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Finding the perfect gift :-

Jesus is the perfect gift that does not expires like the gift vouchers. 

We trust in Jesus

The Gift of Joy 喜乐的礼物

Topic: The Gift of Joy 喜乐的礼物

22 Dec 2019

Rev Renny Khoo 

Biblical faith offers a unique perspective of joy 基于圣经的信心供独特喜悦的观点。

I) Joy is an attitude God’s people adopt 喜乐是上帝子民所采取的态度

Despite circumstances and not because it is happy event with happy emotions. 

Isrealites while far away from the destination, they were singing for joy. Psalm 131 

Joy of wilderness - joy of believers not dependant on current situations.

They waited with joy, they chose to wait in joy. 

The birth of Jesus was Good news with great joy! 

 1) Not because of happy circumstances, but because of their hope in God’s love. 

 不是因为快乐的处境，乃是因为上帝的爱而有的盼望。

 2) Not determined by the present struggle but by their future destiny. 不让今日的挑战限制自己，而是由未来的命定决定。

II) While they wait, they choose joy to anticipate our future redemption.当他们等待时,他们选择以喜乐来期待未来的救赎。

III) While they acknowledge their pain, they also make a choice to trust Jesus.在承受 

 痛苦时，他们选择信靠耶稣。

QUESTIONS: 思考与分享 

1. What are some of your memories of God’s love to you? What are some of God’s promises to you that you can recall and reaffirm? 在你记忆中上帝如何爱你？你记忆中，上帝给你的应许和肯定是什么？

2. If joy is an attitude, and we have our pains, how do you want your attitude to look like this season? 如果喜乐是一种态度，而我们正经历痛苦，你希望以什么态度面临这季节呢？

The Parable of the Widow and the Judge: How persistent are you ?

Topic: The Parable of the Widow and the Judge ; How persistent are you ?
 寡妇与法官的比喻；你有多坚持？
Text : Luke 路加福音18:1-8
Pr Annie Wong
20 October 2019



Here is a story of persistency pays off!
The inspiring life story of KFC founder Colonel Sanders. He was rejected 1,009 times before finding someone to accept his chicken recipe at the age of 65. The success of KFC is quite a lesson in persistence for all of us.

Introduction 引言:
*The context of the parable - Luke 17:20-37 比喻的上下文—路17:20-37
* “Always to pray and not lose heart” “不住祷告及不灰心”

Disciples were asking when is the coming of God's kingdom and Jesus replied with this parable.

Jesus told this parable in the context of the preceding chapter when the Pharisees asked Him when the kingdom of God would come, to which Jesus replied that it would not come with their careful observation, because the kingdom of God is within them. Jesus knew the disciples would face dark and difficult days ahead. That’s why they ought always to pray and not lose heart. • Always to pray and not lose heart This parable teaches the importance and the necessity of patience, persistence and persevering prayer. Because in our church, in our workplace, in our family and in our nation, “everything rises or falls on prayer!” 

I. The Cry of the Widow (vv.3-5b) 寡妇的呼求
    V3 her demand
    V3 her disadvantage due to her status
    V5b her determination
    V5b her desperation

She countered the reluctant judge with determination until she made a nuisance of herself.

II. The Coldness of the Judge (vv.2-5) 法官的冷漠

     V2 he was corrupt
     V. he was tough, hard and insensitive
     V. 4b-5 he was arrogant and conceit

He gave in on the end, due her persistency.

Source : http://mybiblestoriesblog.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-unjust-judge.html

Here is in Greek about what it means "Wear me out" :-
Literally, the judge was worried that the widow would give him a black eye. This is the description for what happens inside Fighting Ring.


III. The Contrast with our Father (vv.6-8a) 我们天父的对比

The key to the hard heart of the unrighteous judge was persistent, perpetual pressure Vs. The key to the loving heart of God is persistent, perpetual prayer.

V8 I tell you, He will give justice to them speedily.
God's timing is not like ours.
God's delays because His ways are not our ways.
Isaiah 55:8-9
Proverbs 3:8
God's delay is to make us grow

IV. The Challenge to Us (v.1; v.8) 我们的挑战

God is not grudging or hard-headed like the judge that must be bribed into answering prayer. God’s ear is open to the cry of His children: “Before they call I will answer; while they are speaking I will hear.” (ESV) Isaiah 65:24 He honors and handles His people’s persistence and petitions (vv.7b-8a) “Will he delay long over them? 

I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.” Sometimes prayer is answered immediately, at other times, the answer is delayed. 

Pr. Annie shared the story of her dishonest and mischievous Muslim maid who left the house on the pretext of wanting to get married, but came back to steal things from the house when no one was at home. God will not delay in answering His children, the chosen ones, when their motives are right. 

The only reason the judge answered and helped the widow was because he was afraid that she would weary him and ruin his reputation with her persistence. He was acting out of his own relief and selfish motive all the way and finally, he granted her request. 

But this is never the reason with our loving Father in heaven. He always act out of self-sacrificing love as seen supremely in the cross of Christ and out of wise concern for the well-being of His people. In our perfect mind, prayers might seem delayed when they are not answered immediately and speedily. But God is always on time. 

Sometimes we worry so much about our timing that we forget about God’s timing. 

“I tell you, He (God) will give justice to them speedily.” (v8) 

What does speedily mean? “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8) 

• God promised to deliver His people from bondage in Egypt but 400 long years went by before He raised up Moses, and that only after Moses spent 40 years in the desert after his failure. Speedily by God’s calendar is not speedily by ours! 

• God’s Delays are not God’s Denials (1) God delays because His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9; Proverbs 3:5). (2) God’s delay is to make us grow. The Challenge to Us 

• Be consistent and persistent in prayer (v.1) 

“Ought always to pray and not lose heart”. 

“Ought always to pray” = “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thess. 5:17) 

“Without ceasing” = “no intermission” “Not to lose heart” = “not to faint” (KJV) 

Do you have a problem you have been praying about? Don’t stop praying! Keep praying as God is still working out the answers you’re seeking in His time. God has not given up on you yet! Keep praying and keep trusting despite all the obstacles you face and despite all the signs that say you should just give up. Persevere consistently in prayer like the widow and Hannah. Through your consistence and persistence in prayer, God will answer your prayers and grant you your requests! 

Hannah – Persistent in Prayers (1 Samuel 1) “She kept on praying to the Lord.” (1 Samuel 1:12) 

Weeping bitterly

1 Samuel 1:12 she kept on praying
1 Samuel 1:13 praying in her heart
V15 poured out her soul
Galations 6:9

Let your consistence and persistence in prayer pay off in God’s time! “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9) • Be faithful in prayer (v.8) “…… When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (ESV) 

(1) Will not God bring about justice? (v.7) 

(2) Will he delay long over them? (v.7) 

(3) Will the Son of Man find faith on the earth? (v.8) 

Don’t stop praying, never give up, but “always pray and don’t lose heart.” “The end of all things is at hand; therefore, keep sane and sober for your prayers.” (1 Peter 4:7) 

• Will he find people expressing themselves to the Father in a warm, loving, trusting faith relationship? 

• Will be find His people persisting in prayer before the Father over the things that really matter? 

• Will you be among God’s people still praying for our church, family, nation? How persistent are you in praying? Will you be the one who is faithfully connecting to God through persistent prayer? 

Let us choose to be in the process where we follow Jesus Christ and obey His commands (by praying persistently and faithfully) hence influencing others to do the same. 

Let’s keep on praying! 

Don’t give up! 

Don’t lose heart! 

Questions: 思考与分享

1. What is the one key lesson you learn from this parable Luke 18:1-8?
Share your experience of being persistence in something you did, be it a
relationship, work or life issue, what was the outcome? Would you think you have a
different outcome had you pressed on or not?
在路18:1-8比喻中，你主要学到的功课是什么？分享你在人际关系上，工作或生活问
题上坚持的经历，结果如何？如果你没有坚持，你认为结果会不同吗？



2. Why is it important for us to pray unceasingly and not lose heart despite the
 outcome. (v.1) 不论结果如何我们仍然要不住祷告，不灰心，为什么这是重要的？



3. How can God’s delay in answering prayers help us in the process of our
 discipleship journey? How will that help deepen our relationship with Him and
 build our trust in Him?
 神延迟回复我们的祈求，这对我们门徒旅程有什么帮助？这如何加深我们与神的关系
 及建立我们对祂的信心？

Source : https://canadianmennonite.org/articles/listen-unjust-judge

References :-

https://joykidsbiblelessons.wordpress.com/tag/parable/

http://www.freebibleimages.org/photos/persistent-widow/

The lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and Lost Son: who is really the lost one here?

Topic: The lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and Lost Son: who is really the lost one here? 

Text: Luke 15 

13 Oct 2019 

Rev Renny Khoo 

I have listened to this parable preached many times and there were a few occasions that the preacher would point to a different character (other than the younger son) who is actually the Prodigal. Once, I watched a drama entitled "The Prodigal Father" pointing out that it was the Father who spent so lavishly on his sons because he loves them so much. But this Sunday Sermon pointed to the Elder brother and he was the lost one while sitting at home. This sermon is worth slowing down and pondering about : 

Have I acquire the elder brother syndrome ?

Have I developed "righteous anger", thinking that I have earned the rights to judge other brothers / sisters who are still in sin?

When Rev Renny shared about that "The Prodigal Son" painting by Rembrandt, it just opens a floodgate of devotional materials out there to read and ponder even more.  See links below.

Introduction 

According to the context in the Bible, [Luke 15:1-2], Jesus was seen eating and engaging in fellowship and friendship with the tax collectors and the sinners. However, to the pharisees, Jesus seemed to be out of place mixing with them. So Jesus shared these 3 parables to the pharisees. 

The first parable that Jesus shared was ‘The Lost Sheep’. Then in [v8], the word ‘… or…’ is used to introduce the next parable, ‘The Lost Coin’, and in [v11], the word ‘then…’ in the context introduced the 3rd parable, ‘The Lost Son’. These 3 parables collectively deal with the theme of ‘lostness’. 

1. A series of 3 parables 

In the 1st parable, a shepherd went searching for the one missing sheep and in the second parable, a housewife rejoiced for having found a lost coin. In these stories, both the shepherd and the housewife took appropriate actions. But in the 3rd parable, it is different! 

i. No one searched for the son and he came back by himself. But someone else was not happy and his father had to persuade him to come in to rejoice with the father for the return of his younger brother. 

ii. Even the sound of celebrations did not excite this elder brother and when news of the return of his younger brother was made known, he was very angry at the treatment given to his younger brother. In this parable, someone else is also lost – the elder brother! No one realized it until the father had to persuade the elder brother to come in for the celebration. Thus, many of us can identify with parable 3, but we are saved by God’s grace and He will forgive us because it is God who will pursue us. 

2. Who is the lost one? 

In Rembrandt, ‘The Prodigal Son’ illustrates both the parental welcome and standing next to the prodigal son is the elder brother with a downcast face. 

This painting was the last one done by Rembrandt just before his death, before this, he did many sketches to prepare for it, he poured in all his understandings about life, it was painting about his faith too, how he was once a younger brother and then acquired the elder brother syndrome. Without a doubt, this was one of the most significant painting from his era. 

There are many paintings on "The Prodigal Son", here are some snapshots from Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_Prodigal_Son

James Tissot – The Return of the Prodigal Son (Le retour de l'enfant prodigue) – Brooklyn Museum

The Return of the Prodigal Son (1773) by Pompeo Batoni

The Prodigal Son, a 1618 painting by Rubens of the son as a swineherd.

Of all these paintings, the one drawn by Rembrandt got the most comments and even a dedicated Wikipedia page :-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Return_of_the_Prodigal_Son_(Rembrandt)

The reflections made on Henri Nouwen on the paintings by Rembrandt also had many essays written about it.

http://www.rembrandtpainting.net/rembrandt's_prodigal_son.html

https://thereaderwiki.com/en/Prodigal_Son

http://avrotor.blogspot.com/2018/04/a-study-of-rembrandts-return-of.html

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/thinking-anew-mercy-and-the-enduring-story-of-the-prodigal-son-1.2558941

Henry Nouwen, in his reflection, wrote that ‘Rembrandt is as much the elder son of the parable as he is the younger…’ it is clear that the hardest conversion is really the one who stayed home. 

4 other Characters were painted and they were hidden in the dark.

The elder brother is also THE LOST ONE! Are you aware of anyone in our Church who is lost? Do you know who God is? Do you know what God is saying to you? Do you know what must you do now? We should also examine from within ourselves, are we lost like the Elder Brother?

3. God’s attitude and our attitude towards the lost God is still concerned for that one who is lost. 

In these parables, we can have a glimpse of His Love and Grace for the lost. He pursues and is truly concerned for everyone, i.e. those within the family and who doesn’t know Him. This is evident of His sacrifices for us, for God so loved the world that he gave us his only begotten son. He would welcome us with open arms. 

God is saying, you and I are precious to Him. [John10:14-15] ‘I know my own’ and ‘I lay down my life for my sheep’ How about us? Do we care about others? Do we have a burden for our nation? We need to do whatever it takes to find the ones who are lost. The ones who are lost can be you or the one sitting beside you and we need to reach out to bring them back to God. But the hardest conversion are the ones sitting next to you! Therefore, we need to open our eyes in our families and friends to seek out the lost ones. In the parable, the younger brother and the elder brother are both equally lost! Some of us need to come back to the embrace of God for Him to restore us. All of us are called up to reach out and have a burden to the lost. 

Conclusion 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ must be continued to be proclaimed…‘Come back to the Father, It is our duty to share and rescue.’ And the rest of us should join in the celebration for those who are found. 

Questions: 

1. Read Luke15:1-2. What bothered the Pharisees and teachers of the law about Jesus, and why? What does this reveal about their attitude towards ’tax collectors and sinners’? 

It is the Father Heart of God that none shall be perished and be lost. He would not give up on them. 

2. Instead of concluding the story at v24, Jesus went on to describe the reaction of the older son in vs 24 – 32. What additional points do you think Jesus wanted to make to the audience of the parable, and why? 

The story did not end at V 24 

24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

because Jesus wished to explore the depth of "lostness" through this parable. He wanted to highlight that there was another person who was lost too and he was residing with the father all these time. It was a like a wake-up call to the Jews, the calling to God's children is not just for you but for ALL. 

3. ‘The hardest conversion is the conversion of the one who stayed home’ Are you aware of anyone in this category in our Church or in our respective families? What and how will you reach out to those who have stayed home but are still lost?

I cannot begin to think who are lost in my circle without first examining within myself, the ways that I have been lost, the ways that I "develop righteous angers", the way I judge some Christians. I have to deal with the one who is lost while sitting at the Lord's feet, dining in my Father's House. 

The hardest conversion to go through is the conversion of the one who stayed home ~ A soul-searching question to ask ourselves. 

If I need to share about this lost-ness to someone else whom I think is lost himself, it is better that I do it prayerfully, unless the Lord impresses me to speak up, it is very hard to move in and share directly in this manner, for many will take offence of it.  

Bold Intimacy

I joined the Bold Conference and here is what I have learnt :-