Please Note: In-person services will start again on 20th March at Christian Student Centre on Phayathai Road. An online Zoom relay will also be available.
This week’s service will be on-line (Zoom)only
Scroll down for more information on our planned restart of in-person morning services and a map showing the new temporary location
We will join together
on Zoom ONLY
this Sunday
6th March 2022
at 10.00 am
We will NOT meet In-Person
Only on Zoom
see below how to log-on
How to connect to on-line relay via Zoom (computer, tablet or smartphone)
Wherever you are in the world, you are welcome to join us online using the Zoom application in the same way as we have been doing since May 2021
About ICB worship on Zoom:
Please log-in on time and allow a minute or two to connect.
You will be “muted” upon entering the zoom room. Please stay muted during the service.
Please be patient as we try to overcome any glitches with our technical set-up at BCC.
There will be an opportunity to chat to others on-line for a while immediately following the service this Sunday. Newcomers and visitors: You are warmly welcome to to introduce yourselves in our chat rooms.
6th March 2022
Sermon
is delivered on zoom by our minister, Revd. Chee Keong Yong
One can never talk or speak enough of Jesus. There is just so much to know about Him that we will never ever get to know Jesus fully in one’s lifetime. For the past eight Sundays, we see Jesus as the one revealed/manifested to be the Saviour of the world. Twice, a voice from heaven declared – “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you, I am well pleased” at his baptism and the event of the Mount of Transfiguration. Clearly, it was an affirmation that came at critical points – one as Jesus set out to be tempted in the wilderness and the other as he set out on a journey that will lead to his crucifixion in Jerusalem.
Our Gospel reading today, allows us to have a peek into the temptation of Jesus. This is a familiar story for most who have had years in the church. On Ash Wednesday, we observe the call for a fasting period in recognition of what Jesus went through. It is a period where we learn to give up on certain creature comforts to draw closer to God. All good, except that I rather find it a distraction to fully understand Jesus’ experience of being tempted by the devil. We may remember that Jesus was tempted three times during the period. Some may vaguely remember what the temptations were. However, how does it relate to our everyday living?
We are told that Jesus was driven into the wilderness straight after his baptism. The words spoken from heaven gave the idea that Jesus had earned his Father’s affirmation somehow – perhaps through obedience. The words of affirmation thus launched Jesus to face the devil’s beguiling deception.
We are not to imagine that the temptations were in any way “light”. Hebrews reminds us that Jesus was tempted in every way just as we are. Rather than light, Jesus suffered intensely, coupled with the fact that he fasted for forty nights and days. This is not about giving up chocolate or ice cream. There were real hunger pangs to be experienced. Current-day refugees, children, and adults would know what this feels like. For many of us here, we cannot even imagine what it is like.
We are informed that the first testing came at the end of his fast. In the wilderness, one would find rocks and stones aplenty. In that weakened state, surely Jesus could change some into bread. Recognizing famine on a global scale today, surely turning stone into bread is sorely needed to feed the hungry masses. Is this wrong to take a shortcut to relieve world hunger? That Jesus would feed the hungry masses; I have no doubt for he has on occasions provided food to the thousands. To do so for him alone is a different matter. The temptation is about using power for one’s own end, which will constitute an “abuse” of power and privilege. A lesser person will find justification to use power for oneself.
“One does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” The second part of the verse quoted is often neglected; it is important for us to remember that Jesus never neglected it. It seems to me that Jesus remembered the scriptures. Do we?
The second temptation is one that I would hope all politicians remember and practice. There seems to be a culture where authority is used to feed one’s pride, arrogance, greed, and more power. How do we justify ourselves in a world where young people are shot, starved, made sick through water contamination, or drowned at seas while escaping from bombing and destruction?
Jesus’ reply takes us back to the command “to worship the one, God.” Is it possible to get all world leaders to contemplate the words, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”?
All through his life and mission on earth, Jesus deferred to His Father. He tells those who called him good, “No one is good but the Father.”
Does the devil use the Bible? The third temptation will provide an answer to this question. He has no shame in using scriptures for one’s own profit. To suggest to Jesus, that he too could use his position in such a manner as to test God’s protection for one’s safety is not beyond his beguiling ways. Does Jesus fall for it? Jesus is adamant on this: You shall not put your God to the test.
Does the devil leave Jesus completely? “Until an opportune time,” Luke writes. Jesus would be tempted again. We see Peter attempting to dissuade Jesus from the path that will lead to his death. To which, Jesus’ offered the rebuke, “Get behind me, Satan.”
May this season of Lent bring us to reflect on our path in life as to what is essential for the journey.There is so much in our world that will lead us to take an easier path. Not for Jesus even at the point of starvation. The world tells us to tear each other down to get to the top. For Jesus, to have his Father’s affirmation is far better. When we are tempted to give up and blame God for every ill, Jesus’ response reveals the devil’s deception for what it is.
It is not giving up chocolate or ice cream. It is about following Jesus all the way.
Blessings
Chee
HOLY COMMUNION
There will be a celebration of the Lord’s Supper on this first Sunday of the month.
Please prepare your bread and wine (grape juice) BEFORE the service begins.
Please scroll down belowfor notices from Pastor Chee: information about the resumption of In-Person Services starting on 20th March (Note: new location), Fellowship at ICB, Thursday Prayer meetings, and Outreach needs.
Scroll down, too, for news of in-person Evening services in April at BCGH.
Please pray for those who have contracted Covid19, including those in our own congregation and their families.
Sunday Classes for young people of 9 to 13 years The former Faith Formation class has just ended but if you have a middle-school age child or children who would like to join a similar course, please let Pastor Chee know. If there are enough students, a new Faith Foundation group could be formed. email: minister@icbangkok.org
Announcements
from our Minister, Pastor Chee
ICB Morning (in person) Service
This is a special announcement for people attending ICB Sunday morning service. We intend to start in-person service (with Zoom simultaneously) on20 March. Please note that the venue has changed (temporarily) to
Student Christian Centre
328/1 Phyathai Road
which is within walking distance from BTS Ratchatewi. Follow the map below.
All are advised to follow social distancing to keep others safe. A temperature check is required. We have members who have been infected lately and we do not wish others to be infected. If you are not feeling well, please stay at home and join us on Zoom. For safety precautions, the ICB Council has advised against any form of fellowship potlucks for the time being. Bottled water will be available.
ICB Evening Service will restart on the first Sunday of April at BCGH.
This is early notice to those intending to join in-person at Bangkok Christian Guesthouse, off Convent Road (BTS Saladaeng / MRT Silom stations). More details later.
Our minister, Pastor Chee, and members of the Church Council can be contacted as and when needed:
Email: minister@icbangkok.org
Fellowship is essential for the wellbeing of any true community. But It’s not so easy when we cannot meet personally, face-to-face.
At ICB, we wish to develop new ways to extend Christian fellowship among all of us during 2022. We invite you to help with ideas for such fellowship activities.
Mary Santhi has recently taken on the role of ICB Fellowship Chair but she needs a committee to lead!
Mary cannot undertake the work alone and so she is inviting you to join her in one of the most important and joyful aspects of the church which is appreciated by everybody.
Please send an email to Mary and she will respond by telling you more: jmmsanthi@gmail.com
One of Mary’s early ideas for Fellowship is to recognise everybody’s birthday so we can all pray for every person on her/his special day. Unfortunately, our list of members’ birthdays is very far from complete and so, if you are in agreement, we’ll be asking you to let us know your special day and month; the year of birth is optional.
Watch out for our quick survey shortly!
Weekly Prayer Meeting –
Thursdays from 7:00 to 7:30pm (pls join before 7:05)
This is a wonderful opportunity to pause for a few moments, however busy we are, and join together to reflect and pray forour Church, Bangkok, the World and for ourselves. You will feel better for it – and so will God!
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.
Urgently needed: Offerings to our
Ministry to Displaced Persons
to assist refugee families and asylum seekers currently residing in Bangkok (details of how to donate are shown below)
ICB’s Outreach is presently focused on our
“Ministry to Displaced Persons”.
which assists vital everyday needs for refugees and asylum seekers in Bangkok who come here from many nations. We urgently need your further offerings to support this vital ongoing work of our church.
Thank you or your prayerful consideration for those in greatest need. We need more funding support to keep our commitments to them going through 2022.
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 MDP )” office@icbangkok.org
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!
Making a Covenant
with God and His Church
2022
Advancing the Work of Jesus!
Please return the form shown below either by placing in the offering bag or sending to the church office:
61/2 Soi Saen Sabai 3; Sukhumvit 36 Road; Bangkok; 10110
Or you can scan and email to office@icbangkok.org.
International Church of Bangkok is a fully self-supporting church. We are not sponsored by any foreign church body and thus receive no outside financial assistance. In fact, we take joy to be a congregation who supports ministries all over Thailand!
We need over 5 million baht each year to cover expenses and keep our
ministry and the ICB community sustainable.
Your contributions to ICB may be tax-deductible under Thai tax rules.
For more information or to donate in US tax-deductible dollars, please contact the church office: office@icbangkok.org
Covenant Form
After prayerful consideration for the year 2022,
I/We enter into covenant with God and His Church to:
Pray for my Church_______times per week.
Attend Worship_______times per month.
Give back to God the following in God’s tithe (10%) & offerings
Baht_______per week/month/year (please circle one)
Other Currency_______per week/month/year (please circle)
Serve God in ministry. I’m interested in (please circle):
Christian Education
Outreach
Worship Prayer
Personnel & Property
Evangelism/Membership
Finance/Stewardship
Fellowship
Other ……….
You can email the ICB office for this covenant form or copy & paste the above to: office@icbangkok.org
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.
ICB has a specific policy on “Diversity, Inclusiveness & Unity” recently adopted at our annual congregational meeting. You can download the file here (click).
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