Community Church HK Podcast

Faith in Real Life: Faith That Breaks Barriers

This Sunday, join us as we consider how our faith is one that breaks barriers. Barriers can often define our lives, but faith has the power to break through. From the bustling streets of Mong Kok to the serene hills of Lantau, we're called to be prophets of hope and agents of change. Let us, together, have our faith inspire action and bring light to dark places. Just as Jesus broke barriers in his time, we too can break down walls of division in our city. Let's be the change we want to see, spreading love and compassion to all corners of Hong Kong.
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================This Week's Scripture:// Luke 7:11-17 //Jesus Raises a Widow’s SonSoon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”
Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

Faith in Real Life: Faith from the Outside

Sometimes, the most profound faith comes from unexpected places. In Luke 7:9, Jesus marvels at a Roman centurion's faith, saying, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” This reminds us that true faith isn't about outward appearances or cultural backgrounds: it's about trust, humility, and recognising a higher authority. As we navigate the bustling streets of Hong Kong, let's remember that faith can bloom anywhere, and challenge ourselves to cultivate a faith that amazes—one that transcends boundaries and expectations.
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================This Week's Scripture:// Luke 7:1-10 //The faith of the centurionWhen Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was ill and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go', and he goes; and that one, 'Come', and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this', and he does it."
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

Faith in Real Life: Faith in the Workplace

In Luke 1:68-71, we read, "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them." This promise of redemption is a reminder that our faith is not just about words, but about living out the Good News in our daily lives. Let us remember that true joy and freedom come from knowing God's love and redemption.
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================This Week's Scripture:// Luke 3:8-14 //Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
“What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
“Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”
He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

Faith in Real Life: Faith, Freedom & Good News

In Luke 1:68-71, we read, "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them." This promise of redemption is a reminder that our faith is not just about words, but about living out the Good News in our daily lives. Let us remember that true joy and freedom come from knowing God's love and redemption.
If you are new to Community Church, WELCOME! We would love to get to know you. Please fill in the following form and we look forward to connecting with you: https://bit.ly/cc-new-connect
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================This Week's Scripture:// Key Verses //Luke 1:68-71:Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,    because he has come to his people and redeemed them.He has raised up a horn of salvation for us    in the house of his servant David(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),salvation from our enemies    and from the hand of all who hate us
Luke 4:16-21: He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,    because he has anointed me    to proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners    and recovery of sight for the blind,to set the oppressed free,     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Family Matters: Healthy Fear

Let's reflect on what truly drives us forward this weekend. 1 John 4:18 reminds us, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." In a city where resilience and determination are celebrated, let's not forget the power of love. Perfect love isn't about avoiding challenges or fears; it's about facing them with courage and trust. Whether you're running through the city streets or cheering on others, remember that love conquers all.
If you are new to Community Church, WELCOME! We would love to get to know you. Please fill in the following form and we look forward to connecting with you: https://bit.ly/cc-new-connect
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================This Week's Scripture:// Key Verses //1 John 4:18: There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Proverbs 9:10: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Micah 6:8: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Proverbs 19:23: The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Family Matters: Legacy

This Sunday, we will reflect on the importance of family and legacy and recall the wise words from Matthew 6:21 (NIV): "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." It is important not to forget the true treasures that make our lives richer—our families and the values we pass down. Let us invest our hearts in what truly matters.
If you are new to Community Church, WELCOME! We would love to get to know you. Please fill in the following form and we look forward to connecting with you: https://bit.ly/cc-new-connect
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================This Week's Scripture:// Deuteronomy 6:4–7 //Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Family Matters: Passing the Blessing

As we continue to celebrate the new year, let's not forget the true blessings that bring us together: our families and our faith. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we're reminded: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This verse inspires us to see our families as a new creation, where love and grace are passed down through generations. Just as Hong Kong continues to evolve and grow, so too can our families be renewed in Christ.
If you are new to Community Church, WELCOME! We would love to get to know you. Please fill in the following form and we look forward to connecting with you: https://bit.ly/cc-new-connect
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================This Week's Scripture:// Key Passages //Exodus 34:7: Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.
Ezekiel 18:14-17: But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things: “He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of Israel.He does not defile his neighbor’s wife. He does not oppress anyone or require a pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. He withholds his hand from mistreating the poor and takes no interest or profit from them. He keeps my laws and follows my decrees. He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live."
Galatians 3:13: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”
Romans 6:6-7: For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
Joshua 24:15: But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.

Family Matters: Generational Sin

In a society where traditional values meet modern challenges, it's crucial to reflect on our generational legacies. The verse from 2 Corinthians 10:5 reminds us: "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." In Hong Kong, where family structures are evolving and societal expectations are shifting, it's essential to seek guidance from above. Let's use this verse as a reminder to align our thoughts and actions with Christ's teachings, fostering stronger, more resilient families.
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================This Week's Scripture:// Genesis 27:30-38 //After Isaac finished blessing him, and Jacob had scarcely left his father’s presence, his brother Esau came in from hunting. He too prepared some tasty food and brought it to his father. Then he said to him, ‘My father, please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.’
His father Isaac asked him, ‘Who are you?’
‘I am your son,’ he answered, ‘your firstborn, Esau.’
Isaac trembled violently and said, ‘Who was it, then, that hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came and I blessed him – and indeed he will be blessed!’
When Esau heard his father’s words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, ‘Bless me – me too, my father!’
But he said, ‘Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.’
Esau said, ‘Isn’t he rightly named Jacob?[a] This is the second time he has taken advantage of me: he took my birthright, and now he’s taken my blessing!’ Then he asked, ‘Haven’t you reserved any blessing for me?’
Isaac answered Esau, ‘I have made him lord over you and have made all his relatives his servants, and I have sustained him with grain and new wine. So what can I possibly do for you, my son?’
Esau said to his father, ‘Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father!’ Then Esau wept aloud.

Family Matters: Space at the Table

Happy Lunar New Year friends! We hope you are having a wonderful time this week. As we look towards Sunday, let us be reminded of Hosea 6:6, which says, "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." In this new year, let us continue to prioritize compassion over convenience, understanding over judgment, and togetherness over isolation.
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================This Week's Scripture:// Luke 22:14-23 //When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 
They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

Family Matters: Giving as Worship

In lives filled with challenges, the essence of family and faith shines brighter than ever. As we reflect on the story of Abraham, we learn of how his powerful act of faith teaches us that true worship is not just about songs and prayers but also about our willingness to give back to God what is most precious to us. Let us embrace this calling to worship through our actions and generosity, knowing that our sacrifices can lead to greater blessings for others. 
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================This Week's Scripture:// Matthew 26:6-13 //While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. ‘Why this waste?’ they asked. ‘This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.’
Aware of this, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you,[a] but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’