Confession and Repentance

Downtown Markham site | January 21st, 2024

January 21, 2024 • Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui • Nehemiah 9

Sermon Notes

Why Worship? : Confession and Repentance

Speaker: Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui

Scripture: Nehemiah 9

If we are going to experience God’s renewal in our lives, we must be honest about our spiritual condition; lean on God’s grace and love; and meet with God once again.

1. Confess our spiritual condition (v. 1-17a)

The 4 Stages of Renewal

You move to each stage through honest and bold confession

I. Personal Renewal: If God is going to renew your church, he’ll begin it with you.

II. Relational Renewal: After you get right with God, you’ve got to get right with others.

III. Missional Renewal: Without personal renewal, and relational renewal, a church has no unity to press forward on the mission to which God calls them.

IV. Cultural Renewal: If you work on the first three renewals, God will change the culture.

2. Lean on the compassion of God (v. 17b-31)

God’s compassion comes to us in two forms:

(a) His Presence: God walks with us

(b) His Confrontation: God works on us

3. Renew our commitment to Jesus (v. 32-38)

How serious are we about meeting with Jesus again? (Rev. 2:3-5)

Sing and Praise

January 28, 2024 • Rev. Kelly Tam • Colossians 3:12–17

Why Worship? : Sing and Praise Speaker: Rev. Kelly Tam Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17 5 Purposes: At RHCCC, we believe that a maturing disciple grows in 5 areas: Worship - are you growing in your love for God? Fellowship - are you growing in your love for others? Discipleship - are you growing in God’s Word? Ministry - are you using your gifts to serve God? Mission - are you sharing the Gospel in word and action? Christian Worship & Gathered Worship: 1. Christian Worship: Fellow, Discipleship, Ministry, Mission 2. Gathered Worship Therefore, communal worship is God’s commandment and is necessary for spiritual growth. Christian worship is when we acknowledge the presence of God through a liturgy (plan) that calls us to remember God’s acts and where the fruit of being in such presence is a transformed life. Why do we sing? 1. We sing the Scriptures (Col 3:16) 2. We sing in Community (Col 3:12-15)

Giving Our Offering

January 14, 2024 • Rev. Reuben Foncardas • Proverbs 3:9, Leviticus 27:30

Why Worship? Giving Our Offering Speaker: Rev. Reuben Foncardas Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 Like the wise men from the east who sought and found Jesus in Bethlehem, we too must give our offering to God as an expression of our worship that is coming from a heart filled with joy beyond measure because of the goodness and grace of God our Savior. 1. Giving should be PURPOSEFUL. • “The collection for God’s people,” v. 1 • Do you know why we give to our church? 2. Giving should be PLANNED. • “On the first day of every week,” v. 2a. • For some, weekly may not be convenient. Just the same, it must be planned. 3. Giving should be PERSONAL. • “Each one of you should set aside,” v. 2b. • “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor. 9:7. 4. Giving should be PROPORTIONAL. • “…a sum of money in keeping with his income,” v. 2c. • We honor the Old Testament principle of “tithing.” Reflection: What motivates you for giving your offering to the Lord? a. I give only when there is a need. (need-motivated) b. I give as long as I can have my way. (control-motivated) c. I give so that God will bless me. (reward-motivated) d. I give and expect people to give me credit. (show-motivated) e. I give or else God will punish me. (fear-motivated) f. I give because I am commanded to do it. (duty-motivated) g. I give to grow in my relationship with God. (growth-motivated) h. I give to show thanksgiving to God. (gratitude-motivated) i. I give because I simply love God. (love-motivated) j. I give to show what God is worth to me. (worship-motivated)