ND English Worship

+ Welcome | Caleb Chan

Welcome to ND Church
We would love to get to know you if this is your first time joining us.

Praise and Worship - On That Day

Praise and Worship - Image

+ Alternate Reading - 1 Peter 4

Living for God
4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body has finished with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do – living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Suffering for being a Christian
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,

‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’

19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Focal Point: Deacon Nomination

Reciprocal Psalm - Psalm 62

+ Congregational Prayer

• In light of ANZAC day we remember those who faithfully served the country. We pray for their families and give thanks for the all veterans. Help us be a people who are zealous for peace and await Jesus' return and the true peace you bring.
• Pray for the flooding that has occurred through numerous parts of the Guangdong province in China. Pray for a swift clean up and recovery for those who have been impacted. Also pray for the increasingly unpredictable and intense weather caused by global warming, that Governments around the world might work to help reduce the impacts.
• Pray for the numerous Growth groups of our church, that as new groups have begun, relationships will deepen and our knowledge of the Bible may continue to grow.
• Pray that Jade can find other women of peace who would be keen to read the Scriptures together and be discipled. Pray that Jade may work in unity with the local churches and outreach/women’s ministries for God’s honour.

+ Sermon Passage - Isaiah 14:1-23

14 The Lord will have compassion on Jacob;
once again he will choose Israel
and will settle them in their own land.
Foreigners will join them
and unite with the descendants of Jacob.
2 Nations will take them
and bring them to their own place.
And Israel will take possession of the nations
and make them male and female servants in the Lord’s land.
They will make captives of their captors
and rule over their oppressors.

3 On the day the Lord gives you relief from your suffering and turmoil and from the harsh labour forced on you, 4 you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon:

How the oppressor has come to an end!
How his fury has ended!
5 The Lord has broken the rod of the wicked,
the sceptre of the rulers,
6 which in anger struck down peoples
with unceasing blows,
and in fury subdued nations
with relentless aggression.
7 All the lands are at rest and at peace;
they break into singing.
8 Even the junipers and the cedars of Lebanon
gloat over you and say,
‘Now that you have been laid low,
no one comes to cut us down.’

9 The realm of the dead below is all astir
to meet you at your coming;
it rouses the spirits of the departed to greet you –
all those who were leaders in the world;
it makes them rise from their thrones –
all those who were kings over the nations.
10 They will all respond,
they will say to you,
‘You also have become weak, as we are;
you have become like us.’
11 All your pomp has been brought down to the grave,
along with the noise of your harps;
maggots are spread out beneath you
and worms cover you.

12 How you have fallen from heaven,
morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
13 You said in your heart,
‘I will ascend to the heavens;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.’
15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead,
to the depths of the pit.

16 Those who see you stare at you,
they ponder your fate:
‘Is this the man who shook the earth
and made kingdoms tremble,
17 the man who made the world a wilderness,
who overthrew its cities
and would not let his captives go home?’

18 All the kings of the nations lie in state,
each in his own tomb.
19 But you are cast out of your tomb
like a rejected branch;
you are covered with the slain,
with those pierced by the sword,
those who descend to the stones of the pit.
Like a corpse trampled underfoot,
20 you will not join them in burial,
for you have destroyed your land
and killed your people.

Let the offspring of the wicked
never be mentioned again.
21 Prepare a place to slaughter his children
for the sins of their ancestors;
they are not to rise to inherit the land
and cover the earth with their cities.

22 ‘I will rise up against them,’
declares the Lord Almighty.
‘I will wipe out Babylon’s name and survivors,
her offspring and descendants,’
declares the Lord.
23 ‘I will turn her into a place for owls
and into swampland;
I will sweep her with the broom of destruction,’
declares the Lord Almighty.

This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

+ Sermon | David Truong

Yahweh: God of all nations

• Oracle against Babylon (13:1-22)
• Promise to Israel (14:1-2)
• Taunt against Babylon (14:3-23)
• Our Response?

Responding Song - God Over All

Responding Song - There Is A Fountain

+ Announcements

Mens Ministry | 4 May 2024
Our second Men's Ministry Event will be happening on Saturday 4th May at the ND church building (41 Boundary Road, North Epping) from 5:30 pm. We will be going through how we as men can be blessings in our families. We will also be sharing a meal together afterwards! Please RSVP here. Contact Alex or Ringo if you have questions.

ND AGM | 5 May 2024
ND Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Sunday, 5th May, 1:30pm at EBHS Edmund Barton Hall. ND members please mark down the date and attend AGM in person. One of the important agenda will be electing our 2024-2026 church deacons, 11 candidates are as follows: Ronald Cheng, Vivian Cheng, Steven Cheung, Levina Chim, Ada Chu, Amy Fung, Eric Fung, Matthew Lee, Lawrence Leung, Li-Shia Lo, Stella Yeung. A light lunch (Korean Kimbap) will be arranged before the AGM, donation is encouraged. Please register for lunch before 28/4, registration link: https://tinyurl.com/nd2024agm
The AGM notice of meeting, proxy form and the deacons profile booklet will be emailed to all members today (14/4). If you need a hard-copy, please talk to the deacons in charge.
ND Annual Report 2023 has been published, you can download from the ND website.

Day Conference | 18 May 2024
ND will be hosting a day conference on the 18th of May thinking through the theme of "Six woes and a wow!" from the book of Isaiah. We have invited a guest speaker, Peter Lau. Registration is open until the 21st of April 2024. Register here! Any questions, speak to Jeremy Lai.

ND35 Anniversary Yearbook
You are cordially invited to participate in thanksgiving and celebration. Please email us your testimony, photos, birthday wishes to specialevents@ndcccs.org.au before end of May.

35 Weeks of Devotions | Weekly
ND’s 35 weeks of devotions have commenced. These are distributed each Monday on the 35th Anniversary English Devotions WhatsApp community. We encourage everyone to use these devotions on three days each week and to share your reflections with each other! Please speak to Viv if you haven’t received these devotions.

ND Short Term Mission Trip | November 2024
ND is organising a short term mission trip to Cambodia in the last 2 weeks of November 2024. To see God at work, support our missionaries Sunny and Wendy and understand the need for the gospel. Registration starts now until 19 May. Speak with Pastor Patrick to express interest or for further questions.

+ Closing & Prayer

Thanks for joining us at service today. Just a reminder for regular attendees that our direct debit details are available below for regular giving.

+ What happens during the week?

Next week Sermon Passage: Isaiah 24-27
Sermon Title: Songs of Praise
Speaker: Doug Fyfe

ND church does not just meet on Sunday, but we continue to spend time together, encourage one another and build each other up during the week.

Tuesday: Growth Groups 8-10pm (Uni and above)
Thursday: Playgroup 10am-12pm (Pre-kindergarten kids and their parents)
Friday: WIRED.YG FM 7:30-9:30pm (Year 7-12)
Sunday: WIRED.YG AM 9:45-11am (Year 7-12) / Kids For Christ (Kindy - Year 6)

+ Attendance and Collection Information