CHINESE CONGREGATION - 37TH ANNIVERSARY THANKSGIVING

Dear Members in Christ,

Calvary Jaya B-P Fellowship

Chinese Congregation - 37^th Anniversary Thanksgiving

With gratitude and thanksgiving, we come together this morning to celebrate the Chinese 37^th Anniversary. It is the Lord’s doing and blessings. The Bible says: “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” Psalms 127:1. Let us rejoice and give thanks. May God continue to preserve and sustain CJBPF. May we continue to provoke one another unto love and to good works (Hebrews 10:24) and reaching out to the lost to be saved (Matthew 28:19-20).

Philemon Fellowship

“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.

Is it biblical for like-minded Christians to come together to have regular fellowship with one another?

Says who? The answer: God. Christians are in the world BUT not of the world. The Bible says that Christians are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation and a peculiar people (cf. 1 Peter 2:9). That is, we are a group that is specifically chosen by God as a special people and as one holy nation of God. We were once living in darkness and are now in His marvellous light. This itself makes us special. We are “called out” to be God’s children, that is, saved unto salvation.   

The world is filled with wickedness and sin. Christians cannot escape nor cocoon themselves from the world. Christians are daily bombarded with temptations, seductions, distractions and pride of the world: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” 1 John 2:16a. Thus, as God’s children, Christians are to be “separated” from the children of the world. Christians are to be the light and salt of the world. Let not the Christian light dim nor the salt lose its flavour.

Please note that the world is not just outside the homes of the believers but also inside! Why is this so? Well, as one switches on the radio, television or read the newspapers, magazines etc they are filled with secular philosophy, idolatry, immorality and worldly pursuits. The world comes knocking at the door of our minds and hearts persistently and insistently! Oftentimes so subtle that believers are lured away from the path of righteousness and holiness without knowing. How long can one resist or flee unless God sends help and remedy!

Do not underestimate the power of the Devil. Christians in general spend six days in the world and only a day, that is, the Lords’ Day, in the church. A Christian needs to put on the whole armour of God daily in order to have a victorious Christian life (cf. Ephesians 6:11).

What is the “whole armour of God”? The Apostle Paul answers: “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:14-17.

Yes, Christians need to know and equip with the Truth of God found in the Bible.

How do we do this? Christians need to pray always as prayers connect us to God. God hears and answers prayers. We are to read and know the Bible. We must not think that we are able to resist or flee from the devil without God’s help. Again, do not underestimate the power of the wicked one nor overestimate your own strength. The Devil has been around since the creation of time. He knows every human needs and weaknesses and will exploit the frail and weak human minds. Who do humans think they are that they can overcome the wicked one on their own? May God forbid us to think so. Christians are to come together to pray, read and search the Scripture, look after and care for one another.

Today, good fundamental churches continue to preach the Word of God with boldness that many may know the Truth. “The mystery of the gospel” at the time of the Apostle Paul had not been fully revealed. Today, we have the full gospel and thus is a mystery no more. We are now able to know the whole Truth! God’s servants and all believers now have the complete Word of God to teach, share and encourage one another.

Importance of Church worship and Fellowship groups: Christians have the responsibility to know what the whole armour of God is. Christians have to ensure that their respective armour is aways “battle ready” as it is to be worn daily. Reason is the enemy will attack anytime, anywhere and unexpectedly.

Thus, a Christian needs to always equip and feed himself/herself with the Word of God. It is therefore important to be in good Christian fellowship to live a victorious Christian life!

Backsliding in your spiritual life? Are you concerned for your own spiritual growth and life? Are you drifting away from God? Let this be said: It is not possible to be alone nor stay away from Church and not being adversely affected in your spiritual life. There is no shelter, weapon or shield so strong that the fiery darts of the devil will not penetrate to set aflame the little “old sinful nature” that still indwells in us. Thus, the earlier a Christian realises this, the earlier he/she will live a life pleasing unto God. Be forewarned: It is frightening to drift away from God and, in so doing, losing His blessings and incurring His anger and wrath in due time!

Not negligent or Ignorant in God’s Word: It is important to have a comprehensive understanding, and to hold fast to biblical doctrines, otherwise, the child of God will drift away. Ignorant and negligent of God’s Word are the breeding grounds of nominal Christians. Do you belong to this group? Today, many Christians consider it “a conscience trip” to go to church without any obligation to hear the sermons preached. Even if they hear, they hear not as the spirit of neglect controls them. They have learnt nothing though they sat through the sermons. They are pre-occupied with the worldly cares and soon they will slip away from the Lord and eventually depart and trapped by the worldly pursuits! Every Christian must take heed and watch his/her steps of faith in his/her walk with Christ. Be not negligent nor ignorant of God’s Word!

Philemon Fellowship: To ensure Christians be in-step and not to neglect or be ignorant of the Word of God, it is important to have fellowship groups where members can pray together, study the Word of God, encourage, care and share one another’s burden. It is also the place where the world is kept out and God dwells within. A place of solace, refuge and healing from the onslaught of the evils and temptations of the world. Philemon Fellowship will be the platform for spiritual growth, learning, provoking one another unto love and good works. Faith is being renewed, rebuilt and restored. It is a prelude to the heavenly gatherings where saints will live together. There will be much singing and rejoicing. Thus, the starting of this Philemon Fellowship.

Inauguration date: The Philemon Fellowship will have its first gathering on 12^th March 2022. If you do not belong to any Fellowship group, whether you are in the English or Chinese Congregation, do come and be blessed. Let your spiritual life blossom. May you be a godly testimony to many - to both the believers and unbelievers. May your faith grow from faith to faith. The Lord bless you and keep you.

In Christ, Eld. Choe Tong Seng