The Father Heart of God – Our Intimacy

Rev Ross Tooley began his first sermon that Sunday (18th June) at our church before we set off for Bangi. Thinking back to that day, I was surprised to find myself tearing at the last worship song after listening to his heart-moving sermon.

Similar to most preachers that I have heard, the sermon has its mix of humor and serious issues. Except that for Rev Ross, it was dry humor and his personal life encounters.

Harmony and Fellowship of the Trinity

His first message centered on the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit; and all 3 lived in harmony with each other. Neither party was lonely which was why God chose to make Man. Rather; it is because the Trinity was experiencing such joy of being together that they wanted to create Man, so that Man can likewise share in the same joy as them!

Rev Ross brought to our attention that this how it should be for us, be it as a church congregation or as a married couple. God created us so that we can share in this joy of fellowship. He went on further to share that because this unity is important, a husband should not be going around serving God, when his wife is unhappy from a disagreement at home.

In other words, the family is also an institution intended by God to also reflect this fellowship, this harmony and this joy. Failing which, we would not be living our life in a way that reflects the true meaning of the Trinity.

In fact, this example is true in the case of Rev Ross, for he actually encountered this incident before with his wife, leaving her crying, while he left to preach God’s word to others. He learnt a lesson and never did that again to his wife. The next time that happened, he kindly requested for another ministry staff to take over the pulpit because he wanted to tend to his wife, even if it took all morning. I was very encouraged when I heard this part of his sharing.

How not to Evangelize / Relate to People

Rev Ross went on to elaborate further that because the joy of fellowship is intended for us to also share in, friendship or relations with people should not be by force. You can make someone your friend by forcing him to be your friend. You don’t have a wife by forcing a woman to agree to marry you at knife point. Likewise, evangelism should not reflect aggressiveness or coercion. In other words, we don’t force people to believe in Christ. For God doesn’t beat us into submission, but He loves us into submission.

A God that Created the Heavens and the Earth

Along his sermon, at times Rev Ross would side track to share a particular life experience that he faced with. One of the stories he shared was a time when he walked past a Chinese idol shop and decided to take a look inside.

He started a conversation with the shop attendant and asked her what the name of a particular idol statue is. She replied that it is called ‘Guan Gong’. Interested to find out more, Rev Ross asked that lady to tell him more about this Chinese god, so she went on for about half an hour, telling him about this god… and that it was one of the gods that the Chinese pray to. If I remembered correctly, this lady also shared that there is a hierarchy among the gods which the Chinese pray to… that some gods are higher than others.

When that lady ended her sharing, Rev Ross took the opportunity to share about the God that Christians believe in and that this God created the Heavens and the Earth… and everything else in it. After sharing for awhile, he stopped to ask that lady about this god that she prays to… this god that is hidden behind two candles. He asked, “Did your god make the Heavens and the Earth?” That lady was silent for she knew that this god did not. And I guess that made a strong impact in that lady’s mind. Amazing testimony!

Laughter was Created by God for a Reason

Rev Ross also shared that medical science has shown that laughter releases chemicals that boost our body’s immune system and helps to fight diseases. This is a God who knows us because He made us and loves us, such that He even gave us the ability to laugh, with good lasting effects!

He said, “Try asking a person how is it like to laugh, when he has never laughed before.” I don’t quite understand what this statement means, but I know that God has us in His mind and even intended something as simple as laughter to be good for our bodies!

Seek Ye First His Kingdom and His Righteousness

This was the verse that spoke to me very strongly when I heard this from Rev Ross’ first sermon at church. In fact, this verse stayed in my mind throughout the entire church camp! Again and again, this verse kept on reminding me of what I should do, and how I should guide my daily thoughts and my worries. And I really thank God for giving me this reminder and impressing it so strongly on my heart.

This verse impacted me because I have been struggling with how to earn and save up enough money to get married by the end of next year. Every now and then when I go to work, I will be thinking about when my pay day is coming, so that I can see my bank account savings increase a little more.

Another thought was my uncertainty of whether I would get any or how much pay increment once I have been confirmed in my job. It’s money, money, money. Not because I’m greedy for money, but I really wish to have this financial stability so that I can finally settle down with Rebecca and give us a good life… even for our saving up for children too.

God reminded me that I should not get carried away with scrapping for every little bit of resources that I can stinge. Instead, God wants me to seek and obey Him… and He will provide for me when the timing is right. I should not lose sight that God is my provider. I’m not a provider for myself or anyone. But through me, God provides for me and others in my life.

What We Should Offer To God

Sometimes it comes down to the basics. Micah 6:6-8 says that God requires us to “… act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Three characteristics - (1) Justice, (2) Merciful and (3) Humility… I think I should really reflect and start praying that God will help me to develop these three characteristics in me.

Fellowship Is Love

Rev Ross pointed out that we may not have a lot of money, but if we have a lot of friends, we are richer than a rich man. What’s the point of having a lot of money, but all enemies? For God’s gift to us is fellowship and fellowship is love. And He desires us to share in the joy of fellowship and love. I really hope to embrace this, as one of my weakness is resentment from being hurt by people, even Christians. Dear God, please help to change me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.