RHCCC DTM Latest Sermon

Planting Roots, Bearing Fruit:
Disciples on Mission
Rev. Steven Folts
Luke 10:1-11


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Introduction:

Intentional Discipleship Pathway (IDP)
• An invitation to explore: “Come and See” (John 1:35-50)
• An invitation to learn: “Come and follow me” (Matt. 4:18-22, Luke 5:27-32)
• An invitation to serve: “Come and be with me” (Mark 3:13-15; Matt. 9:35-38)
• An invitation to go (multiply): “Go and tell” (Matthew 28:18-20)
What’s at the end of this pathway?

Every member on mission

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3 Critical Mentalities for Disciples on Mission (Luke 10)

1. Learn as you go together (v. 1-2)

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.
—Luke 10:1-2

Pray: to see the harvest; to send the workers

2. Be prepared for hardship (v. 3-4)

Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
—Luke 10:3-4

Pray: for God’s wisdom and providence.

3. Look for peace person (v. 5-8)

When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you.
—Luke 10:5-8

Pray: for open doors and open hearts

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Conclusion:

Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’
—Luke 10:9-11

Some creative ideas to start with:
• Start praying
• Join a Geo Group now!
• Be a member on mission

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Small Group Discussion Questions

1. How have you grown spiritually during this pandemic time?

2. When you feel “stuck” in your spiritual life, what are some ways you think can help your spiritual life become “unstuck”?

3. Who are your neighbours? Name some people you feel that God is nudging you to get to know and/or care for?

4. Sometimes there is fear as we reach out to others in our community (RHCCC and neighbourhoods). How can we overcome these fears as we reach out in our communities?

Planting the Gospel
Rev. Reuben Foncardas
Romans 1: 14-17


What is the gospel?

There are various methods and many strategies of planting the gospel. But there is only one right set of attitudes in doing it.

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1. Develop a great sense of obligation (v. 14)

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.
—Romans 1:14

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news (gospel) of God’s grace.
—Acts 20:24

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2. Develop a great sense of eagerness (v. 15)

That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
—Romans 1:15

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Cephas (Peter), and then to the Twelve. 6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
—1 Corinthians 15:3-6


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3. Develop a great sense of boldness (v. 16-17)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’
—Romans 1:16-17

• The gospel is the power of God to save and to sanctify everyone who believes.


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Small Group Discussion Questions

1. The message of the gospel is clearly stated in I Corinthians 15:3-6. Read through this passage carefully and identify the elements of the gospel. After which, write the gospel message in your own words.

2. Of the three attitudes found in Romans 1:14-17, which is your most developed? Which do you need to work on more?

3. Paul says that he is not ashamed of the gospel. The power of God that bring salvation to everyone who believes is not something to be ashamed of. So why do you think many Christians are not as bold/brave as Paul? How can this be rectified?

4. We may be bold and not ashamed of the gospel. But the more important question is, “Is the gospel ashamed of us?” The most important message the King of Kings wants to be proclaimed has to be delivered by someone who is worthy of such a calling. Prayerfully ask God, “Lord, is my life, my speech, my thoughts, and actions displaying the righteousness that comes by faith in the saving power of the gospel? Am I worthy to be your messenger of the good news?

Planting Roots, Bearing Fruits
Building Spiritual Families
Scripture: Acts 2:22-47, Matt 16:13-18 NLT
Rev. Shu-Ling Lee


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Small Group Discussion Questions:

1. The New Testament Church demonstrated a way of “Doing Life” together. What is one thing that you can identify with that your group is already practicing? What is one thing that you can identify with that your group is NOT doing, and would like to start?

2. In the sermon, the preacher said: “The New Testament Church has the Mission of Jesus at their very center. Mission reaches down to our very deepest understanding of who God is, what we are here, and how we live. Mission is not a tag-on. It is not something we just volunteer for a few hours a month. Mission is the sweeping force that runs through everything we are and do.”
How is your group engaging in the Mission of Jesus? Is it at the centre of your group? Let’s think of small steps first and take one step at a time by faith.

3. Encourage everyone in your group to sign up as Geo Host or Geo Members. Pray for one another to experience Jesus in a new way this summer.

Planting Roots, Bearing Fruit:
Jesus is Lord, His Love and Mercy Everywhere
Rev. Shu-Ling Lee
John 15:1-8


I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
—John 15:1-8

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1. The Foundation of this Campaign: Where do you we start? (a rooted tree vs. an unrooted tree)
There is a distinction between the vine and branches.
This campaign stats with acknowledging the importance and place of Jesus.
• We see our lives and the world through the lens of “Jesus is Lord” (Col. 1:15-17)
• We give Jesus preeminence in our lives (Matt 7:21)
• Jesus holds a preeminent position in your life if He is the Lord you obey; not an advisor you consider: “What Jesus says matters most” (Matt. 22:36-40, 28:18-20)

Key Question: Do we truly acknowledge the rightful place and importance of Jesus?

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2. The Vision of this Campaign: Where are we heading? (a single rooted tree vs. a network of rooted trees, ie. an orchard)

Fruit comes down to loving people; showing them the mercy of God, and ultimately winning them to Jesus.
• Our vision is that every person has repeated opportunities to see, hear, experience, and respond to the gospel (Romans 10: 10-17)
• The church is the family of God whose members experience and embody the love and mercy of God (1 John 4:7-21)
• There is power in proximity (John 13:35)

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Small Group Discussion Questions

1. Read John 15:1-17. Notice how often the word ‘fruit’ appears in this passage. What do you think Jesus means by ‘bearing fruit’ in this passage? Would you describe yourself as someone who is bearing fruit?

2. If bearing fruit is directly tied to ‘remaining’ in Jesus, what does Jesus specifically mean by remaining in Him from this passage? Does Jesus occupy the preeminent place in your life or just a prominent place?

3. What has God revealed to you in this season about how we make use of our homes to bless others in our neighbourhoods?

Planting Roots, Bearing Fruit:
Jesus is Lord, His Love and Mercy Everywhere
Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui
John 15:1-8


I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
—John 15:1-8

———
1. The Foundation of this Campaign: Where do you we start? (a rooted tree vs. an unrooted tree)
There is a distinction between the vine and branches.
This campaign stats with acknowledging the importance and place of Jesus.
• We see our lives and the world through the lens of “Jesus is Lord” (Col. 1:15-17)
• We give Jesus preeminence in our lives (Matt 7:21)
• Jesus holds a preeminent position in your life if He is the Lord you obey; not an advisor you consider: “What Jesus says matters most” (Matt. 22:36-40, 28:18-20)

Key Question: Do we truly acknowledge the rightful place and importance of Jesus?

———
2. The Vision of this Campaign: Where are we heading? (a single rooted tree vs. a network of rooted trees, ie. an orchard)

Fruit comes down to loving people; showing them the mercy of God, and ultimately winning them to Jesus.
• Our vision is that every person has repeated opportunities to see, hear, experience, and respond to the gospel (Romans 10: 10-17)
• The church is the family of God whose members experience and embody the love and mercy of God (1 John 4:7-21)
• There is power in proximity (John 13:35)

———
Small Group Discussion Questions

1. Read John 15:1-17. Notice how often the word ‘fruit’ appears in this passage. What do you think Jesus means by ‘bearing fruit’ in this passage? Would you describe yourself as someone who is bearing fruit?

2. If bearing fruit is directly tied to ‘remaining’ in Jesus, what does Jesus specifically mean by remaining in Him from this passage? Does Jesus occupy the preeminent place in your life or just a prominent place?

3. What has God revealed to you in this season about how we make use of our homes to bless others in our neighbourhoods?

The New Life with Jesus
Pastor Michael Seto
John 21:1-19


What are some of the characteristics of the new life with Jesus?

1. Jesus offers us His Help

2. Jesus offers us His Presence

3. Jesus offers us His Restoration

Resurrection Sunday (DTM)
Rev. Shu-Ling Lee

Serving the King
Scripture: John 12:12-23 ESV
Rev. John Baik

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Who and What is Jesus to you?

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1. The King Who Brings Salvation (John 12:12-13)
• Hosanna to the King
• What kind of King was Jesus?

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2. The King Who Brings Us Peace (John 12:14-16)
• The problem of overfamiliarity
• The Gentle King of Peace

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3. How Should We Respond? (John 12:17-19)
• 2 Contrasting Responses
a. Bearing Witness to what Jesus has done
b. Jesus is our King

Faith and Doubt
Scripture: Genesis 16
Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui

What’s the Bible really about? It is not a story of moral exemplars, but a story about God’s grace intervening in the lives of broken, selfish and ultimately undeserving people.

When God gives us a promise, we have two choices: Wait until we see God’s hands at work, or take matters into your own hands (v. 1-4a)

What makes us take matters into our own hands instead of trusting God? Barrenness (v. 4b-6).

When we seek salvation from our barrenness - apart from God - there are dire consequences:

Blame and Exploitation (Sarai)
Passivity (Abraham)
Pride (Hagar)

What is the alternative? The grace of God

The only way we are free from this enslavement is knowing that we are worth loving - not because of what we do or have - but simply because God loves us. We can wait patiently knowing God loves us — that His timing and His ways are best.

Do you understand that without God, you would have nothing?

Do you understand that with God, you gain everything?

The grace of God intervenes in the lives of the people of this story:

Abraham did nothing. Yet, God was gracious. He reassures him again and again that He will fulfill His promises (Gen. 15, 17).

Sarai was self-righteous. Yet God was gracious. She eventually became pregnant and gave birth to a son. God even renames her and blesses her when announcing the birth of Isaac (Gen 17:15–21).

Hagar was prideful. She and Ishmael were not in the chosen line of God’s redemptive history. And yet God was gracious. He sees their pain and cared for them.

God’s grace is not without effect (v. 7-13)

God’s grace reshapes our identity: Hagar is no longer a slave, but an heir to God’s promise. We will always be a slave to the identity the culture gives to us, unless we are we get a new identity as a child of God.

God’s grace reshapes our perspective. Hagar didn’t have an explanation, she only had a perspective. God’s way might not make sense in the moment, but if you know His plans are good, you can persevere.

God’s grace gives us the confidence to press on. Hagar returned with new confidence. When you see the face of God, you can face anything. He may not let us escape our pain but we can believe he has a redemptive purpose in all things.

Making All Things New: The Book of Genesis
Justification by Faith

Scripture: Genesis 15
Pastor Angela Luk

Sermon Notes

A Divine covenant is not a mutual agreement on equal terms between two parties, but a Divine promise assured.
—Alexander Maclaren

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1. God invites a response to his promises

a. Abram looked to God for his faith to be strengthened
b. The difference between a doubt that denies God’s promise and a doubt that desires God’s promise

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2. God credits righteousness on account of our trust in him (Gen. 15:6)

a. Abram concludes that he can believe that God will be faithful to him and to his promise
b. Two types of righteousness:
i. Righteousness accomplished by our own efforts
ii. Righteousness credited to us by God for believing in him

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3. God commits himself fully to his promises (Gen. 15:7-21)
a. God gave visible assurance to Abram that the covenant he made was real

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Takeaways:

• It is a test of faith to believe in God’s promises
• The source of our strength to put faith in God is in God himself

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
—2 Peter 3:8-9