Sermon Rewind 11/24/2013 - Oceans: True Conviction

Revelation 3:14-20

New International Version (NIV)

To the Church in Laodicea

14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come inand eat with that person, and they with me.

Benjie Kim concluded the Oceans series by teaching from Revelation 3, 14-20 on the theme of self-sufficiency.  Revelation 3:14 - 20 says "So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth!"  Many people take this to mean that it is better to be either a strong Christian, or a non-believer, than to be a lukewarm Christian.  Benjie described the background of the passage - it was written to the city of Laodicea, which was a prosperous city that did not need God.  But God's intention is never to guilt or shame us into taking action, true conviction comes from a life/spirit transformation.  Laodicea may have been rich, but the true riches come from gold refined by fire, true riches come from God who convicts us with love.  We may think we are self sufficient, but all blessings really come from God.

by Kenny Yamada

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Sermon Rewind 11/17/2013 - Oceans: A Relationship That Transforms

Psalm 42:1-2

New International Version (NIV)
For the director of music. A maskil[c] of the Sons of Korah.

1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
    so my soul pants for you, my God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
    When can I go and meet with God?

Tommy Nixon continued the Oceans series by showing us how our desire to simplify GOD into a one-dimensional being is often expressed in unbiblical statements such as "everything happens for a [good] reason," "GOD will never give me more than I can handle," and "GOD is testing me."  While GOD is too much for us to completely understand, even a grasp of His multi-faceted nature requires a relationship with Him.  And He loves us too much to settle for a transactional relationship.  He wants to have a transformational relationship with us.

Tommy offered three keys to a transformational relationship as demonstrated by (probably) David in Psalms 42 and 43:
1.  Talk with GOD - have an honest conversation, one that is two-way and allows for real emotions like anger and disappointment.
2.  Ask for two things:
    a.  GOD to right wrongs, and
    b.  GOD to restore things to their proper place.
3.  Speak words of Life, not Death (negativity, hatred)
    a.  command your soul, and
    b.  speak into the future in faith.

By Chris Cheung

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Sermon Rewind 11/10/13 - Oceans: Entering The Presence of God

Exodus 4:10-17

New International Version (NIV)

10 Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”
11 The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”
13 But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”
14 Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it.”

Benjie Kim continued the Oceans series, recounting the story of Moses. It can be hard to believe in a God we can’t see. We often think to ourselves that if God tangibly manifested Himself in front of us, we would believe. However, we forget that throughout the Bible, entering the presence of God was difficult, and cause for fear and cowering. 

God calls us instead to pursue the journey in the present. This life is a test and preparation for the next life. The reward is not the promise of things, it is the promise of God. Can we take risks and pursue God-sized dreams, learning to trust in God no matter what the outcome? When we do and trust in Jesus in the deepest parts of our souls, we will be changed, becoming readied to experience His full glory.

Moses’ story was not just a story about miracles - it was about God being faithful for a broken people, reminding them of the promise of His presence always.

by Sonny Luong-si

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Sermon Rewind 11/3/2013 - Oceans: Rocking The Boat

Luke 5:1-11

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

5 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

When Peter stepped into the ocean, he stepped into the chaos of rolling seas, thundering skies, and uncertainty. Dave Brubaker began the Oceans series asking: How do we react when our lives are in the midst of chaos? We are called to take a stand and not be moved, even in changing and troubling times. Reading from Luke 5, Dave posits these truths about following Jesus.

1) It is inconvenient, just as when He told to Peter to fish again despite a long night of work. Can we accept when he comes into our lives and disrupts things?

2) It means relinquishing control - He wants to commandeer all aspects of our lives, just as He used the fishermen’s boats as a pulpit.

3) It is unconventional - He will often ask us to do something completely different. Will we, like Peter, agree simply because He says so?

4) It takes the willingness to leave everything - our money and our independence - instead, banking on Jesus to make us the person that He wants us to be.

By Ed Chu

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Sermon Rewind 10/27/13 - Unity In The Community

Ephesians 4:3-6, 15-16

3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Benjie Kim echoed the Apostle Paul's stance that avoiding division within the church is critical if The Gospel is to be spread. Unity must be an intentional goal because division occurs naturally in a diverse community. In Ephesians, Paul lists out three solutions we can follow:

1) Trust. We need to trust that God has a plan for our lives and for NOC. Though we are all broken humans, do we trust that God can work in them?
 

2) In all things, act and speak the truth in love. Avoid gossip and slander, and instead seek out engagement and conversation.

 3) Radical acts of service. Benjie encourages us to go out of our way to serve the greater good, in all aspects of our lives. When others see a community serve in this way, they will see Jesus. 

What is one act of radical service you can do for someone this week? Let us strive to be a church of unity.

by Chris Cheung

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Sermon Rewind 9/8/13 - Marked By God

Ephesians 1
New International Version (NIV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To God’s holy people in Ephesus,[a] the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.



Dave Brubaker talked about how the excitement of a church retreat often fades after it ends. Many times after a retreat, people say "Well, it's back to reality" but in actuality, the Bible is the true reality. Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus, and Jesus met him and changed his life.

Dave drew inspiration from Ephesians 1, which talks about how God chose us and gives us every spiritual blessing. Dave summarized Ephesians 1 with the phrase "You have what it takes." Often, we underestimate ourselves - sometimes others see our strengths that we are blind to, and sometimes we have strengths that others are unaware of. Dave encouraged us to have a greater awareness of our capabilities and use them for God.


Jesus told his disciples, "I will make you fishers of men." Jesus will make you what you need to be to do his work. The Holy Spirit seals us and owns us, much like Andy in 'Toy Story' wrote his name on Woody's boot.

by Kenny Yamada

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Sermon Rewind 8/25/13 - Soul Talk: Facing Tragedy

Dave Brubaker concluded the Soul Talk series by answering, "How does the church address tragedies of life and depression?"

When people face tragedies, well meaning friends try to give advice, like 'There's a plan'. In the Bible, Job suffered many afflictions, and his friends’ advice didn't help. Dave explained that many times, the best thing to do is just be there for your friends, say nothing and simply be a caring and listening ear.

In 2 Corinthians: 7-9, Paul recounts a “thorn in the flesh” that God would not take away from him. But God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Sometimes God does give us things that even we can't handle. Why? So that we will fall on our knees before him.

Dave concluded by sharing the story of a lesbian woman who near the end of her life, was filled with struggles and doubts. She met Mother Teresa, and poured out her heart to her.  Mother Teresa said few words, but expressed her love for the woman - the thing she needed most.
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by Kenny Yamada

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Sermon Rewind 8/18/13 - Soul Talk: How Do I Love Someone Who Is Hard To Love?

Last Sunday Alex Wu continued the Soul Talk series and addressed the question: “How do I love someone who is hard to love?”

To really understand the question, Alex asked the following:

1. Who does the hard to love refer to? It can be someone you don’t like, as well as someone you are simply indifferent to.

2. What makes loving these people hard? Because we view love on a scale of transactions. When we love someone we expect to be loved back.

3. Why should we love them? Because Jesus says to love God, and to love your neighbor as yourself.

4. How do we do it? Following I Corinthians 13:4 - “Love is patient, love is kind.”

- We should pray a prayer that taps into the power of God, who can love in a way we cannot. - We need to make the choice to be kind to those who are unkind to us.
- We do it because we want to please God by reflecting His heart.

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Sermon Rewind 7/28/13 - Soul Talk: The Role Of Women In The Church

1 Timothy 2:8-15

New International Version (NIV)

8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
11 A woman[a] should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;[b] she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women[c] will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

Last Sunday, Pastor Benjie Kim continued the Soul Talk series and addressed the question, “What is NOC’s position on women in church leadership”? As part of the Evangelical Covenant Church, NOC affirms the ordination of women.

I Timothy 2:8-15 is often cited to argue the role of women in the church. Benjie asks us to remember the importance of context when reading a passage, as Paul was writing to a specific people in specific situations. Though Paul addresses false teaching and modesty, his one command is to “let a woman learn” - previously an unacceptable social norm - with obedience and cooperation.

It is important to see whether passages in Scripture are consistent with the heart of the Bible. God’s heart for women is revealed when He entrusted Mary Magdalene with the task of alerting the Apostles of Christ’s resurrection. If Jesus had confidence to trust a woman to lead, then so should we.

by Sonny Luong-si

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Sermon Rewind 7/21/14 - Soul Talk: Homosexuality

Last Sunday, Peter Park addressed what our witness should be to the LGBT community. Our witness should be of love, not of judgment, in truth. We are to love the LGBT community, yet still keep Christ in our witness. 

In light of the recent Supreme Court rulings on DOMA and Prop 8, there's more grey than black and white when it comes to same-sex marriages and Christianity. There is a unified answer though: love. Seeking being right must be secondary to seeking loving right.

by Ed Chu

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Sermon Rewind - 7/14/13 - Realizing God's Abundance

Passage: John 10:10

Benny Yu brought a message from Mexico City about receiving the abundant life that God desires us to have. Our biggest obstacle is mistaking lack of restrictions for freedom. Submitting to God's authority leads us to a place where we can thrive.  Benny gave us steps to achieve this:

• Lay aside our own agendas for His. This includes our desires for control and getting credit.
• Practice God's presence.
• Don't hide before GOD. Be authentic with our sins and our junk.
• Focus on God's causes. Allow Him to transform us into blessings for others.

Janice Yu offered up a prayer of blessing for NOC and encouraged us to join the "healing pool party" that awaits us beyond the barriers we've put up between ourselves and God.

by Chris Cheung

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Sermon Rewind 7/7/13 - Why Pray?

Mark 14:36

New International Version (NIV)
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.”

Hebrews 4:16New International Version (NIV)16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Dave Brubaker kicked off the truthstarts campaign by addressing the question: Why do we pray for our hopes/dreams/desires if God already has a plan? Dave, often citing C.S. Lewis, offered up these five aspects of prayer:

1. Prayer allows us to be absolutely real with God. Jesus did not want to go to the cross and honestly conveyed that message while remaining subservient to whatever God decided.
2. Prayer involves "chutzpah." When we pray, we can take the stance of supreme confidence (perhaps even audacity) of demanding that God show up.
3. Prayer transforms us. Just as Jesus promised to make the disciples "fishers of men," pray that God changes us.
4. Prayer leads to participation in God's work. Dave defined a miracle as the intersection of our faith and actions and God showing up. Responding in action to prayer gives us the opportunity to become the answer to someone else's prayer.
5. Prayer is communion with God.  When we pray we experience all aspects of the Trinity, as God makes us desire to pray, leads us in the method of prayer, and becomes the context of prayer.

by Chris Cheung

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Sermon Rewind 6/16/13 - Time Is Short

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

New International Version (NIV)

29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep;31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

Alex Wu reminded us that our time on this earth is short. All of us face two truths: life is fleeting and Jesus is returning soon. There is nothing more important for us to do than to establish a saving relationship with Jesus. Not all of our earthly fathers are still alive, but in Christ we can still celebrate Father's Day in Heaven.

Alex's friend Linda shared about her feelings and experiences after her husband Tom passed away suddenly last year, leaving her and their four children behind. A powerful blessing is that he had reiterated his profession of faith in Jesus earlier that same day.

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Sermon Rewind 6/9/13 - A Lasting Faith

Liz Yim continued the Red series with a message about faith, and what faith is based on the accounts where Jesus talked about faith in the Gospel of Matthew. Faith requires us to know God, to know His character and nature.  A lasting and real faith will be rooted in a relationship with God that is informed daily by the scriptures.  Faith also requires us to believe, act with a hopeful expectation and have confidence in who God is.  As we get on the journey of faith, sometimes our experiences may not match up with what the scriptures say.  In these times, God will honor our conversations with Him about unbelief - "I believe, but help me overcome my unbelief."   

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Sermon Rewind 6/2/13 - More Than Words

John 14:15-24
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”


23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.



Dave Brubaker paraphrased Jesus' words from John 14 by quoting the song More Than Words by Extreme: "...if you only knew how easy it would be to show me how you feel ... then you wouldn't have to say that you love Me, cuz I'd all ready know."  Just as we are called to demonstrate our faith by our works (James 1:14-18), we are called to show our love for Christ in our obedience.  Dave also quoted Howard Hendricks: "The opposite of ignorance is not knowledge; it's obedience."  Jesus followed this principle when He acted out both his love for us and His obedience to the Father by going to the cross. Dave closed by asking all of us what act of love we felt the Holy Spirit was placing on our hearts to show someone right now.

by Chris Cheung

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Sunny Softball Sunday

Chloe Lee

Nothing beats old-fashioned, American baseball games on sunny Sundays in southern California. Or, in this case, the sport's close cousin, softball. With the exception of the grapefruit-sized baseball, all-female teams and slightly different fields, baseball and softball are very similar.

"I liked that I was able to be with my friends and the Cheers kids I babysit at the same time. It was all my BFFs in the same place." -Joy Hsieh

On Sunday, March 10, two small groups convened at the baseball diamond in Craig Park for a little softball showdown: The Village versus Cheers. While the grown-ups got to work on the field, the kids ran around, enjoying themselves. Under the influence of a cheerleader, the little Village children made up a cute little cheer.

The older Lifegroup led the game off with a good start, pulling ahead by a couple runs. But as more minutes passed and The Village grew tired, Cheers swooped in and finished it off. With a wipeout too large in number to be remembered, The Village life group accepted their loss with positive attitudes.

"I enjoyed the fellowship during the game. Plus I liked the snacks." -Helen Lee

Communiity is a big part of Christianity. Sometimes it is better to experience God with others. He often works through others. A little softball game may not seem like much to you, but it could mean the world to God. He might have changed someone’s heart through the game. God works in many mysterious ways.

Sermon Rewind 3/10/13 - The Ministry Of Presence

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

New International Version (NIV)

2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.^[a] 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ³ I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. ⁴ My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, ⁵ so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

Pastor Peter deepened our understanding of discipleship by sharing about the ministry of presence. Discipleship isn't about performance and isn't limited to programming. Discipleship can occur when we are present with each other. Peter offered the following tips:
     1) Show up  
     2) Leave room for the Holy Spirit to show up.  
As simple as this sounds, there is often a great cost because when we are present one place, we can't be present in others. Navy Chaplain Tim Seo shared about his ministry of presence among sailors at sea and the cost that he and his family pay during his deployments.

by Chris Cheung

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Sermon Rewind 3/3/13 - Following Christ With All Your Heart

Mark 10:17-27

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Rich Young Ruler

¹⁷ As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁸ And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” ²⁰ And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.” ²¹ Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” ²² But at these words ^[a]he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.
²³ And Jesus, looking around, *said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” ²⁴ The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus *answered again and *said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ They were even more astonished and said to Him, “^[b]Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ Looking at them, Jesus *said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”

Alex Wu's message last Sunday was about following Christ… with all of our lives, with nothing holding us back. Will we be like the rich young ruler, who Jesus loved, but who turned away because he was not ready to lay his entire life for Him? Jesus knew the ruler wanted to follow Him, but he would rather be comfortable with his own wealth. That can be an idol in your life.

Idols in our lives can be more than just wealth. Power, status, even a relationship. They are not just idols, they are anchors that keep us from the Spirit. Christ wants us to pursue Him with all of our hearts and raise the anchors to Him. Let His Spirit guide your life.

by Ed Chu

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