Mon, May 26, 2014
As our country celebrates the Memorial Holiday, let us remember and give thanks to God for service men and women who gave their lives so this country could continue and live in the privileges we have. We should also extend prayers to family, friends and co-workers who in recent years have lost people because of this service. May God's comfort, peace and strength bring recovery and renewal upon them.
Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Christ is The Rescuer for all humanity, who gave his life so all could really live and have eternal life.
For the various reasons one may join the military, I don't believe any service person joins for the sole purpose of dying. None set out to die. They recognize the inherent danger of military work and combat, and know that death is possible, but none say his or her intention is to die. Christ came to earth to die. That was his intention in coming. In obedience to the Father, Christ knew his death was required, and no other ransom was sufficient or comparable to save man from God's wrath and to reconcile with God. In the helplessness of man, Jesus became the ultimate Servant.
Looking to Jesus as our example, we should "die for others" (Jn 15:12-14, 1 Jn 3:16) and become a servant to all. Not an easy task, to say the least, but placing humanity above personal survival, personal gain and personal comfort was what Jesus did. "He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Phil 2:8). Dying for others is lowering ourselves to uplift and benefit them. It may cost a little. It may cost a lot.
But who shall we serve? Well, everyone. The expectation upon us—in obedience to God the Father—is to have the same regard for others as Jesus did for us. Jesus also died for the Jewish priests, pharisees, scribes that persecuted him and the Romans guards that killed him. For the strangers who need help, for the bosses who are jerks, for the rude neighbors—they're the ones we're also to serve, not just the people we like. As American soldiers died in service for anonymous citizens, God wants us to serve those who he brings into our presence, know them or not, like them or not. That's being like Jesus. That's loving like Jesus.
Connections this Week | Sustainable Relationships.
Tue, May 27, 7-9:30p | Gerry & Suzie Gee's house (MPK)
Thu, May 29, 7-9:30p| Simeon & Amy Wong's house (MPK)
Light dinner provided at each meeting. Join us for community.
Topic: Singleness & Marriage
Thu, May 29, 7-9:30p| Simeon & Amy Wong's house (MPK)
Light dinner provided at each meeting. Join us for community.
Topic: Singleness & Marriage
Speakers: Spencer Sun & John Chow
ESPM | English Speaking Prayer Meeting
Wed, 7:45-9:00pm | Praise CenterESPM | English Speaking Prayer Meeting
Join the church to pray. With the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament for Chinatown this Saturday, we want to continue to keep it in prayer. We seek after God's oversight and presence. We seek for his sovereignty over this day and how he will use this event for his will and glory.
