On the first day of the new year, Pastor Eugene preaches from 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 and reminds the church that we are new creations in Christ. As such, the Holy Spirit is working to stir a new vision in our lives and invite us to a new calling as ambassadors of God.
Who is Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem and why do they matter? As Pastor Eugene preaches from Nehemiah 6, he talks about how Nehemiah responds to the thee tactics of opposition employed by these three 'haters.' He also challenges us to consider if we, ourselves, might be these very people who oppose the work of others.
As we venture into the second section of chapter 8, Pastor DeAnza explores God's renewal which is focused on relationship and community life. How is that hunger and desperation can lead us to reverence and gratitude for the mighty work of God in our lives?
Pastor Eugene continues preaching through Nehemiah and focuses on Chapter 9. He explains that life involves both seasons of festivals and seasons of confession and repentance. Confession is important because it reminds us again not only of our fallen nature but more importantly, of God's mercy and grace. In this long prayer of Nehemiah, he recounts the greatness of God - even in the midst of pain and trials. Lastly, he reminds the church that Nehemiah is not just about a building project but more importantly, about rebuilding the walls of our hearts and thus, to be right with God.
Pastor Eugene continues the Nehemiah series and teaches through Chapter 10. We learn that repentance is not merely confession and prayer but having the conviction and courage to follow through with commitment. Simply, following God entails commitment. Discipleship is commitment.
Pastor Eugene continues the series on Nehemiah and focuses on chapter 12:27-47. In this sermon, he teaches the centrality of worship. He contends that all humans worship something - either the created order or the Creator. Through the leadership of Nehemiah and Ezra, we see a vision of believers living a lifestyle of worship that seeks to dedicate the whole of their lives for the glory of Christ.
As we begin the season of Lent this coming Ash Wednesday, we are welcomed to a time of penitence and preparation before the Easter season. As we read Matthew 4:1-11, we must acknowledge that Jesus is fully God and fully human as he is faced with trials and temptation. Pastor Eugene challenges us to "audit our lives", assessing the temptations in our lives. He further challenges us to go through a "spiritual detox" during the season of Lent and separate ourselves from the temptations and sins that are present in our lives. In giving up something in our lives, we are able to grab a hold of something much great, God. We must rejoice in the good news that we are not alone and God constantly prepare us for new chapters in our lives.
Pastor Gail challenges us with Nehemiah's question: "Why is the house of the Lord neglected?" During this Lenten season, it's a great reminder that in our giving-up/fasting/sacrificing of various things or habits, may it not be a yearly ritual or rote occasion but a call to cleansing and a life of worship.
Pastor Eugene concludes the teachings of the Nehemiah Series with chapter 13:15-31. The last chapter of Nehemiah is awkward and challenging, but we must make sure not to neglect this important chapter.
Although it is important to highlight and take note of the positive lessons learned throughout Nehemiah, but we must also learn from the mistakes that the Israelites made in breaking the pledges they made with God:
1) Reading, studying, obeying and living out God's Laws
2) Faithfulness in stewardship
3) Keeping the Sabbath sacred
4) Discernment in who we allow to influence our lives
Quest welcomes Aaron Cho, the candidate for the Pastor of Community/Life/Formation position. Aaron preaches from the first chapter of Joshua, wherein a leadership transition from Moses to Joshua occurs.
Aaron points out that courage cannot exist without fear. And to discuss courage, we must acknowledge the fears in our lives. Aaron discusses various forms of fear that may be present in different seasons of our lives:
- The fear of not measuring up
- The fear of failure
- The fear of the unknown
- The fear of being alone
Whatever the fears may be in our lives, Christ will be with us and will be waiting for us wherever God may call us to go.
Pastor Eugene launches "The Lord's Prayer" series with two revolutionary words: "Our Father". In order to learn from Jesus' example of prayer, we must first learn "how we aught not to pray", according to Jesus' teachings in Matthew 6:5-8.
How we aught not to pray (Matthew 6:5-8):
1) Do not be like the hypocrites
2) Do not use vain repetitions
With these first two words in The Lord's Prayer, "Our Father", we must note that the use of "Our" signifies that God does not belong to any individual alone, but rather, we are all connected with the other members in the Body of Christ. In addition, the use of "Father" is intentional, although God is not anatomically gendered. We must put aside the negative and sexist connotations of the word "Father", but focus on the loving parental figure that God is for us.
Video shown at the end of the sermon:
::Coming Soon::
Pastor Ray continues the series on the Lord's Prayer, focusing on the second line "Who Art In Heaven". But before delving into the deep analysis, Pastor Ray reminds us of a couple things:
1) As Christians, we need to be more heaven-minded
2) When we speak of our God in heaven, He is not merely a distant being, but rather the loving, omnipotent and omniscient God
Although it is impossible to fully conceive the entirety of heaven, there are five great truths about heaven found in the scripture:
Five great truths about heaven:
1) Heaven is a real place
2) We will be with God and Jesus
3) We will be like Jesus, in His glorified beauty
4) We will be fully known in the integrity of the body of Christ
5) We will love and be loved, know and be known, in unimaginable magnitudes
Pastor Ray also reminds us of Jesus' answer regarding heaven in John 14, where he says "No one comes to the Father except through me."
Pastor Eugene kicks off the Passion Week sermon series with analysis of the original Palm Sunday, as portrayed in Matthew 21. Despite the glorious nature of Palm Sunday, we must acknowledge that Jesus knew He was walking towards His funeral procession. Pastor Eugene challenges us with the question "Who is Jesus?". Rather than focusing on a single aspect or "version" of Jesus, it is imperative to see Jesus in his wholeness.
Pastor Eugene preaches from the book of Matthew, recounting the events of the first Good Friday. He reminds us that there is no Resurrection Sunday without the Crucifixion Friday and that Jesus was both fully God and fully human. He focuses on Jesus' humanity and suffering as well as the incredible love of God--that He would become flesh and die for our sins.
Pastor Eugene preaches about Easter Sunday from Matthew 28. He reminds us that we are a "Resurrection People" living in a "Good Friday World". He recounts tragedies in our world today, highlighting the brokenness of our society. However, it is imperative to remember the Good News and that God's Love prevails.
Pastor DeAnza resumes the Lord's Prayer Series with the line, "Hallowed Be Thy Name". She challenges us to ponder "What's in a name". In Exodus 3, Moses asks God's name, to which He replies, "I AM WHO I AM"--He is Yahweh. Pastor DeAnza also references the hundreds of different names of God referenced in the Bible. Each of these names are different aspects of God, but if we follow Jesus' example and pray "Hallowed Be Thy Name", we are acknowledging, revering and sanctifying the Holiness and Wholeness of God.
Pastor Eugene continues the Lord's Prayer Series with the line, "Thy Kingdom Come". He points out that the entire Bible is about to the Kingdom of God. It is difficult to fathom the entirety of the Kingdom of God, but Pastor Eugene gives us a working definition of the Kingdom of God: "The eternal rule of God over all living things." Rather than passively waiting for Jesus to return and restore all things, we must actively live out our convictions. Despite the importance of the Kingdom of God, it is imperative that we never loose sight of Jesus, as He is "The Way".
Pastor Eugene continues The Lord's Prayer Series with the line, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven". He begins by focusing on the phrase "Thy will", noting that we must try our best, in our human finitude, to grasp and understand God's infinitude. He reminds us that The Lord's Prayer is Jesus' response to the question, "How then shall we pray". In our prayers, it is too easy to become so focused on particular things, rather than trying to see fullness of God's will. Although God cares about our individual wants and needs, prayer should not be merely these things. Pastor Eugene challenges us to spend at least 1% of our day (15 minutes) in quiet, devotional time with God.
Pastor DeAnza continues The Lord's Prayer Series with the line, "Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread". She addresses how this line can be analyzed in two different ways--how God provides us with physical nourishment and how we rely on God for spiritual sustenance. Beginning with this line, Jesus begins a transition in the prayer, shifting the focus from "Thy" to "Us". Previously, the focus is entirely on God--His Name, His Kingdom, His will--but now there is a shift in pronouns to address our relationship with God. And through the use of the word "Us", it is a communal calling. Pastor DeAnza also analyzes the phrase "This Day". She admits she attempts to plan every single moment in her day. Although it is good to have a plan for the future, it is imperative to ultimately surrender to God's greater plan with complete trust.
Pastor Gail continues The Lord's Prayer Series with the line "Forgive us our sins". She notes that for many of us, confession is the most difficult part of prayer, because it forces confrontation of our sinfulness. And because of this difficulty, we often neglect this important aspect of prayer. Rather than saving confessional prayers for special occasions--such as before communion or after a glaring misdoing--we must create a rhythm of prayer and confession with God. She reassures us that no sin is too great for God to forgive.
