I. SERMON NOTES​

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CCMC Vision and 3-Year Themes (2026–2028)

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

 

Based on 1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:3

 

Adopted Themes for CCMC:

• 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)

 

Members are encouraged to commit to praying for CCMC, via the 3-Year Themes booklet (A.S.A.P – Always Say A Prayer). This commitment can be found on the last page of the booklet.

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2.⁠ ⁠Recap of Jan 2026 Sermons

 

(1)    Confident Faith in Jesus

 

Faith is:

• The source of our work or service in and for Jesus (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 were shared to Increase in Confidence in our Faith in Jesus.

 

(2)    Committed Hope in God

 

Hope is founded on:

• God’s providence over us and plan (Rom 8:28–30)

• Jesus’ resurrection – its reality and result (1 Cor 15:17–20a; 1 Pet 1:3–4)

 

We are freed to live out Hope in God every day for committed Hope in God is an active, calm assurance in God (1 Cor 15:57–58).

 

Hope does four things:

• Empowers (steadfastness) – 1 Thess 1:3

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

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

• Evangelises (sharing the Gospel) – 1 Pet 3:15

 

Six ways were shared to inspire Committed Hope.

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3.⁠ ⁠Compassionate Love for People

 

Key Scriptures:

1 Thessalonians 1:3; Ephesians 5:1–2;

1 Corinthians 13:4–8a; 1 John 2:15–17

 

Though love is widely celebrated in songs and culture, biblically love is of eternal importance.

 

The Eternal Virtue of Love Is Three Things:

 

• Love is the Greatest Virtue

  • “The greatest of these is love” (1 Cor 13:13).

  • God is love (1 John 4:8, 16).

 

• Love is the Source of Our Labour

  • “Labour prompted by love” (1 Thess 1:3).

  • Love motivates selflessness and sacrifice (Illustrated through the intense labour of childbirth)

 

• Love is the Way We Live as God’s Children

  • “Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us” (Eph 5:1–2).

  • True disciples express faith and hope through compassionate love for people.

 

 

4.⁠ ⁠What Compassionate Love Looks Like

 

• Described in 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a: patient, kind, humble, selfless, truthful, persevering, unfailing.

 

The word used is AGAPE:

(1)    Self-sacrificing love within the Trinity and towards us.

(2)    Others-affirming love Christians are to show all people.

 

Origin of agape love: God Himself (Rom 5:5; 1 John 4:19).

Practical expressions of agape love include:

 

• Silence when our words would hurt. (Love does not dishonour others)

• Patience when our neighbour’s curt. (Love is not easily angered)

• Deafness when the scandal flows. (Love does not delight in evil)

• Thoughtfulness for another’s woes. (Love is kind)

• Promptness when stern duty calls. (Love always protects)

• Courage when misfortune falls. (Love never fails)

 

 

5.⁠ ⁠The Problem of Self-Centred Love

 

• Often our love reflects the opposite of 1 Cor 13.

• Root cause: loving the world’s values rather than God’s (1 John 2:15–17).

• The remedy: a servant’s heart. Mark of a servant’s heart:

• “There is no limit to the good a person can do if they do not care who gets the credit.”

 

 

6.⁠ ⁠Five Ways to Deepen Compassionate Love

 

Love God and Neighbour (Matt 22:37–39)

Love Fellow Christians and Maintain Unity (Col 3:12–14)

Love Obeying God’s Word (1 John 2:5–6)

Love Speaking the Truth in Love (Eph 4:15)

• Check truth and motive.

• Stop gossip and careless speech.

Love Sharing the Good News

• Jesus’ compassion for the crowds (Matt 9:36).

• Share the Gospel creatively and sensitively (1 Cor 9:19–23).

 

7.⁠ ⁠Loving Efforts and Prayer Focus (2026)

 

Outreach to absent members and non-believing loved ones through:

 

• Easter Sunday Service & Lunch on 5 Apr

• Church Camp – 12 to 15 Jun

• Family Day (12 Sep) & 32nd Anniversary Service (13 Sep)

 

Tagline: “Rejoicing and Reuniting”

 

Prayer effort (1 Feb – 30 Jun): submit names for pastoral prayer.

 

 

8.⁠ ⁠Conclusion

 

Love is:

• The Greatest

• The Source of our labour

• The Way we live as God’s children

• Grounded in confident faith in Jesus and committed hope in God.

 

Prayerful desire: that CCMC becomes “Confident & Committed Methodists who are Compassionate”, living out Faith, Hope and Love for God’s glory alone.