Silent Night!

Luke 2:8-20

Identify, contrast and imagine together verse 19 and 20.

Contemplaye the kindness of God. The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of kindness.
Titus 3:4

Consider celebrating Christmas by inviting friends over for a meal / gathering. Share some names and remember in your prayers this season.

https://www.praisecharts.com/blog/the-story-behind-silent-night/

on the site of former St.Nicola church now stands the Silent-Night-Memorial Chapel.

1816

Joseph Mohr creates the text to "Silent Night!" in the form of a poem in Mariapfarr in the Lungau region where he was living at the time.

1818
In the schoolhouse of Arnsdorf, on Christmas Eve, Franz Xaver Gruber composes a melody to fit the text.

1818
"Silent Night! Holy Night!" has its world premiere on Christmas Eve in the St. Nicholas church of Oberndorf near Salzburg, performed by Franz Xaver Gruber and Joseph Mohr.

FIRST PERFORMANCE - OBERNDORF, 1818

"It was the 24th of December of the year 1818, when the then assistant priest Joseph Mohr at the newly established parish of St. Nicholas in Oberndorf handed over to the organist represented by Franz Gruber (who at the time was also school teacher in Arnsdorf) a poem, with the request to write a fitting melody for 2 solo voices together with choir and for accompaniment by guitar." These are the words of Franz Xaver Gruber which he wrote on December 30, 1854 in his "Authentic Account of the Origin of the Christmas Carol, 'Silent Night, Holy Night!'" Later the same day, on the 24th of December, Gruber came to the musically talented Mohr and handed over to him his composition. As Mohr liked what he saw, this song was included in the Christmas mass that evening. Mohr sang the tenor part and provided accompaniment with guitar, while Gruber sang bass. According to Gruber, the song was met with "general approval by all" in attendance (mostly shipping laborers, boat builders and their families).

In Gruber's "Authentic Account," there is no mention of the specific inspiration for creating the song. One supposition is that the church organ was no longer working, so that Mohr and Gruber therefore created a song for accompaniment by guitar. Surrounding this premiere performance of "Silent Night!" many romantic stories and legends have been written adding their own anecdotal details to the known facts.

Christmas Eve 1818. In 1818 the carol "Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht" was heard for the first time in a village church in Oberndorf, Austria. The congregation at that Midnight Mass in St. Nicholas Church listened as the voices of the assistant pastor, Father Joseph Mohr, and the choir director, Franz Xaver Gruber, rang through the church to the accompaniment of Father Mohr's guitar. On each of the six verses, the choir repeated the last two lines in four-part harmony. On that Christmas Eve, a song was born that would wing its way into the hearts of people throughout the world. Now translated into hundreds of languages, it is sung by untold millions every December from small chapels in the Andes to great cathedrals in Antwerp and Rome.

2

Though meant for a performance in a church Silent Night was composed for guitar. That is rather unusual for those days. Joseph Mohr's guitar (right) still can be seen at Hallein's Franz Gruber Museum

Hark! The Herald Angles Sing

Hark! The Herald Angles Sing

written by Charles Wesley

Luke 2:8-20
Rev Renny Khoo
2 Dec 2018 - Baptism Sunday

Carols used to be pagan songs.

Christmas Eve called Watch Night or Waits

Make a very loud sound like lightning blot that sounds from heaven to earth!

Hark ! Come Listen! 

Angels

Shepherd

Stinky unwelcomed

Newborn

Jesus Christ 

Led by the Spirit

Led by the Spirit

Acts 11-16

Rev Dr Keith Sorbo

How the Spirit Leads

Vision and Voices
Acts 11:5a, 7

Learn to know how God's voice sounds like.
By obeying to the voice.
God is still speaking to His people today.


Do what is obvious
Acts 11:19,22

God gives us a brain so do the obvious. He expects us to use what He has given us.


Gifts of the Spirit.
Acts 11:27-29

Whayever we do, wherever we go, we must have the gifts of God to be with us.

Have a Meeting
Acts 15:28

Resolve a potential church split through a meeting
Crisis of teachings - potential of church split

"Hit a Wall"
Acts 16:6-9

Paul hit a wall twice. Then God gave hom a  vision.

Chaplain's Devotion - GBM Exco Meeting 22 September 2018

Ten Marks of a Strong Church

1 Strong in faith - Word of God
2 Strong Leadership
3 Worship
4 People want to pray
5 Passion for Holiness
6 Personal and Community Transformation - people are change
7 Gifting of the Holy Spirit on display - prophetic element
8 Spiritual Fruits manifestation
9 Worship and Music life of church comes alive
10 Extra-ordinary things become ordinary - suffering, criticism,

1 Corinthians 3:6

6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care.11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”[a]; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”[b] 21 So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours,22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas[c] or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.

Three truths:-

1. Source of life is not us - it is God
2. As carnal nature, we have to be careful
3. We must be inter-dependent 

Three Lessons:-

1. What survived ? - Build to last. If everyday of week is our age, some of us are living in the weekends. Beyond Sunday - it is beyond grace period. What have we done to last. Whatever we do, we must do it consciously and intentionally. When we are near to God, we hear Him and we will have the Fruits that last.
2. Lay your life down on the foundation of Christ. V 10  (Acts 18 - laid the foundation of Corinth) - foundation laid by Jesus Christ, we just build upon that foundation. Jeremiah 9:23-24 - Let not the wise men boast about his knowledge,  let him boast that he understands and knows me - Phi 4:8. Architect / Builder - we are master builders. We must aim to do what we do excellently. Build skillfully. Know when to contribute and when to withdraw from services unto the Lord. Methodist's Advises: Avoid all evils. Do goods mercilfully. Live out God's ordinances. Evaluate our thoughts and speech, what must we give up or avoid in order to make GB better. 
3. We must build together, inter-dependently. To live a well-focused life. Being and doing must come together. We are to build excellently.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 New International Version (NIV)23 This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
    or the strong boast of their strength
    or the rich boast of their riches,
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:
    that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
    justice and righteousness on earth,
    for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord.

Philippians 4:8 New International Version (NIV)

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things

https://pushpay.com/blog/20-church-growth-strategies/

The Making of a Leader

Formation of a Spiritual Leader
Rev Dr Lim Siew Pik
A Certificate in Church Ministry Course, BCCM KK

Here are some of my personal notes and journaling on the topics of "Formation of a Spiritual Leader" based on the book "The Making of a Leader" by Dr J. Robert Clinton.

I need to complete two projects to complete this course:-

Project 1 - Do a Book Review on "Tha Making of a Leader" with reflections on
What concepts or principles that Clinton wrote about were helpful in your understanding of spiritual leadership formation?

Reflect on at least 5 concepts or principles from the book. Each concept or principle discussed to be about 5-8 lines in length. Read Introduction, Chapter 1-6 and 9.

Project 2 - Personal Case Study

Write a personal case study of my own leadership formation based on major leadership emergence patterns concepts seen in the book.

Part A - Five Process Items (5-6 Pages)
Label and discuss these process items, at least 2 types from each of Clinton's inner life growth and ministry maturing phase.
For each process item:

• Identify the name and time it occurred
• Write one paragraph description of the event
• Write one paragraph describing what God was teaching you through this experience
• Write a one-sentence summary of specific lessons learned about faith, God's character, ministry, leadership and your spiritual growth based on this process item.

Part B - Evaluation and Anticipation (2-3 Pages)

• Summarise what I  have learned about my formation as a leader and what stage I see myself currently
• Illustrate my growth as a leader in a personal timeline
• Discuss areas that you will need to work on in your development as a leader, after this course - character, skills, competence, relationships, and understanding of God etc include specific practical steps you can take towards growth

Some Key Concepts and Principles of this course:

Leader Idea Reboot #1
God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary change.

Definition of Leader 
A Christian leader is a person with God-given capacity and God-given responsibility who is influencing a specific group of God's people towards God's purposes.  ~ Robert Clinton

Leadership Failure likely in
Finances
Power
Pride
Sexual Misconduct
Family Relationships
Plateau

Dark side of leaders - toxic and bad leadership
Compulsive Leader
Narcissistic Leader
Paranoid Leader
Co-dependent Leader
Passive-Aggressive Leader

Three Symbols of Good Leadership
Diamond - from un-refined to polished, cut and sparkling
Map - Roadmap to where we are coming from and where we are heading
Carbon Footprint - the legacy we leave behind

Ephesians 2:10


Important Truth:-
In life, we have works to do, Gods calling upon our lives. God has prepared us to be and to demonstrate his handiwork of good works.

Psalm 90:12


Important Truth:-

Being purposeful in our life. 

Each one is responsible to continue to develop.

Understand how God froms a Leader
Theory ? Pattern ?

A Process
A lifetime Process

Key Elements of God's formation of leaders
Lifetime - critical incidents in our lifetime that shape us
Being - 7 components of being

• Personality
• Gender / Culture
• Character
• Values
• Giftedness
• Destiney / Calling
• Intimate Relationship Journey with God

Leader Reboot #2
Becoming a Spiritual Leader is a process and not instantaneous.

Key Tools for Development 
Know the Big Picture
Patterns in different stages / seasons
Our part is to run the race

Formative Timeline:-

1. Soveriegn Foundation - Family, Race, Culture, Environment, Basic Skills, Historical Contexts, Prophetic type pronouncement. Family Influence and Basic Skills. 
2. Inner Life Growth 
3. Ministry Maturity
4. Life Maturing
5. Convergence
6. Afterglow

5 Key Focus in God's Formation of Leaders

1. Redemption of the past
2. Shaping of character and Inner Being
3. Developing Capacity for Influence
4. Living a Focused Life
5. Leaving a Legacy

Timeline Stage #2 Inner Life Growth
The greatest crisis in the world today is a crisis of leadership, the greatest crisis of leadership is a crisis of character.

Godly character should be the top selection criteria covering:-

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Faithfulness
• Obedience

Godly character is the foundation for spiritual leadership.
How God forms character and leadership:-
Inner Life Growth Process Items - can also described as SHAPING items

1. Integrity Checks
2. Obedience Checks
3. Word Checks
4. Ministry Task
5. Faithfulness Checks

Integrity Checks & Types 

• Temptations - a conviction test
• Restitution - an honesty test
• Value Check - a clarification test
• Loyalty - an allegience test
• Guidance - an alternative better offer
• Persecution - a steadfastness test

God will use test to :-

• Build faith
• Establish important inner values
• See that one follows through on promise / vow
• Develop a burden for ministry or vision
• Allow confirmation of inner character
• Teach submission
• Emphasise the seriousness / importance of obedience

Timeline Stage #3 Ministry-maturing Phase
Building Competence and Credibility

Four Stages of maturing & growing in Competency:-

• Entry
• Training
• Relationship Learning
• Discernment

Competence of Spiritual Leader which drives us towards credibility

• Giftedness
• Knowledge
• Skills
• Clarity of direction
• Communication

Ministry maturing Process Items :-

• Ministry Challenge
• Ministry Skills
• Ministry Training
• Giftedness Discovery
• Motivation Checks
• Relational Checks
• Handling Conflict
• Leadership Backlash
• Authority Insights

Relational Learning #1 - Work with People
Relational Learning #2 - Leadership Authority

Ministry Maturing Phase

1. Discovery of spiritual giftts
2. Understanding one's place and purpoe in the body of Christ
3. Acquiring of ministry and other skills
4. Growing in one's influence and authority

Figuring out why we are here - find our sense of destiny! 

Four types of Destiny Experiences / Process Items:-

1. Awe Inspiring presence & revelation of God
2. Indirect comes from another person
3. Providential - God's sovereign preparation
4. The Blessing of God

Process of Leader's development:

1. Destiny Patterns : PREPARATION
2. Destiny Patterns : REVELATION
3. Destiney Patterns : FULFILLMENT

Tombstone inscription:-

Here lies a daughter of God,  

a seeker, a servant and a follower of Jesus Christ,

she lived a life of abundance

served out of overflowing

traveled to the glorious places

Her cup runneth over

We should serve out of abundance and fullness rather than on empty cups.
Although we are often called as broken cups or broken vessels, in a way, we do serve out of our brokenness and weaknesses but I believe one should be redeemed and repaired first before and during serving in ministry.

Difficulty in Ministry caused by ourselves or People

Dr Charles Swindoll
Difficult 

People who make ministry difficult

2 Tim 3 - The Last Days

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud,abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

2 Cor 11 - 

Difficult People:-
Abel & Cain
Abraham & Lot
Esau & Jacob
Joseph & all his brothers
Moses & People who

WOE TO YOU ! X7 said Jesus

We have to deal with people who despire, disrespect, conspire, doubt, envy of your success, shut you down in your weakness. This is REAL! 

TIPS TO WORK WITH PEOPLE
1) Be cautious of the one you endorse for leadership
Look for qualities 1 Tim 3.

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseerdesires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach,faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full[a] respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

8 In the same way, deacons[b] are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

11 In the same way, the women[c] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

2) Find people who can keep confidence

3) Watch out for those who play a significant role in your call to your ministry

4) Keep distance from opposite sex

5) Don't take money from anyone for personal  

6) Some people not just difficult but may be dangerous 

7) When you are targetted by enemy, some do not have you at heart

8) When hiring or releasing someone from ministry, do not manipulate the situation
Talk no one into leaving or talk no one from leaving a ministry
Someone needs leaving, release them at Minute 46. Holding on them when it has not worked it not going to do good.

9) When you are led to lead a ministry, do not expect anyone to understand you
They do not undersand why you need to leave. Just move on

10) If you are married, your relationship with your spouse is the most important relationship in your life. You spouse's opinion is more important than the others
No higher priority than to cultivate your marital relationship. 

Things we do to make ministry difficult

2 Tim 4:7

 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Fought in Greek is AGONA, we get Agony from it. 

The good fight that I have "agonised".

Paul brought a lo of "stuff" into his Christian ministry. He has to fight his own "demons", likewise, it is the same with us.

2 Cor 4:1-6

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

With every ministry, special mercy is needed. Since we have this ministry, we have received mercy. Therefore, we do not lose heart, we do not quit, we do not give up. We will have  mercy to deal with the people and face many challenges.

V2 In every ministry, the same three things must be rejected. 

We have renounced = forbidden

1) Shameful things

2) Deceiveful things, Craftiness

Cunning - lack of sincerity, lack of integrity. We are who we say we are. Not walking on craftiness.

3) We dont corrupt sacred things, adulterating the Word of God.

Simple Sincerity - a true mark of Christian. Rare even more those in ministry.

Simple Sincerity can impact a ministry.

V 2 and 5 Through every ministry, a convenient example must be modelled.

By living out the truth, by setting forth the truth, for Jesus' sake.

I Cor 11 

Things we should remember:-

1) We cannot control everything.

2) We cannot fix everyone. People have to take care of themself.

3) We cannot be some body we are not and get away with it.

4) We cannot meet everybody's expectations.

5) We cannot run away from difficult issues. We need to ask God to handle it.

6) We cannot concern ourselves with who gets the credit. Learn to give credits to God's faithful servants. Very few things are done solo.

7) We cannot like criticism gets to us.