Jesus I love You! But don’t cramp my style

Mark 10

Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler

^{(C) 17}Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

¹⁸So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. ¹⁹You know the commandments: "Do not commit adultery,' "Do not murder,' "Do not steal,' "Do not bear false witness,' "Do not defraud,' "Honor your father and your mother."'^[c]

²⁰And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."

²¹Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."

²²But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Luke 9

²³Then he (Jesus) said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

John14

⁶Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

[Prayer]

Scrabble

You know I was never really into board games until I am taught how to play one and I was exposed to “Scrabble” of a different kind that is and it was called “Snatch” We pick randomly from the pile of words in the middle and we form words…it was really fun and intriguing…until weird words started to come out and I question my playmate,

“you sure this word exist?”

and she said “Of course, didn’t you know…it is a very common word used.”

“Okay” I said

…okay at this point was a kind of recovery I must take to have my ego treated, because guy losing to a girl, isn’t really going the flow of nature…just kidding! But this isn’t the way to play the game. She is forcing me to play by her rules, her range of vocabulary without even an official dictionary to proof the point. This is just one example.

When I was young I really don’t like to play games with certain people. Have you ever encounter people whom you play games with says,

“Okay this is the way we play this game”

And I’ll say, “Excuse me, there are rules”

“No no, this is the way we play this game”

And I say again, “I don’t care how you play but these are the rules of the game, there is a manual to it”

“Nope, we play it our way! We always play it this way, it’s more fun, trust me”

“Maybe you don’t understand the words that are coming out of my mouth, there is a manual and the manual says this is how you play. I don’t play wanna play your way.”

And the person proceeds to say that if I am going to play with him, I have to play by his way. If not, it won’t fun at all.

This example suggests that my participation hinges on that person’s ability to play it his way, just him saying that thing, “you got to play it my way, my rules.”

[How many of you encounter such situations before either you are the person that participates or the person that says, “You have to play it my way!”]

Today, this is the mentality which I want to highlight. It is scares me this sort mentality because I meet young people and this “Play it my way” mentality is sneaky and subtle but detectable, and it gets into their relationship with God. Hence they start relating to God on the basis of their own rules.

And as long as God abide by their rules and their conditions, they will participate in this thing called “Christianity”

Of course this mentality will overflow into their relationship with church or youth ministry, because the same way they relate to God,

They relate it to the Pastor,

They relate it to the cell group leader,

They relate it to their friends.

As long their Pastor likes them and nice to them and gives them what they want, they will stay in church and act like a Christian.

BUT how dare you try to ask them to do something on your terms?

How dare God demand them to do something?

These are very harsh remarks on people who want God to play it their way, but here I am trying to make a point this afternoon.

There is a spirit and I call it the Spirit of Independence.

It sneaks into the lives of young people especially, because “strength” often times finds its expression in independence.

For this rich young ruler, his strength is built around his possessions; hence it is the birthplace of his independent spirit. This spirit has taken root in him to the point, where he cannot depend or recognize that God can be that source of his riches and possessions or rather his “strength” primarily.

[Whisper]

Strength likes to express itself in independence. This spirit sneaky and subtle and it is invading into the kingdom of God, into this youth ministry, into our relationship with God. This spirit of independence that says:

I’m on my knees…but on my own terms

I raise my hands…but on my own terms

I read my bible…but on my own terms

I attend church…but on my own terms

And it is sneaky as it hides itself in different forms in different identities.

Argh! Ian, this spirit of independence, how do we deal with it? First we must identify it.

Three identities of the “Spirit of Independence”

¹⁷Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

¹⁸So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. ¹⁹You know the commandments: "Do not commit adultery,' "Do not murder,' "Do not steal,' "Do not bear false witness,' "Do not defraud,' "Honor your father and your mother."'^[c]

²⁰And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."

1) First Identity – When you go about your “OWN” kind of worship

Let’s profile this “Rich young Ruler” First of all there is nothing wrong with being rich, because being rich is a blessing from God. [In this instance is a obstacle for him, explain later]

This rich young ruler is a very passionate worshipper most probably like most of us here or like those expressive kinds, when they pray they knitted their brows, when they worship, he jumps the highest, when he sings he sings LOUD. He is probably those kinds of youth which you know will shout exclamations like, “That was the best conference, and I want to bring in 100 friends for Jesus! Or I want this to be done so that church can grow. A lot of I wants”

He is a passionate worshipper. And this passionate rich young person was walking one day and saw Jesus. He recognized Him, ran and knelt down before Jesus. Passionate he is, BUT is it for the correct cause?

Let’s look at what the rich boy says.

"Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

The bible indicates that this young man was thinking in terms of earning righteousness points to merit eternal life, to inherit eternal life.

How many of you felt this way before? I did…if you still do…you are about your “OWN” kind of worship.

It all begins from the starting point.

On what perspective are looking at initially…did you understand that by doing things, going about earning righteousness points does not merit you eternal life. On the flipside, Jesus taught that eternal life is a gift to be received.

[Read Mark10:15] – …like a little child…a child is filled with openness and receptivity, with no questions asked, they just receive it! It is a gift.

There was once I gave gifts out of the sudden because my love language of gifts suddenly kicked in, and I felt like blessing someone. When I gave the gift to a particularly bright youth, she answered,

“What is this for?”

I said “Nothing, just a blessing”

“No…seriously what is for? It isn’t my birthday? Now what did I do to have this?”

I was like “It is just a blessing, I want to give to you”

“Eh…it isn’t because you like me ah I hope”

“huh”

On the flipside, when I give something to a child, they just grab it, no questions asked. For the matter a fact, before I could finish what I have to say, “Lala, this for…Whoosh!” there goes the gift and the person…in a flash.

When you are about your “OWN” kind of worship, it is telling from the speech patterns and daily actions. Let’s go back to the passage.

The young man says

"Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

Note: when your worship has a lot of “I” in it…something is wrong*

Jesus recognized it immediately and guides the rich young man that his perspective is wrong.

¹⁸So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.

The bible indicates that Jesus isn’t denying His own goodness but guiding the young man to understand that his only hope is to rely on God totally who alone can give eternal life. Then Jesus continued to probe him by mentioning six commandments which disallows wrong actions and attitudes against another fellow person.

"Do not commit adultery,'

"Do not murder,'

"Do not steal,'

"Do not bear false witness,'

"Do not defraud,'

"Honor your father and your mother."

²⁰And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."

Realize that all this Jesus has mentioned is of external obedience, very of the outside. But Jesus also requires inner obedience which most often the hardest to do. Here again the rich young man proclaim the BIG “I”

"Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."

However we know that here he is indeed teachable because now he calls Jesus “Teacher” but he is missing the point. If we put this scene in today, how would it look? How would your “OWN” worship manifest itself?

Some of you might say

Ian, I pray, I sing in worship, I lift my hands, I kneel, I serve in a ministry, I sign celibacy covenants, which is very popular right now, I always do my dg homework. I mean I earn right to be here with all my friends, as long as I do those, I think God is happy. Are you happy? YES (fake voice) See…so what’s up with your have to give up this and that? Go away.

NO…you are missing the point here, we cannot make God what we want Him to be like. That’s the identity of an independent spirit, your own worship. Worshipping is not a “to do list”, not a CCA called religion, it is a relationship. [Read Php2:12-13] Here it indicates that it is a response to God’s grace in whatever we do. We have to do it in reverence (Fear and trembling) and singleness of purpose in response to His grace. To put it straight forward, you don’t have to do things in order to gain love from those who already love you. It is because of the love they have expressed which causes and motivates you to do the things that show love back.

²¹Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."

2) Second Identity – When you know you are wearing a “MASK”

There is a town where only ducks live in it. Every Sunday the ducks will waddle [everyone say waddle] out of their houses and waddle down the main street to their church. They waddle into the sanctuary and squat in their proper pews. The Duck choir waddles in and takes its place, and then the Duck pastor comes forward and opens the duck bible. (We have NKJV, NIV, Living translation, they have their own version)

He reads to them: “Ducks! God the almighty has given you wings! With wings you can mount up and soar like eagles. No walls can confine you! No fences can hold you! You have wings. God has given you wings and you can fly like birds!”

All the ducks shouted, “AMEN!” and they all waddled home.

Are you with me?

This is descriptive of some of the young people in youth ministries today. It is the picture of young people wearing mask to church, to do all the right things but after is another thing.

The bible actually talks about “Hypocrisy”

How many of you heard the term “Hypocrite”?

How many of you heard somebody say that there are hypocrites in the church?

The word “Hypocrisy” is not a lifestyle or an action, “Hypocrisy” in its biblical language, in its original language actually falls more closely to a drama or an actor who says his lines behind a mask. In bible times, actors aren’t like today where they put make up as such, they wore Mask

So when the bible uses the term “Hypocrisy” it is actually speaking of actors who wears masks and say lines. The truth is hypocrites are everywhere. People who are behind the mask who say lines that they know they are supposed to say to people who are waiting to hear from them.

The truth is, in religious atmospheres, churches, conferences and youth ministries, where we are most prone to this acting where we wear mask and say lines because it is what we are supposed to say.

²⁰And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."

The fact is Jesus only mention six commandments, He didn’t mention the rest that will deal with this young man’s inner convictions. This young man is wearing a mask! The spirit of independence is strong within him. That’s why he is quick to please Jesus by saying v20.

This mask has cause lines to be part of our culture in church today, lines that ought to be said

“I am seeking Lord”

“I’ll be praying for you”

“How is your walk with God?” “Good never been better”

I meet with young people a lot and I know when they have the mask on!

“How are you?”

“I am doing really good. Honestly Ian, I have been reading the bible and the pages of the word have been supernaturally speaking to me.”

“Really’

“Ya, lately I have been getting into the presence of God and I have gotten lots of rheama from the word of God lately that is”

“Rheama”

And they give me lines because that is what they are supposed to do, because that is what is expected from them. The scary thing today is that we have multiple masks for every situation, so we have to get our lines down: Lines for youth pastor, lines for parents, lines for cell group leaders, lines for friends and so forth. So we need to get our lines down for every person.

However, sometimes there is a breakdown of this mask act and I catch glimpses of it. Because they forgot that they are not speaking to their teachers, they are speaking to me…they are not speaking to their parents, they are speaking to me and sometimes the lines for teachers will come to me. On Saturday, they come to me to say teachers are good and fulfilling, next I see on their msn nick that teachers are gross and f******

We need to understand that behind mask and behind lines, young people are dying. Because behind those lines for people comes acceptance. Where people will like you! You go to your youth pastor and you say those lines because you want him to like you. You want the whole world to like you! So you have lines prepared for everyone!

Aren’t you tired?

You can’t tell anyone what’s really going on in your life because what will they think of me?

What will they say?

I am suppose to be somebody’s son or somebody’s daughter

I am suppose to be part of Brighton Youth Ministry

I am in the worship team

I am…that’s why I need to get my lines down; so that people will think that I am in it.

Today Jesus wants to unmask some of you, because He loves you and he knows that it is hurting, this secret sin behind the mask.

²¹Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."

Jesus loves this rich young man hence the breaking of mask comes in the form of those words “One thing you lack” because Jesus knows behind that mask, there is something else. The spirit of independence that worships with our conditions or terms finds comfort behind the mask, do you have that mask?

RECAP

1) First Identity – When you go about your “OWN” kind of worship

2) Second Identity – When you know you are wearing a “MASK”

²²But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

3) Third Identity – When you “HOLD BACK” at the altar [This identity is clear, no need much of explanation]

Jesus’ intentions was not to shame him by exposing his failure to understand the spiritual depth of the commandments but was an expression of Jesus’ genuine love. Jesus knows his primary problem that’s why there were the words

“One thing you lack…go, sell everything”

It is because between this rich young ruler and the kingdom of heaven, there is an altar. And on this altar, when it is shown to you, you will need to put something that you love because if you don’t love it God doesn’t want it. For this instance, his riches were the primary problem. It isn’t wrong to be rich, so why is Jesus saying this as the one thing he lacks?

It is because the gift of eternal life or the kingdom of heaven is to be received only by following Jesus. In giving up his wealth and riches, the young man would have removed an obstacle that kept him from trusting in Jesus. He went away, giving clear indication that he had greater love for his riches than eternal life.

[Abraham and Isaac story] Gen22

I know reaching 120 people by the end of this year is the goal and target for this youth ministry. But before that comes to passé. Today I want to highlight something more important which is YOU receiving true fulfillment in your Christian life. But what are you to place at the altar? Something you love.

Perhaps the hold back at the altar is due to the spirit of independence telling you that it is impossible to let go that addiction, that relationship, that comfort or that popularity you have. However, did you ever give that thought that if you put those on the altar and just trust God, instead of independency in whatever you have behind that mask or behind your OWN worship, there is dependency on Him and He will give us much more?

[Worship Team]

As you can see Jesus didn’t run back to the rich young man and tell him that is okay, he can keep his riches, can you please come back and play games with me, we can play by your rules…

John14

⁶Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

RECAP

1) First Identity – When you go about your “OWN” kind of worship

2) Second Identity – When you know you are wearing a “MASK”

3) Third Identity – When you “HOLD BACK” at the altar

These are the identities that the independent spirit takes form.

This youth ministry is going to be tested. Your worship, your position of your knees and your lifting of hands will now have to make a decision. Are we saying Jesus I love you, but on our terms and conditions having that independent spirit within us.

Ian, how we know that we are worshipping Him on my conditions, my terms and my rules?

Like the young rich ruler. You are passionate for God, as long as He doesn’t interfere with your other passion.

Jesus I love you but don’t cramp my style

[End prayer]

my seclusion to be a person of 800

for me to be able to honour God...i thought to myself...there is no other way then to live a disciplined life. They say rules are to restrict, but after much thought I really start to understand that rules are ladders that guide you up to a point where there will be no more steps to take and then you SOAR! What a theory...really hope it works, after much dwelling in thoughts of Him. I came out with resolutions to keep me in check. Though it seems like a tall order but HECK! I want to be a SELL OUT for Him??? I must do something

1) Computer Usage 1hr each day [too much surfing might bring you a wipeout]
2) Two hours on Bible Study each day
3) Always write out my sermon outline before final draft
4) Always find opportunity to impart myself to my younglings
5) Pray for an hour each day at 8am

well God bless me :)

*ian is going up to a God given mountain and hide in cave to learn kung fu on walls*

I really wonder what will be in store for me. Right now, my feelings are almost similar to those back when I was just entering in to Performing Arts School. But this time it is totally different because I am going to Bible School to pick up skills and attributes to do my Heavenly Father's business.I still feel really free spirited,though I have been regimented a lot by teachings of leadership, which I have gathered over two years of youth ministry. I have officially forgotten the joy of loving children and teaching them, guiding and having fun. I need to find that back all over again. I forgot how to be me :( God blessed me for me being me because I honoured Him.

Lord let me honour You again. Give me what I need and I will continue this journey you set me out to do. Be it in youth or anywhere else, I'll go.

Is my desires, God's desires?

It has always been my joy to praise God while I lead worship. It is like God is the only audience in front of me and I am doing a performance of praise for his delight and pleasure. However I haven't had any of that chance for a long time. I been praying and fasting, then it comes down to the crunch of my knowledge that it isn't time yet. I am not yet the person to lead congregations into worship of adoration and singing of psalms. The devil schemes to make me think that Danny is the real cause of stopping my growth as a worship leader and advancement in another ministry. However the truth of the matter is that the HS reminds me that "He saw Satan fall down like lightning..." And Satan aka was a worship leader of the most glorious worship team but kicked out because of His hidden ambitions that were overshadowing the praises for God.

There are two things I must get right and nurture myself before I can be what God wants me to be! And I reckon it'll be lot of things...I see myself in a vision of a multi tasker...carrying lots of different tools of different jobs. Praise God, may your will be done but for now?

My focus...HS please help me!
1) Preaching
2) Ministry Management

I still have problems relating and helping my cell leaders to understand that it is the vision of the young ones worshipping God whole heartedly that is the propelling factor that drives us to do more and beyond our frustrations,confusions,dryouts,sadness...and so forth. I understand that we all have work in our mundane life.Right now it seems I have no say to tell them that they can do more with their sheep because I am so free and my leaders are schooling still. Yes, I admit...I am not empathizing enough in this area. I need to learn. Recently I wanted to just breakdown. Everyday I think about my youths in my area. How am I to motivate them to do things beyond themselves so that my leaders will not feel the crunch. Oh restless generation! Lord soften the spiritual ground of the hearts in young people, so that as we, your commissioned disciples will go sow the seeds of revival. I can see it... it is just a prayer a way!

I had a cell once that operates with me and three other folks, young folks that is. At that time I was chosen to be a cell leader just 5 months into my time in Brighton as a believer. I was loud, obnoxious and bewildered, very attention seeking. No substance to back up whatever I say out. The size of my cell really makes me *puke* and the sharing is really like seeing a camel dying of thirst in the heat of the desert.I was demoralised...my mentor refused to help me as he helped me enough, everytime I turned to him, he looks away as he believes he gave me tools to use them, not to rely on his tools.[Just like the authority of Jesus, given to us] But i was frustrated,human tiredness and frustrations got to me! I just want to melt! WHY??? NO RESULTS NO PAYBACK NOTHING...so why am I doing this for? I am tired...so just go away!

James grab me and brought me to the side and ministered to me. He read Habakkuk 3:17-19 to me:

¹⁷ Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
¹⁸ Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
¹⁹ The LORD God ^[c] is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.

How timely is God's words for my season of dryness. I forgotton the whole fact that He is the cause of my salvation which there should be the initial joy that drives me to tell others about this joy. It is a promise already and a vision that He would make my journey light if I rely on Him more then my accomplishments or my efforts...I need to go back to the Source...then I can conquer high hills of people who refuses to move together in the name of the Lord.

I must know
1) That failures and calamities will come...famine of spiritual growth will come
2) That He is the Source of everything that I still lack
3) That once I have established (2) my task ahead will be a God given breeze :)

My area will grow! In Jesus name...STEPH AND JIEYI will be pillars of young lives, giving them hope and strength relising that Jesus reigns and is real within the lives that the leaders live. HS bless them and bless them good. These are the brightest and promising youths that I would only know it is of Your ingeniunity. Bring forth Your Presence as we consecrate.

artistic capture of stephanie lim, perhaps here she is dreaming, "now will God grant more people into my team so that more and more can hear me tell more about Jesus." Let's tell the world steph...I am with ya!

stephanie looking thru at some notes, she is one of the three sensational leaders I have in my area of junior youths. Boy, are the young ones blessed with a heart like hers for them :) 

when God showed me how blatant was His love!

It was pouring madly on the expressway of East Coast. Then there was this pastel coloured van that swerve in from no where from the left into our lane. Our driver Cho reacted fast enough to aviod collision with that reckless van driver, however bliss was short live as Cho's truck swerved, it spinned one round and it was most impossible to avoid another collision when this taxi couldn't turn in time to swerve away from us. *BANG* front of the truck was smashed, everything was in a dazed. I remember seeing my stage manger flew in front of me but I grabbed her and hold her close to me because I reckon it might just overturn. But it didn't. The scariest moment is when every came to a stop or rather a pause, the view from behind the truck was in right to left motion. It was all quiet and then crash.

After the collision, I lift my stage manager's face to check if she was alright, she had a bruise on her right cheekbone, which looked minor, for me I sprained my right wrist and bruised my leg a tad bit. Then we were dazed and stunned for a moment when Cho came out of the truck frantically to see if we were alright. I saw blood, bad time to see it, we check ourselves and realised my Stage manager had a cut on her toe! What a scare! Thank God it isn't to a head injury. Next thing we knew, we are out of the truck and standing in the midst of heavy rain on ECP, recovering from shock.

Amazing thing was not that I came out of the truck with minor injuries where others had it worst than me. Before this when we were travelling on streets of HDB estates, the chair that I was sitting on broke with no rhyme or reason. I was dozing off and the leg of the chair came off. With no choice I had to sit on the floor. My stage manager was laughing her head off as well. If I was on a chair, I would be thrown out of the truck no question asked but i was on the floor to grab her down otherwise she would be heading out of the truck. Hence my friends on the truck told me that God must have love you much and blessed you. It was so uncanny and this grace is so subtle and yet when it was revealed, it was...a WOW factor! Took sometime to sink in cos of shock. I live today because of grace...thank you Jesus, what plans you have for me to keep me from death? Speak, for your servant listens...

the youths of Jesus Revolution!!! Taking a break by sipping into cool chocolate milkshake...don't finish! I want also :( 

took this pic at billy bombers,my genre of cartoon art...with company of people that makes me smile always (^________^)^  

here am I with two of Brighton Youth Ministry's Top Ten most promising youths in God's Kingdom...press on guys, bring in those word of His! 

Can We Feed 10000?
[Sermon preached on 09/07/05 @ Brighton Youth Praise]

Mark 6

Feeding the Five Thousand ^{(D) 30}Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. ³¹And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. ³²So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.

³³But the multitudes^[d] saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. ³⁴And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. ³⁵When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. ³⁶Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread;^[e] for they have nothing to eat."

³⁷But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat."

And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?"

³⁸But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see."

And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish."

³⁹Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. ⁴⁰So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. ⁴¹And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. ⁴²So they all ate and were filled. ⁴³And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. ⁴⁴Now those who had eaten the loaves were about^[f] five thousand men.

[WHAT DO YOU SEE?] Youth’s response

Psalm 115

The Futility of Idols and the Trustworthiness of God

¹ Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth.
²Why should the Gentiles say,
"So where is their God?"
³But our God is in heaven;
He does whatever He pleases. *God is in control*
⁴Their idols are silver and gold, *speaking of men who don’t know Jesus*
The work of men's hands.
⁵They have mouths, but they do not speak;
Eyes they have, but they do not see; *key phrase*
⁶They have ears, but they do not hear;
Noses they have, but they do not smell;
⁷They have hands, but they do not handle;
Feet they have, but they do not walk;
Nor do they mutter through their throat.
⁸Those who make them are like them;
So is everyone who trusts in them.

[Or those who don’t really know God are just like the idols. The bible indicates that those don’t know God will have eyes but cannot really see, being one of the key symptoms here from this list we are going to talk about]

Perception is a very POWERFUL thing
Perception is the way you see what you see

Basically in life what we see or what we observe is the same, BUT it is the way we see or observe that makes the difference! Everyday we are face with perceptions, what the world perceives of us on how we should live and perspectives of other people that we need to fall prey to, however Romans 12:2 says:

²And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

How do we know what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God?
The Bible is important. The Bible is God's perception of you, this world, the life to come and God himself. This is a book about God's perception, hence we need to go to it and shape ourselves into what is good, acceptable and the will of God, we need to go to it.

First few important words when Jesus started His ministry, "REPENT" Now let's break that word up. What does "RE" means? "Back" or to "Return. "Pent" Where does the "Pent" derive from? Penthouse, do you know that a penthouse is not cheap? A penthouse is located at the highest floor of a building. And guess who has the highest of dwelling place?

"REPENT" means "To return to God's perspective, we need to return to God's perception" The word repent in greek means "to change one's mind" but when Jesus use it, He wants us to return to the perspective of God. We all have sinned, sin means "missing the mark" in greek. We need to return to God's perspective, if we have missed the mark. Only through God's perspective, we can hit the mark. The bible is God's unchanging word.

There is this one time I was watching a Channel U trailer and they are going to air a program titled "DARE TO TALK" and their topic was "TEEN SUICIDE" there was this girl who made a comment like this "Suicide is an option for us youths" I was thinking, praying then muffled into cries of help to Jesus. If this is the perception of this generation of youths, there is definitely something wrong. We need to change that!

Before we can reach our friends or ask ourselves the Question "Can we feed 10000 people pr rather youths?" We need to change our perceptions first. How?

Three “See” or perceptions that we got to get it right:

³⁴And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd...

1) We got to see people like sheep without a shepherd

[1 Peter 2] Talks about this.

[1 Tim 2:3-4] The passage talks about God desiring all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

[Shoe Salesman Story]

Shoe Salesman was sent to Africa by a major company to sell shoes. Upon arrival he realized that nobody there wore shoes. So he phoned back to his company telling them to “Bring me back home, nobody here wears shoes!”

Company brought him home, sent another shoe salesman to the Africa, same company, the same product, same shoes, DIFFERENT PERCEPTIONS. He arrived at the same city, same place, looked at the same people, no one wore shoes. He emailed and called back to the company telling them, “Send as many shoes here as possible because everybody here needs shoes!”

What’s the difference here? Perceptions

How do you view the people in your life?
How do you view your classmates, your cca mates, your colleagues, your friends, neighbors?
Are people just annoying?
Are they people or enemies that just keeping you from getting where you need to be?

Is your friends annoying because they do not acknowledge you to be the coolest or the hippest person to be around because they most probably think you are like “toot”
Or is she annoying because she is from another religion and she seems flourishing and a all rounder girl that’s gets all the attention, hence you perceive that she does not need Jesus in her life?

Or annoying because (this is my favorite) square and uncool, always sucking up to people

Some of you need to see people like “sheep without a shepherd”

Some of view your friends as they are too cool they don’t need Jesus

Some you view or brand your friends are like untouchable because they got it all:

• He or she is the class president
• Leader of cheer leading team
• She is captain of the netball team
• They are grass or flower of the school
• Star of this star of that
• His father is multi-millionaire

Hence they DON”T NEED GOD?

And that is your perception!

Some of you, God has intended for you to talk to your friend about Jesus, but it is your perception that is keeping you back. Because your perception that tells you that your friends are so cool that they won’t give you the time of the day. But the truth is that it is the most popular people that are most hurting!

[Testimony]

KW, arguably the most infamous and notorious young person in my school and in my class, he is famous because of the rumors saying he has been to boys home when he was young and now he is currently in the hottest gang possible that KILLS people. At that time I was just a new Christian going about my day, being a sucker to the hot jocks and do my mediocre evangelism with friends who are really close to me. I was the kind of guy that carries bag for my friends, all my friends actually whenever we go for some fun at the basketball court.

As I was sharing the 4SL one day with one of my classmates, and he came along behind, I tell you at that time fear brush across my shoulders. He JUMPED on me and my friend and shouted “Wah HOLY HOLY ah, so pastor Ian, tell me leh, tell me more about Jesus” (All this in a joking mode and jeering kinda atmosphere.) My perception got to me “This guy is going to kill you” so I giggled my way out of my classroom and left my friend for dead with him. Anyway subsequently, every time I tried to share 4SL or some biblical truths to my classmates, he will be there and the same scenario repeats it self. It happens quite a lot time throughout our education time.

This year perhaps the earlier half, after a night session of teaching at Ps Tiak’s house, our cell went for supper at the nearby market. Behold! I see this guy in long sleeves rather smart, and really familiar, it is the Killer of my class…funny how perception can last…wrong perception. I went up to him and do the long time no see kinda thing. Next thing I know, this guy says, “Maybe you won’t believe it but I am attending church now.” Then suddenly he said, “Do you still share Christ like you do in class? Hope you are? I apologize for the way I’ve jeered and treated you. Sincerely, I wanted to know about what you were talking about always when you talk about God” Most infamous and notorious person in my secondary school. At times I struggled with the perception that he is popular and that he has it all and stuff, he wouldn’t want…… No he would and he wanted and he needed, but my perception was “Oh that’s KW, I better move aside”

No…that is a sheep without a shepherd!

Sheep are prone to wander with no shepherd
Sheep will be prone to getting lost without a shepherd

Jesus likens people today to “sheep”. Not to offend you, but sheep is not one of the smartest animals. Sheep are some of the amazing animals that respond to quality time!

I was reading from a website, shared with Danny as well. This website was titled “Ten Commandments of Raising Sheep” They were saying that sheep are some of the most loving and rewarding farm animals when you give them quality time!

Jesus likens you to a sheep!

People need leaders. Do you know what a shepherd is? He or she is a herdsman, a gatherer. You know what we need today? Young people who has a God perception that their class mates, cca mates, school mates, neighbors, friends and people in the community are sheep who needs a leader and you who are willing to say “I will be the leader!”

I am looking for shepherds in this youth ministry, people who will gather people around them.

Jesus almost went on vacation or rest with the disciples on the boat to a deserted place, multitudes came. They arrive before them and Jesus gets off the boat and looks at the people and goes “Sheep……Sheep……Oh Sheep”

Sheep? They need shepherd. “SO” the bible said He taught them many things, spending quality time. How do you see people, how do you see people in your school? How do you see? 1^st See that we need to change is to see people as like sheep without a shepherd. We are Christians folks, we are called to love people and to see what our God sees.

2) We got to see what we have

³⁷But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat." And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?" ³⁸But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see.”

“Go and See” a 2^nd perception we need to get right!
You must see that your gifts and talents are something that God desires to use.
The disciples came back, “well we found a kid with five loaves of flat bread and two guppies! That’s all!”

You know what happened? Jesus didn’t even say anything! He didn’t say that Oh that’s good, that’s alright, that’s cool, oh no or oh wow! All he said was “Tell the people to sit down!” “But God” “Tell them to sit down”

Now give me your five loaves and two fishes. He takes it!

Listen to what He says. Jesus says “go and see what you have!”

[JOHN F KENNEDY]
The late President of United States, Mr. John F. Kennedy said in one of his good speeches this, “It is not what the country can do for you, but what you can do for your country!”

If there is anything I can do in this youth ministry, it would be to teach each and every one of you that there is something you have, God wants to use! The worst thing a youth ministry could do is to believe that it is me or couple of people that is on stage, making all this happen.

Young people, it does not work like that. God did not set up His church for this to happen! My only job here or your leaders here is to encourage you and empower you and give you the tools to do it!

Please, if you are looking for a youth ministry where you can come be “Entertained” or you think I am your private entertainer for the evening, GO to Pasir Ris! Pastor Joyce of Riverlife church is there, she isn’t an entertainer too, so you have to make a left turn to downtown east, where some of the entertainers are.

My job is not an entertainer, so is with the leaders. My job here is to give you tools to go do, what God calls you to do!

You got something God wants, you know that?

[Drama Sequence]

Teen: Ian, what do you mean?

Ian: You got something God wants.

Teen: You don’t know me.

Ian: Maybe I don’t what you got?

Teen: Nothing, I don’t have a dad.

Ian: Well what happened?

Teen: I don’t know. I have never met my dad. My dad left my mom and I grew up living with my mom for my whole life…… What do you mean I have something that God wants?

Ian: You have something that God wants!

Teen: Wow…I mean I am shy and don’t even like to talk in front of people. Well so I don’t have anything there.

Ian: What else you got?

Teen: Mom don’t have enough money, she goes on two jobs just to struggle to pay for the bills.

Ian: Alright, I’ll pray for you on that one.

Teen: Thanks, we need it.

Ian: Cool, what else you’ve got?

Teen: I don’t know, not much. I don’t even get good grades.

Ian: Alright, you don’t have a brain. What else you’ve got? What you like to do?

Teen: I don’t know

Ian: I mean when you are chilling out or passing time, what do you do?

Teen: Well, I have a yellow pad and I like to draw and stuff.

Ian: What do you draw?

Teen: Characters and things in my head.

Ian: Are you good?

Teen: I don’t know. Some of my friends think I am.

Ian: Maybe God wants to use that.

Teen: HOW?

Ian: Lot of ways. Do you know how much are those fellas are getting paid by drawing cartoons in square boxes? Those with little boxes with stick figures, you know?

YOU GOT SOMETHING GOD WANTS! If I could convince you, if Brighton Youth Ministry could convince you that you got something that God wants, we can change Singapore! Halleluyah!

Then you ask “Ian, how do I give God what I got?”
You give God’s representatives what you got and guess who is God’s representatives in your life is?
ME and your leaders! Let us know what you got…and we will put it to use.

What can you offer?
What can you do?
What do you enjoy?
You don’t know what they are? Jesus says “Go and See” Go and discover what you are good at! And don’t ever say to me that you are good for nothing…SHUT UP…I mean be quiet! That is not true…You are good for something young people. You got talent or something and we will find that talent!

I am on a talent search here!
Forget American Idol, Singapore Idol or Superstar or whatever that is…Forget it
I am on a talent search,
I am not going to sell your body
I am not going to sell your voice

You are going to sell out for JESUS CHRIST and find true fulfillment

If you are willing to say “Okay God this is what I am good at.” God will use it. We can use it in this youth ministry. Go and See.

2^nd perception we need to get right is that we need to realize that your giftings and talents are something God wants to use to work a miracle. What does Jesus say? Jesus says “You give them something” [Mk6:37] every body got something.

What does 2 Timothy says when Paul was writing to Timothy?

⁶Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. [NKJV]

⁶For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. [NIV]

So we got the gift now what is standing in our way? The spirit of fear and timidity that speaks like this:

“No lah, I can’t sing well”

“Cannot lah kay I’m lousy, cannot be leader”

“Sure or not, me good in coming up with games”

Or worst still “I don’t know leh I don’t know”

Wait a minute! Where is all this coming from? It is evident in this verse that we are to acknowledge our gifts from God, fanning it to flame, stirring it, developing it then having power, love and self discipline to fuel it, to propel your gift into full bloom, because now it is only a flame as the bible indicates.

So why Paul told little Tim that God did not give us a spirit of fear or timidity? I mean he could just encourage him by just saying God gave us a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline. Why? Because at that time, Timothy was suffering from what youths of this age suffer…LACK OF CONFIDENCE…lack of confidence was a serious problem for Timothy. Go read about it.

Young person, “Lack of Confidence” is one of the lies Satan has been using on us, ever since he took over Destroying Youths Ministry. He needs to kill off young budding giftings in you; otherwise it will endanger his evil plan to take your friends with him.

Who wants to stop that evil plan raise your hands? Then you need to go and see what you have then step out of the road block called “lack of confidence” and give to your ministry for God, for your friends out there! Be strong in your gift!

RECAP: Perceptions we need to get right

1) we got to see people as sheep without a shepherd

2) we got to see what we have

. ⁴¹And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves

3) We got to see that He is the source

Perception that we need to change or get right, is to see that He is the source of anything that we still lack.

So Ian, do you think we have something that we still lack in this ministry to reach 10000 or just 120 by the end of this year? I will say “Ya”

Talk about other sources “then we need to bring in…”

1) Lights

2) Play station and X box, we need to get “Halo”

3) Bring in Sylvester and Taufik or Beckham if we have a budget

4) Play movies…Lord of the Rings and Constantine…will reach youths

5) Rock bands that says "God Bless" at the end of concert and we think they are Chirstians.

You see Ian, this is how they think, I mean we lack resources so we better go out there and get other resources so that we can reach young people today and young people, what they really need is this relevant scene, so that we can relate to them by

1) wear Britney spears tee shirts

2) play the apprentice, or the OC, Your mama C

3) play American idol songs

4) Hang up cool posters of current bands, cool girls, J Lo so Low

And we will look totally HIP!!!

No! That is not my source. My source is God and God only. Those are not my source! I am alright with some video games; I am alright with some Godly pure entertainment which perhaps some short programs. But that that is not my source. My source is God. He is the ultimate source for creativity and reaching young people with His gospel and His word.

God is our Source, can we feed 10000? Of course we can and we will, but our perception has to change.

Ian, how do I change my perception?

Every time Jesus broke bread in the New Testament, every time He broke bread, He was not just dealing with food; He is dealing with “perception change.” TAKE, EAT, THIS IS MY BODY BROKEN FOR YOU! He broke the bread in front of 10000 people then later He taught about “I am the bread of Life” With brokenness, comes revelation and understanding. [Altar call/Music team]

Young people, if you would learn to humble yourself before God, God will show you things you got to see and see it right! We need to “REPENT” Go back to God’s perspective and God’s perception.

Can we feed 10000? Oh yes because now we can see people like sheep, and giftings in us that God wants to use and our Heavenly Father as our source.

[END]

Aren't they a cheer? Steph behind in black...watching ever faithful over her sheeps! 

may God anoint this lady here to be a shepherd of 1000 sheeps, what she lacks you give HS, for you are generous as we hunger for Your touch. We all love you Abigail... 

oh no! you have spotted my God given talent...tell the world that Jesus lives ah (^________^) p 

the future of Brighton Youth Ministries that rest on young shoulders as such here. Annabel, Jasmine and Yew Ching. (left to right) let your light SHINE HIGH girls! 

AHEM...meeting the parent session* Here we have Abigail's mom and dad...they piece this party together! Thank you very much :P  

this is the star treatment...Deborah feeding Abi! And Abi, I didn't know your mouth can be that wide...a bus can go in there perhaps :0 hohoho 

Aha...Deborah is picking the cake to have a taste before others...can't wait any longer ah? Just kidding, she is preparing for Abi so that the star of the night can have a star treatment, you go Deborah, what servant heart you have :) 

I feel so young with them...truly the Kingdom of God belongs to those who receives it like those beside me! Cheryl (left) and Annabel (right) giving Victory sign. 

what a happy bunch celebrating Abi's birthday altogether...HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABIGAIL!!! 13 years old already...grasp your destiny in Jesus name (^_______________^) 

dear Jesus,i pray that Your will be done in my life...it would be a blessing really...a beautiful blessing, in His awesome name, amen. An old photo of a certain kid below. Boy or Girl I don't know :P but it gives that kind of rustic feeling, don't you think?

this is one cool wallpaper designed by perhaps the youths of Ps Jeremy Seaward of VFS.I just know there is people in our youths that are as capable or better in doing such funky stuff...ARISE YOUTHS! Use your giftings for His glory :) 

London Bombings...how cruel :( is He coming soon?

6 bombings in different areas rock the comfort and the taken for granted peace that exist within the super power of the world namely "England" Channel News Asia was vivid in their reports about the happenings over there! Pictures of injured londoners and wrecked buses...police and medical officers scrawling all over the place to give the emergency need that the people need. They can cheat death now but for how long? It tells me that life is so fragile that it isn't within our control, it isn't. And yet we demand so much from it knowing that it will wither...youth will wither...accomplishments will age...aged will be wrinkled to bones...bones to ashes...ashes to dust!

please Londoners, know that there is a perfect plan for all of you given by God! Give yourself a chance to know Jesus...He is the living fact of the very person to beat death back into hell. He is the giver of life and will embrace us into an eternity of heaven living. Too good to be true? The bible is written by 44 Holy Spirit filled writers, witnesses and factual reports...how bout the Mormons? how bout the Quran? How bout the Sutras? what is it base on? Do they have a God that actually says that He loves all of humankind and will give His life for them? I know I have and my bible tells me so...HS approved!

Lord, i pray that all rescue operations will be organised and concised to assist to bring all people to safety from harm's way. I pray that this will be a wake up call to the empty churches of london, may all churches in london be of cups that speaks of your Glory, not just glory flow from heaven but people flowing into cups of churches to bring you glory. You are meant to be glorious, magnified and looked upon. So God, stream in the terrified and let this be a revival for London! Jesus touch London cos it is a "opportunity in adversity"

[Prov24:10]

¹⁰If you faint in the day of adversity,
Your strength is small.

so God arise the Christians in London! Let them not be afraid but tear down the works and schemes of the devil...right now in Jesus name! Grab the harvest now London!

cold sweat...bad dream :(

yesterday morning i woke up from the most unusual of dreams. there i was in a middle os a catastrophe of earthquakes happening all around me. People are running to shelters, buildings after buildings fell as I looked over with a bird's eye view of the whole thing. next thing i knew, I was shipped off in buses with people covered with ashes from head to toe and so was I. there was a certain fear and loss in the air. Women's cries and children shouting and looking for their love ones are pictorial of every angle of my sight. What is this? and I woke.

during the month of june till now, i have been receiving words of knowledge from HS and has been accurate so far. Even in my schedule of fasting, I can actually "hear" how I should be going around doing it so not to be beaten by the flesh. the truth is that it has been difficult, but there are more success than failures, I need to keep returning to God's perspective and it will be better each time.

but I really don't want whatever that I have dreamt to come through. it could be the will of God but i don't know, I never dreamt that kind of dream before and I am determine to pray and find out more. HS you be my source...as I fast not to surrender to flesh but to You. Hence dear Lord replenish me with anointing for You are my provider and knows what I lack beside the food that my flesh needs.

my CGL stephanie lim designed this with her HS given talents! Beautiful ah...I love the maple leaves as the backdrop for those eternal words! 

it was an eventful night...never went out with youths not from my area for a long time! Thank you people and thank you God for providing friendship (^___________^)^  

OH ME GOSH! Behold the burning bush...ian quick turn around and worship! 

this is where i practise my laying of hands and prayer...look at the JOY i have entered into! Oh my...God is definitely Good! "Sir Statue,repent for God loves you" 

Can I walk on water to Jesus?

It was from Indonesia missions and that one week of high fever, i received word from God that i need higher knowledge of Him. I need to go to a school by this year end. It is going to be a leap of faith cos why? I have no money at all :( I was reckoning and thinking if I can start next April, i can save much money to help me over two terms of studies. Then again, that won't need much of God providence isn't it...verse came to mind Luke 5:5

⁵But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net."

A certain faith needs to be cultivated. I thought it is the comfort God wants me to throw away and His faith that I must capture. Can I believe in His providence? I want to and I am acting on it...it is like holding a torch that will never blow out into the darkest valley you can find, looking for the way out eventually though not knowing where is out, but you have the light (James 1:17) God doesn't want me to suffer, it isn't Him you see, He wants me to be in the embrace of His security, not the world perception of security. Hence repenting is needed! REPENT, breaking the word, "RE" meaning back or return. "PENT" for Pent house, pent house isn't cheap and it is located at the highest point of the building. "REPENT" on my own interpretation, returning to God's point, returning to God's perspective!

If all goes well though I still have to talk to a few more pastors to inquire advice about Theology or Pastoral Ministry...I'll be heading to Theological Centre for Asia (TCA) to do a Bachelors, actually it is like a dream. No one would thought I could get a degree. In God I trust! I am not even sure if the college agrees to my alternative diploma in drama.

However like all play and drama, there is always a introduction or rather an opening act that leads to the main. An opening act happened in my living room two nights ago. God reveal Himself in a word from my mom! Knowing my mom, she would sit me down and discourage me from doing things that will have drastic measures to my future. This time she knows I did very well in arts and the plays that she attended with much encouragement. She was even more over the roof when she knew that I gotten scholarship for my Arts studies. Now I am throwing them all away, to pursue a vision God set for me. Guess what? I reveal God's plan to her, and she replied "Yes, okay Son...good for you!" WAHHHHHHHHHH GOD YOU ARE MAGNIFICIENT VICTORIOUS WONDERFUL GLORIOUS...JESUS!!!! Then she talk about the finance...I gave a grin and told her not to worry bout it. God set me this way, then He'll have a way or me to get through it.

Recently I set myself into a purification process to fast and pray everyday till I see 30 young ppl in my area worshipping Jesus. Things are looking good and also praying for which course to take. Fasting and praying makes me understand who God really is. Not as much on how many hours we pray or fast but the communion with Him each min. Seek ye first...the word first in Greek is "first in time and first in place" shouldn't we think and pray constantly with Him? I will call it daily conversation anytime anywhere...God hubbing (^______^)

Can I walk on water? Only if I fix my eyes on Jesus and not anything else...thank you Ps Joyce and Ps Daniel Cheo for your valued advice, still need to talk to you guys :) but I am very very appreciative of you!

TCA...may the grace of God be upon me to help me make the right destiny decision here! Before end off...GMSS rocks still! hehehe...

aiyo...act cool gang...cannot make it *double puke* no no no...hehehe 

one of our outings with Jessy, David, Angela (below) and myself. After watching "War of the Worlds" an artistic approach to God's created Angela...*puke* no no no kiddings :P

i am doing school shows from now till mid July. And this lady beside me on the right is a person I recollect from my memories from a play titled "Princess and the Pea" and she played a talking flower!!! Guess what...that play was staged in 1989...how uncanny that I am working along side with her now :)