True Jesus Church NEWSLETTER Melbourne A U G U S T 2 0 0 6 z Draw Near to God z Draw near to God and He will draw near to you... James 4:8 Hallelujah! Greetings to fellow brethren and friends. Praise our Lord Jesus! The publication of the True Jesus Church Melbourne Newsletter which had been suspended for some years has now resumed with the release of this August 2006 issue. We hope that this newsletter will serve as another channel for our mutual encouragement and to update you about the events and developments of our church. Immanuel, The Editor In James 4:8, the Holy Bible promises us that if we Draw near to God, He will draw near to you. However, nowadays we cannot see that all brothers and sisters are drawing near to God. Amongst the various reasons, perhaps some of them could be due to momentary weakness or failure to see God s promise. In any case, let us now ponder once again the promise of God in the bible; and through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, may we renew our zeal, and return to the loving embrace of God. When we are baptized, we immediately belong to Christ. We become a member of God s family whereby we are God s children and He is our Father. If we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us just like a father, who loves us. God wants us to receive His love in Christ Jesus, for the bible states, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39). For we know that the church is the body of Jesus Christ, therefore if we are able to attend church services regularly, to listen to the word of God, and have fellowship with brothers and sisters, we are drawing near to God and receiving the love of God. 1
For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die we are the Lord s Not only will we receive the love of God, we will also receive the fullness of God, For in Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:9~10). The bible also states And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19). Romans 14:8 Apostle Paul had experienced how God loved him in his life, and how He died for him. Paul also realized how exceedingly abundant was the grace of God. In 1Timothy 1:13~14, Paul said although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Therefore Paul constantly drew near to God in his life, and lived for God (Romans 14:7~8). This is truly worthy for us to emulate. With the promise of the Holy Bible and Paul s personal testimony, let it be an encouragement for us to work towards producing faith in God and increase in our courage. The Lord also personally promised us that All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all he has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. (John 6:37~39). Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16). Deacon Peter Yang UPDATES ON UPCOMING EVENTS i. Pastoral Visit * Pr Wu Hou from Taiwan General Assembly will be in Melbourne from 18 to 24 Sep 2006 (Schedule to be posted on the notice board and online at a later date) ii. Evangelistic Meeting * The next evangelistic meeting will be held on: Date: 23 Sep 2006 (Sat) Time: 11.00 am Venue: Box Hill Church Speaker: Pr Wu Hou 2
REPORTS ON PAST EVENTS / CHURCH DEVELOPMENTS i. Pastoral Visits * We had a 2-week pastoral visit in May by Pr Joel Chong from Malaysia General Assembly. He spoke on topics relating to the growth of the church, what a glorious church should be like, and also issues relating to relationship and marriage. * Pr Chong s visit was followed by a special visit from Pr Lin Yung Ji (Chairperson of the International Assembly of TJC). During Pr Lin s 3 days visit, he presented the evangelical and pioneering works of TJC around the world. Pr Lin also explained the vision and plans of TJC globally. The new organizational structure of the church was also explained to us including the responsibilities of Elders and Deacons according to the Holy Bible. * The most recent pastoral visit was from Pr Ezra Chong of Malaysia General Assembly. He was here from August 1st to 13th. He shared with us topics on Searching with the Lamps, Viewing A Glorious Church From the Old Testament Perspective, and important teachings in 2 Timothy. Note: All sermons by visiting ministers are available in MP3 format on CD from the library. ii. Church Development * A new organization structure of Melbourne TJC was recently set up by the ministers. All group leaders had a meeting where Deacon Andrew elaborated on each of their roles and responsibilities. The purpose of forming this new organization structure is to have a clearer definition of each and every tasks, roles and responsibilities in the church. It also aims to distribute and delegate duties more evenly amongst brothers and sisters including involving as many of them as possible, according to their gifts and talents. The aim is for members to work together in unity like one body and one family, with each member performing one s roles and functions, to bring glory to our Lord Jesus Christ through the church. 3
* The Repair & Cleaning group has confirmed the schedule for monthly cleaning of the Box Hill Church. It will be on the last Sabbath of each month after the 1.30 p.m. service at Blackburn Primary School. We have had cleaning sessions in June and July. It was wonderful to see everyone, young and old, involved cheerfully serving the Lord. * The Information & Communication group has recently updated the TJC Melbourne s members website. The address is http://au.tjc.org/melbourne. The site consists of church news, prayers request, rosters and many other useful information and links. * On June 21st, we signed a conditional contract to purchase the property at 10 Blissington Street, Springvale. As one of the conditions of the contract, we are given 120 days before the purchase is finalized to secure the permit from the council to use the property as a place of worship. Please continue to pray earnestly on this matter and ask the Lord to guide us. Bible Verse of the Month Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13~14) ANNOUNCEMENT Bro. Michael Vun and S!. Pa"y Yang were enga#d on 13 Aug 06. Bo$ families w!h to $ank God and everyone on $! joy&s occasion. Let us continue to pray for ' newly enga#d. Melbourne TJC 84 Watts Street, Box Hill North, VIC 3129 Tel +613 9898-1174 Fax +613 9897-1338 Web-site: http://au.tjc.org/melbourne Email: melbourne@tjc.org.au 4
Subscribe Now! e-newsletter If you would like to receive an electronic version of the newsletter instead of printed copies, please email to mel.news@tjc.org.au and put SUBSCRIBE in the subject of the email. You will find helpful articles and testimonies to uplift your faith, and the electronic version is both easily accessible and available for your convenience. If you would like to update us on any change in your mailing address or on any matter pertaining to the newsletter, including request to unsubscribe to the newsletter, please contact Sis. Jasmin Huang or Bro. George Huang at (03) 9898-1174, or email us at mel.news@tjc.org.au. Melbourne TJC 84 Watts Street, Box Hill North, VIC 3129 Tel +613 9898-1174 Fax +613 9897-1338 Web-site: http://au.tjc.org/melbourne Email: melbourne@tjc.org.au