ACM AND SERVING GOD

From the Board of Elders

Dear Members in Christ,

ACM and Serving God.

“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.

The Annual Congregation Meeting (ACM) will be held on 3^rd July 2022. This will be conducted after the morning Combined Worship Service at 8:30am. Members are invited to stay back to participate. Regular visitors are also invited to attend as observers. As observers they are not to participate like asking questions or have any voting rights.

ACM is an important appointment for God’s people to participate. It is a time to understand and to know the spiritual health and work of the Church. You will know what the Church has done or not done or can be done better for the glory of God. You will also be able to appreciate and give praise and thanks to God, how God through His people sustained the Church and His work during the time of the pandemic.

Members can also seek clarity from the leaders on issues and challenges that they deem important but were not highlighted or overlooked by the Session leaders. Members can also propose to the leaders to introduce or enhance spiritual programs or church activities which are able to improve or help members to grow or for the salvation of souls. Members are also to examine themselves whether they could be involved or more involved in the various ministries available.

Christians are saved to serve: The Bible reminds us that each one of us is “…his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2:10. We are to be involved in the work of His kingdom upon our salvation. We are not to be passive Christians after salvation BUT to be active in participating in the work of His kingdom. God expects us to repay our salvation debt, and to share the joy of salvation, so that the gospel message of light can also reach many others who are in darkness and be saved unto God’s kingdom of light.

The Bible also teaches in the parable of the talents where the master of the household gave each of his servants, according to each of their ability, to invest when he was going away to a far country to do business (cf. Matthew 25:14-30). The Lord explained the parable and commented that the profitable servants were those who had invested and multiplied the talents when the master was away. To the unprofitable servant, who held onto the single talent, the Lord was displeased and called him a wicked and slothful servant. This unprofitable servant was cast into outer darkness where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. God expects His children to be profitable servants busy about doing the work of His kingdom. Do you?

Dear brethren, how can we be profitably active if we do not know what is happening in the local church where you are a member? Thus, participating in the ACM is imperative.

Using your talents: From the parable of the talents, we know that God endows each of His children with at least one talent. In our context here, talent is defined as a special natural skill. Talents given are not to be stored away nor for self-glory. Talents given by God are to be used for His glory in the service of His kingdom.

Some are given the talents of teaching and preaching of God’s Word. Many with voices to sing can praise God in the choir, some with musical talent in playing musical instruments, some in hospitality and given to service, some in visitation and counselling etc. Whatever God give to you and me, let us serve God together. Do not be content in doing nothing like the servant who did nothing with the 1 talent his master gave to him!

Or you may plead ignorant by saying I do not know my talent. Therefore, I do not know which area to serve. You may ask your family members or the brethren or the leaders in the Church to help you to uncover your talent/s. There are also brethren whom I know who went about serving in the various ministries until they discover the ministry that God appointed them to serve. If you are in the same dilemma as these brethren, you may also take the same approach.

The way forward is to pray and examine yourself. God will speak and lead you. Will you not step forward to serve? Do not deprive yourself of the joy of service to the Lord.

Wait for another day: I understand and sympathise with brethren who want to serve but say “not now, another day.” True indeed if the brother genuinely believes he is not ready for one reason or another. Let me say “he can never be ready”. Why? Because the devil, the master schemer will keep on whispering to this brother that he is never ready. What is the solution? Pray and know the Word of God. For the Word of God is the sword of the spirit slaying the evil intent and thoughts. God’s Word will give you victory in wanting to serve the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Wake up, brethren! The Word of God says “go and serve” without hesitation, without delay, without giving justification nor excuse. Upon the demise of Moses, God told Joshua to go and lead His people into the promised land. When God commands and we obey, God will be with us. “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9. Yes, God will enable and be with us as we look to God in our walk and service to Him.

Do not worry about your material needs: God’s Word in Matthew 6: 33 will surely comfort and assure us as we serve Him. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” God is sovereign and He provides for His own. If He loves even the sparrows what more for us. Are we not worth more than the sparrows (cf. Mat 10:29-31)?

Start serving. Do not delay: As you attend the ACM to know more about the affairs of the Church, I pray that you will come forward to serve. Commit yourself to God. Tell God that you want to serve. Tell Him your love and heart’s desire to please and serve Him. God will surely answer as there are many areas of needs in the Church from serving in the pulpit to the playing of music, singing, hospitality and greetings, service in the library and book room to the “unseen” work of cleaning and arranging the pews. 

God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. He knows our intent and purpose of serving Him as well. All service rendered must be for God’s glory and not for a selfish agenda or to please someone else other than God Himself. Serve God heartily and cheerfully, not grudgingly, complaining nor with murmuring, is the key to godliness of service to please Him.

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24. Amen.

In Christ,
Eld. Choe Tong Seng