10.19.2025 1035am Cantonese Service

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Is the Christ, the Son of the Living God

To know Jesus as the Christ is to recognize Him not merely as a good teacher or a historical figure, but as the long-awaited King and Savior who answers the deepest longings and hopes of humanity. Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” is the foundation of the church and the starting point for every believer’s faith. This truth is not something we discover on our own, but a gracious revelation from God Himself, opening our eyes to who Jesus truly is. Before we can talk about the church or our role in it, we must answer for ourselves: Who do you say Jesus is? [42:56]

Matthew 16:13-17 (ESV)
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”

Reflection: Who do you say Jesus is, deep in your heart—not just with your words, but with your life and your trust today?

Day 2: Jesus Himself Builds His Church

The certainty of the church’s existence and growth does not rest on human effort, resources, or circumstances, but on the unbreakable promise of Jesus: “I will build my church.” Through centuries of persecution, failure, and opposition, the church endures because Jesus Himself is actively building it, calling people to faith, opening blind eyes, and softening hard hearts. Our confidence and hope for the future of the church rest not in ourselves, but in the living God who never lies and always fulfills His word. [54:49]

Matthew 16:18 (ESV)
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Reflection: In what area of your life or ministry have you been relying on your own strength instead of trusting Jesus’ promise to build His church?

Day 3: The Church Is Personal to Jesus

When Jesus says “my church,” He speaks with deep intimacy and ownership, declaring that every believer is known, loved, and claimed by Him. He knows each of us completely—our strengths, our failures, even the sins no one else sees—and still gave Himself for us. The church is not a building or a place, but a people who belong to Jesus, cherished as His own children. This personal love is the foundation of our identity and security as members of His body. [56:29]

John 10:14-15 (ESV)
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus calls you “mine” change the way you see yourself and your place in the church today?

Day 4: The Church Is a People, Not a Place

The true church is not defined by a location, building, or cultural background, but by the community of people who have been called by Jesus from every tribe, nation, and tongue. The vision of the church is global and multi-generational, reaching far beyond our own comfort or preferences. We are invited to see ourselves as part of God’s great mission, joining in His work to bless people we may never meet and to leave a legacy of faith for generations to come. [34:51]

Revelation 7:9-10 (ESV)
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can participate in God’s mission to reach people beyond your immediate community this week?

Day 5: Our Role: Praying and Participating in God’s Mission

Every believer is called to play a part in God’s ongoing work of building His church, whether through prayer, support, or direct involvement. The legacy of faith we enjoy today is the result of the faithfulness and sacrifice of those who came before us, many of whom we will never meet. Now, we are invited to pray for wisdom, courage, and vision to bless future generations, trusting that God will use our efforts—however small—to further His kingdom. [01:20:55]

Colossians 4:2-4 (ESV)
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

Reflection: Who is one person or group you can intentionally pray for this week, asking God to use your prayers to bless and reach them for Christ?

Sermon Summary

Today, we reflected on the deep roots and ongoing mission of the church, both globally and in our own community. Our story is woven into a much larger tapestry, stretching back to the early church in Jerusalem and Antioch, and more recently, to the faithful efforts of people like Reverend Cai Leong Lee, who helped plant the church that would eventually give birth to ours. We are the beneficiaries of generations of faithfulness—of people who saw beyond their own needs and invested in a future they would never see. This is a call for us to imagine our own role in God’s ongoing work, to consider how we might bless generations to come, just as we have been blessed.

At the heart of everything is Jesus’ promise: “I will build my church.” Each word in this statement is loaded with meaning. “I”—it is Jesus, the living God, the creator and sustainer of all things, who is building the church. Our faith is not built on human effort or clever strategy, but on the person and work of Christ, who is the answer to our deepest longings and the conqueror of death. “Will build”—this is a promise, not a possibility. The church’s survival and growth through centuries of persecution, failure, and opposition is not a testament to human strength, but to Christ’s faithfulness. “My”—the church is deeply personal to Jesus. He knows each of us intimately, calls us his own, and gave his life for us. The church is not a building or an institution, but a people whom Jesus loves and claims as his own.

This understanding should shape how we see our mission. We are called to look beyond ourselves, to participate in God’s work of reaching all peoples. Our history is full of ordinary people who, by God’s grace, played a part in something much bigger than themselves. Now, it is our turn to pray, to seek God’s vision, and to be willing to step out in faith for the sake of those who will come after us. May we be a people who remember who Jesus is, trust his promise, and join him in building his church for generations yet to come.

Key Takeaways

1. The identity of Jesus is the foundation of everything. Christianity is not merely a set of beliefs or cultural practices, but a response to the question, “Who do you say Jesus is?” Our answer to this question shapes our eternity and our daily lives. Seeing Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, is a gift of grace that transforms us from the inside out. [42:29]
2. Jesus’ promise to build his church is certain and unstoppable. The church’s existence through centuries of persecution, failure, and even attempts to destroy it is not due to human ingenuity, but to the faithfulness of Christ. He does not say, “I might build,” but “I will build”—a declaration that rests on the unchanging character of God. [54:10]
3. The church is deeply personal to Jesus. When he says “my church,” he is expressing an intimate, possessive love for his people. He knows us fully—our strengths, our failures, even the sins no one else sees—and still claims us as his own, having given his life for us. [56:09]
4. Our role in God’s mission is to look beyond ourselves and invest in a future we may never see. Just as we have been blessed by the faithfulness of those who came before us, we are called to pray, to seek God’s vision, and to participate in building the church for generations to come. This requires humility, courage, and a willingness to trust God with outcomes we may never witness. [35:49]
5. The church is not a building or a place, but a people called by God. Our unity is not based on blood or culture, but on being claimed by Christ. This shapes how we love, serve, and sacrifice—not just for those we know, but for those who will come after us, as part of God’s global and eternal family. [78:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[27:49] - Introduction and Personal Reflections
[28:56] - Opening Prayer
[30:00] - The Legacy of Reverend Cai Leong Lee
[31:21] - Our Church’s Historical Roots
[32:57] - God’s Use of Practical Means
[33:55] - The Ongoing Mission of the Church
[36:54] - “I Will Build My Church”: Four Key Words
[37:31] - The Significance of Caesarea Philippi
[39:11] - The Foundational Question: Who Is Jesus?
[42:29] - Peter’s Confession and Its Meaning
[46:14] - The Identity and Power of Jesus
[53:04] - The Certainty of Christ’s Promise
[55:54] - The Personal Nature of “My Church”
[59:02] - The Church as People, Not a Place
[65:21] - Blessing Generations We May Never Meet
[73:24] - The Call to Prayer and Participation
[78:55] - Unity Beyond Blood: The Family of God
[80:32] - Closing Prayer and Vision

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 16:13-18 (ESV) — 13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Observation Questions

In Matthew 16:13-16, what are the different answers people give about who Jesus is? How does Peter’s answer stand out from the rest?
According to Jesus in verse 18, who is responsible for building the church? What does this say about the church’s foundation?
The sermon mentioned that the church is not a building or an institution, but a people whom Jesus loves and claims as his own. What evidence do you see for this in the passage or in the sermon? [[59:02]]
What does Jesus mean when he says “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”? How does this relate to the church’s endurance through history? [[54:10]]

Interpretation Questions

Why is the question “Who do you say I am?” so important for every person, not just the disciples? How does our answer shape our lives and eternity? [[42:29]]
The sermon says that seeing Jesus as the Christ is a gift of grace from God. Why do you think it’s described as a “supernatural gift” to recognize who Jesus truly is? [[43:20]]
When Jesus says “I will build my church,” what does this promise mean for us when we face discouragement, opposition, or failure in church life? [[53:04]]
The sermon shared stories of people who invested in the church for future generations. Why is it important to look beyond our own needs and invest in a future we may never see? [[35:49]]

Application Questions

Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am?” is personal. If someone asked you this today, how would you answer? Has your answer changed over time? Why or why not? [[42:29]]
The sermon reminded us that the church is not a building, but a people. How does this truth affect the way you think about your role in the church? Are there ways you’ve been focusing more on the place or programs than on the people? [[59:02]]
Think about the people who invested in your faith journey—maybe family, friends, or even people you’ve never met. How have you been blessed by the faithfulness of others? Is there someone you want to thank or pray for this week? [[30:00]]
The promise “I will build my church” means Jesus is responsible for the church’s growth and survival. Are there areas where you’ve been trying to control outcomes in church or ministry? How can you trust Jesus more with these things? [[53:04]]
The sermon called us to invest in a future we may never see. What is one practical way you can bless the next generation in our church or community, even if you never see the results? [[35:49]]
Jesus knows us fully—our strengths, failures, and even hidden sins—and still claims us as his own. Is there something you’re hiding or ashamed of that you need to bring to Jesus? How does knowing his love for you change the way you approach him? [[56:09]]
Our unity as a church is based on being claimed by Christ, not on blood or culture. Are there ways you can reach out to someone in our church family who is different from you? What might that look like this week? [[01:18:55]]

Sermon Clips

Many people at least acknowledge Jesus was a historical figure, a good person, that he helped people and he faced a sad death. But people don't know who he is. That's why he asked his disciples, Who do you say I am? [00:41:20] (26 seconds) #WhoDoYouSayHeIs

I would say this is probably the most important question ever asked in history. Because the way you answer this question will determine your eternity. Who do you say Jesus is? Just a good teacher? A person who did good things? And died a sad death? That's how people thought of him back then. That's still the common thought today. [00:41:52] (37 seconds) #EternityInYourAnswer

It's important to realize any time we actually see Jesus for who he is, it's a gracious gift from God. It is always a supernatural gift that we have our blind eyes reveal to who he is. [00:43:29] (25 seconds) #GraceRevealsJesus

Jesus is the creator at the beginning of all things, who made everything. He is the one who sustains all of creation. The one who keeps our lungs breathing, our hearts beating. The one who keeps the land growing so the animals can keep growing. The one who set the earth's rotation in motion and keeps it going. That is Jesus. [00:46:34] (41 seconds) #JesusSustainsAll

So when Jesus says, I will build my church, we need to remember who this is. Before we can talk about the church or starting churches, we need to remember who it is. That is a personal question we all need to answer. Who do you think he is? That is an important question for us as individuals so that we would be right with God. [00:48:21] (39 seconds) #KnowWhoBuilds

When he says will build, it means certainty. It will happen. Notice it does not say I may build my church. It doesn't say I will build my church if you do this or don't do this. It doesn't say I will build my church if there's enough money. It doesn't say I will build my church if you have political office. It just says I will build. [00:53:07] (45 seconds) #CertainChurchPromise

If you reflect on church history for a moment, 2000 plus years of the church, that the church still exists today in 2025, this is the result in many ways of people because God does use people. But at the same time, look at the people that God has used in the church. The reason the church exists today at its core is not because of people, it's because Jesus is building it. [00:53:52] (49 seconds) #JesusBuildsNotPeople

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