The Anticipation

Introduction

Many of us experienced times when you really longing to see someone could come into your help when you are in trouble. Or you wished that something would happen in order to change your situation from chaos into calm and pleasing scene. But what happen if all your anticipation eventually being denied and even ended up worse than before?

I remember many years ago when I was voluntary helping a drug rehab centre by providing bible studies, prayers and pastoral helps. Knowing that we are not experts, the board of directors decided to employ someone who had successfully gone through the rehabilitation process to look after the 10 to 15 inmates. At the beginning, we found the person employed was doing quite well. However, when times go by, we realised something wrong somewhere. Eventually we tried to confront him and unfortunately failed. He not only left the centre, but brought the whole group of people went against us and started his own ministry. He really disappointed us as we held high expectation from him.

Another similar case happened about the same time when I wanted to go full force for mission. I prepared and arranged an assistant minister to take over. After two years of his taking over, we were so disappointed to see the church goers drop to less than half of the origin.

The passage we read today talks about John the Baptist sent his disciples to query whether Jesus was the Messiah promised. As a forerunner of Christ and a preacher of the coming of God’s kingdom, he was expecting to see not only people repent and turned to God, he could have also expected the arrival of God’s kingdom as many people did. However, the reality was that though many turned their evil ways and repent, yet there were so many things that beyond his control as though God was somehow absent from the scene. John was imprisoned. The queen wanted to kill him.

1. John the Baptist doubted about the Kingdom of God

As I preached last Sunday, John the Baptist was the forerunner of Christ. He preached the message of repentance as the Kingdom of God is at hand. His repentance message was not only for ordinary people only. He preached the same message in the palace too but of course the outcome was disastrous. He rebuked King Harold of committed adultery as he married to his sister-in-law Herodias. The price of such preaching was his life - John was beheaded at last. Imagine yourself preaching that the Kingdom of God is at hand and yet there is no sign of any presence of God. John’s doubts were understandable. If God’s kingdom is at hand, there must have something happened. May be God would send some angels to get John out of prison at least. The best perhaps would be God sending his army from heaven to overthrow Harold’s kingship, or send fire from heaven to burn all enemies to ashes as Elijah witnessed once. But nothing of this kind happened, not even till John was beheaded. What a lesson of longsuffering!

2. John the Baptist doubted the righteousness of God

“The righteous suffers” is one of the widely discussed and debated topics in human’s philosophy and theology. Psalms 34:19 - The righteous person may have many troubles, …Job was a righteous person. Yet he suffered from losing possessions initially and then his 7 children’s lives. Later, Job suffered also physically with skin disease that no ordinary person able to bear. Many of the Old Testament prophets were persecuted even to death. “If God is righteous, why does he allow all these to happen? If God is good, why does he allow wars, famine, sickness and all sorts of things to take place?” are questions asked all the time.

3. John the Baptist doubted the Person of Christ

John’s baptism introduced Jesus as Christ and Lamb of God before. But he was imprisoned, he started to doubt Jesus. He sent his disciples and asked Jesus “Are you the one is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Obviously John doubted Jesus’ deity as the Christ sent by God. What a serious contradiction with what he preached and what he believed. Many a times we preach on one thing and believe in another. Preaching with words is far more easier than preaching by our souls.

4. Jesus’ responds to John

By God’s grace, Jesus did not rebuke John of his disbelief. Instead Jesus affirmed John by encouraging him to think of the great things he performed: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. (Matt 11:5).

That is to say, Jesus is alive. He is the God who performs miracles all the time. Many a times we find difficult to tell others who Jesus is, but no one can dispute how Jesus had blessed you! This is the testimonies we can share with our friends. Of course your testimonies must be true and match with your repentance.

Conclusion

a. The righteous suffers because we share not only the life in Christ, we also share his sufferings.

Phil 1:29 - For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him…

b. Suffering is part of life for us to grow in our faith.

James 1: 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

c. Suffering proves the genuineness of our faith.

1 Peter 1: 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.

d. Suffering helps us to yearn for future glory yet to come.

Rom 8: 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Let us press on with the promise of Christ to be with us forever till He returned.

Do not leave out the second part of Psalms 34:19 - The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all…

The Kingdom is at Hand

Introduction

Again I want to mention this: the seasons of Advent is to remind us the comings of Christ. About 2000 years ago, Christ came as a baby in a manger. As He had promised, one day he will return to be our King forever. Jesus’ first coming was to fulfil the promises God swore to Abraham: God will make Abraham a great nation and all nations shall be blessed through him. (Gen 12:1-3). Through Jesus, people from all nations can become children of Abraham. As Paul said in Galatians 3:7 - Understand, then, that those who have faith (in Christ) are children of Abraham.

In the Old Testament time, the children of God rebelled against God by worshiping idols, committed adultery, involving in sorceries and occultisms, not acted righteousness, no justice and mercy…God sent diseases, natural disasters and invasions from other nations to punish His rebellious children. But before these punishments arrived, God always send prophets to rebuke His people and calling them to repent and live. For instance, the prophet Jeremiah rebuked the officials and all the people by saying: “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the LORD your God. Then the LORD will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you…” (Jer 26:12-13)

In Jesus’ time, there were not much changes compare to the time in the OT. People continue to sin against God. John the Baptist was sent by God to challenge the people to repent and believe in the good news of God.

1. John the Baptist called out for repentance

His call was urgent for the Kingdom of God is near. There is no time for relaxation. There is not time for half-heartedness. There is not time for looking for alternatives. When the Kingdom comes, the judgement comes also. In John’s terms, the axe is lying at the roots of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (Matt 3:10)

2. John the Baptist reminded that each person is to bear his own responsibility

John reminded the people: “do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham…” (Matt 3:9). The religious people thought that they have been observing all sorts of traditions and were very proud on them. They were confident not on God but on things they have done. They had not faith on God but on their performances. But God wants obedience more than sacrifices. As Samuel rebuke King Saul: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.” (1 Sam 15:22-23).

In John’s words, even if there is no one obey the Lord, God will able to raise his obedient people from stones.

3. John the Baptist urged people for the baptism of repentance

John’s baptism was called the baptism of repentance. This call for repentance is the open door for the baptism to come, the baptism of Christ, the baptism with the Spirit and fire. True repentance is not for outward show off but inner purification by the Spirit of God. True repentance always comes with holiness and fruit of the Spirit.

Paul warned people of his time that the acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft (astrology, fengshui etc); hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. (Gal 5:19-21) He further warned that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)

4. John the Baptist knew that he was the forerunner of Christ

John’s words about he as the forerunner of Christ were mentioned at least 7 times in the NT:

Matt 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Mark 1:7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.

Luke 3:16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

John 1:26-27 I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John 1:30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’

Acts 13:25 John was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’

Conclusion

John message was clear: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” It warns us “repentance” is the doorway to salvation just as John was the forerunner of Christ. I know many people would say God is love and will never condemn people to hell. But if we are honest to the whole biblical truth, we know the Day of Judgement will come and the hell of fire is real. Do not be deceived by the devil. Some of such deceptions are:

Death is beautiful. There is not suffering after all. God is all about love, he will not judge. Who cares if there is a world after life. Eat, drink, be happy and be merry. Just a little bit of this and that would be alright, God will not bother anyway….

Repent! For the Kingdom of God is near!

When Christ Returns

Introduction

Advent Sunday is to remind us the coming of Christ. When Christ came for the first time, he came in a humble way. He was born in a manger as a baby who needs protection from the parents when King Harold wanted to get rid of him. He came to his own world but his people did not recognise him and eventually crucified him on the cross. Christ died and was buried but on the third day he rose from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in his glory one day. And His second coming would not be the same as the first. We are therefore need to be aware of His second coming as He will come to judge the living and the dead.

1. The Signs of His second coming

Before Christ returned, there will be signs.

Jesus disciples asked what will be the sign of His coming, and of the end of the age. Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matt 24:3-14 NKJV)

These are the signs:

- deceptions: rising of false prophets, cults, fake Christ…(v5, 11)

- wars: rising of wars and rumours of wars…(v6-7a)

- natural disasters: earthquake, famines, pestilences…(v7b)

- immorality: betrayal, hatred, lawlessness, …(v9, 10, 12a)

- spiritual condition worsened: love grow cold (v12b)

- Mission accomplished: gospel preached in all the world (v14)

2. Reasons of Christ’s returned

a. Christ is to judge the living and the dead

So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matt 19:28 NKJV)

In John’s vision:

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Rev 20:11-15 NKJV)

b. Christ is to create a new heaven and earth for us.

Again in John’s vision,

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Rev 21:1-4 NKJV)

Conclusion

Let us be alert of things that happening around us.

Serve the Lord whole heartedly as Paul urged: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Cor 15:58 NKJV)

May our Lord praise us and say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' (Matt 25:21 NKJV)

End Time Mission

Introduction

November is set aside as a month of mission and evangelism. Few years back, the Sydney Diocese has some emphases on mission and evangelism targeting to raise Sydney Anglicans by 10% in few years time. Some of you might be aware that Mission Areas were set up to cater for mission implementations. St Mark is placed in the Mission Area of Parramatta. For the past 2 years, as we do not have a rector and therefore did not involve much in the program. However, it is never too late to start doing something now and pick up.

Church growth is not impossible with God’s help. After the Lambeth Conference in 1998, the Anglican Church of Nigeria began to launch evangelism and mission by creating 10 dioceses. 10 years later, in the 14th Lambeth Conference, it was reported that the Church of Nigeria has 25 millions Anglicans (17.86 % of the total population of 140 million), and became the second-largest province in the Anglican Communion, as measured by baptized membership, after the Church of England.

The Church of the Province of Uganda (or Church of Uganda) has thirty-one dioceses. As of the 2002 Census, 8,782,821 Ugandans (35.9% of the population) consider themselves affiliated with the Anglican Church.

These African Churches set targets and strategies in reaching out the unchurched people and we have a lot of things to learn from them.

The gospel passage today is about the end time signs when Jesus returns. Before the end time comes, let us grasp every opportunity to reach out our friends and relatives. Some of you may ask why should we involve mission and evangelism?

1. The Promises

Before Jesus was crucified, raised from the dead and ascended to heaven, he promised that he will return one day to receive his people. Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. “(John 14:3)

When Jesus returns, he will place us by his side and reign the world with him for a thousand years. (Rev 20: 4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.)

Afterward, we shall inherit eternity in the new heaven and new earth. (Rev 21: 1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”)

2. What is our mission then?

a. Mission is about fulfilling Christ’s commands. As Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, 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 all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Jesus’ mission is to save the lost souls.

“For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) ““My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34)

We are charged to go and not to wait for people to come to church. We are charged to make disciples of all nations and baptise them. We are charged to teach the people God’s word. And Jesus promised to be with us forever.

b. Mission is about meeting people’s needs.

“And Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of disease and all manner of sickness. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:35-36)

Jesus went about all the places. He taught in synagogues. He preached the gospel of the kingdom. He healed all manner of disease and sickness. He was moved with compassion because they were distressed and scattered as sheep without a shepherd.

c. Mission is about saving souls from the fire of hell.

Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire. 15 And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.

This is about the second death in the lake of fire. The biblical truth is – if we born once, we will die twice; if we born twice, we will die once. That is to say, all who born naturally will face this second death as described in Rev 20:14. But for those who received the second birth spiritually as described in John 3:3 (Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.), will not face the second death. The second death is the judgement of works while salvation is free gift of God. We are saved by grace and grace alone. Works has no part in God’s salvation. At the end time, God will receive those who acknowledge Christ’s salvation. As Jesus said, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” (Matt 10:32) Rom 3:24 - and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Whoever rejects Christ will be judged by their works. And of course we know that there is not a single person is able to stand before God and say, “I am worthy of your salvation.” Rom 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Rom 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. We know that there are some good people out there. But all their good deeds is far beyond the standard of God. No good deed is able to save a person. Everybody needs Christ!

Conclusion

I challenge you to join our mission training on 27th Nov. I will give training on how to do evangelism and later on will lead the parishioners to do door to door evangelism. I remember during the past 7 years serving at a Chinese church, I set up teams to do door to door evangelism. We managed to visit 500 people and brought more than 300 people to Christ. Some of these new converts are now involving in mission and evangelism and even became evangelists. In our areas (Parramatta, Granville, Auburn, Merrylands, Guildford etc) there are 50,000 residents. If we are able to reach 1% of them, that is 500 people. If the successful rate is 10%, that is 50 people. If we are able to retain 40 new comers, we will have the church full of people just in few years time.

This is only about the local mission. We need to think about the world mission too. Don’t just give a few dollars to mission organisations and satisfied. Let us walk out from the four walls of the church, walk out of Granville, walk out from Sydney and Australia and reach out to the people all over the world. Let us pray for church growth and offering our parts in mission and evangelism. Let us respond to God as Isaiah did - Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” (Isa 6:8)