Austin Chinese Church

In a world that glorifies loud opinions, constant updates, and frantic control, God invites us into something radical—silence. In Exodus 14, with an army behind them and a sea in front of them, the Israelites panic. But God doesn't give them a battle plan—He gives them a command: “Be still.” We're cutting through the chaos to rediscover the quiet power of trust. Because sometimes, the most spiritual thing you can do is stop talking, stop striving, and just stand still. Less noise. More faith. Let God fight.

Sometimes the path God takes us on isn't the fastest or the easiest—but it's always the surest. In Exodus 13, as Israel begins its journey out of Egypt, God leads them the long way around, not through the land of the Philistines, but through the wilderness. Why? Because He knows what's ahead. From this message we'll discover the power of divine detours, the beauty of being led by God's presence, and the faith it takes to trust His direction even when the road winds. God's way may not be quick—but it's always right.

Easter Sunday is the day that we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is one of the foundational building blocks of the Christian faith. Look at what the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, in verses 14 and 17: “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain… And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” So, the question we want to ask today is this: was Christ really raised? Did Jesus really come back to life again after being crucified on Good Friday? I believe that when we look at the evidence, we'll come to the conclusion that Jesus really did rise from the grave - there's just no other explanation.

Passover is so much more than a ceremony or ritual. It was a necessary means to accomplish everything that God had established in the past, present, and future. Through this incredible picture of grace, it would point us to the ultimate act of grace for all who would believe.

In Exodus 11, we witness the looming final act of God's judgment against Egypt—an act that will forever change the course of history. We'll explore the tension between God's mercy and justice, his patience with the stubbornness of man, and the powerful reminder that his will, in the end, will prevail.

In Exodus 10, God unleashes His sovereign power through locusts and darkness, revealing His complete supremacy.  Even in judgment, He is revealing His glory and calling His people to trust and worship.

In Exodus 9, we see a powerful moment when God steps into the story in a way that changes everything. As the plagues continue to unfold, God reveals His unmatched power and sovereignty, demonstrating that when He shows up, no force on earth can stand against Him.

God clearly stated His purpose for sending the plagues on Egypt: He wanted both the Israelites AND the Egyptians to “know that I am the LORD (Yahweh).” In fact, this is His desire for all of us. But Pharaoh's “heart was hardened, and he would not listen.” What can we learn from this passage so that we will not respond to God in the same way?

In Exodus 7, God empowers Moses and Aaron to stand before Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites. While Moses is made "like God" in Pharaoh's eyes, he is clear to recognize that Moses is not God—he is God's chosen vessel. This chapter teaches us the balance between divine authority and human humility. God often calls us to represent Him in the world, but it is crucial to remember that while we act in His name, we are still His servants, not the source of power. Join us as we explore how God equips us with His authority to face challenges, yet reminds us to rely on His power, not our own.

As the covenant keeper, God always keeps His word, no matter the obstacles. When we are tempted to lose faith or grow weary, we can rest in the truth that God's promises are sure, and He will deliver on His word.

In the world's eyes, God's mission is repugnant and repulsive. For God's people, such discouraging moments can actually be part of His bigger purpose, teaching us trust, endurance, and the assurance that God is working even when we can't see it.

The journey home to God necessitates a demonstration of allegiance to him alone. It is obedience in action, faith that believes, a life that is steadfast to his mission.

So much of who we think we are stems from our insecurities and lack of faith. But, God does not want us to walk in reluctance. Our calling to be his people starts with a faithful resolve that he is our God. And from there, his mission will come to fruition in and through our lives.

The journey of the Hebrews back to God's home begins with a deliverer. What we learn about Moses teaches us a lot about God and his acts of deliverance for his people.

Our church's theme for 2025 is "Building a Missional Community." Worship, community and mission must be lived out intentionally for us to be faithful to God's calling. Through the lifestyle of the early church, we can learn what it means to be a missional community.

Looking forward to the future oftentimes means reflecting back on the past. Where do we want to go? What do we want to accomplish? Let's first start with where we've been and how God has been moving. Then let's commit to God's call for us in this next year.

The child, who is called Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God, is coming. The son, who is called Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace, is coming. In joy we await his arrival, the One in whom his righteous kingdom will be established forever.

What is it that most brings peace to your heart? Or another way to ask this is, “What seems to rob you of peace on a regular basis? The answers that come from these questions will tell you a lot about your heart and mine. In a world that yearns for peace in the midst of stresses, conflicts, wars, brokenness, and sadness, we celebrate the Christmas story and the fact that Jesus has come and will come again.

Where is Christmas? The answer is found in the God who wants to demonstrate his faithfulness to us. And by doing so, we place our hope in him who wants to be with us in the present and forevermore. God is Immanuel.

The conclusion of 2 Corinthians is an examination of ourselves. Who are we? Who do we claim ourselves to be? If we are truly in Christ Jesus, our lives will reflect a ministry of reconciliation that promotes restoration, comfort and peace amongst one another as we are in Christ.

The conclusion of 2 Corinthians is an examination of ourselves. Who are we? Who do we claim ourselves to be? If we are truly in Christ Jesus, our lives will reflect a ministry of reconciliation that promotes restoration, comfort and peace amongst one another as we are in Christ.

Thorns usually have a negative connotation. Thorny situations. Thorny relationships. Injuries in the yard from working in the garden. We usually go out of the way to protect ourselves (and those we love) from experiencing the pain and wounds that thorns often cause. But is it possible that we are supposed to embrace the thorns that God has given to us? Was Paul crazy to use the words, “boast” and “content” when sharing about his pain? Can thorns in our life really be FROM God?

Paul understood his leadership to the Corinthian church to combine both strength and weakness. What can we learn from Paul's example as we seek to be a witness as a church today?

What defines servants of righteousness? They are followers of Jesus loyal to God alone, find their identity in Christ alone, and do all things solely for God's mission of reconciliation. Any other work that does not proclaim Jesus are liars of the gospel, promoting themselves rather reconciling people to Christ.

While there may be certain social cues that we tend to follow, these ultimately do not define our identity. Our ultimate defense and offense as believers is our spiritual character. As such, our call for reconciliation is not to be what the world commends, but what God commends.

Reconciliation enacts the spirit of generosity. It was God's generous love for us that he sent his son Jesus to die for all humankind to reconcile us back to himself. And it is this same generous love that we must live out as we reconcile with one another. Reconciliation calls us to be givers of God's love so that the world may know him and surrender under his lordship.

Wherever people are gathered, we'll certainly hurt each other. Proving our integrity and character can prevent our reputation from shattering and restore our relationships even when going the extra mile may feel pointless. However, taking that extra step will help remove any doubts about our integrity.

If you have been on the receiving end of someone's generosity, then you will likely agree that it feels like an act of grace. However, does it seem counterintuitive that generosity is also God's grace for the giver? Join us as we study Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 where he uses examples of generosity to admonish the Corinthian church to honor their commitment to giving. And see how God's grace in generosity can release us from the shackles of the love of money and free us to love God and others.

As our comforter, God draws us into a space of repentance, lifting us up from grief and affliction towards overflowing joy. Such is a life of reconciliation.

In Jesus, who knew no sin, we might become the righteousness of God. Therefore, we must fully accept our position as his reconciled people. Instead of rejecting the grace of God, we must work together with him to offer his reconciliation to the world.

Motivation moves us. Without motivation, we oftentimes find ourselves stuck in a rut. But with the right motivation, we are driven to action. As followers of Christ, when we have the proper motivation, there is nothing in this world that can stop us from bringing the Gospel message of reconciliation to the world. What's your motivation?

What does “walking by faith, not by sight” mean? On the face of it, this verse seems to suggest that faith is the opposite of sight, or that faith is perhaps even blind. But when we take a closer look at this week's passage, we see that this verse isn't talking about closing our eyes and moving forward blindly. Instead, God invites us to see obedience to Jesus through the lens of the gospel, so that we are able to pursue His purposes, persevere by His power, as we patiently await His promises.

As followers of Jesus, our brokenness is an opportunity to experience and proclaim His sustaining grace in the light of His death and resurrection. Through Christ, we can look past ourselves towards His eternal glory.

As ministers of the new covenant, we must be confident that the gospel of Jesus saves lives for eternity. As his servants, we preach that Jesus is Lord in order for the world to know the glory of God.

As followers of Jesus, we do not find sufficiency in ourselves. Our sufficiency is from God, our perfect Maker and Master. Through him alone we become his ministers of reconciliation, living out a mission that does not kill, but gives life.

The sense of smell is a funny thing. Scent often times either attracts you towards something, or on the flip side, it will repel you away from something. The same goes for us spiritually. Our spiritual scent will either attract people towards the Gospel or repel them away. What aroma are you emitting to bring about reconciliation in your life?

It's doubtful that anyone would want to go through life with unreconciled relationships. That should be even more true for the church. But if we want to move towards true reconciliation, it has to start with God first.

In the concluding chapter of Genesis, we witness two significant deaths intertwined with a remarkable narrative of restoration. The meticulous inclusion of these accounts has historically inspired its ancient readers to turn their gaze toward a providential God and the anticipated Promised Savior. What implications does this hold for contemporary readers?

When God is with us, he assembles us to gather and listen to his voice. He speaks to us about us, and who he desires us to be as his people.

Jacob's life is about to end. His last words that he imparts to Joseph reveals a faith strongly rooted in God and his mission. Through the ups and downs of life, Jacob has been faithful to his Lord, which will carry him to his final eternal destination.

In order to feel secure when we make plans, we want God to lay out clear, linear milestones to check off so we can land at our desired outcome. Despite our desires, God often zigs and zags promising to bring us transformation. God invites us to place our faith in promises we may not experience but will one day be fulfilled.

Our God is a God who redeems our darkest days beyond what we dare hope for and beyond what we can even imagine. So let us not be afraid, for our God is faithful to His promises.

So much of what takes place in life, for good or for worse, we attribute to human will. But, behind the scenes, God redeems our decisions to further his purpose and mission on earth.

Not much good can arise out of grief and mourning. But, a torn life is where God's redemption shines the brightest, setting forth a life that is renewed and transformed for eternity.

Is there a difference between Forgiveness and Reconciliation? As we continue to see the story between Joseph and his brothers, the tension is high as we see this interaction between the one who was dramatically hurt and wronged, with the ones who caused the hurt and pain. How did Joseph respond, what was necessary for this story to turn out well, and how does this apply for us today?

The reckoning against Joseph's brothers for what they did to him was at hand. Yet, it was not God's wrath that they will experience, but his grace. The road to repentance begins when our guilt is met with God's grace.

In the midst of brokenness, it's hard to see beyond our circumstances. But in every episode of brokenness in our lives, God is always at work. The call is to remain faithful, and to allow Him to use the brokenness to bless others in His time.

When we learn to wait on the Lord for his deliverance, we faithfully grow in our understanding of his presence in our lives. Often times "God with us" encourages us to see him all the time, even in moments when it seems like he is not there.

Having been betrayed and sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph is then falsely accused and thrown into prison. Though it appears to be a series of setbacks for Joseph, God is still with him, demonstrating his steadfast love! Through trials and difficulties we face in life, God's love for us never changes.

God never wants the depravity of sin to be just that. He longs to restore our spiritual messiness - that by his grace, the scandal of our sin will be forgiven. The story of Judah and Tamar is the message of the gospel; by grace we have been saved.