SoP119 VII – God’s Word in Challenging Times #dumcMY #sermon

Pastor Daniel Ho, 03/12/2011

This is the 6^th in the Studies on Psalm 119 Series.

The Word of God, prayer and involvement in ministry are three things we need to do to grow. We want to be one stop closer to God and one step more open to the Lord.

We face all kinds of challenges. How should our responses be?

SJG 14a: The First Betrayal #dumcMY #sermon #fb

Dato’ Dr Kim Tan, 23/07/2011

This is the 14^th installment of the Study in John’s Gospel series. The sermon tomorrow is on the second betrayal but it will still be considered as #14.

SJG 10: The Master washes His disciples’ feet #dumcMY #fb #sermon

Pastor Chris Kam, 18/06/2011

(When Pastor Chris prayed for the fathers, Jesse ran over to me. Kathleen commented that he didn’t do that for her. Heh.)

Pastor gave  an illustration about missing the point.

What is the core of the gospel of Jesus Christ? What is at the heart of gospel of Jesus Christ? It is the mandate to love.

SJG 9: The Master as the Good Shepherd #fb #dumcMY

Pastor Daniel Ho, 04/06/2011

The text is John 10:1-18.

In the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, we see three characteristics of the Good Shepherd.

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.

SJG IV–The Master and an “Outcast” #fb #dumcMY

Pastor Daniel Ho, 02/04/2011

DUMC is the overall champion of the 2011 Interchurch Sports Carnival.  It came in last in 2010.

DUMC has given RM50k in aid to Japan. A total of RM 83,641 was collected for Japan.
The text of the sermon is taken from John 4:1-42. I put it at the bottom of the post because of its length.

Pastor Daniel painted a situation where a reject entered a church. Would the church accept him? The more important question is would Jesus accept him.

Jesus’s encounter with the Samaritan woman.

Jews don’t talk to Samaritans. Back in 722 BC, the northern kingdom of Israel was conquered and captured by Assyrians. The Samaritans were half-Jews and half gentiles.

Jesus broke all barriers, He wanted to go to Samaritan regions. He broke all kinds of prejudices. DUMC runs streets ministry because they believe everyone is precious in God’s house.

Marketing Ministry II– Influence & Impact #dumc #fb

Lim Kah Hui, Head of Marketplace Ministry19/02/2011

Overcoming Myths

Luk 13:18-21  He said therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?  (19)  It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches."  (20)  And again he said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?  (21)  It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened."

Making Our Lives Count #dumc

Pastor Datuk Kee Sue Sing, 22/01/2011

Psa 90:1-12  A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.  (2)  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.  (3)  You return man to dust and say, "Return, O children of man!"  (4)  For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.  (5)  You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning:  (6)  in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.  (7)  For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed.  (8)  You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.  (9)  For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.  (10)  The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.  (11)  Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?  (12)  So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

CCS II: Building Strong Christian Framework #dumc

Pastor Dr Daniel Ho

Introduction

A right belief leads to the basis of a right foundation and it is such a foundation that makes a civilization strong. But a strong civilization would need a solid framework to hold up the superstructure which is the whole of society. This framework or structure becomes important for the right and proper functioning of society. What is the basic structure or framework that has been set in place, say in a Christian-based nation?

CCS I: Laying Solid Christian Foundation #dumc

Senior Pastor Dr Daniel Ho

This is the first in three the Christian Civilizational Series (CCS).

Introduction
The foundation of any civilization is crucial because this will determine whether a civilization is strong or weak. More than that, this foundation will determine whether a civilization will last or not last. And, even it if lasts, the foundation will determine whether it will be powerful and world-transforming or not?

Presenting Everyone Mature in Christ #dumc

Senior Pastor Daniel Ho, 02/01/2011
We have the installation of 1 worship pastor (the first in DUMC) and 1 children church pastor. Cool. Will there ever be a social networking pastor?

There will be a 14-day fast and pray from 03 to 16 Jan 2011 from 0530 to 0700.

Beginning 2011, DUMC will start the Vessel - Performing Arts Academy. The closing date for registration is 07/01/2011. Script will be sent for preparation for the audition.

Col 1:28  Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Building the Dream Church

… that will honour and glorify God, to shake the nation for Christ.
It requires three things:

The Coming that Disturbed the World #dumc

Pastor Phua Seng Tiong, 19/12/2010


Christmas is one of the most misunderstood / misrepresented seasons. People celebrate without knowing the
real reason. (Jesse and I found out that christmas / noel refers to the period between Dec 24 to Jan 06).
We read about the wikileak. We want to leak the good news.

TLS 4 - The transformational Leadership of David

Pastor Dr. Daniel Ho, 13/11/2010
1Sa 17:1-11 ,45:51 Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. And they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.  (2)  And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered, and encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in line of battle against the Philistines.  (3)  And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.  (4)  And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.  (5)  He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze.  (6)  And he had bronze armor on his legs, and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders.  (7)  The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. And his shield-bearer went before him.  (8)  He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me.  (9)  If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us."  (10)  And the Philistine said, "I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together."  (11)  When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. …(45) Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.  (46)  This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel,  (47)  and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hand."  (48)  When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.  (49)  And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.  (50)  So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David.  (51)  Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.
Everyone one of us is a leader. Leadership is simply influence.  Everyone has influence, either positive (a good leader) or negative (a bad leader.) Christians ought to be good leaders as Jesus calls us the salt (cleanses)  and light (dispels darkness) of the world. Every Christian is called to be a good leader. We need to evaluate what difference we have made in the place God put us.
The Bible is the best book on leadership we can get. The Bible has remained the best sellers because it continues to remain relevant.

TLS II–Transformational Leadership of Joshua

Pastor Datuk Kee Sue Sing, 31/10/2010

Jos 24:1-15,31  Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel. And they presented themselves before God.  (2)  And Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods.  (3)  Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan, and made his offspring many. I gave him Isaac.  (4)  And to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. And I gave Esau the hill country of Seir to possess, but Jacob and his children went down to Egypt.  (5)  And I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt with what I did in the midst of it, and afterward I brought you out.  (6)  "'Then I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the sea. And the Egyptians pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the Red Sea.  (7)  And when they cried to the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians and made the sea come upon them and cover them; and your eyes saw what I did in Egypt. And you lived in the wilderness a long time.  (8)  Then I brought you to the land of the Amorites, who lived on the other side of the Jordan. They fought with you, and I gave them into your hand, and you took possession of their land, and I destroyed them before you.  (9)  Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel. And he sent and invited Balaam the son of Beor to curse you,  (10)  but I would not listen to Balaam. Indeed, he blessed you. So I delivered you out of his hand.  (11)  And you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho, and the leaders of Jericho fought against you, and also the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And I gave them into your hand.  (12)  And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you, the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow.  (13)  I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.'  (14)  "Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  (15)  And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." …  (31)  Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the LORD did for Israel.

An armada of 5000 + vessels were heading towards its destination. It was one of the largest such operations in history. They were awaiting orders from their leaders. Bad weathers made landing impossible. The commanding officers and his people pondered over the meteorological department. The fate of the soldiers rest on his decision. He decided to go. General Dwight Eisenhower had just ordered the invasion and Normandy which began one of the bloodiest wars in history of mankind.

The words of a leader have great significance.

Longing for Intimacy

Pastor Dr. Daniel Ho, 24/10/2010
This is the 3rd installment in the Revival Series (TRS). Next week, we will be back to the Transformation Leadership Series and we will examine the life of Joshua.
Psa 84:1-12  To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!  (2)  My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.  (3)  Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.  (4)  Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah  (5)  Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.  (6)  As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.  (7)  They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.  (8)  O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah  (9)  Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed!  (10)  For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.  (11)  For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.  (12)  O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!
We must continue to long and yearn for revival.

Outpouring IV – Prayer and Power

Mrs Nancy Lyn, 02/10/2010
This is the fourth of five plenary sessions of the Prayer Conference 2010.
In Malachi 1 and 2, we read that when the Lord confronted the people with their sins, the people responded by asking in what way  / how. The same goes when God brought up his love for them, the people offering defined food, etc. They were oblivious to what they had done wrong.
Often when we head a sermon, we think to ourselves he / she is not talking about us. We don’t share the Lord’s perspectives.
The burden of the Word of the Lord for this conference, as sister Nancy shared.

We love the Lord but have not removed the high places or idols in our lives.

1Ki 3:3  Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places.
From this verse, we see that one can love the Lord and yet still sins and eventually falls away.
Many young people look up to ministers and pastors. When these people fall, they got the wrong idea it is ok for them do the same thing, We are not to see things that way.
“Others may, I can't’”, ~ A.W. Tozer.

Transformational Leadership of Moses

Pastor Chris Kam, 25/09/2010
This is the first in the Transformational Leadership Series. We will examine Joshua, Joseph, Ruth and others.
28/09/2010 is the day the churches in Zimbabwe will gather to pray for their nation. Do join them in prayers on that day. More details here and here.

Worship God 2010 Plenary 7 - Grow up!

Pastor Glenn Packiam, 19/09/2010
Eph 4:1  I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called
Eph 5:1-2  Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  (2)  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
The key to a good marriage is understanding our strengths and weaknesses.
Sometimes we know where we want to go but we don’t know how to get there.