The Kingdom of Heaven is Like a Net Let Down

Transcription

1 ` ISSUE 97 February 2010 WRITE TO EDITOR CONTENTS FEATURE>The Kindom of Heaven is Like a Net Let Down in the Lake CHURCH NEWS>Pioneering of the Batam Island... CHURCH NEWS>Evangelism for the Teenagers in Thailand (2/2) IA SCHEDULE.... IA LITERARY PUBLICATION ONE DOLLAR ONE SOUL..... Feature The Kingdom of Heaven is Like a Net Let Down Written by/kc Tsai in the Lake Our Lord Jesus spoke of seven parables in Matthew chapter thirteen, regarding what the kingdom of heaven is like. Just as the parables tell us, God is sowing His seeds. He uses parables to portray the different reactions men have when confronted with the truth of the gospel, and to describe the different phenomena of the church in different time periods. In the last parable, He said, "the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down in the lake..." Perhaps the seven parables are describing the path of the church in human history, from the past into the future. Then, the holy work of spreading the gospel in the end time will be like "letting down the net". "Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age..." (Matthew 13:47-49)

2 "This is how it will be at the end of the age." We do not know if the net that Lord Jesus spoke of is "the net" today, but we do know that evangelism at the end time will have to reach many different human races as vast as the seas. Each human race has its own unique daily living, eating habits, cultural backgrounds, and different ways of logical thinking. To evangelize such as we did in Asian communities in the past - talking to our neighbors, inviting them to evangelical services, long term truth seeking and doing follow-up, being rooted and watered through the counsels of constant church service attendance, frequent visiting and pasturingseems no longer possible. Applying the same methods on various human races and long distance evangelism is unrealistic. There are even some countries where Christianity is prohibited by law, which further strengthen the wall that is difficult to break down by church missions or individual evangelical work. We are in need of a "congregation" that is global, deep in truth, and worship services that can provide spiritual resources all day long. We need this and a team closely connected like the threads of fabric, to spread the true gospel, to shepherd and guide - a so called internet church. Currently, we receive s from North America, Australia, and Europe, as well as from Arabian countries, Pakistan, and even Nepal on the IA english web page. This seems to be the gleams of light before the end of darkness, especially when we receive letters of inquiry from areas where religions are strictly controlled. We want to know what type of net Jesus was speaking of letting down in His parable. We only know that there is this net casted down in the vast world of internet with no specific targets. When the net is pulled up, it is always one net after another. Until now, we have found that there were some who did not hear what God says (John 8:47; 10:26,27) and were thrown away. There were those who took our publications to benefit themselves or to use as their own sermon materials. However, there were also those few who humbly sought salvation and truth. After they have been edified by receiving the spiritual food on the internet, they followed up at local churches, and were thereafter collected in baskets just as described in the parable. In addition to the IA English website, there are currently evangelical web pages in Indonesian, French, Spanish, and Mandarin. The construction of web pages in many other languages such as Korean, Japanese, German, Malay, Russian, and Portuguese are all under accelerated construction and revision, with some near completion. The addition of some languages were proposed by youth volunteers who have hearts in this holy work, and they

3 have asked IA to organize seminars and training to help them in this work. After the addition of these languages, we will have a larger and more closely interconnected website. During the World Delegates Conference, many delegates expressed interests in the evangelical work on the internet. We have also found that IA workers in internet evangelism are lacking and there is still much work to be done. We could conduct internet evangelism symposiums to recruit volunteers and to discuss the complete plan so that they will actively participate and serve. The International Assembly have decided to hold the first Global Internet Ministry Planning Symposium in Taichung from March 26th, 2010 to March 28th, 2010, inviting from all countries, internet evangelism workers and members who are interested in participating in this holy work to discuss the strategies and plans. Concurrently, we would like to recruit gifted brethren to build a website together that will be more appropriate for global access. We also hope that ministers can participate in the seminar to build a tighter connected web base where information and resources can be coherent and shared. If we can use this opportunity to have internet evangelism workers from different GAs and CBs meet each other, share their experiences, examine the bottle necks of our current situation, and plan for the future together, we must be able to gain a more forward looking direction in internet evangelism at IA. May God guide us, so that ministers, holy workers, brothers and sisters who have heart in the work of internet evangelism may all apply and participate. And may God guide us in His direction. Amen. Local IMP personnel may contact with the IMP manager for registration. TOP Church News Pioneering of the Batam Island Written by/indonesia G.A. Batam is one of the small islands amongst some of the 17,000 Indonesian islands; located near Singapore. It takes less than an hour by boat from Singapore; while flying from Jakarta takes one and a half hour. According to statistics the island population is 915,882.

4 Advent of God s Opportunity In April of 2006 Pr. D.T. Yang was sent by the Indonesia G.A. to assist holy work in Malaysia. Having passed through Batam upon returning, Pr. D.T. Yang searched for Brother Ernest Leonardi, who works in Batam and is a member of Jakarta Dadan Moog Church. Brother Ernest introduced his co-workers from the Seventh-Day Adventists to the preacher and had the opportunity to discuss the truth. After seeing the positive response from his co-workers, he requested for more workers to be sent. One month later another preacher and two volunteer workers were sent. But unfortunately there was not a chance to discuss the truth. One year later in October of 2007, Pr. D.T. Yang was once again sent along with Pr. Benjamin Chang. Truth-Seekers Yearning for the Truth Since the pioneering work in 2007, ten truth-seekers have taken interest in the truth preached by the True Jesus Church. They studied the truth and basic doctrines of the True Jesus Church at Bro. Ernest s apartment. Just as the recording of Acts 10, some have gathered at the house of Cornelius where Peter preached. After discussion of the truth, the truth-seekers began to believe, and received the truth preached by the True Church. They have requested that the preacher and volunteers from Jakarta to come more often. Since the beginning of 2008 the Indonesia G.A. Evangelical Department has been sending one preacher from Jakarta each month to lead Sabbath worship and truth study with the truth-seekers. Collaboration with Foreign Countries Given that Singapore is closer to Batam, Indonesia G.A. collaborated with the Singapore Liaison Department through the International Assembly in the pioneering work of Batam. In October of 2008, three volunteer workers began to work in Batam. In fact, many more Singaporean members willed to participate in the gospel pioneering work in Batam. However due to language barriers, they were unable to. Indonesian members who have currently moved to Singapore, as well as Malay-speaking volunteers would head to Batam the second week of each month. The Indonesian preacher is arranged to visit the fourth week of

5 each month. The Need for More Volunteer Input In the two years of continuous, twice-a-month preaching, and the tireless preaching by the preachers and volunteers, God has opened the hearts of the truth-seekers in receipt of the truth. On August 22, 2009, the first group of eight truth-seekers received the legitimate water-baptism. Glory be onto the Lord s name! The total current member count is 10, with 2 stable truth-seekers. Services are held at Bro. Jeffrey and Bro. Yopi Udin s homes while the Indonesia G.A. plans to find an appropriate location to rent. May everyone continue to intercede for the gospel pioneering work in Batam, also in the hope that more volunteers may participate in the pioneering work team. As the scripture reads, How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things (Romans 10:15). TOP Church News Evangelism for the Teenagers in Thailand (2/2) The classes in the gospel camps Written by/ Daniel In the Book of Colossians, Paul said we should preach the gospel in all wisdom. The gospel camp is fascinated to the teenagers. We would have many chances to spread the gospel; however, the activities must fulfill the demand of the host and the attendants. These attendees are not our teenage believers, and there must be some reasons make them to attend these activities. Therefore we set learning music and English dialogue as the content of the camp. In addition, besides the core classes of the gospel camp, the experiencing games enriched with the impetus and cohesiveness of team work in a casual atmosphere were very good lubricants in these events. According to these principles the voluntary group designed the classes for the student gospel camp of the Thailand English Camp. Technique classes: English dialogue, chat at dining table in English. The teacher spoke English during the classes. They used the story in DVD as the listening training materials. They read English Bible and watch the English subtitles in DVD as reading training. They also wrote dairy and reflection in English, and operated the English hymn singing to fulfill

6 the classes for training English reading, speaking, listening, and writing. Leisure classes: One day trip which was designed by the students for hymnal singing, performance, and groups for leading the experiencing education. The schedule included drama performance learning in the 4 th day, the presentation in the last day, two hours exploring education, and also groups cleaning after meal. The gospel classes: English Bible reading in every morning (they refer to Thai Bible and Chinese Bible). The SEEK AND FIND class was in the evening presented with testimony showed by PowerPoint made by Evangelical Department. We also had discussion session and to study how to receive the Holy Spirit and the issues of how to confirm our faith. At night the instructors testified their experiences at night service. These sessions was always followed by prayer session for pursuing the Holy Spirit. On the 6 th day the Sabbath service is held in the morning. In 30 to 60 minutes per day, the gospel message was spread by English hymnal session. Joseph s story was the main theme in the English camp. The closing ceremony is presented by the attendees with the story of Joseph. The opportunity to spread the gospel is sufficient in the camp. It was claimed as a 5-day English camp; however, including the Sabbath the event actually is totally 6 days. The Bible and gospel session were over 15 hours. And it was totally 20 hours including the hymnal sessions. The whole classes were taught in English with interpretation. There were almost two or three sessions per day for pursuing the Holy Spirit. The exploring education brought them a time of relax and excitement. The students attended the session without hesitation and rejection. We really thanked to the Lord to let us have these teenagers who learnt without doubt and also thanked to Him give us the precious opportunities to hold the various gospel camps. Abiding with God s grace, the service established The Lord Jesus sent His disciples to spread the gospel. The miracles and wonders accompanied to manifest the truth preached by the disciples. (Mk 16:20) The Thailand gospel work in these two years was blessed by God. Since the miracle occurred, the students who were unbelievers believe which strengthen the faith of our gospel workers. Shey-Jin Yang was

7 a student of Mae Sin Hua-Yun Secondary School. She had a severe tummy ache during the days she attended the music camp on April After everybody prayed for her, she was recovered without taking medicine. On October during the event of Bi-lingual camp, it rained every day. It was scheduled to have outing on the fourth day. On the third day the preacher encouraged everyone to pray to God to grant a good weather with no rain and sun for the outing, since it would be too hot if Bangkok gets sun. Amazingly the following day was a cloudy day. On the fourth day of the English camp, when we went to a fall, it rained on the way we drove. The slope way was slip and dangerous. After we arrived at the parking lot on the down side of the fall, everyone prayed for the weather. God listened to us. After meal, the sun came out and we had a beautiful sunny day. Everyone went out joyfully a whole day. There were two students received the Holy Spirit and tongue rolling in closing ceremony of the last day of Tai Bei English Camp. After witnessing God grant the Holy Spirit and heard the testimonies of the two students who just received the Holy Spirit, the hearts of the attendees were inspired. Once again they kneeled down and prayed. Unexpectedly five students received the Holy Spirit in the end of the prayer. The other day was Sabbath, and almost every student stayed to attend the service. By sequent two sessions of pursuing the Holy Spirit, three students also received the Holy Spirit. Many Chinese students in Tai Bei school were transferred from Myanmar to Yunnan. They were very lonely inside their hearts. They missed their families when they prayed. They prayed to God with sorrow, and then God heard their prayers and granted the Holy Spirit to comfort them. Many of them cried bitterly when they first experience the prayer. After the pray, they felt joy and peace in heart. This special prayer, which made people shed tears with joy and attains comfort in heart, allowed the teenagers who came from Buddhism receive an unique and deep experience in their lives. During the gospel camps, the miracles happened, peopled received the Holy Spirit and were move by the Holy Spirit. Ten students received the Holy Spirit during the Tai Bei English Camp. We reported this news to Pr. YC Lin, the resident preacher of Bangkok Church right away. After consulting with the students, we established a Tai Bei Fellowship of True Jesus Church. Every Sabbath at 4:30 to 6:00pm, they actively hold an Online Service Fellowship in the house of the student named Shey-Feng Chen. Should the preacher is not in Tai Bei, the voluntary teachers in Taiwan can care for them online and to assist leading the service to support the preacher in Tai Bei. From the beginning, by sequent Pr. Daniel Chin, Pr. YC Lin, and Pr. MY Chao came here to lead the student fellowship service. Every service has about 10 attendees. The preacher even went to Mae Sin to have service and prayer in a student s house. May the Lord lead the gospel work here to make His name be manifested in this place. TOP

8 IA Schedule Please help pray for the work assignments of IA as below: Date 日期 1/1-2/7 1/1-2/12 1/21-2/7 1/21-2/21 1/26-2/8 1/31-2/11 2/4-3/7 2/5-7 2/5-3/8 2/13 Location 地點 South Africa 南非 Russia 俄羅斯 East Africa 東非 West Africa 西非 Chile 智利 Indonesia 印尼 East Africa 東非 Austria 奧地利 Brazil 巴西 Foz 福斯 France 法國 Program 工作內容 Pastoral ministry / Spiritual Convocation 宣牧 / 靈恩會 (1/23-24) Pastural/Training 巡牧 / 訓練 Pastoral ministry / Training (Zambia) 宣牧 / 訓練 ( 贊比亞 ) Pastoral ministry / Training (Ghana; Liberia) 宣牧 / 訓練 ( 迦納 賴比瑞亞 ) Pastoral Work / Training 巡牧 / 訓練 TJC History 真耶穌教會歷史 Pastoral ministry / Training (Kenya; Tanzania) 宣牧 / 訓練 ( 肯亞 坦桑尼亞 ) Training & Special Service (Salzburg; Vienna) 事工訓練及特別聚會 ( 薩爾斯堡 維也納 ) Student Spiritual Convocation / Pastoral Work 學生靈恩會 / 巡牧 RE Teacher Workshop 教員進修會 Personnel 工作人員 MH Chang 張敏雄 Michael Chan 陳志榮 TK Chin Steven Shek 陳天求 / 石文彬 Joseph Shek Michael Hsu 石約瑟 / 徐尚俊 S Hwang 黃世明 HJ Wong 王惠姬 FF Chong TJ Jung 張福華鄭泰勳 HH Ko 柯恆雄 WC Yeh 葉文銓 YM Yang & RE Coordinator 楊昱民 宗教教育 系系負責

9 CM Chu 2/ /18-3/13 2/22-3/28 Brazil 巴西 South Africa 南非 Australia 澳洲 Student Spiritual Convocation 學生靈恩會 Pastoral Work / Training 巡牧 / 訓練 Spiritual & Evangelical Convocation / Holy Work Personnel Training 靈恩佈道會 / 聖工人員訓練 WC Yeh 1 Counselor 朱成明 / 葉文銓 / 輔導員一名 Luke Chan YM Yang 陳路加楊昱民 Joel Chong Zephaniah Li 張約珥 黎為昇 2/23-3/4 Myanmar 緬甸 Church Workers Seminar & MECC Meeting at Sanmyo 教會工人講習與緬甸宣道聯絡 中心會議 (Sanmyo) Simon Chin MMC member 陳西門 MMC 成員 Evangelical Service & Spiritual Convocation (Vancouver) / 2/24-3/14 2/26-28 Canada 加拿大 Dubai 杜拜 Pre-NCC Seminar & National Church Conference in Toronto 靈恩佈道會 ( 溫哥華 )/ 全國教會 會議前講習會 全國教會會議 ( 多倫多 ) Pastoral ministry and Pioneering 巡牧開拓 YJ. Lin 林永基 HH Ko / volunteers 柯恆雄 / 義工 Training & Special Service 2/ /5-7 2/28-4/1 February 2 月 February 2 月 Germany 德國 Indonesia 印尼 Philippines 菲律賓 Indonesia 印尼 (Hamburg; Rhineland) 事工訓練及特別聚會 ( 漢堡 萊茵 ) Theology School /Spiritual Convocatio /Sabbath Service 神學院 / 靈恩會 / 安息日聚會 Divine Worker Seminar 聖工人員講習會 Theology School; Spiritual Convocation 神學院 ; 靈恩會 Steven Shek 石文彬 SH Chao 趙四海 Malachi Lee Zephaniah 李瑪拉基西番雅 Indonesia Pr 印尼傳道

10 February 2 月 3/2-19 Tonga 東加 Philippines 菲律賓 Pastoral and Evangelical Visit 巡牧 宣道 Theology School (Mansilingan PTTC) 神學院 ( 滿西林甘 ) Michael Lee 李聖山 Zephaniah 西番雅 3/4-15 3/5-22 3/9-25 3/13-15 Chile 智利 Indonesia 印尼 Korea 韓國 Singapore 新加坡 Pastoral Work & Sermon Leaders Training 巡牧 領會人員講習 Preacher Seminar / New Church Board Course / Revelation Course / Couple Seminar 全國傳道者進修會 / 新任教會負責人講習會 / 啓示錄課程 / 夫妻講座 Theological Seminar for preachers/ministers 神學講習會 ( 傳道 / 長執 ) Intermediate Youth Experiential Camp 青年生活體驗營 CM Chu 朱成明 HT Chen 陳恆道 HH Ko 柯恆雄 Hosea Hoo 何西阿 3/13-30 March 3 月 March 3 月 Tonga 東加 Sabah 沙巴 Philippines 菲律賓 Pastoral and Evangelical Visit 巡牧和宣道 Theological Training / Preachers Refresher Course 神學訓練 / 傳道者進修會 Chinese pastoral and evangelical work (Manila) 華人宣牧 ( 馬尼拉 ) Daniel Lee 李但以理 Daniel Chin 陳但以理 Sabah Preacher 沙巴傳道 TOP IA Literary Publication IA Literary Publications: 1. Manna, English quarterly 2. Gospel Series in English 3. Bible Study Guides in English 4. The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, English version 5. The Essential Biblical Doctrines, Japanese version 6. Q & A on the Basic Beliefs, Japanese version Please contact at IA office for subscription or online:

11 TOP You Could Help the Worldwide Evangelical Mission Simply by Contribution of a dollar a day How You Can Help You are called to take action for the sake of worldwide evangelical mission and the spreading of the gospel with a dollar a day. Your contribution a dollar a day towards the World Evangelism Fund of International Assembly, we could, together, accomplish the commission that our Lord Jesus Christ left behind. Your financial support and commitment will open up possibilities and resources that lead to save more souls. Please continue to pray for God s ministry and pass this message on to sisters and brothers. To find out more about the dollar-a-day program and donation options: please contact ia@tjc.org or ia@tjc.org.tw May our Lord remember your contribution and bless you abundantly! TOP International Assembly of True Jesus Church (Copyright 2010) Web: & Taiwan Office Tel: Fax: Add: No.180 Sec.2 Songjhu Road, Taichung City 40673, Taiwan (R.O.C.) ia@tjc.org.tw USA Office Tel: Fax: Add: 314 South Brookhurst St. Suite 104 Anaheim, CA 92804, U.S.A. ia@tjc.org or iatjcus@gmail.com