Today's Passage - Ephesians 3:7-9

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Ephesians 3:7-9   "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.  Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things."   Paul said here that he has become a servant, or "minister" in other translations, of this gospel.  It referred to his ministry of preaching the gospel, and also as a position of someone ordained by God to preach the gospel.   First of all, his status as a minister was not given by himself, but from God.  The Great Commission tells us that all of us need to testify for the Lord, but we need to first have God's calling and also confirmation by the church in order to become a minister of the gospel.  Many people in the ministry field ordain themselves, some become prophets and others become apostle.  There are a bunch of titles on their business cards, but they belong to no church.  A servant who's truly chosen by God must have confirmation from church and be willing to submit to the authority of the church.  One who doesn't submit under authority of a church can't really be used by God.  They only boast about themselves and cannot collaborate with others.  They forgot that no matter whether they are apostles, prophets or missionaries, their duty is always to perfect the saints but not to act alone.   Next, this minister must carry the working of God's power.  One who's truly chosen by God will have God's authority and power; the apostles must be able to establish churches and leaders with authority, and the prophets must have firm words from God to point out all types of gifts, and those who preach the gospel must be able to lead people to the Lord, break all authorities of idol and darkness and release hearts of people from sin.  God will use signs and wonders and affirm the word that they preach.   Third, a minister of the gospel must be humble in the hands of God while he's used by God.  Paul said here that "I am less than the least of all God's people," and in all his epistles we found that the more he served the more humble he became, because before God he found himself really not worthy of the calling.  In fact, if a person who serves God finds himself more capable as he serves more, perhaps he has never really served.  On the other hand, humility doesn't mean incompetence; Paul was humble, but he received the incomprehensible mystery of Christ from God and preached it to the gentiles, and people actually understood what he was preaching.  Apparently his work was effective and that was visible to the people.   Are you eager to become someone called by God to serve Him?  You must first humble yourself, seek and wait for God before Him, until God sends you and confirms you with signs and wonders.                                                                                    Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, I thank you because even though we are not worthy, you are happy to use us.  We humbly come before you to ask that your calling would come to us.  Let us serve you wherever we are in life, and let us witness the result of our ministry.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Ephesians 3:4-6

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Ephesians 3:4-6   "In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.  This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus."   Mystery of the gospel is that in Christ Jesus, gentiles and the chosen people of God are all heirs of God, members of one body and share the same promise.  We are all heirs because our lives are all from God, and it makes no difference if a person is Jew or gentile.  Since we are chosen by God, we all belong to God.  We are members of the same body because there's no distinction between chosen people of God; no one way judgment our authentic status as God's chosen people by the difference in opinion, look or tradition.  We receive the same promises that God has given to us in Christ, because the promises are prepared for you and me.  Promise of God is not given more to some and less to others, but rather to every chosen person that belongs to God.  As long as you belong to God, you would have the seal that shows you belong to God, and you have the right to enjoy all the promises from God.   How is this truth a mystery?  It's a mystery because it was not known to people in the Old Testament time.  In the Old Testament time, there was great distinction between gentiles and Jews.  Jews consider themselves chosen by God and they look down on the gentiles.  To the Jews, it was quite a mystery that it's God's will to have gentiles and Jews in one body and receive the same promises.  This mystery was revealed by the Holy Spirit through apostles and prophets; Paul understood this mystery, and Peter also understood this mystery after he saw the Holy Spirit working among the gentiles in the house of Cornelius.  When the early church met in Jerusalem for their first counsel, the Holy Spirit and the attendants confirmed this will of God in everyone's heart - Jews and gentiles are one in Christ.   Paul no only understood this mystery of gospel, but he also struggled for it all its life.  Many have tried to block him and enemy had disturbed him, but nothing could stop him.  He no only had a sense of mission, but he was also willing to take up this responsibility, and God used him to accomplish the work of His Kingdom.  Are you willing to take on this mission from God?  May God come and stir us up!                                                                                    Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, I thank you because we can take part in God's promises.  Although we are not worthy, in Christ we can enjoy all kinds of privilege and blessings.  May the Lord help us to know how to hold on to your promise, and give us courage to take on the mission that you will entrust us.  No matter what kind of circumstance we face, we proclaim that we long to you and your grace and authority will be manifested through us.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Ephesians 3:1-3

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Ephesians 3:1-3   "For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles - Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly."   Mystery of gospel is a turning point for Paul's life.  This mystery was shown to Paul through the vision he saw with his own eyes, thus he had no choice but to believe.  One who is used by God must see what God's shown him.  When Moses saw the burning bush in the wild that would not be burnt out, the vision attracted him.  Elisha saw Elijah taken to the heaven by a chariot of fire with angels and heavenly hosts, the vision also became the turning point in his life.  In the same way, when Paul encountered the great light on his way to Damascus, he encountered the Lord in the light, and this vision gave him a 180 degree turnabout.   Mystery of gospel not only turned Paul's life around, but also taught him how to face human suffering from a different perspective.  He said that he became "prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles."  He not only suffered for this mystery, he was also able to face suffering with a positive attitude.  It's not something to be ashamed of, but rather to be proud of, because he was suffering with the Lord.  As long as understand mystery of gospel, suffering meant nothing to him.  Not only that, mystery of gospel also turned him into a person with sense of mission, for he knew that God has given him the task of preaching the gospel.  Therefore, he's no longer an ordinary person, but rather one with God's mission and commission.  No matter where you are and what you are doing, you need to know what mission has God entrusted you, else you life will never be fully satisfied.   After many years as a pastor, I discovered that no matter what a person's social status is and how successful he's seen by others, he will always ask: "What am I living for?"  Many people climb to ladder of success all their life, but end up asking: "Is this it?  How come this is it?"  If we don't understand the mission that we are entrusted by God when we are created, we'll always have a void deep down inside our heart.  Paul knows what God entrusted him, thus he's not afraid of the difficulties; no matter whether it's a spiritual struggle or tough situation, nothing could hinder his journey forward.  Do you have such momentum when you are faced with difficulties in life?  You need to turn back to God and ask God to reveal Himself to you.  When you see, you will know how the Lord will become the guidance and strength for your life!                                                                                    Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, I thank you because you are our strength and help.  May God open our eyes to know what you have entrusted us in our life, and let us run after you.  Let us give our life to your hands so that you may use us.  Only when you are using us will we be able to see the true meaning and purpose for our life.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Ephesians 2:21-22

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Ephesians 2:21-22   "In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."   It is wonderful that in Christ we can become a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit wants to live within us so that we can clearly know that we belong to God.  Bible describes that Holy Spirit lives within us much like a seal on us.  A seal has several functions:   First, it's a sign of belonging.  Many people like to stamp a seal on their books, so that when someone picks up the book they know to whom it belongs to.  In the same way, when the Holy Spirit lives within us, God has stamped a seal on us saying that we belong to Him.  He's especially saying to the devil Satan, "don't bother him, he belongs to me."  One who belongs to God must have this sense of "seal" in order not to be attacked by deception of the enemy.   Next, the seal is a guarantee of quality.  When the Spirit lives within us, it's like we have received a seal of quality assurance, representing that we will one day be like Jesus.  Bible often mentioned that Jesus is our early fruit, which is a quality guarantee; if the early fruit is sour, the ripe fruit will be sour, but if the early fruit is sweet then the ripe fruit will be sweet too.  If Jesus has become our early fruit, then our life will take on His form, which is a quality guarantee.    Once you know that you have seal of the Lord on you, you must live a life worthy of it, and you can claim victory again the enemy in the name of the Lord.  Just like what Paul said in Galatians 6:17: "Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus."  On the other hand, you also need to be united with others who have the same seal, because the sanctuary of the Lord doesn't just have you alone.  We are like blocks of stone that the Holy Spirit is stacking up in order for us to be united, be edified together, and ultimately to become a glorious temple.  One block of stone won't have any glory, but once a temple built, the whole temple reflects the glory of the Lord.  May God help us to be edified together in the Kingdom of God!                                                                                    Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, I thank you because your Holy Spirit is living within us.  We have become your temple, and we also know that we belong to you.  In our daily life, help us to live worthy of the seal, so that you may receive the greatest glory through us.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Ephesians 2:19-20

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Ephesians 2:19-20   "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."   Those in Christ are "members of God's household," and this is a very important value to the Christians.  The value system of the Kingdom of God is the value system of our spiritual home.  Paul very clearly said here that we are "no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household."  Those who believe in the Lord form a big spiritual family.  Since we are in the same family, we should carry out the value system of the family.  What is the key factor to having a happy family?  Is it money, indulgence, or good fortune?  None of them!  If it was that easy, then all the families ought to be happy and satisfied.  It is nonetheless mutual love, support and accountability that make a family edifying to its members and bring real satisfaction and happiness.  A healthy family doesn't follow the value system of the world, where people strive satisfy themselves and control others, but instead everyone will seek to edify and satisfy others.   Life in God's Kingdom is much the same.  God not only saved us from sin, He also brought us into a new body, which is the church, the house of God.  Through this body, our relationship with God and others is established.  Just like what Psalm 68 says, in God's sanctuary He gives the lonely ones a home.  People are supposed to be lonely entities; whether we are single or married, we are just individuals, but God's love joins us together to form one big family.   It is always God's will to form a body, but it is always the devil's ploy to destroy the body.  God's will is to let the lonely entities form a new body through connections made by the love of Christ, but Satan's ploy is to break up the new body into the status of lonely individuals.  It's not easy to live in a spiritual family; we are often afraid what would happen to ourselves if we only care about edifying and satisfying others.  God's word, however, says that we ought to live by faith, not by sight.  If you live by sight, you won't be able to move forward, but we can live by faith, which is established in our God who never lies.  By faith we believe that when we live to edify and support each other, not only can others be edified, we can also be edified.  We can also by faith become a living testimony that edify and satisfy others.                                                                                    Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, I thank you because you have put us in a spiritual family so that we can support, love and edify one another.  May the Lord give us a humble and soft heart so that we would know your will.  Let us work together with one another in the church so that we have beautiful living testimonies.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Ephesians 2:16-18

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Ephesians 2: 16-18   ".. and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."                   The gospel of Jesus Christ is the peace-making gospel, we are first reconciled to God through this gospel. Separated by sin, our relationship with God was broken, yet because of Lord Jesus's work on the cross, the enmity between God and us is broken. When we partake the Holy Communion, it is a reminder of this truth, Jesus's broke his body for us so that we can repair and restore our relationship with God.                  Next, this gospel reconciles us to people. The hostility among us, inability to forgive and accept each other, harboring grudges, not letting go, dwelling on the past hurt, getting even, in God's grace these things will be taken away. Christians must face this matter seriously, firmly prohibiting the enemy to control you through hostility and hurt. For many years, you and I pay lip service to the teachings of forgiveness, now in the name of the victorious Jesus, we have to stop the work of the enemy, declare our freedom in the name of the Lord and make peace with others!                  Third, this gospel will make us a peacemaker. God gives us the mission to preach the gospel, to bring the lost souls of this world before Him. Looking around the world, you'll find that God-given mission is not to preach the gospel just to people far away, it is also to preach to people who are near. The people far away are the overseas missions, many churches overlook overseas missions, they said, "we can't take care of the far away people as we can't even take care of people around us." Thanks to the Lord that Taylor Hudson did not listen to such sayings, so the Gospel reached China; Livingstone did not listen to such sayings, so the Gospel reached Africa. We need to actively participate in world missions, because God's work is always global, not local. Only through knowing God's work in the world can we work effectively at the local level. This gospel also needs to reach the people who are near, they are family members, friends and the people around you. Our eyes should look not only the faraway places while ignoring the places near us, preaching the gospel is never witnessing at only the ends of the earth, it is from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, starting from your own home and your own town. Ask God to help us to become a peacemaker!                                                                                    Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, we put our lives in your hands, help us to see your given "peace-making" mission, knowing the need to preach the gospel not only to the people far away, there is also the need to preach to the people who are near. Ask the Lord to open our hearts to witness in daily lives with glory, and to draw all men unto you. We give thanks and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

Today's Passage - Ephesians 2:14-15

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Ephesians 2: 14-15   For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,  by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace.    Erecting walls are human nature and people are good at raising walls among their fellow people, families as well as churches.  This is because the ability to erect walls is a sign of superiority and righteousness while, in fact, our righteousness in the eyes of God is only a piece of wretched cloth. This is the very reason that Jesus died for our sins on the cross.  His death has severed us from the bondage of our own self-centeredness and righteousness.  As we humble ourselves and confess our sins, we would come to recognize the walls we erected most of our lives have disappeared because with His salvation, the Lord has removed all walls.        A book called, "Stubborn Love"  describes a middle-aged couple who had squabbled since their marriage and now their children are all gone leaving this couple alone.  One day, they squabbled again on how the toilet paper should be placed.  After the husband had left the house for work, the wife was still furious and decided to take her life.  As she took a razor blade trying to cut her wrist, the phone rang and she wanted to wait for the phone to stop ringing before committing the act.  The phone continued ringing for 15 times and she finally picked up the phone.  It was a call from a brother who had just joint their church.  He told her on the   phone, "Sister, in the name of our Lord, I ask you to stop whatever you are doing!"  She knew immediately that was the words from God and she knelt down to confess her sins and, as a result, she was remorseful of her past behavior in mistreating her husband.  That evening, she decorated her home and prepared a delicious meal for her husband.  When her husband returned home, he handed her a letter. To her surprise, it was a copy of his will.  It happened that her husband remained angry after arriving in his office and wanted to commit suicide. When he raised his gun, it suddenly dawned on him that he is a Christian and knelt down to pray immediately.  God's spirit let him realized he had mistreated his wife all those days; he then knelt down and confess his sins in front of God.  At that moment, they embraced each other crying and vowed to start their lives with a new beginning.    Brothers and sisters, salvation can break down any walls!  May the Lord help us so that we would never to build the walls  that God has taken down again!                                                                                         Pray with Pastor Tong           Brother and sister, have you erected walls separating you from your family,  brothers and sisters and friends?  In the victorious name of Jesus, break down all these walls for God has already forgiven all our sins. May the Lord help us never to rebuild them again.  May You be our Lord and restore all severed relationships.  With thanks we pray in the name of our victorious Jesus, Amen!