Newsletter 2014/3/23

Lord’s Day Message

Bible Verses: 2 Tim. 2:14-26 (NLT)

¹⁴ Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. ¹⁵ Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. ¹⁶ Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. ¹⁷ This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. ¹⁸ They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith. ¹⁹ But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The LORD knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil.”

²⁰ In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. ²¹ If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. ²² Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

²³ Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. ²⁴ A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. ²⁵ Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. ²⁶ Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

Outlines

I.      Becoming a worker not to be ashamed (14~19)

1. Stop fighting over words and avoid worthless, foolish talk
2. Work hard so you can present yourself to God
3. Correctly explains the word of truth

“correctly explain” the Greek word means cut straight. It indicates to explain the word of truth in a correct way, as well as to cut a straight way that many can walk on it to know the will of God.

II.        Becoming a special utensil for honorable use (20~22)

1. There are different values and functions for vessels
2. The application of honorable vessel: sanctified, used for the master to do the good works
3. The way to become the honorable vessel
   1. Keep yourself pure
   2. Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace.

III.       Becoming a servant who can gently instruct

1. Be kind to everyone
2. Be able to teach
3. Be patient with difficult people – hope they may come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap

Next Topics: 2 Tim. 3

Church Meetings/Time/Place

Home Meeting: 24/3 Mon. 7:30pm, Richard & Flora’s

Young Professionals Meeting:  25/3 Tue. 7:30pm, Meeting Hall

Sister meeting: 26/3 Wed. 10:00am, Lamee’s

Prayer Meeting: 26/3 Wed. 7:30pm，Meeting Hall

Young People Meeting/Pursuing for Adults：29/3 Sat. 7:30pm, Meeting Hall

Announcements:

1. We welcome all the new ones who are joining us today and hope you can leave your information for us to contact you in the future.
2. If the brothers and sisters see something need to be fixed in the meeting hall, please report to brothers Michael Lin or Richard Chen. If anyone has questions or suggestions for the cleaning service, please fellowship with brothers Richard Cui or Patrick Li.
3. This afternoon from 1:00 to 2:00 pm the church will have new believers lesson. We welcome all new believers as well as those who want to pursue and exercise to  join.
4. On April 18~21 (Friday night to Monday noon) the church plans to have a conference for both young people and adults at Collaroy. We hope many brothers and sisters can separate the time and participate together. We also encourage the young people to invite their friends to join. For details including the cost, please contact Brother Richard and Sister Lamee.

 Intercession:

1. Pray for the Collaroy conference that the Lord can have His way on us to enlighten, nourish and lead us to treasure the life growth He has prepared for us.
2. Please pray for the gospel friends among us so that our Lord can open their hearts to see God’s salvation and be willing to receive the Lord and become the member in God’s family.
3. Pray for the health of each family (especial for the older ones). Pray especially for the mother of Brother Jason Wang and Sister Da-Nan Lu who just came back from China. May the Lord care her spirit, soul, and body.

Serving Next Week: (Mar. 30)

1. Sharing: Olsen Yu & Yulin Wang
2. Breaking the Bread: Richard Chen & Olsen Yu

Serving Bread and Cup: Olsen Yu, Patrick Li & Sean Dong

3.  Pianist: Yvonne Ingalls

4.  Cleaning: Richard & Flora Family, Joyce & Chris, Peter Gao, Olsen & Likun Family, Pauline Zhang, Rebecca Li