Pastoral Letters

Building a Spiritual Home in Unity and with Perseverance

March 15, 2020 Author:Elder Liu Kerh Li
Church fellowship is one of the conditions required for wholesome Christian spiritual growth. When we believed in Christ, God’s commandment is for us to be nourished spiritually through the church in order that we might grow to be a mature Christian. Ephesians 4:11-16 tells us that “so Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Indeed, we can testify to this truth at work and its bearing fruit. We could see God building us spiritually through people of varying gifts in the church as we help one another.

From our midst God raised up Bible teachers, who include Pastor, Sunday School teachers and fellowship mentors, so that we could correctly understand biblical truths. God has given us brothers and sisters in Christ who are musically gifted so that we could praise and worship God, and given us brothers and sisters in Christ who are gifted in caring for others to comfort and visit those who are sick or grieving.

Thus, when we are downcast in life, we could continue to look up to God. God gave us artistically creative brothers and sisters to build a good place for worship so that we could worship here in comfort and learn. In summary, by providing for us brothers and sisters in Tree of Life Christian Church, God nourished us spiritually. I believe brothers and sisters who worship here feel the same as I do. Thank God!

Since God has placed us in this big spiritual family, we ought to serve Him with the gifts God has given to us. Then the church will become a place filled with the warmth and love of God. When this place overflows with God’s love, it will naturally attract people here. I feel that everyone in the church is improving in this aspect. The outlook is very encouraging. That said, we must be vigilant not to allow the devil an opportunity to sow seeds of discord within the church. When people of different backgrounds, despite being Christians, come together, there will be conflicts and disagreements. When such situations arise, the Bible teaches us to set aside our self-centredness, learn to emphathise with others and to forgive. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4). This is a higher demonstration of Jesus’ command to love one another. Where does the motivation to love in this way come from? It comes from Jesus. “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8).

Today, we will be hold our Annual Congregation Meeting after worship service. We will discuss matters pertaining to “family matters” of Tree of Life Christian Church. I urge all to participate enthusiastically because this family is built by all of us. We welcome brothers and sisters in Christ to raise your views, questions, and suggestions. Let us make Tree of Life Christian Church a place that is pleases God. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life” (Philippians 2:13-16a).