For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. (1Co 9:16-17)
Only the gospel can save lives. Every person has no true peace in the heart. We have many fears and unhappiness. We hide much hatred and jealousy in our hearts. Such things take away peace. Every person has to face the certainty and threat of diseases and death. How then can anyone have peace?! Thus, regardless how happy a person look, he has no reason to have peace and satisfaction in life.
Christians, however, have every reason to feel peaceful. The reason is our Lord Jesus Christ has conquered death. To us, death opens the gates of heaven. The moment we die, we will return home to be with our Lord for eternity. Praise the Lord. Christians are also not afraid of sufferings because “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28); “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31); “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2Co 12:9). There are so many other wonderful promises from our God. We Christians are so special: we are loved and taken care of by our Almighty and Loving Heavenly Father for eternity.
How then can we not preach this wonderful gospel?! The church will be adopting a two-pronged approach. First, we urge you to identify family members, relatives and friends, including colleagues whom you wish to reach out to. We will start with those whom we have been praying for some years during the church prayer meeting. As we have been praying for them regularly every Tuesday, I believe the Holy Spirit will also work in their hearts. If possible, I urge you to be courageous and arrange for the church visitation team and cell group members to visit them. Do not fear. The Holy Spirit can soften the hearts of these unbelievers.
Second, on 7th June 2014, a few of us with the church leaders did a survey of a few HDB blocks in Bukit Batok. We hope to bring the church to them by making friends with them and letting them to get to know us in a relaxed way. As we are total strangers to these residents, it’ll be extremely difficult and unlikely for them to open their hearts to us. If they cannot open their hearts to us, we will not be able to share with them the gospel effectively. Perhaps it is for this reason that many churches are no longer going from door to door to preach the gospel. In fact, the probability of someone coming to know Christ or to church by just mere knocking on the door and doing invitation is close to zero. Our church hopes to make friends with these residents by giving them meaningful gifts and organizing meaningful events for them.
To do that, we urge one and all to come and help. May the Lord prosper His gospel by our hands.