March 24, 2024 • Pastor Joey Ling • Matthew 26:14–16
Story from the Cross: Judas Iscariot
Speaker: Pastor Joey Ling
Scripture: Matthew 26:14-16
1. What does Judas’ Story Tell Us About Ourselves?
Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
—Matthew 26:14-16
What are you doing to control or eradicate the growth of the weeds?
How healthy is your soil?
2. What does Judas’ Story Tell Us About Jesus?
Friday is Good because Sunday is coming.
3. How does Judas’ Story Call Us to Respond in this Lent Season?When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.
—Matthew 27:3-4
Experience God through Repentance
a. Ask God for Mercy
b. Acknowledge the Sin
c. Confess Fully
d. Commit to Change
e. Embrace God’s Love
f. Seize the Hope
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
—Romans 6:23
The Doubting Thomas
March 17, 2024 • Rev. Reuben Foncardas • John 20:24–29
Story from the Cross
The Doubting Thomas
Speaker: Rev. Reuben Foncardas
Scripture: John 20:24-29
Our faith and obedience to our Lord will always be lacking. We will continue to struggle with doubt on occasion. Just like the father of a demon possessed boy whom Jesus healed, there will be times when we will say to God, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief” (Mark 9:24).
How do we stop doubting and start believing? We find insights that address this question in the example of Thomas.
1. When doubting, do not MISS fellowship with believers.
“Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.” (John 20:24)
2. When doubting, do not DEMAND conditions from God.
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25)
3. When doubting, be HONEST and admit your unbelief.
“A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.” (John 20:26a).
4. When doubting, be ASSURED that God will provide what you need to believe.
Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:26b-27)
Action Points:
1. Bring your doubts to God in humble prayer.
2. Seek answers to your doubts from Scriptures and from mature believers.
3. Let doubt drive you to get closer to God.
Peter
March 10, 2024 • Pastor Angela Luk • Mark 8:27–38
Story from the Cross: Peter
Speaker: Pastor Angela Luk
Scripture: Mark 8:27-38
• What does Peter’s story tell us about ourselves?
• What does Peter’s story tell us about Jesus?
• How does Peter’s story call us to respond in this season of Lent?
3 conditions for true discipleship: we must
1. Surrender ourselves completely to him,
2. Identify with him in suffering and death,
3. Follow him obediently wherever he leads.
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
—1 Peter 1:6-9
