St Andrews Church Kowloon: Recent Episodes
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I was reading recently about a Christian man called John Paton who travelled to the New Hebrides, now known as Vanuatu. In the 19th century, the islands had a fearsome reputation, and several Christians had already been killed there. Paton’s church elder, a man named Mr Dickson, desperately tried to stop Paton from going, warning him that he might be eaten by cannibals!
Paton replied: “Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms; I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving and honouring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by cannibals or by worms.”
Most of us will never be asked to show courage in quite such dramatic circumstances, but every Christian is called to be courageous. The Bible’s understanding of courage is rather different from the world’s view. Worldly courage is presented as confidence in ourselves: believing that we are strong enough to overcome whatever stands before us. Christian courage begins with confidence in God.
courage grows through small acts of obedience
When Joshua was preparing to lead Israel into the Promised Land, he had every reason to feel afraid: Moses had died, and now the responsibility before him was colossal, and yet God repeatedly told him, “Be strong and courageous.” The reason Joshua could take courage was all to do with God’s promise: “The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Christian courage grows when we become more convinced of God’s presence than we are overwhelmed by our circumstances.
We see this most clearly in Jesus. Jesus told his disciples that they would face trouble in the world but then said, “Take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Our courage rests in Christ’s victory. We can act faithfully even when we feel afraid because Jesus has overcome sin and death, and nothing can separate us from his love.
So how does courage develop
Usually, courage grows through small acts of obedience. We learn to speak truthfully when silence would be easier, or we choose forgiveness when resentment is more satisfying. John Paton’s story teaches us to share our faith even though we worry about what others might think or say. Each time we trust God and obey him, our confidence in his faithfulness deepens.
Now, it is possible to be courageous and still feel fear. The courageous person may still feel nervous, uncertain, weak or incompetent. Christian courage means bringing those fears to God and continuing to follow Christ whatever the cost.
I wonder whether there is a conversation that you have been avoiding or an act of obedience you have delayed… perhaps it is an opportunity to speak about Jesus that feels daunting. God gives us his Word and his Spirit to enable us to live courageously.
Read again the words of Jesus: “Take heart.” Our confidence is in the one who has overcome the world.
It can be hard to get our heads around just how many people there are in the world: over 8 billion people! In our home city of Hong Kong, with over 7 million inhabitants, packed in crowded streets and towering skyscrapers, it is easy for us to feel forgotten, lost, or even entirely unseen. On top of that, the Lord can seem distant and hidden, crowded out by the noise and chaos of everyday life.
Against that vast backdrop, our lives, and therefore our choices, can seem inconsequential. What difference do my daily choices and actions really make? Why bother choosing integrity when cutting corners goes unnoticed? Why pursue justice and compassion when it often comes at great personal cost? Should I not give in to temptation and live for self rather than others, choosing self-pleasure rather than holiness? It is easy to conclude that our small acts of righteousness simply do not matter. These decisions are often costly and put us at odds with the world around us. And so our hearts might raise that sinister question – what is the point in living a godly life? What difference does it even make? Sure, I believe in God, but does he really care about my little life?
God loves to make himself known in the world
As we begin a teaching series in the book of Esther, these sorts of questions are raised throughout the story. Famously, the book never explicitly mentions God. And yet his presence is unmistakable. Behind every moment, from a king’s insomnia to the casting of lots, God’s providence and sovereign control are seen, assuring us that even when God feels distant or hidden from our lives, there is hope in his ever-present rule. Every decision, great and small, whether the godly ones of Esther and Mordecai or the selfish ones of Haman, are seen by the Lord. He cares about how each person lives each day of their life.
Esther challenges the lie that we are unseen or that our choices make no difference. This book reveals the God that is not seen through our earthly eyes. God is always at work in and through the church to bring about his good purposes. Esther may have felt invisible, but the truth is that she was loved. The Lord may seem hidden, but the truth is that he is always present. We may feel forgotten and inconsequential, but there is hope in the God who calls us his children.
The Bible invites us to see beyond what our earthly eyes can see and to put our trust in the Lord of glory. In Christ and by the Spirit, God loves to make himself known in the world. May we be people of faith, remembering that, ‘From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us’ (Acts 17:26-27).
We live in a world that normalises busyness. There is always another email to answer, problem to solve, or expectation to meet. Rest can therefore feel unproductive, irresponsible or even impossible. We tell ourselves that we will slow down when everything is done, but that day never seems to come. Yet as Christians, rest should be non-negotiable.
Have you ever noticed that many of the Ten Commandments are expressed briefly and directly? Some contain only a few words. But the command to rest is explained across several verses. Why does God give rest so much attention?
The Bible gives two important reasons for Sabbath rest. In Exodus 20, the reason is trust. God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. Israel was called to follow that pattern, stopping their work as an act of trust in the Creator who sustains all things.
I’ve learnt that the quality of our rest is often determined by the quantity of our trust. When we believe everything depends on us, we struggle to stop. But when we trust that God is sufficient and faithful, we can lay down our work and rest in his care.
In Deuteronomy 5, the command is rooted in redemption. Israel was told to remember that they had once been slaves in Egypt, but God had rescued them. Slaves cannot choose when to stop working, but redeemed people can rest. Sabbath reminded Israel that their identity was no longer defined by endless labour, but by the God who had set them free.
The Sabbath points us beyond physical rest to the greater rest found in Jesus. We can rest because God has completed the work of salvation. On the cross, Jesus declared, “It is finished.” Rest, then, is not a reward for getting everything done. It is a gift received from the God who has already done what we could never do for ourselves.
the quality of our rest is often determined by the quantity of our trust
So what might faithful rest look like?
Physical rest allows our bodies to be restored through sleep and stillness. Cognitive rest creates space in our minds away from constant decisions, screens and notifications. Recreational rest is making space for the joy God gives through simple pleasures such as reading, music, creativity, exercise, or time in nature. Relational rest is enjoying time with loved ones that bring joy, and maintaining healthy boundaries in relationships where needed.
Spiritual rest is more than taking a day off. It is intentionally placing ourselves in God’s presence. It restores the soul through prayer and thanksgiving, meditating on God’s Word, worship through song, and meeting with God’s people. Spiritual rest turns our attention away from what we must do and towards what God has already done.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invites us with our busy and burdened hearts: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” It’s my prayer that you’ll find true restorative rest in our Lord Jesus this summer. May you have the humility to acknowledge your limits, the faith to trust God’s provision, and the space to encounter him afresh by his Spirit.
Gazing hollowly at the messy aftermath left by a bunch of tiny yet destructive “rebels”, I thought to myself, “What’s the point of planning and preparing for hours? Did the kids learn about Jesus at all? Maybe I’m not fit for Sunday Club…” That was me five years ago, after a rather hard start as a Sunday Club volunteer at my church back in the UK. Yet, over time, I have come to see that it is precisely the unpredictability and energy of children’s ministry that enables me to experience God’s present work.
While some are drawn to children by their cuteness or innocence, kids can also be unpredictable, rowdy, and restless. At the same time, the Bible teaches us that they are deeply valued in the Lord’s eyes. Jesus welcomed the little ones and said that the kingdom of God belongs to them (Luke 18:16), not because they are especially lovely or have much to offer, but because they are ready to receive him in their unworldly state.
With such readiness in mind, Proverbs 22:6 reminds us not to neglect the importance of introducing our loving and truthful Creator to the young. Growing up as a nominal Christian, I often wished I had known God personally earlier in life: to know that my worth is not based on academic performance; that he is still there to forgive and correct me when I have done wrong; and that my future is certain in him when I worry about the road ahead.
Jesus welcomed the little ones
Given the significance of raising children in Christ, how can we help them know God as they are still developing intellectually, emotionally, and socially?
Each week at Kidzone, we explore a Bible story or truth through interactive activities: songs and actions, games, crafts, skits—you name it. This “organised fun” provides children with a creative space to engage with God’s living Word and cultivate a positive church experience. In fact, early church experience is a strong predictor of faith during adulthood. So, never underestimate the foundational ministry taking place in our Crèche.
A common misconception is that only those who are patient and naturally good with children should volunteer at Kidzone. While some may be more experienced in this area, for most of us it is very much a learning journey. Children’s ministry has taught me to be prayerful and to rely on God, trusting that he uses these occasionally chaotic sessions to bring the little ones to him. And they never cease to surprise me with their curiosity and how much they have absorbed over the weeks.
Two pages are not enough to include all the encouragement I have received from serving alongside like-hearted volunteers and partnering with parents in our church family. But please do talk to a Kidzone volunteer, to me, or to Carol, our Children’s Ministry Director, if you are considering joining. We look forward to venturing together with you in this vibrant and exciting ministry.
We recently hosted a Women’s Conference here at St Andrew’s where we dived deep into the book of Jonah to explore the mystery of God’s mercy. It was also very encouraging to gather together over food and fellowship (of over 100 women!) to enjoy discussions as we reflected on some challenging truths in this book – that we are all undeserving.
I was pleasantly surprised to find just how amazing it is to be collectively brought down a peg in this way. I suppose wherever we are in life, it’s generally good for us to receive a healthy dose of humility since we are often so quick to think too highly of ourselves.
In the book of Jonah, God sends Jonah to head to Nineveh to preach repentance to the wicked city. However, Jonah is reluctant because he knows the Lord will be merciful to the city if they repent (and the Assyrians were brutal enemies to the Jewish people). Therefore, Jonah initially tries to flee. But after a great storm results in him being thrown into the sea and spending three days and nights in the belly of a fish, he reluctantly goes to Nineveh to proclaim God’s warning. As a result, the city repents, and God relents.
This is a happy ending, right? Yes – but the last chapter of the book tells us how displeased Jonah is with God’s mercy on Nineveh. This leads the reader to an uncomfortable question: do God’s people always share his heart of compassion for the lost?
let’s be eager to have a heart like God
Let me share my personal takeaways from this event:
Thankfulness – I’m praying that I can be more mindful of how I am an undeserving recipient of God’s mercy, which will hopefully lead to a more thankful heart and increased joy.
Graciousness – I’m also praying that this mindset (of increased thankfulness) will have an outward expression too. Knowing how undeserving I am of God’s love, this should enable me to be more gracious towards other people in my life whom I – for whatever fickle subjective reason – deem to be “undeserving” of my love.
The greatest way we can love those around us is by addressing their greatest need: salvation from God’s judgement (just like the Ninevites back then). Wonderfully, we live in a time in history when we are able to see how God provided Jesus Christ to be the perfect mediator in order for us to be made right with God. So, let’s be eager to have a heart like God and share the gospel with those who need to hear it.
Events like these are so special because they allow women from across our church family, at different life stages and walks of life, to meet together and share our perspectives with one another in a really intimate setting.
If you want to mark your calendar to join our next women’s event, it will be on Saturday 28 November. More details to be announced closer to the day, but why not save the date now to ensure that you’ll be available when it rolls around – we hope to see you there!
Think about how life would be different if Gutenberg hadn’t invented the printing press, or if Edward Jenner hadn’t developed a smallpox vaccine or if Thomas Edison hadn’t invented the light bulb, or if the internet, smartphones, or A.I. hadn’t come about. Most of the time, we take for granted these inventions that have made an incredible difference to humanity. Yet, it’s hard to imagine life without them.
Could we say the same thing about our relationship with Jesus?
It’s possible to firmly believe that Jesus lived, died, and rose from the dead, yet he makes no significant difference in how we live from day to day. We can easily forget Jesus when it comes to handling anxiety, relating to difficult or hurtful people, or making decisions about the future. Practically speaking, our lives may sometimes look no different from those of people who don’t follow Jesus.
This marginalisation of Jesus in our lives is a strategy of sin. Sin resists Jesus’ demand for supremacy in our lives. Sin wants to make our idols big and Jesus small in our hearts. Its policy is to push Jesus into the corners of our lives where we see him less, and his voice is less clearly heard. Sin wants us to think that Jesus is limited, weak, distant, and unconcerned for us.
Jesus who makes everything different for those who follow him
But the Gospels tell us about the Jesus who is far more wonderful than we can imagine. In the Gospels, we meet Jesus the Healer, who knows our pain, and one day will give us the resurrection life that we are made for. We meet Jesus the Teacher, whose words bring truth, light, and comfort. We meet Jesus the Sacrifice, who laid down his own life for us to bring us forgiveness and hope. And we meet Jesus the King, who sees all and rules over all things, and one day will bring perfect justice. When we meet Jesus, we realise that he’s more awesome, powerful, and glorious than anything else in this world; yet he’s also tender, loving, and intimately concerned for us. This is the Jesus who makes everything different for those who follow him.
At our Sunday services over the next month, we’re going to think more deeply and practically about the difference Jesus makes in problems of life that we all experience. We’ll look at the difference he makes when relationships get hard, when life feels overwhelming, when it feels like the world is out of control, and when we can’t find meaning.
Jesus is a man who lived poor and died young – who never wrote a book, raised an army, or led a government – yet he became the most life-transforming, history-shaping person of all time. This is the Jesus who wants to be Lord of every part of your life, for his glory and for your good.
Youth is a vital time in a young person’s Christian journey. It’s a time of change and development with pressures all around and many questions to follow. Because of that, it’s also a great time when we get the opportunity to share the gospel with them, and for some, it may be the only experience of Jesus they ever have. Which is why it’s so important we make the most of the time they are with us.
Every Sunday, we make an effort to teach God’s word, worship him in song and build relationships. But it’s no small task, especially at the 9:30 service, when we can get over 60 young people ages 11-18, which can make it intimidating for the youth and leaders when they come for the first time.
A great passage I like to reflect on when serving at youth is Proverbs 22:6, which says “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it”.
That is our purpose at youth. We are here to give our young people a starting point for a relationship with God that will help them grow and mature faithfully in the later stages of life.
give our young people a starting point for a relationship with God
As leaders, we have to be mature Christian role models. This can feel like a big responsibility, but it can also be a great source of encouragement, as it allows us to support them on their own journeys.
A large part of youth is dedicated to discussion time after the talk to reflect on and discuss how we can apply what we have heard. This is one of the times that shine as a leader, because it’s our opportunity to really get to know our groups and help them as they struggle through life. Big questions, tedious relationships and lots and lots of tests. These are the things that the youth of this age have to deal with constantly, and being able to speak a Christian perspective into those areas is a real joy.
However, it can be hard to see if we are getting anywhere with them, and we may not see any fruit from their time with us. But that shouldn’t stop us from trying; we know that God is at work in these moments in ways we
may never understand.
Despite that, we’ve been greatly encouraged to see what God has been doing among our youth. This year, we have seen baptisms, the development of our youth band and some have even started attending the student growth group ‘Focus’. They never cease to surprise us.
As someone who grew up attending youth myself, I am still forever grateful for my leaders and still meet up with some of them today. I’d love to encourage you to consider serving at youth prayerfully. If you are interested in finding out more, you can talk to myself, Elger our Youth Director or sign up online.
This week I received the report card from school for my six year old son. Like many fathers, I read it with a mixture of anticipation, anxiety, and emotion. Has he done well academically? In what areas has he grown in character and resilience? Where does he need more support? Where is he ahead and where behind?
While there is a noble desire and deep pride in seeing our children flourish, I suspect there is often an underlying fear behind these questions. A fear that our children might miss out on what life has to offer. A fear that they may not be good enough, accepted, or truly belong. A fear that we are somehow failing to give them the very best.
Yet the irony is that, despite all the stress and effort we put ourselves through to “improve” our children, their value to us does not come from their achievements. They are precious simply because they are our children. We willingly pour out patience, sacrifice, energy, and love for them.
When I ponder the noblest aspects of fatherhood in this way, I get a glimpse of God’s love for his children – a love that far exceeds what the very best fathers on earth can offer.
As a dad, I delight in my child when he is thankful for my generosity, when he recognises the love he has at home, when he takes on some of my values, and when he trusts me wholeheartedly. I can forgive him time and time again when he messes up. No amount of angst lasts for too long. He can simply be because he belongs in my family.
our heavenly Father delights in us, his adopted children
This makes me think how much our heavenly Father delights in us, his adopted children. We don’t have to achieve anything or be better than anyone else. We belong to him because of his generosity and never-ending love. Jesus has shown us this clearly in his life, death and resurrection. God’s Spirit keeps telling us this today as he speaks into our hearts. No matter how wretched I am, God’s love is far greater. May I delight all the more in my heavenly Father and trust in him wholeheartedly with childlike joy until the end of days.
Being a dad compels me to think about the balances of daily life in a new way. Whether to intervene or let my child’s foolish decisions take their course. Whether to teach and command or allow him to develop his own convictions in his own time. Whether to encourage freedom and fun or demand discipline and instill an understanding that life is serious and difficult.
At the end of the day, we must entrust our children to our heavenly Father. We can find joy and comfort knowing that he loves our children far more than we do. The best thing we can do is point our children to God and ask that he will use us to model and guide them. To see how dependable and worthy he is through all of life’s twists and turns.
Happy Father’s Day! May our children flourish most in those things that command eternal value.
If practical logistics/commitments were not an issue and you could live anywhere (have any lifestyle) you wanted, what would that look like?
My current answer to that question would look like a small, cottage-core cabin in the Canadian Prairies with a chocolate Labrador. Ideally, it’d be close enough to civilisation to be somewhat convenient… but far away enough that no one would bother me and I can live a beautiful hermit life in peace and quiet.
Yeah, I don’t think that will ever happen. Why? Not because it’s impossible to achieve, but I don’t think that would be very good for my spiritual life as a Christian.
As I continue to grow in my faith, I’m seeing more and more how my vertical relationship with God impacts my horizontal relationships with people around me. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together… but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” You can’t love and encourage other people if you withdraw from the community. You can’t be loved and encouraged if you never let others get close to you. As a naturally shy person, this is an area I am still learning to grow in. But be encouraged! God is very generous and if we ask him for help in prayer he is able to help us increase our capacity to love others better.
my vertical relationship with God impacts my horizontal relationships with people around me
As Christians, we are not called to live a comfortable and non-challenging life. We are called to deny ourselves daily and to sacrificially follow our Lord Jesus Christ. So, what might this look like practically?
Be more thick skinned – don’t be afraid of being a bit awkward and talk to others even if it doesn’t come naturally to you. The 60 second greeting on Sundays is a great way to start. Don’t sit down after 5 seconds. Make the most of the random question the service leader asks and have a conversation with someone around you.
Eat with others – depending on which Sunday service you go to, chances are you’ll need to have breakfast/lunch/dinner before or after the service. Why not eat with other church-goers? It doesn’t have to be every week, but once in a while is nice too.
Arrive earlier and stay later – you might be tempted to pat yourself on the back for not being late to a service, but have you thought that being punctual is kind of like the bare minimum? What if you arrived a few minutes earlier and chose a seat intentionally to meet more members of the church family? What if you stayed behind a bit afterwards to share reflections on the sermon with those sitting around you?
These are just some suggestions, but I think you get the idea. Here’s a challenge to put yourself out there this week and be open to letting others bother you – all for God’s glory!
Most of us don’t naturally welcome conflict. If we can avoid it, we will. Yet it still finds its way into our families, friendships, workplaces, and even our churches. Like me, you may know how easy it is to avoid confrontation and hope the issue will fade away. We call it “keeping the peace.” But Jesus doesn’t say, “Blessed are the peacekeepers.” He says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matt 5:9). So it’s worth asking, are you a peacekeeper or a peacemaker?
Peacekeeping often feels like the safer, kinder option. We don’t want to upset anyone, so we hold back. We leave messages unsent, avoid conversations, or convince ourselves that a difficult issue is not worth raising. What feels like peace on the surface can quietly create distance, as misunderstandings go unspoken and resentments linger.
Peacekeeping seeks the absence of conflict, whilst peacemaking seeks the presence of reconciliation. That is where the challenge lies. Our pride resists admitting our faults and failures. Our fear makes it hard to lovingly confront others. It often feels easier to live with unresolved tension than to risk the vulnerability that real reconciliation requires.
Part of the problem is that we can misunderstand what peace really is. In the Bible, the Hebrew word “shalom” describes peace in its fullness, as wholeness and restoration. It is life rightly ordered under God, marked by restored relationships with him and with one another.
As those who have received peace, we are called to pursue it.
This is exactly what God has done for us in the gospel. He did not create peace by ignoring our sin, but by fully addressing it in Jesus. However, peace came at a cost. At the cross, God confronted what separated us from him. Jesus took the penalty for our sin so that we could be reconciled to God and know true and lasting peace.
As those who have received peace, we are called to pursue it. This may mean initiating a difficult conversation. It takes courage to speak the truth in love. It requires humility to admit where we have been wrong. It calls for patience to listen when we would rather defend ourselves. Lastly, we need to trust God with outcomes we cannot control.
Unfortunately, on this side of heaven, not every relationship will be restored the way we want. Some responses will fall short of what we had prayed for, leaving tension unresolved. Regardless of how relationships turn out, peacemakers are not left without peace. We are to rest in the peace God has already secured for us in Jesus.
As followers of Jesus, we are not simply called to keep the peace, but to make it. It’s my prayer that God would guard us from the comfort of avoidance and give us hearts willing to do the work of reconciliation, as we seek to “keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3), living together as children of God.
My journey as a Christian began during my university years in London. One Sunday, a friend from my dorm invited me to church, which started my journey of exploring this faith, for which I am forever grateful.
Growing up, life was quite smooth – whatever I put my mind to and worked hard for, I was able to achieve, doing well in exams and extra-curriculars, getting into a good university, getting multiple law firm offers, having great friends and social events to attend. I remember thinking to myself that being second in class was not good enough and that only being at the top would make me happy. In this anxious search for perfection, I felt empty, stressed and lacking in joy, always searching for the next achievement, recognition, and relationship to make me feel better.
Attending church in London brought me a peace that transcended all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7) and a joy I’d never experienced. But that was only the start of a long journey of learning about our God, understanding his love for me, and how incredibly undeserved that is for a sinner like me. As a new Christian, I didn’t understand why it was wrong for me to call the shots on my life, why it was wrong for me to want to control every area of my life for my own interests, having no regard for our maker and Lord.
God humbled me, changed and refined me
It took me a long time to start to understand the countercultural way of life our creator speaks of: that those who are first will be last, and the last first (Matthew 19:30), that when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10), and that we are saved through faith, not of our doing, a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8).
As the Lord allowed me to open my heart to hear him, I gained freedom, freedom from chasing the work and relationship idols in my life, acknowledging him as my Father, knowing that “unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labour in vain” (Psalm 127:1). There were deeply painful experiences I went through, the sudden passing of a loved one and multiple heartbreaks. But it was through these experiences that God humbled me, changed and refined me. He saved me from the idols of my life, disciplining and teaching me that he only is the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6).
Getting baptised is long overdue, but today my baptism declares my faith. It’s a proclamation that God is the Lord of my life. I hope to honour him first and foremost with everything that I do and with everything that I have. C.S. Lewis said “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen; not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else”. I pray those who are yet to know our creator will, in his timing, experience true joy, freedom and contentment in a relationship with him too.
Polly and I first joined the St Andrew’s community in 2012, shortly after moving to Hong Kong with our four boys. At the time, we’d recently celebrated a decade of marriage and felt ready for a new chapter. Now, as we approach our 25th anniversary with two boys off at university, I often wonder, ‘Where did the time go?’
Back in September, we decided to attend a marriage conference at church. It had been years since our first and only other one, where we won the “newest married couple” award. While we had no burning issues to address, we looked forward to the opportunity to reflect, receive wise counsel, and consider ways to strengthen our relationship.
The conference was rewarding in all the ways we hoped, but my favourite part was simply spending time with Polly. The teaching was encouraging, and the structured time allowed us to reflect and have meaningful conversations. It was also an opportunity to reconnect, not only with each other but also with other couples committed to growing their relationships.
Looking back on our time together, I realise how much we’ve changed since those early days. I’m so thankful for Polly’s perspective. While her viewpoint isn’t always convenient for my opinions, it can sometimes be frustrating, especially when it becomes clear that her perspective is better than mine! However, I really appreciate the insight she brings into our life together.
structured time allowed us to reflect and have meaningful conversations
Polly has always championed the idea of ‘date night.’ She latched onto it early in our marriage and has continued to gently nudge me to prioritise time for just the two of us. Whenever we make ‘date night’ a regular practice, it always benefits our marriage. I can’t argue with the results, our relationship is healthier when we set aside uninterrupted time for each other.
More recently, as our two oldest boys headed off to university, we entered a season of goodbyes. We knew this day would come, and as hard as it is, it’s offered me a fresh glimpse into Polly’s caring and nurturing heart. From tearful airport farewells to her thoughtful messages in our family chat, Polly’s love shines through. Her way of staying connected with the boys has inspired me and shown me how to be more present for them, even from afar.
There are countless ways that Polly’s perspective and example have blessed and challenged me, far too many to recount here! One of my seminary professors once said, “Your spouse will never be all you need.” Yet I’ve come to understand that neglecting her insight and how the Spirit speaks through her is a missed opportunity. I’m so grateful to share my life with Polly and benefit from her wisdom and perspective, which often helps me to see things from a clearer and better perspective.
Songs have been written about every topic imaginable, but undoubtably the most common topic is love. We want to give voice to the experience of love: the capacity to delight in physical beauty, the desire to form secure and intimate relationships, the heartbreak of unrequited or failed love, the emotional rollercoaster of the ups and downs of love.
Think of the irony in the words of that classic song from Queen, “This thing called love I just can’t handle it. This thing called love I must get ’round to it. I ain’t ready. Crazy little thing called love”. Love can occupy so much of our lives – our thoughts, desires, worries – that it’s no “little thing”.
The Song of Songs is an unabashed celebration of these deep desires for love. In beautiful poetic language, the Song explores the whole gamut of emotions experienced by two lovers as they work out their commitment to one another. From the aching desire for intimacy, to the delight of consummation, from the tensions of separation and the fears of loss; all these are traced out in the ebb and flow of a growing relationship of mutual love.
learn how to use the good gifts that God gives us
If you’ve ever read the Song, you’d know it can be intense. It’s common for people to avoid reading it (and preaching on it) for a variety of reasons. For starters, it makes for sometimes awkward reading. The lovers are often explicit in communicating their feelings and desires for one another. You feel like you’re the unwelcome intruder on a very romantic date between two people who are very keen to be alone together. Moreover, the Song is often hard to understand. It’s not just comprehending the metaphors that the couple use to describe each other, it’s also grasping what’s happening in their story.
But more deeply, the Song is often difficult to read because of the hurt we’ve experienced with romantic love. Many of us have craved the intimacy and love that’s expressed in the Song, but it’s a longing that’s been painfully unsatisfied. For others, our experience of marriage does not look like what we see in the Song. Instead, there’s coldness and distance, betrayal and breakdown. Our most intimate relationships often bear the biggest scars of living in a broken world.
So given these difficulties, why are we studying the Song of Songs on Sundays and in our Growth Groups? God has given us an entire book in the Bible that majors on the intimate love between a man and woman. We need to learn what the Bible teaches about this important area, otherwise we’ll by default be discipled by our world, which gives a very different message about love, sex, and marriage.
As a community of Jesus followers, we need to constantly learn how to use the good gifts that God gives us, so that we can serve one another and glorify God in every part of our lives.
Have you noticed that some people seem to be drawn to darkness and fear? In many ways horror movies and the celebration of Halloween demonstrate this thirst for darkness. Last week I was reminded of the powerful example of a Christian who lives out Ephesians 5:8: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” Andrew Brunson is one such example, someone who has been a light in a place where darkness tried to silence him.
In 2016, Andrew Brunson, a pastor from the United States, was arrested in Turkey, where he had served as a missionary for over 20 years. He and his wife, Norine, had moved to Turkey in the 1990s to start a small church, aiming to share the love and hope of Jesus with the Turkish people. Their ministry focused on discipleship, teaching the Bible, and serving their local community. However, during a period of political unrest in Turkey, Brunson was accused of espionage and terrorism, leading to his imprisonment.
For two years, Andrew was held in prison, enduring harsh conditions and isolated from his family. He faced pressure to renounce his faith and confess to crimes he didn’t commit. Yet, despite the darkness surrounding him, Andrew clung to his faith in Jesus. He continued to pray, worship, and share the gospel with fellow prisoners.
Andrew’s imprisonment gained international attention, and Christians around the world prayed for his release. His story became a powerful reminder of what it means to live as children of light, even when surrounded by persecution. In his darkest moments, Andrew relied on the promises of Scripture, reminding himself of God’s faithfulness. He was eventually released in 2018, a testament to the power of prayer and perseverance.
the light of Christ cannot be extinguished
What strikes me about Andrew’s story is not just his resilience, but his deep conviction that even in prison, he could be a light for Christ. His faithfulness during those two years inspires me to stand firm in my faith, no matter the opposition I face. Andrew said, “Jesus Christ is worth it, whatever the cost,”; his life is a living example of Ephesians 5:8.
As we think about Halloween and our society’s focus on darkness, Andrew Brunson’s story reminds us that no matter how deep the darkness, the light of Christ cannot be extinguished. We are called to shine that light wherever we are, whether in the safety of our homes, in our workplaces, or even in places of persecution. Like Andrew, we can reflect the light of Jesus.
Whilst many may focus on fear and darkness, we have the opportunity to live differently. Andrew Brunson’s story reminds us that we are saved by the light of the world: Jesus, and that even in the most difficult circumstances, the love and hope of Christ will always shine brighter.
In the rural village of Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Manchong, Kamarul, Normah, and their son Iqbal lived in an overcrowded 600-square-foot house, sharing it with ten other family members. However, all that changed last week.
EPIC Homes, along with a group of volunteers, including 30 men from St. Andrew’s, built them a new home in just three days. This marked the 254th home completed by EPIC Homes, which works to provide shelter for the Orang Asli community in Malaysia, offering families in need a fresh start. Overcrowding and poor living conditions have been a long-standing challenge for many living in the village. For Kamarul’s family and others in the community, this new home brings a renewed sense of hope and resilience.
For the 30 men from St. Andrew’s, this wasn’t just about building a house but building up the body of Christ. It was an opportunity to live out our faith, acting in love through service. Despite facing harsh weather with intense heat, torrential rain, thick mud, and relentless mosquitos, we were motivated by our love for God and his presence in our work. He gave us the strength to push through the physical and emotional exhaustion. God continued to encourage us with the realisation that we had an opportunity to practically change someone’s life. Something many of us hadn’t felt in years, caught in the comfortable routines of city life.
When faith meets action, love becomes the foundation
We worked tirelessly to construct a home with a foyer, kitchen, living room, and two bedrooms. For Kamarul’s family, this home means much more than a house to live in. It’s a space that restored their dignity, safety, and hope for the future. It’s a place where Iqbal can focus on his education, the family can sleep without fear, and long-deferred dreams can start to become reality. But for the men of St. Andrew’s, this home stands as a symbol of something more: the love of God, the power of faith and the gift of Christian community.
EPIC Homes, founded by John-Son Oei in 2010, began as a response to the severe housing shortages faced by Malaysia’s Orang Asli communities. Over time, it has evolved into a movement that has completed over 250 homes and mobilised more than 8,000 volunteers. The organisation is built on the belief that ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact, changing the lives of those living in poverty.
As Build Experience Coordinator Low Chee Hong reminded the volunteers, “We are not just building a house; we are building a home for a family!” EPIC Homes goes beyond construction, building communities and bringing together people from different walks of life to create lasting hope.
Like all those before it, this mission is a testament to what happens when ordinary people unite for a common purpose. When faith meets action, love becomes the foundation upon which something extraordinary is built. In the words of EPIC Homes’ Manifesto: “Together, we are EPIC.”
When I’m patiently waiting for someone to stage the perfect Instagram shot with ideal lighting and aesthetics, I’ll often say, “Take your time making fake memories!” While it’s a joke, it serves as a helpful reminder that not everything we see online is how it appears. In a world where perfection is just a scroll away, it’s easy to fall into the comparison trap. We get lost in endless scrolling, captivated by seemingly flawless lives. But the comparison doesn’t stop at social media; it creeps into our families, friendships, workplaces, lifestyles, and even churches.
At its best, comparison can motivate us to improve. But at its worst, comparison breeds envy or pride, shifting our focus away from God to the ways of the world. Comparison often stems from insecurity, where we fear we aren’t enough, or from pride, where we believe we’re superior. When we begin to desire or question someone else’s success, it often leads to thoughts like, “I want what they have.” or “Why did they get that?” This reveals a deeper heart issue: discontentment with what God has given us. When we compare, we tell God his gifts and plans for our lives aren’t enough. The apostle Paul warns that comparing ourselves to others is unwise (2 Corinthians 10:12). When we measure ourselves by earthly standards, we lose sight of our true purpose: fulfilling God’s unique plan for our lives.
As well as compromising our relationship with God, there is also the danger of comparison affecting how we relate to one another. In 1 Peter 4, Peter gives us instructions on how to live in community with one another. Instead of loving one another deeply, we may become resentful or jealous. Instead of using our gifts to serve one another, we might withhold them out of insecurity or pride. By constantly measuring ourselves against others, we miss the opportunity to offer hospitality, encourage, and build up the body of Christ.
comparison breeds envy or pride, shifting our focus away from God
So, how do we break free from the curse of comparison? The first step is to shift our focus back to God and understand our true identity in Christ. This identity is not defined by the successes or failures of those around us but by our relationship with Jesus, where we are loved, forgiven, and redeemed as children of God. Instead of measuring ourselves by others, we should ask: “How am I growing in my relationship with God? Am I faithfully stewarding the gifts he’s given me?” These questions help us evaluate ourselves through the lens of faithfulness to God rather than comparison with others.
Discontentment begins in the heart, where comparisons arise. We must ask God to reveal the root of our discontentment and help us find true contentment in him. When we fix our eyes on him, we find that he fulfils every longing. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to resist the temptation of comparison and live joyfully in our true identity in Christ.
The radical demands of the gospel constantly confront me. For instance, it tells me that if I’ve understood God’s grace to me, that should be seen in my acts of grace towards others. God’s generosity and care to me should be reflected in my generosity and care to others. Nowhere does the Bible make this demand clearer than in our relationship with the poor.
God warned his people that religious activity (like turning up to church) doesn’t impress him. “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them…?” (Isaiah 58:6-7).
God’s heart is for the poor and the oppressed. A lack of care for the poor and the oppressed is a sign that our hearts are not right with God at all. God’s concerns have not become our concerns.
God’s heart is for the poor and the oppressed
The 10th of October is a day set apart for all Christians in Hong Kong to pray for the poor and consider our care for them. St Andrew’s is involved with the Hong Kong Church Network for the Poor (HKCNP). HKCNP is a network of community partners collaborating to care for the poor to achieve community transformation. It focuses on identifying needs in Hong Kong and developing initiatives and programs to respond to those needs. More information can be found at hkcnp.org.hk.
As a church, St Andrew’s seeks to partner with organisations in caring for the poor through financial support, prayer, volunteering, and the use of our facilities. We also want to raise awareness of the needs of the poor and continually challenge ourselves to consider what more we can do with what God has given us.
This coming week, about 30 men from church will take part in mission trip to Malaysia, serving with Epic Homes in building homes for the poor. The purpose of this trip is to serve those in desperate need, but also to be more shaped and challenged by God’s heart for the poor. We’d love your prayer for this trip.
What about you? What can you do for the poor? The first step is always to pray, to ask God to have his heart and to see the needs around you. The next step is to identify an area where you can make a difference. Maybe it’s through donating directly, or volunteering through one of our partner organisations that reach the poor, like St Barnabas’ Home and Society, or Christian Action Centre for Refugees, or Inner City Ministries.
In the gospel, we’re told that we were spiritually poor, wretched, and destitute, but through Christ, God has made us rich in him (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Last week, Coldplay officially announced their 2025 Asia tour dates, and Hong Kong is on the list – I’ll be the first in line for those tickets! But it’s not just this news that has me thinking about Coldplay. Earlier this month, ahead of their upcoming album, they released a new song titled “WE PRAY.” What I love about this song is how it weaves snippets of scripture with deep human needs that we all experience. Look at these lyrics:
“And so we pray. For someone to come and show me the way”“Pray I judge nobody and forgive me my sins”“Praying on your love, we pray with every breath, though I’m in the valley of the shadow of death”“Pray I know somewhere we’ll feel no pain”“On my knees, I pray, as I sleep and wake, cause inside my head is a frightening place”Whether you’ve been praying for years, haven’t prayed in a while, or have never prayed before, these lyrics will resonate in some way. They speak to our desire for guidance, our need for forgiveness, and our longing for love. They capture our yearning for relief from pain and peace in an anxious and chaotic world. They remind us that it’s okay to be vulnerable and to hold on to the hope for something greater.
God invites us to come to him in prayer
As Christians, we understand that the ‘something greater’ is God. Scripture reveals God’s character as one who listens to the cries of his people. Psalm 116 shows us a loving God who is not distant or indifferent but compassionate and attentive. Isaiah 55:6 encourages us, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” God invites us to come to him in prayer with our burdens, confessions, thanksgivings and hopes, knowing he is faithful to listen and responds according to his will. Romans 8:26 tells us that even when we struggle to find the words, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, guiding our prayers and drawing us closer to God.
This song made me think about the millions of people who have and will hear it, many of whom do not know God. Although Coldplay is a secular band, God has the power to use this song to draw people to him. What if it encourages them to pray, perhaps for the first time in years or even ever? Whether it’s a long lament, a whisper of gratitude, or a simple hope, it might prompt them to consider who placed the desire to pray within them.
Let’s be people who pray. Firstly, pray that God would awaken a desire for prayer among his people, that they would pray with sincerity and depth. Secondly, ask God to use this song as a bridge for conversations about faith, allowing Christians to share their hope in Jesus. Thirdly, as God responds to our prayers, pray we would be quick to listen with patience and trust in the God who is faithful.
It’s impossible to overstate the privilege of being part of Sunday church: to be able to meet with God and his people; to be able to speak with and hear from the King of the universe. What we do on Sundays is not supposed to be merely out of habit, or convenience, or enjoyment. Church is God’s appointed means to both build us up into spiritual maturity, and reach the world with his gospel.
Christians are encouraged to continually meet with each other to spur one another onwards to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25). So how can we make the most of our time together on Sunday?
Together we are God’s children through Jesus Christ.
1. Make church attendance a priority. Most of us have crowded schedules, which sometimes makes getting to church a struggle. It’s easy to get in the habit of coming to church infrequently or scheduling other events instead of church. Growth happens when we’re eager and committed to meeting with God and his people. Please don’t let your schedules crowd out God.
2. Pray beforehand. Prayer is always the best start in preparing for anything. Pray for yourself and others, that during our time together God will teach us and enable us to draw close to him in faith, love, and obedience. Prayer not only demonstrates dependence on God, but also creates a sense of expectation that he will work in us.
3. Read the bible passage. God promises to speak to us through the bible. Get a head start on thinking about what will be taught by reading the bible passage beforehand. You can get the upcoming Sunday’s passage in the church’s weekly email. Ask simple questions of the passage like, “What does this tell me about God?” and “What does this tell me about me?”
4. Arrive on time. This enables you to participate in the whole service and keeps you from being a distraction to others by coming after the service has started. It also communicates an enthusiasm and urgency to meet with God and his people.
5. Welcome each other. Christians have a deeper connection with each other than we can ever imagine. Together we are God’s children through Jesus Christ. We need not act like strangers. Take the time to welcome each other, especially people you haven’t met before. Get into the habit of learning people’s names. This goes a long way towards creating community where we all feel a sense of connection and belonging.
6. Stay after church. Sunday church is not just an event, it’s a community of God’s people. If you are able, stay afterwards to get to know others and minister to those in need. Talk about what you’ve learnt in the service. Organize to have a meal with others after the service. Getting connected with people is a great investment.
I recently chatted with a newcomer attending church for the first time. Curious about what to expect, I explained that we usually sing a few songs, etc. Afterwards, he told me that while he enjoyed the music, he hadn’t expected so many songs. His reaction made me reflect on how much time we spend singing in church, which led me to wonder – why do we sing so much?
Singing is not a new concept. The Bible is filled with nearly 200 songs! While there are too many to list, here are a few examples: Deborah and Barak sang after the defeat of Sisera (Judges 5), Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn after the Last Supper (Matthew 26), and Paul and Silas sang as they were imprisoned (Acts 16). Worship through singing is woven throughout Scripture, often as a response to when God’s people witness his power, goodness, and holiness.
Paul encourages us to let the word of Christ dwell richly within us by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16). Singing often complements preaching by making God’s word more memorable and allowing it to take root more deeply in our hearts. It strengthens our faith and can help us better understand who God is. I often say, “I wish I could remember Bible verses as easily as I remember song lyrics.” Thankfully, music condenses complex gospel truths into a brief yet powerful form. God designed melodies and music to stir our emotions in ways that words alone sometimes cannot. Singing can help us not only recall the truths about God but also deepen our love for him.
sing wholeheartedly and bring glory to the God who rejoices over you with singing
The Bible offers its own “playlist” in the book of Psalms, which encourages us to sing. It doesn’t say, “Let those who sing well, sing,” as if natural talent were a requirement to praise God. It simply calls us to “sing to the Lord” over and over again. We don’t sing because God needs our praise, but because our hearts were made to glorify him.
When we sing in church, we stand united as the body of Christ. Our praise is directed to God, but our singing also builds up his church. Paul urges us to “…be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord…” (Ephesians 5:18-19). When we sing, we not only glorify God but also encourage and strengthen one another in faith.
The most beautiful instrument in any church is the sound of the congregation singing. God has given music to the gathered church so that together we can pray, praise, celebrate, lament, rejoice, and proclaim his word. Let me encourage you to sing wholeheartedly and bring glory to the God who rejoices over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).
Did you go on a holiday over the summer break? Along with about half of Hong Kong, I was able to enjoy a trip to Japan last month. However, if you are anything like me, chances are that you brought back with you a lot more than you bargained for…
These might include: a few extra pounds thanks to eating lots of great food, a slight sunburn, some fatigue, and post-holiday blues (to name a few). In all seriousness though, I’m glad that international holidays are only temporary affairs as opposed to migration, where you are committing to a move. You get to escape “normal life” and live in a fantasy for a while. But it’s important to return to reality at some point. As wonderful as they can be, going on holidays throws you off your daily routines. It can be difficult to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables when fresh sashimi is beckoning you at every meal. It’s harder to commit to your daily Bible reading in the morning when you’re waking up in a capsule hotel.
It’s easy to get spiritually out-of-shape when we aren’t following routine habits and disciplines
That’s why I’m really glad our church’s “normal routines” resume in September. I’m not just saying this because I work here, but I genuinely did miss my weekly Oxygen bible study group gatherings. It’s easy to get spiritually out-of-shape when we aren’t following routine habits and disciplines, both individually and corporately. Reading the Bible by myself is great, but it’s also essential for me to regularly be sharpened by God’s word as I sit beneath it alongside my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in fruitful discussion as iron sharpens iron. It’s a great privilege to be able to pray directly to God on my own, but it’s also so nourishing for my soul when I am able to pray together with my church family every month at our prayer meetings.
Here at St Andrew’s, we run a lot of regular groups, courses, and events to encourage people to read the Bible and pray together. Have you ever wondered why?
It’s not just because we are massive nerds who are obsessed with the “system” and running courses for the sake of it. No, it’s because we understand that as human beings, we are creatures of habit. So we want to be as helpful as possible to make it as easy as possible for people to develop good spiritual habits for Christian growth.
Are you not yet involved in a Growth Group? Join one now!
Have you never attended our monthly prayer meetings? Put the next one in your diary (first Monday of every month)!
If you’ve gotten a bit “out of shape” (spiritually speaking) over the summer, why not take this chance to make a fresh start to put healthy habits in place? It’s worth it.
Most of us have travelled for a holiday over the summer. The great thing about travelling is the new experiences. You see new places, meet new people, try new things, eat different food. But the thing about holiday destinations is that they’re not home. You probably don’t speak the local language. You don’t always understand the local etiquette and customs. The place is not familiar to you. You miss your own bed and familiar comforts. You don’t feel like you completely belong.
The apostle Peter describes Christians as “exiles, scattered”. Although he’s writing to people who are native to their cities, born and bred there, those places are no longer their permanent homes. Something has happened that’s made them different to their neighbours. They now have different values and priorities, different lifestyles, a different hope. They’ve become followers of Jesus, and that has completely changed their identity. They are now different people, strangers in the world. This world is no longer their home.
we need to learn how to stand for our faith in Jesus
Over the next few months, our sermon series will be in 1 Peter. The apostle wrote to Christians in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) who were experiencing the beginnings of serious persecution. Peter’s encouragement to these marginalised and suffering people is to remind them of both their current and future privileges. They already have the privilege of being God’s children and they can look forward to glory. They are to respond to suffering by embracing the pattern of Jesus who went through suffering to glory, knowing that Jesus will bring the ultimate victory.
For Peter’s audience, such a mindset gave a radically different attitude towards the world they lived in. They had an immeasurably richer hope beyond anything that this world could offer them. This hope shaped how they conducted themselves in the present, enabling them to live different lives modelled on their Saviour. They knew they shouldn’t completely assimilate to their surroundings because they were “exiles”. This world was not their true home because they were just passing through.
Studying 1 Peter gets us to ask profound questions like, “What’s my identity? Where do I really place my hope? Are my priorities and conduct any different to the people around me who don’t know Jesus?” Whilst we might not be called to suffer as much for our faith as Peter’s original audience, we need to learn how to stand for our faith in Jesus in a world where it is unwelcome. Perhaps we have grown too used to the belief that we can be simultaneously comfortable and culturally acceptable in our world, and still faithfully Christian.
Peter points us to our new identity in Jesus and the beauty of living for him, “testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it” (1 Peter 5:12).
There’s an inscription on the playground wall at the top of the church driveway, written by Bishop R.O. Hall sometime in the 1950s: “The Lord hath need of you.” While you could question the accuracy of that statement (how could the immortal, omnipotent Creator of the universe need anything from finite creatures that he cannot provide himself?), the intent is clear: the Lord calls his people to serve. Our response to God’s grace will be seen in our acts of grace.
St Andrew’s ministries are reliant on God’s people. I’m so grateful for our members who generously give their time to serve. Our ministries are not possible without them. As we resume many of our ministries next week, here are some thoughts on serving.
Through serving, we develop and exercise our spiritual gifts.
1. Serving builds mutual connection. A frequent metaphor used by the apostle Paul for Christian community is the human body. The parts of a human body are intricately connected and mutually dependent for the health of the body. It’s the same with Christians. We cannot spiritually flourish as Christians when we’re disconnected from one another. We need one another to thrive in the Christian life, as we benefit from one another’s time, care, and gifts.
2. Serving meets needs. As you think about serving, my advice is to put needs before gifts. That is, don’t think (at least initially), “What am I good at?” Instead, ask, “What are the needs?” This is a variation on “who is my neighbour?” That is what Christ did. He didn’t think of his gifts, but of our needs. Jesus didn’t die on the cross because he was really good at it, but because we needed it.
3. Serving fuels personal spiritual growth. Physical exercise (like going to the gym) builds strength, health, and develops perseverance, likewise, in the Christian life. Through serving, we develop and exercise our spiritual gifts. We build godly character and self-forgetfulness, because instead of looking to our own needs, we look more to the needs of others.
4. Serving builds dependence on God. When we serve, we’re reminded that we can’t do everything. You will get tired, make mistakes, and get pushed out of your comfort zone. Embrace your creatureliness. Your job is to worship God, not to be God. There are three members of the Trinity; there are no job vacancies for a fourth position. Learn to be finite, to remind yourself, “I can’t do everything. I can’t please everyone. God alone is sufficient”.
5. Serving gives us joy. Paul reminds us of Jesus’ words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). The greatest joys don’t come from being passive, constantly hoarding what you have, and consuming from others. Joy comes from exercising sacrificial love for others to the glory of God.
Let me ask you an uncomfortable question: are you involved in serving, either at church or outside of church? If you’re not, you’re not likely to be spiritually growing. I want to encourage you to prayerfully consider how you can be involved in serving. Contact our staff for more information. Carol (Children), James (Youth), Juliana (Elderly care), June (Music), and Claudia (Welcoming and Mission partners) would love to speak with you.
One of our five values here at St. Andrew’s is ‘Share the Gospel’. We are invited to express our love for God and our love for neighbour by joining in with the work of proclaiming Christ to the nations. This commitment to sharing Jesus with others is one of the core characteristics of Biblical Christianity. That is the driving force behind our ongoing commitment to run courses that equip church members to share their faith (Honest Evangelism) and courses that give people an opportunity to learn about Jesus for themselves (Christianity Explored).
On an individual level, we can find it daunting to share our faith with others. In our summer teaching series, we are currently looking at the final chapters of Acts, where Paul is interrogated and challenged, and he must give a defense of his faith in the Lord Jesus. While our experiences may not be quite as intense as Paul’s, nevertheless we will experience the challenges of having to defend our faith and giving good reason for our faith in Christ as we share him with others.
As we are taught in 1 Peter 3:15, we are to ‘always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.’
One thing that is clear is that Paul was neither defensive nor apologetic about his trust in Jesus. He is bold in proclaiming the death and resurrection of Jesus, without being pushy. He is confident in his teaching and reasoning, without coercing others into responding in faith.
we are confident and joyful in the hope of the Jesus Christ risen from the dead
Paul’s confidence was not grounded in himself, but in an unwavering confidence in Christ and the salvation that is found only in him. Jesus is the Messiah who has made salvation available, and the Sovereign God of Heaven is at work in human hearts to bring them to a knowledge of the truth. The Spirit of God is growing the Church as the flame of the gospel message spreads. Confident of these truths, and the beauty of them, Paul is empowered to stand firm in his faith and to share it lovingly and courageously with anyone who gives him an opportunity to speak. It is an incredible moment in Acts 26:28 when King Agrippa recognizes that although Paul is being interrogated, the reality is that Paul is taking even that situation as an opportunity to proclaim the salvation hope of the risen Lord Jesus.
When we are confident and joyful in the hope of the Jesus Christ risen from the dead, then we will be well placed to share the faith confidently and joyfully with all those whom we meet. The best way for us to prepare to share the gospel and defend the faith is to have our eyes fixed fully upon Jesus, so that he fills our hearts and minds. The more our hearts are captivated by Jesus, the more we will be willing and able to speak of him and to share him with others.
Few events captivate my imagination like the Olympic Games. Among the myriad of inspiring stories, what follows is a lesson on perseverance and faith: John Stephen Akhwari is remembered not for winning a medal but for his remarkable determination during the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Akhwari competed in the marathon, and partway through the race, he suffered a painful fall that severely injured his knee and shoulder. Most athletes would have withdrawn, but Akhwari persisted, hobbling along the course.
One hour and five minutes after the winner Mamo Wolde had finished, Akhwari entered the stadium, limping but resolute. The medals already distributed; the ceremony over. Battered and bruised, and with bloodied and bandaged leg, he crossed the finish line to the applause of the remaining spectators. When asked why he continued despite the injury, Akhwari simply replied, “My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race; they sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race.”
This story of Akhwari reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s message in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, where he writes, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
our goal is not merely to finish but to run for the glory of God
Paul’s letters to Timothy offer us insights into the Christian journey. Paul, imprisoned and nearing the end of his life, writes to encourage Timothy to remain steadfast in his faith. He uses the metaphor of a race to describe the Christian life—a race not merely run for personal glory but for the ultimate goal of serving Christ.
Paul emphasises the importance of endurance and faithfulness. Just as an athlete trains and perseveres despite hardships, as Christians we are called to remain committed to our faith and to what we have been called to do. The “crown of righteousness” represents the eternal reward for those who have faithfully served Christ.
Akhwari’s physical and mental determination to finish the marathon despite his injury exemplifies this teaching. He did not give up, despite the pain and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles. His focus was not on the immediate suffering but on the greater purpose of completing what he had started.
Similarly, Paul encourages us to keep our eyes on the ultimate prize. The Christian journey is filled with challenges, and there will be times of suffering and hardship. However, just as Akhwari finished his race, we too are called to persevere, keeping Christ as our focus and our anchor.
In our own lives, we face various trials and tribulations. There will be moments when the race seems too tough, and the temptation to give up is overwhelming. In those moments, let us remember the words of Paul and the example of Akhwari. We are not running this race alone, and our goal is not merely to finish but to run for the glory of God, serving Christ who sustains us.
So, as we run the race of faith, let’s adopt the same determination and purpose. Let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, knowing that as God’s children the Lord stands ready to welcome us with the crown of righteousness.
Talking with people about Jesus can be hard. There are lots of things that make us reluctant to share the gospel with others. Maybe you feel unqualified: you’re painfully aware of your own moral shortcomings, that you’re an imperfect Christian; or you don’t think you can give the rights answers, you’re ill-equipped, not an expert in the subject matter. Maybe you feel the weight of society’s hostility towards Christianity. Nowadays, Christians are increasingly dismissed as being intellectually inferior, or even worse, narrow and bigoted.
If you feel like this, be encouraged, you’re not alone. But the reality is that none of us on our own have the capacity to convince anyone to follow Jesus. God must do the work through us.
The Book of Acts gives us ample encouragement to joyfully persevere in telling people about Jesus. This book is all about the ongoing work of Jesus in proclaiming his gospel and building his church through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8, Jesus said to his disciples, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts shows us how Jesus uses broken and imperfect people to save other broken and imperfect people.
We’ve been studying Acts over the past few years in sections in a series called, “The spreading flame”. Like a spark that ignites a forest fire, the gospel spread as Jesus’ followers were obedient to his command to be his witnesses. This Sunday, we’re starting the last section. In chapter 21, the apostle Paul has returned to Jerusalem where he’s arrested. For the rest of his life, he’ll be in chains. But instead of being cowered into silence, Paul continues to share about the hope he has in Jesus. These final chapters of Acts provide us at least three lessons.
Zeal for Jesus and his gospel ought to mark every Christian
First, Jesus’ followers should be zealous for gospel ministry. Paul says to King Agrippa, “I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains” (Acts 26:29). Paul deeply desired that others would give their lives to Jesus. This is a lesson for every Christian, not just for pastors and missionaries. Zeal for Jesus and his gospel ought to mark every Christian. God has saved us out of darkness and made us ambassadors of his kingdom. Each of us are placed by God in relationships where we can share the light of Jesus to those who are lost.
Second, Luke continues to detail the empowering work of the Holy Spirit. Paul faces incredible suffering and opposition to the gospel. We can muster all our energy for any task, but if we do not have the Spirit, we will crumble beneath the weight of opposition. All efforts apart from the Holy Spirit will fail. These chapters should drive us towards prayerful dependence on God.
Third, these chapters show us that God’s people must be marked by an unshakable trust in God’s sovereignty. Paul constantly faces suffering and the threat of death. Yet despite this, the gospel continues to advance. Suffering reveals God’s power, grace, and glory even more.
People’s need to hear the gospel of Jesus is just as urgent today as it was in Paul’s day. God uses us for this task. So we proclaim Jesus, knowing that he grows his kingdom.
When I first started attending St. Andrew’s, I felt a calling to get involved in our church community. As Jesus calls us to serve, I wanted to answer that call, but I wasn’t sure where I could best contribute. Soon, I heard about a shortage of volunteers in our youth ministry program, especially male volunteers.
This caught my attention, even though I had never attended youth programs growing up and had no prior experience working with young people. I couldn’t help but think, “Me, leading young people? I wouldn’t have thought it.” However, I understand the importance of role models in young people’s lives, Christian role models no less, and I felt compelled to step up and serve, so I talked to a volunteer to learn more about the opportunity.
Since joining the youth ministry, I’ve experienced many joys and moments of encouragement. Although I’m constantly reminded of the age gap when the youth reference new popular culture that goes over my head, I still find a wonderful connection with them. As they share their joys, anxieties, and trials, I’m reminded of my own experiences. Together, we’ve created a safe space to learn about the love of Jesus and share with one another.
One aspect of youth ministry that I particularly enjoy is organizing the games that kick off each session. These can range from icebreakers to help us get to know each other better, to Bible passage-inspired games that share our beliefs in a joyful way, or simply silly fun that breaks down social barriers. These activities set the mood for the rest of the session and reflect a core truth of our faith: joyfulness in Christ.
joyfully share the gospel and rejoice in the truth of God
I’ve come to realize that while Christianity prompts us to ask serious questions that require deep reflection, self-discipline, and hard work, which may end up making us feel a little anxious (as I certainly was on my first day in youth ministry), it also calls us to joyfully share the gospel and rejoice in the truth of God.
As I’ve grown more comfortable in my role, I’ve even had the opportunity to give talks on Bible passages to the youth, with guidance from our youth minister. This experience has been both challenging and rewarding, pushing me to deepen my own understanding of Scripture.
Volunteering in youth ministry has undoubtedly helped me grow and deepen my own faith. As the youth move up from kids’ programs, they begin to explore their faith more individually. They ask questions that I’ve grappled with before, as well as questions I don’t have immediate answers to. During our Bible studies, it’s particularly exciting to hear perspectives that I wouldn’t have considered on my own. This constant engagement with Scripture and faith discussions has kept my own spiritual journey dynamic and growing.
If you’re considering ways to serve in our church community, consider youth ministry. It’s a challenging, rewarding, and joy-filled way to live out your faith and make a lasting impact on the next generation of believers. If you’re interested in learning more about my experience or how you can get involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or a member of staff.
In the Bible, there’s a poignant moment when Jesus’ disciples argue over who among them is the greatest. Amidst this debate, Jesus does something unexpected – he notices the children. In Mark 9:36-37, it is written, “Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me…'” This action was revolutionary in Jewish culture, where children were typically seen as those who served adults rather than the other way around.
At St Andrew’s, we work to mirror Jesus’ approach by placing special value on children, just as Jesus did. This commitment makes us a community that truly follows his example. In doing so, we discover immense joy, blessings, and encouragement through our children’s ministry.
Children’s hearts, minds, and spirits are incredibly receptive to learning about Jesus’ love for them. They grasp the sacrifice he made and his plans for their lives with remarkable openness and sincerity. Partnering with parents, we guide children toward Jesus, especially during our 9:30 and 11:30am services on Sundays.
One of the most rewarding aspects of serving in children’s ministry is witnessing their curiosity and desire to understand profound spiritual truths. Recently, we’ve been exploring God’s holiness through the books of Exodus and Leviticus, discussing the consequences of not following God. Children ask important questions, such as what happens to those who reject Jesus after they die. Teaching them what the Bible says about eternity and the choices that influence it encourages them to think deeply about their faith and future.
Seeing children as Jesus does allows us to make a significant difference in their lives
Beyond our Sunday services, we organize special events for youth and children throughout the year. These gatherings provide opportunities for families to come together, fostering deeper friendships and mutual encouragement as brothers and sisters in Christ. One highlight this year was our BBQs in our newly renovated playground. Children went home happy and exhausted after playing outside in the dark with one boy said, “It was the best day of my life!” These events also facilitate meaningful adult conversations with families that help us to better understand the challenges families face, resulting in mutual prayer and deeper compassion for the children we serve.
Serving children is not merely about helping them; it’s about being part of something much greater than yourself. It’s about making a lasting impact on lives for eternity. The joy and blessings that flow from this ministry are truly incredible. Seeing children as Jesus does allows us to make a significant difference in their lives and the lives of their families.
If you see children as Jesus does, you too can make a difference. Start by praying for them and their families, and consider joining us in this vital ministry. Volunteering in children’s ministry is an opportunity to share in the joy and blessings that come from serving God’s littlest ones.
Contact us to learn more about volunteering. We would love to hear from you: carol@standrews.org.hk. Let’s continue to welcome and cherish the children, just as Jesus taught us. Together, we can create a community where every child feels valued, loved, and encouraged in their faith journey.
Two weeks ago, someone asked me, “When do you head off?” referring to my upcoming holiday. I replied, “Not soon enough.” Many of you may relate to feeling tired and weary, yearning for a break. However, have you ever looked forward to a holiday only to find yourself just as exhausted afterwards? Despite taking the break you thought you needed, it didn’t restore and refresh you as hoped. So, why do we struggle to truly rest?
We often misunderstand what it means to truly rest, confusing it with merely taking time off and pressing pause on life. Rest is more than doing nothing, indulging ourselves, or checking off a holiday wishlist. While these things can help us find enjoyment, they are not the ultimate solution to our busy, weary lives.
Fear of missing opportunities and decreased productivity drives us to constantly achieve rather than receive. However, true rest involves adopting a posture of receiving. The rhythm of rest is crucial in the Christian life because our faith is about receiving, not achieving. Rest is a gift that comes from God’s grace. When we rest, we remind ourselves that our salvation is found only in Jesus’ finished work for us.
Despite its shiny facade, busyness fails us. Silence and stillness are becoming increasingly foreign in our world of constant connectivity. Boundaries are often blurred between work and leisure through our digital devices. It can feel awkward, but silence and stillness are often where we are reminded of who God is. It’s where we find God’s peace and enjoy him and his creation.
Rest is where we find God's peace and enjoy him and his creation
Jesus himself took time to rest. Throughout the Gospels, we read that he withdrew from the crowds to pray and spend time alone with his Father. This provided the strength needed for his ministry and ultimately to endure the cross. If Jesus, who was fully God and fully human, needed to rest and pray, how much more do we? He invites us to true rest: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). It’s through this rest that God equips us to love, give grace, forgive, and offer compassion.
The pressure to constantly perform and produce can make us feel guilty for taking breaks or slowing down. Yet, we must set aside time in our schedules for what matters most in life. Like in the story of Mary and Martha, we might need to intentionally leave that to-do list unfinished to spend time with Jesus. We need to ensure we have time to truly switch off and encounter God and his glory, perhaps by changing our environment, spending quality time with family and friends, and immersing ourselves in God’s word and prayer.
The struggle for rest is real, so this summer, be intentional about learning to rest. As our routines and rhythms may change for the next few weeks, don’t lose focus on God, the giver of rest. Pray and ask God by his Spirit to give you rest that refreshes and restores your soul so that you can know a lasting rest. Find encouragement from Psalm 116:7, to help you rest well: “Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.”
This year, over 60 countries are conducting elections. It’s said to be a global record, more elections this year than in any other year in history, around 2 billion people going to the polling booths.
It’s also said that we’ve never experienced a period of greater political polarisation. People hold their political views often with religious zeal, sometimes with destructive effects. We struggle to listen carefully to opposing positions and make room for different perspectives. As political battle lines are drawn, the result is an environment of high uncertainty and anxiety.
In his book, The Spirt of our Politics, Michael Wear describes the challenge of modern politics, especially in the US, as being more like leukemia than appendicitis. We say to ourselves, “If only we just cut out our political opponents, then our politics will operate properly.” However, the problem is far more systematic, rather than solved simply by cutting out our opponents.
Drawing on wide research, Wear describes the character of political polarization today as having three main ingredients. There’s aversion: we tend to dislike and distrust people of differing political views. Then there’s othering: we place opposing people and groups outside the boundaries of normal human community. Thirdly, there’s moralisation: we elevate political disagreement to the level of iniquity, our political stands are about dogma and the fight between good and evil.
Jesus is Lord: we live for him above anything or anyone else
So, as Christians, how do we navigate these times of political polarization and anxiety? Whilst there’s much that can be said, let me make three brief observations from Paul’s letter to the Romans.
First, God has set earthly powers in authority over us. He is sovereign over all powers and calls us to be subject to them, to treat them with honour and respect (Rom. 13:1-7). We’re to pray for governments and those in authority over us and seek to live peaceful lives (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
Second, we need to be careful not to quarrel about disputable matters (Rom. 14:1). Deciding on the merits of respective political platforms requires Christians to understand and weigh different (and often competing) factors: which policies matter more than others? How much do I balance a leader’s character versus their policies? Making conclusions is complex, and therefore, disputable. Paul argues that we must be careful not to treat with contempt other Christians with whom we disagree (Rom. 14:3, 10).
Thirdly, Jesus is Lord: we live for him above anything or anyone else (Rom. 14:7-12). Worshipping Jesus as our Lord is inherently a political statement because he is our King. We owe him our utmost allegiance. Everything else is secondary. Therefore, we don’t break the unity we have in Jesus over politics. Two of Jesus’ disciples, Simon the Zealot and Matthew the tax collector, would have come from opposing political camps, but they were united in their love for Jesus.
When we engage with the world around us, we take as our example how Jesus relates to us. He is the crucified Lord, who saves us by grace, and rules through humble service. Therefore, we relate to others by grace, loving all people, including our enemies. We engage with people, even those with whom we have political differences with respect, hospitality, and peace.
As a church, we recently spent a couple of months in the book of Deuteronomy. As you reflect on the series, I wonder what the highlights were for you? Personally, the second half of chapter 10 made a real impression upon me.
Verse 14 reminds us that God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. All the mountains and seas, stars and planets belong to Him. As verse 17a puts it, ‘The LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome’. Our God is high above, majestic and glorious, which makes what follows mind-blowing…
‘[He] shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.’ (Deut 10:17b-18)
God does not revel in His own glory by keeping his distance and staying aloof. Instead He stoops down and shows compassion to His people. At the heart of God’s greatness is His deep concern for justice and care for the needy. God does not show favouritism to the rich and powerful, but his heart is drawn to help the weak. He protects the vulnerable and provides for the poor.
In the verse that follows, God calls us to do the same: ‘You are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.’ (Deut 10:19)
Just as God has loved us, so we are to love others
As God’s people, we too were once far off – enslaved by sin and cut off from God. But God loved us in Jesus and welcomed us into His family. Just as God has loved us, so we are to love others, especially the poor and marginalised. As God’s image bearers, perhaps we most reflect His character when we make sacrifices – by giving up our time, comfort, money and energy – to serve for the sake of others.
As a church, we partner with a number of Christian organisations that share the love of Jesus in word and deed with the people in need in Hong Kong. St Barnabas Home and Society provide food and practical help for the poor and homeless. The Home of Loving Faithfulness is a residential home for people with special needs. Christian Action serves refugees and asylum seekers, whilst Inner City Ministries serve the Nepalese community here in Hong Kong. Kun Sun Association shares the good news of Jesus with those in prison; and a team from our church visits elderly people who live alone.
There are plenty of volunteering opportunities with our mission partners – whether as an individual or as a group, to serve regularly or on a one-off basis. There are many volunteering opportunities to serve the church community here at St Andrew’s too. Our youth and children’s work, Sunday services and other ministries do not run without the help of many volunteers. We are so grateful for their faithful service.
To find out more information about volunteering, please visit our website: standrews.org.hk/volunteer or contact me: claudia@standrews.org.hk. Motivated by God’s great love for us, may we each prayerfully consider how we can reflect God’s character by serving others, for the building up of His church and the blessing of this city.
I never thought of my journey coming to Christ as particularly exciting or dramatic, but upon taking the time to reflect, I am struck by how God has been working bit by bit all throughout my life. I did not grow up going to church, and some of my family members adamantly opposed the faith. Nevertheless, God had his way of reaching me, humbling me, and gradually transforming my heart through various circumstances and people around me.
I had a God-fearing mom; although she passed away when I was still a child, scattered memories of her teaching me the gospel of Jesus Christ – even in the depths of her debilitating illness – stayed with me. While I was too young to comprehend it at the time, I believe it was back then that the smallest seed of faith was planted in my heart. For much of my adolescent years, however, that seed remained dormant. I went on to attend a Christian secondary school, where my older brother turned to Christ, but I remained largely nonchalant. It was through years of subtle encouragement that my heart slowly softened, and after several episodes of personal crises that fueled my desire to seek comfort and refuge in a higher power, I finally made the decision to start going to church the summer after graduating from secondary school.
it's by God's grace that I have come to experience the hope, peace, and joy of Christ
I did not fully accept Christ into my life immediately. For the first few years, I was a tepid, uncommitted church-goer. I would often be absent from church for weeks at a time if I felt like I didn’t “need” God at the moment, or when school or other priorities in life demanded more of my attention. Yet, eventually, I was fortunate enough to have found a community of believers at St. Andrew’s who genuinely cared about my spiritual well-being; they would draw me back to church whenever I strayed, read the Bible with me one-on-one, and encourage me to join a growth group to nurture my faith on a more regular basis. I began forming habits that fortified my faith, and as it turns out, habits can be a powerful force.
Slowly but surely, I came to truly recognize the need for my salvation. The gravity of my sins became clear to me, and even more so, the greatness of God’s love through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross and his resurrection from death. As it is written in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
My salvation is wholly unmerited, and yet God does not give up on his people. I am in awe of God’s abounding love, grace, and mercy; his character compels me towards him, and his promises give me hope.
God works in wondrous ways; although my journey to becoming a Christian has been a gradual one, it’s by God’s grace that I have come to experience the hope, peace, and joy of Christ, on which I can anchor my life. Despite inevitable moments of uncertainties and struggles in every Christian’s life, I seek to grow in love of and obedience to Christ. With my baptism, I will make a public declaration of my faith as well as a commitment to follow God, repent, and live my life according to his will.
Fatherhood is a wonderful blessing and a source of great joy. It is a special privilege to take the lead in providing for children and bearing the burden of responsibility for their wellbeing, growth, and maturity. As well as being a tremendous role to fulfill, fatherhood also gives us a window into the very heart of God who is revealed to us as a Father in Heaven. Our practice and experience of fatherhood is an invitation to better understand and marvel at who God is and the relationship that we can have with him.
Through the lens of fatherhood, we see God’s heart for his children. God the Father’s very character is one of self-sacrifice as he sets aside any desire for personal wants or selfish gain, in order to pursue whatever is best for his children. The Father is content to set aside his own glory in order to exalt Christ, the Son of God, above all else. Having been adopted into his family and sharing in the life of Jesus, we too become precious in the Lord’s sight. We see his love for us in his provision and in the way he directs and disciplines us each day.
Through the lens of fatherhood, we see God’s heart for his children
However, even as we look at the Fatherhood of God, we come quickly to the realization that our experience of earthly fatherhood is but a poor reflection of that divine glory. Whether you are a father yourself, or in our universal experience of being children of earthly fathers, we will no doubt be aware of flaws, faults, and failure in those who raised us (or who struggled to do so). That is not to say that every experience of earthly fathers is only and always corrupt, but that it is inevitably tainted by the effects of sin and death, of sadness and sorrow.
The reality of those imperfect experiences should not cause us to despair. Instead, we allow the Scriptures to lift our eyes to heaven and to see there, seated on the throne, our heavenly Father. We are to enjoy our relationship with him and to know that in Him we have the hope of a Father who is always for us and who will not ever fail us. As it says in 1 John 3 – ‘See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!’ In God, even our experiences of fatherhood are redeemed and given new hope.
With our gaze fixed upon that heavenly throne, we see too the wonder of the church as our true family. Here, in the fellowship of believers, we are surrounded by brothers and sisters with whom we can share in deep intimacy, including with those who are spiritual fathers to us. I hope that in your Christian journey, you have had the joy of knowing older, wiser men who have loved you and helped you to walk the way of faith and discipleship. We all need men who will invest in our wellbeing, growth, and maturity.
As we give thanks for fathers today, we celebrate the good we see in our earthly fathers. We also honour the men who reflect the love, leadership, and sacrifice we see in God the Father. To all the men in our church who play a role in shepherding others to growth and maturity – Happy Father’s Day!
Over the next two months, our sermon series will be in 2 Corinthians. This seems very much like a letter that is written for us. Corinth is a city like ours, Paul writes into a situation like ours, and their need for God’s grace is like ours.
Corinth was the Hong Kong of the ancient Mediterranean world. It was a bustling centre of trade, finance, and business. People from all over the Roman world moved to Corinth to make money. It was culturally Greek but administered by the Romans. Corinth was a melting pot of nationalities and ethnic groups, which included a large minority group of Jews. It was pluralistic: a broad marketplace of pagan deities was available for worship in the city. Corinth was also a meritocracy. The pressure was on to succeed. You had to work hard to climb the social and economic ladder. People wanted to impress and expected to be impressed.
Almost as soon as Paul planted the church in Corinth (see Acts 18:1-18), his relationship with the church became complicated. The Corinthian church was factionalised, deeply influenced by the ungodly values of its city, and often afflicted by immorality. Paul wrote a series of letters addressing the theological and pastoral problems in the church. Second Corinthians (the fourth of his letters to them, two of which have been lost) was written about two years after the church was planted and a year after 1 Corinthians. The issues concerning this church take up more room in the New Testament than Paul’s dealings with any other church.
a gospel shaped approach to life and ministry looks like: utter dependence on Jesus
One of the main issues was that the Corinthian’s didn’t think that Paul was an impressive guy. In a culture that placed a lot of value on personal promotion, rhetoric, celebrity teachers, and wonderful credentials, Paul looked like a failure. He was constantly suffering, poor, and getting in trouble for preaching the gospel. His letters were powerful, but his personal presence and speaking didn’t amount to much (2 Cor 10:10). To put it bluntly, in a culture that prized success, status, and wealth (sound familiar?), Paul looked very weak.
At stake was not just the Corinthian’s relationship with Paul, but more importantly, the gospel that he preached. Paul looked weak and his gospel seemed weak. The Corinthians wanted to turn away from both.
That’s why this letter is Paul at his most vulnerable, passionate, and heartfelt. He defends his weak ministry because it shows the power of Christ. This letter shows most clearly what a gospel shaped approach to life and ministry looks like: utter dependence on Jesus. Speaking about his suffering, Paul repeats Jesus’ words to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9).
This is a letter for us. We can be like the Corinthians. We’re besotted with success and giftedness. We’re prone to spiritual pride and self-sufficiency. We can quickly forget that spiritual strength is found only when we acknowledge our weakness and are utterly dependent on Jesus.
That is the question I had when I first joined the team at St Andrew’s to help look after “Oxygen” – what we call our cluster of Growth Groups dedicated to university students and young workers mostly in their 20s and a bit into their 30s. We are currently 8 groups strong, and meet all together on Thursdays evenings… It’s a real vibe. This is a special life stage and it’s nice to have a space to grow together.
What I love most about this ministry though is not the socials, weekend aways, or Christmas parties (as fun as they are). I am being entirely sincere when I say that the highlight of this past year in Oxygen for me has been the privilege of being able to dive deep into the Bible together with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Every academic year at Oxygen we generally aim to spend a year studying a book of the Bible. We did Romans last year, and this year we are looking at the Gospel of Mark.
“Why do you not follow the Sunday sermon series when it comes to your Bible study programme?”, you may ask.
let God speak his truths into our lives
While there are definitely pro’s and con’s for going rogue from the Sunday sermon series, some of the benefits include:
Being able to follow the author’s “melodic line” of a book to better understand the overall purpose (what they want the reader to understand), getting the macro picture.
With greater context as we go through a passage of the same book every week, we are able to build a solid “scaffolding” to dive deeper into passages and observe the micro details too.
All this helps us better understand what the text is trying to say and protects the reader against misinterpretation by taking verses out of context.
Our weekly meetings aren’t just academic classes though. We work hard to be clear about what God is saying in his word in order to obey and respond correctly to it in our lives. Accordingly, we spend a large portion of each evening applying the truths from God’s words into our lives and praying in response to all that we’ve learned as well. We also encourage members to read the Bible with others on a one-to-one basis, as there’s no better form of pastoral care than to go straight to the source and let God speak his truths into our lives as the best form of encouragement.
On the note of prayer, we’d really appreciate prayers for our Oxygen ministry too!
We’ve been blessed with many newcomers wanting to join us, but we need more groups to accommodate them! Please pray God will raise up more leaders to serve in his ministry.
Pray for growth and maturity for our members as time goes on and protection against complacency.
Thank God for our leaders and pray for their godliness and perseverance in what can be very rewarding but also difficult service.
So, why are we called “Oxygen”? I don’t know. It’s just a name we inherited. It’s what we do there that’s important though, and that’s opening the Bible and enjoying listening to God speak through his word (to know him better and encounter Jesus) together with my brothers and sisters. That’s what we’re about.
This may sound strange to you, but I was pretty nervous the first few times I went to church. I became a Christian during my first year at university. My Christian friends at uni encouraged me to find a church to attend. I asked, “How do I find a good church?”. Their response, “Look for somewhere that teaches the Bible well and that welcomes you”.
I started going to a local church. I recognised a few people from the neighbourhood, but I didn’t know anyone. For the first month, I arrived late and I was the first person to leave. Then one week, a guy stopped me before I left and introduced himself to me. We got chatting and a few more people joined the conversation. They invited me to grab McDonald’s after the service with them. The following Sunday, I was invited to someone’s home for dinner. I stayed at that church for years. Some of my best friends come from that church.
The apostle Paul told the church in Rome, “welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Rom. 15:7). Welcoming people is a demonstration of the gospel. Think of the people Jesus welcomed in his ministry: the moral and social outsiders, the tax collectors and prostitutes, the Samaritan woman. Think of our spiritual situation. We don’t deserve God’s favour. We can’t earn it. We are spiritual reprobates, but Jesus has opened his arms to us, welcoming us into a relationship with him, showing us grace. We welcome because Jesus has first welcomed us.
We welcome one another because Jesus has welcomed us
We want St Andrew’s to be a welcoming community, whether you’ve been here for decades, or it’s your first time and you’re exploring faith or looking for a new church home. We try to do things to welcome people and help them to feel connected. We have a great team of welcomers who provide a friendly face and help if needed, the greeting time during each service, there’s newcomers’ lunches, the Partnership course, weekly refreshments after the 8.30am service, monthly morning teas after the 9.30am and 11.30am services, and regular dinners after the 5pm service.
But being a welcoming community is not just about structures and volunteers. We want everyone at St Andrew’s to be a welcomer. Yes, welcoming people sounds daunting. Maybe you’re shy or an introvert. Maybe you feel uncomfortable about initiating conversations with people that you don’t know. But once you start the habit of having conversations with new people, you find it becomes easier.
So here are two encouragements. First, make it your aim to talk to someone that you don’t know after the Sunday service. Introduce yourself to the person you’re sitting next to. Ask them what they found helpful about the service. One of the things that most encourages me is seeing people after the service talking and praying with one another. Second, practice hospitality. It’s great when people have a meal after church. It’s an opportunity to make introduce people to others, make connections, and deepen relationships.
Let’s all be welcomers. We welcome one another because Jesus has welcomed us.
For almost 120 years, we’ve been a community used by God to proclaim Christ to our city and to build one another up in faith. As articulated by our vision statement, “We are a community devoted to Jesus Christ, who share his gospel, calling on people to follow him, and seek the flourishing of Hong Kong.”
What has this looked like over the past year?
Firstly, there’s been our ministry of connecting. We’ve sought to connect people to Christ and connect people to community. Our church is well located. We get lots of people visiting us on Sundays. It’s always such a delight to meet newcomers and to hear their stories, whether they’re exploring faith or looking for a new church home. Over the past year, we’ve sought to improve the way we connect with people by building a new, more newcomer-friendly website. We’ve resumed monthly morning teas on Sundays, held regular newcomer lunches, updated our Partnership course, and held many events to help build that sense of community that we missed during COVID.
God's people are built up through God's word
Secondly, there’s the ministry of building people in Christ. God’s people are built up through God’s word. We aim to teach the Bible deeply at our Sunday services. We encourage our people to attend Growth Groups, where they can learn from the Bible, be supported in faith, receive practical care, and develop deep spiritual friendships. These groups are the backbone of our church. Supporting group leaders and multiplying groups is a significant ministry commitment. We also encourage our people to use their gifts through serving either in a church ministry, or with one of our church mission partners around the city. We believe that serving not only shares the love of Jesus with others but also builds faith and maturity in ourselves. During the year, we conducted a survey to get to know you better. Those attending a Growth Group are twice as likely to be experiencing spiritual growth, and those involved in volunteering are five times more likely to be experiencing spiritual growth.
Over the coming year, we want to encourage our people to make the following commitments:
First, everybody as a welcomer. Just as we’ve been welcomed by God in Christ, let’s welcome one another. That means being active in inviting people to church, being intentional in getting to know others, and exercising hospitality. We each have a role to play in growing depth and intimacy in our community.
Second, embrace change. The gospel is a summons to respond to Jesus. This means a life of repentance, turning away from our idols, and seeking to become transformed in the likeness of our Saviour. God has given church as the context for this change. We need one another.
Third, commit to gospel faithfulness. Use what God has given you for his purposes as you explore how the gospel should shape every part of your life. We want to be a community that spurs one another onward in good works.
Thank you for the part that you’re playing in our community. It’s my prayer that you’ll be encouraged by reading this report, be steadfast in praying for our church, and be committed to growing in Christ in fellowship with his people.
Extract from the 23/24 Annual Report. Please find the full report here: standrews.org.hk/acm-annual-report
On my first Mother’s Day, when our first born, Theo, was about to turn one, my mother gave me a present. It was a beautifully illustrated children’s storybook called My Precious Baby, originally written in Korean and translated into Chinese. Inside, she had written,
“To my dearest Jane, my precious baby:
Happy Mother’s Day!May your journey as Theo’s mother be filled with God’s love and grace.Love you forever, Mom “What a gift! I cried when I read those words, overwhelmed by how much my mother – my guide, role model, and dearest friend – loved me, and a little frightened by how much I already loved our baby boy. What would my journey as our children’s mother be like?
There have been so many good times: watching my father teach my daughter how to do the monkey bars, something I have never quite mastered – and marvelling at the ease with which she can now swing across them, going on a catamaran ride in Bali, and seeing the grin on my son’s face as the wind propelled us forward, further and further from the shore; enjoying our nightly practice of sharing our highs, lows, and buffalos (funny or unexpected moments) before praying for each other.
Recently, our family memorized Psalm 23 together, one verse each day over the course of a week. On the final evening, I encouraged the children to pray using the verses as a starting point. As I heard them thank God for being with them when they were afraid and for helping them to walk on the right path, I was filled with a great sense of wonder. Our children are talking to the living God, I thought. God was working in their lives, and I had the privilege of witnessing it firsthand.
our children’s lives are in the Lord’s hands
But there have been challenges, too. Last fall, one of our children was having a really tough time at school, and though we did everything we could to help, we kept getting concerned emails from the school. I remember heading home from work one day, tears streaming down my face. I dreaded having to discuss the contents of the latest email. I loved our child so much, but I had no idea what to do. I felt useless and hopeless.
I wasn’t praying, just worrying. But all the same, in my ears – my Bluetooth headphones, to be exact – I heard God’s answer through the words of a song we had been singing at church: ‘To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus…‘
I stopped walking, struck by the realization that our children’s lives are in the Lord’s hands, and that try as I might to be a good mother, they are his children. He knows what he is doing. He knows the plans he has for them – and they are plans not to harm them, but to give them a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
And although the journey is ongoing, we have witnessed God working miracle after miracle in this child in the last few months. He guided us to the right help and resources, including at Kidzone, where we have been blessed by the teachers’ patience and love. By God’s grace, this child continues to grow in confidence, joy, and self-control day by day.
I often feel unworthy of my role as a mother. This is true both in the joys, when I catch glimpses of God’s character in my children, as well as in the challenges, when I am completely dependent on his mercy to sustain me. My hope is only Jesus!
On this Mother’s Day, may you be filled to the brim with God’s love and grace. Happy Mother’s Day!
Whether it’s a shattered dream, a broken relationship, or an unmet expectation, we’ve all experienced the sting of disappointment at some point. As Christians, how do we navigate these moments of disillusionment? How do we find hope amidst the heartache of disappointment?
In a world tainted by sin, disappointment becomes all too familiar. Our culture inundates us with unrealistic expectations, setting us up for inevitable letdowns. The truth is that disappointment is to be expected in a fallen world. However, amidst life’s disappointments, we must not lose sight of God’s sovereignty and trust him in all circumstances. Trusting God in disappointment means acknowledging that his ways surpass our understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). Therefore, even when faced with disappointment, we can find peace in trusting that God has a purpose and a plan beyond what we can grasp.
Disappointment often reveals the true condition of our hearts. We should ask ourselves, are we more concerned about our own desires and expectations than God’s will? Are we quick to blame others for our disappointments rather than examine our own hearts? Instead of focusing on external circumstances, we must surrender our hearts to God, allow him to search us, and guide us towards humility and repentance.
Turning to God allows us to find comfort and peace in the midst of life's disappointments.
Maybe your natural response to disappointment, like mine, is to withdraw until the feeling passes or attempt to resolve the issue on your own. Perhaps you throw yourself a pity party or even sink into feelings of anger or despair. However, as Christians, our response should be to turn to Christ. Instead of blaming God, we should humbly cry out for his help.
We shouldn’t rely on our strength and face disappointment alone; we can surrender our disappointment to God, who understands our deepest struggles. He invites us to cast our burdens upon him, recognising our need for his strength and guidance. Turning to God allows us to find comfort and peace in the midst of life’s disappointments.
When we look to heaven, it provides a powerful perspective shift. While earthly disappointments may weigh us down, the hope of eternity reminds us that this world is not our final destination. The apostle Paul encourages us to fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Cor 4:18). When disappointment threatens to overwhelm us, we can lift our gaze to heaven, where sin and sorrow will be no more.
Dealing with disappointment as a Christian requires a heart surrendered to God, trust in our sovereign God, and a hopeful gaze towards heaven. Though disappointment may leave us feeling defeated, we can find comfort in knowing that God is with us. It’s my prayer that we all cling to the hope found in Christ, trusting that he will guide us through every trial and lead us to a place of everlasting joy.
When I told my pastor in Singapore I was moving to Hong Kong in 2023, his first concern was not about my new job, housing, or when I would return. His primary concern was how I would stay connected with the body of Christ. So why is having a Christian community so important?
Ephesians is one of my go-to books for Bible study because it addresses this very question. I’ll share three reasons from Ephesians on why church community is important and examples of how I experienced them with my Growth Group at St Andrew’s:
we form deeper relationships in our Growth Groups
1) “To comprehend, with all the saints.. and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge” (Eph 3:18-19).My understanding of the gospel as an individual imperfect and sinful man is, at its best, limited and, at its worst, flawed. How crucial is it then that Paul prays for the church that our understanding of Christ’s love needs to be with all the saints.
This is why our Growth Group meetings are focussed on Bible study. Every week, we engage in discussions to sharpen our understanding of God’s word. It is more than an intellectual exercise. Perhaps the most encouraging moments I experienced were simply listening to others share how the Bible passage personally impacted them—because this is our creator, God, speaking to us.
2) “To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph 4:12). Ministry work is not the sole responsibility of our pastors, church staff, or leaders – it is a role shared by every member, to strengthen the church. Understanding and experiencing the love of Christ should inspire us to take our own actions of love, as Paul describes, “to walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.” (Eph 5:2).
Growth Group gives me the opportunity to love sinful people sacrificially and to be loved by others despite my own sinfulness. This is how we point each other to Christ. When we encourage, support and pray for one another, and of course, love each other in practical ways, we form deeper relationships in our Growth Groups. It helps make a big church feel small and intimate.
3) The days are evil (Eph 5:16, 6:13). Paul ends his letter asking the church to put on the armour of God, because we are fighting a war. A war not of flesh and blood. A war I know I’ll lose, if I fight alone.
Paul warns us of the “flaming darts of the evil one” (Eph 6:16) and I feel the bombardment everyday – the world trying to deceive me what success looks like, its twisted versions of morality and love, and persecution if my faith says otherwise. It’s a battle not meant to be fought alone.
That is why I’m greatly encouraged by my Growth Group, seeing brothers and sisters by my side standing firm. We share in our honest struggles and failures. We correct and hold each other accountable. We help each other set our minds on things of heaven, not things of earth, which we are so easily distracted by.
When we gather as a Growth Group, equipped with the knowledge of Christ’s love and walking together in that same love, we get a glimpse of that beautiful image Paul describes of the church – “the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love”. (Eph 4:16)
I’m incredibly excited that we are doing a sermon series on Deuteronomy. Moses is such a major figure in the Bible, and this final book in the Pentateuch surely holds invaluable truths that not only the Israelites of his generation (his “original audience”) needed to be reminded of… but us as well.
When it comes to Moses, I suspect though, that I’m probably not the only one who would associate him most closely with the book of Exodus and the whole Egypt, Pharaoh, “let my people go” saga. So, it might be no surprise that even in Deuteronomy, Moses reminds the Israelites multiple times of that event when God faithfully delivered his people against all odds from slavery in Egypt. Unfortunately, alongside those glorious reminders also come some embarrassing details. Even though God has consistently been so faithful, his people have (on the other hand) been consistent in their unfaithfulness and disobedience. It’s not exactly a great look.
As a result, that generation of Israelites face God’s judgement, and the punishment is that they will not be able to enter the promised land. Rather, they will wander the desert and die there. In summary, God’s people were freed from slavery under Pharoah, only to be slaves to their own sin (disobedience towards God), and therefore still not truly “free”.
Jesus comes to perfectly fulfil the laws of Moses
What does freedom look like then for a Christian (God’s people)?
I was thinking of contrasting this definition to how our secular world might define it, but then I came to a startling realisation. I believe at a basic level, the definition is kind of the same! Or at least part of the definition.
I think our world would generally define freedom as something that entails the ability to “be your true self”, and to be able to “make the choice” to do so. If we go with that same definition, the Bible tells us that the true selves we were all created to be in Genesis in the Garden of Eden were to be able to enjoy a relationship with God, living under his perfect rule. Our inability to “choose” to obey him can be seen as our slavery to sin. In Romans 7:15, the Apostle Paul also articulates this tension.
Perhaps that’s why there are so many laws in Deuteronomy. The point of the book isn’t to chain God’s people down with miserable laws (which they could never keep perfectly anyways!). Rather, it is a beautiful picture of what it should look like to be free to be the people God has created us all to be. The problem is that we can’t do it because we are naturally law-breakers. The good news is what comes in the New Testament. Jesus comes to perfectly fulfil the laws of Moses, and by trusting in him, we can claim Jesus’ righteousness as our own and be made right before the holy God.
I used to think the Old Testament was the boring bit, and the New Testament was the exciting part. However, the more I understand how the Bible works as a whole, the more I appreciate books like Deuteronomy because, ultimately, a deeper understanding of Scripture increases my view of and love for my Lord Jesus Christ. He’s the knight in shining armour who has come to free us from our slavery to sin, so that we can be free to joyfully obey and serve our loving God – what we were originally created to enjoy.
There’s no shortage of advice on how to find happiness and fulfilment. We’re bombarded with self-help books, motivational speakers, and social media influencers, all promising the key to a joyful life. Yet, despite this abundance of guidance, many people still find themselves longing for something deeper, something more enduring than fleeting happiness.
Do you remember Bobby McFerrin’s song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy?” Bob Marley made it famous. While the tune is catchy, pretending to be carefree and forcing a smile doesn’t actually bring lasting happiness. The “fake it ’til you make it” approach to joy might work temporarily, but it can be exhausting and unfulfilling.
So where can we find a true and lasting joy?
According to the Bible, joy is ultimately rooted in our relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the source of our joy, filling our hearts with gladness and peace. As we abide in Him and surrender to His will, we can experience true and lasting joy.
This doesn’t mean we’ll never experience sadness or disappointment. Joy isn’t about having a perfect, problem-free life. We’ll inevitably face challenges and hardships, but like the Apostle Paul, we can learn to be joyful and content in any circumstance. Or, like the Apostle James, counting all our times of trial as pure joy. We can find joy in the midst of suffering, knowing that God is with us and will never leave us.
joy is ultimately rooted in our relationship with Jesus Christ
Our joy isn’t dependent on our past regrets or future worries. Instead, it’s found in the present moment when we encounter God. We must be mindful that joy is a fruit of the Spirit. This means that joy is not something we can manufacture on our own, but rather it is a gift that comes from the Holy Spirit. I’ve learnt that joy isn’t the absence of sadness—it’s the presence of the Holy Spirit. Joy flows from our relationship with Jesus, and it’s about trusting in the promise that God will always be with us. Psalm 16:11 reminds us that “In your [God’s] presence there is fullness of joy.”
In John 15, Jesus Himself tells us that He wants us to have His joy. He says, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” Jesus knows that our joy is incomplete unless it is found in Him. He wants us to experience the same joy that He had. His joy was not dependent on His circumstances but rather on His relationship with the Father.
True joy requires a shift in perspective. Instead of seeking happiness in external things like success, wealth, or relationships, we must learn to find our joy in God. Our joy serves as a window into our hearts, revealing our deepest desires and beliefs. Therefore, we need to discern the source of our joys and ensure they align with God’s truth and righteousness.
Let the joy of the Lord be our strength in times of trouble, our comfort in times of sorrow, and our delight in times of elation. May we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and find true, lasting joy in His presence, now and for all eternity.
Our lives are filled with reminders: we use calendars, set phone notifications, wear wedding rings, keep photos, and make contracts. We need reminders because we easily forget. We need help to keep our commitments and follow through on our promises.
The Book of Deuteronomy is a long reminder. It was written in the form of an ancient contract commonly used between nations, so that God’s people would remember who God is, what he has done for them, and how they were to respond to him.
We’re going to be studying Deuteronomy on Sundays and in our Growth Groups for the next few months. Now immediately, some of us might be intimidated. If you’ve ever tried to read Deuteronomy, you’d know it’s long and confusing. It contains seemingly random and irrelevant laws. In chapter 22, we’re given instructions about what to do if you find a bird’s nest by the side of the road. A few verses later, we’re given some Jewish fashion tips. If you get to that point in the book, you begin to wonder why you’re reading it at all. We’re confused about how these ancient commandments can be of any relevance to us today.
We see God’s determination to save his people and fulfil his promises.
Deuteronomy is a long sermon (or series of sermons) given by Moses to the Israelites, as they stand on the edge of the Promised Land. Many have called it one of the greatest speeches in human history. Moses has led the Israelites for almost 50 years in the exodus from slavery in Egypt and in their wilderness wanderings. Whilst this generation of Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land, Moses won’t. His journey will soon be over. He’s going to die.
Moses reminds the people of where they’ve been so far. He gives them warnings because of their failures, but also encouragements because of the victories that God has provided. Moses calls on them to keep faithful to their covenant with God, to remain loving and loyal. He explains the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments, and unpacks what following them looks like in life. Deuteronomy finishes with Moses anticipating the future, the people’s failure, and God’s constant grace.
So, why are we studying this book? Deuteronomy is frequently called the centre of Old Testament theology. It influences and shapes everything else in the Old Testament. It fortified Jesus in his wilderness temptations and provided the apostle Paul with his understanding of Israel and the nations in God’s plan.
More significantly, Deuteronomy is about our God. As we read Deuteronomy, we learn about God’s character and how he meets us in his word. We learn about right worship and right behaviour; how to pursue righteousness in response to his immense grace to us.
Although Deuteronomy is spoken to people in a different time and place, it’s profoundly important for us because we are just like Israelites. We are sinners in need of rescuing, and we frequently forget God’s grace. We need reminding. In Deuteronomy, we see the gospel according to Moses, God’s determination to save his people and fulfil his promises.
The recent Oscars reminded me of one of the unexpectedly thoughtful movies from the past year, Barbie. Maybe you didn’t watch it (surprisingly, I enjoyed it), but for a movie purporting to be light-hearted, it explored some of the deeper questions of life, like death and purpose.
In Barbieland, women can be almost anything: President, an astronaut, a pilot, a construction worker. Every day seems perfect, until in the middle of a dance number, Stereotypical Barbie (played by Margot Robbie) becomes Existentialist Barbie, asking her friends, “Do you guys ever think about dying?”. This question makes the Barbies feel profoundly uncomfortable. Death makes Barbie’s life begin to fall apart. Similarly for us, death feels like an unwanted intruder. We don’t want to talk about it, we try to ignore it, but we can’t escape it.
Another fascinating question is that of purpose. Ken struggles with finding his identity. He feels that he’s defined by being Barbie’s boyfriend. He says to Barbie, “I don’t know who I am without you”. Eventually, Barbie helps him to realise he is enough (or “Kenough”, as the movie puts it). Ken has to work out who he is himself and not be defined by his relationships.
Whilst Barbie playfully asks profound questions, it doesn’t get close to providing satisfying answers. Maybe you’ve had this melancholic thought: how do we make sense of life when regardless of hard work, good planning, meaningful relationships, or achievements, we all end up in the same place? In other words, how can we find purpose in life that doesn’t get beaten up by death?
Christianity speaks of a Saviour who has defeated death
This weekend, millions of people around the world will remember the old story of Jesus from Nazareth, who was crucified outside of Jerusalem around 33AD. The reason why Christians celebrate Easter is not because of what happened on Friday, it’s because of the Sunday. It’s not because Jesus was executed – after all, everyone dies – it’s because of the claims that he rose from the dead. The Apostle Peter says that God has given us a “new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade” (1 Pet. 1:3-4).
Christianity stakes everything on Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. It speaks of a Saviour who has defeated death, who pardons you and covers you with his love. Once you come to believe and trust in Jesus, you are united with him. Death doesn’t break this union. It’s a union that’s more basic than life itself. This means that you can face the most difficult problems of life with hope, including death.
If the resurrection is true and Jesus has power over death, then it means he is who he claimed to be, the Son of God. It means that Jesus has complete rights over you. He gives you a profound purpose. Life isn’t about Jesus giving you what you want in life to further your own agenda. It’s about us serving him. That’s the most satisfying life we can live.
Are you a person who’s been shaped by the transforming news of Easter?
This Sunday we celebrate Palm Sunday, when we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In this week’s passage, we read about the crowd’s response and how they joyfully praised God. But then we read that Jesus wept over the city. Why? Because he knew that their praise would not lead to worship. He knew that Jerusalem would reject him only a few days later. Have you ever stopped to think about what praise and worship are? Praise often goes hand in hand with worship, and they can easily become confused, so what’s the difference?
God has created us to praise. Isaiah 43:21 says, “The people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.” Praise is a joyful response to God’s character, actions, and promises. It is the joyful recounting of his goodness, mercy, and faithfulness. The Psalms are packed with examples of praise-filled poetry. In them, King David often encourages people to “praise the Lord” for God’s mighty deeds and steadfast love amidst life’s triumphs and trials. Praise comes in many forms throughout the Bible; we see examples of people lifting their voices in song, playing musical instruments, making a joyful noise, praying with thanksgiving, and even dancing before the Lord. Praise often serves as a gateway to worship, stirring our hearts to deeper reverence and adoration for God. That’s why we always begin our church services with musical praise.
Praise is about God, while worship is directed to God
Praise can be a part of worship, but worship goes beyond praise. Worship gets to the heart of who we are. It leads us into deeper intimacy with God as we offer our lives as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to him (Rom 12:1). It’s the posture of our hearts as we bow before him, acknowledging his sovereignty and worthiness. Remember that God is worthy of our worship. Rev 4:11 says, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things…”
Jesus describes true worshipers as those who worship the Father in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). It means that God’s spirit does not limit our worship to one location. Our worship is not confined to church gatherings. While gathering together as God’s people on Sundays is an important aspect of the Christian life, true worship extends from there beyond our church buildings. As we scatter during the week, our worship must continue to be motivated by our love for God and informed by the truth he has revealed to us in his Word.
Worship requires a genuine surrender of the heart, a willingness to be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and a commitment to live out God’s will in the world. Our entire lives can be an offering of worship unto the Lord, as long as God is glorified. The Apostle Paul tells the Colossians, “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (Col 3:17).
Praise is about God, while worship is directed to God. Praise applauds God, while worship honours his very being and draws us into his presence. Praise is an outward expression of gratitude, while worship is an inward attitude of the heart. Both are essential components of our spiritual journey, but they serve distinct purposes in our relationship with God. As we praise the Lord with our lips, may our hearts and lives be drawn into true worship of him as well.
At the grand old age of 58, after many conversations with loved ones and studying God’s word, I have decided to trust the Lord fully with my life and get baptised. My long-time thought of getting baptised was always put on hold by wrongfully thinking, “I had to be a perfect Christian first.” Understanding that baptism is a public declaration of my commitment to follow God fully has set me free in my relationship with Christ, knowing He can use me for His glory! And He can use broken and imperfect people for His perfect plan!
I grew up as a happy third-culture kid, living in several exotic locations around the world. However, Christianity was completely devoid in my upbringing. Despite my parents being good people, God was absent. School assemblies offered the closest encounter, with uninspiring sermons from disinterested teachers. University saw me dabbling in Christianity, but a disconcerting experience led me to reject it. Even in Hong Kong, passing St. Andrews countless times didn’t prompt a second thought about the Lord.
It took time to acknowledge my spiritual emptiness. My wonderful wife found Jesus before I did, prompting me to reevaluate Christianity. I realised that the reality of Jesus meant that Christianity could be the most beautiful thing to be a part of. However, before I could claim I was Christian, I had to be absolutely certain that I sincerely believed that Jesus is Lord of all. I began to search earnestly for God, which eventually led to accepting the gift of salvation.
I desire to live my life as a child of God
Now, I can’t say what will happen when you accept this gift. Sometimes there are tears, sometimes there is incredible joy, and sometimes there is no emotion at all. But if you truly and sincerely accept the gift, you will know your life has been permanently changed. It took me a long time to accept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, but it was the best day of my life when I did. I can’t claim to live a perfect Christian life, but I sincerely want to. I want to put Christ first in my life and glorify him at every opportunity I get. I hope and pray that as Jesus and I walk through life together, He will mould and shape me into a person worthy of being called a Christian.
I thank God for everything He has given me. For all these years, He has patiently waited for me until the right time He has decreed has come. I pray that I can live the rest of my life in the deep love of Jesus Christ, who atoned for my sins on the cross. I desire to live my life as a child of God, eternally with His peace.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (GNT) are verses I hope and pray I will keep in my heart at all times to help me live as a faithful follower of Christ: “Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus”.
This Sunday is the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, also called the Month of the Qur’an. It is believed that sometime during this month, on Laylatul-Qadr the Night of Power, Allah first revealed the Qur’an through an angel to Muhamad.
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world fast and abstain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset. This is a time of religious devotion when Muslims focus their thoughts on Allah and actively seek to live pure and holy lives, so they can grow spiritually and get closer to Allah. When they feel hungry and thirsty, it reminds them to show compassion to poorer Muslims who do not have enough to eat, and to be kind and patient towards others.
The Night of Power is believed to fall on one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, so many Muslims stay up to pray during the last 10 nights. However, as Ramadan progresses, tempers can become frayed and patience tested by the lack of food and sleep. The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid-al-Fitr, the festival of the breaking of the fast, with presents for children and a feast of special dishes for everyone.
May God use our prayers, words and actions to bring them to know Jesus
It is estimated that there are 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide. As Christians, we desire all peoples to come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. We should pray for Muslims particularly during the month of Ramadan because this is the time of year when they are often more spiritually open and aware.
Isa al Massih, the Arabic name of Jesus, is honoured in the Qur’an. Pray for Muslims to have the opportunities to find out more about Jesus. Ask God to grant them spiritual sight so they come to know the God of the Bible and see Him for who He truly is.
Jesus says, ‘blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled,’ and ‘blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.’ (Matthew 5:6,8)
Pray for Muslims that as they hunger and thirst for righteousness, they will find God to be the source of all purity and true righteousness. Unusually this year, Lent and Ramadan overlap. Even as we reflect on the death and Resurrection of Jesus, let’s pray for many Muslims to come to know the joy of sins forgiven and the certain hope of eternal life!
Sadly we live in a broken world. Globally there are over 36 million refugees. Those from Muslim-majority nations Syria and Afghanistan, plus the Rohingya people of Myanmar, make up nearly half of this total. These refugees mostly stay in neighbouring countries. Ask God to provide the food and water, healing and refuge that they so desperately need. Pray for justice and peace, and lasting solutions to their problems.
It may surprise you to learn that Indonesia is the country with the world’s largest Muslim population. God has brought many Muslims to Hong Kong too. Pray for wisdom and grace as we interact with our Muslim neighbours – whether domestic helpers, workers in shops and restaurants, friends or colleagues. May God use our prayers, words and actions to bring them to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour!
How often do we long to hear “Well done” or “Good job”? When I was young, I didn’t particularly enjoy school, but I loved getting a “Well Done”, “Great Work”, or “Keep it up!” stamp from my teacher. It was something that motivated me to work! If we’re honest with ourselves, the echoes of approval and encouragement fuel our yearning for success. Whether from our parents, teachers, bosses or peers; the affirmation of a job well done resonates throughout our lives.
The Bible teaches that God has placed within us a longing for success, but our world’s view of success is very different from God’s view of success.
The world sees achievements, wealth, and power as the ultimate markers of success. We often judge ourselves and others by what we have, whether it’s our education, career, or lifestyle. We let the approval of others and material possessions dictate the world’s definition of a successful life.
The Bible does not condemn all forms of worldly success. Think of Joseph. He was Pharaoh’s right-hand man, who was used to save Israel during the famine in Egypt. Or Esther, who was the Queen of the Persian King Ahasuerus and was used to save God’s people from the evil Haman. God can use his people in positions of power and influence for his redemptive purposes. The key lies in recognising that worldly success, while not inherently sinful, can become a trap. The Bible warns us against the temptations of wealth and power (Mark 4:19), because these things have the potential to reshape our priorities and practices according to the world’s standards.
True biblical success is rooted in faithful obedience to God
So, what is God’s standard for success? True biblical success is rooted in faithful obedience to God, empowered by His Spirit, motivated by His love, and directed toward the advancement of His Kingdom. It’s about aligning our hearts with God’s will and seeking His glory rather than our own. It focuses on that which is eternal rather than on that which is temporary. Jesus himself teaches us to store up our treasure in heaven because where our treasure is, our heart is also (Matt. 6:19-21).
Think of the prophet Jeremiah. If you judge his ministry by worldly standards, it looked like an abject failure. No one repented in response to his teaching, there was no spiritual revival, everyone around him rejected him, his enemies mocked him, plotted to kill him, and threw him in prison. Yet even though he saw no fruit from his labour, in the eyes of God he was a success, because of his faithful obedience to God.
The desire for success is not inherently wrong. But how do you measure success? Ask yourself, “Am I seeking to build God’s Kingdom or my own? Is my standard for success being faithful to God and growing in holiness, or is it building a list of accomplishments and furnishing an impressive lifestyle?”. As we await the return of Jesus, may we remain faithful to Him so that one day we would hear our Saviour say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:23a).
I used to have a rugby coach who loved repeating the phrase, “There’s no ‘I’ in TEAM”. It was his way of reminding us not to act as individuals on the field, but to work together, depending on one another and supporting one another, so that the team’s goals are achieved.
The Bible communicates the same unity of commitment and purpose for Christians. Peter says, “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house” (1 Pet. 2:5). Paul says, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Rom. 12:4-5). These metaphors of a house built with interconnecting stone and a human body with mutually dependant members communicate our identity, but also our reliance on one another. The spiritual health of the individual is intimately linked to the being connected to a spiritually healthy community. We need one another to grow in Christ and be pastorally cared for.
So how can we care for one another at St Andrew’s? There are at least three areas in which we seek to provide care for one another.
First, our Growth Groups are the main context for pastoral care. Care happens best in established relationships. These small groups are where we can get to know one another deeply, to spend time with each other, study God’s word together, provide for many practical needs, and pray for one another’s needs. Normally in these groups, people will connect to a few people more closely. Over time, they’ll feel more comfortable in sharing personal joys and achievements, struggles and sins. Practical care can be provided more directly and effectively during times of acute difficulty.
We need one another to grow in Christ
Secondly, St Andrew’s also provides practical care through our ‘CARE Fund’ (Community Aid Relief and Emergency). This fund exists to provide financial support for church members going through challenging times or crisis. This fund is also used to give support to asylum seekers and refugees.
How can people access these funds? Applications are handled confidentially by a small committee of staff and lay leaders. At first instance, you can contact one of our pastoral staff. Church members are also welcome to donate to this fund as a practical way of caring for others and supporting the work of the gospel. You can donate directly to this fund through the giving page on the church website.
Thirdly, pastoral staff are available to meet with church members who are going through more acute difficulties. These difficulties include bereavement, divorce, and addiction, which are often beyond the ability of Growth Groups to provide appropriate care. Sometimes support groups are also set up for people going through similar experiences (such as bereavement).
A final encouragement. Sometimes our tendency when in difficulty is not to seek help but to suffer quietly. If you are in need, can I encourage you to reach out to the church family for support.
It’s impossible to overstate the privilege of being part of Sunday church: to be able to meet with God and His people; to be able to speak with and hear from the King of the universe. What we do on Sundays is not supposed to be merely out of habit, or convenience, or enjoyment. Church is God’s appointed means to both build us up into spiritual maturity, and reach the world with his gospel.
Christians are encouraged to continually meet with each other to spur one another onwards to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25). So how can we make the most of our time together on Sunday?
Make church attendance a priority. Most of us have crowded schedules which sometimes makes getting to church a struggle. Rather than being eager to come to church every Sunday, it’s easy to get in the habit of coming to church infrequently or settling for the convenience of the live-stream. Spiritual growth happens when we’re eager and committed to meet with God and His people.
Pray beforehand. Prayer is always the best start in preparing for anything. Pray for yourself and others, that during our time together God will teach us and enable us to draw close to him in faith, love, and obedience. Prayer not only demonstrates dependence on God, but also creates a sense of expectation that he will work in us.
God promises to speak to us through the bible
Read the bible passage. God promises to speak to us through the bible. It’s through the bible that we can understand God better, his way of salvation through Jesus, and how we can honor him. Get a head start on thinking about what will be taught by reading the bible passage beforehand. You can get the upcoming Sunday’s passage in the church’s weekly email. Ask simple questions of the passage like, “What does this tell me about God?” and “What does this tell me about me?”
Arrive on time. This enables you to participate in the whole service and keeps you from being a distraction to others by coming after the service has started. It also communicates an enthusiasm and urgency to meet with God and His people.
Welcome each other. Christians have a deeper connection with each other than we can ever imagine. Together we are God’s children through Jesus Christ. We need not act like strangers. Take the time to welcome each other, especially people you haven’t met before. Get into the habit of learning people’s names. This goes a long way towards creating a welcoming community where we all feel a sense of connection and belonging.
Stay after church. Sunday church is not just an event, it’s a community of God’s people. If you are able, stay afterwards to get to know others and minister to those in need. Talk about what you’ve learnt in the service. Organize to have a meal with others after the service, especially with people that you may not know well. Getting connected with people is a great investment.
You may have read the book or seen the movie Alice in Wonderland. There’s a scene in which a hookah-smoking caterpillar asks Alice the question, “Who are you?”. Given what’s happened to Alice in the story so far, she finds it difficult to answer the caterpillar’s question, “I hardly know, Sir, just at present”. When […]
Job interviews often include this question: “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Have you noticed that the strengths question is easy to talk about? That’s because our strengths are generally gifts from God and fruits of the Spirit that flow naturally. However, the weaknesses question often feels like revealing a hidden flaw, exposing our vulnerabilities. […]
Zechariah: purpose and comfort How do you deal with setbacks and disappointment? For Christians, there are three options: you can do everything you can to improve your situation; you can be overwhelmed by your situation and let it rob you of joy and peace; or instead of focusing on your situation, you can focus on God, learning to trust and depend on him more strongly.
This Sunday, we’re starting a new sermon series in the Book of Zechariah. This prophet’s task was to speak to people who were experiencing deep disappointment. They’d just returned from exile in Babylon. They were surrounded by enemies, economically impoverished, and ridiculed by neighbours. They were weak and pitiful. Their eyes were focussed on their dire circumstances. They couldn’t see the larger plan that God had for the whole world.
Zechariah’s ministry was to bring words of purpose and comfort to God’s people. He pointed them towards God’s great plan: his solution to the problem of sin, his promised King, and the coming day of salvation and judgment. Zechariah sought to lift God’s people’s eyes away from their poor circumstances, their “day of small things”, and instead to see God’s sovereign plan. They needed help to look away from their “present day” to look to “that day” when God’s plan will come to fulfillment.
God is sovereign over our circumstances and uses our difficulties to teach us to lean on him
We need the same reminder. How often are our eyes fixed on our own agenda rather than God’s agenda? We forget that God is sovereign over our circumstances and uses our difficulties to teach us to lean on him. God is more interested in our faithfulness and obedience to him than our present worldly successes.
When we’re dealing with disappointments, what we need most is not for our circumstances to improve, it’s for us to be comforted in the sovereign goodness of God. Zechariah gave God’s people a picture of a coming King who would bring victory for his people and give them what they most need. Many of us are familiar with this prophecy, “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zech. 9:9). We know that these words were fulfilled when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday, a few days before he was crucified. In Jesus, we see the fulfilment of God’s plans to bring us forgiveness, comfort, and peace.
A few words of explanation before we start this sermon series. This book is full of incredible apocalyptic visions and decidedly difficult passages. However difficult this book is to understand, chapters 9-14 are quoted more often in the passion narratives of the Gospels than any other Old Testament book. Structurally, this book is divided into eight visions (chapters 1-6) and two oracles (chapters 7-14). To draw greater benefit from this sermon series, read the whole book through on your own.
Zechariah challenges us, as it challenged God’s people 2500 years ago, to let the visions of God’s kingdom fire our hearts, to worship and serve God with all that we have.
Alex McCoyVicar
Latest stories Zechariah: purpose and comfortJun 1, 2023
How do you deal with setbacks and disappointment? For Christians, there are three options: you can do everything you can to improve your situation; you can be overwhelmed by your situation and let it rob you of joy and peace; or instead of focusing on your situation,...
read more Conviction vs. CondemnationMay 25, 2023
As Christians, we often encounter a paradox: we are promised complete forgiveness for our sin, yet we are called to be acutely aware of our sin and strive for holiness. Jesus himself told his disciples that the presence of the Holy Spirit would bring conviction of sin...
read more Serve the CityMay 18, 2023
Over the last month, we have been reflecting on the values of our church. We love Jesus, teach the Bible, build community and share the gospel. Today we come to our fifth and final value: we serve our city. Our desire to bless the city of Hong Kong is borne out of the...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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Conviction vs. Condemnation As Christians, we often encounter a paradox: we are promised complete forgiveness for our sin, yet we are called to be acutely aware of our sin and strive for holiness. Jesus himself told his disciples that the presence of the Holy Spirit would bring conviction of sin (John 16:8). So it shouldn’t come as a surprise when our consciences become sensitive to actions and attitudes that displease God.
However, we should avoid an excessive focus on faults, as Satan seeks to corrupt even the good gifts of God. The enemy tempts Christians to obsess over their imperfections, leading to self-condemnation and introspection that overshadow the perfect Saviour. While a sensitive conscience is valuable, it becomes detrimental when it becomes the master.
How can we strike the right balance with our conscience? The key lies in recognising that the Holy Spirit convicts us but never condemns us. Conviction and condemnation are not synonymous.
the Holy Spirit convicts us but never condemns us
God’s character is described in Psalm 103:8 as “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” When God speaks through His Spirit, it is for our correction. Like a loving parent, He points out areas where we need to grow and change, always for our benefit. He disciplines His children in order to teach and train them, enabling them to reach their full potential.
In contrast, Satan’s voice condemns us, whispering thoughts that declare we can never be forgiven, and that we are destined for perpetual failure. The problem with these thoughts is that they assume our sin outweighs God’s ability and willingness to forgive. Scripture reassures us of full forgiveness through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, who bore our sin on the cross and offers us redemption and reconciliation with God. (Matthew 26:28, Romans 8:1, Ephesians 1:7)
The reality is that even as Christians, we will always struggle with sin in this life. However, the solution is readily available: “If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
We must learn to balance our sensitivity to sin with the assurance of forgiveness, allowing the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sin but not allow Satan to condemn us. We must strive for holiness but not become consumed by self-condemnation or an excessive focus on our faults. Instead, we must fix our eyes on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our faith and trust in His promise of complete forgiveness and restoration. It is in this trust and reliance on Jesus that we find the strength and motivation to persevere in our journey of faith. We can rest assured that His forgiveness is not based on our own merit or worthiness but on His boundless love and grace.
In embracing the assurance of forgiveness, we are liberated from the burden of guilt and shame. We can let go of the past and press forward, knowing that our sin has been washed away and we have been made new in Christ. This assurance does not give us a licence to sin, but rather it empowers us to live victoriously over sin.
Leanne McCaughtryMedia & Communications Manager
Latest stories Conviction vs. CondemnationMay 25, 2023
As Christians, we often encounter a paradox: we are promised complete forgiveness for our sin, yet we are called to be acutely aware of our sin and strive for holiness. Jesus himself told his disciples that the presence of the Holy Spirit would bring conviction of sin...
read more Serve the CityMay 18, 2023
Over the last month, we have been reflecting on the values of our church. We love Jesus, teach the Bible, build community and share the gospel. Today we come to our fifth and final value: we serve our city. Our desire to bless the city of Hong Kong is borne out of the...
read more Share the GospelMay 11, 2023
In our weekly stories, we’ve been reflecting on St Andrew’s values. Our fourth value is that we want to be a community that shares the gospel. To share the gospel means proclaiming the good news that God has rescued us. Jesus himself told his disciples to make other...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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Serve the City Over the last month, we have been reflecting on the values of our church. We love Jesus, teach the Bible, build community and share the gospel. Today we come to our fifth and final value: we serve our city.
Our desire to bless the city of Hong Kong is borne out of the other values. We serve the city out of love for Jesus and obedience to His Word. We serve together as a community, and share the gospel in both word and deed.
In Jeremiah 29, the LORD says to His people in Babylon, ‘Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.’ We are to seek the Shalom – the peace and prosperity, wholeness and wellbeing – of the city where God has placed us.
As a church, we partner with different Christian organisations to reach the marginalised in our society – the elderly, poor and homeless, refugees and ethnic minorities, people with special needs and those in prison.
A few months ago, I had the opportunity to visit a hostel run by Kun Sun Association for former inmates who had recently been released and were adapting to life outside of prison. I must admit I felt a little nervous beforehand. Conscious of my sheltered upbringing, I wondered how I would relate to them but I need not have worried. As we sang of God’s love and forgiveness, I understood more deeply that we have far more in common than we are different. God’s grace is a great leveller.
the gospel is the power of God that saves everyone who believes
As fellow human beings, we have all been made in God’s image with inherent dignity, value and worth. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, and precious in God’s sight. But we are morally impoverished and spiritually bankrupt. Our sin alienates us from God and leaves us outside of His blessings. The same is true for all of us regardless of our age or background, ethnicity or life circumstances. All of us are in need of God’s grace. Wonderfully the gospel is the power of God that saves everyone who believes (Romans 1:16)!
Our mission partners share the good news of Jesus and provide practical care for people in need in Hong Kong. The Home of Loving Faithfulness is a residential home for people with special needs. Christian Action serves refugees and asylum seekers, whilst Inner City Ministries serve the Nepalese community here in Hong Kong. St Barnabas Home and Society provide food and practical help for the poor and homeless, and a team from our church visit elderly people who live alone.
There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer with our mission partners. Visit our website (standrews.org.hk/volunteer) or email Claudia (claudia@standrews.org.hk) to find out more. God has given us all different gifts to serve His people and bless our city. Let us prayerfully consider how we can each play our part. May we resolve afresh to love Jesus and His Word, build community, share the gospel and serve our city.
*Claudia Chan*Ministry Volunteer Coordinator
Latest stories Conviction vs. CondemnationMay 25, 2023
As Christians, we often encounter a paradox: we are promised complete forgiveness for our sin, yet we are called to be acutely aware of our sin and strive for holiness. Jesus himself told his disciples that the presence of the Holy Spirit would bring conviction of sin...
read more Serve the CityMay 18, 2023
Over the last month, we have been reflecting on the values of our church. We love Jesus, teach the Bible, build community and share the gospel. Today we come to our fifth and final value: we serve our city. Our desire to bless the city of Hong Kong is borne out of the...
read more Share the GospelMay 11, 2023
In our weekly stories, we’ve been reflecting on St Andrew’s values. Our fourth value is that we want to be a community that shares the gospel. To share the gospel means proclaiming the good news that God has rescued us. Jesus himself told his disciples to make other...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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Share the Gospel In our weekly stories, we’ve been reflecting on St Andrew’s values. Our fourth value is that we want to be a community that shares the gospel. To share the gospel means proclaiming the good news that God has rescued us. Jesus himself told his disciples to make other disciples (Matthew. 28:19), and to be his witnesses throughout the earth (Acts 1:8).
To understand the gospel means that we also share the gospel. However, we often find that evangelism is intimidating. Perhaps we’re anxious about what people will think of us, that we’ll be rejected by them for sharing the gospel. Perhaps it’s that we feel inadequate, we don’t always say the right things or can provide all the right answers. I must confess, I’ve never found evangelism easy, but I have found it joyful. We are told there is rejoicing in heaven when the lost are found and I’m thankful to have shared in that joy (Luke 15:7).
Scripture gives me confidence in several ways to do evangelism.
Firstly, the work of bringing people to salvation is 100% God’s. As we faithfully share Christ, God promises that he will open blind eyes. This helps take the pressure off me as my job is to simply present Jesus clearly and trust that God by his Spirit will cause people to believe in Jesus.
Secondly, the Bible tells me that there will be opposition to the gospel (Matthew 10:16-33). This helps me to expect difficulty. John’s Gospel tells us that the light entered the world, but the world did not receive that light (John 1:5, 9-10). We should not be surprised when people reject the gospel. When people reject the gospel, they are rejecting God. That often hurts us, but we should remind ourselves that our identity is in Christ, not in how people respond to us.
To share the gospel means proclaiming the good news that God has rescued us
There are a few things that are essential in sharing the gospel.
First, pray. We often talk about the “fives” at St Andrew’s: pray for five people, talk to five people, invite five people to church. Who are five people that you’re praying for?
Second, have compassion on people’s spiritual situation. Build relationships with non-Christians. Share your life with them. Be who you are, a follower of Jesus. They will notice the difference and begin to ask questions. We were reminded last Sunday, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 2:12).
Third, be prepared to share the gospel. This doesn’t mean that you have a thorough presentation up your sleeve that covers all the doctrines of Christianity. It simply means this: know why you believe in Jesus. This is what Peter means when he says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). When people ask you, speak about Jesus, not yourself. Point to his saving grace through his death and resurrection.
If you have read to the end of this and your heart is longing to share the gospel, I’d love to talk with you. Please also look out for upcoming evangelism training courses.
Darren PollockAssociate Minister
Latest stories Conviction vs. CondemnationMay 25, 2023
As Christians, we often encounter a paradox: we are promised complete forgiveness for our sin, yet we are called to be acutely aware of our sin and strive for holiness. Jesus himself told his disciples that the presence of the Holy Spirit would bring conviction of sin...
read more Serve the CityMay 18, 2023
Over the last month, we have been reflecting on the values of our church. We love Jesus, teach the Bible, build community and share the gospel. Today we come to our fifth and final value: we serve our city. Our desire to bless the city of Hong Kong is borne out of the...
read more Share the GospelMay 11, 2023
In our weekly stories, we’ve been reflecting on St Andrew’s values. Our fourth value is that we want to be a community that shares the gospel. To share the gospel means proclaiming the good news that God has rescued us. Jesus himself told his disciples to make other...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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Build community This Sunday is our Annual Church Meeting. Recently, we’ve been thinking about our church values. Today, we’re reflecting on our third value: build community. There’s an African proverb that says, it takes a village to raise a child. You could say the same thing about us: it takes a church to raise a Christian. Coming to church doesn’t make you a Christian, but it’s hard to grow and thrive as a Christian without being deeply involved in a church community.
The Book of Hebrews gives a picture of the Christian life. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:23-25). Christians are given a command to not give up meeting together. This passage emphasises a sense of togetherness. Christians are told to “spur one another… encouraging one another”.
In the early church, a congregation was a community of people whose lives were closely intertwined with one another: who ate and talked together, learned and prayed together, cared for one another, confessed their sins and provided practical help to one another. Here were people who grew in their relationship with God, through a deeply connected community life.
Christian community is vital for our individual spiritual growth
What does that look like for us at St Andrew’s? I think this “meeting together” means more than simply turning up to church on Sunday. Don’t get me wrong, it’s important to come to church regularly on a Sunday. But to what extent are we able to spur one another on towards love and good deeds? How deeply can we encourage one another? Because if you’re coming here on a Sunday only for information and inspiration, that means you’re not really connecting deeply with other people. You’re just being part of a crowd.
The type of Christian community that is meant in this passage is where you can hear the bible and drill it down into one another’s lives. Do you do that? Do you have a small group of people where you can drill the gospel down deep into your lives with one another, speaking the truth in love and growing to spiritual maturity (Eph. 4:15)?
Most of us realise that this type of Christian community will cost something from us. It will cost us time, as we prioritise church commitments in our busy schedules. In our consumer culture where we like to keep our options open and church easily falls off our agenda, we need to feel the weight of the command to “not give up meeting together”. This kind of community will also cost us comfort and convenience. Building relationships involves time, emotional investment, vulnerability, creating intimacy, and serving one another sacrificially.
This kind of Christian community is vital for our individual spiritual growth. Notice the goal that we’re given. We should meet like this, “all the more as you see the Day approaching”. That “Day” is Christ’s return when we will meet him. The goal of the Christian life is to grow in our likeness to Jesus. We need one another to do this.
So here’s your homework for this week: spend fifteen minutes prayerfully considering your commitment to our community. Ask God to help you to see how you should be involved here.
Alex McCoyVicar
Latest stories Build communityMay 4, 2023
This Sunday is our Annual Church Meeting. Recently, we’ve been thinking about our church values. Today, we’re reflecting on our third value: build community. There’s an African proverb that says, it takes a village to raise a child. You could say the same thing about...
read more Teach the BibleApr 27, 2023
As we approach our Annual Church Meeting next Sunday 7 May, we’re reflecting on what kind of community that we want to be by revisiting our church values. Our second church value is ‘Teach the Bible’. God’s Word must be central in our lives as individuals and as a...
read more A community that loves JesusApr 20, 2023
As we approach our Annual Church Meeting on 7 May, it's worthwhile thinking about what kind of community we want to be. You may know that St Andrew's has five values. We want to be a community that loves Jesus, teaches the Bible, builds community, shares the gospel,...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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Teach the Bible As we approach our Annual Church Meeting next Sunday 7 May, we’re reflecting on what kind of community that we want to be by revisiting our church values. Our second church value is ‘Teach the Bible’.
God’s Word must be central in our lives as individuals and as a church because God’s Spirit uses God’s Word to create faith in us and to grow faith in us. Jesus replied to Satan, quoting from Deuteronomy, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). On the night before he died, Jesus prayed for his disciples, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). God’s Word not only gives life, it also gives us direction as it shapes and moulds us into the image of the God who speaks to us.
we need to be regularly nourished by God’s Word
So, in what practical ways do we prioritise listening to God’s Word at St Andrew’s?
Firstly, we are committed to expositional preaching at our Sunday services. Expositional preaching takes the main point of the sermon from the main point of a passage of Scripture. It is usually taken in contrast to topical preaching, which takes a subject and talks about it, rather than taking a particular Bible text as its subject. A topical sermon can sometimes be expositional in that a passage is selected and preached. However, it’s still topical, as the preacher has first selected a subject and then sees what the Bible is going to say about. At St Andrew’s, we’ll occasionally preach topical sermons, but our main diet is expositional sermons, as we preach through books of the Bible. As we do so, we let God’s Word, not the preacher, set the agenda as God challenges us in often unexpected and difficult ways.
How can you respond to the preaching of God’s Word? Read the Sunday passage before you come to church to listen to the passage explained. Talk and pray with friends about what you’ve learned afterwards. Develop habits of asking questions of the text itself. Cultivate humility, as God’s Word challenges your thinking, assumptions, and habits.
Secondly, we are committed to studying God’s Word together in small groups. Our Growth Groups are vital contexts for exploring the Bible more deeply, asking questions, discussing its application to our lives, and praying through the issues raised. It’s in these intimate groups that we can more easily speak the truth in love to one another, growing in maturity as a body whose head is Christ (Eph. 4:15).
Thirdly, we are committed to studying God’s Word individually. Let’s face it, we all live busy lives and it’s easy to let daily Bible reading get crowded off our schedule. Our habits form our character. To grow in spiritual maturity, we need to be regularly nourished by God’s Word. Otherwise, we’ll be spiritually malnourished and stunted, taking our cues from what the world tells us, rather than what God’s Word says. A habit of even just fifteen minutes of reading a passage, reflecting on it, and praying about it, makes all the difference. We’ll be able to say with the psalmist, “Your word is a lamp to feet and a light for my path” (Ps 119:105).
Alex McCoyVicar
Latest stories Teach the BibleApr 27, 2023
As we approach our Annual Church Meeting next Sunday 7 May, we’re reflecting on what kind of community that we want to be by revisiting our church values. Our second church value is ‘Teach the Bible’. God’s Word must be central in our lives as individuals and as a...
read more A community that loves JesusApr 20, 2023
As we approach our Annual Church Meeting on 7 May, it's worthwhile thinking about what kind of community we want to be. You may know that St Andrew's has five values. We want to be a community that loves Jesus, teaches the Bible, builds community, shares the gospel,...
read more Our story. His grace.Apr 13, 2023
Your story has lots of different components. If you were to write your biography, you could probably describe your experiences, personality, character, relationships, influences, passions, achievements, joys, and traumas. Your story is unique. There is no one else...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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A community that loves Jesus As we approach our Annual Church Meeting on 7 May, it’s worthwhile thinking about what kind of community we want to be. You may know that St Andrew’s has five values. We want to be a community that loves Jesus, teaches the Bible, builds community, shares the gospel, and serves the city. Over the next five weeks, we’re going to reflect more deeply on each of these values.
We love Jesus because he is God who has come amongst us. We are commanded to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). To love Jesus is most fitting, as through him, all things were created (Col 1:15-17).
We love Jesus because he first loved us and gave himself for us. On the night before he died, Jesus told his disciples, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love… Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:9, 13). Christians are to be identified above anything else by our love for Jesus and his love for us. Our love for Jesus ought to shape everything about our lives.
Our love for Jesus ought to shape everything about our lives
Our main problem in life is that we don’t love as we ought to. Augustine taught that all people seek happiness, and we look for things to make us happy. That attachment is experienced as love. However, our main problem is that because of our sin, we mistake what will make us truly happy. We either love the things that we shouldn’t love, or we fail to love what we should love, or we love less what we should actually love more. In other words, we have disordered loves. If a man loves his career more than his wife and children, his family relationships will break down. If he loves making money more than he loves justice, he will exploit his employees. What you love most will shape your life, your priorities, desires, and behaviour. Jesus is most glorified when you decide that loving him is what matters most in your life.
Communities are often formed by mutual loves, whether of sport, or music, or art. What binds the community of St Andrew’s together is our common love for Jesus. As a community of Jesus’ disciples, we encourage one another to love Jesus the most. We meet together to spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24). Left on our own, we find it more difficult to love Jesus. We need a community of Jesus-shaped people to remind ourselves of who he is and what he has done for us, so that we persevere and grow in loving him.
It’s our love for Jesus which fuels our other values. We teach the Bible to know him better. We build community to support one another in loving him more. We share the gospel so that his love is known by others. And we serve the city so that people might turn to him in love.
Alex McCoyVicar
Latest stories A community that loves JesusApr 20, 2023
As we approach our Annual Church Meeting on 7 May, it's worthwhile thinking about what kind of community we want to be. You may know that St Andrew's has five values. We want to be a community that loves Jesus, teaches the Bible, builds community, shares the gospel,...
read more Our story. His grace.Apr 13, 2023
Your story has lots of different components. If you were to write your biography, you could probably describe your experiences, personality, character, relationships, influences, passions, achievements, joys, and traumas. Your story is unique. There is no one else...
read more A hope that outlasts everythingApr 6, 2023
For the most part, COVID-19 is finished and behind us, and it’s wonderful. No more mandatory masks, or quarantine, or isolating, or travel restrictions, or RATs and PCR tests, or publishing of infection rates and fatalities. What we’ve hoped for has arrived, and the...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
If you would like to learn more about what’s happening in our community, receive stories, scripture reading, prayer points and catch up on previous sermons, click to subscribe.
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Our story. His grace. Your story has lots of different components. If you were to write your biography, you could probably describe your experiences, personality, character, relationships, influences, passions, achievements, joys, and traumas. Your story is unique. There is no one else with your story.
There is “your story”, but there is also “our story”. There is a story that we all share; a story common to every human being who has ever existed. This is the story described in the Bible. It’s the story of being created by God, built by him to have a relationship with him. It’s the story of our unique place in God’s creation as his image bearers. It’s also a story of our brokenness and failure, of why our world is marked with suffering and evil. The Bible tells us about how God has entered our story with his grace. To properly understand ourselves and God, we have to understand our story and his grace, as the Bible describes.
This Sunday, we’re starting a new series looking at Romans 1-4. Paul’s letter to the Romans is a kind of Christian manifesto. It’s the fullest and grandest statement of the gospel in the New Testament. Martin Luther called it, “really the chief part of the New Testament, and … truly the purest gospel”. John Calvin declared that “if we have gained a true understanding of this Epistle, we have an open door to all the most profound treasures of Scripture”. If you grab hold of this letter and study it, you can more closely understand our story and God’s grace.
The life-changing message of Romans is that in Jesus Christ
For many Christians, Paul’s letter to the Romans is intimidating. It seems like chapter after chapter of dense and complicated doctrines. We don’t feel like we can adequately grasp Romans, so we don’t try. So, as we begin this sermon series, let me encourage you to start by understanding just one word: righteousness.
“Righteousness” means to be in right standing in relation to someone or something else. Everyone wants to be all right. For example, we want to be right in the eyes of the law, so we obey the rules. We want to be right in the eyes of those we respect, so we dress, speak, and act in particular ways. But there is a far better righteousness that Paul speaks about. This is a “righteousness of God” that has been revealed (Romans 1:17). We need this righteousness, but we’re unable to obtain it for ourselves by ourselves. Paul says that no amount of effort or achievement can secure it.
The life-changing message of Romans is that in Jesus Christ, God makes the unrighteous righteous. “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:22). This is a righteousness that makes every difference for our present and our future. It’s a righteousness that completely changes your story, by his grace.
This letter is a treasure. As we go through this sermon series, please read this letter at least a few times. It really does reward careful and persistent study. In it you’ll find truth, joy, and hope as you grow to know yourself and God better.
Alex McCoyVicar
Latest stories Our story. His grace.Apr 13, 2023
Your story has lots of different components. If you were to write your biography, you could probably describe your experiences, personality, character, relationships, influences, passions, achievements, joys, and traumas. Your story is unique. There is no one else...
read more A hope that outlasts everythingApr 6, 2023
For the most part, COVID-19 is finished and behind us, and it’s wonderful. No more mandatory masks, or quarantine, or isolating, or travel restrictions, or RATs and PCR tests, or publishing of infection rates and fatalities. What we’ve hoped for has arrived, and the...
read more A life of worshipMar 30, 2023
Reading this week’s passage in Luke describing Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, I’m pretty struck by the simultaneously humble and yet grand entrance it all is. On the one hand, he is being praised and welcomed with great joy by a great crowd. But on the other, he is...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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A hope that outlasts everything For the most part, COVID-19 is finished and behind us, and it’s wonderful. No more mandatory masks, or quarantine, or isolating, or travel restrictions, or RATs and PCR tests, or publishing of infection rates and fatalities. What we’ve hoped for has arrived, and the gloom has lifted. But the realisation of this particular hope doesn’t mean that we’ve finished with hoping. We move on to the next hope, and see if it gets realised.
Human beings are hope-orientated creatures. We must always have something upon which we fix our eyes, something that shapes our planning, something that gets us out of bed each morning and gives us a sense of purpose. Our hopes affect our emotions. If a hope is realised, we have joy; if it’s threatened, there’s anxiety; if it’s taken away, there’s despair , or grief, or anger.
Occasionally, you may have this melancholic thought: how do we make sense of existence when regardless of hard work, good planning, anxieties, achievements, we all end up in the same place? How do we avoid despair when everything we can hope for in this life will one day be taken away? After all, we’ll all get beaten up by death.
God has provided a solution to the deepest problems in this world
For those who believe we inhabit a godless and random universe, one option is to view life as meaningless. Film director Woody Allen once said that if everything ends in destruction, nothing has any real significance at all. In light of this terrible reality of meaninglessness, he says the job of the artist is to help people understand why it’s still worth going on. He concedes this is a “tough assignment”.
Some may think of it as an equally “tough assignment”, but the hope of Christianity hinges on a seemingly implausible story, that God himself has broken into our world.
This weekend, millions of people around the world will gather to remember the old story of Jesus from Nazareth, who was crucified by the Romans in a random outpost of the Empire. The reason why Christians celebrate Easter, why it spread so quickly, is not because of what happened on Friday, it’s because of the Sunday. It’s not because Jesus was executed – after all, everyone dies – it’s because of the claims that he rose from the dead. The Apostle Paul says Jesus was “crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power” (2 Cor. 13:4).
The light of the resurrection on Sunday following the darkness of Good Friday is the reason that Christians hope that God has provided a solution to the deepest problems in this world.
Those who believe this story to be true understand this to be a hope that is eternal, and unfading, and certain, and will never disappoint. It’s about the future restoration of broken things, of sin and death and evil being conquered, justice and order emerging from chaos.
This is a hope that outlasts everything and shapes everything. So we give our everything to Him who offers this hope freely to us.
Alex McCoyVicar
Latest stories A hope that outlasts everythingApr 6, 2023
For the most part, COVID-19 is finished and behind us, and it’s wonderful. No more mandatory masks, or quarantine, or isolating, or travel restrictions, or RATs and PCR tests, or publishing of infection rates and fatalities. What we’ve hoped for has arrived, and the...
read more A life of worshipMar 30, 2023
Reading this week’s passage in Luke describing Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, I’m pretty struck by the simultaneously humble and yet grand entrance it all is. On the one hand, he is being praised and welcomed with great joy by a great crowd. But on the other, he is...
read more A community woven togetherMar 23, 2023
Often, I think of the St Andrew’s community as an ornate tapestry. Just as individual threads in a tapestry are woven together to produce something more beautiful and strong, so it is when people join together to form our vibrant community. Each of us come to our...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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A life of worship Reading this week’s passage in Luke describing Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, I’m pretty struck by the simultaneously humble and yet grand entrance it all is. On the one hand, he is being praised and welcomed with great joy by a great crowd. But on the other, he is riding in on a (last-minute-borrowed) donkey. It reminds me of Jesus’ birth too – laid in a humble manger but worshipped by wise men, shepherds, and angels.
All this got me thinking, what does it look like to praise and worship Jesus as king today?
In my youth, I was pretty into this one particular Christian song by a Canadian artist called, “Life of Worship”. In it, there is one part where the lyrics go:
“May my life be my worship, my life be my songMay I praise you my saviour all the day long
From the sun in it’s rising to the night when it fallsMay my life be my worship
‘Cuz it’s not only about these songs that I singMy worship – it needs to be in everything”
Reading this back (and even listening to the song again), it does seem a bit cheesy, but I am amazed by the profound theological truths these simple sentences convey.
How much worship does the King of kings deserve? He deserves all of it!
a transformed mind that prioritises Christ’s glory over personal comfort
In many Christian circles today, we can oversimplify terms like “praise and worship” to mean solely musical expression of our faith. While this is beautiful and appropriate, it really shouldn’t stop there.
What might a life of worship look like?
It doesn’t have to be “flashy” in worldly standards, but it should be extravagant when it comes to personal devotion.
(Romans 12:1-2) It should also be all-encompassing as we offer our whole lives to God as a “living sacrifice” and includes all areas of our lives.
Practically, this could look like everything from generous and consistent giving for the church and kingdom work, to long-suffering evangelistic efforts even at great social cost.
Personally, it can be a transformed mind that prioritises Christ’s glory over personal comfort more and more everyday (reflected in everyday decisions, big or small).
Whatever it looks like in your life, I pray that this Easter season you will be challenged to have an ever-increasing view of Jesus our King… and as a result, more extravagantly praise and worship him with every aspect of your life.
Michele ChengPastoral Worker
Latest stories A life of worshipMar 30, 2023
Reading this week’s passage in Luke describing Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, I’m pretty struck by the simultaneously humble and yet grand entrance it all is. On the one hand, he is being praised and welcomed with great joy by a great crowd. But on the other, he is...
read more A community woven togetherMar 23, 2023
Often, I think of the St Andrew’s community as an ornate tapestry. Just as individual threads in a tapestry are woven together to produce something more beautiful and strong, so it is when people join together to form our vibrant community. Each of us come to our...
read more Sherman’s StoryMar 16, 2023
I was born and raised in Hong Kong. Growing up, I was immersed in a few Christian schools, but never imagined I would turn to the Lord Jesus one day. I was confused and thought the Bible was boring. I did not take scripture lessons seriously. As long as I passed the...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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A community woven together Often, I think of the St Andrew’s community as an ornate tapestry. Just as individual threads in a tapestry are woven together to produce something more beautiful and strong, so it is when people join together to form our vibrant community. Each of us come to our church community with our own story, gifts, and personality. When we connect and care for one another, we’re like individual threads woven together to make something even more beautiful.
Individual threads of wool are not particularly strong on their own. But when they’re woven together, they become strong and durable, likewise for Christians. As we’re connected and mutually dependent on one another in a caring community, we become stronger in our faith.
in a caring community, we become stronger in our faith
So how can we care for one another at St Andrew’s? There are at least three areas in which we seek to provide care for one another.
First, our Growth Groups are the main context for pastoral care. Care happens best in established relationships. These small groups are where we can get to know one another deeply, to spend time with each other, study God’s word together, provide for many practical needs, and pray for one another’s needs. Normally in these groups, people will connect to a few people more closely. Over time, they’ll feel more comfortable in sharing personal joys and achievements, struggles and sins. Practical care can be provided more directly and effectively during times of acute difficulty.
Secondly, St Andrew’s also provides practical care through our ‘CARE Fund’ (Community Aid Relief and Emergency). This fund exists to provide financial support for church members going through challenging times or crisis. This fund is also used to give support to asylum seekers and refugees.
How can people access these funds? Applications are handled confidentially by a small committee of staff and lay leaders. At first instance, you can contact one of our pastoral staff. Church members are also welcome to donate to this fund as a practical way of caring for others and supporting the work of the gospel. You can donate directly to this fund through the giving page on the church website.
Thirdly, pastoral staff are available to meet with church members who are going through more acute difficulties. These difficulties include bereavement, divorce, and addiction, which are often beyond the ability of Growth Groups to provide appropriate care. Sometimes support groups are also set up for people going through similar experiences (such as bereavement).
A final encouragement. Sometimes our tendency when in difficulty is not to seek help but to suffer quietly. If you are in need, can I encourage you to reach out to the church family for support.
Alex McCoyVicar
Latest stories A community woven togetherMar 23, 2023
Often, I think of the St Andrew’s community as an ornate tapestry. Just as individual threads in a tapestry are woven together to produce something more beautiful and strong, so it is when people join together to form our vibrant community. Each of us come to our...
read more Sherman’s StoryMar 16, 2023
I was born and raised in Hong Kong. Growing up, I was immersed in a few Christian schools, but never imagined I would turn to the Lord Jesus one day. I was confused and thought the Bible was boring. I did not take scripture lessons seriously. As long as I passed the...
read more Church: the centre of God’s purposesMar 8, 2023
Sometimes it’s easy to underestimate church. It’s easy to relegate church to the second tier “nice to have but not essential” category of our lives and so prioritise it accordingly in our schedules. However, church not an accident of history. It’s not a divine...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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Sherman’s Story I was born and raised in Hong Kong. Growing up, I was immersed in a few Christian schools, but never imagined I would turn to the Lord Jesus one day. I was confused and thought the Bible was boring. I did not take scripture lessons seriously. As long as I passed the Religious Studies exams at school, I ignored the Bible. Today as I look back, I can see God has been paving the way for me.
Last August, my friend Kenny suggested that I attend St. Andrew’s Church. It opened up the opportunity for me to take part in the Christianity Explored course. Revisiting the Bible as an adult, I discovered so many treasures in the Bible that I had missed. For the first time, I was moved by how much God loves us. He has given us His Son to save us! Jesus is sinless; He sacrificed Himself to cleanse us from our sin so we can be reconciled to God and enjoy a relationship with Him. Can there be a greater love than that? I was so touched that I started re-reading the Bible; this time not to pass exams but as a follower of Jesus!
Getting baptised is not merely a ritual but more of a symbol of death and resurrection. In the Bible it says, ‘count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus’ (Romans 6:11). As I get baptised, I proclaim the death of my sinful life and my new life as a follower of Jesus. God has led me onto this right path and I am to align my life with Christ.
I proclaim the death of my sinful life and my new life as a follower of Jesus
All my siblings are devoted to Christ. Since I turned to Jesus, we have enjoyed a more intimate relationship; we are constantly sharing our Christian lives now with one another. They have helped me to uphold my faith, and guided me on my journey as I continued to search for the truth and wisdom of the Lord. One evening we prayed together; it was the very first prayer we prayed together as a family. Moved and encouraged by how God’s love had changed us, I shed tears of joy. I can never thank God enough for His love and grace.
I am also thankful to the church for providing me with what I need for my journey as a Christian. I now regularly attend the 11.30 service on Sundays and Growth Group on Wednesdays. These are good opportunities for me to know the Bible better and to reflect, to understand the gospel more deeply and learn what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
I used to think I was smart and knew everything. I was judgmental and difficult, and did not realise how much I had hurt others. Now with Jesus, I want to set aside my ego and put all my efforts into understanding God’s Word. Following Jesus will not be easy; it will require lifelong effort and ongoing repentance. But as I grow in faith, God will transform me into a more loving and caring person. I am to love Jesus wholeheartedly. As we remember how much God loves us, may His love overflow as we share His love with others.
Sherman ChengSt Andrew’s Member
Latest stories Sherman’s StoryMar 16, 2023
I was born and raised in Hong Kong. Growing up, I was immersed in a few Christian schools, but never imagined I would turn to the Lord Jesus one day. I was confused and thought the Bible was boring. I did not take scripture lessons seriously. As long as I passed the...
read more Church: the centre of God’s purposesMar 8, 2023
Sometimes it’s easy to underestimate church. It’s easy to relegate church to the second tier “nice to have but not essential” category of our lives and so prioritise it accordingly in our schedules. However, church not an accident of history. It’s not a divine...
read more A lamentable departureMar 2, 2023
Some of you have asked for my thoughts about recent developments in the Church of England. In case you haven’t heard, a few weeks ago, the General Synod of the Church of England passed a motion to allow prayers of blessings for couples in same-sex civil unions. This...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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Church: the centre of God’s purposes Sometimes it’s easy to underestimate church. It’s easy to relegate church to the second tier “nice to have but not essential” category of our lives and so prioritise it accordingly in our schedules. However, church not an accident of history. It’s not a divine afterthought. On the contrary, church lies at the very centre of the eternal purpose of God.
The story of the Bible is the story of God fulfilling the promise: “I will take you as my people, and I will be your God” (Exodus 6:7; Revelation 21:3). That means, we are not saved individually and then choose to join the church, as if it were some club or support group. Rather, Christ died for his people, and we are saved when by faith, we become part of the people for whom Christ died.
John Stott says that God’s purpose, conceived in past eternity, worked out in history, and perfected in future eternity, is not just to save isolated individuals and so perpetuate our loneliness, but rather to build his church and to call out of the world a people for his own glory.
when church seems mundane, God is working powerfully
So, what does all of this mean to us at St Andrew’s?
Firstly, it means that whenever we gather for church, whether on Sundays or in groups during the week, we’re involved in God’s extraordinary plan for history. Even when church seems mundane, God is working powerfully.
Secondly, as individuals, we should think intentionally about how we connect with one another as a community. Practically speaking, we often say that active membership of St Andrew’s involves five things: regular attendance at church on Sundays, involvement in a Growth Group, praying regularly for the church, volunteering in one area of ministry, and giving financially towards the ministry. We often encourage one another against passivity; to be ministry producers rather than ministry consumers. We grow spiritually when we’re deeply involved.
In a more formal sense, be informed about how St Andrew’s is organised. On 7 May is our Annual Church Meeting (ACM). One of the main tasks of the ACM is to elect the Church Council. The Council is made up of twelve Council Members, two Trustees, and is chaired by the Vicar. The Council has a delegated authority relating specifically to the care of church property, the provision of the administration and finances of the church, and giving voice to congregational matters. The Council meets monthly.
We warmly encourage you to be involved in our ACM. How can you do this? Firstly, if you consider St Andrew’s your spiritual home in HK, make sure you sign up to the Electoral Roll (ER). To do this, you need to be a baptised Christian, attending St Andrew’s regularly for over 3 months, and not a member of another church. You can find out how to sign up to the ER online or at our Welcome Desk. Second, please make sure you come along to the ACM. Third, pray for the Council and the election of Council Members.
Alex McCoyVicar
Latest stories Church: the centre of God’s purposesMar 8, 2023
Sometimes it’s easy to underestimate church. It’s easy to relegate church to the second tier “nice to have but not essential” category of our lives and so prioritise it accordingly in our schedules. However, church not an accident of history. It’s not a divine...
read more A lamentable departureMar 2, 2023
Some of you have asked for my thoughts about recent developments in the Church of England. In case you haven’t heard, a few weeks ago, the General Synod of the Church of England passed a motion to allow prayers of blessings for couples in same-sex civil unions. This...
read more Marriage is Hard Work…Feb 23, 2023
Recently, Expat Living Hong Kong published an article online with the provocative title, "Is Hong Kong a 'Marriage Graveyard'?" Reading through the article, it's evident that the areas of concern are not limited only to expats. They cite three significant realities...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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A lamentable departure Some of you have asked for my thoughts about recent developments in the Church of England. In case you haven’t heard, a few weeks ago, the General Synod of the Church of England passed a motion to allow prayers of blessings for couples in same-sex civil unions.
This is a lamentable departure from the clear teaching of Scripture that marriage is the union of a man and a woman, and that sexual activity outside the context of marriage is sin. Today, this continues to be the understanding for the majority of Christendom, including the majority of global Anglicans (which includes the Anglican Church of Hong Kong). Yet now, the Church of England has authorized the blessing of sin and declared that sin is no longer sin.
Churches ought to be communities where people find their identity in Jesus
There are many implications for this decision by the Synod of the Church of England. Here are two concerns.
First, it does damage to the mission of the church. Holding to the truth of Scripture is intimately associated with the mission of the church. Jesus prays for his disciples that the Father would, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). It’s as a result of this sanctification in the truth that Jesus prays for his disciples to be one, that the world might know the Father (John 17:22-23). In other words, our faithfulness to the truth of God’s word binds us in unity and directs us towards mission. When we waver on the truth of Scripture we do damage to the mission of the church. The Church of England has created confusion about the teaching of Scripture in not being clear on the teaching of Scripture.
Secondly, at a more practical level, the Church of England’s decision undermines Jesus’ call to discipleship: to put aside one’s self in order to live in response to what Jesus has done for us. This is especially the case for the many Christians who choose to abstain from sex outside of marriage, regardless of their sexuality. The Church of England’s decision devalues the discipleship and obedience of many by communicating that sex outside of marriage is not sinful but something for which they can receive blessing.
Unfortunately, churches have often been places where people feel unsafe to say that they are same-sex attracted. We need to work hard to make sure that this is no longer the case. Everyone should feel welcome at church. Churches ought to be communities where people find their identity in Jesus, their joy in knowing his unconditional love, and the peace of having forgiveness in him. All of us are sinners, and are called to repent, and to seek to obey Jesus.
So what does all of this mean for us going forward? For the sake of the witness of the church and the holiness of God’s people, we must always stand for the truth of Scripture, even when it says things that are difficult for us to hear. Our Lord Jesus warned the Church in Thyatira for tolerating those who encouraged sexual immorality (Rev 2:20). Please pray for the faithful witness of the church, that we hold fast to the teaching of God’s word, for his glory.
Alex McCoyVicar
Latest stories A lamentable departureMar 2, 2023
Some of you have asked for my thoughts about recent developments in the Church of England. In case you haven’t heard, a few weeks ago, the General Synod of the Church of England passed a motion to allow prayers of blessings for couples in same-sex civil unions. This...
read more Marriage is Hard Work…Feb 23, 2023
Recently, Expat Living Hong Kong published an article online with the provocative title, "Is Hong Kong a 'Marriage Graveyard'?" Reading through the article, it's evident that the areas of concern are not limited only to expats. They cite three significant realities...
read more “Everything comes from you…”Feb 16, 2023
I have a friend who once asked me a question about giving. He’d heard about tithing and asked, “Is this before or after tax?”. At the time the question seemed a little odd, but my friend had recently become a Christian and was keen to “do the right thing”. His...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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Marriage is Hard Work… Recently, Expat Living Hong Kong published an article online with the provocative title, “Is Hong Kong a ‘Marriage Graveyard’?” Reading through the article, it’s evident that the areas of concern are not limited only to expats. They cite three significant realities about Hong Kong living, which can add stress and difficulty to any marriage.
First of all, work simply gets in the way of marriages. The pressure to succeed is high. Work stresses spill over into domestic conflicts and marital dissatisfaction. Often there is difficulty separating career demands and work expectations from downtime and family time.
Secondly, success and high income levels breed entitlement and expectations that can lead to temptations. Unfaithfulness in marriage doesn’t just happen overnight. Work-related obligations and socialising can cause some to drop their guard.
Finally, feelings of abandonment and isolation creep into marital relationships when one or both spouses work long hours or frequently travel on work-related trips. Extended absences have an impact on relational connectivity.
God wants our marriages to thrive, not just survive
As Christians, we know that marriage takes work and time. Marriage requires commitment. Marital love is an act of volition, not simply of emotion.
Genesis 2:22-24 describes the origins of Christian marriage:
Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman’, for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
In a Christian marriage, a husband and wife are equally committed one to another. They are no longer two but one flesh, united together by faith, working together.
In a city like Hong Kong, where so much of our time and energy is spent fulfilling work-related obligations, we must diligently put time and energy into working on our own marriages. Remember, God wants our marriages to thrive, not just survive.
This spring, we’re offering a course that proved very popular a few years ago, “Building a Safe & Strong Marriage,” with counsellors Sarah and Rev. Dr. Keith Condie. Utilising both biblical wisdom and current research on marriage, the five sessions will focus on God’s design for marriage, our connectedness, friendship and communication, sex and spirituality, and managing conflict.
The ‘Marriage Graveyard’ article concludes with a sound suggestion, “Keep your marriage as a top priority.” We hope you will make your marriage a top priority and invite you to join “Building a Safe & Strong Marriage” with your spouse this March and April.
Jon PolkDirector of Equipping
Latest stories Marriage is Hard Work…Feb 23, 2023
Recently, Expat Living Hong Kong published an article online with the provocative title, "Is Hong Kong a 'Marriage Graveyard'?" Reading through the article, it's evident that the areas of concern are not limited only to expats. They cite three significant realities...
read more “Everything comes from you…”Feb 16, 2023
I have a friend who once asked me a question about giving. He’d heard about tithing and asked, “Is this before or after tax?”. At the time the question seemed a little odd, but my friend had recently become a Christian and was keen to “do the right thing”. His...
read more Discovering God’s Will: A Guide to DiscernmentFeb 9, 2023
Have you ever felt like God was leading you in a certain direction, but things just weren't happening fast enough? Or maybe you felt like He was leading you down a path you weren't sure about, and you just wanted a sign? These are common experiences for many of us,...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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“Everything comes from you…” I have a friend who once asked me a question about giving. He’d heard about tithing and asked, “Is this before or after tax?”. At the time the question seemed a little odd, but my friend had recently become a Christian and was keen to “do the right thing”. His question is something all of us need to ask occasionally, “How much should I give?”.
This question about giving often gets to the core of our attitude towards God: “What are my obligations?”. When it comes to following God, C.S. Lewis said, “Our temptation is to look eagerly for the minimum that will be accepted. We are in fact very honest but reluctant taxpayers. We approve of an income tax in principle… We are very careful to pay no more than is necessary. And we hope – we very ardently hope – that after we have paid it there will still be enough left to live on”.
This contrasts with King David’s joyful attitude towards giving. When he gave extravagantly towards the construction of the temple, he prayed to God, “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand” (1 Chronicles 29:14).
We know of God’s generosity even more than David did. We know that God has given us his own Son, Jesus who died for us. Everything we have comes from God, including salvation. We cannot out give him.
Everything we have comes from God, including salvation
This Sunday, we’ll have a finance update at our Sunday services. Church Council has recently approved the budget for 2023, and we’d like to communicate with you the needs of our ministries. We continue to be thankful for God’s provision upon our church. As you prayerfully consider your own giving, please keep in mind the following things.
First, assume that giving is often difficult for you. Money blinds us to its power over us. It’s often our security. We normally think that we don’t have enough. We don’t like to let it go. We need to continually work to detach ourselves from the hold money has on us.
Second, have a plan for your giving. In the Old Testament, the tithe (roughly 10%) was the standard for God’s people. Whilst the New Testament doesn’t give us a rule, 10% should be considered the minimum. We should always ask ourselves, “What are ways I can give beyond this? What are the needs that I see around me?”.
Third, always remember the gospel. God has been overwhelmingly generous to us in Jesus Christ. In him, we have all the riches of an eternal relationship with God. Therefore, God calls on his people to be generous in using the resources he’s given us. It’s a privilege to give to God’s causes.
Alex McCoyVicar
Latest stories “Everything comes from you…”Feb 16, 2023
I have a friend who once asked me a question about giving. He’d heard about tithing and asked, “Is this before or after tax?”. At the time the question seemed a little odd, but my friend had recently become a Christian and was keen to “do the right thing”. His...
read more Discovering God’s Will: A Guide to DiscernmentFeb 9, 2023
Have you ever felt like God was leading you in a certain direction, but things just weren't happening fast enough? Or maybe you felt like He was leading you down a path you weren't sure about, and you just wanted a sign? These are common experiences for many of us,...
read more The necessity and art of friendshipFeb 2, 2023
Last Sunday, we looked at the friendship between Jonathan and David. I want to spend a little more time reflecting on friendship. Our experience of friendship changes throughout our lives. I remember when one of my boys was about 3 years old, we went to a local park....
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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Discovering God’s Will: A Guide to Discernment Have you ever felt like God was leading you in a certain direction, but things just weren’t happening fast enough? Or maybe you felt like He was leading you down a path you weren’t sure about, and you just wanted a sign? These are common experiences for many of us, and it can be difficult to trust God, especially when things seem uncertain. When we’re faced with difficult choices or find ourselves waiting for God to reveal His plan, the problem isn’t that God is taking too long, but rather a result of our limited perspective.
Last week in 1 Samuel 24, we saw an illustration of God’s timing, guidance and David’s discernment in action. In the story, David had an opportunity to kill Saul but chose to spare his life, trusting that God had a greater plan. This act of obedience and trust in God’s timing set the stage for David to become king in due time.
In David’s discernment, he recognised that killing Saul would be against God’s will and go against his character as a faithful servant of God. But what is discernment? It’s the ability to distinguish truth from error and make decisions that align with the will of God. It’s a process that requires trust, effort and patience, but it’s worth it to gain a clearer understanding of God’s will for our lives.
Trust in God’s sovereignty, that he has a plan for His glory and our good
Here are some practical tips that can help you to discern God’s will:
Trust in God: Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to trust in the Lord completely and not rely on our own understanding but submit to Him in all things. Trust in God’s sovereignty, that he has a plan for His glory and our good which He’ll reveal in His time. In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches us to “seek first his kingdom” and to pray to God, the Father “your will be done”, so regularly check in with yourself and make sure that your actions align with God’s will; take time to ask yourself, are you seeking God’s will or your own?
Pray: James 1:5 says,”If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Seek God’s guidance through prayer and ask Him to reveal His will to you. When you pray, approach God with an open heart and listen for His voice.
Read the Bible: God has revealed His will through His word; it can provide guidance and direction for your life. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Seek counsel: Talking with trusted friends, family members, or spiritual leaders can also provide clarity and guidance in discerning God’s will. Surround yourself with people who are grounded in faith and who can offer wise advice.
Consider circumstances: It’s good to remember that life circumstances can give us hints about where God is leading us, so pay attention to the events and people around you. God has ordained everything, and there is comfort in knowing: “what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open” Revelation 3:7.
Leanne McCaughtryMedia & Communications Manager
Latest stories Discovering God’s Will: A Guide to DiscernmentFeb 8, 2023
Have you ever felt like God was leading you in a certain direction, but things just weren't happening fast enough? Or maybe you felt like He was leading you down a path you weren't sure about, and you just wanted a sign? These are common experiences for many of us,...
read more The necessity and art of friendshipFeb 2, 2023
Last Sunday, we looked at the friendship between Jonathan and David. I want to spend a little more time reflecting on friendship. Our experience of friendship changes throughout our lives. I remember when one of my boys was about 3 years old, we went to a local park....
read more A Loaded SpringJan 26, 2023
Someone from the Putonghua (PTH) congregation said to me recently that our congregation feels like a loaded spring. While this wasn’t the best illustration (the spring could fly off in any direction!), it wasn’t the worst. There is certainly a tangible sense of...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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The necessity and art of friendship Last Sunday, we looked at the friendship between Jonathan and David. I want to spend a little more time reflecting on friendship.
Our experience of friendship changes throughout our lives. I remember when one of my boys was about 3 years old, we went to a local park. He was gone for a little while playing on the equipment until he came back and said,
“Can my friend come home with us?”
“Which friend?”
“The boy I’ve been playing with.”
“What’s his name?”
“I don’t know, but he’s my friend”
You see a 3 year old has pretty easy standards for friendship. But it’s different as you get older. It gets harder to make friends and to keep friends. By the time you’re an adult, you have more time constraints, more emotional baggage, and you’re more critical of people. We live in a busy city and we have busy schedules, but all the studies say that we live in an age of increasing loneliness. Social media often helps us to stay somewhat connected, but it doesn’t help to build deep friendship. We’ve lost many of the skills that we need to naturally acquire friendship.
Building spiritual maturity is dependent on having good Christian friends; people who know you well and can speak into your life, who can support you, care for you, and pray with you. The bible speaks frequently on the importance of friendship. “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24). “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend” (Prov. 27:17).
Building spiritual maturity is dependent on having good Christian friends
There’s a lot that could be said about developing deep friendship, but here are four important “skills” (thanks to Michael who recently shared these).
First, develop an interest in other people, their stories, opinions, hopes, and fears. In order to discover these, you need to ask people some questions and to show that you’re a safe person by giving them something of you.
Second, do some homework so that you have some things to talk about. It’s fine to have eccentric interests, but it’s also important to have things to say about more normal things in life (entertainment, sport, the news).
Third, you need to learn to say “yes” and you need to turn up. Half of forming friendships is being reliably present. You won’t make friends at church if you don’t turn up very often, or if you’re not connected to a smaller group of people. People won’t invite you again if you refuse an invitation to coffee or a meal. They certainly won’t persist if you stand them up.
Fourth, beware of oversharing. At first, friendships are meant to be a joy, not hard work. When trust has been established, then the hard work can begin, as you carry each other’s burdens. This is why some vulnerability is good, but not too much. As C.S. Lewis observes, friendships start when two people are standing shoulder to shoulder looking at the same object (a sport, an interest, a game). It takes a while for the friends to turn to one another and away from the common object.
Alex McCoyVicar
Latest stories The necessity and art of friendshipFeb 2, 2023
Last Sunday, we looked at the friendship between Jonathan and David. I want to spend a little more time reflecting on friendship. Our experience of friendship changes throughout our lives. I remember when one of my boys was about 3 years old, we went to a local park....
read more A Loaded SpringJan 26, 2023
Someone from the Putonghua (PTH) congregation said to me recently that our congregation feels like a loaded spring. While this wasn’t the best illustration (the spring could fly off in any direction!), it wasn’t the worst. There is certainly a tangible sense of...
read more What is a truly “blessed” life?Jan 19, 2023
With every new year comes the hopes of another fresh chance to achieve your happily ever after… What might that dream life look like for you? Maybe it’s getting into that top school. Quitting your dead-end job to do what you love for a living. Marriage. Kids. Moving...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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A Loaded Spring Someone from the Putonghua (PTH) congregation said to me recently that our congregation feels like a loaded spring. While this wasn’t the best illustration (the spring could fly off in any direction!), it wasn’t the worst. There is certainly a tangible sense of anticipation and some of our services feel like there is electricity in the air. Why is that?
As PTH speakers, we feel that PTH congregation is familiar. We can communicate in our heart language and support one another, as many of us come from different places and are adapting to life in Hong Kong. Our church feels like a home away from home.
We’re also a small congregation. It’s easier to get to know each other and notice new people turning up. We also spend a lot of time together, with around a quarter of the congregation spending over five hours together every Sunday. We have doubled in size over the last 18 months from around 50 in mid 2021 to now regularly having just over 100. Our biggest growth area is in the 20s & 30s age range, maybe because I am (relatively) young. These people are also much more unrestricted to serve and get involved in different ministries across church.
We love seeing God use his people to bring other people to know Jesus.
One of the most exciting areas of our ministry is the Cantonese Outreach Ministry that happens Sunday afternoons in the basement of the Life Centre. We open our doors from 2pm and invite PTH speakers to come and learn Cantonese. We have about 35 teachers who volunteer and 25 teachers who serve every week on 13 tables. We have anywhere between 60 and 80 students join each week, most of whom aren’t Christians.
The class time includes time for reading, speaking (especially working on pronunciation), and even singing. Sometimes there are discussions in Cantonese, like how to order dim sum. The homework is then to go and order dim sum in good enough Cantonese without the waiter/waitress responding in PTH!
We also organize many socials, like hikes and BBQs. Recently, we visited a local museum that had an exhibit on the history of the Chinese bible. These events are great ways to build connections, community, and friendships.
We often invite students to join in church services and attend our investigating Christianity courses. The surprising outcome of this labor-intensive ministry is that we have attracted many Christians from around our city who want to get involved. Some were looking for a new church and were attracted to the idea of getting involved in this outreach ministry. We love seeing God use his people to bring other people to know Jesus.
We really do value your prayers for our PTH ministry and our Cantonese classes. Do let me know if you’d like to be involved.
*Ryan Muir*Director of Putonghua Ministry
Latest stories A Loaded SpringJan 26, 2023
Someone from the Putonghua (PTH) congregation said to me recently that our congregation feels like a loaded spring. While this wasn’t the best illustration (the spring could fly off in any direction!), it wasn’t the worst. There is certainly a tangible sense of...
read more What is a truly “blessed” life?Jan 19, 2023
With every new year comes the hopes of another fresh chance to achieve your happily ever after… What might that dream life look like for you? Maybe it’s getting into that top school. Quitting your dead-end job to do what you love for a living. Marriage. Kids. Moving...
read more A church not for ourselvesJan 12, 2023
It’s fascinating to reflect on Jesus’ parting instructions to his disciples. He doesn’t give them motivational words on how to navigate suffering, or how to maximise their talent, or how to have a fulfilling life. Instead, Jesus tells them to “go and make disciples of...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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What is a truly “blessed” life? With every new year comes the hopes of another fresh chance to achieve your happily ever after… What might that dream life look like for you?
Maybe it’s getting into that top school. Quitting your dead-end job to do what you love for a living. Marriage. Kids. Moving to that other country where the grass is surely greener.
Over Chinese New Year, it’s customary for us to wish our loved ones the traditional “blessings”: health, wealth, and happiness. But have you ever really sat down to ponder what a truly blessed life actually looks like for Christians as defined by our creator God?
A classic Bible passage to go to is Matthew 5, when Jesus teaches his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount, where he opens with The Beatitudes (or “blessings”). If you’ve been going to church for a while, it can be easy to be numb to this list, but for its original audience, I can imagine this being quite shocking! It’s definitely different from the #blessed images we’ve seen for years on our social feeds.
The list of people Jesus defines as blessed includes those who are “poor in spirit” (verse 3), “those who mourn” (4), “the meek” (5), “those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (6), and those who are “persecuted” on the account of Jesus (11). He does elaborate on why that is though. The reason these people are blessed is because the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them. Jesus’ disciples are those who belong to his kingdom, and not the kingdom of this world.
Jesus came to save us so that we can live the ultimate blessed life
Jesus Christ came into this world to reconcile sinners to God by taking on the punishment on the Cross in our place. That is mankind’s biggest problem. We were once enemies of God but Jesus came to save us so that we can live the ultimate blessed life – to enjoy a restored relationship with our creator God. Our greatest blessing as Christians is that we can be certain of our future life in the new creation with our heavenly father for all of eternity.
In his kindness, God may also choose to bless us with many smaller gifts throughout our short life here now. However, it would be a shame if we got so distracted that we valued these little gifts more than the greatest blessing that we already have.
This Chinese New Year, let’s not forget to wish each other the greatest blessing of them all – deep joy in the gospel. Because through Jesus, we get to enjoy a restored relationship with God and be a part of his family. Now that’s blessed.
Michele ChengPastoral Worker
Latest stories What is a truly “blessed” life?Jan 19, 2023
With every new year comes the hopes of another fresh chance to achieve your happily ever after… What might that dream life look like for you? Maybe it’s getting into that top school. Quitting your dead-end job to do what you love for a living. Marriage. Kids. Moving...
read more A church not for ourselvesJan 12, 2023
It’s fascinating to reflect on Jesus’ parting instructions to his disciples. He doesn’t give them motivational words on how to navigate suffering, or how to maximise their talent, or how to have a fulfilling life. Instead, Jesus tells them to “go and make disciples of...
read more Table FellowshipJan 5, 2023
From Chinese New Year to Christmas, there are endless reasons to feast throughout the year, no matter what our culture is, food is something that universally unites us. But do we need a reason to gather together around our tables? As long as I can remember, my parents...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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A church not for ourselves It’s fascinating to reflect on Jesus’ parting instructions to his disciples. He doesn’t give them motivational words on how to navigate suffering, or how to maximise their talent, or how to have a fulfilling life. Instead, Jesus tells them to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt.28:19); that they will be his “witnesses” (Acts 1:8). His priority was to tell his followers to advance the gospel.
This means that we cannot be a church for ourselves. God calls us to declare the gospel of Christ to others. We’re not called into a relationship with God to be passive. Ours is a public, dynamic, and engaged faith.
Think about the implications of this for a moment. Don Carson says, “Put the advance of the gospel at the centre of your aspirations. Our own comfort, our bruised feelings, our reputations, our misunderstood motives—all of these are insignificant in comparison with the advance and splendour of the gospel. As Christians, we are called upon to put the advance of the gospel at the very centre of our aspirations. What are your aspirations? To make money? To get married? To travel? To see your grandchildren grow up? To find a new job? To retire early? None of these is inadmissible; none is to be despised. The question is whether these aspirations become so devouring that the Christian’s central aspiration is squeezed to the periphery or choked out of existence entirely.”
How can we be people who make our central aspiration the advance the gospel?
This Sunday is our Annual Missions Sunday. We welcome Dr Christopher Wright of Langham Foundation to our 9.30am and 11.30am services. Langham is involved in the building of God’s church through publishing, training preachers, and providing scholarships to future leaders. St Andrew’s also supports 13 additional organisations, couples, and individuals involved in gospel ministry.
God calls us to declare the gospel of Christ to others
This Sunday, we want to be challenged in how we can support our mission partners, but also how each of us can be involved in mission. Here are four brief encouragements about how we can be involved.
Be informed. Find out about our mission partners and their work. Mission is not a task that we outsource and forget about. Partnership means understanding. You’ll find that as you get to know our mission partners, their ministry will engage you. This is the first step of deeper involvement.
Pray. Pray for our mission partners. Join with us in praying for them on Sundays, but also pray for them individually. Pray also for people in your own life who are yet to know Jesus. Often at St Andrew’s we talk about “the fives”: praying regularly for five people to come to know Jesus.
Give. Our mission partners are dependent on financial support for their ministry. Part of our church budget goes directly to our mission partners. Prayerfully consider how you can partner with them through what God has given you.
Go. Get involved yourself using your time and talents, volunteering by yourself or with your Growth Group. As we serve, God blesses us as our own faith inevitably deepens.
Alex McCoyVicar
Latest stories A church not for ourselvesJan 12, 2023
It’s fascinating to reflect on Jesus’ parting instructions to his disciples. He doesn’t give them motivational words on how to navigate suffering, or how to maximise their talent, or how to have a fulfilling life. Instead, Jesus tells them to “go and make disciples of...
read more Table FellowshipJan 5, 2023
From Chinese New Year to Christmas, there are endless reasons to feast throughout the year, no matter what our culture is, food is something that universally unites us. But do we need a reason to gather together around our tables? As long as I can remember, my parents...
read more David: the shepherd kingDec 29, 2022
The story of David is one of the most famous narratives in antiquity. In fact, there is more information in the Bible about David, more verses and passages, than any other person, except for Jesus. David is a man who shaped a nation, formed a paradigm for leadership,...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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Table Fellowship From Chinese New Year to Christmas, there are endless reasons to feast throughout the year, no matter what our culture is, food is something that universally unites us. But do we need a reason to gather together around our tables?
As long as I can remember, my parents have always had one strict rule; we have to sit together at the table for dinner. When I was younger, I must admit this was a rule I struggled with! However, with time, I’ve discovered the importance of this rule; it brings us together and creates opportunities for us to share life with each other and enjoy table fellowship.
By God’s design, we have been created for relationships. The Bible teaches us that sharing a meal together is one of the ways we establish, deepen, and enjoy relationships with God and others.
In the Bible, we often read of dining experiences, lavish banquets and many great feasts. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, we regularly find Him reclining “at table”, engaging with real people, teaching more of who God is, demonstrating communion with God, and building true fellowship and genuine community among His disciples.
The early Church gathered regularly in their homes to “break bread together” (Acts 2:46) as a practical way to demonstrate their fellowship in Christ. And many of the epistles continue to encourage us to use the gift of hospitality today (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9).
By God’s design we have been created for relationships
In a digitally connected world, where we share information via texts, emails, posts, etc., we miss all the elements of face-to-face communication: seeing someone’s facial expression, hearing the tone of their voice, and maintaining eye contact. As helpful as it can be, technology can become dehumanising. Therefore we need to emphasise the importance of living in personal relationships within the Church.
We enjoy sharing meals together because it is a tangible expression of service, love, and unity. Sharing a meal nourishes our desire to know and be known, because it facilitates face-to-face communication.
As Christians, we enjoy the blessing of belonging to a community where we can enjoy relationships with other Christians. Table fellowship is one of the common ways that God builds authentic community. If we neglect table fellowship, we can miss opportunities to commune with others in Christ-centred communities.
There are many ways in which you can regularly enjoy table fellowship, whether it’s inviting others to join you for food after church, you could volunteer with a mission partner to prepare or distribute meals, or as Christians share the Lord’s supper together.
Relationships are the basis for all human flourishing, and eating together is an important part of building relationships because of the opportunity it creates for true fellowship and genuine community.
My prayer is that you will extend an invitation today, and begin to cultivate the relationships we were designed to enjoy around our tables.
Leanne McCaughtryMedia & Communications Manager
Latest stories Table FellowshipJan 5, 2023
From Chinese New Year to Christmas, there are endless reasons to feast throughout the year, no matter what our culture is, food is something that universally unites us. But do we need a reason to gather together around our tables? As long as I can remember, my parents...
read more David: the shepherd kingDec 29, 2022
The story of David is one of the most famous narratives in antiquity. In fact, there is more information in the Bible about David, more verses and passages, than any other person, except for Jesus. David is a man who shaped a nation, formed a paradigm for leadership,...
read more Good news of great joyDec 21, 2022
Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy. When Jesus was born, an angel appeared to shepherds and said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you”. Amidst all the...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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David: the shepherd king The story of David is one of the most famous narratives in antiquity. In fact, there is more information in the Bible about David, more verses and passages, than any other person, except for Jesus. David is a man who shaped a nation, formed a paradigm for leadership, and epitomised devotion to God.
Of course many of the stories about David seem the stuff of legend. As an unknown and unlikely youth, he defeats the giant Goliath. He is unprotected and alone, and yet wins a mighty victory for his people. Here was the shepherd boy who becomes the shepherd king (Ps. 78:72); Israel’s most famous king: a man of charisma, valour, and inspiration.
However, David had his other qualities as well. He was a man well acquainted with suffering and grief; the psalmist in touch with his sorrows and sins. There’s also the hot-tempered bully, the lustful playboy, and the neglectful father.
Many readers of the Bible warm to David. We love his inspirational qualities, his defiance of enemies, his humility, his passion, and strength. Yet, he was also deeply flawed. He let people down. Even though he was a man “after God’s own heart”, he was himself entangled in sin and moral failure.
David’s story teaches us to anticipate the greater hero, Jesus
Amongst the many lessons that David’s life teaches us, is that we need a greater hero. We need someone without David’s flaws, who will be able to lead his people and give them victory over their enemies. If anything, David’s story teaches us to anticipate the greater hero, Jesus, who gives us victory over our greatest enemies, sin and death.
At Christmas, if you looked closely, David’s name was repeatedly mentioned. The angels announced to Mary that she would have a son and “The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David” (Luke 1:32). Zechariah praised God saying, “He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David” (Luke 1:69). And the angel announced to the shepherds, “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
The Gospel writers are telling us that unless you understand David, you won’t understand Jesus. Unless you understand the story of David, you won’t understand the meaning of the birth of Jesus. So, over the next two months, we’ll look at the story of David, the shepherd king who points us to the greatest King who shepherded his people.
Alex McCoyVicar
Latest stories David: the shepherd kingDec 29, 2022
The story of David is one of the most famous narratives in antiquity. In fact, there is more information in the Bible about David, more verses and passages, than any other person, except for Jesus. David is a man who shaped a nation, formed a paradigm for leadership,...
read more Good news of great joyDec 21, 2022
Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy. When Jesus was born, an angel appeared to shepherds and said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you”. Amidst all the...
read more What’s in a name?Dec 15, 2022
In many countries around the world, Christmas has been properly hijacked by marketeers who are simply brilliant at their job. What marks the beginning of Christmas in the UK? Why, the release of the John Lewis Christmas ad, of course! What festive snacks should you...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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Good news of great joy Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy. When Jesus was born, an angel appeared to shepherds and said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you”. Amidst all the things in this life that give us joy, this news above all else, gives us lasting joy.
Our relationship with joy in complicated. We’ve all experienced joy. We know what it feels like. But our experience of joy is illusive. We sometimes grasp it, only to have it quickly slip through our fingers.
C.S. Lewis speaks of the illusive nature of joy. He says the first time he read an Icelandic saga, he experienced great joy (evidently, we don’t all find joy in the same places!). When he felt that joy, he said to himself, “I loved that. I want to do that again. I want that feeling back”. So what did he do? He read every Icelandic saga that he could. He binged on them. He even learnt to read old Norse. But he found it hard to recapture that joy. It didn’t last.
joy is about receiving the relationship that our hearts were built for
We know that’s the same with so many things in life. The holiday ends. That great restaurant you discovered closes down. You discover flaws in the new boyfriend or girlfriend. That job that you always wanted has a demanding boss, and long hours, and you feel unappreciated. In other words, the joy fades away.
Why does this happen? Partly, it’s dependent on circumstances being just right to produce that repeated joy, and often those circumstances don’t repeat themselves in the same way. We can’t control them that way. And partly it’s because of the tolerance effect. Like a junkie who’s addicted to a particular drug and needs an increasingly stronger dose to get the same effect, so it is with us. We experience something joyful, but the same holiday destination or the same party with friends repeated endlessly won’t bring the same joy. We get used to it. That’s the tolerance effect.
But the joy that was announced at that first Christmas, this Christian joy that’s spoken about so often in the Bible, isn’t momentary. Nor is it dependent on getting the right circumstances. It’s something that is limitless, and eternal, and cannot be taken away. Because this joy is about receiving the relationship that our hearts were built for. It’s about our deepest need being met. Jesus has come to save from our sins and brokenness, doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves. He has come to give forgiveness, peace, and a lasting hope.
Despite all the busyness and distractions of this season, Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy, as we remind ourselves of this old story. Everlasting joy is offered to us. We repeat that famous carol, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room.”
On behalf of the Council and staff of St Andrew’s, Megan and I want to wish you a joyful and merry Christmas.
Alex McCoyVicar
Latest stories Good news of great joyDec 21, 2022
Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy. When Jesus was born, an angel appeared to shepherds and said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you”. Amidst all the...
read more What’s in a name?Dec 15, 2022
In many countries around the world, Christmas has been properly hijacked by marketeers who are simply brilliant at their job. What marks the beginning of Christmas in the UK? Why, the release of the John Lewis Christmas ad, of course! What festive snacks should you...
read more The best thing about heavenDec 8, 2022
Christians have a defiant hope. Amidst all the difficulties and sufferings of life, we believe that death will not be the final word on us. Christian hope tells us that the grave may be our destination, but it is not our destiny. There is a risen life to come because...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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What’s in a name? In many countries around the world, Christmas has been properly hijacked by marketeers who are simply brilliant at their job.
What marks the beginning of Christmas in the UK? Why, the release of the John Lewis Christmas ad, of course!
What festive snacks should you get in HK to usher in the Christmas season? Well, that’ll be a box of Ferrero Rocher, or a particular brand of Danish cookies in a very recognisable blue tin.
As for Japan, I still don’t really get the connection between KFC and Christmas, but I suppose Colonel Sanders could pass for Santa from a certain angle…
Jokes aside, I think we can all genuinely be in danger of getting caught up in the busy festivities and forget the real reason Christians celebrate Christmas. It’s in the name: “Christ”-mas.
Let’s remember Jesus and have Him at the centre of our hearts this Christmas season
The reason we give each other gifts on Christmas is because God has given mankind the greatest gift of all in the form of Jesus Christ his son – who has paid the punishment for sin on our behalf so that we can be reconciled with God and even call him Father.
That is why it is tradition to spend the Christmas season with family and loved ones because through Jesus, we have been “adopted” into God’s family and can become his beloved children.
Christmas is all about Jesus. Is He the one at the centre of all your Christmas activities this holiday season? (Or is it filled more with dinner parties and gag gift exchanges?) There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a party and having fun with friends, but let’s not forget the real reason we celebrate Christmas as Christians, and that’s to celebrate the birth of Jesus our Lord and Saviour into the world.
Some practical ways to help point yourself to the gospel this Christmas might be to choose nativity-themed decorations over elves and reindeers, or put more Christian carols and hymns in your Christmas holidays playlist, etc. There are no hard and fast rules, but little things like that may help.
“For unto us a Child is born,Unto us a Son is given;And the government will be upon His shoulder.And His name will be calledWonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Praise God that we live on this side of the Cross to see Isaiah 9:6 fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ! Let’s remember Jesus and have Him at the centre of our hearts this Christmas season.
Michele ChengPastoral Worker
Latest stories What’s in a name?Dec 15, 2022
In many countries around the world, Christmas has been properly hijacked by marketeers who are simply brilliant at their job. What marks the beginning of Christmas in the UK? Why, the release of the John Lewis Christmas ad, of course! What festive snacks should you...
read more The best thing about heavenDec 8, 2022
Christians have a defiant hope. Amidst all the difficulties and sufferings of life, we believe that death will not be the final word on us. Christian hope tells us that the grave may be our destination, but it is not our destiny. There is a risen life to come because...
read more Connecting in CommunityDec 1, 2022
Back home, I come from a church where everyone knows my name. So when I first heard God's call to move to Hong Kong, to a big international church where I knew nobody, believe me, I didn't have an Isaiah - send me moment! Why? Because it meant leaving a community...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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The best thing about heaven Christians have a defiant hope. Amidst all the difficulties and sufferings of life, we believe that death will not be the final word on us. Christian hope tells us that the grave may be our destination, but it is not our destiny. There is a risen life to come because Jesus has died for our sins and risen to conquer death. Whatever ends our earthly journey, each of us can say, “I shall rise again”.
This is a good time for us to think about heaven. Advent is the season to remember the first coming of Jesus and to look forward to his second coming. In this Sunday’s sermon, we’re talking about our future bodies. So, let me ask you a question: what do you look forward to most about heaven?
Perhaps you’re looking forward to a new and perfected body. The New Testament tells us that our resurrected bodies will be physical bodies. You may be someone who experiences chronic pain. A friend of mine has near constant severe migraines. Many of us experience long term illnesses with little prospect of complete recovery. Our resurrected bodies will be pain-free bodies. Doctors, nurses, and therapists won’t be needed in heaven.
Perhaps you’re looking forward to being reunited with a loved one. Someone that you love dearly has died and there’s now a big hole in your life, a constant grief. You can’t think of anything better than being with that person again.
Perhaps you’re looking forward to being done with sin. Think of an existence without relational breakdowns, selfishness, exploitation, conflict, violence, and war. If you’ve ever felt frustration at your besetting sins and your slowness to grow in godly character, think of what it will be like to not have that struggle anymore. You can worship God perfectly.
Jesus wants us to experience what we were created for: to dwell with him
Amidst all these good reasons to look forward to heaven, let me tell you the best reason. You will be with Jesus. Is that something that you anticipate with joy? For many people, if they’re honest, seeing Jesus in heaven is optional. It’s nice, but not something they’re particularly excited about. Maybe that’s because they don’t really know him, and they haven’t come to value him and love him. They have no particular longing to be with him for eternity.
It’s like someone offers you the use of their holiday home, but then tells you the owner will be there too. Your response to the second part of that news tells you whether you have a genuine affection for the owner, or just what the owner can give you.
On the night before Jesus died, he prayed, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world” (John 17:24). Jesus wants us to experience what we were created for: to dwell with him, to see him and know him as he really is. There’s lots to look forward to about heaven. But heaven without Jesus just wouldn’t be heaven.
Alex McCoyVicar
Latest stories The best thing about heavenDec 8, 2022
Christians have a defiant hope. Amidst all the difficulties and sufferings of life, we believe that death will not be the final word on us. Christian hope tells us that the grave may be our destination, but it is not our destiny. There is a risen life to come because...
read more Connecting in CommunityDec 1, 2022
Back home, I come from a church where everyone knows my name. So when I first heard God's call to move to Hong Kong, to a big international church where I knew nobody, believe me, I didn't have an Isaiah - send me moment! Why? Because it meant leaving a community...
read more Joanne’s StoryNov 24, 2022
My story isn't very exciting or something you will find in a book, but it's the steps I've taken and the choices I've made to become a Christian. I was born in Hong Kong; soon after I turned 3, my parents left to live an immigrant life in a small town in Northern...
read more Story Archive Weekly Email
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