Q & A

A disciple once came to a Rabbi asking. "Why is it every time I come asking questions that you would answer my questions with a question?". The rabbi answered, "How then shall I answer?".

Answering questions with a question is something that's not unfamiliar with  our Lord Jesus. Facing off the Pharisees and teachers of the law in Matthew 15:1-3 who asked why Jesus's disciples would break the traditions of the elders by not washing their hands before a meal, Jesus answered with a question: "Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?" Answering a question with a question has value in it. There is more value in teaching a person how to fish than merely providing the fish.

When a question is asked, a process is started. The process is more important than the end product. I read about a farmer who once produced the best fruits in the market. Year after year he would focus on the packaging, the volume and the distribution of the fruits. Then came a time when the demand for his fruits began to dwindle. By the time he realized his mistakes he had already made his losses. While concentrating on the fruits, he had forgot about the trees. As long as the trees kept producing fruits he was satisfied. But trees need tending to in order to produce better harvest. So yes. If God were to answer your questions today with a question, be grateful. Growth is a process. Learning is essential for survival. The process is just as important as the product. One can never end without a starting point.

Asking right questions start a process that will lead you to better answers. It's not better answers we need today but rather better questions. I am of the opinion that is why Jesus answer questions with a question. One of the manifold blessings of God is this: we don't know all things. God created the universe for us to explore. How can we explore, uncover, understand, solve mysteries, unless we seek answers. And how then can we seek answers if not for questioning? Last week I spoke on "Asking right questions". Here's the gist; learn to ask right questions. Cos better questions lead to better answers and you will only have answers to the questions you asked ☺

MILLENNIAL

I just had a very interesting talk with my close friends who are pastors of different churches  over current church matters. The subject of discussion was on the millennial (born between 80's and 90's) and their thoughts on church life. A forum was started live on church stage followed by Whatsapp and I had the opportunity of reading some of the texts. It was interesting reading about their struggles. Most of the participants were born into Christian homes and had the opportunity to study overseas before joining the work force back home here in Malaysia. It was a thought provoking experience for me.

I'd like to share my thoughts here today. I'm neither claiming to know the answers nor am I being judgmental. If at all, I am seeking cos I am well aware of the log before my own eyes. So here goes.

First off, Bible says there's nothing new under the sun. What has been will be again; what has been done will be done again (Ecc 1:9). In other words, what the millennial are experiencing today is the same as what the previous generations experienced in their time too. The context of this world vastly differ comparing the now and then but the woes are but the same. We call it growing pains. I had them too.

Secondly, one of the millennial hit the mark. His/her comment is that "youth today are a very "packed base" generation. We are like wolves, we travel in packs, and we are attracted to people just like us". (My comment: same with my generation too). Herein lies one of the main reasons why some youth choose to leave their home churches. Friendship. Friendship are bonded in schools. When school ended friendship mostly dissolved as each move on from common ground to uncharted grounds. It's a heart retching time having to lose your BFF along the way but it's unavoidable as each move on to different colleges and universities locally and overseas. There new friendships are once again bonded and again for a short but crucial years. College life ends and working life begins. The whole process repeats. Only this time it's a different playing field. Let me just stop here.

From the chat group I see millennial feeling kind of lost during  all those transitional times. Back home in church they couldn't connect  although church is not unfamiliar ground. I guess that "packed base" mentality kicks in. They looked to join their packs wherever they are.  Friendship seems to be their focus. Perhaps here is where we need to pause and re-think or rather ... re-focus on what church really is. And this bring me to my final thoughts.

All of us are in church for different reasons, some of which are very personal in nature. Whatever the reasons, church as we know is not a club. Although it is a place where people gather, church is a spiritual organism. The life of a church is centered around God. The temple in Biblical days was set up for the glory of God. It's all about God and as the people gather together in the name of God and for the glory of God, they partake of the fellowship around the "table of God". IF we can grasp this truth, then no matter where you are, Jesus will be sufficient for you. BUT if you are a consumer (making church about you) then Christ won't be sufficient for you and you will wonder around churches trying to fill that void. The early church experienced the same problem. One such example is circumcision. The church was told that believing in Christ alone was not enough. They needed to be circumcised too.

Bottom line: whether you are a millennial or a Y or Z generation, remember .. there's nothing new under the sun. What has been will be so you are not exclusive to this pressure in life. Secondly, look beyond being a consumer in church. If church is all about you, then you will never be fulfilled no matter where you go. And finally, not just you but the generation after you (your kids) will also face the same growing pains you and your previous generations faced. To deal with this phase of life, we simply need to RE-FOCUS. The supremacy of Christ is more than enough for us. We can grow where we are planted. We are not wolves but sheep. We just need to look out for one another and remind each other that Jesus is more than enough for us no matter what, where, when or how :-)

THE COMING STORM

Jesus told us that in this life, we will have troubles. It doesn't matter if you are a Christian and profess to have faith in God. The fact of life is there will be storms in life and it will come, be it personal, financial, health, or physical. Storms as we know can be rather destructive. It can wash away that which you have built perhaps your whole life. Can we survive the storms in life? I believe so. We are tougher than we think. A preacher once said, "A man can do what he cannot do when he has to do it". We have had miraculous stories of how people survived literal storms both on land and in the open seas. Why do some succumb while others strive? What does it take to weather a storm and come out of it stronger?

Jesus gave us a clue when He gave us the parable of the wise and foolish builder (Matt. 7:24-27). It's all in the foundation. You build you house on rock, not sand. We need something solid. In the Bible, Jesus is the foundational rock that we are to build our lives on. He said in Matthew 16:18 that He will build His CHURCH upon a rock, referring to Himself. And here's the revelation. Our foundation to weather storms in life is His church which was built upon Jesus.

Church is not a social club, or a business corporation although many run church as such. The church that Jesus built is a FAMILY. Because of Jesus, today we have an extended family. I thank God for good worship. I thank God for good preaching. I thank God for good programs. But these aren't church. Church is FAMILY. Family is relationship. Family look out for one another. Family support one another. The church exist for two reasons. One is to declare the glory of God. The other is to support one another. In other words, you and I, we are to facilitate people's relationship with each other and with Jesus. We are to "love our neighbours as we love ourselves". Church is not a place to take care of number one (me). The church is a BODY that consists of many parts and each part needs one another. You cannot be a Christian and say, "I don't need church".  Jesus didn't come to die just for you and you alone. Like a seed, He was planted that we might be a family.

People do need people. Life is not a journey you must walk alone. The road ahead of us could be treacherous. Out of the blues a storm may come. Maybe a storm is brewing right now. If our foundation is built on His church, then we know we can weather it. Today, I give praise to God for Vineyard. I do pray that we will all truly understand and embrace what church truly is. With this God given foundation, we can weather the storms ahead of us. Let's be the church Jesus wants us to be. A place to CONNECT, a place call to call "home".