Challenges Facing the Church in Malaysia

Pastor Dr. Daniel Ho, 13/06/2010
Pastor Daniel has many challenges. One of them is acrophobia (fear of heights.) This is the same with Matthew,  his son. When they were in a theme park, they challenged this fear by taking different rides. Now, he is ready to face his fear of height.
We must overcome challenges we face in life. There is no better time to live in Malaysian than right now. Challenging times are the most exciting times. We see the obstacles and overcome them.
There are five challenges we face as a church in Malaysia.

1. The deteriorating situation around us

2Ti 3:1-5  But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.  (2)  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  (3)  heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,  (4)  treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,  (5)  having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
Paul warned us that in the latter days, there will be problems. We live in gated communities which should not be in the first place. We have serious drug problems despite harsh laws. We must not be deceived to think this is just a problem outside the church and it doesn’t concern the church.

2. the bane of racial politics

We are often concerned with our own race and fight for the welfare of our own race. The 1Malaysia concept can only be realized when racial politics is removed.
It’s encouraging to see Malaysian supporters including Malays supported our Chinese players in the Thomas Cup finals. In sports, we transcend ethnicity.

3. Religious pluralism and religious resurgence

1Pe 3:15-16  but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,  (16)  having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
It’s important that every religion can voice their feelings. But we don’t win over people by force or coercion. We win people by reason and our lifestyle.
In the midst of religious pluralism, we must be clear of our faith. Out life must demonstrate the grace and mercy of God. We need to know how to connect to people of other faith.
There is a rising and increasing concern and commitment in religions in Malaysia. Pastor Daniel was invited to speak in a campus. He saw a hall with guitarists, ushers, etc. and took it as the Christian meeting. He went in and realized it was a Buddhist meeting. He later found the right place and noticed the Buddhist group has 3 times as many people.

4. increasing islamisation

We see this in civil laws and education. In the the form 4 history text books, 5 our of 10 chapters are devoted to Islam. It is good for us to study other religions. We must teach and ground our children in our faith.

5. the politicisation of religion

Use of words and phrases used in the national language is an issue. Christians are told they cannot use certain words and phrases.
Wherever Christianity goes, we adopt the local language and culture. We don’t create new words. When this happens, those words take on Christian meetings. When Christianity entered China, the Christians looked for a word for God. 神 is chosen. But we divert from the word from its non-Biblical meanings. We are not confused by the non-Bilbical use of the word by non-Christians.
John 1:1vv used the word Word (logos) to refer to Jesus. It was just a simple word that means ‘word.’ The Apostle John invest into the ‘word’ a Christian meaning. We know the meaning of ‘ logos’ from the normal use of ‘logos’ in Greek.
Hebrew and Arabic came from the same sematic roots and hence share a lot of words. E.g. Allah and El, Nabi. No one can claim exclusive use of a word in a language. The Malay language borrowed many words from English. The English language borrowed a lot of words from Greek, Latin and French. Language is something to be shared.
We must know how to respond. How to we respond?

1. to know clearly the call of the church

Mat 5:16  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
The church is given a privilege to share in many ministries like the CES. The call of the church is not for itself. It is to reach out and care for the community. We all have one life. There is all there is to it. Make it count. Make a difference once life a a time. Never underestimate the power of making a difference one life a time. The church of Jesus Christ is not meant to be within the four walls.

2. Live accountably

Christians are to live accountably and responsibly and to hold everybody else likewise to the same high standards.
Eph 5:8-11  for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light  (9)  (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),  (10)  and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.  (11)  Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
We pray that when people come to the church, they see grace, mercy, patience, generosity, love, humility, etc. If the culture of the church is one of pride, arrogance, egotistical, inconsiderate, etc. then there is no hope. We would be living a useless life. God has made us to live a purposeful life to make a difference. If we live seriously for the Lord then only can we make a mark and a difference. Without that, there is no message for the people. We cannot call others into account.

3. Fast and pray

We need to fast and pray and to stand on behalf of the land.
2Ch 7:14  if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
As God’s people, the command of God is to humble ourselves and pray. The healing of the land depends not on the political leaders but the people of God. Christians must take responsibility for the sins of the land.
Num 35:33  You shall not pollute the land in which you live, for blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it.
Two things happened that has broken the back of the demon in Malaysia.
On 13/05/2009 is 40 years after the fateful event. Pastors gathered at ground zero to pray and confess the sins of the land. In the Bible, 40 years represent a generation. The blood of the innocent was shed. We exert the power of the blood of Christ. DUMC did the same thing on 31/08/2007. There was a prayer walk in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of independence. 50 years in the Bible reminds us of the year of jubilee. Jet planes flew by twice at though to confirm the breaking of the racial bondage.
On GDOP, 10,000 gathered in Stadium Malawati joined hands with millions around the world in prayer.
Something happened in the spiritual realm when the saints gathered to pray.

4. Faith to believe God

We must have faith to believe God for a transformation of our nation.
God has put us in Malaysia for a reason. We must adopt the mindset of the people of God. God used one man (Joseph) to turn Egypt around. He also used Daniel and his three friends in Babylon and also Mordecai.
Isa 64:4  From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.
Isa 64:8  But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.
There is a price to pay. But if we rise up to the challenge, it will be worth it in the end.