is delivered live on Zoom by our minister, Revd. Chee Keong Yong
Revd. Chee’s sermon is entitled: “Be Open“
Our Scripture Reading: Gospel: Mark 7: 24-37*(*click for the Bible page)
Pastor Chee’s writes:It makes all of us rather comfortable to hear all the good things about Jesus as being sweet and mild-mannered. We like to imagine that he is always kind and gentle in his approach to all people. In actual fact, we are often conditioned unconsciously to block off any negatives about Jesus if we care to admit it.
When it comes to a passage like the Gospel reading today, some may want to dilute the harsh tone of Jesus’ offense in calling the woman who came with a desperate need as a dog. Culturally, in the days of Jesus, the Jews likened Gentiles to dogs. And Gentiles may have had some choice words for Jews, too. The point here is Jesus is being seen as rude. Yes, he was in need of getting some rest and for someone to pester him in this untimely fashion, he was certainly quite irritated.
Jesus was not prepared, though, for what the feisty woman had to say. That utterance caught him by surprise, to see a Gentile opening his eyes.
Whatever way Biblical commentators may try to soften Jesus’ tone, there is no denying that the woman’s plea is to be cast away. Nevertheless, she received her request.
Contextually, in the second scene of the healing of the deaf mute, Jesus had been pursued by religious leaders trying to trip him into doing and saying something whereby they could charge him with an offence. In so doing, they proved to be like the deaf mute. Their ears were closed and eyes shut.
Do not just pity the religious leaders of those days for being that way. We jolly well can be just as guilty when we choose not to hear and see. If we allow our prejudices to overtake us, we deny the healing grace of Jesus.
Blessings,
Chee
Please scroll down below for my notices about ongoing and upcoming on-line events on weekday evenings.
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.”
“Have an open mind”
VISIT our
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 ICB’s FUTURE PATH
We are excited to find out where God’s path leads us to!
We have only recently started on our road to planning a future for ICB, which hopefully extends outside our membership zone to those in our community and city who need our help to help themselves based on how Jesus lived His life on Earth.
More details on how we are progressing and what the next steps may be will appear in future newsletters – so watch this space!!
Meanwhile, if you wish to add your input on how you would like to see ICB develop, please contact the minister via email, initially. Someone from the Council’s Outreach Committee will then contact you back. Your ideas are vitally important!
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.”
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.
Reading research findings reports, such as this, greatly helps us to understand where the deficiencies and needs are among those taking refuge within our own neighbourhood.
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 Jews
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 continue at 7pm. on Fridays,
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. New!! ALPHA COURSE – a series of interactive sessions exploring the basics of the Christian faith.
Are you interested in joining an Alpha course? New Zealand is staging an Alpha course online. If you would like to join, it continues on Wednesdays at 2.00pm (BKK time). Anyone can sign up through – https://www.alpha.org.nz/try-alpha/Each session looks at a different question, and is assigned to create conversation. No two Alphas look the same – they run in coffee shops, churches, bars, prisons, universities, schools and homes. There’s no pressure, no follow-up and no charge; it’s just an open, informal, and honest space to explore and discuss life’s big questions together.
If you are signing up as an ICB member, please put “Hamilton (N.Z.)” in the box for City. I have permission from my colleague in Hamilton for you to do so.
The Alpha course continues on Wednesdays
at 2.00 pm (Bangkok time)
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. We are still need a few more participants for this study course
I am provisionally scheduling this on Mondays at 7pm, probably starting later this month. If you are interested but Mondays are not possible, please let me know so we could try a different evening.
Email me now 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
Wednesdays at 7pm. (local time, ICT)
So far, we have looked at 7 chapters but we are still encouraging anyone to join the study as there is much to learn. Past ICB friends, wherever they may be, 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 are posted on ICB website. Contact me if you need help in obtaining this enlightening book)
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)
Ministry of Prachakittisuk Church HuaiKrai, Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai
Situated in Thailand’s northernmost province, Chiang Rai, Prachakittisuk Church can be found off the main road leading to main border points to Myanmar as well as Laos.
Known as the Golden Triangle, this area is extensively populated with ethnic minority groups, locally called hilltribes. Although living there for generations, many have still to receive Thai citizenship, leading to education neglect & other inadequate social services. The Church was founded in 1953 by the father of the current minister, Rev. Dr. Sirirat Pusurinkham, who says her 300 members are “happy people”, which is what “Prachakittisuk” means. Nevertheless, few of them earn an adequate wage for their families’ basic needs, lacking education, with many being illiterate.
In 2003, the church set up an orphanage for children whose parents both died of HIV/AIDS. There are more than 10 such orphans in our care who lacked basic needs such as food, clothes, and school scholarships.
Prachakittisuk Church’s orphanage in early years. At the start there were 5 children. Now we have 25 young residents.
Rev. Dr. Sirirat explains,
“Over the years, we have been able to see more than 10 of our orphans graduate from University and become teachers, nurses, engineers, musicians, and pastors. But still there is more work to be done. Raising children is a lifelong process that requires investment in time, physical resources but most of all, commitment and love. Feeding, housing, and educating these many children mean we are always fund-raising yet also trusting God to provide.
Covid19 has affected church members severely though loss of income and mounting debt. Their children cannot go to school unless there is support to buy food and to get to school. When the village school conducts online lessons, many children do not have cell phones to study that way”.
Our church supports many orphans and women who are part of church’s handiwork project. We have over 50 women making handicrafts for sale, from purses & bags to table runners, bookmarks, facemasks and much more.
Rev. Dr. Sirirat asks us to pray:
“The pandemic calls on our solidarity and accountability, mindfulness, care and wisdom.
It also calls for our signs of faith, hope and love. We pray for all humanity: Help us to help one another during this time. Help communities to be stronger during this challenging time. Help us to heal as we face our fears. May God increase our faith so we don’t panic. With God, in God, we have hope. Please keep our ministry in your prayers.” Amen.
You are welcome to phone Rev. Dr. Sirirat : 081-602-5561
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
