Pastors Series

EVERY NATION CHURCH BANGKOK PASTORS

Thank you for the privilege of letting me share with you today. I’ve only been here a few months and ENCB has definitely become my spiritual family. I’ve felt very welcome and at home here. I’ve also had the privilege of going to other Every Nation churches. Many of you know I also attend Grace Bangkok Church in the morning. And I’ve also visited Every Nation Church Macau. Last Easter Sunday I remember singing Mighty to Save at Fort Bonifacio Victory Christian Fellowship. I’m reminded we are church family as I ran into Joyce and Belle in Cambodia last week.

I am excited to be sharing with you today, but to be honest I also feel a little bit scared. Perhaps this story will give you a better idea of how I feel.

There was a wealthy Texas rancher who had a big party at his ranch. During the course of the party he brought all his guests out to his Olympic size swimming pool, where swimming around in the pool was a huge, man eating shark. The rich man went on to say, “To whoever can swim the length of the pool, and not get eaten by the shark, or course, I will give him the choice of 3 things. I will give him 1 million dollars in cash. Or I will give him the lovely hand of my daughter in marriage. Or I will give him my ranch.” No sooner had he finished speaking than he heard a splash at the other end of the pool. A man was swimming the length of the pool so fast, the shark didn’t even have time to notice. Taken aback by the man’s feat, the rancher helped him out of the pool. “That was amazing he said. Absolutely amazing. Would you like 1 million dollars in cash?” “No,” said the man, “I don’t want 1 million dollars in cash.” “Well would you like the hand of my daughter in marriage?” the rancher asked. “No sir,” he answered, “I don’t want to marry your daughter.” “Well that’s easy,” said the rancher. “You want my ranch.” “No,” said the man, “I don’t want your ranch.” Somewhat surprised by the man’s answers, the rancher finally asked him, “Well what is it you want?” The man replied, “I wanna know who pushed me in.”

I do feel like the man, but I am happy somebody pushed me in.

While we are doing the series, Spiritual Family, today is resurrection Sunday and I would be remiss not to say something about it. Let me share a verse with you.

1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

Let me put it this way. If there was no resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, there would be no reason for us to be here. Might as well tear down this sign with our mission statement. We might as well not even be here. Let’s all go to Pattaya.

But because Jesus rose from the dead, we have hope. I know many of us are still grieving the loss of our sister Aoy. But remember, when Jesus rose from the dead, He conquered our greatest enemy; death. If He can do that I think He can take care of our other problems.

Let me share with you an Easter greeting we often use in my country. I will say “He is risen.” I want you so say, “He is risen indeed.” Let’s try it.

He is risen.

He is risen indeed.

We have been doing the series, Spiritual Family. Today our message is on Pastors. What do you think of when you hear the word pastor? Let me give you some examples.

There was a young man who lived at home with his mother. One Sunday morning around 9AM he was still sleeping in bed. His mother finally told him he needs to get up. “Give me 3 reasons why I should get up,” he replied. “Well for one,” his mother answered, “today is Sunday and on Sunday we go to church. “Second,” she went on, church starts in 45 minutes. And third, you’re the pastor.”

What do you think a pastor is? And what does he do? Many pastors back in my country have been asked this question after their Sunday sermon. “What do you do with the rest of your time? I wish I had to work only 30 minutes a week.”

One well known writer said that, “Pastoring is one of the most difficult jobs in the world.” One of my seminary professors said that, “Being a pastor is one of the greatest privileges in life. To be there when someone is born into God’s family, standing by the bedside of a dying saint and praying with them, preaching a life changing sermon by God’s grace, it’s a blessing.”