At the virtual Chinese Mission Convention Global 2021 conducted in late December 2021, Reverend Tong Liu encouraged the Chinese churches to be brave in evangelism.
Organized by the Ambassador For Christ, this convention was sponsored by the partnership churches in Texas, the United States.
On the morning of December 29, Tong Liu, senior pastor of the River of Life Christian Church of the Silicon Valley, shared a sermon titled “Chinese churches Should Be Brave in Evangelism”.
Below are the main ideas of his message:
It is now the time for Chinese churches to arise since there are no more of the so called “historical burdens” on the Chinese. No matter whether Chinese citizens are in African countries or in Islamic countries, they will easily be accepted by others. The more dangerous the generation is, the more God works on it through His hands. So how we can arise for God?
1. To receive the power of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)
Jesus Christ has risen from death, which is proof to show that he can conquer the power of death and to show that he can conquer every attack from the enemy, Satan. Today, Jesus is living in every spirit of those who believe in Him through the Holy Spirit. The risen God is living in us with His victorious power.
God’s power is such that he sends us and asks us to go and make disciples of all nations. That’s why we must take the power from the Great Commission. God’s spirit is in us to help us, letting us conquer the enemy.
2. Seeing the expansion of God’s kingdom (Matthew 13:24-32)
Many times, we lose hope for the things happening in the world. Actually, God has explained from the very beginning on how He will work in the world.
Jesus tells us from the verses that the kingdom of heaven coexists with the generation nowadays, which is a very important concept. Therefore, we don’t have to be surprised by the weeds we have, but we can see the wheat grow. Actually, the kingdom of God has been in rapid growth. How is it growing? God uses the mustard seed as a parable of the kingdom of heaven.
The beginning of God’s kingdom might not be that obvious, and people might not notice its existence or feel the power of its existence. But the fact is, the kingdom of God has been growing rapidly. In the moment that God’s hands start working, there is no power in the world that can stop Him. God’s kingdom will be achieved in the end.
God’s gospel has been evangelizing around the world.
About 2000 years ago, when beginning his evangelism to the West, the apostle Paul preached the gospel from Jerusalem to Europe, from Europe to America, and from America back to Asia. Since then until 1942, a staff worker of the Northwest Spiritual Band had received the vision from God to evangelize back in Jerusalem, meaning that the evangelism of the gospel should move forward to the West until it reached the holy city. In the last 40 years, it has been moving not only to the West but also to the South. In these 40 years, there have been two places where Gospel has been proliferating, which are South America and Africa.
In Africa, there are many evangelistic meetings bringing people into God’s kingdom. Once upon a time, there was a missionary who mentioned that among the one-week evangelistic meetings, there were 600,000 people who believed in God and turned back to Jesus Christ. 600,000 is a number that is hard for us to imagine. God’s work in Africa has been so deep and so wide.
It is also the same in Iran. In the past, I don't think there were that many Christians there. One pastor in Iran told me that underground churches in Iran have been growing rapidly in recent years. Until today, it was predicted by the pastor that there are about 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 Christians in Iran. The number is far beyond our imagination.
3. Understand that the season for harvest is short.
We have to understand that the season for harvest is short. On one hand, we have to see the expansion of God, and on the other hand, we need to be aware of the urgency of the Great Commission.
Islam claims that it will rule Europe in 30 years. On one hand, there are many Muslim refugees merging into Europe, on the other hand, Muslims have been giving birth in increased numbers. Unfortunately, many Christian families are no longer having as many children nowadays in Europe and in America. Apart from in Europe and America, the fertility rates have also become very low in Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, and even in China.
"So I always encourage Christian families to have more children, even to just have one more baby if it is possible. Recently, England has become the biggest center of Islam apart from the traditional Islamic countries," the pastor said.
In Africa, much of the population is pure and simple; whatever you tell them, they will believe. So the point is to see who will be the first one to arrive in the village, and who will share first in the village.
Knowing that the season for harvest is short, we should seize the chance and be brave to move forward.
4. Be brave to react to the Great Commission (Luke 15:3-5)
We must understand that Jesus Christ’s will towards the people in this generation is very urgent. God’s will is not wanting anyone to perish, but for everyone to come to repentance. That’s why God has been urgent in seeking the suitable jars of clay, and seeking those jars of clay who can work with God.
Was there no other prophet at that time? Yes, there were many. But God said, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” There are many people who are working for himself/ herself but not for God. Like today, many people prefer to serve, but they are serving themselves instead of serving others. There are only a few who are simply running towards God to offer themselves completely.
We should be vigilant, especially for Chinese churches in Northern America. God has given us so many resources and the perfect equipment. Aren’t all these opportunities for today? This is the moment for Chinese churches to arise and to be brave in sharing the Gospel. This is the right time for Chinese churches to arise to share the gospel.
Only if we are willing to be obedient to God’s guidance, and be brave to react to his call, are we then able to achieve God’s big works for this generation. In this generation, we would like to experience a big harvest in spirits.
- Translated by Jessie Cheong
美西时间12月28日晚上7点，2021全球华人差传大会拉开帷幕。此次全球华人差传大会是由基督使者协会承办，德克萨斯州的伙伴教会参加并赞助。
29日上午，来自硅谷生命河灵粮堂的刘彤牧师分享信息“华人教会当奋勇宣教”，以下为刘彤牧师的分享信息：
现在，华人教会兴起的时机已经来到了，因为华人没有所谓的历史包袱。华人无论是进入到非洲国家还是回教国家，都很容易被当地人所接纳。越是危机的时代，越是神的手要工作的时刻。那么我们怎么样才能够为主兴起呢？
一．领受使命所带来的权柄
【太28:18-20】 主耶稣从死里复活，证明了她能够胜过一切死亡的权势，也证明了他能够胜过一切仇敌撒旦的攻击。今天，藉着圣灵，主也住在每一个信靠他的人心中。这位复活的主带着得胜的权柄，正住在我们里面。
正是因为有着这样的权柄，主才差遣我们，才对我们说，所以你们要去，使万民作主的门徒。所以，我们一定要领受大使命的权柄所带来的能力，神的灵在我们身上，要帮助我们，让我们能够得胜仇敌。
二．看见神的国正在扩展
有很多时候，我们会因为这个世界上所发生的事情而心中哀叹，但是其实，主耶稣早就已经解释了神将要在今天的世界如何工作。
【太13:24-30】 耶稣在这里告诉我们，天国是与现今的世代并存的，这是一个非常重要的观念。所以我们不必因为有稗子而惊讶，反而我们要看见麦子正在成长。事实上神的国正在快速的成长，是怎么成长的呢？主用芥菜种来比喻天国，
【太13:31-32】神的国在一开始的时候，可能不太明显，人们注意不到它的存在，也感受不到它的能力。但是事实上，神的国却正在快速的成长。而当神的手开始工作的时候，没有任何势力能够阻挡，最终神的国必定成就。
1，神国的福音正在全世界传扬
在2000年以前，使徒保罗开始往西传福音，从耶路撒冷到欧洲，从欧洲到美洲，从美洲又传回到亚洲。就这样直到1942年的时候，西北灵工团的同工们领受了从神而来的异象——把福音传回耶路撒冷，意思就是福音要继续往西前进，最终一直传到耶路撒冷。最近四十年来，神国的福音不但在西进，也在南进。最近四十年，全世界福音扩展最快的两个地方，一个是南美洲，另外一个就是非洲。
2，神复兴的火正继续在燃烧
在非洲，通过很多的布道会，带领了许多的人进入神的国度。有一次一个大型的布道会当中，一名宣教士说，在一周的布道会当中，一共有60万人信主，归向耶稣基督。60万人，这个数字相信是完全超过我们人所能想象。神在非洲所作的工作，真的是非常深也非常广大。
伊朗也是，以前我认为在伊朗恐怕不会有什么基督徒。伊朗一位牧师告诉我，这些年伊朗的地下教会发展非常快速。到现在，这位牧师他估计在伊朗的基督徒数量大约有200万到300万人，这个数字远远的超乎了绝大多数人的想象。
三．明白收割的季节是短暂的
我们要明白收割的季节是短暂的。一方面我们需要看见神的国正在不断的扩展，但是同时我们也需要意识到使命是有它的紧迫性的。
在欧洲，回教宣称他们要在三十年内掌控欧洲。一方面，越来越多的回教徒难民不断的涌入欧洲，另一方面回教徒们也在不断的生育。可是欧美很多原本基督教的国家很多人都不再生育，所以我也常常的鼓励基督徒家庭，要多生孩子，能够生的就再生一个孩子吧。现在英国伦敦已经成为了传统回教国家以外，最大的一个回教中心。
在非洲，很多非洲当地人都是很简单、淳朴的，你给他们传什么他们就相信什么。所以，就看谁先向他们传，就看谁能够先到那个村落，就能够得着这个村落。
我们需要明白收割的季节是短暂的，因此，我们要紧紧地抓住时机，勇敢向前。
四．勇敢回应使命的挑战
【路15:3-5】 我们一定要明白主耶稣向今天这个时代的他的心意是非常迫切的。主的心意是愿意万人得救，不愿意一人沉沦。所以主才那么迫切地想要寻找那些他能够使用的器皿，能够与神一同同工的器皿。
华人教会真的需要觉醒，尤其是北美的华人教会。神给了我们这么多的资源，这么多美好的装备，难道不是为了如今的机会吗？现在真的到了华人教会应当兴起，奋勇传教的时候了。
只要我们顺从神的引导，回应神的呼召，我们就能够在这样一个世代，来为主成就大事，经历一个属灵的大丰收。
全球华人差传大会| 刘彤牧师：疫情大背景下 华人教会如何为主兴起？
At the virtual Chinese Mission Convention Global 2021 conducted in late December 2021, Reverend Tong Liu encouraged the Chinese churches to be brave in evangelism.
Organized by the Ambassador For Christ, this convention was sponsored by the partnership churches in Texas, the United States.
On the morning of December 29, Tong Liu, senior pastor of the River of Life Christian Church of the Silicon Valley, shared a sermon titled “Chinese churches Should Be Brave in Evangelism”.
Below are the main ideas of his message:
It is now the time for Chinese churches to arise since there are no more of the so called “historical burdens” on the Chinese. No matter whether Chinese citizens are in African countries or in Islamic countries, they will easily be accepted by others. The more dangerous the generation is, the more God works on it through His hands. So how we can arise for God?
1. To receive the power of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)
Jesus Christ has risen from death, which is proof to show that he can conquer the power of death and to show that he can conquer every attack from the enemy, Satan. Today, Jesus is living in every spirit of those who believe in Him through the Holy Spirit. The risen God is living in us with His victorious power.
God’s power is such that he sends us and asks us to go and make disciples of all nations. That’s why we must take the power from the Great Commission. God’s spirit is in us to help us, letting us conquer the enemy.
2. Seeing the expansion of God’s kingdom (Matthew 13:24-32)
Many times, we lose hope for the things happening in the world. Actually, God has explained from the very beginning on how He will work in the world.
Jesus tells us from the verses that the kingdom of heaven coexists with the generation nowadays, which is a very important concept. Therefore, we don’t have to be surprised by the weeds we have, but we can see the wheat grow. Actually, the kingdom of God has been in rapid growth. How is it growing? God uses the mustard seed as a parable of the kingdom of heaven.
The beginning of God’s kingdom might not be that obvious, and people might not notice its existence or feel the power of its existence. But the fact is, the kingdom of God has been growing rapidly. In the moment that God’s hands start working, there is no power in the world that can stop Him. God’s kingdom will be achieved in the end.
God’s gospel has been evangelizing around the world.
About 2000 years ago, when beginning his evangelism to the West, the apostle Paul preached the gospel from Jerusalem to Europe, from Europe to America, and from America back to Asia. Since then until 1942, a staff worker of the Northwest Spiritual Band had received the vision from God to evangelize back in Jerusalem, meaning that the evangelism of the gospel should move forward to the West until it reached the holy city. In the last 40 years, it has been moving not only to the West but also to the South. In these 40 years, there have been two places where Gospel has been proliferating, which are South America and Africa.
In Africa, there are many evangelistic meetings bringing people into God’s kingdom. Once upon a time, there was a missionary who mentioned that among the one-week evangelistic meetings, there were 600,000 people who believed in God and turned back to Jesus Christ. 600,000 is a number that is hard for us to imagine. God’s work in Africa has been so deep and so wide.
It is also the same in Iran. In the past, I don't think there were that many Christians there. One pastor in Iran told me that underground churches in Iran have been growing rapidly in recent years. Until today, it was predicted by the pastor that there are about 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 Christians in Iran. The number is far beyond our imagination.
3. Understand that the season for harvest is short.
We have to understand that the season for harvest is short. On one hand, we have to see the expansion of God, and on the other hand, we need to be aware of the urgency of the Great Commission.
Islam claims that it will rule Europe in 30 years. On one hand, there are many Muslim refugees merging into Europe, on the other hand, Muslims have been giving birth in increased numbers. Unfortunately, many Christian families are no longer having as many children nowadays in Europe and in America. Apart from in Europe and America, the fertility rates have also become very low in Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, and even in China.
"So I always encourage Christian families to have more children, even to just have one more baby if it is possible. Recently, England has become the biggest center of Islam apart from the traditional Islamic countries," the pastor said.
In Africa, much of the population is pure and simple; whatever you tell them, they will believe. So the point is to see who will be the first one to arrive in the village, and who will share first in the village.
Knowing that the season for harvest is short, we should seize the chance and be brave to move forward.
4. Be brave to react to the Great Commission (Luke 15:3-5)
We must understand that Jesus Christ’s will towards the people in this generation is very urgent. God’s will is not wanting anyone to perish, but for everyone to come to repentance. That’s why God has been urgent in seeking the suitable jars of clay, and seeking those jars of clay who can work with God.
Was there no other prophet at that time? Yes, there were many. But God said, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” There are many people who are working for himself/ herself but not for God. Like today, many people prefer to serve, but they are serving themselves instead of serving others. There are only a few who are simply running towards God to offer themselves completely.
We should be vigilant, especially for Chinese churches in Northern America. God has given us so many resources and the perfect equipment. Aren’t all these opportunities for today? This is the moment for Chinese churches to arise and to be brave in sharing the Gospel. This is the right time for Chinese churches to arise to share the gospel.
Only if we are willing to be obedient to God’s guidance, and be brave to react to his call, are we then able to achieve God’s big works for this generation. In this generation, we would like to experience a big harvest in spirits.
- Translated by Jessie Cheong
Rev. Tong Liu: How Chinese Churches Arise for the Lord Under the Pandemic?
