Why is following Jesus better | Pr Alvin Keng

You're listening to a message to go from acts church. We hope this message

will light up your team. So today's message, and I'll go straight into

it, is that, why is following Jesus better? Okay? Said?

Why is following Jesus better? Okay? Recently I've been praying and I've been

asking God, God, where are we at as a church? You know?

And I'll be brave to say this. Different people, different preachers,

different ones we you know, we've learned about the five Home Minis street right

and different ones here, different one of you, whether or not you have

practiced it, whether or not you are a leader in church, Whether do

you know that you have a gifting and a calling from the Lord, But

whether you actually you actually practice in it, it's another thing altogether. It's

kind of like you have a certain personality, but whether or not you're fit

to the right job, that's another thing. That's why we have a lot

of frustration, a lot of uncertainty. So everyone has been given a measure

of gift here, not just me, not just a leader. So I

need you clarify that every one of you here, whether you realize it or

not, because some of us may not realize it. Yet some of us

who have realized it, some of us we may have been dormant, or

some of us maybe we were serving and then after we there were many things

that affected us, and many things come into play, and then we come

to a place where they say, I am too old for this. Do

you know that the one thought that I've learned out of going for CAM is

that I'm really too all for CAM. First day I was okay, Second

day I was sitting. Now a day right there. I think some of

them realize that. I'm like, I'm just what you and I'm feeling tired,

and I'm like, okay, you know what, Lord, you know,

the spree is wieling, but the body's week. So we'll see how

it goes. Maybe when you'll go for runs. But don't grow all,

Canno not. Don't grow too all for Jesus. Canna not, guys,

don't grow too all for Jesus, because following Jesus is better today. I

just want to share with us and I want to I hope that we catch

something why we follow Jesus. Is it just to come to church? Is

it just to you know, have a certain lifestyle? Is it just so

that, oh, we know that God can bless so I come to church

because God will bless me. Is it just about blessing? No, Following

Jesus is better? And today I have a sales speech for you. I

don't some of else might not like this word, but I've got a sales

speech of you to hopefully convince you why following Jesus is the best thing that

you can do. You catch that, Why is following Jesus the best thing

you can do? Let me ask you a question. You want the good

news source or the bad news bad news? I'll start with the good newsiss

let me share with you the benefits of following Jesus. Sales speecher, don't

worry, I got a scripture. Okay. For those of you who don't

like the word marketing, sales speech and all in church, I'm so sorry.

I apologize, although people say, don't apologize. I apologize for the

language, but I don't apologize for the spirit behind it. Right, Okay,

And hopefully maybe some of you will catch this so that you can share

with your friends why you think follow why you believe that following Jesus is better.

Let me tell you the first point. The first reason why it's better

to follow Jesus is that that we have eternal life. Look ash that.

Do you know that it's the truth of the Bible that we have eternal life?

What does it mean? It means that we got no expiy? You

know. Imagine now buying breat now and the breatin wonn expire. Imagine buying

milk and the metal own expire. Isn't it cool? Imagine have a membership

and no matter what, you won't expire. Cool? Right? See,

I use all the example you understand. What about our faith? Our fifth

will never expire. If you follow Jesus, you will never expire. We

will have eternal life. Do you know that when we die, we expire,

but we christ with eternal life. Yes, we die in the flesh,

We die here, but we will end up somewhere else. There's no

expiy, you know. Let's turn to John chapter ten, verse twenty three,

twenty eight to thirty. Okay, now we go scripture. Ali guys,

Okay, sorry, I know I'm shout thinking our fire, but I'm

not scolding you. Okay, it's a salespitch sales spitch free. I have

some jokeslah, but oh you're not mules, right, Okay, Sorry,

I'm not so great that John Chapter ten, verse twenty eight to thirty.

Okay. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish,

neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand. My father, who has

given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able

to snatch them out of my father's hand. I and my father are one.

So he gives us eternal life. That's what we receive from him when

we say, Jesus, I follow you. I've eternal life. That's no

more expiry in my life. Is that a catch? Yes, there's a

catch, the catches. We've got to follow Jesus. The catch is not

sign up for gym membership and then don't go to gym. Then we will

never lose weight. The catches. You've got to sign up for a gym

membership, but you still have to go to the gym. Then you will

lose weight. So do we treat our faith like I sign up for a

gym and then I don't go for it. No, don't treat it that

way. We've got to be involved. Okay, he gives us eternal life.

What else he gives us. Do you know that no one can snatch

us from Jesus hands, from God's hands? This one was a very important

point that I caught. No matter how bad you think you are, no

matter how bad your life is, no matter how difficult things is, and

how difficult people are to you, as long as you follow Christ, no

one, no one can snatch you out of God's hand. Shaken, but

not press, press down but a little bit. We're broken, but not

destroyed. No matter how bad things get, you will never die because there's

life in Christ. You're catch shining or not. How bad things there's always

hope at the end of the tunnel. How difficult things are, there is

always hope because we are in Christ. That is a promise on that other

people cannot give you, but He gives you. How sad you feel,

how difficult life can get for you, how messed up your family is,

there is hope in Christ because not because that's hoping Christ, because because there's

a promise. No one can snatch you out of the Father's hand, because

you are ready in the Father's hand. Job was a very good example of

it. He went through stuff that I think some of us would go through.

We have given out in our faith ready, but he didn't. Only

at the tail and he kind of gave up, almost gave up. And

then God spoke to him. Amen, and we get protection. Protection.

Now, don't stand out my hand me is protection? I imagine it is

not imagine God is like a yakuza gang leader. And because we have allegiance

to God, no one can touch me. No confident that is. Do

you know how confident against is? Sorry for gangster? Schooler gangster? Very

confident. You know how confident I was in school because I know against us

although I look like goody two shows, I was very confident. I know

nobody can touch me. Do you know that no one can touch you?

Do you know that the devil cannot touch you. He can mess with you,

he will mess with you. They cannot touch you. He can mess

with you, but cannot touch you. Remember that. So we get protection.

Thank God, we don't have to pay God protection money. I hope

some who don't feel like tiding is your protect Okay, don't go there,

don't go ahead first, John five? Having fun can have fund in church?

Can right? Okay? If you'll start go taking me that, I'm

going to deny it. Okay, because identitiud that first John five eleven.

And this is the testimony that God has given us eternal life. And this

life is his son. See, God's eternal life is not from anyone but

Jesus. So we have to receive Jesus. We've got to follow Jesus.

Jesus is the Way, the truth, and alive. He who has the

Son has seen life. He who does not have the Son does not have

life. So so it's better to follow Jesus. Follow Jesus. These things

I've written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God.

Then you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue

to believe in the name of the Son of God. First benefit, eternal

life, no experience. Second benefit. Peace. Peace is something unique to

Christians, very unique to Christians. Right. I won't go to them into

it about other beliefs. But for us we get peace from Christ because of

him, the Prince of peace. He's the expert of peace. He's the

key opinion leader of peace. You know that you want to talk about peace,

don't talk about to anyone else. Talk to Jesus. Oh, but

Jesus not here. Well, I'll read the Bible. His words are there.

It's all in red. That's my Bible. How do you know peace?

Follow God's word, then you will receive peace. Amen. He is

the power and authority of peace. Do you know? Do you know the

significance of power authority? Why do you go to for those of you who

like business, and why do you go to the experts? Because they know

right? Because they are the experts. Right because if you follow what they

do, or you follow what they say, you will benefit. What the

benefit correct? Jesus is the one that holds peace in his hands. He's

the one that asks to be prince of peace. He's the one. They

can give us peace no one else. You can't get peace anywhere else.

We notice. You can get peace in your bank account, No you can't,

because your bandccount will fail. Can you get peace in the stock market?

You can't because you will fail. Can you get peace in riches,

No you can't. Can you get peace in family? Even sometimes family or

no peace? But in Christ you can get peace. That is the benefit

of following Christ. Isaiah nine say six, For unto us a child is

born, unto us a son is given, the government will be called upon

his shoulder, and his name would be called wonderful counselor Mighty God, ever

lasting Father, end Prince of Peace. John fourteen twenty seven says peace.

I leave with you my peace. I give to you. Not as the

world gives. Do I give you. We've got to recognize said not as

the world gives. The world will give you peace, but the world will

give you peace that will never last. The things you have will give you

peace, but you will give you peace. There never titles. Woill give

you peace, but you'll give peace. It will never last, it will

fade away, and then you'll look for peace somewhere else. Your loved one

won't be able to give you peace. Maybe when you did think Kenna after

married, how I'm not gonna ask Mary, people say a man, okay,

I'm just your king. Okay. Let not your heart be troubled.

Friends. Do you have Christ in your heart? Let it not be troubled,

neither let it be afraid, because you have peace from Christ. Philipiams

four six seven. So I was like quoting the scripture. Be anxious for

nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving. Let

your request we made known to God and the peace of God. We surpassed

us all understanding. Have you been then before? Friends? I don't understand

why the market is like that and things are like that. But when I

look at your face, you look like you are at peace. You just

got scolding from your boss, but you look like you have peace. You

just went through a difficult season, but you look like you're a peace.

Are you mad? Because Christ is in your heart? That's why you have

peace. Amen. That is where we are. Peace surpass us all understanding.

It is something people who don't know Jesus won't understand. But you talk

to any Christian and know Jesus, we have experienced peace. We know if

you are here and you have never experienced peace in your life and you're like,

I don't know what you're talking about. Come to Christ, Oh,

by being Christian all my life? Come to Christ? Or by being born

a Christian? Things? We heard that right in camp. Can you be

born a Christian? Can or not? You've got to receive Christ on your

own. You've got to make the decision on your own. Peace comes from

Jesus, It comes from somewhere. It comes from Jesus, Peace, Gods,

our hearts and mind. What that what do we mean by that?

Why do we say it guts? It guts our hearts and minds? Because

when we have peace, we know what to do. You know, people

will say the best way to make a decision is a calm mind and a

calm heart, people who are very us and stressed that all cannot make good

decisions one and correct. We know that wisdom. So peace guards our hearts

and minds. We can become peace makers as well. Do you know that?

Do that? Christians can extend peace. But this last line, I

hope you'll catch. Peace doesn't mean we are spared from conflict. Let me

repeat that again. Peace doesn't mean we are spared from conflict. Conflict will

still happen. We are living in a fallen world. Things will still happen

in our family. You will have good times, you have not good times.

We had a good camp, but I'm sure that the camp commanders all

know a lot of drama happened at the back. There were drama that happened.

Those of us who know well know right, he didn't spells from the

conflict, but I can tell you it was so very although there were drama,

but the drama not so drama. I don't know how it makes sense

to you or not. There was drama, but because we had peace makers

in the house, the drama of drama. The drama came and we left,

you know, because there was peace in the house, or it was

not as drama as we thought. It doesn't mean that you're spect from conflict.

So don't look for a way out out of conflict. Look for peace.

And where do you find peace. Let's try it again. Where do

you find peace? You guys? Okay? Not don't fall see on me?

Okay. Third benefit, Jesus has all the authority. He has all

the power meant to to in the eight eighteen says, and Jesus came and

spoke to him, saying, all authority has been given to me in heaven

and on earth. Efficients two nine eleven says. Therefore God has also has

highly exalted him and given him the name which is above every other name,

and the name of Jesus. Every name should bow of those in heaven,

and of those in earth, and of those of the earth, And that

every town should confess that Jesus Christ's Lord, to the glory of the God

the Father. Amen. So God has given him the power he has given

Jesus the power over everything on earth and is in heaven. He has exalted,

God has exalted. God is the one to do it. Not Jesus

exhorted himself. God exalted his son, Jesus higher than any other name.

That is why when we pray, we don't pray in Elvin's name. You're

caught there. No, we all don't pray in Taylor's swift name. We

don't play in New Jane's name. I don't know we had a law of

K pop stuff happening? Man, where's Josiah or is there a hiding?

Okay, I seem to done supershi for you. We're gonna do it.

Okay. We pray in Jesus name. The significance of it. Please don't

just pray say grace in Jesus name. Do you know? I just say.

It's more powerful than just blessing your food. It is more powerful than

that. We pray for healing in Jesus name, and we pray believe it

because he has all the power right, because praying in any other name won't

do anything. One trust me, Praying in any other name won't do anything.

Only praying in Jesus name. It is not just a mantra we say,

only praying in Jesus name well bad food. Because he has all the

power and authority, power to do what, power to heal, cust out

demons, buying things. We can observe that he also opie. When Jesus

was on Earth, you'll understand what opinions? Right? I know my good

friend has been watching One Piece. I haven't caught up with it yet,

and he's posting stuff with his Facebook, and I'm like, ah, I

got no time to see it, but soon, Andrea, I'll watch it

soon. They were quite opie when they were doing that. Open means overpowered.

Jesus is overpowered, okay, when he was on Earth. Why he

can cast out demons, he can heal the sick? And then are he

very creative? No? He healed blind people? Are many many ways?

No, not just one way? No. Do you know how OPI is

that he's super opi? Man? Have you seen Jesus that way before?

Right? We celebrate all the enemy characters, we celebrate all Superman and Martherl,

But can we celebrate Jesus. He's the most opie character that I ever

know. More opedian Asoka. Sorry, Joel all authority has been given to

Christ, all authority. You've got a problem in your family, you have

a difficult boss, you got things out of your control. Jesus can help

you. I'm not just saying it just because it's cliche. I believe it.

Jesus can help you because God has given him all authority. It is

not true your own doing that you will get out of that problem. It

is true Christ and true the Holy Spirit that you will get out of it.

Amen. He has also given us access to this power x one eight

reported in many times. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has

come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in

all Judaea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. The last

I check in that scripture, there was no requirement needed. When you're a

good Christian on you get power when you're pastor when you get power when you're

a Christian for ten years and you get power. No, no, no,

no, no, no, guys, you will receive power. That's

like all of us here can pray for healing and God will listen. All

of us can pray to God and He will listen. It is everyone that

can receive it. Amen number four, Okay, I'm doing a good time.

I think he has given us access to his father. Who is his

father? God? Who is God? I put here CEO? Sorry,

I'm bringing sales speech, right, So God is the CEO CEO of our

life? Right? John fourteen six twenty one? Let me turn to that.

Are you guys okay? I hope you guys okay? By using some

of these lingoa, I just want to connect with some of you in that

level. Sorry, Athens, you'll had a lot messages, are you?

Ceo? Says your own get But I hope those set are working over,

understand John fourteen six To to any one, what does he say? Okay?

Jesus said to him, I'm the Way, the truth, and the

life. No one comes to the Father except true me. If you had

known me, you would also have known my father. From now on,

you know him and have seen him. Philip said to him, Lord,

show us the Father, and in sufficient for us. Jesus said to him,

have I been with you so long yet you have not known me?

Philip, He who has seen me has seen the Father. So how can

you say, show us the Father? Do you not believe that I am

in the Father and the Father in me. The words that I speak to

you, I do not speak of my own authority, But the Father,

who dwells in me does the works. Believe me that I am in the

Father and the Father in me, or else believe me for the sake of

the work of themselves. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who

believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also,

and greater works than this he will do because I go to my Father,

and whatever you ask in my name that I will do that the Father may

be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I

will do it. Jesus said, I'm the way, the truth of the

life, and he will give us access to the Father. Yes, just

important. The Father is also important. He has also helped left us a

helpline, you know, and the helpline is the Holy Spirit I put here

after sales support and tech support. Okay, y'all don't find it funny.

It's okay. Jesus made a way. He opened the door to the biggest

CEO that we ever know in our lives, which is God. He owns

everything. Isn't that you know? You know? You might am I using

these examples because right if we had let me can't think Elon Musk here standing

here right now, give me a thought. I think sound words will be

more excited. God is bigger than Elon Musk, right, Jeff Bezos is

bigger than Sorry, God is bigger than Jeff Bezos. Right. But we

might get more excited with men? Can we get excited with God? Amen?

And I'll ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to

help you and be with you forever, the spirit of truth. The world

cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know

him, for he leaves with you and will be with you. Jesus did

not leave us offense. Yes he has gone, he will come back soon,

But he didn't leave us offense. Well, I've given you reasons.

Are you convinced? Some yes? Some know? Okay, they're mine.

Well, what's the alternative to following Jesus? He doesn't sound pretty? And

I give you the bad news style? Okay? And this is what Bible

say. I know, I say so. I'm just sharing what Bible say,

right, But can I give a clarification if you're sharing gospel with new

believers. Please don't use this. I trust that all of you here are

Christians, but I still need to share this with you, right Second Testsalonians

one three to ten, What does it say? Second Tessalonians one, treat

to tan He says here we are bound to thank God always for your brethren,

as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love

of every one of you all abounds towards each other, so that we are

selves both of you among the churches of God, for your patience and faith

in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of

the righteous judgment of God, that you may be countered worthy of the Kingdom

of God, for which you also suffer, since it is a righteous thing

with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you

who are troubled rest with us. When the Lord Jesus is revealed from Heaven

in his mighty angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on those who do not

know God and on those who do not obey the Gospel of the Lord Jesus

Christ, these shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord

and from the glory of his power wain so heabia. Yes, is from

the Bible. I'm so sorry I need to tell you this as well.

You need to know this punishment with eternal domination is not fun. Trust me,

I'm not experienced it before, but it's not fun. Matthew thirteen forty

one forty two says the Son of Man will send out his angels, and

they will gather out of his kingdom all things that are fan and those who

practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. They'll be

wailing and gnashing of teeth. Okay. The alternative do not following Christ is

some of these not nice things that we've got to be aware of. And

for those of us have followed Christ, we have the peace to know that

we have eternal life. But why am I sharing the venues to you?

Because there are many more people out there who do not know Christ. But

we are sitting here and join the worship and join the experience our friends,

our family, our colleagues, people who do not know Christ. And when

I say do not know Christ, right, I don't mean oh you know

Jesus are not oh I know Jesus laught that day are watching that movie and

then they keep saying Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, not the count, Jesus,

not the swear word. Do they know Jesus the way you know Jesus?

Do they know that Jesus that help you in your family? Do they

know that Jesus that saved you? Do they know that Jesus that bless you

when you're in financial ruin? Do they know that Jesus that grants you peace?

That is what I mean by knowing Jesus. Sometimes you come to a

place where we feel like, oh I need to perform, I need to

be holy. Then they can share Christ. Guys, know I told you

as a salespits right, So let me try and bring it home. What

if I told you so I show you the benefits. We got four benefits

right, quite good? But whether you want to do or not, you

want to know whether it works right, right correct? Or before you but

chase anything, before you believe we are sign up for anything. You know

that you you've got to know that it works right. So let me share

you my personal story or why Jesus work for me. There are five things

here, but I only got to pick one because I only got five minutes.

Thanks so much, Surrenna. So let me. I want to see

response. I will say sound the key topics. Then I'll see whether you

want to hear you or not. So first it's my personal story. Second,

maturity issues, third, relationship issues, fourth, life goal issues,

fifth, money issues and parenting issues. Six. So we're sure you aren't

here? What what? Personnel personnel? Who else? Personnel personel? Personal?

Okay, okay, we go with the personal ONEA Well, it's gonna

be hard, man, so I'll can be shut okay, because I want

to share you why following Jesus is better. I think I'm shared before and

I won't go into detail that I grew up in a not so perfect family.

No my family. My parents weren't divorced, but because of different marriage

challenges, you know. And this one thing I really respect the older generation.

They knew however, bad things get right. The worst some of them

will do is just sleep in slapparate rooms. Of course, not healthy law,

but at least they won't stay in separate houses for a lot of them,

so they just end be only because they know the vow of marriage right.

Nowadays, a divorce is an option. Unfortunately, I see a lot

of people choosday options. Now they have a lot of options are not so

good law okay, which I wouldn't encourage us to take. But it did

a toll on me as a person because I had angered issues. I had

angered issues. You know, people that know me in the early days,

maybe Joe, I will remember I wear my emotions on my sleep on.

Now, actually you know I rest. I think Evan would know me longer

than that. But I don't know. If you know me close enough,

I wear my emotions on my sleep on. You will know where that happy

or set. I will let you know where I'm happier or set. Unfortunately,

I was very reactive. I let me tell you all the bad things

to Okay you guys, Okay, he's not before Jesus as during Jesus Ah

then God, I know Jesus. It was very emotional person. Actually my

wife who was saying, now, I see a very emotional because I show

her. I don't show you, Ama, right. Uh, it was

not fun. Now, guys, I always look to please people, and

if people are not pleased or they don't include me, I'm not very happy.

I grew up like that. Thank God, I'm not like that anymore.

And it was tough, guys, it was tough. It's very hard

to live a life that you are. You get angry easily, that you

cannot keep good friends, that that people cannot trust you because you're very reactive,

you know, and everybody in this life. I wants to succeed in

life. We want to do our best, you know. We want to

lead, We want to do all this. God had to do a deep

work in my life. And he's still doing the deep work. Can I

share you he's still doing the deep work. I'm not perfect, He's still

doing that deep work, the deep work of loneliness, the deep work.

I grew up thinking that I could never have a proper family. We don't

sell a brate birthday is my family, Anna. So I grew up so

I didn't apologize if I forget your birthday, Kay, it was never practiced.

Only thank God when I married my beautiful wife right that she teached me

all these things that I not so good at. I thought I could never

have a family with like the family I have now. But because I've Christ,

long story, because I have Christ, all I can tell you is

look at my family. I love my family. They're the best family ever.

Christ we start different things in my life. I know I'm not perfect,

and I don't know how you perceive me, but look at my life.

I think I'm a nicer person. I always joke with people when they

know my two brothers that I'm the nicer ones. I'm the nicer one because

I think God had to do with my heart. He had to do in

my heart earlier. So the only way I can show you that you were

is Mila were. Also you might not like me, then Okayla, please

find another reference point now. But if you kind of like me enough and

you think that I'm an okay person, know that I was not all there

one of the reasons why. And I have a heart for those from broken

families because I was from a broken family. So my heart goes out to

them, you know. And I damn schecked this before, but I'll shall

this again. And when I invite people to my house and we have my

gun, it's not perfect in my house, not very nice one. But

when we have a peaceful dinner together, I want to show those that from

Progren family that you can have peaceful dinner together. I want to show the

future that I receive because of Christ, not because I'm the best person in

the world and richest person. I have the nicest house. No things can

get better that okay, but there's peace, there's progression, there is growth.

Friends. I cut shot a lot of things today because we have no

time. But if that's one thing I want to leave with us here for

those servers who have never experienced cry well never is a strong work. For

those servers who maybe you stay on the offense, I follow these Jesus,

I'm not sure. Can you just jump over the ledge? Don't stay on

offense anymore. One of the messages that were shared in the Exenus cameras don't

be lukewarm, be hot or cold? Why hollow cold? If you're hot

for Jesus, great, if you're called good, we are breached to you.

But look warm. It's a very, very not so nice thing because

we don't know where you stand. You don't know where you stand. Be

hot for Jesus. But even if you're cold, don't worry. God will

meet you so they can be hot. There are many people out there who

need sup on Christ. How we leave in our lives as though Jesus is

the best way ever? Or are we still on the fens? Friends?

That is my question. I know He's probably not the best way are structuring

it because of time, But are we living like that? Do people see

them the godliness or they? Or no different? And if no different and

you're here, I pray that God would make something different. I got well.

I pray that God will still your hearts to see that there's something more

important that we can live for, which is Christ. And when we live

for Christ. While I tell you it's so exciting, let me say Jesus,

I follow you. He's so exciting. He will reveal to you the

things in your life that you never knew was there. He revealed to you

the challenges in your life where you never know is there. And when you

overcome those challenges, you'll be a better person. You know that. Do

you know that people will work with Christs are exuit this? I don't know.

Someone told me he spot you have this fragrance son, that you will

try other people when you work with Christ. I'm sure you'll experienced it before,

right what this person very I love talking to this person because God says

our majle Fishers of men, so friends, My encouragement today is following Jesus

is a better way. We hope you've been blessed by this message. For

more information on our church, please visit acts church dot org. We are

also active on Facebook and Instagram. We're believing that this week is going to

be a good week ahead for you. God bless