Community Church HK Podcast

The Beginning & the End: The God Who Graciously Intervenes

This Sunday, we will look at how our God is not distant or indifferent; He is actively involved in our lives, extending His grace and guidance. In Genesis 9:1, we witness God's intervention as He blesses Noah and his family, setting the stage for a new beginning; as the passage goes: Then God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth..."
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================This Week's Scripture:// Genesis 11:1–9 (NET) //The Dispersion of the Nations at Babel
The whole earth had a common language and a common vocabulary. When the people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. Then they said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” (They had brick instead of stone and tar instead of mortar.)Then they said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens so that we may make a name for ourselves. Otherwise we will be scattered across the face of the entire earth.”
But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the people had started building. And the Lord said, “If as one people all sharing a common language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be beyond them. Come, let’s go down and confuse their language so they won’t be able to understand each other.”
So the Lord scattered them from there across the face of the entire earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why its name was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the entire world, and from there the Lord scattered them across the face of the entire earth.

The Beginning & the End: Created to Flourish

As we weather Super Typhoon Saola, we hope you are all staying safe and stocked up for the coming storm. We hope to be able to see you on Sunday, but remember to consistently check weather warnings to better understand the impact of the storm in relation to your travel routes. Nonetheless, this Sunday, we hope to kick off a new series that brings us to embrace our divine purpose! As Genesis 1:28 reminds us: God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”
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:// 1 Timothy 6:17–19 (NIV) //Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Living Generously

This Sunday, we will talk about how, as we continue to navigate this world that encourages us to be self-centered, we can choose a different path: the path of living generously. Inspired by the words of 1 Timothy 6:18, let us then overflow with goodness, kindness, and a willingness to share. 1 Timothy 6:18 says, "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."
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
You can find all timely and relevant links from this service on https://bit.ly/cc-links
You can also find out more about us at https://communitychurch.hk/
================This Week's Scripture:// 1 Timothy 6:17–19 (NIV) //Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

To Be Known and Loved

As we navigate in a world that can often feel chaotic and impersonal, we find a deep longing within us to be truly known and unconditionally loved. We yearn for someone to see us and understand our hearts, and this Sunday, we learn the incredible truth: that our Heavenly Father knows us intimately and loves us completely. As Psalm 139:1 reminds us, "O Lord, you have searched me and known me."
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
You can find all timely and relevant links from this service on https://bit.ly/cc-links
You can also find out more about us at https://communitychurch.hk/
================This Week's Scripture:// Psalm 139 (NIV) //For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
You have searched me, Lord,    and you know me.You know when I sit and when I rise;    you perceive my thoughts from afar.You discern my going out and my lying down;    you are familiar with all my ways.Before a word is on my tongue    you, Lord, know it completely.You hem me in behind and before,    and you lay your hand upon me.Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,    too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit?    Where can I flee from your presence?If I go up to the heavens, you are there;    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.If I rise on the wings of the dawn,    if I settle on the far side of the sea,even there your hand will guide me,    your right hand will hold me fast.If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me    and the light become night around me,”even the darkness will not be dark to you;    the night will shine like the day,    for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being;    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;    your works are wonderful,    I know that full well.My frame was not hidden from you    when I was made in the secret place,    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.Your eyes saw my unformed body;    all the days ordained for me were written in your book    before one of them came to be.How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!    How vast is the sum of them!Were I to count them,    they would outnumber the grains of sand—    when I awake, I am still with you.
If only you, God, would slay the wicked!    Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!They speak of you with evil intent;    your adversaries misuse your name.Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,    and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?I have nothing but hatred for them;    I count them my enemies.Search me, God, and know my heart;    test me and know my anxious thoughts.See if there is any offensive way in me,    and lead me in the way everlasting.

Freedom: Free to Die

This Sunday will see us conclude our journey through the book of Galatians. In the service, we will be learning that it is the Cross of Christ that grants us the ultimate freedom: dying to ourselves and living for Him. Because, in surrendering to the cross, we find liberation from the shackles of ambition, pride, and worldly desire; and through dying to our own will, we find true life in Christ's love and purpose. As Galatians 6:14 says, "But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
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
You can find all timely and relevant links from this service on https://bit.ly/cc-links
You can also find out more about us at https://communitychurch.hk/
================This Week's Scripture:// Galatians 6:11-18 (NET) //Final Instructions and BenedictionSee what big letters I make as I write to you with my own hand! 
Those who want to make a good showing in external matters are trying to force you to be circumcised. They do soonly to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. For those who are circumcised do not obey the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your flesh. But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that matters is a new creation! And all who will behave in accordance with this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on the Israel of God.
From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

Freedom: Free to Care

This Sunday, we will be learning how, as followers of Christ, we are bestowed with a unique freedom to care, especially as we are called to love one another, bear each other's burdens, and do good to all. As we prepare our hearts for the service, let us reflect on the words of Galatians 5:25, "If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit.”
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:// Galatians 6:1-10 (NET) //Support One Another
Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too. Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Let each one examine his own work. Then he can take pride in himself and not compare himself with someone else. For each one will carry his own load.
Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches it. Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows, because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.

Freedom: True Freedom

This Sunday, we look forward to hearing from our guest speaker Pastor Esther Tung, who will be exploring what it means to have "True Freedom." Can one truly be free in any circumstance—even whilst imprisoned? Pastor Esther serves with Hong Kong Christian Kun Sun Association, a ministry that serves prisoners, rehabilitated persons and their families throughout Hong Kong. Let us prepare our hearts for the message by meditating on John 8:36, which proclaims "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." 
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
You can find all timely and relevant links from this service on https://bit.ly/cc-links
You can also find out more about us at https://communitychurch.hk/
================This Week's Scripture:// Luke 4:18 (NIV) //“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..."

Freedom: Free in the Spirit

What does it look like to love and serve one another in the midst of disagreements? Pastor Brenda will be tackling this topic today, giving us a message on the practical aspects of loving and relating to one another especially during disagreements and conflicts. Let us prepare our hearts by meditating on Romans 12:10, which tells us to "Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another," and pray for deeper a understanding as we study God's Word together. 
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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You can also find out more about us at https://communitychurch.hk/
================This Week's Scripture:// Galatians 5:13-26 (NET) //Practice LoveFor you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” However, if you continually bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another.

Freedom: Free to Love

This Sunday, we will be hearing from guest speaker John Teng as we learn to celebrate the freedom we have in Christ, by being reminded of the freedom we have to love and be loved. Love is not just a feeling—it is an action done with intention, sacrifice, and vulnerability. We are asked this week to reflect on Galatians 5:13, which says, "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
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
You can find all timely and relevant links from this service on https://bit.ly/cc-links
You can also find out more about us at https://communitychurch.hk/
================This Week's Scripture:// Galatians 5:1-12 (ESV) //Christ Has Set Us FreeFor freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

Freedom: Free to Trust

When we trust in Jesus Christ, we are no longer bound by the law and we are, instead, free to live our lives based upon following God's love. This freedom gives us the confidence to trust God with our lives, and know that He will never let us down. Galatians 3:11 says, "Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because 'the righteous will live by faith.'" Join us for a message on the freedom to be able to trust God this Sunday!
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
You can find all timely and relevant links from this service on https://bit.ly/cc-links
You can also find out more about us at https://communitychurch.hk/
================This Week's Scripture:// Galatians 4:12-31 (NIV) //I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!
Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.
These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written:
“Be glad, barren woman,    you who never bore a child;shout for joy and cry aloud,    you who were never in labor;because more are the children of the desolate woman    than of her who has a husband.”
Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.