The 2017 religious charity week of Beijing Chongwenmen Church started with a Sunday sermon titled "An Urge to Do Good."
Liu Yan preached that a Christian should have the philanthropic attitude that "it is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).
She said that sometimes doing good needs a sacrifice of considerable time, money, and energy. However, some simple behaviors like a loving expression in one's eyes, kind words, and appropriate physical contact were also good deeds. No matter whether it is a simple act or a moving deed, it's important that doing good works can become one's code of behavior and way of acting. In this way good works can build others up and nourish souls. Since we are made in the image of God, Christian good deeds reveal the glory of God. Otherwise, Christians fall short of His glory.
The purpose of beginning the special week with the sermon was to let the congregation know what charity was and how to do good. Christians should live out lives of love to be light and salt in the world and influence people around them with their lives.
- Translated by Karen Luo