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* -Alison Law
Praise & Worship*- Praise Team and Congregation
Welcome & Announcements -Kenny Chan
Sermon “The Gospel & Homosexuality” Assorted Verses – Joey Wang
Song(s) of Response* – Praise Team
Doxology (Words of Praise)*- Congregation
Prayer & Benediction (Lord’s Blessing)* – Joey Wang
*Please stand, if physically able. Also, please set your cell phones to “silent.” Please exit through the ‘front’ of the sanctuary at the end of service. Thank you
Previous Week’s Sermon Notes
Last Sunday, we concluded 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 spiritual complacency.
Malachi 4:1-6 “Wake Up to The Past and Future (or God’s Faithfulness)!”
v.4 wake up to remember God’s faithfulness in days past
– God gives Israel His Laws for Israel to obey
– Yet, the mention of Mt. Horeb suggests their remembering is in the context of “escape or exodus” from slavery in Egypt
Question for consideration: When we look at our past, do we see evidence and examples of God’s faithfulness to us; particularly during times of ‘difficulties, desperation and despair’? Can we also see God’s faithfulness to us through the giving (and gift) of His Word to us?
v.5 wake up to remember God’s faithfulness in days future
– God gives Israel both the literal Elijah as well as the future or symbolic Elijah or John the Baptist who will foreshadow Jesus’ coming & ministry
– Yet, the Jews misunderstood both the timing as well as the purpose of future events
Question for consideration: are we looking at life with the hope of eternity in mind? Are we living life and seeing the future through our own perspective/lenses or from God’s Kingdom perspective?
v.6 wake up to remember the goal of “Elijah’s” ministry
– John the Baptist came preaching a message of repentance calling for restored & reconciled relationships
– the book of Malachi (and the Old Testament) concludes with a sober and somber warning or caution
Question for consideration: are my relationships with those around me as well as with God marked by an attitude of repentance (and restoration)
We are glad you are here this morning to worship God together with us! We hope that this morning you would wake up to the reality that despite our own brokenness, issues and sinfulness that God’s grace and love through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit had the power to change and transform us.
Please fill out one of the pink 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
- Persecuted Church: Please make sure to pick up a free special issue of Voice of the Martyrs, a magazine that shares stories about our brothers and sisters around the world. This special issue includes a pull-out map poster which includes how to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters.
- Community Groups: Our small group fellowship for adults (college, single/married, working, etc.) will be meeting this Sunday afternoon (4-6pm) as well as next Saturday (10 am-12pm). Please contact Pastor Joey (joeywang@cfccsj.org) or Pastor Kenny (pkennychan@gmail.com).
- Saltshakers (Youth Group): We will be continuing our theme of Spiritual Discipline this Saturday (11/21) from 7-9pm at the Beacon Building. For more information, please contact Daniel Chen (dantchen83@sbcglobal.net).
- Baptism: The Chinese and English congregations will have a joint baptism service on Sunday 11/22 (10am-12pm). Children’s Worship Service and Children’s Sunday School will continue that day. English Sunday School is cancelled.
- Thanksgiving Potluck: You are invited to our church wide Thanksgiving potluck and sharing on Wednesday 11/25 (6:30pm). If you would like to join, please RSVP on the registration form in the hallway after the service and provide information about the food you will bring.
Prayer Requests & Praises
- Praise God for our Blood Drive yesterday. Praise God for all the volunteers who helped out and/or donated blood. Pray that as a church we would continue to serve and love our community through tangible acts of service and love.
- Pray for our persecuted brother and sisters in Christ around the world. Praise God for their continued faithfulness to the Gospel in the midst of suffering and anguish. Pray that they will experience God’s comfort as well as God’s power as they continue to live out and proclaim the Gospel.
- Pray for our church plant in Palo Alto. Pray for the core team (Elder Steve Chen, Henry Chien, Edward Chien and Sammy Hu) as they prepare for the upcoming first worship service in December. Pray for team unity as well as God’s calling for more coworkers to partner with the core team. Praise God for His provision of a meeting location as well as opportunities to share the Gospel with the Chinese community in Palo Alto!
- Pray for our young families (Paul & Jamie Yuan, Jay & Pui-Yun Sha, David & Ivy Lee, Kenny & Yun Ho, Daniel & Hue Han) — that in the midst of adjusting to newborns/young children that they continue to grow in the Gospel, to experience God’s grace, and to follow after Jesus.
Recommended Books on The Gospel, Bible & Homosexuality
Is God Anti-Gay? And Other Questions About Homosexuality, the Bible and Same Sex Attraction by Sam Allberry
– A concise book that addresses the major issues. This is a helpful first book to read on the issue of homosexuality. The author himself struggles with same-sex attraction.
What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality? by Kevin DeYoung
– This book does an excellent job covering the major passages in the Bible that addresses the issue of homosexuality — as well as refuting some of the common misinterpretations that have been used to affirm homosexuality.
The Plausibility Problem: The Church And Same Sex Attraction by Ed Shaw.
– Part apologetic, part personal reflection, the author (who struggles with same-sex attraction) refutes nine common assumptions when it comes to the issue of homosexuality.
Compassion without Compromise: How the Gospel Frees Us to Love Our Gay Friends Without Losing the Truth by Adam T. Barr and Ron Citlau
– The first half of the book explains and defends the traditional view of marriage and the sin of homosexuality. The second half of the book offers helpful thoughts and advice on Christians (and churches) should interact with those who struggle with same-sex attraction.
Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God. A Broken Mother’s Search for Hope by Christopher Yuan & Angela Yuan
– A powerful autobiography of God’s grace and redemption of an Asian-American who spiraled into homosexuality and drugs told from both the son and the mother’s perspective.
Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality by Wesley Hill
– A theological memoir on temptation, loneliness written by someone who struggles as well.
New City Catechism (adapted from www.newcitycatechism.com/intro.php)
We hope that this will be a tool for us to use in disciplining our children, one another and ourselves as a church community. The New City Catechism is also available online and for your smart phones.
Question 10: What does God require in the fourth and fifth commandments?
Answer: Fourth, that on the Sabbath day we spend time in public and private worship of God, rest from routine employment, serve the Lord and others, and so anticipate the eternal Sabbath. Fifth, that we love and honor our father and our mother, submitting to their godly discipline and direction.
Passage(s): Leviticus 19:3