RHCCC DTM Latest Sermon

Lent - The Busy Road

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Shu-Ling Lee

Scripture: Mark 6:30-44

Why do some of us love staying busy?

- Self-worth

- Hight Status

- Numb/Avoid

On the Busy Road of Life…

1. Jesus invites us into His rhythm of Rest and Work

2. Jesus invites us into a Restored Life.

Conclusion:

YOU are not the source or solution, Jesus is.

Will you point others to Your Bread of Life?

Following Our Generous Giving God

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Sophia Wong

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1–9

8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

—2 Corinthians 8:1–9

Why Christians give

1. Everything Belongs to God

• We are not owners — we are stewards.

• Stewardship is not about how much we keep, but how faithfully we manage what God has placed in our hands.

2. God Is the Generous and Gracious Giver

• He gave everything — for us. He gave Himself.

3. Our Response: Becoming Generous and Gracious Givers

• We give because we are changed.

How Christians give: Tithing

Giving should be:

• Prayerful

• A portion of the money your have earned (1 Corinthians 16:2)

• Cheerful, not fearful (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Sermon Notes

Rested and Ready: Experience God Deeply

Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Moe

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-21

1. Elijah goes from a huge win to total burnout—and God meets him right there in his weakness (v1–4)

2. God feeds Elijah and lets him rest before saying anything, showing that renewal comes before direction (v5–8)

3. God speaks quietly in the silence, reminding Elijah that He’s not done with him and reconnecting him to purpose and people (v9–21)

Reflection Questions:

Leaders: Are we creating space for silence and encounter with God?

Members: Am I expecting to meet the living God?

Rested and Ready: Embrace Newness

Speaker: Pastor Kelly J. Tam

Scripture: Acts 10:9-23

Prepares us to share the Gospel to new people and in new ways

Reminds us that we are merely followers of God’s plan

Invites us to experience joy in pursuing God’s purpose for our lives

• Rest creates readiness (v.9-10)

• “Faithfulness” hinders growth (v. 13-16)

• Newness requires imagination (v. 15-17)

• Trust the change (v. 21-23)

Rested and Ready: Unlearn to rejoice

Speaker: Pastor Angela Luk

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-16

Big Picture: Release what hinders joy in Christ. Paul counts all as loss to gain the surpassing joy of Christ.

1. Paul Commands Us to Rejoice in the Lord So We Safeguard Joy Against Deceptive Threats (v.1-3)

Joy Alert (v.1): “Rejoice in the Lord” is command under threat!

True Confidence Checklist:

1. Serve God by His Spirit;

2. Boast in Christ Jesus; and

3. Put no confidence in the flesh

2. Paul Exposes His Impressive Resume as Loss So We Forsake False Confidence for Christ (v.4-6)

Forsake false confidence by exposing the emptiness of past wins

Count our blessings, face our limits

3. Grab the Surpassing Gain of Christ (v.7-9)

A radical renunciation (v.8) - “I count everything as loss” - all or nothing

4. Paul Presses On to Know Christ So We Strain Forward with Mature Grit Toward the Prize (v.10-16)

Lock in on the prize by pressing forward with mature grit

Four action verbs from Paul:

Know Christ and the power of his resurrection (v.10),

Press on - imperfect but pursuing (v.12),

Forget what lies behind (v.13), and

Strain toward the goal for the prize (v.14)

Application: Unlearn to Rejoice

For the Leaders: Release Old Traditions.

Ask: Which habitual practices serve our mission, and which have become joy-robbing obstacles?

Action: Conduct a ministry audit in fellowships/small groups.

For the Members: Release Old Expectations.

Ask: What’s one church expectation that started good but now hinders joy?

Action: Share one “release” in group discussions.

Rested and Ready: Rest and Reclaim

Speaker: Rev. Alex Chan

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

“My soul can’t find rest unless it rests in You.”

Why are we so restless?

The illusion of false rest

Jesus modelled Rested and Ready

Jesus’ invitation to true rest

• Requires faith and intentionality

Reclaiming Rhythms of Grace

Application

What are you carrying that Jesus never asked you to carry?

What false versions of rest have you been trusting?

What do you need to reclaim this week?

Sermon Notes

Rested and Ready: Prune and Plan

Speaker: Pastor Shu-Ling Lee

Scripture: John 15:1-8

The Hope to Be Like Christ

Speaker: Pastor Quang Nguyen

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3

Everyday English Usage of HOPE

• “A wish or desire” for something but you are not certain that it will happen.

Biblical meaning of HOPE

• “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)

2. The Hope of Christ’s return (Titus 2:13, 1 Cor 15:51-52)

3. The Hope to walk with Jesus tomorrow (Matthew 28:20, Psalm 27:13).

II. The HOPE to Be LIKE Christ (1 John 3:2)

1. Desire it! (When we realize how much God loves us - 1 John 3:1)

2. Believe it! (We will become like Christ one day – 1 John 3:2)

3. Live it out! (Purify yourselves now – 1 John 3:3)

New Year, Continuing Mission

Speaker: Pastoral Intern Jonathan Moe

Scripture: Mark 5: 2-13

The Big Idea: Spiritual warfare is real, but it is not a battle between equals. Jesus Christ possesses absolute authority over the evil one and breaks the bondage of sin. Freedom from sin allows us to live out God’s purpose.

Mark 5: 1-9 - Christ's AUTHORITY confronts the POWERS of DARKNESS

Mark 5: 10-15 - Christ's AUTHORITY Breaks the BONDAGE of Sin

Mark 5: 18-20 - Our CONTINUING MISSION after Victory

Reflection Questions:

Have we been relying on our own effort to overcome our sin?

What is the thing that Jesus needs us to free us from?

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