Sermon - Stephen Tong Sunday Service 04/04/2021

Hymn #1: Kristus Bangkit Soraklah (Christ the Lord is Risen Today 基督今复活)by Charles Wesley, Lyra Davidica

Hymn #2: Mulia dan Menang (Thine is the Glory 荣耀与胜利归复活神子)by George Matheson, Albert Peace

Pembacaan Alkitab: Markus 16:1-8

Hymn #3: S'bab Dia Hidup (Because He Lives 因他活着) by Gloria and William Gaither

Crucifixion Darkness mentioned. The length of it therefore. I read that the Mormons believe that it's 3 days of darkness in the New World at the time.

Most artists painted the Crucifixion without wounds, except for: Mathias Grünewald

John & Peter Running towards the Sepulcher Painting by Eugene Burnand shown. 1898. https://www.artbible.info/art/large/49.html

Eugène Burnand: Peter and John Running to the Tomb

Many artists based on this for their works. But I found an earlier piece by Valentine Green, 1784, Mezzotint:

File:Peter and John run to the tomb of Christ. Mezzotint by V. Gr Wellcome  V0034822.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Facial expressions are the only differences I could analyze.

Threat of life can force someone to tell the truth or lie. Lie, because the truth one stands on was not valuable than his own life. But such treat cannot make someone a liar, when the truth he stands for is more valuable than his life. So the what is the truth, is important here. If the truth is mere pride, then it's useless, despite steaking one's life on it.

As a side note, I suddenly thought of if Tim Keller had a bad impression of Stephen Tong due to Tong's criticism of him in KL 2020, thus fell for the most common trap of “Who do you think you are, criticism me without knowing me first". We often never take kindly to stranger's criticism, be it right or wrong. Also we often do not criticize those whom we know/close to as hardly. Bringing this before Christ, I reflect upon who, what type, Christ rebukes. It appears that strong criticisms upon those taking the role of a teacher: Pharisees, Mary mother of Jesus when she asked Jesus to perform miracle, Peter when he rebuked Jesus out of loyalty.

Where will you be when Jesus comes. Rev 6:16 "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!"

Psa 2:12, mentioned first time in the OT, kiss the son. In NT, only one person mentioned that kissed the son, Judas. Fake kiss. Your worship is useless if you mouth is close to Christ but your heart far. Who can stand before Christ when he appears? Kiss him now!

Hymn #4: 寶血權能

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