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在基督裡找到喜樂

Written by Editor1

2023.06.03/04

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

快樂和喜樂－這兩個詞語，我們是否會互相交替使用嗎？

但它們的詞意是不一樣的。喜樂比快樂有更深的層次。快樂與否會因為一些事情所致。喜樂是更深層次的，並不取決於周圍發生的事情。喜樂是內心的表現，深深地植根於我們的靈魂，不受事情和經歷所限制。

喜樂從何而來？“靠主喜樂”（腓立比書 3:1），是使徒保羅在羅馬的監獄裡寫的。他寫信給由他建立的腓立比教會。

“靠主喜樂”，保羅之前曾發出過同樣勸勉的信息，所以他說，“我寫這些話給你們，在我並不困難，對你們卻是妥當的。”

我們確實需要不住的提醒才能找到我們的喜樂。在基督裡找到我們的喜樂。

如果我問你，“你快樂嗎？” 你想告訴我什麼？ 也許你會說：“我並不快樂！我怎會快樂？”，“我忙碌工作，物價上漲令我憂心，孩子不聽話，父母生病，我都不知道我甚麼時候可以休息。”這些都是令人深感不安的環境。我祈禱祢的安慰與平安早日到來。保羅有著你同樣的感受，當時他正因為被巫告收監，前途未卜，能否活著還未知道。

那麼保羅的勸勉是什麼？ 第 8 節說：“我把萬事都拋棄了，看作廢物，為了要得著基督。”

認識基督會帶來喜樂，超越一般的快樂。

深入地認識基督耶穌，以至在困苦的日子裡經歷祂，祂帶給我們喜樂，這種喜樂會驅走恐懼。

如此深入地認識基督似乎是一項不可能的任務，事實並非如此，因為這是給我們的邀請。這是一個漫長而且是有可能的旅程，我們要努力朝向目標竭力追求。

你認識基督嗎？

你知道祂怎麼看你嗎？祂如何看待你今天的生活？基督滿有憐憫，祂無處不在，祂大有能力拯救你脫離罪的綑綁，祂是救贖主，祂是上帝的兒子，祂接受你成為祂的兒女，你可以信靠天父並以天父為樂，因為基督修復了你們的關係。基督是光，驅走黑暗。祂創造天地萬物，創造了你，當你感到疲倦缺乏力量，你可以來到祂的懷抱裡，你有耶穌，祂愛祢，祂看顧你，祂渴望向你展示祂復活生命的大能，這復活的生命打倒死亡、罪惡、邪惡和撒但的攻擊。

我以認識我主基督耶穌為至寶，我滿有喜樂，這喜樂讓我每天得力。

主僕
潘啟華傳道

教牧心聲

Learn to give thanks on the ordinary days of life

Written by Editor1

2023.05.27/28

From the Pastor’s Desk: Pastor Jeanie Auyeung

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Psalm 103:1-2 Bless the LORD, O my soul; bless his holy name, all that is in me. Bless

the LORD, O my soul; forget not all his goodness. (New Bible translation)

The poet David repeatedly spoke to his own heart, reminding himself not to forget God’s

grace!

During the fellowship gathering of the past week, we offered thanksgiving to God through music and hymns. Our time is filled with joy when we give thanks to God.
The church’s annual year-end thanksgiving meeting also encourages brothers and sisters to count the blessings that God has bestowed on us over the past year, but we often hear people say that there is nothing special to be grateful for. In fact, we often have the wrong idea that we need to be grateful only when something special or important happens.

The Bible teaches us to give thanks in everything. “Everything” includes all things big and small. Not just the things that we think are good, which includes bad times, and also to give thanks for things that we may have taken for granted.

Some years ago, a family brought their two children to church to attend VBS. The two

daughters accepted Christ at VBS and they prayed to thank our Heavenly Father for dinner. The father got angry and scolded the child for not thanking him. But rather thanking God because the father was the one who provided their living. Later on, the parents also believed in the Lord and they was finally knew to pray and thank our Heavenly Father before meals.

Many times, we take things for granted we don’t realize, and don’t think of it as being

God’s grace. When I visited patients in the hospital, I deeply felt that being

able to eat and taste the delicious food is not an ability that we will always have. We often don’t know how to thank God and treasure something until we lose it.

I once saw an interesting news item — a 4-week-old little squirrel in the UK was

seriously injured by an owl attack in 2019. A wildlife rescue

organization discovered her and entrusted her to the Harrison family, who was experienced in caring for squirrels. They gave the little squirrel a cute name “Bella” and took good care of her until she recovered. In the spring of 2010, the squirrel recovered well and they released her into the wild. Usually, squirrels who have just left home for a week will return home. But after they have returned to the wild, they will no longer approach humans. Unexpectedly, one day, a familiar little figure was sitting at the front door of the Harrison’s home. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Bella! Later, Bella went home to visit them without fail for the next 8 years after she

was released into the wild. She even went home when she was pregnant. After giving birth to 3 cute baby squirrels and when they grew stronger, they returned to the woods together.

This heart-warming story reminds us that even a squirrel never forgot the kindness of those who took care of her. How can we, who have received the Lord’s love so freely, forget the Lord’s kindness? Let us learn from David and count the Lord’s grace one by one. God’s grace is truly innumerable to us, to our family, and to the church. Because of all the grace bestowed by God, we must offer thanks and praise to Him from the bottom of our hearts!

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Jeanie Auyeung

教牧心聲

學習在平凡中謝恩

Written by Editor1

2023.05.27/28

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

詩103:1-2“我的心哪！你要稱頌耶和華；在我裡面的一切，都要稱頌他的聖名。我的心哪！你要稱頌耶和華；不可忘記他的一切恩惠。”(聖經新譯本)

詩人大衛重複地對自己的心說話，提醒自己不要忘記神的恩典！

在過去一週的團契聚會中，我們以感恩為主題，藉著詩歌一同向神獻上感恩。教會每年的年終感恩會也鼓勵弟兄姊妹數算神在過去一年內向我們所施的恩典，但常聽到人說沒有甚麼很特別需要感恩的事情可以分享。其實，我們常有錯覺，以為有特別或大事發生才要感恩。

聖經教導我們要“凡事謝恩”。“凡事”包括了所有的大小事情，也包括了我們認為好與不好的所有事情，更是包括了我們認為是理所當然的事。

一個家庭多年前曾把兩個孩子帶到教會，參加暑期兒童聖經班。兩女兒在兒童聖經班信了主，回家吃飯時禱告多謝天父。作父親的很生氣，罵孩子不多謝他，卻多謝天父。後來，他夫婦倆也信了主，知道吃飯時禱告多謝天父。

許多時候，我們對於一些習以為常的事情認為是理所當然，不曉得，也不覺得是神的恩典。在醫院探病時，深深感到：原來，能吃飯、能嘗到食物的美味，不是必然的。我們往往在失去時再復得，才能感受到，才懂得感謝神。

曾看到一則有趣的新聞 － 英國一隻只有4週大的小松鼠，於2019年被貓頭鷹攻擊受了重傷，野生動物救援組織發現後，將牠託付給照護松鼠經驗豐富的哈里森一家。他們替小松鼠取了個可愛的名字「貝拉」，並細心照顧直到牠康復。2010年春天，松鼠已恢復健康，他們便將牠帶到野外放生，回歸大自然。一般來說，剛「離家」一星期的松鼠們都還會不時回家走走，但不久後就回歸野性，不再接近人類。沒想到有一天，一個熟悉的小小身影端坐在哈里森家前門，仔細一看，居然是貝拉！其後，貝拉竟然在野外放生後接著的8年，從沒間斷地回家「探親」。生孩子時更「回娘家」待產。生了3隻可愛的小松鼠寶寶、等到孩子們都長得強壯後，才一起重返樹林。

這溫馨故事提醒我們，連松鼠也會不忘恩，我們這白白蒙受主恩主愛的人，豈可忘記主恩？我們要學習大衛，逐一數算主恩。神的恩典在我們個人、家庭、教會身上實在實在難以盡數，因著神所賜的一切恩惠，我們要從心底向神獻上感恩讚美！

主僕
歐陽鑽玲傳道

教牧心聲

We participate and cooperate in God’s work

Written by Editor1

2023.05.20/21

From the Pastor’s Desk:Rev. Francis Chan

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

The first AYAYA Youth Worship was held on January 12, 2019, in Room 200. At that time, there were less than 30 participants. The main attendees were members of John Fellowship, their mentors, and a few members of David Fellowship. The mentors had three children and a serving couple had one child. In order to take care of the four children, Auntie Winnie began the joyful journey of AYAYA KIDS. Due to the lack of serving people, we could only have worship twice a month. Thanks to their love for our young people, brothers and sisters regularly attending our Saturday and Sunday Cantonese worships would join us from time to time to show their support.  After a year, brothers and sisters got used to serving in AYAYA, and their sense of belonging to AYAYA had also grown. Our numbers continued to increase. We gathered on the second and fourth Saturday evenings. On the fourth Saturday before the service, we would have dinner together. We called it AYAYA HAPPY MEAL. Several adorable brothers and sisters who loved our young people would cook delicious dinners for us. This is a beautiful memory cherished by all of us who have participated in the HAPPY MEALs.

Encouraged by the senior pastor at the time, we started to have worship every Saturday evening in January 2020. To be honest, I was a little nervous at that time. Going from worshiping twice a month to worshiping every week more than doubled the demands on manpower and worship preparation. Thanks be to God, our co-workers were full of anticipation and with commitment, they took on the new arrangement. That is how we started having worship every Saturday evening. At that time, our average attendance had reached over 50 people, with over 80 people at the most.

However, good times did not last. COVID-19 arrived unexpectedly and disrupted our plans. Physical worship every week turned into online worship. In the new normal, every hymn was recorded by the worship teams at home, and every sermon was recorded by the pastors at home, then edited by our gifted editors, and finally played on YouTube. Without noticing, we did our worship online for 18 months.

On September 18, 2021, we resumed physical worship. Unexpectedly, more than 90 brothers and sisters signed up to participate. Because of this, we had to move to the sanctuary. From that time on, our numbers continued to increase, mainly due to the arrival of many new young families and young people from Hong Kong. From the beginning of 2023 until now, AYAYA Worship, AYAYA KIDS, and AYAYA TEENS, have an average weekly attendance of 220 people. As the number of congregants increases, so do the needs within our congregation, and the need for manpower. At the moment, we are still adjusting. We are thankful to God because we are facing happy problems. We are thankful to God because He loves and trusts the RCAC Family when He gives us brothers, sisters, and seekers of the faith in abundance. In our thankfulness, do we see the work that God is doing among us? Are we willing to participate in God’s work, and to work with him?

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Francis Chan

教牧心聲

上帝開展工作，我們參與配合

Written by Editor1

2023.05.20/21

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

第一次AYAYA 青年崇拜於2019年1月12日在200 號室舉行。當時參與人數不到30人。主要是約翰團的團友，約翰團的導師，和幾位大衛團的團友。團契導師有三位小朋友，一對參與事奉的夫婦有一位小朋友，Auntie Winnie 為着照顧四位小朋友，就開始了AYAYA  KIDS 的歡樂旅程。因為事奉人手短缺，一個月只能有兩次崇拜。由於教會弟兄姊妹對青年人的愛護，從開始到如今，都有週六崇和週日崇的弟兄姊妹偶爾來參加，表示支持。經過一年時間，大家開始熟習在崇拜事奉，對AYAYA 的歸屬感也增強了不少，我們的人數也不斷增加。我們在第二和第四個星期六晚上聚會，每逢第四個星期六聚會之前，我們會有AYAYA HAPPY MEAL。幾位愛護青年人的年長弟兄姊妹，會為我們煮一頓極之美味的晚餐，這也是我們早期參與 AYAYA 的弟兄姊妹，到今天仍然津津樂道的美事。

得到當時主任牧師的鼓勵，2020年1月我們開始每個禮拜六晚都有崇拜。說實話，當時我的心情的確有點忐忑。由一個月兩次崇拜，增加至每個星期都有崇拜，對事奉人手和崇拜準備的要求，增加何止一倍。感謝上帝，事奉同工對這個新安排，充滿期盼和承擔。就這樣，我們開始每個星期六晚都有崇拜。當時我們的平均人數已達至五、六十人，最多的一次有超過80人。

好景不常，COVID 19 在毫無預兆之下，悄悄降臨，打亂了我們的安排。由每個星期實體崇拜，變成線上崇拜。在新常態之下，每一首詩歌都是敬拜隊在家中自行攝錄，每一篇道也是牧者自己在家中錄影，然後由兩、三位姊妹剪接，最後在 YOUTUBE 播放。不知不覺，我們在線上崇拜，也就過了 18 個月。

2021年9月18 日，我們重新開始實體崇拜。想不到的事情發生了，我們竟然有超過90 位弟兄姊妹報名參加。因為這樣，我們只好移師大禮堂進行崇拜。從那時開始，我們的聚會人數不斷增加，主要是因為從香港來了很多新的年青家庭和青年人。從2023年年頭到現在，AYAYA 崇拜，加上 AYAYA KIDS 和AYAYA TEENS，我們的平均聚會人數已經超過220 人。由於聚會人數增加，群體裏面的需要也增加，事奉人手的需要也增加。我們現在還在適應中。我們感恩，因為我們要面對的，是開心的問題 (happy problems)。我們感恩，因為上帝愛護、信任列宣家，將弟兄姊妹和慕道朋友大大賜給我們。感恩之餘，我們是否看見上帝在我們當中開展的工作，我們是否願意參與、配合？

主僕
陳榮基牧師

教牧心聲

Pastoral Voice

Written by Editor1

2023.05.13/14

From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Mark Liu

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

It is by God’s Grace that I can use this space to share with you the latest about the Mandarin Ministries.

Before the Lord Jesus returned to heaven, He gave His disciples, including us, a command:

Matthew 28:19-20 “19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations...”

Our Lord commanded us to go and share the gospel. There are many ways to do so. Besides the ministry at Tsawwassen, we have also started a monthly worship at Rosewood Manor, a nursing home, since the end of April this year.

At the end of last year, we contacted the person in charge of the nursing home to explore whether we could conduct worship there once a month. Praise the Lord that we received very positive response. Since the COVID-19 pandemic was still serious at the time, we decided to wait until the spring to start this ministry.

Besides the brothers and sisters from the Mandarin ministry, some brothers and sisters from different Cantonese Congregation also participate in this ministry. On April 30th, a group of 12 people (including two elders, Katherine Yeo and Joe Tong) came to serve in this nursing home.

I am very grateful to the nursing home for providing a staff who is dedicated for coordinating with us. Before the worship started, we witnessed the staff of the nursing home, working hard to bring those who are in wheelchairs or resting in beds to us. There are also some who come on their own. Before the worship started, there were 28 people who live in this nursing home joining us.  Praise the Lord.

We chose two hymns, “Give Thanks” and “Great is Thy Faithfulness” as the first worship hymn. After that, I used John 3:16-17 to share the message. Since most of the participants are English-speaking, I shared the message in English. After sharing, the Holy Spirit inspired me to make a calling. Several people raised their hands, accepting Christ as their own Savior. For those who could not raise their hands, I encouraged them to say “yes”. I remember a resting-in-bed lady who kept saying “yes”.  I was touched.  Thank God, ten friends accepted the salvation. Afterwards, I invited co-workers to go to these people and pray for them. At the end of service, I also got to know a couple who had been missionaries in Haiti. They are now living in this nursing home. Praise the Lord for allowing us to serve, not only to those who have not heard of the Gospel but also those who used to serve the Lord elsewhere.

On the way home, I kept humming “Give thanks” in my heart. Thank God for enabling us to serve, bringing the Gospel to those who live in the nursing home. The Gospel should not stay in church building. The Gospel should reach to different places so that people can hear.

May God bless you all.  May God bless RCAC.

His servant,
Rev. Mark Liu

教牧心聲

教牧心聲

Written by Editor1

2023.05.13/14

列宣家的弟兄姊妹大家好，

感謝神的恩典，讓我能夠在這裡和你們分享國語事工的近況。

當主耶穌還沒有回到天家之前，祂給予門徒和我們一個命令：馬太福音28:19-20 “19 所以，你們要去使萬民作我的門徒…。”這個命令就是要我們走出去，把主耶穌的福音分享給其他人知道。走出去的模式可以有很多種，除了最近在Tsawwassen開始了國語事工之外，我們在四月底也開始在一家老人院–Rosewood Manor 開始了每月一次的崇拜。

我們在去年年底就與老人院的負責人聯繫，探討是否能夠以教會的名義在那裡舉行崇拜。感謝神的恩典，我們獲得了院方積極的回應。由於當時新冠疫情還是比較嚴重，我們決定等到春天的時候才開始這個事工。

感謝除了國語事工的弟兄姊妹參與之外，一些粵語堂的弟兄姊妹也參與在這個事工中。我們在4月30日，一行12人（包括兩位長老，楊劉宜家及唐永明）來到這個老人院服事。我們當時不知道會有多少人會參與。不過，我們禱告，求神帶領。其實，人數不是重點，我們期盼讓住在老人院的朋友們能夠聽聞福音。

很感謝院方的員工。在還沒有開始前，我們就見證了他（她）們把一些坐在輪椅或者是躺在病床上的老人家帶到我們當中。也有一些是自行走過來的。在崇拜開始前，有28位住在這個老人院的朋友們來參與。感謝神。

我們選了兩首詩歌，“獻上感恩”和“祢真偉大”作為第一次的崇拜的詩歌。之後，我使用了約翰福音3:16-17節作為分享。由於大部分參與的都是說英語的，我就以英語和大家分享訊息。在分享完後，聖靈感動我做一次呼召。就在那個時候，有幾位朋友舉手。有一些不能舉手的，我就鼓勵他們說“yes”。我很記得有一位躺在病床上的婆婆，不斷說“yes”，讓我覺得非常感動。感謝神，有十位朋友接受救恩。之後，我就邀請同工們走到這些決志的人當中，為他們禱告。在服事當中，我也認識了兩位曾經在海地這個國家當過宣教士的夫婦。他們倆現在住在這個老人院。很感謝神讓我們能夠服事他們。

在回家的路上，我心中不斷哼著“獻上感恩”。感謝神讓我們能夠服事。把福音帶給住在那裡的朋友們。福音不應該停留在教會建築物裡，而是要帶到不同的角落，讓人能夠聽聞福音。

願神祝福大家。願神祝福列宣家。

主僕，
劉展權牧師

教牧心聲

Knoll

Written by Editor1

2023.05.06/07

From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev.Raphael Chow

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

In my high school years, I attended a school in the suburbs with a small river nearby. The school was a seven-story building. Looking out from the classroom on the fifth floor, I could see a lush green meadow and forest on the opposite bank of the river, and in the distance, a small hill about ten stories high. Compared to Lion’s Hill in the distance, this was just a small hill covered with ordinary trees and weeds; it had no grand appearance, no winding mountain path, no towering ancient trees, no unique sights, and no valuable minerals.

In spring, as the trees sprouted and the branches turned tender green, the small hill was awakened and brought to life. Occasionally, the mist would envelop it, making the hill appear to be both hidden and visible. Nevertheless, the hill always had a gentle smile, greeting passersby. In summer, the scorching sun poured down a golden glow, and the hill was suddenly covered in a layer of golden light, showing off its charming dominance. The local cicadas woke up and sang loudly in the trees without reservation. The hill was fascinated by their singing and had not a trace of impatience. In autumn, the leaves turned brown and fell off, and the hill put on a brown coat. The cicadas left, and the cool autumn breeze swept across the land. The sun also went home early. The hill said goodbye to the sun but did not lose its calm hope because it knew that it would see the sun again tomorrow. In winter, the bitter cold wind blew from all sides, and the insects and birds all took refuge. However, the hill was warm and gentle, as if welcoming the coming winter: “Old friend, it’s nice to see you again!”

Year after year, the environment around the hill was not always the same. One year, the green grass under the hill became a junkyard, which was quite unsightly. The hill did not argue or protest but silently offered the land and blessed its users. Once, it was in the height of summer. On that day, there was a heavy rainstorm, and lightning struck the hill when I happened to be gazing at it. Smoke and flames surged, but because of the continuous rain, the smoke and fire were quickly suppressed, and the hill returned to calm. Now, the junkyard is gone, and the grassland is gone, replaced by houses, roads, entertainment centers, and office buildings. The hill remains the same, embracing everything on the earth, whether it’s insects, cicadas, or humans. It offers everything with a smile every day, bringing blessings to the earth.

The hill is not voiceless or soundless. So the poet said, “Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains shout together for joy before the Lord” (Psalm 98:8). The hill’s enduring constancy reflects that of the Creator. As the poet wrote, “26They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. … 27 But you remain the same, and your years will never end” (Psalm 102:26-27). What is more important is that this true God has thoughts of peace for you, not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?” (Psalm 121:1)

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Raphael Chow

教牧心聲

山丘

Written by Editor1

2023.05.06/07

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

中學時期就讀於一間近郊的學校，旁邊有一道小河。學校為七層的建築物。從第五層的課室外眺，近處可見河的對岸是一片翠綠的草地及叢林，而遠處則可見一座約十數層樓高的小山丘。比起遠處的獅子山，這只是一座小山丘，被一般的樹木雜草覆蓋；沒有高大巍峨的外觀，沒有蜿蜒山徑，沒有參天古木，沒有獨特景點，更沒有寶貴礦藏。

春天，樹木發芽，枝條嫩綠，就喚醒了小山丘，也帶來活潑生氣。偶爾，霧氣繚繞，令山丘若隱若現。縱是如此，山丘總是展示溫文的微笑，向著途人問好。夏天，太陽火辣辣金燦燦的光茫潑灑下來，山丘頓時蓋上一層金色光芒，顯出迷人的霸氣。當地裡的蟬兒睡醒，就毫不客氣的在樹上朗聲高歌。山丘痴迷的在欣賞，沒有一絲的煩躁。秋天，樹葉枯了，落了，山丘也換上了棕色的外套。蟬兒離去了，清涼的秋風掃過了大地，太陽也提早歸去了。山丘告別了太陽，但無減平靜的盼望，因知道明天還會再見。冬天，凜冽寒風四面吹擊，蟲鳥都迴避了。山丘卻溫文和緩，彷彿在歡迎到來的寒冬：「老朋友，又再見了，多好！」

年復一年，山丘的環境並非恆常一致。有一年，山丘腳下一片青綠色草地變成了廢車塲，好不大煞風景。山丘沒有爭辯，也沒有抗議。只是默默的獻出土地，祝福著土地的用者。有一回，想是盛夏時分。那一天暴雨傾盆，雷電交加。也不知為何我那時正眺望那山丘，突然電光一閃，就擊在山丘上。只見煙霧及火熖澎湧而起，但因為連綿大雨，那煙與火就轉眼間被壓了下去，山丘重歸平靜。如今，廢車場沒有了，草地沒有了，取而替代的是屋苑道路，文娛中心，辦公大樓。山丘依舊，始終如一，抱擁大地的一切，或蟲或蟬或人。每天在微笑中獻出一切，為大地帶來祝福。

山非無言，更非無聲。所以詩人說「願大水拍手，願諸山在耶和華面前一同歡呼。」(詩98:8)。山的恆久不變，反映創造者的不變。如詩人所記「26天地都要滅沒、你卻要長存．天地都要如外衣漸漸舊了…27惟有你永不改變，你的年數沒有窮盡。」(詩102:26-27)。更重要的是這位真神「所懷的意念，是賜平安的意念，不是降災禍的意念，要叫你們末後有指望。」(耶29:11)

「我要向山舉目；我的幫助從何而來？」(詩121:1)

主僕
周力行牧師

教牧心聲

Building the House of God

Written by Editor1

2023.04.29/30

From the Pastor’s Desk:Rev. Collins Kung

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

From January to April 2023, our preaching series begin with the Gospel of John, we learn from the life of Jesus as our model for deeper life.

For the next two months starting in May, our preaching will go back to the Old Testament.  We will study the Book of Ezra – Building the House of God.

The Israelites were God’s chosen people, whom were supposed to be the most blessed ones. However, the Israelites did not respect God as God and serve God exclusively; instead, they turned to worshiping idols. God kept sending prophets to warn them, but they did not listen. As a result, the kingdom of Judah was captured by the Babylonian Empire in 586 BC. From then on, the Israelites were exiled to Babylon and entered a period of subjugation.

However, God’s intention is to discipline them through exile and give them a chance to return. Through the mouth of the prophet Jeremiah, God declared the judgment (exile) and comfort (return from exile).

  • 25:11-12 : “11This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 12 Then after seventy years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity, declares the Lord, making the land an everlasting waste.”
  • Jeremiah 29:10 : “10For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.”

God indeed is faithful. The first chapter of the Book of Ezra told us the fulfillment of the prophecy. At that time, the Babylonian Empire had fallen and was replaced by the Persian Empire. In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, Cyrus made a proclamation that the exiled Israelites could return to Jerusalem to build the House for the Lord. This is the first return. In our preaching for the next two months, we shall study chapter 1 to 6, focusing on the returned Israelites and how did they rebuild the House of God. Having God’s help did not mean the building of the House of God was no difficulties or challenges; there were numerous difficulties and obstacles. Finally, under the protection of God and the repentance of the Israelites, the project was eventually completed.

Our preaching series ends at Chapter 7, which tells us how Ezra led the Israelites for the second return and how God used Ezra to rebuild His people.

May we study God’s Words with our heart, I encourage you to read the scriptures (one chapter at a time) prior to worship, to listen to the sermon and to take notes of the sermon.  We learn from the vast experiences of Israelites of their return journey and apply it today to build the House of God.

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Collins Kung

教牧心聲