I would also like to take this opportunity to remind us to be diligent in some basic but very critical spiritual disciplines. There are four things that every Christian must do. They are God’s Word, prayer, fellowship, and evangelism. A Christian organisation, Navigators, pictures these four things as four spokes that support a wheel. This wheel will then be able to turn smoothly without collapsing.

First, God’s Word. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The Bible is able to supply you everything you need, both knowledge and strength to live this life victoriously. Do two things. First, read through the whole Bible. If you read four chapters a day, you will read the whole Bible in one year. Second, select one portion of the Bible daily and read it more carefully. Then, pray to God for help to obey what you have learnt. This is called Quiet Time.

Second, prayer. Christians must be people who spend much time praying and praying about many things. You cannot be a good leader or Christian if you are not a praying Christian. Come and attend the church prayer meeting regularly. The church prayer meeting is the power station of the church. Prayer brings down God’s help from heaven: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb 4:16).

Third, fellowship. I urge you to faithfully attend your cell group meetings and fellowship meetings. Where God’s people gather together, God and His blessings will be there: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 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” (Heb 10:24-25). You have an obligation to your church members, the one whom you see every Sunday to encourage him or her.

Fourth, evangelism. Christians must be regularly sharing the gospel with non-Christians. You should always remember that you are the light and salt of the world. Your life must be one that is able to attract non-Christians to the Lord. Hence, we must pray that God will use us to lead lost souls to the Lord. Give out gospel tracts to your friends. You can get them for free from the reception table. Also, pray and invite friends for the coming gospel Sunday on 18 September 2022. A gospel message will be preached. Two sisters will share their testimony of salvation. The choir will also present a song. May the Lord use you to lead lost souls to Christ. I hope you have been praying and have started to invite people to the coming gospel Sunday. Everyone should be inviting someone. If that person rejects your invitation, you have done your part. But you must pray for someone and take up courage to invite him or her.

Some Christians grow to become a life-giving Christian. Some, sadly, hardly grow. What kind of a Christian do you want to be? If you want to be a Christian who is filled with the life of God, you must work hard at these four areas: God’s Word, praying, fellowship, and evangelism. May you grow and grow up quickly.