Theology & Life

Renewal of All …

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Renewal of All Things Teachings 

This is part of our teaching in A Renewed Church in Hope. We need teachings on this very important subject and it will be incredibly appealing to New Yorkers and engaging the minds and philosophy. Ours has good thoughts but is generally over laden with bible verses. I think  I would like to study ours again and see if I can make it more culturally relevant & cut those verses down. It will be exiting.
Needing something that is Very applicable to modern lives, engaging into the modern culture, and very good to explain in the quest of knowing why the world without Christ has so much good quality and exceptionalism, for example Apple? Because that’s our human instinct as God created man  woman in His image…which has the power of creation that involves excellence, artistic expression and beauty of it all. That quality and ability is embedded in human beings whether they come to Christ or not, however, they become corrupted and distorted the image of God as sins came in.
Therefore God has called us Christians today to bring renewal to all things. To renew all creations. One thing that strikes me most is to bring the beauty of God into our vocations. To bring renewal into our daily lives outside the Sunday service. To see that happening is uplifting and loving it. We know it, but if we don;t love it, we won;t drive it. Passion is needed to make that happen.
Feel free to comment & exchange thoughts. I want to rally some of the western church planters on board in this discussion & blog.
Blessings,
Al
Behold I am making everything new    Revelation 21 vs. 5
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!    2 Corinthians 5 vs. 17
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being
renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.    Colossians 3 vs. 9-10
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things,whether things on
earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.   Colossians 1 vs. 19-20

My 1st Prayer Meeting /fellowship with NYC pastors 11/9/2011

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After my 3 years in NYC, today marks my 1st meeting to pray with other NY pastors in Manhattan which turns out to be 3 blocks form my office over lunch time. This is amazing for God has definitely blessed me in that. I have to say this is a great prayer meeting, just to meet other fellow church planters and pastors, I am thrilled to hear what God is saying and doing in their midst.
One thing for sure, I want to move into Manhattan soon.
I also learnt about the revival that broke out in Uganda, how God healed thousands of those with Aids. Stunning testimonies because people prayed 24/7, fasting 40 days etc. My heart is stirred as I heard those stories. O Lord give us revival in NYC.

Holistic shepherding

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Recently I started studying about the dynamics and significance of Holistic shepherding from the scriptures. It means looking after and caring for someone’s physical, emotional & spiritual condition. It’s only possibly done by a one-on-one shepherding, where one builds trust, chemistry, and comfort level. Relationally built to a level where you are accountable to someone in the group, and also to the leader above you.

I believe this shepherding system is highly attractive because too often, church is  only a big place for people to gather wihtout knowing the dynamics of the inner life from Monday to Saturday. We see small groups or cell groups during mid week meeting to supplmenet that and we have plenty of that examples in Acts 2. However, to exactly execute the shepherding that the bible talks about is one on one because people will open up more in one on one situation.  And this is very attractive to many folks in the city where people live in an individualistic world and community sense is fast disappearing. People feel lonely. People are under peer pressure to follow the trend and they are usually counter biblical.

Let’s arise and build a righteous shepherding church or community.

Spreading the Gospel 2 Thess 3

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2 Thess 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.

This would be my prayers that God’s gospel may spread RAPIDLY in Columbia U & NYU & the city of NY. Spreading rapidly is a biblical concept. We need to move fast, and not slow. The tendency of the churches today is to spread it at a comfortable pace as they can. The reason is that people are not motivated. Don’t see the urgency of it. The world would have been lost otherwise. Or worse still simply doesn’t see the need of it because of the dilution of the gospel message in some liberal sectors. Now we see clearly it’s in the bible and hence there is this command and mandate to do that rapidly. Slothfulness is no excuse. Ignorance is also no excuse, because eternity hangs in the balance!  Folks-we must be motivated. We must spread the gospel. We must ask for power from on high. Love from on high for the lost.

Not only that-the message spread rapidly and be HONORED! That’s a real important piece of message. Not only the gospel spread rapidly, but be honored. What’s the purpose if many embrace Christianity but none actually honor the Lord, honor the gospel? It will be meaningless. People need to obey the gospel, embrace it, work it out, and experience the power of the gospel. The Lord becomes their shepherd. The Lord becomes our savior. The it will begin to vibrate and resonate. Arise Hope NY. God bless all.

Why we must not preach shallow sermon?

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It is impossible to build a superficial shallow worded church that is easily blown and tossed by the waves of the world. Why? because it’s disheartening and will not work in the long run, though in the short run, it may attract people. It is also disengaging when that happens, without going deep, there is not much impact. People’s lives are not changed. Not impacted. Not satisfying. People don’t feel fulfilled. It’s hollow. It’s shallow.

But we can do better. We must do better. Our people deserve that. The world needs that. We are reaching out to a broken world. It’s full of challenges. sometimes we forget how difficult it is, because we are kind of cocoon within a church culture that is somewhat disengaged from the world culture. That can’t penetrate into the culture of the world. We need a unique culture that will.

Sharing my thoughts in NY to fellow Malaysians

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Dear all,

Greetings from the cold New York…:) How are you? I am planning to visit Malaysia in July this year…God has blessed me with an amazing job with the Utility company (ConEdison) a bit like SESCO of Sarawak, except a lot bigger! 🙂 This job gives me much more energy and time and financial resources to do the work of God. I am blown away by the graciousness of our God and His love and faithfulness to me and my family. I can only give thanks and praise Him.
Building a church in America has proven to be harder than I thought with my naivety and zeal some 10 years ago when Doreen & I arrived in Los Angeles in 2001. I am not giving up. Even the brutal cold weather of -10C in NY will not deter me. In fact, I am powered up by the bigness of NYC and the strategic-ness of this great city! Above all I am totally pumped by the Lord Jesus our God!I want to say like Paul….I press on to reach the goal that God has captured me for. It may sound shocking to some, there were times I wonder if I am on the right track….after all the humbling pie, the so called seasoned church planter from Sarawak/Sabah.
But its about to crack…that big cultural barrier and gospel power will begin to dawn. Romans says “Gospel is the power of God”! It will break that bondage and hangups that bind the people from coming to Christ. I am trying my best to learn from all the resources from America outside my 40 hours week job + 3 hours commute/day. I believe the day of breakthrough is coming and though it tarries, it will surely come. I do not believe for one moment that the hardness will not break and crumble in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The tide will change. NY will be impacted. America too. I believe it. It will not be with raw power that the strong man be bound. It takes all our hearts and souls to capture what the Lord has captured us.
The Lord has truly blessed me and Doreen and children. Sarah has gotten into Columbia University-an Ivy League, then Rachel will be attending Columbia this Sept, following the footstep of her sister. Our other 2 younger kids are in middle and high school in Long Island, New York.
For the faithfulness of God reaches the sky, and the love of God beyond the highest heavens. I salute you all.
Faithful in Christ, Albert

Preparing the Understanding for Mission

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Sunday Service (11:00am) “Preparing the Understanding for Mission”- Acts 1:1-8

Acts 1:1-8 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”6 So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

We will study the early church dynamics and the power of Holy Spirit & the Truth

 

We are starting our bible study format kind of church service tomorrow in an effort to make it more friendly and conducive for small church like us to interact and participate and also invite more of our friends to come.
Sarah will be the MC tomorrow for this bible study format service and will lead the discussion group. I will rotate the MC and discussion leader.
There will be questions prepared before hand for discussion.  MC for service & discussion: Sarah
Word for Life (10:15am)- “How can You say There is only One Way to God?” What about other religions?
We will continue on our series on “Reason for God” by Dr Tim Keller DVD teaching. It will be a 20 min DVD and then split into small groups for discussion.
Questions will be prepared before hand & for this round Doreen will lead the discussion. Discussion leader: Doreen

Service roster:
MC: Sarah; Communion: Reera 

Have fun and enjoy God and one another folks!
See you tomorrow!

1/29/11 Post

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Good morning everyone,

Hope all is fine and you have found walking with the Almighty Creator of the universe this week been good. It’s been good and exciting for me this week.I have enjoyed my walk of 1 hour (round trip) for 3 miles from Penn Station to 14th St/Irving Pl daily…what an exercise! I am so feeling fit that I cancelled my Planet Fitness membership! Finished my 2nd week in ConEd, gotten good feedback from my boss and the folks around. I am believing God will prosper us and make us successful this year 2011. Already we’ve seen 1 salvation on the 1st month of the year on last Sunday worship service !! What a good sign moving forward.
We have never seen this before! Wow! 🙂 Yes! Hallelujah! Praise unto the Lord! I am learning much as well, dealing with all kinds of people in ConEd..I sense the Lord is teaching me more and more in dealing and handling all kinds of people and personality and sharpening leadership.
OK-The bible says
Reminding me of : Josh 3:4-6 And Joshua said to the people,”Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” 6 Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying,”Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people.”
NKJV
Heb 10:22-25
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
NIV
The Lord Jesus who promised us heaven and eternal life is FAITHFUL!! SO let us STIR one another toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together!!! AMen!
This Sunday Sermon is “Spiritual Depression (Miserable Christian)
Rom 6:17
17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.
Come and expect the Lord to move with signs & wonders folks!
Have a blessed weekend & week ahead!

PRAYER (Heb 10)

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Hi everyone,

I trust you had a good week. God has been incredible for He made this world and continues to show His love, care & concern to the world He has made. We are so excited to resume our Sunday service this Sunday 1/23. This has been long awaited as all our students will be back by then. We are also excited to have a new family with kids with us now! We look forward to seeing what God will do this coming Sunday! Don’t miss out this Sunday. Invite a friend! 🙂
This Sunday we will talk about “Prayer” from Heb 10. It’s amazing how difficult it is to really approach God all those thousands of years and the high priest is the only one who can approach God in the holiest place and even then it’s only once a year! But now we see how this has been drastically changed in the time since Jesus came into the world. It’s really important to understand who God is and what does it take to approach God. This will change our lifestyle and how we relate with God. It will be a tremendous blessing.
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday. We will start at 11 am and prayer shall start at 10:30am. Our Word for Life class shall start in February.
Have a blessed weekend,
Al
PRAYER (Hebrews 10:10-25)

Heb 10:9-25

10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:

16 “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”   17 Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”   18 And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
—
Al

The power of meditation of God’s word

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Phil 4:9
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
I want to exhort us to meditate and think about the things that are praise worthy, pure, lovely and of virtue. Do them. God’s peace will be with you. Peace comes with the meditation of our thoughts. That’s amazing! Did you know that peace comes as we begin to meditate in God’s word?
If we think about negative things and there are just plenty of them in movies, media,etc etc, we can be discouraged. Or worse still be distracted without us even knowing it. The more dangerous enemy is when we don’t even realize they are one!! Ignorance is dangerous and therefore we need teaching to equp us and empower us to realize victorious living!
Or else Christianity becomes meaningless and ineffective People long to see the promise of “Abundant life” realized!
These days there are so many distractions that can pull us away so easily, and they become seed thoughts that will block the move of God or grieve the Spirit of God. The rivers of life will flow through vessels that are clean, that are of good heart and attitude. May the Lord be with you as you meditate on God’s word more and more.

John 4:13-14
13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst . Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Word for Life/DMM Class will start February at 10:15 am.  It will cover different topics of interest and relevant to life. Wait for more update. We will have to raise leaders to move forward. Our vision is to fulfill the Great Commission and to do that we will have to do life with non believer friends and create spiritual conversation. Pray for them to know the love and power of Christ!
Plan to meet for prayer at 10am till 10:15am. Then we will start the equip class and will end discussion interactive manner by 10:50am.