Pastor's Message (Newsletter Issue 4)

Hello Church, first I would like to thank the ladies and gentlemen who produce this church newsletter. You may think this is no big deal as there are many other church magazines (physical or digital) which you can read. But I would like to assure you that this newsletter is different. It tells you about the news from the church you attend.

Why do we need to know the activities and news which happen in our church? Well, if you consider yourself a member of this church and you treat this church as your family church, you will want to know everything happening here. It’s not just about the activities or events, but about the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ whom you know and care about. This newsletter is not just an information hub, but your connection to the Chinese Church. If you are a irregular attendee or visitor of this church, it is a must for you to read this newsletter so that you won’t miss out on what is happening at church. When you read the newsletter, I hope you can find encouragement, inspiration, love and belonging that God is truly with us and blessing us abundantly.

The year 2020 is a fearful year. But I like to assure you that it will be less fearful if you live your life with us as part of our church family. This church has been in Sydney for the last 50 years, although some members have left, moved or died, God continues to send in new and faithful members. Many new people, mums, dads, kids, students, and seniors find friendship, comfort, support, healing and most of all, GOD in this church. I’d like to encourage you with this bible text,

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

This year, I would like the church to put more effort in caring, empathising, loving and fellowship with one another. Yes, we still need to keep the law of God. Yes, we still need to do the right things. Yes, we need to serve God and His church, to spread the gospel and the three angels’ message to the world. Yes, we need to run the church program. But if we do all these things without loving the people, we are just like a sounding cymbal. Loud and empty, with no substance.

Let us start this loving from within our own family member first. Husbands love your wives. Wives, love your husbands. Parents love your children. Children love your parents (and grandparents). After that, love our church’s children, our young people, overseas students, mums, dads, elderly, single people, divorcees, single parents, sick ones, widows, disabled, poor, homeless and our neighbouring community.

Why do we need to love them?

1 John 3:16 (NIV)

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

How to love our brothers and sisters? Be intentional in getting to know them. Get to know their names, background, life story, faith, hopes and challenges. Pray with them. Help them with whatever means you can, without seeking rewards. Get in touch with them from time to time. Invite them to your house for a meal or give them a card or a gift during festive seasons. Walk with them in their life. Celebrate with them in their successes. Share but don’t impose your life on them. Then at the right time, invite them to follow Jesus Christ.

Last few Bible texts for you:

1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.