Called to Serve His Church in Love

Summary

On its 25th anniversary, the church gives thanks that the Lord carried it all the way to this day. The congregation remembers how it began with only a handful of immigrant families who longed to hear God's word in their own language, and how it grew into a living community with many ministries, a building of its own, and people drawn in from the world.

The main message, drawn from Mark 9 and Ephesians 4, is that everyone the Lord calls into His church is called to serve, not to rule. Greatness belongs to the one who becomes servant of all and humble like a child, and the whole body grows only as each member adds his own measure of love and labor. From 2 Corinthians 7 the preacher showed that sincere love among believers, proven even through tears and hardship, is what makes a church truly strong.

Visiting bishops and pastors added their charges as leadership was handed over with prayer and blessing: God is not unjust to forget our labor of love (Hebrews 6); fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12); preach Christ crucified as the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1); and trust the entire journey to the God who leads His people and rewards faithful service (Deuteronomy 8, Matthew 6).

Key Points

• Give thanks: the church stands today only because God's grace carried it for 25 years.
• Greatness in Christ's church is measured by service, not status - be a servant of all and humble like a child.
• The body grows up when every member contributes his own measure of love and labor.
• Sincere love, proven through tears and hardship, is what holds a church together.
• God is not unjust; He remembers every work of faith and love done in His name.
• Fear God and keep His commandments - reverence, not dread, is the whole duty of every person.
• Trust your entire path to the Lord, who leads His people and rewards faithful service.