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Three Eternal Virtues - FAITH, HOPE & LOVE
1 Corinthians 13:13, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, Colossians 1:3-5, Ephesians 1:15&18
Rev Kenneth Huang
4 Jan 2026

Click Here for the Growth Groups Discussion Guide (PDF)

I. SERMON NOTES


1. Introduction & Prayer

  • Welcome to the first Sunday of the new year (2026).

  • Purpose of today’s sermon: to understand how CCMC is to be the church God wants us to be.
     

2. CCMC Vision Statement

  • Vision: To Know God Deeply and To Make Him Known Widely.

  • Formulated by the founding leaders 31 years ago.

  • Every CCMC member should memorise and live this vision.

  • Illustration: The Cross

    • “To know God deeply” – vertical line (move our palm downwards).

    • “To make Him known widely” – horizontal line (move our two palms outwards).

    • Together, they form the cross of Christ.
       

3. Living Out the Vision: Eternal Virtues

  • Key question: How do we live out this vision as individuals and as a church?

  • Answer: by living out virtues with eternal meaning and value.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:13 – Only three virtues last forever:

    • Faith

    • Hope

    • Love (the greatest of these)

  • Quote: Mother Teresa – Faith, hope, and love are the main virtues of the interior life of a Christian.


4. Faith, Hope & Love in the Life of the Church
1 Thessalonians 1:3 (Guiding verse for 2026–2028):

  • Work produced by faith

  • Labour prompted by love

  • Endurance inspired by hope

in our Lord Jesus Christ

 

  • Also referenced:

    • Colossians 1:3–5

    • Ephesians 1:15,18

​

  • Methodist Membership liturgy reminds us to:

    • Increase faith

    • Confirm hope

    • Perfect in love

​

5. Seven Key Aspects of Church Life

 

(Previously preached series)
1.    Stewardship – Honouring God with who we are and what we have
2.    Prayer – A way of life; ASAP – Always Say A Prayer
3.    Fellowship – One, nurturing, encouraging family (kawan and jaga)
4.    Worship – Submitting to and adoring God (Audience of One)
5.    Discipleship – Studying, obeying, and teaching God’s Word
6.    Evangelism – Proclaiming Christ so people turn from sin and follow Him
7.    Missions – Crossing comfort zones and breaking down barriers to reach all peoples with the Gospel


6. Three-Year Church Themes (2026–2028)

CCMC 2026-28 Themes.png

2026 – Faith in Jesus (About Our Church)

  • Focus: Fellowship & Discipleship

  • Purpose: Rebuild and strengthen the congregation

  • Goal: Confident work produced by faith

​

2027 – Hope in God (Around Our Neighbourhood)

  • Focus: Prayer & Evangelism

  • Ministry to nearby schools, neighbourhoods, new housing developments

  • Goal: Committed endurance inspired by hope

​

2028 – Love for People (Across Our World)

  • Focus: Stewardship & Missions

  • Ministry to people from other lands locally and globally

  • Goal: Compassionate labour prompted by love
    ​

This can only be done by all of us, not just pastors or leaders.


7. Maturity Goal

  • Grow in:

    • Increased faith

    •  Confirmed hope

    • Perfected in love

  • So that we stop being childish (fearful), compromising (despairing) or condemning (judgmental).

  • Aim: Be confident, committed, and compassionate, as Jesus was and is.


8. Prayer & Commitment

  • Everything must be undergirded by prayer.

  • Call to attend the monthly church prayer service (first Tuesday, 8:00–9:30 pm).

  • 2026 prayer devotions based on the Apostles’ Creed.

  • Invitation to commit to ASAP – Always Say A Prayer for CCMC.

​

9. Head → Heart → Hands

  • True growth requires movement from:

  • Head (knowledge & wisdom) to

  • Heart (belief & conviction) to

  • Hands (service & action)


10. Closing Challenge

  • Will CCMC be known for faith, hope, and love?

  • Will we take God seriously as He takes us seriously?

  • Commitment invitation:

    • Cultivate faith, hope, and love personally and collectively.

    • Pray for CCMC.

    • Live to know God deeply and make Him known widely
       

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II. REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. How will I be cultivating the eternal virtues of Faith, Hope and Love personally in my life as well as collectively in my Growth Group?

2. How will 

  • (a) I personally support, and 

  • (b) I contribute together with my Growth Group to support, the 3-year Themes for CCMC of “Faith in Jesus”, “Hope in God” and “Love for People” to help CCMC be the church that God intends us to be and fulfil our Vision Statement of “To Know God Deeply and To Make Him Known Widely”?

    3. Will I commit to “Always Say A Prayer” for CCMC?

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