From Darkness to Light: A Journey of Redemption

Devotional

Day 1: Sin Is Unbelief—Trusting Our Thoughts Over God

Many people think of sin as simply doing bad things—lying, cheating, stealing, or even worse. But the true root of sin is deeper: it is unbelief, choosing to trust our own thoughts and ways above what God says. When we put our own understanding above God's word, we separate ourselves from Him and create a void in our hearts that nothing else can fill. This is why, no matter how hard we try to be good or do right, we still feel empty and fall short. The emptiness and restlessness inside is not just from our actions, but from not believing and accepting what God says about us and about Himself. [16:30]

John 16:9 (KJV)
"Of sin, because they believe not on me."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you still trusting your own thoughts or feelings over what God says? Can you identify one specific thought or belief today that you need to surrender to God’s truth?

Day 2: Our Thoughts and Hearts Are Deceitful

We often hear the advice to "follow your heart" or "trust your instincts," but the Bible teaches that our hearts and thoughts are not reliable guides. In fact, God sees that every imagination of the thoughts of our hearts is only evil continually, and our hearts are deceitful above all things. This means that even when we think we are doing good or acting honorably, our perspective is limited and flawed. True transformation begins when we stop trusting in our own understanding and start relying on God's unchanging word, recognizing that our own hearts can lead us astray. [20:45]

Genesis 6:5 (KJV)
"And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

Reflection: When was the last time your heart or thoughts led you in a direction that later proved to be wrong? How can you practice seeking God’s perspective instead of your own today?

Day 3: Jesus Perfected Us Forever—Salvation Is a Gift

Many struggle with the idea that they must earn God's approval or forgiveness by doing good works or living perfectly. But the Bible declares that Jesus, by one offering, has perfected forever those who are sanctified. This perfection is not something we achieve, but a gift we receive by faith. Even when our thoughts accuse us and remind us of our failures, God’s word says we are righteous and perfected through Christ’s sacrifice. Accepting this truth brings freedom from condemnation and the power to live with hope and joy, knowing that our salvation is secure in Him. [34:10]

Hebrews 10:14 (KJV)
"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."

Reflection: Do you still feel like you have to earn God’s love or forgiveness? What would it look like for you to rest in the truth that Jesus has already perfected you forever?

Day 4: Reconciliation and Healing Come Through God’s Word

True healing and reconciliation, even in the most broken relationships, come when we choose to follow God’s word above our own thoughts and feelings. When we let go of self-righteousness and pride, and instead act in humility and faith—sometimes even apologizing when we feel we are the victim—God can bring peace and restoration that seemed impossible. Trusting God’s word over our emotions opens the door for His grace to heal wounds, restore families, and bring about new beginnings. [50:30]

Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV)
"So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."

Reflection: Is there someone in your life you need to seek reconciliation with, even if it feels unfair? What step of humility and faith can you take today to begin that process?

Day 5: You Are a New Creation—Live Out Your True Identity

When God says you are the light of the world, the salt of the earth, and a new creature, He is not asking you to try to become these things—He declares that you already are, by faith in Christ. This new identity is not based on your performance, but on what Jesus has done for you. Living with one foot in the world and one foot in faith leads to confusion and emptiness, but embracing your true identity in Christ empowers you to walk in freedom, purpose, and joy. God Himself will make you a fisher of men and use your life as a testimony of His grace. [01:10:00]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally live out your identity as a new creation in Christ today, rather than letting your past or your feelings define you?

Sermon Summary

Growing up in a home marked by poverty, violence, and generational trauma, I was shaped by an environment that seemed to offer no hope or direction. My family’s Buddhist and Taoist traditions, combined with the harsh realities of our neighborhood, left me feeling empty and disconnected. I sought belonging and release in the streets, joining a gang at a young age, and eventually spending over a decade in prison. Despite trying to fill the void with money, power, and even exploring different religions, nothing could satisfy the deep sense of emptiness and fear that haunted me.

It was in prison, through a series of unlikely encounters and honest questions, that I began to see the true nature of sin—not just as bad actions, but as unbelief and a heart that trusts itself over God. The Bible revealed that all my efforts to be good or to manage my pain were like treating symptoms without addressing the disease. Sin was not just what I did, but the condition I was born into, inherited from Adam, and it was this sin that produced the emptiness, rage, and self-destruction in my life.

The turning point came when I understood that Jesus didn’t just die for my past mistakes, but for all my sins—past, present, and future. The gospel is not about striving to be perfect, but about accepting that Christ has already perfected those who believe in Him. This realization brought hope and freedom, not as a license to sin, but as the foundation for a new relationship with God. The more I trusted God’s word over my own thoughts and feelings, the more I experienced peace, reconciliation, and transformation—even with my father, with whom I had years of bitterness.

God’s grace didn’t just change me; it began to ripple out to others—my family, my friends, and even former enemies. I learned that sharing hope is not about pushing religion, but about living out the joy and freedom that comes from knowing Christ. The gospel is for the broken, the lost, and the hopeless, and it is God who does the work of making us new. My story is a testimony that no one is too far gone, and that God’s love and power can redeem any life.

Key Takeaways

1. Sin is deeper than actions—it is unbelief and self-trust. The emptiness and brokenness we experience are not just the result of bad choices, but of a heart that trusts itself over God. True sin is refusing to accept God’s word as truth, and this is the root of all our struggles. Only by recognizing this can we begin to understand our need for a Savior. [22:53]
2. God’s solution is not self-improvement, but a new identity in Christ. Trying to manage or suppress sinful behaviors is like treating symptoms without curing the disease. The gospel offers not a list of rules, but a new heart and a new standing before God—perfected forever by Christ’s sacrifice, not by our own efforts. This is the foundation for real transformation. [38:14]
3. Faith means trusting God’s word above our own thoughts and feelings. Our thoughts are constantly changing and often deceitful, but God’s word never changes. Choosing to believe what God says about us—even when it contradicts our feelings or past—opens the door to peace, healing, and reconciliation, both with God and with others. [45:10]
4. Hope and change spread through honest testimony, not religious pressure. Sharing the reality of what God has done in our lives—our struggles, our emptiness, and the hope we’ve found—invites others to experience the same grace. It’s not about forcing religion, but about living out the joy and freedom that comes from Christ, which draws others to Him. [57:21]
5. God’s grace is sufficient for every past, present, and future failure. The gospel is not a license to sin, but a call to relationship. Even when we struggle or fall, God’s promise is that we are perfected forever in Christ. This assurance frees us from condemnation and empowers us to live as new creations, trusting that God will complete the work He began in us. [64:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Childhood in Section 8 Housing
[03:48] - Family Trauma and Cultural Struggles
[07:30] - Life on the Streets and Gang Involvement
[11:41] - Searching for Answers in Prison
[15:55] - Wrestling with Religion and Emptiness
[18:40] - Encountering the Gospel at Church
[22:53] - Redefining Sin and the Human Condition
[27:30] - The Power of Unbelief and Self-Trust
[32:10] - Jesus’ Sacrifice: Past, Present, and Future
[38:14] - Wrestling with Condemnation and Acceptance
[45:10] - Reconciliation with My Father
[51:30] - Living Out Hope Among Friends and Enemies
[57:21] - God’s Protection and Transformation
[64:26] - Who Jesus Is to Me
[69:00] - Final Encouragement and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1. Romans 7:15-20 (ESV) — > For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

2. Hebrews 10:14, 17 (ESV) — > For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. ... Then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

3. John 16:9 (ESV) — > Concerning sin, because they do not believe in me.

Observation Questions

According to Romans 7:15-20, what does Paul say is the reason he keeps doing things he hates, even when he wants to do good?
In Hebrews 10:14, what does it say Jesus’ sacrifice has accomplished for those who believe?
In the sermon, how did the speaker describe the true nature of sin, and how did this understanding differ from what he believed before? [[22:53]]
What was the turning point for the speaker in understanding what Jesus did for him? [[38:14]]

Interpretation Questions

The speaker realized that sin is not just about bad actions, but about unbelief and trusting oneself over God. Why is this distinction important for understanding our struggles and emptiness? [[22:53]]
Hebrews 10:14 says believers are “perfected forever” by Jesus’ sacrifice. How does this challenge the idea that we have to keep striving to be good enough for God? [[38:14]]
The speaker shared that trusting God’s word over his own thoughts and feelings led to peace and reconciliation, even with his father. Why might it be difficult to trust God’s word above our own feelings, especially when it comes to forgiveness and relationships? [[45:10]]
The sermon emphasized that hope and change spread through honest testimony, not religious pressure. What does this look like in real life, and why might it be more effective? [[57:21]]

Application Questions

The speaker said that trying to manage or suppress sinful behaviors is like treating symptoms without curing the disease. Are there areas in your life where you’ve been trying to “fix” yourself without addressing the deeper issue of unbelief or self-trust? What would it look like to bring those areas to God instead? [[22:53]]
The gospel offers a new identity, not just a list of rules. When you think about your own life, do you find yourself living out of your new identity in Christ, or do you slip back into trying to earn God’s approval? What triggers those old patterns? [[38:14]]
The speaker experienced reconciliation with his father after choosing to trust God’s word over his own thoughts and feelings. Is there a relationship in your life where you need to let go of bitterness or take a step toward reconciliation? What would trusting God’s word look like in that situation? [[45:10]]
The speaker shared hope with others by simply living out the joy and freedom he found in Christ, not by pushing religion. Who in your life might need to see or hear your honest testimony of what God has done for you? How can you share it in a way that is real and not forced? [[57:21]]
God’s grace is sufficient for every past, present, and future failure. Are there sins or failures in your past that still make you feel condemned or unworthy? How can you remind yourself of the truth in Hebrews 10:14 and 17 this week? [[01:04:26]]
The speaker talked about the struggle of trusting his own thoughts versus trusting God’s word. What are some practical ways you can choose to believe God’s promises over your feelings or past experiences? [[45:10]]
The sermon ended with the idea that no one is too far gone for God’s love and power to redeem. Is there someone you’ve given up hope for, or even yourself? How can you pray for and encourage them (or yourself) in light of this truth? [[01:13:05]]

Sermon Clips

He goes, do you know what sin is and are you a sinner? And then that kind of got me a little hot, you know, I felt like that was a loaded question, but the way he asked it wasn't like, are you a sinner, you need to repent. It was more like he genuinely wanted to know what I knew about sin. [00:20:56] (17 seconds) #QuestioningSinTruth

He said, but why did you end up there? Right? Why is it that you don't want to be depressed, but you feel depressed all the time? You don't want to be lonely. You hate loneliness. You hate emptiness. You hate void. But why are you still feeling that? You know? And I'm like, I don't know. And he's like, it's in the Bible, right? [00:25:47] (16 seconds) #RootOfDepression

All of the things that you've been doing in your life, all the evil things that led you up to being empty and depressed and miserable is normal. And when I heard that, all my life I was told I wasn't normal. I was abnormal. I was bipolar. People would say I had OCD. People would say that I was schizophrenic, all this crazy stuff, right? But what he was telling me for the first time was you're normal because the sin is causing you to do that. It's not you. [00:29:17] (31 seconds) #SinExplainsNormalcy

He didn't say anything about me quitting drugs, quitting, you know, my gang or leaving my lifestyle. He didn't say anything about that. What I noticed he was doing was planting hope inside of my heart, and that was casting out things. I didn't want to carry my gun anymore. I started feeling—at that time I didn't know, but I started feeling conviction in my heart, like, man, if Jesus did all this for a, like, a swine like me, an evil person like me, why would I disrespect him? [00:41:56] (29 seconds) #HopePlantsConviction

God will raise your children and it says in the Bible, God, I will raise your children and great will be their peace, right? And then when I thought about that, amen, you know, when my mom fully let me go and was like, okay God, he started to work and now, you know, I'm a gospel preacher, I'm a person who tries to evangelize. I never thought a watching gang member like me would ever have anything to do with church, would ever want to go back to prisons and help people, but it was really through the grace of God. [00:55:26] (34 seconds) #GodRaisesHisChildren

Do you know what Jesus did for you? Like truly did for you? Do you know that your thoughts condemn you every single day? And they tell you that you're a sinner, which breaks your spirit. And when your spirit is broken, you cannot heal from that. So you generate this heart of, well, shoot, if I'm already like this, there's no hope. I might as well just do whatever I want to do because there's no hope anyway. And that's what Satan wants is to break our spirit through our thoughts, right? So I tell them, no, you're perfect. [01:01:57] (30 seconds) #BrokenSpiritNeedsHealing

Jesus to me is the way, right? The way, meaning only way, the truth and the light. You know, he's the only way to God. And Jesus to me is everything because without him, I'm nothing. You know, honestly, if you strip away Jesus from Johnny Chang, if you strip away God from Johnny Johnny Chang, would I be able to even boldly go and preach this gospel? This gospel is not my gospel. It's the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's the good news, right? So Jesus to me is literally the light, the truth, the way, meaning without him I have no way. He is my way. Without him I have no truth and without him there is no light in my life. That's who Jesus is to me. [01:04:11] (47 seconds) #JesusIsTheWay

If God is saying that we're perfect, if God sent his only son who didn't fail and he made you righteous forever, right, would it be smart to follow him or follow our thoughts? We have to make a choice and I pray today if you're watching this, please make that choice that hey, I'm not going to follow my thoughts anymore which are only evil and constantly changing and are deceitful above all things. I'm going to follow the word of God that never changes. [01:11:30] (27 seconds) #ChooseGodsUnchangingWord

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