Learn about the Seed Church
New: The Seed Church website.
Pastor Yai and his wife moved to Phuket in 1999. God inspired him to start a church in Cherngtalay where he lived.
The church began in Pastor Yai's house with only a few new believers. Now there are about 400 members, and in 2008 the church moved into new Sino-Portugese style church building that will be the biggest in Phuket.
Pastor Yai has a vision to train lay pastors and plant a Bible-based churches in every province of Thailand by 2015.
Miracle of Jesus' birth, life and death
On Sunday 9 December Pastor Yai gave a sermon about the characteristics of Jesus' birth. The first characteristic is that the Jesus' birth was supernatural. Mary, Jesus' mother became pregnant even though she was a virgin. God had impregnated her to bear a child who was to become everybody's Saviour. God had told about his plan ahead of time. There are 333 promises in the Old Testament regarding Jesus' birth and life (for example Genesis 49:10, Isaiah 11:9, 35:5, 40:30, Psalm 132:11, Amos 8:9, Micah 5:10).
Jesus was born to become a perfect sacrifice for our sins that allows everyone to come to God. Jesus solved the problem of sin. Paul says in Romans says that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) and tells that "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23).
God has demonstrated his love in Jesus. In Romans 5:8 Paul says that "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." God's gift of salvation is free and based on grace (Ephesians 8:28), anyone who receives Jesus in their heart as personal saviour will make peace with God and will be saved.
The Message of Christmas
December 2 we had a Sunday service again with Pastor Yai. This time the message was based on the Christmas story of Luke 2:8 – 12. "There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." (The Message translation)
What can we learn from this well-known passage?
Firstly, the Christmas message is for everyone (“… joyful even that is meant for everybody, worldwide.”) For this reason we should invite our friends to Church and other Christmas events, and tell them about the good news of Jesus. This message is meant for everyone.
Secondly, the Christmas message is about Christ (“ … a Saviour has just been born in David’s town, a Saviour who is Messiah and Master.") The message of Christmas is not a religious doctrine, it is a message of the person of Jesus. Inviting your friends will help them to meet Jesus who is Saviour, Messiah and Master.
Thirdly, the Christmas message is the message of salvation. Jesus was God’s son, He was without sin and at the end died as a sacrifice for our sins so that we could have peace with God.
Paul’s letter to Philippians tells us about how Jesus, even though he was God, became man to save us from the bondage of sin.
“Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.” (Philippians 2:5 – 8, The Message translation).
Fourthly, the Christmas message is for those who seek for the truth. Luke says “This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
Why tell about Jesus?
This Sunday Pastor Yai preached about the importance of the gospel. During the month of December church members are reaching out to their friends and family, and it is worth pausing to think about why the gospel is so important.Sharing the gospel can save from the power of Satan. Unbelievers do not necessarily know they are deceived by Satan. After receiving Jesus they will see positive changes. Hatred, bitterness, obsessive behaviours, family problems and many other problems become things of the past as Jesus rules as the Lord of life. You become saved by the power of gospel. In Ephesians 1:13 Paul tells that “ … you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.”
Accepting Jesus as the Lord brings peace. As part of salvation one can start to experience peace of heart. Paul said in Ephesians 2:14 – 17 that Jesus himself is our peace and that Jesus preached peace for everyone. The peace that Jesus gives is profound and does not depend on circumstances, it is not a fleeting feeling of happiness, but something more lasting that only God can give.
Telling about gospel is our privilege and our duty. As Jesus knew he was about to be crucified, he asked his followers to “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19). For Jesus this was the most important thing, so it should also be for us.
God is pleased when we are obedient to Him (2 Corinthians 5:9), and there is nothing more important than telling to unbelievers how Jesus can save them. We are God’s ambassadors, His representatives on Earth (2 Corinthians 5:20). Paul felt so strongly about this that in 1 Corinthians 9:16 he says “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”
So, knowing well what power gospel has and how it can change lives for the better, we should, especially now in December, pray for opportunities to share the good news. May this be the month of salvation for many of our friends.
The power of gospel
This Sunday Pastor Yai (in front of the soon to be finished new church building) had a sermon on how to share gospel with power. Apostle Paul used to persecute Christians but Jesus touched him and he was turned into the most successful evangelist of his time. What were his attitudes to sharing gospel?1. Share with commitment
In Romans 1:14-17 Paul says 'I am obligated ...' to share gospel with everyone regardless where they come from or how they are judged. Why did Paul feel this way? He had received salvation, forgiveness and new life freely, and he wanted everybody to know about power of gospel.
2. Share with eagerness
Paul was eager to share gospel because he knew how profoundly it had changed his own life. 'That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you ...' (Romans 1:15). He had received the Holy Spirit which motivated him to tell about Jesus no matter what his situation (Acts 1:8 '...you will receive power with the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses ... to the ends of the earth.') On his way to Rome he shared gospel to prisoners and kings (Acts 16:29 - 34, 24:24).
3. Share with pride
There is no reason to be timid about telling about how faith has changed your life. On the contrary, we should be proud of knowing Jesus. Romans 1:16 'I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes...' God is a just and cannot accept sin, but he also loves us. Jesus took the punishment that should have justly belonged to us. By asking forgiveness and asking Jesus to become the Lord of your life, you accept Jesus’ sacrifice for your sins and receive God’s love. The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.
Faithfulness is fruitfulness
Matthew 25:14 – 30 is the parable of talents. To the two servants who had used their talents usefully the Master said “Well done good and faithful servant, you have been faithful (fruitful) with a few things …”
In this story God views faithfulness in terms of fruitfulness. There are three points to pay attention to when reading the parable.
1. God entrusts us with talents
Because God gives us all the talents, everything belongs to him. We are stewards over the talents. We can do this in our everyday life. It is not necessary to become fulltime servant of God, but it is important we serve God fully where-ever we are. Using one’s talents is question of attitude.
There is no point comparing your talents to someone else’s, neither there is point to focus on what one does not have. Focus on what you have and make most of it because it has been given to you by God. 1 Corinthians 12:11 says that the Holy Spirit gives different gifts “to each one just as he determines.”
All talents are to be used for the blessing of the church, and churches in most cases already have all they need, it is just that members of the church and the pastor should ask God to open up their eyes to see how the gifts that people have could be put in use.
2. God gives us the responsibility to serve with out talents
To be trusted with talents is an honour and a privilege. This is how the two servants, who used their talents well, viewed the talents. They were excited about their talents and put them in full use for the benefit of the body of Christ. However, the third servant regarded the talent as a burden, as if God had put pressure on him. He regarded God as demanding and judgmental – he had a wrong image of God. To use one’s talents is not a burden but a joy. To serve Jesus brings joy.
So when you recognise your talents, make good use of them. Colossians 3:17 says that “And whatever you do , whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to god the Father through him.” This does not only apply to what you do in church but also your work life, family life … start using your talents now. If you start small it will grow – this is the principle of the mustard seed. God will use you when you want to be in use.
In order to use your talents well you have to pay attention to your use of time. You have to set right priorities, and you have to think what God can do. You cannot be fruitful if you dwell in past setbacks and bitterness. Like Joseph, you have to put behind all your troubles to be fruitful. Genesis 42: 50 – 52.
3. God will hold us accountable for our stewardship
God is interested in the quality of your ministry. The positive way to think about the stewardship is to think that those who are faithful will be rewarded. (1 Corinthians 3:10 – 15). You are responsible for the use of talents, but this responsibility is not a burden but a privilege.
To be a good steward you must die to your self-centredness (John 12:24), seek for opportunities to serve others, believe in Jesus (John 14:12) and ask His help (John 15:7). Many will come to know Christ (Acts 2:41).
Total Forgiveness
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This Sunday we had a visiting preacher, Carl Osmar. He has, among other duties, worked as a pastor in England but is now retired and lives in Phuket. His theme was total forgiveness.Paul says in Philippians 3:13 that he will forget what is behind and strain towards what is ahead. How was Paul able to do this when he had every reason feeling unworthy after having persecuted the Christian church?
The answer is total forgiveness. Paul had accepted that he is sinful (Romans 3:23) and asked for God’s forgiveness. After confessing his sins he was able to be certain of God's mercy and forgiveness (1 John 1:9). The blood of Christ cleansed his conscience (Hebrew 9:14).
Paul also forgave others who had offended him, as all Christians should do (Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13, Mark 11:25). Forgiving others is the only way to experience peace of heart. Jesus taught us to pray “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12).
This brings us to forgiving oneself. This may be difficult but as you decide to ask forgivness, forgive others and forgive yourself, you will start to experience inner healing.
Sometimes forgiving other may feel unjust. Shouldn't there be some kind of punishment for those who have hurt us? Unjust or not, God tells us to forgive and forget. Tell God about your feelings and trust that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28)
Total forgiveness, accepting God’s forgiveness, forgiving others and forgiving oneself and being honest and open about one’s feelings towards God will lead to liberation and joy.