My dear readers,

1. Gospel Doors open to Chinese Workers

China was closed to the Gospel for many years, being shut in behind the “bamboo curtain.” But our God is not willing that any should perish, but that the Word of life should be given to the Chinese.

In 1992 the Lord sent His servant Pastor Pang Kok Hiong to Saipan with the Gospel light to the Chinese workers in the factories (where over 10,000 mainlanders were employed). Many hundreds received the Lord and were saved. Some of these, after returning to China on completing their term, took on new jobs in the Kingdom of Jordan.

In the providence of God, the Christian workers found an Arab Church which opened to the Chinese their place of worship. But they were as “sheep without a shepherd.” When their need reached to Saipan, Pastor Pang instantly flew to their help. Thus began our Gospel outreach in Jordan.

But Pastor Pang needed a helper. At that time, Brother Chee Khuen Wah was preparing to join him in Saipan. By God’s perfect timing, Brother Chee re-routed to Jordan, in answer to the Gospel call. Together with his wife Siew Eng, he took up the challenge in 2001. Since then they have laboured tirelessly in three locations: Irbid, Amman, Karak.

2. Preacher Chee to be ordained

Six continuous years of faithful labour has been the test for Preacher Chee and his wife. They have passed the test with “flying colours.” Toiling literally night and day, they have traveled the “length and breadth” of the land of Jordan, from Irbid in the north to Karak in the south, a distance of over 120 miles each way, on a weekly basis, ministering to over 200 Chinese workers. In these 6 years, 554 have received the Lord in baptism.

Tonight, at our SGBF Evening Service, Preacher Chee will be ordained by the hands of four Pastors: Pang, Quek, Khoo and Tow. From henceforth, Brother Chee will be fully equipped to administer the Holy Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. This is a significant advance for the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Kingdom of God. All praise to God.

3. “Holiness” means “to be like our Lord”

In the apostle Peter’s first letter, the Word of God exhorts us in the way we should live: “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:14-16 ).

How can we “be holy as He is holy”? Simply by doing what our Lord commands us to do. This is proof of our love for the Lord: “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (Jn 15:14 ). In practical terms, it means, “If you love me, do as I do.” Be like our Lord: be holy.

4. Test yourself: “Am I holy, as He is holy?”

Holiness is not making a pilgrimage to some “holy place” or being conferred a “holy title” e.g. “Reverend” or “Pastor,” but simply doing what God says to do. The key to the Christian life is imitating the Lord Jesus in how He lived.

a) Do I love His company? Do I begin the day by spending time with the Lord? This is what we call “Quiet Time.” And not a few hasty moments, a quick “Hello” and a hurried “Good-bye.” If you love Him you will want to enjoy the Lord’s company, to speak to Him in prayer, and to hear him speak to you through His Word.

Ask yourself again, “Do I really love to be with my Lord, to spend time with Him in private, to let Him deal with me, to tell me my faults, my failures?” If you do, you are walking on “Highway of Holiness.”

b) Do I love His Name? We sing, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Do we really mean what we sing? Is the name “Jesus” precious to you? Does it excite in you feelings of gratitude for saving you from eternal death.

c) Do I love His Day? Truly? If so, I must prepare myself to worship Him “with heart and soul and mind and strength,” which means “early to bed on Saturday night.” Then on Lord’s Day morning I awake fresh and early for my QT with God, and I arrive in His Home for worship, early, well before the scheduled time of 10.30 am.

d) Do I love the preaching of His Word? “O how love I Thy law ..” Do I, really? Then I must also love to share the Gospel – Good News – with others, so that they too may come into God’s family.

e) Do I love the Holy Sacraments? If I say I love God, and refuse to publicly own Him in Baptism, then my “love” is questionable. If I say I love God, and do not reverence the Holy Supper, then my devotion is suspect. But if I am truly a child of God and my love for my heavenly Father is an “all consuming love,” I will doubtless honour my Saviour by acknowledging Him in public baptism and remember Him with whole-hearted devotion at His Table.

f) Finally, Do I hate sin? Every sin is an insult to God: how then can I do anything which grieves the One who shed His blood to cleanse away my sins? Let us examine our lives, our speech, our conduct and way of life, and with the Spirit’s help, let us “cleanse our ways” as we strive to walk the “Highway of Holiness,” to God’s glory.

Reminder: Come tonight to encourage God’s servants Preacher and Mrs Chee Khuen Wah, as he is ordained.

Lovingly in the Lord
Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor