Ancient Israel loves to celebrate. They call for a holiday and stop all work during at least five festivals (see Numbers 28:16-29:40), for reasons including God saving them out of the place of bondage in Egypt and for giving them a good harvest. But a major reason for celebration that underlies all these ancient festivals is to remember God’s care for Israel. Specifically, this refers to God giving Israel salvation. This salvation is a holistic one: it includes spiritual blessings and material blessings. In the same way today, we want to remember how God has taken care of us through the work of this church, that is, you.
First, through this church, many of us have received God’s salvation of eternal life and the sure hope of heaven. Someone remarked that it is wonderful to start a new church as everyone in a new church will be motivated to share the gospel to save souls. I’m often very encouraged by many of you who are eager to reach out with the gospel to your family members, relatives, friends and colleagues. The long list of people whom we pray for every Tuesday during prayer meeting testifies to your burden for lost souls. The Lord has also used you, that is, the church, to bring lost souls into His kingdom. It is thus no coincidence that over half of us are new converts with some having been Christians for less than 6 months in this church. Let’s continue to work hard to save souls from the crutches of the devil, sin and hell.
Second, we thank God that through this church, that is, you, many of you have grown in holiness and good Christian habits. Many of you including I can testify that in these four years, your lives have changed for the better (and of course, there are many areas in which we need to grow). Bad habits are replaced with holy disciplines. Hearts have warmed up so that today, many of you are faithfully serving God. I also bear witness to families as a unit experiencing the peace and grace of God.
Third, you have received God’s comfort through the church, that is, the brothers and sisters in the Lord here. Life is full of challenges and heartaches. But God has sustained you through difficult times by the fellowship of God’s people here.
Fourth, the church is “the pillar and foundation the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). Here in God’s church, you are blessed because you are nourished by the preaching and teaching of God’s Word.
As we celebrate our fourth anniversary, we thank God for raising up His church, so that we enjoy the sweet and life-giving power of the Almighty God. May the Lord be praised and highly exalted.