REMEMBERINGTHE CROSS...

I am the way the truth and the life

HARVESTseason

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Himshould not perish but have everlasting life. - John 3:16

APRIL 2015EDITION 42

Pastor Writes | TeenEdge | Kids Corner

PASTOR WRITESAlan Tan | senior pastor

What difference does Easter make?

It’s a well known fact that from the beginning there were those who doubt-ed. On Easter Sunday when the chief priests heard that the tomb was emp-ty, they called the men who had been guarding the tomb and offered them money to say that the disciples of Jesus had stolen his body during the night (Matthew 28:11-15). We can call it the original Easter conspiracy. It was the first but not the last.

The years pass, decades and genera-tions and centuries came and went, and every time across the centuries, the ul-timate point of attack has always right here, at the empty tomb, the resurrec-tion, the truth behind Easter Sunday.

Good Friday doesn’t pose this sort of problem because the world understands death. Read the newspaper, turn on the TV. Death is forever with us. The funeral homes never go out of business because we are a death-sentenced generation. Read the obituaries. They change every day because people keep dying—mostly older, but sometimes younger, and sometimes the very young. No one can claim an exemption. Easter week usually falls on the same weekend with the Chinese “Cheng Meng” where most Chinese will visit the graves of their loved ones.

The world does not struggle with the notion that more than 2000 years ago, in a remote province at the edge of the Roman Empire, a man named Jesus died. Death happens to all of us even-tually. That Jesus died is no problem for most people. But the world has enor-mous problems with Easter because the world knows nothing about resur-

rection. We have a category for death. If we see a hearse with cars following behind it, we know what that’s all about. We have no category for rising from the dead.

What difference would it make if Je-sus had not risen from the dead? It’s a biblical question, one that you can find in 1 Corinthians 15:12-20. Seven times in these verses Paul uses the little word “if.”

I. If there is no resurrection, our preaching is without purpose. “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised” (1 Corinthians 15:14-15)

II. If there is no resurrection, our faith is without forgiveness. “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). The word for “futile” is different from the word for “useless.” The word “futile” means that which produces no results. It’s a promise with no fulfillment. It’s a trip with no destination. It’s a story with no end.

III. If there is no resurrection, our death is without deliverance. The Greek word for “fallen asleep” is the word “koimao” from which we get another Greek word “koimeteria” from which we get the English word “ceme-

tery”. In the beginning “cemetery” was a distinctively Christian word. It means the “sleeping place.” That’s where the Christians buried their dead—in the “sleeping place.” Why did they say that? Because when you go to sleep, you expect to wake up eventually.

IV. If there is no resurrection, our service is without significance. “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men” (1 Corinthians 15:19). For Paul this is the ultimate argument because he means that if Christ is not raised, we are just fooling ourselves If Christ is not raised, then we have no message to preach. If Christ is not raised, there is no God to hear our prayers. If Christ is not raised, we are not saved. If Christ is not raised, then let’s bring the missionaries home.

But Now!“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20 NKJV). Consider how much hangs on those two little words—”But now.” The resurrection of Jesus, our coming resurrection, and the resurrec-tion of all those who those died in faith, all of it depends on those two little words.

This is our hope, our faith, our confi-dence, this is the faith of our ancestors who believed then what we believe now.

The three words that came from the cross of Calvary. The three words in which the power of the cross is revealed. This Past Simple Tense sentence denotes an action that has been done, and there is nothing else that needs to be done to it. It’s like painting the Mona Lisa, and the artist says, “It is finished. There’s nothing left to be done to it”. Imagine someone coming along with a paintbrush, looks at the Mona Lisa and said, “Maybe there should be another stroke here,” and proceeds to paint a stroke across the painting.

We might gasp at the thought, but sometimes, that’s how we approach God’s throne of grace. We come, stating that we have done this and that, so we deserve the blessing. But the truth is that the work is DONE. Everything that we receive today has NOTHING to do with how good we are or what we have done, but EVERYTHING to do with how good God is and what He has done. How He sees us today is based entirely on what Jesus has done on the cross for us.

IT IS FINISHED!

At the cross, a beautiful exchange occurred. Romans 5:18-19 states,

Jolyn Ong

“Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the

many will be made righteous.”

PA I D

When Jesus died on the cross, He bore all our sins – past, present and future. The weight of the world was on His shoulders, and at that moment, the Father turned His back on His Son, and Jesus cried, “My God, My God, why have You forsak-en me?” (Matthew 27:46). This was the ONLY time Jesus called God, God. God turned His back on Jesus so that He can shine His face upon us today. The cross is why we can de- clare, “He will never leave us nor forsake us” (Hebrews 13:5). At the cross, He poured out His wrath on Jesus so that we today can live in the blessings and goodness of our God (Romans 5:9).

Jesus took the stripes on His back so that today we can declare “by His stripes we are healed”

(Isaiah 53:4-5). He took our sin so that we can say that we are righteous in the eyes of God, not by

our own works, but by the goodness and faithfulness of our God (Philippians 3:9). We can stand boldly before the throne of

grace and receive from the One who has, in Jesus, freely given us all things (Romans 8:32).

All this did not come from our good deeds. We did NOTHING, but Jesus did EVERYTHING. This is our God. His loved poured out for us is so lavish. The grace He has shown us is so amazing.

There is no such thing as ‘cheap grace’. It may be freely given to us, but it was paid at a very high price. The grace of God covers us, not because we have done anything to deserve it, but Jesus has done it all so that we can live in it.

IT IS FINISHED!

At the cross, a beautiful exchange occurred. Romans 5:18-19 states,

PA I D

Easter is the time we celebrate new life in Christ. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Cor 5:17). I’m sure you’ve quoted this verse many times before but have you really thought about what it means to be new? You are not merely improved, mod-ified, tweaked, re-conditioned, re-upholstered, or re-branded. You are wholly new. Indeed, a new creature, something that you never were before. Now that you’re new, do you know who you are?

Here are 50 things you need to know about your new God-given identity. Read these 344 words out loud, with conviction, and I guarantee you it will leave you feeling mightily encouraged… and new!

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?Paul Ellis

I AmI am a saint, a trophy of Christ’s victoryI am born again of imperishable seedI am a new creation, complete in Christ and perfect foreverI am a child of God, the apple of my Father’s eyeI am one with the Lord and the temple of the Holy SpiritI am eternally redeemed and completely forgivenI am seated with Christ in heavenly realmsI am summoned by name and I am HisI am dead to sin and alive to GodI am free from guilt and condemnationI am righteous, holy and blameless!I am healed and I am strong in the LordI am hidden in Christ and eternally secureI am loved with an everlasting love and I am highly favoredI am my Beloved’s and He is mine

Selah

I am the head and not the tailI am blessed with every spiritual blessing and I am a joint heir with ChristI am a competent minister of the new covenantI am bona fide and qualified, chosen and anointedI am His royal ambassador, a missionary to the worldI am a stranger on earth, a citizen of a city whose maker is GodI am not looking back but I am pressing on to know Him moreI am trusting that He will finish in me that which He startedI am a king and a priest; a carrier of the Lord’s authorityI am a healer of the sick and a demon’s worst nightmareI am king o’ the world because His victory is mine!I am as bold as a lion and more than a conquerorI am a towering testimony of the Spirit’s powerI am the salt of the earth and the light of the worldI am the sweet smell of Jesus to those who are perishingI am a tree planted by the water, and I am a fruitful branchI am the disciple whom Jesus lovesAnd by the grace of God I am what I am

THE GIFT OF NO CONDEMNATIONJoseph Prince

When Jesus was on earth, a wom-an caught in the act of adultery was brought before Him by the scribes and Pharisees, the religious mafia of His day. They tried to trap Him by posing a question that was difficult to answer: “Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” (John 8:5)

Jesus answered, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” (John 8:7) The scribes and Pharisees began to leave one by one till none of them were left.

The people in the crowd who wanted to condemn the woman could not. But Jesus, the only one in the crowd who truly had the power to condemn her, would not. He then asked her, “Wom-an…Has no one condemned you?” (John 8:10)

He spoke such words of grace to her because He loved her. Also, by asking her the question, He was giving her a chance to speak words of no condem-nation to herself—“No one [condemns me], Lord.” (John 8:11)

Jesus not only spoke words of grace to her, He also gave her the gift of no

condemnation—“Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more”. It was when she received the gift of no condemna-tion that she had the power to “go and sin no more”.

Today, you have the gift of no condem-nation because the Son of God was condemned for all your sins. (Romans 8:1) Today, God cannot condemn you when you sin because He is faithful and just to what His Son has done.

So if the devil tries to convince you that God is angry with you when you blow it, just say, “God does not con-demn me today because He has already condemned Jesus at the cross 2,000 years ago!”

Unfortunately, we still hear people saying, “Go and sin no more first, then I won’t condemn you.” Maybe you have been saying this to yourself too. But God says, “I don’t condemn you. Go and sin no more.” He gives you the gift of no condemnation, so that you have the strength to go and sin no more!

Thought For The DayYou have the gift of no condemnation because the Son of God was condemned for all your sins.

Founder of the Ministry of Jesus in India, Dr. Ananda Stira was an orphan brought up by Christian missionaries till the age of 12. Working hard as a student, he educated himself and became a very successful pathologist.

God is now using him mightily all over the world. He has blessed thousands upon thousands of people in India with his God-given gifts in healing, prophesying, and deliverance.

DR. ANANDA STIRA

- A P R I L 3 -

Ps Bernard Teh has been Senior Pastor of FGA Taiping in Malaysia since pioneering it in 1984.

Besides operating accurately in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, God has gifted him to move powerfully in the creative miracles of opening barren wombs for His Glory.

Ps Bernard is actively engaged in the market place, social work, community projects, mission & evangelism to advance the Kingdom of God.

PS. BERNARD TEH

- A P R I L 5 -

GUEST SPEAKERS

Dato’ Sri Idris Jala is the current Minister without Portfolio in the Prime Minister’s Department who is responsible for national unity and performance management.

He is a Senator in the Dewan Negara, upper house of parliament. Before that, Idris used to work for Shell. In 2005, the Malaysian government elected him as CEO of Malaysia Airlines.

DATO IDRIS JALA

- A P R I L 1 2 -

Bob and his wife Lorraine were saved on the same night in March 1974. Bob is a prophetic teacher and has served in different churches around the world.

His passion is to teach God’s Word in a way that is clear, easily understood, and can be applied in everone’s life.

Because of his extensive travels, Bob is able to adapt to different cultures, people groups, churches and people of all ages.

BOB COLE

- A P R I L 1 9 -

MEET TEAM

We are here for all teenedgers. We are here that no teenedger will ever feel too broken, too downcast, too lonely. We are here to be your home and your family. We are here to celebrate and do life with every student with a story to tell. We are here to cheer you on to excel. We are here to dream big with you. We are here to do whatever it takes to live a life so purposeful. We are here to Empower, Disciple, Groom and Equip that one day you may repeat the cycle and do the same for others. That is why we are here.

ABOUT US

Pastor ryan Pastor Justin irin JolynRelentlessly

pouring his life to build young lives for the cause of

God. Be blown by his passion!

Committed in discipling youth

through the Word and worship. Passionate in pastoring and

cheering for Man Utd.

A leader who reaches, loves, and shepherds young people with her

own walk. Law is at her fingertips!

Constantly bringing out the

best in others and serving in ministries

unswervingly.

SPOTLIGHT | YOUNG ADULT CELL

The Young Adults’ Cell was birthed in 2014 by a group of vibrant young working adults with a strong desire for people of the same age to come to-gether to fellowship and to learn more about God. Led by Jonathan Saw, the cell first started in cafes and coffee shops as a casual meeting. As time passed, the cell grew, and we started to meet up in the church hospitality area every first and third Friday of the month. We share our thoughts, lives, joys, challenges, and also what we have learnt from the sermons on Sunday with each other. We continually en-courage and edify one another in the Lord.

We also have regular hangouts and outings to build our friendships, such as going for bowling sessions, movie nights and game nights. We are also food peo-ple, and as such, love to go out search-ing for the best makan sites in Klang and even KL. Going for random outings to Putrajaya to see hot air balloons is also part of what we do for fun.

We look forward to greater things ahead, and for more young adults to join us in this journey together.

HAPPENINGS

03aPril | FRIDAY

19aPril | SUNDAY

9May | SATURDAY

14 & 16aPril

TUES & THURS

1 & 3June

MON - WED

Good Friday Celebration with Dr. Ananda Sitra

8.30pm | Main Sanctuarywith Ps. Paul Pony (Tamil Service)

7.30pm | Rooftop Sanctuary

Men Ministry: Prayer & Intercession

9.15am | Board Room, 2nd Floor Devotion by

Bro. Chee Hock Chew

Mothers’ Day Lunch Celebration

12.30 – 3.30pm Hospitality Lounge

Get your tickets at RM30 from the ladies ministry committee

KOG Camp 2015 Camp meeting: Covenant House, Singapore

Lodging: Hangout Hotel @ Mt. EmilyFor more info and for registration, head over to Seedz

Counter for Sis. Sally / Sis. Lai Forng!

Balloon Sculpturing Class by Richard Tong from

St. David Party Castle, Paradigm Mall

8.30 – 10.00pm | Hall APlease register @ Seedz Counter.

Contact Sis. Ching Choo

SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday ServiceSundays | 10.30am | Main Sanctuary

5th April – Rev. Bernard Teh12th April - Dato’ Sri Idris Jala

19th April - Bob Cole26th April – Ps. Alan Tan

Chinese ServiceSaturdays | 8.00pm | Hall A

4th April – Rev. Andrew Lim 林岭啸牧师11th April - Rev Esther Ong 王丽真牧师

18th April – Bro. Bark Chye 蔡沐财25th April - Rev Esther Ong 王丽真牧师

Tamil ServiceSundays | 11.30am | Rooftop Sanctuary

TeenEdgeSaturdays | 5.00pm | Rooftop Sanctuary

4th April – Easter Special – LOVE ON THE REBOUND (Ps. Justin Segar & Alpha Colors Church Team)

11th April – Irin Tan18th April – Ps. Ryan Foo

25th April - Ps. Justin Segar

Bible StudyWednesdays | 8.30pm | Hall A

8th April – Bob Cole15th April - Bob Cole

KOG Camp 2015 Camp meeting: Covenant House, Singapore

Lodging: Hangout Hotel @ Mt. EmilyFor more info and for registration, head over to Seedz

Counter for Sis. Sally / Sis. Lai Forng!

REFLECTION

JESUS PAID THE PRICEIsaiah 53:5

fb.com/harvestklang instagram.com/harvestklangCheques Payable to

Harvest Christian AssemblyDirect Deposits to Public Bank Berhad

Tithes & Offering 3169217230Building Fund 3169217327

Missions 3169217521

HARVEST CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLYLot 6934, Berkerley Complex Jalan Lang, Taman Berkerley 41150 Klang, Selangor, MalaysiaTel: +603-3343 3633 | Fax: +603-33452623www.harvestklang.org | contact@harvestklang.org