The Gathering Sermons

Series: The Birth of the Church (Acts)Preacher: Ps. James TangDate: 19th October 2025Passage: Acts 13Sermon Summary:We’ve seen the fulfillment of Jesus’ proclamation to the disciples in Acts 1:8, starting with the church in Jerusalem who first received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (2:1-11). Stephen’s death scattered the believers throughout Judea and Samaria, (8:1) and Philip brought great joy to Samaria when he proclaimed the Messiah to its residents (v.5). He even had the chance to speak Jesus to an eunuch from Ethiopia! (v.35) But it doesn’t stop there: we saw the first Gentile believers in Cornelius and his household (10:47), and the first Jew-and-Gentile church in Antioch. (11:19-21) And yet, God still isn’t done! As the Holy Spirit asks for Barnabas and Paul to be set aside (13:2), He sends them on the first missionary journey to the island of Cyprus (v.4) and the city of Pisidian Antioch (v.14) (a city different to the Antioch they departed from). Here we see vastly different responses to the gospel: we see resistance from Elymas the sorcerer (v.8) and the jealous Jews in Pisidian Antioch. (v.45) Sergius Paulus the proconsul shows amazement (v.12), and the other Jews and devout converts to Judaism are curious. (v.43) The Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch stand out, as they received the gospel with gladness (v.48)!Although Paul and Barnabas were chosen to do this good work, we must remember that it’s the Holy Spirit who chose and sent them out. (v.2, 4) The Spirit showed them how to react, and what to say. (v.9, 43) He enabled them to shake the dust off their feet, despite the abuse that was heaped on them (v.45) and their expulsion from Pisidian Antioch. (v.50) Paul and Barnabas are filled with joy because they are filled with Him. (v.52)Do you know that the Holy Spirit has set you aside for the work He has called you to? Can you hear Him calling? Will you respond? And when you do, will you depend on Him, or yourself?

Series: The Birth of the Church (Acts)Preacher: Ps. Gabriel WongDate: 12th October 2025Passage: Acts 12Sermon Summary:What can we say apart from praise be to God, who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think? (Eph. 3:20) The sharing from our Congo team set the scene as they talked about God’s supernatural providence with a specific SSD part that was missing, and doors opening for future opportunities to better care for and educate the people of the region. This week’s passage of Acts 12 echoes the same sentiment, as the apostle Peter was broken out of prison (at such a leisurely pace that he had time to dress himself and put on his sandals!) by an angel of the Lord (v.8), when neither he nor the early church expected to see each other again. (v.16) Although it can be hard to remember that the book of Acts is about real things that happened to real people because it is so action-packed and dramatic, Luke and our Congo team’s sharing remind us of the true power of faith and prayer.At the same time, Luke cautions us against the dangers of pride through Herod Agrippa I. Herod imprisons Peter after killing the apostle James because he saw how James’ death pleased the Jews (v.3). He wanted more fame and acclaim for himself. Unfortunately for Herod, he’s outwitted by God (v.18-19) and even meets his gristly end at the hands of an angel of the Lord (v.23), eaten by worms because he did not give God the glory.Our Congo team talked about how faith is a “life cheat”, but how many of us truly think or believe that? When we come across difficulties, is our first instinct to “stop, drop, and pray”, like Peter and the early church, or do we try to solve things using our means? When God answers our prayers, are we quick to give Him the glory, or do we enjoy a (literal or metaphorical) worm-y end by pointing back to ourselves?

Series: The Birth of the Church (Acts)Preacher: Ps. James TangDate: 5th October 2025Passage: Acts 11:19-30Sermon Summary:Just as Jesus declared at the beginning of Acts (1:8), we’ve seen the gospel travel around Jerusalem (Acts 2), Judea, and Samaria (8:4-8, 14-17). It even started to break Gentile ground with the Holy Spirit’s descent on Cornelius and his household (10:44-46). But it’s in Antioch that it starts to explode amongst the Gentile believers, as the hand of the Lord was with those who brought the good news to the city, and “a great number who believed turned to the Lord.” (11:21)It’s in Antioch that the gospel was first taken directly to Gentiles. (v.20) It’s in Antioch that Barnabas first established a ministry partnership with Paul (v.25-26), setting the scene for the gospel to make its way to the ends of the earth. And it’s in Antioch that we see a first display of missionary spirit, in the church that would eventually become an important base for Gentile missions (v.29-30).As the third largest city in the Roman empire, Antioch was surpassed in population only by Rome and Alexandria. It was at the crossroads for military and commercial traffic, making it a locus for eastern and western cultural exchange. Beyond that, it was the recipient of people who were willing to step out of their comfort zones for the sake of the gospel. Scripture tells us that the majority of those who fled to Phoenicia, Cyrus, and Antioch spoke the word to no one except Jews. (v.19) Only a few unnamed believers chose to preach to the Gentiles (v.20). Without their courage and the bravery of many more like them, we might not know Jesus today!True to their name, the first Christians (v.26) acted as “little Christs” when they went where God called them, obeying Him and what He asked of them. Will you do the same today, church, and allow the hand of the Lord to rest on you? To work through you and bring about a city-wide movement of the gospel?

Series: The Birth of the Church (Acts)Preacher: Ps. James TangDate: 28th September 2025Passage: Acts 10:1-11:18Sermon Summary:In Isaiah 55:8-9, the prophet records God’s declaration that His thoughts and ways are nothing like ours. They are far beyond anything we could imagine! Acts 10 shows us an example of this as God orchestrates an encounter between Cornelius the centurion and the apostle Peter.Prior to this incident, the Holy Spirit has yet to fall on Gentile believers. Although Cornelius is a devout and God-fearing man, he and his household have yet to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Imagine his surprise when the Spirit falls on him and all those gathered with him as Peter shares with them the gospel! (v.44) They begin to speak in tongues and extol God, and they are baptized in the name of Christ. (v.47-48) What Moses dreamt of and hoped for a few thousand years ago has now become a reality: that the Spirit of the Lord would fall on the people, and they would receive it. (Num. 11:29)Nobody saw this coming, least of all Peter! In fact, Peter receives a strange vision as he is praying, before he receives the summons from Cornelius. In it, God commands him to eat of animals, reptiles, and birds that the Law had deemed unclean and forbidden. (Acts 10:11-15) Perplexed and confused, Peter has no idea what is in store as he responds to Cornelius’ request to meet him in Caesarea, but he comes to recognize his internal prejudice and bias towards the Gentile believers. (v.34) His understanding that God shows no partiality and favoritism is what launches him into a mini-sermon, and his sharing of the gospel acts as the catalyst for this outpouring of the Spirit. (v.44)Peter still struggles with the same sin and bias fourteen years later (Gal. 2:11-14), and we continue to see how he is a work in progress. He isn’t perfect, and neither are we. But he and Cornelius show us how God sees and hears, and how His heart is always for those who seek Him. (v.35)

Series: The Birth of the Church (Acts)Preacher: Ps. Gabriel WongDate: 21st September 2025Passage: Acts 9:32-43Sermon Summary:What’s your reaction when you come across accounts of healing in Scripture, such as Aeneas who was healed from his paralysis, or Dorcas who was risen from the dead? Perhaps it’s yearning or longing for an injury to be healed, or relief for a friend or family member battling disease. Maybe it’s skepticism, because you prayed once—but God didn’t seem to listen or answer, so you’re left wondering if He even heals anymore.  Whatever your response, it can be hard to remember that the Bible is a collection of real-life accounts that happened, of people who existed and did the things written about them 2,000 years ago. We can sometimes approach Scripture the way we approach fairy-tales, like it’s too good to be true—but we know God does listen, and He does heal! Jackie and Florence’s testimonies point to the truth of that.  More importantly, while God does choose to heal physically, we have to remember that physical healing is not the end-all and be–all of all things. Yes, Aeneas was healed of his paralysis. Yes, Dorcas was risen from the dead. But they passed away eventually, as all must do on this side of heaven. What really matters, what really lasts, is the way that all the residents of Lydda and Sharon witnessed Aeneas’ healing and turned to God. (Acts 9:35) The way that Dorcas’ resurrection became known throughout Joppa, so that many believed in the Lord. (v.42) We know that miracles serve the message.The signs and wonders that Jesus and His apostles performed point to the very reality of who He is, what His Kingdom is like. Historically, the Church has not done a good job at tackling the issue of miracles and healing, but let us say this: the physical restoration of healing, of wholeness, points to a day where every tear will be wiped away. (Rev. 21:4) Come to Jesus for healing,friends—for He is faithful and mighty to save. (Zeph. 3:17)

Series: The Birth of the Church (Acts)Preacher: Ps. James Tang & Sam LeungDate: 14th September 2025Passage: Acts 9:1-19Sermon Summary:The story of Jesus’ confrontation with the apostle Paul is one of the most dramatic in Scripture: Paul, who then went by his Hebrew name Saul, was actively persecuting the church. He was breathing threats and murder against the followers of Jesus (Acts 9:1), and even obtained a permit from the high priest to capture any Christ-followers he found in Damascus. (v.2) But on the way to Damascus, the Lord Jesus appeared to him in a flash of blinding light, posing the question “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (v.4)Saul’s transformation from Saul to Paul happened because he was confronted by the gospel. He was confronted by Jesus Himself, confronted by the devastating news that there was nothing he could do to earn his salvation, nothing he could do to be righteous. For three days and three nights, Paul ate and drank nothing as he reflected on the truth of his blindness—that he had been pursuing God according to his own means, instead of chasing after Jesus whom God had set before him.The rest becomes history after Ananias obeyed God’s call to lay hands on Paul. Because of Ananias’ obedience, we have the most prolific church planter in history. Because Ananias listened, the gospel was taken beyond Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria to Rome. According to church history, it might even have made its way to Spain, which was Paul’s idea of the ends of the earth. All this couldn’t have happened without Ananias’ participation in God’s plan, but it wouldn’t have happened if Saul had not encountered the Person of Jesus in the first place.Who are you, church, in the story of this confrontation that becomes conversion? Are you Saul, needing to be confronted by the Person of Jesus? Are you following your own way instead of the Jesus way? Are you Ananias, whom God invited to participate in His plan of salvation? Or are you Paul, a story of God’s grace in progress?

Series: The Birth of the Church (Acts)Preacher: Ps. James TangDate: 7th September 2025Passage: Acts 8:26-40Sermon Summary:This week’s account of the Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-40) shows us what can happen as we remain obedient and responsive to the Holy Spirit. It involves Philip, who we last saw bringing the word to Samaria (v.6-8; 14-17), and an Ethiopian eunuch, who seems to be searching for spiritual satisfaction in life. The Ethiopian was an official at the royal court in charge of all the queen’s treasure. (v.27) He likely castrated himself to reach his current level of power, as the royal family would not have trusted him otherwise.  Although he seemed to have everything—at least wealth and power—and had sacrificed much to get where he was, something was still missing. He still felt dissatisfied, so much so that he willingly journeyed from Ethiopia to Jerusalem. The journey would have been around five to six months, and he would have risked being replaced at the royal court whilst he was away. But all this would have been for nothing, as there was a huge possibility he would have been barred from entering the Temple due to his physical dismemberment. (Deut. 23:1) So imagine how distraught and rejected he would have felt, as Philip encountered him on the road back to Ethiopia! Imagine, at the same time, how loved he would have felt when Philip was whisked away, when he realized that God had organized this surprise encounter specifically for him! (v.39) Although we struggle greatly with the logistics of how we can scatter, sometimes being paralyzed by fear and anxiety, Philip shows us that it’s as simple and easy as being obedient to the Holy Spirit. The eunuch shows us that it’s worth the cost. We go wherever He takes us, and we share whatever He puts in our mouths.  So, church: will you go? Will you practice being familiar with God and His Spirit? Will you follow the Spirit’s guidance, and will you be obedient to speak as He works through you?

Series: The Birth of the Church (Acts)Preacher: Ps. James TangDate: 31st August 2025Passage: Acts 8:1-25Summary:Although Stephen’s death sparked great persecution against the church (Acts 8:1b), it was also the catalyst for a great scattering. One of those who scattered was Philip, a fellow deacon who had served alongside Stephen. (6:5) Philip willingly entered enemy territory—Samaria being home to the Samaritans, the sworn enemy of the Jews—and because of his faithfulness, unclean spirits were driven out. Many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. (8:7) Philip’s obedience in preaching the gospel caused there to be much joy in the city as Samaria received the word of God and believed.   However, among those who believed and were baptized was Simon the magician. (v.13) Simon practiced magic in the city and amazed the people (v.9). He himself was amazed upon seeing the signs and great miracles that Philip performed through the Holy Spirit (v.13), and desired the Spirit’s power for himself. He offered to pay the apostles if they would teach him what they were doing, and was rebuked harshly by Peter for it because his heart was not right before God. (v.21) Peter saw straight through Simon’s intentions: he could see that Simon was in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity. (v.23) He could see how Simon had focused on the gift instead of the Giver, and how he had missed the point entirely.  Church, are there moments where we do the same? Where we’ve entirely misunderstood the heart of God? What does it mean for us to seek, serve, and scatter? What heart postures do we approach these three things with? Rather than approaching Him only when we want something from Him, or because we are afraid of the consequences of failing to seek Him—let us seek God because He is the one thing we desire. Let us serve Him from a place of love and gratitude. Let us scatter because we know there is no other name (4:12), and to Him should all glory be given. 

Series: The Birth of the Church (Acts)Preacher: Ps. Gabriel WongDate: 24th August 2025Passage: Acts 6:8-7:60Sermon Summary:Highlighted in last week’s passage as a man “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5a), the deacon Stephen was “doing great wonders and signs among the people.” (v.8) But there were those who “could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which [Stephen] was speaking”, so they secretly instigated men to lay three charges against him: (1) blasphemy against God; (2) against the Law; and (3) against the temple.  Stephen responds with an impassioned speech that exposes the twisted heart of these accusations. As he points back to the history of Israel, to the founding fathers, to Abraham, Joseph, and Moses, he shows them how God was with them every step of the way. But instead of accepting God’s undeserved gift of grace and mercy, the Israelites chose to commit various evils—Joseph’s own brothers sold him into slavery. Twice the people rejected Moses, sent by God to rescue them from slavery. They even betrayed and murdered His Son, committing the ultimate evil and blasphemy against God.   Stiff-necked people that they are, the Israelites behaved the same way when they first received the Law. Instead of rejoicing at God’s gift of instruction, they turned to and worshipped a statue of a golden calf made by their own hands. (v.41) They accused Stephen of blasphemy (v.14), but he points out their failure to receive and keep the Law. (7:53) Similarly, he quotes God’s declaration in Isaiah 66: heaven is His throne, and the earth His footstool. (v.49) Who are the Israelites to think that they can put God in a box? Who are they to confine the Lord of heaven and earth to the Temple and its religiousness? Stephen’s words are harsh, but they are meant to encourage reflection and repentance. The Holy Spirit means to convict, not condemn. What will you choose today, church? Will you also be enraged as your heart condition is exposed? Or will you turn to Jesus, and ask for forgiveness and mercy?

Series: The Birth of the Church (Acts)Preacher: Ps. James TangDate: 17th August 2025Passage: Acts 6:1-7Sermon Summary:This week’s passage of Acts 6:1-7 introduces us to the first deacons, “seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and…wisdom.” (v.3) All seven of the deacons have Greek names, suggesting a Hellenistic (Greek) background. This was perfect for the complaint that the Hellenistic Jews had lodged against the Aramaic-speaking ones (the Hebrews), as the Hellenistic widows were being neglected in the daily food distribution. (v.1) Scripture isn’t clear on whether this was a simple language barrier problem, or if other cultural factors were at play. What is clear is the injustice within the church that needed to be addressed. Before we proceed, let us be clear on one thing: there should be no hierarchy in church. We are a priesthood of believers (1 Pet. 2:9), brothers and sisters who together make up the body of Christ. (Eph. 4:15-16) The reason for the deacons’ appointment was the twelve’s recognition of their duty to devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. (Acts 6:4) The differentiation in the way that they served reflected God’s unique assignments for them.  What does that mean for us today? Firstly, we see that God cares for those on the fringe. He cared for the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the sojourner (Zech. 7:10), and He asks His church to do the same. Secondly, we should make an effort to know those who are different from us, even if they are people we don’t naturally click with. God sent His Son down to destroy the dividing wall of hostility between us and Himself. (Eph. 2:14) As His church, shouldn’t we strive to do the same with our brothers and sisters? Lastly, God asks us all to serve. Together, we make up the body of Christ. It might not be preaching or teaching, and it might not be serving tables—but how can you contribute to the body of Christ? How might you step out of your comfort zone and serve?

Series: Questions About FaithPreacher: Ps. James TangDate: 10th August 2025Passage: Romans 8:18-30Sermon Summary:If God is good, then why is there still suffering in this world?It’s not as straightforward as we think it is—on the one hand, God could eradicate terrorists, murderers, and criminals with just a snap of His fingers. But the problem of suffering would still exist. We exist, and we continue to hurt each other daily.  On the other hand, suffering is part of what it means to be human—we will have to face death at some point. We’ve gotten sick before. The tragedy of cancer may not be something that we’ve personally gone through, but it’s close enough that we hear stories of others facing it.  There are no quick and easy answers to this question, and if we claimed to have them, you shouldn’t believe us. But we do know that part of human suffering exists because we were given a choice, and we chose to turn away from God. Romans 8 tells us that instead of setting our minds on the Spirit of God, we chose to focus on ourselves. Instead of choosing life and peace, we chose death (v.5-8). Romans 8 also tells us that death and disease were never meant to be part of the human landscape. Instead, all of creation was subjected unwillingly to futility, and it waits with groans and longing for the day it will be set free. (v.19-22)  When Paul writes that “for those who love God all things work together for good” (v.28a), he’s not referring to what we think of as good. Instead, he’s referring to God’s plan for His children to be increasingly conformed to the image of His Son (v.29), so they can take part in His rescue mission for all of creation. Suffering might be a universal problem, but only in Christianity does it become temporary, transformative, and redeemable. So let us face it with grief and endurance, but also hope and joy, because we have a good God who has a unique purpose for His children.

Series: Questions About FaithPreacher: Ps. James TangDate: 3rd August 2025Passage: Romans 1:19-22aSermon Summary:Since the popularization of science during the Enlightenment era, faith and science have been pitted against each other. Reason replaced theology as the primary source of authority and legitimacy. Influential thinkers started to argue for a complete rejection of religion and religious authority. But the thing is, there’s no real reason to reject faith in favor of science. Science helps explain why things work the way they do, but it is faith that tells us why they even bother to work in the first place. In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul makes it clear that God has revealed Himself to all mankind through His creation. (1:19-20) We see how true this is as we spend time in nature: from the dragonflies that migrate each year from India to Africa; to the enyzmes that start to denature once the human body raises its temperature above 37°C, there is an entire world that runs without our interference. The creation requires no involvement from us to keep itself going. Johannes Kepler, a German astronomer and mathematician, once stated that he was simply “thinking God’s thoughts after Him” in his research. Kepler is best known for his three laws of planetary motion, and yet he acknowledged that he wasn’t coming up with anything new. He was merely discovering the intricacies that God had already embedded into His design. Kepler recognized what many of us have yet to grasp—that science serves as a signpost to God. It is in itself vastly insufficient to save. God the Father sent Jesus the Son down to point specifically back to Him: Paul writes that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” (Col. 1:15) By Him “all things were created, in heaven and on earth…all things were created through him and for him.” (v.16) Only through Him did God reconcile to Himself all things; only by His blood shed on the cross are we saved. (v.20)

Series: Questions About FaithPreacher: Ps. Gabriel WongDate: 27th July 2025Passage: Isaiah 43:1-13Sermon Summary:According to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, the meaning of life—or the chief end of man—is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Only God alone is everlasting, only He will truly satisfy. But what does it mean for us to glorify Him? How is this related to our enjoyment of Him?  To fully understand God’s glory, we must first understand His holiness. In Isaiah 6:3, the seraphim declare God’s holiness: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” God alone is holy, He is set apart. There is no One like Him—before Him no god was formed, nor shall there be any after Him. (Isa. 43:10b) He is the absolute source and standard of goodness. He alone is perfectly just, perfectly loving, unique in His majesty. Holy. John Piper tells us that God’s holiness is His infinite value as the “absolutely unique, morally perfect, permanent person that [He] is”. His glory is the “manifest beauty of [His] holiness.” Romans 11:36 and Isaiah 43:7 attribute all the glory to God. It tells us that we were made for God’s glory—therefore it is right for us to praise and to worship Him, to make known who He is. Some may balk at the idea that we live to praise and glorify God, as if He lives off our worship. But we must understand: even without God, we naturally search for things to praise and glorify. We find that when we do so, our expression of praise and adoration completes the experience of worship. It heightens, not takes away from it. It is right for us to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. If God is the greatest good, if we cannot understand what “good” means apart from Him—all attempts to divert this praise would be unjust deprivation. Thus, church, we implore you: sing to the Lord, make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! (Ps. 95:2) Glorify His name forever.

Series: /Preacher: Ps. James TangDate: 20th July 2025Passage: Mark 4:35-41Summary:How familiar are you with the account of Jesus calming the storm? You might remember how He steers His disciples across the Sea of Galilee, but falls asleep at the crucial moment. (Mk. 4:35-38a) His disciples panic and try to shake Him awake—and they were filled with great fear after witnessing Jesus rebuke the wind and the waves. But do you remember how He rebuked them for their lack of faith? Did you notice the other boats caught in the storm with them? (v.36) As we reflect on this week’s passage, we realize that we can mistakenly assume the Jesus way to be like the first half of Psalm 23. It should involve lying down in green pastures and being refreshed beside quiet waters (v.2). The Good Shepherd is here to take care of us! However, we forget that following the Good Shepherd includes being led through the valley of the shadow of death. The only difference between us and those who don’t yet know Jesus is that He promises He will be there for us. His rod and His staff comfort us. (v.4) Just like the disciples, we panic when we shift our gaze away from Him. In their desperation, they questioned if Jesus even cared that they were about to die (Mk. 4:38b). The truth is that they were always safe because Jesus was in the boat with them. When God asks His people to be still in Psalm 46:10, He means not for them to leisurely make space, to quiet down and be still. Instead, He’s asking them to freeze, to stop, to drop everything and focus on Him. That is when we have peace, because we know He is God.  But what about the other boats caught in the storm? What, then, will they do? That is a question we must ask ourselves, church, as we re-evaluate what it means to be caught in the storm with Jesus, and whether we truly have our eyes fixed on Him.

Series: Questions About FaithPreacher: Ps. James TangDate: 13th July 2025Passage: 2 Timothy 3:14-17