HOPE REKINDLED: THE RISEN SAVIOUR APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES!

Galilee:  Peter, a strong disciple of Jesus was extremely sad. When his Master was cruelly hung on a cross, he ran away from the scene. His mind couldn’t take anymore the anguish of being so helpless. He had already denied Jesus three times when He was put on trial. Moreover, he was thinking real hard about why Jesus as God could have been so easily and humbly captured by mere men. He was confused and frustrated.

Peter and the rest of the disciples of Jesus were shocked when their Master appeared in front of them even though the doors were locked. When Jesus had calmed them down, they were all overjoyed, especially Peter. He had every reason to rejoice because he wanted to turn away from God after failing many times to be a good disciple. Now, his hope had been rekindled once more.

One of Jesus’ disciples named Thomas did not want to believe this extraordinary occurrence unless he could touch Jesus himself. The next day, Jesus appeared to Thomas and asked him to touch His hands. After realising Jesus had indeed risen from the dead, he went down on his knees and worshipped Jesus as his Lord and his God. Jesus forgave his disciples for running away when He needed them to stand by Him at the cross. All of them repented from their cowardice. Peter was the one with most hurt when he saw his Saviour alive again. His heart broke into many pieces when he renounced Jesus. In his mind, he did not want to see Jesus at all. He was too ashamed.

One day Jesus took him aside and forgave him personally. He asked Peter three times whether he still loved Him. This triggered off the memory that he had renounced Jesus three times, too. Peter felt his heavy guilt lifted away from within him. In tears, he understood now that Jesus had known everything about him all along. His nagging question of whether he could still serve and follow Jesus was answered in a remarkable way. Jesus asked him to tend to all His people and to glorify Him. Peter was overjoyed and made a commitment to follow Him all the way even if it meant dying on the cross.

(After having served the Lord for many years, Peter died for his faith in Jesus on a cross hung upside down. He died as a martyr. He was happy to die for His Master as he knew He would take him home to Heaven to live forever!) – PS BIBLE News

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand that He may lift you up in due time. CAST ALL YOUR ANXIETY ON HIM BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOU - 1 Peter 5:6-7

REFLECTION

This story is found in the book of John chapter 20 and 21. It tells us that Jesus is indeed risen from the dead. What does that mean to you? To Jesus’ disciple, it was a hope rekindled after He left them. They were a confused lot when their Master died on the cross. They were so delighted to know that Jesus’ words had come to pass when He said that He would rise again from the dead when they literally saw Him alive again.

What about you? Does Jesus rising from the dead mean anything to you? Absolutely yes! In fact, to you and everyone who lives on the earth. All the other founders of different religions in this world died. Their graves are still here on earth. Jesus is the only Person who claimed that He was God and proved it by rising from the dead. And He really did it! Nobody ever found Jesus’ body and nobody ever will because He is risen. Therefore, Christians are not believing in a dead man’s testimony but words right from the mouth of a living Saviour!

SAUL SEES THE LIGHT: THE PERSECUTOR OF THE CHURCH BLINDED BY A GREAT LIGHT!

Damascus:  An amazing thing happened to a nasty man named Saul. He was greatly feared for his atrocities toward the people from the church. Back in Jerusalem, he used to beat them and drag them to prisons to be tortured. His heart cared for no one except for his pride in obeying the laws of his religion. He was very close to the high priest of his religion. Once, Saul asked him to grant an approval for him to capture the Christians who fled to Damascus, a city far away from Jerusalem. He was very persistent in persecuting them. More amazingly, the Christians were not angry with him. Instead they prayed for him. they believed the Creator God is stronger than anyone in this world.

While Saul was travelling to Damascus to persecute them, he saw a powerful glaring light. It was so magnificent, shining form above the clouds that Saul and his companions were thrown off their horses. Then a powerful voice started to thunder from where the light came. “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” the voice said. Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The voice replied, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Saul was spellbound and sat on the ground in utter disbelief. Was he wrong in turning against the people who believed in Jesus? Was Jesus alive as the Christians claimed Him to be? Question after question pounded in his confused mind.

He wanted to look at the light again just to see if it was still there but he could not see a thing. He realised then that he was blind!

His companion did not know the meaning of the light and the voice. They led him to a house in Straight Street near here and quickly ran off.

One of the disciples of Jesus named Ananias was called by God to go to him. He was a bit hesitant due to this notorious man and his fervour in persecuting the Christians.

He obeyed the Lord Jesus. He went to the house where Saul stayed and prayed for him. Instantly, Saul was healed of his blindness. He then told Saul what Jesus had done for him.

Finally, the truth was revealed to Saul in a miraculous way. Today, he knows that Jesus is his risen Saviour and Lord. He is still shaking his head at the wonderful mercy of Jesus for giving him a chance even though he was murderous in dealing with God’s people.

And so is Ananias. He cannot comprehend how God is so compassionate and loving in saving Saul.

No matter how bad a person may be, God is able to change him. – PS BIBLE News

REFLECTION

Another powerful story from the Bible! It is found in the book of Acts chapter nine. God can change a murderous and unmerciful man into a beautiful saint. How true! After Saul was saved by the Lord Jesus, he went to his own people, who once were together with him persecuting the Christians, to tell them about the Saviour, Jesus. What an amazing turnaround! Have you experienced it yourself? If not, why not let Jesus add colour to your life?

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” John 10:10b

The main reason for Jesus to come to this earth is to save mankind from their sins. Sin in this world has clouded mankind from seeing the true colours of life through God’s eyes. Jesus loves us so much and he could not bear to see us going through life in doubts, disappointments, despair and finally towards destruction. He came so that our life could be full of happiness, hope and love. We can see clearly now the way that leads us to Heaven and towards ultimate joy with Jesus as our living Saviour.

Therefore, let us walk in His way and follow His commands. Some people do not have joy in God because they choose not to follow Jesus and do what He says. That’s why there are still millions of people living in darkness and despair. The good news is that many people too, have taken the right step to follow Jesus. They have found the joy that they never had before in Jesus. Have you?

GOD'S WORD IS VICTORIOUS!

Jordan: On the hill of Jordan while most of the people still sleeping, a tremendous fight took place. It was a fight of different nature. PS BIBLE News called it ‘The Duel Between Light and Darkness’.

Jesus Christ, claimed that He is God who came as a Man, went there to pray when he met Satan, nicknamed ‘The devil’. The devil had been very active lately trying to deceive the villagers to turn away from God. He wanted to disrupt Jesus from doing God’s will and so decided to tempt him. Satan wanted the Son of God to bow down and worship him as he had done so to many villagers before. The first subtle attack came!

Thus, the fight began! The Tempter said, “If you are really the Son of God, turn these stones to bread” He knew that Jesus was hungry. Satan was shocked when Jesus refused to yield to him. Instead Jesus challenged him with the Word of God. He said, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” Jesus followed His heavenly Father instead of listening to Satan.

The devil was dejected at the defeat. As usual, he did not quit. As they were walking towards the highest point of a temple, he dared Jesus to jump down. This time, Satan too quoted God’s Words but he was merely saying it to suit his own desire.

Jesus did not jump. He was angry at Satan using God’s Word for a wrong purpose. Then he jabbed the evil one with another round of God’s Word. He refused him by saying “God says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test’ ” With these powerful words, he again foiled Satan’s attempt to make Him Satan’s servant. Satan was devastated! The Word of God used by Jesus is too strong for the devil to withstand.

Satan was desperate! He led Jesus to a high mountain and showed him the beautiful kingdom below.

This time he was willing to give everything away to Jesus. Everything the devil ever had was gained through deception. All these would be given to Jesus with one condition: that he must bow and worship him alone. Satan laughed and thought surely this time, Jesus would agree to his proposal. But “Away from me, Satan! God says, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only’,” Jesus rejected him.

“What!” The devil screamed in anger. He covered his face and fled like one chased by a hungry, fierce wolf.

The fight was over!

The infallible word of God triumphed over evil. Truly, darkness has to flee when light comes! – PS BIBLE News

REFLECTION

In this simple story of the Bible, Jesus showed us the example of using God’s Word in times of difficulties and temptation. This true story is found in Matthew 4:1-11. in Hebrew 4:12, it says that the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates deep inside us and judges our thoughts and the attitude of our hearts. Psalm 119:105 says that the Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. It simply means the Word of God guides us through this life!

God’s Word is like a sword! It is used to counter Satan’s temptations. Ephesians 6:17

God’s Word is like fire and a hammer! It consumes and crushes falsehood. Jeremiah 23:29

God’s Word is like water, washing away unrighteousness from us. Ephesians 5:26; see also John 15:3

WE ARE LIVING IN A SICK WORLD

The rise of Boko Haram, ISIS, Al Shabaz, dictators and extremists of all kinds, including shootings in schools all over the USA have made this world a sicker place to live. Violence is now not only confined to movies and television shows but acted out everywhere and often in front of young children. Many have taken religion as a front to kill, maim, sexually assault, oppress and subdue. Jesus predicted this will happen, two thousand years ago and we live to see more of it today than ever before. 

....the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God (John 16:2).

Then there is narcissism all over the world where people just couldn't care less about all that is happening around them. "What's in it for Me?" is their battle cry!

In the last days...People will be lovers of themselves.... (2 Timothy 3:1-2).

Is this the beginning of the end where the world will get worse culminating to God's final wrath? Or is God telling us that the greatest opportunity for the Gospel is now?

What can followers of Jesus do?

1. Do not add doom to the gloom.

Do not go around sulking and whining about the condition of the world. The world is broken and can never get back to its original position until Christ comes again. It will not help at all to add fire to the already raging bush fire. Your world does not need one more problem but a solution, any solution - however small.

2. Pray and lay everything in God's Hand.

Psalm 73 speaks of a leader who was about to backslide over sinners gaining greater notoriety without repercussions at all from God. Then he went into God's presence, his eyes were opened to see the final destruction of evil wicked men. 

"Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written:"It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord" (Romans 12:19).

God sees the biggest picture from above while we see things with our little puny cluttered earthly minds. God answers prayers and will release all our sincere tear-filled, heart-broken prayers for justice, when the time is right. (Revelation 5:8; 8:4-5).

3. Alter the authoritative figure's mindset with God's wisdom.

Convince one person at a time of the need for Jesus, particularly authoritative figures which hold the final word in a family, a department, a company, a constituency or even a province or state. Pray for God to change these hearts. The greatest example of an authoritative turn-around guy in history is Paul in the Bible. He went from persecuting the church to being the greatest missionary and church planter for Jesus Christ!

In my many experiences of sharing the Gospel, many held back their confession of Christ because they were afraid of some authoritative figures at home, male or female. On the brighter side, I also encountered whole family saved due to the salvation of an authoritative figure.

4. Be patient with the 'patients' of God.

I must confess I did ask God to do 'zappy' things to these 'sick' people. And often God reminded me that I was also a 'sicko' once. Although the degree is different, sin is still sin. God's grace of salvation had reached and touched me and I am forever grateful. Imagine the unimaginable sufferings that will befall these sinners if they do not repent and respond to the Gospel of God. That's why God's patience can out-stretched all of us. He sees the intense darkness for the godless in the future while we want everything to end, send all 'sickos' to hell and close the case.

5. Do a good deed to people in need.

Action-oriented servings are much better than perfectly-crafted sermons. The Bible is filled with teachings of daily life examples, doing on-the-ground works and reaching the grassroots by deeds. Jesus taught His disciples through personally involved in people's lives, loving, caring and healing them. Many times He was moved with deep compassion and on one occasion, He cried. Jesus did not only preach, he also healed and not only He healed and went away, He changed lives! He believed in the future of all those He saved! For God so loved the world (that includes extremists of all kinds) that He gave His one and only Son... (John 3:16).

6. Love the Unlovable.

Hate the sin and not the sinner. The spew of hatred fuels greater hate. Never in my life will I be able to understand the victims and their families who are deeply affected by all the senseless violence. Perhaps it is more comfortable to hate than to do otherwise, I don't know. But hate is never the answer. Bear with me as I offer my two cents' opinion. In my little suffering and pain, I usually use the Gethsemane prayer principle, "I disliked it. I even hated it. But God, let Your will be done."

The greatest example I believe that left an indelible mark on Jesus' disciples was forgiving the unforgivable, those who ridiculed and mocked Him, those who lashed at Him and spitted on Him and those who crucified Him. He taught it first at the Sermon on the Mount and He did it for all to see. Today, only true followers of Christ love the unlovable, forgive the unforgivable.

And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that....But love your enemies, do good to them...Then you reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful (Luke 6:33-37).

Yes, we are living in a sick world. Yet the remedy is with the true followers of Christ and that remedy is the God-given Good News! It is like a cure for cancer in a cancerous world!

PASSION: THE BRIGHT LIGHT OF GLORY BY LOUIE GIGLIO

This book is written by a team of leading preachers and Christian voices, all involved in Passion Conference for college students. The book traced the trail of Passion Movement which based on this very verse in Isaiah 26:8, "Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts." 

I was thrilled to read Giglio's unwaning passion for Passion in the book. I could see his passion translated to those he worked with and more so, to the millions of youth who excitedly came for the conference each year. All who wrote in this book shared in his excitement and cooperatively served their best to the theme of the verse above.

Louie Giglio and team have never wandered off the tangent of the audience of One, Jesus Christ! Throughout the book, the LORD is being glorified, pleased, shouted forth, boasted of and supremely desired in all their hearts! I give this book 5 stars!

Thank you Thomas Nelson Publishers for giving me this free E-book for the purpose of this review.

NELSON'S ANNUAL PREACHER'S SOURCEBOOK, VOL. 3 by Dr. O. S. HAWKINS

This book has a wide variety of sermons to choose from and great ideas to ponder upon. As a preacher myself, it is a book that adds to my understanding about the passage of Scripture given there. I don’t follow them but it allows me to better grasp some topics presented. Somehow I was not really excited about this book because of several reasons. Firstly, a preacher needs to hear from God and not extract from other preachers. Secondly, following it may damper the creativity of a preacher. Lastly, the audience in each congregation is different and sometimes a sermon may work well in one but totally disastrous in another. So, for me, I am just okay with this book. 

I give this book three stars. Thank you, Thomas Nelson's Publishers for giving me this free e-book for the purpose of the review.

THE CHURCH AT ITS BEST - THE FIRST GREAT COMMISSION CHURCH

Church at Antioch as described in Acts 11:19-29 and 13:1-3, was at that time, a church at its best during the initial years after Christ’s resurrection! It was truly a great Commission church! 

The church started on Pentecost after the Holy Spirit moved greatly at Peter’s sermon. Three thousands were converted on that day at Jerusalem (Acts 2). It comprised of all Jewish believers. They were fulfilling what Jesus said by going to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. Since the Christians were all Jewish converts, there were two problems - one external and the other, internal. The external problem was that the believers were looked upon as traitors to Moses’ Laws. This gave the religious authority the reason for persecuting the disciples of Christ. They were sure the Romans would side them as the majority to win over their favours. Meanwhile the internal problem had to deal with cliques of  all things Jewish. This would eventually lead to inwardness of the Church at Jerusalem, thus curtailing the expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Then came the stoning of Stephen to death and igniting widespread persecution on the believers. This led to the migration of believers to other cities across the region except the apostles and some leaders who stayed at Jerusalem. Some Jewish believers went to Antioch, the first city outside of Israel! These did not go there only to escape imprisonment and torture but they shared the Gospel! Thus, the first Great Commission Church - began. The first multi-racial, multi-cultural church. 

There are few ingredients that make the Antioch church the first Great Commission church and leave a benchmark for any church today.

1. It was a witnessing Church  (Acts 11:19-21).

The church was started not by a famous preacher or a great church strategist. There were no big names like Paul, Peter or Barnabas in its initial months. It all began when some unnamed and unsung believers believed in the call of the Great Commission. They were persecuted yet they did not give up! They were not ashamed of the gospel for they believed it was the power of God unto salvation! They shared not only to the own native race, but also to the Gentiles. Their passion rested upon Jesus’ very words, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

If we are not witnessing to the lost and not winning them to Christ, then the church loses its purpose of existence. Church becomes a club and Christianity becomes a religion with 'dos' and 'donts'!

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news...(Isaiah 52:7). This prophecy concerns the future of Israel under captivity to the Babylonians. It'll last for 70 years. When that judgment is over, God will send a messenger of goodnews that Israel is no longer bound. They are free to go. This messenger will be passionate about the message and will run across treacherous terrains to deliver the goodnews. Those in exiles who long to return see the messenger's beautiful feet! The feet of the runner of hope is beautiful! 

Do we have the passion to run with the Gospel message telling the lost that they are set free by the cross of Christ?

2. It was a Discipling Church (Acts 11:22-26).

When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, he saw something that probably never entered his mind before. The Gentiles were expressing their adoration and worship for Jesus Christ the same way that the Jewish believers did! This caused him to be overflowed with joy seeing what Jesus Christ had commanded come to pass. He immediately began to disciple the growing church. He knew he needed to disciple these believers for even greater days ahead! He couldn’t do this alone and so he recruited Saul. Saul had been in Tarsus for four years now, preaching and teaching in the churches throughout the region, and growing in the grace of God. Together, they taught and discipled the new believers in Christ! 

Barnabas and Saul are so called functional leaders - they came for a need! Barnabas did not settle down in Antioch as the ‘POPE’. Saul did not set up an office to be the ‘BISHOP’. 

Do we need prophets today? Sure, if there is a need. Do we need teachers and pastors and evangelists? Of course, if there are needs for them. But more importantly, the church today needs disciplers! Every believer is not only to be followers of Christ but also to teach others to become followers of Christ! Making disciples of all nations, and in Greek, ‘nations’ means all people groups.

Antioch church could go either way. Either it could explode to a great revival or it may implode with racial issues! The church at Antioch was multiracial with a tinge of uneasiness. On one hand, the Jews with their own culture and practices and on the other, Gentiles with their own traditions. Also, in Jerusalem church itself, there were Jewish believers who were skeptical that the Gospel be preached to the Gentiles.

Making disciplers out of the church in Antioch was pivotal. It was a turning point in history of the church of Jesus Christ. It turned out to be the catalyst to fulfill Jesus’ commands to make disciples to the ends of the earth.

Is your church a discipling church? A church without strong disciples of Christ is easy target for Satan. If we do not disciple believers by God’s Word, then the world will disciple them. Satan is a great discipler of evil! 

The believers in Antioch were the first to call Christians It was a sarcastic remark by those on the outside the church who heard them always talking about Christ. In today’s context, these are Christ fanatics, the holy Joes! 

Remember they were disciples first, then called Christians! Today, we have many Christians who are not disciples of Christ! 

John Welsey (1703 - 1791) aptly put it, “My fear is not that our great movement, known as the Methodists, will eventually cease to exist or one day die from the earth. But my fear is that our people will become content to live without the fire, the power, the excitement, the supernatural element that makes us great. 

Later William Booth (1829 - 1912) warned, “I consider that the chief dangers which confront the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without regeneration, politics without God and heaven without hell. 

3. It was a sharing Church (Acts 11:27-30).

The multiracial church at Antioch was practising what the Jerusalem church practiced - giving their best for the community of believers. In Antioch, it went one notch higher where the Gentiles were giving to the Jews in Judea! This was a goodwill that would go a long way in promoting peace between the Jewish and Gentile  It prompted Paul in his letter later to the Galatian Christians. 

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).

‘Konoinia’ in Greek for ‘fellowship’ literally means to have in common or to share. It was a breakthrough word for the early church where everyone helped each other. The Jerusalem church led the way for the Antioch church to follow. 

Is your church a sharing church? In other words, “Is it a loving church?” Today we are talking more on prosperity than on generosity. We come to church to take and not so much to give. Perhaps in this generation of so much lies and deceits, we are also much more careful to help one another. We are questioning and justifying everything. Remember the parable of The Good Samaritan how he never think when he chanced upon the badly injured guy, “Maybe he deserves it because of some sins in his life” or “Maybe someone else would come and help” or  “If I help, I may be accused of hurting him”.

4. It was a worshipping Church  (Acts 13:2-3). 

In Antioch church, the believers came corporately together before God in submitting to His Lordship. They surrendered themselves as instruments in the hands of the Master. The word ‘worshipping’ in NIV here literally means ministering to God. They were waiting before God to hear from Him and were ever ready to obey the Holy Spirit! Fasting and devotion to God speak of their seriousness of doing the will of God. With this attitude, God was ready to speak to them!

Is your church a worshipping church? Author Joshua Harris wrote a book entitled, “Stop dating the church” and he wrote how in our consumer-driven church market we’ve developed the practice of hopping from one church to the next, attending this church or that church based on how we feel on that particular Sunday morning. We have too many CEO Christians today. Christmas Easter Only. Not those who are seriously wanting to hear from God and ready to obey His commandments. Let us be a church that seriously yearn to hear from God and obey His voice!

5. It was a Sending Church (Acts 13:2-3)

Because of their readiness to hear God and to obey Him, they obediently sent off Barnabas and Saul when the Holy Spirit called! Mind you, these two were the best of the lot! Someone said, ‘The church is not an institution to be protected but a Movement to be expanded’. The real Church is like an army, ready and alert. They are always on the move to gain territories for Jesus! Jesus is our Lord and He is on a mission! And He is using the church for His mission and no gates of hell shall prevail against it!

Is your church a sending church? 

The Antioch church began with some unnamed believers and it turned up to be the first Great Commission Church. From Antioch, the apostle Paul started his missionary journeys, all the way Asia Minor and Rome, creating a wide regional Church later on. Thus Jesus’ commands to reach the ends of the earth was obeyed even though not all fulfilled during the Antioch days! However, the effects of that church in Antioch had gone global! It was a local church with a global mission!

Let us learn from the Antioch Church these five ingredients that make up of a Great Commission Church and shine forth Jesus for God’s glory!