back to index2021-04-18 Jennifer Lin Baptism
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Hello church family, my name is Jennifer Lin and I'm a second year student at UC Irvine. 00:00:10.080 |
Today I have the privilege to share my testimony. 00:00:13.640 |
I was born and raised in Taiwan for 14 years and I did not hear about the story of Jesus 00:00:21.640 |
One time my mom's friend invited her and my family to her church and that was my first 00:00:29.560 |
I did not seem to like the community at first because I did not understand why people were 00:00:33.840 |
so serious and were worshipping this God who they call Abba Father. 00:00:38.740 |
I would not, I would only go to church for Sunday schools to hear interesting Bible stories 00:00:46.640 |
As I stayed with the church longer I saw something different among the people who are called 00:00:52.840 |
They were extremely kind and loving towards others, making me curious and wanting to know 00:00:57.840 |
who this God is and what makes them this way. 00:01:01.040 |
When I was still in Taiwan I feel ashamed when people ask me if I went to church. 00:01:06.120 |
I think about moving to the United States where Christianity is the main religion excited 00:01:12.160 |
Moving to the US as a freshman in high school I had so much love for this Christ who I did 00:01:17.360 |
not know really well but was excited to know and I was also excited to be a part of a church 00:01:25.560 |
I attended my own church and was convinced that I was a Christian with my shallow knowledge 00:01:35.240 |
Right now looking back I do not believe that I was saved. 00:01:38.480 |
When people ask me I would tell them that I'm Christian but in real life I only attended 00:01:42.920 |
church occasionally and lived life for myself like the rest of the world. 00:01:48.780 |
I did not know who this God really is and did not have a personal relationship with 00:01:54.160 |
All I knew about the gospel was only half true that God loves me and that's all. 00:01:59.480 |
And I continued to go after the world and put my hope in all temporary worldly desires. 00:02:05.320 |
In December 2018 during my senior year of high school I went into a three month period 00:02:13.660 |
I lost hope, cried to sleep every day and did not know how to ask for help. 00:02:18.960 |
One night while I was crying to sleep and at the lowest point thinking about death I 00:02:23.400 |
hear the voice from above God say to me, "Jen I love you." 00:02:26.960 |
It was a heartwarming and touching experience. 00:02:30.040 |
That was my first time hearing the voice of God and I prayed to God and surrendered my 00:02:38.040 |
Immediately God opened my heart the next day and I finally shared my thoughts and what 00:02:42.840 |
I was going through with one of my close friends who also happened to be a Christian. 00:02:50.700 |
This made me hungry and thirst to learn more about Christianity and the love of God. 00:02:57.000 |
Coming into UCI I was hoping to find a Christian community where I could grow spiritually and 00:03:05.480 |
By the grace of God I was introduced to Berean Community Church during my second quarter 00:03:11.240 |
I saw a group of genuine believers who lived their lives glorifying to God. 00:03:16.800 |
I was encouraged and rebuked at the same time after learning more about the biblical truth 00:03:22.160 |
and getting to know these godly individuals and seeing how humble they are recognizing 00:03:30.040 |
For the very first time I learned the complete version of the gospel. 00:03:33.800 |
In Romans 5, 8, but God demonstrate his own love towards us. 00:03:39.080 |
In that while we were yes sinners God, Christ died for us. 00:03:43.440 |
This was also the first time I learned about the importance of devotion and prayer and 00:03:48.280 |
had started to take these steps for my spiritual growth. 00:03:52.880 |
Going into quarantine was a challenge to my still growing faith. 00:03:56.960 |
I was hopeless about the uncertainty and felt discontent not being able to see people in 00:04:03.080 |
Through the Bible study on the book of Philippians and first Corinthians I learned that the Lord 00:04:09.000 |
is the only source of joy, hope, and peace and everything else in this world is just 00:04:16.600 |
Through the Holy Spirit my eyes were opened and led me to genuine surrender and repentance. 00:04:23.160 |
Ever since then my joy and contentment are only found in Christ and Christ alone and 00:04:27.720 |
I'm able to recognize the godly within versus the worthy within. 00:04:32.360 |
Throughout my life there are so many ups and downs but I know that these are all God's 00:04:37.880 |
I'm super thankful that God prunes me and reveals my sinfulness and pride through them 00:04:42.560 |
all to make me come to an understanding of how my life is truly about. 00:04:47.800 |
He always closes doors and opens even better ones for me. 00:04:54.000 |
I once was a slave to sin but it was only through the blood of Christ my sins are forgiven 00:05:02.520 |
I will still sin in the future but I will not destined grow to be a hobbit. 00:05:07.600 |
I will strive to kill sin and pursue a life of holiness. 00:05:12.000 |
It is no longer who I live but Christ who lives in me.