The Disciples and the Storm

Transforming Encounters with Jesus in Mark’s Gospel
Pastor Chris Kam, 28/03/2010
Pastor Chris shared a hymn which he thought encompasses the Gospel very well.
Living he loved me, dying He saved me
Buried he carried my sins faraway
Rising he justified freely forever
One day he’s coming O glorious day
Full lyrics here.

Barnabas – Son of Encouragement

Barnabas is known as the son of encouragement.

Encouragement – inspiration to hope and service; to continue in the Lord

An overview of Acts – Ordinary men and women with Jesus. Jesus called 12 disciples. These were people not called to be leaders. They were not educated. Jesus chose them and spent time with them. In Acts, ordinary men and women who were called were empowered by the Holy Spirit and were able to perform extraordinary acts. The power of the Holy Spirit transformed us to do extraordinary things. The power is not meant for us to magnify ourselves or to build our own kingdom. It is always to glorify Him.

Act 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

When we are empowered, we are given the authority, confidence, assertiveness and enabled to perform extraordinary tasks.

Act 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

When the people were surprised to see Peter and John who were untrained and uneducated spoke so eloquently.

HR people locally preferred to take people from TAR College among all the local universities / colleges because they are passionate to learn. They are good students with potentials but they could not get into local universities and they could not afford to go overseas.

The people tried to figure out where Peter and John were trained. The conclusion is that they had been with Jesus. This is the only explanation they could arrive at. When people see us, what conclusion do they come to? Do they see our academic qualifications or do they see that we are with Jesus?

People who go

1. Stephen – Boldness (the boldness will come when we go.)
   
2. Philip – Consistency (in good times or bad times, God doesn't change. Neither should we.)
   
3. Paul – Total Commitment (to live is Christ, to die is gain)
   
4. Peter – Openness (God wants to work in us and through us. We cannot have prejudice.)
   
5. Barnabas – Encouragement
   

Out of the five, only Paul was well-trained. God picked a mixed list so we know God can use those who are intelligent and well trained; He can also use those who are not educated.

1. Encouragement stems from a good heart

It's difficult to encouragement when the heart is not good. It will instead be manipulation.

Act 4:36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,

Joseph was called Barnabas to indicate his encouragement, which is consistent in his life. Do we recognize Barnabas in the church?

Act 11:22-24 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. (23) When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, (24) for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

The leaders sent Barnabas to find out what was happening. In the book of Acts, only Barnabas was mentioned as a good man. Barnabas had a pure heart; there is no ulterior motive or hidden agenda in what he does. How do we know he has a pure heart? He gave all the proceeds from his land to the church. In Acts 5, we read that no one lacked anything because they sold their properties and share. Ananias wanted to be part of it but they were not willing to give all. They were not honest and kept part of the proceeds. They were not pure. They could have done it due to peer pressure. They didn't join with their heart. Probably not every Christian sold his / her land but God didn't punish them.

Act 8:21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.

In Acts 8, we saw the Simon the sorcerer who craved for the power. Peter told him his heart was not right in the sight of God.

Barnabas was also able to see the grace of God in people. He believed that God can bring out the good in people.

An alcoholic would tell you he has not been drinking and he would say a prayer of repentance but he would get drunk again. If we do not see the grace of God in him, we will give up on counseling him.

Barnabas had a heart like Jesus. To have a heart like Jesus we need to be with Jesus.

Fidel Castro rid a dictator from Cuba but he ended up being the same. The heart is deceitful. The power to do good can never come from an evil heart. We need to see the grace of God to be able to be good encourager.

Act 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

The initial Jerusalem leaders in Acts 11 and 15 contended with Peter and Paul in the issue of circumcision in the conversion of the Gentiles. They saw tradition and customs not the grace of God. . Circumcision is a Jewish custom and not a Christian ordinance. They had prejudices. God dealt with Peter's prejudices via a vision 3 times. God made him understand that what He made clean is clean. We cannot choose who we want to encourage.

Chinese are prejudice. Some of us cannot accept interracial marriage. God asked Jonah to preach to the people in Nineveh. He refused because they are the enemies of the Jews. God put him in the belly of a fish 3 days. He relented and went reluctantly. He only preached once. He just wanted to go what God wanted him to do instead of being inside a fish. This is the first time we see people receiving God but the preacher got angry. God had to teach Jonah a lesson. God showed him he valued the tree more than the 120,000 souls.

If we want to be a good encourager, we need to get rid of our prejudices. We need to have Barnabas' eyes and heart to see the good in others and not just to criticize the bad, build up and not be pulled down by social prejudice. We are put together to encourage one another.

2. Encouragement affirms the believer

Act 11:25-26 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, (26) and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

An encourager is always on the lookout to bring out the best in people and to not make them feel left out. It's not an issue of worth. We always tell people they are worthy in Jesus Christ. When we have Jesus we are no longer orphans. But the Bible also tells us we need to work out our salvation. It doesn't mean we need to work to earn our redemption. We need to work on to live out the life of our salvation. Our doing must flow out of our being. It's not just being. We don't do at the expense of our being. We need both.

Barnabas looked for Paul and affirmed his calling. When Paul was convicted in Acts 9, no one cared about him. Barnabas went. He saw the potential in Paul because he saw the grace of God. He believed Paul's conversion was genuine. He took Paul to Tarsus. Barnabas allowed God to use him. His involving Paul in the work in Antioch paved the way for Christianity's greatest missionary and interpreter of Christ.

Peter denied Christ three times. John wanted to know who would sit beside Jesus. We are not perfect. But God can use us.

In Acts 13:37-39, Paul didn't want to bring John Mark. He saw the problem. Barnabas saw the potential instead. Paul went with Silas and Barnabas went with John Mark. John Mark went well and it was acknowledged by Paul. Don't give up on people that failed the first time or second time.

We can help encourage Christians by helping them to recognize they have spiritual gifts that are to be used in God's service. We also can assist them in finding specific ways to use their gifts.

3. Encouragement includes action

Encouragement extends beyond words and praise and prayers. It must include actions, otherwise they will be mere empty words and not encouragement.

Act 11:28-30 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). (29) So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. (30) And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Jas 2:15-16 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, (16) and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

We must translate some of the things we say into actions. God wants to let everyone know he is worthy. God wants everyone to reach his potential. He is looking for Barnabas in the church. The church is not a place of competition. One of the biggest challenges in the corporate world is that no one is willing to mentor. We are intimidated by the possibility of our disciples will be better than us.

Barnabas got Paul started and Paul became more famous.

Neh 4:20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us."

Whenever anyone has problem, is sick, is depressed, we come together to encourage them, to help them. If we want to move in the fullness of God's power, we need to have Barnabas.

When you are discouraged …

Have you been discouraged? Have you ever feel that it's not worth it anymore? That it's easier to just give up? I have. And I am still not entirely out of it.

I preached twice on the topic on Sunday (12 Aug 2007). A sister shared that preparing for a sermon takes her to the Bible. It's the same case for me. It seems like I only read the Bible when I am preparing for sermon or Sunday School. Either way, I will follow the points I used in the sermon.

Recognition

For a while, I didn't (or didn't want to) recognize it as an attack from the enemy. I was under the juniper tree. I wanted to remain there, sulking the time away. But thanks be to God that I wasn't alone. People came to visit me under the juniper tree. I was thinking of just leaving the church. I think there will not be any changes to the better. I just wanted to go. Kathleen thought it was not necessary. Jesse thought it was ok.

My prayer partner prayed together with me on this.

My H&L (heart and liver) sister didn't do her quotation to write me long emails.

I wasn't alone. These dear saints were patient with me. If it was me, I would have given the guy under the juniper tree multiple slaps to get him back into his senses.

Refresh

I rested alright. I kept quiet in meetings. I successfully overthrew myself as the leader of the worship team. I love serving the Lord with my fellow worshippers. It's been wonderful. But I want to give others a chance. I think newly appointed committee are ready. I don't want to hinder progress. I will probably not get involved in any leadership capacity in the cell groups too. I have been asked to be a cell leader the Sunday I came to CBC. I then gradually made the zone supervisor (this appointment was never recognized by Kathleen, heh.) There were tremendous growths before. There was also a great decline.

I really wanted to just go away. I would have if not for the dear people around me.

Reevaluate

My H&L sister helped me to get out from the me, myself and I zone to look at the bigger picture. It's God's church. No one can wreck it if He doesn't allow it. Who am I to worry? I made the decision to stay … and see. I just want to focus on my young fellow students in the Sunday School now. I am glad I can still talk to them. I am more glad that they will come to be in times of trouble. I take this responsibility very seriously. I am taking the journey of life together with them.

So, for every Ahab and / or Jezebel you meet who wanted to put you down, to kill you, to pretend to be good leaders, there is someone who genuinely cares for you.

We have to look at the eternity of the Kingdom. We have to look at the grand scheme of things.

Reengage

Sunday School is one area I want to continue serving. I don't mind if I don't preach anymore. I've already excused myself totally from worship duty. There are a few things in front of me. I need to pray and find out which one is God's plan for me.

I was discouraged. I may be a big headed person here. I want to see how others will fare when I am not around. I am already seeing things that we not properly done. But I will let it be. I am sure in time they will learn and do well.

Now, back to my own family …

丰年？荒年？

新的一年又来到，我们通常会立下新年的新目标，或是立定心志、或是痛改前非。

2007会是怎样的一年呢？我且与各位看看香港宣教会恩磐堂一位林牧师在2003年分享的一篇文章。

主页>文章阅览>教牧心声>荒年仍是丰年，故我灵镇定！

林牧师2002年2月21日正当我们进入壬午马年，恐怕我们感到「年」这隻怪物，今年不是再多的锣鼓炮竹能够驱走，而可能我们得到的不是名驹而是瘦马。

你是否快乐地渡过新年呢？还是你被荒年所困，焦虑新年后的光景呢？近日一调查显示67%（近七成）的香港人担心新年后的工作与经济。你担心吗？我们的心灵能镇静吗？

其实近两个新年我都在恐慌中渡过。去年年三十小儿入医院，留院至年初六才出院。奇怪的是我完全忘记了这件事，直至今年年初三才记起，包括记起年初二我从医院立立的病床旁致电家人不能与他们拜年，我体会到人是何等善忘的动物，能「忘记」是恩典！叫我们没有过多积压重担。荒年亦不一定是凶年，反之它也是丰年，过去一年中，我都是在恩典中渡过。

而今年新年的凶荒更是利害，在宣告离职后肢体的反应增加了我失业／弃业的真实感与离愁，笼罩著我新年年初的几天，叫我在荒年的预感中渡过新年。我提醒自己，任何日子都是主给我的好日子，我应享受神与享受人中渡过！

圣经的话语全是安慰的力量。新年前后我的读经主要是但以理书，因我年初五负责提摩太团的「末世论」週会，我在细读但以理书中，神的国度的统治与盼望的主题浮现在我眼前。在粗略及零散的阅读中，我们只得到但以理与其三友稳渡狮子坑与火坑，而没有见到全书以神的国度与全能去比对地上君王的无能。《但》不是论但以理及其三友何等的英雄，而是神与祂的国度何等的荣耀与得胜，以致我能写下：「荒年仍是丰年」，因在祂里面只有丰盛，包括荒与凶年中的丰盛，所以我们的心灵可以镇静。虽然传媒将会继续报导荒与凶的新旧闻，年初一的新闻还是更多的车祸，而年三十晚我们亦有老会友在吃团年时离世，（愿主安慰他一家）。但愿主都安慰与坚固我们的心。

人生中荒丰难以届定，去年香港一银行所有员工都有半年薪水的「花红」，更有是八、九个月的。我亦得知今年有香港的公司除得粮十三个月外，还有「花红」。我有一朋友是一公司的总裁，今年已取得市场的代理权90%以上，这是他事业最光辉的日子，亦同时可能是他最不安全的时候，下一步可能就是饱和与被取代了。「凶」的可能被裁，「丰」的亦可能被裁。或许迪更斯《双城记》啟语：「这是最美好的日子，这（同时）是最恶劣的日子」（this is the best of time,this is the worst of time）成了多人引用的名句，因為它道出了生命中同时是荒与丰的真相。

愿我们安稳在主手中，丰年是丰，荒年也是丰，因如保罗在腓立比书4章说，他可以处丰足也学会了处贫穷，正是如此，他的生命更形丰盛，而我们亦因凶年的磨练叫生命更茁壮！

祝马年在主里全是镇定

希望-今天好，明天更好

我面临失业危机。

基本上我是个不喜欢外出的人，但是上个月我在机缘巧合下出席一个筹募孤儿院基金的晚宴。当晚的嘉宾是陈群川弟兄。第一次见到陈弟兄，他没有架子。他分享了他在明月湾监狱里度圣诞的经历。他在里头听见了哈利路亚颂而站立起来。英国国王在听到这首歌颂万王之王的曲子时也竖立。他也分享了一个故事。话说一个老农夫掉进枯井里，想尽办法也不能爬出来。其他人也没办法，就决定“埋葬”他。当沙子被倒下时，老农夫悲从中来，直呼哎哟。但是他发现，只要他摇一摇身子，沙子就落在地上。不久过后，他发觉脚上的沙渐渐变厚起来。他改口呼喊哈利路亚。后来，他就踏着这个原本要埋葬他的沙子爬出井口。这个故事不是要告诉我们积沙成塔。它是鼓励我们面对困境。

昨晚，失业危机拉红色警号。我心情低落。老婆买了“藏爱”（双福残障自强中心筹募基金晚会）门票给我父母，弟弟和儿子。我没打算去。亲爱的老婆短讯我邀我出席。我回复说我不去。离开城中城双峰塔办公室的时候，决定走去看看。我步行到马华大厦，买了一张票，进入三春礼堂就见到妈妈。老婆看到我喜不自胜。

当晚表演的包括有双福表演艺术团体（轮椅舞蹈组/合唱团/口琴组）、共享空间专业舞团、台湾伊甸园盲人喜乐四重唱以及我国的世界口琴冠军张雅诰。

当晚，我的眼泪不停的流，我的心被舞台上的爱、喜乐和盼望激励着。喜乐四重唱的两首歌（勇敢和多一点喜乐）特别感动我。

我在中学基督团契听过多一点喜乐。勇敢是杏林子刘侠刘大姐所写，让我跟大家分享：

勇敢

文：杏林子
歌詞編寫：葉薇心
作曲：溫克強

主啊　幫助我勇敢
勇於承擔自己的失敗
勇於反省錯誤
勇於面對眼前的苦難

主啊　幫助我勇敢
面對邪惡能仗義直言
面對不平能據理力爭
面對需要能挺身向前
面對試煉能靠祢得勝

主啊　幫助我勇敢
幫助我勇敢－在祢要我勇敢的地方
摘自 杏林子 著《生之頌》「訓練與磨練」

苦难不会持久，强者却可长存！（这是我多年前在读者文摘看到的一个文章的标题，内容不记得了。）

谨以此与各位共勉之。

An experience in ProJET

No, this is not the kind of lousy service complaint.

I sent Jesse to his tuition class last night before I went to the ProJET petrol station to pump petrol.

My favourite spot (the one right beside to the booth) was taken. I usually use that one so I can get my free bottle of drink without having to walk much.

In fact, the only available pump was #1. I stopped there. The machine told me to lift nozzle and fill. I lifted the nozzle and put it back. I pressed the cancel button. No use. There was no one I could summoned to help.

I pumped. The amount was RM62.34. I took the receipt to the service booth and told them what happened. I told them I wanted to pay. They didn't know what to do as they have never encountered this.

At length, one of them went to the office at the back of the 7-Eleven and the Cosway shop for instructions. He came back and asked for my IC and phone number. I didn't give him. I just wanted to pay for the petrol. Why do I want to give my information. He accepted my payment via credit card (mine) and I went home.

If you are faced with similar situation, what would you have done?
1. Go to another pump
2. Go to another station
3. Wait until someone is available to help
4. Pay cash before pumping
5. Pump and go

Witness

As usual, I try not to give out anything in the title.

It was a Saturday. I took Jesse out for breakfast / lunch at around 1130. I parked the car near the restaurant we wanted to go and proceeded to walk there.

Traffic was light with Monday being Labour Day. I think a lot of people went back to home town.

I saw one motorcycle making a U-turn abrubtly not too far from me. On instinct, I put myself in front of Jesse. The motorcyclist dashed past the man buying newspaper in front of a newspaper stand and the next thing we saw was coins scattered everywhere on the road.

The bike didn't stop and disappeared quickly. The victim was stunned for a moment and ran to his car and gave chase.

Yes, that was a snatching we witnessed. It was a lazy Saturday noon. And it happened so close to my house (closer to my office.)

I thanked God for his protection. But I was also worried about what the world is becoming.

You be careful out there. You cannot be too careful.

Update on Matt Cappotelli

Matt called in to a radio show. Get the transcript here. You can email him here.

I have a tumour

I took Jesse to a checkup with his orthopedist. His elbow is recovering well. The cast will be removed in 1 month. Then we will have 6 weeks of physiotheraphy to remind the arm and wrist how to function.

I have a small lump on the top of my left foot. I asked the doctor to take a look. He examined it and confirmed it to be a ganglion. It's not cancerous.

This is a definition taken from the eMedicine Health website.

A ganglion cyst is a tumor or swelling on top of a joint or the covering of a tendon (tissue that connects muscle to bone). It looks like a sac of liquid (cyst). Inside the cyst is a thick, sticky, clear, colorless, jellylike material. Depending on the size, cysts may feel firm or spongy.

Interestingly enough, a ganglion cyst is also known as Bible cyst. And a treatment that is no longer advised is called the Bible therapy. That involves smashing the cyst with a book! Today, is is either left untouched, treated with aspiration (removing the fluid using a needle) or surgical removal.

So, I have a tumour but I'll be fine.

Matt Cappotelli

Click on the picture to see the video clip. It may take some time to stream and it may stop time and again. Let it run. Once it's completed, run it again to hear what he said.

Matt Cappotelli is a the co-winner of Tough Enough III. TE is a competition run by the WWE (the World Wrestling Entertainment) to select potential superstars.

Matt Cappotelli is also the reigning OVW (Ohio Valley Wrestling) champion. OVW is another wrestling promotion under the same banner as WWE. It is a development territory to train up and coming superstars.

On the night of Feb 9, Matt made an emotional (and reportedly religious) announcement. He is diagnosed with brain tumour. He relinquished his championship belt stating he could no longer do it justice. He will undergo surgery and chemotherapy. But he didn't lose hope. He cited his relationship with Jesus Christ as his source of strength to go through this trial. Instead of seeking pity, he sought to help those those are suffering and in pain. He then said a prayer.

That's saying a lot in a country where public prayers are banned in school.

Matt then stayed on until midnight (from around 10 p.m.) to talk to each and everyone of his fans.

We pray that God will be him and his family.

Do you take care of your health?

Jesse (my son), Kathleen (my wife) and I spent almost a whole day in UMMC yesterday. Jesse has been experiencing coughs, flu and fever for more than a month. At the last visit to the family doctor, he noticed some growth in his throat. He suspected an enlarged adenoid.

That was before the week-long Deepavali and Hari Raya holiday. The ENT specialist in UMMC took a look and decided the growth is to big to be there. He immediately schedule Jesse for a surgery on 23 Nov 2005. He also made an appointment for Jesse to get a CT Scan on 10 Nov 2005. It could be adenoiditis or nasal polyps. The pathology will determine the cause. Please pray for him. He's only 11. He's sicked of taking medicine and is afraid of the surgery.

The daughter of my faithful prayer parther, Grace is cleared of dengue. Onn, a fulltime church worker is not. Onn is in the Selayang Hospital (website is under construction.) His father-in-law passed away on the previous Saturday (05 Nov 2005). Onn has arranged for the full moon celebration for his son on 12 Nov 2005. We pray that God will heal him and restore him in time.

I am one who doesn't really pay attention to my health. I eat all I want, work all I want and sleep as little as I want. It's not very healthy.

This month, the theme of the sermons in the church (CBCPJ) is based on the book of Job. It's about the sufferings we face and how to look for wisdom amidst all the sufferings.

Let's remember France in our prayers too.