Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged

Rev Gideon Lee

Matthew 7:1-7:6
Judging Others
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Little Tommy was out on the playground during recess and was picking on the other children on the playground. One of his favorite ways of taunting the other kids was make ugly faces at them.

Mrs. Smith was the teacher in charge of supervising recess and she saw Tommy doing this. She took him aside and said “You know, Bobby, when I was a little girl, I was told that if I made ugly faces, my face would freeze and always stay like that."
Bobby looked up into her face and replied, "Well, Mrs. Smith, you can't say you weren't warned."

This morning we’re going to be talking about “judging”

You know, there are people in this world who know very little about Jesus or Christianity but they can quote you one thing Jesus did say on this topic. You know what they’ll quote?
That’s right: “Judge not lest ye be judged.”

They may not know anything else Jesus said but they do know He said that. And the reason people remember that comment is that they get very uncomfortable about other people judging them. In fact, our culture is so troubled by this idea of being “judged” that we have several proverbs warn us about it.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” George Eliot

“God doesn't propose to judge a man until he’s dead… so why should you?”

“Only God is in a position to look down on anyone.”

And of course, God Himself said: “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (I Samuel 16:7)

Now why would this be such a problem?
Why would this “judging” stuff be so universally disliked?
Why would it be so evil that it is even condemned by God?

Well - because most everybody does it.

Most everybody judges someone else at one time or another in their lives. Often times it’s the very people that will quote Jesus: “Judge not lest ye be judged”

What makes this worse is that most of the people who quote Jesus on this… misquote Him. Did you realize you can parrot Jesus’ words EXACTLY and still misquote Him?

How’s that possible?
You can misquote Jesus by only quoting PART of what He says.

For example, just a couple of sentences after Jesus says “Judge not…” He says this:
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” Matthew 7:6

Now… is Jesus talking here about real dogs and pigs? No, He’s talking about people who act LIKE dogs and pigs. People who have no respect for sacred things and who will destroy things that are precious to you. And then they’ll turn on you and chew you up and spit you out - just because they can.

So now, here’s the question: How do you know who’s a dog and who’s a pig?
You have to make a “judgment” --- don’t you?
You have to judge a person’s actions and decide whether or not you can trust them.

And that makes perfect sense if you think about it. Let’s say you’re going on a long trip and you need someone to house sit for you. You have two friends that come to mind to do this for you. One takes great care of everything they own. Everything in their home has a place and everything is in its place. Their home is immaculate.

Your other friend is a nice person – but they’re a slob!
Now - who you gonna ask to take care of your house while you’re gone?

You have just made a value-judgment based on the character of your friends. And you cannot live a normal life without making judgments about who you can trust and who you can’t.

Jesus didn't really mean we shouldn't make judgments about people - He just meant we should be VERY careful how we do it. Notice the entire quote on judging in Matthew 7:1-2

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

In other words – if you’re HARSH with others, God will be harsh with you.

But if you show MERCY to others… God will show mercy to you
In the same way you judge others, you’ll be judged.

James explains it this way
“Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who SPEAKS AGAINST HIS BROTHER or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is ONLY ONE LAWGIVER AND JUDGE, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you— who are you to judge your neighbor?” James 4:11-12

You see, the Bible is warning us against the tendency to play God.

But there is only ONE lawgiver and judge.
Who’s that? (God)
There’s only one God and you ain’t Him.
Don’t you go trying to take over His job.
Like that one quote we mentioned earlier says:
“Only God is in a position to look down on anyone.”
(Sarah Brown quoted by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. in "P.S. I Love You")

But here’s the problem: most people don’t think that way. Most people believe they have the right to sit in judgment of others 

If others don’t live like we think they ought to live, or they don’t think like we think ought to think – we can be tempted to say some unkind things about them.

Now, why do people “judge” others?
I mean, this was an important enough subject that God repeatedly addresses it’s evils. If God condemns this harsh type of judging… why on earth would we do it?

Well, we do it because (frankly)…
We’re smarter than they are.
We’re more insightful than they are.
We’re more holy/ righteous/ spiritual… than they are.
We’re just plain BETTER than they are.

And because that is true then in every conflict - if we’re in the wrong (pause) the other person is MORE wrong than I am. Now Jesus understood this tendency to judge others in our conflicts so He set down what I call the “90% Solution”

Let’s say Dr.Kio here, and I, are angry with each other. I’m willing to be ‘big’ about this and admit that I may have some fault in this conflict… but he has more. I see the problem as being 10% my fault and 90% his.

Now Dr.Kio sees the problem as 90% MY fault and 10% his.
Essentially we both see the other as having planks/logs coming out of their eyes. But the speck in our own eyes is insignificant compared to the fault of the other.

We have “judged” each other, and found the other to be more at fault than ourselves.

So Jesus says – quit doing that.  Take the log (what your adversary sees as being 90% your fault) out of your own eye… then you've opened the way for the two of you deal with the other guys fault.

Now, let’s say that you don’t think you have ANY fault in this matter at all. That’s easy to remedy. You simply say to the other person “I have offended you” - which is true. Even if you haven’t done anything wrong… the other person is offended by you. So you state the obvious.
“I have offended you. Would you forgive me for offending you.”
Thus, you've removed the log from your own eye, and you can work at solving the conflict.

What’s the point? The point is that God’s not into our condemning those we disagree with. Henry Ford once summed up God’s thinking this way: “Don’t find fault, find a remedy.” (from Henry Ford’s diary)

This especially is true when it comes to church discipline
Have you ever heard of “excommunication?”
It’s where a church is called upon by God to confront and discipline sinful members who refuse to repent and change their immoral lifestyles.

It’s Biblical, and an example of it is recorded in I Corinthians chapters 5 and 6. Apparently there was a young man living with his step-mother. It’s such an immoral situation that Paul says “even the pagans don’t do this!”

Now, the church at Corinth was trying to be non-judgmental. They knew about the man’s sin, but chose to look the other in the false hope that he might be convicted on his own of the evil of choice. But Paul told them – they weren't doing anybody any favors. If they ignored the man’s sin, he’d go to hell – and they’d be at fault. His blood would be on their hands. And others in the church would see the church “approving” his sin and they’d be more likely to engage in their own kinds of sins. Why not? The church apparently didn't care.

This is worth remembering: A church won’t stand against immorality doesn't stand for much of anything. Such a church has no message and embarrasses it’s Savior.

But the story out of I Corinthians 5 has a happy ending. The man, that the church ultimately ostracized, repented and wanted to come back. And they brought him back in. He was forgiven and reinstated as a fellow brother.

You see, that’s the point of BIBLICAL excommunication.
A Godly church doesn't want to destroy people. He wants people to repent. When Jesus “forgave” people’s sins He would often say: “Go and sin no more.”

Now, one more observation. Christians can some of the most judgmental people on the planet.

Why would that be?
Because we have become convinced of the truth of God’s Word and of the need to stand up for Him in a world that is often hostile to the things we hold dear.

And so, we can get a bit snarky once in a while. Snarky? My definition of snarky is: Opinionated, self-righteous and rude.

I've noticed this type of behavior on Facebook… by Christians.
If someone is saying something that another disagrees with they get snarky with each other.
They call each other names.
They question the other person & integrity or intelligence.
They get real close to cursing at each other… but they wouldn't do that because Christians aren't supposed to curse.

But actually – what they've done is worse than cursing
Do you know why it’s worse than cursing?
Did you know we’re ALL made in the image of God. Each and every one of you is made in God’s image. If we insult, mistreat, or belittle others… do you know who we've really insulted, mistreated and belittled?
That’s right – we've insulted, mistreated and belittled someone who is made in the image of God.

Even those who are not living as they should – even those who have made bad decisions and have lived immoral lifestyles - are made in God’s image.

One of my favorite stories in the Gospels is the one where Jesus has been invited to the home of Simon the Pharisee in Luke 7:44. Simon doesn’t really like Jesus…but I think he invited Him in order to find a way to insult Him, and right off the bat… that’s exactly what Simon does. Normally, a gracious host would wash the feet of his guests – but not Simon. He quietly snubs Jesus and tries to anger Him.

But Jesus is God. Insults from men like Simon are mere annoyances. He just ignores Simon’s slights.

Now, this gathering is a big affair. Anybody who is anybody has come to Simon’s house. In the confusion of moment, a prostitute slips into the house. She just wants to see this Jesus everybody has been talking about. She just wants to get close enough to see Him… and then slip out the back door.
But when she gets close, she begins to realize how shabby and dirty her life has been. Here’s a holy man of God, and she doesn’t deserve to be around Him. And she begins to cry… and her tears streak down and smear the dirt that Simon refused to wash off Jesus’ feet. Now she’s embarrassed and she gets down her knees and anoints his feet with the perfume that she uses to make herself smell good as a prostitute… and dries his feet with her hair.

And Simon sees all this and says
“I gotcha Jesus! You say you’re a prophet? And you don’t even know the filth of the person who’s washing your feet. I’ve gotcha.” And he in his mind he considers how he can best humiliate both Jesus and this prostitute in front of all his other guests.

Now Jesus has been insulted by experts. Simon is an amateur.
Jesus can handle being insulted by the likes of him. Jesus can handle insults against his own character. But He’s not about to put up with an arrogant attack on this woman’s sorrow. With the precision of a surgeon Jesus proceeds to cut Simon to his heart and reveal the hypocrisy that lay within.

“Simon, I have something to tell you. ” Says Jesus
Simon responds: “What is it you want to tell me (pause) teacher.”

Jesus then tells his story.
“There were once 2 men who owed moneylender a great deal of money. One owned 5000 denarii (@ $50,000). Another owed 500 denarii (@ $5000). Neither could repay their debt, and so the money lender –thinking to cut his losses, cancelled the debt of both. Now, Simon, which would love the moneylender more?"

Simon just couldn't help himself. He was a good Pharisee and he just couldn't help showing his wisdom to this upstart teacher. So responded “I suppose the one who owed most – love most.”

Jesus responded: “Very good Simon, you have judged correctly.” Then Jesus literally turned His back on Simon and faced the woman. He turned away from the judgmental, self-righteousness of the Pharisee to the simple repentance of this woman.

In Luke 7:44-50 we’re told the rest of the story: “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-- for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

You see, judgmental folks don’t love much because they don’t think they've been forgiven much. After all, if you don’t need to be forgiven… you’re obviously more righteous. You’re obviously more qualified to pass judgment. You’re obviously in a position to advise God. But if you've been forgiven much… you understand the value of mercy. And you understand the value of showing that same mercy to others.

Many thanks to Rev Gideon Lee for his sermon notes.

The Presence of God

 Bro Koay Kheng Hin

I was very blessed. I feel younger. In school they call me apek. Not because of how I look but how I speak. But today after the worship I feel younger.

I believe the message I have is for all. It's called the Presence of God.

We are one of those people around who often missed a little in what we are looking forward to. Like we look for a home but often we end up looking for a house. And as the house gets bigger and bigger, the home gets smaller and smaller.

The other example is when we come to church we reach a stage where we want God to speak to us. A prophetic word so that we can tell what is going to happen. What he needs is not a prophetic word but an assurance that God is with him regardless of what he goes through.

Or we come looking for a good sermon. But what we need is a word from the Lord. The sermon is a preacher's task but it is only the Lord that can speak to the heart.

Or worship we look for an uplifting service but what we need is the touch of God.

The gathering of God's people means nothing if God's presence is not there.

As Christians we all have God's presence in our heart. But what I want to ask is if you have that subjective awareness that God's presence is with you. Can you on a daily basis sense the presence of God? Can you feel and is aware and conscious that there is a still small voice talking to you.

Many many years ago when my father accepted the Lord, I moved away from the signs of things. I'm a physic teacher so I need evidence. What broke that thinking was my brother who was a pastor in KL who is the complete opposite. When I went with my brother, in prayer he said that this is the day my father will accept the Lord. I say you say but in my heart I felt otherwise. But that day in the room my father cried. I've never seen that because he never cried. And then I cried. My brother cried. Two grown man and one old man hugging one another and crying.

Outside are all the idols. But within the wall I could sense the presence of God. In my head I tell myself even my dad can accept Christ, it is the work of the Holy Spirit. My scientific mind readjusted. I begin to see differently and even when I read the bible I could sense the Lord speaking to me.

As I share today I want to impart this to all of you. Experiencing the presence of God continuously is what God mean for a Christian life. Our eternal life is a continual awareness that God is with us.

I want to quote from one old timer.  Bro Lawrence. He was in the army but the change came to him as he was walking on a country road. It was winter so the trees were botak but he saw that and knowing that when spring comes around, that botak tree will bloom and be lush and colourful again. And he realised that life is in his hands and every life is sustained by God. And so is his life. That is how he was one man of God in the past that brought us these classics that at the end of the day our spiritual heritage is God walking with us and us being conscious of him all the time.

He is one of those men that did not accomplished much in terms of his life but to him any task great or small, if God is there with him it is more than enough.

If you are working a job and you think there is something better, my answer to you is that if you have the presence of God is with you, brother Lawrence is telling you, it is enough.

Exodus 25:23-24

The Table for the Showbread

“You shall also make a table of acacia wood; two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its width, and a cubit and a half its height. 24 And you shall overlay it with pure gold, and make a molding of gold all around.

Exodus 25:30

And you shall set the showbread on the table before Me always.

This is the furnishing in the Tabernacle. The table of showbread is the bread of his presence. The twelve loaves represents the twelve tribes of Israel. The acacia wood represents mankind. That the humanity of Christ is represented by the acacia wood and the deity of Christ by the gold.

It symbolises the desire of God to fellowship with us. We Penangite is famous for our food and we are experts in makan. We fellowship during food. He wants to fellowship with Israel, his prize possession.

That at all times means continuously. The heathens cannot have the presence of God. Only his children. But we compartmentalise his presence. In church we seek his presence. Like today I preach, I seek his presence but after this it's over.

Do we come to God for interest or intimacy. This is what separates from the person who is walking with God. I say this, are we riding with God or taking God for a ride.

In Exodus, the bread of his presence is only available to the priest. The priest representing Israel. But when Jesus says he is the bread of life, it's not only pastor Gideon taking and we watch. We don't do that. We all take the communion. In the NT there is no longer someone partaking of the bread as a symbol representing us but we all partake of it.

The presence of God is available for all of us.

John 15:4-5

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

The key word is remain or abide in me. When Jesus says that he is affirming that his presence is ours to experience continuously. The continual presence of God is our heritage. That is what bro Lawrence is trying to convey. Do you think often on God?

Bro Lawrence says do you think of God by day or by night? He was talking about a continual thinking and reflection on him. Even in our diversions, like playing badminton or our business. Bro Lawrence says he is always near you. He is always with us and waiting to fellowship with us.

Today if you want to experience the presence of God continually you must desire him and not leave him alone.

James 4:8

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

When you read that he is waiting for us to come near to him so that we can draw near to him.

John connects abiding in him to fruits. A person who draws near to God is someone who will inevitably bear fruit.

To bear fruit we must share the gospel. We are to reap the harvest. That is a fruit but not just that, it also includes the fruit of the Holy Spirit. This year I made a resolution. To be more kind. I think we live in an unkind world.

Yesterday I went to watch Cinderella. I must confess but after I finished my sermon notes. I felt that even at my age as an apek, it still touches my heart. But of course I already have my Cinderella, the mother says take courage and be kind and it touched me.

If you are unkind, or is someone who is bitter, you try sharing the gospel, it won't work. People see through you. Your character and charisma have to go hand in hand.

In salvation God works for you but in sanctification God works in you but in sharing the gospel it is God working through you.

When you exhibits the fruit of the Holy Spirit you are not doing it by yourself. God works in you. But when you share the gospel, you open your mouth but salvation is God's work, not yours.

When you abide in Christ, as in John 15, you have answered prayer, the love of God will overwhelm you and the joy of God will fill you.

Moses went up Mount Sinai for forty days and forty nights. Moses was enjoying the presence of God. But down there the people were enjoying the revelry with the golden calf. God was incensed. But in the next chapter, Moses asked God if he will go with them. Moses says if your presence won't go with us we will not go into the promise land. No wonder Moses is called a friend of God.

David is another instance. David says in the preserve of God is the fullness of joy. In another one, when he committed adultery with Bathsheba, he could not sense the presence of God for one whole year. And after that he cried "do not take your presence from me." 

What is the place of holiness in the presence of God? In the cell we are doing the book of Amos. What exactly was in God's heart in the minor prophets. First, God is a holy God. He says be you holy as I am holy. God cannot have a people that is unholy. So when wayward Israel go from one sin to another, you'll find that all the punishment of God is restorative rather than punitive.

In the presence of God you will become holy and in your holiness you will draw closer to God.

But I what to qualify what I say. The interacting dynamics is that you must have the desire to be led by the Holy Spirit and in it you are purified by God. God only needs you to take one small step in acknowledging God that you need help and his presence is there to help you. A Chinese proverbs is, one small step is the beginning of a thousand miles.

Tell God today you want to experience his presence. I want to end with Enoch. Enoch walked with God and he was no more.  God took him away. But two verses before that, Enoch walked with God. It was recorded twice. Enoch walked with God in a continuous presence and in holiness.

Worship by Grace ELELYON team, Youth Sunday

Testimonies by Nick and Sam

A Pile of Crowns

Rev Gideon Lee

Revelation 4:10-11

10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

11 “You are worthy, O Lord,

To receive glory and honor and power;

For You created all things,

And by Your will they exist and were created.”

What we see here is a glimpse of heaven.

There was a common practice in the ancient Roman Empire. They conquered many nations and they appoint lesser kings to rule the countries they have conquered. The emperor will command them to appear before him and they will take off their crowns and lay it at the feet of the emperor.

To show they were submitted to the emperor, the supreme ruler. They are just kings who are submitted to the emperor. They did it most of the time because of fear. Also as a sign of surrender. A king do not simply take off his crown. In the public, he does not take off his crown. They did it not because they love the emperor. But here they are required to do so.

It is a very different picture being painted here in Revelations. Many have speculated who the 24 elders are. They willingly laid down their crowns and they said worthy are you because you deserve all glory and all things are created for his pleasure. They love God.

We have come to church to worship him because he deserves it. It is not because of us. It is about us coming to worship him. As we worship God and give him all recognition there is a divine exchange. He wants to take care of us. He exchange our oil of mourning for joy. Our ashes for what?

We have come because it is all about him. In heaven it is all about the King of kings and Lord of lords. He deserves it.

The first thing I want to talk about is that there is an appointment we cannot escape.

In heaven the foundations are made of precious gemstones and streets of gold. Where there are mansions and pearly gates. This is heaven. Have I been there? No. But it is not about the mansions and gold. There are no tears or pain so we have no needs.

2 Corinthians 5:10

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Throughout the week God has been trying to make an appointment with you. An appointment with you on Wednesday for praise and power night. And on Friday for cell and Saturday for Youth. Or Sunday for church. Some we attend, some we don't. 

But there is one appointment all of us cannot escape. For it is appointed for all men to die and then…? Judgement. For rewards.

That one we all have to keep. No choice. So what do we do.

John 5:22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,

He is called by many names. The alpha and the omega. The beginning and the end. And everything in between. The prince of peace, the holy one. The bright and morning star. Our counsellor, the great I Am and the way the truth and the life. I like this. No other religion can proclaim that. Neither Buddha or Muhammad claimed that. Talk about authority.

There is going to be an authority we will face. But it's a good thing for us.

The bible tells us that there is going to be an assessment we will endure.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15

12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

We notice two things. What will we be assessed for. We would want to know the criteria if we are to be evaluated. Right? We will want to know and God has given us the criteria.

We will be evaluated on our ministry. How we build our ministry. Whatever we build will be evaluated. God has given his children spiritual gifts. Are we supposed to take that one talent and bury it and dig it up when he comes? No we are supposed to multiply our talents. When he comes what do we show him if you have 5 talents? 10. We are going to be evaluated by the talents we have when he comes.

If we are just to be saved to get to heaven then he may as well take us after we pray our sinner's prayer. That is a by product. We are blessed to be a blessing. God says he has rewards for his children. He is like a father.

If you want a reward you have to know there is an expectation. Are we using our talents for God. We can build our ministry with a wrong motive. Do you knew that? God is not interested in all that. Let's not be guilty of this. God will ask what we have done for God. I'd want God to say well done my good and faithful servant. But we are serving not because of the reward but because we love him.

Second, what do we build with. Gold, silver and precious stones or wood, hay and straw? Those things that we do with good motives are those precious stones. Or the gold and silver. God wants us to build with integrity. It's not what we build but our motives. Do we love God?

John MacArthur says many believers live their lives that there are no profit to the kingdom of God.

There are 5 possible crowns.

1. The incorruptible crown

For their faithfulness to God.

2. The crown of life

For the person who overcomes and endures for Jesus.

3. A crown of rejoicing

For soul winners.

4. A crown of righteousness

For those who live in anticipation of Jesus' return.

5. Crown of glory

For the faithful who lead and feed the flock.

All these should be natural for all of us. It should be natural for Christians to win souls. To be faithful. To be busy for the Lord.

There is an adoration that we have to express.

The 24 elders that I was talking about. What did they do? They came before the throne, lay down their crowns and worshipped God. That's the adoration we give when we meet Jesus. Are we going to heaven with crowns. I hope that's what we'll do. When we go to heaven to worship him I'd want to take off my crown to worship him. Everything that we have done pales in comparison to him. My question is that where will be some crowns we can lay down for him.

I hope we don't go into God's presence empty handed. That we have built what he wanted us to build. That he has found us faithful. He deserves all the glory. In heaven there is no GST. Here GST is government sales tax but in church its God Saves Today. Amen?

Let's lay down our crowns before God. What are we doing this morning? How many of us will say I'll do my part? I want to serve. By the way, we have given out the nomination for this year's board members. Prayerfully consider and serve your church. At least be a soul winner.

I want God to say well done my good and faithful servant. Not my servant what have you done?

Evangelistic Easter service is coming up. How many of you will bring someone? Church camp coming up. It's going to be wonderful camp at Cameron Highlands. Why Cameron Highlands? It's nearer to God (laughs). We want to get away from our routine to hear from God.

Three Marks of a Victorious Christian

Rev Gideon Lee

Mark 8:31-38

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection

31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Take Up the Cross and Follow Him

34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

This is Jesus talking as he is at the end of his ministry. Peter took him aside and rebuke Him. Emotions were high and Peter did not hear what he wanted. But Peter did not hear that Jesus said on his third day he will rise again. We are so often looking only at the negative. Jesus rebuked him and told him to get behind me Satan.

Jesus then talked about eternal life. That if we gave our life for his namesake we will find it.

And then Jesus spoke a most famous verse.

36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

I want to start by telling a story. There was a great Zulu leader named Shaka. He ruled the Zulu nation in the 18th century. But many condemned him for his brutality.

The British was trying to make peace with this king. They tried to offer him many gifts, all sorts. Like bribes you may say. They sent one man named captain Francis Farewell to initiate a peace treaty. He had a good relationship with this king. He was asked to go negotiate with Shaka. He was well received because the Shaka liked him.

Shaka entered the room and sat on his throne and asked captain Farewell, how do you catch a monkey? The captain said you find a gourd with a narrow end. You cut off the gourd at the narrow end and you put some fruits or shiny objects in and you put it where the monkeys are.

The curious monkeys will put his hand inside and try to grab what's in there. Once the monkey grab hold of the objects or fruits, they won't let go as the fist will be caught. So that's how you catch a monkey.

The king said you are right. Why he asked did the monkey not let go? And Farewell said its because of greed, because he thinks he can get what he wants. The king turn to Farewell and asked "what have you brought this monkey. "

Sometimes we crave for what's in the world. The shiny objects and sometimes we won't let go.

The first thing to be a victorious Christian  is this.

1. We must learn to let go or be a loser.

We have first got to be losers. The bible says whoever who wants to save his life will lose it. But those that lose his life for the gospel's sake will find it. We have to learn to let go. Like bad habits. Or something on our life God is asking us to let go.

Maybe  it's a relationship that God is wanting you to let go. Some people ask me how I know if a person is my life partner? I always say do not be unequally yolk. That is biblical. Any other thing whether the person is tall, short, fat or thin that's your choice.

Or maybe a job that's not for us. I used to tell my youth that there are jobs that we do not take. Like working in a pub. Or companies that deal with liqueur. Like Carlsberg has very good work packages. Like their perks and benefits. They have their own canteen and the beer is free flow. I tell them the benefits may be good but it's not good for your soul. Or the British Tobacco company. Some jobs are just not for us. Some people say I'm old fashion. I tell you I'm just God fashioned.

Sometimes promotion comes and we must not just take it. When I was waiting for my SPM results my father volunteered me as an attendant in a kindergarten bus. I have to wake up early, no pay and screaming children. My father was on the board and he volunteered me (laughs).

What I'm trying to say is I'm the first to be in church. I'd wait for the bus driver to come so one day I noticed a car parked at the parking lot. I walked there and I saw this man in his car praying. I know he was going through some difficulties and I saw him everyday in church early in his car praying. Then one day I didn't see his car anymore. Or saw him coming to church anymore.

Later I found out that he was too busy to come. Business picked up. So good that he had to work ion Sunday. So good that he had to be early at the office. So good that he forgot God. Ask this, will this job take me away from God? Will this hobby take me away from God? Like marathons on Sunday? We may have to give up something.

God often speaks to us because he wants us to change. We have given up our old nature so that we can have eternal life. Is God asking you this morning to be a loser?

Some of us have to let go of our hurts. We need to give past hurts to God and not take it back. Let it go. It's better for you.

Last week I came home and my neighbour across the street has a mum that is having chemotherapy. I saw her falling down in her driveway. I quickly got to her house and called her. She was semi conscious and I rang the bell but no one in the house. So I climb over the gate and asked if the auntie is ok. She could not respond so I make her sit down. She was just skin and bones. She had a big bruise on her cheek.

After she regained her consciousness I brought her inside and she said all the children are working. I asked her to call the children and she said no la. I'll disturb them. That's a mother's heart. Finally she called and told the son she fell but told her no need to come home. I am wondering why the son didn't drop what he was doing and come home. He didn't come home. I gave her my mobile and house number and I left. The son didn't come back until evening after work. I thought maybe the son would come back and maybe said thank you.  I was angry. Then God spoke to me, Gideon, you did it for me or them. Is there something you need to let go? The hurts. Some of the counseling I had was hurts that happened 10,000 years ago.

2. We need to depend on Jesus, not the world.

Most of the time we don't depend on God. The first sign of trouble we try to solve it ourselves. How often we should come to him in prayer.

There was a signboard at a thread factory. At the first sign of trouble call the foreman. There was this new lady who was using the machine and the thread got entangled and knotted. Finally the lady couldn't undo it and called the foreman. The lady said sorry but I was doing my best.  The foreman said the best you can do is to call me. You would not have been in this mess.

The Nepal team did not manage to go to Nepal. There was a plane crash at Kathmandu and they could not remove the plane so there was a delay. They were in the KL airport and today they're coming back. We can plan but we need to depend on God. Some things are beyond our control.

Last but not least.

3. We need to stop being the leader.

How many of you know this song. Shepherd of my soul, I give you full control, wherever you may go I will follow. When you call Jesus Lord, he is in control. We follow. He say sit, we sit and he say stand, we stand. I asked the youth who is greater? God is greater or you are greater? They said God. So is God on your side or you are on God's side. We often want to do things our way. We ask God to endorse what we decide. God where you lead I may follow. Church, are we victorious Christians? Do we want to be victorious Christians? Then let's learn to follow God.

If you want to run the race put aside every sin and weight and run the race that God has set for you. All of us has a race to run. The winners are those who finish the race. I want to see you succeed as you run the race. If you fall, I don't mind stopping to help you. I want you to finish your race because that's where you get your prize. All of us makes it to the end.

Hebrews 12:1-2

​Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Back in the 15th century there was a famous king call Charlemagne. He was the father of modern Europe. He laid the foundation for Germany and France. He forced people to become Christian. When he died they put him on armchair and buried him. He was buried seated down.  On his lap they put a bible and it was opened to Mark 8 and his finger was on verse 36.

Mark 8:36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

If we want to run the race we must put down these weights. We have to learn to let go, depend on God and follow him.

Storms of Life

Rev Gideon Lee

Mark 6:45-52

Jesus Walks on the Sea

45 Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. 46 And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. 47 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. 48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. 49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marvelled. 52 For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

The last verse was referring to the chapter before this where Jesus was feeding the 5,000. The chronological order is that Jesus fed the 5,000 before going into this boat at the lake.

Today I want to talk about 8 keys to correctly handle storms in our lives.

How many of you were here when the tsunami hit Penang? How many of you were afraid when you saw this? Storms will come into our life whether we like it or not. We don't have to invite storms, they will come unexpectedly.

It will come in the most inconvenient time, when we least expect it.

Jesus after feeding the 5000 comes after dismissing the people. He made the people go into the boat.

Who told the disciples to go across the lake. It was Jesus. Jesus made them to go over the other side. Jesus forces the people.

1. Know that you are divinely called

45 Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side,

It was not the disciples choice. Jesus made them go over. Storms often comes when we are following  Jesus. We are divinely called. We know that it is God that calls us. In your work place, your school, you are divinely called. You may face trouble. But because you are divinely called you don't have to worry. God will be there for you. That's the difference. We are not shielded from storms because we are Christians. Sometimes God put us in some storms to mould us. A good sailor needs to go through  storms.

2. You are exactly where God wanted you to be

47 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea;

Jesus sent the storm in the most critical time. In the middle of the sea. Because you are divinely called you are right exactly where God wants you to be. God was preparing them for a miracle and it has to be at the middle of the lake. We don't want to be anywhere else except where God wants me to be.

3. He sees your problems and struggles

48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.

Many times in a storm we think God does not care and is not seeing what we go through. Jesus sees you. He has not left you alone. He saw what was happening. God sees your problems and your struggles. I want to assure you God sees.

4. Don't give up even if the wind is not with you

48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them

They were straining and doing their best. We need to continue what he calls us to do. In the storms, while doing what you are supposed to do, we must not give up. It is easy to give up when it's tough. It is hard to work against the storm but they did not give up. It is easy to give up. When you go to heaven, God says well done my good and faithful servant. Not talented servant. It's faithful. Don't give up even if there is only 5 people. When you don't see God's hand trust his heart. What's his heart? He loves you.

5. There is a time when everybody will desert you

49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out;

In ministry, there can come a time when all desert you and that is the time you have to be gut sure God has called you. He will never forsake and leave you and that is what keeps you going in ministry. This is what my pastor told me when I went into full time ministry.

6. In the midst of your storm he comes to you

51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.

In your hour of need he comes. Never too late or too early. He comes to his people who are in need. Are you going through a storm u. You life? He is coming.

7. On the midst of your storms you can hear him

50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

He will tell you don't me terrified. It is me. You can still learn and hear the still small voice of the Lord. That he is here. How many of us in the midst of our struggles needs to hear him.

Last but not least.

8. You can count on his faithfulness

51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marvelled. 52 For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

He went into the boat only after the storm ceased. They were amazed because they did not understand, Jesus had just done a great miracle feeding the 5,000. He is faithful. He will not fail them. Often when storms come into our life we ask why. Remember past miracles.

We need to know he is faithful. We all face storms, even me. We cannot stop storms from coming but we need to know how to face them. Jesus walked on water. Without this storm we would not have seen this miracle. Whatever your storms may be Jesus is still in control. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Amen.