TOP’s 36th Anniversary and 3rd Floor Dedication Service

Rev Clement Wong

Today I am not going to be talking about money but about the church. I'd like to read one verse to you so it won't take long. You've got lunch right. But still got time for one or two stories right. 

One Sunday morning the pastor was greeting the people and one lady shook the pastors hand and noticed there was a player on the pastors chin. She asked what happened and the pastor said he was concentrating on his sermon while shaving and cut himself. The lady told the pastor next time concentrate on your shavings and cut your sermon. 

Then another lady came and shook the pastors hand. The lady said this morning your sermon reminded me of the peace and love of God. The pastor was so happy because for 25 years nobody commended him. He was so excited and happy. He asked the lady how did it reminded her? She said it reminded her the peace of God because it surpasses all understanding and it reminded her of the love of God because it endureth forever. 

Acts 9:31

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord."

The bible tells us that the church will multiply. Somebody multiply the church and we all know it is God or the Holy Spirit. It is the work of God that the church grew. So he's talking about the church being multiplied by God. It was a growing and victorious church. What makes the church grow and be vibrant?

I want to congratulate you that this third floor is a mark of your growth. There are four keys to church growth. All these four keys are found in this verse. 

1. The churches throughout all Galilean and Samaria had peace. 

What peace? At that time it was a persecuted church with a lot of troubles. Many had to give their lives for their faith. Many were killed and imprisoned. It tells me that it is a church that had peace and unity. Every church must have unity. We must minimise all kinds of talk and division. We must recognise and love one another. We cannot like everybody in church. But we must love everyone in church.

Some people are weird. Some are not human beings. Like from outer space but we must love everybody even if we cannot like everybody. There is no one like you. There is only one of you. That is because God thinks one of you is enough. God made all of us different so we cannot always agree. Even husbands and wives cannot agree all the time. 

Even husband and wife quarrel all the time. I meant once a while. There was a couple who was married 50 years and they said they have never quarrelled before so many people came to see how it happened. It is a miracle. So they asked the husband how is it possible? He said it happened 50 years ago. We went horse riding and were happily riding and my wife's horse slipped and tumbled. Then I heard the wife said once. I thought she's funny talking to horses. So we rode along and the wife tumbled again and the wife said twice. And the third time the horse tumbled. She got down from the horse and shot the horse - bang! So I scolded my wife how can she do that. And she turned to me and said once. And I never quarrelled with her again. 

I am a nice pastor. When I go out with my friends they pay and I pray. Yet there are some who don't like me. That is life. If two person agree with everything, then one of them is not necessary. 

Have you heard of the four blind men?

They were describing how an elephant look like. The first one said the elephant is like a hose. Very flexible and has air on one side. 

The second man don't agree. He said the elephant is like a fan. When it moves it's quite windy. 

The third blind man said the elephant is like a tree trunk. And the three trunk can move. 

The fourth said the elephant is like a rope with a little hair at the end and smelly. 

They got into a heated argument and went their separate way. How silly. If they put all their views together they will have an elephant. That's why we need one another so that we can see different views. 

The church must have one vision and one mind. We can be from different background but with one vision. To reach the community for Christ. Every church must have peace. Can you love one another? Amen?

2. The church were edified

That's why we do church. We want to encourage and build up one another. That everyone can grow in Christ to become more like Jesus. We don't want to discourage. Even in preaching we speak life. That there is life, hope and peace. That we go back lifted up. We're not in church to talk about people. Small minded people always talk about problems. How it cannot be done. But God wants us to think about how it can be done. Medium mind speaks about people. We come to church we note what people wear, say or do. We come to church talk talk talk. Then we talk about the leaders. Then the pastor. After talk about the pastor we talk about the children. We think pastor’s kid is born sinless. All pastors children are born sinners. They say wah, pastor's children are so naughty. Why? Because pastor's children mix with the board members children. (laughs)

Big people talk about purpose. What's the purpose of the renovation? Why talk about money? If you give money then we don't talk lo. The bible has four verses that talk about money. Money takes more effort to enter our head and heart. When we talk about prayer everybody say amen. When we talk about money it's no-man! Lets edify one another. The more you give, the Lord will bless you. 

There are two good friends. One is one dollar. The other is one hundred dollars. The hundred dollar met one dollar and said wah, long time didn't meet. Almost ten years. One dollar asked hundred dollars, where have you been? One hundred dollars said oh I went all over the world flying first class and business class. Eat at the finest restaurants. Stayed at 5-star hotels. So you tell me one dollar. How is life? One dollar said oh life has not been good. I fly only twice in the last ten years and ate at hawker stalls. I stayed in budget hotels and in dirty places. But one day the wind blew me all over and a boy picked me up and put me in his pocket. In all the places I go I know I always end up in the same place. The church. Can understand what I mean or not? You think one dollar so big ar? 

In church let’s edify one another. Speak something nice. Encourage one another. If you have a wife and she cooks for you. Encouragement do wonders. The more you praise the harder she works. And the more she cooks for you. If you always complain, she has no more mood to cook for you. If the song leader worship lead, encourage the worship leader. Or your pastor. Tell him you feel the peace and love of God. No no no, this one spiritual one. Don't just pick fault. 

One day somebody was sleeping and a person put some belacan on his nose. Everywhere he went was smelly. What's the truth. He was smelly himself. Some Christian goes from church to church. Cruisematic. Every where they go, church no good. When you talk to them very spiritual. This couple has gone to seven churches looking for the perfect church. When you find the perfect church, don't go in. Because you will make it imperfect. 

3. They had the fear of God 

In the church there must be the fear of God. What is the fear of God? It's very simple, obey God. 

One day we had a call from a member. He love his girlfriend more than his wife. He is not a Muslim. He divorced his wife and married the girl. So the church kicked him out. He came to me and asked if the church will accept him. I told him it's not if the church will accept him or not. But whether God accept him or not? Whether he will go to heaven. And he went away and never called again. We must deal with issues. 

There's cancer in church. When there's cancer you have to cut. We talk to people. Those who are homosexual or other problems. We talk to them and help them. We have to deal with them. You cannot say they contribute money so have to compromise. I don't care if you have money or no money. Datuk or nenek. Nobody is bigger than God. If there is no fear of God and compromise with men we will not grow. 

4. The church had the comfort of the Holy Spirit

We thank God for this place. Everything is so nice. But they must never replace the power of the Holy Spirit. The church needs the power of God. Some churches have so much money they are comfortable. But people comes in they are not changed. We need to see miracles. People set free. The lame walk, the deaf hear. The spirit of God in our church. We thank God for good worship. The music today is so good. We have so much but no power of the Holy Spirit. We can have all these but only God can change life. To heal relationships. We need the presence of God. In the midst of what we do, we work hard to get the people in but if they don't sense the touch of God or the reality of God this is just a show. So we must ask God to come in. That's why we must be prayerful people. In the midst of the show we have to tell God, we need you. We need him to be in our midst. 

Four things. 

The church had the peace of God

The church were edified

The church had the fear of God

The church had the comfort of the Holy Spirit 

I pray that this church will continue to grow. We take a pledge in a while. Give to God generously. He never fail to provide. He will bless you abundantly. 

The new Third Floor Sanctuary was filled to the brim.

Rev Gideon Lee welcoming the congregation before introducing Rev Clement, AOG's Northern Superintendent,

The Hokkien section gave a spirited presentation.

The young adults and youth presents a creative and meaningful skit.

After the service, all adjourned to Stone Bay Restaurant for our Anniversary lunch.

Leave your Calculators at Home

Rev Gideon Lee

Matthew 22:15-22

Paying Taxes to Caesar

22:15-22pp – Mk 12:13-17; Lk 20:20-26

15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away."

Once a wise man said there are two inevitables in life. One is death and the other is paying taxes. 

Jesus is now at the last week of his life. He was going to the cross very soon and he is preaching his heart out. His preaching has offended the religious teachers and they wanted to find a way to arrest him. They wanted to get rid of Jesus. They planned to lay a trap at Jesus by putting an issue that is controversial and trap him with his words. The intention is with malice. They wanted to destroy him. 

They said that they know Jesus is a man of integrity. Sometimes when we want to trap someone, we say all sorts of nice things and this is what they did. Sometimes people say nice things so that we lay out guard down before they spring the surprise. 

They asked Jesus is it right? They know according to the law, they have to pay taxes. But they were asking Jesus from a spiritual point of view. The denarius was the coin that is used to pay taxes. If you look at the coin on one side will be the image of the Roman emperor. And the other side is the inscription that the emperor is king and god. 

To the Jews they cannot bow down to another God. The Ten Commandments says you cannot bow down to any graven image. So they were asking Jesus from the religious and spiritual term whether they should pay taxes. 

If Jesus says yes, all the religious Jews will be offended by what Jesus say and that he is teaching heresy and will arrest him. But if Jesus says no, they will go to the Roman authority and he will get arrested. It was a situation where do also die don't do also die. 

Like husbands who are often caught in this situation. When your wife buy a new dress and ask you if she looks fat in the dress. Yes or no also has problems. 

Jesus asked them to bring him a coin. He asked whose image is on the coin? And they said Caesar. So he said render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's. But I'm glad he did not stop there. He also said render to God that which is God's. 

I am not saying I'm supporting the government where taxes are concerned. I'm still confused about the GST. I just know prices will go up. 

Taxes we have to pay. We have no problems paying taxes. Our issues is how the taxes are being used. How the money is being used. If it's to build better roads, schools and hospitals we have no issue. We are to pray for the government. Praying for the sick, for your family or even for your pastor is not a problem. But to pray for the government is a problem. But we should pray for our government. The government requires our prayer. As citizens we should also exercise our right to vote. We need to vote. 

There are things that belongs to Caesar which we need to give. But that which belongs to God we need to give to God. We are citizens of a higher nature, citizens of heaven and therefore we have responsibilities to the things of God. In fact even more responsibility as we will be citizens of God for eternity. 

Like our talents. Talents to sing and play the guitar. Talents to play the keyboard. We need to arise and shine. It's an action. We need to do something. We need to give back the talents God gave us back to God. 

I appreciate the fact that we have talents that are serving at Teluk Kumbar. Bro Sean Hooi worship leading and Sis Joy. Bro Johnny playing the guitar. You don't see them serving here. 

TOP is celebrating our 36th Anniversary and I know that someone told me we are actually older than that. We will be celebrating our 40th anniversary soon and it's a significant number. The Israelites went into the promise land after 40 years so we will be entering into a new season at our 40th anniversary. Four years will come and pass very quickly. 

We need to serve more in the church. Our talents need to be given to God. It is said that 20% of the church is actively serving. How I wish it's the 80% that is serving the 20%. 

Whose image is in the coin. Caesar. Whose image are we made from. God's image so we belong to him. All that we are we give it back him. There is a certain joy as we give to him. It's a term called radical generosity. 

How many of you know Mark Zuckerberg. The founder of Facebook. He donated 25 million USD. How much is that is ringgit. Over 80 million ringgit. He donated to the CDC to combat Ebola. It's a disease that kills. We cannot think that it will not touch us. This is the last days. We will see pestilence and diseases. How many of you remember the JD. We faced that crisis before. 

Let's give our best and all to God. The reality is that the world will get worst. More natural  disasters. Our citizenship is not on this earth but in heaven. What are we doing? Only when we learn how to give can we experience the joy. When we give to significant things. 

There was once an old lady from a poor family. One day she received a call from a man. Their child were playing football in a field. The ball flew into the man's house and broke a window. The boys wanted the ball back and he said to get the ball back you have to pay for the window. He asked who broke the window and a boy said it was him. So he said he wanted to talk to the mother. The moment he heard it was this lady, he knew of her. So the man said she still had to pay for the window and she asked for some time to pay back. 

So near Christmas, this man called her up to pay for the window. But before he could say anything God convicted his heart. That he didn't need the money. So instead of asking for the compensation of the window, he asked what can I do to help you. He felt the urge to be generous. The lady said she needed some groceries for Christmas so he bought some groceries and some presents for the children. He went to the house and gave these things to her. She was so happy because that was the time she needed it most. The joy that this man felt cannot be felt if we don't give. Jesus gave his all and best to us. 

This is a real life story. Last week I was at BCM and went to the chicken rice shop to have lunch. I saw two students whom I knew at bible school. They were the cook at bible school. They left their lucrative catering jobs to be cooks at BCM. Mr and Mrs Wong. Humble people. They were almost finishing and I went to greet them. I sat at a different table and I thought I'd buy them lunch. I was well fed at bible school and put on weight then. So I wanted to do that as I really appreciated them. So I thought when the person came to take my order I would pay. But they went to their table to collect the money and instead they paid for my lunch. It should have been the other way around. I almost wanted to fight with the person taking the money as I wanted to pay for their meal. 

One day I received a love offering from a widow. She was easily 80 something. She walked up to me and gave me an ang pow. I said no and thank her for her intentions but God spoke to me that the money is for her not me. So I humbly took that love offering and it’s 50 ringgit. She needs it more than me. People give not because they have to but it's because of how they handle what God has given them. 

We are citizens of heaven so let's be radical with what we do. 

Do Not Worry

Rev Gideon Lee

How many of your know God is a practical God?

Matthew 6:25-34

"Do Not Worry

6:25-33pp – Lk 12:22-31

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Put your finger here while we turn to the book of Philippians. We are studying this book at the cell. 

Philippians 4:1-9

"​1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!

Exhortations

2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

We cannot rejoice with a sour face. It says here let people see you rejoicing.

After the World War Two, the world entered another phase of its history. How many of you remember what's the Cold War? Russia and USA was in an arms race. They were ready to create World War Three. They were ready to launch nuclear missiles at one another. They had this thing called MAD, Mutual Assured Destruction. People build nuclear shelters and bunkers out of fear. 

There was a magazine launched then. MAD Magazine. You remember that? And the tagline was Alfred E. Neuman's, "What? Me Worry?", the guy on its cover. This magazine was launched to help people become more light hearted with its humour. The magazine poked fun at situations then. This tagline should belong to the Christians. Because the Lord says to us do not fear. It is not the absence of fear but fear not. 

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

God has given us more important things than clothing and food. Life is more important than that. Don't worry about the none essentials. 

We all like new clothes but if we don't have good health or don't bath ourselves we will still smell. And we all know we like food but there are other things that are more important. The life that God has given us is more important. Our physical health, our spiritual health. 

God has provided us with food and clothing, don't you think he will take care of what's important in your life? Everything that comes our way God has taken care of us. He will do that. 

We need to have a heart of thanksgiving and count our blessings. As we recount the goodness of God, we will rejoice. 

26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 

We are more valuable than birds. Yet some of us behave like chicken. We need to know our position of who we are in Christ. Worrying is useless and counter productive. 

27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ?

When we worry our blood pressure goes up and we can't sleep. Worry is never productive. It's useless. God knows how to take care of his children and God wants to. 

When we worry it is because we have little faith. The root of worry is unbelief. I pray that we will not be someone of little faith. If we continue to worry we will be like the pagans. But we know God cares for us. We have a God unlike the pagans. We are not like the pagans and behave as if we do not have a God. 

Worry is like sitting on a rocking chair. It keeps you busy but you are going nowhere. 

I used to keep birds. This bird is "Murai", long tailed bird and it sings very well. My house was like a zoo. It was said that when Noah released the animals, I was there to collect them. It's expensive and sings so well. I no longer keep them. I used to live in Klang and apart from "bak kut teh" are have lots of crows. So there are expensive and cheap birds like the common sparrows. There are parrots that cost a few thousands and God says we are more valuable than these birds. 

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

The remedy is to seek the kingdom of God. What pleases or touches the heart of God. All these things will be added unto you. He is not the gift. He is the giver. God is saying if you mind his business, he will mind your business. 

Let's not worry. Paul in Philippians was in jail. How many of you have been into prison before. I know bro Vive was in prison before, not that he went in but visited. 

I went to a prison in Cambodia before. It was a maximum prison for the worst of the worst. They have no parole and will probably die in there. And in there were inmates dying of HIV. 

The government didn't know what to do with them. This church, or rather a cell there would bring gifts to these HIV inmates. One can of rice, two or three eggs, salt and sugar and a can of sardines. For about thirty to fifty of them. Dying and wasting away in prison. This person found favour with the warden and he allows him to go and help. They were not even segregated so the disease could easily spread. And this man raised funds to build walls to segregate them. And many came to the Lord. 

Prison is not a nice place and Paul was in there yet he rejoiced. Paul tells them to rejoice always and yet again rejoice. He didn't say sometimes or when things are going well. He said always. What does always mean? Always. 

What did Paul see? What did he understood? The first thing we need to know is that the Lord is near. Sometimes in the midst of our problems we think that God is far away. God is where he was. God was with him. Why worry? God understood this. After this he was on his way to Rome to be executed. Not freedom. He was on his way to martyrdom. Yet he rejoiced. He trust that he knows what God is doing. That his God is near. This is something simple yet we often don't see it. It may seem hopeless but it not, as God is near. 

Second thing is that we need to focus on the good and not the bad. 

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

He can look at the worst of his circumstances yet he is able to look at the good in his circumstances. It's like we look at a cup whether it's half full or half empty. As we change our perspective, the situation begins to change and turn around. In every circumstances there is always good and bad. But as human beings we often look at the negatives.

This morning they collected car parking for those without stickers at RM2 per hour. I was a bit upset because I said they did not inform me earlier. But bro Tommy said pastor, look at the bright side. It's a good thing because now everybody will get a sticker and put it on and everybody will know TOP. If we focus on the negative we will just be giving in to worry. 

Same goes to our church. Is there a perfect church? No? If we look at the negatives, we will have many things to say. But if we talk about what's good and praiseworthy and things that are right and admirable, the church will take off. I know that there are many things that needs to improve but let's look at the bright side. Who will build the church? He will build the church. I look at our worship team and I think they're one of the best. I like our tambourine dancers. Some say it's old fashion but I think they're awesome. I like our third floor and I look forward to the fourth floor. I am imagining our sanctuary facing this side. With the mother's room at this end. And to raise the ceiling. Dare to dream with me. Let's look at what's good. 

Remember that God is near. To focus on the good things. 

Last but not least, trust in God's promise and provision. 

9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

Paul didn't miss anything. He asks us to put it into practice. Everything that we have learned put them into practice. 

5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

With thanksgiving. We need an attitude of gratitude. We need to learn to develop that. That's what is meant to count our blessings and name them one by one. With prayer and supplication we bring everything to God. And I like verse 7, the peace of God. Not the power or the strength of God. A peace that transcends all understanding even in areas where we should be worrying. 

Whatever is happening to you, the battle starts in your head and heart but we can come out victorious. We need to stop worrying and let God take over. 

The Bad Tenants - World Communion Sunday

Rev Gideon Lee

There is such a thing as World Communion Sunday and today is the day. So I want to talk a little bit about communion. 

Matthew 21:33-46

"The Parable of the Tenants

21:33-46pp – Mk 12:1-12; Lk 20:9-19

33 “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. 34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.

35 “The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. 36 Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. 37 Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.

38 “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ 39 So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”

41 “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: 

“ ‘The stone the builders rejected

has become the capstone;

the Lord has done this,

and it is marvelous in our eyes’ ?

43 “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44 He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”

45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. 46 They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet."

This is Jesus telling about a second parable. So there was another parable before this. 

This landowner had a plan. He built a wall and watchtower to protect his wineyard. He spent a lot of money and time towards this wineyard. 

Jesus asked what do they think the landowner will do to the tenants for their evil deeds? They answered reasonably and Jesus told them this is what the scriptures said and they realised that Jesus was talking about them. 

This was the last week of Jesus' life as he entered Jerusalem. The Pharisees asked Jesus by what authority was Jesus doing all these things. Jesus in response to that told them two parables. The first parable was found in verse 28. The parable of the two sons and that of the tenants are related. 

The parable of the two sons had two scenarios. The first son said no but changed his heart and went to do as his father asked. The second son said yes but did not go. Jesus asked who was the son that did what the father wanted, and they answered it was the first son. And Jesus told them the tax collectors and prostitutes will enter the kingdom of heaven before them. They were like the second son. Jesus is telling them to wake up. 

This morning I pray we will not be so religious that we miss what God is doing. We who are supposed to be called the children of God, who has the keys to the kingdom may miss out. 

Then he spoke about the second parable. The landowner invested a lot into his property. He rented it out to some farmers. Same like some landowners at Balik Pulau who then harvest durian trees and pay a portion to the landowner. This was what happened. He sent his servants to collect rental. Not only did he not get his rental, his servants was beaten up and one even killed. 

So the landowner sent a larger team and it happened again with some of them killed. He did not protest or made a report against them. So he sent his sons and hopefully they will know and see his authority. Instead they saw the sons as an heir and killed the sons to take their inheritance. These are terrible people. 

So Jesus asked the self righteous Pharisees what would you do? They said they should get what they deserve, take back the land and rent it to others who will pay rent. This was what they answered but actually they were talking about themselves. They killed John the Baptist by beheading him. They didn't listened to the person God sent. So God sent his only son and they didn't listened either. They plotted how to kill Jesus. Jesus was at the prime of his life when he gave his life for us. As we observe communion today we need to see the significance of Jesus' death. 

Jesus was at the prime of his life where he can do so much but he chose to die for you and me. He was in control of his life. In the garden of Gethsemane, he asked that this cup pass him by but he chose to die for us to fulfil the Father's will. At any age we are at, we can choose to live for Jesus. What was Jesus's motivation when he went to the cross for us? His motivation was because he love us. For God so loved the world. He made a choice. 

I read a story about Mother Theresa. Everytime I see her picture, she was wearing as a nun. They asked what is the special feature of Mother Theresa. She was a small sized woman and nothing I would qualify as exceptional outwardly. Was it her smile or kind eyes? And this journalist remembered he once saw Mother Theresa without her shoes and he saw that her feet was deformed. Like in China where they bind the girl's feet. And it was a painful thing for them. He asked why her feet was deformed and one of the nuns explained that when people donate shoes for the orphanage there would always be one pair that nobody wants or a few pair left and those are the shoes that Mother Theresa would wear. And because it was ill fitting, it caused her feet to be deformed. She should have been first in line to pick the shoes she like but she chose to serve with humbleness and esteem others above herself. 

How are you marked when you serve God? Maybe a little inconvenience and we don't want to serve God. Jesus went to the cross because he loved you and me. And he was marked by the stripes he took and the nails on him. What did he do it for? Because he loved you and me. 

There was this story of the Korean and Japanese. They hated one another. The Koreans hated the Japanese and there was this animosity. There was this young Korean who went to Japan to study. One day as he was going to the university, he was going in the subway and there was this drunk Japanese who fell from the platform onto the rails. The Korean boy jumped in to try safe the Japanese but unfortunately both of them died. 

It came out in the papers and the Japanese cannot understand why this Korean boy will try to save a Japanese. And it was found out that the father of this boy was a prisoner of war to the Japanese. The emperor of Japan attended this boy's funeral because he demonstrated such love for another Japanese. 

I want to say a few things before we take this morning's communion. 

1 Corinthians 11:23-34

"23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. 34 If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. 

And when I come I will give further directions."

Our motive must be right. We are not here to eat because we are hungry. Or to fulfil a religious responsibility. These emblems have no magical powers. We do it in remembrance of Jesus. Some people say we take holy communion because we get healed. What did Jesus accomplished by going to the cross for us? He received 40 lashes and by his stripes we are healed. He can heal us through his work on the cross. Can he heal us without the communion? Yes he can. Can he heal us when we take the communion? Of course he can. We are his children and his death on the cross can do all these for us. The emblem has no power in itself. 

There was this one time I was serving communion in my old church. I'd go to individuals and serve the emblem and call them by name. It's just the way I do it. On one Sunday someone I knew refused to take communion so after service I went to talk to the person and asked if anything was wrong because he didn't take communion. He said he didn't take because he was angry as he had an argument with his wife that morning. Holy Communion is not about excluding you but to include you. He should have examined himself and settle it with the person and with God and come to the table. It is not meant to exclude you from taking the Holy Communion. 

Get it right with God and take the Holy Communion. Don't have the wrong theology. If you are a non Christian, it's not to exclude you. All you have to do is ask Jesus into your heart and that you accept Jesus as Lord and saviour.