Act 4:18-31 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. (19) But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. (20) For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." (21) After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. (22) For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. (23) On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. (24) When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. (25) You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: " 'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? (26) The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. ' (27) Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. (28) They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. (29) Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. (30) Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." (31) After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Sep 11 2011 is a defining moment in human history. On that day, a few people brought one of the strongest nations to its knees. Defining moments / turning points / watershed may not be publicly known. Sometimes it comes quietly.
Gal 4:4-5 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.
The birth of Christ could be the greatest turning point in the human history.
What are the turning points in our life?A video clip of Turning Point is shown. It tells the story of Frank Thomas.
Turning points don’t have to be startling or known all over the world. They can be something small in life which give us meaning and bring about immense change and transformation.
What is the turning point for DUMC? It’s the Aug 3 incident. It affected the nations and attracted attention from all over the world.
DUMC is no longer the same. The churches in Malaysia are no longer the same. We did not seek this publicity. God has his purpose. In doing this, God wants to teach us 3 lessons.
Three Lessons
1. It is about Authority
A clash of authority (Act 4:18-21) The highest religious authority told Peter and John not to preach anymore. They humbly asked who to obey, God or man? The bottom line is where is the truth? Who do we submit to? We obey the King of kings and Lord of lords.2. It is about Clarity
A clarity of response (Act 4:23-30) The apostles were anointed (v27) and Every thing we do in DUMC is in line with the will of God.3. It is about Consequences
Acts 4:31. We are awed by all that God has done. Whatever we do has a consequence. Aug 3 shook the nation, the incident rocked the nation. Pastor Daniel said we don’t want this kind of rocking, we want to see the nation changed and transformed. We want to see a corruption-free nation. To God, everything is possible. We will fight with moral courage and the truth. The apostles rocked the nation then. We need to know who is in charge.Three Consequences
1. It builds faith
If something puts fear is us then there is something wrong with us and we need to ask God for forgiveness. This is where the rubber touched the road. There should be no fear whatsoever. God is raising us up. We must be ready to pay the price. We press on knowing that nothing is too difficult for God. No church will reel in fear. We should all rise up to the challenge.Pastor Daniel attended 2 service during a weekend in Australia because he found himself ‘backslidden.’
2. It enhances vision
DUMC is to build a church without walls – all are welcomed. We engage with the community. The church is also a place we go out, bringing with us the love of Jesus. A church for the community and in the community.DUMC is also to be a magnet to the society. It draws people in when the see the love of God and when they see a different set of values. They are touched wonderfully. The church ought to be a community where people trust one another / love one another and also where everybody feels secured. That’s the kind of church that is worth investing in, that is worth sacrificing for.
DUMC is a church like a station. Firstly, like a police station. When we have problems, we go to the police station. When we think we are followed, we drive straight to the police station. When we feel unsafe, we go to the police station. That is the place where everyone can get help. Secondly, a petrol station where we can get a top up / fill up so we get excited and go out to do wonderful things. We don’t stay in the petrol station forever. It is also like a bus or a train station. If we don’t get on the bus or a station that doesn’t move. We get on a bus or a train that take us away to our destination. The church should always be on the move. It should not be stagnant. We cannot rest on our laurels.
3. It produces courage
We want to be in the thick of the action. We want to be smooth some of the time. We don’t want to be smooth all the time – there will be no challenges.In Malaysia, the traffic jam makes the journey unpredictable as compared to some nations where the journey can be estimated rather accurately. But the unpredictability makes it more fun and more challenging.
When a leader shows fear, the fear is multiplied many times in the followers. They will pick up the fear and it will grow in them.
In the work of God, there will always be challenges. Prayer meetings are crucial to us. They are indication of our dependence on God.
Kingdoms come and go and nations rise and fall but the church of Jesus Christ will press on.
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