Mountain-Moving Faith
(Message delivered by Pastor at the RELC 9.15 am Service, Feb 15, 04)
Text: Matt. 21:17-22

The first section of this long paragraph of Matthew 21 tells of Jesus’ curse on a barren fig tree and how quickly the tree withered away. Now the fig tree is a symbol of Israel, as given in Hosea 9:10
and Joel 1:7. Is this a reflection of the confrontation between Jesus and the Jews, the chief priests and the scribes who opposed our Lord descending on Jerusalem in His Triumphal Entry as Prophet, Priest and King?

The second section leads Jesus to apply it on the disciples’ exercise of their faith. Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Matt 21:21-22)

What does Jesus mean by “If you have faith and doubt not, you shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if you shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast
into the sea; it shall be done.” Does Jesus literally mean the moving of a mountain, in Singapore the shifting of Bukit Timah Hill, to sea at Katong? No! In Matt. 17 Jesus also uses the same figure of speech to expose the unbelief of His disciples in not being able to cast a devil possessing a boy. Jesus is once again talking of a faith that can overthrow great odds. They (the apostles) can do what their Lord has done, especially in healing.

We do not believe in what the Charismatics are doing today. They say that their members can heal one another but if not healed it is due to the patients’ lack of faith. They think the gift of healing is given to the whole church.

We also believe in divine healing, but according to James 5:14-15, “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name
of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”

Today, in our church life we receive frequent requests to pray for the sick. The pastor and elders are especially responsible. But we thank God for blessing medical science. God gives wisdom to doctors and surgeons. While pastors and elders will pray trusting God to heal, God uses the doctors and surgeons to play their part. Both pastors and elders, doctors and surgeons have contributed to the healing.

I have two cases to show how the Lord promptly answered my prayer for baby Joseph Roslan in healing him from leukemia. I had just come home from Korea after a monthlong gospel campaign preaching 52 times. No sooner had I stepped into my house then the phone rang. It was the voice of Chandra whom I had lately contacted for Christ. It was 6.30pm and he and his wife had
brought their child to hospital very ill with leukemia. I could not come until 10pm that night.

Chandra was carrying a Bible and nervously approached me to baptise his son. Now Chandra was a Roman Catholic and his wife a Malay and Muslim. I demanded them to accept Christ as Saviour and become Protestants. They readily submitted to the Lord and I baptised Joseph Roslan telling them the saving of his soul was more important than the body.

The Lord heard my cry, for the baby by next morning had recovered 50%. In two days he fully recovered and the doctors in great amazement discharged him. Chandra had eight children and Miss Ivy Tan was sent to teach them the Word. After one year his house became a church, from which have sprung three BP Indian churches. Mrs Chandra, his Malay and Muslim wife remains a strong Christian to this day.

Some years after I had Rev Grauley, missionary from America who accompanied me to pray for a Deacon’s wife suffering from some sickness that coloured her face yellow that it looked like  jaundice. According to James 5:14 and after John Sung’s practice of anointing the patient with olive oil, I brought along a bottle of olive oil.

Being full of faith the Deacon’s wife submitted to my putting the oil over her forehead. After praying for her and we opened our eyes I was amazed to see her face turn orange while she declared she was there and then healed. Immediately she requested she wanted to be baptised the coming Lord’s Day in church.

She gave her testimony of feeling good in her body after prayer and anointing and Rev Grauley is a witness to all this. By delivering this Deacon’s wife so speedily Jesus would equate this with removing a mountain and casting it into the sea.

For shortness of time I will not tell you of a third case of healing that amazed me in my long years of service wherein God gave me mountain moving faith.

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SERMONS FROM THE EIGHT-PEAKED MOUNTAIN OF BLESSING IV

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a  trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” Matt 6:1-4 

Today we have the practice of certain Asian churches that publish the names of members who give to the church. Let them heed Jesus’ words.

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matt 6:5-6

It is observed in the prayer meetings of a certain church where one elder would advertise himself and his family. God forbid.

“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” Matt 6:7 

This is another flaw, padding with words uttered in the infinitive mood. Prayers rather are uttered in the optative mood, to the point.

“Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” Matt 6:8

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