Making All Things New: The Book of Genesis (DTM)
DTM | January 16th-April 3rd; June 5th, 19th; October 2nd-16th, 2022; November 13th-27th, 2022
The Power of Forgiveness
November 27, 2022 • Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui • Genesis 50
Sermon Notes Making All Things New: Book of Genesis The Power of Forgiveness Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui Scripture: Genesis 50 ——— What is God’s providence? The often-imperceptible work of God to fulfill his good purposes. God’s Providence in Scripture (Phil. 2:13; Eph. 1:11-12; Romans 8:28) ——— What does trusting in God’s providence practically entail? (Gen. 50:19-20) 1. Leaving the righting of wrongs to God: God’s providential work IN us (v. 19) 2. Seeing God work for our ultimate good - God’s providential work FOR us (v. 20) 3. Forgiving those who hurt you and showing gratitude (and even) affection - God’s providential work THROUGH us (v. 21)
On the Path to Humility
November 13, 2022 • Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui • Genesis 37
Making All Things New: The Book of Genesis On the Path to Humility Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui Genesis 37 Consequences of Favouritism ——— 1. Envy: Joseph’s brothers were filled with envy (v. 20) Two ways to handle envy a) Build yourself up b) Bring others down We say that people are proud of being rich, or clever, or good-looking, but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better-looking than others. —C.S. Lewis ——— 2. Pride: Joseph puffed up with pride (v.9) ——— 1. How do avoid favouritism? A Word to Parents Are you shaping your children to believe that your love for them is predicated on their performance and behaviour? Is it consistently communicated to them that their parent’s love rises and falls on how they perform or behave? How you interact with others (including how your parent) exposes who you think God is. On a practical note… • Acknowledge that you have unique relationship with each child • Be proactive in showing love to each child • Craft out intentional family time ——— 2. How to I overcome envy and pride? A Word to Children Allow your heavenly Father to meet your deepest needs Learn to honour your parents — not idolize them. ——— Conclusion: Lean into the Father’s love…
Like Father, Like Son
October 9, 2022 • Rev. Reuben Foncardas • Genesis 25:19–34
Making All Things New: The Book of Genesis Like Father, Like Son Rev. Reuben Foncardas Genesis 25:19-34 The God who created the universe has become our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ our saviour. The Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God (Rom. 8:14-16). God our Father is holy. So we must strive to be holy. From the account of Isaac and his sons, Esau and Jacob, we learn lessons that will produce godliness in our lives and in those around us. ——— 1. Trust God and his plans. • Wait patiently for God to fulfill his promises • Work diligently with God to accomplish his purposes ——— 2. Transfer godly habits. • Sin pattern often pass through the generations. But so can faith and godly virtues. • Jesus can redeem children from “the empty life inherited from ancestors” (1 Peter 1:18) • Growing up in a believing home is a tremendous blessing to a child. ——— 3. Treasure spiritual blessing. • Never throw away what is honourable for the sake of temporary pleasure. Respect what is holy. • Christians are joint heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17, Titus 3:4-7) because we are children of God (John 1:12, Rom. 8:14-16) ——— Personal Reflection: a. Are you a child of God? b. Are you a “holy” child of God?
The Wonder of Waiting
June 19, 2022 • Pastor Angela Luk • Genesis 21
Making All Things New: The Book of Genesis The Wonder of Waiting Pastor Angela Luk Genesis 21 Three defining ways God keeps his promises 1. He brings them to completion in his timing (21:1-7) a. Sarah and Abraham’s responses b. Instant gratification vs. his timing 2. He is gracious despite the circumstances (21:8-13) a. Provides a way to resolve Abraham’s family conflict b. Grace comes from through despite human conflict and sin 3. He will be with us (221:14-21) a. Despite being cast out, God cares for the abused and neglected b. Jesus promises to be with his people to the end of the ages (Matt. 28:16-20) Take away: Will we be patient for his timing?
How shall we then live?
June 5, 2022 • Rev. Shu-Ling Lee • Genesis 19
Making All Things New: Genesis How shall we then live? Rev. Shu-Ling Lee Genesis 19 ——— 1. The Direction of Lot’s Life There is a progression from Chapter 13-19: Lot was in the city. Then the city was in Lot. You cannot aim for the best of both worlds (see Psalm 1:1-2) In the end, you will become either a person OF the city or a person FOR the city ——— 2.The Destruction of Lot’s Life He lost his way He lost his family He lost his joy ——— 3. The Desire of Lot’s Heart The direction of his life came from the desire of his heart ——— Conclusion “Remember Lot’s wife” (John 17:28-33) In the end, what you and I need is to know and experience God’s love. We need to know and experience this deep and rich love because that is what will expels out the love for the things of this world. God’s love is working in ways you may not understand until years later or even beyond your lifetime.
Faith and Doubt
April 4, 2022 • Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui • Genesis 16
Faith and Doubt Scripture: Genesis 16 Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui 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. 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) 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) 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? 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. 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.
Justification by Faith
March 27, 2022 • Pastor Angela Luk • Genesis 15
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 ——— 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 ——— 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 ——— 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 ——— 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
Peace and Promises
March 20, 2022 • Rev. Kelly Tam • Genesis 13
Making All Things New: The Book of Genesis Peace and Promises Scripture: Genesis 13 Rev. Kelly Tam The conflict between Abram and Lot Abram’s Choice Lot’s Choice Discerning God’s Will: a. He guides us through His Word (Psalm 119:105) b. He guides us through the Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:13) c. He guides us through His people (Proverbs 20:18) d. He guides us by shedding light in our circumstances (Romans 8:28) God’s Continuous Promises
Faith Obeys God
March 13, 2022 • Rev. Reuben Foncardas • Genesis 12:1–9
Sermon Notes Making All Things New: The Book of Genesis Faith Obeys God Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9 Rev. Reuben Foncardas Abram’s example of obedience is a model for all believers to forsake all else to obtain the promised blessings of God and to serve Him by becoming a blessing to others. —Thomas Constable We learn three principles on oeying God from the example of Abram. ——— 1. Obey God’s call because of his character, not his plan. • “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” (v. 1) • What and who to leave behind is clearly spelled out. Where to go and the details as to what to do is to be revealed gradually as Abram obeys. ——— 2. Obey God’s call by fulfilling his intention, not our ambition. • “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (vv. 2-3) • God’s command to Abram was to go and be a blessing (vv. 1-3). God’s command to us believers is the same (Matt. 28:18-20). ——— 3. Obey God’s call relying on his power, not on our strength. • “So he (Abram) built an altar there to the LORD, who appeared to him…There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD.” (vv. 7b, 8b) • Abram’s altars were more permanent structures than his tents. It served both as a reminder for Abram to depend on God by worshiping him, and as a witness to the Canaanites who were living in the land. ––– The missionary mandate of the church does not begin with John 3:16 or Matthew 28:18–20. It begins with God’s covenant with Abraham. We are blessed that we might be a blessing. —Warren Wiersbe
The Wages of Sin (Noah & The Flood)
February 13, 2022 • Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui • Genesis 6:9—7:24
Making All Things New: The Book of Genesis The Wages of Sin (Noah & The Flood) Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui Scripture: Genesis 6:9-7:24 ——— 1. Structure The author is highlighting something for us: God’s faithfulness in the midst of judgment, ie. “salvation through judgment” ——— 2. Science A. Is this flood historical or mythologic? B. Was it regional or global flood? C. What about those animals? ——— 3. Story 1. Waves of judgment (6:5-7, 12-13) 2. Winds of salvation (6:8-9, 8:1) ——— Practical Takeaways: 1. Same salvation: This story is not about God loving good people and hating bad people. No, the story is that we – the ill-deserving — are saved by God’s grace alone through faith alone. 2. Same mission: We have to warn people that there is another storm is coming. God has given us a way to be rescued and restored. We have to believe and endure as Noah did.