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 “Walk Wisely” Ephesians 5:15-21 (page 978)- Joey Wang
Communion – Congregation
Song(s) of Response* – Praise Team
Doxology (Words of Praise)*- Congregation
Prayer & Benediction (Lord’s Blessing)* – Kenny Chan
*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.
Last Week’s Sermon Notes
Ephesians 5:3-14 “Light and Darkness: Compare and Contrast”
1st Compare & Contrast: sexually immoral, impure or covetous (i.e. idolater) with saints v.3-7
- Sexual immorality includes both physical acts of sex outside marriage and mental/visual sexual immorality or porn
- Covetous is greediness, eagerness or hunger for personal gain
- In contrast: saints are called to not be filthy, not to engage in meaningless talk, crude joking nor being sexually immoral
- Instead, saints are called to give thanks and be grateful to God
2nd Compare & Contrast: darkness with light (v.8-14)
- Before coming to faith in Jesus, we were not just in a state of darkness but were darkness
- In contrast: After coming to faith in Jesus, we are not just in a state of light but are light in the Lord
- Believers are called not only walk in the light and discern/seek what pleases God but also expose, reveal & uncover unfruitful works of darkness in themselves as well as others
- Followers of Jesus are able to do this by allowing the light of Jesus to transform, change, and renew their life
Consideration & Application:
- How would I describe my own conduct & character regarding sexual immorality, impurity or covetous? How might those around me describe my character/conduct?
- Am I not only trying to avoid sexual immorality & impurity but also thankful & appreciative to God?
- As a believer in Christ, do I recognize that I am living in a state of light because of Christ? Do I recognize that I am light because of Christ?
- How can recognizing these Scriptural truths transform my life & lifestyle? How can our church community assist me in this process or how can I help someone else?
We are glad you are here this morning to worship God together with us! We hope that through this service you would experience God’s blessings to you — and know His love for you through Jesus Christ and the presence of His Spirit!
If this is your first time here, please fill out one the pink cards in the pew and pass onto any of our ushers if you would like us to contact you with more information about our church.
Announcements
- Compassion Sunday: Prayerfully consider sponsoring a child today! Please visit the table out in the hallway on Sunday, 5/1. Contact Ellin Wu at ellinchen@gmail.com with any questions.
- EM Prayer Meeting (5/4): Join us this Wednesday (8:00-9:15pm) at Jeff & Ruth’s house (4544 Winding Way, San Jose 95129) as we gather to pray for our English ministry/congregation.
- Saltshakers (Youth Group): We will be continuing our theme, “Apologetics” this Saturday (5/7) from 7-9pm in the Church Sanctuary. For more information, contact Daniel Chen (dantchen83@sbcglobal.net).
- Church-Wide Picnic (5/21): We will be having a church-wide picnic on Saturday (5/21) at Vasona Lake County Park at 1:00PM. Cost is $5/person. Feel free to invite friends!
- Red Cross Blood Drive (5/28): Our semi-annual blood drive with Red Cross will be on 5/28. Please see inserted flyer for more information – as well as share and invite your friends, coworkers, neighbors!
- Summer Retreat (6/17-6/19): Registration forms are now available! Deadline for early bird registration is 5/29. For more information, contact Daniel Chen (dantchen83@sbcglobal.net)
- Community Groups: Our small group fellowships for college/post-college (working, single/married, etc) meet weekly on Saturday mornings (10am-12pm) as well as Sunday afternoons (4-6pm). Please contact Pastor Joey for more information.
Prayer Requests & Praises
- Please pray as the Elder/Deacon Board is in process to hire Sister Hai-Yan Wu as full-time minister for Education & Womens Ministry (Chinese Ministry). Please let the Elder/Deacon Board know if you have any questions or concerns by 5/8.
- Pray for Pastor Kenny as he steps down from pastoral ministry later this fall. (October/November). Pray for our church & the Chan family during the transition months.
- Pray for the planning and preparations for our upcoming Summer Retreat, as well as our speaker Stephen Williams.
Background & Resources on Ephesians
Who? The Apostle Paul wrote the letter of Ephesians
To Who? Unlike some of Paul’s other letters (1 Corinthians, Galatians, etc.), the letter of Ephesians does not seem to address specific issues but appears to be more a general letter. Most likely, the letter was passed around to different house churches which gathered throughout the city of Ephesus — a major city and trading center (port).
When? 60-61 AD
Where? Paul wrote the letter of Ephesians while imprisoned in Rome.
Why? To remind and encourage Christians in Ephesus of the gospel message. The first half of the letter (chapters 1-3) focuses on the Gospel, while the second half (chapters 4-6) focuses on the implications and application of the Gospel.
Recommended Commentaries on Ephesians
The Letter to the Ephesians (The Pillar New Testament Commentary) by Peter T. O’Brien
& Ephesians (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) by Frank Thielman
– The two best “technical” (in depth) commentaries on Ephesians which explores the original Greek language, historical background as well as theological terms. While technical, both these commentaries also point readers to a deeper love of God.
Exalting Jesus in Ephesians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) by Tony Merida, David Platt
– Probably the best “user-friendly” commentary on Ephesians. Short, concise, but packed with helpful insights as well as how Ephesians points us to Jesus.
New City Catechism (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 32: What do justification and sanctification mean?
Answer: Justification means our declared righteousness before God, made possible by Christ’s death and resurrection for us. Sanctification means our gradual, growing righteousness, made possible by the Spirit’s work in us.
Passage(s): 1 Peter 1:1-2