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 – Christine Tsao
Sermon “The S Word: Servants & Masters” Ephesians 6:5-9 (page 979)- Joey Wang
Communion – Congregation
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.
Last Week’s Sermon Notes
Ephesians 5:22-33 “The S Word: Wives & Husbands
Marriage is a Parable of Christ & the Church: The marriage relationship is a sign that points to relationship between Jesus (like a husband) and the church community (like a wife). Our marriages are ultimately about God – not just ourselves.
- Wives: Submit to Your Husbands (vv.22-24, 33)
- Submission is not blind obedience but a spirit of deference, respect and trust
- Our submission is ultimately to the Lord
- Husbands Love Your Wives (vv.25-33)
- With a Sacrificial Love (v.25): We are to love our wives with a love that is not just convenient but sacrifices
- With a Sanctifying Love (vv.26-27): We are to love our wives with a love that is concerned and cares for their spiritual growth in Christ-likeness
- With a “Selfish-Like” Love (vv.28-31): We are to love our wives as we would love ourselves
Reflection & Application:
- Why is it a challenge for us to submit to someone else? What sins are at the root of these struggles? Wives: In what situations is it a struggle for you to submit to your husbands? In what areas in your heart do you need to grow in submission to your husband?
- How can you better love those around you – especially in this church community?
Singles/Children: How can you encourage the married people around you (or your parents) to grow in their marriages as prescribed in these verses?
- Husbands: In what areas do you need to grow in loving your wife better? Consider just one practical and specific way this week to love your wife.
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
- Red Cross Blood Drive (5/28): We will be hosting our semi-annual blood drive with Red Cross next Saturday from 9am-2pm in our Fellowship Hall. Please contact Christine Tsao (tsao@gmail.com) for more information
- Baptism Service (5/29): Next Sunday we will be having a special combined baptism service from 10am-12pm in the Sanctuary. Please park further away so that the elderly and those with young children can park closer to the church building.
- Summer Retreat (6/17-6/19): Retreat is just around the corner! Next Sunday is the last day for the early bird registration. For more information, contact Daniel Chen (dantchen83@sbcglobal.net)
- Inheritance Magazine: This month’s issue is now available! Inheritance is a monthly magazine that focuses on how Christian faith interacts with Asian and American cultures. (Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in Inheritance do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of CFCCSJ.)
- 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.
- Saltshakers: We will be gathering this coming Saturday (5/28). Stay tune for more information. For more information, contact Daniel Chen (dantchen83@sbcglobal.net).
Prayer Requests & Praises
- Pray for our upcoming Blood Drive – for Christine Tsao as she coordinates, for sufficient volunteers and donors and for our church to continue to find ways to serve our community!
- Pray for Elder Steve Cheng and our Palo Alto church plant. Pray for unity among the coworkers as they plan, serve and outreach together. Pray for continued faithfulness and joy as they worship together each week!
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 Ephesian
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 35: Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through faith alone, where does this faith come from?
Answer: All the gifts we receive from Christ we receive through the Holy Spirit, including faith itself.
Passage(s): Titus 3:4-6