back to indexBerean Community Church Sunday Service 9.20.20
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Worthy of all the praise you could ever give. 00:05:57.000 |
Worthy of every breath you could ever breathe. 00:06:24.000 |
Worthy of every breath you could ever breathe. 00:06:50.000 |
Show me who you are and fill me with your holy spirit. 00:07:25.000 |
I'm alive and well, your spirit is within me. 00:07:54.000 |
I'm alive and well, your spirit is within me. 00:10:30.000 |
Welcome to Breen Community Church and those of you who are 00:10:35.000 |
As crazy as things are here at home, if you, again, know any 00:10:40.000 |
missionaries who are out in the field, whatever country you may 00:10:43.000 |
be in, the craziness that's going on is multiplied outside. 00:10:47.000 |
And so I hope you guys are able to just continue to pray for 00:10:53.000 |
This coming Friday, we have a praise and prayer that's going 00:10:56.000 |
on, and instead of normal Bible study that we have, so whether 00:10:59.000 |
it's home group or small group, we're taking a break this week 00:11:02.000 |
and then this coming Friday, we're going to gather together 00:11:07.000 |
And the layout is going to be very similar to what it is. 00:11:10.000 |
We're going to have people who are able to come inside, be 00:11:13.000 |
When this is full, we're going to have the people go outside, 00:11:15.000 |
and so we're able to worship together that way and take some 00:11:20.000 |
Pastor Alex, who is our missionary out in China, he's 00:11:23.000 |
going to come and give an update on what's going on so that we 00:11:26.000 |
can take some time to pray for our missionaries. 00:11:28.000 |
And so that's taking place this coming Friday at 730 p.m. 00:11:31.000 |
So please mark that on your calendar, and we want as many of 00:11:34.000 |
you guys who can come to come so that we can pray together. 00:11:39.000 |
That's taking place on November--sorry, not November, 00:11:49.000 |
So those of you who are new to the church may not know where 00:11:53.000 |
If you go from the outside, as you come into the front of the 00:11:58.000 |
And up those stairs, there's a cafe area in that area. 00:12:03.000 |
So if you sign up for that--again, this is a membership 00:12:06.000 |
class, so if you're participating in that, please go 00:12:10.000 |
And if you have any questions, please contact Pastor Nate 00:12:18.000 |
On the app or Facebook somewhere, and please email him, 00:12:21.000 |
and he'll give you directions of what to do, okay? 00:12:23.000 |
And it's going to be an eight-week class from 9 a.m. 00:12:28.000 |
Newcomers Welcome Event, that's also taking place next Sunday 00:12:32.000 |
It's going to be online, and this is for people who just have 00:12:35.000 |
questions about the church, want to know more about the church. 00:12:39.000 |
Some of the leaders will be participating in that. 00:12:41.000 |
And then so it'll--we'll give you more information of what we 00:12:44.000 |
believe, how things are run, and so it's a good opportunity 00:12:48.000 |
So if you're interested in that, please contact the Welcome Team 00:12:52.000 |
after service, or you can go on the church app or Facebook page 00:12:55.000 |
and it'll give you directions on how to get involved with that. 00:12:58.000 |
And they'll give you the entrance into the Zoom room 00:13:02.000 |
Intentional Sisters Fellowship, they're going to be reading the 00:13:07.000 |
So some of you guys may have read it because we read this book 00:13:09.000 |
before in the church, but again, I want to highly recommend. 00:13:13.000 |
This is a great book if you want to learn about praying and fasting 00:13:18.000 |
And so if you want to participate in that, let the sisters know. 00:13:21.000 |
Again, Carrie Cheng is the one who's signing up or taking care 00:13:26.000 |
of the sign-ups and stuff, so you can go to the app or the 00:13:29.000 |
church Facebook page, and again, you'll be able to sign up 00:13:32.000 |
And then finally, we're going to have some announcements that are 00:13:36.000 |
coming for our education department, but we'll save that 00:13:39.000 |
But in October, you know, normally we have Reformation Night. 00:13:42.000 |
We have the room set up and the children can come, and instead 00:13:46.000 |
of going out, you know, doing trick or cheating, they come here 00:13:51.000 |
Well, we didn't want to cancel it because of what's going on, 00:13:54.000 |
so we are taking it outside, and Pastor Mark has named this 00:14:00.000 |
Okay, so let me explain the word "trunk formation." 00:14:02.000 |
So basically, what's going to happen is there's going to be 00:14:06.000 |
some volunteers who's going to decorate the trunk of their car, 00:14:10.000 |
and that's where the games are going to be taking place, 00:14:12.000 |
whether it's, you know, darts or whatever that kids are going 00:14:15.000 |
to play, are going to do that, and then the prize will be handed 00:14:19.000 |
out that way, and then there's going to be a brief teaching 00:14:23.000 |
I think this year they're going to cover John Calvin, and then 00:14:25.000 |
there's going to be crafts that's going to be taking place 00:14:30.000 |
So we didn't want to take that day away from our children, 00:14:33.000 |
so we are going to be having that on October 31st from 4 to 7 p.m. 00:14:45.000 |
From what I'm hearing, this, you know, the trick-or-treating 00:14:49.000 |
or that kind of stuff is just canceled in most areas, 00:14:52.000 |
and so if you are planning to come, if you wish to come and bring 00:14:55.000 |
it, you know, the kids with you, please let--let's see. 00:15:00.000 |
Well, I don't know who's in charge, but let Pastor Mark know, 00:15:03.000 |
and he'll be able to give you more information on that. 00:15:06.000 |
So we are having it on Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m., okay? 00:15:11.000 |
All right, so before I pray, Nick is going to be being baptized 00:15:16.000 |
after the worship set, so we'll welcome him right after the second. 00:15:21.000 |
So let me pray for us, and those of you who are outside, 00:15:24.000 |
our physical offering basket is in the back of the sanctuary, 00:15:27.000 |
so after the service is over, if you have a check you want to drop off, 00:15:30.000 |
you can come into the sanctuary and drop it off into the box 00:15:36.000 |
So right at the entrance of the AV room, there's a box you can drop it off. 00:15:40.000 |
Same thing with people here. If you want to--if you have a physical check 00:15:43.000 |
you want to drop it off, you can put it in that box, okay? 00:15:50.000 |
Gracious and loving Father, we thank you for the privilege that we have 00:15:56.000 |
We know that we are living in difficult times, 00:16:00.000 |
and many churches are wrestling with how to be wise during this period, 00:16:05.000 |
and so we pray for continued wisdom, continued unity, Lord God, 00:16:09.000 |
in the body of Christ, that we may honor and glorify you in all things. 00:16:13.000 |
We pray that the worship that we give you may truly be in spirit and in truth. 00:16:19.000 |
If there's any self-righteousness in us, if there's anything in us, Lord God, 00:16:24.000 |
that is unworthy of you, we pray, Father God, that those things may be revealed. 00:16:28.000 |
Help us, Lord, to give to you what you deserve, our heart, our mind, 00:16:33.000 |
our thoughts, our very lives, and that this worship may simply be 00:16:40.000 |
I pray for the offering that we give, may it be multiplied for your glory. 00:17:23.000 |
Okay, good morning, church family. Happy Lord's Day. 00:17:25.000 |
Let's all stand together to sing this praise. 00:17:28.000 |
And just as a quick reminder, especially for those outside in the back, 00:17:31.000 |
if you can't see the screen or the lyrics, the lyrics are in the BCC app. 00:27:02.000 |
Good morning, church family. My name is Nicholas Nguyen, and this is my testimony. 00:27:09.000 |
So, coming from a loving, non-Christian family, religion was a very small aspect of my life from an early age. 00:27:17.000 |
The first time I attended church was when I was 13 years old. At that point, I was curious about the faith, but I was far from being saved. 00:27:24.000 |
I did not understand how Christ dying on the cross was an act of love, but I knew that he was the way to heaven. 00:27:30.000 |
And since I just wanted to fit into the church setting, I would pray thanking God for saving us from something I could not understand—sin. 00:27:40.000 |
However, seeing how some of my peers who called themselves Christians performed questionable actions, I thought that as long as I was a good person, I would go to heaven. 00:27:48.000 |
With this shallow understanding and a hardened heart, it did not take much for me to stop going to church. 00:27:53.000 |
Entering college, I had no thought of joining a college ministry on campus or attending a church again. 00:27:59.000 |
Through my experiences, I never understood the importance of attending church if people were just going to act the same as good people in the world. 00:28:07.000 |
In a sense, I thought of myself as flawless and self-righteous. 00:28:10.000 |
I would constantly judge others to boost my own confidence, and I thought that I was heaven-bound because I was not a particularly bad person. 00:28:18.000 |
With my ignorance towards sin and my earthly ambitions, I never thought much about my spiritual well-being. 00:28:24.000 |
However, even through my arrogance, God still brought me to a college ministry with my cousin. 00:28:29.000 |
When I went to the meeting, I was met by a group of very welcoming people. 00:28:34.000 |
That night, the thing that surprised me was how everyone pointed everything back to God. 00:28:37.000 |
Seeing such a faithful community, it made me question why they were so intentional. 00:28:42.000 |
Through my curiosity, I started attending Berean Community Church. 00:28:46.000 |
The first sermon I heard was about the parable of the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13, 24 to 30. 00:28:52.000 |
This parable challenged me to think about the life of a Christian and the difference between a believer and a non-believer. 00:28:59.000 |
After hearing more messages, one message about compassion and selflessness caused me to examine myself. 00:29:05.000 |
Before, I thought of myself as a pretty selfless person. 00:29:08.000 |
I always wanted to help others when they were in a bad spot and would always make time whenever someone needed me. 00:29:17.000 |
But in the realization that I was just doing all this to gain recognition and self-glorification, I understood my own sin and saw my own brokenness. 00:29:27.000 |
Before, through my own standards, I thought that I could judge if a person was good or bad, 00:29:31.000 |
which was why there was a contradiction between God's love and justice in my head. 00:29:35.000 |
But when I realized that even myself, whom I thought was righteous and was broken like the rest of the world, 00:29:41.000 |
I was able to understand the need for a Savior, the need for Jesus Christ. 00:29:45.000 |
One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Ephesians 2, 4 to 6, which says, 00:29:51.000 |
"God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, 00:29:57.000 |
made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved, and raised us up with him, 00:30:02.000 |
and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Jesus Christ. 00:30:05.000 |
Even though each and every one of us deserves eternal death, God's love pardoned us. 00:30:10.000 |
Through God's grace, I was able to receive Christ into my life. 00:30:14.000 |
I felt a deep joy knowing that my debt from sin was paid. 00:30:18.000 |
After being saved, I continue to see my own need for a Savior. 00:30:21.000 |
My struggle with my own pride and lust continues to be present. 00:30:24.000 |
However, knowing that God has released me from the bonds of sin, and loves me, a sinful and broken person, 00:30:29.000 |
I am able to find comfort and peace in Christ." 00:30:42.000 |
Alright, Nicholas, you understand when you go into the water, you're being united with Christ in his death, 00:31:02.000 |
and when you come out, you're being united in his resurrected life? 00:31:18.000 |
Alright, thank you, Nicholas, for your testimony. 00:31:30.000 |
If you can turn your Bibles with me to Hebrews chapter 10, 00:31:33.000 |
we're going to be finishing up our sermon I started last week, verse 32, sorry. 00:31:47.000 |
Reading out of the NASB, "But remember the former days when after being enlightened, 00:31:56.000 |
partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, 00:32:00.000 |
and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. 00:32:05.000 |
For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, 00:32:09.000 |
knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession of a lasting one. 00:32:13.000 |
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 00:32:17.000 |
For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, 00:32:23.000 |
For yet in a very little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay. 00:32:27.000 |
But my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, 00:32:34.000 |
We are not of those who shrink back to destruction, 00:32:36.000 |
but of those who have faith to the persevering of the soul." Let's pray. 00:32:45.000 |
Thank you for the privilege that we have to come and worship you, 00:32:49.000 |
to enter the throne of grace with confidence. 00:32:52.000 |
Lord, whatever we have been distracted by, whatever we have brought into this room, 00:32:58.000 |
whatever we have been entangled with throughout the week, 00:33:03.000 |
we thank you for this time that we may be able to offer it up 00:33:05.000 |
and give to you a worship that you truly deserve. 00:33:08.000 |
May your word have its effect on us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 00:33:12.000 |
Alright, so as you guys know, this is the second part of the text that we're looking at, 00:33:18.000 |
verse 32 to 39. And again, as you know, it is connected to the previous passage 00:33:23.000 |
where he gives a warning. He basically had 10 chapters of calling people back 00:33:31.000 |
to being anchored in Christ, the supremacy of Christ, how he is greater than everything else, 00:33:36.000 |
and warning them in the previous text a couple weeks ago that there are serious consequences. 00:33:41.000 |
This is not just a suggestion. That if a Christian or someone professing to be Christian 00:33:47.000 |
continue to slide to the point where we no longer recognize him as a follower of Christ, 00:33:53.000 |
he says, "Whatever we said in the past really doesn't matter because there is a stark warning." 00:34:00.000 |
In fact, the most severest warning was found again a couple weeks ago 00:34:04.000 |
when he said, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." 00:34:09.000 |
But again, the point of that was not simply to end with that. 00:34:14.000 |
The point of that is for the hearers to have a seriousness of what he's been saying 00:34:19.000 |
all up to that point, and really to get the genuine Christians 00:34:24.000 |
to recognize how serious this is and to encourage them to persevere. 00:34:30.000 |
And so the exhortation that we were looking at this started last week 00:34:35.000 |
was an exhortation to persevere by looking at the past. 00:34:39.000 |
It's an exhortation to persevere by looking to the future, 00:34:43.000 |
and an exhortation to persevere by recognizing who we are in the present. 00:34:47.000 |
So today we're going to be looking at the exhortation to persevere by remembering their future. 00:34:52.000 |
But just so that we can connect this to the passage that we were looking at last week, 00:34:57.000 |
it starts by telling them, "Remember in the beginning 00:35:01.000 |
when you suffered many things and even your possessions were being taken, 00:35:05.000 |
and that you had people around you that was being dragged into prison." 00:35:09.000 |
So this was no ordinary just kind of, you know, pointing fingers and people snickering at them. 00:35:17.000 |
Some of them, at least during the time that this was being written, 00:35:22.000 |
if Nero was in charge, which most people believe, 00:35:26.000 |
we're talking about a situation where Christians are being dragged into the Colosseum, 00:35:32.000 |
And he reminds them, "Do you remember that time in the beginning 00:35:38.000 |
You know, and we talked about that last week. 00:35:42.000 |
If he wants them to persevere, why would he remind them of the intense suffering 00:35:46.000 |
that they came from in the midst of the intense suffering now? 00:35:50.000 |
He said the difference between the beginning and what they were experiencing now 00:35:55.000 |
is in the beginning, in the midst of this intense suffering, he said they had joy. 00:35:59.000 |
Now that they're in this intense suffering, they're experiencing fear. 00:36:04.000 |
So the distinction between what they were experiencing then 00:36:08.000 |
and what they were experiencing at the present time 00:36:10.000 |
is the way that they were responding to this persecution. 00:36:13.000 |
And so he doesn't tell them, "Remember the beginning, how courageous you were. 00:36:19.000 |
Remember how disciplined you were. Remember how organized you were." 00:36:23.000 |
He doesn't tell them that. He points them back. 00:36:25.000 |
The reason behind why you had joy in the midst of suffering 00:36:51.000 |
That's the whole point of what he's been trying to say all through Hebrews. 00:36:53.000 |
And he's going to continue this point all throughout. 00:37:01.000 |
Right now, we're in the middle of a pandemic. 00:37:06.000 |
We had an earthquake, you know, just this Friday. 00:37:11.000 |
We have civil unrest because of race relations. 00:37:13.000 |
We have missionaries who are being kicked out of the countries 00:37:18.000 |
I mean, all kinds of craziness is happening right now. 00:37:29.000 |
maybe all this will pass and we'll go back to normal. 00:37:33.000 |
And maybe we can get back together, enjoy fellowship. 00:37:39.000 |
And maybe the political situation will be better. 00:37:44.000 |
And if we pray enough, our circumstances will calm down 00:37:54.000 |
He doesn't promise that things are going to get back to normal. 00:38:11.000 |
Now, there are periods of life where we experience peace. 00:38:13.000 |
And there are periods of life where there is tremendous turmoil. 00:38:16.000 |
But God doesn't promise that things will get better. 00:38:18.000 |
He doesn't promise that we're going to live a life of peace. 00:38:37.000 |
when he repents of his sins in the book of Psalms, 00:38:52.000 |
So, when an individual is not anchored in Christ, 00:39:07.000 |
Maybe you didn't get the job that you wanted. 00:39:09.000 |
Maybe the circumstances isn't exactly what you wanted. 00:39:37.000 |
that as crazy as things have been in the past, 00:39:48.000 |
to glorify God in this midst because of this. 00:40:01.000 |
we need to just persevere and get back to normal. 00:40:04.000 |
And not looking at it as an opportunity to glorify God. 00:40:08.000 |
That's the difference between an eternal perspective 00:40:14.000 |
"Remember, because you drifted away from Christ, 00:40:17.000 |
that you forgot even in the midst of suffering 00:40:29.000 |
There is a reward coming if you continue to persevere." 00:41:11.000 |
He says it over and over and over again in this text. 00:42:03.000 |
So, I don't mind, just like we put money in the bank, 00:42:06.000 |
we take it out of my pocket, put it in the bank. 00:43:04.000 |
when we're suffering, we're having hard times, 00:43:07.000 |
we cling to God because we have nothing to lose. 00:43:34.000 |
is producing for us an eternal weight of glory 00:43:47.000 |
Compared to the eternal glory, it's momentary. 00:44:00.000 |
and saying, "Oh, I don't want to be his friend." 00:44:08.000 |
their persecution was very intense and physical. 00:44:14.000 |
Apostle Paul was very concerned about going in there 00:44:22.000 |
not to be fearful because I have people here, 00:44:24.000 |
but he was heavily persecuted even in Corinth. 00:44:37.000 |
during this period, but the way Paul describes it, 00:44:45.000 |
momentary and light is because he's comparing 00:44:55.000 |
to the eternal glory that is coming in Christ, 00:45:25.000 |
but it says the Christ who saved you in the past 00:45:28.000 |
is the Christ that we need to be able to see. 00:45:30.000 |
It's the Christ that we need to be anchored to 00:45:35.000 |
"For I consider that the suffering of this present time 00:45:40.000 |
with the glory that is to be revealed to us." 00:46:57.000 |
That's just a portion of what Apostle Paul had. 00:47:17.000 |
So the moment we take our eyes off of Christ, 00:47:27.000 |
We don't look at winning the lottery as dung. 00:47:30.000 |
We don't look at moving into a nice house as dung. 00:47:42.000 |
What a blessing that my business is doing well. 00:47:56.000 |
So therefore, once we begin to drift away from him, 00:48:38.000 |
That's just like me saying, "One day, I'm going to fly." 00:48:40.000 |
Because they're struggling to feed their children. 00:48:54.000 |
that people in the world would not understand. 00:49:41.000 |
So the moment you take your eyes off of that, 00:50:54.000 |
So you have to understand the context of who I am, 00:51:21.000 |
But boldness can mean a lot of things too, right? 00:51:39.000 |
when he says, "Do not throw away your confidence." 00:51:43.000 |
"But Christ was faithful as a son over his house, 00:52:00.000 |
He's talking about the blood sacrifice of Christ. 00:52:11.000 |
isn't because you've done these great things. 00:52:24.000 |
the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy 00:52:44.000 |
He said we are able to enter the throne of grace 00:52:46.000 |
with confidence because Christ covers us in our sins. 00:53:07.000 |
He's talking about the imputed righteousness of Christ. 00:53:13.000 |
"Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence 00:53:15.000 |
to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 00:53:31.000 |
Confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus. 00:54:04.000 |
you will end up throwing away your confidence. 00:54:16.000 |
in his seven "I am" statements in the book of John, 00:54:19.000 |
his last thing that he tells his disciples to do what? 00:55:10.000 |
Unless we are absolutely dependent and anchored 00:55:26.000 |
you know, we are so enamored by our justification. 00:55:36.000 |
and we recognize all the sinful things that we've done. 00:55:51.000 |
after two months, a year, ten years, thirty years, 00:56:08.000 |
states anything with, "I know I'm not perfect," 00:56:14.000 |
I know I'm not perfect, but I'm not as bad as them. 00:56:20.000 |
and then we add our own righteousness as we go along. 00:57:05.000 |
and all of a sudden you're able to stay out late, 00:57:13.000 |
with all the choices that are in front of you. 00:57:36.000 |
The majority of the people that are surrounding you 00:58:25.000 |
You know who else needs to really cling to Christ? 00:59:03.000 |
and all of a sudden you feel like you've arrived 00:59:17.000 |
You're enjoying the things that God has given you 00:59:23.000 |
And it's much harder to remain sober together. 00:59:42.000 |
or the parents who didn't get enough sleep last night, 01:01:33.000 |
I didn't realize the temptation that's there. 01:01:57.000 |
there's a different challenge waiting for you. 01:05:07.000 |
"I'm going to pretend like I've never seen that." 01:05:15.000 |
you say, "Oh, I'm going to act like I never..." 01:07:45.000 |
And then you try to forget about it during the week 01:08:07.000 |
So he says to remember the God who justified us 01:08:09.000 |
and remember the glory that's coming in this guy. 01:08:33.000 |
the year is like, "Oh, that's just around the corner." 01:08:49.000 |
I don't know if any of you have been on a cruise. 01:08:55.000 |
You go on and you're supposed to enjoy yourselves 01:08:57.000 |
and you're supposed to come back by 4 o'clock 01:09:01.000 |
And once they take off, they're not going to be able 01:09:12.000 |
You ventured out because you wanted to see the hills, 01:09:59.000 |
it's like, "Oh my gosh, what is wrong with this boat? 01:10:04.000 |
I told my friends that I was going to meet them 01:10:08.000 |
So to one group they didn't keep their promise, 01:10:35.000 |
About 30 years after the death and resurrection of Christ, 01:10:45.000 |
If you know the context of the letter of 1 Peter, 01:10:47.000 |
He's writing during a period of Nero's intense persecution. 01:10:55.000 |
I mean, our friends are being dragged in the Colosseum, 01:11:42.000 |
everyone whose name is written in the Book of Life 01:12:24.000 |
So no human being has really waited 2,000 years. 01:13:17.000 |
Even as you're pursuing, even as you make money, 01:14:13.000 |
If you do not see the great gift of salvation 01:16:37.000 |
I pray especially for my brothers and sisters 01:17:58.000 |
Let's all stand together for a closing praise. 01:23:15.000 |
Heavenly Father, we ask for your continued anointing 01:23:25.000 |
Help us, Lord, to be sober and anchored in Christ 01:23:27.000 |
so that we do not run this race by our own strength, 01:23:35.000 |
that we are desperate when we are away from you. 01:23:42.000 |
To remain in your word, to remain in your spirit,