20220731 English Bulletin

WELCOME TO CAMBERWELL METHODIST CHURCH We are a faith community that is growing in our love for Jesus, who died for our sins, and is raised from the death. We are called to follow Jesus, and to make disciples of all nations. If you would like to know more about God, Jesus, or our church or the Bible, please use [email protected] / Minister-in-Charge Rev. James Kong 0413 953 238 / Assistant Pastor (English) Ps. Allan Quah 0402 675 219 to Get in Touch. 58 Cooloongatta Road, Camberwell, VIC 3124 • Tel: (03) 9889 0702 • www.cmca-camberwell.org.au

ORDER OF WORSHIP 8th Sunday after Pentecost/Theological Education Sunday Service (31 July 2022) Silent Prayer <B e Still in the Presence of the Lord> Call to Worship Adoration & Praise Psalm 70:1-5  Prayer Responsive Reading 409 <Have Thine Own Way, Lord> The Lord’s Prayer Roman 12:1-2 Welcome/Notices Offering Metamorphosis Intercessory Prayer Scripture Reading Proclamation of the Word Chorus of Response Benediction Ministry Roster 31/7/2022 Preacher Robin Lim Worship Leader Michael Fung Song Leader Natalie Law Backup Wesley Chew Pianist Adeline See Keyboardist - Accompaniment Simon Wong Cajon Bryan Law Bible Reader Adam Tiong Multimedia Ming Zhe Lim Live Stream/PA Gerald Wong/Jin Loong Wong Ushers Stephen Siew & Dominic Seow Floral Sue Loo HC Prep - Ministry Roster 7/8/2022 Preacher Rev. James Kong Worship Leader Chris Ting Song Leader Felicia Teng Backup Zoe Ha Pianist Jia Xin Wong Keyboardist - Accompaniment Faith & Kelly Cajon - Bible Reader Sammi Chua Multimedia Yew Fong Lim Live Stream/PA David Ha/Wesley Chew Ushers Jamilyn & Jacklyn Wong Floral - HC Prep Mary Liew 2

“God looks for those whose hearts are prepared to be intercessors before Him ...Intercessors can be the only ones standing between an individual or a nation and God’s wrath.” Henry Blackaby Weekly Praying for the Church 1. P ray for coming back to church to 3. P ray for Annual Conference continue worship to be faithful in leading all churches in Australia, that we may work together to 2.1 Pray for ongoing streaming work to bring the gospel to the those who are be effective, and glorifying God; lost, and discipled to be fisher of men and women. 2.2 Pray for wisdom to discern how to allow congregation to come back to 4.1 P ray for Jimmy Kong, Ken Hii, Clarence worship with limited seat capacity due Yek, Aunty Su King Ting, Mdm. Lu (Mrs. to social distancing; Kong’s mum), Christina (Boon Koh’s sister, Canada), Flora (Singapore) and 2.3 Pray for the small groups, and Ben (USA). Thank you all for upholding fellowships continue to connect with them in prayer. each other, and reach out to other; 4.2 P ray for our brothers and sisters who 2.4 Pray for God’s break through in contracted Covid and those in close all that church is doing so that we contact. Let us continue to uphold may experience renewal in the life of them in prayer as well as showing our community and ministry. care and support to them. 2. P ray for LCEC 2022 and English Ministry 4.3 P ray for the situation between Russia Committee that they may work and Ukraine, may the war end and together to reach out to families, our peace be restored. young people, and our community. 4.4 P ray for the Federal Government in Australia, to govern with integrity and bring benefits to the people. 3

“God looks for those whose hearts are prepared to be intercessors before Him ...Intercessors can be the only ones standing between an individual or a nation and God’s wrath.” Henry Blackaby Weekly Praying for the Church 5. P ray for our church family continue to 6. P ray for spiritual awakening experience living God in each of these household at Camberwell Methodist 1.1 your plead with the Lord to be Church. We pray for deeper relationship merciful to us and graciously draw us among the family members, deeper back to Himself and His ways. Ask Him to relationship between husband and show us unfailing love and grant us His wife, and deeper relationship between salvation that we may rejoice in Him. parents and children. I cannot stress more than saying this is the time, God 1.2 restore us again, O God our is at work through and in our families. Saviour...Will you not revive us again, Let us not look else where but instead that your people may rejoice in you? look within our daily relationship and Show us your unfailing love, O Lord, and our family. God is right there with us. grant us your salvation (Psalm 85:4,6-7); Seek Him first and His kingdom, all these things shall be added to you. 1.3 Thank God that He is willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. Cry out to Him for an outpouring and mighty working of the Holy Spirit in our day. 1.4 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. (Luke 11:13) 4

All that’s going on around Camberwell Methodist Church Church Announcements Condolence Use of church venue for followship Our condolence to Ps. Allan Quah as his father had Please book through picktime.com to avoid clash of rested with the Lord, let us uphold him and his family in use. Please make sure all lights, air-conditioners, and prayer. other equipment are switched off, all furniture to put back to the initial setting, and also making sure all doors Welcome and windows are locked before leaving. Please love our church and its facility. We welcome everyone who join our worship service. May the peace of God be with you! If you are a new Friendship Evangelism friend to the church, please introduce yourself and leave your contact details. Sunday’s Basketball session will be from 3-4pm at Boroondara Sports Complex, 271C Belmore Rd, Gentle Reminder Balwyn North VIC 3104 (Bring along a basketball) COVID safe protocols apply and children under 10 The church strongly recommends facemask to be worn years old must have parental supervision. Please indoor together with frequent washing of hands. If you contact Joseph on 0411 539 082 for more information. have any symptom, please go for testing and isolate until the test result returns negative. Memorial Tree Prayer Meeting Laity Committee invites everyone to go to the Annexe to take photo after worship, write down the date of joining Thursday (04/8/2022) 7.30PM via Zoom and will be led the church, and then the committee will paste the photo by Ps. Allan Quah. We invite all brothers and sisters to on the memorial tree to represent us as one family in serve in prayer ministry Christ and passing on the faith legacy. You can also send in the photo to email: [email protected] Baptism & Membership Safe Church Announcement We invite those who wish to get baptised or accepted as members to register so we can arrange the As we gradually return to more physical gatherings necessary classes. for church activities, we encourage everyone to join a church fellowship / small group that suits their age Pastoral Needs range, in-person or online. If you have any pastoral needs, please do not hesitate Our church strives to maintain a safe and healthy to seek Rev. James Kong(0413 953 238), Ps. Allan learning environment for children under 18. To Quah(0402 675 219) or local preachers: Lina Lim, Chris safeguard our children under 18, please adhere to the Ting, or Joo Soo Lim. If you need the pastor to pray for following. We request that the adult not participate you, do approach Rev. James Kong or Ps. Allan Quah in fellowships / small groups under 18 years of age after the service. unless the Minister-in-charge permits. Family Devotion And also, fellowship / small group, age 18 under, will implement a “sign in & sign out” process during their We encourage families to start a regular family devotion programs/ activities. All participants are required to sign each week. It is our main thing for our church because in and sign out. we will grow stronger, closer, and more love for God and one another. Let us not waste this time of being Should you have any questions or require assistance, together…. explore every opportunity to play, to read, to please forward them to Safe church officer, Amos Wong do something together, to pray and to sing together. 0413280139 or the Minister-in-charge, Rev James Kong. Pre-Father’s Day Celebration (28/8/2022 Sunday @1:30PM). All young men, 13 years old and above are welcome. Please reserve the date. 5

All that’s going on around Camberwell Methodist Church Church Announcements Annual Conference Ministry English Family Discipleship Talk via zoom Theological Education Sunday(31/7) Date: 16-18/9/2022. Speakers: Robin & Ruth Lim. The offering for 31/7 (excluding specific offering) will be Talk 1: Restoring Our Understanding of Discipleship, remitted to CMCA Theological Education Scholarship Talk 2: Discipling One Another in Marriage, Talk 3: Fund. Theological Education Sunday Offering Target Discipling Our Children, Talk 4: Healing and Equipping 2022 is $45,000.00 Do support actively and you for Discipleship. We strongly encourage you to attend. continue to support us financially post Theological Please register at https://forms.office/r/MWMjQVgzQG Education Sunday. Account Name: Chinese Methodist or scan the QR Code. (Refer page 9) Church in Australia Inc. BSB: 013-225 Account: 268138975 (please specify BoTESF in all transaction) (Refer Page 10-19) Offering detail Thank you once again for brothers and sisters who faithfully support the ministry of the church through finance, prayers, and participation. May God bless you. Here is the bank detail for your reference: Account name: Chinese Methodist Church in Australia Camberwell; BANK: ANZ; BSB: 013 225; Account Number: 4939 79025. We have prepared an Offering Box in the Lobby for envelope offering. Offering: $19,717.91 (17/07-12/07/2022) Description Abbreviations Bank reference Tithing TITHE C9/E11 C9 TITHE Paul WONG General GEN C9/E11 C9 GEN Paul WONG Thanksgiving TKS C9/E11 C9 TKS Paul WONG Mission MIS C9/E11 C9 MIS Paul WONG Theological student THE C9/E11 C9 THE Paul WONG Special SPE C9/E11 C9 SPE Paul WONG Others OTH C9/E11 C9 OTH Paul WONG Building fund C9/E11 C9 Camberwell mc Paul WONG, E11 Mercy mc Paul WONG…...... 6

Devotion Week 31st July 2022 Keeping Confidences Scriptures: Psalm 141:3–4 (ESV) 3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! 4 Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies! Can you keep a secret? Can you? Be honest, now. When privileged information passes through one of the gates of your senses, does it remain within the walls of your mind? Or is it only a matter of time before a leak occurs? When someone says, \"Now this is confidential,\" do you respect their trust or ignore it . . . either instantly or ultimately? The longer I live, the more I realize the scarcity of people who can be fully trusted with confidential information. The longer I live, the more I value those rare souls who fall into that category! As a matter of fact, the ability to maintain confidences would rank very near the top of characteristics. No leader deserves the respect of the people if he or she cannot restrain information that is shared in private. When leaks occur, it is often a sign of character weakness, and action is usually taken to discover the person who has allowed his or her mental coffin to be exhumed and examined. Our minds might be compared to a cemetery, filled with graves that refuse to be opened. The information, no matter how juicy or dry, must rest in peace in its coffin, sealed in silence beneath the epitaph \"Shared in confidence—Kept in confidence.\" Information is powerful. The person who receives it and dispenses it bit by bit often does it so that others might be impressed because he or she is \"in the know.\" Few things are more satisfying to the old ego than having others stare wide-eyed, drop open the jaw, and say, \"My, I didn't know that!\" or \"Why, that's hard to believe!\" or \"How in the world did you find that out?\" Solomon writes strong and wise words concerning this subject in Proverbs. Listen to his counsel: Wise men store up knowledge, But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand. (10:14) 7

When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise. (10:19) He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter. (11:13) The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. (13:3) He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip. (20:19) From now on, let's establish four practical ground rules: 1. Whatever you're told in confidence, do not repeat. 2. Whenever you're tempted to talk, do not yield. 3. Whenever you're discussing people, do not gossip. 4. However you're prone to disagree, do not slander. Reflection: Honestly now, can you keep a secret? Prove it. Prayer Excerpt taken from Come before Winter and Share My Hope by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 1985, 1988, 1994 8

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Issue 1 July 2022 BoTESF Newsletter BOARD ON THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND SPECIAL From the Editor POINTS OF INTEREST: 31st July 2022 is overseas. Perhaps the most at all as the people who are the date set by Annual Con- concerning statistic is that entrusted with the guardian- · Rev Liong will ference to be the Theological percentage of people identify- ship of the truth of God and share with us a Education Sunday, This is the ing as Christian has dipped with the ministry of disciple topic entitle special Sunday dedicated to below 50% for the first time, making. Remember as Meth- “hardest job you show appreciation to all a drop of 17% over the last odist CMCA is called to re- will ever love” brothers and sisters who 10 years, currently sitting at form the church and trans- worked tiredlessly, directly 43.9%. At the same time form the nation by spreading · Three articles or and indirectly in the field of 38.9% of Australians identi- the message of scriptural sharing from our Theological Educations, be it fied themselves as “no reli- holiness throughout the land. current AC Theo- in Seminaries or local church- gion”. If this is the report logical Students es. This is also the day we card for the church it is safe On this special Sun- emphasis the importance of to say we are not doing well day, let us ponder on what · BoTESF is Theological Educations to can we do as a church, and pleased to pre- everyone in church. Yes, it is LAMM Kah Ping’s Library as a Christian? Have we done sent to you our not just for the pastors! enough to support others? 10-year Vision Have we done enough to and invite you to Australia ABS had equip ourself? What about be a part of this announced the result of Cen- our children? Have we done journey! sus 2021 not too long ago. enough to be called the faith- Not surprisingly, the census ful servants of God? I invite INSIDE THIS confirmed that Australia in- you to pray for this nation, ISSUE: deed is a migrant country pray for your church, pray for with 48.2% of the Australians your family, and pray for your- Hardest Job You Will 2 reported having a parent born self. May God bless you all. Ever Love What Trinity Means For 3 Contemporary Church God Loves The World 5 God Does Not Need Us 7 to Serve Him BoTESF 10-Year Vision 8 Understanding your 9 church’s Health Prayer Item 10 10

Page 2 BoTESF Newsletter Pastor — Hardest Job You Will Ever Love ~Rev. Yuk Chong Liong~ In one of the recent publications by to become a pastor. I agree with Rev. Yuk Chong Liong the Church Leadership, Vaters the author that basically there are spells out some examples of inter- only two good reasons to become esting but also disturbingly wrong a pastor: reasons for becoming a pastor. They range from glamorous status, op- First, one needs to have an portunity to speak in the public, to “unshakable call from God to help the enjoyment of doing theological people know Jesus and grow in argument. 1 their relationship with Him and each other.”2 Indeed, without a Being a pastor and, later, theologi- clear calling from God through bib- cal educator myself for over 30 lical verse confirmation, relevant years, I do understand what it takes spiritual gifts (Eph 4: 11), personal “If you can't passion, church confirmation etc, it us from running away. “ 4 find God's will would be a painful, costly, and fruit- less pursuit in the end. I believe these are the main rea- for your life sons why John MacArthur, Jr. aptly doing Second, one needs to see that de- states that he is scared not to be a spite the challenges associated with pastor. 5 anything but tha being a pastor, it is harder for one t, welcome to the not to be a pastor. In other words, Brothers and sisters, let me en- one simply cannot find God’s will for courage you to search your heart pastorate. It's one’s life doing anything but that.3 again. I love how Vaters puts it, “If the hardest job The call of the pastor is to love, dis- you can't find God's will for your you'll ever love.” ciple and live among the people life doing anything but that, wel- Karl Vaters whom God has entrusted to him or come to the pastorate. It's the her through good and bad times. H. hardest job you'll ever love.”6 B. London, Jr. expresses well when he says that “ministry can be beauti- So, do you have what it takes to ful and painful at the same time. become a pastor? Are you sure When it is good, it is wonderful; you are not called to be a pastor? when it is bad, it can be terrible. But What are you waiting for? it is the call and the sense of God’s unmistakable presence that keeps 1. Karl Vaters, “So Many Wrong Reasons to Become a Pastor,” Church Leadership, (October 16, 2015) 2. Ibid. 3. Ibid. 4. H.B. London, Jr. & others, They Call Me Pastor, (Ventura: Regal Books, 2000), 12. 5. John MacArthur, Jr., Pastoral Ministry, (Dallas: Word Publishing, 1995), xiii-xvii. 6. Vaters, “Wrong Reasons.” 11

Issue 1 Page 3 What Trinity means for the contemporary church ~Johnny Hii~ Introduction Trinity is the core but difficult-to- explain doctrine in Christianity, and its importance comes from the fact that despite the term is not seen in Bible, it distinguishes the Christian faith from other religions. Church fathers and theological scholars have been constantly exploring, in hope to come out with better doctrinal explanation. The doctrinal history of the Theology of Trinity has its roots in the Bible. The first chapter of the Gospel of John uses the Greek word “logos” as the \"Word\" to describe the wisdom, speech, and reason of Jesus Christ, and from that period onwards, the Church was hoping to seek the un- derstanding and recognition from the Jewish Christians living under Johnny and family Greco Roman culture, and also to preach the Gospel to the non-Jews (the Gentiles) with the same concept. Due to the difference between Hebrew and the philosophical Greek culture, the question was subsequently raised on the interpretation of the relationship between the Father and the Son. The early Church's interpretation on the Trinity issue was based on the experience and revelation of the disciples and followers who lived with Jesus, and that became their foundation of faith. When they later preached to the gentiles, they affirmed the doctrine of the Trinity only through the Catechism and liturgical provision. 1 As Gentile believers did not possess the same experience of the first generation of disciples, they began to question the legitimacy of the doctrine of Trinity. Thus, different inferences on Trinity and Christ began to emerge. The differences in Theologies of Trinity divided the church There was tension among the second century Church leaders over the interpretations of some important theologi- cal terms due to the different understanding from he perspective of the Latin and Greek languages. It became obvious that there were different views on whether Trinity was based on a shared essence or the ontology of God. By the Fourth century, the rise of heretical Arianism had prompted the Roman Emperor Constantine to call a Ecu- menical council with a purpose to adopt the use the Nicene Creed as the standard for Christian unity. While churches in the East and West (of the Roman Empire) had a consensus that Christ is God, opinions on other doc- trines still remain divided; The disagreement with the inference of Filioque eventually led to the Great Schism. The basic truth remain unchanged Even though the Eastern and Western Church Fathers differed in their Trinitarian perspective, in terms of \"essential identity\" and \"essential similarity,\" the two sides did not deviate from an important principles, maintain- ing the unity and equality of the Trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in their pastoral practice. The dif- ferent view on the Trinity of God by the Theologians throughout history indicated that when people seek God, de- spite their different arguments and different approaches, we are able to find and understand God. Since the Great Schism in 1054, countless insights and review on the Trinity had been proposed, even until re- cent contemporary theologians such as by Moltmann, Rahner, and Karl Barth. We can see that arguments could not impose negative impact to the fact that God is the Lord of the history, the source of the salvation plan for man- kind, the mission of Jesus Christ to come to earth, to forgive sins and himself being resurrected, or to the Holy Spir- it on the mission of the Church to preach the gospel to the ends of the world. Although people still cannot truly and completely express the Trinity faith, there is no doubt that the basic truth in pastoring the church and evangelizing Christ to save the world, are still based on the doctrine of Trinity. What Trinity means for the contemporary church The truth of the Trinity is the core foundation of the Christian faith. This means that trinitarianism is closely associ- ated with Christian church in worship, spiritual life growing, and even in Christian’s family and social life. Contem- porary evangelical churches often pay little attention to the teaching of trinity. Some pastors even believe that this 1. 凱利：《早期基督教教義》康來昌 譯 （台北：中華福音神學院，1984），60。 12

Page 4 Newsletter Title What Trinity means for the contemporary church (continue…) is the subject of discussion in the bible seminary, while some church congregants regarded Trinity as a mystical and metaphysical issue. In fact, the early church's understanding of Trinity did not come from the result of rational and logical thought, but from a faithful life in fellowship, the experience of worship and praise, and the integration of the atonement grace of Jesus on the cross. Today's churches need to look back and try to pick up these similar life experience of Trinity. Trinity works in Salvation We must understand that the gospel itself must be Trinitarian, that is, the Holy Trinity God had accomplished the salvation of mankind.2 According to the book of Hebrews, salvation is the simultaneous intervention of the Trinity God. 3 It can be said that salvation depends entirely on the Deity of Christ. If Christ were not God, He would never be able to replace all sinners. 4 Moltmann also emphasized that salvation is the love of the Triune God's 'Perichoresis', and the redeemed person will be reflected in solidarity (shared efforts in the formation of the church). 5 Those heretics who deny Trinity such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, etc emphasize that man could only be saved by his own works. However, Christians believes that Christ is God, so when Jesus bore the sin of all mankind on Himself, He personally bore all the losses and consequences of death brought about by man's sin; This is actually the Trinity God's manifestation of unparalleled love in justifying the sinners, and at the same time manifesting absolute righteousness.6 Once Jesus' Deity is rejected or weakened, the saving power of Christ is also rejected and weakened. The Trinity is involved in the salvation of Man. Salvation happens when the Father sends His only begotten Son to complete the work of redemption, and then the Father and the Son send the Holy Spirit to complete the salvation in the hearts of believers.7 It ensures that anyone who is saved will receive a complete and abundant grace. If believ- ers' belief for God's redemption are not based on Trinity, then the entire faith structure would easily collapse. The two holy sacraments of church, the baptism and Holy Communion, are deeply based on the Doctrine of Trinity. We can see the unity and diversity of the Trinity in marriage. When a man and a woman become one, their relation- ship reveals the hidden interaction between the roles of the Father and the Son. Marriage demonstrated to us what it should be in God's redemption, allowing a couple to enjoy and live out the beauty and glory of the fellowship of Trinity God. This Trinitarian relationship is triggered by the relationship between God and husband and wife. In addition, we can see the \"pluralism\" and \"integration\" of the Trinity from the establishment of the church and from the concept of the body of Christ (the church). Church history tells us that regardless Jews and Gentiles they all become a \"body\" in the Lord, and despite the unity of the Church they had not lost their individual/group identity. And when the church works and evangelizes for God in the world, they were also referring to the ‘Trinity structure.' As Jesus commanded, 'Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.' (Matthew 28:19) Conclusion Churches should actively teach and preach the Theology of Trinity so their members can understand God's revealed work of salvation. More importantly, when we teach, we must not only remain at the academic level of reasoning or understanding, but let believers experience the unity and works of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit in their personal belief and spiritual life. Otherwise, this will be an unhealthy phenomenon. A Christian will not care about knowing God's nature, and have no interest in knowing the truth, but only focusing on the dogmatic approaches and works . The Church should also clarify and prevent be- lievers from the tendency of Sabellianism thought, then the believers will not be confused with the objective of prayer and will understand the assurance of salvation. We need to maintain our purity of faith and puts an end to the ignorance to the true essence of God. This is what Trinity theology means to us. 2. Barrett, Matthew. Simply Trinity. USA: Baker Books, 2021, 104. 3. Hebrews 1:3 4. 2 Cor 5:19-21 5. Moltmann, Jürgen. The Trinity and the Kingdom: The Doctrine of God, trans. Margaret Kohl. Minneapolis, MN: For- tress Press, 1993. 158. In the community of Christ it is love that corresponds to the perichoretic unity of the triune God as it is manifested and experienced in the history of salvation; in human society it is solidarity that provides this correspondence. 6. Romans 3：26 13

Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 5 God loves the world ~Tim Gao~ Tim and Ariel John 3:16 is considered to be the Gospel in a nutshell. This verse contains the very core of the gospel: God's love for the world, the love of the cross of Jesus Christ, and our human response that determines our end. The Width of the Love (the object - the world) We can see how wide and long and high and deep God's love is (Eph 3:18) from the the scripture, a love that is different with the love that the world knows. God's love for man is so vast. The love of man is often confined to a particular person or group of people, but God loves the world. This \"world\" includes any person in the world. His love knows no boundaries. He loves Chinese, Australians, Indians, Japanese, and so on. He loves people from the Fuzhou people group, He loves people from the Hakka people group, and He loves all people from all ethnic minorities that we even cannot name. God's love for the world is not based on physical appearance or the outward behaviour of people. He loves those who are lovely, and He loves those who are not so lovely in our eyes. This world in For God so loved the world God's eyes is all those who have fallen because of sin, including ourselves, because we too have fallen because of sin. He loves us no matter how we appear, how unlovely we that he gave his one and once were, how we once sinned and did not know Him. only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not Long-lasting and eternal love (from the beginning of creation) perish but have eternal life. God's love for the world is a long-lasting and eternal love, a love that was revealed from John 3:16 NIV the beginning of creation. When Adam and Eve sinned against God in the Garden of Eden and hid in the woods of Eden, God was walking around the Garden of Eden look- ing for them (Gen 3:8). From the time when of mankind sinned, God has been preparing for a future descendant of the woman (Gen. 3:15) who is Jesus Christ to save the world; and for thousands of years God's love has remained unchanged, and He has been preparing this great love of His through the words of the prophets (Lk. 1:70). God's love for the world never ceases, and to this day God's love is still the same, God still loves the world and loves us. Deep Love, Free Grace - The Love of the Cross (The Way and Purpose of God's Love for the World) God loves the world in a way that is so deep and profound that it surpasses all human ways and imagination. God loves the world by giving His only Son, Jesus Christ, to them. The word \"giving\" reveals the actual act of God's love for the world, and this act shows that God gave Jesus Christ freely to the world as a gift of His love for the world. It is not because we are lovely or have done something great, but simply because God loves us. And this gift is not just any gift, it is not as fleeting as a flower or as expensive as a diamond, but the love of His only Son, Jesus Christ, who died for us on the cross. This verse follows after the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. That night, Jesus told Nicodemus that only those who rely on the Holy Spirit can be born again, and that only those who believe that the Son of Man has been lifted up can have eternal life (Jn 3:14-15). That is, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross is God's way of loving the world. This truth of the cross would seem foolish to the common man; how could God be willing to die for man? Yet, that is exactly the truth of the cross. the cross is fool- ishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Cor 1 ： 18). The pur- pose of the sacrificial love of the cross is that all who believe should not perish, but have eternal life. Some peo- ple express their love in very extreme ways, for example by mutilating their own bodies or even lives to show the 14

Page 6 Newsletter Title God Loves the world (Continue…) greatness of their love, but this is all in pursuit of invite you to accept the love of the cross and let their own benefit. But the love of God is for the His love fill your life. If we have accepted Jesus good of the world, that whoever believes should Christ, then we thank God for his grace and we not perish, but have eternal life. What is eternal have tasted the sweetness of his love for the life? Eternal life is knowing God and having a rela- world. May this love of God for the world be the tionship with Him; and experiencing all the bless- driving force within us, like the waves of the sea ings that come from that relationship in this world that carry us out into the world and bring the good and in eternity. John 17:3, Now this is eternal life: news of God's love for the world to the world. that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. When we believe and accept Jesus Christ, we enter into a relationship with Him, and eternal life begins at this moment and reaches its peak at the end of that age. If you have not yet truly accepted Jesus Christ, then I It ain't those Bible Trivia Trivia Answers parts of the Bible 1. Amen 1. What is the last word in the Bible? 2. Esther 8:9 that I can't 2. Which is the longest verse in the Bible? 3. John 11:35 understand that 3. Which is the shortest verse in the Bible? 4. Psalm 119 bother me, it is the 4. Which Psalm is the longest in the Bible? 5. Psalm 117 parts that I do 5. Which Psalm is the shortest in the Bible? 6. Methuselah 6. Who is the oldest person written in the Bible? 7. Mahershalalhashbaz understand. 7. What is the longest name in the Bible? 8. What is the youngest book in the Old Testament? (Isaiah 8:3) - Mark Twain 9. How many books are there in the Bible? And how many in Old Testament? 8. Malachi 10. How many languages were used in the original Bible, including OT and NT? 9. 66, 39 10. 3: Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek 15

Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 7 God does not need us to serve him ~Richard Leong~ (originally presented as a short encouragement on Laity Sunday 2022) Richard and Family It is not easy serving as lay people. We have to do it on top of our work or study commitments, family commitments, and relationship commit- ments. It costs us time and effort, and we don’t even get paid for it. In fact, it costs us money. My lecturer illustrated the pathway to burnout in ministry with the very relatable example of someone vacuuming the church floor and feeling sorry for themselves. They are very aware of their sacrifices for God and feeling like God “owes” them. Look at me God, vacuuming the church floor when I could be doing something else. You owe me. When we find ourselves thinking like that, we need to pause, and re- If anyone speaks, they should do so turn to the grace of God. anyone serves, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of with the strength God provides, God. If anyone serves, they should God does not actually need us to so that in all things God may be serve him. Acts 17:25 says: “And he praised through Jesus Christ. To do so with the strength God is not served by human hands, as if him be the glory and the power provides, so that in all things God he needed anything. Rather, he him- for ever and ever. Amen.” We may be praised through Jesus Christ. self gives everyone life and breath serve God so that in all things To him be the glory and the power and everything else”. God does not God may be praised through Je- for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:11 need us to serve him. sus Christ. We serve God to as- cribe to him all glory and power So, why do we even serve God? 1 forever and ever. We serve God Peter 4:11 says: “If anyone speaks, to delight him. they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If I’ll finish with this story from Charles Spurgeon. Once upon a time there was a gardener who grew an enormous carrot. He took it to his king and said, “My lord, this is the greatest carrot I’ve ever grown or ever will grow; therefore, I want to present it to you as a token of my love and respect for you.” The king was touched and discerned the man’s heart, so as he turned to go, the king said, “Wait! You are clearly a good steward of the earth. I own a plot of land right next to yours. I want to give it to you freely as a gift, so you can garden it all.” The gardener was amazed and delighted and went home rejoicing. But there was a nobleman at the king’s court who overheard all this, and he said, “My! If that is what you get for a carrot, what if you gave the king something better?” The next day the nobleman came before the king, and he was leading a handsome black stallion. He bowed low and said, “My lord, I breed horses, and this is the greatest horse I’ve ever bred or ever will; therefore, I want to present it to you as a token of my love and respect for you.” But the king discerned his heart and said, “Thank you,” and took the horse and simply dismissed him. The nobleman was perplexed, so the king said, “Let me explain. That gardener was giving me the carrot, but you were giving yourself the horse.” If we give God things, including our service, in the hope that they will earn us blessings or heaven, then we are real- ly not doing anything for him at all – it’s for ourselves. When we give God our service, it is for him, not for us. When we vacuum the church floor, it is for him, not for us. God never asks us to vacuum the church floor, he simply asks us to love Him, as he first loved us. 16

Page 8 Newsletter Title 10 YEARS VISION Our Board had set the target to set our 10 years vision since last year. During the first board meeting 2022. it was agreed in the meeting that we set out vision as below: · 10 years, between 2021 to 2030 · 20 Theological Students. · $900,000.00 Scholarship fund required (average of $90,000 per year for the 10 years period between 2021-2030) *subject to approval and acceptance in the Annual Conference Why so many? Why so much? $900,000.00??? 20 Theological Students?? This figure is estimated from current con- The statistic shows that between 2020 tribution from Theological Education and 2030 there will be 12 pastors from Scholarship Fund is $15,000 per student CMCA that will be retiring! While we thank per year, which is minimal considering the God that some of these pastors will full actual cost of the process. The as- choose to continue to serve via special sumption was that each theological stu- appointments, however as minimum for dent will take average 3 years to complete healthier growth we should have the their Theological Education in approved same amount of new pastors joining seminaries. This calculation doesn't take CMCA. Also, Board on Mission has set consideration on future potential increase their vision to send up to 8 missionaries in contribution. by 2031. These will make up the total of 20. Please note these are the minimum target that we set and have not included the additional resources required due to organic growth in CMCA. Our vision target will include all the funds collected in 2021, and also current 3 Theological students we have under CMCA. Praise the Lord that even before He let us see the vision He has al- ready provided blessings to us! 17

Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 9 Understanding your church’s health (graphes from Board on Statistic Report to Annual Conference 2021) ACTS 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, [a] which he bought with his own blood. 18

CHINESE METHODIST Board on Theological Education Scholarship Fund CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA (BoTESF) is a board under Chinese Methodist (CMCA) Church in Australia (CMCA). The board served as a platform to raise fund and support all Theological BOARD ON FUND Students approved by Board on Ministry. BoTESF THEOLOGICAL is also tasked to promote the awareness and un- EDUCATION derstanding of importance of Theological Educa- SCHOLARSHIP tion, in particularly during Theological Education Sunday. 1219 Dandenong Road, Should you have further question on our ministry Malvern East, Vic 3145, please feel free to email me. Australia Thank you for supporting the ministry of BoTESF. Editor: Dennis Wong Email: [email protected] For internal circulation only Prayer items 1. Give thanks to God, as He has been blessing our minis- 4. Give thanks for this land called Australia. Pray try. We are blessed to be able to participate in the spir- for the spiritual revival of this land. The har- itual journeys of many Theological students, past and vest is plentiful but where are the workers? present. May we all continue to work together, and be Many are like the sheeps who lost the way faithful in this ministry entrusted by God. Whatever we and strayed away. Pray the God will once need, we trust God will provide and there is no short- again raise a new generation of Christians fall. 5. Pray for yourself, so you are willing to respond 2. Give thanks to God, because we have Theological Edu- to His calling and equip yourself for the sake cation in church. Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things of Kingdom of God. If you are moved after belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are re- prayer please do speak to your pastors for vealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we further follow up. may do all the words of this law. May God continue to give us spirit of wisdom, so we know God, and under- Please continue to support us financially stand the secret things He has revealed to us. Pray for 請繼續在經濟上支持我們 our hungry desire to pursue His words. Give thanks for the Theological Education workers, teachers and stu- Account Name: Chinese Methodist Church in Australia Inc dents. BSB: 013-225 3. Give thanks to God, for the blessings He pours to Account: 268138975 LAMM ministry. Pray that God will continue to guide the (please specify BoTESF and your name in all transaction) board. Also pray for the teachers and students, pray that God will continue to lead them with wisdom and (轉帳時請註明神學教育助學金部BoTESF及你的名字) power! 19