Olivet Assembly Oceania Rings in 2025 with New Year Service Focused on the Greatest Commandment

As the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2025, members of Oceania OC gathered to dedicate the first moment of the new year to God through a special New Year service. This solemn yet joyous occasion was marked by reflection, prayer, and a powerful sermon that set the tone for the year ahead.

Reflecting on 2024: God’s Faithfulness and the Holy Spirit’s Work

Before the service, Pastor Faith Yang, General Secretary of Olivet Assembly Oceania, shared a heartfelt reflection on God’s work in the region by reviewing the Top 10 news of 2024. Testimonies of the amazing work of the Holy Spirit and God’s faithfulness filled the room with gratitude and hope. The review not only celebrated milestones achieved but also highlighted the guidance and discipline God provided throughout the past year.

Ushering in the New Year with Thanksgiving and Prayer

As the countdown to 2025 ended, Pastor Faith Yang led a prayer, expressing deep gratitude for God’s provision, forgiveness, grace, and guidance in 2024. The prayer also sought greater blessings and deeper spiritual growth for the new year. This moment of dedication reflected the members' desire to place God at the center of their lives and endeavors from the very start of 2025.

The Greatest Commandment: Love God and Love Others (Sermon Excerpt)

The sermon delivered after the New Year prayer was based on Matthew 22:34-40, focusing on the Greatest Commandment. The question posed by the Pharisee was meant to test Jesus but also reflected a genuine concern in the hearts of the Jews. Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy and Leviticus, emphasizing that God must come first, above all earthly relations. Not only should God be first, but He should also be the only focus of devotion. With all their heart, soul, strength, and mind, God's people are called to love Him.

The fall of humanity brought a breaking of purity, as hearts and lives became entangled with earthly idols. The history of salvation is a narrative of breaking idols, distinguishing the chosen, and purifying them. God purifies His people as gold is refined. As members of Oceania OC begin the new year, they were called to examine their hearts and ask God to purify them so they may love Him alone.

Jesus completed the Greatest Commandment by adding a second part: loving others. According to Leviticus 19, love harbors no revenge, hatred, or bitterness, and forgiveness must come from the heart. Jesus further taught a story to define "neighbor" — to the beaten man, the Samaritan was the neighbor. Those who seem distant should be brought near through the incarnate love demonstrated by Jesus Christ. This love is the foundation of mission work. God's people are called to love their neighbors as themselves, embodying the mission to bring others closer to Him. Upon these two commandments hang all the Law and Prophets.

A Year Rooted in Love

As 2025 begins, the Oceania OC community is resolved to live out the Greatest Commandment—loving God with undivided devotion and loving their neighbors with Christ-like compassion. This commitment will undoubtedly shape their journey through the year, as they strive to glorify God and share His love with the world.