Youth Sermon
2022-2024
Kingdom Truths: Parable of Prodigal Son
June 16, 2024 • Pastoral Intern Evan Ng • Luke 15:11–32
Kingdom Truths: Parable of Prodigal Son Scriptures: Luke 15:11-32 Pastoral Intern Evan Ng What is a parable? A story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, told by Jesus. Why does Jesus use parables? Because it gives us as the listeners the invitation to respond back to Him. Prodigal: spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant. “It would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with selfish ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. —C. S. Lewis Both brothers had wrong motives. But in this story we only see one of them repent. If God were to think about you, what would his first feelings be? Love and compassion, not disappointment or letdown. Big Idea: God wants us to rely on him, not because we already have everything together, but because we don’t. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” —Mark 2:16-17 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. —John 3:16-17 How should we live? Romans 12:9-21.
The LORD who Heals
May 26, 2024 • Pastor Alex Chan • Jeremiah 30:17, Psalm 30:2, Exodus 15:26
Sermon notes The LORD who Heals Scriptures: Exodus 15:26, Jeremiah 30:17, Psalm 30:2 Pastor Alex Chan • Jehovah Rapha Background Exodus 15 • Jehovah Rapha heals physically, socially (Mark 1:40-44), emotionally (Ps 34:18), mentally (Daniel 4:34), and most importantly, spiritually (Isaiah 53:5), Jesus demonstrates this throughout the gospels • Does God heal today?
Names: Jehovah Rohi
May 12, 2024 • Pastor Joey Ling • 1 Peter 2:25, Psalm 23
Sermon notes Names: Jehovah Rohi Scriptures: Psalm 23:1-6; 1 Peter 2:25 Pastor Joey Ling Jehovah Rohi means “The Lord Is My Shepherd.” A sheep without a shepherd is lost. It cannot survive on its own. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. —Psalm 23:1-6 What Jehovah Rohi does based on Psalm 23 He leads and provides He refreshes & strengthens us He guides us He gives us courage He keeps us safe Victory over death “For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” —1 Peter 2:25 God is the overseer of our souls. He is the shepherd of our souls. Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd, and he made the ultimate sacrifice for us (John 10:11).
Names: Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Who Provides)
May 5, 2024 • Pastoral Intern Evan Ng • Genesis 22:1–14
Names: Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Who Provides) Scriptures: Genesis 22:1-14 Pastoral Intern Evan Ng And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:19 God is so high and beyond human comprehension that the divine names can describe real characteristics of God, but even then, the divine names are only analogical to the real essence and might of God. —Thomas Aquinas Questions to Ask Yourself: Do you know what your name means? Is there a situation in your life right now where you feel confused or frustrated? What are some ways that God has provided for you in your life or in the others you know?
Kingdom Logic: Lose Your Life to Find It
April 28, 2024 • Pastor Joey Ling • Mark 8:35, John 12:24–26, Matthew 16:24–26
Kingdom Logic: Lose Your Life to Find It Scriptures: Mark 8:35, John 12:24-26, Matthew 16:24-26 Pastor Joey Ling Question Box 1. How do I stop farting so much? 2. How do I tell a boy I like him & How do I get a boy to like me back? “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” —Mark 8:35 “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” —John 12:24-26 There must be a conscious decision to surrender our desires and wills and live for Christ. Jesus made it clear that if you want to live, you have to die. 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? —Matthew 16:24-26 Let me ask you a few questions to keep in mind when you want to follow Jesus. • Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing some friends? • Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means that some family members may disapprove? • Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your reputation? • Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your job? • Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your life? Commitment to Christ means taking up your cross daily, giving up your hopes, dreams, possessions, and even your very life if need be for the cause of Christ.
Kingdom Logic: More Blessed to Give Than to Receive
April 21, 2024 • Pastor Alex Chan • Acts 20:35, Luke 6:38, 2 Corinthians 9:6–8
Kingdom Logic: More Blessed to Give Than to Receive Scriptures: Romans 8:32, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Matthew 10:7-8 Pastor Alex Chan He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? —Romans 8:32 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” —2 Corinthians 8:9 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. —Matthew 10:7-8 ——— Receive without earning Give without expectations
Kingdom Logic: What Goes Down Must Come Up
April 7, 2024 • Pastor Joey Ling • James 4:10, Matthew 23:12, Philippians 2:3
Kingdom Logic: What Goes Down Must Come Up Scriptures: James 4:10, Matthew 23:12, Philippians 2:3 Pastor Joey Ling Paradox: A statement or argument that seems to contradict itself but can in fact, be true. James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” Matthew 23:11-12 Reminds us How to be Great “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” —Matthew 23:11-12 Those who humble themselves are exalted. Phil 2:3 “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” C. S. Lewis - “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” 5 Ways to Grow in Humility 1. Thank God Often & Always 2. Confess Regularly 3. Have a Sense of Humour 4. Listen to Others 5. Ask Questions
Resurrected Hope
March 31, 2024 • Pastor Alex Chan • Luke 24:36–49
Resurrected Hope Luke 24:36-49 Pastor Alex Chan Jesus answers our doubts Jesus turns our losses into longing Jesus sends us out as his witnesses “And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.” —1 Corinthians 15:14
Come and See
March 17, 2024 • Pastoral Intern Evan Ng • John 1:45–51
Come and See Pastoral Intern Evan Ng Scripture: John 1:45-51 Think about this: What if one of your friends is just one ask away from believing in Jesus? How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15 Reflection Questions: What is one thing that you learned from today’s lesson? Have you ever experienced encounters like Nathanael’s or have had chances to share the good news like Philip? Who is one friend that you could invite to BBT Night? Invite them sometime these upcoming weeks.