Learning To Love Like Jesus

Rev Gideon

What have we been learning at cell? The book of Philippians and the theme is joy. What does that mean? Jesus first, yourself last and others in between.

Paul wrote this book to the believers, to the Christians. 

Philippians 2:1-11

"Imitating Christ’s Humility

​1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

7 but made himself nothing,

taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to death–

even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father."

Paul encourages us to consider others above ourselves. It is hard but we must do what Jesus has done for you. Do the same thing to one another. Always esteem the other person higher. Our attitude should be that of Christ Jesus. 

Jesus humbled himself and God exalted him to the highest place. To go up high we have to first learn to humble ourselves. We have a tendency to want to be the first in line. If possible we will push others aside. But Jesus lowered himself. Then God gave him a name that is above every other name. 

By that name every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that he is Lord. That's how great that name is. On earth, in heaven and under the earth. Some of us may be bowing down grudgingly but we still have to confess him as Lord. 

But this morning I want to talk about love. 

There is a company in the US where they made a perfume called virtue. And you will smell like how Jesus smelt. They took all the herbs during Jesus' time and made this perfume that smell like Jesus. It's a sweet smell like apricot and a dash of frankincense and mirth. Jesus doesn't want you to smell like him but to be like him. To be more Christlike. 

How many of you heard of Max Lucado. He said God loves you the way you are. But because he loves you so much he does not want you to remain the way you are. He wants you to change from glory to glory, to be better. But there lies the problem. We all don't like change. When change comes it becomes difficult. 

When we have combined services, some people don't turn up. Why? I've asked and some people said there's no place to sit. And I asked but we bring in more chairs, but they say yes, but not the place I sit. (Laughs). We don't like change. 

He meets us at the point where we are but he will not stop making you better. He wants us to change. He wants us to move to be better. Paul is encouraging the church to live in harmony. 

In the church sometimes it's difficult to live in harmony. It's easy to come to church, attend and go home. But the moment we interact and serve  sometimes we rub each other the wrong way. How many of you know how I always comb my hair upwards. Don't comb my hair any other way or you're rubbing my hair the wrong way. Even the hair can be rubbed the wrong way. 

Church should be a place where we humble ourselves and serve one another. Jesus humbled himself even to the point of death. If we do that the church will explode. 

There was this speaker that arrived at church early to preach. As he turn into the church compound he saw a funeral service. So he did not want to disturb the pastor but the pastor saw him and asked him to come. He introduced the speaker to the widow and said this is the pastor that is speaking. This is the women who just lost her husband and children to an accident. 

The widow said she cannot come Friday but will be there for service on Saturday and Sunday. The speaker said as expected told her she did not have to come. But the widow said she wants to come because this is her church and she wants to be there. That's how the church should be. When one member hurt we rally around. And encourage one another. Often we criticise and not encourage. 

When we hurt we should be able to be there for one another. But most of us are Sdn Bhd. We should not be Sendirian. But we are a Berhad. We should care for one another. Because we have seen what God has done for us. 

What is the hallmark of a church? Is that we have love for one another. Penang is known for what? Food? Penang is known for its Char Koay Teow. Each country is famous for something. The big Apple is? New York. Paris? Eiffel Tower. What is the church known for? Love. 

I want our church to be known as a church that love one another. Let's do more. More of love for one another. Jesus said by this shall all men know you are my disciple. A healthy church is where everyone loves one another. Are we a healthy church? I think we need to be healthier. My wife said I need to exercise more. 

How many of you know the song by Simon & Garfunkel? 

When you're weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I'll dry them all
I'm on your side, oh, when times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

If you know the analogy of the song, you'll know the phrase "I've got your back". That's what God is saying to us, I've got your back. When you're over troubled waters I'm your bridge. 

Wouldn't it be nice we can say that to one another. That we mean it to everyone of our brothers and sisters. Jesus is saying when you are over troubled waters, he can say to the wind, be still. 

When you look at the goose they fly to the south for winter, they fly in a V formation. The geese behind the first geese enjoy less drag as they fly. They can fly 71% further than if they fly alone. We are supposed to line up as a V formation. As a church if we are flapping together we can go further. So it's important we have a focus. Arise. Shine. 

At the end of the V is a single geese that was the leader. When the leader gets tired, another will take the lead position. We can leverage on one another's abilities. If we combine carefully the church can go further. 

Also when they fly they make noise. They honk. Why? To encourage one another. Like at the big party when we scoop the rice we talk and encourage one another and the work becomes lighter. But it is not in our nature to be an encourager. Sometimes we think that we encourage too much the person become big headed. Or your other leaders like the worship ministry. Have you encourage your cell leaders? Encouragement helps people do better. 

Also when one of the goose gets sick, two of the geese will stay with the sick bird until it's healed then they take off still in a V formation. You need at least three to form a V. Let's help one another. To get the person up on his feet. 

This is the kind of church I'd want TOP to become. It will be a wonderful church. 

Jesus at the cross. Our attitude should be the same as Jesus. He became obedient even to the death on a cross. We are suppose to serve one another. 

There was a man who walked on the pier. He missed his footing and fell into the sea and he cannot swim. He was trying to get people's attention. There was one group who saw him but they were too far. There was one person who was near the person but he did not do anything. The man drowned. So the family sued this man saying that this man did nothing although he could. The court said the man although he could save the person was not legally bound to help the person. 

That's not the church. We are not talking about the law but grace. We are called to serve one another. To love one another. Consider the other person higher than us. 

It Isn’t Fair!

Rev Gideon Lee

This morning I want to talk a little bit about something different. 

These two passages of scriptures are linked. 

Matthew 19:16 - 20:8

Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler

16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”

Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

With God All Things Are Possible

23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”

28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Chapter 20

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard

1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’

8 “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’

This young man knows his scripture. When he asked Jesus what he should do, Jesus pointed to the Ten Commandments and the young man said all these I've done. But he still felt there was a lack and a hole in his life. Religious acts don't save you. That's why he asked what else must he do. And Jesus told him to sell his possessions and give to the poor. And he walked away saddened. Jesus is saying that his treasure was in his wealth and that's where he set his heart. Jesus wants your heart. 

Jesus here is talking about salvation. Let's keep it in context. Peter responded and said that they have left everything to follow Jesus and he wanted to know what's in it for them. I like how Jesus answered. He said those that followed him will be seated at the throne and their rewards are in heaven. 

The Kingdom of heaven is like that of the land owner. Where the hired workers will earn a denarius or one silver dollar a day. The strange thing is that they are paid their wages from the last to the first. That reflected what Jesus was saying about the last will be the first. So that means the one that worked less hours earned the same as those that worked longer. So they grumbled to the land owner. 

But he answered that they agreed to a denarius for a day's wages. 

Matthew 20:9-16

9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ 13 But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”

Some of you may think that you have been a long time Christian while a young believer who died young also go to heaven. So you may think it's unfair. Salvation is for everyone. Jesus is telling Peter their reward is in heaven. Sometimes we feel that it's not fair. We serve the Lord all our life and we go to heaven same as someone who just became a Christian. 

If you talk about being fair as sinners what do we rightly deserve? We deserve hell. Salvation is for all. That is God's grace and mercy and it is God's right to give. He is not talking about what is fair but rather what is needed. One denarius is enough to feed one family for the day only. They will have to work again the next day. If they were not hired for that day their family would have gone hungry for that day. 

None of us know when we will be called home. That's why we cannot say we will wait till our last day then only we become a Christian so that we can have the best of both worlds. None of us know when is our last day. We don't know when is our eleventh hour. 

What we need is his mercy and grace. None of us deserve it so the question of fairness is not there. This is not about reward but about salvation. Salvation is for everyone. Salvation is not for the select few. This is unmerited favour. He offers it to anyone who asks. We need to understand this. 

Sometimes we think that only sinners need salvation. But what about you and me? Are we ready?

How many of you remember the prodigal son? How many of us will do that like what the father did. Some of us would have brought out the cane. But he was given much and a party to welcome him home. He was lavishly dressed. So the elder son was not happy. Why did the father welcome his prodigal son home this way? Such is unmerited favour. The father said to the elder son what he has is already his. It is up to him how he wants to reward his lost son. 

God has no grandchildren. Only children with equal access to him. And that is his unmerited favour and grace. When we go to heaven we may see some people we never expected to be there is there and some that we expect to see is not there. 

One day there was a missionary who served in darkest Africa. He served there for many years preaching the gospel. One day he got so sick they needed to send him back to England. That took a few months by sea. After two or three months of sailing, they reached the dock. And he could see through the pothole that there was a band to welcome someone home. What he didn't know was that the president was on board who went to Africa on a hunting trip. So they welcomed him home. So he was upset with God that it's not fair. That he was in Africa to serve for so long and was not welcomed like this president. God answered and told him son, you're not home yet. Home for him is in heaven. I can imagine God calling him home, well done my faithful servant. 

The cost of discipleship is our reward. If you love someone, that in itself is the reward. Even our worst enemy deserves to be saved. Let us not become like the younger brother. Let's walk with love and integrity of heart. Really loving God and not compare with another. Or about what benefits we can get. Let's do it because we love him. 

If you brought someone who don't know God, he deserves salvation like us. I hope one day to see all of you there in heaven. What all of us need is his mercy and grace. 

Forgiveness

Rev Gideon Lee

What did I preached on last week? How to handle conflicts in the church as God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. The bible says everything we do let us do it in love. We can beg to differ but in our difference we must still be friends. We must not let it affect out relationships. Some people asked me does that mean if we have a problem we cannot see you? If you have a problem you can come and see me. But if it's a conflict with another person, talk to the person first. That's what the bible says. We need to mature. We don't want to be babies all the time. 

If the person does not want to reconcile then bring two or three people as mediators as peacemakers. These are mature Christians who is respected. Or any leaders but the key point is that they are peacemakers. But if the person still won't listen, bring the church along. Who are they? The leaders, the deacons of the church also as peacemakers, with the purpose of reconciliation. And if he still will not listen, what do we do? Excommunicate him? The bible says treat them like pagans and tax collectors. The question is how did Jesus treated people like that, he loved them in order to bring them back. 

Matthew 18:21-35

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.

23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

26 “The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’

30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.

32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

When Jesus says forgive seventy times. Some versions says seventy times seven times. What does that mean? It means as often as possible. As much as possible. 

If you don't already notice, the passage last week talks about how to handle conflicts. And immediately now it speaks about forgiveness. It is not by accident. The bible follows a theme. 

Forgiveness is an integral part of handling conflicts. Forgiveness is a necessary part about reconciliation. And after this the next passage talks about divorce. 

We can sometimes learn from children. You know I have four children. Josiah and Elena likes to play with each other. You look at them they are ao kind and love one another. But you can see sometimes when they fight, it's fierce. So when they fight I have to be the referee. I'll tell them to stop or they will get a canning. So grudgingly sometimes the guilty one will say "I'm sorry la". But the thing is once the sorry is said, they become best friends again. We can learn from this. Because as adults sometimes even though we say sorry, the other party may doubt our sincerity and the relationship is not fully restored yet.

This morning I want to talk about what forgiveness can do for us. 

There is a Chinese proverb that says the person who seeks revenge should dig two graves. Why? When we don't forgive a person it eats us up. We often talk about rights. We talk about our feelings. 

Simon Peter came to Jesus and asked Jesus how many times to forgive a person. Knowing Peter, he probably thought Jesus will give give him praise because in the Jewish tradition it says forgive three times. So when Jesus answered he was shocked. And Jesus went on to tell a parable.

1. Forgiveness is Possible

No matter how deep the wound is. Why? Because we are a forgiven people. Imagine what Jesus suffered for us. He died on the cross for our forgiveness. That's why he talked about divorce because in an atmosphere of love there is no divorce. 

But sometimes the problem is we do not want to let the offense go. There was a lady who said she cannot let go because of the hurt. But the pastor said she must and she can. So the pastor told her to do something. Churches then has a steeple and there's a bell there which must be pulled to swing the bell like a pendulum and the bell rings to announce service starts. The pastor told her to let it go after pulling one time. 

And the bell will ring once loudly and as the bell swings the ring gets softer and softer. And she understood. If you let go, the hurt gets less and less. 

Like the song in Frozen, let it go. Forgiveness is possible, you just have to let it go. And Jesus showed us it is possible by going to the cross for us. 

2. Forgiveness is highly Recommended or Desirable

The damage we do to ourself due to the unforgiveness eats us up. There was a founding done in a study that 75% of people are confident that they are forgiven by God. Christians and non Christians alike. But the picture is that less than half of them only were certain they have forgiven others. As much as they are aware God is gracious towards them, they are less gracious towards forgiving others. And the study showed that those who do not forgive are more prone to stress related health problems. For our mental well being, the key is to let it go. 

How many of you hold on to grudges as if they are gold. It affects our spiritual health. 

There was this woman who quarreled with the husband and finally I found out it was because he did not give her the wedding dinner like the Chinese usually does. They have been married so long but she held on to that.

We have to move on and leave things behind because you cannot change the past. It's for our own good. 

And Jesus talked about the servant who owed money, ten thousand talents, the equivalent today would be 10 million USD. So he wanted to put him in prison and he would in no way can pay the debt. He begged for some time and the master had compassion and he forgives him. 

But this man met someone who owed him 100 denari. It's probably only about 100 USD. And he threw this person in prison and people saw his injustice. How ungrateful is this person. And this person reported to the master. What was Jesus trying to say? This is how my Heavenly Father will treat you if you do not forgive. 

3. Forgiveness is Essential

You want God to forgive you, you have to forgive your brother or sister who have done less to you. 

In the Lord's Prayer, it is to forgive our debts even as we forgive our debtors. There shouldn't be any conflict in church. A mature Christian should not offend other or be offended. The bible says they will know you are my disciples if you have loved for one another. If we do not love one another how do we love the world? If we do not learn to forgive. 

We often say Christianity is not a religion but a relationship. Then why is it that sometimes relationship in church is so bad? If there is no forgiveness there is no love. 

We are the TOP Church hopefully not because we are at the top floor but because we love one another. 

Forgiveness is possible. And it is highly recommended. And it is essential. 

Jesus called us his own. Do the same for our brothers and sisters. Forgiveness is not forgetting but about letting it go and not bringing up the offense always. 

Is your pastor perfect? No? Forgive your pastor and let it go. 

I end with this. How many of you read a real story of this young 14 year old Afghanistan girl. How she believed every girl should go to school and she was shot in the head for it. She did not die and was treated in the US and she's fine now. 

She is advocating now for girls to go to school in Afghanistan. Bringing awareness. And she was asked what would you do if you are threatened to be shot again? And she said she will try to talk to them. At one time she said she may throw a shoe at her enemy but then she thought a while and said she won't do that or she would not be any better than them. She forgave them. 

Is there someone you need to forgive? Read 1 Corinthians 13 for yourself. 

When Christians Quarrel: Resolving Conflict in the Church

Rev Gideon Lee

Before we read this passage, I want to make a disclaimer. What I'm going to say, I'm not talking about you. But on the same note the bible has said the word of God is like a mirror to us. It reflects what's actually happening in our lives. And often it points to things that has to be rectified in our lives. And sometimes we feel it when we hear the word of God. And that's the difference between a motivational talk and the word of God. God works something in our heart. I did not plan to preach this particular message this morning but it is part of a plan or series of messages I wanted to preach. Hear what the Holy Spirit is saying. That's important. 

Matthew 18:15-20

A Brother Who Sins Against You

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

19 “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

When I read this passage I thought it was odd that it's there. Jesus was telling his disciples how to handle conflict. He was talking to his disciples, not those outside. Sometimes I thought there should not be conflicts in church right? Jesus is saying that this will happen. Sometimes Christians disagree in the congregation of believers. Sometimes they quarrel. Sometimes they hold grudges against each other. The Scripture for today says that we must never tolerate any situation in which there is a breach of personal relationship between us and another member of the Christian community.

Conflicts will happen in church but how we handle it is very important. It will determine how powerful the church is. How the world will look at us. The world handles it by going to court. How the world view us will depend on how we handle them. 

The bible says we should forgive our enemies and to pray for them. Very often we also need to forgive our friends and to pray for our friends. 

1. Put your complains into words. 

For example if I have a problem with Lin Ken. Or Lin Ken has a problem with me. For example he said he saw me take two curry puffs instead of one. He has to come and speak to me in words. Talk to him. But often, we don't talk but keep it inside us. Often there are two sides to a story. Maybe even three sides. When we talk about it, it does not become resentment. And it makes the person a grouchy person. The bible says we need to talk to the person one on one. 

The bible didn't say to write to the person. Don't SMS or write emails. But to talk face to face. When words are said the emotions are not seen. Only what's written. Talk face to face. These words can be spoken in anger or in love. And the motive is always reconciliation. 

2 Corinthians 5:18

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

The objective is to reconcile. So when we talk about conflict it is about reconciliation. And not just about who's right or wrong. We may beg to defer but it does not become a problem. 

We do that in private on a personal level so that we can reconcile with one another. 

The bible teach us to sort it out with the person one to one. 

2. Take one or two others along

Many a times when we handle a problem, and the person refuses to believe, we bring two or three person who is on OUR side. The bible says two or three person who is neutral. So that they can be peacemakers. In court, you bring witnesses who is on your side but we bring peacemakers. We have a ministry of reconciliation. They are there to help in reconciliation, not to add salt or sugar. Peacemakers will be called the sons of God. 

3. Tell it to the church

Tell it to the leaders, the cell leaders. My SOP now would be if you come to me with a problem with another, I'll ask if you have spoken to the person one on one. And if this person still won't listen, the bible says treat him like a pagan or tax collector. Does it means we ostracize the person? God convicted me and asked me how did Jesus delt with pagans and tax collectors? He loved them even more. So that in that love, they may come back to God. How do we have a ministry of reconciliation if we ostracize them? 

This will be our standard procedure. Address your complain in words. Bring two or three peacemakers. Or as a last resort bring it to the church leadership. Ultimately it will be how to restore the person back into the fellowship. 

Finally, in verses 18 and 19, Jesus says we are to be united in handling conflicts. The church become powerful. When we ask as two or three, in unity, it will be done on earth as it is in heaven. God will do what you ask for. 

We will save a lot of problems if we go talk to the person who offends you one on one. The church will be strong if we do that. The fight is not here. The fight is out there. Will there be conflicts? Yes. How we handle it is important. Reconciliation. All of us are peacemakers. When we do that there will not be gossips in church. 

If we can follow these steps that the bible teach us, we will be a strong church. I purposely hold the communion at the end of the service because we need to search our hearts. If God is speaking to you about someone, make right.