Heaven on my mind

Wild or domesticated Christianity?

This header is my take home message 

anticipate victory !

(In my coming mission trip)

The text 2 Sammuel 23:20-23

Sermon illustration

A new Christian was persistently inviting a Japanese man to church

"You have to come to our church

It will change your life"

She repeatedly exhorted, no matter what excuse he made.

Wild barbaric about new belief

Read bible like mugging for exam

But after some time...

Adventure with Jesus becomes safe persuit of blessed life 

Walking with God

MIC meeting today 

As a very young child continuously asked

himself "who am I ?"

Lost father when young

2004 collapsed 

Turning point

Career downturn

And wife very ill with cancer

Daily sought God

Point of no return

Devoid of own resources

Surrender to God

Need to spend time with God

When we feel in control,

During happy moments 

tend to be complacent

During trials and temptations recognize our need of God

Study his word

Cross of suffering (Jesus on the cross)

Vs cross of victory (Empty cross)

Both are the same cross

You are never alone 

Proud Humility

Sketchnotes 

Embellished

Using Marvy Marker

For inktober 

Title

Reference

Speaker

Date

Venue

Dolled up for inktober

Jeremy's early Christian walk

What did the Corinthian believers boast about ?

Take home message 3 questions

Turning to God only as a last resort?

Why put your trust in these?

Life is transient 

Self pride says I can do it myself

True humility invites power of Christ in your life 

When life is impossible

We take heed to lesson from The Word.

I Samuel 13:19-

               14:23

Faced with impossible odds (in human terms)

3000 Israelites with only two weapons 

Versus Philistines

3000 chariots

6000 charioteers

Soldiers as numerous as the sand on the sea shore...

Options

I FLIGHT

II FREEZE

III FORCE your own way

IV Act in FAITH

V FOLLOW

I FLIGHT

Some flight is appropriate

Sometimes you need to stay and fight

Sometimes it is both.

II FREEZE

Sometimes it is a judicious wait.

III FORCE your own way

Force God to listen to you?

Treat God like a cosmic vending machine?

Versus "I desire obedience not sacrifice"

IV Act in FAITH

Two soldiers and one sword from the bottom of a hill took on 20 soldiers on top

Militarily does not make sense

But when you add God into the equation it does!

V FOLLOW

The teenage armour bearer was willing to follow Jonathan all the way

Do you have a mentor you can trust to lead you?

I don't know what life is throwing at you right now.

I don't know which of these 5 steps is appropriate response in your situation.

But God knows.

Pray and ask him for directions.

I FLIGHT

II FREEZE

III FORCE your own way

IV Act in FAITH

V FOLLOW

This could help you face an impossible situation.

This could help you achieve victory despite impossible odds.

Surrender

Is it the chicken or the egg?

Surrender

The only way to live 

Not a SHOULD do but a MUST do

Paradox

Meekness does not equate with weakness

Surrender to God and experience blessings: peace and rest

Why should we surrender?

God wants to direct our lives

God models sacrifice John 3:16

LET GO ( let God)

Mary was a perfect example 

Surrender

 A daily affair

Be in the presence of the Lird

In the word

Have the mind of Christ

Eg in raising children

When life is unbearable

Rev Dr Kow identified elements of the past few weeks when so many things had been happening in his life: busy busy busy.

He could relate to those who find "when life is unbearable"

What should yiu do?

Turn to The Word.

Bible text: 2 Cor 4:7-18

Th apostle Paul had been in the same place

Paul responded in seven ways, and so should we.

1. Refuse to lose heart.

2. Release burden to Jesus.

3.  Refocus on Jesus

4. Rejoice in The Lord

5. Receive help from others

6. Rely on God's power

7. Reach out to others 

Sermon illustration

Mabel

Very old

Very I'll

Very disfigured

Very happy.

"What do you do all day long?"

"I think about Jesus"

"how good he has been to me"

Singing

1. "Jesus is all the world to me,
   My life, my joy, my all;
   He is my strength from day to day,
   Without Him I would fall.
   When I am sad, to Him I go,
   No other one can cheer me so;
   When I am sad, He makes me glad,
   He’s my Friend."

Take home message

When life becomes unbearable you should 

1. Refuse to lose heart.

2. Release burden to Jesus.

3.  Refocus on Jesus

4. Rejoice in The Lord

5. Receive help from others

6. Rely on God's power

7. Reach out to others 

If all seven steps are overwhelming, take  at least one of these steps.