Sermons – Houston Chinese Church

As Mark records Peter's riveting eyewitness account of Jesus' miraculous calming of a fierce storm, we encounter the unmatched power of Jesus that should strike both fear and comfort in our hearts. But, this story is not just about how Jesus is Lord of the storm and so can calm the storms of your heart, though that is true. It is far greater than that. It goes to the very heart of who Jesus is – as Lord of all, as supremely faithful, and as Savior of the world. Even as we might empathize with the disciples' plight and reactions, let us not forget that the Jesus who was there for them yesterday is the same Jesus who is here for us today.

In a contemporary church culture that equates size with superiority, Jesus's parables serve as a necessary corrective. They emphasize the hiddenness and obscurity of the kingdom, illustrating that what begins as insignificant and unassuming will inevitably grow into something far greater than one could have imagined. To those who have ears to hear, let them hear Jesus's message.

In today's text, Jesus began to teach the crowds many things in the form of parables. Parables were helpful tools for conveying challenging truths in an illustrative and memorable manner. But Jesus's parables were not merely intended to educate—but to expose. To unveil the true nature of the kingdom he preached and the true nature of the hearts of those who listened. The Parable of the Sower epitomizes this purpose that permeates all of our Lord's parables.

Ever wonder what a disciple of Jesus looks like? How should we follow Him in our lives? Jesus's disciples look nothing like you'd expect but that's the beauty of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. That's the beauty of Jesus. That's the beauty of Jesus's family. We'll take a look at what Jesus does expect from those who follow him.

At this point in Mark's Gospel, the opposition to Jesus has intensified. The religious leaders are enraged by how Jesus interprets and practices the Mosaic Law in a manner incompatible with their narrow interpretations and ossified practices. At one point, he tells a parable that suggests his approach to the Law will burst and destroy the traditions of men. Jesus doesn't shy from confrontation because his mission was to proclaim the end of religion.

As we observe Sanctity of Life Sunday, the need for dialogue and persuasion over the issue of abortion is greater than ever, since abortion is now up to the States. But, the current narratives dominating the abortion debate have only led our society and many Christians into sharp disagreement and also much sorrow. The false, simplistic narratives are: to be pro-life is to be anti-woman, and to be pro-choice is to be anti-life. The Bible tells a better story. Through today's text, we are reminded that God has always cared for the mother and her unborn baby. His heart is for both people, for they are made in his image. So, we too need to love them in ways that affirm life for both of them.

As Jesus bursts on the scene in Mark's Gospel, his authority is on full display. Demonstrated in how he calls disciples, casts out demons, cures the sick, cleanses lepers, and—as our text reveals—forgives sins. The message couldn't be clearer: Jesus is God in the flesh, and he's on a mission to forgive sinners and make them into disciples.

The Gospel according to Mark begins fast and furious. Without a nativity story, we're immediately introduced to Jesus in his public ministry. Everyone, in every scene, is trying to figure out who he is. In our text, we're presented with a man of authority who calls disciples to respond in obedience without hesitation.

There is no better way to kick off the new year than to study the life of our Lord. The Roman emperor who reigned when Christ was born, Caesar Augustus, was hailed as the “son of god,” and the “Great Heavenly Savior.” Of course, this flatly contradicts the Bible. But in today's age of bespoke spirituality and customized beliefs (metamodernism), it's somehow possible to hail both the Caesar of today (whoever or whatever that is) and King Jesus at the same time even though it's incoherent or contradictory. Thankfully though, Mark offers a powerful and refreshing response by uncompromisingly presenting Jesus, not Caesar, as the gospel, as the Savior of the world. Mark proclaims Jesus as the authoritative yet suffering Son of God, to whom we need to respond with repentance and belief.

Trouble in our lives make it difficult for us to see how God can possibly be good. Trouble takes many forms: illness, anxiety, depression, conflict, antagonism, or loneliness just to name some. It's difficult to believe in the goodness of God when we experience such trouble. How can we trust God to be good when we experience trouble in our lives?

The last words of Jacob were words of blessing to his twelve sons. It's true that some of these blessings read more like curses, but, in the end, it's a blessing to be included at all. In spite of their checkered past, each brother will still populate the Twelve Tribes and receive a share of the Promised Land. Jacob's final blessings contain important lessons on sin, grace, and our ultimate hope.

Hebrews 11's Hall of Faith recounts those key moments in the stories of the OT saints where they exercised great faith. But notably, the Hall of Faith only mentions Jacob's final act of blessing the sons of Joseph. Let's delve into the significance of his actions in Genesis 48 and explore why it's regarded as Jacob's greatest act of faith.

By Genesis 47, the main plot points of the narrative have been resolved. Joseph has ascended to power, the brothers are reconciled, and God's people have been preserved. While the remaining chapters may seem less important, when you read Genesis as the first of the five Books of Moses (Pentateuch), it becomes evident that these final chapters are preparing us for Exodus and the broader biblical story of redemption. When you pull back the lens, each movement in this chapter reveals a larger theological point.

In today's text, Jacob makes his journey from Canaan into Egypt. It is a land of sojourn where his family will eventually grow into the nation of Israel to be led one day back to their true home in Canaan. We too are in a land of sojourn while on this earth, for our true home is in heaven. But, we often find such sojourning a hard and fearful experience, and we can grow strongly attached to this world. Yet, working backwards through this episode of Jacob's life, we learn what it means to be a sojourner led and assured by God. We need not be afraid while we are sojourners in this life because like Jacob, we belong to God as his people, and he is our God who preserves us and keeps his promises.

The moment of truth has arrived in Joseph's story. As he reveals himself to his estranged brothers, they react in horror, fearing the worst. But instead of wrath in Joseph's eyes, they see tears. This beautiful picture of reconciliation in Genesis 45 is meant to inspire us to pursue the same in our broken relationships.

In this chapter, we come to the end of the second test from Joseph. How will they respond? What does God want to do with them through these tests? What do these tests reveal about God's grace in their lives? How has God changed them? In what ways are we changed by God's grace and work in our lives?

When we fail God, we feel defeated. We fail to avert our eyes from a forbidden image. We fail to refrain from office gossip. We fail to reign in our spending habits and buy another set of golf clubs. Failing God causes us to feel ashamed and dejected. What does God do when we fail him? Does he cast us aside?

The first run in between Joseph and his older brothers, after twenty years of estrangement, results in an awkward encounter filled with harsh accusations, guilty consciences, and an intricate test of integrity. But as the story unfolds, it's apparent that Joseph's actions are a severe mercy designed to expose the true character of his brothers. That's what biblical tests are meant to do. They reveal the true nature of person – the true state of our soul.

The first run in between Joseph and his older brothers, after twenty years of estrangement, results in an awkward encounter filled with harsh accusations, guilty consciences, and an intricate test of integrity. But as the story unfolds, it's apparent that Joseph's actions are a severe mercy designed to expose the true character of his brothers. That's what biblical tests are meant to do. They reveal the true nature of person – the true state of our soul.

So far in the life and trials of Joseph, we have seen him repeatedly betrayed and suffer injustices; yet God was faithful and caused him to be fruitful even in jail. Now in chapter 41, we come to an inflection point where God orchestrates his remarkable, meteoric rise to power from prison to Pharaoh's palace, from prisoner to prime minister over all of Egypt. This rise though came about through his afflictions. Today's text then teaches us this precious truth: God is faithful in our sufferings and helps us be fruitful through them. Whether feast or famine, God is faithful and fruitful for our flourishing.

So far in the life and trials of Joseph, we have seen him repeatedly betrayed and suffer injustices; yet God was faithful and caused him to be fruitful even in jail. Now in chapter 41, we come to an inflection point where God orchestrates his remarkable, meteoric rise to power from prison to Pharaoh's palace, from prisoner to prime minister over all of Egypt. This rise though came about through his afflictions. Today's text then teaches us this precious truth: God is faithful in our sufferings and helps us be fruitful through them. Whether feast or famine, God is faithful and fruitful for our flourishing.

The experience of delay is a common occurrence in the life of faith. Many biblical figures are characterized by a posture of waiting. Joseph waited thirteen years before his dreams started coming true. And that's a short interval compared to others. But regardless of the duration of delay, the eyes of faith recognize that the LORD has not forgotten and will fulfill his promises at the right time.

The experience of delay is a common occurrence in the life of faith. Many biblical figures are characterized by a posture of waiting. Joseph waited thirteen years before his dreams started coming true. And that's a short interval compared to others. But regardless of the duration of delay, the eyes of faith recognize that the LORD has not forgotten and will fulfill his promises at the right time.

Genesis 39 is often read as an example of how to resist sexual sins. Which it is. But there is a bigger theological message being conveyed about the LORD's presence and steadfast love being with you – even in the lowest points and darkest times in life. For God's people, unrelenting temptations, untrue accusations, and unjust treatment are not evidence of his anger or abandonment. They're steps in his unfolding redemptive plan for our lives.

Genesis 38 is a microcosm of the book at large. Every story presents raw and honest portrayals of these biblical characters, highlighting God's grace when they fall. In Judah's case, his story arc swiftly descends into a sordid mess of sin and shame. But, by the end, he confesses and undergoes a transformation that explains the profound change in him when he reappears later in the narrative.

The life of Joseph is full of highs and lows. Before we get to the highs, the story of Joseph begins at a real low point in his life. There's not a lot of good happening to Joseph in Genesis 37. His situation seems to get worse and worse, and finally, he finds himself at one of his lowest points in life, a slave at the bottom of a pit. Although the life of Joseph can seem very bleak at this point, we can find comfort knowing how God works this difficult time in his life. We will focus on three truths as we begin to dive into the life of Joseph.

Hebrews is self-described as a “word of exhortation.” Which means it's more like a sermon than a typical New Testament letter. And like any good sermon, Hebrews concludes with illustrations and applications for how believers can live out its main point. Which can be summarized like this: Do not neglect the great salvation we have in Jesus, but instead, hold fast our confession and persevere in the faith. This ancient sermon ends with three practical ways to persevere.

Many things in life sap our desire to pursue holiness. We experience relational conflict with others. We experience bouts of loneliness. We feel overloaded by work. If we continue to focus on our difficult circumstances, pursuing holiness becomes increasingly challenging. Instead of focusing on our situation, then what should we do when we find ourselves tired of pursuing holiness?

Hebrews 11 is known as the Bible's Hall of Faith. In it, you'll meet various Old Testament heroes. By faith, they persevered and finished their races. They now surround us like a great cloud of witnesses, cheering believers on and reminding us that we share the same faith in the same Christ.

Evangelism and missions are related but distinct tasks. In evangelism, the focus is on winning as many souls as possible for Christ. But the focus in missions is on reaching all people groups for Christ. The missionary's task is unfinished and ongoing, and it calls for participation by all believers in the church.

Because Jesus died for our sins, he is the foundation of our faith. We trust in his power to cleanse us, not in our own efforts, allowing us to let go of the shame that prevents us from drawing near to God. In response to Christ's sacrifice, we live in a way that honors him and reflects the freedom he provided at high cost to himself.

Christianity is a bloody religion. Its Jewish background is filled with altars soaked in the blood of bulls and goats. And it doesn't lighten up in the New Testament. At the center of Christian worship stands a bloody Lamb that has been slain. While some find this blood talk disturbing, the book of Hebrews asserts that the blood is what makes our faith better.

Relating to God through Christ is far better than when we lived apart from Him prior to faith. But we find ourselves tempted occasionally to return to our old ways that omit God from the picture. The author of Hebrews exhorts his listeners and us to continue embracing the relationship we have with God through Christ instead of returning to our old ways. He bases his exhortation on the belief that the covenant that enables us to draw near to God is better than any prior covenant. This morning, we'll see why that's true.

Many of us have experienced, or are now going through, various types of brokenness and hardship in our lives. As a result, we may struggle to keep in step with Christ, or worse, are tempted to give up following him altogether. But what can stir up and sustain an enduring devotion to Jesus? Answer: A complete confidence in who he is as our great high priest. By divine design, the author uses Melchizedek, an enigmatic priest-king from the life of Abraham, to encourage us in our adversity to turn our eyes to Christ. In him we have not just a better Melchizedek, but a better hope.

The book of Hebrews is chock-full of warnings. The warning in this text is the most alarming of them all. It seems to suggest that, if a Christian fell away from the faith, it would be impossible to restore them again to repentance. This teaching appears to undermine all assurance of salvation, and yet the author asserts in chapter 6:11 that his desire is for his readers to “have the full assurance of hope until the end.” How do we reconcile the author's dire warning and his desire for our full assurance?

Hebrews had already argued that Jesus's role in revelation surpasses that of angels and prophets. Starting in our passage, the focus shifts to Jesus's role in redemption. He's presented as superior to the OT priests and the sacrifices they offered. Jesus is introduced as the better High Priest who can bring us before the throne of grace.

Some of us believe that if we religiously follow a set of moral rules we will experience rest. Peace will come. Others of us think that an absence of rules will lead to rest. If we cast off the shackles of morality, we can experience peace. But these two ways of thinking prevent us from experiencing true rest. What then do we need to experience true rest?

Jesus is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters (2:11). This initiative and act of God to adopt us into His family should create in us a sense of awe and humility that the One who creates and sustains all things would stoop down to our level to take on our pain and suffering so that we may fully experience this "great salvation" (2:3) and persevere through situations that tempts us to "drift away" (2:1).

The book of Hebrews can be summed up with the word better. Each chapter introduces us to “something better” (11:40) or, better yet, Someone better. His name is Jesus, and he is God the Son who has come to reveal God the Father and proclaim the best news in all the world – the gospel message.

Genesis 34 was a dark and shameful chapter in Jacob's life, but his story doesn't end there. In the next chapter, the Lord mercifully speaks into his life, calling him to repentance. Jacob is given another chance to fulfill his vow, to renew his devotion, and to live out his new identity as Israel. The Lord's unremitting commitment to bless this flawed figure – to love the unlovely – has been the central theme of this story of grace.

Genesis 34 is a dark chapter that recounts a horrific act of violence that bred a more horrific response. It's a shameful moment in biblical history, but it offers valuable lessons about the depths of human sinfulness and the importance of wholehearted obedience to the Lord.

Twenty years prior, Jacob stole Esau's blessing and fled to evade his brother's wrath. Our text begins with an air of uncertainty as to how their reunion will unfold. But it's quickly apparent that Esau's fury has turned away. There's no longing for revenge. Instead, there's an act of true reconciliation. This act of grace can show us how to mend our own fractured relationships.

Nearing the end of Jacob's story, we encounter one of the more mysterious moments of Jacob's life. He wrestles with a man in the middle of the night. This is more than a random wrestling match but we encountered one of the most pivotal moments in his life. As we have said over and over again, Jacob's story is a story of God's grace. What we get to see in our passage today is what Jacob will receive through God's grace: Divine Deliverance, a New Name, and a Lingering Limp.

At this point in his narrative, Jacob, as a work-in-progress, is almost there. That pivotal moment that will transform his life will unfold in the next chapter. Slowly he is coming to trust God and act righteously. Now, in our passage, Jacob's character arc is juxtaposed to Laban, who embodies the kind of person Jacob once was. When we consider Laban's actions, we gain a better sense of the factors that keep individuals from experiencing the grace of conversion.

We all do different types of work in our lives. Ministry work. Vocational work. Domestic work. Gardening work. But in work, we may experience foes that undermine our work. They disrupt schedules. They erect barriers. They undo our work. They oppose us. How do we experience favor when we encounter foes that undermine our work?

In the gospels, we read of Jesus' wonderful parables, grand sermons, weighty discourses, and masterful illustrations. We also come across his hard sayings and difficult teachings. We know we should not listen just to the words of Christ that we like, nor ignore the ones we find challenging to hear. We also know we ought to receive them all as the expression of his love, wisdom, and grace to us. But, the fact remains: Jesus' words can be very difficult. How then should we respond to them? We should take them to heart and believe them so that we can treasure Christ as his true disciples.

People respond to the idea of Jesus rising from the dead in different ways. Some think that Jesus had passed out on the cross. Three days later, he woke up. He then died later. Others think that the disciples stole the body of Jesus, and they spread a lie. There's an idea that the disciples fabricated the story of resurrection so that they could gain fame and power. But what does the Bible say about the resurrection of Jesus? More importantly, how should we respond to the resurrection of Jesus?

Our series has been centered on biblical passages where God raises the dead. In Matthew's gospel, there's a unique and peculiar reference to dead saints being raised to life and emerging from their tombs, after Jesus's resurrection, appearing to many in Jerusalem. That moment hints at the earthshaking, life-changing consequences of Jesus's death on the cross.

Our series on spiritual awakenings has centered around passages in Scripture where God raises the dead back to life. Among these, the account of Jesus raising Lazarus stands out as one of the most well-known. This story provides profound insights into how to navigate challenging times when God disappoints us, when we lose loved ones, or when we lose hope amidst suffering.

Many of us will face desperate situations. Terminal Illness. A wayward brother. A lay off. Enormous debt. Relational conflict. Loneliness. Mental illness. We feel like everything we do fails to make things better. What should we do when we find ourselves in a desperate situation?