John 16:33

We have a role to mediate and point people to God.

A popular worship song* begins by asking
“Do you feel the world is broken?”
The congregation replies “We do”.
The song asks again,
“Do you feel the shadows deepen?”
They reply “We do”.
The song then asks,
“But do you know that all the dark won’t stop the light from getting through?”
The congregation replies with conviction, “We do”.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

In these times, it is so good to know Jesus is the light that has come into the darkness, “and the darkness has not overcome it.” (Jn 1:5). No amount of bad news can shake our confidence in the finished work of Jesus, and His plan for redemption for the earth.
He says to us,
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

So Kum Yan family, let us not be afraid!

Jesus Himself is the light that shines, but He also calls us to be the “light of the world”! We are to shine so that the world will see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven (Matt 5:14-16). We are indeed children of light and of the day, who do not belong to the darkness (1Thess 5:5). May our speech be full of encouragement and heavenly hope. Let us be caring and loving to our neighbours and friends, so that love abounds where we are.

So Kum Yan family, let us shine!

In Revelation 5, we hear a song sung about Jesus, the lamb of God who conquered sin and death being exalted.
“For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.” (v.9-10)
As a people redeemed by His blood, we are called to reign with Jesus on the earth as a global Kingdom family of priests. We have a role to mediate and point people to God. This is a time for announcing His Kingdom and to share what He has done, even to the ends of the earth!

So Kum Yan family, let us share the gospel!

A little later in Revelations 5, every creature in heaven and on earth and under and earth and on the sea, sang this song
“Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” (v.13)
Do we know the exalted and glorious Jesus who reigns forever in our daily lives? We may hear of bad news, and see the effects of the sin, violence, anger and hatred of humans. All that the human race can do to try to solve our problems only show our lack of wisdom and power. But all glory and power belong to Jesus forever. We remind ourselves of this when we gather as God’s people. May we have powerful times of worship and prayer in this time, as His light breaks through every darkness.

So Kum Yan family, let’s lift up the name of Jesus!

* “Is He Worthy?” by Andrew Peterson/Ben Shive