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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Showing posts with label sermon rewind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sermon rewind. Show all posts
Thursday, June 6, 2013
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!
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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/
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.”
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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!
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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/
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Joseph - Keeping The Faith
Genesis 45:4 - 7
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
Have you ever felt inadequate, inferior, or stuck in a moment you can’t get out of? Pastor Peter introduces us to one of the first “Benchwarmers” of the Bible – people with flaws and dire circumstances whom God still used to play significant roles in His epic story of redemption. Joseph was the youngest of his family - pampered, and an arrogant braggart. Over the course of his life he was sold off as a slave, framed an adulterer, and then spent many years in jail. Rather than bemoaning his situation, Joseph responded gracefully and made the best of it, trusting that God was with him always. Through this time, Joseph learned of courage, humbleness, and unyielding faith. In the end, Joseph rose to power, and through his experiences, helped save many around Egypt. Let us do the same and focus on WHAT we can do rather than WHY!
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4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
Have you ever felt inadequate, inferior, or stuck in a moment you can’t get out of? Pastor Peter introduces us to one of the first “Benchwarmers” of the Bible – people with flaws and dire circumstances whom God still used to play significant roles in His epic story of redemption. Joseph was the youngest of his family - pampered, and an arrogant braggart. Over the course of his life he was sold off as a slave, framed an adulterer, and then spent many years in jail. Rather than bemoaning his situation, Joseph responded gracefully and made the best of it, trusting that God was with him always. Through this time, Joseph learned of courage, humbleness, and unyielding faith. In the end, Joseph rose to power, and through his experiences, helped save many around Egypt. Let us do the same and focus on WHAT we can do rather than WHY!
Listen to this sermon and others online!
noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Sermon Rewind 3/13/11 - How Salty is Your Cookie?
Colossians 4:2-6 (NASB)
Alex Wu rounded out the One series by challenging us to embrace lifestyle evangelism. Does sharing about Jesus generate the same excitement that sharing other good news does? Has our walk with GOD created a noticeable difference in us that the world can see? In our words, actions, and even our cookies, can others taste our saltiness? Paul encourages us to pray that the answers be "Yes."
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. 5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
Alex Wu rounded out the One series by challenging us to embrace lifestyle evangelism. Does sharing about Jesus generate the same excitement that sharing other good news does? Has our walk with GOD created a noticeable difference in us that the world can see? In our words, actions, and even our cookies, can others taste our saltiness? Paul encourages us to pray that the answers be "Yes."
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Sermon Rewind 3/6/11 - Living The New Life
Colossians 3:1 - 17
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Pastor Peter continued The One series with a sermon expounding Paul’s decree for followers of Christ in Colossians 3. In the book of Colossians, Paul argues for the validity of Christ’s deity and the freedom that it provides for those who believe – we are made Holy, and no longer need to worry about worldly distractions and temptations. Though they may trouble us now, we were made for and set apart for another world. Like a child, however, we must learn and grow into this new life. Change is an ongoing, continual process. This means letting go of our sinful past – to not just remove immorality, anger, and lust, but to replace them. Since Christ made us holy, it is our endeavor to become holy and more like Christ – with kindness, forgiveness, and love.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
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1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Pastor Peter continued The One series with a sermon expounding Paul’s decree for followers of Christ in Colossians 3. In the book of Colossians, Paul argues for the validity of Christ’s deity and the freedom that it provides for those who believe – we are made Holy, and no longer need to worry about worldly distractions and temptations. Though they may trouble us now, we were made for and set apart for another world. Like a child, however, we must learn and grow into this new life. Change is an ongoing, continual process. This means letting go of our sinful past – to not just remove immorality, anger, and lust, but to replace them. Since Christ made us holy, it is our endeavor to become holy and more like Christ – with kindness, forgiveness, and love.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sermon Rewind 02/27/11 - Freedom in Christ
Colossians 2:8-12 (NIV)
Benjie Kim continued the One series by paraphrasing Colossians 2: “Jesus is the only way for us to experience freedom.” No human philosophy, tradition, or pursuit can achieve this, certainly not our pursuit of the illusion of safety. We have darkness within us that no amount of piety or good works can counter. Only Jesus and the cross can free us from our darkness.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Benjie Kim continued the One series by paraphrasing Colossians 2: “Jesus is the only way for us to experience freedom.” No human philosophy, tradition, or pursuit can achieve this, certainly not our pursuit of the illusion of safety. We have darkness within us that no amount of piety or good works can counter. Only Jesus and the cross can free us from our darkness.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Sermon Rewind 2/20/11 - Knowledge vs. Belief
Colossians 1:15 - 23
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.
22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
It is one thing to know the truth, and another to believe the truth. As Christians in the early days struggled with the truth of Christ, Paul sent the Colossians a letter reaffirming the truth and provisions gained in The One - Christ. As Christ followers, we believe in the preeminence of Jesus – that He was God in the flesh, who reconciled us to bring us in relationship with God. Because of this, we have been rendered holy and without fault. We may have this knowledge, but do we believe it? Armed with this knowledge, we must continually stand firm in it. Only through true belief that Christ now lives in us can we be compelled to transform our hearts and minds. Believing in Christ’s power is the only way we can learn to truly forgive, do good, and resist temptation.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
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15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.
22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
It is one thing to know the truth, and another to believe the truth. As Christians in the early days struggled with the truth of Christ, Paul sent the Colossians a letter reaffirming the truth and provisions gained in The One - Christ. As Christ followers, we believe in the preeminence of Jesus – that He was God in the flesh, who reconciled us to bring us in relationship with God. Because of this, we have been rendered holy and without fault. We may have this knowledge, but do we believe it? Armed with this knowledge, we must continually stand firm in it. Only through true belief that Christ now lives in us can we be compelled to transform our hearts and minds. Believing in Christ’s power is the only way we can learn to truly forgive, do good, and resist temptation.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Sermon rewind 2/13/2011 - Deeper with Jesus
Lamentations 3:21-33 (New International Version, ©2010)
21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young.
28 Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it on him.
29 Let him bury his face in the dust — there may yet be hope.
30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace.
31 For no one is cast off by the Lord forever.
32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.
33 For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.
Myths about suffering vs. God's view:
Tommy Nixon shared that if we are to be deep with Jesus, if the church is going to be the Church that God always intended us to be then we need to enter into pain, struggle and suffering and when we do we will find Jesus. Lamentations teaches us that in the midst of struggle and suffering we find clarity as we are brought to a place of dependence only on God. This deepens our relationship with Him. Entering into our own suffering and the suffering of others is essential for depth with Christ and produces the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young.
28 Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it on him.
29 Let him bury his face in the dust — there may yet be hope.
30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace.
31 For no one is cast off by the Lord forever.
32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.
33 For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.
Myths about suffering vs. God's view:
| Man's View | God's View |
|---|---|
| As Christians we should not suffer in this life. | We are called to suffer for Him (1 Peter 2:20-21) |
| When we are living in His will, living godly lives, we should experience few hardships. | We must go through many hardships to enter His kingdom. We were destined for trials (Acts 14:22, 1 Thess. 3:3) |
| Suffering means something is wrong. It is an abnormal state. | Suffering is normal, and inevitable in this Christian life (2 Tim. 3:12) |
| Suffering has no redeeming or positive results. | God uses suffering for our good, to conform us to the likeness of His Son. (Rom. 8:28-29) |
| Suffering means we can have no joy. It robs us of the choice to rejoice. | We have a choice to rejoice in our suffering. |
| Spiritual people don't hurt emotionally when they suffer. | Spiritual people feel many painful emotions when they suffer (Mark 14:33-34, 2 Cor. 2:4) |
| If God really loves us, He won't let us suffer very much. His love means that He will put a hedge around us to keep terrible trials from entering our lives. | He didn't prevent His own Son from suffering (Rom. 8:32) and He didn't prevent Paul, Peter, John the Baptist, Job and others He loved from suffering greatly. |
| When we do suffer God is punishing us out of anger. He is vindictive and wants us to suffer when He is angry with us. | Suffering may be God's loving discipline for our good (Hebrews 12:7-11) |
Tommy Nixon shared that if we are to be deep with Jesus, if the church is going to be the Church that God always intended us to be then we need to enter into pain, struggle and suffering and when we do we will find Jesus. Lamentations teaches us that in the midst of struggle and suffering we find clarity as we are brought to a place of dependence only on God. This deepens our relationship with Him. Entering into our own suffering and the suffering of others is essential for depth with Christ and produces the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sermon Rewind 2/6/11 - Living a Life Led by the Voice of God
Genesis 24:3, 14, 21, 66-67
3 I want you to swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, 14 May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.” 21 Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the LORD had made his journey successful. 66 Then the servant told Isaac all he had done. 67 Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
James A. Lee shared about finding a spouse by heeding God's voice. God has a particular person in mind that He will bring at the right time. Using Genesis 24, James exemplifies three ways that God speaks to us, and how to listen to Him. (1) We are to find our spouse among those who fear, love, and are passionate about God. (2) God speaks one step at a time. When God gives you a sign, ask for multiple confirmations, such as the parents giving a blessing; and the other person saying “yes.” (3) God may speak through our emotions, but it is only when we have true, unconditional love for another that we know it is a divine blessing. This ability to love freely comes only once we are filled with God’s unconditional love.
God will always answer with peace, joy, and assurance.
- By Arnold Wang
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
3 I want you to swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, 14 May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.” 21 Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the LORD had made his journey successful. 66 Then the servant told Isaac all he had done. 67 Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
James A. Lee shared about finding a spouse by heeding God's voice. God has a particular person in mind that He will bring at the right time. Using Genesis 24, James exemplifies three ways that God speaks to us, and how to listen to Him. (1) We are to find our spouse among those who fear, love, and are passionate about God. (2) God speaks one step at a time. When God gives you a sign, ask for multiple confirmations, such as the parents giving a blessing; and the other person saying “yes.” (3) God may speak through our emotions, but it is only when we have true, unconditional love for another that we know it is a divine blessing. This ability to love freely comes only once we are filled with God’s unconditional love.
God will always answer with peace, joy, and assurance.
- By Arnold Wang
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Sermon Rewind 1/30/11 - Causing Justice For an Unjust God
Deuteronomy 32:3-4 (New International Version, ©2010)
3 I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
4 He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
Pastor Peter closed out the HD series by giving us an eternal and immediate view of justice. Justice is important to God because it is a nature of Him and has been instilled in every being. God created all mankind equally in value, and judges us by our actions, not our perceived external values. Because we follow a just God, we must thus uphold justice. By speaking for the oppressed, we will be pointing to God and making Jesus more tangible. When we relate to God, however, we actually want injustice. We are beings who routinely fail and sin, and deserve eternal separation from Him. However, we ask for His grace – an unjust verdict. If we accept his unjust grace of salvation, we will face an unjust eternal life with Him. We can help others learn of his unjust love by causing justice in this world.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
3 I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
4 He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
Pastor Peter closed out the HD series by giving us an eternal and immediate view of justice. Justice is important to God because it is a nature of Him and has been instilled in every being. God created all mankind equally in value, and judges us by our actions, not our perceived external values. Because we follow a just God, we must thus uphold justice. By speaking for the oppressed, we will be pointing to God and making Jesus more tangible. When we relate to God, however, we actually want injustice. We are beings who routinely fail and sin, and deserve eternal separation from Him. However, we ask for His grace – an unjust verdict. If we accept his unjust grace of salvation, we will face an unjust eternal life with Him. We can help others learn of his unjust love by causing justice in this world.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sermon Rewind 1/23/11 - Reflecting Our Creator (Cindy Park, Tako Koga)
Cindy Park continued the HD series with a message on 1 Timothy 4:14-15. Paul wrote this letter to Timothy to remind him to use his God-given gifts. Ultimately, Timothy's gifts weren't for himself, but rather, for others and to bring glory to God. In the same way, we need to recognize and embrace our God-given gifts. Once we understand who God has created us to BE, we'll have a clearer understanding of what we should do. Tako then shared about how God has worked powerfully through the very things he despised about himself. Though Tako struggled with negative labels of his self-identity, God freed him of those labels as he saw the Bible's true description of his identity. He also shared about his new commitment to love God and his neighbors with everything he is, including his musical talent, even if it means getting out of his comfort zone.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Written by Ed Chu
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Written by Ed Chu
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Sermon Rewind 1/16/10 (Peter Park)
2 Corinthians 6:14 - 7:1
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[a]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”
17 Therefore,
“Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you."
18 And,
“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”[d]
2 Corinthians 7
1 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Pastor Peter gave us a High Definition of the word “Holy” – a word we often use but are unsure of how to apply in our lives. To be holy means to be set apart – to be free of sin, to be guiltless, pure. In Leviticus 11:45, God commands us to “be holy, for I am holy.” This is a twofold process involving both refrainment and active participation. We should strive to influence and help others in the world, but not let ourselves be negatively influenced by others, whether it be in our marriage, friendships, or business partnerships. We must also actively work to desire holiness and be holy as a direct expression of our identity as a child of God. This can be done by seeking out Jesus as well as His community of followers. Let us be holy because He is holy, and we were made in His image.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[a]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”
17 Therefore,
“Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you."
18 And,
“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”[d]
2 Corinthians 7
1 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Pastor Peter gave us a High Definition of the word “Holy” – a word we often use but are unsure of how to apply in our lives. To be holy means to be set apart – to be free of sin, to be guiltless, pure. In Leviticus 11:45, God commands us to “be holy, for I am holy.” This is a twofold process involving both refrainment and active participation. We should strive to influence and help others in the world, but not let ourselves be negatively influenced by others, whether it be in our marriage, friendships, or business partnerships. We must also actively work to desire holiness and be holy as a direct expression of our identity as a child of God. This can be done by seeking out Jesus as well as His community of followers. Let us be holy because He is holy, and we were made in His image.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Sermon Rewind 1/9/11 (Alex Wu)
Proverbs 3:11-12 (NIV):
Hebrews 12:10-11 (NIV:
Alex Wu took an HD look at GOD’s love today as it is demonstrated by His discipline. Just as parents imperfectly discipline children, GOD perfectly disciplines us for our own good. While discipline is more than punishment, that is the most difficult facet for us to identify and appreciate. Sometimes we are honestly confused when times are painful and it is at these times that we have to believe that GOD’s will is perfect and have faith.
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11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, 12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
Hebrews 12:10-11 (NIV:
10 They [our human fathers] disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Alex Wu took an HD look at GOD’s love today as it is demonstrated by His discipline. Just as parents imperfectly discipline children, GOD perfectly disciplines us for our own good. While discipline is more than punishment, that is the most difficult facet for us to identify and appreciate. Sometimes we are honestly confused when times are painful and it is at these times that we have to believe that GOD’s will is perfect and have faith.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Sermon Rewind 1/2/11 (Peter Park)
Jonah 4 (The Message)
1-2 Jonah was furious. He lost his temper. He yelled at God, "God! I knew it—when I was back home, I knew this was going to happen! That's why I ran off to Tarshish! I knew you were sheer grace and mercy, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness!
4God said, "What do you have to be angry about?"
5But Jonah just left. He went out of the city to the east and sat down in a sulk. He put together a makeshift shelter of leafy branches and sat there in the shade to see what would happen to the city.
6God arranged for a broad-leafed tree to spring up. It grew over Jonah to cool him off and get him out of his angry sulk. Jonah was pleased and enjoyed the shade. Life was looking up.
7-8But then God sent a worm. By dawn of the next day, the worm had bored into the shade tree and it withered away. The sun came up and God sent a hot, blistering wind from the east. The sun beat down on Jonah's head and he started to faint. He prayed to die: "I'm better off dead!"
9Then God said to Jonah, "What right do you have to get angry about this shade tree?"
Jonah said, "Plenty of right. It's made me angry enough to die!"
10-11God said, "What's this? How is it that you can change your feelings from pleasure to anger overnight about a mere shade tree that you did nothing to get? You neither planted nor watered it. It grew up one night and died the next night. So, why can't I likewise change what I feel about Nineveh from anger to pleasure, this big city of more than 120,000 childlike people who don't yet know right from wrong, to say nothing of all the innocent animals?"
Peter Park kicked off the HD Series with a sermon about how God is not fair many times in our lives. The HD Series is about having a higher definition and seeing a clearer picture of who God is. Taking the perspective that fairness is getting what you deserve, then if God was fair, we would all deserve eternal condemnation - "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). However, looking at Jonah 4, we see how God was actually unfair to Nineveh. The city repented and God rescinded his wrath upon them. They did not deserve God's unfairness. God's unfairness is called grace. Grace is an undeserved gift. Who do we need to treat unfairly and show God's grace through us? Let's turn vengeance to victory. There is freedom in God's grace.
Sermon Rewind by Arnold Wang
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
1-2 Jonah was furious. He lost his temper. He yelled at God, "God! I knew it—when I was back home, I knew this was going to happen! That's why I ran off to Tarshish! I knew you were sheer grace and mercy, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness!
4God said, "What do you have to be angry about?"
5But Jonah just left. He went out of the city to the east and sat down in a sulk. He put together a makeshift shelter of leafy branches and sat there in the shade to see what would happen to the city.
6God arranged for a broad-leafed tree to spring up. It grew over Jonah to cool him off and get him out of his angry sulk. Jonah was pleased and enjoyed the shade. Life was looking up.
7-8But then God sent a worm. By dawn of the next day, the worm had bored into the shade tree and it withered away. The sun came up and God sent a hot, blistering wind from the east. The sun beat down on Jonah's head and he started to faint. He prayed to die: "I'm better off dead!"
9Then God said to Jonah, "What right do you have to get angry about this shade tree?"
Jonah said, "Plenty of right. It's made me angry enough to die!"
10-11God said, "What's this? How is it that you can change your feelings from pleasure to anger overnight about a mere shade tree that you did nothing to get? You neither planted nor watered it. It grew up one night and died the next night. So, why can't I likewise change what I feel about Nineveh from anger to pleasure, this big city of more than 120,000 childlike people who don't yet know right from wrong, to say nothing of all the innocent animals?"
Peter Park kicked off the HD Series with a sermon about how God is not fair many times in our lives. The HD Series is about having a higher definition and seeing a clearer picture of who God is. Taking the perspective that fairness is getting what you deserve, then if God was fair, we would all deserve eternal condemnation - "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). However, looking at Jonah 4, we see how God was actually unfair to Nineveh. The city repented and God rescinded his wrath upon them. They did not deserve God's unfairness. God's unfairness is called grace. Grace is an undeserved gift. Who do we need to treat unfairly and show God's grace through us? Let's turn vengeance to victory. There is freedom in God's grace.
Sermon Rewind by Arnold Wang
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Sermon rewind: 12.26.2010 (Benjie Kim)
Matthew 6:25-34
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?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. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Benjie Kim ends the year with a message from Matthew 6:25-34 - a familiar story for most, about not worrying. However it comes when we seek His kingdom first. His kingdom matters more than ours. Our own little "kingdoms": career, ministry, self identity, family...all must be put on His altar. He will always provide for our needs and not necessarily all our wants. To not worry, a command of Jesus, is a reminder that He is enough. Nothing else. His glory is where you will find peace for the years to come.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
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