A Kingdom Without Borders

By Rev. John Kao

General Secretary, the Chinese Coordination Centre of World Evangelism

Greetings from all of us at the Chinese Coordination Centre of World Evangelism, and congratulations on the establishment of Alliance Global Serve! What an honorable goal it is, to involve more Chinese churches in mission work around the world! I truly believe that through Alliance Global Serve, the passion to spread God’s love will result in an abundant harvest of disciples as well as a wonderful start to a new journey.

Having been a part of the Kowloon Tong Alliance Church’s Mission Conference for the past few years, I have been greatly encouraged by the growth in your mission ministry. I pray that this local arm of the CC&MA may be even more united in building God’s kingdom, more fervent to spread the gospel, until the return of our Lord!

God commanded Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen 1:28), and Jesus told his disciples to “teach them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matt 28:20). Jesus spent 40 days explaining God’s kingdom to the disciples, telling them to do God’s will and bear His witness to the world (Acts 1:8).

1. An Enlarged Vision – from seeing a suffering Jesus to seeing a resurrected Jesus

When Jesus suffered and died on the cross, the disciples witnessed the pain that Jesus endured. They were deeply afraid and their spirits were shattered. While two of the disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, their spirits were downcast and their sights blurred. But when their eyes were opened and recognized that the resurrected Lord was amongst them, they were once again filled with courage. Likewise, Peter was so scared, thinking that his fate would be like his master’s, that he denied Jesus three times. Yet Peter was eager to risk his life and proclaim the good news after he had witnessed Jesus’ resurrection.

When we recognize that Jesus’ suffering was not the end but that He had indeed risen again, we are empowered to go forth into the world and be His witness. Since 1996 I have had to rely on dialysis treatments four times a day, which took a toll on my time and endurance. Yet I became the general secretary of the Chinese Coordination Centre of World Evangelism, not because I was able but because God used prayer to teach me to be obedient and faithful. While I served around the world, I continuously administered my renal treatments, changing the dialysis solutions just as frequently as I preached. When we personally experience the power of the cross, we no longer avoid the unknown but have the strength to face our fears of hardship. Jesus Christ is the risen Savior and the Way; He is a God that you and I can see and touch, and the one and only true Redeemer. Knowing this truth is the key to God’s infinite kingdom.

2. A New Attitude – from disappearance to public proclamation

The disciples were full of doubt and fear when Jesus died. But after His suffering, Jesus showed Himself to the men and said: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” (Acts 1:8a). Peter found the boldness to witness before the Jewish leaders in Acts 2:23-24 because he knew Jesus personally. In almost all corners of the world, Chinese immigrants endure hardships and settle in foreign countries to make a better living for themselves and their families. Wouldn’t Christ be even more willing to make sacrifices and plant churches far and wide for the sake of His people? If our lives belong to God and we care about the things that He does, surely He has called us to go into the world and be His instruments, ready to do His will.

3. A Leap in Faith – from staying put to stepping out

Going out to the world to serve literally requires a step of faith. Jesus suffered and was crucified in Jerusalem. As such, the disciples must have been reluctant to preach in that town. Yet they were obedient and stepped out into the mission field, and experienced God’s greatness and grace. The disciples enjoyed their fellowship in Jerusalem but this was not the end of God’s plan for them. By His will, God allowed the disciples to be persecuted and scattered across the nations for the purpose of spreading the gospel to all people. Philip explained the good news of Jesus to the eunuch, while Saul who once persecuted the disciples was completely transformed as Paul. Even Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Regiment, came to know Jesus. All these became the disciples’ powerful testimonies. Christ’s power does not lie in the words of a book or even the sermon of a preacher, but through personal encounters with Him. It is my prayer that as disciples we would make sacrifices for the sake of the gospel, and offer our money, time and even our lives to make the good news known to the world.

Translated by Jeannie Wong

Last modified on Monday, 01 April 2019 08:51

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