Grace Assembly : Acts of Grace

It was exactly one year ago that we launched the call to Move Up and turn the vision of our new equipping station into a reality. Since then, Alpha Omega International is taking shape. Part by part, phase by phase, this Christ-centred equipping station and church sanctuary is in the process of being made ready to advance God’s kingdom. This is all because of God’s grace and your faithfulness in sowing.

Thanks to your faith and commitment in coming together as one body for a common cause, things are truly moving up. As of today, our home-school, Grace Resource Centre has already moved into the new premises while AOIC, our bible school is set to move in by May 2010. Soon, as work on our new sanctuary begins, we will be on our way to realize this vision of an equipping station to carry out God’s mandate to make disciples, serve the community and equip God’s people for works of ministry. Truly, a new era of empowerment has begun!

In responding to the call to move up in faith, commitment and sacrifice, you have given of your skills, talents and finances. Many of you have used and are using your God-given abilities to contribute to the building fund. We have had those gifted in business, cooking, baking, craftsmanship, painting, sports and all manner of skills and talents come forward to use their abilities for this cause. This is so much like the time when God commanded Moses to build His sanctuary and men of different skills came together to do the work, side by side.

Then Moses called Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, everyone whose heart was stirred, to come and do the work. And they received from Moses all the offerings which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of making the sanctuary. So they continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning. (Exodus 39:2-3)

We see that everyone whose heart was stirred came and did the work. Beloved, let our hearts continue to be stirred - to give of our skills, talents and finances toward the realization of God’s vision. It is more than raising funds, it’s about raising faith. It is more than a building, it is building the kingdom of God. You have heard the many testimonies from this pulpit and read them in the church newsletter – people who at first did not believe that they were capable of giving the amount of one brick or even half a brick took a step of faith and were surprised by God! Yes, God will surprise you if you sow that mustard-size faith!

The bible has many exciting accounts of God making something out of ‘nothing”. The children of Israel were slaves in Egypt and yet God prospered them. What about Moses whom God chose to deliver the Israelites from the yoke of slavery in Egypt? Was Moses confident of his abilities? God said to Moses, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff”, he replied. The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground” (Ex. 4:2-3). Yes, what have you got in your hand? It does not matter how small or how insignificant it is – let it be used for God’s purpose, because God can use it, if you are willing to lose it! The poor widow gave two mites, two very small copper coins but Jesus said she “put in more than all the others” (Luke 21: 3). Isaac sowed in a time of famine – and he reaped a hundredfold (Gen 26:12). There is simply no telling what God will do when he sees faith - your faith at work!

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:10)

God has a plan – a plan to build His people and further His kingdom. It is a divine vision, it is not man’s dream. One person cannot fulfill the plan. God needs a community, a movement to accomplish it. A movement made up of like-minded people filled with wisdom, understanding and knowledge to move up and turn this God-given vision into a reality.

Our new equipping station will encompass many of the things dear to our Lord’s heart. That is why it is named Alpha Omega International, after our Lord Jesus Christ. Besides housing the Grace PJ sanctuary, these bigger and better premises will spearhead our education and sports ministries, as well as support and facilitate our multi-dimensional community services. In line with the heartbeat of God, it will become a place of healing, a refuge and a ‘hospital’ with doors open 24/7 to receive the wounded, rejected and lost.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

Beloved, God has given us the power to empower others. As we put our hands on the plough and build his kingdom, we will see a release of power like we have never seen before. The power is for the church of Jesus Christ to be his witnesses - to proclaim the good news, to heal the sick and to be a light to those in darkness. It is to have compassion on those who have not, to feed the poor and clothe the naked.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights. (Hab 3:19)

Let us look up and move up to greater heights in the strength of the Lord! Let us enter into a new era of empowerment as we embrace his purpose and fulfill his vision. Lord, let your blessings fall so that your people shall flourish even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. Bless them to be a blessing to the many who need your light and love. Amen.