Receiving a baton or relaying a message? Part Three: “The race is over!”
We do not run because, when we think of Christ dying on the cross, we do not think his victory has become our victory yet. We do not feel his victory has been applied to us, and so we are not very happy or joyful. We do not feel his victory concerns our families, our futures, our eternity, and our lives. This is something worth thinking deeply about. This world is a cruel place. The power of Satan lies in his declaring to you that you are a failure, and he will continue to prove it over and over again. But the gospel tells you that you are a victor, and it will continue to prove it over and over again.
Receiving a baton or relaying a message? Part One: “A successor must have a clear calling from the Lord”
As disciples of the Lord, we must ask ourselves this question: the Lord has called me to be his disciple, but am I following him half-heartedly? A half-hearted disciple will not become a suitable successor. A successor must have a clear calling from the Lord.
Friday Reflection – This Orthodoxy Concerns Life and Death
A theological vision helps us build a lively and motivated orthodoxy – that is, if you understand that this orthodoxy concerns life and death, and if you understand its preciousness, it will become the driving force in your life.
The Chinese Church Under Pressure – Part 11, Cross-shaped Suffering
Planting a church and starting a church planting movement is an act of faith in the invisible future people of God. It is also a way to behold the inaugurated and present kingdom of Christ.
The Chinese Church Under Pressure – Part 10, Nothing Christians Suffer is New
Nothing Christians suffer is new; what we face today is not new. When the gospel and Christ come into the world, the kingdom of heaven comes with power. When Christ, the heavenly king, comes to become king of the earth, there will be misunderstanding and conflict.
The Chinese Church Under Pressure – Part 9, Re-creating Mankind
Today’s church is the construction site in which the Holy Spirit is building a new creation. You and I – pastors, preachers, each and every Christian – are builders of this holy city, and also builders of the ultimate humanity. The Holy Spirit is working through us to re-create mankind.
The Chinese Church Under Pressure – Part 8, Re-created Through Redemption
The will of God is to create a whole humanity. Genesis 3 ended the wonderful plan of creation that started in Genesis 1:26. The creation of God’s images was not completed. The end of Genesis 3 leaves humanity one big question: can the creation of humanity be completed?
The Chinese Church Under Pressure – Part 7, the Church is the Final Humanity
Chinese pastors have built on Clowney’s foundation to go one step further: the church is heavenly, and its nature is heavenly (belonging to God and to Christ), but at the same time it is the humanity God wanted to create, according to his will. The church is the complete and final humanity.
The Chinese Church Under Pressure – Part 6, Not Survival But Faithfulness
China’s transformation is yet to be completed, and it will be a “three-steps-forward-two-steps-back” shuffle. We have to make adequate preparations. The best and most crucial preparation is not a practical, short-term, “underground church survival” plan, only to resurface after the tide has passed. The older generation stood up for the gospel and for Christ; should we hide today for the sake of survival?
Fear Comes from the Invisible World – An Evangelistic Tract from a Chinese House Church
Wise people act not by sight, but by faith – faith in the truth. COVID-19 is unseen, but truly exists. We cannot neglect it and thus get ourselves fatally infected… A lot of things are invisible. However, we cannot ignore or deny their existence. Otherwise, we may be struck down by them in the end.
