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Praying with Passion

Praying With Passion
Lamentations 3:21-25
Pr Janice Chin

- very wide range of perceptions about prayer and what passionate praying looks like. What do you think of when you hear "prayer" or "prayer meeting"? And "passionate prayer"?

Four snapshots of Jesus’ most passionate moments of prayer: 
1. Praying with gratitude amidst sorrow and grief (John 11:33-42)
- Jesus gave thanks firstly not for the raising of Lazarus but for God hearing his prayer
- illus. of car broke down, your mechanic came to your aid, your response would be "thank you for coming" more than anything else, even before he has fixed your car (solved your problems)
- knowing God is always present with us in our sorrowful times

2. Praying for God’s will to prevail (Matthew 26:36-44)
- this was a very intense moment in Jesus' life; we may pray similar words as in v39 and v42, but Jesus really bore a tremendous burden that only he could know
- sometimes we pray and God performs miracles, other times He allows us to go through the hard situation rather than take us out of it
- dilemma between our preference and God's will, esp when we also want God's will!; even if we know a particular choice is God's will it is still painful, we want to turn and run in the other direction
- when we pray passionate prayers about God's will being done, it sometimes looks like this

3. Praying to forgive someone who hurt you (Luke 23:34)
- a huge challenge because of a strong sense of justice when wrongdoing is committed against us or someone we know
- Jesus teaches us to forgive as we have been forgiven, regardless the other part asks for forgiveness or deserves it or not
- often the people we need to learn to forgive are those closest to us; this is such a deep area of our hearts that only God can mend
- to pray with passion means to be willing to forgive as Jesus forgave, this is part of our discipleship

Jesus prayed his most passionate prayers in the hardest moments. Through these prayers we find the example and encouragement we need for our trying times, unbridled passion in our prayer life as we face adversity.

4. Praying in the absence of God (Mark 15:33-34)
 - there will be moments in your life when it feels God is absent - how to pray with passion then?
- think of Job. In his darkest, he challenged God, he brought his raw emotions to God. In fact he questioned God on His way of justice. "HOW COULD YOU? ARE YOU NOT RIGHTEOUS AND JUST?" These are audacious words we dare not say to God, but praying with passion involves pouring out our hearts.
- praying with passion does not only involve knowing the right things about God, ie right belief (what we term orthodoxy in the study of God), or doing the right things or knowing the right way to do things, ie right actions (orthopraxy), but more importantly it is about expressing the right emotions, ie right passion (orthopathy). Head + hands + heart.
- illus. some people are very good in their music theory and they can always play with correct notes and tempo, but their heart is not in their music. Passionate musicians are different. Similarly, we may pray the right words and in a style or method that is "correct", but our heart is not in what we're praying.
- Job expressed the right passion, although his friends "knew or said" the right things about God. His relationship with God was intimate enough (yada) that he prayed this way, e.g. Job 13:15

No prayer ever reaches God’s heart which does not come from our hearts.

How can we cultivate praying with passion?
The key to praying with passion is surrender. Surrender. All the four snapshots of Jesus' prayers we've looked at tell us this : surrender.

Not only our private prayer but also corporate prayer, "nothing tends more to cement the hearts of Christians than praying together. Never do they love one another so well as when they witness the outpouring of each other's hearts in prayer" (Charles Finney).

Questions:
1) Have you ever prayed a heartfelt prayer to God? Share one moment you can recall.

2) Why did Pr Janice use the four Jesus snapshots to talk about praying with passion? Any of these relate to your own praying?

3) As a KKE CG and in your zone, what is one attitude you want to evaluate and commit to change together in these two months? How does it cultivate praying with passion (and more passionate corporate prayer)?

When Church Prays : Is Fasting Necessary ?

Series: When Church Prays

Topic: Is Fasting Necessary?

Text: Matthew 9:14-15

Rev Renee Khoo

Today is the 14th day of our 40-day fast and prayer, so it’s a good time for us to talk about prayer this morning. When it comes to prayer and fasting, everyone has so many questions to ask, just like John’s disciples in Matthew 9:14-15. When do we fast? How many times a day do we fast? How many meals to skip? What are the benefits of fasting? What is fasting? Fasting is a ritual of abstinence from food and/or drink for a predetermined period; practiced in the Bible primarily as a means of mourning. Fasting frequently occurs in the Old Testament in response to suffering or disasters in conjunction with other rituals. You may be skipping a meal and yet you may not be practicing fasting. The Day of Atonement is a day when Israel will fast and pray as a nation. Examples of men who fasted in the Bible included Moses, King Jehoshaphat, Jonah, David, Nehemiah, King Darius. Anna, John the Baptist, Jesus, Church of Antioch, Paul and Barnabas. So we can see that fasting is not only practiced now but it was also practiced throughout the Bible.

1.         True Fasting & False Fasting (Isaiah 58)

Simply fasting just to fulfill an obligation, without humility towards God or compassion for people who are oppressed, is false fasting. True fasting should result in a change of attitude and treatment towards God and towards men. True fasting should enable us to come humbly before God, to acknowledge Him as the Lord of all, to have compassion towards those who are in need, to set captives free, to be the messenger of God, and to display kindness to mankind.

2.         Usefulness & Necessity

“Let us say something about fasting, because many, for want of knowing its usefulness, undervalue its necessity, and some reject it as almost superfluous; while on the other hand where the use of it is not well understood, it easily degenerates into superstition. Holy and legitimate fasting is directed to three ends; for we practice it either as a restraint on the flesh, to preserve it from licentiousness, or as a preparation for prayers and pious meditations, or as a testimony of our humiliation in the presence of God when we are desirous of confession our guilt before him.” --- John Calvin

Nowadays we tend to ask how something will benefit us or be useful to us before we commit ourselves to it. If we don’t see the usefulness of doing something, we will think that it is not necessary. Fasting is one of the spiritual disciplines for every Christian. On the other hand, we often hear testimonies how something has benefited someone greatly, even though that person may not have known its benefits or usefulness before doing it. Isaiah 58:8-12 sums up what will happen and the benefits we will receive when we fast and pray. If we truly believe God’s Word is the truth, we can pray and fast to see if God’s Word will come to pass in our lives. Fasting can also make us more humble, see the order and priorities of life clearer, more sensitive to His voice and sharpen our spiritual gifts. It is also true that when we fast, our hidden weaknesses and sins will surface. We will become less selfish and think of others more.

3.         Methodology & Timing

Some of the methods of fasting are Regular Fast, Partial Fast, Full Fast (e.g. Acts 9:9; Esther 4:15-16) and other forms of fasting. According to Mahesh Chavda in his book “The Hidden Power of Prayer & Fasting”, one thing we want to avoid when we fast is tell others that we are fasting, which is between us and God, and our attitude must be right.

When is the best time to fast? Do we see hope in our nation? Can you call this place your home? Do what you see happening in our nation drive you to your knees to pray? Do you see the urgency in the nation enough to consider fasting? Is there a reason strong enough for you to come and seek His face? Do you see the need to pray for our nation? Do you see the urgency to do it now? Is fasting necessary?

Conclusion: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14

Question for reflection and response

1.         Share an incident or event in your life that has driven you to your knee to pray and fast. Was there any breakthrough that you experienced?

2.         Fasting is one of the spiritual disciplines for every Christian. Do you practice that often? Why or why not?

3.         How do you view judgment on the last day (v.48)?

Nations Rise - Nationa Fall

Lord, have mercy! This is so real for today. We see and hear so many discouraging news around the world and in our own land of Malaysia. "The ultimate triumph of good and evil is certain. BUT God has the last word in everything. Let us hold onto Him and draw deeper and closer everyday of our lives. Watch over our spirit that we will not be discouraged. Thank God that He promise there will be an end to all this. Help us prepare ourselves that we do not deny Christ.


















Shared by sister Jessie Fung.

Restoration of Peter John 21

Restoration of Peter

John 21

13 August 2017

Rev Renny Khoo

The gospel of John could have ended in Chapter 20.

John 20:30-31

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

But there is a chapter 21 about the restoration of Peter.

Jesus' Appearance to the Disciples in Galilee

1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. 2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. 

4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. 6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. 8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. 10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

Peter's Restoration
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

Peter and the Disciple Jesus Loved
20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

A Final Note
24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Title: Restoration of Peter

Text: John 21

Jesus asked Peter two important questions.

This is the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples after his resurrection.
After the meal at the Sea of Galilee Jesus led Peter through an experience that would not only remove the guilt that came from Peter's denial but transformed him into a renewed disciple of Jesus. The two questions are:

1) Do you love me (more than these)?

Peter felt very confused, guilty and a failure after disowning Jesus three times. He had boasted that he would never forsake Jesus.
To affirm Peter's love and commitment, Jesus asked Peter three times. 'Do you love me?" Each time Peter answered Jesus "l love you". Jesus exhorted Peter to care for his flock: "Feed my lambs" "Take care of my sheep" "Feed my sheep".
After Peter's confession Jesus asked him to follow him and restored and reinstated him as a transformed disciple.
i ) Restoration of Peter's love.
Jesus restored Peter from a failure to be a shepherd to look after God's flock and to die for the sheep just as Jesus did.
ii ) Reinstatement of God's call.
Jesus reinstated Peter to a higher calling to be the rock on which he will build his church.
iii ) Resolution of God's mission.
Jesus recommissioned Peter for sacrificial leadership where love will be focussed on others and not on self.

"More than these" can be translated in different ways. The most appropriate translation is "more than the miraculous catch of the fish". This is because they were experienced fishermen and they caught nothing the whole night. Yet when they listened to a stranger ( whom they didn't know is Jesus) they had a miraculous catch. They were impressed.

2) If it is my will ( that he remains until I come) what is that to you?

Jesus tells Peter that it is not his business to be concerned about how long John will live or how he will die. The decision is up to Jesus and not him. We are to follow Jesus according to what he had revealed to us individually. As such we are not to compare ourselves with others as we are made and gifted differently to fulfill God's special plan for our lives.

Reckon with the past. Seek closure.

In order to move healthily into the future with the Lord we need to break with the past and seek closure on the things that still haunt us. It could be unforgiveness, regrets, failures, hurts etc. Just like Peter, Jesus is ever ready to help us find closure to our past. Even though Peter denied Jesus three times but when he reinstated his love for Jesus three times Jesus restored his destiny and calling and he went on to become one of the greatest apostles.

Questions for reflection and response

1) imagine for a moment that you are Peter. What do you think of Peter's emotions when Jesus asked him of his love towards Jesus? Any shift in Peter's thoughts/emotions as the conversation with Jesus progresses?

2) Share how you understand Jesus' love/forgiveness towards Peter. Now share how you experience God's forgiveness toward yourself?


3) How do you understand 'reset button' and 'closure' in life? What are some helpful scripture verses?

Charcoal fire breakfast scene of Jesus prepared breakfast for them

Vs

Peter standing next to charcoal fire on the night he betrayed Jesus 3 times

Feed my sheeps - big and small, love the church beyond yourself?

Love the Lord

Grow in My love

Serve my people

Grow in this order.

Take care of my sheep, feed, nurture, encourage, teach, grow them 

YOLO Culture let's do it whatever and face consequences later.

Spend it first even if no income.

We cannot move forward without closure of our past.

The little sheep crocheted by my sister was at the pulpit today. 

Ordination Service: I have chosen you.

Ordination Service: I have chosen you. 

John 15:16

12 August 2017

Today we had an ordination service for two Reverand and one Pastor at the Church Sanctuary of BCCM KK. A very simple service graced by the Bishop of BCCM, Rev Dr James Wong and he gave an encouragement to them with regard to a lifetime of preaching and pastoring. 

This was Bishop's semon :-

Fundamental Questions John 18-20

Title: Fundamental Questions  John 18-20
Text: John 18-20

Ps Renny Khoo

6 Aug 2017 

Jesus asked 5 questions before the crucifixion.
An overview of John 18, 19 and 20.
John 18 – The betrayal of Jesus leading to His arrest, appear before Caiaphas the High Priest and Pilate the Governor of Judea and eventually was handed over to be crucified.
John 19 -  The crucifixion of Jesus
John 20 -  The resurrection of Jesus
Jesus asked a total of 7 questions, 5 prior to His crucifixion and 2 after it.

1. Whom are you looking for? When He was about to be arrested. It is a question of “Identity”.
2. Am I not to drink the cup that the father has given me? Ch 18 vs 11. It is an issue of “Destiny”.
3. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them…. While Jesus was conversing with the High Priest, Caiaphas. It is a question of “Integrity” or “Reality”. His consistency of the way He lives His life.
4. If I had spoken rightly, why do you strike me? Jesus was struck when He answered Caiaphas. It is a question of “Integrity” or “Reality”.
5. Do you ask me on your own? Or others tell you about me? During Jesus conversation with Pilate. It is a question of “Identity”.

1.     Question on Destiny
In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked “Am I not to drink the cup that the father has given me?”. The metaphor “Cup” can be a symbol of enjoyment and blessing. In this case it is the suffering Jesus had to undergo. It was what Jesus was destined to do and from there was able to stand with authority, power and strength when He confronted His would be captors/ accusers.
John 18:37, “For this reason I was born, and for tis I came into the world, to testify the truth.”
John 4: 34 “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”
Jesus surrendered his will to the will of his father. The deep sense of destiny comes from a place of surrender to God.

A roller coaster ride of ups and downs in our Christian live with a sense of not getting anywhere is an indication that we need to arrive to a point of surrendering our will to God in our lives. This turning point will bring on a sense of purpose and destiny to our lives. God who created us special will bring forth the gifts, talent and creativity that we are destined to be. This involves a process and a progressive journey towards our lives calling. We can be honest to God when we converse with him, to wrestle the difficult questions in our lives as God is more than willing to answer them.



2.     Question on Reality/ Integrity
Jesus was brought to Annas the ex high priest  and then the official High priest Caiaphas who was a puppet high priest at that time,
Jesus recounted his work in the temple stating that he had live out a consistent, transparent and authentic life. John 18: 20 – 23. What you see is what you get. Likewise, we have to live an authentic life where we share our lives in a transparent and safe environment in particularly in the Connect group setting. We can only do this if we have the presence of God in our lives. As a people of courage and truth we must know that his presence gives us a sense of security, transparency and being real. When we live for God, it is not a matter of doing big or small thing but whether God is in it. Where God is present, even the small things can be big as it will help us to fulfil our destiny.



3.     Question of identity
Pilate asked the right question on Jesus identity. “Are you the King of the Jews”. What is our identity based on what we possess in Christ? God loves us so much that he sent his only son to die for us. We can only experience God when we know whose we are and know we are his beloved.





Questions for reflection and response

1.     If there is one burning question you would like to ask God, what would your question be?

2.     Share your 'surrendering to God' experiences. How was your experience? How did it go?
What made it easier/ harder to surrender to God?

3.      Share your thoughts on living a transparent life (being real, being consistent).