Editor’s note: Fuzhou pastors share Scripture passages that they feel exemplify their city.
China Partnership: What passage of Scripture do you feel is representative of Fuzhou?
People Who Do Not Listen
Shi Heping: The passage that comes to my mind is Exodus 6:7-9:
“I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the LORD.”
No matter how much you tell them about God’s promises, they will not listen.
This is what Moses said to the people of Israel, but the people did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery. The characteristic of the whole community of Israel is that their circumstances have led them to suffer so much that, no matter how much you tell them about God’s promises, they will not listen. This is the situation we face with most people.
Take Up Your Cross
Gao Yile: Perhaps the most representative passage is Mark 8:34:
“And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”
They need to understand the gospel, and understand how to take up their cross and follow Christ.
There are many old churches here in Fuzhou, but those churches tend to be more worldly. Perhaps they need to understand the gospel, and understand how to take up their cross and follow Christ – not just seek to get benefits from God.
God Is Still Working
Preacher Yu: I personally think it’s John 5:17:
“But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father is working until now, and I am working.’”
Never miss a story
Sometimes, in ministry, I feel there are many challenges. But even so, I believe God is still in control. There are difficulties in ministry, and I can see that overall, the state of the church today is not very good. I also know that in the last days, as the day of the Lord’s return draws nearer, these sorts of problems will likely arise.
Although all this is true, I believe that God is still in control. He is still working.
But although all this is true, I believe that God is still in control. He is still working. He will not abandon his church. He still watches over and protects his own.
Shi Heping, Gao Yile, and Preacher Yu are pseudonyms for house church pastors in Fuzhou.
Pray for God to work in a mighty way in Fuzhou, and that Fuzhou believers will be willing to take up their cross and follow Christ.
