MUSTARD SEED BIBLE-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Today, we reproduce two correspondences of Preacher Li Ya Hui with the Session of Tabernacle BPC concerning the founding of new work in China. They have been edited for publication.

Do pray that the Lord will lead Preacher Ya Hui to do His will.


Correspondence Dated 27 August 2016

Dear Session members and Preachers of TBPC :

Greetings in the blessed name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Time flies. I have been back in China for two months already. During this time, I have visited many places and sought the Lord for guidance in my ministry. I thank God that He led me to a College Student’s fellowship. This fellowship was started by an auntie some two years ago and runs independently. Although there are many challenges, but by God’s grace, it still exists. However, due to health and age, she found it increasingly hard to serve the students well. By the higher hand of God, I was led to this ministry.

Since it is the school’s vacation now, most of the students have gone back to their own home. During my last visit, there were only a few brethren. Nonetheless, the auntie told me that this fellowship has in fact about 15 students. In early September, the College will be re-opened. God-willing, I will go there early next week.

Beside the student’s ministry, the whole country also has great need of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. The percentage of Christians is very low in China, and there are many heresies taught by false teachers.
Thank God for all your prayers! Please continue to pray for me and the ministry. Bring my greetings to all the brethren in the church.

God bless.
Li Yahui

 

Correspondence Dated 12 November 2016

Dear Session members and Preachers of TBPC :

Greetings in the blessed name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

By His grace, after serving here for more than two months, I have shared with the brethren concerning the B-P faith. Thank God that they are much enlightened and convinced about the B-P stand. Therefore, the church has taken another step to change its name to Mustard Seed Bible-Presbyterian Church.

Concerning the name of the church, I always remember what Dr. Khoo taught us in the class saying that “the church of God is like a mustard seed, not a mushroom. It is like the mustard seed which is small yet grows steady, not like the mushroom which grows big overnight, yet withers very soon”. He exhorted me also to start a church by the same principles. Indeed, “The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.” (Matthew 13:31-32).

Amazingly, when I shared with that sister who started this fellowship the burden to name the church “Mustard Seed B-P Church”, she told me that she also thought of this name some two years ago. Thank God that He has already determined the name of the church from the very beginning.

Please pray for us to stand fast on the truth of God!

God bless!
Li Yahui

 

Additional Note from Preacher

Around the same time this year, Tabernacle BPC published an article entitled “Two Parables of Seeds” in the church weekly. See the church weekly dated 23rd October 2016. Preacher Ya Hui was not aware of the article until the name of the church was determined. We treat it as an additional sign that God has named the church “Mustard Seed Bible-Presbyterian Church”. All praise to God!

Do pray for the land of China that more souls may receive faithful preaching of God’s Word.

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RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
“The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7 KJV)

There are those in the world who like to play around with debt. Quoting the “wisdom” of financial gurus, they claim that “a little debt is healthy”. They gamble with their money, and take huge financial risks in investments. They reason that the risk is well worth it because they are in a rush to make money! Such is the love of money in the hearts of men.

However, the Scripture warns us about the perceived security in a loan or debt. In Proverbs 22:7, Solomon states the reality of life that those who are rich will have a certain leverage over those who are poor. The power is in always in the hand of the creditor and never the borrower.

As a Christian, all that we have belongs to God. “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell there-in.” (Psalm 24:1 KJV) Therefore, we are required to be good stewards of what we have (c.f. Matthew 25:14-.30) We need to be wise and responsible in the use of our finances. A Christian should weigh the wisdom of taking on any loan or debt. Life’s necessities may sometimes leave one with little choice but to take a loan, but taking on a loan or debt for the sake of luxury will soon result in ruin. How many have pierced themselves with many sorrows simply because they have spent far above their abilities in order to get a bigger car or house? Moreover, if you fall into serious debt, will it not hinder your service unto the Lord? Beware the enslaving power of debt!

On the other hand, we must not engage in any business transaction that involves the idea of borrowing without the intention to return. This is a wicked practice devoid of integrity and ruins our testimony for Christ. “The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.” (Psalm 37:21 KJV)

The Scripture also teaches us that the rich has responsibility to take care of the poor. The children of Israel in the Old Testament were not allowed to charge interest to those who are poor (Leviticus 25:25-38). To do otherwise is condemned as wickedness! “If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.” (Deuteronomy 15:7-8 KJV) See also Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthian Church to aid the poor saints in Jerusalem in 2 Corinthians 8-9. Be a cheerful giver unto the Lord (2 Corinthians 9:7)!

Dear brethren, the Scripture teaches us that a believer must be responsible and prudent in the management of his finances as a good steward of the Lord. Use our possessions to aid our spiritual growth, and promote the testimony of Christ. Heed the infallible principle of divine economics: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6 KJV)