Church Weekly
21 Jun 2020

CHURCH WEEKLY

1. FROM THE BOARD OF ELDERS 2. FATHER'S DAY MESSAGE: THE ROLE OF THE FATHER AS A TEACHER AND A GUIDE FOR HIS CHILDREN

From the Board of Elders

Dear Members in Christ,

The first 6 months of the Year 2020 will be over in about a week. Another new 6 months will follow before the year ends. We started the year with much expectations for a better year than the year before.

On 23rd January 2020, Wuhan was locked down by the Central Government of China because of Covid-19. In Malaysia, life went on as usual and we celebrated the Lunar New Year in late February 2020.

On 11th March 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Covid-19 outbreak a global pandemic. Malaysia imposed the Movement Control Order on 18th March 2020. Since then, the Malaysian Government has imposed social distancing and forbids mass gathering in public places including houses of worship.

While it is not ideal, we are glad that the present technology has allowed us to meet in cyber space for worship, the studying of God’s Word and fellowship. However, we look forward to the day when we can all gather physically together again to worship and for other Church fellowships.

We know that God is in control of all that is happening in Malaysia and the world. Many believe that this pandemic is another sign of the Lord’s soon coming and the fulfilment of the end-time prophecy.

Indeed “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1. God is not only in control of the events of the world but also His timing and purpose are perfect.

In Calvary Jaya BP Fellowship, we are also entering another phase of challenge, which I believe, is according to God’s will and purpose. We are to continue to worship and to serve Him as one body in Christ according to the Great Commission “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.

Let us in unity of Spirit continue to be “…labourers together with God:” 1 Corinthians 3:9 in the salvation of souls. God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply (Hudson Taylor).

Let us find encouragement, comfort and strength through God’s Word “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Do pray for one another. May the Lord enable each one of us, Congregation members and leaders, as we continue to serve Him to our very best.

Elder Choe TS

 

Father’s Day message:

The role of the father as a teacher and a guide for his children

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him” (Genesis 18:19).

The verse quoted above are the Lord’s very own words describing the character of Abraham as a father, and about Abraham’s rule over his children. God’s covenant with Abraham is a covenant which also encompasses the children of Abraham, for God declares in Genesis 17:7 “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

This is a lesson for us all on Father’s Day. This is a day where communities and organizations and churches remember fathers (and grandfathers) for their role in the upbringing of their respective families. The father is the provider, protector, teacher and guide for his children. The father is the head of household, and he is the leader. The one who sets the pace and sets the bounds for the conduct of his children and enforces discipline if necessary. In the verse quoted at the beginning of this article, God speaks of Abraham saying, “For I know him”. God knows Abraham, this is an expression which tells of God’s confidence in the faith of Abraham. For God knows that Abraham will do that which is necessary to ensure that his children will keep the faith, and therefore God will be pleased to “bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of”. God will be pleased to fulfil His covenant blessings to Abraham for his role in ensuring that his children will “keep the way of the LORD”.

Let us all be encouraged and strengthened by God’s word. Fathers, let us stand strong in the faith and fulfil the role that God requires of us. Let us like the patriarch Abraham, be faithful in transmitting the knowledge of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to our children. When do we start? Right away if possible. Where do we start? From the bible, of course. For a start, you may appoint a time each week, for the family to gather for home devotion. When you gather, read a passage of the Bible, sing a familiar hymn or chorus and pray together. May God be pleased to say of our fathers, “For I know him….” May God strengthen us as the head of the household to lead and guide our children in the faith, and to do that which brings glory to our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

In His Service,

Dn Lim Seh Beng