RHCCC DTM Latest Sermon

Planting Hope, Always:

Worship Expresses our Hope

Speaker: Rev. Kelly Tam

Scripture: Psalm 71:17-18

17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me,

and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

18 Even when I am old and gray,

do not forsake me, my God,

till I declare your power to the next generation,

your mighty acts to all who are to come.

—Psalm 71:17-18

God calls us to share the inexplicable hope that comes only from God—to proclaim His marvelous deeds for the next generation and to testify to God’s faithfulness in joyful times and seasons of sorrow.

God Calls Us into Worship

Come, let us bow down in worship,

let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;

for he is our God

and we are the people of his pasture,

the flock under his care.

—Psalm 95:6-7

Hope is not wishful thinking…

…it’s rooted in God’s character.

…it’s anchored in the future.

…it’s active in participation.

1. Worship expresses our Hope in God’s character (v 6)

2. Worship expresses our Hope in the Covenant (v 7a)

3. Worship expresses our Hope in the Good Shepherd (v. 7b)

The Path Forward

1. We celebrate 40 years of God’s Faithfulness

2. We embrace new liturgies and expressions of worship

3. We continue to sing and declare the Hope we have in God!

Planting Hope, Always: Why We Need Hope

Speaker: Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui

Scripture: Romans 15:13-21

1. What is Hope? (v. 13)

Hope is a life-shaping confidence concerning the future.

Faith is a life-shaping confidence in a person.

Christians find their hope in the certainty of God’s love and purpose for them through Jesus Christ.

2. What do we do with the hope we have? (v. 13)

a. We worship to express our hope

“May the God of hope…”

b. We fellowship to nurture our hope

“…fill you with joy and peace…”

c. We grow in discipleship to deepen our hope

“as you trust in him…”

d. We minister to embody our hope

“…so that you may overflow with hope..”

e. We evangelize to share our hope

“… by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

3. How do we bring hope to others (v. 14-21)?

Our 40th Year:

Celebrating Our Story

Envisioning Our Future

The Next 10 Years:

New imagination: What creative ideas can we harness to plant hope?

New leadership: Who are the next planters of hope whom we need to invest in?

New locations: Where is God asking us to plant next?

The Two Gospels

Speaker: Rev. Paul Lam

Scripture: Exodus 1:6-22

Sermon Notes

“Were Our Hearts not Burning?”

Speaker: Ms. Letty Wong

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Big Idea: Jesus has always been present in our journey. In the breaking of bread, He opens our eyes and invites us into a story bigger than ourselves—one of community, belonging, and mission.

Introduction

• Why Students? Why AFC?

• AFC’s mission: To nurture students toward a courageous faith in Jesus that motivates them to live beyond themselves.

Jesus Draws Near (v.15)

“Jesus himself drew near and went with them.”

• The disciples were grieving, doubting—Jesus met them there.

• He doesn’t wait for us to have it all figured out.

• Young people matter: Faith decisions in transitional seasons (HS–Uni–Work) are pivotal.

• Authentic spaces to wrestle with doubts matter.

Jesus in Our Journey (v.27)

“He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”

• 12km walk

• Jesus walks with us in real time.

• Transformational not just informational

Jesus Revealed in the Breaking of Bread (v.35)

“He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.”

• Not in a sermon—but in a meal.

• Communal transformation: Jesus was always there, but it was in community that they saw Him clearly.

• Hospitality: Jesus loved eating with people. So do we!

• Intercultural insight: Like Jesus bridged heaven and earth, we often bridge cultures. That’s kingdom work.

• Mission reminder: Canada’s role in global mission is unique—we know how to live in-between. That’s a gift we bring.

Invitation & Challenge

• When was Jesus revealed to you?

• Who will you be breaking bread with today?

• “They rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem…”

• The first 12km: grief and questions

• The next 12km: joy and purpose

• Who are you walking with?

• What story are you writing together?

Conclusion: Our Part in His Story

• The story didn’t end in Emmaus or even after they returned to Jerusalem

• It continues with us.

• AFC is about nurturing courageous faith in the next generation.

• Whether you were once part of it or are just joining in—you’re still invited.

• Draw near to the next generation, journey with them, eat with them.

“Were our hearts not burning…?”

Let’s keep walking. Together.

Resurrection Sunday: From Disasters to New Life

Speaker: Rev. Shu-Ling Lee

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Sermon on the Mount: Our Enemies

Speaker: Rev. Kelly J. Tam

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT) 

Teaching about Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’[q] and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies![r] Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends,[s] how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.—Matthew 4:43-48

Walking in the Narrow Path of Love.

How can we love our enemies?

Let’s put it into practice:

1. Pray for those who are against you

2. Seek to bless and not retaliate

3. Forgive as Christ has forgiven Us

Sermon on the Mount: Our Decisions

Speaker: Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

How do I know if I’m on the narrow path?

You can be on the broad road without even knowing it!

What does knowing God entail?

• Knowing God is not familiarity with God, religious activity for God, or correct theology about God.

• To know you, God needs an invitation from you. It requires vulnerability and trust.

• The mark of an authentic follower is an experiential knowledge of God.

• Experiential knowledge results in total life transformation

Reflection Questions:

1. What one word would you use to describe the current state of your relationship with God?

2. Do your perspective, priorities, and passions still look like his?

3. Do you miss him?

Sermon Notes

Sermon on the Mount: Where is your Treasure?

Speaker: Pastor Stephen Hsu

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Big Idea: STORE UP ETERNAL TREASURE FOR YOURSELF BY LOVING GOD & HATING MONEY

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[d] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

—Matthew 6:19-24

3 TESTS: Where is Your Heart?

1. Do you treasure treasures on earth or heaven? (19-21)

2. What is your life’s vision? (22-23)

3. Who is your Master? (24)

CONCLUSION: Is Jesus Your Treasure?

HOW:

1. “When you give to the needy (2, 3)

2. “When you pray…” - (5, 6, 7)

3. “When you fast…” (16, 17)

Sermon on the Mount: Our Anxiety

Speaker: Rev. Kelly J. Tam

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34 (NLT)

“worry” or “anxiousness” translates to “merimna” (μέριμνα)

Which means…distracted, divided, or pulled apart

Examples of Anxiousness in the Bible:

Moses – anxious over his calling (Ex 3:11)

Elijah – fear and depressed (1 Kings 19:4)

David – anxious and fearful of his enemies (Psalm 55:4-5)

Martha – anxious and rushed (Luke 10:41-42)

Paul – burdened by his power and position (2 Corinthians 1:9-10)

How can anxiety manifest in your life:

1. You find it hard to make decisions

2. You are afraid to make mistakes

3. You care a lot about what others think and say about you.

4. You struggle to see your self-worth

The Anxious Generation – Johnathan Haidt

1. This generation has been overprotected from the real world and…

2. This generation has been under protected of the virtual world.

Matthew 6:25-34 Lessons

1. Worry is unnecessary because God is our Provider (verse 25)

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?

—Matthew 6:25

2. How do we trust this? Look at God’s creation (verses 26, 28, 30)

26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?…28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing…30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

—Matthew 6:26,28,30

3. Anxiously worrying does not add value to your life (verse 27)

27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

—Matthew 6:27

4. Live in the present and not in tomorrow’s worries (verse 34)

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

—Matthew 6:34

5. Do not be “merimna” (divided, distracted and pulled apart) from God (verse 32)

32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.

—Matthew 6:32