SERMON NOTES

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CCMC Church Themes 2026–2028: “Committed Hope in God”

 

1.⁠ ⁠Vision and Church Themes

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CCMC Vision Statement: To Know God Deeply and Make Him Known Widely

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To live out this vision, CCMC has embraced the Three Eternal Virtues: Faith, Hope and Love (1 Cor 13:13),

expressed as: 

• Work produced by faith
  Labour prompted by love
  Endurance inspired by hope (1 Thess 1:3)

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With the 7 Key Aspects of Church Life (Stewardship, Prayer, Fellowship, Worship, Discipleship, Evangelism, Missions) and yearly maturity goals of Increased Faith, Confirmed Hope and Perfected in Love to help us be Methodists who are Confident, Committed and Compassionate, that is, Christ-like, CCMC has adopted these themes:

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• 2026: Faith in Jesus – Confident work (Fellowship & Discipleship)

• 2027: Hope in God – Committed endurance (Prayer & Evangelism)

• 2028: Love for People – Compassionate labour (Stewardship & Missions)

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

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Members are encouraged to commit to A.S.A.P. (Always Say A Prayer) for CCMC.

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2.⁠ ⁠Recap: Confident Faith in Jesus

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Faith is:

• The source of our work or service in and for Christ (1 Thess 1:3)

• The only way the Christian life is to be lived (2 Cor 5:7)

• Expressed in trust and confidence in God (Heb 11:1)

• Essential to please God (Heb 11:6)

 

Six ways to increase confidence in faith were shared, including acknowledging God as the source, reading of Scripture and prayer, trust and obedience, holding to the truth that God cares, participation growth groups, and repentance with grace.

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3.⁠ ⁠Why We Need Committed Hope in God

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Hope is essential for faith and life:

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• To endure trials that test faith and tempt us to give up our faith and even our life.

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- Without hope, people feel Helpless, Oppressed, Purposeless, Exhausted.
 

• To live rightly and fully for Jesus, distinguishing between:

  • False (compromising) hope;

  • Futile (despairing) hope; and

  • Firm, committed hope in God

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4.⁠ ⁠Basis of Our Hope

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(1) God’s Providence

• God is sovereign and in control (Rom 8:28).
   

(2) God’s Plan

• God’s purpose is to conform believers to Christ (Rom 8:29–30).
   

(3) Jesus’ Resurrection

• Reality: Without the resurrection, faith and hope are futile (1 Cor 15:17–20a).
   

• Result: New birth into a living hope and eternal inheritance (1 Pet 1:3–4).

 

Quotes used:

• Corrie Ten Boom: “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

• John Stott: “God does not promise freedom from suffering, but separation from His love will never happen (cf. Rom 8:39).”

 

 

5.⁠ ⁠What Committed Hope Looks Like Daily

• Steadfast patient endurance living in the tension between the now and the not yet.

• Active calm assurance and trust in God amid discouragement and disruption.

 

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6.⁠ ⁠What Hope in God Does for the Christian

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Hope:

• Empowers – steadfast endurance (1 Thess 1:3)

• Enlivens – renewed strength (Isa 40:28–31)

• Encourages – joy and peace (Rom 15:13)

• Evangelises – readiness to share Christ (1 Pet 3:15)

This undergirds CCMC’s 2027 focus on Prayer and Evangelism when we have the theme of Hope in God. Members are currently encouraged to invite others to the 2026 Alpha Course (starting 7 March).

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7.⁠ ⁠Six Ways to Be Committed in Hope

• Recognise God as the source of hope (Ps 71:5–6)

• Remind yourself to trust God when discouraged (Ps 42:5–6)

• Recall God’s Word (Rom 15:4)

• Rejoice in God, even in suffering (Rom 5:2–5)

• Be in a Growth Group that spurs one another on

• Repent and receive God’s grace

 

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8.⁠ ⁠Conclusion 

• Our hope is founded on God’s providence and plan, and Jesus’ resurrection.

• Committed hope empowers endurance, enlivens us, fuels joyful living, and motivates witness.

• As we live with Committed Hope in God, we fulfil CCMC’s vision and bring glory to God.

 

Closing quote (Billy Graham):

“I have read the last page of the Bible! It’s all going to turn out all right! Because Jesus is coming again!”

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II. REFLECTION QUESTIONS
 

1. The eternal virtue of HOPE is founded on:

 

(1) God’s PROVIDENCE over us and PLAN for us that inspire us to ENDURE and HANDLE situations in LIFE that test our faith in Jesus, that cause us to want to “give up” our faith, and even our life

 

(2) Jesus’ RESURRECTION (REALITY and RESULT) that inspires us to ENDURE and LIVE RIGHTLY and FULLY

 

Referring to the respective Scripture Texts mentioned, how does these truths help inspire endurance in your walk with Jesus as His disciple?

 

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2. It was suggested that COMMITTED HOPE IN GOD on a daily basis looks as follows: 

 

A. A steadfastness in patiently enduring with and living in the tension between the now, and the not-yet, knowing the Risen Jesus is our Saviour and Lord!

 

B. An active calm assurance in God in overcoming discouragement and disruption, especially when unexpected.

For after all, all is in God’s hands!

 

Share which of the 2 statements you identify with the most and why?

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3. Referring to the respective Scripture Texts mentioned, discuss how having COMMITTED HOPE IN GOD that 

 

Empowers → makes us be steadfast 

Enlivens →  makes us to “re-charged” 

Encourages →  makes us be joyful  

Evangelises →  makes us share the Gospel 

 

helps us reach out to others and help them experience Hope in God for themselves?