Speaker: Pastor Martin Chang

TITLE: Venturing Together

TEXT: Joshua 3:9-17

INTRO: As the old cliche goes, "nothing ventured, nothing gained." For those grappling with fear, or loss; the call to step forward into uncertain waters may seem too daunting. But God has a way of empowering us with courage via faith; as we step forward with Him and the family of Christ. Today as we celebrate the start of a new season, in a new venue; how might we reflect on the call and privilege to venture forward...together?

Speaker: Pastor Richard Lee

TITLE: Taming the Beast of the Tongue

TEXT: James 3:7-18

INTRO: We teach children “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything.” But over time, we build habits of avoiding conversations that make us uncomfortable including repentance, loving correction, and healthy confrontation. James speaks of an untamed tongue as being full of deadly poison and calls us to walk in wisdom. With that in mind, Christians shouldn’t shy away from speaking, but as Paul says in Ephesians 4:15, we’re called to learn to “speak the truth in love,” with wisdom from God (James 3:17-18).

Speaker: Pastor Paul Kim

Speaker: Pastor Martin Chang

TEXT: Micah 5:1-9

INTRO: The bigger the better, go big or go home. We have a love affair with the big. But God has a way of overturning our hallowed expectations; even in deciding to highlight the small when bringing His Kingdom. Today as we look at the book of Micah, we find God declaring that God would bring a saving ruler through the little town of Bethlehem. How ought we to align with God, as He moves to choose the small?

Speaker: Pastor Martin Chang

TEXT: Genesis 22:1-13

INTRO: Two different strategies for how to navigate a chaotic world are represented by those who plan, and those who wing it. But when the stakes are high, those who really love and care tend to plan. Today as we look at the story of Abraham's call to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, what might we learn about God? And how He's foreseen and planned ahead for our greatest needs?

Speaker: Pastor Martin Chang

TEXT: Isaiah 11:1; Gen.3:6-9, 14-15

INTRO: The story of Christmas goes back much further than the birth of Christ. As early as the third chapter of Genesis, after all was lost due to sin; God promised a fuller restoration through the coming of a Savior. Today as we start our Advent series in the tradition of the Jesse Tree, how can we understand and prepare our hearts for the divine restart that God has planned for us all in Christ?

Speaker: Pastor Martin Chang

TEXT: John 6:53-69

INTRO: When following Jesus, it's often easier to start following than to stay following. A great temptation is to somewhere along the way, hit the "unfollow" button. Today as we round out our GRACE group season, how can we stay on course when we face inconvenience, embarassment, and dissapointment in our following of Jesus?

Speaker: Pastor Paul Kim

TEXT: Luke 17: 11-19

INTRO: Thanksgiving should a joyous time as we spend time with friends and family; nevertheless, we often fill ourselves with activities that may lead us away from Christ. This season as we enter into the advent season, let us prepare our hearts in giving thanks to Christ Jesus!

Speaker: Pastor Martin Chang

TEXT: Mark 10:32-44

INTRO: It is often said that great leaders are those who know how to follow. But when it comes to Jesus, the opposite applies as well: followers of Jesus are also called to lead. What does it look like to lead like Jesus; and how can we bring His brand of change and growth in the lives around us?

Speaker: Pastor Richard Lee

TEXT: Matthew 26:6-15

INTRO: We tend to imagine God to be like a genie or vending machine - that we if we behave a certain way, he will grant us what we want or make life look a certain way. Without fail, we repeatedly hit points of tension where our will and God's will for our lives don't match up. Jesus calls us to lay down our will and to trust that his is better.