Opportunity

**These are some collections of thoughts and reflections in my notes during the service. Not intended for formal essays, blogs nor academic writing.


    His message of relentless pursuit of reaching out to the lost people to spread the gospel of Christ made me thinking of the past when I was still in the university and trying to connect with the new students and inviting them to small group discussions or youth service. But surprisingly even at his age right now together with his busy schedule he even passionately preached, "I never looked at the past (accomplishments) I'm always looking for an opportunity to advance the gospel whenever possible."1


    And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.2 - Philippians 1:14


    In Paul's previous life he is known as someone who boldly kill the followers of Christ upon his transformation he was changed and became like someone who zealously pursues to proclaim who Christ is to the entire city and nation.


    In our nation today we have the freedom of speech and will. There is also freedom of religion and there are a lot of policies especially in the workplace how we ought to respect each other's religion. I'm glad that we don't have a religion (as far as the world defines it)3 because what we have is the good news, a relationship with the almighty father. The way we build up relationships with other people is an outflow of our relationship with the almighty God.





    Let us build friendships with other people and show them who God is in their lives. Let us use this opportunity of freedom. Freedom of speech, preaching the gospel whenever possible in any given context through one on one discussions or small group meetings. Freedom of the will, sharing to people that they all have a choice and they don't have to necessarily follow their parents' belief or faith, their eyes must be opened to the true light.





Footnotes:

1 Valentin, Roland. "Joy in proclaiming the gospel". Sermon at ENCM, Mississauga, ON, September 27, 2021.

2 English Standard Version Bible. (2001). ESV Online. https://esv.literalword.com/

3 Depending on who perceives it, if by definition religion is a set of beliefs and doctrines, we can perceive on a different angle that Christianity is a religion though it is not the heart of it.

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