Emmanuel, God is with us

Rev Gideon Lee

How many of you remember what I preached two weeks ago? Last week we had a guest speaker so what did I speak on before that?

Stars and Rats. Wah, you remember. Before that was on John the Baptist. His main message was in repentance. He had not much time left so he went straight to the point. And the message was on repentance. What else did he preached on? It was a message on sharing. We say sharing is caring right? So Christmas is a call to repentance and to share. As a Christian we cannot live a life without sharing. We are blessed to be a blessing. And the last is we are called to serve. Remember the tax collector? The soldier. Be the best at what you are. Be the best teacher if you are a teacher. Where God has placed you be a blessing. 

This is also part and parcel of the message of Christmas. Jesus came and gave a call to repentance. That is the message of the cross. I pray that this Christmas we will share the message of the good news. And we are called to serve him. Jesus did not come to be served but to serve. We have an example in Jesus and that is the message of Christmas. 

What about the stars and the rats? Cannot remember ah? I talked about John the Baptist in prison. Then he asked if Jesus is the one or are we waiting for another. I talked about handling disappointments. Handling our expectations. He expected Jesus to do certain things and he was disppointed when he didn't see it. 

What is your expectations on Jesus? Maybe you see him as just a good teacher or leader. John the Baptist was looking at the wrong signs. He was expecting Jesus to be doing great and wonderful miracles and signs. But Jesus said he came to set the captives free. God was in the still small voice and not just in the spectacular. He also didn't give God enough time to work. God's ways are different from our ways. So we must work according to God's timing and not ours. In God's appointed time he sent his Son. This is the message of Christmas this morning. 

Matthew 1:18-25

The Birth of Jesus Christ

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

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

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

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

v23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” –which means, “God with us.”

This is the central truth of Christianity. It stated the real meaning of Christmas. It is a truth of the Lord's greatest promise to you and I. And because of this truth we can celebrate Christmas. It is Emmanuel, God is with us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. 

Think of all the great people of the bible. Moses at the edge of the Red Sea. It was an impossible situation but he believed that God was with him and he raised his staff and God opened up the red sea. 

What about the three Hebrew men. They were about to be thrown into the fire. They stood firm not bowing to false God. They trusted that God was with them. When they were thrown into the fire, they saw a fourth man. They believed that God was with them and the fourth looked like the son of man. 

What about David? He stood before Goliath. He was but a small shepherd boy. He stood before Goliath and said he come in the name of the Lord God of israel. He knew that God was with him. Because God was with him it made the difference. He picked up five stones but he killed this giant with the first stone. 

No other religion can claim that their God is with them. But on Christmas God sent his Son and his name shall be called Emmanuel. It is unusual that the writer of Matthew took out one word from the OT and that word is Emmanuel. God with us. 

When we know that God is with us there is a blessing that comes into our life. I have three truth to share with you. 

The great Christmas promise is that God is with us. And we can claim it when we are frightened. How many of us have been frightened before? We go through anxious moments. When we were young we are afraid of exams, the rotan etc. 

Then when we grow up we are afraid we cannot get into university. And if not we won't get a good job. 

Then when we grow up as adults we are afraid we won't get the right partner. Right Joshua? Linken? Then later we are afraid of how our children will grow up. We are afraid for our health. Our money and savings. 

And later we are afraid because we don't have much time. Waking up with pain. 

The bible said fear not. I am with you. The bible said fear not, not no fear. We go through moments that frightens is but the promise is that God is with us. He is the one that can tell the storm to be still. He gives us the peace that surpasses all understanding. 

One day there was this school in the USA out in the fields where it is famous for tornadoes. When it comes it will wreck havoc. One day while class was on, the tornado bell rang and they held an emergency evacuation. But it was too late so the teachers gathered the students to the basement. As they huddled together they could hear the wind raging outside. As children they were very afraid. They began to whimper and cry. The teachers were also afraid. One cry and more will cry so it was a terrible situation. The teacher had to think of what to do. 

God gave her an idea. She pulled the student next to her and whispered. Don't be afraid, God is with you. Jesus is with you. When she heard this, she whispered to her friend. And the friend whispered to the next person. Soon they were wispering to each other. And everyone in the class room heard this and there was peace there because Jesus was with them. Jesus is with us. Don't be afraid. Maybe some of you need to hear that. I don't know what storms you are facing, God is with us. I don't know how afraid you are, God is with us. Don't be afraid. 

Second, we can face this promise when we are lonely. You can be in a room full of people and still feel lonely. If God is with you, you cannot be lonely. If you are lonely you can claim this promise. 

How many of you are working late on Christmas Eve? Maybe in Malaysia it's not such a big deal but how is it like to work on Chinese New Year's Eve. Everyone is having their reunion and you are working. 

There was this lady that had to work on Christmas Eve. All her colleagues have gone back for their event. But this lady had no choice but to work. And when she finished she had nowhere to go as she lived quite far away. She's new in this place and had no friends. She went back to her small room. She stood waiting to take the next bus home wondering how she will spend Christmas Eve. She felt so alone. Then, she heard Christmas carols being sung. At a corner was children singing. She felt drawn to them and she went to hear them sing. As she listened, she felt a warmth in her heart. When they sang this song O little town of Bethlehem, the last verse goes like this. 

O holy Child of Bethlehem

Descend to us, we pray

Cast out our sin and enter in

Be born to us today

We hear the Christmas angels

The great glad tidings tell

O come to us, abide with us

Our Lord Emmanuel

The song reminded her that God was with her. Because of Christmas God is with us. And although she had no family to go to, she knew a church nearby and she had brothers and sister in Christ to go to. She need not be alone. This morning, some of us need to hear this. We may be in a room full of people yet feel lonely. I want you to remember this morning, God is with us. 

Third and last. We can claim this promise when we are in sorrow. It is easy to feel God's presence when we are doing well. But I think it's the opposite. I think he is nearer when we are hurting. God wants to be with his children. Especially when they are in pain. Are you going through some sorrow? God Is with you. 

I end with this story. There was this old lady who had a stroke and she lost her reasoning and was left half paralysed. Although she had many children they could not take care of this 85 year old woman so they sent her to an old folks home. She stayed there for one or two years while her children went about their lives. But on Christmas as it was their tradition, they came together to sing carols. So one of the daughter said why don't we bring our mum to sing with us. So one of them brought their mum back. But she just sat there staring as she could not reason. As they were singing silent night, they could hear the mother singing. This lady since her stroke did not say a word or remember anyone. She needed medical care but when she heard this song she sang along and remembered all the lyrics. 

This lady in the midst of her sorrow as she sang something was deposited into her heart and she could sing silent night. 

In every circumstances of life when we are frightened, lonely or in sorrow, we can claim this promise. God is with us. God came down for us. Love came down. Today as I end I want us to take holy communion. This Christmas we need to know that God is with us regardless of our circumstances. 

TOP beautifully decked up for Christmas after it was dressed for the Children's party

Feliz Navidad... led by Bro Jacob and Bro Jeffrey

Sunday School children not missing out by joining the adults for special presentations

Hidden talent Sis Ko Bee presented 2 Mandarin songs.

The young adult's stylish dance.... All I want for Christmas...

It takes one man, one woman

Rev Dr. Anthony Phua

Hold the PowerPoint as I have decided to share a different message. I was also wondering why there were no Christmas songs so I am going to try another message. I'll try my best. 

God has put a word in my heart. 

Hebrews 8:5b “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

While man is looking at ways to built the church, God is looking for a man to build. 

God has got a plan and his plan always include a man and a woman to build his house. And unless God build the house, the labourers build in vain. 

There was a time when I wanted to attend a convention. In Singapore there is so many conferences and I wanted so much to attend this convention because of the speaker. I wanted to hear this man, Lester Sumrall, from Cathedral of Praise, Manila as I have heard so much about him. 

The morning sessions was for leaders and pastors and there was a Q&A session. Then came the Q&A and a man asked the pastor, and he said "I heard that in your church you collected seven offerings in one service. If I collected two, next Sunday the collection came down or the people leave.  How did you collect so much yet your church is growing?" The pastor answered with no hesitation "where your treasure is, there your heart is also". Matt 6:21. The people just give and give and give until they have nothing left, then they give themselves. The more they gave, the more the church grew. 

Whenever man and woman come together to build God's house the presence of God fills the house of God. Who is this speaker? Lester Sumrall started his ministry in 1954-55 in Manila. He was one day reading an article about a 14 year old demon possessed girl. The evil spirit would bite her behind her back. You can see the bite mark. Medical profession cannot help her except to tie her down and immobilize her. There would be denture marks all over her. 

God spoke to Lester to go to the hospital to set her free. He entered with permission and saw the girl at the corner. In Jesus' name he freed her from that day. The mayor met him and said any thing you need the state will pay. He asked for a place to preach and the mayor offered him a place to preach and a church was born. Thousands was ushered into the Kingdom of God. Lester Sumrall https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lester_Sumrall

We have every reason to celebrate Christmas because of one woman, Mary who allowed God to use her as a vessel.

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

While Moses was building the house there was murmuring amongst the Jews. They were slaves that were building the temple of Pharaoh. Deep in their hearts they have a desire to build God's house. Four hundred years past. But their dreams and desire was transferred from generations to generations. For ten generations. Then they build the temple of God, at the eleventh generation. 

God is looking for that one man, Abraham, Moses, Mary. 

Wherever you are, you have the ability and influence to build God's house. I see in your church there are many generations, the young and the old and the dream can be shared by the generations. The desire of God is for men and women to build his house. Just one man. He involves you and I. We are not perfect but God still uses us. 

The house of God is not mortar and cement but is you and I. Dream to expand your work. Not just the third floor but the whole building. It takes one man and one woman. 

My congregation is smaller than yours. Just 150 people. Yet we own two properties. For a small church like ours it has to be God. 

Have faith. Begin to plant churches. We believe in planting the house of God. Give to God's house and he will multiply. 

Look at my boy. He is a miracle. He is 15 years old. He has Down syndrome and God spoke to me that he will give me a special boy. A few days later the doctor told us that he has a hole in his heart and the doctor said at 12 days he will die. And true enough on the twelve day he died in my wife's arms. But we rushed him to the hospital and strange enough the hospital was empty that day and they operated on his heart at 33 days old. He was in ICU for 60 days. It was like the pool of Bethesda. We saw children worst than my child. I learnt to praise and thank God that it was not worst. 

God is looking for that one man. In that 60 days we could touch many lives. We healed many with the touch of God and people say physician heal yourself. Our faith was tested. Here was our child in need but God taught us faith. 

There was one time a lady near my baby went ballistic and was screaming. The nurse said her baby died. I was judgmental. I thought every body die once even babies. But the nurse said no, this was her fifth baby that died. I asked for forgiveness. I was judgmental. No wonder she went ballistic. 

I discovered God built his house through one man and one woman. You are the answer and the influence. God can use you here in Penang. It is possible. Nothing is impossible to God. Just see your congregation, next year with everyone bringing one person the church will double. And the leaders will have a headache trying to find another property. It just take one man, one woman. 

Rev Anthony Phua praying for those that responded to the altar call.

Star or Rats

Rev Gideon Lee

Last week I spoke about John the Baptist and he was one who did not beat around the bush. He stressed in the call to repentance to change 180° from where you are here to what God has called you to. He then call us to share. We are blessed to be a blessing. We are a people who is called to share. Especially this Christmas season we are called to share the gospel. The good news. I pray that it will be more than just a season, not just a day, but is a lifestyle. What else are we called to do? The last one. We are called to serve. Remember the tax collector. Where God has placed you, serve in the best capacity. God has called us to serve. 

Matthew 11:1-6

Jesus and John the Baptist

11:2- 19pp – Lk 7:18- 35

1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”

4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 6 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

Sounds familiar? It's our missions statement. Look behind you at our poster. 

We find that John the Baptist is in prison. Is he in a good or bad situation? Bad right? He was put in prison because he corrected king Herod. Herod had his brother killed and married his wife. That is bad even by world standards. John the Baptist told the king he was wrong so he was thrown in prison awaiting his trial if there is one. He knew that his time was short and was probably disappointed. This week I am going to talk about disappointments. 

I know Christmas is around the corner but I want us to know Christmas may not be a joyous occasion. Maybe it's financial or health problems and you don't feel like celebrating Christmas. Especially for those of us that have just lost a loved one, this may be a bad time as occasions like this brings them to remembrance. 

How we handle disappointment is very important. My title is Star or Rats. I will explain why I chose this title at the end of the service. 

John the Baptist has an expectation of what Jesus should be. Remember he asked his disciples to ask if he was the messiah or should they wait for another. Imagine saying this at the end of your ministry. 

Firstly, many a times we get into disappointments because of expectations not met. 

An example is my daughter Elisa. We wanted our children to go to a Chinese school so that they learn our root language because both my wife and I don't speak Chinese well. Maybe my wife is a little better. So we rely on the iPad to help write the Chinese word and find its meaning to help her in her studies. So coming to UPSR, it would be wrong to expect her to get an "A" for her Chinese. But we would expect her to do well in English as we can help her with that. 

But we cannot be expecting her to get an "A" for her Chinese. But we still expect that of our children right? By the way she got a "B" and a "C" for her Chinese. What do you expect, we are banana. We cannot expect that of her. We need to have right expectations. 

John the Baptist expected Jesus to come and establish his kingdom and kick the Romans out. He expected those that follow him to rule with him. Different expectations. 

Husband expect the wife to be like that. 6.00am wake up and make your breakfast, coffee made just right and the children all prepared for school. Come home and the home is all set. We have different expectations of our wife. And when they are not met, we get disappointed. 

I remember in bible school, I remember I loved the subject the Dynamics of the Holy Spirit. What do you expect, I am a Pentecostal and a true blue AOG pastor. You cut me I bleed AOG (laughs). I never liked to study and had to do the research paper. It was a compulsory subject. End of semester came and I have not finished my research paper. I asked my lecturer for an extension. You know, Christian lecturer, so you would expect him to be an angel. He said okay, I give you two weeks extension. 

Lo and behold, two weeks went in a blur and I have not started on the outline yet. So I tried my best and did maybe one or two pages. So I called my lecturer and asked for another extension. So you would expect a Christian lecturer in bible school to be merciful. You know what? He failed me. I was so angry. I mean I finished all my exams, only my research paper. But it was a compulsory subject. He said I have no choice but to fail you. I was busy because I went for mission trip and expected God to understand. I had to repeat my paper. It could be one or two year down the road and I cannot graduate. 

I was upset and I told God all kinds of reasons. More than that I was embarrassed. I was a student council president, youngest, never in the history...fail. 

Coming back to John the Baptist (laughs). He was disappointed. How did Jesus reply? The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 

Second reasons why he was disappointed is because he was looking at the wrong signs. 

I want to being you the the story of Elijah. He went to the mountains and what did God do? First there was a strong wind that shook the mountain but God was not in the wind. Then came fire and earthquake and God was not there. Then Elijah found God is a still small voice. God is often not in the spectacular but in the ordinary. 

John the Baptist was distracted. He was looking at the wrong signs. Jesus entered Jerusalem in a small donkey. Imagine the King of kings and Lord of lords come on a donkey. What would you ride on if you were that? I would be riding a white elephant with a long tusk. Why? Special. Not a brown elephant but a white elephant. (Congregation said grey elephant). Grey and brown same la (laughs). You paint your elephant grey I paint mine brown. I would ride in in majesty. 

If you look just at the signs you will miss it. God often comes in the still small voice, in the mundane. In the everyday things. Not in the spectacular. 

The last reason why he was disappointed is because he didn't give God enough time. 

How many of you know we are impatient people. We pray God grant me patience, but grant it to me NOW! We want things done immediately. Jesus took his time. In fact He is still taking His time. His work is still being done today more than 2000 years ago. We often do not allow time for God to do his work in our lives. We often look at our schedule but we need to work in God's timing. He is never too early or too late, always in time. 

Coming back to my testimony, fail. I cannot graduate. I cannot serve you God. I don't know what I am going to do. I don't know when they will offer it again. I don't know how to go back to church and tell them I cannot serve there. 

God begins to deal with me and it is for my own good. How often when God deal with you it's painful. I went to my lecturer and instead of arguing with him and presenting my case like how all good lawyers will do, I went to him and said I am sorry. I made a mistake. 

He told me okay, here's what I will do for you. You are going to take the course under me personally. You don't have to do the whole course but only some assignments. He didn't have to do it. It took his time away. So I did it all up to his satisfaction and I think I got an "A". I think (laughs). He passed me and that year I graduated as speaker of my class that year. Not to boast. 

If we allow God to work things in our life according to his timing it is always the best one. If you want to be a lalang, you do not have to do anything. No need to water also. To be a lalang, no need time. If you don't want God to take his time, you will be a lalang, like my garden. 

But if you look at the majestic rain trees like those along Greenland, it takes time to grow and withstand all the storms. It takes time. It didn't grow overnight. 

We all face disappointments because of expectations. It is hardest to be a pastor because there are over 200 expectations. Managing our expectations is difficult. 

At the hokkien service this morning, I preached the same message this and I had a lady that came to me and asked me to pray for her as she wanted a grandson and she said the doctor said 50-50 chance it's a girl. I do not want to be judgmental but I prayed for her that no matter boy or girl they will love the same. Expectations, I pray we learn how to manage them. 

There was this Sunday school presentation at a church where the children were told to do a Christmas play. They were each given cutouts of letters and when the time came they were to turn the letters around which spelt "STAR". Unfortunately, something when wrong and the words came out "RATS" instead (laughs). It's Christmas so it was supposed to say stars. So what do you want to be? Stars or rats? I pray you all will be stars shining for God. Not only during Christmas but everyday of your life.

Pastor Gideon praying for those that responded to the altar call.
Wonderful ministry by the worship team led by Sis Melissa Cheah and Joshua Teh.

Repent, Share & Serve

Rev Gideon Lee

Matthew 3:1-12

3 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

    make straight paths for him.’”[a]

4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize you with[b] water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

One day there was a man convicted of a heinous crime that was sentenced to death. As it was a custom back in those days to grant a condemned man one last request. As the day approached, the Warden asked the convicted man what he would like as one last request. The man thought hard and long and finally said that he would like to see his wife and children.

The wife and children were brought to him a few hours before his execution and the man spent some time with them. Now I wonder if we were in that man’s position, what do you think we will be saying to our family? Will we say – “Oh honey, don’t forget to water the flowers and feed the dog when I am gone” or “Remember to pay the bills on time ok?”. Hmmm. Somehow I don’t think we will waste such precious time on such trivial matters. We would definitely get straight to the point and not beat around the bush since time is of the essence. We will also speak about the things that are close to our heart and the things that matters most to us.

I would not be concerned about economics, politics, the weather, the size of house or the type of car. At such a time I would want to dwell on the profundities, on what life was all about and what things were absolutely essential.

John in the desert was in the great tradition of the Hebrew prophets. He was aware that time was running out. In his burning message he had no time for peripheral matters. He was not playing Trivial Pursuit nor was he prepared to splash about in the shallows. Soon the sword of Herod's guard would flash and his tongue would lie silent in the grave. Superficial people came out from Jerusalem to see him. They were intrigued by this strange phenomenon of a wild man preaching repentance. They were fascinated by frivolous things such as his dress, his diet and his fierce declamatory oratory. They wanted to interview him and then tell all their friends about their remarkable experience. "Who are you?" they asked. His answer was curt: "I am not the Christ." "Are you Elijah?" "No!" "Then who are you?" they persisted. They had their doubts about who he was but his message to their ears was clear: Repent.

There comes a moment when the preacher longs for his hearers to lose sight of everything except his message. "Don't listen to my accent. Don't look at my clothes. Don't comment on my style. Don't search my biographical details for my University pedigree. Just listen to what I am saying. Repent!

I would like to suggest this morning that Repent was the first component of John's message. There are two others. Let's take a look at the first.

A) REPENT

John's message called people to repentance. One of the towering marks of this age is the absence of guilt. Not many people would deny that fact. Some are pleased that guilt has been dethroned; others see it as a bad sign. The absence of guilt in today's society makes it very difficult to talk about repentance. For if there is no feeling of guilt, then the need for repentance is greatly minimized, if not altogether eliminated.

For many the word repentance is a word that belongs to yesterday. It is equated with sackcloth and ashes and mourners benches. Some see repentance as something that we do only if we get caught. But repentance is far more than simply blurting out "I'm Sorry" if we get caught cheating on the IRS or our wife. Nor is repentance merely turning over a new leaf. I will have to admit that one of my favourite times of the week is Sunday after the evening worship service. The pressure of the day has been lifted and it is like starting all over again. It's like putting a clean page in the typewriter. It's a great feeling. But repentance is far more than just starting over again. Repentance is also far more than simply reciting with everyone else the prayer of confession that we pray each week.

All too often this is our story. Yet, John the Baptist calls upon us to take our sinning seriously. Why? Because God does?

Repentance is not just changing our minds, or feeling sorry for something that we have done, or even making bold resolves that we will never participate in certain conduct again. Instead, repentance means to turn around and go in another direction. What John the Baptist wanted his audience to hear was: Turn your life toward this one called Messiah. This is not negative or down-faced. Rather, it breaks the chains of oppression and death that hold us back.

Several years ago I had one of my parishioners tell me after a sermon during Advent: The problem with John the Baptist is that he takes all of the fun out of Christmas. He couldn't have been further from the truth. I submit to you that it is this weird eccentric called the Baptist who puts the joy back into Christmas. For he is the one who calls us not to Christmas the way it is, but to Christmas the way it is meant to be.

B) SHARE

First, John admonished his listeners to repent. Second, he told them to share. In Luke 3:10 & 11 we read where a crowd approached John and asked of him: "What shall we do then?" In other words, what is expected of us. To this John responded: He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; he who has food, let him do likewise."

Sharing is so basically fundamental to our faith that anyone who somehow has not grasp this principle will miss a major thrust of this Advent Season.

One of my favourite Christmas stories is O'Renry's short story The Gift of The Magi. You are all familiar with it. A story about a desperately poor young couple living in New York around the turn of the century. Neither had money sufficient to buy a gift for the other so they each secretly went out and sold something of worth. He sold his prized pocket watch to get her a braid for her long hair. When he presented it to her she removed her scarf to reveal that she had had her hair clipped and sold to purchase a chain for his pocket watch. The thrust of the story is obvious. It is not what you give that is important, but the sharing spirit of love in which it is given.

One of the messages of Advent is that we are called to be a sharing people. Not just at one special season of the year, but to live a life of sharing.

SHARE ABOUT SARAWAK TRIP

"What should we do then?" the crowd asked. John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."

3) SERVE

Repent. Share. And the third thrust of John's message was serve. In Luke 3:12-14 we learn that tax collectors came to John to be baptised and said to him: Teacher, what shall we do? And he said to them: Collect no more taxes than is appointed to you. And soldiers also came and asked: And what shall we do? And he said: Rob no more and do not make false accusations.

In other words, whatever your role or task is in life, do it ethically to the best of your ability. If you are a tax collector, then be an honest tax collector. If you are a soldier, be a good soldier and not a cruel, corrupt one. In whatever role you are in, do what you can where you are. Christian service is not just a missionary in a foreign land. Indeed, sometimes it is easier to go to a far away land than it is to go next door. You may serve God in whatever situation you find yourself, in the home, in the market place, in school, by doing the best that you can for God where you are.

John was a great man and he preached a great message. But Jesus was a greater man and he delivered a greater message. John's message was one of glad chiding. Jesus' message was one of glad tidings. There were differences in style. But John laid forth the fundamentals. Someone once asked the late Vince Lombardy what was the secret to his coaching career. He responded: I had my team constantly concentrating on the fundamentals. What are the fundamentals of our faith: Repent. Share. Serve.

God himself couldn't sink the Titanic

Kenny Song at Calvary Assembly

I got a Facebook chat message from your pastor asking if I can come speak one Sunday and I told him “Oh, usually my wife do all the talking”, to which he promptly answered “Good to hear the silent partner for a change”. So if I am truly the silent partner like what your pastor says, it will be a very quiet service this morning (laughs).

We are always very happy to be here with you and your pastor have been a tremendous blessing to TOP helping to mentor Topians through the ICI courses.

I was actually a little undecided about what I wanted to share this morning but looking at my own life at this point of time and looking back, I felt this may minister to you. My wife and I are proud grandparents with my grandson having just celebrated his first birthday. We have walked with the Lord for most of our life and have had our fair share of ups and downs. In my business we have gone through some storms and at this juncture, I am looking at preparing my exit plan or succession plan so priorities in our life has somewhat changed.

Today I am going to draw some insights from an incident about a famous ocean liner. Any guesses? We were stuck in a jam this week at Weld Quay because a huge cruise ship just docked and tourist buses were everywhere, so that kind of led me to think about this too. 

The historic event I am talking about has been made into several movies with one being a multi Academy Award winner. I guess you know by now I am talking about the Titanic. Philip Franklin, vice president of the White Star Line in NY made the announcement of the sinking on 14 April 1912.

But the movie by James Cameron is not so much about the Titanic but more about a young couple’s love story. “I jump you jump!”. So I am not drawing the information from that movie. Rather, an in depth documentary by National Geographic in both their publication and on video has the facts that I am looking for. I am a subscriber to National Geographic and have every issue from 1983 so it was something that interest me. My Astro subscription is on Sports and Information channel so you can tell I am a non-fiction man, unlike my wife.

I will also draw some survivor accounts on what happened that night from the book "Unsinkable": The Full Story of the RMS Titanic, by Daniel Allen Butler.

The tragedy still interests people for many reasons.

Major loss of life: Over 1500 people died, the greatest number of deaths in a non-military transportation accident up to that time (and I don't know of any greater since that time).

The amazing character of the ship:

• It was the largest ship of that day (though larger have been built since).
• It was one of the fastest ships of that day, but not the fastest (and faster have been built since).
• It was on its maiden voyage
• It was the most luxurious ship ever built.

Amazing "coincidences" that contributed to the tragedy: Numerous details, anyone of which, if it had happened differently, would have prevented the ship from sinking or prevented the loss of so many lives.

• The ship's sailing had been postponed for three weeks. Had she sailed any other time, the iceberg would not have been there. 
• If the ship had traveled one mile per hour faster or slower, the iceberg would have been in a different position.
• The iceberg was "blue," the most difficult kind to see.
• The night was moonless -- no light to show the iceberg.
• The night was windless. Wind would have made waves to splash on the iceberg making it more visible. 
• Men in the crow's nest had no lookout glasses. They were on the ship, but had been misplaced.
• Even so, the crew saw the iceberg in time to begin turning. If the crew had seen the iceberg 10 seconds sooner, the ship would have missed it.
• If the crew had seen the iceberg ten seconds later, they would have hit it head on, causing damage which would not have sunk the ship. The ship sank because it grazed the berg, slicing open a long section of its side. 
• The ship could carry over 3000 people, but had lifeboats for only 1178 (this was all that laws then required). Even so, only 700 people actually got in the lifeboats.

Recent interest in the tragedy has been stirred by the fact the wreckage was found and explored underwater in the 1980's.

Perhaps the greatest cause of interest is that the ship sank on her very first voyage despite the fact that many people believed it to be "unsinkable" or nearly so.

I am seeing how we can learn some spiritual lessons from the sinking of the Titanic.

1. The Futility of Wealth

Facts about the Titanic.

The luxury of the ship was incredible.

First-class accommodations rivalled the finest hotels on shore.

The first-class dining hall could seat 500 people in one room - on a ship!

The greatest showpiece was the Grand Staircase, which ascended four decks.

The cost for a one-way passage in the finest suites would equate to $80,000 in 1997 money!

The passengers included some of the world's greatest millionaires. 

The man who designed the ship was also on board and died.

What can we learn?

In life, wealth has its advantages but in death, we are all equal. Whether they were millionaires or stowaways in the liner, those that died a watery death died the same.

Ecclesiastes 5:15 - As he came from his mother's womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor which he may carry away in his hand.

Likewise, no amount of money can ultimately prevent a man's death. When a rich man dies, he leaves just like the poorest man who ever lived.

Therefore, God warns us not to trust in riches.

1 Timothy 6:17 - Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

Matthew 16:26 - For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 

Money cannot buy you and I a place in heaven. When we face Jesus in judgment, what matters will be how we lived, not how much we were worth. What is your goal in life? Do you live as though this world is most important? Are you living so you will be ready for the day you die?

2. The Danger of Overconfidence

Facts about the Titanic.

Many passengers and crew members believed the Titanic to be unsinkable, and the ship's designers believed it was almost true.

One passenger asked a ship's agent for extra insurance on some valuables in her luggage. The agent replied, "Ridiculous. This boat's unsinkable"

After the ship had struck the iceberg, a passenger asked her employer if they should do something about it. He replied, "Go back to bed. This ship is unsinkable"

One passenger asked a dock hand, "Is this ship really unsinkable?" The man replied, "Yes, lady. God Himself couldn't sink this ship" 

What can we learn?

There is danger of pride and faith in human achievements. Many today put so much faith in man’s abilities they don’t realise their need for God.

Humanism says that there is no force or intelligence on earth higher than mankind. We must solve our own problems, for there is no one else to solve them.

Or they trust human learning: science, technology, or psychology. They believe we can completely control our world and do anything we want, without depending on God.

Sometimes, all we have to do is look at the fury of natural disasters and realise we are so helpless even against the calamity that hits our world. 

Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Genesis 11:4-9 - The Titanic story is much like that of the tower of Babel. Men sought to do great things without depending on God. They thought "nothing they propose to do will be withheld from them." When men develop this pride, God often teaches us how humble and weak we really are.

Deuteronomy 8:17-18 - You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

James 1:17 - God is the giver of every good and perfect gift.

Sometimes, when we look back at our lives, we are so thankful to God for every blessings. The hymns sings “Count your blessings name them one by one”. Let us never forget where our blessings came from. It is not just the fruit of our labour but an open heaven for his children. Seek ye first...

3. The Fine Line between Life and Death

Facts about the Titanic.

The Titanic struck the iceberg shortly before midnight. Some passengers were asleep, but many were still partying. The band was playing. People were dancing, eating, enjoying life. They were confident life would go on, because the ship was "unsinkable."

The ship sank just 2 1/2 hours later at 2:20 AM. Many were still in their party clothes. Others were still in their night clothes, dressed for bed. Many died that way. None expected to die that night.

What can we learn?

James 4:13,14 - You don't know what will happen tomorrow. Life is like a vapour that appears for a little time, then vanishes away.

Job 14:2 - Man comes forth like a flower and fades away; he flees like a shadow and does not continue.

Proverbs 27:1 - Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.

Life is never certain. We cannot tell what will happen tomorrow. We are only sure of the now, and what we do now matters. Life and death is real.

My Testimony:

This brings to my remembrance of my family's salvation. I am born 14 years after my sister and 11 years after my brother. My father said I was an accident. He was being kind. My mother said she found me from the tong sampah! (laughs). But I was the one who was religious and followed my father to the temple every full moon cycle to pray and even crawl under the altar table. My brother and sister had no interest. 

That's why my parents think I am the good son. My wife knows better (laughs). My brother was more interested in gambling. My sister was the rebellious one. She ran to Singapore and only called back to tell my father that she's there working in Singapore Airlines. 

My sister was saved in Singapore. And it happened in a most unexpected manner. She and my bro-in-law was childless and they tried everything, from religious help to medical aid. They spent a lot of money trying. 

Then one day, my sister's colleague in SIA asked her, have you tried God. My sister said she had tried all kinds of gods including the temples. Her colleague said no, I am talking about THE GOD that created you and everything else. 

My sis didn't pursue it until one day as she was passing a church, she heard singing and remembered what the colleague told her. She went in and people were praying. She knelt beside a lady and started to try pray. But she heard the lady crying and asking God to intervene in her family and her husband had left her and she has children to care for. My sister was moved with compassion and prayed for this lady instead. She was immediately slained by the Spirit. Remember, she didn't know what all this was about so the pastor asked if she's a Christian and she said no. The pastor explained to her what happened and led her to Christ. 

The following day, my sister called back home and told my dad that she has something very important to tell the whole family and asked that all be around. 

I am used to having Christians witness to me. I hated Christians as I think they are bothersome. Just to let you know how much I hated them, I refused to play a badminton tournament because it was held in a badminton hall of a church! Who knows I'll one day be here in a church preaching a sermon (laughs). 

But when my sister came and shared with us, it was different. The conviction was different. She said she had to quickly come in case anything happen to any of us, she will not see us in heaven. Life and death was so real to her and she was desperate for us to be saved. 

After she left, my father told me "your sister is lost". She has always done what she wanted so it's her choice. My father asked me if I will be the son that carry on the family's tradition and I promised him I will. You see, ancestral worship was very important to my dad. 

I came back to Penang for my studies but from that day on, I had no peace. What my sister shared kept troubling me. Then after I finished my schooling and was coming back to Alor Star, I made my first prayer. I asked God, whoever you are, if you are real I want to know you. On the ferry back to Alor Star, at that time there were no Penang Bridge, I heard a voice so clear, "if you want my peace, throw this away." It was the Buddha amulet I was wearing. It was a struggle but I knew what I had to do. I took it off and threw it into the sea. Peace flooded in and that is the peace I have until today. 

But I now contemplate how to tell my father. I made him a promise. What I didn't know was that God was also dealing with my father. In my room in Alor Star, I hung a Christian plaque my sister gave me. "Be the mirror that shines The light" above my bed. 

My dad for no reason asked if he can go into my room for a while. He never goes into my room but I said okay, not knowing what he was up to. 15 minutes later, he came out crying and told everyone from this day forth we will no longer hold the joss stick. 

You see, God was dealing with my dad and he was struggling too. He went into my room, knelt down by my bed and asked God for a sign. Unlike me, he needed a sign. And that plaque just fell into his raised hands. To my father that was the sign he needed. God answered his prayer. 

That weekend he wanted to go to church but we didn't know any in Alor Star. My sister gave me Rev Fred Seaward's Charismatic Fellowship address at Dewan Sri Pinang and my dad said we are all driving to Penang to attend church. 

I called my sister to tell her the good news and she said "I am flying out to be with you all". She took the 7.30pm flight. Meanwhile in Penang, we entered the church at 7.30pm. As Rev Fred Seaward finished his sermon his altar call was typical of him. "If you were to die right here where you are seated, where will you be, heaven or hell? No nonsense preaching. I love preachers like that. As they played "Just as I am without one plea..." each of us walked down to the front on our own, my father, my mother, my brother, my sister-in-law and myself all crying like babies. 

My sister touched down at 8.45pm and told the taxi driver you must reached Dewan Sri by 9.30pm. It's life and death she says! And he did. When she walked into the church she saw the whole Song family at the altar receiving Christ! Hallelujah!

Why am I telling you this? Our salvation was a matter of life and death to her and I am glad she made that trip to witness to the family. I may not be here if she had not acted in urgency. Life and death...it's a fine line.

That was just point number 3 (laughs). Last but not least.

4. The Danger of Doing Nothing

Facts about the Titanic.

Various Titanic passengers testified about people who died because they were convinced nothing could be done to save them. One passenger described the following scene which occurred as the ship sank:

"Hundreds were in a circle with a preacher in the middle, praying, crying, asking God to help them. They lay there, still crying, till the water was over their heads. They just prayed and yelled, never lifting a hand to help themselves. They had lost their own willpower and expected God to do all their work for them."

Note that these people did nothing to help themselves because of their religious beliefs and the influence of a preacher. As a result, they all died.

What can we learn?

Many people today likewise believe there is nothing they need to do to be saved. They believe that God will do all the work. There is nothing to do except believe in God and "pray the sinners prayer." Specifically, they deny that baptism is necessary, because it is something you do.

Don't misunderstand me. It is true, we cannot earn salvation, and nothing we do could save us if Jesus had not died and made salvation possible. By dying He gave us the opportunity to be saved. But in order for us to receive His forgiveness, He requires us to obey Him.

If my sister had not obeyed and come up to Alor Star but just seek God for a child, and be contented for having found God, we would not have heard the gospel. 

Matthew 7:21 - Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Hebrews 5:9 - Jesus became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.

Philippians 2:12 - Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

As believers, we need to “trust and obey”. The trust is in believing that God is able and the obey is in following after Christ’s servanthood ministry. He was our example. We cannot be passive Christians. 

I pray that today, as we examine our walk with God, we get our priorities right.

Remember the four lessons we learned this morning.

The Futility of Wealth - let us never trust our riches

Yes, God is good and has blessed many of us in so many ways. Let us never forget who is the source of our blessings.

The Danger of Overconfidence - pride goes before a fall

God has given us talents and abilities but we should always be reliant on God and never for a moment think we can go through life without him.

The Fine Line between Life and Death - we should never live our life carelessly

Life is fleeting. All of us cannot know when is our last day here before we go home so let us live responsibly.

The Danger of Doing Nothing - we should work while it is yet day

As much as we are reliant on God, we should not just sit still. We still need to put our hands to the plough and work.

I pray that this simple incident in history helps us draw some perspective on our own lives. Spend the next few moments to reflect on your own life. At this point of time in your walk with the Lord, where are you at? Are you busy making money and neglecting the things of God? Are you so preoccupied with yourself that God is at the peripheral? Do you have unsaved loved ones who have not yet heard the gospel? The bible promise us that when one in the household is saved, the rest will be saved too. But we need to obey and act. We do not know how much time we have left. 

If you want us to stand with you and to pray along with you in making a fresh commitment, or in praying for your unsaved loved ones, Sis Melinda and myself will be here to stand with you in prayer. 

At Calvary Assembly with my interpreter Bro Lucas.

Are You Growing?

Bro Vive Supramaniam

We are coming to the end of the year. 30 days more to go to finish the year. How many of you made new year resolutions? Only 2 person made new year resolutions. I made resolutions too. I made my 2012 and moved it to 2013. 

The year is coming to an end you will be planning your 2014 resolution. So I hope you make something good. 

The picture I show you now is the American bald eagle's egg. That's the size. When the eagle lays it's egg, it goes through a process. I remember when I was in school the question they ask is whether buaya beranak or bertelur. I thought buaya so big must be beranak. When I told my grandma, I got a smack. I'll never forget that so now I know buaya bertelur. 

The eagle's egg takes more than 30 days to incubate. The eaglet will use its beak to poke through the shell without assistance from the mama or papa. The eaglet will then grow in the nest. 

The eagle builds it's nests with sharp twigs and stones. Then it uses feathers to soften the nest. They will feed the eaglets until it is ready for them to leave the nest. But being so comfortable they are reluctant to leave the nest. 

That's when the papa and mama eagle remove the soft cushion and stop feeding them. That's when they are ready to leave the nest and even so they keep an eye on their eaglets.  

The eagle's had the potential in the egg to become a mighty bird. One of the most majestic bird. But if the eaglet choose not to come out of the egg, the egg would become rotten and it would have missed its potential. 

It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.  - C.S. Lewis. 

In human life there is a process of growing up. We are a toddler first, then a teenager and then become an adult. We go through a process. When we talk about growth we look at IQ and EQ. Our Intelligent Quotient and our Emotional Quotient. 

But what about spiritual growth? We have SQ. Not Singapore airline. Our Spiritual Quotient. Have you grown in the Lord since the beginning of this year? We want to grow in our career, our knowledge, our experience but what about our growth spiritually? 

My title today is "Are you growing?"  Let's look at the book of Hebrews. Hebrews is the only brand of coffee for Christians (laughs). 

Hebrews 5:11-14

11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

In our context today we call the writer the Hebrew writer as the style of writing is unlike Paul. 

What is the Hebrew writer talking about growing up? Mark the word spiritually dull or some translations spiritually slow. He was addressing seasoned Christians, not new Christians. Then he said they are like babies. Need to be taught again. He said they are like babies. He didn't say they are babies. And that they did not know what is right where else those who are mature knows between what is right and wrong. 

We have a lot of babies in church. Can you associate yourself? We still need pastor to can he your diapers. Are we growing up in the Lord. 

The day we are born again we are supposed to grow in the Lord. We are not supposed to stay as babies. Not supposed to be at the elementary level. Do you know when we grow the church also grow? Because the congregation involves all of us. 

I want to read to you a statistics that came out of this book that Rev Jeremiah recommended. It stated that there are many failing church attendance and they are changing churches into mosque. That's 2012 figures. 

When Christians fail to grow the church will also not grow. This same problem that happened in Europe happens in America and it may happen to us here. When we choose not to grow in the things of God. 

The issue the Hebrew writer is addressing shows a frustration when he addressed this. He pulled his handbrake on the theological teaching on the high priest of Jesus to state this and it's relevant today. We are in the same state of comfort. 

To understand about the high priest of Jesus is not a complicated doctrine for the Jews. It's not about mental capacity as the Jews are smart people. The word are actually "you have become". It's a process of change. You have chose to become. It's a choice. That's what the Hebrew writer was saying. 

The word dull or slow come from the Greek word "Nothros", that means "hard to push". Everything cannot. The Hebrew Christians have become spiritually dull, spiritually slow, hard to push, contented or happy at status quo. Remember he is addressing Christians. You have become hard to push. You have become spiritually dull. 

Spiritual growth is a matter a choice. Even accepting Jesus is a choice. Nobody put a gun to your head. Christian growth is also a spiritual choice. The Jewish Christians have hardened their heart in growing spiritually. 

God provided the school and the helper, the Holy Spirit but we decide whether or not to learn. It's a matter of choice. Whether we want to come to church early. It's a matter of choice. How we spend our money is a matter of choice. 

God has given us the privilege to choose. I pray you will choose to grow spiritually. 

Ephesians 4:13

until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Ephesians 4:15

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

2 Peter 3:18

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Colossians 2:6-7

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

If you stop and ask yourself why you are not so devoted as the early Christians, your own heart will tell you that it is neither through ignorance nor inability, but purely because you never thoroughly intended it - William Law

Spiritual is a process like how physical growth is.  

Hebrews 5:12

In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers,...

It involves time

It involved persistent

It involves discipline

But it produces results and you will progress forward. God will expand your ministry. He honours your desire to grow. Don't stay where you are. 

1. Spiritual growth leads to expansion. 

A. It brings personal development I'm your walk with God. 

Psalms 1:2-3

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.

B. It brings development to the Kingdom of God. 

2 Corinthians 10:15-16

Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in another man’s territory.

When your faith grows your boundary expands. Live up to the call of being the called out ones. 

2. Spiritual growth fuels discernment. 

Hebrews 5:14

But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Discernment is the ability to see and respond to what's right and wrong, good or bad, pleasing to God or not. 

Matthew 24:4-5

Jesus answered:“Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ, ’ and will deceive many.

Other reference: Acts 20:29-32, 2Peter 3:17-18, Ephesians 4:14-15

I like how the Hebrew writer ends. 

Hebrews 6:1-3

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.

The Hebrew writer include himself when the encourage us to move forward in spiritual maturity. "Let us" and "we will do so". 

The word "we will do so" in Greek is Phero is "to carry or to bear"

Let us be carried along to mature teaching. 

Spiritual growth is not accomplished by personal effort alone. 

Spiritual growth is achieved under the active power of the Holy Spirit. 

"Being carried along" through the active participation of the Holy Spirit is a continuous process. 

Church I want to encourage you to consider growing in the Lord. To take bold steps to grow in the Lord. Even some kind of studies. I am promoting ICI. Bro Allan will be happy to register you. 

Don't say you cannot study. Don't say you have poor memory. We have students from different age groups passing with high marks. Don't stay where you are but progress forward. Church, we need to progress.