by Ong Eng Boon
After Jesus had been raised from the death, and shortly prior to his ascension back to heaven, Jesus gave (as some have called it) the “marching orders of the Church”. We generally called it the great commission and is recorded for us for our ATTENTION in Matt. 28:18-20: Mark 16:15-16, Luke 24:46-47, John 20:21-23, and Acts 1:8.
In this commission, Jesus instructs His apostles to go into all the world preaching the gospel to every creature. He also informs them what it takes to be saved, have the remission of one’s sins, or becoming a Christian (believe, repent, confess, baptized). Was the commands to evangelize the world restrict to the apostle only? While Christ specifically spoke this commission to the apostles, He also told them to instruct EVERYONE (that includes you & me) to do all that he had commanded them (Matt 28:20). One of the commands is to ?strong>GO and PREACH the gospel to the world. Thus, the apostles would be teaching every Christian that they individually have the obligation (responsibility) to preach to the lost.
Do we have any examples from Jesus?
Jesus gave us the proper example of seeking the lost as he passed through Jerico. Zacchaeus had a desire to see Jesus, so he ran and climbed into a Sycamore tree. Jesus stopped and told him that He was going to his house. While Jesus is there, Zacchaeus repents and promises to restore anything taken unjustly (Luke 19:1-
10). Then Jesus makes the statement, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”(Luke 19:10).
Jesus gives us a PURPOSE STATEMENT concerning His coming : seek and save the lost. Since Jesus is our perfect example
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example.” (1 Pet 2:21)
Then we need to ask ourselves a question: SHOULD OUR PURPOSE ALSO BE TO SEEK and SAVE THE LOST?
Another example can be found in Luke 15:3-7
“ And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
Here Jesus gave us an example of becoming personally involved in seeking the lost. He LEFT the ninety and nine safe sheep and went to FIND the one which was lost. He SEARCHED until he found it.
The principle laid down here is that we must GO and FIND the lost . They are not coming to us. This is true here at home here in Klang as well as abroad. We must GO! We must be PRO-ACTIVE, We must not be REACTIVE waiting for people to come and worst still, sometimes we are NON-ACTIVE.
The world population is estimated at 6.6 billion people. And most of these people I can most probably say never have had the opportunity of hearing the gospel message about the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ. The masses of the world have never seen or heard of the Bible, and have never hear the gospel. Some of them have heard of “Coca-Cola” but never one time hear of Jesus. Obviously they cannot respond in obedience to that saving message. What will happen to these people?
“And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power (2 Thess. 1:7-9).
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began spoken by the Lord, and confirmed unto us by them that heard him”(Heb 2:3).
The bible, the word of God clearly teaches that every human being of normal function of mind, who lives long enough, reaches a time in life when he can distinguish between the right or wrong. He reaches accountability. Whenever an accountable person-because of human weakness or because of the power temptation-yields to temptation and transgress God’s law, he thereby becomes a sinner.
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
(James 1:13-15)
“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of
the law.” (1 John 3:4)
“For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23)
The gospel need to be preached to every accountable person so as to saved their precious souls from eternal destruction.
So, what have we put in place at Klang church of Christ to fulfill the great commission?
Let’s look at the plan of the Klang Church in terms of mission:-
MISSION
“ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the holy ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world, Amen.” (Matt 28:19-20)
Team Leader :
Bro Leow Yew Chong
Assistant Team Leader :
Bro Ong Eng Boon
The Klang Church Of Christ is presently active in mission work (i.e. to start new congregations in various parts of the country.) Current works include:-
(A) EXISTING WORKS
(I) Local Works
The Kuantan Church Of Christ – in charged by Bro Ng Yeow Kong and Bro Leow Yew Chong. Membership currently stands at 11.
The Batu Pahat Church Of Christ has since been on their own since 1 June , 2006 and the work now is spearheaded by the leaders there with help from other congregations specifically in the areas of teaching and preaching during Sunday morning worship.
The Yong Peng Church Of Christ, of which bro Phua Choon Huat together with his wife are putting in much effort and work has resulted in a total of 6 baptisms in year 2006 alone! The work there actually takes off in March 2004 but The Phua’s are there on a full time basis from June 2006 onwards.
The Subang Jaya Church Of Christ is a result of Klang Members who uproot themselves and started a new work in Subang Jaya in 1999. The Subang Jaya Church Of Christ had since has their own building and by next year should be debt free with a membership exceeding 50 in numbers.
The Kota Kemuning Church of Christ which was established on in December 2009 is a also a result of Klang and Subang Jaya members coming together to start a home fellowship in bro Eng Kim Leng’s home with meeting’s being held fortnightly on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month. The Kota Kemuning congregation will soon have their own building in place!
(II) Foreign Mission Fields
1. Currently we are supporting an experienced missionary in China and also the work in Taichung, Taiwan.
2. Funds are also make available for anyone who are willing to work with experienced missionary in a foreign land.
(B) MISSION FUND
Objective of the fund – To support full-time workers in their work in various mission fields.
2. Mechanics of the fund – each year, the Klang brethren are encouraged to pledge towards this Mission Fund.
Currently fund stands at RM185,000
(C) SCHOOL OF PREACHING (LONG TERM PLAN)
Train up preachers who desire to work full time in Malaysia
2. Provide strong biblical training for local bible class teachers and personal workers for defending the faith as well as the winning of souls.
(D) PLANS FOR YEAR 2011/12
To establish a congregation in West Malaysia.
To organize mission week trip
To encourage group of members to visit quarterly to various congregation such as Batu Pahat, Yong Peng, Kluang, Kuantan, Taiping and Penang on a 3 days/2nights basis for the teaching and encouraging these brethren.
With the plan in place we need WORKERS as well as FINANCIAL RESOURCES to carry out the above plan. As such, we encouraged you to continue to support the missions of the church by either volunteering to GO into the mission field or GIVE generously towards the mission fund.