Things New and Old

Ancient truths revealed in the Scriptures are often forgotten, disbelieved or distorted, and therefore lost in the passage of time. Such ancient truths when rediscovered and relearned are 'new' additions to the treasury of ancient truths.

Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.

Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.

There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" 2Ti 2:7.

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Despise not the Day of Small Things

 


#despise_not_thedayof_smallthings

Sunday, Nov 7, 2021

There is one uncommon thing with Sungai Dua Church; we rarely have visiting preachers in our pulpit. The reason is simple; we are not aware of any doctrinally like-minded men in Malaysia who are fit to fill the pulpit. Nevertheless, the church is blessed by her Head with some men who are able to minister the word. They take turns to fill the pulpit; each month, one of them will fill the pulpit and minister the word of God to us. In addition, one of them will lead the first service each Sunday. I'm thankful for them all.

This is a wonderful arrangement;
- the church gets to hear from her own men,
- the men have the opportunity to minister the word;
- the pastor is blessed to be ministered by his own men.

Last Sunday, I was blessed by a message on "Despise not the day of small things" from Zechariah 4. It was a great encouragement to me; I have been labouring under such circumstances - long years of small things - all my ministry. There had been occasions when I thought to myself, "what's the use of continuing on here with this little work?" Each time the Lord rebuked me by reminding me of the passage.

There are many good reasons why a man with a right mind will heartily agree that it's not only foolish but shameful to despise the day of small things in the Lord's work. There are multitudes of examples illustrating the same truth in the Scriptures. Even so, in life also; all great things begin small.

Though I have never preached on that text myself, yet the truth is regularly preached to me in the most vivid ways from the activities of tilling the Lord's earth.

Mt 13
31 ¶Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Zechariah 4 KJV
8 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.
10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

The hands that were divinely appointed to begin the small things shall also be the same hands to finish it!

1Corinthians 4:2 "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."

Luke 9:62 "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

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