. So it is used to represent fertility. But this morning we are not talking about all these things.

Yes, we can call today Easter, but I would prefer to call it Resurrection Sunday. I call it Marvelous Sunday.

Why?

Today is marvelous because we no longer need to be paralyzed by fear.

As we read in the bible, they were terrified but the angels told them do not be afraid. The greatest fear that any of us has is about dying. Some people don't want to talk about dying. Because they do not know where they are going.

Jesus has risen and have conquered death itself. We are free from this fear. We have no problem talking about death. It's not that we like to talk about it, because that will make us sound weird. We understand and know that if we are absent here we will be present with the Lord. Jesus conquered death.

There was this fight for our lives. For the lives of all mankind. And death was the last defeat. Jesus is risen today. You need not be paralyzed by this fear. How many of you are constantly having nightmares. Not sleeping because of fear not worry. Friends you need not be fearful.

Second reason?

Today is marvelous because it teaches us that we are a faith community.

God alone transforms awful realities into an opportunity. We see the reality of Easter morning how Christ was lashed 39 times on Friday and how all was lost. Yet we saw how God has the final say and we can look at all these things and know how God can turn it all around.

There was once a magnificent painting displayed in the Louvre Museum. The painter was Faust (I don't remember his full name) painting himself in a competitive game of chess with the devil being his opponent. And in the painting, it looked like he was losing and the devil was winning because of his expression, he was grinning. It looked like the devil was indeed winning. But if you look carefully and you know chess, you'll know Faust had one more move to checkmate the devil. That is what I want to say this morning. It is not the end. The enemy does not have the final say. He does not have the final say in your life, your marriage and your career.

Whatever we are going through, remember as it is written, God will work out for good to all that love Him and is called according to His purpose. Are you a person who knows this or someone who has no hope because on the outside it looks bad.

God can turn the bad around for our good. That's why we are a faith community.

Today is marvelous because God's truth will always prevail.

Church, when Jesus was preparing them He was going to rise up on the third day, they were not prepared. It never clicked on their mind that Jesus has risen. His truth will always prevail over satan's lies. Satan says He is finished. Defeated. But we need to know God's truth, as it will prevail. He will not fail us.

Remember the resurrection and remember all the truth that He has written for us. That He loves us, will provide for us and cares for us.

Today is marvelous because of what He did on the cross you can live life to the fullest.

You can have the abundant life that Jesus promised. A life that is lived in the manner God has called you to.

Remember the gold rush where everyone was going there to seek wealth? One day there was this man who picked up a rock to use as a door stopper. A few months later a geologist passed by that area and asked to stop at his house to rest. The man welcomed him and when the geologist saw the stone, he asked him if he knew what it was. It was a lump of gold. History went on to say that it was one of the biggest gold nugget ever found.

Sometimes we live our life not knowing what God can do for us. So you know what you need to do? Pick up this book. If it's your iPhone, pick it up and show me. We need to know His truth.

I have a video that I want to show you.

http://www.sermonspice.com/product/53951/the-ultimate-act-of-grace-easter-opener

Why is Good Friday good?

Good Friday Service by Rev Gideon Lee

Today is significant because it is Good Friday but it is not a public holiday. But if you are in Sabah or Sarawak, today is a holiday because there are many Christians there.

Tonight I just want to share a few words with you. Are we here to celebrate Good Friday? Is celebration the right word. What about Good Friday? Looking at the events that happened 2000 years ago, I don't think we can call it good. It would have been considered a tragedy. More than 2000 years ago, an innocent man was sent to his death, and it was the worst kind of death meant for the worst kind of criminal. More than 2000 years ago, our savior was treated worst than an animal.

Mel Gibson tried to show the suffering Jesus went through on Good Friday but I think it failed to show its significance.

The bible says that Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. A kiss was displayed as a mark of friendship. But one of the most trusted disciple whom Jesus considered more than a friend was betrayed with a kiss. All for the price of thirty pieces of silver. That was the price for a slave.

It is kind of weird that Jesus was betrayed for just thirty pieces of silver when He was worth much more than that.

When brought to Pilate, he said Jesus was not guilty of any crime so why punish Him. At that time, Pilate told the people to choose one to be set free but Barabbas, a known criminal was chosen to be set free instead by the angry crowd.

When Jesus was whipped it was by a whip called cat with nine tails. Basically it was a whip with nine pieces of leather. The leather is not the smooth type you use for your nice sofa but it was rough. And according to history, on this leather was shards of stones and bones to inflict maximum damage. The forty lashes that Jesus received many criminals would already have died. Many died before even going to the cross. By then His back was like ribbons. He was beaten, whacked and kicked. As if that was not enough they jammed a crown of thorns on His forehead.

We can hardly call that a Good Friday. Jesus was made to carry His own cross. He was already beaten to half dead and now He had to carry the instrument of His own death. It was like digging your own grave.

And He had to carry it up a hill, called the hill of Golgotha. Jesus was nailed to the cross. They pulled Him up while He was still alive. He was on a very slow death. Some survived days and weeks even before they die.

The Romans, in order to be merciful to you, is to break your knee cap so that you cannot support yourself and die of suffocation.

But Jesus did not go through that. They did not break His bones. But instead He was pierced for our transgressions. Then raised together with criminals.

How can we call it Good Friday? Some countries call it a different name. They call it the Long Friday. It's like how we sometimes call today a long day. Like the whole day you were busy and at the end of the day your work is not finished yet. The disciples would probably see this as a long Friday. In Germany it's called a Friday of Mourning. In some Latin country, it's called a Holy Friday.

Back in those days when they said good, they meant holy. Hence Holy Friday. Some said it's a bad translation and that it is actually a God Friday and spoken quickly sounded like Good Friday.

Whatever it is, it is difficult to see today as good. But we must not see Good Friday as just an event. Because if we only see today, it would be a sad day. We must look at Friday also through Sunday. Like what we saw on the video. Sunday is coming.

Today we can call it good because on Sunday Jesus rose from the grave. One of the reason we call today Good Friday is because Sunday is coming and Jesus is alive.

But I tell you three reasons why we can call today good. When we look at the events today, what happened to our savior. It shows us how good Jesus is. Jesus need not endure all these things. He could call on the angels to come and rescue Him. It was not the nails that held Him to the cross but His love for you and me. That is the wonderful part.

Romans 5:7-8
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Today we can see a glimpse of God's love for you and me. Whatever He went through, He never said I give up.

How many of you watched wrestling before. When two of them are fighting there are only two ways to win. One is he surrender or you pin him down and he is immobilized. Then a count happen and you win. Jesus took everything the devil threw at Him. Jesus took it and never surrendered. Aren't you glad He didn't surrender. He said it is finished.

Today is good because I see God's love for you and I. Maybe for a good person someone is willing to die but He died for us while we were still sinners, enemies of God. We can never understand and fathom God's love. Today we see His love for us.

What Jesus did for us that day we can now enjoy His good salvation. While in the garden, Jesus asked for this cup to pass from Him. But He ultimately said, not my will but yours. There was no other way except to go to the cross for us. No other way.

I thank God that Jesus said not my will but your will be done. During Jesus' temptation the devil brought Jesus to a hill to show Him all of humanity at a glance. The devil said "Jesus if you bow down and worship me, I will give you all these things." In other words, no need to go to the cross, just bow down and I give you all. The devil is a liar. But I love what Jesus said, it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord your God and only Him shall you worship. This is how we counter the devil.

But you can only do that if you know His word. Isn't God good? He gave you all the answers. If only we read His words. It is written. You cannot say it is written if you don't know what is written.

When I look back at my life, I wonder why God would forgive me. But God came and died on the cross for me. All the world's sin was borne by Him and for a moment, God's presence departed from Him. That was why He shouted, "why have you forsaken me?"

Jesus did it all for us. We are no longer victims but victors. Let me hear an amen. Jesus can turn your scars into stars. We look at our scars and remember the hurts. But when I look at His scars, I remember His healing. When I see the scars of the spears I remember He was pierced for my transgressions. Today we see His good plans for our salvation. No other way except the cross.

And lastly, when I see today, I know Sunday is coming. Sunday is coming. Jesus has risen from the grave. It tells me that Jesus can take something back. He can turn something bad and turn it to good. He can take a tragedy and turn it for good.

We re all familiar with this verse.

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

We often say this in our prayer. But how can we say this if we don't know what is written? That is why today we can call this Friday good because He can turn a tragedy Into something good. Throughout the bible we see this happening. How something bad, hopeless is turned to good when we see how God turns the situation around.

We remember Joseph, sold by his own brothers. In fact one of them said let's kill him. Don't kill him but sell him and make some money. And his blood will not be on our hands. So he was sold and landed in Potiphar's wife. And Mrs Portiphar saw handsome Joseph and told him to lie with her. He ran away from sin. You know why we often fall into sin, because we didn't run from it. I like his reply, "my master have been so good to me, how can I sin against him and God." And he was sent to prison being accused of attempted rape.

But God exalted him to become second only to Pharaoh. And when the famine came, Joseph said to his brothers, you intended it for evil but God made it for good. People may intend to harm you, but God will turn it for good. Like in Romans 8:28, but the criteria is do you love Him. It's for those who love Him.

You cannot love God if you don't know Him. You cannot love someone you don't know. At best it's infatuation. Some call it puppy love. I don't know where that phrase come from. Do you remember your puppy love? Today you would probably have changed and feel differently about that person.

What I am saying is you must love Him. And who is called according to His purpose. Are you walking in His perfect will? Or are you running away like Jonah. When you walk in His perfect will, no matter what happens you can say it is written that all things will work together for good.

I sense in my spirit today that you are on a spiritual journey. God has been dealing with me in certain things. Whether pastor or not we are all the same. I want you to know if you have been a Christian for many years, has your walk grown cold? The moment it grows cold I will have no effect in my ministry to God.

Some of us are not in God's perfect will. Like the job we are in or a relationship not pleasing to God.

Today is Good Friday. I just shared three good things we can see today. Yes, the crucifixion happen but we are seeing what the cross achieved. Today we can call it a Good Friday because Sunday is coming. It is the best day to bring your friends.

I want to end by showing you this short video clip.

Why did the cheering stop?

Pastor Gideon Lee

Today is Palm Sunday. Let us see what the Bible says about Palm Sunday in Matthew 21:1-11. 

Matthew 21:1-11 (NIV)

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

5 “Say to Daughter Zion,

    ‘See, your king comes to you,

gentle and riding on a donkey,

    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”[a]

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna[b] to the Son of David!”

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

“Hosanna[d] in the highest heaven!”

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Let me read again verse 9-11.

This Sunday is called Palm Sunday because the people cut palm branches and spread them on the road as Jesus entered Jerusalem. They also laid their cloaks on the ground for Him to tread on. 

Jesus had all this attention because He was an overnight sensation, a superstar of His day. He was so popular that He had to withdraw himself from the crowds in order to get some rest. The people adored Him and His triumphant entry into Jerusalem marked the pinnacle of His Ministry. 

I remember as a school-boy lining the roads when the sultan or the king visited our city. Imagine going so far as to take off your shirt to lay them on the ground. Jesus was given a hero's welcome and yet, within the same week He became public enemy No. 1. The same crowd who adored Him shouted, "Crucify Him!"

Why? Why do you think the cheering stoppered? What caused the change? There are three possible reasons.

First, Jesus began to talk more and more about commitment. 

In Chapter 20, which is the chapter before this, Jesus spoke about the parable of the vineyard. And the chapter before that recorded His encounter with the rich young ruler. 

In the Jewish mindset, God only blessed the rich and Jesus seemed to be rejecting the rich. The Jews found that theologically unacceptable. God is not against the rich but how many churches, or how many pastors, would dare to say "Sell everything, give to the poor and follow me"? Jesus Christ was actually asking for commitment. In the last few weeks of His life Jesus began to talk about commitment and this is a word that we don't like to hear. 

After the triumphant entry there were no more public miracles because Jesus was preparing to go to the cross. The cheering stopped because Jesus began to speak more on commitment and less on blessing. Nowadays there is a consumerism attitude prevalent in most churches. We shop at TESCO but we will not hesitate to shop at Giant if things are cheaper there. There is no loyalty and commitment. 

We forget that coming to church is all about God and not about us. We pick and choose when we attend church depending on whether it is a good speaker or not. We only respond to the altar call when it is a special speaker or an overseas speaker. We fail to realise that it is God we respond to and as we respond to God, He comes into our situation and blesses us. 

Do you know it is very easy to build a church based on blessings and not on loyalty, commitment and obligations? Once we have decided to make a certain church our home chucrh, our attitude should be for better or for worse. 

Look onto the Bible. After the triumphant entry Matthew recorded the lesson of the fig tree. Jesus cursed the fig tree because it did not do what it was supposed to do, that is, bear fruit. Likewise we must be committed to bear fruit.  Next Matthew recorded Jesus' comment on giving to Caesar that which is Caesar's and to God that which is God's. This is teaching on paying taxes, and I hope all of you are paying your taxes, but it also a lesson on commitment to God. Jesus wanted to leave behind a legacy and that requires a commitment from those He is leaving behind. May we all be committed to serve and to go the extra mile and not just attend church on Sunday. 

Second, Jesus dared to suggest that salvation is open to all people. The Jews believed that salvation only belonged to them. 

Immediately after the triumphant entry Jesus went to the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling there. The outer court of the temple was known as the court of the Gentiles. If these merchants were occupying the place then there is no space for the Gentiles. Subsequently the blind and the lame and the children were able to enter the temple. Access into the kingdom is available to everyone. But the Chief Priests and scribes were indignant. Our church too is open to everyone who comes, even those who talk loudly, who smell. It is our duty to welcome them to the Big Party. We have no right to stop them from coming to the Lord. 

The Jewish concept of the Messiah was someone who could liberate them from the rule of the Romans. 

Third, Jesus began to talk more about His suffering and death on the cross. He is leaving them and He requires commitment because there is suffering in store for them. 

We too have to take up our cross daily. Carrying our cross is part of our Christian life. It is very easy to build a church without God but it won't last. I thank God for all of you who understand commitment. On the other hand, the people didn't want to hear about the cross nor do they want to be a part of that kingdom. 

Let me share with you a story from the Seattle Special Olympics. 

Nine contestants – all physically or mentally disabled – assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry. 

The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back – every one of them. One girl with Down’s Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, “This will make it better.”

Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line.

The Kingdom of God is like that. It is not about who finishes first but all of us helping one another across the finishing line.

Is there an area where God is asking you for a commitment? Is there someone God wants you to share the message of the gospel with? 

There is a cross each of us has to carry. Even if I want to I cannot carry your cross for you. Are you carrying the cross and paying the price to follow Jesus? 

As we approach the Passion Week, may we remember that following Jesus requires that of us.

Many thanks to my wife, Melinda Song for her written notes. And she kindly retyped them for this post. Blessed to be a blessing.

Being the Salt and Light of the World

Rev Dr. Tan Soo-Inn

Pastor Gideon revealed my secret and he was very kind to allow me to preach here. I am thick skin since I asked to preach. (Laughs)

I am a Penang boy. I was a pastor at Georgetown Baptist Church in the late 80s. I remember TOP as one of the spiritual pioneers on this island and it's really a privilege to share here.

I really like your Big Party idea. Someone once said Jesus had no evangelistic method and his way of evangelizing was simply to have a meal with people. The Big Party is a representation of what Jesus did.

In my first life, I was a dentist. After practicing for 3 years, I obeyed God's call for my life. When I did that, many of my Christian friends said that they were surprised and very amazed that I gave up dentistry for ministry.

We divide the world into sacred and worldly. Under this kind of understanding, people separate the world into two sentiments - holy and worldly. I don't believe in this sort of hierarchy. God is the God of the totality of life. When we do what we are called to do, we are living a holy life.

Today's text is taken from Matthew 5:13-16 - "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

This is a word for every believer. I want to make a few points today.

1. Christians have been called to the ministry preservation.
We relate salt to taste. In Jesus' time, salt was used for many purposes. Those time, if you have more meat - no fridge during Jesus time - salt will kill the bacteria and preserve the food. It kept things from going bad. Salt was also used as fertilizer and for curing wine skin.

By its very presence, it was essential for life. When we live out kingdom values, you help preserve society. Daring to take a stand for Christ is a rallying point for morality. Nobody can stop you from being the salt. God puts you in different places to bless society as a whole. There is no second class citizen in the kingdom of God. You are blessing society where God has called you to be at.

2. Ministry of revelation.
Light reveals what is right from wrong. People will see your good works and see your Heavenly Father. God is invisible. People see God in how God's people live out kingdom values. We reveal the reality of God. When we live out kingdom values, we flash out the Gospel. Our lives should provoke the question for which God is the answer. We reveal the reality of God by how we live. People always take notice of people who are different. The world is not interested in people who promises something but don't deliver. We reveal the reality and character of God. We have to live lives of integrity.

It's tough but I don't believe it's impossible. God has different assignments for us. Sometimes, we glamorize full-time ministry. Where we don't penetrate for Christ, we surrender by default to the Devil.

I want each of you to know the dignity of your calling. This message that we have to be "on" everyday for God has cost me, but it's something I know I'm called to do.

I tell doctors and dentists, people meet you during times of pain. Do you show a professional face or a compassionate face?

The Lord says to you today, "I appointed you to be the salt and light wherever you are."

Special thanks to Melissa Cheah for transcribing this sermon in my absence. She is a real blessing. Blessed to be a blessing.

A Message on Forgiveness

Rev Dr Teresa Chai

It is a pleasure and a privilege to be here. I see your church emphasis is on missions and I want to say that missions is not a programme but it is who we are.

End of this month we will have resurrection Sunday and Easter and we are reminded that we are forgiven, sinners saved by grace and grace alone.

I remembered there was once someone who told me that she was drawn to Christianity because of forgiveness. She was a Buddhist then. I think it is not uncommon for Christians to have questions on forgiveness. It is so different from many other religion.

Forgiveness does not come naturally to us. We tend to want to fight for our rights. It is a tit for tat. Forgiveness is a conscious choice for us. It is not just a feeling. It is not about - do you feel like forgiving or whether you want to forgive but it is an act of the will.

I remember many missionaries that came and I remember this missionary couple that was kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf group. They were kidnapped for a whole year and Mark Burnham died just before they were rescued. The wife said she forgave them.

Forgiveness is a choice, not an emotional state.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

We are always reminded that we were first forgiven, regardless of what we have or have not done in the past. And we are to extend this same forgiveness to others.

If you keep unforgiveness in our heart, it will eat you up. I remember my mother had unforgiveness for her sister and even though I told her to forgive she did not even until her death. It is sad and it eats you up.

Many times we have to forgive by faith. When we say to live by faith, we often think about money, especially in bible school like Linken now. But when we say we forgive by faith, the work of forgiveness is there and we trust that God will complete the work within us and the other person.

He will complete the work in His time. It is not instant and forgiveness takes time because often the hurt is not just on the surface. It is deep set.

When I was called to the ministry, one of the things God dealt with me was to forgive a teacher. I spent much time with one teacher but when I became a believer, she changed and hated me and I could not understand why. And I was just as angry and thought of cutting the relationship myself. But God dealt with me to forgive her or I will start my ministry on the wrong foot.

I heard that she was not well, so I went to the hospital to see her. I was a little apprehensive as the family knows me and I didn't know what kind of reception I would get. I walked in to the open ward and her family member was there and when they saw me all were silent. I didn't know what her reaction would be but I sensed as I walk towards her, the love of God filled me. And we didn't have to say any word and all we did was we hugged each other genuinely. I could see the forgiveness was there. And I knew my own heart was free.

Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

This talks about our whole faith but it also talk about the process of forgiveness. I like this quote by Corrie Ten Boom. "Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you". One of the testimonies she said was that the Nazis physically, mentally and verbally abused them. And there was this time when they had lice on their hair and the Nazis avoided them which allowed them time with God. She learned to forgive them and this freed her.

We know that the work of forgiveness is complete when we enjoy the freedom of the result. It can even be physical, if you have not released a forgiveness that you should it can cause physical sickness.

Forgiveness is a very slow process.

Matthew 18:21-22
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy- seven times.

Peter asked this of Jesus, the smart alec, I call him. He knew the answer as a Jew but Jesus told him you don't stop forgiving.

There are people in our lives who constantly hurt us and often they are close to us and Jesus says there is no limit to forgiveness. This is especially true if you have a drug addict in the family and they often betray your trust. But God can changed them and we have to exercise forgiveness.

It may require a lifetime but it is important to the Lord that we have to continue to forgive.

What if the person is a non believer? I believe prayer is the answer. When we come to the Lord in prayer, the wall will come down. God will give us new eyes to see the person and sees them as God see them, precious in His sight. If God does not recall His forgiveness to us, why should we deny forgiveness for others?

We must have in our mind that we are forgiven. Like Jesus who went to the home of Simon the tax collector, and the women who wiped Jesus' feet with her tears and hair and the host could not take it. But this women experienced the forgiveness of Jesus unlike the host who did not.

Even when Jesus was on the cross, Jesus said "Father forgive them", while he was being tortured. We have this example from Jesus. It is natural to feel wronged sometimes but this goes beyond the natural as we are not the ones to correct the injustice. God is our defender. Even if someone has wronged us, you must know that God is your vindicator.

When I was in Bangladesh, I experienced this. There were people who wanted me killed. I am not exaggerating. They said many bad things to get me out of the country and to get rid of me. But I just stood my ground and God began to exposed them. I didn't even pray against them like in the Psalms but God did the work.

Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Forgiveness goes both ways. The Americans says what goes around comes around. Jesus commanded us to forgive. The bible says if we do not forgive, we will not be forgiven.

Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

We must be reminded if this.

There is this Eskimo phrase, I have met one so far. The Eskimos have no word for forgiveness when they were trying to translate the bible. The missionary had to string words together to mean forgiveness and it says "not being able to think about it any more" and this describes forgiveness.

Jeremiah 31:34 “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

We forgive out of obedience to God. It is a choice. It is a decision that we make. It is a commandment for our own good and it gives us a freedom for our own heart and spirit.

We need to extend forgiveness to fallen leaders. Many are devastated and fall or leave the faith because of leaders that fell. We have to forgive them because they are humans like us. That is why we must not put anyone, even your pastor on a pedestal. As all can fall. Humans have hidden sins, failures and shortcomings. A leader's sin is no worse than our own.

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness

Let me summarize as we end this message. I hope and pray that God has been ministering as I am speaking to you.

What motivates us to forgive?

1. Obey God
2. So that our prayers can be answered
3. To be free from the baggage of bitterness and unforgiveness

I have a short video on forgiveness of a son to his father that I would like to share with you. Allow it to minister to you.

"Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future." 

- Mary Karen Read (Quoted from her final journal entry prior to being killed in the Virginia Tech shooting)

Notes from Power Point Presentation

Grace to forgive - Forgiveness does not come easy for most of us

• Conscious Choice or an Emotional State? - Decision of our will, motivated by obedience to God and His command to forgive
• Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another, forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13
• The Will of Forgiveness - How do we forgive when we don't feel like it? How do we translate the decision to forgive into a change of heart?
• Forgive by Faith - God honours our commitment to obey Him and our desire to please Him when we choose to forgive.
• Persevere in Forgiving - A choice. - We must continue to forgive (our job), by faith, until the work of forgiveness (the Lord's job), is done in our hearts.
• And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6
• Have We Truly Forgiven? - Corrie Ten Boom, a Christian woman who survived a Nazi concentration camp during the Holocaust, said, "Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you."
• Free Indeed! - When we do forgive, the Lord sets our hearts free from the anger, bitterness, and hurt that previously imprisoned us.
• Slowly But Surely... - Forgiveness is a slow process.
• What if the person we need to forgive is not a believer? - We can pray for God to deal with the injustice, for God to judge the person's life, and then we can leave that prayer at the altar. We no longer have to carry the anger.
• Jesus Forgave - "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."
• JSSU-MAGIJOU-JUNG-NAINER-MIK - In the Eskimo language, the strange new word meant: "not being able to think about it any more." I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more" Jeremiah 31:34
• Extend Forgiveness to Fallen leaders - A leader's sin is no worse than my own. The blood of Christ covers and cleanses it all.
• Resaon to Forgive - To obey God, so that our prayers can be answered and to be free from the baggage of bitterness and unforgiveness.
• Do you need to forgive someone today? - Be obedient to the Lord and forgive even as He has forgiven you.

Surrendering your Isaac

Rev Gideon Lee

This is the first sermon that I did when I entered the ministry. Before I can preach any sermon, God has to first deal with me. Unless God deals with me, it would just be words from my mouth.

Time is moving very fast and we need to be in tune with what God is doing. There is a lot that is happening in our land, we don't even know who will be our next government. We need to know the time and season of God's move. When we hear the word of God it is like a mirror to us and we see our spiritual condition and if there is something that needs to be corrected we must do it. When we see that it is not right we have to change. I pray that you will have the courage and boldness to change and to repent.

Easter is coming and it is the time I take to look at my life. It is a time to reflect especially at a time when we remember Jesus went to the cross for us.

Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham's Faith Confirmed
1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”
6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. 7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”
And he said, “Here I am, my son.”
Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.
9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
11 But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.”
12 And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”
13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The- Lord- Will- Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
15 Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, 16 and said:“By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— 17 blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

I want you to note the faith that Abraham had. He said we WILL come back.

Genesis 22:5
And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”

He didn't say because you sacrificed for me but because you OBEYED me.

Genesis 22:18
In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

I just had a new baby boy and I can tell you it is not easy being a father again. Jayden sleeps in our bed and it is not easy even though my wife does most of it. But I still have to do the other things.

And as I read this, I can imagine what Abraham went through. They had a son by the name of Isaac. He was the promised son and if you know the joy of being a father you will understand what it means to Abraham at the age of 100 and 91 for Sarah. They named him Isaac, which means laughter to express the joy that they must have felt.

With God nothing is impossible. Nothing surprises me with God anymore. It is never too late. Isaac is more than just a miracle baby. Let me tell you why.

Isaac is the child of promise. The promises of God was dependent on Isaac. Through Isaac came our messiah, Jesus Christ and through Him comes much blessings to us. We stand sanctified and justified because of the great blessing that Jesus brought.

Not only was he a promised child, but his name laughter shows he probably meant so much to Abraham. He is so precious like "anak emas". Or what we call it in Hokkien? "Poh Poey". It was the fruit of their old age.

Not only was he a miracle child and a promised blessing, he was also God's plan for mankind. Remember how Sarah tried to help God? She felt that God was taking too long so she offered her maiden to Abraham and maybe the promise and blessings would come.

How many of us have tried to help God? Not to say we don't do anything but sometimes we try to do it on our own. Sarah pleaded to God to use Ishmael as the blessing that would come true. But God said no. God will do it right and above board. He does not take under table money. The blessing will come from Sarah and Abraham regardless of what are the physical impossibilities.

Now God tells them to sacrifice this precious child to Him. I want you to take your one and only son and put him in the altar for me. All of us have our own Isaac.

We have our Isaacs in our life that we need to bring to the altar. It could be our dreams and ambitions. I had ambitions. I wanted to just work and be rich. And find the right girl and have many children.

One of the reasons why I didn't want to go into ministry because all the ministers seems to be poor. I told God I don't want to be poor. It could be a relationship. Your boyfriend. Your girlfriend. You will probably say, pastor please don't go there. Things that we put before God, above God and instead of God.

God said it is He who will fulfill His promise. Even without Isaac, God can still fulfill His promise. We are putting our hope in all these other things but it is God that is going to fulfill everything.

God said I bless you with this promises because you OBEYED me. You just need to remember this, obedience is better than sacrifice. Sometimes when we give we say we give sacrificially but God says He loves a cheerful giver.

When we obey God, certain guarantee happens.

1. When we obey God, He is there.

He will be there for you. Look at verse 10 and 11. God is in the midst of that situation. God was there. Do you believe God is in your situation? Of course you have to obey God. It may not be rosy but He will be with you. The whole event God came at just the right time. God comes at the right time, not too early, not too late but always on time. I like that. He is the one who is going to fulfill it.

2. When we obey God, He promises to provide.

Look at verses 8 and 14. Abraham calls the place the Lord will provide. When you obey God, He will provide. You know my story right? From my salary at Reader's Digest at 10,000 to bible school at zero. I survived bible school and was not in debt. Of course I have to make changes. I lowered my liabilities. Clear up all my credit card debts. Whatever savings I had was just enough. God provided. He has done it for me so many times.

I still remember I had to make a mission pledge. Remember I got zero already. All students will make a pledge. I could very easily say bible school students already poor how much can they give.

These are all exercises and discipline that we have to do to prepare us for the ministry. God asked me to pledge 300 for missions. I don't have enough how to pledge 300. But God says pledge 300. But God said just do it. Linken, just do it! So I obeyed and pledged that amount. My highest. But I did not know where the money was coming from.

Then I had a friend in PJ who asked to see me. He came in his car and said I felt led to bless you with some money so here it is. So he went to his car boot and brought out a stack of money. Not a stack la but an envelope of money. He said he didn't know why but God told him to give me. And when I opened the envelope, there was 300. I gave that money to mission. I made sure I didn't use that money for something else.

Look at me. More than enough. Some places more than others (laughs). Friends, God will provide but the question is are you obeying Him.

3. When we obey, He promises that He will fulfill the plan and promises in your life.

As we obey God and walk with Him, He will fulfill His plan for your life. Remember I said all of us have dreams? Nothing wrong with building castles in the sky as long as your foundation is in Jesus. How many of you would not have been here if you had not obeyed God.

All of us have dreams. Earn 10 figure salary. Have a nice car. Nothing wrong with that ok. Have many children. Big house. But sometimes it doesn't happen that way. When we obey Him it will be His plan and purpose. Not our plans.

In all humility I am telling you we have to put our Isaacs on the altar. Some of us have to give to our ambitions or career. We want to make money and more money. We give and sacrifice for our career. We come to church on Sunday but when required we will not hesitate going back to work on Sunday. If we do not obey, we may become slaves to our career.

Some people, once they have children, they are not in church. Pastor, where got time to go to church, and some only one child. I am saying some things that are tough but it is true.

God gave us his best, His only Son. We want our children to be doctors and engineers but if your son wants to go full time in ministry, release him. I have four children and I told God if you want all four of them, please take. I tell you a secret, many times I think of quiting. To go back to fishing. But God has been awesome and He is going to fulfill His plans in my life. He is the one that is going to bless me.

When I was in full time ministry, I had a friend who called me to have lunch with me. He was once a subordinate to me and he came in his Mercedes. When I saw his car, I was thinking see la, go serve God. See that Mercedes could have been yours. Many times you will hear this from the devil. I said yes, it could have been a nice car and that it could be mine but I told the devil my God is able.

I may not be driving a Mercedes now but I know one day Linken will buy for me. (Laughs). Some of us have the Isaacs taking the place of God. We need to lay it down at the altar. This is for your own good. I want you to know what God says. When you obey, He will be there for you, provide for you and fulfill His plan and destiny for you.