Sermons on Christus Victor:

For Better And Not Worse

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 28, 2008

David, Pt. 5

FOR BETTER AND NOT WORSE (1 SAMUEL 24:1-22) One day Francis was speaking with a member of Assisi’s nobility. The count was bewailing the chaos and scandals that were spreading throughout the region. “Your lordship need not grieve for these things,” replied the saint, “for there is a remedy for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Safest Place To Be

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 28, 2008

David, Pt. 4

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE (1 SAMUEL 19:1-24) One of the most educated, talented and charismatic person pastors I know taught me all I care to know about power and ambition. He is gifted in languages, preaching and teaching. His alma mater is one of the finest seminaries in the world, his mentor was a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 19:1-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Evil Eye

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 28, 2008

David, Pt. 3

THE EVIL EYE (1 SAMUEL 18) The master-disciple or teacher-student relationship in the Chinese society is a hierarchical one. The teacher is the superior and the student is the subordinate. A prominent senior pastor twenty years older than me still calls me teacher after he has audited just one of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Heart Of The Matter Is The Matter Of The Heart

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 28, 2008

David, Pt. 1

THE HEART OF THE MATTER IS THE MATTER OF THE HEART (1 SAMUEL 16) During the wedding rehearsal, the groom approached the pastor with an unusual offer. “Look, I’ll give you $100 if you’ll change the wedding vows. When you get to me and the part where I’m to promise to ‘love, honor and obey’ and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God Is Love

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 28, 2008

God of Wonders, Pt. 6

GOD IS LOVE (JOHN 3:16) What is love? It’s been said: “Money can build a charming house BUT Love can furnish it with the feeling of home. Duty can pack an adequate sack lunch BUT Love would decide to tuck a little love note inside. Money can buy a television set BUT Love controls how much it is ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Dare To Discipline

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 28, 2008

Samuel, Pt. 2

DARE TO DISCIPLINE (1 SAMUEL 2:12-36) The new millennium brought out the worst in parenting, and no parenting method was criticized more harshly than that of captured American Taliban, John Lindh Walker. When Lindh Walker was 10, the family from Washington State moved to socially liberal Marin ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:12-36

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Battle Is The Lord's

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 28, 2008

Joshua, Pt 4

THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S (JOSHUA 5:13-6:5) Once upon a time, there was an officer of the Royal Navy named Captain Bravado who showed no fear when facing his enemies. One day, while sailing the Seven Seas, his lookout spotted a pirate ship approaching, and the crew became frantic. Captain Bravado ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Age Is Just A Number Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 28, 2008

Joshua, Pt. 6

AGE IS JUST A NUMBER (JOSHUA 14:6-15) Three old ladies are sitting in a diner, chatting about various things. One lady says, “You know, I'm getting really forgetful. This morning, I was standing at the top of the stairs, and I couldn't remember whether I had just come up or was about to go ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 14:6-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

To The Ends Of The Earth

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 28, 2008

Apostles, Pt. 23 (Final)

TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH (MATTHEW 28:18-20) A story recounts the return of Jesus to heaven after His time on earth. He returned bearing the marks of His earthly pilgrimage with its cruel cross and shameful death. The angel Gabriel approached Him and said, “Master, You must have suffered terribly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Not Another Power Struggle?

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 28, 2008

Apostles, Pt. 14

NOT ANOTHER POWER STRUGGLE? (LUKE 22:24-27)) A friend told me an interesting but sad conflict in their church. Several years ago an elderly man was counting the church offering by himself, which is not a wise thing to do under any circumstance. When the church changed its policy to protect everyone ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Fool's Silver

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 28, 2008

Apostles, pt. 13

FOOL’S SILVER (LUKE 21:37-22:6) The fight for the inclusion of books into the New Testament canon at the Synod of Rome in 382 produced few winners and many losers. The Christian leaders of the time accepted four gospels and rejected at least three dozen gospels. As befitting its name, the Gospel of ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

To Be Like Jesus

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 28, 2008

Apostles, Pt. 12

TO BE LIKE JESUS (MATTHEW 20:17-28) How many of you thought Hillary would certainly run for the presidency before 2007? Would you run for presidency after you have had eight long years in the White House with a spouse who confessed to an “inappropriate relationship” with a young White House intern ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:17-28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What's Wrong With The Need To Be Right?

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 28, 2008

Apostles, Pt. 10

WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE NEED TO BE RIGHT? (MARK 9:33-37) A “yield” traffic sign is easily spotted. It indicates that a driver of a vehicle must slow down and prepare to stop if necessary (usually while merging into traffic on another road), but he does not need to stop if there is no reason to. A ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:33-37

Denomination: Independent/Bible

End Does Not Justify The Means

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 28, 2008

Jacob, Pt. 2

THE END DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS (GENESIS 27:1-46) In Italy, a man went to a priest and confessed. “Forgive me, Father,” he said, sobbing. “During World War II, I hid a refugee in my attic.” “Well,” the priest replied, “That’s not a sin.” “But,” the man admitted, “I made him pay rent.” “That ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 27:1-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Built To Last

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 28, 2008

Easter

BUILT TO LAST (1 CORINTHIANS 15:35-58) During their vacation and while they were visiting Jerusalem, George’s mother-in-law died. With death certificates in hand, George went to the American Consulate Office to make arrangements to send the body back to the States for proper burial. The Consul, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Denomination: Independent/Bible