The Power of the Gospel

Bro Koay Kheng Hin

I asked my bible study class to pray for me because these days we are so politically charged, but just to be clear I am not making a ceramah today.

There are two types of ceramah, one that offers free food and one that does not. It is all about political power and the most famous quotes is from Mao Tze-Tung - "Power comes front the barrel of a gun". Of course this man who is anti God got it all wrong. Today, the power lies in the ballot box so let us prayerfully do our duty.

This morning I want to draw you from this political charged atmosphere to a spiritual atmosphere, to draw you to look to Him and be more heavenly focused.

This morning I am talking about power. But not power drawn from human institutions but power that is divine, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:16-17
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written:“The righteous will live by faith.”

The Dunamis of the Gospel. That's my title for today's message.

I want you to note that Paul writes that "I am not ashamed of the Gospel". You may wonder why. It is because Paul minsters to people across the board. The gospel is not something natural for all to believe. The Jews slight at Him. How can a person crucified be a messiah? For death is a curse.

When he goes to the Gentiles, of which some are learned, asked, how can a person resurrect from the dead? But Paul knows the power of the gospel is salvation to those who believes. And Paul believes this.

This Dunamis is the inward Dunamis. Why, because there is also an outward Dunamis.

My brother got his diploma from bible school and when I told him there is an inward and outward Dunamis, he asked me biblical or not.

Paul saw the gospel of Jesus dying for the sins of men and women. In this gospel lies the pathway for men and women to come back to God. Paul was first and foremost thinking of a power that can make a person who is spiritually dead become spiritually alive. No other power can do that.

In that gospel God proclaim that He can give spiritual life and that the bones that are dead can become alive, and this is what we call born again.

Whatever power there is on earth is human and can only change events. But only one power can change life and bring life to bones. It is by the Holy Spirit that brings you the new life.

And that is what Paul calls the new man.

There is a Chinese proverbs that says it is easier to change an empire than to change a human character. It is impossible to change a man's character and the Chinese got it right. Paul as an example is not a humble man but he was humbled by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

That same power is at work sanctifying you and making you more and more holy. That inner Dunamis is not focusing on the power of human institutions but the power that gives you new spiritual life to free you from the bondage of sin, to help you pursue righteousness.

The work of the Holy Spirit is what caused you to accept him where the gospel became real to you.

John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
The gospel lies in this word "Truth". It liberates you. Almost all of us succumb to sin because of lies. Truth allows you to have a life that is free from sin. A life God wants you to have.

This truth mentions the content of the gospel. The objective truth. But that is another element to the truth, where the letter needs to be energised and made alive to you. From logos to rhema.

That truth gives you salvation and new spiritual life which first and foremost gives peace in your life. Peace with God is what the new spiritual life is all about. New spiritual life can totally transforms you. That inward power of the gospel to change you. That power changes the human heart and no other power on earth can do that.

If you hear people who are saved, they often say, once I was like that. Now I am like that. When you have peace with God, you can have the peace of God.

Hebrews 2:3-4
how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

The word miracle in the Greek is the same word as Dunamis. It is the divine power of God to work miracles. A miracle is when God breaks into the natural realm and causes wonders, miracles and signs.

This is an outward Dunamis. It is an outward that is the miracle working power of God on you. This is to confirm and testify to the message of the gospel.

John 20:30-31
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
You will find that these miracles were written that you may believe Jesus is a miracle working God. Miracles are always flowing from the compassion of Christ. When He heals you it is not a dis-compassionate work. He wants to heal you.

The most important fact of the healing is to lead you to Jesus Christ. It is not an end but a means to an end. They are a point of contact but not the point of focus. Do not focus on the miracles but the person who perform the miracle.

If our focus is on the healing, He will receive the miracle but not the healer. This is possible, you will realise there are people like that. When not well, they will do anything you ask to get his healing. Even the sinner's prayer. People like these who seek healing and not God will go to other temples to get his healing. That's his focus.

Luke 17:11-17
Ten Healed of Leprosy
11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him–and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?

This story tells us that 10 received the outward Dunamis of God's miracle. Were they all healed? Yes. But only one came back.

But the inward Dunamis is the one that saves. The outward Dunamis is a means not an end. Spiritual maturity does not depend on the outward Dunamis. It is about a relationship with our Lord. It is striking the balance. The gospel call must emphasise the content of the bible and that you can have new life in Christ.

How does Jesus balances this outward and inward Dunamis?

John 9:5-8
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

This is the outward Dunamis.

John 9:35-39
Spiritual Blindness
35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”
37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”
38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

And here Jesus talked about the working of the inner Dunamis.

John 11:43-45
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

This outward Dunamis though powerful was already being prepared for by Jesus in verse 25.

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

The greatest miracle is that a man who is spiritually dead can cross over to spiritual life.

I was talking this morning at bible class about the church. And in the Protestant church there is the Pentecostal movement, you find the biggest growth of the church was then. The Pentecostal movement has a very strong outward Dunamis but they also had great emphasis on the inward Dunamis.

On the cross you will receive your biggest miracle. When I became a Christian, the very first question I asked was this. Why nothing happened? Then my brother asked me what did you think will happen. After he prayed for me and said it's finished, I was waiting for something to happen. I read the bible and like Paul, he was blinded by lightning. I was expecting something.

But my brother had wisdom and told me it's not for everyone, you are not Paul. But something did happen, and nothing can compare to that, I became spiritually alive.

Our faith rest in the person of Christ and in that comes the presence of God and in that presence will manifest the power of God. Those who seeks the outer Dunamis often never finds it but those who seeks the inward Dunamis often sees the outward Dunamis being manifested. Seek the Lord. The power that work in you, not just the outward.

To me, many of us do not realise that when you see all the turmoil around the world, you see the outward needs. The outward turmoil does not mean you cannot have inward peace. And there is only one power that can give you peace that surpasses all understanding.

My personal testimony is that I am like you with a lot of problems and obstacles. But I can attest to you that even when things are not well and smooth, you will experience the peace of God in the midst of everything and there you find a rest. That is the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is your spiritual heritage. In that salvation, you who are spiritually dead is made alive and that is the life of God in you. And that is something that money cannot buy. And there you will find a wonderful peace and in that you will find the outward Dunamis of God.

You may ask what is all this about? I am just trying to change your focus. If you have been focusing on the miracles that God does, focus instead on God. Focus on the God of miracles, not the miracles of
God you seek.

I conclude that it is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the only thing that has eternal value. Its greatest power is when you allow the person of Jesus Christ to be lifted up. The positive power of the gospel must come from above.

Paul actually says this very well. And it is my prayer that all of us can identify with Paul, I'm not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for everyone who believes.

Shepherd and Sheep

Rev Gideon Lee

This is probably a portion of scripture that all of you are familiar with.

John 10:22-30
The Unbelief of the Jews
22 Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

Solomon's Colonnade is a covered pathway in the garden and here is when the Jews asked Jesus a sincere question.

When you ask sincerely, Jesus is more than willing to answer. But Jesus said He has already told them many times but they did not believed.

And Jesus said something very important, that my sheep hear me and follow me. And He said here that God is greater than all. And He finally said He and the Father is one and if you read further, the people became angry and wanted to stone Him.

This morning we are going to talk about shepherds and sheep.

I want to start with a story. A retired man wanted to be a rancher. And they had some sheep and when it came to the sheep giving birth, it was an important event and they have to be on high alert. It's called lambing.

One day he met a friend at the market and his friend asked how is his flock and he said it's a good year with many giving birth. So he asked whether he named his lambs. Normally they don't name so that to sell or slaughter they are not attached to them. But this man named his lambs goodness and mercy. From the scripture "and goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life".

Because lambs normally follow their master and this is the characteristics of sheep. They follow.

Some people say sheep are not very smart since they only follow. That's why there is the term "like sheep going to the slaughter."

But I want to say it takes a lot for a sheep to follow the shepherd. The bible describe us as sheep.

If you look at King David and you read Psalm 23, he described his relationship with God as "The Lord is my Shepherd." He did not say the Lord my Lion or Eagle even though it's a common reference.

Even Isaiah said we were like sheep gone astray. This theme of the shepherd and sheep is throughout the bible including the NT where Jesus is the good shepherd and the lamb being slain.

Sheep are very important in the bible with more than 500 times being mentioned, more than any other animals.

It takes a lot for the sheep to follow the shepherd. He has protection, so I don't think the sheep is stupid. They have safety in a flock.

If you watch National Geographic or Discovery, you'll see the wildebeests or zebras that congregate as a group. And when a predator wants to attack it will target, the weak, the young and the old. But as long as they stay within the safety of the flock, they are okay.

So I want to say you all are clever. You do not stray or you will be exposed. Our predator is the devil. That is what the predator does. He separates the target from the flock and that's when they are vulnerable.

What are the qualities that make a good sheep.

John 10:25,26
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.

This tells me that Jesus knows His sheep individually.

The bible says even before you are formed in your mother's womb He already named you.

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead He called him by name. That tells me that God cares for me. We are not just a number to God. The bible says many times how He even knows the number of hair on our head.

My children like to play games with me when traveling in the car especially long distances. They'll put their hands on my shoulder and ask who is this? Fortunately they don't put their hands over my eyes or sure accident wan (laughs). But they pakat, like Elena will touch me but Josiah may ask etc. Sometimes I will touch their hands but they sometimes feel the same and I may not recognize whose hand is it. But God is different. He knows you intimately. God knows.

The bible says my sheep listen to my voice.

There was once a case in Australia where a man was accused of stealing sheep. When the defendant was asked why you steal sheep he said no it was my lost sheep which I found. So the judge said "how to know who is right?" So they brought the sheep into the court and they asked the defendant to go outside and call the sheep. And lo and behold, the sheep responded to the call and the judge said case closed. The sheep recognize the shepherd's voice.

The question is do we hear God's voice. Sometimes we talk more than we listen. We have a list of wants for God but have we just listened to what God is saying to us. In order to be a good sheep we need to listen to the voice of our shepherd.

Each shepherd have their own way of calling their sheep. When the sheep from different flocks enter the pen, the shepherds normally sleep across the gate and protect the sheep from predators. The next morning, each shepherd separates the sheep by calling them.

And the bible says the sheep follows the shepherd.

How well we know if it's a good sheep is how well they follow the shepherd. Do we follow Jesus?

If you watch the western movies you'll see the cowboys use dogs to control a herd from behind. But in the Middle East, the shepherd walks in front and calls to his sheep and they follow him. Jesus said no one can snatch His sheep from Him. No one. Not only God loves us but He has the ability to keep us. Our salvation is firm as long as we choose to remain in the flock. Follow God. Nothing can steal you from Him but you can still choose to walk away. Let's be like good sheep to follow Him.

There was one evangelistic or revival speaker that went from town to town. And there was this man who asked the preacher to come to his home to pray for his dying son. So he came and talked to the son. He ask the son, Timothy, so you know how to pray? And the boy said Psalm 24, The Lord is my shepherd. But the preacher said wrong. Read again and with each word count with your finger. The Lord is MY shepherd. When you reach MY, notice it's your ring finger and told him the Lord is YOUR shepherd. Hold on to that. The next trip, he passed by and was sad to see a grave with a cross behind the house. The mother said he passed away just after the preacher left but what's strange was when they found the boy, he was holding his ring finger. The Lord is his shepherd.

When the Lord calls we listen. Stay in the flock. We all want Jesus as our savior but many of us are not willing to let Him be the master. I am also talking about myself. Are we listening to our God. When was the last time you heard God? Let's be good sheep and follow our shepherd.

Looking to God for Victory

Rev Gideon Lee

Welcome to church. Today we will be voting for our church board so let's participate in our AGM. And soon we will be voting for our Government.

Nowadays I feel so sad. Everybody just want to see my son Jayden. Everybody say he's so cute and wants to carry him. Nobody wants to carry your pastor. I feel so left out. (Laughs). If he is on Facebook, he will have more friends than me.

Yesterday in the car park I found a piece of paper on the floor. It was RM50. Wow, I thought this is bonus and I can eat better instead of eating at Batu Lanchang. But then I remembered the topic the cell has been teaching on Personal Integrity. So I thought I better try find the owner.

It could be one of the youth and that would be a lot of money for them. So I texted Bro Vive and told him if anyone lost some money to get it from me. I didn't tell him the amount. And later Bro Vive told me it was one of the youth and he told me the amount and it was RM50.

I want to say it is very good to attend cell. In church it's hi and bye and nobody knows you. But in a cell we can interact and know each other better. So I encourage you to attend cell. Amen?

Turn with me to the Book of Exodus.

Exodus 17:8-16
Victory over the Amalekites
8 Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 And Moses said to Joshua, “ Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses ’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “ Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner; 16 for he said, “Because the Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”

I want to give you a little comment before I preach the word of God. The few words before this chapter talked about the Israelites who came to this place but there was no water. This place is called rest but they did not find rest here and the people were beginning to grumble. They said Moses has brought them here to die. They were ready to stone him. But the Lord always have a solution even before our problems occur. God already have a solution. God told Moses to strike the stone and water began to gush out from the rock. God's solution is a supernatural intervention.

If God can do it then, he will do it today. The bible says God is the same yesterday, today and forever. His character remains. Then we came to this portion when the Israelites faced another situation where the enemies were after them. And the Amalekites were no ordinary enemy. They were the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob. And you know what Jacob did right? He stole the birthright of Esau. So do you think they will treat the Israelites nicely? If you read in Deuteronomy, you'll know how sneaky they were. The bible says they have no fear of God. The Amalekites were big trouble. They prey on women and children. They don't care. They had no mercy.

So now that they are attacking the Israelites, they know what they were capable of. Maybe some of us is facing our Amalekites. But today that enemy is the devil. He is not going to play fair with you. He will bully the weak and the innocent. He doesn't care.

From this passage I want you to know we are in a spiritual battle whether we like it or not. The enemy attacks our marriage, our business, and our family. We have an adversary but I have good news for you this morning.

The Amalekites attacked them but Moses told Joshua to choose some men to go fight. They were not soldiers, mainly farmers and shepherd and had no experience fighting. Sure die wan. And Moses said he will go sit on top of a hill to see them. If I were Joshua I'll probably say "What!". You sent me to fight and you just go up there to sit and watch us die?

But Joshua obeyed Moses. And the story says that Moses was carrying the staff of God. It represents the power of God. He first used it when he confronted Pharaoh. The same staff that he used to part the Red Sea. The same staff he used to strike the rock.

You may be under attacked by God and you need God to come in a supernatural way. The bible says the Israelites prevailed. But when Moses got tired and his hands came down, the Amalekites prevailed. Moses had two others with him, Aaron and Hur and when they saw Moses got tired they let Moses sit on a rock and they held up Moses' tired hands. And Israel prevailed and won a great victory that day.

What does this tells me? Maybe some of us is having a difficult time and the only way to win is to lift the name of God up high. Learn to lift Jesus' name up high. The problem is that most of the time we look at our problem and forgot we have a big God.

If today you want God to intervene, lift the name of God high. As long as the staff of God is raised up the Israelites prevailed. Lift the name of God up high. Whatever is your problem, it cannot be as big as God.

As I looked at Moses' problem, friends, I want you to know we cannot go through it without friends. I am talking about good friends, not friends like Job's. Friends who will encourage and pray for you. Everyone needs an Aaron and Hur today. Do you have a friend you can go to to pray and encourage you? If not go and find your Aaron and Hur.

Your pastor also have his Aaron and Hur. Your pastor can also be tired. I need my Aarons and my Hurs. And where can I find them? Where? Everyone of you in this church can be my Aaron and Hur. And when I say pastor, I also say don't forget pastor Grace. And Lin Ken too ya. He needs a lot of prayer. I want you to know when we have each other, victory is on our side.

That day the Israelites got a very big victory. From farmers and shepherd against the Amalekites, it was God who brought about the victory. It was not the hands of Moses that brought the victory that day but it was the staff of God.

After that God told Moses to write it down as a remembrance. Too often we only remember our failures. That's all we think of. That's why the bible tells us to count our blessings one by one. Because they outnumber our failures. We forget the blessings of God sometimes. But when we didn't get what we ask for from God we remember it all our life.

The bible says the devil is like a roaring lion, seeking who to devour. He won't come to you nicely, no. The difference between defeat and victory is the name of Jesus in your life.

As God comes in and bring us that victory, remember to write it down. The bible says God told Moses to write it down as a memorial and Moses built an altar and called it Jehovah Nissi, God our banner. Banner means a standard, a military term. How many of you see in Chinese movies where there is this fellow who bears a flag, the standard.

Friends, aren't you glad that God is your standard? He is our Jehovah Nissi. When you go into battle, God has already gone before you. All you have to do is follow Him. Victory is assured. Today there is no such race as the Amalekites. If God is fighting on our behalf we cannot lose.

The problem is, are we following God? When God says go, are we going? God is fighting on our behalf and victory is certain and assured.

Today we are having our 30th AGM. We will celebrate our 35th Anniversary. If Jesus was not our banner, TOP will not be here. So I encourage you to continue to follow God. As we move in God's direction, support us. Victory is assured. Are you following God today? God has the final victory. Just as how Moses raised the staff of God, the staff represented God's power and presence. God gave them a big victory that day.

In the same way God raised His son on the cross. And he gave us victory over sin and gave us life and life abundantly. The cross represents the power of God. He has given us powers over sin. Victory is ours. God is on our side. Let's follow Him, He says left, we go left. He tells us to go right, we go right. He says stop, we stop.

Remember God is your banner, your standard. Whatever He tells you to do, you do and we will have the victory.

TOP's 30th AGM about to commence. We have a quorum.

Group photo of TOP's incoming and outgoing board.

Voluntary Missionaries

Rev Stephen Thomas and Linda

Rev Stephen came up to the pulpit and started talking in fluent Thai. At least that's how it sounded and the congregation was taken by surprise. It was a pleasant surprise to hear him speak in Thai. He then introduced his wife Linda, to present a slide show on work done in Thailand at Na Si Thong.

I met Hudson Lee 17 years ago. I want to thank you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are here redeemed and we want to proclaim it.

This morning, you are a wonderful group of people here to praise God and to sing to God. And this is why I wanted my daughter to be here to worship with you.

Today I want to talk about what makes voluntary missionaries.

The first reason we have chosen to be in Thailand is based on the poster on your wall. We are here to be oddballs for Jesus. So that all may learn of His glory.

The second reason is found in three scriptures I want to share with you.

In truth I have come to a time years ago when I did not know what God had wanted me to do. I felt like a nobody, not knowing what to do and where to go. That's when I referred to scripture.

Jeremiah 33:3
‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

First is that we are to call on God. In prayer, in action and in faith to be His light and His purpose. Call on God and listen. And He said He will show us great and mighty things. Not my will but yours be done. That He will give us something to do for His kingdom.

So if God calls us we have to go. If it's Singapore then we go, if it's Katmandu, then we go. And God called us to Na Si Thong which meant the "Face of Gold". When God calls us, we will go.

The other verse applies to what we do when we get to wherever God called us.

2 Corinthians 4:5
For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.

So we came back to Thailand to be servants for Him. Not as Americans or missionaries but as volunteers. Servants for Jesus' sake.

When we call on Him, He will call on us. So that His will be done on this earth as it is in heaven. There is nothing in my life to be preached about. My testimonies are all about fears and doubts and a mess. But God did not ask me to preach about myself.

If I preached myself you guys would have walked out the door. We preached for His kingdom and His purpose. We preach as wounded healers.

Let me give you an example.

My father was a righteous man. When he saw my life and what mess I was in, he came to me and said I'm sorry Stephen, let me carry the cross for you. That is a wounded healer. That is what God did for us and that's what God has called us to do.

Drugs are everywhere in Thailand and we can be there to be wounded healers.

1 Corinthians 9:22
to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

God calls on us to be chosen. Too few choose to choose. It is hard hard work but God calls us to be His lambs, to be all things to all people that some may be saved. Chinese to be Chinese, Indians to be Indians and Thais to be Thais.

I become all things to all people. I speak Thai to the Thais and speaks like they do. You wear their clothes, their culture, their customs. It is so important to show respect. We wear the gospel but we wear their customs too. It is very important and I have people who says - I have not met an American as Asian as you.

We have to have the aroma of the culture we live in and at the same time, we can be like Jesus. Like Paul says from glory to glory, from earthly things to the heavenly.

With these three verses, we want to make a statement that there is an extreme cost to discipleship.

Linda went through a difficult young life when her parents died in a plane crash. But at four, Linda gave her life to Jesus and already knew she would be called to missions. The tragedy did not make a difference in her life because she was called. She lost her uncle too to aneurism and in three years she lost most of her family. For a young teen, it could have been perilous to her. But it did not. She had many troubles between the age of nine and nineteen but she is faithful to God's call.

My life was a little different. My dad was preaching for 81 years and one day he just told me to preach. I grew up on the lap of a doctor who spoke to me in mandarin. Maybe from there I knew how to speak the Asian language with the intonation. From a young age I already have a call from God.

But after a while I was living for me. And God spoke to me in a dream. And in the dream I had an accident that was fatal and it was terrifying.

On August 6, 1973, an Englishman asked me to take him somewhere. At an intersection, a truck came at me and I flew through the window, through the steering wheel and out the other window. The Thai doctor said let him die. But there was a Christian who took me to a hospital until I woke up and asked where am I? And that was 40 days after the accident. I have a plastic skull and a metal shoulder now. I was in a very bad shape. But God saved my life.

We may have different tragedies in our life but God calls us to be His servants. We may be broken or shattered but when God calls us, we can do it.

All this talk about our life and purpose is based on these three verses.

We are the called out ones. What is God calling you to do in your life? There are people who are specifically there for you to reach. Be like them to reach them that some might be saved.

You are his chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession.

In Na Si Thong  we have much work to do. It is not a small piece of land, about 4 acres. For the purpose of His glory and kingdom and our hope is that one say He will say well done my faithful servant, welcome home.

Marvelous SUNDAY

Rev Gideon Lee

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

Matthew 28:1-10
He Is Risen
1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”
8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.
The Women Worship the Risen Lord
9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “ Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “ Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why?

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

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

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

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

Second reason?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I have a video that I want to show you.

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

Why is Good Friday good?

Good Friday Service by Rev Gideon Lee

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We re all familiar with this verse.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why did the cheering stop?

Pastor Gideon Lee

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

Matthew 21:1-11 (NIV)

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

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

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

5 “Say to Daughter Zion,

    ‘See, your king comes to you,

gentle and riding on a donkey,

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

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

“Hosanna[b] to the Son of David!”

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

“Hosanna[d] in the highest heaven!”

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

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

Let me read again verse 9-11.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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