13 July 2014 by Kim Yung CM-
God speaks to us through a community and there is a need for all of us to minister to one another because Christ understands our temptations.
“We are where we are today because we stand on the shoulders of others and others have built into our lives. That’s why it is important that we learn to build into each other’s lives. Part of our weaknesses is that all of us are susceptible to temptations at different points of life” said Pastor Ooi Chin Aik (Founder and President of Ministries for Asia Pacific (MAP) as he preached at Acts Central on the 22nd of June 2014.
While we are busy working on establishing our lives and establishing our family, there are times when we place God on the peripheral and it’s sad because one then questions, “Where is God in all this?” We should always place Him first in our lives.
“Christ is the best Evangelist, and any fruitful or breakthrough evangelism cannot happen without the leading of the Holy Spirit!” shared Ooi.
Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. (Proverbs 27:17)
For 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. 16 Let 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. (Hebrews 4: 15-16)
According the Bible verse above in Hebrews 4:15-16, all of us are susceptible to temptations at different points of our lives. But like us, Jesus has also been through temptations and He provides us with mercy and grace especially during times when we feel vulnerable and not in control. We all need character and character only comes through the valley experiences in our lives.
“Don’t have the perception that God is only there when you’re crying, or feel cornered. I can share with you that God is especially there when I feel vulnerable,” said Ooi.
As humans we have the tendency to often feel vulnerable, and it’s perfectly fine to feel that way sometimes. In life, we are often told that we need to be strong and be in control all the time. That’s not true because we need to know that God is the one that is in control no matter what circumstances we face. Once people believe that they are the ones who are in control, they tend to forget God.
“If God is in charge, life will be exciting although a bit scary. So you should learn to live a scary life and faith would live all the days of your life. Don’t be tempted to make the world revolve around you because that is not the way to live. It’s all about Him. As we focus on Him the promise of God is automatic delivery,” he shared.
Focus on God’s kingdom and righteousness. What we do must be done from an inward principle that we may be approved by God, not that we may be praised by men.
Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying, 3“Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision. 5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 6 “I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.” (Psalms 2:1-6)
God is sovereign and we need to catch hold of the sovereignty of God!
“Let us draw near to the throne of grace with confidence,” shared Ooi.
No earthly power can frustrate the redemptive plan of God! So let us be ready to pray, listen, and respond at all times. Remember too that we are a Church for the underdogs because it is for such people that Christ died! However, embed in your hearts and know that Jesus has already defeated the principalities and powers. Hence, as believers, we are fighting from the position of the victor. We do not win the world through doctrines but rather through Love. Thus, may God give us compassionate hearts. It is the love of Christ that compels us (2 Corinthians 5:14). And even though we may have to go through persecution, we rest in the sovereignty of God.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (Colossians 2:15)
Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days. (Matthew 28:19-20)
After stating the verse above according to Matthew 28:19-20, Ooi pointed out that Jesus’ last command contained three key words or phrases, which include “go”, which involves getting out of our comfort zones; “make disciples”; and “all nations”.
“Satan is a defeated foe, the only problem is although he is a chained beast, his chain is very long,” said Ooi.
In 2 Timothy 2:3-7, Paul’s instructions to Timothy contained three images: firstly, to be a good soldier who endures hardships and does not engage in civilian affairs; secondly, an athlete who follows the rules in order to win the prize; and thirdly, a hardworking farmer who does spiritual ploughing and takes up the weapons of prayer and the Word of God. These are good guidelines for us as believers to live by if we want to fulfill Jesus’ last command to us.
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