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
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