Sermons 2010
Word of God
| JANUARY 2010 |
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Hear God Speaks
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3 Jan 2010 | Watch your weakness |
| 10 Jan 2010 | Timing of God | |
| 17 Jan 2010 |
Ps Joseph Situmeang |
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24 Jan 2010
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31 Jan 2010
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At the beginning of a new year, it would be timely to re-position ourselves and examine our weaknesses, words and our works. Be vigilant in your christian walk. WATCH YOUR WEAKNESS WATCH YOUR WORDS WATCH YOUR WORKS
One of the area is our prayer life, for example Peter’s weakness was to stay alert and pray. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. We need to be renewed spiritually and not be entrapped by past enlightening. We need to watch our words- as power is in the tongue. Throughout the bible, we see David, Isaiah and Job struggle in this area. When devastated, they start to question God, make judgements, find faults..Isaiah passes judgements, Job curses the day he was born. We need to watch our words- and use them in a sensitive way for the positive and constructive edification. We need to ask God to sanctify our lips. Watch your works as well. Besides your domestic and secular work, the spiritual work and spiritual tasks of service for the Lord of the glory of God should not be forgoten. It is in fact more important for the salvation of the souls- lives forever and such work shall not be in vain. God knows. Matt 26:41 41"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Psalms 141:3 3 Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalms 17:3 3 Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin. Psalms 19:14 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Isaiah 5:11 11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine. 18 Woe to those who draw sin along with cords of deceit, and wickedness as with cart ropes, 20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
22 Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks,
Proverbs 16:24 24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 15:4 4 The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. 1John 2:17 17The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1st Cor 15:58 58Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
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Before we learn about timing of God, we need to have a background understanding on the significance of numbers from the bible: ONE Eph 4:6 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. TWO Signifies unity and agreement. THREE Trinity of the Godhead- Father, Son and Holy Spirit. FOUR Speaks of the universal world- North, south, East and West—4 seasons and the 4 gospels. FIVE Speaks of grace and the 5-fold ministry.
SIX Man was created on the sixth day Gen 1:26 26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, [b] and over all the creatures that move along the ground." SEVEN Speaks of perfection Matt13 – the 7 parables and Jesus ‘s 7 utterances on the cross. EIGHT Miracle of resurrection, Elijah created 8 miracles, and 8 persons preserve in the Noah’s Ark. Bible also recorded 8 resurrection from old to new testament. NINE Nine is about prayer- the 9th hour of prayer. Acts 3:1 TEN This is the timing of God. Joseph’s 2 dreams of his “brothers bowing to him” took 13 years to be fulfilled. Waiting on God ‘s fullness of time- Jesus reminded them to wait for 10 days until time of pentacost arrived ( 40 days plus 10 days of waiting) Acts 1:3-4 3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. Acts 2:1 1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Luke 24:49 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ There is a timing for everything under the sun. Whether it is maternity/ baby needs 9 month inside the womb. For a chick, it needs 21 days before the egg hatches. Different fruit trees need different timing to bear fruits. The creation cycle requires patience.
TIME OF RESPONDING Likewise, in our spiritual walk, it is time to repent and God will erase, forgive and restore and we can then experience and enjoy the refreshing in the presence of God. Acts 3:19 19Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, The time of responding- the period of grace and mercy will be up just like the days of Noah. People during Noah’s days switch off their ears, eyes and hearts and for 7 days God waited before God pour out judgement on the ungodly. Only Noah and his family was saved. Just like Noah, God is relying on us to tell the people and the time of responding will be up one day and the door will be shut. Our hearts must be burdened and we must be concerned for the lost during God ‘s time of salvation before it is too late. 2nd Cor 6:1-2 1As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you."[a] I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
TIME OF REAPING The time of reaping is also coming. You reap what you sow and without sowing there can be no reaping. The world do not want to know how much you know but how much you care. We need to focus on the language of the heart rather than intellectual knowledge. We need to sow kindness to show that we really care. It is the spirit of God that dwell inside of us that propels us – under the guidance and anointing of the Holy Spirit to show compassion. We need to sow in the spirit that we may reap the harvest. Gal 6:7-10 7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature[a]will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
TIME OF RECUPERATION There is a time of recuperation and restoration. It is important that we have faith and not fear – we should not allow depression or oppression to enter into our lives- instead we are to discard these negative thoughts into the trash bag. In order to recover and recuperate, it is always good to be able retreat to prayers and seek God in our solace. Heb 4:14-16 14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,[e] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Luke 5:15-16 15Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. May 2010 be a year for us to respond, to reap and to recuperate according to the will of God.
Ps Joseph Situmeang Dreams are tools of transformation. It is good to have dreams because at a certain level of inner work, it become spiritual levels of consciousness, opening invisible doors to achieve our aspirations and goals. Often, it takes unwavering courage and strength to realize our dreams. If you lose your courage , you lose your all. One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do. Henry Ford One man with courage makes a majority. Andrew Jackson 7th President of the United States (1767 - 1845) All of our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. Walt Disney US cartoonist & movie producer (1901 - 1966) We must also be mindful of the dreamkillers: 1. Your enemies 2. Your friends 3. Yourself.
Your enemies Your enemies stand against you and your dreams. Like Caleb, we need to trust the Lord and not lean on your own understanding. We need to obey and act- not just say but also do. God can bless us through many different channels and sometimes in unexpected ways. Are you prepared to empty your deposits if God calls you ? We need to face our enemies with courage and by trusting Him. Numbers 13:30 30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." Numbers 14: 6-9 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them."
Your friends Sometimes the enemies spur us to do better, and on the contrary, it is our own people/ our friends who may pose as obstacles-just as in Caleb ‘s case. They may be motivated by envy, jealousy and twisted sense of competition such as not wanting us to succeed. It may be our closest allies and friends, family and children ..etc holding us back. Just like Jesus have Judas who betrayed him, David also experienced this feeling. Psalms 41:9 9 Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. Even Jesus have to rebuke Simon Peter : Matthew 16:23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Mark 8:33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." One illustration comes from trapping crab –where crabs are baited to go inside the trap, and once the bait is finished, those trying to get out will be overcome by more coming in. This speaks to us of our friends pulling us back in when we have already been freed from chronic weaknesses, behavior or habits.
Yourself One of the example is Ben Johnson in 1998 Seoul Olympic winning the 100 M in 9.79 s. Ben could have won without the enhancing drugs. His dream is destroyed by himself. We also need to face up to our chronic bad habits- laziness, unmotivated and compromising attitude. Sir Edmund Hillary says after conquering Mount Everest with and Sherpa It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.- Sir Edmund Hillary Like Jesus we must retreat to our own garden of Gethsemane, so that we will find the strength, courage and confidence to look fear in the face and say , 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 - 1962). You must do the thing you think you cannot do and keep your dream alive, and as your dream lives, be watchful of your enemies, your friends and yourself.
24 Jan 2010 TIMING OF GOD- SUFFERINGS TO FRUITFULNESS The number 10 refers to the timing of God. God has a time for everything : 1. PREPARE US TO REIGN WITH HIM 2. OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE GOD’S GLORY 3. LEARN OBEDIENCE 4. ENJOY FRUITFULNESS
1. PREPARE US TO REIGN WITH HIM God allows testings, sufferings and troubles in our Christian walk. Hardships, trials and problems are permitted by God. Sufferings prepare us. Rev 2:10 10Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Daniel 1:12-15 12 "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see." 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. 2nd Timothy 3:12 12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted 2nd Timothy 2:12 12if we endure, we will also reign with him. Philippians 1:29 29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, Following Jesus does not come without a cost, which Jesus describes as your "cross"--when you choose to follow Jesus, we must put him first in our lives, above our possessions and even our loved ones. We are to be forewarned in order that we may be forearmed. Matt 10:37-38 37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
2. OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE GOD’S GLORY Just before Stephen was stoned to death, he has the opportunity to view the glory of God. God of all grace has called us into his eternal glory. In the midst of your sufferings, did you see the glory of God? Acts 7:54-58 54When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." 57At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58dragged him out of the city and began to stone him Rm 8:18 18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 2nd Corinthians 4: 17 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
3. LEARN OBEDIENCE There are 2 ways God teaches obedience – God may speak to you in a gentle way or God might deal with you in a severe or hard way e.g remember the story of the 1 arm preacher in Bethel Assembly. Just like Jonah of old, God uses the storm and the wave to confront Jonah and he repented and God rescued him. At times we are so busy and busy – Be Under Satan’s Yoke. Do not be too busy! Heb 5:8 8Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.
4. ENJOY FRUITFULNESS The timing of God calls for patience to wait upon Him. In the midst of hardships, we can sing like Paul and Silas. There is also the story of the singing maid which converted the master. Like Joseph of old, who took 13 years for the promise of his dream to be fulfilled. He was betrayed by his brother- sold off.. ..etc so that he finally understand God’s purpose for him – to be fruitful in the land of my sufferings” so much so that he named his second son Ephraim or fruitfulness. Through Joseph, the Egyptians and his household was protected from the famine because Joseph interpreted the Pharaoh’s dream to be - 7 years of abundance followed by 7 years of famine. Gen 37:5-7 5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, "Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it." Gen 41:25 25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. 27 The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.
Gen 41:50-52 50 Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. 51 Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh [f] and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household." 52 The second son he named Ephraim [g] and said, "It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering." Heb 13:15 15Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. John 15:8 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
31 Jan 2010 Number 10 and Timing of God The number 10 also speaks about responsibility towards God. In the past, it was the ten commandments. Now we not not defiled , cleansed and sanctified with the new covenant. Exodus 20:1-17 The Ten Commandments 1 And God spoke all these words: 2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 "You shall have no other gods before [a] me. 4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 13 "You shall not murder. 14 "You shall not commit adultery. 15 "You shall not steal. 16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." We can understand our responsibility towards God by considering: (a)WISE VRIGINS (b)WISE PERSONS (c) WISE BUILDERS
WISE VIRGINS The church is the bride and Jesus is the bridegroom. Christians are like the 5 virgins who are prepared and ready with oil in their lamps- they are watchful and alert. Oil speaks to us about essence. Only with oil, can we perform our duty in the dark e.g burning incense in the tabernacle. This is important and liken to the Holy Spirit- lighten certain parts of your heart. We have the responsibility to make the right decision- be prepared with oil. Matt 25:1-13 The Parable of the Ten Virgins 1"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' 7"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 9" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' 10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'
12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' 13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. 2nd Cor 11:2 2I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. Psalms 119:11 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Exodus 25:6 6 olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; WISE PERSONS A wise person is doer of the Word and not just hearer. Be wise and endure the present sufferings. In our works, we are to examine our motive- to glorify God and not self. Matt 7:21-27 21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
WISE BUILDERS Jesus has laid the perfect foundation for us to build upon. Just like any foundation, the quality of the materials is important. Gold speaks of worship, silver of redemption and the precious stones symbolizing each and every one in the church of Jesus compacted together- to pray and edify one another to build a strong foundation. The foundation will be tested through fire, and if found to be durable and acceptable, we will receive the crowns. The Wise and Foolish Builders 24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." Acts 8:9-13 Simon the Sorcerer 9Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." 11They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. 12But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. 1Cor 3 :10-15 10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
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