WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.299 And as you can all tell today, today is a special week, right? 00:00:05.360 --> 00:00:08.339 I'm sure you know that we have something special to celebrate this week. 00:00:09.040 --> 00:00:14.480 And obviously it's that we're so old braiding that we're back in the book of Acts. 00:00:14.580 --> 00:00:16.899 Come on. Who's excited for Acts? 00:00:17.900 --> 00:00:19.660 Actually, exactly. I love that. I guess. 00:00:20.199 --> 00:00:24.199 So we've been going through the book of Acts last year and Acts is all about this one truth. 00:00:24.199 --> 00:00:27.640 The book of Acts is all about this one truth that Jesus, the son of God, 00:00:27.640 --> 00:00:32.140 died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. 00:00:32.240 --> 00:00:34.560 And that reality changes everything. 00:00:35.299 --> 00:00:39.020 And before Jesus ascended to heaven, he commissioned his disciples saying, 00:00:39.539 --> 00:00:42.500 you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. 00:00:42.579 --> 00:00:48.100 And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. 00:00:48.439 --> 00:00:49.980 That's in chapter one of Acts. 00:00:49.980 --> 00:00:53.280 And throughout the rest of the book of Acts, we see these words fulfilled. 00:00:54.019 --> 00:00:56.500 Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the word of God, 00:00:56.500 --> 00:00:59.280 chapter after chapter grew and increased. 00:00:59.679 --> 00:01:05.379 The gospel spread across continents, across ethnic divides, across the whole world, 00:01:05.680 --> 00:01:10.700 to the point that 2,000 years later, we're here as English speaking people in Hong Kong, 00:01:11.519 --> 00:01:13.099 worshiping the same God. 00:01:13.500 --> 00:01:21.579 And now in November, we left off in Acts chapter 18 and we took a break to talk about some other things. 00:01:21.579 --> 00:01:26.140 But today, rather than going forward to chapter 19, we're going to jump back briefly, 00:01:26.500 --> 00:01:29.439 a few pages back to chapter 17 and recap a bit. 00:01:29.819 --> 00:01:31.920 And that's because, yes, today is a special day. 00:01:32.079 --> 00:01:37.900 Today is a special, this week is a special week because we, of course, are celebrating Chinese New Year. 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:40.859 We're entering the year of the horse this week. 00:01:40.859 --> 00:01:46.439 And to most people in Hong Kong, Chinese New Year is the biggest holiday of the year. 00:01:46.780 --> 00:01:49.039 It is the biggest holiday of the year in Hong Kong. 00:01:49.439 --> 00:01:50.819 The most important holiday. 00:01:51.340 --> 00:01:54.579 And James preached on Acts chapter 17 a few months ago. 00:01:54.640 --> 00:02:01.340 But we're going to revisit today because I think Acts 17 contains one of the best examples in the New Testament 00:02:01.340 --> 00:02:04.039 of a Chinese New Year sermon. 00:02:05.039 --> 00:02:07.620 Acts 17 is, in fact, a Chinese New Year sermon. 00:02:07.620 --> 00:02:08.560 What do I mean by that? 00:02:09.159 --> 00:02:13.640 In Acts 17, Paul addresses Greek people living in Athens. 00:02:14.120 --> 00:02:15.560 He's not talking to Chinese people. 00:02:16.120 --> 00:02:18.819 He's talking to Greek people in Athens. 00:02:19.240 --> 00:02:22.900 But he gives us an example of contextualizing the gospel. 00:02:23.280 --> 00:02:24.060 That's the truth. 00:02:24.700 --> 00:02:26.099 Jesus is Lord of all. 00:02:26.960 --> 00:02:30.780 The gospel is relevant to every people in every culture. 00:02:31.480 --> 00:02:33.819 And our job is just to show that truth. 00:02:33.980 --> 00:02:35.300 We don't make the gospel relevant. 00:02:35.300 --> 00:02:38.320 The gospel is relevant to all peoples at all times. 00:02:38.900 --> 00:02:41.719 And Paul gives us an example of this, of contextualization. 00:02:42.060 --> 00:02:47.760 He preaches the gospel in a way that's understandable and relevant to the context. 00:02:48.439 --> 00:02:51.700 In Athens, Paul looked for a connection to the Greek culture. 00:02:51.699 --> 00:02:56.500 And he found that in an altar dedicated to the unknown God. 00:02:56.879 --> 00:03:00.379 He uses that altar as a hook to point them to Jesus. 00:03:00.519 --> 00:03:02.379 He uses what he sees in their culture. 00:03:02.459 --> 00:03:09.879 This unknown God persuade them that actually Jesus is better than all their idols because Jesus is Lord of all. 00:03:10.039 --> 00:03:11.599 And he's a God worth worshiping. 00:03:11.599 --> 00:03:16.180 In Acts 17, Paul found this unknown altar. 00:03:17.180 --> 00:03:27.079 But today, I'd like us to imagine, instead of in Athens 2,000 years ago, let's imagine if Paul were here in Hong Kong in 2026, in the year of the horse. 00:03:27.080 --> 00:03:40.060 Rather than standing at the Areopagus, imagine Paul were sitting there next to you at Tuning Fan, at Tun Bai, at the table with all your aunts and uncles celebrating Chinese New Year. 00:03:40.620 --> 00:03:43.480 What would Paul say in that situation? 00:03:43.479 --> 00:03:48.259 Okay, he's dressed in red, wearing a shirt like this. 00:03:49.459 --> 00:03:51.359 He reaches for the Poon Choi. 00:03:51.620 --> 00:03:55.120 He grabs the dried oysters and the Fat Choi with his chopsticks. 00:03:55.919 --> 00:03:57.419 Paul's going around watching you say, 00:03:57.599 --> 00:04:02.839 Not because you want to wish them that, because you just want the Licey. 00:04:03.399 --> 00:04:04.679 He sees you doing that. 00:04:04.780 --> 00:04:10.979 What would, as he sits around this big table, watching all these things, hearing these greetings of prosperity, 00:04:10.979 --> 00:04:15.979 what would God, what would Paul say to our culture celebrating Chinese New Year? 00:04:16.800 --> 00:04:22.000 And I believe that Paul would have the same message for us in Hong Kong as he did in Athens. 00:04:22.159 --> 00:04:24.079 And that is that Jesus is Lord of all. 00:04:24.719 --> 00:04:28.079 Now, of course, he would use different words because we're in a different culture. 00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:33.339 But he would say the same timeless truth, that Jesus is Lord of everything. 00:04:33.980 --> 00:04:36.339 And we all need to repent and put our faith in him. 00:04:36.920 --> 00:04:40.899 Now, today we'll look at a few major, three major themes of Chinese New Year. 00:04:41.340 --> 00:04:43.840 Fortune, money, family, and fears. 00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:49.100 And as we head into Chinese New Year this week, we'll see that Jesus is Lord of all these things. 00:04:49.200 --> 00:04:53.060 He's the Lord of all fortunes, Lord of all families, and Lord of all fears. 00:04:54.340 --> 00:04:56.800 And we're going to read from Acts 17 now. 00:04:56.860 --> 00:04:59.060 So let's stand as we read the word of God together. 00:04:59.060 --> 00:05:05.700 I'll invite Wesley, Wesley Choi, to read from us from Acts chapter 17. 00:05:05.699 --> 00:05:08.420 We'll read from verse 16 to the end of the chapter. 00:05:08.759 --> 00:05:15.680 And we'll read what Paul actually said in Athens so that we can think, what would Paul say to us in Hong Kong today? 00:05:16.759 --> 00:05:17.819 Let's flip to that. 00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:18.680 Acts 17. 00:05:19.719 --> 00:05:20.539 Do you have that up? 00:05:20.699 --> 00:05:20.800 Yeah. 00:05:20.800 --> 00:05:28.160 In Athens. 00:05:28.660 --> 00:05:38.439 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:50.720 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 00:05:51.720 --> 00:05:56.319 Some of their Epicurean and Stoic philosopher also conversed with him. 00:05:56.319 --> 00:05:59.959 And some said, what does this babbler wish to say? 00:06:00.420 --> 00:06:06.920 Utters that he seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 00:06:08.319 --> 00:06:14.899 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus saying, may we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting. 00:06:15.819 --> 00:06:18.539 For you bring some strange things to our ear. 00:06:18.699 --> 00:06:22.159 We wish to know therefore what these things mean. 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:29.700 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. 00:06:30.900 --> 00:06:38.180 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said, man of Athens, I perceive that in every. 00:06:38.860 --> 00:06:39.480 It's okay. 00:06:42.940 --> 00:06:50.379 In every way, you are very religious for as I pass along and observe the objects of your worship. 00:06:50.379 --> 00:06:55.379 I found also an altar with this inscription to the unknown God. 00:06:56.659 --> 00:06:58.759 What therefore you worship was unknown. 00:06:58.939 --> 00:07:02.939 This I proclaim to you, the God who made the world and everything in it. 00:07:03.420 --> 00:07:09.560 Being Lord of heaven and earth does not live in temple made by men, nor is he served by human hands. 00:07:10.219 --> 00:07:15.759 As though he needed anything since he himself give to all mankind life and breathe in everything. 00:07:15.759 --> 00:07:26.079 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place. 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:31.699 That they should seek God and perhaps feel their way towards him and find him. 00:07:31.899 --> 00:07:34.379 Yet he is actually not far from each of us. 00:07:34.379 --> 00:07:38.000 For in him we live and move and have our being. 00:07:38.439 --> 00:07:42.819 As even some of your own poets have said, for we are indeed his offspring. 00:07:43.740 --> 00:07:49.600 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone. 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:53.180 An image formed by the art and imagination of man. 00:07:53.500 --> 00:07:55.500 The times of ignorance God overlook. 00:07:55.500 --> 00:07:58.879 But now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 00:07:59.160 --> 00:08:03.319 Because he has fixed the day on which he will judge the world in righteousness. 00:08:04.100 --> 00:08:06.240 By a man whom he has appointed. 00:08:06.819 --> 00:08:10.560 And of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead. 00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:15.600 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. 00:08:15.639 --> 00:08:19.459 But others said, we will hear you again this. 00:08:19.459 --> 00:08:26.299 So Paul went out from their midst, but some men joined him in belief. 00:08:26.659 --> 00:08:35.259 Among whom also were Dionysus the Areopagate and a woman named Demarius and other with them. 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:37.059 Thank you. 00:08:37.100 --> 00:08:37.840 This is the word of Lord. 00:08:38.059 --> 00:08:38.860 Please take a seat. 00:08:42.360 --> 00:08:46.000 So what we just read, that was Paul in Athens. 00:08:46.759 --> 00:08:49.120 That was what Paul said to the people of Athens. 00:08:49.460 --> 00:08:50.820 But let's go back to the dinner table. 00:08:50.920 --> 00:08:56.460 What would Paul say if he was sitting there celebrating Chinese New Year with all your aunts and uncles? 00:08:57.480 --> 00:09:02.320 And now at this point, I need to admit, I'm not really an expert on Chinese New Year. 00:09:02.759 --> 00:09:05.600 I'm Chinese, but I grew up in Toronto. 00:09:05.700 --> 00:09:08.940 And in fact, I just bought this shirt from Taobao two weeks ago. 00:09:10.120 --> 00:09:11.500 It's the first one I've ever owned. 00:09:11.700 --> 00:09:17.019 But my background is while my parents were from Hong Kong, I was born and raised in Canada, in Toronto. 00:09:17.160 --> 00:09:18.639 So I'm Chinese Canadian. 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:21.659 And we celebrated Chinese New Year growing up. 00:09:21.939 --> 00:09:24.759 We would eat together, but it wasn't the biggest deal to us. 00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:27.679 So now I'm just rediscovering my culture. 00:09:27.779 --> 00:09:29.100 To prepare, I had to do some research. 00:09:29.259 --> 00:09:34.360 I had to look around, ask around to learn about my culture, just like Paul did in Athens. 00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:39.360 He would have been familiar with Greek culture, philosophy, but he still had his eyes open. 00:09:39.500 --> 00:09:44.639 As he went around, he actively looked and observed at their culture to find this point of connection. 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:46.439 That's what it says in verse 23. 00:09:46.659 --> 00:09:48.500 He intentionally did all that. 00:09:48.500 --> 00:09:53.559 And maybe you're in the same boat as me, where Chinese New Year isn't a big part of your tradition. 00:09:53.840 --> 00:09:55.120 Some of us here aren't Chinese. 00:09:55.279 --> 00:09:59.519 You might, or even if you are, you might not be celebrating Chinese New Year with your family. 00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:10.980 But as Christians in Hong Kong, if we are to go and scatter, to reach those around us, it helps for us to be familiar with the biggest, most important holiday in Hong Kong. 00:10:11.539 --> 00:10:16.759 It helps to know our culture so that we can reach our city with the good news of Jesus Christ. 00:10:16.759 --> 00:10:17.759 Okay. 00:10:17.759 --> 00:10:20.379 So that's, that's why we're looking at Chinese New Year today. 00:10:20.720 --> 00:10:25.019 Now in Athens, Paul saw that they worshiped the unknown God. 00:10:25.139 --> 00:10:28.059 They worshiped, they had this altar to the unknown God. 00:10:28.580 --> 00:10:31.100 What do we see looking around that we worship here? 00:10:31.439 --> 00:10:33.059 What idols do we have in this city? 00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:43.419 This isn't exactly in Hong Kong, but a few months ago, Jojo and I went up to our favorite massage place in Shenzhen, a 10 out of 10 spot. 00:10:43.419 --> 00:10:55.240 We were, we were getting a foot massage and we were chatting with the masseuses to pass the time and also to practice our broken Mandarin to get a free 45 minute Mandarin lesson out of that same time. 00:10:55.379 --> 00:10:59.059 Now at that point, we were talking and it came up that I was a pastor. 00:10:59.219 --> 00:11:01.939 So we, we were chatting about the faith, about Christianity. 00:11:02.500 --> 00:11:06.219 And so I asked him, Nina, how about you? 00:11:06.579 --> 00:11:07.699 What do you believe? 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:08.899 Okay. 00:11:08.899 --> 00:11:20.199 And I expected him to say, Oh Buddha or nothing, but without skipping a beat, he said, Tian, I believe in money. 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:22.819 I worship money. 00:11:23.399 --> 00:11:24.600 That's what he said to me. 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:28.759 There was no shame, no hesitation at all. 00:11:28.819 --> 00:11:30.459 And he said it, he just said it as a fact. 00:11:30.519 --> 00:11:32.259 I worship money. 00:11:32.259 --> 00:11:41.679 And honestly, I think he simply admitted out loud what a lot of us, what most of us in Hong Kong feel silently deep down. 00:11:42.460 --> 00:11:45.039 Paul pointed to the unknown God in Athens. 00:11:45.039 --> 00:11:49.919 In Hong Kong, I think we look to a known God and that God is money. 00:11:50.259 --> 00:11:55.919 That thought that if I work hard enough and save up enough to buy that flat, then I will be set. 00:11:56.179 --> 00:11:57.200 My life's going to be good. 00:11:57.319 --> 00:11:57.960 I'll be happy. 00:11:57.960 --> 00:12:00.400 I can provide for my family and I'll be happy. 00:12:00.560 --> 00:12:02.440 That's what a lot of us here believe. 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:06.660 And this, this becomes most clear at Chinese New Year. 00:12:07.400 --> 00:12:12.019 Chinese New Year is a celebration of fortune to have good fortune. 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:16.259 Fortune is woven into almost everything in our celebrations. 00:12:16.980 --> 00:12:20.420 Think about the most common greeting you'll hear a hundred times this week. 00:12:21.180 --> 00:12:21.900 Gong Hei Fa Chui. 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:23.180 What does that mean? 00:12:23.180 --> 00:12:25.160 Literally, it's, it's a blessing of wealth. 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:27.759 It literally means I wish you wealth. 00:12:28.659 --> 00:12:29.539 I would, may you be rich. 00:12:29.679 --> 00:12:31.079 I wish you wealth and prosperity. 00:12:31.939 --> 00:12:33.500 And it's not just Gong Hei Fa Chui. 00:12:33.860 --> 00:12:34.679 What comes next? 00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:36.219 Lai Xi Dao Loi. 00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:36.899 Right? 00:12:36.959 --> 00:12:37.919 Where's my red pocket? 00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:39.419 Show me the money. 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:42.579 That's, that's why we say all these, these greetings for the red pocket. 00:12:42.939 --> 00:12:46.480 See, I'm no expert on Chinese culture, but if there's, I learned one thing as a Chinese kid. 00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:47.480 It's this. 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:48.860 Has to be Lai Xi. 00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:53.480 That's when we receive red pockets filled with money from all our aunts and uncles. 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:56.120 That's the only thing I cared about Chinese New Year growing up. 00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:59.000 And before we get Lai Xi, what do you have to do? 00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:02.740 You have to say a few lucky sayings, these blessings. 00:13:03.019 --> 00:13:05.279 And a lot of them are focused on wealth. 00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:07.259 A lot of them are focused on wealth. 00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:09.000 Lai Ni Ni Yau Yu. 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:11.419 May you always have more than you need. 00:13:11.539 --> 00:13:13.759 May every year, will you have a surplus every year? 00:13:14.700 --> 00:13:18.139 Wishing you good fortune, good profit. 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:19.940 A lot of these are focused on fortune. 00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:23.480 And it's understandable why Chinese New Year is so focused on wealth. 00:13:23.580 --> 00:13:27.960 When we think about the history of our people, back when we're an agrarian society, 00:13:28.519 --> 00:13:30.679 you didn't know when you're going to have your next meal. 00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:34.720 Because life was dependent on just how good the crops were. 00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:37.759 That's why people looked every year for, for fortune. 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:41.620 And you didn't, yeah, you wouldn't know if you had a good harvest. 00:13:41.779 --> 00:13:44.580 And that mindset perhaps carries forward to today. 00:13:44.980 --> 00:13:48.600 In Hong Kong, when rent is crazy high, when the economy is not doing well, 00:13:49.039 --> 00:13:51.419 forget about saving enough to buy a flat. 00:13:52.340 --> 00:13:54.220 Maybe we still carry forward that mindset today. 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:59.659 Now, what would Paul say if he heard that worship of money at the dinner table? 00:14:00.340 --> 00:14:04.000 I think Paul would say to us, there's a better God to worship. 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:11.759 If you, even if you just cared about your fortune and wellbeing, there's a better God to worship than money. 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:18.659 Because there is the one true living God who holds the whole world in his hands and is Lord over all our fortunes. 00:14:19.159 --> 00:14:23.779 If we look at verse 23 here, Paul brings up this unknown God. 00:14:23.779 --> 00:14:28.299 He says, I found also an altar with this inscription to the unknown God. 00:14:29.419 --> 00:14:35.679 Scholars say that the Athenians, they put up altars to unknown gods in part because of fear. 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:41.779 They believed in many gods and worshiped many gods, but were afraid that they might miss one of the gods. 00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:46.839 They would, they would, they would be unaware of one of these gods and unknown God and be cursed with bad luck. 00:14:46.840 --> 00:14:49.740 They were afraid of overlooking an unknown God. 00:14:50.940 --> 00:14:54.220 They were insecure about their fortunes, just like us. 00:14:54.899 --> 00:15:00.060 And at the core, because at the core of what we're searching for is to be happy, to be loved, to have our needs met. 00:15:00.420 --> 00:15:03.440 Search of the good life, the Athenians worshiped unknown gods. 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:11.240 On the other hand, we grasp for unknown security, always reaching, but never finding that security we're looking for. 00:15:11.280 --> 00:15:16.019 If we're looking for that in money, because when we put our trust in money, the economy can slow down. 00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:18.259 Bitcoin can drop 40%. 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:23.519 And we were reminded tragically that even real estate can't be trusted to last forever. 00:15:24.840 --> 00:15:26.000 Look at verse 24. 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:27.939 On the other hand, we have this in verse 24. 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:35.139 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man. 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:37.240 There's this Lord who made heaven and earth. 00:15:38.059 --> 00:15:43.399 The Athenians worshiped many gods, but Paul says to them, there is actually one true God and he made everything. 00:15:43.819 --> 00:15:45.240 The sun, he made it. 00:15:45.240 --> 00:15:46.279 The moon, he made it. 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:47.500 The earth, he made it. 00:15:47.680 --> 00:15:49.060 Stars, he made it. 00:15:49.340 --> 00:15:52.379 He made the whole world and everything in it, no exceptions. 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:55.180 And as creator of all, he is also Lord of all. 00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:59.960 He is the one who is sovereign and has predestined and determined boundaries. 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:03.860 And a lot of times for all of us, he's sovereign over all the things that he's made. 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:10.360 These other gods you look for, they can't help you because what authority do these gods have? 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:12.000 What power do they have to help you? 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.940 They didn't create the world. 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:17.379 They're not the Lord of all the world who made the world and everything in it. 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:21.039 And even if these gods were real, they're limited only to their domain. 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:27.559 If you worship Troy son, because you want money, that's, that's all he can give you. 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:40.820 If you worship Guangun, Guangong for protection for your business, you can tell I'm not, I'm not really fully Chinese, but if you worship Guangong for protection, he can only look over your business. 00:16:40.820 --> 00:16:45.000 These gods can only help you in the area of expertise. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:46.460 They have to stay in their lane. 00:16:46.920 --> 00:16:51.540 And if we worship money, Nathan reminded us last week, we can't take anything with us when we die. 00:16:52.060 --> 00:16:54.040 Naked, you were born and naked, you will return. 00:16:54.300 --> 00:16:56.379 We can't take our jobs with us when we die. 00:16:56.520 --> 00:17:00.680 We can't take our house, our car, our portfolio and our stock market. 00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:06.000 Even if you promised your dollars, your doctor, a trillion dollars on your deathbed, 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:09.980 they would be unable to lift a single finger to help you. 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:13.500 So why would we want to worship such a limited God? 00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:20.140 Why worship such an uncertain God who will disappoint you whenever the market moves? 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:26.599 Instead, we have the privilege of knowing the living God who is Lord of all. 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:29.440 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.759 That's what it says in Psalm 24. 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:32.380 Everything belongs to him. 00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:36.160 And also every other God in Hong Kong is needy. 00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:40.740 Ancestors, they need you to feed them or they get upset. 00:17:41.540 --> 00:17:44.160 Spirits need you to burn incense or they curse you. 00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:50.540 In the Chinese New Year, there's all these superstitions surrounding fortune that put a weight on our shoulders. 00:17:50.940 --> 00:17:52.080 You have to be careful. 00:17:52.300 --> 00:17:54.120 Don't clean your house. 00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:55.140 Don't sweep the floors. 00:17:55.220 --> 00:17:59.140 Don't take out the trash because you might accidentally get rid of good fortune. 00:17:59.420 --> 00:18:02.000 You can't cut your hair or else you'll cut the fortune away. 00:18:03.340 --> 00:18:16.980 If the God of money demands you to sacrifice your time, your health, your family to climb the career ladder, the stock market says, if you think about me, focus on me, worry about me, maybe you'll strike it rich. 00:18:16.980 --> 00:18:21.140 There are taskmasters who say, feed me and maybe I will bless you. 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:23.460 Maybe, just maybe, I will bless you. 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:25.720 But the living God is different. 00:18:26.340 --> 00:18:30.200 Verse 24 says, God does not live in temples made by man. 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:38.960 In verse 25, nor is he served by human hands as though he needed anything since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 00:18:39.860 --> 00:18:41.799 You see, God doesn't need anything from us. 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:44.779 He freely gives everything to us. 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:46.460 And yes, there are commands in the Bible. 00:18:46.600 --> 00:18:51.660 There are things that God asks us to do, but he doesn't need anything from us. 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:53.740 He doesn't require us to serve him. 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:59.259 Even last week, as we spoke about making disciples, God could raise up sons of Abraham from stones. 00:18:59.259 --> 00:18:59.960 That's what he says. 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:01.440 He doesn't need us to speak. 00:19:01.500 --> 00:19:04.759 He just invites us into his mission. 00:19:06.839 --> 00:19:09.120 Every breath we have is from God. 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:15.099 He's the one who gives us life and breath and everything to every single person. 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:20.379 That's also even to those who don't acknowledge him, who don't even ask of him. 00:19:20.919 --> 00:19:24.779 God has given us the breath that we have to even question God. 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:27.079 He has shown us already so much grace. 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:29.939 He's not a God who is served by human's hands. 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:31.859 There's nothing that we can do to earn from God. 00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:35.139 Everything we give to God is his already. 00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:41.319 His heart, God's heart is just for us to know him and enjoy him. 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:45.079 He gives to us freely, even to the point of giving us his own son. 00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:50.679 He simply wants us to sit at his table, call on him as father. 00:19:52.119 --> 00:19:57.240 And so for us, why would we want to worship idols that will enslave us, that disappoint us, 00:19:57.279 --> 00:20:02.779 that can't satisfy us when we can instead look to the God who gives us life and breath and everything. 00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:09.119 And also when we see this worship going on in our city, 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:13.199 how can we point people to our God, the God who gives us everything? 00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:19.000 As a start, even the simplest thing we can choose to is to avoid glorifying money. 00:20:19.220 --> 00:20:22.500 It can be as simple as replacing the blessings of wealth. 00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:23.319 Gong hei fa choi. 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:27.180 With, there's said phrases that point to God's grace. 00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:31.160 Ji-yan mun, uh, mun yut. 00:20:31.840 --> 00:20:32.640 Sorry, I can't pronounce it. 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:33.600 Ji-yan mun yut, is it? 00:20:34.640 --> 00:20:34.920 Yep. 00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:38.820 And that's, that's just the simplest thing. 00:20:39.340 --> 00:20:48.920 Um, but more than that, more than just with our words, let us, let us show what we are putting our trust in. 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:49.420 Right? 00:20:49.420 --> 00:20:49.920 Right? 00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:51.700 It's not just our words. 00:20:51.860 --> 00:20:56.880 If we trust in money and just say different words, people will see that. 00:20:56.880 --> 00:21:00.380 But let us put our trust in God and show that. 00:21:00.380 --> 00:21:00.920 Right? 00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:07.960 In the dinner table conversations, when the economy comes up or when your uncle asks you, 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:10.240 there's always this uncle asking about your job and salary. 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:15.720 Let your faith come out that God has been good with me with that promotion. 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:17.819 And not just to say that, but to really believe it. 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:20.420 He is the God who gave me life and breath and everything. 00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:22.120 Every good thing I have comes from him. 00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:26.380 Or if it's, I still can't find a job. 00:21:27.900 --> 00:21:30.299 Let us show that I, I, I have God. 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:33.000 I'm satisfied in him and he's more than enough. 00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:36.720 Let's remember the God who made the world and everything in it. 00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:39.359 He's the Lord of all fortunes. 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:43.079 Now we've, we've talked about the red pockets. 00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:46.039 Let's also talk about the people sitting around the table. 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:48.000 Family, family. 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:49.980 Chinese new year is all about family. 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:54.880 If there's anything more important than fortune and money at Chinese new year, 00:21:54.920 --> 00:21:55.559 it has to be family. 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:58.440 That's the most, the most important event in Chinese new year. 00:21:58.519 --> 00:22:00.440 The most important meal of the year. 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.519 That's tuning fine. 00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:07.039 This reunion dinner where family, immediate family get together and have dinner together. 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:10.019 That's the night when the whole family gets to matter together. 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:11.420 It doesn't matter if you're busy. 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:15.019 It doesn't matter if you have disagreement and conflict with one another. 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:17.519 That's everyone gets back together. 00:22:17.880 --> 00:22:19.539 Chinese new is about family. 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:26.339 And now that puts some of us in a bit of an awkward situation because I know for some of us, 00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:28.420 following Christ came with a cost. 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:34.900 It wasn't an easy decision because following Jesus sometimes put us, puts us as at odds with our family. 00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:40.940 It can be seen as a betrayal by our family because we have to give up the gods that they follow. 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:46.360 That can come up in the context for us in ancestor worship. 00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:51.919 And I think it's beautiful in Chinese culture that we respect and honor our parents and elders. 00:22:52.459 --> 00:22:59.500 But this week, some of us may be asked and may be forced to draw a line with our families regarding ancestor worship. 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:02.919 That you might have to say, I won't offer incense. 00:23:03.179 --> 00:23:04.759 I won't burn money for them. 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:06.539 Not because you don't love them. 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.819 Not because you don't respect them. 00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:10.180 Because you have a greater love and respect. 00:23:10.379 --> 00:23:11.660 You worship God alone. 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:20.839 Following Jesus could put us at odds with our family because in Hong Kong, in Asia, sometimes there's this idea that Jesus is a foreign God. 00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:25.119 In Hong Kong, many people see Jesus as a Western God. 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:29.299 He's the God of British missionaries, of colonists that brought their religion over. 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:31.359 He's not a Chinese God. 00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:33.319 He's an imported foreign God. 00:23:33.419 --> 00:23:38.779 That Christianity is just for guailos and chuxing who grew up overseas and went to international schools. 00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:45.440 Imagine Paul is at this Chinese New Year dinner and his uncle says, what are you talking about? 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:48.000 Chinese people worship Chinese gods. 00:23:48.879 --> 00:23:51.599 Western people worship Jesus, Western gods. 00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:54.980 We don't worship Jesus here. 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:56.220 That's not what we do. 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:58.200 That's not our tradition and culture. 00:23:58.200 --> 00:24:00.539 How do you think Paul would respond to that? 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:07.080 Well, in fact, we don't have to imagine because Paul was in the same situation in verse 18. 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:12.340 In verse 18, it says, what does this babbler wish to say? 00:24:12.420 --> 00:24:14.759 Some said, what does this babbler wish to say? 00:24:14.860 --> 00:24:18.480 Others said, he seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities. 00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:22.759 He's preaching foreign gods because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:23.880 That's what they said of Paul. 00:24:23.880 --> 00:24:27.680 They thought that, the Athenians thought that Paul was preaching a foreign God. 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:30.380 And this is Paul's response in verse 26. 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:41.259 God made from one man, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined a lot of periods and the boundaries of their dwelling places. 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:42.420 That's God's. 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:43.559 That's, that's Paul's response. 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:49.740 What he's saying is the God who made heaven and earth and everything in it. 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:53.019 That same God made every person. 00:24:53.019 --> 00:25:00.700 He made every nation, Chinese people, Korean people, British, Canadian, South African, Indian, Jewish, Greek. 00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:02.059 God made us all. 00:25:02.159 --> 00:25:02.960 He made all of us. 00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:04.859 He's the, he's the father of every nation. 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:07.559 He's the Lord of all the families of the earth. 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:13.460 And in verse 28, Paul hammers home that point by quoting something from the culture. 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:19.379 He says, as even some of your own poets have said, for we are indeed his offspring. 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:27.859 So there Paul, he, he, he remembers a quote from one of their, their poets, their philosophers, perhaps that God is that he is. 00:25:27.859 --> 00:25:34.039 Uh, we are indeed his offspring to point out that there is a God who made us all. 00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:36.299 That's what the Greek poet says. 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:37.939 What about the Chinese? 00:25:38.659 --> 00:25:40.339 Some of our own poets have said, 00:25:41.199 --> 00:25:44.979 when you drink water, think of the source. 00:25:44.979 --> 00:25:45.859 Remember your roots. 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.599 Never forget where you come from. 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:50.479 If we honor our parents, that's good. 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:52.579 If we honor our grandparents, that's good. 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:55.279 But if you stop there, you haven't gone back far enough. 00:25:55.279 --> 00:26:01.759 If we truly care about tradition, if we truly care about our ancestors, go beyond your father, go beyond your great grandfather. 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:08.220 If you trace your family tree and ancestry far back enough, we all arrive at one man, Adam. 00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:11.420 And go back one generation who made Adam. 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:12.220 God did. 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:16.839 As we read out of the dust of the earth, he breathed life into Adam and made him in his image. 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:18.619 God is our father. 00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:20.079 We're all created by him. 00:26:20.379 --> 00:26:21.960 We're all made in his image. 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:26.380 He is the one who gives us life and breath and everything. 00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:32.579 So true filial piety doesn't just stop after a few generations. 00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:37.240 If we are to honor our parents, much more are we to honor our father in heaven. 00:26:38.319 --> 00:26:40.579 Don't forget where you came from. 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:45.579 Christianity isn't a foreign religion. 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:48.660 Following Jesus doesn't mean breaking tradition. 00:26:48.660 --> 00:26:55.320 He is actually, in fact, the true Chinese God, if we go back far enough, it's just that we've all turned away from him. 00:26:56.040 --> 00:26:58.620 So if your aunt asks you, why are you worshiping a Western God? 00:26:58.940 --> 00:27:00.180 Remember he made us all. 00:27:00.540 --> 00:27:02.540 He's the God of every nation. 00:27:03.120 --> 00:27:07.980 And if God is the creator of every nation, then he also deserves the worship of every nation. 00:27:08.340 --> 00:27:09.480 Look at verse 27. 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:14.340 God planned that they should seek him and perhaps feel their way to him and find him. 00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:17.179 Yet he is actually not far from each one of us. 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:22.659 Last week, we read about the mission of God, that we're part of God's mission to make disciples of all nations. 00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:25.339 And that means making disciples near and far. 00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:29.159 We are to make disciples here in Hong Kong at Chinese New Year at our dinner tables. 00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:34.139 But also God cares, calls us to care for the nations, to be Christ's witnesses. 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:38.720 As it says in chapter one, to the ends of the earth, to make disciples of all nations. 00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:44.480 And James quoted John Piper last week, missions exists because worship doesn't. 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:48.220 Point is that worship is the fuel of missions. 00:27:48.400 --> 00:27:51.960 We go out to make disciples because God deserves the worship. 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:56.559 And right now there are places in the world, around the world who don't know Jesus, 00:27:57.039 --> 00:28:01.160 who have never heard of Jesus, who say, yeah, we worship the earth. 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:02.160 We worship the sun. 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:07.180 We worship all these things that God created, but we don't recognize Jesus, the one who made us all. 00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:09.460 How does that sit with us? 00:28:10.880 --> 00:28:12.140 How does that sit with us? 00:28:12.600 --> 00:28:17.880 For me, we just read that God is the one who gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:24.220 And that provokes my spirit from him, through him, to him are all things, to him be the glory forever. 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:27.700 He deserves the worship of every tribe, nation, and tongue. 00:28:28.340 --> 00:28:34.360 And we will care about global missions as much as we care about seeing Christ exalted to the ends of the earth. 00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:37.759 He deserves the glory from all his people. 00:28:37.979 --> 00:28:42.459 He's not just God of the gathering and admiralty, but the God of all Hong Kong. 00:28:42.719 --> 00:28:46.039 And he's not just the God of Americans or the British. 00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:49.299 He's also the God of North Korea and Somalia. 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:55.500 He's the God of the Poonoy people of Laos and the God of the Awan people of Pakistan. 00:28:55.919 --> 00:29:04.639 He's the God of all the families of earth, even the farthest, hardest to reach one where there's persecution, where they don't speak a language of the Bible. 00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:07.680 He's God of all the nations and he deserves the worship. 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:17.240 And may we be people who feel this conviction that we want to see Jesus recognized as Lord of all the earth. 00:29:17.360 --> 00:29:18.799 He's the one who made the stars. 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:20.220 He's, he made the Milky Way. 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:22.299 All creation worships him. 00:29:22.840 --> 00:29:23.400 Everything. 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:29.380 The whole universe sings his praise, except for on one little globe where people live. 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:34.100 We rebel against him, but he deserves the glory. 00:29:34.620 --> 00:29:36.320 Worship is the fuel of missions. 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:44.039 And when we come together as a family for tuning fine, this reunion dinner, it's not quite right when a family member is missing. 00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:47.839 If there's an empty chair, that reunion is incomplete. 00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:50.059 And it's the same in God's family. 00:29:50.279 --> 00:30:01.319 For now, there are empty seats sat at his table, but he's the God who goes after the lost sheep, who goes to the farthest places to find that one lost sheep. 00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:09.039 He will fill those seats with people from every tribe, nation and tongue, even the least of these, even those in the most remote and dangerous places. 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:10.759 And that's why we scatter. 00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:15.759 That's why we go and make disciples in Hong Kong and to the ends of the earth, because God deserves the glory. 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:18.759 And he will bring his whole family back. 00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:19.559 We look forward today. 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:25.720 Revelation five, where people from every tribe, nation and tongue worship the lamb who was slain. 00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:29.680 Jesus is the Lord of all fortunes. 00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:31.240 He's the Lord of all families. 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:37.120 And finally, when we look at Chinese new year, we see that Jesus is the Lord of all fears. 00:30:37.120 --> 00:30:39.759 He's the Lord of over all our fears. 00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:44.180 Now think about the atmosphere at Chinese new year. 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:46.160 What colors do you see? 00:30:46.220 --> 00:30:47.220 What sounds do you hear? 00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:49.339 Why is everything red? 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:51.839 Why are there firecrackers? 00:30:51.839 --> 00:31:00.839 Why all the drums and line dances, if you go to the temples and legend says it's because of this monster called mean. 00:31:00.839 --> 00:31:03.179 That's the, that's the Chinese word for year. 00:31:03.179 --> 00:31:11.699 And every year on new year's Eve, this monster would come out and devour all the crops and eat people, livestock and people. 00:31:11.699 --> 00:31:12.559 He would cause havoc. 00:31:12.899 --> 00:31:20.759 But then it's discovered that mean this monster is scared of the color red and of loud noises. 00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:26.140 And that's what, why people stick red pieces of paper on their door, the fight, um, around the doors. 00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:29.819 And they set off firecrackers to scare off this monster lean. 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:34.680 A lot of Chinese new year tradition is, is rooted in fear. 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:41.119 We fear this, perhaps this mythical beast, this dragon, we fear bad luck also. 00:31:41.119 --> 00:31:45.579 And that's why there's all the superstitions around what you can do and what you can't do. 00:31:46.079 --> 00:31:46.199 Right? 00:31:46.199 --> 00:31:47.119 You can't cut your hair. 00:31:47.359 --> 00:31:48.459 You can't sweep the house. 00:31:48.659 --> 00:31:51.679 You have to eat fish or all these other things for good luck. 00:31:51.680 --> 00:32:01.840 And even if we don't buy these, those legends, even if you're not superstitious, we may also fear that uncle who never neglects to point out that you gained weight. 00:32:02.560 --> 00:32:02.680 Right? 00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:05.519 Why you, did you, did you eat a lot this year? 00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:08.960 Or the auntie who will always interrogate you. 00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:10.259 Why aren't you married? 00:32:10.340 --> 00:32:11.200 Why don't you have kids yet? 00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:14.360 Chinese new year is a holiday of fears. 00:32:14.359 --> 00:32:20.539 And to that, Paul says, Hey, I see your fears. 00:32:20.699 --> 00:32:24.219 You, you should fear, but you fear the wrong things. 00:32:25.199 --> 00:32:28.659 There's a reason to fear, but you fear the wrong things. 00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:34.679 We just read that God is the creator of every nation on earth, but look at how we treat him. 00:32:34.759 --> 00:32:35.639 Look at verse 29. 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:37.719 It says being then God's offspring. 00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:44.660 We ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone and it's formed by the art and imagination of man. 00:32:44.920 --> 00:32:50.120 We take this glorious and infinite God and confine him to something we can see and understand. 00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:51.600 This could be literal idols. 00:32:51.960 --> 00:32:54.920 When we worship idols, make idols out of our hands. 00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:59.180 We're reducing God to something that we create the God who made us. 00:32:59.259 --> 00:33:00.559 We think that we can create back. 00:33:01.860 --> 00:33:06.860 These could be literal idols or perhaps the idol of money earned from our hands. 00:33:06.859 --> 00:33:08.839 The career ladder that we climbed. 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:16.119 We are eager to look for joy and satisfaction in anything and everything apart from God. 00:33:17.119 --> 00:33:18.139 That's idolatry. 00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:20.959 That's, that's in all of our hearts. 00:33:21.859 --> 00:33:24.419 Now in Chinese culture, we, we respect our elders. 00:33:25.759 --> 00:33:26.619 Imagine this year. 00:33:26.679 --> 00:33:35.099 What if this year at Chinese new year at the family dinner, you walk up to your parents and your grandparents and you say to them in front of your whole family, 00:33:35.099 --> 00:33:37.359 I can take care of myself. 00:33:38.219 --> 00:33:39.179 I don't need you. 00:33:39.719 --> 00:33:41.779 In fact, you've never done anything for me. 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:46.579 All you did was give birth to me in a world where there is suffering and hardship. 00:33:47.199 --> 00:33:48.559 I want nothing to do with you. 00:33:48.619 --> 00:33:50.279 You've never done anything good for me. 00:33:51.079 --> 00:33:53.639 Imagine you walk up to your parents, your grandparents and say that. 00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:55.820 That's disrespect. 00:33:57.820 --> 00:34:01.000 And that's what we do with God every day. 00:34:01.060 --> 00:34:02.840 When we sin, that's what we do. 00:34:02.840 --> 00:34:08.000 When we fail to love and treasure God as the one who gives us life and breath and everything. 00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:14.940 And instead work, look to, to work, money, relationships, anything else for our satisfaction. 00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:16.340 That's sin. 00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:19.719 And because of sin, we have something real to fear. 00:34:20.519 --> 00:34:27.219 Verse 30 says, the times of ignorance, God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 00:34:27.679 --> 00:34:32.119 31, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness. 00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:38.519 A day of judgment is coming rather than fearing bad fortunes and miss. 00:34:38.679 --> 00:34:40.059 We ought to fear the Lord. 00:34:40.679 --> 00:34:43.440 Do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. 00:34:43.799 --> 00:34:47.239 Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body and hell. 00:34:47.699 --> 00:34:53.420 If we spend our lives, worshiping money, serving unknown gods, disrespecting our father in heaven, 00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:57.079 we have every reason to fear and be terrified on judgment day. 00:34:57.199 --> 00:35:00.420 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:05.079 But the good news is that God is incredibly patient with us. 00:35:05.559 --> 00:35:08.619 Verse 30 said that God overlooked our times of ignorance. 00:35:08.940 --> 00:35:10.139 He has patience. 00:35:10.260 --> 00:35:12.300 He delayed the judgment for our sins. 00:35:12.380 --> 00:35:15.940 But not only that, here we see how we may be saved. 00:35:16.360 --> 00:35:20.280 It says that he will judge the world in righteousness by a man who he has appointed. 00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:24.180 And of this, he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead. 00:35:24.619 --> 00:35:27.980 The man that Paul is talking about is, of course, the man, Jesus Christ. 00:35:27.980 --> 00:35:29.539 Jesus, the son of God. 00:35:30.420 --> 00:35:38.780 He was born of God, born of Mary, took our place on the cross, died in our place, died the death that we deserve, 00:35:39.000 --> 00:35:42.380 took the judgment that we deserve and rose from the dead. 00:35:43.260 --> 00:35:45.440 See, God is not scared by a color. 00:35:45.700 --> 00:35:47.840 He's not scared by the bright color red. 00:35:47.840 --> 00:35:55.640 But when God sees the red blood of his son shed for our sins, he turns away. 00:35:56.300 --> 00:35:57.300 He forgives us. 00:35:58.059 --> 00:36:03.340 God isn't turned away from the sound of firecrackers, but he hears his son crying out on the cross. 00:36:03.559 --> 00:36:04.460 Father, forgive them. 00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:05.640 And he listens. 00:36:06.360 --> 00:36:10.980 There's nothing that can turn us from the wrath of God, except for the blood of Christ. 00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:13.219 There's salvation in no one else. 00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:16.699 There's no other name given under heaven by which may be saved. 00:36:17.119 --> 00:36:20.519 We are saved purely by faith in Jesus, the son of God. 00:36:20.800 --> 00:36:23.840 And we have assurance of that because God raised Jesus from the dead. 00:36:23.980 --> 00:36:26.539 We have assurance that Jesus will judge the world in righteousness. 00:36:26.699 --> 00:36:27.519 That's what he says. 00:36:27.820 --> 00:36:28.539 That's what Paul says. 00:36:28.639 --> 00:36:35.000 But we also have assurance that we are covered by his grace, that we have new life in him because Jesus rose from the dead. 00:36:35.000 --> 00:36:38.559 And if Jesus rose from the dead, what should we fear? 00:36:39.619 --> 00:36:40.920 What is there to fear? 00:36:41.179 --> 00:36:42.639 We don't need to fear the economy. 00:36:43.099 --> 00:36:45.119 We don't need to fear our jobs. 00:36:45.659 --> 00:36:56.320 We don't need to fear test results from the doctor's office, from professional exams, because Jesus took care of our greatest enemy, our greatest fear. 00:36:56.639 --> 00:37:04.320 If even death can't harm us, if we can trust God with our souls, what can we not trust him with? 00:37:04.320 --> 00:37:13.220 If we can trust God with our life, our souls, our eternal salvation, we can also trust God with our life here and now. 00:37:13.480 --> 00:37:21.519 If God gave us even his own son, if he didn't hold back his only son from us, what else will he hold back from us? 00:37:22.039 --> 00:37:22.400 Nothing. 00:37:23.820 --> 00:37:25.240 Oswald Chambers put it like this. 00:37:25.340 --> 00:37:27.740 When you fear God, you fear nothing else. 00:37:28.160 --> 00:37:31.539 Whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else. 00:37:31.539 --> 00:37:36.440 In Christ, we no longer have to be afraid of God. 00:37:36.539 --> 00:37:48.139 We're not afraid of punishment, of judgment, but we fear him as the holy, transcendent, eternal God who made heaven and earth and yet somehow cares for us. 00:37:48.500 --> 00:37:51.880 And when we fear God in that way, we don't have to fear anything else. 00:37:52.380 --> 00:37:54.940 All these fears go away. 00:37:54.940 --> 00:37:57.400 And so how will we respond? 00:37:57.720 --> 00:38:04.400 If Jesus is truly Lord of all, Lord of all fortunes, Lord of all families, Lord of all our fears, how does that change us? 00:38:05.119 --> 00:38:06.519 Look at how the Athenians respond. 00:38:06.720 --> 00:38:08.039 There's three reactions. 00:38:08.500 --> 00:38:09.599 In verse 32, it says, 00:38:09.599 --> 00:38:16.079 Now, when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, but others said, we will hear you again about this. 00:38:16.860 --> 00:38:18.940 So some mocked, some just laughed at him. 00:38:19.019 --> 00:38:20.199 Second, others were curious. 00:38:20.380 --> 00:38:21.219 We want to hear more. 00:38:21.460 --> 00:38:23.159 But third in verse 34, it says, 00:38:23.779 --> 00:38:25.699 Some men joined him and believed. 00:38:27.259 --> 00:38:28.460 Will you believe today? 00:38:28.759 --> 00:38:30.619 Will you trust him today? 00:38:30.619 --> 00:38:37.639 And if you do, Acts is a book about scattering, going out, making disciples. 00:38:38.139 --> 00:38:43.900 We asked at the beginning, what would the apostle Paul say if he were seated at your Chinese New Year dinner? 00:38:44.619 --> 00:38:47.619 But the reality is, Paul's not going to be there. 00:38:48.339 --> 00:38:50.159 Paul's not going to be at the table this week. 00:38:51.500 --> 00:38:52.239 You are. 00:38:52.900 --> 00:38:53.480 We are. 00:38:54.359 --> 00:39:00.279 We're the ones filled with the same Holy Spirit that provoked Paul to speak in Athens. 00:39:01.159 --> 00:39:03.179 You're the one that God placed at the table. 00:39:04.159 --> 00:39:11.139 And even if you don't celebrate Chinese New Year or your family is far away, you're alongside Paul in Athens. 00:39:11.539 --> 00:39:15.699 You're in a city obsessed with fortune, paralyzed by fears. 00:39:16.639 --> 00:39:24.739 Even if you're not at dinner with your family this week, let us keep our eyes open as Paul did to see our culture, the needs of our city. 00:39:24.739 --> 00:39:32.799 And if our spirits are provoked, if our spirits are provoked to see God worshiped, then we will speak. 00:39:32.959 --> 00:39:39.039 We will speak and proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness and into his marvelous light. 00:39:39.039 --> 00:39:43.539 So that the next person, the person next to us, the person around us can share in our joy. 00:39:44.579 --> 00:39:48.300 So this week, we may see people that we only see once a year. 00:39:48.380 --> 00:39:51.239 We may see family members that we only see once a year. 00:39:51.659 --> 00:39:54.779 On your way to dinner there, pray, open your eyes. 00:39:55.639 --> 00:39:59.000 Ask God, open your eyes to see the needs around you. 00:39:59.000 --> 00:40:04.559 When they talk about fortune and anxieties, we can speak peace. 00:40:05.099 --> 00:40:09.159 That I'm not worried because I know the one who gives us life and breath and everything. 00:40:09.320 --> 00:40:11.239 He holds the whole world in our hands. 00:40:11.900 --> 00:40:13.460 Why should I be anxious? 00:40:14.119 --> 00:40:15.480 I don't need to worry about money. 00:40:15.860 --> 00:40:17.559 I have the Lord who made heaven and earth. 00:40:18.500 --> 00:40:21.980 When we see superstitions born from fear, we can speak hope. 00:40:22.760 --> 00:40:25.840 We see that they fear sickness, fear death. 00:40:25.840 --> 00:40:31.480 We know that there's a God who rose from the dead and we don't have to fear because he lives. 00:40:31.579 --> 00:40:32.460 We also will live. 00:40:33.100 --> 00:40:42.160 And when we're with our family, we remember that he's gathering people from every tribe, nation and tongue, including the people sat around the table with you. 00:40:42.440 --> 00:40:45.120 And we have assurance that he will get the glory. 00:40:45.340 --> 00:40:46.720 He will not lose one of his sheep. 00:40:47.380 --> 00:40:53.460 And so let our spirits be provoked, not in judgment, but in love and gratitude. 00:40:53.460 --> 00:40:56.199 We aren't provoked because we know we're right and they're wrong. 00:40:56.340 --> 00:41:01.760 We're provoked because we know that they're hungry and we know the only one who could satisfy their souls. 00:41:01.860 --> 00:41:03.039 We know the bread of life. 00:41:04.099 --> 00:41:05.159 And some may mock. 00:41:05.760 --> 00:41:07.079 Some might not care at all. 00:41:07.500 --> 00:41:08.460 Some may be curious. 00:41:09.000 --> 00:41:11.300 But God might also grant some to believe. 00:41:12.440 --> 00:41:14.380 If we just seek his face. 00:41:14.380 --> 00:41:16.780 It's not up to God. 00:41:17.559 --> 00:41:19.019 It's up to God, not us. 00:41:19.480 --> 00:41:21.619 After all, because he is the Lord of Hong Kong. 00:41:21.840 --> 00:41:23.019 He's the Lord of Chinese Newry. 00:41:23.119 --> 00:41:23.880 He's the Lord of all. 00:41:24.059 --> 00:41:25.099 The pressure is not on us. 00:41:25.740 --> 00:41:26.480 He is Lord. 00:41:26.920 --> 00:41:30.380 Let us simply be a people provoked for his glory. 00:41:31.039 --> 00:41:33.300 And go out this week with that in mind. 00:41:34.000 --> 00:41:34.579 Let's pray. 00:41:34.880 --> 00:41:35.760 Let's pray for that heart. 00:41:35.760 --> 00:41:42.100 Lord, you are the God who made heaven and earth. 00:41:42.200 --> 00:41:47.620 You say, if I were hungry, I would not tell you because the world and all its fullness are mine. 00:41:48.000 --> 00:41:51.000 You're not served by human hands, but you serve us. 00:41:52.100 --> 00:41:54.720 Jesus was the one who knelt down and washed our feet. 00:41:55.500 --> 00:41:59.400 You're worthy of the praise of all nations, every tribe, nation, and tongue. 00:42:00.220 --> 00:42:03.460 You're the one who's the only one who can satisfy our souls. 00:42:04.380 --> 00:42:07.360 But Lord, we repent because so often we forget. 00:42:08.300 --> 00:42:09.599 We forget who you are. 00:42:10.920 --> 00:42:11.820 And Lord, we need you. 00:42:13.079 --> 00:42:14.240 Pray that you remind us. 00:42:14.360 --> 00:42:16.260 Remind us that you are Lord of all. 00:42:16.440 --> 00:42:17.400 You're God worth following. 00:42:18.160 --> 00:42:19.900 We thank you that you sent your son, Jesus. 00:42:20.460 --> 00:42:21.960 Even when we turned away from you. 00:42:22.039 --> 00:42:24.240 Even when you ran away from your family. 00:42:24.940 --> 00:42:26.240 You chased after us. 00:42:26.639 --> 00:42:29.380 You reconciled us to you by your son's death on the cross. 00:42:30.300 --> 00:42:32.139 Thank you for the life that we have in him. 00:42:33.059 --> 00:42:36.900 And so this week as we go out, may our spirits be moved. 00:42:37.539 --> 00:42:41.740 Guide us by your spirit to show us the needs of the city, the needs of our family. 00:42:43.099 --> 00:42:48.240 Help us not to be afraid because we know that all authority in heaven and on earth is yours. 00:42:49.160 --> 00:42:50.119 And you will get the glory. 00:42:50.119 --> 00:42:53.420 You desire the glory of our family and of all the nations of the earth. 00:42:54.880 --> 00:42:57.260 Help us, Lord, just to seek your will. 00:42:57.260 --> 00:43:00.560 Pray in Jesus' name. 00:43:01.140 --> 00:43:01.380 Amen. 00:43:01.380 --> 00:43:15.700 Let's sing that one more time. 00:43:15.699 --> 00:43:24.199 And as we sing it this last time, let's, as Gabe was speaking and as we were praying this morning, 00:43:24.359 --> 00:43:31.519 let's just declare God's greatness with whatever we're holding. 00:43:31.519 --> 00:43:39.519 As Gabe was sharing, I think there can be a lot of anxiety going into this week that personally, honestly, I don't fully understand. 00:43:41.019 --> 00:43:43.300 I think you know why just looking at me. 00:43:43.300 --> 00:43:51.620 But I think there can be a lot of anxiety, fear, uncertainty going into the week. 00:43:52.620 --> 00:44:02.940 Maybe you actually came in today from this past week or even the beginning of this year with a lot of anxiety, a lot of heaviness, a lot of uncertainty. 00:44:02.940 --> 00:44:09.500 But as we sing, we still serve a great God. 00:44:11.159 --> 00:44:17.059 We still serve a God who deserves our praise, even in the midst of all of that. 00:44:17.059 --> 00:44:30.820 And so let's sing it one more time, praising him with whatever we're holding, knowing that he is there with you in the midst of it. 00:44:31.000 --> 00:44:36.579 And he still deserves our praises and that he still is great. 00:44:36.579 --> 00:44:57.079 God, we declare your greatness. 00:45:01.519 --> 00:45:03.860 You are so, so good. 00:45:06.579 --> 00:45:11.139 Even when maybe life isn't so good, you are good. 00:45:12.340 --> 00:45:14.920 And when life is great, you are good. 00:45:17.659 --> 00:45:20.639 And so, Father, we pray that as we go into this week, 00:45:21.420 --> 00:45:25.880 whatever it holds for each and every person here, 00:45:26.960 --> 00:45:30.039 that your greatness would be proclaimed. 00:45:30.039 --> 00:45:36.559 That as we were singing, that broken hearts, God, that they would be restored. 00:45:36.719 --> 00:45:44.779 That as we go into family dinners and times with family where there's inevitably brokenness and hurt and pain, 00:45:45.460 --> 00:45:47.559 that you would heal and restore, Father. 00:45:47.559 --> 00:45:58.279 And that it's not because of ourselves, but that it can be pointed back to you and the work that you are doing in our lives. 00:45:59.440 --> 00:46:02.960 And that it would be a testament to the work that you are doing. 00:46:03.840 --> 00:46:06.539 And that our families would say, well, what's going on here? 00:46:06.539 --> 00:46:15.779 And the only thing we can say is, it's because of the goodness of God and the greatness of God. 00:46:19.340 --> 00:46:25.920 And so, Father, may you turn the fear and hesitancy, may you turn it into anticipation of what you are going to do. 00:46:25.920 --> 00:46:33.039 Not only what you're going to do in us, but what you're going to do in those around us this week, Father. 00:46:35.579 --> 00:46:37.740 And so we go out today with hope. 00:46:38.920 --> 00:46:43.420 We go out with courage and boldness, knowing the God that we serve. 00:46:45.039 --> 00:46:46.720 Knowing that we can trust in you. 00:46:47.099 --> 00:46:48.539 That we can trust in your greatness. 00:46:51.119 --> 00:46:52.340 So we thank you, God. 00:46:54.159 --> 00:46:55.880 Pray it's all in your name. 00:46:55.920 --> 00:46:57.599 Amen. 00:46:58.680 --> 00:46:59.079 Amen.