Let Go & Let’s Go by Dr. Stanley Ling dated 7.4.13
Dr. Ling told a story of the Golden Valley where people go there to collect gold bars and they need to get out of the valley before day break. Many greedy people collected too many bars and were weighted down by the weight and could not leave before day break. The sun came and tremendous reflection from the sun on the gold bars killed them. One person was not greedy, as the bars became too heavy he threw them away until he got just one bar and he managed to get out of the valley alive. The moral of the story is not to be greedy be satisfied with what you have and let go of the past.
In the Old Testament there was a similar story of how Lot’s wife turned to a pillar of salt because she was not ready to let go. God wanted to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and instructed Lot and his wife not to turn back to look, but Lot’s wife could not help it and she turned back.
We should let go and we will continue to grow.
Peter decisions to follow Jesus three times .
Matthew 4:18-20 – Jesus called the first disciples and they left their fishing nets to follow Him.
Luke 5:8-11 – the disciples did not catch any fish earlier and Jesus instructed them to cast their nets further to sea and they caught a large catch. Peter fell on his knees acknowledging Jesus as God and asking Jesus for forgive him of his sins.
John 21:17-19 – Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loves Jesus and Peter was irritated that Jesus asked so many times. Jesus told Peter that his death will glorify God. Despite this negative message Peter was ready to follow Jesus. We need to learn from Peter. Each time he encountered Jesus Peter responded positively. God guide us and we must response positively.
Importance and Growth
- It is not as important where you are now
- It is important where you are heading, if you grow you will move on.
Motivation and Growth
Why do you follow Jesus?
Out of admiration?
Out of needs?
Out of material blessing?
Indeed really we need to examine ourselves. What are our motivations in following Jesus.
Value Systems – Chasing the 5-C Dreams
Dr Ling said in his travel all over the world every place is similar as each country has similar 5 Cs. In Taiwan his friends told him they have 7 Cs! The other 2 Cs are a) Company – to own a company of your own b) Concubine – the desire of people to have other wives. Dr. Ling joked that we will be in trouble if we desired the last C-Concubine!
Secular World 5 Cs :
1. Career
2. Car
3. Cash – credit card
4. Club membership
5. Country house / condo
Christian 5 Cs:
1. Career for Christ – in the work we do we do for the Lord and not for ourselves. Dr.Ling told a story of a brother in his church who told him he wanted to change job as a cleaner in a complex although he got this job about 4 months ago. When Dr.Ling asked him why. He said he was ashamed because many of the church members go to that complex and he was ashamed to be seen as a cleaner. Dr. Ling advised him not to feel ashamed but to do his work like he is doing for the Lord. This brother understood and he continued with his work and had not change job since.
2. Compassion for people – have compassion for people who have less than us. Like if you have a car volunteer to bring the elderly or disable to church or to the hospital.
3. Credit in heaven – do not lay treasures on earth but lay our treasures in heaven. Give generously to organizations or churches which are doing God’s work.
4. Church Membership – it is important to belong to a church that you frequent regularly. You should not hop from one church to the other. Dr.Ling said sadly this is happening in Singapore where he is residing. He compared these people to be like dragon flyers flying and stopping on many spots on the water surfaces.
Key to Letting Go
The story of Abraham told of his obedience to God. Hebrew 11:8 he did not know where he was supposed to go nevertheless he followed God’s instructions to leave his home country.
The centrality of obedience is to die to ourselves. We need to trust God. We have to take up our crosses to follow Jesus Matthew 16:24 and Deu 8:11-14.
What is means to trust God?
Dr.Ling told a story of a tight rope walker who dared his audience to follow him across the valley on tight rode. None dared, but his son volunteered. He trusted his father. They both walked across successfully. Like this story, we need to trust God. Jesus will carry us and we will not fall.
Dr.Stanley Ling’s Testimony
He was inspired by Malachi 1:8
“When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the LORD Almighty.”
Before he left his job as a CEO more than 12 years ago he pondered when he was suppose to leave his job to go full time. This verse inspired him to leave when he was able bodied. To him it was not right to serve Him when he is frail and may not be useful to God.
Let Us Respond
Goer – go to the mission when you are called by God
Mobiliser – if you cannot go yourself, mobilize others to go
Sender – you can support missions financially
Welcomer – there are many missionaries coming to our cities, welcome them, serve them.
Intercessor – pray for the missionaries, they need all your prayers.
No comments:
Post a Comment