Church In Montréal

Feature Article

An Account Book Poets and novelists have often described human life as a bubble, the morning dew, a candle, a dream, a riddle, a song, and many other metaphors. In the Bible, it is portrayed as grass or flower of the field (Ps 102:11, 103:15; Isa 40:6-8, 51:12; Jam 1:10; 1Pet 1:24). The life of Abraham typified the life of a pilgrim, a wanderer, or a sojourner in a foreign land. The Apostle Paul compared his life to a runner, a fighter (2Tim 4:7), and to a stage or a spectacle (1Cor 4:9; Heb 10:33). The entire human history has even been revealed as the great image in Daniel 2. (more...)

Enjoying Christ through Eating and Drinking Him First Timothy 6:17 tells us to set our hope on God, who affords us all things richly for our enjoyment. We may thus say that in a positive way, God can be enjoyed by us, His children. The basic enjoyment in our life is just eating and drinking. In consequence, we may enjoy Him through eating and drinking Him. (more...)

A Study of the Phrase 'Walk by the Spirit' in Galatians 5 Two different Greek words for the English word 'walk' are used in Galatians 5 -peripateo in verse 16 refers to a common, habitual daily walk, while stoicheo in verse 25 means to walk according to rules. In other words, the former is an individual matter; the latter, a corporate walk - a military term. (more...)

Advancing, Never Stopping Human history may be likened to an immense stage or play with numerous acts. It always moves forward and never turns back. The age changes, empires rise and fall, and people come and go. Science and technology are rapidly advancing, particularly in recent years. Everything around us changes so quickly. No one would or can keep himself at the same place, doing the same thing forever. Once he stops, he surely is finished and out of the scene. (more...)

On Learning Hymns We Christians have the privilege of possessing three treasures --- our spirit, the Bible, and hymns. In our daily walk we all may experience and testify its truthfulness. Of course, we should not evaluate hymns higher than the Bible. Nevertheless, hymns play an important role in our Christian life. (more...)

To Live, Learn and Serve

D ue to advancements in science and technology, particularly in the field of medicine, hygiene, nutrition and the environment, the human life span has increased dramatically. Psalm 90:10 tells us that the length of our days is seventy years --- or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away (NIV). One may wonder if the meaning and quality of his/her life have also increased while growing older, or whether he/she is even happy to live longer. In fact, the problem of an aging population everywhere in the world is growing and becoming more serious. Dealing with this problem has been drawing increased attention among all nations. This article is not intended to offer any answer. Rather, it will hopefully provide a small window to shed some light on this subject. (more...)

To Turn the Hearts of the Fathers to the Children

The church here has been studying the Gospel of Luke lately. In Chapter One the angel Gabriel appeared to Zachariah and informed him that his petition to have a son would be answered. Furthermore, many things concerning this son were revealed at that time. Among these, a clause "to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children" was mentioned (Luke 1: 17 b). I believe I have read this Gospel at least a couple of times in the past. Each time this particular clause did not catch my attention, nor touch me. However, it really struck me this time. I wondered what the intrinsic significance of this clause is. I have checked several reference books; unfortunately they offered little help to me. Before going on from here, I would like to say loudly and clearly that it is not my intention at all to explain this clause. Rather, I wish to only write down my inspiration as follows.(more...)

Satisfation I' d like to share something with you about John 4:1~8:
1: "When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John."
2: "(Although Jesus Himself did not baptize, but rather His disciples)"
3: "He left Judea and went away again into Galilee."
4: "And He had to pass through Samaria."
5: "So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the piece of land that Jacob gave to Joseph his son;"
6: "And Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from the journey, sat thus by the well; it was about the sixth hour."
7: "There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, Give Me something to drink."
8: "For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food." (more...)

John the Baptist John 3:22 "After these things, Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He spent some time with them and baptized."
John 3:23 "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were baptized;"
John 3:24 "For John had not yet been thrown into prison."(more...)

Macroview Versus Microview During my middle school days?our native country - China?was fighting against Japan's invasion?and we were taught many things concerning patriotism?national morality?the 'New Living Movement? etc. For instance?the 'corporate I or body' was very much emphasized at the expense of the 'little I or body'. In other words?I myself may be sacrificed in order that my country and my people can stand up and be saved?preserved or profited. Another popular example was that we might start something from low and small?yet we can aim high and think big. I must admit that this kind of indoctrination has strongly influenced and molded?at least my generation?even to this day. (more...)

A Spectacle (Part 2) Last year one short essay of mine, entitled "Being Made a Spectacle", appeared in this corner of our webpage. My main point at that time was something like this: each one of us in this world has a part in this universal scene. Therefore, one must do and fulfill his/her part, namely, he or she should appear on the stage and come off the stage both at the right time and at the right place. That writing was an encouragement and also a very positive approach toward one's life. At the present I have further considerations concerning the same topic ---- "A Spectacle". (more...)

Name and Title A couple of months ago, my former employer, a university in Montreal, informed me of the decision of the university senate to officially grant me the title of Professor Emeritus. They also noted that this designation is honorific only and does not have any other privileges associated with it. Most of my former colleagues would probably be very pleased to hear this. They may consider it as a real honor to have this. But what do they receive in reality? It is just empty words, vanity of vanities, absolutely meaningless. (more...)

The Sunset of Life The length of our days is seventy years --- or eighty, if we have the strength ( Ps 90:10a ). Although it is no longer uncommon to live to eighty, the majority of octogenarians are nevertheless relatively weak, feeble and fragile, as described in Ecclesiastes 12. Their days are numbered. Their thinking is rather negative, even pessimistic. Their life is no longer active and as interesting as before. The fact that they have a feeling of reaching the sunset of life, of approaching the end, and of having no more hope in their future is shown in their daily life. (more...)

To Teach Being a teacher is to pass on the knowledge?to give lessons?and to settle doubts --- that is one of the Chinese classical sayings regarding teachers?which has been handed down from generation to generation for about one thousand years. Of course?there is a certain truth in this saying. Even today in North America a similar philosophy can still be seen. However?it is more complicated to teach today than in the past. Our knowledge may be very rich?yet the old philosophy of teaching may be neither fit?nor adequate. It is so in the school and in all the sectors of society today?as well as in the church life. (more...)

A Recent Trip to China Recently my wife and I returned to our old country --- China. The purpose of this trip was mainly to visit our relatives. Additionally, should the opportunity arise, we also wished to visit the saints and churches, and preach the gospel there. What we report here is just what we had experienced during the time we were there. Surely, it cannot represent the complete picture regarding today's church situation in China, rather, it is from a small angle to see one part of the whole. That is all. (more...)

To Shame Or Not Many people and many things in the Apostle Paul's time could have put him to shame, yet he straightforwardly and magnanimously announced in his epistle to the Philippians that in nothing he will be put to shame (Phil 1:20). Why was he so bold like this? Simply because he was one with the Lord, enjoying the bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. In other words, he just focused on the Lord in his daily life, despised and transcended all the shames to him, whatever they may be, thus no shame could ever bother or affect him. Moreover, to Romans he wrote, he who believes on Him shall not be put to shame (9:33, 10:11; the same with First Peter 2:6). Therefore, as long as he believes on Him, he will not be put to shame. (more...)

Study of the Bible Prelude: The writer in this corner of the the web page is merely a simple Christian, a Jesus-lover, a Jesus-enjoyer, not a Bible scholar, without any theological background, actually a retired mechanical engineering professor from a Canadian university. He has no intention to give any teaching or doctrine here, rather, just wishes to have fellowship with the readers regarding what he has enjoyed and experienced of the Lord and His Word. This principle stands and holds true not only for this article but for all past and future articles as well. (more...)

God's Creation Scripture reading: I Kings 4:30, 32, 33 (NIV) Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. (more...)

On Forgiveness in Matthew 18 Matthew 18 covers a number of basic topics, such as humility, stumbling others, reconciling with the sinning brother, two or three being gathered into His name, forgiveness, settling account, debt, paying back, etc. No doubt, each one is important, interesting and crucial, however, only the subject of forgiveness will be discussed and elaborated here. (more...)

Being Made A Spectacle Both 1 Cor 4:9b and Heb 10:33a tell us that the apostles have become or are made a spectacle to the world. The word "spectacle" usually means an exhibition, a show, a pageant, a gazingstock, a sight or an unseemly display. In ancient time there was usually a coliseum built in the capital of a country or an empire, which was used for games, contests and shows. Sometimes a government would put criminals in a coliseum to fight with wild animals for death-punishment and for entertainment of the public. The famous and grand Colosseum in Rome ( its ruins can still be seen at the present. ) was one of the examples. The apostle Paul used the phrase "being made a spectacle" as a metaphor, indicating that he and his co-workers were openly put to shame, forced to lose face, and humiliated, also in reproaches and in afflictions, such that they may become a laughingstock to the public. (more...)

To Boast in Our Tribulations At all time and in all countries people's lives are full of tribulation and there seems to be no way to avoid them. What shall we do when we are in tribulation? A Chinese proverb says: "Live in tribulation and die in peace and joy." There is indeed some truth in it, however, it is a kind of negative thinking. The Bible tells us "to boast in our tribulations" (Rom.5:3). It does not say to escape from them or to overcome them, rather, to boast in them. O how positive, bold, generous and straightforward this is! (more...)

Judge One Another No Longer Romans 14 and 15 (the first part) Reveal to us that except a few other things, Our Lord does not want us to judge others, nor to go extremes, nor to be too rigid, and nor to stick to certain rules or regulations in the church life. Rather, He wants us to be flexible, balanced, peaceful and harmonious with others. If indeed we walk according to love, i.e. in the principle of love (Rom. 14:15), we may forbear others, cover others, consider others' feeling, situation and need, and we may not judge or condemn others, nor stumble others. (more...)

Fellowship The word "fellowship" has many different meanings or aspects. For instance, it means the communion and communication between the believers in their communion and communication with God the Father and Christ the Son (footnote 1 of Acts 2:42, Rec. V. ). It also means participation (Phil. 1:5, 3:10) or joint participation (I Cor. 10:16; I John 1:3,6,7); contribution(Rom. 15:26, 12:13); sharing in common (Heb. 13:16) and so forth. (more...)

Conquer or Die In the military service there is a famous old saying or command, ‚conquer or die? It sounds so brave, courageous, fearless and responsible; it also makes you feel full of pride, enthusiasm, peerlessness and chivalry. This is all right when you are serving in the army, especially when you are young. As you grow older, however, you may find that in many things, big or small, you are simply not able to conquer or overcome, nor are you willing to die. (more...)

Let the Peace of Christ Arbitrate in Your Hearts Verse Col. 3:15a --- Let the peace of Christ arbitrate ( or rule ) in your hearts --- is a very famous verse, and seems not too difficult to understand. To arbitrate is to umpire, preside, be enthroned as a ruler and decider of everything ( footnotes of RcV ); also to rule means to act as judge or president according to Young's Concordance. However, when we "meditate" on it, we may find out it is not as simple as we thought. (more...)

Predestination The word "predestinated" in Rom. 8:29,30, Eph.1:11, or "predestinating" in Eph. 1:5 can be rendered "marked out beforehand". Marking out beforehand is the process, whereas predestination is the purpose, which is to determine a destiny beforehand. God's marking us out beforehand was to destinate us unto sonship (having not only His life but also the position of a son to Him). We were predestinated to be sons of God even before we were created. (footnotes 1 & 2 of Eph. 1:5) ... (more...)