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
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

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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 FruitsWhat is the Church?

Scripture: Acts 2:22-47, Matt 16:13-18 NLT
Rev. Shu-Ling Lee

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Today’s main Question: What is “the Church”?

We need to first start with” What is the ESSENCE of the church?

The church is not just another human organization that happens to have a different mandate for its life and ministry. The church is about human behavior that is being transformed through God’s redeeming power, and about patterns of life that reflect redemptive purposes. …Therefore it is critical that we consider the nature of the church before proceeding to define its ministry and organization.—Dr, Craig Van Gelder

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1. The Church is created and built by our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt 16:13-18)What the does the word church mean exactly?ἐκκλησίᾳ (ekklēsia)Kirche (keer-sheh)

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2. The Church is a community of believers who are filled and directed by the Spirit. (Acts 2:42-47)

The church as ecclesia was to live as a people whose existence and identity were shaped by God. God was the one who was calling this assembly together. God was the one who was creating this gathered community through the Spirit.—Dr. Craig Van Gelder

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3. The Church, by its very nature, is actively partners in God’s mission (wherever God has placed them). (Acts 2:42-47, Matt 16:13-18)

This new community is to live as a foretaste of this redemption, making available everyone the fruit of grace-filled living. Being a foretaste means that every aspect of the life and ministry of the church in the world represents missionary activity. And this new community is to serve as an instrument to convey this Good News to others.—Dr. Craig Van Gelder

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Conclusion: The Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:42)

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Small Group Discussion Questions:

1. How would you describe “what is the church?” in your own words?

2. Acts 2:42-47 give us a glimpse into what the gathering of Spirit-filled Christians looked like. List out the various activities that were described in the passage and compare and contrast with your church life today.

3. When reading through both passages, do you see mission as an important part of the life of Church (Ekklesia) that Jesus builds? Why or why not?

G.P.S. - God’s Positioning System
Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21
Pastor Susie Choi

1. Positioning Identity
Reminder of who we are and whose we are

2. Positioning Time
Imperative ‘now’

3. Positioning Focus
Shifting away from distractions
Pivoting towards Jesus

4. Positioning Vision & Expectation
Truth - God’s ability
Reshaping our response

5. Positioning Stance
Prayer - The active stance of surrender

Resurrection Sunday
Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui
John 20:19-21

Four Questions Worth Examining:

1. The Mechanics of the Resurrection: What is the resurrection? (v. 19)
2. The Mystery of the Resurrection: Did it really happen? (v. 20a)
3. The Might of the Resurrection: What did it accomplish? (v, 20b-21a)
4. The Message of the Resurrection: What does it mean for me today? (v. 21b)

Regime Change: The King we’ve been waiting for
Scripture: Luke 19:28-44
Rev. Phil Reinders

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1. An orchestrated entry (Luke 19:28-34)

• Why a donkey?
• Genesis 49 and Zechariah 9

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2. The paradox of Jesus (Luke 19:35-40)

• How Jesus exercises power
• The paradoxical responses to Jesus

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3. An unexpected moment (Luke 19:41-44)

• The weeping heart of the king

Where do you find yourself in the story?

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

Making All Things New: The Book of Genesis
Faith and Doubt
Scripture: Genesis 16
Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui

Sermon Notes

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.

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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)

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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)

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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?

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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.

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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