Pastor Wayne Cordeiro
September 13, 2020 - W2037

Twenty-Fifth Anniversary 

How Then Shall We Live?

Pastor Wayne Cordeiro & Pastor John Tilton

September 12 & 13, 2020 

[Video]

PASTOR WAYNE: Aloha and Happy 25th Anniversary, New Hope Ohana!  God has been faithful in providing everything that we have needed to fulfill our assignment and calling, which is to preach the gospel in such a way that turns non?Christians into converts, converts into disciples, and disciples into leaders. Also, during this period, over 140 New Hope churches, worldwide, were planted: Japan 17, Myanmar 16, Taiwan, Australia, Okinawa, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, and the US Mainland. Also, over 200,000 first?time decisions were made for Christ, and we've seen many leaders equipped to carry the Baton of Faith into tomorrow's world! We're not done yet, and neither is God! 

Some may ask, “With all of the uncertainties surrounding us, what is our future?  What will become of New Hope?”  Here's my answer: “Our future is within our ranks; and our future lies around us!” I see our emerging young leaders speaking, teaching, and leading. I see our musicians, singers, technicians, teachers, counsellors, and care group leaders ministering.  So, our future is not what lies unseen way ahead of us; no, we're not just wishing and waiting for things to be given to us, we will use what God has already provided--that's where our future lies!

Jesus is our leader! He is in charge, not me or any of the other wonderful pastors or servants who have been serving with us.  Each was a gift in their own right, and we're grateful for their time among us. But Jesus Christ, alone, has always been at the helm; He will continue to be so into the future!  Jesus is our Great Shepherd, Lord, and Creator. We'll keep our eyes fixed on Him!   

At this defining moment of our 25th Anniversary, I want to say how honored I am to be a part of the New Hope family! New Hope will always be my home church, even though I'm pioneering a new church and building a new generation of young leaders in other places!  My prayer is that we will be able to increase as God grows us. I'll do my best to disciple as many leaders as I can, whose lives will honor our Lord Jesus.  It's people, not things or buildings, that are the building blocks of New Hope's future.

I've seen the students in our colleges grow and develop like never before! In looking forward to the next 25 years, I see students as pioneers, shepherds, musicians, Levites, children's workers, counselors, and film and video directors. Now, I'd like to charge our young men and women of New Hope if God is calling you to be a leader, pursue that with all your heart; and I'll do anything I can to help you because the kingdom of God needs leaders like we have in New Hope! Everything that Jesus has designed for our great church is not in building bricks, but in building people! Many years ago, Jesus asked me to build Big People, not big buildings. We will continue to do that!

Remember, God is not done yet! Indeed, our greatest days are still to come!  The future we saw was within our ranks--in Dan and Carol Ann Shima, Calvin and Marsha Kochi, Arlene Delisio, and John and Lanu Tilton.  There are budding saints ready to give the same kind of commitment that God used in the past to build us as we are now! He will do that again for our future. God bless every one of you. Let's serve Him together until He takes us home to be with him forever.  God bless you on this 25th Anniversary, New Hope Oahu!

[End Video] 

PASTOR JOHN:  This weekend, as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary, we are also celebrating Grandparent’s Day. We are privileged today to hear from the most beloved couple in the history of New Hope; they have been like parents to many of us and have served with Pastor Wayne in planting and launching our church--Uncle Dan and Carol Ann Shima!  

UNCLE DAN:  You know, John, Carol Ann and I were looking forward to celebrating this anniversary with you all; I am amazed at how quickly 25 years have flown by! Oh, my goodness, so many memories, so many tears, so much joy, and all because the hand of God has always been the defining presence at New Hope.  I remember feeling very uncomfortable in the beginning because we knew very little about planting a church! But thank God, He gave that knowledge to Pastor Wayne!  Pastor Wayne would tell me: “You know, Dan, just dream. Dream. And God will show you what He wants done.  Just listen, hear, and trust Him!” 

PASTOR JOHN:  One of my fondest memories--and one that I will always hold onto as an administrator--is the story about the first New Hope church service and what happened to the offering.  Can you tell us, Uncle Dan, what happened to that offering?

UNCLE DAN:  God always provided for us; and, in spite of our best intentions, God knew what we needed; not what we wanted--big difference! For the first service, we rented chairs from United Rent?All; after the second Sunday service, I went to City Mill Home Improvement Center and purchased 300 Samsonite plastic chairs. When someone asked me, "What did you do with the offering you collected?"  I would say, "You're sitting on it!"  

PASTOR JOHN:  You know, Uncle Dan, over the past 25 years, in your humble and supportive ways, you always made sure that there was a seat at the table of God for new members and young leaders.  I want to thank you for your thoughtfulness.  Do you recall a time at New Hope when God's faithfulness was very evident, even in the midst of uncertainty and challenge?

UNCLE DAN:  In the first year of the church plant, New Hope was a homeless church; and we met at Stevenson Middle School on September 10th, I believe.  But, when the church had grown to about 1500 within the first 6 months of the church plant, we had to move because we broke the fire code! Then God provided UH Campus Center; but in 3 months we again broke the fire code and were asked to move! In the next 5 months, we went to different venues, hotels, ballrooms, anywhere we could go.  We even went to the Stan Sheriff arena in the summer, but we had to get out by August because the basketball and volleyball teams were practicing; then, God provided Farrington High School Auditorium.  All along the way, God took care of us in miraculous ways. 

PASTOR JOHN:  Amen.  Carol Ann, I've heard that over the past 25 years, there's something that you do faithfully every week--can you tell us about that?  

CAROL ANN:  Well, Pastor Wayne mentioned about calling first?time visitors to follow up and welcome them to New Hope. So, I called your home, and you answered, "Aloha, this is the Tilton Hilton."  That was part of the beginning of the Tilton journey at New Hope!  Serving together is all about building relationships with the Lord and with each other. God has given everyone a gift that He wants us to use. Over time, I realized that He had given me a gift to encourage others. So, I write notes to thank, encourage, refresh, and give hope to people. Serving is about building relationships with the Lord and with each other. 

PASTOR JOHN: Let me ask this last question.  What has and will continue to make New Hope so special?

UNCLE DAN:  You know, John, I think that everything we tried to do was to emulate what Jesus and the disciples did. New Hope is doing that and it's more evident today than it was 25 years ago!  We are still busy planting churches; the people have a heart of kindness and compassion to take care of the poor and the widowed. New Hope has a wonderful group of young leaders and we are so encouraged and excited about the next 25 years!

PASTOR JOHN:  Dear Uncle Dan and Carol Ann: “May God bless you, keep you safe, and healthy.  May His favor and love shine abundantly down on you!  On behalf of our family, to you, our grandparents, per se, we love you dearly and thank you again.”  Thank you, Pastor Wayne, Uncle Dan, and Carol Ann for such an inspirational and encouraging charge.  In the midst of uncertainty, Jesus Christ is, indeed, at the helm; He is our leader and in charge!  

THE CURRENT SERMON SERIES IS, "HOW THEN SHALL WE LIVE?"

You may be feeling very inspired and encouraged right now; however, given all that is going on in our Islands, the challenges, and oppression that we are facing daily, how can we apply what we just heard, and what is a takeaway for us today?  My charge to you is this: 

1. Remain Steadfast and Never Give in Or Give Up

We are in the midst of trials and tests, but we must stand firm.  

James 1:12 RSV says: "Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him."

2. Look to Jesus and Look within Ourselves

Even in the midst of pandemic and uncertainty, we can stand firm if we remember that God gave us everything that we need to plan, pray, and to proceed.  Sit down with a fellow believer you trust to process and plan through your challenges; pray together and give your situation to God with expectation and thanksgiving; and proceed by taking a step of faith--out of the boat!

Philippians 2:13 NKJV says: "...for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." and Philippians 4:13 NKJV says: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 

3. No Fear of Failure, but Instead Faith Beyond Failure   

We all know that Babe Ruth was an all?time home run champion in baseball with 714 major league home runs; but, did you know that he was also the all?time strikeout champion?  Yes, he struck out almost twice as often as he hit home runs!  The secret to his success: "I just keep on swinging."  Don't let fear keep you on the bench.

4. Never Give In, Never Give Up 

One of the biggest boxing matches of the 20th century took place on November 25, 1980, at the Superdome.  It was a rematch between Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran, who won the previous fight and was a favorite to win.  Duran won his last 41 fights with a record 72 wins and just one loss. The rematch was a close fight, and only a point or two separated the fighters, but then something unthinkable happened in the eighth round. Roberto Duran turned to the referee and said two words, "No mas.  No mas," which means no more.  He quit.  He wasn't injured.  He wasn't cut.  He was frustrated and, he had enough.  He was one of the best fighters ever to step into the ring; but now, whenever his name is mentioned, the people only remember that he quit!

One of the most famous commencement addresses in history was given by Sir Winston Churchill as he charged the graduates that day and said, "Never, never, never, never--In nothing--great or small, large or petty--give in except to convictions of honor and good sense!” That is also the message of Jesus Christ.

On this 25th Anniversary, Jesus has a gift for you, a blessing: Numbers 6:24 NIV: “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”This encapsulates who we are and epitomizes our Lord's love for us. His hand is upon us, and upon all He's enabled us to do at New Hope Oahu.  

STUDY QUESTIONS: 

1. How are you showing God that you are not giving up on your pursuit to be more like Him?

2. In what ways are you showing others how to not be afraid of failure?

3. How are you looking to Jesus and within yourself

4. What are you doing daily to remain steadfast and to never give in or give up?

5.  How are you spreading the good word of the Lord to others?