Church Weekly
28 Jun 2020

CHURCH WEEKLY

1. VISION: FOCUS TO SERVE THE LORD 2. WATCH, THEREFORE!

From the Board of Elders

Dear Members in Christ,

Vision: Focus to Serve the Lord

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18

Calvary Jaya BP Fellowship (CJBPF) must have a Vision in serving the Lord. It is not the Vision that the world has. Our Vision must be founded on God’s Word, the Holy Bible.

The Bible reveals to us the love, mercy, promises, teachings and ways of God. Without the revelations of God, we would be wandering astray, aimlessly and away from Him. We would be without direction. We would be most miserable and lost. By learning, knowing, keeping His Word and doing His work we would enjoy and please Him. What joy it would be.

The reason for the Church to exist is for the visible witness of God on earth. The Church premise is for the saints to come together a) to witness for God in this dark and sinful world and b) for learning, edification and for the mutual encouragement of one another “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24- 25.

1. The Church as a witness for Christ stands separated from the other heathen houses of worship. The saints through their lives, practice and praise of God manifest the goodness and holiness of God. The unbelieving world takes notice and knows the Church as a place for the learning of the Truth of God for salvation and the gathering for divine worship of the God of the Bible. Those who desire to seek God will find the true living God and the sweet fellowship of God’s children.

2. The Church must always be ready to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2) for the salvation of souls and the glory of God. The Church must not only teach but also to defend the Truth that was once delivered unto the saints. She must also warn against apostasy and the false teachings that are prevalent in Christendom today. 

3. The flock within the Church must be taught, fed and nourished with God’s Word. They must be strong and spiritually healthy and matured. By doing so, the Church will continue to grow, serve and witness for Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church leaders to “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Acts 20:28.

The many ministries of the Church must be served by faithful men of God. Christians are saved to serve and to render service “… to the Lord, and not to men:” Ephesians 6:7. Christians, young and old, are called to serve and witness for Him. The young can serve in the youth ministry, usher and greeters ministry, home visitations, missions and etc. The middle age could serve in the teaching and witnessing ministries etc whilst the elderly could pray and encourage the younger ones etc. All of us can start by inviting one lost sinner to the Church today!

4. God is truly the Lord of Harvest. The Church is to train and equip her flock for the work in the Vineyard “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38. The Church therefore must not neglect to build up young Christians to be faithful servants to serve and labour in God’s harvest field.

5. In obeying the Great Commission, the Church must go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the world “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19-20.

Thus, reaching out to souls beyond the Church walls is important. The Church must continue its outreach programmes locally and beyond.

Finally, it is important that CJBPF must be a Church that loves God and be fervent and active for the Word and work of God while the Lord tarries. It is important that “we occupy till He comes” and hear the Lord says when we see Him face-to-face, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:23

Elder Choe TS

 

Watch, therefore!

Exhortation from Matthew 24:42-44

Spiritual complacency and lethargy can be dangerous to the believer. The suddenness of the Lord’s impending return may result in a lazy, lethargic disciple being caught unawares. The Bible teach us that there is a way to overcome the complacency and weariness which afflicts the believer’s life. The solution is to remain alert and watchful. In teaching the parable of the watchful master of the house in Matthew 24, the Lord Jesus began with these words, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” Matthew 24:42. The parable that follows these cautionary words tells of a man who ought to have watched the house of his master.

The parable in Matthew 24:42-44 reads thus.

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Matthew 24:42.

The parable begins with a stern warning “Watch, therefore”. The warning is issued as a command to be alert, to be on the lookout. What is this event which the disciple is warned to lookout for? The Lord Jesus ends the parable with a call to “be ye ready”. It is also expressed as a command to be ready, be on the alert. The command is clearly to be watchful against being caught unawares when the “Son of man cometh”. Being watchful and being ready is not a discretionary choice, it is a command from our Lord and Master. Every believer is called to be watchful and alert.

Fellow brothers and sisters, have we heeded the Lord’s call to be awake and alert in our spiritual lives? If the Son of Man were to come today, are we found faithfully serving Him as we ought? If the answer is “Yes I am!” Blessed are ye, indeed. We ought to be keen and watchful. Firstly, be diligent in our personal devotion to the Lord. The word “watchful” is associated with being awake. The prayerful study of God’s word keeps the believer’s spiritual senses awake and alert.

Secondly, the believer’s watchfulness also extends to the area of service. The encouragement from God’s word to serve the master diligently ought to motivate us to arise and serve the Lord. Let us be encouraged to find ways in which we can serve the Lord Jesus as members of His body. Pray for the Lord to lead you into an area of service suitable for you. For instance, the Sunday School is always in need of dedicated teachers and helpers. The greeting and ushering ministry requires those who would serve the Lord by extending a warm welcome to worshippers. While the MCO prevents us from gathering, a simple phone call to a fellow Christian to share some encouraging words of scripture can be edifying to our friends and members.

The Bible gives clear examples of those whose service is exemplary. The parable of the good and faithful servant comes to mind. The Bible records of whom the Lord says, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant … enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:21. Let us be exhorted by these words of the Lord Jesus, let us be watchful, serving Christians, encouraging and serving one another. Amen.

In Christ,

Dn Lim Seh Beng