Confession & Communion – Two Keys of Relationship
Speaker: Rev. Shu-Ling Lee
Scripture: 1 John 1:5-10 NIV
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
—1 John 1:5-10, NIV
Though it is true that confession is an act in the name of Christ that is complete in itself and is exercised in the fellowship as frequently as there is desire for it, it serves the Christian community especially as a preparation for the common reception of the Holy Communion… It is the command of Jesus that none would come to the altar with a heart that is unreconciled to his brother.
—Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together
Introduction
Why should we confess our sins?
Why should we confess our sins to one another?
What hinders confession of sin today?
1. When we confess our sin to God, it reveals our reliance on Him and our desire to live “in the light”, which allows us to truly fellowship with one another.
2. When we confess our sins to one another, we become wounded healers that reveal the heart of Jesus in forgiveness.
3. The Lord’s Supper (Communion) is actually a space of Joy because in Christ we have reconciliation with God and with our church community.
Conclusion:
1 Corinthians 11:17-29
Relationships that are Built on Servanthood
February 25, 2024 • Pastor Stephen Hsu • Philippians 2:1–11
Life Together in the Church:
Relationships that are Built on Servanthood
Speaker: Pastor Stephen Hsu
Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11
BIG IDEA: We love one another when we find our joy in considering others better by becoming a slave like our Lord Jesus Christ.
How to Love One Another
Find your joy in being one (1-2)
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness or compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
—Phil 2:1-2 NIV
Purpose of Philippians:
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.
—Phil. 2:27 NIV
Consider others better than yourself (3-4)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
—Phil. 2:3-4 NIV
Become a slave like Jesus (5-8)
In your relationships with one another have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
—Phil. 2:5-8 NIV
CONCLUSION = Bow & Worship our Lord Jesus Christ
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
—Phil. 2: 9-11 NIV
PRAYER:
Lord,
You were completely humiliated, so we could be fully known, yet fully loved.
Please help us to decrease, so You can increase in our lives. Help us to not seek great things for ourselves, but to consider others better than ourselves. Help us not to care for our own needs, but rather, for each of us to care for others’ needs.
Instead of us humans trying to be god, help us look to the only God who became human, our Lord Jesus Christ who came in the flesh, to make Himself nothing by being the greatest slave of us all! Thank you, Jesus, for joyfully enduring the horrific cross til death, so that I could be completely forgiven and set free from my guilt and my many sins.
May we stand firm in one Spirit, striving together as one for the sake of the gospel, without fear of those who hate us, as a sure sign of their coming destruction but also of Your marvelous salvation.
Please help us by your Spirit to love others as You have loved us, by washing each other’s feet.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Alone with the Spirit, Together with the Saints
February 18, 2024 • Rev. Reuben Foncardas • Luke 6:12–19
Life Together in the Church:
Alone with the Spirit, Together with the Saints
Speaker: Rev. Reuben Foncardas
Scripture: Luke 6:12-19
How can we be a church community that lives “Life Together” as Christ calls us to do? The short answer to this question is this: by creating spaces where God can speak and act. Henri Nouwen refers to this as spiritual disciplines. There are three spaces we need to diligently create; three disciplines we need to faithfully observe.
1. Be with God alone in solitude.
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.
—Luke 6:12 NIV
• Take time to listen to and reflect on what God has to say to you through his Word (Bible) and through the Holy Spirit (prayer).
• Intercede for people and/or events that come to mind to bring your focus back to God.
2. Be in community with other believers.
When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:
—Luke 6:13 NIV
• Learn to forgive; to have no expectation of being loved unconditionally by other believers.
• Learn to celebrate the beauty of humanity in others that is being changed from brokenness to fullness of life in Christ.
3. Be present in the lives of those who need “healing.”
He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, 19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.
—Luke 6:17-19 NIV
• Bring healing to people by leading them to gratitude and by showing them compassion.
Fellowship…What is it Really?
February 11, 2024 • Rev. Kelly Tam • Acts 2
Life Together in the Church:
Fellowship…What is it Really?
Speaker: Rev. Kelly J. Tam
Scripture: Acts 2 (NLT)
The idea of community stems from 2 Biblical truths:
1. God is a Trinity
2. We are made in the image of God
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[a]), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[b]— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
—Acts 2:42-47
They united into a congregation (v42)
They shared to meet each other’s needs (v45)
They worshipped together (v46a)
They met in homes (v46b)
God added to their community (v47)
Common devotions in the morning should include Scripture reading, song, and prayer. Different fellowships will require different forms of worship; this is as it should be. A family with children needs a different devotion from that of a fellowship of ministers, and it is no means wholesome for one to be like another or for a company of theologians to be content with a family devotion for children. But every common devotion should include the word of Scripture, the hymn of the Church, and the prayer of the fellowship.
—“Life Together” P. 44, Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Life Together in the Church:
Everybody has Their Own Idea of Community
Speaker: Rev. Ho-Ming J. Tsui
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18
Where does the idea of community come from?
Christian theology tells us that:
(a) God is a Trinity
(b) Human beings are made in His image.
What factors hinder community?
(a) Preconceptions: Unrealistic or unhealthy expectations of what community should be
(b) Preferences: Selfish desires that seep into community
(c) Projections: The illusion of community
How we can strengthen community?
Communities form and are strengthened through commonality
What do Christians have in common? We’re “in Christ Jesus”
It’s strengthened by:
(a) having the right expectation (seeing others the way Jesus would)
(b) making a meaningful contribution (serving others the way Jesus would)
