From Fear to Faith

Rev Gideon Lee

We are going to continue from last week's message. How many of you remember? About Gideon. How God saw his potential. God looks at our potential, what we can be and not what we are. He sees beyond who we are today. 

When we talk about the book of Judges, Gideon is not the hero. God is the hero. When we look at chapter 6 and 7, God is the hero. When we look at the bible, God is the hero, the miracle working God. 

Gideon had his doubts and it's okay to have doubts and a critical mind but not a critical heart. God says come and reason with me. God is calling each one of us. Calling us to be in Gideon's army. God sieved Gideon's army until there was 300. God is wanting us to be one of the 300. He is calling us to arise and shine. 

God has a plan for us. We need to out God's plan into action. His plans may sound ridiculous with just 300 men but the weapons of our warfare are not carnal. There is great power when we seek the Lord. 

Judges 7:9-25

9 During that night the Lord said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. 10 If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah 11 and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. 12 The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore.

13 Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.”

14 His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.”

15 When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped God. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.” 16 Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside.

17 “Watch me,” he told them. “Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. 18 When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’ ”

19 Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. 20 The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” 21 While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled.

22 When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath. 23 Israelites from Naphtali, Asher and all Manasseh were called out, and they pursued the Midianites. 24 Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth Barah.” 

So all the men of Ephraim were called out and they took the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth Barah. 25 They also captured two of the Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb . They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan.

We hear the balance of Gideon's exploits. Gideon was afraid. At the eve of the battle Gideon was probably very nervous and cannot sleep. He had every right to be afraid. Look at the odds. 300 people over multitudes of the enemy. Camels that numbers like the sand of the seashore. 

Gideon brought his servant Purah. Why? Some people say to bring him as a shield or for company. He brought Purah because he needed a witness. He went down to the enemy's camp. He probably sneaked in. He heard this person telling about his dream. There is significance in the dream. Barley was very cheap then. It was a cheap and common material. The bible says the loaf of barley came tumbling down and destroyed the camp of the Midianites. This he say must be the sword of Gideon. 

2015, some of you may be fearful.  My children was telling me, dad, tomorrow they are going to school. And parents say? Amen. I don't know how you all feel about children at home. They just eat and eat and eat and parents go broke. Josiah was telling me tomorrow is school. So I said so what, you've been to school many times. He said he forgot half his classmates' name. That was his fear. But I told him it'll all come back once he meet them. 

Let's move from fear to faith. 

God told him to go down to the camp and he received encouragement. Hear from God and have encouragement. No matter what the odds are know that the Lord is with you and you have nothing to be afraid of. Let's move from fear to faith. Let's look beyond all this and start serving. That we will take our position in 2015. I thank you for coming early today. I appreciate it. 

I'm also going to come early. I sometimes preach at the Hokkien service but I'll want to be early too. At least 15 minutes before service and shake your hands. Then when the service starts I'm going to be in the service. 

We had some difficulties at the youth impact and we had like 6 youths. So I told the 6 and encouraged them to bring someone to youth. I also said I'll call someone to come for youth. Lo and behold they listened to their pastor. Yesterday we had 16. I challenged them and said next week bring someone and see if we can hit 30. I want to see our youth grow and not just come but stay. 

Now adults (laughs). How many of you still love your pastor. Can I encourage you to bring someone next week? We have lost that tradition. We used to bring people to church in the past. We all have someone to bring. We can do it. Let's bring someone to church. Not that I want to fill by numbers. But it's a start. 

When we renovate the fourth floor we want a place that can accommodate 400. Amen?

Gideon had the element of surprise. He divided the men into three groups. They had trumpets on their left hand and on their right hand was a torch over a jar. They had no swords. But like I say the weapons were not carnal. Prayer and fasting. Gideon told them to do exactly what he said, in his timing. Not everyone had the trumpet. If you watch the Calvary movies, one man sounds the bugle. Here some had the torch or trumpet. These were the leaders leading 100 or 200. When the Midianites saw 300 torches, they thought it's more than 300 soldiers. They thought that the confusion happened because they thought the 300 were leaders of a bigger army. God gave Gideon the strategy. It was not easy to intimidate them. They were confused and fought one another. 

Let us all learn to blow our trumpet and let our light shine. Everyone of us is called to be a leader in our sphere of influence. Everyone of them took their torch and trumpet and held their position. We need watchmen. On the walls who will sound their trumpet and light their torch and hold their position? And we will see God gives us the victory. The church needs more and more leaders. Be like the soldiers Gideon had. 

Last but not least, Gideon said do as I do. 

He was going to lead by example. I'm going to lead by example. But here's the catch. As I do, so must you. As I follow God I want you to follow me. I am going to lead by example. I want you to come and stand with me. This is not my church. This is our church. We are Tabernacle of Praise. It is a lighthouse. We need to shine brighter in 2015. The keyword is praise. Can our praise be exuberant? I told the youth you cannot praise God with our mouth closed. Some say I worship on the inside but it must show on the outside. Can I tell my wife I love her only on the inside. I have to express my love on the outside. 

God deserves our worship. God says if we don't even the rocks and stones will praise him. We are better than the rocks and stones. 

Finally, wah, you said pastor finish so early. That's because we start on time so we can finish on time.  Let's move from fear to faith. Let's let our light shine and let it shine bright. 

As we see our pastors and leaders do it, can we also say let's do it. Can I tell you a secret? Do you know if you pray for your pastor and leaders, they get better? As you pray God works on them. When we criticise and we complain they get worst. You want your pastor to get better? You want him to preach or administer the church better? Pray for your pastor. I covet your prayers. It's not easy but its a privilege and joy to serve God and the church. God has much in store for TOP. 

Strength in Weakness

Rev Gideon Lee

Can you turn your bible to the book of Judges? 

How many of you have the TOP Calendar of Events, please wave it to me. How many of you don't have one? I want everyone to have one. I'll be referring to this later after my message.

Judges 6:11-24

11 The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 12 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”

13 “But sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian.”

14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

15 “But Lord,’” Gideon asked, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”

16 The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.”

17 Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. 18 Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you.” 

And the Lord said, “I will wait until you return.”

19 Gideon went in, prepared a young goat, and from an ephah of flour he made bread without yeast. Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak.

20 The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And Gideon did so. 21 With the tip of the staff that was in his hand, the angel of the Lord touched the meat and the unleavened bread. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the Lord disappeared. 22 When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he exclaimed, “Ah, Sovereign Lord! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!”

23 But the Lord said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.”

24 So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

Judges 7:1-8

Gideon Defeats the Midianites

1 Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon ) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. 2 The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, 3 announce now to the people, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’ ” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

4 But the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.”

5 So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink.” 6 Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.

7 The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place.” 8 So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others. 

Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley.

The title of my message today is Strength in Weakness. We are going to see how we can have strength in the time of weakness. 

What does the bible says Gideon was doing? He was preaching on Sunday? The bible say he was trashing wheat at the wine press. I think it's odd because the wine press is the place where you press wine. But Gideon was using this place to trash wheat. Under normal circumstances you do not do that. The bible tells us the reason why?

The Israelites at that time was weak and being oppressed by the Midianites  They would come and take their harvest away. Gideon was trying to hide the wheat from them. It tells me that Gideon was a resourceful person. Also a smart person. 

The angel of the Lord appeared and called him the mighty man of valour. Gideon asked a legitimate question. He said if God is really with him why is all these things happening to us? What happened to the promises of God? He asked out of the circumstances he was facing. 

And the Lord told him to go in his strength as God has sent him. God was not denying the circumstances. He knew what Israel was going through. 

He tells Gideon to go as He was sending him. Gideon asked another legitimate question. He said how can he be the one as he is the least of his family and his tribe is also the least in Israel. If you want to save Israel you'd send the best of the best. He was the least of the least. 

Logically speaking when we want to do something we will choose the best. But here God called the least. The Lord assured him one more time. I'm sending you. The second time God said I will be with you. 

Here's the secret of Gideon's success. God is with him and that's what make Gideon successful. 

We see some truth unfold before us in this scripture. Whatever comes in 2015 you'll be able to face it. The first thing is that God saw the potential of Gideon. Gideon says who am I? I'm the last of my father’s family. But the Lord saw the potential of Gideon. He saw what Gideon could be. With God's help. Can we see the positive potential of everything that comes our way. Why? Because God is with us. We learn how to look at the positive and our focus would be different. Let's purpose in our heart to be an encourager. Let our words be encouraging. 

God don't look at us as who we are. If God sees us as who we are it would be a sad thing. But God look at our potential. He saw Gideon as the deliverer of Israel. Even though Gideon didn't see it. 

Let's apply this in our personal lives for 2015. In our workplace. Our church. So that we don't see just our fault and errors. God sees TOP as a lighthouse. That we can do greater things. God wants to do greater things in you and through you. 

We may not see ourselves as heroes. How many of you love Tamil movies. All their heroes have moustaches. Like Vive. All of them have wonderful hair. They can be fighting but their hair is perfect. When we look at a hero we want to look at someone that look the best. 

But when God looks at us it does not matter if we have moustache or wavy hair. God is saying am I not sending you? He is. And God is calling each one of us because he sees the potential that we have. 

I'm reminded of this story. 

There was once a preacher who had hard times before he was successful. He was finding hard to make ends meet. One day he decided to use his savings to open a petrol station. He thought he'd make some money to help in the ministry. He talked to his wife who disagreed at first but finally the wife relented. The petrol station was a failure and they lost all their savings. The husband was afraid to tell his wife. When he went home he thought the wife will tell him off. The wife has the right to say I told you so. 

When he told his wife the wife kept quiet for a while. The wife had a right to tell him I told you so. But instead, the wife said I reckon you don't smoke, drink so that money was probably wasted on the petrol station. So she said it's the same. She didn't say anything after that. The wife could have crushed his spirit. But instead she saw the potential of the husband and supported him. 

The church needs a lot of encouragement. We can find a thousand and one fault in the church or the pastor. But if we look at the potential and encourage them we can be a different church. I'm not saying we do not look at our faults. 

The Lord welcomes honest questions. That's what we read in the bible. When Gideon asked how can this be. He had doubts but he wanted to know. There's a difference between wanting to know and wanting to know for fun. Some peoples asked questions not because they want to know or to clarify but so they can catch you with something you say. God is not afraid of honest questions. 

In your time of trials it's okay to ask God honest questions. He is not one who will not answer honest questions. We welcome honest questions. In 2015 we can ask honest questions to clarify or to find out. But often we do the opposite. We go around and talk to every person except the right person. We should go around to clarify. We welcome honest questions. 

The bible says if we want to follow him we need to carry the cross. Or to count the cost before we build a house. Can we go to our father and ask when we don't understand? Even with our earthly father we can do that. Ask. I think God wants us to have a critical mind. Thinking people. But it's different when we have a critical heart. 

God welcomes honest questions. 

Last but not least, we need to put our plans to action. Remember chapter 7. God says there are too many people. God is giving a plan. Even though Gideon sees himself as a loser, God has a plan for him. Because God is with us and has a plan for us and we need to put the plan into action. Too many people. God told him to let the people go if they are afraid. 22,000 and God still says too many. I don't know about you but if I go into a fight I'd want more people. 10,000 and still too many. God says he will test them. Bring them to the water and those that God say stay will stay and those that go will go. There was two ways they drink water. One group lap water like dogs. They got down on all fours and lap on the water. Then another group used their hands and to scoup the water. These are the ones God wants to stay. God is a practical God. If you go to war you want people who are alert and knows what's happening around them. These who lap like dogs won't know what’s happening around them. They'd not be able to see what's around them. God wants these to go. 

At the end of the day the 300 who stayed God used them. God gave each of them a torch and hid them under a pitcher. And when the time was right they broke the pitcher and the light was seen and there was confusion in the enemy's camp. God gave them a great victory. 

God has a plan and we must not be afraid. I need each and everyone of you. Like Gideon and his 300 men, I need you. 

In your hands are the Calendar of Events. These are our plans. You may have the Hokkien or Youth who may have their own plans and calendar but it will have to be planned around this calendar. 

Why am I showing you this? I need your support. I want you to know what's happening here. I've been here into the fifth year. Our attendance have dropped. Some is due to natural progression. Like Charmaine is leaving to study and Sis Mee Chiong is going to KL. Or some passed away. But more is leaving than coming in. This is what is happening. More people are leaving by natural progression than we can bring in. The people that are getting saved is not as fast as the people leaving. 

In 2015 we want to address this. Some of us have plans on Sundays but your attendance is very important. We go on holidays, we go for marathon. Don't crucify me. I know you have personal plans. But try to avoid the peak period of our church calendar. In December when we have so many programmes how can we do anything when the church is empty. In my previous church we must all be there for every event. And if we cannot attend we inform our pastor. Every public holiday is planned with events. I'm not doing that. I want you to go shopping and spend time with your family. But in 2015 can we prioritise our Sunday and be found in the house of God. We need to be here on Sunday. 

We want to have our plans for 2015 but I cannot do it without you. If there's anything come and talk to me. Let's put our plans into action. Let's support the plans of the church. I also want to ask one thing of you. Can we come early to church? I feel for the song leader. Sometimes we start at 10:45am. Only a handful in church. If you are on duty, you are supposed to be here by 9:15am, worship team. Ushers what time? You know the time right? Leaders, at least 15 minutes before service. We have to work on this area. We need a spirit of excellence. 

Will I see you next week? Some pastors say this and next week no one turns up. Will I see you next week? I say this also for myself. You want to see the church grow? Amen. Can you work with me for 2015? In 2014 our attendance have dropped and so have our tithes and offering. I'm not worried about the offerings. I'm worried if we are not found in the house of the Lord. 

In the Fulness of Time

Rev Gideon Lee

Yesterday we had our Christmas at the TOP. It was full house, more than 300 came and we had four salvation yesterday! Let's give God the glory. 

I appreciate all those that did the performances and dance, they practised hard and I know because my children was involved and I was here too during their practise and I want to give them our appreciation and thanks. It is all worth it not just because of the four salvation because we all came together as a church. 

How many of your are here today? Or do you just park your body here but you're away shopping. 

Let's look at the book of Luke. 

Luke 1:26-38

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Galatians 4:4-7

4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

As we come to the end of the year, I don't know about you but I think the year passed too fast. It seems like time just flew by us. I want to talk about time. Albert Einstein says time is relative. For some of us we think we have plenty of time when we are young and time passed by slowly. When I was 17, I can't wait to have the license to drive. And at 20

I can't wait to be 21 to be able to vote. The opposite is true for the elderly, where we wished we have more time. 

But God says here in the fulness of time. Means at the right time. At the right time of history. Jesus was sent at a time when God has prepared history for his coming. Greek was being used at that time and as you look into our bible you'll see that it's Greek. Paul's time. History helped in his coming. Alexander the Great was a great time during the Roman Empire. What was their greatest achievement? They build roads to connect their empire. It was these roads that allow Jesus to move town to town to preach. 

God also sent Jesus into our lives at the right time. Look back at your lives and you'll know there were times which leads to our salvation and in the fullness of time God came into our lives. 

God did not make a mistake when he sent his son into this world. 

We read that Mary was a virgin engaged to Joseph. Their engagement then was different from now. A pledge or contract has been made and sign of acceptance from both family. It was very difficult to call off once it's done as it'll bring shame to the family. That's why there are such things as honour killings. We've seen these in Pakistan and the Middle East. 

Mary at no more than 13 to 14 had the angel of the Lord appeared to her. 

Luke 1:28-30

28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.

Mary had the right to be troubled. If you put yourself in Mary's shoes you'll see why. She's a virgin and at that time there's no sex before marriage. 

I don't know about you if I hear that I'd be worried. We may not see it as something that is good or the right time. It can be dangerous for her. This would bring great shame to her and her family. See Mary's response. 

Luke 1:34

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

Mary's response was practical. How can it happen? It's not a right or wrong situation. And we see that God is also concerned about her situation. 

Luke 1:35-38

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

God answered her in a practical way and assured her with God nothing is impossible. He sent his son at the fulness of time. Not according to our convenience or schedule. 

See the last verse and the response. May it be to me as you have said. 

As we come to the close of the year. Many things have happened to us. Take a few minutes just to look back at this year and many things may have happened and we question the timing. We may ask if God could have postponed it. God allowed it to happened and in the beginning it may looked as if it's not good for you. But look at Mary's response. 

We don't invite things to happen in our life but our response should be this as we trust in him. Look at Galatians. Why did God send his son? To redeem us so that we receive the full rights of sons. 

To reconcile or redeem those under the law to give them a position to be sons and daughters of God. We can be the sons and daughters of Jesus. There is no problems to say we are the children of God. But to say we are sons and daughters is as if we are like Jesus. He made us co-heirs to the kingdom of God. That is what Jesus came to do in the fulness of time. 

I tell you a true story. 

In the year 2006, ABC news told a story about Sarah. After her first birthday she was adopted and she grew up in a close knit family. In a good environment of love. But as she grew up she wanted to look for her biological mother. She found the mother but the news was that her mother has passed away due to cancer. She was sad but what she did was she wanted to look for her biological father. And she found out that her father was still living and a ruling member of a tribe in Sierra Leone. A country torn with civil war. This actually made her a princess. 

So Sarah was royalty in that country so she flew to Sierra Leone to meet her father. When she arrived the whole tribe came to welcome her. Over 200-300 danced for her and she felt so welcomed. It was heartbreaking as much as she was happy. She saw the suffering so she started a foundation for Sierra Leone. When she was interviewed she said she did this is because the title princess meant responsibility and that was why she took it on. 

So was the title of son of God. It's not just a title we have. It tells us of our relationship with him. But more importantly that title came with responsibility. Jesus is our kinsman redeemer. He was not just someone outside. He came so that we can call him Abba father. God can redeem us from death because of Jesus. Just as the princess said, princess meant responsibility. We have responsibility toward God, the church and one another. Let's not just exercise our privilege but we will also exercise our responsibility. 

How wonderful it was for the 4 persons that came and found Jesus. Someone invited and brought them and when the altar call was made someone nudged them and in the fulness of time God came into their lives. And they are now sons and daughters of God. 

How many of you have bought your Christmas tree. Or how many of your has bought me my Christmas gift? (Laughs) The greatest gift we can give to someone is Jesus. We have that responsibility as sons and daughters of God. Many of us may have things happened to us in 2014, but let us respond like Mary. 

Alliances

Rev John Kirby

I met someone in the car park and it seems it's been five years since Rev Gideon has been here. It feels like it's just two years ago. 

We're all in the Christmas season. 

Sometimes we have to separate to restore. Much like marriage counselling. Where we need to talk to each of the couples separately. 

I'll try to read this quickly but I like to expound on the word of God, verse by verse and even word by word. There's so much to hear from God's word. God is alive and he speaks. The problem is our listening. 

2 Chronicles 18:1

​Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.

It was by marriage that he had alliance. Alliance with Ahab. 

I want to speak to people who are inclined to be married. Be not yolked unequally. Many think I can win her or him to Christ. Remember the priority is not to win the person to Christ when you entered into the relationship but it's because you are in love. This is where you get into trouble. And it gets worst after marriage and you find one is more inclined to the world. And with children comes more complications. Please honour the Lord. 

2 Chronicles 18:2

Some years later he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle for him and the people with him and urged him to attack Ramoth Gilead.

This is the will of the flesh being activated. He made a good impression so how to say no. Be careful of the world. Sometimes they tempt you with things of the world to slant your decision. 

2 Chronicles 18:3-4

Ahab king of Israel asked Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead?” 

Jehoshaphat replied, “I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will join you in the war.” 4 But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the Lord.”

Listen to what the spirit of the Lord says today. Jehoshaphat is someone conscious of the Lord and his word. He seek counsel from the Lord. 

Some people freak me out when they pray for everything. Like I ask them to worship lead and they say let me pray about it. There are things where we need to seek the Lord but not for everything. 

2 Chronicles 18:5

So the king of Israel brought together the prophets–four hundred men–and asked them, “Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?”

“Go,” they answered, “for God will give it into the king’s hand.”

Without hesitation they decided to go as God has said it so it's a done deal. We have to study the word and not just hear what the internet says. We have to check it with the authority of the word of God. 

2 Chronicles 18:6

But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?”

There were already 400 so why wait for 401? The majority rules. But praise the Lord for Jehoshaphat who is looking for one who may hear from the Lord. 

2 Chronicles 18:7

The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”

“The king should not say that,” Jehoshaphat replied.

There is one who will prophesy but is not in favour of the king. But there is something about Micaiah and somehow King Ahab knew he has something from God or he would have got rid of him a long time ago. 

So he called his soldiers to bring Micaiah. 

2 Chronicles 18:10-11

Now Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had made iron horns, and he declared, “This is what the Lord says: ‘With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.’ ”

11 All the other prophets were prophesying the same thing. “Attack Ramoth Gilead and be victorious,” they said, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”

But all these still did not convince the King. Sometimes people say what you want to hear. But Ahab knew this prophet was different. Sometimes people around you sees something different in you because you're a spokesman for God. Like how Joseph spoke to the Pharaoh. 

2 Chronicles 18:15

The king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord.”

Sometimes telling the truth Is the only right thing to do. By doing that you are in the right place. 

2 Chronicles 18:18

Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing on his right and on his left.

2 Chronicles 18:20

Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will entice him.’ 

“ ‘By what means?’ the Lord asked.

This is one from the dark side. 

2 Chronicles 18:21-22

‘I will go and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said.

“ ‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord. ‘Go and do it.’

22 “So now the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours. The Lord has decreed disaster for you.”

This ministry has been abused over and over again that the church no longer wants to prophesy. False prophets and lying spirits can be found everywhere. Go back to the word. God speaks through his word and confirms exactly what he wants to do. Walk in the truth. You're going to be blessed. 

2 Chronicles 18:28-29

So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. 29 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will enter the battle in disguise, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.

In those days the king goes out to battle in the front. It is so easy for the enemy to spot him. The world can spot us and know we are believers. Like at meals when the food is served but here is a group of people with their heads bowed. We are noticed. 

2 Chronicles 18:31-34

When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, “This is the king of Israel.” So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him. God drew them away from him, 32 for when the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they stopped pursuing him.

33 But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor. The king told the chariot driver, “Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I’ve been wounded.” 34 All day long the battle raged, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening. Then at sunset he died.

What God has spoken God has spoken. The king died as prophesied. God reminds us and speaks to us and knock at the door of our hearts continuously but it will end. Jesus is coming back again. What he says will come to pass. How will you end? Will he say I know you not? Or will he say well done my good and faithful servant. Alliance. Believers needs to connect with believers. God wants to make us one and we need to align with him. 

If we alliance with the wrong company, there is a price to pay. Let us wisely choose who we alliance with. We need to get it right. Maybe some of you are at the wrong place. Come to Jesus and ask him to save you. 

Prepare Ye The Way

Rev Gideon Lee

Mark 1:1-8

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

​1 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way”–

3 “a voice of one calling in the desert,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.’ ”

4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

This book is about Jesus Christ. He is the main hero. That's why it's called the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Of all the four gospels, Mark was the first gospel to be written. It is not arranged as the first but the writer wanted to get the book out as soon as possible because he was afraid people may forget about the events of the gospel. That is why it is not very detail. The other books has many details to complement the gospel of Mark. That is why you must read the four gospels for better detail. 

Who was John the Baptist? He was Jesus' cousin. Mary was quite young when she got pregnant. Scholars says she 13 or 14 years old. It was not uncommon then. Even during our parent's time girls marry young. At the longhouses some marry by the time they are fifteen. But Elizabeth was different. She was well in age. She's the mother of John the Baptist. And she longed for a child and she was blessed with John six months before Jesus. 

How was John's lifestyle? He was different from the other children. He would go to the desert and read about Elijah in the scriptures. He fashioned himself like Elijah as Elijah was his hero. People mistook him for Elijah. And his clothing is of camel's hair. I wouldn't use camel's hair for clothing. He used what was available. And he ate locust and honey. I mean honey was okay but locust!?!? He was not fussy. 

He was like on a mission trip. He had a mission. To declare the coming of Jesus. And he said this person that is coming, he was not worthy to even untie his laces. While he baptise in water he said he who comes will baptise in the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist is not a nobody yet he said Jesus was far greater than him. 

John the Baptist has an appearance you may not want to invite on a Sunday morning. And he has only one message and he preached on repentance. How would you like a preacher who has only one message his whole life?

He was so successful that the religious teachers there hated his guts. What made John the Baptist a success? I suggest to you three things that we must include in our message as we reach out to the community this Christmas. I pray that you'll apply these three things to you life. 

1. He lived a godly life. 

We are living in an evil world. One of my friends told me he's afraid to come to Penang. Your Penang has a serial killer. Chopping people up and leaving them around. It seems the police have caught the man and is interrogating him. And the scary thing is that sometimes when you ask the neighbours, they'll say he looked like a quiet and nice person. No suspicion at all. 

The church and as children of God has to live a godly life. Being godly is not popular. It is against what the body likes to do. Like I shared with you last Sunday about the longhouse church leader who opened a canteen or sundry shop to sell stuff  and one of the things he sold was liquor. I mean he of course also sell sundries like instant noodles and other essentials but with liquor he can make 500 ringgit a day. And the best day for business is in Sunday. Of course as a church leader he will be in church on Sunday but he will tell his wife to open his shop so the wife will not be in service. 

By the way, my wife is also not in service today but that's not because she has a shop somewhere. Jayden is unwell and had diarrhoea so was fussy last night. So today he's still not well so my wife is home with him. Do pray for him. 

This Christmas I pray we will not forget this. God is speaking to this person, the longhouse church leader. All this started because of greed. But God is speaking to him.  

One day a conman approached the wife and told them he has government connection for bantuan (financial aid). He even offered to take his wife to the government office to fill up the forms. Because of greed she agreed. They targeted her as she wore a lot of gold, necklace and bangles. The day came she went and as they were driving they said they need to get her photo taken. It made sense to get her photo taken for the form. 

They went to town to take photo and in the shop the man said they must take out her jewellery if not she cannot get bantuan with her wearing all her jewellery. She had to leave her jewellery with the man to take her photographs in another room and when she came out the man was gone and they took all her gold. 

John the Baptist was successful because he lived a godly life. They often mistook him for Elijah. And at one time he was asked if he was the messiah. And he said he is not. Can you imagine because of your behaviour people ask if you're a Christian. Not "aiyah, you Christian arr!"

2. He dare to challenge the people's sin

He called them to repentance. I hope we will not be afraid to say that. Confronting sin and challenging lifestyle. He was someone who did that. Repentance is not just saying I'm sorry but that you choose not to do it this way but to follow Jesus. 

John the Baptist dare to challenge the people that was why they came to him to be baptised. He choose to confront sin where he was, even against King Herod. Even the religious officials dare not to say anything about King Herod. Because he was a nasty guy who can get you killed. 

Too often in church we say judge not lest we be judge. We need to understand what that scripture means. We must be daring enough to confront wrong and wrong doers. 

In the longhouse we had a Q&A. They asked what is their weakness after going to their longhouse so many times. I told them it's because they did not confront wrong. They will come and tell me to tell their children not to smoke. I ask if she's the mother or me? We must confront wrong in love. 

That man who sold liquor, I had only one and a half day to confront him. You cannot be direct with them. You need to find an angle and use others or circumstances. I tried my best to confront him even if it's not direct. I even used a forum to confront the issue. In the forum they can ask questions so when they have no more questions I asked if it is okay to drink? And the church leader himself replied that it is up to the individual. That is where I confronted him with the word of God. That the bible did not say cannot drink but do not be drunk. When do you know you are drunk? When you are drunk but by then it's too late. 

The bible says be filled with the Holy Spirit and do not be filled with wine which will control you. What ever fill you controls you. If you are filled with the world the world controls you. When you are filled with the things of God the things of God controls you. When I shared that at least there is a glimmer of hope. I could see that he regretted. Repentance is more than just saying sorry. Even if he cannot close down his sundry shop, he should not sell liquor. 

3. He pointed the way to Jesus Christ

Many times in our walk with God there is a temptation to take the glory for ourselves. We say I did it. It is me. I'm the one. When they asked him if he's the messiah he could have said yes and take the glory. He has integrity and he know he's not the star. He pointed the way to Jesus. 

I pray amongst our Christmas eating and shopping we point the way to Jesus. Even our Cell Christmas Celebration, I pray we point to Jesus. He is the main star. Many times we fail to point to him. We point to programmes and many other things except Jesus. 

Some people tell me that in order to reach others we must be able to identify with them. And to do what they do. When in Rome do as a Roman do. I think we got that out of context. In everything we do we should point the people to the cross and not anywhere else. 

We are not perfect. We all have shortcomings including me but in everything I do I pray I will be someone who point the way back to him. 

The world was waiting for a messiah. Someone who will be majestic and victorious which is true of our Christ. But it was John the Baptist that first saw Jesus as the Lamb of God. Not the Eagle or Lion of God even though he is all that. He was the one who first saw Jesus who he really was. The Lamb of God that came to take away the sins of the world.

Master Derrick Hooi giving a comical report of his mission trip to Sarawak with a slide show.