Hope for a New Year
Speaker: Pastor Quang Nyguyen
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:8, Titus 2:13, Matthew 28:20, 1 John 3:2
Everyday English Usage of HOPE
• “A wish or desire” for something but you are not certain that it will happen.
Biblical meaning of HOPE
• “It’s a life shaping CERTAINTY of something that hasn’t happen yet but you KNOW that it will.” (Tim Keller)
• “HOPE is a joyful and confident expectation of God’s goodness.”
2 great pillars of HOPE
I. The HOPE to be WITH Christ.
II. The HOPE to be LIKE Christ.
I. The HOPE to Be WITH Christ (Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 28:20, John 14:16)
1. The Hope of heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8, John 14:1–2)
We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.—2 Cor 5:8
1 Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?—John 14:1-2
2. The Hope of Christ's return (Titus 2:13, 1 Cor 15:51-52)
(We are to live godly lives) 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,—Titus 2:13
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.—1 Cor 15:51-52
3. The Hope to walk with Jesus tomorrow (Matthew 28:20, Psalm 27:13)
20 … And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”—Matthew 28:20
13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.—Psalm 27:13
II. The HOPE to Be LIKE Christ (1 John 3:2)
2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.—1 John 3:2
Remembering God
Speaker: Rev. Sophia Wong
I. F – Faithfulness Remembered
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.
—Psalms 103:2
But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
—Joshua 24:15
II. I – Investing Hope
The Lord is good, and His love endures forever, His faithfulness continues through all generations.
—Psalms 100:5
Parents, your children watch not only what you say by how you live.
They learn grace when they see you forgive,
They learn trust when they see your pray.
They learn worship when they hear your gratitude.
Grandparents, your stories of faith are a legacy. Don’t underestimate the power of your words, your prayers, and your blessings.
Children, you are also part of God’s plan. You can love, serve, and lead – not someday, but now.
III. T – Testifying to His Goodness
One generation commends Your works to another, they tell of Your might acts.
—Psalms 145:4
1.The Season of Beginning – Children & Students
These are years of growth, learning, and discovery.
2.The Season of Building – Parents & Young Adults
This is a busy season of life – careers, parenting, responsibilities.
3.The Season of Blessing – Grandparents & Retirees
Retirement is not the end – it is harvest time!
Application: Words Have Power — Choose to Speak Life
The tongue has the power of life and death.
—Proverbs 18:21
Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… encouraging one another.
—Hebrews 10:24–25
Family Prayer
Gracious Father,
Thank you for Your faithfulness through this year.
You have walked with us in every season – joy and sorrow, peace and struggle.
Forgive us when we forget to value one another across generations.
Forgive us when we take each other for granted, or fail to listen and learn.
Today, we ask for Your blessing over every generation.
Bless the children with joy and protection
Bless the youth with courage and vision.
Bless the young adults with faith and purpose
Bless the parents with wisdom and patience
Bless the seniors with strength and honor.
Make us one family in Christ – walking together in love, serving
together with joy, shinning Your light in this world.
For Your Kingdom and for Your glory.
In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Speaker: Rev. Joey Ling
Scripture: Luke 2:8-14
Main Idea: Jesus was born for you. The arrival of Jesus is not just a celebration; it is a call for a faithful response.
“8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
—Luke 2:8-14 NLT
BEHOLD is a call to recognize and respond to God’s revelation.
1. Behold: A Saviour for All People
2. Behold: A Saviour Who Will Give Peace
The Messiah’s peace is the way that leads to salvation.
3. Responses to Receiving Peace:
• Receive and Reject
• Receive and Set it Aside
• Receive with a Responsive Heart
Jesus’ birth story is not just a celebratory story to hear — it is a gift to receive.
Behold: God with Us
Speaker: Rev. Kelly J Tam
Scripture: Isaiah 7:14
All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Behold! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).
—Isaiah 7:14
A “Blue Christmas”
Honest Hope:
Isaiah 7:14
1. Isaiah 7:14 is a promise spoken amid uncertainty.
2. Isaiah 7:14 is revealing a new perspective.
3. Isaiah 7:14 is a reminder that God is near.
Application:
1. What is the context of your life?
2. Behold, look above.
3. Behold, look again.
4. Behold, look inside.
Behold: Joy for All Peoples
Speaker: Pastor Shu-Ling Lee
Scripture: Luke 2:1-20
INTRODUCTION: What sparks “joy” for you?
What is advent? Why do we observe the advent season?
“Advent marks the beginning of the Church calendar. It’s the start of a new year for the Christian. It reminds us that fresh starts & new beginnings are not products of our willpower, but expressions of God’s grace in Christ”.—Rich Villodas Jr.
“The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.”—Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Hymn: “Joy To The World”
How & Where can we find JOY in this difficult, polarizing world?
1. Joy is found in Jesus, the Humble King (v.1-8)
2. We have Good News of Great Joy, but will we choose to receive it daily? (v. 9-16)
3. Joy is meant to be shared (v.17-20)
Conclusion
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.—Philippians 4:4-8
Sermon Notes - Rested and Ready
Speaker: Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui
Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30
Rested people make ready people. A rested church is positioned to hear clearly and respond courageously.
Problem: Our hearts aren’t rested.
Answer: Come to Jesus to find the rest you need
1. The essential call in life and ministry: “Come to me…”
The call of Jesus (Matthew 4:19) is to
a. Be with him (come…)
b. Do what he would if he were you (follow me….)
c. Become like him (I will make….)
2. The essential promise in life and ministry: “I will give you rest”
Two Disciplines (“Rules”) to Be Rested and Ready
What does the lifestyle of Jesus teach us?
a. Make Space
Let us make room in our lives to listen to God this upcoming year.
b. Set Pace
Let us walk with God at his pace this upcoming year.
Knowing Jesus, Modelling Jesus
Speaker: Rev. George Mah
Scripture: John 1:1-14
Big Idea: To follow Jesus, we must first know Jesus – who He is shapes who we are and how we live. Knowing Jesus leads to modelling Jesus, and modelling Jesus multiplies disciples.
In John 1:1–14, the Gospel unveils four profound revelations about who Jesus is and why they matter for us.
1.Jesus is the Eternal Word (vv. 1-5)
2.Jesus is the Promised One (vv. 6-13)
3.Jesus is God in the Flesh (vv. 14)
4.Jesus is the Model of God’s Mission (vv. 4-5/14)
Call to Action
Know Him
Model Him
Join His Mission
Alive By the Spirit - Presence: God Has Entered The Chat
Speaker: Pastor Susie Choi
Scripture: John 10:27
My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow.
—John 10:27
God is always communicating but the question is, can we hear him above the noise pollution that surrounds us? How does God work in our lives to tune our hearts to the Shepherd’s frequency?
Jesus points us to four truths in John 10:27:
1. My Sheep Relationship
2. Hear My Voice Result
3. I know them Reason
4. They follow Me Response
Alive By the Spirit - PURPOSE: Pointing Us to Jesus
Speaker: Pastor Quang Nguyen
Scripture: John 14:15-17, John 15:25-27, John 16:5-15
———
Introduction
This month we are teaching about the
• PURPOSE of the Holy Spirit
• PERSON of the Holy Spirit
• PRESENCE of the Holy Spirit
• POWER of the Holy Spirit
———
Who He is
1. “Another”
2. “Counselor” / Paraclete
3. The Holy Spirit is a person, a divine person of the Trinity who is called alongside us to be our helper, advocate, comforter or counselor forever.
———
What He does
1. Testifies about Jesus and enables us to as well
26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.
—John 15:26-27 (NIV)
2. Convicts us of sin, especially unbelief
7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
—John 16:7-11 (ESV)
3. Guides us to truth in Christ
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come
—John 16:13 (NIV)
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
—John 14:26 (NIV)
4. Brings glory to Jesus
14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
—John 16:14 (ESV)
5. Unites the Church – binding us together in peace and creating one body in Christ
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[c] in you.
—John 14:16-17 (ESV)
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;
—Eph 4:3-4
The Holy Spirit is the one who convicts us of sin, guides us to truth in Christ, unites the church, and constantly points us back to Jesus for the Christian life today!
POWER: Empowered & Gifted for The Missional Life
Speaker: Pastor Shu-Ling Lee
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Alive By the Spirit - PERSON: More than a Force
Speaker: Pastor Angela Luk
Scripture: John 14:15-21, 26-28
Who…or what do you seek for guidance in life?
Person of the Trinity: The Holy Spirit is more than a force
Personal God: The Holy Spirit interacts personally with believers
Personal Relationship: The Holy Spirit brings us into relationship with God
Big Idea: The Holy Spirit is more than some distant all-powerful “force” of divine energy from God.
The Holy Spirit is God who is a faithful guide, companion, and helper in our lives for God’s purposes.
Mission: Lessons from China
Speaker: Pastor Quang Nyguyen
Scripture: Luke 12:16-21
16 And he (Jesus) told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
21 “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” —Luke 12:16-21
———
1. Life is not about becoming more and more comfortable
Application:
• Where in your life are you just coasting, trying to become more and more comfortable?
• Is it in accumulating riches but not being rich towards God?
• Are you trying to keep relationships with others too comfortable?
• Is your spiritual life too comfortable?
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2. We all need to do something meaningful with our lives
Rick Warren
a. God designed us to make a difference.
b. We were created to make a contribution.
c. We were knit together to meet needs.
“[God] has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do” —Ephesians 2:10 TEV
“Before I made you in your mother’s womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work.” —Jeremiah 1:5 NCV
Application:
• What are you doing for Christ that will last?
———
3. People need Jesus
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men[c] by which we must be saved.” —Acts 4:12 ESV
Application:
• Who are you reaching out to?
Being With
Speaker: Pastor Jesse Sudirgo
Scripture: Deuteronomy 15:1-5, 7-11
———
1. Idealism and Realism
The Year for Canceling Debts
1 At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.
2 This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people, because the LORD’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.
3 You may require payment from a foreigner, but you must cancel any debt your fellow Israelite owes you.
4 However, there need be no poor people among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you,
5 if only you fully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today.
6 For the LORD your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you.
7 If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them.
8 Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need.
9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin.
10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.
—Deuteronomy 15:1-11
God’s law calls for both idealism and realism:
“There need be no poor among you” (v.4) a vision of justice and abundance.
“There will always be poor in the land” (v.11) a recognition of ongoing human need.
Idealism grounded in the eschatological hope, Realism grounded in an unreasonable grace
———
2. Moving from Doing for to Being with
(Based on Samuel Wells)
There are different ways to engage in God’s mission:
• Working for – Doing things on behalf of others.
• Working with – Partnering alongside others.
• Being for – Advocating for change at a larger scale.
• Being with – Sharing life, presence, and relationship.
“Being with” shifts our focus from outcomes to relationship. It is not about fixing others but about entering their experience and walking with them in mutual trust.
“Being with is not about finding solutions, but about companionship amid struggle and distress.”
—Samuel Wells
———
3. Faithful Presence and Proximity
God’s call to love the poor is not fulfilled from a distance. It happens through presence, proximity, and participation.
Henri Nouwen reminds us that compassion requires entering another’s pain:
“No one can help anyone without becoming involved, without taking the risk of being hurt, wounded, or even destroyed in the process.”
—Henri Nouwen
We meet Christ when we draw near to those who suffer. Transformation happens not through power, but through presence.
Mission: A Well-Meaning Conversation
Speaker: Pastor Alex Chan
Scripture: John 4:1-42
the Gift of God is Surprising
The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?”
—John 4:9
the Gift of God is Satisfying
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
—John 4: 13-14
My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
—Jeremiah 2:13
the Gift of God is Spreading
Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
—John 4:27-42
Jesus’ Invitation
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
—John 7:37-39
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.
—Revelation 21:6
Sermon Notes - Our Vision: Who We Are Becoming
Speaker: Rev. Ho-Ming J. Tsui
Our Vision: “To be a Church for the Whole Person, For the Whole World”
1. “To be a Church…”
What is a church? Let’s examine what Jesus has called the church to be…
“Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
—Matthew 22:37-39 (The Great Commandment)
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
—Mathew 28: 18 20 (The Great Commission)
By examining these two “great” statements, we can identify five purposes that God calls us to fulfill….
Worship: Love the Lord with all of your being
Ministry: Love your neighbour as yourself
Evangelism: Go and make disciples of all nations
Fellowship: Baptizing them - i.e. incorporating them into the family of God; we’re baptized into the body of Christ
Discipleship: Teaching them to obey what I have commanded
2. “…for the Whole Person…”
(a) We take all dimensions of a person seriously.
Deepen their understanding (mind)
Ignite their passion (heart)
Strengthen their practice (body)
Help heal wounds in any of the above areas (we can offer physical, emotional, mental support)
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
—Matthew 9:36
(b) We minister for the duration of a person’s lifetime
We are a church for the whole person, for their entire life, for their whole family, for generations to come.
We envision RHCCC to be a spiritual home for every generation.
3. “…For the Whole world”
We aim to be a healthy church that nurtures the whole person (internal focus).
We also aim to be a strong one that blesses the whole world (external focus, i.e., carrying the burdens of two).
RHCCC’s enduring calling is to be a church for the unchurched, a spiritual home for all generations, and a missional community that serves the city and reaches the world. We aim to build up the whole person for their whole life so they can become fully who God created them to be. We accomplish this by living out the five biblical purposes: Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, and Mission based on the Great Commandment and Great Commission. This includes reaching the whole world globally, acknowledging that “the world” has also been brought to our doorstep in the Greater Toronto Area.
“Focused” - Jesus’ Temptation
Speaker: Pastor. Kelly J. Tam
Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11
Trial (What is the hardship or struggle?)
Trust (What draws us closer to God?)
Transition (What is being refined?)
Transformation (Who Are we Becoming?)
Hardships are unavoidable, growth is our choice, and transformation is God’s work.
————————————————
Matthew 4:1-11
3 The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.""
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Deuteronomy 8:3
3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord
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Matthew 4
6 "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
"'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"
7 Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test."
————————————————
Deuteronomy 6:16
16 Do not put the Lord your God to the test as you did at Massah.
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Matthew 4
9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan!
For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."
————————————————
Deuteronomy 6:13
13 Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.
————————————————
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
—Matthew4:3-4
Trial: Self-sufficiency
Trust: Dependence
Transition: Endurance & Courage
Jehovah Jireh (יְהוָ֣ה יִרְאֶ֑ה)
“The Lord will Provide”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ”Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
—Matthew4:5-7
Trial: Faith
Trust: Obedience
Transition: Patience, Resilience & Confidence
El Emunah (אֵל אֱמוּנָה)
“Faithful God”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ ”
—Matthew 4:8-10
Trial: Idolatry and Compromise
Trust: Surrender
Transition: Humility & Peace
אֵל שַׁדַּי (El Shaddai)
“God Almighty”
“Rested”- Moses, Israel and the Manna
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Shu-Ling Lee
Scripture: Exodus 16:1-12,17-20,27-30
How has God provided in the last 40 years at RHCCC?
BIG IDEA: If you don’t trust in God’s provision, and rest/work in the way He’s designed you for, the fruits of your labour will eventually rot.
Will we, in the church, take His sabbath command seriously?
TRIAL - What does the trial look like in this story?
Background of Exodus 16
16:1-12
16:17-20
16:27-30
TRUST - What does trust look like in this story?
Can you learn to trust that God is your provider? (Reject Greed)
Can you learn to trust that God’s rest for you is part of your good? (Reject Control)
Is Jesus your ultimate reason to trust God? (Reject self-salvation)
TRANSITION - God does provide… but can you CONTINUE to trust and rest in Him?
TRANSFORMATION - What does Transformation look like in this context? In our context today?
TRULY “RESTED” - A transformed person in Christ
the Lord of the Sabbath… and they know the sabbath was made for them!
REFLECTION
1. Have you taking Sabbath Rest seriously before the Lord? Why or why not?
2. Will you learn to embrace your own God-given limits and trust the Great Provider?
Part 2– “Strengthened” — Israel’s in the Wilderness
Speaker: Pastor Joey Ho
Scripture: Numbers 32:13
The Series Framework: Trial → Trust → Transition → Transformation
Book of Numbers Storyline
1. The beginning of their journey from Mount Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
2. Wilderness of Paran (Numbers 10-19)
3. Wilderness of Moab (Num. 20-36)
Trials
God used 2 ways to lead and guide the Israelites during their time in the wilderness: Pillar of Cloud & Pillar of Fire
“Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. 2 “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the Lord heard this.”
—Numbers 12:1-2
Trust
Trusting in God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees.
- God wanted the Israelites to trust in Him for their daily dependence for manna and water.
- God wanted the Israelites to trust in Him for physical protection from the enemies
- God wanted the Israelites to trust in Him for direction as they were aimlessly following a cloud by day and fire by night without knowing the destination.
“The Lord’s anger burned against Israel and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the whole generation of those who had done evil in his sight was gone.”
—Numbers 32:13
Transition
Transition: A period or phase in which change is happening
Every step of the way in the wilderness and in the people’s rebellion, God was always providing for them.
Transformation
God strengthens His people through trial, trust, transition, and transformation—using wilderness hardships not to break us, but to build us into a covenant nation.
Where has God strengthened our church in the last 40 years?
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
—Joshua 1:9
The last 40 years of YLD stand as a testimony to God’s provision, protection, and power.
“Cleansed” - Noah’s Flood
Speaker: Rev. Ho-Ming J. Tsui
Scripture: Genesis 7: 1-24
"God has to wash you clean before He can make you new.”
TRIAL: What does the trial look like in this story?
(Genesis 6:5-13)
TRUST: What does trust look like in this story?
(Genesis 6:8-9, 14-22)
TRANSITION: God’s 40-Day Wash Cycle
(Genesis 7:1-24, 8:1)
You have to trust in the WHO rather than try to figure out the WHY.
Word: We trust that God keeps His promises (the WHAT)
Power: We trust God’s ability to work all things out for our good (the HOW)
Speed: We trust in God’s timing (the WHEN)
TRANSFORMATION: What does transformation look like in this context?
(Genesis 8:15-22)
God’s Two-Step Cleaning Process:
Mortification: Washing away the old nature — subduing or putting to death the deeds of the sinful nature
Vivification: Bringing in the new nature — setting your heart and mind on the things of the Spirit
“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”—2 Corinthians 5:17
Reflection:
Have you resisted God’s ongoing cleansing work in your own life?
What if God has been cleaning our church for a season to come?
The world outside of our world
Speaker: Mr. Yu-Jen Yang
Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20