The Church in this season By NECF

NECFGE13 Pastoral letter - The Church in this season
(Click on Title for the Original source)

15th April 2013

Dear Pastor/Elder/Leader,

Re: The Church in this season

Greetings in the Lord Jesus!

The nation will enter into her 13th General Election on 5 May 2013. In the past year, the Christian Federation of Malaysia, Prayer United and NECF have issued advisories on how to pray and prepare for the election. These resources can be found at www.necf.org.my.

NECF is non-partisan but to assist churches in this critical period, we wish to share a general framework for the benefit of churches.

The Church and Political Engagement

The church is not a political entity but the body of Christ. As such, her engagement is informed by Scripture and premised on a Christian worldview. A consistent reading of Scripture would show that the truth of the Gospel must speak to every area of life, including the political. In the Book of Genesis, we are told to be stewards of God's earth and everything in it.

As stewards of God's creation, the church is commanded to be a blessing to the nation and the world. She is to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). Therefore, the church in this season is to be a moral voice and a public conscience to our political leaders, reminding them to be just and fear the Lord (Exodus 18:19- 21) and to hold them accountable to the standards God places on earthly rulers.

Discerning with Integrity

To be a blessing to the nation, the church must strive for what is true, honourable, just and commendable in the interest of all people (Philippians 4:8). This would require the church to not only be non-partisan but with discernment, speak and act on moral and spiritual issues affecting the nation. The Church is "obliged to declare the criteria by which the nation will be ultimately judged and [the] divine standards to which man and society must conform if civilization is to endure" (Carl Henry). In the Bible, this was what the Old Testament prophets did when they acted and spoke truth to the powers that be and to sinful nations, including the leaders of Israel and Judah on issues such as corruption, abuse of power and taking advantage on the poor and destitute.

Vote with Truth and Wisdom

While the institutional church is to remain non-partisan, individual Christians as citizens of the country, on the other hand, have every right to make a stand for the political party or candidates of their choice. In so doing, Christians ought to bear in mind their identity as God's witnesses in this sinful world. Christians must therefore vote with truth based on objective information as can be obtained and to the best of their knowledge. There is a need for wisdom to vote according to one's conscience as guided and informed by the Holy Spirit.

For this purpose, Christians ought to be mindful of the various election strategies employed to garner votes. Such strategies are often politicised, abused or misused. Christians should not be swayed by such strategies but exercise the democratic right to elect men and women of righteousness, the persons of God's choosing who possess the moral and political will to serve and contribute effectively to nation building as well as to truth, justice and righteousness for our nation.

Upon conclusion of the election, churches must continue to hold our parliamentary, and state elected representatives as well as elected officials accountable to what God desires in them in line with their oath of office as political leaders of the country.

Worship Services to Facilitate Voting

Since polling day falls on Sunday, it would be encouraging if churches could make the arrangements deemed appropriate to facilitate the participation of the electoral process. Holding Saturday services or early Sunday services may be wise. In East Malaysia, some polling centers close as early as 1pm, so this change might be helpful.

A Call to Righteousness and Prayer

In this season where our nation is at the crossroads, let us as Christians engage one another, our fellow citizens and leaders with grace, compassion and mercy alongside the truth founded on Biblical principles that speak of God's heart for the nation.

It is for these reasons, churches and Christians ought to double all efforts to sound the trumpet, consecrate a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the people, and assemble the elders, the congregation and children to return to Him with all our hearts as acts of consecration (paraphrase of Joel 2:12-16).

"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me." - Ezekiel 3:17

God bless Malaysia!

In Christ,
Eugene Yapp
Secretary-General
NECF Malaysia

Pray & Vote

Prayer for the Nations's 13th General Election

(click on the image above to read the Article)

Facing the General Election

(Article taken from Berita NECF Articles, Jan - Mar 2013 Issue)

ADVISORIES on how to pray for the election and how to vote have been issued by the Christian Federation of Malaysia, Prayer United and by NECF Malaysia. Christians are by now well-aware of their role in nation-building and of their duty to cast their votes as part of biblical stewardship over the earth.

However, there are certain views on the relationship between the church and politics, and the view that the church must remain 'apolitical'. NECF does not endorse any particular party or candidate but we wish to share a general framework to guide Christians on such views.

Firstly, the church is not a political entity but the body of Christ. As such, her engagement is informed by Scripture. A faithful reading of Scripture would show that the truth of the Gospel must speak to every area of life. Genesis carries the divine mandate to humanity to rule and be stewards of God's earth and everything in it. This includes upholding justice for the common good of all human beings as creations made in the image of God and who are invested with dignity.

As stewards of God's creation, Christians are commanded to be a blessing to the nation and the world. We are also to be the salt of the earth and light of the world (Matthew 5: 13-16). We are reminded that we are not to conform to the world but to be a positive influence. We require our leaders to be just (Exodus 18: 19-21) and we hold them to the standards God places on earthly rulers.

If the church as salt and light is to influence the world, calls for the church to be apolitical are then self-contradictory. The meaning of "apolitical" is to be completely uninterested in politics, which cannot be if the church is to bring blessing upon the nation and fulfil her responsibilities in the interest of the common good.

To fulfil this mandate, what the church should be is non-partisan but must speak on moral and spiritual issues affecting the nation. The words of the Evangelical theologian, Carl Henry, are instructive, that the Church is "obliged to declare the criteria by which the nation will be ultimately judged and [the] divine standards to which man and society must conform if civilization is to endure". In the Bible, we see that this is what the Old Testament prophets did when speaking truth to power to sinful nations, including the leaders of Israel and Judah.

Religion, as part of Malaysian politics, has been politicised, abused and misused as an election strategy. Let the church have no part in that but let this not deter her either, from her mandate of speaking God's truth to our nation and leaders.

For this season where our nation is at the crossroads, let us as Christians engage one another, our fellow citizens and leaders with grace, compassion and mercy alongside the truth founded on Biblical principles that speak of God's heart for justice and righteousness

Easter Sunday

BLESSED EASTER EVERYONE!!!

Jesus is alive and lives forever more. He is risen and is resurrected from the dead.
The is the foundational claim of Christianity. Yes Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead. He's alive. And this is what this day, Resurrection Day or Easter, is all about.

Easter celebration is not only about Chocolate Easter eggs and bunnies but as Christians, Easter is the celebration of Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

Click on the Bible Passage in Green to read the Scriptures.

Event #1 – The Resurrection

The two Marys received the first information about the resurrection of Jesus from the angel in the tomb. But that was hearsay. They were told this by the angel. They didn't see the Lord alive.

Matthew 28:1-8
Mark 16:2-8
Luke 24:1-8
John 20:1-10

1. The First Witnesses to Jesus’ Resurrection
Matthew 28: 9-10
Luke 24:9-11

Jesus appeared before the women while they were on their way to Galilee to tell the Apostles what the angel had told them. With this appearance of Jesus, they are the first eye witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

2. Jesus appeared before the two men on the way to Emmaus
Mark 16:12-13
Luke 24:13-32

That afternoon, two men who were on their way to Emmaus were confused about the story they heard from the women that Jesus was alive. If the tomb was empty as reported by the women, then where Christ was.

While they were deep in thought and discussion, Jesus spoke to them, and they became the second eye witnesses that Jesus was alive.

3. Jesus had also appeared before Simon
Luke 24:33-35

4. Jesus appeared before 11 of His disciples except Thomas.
Mark 16:14
Luke 24:36-43
John 20:19-23

Event #2 – The Next 40 Days

1. Jesus appeared to His disciples in Jerusalem. Thomas was convinced.
John 20:24-31

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”. Jesus had said that He would rise again but yet Thomas cannot believe that Jesus would not go back on His Word. But Jesus is compassionate enough to appear before Thomas so that he can believe.

When Jesus gives us a promise in His Word, let us not restrict our Christian experience by doubting Him. If His Word says He will do, then take is as God’s Word and just believe by faith.

2. Jesus appeared to seven disciples at the Sea of Galilee.
John 21:1-24

3. Jesus gives instructions to the Apostles and 500 others on the mountain in Galilee.
Matthew 28:16-20
Mark 16:15-18

4. Jesus gives His final instructions to the Apostles.

1.  Jesus instructs Peter to, "Feed my lambs...Take care of my sheep...Feed my sheep..."

John 21:15-19
2. The Great Commission. "go and make disciples of all nations..."

Matthew 28:16-20     
Mark 16:15-18
Luke 24:45-49

Event #3 – The Ascension

Mark 16:19
Luke 24:50-53


Knowing that Jesus is alive, let us remember Psalm 136 :1, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever”.

Are you going through hard times?
Face it with Christ’s strength and give thanks to God for He is good. Hard times struggled in Jesus’ name will bring victories eventually and in the process we become stronger people because we have wrestled with the problems with endurance and thankfulness.

Are you facing sorrow?
Look to Jesus for comfort. Through your tears, give thanks to God for He is good for in your sorrow, your spiritual life grows and matures as you have gone through the difficult time with patience and thankfulness.

Are you enjoying the gift of life God has given?
Then give thanks for He is good. We can easily get accustomed to living and take the gift of life that God has given for granted. Take time everyday to thank God for the privilege of living and being alive.

So, this Easter, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV).

Hallelujah! He is Alive! He is Risen! Death could not hold Him down! And we give Thanks to God for being alive in Him.



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The Saturday between Good Friday and Easter

Luke 23:44 records that Jesus died at about 3pm on Friday which was just a few hours away from the Sabbath day. According to Jewish custom, funerals were not allowed to be conducted on Sabbath day so his followers would have to bury His body before sunset on Friday. They did not have time to secure a burial place for Jesus so they borrowed someone’s tomb to bury Jesus’ body.


What happened the next day?


His disciples scattered like sheep without their shepherd. They were shocked, confused and disappointed with Jesus. Jesus did not live up to their expectations. “How could it be that Jesus is dead?” they must have wondered and questioned among themselves.


They had seen Him heal hundreds of people. He not only healed the sick, He could turn water to wine. They even saw Him feed over five thousand people from five loaves of bread and two fish. He could tell the storm to be quiet and make the water harden so that He could walk on it. He even raise Lazarus from the dead. There was nothing that He couldn’t do.


So why didn’t he save Himself that day?


He always called Himself the Son of Man. In fact, He also called Himself the Son of God. Why didn’t He perform one of His miracles to show the Jewish leaders who He really was? Instead, He just let his enemies make fun of him, nailed Him on the cross and died. And most dissappointing of all was, He left them alone.


What a confusing and traumatic day it must have been for His disciples and followers. To answer this confusion for us today, we quote some explanations given by Alan E. Lewis in his book, “Between Cross & Resurrection”.

"Jesus is dead, his message and person discredited. The kingdoms of this world have won, and the God Jesus trusted is to be seen either as having failed Jesus...        or as ultimately powerless against sin and death...            Saturday is "the day of atheism"...        Only against this depressing background can we truly understand the glorious reversal and vindication of Jesus' person, his ministry, and the God in whom he trusted....          Now we know that the final word is precisely what God has said from the beginning: that the victories of sin and evil, injustice and inhumanity, are at worst penultimate; in the end God shall be the conqueror of the conquerors".

It is when situations around us seems hopeless and people around us seems unbearable that we will see the glory of God revealed to us. It is like when we are in a dark cold night alone out in the forest that we will look forward to the sunrise and appreciate it's importance and beauty.

While we have no idea what Jesus did or how His disciples actually felt on that Saturday, we can be encouraged that God always has something far greater in store for the future. We may be experiencing some setbacks in our Christian life. Jesus may have seem to let us down and He may not be acting according to our expectations of Him in some situations in our Christian walk but rest assured God always have a better plan ahead.


Easter will come.

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Good Friday

On the Friday of the Passion Week is called “Good Friday".

It was not a “good” Friday for Jesus since He had to suffer unbearable pain and humiliation but it is a good Friday for us because Jesus paid the price for our sins. On Good Friday He hung suspended on the cross for 6 hours from 9am till about 3:00pm, when Jesus said in a loud voice, “It is finished!”

On the night before or early Friday morning before dawn, Jesus was tried by three parties in the Jewish system. He was tried before Annas, Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. After Sunrise on Friday, the Jewish leaders sent Jesus to be tried by the Roman courts because they themselves have no authority to execute anyone.

(Click on the Bible passages in green to read the scriptures)

Event #1 – Jesus appeared 3 times before the Roman court.

1. Jesus before Pilate.
Matthew 27:11-14
Mark 15:1-5
Luke 23:1-5
John 18:28-38

2. Jesus before Herod
Luke 23:6-12

3. Jesus before Pilate again.
Matthew 27:15-31
Mark 15:6-20
Luke 23:13-25
John 18:39-19:16

When Jesus was sent to Pilate the first time, he did not take any action because Jesus was a Galilean. Pilate was afraid that it was out of his jurisdiction to take any action. So Pilate sent Jesus to Herod Antipas. In order for Herod to  save Jesus, he wanted Jesus to perform a miracle or two and to answer some questions to convince him but Jesus didn’t do or say anything. Angry with Jesus for not answering his questions, Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate. Pilate had no choice but to pass a death sentence on Jesus. His guards then dressed him in a purple robe, pushed a crown of thorns into his head and mocked Him. They hit and spat on Jesus before sending Jesus off to Golgotha to be crucified.

Pilate had no choice but to make a decision but he washed his hands off the case after that.

Event #2 – Judas Hangs himself

Matthew 27:3-10

We have made mentione about Judas yesterday. It was a great waste of potential in a man. Many question are raised today and debates carried out about his decision to take his own life. He had made a wrong choice by betraying Jesus. He could have made the right one at the foot of the cross where Jesus died. Once again, let Judas' life be a warning to us to always choose to do the right thing and stay close to Jesus always.

Event #3 – Crucifixion at Golgotha or Calvary
This started from around 9am till 3pm when Jesus finally died.

Matthew 27:32-56
Mark 15:21-41
Luke 23:26-49
John 19:17-37

Event #4 - Jesus’ Seven Last Sentences (The Message version)
This was said from about 9am to 12 noon.

1. Luke 23:34 - Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing."

2. Luke 23:43 - He said, "Don't worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise."

3. John 19:26-27 - Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her. He said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." Then to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that moment the disciple accepted her as his own mother.


This was said from around 12 noon to 3 pm

4. Matt 27:46 - Jesus groaned out of the depths, crying loudly, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"

5. John 19:28 - Jesus, seeing that everything had been completed so that the Scripture record might also be complete, then said, "I'm thirsty."

6. John 19:30 - After he took the wine, Jesus said, "It's done . . . complete." Bowing his head, he offered up his spirit.

7. Luke 23:46 - Jesus called loudly, "Father, I place my life in your hands!" Then he breathed his last.

Event #5 – Supernatural Phenomena Happened


Matthew 27:50-54
Mark 15:33 & 15:38
Luke 23:44-45

Event #6 – Jesus was buried

Matthew 27:57-61
Mark 15:42-47
Luke 23:50-56
John 19:38-42



The most significant event on Good Friday is Jesus hanging on the cross and finally saying, “It is finished!”

Why did He say, “It is FINISHED!” What was finished? His life? His sufferings? Yes, but even more than that, it was A MISSION COMPLETED. His mission HERE ON EARTH WAS ACCOMPLISHED .

Jesus came to this world to commit to the Father’s plan and throughout His life here on earth, He had demonstrated His commitment to the Father’s will right to the end.

Philippians 2: 5-8 - "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."

John 4:34 - "Jesus said, "The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started."

John 17:4 - "I glorified you on earth by completing down to the last detail what you assigned me to do." 

Let us be encouraged today with Jesus’ Words, “It is finished!” because this is the guarantee that He gives to us that we can now know for sure that our sins are fully paid for by His death on the cross and that our relationship with God, our Heavenly Father is made right. Yes, when Jesus said those words, “It is finished!” it is His assurance to us that He had cleared the way for us to someday enter eternal life to be with Him again in heaven.

On this Good Friday let us symbolically stand beneath the cross of Jesus Christ and lay down our guilt of sins, our baggage of hurts and disappointments, our load of anger and hatred and all other luggage that weigh us down, right at His feet. Let the blood that Jesus has shed, flow down upon us and remove all these weights that we have been carrying.

Let this day be a really GOOD FRIDAY for us and take great comfort in Jesus’ words, “It is finished!” Let us spend time to be thankful that God sent us His Son to be our Savior, 2000 years ago, so that we can enjoy eternal life with Him.

Let us look forward to a GREAT WEEKEND!

On Thursday of the Passion Week

The most significant event on the Thursday of the Passion Week is the Last Supper. This day is also known as Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday. The dictionary’s explanation for Maundy is, “a ceremony held in some Christian churches on Maundy Thursday that involves an actual or symbolic washing of people's feet in commemoration of Jesus Christ's washing of his disciples' feet.”

(Click on the Bible passages in green to read the scriptures)

Event #1 – The Last Supper

On that evening, Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples.

Matthew 26:17-19
Mark 14:12-16
Luke 22:7-16
John 13:1

The Passover Meal
For the Jewish people, the Passover meal was the time when they celebrated their forefathers’ liberation from the Egyptian bondage. It was also a time where they silently prayed for their own political freedom from the Roman Empire. God has given them a special Menu to prepare for the evening. While eating the unleavened bread and bitter herbs, the head of the family would tell the story of The Exodus to the next generation.


When God first instituted the Passover meal, the people had to sacrifice a lamb each year. However, God instituted a new Passover on this night and Jesus was the lamb that God provided for the people. The Jews celebrated the “Moses' Passover” because death was avoided. Jesus on this night celebrated the Passover not to avoid death but to confront and conquer death for all mankind once and for all.


Event #2 – The Washing of His disciples’ Feet

John 13:3-20

Before Jesus took his meal, Jesus shocked His disciples by washing their feet first. He was demonstrating to them the most humble and loving act a master can do to his followers. This was a lesson in true greatness and love.


What can we learn from this act?


1. Love is willing to do anything even the most humbling job.


2. Jesus was cleaning their feet, symbolically purifying their footsteps to prepare them to “walk their talk”.


3. With clean feet, they should take the first step to walk out to love others.


4. With clean feet, they are now to walk in Jesus’ footsteps to reach out to others in love.


5. As Christians, we should always be careful how we “walk our Christian life”.


After washing their feet, Jesus said to His disciples, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."


However, it was a sad night for Jesus because He knew one of His own disciples would choose to walk his own way and walk in His footsteps. One of them would betray Him that night.
Matthew 26:20-25
Mark 14:17-21
Luke 22:22-23
John 13:21-30

Event #3 – Jesus Instituted the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion

Matthew 26:26-30
Mark 14:22-25
Luke 22:17-21

Jesus told Peter that he would deny Him three times and Peter did just that.
Matthew 26:31-35 & 26:69-75
Mark 14:27-31 & 14:66-72
Luke 22:31-34 & 22:54-62
John 13:36-38 & 18:15-18 & 18:25-27

Event #4 – Jesus’ Final Teachings


Before they left the upper room, Jesus gave them some final encouragements. He knew what lies ahead for Himself and His disciples and His future followers. Jesus gave us another example to follow. We must pray for ourselves to walk right with God, then pray for the leaders who will lead us and then finally to pray for all believers who share the same faith as us.

1. He is the Way - John 14: 1-14

2. Jesus Promises to send the Holy Spirit - John 14:15-31

3. The Vine and the Branches - John 15:1-17

4. Jesus warns of coming difficult times for believer but promises to send help from above - John 15:18 - 16: 33

5. Jesus Prays for Himself - John 17:1-5

6. Jesus Prays for His Disciples - John 17:6-19

7. Jesus Prays for All Believers - John 17:20-26


Event #5 – Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

Matthew 26: 36-46
Mark 14:32-42
Luke 22:39-46
John 18:1


Event #6- Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest

Matthew 26:47-56
Mark 14:43-52
Luke 22:47-53
John 18:2-11

Event #7 – Jesus' Trial Before the Jewish Court

1. Jesus before Annas who was an ex-high priest who has no authority to pass any sentence
 John 18:12-14 & 18:19-24

2. Jesus before Caiaphas, the high priest and the Sanhedrin
Matthew 26:57-68
Mark 14:53-72
Luke 22:63-65
John 18:24

Some scholars have listed the Jesus' trial before the Jewish court and Peter's denial of knowing Jesus to have happened on Friday. It could have happened in the early hours of Friday or just before dawn, "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." (Matthew 26:75)