Garden City Values – Reach

As we start 2026…4wk DNA Series – Who are we as a church – Values. – What they are and why. Our values – core part of our DNA that drives who we are and at the same time function as guardrails so we don’t get sidetracked or distracted from our mission. 

Last weekend we looked at Value 1: Gospel – We prioritize the gospel above all. The gospel – The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus according to the Scriptures. (1Cor.15:3-4)

This weekend, we’re covering – Value 2: Reach – We do whatever it takes to reach all people.

Wonder what heaven will be like? Golden streets. Chubby angels playing harps. And what in the world will we be doing for all of eternity? Cause that’s a really, really, really long time. Google:

-Infinite positive possibilities – Not quite sure what that means.

-Endless good times

-Spiritual bliss – Sounds good but what is it?

-Rich physical delights

-*Reunion with loved ones

And a question that I saw that often came up from people: Will we get bored? Let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say about it…

Text: Rev. 5 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Rev. 7 9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 

Rev. 21 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.

Pretty incredible, isn’t it? We can read these words but in some ways, it’s hard to imagine just how amazing heaven will be. Jesus is there – What makes heaven, heaven – We will be with him – Nothing bad/broken. No sin. Everything is going to be good and perfect. Worship, fullest of joys and pleasures forevermore. (Ps. 16:11) Even the best things of this world – like friendship, love, marriage, laughter … – are but the smallest glimpse.

And maybe just as important as what we will be doing in heaven for all eternity, is who all is going to be there. Ask – what’s missing now that’s in Rev.? What’s the gap between now and what we just read in Rev.? You might think – time. More time needs to pass. While that’s true, I would suggest to you that the more important thing that is missing and needs to happen is the nations need to be reached, disciples of all the nations need to be made. That’s the picture we see in heaven – Jesus has saved the nations to himself. And right now, that’s not the case – there are too many places where Christ has not been named/preached. 

The gap right now is the nations. And for the nations to be reached with the gospel, what needs to happen? How are we going to fill the gap? REACH – EV, Missions, Disciple-Making, Church Planting. That’s how the Great Commission is going to be completed: 

Who does the mission belong to? Who is responsible for making sure it is accomplished? Other than Jesus.

Mt. 28 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Who does the mission belong to? According to Scripture – YOU. Jesus – You, every follower, go, make disciples.. 1. The mission (to reach all the nations) belongs to every follower of Jesus. WE are God’s chosen instrument for the fulfillment of the mission…

Objections:

-Stories – dreams and visions. And yes, that does happen. But even from the stories I’ve heard, it almost seems like it may start with a vision but it leads to a conversation with a believer as follow up. So I hope God gives many dreams and visions. But for the most part, the nations will not be reached without our participation with God.

-Isn’t that why we have you, pastor?? You’re supposed to do it for us. I’m not a professional Christian. – You’re right. Most people in the church here are not. And that’s amazing! We may have different roles, but we all have a role in the mission of God. 

Think of all the people at your schools and workplaces. How many of them do I know or have I interacted with? Less than 1%. And I don’t have access to them for the most part. And even if I did, there’s not enough time in the world for just me and Ps. Eric to reach all those people. But you spend so much time with them! 40+hrs/week.

See you’re not just in your job, your neighborhood, your school to work, live, and study – You are there because you have been sent there!

We all, every follower of Jesus, have been sent to live on mission. PJD – The question is not, are you sent. Rather, it’s you already have been sent – the only question is where. 

–Well, I’m not gifted in evangelism. I get nervous. I don’t know what to say. The times I’ve tried – I feel like I messed up and made it more confusing than help. What if people ask me questions I don’t know the answers to? – That’s ok! Because guess what? Results are not up to us! God is the only one who saves. And it’s not with our wisdom, our eloquent speech, (2Cor) – It is oftentimes through our fumbled attempts that God saves.

What do we have to lose? Who cares if people judge us. Who cares if they think we’re weird. Who cares? What does it matter? Isn’t it worth an awkward conversation? Isn’t it worth having to say, I’m not sure about that question, let me follow up with you. Isn’t even worth flat out rejection? Isn’t trying to share the only good news, the gospel, that can save people for eternity worth it? 100.

Introduce – Who’s Your One? (WY1) – The one person you are praying for this year. For God to save. For you to faithfully pursue and share with. Friend, Family Member, Coworker, Classmate.

Identify: Who’s Your One? – 1) Who is close to you but far from God? 2) Where have you been sent?

Work

School

Neighborhood

Gym

Hobbies/Activities

Learn/Pick up just one way to share the gospel. 3 Circles. Bridge. Romans Rd. 4 Spiritual Laws. I’ve used all of these at different times with different people. But just start with one. And I would suggest starting with 3 Circles. (Sticker)

Mission for all. Not just a few. – The mission belongs to every follower of Jesus.

2. The mission requires whatever it takes. (Ex: Wife. Bad guy. That’s too much/You’re crossing the line. Run – Love my life more than hers. No. Whatever it takes. My life is hers. Roach – Forget it. Why? Because she’s that important to me. Love.) Our love for Jesus – There’s nothing off limits, nothing we’re not willing to do or give up, to see the mission accomplished. Both exciting and scary at the same time isn’t it? – Cause – Fear – What if Jesus calls me to give up everything? – If he does, we know he himself is more than enough for us in every season and every circumstance. And he loves us and is able to supply for our every need. 

So we…

-Lay down our comforts and preferences and dreams

-Leverage Time, Talent, Treasure

-Creative – Take risks. Try new things. If it works, great. If not, we’ll try other ways. Trying new things and failing is ok. If we don’t find ourselves failing at some things – then I think that means we didn’t really try.

Personally – I want to exhaust myself for Christ. WIT. Not in an unhealthy way. But I want to put it all out there. Do everything I can. And have no regrets. So whatever the range is of extremely unhealthy – where you’re trying to do everything all the time and you neglect your family and other responsibilities – to being completely disengaged – you’re doing absolutely nothing – wherever the line is for engaged and faithful as possible without crossing over into unhealthy – that’s where I want to be. 

Only one life will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last. – CT Studd.

Work is not bad. Making money is not bad. Taking holidays is not bad. Entertainment is not bad. All of these are gifts from God, good things to be enjoyed, but they do not take priority nor should they consume too much of us. Because these good things – temporary – they’re all going away. 

There are only 3 things that will be eternal. God, his word, and people. That’s it. So doesn’t that mean that we should give the greatest amount of our life, our focus, our energy to these things? Bandwidth – Can’t be so busy with our own lives and our own plans that we have no time for Jesus’ mission.

One of the best ways to reach people – Hospitality/Generosity – Invite people into your homes. Grace – Invites people all the time – Kids – Who are we eating with tonight? If no one, – Why not? Your place not suitable? Maybe because of size or distance? Meet with them somewhere for coffee/tea and buy them. Don’t have the funds? I will give you funds. (Personally/Individually…)

AND as a church what we won’t do is just sit around and be happy/content with the way things are. Well – We grew to the point the room is full. We’re good now. No. We are never going to cruise. We will always be trying and doing whatever we can to reach all peoples – more peoples for Jesus.

(If you missed last weekend we announced…) Jan. 25 – 2 Services – 9am and 11am. Attend 1. Serve 1. Why? So we can reach more people with the gospel. Plain and simple.

Will it mean more of your/my day is going to be taken up? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely. It’s going to take doubling all our teams. – So if you call Garden City your home – this is your church. We need you to Attend 1, Serve 1 2x/mo. 90mins 2x/mo. to serve your church family and others so they can hear the gospel. And then the other two weekends, you’re free to just attend or serve more if you want.

Serving is one way to do whatever it takes to reach all people here at Garden City – Because your serving will facilitate other people here on GF and kids on the 7th floor hearing and being discipled in the gospel. God is bringing people to this church, the church is growing – And many of the people/kids coming are not believers. – Without people/you serving, simply put, we won’t be as effective in getting the gospel out right here in our own church. (Me – Kids – Serve with me.)

But I want to make clear – We’re not just trying to use you. We want you to prioritize worshipping first. Attend one service. And then use your gifts to serve others so they can attend service too. Opportunity to serve and reach our city right here.

Don’t know where to get started? Connect Table.

Church Planting – Acts – Paul – M Journeys – went around planting churches. – Why we have the epistles – Paul writing to the different churches he’s planted. – Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia, Thessonalica, Philippi, Colossae. God’s plan A to reach the nations.

Has to be one of our primary strategies if we are going to reach not just KL but all the nations. Most effective way to reach the lost. This year – 3 church plants. 

We won’t effectively reach all of KL for a lot of different reasons – location, language, or maybe people just don’t like me. And that’s ok. Garden City is a church for anyone but not for everyone. So we will plant churches of all kinds – international churches, non-English speaking churches all over our city and God-willing, the world. 

And we will do whatever it takes to plant these churches – If we have the resources, we will do it. There’s nothing off limits. Nothing we are holding onto. Everything we have is for God to use as he sees fit. 

I hope everyone here, every year, holds their plans and their lives up to God – Where do you want me? Do you want me to stay or do you want me to go where you send me? 

TBH – It’s hard because the people who are willing to go and be sent out are generally the people I’d love to have stay. They are leaders, disciple-makers, generous givers, servants, encouragements to me and my family. But reaching the nations for Jesus is worth it.

Mission Trips – Why would we send people and spend our resources to reach lost people elsewhere when we have plenty of lost people here in our own city? Well we for sure want the center of our reaching people and pushing back darkness to be here out of Garden City in KL. The light needs the shine brightest here at home. But we also need to ask where else is God moving, where else has Jesus not been named, and is he calling us to fill that void. – Jumping on a plane.

Most importantly – Whatever it takes – Committing ourselves to PRAYER – I can not emphasize enough – Our primary strategy to reach all peoples – starts on our knees in prayer. Because we’re not going to reach anyone apart from God. Doesn’t matter how great our ideas are, how amazing our worship is, if we have all the money and resources in the world – We will labor in vain if God does not move. Prayer – Calls on God to do what we cannot  ourselves.

Apostles – Given the Great Commission and initially what does Jesus tell them to do? He tells them to do nothing. And just wait. Why? Isn’t the mission urgent? Don’t people need the gospel asap? Yes – But they weren’t going to see any fruit apart from – The Holy Spirit! The Spirit of Christ dwelling in them and empowering them for the mission. And with the Holy Spirit, their primary strategy to reach people – devoted themselves to the word AND prayer.

Crucial part of prayer that’s often forgotten and neglected – Listening to God. Spirit speaking to us. – How is he leading? To whom is he leading you? While you’re sharing – How is he prompting you? We need to do as much hearing from God as we do asking from God. (Starts in the Word where he’s already spoken to us…)

Pray throughout the day. Posture. Not for a few secs before you eat. 

Prayer Walk – In your neighborhood. I know, at least I’ve been told, Malaysians don’t like to walk outside because it’s hot. Walk anyways. Walk through your neighborhood and pray over the houses and the families you know. Go into work a little early and pray at your workplace.

Sunday Prayer Meeting – Currently at 9am on the 7th floor. 8am on the 7th floor starting Jan. 25 when we go to 2 services.

Prayer and Worship Night – Jan. 16 730p.

Our doing cannot outpace our praying. Our mission (REACH) – Informed by the Word, fueled by prayer, and empowered/accomplished by the Spirit. 

Without any one of these, nothing will get done.

-Without the Word/Gospel – We share a different message and do our own thing.

-Without Prayer – We labor in vain, in our own strength.

-Without the Spirit – We work without power and direction.

Story – Bryan T. – Young man. Lobby. He thought he was a Christian, but as I started sharing the gospel, he quickly realized himself that he wasn’t. So we started studying the gospel of Mark together. 7am on Monday mornings – TBH – I dreaded it every week. Sundays were long days – multiple services, 4 young kids. CG. Grace – Hospital. But that was the only time he was available. 

Study through Mark. And our last study together before he moved back home – You have to make a choice. You have to believe or reject. And I pray you receive. He leaves to go to move to his hometown 2hrs away. And we kind of lost touch. But I’d pray for him here and there on Monday mornings from bed during the time we used to meet together.

And almost a year later, I get an email from Bryan – Hey I’d love to catch up with you. We jump on a call. And he shares with me that he had continued to just devour the Word, hours a day. And he finally became a believer and wanted to be baptized. EXCITED. Explain – because of covid – the logistics of baptizing someone were a little difficult. And he says to me – well I have a lake in my backyard. Great!

The only thing was, not the drive – 2hrs of driving was nothing. – It was January in NC, USA. And it was freezing cold. And I kid you not, as soon as I pull into his driveway, it starts snowing. And I ring the bell and he’s in all baptism clothes and I’m in mine, and we look at each other and we just start laughing. Asks – We still doing this? And I’m like, let’s do it. No cold or snow is going to stop this from happening. – I wasn’t about to be the reason why not. – So on Jan. 16, 2021 my friend and brother was baptized in a frozen lake declaring his faith in Jesus.

How much did I have to do, how much of a role did I play, in Bryan’s salvation? Some. Very little – I got up each morning begrudgingly. I wasn’t even there when it happened. And when I look back – I could have been, should have been, so much more faithful. So much more prayerful. But God took my shortcomings and worked powerfully. 

We cannot underestimate the power of prayer. It calls on the gracious God to save. That’s his desire! Pastor Friend – We can be faith-filled as we share because God is faithful.

There are two things at stake – 1) people’s eternity and 2) Jesus’ glory.

3. The mission is to reach all peoples. – Without exception. Regardless of how hard/inconvenient it may be. Not just because Jesus commands it. But because Jesus is worthy of all the nations. There is rejoicing in heaven when one person comes to faith in Christ. So we will do whatever it takes to make sure Jesus gets all the glory he deserves from the nations. 

The mission to reach all peoples, the nations, is the gap between now and heaven. And so have to labor faithfully in our city – KL – The nations are here. The longer I’m here, the more convinced I become that it’s the most strategic city in the world. In some ways, God has made it so easy for us. And if we can reach our city, I believe we can reach the world.

Jesus – Whatever it takes to reach us. No length he wouldn’t go – Humbled himself and took on flesh. No price he wouldn’t pay – He was beaten, mocked, and crucified. Whatever it took – even death on a cross – so we could go free. Isa. 53.

When we see this, we see just how loved we are – Jesus’ love for us, in his salvation for us, his presence with us. And it compels us to live sent lives – willing to do whatever it takes to reach all people for Jesus’ glory. Because Jesus gave up his life to rescue us out of sin and death to give us eternal life, presence – glimpse of heaven now – we can now give ours up with joy to join Jesus’ mission with his presence and power so others can know him too.