Kingdom Truths: Parable of the Persistent Widow

RHCCC

Sermon

Kingdom Truths: Parable of the Persistent Widow

Downtown Markham site | August 18th, 2024

August 18, 2024 • Pastor Stephen Hsu • Luke 18:1–8

Kingdom Truths: Parable of the Persistent Widow

Sub-title: Why Pray?

Speaker: Pastor Stephen Hsu

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

[1] Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. [2] He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. [3] And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ [4] “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, [5] yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” [6] And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. [7] And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? [8] I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

—Luke 18:1-8 NIV

BIG IDEA: Always pray & don’t give up trusting God to discover & love who Jesus truly is.

INTRODUCTION to parables: Why does God hide Himself? (Isaiah 45:15)

HOW TO PRAY

Realize you need to always pray. (1a)

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray…

—Luke 8:1a

Don’t give up on God. (1b)

…and not give up.

—Luke 8:1b

Keep your faith in Jesus. (8b)

However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

—8:8b

CONCLUSION: Which human relationship best describes YOUR relationship with GOD?

CLEAR

Kingdom Truths: The Parable of the Great Banquet

September 8, 2024 • Pastor Stephen Hsu • Luke 14:15–24

Kingdom Truths: The Parable of the Great Banquet Speaker: Pastor Stephen Hsu Scripture: Luke 14:15-24 Questions? Email me at mailto:missions@rhccc.ca [15] When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” [16] Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. [17] At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ [18] “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ [19] “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ [20] “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ [21] “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ [22] “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ [23] “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. [24] I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’” —Luke 14:15-24 BIG IDEA: Jesus invites all to come, but if you make the mistake of settling for second best, you will miss out on the best thing. What of this great banquet? On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines —Isaiah 25:6 1. Jesus invites all to COME! (15-17) 2. Beware prioritizing good things over the best thing, (18-20) 3. If we continually reject God, He will eventually reject us (21-24) Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” —Revelation 19:9

Kingdom Truths: The Parable of the Talents

September 1, 2024 • Pastor Alex Chan • Matthew 25:14–30

Kingdom Truths: The Parable of the Talents Speaker: Pastor Alex Chan Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30 (ESV) Context: Jesus uses this parable in response to his disciples asking about the Parousia, Jesus’ Second Coming. We are encouraged to live a life of constant readiness. ___ ACCOUNTABILITY: We will be held accountable for what has been entrusted to us (v19,21,23,26-30) What is our attitude towards our God-given responsibilities? • Eagerness, diligence, productiveness (v16) • Fear, laziness (v25,26) ___ STEWARDSHIP: What have we been entrusted with? 1. Foundationally, the GOSPEL (1 Cor 4:1-2) 2. Individuality, diversity; spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4:10-11) 3. Our own race with its unique circumstances (Hebrews 12:1) Are we multiplying our Gospel & Kingdom Impact? (John 15) Jesus is concerned with our FAITHFULNESS. ___ Buried talents: Why do we live in fear? (Matthew 25:24-27) 1. Wrong view of the master 2. Self-interest/perseveration • No such thing as risk-free discipleship/stewardship • Risk is at the heart of following Christ (Matthew 10:39, Matthew 16:24-26) ___ How do we live in joy? Jesus invites you to share in His Joy Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:2 “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” - Matthew 25:21

Kingdom Truths: The Parable of the Wedding Feast and The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collect

August 25, 2024 • Pastoral Intern Evan Ng • Luke 14:7–11, Luke 18:9–14

Kingdom Truths: The Parable of the Wedding Feast and The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector Sub-title: What is True Humility? Speaker: Pastor Evan Ng Scripture: Luke 14:7-11, Luke 18:9-14 How to have a posture of humility: 1. Look to the humility of God (Philippians 2:5-11) 2. Look into our own heart (Matthew 5:3) 3. Respond with gratitude (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) 4. Respond with compassion (Philippians 2:1-4) Big Idea: God invites us all to rely on Him, not because we already have everything together, but because we don’t.