SJG 8–The Master Raises the Dead #dumcMY #fb

Pastor Mike Ngui, 21/05/2011

The text is taken from John 11:1-48.

In 1983, a Jewish rabbi Harold Kushner wrote a book called When Bad Things Happened to Good People. We may find it easier to see bad things happen to bad people but to good people?

John 11 tells of such a story. Lazarus the brother of Mary and Martha died. Mary’s devotion and her act of worship must be so well known that John made a reference to it. This is a story that happened among people who loved Jesus and whom Jesus loved.

One of Satan’s most favourite putdown line is that when something is wrong, then we have not been waling with God.

We have a bird’s eyes view of the whole story. But let’s try to put our shoes into the people there and then – imagine the mind of Mary or Martha then. Bad things do happen to good people.
Lazarus was so sick that Martha sent a desperate message to Jesus. In fact, Jesus was a day’s walk away. When the messenger finally got to Jesus, He sent word that Lazarus won’t die. By the time the message got back to Bethany where Mary and Martha were (the round trip took 2 days.) We can deduced that Lazarus died soon after the messenger left for Jesus. Imagine, imagine the irony when Jesus’ message was passed on to Mary and Martha AFTER Lazarus was buried.

CWS I–Worldviews & the Christian Faith #dumcMY #db

Pastor Daniel Ho, 15/05/2011

A farmer brought a strong into town and offer it to anyone who could get the cow to do three things – make it laugh, cry and run.

A pastor whispered into the cow’s ears and made it laugh, cry and later run. The farmer gave the cow to the pastor. He asked what did the pastor said.

The pastor said, he first told the cow how much he earned, how hard he worked then whether it wanted to be a pastor.

Even the cow has a certain perspective about the pastoral ministry. And perspective is all about worldview.

SLC VI–Servanthood and REST

Rev. Dr. Tan Siang Yang, 07/05/2011

Mat 11:28-30  Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  (29)  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  (30)  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Rev. Dr. Tan felt the pain of those who long to be mothers or married. He reminded them that God loves them.

The goal of the church is not growth but the God that gives the growth.

SLC V–Servanthood and Humility

Rev. Dr. Tan Siang Yang 07/05/2011
Jesus Christ has first and foremost called us to be servants, not leaders. That’s secondary. We are called to serve and love one another. Some are called to lead.
Suffering produces humility. Jesus, the suffering servant as Isaiah called him humbled himself for us even unto death.

SLC IV–Servanthood and Suffering #dumcMy #fb

Rev. Dr. Tan Siang Yang 07/05/2011

In many American churches, Satisfaction and Self-esteem are emphasized. In what Rev. Dr. Tan referred to as ‘purer’ churches, Suffering and Sacrifices are found.
Pentecostal and charismatic churches major in healing and miracles. However, a theology of healing without grace and suffering is not balanced.

There are extreme imbalances we must avoid. On one end, following Jesus prevents suffering. One the other end, following Jesus will put us under constant suffering – the more suffering the better.

SLC III–True Service vs. Self-righteous Service #dumcMY #fb

Rev. Dr. Tan Siang Yang, 07/05.2011
This session refers to the Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster.
Spiritual discipline is not only available in Christianity. For us, it is about being intimate with God.
In his book, Richard Foster listed the Discipline of Service as one of the spiritual discipline.

SLC II–Servanthood vs. Servant Leadership #dumcMY #fb

Rev. Dr. Tan Siang Yang, 07/05/2011
Leadership or Servant Leadership without Servanthood as the foundation can be problematic.

SLC I–Jesus’ Call to Servanthood: Serving our Best Friend #dumcMY #fb

Rev. Dr. Tan Siang Yang, 06/05/2011
There is an emphasis on leadership based on the books we can find. There are some who mentioned servant leadership. But the Bible talks about servanthood.

SJG VII–The Master Heals a Blind Man

500 were expected to turn up for the Easter children party last week. 1100 children and 300 adults turned up. 100 children made their decision to receive Jesus. Praise God!
The text today is John 9. It can be found at the end of this post.
“Giftedness is not everything. Humanness is.” Rev Dr Tan Siang-Yang.