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.

2012

I just got back from the Watch Night Service at the Dream Centre. This is what I posted on Facebook.

"Just came back from the Watch Night Celebration. It was good. It sent a clear message how everyone can get involved in discipleship, CG and missions. I felt that God reminded me to trust in Him, to count on Him, to live by faith and not by sight. And that's something I want to do in 2012."

It was Søren Kierkegard who said that life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. I have heard this during sermons in DUMC at least twice. Once by Pastor Daniel on Boxing Day, 2010.

Year End Reminiscence #fb

It's 0201 in the morning. In the past week, I have either slept very late or dozed off.

I am normally very careful with my glasses. And I am adamant that Jesse puts his glasses in the case before he sleeps. But after I got this new and very costly pair of glasses, I have been sleeping while wearing it almost everyday. This is not right.

My company does reviews regularly. I think it will do me good to do my own review on my life (spiritual life, family, health, etc.)

There are 3 more days before we usher in a new year. For a colleague / friend (whom I refer to as my GM, i.e. gan mei or 干妹), it's another 16 days to her ROM (registration of marriage.)

I am bringing my department to a good lunch tomorrow. There are many things to do before the year is over.

I think I have done something right. I also think there are many things I could have done better.

I still sorely miss serving God and His people like I used to. Then again, perhaps it's just a matter of switching the focus from the church to the workplace. Either way, I don't want to waste my life away. I can most certainly do more (hey, I used to do more.)

Let's see what comes to mind in the next few days.

With Luv
Loong

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.