Ebenezer apr 2018

For internal circulation

Ebenezer APRIL 2018 ISSUE

Matthew 28:5-6

“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Page 3

Introducing the Shofar

Page 4

Calvinism vs Arminism

Page 6

Kayu Ara Bersih Project

Page 9

Easter Reflections

Page 11

Upcoming Events

Page 12

Genesis 12:1-3

If you have a story to share, write to us at editorial.ssmc@gmail.com!

We would love to hear your stories

Wishing you a Blessed Easter!

Sungai-Way Subang Methodist Church

EBENEZER / APRIL 2018 ISSUE

MESSAGE FROM PASTOR! As a Church, BEING WITH JESUS remains a key emphasis and focus for us as a Body of Christ.

There is something in the faithful Reading, Reflecting and Application of God’s Word that will bring about change and transformation in individual lives and corporately as a Church Family.

For 2018 we are starting to read through the Old Testament chronologically starting with the book of Genesis. It will definitely take us more than a year to complete the Old Testament but we will persevere and complete it. Because we are reading the OT chronologically, the book of Job was placed immediately after Genesis Chapter 11. The 5-part sermon series on Job was an eye-opener to most people and help us to be better prepared and also to understand the whole issue of suffering. For those who missed the sermon series I strongly encourage you to download and listen to the various messages from our Church website (ssmc.com.my) Also as a Church, we need to rethink our ministry style and approach. We can do it doggedly, depending and being driven by our own strength and ability, using the analogy of a row boat or we can be like a sail boat driven along by the wind of the Holy Spirit to go as far, as fast as He wants to take us. It will take time and being purposeful in allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and drive the Church as it goes against our natural tendency to do things by our very own human wisdom and might. Pray for more Holy Spirit engineered happenings and encounters to create an excitement and desire for things of the Spirit.

Lastly we are in the process of trying to work and map out a clear Pathway to Discipleship, something that will help any church member who wishes and desires to grow as a Disciple of Jesus Christ, what possible training or modules are available to facilitate such a process. Hope to share more in the upcoming issue of Ebenezer.

So as your Pastor, I urge you to remain faithful to reading the Word, using Being With Jesus as a guide to your daily Devotion, writing down your reflections and sharing / discussing it with your Discipleship Group members. This will be reinforced as well by the weekly Sunday Sermon. If we do this consistently, allowing God’s Word to speak into our lives and we walk in obedience to the Word, I dare say our lives will not remain the same but change, for the better, will happen.

This is my desire and prayer for the whole SSMC Church Family. All Glory, Praise and Honor to Him who seats on the Throne.

In His Service, Ps Dr Ng Swee Ming

ASK PASTOR We have a column where you get the chance to ask Pastor for his views on any issue. Drop us an email at ssmc.pastor@gmail.com! We look forward to your input and questions.

SUNGAI-WAY SUBANG METHODIST CHURCH / PAGE 2

EBENEZER / APRIL 2018 ISSUE

Silver trumpet

Kudu antelope horn Yemenite shofar

Salpigx trumpet

Ram’s horn shofar

Introducing the Shofar‌ To

By Ivan Chan announce, to assemble, to advance!

There are two types of trumpets mentioned in the Old Testament (OT). They are the horn trumpet and the silver trumpet.

The horn trumpet in the OT is translated from the Hebrew word 'shofar' (Strong's Concordance Number : H7782) and the word appears 68 times in the OT as 'trumpet'. Strong's Concordance defines shofar as horn or ram's horn. It is usually made from the horn of a ram, a mountain goat or an antelope. A shofar is therefore a trumpet made from an animal horn.

The silver trumpet in the OT is translated from the Hebrew word 'chatsotsrah' (Strong's Concordance Number: H2689) and the word appears 29 times in the OT as 'trumpet'. Strong's Concordance defines chatsotsrah as trumpet or clarion. The silver trumpet was made by Moses under the instructions of the LORD in Numbers 10:2.

The trumpet in the New Testament (NT) is translated from the Greek word 'salpigx' (Strong's Concordance Number:G4536) and the word appears 11 times in the NT as 'trumpet'. Strong's Concordance defines salpigx as trumpet or trump. It was a trumpet-like instrument of the ancient Greeks and was usually constructed of copper with a bone or metal mouthpiece.

The threefold purpose of the shofar may be outlined as follows:-

TO ANNOUNCE In Exodus 19 and 20, at the giving of the 10 commandments, God announced his presence and revealed Himself to His people accompanied by the loud sound of the shofar.

TO ASSEMBLE The shofar was blown to gather the people to assemble together to praise and worship God (Isaiah 27:13; Psalms 98:6).

TO ADVANCE In Judges 7, as Gideon and his troops advanced against the enemy during warfare, the enemy retreated and scattered when the shofar was blown under God's instructions.

Today Christians use the shofar during praise and worship celebration, intercessory prayer, and spiritual warfare under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

SUNGAI-WAY SUBANG METHODIST CHURCH / PAGE 3

EBENEZER / APRIL 2018 ISSUE

Calvinisim vs Arminism

God’s Calvinism today is most associated with predestination although it is much more substantial than this single talking point. It is a system of theological interpretation taught by John Calvin which focuses on God’s sovereignty and it’s essentialness to understanding our place in relation to God. As one local theologian puts it, “Calvinism properly understood, emphasizes Christian faith as a personal and joyful response in gratitude to God’s sovereign and saving grace” (Ng Kam Weng, 2016). The acronym T.U.L.I.P. has often been use to represent the main points or logical flow of Calvinism. They are:

T

I

U

Total Depravity: The pervasive nature of sin corrupts all aspects of human nature. Total depravity does not mean we are as wicked as we can be, but rather there is no aspect of life that is immune from the corruption of sin and we cannot help ourselves. See Mark 7:2123; Rom. 6:20.

Irresistible Grace: God’s love for us is irresistible in line with the belief that God is omnipotent (all powerful). Therefore, those called

by God cannot resist this call by Him. We are saved by His grace through the Holy Spirit which convicts us in our belief; calls us to repentance; and enables us to except Christ. See John 6:37; John 1:12-13; Romans 9:16.

Unconditional Election: Therefore, our inability to save ourselves requires an external form of salvation. This comes from God’s unconditional love, through His sovereign choice alone. What this means is that nothing man has done; is doing today; or can do in the future will save himself from the consequences of Sin. God does not save us through meritocracy but wills for the salvation of those elected. See Eph. 1:4; John 6:2829; Rom. 8:29.

P

L

Limited Atonement: Christ’s atonement is equally effective and definitive. Despite various attempts by wicked men to thwart Christ, His death secured salvation for all those intended. It is clearly not for all of mankind as pointed out in John 3:16; Matthew 25:32-33; John 17:9.

Perseverance of the Saints: We as believers will not drop out of faith because we are ultimately saved by the grace and power of God. Not our own strength nor the abilities of others. God’s love is purposeful and constant through which we have assurance of our faith. This assurance therefore does not lead to passivity or fatalism but rather spurs us onward in obedience and perseverance of our faith. We do not work for our salvation but rather work out our salvation through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. See 1 Cor 10:13; Phil 1:6; 2:2.

A Calvinist is therefore not a passive believer waiting for God to return and save him from this wretched world.

But one who utterly believes and is convinced of his salvation in Christ. This leads to joyful obedience, guided by the Holy Spirit in service to, an in recognition of God’s omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence nature.

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Calvinisim vs Arminism The Foundation of Wesley’s Arminianism It can be rightly said for most Calvinists and even many Arminians that the default mode of the human condition is Total Depravity. Indeed the Heidelberg Catechism leaves us no space for denial of the fact that it emphatically cites that when asked “…are we so corrupt that we are totally unable to do any good and inclined to all evil?

Answer: Yes, unless we are regenerated by the Spirit of God.” It must be said that John Wesley agreed with Total Depravity, so much so that he said “In this respect (Total Depravity) I do not differ from him an hair’s breadth.” But maintaining Total Depravity as the foundation to begin to talk about Salvation leaves the Calvinist no choice but to subscribe to the understanding that none is righteous enough to save themselves. Hence, the rest of Calvin’s TULIP flows naturally: that God saves us from Unconditional Election, through His Limited Atonement, by His Irresistible Grace, and by His Perseverance of the Saints.

However, unlike Calvin, Wesley did not view Total Depravity as the foundation for understanding salvation.

Rather, Wesley used the paradoxical but necessary foundation of Grace. Grace in Methodism is central to understanding faith and life.

Indeed, Grace to Wesley is so foundational that while taking the seriousness of human sin and brokenness seriously, Wesley says that it is God’s Grace that prevents the total destruction of the divine image in us. Indeed we do rightly deserve death (Romans 6:23), but if that is true why aren’t we all dead yet?

Thus, knowing that everyday given to us is a gift of His Grace, then everyday is an opportunity for everyone to choose Christ’s Salvation.

Therefore, if Grace is what prevents us from the destruction which we deserve, then it is Grace from which we begin to understand Salvation.

If Grace is “the porch by which we prepare to enter the House,” then it follows logically that God’s election is conditional in only that we confess our need for God (not Unconditional Election), that this offer of salvation is given to all mankind (no Limited Atonement), to which we can resist the Grace of God (not Irresistible Grace) and that the Saints undergo a journey towards Perfection through his Sanctifying grace (not Perseverance of the Saints).

What then do we as those in the house of His Sanctifying Grace say to those who are still in the porch of Prevenient Grace?

Invite them in, of course! Hence we heartily, desperately, graciously sing the old song loudly to invite all to come:

O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There’s light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free!

Refrain: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

1 Heidelberg

Catechism, Lord’s Day 3, Question 8 Wesley, John. The Works of John Wesley. 1872. 3rd edition. Reprint. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 2007: 169.

"Our Wesleyan Heritage," The United Methodist Church, July 02, 2013, accessed March 07, 2018, http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/our-wesleyan-heritage.

4 "A Wesleyan Understanding of Grace," Interpreter Magazine, October 28, 2016, accessed March 07, 2018, http://www.interpretermagazine.org/topics/a-wesleyan-understanding-of-grace.

5 Ben Witherington III, "Why I'm Not a Calvinist: Seven Minute Seminary," YouTube, October 08, 2013, accessed March 07, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjUYw6Vg0bQ. 6 Helen H. Lemmel, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, 1922.

2 3

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Outline of Mural facing Main Road

LOVE your neighbor…

Contributors’ names have been replaced. If there’s one name that should be associated with this project- it’s God. It’s His project, His work. We are privileged just to be part of it.

The Kayu Ara Bersih Story

PJBersih is a theme labelled on the newer orange bins supplied by MBPJ. When we had the idea of cleaning up the pondok sampah area outside Vista flats, we simply borrowed the name. Here’s the story of how it happened.

Abandoned car being towed away

Inviting the community

How did the idea come about?

A: When people ask me what I do, one of things I’d say is “I work with ThinkCity to beautify the area around Masjid Jamek.” After soon time, it dawned to me that I was always going to KL to work on community art projects but not doing anything in and around our neighbourhood. On the way to church one morning, I stopped and took a picture of the first rubbish dump (and empty wall) that I saw.

B: I received the following whatsapp early morning on 10 Jan 2018. It was a God-inspired idea, and resonated with the spirit in me.

I replied within 10 minutes- we need to do this.

Preparing the area for clean up

What were your roles of the working committee?

A: God brought the team together. Have to confess that I had no plan beyond whatsapp-ing the picture. After that, things just sort of fell into place. Like a divine hand was placing together parts of the jigsaw. All we had to do was not get in the way.

B: I helped in the overall coordination, ie coordination of people, logistics, materials and tasks.

C: We met a few times before announcing it to the larger church. After which, we created a whatsapp group for volunteers. My role was to pray, inspire, and encourage members to pray and see God's heart for the people in KSKA. I sent daily Prayer and Reflection messages counting down to Wave 1, 2 and 3.

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The work was divided into 3 parts…

Wave 1

GOTONG ROYONG @ PONDOK SAMPAH

A: The work was a partnership between Pusat Penyayang KSKA, Management Board of Vista Flats and local council. All 3 parties sent people for the gotong royong. Thanks to MBPJ, the rubbish trucks cleared most of the trash in the week leading up to Wave 1. The trucks also came early and mid-morning on our gotong royong day. But it was not enough.

Our volunteers were tasked to clear the land patches beside the pondok sampah, and the sidewalks facing the road.

Wave 2 Painting the mural

A: The mural on the pondok sampah was inspired by Rafael López’s work. The one on the wall facing the main road was drawn

by Ruby Subramaniam. It was her idea to outline the letters and get the neighbourhood kids to fill in the blanks with their own interpretation.

WE’RE NOT DONE YET…Stay tune for more updates!

A: Coming soon! As with Wave 1 and 2, we are working out the plans and logistics with local stakeholders, i.e. our neighbours. Hopefully by the time you read this, we will be busy planting two beautiful gardens on the land patches beside the pondok sampah.

So good to see everyone coming together

B: A sister was clearing grass and picking up rubbish. She picked up an empty alcohol bottle. As the team dug deeper, they pulled out a dirty glove, then a muddy old slipper, then a screwdriver. It was hard work because there were many layers of rubbish, one on top of the other hidden from the eye. Suddenly a thought occurred to her as we were uprooting weeds, picking up litter and removing layers of trash, we were also trusting God to remove layers upon layers of filth, oppression, bondage and addiction in our community.

GOD’S PROVISION

Wave 3

B: God is continuously working in us, and through us for His divine and perfect plan in KSKA. May we be sensitive to His ways, aligning to His purposes and responding to Him in His kairos time

B: There was a lot of rubbish! It wasn't a rubbish dump, it was a landfill!

A: We had many people helping outyouths, families, adults and children from the neighbourhood, people from the Burning Bush (who did most of the heavy lifting), even a group from HELP College.

Tell us more!

B: We witnessed a string of divine provisions: The JMB (joint Management Board of Vista Flats), Ketua Kampung and MBPJ all supported the work. Thanks to latter, a large pile of rubbish ‘disappeared’ before Wave 1. Abandoned cars were towed away as well. Roxsil, a paint company, sponsored some of our paint. We also connected with mural artist Ruby who volunteered her time for the project. Then-after Wave 1- MBPJ brought more orange bin to the three-storey house opposite the flats. It's such a joy to see God at work!

He not only provides, He provides over and above any of our expectations.

HOW HAVE YOU GROWN SPIRITUALLY THROUGH THIS PROJECT?

A: Everything in His time. God is the master planner and master architect. I think if we did this any other time, things would not have gone so smoothly. It’s like you’re on a busy highway- but the cars in front of you suddenly decide to make way, and the traffic lights are all green. I have learned to trust God even more. I think it’s easy to say that, but difficult to really believe it in your spirit.

C: I have learnt NOT to place my expectations on people but in God who will continue to carry out His plan according to His ways and timing. I believe ​God wants us to be His channel of love and blessings to our neighbours.

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Before…

Photo Gallery

During…

After!

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What would you give up?

Easter Reflections

“Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani?” (Mark 15:34) In the full Easter story, from His arrest, trial, crucifixion, death and resurrection, these words that Jesus cried out as He hung on the cross at Golgotha have always stood out to me. Aside from being the only Aramaic words I know (and probably, will ever know), I’ve always felt that moment to be the most impactful and if you’ve watched The Passion of Christ, I reckon you would know what I mean. But as always – the question remains – so, what?

Let’s break it down. My God, My God, why have You forsaken me? It was a moment of pure sorrow, whereby bearing the weight of our sins, God turned His face away from His only son and with that – rejection, suffering, pain, torment and ridicule – Jesus breathed his last. And that one moment changed the course of our lives as Christians forever. It cemented what we now know as the New Covenant that was sealed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ that paid the ultimate price for our sins.

You would think that it’s definitely easier to live in the times of the New Covenant as opposed to what we’re used to reading in the Old Testament with the animal sacrifices (Lev 17:11), high priests and the Ark of the Covenant (Hebrews 9). But sadly, in this modern day and technological age which poses a new million distractions, I sometimes wonder whether God may be crying out to us – “My child, my child, why have you forsaken Me?” Have we let go of His promises, of His teachings, of His unfailing love and mercies? Are we hearers of the Word but not doers? Are we so caught up in this world of chasing dreams, status, money and human love? Or do we find meaning and value and fulfilment in knowing Christ?

The fact of the matter is – this world we live in? It’s a fallen world. And if we place all our hopes and dreams in the world, news flash: we’re bound to be disappointed. Is it only then that we turn to God, fall on our knees and ask for forgiveness?

According to the Google Dictionary, to forsake is firstly, to abandon or leave but also, to renounce or give up. Looking into the person of Christ, He definitely gave up a lot to come to Earth. He gave up His throne and His comforts, only to firstly be born in a barn with animals (Luke 2:7), misunderstood and rejected by His own kinsman (Mark 6:4), to essentially live a life earmarked with pain and suffering. Now, the period of Lent which leads up to Easter is a time where we would normally choose to give up something. Traditionally most people would fast – the basic denying of one’s flesh, but these days, it has extended to other things such as unhealthy habits e.g. smoking, excessive gaming or alcohol consumption, cursing, and the likes. The whole idea is to give up something that has gained too much importance in your life and use that time or energy instead to spend with God. Now, imagine if we extended that beyond just Lent.

What if every 40 days (essentially 6 weeks) we chose to give up one thing (or change one thing) in our life that can potentially draw us away from God or from the study of His Word? Will we choose to forsake our worldly desires and instead surrender wholly to the one true God that knows us through and through – for He formed us in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5) and even knows every hair on our head (Luke 12:7) – trusting in His mercies and faithfulness through all generations (Ps 100:5)? In one year, we would be able to give up or change eight things in our life! Doesn’t that just sound wonderful?

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. ~Jim Elliot ~

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EBENEZER / APRIL 2018 ISSUE A year had gone by, and I had long forgotten the days we had spent together in camaraderie – going on road trips, cooking together, hiking, swimming, visiting one another’s families, sharing thoughts on an array of topics. When one by one, our friends got married or migrated overseas, I had thought that the both of us would continue being close friends.

She withdrew abruptly, without an explanation. My attempts to reach out were met with cold, short and formal responses. It seemed that something had happened to cause this sudden change in our friendship, but she denied it. I wondered what I did wrong. I felt hurt, as I was going through a difficult season and she had shut me out instead of walking through it with me. The days that followed posed more questions that went unanswered, and feeling helpless as weeks turned into months, I decided to let it all go.

Now, here she was, texting me out of the blue, pretending as though nothing had happened.

First it was a cheerful ‘Happy Chinese New Year’ greeting, followed by other forwarded wishes. I replied out of courtesy.

After that, she asked for a small favour. I felt anger rising on the inside of me. Who does she think she is, to walk in and out of my life as she pleases? Old memories resurfaced, now marred by the friendship having turned sour.

I had wanted to believe in my own narrative of being the more righteous one, ever ready to offer reconciliation to an immature friend. Except that I wasn’t.

This turn of events revealed the true condition of my heart. Have I really let go? If yes, why am I experiencing such a reaction internally? I found myself choosing avoidance instead, and ignored her messages.

Our church was reading Genesis 3233, and I felt particularly drawn to the passage. For twenty years, guilt and fear hung as a dark cloud over Jacob’s head. Toiling under the sun and rain, there must have been moments when his mind drifted back to that fateful day when he put on goatskins to deceive his father and steal the blessing of the firstborn from his twin brother, Esau. It drove him to estrangement from his family.

Now a grown man with a family and wealth of his own, the time had come for Jacob to make the long journey back to the past he had left behind. Still fearing for his life, he formed an entourage of lavish gifts to find favour in his brother’s eyes.

But...but! “But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.” (Gen 33:4). It was a moment of bittersweet tears of relief – for Esau, that his brother was still alive; and for Jacob, that he did not need to live in hiding anymore. He was forgiven.

I felt a tugging in my heart: Will I run and embrace the friend who caused me hurt? Or will I keep my door shut, demanding that she bear the brunt of her choices made in the past? Can I forgive myself for not trying harder to reach out sooner?

Can I forgive, and in turn experience forgiveness?

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Forgiveness is at the very core of the faith I profess – and yet, with my own strength, I find it so hard to dispense of what I have undeservingly, freely received.

After four days of silence, wrestling with my thoughts, I agreed to help her with the favour. She wanted me to read her new blog. From there, I learnt that she had spent the last year on a personal journey, dealing with her own past hurts and emotions. Certain events had driven her towards some long overdue soul-searching. It turns out that she, too was going through a difficult season, and I was wrong to have taken things personally. It was necessary for her to be given the space to meet God herself.

It takes courage to admit I was wrong. It takes courage to forgive and trust again. As I run towards my friend, I run towards the cross to truly embrace the love of my Saviour.

When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.

See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down!

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.

(Isaac Watts, 1707)

Easter Reflections

EBENEZER / APRIL 2018 ISSUE

UPCOMING EVENTS MAY SSMC CHURCH ANNIVERSARY

LEAD CONFERENCE

JUNE FAIRSTIVAL 2018 FOR YOUTHS

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER CHURCH CAMP

D6 CONFERENCE

METHODIST PRAYER CONVENTION

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Original photos contributed by Lilaine Ong