The Empty Tomb And The Gardener

The Empty Tomb and The Gardener | John 20: 11-18

What hope does the resurrection give us? By this time, it was already Sunday morning and it was still dark. One of Jesus' disciples, Mary Magdalene, had gone to the tomb where Jesus was buried (v. 1). When she saw that the stone had been taken away, she ran to tell Peter and John. And when they all arrived at the tomb, they saw the empty grave clothes and the folded face cloth. But, Jesus' body was missing and this broke Mary's heart deeply. So following in our passage, we'll see: a) The weeping in the garden. b) The care of the Gardener. c) The joy in the coming garden.

Our Hope In Life And In Death

Our Hope in Life and in Death | 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

What is your only hope in life and in death? This is the most important question that anyone can ask! As we saw last week, Paul was affirming the Thessalonian believers' love for one another. He saw that they had been clearly "taught by God to love one another" (v. 9). And now, he turns to encourage those who were grieving over the death of loved ones. He is writing to encourage those who are still alive because of the recent death of fellow believers. So, in our passage, we'll see: a) Christ our hope beyond the grave. b) Christ who comes from heaven in glory. c) Christ in whose presence we will live.

The Spiritually Lukewarm Church

The Spiritually Lukewarm Church | Revelation 3: 14-22

What makes you sick and want to throw up? This letter was written to the seventh church in Laodicea-in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). Unlike the poor church in Smyrna (in ch. 2:9), the church at Laodicea benefited from the thriving Roma economy. They had become so self-sufficient that they could not see their need for Jesus. As Jesus looked inside, all He saw was lukewarmness. He has no commendation but very sharp words and medicine for this church. So, following in our passage, we'll see: a The dangers of lukewarmness. b) The prescription for lukewarmness. c) The cure for lukewarmness.

The Weak Church And The Sovereign Lord

The Weak Church and The Sovereign Lord | Revelation 3: 7-13

What door of opportunities are open before us as a church? This letter was written to the sixth church in Philadelphia-in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). Like Tokyo, the city there lived in insecurity because of frequent earthquakes. The church was facing a lot of pressures from the religious Jews and the Roman Emperor cult. Verse 8 says the church had "but little power." As a minority, this church was rather small and weak.' But, in the midst of all the challenges, they remained faithful to Jesus. So, following in our passage, we'll see: a The Lord who opens the door for us. b) The Lord who keeps us in our trial. c) The Lord who is coming soon for us.

Remember Your First Love

Remember Your First Love | Revelation 2: 1–7

Do you remember falling in love for the first time? What was it like? Earlier in ch. 1, when John saw the glorified vision of Jesus, he was told to write to the seven churches in Asia Minor. Here, the first letter was addressed to the church in Ephesus that had forsaken their first love. This church was still championing the truth of the gospel; they were still doing good works and enduring patiently. But Jesus is going to call this church to turn to her first love. So following in our passage, we’ll see: a) Jesus sees our patient endurance. b) Jesus sees what our hearts love most. c) Jesus promises us life in paradise.

Taught By God To Love

Taught By God To Love | 1 Thessalonians 4: 9-12

Where have you seen love for one another in our church? As we saw last week, Paul was encouraging the Thessalonians to grow in holiness. He now continues in the theme of a walk that pleases God (v. 1). And here, he affirms the Thessalonian believers for their love for one another. He sees that they had been clearly taught by God to love one another. And he encourages them to grow in love -even toward outsiders in the society. So, in our passage, we'll see: a) The love that is taught by God. b) The love that increases for others. c) The love that witnesses to outsiders.

Increasing And Abounding In Love

Increasing and Abounding in Love | 1 Thessalonians 3: 1–12

Do you have coworkers that you really love to work with? Who are the coworkers that are not a pain but a blessing to work with? As we saw last week, Paul was torn away from this church for a short time (v. 17). But he was deeply concerned about the believers in Thessalonica as they were suffering persecution. So, he sent his coworker Timothy to encourage them—though he really needed him. With that in mind, we’ll see in our passage:- a) The love that sacrifices for others. b) The love that longs for one another. c) The Lord who increases His love in us.

God's Word At Work

God’s Word At Work | 1 Thessalonians 2: 13–20

Where do you put your ultimate confidence in a world of suffering? As we saw last week, Paul had written about how he declared the gospel with integrity. Paul now gives thanks to God because the Thessalonians had received his preaching not as the word of men—but as the word of God. God’s word had worked powerfully in the lives of believers—in the midst of suffering. So, in our passage, we’ll see that: a) God’s word is at work in believers. b) God’s wrath is upon unbelievers. c) God’s grace brings joy at Jesus’ return.  

Declaring The Gospel With Boldness

Declaring The Gospel With Boldness | 1 Thessalonians 2: 1–12

Where does boldness to share the gospel come from? Do you need boldness in the absence of conflict or in the face of conflict? As we saw last week, Paul was writing to new believers who were joyfully enduring persecution. But Paul now focuses on how he and his team suffered as they brought the gospel to Thessalonica. Despite being shamefully treated, Paul and his team declared the gospel boldly. So, from our passage, we’ll see the importance of: a) Resting in God’s approval, not in man’s approval. b) Sharing our own selves, not self-preservation. c) Living in holiness, not in self-indulgence.

The Spirit of Holiness

The Spirit of Holiness | 1 Thessalonians 4: 1-8 | Joey Zorina

What shapes our understanding of holiness? Does the idea of "holier than thou" put you off? As we saw last week, Paul had heard a good report from Timothy about the faith of the Thessalonian church. He had just prayed for them to be "blameless in holiness" as they await Jesus' return (in ch. 3: 13). So, Paul here encourages them to grow in holiness in the pattern that they had received from him. Following in our passage, we'll see that: a) Holiness is pleasing to God. b) Holiness is lived from the heart. c) Holiness is from the Holy Spirit.

God's Electing Love

God’s Electing Love | 1 Thessalonians 1: 1–10 | JOEY ZORINA

How does waiting for Jesus’ return change how we live here and now? Paul had written this letter in AD 49–51 during his second missionary journey (Acts 17, 18). Here, Paul was writing to new believers who were grieving over deaths and enduring persecution. But in his opening prayer (in vv. 2-3), Paul is thankful to God for their work of faith, love and hope. He is thankful that their genuine faith is as a result of God’s electing love. So, in our passage, we’ll see: a) The joy of knowing God’s electing love. b) The joy of sharing God’s electing love. c) The joy of waiting for Jesus’ return.

God's Chosen People

God’s Chosen People | Deuteronomy 7:6-11 | Joey Zorina

What does it mean to be God’s chosen people? Deuteronomy is often called the “Gospel according to Moses.” Jesus quoted Deuteronomy more than any book of the O.T. Here in ch. 7, the Israelites were camping at Moab and were about to cross the Jordan River into Canaan. Moses begins by saying that God would remove the nations more numerous and stronger than Israel (v. 1). This was not because Israel had anything that impressed God. Rather, it was because God had set them apart for His sovereign purposes. So following in our passage, we’ll see: a) God chose us not on the basis of merit. b) God chose us on the basis of His love. c) God chose us so that we may love Him.

Seeing The Glorified Jesus

Seeing The Glorified Jesus | Revelation 1: 9–20 | Joey Zorina

What comes to your mind when you think about Jesus? As we saw last week, John had begun his first sentence with “the revelation of Jesus Christ” (v. 1). The whole book is a prophecy of unfolding events and what Jesus is saying to churches facing persecution, compromise and false teaching. Yet, Jesus is not only the revealer of the truths, but also the one being revealed as John said in vv. 4–8. And this grand vision of Jesus had come to John—not in a time of comfort and ease but in a time of great suffering. So, in our passage, we’ll look at: a) The patient endurance in our sufferings. b) The portrait of our warrior-King. c) The presence of Jesus in our fears.

Unveiling Jesus Christ

Unveiling Jesus Christ | Revelation 1: 1–8 | Pastor Joey Zorina

What is the book of Revelation mainly about? Revelation was recorded by the apostle John while he was in exile on the Island of Patmos (which is in present day Turkey)! John had received this revelation around the mid 90s AD at the time of the Roman Emperor Domitian. The book was written to first-century churches in Asia. But what is the book mainly about? Is it mainly about difficult symbols, dragon and end times? In our passage, we’ll see that:- a) It’s all about the revealing of Christ. b) It’s all about the grace of Christ. c) It’s all about the return of Christ.

Moving From Problems To Praise

Moving From Problems To Praise | Psalm 77 | Kyllum Lewis

In this stand alone sermon, Pastor Kyllum honestly shares how he struggled with depression and shows how the psalmist tells God his struggles and moves forward by remembering God's redemptive work resulting in praise. We see the psalmist:- a) Praying, b) Pondering, c) Preaching and c) Praising God.

Present Groanings To Future Glory

Present Groanings To Future Glory | Romans 8: 18–27 |

Where do you place your hope as you look at the sufferings of this world? Creation is both beautiful and violent! Earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, typhoons and volcanoes remind us that creation is groaning. But why does creation groan? When will this groaning end? Writing in the 50s AD, Paul here talks about the groanings between the present sufferings and the hope of future glory. So in our passage, we’ll see:- a) The groanings of God’s creation. b) The groanings of God’s children. c) The groanings of God’s Spirit.

The Coming of The Spirit's Power

Acts 2: 1-24 | The Coming of The Spirit’s Power | Joey Zorina

As we remember Pentecost Day, Pentecost is the 50th day after the Jewish Passover festival. It’s a celebration of the feast of weeks (Lev. 23:15–16, Exod. 23:16). But for Christians, it marks the day the Holy Spirit came with unusual power. So from our passage, we’ll see that: - a) The Holy Spirit gives power to witness. b) The Holy Spirit awakens awe and wonder. c) The Holy Spirit exalts the risen Saviour.

Christ in Everyday Life

Colossians 3:18—4:1 | Christ In EveryDay Life | Joey Zorina

How does the resurrection of Christ renew our relationships? Earlier, Paul had said in v.16 that the church is being renewed as the word of Christ dwells in us richly. And in v. 17, he had said believers are to, “do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Now, he shows how our new identity in Christ changes relationships in the family and society. So in our passage, we see that:- a) Christ is Lord of our households. b) Christ is Lord over our earthly masters. c) Christ is our just and fair Master in heaven.

The Resurrection and The Mission of Christ

The Resurrection | Matthew 28: 11- 20 | Pastor Joey Zorina

In our passage, an angel had told the women to go and tell the disciples that Jesus had risen from the dead (v. 7). But while the women were on their way, another group was trying to cover up the truth. So we’re going to see 3 responses to the resurrection of Christ:- a) Those who try to hide the risen Christ. b) Those who doubt the risen Christ c) Those who are sent by the risen Christ.

Seek The Things Above

Colossians 3: 1–11 | Seek The Things Above | Joey Zorina

What does your heart seek everyday? Everyone seeks something, to become something or someone everyday! So what shapes your identity as a person? Earlier in ch. 2: 20, Paul had said that if you have died with Christ you are now a different person. And now Paul encourages the Colossians to seek their new life in Christ. So, in our passage, we see: a) The mind that is set on Christ. b) The idols we now put to death. c) The new self we have put on in Christ.