Take My Yoke

Take My Yoke Upon You: Missio Dei 

 

 ‘Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’ Matthew 11:29-30

When you are a cancer patient such as Pat, my wife, you carry a concern, a burden, that weighs heavy on you. This burden is also carried by the whole family and close friends.

Life is especially overwhelming for Pat this past year. But I notice that throughout the year, while receiving many cycles of chemotherapy and stem cells transplants; despite being admitted to hospital for five times and attending outpatient treatments about 2-3 times a week, Pat continues to be in high spirits, confident that the Lord Jesus will take care of her.

In these trying periods, Pat learned to transfer and share her burdens with Jesus, her Lord and Saviour.

‘Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.’ Psalm 55:22

Pat, the family and friends have learnt to harness ourselves to the ‘yoke’ of Christ

Farmers used a wooden yoke to strap the shoulders of two animals such as oxen or horses together so that they could combine strength to pull a load that would have been too much for one animal to carry.

Jesus Christ assures us that His yoke is easy. We can only surmise that He is taking on the heavier lifting; He takes on the larger share of the load. That way we lift off our burdens and give it to the Lord and Christ lifts it off our shoulders.

In hitching our shoulders to the yoke of Christ we learned:

• To move in the same direction as Christ, to be on the same path
• Not to carry the whole burden ourselves but to lean on Christ
• Being closely yoke, we become refreshed and can carry more than we ever thought we could.

That is why Saint Paul and all the early followers of Christ can say, despite persecution and hardships, sometimes leading to martyrdom:

‘We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed.’ 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Poor farmers often cannot afford oxen or horses; these farmers will yoke themselves to the plough to till the land. So when Jesus spoke of being yoked and carrying the weight upon His shoulders, His hearers in 1st Century Judea and Samaria, understood and emphatise completely. But Jesus meant that He carries the weight of the whole world not just a plough. He welcomes us who are burdened and heavy laden to be yoked to Him. 

There is no problem too big God solve it. He will help us lift that burden. He will carry you.

 ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’ Matthew 11:28

There is no problem too big God cannot solve it

There is no mountain too tall He cannot move it
And there is no storm too dark God cannot calm it
There is no sorrow too deep He cannot soothe it

If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders
I know my brother that He will carry you
And if He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders
I know my sister that He will carry you

‘For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.’ Psalm 62:5-7

Lionel

In Spirit And In Truth

 

'For God is Spirit, so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.' John 4:24 (NLT)

In the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, the woman commented on the various forms and places of worship practiced by the Jews and the Samaritans, each claiming to be more superior than the other. The Jews worship at the their temple at Jerusalem and insisted that Jerusalem is the only place of worship. The Samaritans worship at their temple on Mount Gerizim which they regard as the holiest place on earth.

However, Jesus dismissed the comparison of forms, rituals, places and styles of worship by simply stating,

'Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.' John 4:21 (NLT)

He then went on to say,

'The time is coming - indeed it is here now - when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.' John 4:22

If we are to worship God we need to understand what it means to worship in spirit and in truth. 

• Worship in Spirit. Worship is an experience of the heart, it must originate from within, from our spirit. Worship must be sincere, motivated by our love for God and gratitude for all He is and has done. Jesus said 

 'These people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me;in vain do they worship me.' Matthew 15:8-9a

Worship is not a mechanical ritual or a formality that takes place for an hour at the end of a hectic week - but an experience from deep within the spirit; deep within the heart.

• Worship in Truth. Worship must be based on the truth of all that we know of our Triune God. Jesus was quick to direct the Samaritan woman's attention from the 'where' and 'how' to worship to the 'whom' to worship. It must never be thoughtless but grounded on knowledge of who God is and what He has done for us.

Worship is facilitated by God's Word, in that we can meditate on God's Word when we worship. We allow the truth of God's Word to influence, fill us during worship.

• Worship in Spirit and Truth Simultaneously. Worship must have heart and worship must have head - that is to say, worship must engage your spirit and your thoughts at the same time. We do not worship in spirit as one setting and in truth in another setting, we engage the both simultaneously. Our minds and will as well as our emotions have to be moved. 

Psalms 95 aptly describes what it means to worship in spirit and in truth; worshipping with our spirit and vitality:-

'Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our Salvation. Let us come to Him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him.' Psalms 95:1-2 (NLT)  

and with our minds and wills:-

'Come let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for He is our God. We are the people He watches over, the flock under His care. Psalm 95:6-7 (NLT)

The word 'worship' is derived from an old English word weorþscipe, which means 'worth-ship' or 'worthiness.' 

Thus, worship is giving value to something, to honour someone or something. Real worship of God means we ascribe to Him ultimate value, holding our God in the highest regard.

'For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods. He holds in His hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains.' Psalm 95:3-4 (NLT)

The hymn 'O Worship The King' clearly and rightfully points to God's greatness and majesty, leading us to worship God and give him ultimate glory.

O worship the King all glorious above,
and gratefully sing his power and his love:
our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendour and girded with praise.

O tell of his might and sing of his grace,
whose robe is the light, whose canopy space;
his chariots of wrath the deep thunder-clouds form,
and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

The earth, with its store of wonders untold,
Almighty, your power has founded of old;
established it fast, by a changeless decree,
and round it has cast, like a mantle, the sea.

Your bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
and sweetly distils in the dew and the rain.

We children of dust are feeble and frail -
in you do we trust, for you never fail;
your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end!
our maker, defender, redeemer, and friend.

O measureless Might, unchangeable Love,
whom angels delight to worship above!
Your ransomed creation, with glory ablaze,

In true adoration shall sing to your praise!

Lionel

In His Presence

'The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim His righteousness; every nation sees His glory' Psalm 97:5-6 (NLT)

Ancients watched, often fearful and awestruck, the different phenomena of nature, of lightning storms, whirlwinds, tornados, tsunamis, cloud formations, vivid colours in the night skies. They sense a powerful, supernatural force behind these occurrences and interpret these to manifest the presence of God. These Ancient Ones would acknowledge with reverence and worship the God or gods behind these beautiful, oftentimes fearful but sometimes inspiring sights. Perhaps this was how the concept and worship of God evolved.

Today, understanding the science and nature behind these phenomena, we decry the naivety of these early humans. How wrong can we be? 'All nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father's world.' The wise men of old saw the creator God in all of nature. So should we. 

Even though we now understand the science behind nature does not mean that God is not in the picture; God is making His presence known. The Ancient Ones got it right.

When the Israelites left Egypt and wandered in the Sinai desert towards the Promised Land, God led by way of a pillar of cloud in the day and a pillar of fire by night.

'God went ahead of them in a Pillar of Cloud during the day to guide them on the way, and at night in a Pillar of Fire to give them light; thus they could travel both day and night. The Pillar of Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night never left the people.' Exodus 13:22

Modern folks are so engrossed with our lives that we hardly notice the presence of God. We are oblivious especially when we are so busy with ourselves, our careers and ambitions that we let many years pass us by without appreciating nor enjoying the Lord's presence.

Moses understood that the Lord's presence underpinned their journey through the wilderness. God was with them through many dangers, hardships and crisis. Moses valued the Lord being in the midst of the people of God very much. He once said to the Almighty, to break off the Exodus and not proceed further unless the Lord's presence was always with them.

  

'God said, "My presence will go with you. I'll see the journey to the end." Moses said, "If Your presence doesn't take the lead here, call this trip off right now. How else will it be known that You're with me in this, with me and Your people? Are You travelling with us or not? How else will we know that we're special, I and Your people, among all the people of this planet earth.' Exodus 33:14-16 (MSG)

Christians realise rather late in our spiritual journeys that the Lord's presence is vital to our Christian growth, happiness, well being. In fact, we cannot escape God as expressed in the Psalms so eloquently.

'Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? 

To be out of Your sight?

If I climb to the sky you're there!

If I go underground, you're there!

If I flew on morning's wings to the far western horizon,

You'd find me in a minute -

You are already there waiting!

Then I said to myself, "Oh He even sees me in the dark!

At night I'm immersed in the light!"Psalm 139:7-12  

In time, we learn that our lives go on but always in the presence of God. Nothing is hidden from God. Indeed God is omnipresent we just need to sense and cultivate the habit of enjoying the presence of God.

• One common way is to take a walk through nature, enjoy its sights, smells and sounds and realise that God is with us. This experience was recorded by William Wordsworth in his poem Tintern Abbey (13 July 1798) on revisiting the banks of the River Wye a few miles above the abbey. He wrote,

 "And I have felt 

A presence that disturbs me with the joy

Of elevated thoughts;

A sense sublime

Of something far more deeply interfused,

Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns,

And the round ocean and the living air,

And the blue sky, and in the mind of man:

A motion and a spirit, that impels

All thinking things, All objects of all thought,

And rolls through all things.

Therefore am I still

A lover of the meadows and the woods

And mountains; and of all that we behold 

From this green earth."

• Staring quietly at a beautiful scenery as at waterfalls and colourful canyons or sunsets and sunrises, evokes in us that awareness that God exists and He enables us to enjoy His creations. I experienced spontaneous tearing when I first viewed Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon. Both times it evoked positive emotions of joy and awe. It overwhelmed me, engaged my senses; an appreciation of the beauty of the earth and the glory of the skies. ChatGPT used the term 'Awe' for this response and described it as a complex emotion that involves a sense of wonder, amazement and a feeling of being in the presence of something greater than oneself. For me that was the presence of God and I broke into spontaneous prayer, praise and song.

'The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftmanship. Day after day they continue to speak. Night after night they make Him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard, Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, their word to all the world.' Psalms 19:1-4 (NLT)

• Christian Meditation ushers us into the presence of God. The time of meditation is the time of awareness of God. Keep your body still, your mind silent, then in that stillness and silence just focus on being in the presence of God. With time, discipline and practice, our spirits will co-mingle with the Holy Spirit, in 'prayer without words.'   

'May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.' Psalm 19:14 (NLT)

This article was inspired by my niece, Mrs Lynette Teo, who recently recorded her voice and piano accompaniment to Sandi Patti's  'In His Presence.' She sent it to both Pat and I to encourage us. Unfortunately I could not use Lynette's recording in this post; so please use this Sandi Patty's original recording as you reflect in God's presence.

In the quiet of this hour

As we kneel before You now

I believe Your promise to be faithful

I don't always understand

What Your perfect will demands

But I learned to trust You more

In Your presence, Lord

In Your presence, there is comfort

In Your presence, there is peace

When we seek to know Your heart

We will find such blessed assurance

In Your holy presence, Lord

There can be such sweet reward

When we wait upon the Lord

As we take the time

He gives His perfect wisdom

To be found in Him alone

All our deepest secrets known

We're surrounded by His grace

When we seek His face

In Your presence, there is comfort

In Your presence, there is peace

When we seek my fathers heart

We will find such blessed assurance

And ever open door

To know our Savior more

In the presence of my Lord

Lionel

Under The Shade Of His Grace

 

'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it;

I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 

On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it, it will bear fruit and become a splendid cedar.

Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. 

All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord will bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. 

I the Lord have spoken and I will do it' Ezekiel 17:22-24

The Charis Methodist Church's new sanctuary, building and renovated premises was consecrated and dedicated today, 21 January 2024, to the Glory of God. The theme of the worship service and the topic of the sermon delivered by Methodist Bishop, Rev(Dr) Gordon Wong was, 'Under The Shade of His Grace.'

The Bishop was quick to point out that the topic was well chosen because the name Charis comes from the Greek word Χάρις meaning grace and kindness. It is a prayer, said the Bishop, that Charis will be a church where many people will find comfort, salvation and fulfillment with the ministry of the church - under the shade of God's grace.

'Under the Shade of His Grace' used during the dedication service of the church, will likewise, be the theme of Charis Methodist Church's witness and ministry. In a world of trouble and tribulation, the church will reach out and welcome the community to enjoy the comfort and shelter of God's grace.

The Charis Congregation @ Dedication Service

Bishop Gordon Wong based his sermon on the passage Ezekiel 17:22-24. There are several lessons to be drawn from this bible passage:

• Charis Methodist Church is Established by the Design and Initiative of God. Pay attention to the positive actions of God's will,
• I myself will a take a shoot from the top of the cedar. 
• I will break off a tender sprig.
• I will plant it.

• Charis Methodist Church shall (will) Establish a Fruitful Ministry
• It will produce branches
• It will bear fruit
• It will become a splendid cedar

• Charis Methodist Church will Serve the Community and Needy
• Birds of every kind will nest in it
• Birds will shelter in it.

• Charis Methodist Church will Thrive but Only by God's Grace
• I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall
• I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish
• I the Lord have spoken and I will do it

We celebrated the 35th Anniversary of the church today. This is because we count our age from the day we became independent of the mother church, on 1 January 1989, and became a local conference of the Methodist Church in Singapore. 

In reality the congregation of Charis Methodist Church started way back in 1966 when several of our pioneers started an English Worship Service at 4.30 pm at the Geylang Chinese Methodist Church in Aljunied Road. It was inaugurated by Bishop Robert F Lundy, the Bishop of the Malaysia-Singapore Methodist General Conference. 

The English Worship Service was managed autonomously by a English Working Committee. The Chairpersons of the Working Committees were Goh Say Hong (1968 to 1975), Victor Koh (1976), Lim Eng Chong (1977), Lionel Lee (1978 to 1982), Lim Eng Chong (1982/83), Lionel Lee (1983-1988) until the first Local Church Executive Committee was formed on 1 Jan 1989 with Lionel Lee as the Chairman. The LCEC chairpersons of Charis Methodist Church were Quek Koh Eng, Koh Hai Theng, Charles Loh, Khoong Hock Yun, Too Shiun Jye. In 2024, LCEC leadership transferred to the third generation under Gabriel Tham. 

That English Service included two worship services, Sunday School, two Methodist Youth Fellowships, the 17th Company Boys Brigade, Young Adult Fellowship, Adult Fellowship, Young Adult Bible Class, Children's Ministry called the Charis King's Army, Adult Choir, Children's Choir, Evangelism, Social Concerns and Missions Ministries. 

Thus, Charis Methodist Church existed as a congregation for 57 years since 1966.  For 37 years, from 1966-1993 when we acquired the present property upon which the new buildings were dedicated today, we were a Church without a Home. But it did not really matter to us, because we always knew that the Lord God will provide shelter and nest.

'Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches.' Ezekiel 17:23b

The Bishop pointed out that these two words nest and shelter are translated same in Mandarin as 'Home.' We are reminded that God has provided Charis Methodist Church with a home just as Christ said, 

'Upon this rock, I will build my church and all the powers of hell will not conquer it' Matthew 16:18b (NLT)

The Charis Methodist Church Choir sang the song, 'Upon This Rock' at the dedication service. The Choir sang the same anthem on the 3 Apr 1993 at the inaugural service at our newly acquired property. It sang again on the 20 Jan 2019 celebrating our 30th Anniversary as a independent local conference.

 

When others see with earthly eyes

Just what they want to see

You will see the things that never die

You will know and recognize

By simple child-like faith

The priceless truth that

Others will deny.

When others say I'm just a man

Who likes to dream His dreams

When others call a miracle a myth

You'll listen for eternity

In moments as they pass

And see with spirit eyes

What others miss.

Upon this rock I'll build My kingdom

And on this rock forever and ever it shall stand

And all the powers of Hell itself

Shall never more prevail against it

For Satan's thrones are built on sinking sand

Upon this rock I'll build My kingdom

And on this rock forever and ever it shall stand

Upon this rock of revelation

I'll build a strong and mighty nation

And it shall stand the storms of time

Upon this rock.

If in a simple carpenter

You see the Son of God

If you would chose to lose

When you could win

If you would give your life away

For nothing in return

Then you are where

My kingdom will begin.

Upon this rock I'll build My kingdom

And on this rock forever and ever it shall stand

Upon this rock of revelation

I'll build a strong and mighty nation

And it shall stand the storms of time

Upon this rock

I'll Build My church

Upon this rock

I'll Build My church

Upon this Rock

Upon this Rock

The clarion message, is that Christ alone will build Charis Methodist, His Church.

Lionel

Blessing and Benediction

'May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favour and give you His peace' Numbers 6:24-26

Many of us, simply disregard and perfunctorily dismiss the benediction performed at the end of the church worship services; we can't wait to get out of church. We fail to appreciate the wonderful words of assurance, how much the Lord God intends to enrich our lives and bless us. We fail to realise that as we leave after a time of worshipping God, the benediction is like a parting gift to sustain us for the week during which the presence of God will no doubt wane within us as we become distracted by our many chores and to-do lists.

The Aaronic blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26 is the most commonly used Benediction. God instructed Aaron at the time of the Exodus to bless the Israelites. It was given at a time of uncertainty, dangers, concerns as the Israelites realised that the dry and arid desert had nothing to offer. They were completely reliant on God and God did not leave them destitute, God delivered.

• The Lord bless you and keep you. This is a promise of God's protection bestowed as a blessing on His people, the Israelites then and now on all Christians too.

• The Lord make His face to shine upon you. This is a promise of God's presence not just casually but deeply, intimately and close up as if face to face.

• The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. This is the promise of God's peace. 

The end of the a church service is not just a return to society after having worshipped God. It is also God sending us into the world, commissioned for ministry and mission empowered by the Holy Spirit. We receive the blessing of God so that we will have the strength and ability to live lives of blessing to others. Having received the benediction we are sent out as Jesus Christ's witnesses and ambassadors.

The Benediction is both a prayer and pronouncement. The apostles and early church leaders pronounced the benediction as a signature conclusion to their messages using  

• The Benediction as an Encouragement
• The Benediction as a Blessing
• The Benediction as a pronouncement of Grace

Examples are:

Hope 'May the God of hope Fill you with all joy and peace in believing, So that you may abound in hope By the power of the Holy Spirit.' Romans 15:13

Service 'Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory forever and ever.' Hebrews 13:20-21

Endurance 'May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.' Romans 15:5-6

Love 'The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all'. 2 Corinthians 13:14

Glory 'Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen' Ephesians:20-21

Peace 'The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.' Philippians 4:7

Success 'Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen'  Jude 24-25

Sanctification 'Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.' 1 Thessalonians 5:23

One of the modern benedictions was written and put to music in 1998 by John Rutter, the Clare Benediction. John Rutter has a long association with Clare College, Cambridge University. He read music at Clare in the 1960s and subsequently returned as its director of music and director of the chapel choir.

The Clare Benediction is a set to soothing melody and harmony. Beginning with 'May the Lord show His mercy upon you...' it is a prayer for protection and guidance, when asleep or awake, in this life and the next. 

May the Lord show his mercy upon you;

May the light of his presence be your guide:

May he guard you and uphold you;

May his spirit be ever by your side.

When you sleep may his angels watch over you;

When you wake may he fill you with his grace:

May you love him and serve him all your days

Then in heaven may you see his face.

May the Lord's loving kindness surround you;

Keep you safe as you journey on your way:

May he lead you and inspire you

As he grants you the gift of each new day.

May he bless all your loved ones and cherish them;

Ev'ry friend, ev'ry stranger at your door:

In the name of his Son our Saviour Christ

May God bless you now and evermore

Next time don't just rush out at the end of the worship service. Take time to let the blessings of the Benediction sink in. Then, let us learn to bless each other. We are blessed to be a blessing.

May God bless you now and evermore.

Lionel