Writing for the Second Day

I have just completed my commentary on the last few verses of John 16 which I left off last October 2024.  I am writing for the second day running, having not written a single line since I took up my current pastorate a year ago. I am taking a few days to write in view of my lighter than usual preaching duties in the next couple of weeks. There are two visiting preachers and I am only preaching on 13th and 14th December when the church celebrates our Christmas before the exodus back home (villages) for some of the church members just before the actual Christmas Day on the 25th.

The Fight Goes On (A New David)

There are some basic assumptions that I think every believer should know - like who are the major prophets? and why are they called major prophets instead of minor prophets? Sometimes I suspect the teaching in Sunday School is very weak, like many children going through six or seven years of Sunday School hardly know much about the Bible. The battle for biblical literacy goes on. Yesterday I preached a sermon that requires much background knowledge of history, politics and wars during the rise of David and the reign of David over Israel.

Moral & Spiritual Clarity

I had a full 10 days to contemplate what I wanted to do in 2026 which is less than 7 weeks away. I prayed day and night crying out to God for spiritual clarity. There is much moral indifference in the world and as much as I can help it, I need to have a stance of moral clarity. A fortnight ago, a friend told me a famous preacher taught that polygamy was permissible. I dismissed it outright and stated that a sin is a sin, adultery is adultery, divorcing and re-marrying is a sin, marrying a divorced woman whose husband is still alive is sin (four places in three Gospels speak of all these), but alas very few preachers make it clear for the lack of moral and spiritual clarity.

Leaders & its Timing

I had had 10 days of rest and reflection since returning from Entilibon in the early hours of Sunday (9hb November) arriving in Kota Kinabalu just before 10am. I drove for nearly 5 hours with an half hour breakfast stop in Ranau, in the coffee shop I frequented regularly as it is one of the few shops opened by 6am in the morning. It was a perfect place for me to be 10 years ago in Ranau when I rose for early breakfast preparing to preach two Sunday sermons at 8am and 10am.

Why Departure Points

"Departure Points" is my second book published almost 6 years ago in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of full-time ministry in Christ. I chose the title from Robert Alter's translation of a verse in the book of Numbers where the Israelites made more than 40 departure points in their journey to the promised land through the wilderness of Sinai. I felt the same, having known the Lord for more than 42 years in Christchurch, following His leading, I have moved from one place to another in ministry, sometimes from one country to another. I had about 8 different appointments with two of my other posts being elected by delegates in an AGM, making 10 different posts or positions in ministry.

48 Hours

In two days’ time or 48 hours, I shall be travelling to a village, 4.5 hours’ drive from Kota Kinabalu. I just realized I had been invited a total of 12 times in the past 12 months since I took up my pastoral role in Kota Kinabalu. I was more than anything ready to stop travelling, but due to pressing needs I am still preaching in faraway places in my 61st year. I planned to stop when I turned 55 yo but added another 6 years to my exertions for the Lord.

5 Sermons to Go

Yesterday, I preached my first sermon of six at a home group. It was not a long sermon, just about 15 minutes, but impactful. I talked about Paul claiming Roman citizenship when he was about to be whipped by a Roman soldier. I took that Paul knew his citizenship rights and I applied that to our rights and responsibilities as a citizen to vote and affect change for the better in our State and country. The State Election is just under a month away. I also spoke about the victory of Sabah Law Association's claim against the Federal government of Sabah's 40% entitlement. I even placarded a copy of the Federal Constitution and told them I taught to my students at the SIB College, two years running, 2017-2018.

Pay Disclosed

This is the first time that my pay was displayed and disclosed to the whole church straight after the sermon by a church deacon. Praise God that it was not awkward as the church treasurer was very wise and calm when he spoke. In fact I was the one who insisted the actual sum was disclosed instead of a pie chart showing my salary taking up 40% of the church expenses.

Friday Prayer Meeting’s Sermons

I preached a powerful sermon last night lasting about 10 minutes. I read from the Gospel of Luke ch. 24 where Jesus after His resurrection spoke of the the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms as being fulfilled in Him. Then, Luke wrote that Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scripture.

Still Travelling

I met my cousin and her husband at a supermarket. I stayed with them in their home when I was 23 years old, just started work as a lawyer. He worked in a law firm and helped to pass cases to me which his legal firm did not want to take up. I was a sole proprietor then. He was surprised that I was still travelling into the interior. In his mind, he must have thought I had retired from ministry or at least stop going into faraway places. I went to Tenom last weekend I told him. In fact another 2 hours’ drive from Tenom into a village without paved roads on top of a hill. Altogether about 6 hours in drive time.

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.