The Battle of Faith and Fear! Faith Sermon!

As I come back to my blog page, I felt that today I should start documenting all my Sermon Outlines for Preaching Test and link it to my above Topic of Male by Birth, Men by Choice. After all, I really am For Men's Ministry. =)

Today I would like to share with you on my message entitled.

THE BATTLE OF FAITH AND FEAR!

Matthew 8:23-27

New King James Version (NKJV)

Wind and Wave Obey Jesus

²³ Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. ²⁴ And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. ²⁵ Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
²⁶ But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. ²⁷ So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

In Matthew 8:23-27, as I read this passage, I looked at it in a new direction. The disciples were Fearful, after all a storm arosed! Not just any storm though, in the greek, the word Tempest is the word Seismos, where you get the word Siesmic Activity which is usually refered to as an Earthquake.

So what they are experiencing over there, is a sudden storm of EPIC proportions! The disciples lives flashed before their very eyes as the waves crashed onto the flimsy boat they were in. Fear began to enter them and they ran helter skelter for cover! Like there is any cover at all left in the open lake...

Then they start to remember, there was this person that they followed, Jesus! He can calm the storm! So they went looking for Him and found Him doing the exact opposite as any sane person in the world would do. Sleep in the Storm.

The disciples were furious! "Can't you see we are perishing!" said one. "You dare to take a nap in the midst of a stormy sea?"
Jesus awoke then and start to speak in a gentle tone. "Why are you Fearful, O you of Little Faith?" then it hit me at that very instant!

This phrase that Jesus spoke, intrigued me. When Jesus make this statement, you can divide it into two parts. "Why are you Fearful." and "O you of little Faith." what Jesus meant was, that the disciples had Fear as well as Faith dwelling in their hearts. God is a person who deals with the Heart and Minds of People and really, most of the problems are really problems from our very heart.

This question was then posted:
"Is it possible to have Fear and Faith in us at the same time?" The answer came to me quickly. "Yes."

For the carnal mind is enmity against God. That is why Christians must live a life that is very engaging. Especially with things regarding the mind. For the mind is something that we Fight in the spirit realm. We need to be more engaging and do not allow another foothold for demons to grab hold.

Now there are 3 steps we can take to Counter Fear in our Hearts:

1) To Hear the Word of God.

Romans 10:17
Now Faith comes by Hearing and Hearing by the Word of God.

Learn to read out the bible. Make yourself heard! Keep hearing things about Faith! Listen to praise and worship song about Faith!
Like "I Walk... By Faith... Each Step... By Faith... To Live... By Faith... I Put my Trust in You!"

2) Put the Word into Action!

James 2:26

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Just like how Pastor Ming always likes to share about the Word of God that was being sown into our Hearts. In SOT we are always listening to multiple sermons! Therefore it is not what is Taught but what is Caught! We need to allow the seed of the Word of God take root on good ground, not allowing the Devil to take it away again.

3) Stand in Faith

1 Corinthians 16:13

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹³ Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

This is the hardest thing we can do. After Hearing the word of God, after doing the word, when troubles start to arise, when problems come, we need to Stand in Faith. To be Brave and Be Strong. We need to Trust in God.

For me the number one fear is actually public speaking. I was wondering everyday, how am I going to public speak to these bunch of people who I am training. How am I going to inspire them? Let alone face them!

I went to Hear the word of God. I was always reading about Leadership and the book I happen to live by in army was You the Leader, by Dr Phil Pringle. I used that book and read most of the promises that are in that book.

Then I began to put the Word into Action. Certain tips in the book which I felt it can be used, I exercised it and somehow it turned out rather well.

Lastly, I had to stand in Faith. I trusted in God for his Spirit to come upon me as I lead my recruits to become better people. Every single opportunity I was given to share, I share with Faith in my heart. It wasn't smooth at first, there were times my speaking was not very good. But I choose to stand in Faith. And right now, here I am, speaking to all of you through a blog. LOL! I was addressing this to people on Wednesday, yesterday. Anyway.

The problem is all about Choice.

Faith is a Choice

It is about Choosing Confidence when we lack confidence.

It is about Choosing to Believe when all things are going wrong for you. God will turn it around for your Good.

FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real

FAITH is Forsaking All I Trust Him

Having both in you means:

Having False Evidences that Appear Real, yet we CHOOSE to Forsake All, I Trust Him.

How many of you need a fresh anointing of Faith on your Life?

As you listen to the Word that was spoken, do you feel that Fear has somehow overtaken your life?

You felt as if Fear is taking control of you? But Today, you decide to Choose. You have decided to Choose Faith.

If you decide to choose Faith, I would ask you to lift up your hands at the count of 3. And God will bless you, empower to engage Faith whenever there is Fear in your life. At the count of 3.

1, 2, 3! I see Your hands.

Father I pray for all those hands that are lifted. I pray let your anointing and blessing come upon them right now. I ask for every heart to be open to receive your touch. That Father, you empower them with your Faith, show them how to engage Faith, whenever Fear arises and Father, do not allow Fear to be their bodies reaction because as long as Chirst is in us, we have the ability to counter Fear with Faith. Thank you and we Praise you. In Jesus Mighty name, Amen!

Personal Encounter: One of the Process of REDEMPTION - DELIVERANCE (Part C)

This is where the Hammer Hits the Nail on the Head...


This is where my Personal Encounter got from glory to glory!

Summarise my encounters so far:

1) I experienced Salvation like never before, having Godly Sorrow and from just the decision to Repent, I am saved and Redeemed!

2) Just from hearing the word of God, coupled with Prayer and Fasting, I received a revelation that illuminated my mind and God's supernatural strength just lived in my through the next day!

3) I am going to explain my Deliverance, and from the word I heard by Dr AR Bernard, how I have become Incorruptible Seed by the process of Deliverance.

Deliverance came after our lessons. Our group was Team 14 and we have broken up into a 5 man team. When Pastor Ming gave us the go ahead to perform Deliverance I was stunned.

I was afraid and totally not comfortable at this point in time. I kept asking myself, should I pray? Should I start casting out demons? Should I just not do anything? What if I fail? What if I am not able to cast the Demon out....

All these questions streamed into my head. Until one of the china students stepped in. His name is Li Ren.He was more senior then us and he instructed the group to first pray in tongues and to seek the Lord how to move in Deliverance.

After praying for a Good 5 minutes, I kept asking the Holy Spirit who should I pray for, who should I minister to? But as I asked I became more anxious because I just can't seem to feel the Holy Spirit...

Then we all stopped praying and Li Ren began to facilitate, asking if anyone has a word. We looked at each other and I was not the only clueless one. Then one of the members spoke up. His name is Jian Ting

"I think I have a word for Clement" Immediately I was a little taken aback.

"What? Me? Need a word from the Lord?" I heard my mind speaking. But I was quick to humble myself and decided to just receive whatever that Jian Ting has in store.

I remembered clearly telling the lord in my heart, that if there is a demon in me, if you need to do a work. No matter how big or small, your will be done.

My friend was praying in tongues and I prayed too until he layed hands on me. I stopped praying and focus on receiving.

There was a good awkward silence as my friend picked up the courage to speak.

"I sense in my heart that you have the Spirit of Fear in your life. You have lived a life full of struggles and fear has hold you back..." Here is where I start to not listen.

I was asking myself "God, I have fear?" Then I quickly acknowledged. And suddenly I remember all those times where I had fear in my heart. I began to feel something inside of me rolling in my belly. Then the next few words I can remember is "I command you, Spirit of Fear, in the Name of Jesus, COME OUT FROM HIM!"

Then I manifested. I wanted to just cough out, but it turned into a scream. Like I was afraid, I keep howling and I thrashed my arms. I was aware of what my body is doing and yet I know I have control over my body. I wanted it out! So I push my belly in, like a singer would when they need to belt. And I just kept Screaming and Coughing. And I felt something LIFT OFF me. At the same time I felt something filling me up and my head was heated up.....

Then I saw a vision. I was sitting on a bench of some sort, with a figure of a man, blurred, a shadow of an image of a person. He was sitting next to me and I found myself recognizing who this person is. "Hi Holy Spirit." He nodded at my response. I do not know why but I felt peaceful. I felt so calm and collected. Then the Holy Sprit told me via impression. He did not really "SPEAK". It was like words that are pressed onto my heart. "Clement. expand your thinking."

I really had no idea what that meant, so I just expanded my thinking the best I know how. And Like a camera that zooms out from a scene, I saw myself in a third person view. I can see myself sitting there. The screen expanded in my mind and I saw another figure standing a little way off.

The first thing in my mind. Jesus.

The Holy Spirit said once again. "Expand!"

I did what I was told again. I expanded, and I saw a throne, huge and what looked like legs of a person, sitting on the throne. All the image I got was totally blurry and shadowy but the form is definately like a man. The next word. The Father.

As I was "busy" in my spirit world. I was very aware of my surroundings as well. I can hear a prophecy which my friend is filling me up with. That the Holy Spirit will give me courage that is a gift from Him. He described the picture that the Holy Spirit showed him, a Sword on the sand. A boat with a light at the bow, the front of the boat. Jian Ting saw me picking up the sword and getting into a boat which leads out to dark waters.

Then after that, another friend of mine prayed for me. "I sense in you the Spirit of Rejection."

I remembered that I was now talking to the Holy Spirit. Through my 3rd Person view. I asked, where in my life did I felt rejected. The Holy Spirit brought me back to see all the images of rejection. Small or Big all came out, with a wave of his hand. He showed me like a film of the pictures where I faced rejection. Then I manifested... Again.

I can hear what my friends are doing in the physical, that I was groaning like a person in pain. I was clutching my hands and I felt anguish, hurt of rejection all start to manifest on its own... But it was quicker this time round...

Then my friend prayed for me. "Holy Spirt I pray you will always stay with Clement. That he will not feel rejected again that you are with Him all the days of his lives. Let him know that Holy Spirit you are always with him. No matter what, you are not alone. Give him that assurance, that peace in his heart." I really felt the peace of God just upon me. And I know I did not want to get up.

I sat there in the spirit. Still enjoying the scenery. My mind expanded on its own, seeing that the place I am in, looked like a colosseum of some sort, similar to the roman colosseum but it is not. The place was made of Gold, with weirdly enough, some greenery, which I thought they could be vegetation of some sort. But it was a MAJESTIC and BEAUTIFUL sight to behold.

"Do you want to see angels?" I felt the prompting. I said, "Yes." But this time, I don't feel fear, all I felt was Faith. The confidence I got was extraordinary. "Expand your thinking."

I Expanded and this time, shapes of creatures with wings surounded the whole colossuem, like a choir they shouted as one! A noise that cannot be heard by human ears but in the spirit, I knew it was a cry of Victory.

I only got up from my experience when Pastor Ming wanted to close the meeting. I have been lying on the floor all this time. As I opened my eyes, there was a pool of tears in my eyes, so much, that it flowed like water was poured over my eyes. But more importantly, when I got up, I just felt so happy! So touched! And my Heart was TENDERIZED that anybody that I hugged I will cry with joy, gratitude and love. I hugged the people who did the deliverance for me, thanking them with all my heart, how grateful I was. And like on Sunday what Dr AR Bernard said, I owe this to God, that I should live my Life as ONE BIG THANK YOU towards God!

I am convinced and deeply moved by how God has set me free. I was not afraid. I was confident. I had Faith. I had the assurance that GOD IS FOR ME! Not against me! This experience I will cheerish forever and ever... Amen.

Personal Encounter - Moving on From Repentance to Redemption (Part B)

During Pastor Ming's sessions, all of a sudden, I felt so much anxiety over this topic. So much that I really could not "feel" the holy spirit moving in my life. Although there was one time that I did moved in the Holy Spirit, that was under careful instruction by my cell group leader. I never knew he was that good in moving in the spirit. I was able to move in Prophecy.


Let me recall that experience. My cell group leader demonstrated to me, first of all not to fear but move in Faith. You need to ask the Holy Spirit what is it that He wants to prophecy over the person you are praying over. Whatever is the first word that enter my heart, I need to speak it out first.

For this case it was Love. And I told myself to speak out. "I sensed the Lord saying that He loves you."

The moment I did that, immediately the next few words began to flow. And I spoke them out. There are times that the words seem to connect together. Seem to flow like a river flowing down. And there are times which He gave a Word. I had to really exercise Wisdom to interpret what I saw.

At the end of it, I asked how was the prophecy (whether is it accurate or not). My leader was touched by it. Right now I can only recall certain bits and pieces which I spoke to him. Regarding cell group growth and how my leader had some ideas which he felt he wanted to implement. But at the timing that God wants to move.

This however, only happen to me once... at this juncture.

I moved on with the series in Pastor Ming's Gifts of the Holy Spirit. However, the whole time I really felt super super BLOCKED in the spirit. I couldn't understand why I was unable to receive the spirit and I just keep thinking and thinking. But I received no answer...

Then that fateful day... When Dr. A.R. Bernard was coming. I made a decision to Fast for three days because I felt an impression to fast (which after awhile I am convinced, it was the influence of the Holy Spirit).
Here comes the Details: 4th 5th 6th May
I broke fast on Monday: 7th May, felt spirit led again to fast, and I decided the number of days to fast. Which is 3 days again. For Dr A.R. Bernards session on Tuesday.
So I fasted on 8th 9th10th May. Both fasts are Food Fast. Meaning I only drink water or beverages (fruit juice etc etc.)
I fasted without knowing what Pastor Ming was going to do on the last day.
I remembered the messages that lead up to my encounter. The Leaders Meeting was the one that blew us away.
All I took away was what he shared prophetically CITY HARVEST CHURCH as w whole we are going to become.
The most important things that a Man can do, is to
1. CREATE an IMAGE. Also known as Brand Identiy. Every single person has done that. Dr AR Bernard warned us that this is not a sin, after all, God created a being in an image and likeness of Himself. City Harvest Church has their own brand identity. This is something very powerful, because Babylon created an image, making it the most Powerful Empire that the world has seen.
The next most powerful thing that can beat Creating an Image...
2. Is to DESTROY an Image. That is what our enemy, the Devil has always been doing. He likes to destroy the image that God has originally intended and created you to be... The ratio to creating and destroying an image is very fast as well. It is easy to set up, and it is easy to be torn apart and destroyed
Thank God that the story does not stop there.Because there is something more powerful then Destroying an image and that is only:
3. To REDEEM an Image! God takes what is destroyed and breathes new life and brings you back to His original intent and Purpose in your life. Guess what, things that have been destroyed and redeemed by God, they are now INCORRUPTIBLE SEED. Meaning...
IT CANNOT BE DESTROYED EVER AGAIN!
When that word was shared, that CITY HARVEST will also be experiencing this REDEMPTION, the whole hall exploded with excitement! I was also totally illuminated in my mind! I desire to experience this process of Redemption!
The following morning, I do not even feel the effects of fasting which is hunger. Even if I did, I felt stronger to overcome it.
Then came the last day. on the 10th May is where I had my Redemption. Pastor Ming announced on the 9th of May that we will be moving in Deliverances.
This is where everything falls into place...