“And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.” – Acts 5:42 (ESV)
Along our Property and Seed Fund Faith Journey for Covenant East, I began sharing this spiritual burden with many leaders concerning the return of congregational worship in church, and the gathering of small groups at weekly fellowships, just like how the Church of Jesus began in Acts. Regardless of advanced technology, livestream worship and sermons, and connecting small groups in cyberspace, I believe God created us in His own image. And a part of this is that we are to walk as relational beings on earth, then one day to be together for eternity, praising and worshipping in the communion of God.
When I was part of the Church Within task group toward Vision 2028 & Beyond, the Word from Acts 2:42-47 guided our deliberations, that “…day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts.” As the Lord added to their numbers, the early Church grew and persevered through all sorts of threat in their spiritual communities – from murderous plots to angry mobs and trials before the authorities – but still rejoicing for they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of Christ. Despite all the suffering they encountered, they continued to preach both publicly in the temple, and also privately in every house, to proclaim and make known the name of Christ.
When I ponder about the current state of on-site Sunday worship service attendance, I also pray for the Lord’s mercy over the churches of Singapore, for many have succumbed to the homely comfort and convenience during the pandemic and thereafter. There are people who are still reluctant to attend worship services at churches that God has provided, and some are still struggling to gather in small group fellowships at homes that God has blessed.
Indeed, the Lord has blessed us with the properties of BPJ, WDL and ACK Centres, and I believe also the future pleasant land for Covenant East. Shall we not obey and respond as faithful stewards of His blessings to keep stirring up one another to love and good works? Not in our own comforts but in the physical gathering at worship services and small group meetings, in order to be engaged in the desired social cum spiritual space.
Here’s a closing exhortation from King David’s great prayer of praise unto God,
“Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.” – 1 Chronicles 29:12-13 (ESV)
Let’s encourage one another toward being faithful stewards of Christ Jesus and worship the Lord with our being and our offerings!
