SERMON NOTES

​

1. CCMC Vision and Direction

• CCMC’s Vision Statement: “To Know God Deeply and Make Him Known Widely.”
   

• Each time we say this, we form the shape of the cross:

  • Palm downwards: To Know God Deeply

  • Palms outwards: And Make Him Known Widely
    ​

• To live out this vision, every member must live by the eternal virtues of Faith, Hope and Love, individually and corporately.

According to 1 Thessalonians 1:3, these are seen as:

• Work produced by faith

• Labour prompted by love

• Endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ

​

Key Aspects of Church Life:
    Stewardship, Prayer, Fellowship, Worship, Discipleship, Evangelism, Missions
    Yearly Maturity Goals: Increased Faith, Confirmed Hope, Perfected in Love
    Purpose: to be Methodists who are Confident, Committed and Compassionate as Jesus is.

​

 

2. CCMC Themes by Year​

 

• 2026 – Faith in Jesus 
  Producing confident work via Fellowship & Discipleship (about the church)
   

• 2027 – Hope in God
   Inspiring committed endurance via Prayer & Evangelism (around the neighbourhood)
   

• 2028 – Love for People
   Prompting compassionate labour via Stewardship & Missions (across the world)
   

• 2029 (35th Anniversary) – Worship: Celebration and Thanksgiving to God

All efforts must be:

1. Under-girded by prayer

2. A deliberate movement from Head → Heart → Hands

​

​

3. Introduction to Sermon: "Confident Faith in Jesus"

Scriptures:

• 1 Thessalonians 1:3 – “Your work produced by faith… in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

• 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “We live by faith, not by sight.”

• Hebrews 11:1 – “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

• Hebrews 11:6 – “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”

Illustration:
The story of the misunderstood “W.C.” highlights the danger of misunderstanding terms. Likewise, we must be clear and biblical about what faith truly means, and not be misled by culture or popular ideas.

​

 

4. What the Bible Teaches About Faith

The eternal virtue of Faith is four things to the Christian:

1. Faith is the source of our work and service for Jesus
    (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

• Work for God cannot be achieved by human effort alone.

• Without faith, we become frustrated and fruitless.

2. Faith is the only way the Christian life is to be lived
    (2 Corinthians 5:7)

• Faith is not blind; it is grounded in the character of a faithful and trustworthy God.
  Like Abram, we obey God even when we cannot see the outcome.
   

3. Faith is expressed in trust and confidence in God
    (Hebrews 11:1)

• The heroes of faith lived confidently, not fearfully or childishly.
  Our faith is anchored in Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.
   

4. Faith is essential if we are to please God
    (Hebrews 11:6)

• Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
  Faith is the only way we relate to God and come to Him.
   

William Barclay: Faith believes not only that God exists, but that God cares.

​

​

5. Growing in Confident Faith

Faith must grow and mature. Quoting Sister Theresina:
“Our faith is meant to grow and to mature… some are well educated, yet their faith is still at the first-grade level.”
 

Six Ways to Increase Confidence in Faith in Jesus:

 

1. Acknowledge God as the source of our faith

2. Read the Bible and pray daily

3. Trust and obey God always

4. Hold to the truth that God cares, even in hardship

5. Be in a Growth Group that encourages obedience

6. Repent of sins and receive God’s grace

​

 

6. CCMC Initiatives in 2026

• Small-group discussions at church events (Head → Heart → Hands)

• “Serving with Joy” Seminar (second half of 2026)

• Reaching out, by faith, to absent members and family members not yet believers

• CCMC Church Camp (12–15 June, JB): “Faith in Jesus, Life Restored”

All these are works produced by faith.

​

​

7. Conclusion and Commitment

Faith in Jesus must increase and become confident, not childish or fearful.
Will we commit ourselves to live out Faith in Jesus, so that our work brings glory to God and fulfils CCMC’s vision?

Closing Prayer (unison)
“LORD, give me faith in Jesus…”