The Valley of Vision

Speaker: Pastor Stephen Hsu

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

[1] When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. [2] Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb [3] and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” [4] But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. [5] As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. [6] “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. [7] But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ”

[8] Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. [The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have verses 9–20.]

—Mark 16:1-8 NIV

1. Vision

2. Death

3. Resurrection

“Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision… Let me learn by paradox that the valley is the place of vision….Let me find Thy glory in my valley.”

—“The Valley Of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions”

Palm Sunday

Speaker: Pastor Joey Ling

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44 NLT

Luke 19 Context

• Jesus has already predicted his death the 3rd time

• Jesus knew exactly what was waiting for him in Jerusalem

• Jesus was a wanted man

We often don’t know when God is using our stories and the implications it will have in someone’s life.

His entry into Jerusalem on a donkey signified peace.

Jesus’ rescue will not be done through power and strength. Jesus will save his people by dying and laying down his life for all sinners. For all those who choose to believe that He is God and He is the Messiah, will have eternal life with him.

“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”

—2 Corinthians 5:21

The Greek word for weeping is “klaio” which means intense sobbing.

Luke 19:42-44 Gives Us 2 reasons why Jesus was crying:

1. The People Missed the Peace that Was Right in Front of Them

2. The People Would Face a Future Punishment

A future judgment is coming.

“Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war.”

—Revelation 19:11

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 on the Mount: Our Judgments

Speaker: Pastor Angela Luk

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5

Central Idea: To judge righteously begins with a right view of ourselves and God.

Two Ways of Judgment

1. Existential Judgment (Judging Another Person’s Heart)

2. Eschatological Judgment (Judging Another Person’s Final Destination)

Judging with Integrity

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

—Matthew 7:2 (NIV)

3 Questions for Self-Examination

1. Where am I failing to live up to the standard I expect from others? (Failure)

2. How do I currently benefit from the patience and grace of God (and others)? (Forgiveness)

3. Who in my life can help me see some of my blind spots? (Friendship)

Sermon on the Mount: Our Anxiety

Speaker: Rev. Kelly J. Tam

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

“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)

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

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

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

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

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 Desires

Speaker: Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-30

Sermon Notes: 

This passage is misunderstood in two ways:

1. Can be easily dismissed

2. Produces needless shame and guilt

Conclusion: Let God love you.

A standard doesn’t change the heart - a story does.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the love story you’ve been looking for and the love story that will transform your desires.

Single or married, you must know that Jesus’s love is the key to healthy relationships.

Lust (broad path) | Love (narrow path)

––––––––––––––––––—————————————————–––––––––––––––––––––––––

"What can you do for me?" | "What can I do for you?"

Demand others adjust to their needs | Commit to adjusting themselves for the relationship

Can't wait to get | Can't wait to give

the body matters most | the person matters most

finding the right person | becoming the right person

Sermon on the Mount: Our Anger & Our Words

Speaker: Rev. Shu-Ling Lee

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-22, 33-37

INTRODUCTION - Outrage at the 4 Nations Face-Off

Remember, firstly… Jesus came to FULFILL the law, not to abolish it (5:17-20)

Our scripture today is the start of “You have heard… But I tell you…” statements by Jesus.

Background of Anger (5:21-26)

Background of using our Words with Integrity (5:33-37)

QUESTION: What does Jesus teach us about Anger?

RESPONSE: He challenges us to CONSIDER DEEPLY and PRIORITIZE RECONCILIATION when we are angry! (Eph 4:26-27, 31-32)

…We can follow Jesus in responding to anger by PRACTICING LAMENT.

QUESTION: What does Jesus teach us about Oaths?

RESPONSE: He challenges us to FULFILL OUR COMMITMENTS and DON’T BE TWO-FACED. (Eph 5:25 -> 26-27)

…We can follow Jesus in keeping our Words with Integrity by seeking to SPEAK TRUTH WITH LOVE.

CONCLUSION - Will our response follow the LETTER of the law, or the SPIRIT of the law?

FINAL QUESTION: Do you want to follow Jesus into this new Kingdom life He is building?