The Keys to an Incredible Journey with God

Rev Ronald Ooi

I feel like a Caleb after the wilderness. Caleb said God had given him strength like it was 40 years ago. Joshua and Caleb were men of a different spirit. They just took the hands of the next generation because the first generation never made it to the promise land. He held their hands and said they are going to make it by serving God wholeheartedly. Serve the Lord with all your heart, not half your heart. Give it your all, 100% dedicated to the Lord. Not 50% but 100%.

We are going to pray for the youth this morning. Last week we prayed for the children's church and my wife asked whether can we take them home or not. They're so adorable. She's actually with them this morning. If there's anyone who can take her away from me are the children. She's there to just encourage and walk with them even as they're doing a great job.

The youth are the now generation and we just want to walk with them. Today, God is here and not just the future and he wants to walk with us like he did with Abraham and we want to walk with these youth. We are the uncles and aunties and big brothers and sisters. Kelvin where are you? He's like a big brother to the youth. Terrence too. That they come around them and walk with them to do life together. It's not just a programme. We do life together.

This is a year that prophets are saying about advancement. They are being sensitive to the seasons and we need to be sensitive to them. They are sensitive to the mind of God and the seasons of the time.

In Malaysia we wear the same clothes all year but in Melbourne there are seasons and when we are there, we need to wear the right things for the right weather and we do the right things for the right weather. You plant and pluck the right things for the right season. Same with you, life is full of seasons and he works in our seasons. The same with the church. Sometimes we move in the same old way when the times and the seasons have changed.

I was here 35 years ago but Penang have changed. I don't know if I can drive now like before. I have to change if I were to survive the traffic here. All the criss-crossing, it's scary. When I look at TOP, I am amazed at how far it's come.

I remember when I preached during pastor Eng Lian's time and you have come a long way and God is still walking with you.

This morning I want to talk to you about the keys to an incredible journey with God. If you find my key to my car you will find my car in the basement and in my car you'll have my access card to my house. From my car keys you get to my house key. And into my house! And with the third key you can open my fridge door.  One key opens the door to another.

That's the secret of God when you have the key. The key to the first door will unlock other doors. That's the excitement we have in knowing God. The key to knowing God is a very powerful key. Jesus said I'm the way, the truth and the life. He gives us the key to reconnect with the father. There is life and there is life with God. It's different. Life really starts when we are reconnected to our maker.

God did not reconnect us to come to church. It's wonderful but it's more than that. It's about walking with God. We can come to God every day of our life. That God is open and ready once you find that key.

Life, whatever the season may be, life is primarily a journey, an incredible journey with God. When God made Adam, he walked in the cool of the evening in the garden. And God called out to Adam, where are you? God thinks of us all the time. Before we were anything, before we were formed in the womb, God loved us. He thought of us. Think about that for a moment.

When I looked back and when my son left his room I asked what happened? I had him for 19 years. When they reach 12, 13, they say mummy don't hold my hands anymore, I want to be with my friends. We have them until their youth. We were parents and in Hebrew it's horim הורים, a trainer. Our role is to train them in the ways of God.

I hope my wife and I can run a family seminar, sometime this year. We love to do that. When Abraham was asked to leave his country, his relative, everything he has built in the land of Ur, what did he do? When he gave his plan to Abraham he was thinking of you and he was thinking of me. He was already thinking of how Jesus will come. God was using that nation to bring the Messiah to us. We now who have faith in Christ as the children of Abraham and we have that inheritance as children of Abraham. That is another key.

I would like to talk a little about my children and grandchildren. When I close my eyes I see the faces of my grandchildren. I'm thinking of them all the time. God said something to me. Just as you think of your children and grandchildren, I think of my children all the time too. Before we were anything he loved us. He created us and he knows exactly what he was doing. We love because he first loved us. We were made to be loved and to loved. We are human beings first and not human doing.

He not only thinks of us but he wants to save us and bring us into eternity. He wants to be with us forever and ever and ever. That is why he created us, not just to think of us but that he may be with us for eternity. That's our God. I'm starting to understand him more. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. God wants me to be with him.

The key to an incredible journey with God. I want to share one key with you.

Hebrews 11:8

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

We only have one life on earth to discover all the keys that will open the doors of blessings and wisdom and understanding of who God is.

I call this the "yes" key. I was asking my wife is it a better term than obey? Obey sounds very heavy and legalistic. When we learn to say yes out of love towards God, our response to him is yes God, whatever you want, I'll say yes Lord. I call it the yes key. The yes key will unlock the door to deeper revelation. Look at Abraham. I mean he was already a rich man in the land of Ur, he's got money, he's cattle, he's got business, he was one that didn’t know the one true and living God yet.

And in the background of chapter 12, during the time of the Tower of babel, there was confusion and chaos. The people wanted to build a tower and city. To build a name for themselves. God looked down and came down and he scattered them because they were building what I call the Tower of Babel out of pride and ambition, than to honour God.

The acronym of the Tower Of Babel is TOB. The were building a TOB out of their own ambition. The wise man builds his house, his ministry, his family, the wise man who builds anything builds it on the rock. When the storm comes it will stand. But the foolish man builds it on the sand. Then when the rain comes it will not last. It will be demolished, it will be destroyed.

It's like the person who hears the word, Jesus said,  and he does it. That's the wise man. The man that hears it but does not do it, is building on weak foundation. We want to be the wise men and the wise women. So I pray all of you will build it on the rock and not sand because it will not stand against the storms. We want to be wise men and women when we build it on strong foundation.

Let's see what Abraham build in the times when men were building TOB. If Abraham had said no he would have missed it but he used the yes key and he walk and obeyed God. He decided to leave the sandy ground and he received revelation after revelation from God. He became even richer but he left all that to be richer in God. Just like many years ago I left my own ambition to be rich in God.

Where are you going to take all your riches? Our riches is how much more we know God. Heaven may be my destination but God is my destiny.

Abraham thought he could help God and Hagar came into the picture and a son of the flesh came. You begin by faith and walk by faith and you will end up by faith. Not by flesh halfway through.

The project was the nation of Israel but the process was more important than the end project. The process was when he reach 99 years old, he will show he is El Shaddai,  God almighty. God was trying to show Abraham that which is impossible became possible. He just told Abraham to do the walking and God will do the making. You walk with me then comes the work.

You want to know God, bring that yes key with you. Yes Lord I will do it. From that yes, revelation after revelation will come to you. Abraham built an altar to meet with God. A tent is something that move from place to place and from that tent came the tabernacle. God wants a church that is built on revelation and it will become stronger and stronger and stronger. Our tabernacle and your tabernacle is in our heart where God's presence dwell.

Learnt to say yes to God.

It is also the key to God's presence in your life. I have reduced my television from ten to one or to zero now. Occasionally we sit down to watch a nice movie or I take my grandchildren for a nice cartoon. One of the reason I don't do that is halfway they throw in an advertisement. My wife is an I person. They're the easiest person to sell to.  They are curious, oh, what is this. These advertisements sell clothes, and perfumes. It's something you don't really need but they make you want it. Just like in the garden of Eden. The modern day malls are all garden of Edens. They make you want it. I would rather the Holy Spirit create the desire in me to want more and more of him. That all of us will have the desire for God and his plans.

Moses initially when he was young he had that desire at first and wanted to save the people of Israel. He wanted to give God a helping hand but that's not the way God works. He had to run away in the wilderness and he lost all that desire. There was probably no more motivation or vision and that was for 40 years of his life. He was probably disappointed with himself and everything that was around him. Then at 80 God comes into the picture at the burning bush and God spoke to him from the burning bush that was not burning. And at 80 years old he said he's old and he cannot speak anymore and all this resistance. When the resistance is bigger than the desire, nothing will change, life will go on as it is. Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, there is no power shift at all. But at 80 years old God stirred this man's heart. He needed to have that desire. He failed in his first time but God is a God of second chances.

And Moses said who am I? Who do I tell Pharaoh  who sent me, I'm nothing. And that's when God said when you're down to nothing and empty, God does something. My wife sometimes said when you are full of yourself how can the Holy Spirit fill you. And God said I Am send you. Moses, it does not matter who you are but more Important is who I Am, God is saying. All that resistance is gone. No wonder when God build that tent, it's a TOP and not TOB. TOB is built by ambition but TOP is built by revelation.

And finally, the key is to bless others. God said to Abraham, you will be a blessing. You do the walking and I will do the blessing. You do the walking and I will do the showing. First things first. Put God first and when it all happens, we cannot say we did it. The younger ones may not know this song. Famous Frank Sinatra's song "I did it my way". Those 50 and above will know this. And look where the world has gone. But we do it God's way, amen?

Adam disobeyed, and he brought destruction. He said no and it brought destruction. Jesus said yes, and he brought life. He obeyed the father, came down, took the form of a man and He has blessed the whole world including your life and my life. Walk with him.

Say yes to God. He love us so much how can we say no to God. He said yes to the father how can we say no to him. And because he said yes to us, yes to the father, and when you say yes, you have found the key and you are on an incredible journey with God.

Destined for Greatness

Rev Jasmine

I'm going to get my PhD soon. Penang Hokkien Dialect. Here are the photos of my family. Here you see Josh, Chase, Chloe and Audrey. And this is Ken and Joy with Isaac. They say the reward for not killing your children are your grandchildren.

During the time of recession in Australia, God blessed my children with good jobs in Australia. Praise God.

Today's message is "You are Destined for Greatness" because you are a vessel God can use. Have you ever wondered who am I? What's my destiny? Why are you here for? How can I prepare to achieve my destiny? I used to ask this question. Especially sometimes when going through difficult times.

Am I really destined for greatness? The answer is a resounding yes. He wants you to be a part of his great plans. He handpicked you and all your experiences are to prepare you for his purpose which is to destined you for greatness. He destined us to have a great relationship with him. A fitting place in his great purposes in the world.

Ephesians 1:5

having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

Ephesians 1:11-12

11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:17

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,

In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus in accordance with His pleasure and will …in order that we might be for the praise of His glory…He has given you the Spirit…so that you may know Him better.

That’s GREAT!

Romans 8:28-29

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. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Verse 29 is where his agenda is to conform us into the image of his Son. We become who we worship. If we worship money we become hard and cold. But if we worship Jesus we become more like him.

What are you destined for? The fullness of what God wants you to be and do. God has a destiny for each one of us to fulfill. Greatness is not about position but about influence. He wants you to rise up to be able to influence others for him.

Acts 13:36

“For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption;

See 1 Samuel 17

Like David, we are destined for greatness. David was great because he served God in his generation. How did David moved from being a humble shepherd to a king? There was definitely a process of building up his character.

David had the courage to face Goliath because he has had experiences with God. The process of being a king is by being a servant. He behaved wisely and was so well liked by everyone. True greatness is the more we come under people to lift them up, the more significant we become.

As coaches, we help people find their greatest destiny in God. That's what we want to do to help the leaders find their gifting.

Psalms 78:71-72

71 From following the ewes that had young He brought him,

To shepherd Jacob His people,

And Israel His inheritance.

72 So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart,

And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.

God brought David to shepherd his people according to the integrity of his heart and with skilful hands. It is a destination. We need to get there so there is a preparation. David was prepared to achieve his destiny. The challenges will lead you to a place of greatness and influence. There will be defining moments and you will launch out in this faith journey.

 What do we do to achieve our place of destiny? You move from your experiences. Challenges are your defining moments that will lead you to a place of greatness and influence.

To prepare you to achieve your destiny, you need:

• Character
• Competence
• Courage

Character. It is moral qualities such as integrity.

Competence. We have to study to show ourselves approved of God.

Courage. Stepping outside your comfort zone to accept the challenge to serve as a leader. David couldn't wear Saul's armour and he was courageous enough to say no.

Every part of your life especially your soul needs to be connected with God. Like my children, I wanted them to be connected to God and I'll know they're safe. And they assured us God is with them. When your children grow up like that, with or without you I know they'll be fine.

What do you desire to become? Like to loose 10 kg? To grow spiritually? What is required? It requires passion. I saw at Queensbay "Turn your passion into fashion". What is that? Would it be better to turn your passion into vision? When you have a vision obstacles become opportunities and problems become potentials.

In our prayer meeting, we are going to be like David and chop off Goliath's head. We are going to make our enemies flee. There is a plan to succeed in God. There will of course be resistance. Like David his brother's scolded him and the people looked down on him. But he overcame the resistance. He had a plan. He went to pick up smooth stones. He went to get his weapons.

But I want to say we can also miss our destiny. Like the king who was jealous of David. He was insecure. His ego got the better of him.

What is true greatness? The first quality God saw in David was his spirituality. David had a servant's heart.  He was a shepherd but shepherds cannot enter the temple because they step on dung and dead animals. It was not a glamorous job.

1 Samuel 13:14

But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”

He served his father by tending sheep and he served King Saul.

1 Samuel 16:21

David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly, and he became his armorbearer.

Jesus said the greatest among you shall be a servant.

Matthew 23:11

But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Mark 10:43-45

43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

The word "Ministry" comes from the root word diakonos meaning "a servant, waiter".

Like a waiter we are ready to serve. That's what it means to be a minister. God is so great yet he has a servant's heart. There's a paradigm shift called servant leadership that is becoming very popular. Servanthood is the secret to spiritual greatness.

The meaning and significance comes from expending our life. Not conserving it. God designed us to serve.

Matthew 16:25

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

The more we come "under" people so that we can lift them up, the more significance we end up having.  We are destined for greatness but we must prepare ourself to achieve our destiny.  We demonstrate true greatness by serving God and his people.

Pastor Ronald rounding up.

Donald Trump said let's make America great.

Deuteronomy 6:5

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

The spirit of the law is a relationship with God. When you rule with relationship it will last a lot longer. Jesus repeated this commandment in Matthew 22:37.

Release the Old, Proclaim the New, Possess the Future

Rev Ronald Ooi

To both the the Hokkien and English congregation it is a privilege to be here with you this morning. We are privileged to be advisor and trainer to TOP. We have completed our assignment for three other churches. It was a privilege to walk with the pastors and leaders to advise and train them. And we are still in connection with them. Our idea is doing life together and we relate to each other until Jesus  comes. The assignment may be for a season but the relationship is for life. It's like the family that we have.

We raise our children up and the seasons change. We have to let them fly. And eventually we have to let them go because they have to built their own family. But as a father to a child, I will always be a father to them.

My son actually asked me to come back and stay with them. But I said I'll come back but I won't stay with you. I can stay near you.

When we first was about to marry I couldn't wait to be with her. And after I got married I'm not sure if I can live with her. Now in this season I'm saying I think I cannot live without her. So to those of you in the mid life and you think you cannot live with your spouse hang in there. And that's what life is about. We thank God we can be here to encourage you. Keep up your good work. All the pastors that have come have input into your life. We will come and build on what they have done.

Last night we completed 40 years of full time ministry. I was asking God if it was time to let me go. My heart has always been to preach the gospel in Malaysia.

And of all the time, Bro Kenny Song WhatsApp  me and asked if I would consider being an interim pastor. I was about to migrate to Australia. I said I would asked my son first. And they responded and we want to thank them for releasing us. As much as they wanted us, he said why don't you finish what God has called you to do in Malaysia.

He said, dad why don't you end where you first started. We came here in 1981. Now it's 2017 and we are coming back after 35 to 40 years. When somebody heard about this, they said there is the second coming of Ronald Ooi. We were so young then and now we are so much older. And we want to be a blessing to all of you here. I'd like to call my wife Jasmine to come up here with me.

Sis Jasmine: It is an exciting time for us. When I received the news I said why not! I will be sharing next week so see you at the TOP.

Let us look at this passage from Isaiah. Pastor Grace will read it in Hokkien and I'll go ahead and preached from this passage. I'm sure most of you can understand Hokkien.

Isaiah 43:16-21

16 This is what the Lord says—

he who made a way through the sea,

a path through the mighty waters,

17 who drew out the chariots and horses,

the army and reinforcements together,

and they lay there, never to rise again,

extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:

18 “Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.

19 See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland.

20 The wild animals honor me,

the jackals and the owls,

because I provide water in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland,

to give drink to my people, my chosen,

21 the people I formed for myself

that they may proclaim my praise.

Isaiah 42:8-9

8 “I am the Lord; that is my name!

I will not yield my glory to another

or my praise to idols.

9 See, the former things have taken place,

and new things I declare;

before they spring into being

I announce them to you.”

I had a long chat with pastor Gideon before he left. And I mentioned to him that all that he has done has been very encouraging. He mentioned that the team that runs the church is for two years. I want to assure you I will continue to run with the team but the theme remains in the church to grow, serve and transform. I call it GST.

His grace is sufficient for each day. Every day is a new day and every year is a new year. In the weeks to come I will talk about the full meaning of Ephesians 4. Here in Ephesians 4:14 is the second revelation. I will explain 11-13. This sets the overall direction for the year.

In the NT God gave these gifts to the church for governance. They are the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. The apostles strategies for the church. The prophet is one who sees the future and says it to the church ahead of time. As the new year is here I spoke to some of my prophetic friends what is happening in the future. The evangelists does the work of winning souls. The pastors do the caring and teaching. And the teachers make the truths come alive and how it works for us. When all these five are functioning together we will no longer be infants. Then we will no longer be subjected to false doctrine. We will know the truth and be united in Christ. And at the end to become more like Jesus.

The five fold gifts are to prepare the saints to do the works of the ministry. I know it will be an exciting year for me and my wife. To discover or rediscover that which may seemed to have been lost along the way. When we work together you will become a strong and healthy church. I always want to be as strong as possible. If I am weak I cannot preach as much as I want. Penang is a dangerous place to live in. At any housing estate you see Char Koay Teow, Char Koay Teow, Char Koay Teow. Or Curry Mee, Curry Mee, Curry Mee, and you need to control your diet.

Last evening I went for a swim. I haven't swam for a long time. I managed to finish 200 meters yesterday. But I said to myself I am going to push to go 500 meters. All the young adults don't think I am as old as I am. What about our spiritual man? Are we going to stretch ourselves to be stronger? It will be a new year and a new chapter. New pages to be written on this book. What will be written in the next 365 days? I'm praying we will release the old and proclaim the new. New things that you have not thought of.

I am believing TOP to possess the future. My inspiration don't come from the past but the future. I visualize what my grandchildren will become. I visualize what TOP will become. I pray that your vision will be so powerful it will remove all resistance. We cannot change history but we can learn from history to create a new path for others to follow.

When I heard about the tsunami in Penang  I was shocked. Why were the people not warned? They did not have the warning system in place. But now they have the mechanism so that we don't make the same mistakes.

Billy Graham once said the lessons of history is that no government will lasts forever. And another said every generation in history is being plagued by disasters. I love history but my wife said don’t be historical. What can we learn in 2016 that we will not do again in 2017. I will come to that later.

The passage in Isaiah said God is going to do a new thing.

Isaiah 42:9

See, the former things have taken place,

and new things I declare;

before they spring into being

I announce them to you.”

God is in the prophetic business. Before things happen he announced it to his people first. He is like the tsunami warning system. Look at what's happening in the world? Full of corruption and troubles. Just like in the days of Noah. When you see this kind of weather in the world the rain is coming. And in the OT, he prophesied ahead of time to the Jews that they will be set free from captivity. More than 300 prophecy that Jesus will come to open blind eyes, to free the captives from prison, to release those in darkness. And when he comes the old must go. When new season comes there is a new way of doing ministry for God. The old must go and make way for the new.

In the OT they had to give animals for the forgiveness of sin. In the NT they don't have to do that anymore. In the OT they had to circumcise but in the NT your heart is circumcised for Jesus. Romans 15:4 said everything written in the past is to teach us and God knows the season of the day.

There is a group of men called the men of Issachar. Their role is to understand the seasons of the day. And they will give the directions to the king who will know what to do. When God says I am doing a new thing he is telling us something that has not been done before. It's going to be marvellous and incredible.

God set free those that have been in captivity for so long in Babylon. They asked how can this happen? Because the Lord will make it happen. I will set you free. Is there anything happening today? The prophets are prophesying that there is a supernatural turnaround. A year of advancement for you. A year of maturing and the incredible will happen. Every new year is a year of new things not seen yet. Live life to the fullest. What steps will you take to do things to become a better person. 

To read more. To pray more. To handle challenges better. To impact others more. To manage your time better. To be better stewards. Better decisions. These are some things I asked myself this year. How can I better align myself better with God? Our personal, family and work life. Do you have a vision of who you want to become? You recalibrate yourself.

One time I went to the doctor to talk about my cholesterol level. I went once and they couldn't read it because it was so high. Second time they couldn't read it because it was spoilt. So the doctor said he has to recalibrate and after he did, it was 7.7. And the doctor said you have to do something about it. So for 4 months I was a very good boy. Eat vegetables and oats. Cut down on meat. 4 months later I went back and checked. If not he had to give me drugs. I said I don't want to be a drug addict. The result was 4.2. Hallelujah!

We don't have to wait for a crisis to realign ourselves with God. Whatever in the past that has hindered us release it. Release the negative and forgiveness. Release the hatred. Sometimes the past pulls us back we cannot go forward. Paul says forgetting what is behind and straining to what's ahead. What was Paul's problem? He was so proud as a Jew. He could not see past that. Our success can stand as an obstacle from doing more. Let's proclaim a new day for TOP. Proclaim a new day for yourself. For your children and grandchildren.

Isaiah said he will do a NEW thing. He can make NEW things happen. Whether we like it or not there will be a NEW heaven and NEW earth. In the NT it was already said there will be a NEW Covenant of grace. That there will be a NEW Jerusalem. A NEW commandment I give you. A NEW life is given to us. Those that know Jesus  the old will past away the NEW will come.

Abraham asked how can he be a father of nations when he cannot even have a child of his own. So he tried to help God. Ishmael is a son of the flesh and not a son of faith. How many times we do things in the flesh when it's supposed to be by faith. Abraham had to learn a new way. Abraham was one of the most successful in business at his time but when it cames to God he had to learn by faith. Only 25 years later he saw how God can do it. He had to see something new by God. We will see something new by God this year. Receive something new from God this year. A new child. A new grandchild. A new marriage. A new business. A new breakthrough.

I am going to stop here. I'm going to only say what's in my spirit and not flesh. I promise you this is the longest sermon because this is the first service and it is interpreted.

When I was praying with my wife we heard the word the TOP at Komtar. I have not tried walking on the Sky Walk glass but I am going to try it. What is the TOP at Komtar this year? It is the highest point in Penang. Prophetically, I am thinking TOP will be top. We are not competing with other churches but believing the supernatural because it is already done in the heavens. When we believe it will be done on earth. The way of God is a way of faith. We came to God by faith so we cannot halfway through end by flesh. That's why it's so exciting because it is a journey by faith and hearing him more and more and more. Finally to possess the future.

I've been to Perth about 5 times. When you take a bath, the soap don't seem to bubble up. It's called hard water. A wise Singaporean imported Malaysian water and made it rich in Perth. The water in Perth is underneath. In some places these water pops up. This is what I'm sensing for this church. The stream was running for a long time underneath. Bro Allan was saying that in the dessert we find God. I'm telling you the streams are still there waiting to burst forth. For that to happen we have to call forth by faith this year and the years to come. We have to call it forth. 

My wife was telling me when she gave birth 33 years ago, the nurses was telling her to push. We men don't know what's it like. It's like giving birth we have to push. Call out to come forth. When it comes, you will surely sense a refreshing presence of God in this church. I am going to declare today there will be no more stagnation. That there will be new things from God.

Waiting for Christmas

Rev Gideon Lee

Luke 2:22-38

Jesus Presented in the Temple

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,

31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and the glory of your people Israel.”

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,

35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Christmas is just around the corner and how many of you are excited about Christmas? It's the holidays and there's going to be good food and the children can't wait for Christmas because they get to open their presents.

But this morning what are you waiting for this Christmas? What are you hoping to achieve this Christmas?

I read that some children writes to Santa hoping to get the presents they long for. Maybe for us, Christmas is just another event or another celebration. Many people are depressed during the the festive period because they miss their loved ones who's not there. What does Christmas means to us?

Simeon was waiting for Jesus. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel. Also known as the comforter. During Simeon's time, Israel was under the rule of the Romans and he was looking for comfort. Maybe some of you here are looking for comfort.

This morning at Hokkien service, Sis Siew Kim was worship leading when news came that her mother fell down. She still served and went home immediately after her worship leading and Sis Grace prayed for her. Maybe we need comfort. Simeon was like that, living in difficult times and under a difficult king.

This morning I say to you, you will see the comfort of God. Simeon wanted the comfort. Look at verse 28.

Luke 2:28-32

28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,

31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and the glory of your people Israel.”

Under the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit Simeon was summoned there and he took him in his arms. He took the child and began to prophesy.

What about the prophetess Anna? She was looking for the redemption of Israel. What does redemption means to you? What will you think of in redemption?

It talks about people in captivity and how we wait for someone to redeem us. Jesus redeemed us from sin. Look at what she said.

Luke 2:38

Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

We all need comfort. Maybe some of us here needs forgiveness. We need to get our life right. Anna was waiting for forgiveness. What about you? Is it just another celebration? I hope not. We need to be marvelled. Or be in awe. Do you marvel at Christmas?

Sometimes we can become so jaded and forget how to marvel. Like how your children used to marvel at you when they were young. Then they grew up and they think they know more than their parents. And we are no longer their superman. And we like to say we eat more salt than they eat rice. We can come to that stage where we no longer marvel at what God did. One of the most important doctrine is Christmas, is that God became man, Emmanuel. God became man. The incarnation. That was what God did for us. God is with us.

On Christmas day, I still marvel at why Jesus came and what he did. Why should he come and be with us? Born in a manger. I marvel at what he did. Marvel at Christmas. Jesus came.

Joseph and Mary marvelled at who he is. Even the parents marvelled. They were parents who saw his birth yet they marvelled. I hope we all marvel at him.

Not just that but become a mover.

Luke 2:27-28

27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

I hope this morning all of us are movers. We need to have action. This Christmas the cells are having their Christmas event. If the Lord speaks to you to bring someone, invite someone. Be a mover. Dead people are still. Not just be marvelled but be a mover. Simeon was a mover. When the Holy Spirit directed him he came. He was a mover.

Don't just sit still this Christmas but be a mover.

Last but not least, be a messenger. We are alive to do something. When the wise men saw the star, they knew something special was happening. If they did not follow the star they would not have seen Jesus. We need to move this Christmas when the Lord challenges us. When we marvel at God it is easy to be a mover. Like the wise men. They brought gifts to worship him. Knowledge must always end with worship. We need to apply the knowledge that God gives you.

Be a messenger.

Luke 2:38

Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

She gave a message to everyone there about Jesus. Out there the message of Christmas has been confusing enough. How many of you saw the Christmas decoration at Queensbay? There's Santa and sleigh and reindeer. That's not Christmas and not very Malaysian too. We only have rain and flood. Tell them the true meaning of Christmas.

Is there something special that you are waiting for this Christmas? Be marvelled and be moved. Then be a messenger.

There was once a rich man who has a passion for the arts. He has a huge collection of paintings. And he shared his passion with his son. They talked a lot about art everyday.

One day the war came and the son was drafted to be a soldier. Sadly a few weeks later he received a letter that his son was killed. He was so disheartened and disappointed. He fell into a depression and it was near Christmas.

He had a knock on his door and a young man was at the door. He told the man that his son died trying to save me. He said he had nothing to remember him so he drew a portrait of his son and he wanted to give the man. He saw the drawing of his son but he was not a good painter. But when he saw his son's portrait his heart lifted. He placed the portrait of his son above the fireplace. All his other paintings no longer attracted him. He just looked at his son's portrait.

When he died many collectors wanted to buy his many collection. When the auction came, all gathered to buy his paintings. The first picture was the picture of his son. Everyone was disappointed because it was amateur and not one of the good ones. But the auctioneer said the owner wanted the portrait of his son to be sold first. Everyone thought they would not be interested and waited for this to past so they can get to the good stuff.

But a man behind said he will buy it because he said he was a friend of the son in school. He said he didn't have much but can only offer 10 dollars for it. The auctioneer asked if there's any other bid but no one was interested. It was sold to the young man and the auctioneer said the auction is now over.

The others murmured and said where are all the other good stuff? And the auctioneer said the owner said this "He who has the son has everything else".

What Does it Mean to have God with Us?

Rev Gideon Lee

We are going to celebrate Christmas in a week's time and we know that is the day Christ came to be with us. Emmanuel, God with us. What does it actually mean?

The name Emmanuel only appeared 3 times in the Bible. Twice in Isaiah and once in Matthew.

Isaiah 7:10-14

10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”

12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”

13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

That's the first time it's mentioned.

Isaiah 8:8

and sweep on into Judah, swirling over it,

passing through it and reaching up to the neck.

Its outspread wings will cover the breadth of your land, Immanuel!”

That's the second time. Now let's look at Matthew.

Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

What does it mean to have God with us? What does it mean to have Emmanuel?

There was a story about a submarine in the war that sank. The people in there were clinging on to every oxygen tank in the submarine. They were desperate and clinging to any hope. The captain sent out mayday and all were waiting or a rescue. After a while, hope starts to diminish after every hour.

If it's a boat you can still jump out and cling to anything that float but this was a submarine. Suddenly, as divers were looking for the submarine, the people in the submarine was knocking in Morse code hoping the divers can pinpoint where the submarine is. The Morse code was their hope. And from outside, they'll knock back with the code, there is hope.

That is the cry of humanity. We all want to have hope. Someone posted that he dreamt that the ringgit was soaring. We all hope. Is there hope? Maybe you are going through a trying time and you're asking the same question. Is there hope?

John Wesley passed away in 1971 and his last words was that God is with us. He was suffering in pain but he said that God is with us. And that is what we are celebrating in a week's time. God is with us.

This morning I want to ask three questions. Emmanuel was mentioned in three instances. The question is what does the word Emmanuel meant to Isaiah? Second, what does Emmanuel meant to Matthew? And lastly what does Emmanuel meant to you?

Isaiah was speaking to King Ahaz. He was a terrible king. He would sacrifice his own children to the gods. This was a mean and cruel king. At that time the Assyrians were increasing in power. Syria and Israel and Judah wanted to form a coalition so that they can fight the army of the Assyrians.

King Ahaz wavered and was undecided whether to join or not. Because of this Syria and Israel wanted to punish him and put another king on Judah. But King Ahaz, being cunning, he made a pack with the Assyrians. But the pack didn't last and the Assyrians turned on him.

So he was in a desperate situation when the prophet asked him to turn back to God. But King Ahaz in all his pride refused and use men instead. Because of that Judah suffered greatly.

Isaiah 7:13-14

13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah announced to Ahab and told him he would have got a sign. And a name will be given even before the child was conceived. And that there will be peace in the land but the king refused.

In spite of King Ahaz failure, God did not withheld his son. God still sent his son on Christmas day. God is still faithful to bless and take care of you. Sometimes in our own stubbornness, God is still faithful. What Isaiah saw was God's faithfulness. He saw hope in the name Emmanuel. That there was still hope in God. Emmanuel, God with us. He is here with us. God's very presence is here to dwell amongst us.

Isaiah 9:6-7

6 For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

will accomplish this.

This is the God we serve. Isaiah saw hope in God. That God will come true for them. How many of you know this song that we sing from Isaiah 7?

What about Matthew. What does Emmanuel means to him?

Matthew 1:23

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

For Matthew it was something like this. There was an artist that drew a winter scene. It was a dark and dreary house that looked lonely and empty. It was not a cheerful picture. Right in it was a snowstorm. You could see that it was not cheerful. Then the artists took a dab of yellow and he showed the fire that was in the house through the window. In all that dark and dreariness was a beam of light.

And in Jesus  was that beam of hope. That was what it was like to Matthew. For him it meant salvation in the midst of darkness. They were living under the yolk of the Roman empire under king Herod. Emmanuel meant that God came to offer salvation. But we know Jesus  came not to establish a physical Kingdom but a spiritual Kingdom. Many of them thought he was coming to establish a physical Kingdom but that was not why Jesus came. Matthew saw salvation from sin.

So what does Emmanuel means to you? Is it just a name or just another celebration? To me it means a God who cares. He could have just stayed in heaven but he came. What does this earth means to him? He came because he cares.

He is also a God who understands. He went through life like how we will. In all its pains and disappointments. There was not much said about his life when young. Some of the cheeky youths ask me did Jesus fall in love. He understands us. If he was a God that stays in the heavenlies and he say he cares for me, I would ask how would he know? But Jesus went through everything including betrayal. He understands our weaknesses as well. Yet he still came.

Emmanuel also means a God who loves me. By his demonstration on the cross. How would you know God loves you if I ask you this? The Bible tells us so and all of us have experienced it. He bothered to send his one and only son. He went and made himself like man that he can understands me.

He's also Emmanuel, a God who forgives me. I don't know how many times I've failed him but he still forgives. This Christmas has been the busiest for me but wherever I shared I always tell them that God forgives.

I was speaking in USM in their Christmas Celebration event and they had a hall of about 150 people and it was packed, organised by the Christian Fellowship of USM. At first I was not sure because of my timing but I went ahead to go preached.

I shared about Christmas and at the end of it I made an altar call. Sometimes in my heart I still say what happens if nobody comes out? But I still made an altar call. This is USM with thinking people who questions. When I made the call, there were four that came out for salvation and I was surprised. That was the last place I'd expect people to come out. They came out and were crying. God still forgives. He came to offer us the forgiveness of sin.

Doesn't matter how well they looked on the outside, everyone who does not know Jesus  is not complete. They came out and gave their lives. God is just awesome.

Emmanuel is also a God that has saved me. I've tasted of his goodness. He is a God that saves and offers each and everyone of us the gift of salvation. In God we have everything. He who has the son has everything.

What does Emmanuel means to you church? That you have to sort it out. That you'll have an answer. What does Emmanuel means to you? What does God with us means to you? What does Christmas means to you?

For Isaiah it was hope. For Matthew it was salvation. For you, what does Emmanuel means to you?