Central Coast, Olivet Centre
Lecture 3 of the Easter Retreat at Oceania Olivet Center was delivered by Pastor Faith Yang, OA Oceania General Secretary. The retreat continued to bring deep spiritual insights and powerful reflection through this important lecture.
Before the message, cell groups were given three discussion questions to prepare their hearts and minds. Two questions were designed to review the previous sermons and lectures, while the third question invited participants to reflect more personally. It asked: What is the reason for joy in Jesus? Another key question was: What are the three purposes of the coming of the Lord? These questions helped to guide the audience into the theme of the lecture.
Pastor Faith’s message focused on the judgment that was brought through the life of Jesus Christ. She clearly explained the meanings of sin, righteousness, and judgment as taught in the Gospel of John.
1. Sin
The lecture began with the topic of sin. It was explained that even worldly standards of morality help people recognize sinful actions. John the Baptist also called people to repent, but the repentance he taught was mainly about various deeds and behaviors.
However, the sin highlighted through the Gospel is deeper. On the day of Pentecost, Peter spoke about the sin of “murdering the author of life.” This means that rejecting Jesus, who is the full expression of God’s love, is a great sin. To not believe in Jesus is to reject the love God has freely given to all. This gave the audience a deeper understanding that sin is not just about actions, but also about rejecting the One whom God has sent.
2. Righteousness
Pastor Faith then explained the difference between the old righteousness and the new righteousness. The old righteousness, based on the Law, exposes people’s sins and brings judgment. But Jesus revealed a new righteousness-one that comes from the grace of God.
Even though all people have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, they are justified freely through faith in Jesus Christ. This grace is given without discrimination. Not only did Jesus reveal the righteousness of God, but He also gives this righteousness to those who accept His love.
The message strongly emphasized that faith means accepting. Many retreat participants were touched by this point. Some shared later that they had always thought they needed to do something or give something to receive salvation. But the message helped them realize that salvation comes by receiving and accepting what Jesus has already done. The children of God are called to open their hearts to what the Lord has given, not to rely on human works.
3. Judgment
The final part of the lecture explored the meaning of judgment. Pastor Faith led the audience through the reasons behind God’s creation of the world and human beings. Using Jeremiah 17:9, she explained how the human heart became corrupted-“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.”
Because of sin, Satan became the ruler of this world, ruling over people through the weakness of their flesh. Many false teachings separate the heart from the body, claiming to be spiritual while continuing in corruption, like empty kernels of weeds.
However, Jesus came in the flesh and lived as a real man. Through His physical death on the cross, He overcame the power of death and broke Satan’s rule. This judgment came not only in words, but through the very life of Jesus. The church is now called to witness this truth and live by the victory Jesus has accomplished in His body.
Lecture 3 was a powerful time of truth and grace. It helped the retreat participants understand the deep spiritual meaning behind sin, righteousness, and judgment, and led many to reflect on how the children of God are to respond to the love of God. The message made clear that true joy in Jesus comes not from what the believers do, but from receiving what Christ has already done.
Event Date: Sat, April 19, 2025