S2T1: Challenge to Faithful Discipleship #sermon #dumcMY #fb

Pastor Dr. Daniel Ho, 08/01/2012
This is the Anniversary Gift Weekend and we are trusting God for RM4 million.

The sermon is the first in the S2T1 series or Study in Studies in 2 Timothy (S2T): Paul’s Last Words (Discipleship & Leadership Development)


2Ti 2:1-8  You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  (2)  And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.  (3)  Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  (4)  No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer.  (5)  Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.  (6)  The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.  (7)  Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.  (8)  Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,

2011 has gone so fast. It’s like a toilet roll, the faster we use the faster it goes away. (There’s a new roll once the 2011 roll is gone. ~Loong.) Pastor Daniel said every year is better than the last and the best is yet to come. (I remember one camp speaker during a CBC camp said, 好戏在后头.)

Last year, we lay foundation, we built depth. In 2012, we build distance. There are 3 elements – making disciples, multiply leaders and in a certain kind of culture.

Vision Weekend 2012 - Make disciples … multiply leaders #dumcMY #sermon #fb

Pastor Dr Daniel Ho, New Year 2012
Mat 28:19  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
2Ti 2:1-7  You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  (2)  And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.  (3)  Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  (4)  No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer.  (5)  Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.  (6)  The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.  (7)  Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
This New Year is going to be a great year. It is going to be better than the year before. Tiap-tiap hari, God is good. God is good, tiap-tiap hari.
2011 is about building depth and lay strong foundation to prepare for what is to come. The Word of God continues to be crucial in the foundation.
Forecasts around the world do not paint a pretty picture. We don’t know what the future holds but we know who holds the future. Pastor Daniel challenged us to fast 1 meal a day for the next 14 days. Malaysia badly needs prayer.
2012 is to build distance and to build a structure that lasts.

1. Making disciples
2. Developing leaders
3. Serving a certain kind of culture

The call to make disciples

Character of a disciples

A learner, pupil, a follower

Mar 1:16-18  As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  (17)  Come, follow me, Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."  (18)  At once they left their nets and followed him.
The word disciple and the word discipline came from the same root word. A disciple is a discipline person. To this end, DUMC has designed a few things for us.

Firstly, the CG. Over 200 leaders have been raised up throughout the years. Secondly, the SOL, to train us up as strong follower of Jesus Christ. We also have many conferences, the first being the Miracle Rally with Rev. Dr. Colton in Jan. This year, the ASOL (the Advanced School of Leadership) begins. This is done in partnership with the Malaysian Theological Seminary.

“When Christ calls a man He bids him come and die.” ~ The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

The Greek for disciple is μαθητής (mathetes or martyr). For those who want to follow Christ, there is a price to pay.

Scandal in the Kampung #sermon #dumcMY #fb

Pastor Dr. Daniel Ho, Christmas morning

Scandals are outrageous and utterly shocking.

In 1995, a young man created a huge scandal. The young man, Nick Leeson, 28 then brought Barings down with the loss he caused. He was sent to 6.5 years in prison.

Another scandal involves a young girl who had an encounter with an angel.

This Year in Review: 3 Crucial Lessons for 2011 #sermon #dumcMY #fb

Pastor Dr. Daniel Ho, Christmas Eve

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.

The Shakings of God #sermon #dumcMY #fb

Pastor Chew Weng Chee18/12/2011

Heb 12:25-29  See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?  (26)  At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."  (27)  The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken-- that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain.  (28)  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,  (29)  for our "God is a consuming fire."

The word ‘warn’ was used on 2 occasions (v25) – on the earth and from the heaven.

There are 4 things about alarm:

1. To detect an abnormal event
2. The measure the severity of the problem/
3. Guides the user to diagnose the problem
4. Allows sufficient time to correct the situation

What kind of alarm did God provide to us? Is it an alarm clock that wakes us up from our slumber or an alarm bell to warn us of danger? Both.

God is going to shake 7 things, and all at the same time.

The Pitfalls of Partial Obedience #sermon #dumcMY

Pastor Chew Weng Chee, 17/12/2011

2Ch 17:1-6  Jehoshaphat his son succeeded him as king and strengthened himself against Israel.  (2)  He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.  (3)  The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because in his early years he walked in the ways his father David had followed. He did not consult the Baals  (4)  but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel.  (5)  The LORD established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor.  (6)  His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.

Pastor Chew mentioned his book Is Life Worth Living?

Pastor Chew told us this is the 10 time God sent him to talk to us in DUMC.

Obedience is better than sacrifice. It’s absolutely fine to give to God. However, one thing the enemy will tempt us not to do is to be obedient. Even partial obedience (which is partial disobedience) is not acceptable to God.

Facing Challenging Times #sermon #dumcMY #fb

Pastor Dr. Daniel Ho, 20/08/2011

When we are doing something right we will face challenges.