Matthew 1:18-25
New International Version (NIV)
Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[b] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[c] because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[d] (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Benjie Kim continued “The Story,” focusing on an unsung hero in Jesus’ life. In Matthew 1:18 - 25, Joseph learns that Mary was pregnant with child. He considered divorcing her as he thought she had cheated on him, but when an angel told him the truth, Joseph listened to it and stayed with Mary. Joseph was more than just a “good guy,” however. Even before Joseph made his decision, the Bible called Joseph “dikaios” - a righteous man. From the bottom of his heart, he had already chosen to follow God and be sacrificially obedient. He understood that he was part of a bigger story. Like Joseph, we are called to be disciples - to follow another and be like him - Jesus. We too, can seek upright behavior and be involved in God’s story. When we seek the heart of God, our life will and actions will mirror it.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Sermon Rewind 12/3/11 (Cindy Park)
Luke 1:26-28 (NIV)
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Luke 1:35-38 (NIV)
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Cindy Park continued "The Story" series with a message looking at Mary's life and how she fits in with Christ's story. From Luke 1:26-28, 35-38; Mary found favor with the Lord, and she gave birth to Christ. But, the birth of Christ is part of a much bigger story; the birth of Christ points to the death of Christ. And Mary chose to treasure moments with Christ because she knew that soul piercing pain was ahead for her with Jesus' death. What would our lives look like if we treasured moments when we encounter Jesus? What if we committed those moments to our memory, how would that impact our lives? How would that affect the way we respond when our own souls are pierced with pain?
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Sermon Rewind 11/27/11 - Jesus, Messiah
Luke 22:37
New Living Translation (©2007)
"For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: 'He was counted among the rebels.' Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true."
Pastor Peter kicked off the new series "The Story" as we examine and celebrate Jesus and his advent. Jesus claimed to be the Messiah and the deliverer of the Jews, but how can we be sure such a lofty claim is true? After all, many others have claimed to be saviors as well. The difference is that Jesus fulfilled over 60 Messianic prophecies. It's been estimated that a single person being able to fulfill a few prophecies would have a 1 in 10^17 chance of doing so. If the Bible was thus able to correctly predict a Messiah and Jesus was able to perfectly fulfill the role, then how much more do His promises mean? Jesus promises eternal life and peace of mind and heart. Do we believe in our hearts the truth of Jesus' claims and promises? We should, and in this coming season, let us be compelled out of joy to share this experience and love with others!
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives
New Living Translation (©2007)
"For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: 'He was counted among the rebels.' Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true."
Pastor Peter kicked off the new series "The Story" as we examine and celebrate Jesus and his advent. Jesus claimed to be the Messiah and the deliverer of the Jews, but how can we be sure such a lofty claim is true? After all, many others have claimed to be saviors as well. The difference is that Jesus fulfilled over 60 Messianic prophecies. It's been estimated that a single person being able to fulfill a few prophecies would have a 1 in 10^17 chance of doing so. If the Bible was thus able to correctly predict a Messiah and Jesus was able to perfectly fulfill the role, then how much more do His promises mean? Jesus promises eternal life and peace of mind and heart. Do we believe in our hearts the truth of Jesus' claims and promises? We should, and in this coming season, let us be compelled out of joy to share this experience and love with others!
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Sermon rewind 2011.11.13 - The Father's Love
Romans 5:12-21
New Living Translation (NLT)
12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. 13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. 14 Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. 15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Peter Park closed the With series last Sunday with a message from Romans 5:12-21, a message about God's love to us that can never be earned, only given. He loves us…even when we were enemies of Him. Even when we rebel against Him. Even when we disappoint Him. He loves us regardless of our imperfections. His love for us surpasses earthly expectations and relationships. His love can never change in time. With Him, there is no condemnation. Any accusations that He does not love us comes from the devil. God will always walk with us, forgive us, and remind us that He is God, who loves us without fail. Will we be able to understand the depth of His character and love? Will our walk with God go beyond a Sunday morning or a life group meeting?
Will we be able to live… without Him?
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives
New Living Translation (NLT)
12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. 13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. 14 Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. 15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Peter Park closed the With series last Sunday with a message from Romans 5:12-21, a message about God's love to us that can never be earned, only given. He loves us…even when we were enemies of Him. Even when we rebel against Him. Even when we disappoint Him. He loves us regardless of our imperfections. His love for us surpasses earthly expectations and relationships. His love can never change in time. With Him, there is no condemnation. Any accusations that He does not love us comes from the devil. God will always walk with us, forgive us, and remind us that He is God, who loves us without fail. Will we be able to understand the depth of His character and love? Will our walk with God go beyond a Sunday morning or a life group meeting?
Will we be able to live… without Him?
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Sermon Rewind 10/30/11 - After God's Own Heart
I Chronicles 13:7 - 9
New International Version (NIV)
7 They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. 8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.
9 When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. 10 The LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.
2 Samuel 6:14 - 15
New International Version (NIV)
14 Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, 15 while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.
David was a “man after God’s own heart,” in tune with God’s desires despite his faults. How can we also be people after God’s own heart? Benjie Kim retells I Chronicles 13:7 - 10 in which God strikes down a man after David attempts to reclaim the Ark of the Covenant. We see that: 1) Good intentions are not good enough. They can be an excuse for us to not live an obedient life. 2) The willingness to obey God is key. Today, we are freed from following rules because of the blood of Jesus. However, every detail about the state of your heart IS important. 3) The result of obedience is freedom. When we begin to open up the recesses of our hearts, we can be sure of His ability to work in our lives. What do you need to give up to God out of obedience today?
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives
New International Version (NIV)
7 They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. 8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.
9 When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. 10 The LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.
2 Samuel 6:14 - 15
New International Version (NIV)
14 Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, 15 while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.
David was a “man after God’s own heart,” in tune with God’s desires despite his faults. How can we also be people after God’s own heart? Benjie Kim retells I Chronicles 13:7 - 10 in which God strikes down a man after David attempts to reclaim the Ark of the Covenant. We see that: 1) Good intentions are not good enough. They can be an excuse for us to not live an obedient life. 2) The willingness to obey God is key. Today, we are freed from following rules because of the blood of Jesus. However, every detail about the state of your heart IS important. 3) The result of obedience is freedom. When we begin to open up the recesses of our hearts, we can be sure of His ability to work in our lives. What do you need to give up to God out of obedience today?
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Sermon Rewind 10/23/2011 - Abide WITH His love
John 15:9-17
New International Version (NIV)
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
Last Sunday, Peter Park continued the WITH series, further expanding John 15:9-17. As previously learned, Jesus asks us to "abide in the vine" - to be in a deep relationship with Him and bear fruit of love. But we as humans love imperfectly and conditionally, so how do we learn to love? Jesus has shown us true love by laying down His life for us AND his enemies! He gives us the choice to receive and participate WITH this perfect love. Without His love, we cannot love others. But as we build our relationship and "abide" in Him, we learn to love as He does - unfailingly, patiently, and without pride. To end the message, Peter teaches a practical lesson to how to love: by dedicating to your work, your day, your friends, your coworkers, your family, and strangers - "in health and in sickness." Do everything in life WITH God, abiding in his love.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives
New International Version (NIV)
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
Last Sunday, Peter Park continued the WITH series, further expanding John 15:9-17. As previously learned, Jesus asks us to "abide in the vine" - to be in a deep relationship with Him and bear fruit of love. But we as humans love imperfectly and conditionally, so how do we learn to love? Jesus has shown us true love by laying down His life for us AND his enemies! He gives us the choice to receive and participate WITH this perfect love. Without His love, we cannot love others. But as we build our relationship and "abide" in Him, we learn to love as He does - unfailingly, patiently, and without pride. To end the message, Peter teaches a practical lesson to how to love: by dedicating to your work, your day, your friends, your coworkers, your family, and strangers - "in health and in sickness." Do everything in life WITH God, abiding in his love.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives
Monday, October 24, 2011
Sermon Rewind 10/16/11 - Trust & Obey (Abiding WITH God)
John 15: 1-4; 9-11
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
In July, a short term missions (STM) team of seven went to China for two weeks to partner with two organizations, Compassion for Migrant Children and Starfish Project. In many ways, God used their time in China to redeem, restore, and affirm who they are in Christ. They each had moments where they were WITH God. For some of them, it was seeing a bigger picture of God through migrant workers, human trafficking and China; for others it was realizing they were dealing with the lies of unworthiness, value and identity. They all experienced God’s love through the love within their team in community. He affirmed their identity and worth in Christ.
We are worthy despite our past and pains because God chose us to be His sons and daughters. God wants to be in communion WITH us. Pure joy is from abiding WITH God’s will – as you are being fed by the vine. He sees you.
Watch a small glimpse of the STM team’s time in China on Vimeo! http://vimeo.com/30582582
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
In July, a short term missions (STM) team of seven went to China for two weeks to partner with two organizations, Compassion for Migrant Children and Starfish Project. In many ways, God used their time in China to redeem, restore, and affirm who they are in Christ. They each had moments where they were WITH God. For some of them, it was seeing a bigger picture of God through migrant workers, human trafficking and China; for others it was realizing they were dealing with the lies of unworthiness, value and identity. They all experienced God’s love through the love within their team in community. He affirmed their identity and worth in Christ.
We are worthy despite our past and pains because God chose us to be His sons and daughters. God wants to be in communion WITH us. Pure joy is from abiding WITH God’s will – as you are being fed by the vine. He sees you.
Watch a small glimpse of the STM team’s time in China on Vimeo! http://vimeo.com/30582582
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Sermon Rewind 10/4/11 - Guarding Your Heart
Proverbs 4:23
New International Version (NIV)
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
Cindy Park continued the WITH series, reminding us that we’re called to be in relationship with Jesus, where we desire only Him, not to use Him as a means to an ends. In order to be in this type of relationship, we need to monitor and guard our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 states that we need to guard our hearts because it is the source of everything we do. Though we may be doing the “right” things and serving others, problems that may be deeply hidden within our hearts can manifest them in other parts of our lives – perhaps quickness to anger, or malaise being in a ministry. Therefore, it is imperative that we monitor our hearts and search our motives. The only way to truly guard our hearts and heal our souls is by spending time with God, and in real community. As Christ followers, we are not called to obey rules or to serve in ministry, but to be in a relationship with Him.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives
New International Version (NIV)
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
Cindy Park continued the WITH series, reminding us that we’re called to be in relationship with Jesus, where we desire only Him, not to use Him as a means to an ends. In order to be in this type of relationship, we need to monitor and guard our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 states that we need to guard our hearts because it is the source of everything we do. Though we may be doing the “right” things and serving others, problems that may be deeply hidden within our hearts can manifest them in other parts of our lives – perhaps quickness to anger, or malaise being in a ministry. Therefore, it is imperative that we monitor our hearts and search our motives. The only way to truly guard our hearts and heal our souls is by spending time with God, and in real community. As Christ followers, we are not called to obey rules or to serve in ministry, but to be in a relationship with Him.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Sermon Rewind 9/18/11 – Abba, I Belong to You
Mark 14:32-36 New International Version (NIV)
Gethsemane
32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba,[a] Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
Benjie Kim continued the WITH series with a sermon on what it looks like to have an intimate relationship with God. He shared from Mark 14:32-36, when Jesus prayed in Gethsemane because he was deeply distressed and troubled, and his soul was overwhelmed with sorrow. God calls us to have two traits to overcoming the darkest times in our lives: (1) having an authentic relationship with proper community and practicing complete transparency is essential. We are called to share the depths of our souls to the people in our lives that can walk with us and guide us. (2) having a relationship with with God that reflects Abba (daddy, papa, my own dear father). Our relationship with God ought to reflect a very intimate relationship between father and son/daughter. Healthy solitude is the opposite of escape. Take time in your life to have our hands open to claim and pray, “Abba, I belong to you.”
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Sermon Rewind 9/11/11 - Abiding In Jesus
John 15:5
New International Version (NIV)
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Pastor Peter began a new sermon series on what it means to be just “WITH” God. God is usually a priority in our lives, but how often is He THE priority? We often ask and receive things from God, or do things for God, but do we ever just BE with God? In John 15:5, Jesus warns that abiding in Him is a matter of life and death. We are dependent on Jesus for life, and can only grow as a result of being connected to Him. Growing is a result of simply being in communion with God, not something we must do. Do we have a yearning to be with God as an end in itself rather than just as a means for comfort and provision? In the coming weeks, NOC will explore ways to just be WITH God.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives
New International Version (NIV)
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Pastor Peter began a new sermon series on what it means to be just “WITH” God. God is usually a priority in our lives, but how often is He THE priority? We often ask and receive things from God, or do things for God, but do we ever just BE with God? In John 15:5, Jesus warns that abiding in Him is a matter of life and death. We are dependent on Jesus for life, and can only grow as a result of being connected to Him. Growing is a result of simply being in communion with God, not something we must do. Do we have a yearning to be with God as an end in itself rather than just as a means for comfort and provision? In the coming weeks, NOC will explore ways to just be WITH God.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Sermon Rewind 9/4/11 - Reliance on God
1 Chronicles 21:1 - 8
David Counts the Fighting Men
1 Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are.”
3 But Joab replied, “May the LORD multiply his troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all my lord’s subjects? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?”
4 The king’s word, however, overruled Joab; so Joab left and went throughout Israel and then came back to Jerusalem. 5 Joab reported the number of the fighting men to David: In all Israel there were one million one hundred thousand men who could handle a sword, including four hundred and seventy thousand in Judah.
6 But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, because the king’s command was repulsive to him. 7 This command was also evil in the sight of God; so he punished Israel.
8 Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by doing this. Now, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.”
Cindy Park wrapped up Soul Talk, with her message from 1 Chronicles 21:1-8 about King David's prideful self reliance. When David took a census of soldiers in Israel, he did so to find security in that number rather than in God. He gave in to the enemy's lies, and found his confidence apart from God. Do we truly rely on God, trusting He can carry our burdens or do we deceive ourselves into thinking WE are the ones in control, foolishly carrying our burdens alone?
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
David Counts the Fighting Men
1 Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are.”
3 But Joab replied, “May the LORD multiply his troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all my lord’s subjects? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?”
4 The king’s word, however, overruled Joab; so Joab left and went throughout Israel and then came back to Jerusalem. 5 Joab reported the number of the fighting men to David: In all Israel there were one million one hundred thousand men who could handle a sword, including four hundred and seventy thousand in Judah.
6 But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, because the king’s command was repulsive to him. 7 This command was also evil in the sight of God; so he punished Israel.
8 Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by doing this. Now, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.”
Cindy Park wrapped up Soul Talk, with her message from 1 Chronicles 21:1-8 about King David's prideful self reliance. When David took a census of soldiers in Israel, he did so to find security in that number rather than in God. He gave in to the enemy's lies, and found his confidence apart from God. Do we truly rely on God, trusting He can carry our burdens or do we deceive ourselves into thinking WE are the ones in control, foolishly carrying our burdens alone?
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
Monday, August 29, 2011
Sermon Rewind 8/21/11 - Spiritual Zeroes
John 21:15-18 - New International Version (NIV)
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
Benjie Kim's message last Sunday was from John 21:15-18, where Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Three times Peter says he loves Jesus. Jesus then tells Peter to care His sheep - to lead His church. He had disappointed Him many times - even denying that he knew Him three times, and being admonished for preventing His crucifixion. He had the faith of a "spiritual zero" - yet, like the faith of a child, he knew Jesus was the Christ, the son of God.
Only when we have this kind of faith are we able to have His undying love and affirmation. His undeserved grace allows us to worship.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
Benjie Kim's message last Sunday was from John 21:15-18, where Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Three times Peter says he loves Jesus. Jesus then tells Peter to care His sheep - to lead His church. He had disappointed Him many times - even denying that he knew Him three times, and being admonished for preventing His crucifixion. He had the faith of a "spiritual zero" - yet, like the faith of a child, he knew Jesus was the Christ, the son of God.
Only when we have this kind of faith are we able to have His undying love and affirmation. His undeserved grace allows us to worship.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Sermon Rewind 8/14/11 - Respect the Owner
Title: Respect the Owner
Verses: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Galatians 2:20
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 NIV)
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 NIV)
Pastor Peter opened his Soul Talk comparing owners (who have paid the price), renters (who tend to abuse things), and borrowers (who take care of a possession out of respect for the owner). God not only created us, but paid a price for us, and is rightfully our owner. Often we act as though we are owned by others: our jobs, our families, our futures, our peers. We need to allow God His rightful place and then to act accordingly, as borrowers, not even renters. By living our lives as God directs, we live our best life possible.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
Verses: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Galatians 2:20
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 NIV)
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 NIV)
Pastor Peter opened his Soul Talk comparing owners (who have paid the price), renters (who tend to abuse things), and borrowers (who take care of a possession out of respect for the owner). God not only created us, but paid a price for us, and is rightfully our owner. Often we act as though we are owned by others: our jobs, our families, our futures, our peers. We need to allow God His rightful place and then to act accordingly, as borrowers, not even renters. By living our lives as God directs, we live our best life possible.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Sermon Rewind 8/7/11 - Chaos to His Purpose
Matthew 9:18-26
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman
18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.
Tommy Nixon continued the Soul Talk series with a message about chaos in our lives. From Matthew 9:18-26, the faithful, bleeding woman demonstrates three lessons on how to react to chaos in our lives: (1.) Courage, it takes courage to get over/face the lies and barriers to approach Jesus. (2.) Belief and action, it takes belief that leads to action. Her faith healed her. (3.) Desperate, it takes desperation for Jesus. Your freedom is a result of love. We are so focused on our own pain and chaos we miss out on the beautiful bigger picture. He can take chaos and redeem it for His purpose. In chaos, God's character doesn't change. When was the last time you reached out to God?
Sunday, August 7, 2011
The Heart Of A Champion
Philippians 3:7-16
New International Version (NIV)
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Benjie Kim shared this past weekend on what it means to be a true champion – someone who conquers and presses on against adversity. As one of the first disciples of Jesus, Paul showed true courage and strength in following Christ. He shares in Philippians 3:7 – 16 three ways to develop the heart of a champion:
1) Clear eyes – We must keep our eyes on the goal – Jesus! Distractions and difficulties can often makes us lose sight of what matters.
2) Full hearts – We all have moments and people who fill our hearts up with joy and love, which gives us the ability to press on. Seek these out, but most of all, fill up your heart with God’s love.
3) Can’t lose – Realize that we have the One true God on our side. He always has our backs and will never let us fall.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
New International Version (NIV)
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Benjie Kim shared this past weekend on what it means to be a true champion – someone who conquers and presses on against adversity. As one of the first disciples of Jesus, Paul showed true courage and strength in following Christ. He shares in Philippians 3:7 – 16 three ways to develop the heart of a champion:
1) Clear eyes – We must keep our eyes on the goal – Jesus! Distractions and difficulties can often makes us lose sight of what matters.
2) Full hearts – We all have moments and people who fill our hearts up with joy and love, which gives us the ability to press on. Seek these out, but most of all, fill up your heart with God’s love.
3) Can’t lose – Realize that we have the One true God on our side. He always has our backs and will never let us fall.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
Friday, August 5, 2011
GOD's Blog (humor)
relax. it's supposed to be funny. OTOH, what *WOULD* GOD's blog be like? many find the Bible TL:DR. and for sure, everything in the comments is all man.
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2011/08/08/110808sh_shouts_simms
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2011/08/08/110808sh_shouts_simms
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Sermon rewind 7/24/2011 - God as Mother
Genesis 1:26-27
New International Version (NIV)
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Continuing the Soul Talk series, April Diaz's message last Sunday was about knowing God as mom - and how it was a part of His design (Genesis 1). We always hear about God as provider and as a leader - like a dad would be - but He is also the merciful and compassionate One - like moms. He is comforter and caregiver, and is a nurturer, who cares more about our character than our comforts.
Hope in Christ means no matter what happens in life's troubles, He is a constant, just like what a mother should be to her own children.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
New International Version (NIV)
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Continuing the Soul Talk series, April Diaz's message last Sunday was about knowing God as mom - and how it was a part of His design (Genesis 1). We always hear about God as provider and as a leader - like a dad would be - but He is also the merciful and compassionate One - like moms. He is comforter and caregiver, and is a nurturer, who cares more about our character than our comforts.
Hope in Christ means no matter what happens in life's troubles, He is a constant, just like what a mother should be to her own children.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
Monday, July 18, 2011
Sermon Rewind 7/17/11 - The Discipline of Pausing
Exodus 20:2-11
New Living Translation (NLT)
2 “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.
3 “You must not have any other god but me.
4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those[a] who love me and obey my commands.
7 “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
Why should we observe the Sabbath? Charles Lee shared the ways that the Sabbath is a subversive opportunity to spend time with God in a culture obsessed with productivity.
1. The Sabbath is rooted in Covenant. God commands us to rest every seventh day.
2. It is evidence of trust. When we take a day off from working, we trust God as our provider.
3. It is a relational legacy. We can model and show our kids how to spend a day just being a part of God’s people.
4. It was specifically designed for us by God, to engage with our hearts directly.
5. It facilitates an opportunity for compassion, mercy and justice.
6. It is a pathway to joy. We “get to” be intentional with God.
7. It foreshadows eternity. The moments of rest and being with God are a glimpse of what Heaven will be like.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
New Living Translation (NLT)
2 “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.
3 “You must not have any other god but me.
4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those[a] who love me and obey my commands.
7 “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
Why should we observe the Sabbath? Charles Lee shared the ways that the Sabbath is a subversive opportunity to spend time with God in a culture obsessed with productivity.
1. The Sabbath is rooted in Covenant. God commands us to rest every seventh day.
2. It is evidence of trust. When we take a day off from working, we trust God as our provider.
3. It is a relational legacy. We can model and show our kids how to spend a day just being a part of God’s people.
4. It was specifically designed for us by God, to engage with our hearts directly.
5. It facilitates an opportunity for compassion, mercy and justice.
6. It is a pathway to joy. We “get to” be intentional with God.
7. It foreshadows eternity. The moments of rest and being with God are a glimpse of what Heaven will be like.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Sermon Rewind 7/10/11 - The G.O.S.P.E.L.
1 John 4:10-12
New International Version (NIV)
10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
Tommy Nixon taught us that the entire Scripture is the gospel and the message is GOD’s love for us. Five lessons about love from 1 John 4:7-21 are:
1. GOD is love (verse 8). He loves us enough to allow us to choose to love Him or not. Because He is also just, choosing wrongly (sin) demands a punishment.
2. Love is sacrificial (verse 10). Rather than desert us, GOD sent Jesus to be our propitiation (payment).
3. Love is the heart of Christian witness (verse 13). We are called to both live it out and share the message explicitly.
4. Love is our assurance (verse 16). GOD’s love in our lives is evidence of our relationship with Jesus.
5. Love is our confidence in judgment (verse 17). In addition, it can be our confidence in every facet of our earthly lives.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
New International Version (NIV)
10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
Tommy Nixon taught us that the entire Scripture is the gospel and the message is GOD’s love for us. Five lessons about love from 1 John 4:7-21 are:
1. GOD is love (verse 8). He loves us enough to allow us to choose to love Him or not. Because He is also just, choosing wrongly (sin) demands a punishment.
2. Love is sacrificial (verse 10). Rather than desert us, GOD sent Jesus to be our propitiation (payment).
3. Love is the heart of Christian witness (verse 13). We are called to both live it out and share the message explicitly.
4. Love is our assurance (verse 16). GOD’s love in our lives is evidence of our relationship with Jesus.
5. Love is our confidence in judgment (verse 17). In addition, it can be our confidence in every facet of our earthly lives.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Sunday Rewind 7/3/11 - Summer 2011: Let It Rock, and Unleash Us
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
New International Version (NIV)
Paul’s Use of His Freedom
19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
Dave Brubaker continued the Soul Talk Sermon Series with the secret to having a great summer (and beyond!) from 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 by using the Simon Sinek Golden Circle Model: Asking "Why? How? What?" The secret to having a summer to remember: Start with the "Why." Figure out why we do things that drive us. Ask "How." Meet exotic people (people who are not like us). Third culture means adaptability in the midst of pain and discomfort. Engage with that Third Culture person. Finally, ask "What." Take a risk and go the distance by being bold and getting dirty. Dave leaves us with two questions: Why are you doing what you're doing? How far are you willing to go? God unleashed you to do something greater, take that risk.
by Arnold Wang
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
New International Version (NIV)
Paul’s Use of His Freedom
19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
Dave Brubaker continued the Soul Talk Sermon Series with the secret to having a great summer (and beyond!) from 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 by using the Simon Sinek Golden Circle Model: Asking "Why? How? What?" The secret to having a summer to remember: Start with the "Why." Figure out why we do things that drive us. Ask "How." Meet exotic people (people who are not like us). Third culture means adaptability in the midst of pain and discomfort. Engage with that Third Culture person. Finally, ask "What." Take a risk and go the distance by being bold and getting dirty. Dave leaves us with two questions: Why are you doing what you're doing? How far are you willing to go? God unleashed you to do something greater, take that risk.
by Arnold Wang
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
Monday, July 4, 2011
Sermon Rewind 6/26/11 - The Secret
Matthew 6:25-32
New International Version (NIV)
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
Peter Park began the Soul Talk series this Sunday, where speakers shares issues currently on their heart. Peter spoke of our misplaced faith and our tendency to fall into safe, predictable patterns in life. Though we often have dreams that we want to realize, we put them aside as the realities of the world creep in and we worry - of money, the future, careers, stability. The truth is that the world can never fully provide what we want - the more we try to control it the more bound we are by its fraudulent rules. Matthew 6:25 - 32 teaches us to live in freedom - to focus on things NOT of this world and to let go of our worries to our God, the one constant and guarantee. Do you have faith in the promises of a God who provides? Seek first the Kingdom of God.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
New International Version (NIV)
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
Peter Park began the Soul Talk series this Sunday, where speakers shares issues currently on their heart. Peter spoke of our misplaced faith and our tendency to fall into safe, predictable patterns in life. Though we often have dreams that we want to realize, we put them aside as the realities of the world creep in and we worry - of money, the future, careers, stability. The truth is that the world can never fully provide what we want - the more we try to control it the more bound we are by its fraudulent rules. Matthew 6:25 - 32 teaches us to live in freedom - to focus on things NOT of this world and to let go of our worries to our God, the one constant and guarantee. Do you have faith in the promises of a God who provides? Seek first the Kingdom of God.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Friday, June 24, 2011
Sermon rewind 6/19/2011 - True Identity
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.[a]”
39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered.
“If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would[b] do what Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”
Tommy Nixon's message on Father's Day was about identity, and referred to John 8:31-48. The teachers of Jesus' time questioned Him about who He was. Our identity can be shaped by our past, our family, and what others say about us. We can choose to believe in what others say about us and what the world says about us, or we can choose His Word, where we are loved as children of God, created in His image and never abandoned. Turn to Him. Love others. Christ is eternally trustworthy. His truth stands up in a world of lies created by the father of lies. If you really knew and were to accept these things, how would your life look like living our that truth? To be loosened from the chains of doubt and shame, and experience freedom?
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.[a]”
39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered.
“If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would[b] do what Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”
Tommy Nixon's message on Father's Day was about identity, and referred to John 8:31-48. The teachers of Jesus' time questioned Him about who He was. Our identity can be shaped by our past, our family, and what others say about us. We can choose to believe in what others say about us and what the world says about us, or we can choose His Word, where we are loved as children of God, created in His image and never abandoned. Turn to Him. Love others. Christ is eternally trustworthy. His truth stands up in a world of lies created by the father of lies. If you really knew and were to accept these things, how would your life look like living our that truth? To be loosened from the chains of doubt and shame, and experience freedom?
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Sermon Rewind 6/5/11 - Give Till You Need Jesus
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (New International Version)
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Tommy Nixon continued the Empire State of Mind series with a sermon from 1 Timothy 6:17-19 about whether we are hindering our relationship with God because of our lack of giving. Our common perceptions of giving are full of arrogance. God’s perceptions of giving are relational. When we think of our relationship with God as a transaction instead of transformational, we build up barriers that hinder our relationship with God. God created us to be in deep relationship with Him without barriers. Giving of our time, talents and treasures is an essential act of affirming who we follow. Every act of giving is a reflection of our faithfulness to God. We should give enough so that it forces us to need Jesus and therefore spend time with Him – that’s all He wants from us! How are you giving of yourself? How does it look?
Listen to this sermon and others online!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Sermon Rewind 5/22/11 - Betting Our Trust & Security In Our Father
Exodus 16:13-21,31
13 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat. 16 This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer[a] for each person you have in your tent.’” 17 The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. 18 And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed. 19 Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.” 20 However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them. 21 Each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. 31 The people of Israel called the bread manna.[a] It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey.
Benjie Kim kicked off the Empire State of Mind Series with a message from Exodus 16:13-21,31 about trust and security in our Father. God is always consistent in providing for us. Benjie shared three phases of his current life: 1. "The God of War," a phase of anger; 2. "Connecting the Dots," a phase of reasoning his anger and having the trust and security in the wrong place; and 3. "You Got to Bet Big to Win Big," a phase where God is asking us to pick up our cross and trust His provision. All of us are called to make radical decisions. God, what do you want? What is your will? What is your kingdom purpose? Daniel Chen, from our NOC family, shared his journey of trust. Rest in the presence that God’s goodness is abundant and great. Are are we truly followers of Jesus, or are we merely fans?
Listen to this sermon and others online!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Sermon Rewind 5/15/11
God Loves Community
I John 4:7 - 12
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
Peter Park closed the Wonder.Full series with a look at God’s epic love in the context of community. In I John 4:7 - 12, we see that love not only comes from God, but that He IS love. God showed His love for us by sending us Jesus so that we may have eternal life with Him. But, a relationship is always proactive and reciprocal. Thus, God asks us to love each other. Why is this? Because when we love each other, God’s love is brought to full expression, and He becomes tangible. It is only through our actions that God’s love becomes real and draws others to Him.
Jennifer Ryu shared how God’s love became more real as she attended the Oasis life group. This was only made possible when she remained steadfast in her pursuit to know God better. Do we pursue Him as He pursues us?
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
I John 4:7 - 12
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
Peter Park closed the Wonder.Full series with a look at God’s epic love in the context of community. In I John 4:7 - 12, we see that love not only comes from God, but that He IS love. God showed His love for us by sending us Jesus so that we may have eternal life with Him. But, a relationship is always proactive and reciprocal. Thus, God asks us to love each other. Why is this? Because when we love each other, God’s love is brought to full expression, and He becomes tangible. It is only through our actions that God’s love becomes real and draws others to Him.
Jennifer Ryu shared how God’s love became more real as she attended the Oasis life group. This was only made possible when she remained steadfast in her pursuit to know God better. Do we pursue Him as He pursues us?
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Monday, May 16, 2011
Running to Make a Difference
by Chloe Lee
If anyone were to ask me, “Could you run a 5K?” I would probably say, “No.” I'm a terrible runner, only good at sprinting, because I get awful windburns when I run long distances. The reason I ran the race was to help some person that needed help. My Refuge House (MRH) foundation provides a safe place for young women and children that are victims of sex trafficking to live in the Philippines. What motivated me the most to run the 5K was just to think about the victims and the feat MRH is trying to achieve. I bet some of the sex victims are probably about my age and are living homeless on the streets. It's pretty depressing to think about. What if it had been you living on the streets, and one day being kidnapped and taken away from the closest thing you can call home?
Velocity ran together during the race, except for a few other people. The staff was very friendly and sometimes we would jog while chatting with other fellow runners. It was fun to yell out and hear other kids yelling in response. It was also very tiring, and one time when we were trying to run up a very steep hill, we were yelling our heads off like maniacs while we tried to race up the hill. Each step you take may not seem like much, but each step takes up one step closer to the goal you are trying to achieve.
At the end of the race, a man stepped up in front of the microphone and told us a story. He told us that a little boy was at the beach throwing starfish that had been washed up along the beach. Then a fisherman approached him and asked,"Why are you doing that? It's not going to make a difference because there are millions of starfish in the ocean." Then the little boy says, "I bet I just made a difference to the starfish I just threw back." The pastor told us that when you do something good for a person, even if it isn't a lot, you may not think it makes a difference, but it does because even if you do something as little as that, it makes a big difference to someone else.
My Refuge House (MRH) provides an immediate safe home to young women and children rescued from sex-trafficking in the Philippines. It is dedicated to alleviating the effects of abuse and trauma sustained by these victims.
MRH started 2 years ago with a few Christians who wanted to respond to the horrors of human trafficking. After renting a house for a year and running a successful program, they embarked on a new effort to build a safe house that they could own and expand as God moved. On May 8th, 2011, MRH officially opened the first phase of their safe house. About a quarter of the funds to build the new building was contributed by NOC members! The next phase of the building process is making comfortable living spaces to receive more girls into the safe house. $30,000 will build a dorm pod for 6 girls to live. If you would like more info on how you can pray and contribute to this project, please email johnny lee at Johnny@fullertonact.com
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Sermon Rewind 5/8 - GOD Loves Moms
Ephesians 2:8-10 (NASB)
Cindy Park continued Wonder.Full with a message focused on mothers, but directed to us all. We are GOD’s masterpieces and should reflect the Master’s hand on us and in us. Our lives should point others towards Christ. When we accept Christ, we receive both purpose (“We are not saved BY good works, but FOR good works”), and identity (“when we know who we are, we know how to live”), even when we don’t see the good in them. GOD can restore and redeem any and all aspects of our lives, so long as we are obedient.
Audrey Tang read a Mother’s Day letter to her mother Sue, thanking her, affirming her, and blessing her.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
8For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Cindy Park continued Wonder.Full with a message focused on mothers, but directed to us all. We are GOD’s masterpieces and should reflect the Master’s hand on us and in us. Our lives should point others towards Christ. When we accept Christ, we receive both purpose (“We are not saved BY good works, but FOR good works”), and identity (“when we know who we are, we know how to live”), even when we don’t see the good in them. GOD can restore and redeem any and all aspects of our lives, so long as we are obedient.
Audrey Tang read a Mother’s Day letter to her mother Sue, thanking her, affirming her, and blessing her.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Sermon rewind 5/1 - Wonder.full Trust
Psalm 46 (New International Version, ©2011)
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the LORD has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Peter Park continues the Wonder.full series with a message from Psalms 46 - a familiar passage for many Christians about "being still and know that He is God", but it is more than just that. When we trust God and fear God, there is little to fear about our own worries in this world. His awe cannot be understood by mortals, His love is as solid as a rock. Kumi then shared about how even a tsunami in Japan can be used by Him to bring unity and strength to His church and His glory to a nation that needs it.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the LORD has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Peter Park continues the Wonder.full series with a message from Psalms 46 - a familiar passage for many Christians about "being still and know that He is God", but it is more than just that. When we trust God and fear God, there is little to fear about our own worries in this world. His awe cannot be understood by mortals, His love is as solid as a rock. Kumi then shared about how even a tsunami in Japan can be used by Him to bring unity and strength to His church and His glory to a nation that needs it.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Before I Was a Mom
By Sue TangBefore I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Sermon Rewind 4/24/11
Wonder.Full God
Psalm 139:1-18 (New International Version, ©2011)
Psalm 139
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
Newsong NOC celebrated this past Easter Sunday and God’s epic love story through song, dance, videos, and good food. Pastor Peter reminded us how God is so powerful, yet so personal. We were each lovingly handmade by Him, and He continuously pursues us so that we can be with Him forever. Though we may be separated by our sin or unwillingness, God never gives up. His ultimate plan to return us to Him was completed that fateful day 2000 years ago through Jesus’ death on the cross. Through it He proves His power over death and the ability to give eternal life! He is risen! Amen!
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Psalm 139:1-18 (New International Version, ©2011)
Psalm 139
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
Newsong NOC celebrated this past Easter Sunday and God’s epic love story through song, dance, videos, and good food. Pastor Peter reminded us how God is so powerful, yet so personal. We were each lovingly handmade by Him, and He continuously pursues us so that we can be with Him forever. Though we may be separated by our sin or unwillingness, God never gives up. His ultimate plan to return us to Him was completed that fateful day 2000 years ago through Jesus’ death on the cross. Through it He proves His power over death and the ability to give eternal life! He is risen! Amen!
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Sermon Rewind - 4/17/2011 - Ruth: Receive Like the Beggar
Benjie Kim ends the Benchwarmers series with his take on Ruth. She was from the hated land of Moab and yet God still used her to demonstrate the beauty and wonder of hesed - an extraordinary act of kindness, love, and self-giving. Our calling as followers of Christ is to not only demonstrate hesed, but to also take on the posture of the beggar - in order to receive God's love with openness and humility.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Friday, April 15, 2011
Sermon Rewind - 4/10/2011 - Thomas - From Doubting Benchwarmer to Sacrificial Starter
John 11:5-16 (New International Version, ©2011)
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples,“Let us go back to Judea.”
8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”
9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”
11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”
12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Sermon rewind 3/27/2011 - Naaman - An Everyday Hero
Cindy Park continued the Benchwarmers series with her message - the healing of Naaman - from 2 Kings 5. Naaman went to Elisha, expecting to meet him and be instantly healed. Naaman expected a heroic cure, however, was instead asked to simply wash himself in the Jordan River. Fortunately, Naaman's servants challenged him to put aside his pride and disappointment and obey Elisha's instructions.
We are not always asked to do dramatic, heroic things, but rather humbly obey and submit to God's call on our lives, even if the daily tasks seem ordinary. We're called to be faithful with the time and resources He's given us, and to engage with the people He's put in our lives. The everyday tasks in our lives may not feel heroic, but we need to trust in God's sovereign plans, knowing that in our obedience, we get to part of His epic story.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
We are not always asked to do dramatic, heroic things, but rather humbly obey and submit to God's call on our lives, even if the daily tasks seem ordinary. We're called to be faithful with the time and resources He's given us, and to engage with the people He's put in our lives. The everyday tasks in our lives may not feel heroic, but we need to trust in God's sovereign plans, knowing that in our obedience, we get to part of His epic story.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Our Children Project
By Sarah Salcido
After returning from a vision trip this past summer, the Lord placed a desire in my heart to invest time into developing relationships with others who have been marginalized in our society. Our vision team met a group of individuals in the Philippines who are involved in a ministry that goes into an impoverished area week after week. This ministry simply loves on people by listening to their stories and praying for their needs; I was in awe of their dedication and the amount of time they give to others. In the way that the Lord is relentless in His pursuit of us, I saw a glimpse of how we as Christ followers can be the hands and feet of Jesus by pursing meaningful relationships with others who may feel unseen.
When I returned home from our vision trip, I started praying for an opportunity to get involved in our own community and I became aware of Our Children Project. This ministry involves spending time with children who live in a group home due to immigration detention. Through this ministry I have gotten to know the stories of the girls that live there and have learned more about issues related to immigration. Immigration can be a controversial topic, but this ministry has allowed me to gain a better understanding of how God sees and loves these children at the group home: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart” (Zechariah 7:9-10). The opportunity to get to know the girls at the group home has drawn me closer to God’s heart and the things that matter to Him. I came into Our Children Project hoping to bless others and in return I have been changed.
Our Children Project will be launching new volunteer teams in April! There are opportunities to volunteer with girls or boys. If the Lord has placed a desire in your heart to love others in a tangible way and are interested in being apart of this transformational ministry you can attend a training this Saturday, April 2nd from 10:00am-12:00 pm. I know you will be blessed! For more information you can contact Bethany Anderson at bethanyanderson@solidarityrising.org
Saturday, April 2nd 10:00am-12:00pm
Crittenton Offices
801 E. Chapman, Ste. 203 Fullerton, CA 92831
Light refreshments will be served
To RSVP for the above training, please contact Bethany.
After returning from a vision trip this past summer, the Lord placed a desire in my heart to invest time into developing relationships with others who have been marginalized in our society. Our vision team met a group of individuals in the Philippines who are involved in a ministry that goes into an impoverished area week after week. This ministry simply loves on people by listening to their stories and praying for their needs; I was in awe of their dedication and the amount of time they give to others. In the way that the Lord is relentless in His pursuit of us, I saw a glimpse of how we as Christ followers can be the hands and feet of Jesus by pursing meaningful relationships with others who may feel unseen.
When I returned home from our vision trip, I started praying for an opportunity to get involved in our own community and I became aware of Our Children Project. This ministry involves spending time with children who live in a group home due to immigration detention. Through this ministry I have gotten to know the stories of the girls that live there and have learned more about issues related to immigration. Immigration can be a controversial topic, but this ministry has allowed me to gain a better understanding of how God sees and loves these children at the group home: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart” (Zechariah 7:9-10). The opportunity to get to know the girls at the group home has drawn me closer to God’s heart and the things that matter to Him. I came into Our Children Project hoping to bless others and in return I have been changed.
Our Children Project will be launching new volunteer teams in April! There are opportunities to volunteer with girls or boys. If the Lord has placed a desire in your heart to love others in a tangible way and are interested in being apart of this transformational ministry you can attend a training this Saturday, April 2nd from 10:00am-12:00 pm. I know you will be blessed! For more information you can contact Bethany Anderson at bethanyanderson@solidarityrising.org
Saturday, April 2nd 10:00am-12:00pm
Crittenton Offices
801 E. Chapman, Ste. 203 Fullerton, CA 92831
Light refreshments will be served
To RSVP for the above training, please contact Bethany.
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