Chinese for Christ Church of San Jose
English Worship Service
Worship Service: 10:00 –11:10 am followed by snacks in the Fellowship Hall.
Call To Worship* -Hannah Lee
Praise & Worship* -Praise Team and Congregation
Welcome & Announcements -Daniel Chen
Sermon “Wake Up to God’s Blessings!” Malachi 3:6-12 (page 802) -Joey Wang
Song(s) of Response* -Praise Team
Doxology (Words of Praise)* – Congregation
Prayer & Benediction (Lord’s Blessing)* -Joey Wang
Previous Week’s Sermon Notes
We are currently going through a sermon series through the book of Malachi, titled, “A Wake Up Call from God.” The book of Malachi was God’s last words to the people of Israel for 400 years (until the New Testament). The primary purpose was to wake up the people of God from complacency.
Malachi 2:17-3:5 “Wake Up to Justice”
- The Charge against Israel (2:17)
– Questioning God’s silence & absence in the midst of evil and wickedness
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you are wondering whether it’s worth it to follow God? How much of it is due to God’s apparent silence or absence?
- The Coming Messenger & Messiah (3:1)
– Instead of God being silent or absent, He responds and makes a promise to Israel of sending two people.
– The “messenger” is John the Baptist (cf. Isaiah 40:3, Matthew 3:3-12, Mark 1, Luke 3, John 1:19-23).
– The “Lord” / “Messenger of the Covenant” is Jesus. God not only responds with words but with Himself coming into the world to be with His people.
- …Will Purify (3:2-4)
– Like a refiner’s fire (which burns away the impurities to reveal pure silver) or fuller’s soap (which cleansed and strengthened the wool), Jesus’s coming will do likewise for his people
– For the people’s good: It is amazing that God sees the value in us (as silver/gold) despite our impurities. Refining can be a painful process but it is for our good and growth.
– For God’s glory: The process of refining isn’t just for our good but for His glory! That we and others would proclaim God’s power and grace!
Reflection: In what areas of our lives if God refining us?
- …Will Judge (3:5)
– Against injustices. In this verse are 7 sins listed — all of which reveal an injustice against God or fellow people. While Israel was wanting justice, they themselves were committing injustices!
– Against not fearing God. Bottom line: All sin reveals a lack of fear/reverence/obedience to God.
Gospel Truth: Jesus came to purify and refine us through His sacrifice on the cross – and will come again to judge
We are glad you are here this morning to worship God together with us! We hope that this morning you would know and experience God’s graciousness and generosity towards you – ultimately through Jesus!
Please fill out one of the cards in the pew and pass on to any of our ushers if you would like us to contact you with more information about our church.
Announcements
- Family Night: Our church’s annual trick-or-treating alternative will be on Saturday 10/31 from 5:30-8:00 pm at church. This is a wonderful opportunity for your family and your friends/neighbors to come to church to play both carnival-style and family group games (prizes given out). Finger foods will be provided. If you have any questions or would like to help, please contact George Sya (gsya@hotmail.com).
- Blood Drive: Saturday, November 14th from 10 am-3 pm in the Fellowship Hall. See Christine Tsao to register or you can register online. Any questions contact Christine (tsao@gmail.com).
- Community Groups: Our small group fellowship for adults (college, single/married, working, etc.) are meeting this afternoon from 4-6 pm and next Saturday 10 am-12 pm. For more information, please contact Pastor Joey (joeywang@cfccsj.org).
- Saltshakers (Youth Group): We will be helping out with Family Night this coming Saturday (10/31) . See Family Night announcement for more details. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Daniel Chen (dantchen83@sbcglobal.net).
- ESL Teachers Needed: We are experiencing a shortage of ESL teachers for our Friday morning and Sunday afternoon English classes. If interested, please contact Vicky Lan (vickylan28@gmail.com).
Prayer Requests & Praises
- Pray for our upcoming Family Night (outreach) event. Pray for all the volunteers and coordinators as well as that through the event people would be able to connect with our church and God!
- Pray for our college and graduate students both near and far. Pray that they would not only be diligent as students, but faithful as disciples. Pray that in the midst of their studies they would honor and worship God. Pray for our students who haven’t found a church and fellowship to find and commit to one.
- Pray for Tri Valley Chinese Bible Church (Pleasanton), specifically for their English/youth congregation during this season for them as a church without a youth/English pastor. Pray for their lay leaders as they lead and serve for wisdom and perseverance in guiding the congregation this season.
Recommended Books on Giving
The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving by Randy Alcorn
– The best (and short!) book on understanding the principle(s) of stewardship and giving from a biblical perspective. This is required reading for every Christian family or individual!
Money, Possessions, and Eternity by Randy Alcorn
– This book is the longer/expanded version of The Treasure Principle which addresses in greater detail the issues of money, faithfulness, generosity, stewardship, debt, etc.
Recommended Commentaries on Malachi
Joel, Obadiah, Malachi (The NIV Application Commentary) by David W. Baker
– User-friendly commentary that spends equal time on original context as well as contemporary significance.
Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries) by Andrew E. Hill
– An excellent shorter commentary that provides good background as well as exposition of the verses.
The Books of Haggai and Malachi (The New International Commentary on the OT) by Peiter A. Verhoef.
– A very technical and detailed commentary that gets into the original Hebrew text (verse-by-verse) and interacts with other scholarly works. Not for the faint of heart but those that want to dig deep into the passage.
New City Catechism (adapted from www.newcitycatechism.com/intro.php)
We hope that this will be a tool for us to use in discipling our children, one another and ourselves as a church community. The New City Catechism is also available online and for your smart phones.
Question 7: What does the law of God require?
Answer: Personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience; that we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love our neighbor as ourselves. What God forbids should never be done and what God commands should always be done.
Passage(s): Matthew 22:37-40