As we start the new year with the conviction to start right with God, let us consider our Church mission of “being and making disciples of Christ” and how we can apply ourselves to fulfilling the mission. Ps Luwin spoke of the need for the proclamation of the Word, which is the light, to the needy and lost, and also for the sanctification to the saints. Ps Daniel followed up with the message of prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit for our sanctification and deeds of love. Truly, the work of being and making disciples is God’s work, and on our own strength, we will not be able to do the work ourselves. We need God’s power, grace and wisdom to fulfill the mission of our Church.
But the work of being and making disciples of Christ is not limited to the pastors, elders, deacons and deaconesses, although as church leaders, they are expected to lead by example. The work is to be done by everyone who is a part of the church. Each of us has been given different gifts and everyone can and should use their gifts to serve God, to build up His church through being and making disciples of Christ.
I am impressed by the commitment of the praise and worship team who have, since we moved into Henderson, committed to leading and singing at every Sunday’s worship service. They have transformed our worship into vibrant and edifying worship.I believe many of us have been blessed by their ministry. But, let’s not forget the members who work behind the scenes to ensure that the sound, lights and presentation work smoothly at every service. We might not have noticed, or taken them for granted. Even the stewardship team deserves accolades for making everyone feel welcome and seating us comfortably.
Similarly, the ministry of mercy, namely the community services and missions outreaches led by Dns Lai Kin, have enabled Hermon to reach out to those near and far. We are not keeping the gospel to ourselves and benefitting ourselves only, but, ever conscious of the Lord’s command in Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” we are committed to using our resources to bless the work of our community and overseas missions.
This is exactly what the apostle Paul is saying to all believers in Romans 12:4–7: “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”
May we be challenged to ask ourselves if we can play a part in Hermon’s mission of being and making disciples of Christ. Can we step up to serve in the Sunday School ministry as teachers, or lead a discipleship or CG group to help others grow in their walk of faith in God? Can we look to the harvest field around Henderson and consider how we can reach out to the unsaved in the community?
The opportunities to serve are plenty as the needs are tremendous, particularly the need for people to know the Lord and be saved. Will you serve God together with all in Hermon and bring to fruition our commitment of “being and making disciples of Christ”? - Deacon Lee Pak Choon
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