Author: Chris Evangelista

Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever - WSC
Posted on

What the World Needs to Hear

Summary of my sermon, based on 1 John 1:5-2:2. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on January 8, 2023. My first sermon as Pastor of GCF Toronto.

Recent events, such as the FTX cryptocurrency scandal, highlight the world’s increasing denial of sin and accountability. We see individuals refusing to take responsibility for their actions, while society enables and even supports sinful behaviors. In a world that denies its sinfulness, it is crucial for us to preach the complete Gospel. By examining 1 John 1:5-2:2, we can gain insights into how the Gospel message addresses the world’s denial of sin and offers hope in Jesus Christ.

God is Light

In our current cultural climate, where sin is denied and relativism prevails, it is essential to begin with the truth that God is Light. This truth confronts the world’s distorted perception of morality and emphasizes the holiness and righteousness of God. The Apostle John, in his letter, proclaims, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). By starting with this foundational truth, we expose the darkness of the world and the need for righteousness to have fellowship with God.

We Are Sinful

To preach the complete Gospel, we must affirm that we are sinful. Society often denies sin or minimizes its impact, promoting self-righteousness and a false sense of moral superiority. Yet, the Bible declares, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). It is crucial to confront the world with the reality of sin and its consequences. By acknowledging our sinfulness, we can experience forgiveness and cleansing through Jesus Christ (1 John 1:9).

Jesus Saves

In the face of human sinfulness, the complete Gospel offers hope and salvation through Jesus Christ. As we acknowledge our sin, we find assurance that “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). Jesus, the propitiation for our sins, took upon Himself the punishment we deserved and offers redemption to all who believe in Him (1 John 2:2).

Preach the Complete Gospel

In a world that denies sin, the urgency to preach the complete Gospel cannot be overstated. We must challenge the distorted narratives and false beliefs that lead people astray. The Four Spiritual Laws, once effective, must now be supplemented with a clear message about the righteousness of God and our sinfulness. We need to address the world’s misplaced values, where good is called evil and evil is called good (Isaiah 5:20). By presenting the complete Gospel, we provide a pathway for people to come to the light and find redemption through Jesus Christ.

We can learn from the Way of the Master evangelism approach, which emphasizes the importance of addressing sin before sharing the good news of salvation. Like Peter and Isaiah, who recognized their sinfulness in the presence of a holy God, we must help people acknowledge their own sin and their need for a Savior. By pointing to Jesus Christ as the advocate and propitiation for our sins, we offer hope and forgiveness.

In a world that denies sin, preachers and believers must boldly proclaim the complete Gospel. We start with the foundation that God is Light, exposing the darkness of sin and highlighting the need for righteousness. By acknowledging our sinfulness and accepting Jesus Christ as our advocate and propitiation, we find forgiveness and redemption. Let us rise to the challenge of sharing the complete Gospel, bringing light to a world that desperately needs to hear the truth.

Posted on

He is Greater: Adam and Eve

Summary of this sermon, based on Genesis 3:16-24. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on May 28, 2023.

Understanding the Bible’s Richness and Unity

Biblical Theology is a fascinating field of study that aims to uncover the unity and diversity present in the Bible. It is a response to modern biblical criticism, which emerged in the late 18th century as an academic study of the Bible using evidence, observations, and reason. Contrary to the negative connotation of “criticism,” this approach analyzes the Bible in a scholarly manner, similar to studying literature or social sciences. While some critical scholars have disconnected the Bible from the Christian faith, Biblical Theology affirms the Bible as the inspired Word of God while recognizing the benefits of using critical methods.

Diversity and Unity

The Bible is not merely a single book but rather an anthology—a collection of 66 separate books written by approximately 40 authors over 1500 years in three different languages. This diversity of authors, perspectives, and purposes contributes to the overarching story of the Bible. It is comparable to a functioning human body where diverse parts, like a hand and an eye, work together for the body’s unity. Similarly, the Bible’s theology is enriched by its complementary diversity, leading to a greater understanding of God’s plan for humanity.

Typology and Tension

Biblical Theology also employs typology and tension to explore the connections between different stories and themes in the Bible. Typology refers to symbols and narratives that clearly point to Jesus Christ, such as the story of the bronze serpent in Numbers 21. When the Israelites were afflicted by fiery serpents due to their rebellion, God instructed Moses to create a bronze serpent and lift it up on a pole. Anyone who looked at the serpent would live. Jesus later referred to this event, stating that just as the serpent was lifted up in the wilderness, He, the Son of Man, must also be lifted up for eternal life (John 3:14-16).

Tension arises from the longing for relief and fulfillment found in the Old Testament, which can only be satisfied by Christ. The Old Testament’s symbols, situations, and unfulfilled promises create this tension, highlighting the need for a Savior. By understanding the typology and tension within the biblical text, we can see how every story, symbol, and prophecy point to Jesus, revealing His central role in God’s redemptive plan.

Grace in the Midst of Judgment

In Genesis 3, we witness the aftermath of Adam and Eve’s first sin and God’s subsequent judgment. Both Adam and Eve receive specific judgments related to their roles in marriage and work. These judgments introduce tensions, creating a longing for relief that can ultimately be fulfilled in Christ. Eve is told that her pain in childbirth will be multiplied, and conflict will arise in her relationship with her husband. Adam, on the other hand, is informed that work will become toilsome, with thorns and thistles, and he will return to the dust from which he was taken.

These judgments, seemingly arbitrary at first glance, actually serve as reminders of the brokenness caused by sin. They create tensions and dissatisfactions in areas of life that should be rewarding, leading us to yearn for relief and restoration. The world often presents alternative paths to relief, such as victimhood or seeking societal solutions, but true relief can only be found in Christ. As Jesus promises in Matthew 11:28-30, those who labor and are burdened can find rest in Him alone.

Foreshadowing the Gospel

Genesis 3:14-15 contains the first articulation of the Gospel, as God pronounces judgment on Satan. The offspring of the woman is prophesied to bruise the head of the serpent, while the serpent will bruise his heel. This promise finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the ultimate offspring who defeats Satan through His crucifixion and resurrection. The New Testament clarifies that this offspring refers to Christ (Galatians 3:16) and foreshadows the ultimate triumph over Satan (Romans 16:20).

He Is Greater

Biblical Theology unveils the beauty and interconnectedness of the Scriptures, revealing Jesus as the focal point of the Bible’s diverse stories, symbols, and prophecies. The tensions and typologies throughout the Old Testament create a longing that can only be fulfilled in Christ, who offers rest, redemption, and victory. As we delve into the depths of Biblical Theology, we become like detectives, searching for connections that lead us to the truth of God’s redemptive plan. May we recognize that Jesus is greater than Moses, greater than David, and greater than any figure in the Old Testament. As Sally Lloyd-Jones so beautifully puts it, “Every story whispers His name”. They point us to the ultimate source of grace and salvation.

Posted on

Jesus At The Center

Summary of my sermon, based on 1 John 1:1-4. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on December 18, 2022.

In a world that continually pushes Jesus aside, it is vital for us to keep Him at the center of our lives. Just like the recent news of the absence of a Christmas tree at the Eaton Centre, society often tries to minimize the importance of Jesus during significant occasions. However, as believers, we must resist the temptation to let other things distract us and instead focus on keeping Jesus as the center of our attention. The first letter of John addresses a similar struggle faced by the believers at that time, as false teachers spread heretical claims about Jesus. John reaffirms Jesus’ divinity and aims to confirm and encourage the believers in their faith. In this passage, John emphasizes the importance of encountering, sharing, and enjoying the Word of Life, which is Jesus Himself.

Jesus is at the center when we encounter the Word of Life

John highlights the significance of encountering Jesus, both through his personal experience and the written Word. By sharing his own encounters with Jesus, John assures believers that Jesus is real and life-changing. He draws attention to the eternal nature and incarnation of Jesus, emphasizing that encountering Him is the basis for fellowship and joy. While John had the privilege of physically encountering Jesus, we can encounter Him through the Written Word, the Bible. The Scriptures testify about Jesus and serve as a means for us to have a personal encounter with Him. It is crucial for us to regularly engage with the Bible, using the resources available to us, and set aside time to encounter Jesus through His Word.

Jesus is at the center when we share the Word of Life

John reminds us that sharing Jesus is not limited to evangelism but also extends to sharing Him with fellow believers. By testifying and proclaiming Jesus, we encourage and build up one another in faith. Sharing Jesus within the community of believers is essential for our ongoing sanctification, as the Gospel continues to shape and transform our lives. The basis of our fellowship with one another is Jesus Himself, and sharing Him strengthens the bond we have as a community. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us to encourage one another, meet together, and build each other up. By sharing Jesus, we deepen our fellowship and help one another grow in faith.

Jesus is at the center when we enjoy the Word of Life

Lastly, John emphasizes that Jesus is the source of true and unending joy. When Jesus is at the center of our lives, we can experience complete joy. While worldly joys are temporary and fleeting, the joy we find in Jesus is eternal. Christmas celebrations often bring us joy through various aspects like family, gifts, or food. However, it is essential to recognize that these temporal joys cannot compare to the joy we find in Jesus. The joy we experience from worldly things serves as a glimpse of the greater joy we find in Christ. By enjoying Jesus, we discover the fullness of joy that only He can provide.

In a world that tries to cast Jesus aside, it is our responsibility as believers to keep Him at the center of our lives. We do this by regularly encountering Him through the Written Word, sharing Him with one another within the community of believers, and enjoying Him as the ultimate source of joy. As we maintain Jesus at the center, we deepen our relationship with Him, strengthen our fellowship with other believers, and experience true and lasting joy. Let us commit to keeping Jesus at the center of our lives and continuously grow in our encounter, sharing, and enjoyment of Him.

Posted on

Advent – Candle of Joy

On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we light the Candle of Joy.

Christmas is a season of joy. It’s a season for family, friends, food.. And presents under the tree! But all these things are temporal and cannot bring true joy. Certainly we should be thankful that God has blessed so abundantly! But in the midst of these things, let us never forget the source of true and unending joy.

The nativity story is filled with vivid expressions of this joy – there’s Mary, who exclaimed “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”… the Angels declaring to the Shepherds, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” And the Wise Men, who “when they saw the star, rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”

This joy was a recognition that Jesus, stepping into history, was the messiah that the scriptures long foretold. For this reason, we can truly join in with the Psalmist who wrote:

“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

Psalm 100

(Photo Credit: Jonathunder)

Posted on

What is the most adventurous thing you’ve eaten?

In the Fall of 2017, I finally realized my dream of living in Japan. A year after the Fort McMurray wildfire of 2016, I moved on from my work as an Associate Pastor at NorthLife Church to become a Missionary English Teacher in Osaka, Japan. I had never been to Osaka, despite three prior trips to Japan. On those trips, I focused on exploring Tokyo and the Tohoku region, but I of course wanted to visit Kyoto and Osaka. Little did I know that I would eventually live there for two years.

When I arrived in Osaka, I did many of the typical “tourist things” that you might expect. One of which was visiting Kuromon Market. And that’s where I saw all the Fugu shops. Fugu was made infamous by the Simpsons episode “One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish” (Season 2, Episode 11). In that episode, Homer demands to eat the poisonous fish even though the restaurant’s head chef wasn’t around to prepare it. Hilarity ensues, and fugu entered into the American mainstream.

I had watched tons of video about Fugu while researching things to do in Japan for my earlier trip. But I never really had the opportunity to try it until those early days of living in Osaka. I didn’t hesitate to seize the opportunity. I had some fugu! And it was… meh. It doesn’t really have flavour, so it’s definitely a fish you need with a bit of sauce. Anyway, obviously I didn’t die – because serving Fugu is heavily controlled. Apparently about 100 people die every year of eating Fugu, but pretty much all of them died because they tried to prepare it themselves.

And so, Fugu is the most adventurous thing I’ve ever eaten. And, I cheated death just like Homer Simpson.

(Photo Credit: Raita Futo)