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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