Nov 07-08, 2020
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Collins Kung

Due to the Covid 19 this year, the Greater Vancouver Bible Conference moved to live broadcast online. However, because of the engagement of church ministries, I was not able to watch the live broadcast. Fortunately, the organizer VCEMF had recorded the messages and made it available on the youtube channel, so that I can watch and listen to it afterwards.  The Speaker, Rev.  Samuel Chan comes from Toronto, and his messages can better meet the needs of the North American churches.  I like to share some of my reflections on the third meeting.

Rev. Chan put forward four biblical absolutes:

  1. We live in two kingdoms of conflict

The first reality is that we live in a kingdom on earth (Canada), and at the same time we are also the citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.  The kingdom on earth is a secular government, not a theocratic kingdom.  We are living in the tension between the two kingdoms.

  1. We all have dual citizenships

The issue of allegiance arises when the value of the secular government conflicts with the value of the Kingdom of Heaven.  The Bible teaches us to obey God first, and then obey the government on earth. 1 Peter 2:13 “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the king, as the supreme authority,…17. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the king.”

  1. The government is established by God, the purpose is to restrain evil

Romans 13:1 “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God… 4. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”

  1. The church is established by God to make disciples of all nations

Then Rev. Chan led us to think about an important question, how do we as a church live in the world but not of the world?

  • The church must focus on the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, spread the gospel and train disciples. This includes five aspects: teaching the truth of the Bible, living out love and righteousness (generosity, equality, advocacy, commitment), building and strengthening faith, serving the community and finally praying.
  • The church should encourage brothers and sisters who are willing and have burdened to go into the world, to be the salt and light in different areas and aspects and to manifest Christ. We should support them and pray for them.
  • Finally, he used three English words to describe the three forms of churches:
  1. Isolate: a church that keeps itself isolated from the world and ignores the
  2. Integrate: a church that compromises with the world and follow the world, gives up its beliefs, and agrees the secular values.
  3. Infiltrate: Let the truth of Jesus Christ infiltrate every corner of the community, a church that is in the world and not of the world.

I hope that RCAC will continue to move in this direction and become a church in the world but not of the world.  I encourage everyone to go online and watch or review the messages.  Let us work hard together in advancing the gospel ministries.