BLESSED 39TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ENGLISH WORSHIP SERVICE: REJOICE AND SERVE

Dear Members in Christ,                                                                                                                   

Blessed 39^th Anniversary of the English Worship Service: Rejoice and Serve

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” John 15:5

Today we thank and praise God for the 39^th Annual Anniversary celebration of Calvary Jaya BP Fellowship (CJBPF). Once again, like in all previous years, it is good to reflect on the blessings of God over the years, and, praying for more blessings in the years ahead.

Yes, a small mustard seed was planted in Petaling Jaya, 39 years ago. God sent His servants, from near and far, to water and nurture the Fellowship. From a home fellowship to a rented shop lot and now to her own premises in Section 17, Petaling Jaya. God’s plan to raise a faithful witness in this part of the city is without doubt.

I remember the late Rev (Dr) Tow Siang Hwa, who was then the Pastor of Calvary Pandan was led by God to plant, serve and encourage the brethren of CJBPF. Calvary Pandan generously supported, supplied and nurtured the spiritual and financial resources in establishing CJBPF. 

There were many challenges in the early years. The local leaders were young in faith and the congregation was small. Regular preachers came from Singapore to share God’s Word from the pulpit and in the various fellowship groups. There were also times of uncertainty, for example, when the founding Church family migrated overseas. Those who stayed, by God’s grace, stepped up to continue the Lord’s work. Then there was the opposition of Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP) doctrine. Thank God that the Session was like-minded, and with one accord, embraced and defended the VPP doctrine. The discordant Chairman, who embraced the non-VPP doctrine, then left. Today we stand firm on the bedrock of the true BP doctrines.

There were also moments of rejoicing and celebration. This was the time when God provided a shepherd, Rev Lee Kim Shong and now Rev Lim Seh Beng, to lead His flock from the early days even until now. Today, CJBPF continues to praise and thank God for His provisions for the shepherd. We also thank God that the Session members continue to embrace, cleave, propagate and defend the good old fundamental faith of the gospel. Many souls had been saved, believers edified and grown in maturity in Christ. Indeed, we are blessed. It was also a joy, privilege and honour that the members of CJBPF were enabled by God to build His physical Church in Petaling Jaya. Many do not have the opportunity to contribute and build God’s Church in their lifetime but in CJBPF we had! There are many more blessings that God has showered upon CJBPF as we continue to count our blessings.

CJBPF has to remember that without the faith and belief in Jesus Christ we can do nothing. It is Him who strengthens us (cf. Philippians 4:13). For He taught us that “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” John 15:5

As CJBPF grows in years and maturity, let us continue to bear spiritual fruits and work for the Lord. Let us “be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” Philippians 2:2-5. Let us be a loving, caring, generous and ministry-minded Church. Let us not be lukewarm and be distracted by the temporal things of the world. Let us be fervent and abound in the work of God that we may be well pleasing unto Him.

Let us also remember that each generation of leaders and congregation has to fight their own battle of apostasy to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” Jude 3.

Personal reflection: Let us examine ourselves whether we have grown in spiritual maturity over the years. Has my love for God and His kingdom increase over the years? Do I look forward to study God’s Word? Do I look forward to enjoy the fellowship with the brethren in the Church? Do I pray for the Church, leaders, brethren and the various ministries? Or is my love for God lukewarm? What have I done for the Lord thus far? Am I still not able to share the gospel to my loved ones and unbelieving friends? Have I been a godly witness for Him in my school, workplace or home? Have I spoken a good word for the Lord today? Am I serving in the Church? Or am I too busy in my worldly pursuits that I do not have the time to serve nor to attend regular church worships and fellowships?

Likewise, are we able to care for others and rejoice with the brethren for their lives in Christ? Are we please and thankful for the spiritual fruits borne by our brethren in their lives? Do we rejoice when we see our brethren matured in Christ and serving the Lord more and have overcome the sins and temptations? We all should as we worship and serve God together.

Be like the Apostle Paul: May we be like the Apostle Paul pressing “toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:14. I pray that each one of us are able to respond with an affirmative “yes”. As the Church matures in age we must also mature spiritually in knowledge and for the work of the Lord. We cannot remain as a child forever. We must be able to be like Paul, at the near end of his life, says “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” 2 Timothy 4:7.

Fellowship with visitors: Finally, my brethren, do remember to extend our hand of friendship and hospitality when we have newcomers to the Church. Often times, we pray that God will bring someone to the Church to hear the Lord’s message. God hears and answers prayers. Thus, when these newcomers are led into the Church let us not neglect them. It is sad to see them leaving the Church immediately after the Service and never to be seen again! For those who stayed there was a lack of hospitality and fellowship extended to them by the congregation members. Can we make amend to this? Yes, the Session members should be the ones but can we not put in our effort to do this together? It is so hard to have visitors coming to the Church and, then we neglect them! May God have mercy.

Let us not neglect the fellowship with one another as well. Let us not strive towards wealth and material possessions but for God’s kingdom. May God bless us with the love for fellow brethren and lost souls. Let us have the unity of love, strength and heart to serve God today and for many more years to come! Let us remember to rejoice and give thanks when the Church bears more spiritual fruit. Amen.

In Christ,
Eld. Choe Tong Seng

 

TESTIMONIES

Infant Baptism

Helenna Tam Wynn Ann

Jotham Cheah Yi Kean

Leong Yu Chen

 

Adult Baptism

Chong Soo Moy

My late husband and I used to do wholesale pastry business in Sitiawan. We worshipped the traditional God of Wealth hoping to bless the business with prosperity. However, my personal thinking is that delicious and real ingredients are most important after all. We stopped worshiping idols after we closed the business. In fact, when I was young, I had already been exposed to Christianity and believed the truths in the Bible. After that my son-in-law Preacher Lee Kim Shong preached the Gospel to us. My late husband and I believed in the Lord Jesus at that time but had not yet been baptized. Because of my husband’s illness and mobility issues, we seldom go to church for worship. Thank God for His grace, Rev James Chan baptized my husband many years ago before he passed away. After my husband passed away, my third daughter Catherine and I went to church to worship regularly till now. I have completed the Basic Bible Knowledge class recently and understand the principle of justification by faith better. Before I accepted the Lord Jesus as my personal Savior, I am a totally fallen sinner and dead in my transgressions. I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ alone, God’s only begotten son, who died on the cross for our sins and shed his blood for us, who can free us from our sins and forgive sins. Thank God for me that I am to be baptized as a disciple of the Lord Jesus in front of all the saints today. May the Holy Spirit guide me on the road ahead and help me to be a witness for the Lord Jesus. I am willing to read the Bible, pray, attend church worship and fellowship, and serve the Lord together with all the saints in the Lord Jesus. Amen.

Ding Lee Su (Catherine)

My name is Catherine Ding Lee Su, I was born and raised in Sitiawan, Perak in a non-Christian family, and I could remember that the idols were placed in my father's cake confectionery shop but not our home. These idols did not have much influence in our family life.

I first heard the Gospel when I was 17 years old through my sister and friends. I attended Sunday service and youth fellowship regularly, but after I left my hometown, Sitiawan to Kuala Lumpur due to studies, I departed from God. After graduated, I came to work in Kuala Lumpur since 1996, after that I was married. Even though I have my work and family, but I had no peace and joy in my soul.

Thank God for His love for me despite the fact that I didn’t seek Him out. He never abandoned or forsake me. Since 2016 until the present, God has prompted me to return to Lord’s Day Worship. I was encouraged to study Basic Bible Knowledge and increase my dependence on the Lord while also encouraging my mother to prepare for baptism. I admit that I am a sinner, and I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour, Master, and Lord of my life. I believe Jesus and I will follow Him. I trust in Him and the Bible, the Word of God.

Lee Liang Juin

I am the firstborn in the family, I have four brothers and sisters, I was brought up by my parents at Temerloh. I studied in the primary and secondary school at Temerloh and served in Temerloh Hospital for 10 years. I professed faith in Buddhism with my parents before, I also worshipped idols and ancestors.

I got to know my girlfriend, Lim Anzhi while working in the hospital. I heard about the Christian faith through her and attended church worship with her. I believed in the biblical truth through the Basic Bible Knowledge lessons and understood the truth of justification by faith.

Before I received Christ as my Saviour, I was totally a depraved sinner, dead in my transgressions. Only by believing in Lord Jesus as the only begotten Son of God, who died for our sins at the cross, shed his blood so that we can be saved from sins, can sins be forgiven. The Lord Jesus was buried afterwards and He resurrected on the third day. Thank God, I could be baptized as a disciple of the Lord Jesus. May the Holy Spirit guide me in the future, help me to be a witness for the Lord Jesus. Amen

Transfer of Membership

Choke Sow Har (Johnny)

Being a born SINNER and a lost sheep who was wandering in the wilderness for quite a while. In year 2009, I acknowledged I have come short of the glory of God. I confess and repent all my shortcoming and sins and ask our Lord Jesus Christ to cleanse and forgive me, as apart from HIM no one can do that. I am willing to surrender my life to the Lord and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as my only Saviour and the Saviour of the world.

As I am now joined to Calvary Jaya B-P Fellowship, I hereby promise to keep the purity, peace and unity of the church. And promise to obey the leaders whom God has set over this Church and also be subject to their discipline.

May the peace of God be unto us.

Teo Lee Boay (Pauline)

As a born sinner, I am lost and undone. I acknowledge that apart from our Lord Jesus Christ’s saving grace, I have no other way to redeem my sinful nature. Therefore, at the teen age of 17 years old, I confess and repent to our Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. By believing and obeying the Word of God is the highest authority in a Christian life, I am willing to surrender my life to the Lord and be an obedient follower.

As I am now joined to Calvary Jaya BP Fellowship, I promise to keep the purity, peace and unity of the church. And also promise to obey the leaders whom God has set over this church and also be subject to their discipline.

May God’s blessing be unto all.

Yong Nyuk Lin (Nancy)

I was baptized way back in 1961 at the Baptist Church in Kuala Lumpur. After attending Sunday school and revival meetings, I realised that I was a sinner and Jesus died on the cross to save me. Throughout my journey I have strived to be good Christian. Reading the Bible to follow God's footsteps. I must say that I have strayed many times, but, God has always opened my eyes, and brought me back to Him. John 14:15 says "if ye love me, keep my commandments.” I try my best to follow and keep God's commandments. He has blessed me and comforted me in every way--- when I am sick, when I am down and depressed and when I am happy. He is always my God and Saviour. "Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus. Anywhere, everywhere I will follow on.....". Amen.