Houston Chinese Church - English

There are only two outcomes for most scenarios in life. Win. Or lose. Trying to get your child into a popular school is difficult. Those able to enroll their children win. Those who are not able to enroll their children lose. Thousands of people enter a lottery to see the Wave in Arizona. But only 4-8% of those who apply are granted entry. They win. The other 90 plus percent lose. When we win, it’s easy to rejoice. When we lose, it’s easy to  rumble. But for those who have placed their faith in Christ, there is no such as a no-win scenario. In Christ, every scenario is a win. This enables believers to rejoice often.

https://youtu.be/UvUC5Pk9Ilg

The opponents of the gospel plotted to imprison Paul, assuming chains would hinder the gospel’s advance. Little did they know that chains merely served to unleash the power of gospel preaching – undeterred by the opposition or false motives of either enemies or friends.

Sermon Notes

https://youtu.be/uLPZD1a8t68

If you read through the book of Philippians it is easy to sense how hopeful Paulis throughout the entire book. You can see his emotions really come out in hisletter to the Philippians. As you read the book of Philippians, you should walkaway with such feelings as well. In our passage today, and throughout thebook, we can see the joy Paul has and what causes him to have this joy.Specifically, a joy that is created by the Gospel.

https://youtu.be/0P1TDvVVJNA

God has given us the gift of life. May we not squander it by believing that we are the master of the universe, but instead, believing that God is the master. We are created uniquely by God to fulfill God’s purpose, which is always for His glory and for our good.

Sermon Notes

https://youtu.be/28yBIVDpuvM

Belief in the Sovereign Self bleeds over into the issue of ethnicity and identity. In an effort to create our own identities, we're tempted to either reject our given ethnicity with a sense of shame or revere it with a sense of superiority. But either reaction fails to recognize the goodness of our given ethnic heritage and its purpose in the mission of God.

Sermon Notes Here

https://youtu.be/lVaO7qd_Izc

This series is aimed at challenging the modern idea of the Sovereign Self. The idea that we have within ourselves the authority to create our own reality. In other words, I can fashion my identity as I will, even if it means rejecting the givenness of my nature. But many aspects of human nature are stubborn and unbending. Consider our mortality – how our bodies age, decline, and eventually die. We can try to deny this reality or delay it, but we can't change it. Biblical wisdom directs us instead to number our days, face our mortality, and learn from it.

Sermon Notes: Numbered Days

https://youtu.be/_M2dcwNMIU0

Salvation through Christ is not just for Israel, but for all people. God shows nopartiality. Peter receives a vision from God, telling him that the Good News isfor Gentiles as well as Jews. He goes to the home of Cornelius, a Roman officer,and tells him about Christ. Cornelius and his family believe and are converted.

https://youtu.be/3W2ywZcU6iQ

Palm Sunday commemorates the royal welcome Jesus received when he entered Jerusalem at the start of that fateful week. The words of praise shouted by the people that day were stanzas from an ancient song heavily used in Israel's liturgical tradition. Those words reveal the people's messianic expectations but also foreshadow their confusion as to what this kingly figure had come to do. This Palm Sunday, instead of studying the narrative itself, we seek to understand the song behind the story, so that it might prepare us to celebrate Holy Week.

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https://youtu.be/KLTaGVcbtro

Pursuing and preserving unity is tough work. We see it in the world. Countries break away from unions. It’s difficult to get a group of leaders to work together on a common cause. We see it in the workplace. Everyone has a different idea on how to complete a project. Analysts disagree on what caused the dip in profits this quarter. We see it in families. Spouses have different plans for vacation. Children ignore parental advice. Despite all its trouble, people desire unity. God put a desire for togetherness within us. How does God plan to bring people together?

Sermon Notes

https://youtu.be/Wx06VaWPNts

After the Flood, God is starting over. But things are not the same as before. He is committed to preserving the earth and protecting humanity, but the effects of the Fall are so entrenched that even a deep cleanse like the Flood was not enough. A better solution awaits.

Sermon Outline