Family Letter

Newsletter – Pastor Raymond Chan 9/9/2007

The prophet Isaiah spoke the LORD’s words:

“Heaven is my throne

and the earth is my footstool;

what is the house that you would build for me,

and what is my resting place?

² All these things my hand has made,

and so all these things are mine,

says the Lord.” (New Revised Standard Version, Isaiah 66:1-2)

We are fast approaching our 20^th Anniversary week of celebration. It is my responsibility as your pastor to remind all of us of the spiritual reality, so unequivocally put forth in Isaiah 66. lf we for one moment con ourselves that we have proudly offered 756 Union Street as His resting place (particularly if you are amongst the “founders” who contributed blood sweat and tears, plus money to build it up), and that was the all important thing that pleased the LORD, then you have not read the Bible properly.

God is Spirit. He is not an idol. He doesn’t need a place to nap. Even if he ever needs a place, He really doesn’t need Chinese immigrants to build Him one in San Francisco. He could have snapped a finger, if He has fingers, and Coit Tower would turn into the grandest temple. In fact, He didn’t even raise His finger when He created heaven and earth. He just spoke, ages before we hobbits invented voice activation. Yet only in salvation did He stretch out His right hand in Exodus; and even more so on the Cross.

Neither a nicely kept SFEFC China Town Church on Union Street, nor neatly dressed pastors and Masters of Ceremony are the things that the LORD looks for. Sure, a well maintained church building reflects an attitude, though there is no guarantee that attitude is one towards God or of a self-aggrandizing nature. Of course, appropriately dressed service personnel speak also of a high regard of the priesthood of all believers. But again, there is no guarantee if people on stage are not merely siphoning God’s glory unto themselves.

So what, as a pastor and keeper, can I call out to focus our spiritual attention? Thanks to God that the Prophet Isaiah already provided that, right after the above quote:

But this is the one to whom I will look,

to the humble and contrite in spirit,

who trembles at my word. (NRSV, Isa. 66:2)

Be that one, brothers and sisters. Repent if you have not read or followed His Word for a while. Say sorry to Him if you have not shared Gospel to anyone in a year, or since the 15^th Anniversary Celebration. Ask for His forgiveness and immediately pay close attention to His Word in the Bible. Act if you hear His command.

To such persons, the Book of Isaiah promises:

²² For as the new heavens and the new earth,

which I will make,

shall remain before me, says the Lord;

so shall your descendants and your name remain.

(NRSV, Isa. 66:22)

To such persons, eternity awaits, after concrete crumbled.