John Chapter 8 by Dr. Thomas Chung dated 21st July 2013

With John 6 describing many of Jesus’ disciples leaving Him and never coming back because of his “hard’ sayings, John 8 now highlights the Divinity of Jesus which elicited a violent response from the Jewish leaders that progressively culminated in murder. 

2 Sections to this Chapter: 

1.       Vs 1- 11 – Incredible Incident: Jesus’ encounter with woman caught in adultery ( some Bibles do not include this section as the text was included later );

2.       Vs 12- 59 – Glimpse of nature of Jesus’ relationship with his Father marked by intimacy which has practical implications. 

Jesus the “I Am” – 7 times

Meaning of “I Am”: God himself (Exodus 3:14)

1.       I Am the Bread of Life: Jesus as our spiritual food & sustenance for growth and intimacy in our relationship with God. Application: Are we growing, trusting, talking to God in prayer?

2.       I Am the Light of the World (Jn 8:12): Jesus giving sight, insight, revelation c.f. Luke 24: Four openings – Scripture, Mind, Heart & Recognition of Jesus.

3.       I Am the Door/Gate for the sheep (Jn 10:7): Jesus as the spiritual entrance to salvation, the Kingdom & Presence of God.  

4.       I Am the Good Shepherd (Jn 10:14): Jesus giving spiritual provision, guidance, protection.

5.       I Am the Way, the Truth & the Life (Jn 14:6).

7 Aspects of Jesus’ Divinity in his relationship with the Father

1.       “I Am God” (Jn 17:22; 8:14, 23; 3; 13) Application: Preach Jesus as sinless Son of God.

2.       Divine affirmation (Jn 8:18) Father affirmed & sent Jesus. Application: As a church, all we do must be Christ-centred.

3.       Divine Revelation (Jn 8:19, 28) Application: As you read God’s Word, pray that the Holy Spirit will give you revelation & spiritual understanding.

4.       Forgiveness of sin (Jn 8:36, 46; Luke 24:47; 5:21) Application: Essence of the Gospel: Repentance & forgiveness of sin; set free.

5.       Love of God (Jn 8:42; 14:15; 1 Jn 4:19) Application: Obedience to God is evidence of love.

6.       Glory of God (Jn 8:54; Isa 42:8; 48:11) Application: Knowing, seeing & feeling the Glory of God’s Presence.

7.       Eternity (Jn8:58; 14:2; 17:3) Sums up relationship with God. We are an eternal people of God. Application: We have the Gospel of Eternity to proclaim.

Jesus Incarnational Ministry - A Paradigm For Missions Today by Dr.Kelvin Chen dated 14.7.2013

Dr. Chen background

Dr.Kevin Chen is the Deputy of SIM (Serving in Missions) East Asia based in Singapore.  Dr.Chen is a medical doctor having practiced for 12 years in the public and private in Singapore before joining SIM in his first mission to Egbe, Nigeria for three years.  He served there with his wife and children.

SIM seeks to glorify God, evangelize, discipling, minister to human needs and partner local churches to serve the people.  You may read their website : sim.org

   

The sermon

Dr. Chen’s sermon is based on Matthew 9:35-38.
³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

V.35 Jesus walked through the town and villages may seem casual in the above reading, but it was not as Jesus mingled with the people in each town and village.  He interacted with the people there.

Incarnational

-          Jesus assuming human form and He was fully human.  Like described above He went about the towns and villages interacting with the people. The word “harassed” and “helpless” in Greek interpretation “harassed and helpless” in Greek means Jesus mingled with the crowds.

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-          Application

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-          We are to build relationships based on equality because human are created in the image of God.  Dr. Chen said when church support missionaries in another location, the representatives of the church must visit these missionaries so that they understand what happened in the mission fields. Missionaries must also know the culture and languages of the people they are serving.  Prayers for these missionaries can be more meaningful and appropriate.

Compassionate

         Jesus saw the “helpless and harassed” and He responded.  Compassion is the sense from deep within us and it is not just a feeling but also actions.  No point feeling compassionate for the needy and yet we do nothing.

Application

Pray to God for compassion for the needy and also to help others.  Sometime you cannot even trust the agency that sent the missionaries but you can trust God.  Dr. Chen shared a story of an African Bishop whose house was broken into and yet he served the robbers drinks and foods, and yet they robbed him.  But this Bishop was not anxious at all because he said God has always provided for him in the past, present and he trust God for the future.

Action

Jesus than called His disciples to action:

a)       Pray

b)       To minister, preach, heal, cleanse, cast out demons ( Matthew 10:7-8)

Jesus' advice:  freely you have received freely give. ( V.10 )

Challenge 1

Dr. Chen shared the story of Robert Moffet.  When he was very young he already knew he wanted to offer his whole life to God.  One Sunday in church, he asked the usher to put the offering plate on the ground.  The usher was kind and gentlemanly and he just did that.  Once the plate was on the floor, young Moffet stepped onto the plate.  The usher asked what he was doing.  He replied that he was offering his whole life to God from that moment.

 Challenge 2

He shared another story of the Fachhai’s family from Northern India.  Mrs. Fachhai was a very poor single mother.  She could not give any offering to her church, but she said she was ready to offer his children to God.  She had two sons.  Knowing that clergy earns very little yet she was willing to offer both his sons to God.  You must realize that men are valued in their culture as they can earn a living for their families.  But both her children were dedicated to God.  Mrs. Fachhai trusted God to provide for her family without any reservation.

The Challenge to our church

Are we willing to serve God in the mission fields?

Dr. Chen quoted a statement which is food for thought for us.
Truth of Life

“God does not want your money, neither is He interested in your time.  But what God wants, and deserves – is your LIFE!”.  Are you (and I) willing to give Him, who gave His only beloved, begotten Son for you, your (and my) LIFE?

Consider Roman 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

Gospel of John Chapter 7 – Mission to the Core by Pastor Richard Sim dated 7.7.13

Pastor Richard sermon is based on John chapter 7 and he interwoven his message with the message of mission.  According to him the whole New Testament is about mission.

          John 3:16 God loves the whole world

          John 14:6 I am the way the truth

          John 20:21, as the Father had sent me so I send you

  

John 7 – feast of the Tabernacle – Israel’s thanks giving feast remembering Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, and the 40 years wondering in the wilderness where they lived in tents and worship at the Tabernacle which was a tent.  All male Jews were required to travel to Jerusalem for this feast. Jesus’ unbelieving brothers urged him to go public to gain popularity.

         V.37 the living water

         V.33 I shall be with you a little longer and I go to Him who sent me

         V.39 He spoke concerning the Holy Spirit

In relation to mission, Pastor Richard referred to Acts.

       Act 1:3 appeared to them for 40 days teaching about the kingdom of God.

       Act 1:4 commanded them not to leave Jerusalem

       Act 1:5 disciples will be baptized with the Holy Spirit

       Act 1:6 disciples asked whether Jesus will restore the kingdom of Israel

       Act 1:7 it was not for them to know the time

       Act 1:8 the disciples will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes, and they will witness from Jerusalem,  Judea, Samaria and the end of the earth

In Act 1:3 Jesus resurrected and he was with the disciples 40 days teaching them about the kingdom of God.  Before that the disciples had been with Jesus for more than 3 years.

At that time Israel was under Roman rule, they did not have the power or authority.

The Old Testament prophesied that the Messiah will come to liberate the Jews.  During this time it was their dream to be independent from Roman rule and establish their own nation.  Just before Jesus was taken to heaven the disciples asked when he will establish the kingdom of Israel.

The Mission for the Disciples

The most important commission in their whole life and cannot be done with their natural abilities.  The commission requires the Holy Spirit.  Luke 24:29. 

In John 7:39 the Holy Spirit was not yet given because Jesus had not been glorified yet.  Act 1:4 Jesus ordered the disciples not to leave Jerusalem yet.  Act 1:6 disciples asked Jesus whether he was establishing the kingdom of Israel.  Act 1:7 he told them it was not time yet.  Act 1:8 they will receive the power and witness from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the end of the earth.

Examples of Missionaries in various countries

Adoniram Judson (1850) pioneering mission in Burma.

Hudson Taylor mission to China

Dr. Stanley Livingston mission to Africa

Hudson Southwell mission to Sarawak founder of SIB church.

 

       Matthew 28:19 – go make disciples of all nations baptizing them…

       Act 1:8 witness to the end of the earth.

       Act 2:4 disciples filled with the Holy Spirit.  Disciples preached and the church grew.

       Matthew 28:20 teaching people to obey God’s commands.

It is our time to go and full fill the Great Commission.

Are we ready and willing?

The Place of God’s Word in The Life of the Early Church by Koh Gim Lam dated 30.6.13

Introduction

There are two important “legs” in spreading God’s Word: a) evangelism b) supported by God’s Word.  Bro. Koh related that recently he managed to get together with his friends from a few decades ago while they were students and found that till these days, the majority of them are serving God in one way or another.  This was because all of them were grounded in the Words of God.

In the Book of Acts we can learn how God’s Words were spread.  Act 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

1.     The Church in Jerusalem

How did the disciples spread God’s Words? Act 2:42 – the example of early church they were “devoted” to the Words.  Acts 4:29-30 – it was not for safety but enablement to speak boldly.  The illustration was that they were in love with the writer ( God ).  Bro Koh shared a story of a sister asking him recently how can she instill in her son the love of God’s Words.  After thinking for a day, Bro Koh told her it was impossible.  This sister was disappointed.  Bro Koh explained that her son must love the writer (God) first, and the love of His Words will follow.

Acts 6:24 – the ministry of the Word is important.  As a Church grows bigger problems are bound to happen, this is where grounding of the Word will help the church to go forward.

Summary

Acts 6:7 – “so the Word of God spread, the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly…”

2.       From Jerusalem to Samaria

Acts & - the martyrdom of Stephen.  Acts 8:4 – preach, Acts 8:25 – proclaimed the Word, Acts 8:35 – open the Scriptures, Acts 9 – the conversion of Paul.

Summary

Acts 9:31

“grew in number living in the fear of the Lord.” (NIV)

“being built up growing in the fear of the Lord” (NASB)

3.        Moving to the rest of the world

Acts 10 – the conversion of Cornelius

Acts 11:1 – “the gentiles also had received the word of God”

Acts 11:23-26 – Barnabas and Saul taught great number of people

Acts 12:24 – 1^st summary of the mission to the gentile in Antioch

“But the Word of God continued to increase and spread”

Acts 13 – Barnabas and Paul first missionary journey

Acts 13:48-49 – The summary

Acts 19:20 – the summary of the mission to the gentiles

Closing Chapters of Acts

Paul was faithfully teaching the Word of God.

Acts 20:20, 27, 32

Acts 28:31

Closing

The Book of Acts is open ended.  What about the First Baptist Church?  Bro. Koh challenged our church to emulate the church in the Book of Acts.