Paul Planted. Apollos Watered.

I quoted this verse from Paul the apostle in 1 Corinthians in my second sermon in Alutok village (southern part of Sabah) two months ago. And last Sunday I was reminded yet again of my calling to bring refreshments to God's people, to water the planting of the Lord, His church. I was surprised how few people turned up in church on Sunday. There is always the excuse that it is school holidays. But along the main road to Tenom less than 1km to town centre stands three main churches, representing the three main denominations in Sabah, BCCM Basel, RC and SIB. The fourth big mainline church in Sabah are the Anglicans. I drove from town at about 8.45am knowing that I would reach the church 10 minutes before the start at 9am.

I passed by the BCCM church and it was full and there were many cars inside the compound. A hundred yards away I passed by the RC church and it was even more full of cars inside and outside. There must be three or four hundred people gathered in the precinct. Another 100 yards away I reach the SIB church and I was in shock as if, no one was there. I could only see two cars and two ladies at the door of the church. 

When I entered there were about 10 people inside, but the worship team of about 10 people were praying inside, so altogether there were about 20 people in a church that could easily seat 400 to 500 people. 

In fact, the land or site where the church is built was bought during my time as Treasurer-General in 1997 and I remember vividly that I stood on the ground when they were filling up the land and getting ready to lay the foundation for the church building. 

By 9.15am, most worshippers had arrived and altogether we had 76 adults with 8 children. After my sermon deducting the 5 minutes I took to introduce my five books, I preached a 44 minute sermon. After that, I sensed two-thirds of the worshippers were blessed. Many youths shook my hands where I was standing in front near my seat and three of them thanked me. I seldom received a word of thanks from my youths except a young man and his girlfriend. A couple more elderly people also thanked me, making it a total of five people expressing appreciation of my ministry. 

The church heard anointed preaching on Sunday and the plant of the Lord was watered. It is not that I plan to travel or do more itinerant preaching. In fact last Sunday I did not know I was going to preach until the Sunday before when the pastor whom I informed three weeks of my coming (I sought his permission to park my car in the church compound while another vehicle takes me to a village, 2 hours' away). But I need to pray before the Lord that my irregular preaching outstation may be still needed by churches. The plant is withering, and has no fruits to show for, and even as Paul planted, there must be others like Apollos who watered. Lord, revive us in the midst of the years.