is delivered live on Zoom by our minister, Revd. Chee Keong Yong
Revd. Chee’s sermon is entitled: “To Whom Shall We Go?“
Our Scripture Readings: Epistle: Ephesians 6:10-20*
and Gospel: John 6: 56-69*(*click for the Bible pages)
Pastor Chee’s writes:We have been looking at John 6 for a long while, in fact for several Sundays. Rest assured that today’s reading leads us to the end of the chapter. It would have been easy to deal with the event of the feeding of the 5,000 and not to have looked at the rest of the chapter for it gets progressively difficult to understand. True enough, as we come to the chapter’s end, those who have come to Jesus for healing, miracles and food are now turning away from him. What prompted this situation?
This is no easy teaching! Please do have a sit down as we look through this together. I give you good warning beforehand.
We all like images of a gentle Jesus that cause no offence where we observe Him at arm’s length and no closer. We want an image of Jesus that is serene and calm and not the Jesus that will cause a riot in the temple by overturning chairs and tables. But turning over the chairs and tables would have been easier than what we get in this remaining portion of John 6.
Is our desire even greater than the love that people had for the Temple in Solomon’s day? How far does our love for God and Jesus go? Jesus says He lives because of the Father. Jesus is immersed in God; soaked through and through in the life of God; motivated by a complete devotion to God. Jesus lives and acts as one with God. Do we want the same? Jesus is saying He will satisfy our true hunger.
Do we recognize that hunger and do we trust the source of its satisfaction? There is no diluting the strangeness of Jesus’ words. Get right into Him. Feast on Him and live. Eat this bread that far surpasses the miraculous manna of the past. Enter the dwelling-place of God, not a Temple of stone and wood, but the Spirit-filled life we embody in our own selves when we commit ourselves to God.
The reactions of those present are portrayed as all or nothing. Some leave for good. The Twelve declare their trust and stay. For us as disciples now, our experience may be more of a mix of allegiance one day and abandonment the next. When our hearts are not with God, where are they? What have we found too hard about Jesus’ teaching? Why have we stayed nonetheless?
What does it mean to be a disciple or follower of Jesus? Too often, our “me, me, me” attitudes get in the way of our relationship with Jesus. When food is served, the “me” wants the choicest part. We want to be overfilled and not just filled.
That’s the scene we see in John 6. But John tells us that is not the Jesus depicted in chapter 6. To have the food that lasts forever, we have to give like Jesus, for this is the very nature of Jesus – “give, give, give”, not “me, me, me”.
For it is in giving that we receive. This is what the kingdom of God is all about.
Jesus asked, “do you want to leave too?” The reply, “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Blessings
Chee
Please scroll further below for my announcements about proposed upcoming on-line activities.
I look forward to receiving your responses.
Online Notes about ICB worship on Zoom:
Please come on time and allow a minute or two to connect.
You will be “muted” upon entering the zoom room with the musical prelude on. Please stay muted during the service.
Pastor Chee suggests, “while you listen to the prelude, please pray for the service to run smoothly for God’s glory. There’s plenty of time to chit chat in the break out rooms after the service.”
VISIT our NEW
ICB Sunday School Facebook Page!! HERE
https://www.facebook.com/ICB-Christian-Education-106748784983710
(copy this URL into your browser)
Important Announcements from our Minister
1. VISIONING / BRAINSTORMING
All are invitedtojoin by ZOOM Tomorrow from 9.30 am (21st August)
Please make it a point to attend and to share your dreams for ICB.
Do not miss the event of the year for the growth of God’s kingdom.
The Bible exhorts us all
Proverbs 29:18 –
“Where there is no vision, the people perish;..” Acts 2:17 –
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”
To Join, Click: ZOOM Link or via Zoom App: Meeting ID: 869 6840 9645
Passcode: 060291
2. New report on Urban Refugees in Thailand
According to UNHCR, Thailand’s urban refugee population is around 5,000 persons, mostly in Greater Bangkok.
Urban refugees in Bangkok have varied educational and work backgrounds. They represent human capital that could be valuable to Thailand.
Learn more in the report Human Capital and the Employment Situations of Urban Refugees in Thailand by Dr. Bhanubhatra Kaan Jittiang of the Center for Social Development Studies at Chulalongkorn University. You can find the report at the following link: https://bit.ly/3minxxZ
3. Explore the Holy Land with Messianic Jew
Would you like to join in on a tour of the Holy Land on Fridays in the comfort of your home?
We will never know when physical travel to Israel is possible but I can bring it to you. These sessions will start Friday 27th August at 7pm.
The Zoom link is:
Meeting ID: 870 8145 9925 Passcode: 164138
web reference: https://bit.ly/37VCJJ7
Jerusalem – Holy City of Salem and Truth
Visit many of the biblical sites during our virtual tour of
the Holy Land – guided by our minister, Revd. Chee.
4. Bible Studies with Dr. David Pawson
Are you interested in doing Bible Studies with Dr David Pawson in the comfort of your home? British Methodist & Baptist minister David Pawson (1930-2020) was a sought-after preacher across the world, authoring 81 books and over 300 videos. He was known for his forthright teaching, often tackling controversial subjects.
I am hoping to schedule this on Mondays. Email the minister asap to express your interest. minister@icbangkok.org
Bible teacher, Dr. David Pawson, who said,
“Don’t believe anything that I taught, unless you can read it for yourself in the Bible.”
All he wanted people to do was to read the Bible for themselves.
The Love of 2 Cities
Hanoi and Bangkok
Do YOU love your (adopted) city? Why not join our study?
What if our church in Bangkok becomes known for its love? Can we transform ICB?
ICB Council and other members have started an online book study on Wednesday evenings at 7pm. (ICT time)
So far, we have looked at the first part. We are encouraging all to join the study, too, as there is still much to learn. ICB supporters who are overseas are also most welcome. ZOOM details are: https://us02web.zoom.us Meeting ID: 850 9388 8359
Passcode: 943786
The book is “Love (Your City)” by Jacob Bloemberg. It is the recent story of how God’s love has grown in Hanoi, Vietnam.
(Summaries of chapters discussed so far can be requested from the minister)
You can buy this book printed or on Kindle at Amazon.com or from bloemberg.org If you have difficulties in obtaining
the book, email the minister and we will try to get you a copy soonest.
This coming Wednesday, will be reviewing and discussing Chapter 5 of the book. If you would like a short summary of previous chapters, please send an email to the minister. minister@icbangkok.org
CHRISTIAN OUTREACH The International Church of Bangkok
partners with Christian ministries throughout Thailand to advance the work of Jesus.
5% of ICB’s yearly total income goes directly to the outreach partners. Members and friends are also encouraged to give directly.
Bank transfers are easy to do and very welcome Please Donate NOW when it’s Most Needed!! KasikornBank (KBank): 003-1-09408-9
Transfer your donation to the ICB Bank account above and please email your transfer confirmation with the message:
“For Outreach: month/year (or name of O/R partner)” office@icbangkok.org
ICB’s August Outreach Partner (2021)
Bangkok Institute of Theology (BIT)
One of the four theological institutions recognised by the Thai government, BIT is the divinity department of the Christian University of Thailand (CUT), located in Nakhon Pathom Province (adjacent to Bangkok, to the West).
BIT strives to accomplish its mission of training servants who can effectively teach God’s Word and help lead the church in accomplishing God’s ministry, both within Thailand and overseas.
BIT students come from all regions of Thailand as well as from neighbouring countries where access is restricted. Many come from different tribal groups whose cultural expressions of worship and costumes are vibrant and colourful. In 2021, BIT has trained over 100 young aspiring servants of God, who has also blessed BIT with 43 incoming students (16 in BA and 27 in the M.Div. program).
Because of the Covid19 pandemic, this year BIT has started an E-Learning format for the M.Div. program, all classes being online.
Also, in the past two years, some 70 students have successfully completed their theological education but have not yet graduated due to COVID-19. They are now undergoing provisional service and will graduate this year.
“BIT highly values our partnership with International Church of Bangkok. Along with the financial support from ICB, we would appreciate your prayer for all the students facing the challenges of COVID-19 Pandemic. Thank you.”
(Ajarn Sam of BIT will join us via zoom
next Sunday, 22nd August.)
In 2021, BIT has trained 100+ young aspiring servants of God.
ICB is a fully self-supported congregation.
We gladly receive your donations. KBank a/c 003-1-09408-9
More information on the ICB Website
Thank you!
Missed a sermon?
Want to hear one again?
If you missed any of the recent sermons or would like to hear one or more again, recordings are available from Rev. Chee himself. Please let him know which Sunday(s) you are interested in and he will send you the link.
Send an email to: minister@icbangkok.org
International Church of Bangkok (ICB)
Advancing the Work of Jesus!
ICB is an English language congregation, composed of native and non-native speakers.
We are committed to welcoming people of all backgrounds to Christian worship for a diverse, inclusive and unifying faith experience.
We seek to advance the work of Jesus Christ by promoting and supporting spiritual growth, community and service to others.
Scan these QR Codes to
find out more about
International Church of Bangkok
This upper link will guide you to our
ICB Website
This lower link will guide you to our
ICB Facebook page
For personal inquiries, more information and
church membership, please email
Rev. Chee Keong Yong: minister@icbangkok.org
