Newsletter 2018/7/15

Newsletter for Church in Sydney   July 15, 2018

 

 

Message: Acts 10:1-11:18

Cornelius’ vision

¹ At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, ² a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. ³ About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” ⁴ And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. ⁵ And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. ⁶ He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” ⁷ When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, ⁸ and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Peter’s Vision

⁹ The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. ¹⁰ And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance ¹¹ and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. ¹² In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. ¹³ And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” ¹⁴ But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” ¹⁵ And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” ¹⁶ This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

¹⁷ Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate ¹⁸ and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. ¹⁹ And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. ²⁰ Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” ²¹ And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” ²² And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” ²³ So he invited them in to be his guests.

The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. ²⁴ And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. ²⁵ When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. ²⁶ But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” ²⁷ And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. ²⁸ And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. ²⁹ So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.” ³⁰ And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing ³¹ and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. ³² Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ ³³ So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

Gentiles Hear the Good News

³⁴ So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, ³⁵ but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. ³⁶ As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), ³⁷ you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. ³⁹ And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, ⁴⁰ but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, ⁴¹ not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles

⁴⁴ While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. ⁴⁵ And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. ⁴⁶ For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, ⁴⁷ “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Questions for Group Discussion

1. Cornelius was already a devout person who feared God. However, what more did he need as God revealed to him in his vision and the things that happened afterwards?
2. Please summarize the vision Peter received. What is the connection between the vision and his gospel preaching to Cornelius’ family? Do you have a similar experience that when you preach the gospel or served and you realize that you need to put down your old concept? Please share.

Message Next Week:      Acts 11:19-12:24

Announcements:

1. We welcome all the new ones who are joining us today. May God bless you and lead you into this family of God.
2. Brother Stephen Hao will go back to Chicago tomorrow. We thank God who led him to serve us in these two months. May the Lord remember his labour among us and bless his work in the church in Chicago.
3. Thank the Lord who led Sister Heidi Li to be baptized at Olsen’s house last night. May the Lord bless her family and lead her in the future. Please pray for Sister Tracy and Sophie who are going to be baptized next week. May the Lord strengthen their faith.
4. Concerning the food service and cleaning service, may all the brothers and sisters keep supporting in love and remember the need in finance. If you have suggestions or desire to join the food service, please fellowship with brother Ming Pan and sister Lily Li. If you have any suggestion for the cleaning service, please fellowship with brother Richard Cui or Sam Li.
5. The Gospel Odyssey will be from August 3 to 14 this year and there are 12 brothers and sisters coming from North America. May we all begin to prepare and pray in the spirit so that the Lord can give us the fruits of gospel.

If you can open your home for hospitality or are willing to participate the gospel work, please contact Brother Thomas Wu.

Church Meetings/Time/Place

Home Meetings

Chinese Speaking Young People: 16/7 Mon. 7:00pm, Richard Cui (w/dinner)

@ Kingsgrove: 17/7 Tue. 10:30am, Shanwon (w/lunch)

@ Chatswood: 19/7 Thu. 8:00pm, Ming Pan

@ North Region: 21/7 Sat. 7:30pm, Bill & Christine

@ Warrawee: 21/7 Sat. 7:30, Olsen & Likun

Pursuing of Uni Students:

17/7 Tue. 7:00pm, Yulin (w/ dinner)

Sisters Meeting: 18/7 Wed. 10:00am, Pauline

Prayer Meeting: 18/7 Wed. 7:45pm, Meeting Hall

Pursuing for Ministering: 20/7 Fri. 8:00pm, Ben

Intercession:

1. May the Lord bless our gospel friends so that they can know how precious the Lord is and become willing to believe in Him.

Pray for Aug. 3-11 Gospel Odyssey that the power of the gospel of God may be manifested among us.

2. Pray for the new believers (5 brothers: Stephen, William, Yuan Liu, Yuan-Pei Zhao and Chao Ma as well as 16 sisters: Lili Chen, Jenny Zhu, Yun-Yue Lin, Li-Qin Wu, Yun Zhu, Joies, Ariel Chen, Lu Gan, Lan-Xiu Zhang, Li-Fang Ge, Kelie Wei, Li-Yuan Xu, Jean Hu, MinFang Wu, XiuQing Chen and Heidi Li. May the Lord establish them in the church life and bless their growth in life.
3. Pray for the brothers and sisters or their relatives who are weak in body or spirit. May the Lord care for them and give them sufficient grace.
4. May the Lord bless those year 12 students (Holly, Crystal and Zylen etc.), give them wisdom and guide their future steps.

Serving This Week: (July 15)

1. Message: Stephen &Yulin Wang (Downstairs)

Benjamin Lim (Upstairs)

2. Breaking the Bread: Shanwon Chow & Richard Cui
3. Serving Bread and Cup: Ming Pan, Richard Cui, Sam Li & Patrick Li
4. Cleaning: Group of Olsen & Joe
5. Children: Supervisor – David

Singing & teaching – Esther

Serving Next Week: (July 22)

1. Message: Benjamin Lim (Downstairs)

Raymond Young (Upstairs)

2. Breaking the Bread: Richard Chen & Patrick Li
3. Serving Bread and Cup: Patrick Li, Olsen Yu, Benchu Guo & Peter Zhang
4. Cleaning: Group of CS young people
5. Children: Supervisor – Joe

Singing & teaching – Vasya & Angela

 

 

Church Activities in 2018

July 23 – Aug. 3.: Training in US Cleveland (Chinese Speaking)

Aug.3-14: Gospel Odyssey (visiting of US young people)

English speaking gospel meeting (12/8)

Oct.: Spring Conference

Dec.: Gospel Meeting with hymns

Conference in US (English Speaking)

 

 

 

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