140817 eng nation building series (part 1) - ps. timothy loh

Two Biggest Questions for ChristiansPertaining to Malaysia


• 1. Is God in Charge? YOU there?


• 1. Is God in Charge? YOU there?• 2. Am I called to this land? Me here?

NegaraMu – God is in Control

Daniel 4:20-27 20 “The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth,


Daniel 4:20-27 21 whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home—


Daniel 4:20-27 22 it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth.


Daniel 4:20-27 23 “And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze in the


Daniel 4:20-27 23 tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him’;


Daniel 4:20-27 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king:


Daniel 4:20-27 25 They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.


Daniel 4:20-27 26 “And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules.


Daniel 4:20-27 27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.”

Negaraku – I am called to this land

Acts 17:26 26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings

Challenges Surrounding Malaysia

• Religious Challenges• Racial Challenges• Security Challenges• National Challenges• Political Challenges• Social Challenges

RELIGIOUS CHALLENGE

Allah Issue Bible Confiscated

RACIAL CHALLENGE

SECURITY CHALLENGE

Semporna Resort Kidnap Sabah Separatist

NATIONAL CHALLENGE

MH 370 MH 17

POLITICAL CHALLENGE

Perak Assemble Tussle Teoh Beng Hock

SOCIAL CHALLENGE

Rising Cost of Goods Murder of 2 British Students

Common Responses

• Fear• Anger• Hopelessness

The Power of Response

We can’t change what happens to us but we can determine our response.


“I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I respond to it”

– Charles Swindoll


“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom”

– Viktor E Frankl


Biblical Examples of Responses

• Abraham and his impatience • Moses and his attempt to deliver the Israel • Israel failure to enter Promise Land • Joshua and Ai • Esther and her courage • Nehemiah and his prayer • Malachi – a book about Israel responses towards God


Our Response Determines the Destiny of This NATION.


1 Thessalonians

1 Paul, Silas and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.


2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.


3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Three Responses

1. Faith – Prayer 2. Love – Practice (Labor)3. Hope – Perseverance

Documents

140817 eng nation building series (part 1) - ps. timothy loh