Newsletter 2014/9/21

Lord’s Day Message: Hebrews 9

Bible Verses: (ESV)

¹ Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. ² For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. ³ Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, ⁴ having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. ⁵ Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

⁶ These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, ⁷ but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. ⁸ By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing ⁹ (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, ¹⁰ but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

¹¹ But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) ¹² he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. ¹³ For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

¹⁵ Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. ¹⁶ For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. ¹⁷ For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. ¹⁸ Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. ¹⁹ For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, ²⁰ saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” ²¹ And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. ²² Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

²³ Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. ²⁵ Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, ²⁶ for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷ And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, ²⁸ so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Message Outline:

I. The picture of sanctuary and its service

The sanctuary is the place for people to be close to God and worship Him. On one side, it shows the distance and separation between them. On another side, it does present the way that how people can approach God.

II. The characteristics of earthly sanctuary and its service

1. The earthly sanctuary is for man to worship God, yet it cannot make man perfect. (6, 9)
2. Its regulations are only deal of flesh imposed until the time of reformation (the first coming of Christ) (10)
3. It needs the blood repeatedly to sanctify and clean people, the sanctuary and its vessels. (7, 12~13, 19~22)
4. They are copies of the true sanctuary and services in heaven (24)

III. The characteristics of the service of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary

1. It is not made with hands, not of this creation and is greater and more perfect than the earthly one. (11)
2. Christ becomes the better sacrifice, shedding His blood to accomplish the eternal redemption, to cleanse our conscience that we can serve the living God and receive the eternal inheritance (the will of Christ). (12~17, 23, 26~28)
3. Christ will appear second time to save us even more (28)

Next Topics: Hebrews 10

Church Meetings/Time/Place

Home Meeting: 22/9 Mon. 7:30pm, Richard Cui’s

(7:00pm dinner)

Young Professionals Meeting:

23/9 Tue. 7:30pm, Meeting Hall

Sister meeting: 24/9 Wed. 10:00am, Meeting Hall

Prayer Meeting:24/9 Wed. 7:30pm, Meeting Hall

Pursuing of Words: 26/9 Fri. 8:00pm, David’s

All the brothers who share Lord’s Day message are welcome to participate

Young People Meeting/Pursuing for Adults：27/9 Tue. 7:30pm, Richard & Lamee’s

Announcements:

1. We welcome all the new ones who are joining us today and hope that you can leave your information for us to contact you in the future.
2. The church will invite Brother Titus Chu as the speaker for the conference on October 4~6. We hope all the brothers and sisters can separate the time to participate.

Brother Richard Chen and Patrick Li will be the mangers for the conference. They will ask brothers and sisters to serve and we hope all can respond to support. If you have any suggestion, please also have fellowship with them.

The invitation cards are prepared for the brothers and sisters to distribute. Please take them after the meeting. We hope many other Christians and gospel friends can join us to receive the supply of God’s words and blessing.

3. Today after the lunch the church will have spring cleaning. We hope many brothers and sisters can participate. Brothers Patrick and Thomas will arrange the serving in detail.

<Reminder>

1. During the meeting, please turn off your mobile phone or put the volume on silence.
2. The serving of the church

Hall Maintenance: Michael Lin & Richard Chen

Hall Cleaning: Richard Cui & Patrick Li.

3. When you prepare the love feast for Lord’s Day lunch, please do not prepare any food containing nuts that someone may have food allergy. After the love feast, please remember to bring back your plates.

 Intercession:

1. Pray for the coming Spring Conference that we will have a spirit of desiring and will receive His abundant supply of the Words. May the Lord bless all the participating brothers and sisters as well as the gospel friends.
2. Pray for Cindy and Lydia who are newly baptized that they can grow healthily in the Lord.

Keep praying for the gospel friends among us, especially the young people and our family members, 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 year 11 and 12 young people among us that they can experience the Lord’s grace and receive His wisdom and guidance for their future in the HSC.
4. Pray for the brothers and sisters who are weak in body or spirit. May the Lord care for them and give them grace.

Serving Today: (Sep. 21)

1. Sharing: Richard Chen & Yulin Wang
2. Breaking the Bread: Shanwon Chow & Jason Wang

Serving Bread and Cup: Jack Lee, Richard Cui & Sean Dong

3. Pianist:  Nelson Chen
4. Cleaning:  All saints (Steven Wang Family, Shirley Chen, Peter Pan, Richard & Lamee Family, David & Ching)

Serving Next Week: (Sep. 28)

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

Serving Bread and Cup: Steven Wang, Jason Wang, Jack Lee & Patrick Li

3. Pianist:  Hannah Cui
4. Cleaning:  Steven Wang Family, Shirley Chen, Peter Pan, Richard & Lamee Family, David & Ching