4/13 Palm Sunday "Passion of Christ"

Palm Sunday Sermon

Date: April 13, 2025

Title: Passion of Christ

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

1 When they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,

2 saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied, and her colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me.

3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.

7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them.

8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”

11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

"Today is Palm Sunday.

As we just read, when Jesus entered Jerusalem, a great multitude spread their cloaks, their entire fortune, on the road to welcome the king’s procession, and waved palm branches, shouting praises.

'Hosanna, Hosanna!

Son of David!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest!'

That’s why it’s called Palm Sunday."

"I didn’t grow up in a Christian household, so I wasn’t very familiar with Lent, Holy Week, Good Friday, or Easter.

In our evangelical Protestantism, every day is emphasized as the Lord’s Day, so observing these special days has been somewhat weakened.

Of course, it would be best to regard every day as the Lord’s Day and every Sunday as Easter, but is that really the case?

Isn’t it often the case that even Sunday, which means the Lord’s Day, is actually regarded as one’s own day?"

"Therefore, I feel it is necessary to appropriately emphasize important commemorative days.

In fact, for us Christians, Easter is more important than Christmas.

That’s why, before Christmas, we spend a special time for four weeks called Advent, and the period to prepare for Easter is designated as a full 40 days.

That’s why it’s called Lent."

"The Wednesday that marks the beginning of Lent is called Ash Wednesday, and not only in Roman Catholicism but also in the Anglican, Lutheran, and Methodist churches, a ritual of marking the forehead with ashes in the shape of a cross is performed that morning.

It is a time to remember that we are beings who deserve to become ash but have been saved by the grace of Jesus, and it is also an opportunity to express one’s faith by going around all day without washing it off.

I remember being surprised on my first Ash Wednesday in the United States."

"I was surprised by the sight of people walking around with a somewhat smudged black cross on their foreheads, but also by seeing friends from school and thinking, ‘Were you actually a Christian?’

In fact, on that day, the cross on the forehead is often seen as a sign that one is a child of God who has received salvation, so there are many families who have a tradition of visiting a church that morning to receive the mark, even if they don’t usually attend church.

And 40 days after that, excluding Sundays, is Easter Sunday."

"This year, Ash Wednesday was March 5th, and Easter Sunday, which is six weeks after that excluding Sundays, is April 20th.

(6x6 = 36 + 4 (Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat) = 40) So, you understand Ash Wednesday and Lent, right?

And the last week of Lent, starting today, is called ‘Holy Week.’"

"After entering Jerusalem, Jesus was arrested on Thursday night and crucified on Friday afternoon.

The Friday of that week is the evening when Jesus breathed his last on the cross, so we commemorate it as Holy Friday or Good Friday and hold a worship service.

Now!

Have the meanings of Ash Wednesday, Lent, and Good Friday become clear?"

"Let’s say you are scheduled to ascend to heaven next week.

If you only have four days left on earth, what would you do during that time?

That situation is what was happening to Jesus.

Therefore, the events of this last week—the approximately four days before being arrested by the chief priests—cannot help but have a very important meaning.

Today, I would like to organize them by day."

"On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem amidst the tremendous cheers of the crowd.

The reason there were so many people in Jerusalem at that time was that it was the time of the Passover, the greatest Jewish holiday.

In fact, Jesus and his disciples had come to Jerusalem to officially observe the Passover.

Jesus received the cheers of the people, but Luke records that he wept, rather than being pleased."

"[Luke 19:41-44] 41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, 'Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace!

But now they are hidden from your eyes.

43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up an obstacle wall around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.’"

"This was not because of the painful things that would happen to him.

It was because God showed him the terrible judgment that would soon take place in that city.

About 40 years after Jesus made this prophecy, in 70 AD, there was an event in which the Roman Empire’s army besieged and captured Jerusalem.

The Roman army, led by the Roman general Titus (who later became emperor), completely cut off escape routes and supply lines by building a siege wall, about 8 kilometers long, around Jerusalem."

"This precisely matches the part of the prophecy, 'will set up an obstacle wall around you and surround you and hem you in on every side.'

Josephus, a historian, recorded that an enormous number of Jews (estimated at about 1.1 million) were killed.

The Roman army destroyed the city of Jerusalem.

In particular, Herod’s Temple, which was the center of the Jewish faith, was burned down and completely destroyed."

"The Western Wall, known today as the ‘Wailing Wall,’ is part of the massive retaining wall surrounding the Temple Mount, not the main building of the Temple.

The Temple itself disappeared without a trace.

This was the terrible fulfillment of the prophecy, 'they will not leave one stone upon another in you.'

What made this week Holy Week was not only the persecution and physical suffering that Jesus endured from the religious leaders, but also the culmination of his sadness and anguish over the fate of Israel that would unfold afterward, and his deep sorrow for the people who stubbornly refused to turn back."

"The events of Jesus’ Holy Week are recorded in detail in the Gospels, but it is the Gospel of Mark that records them in chronological order.

First, on Palm Sunday, he enters the temple and looks around at everything, and then, as evening falls, he returns to Bethany.

On Monday, the next day, as Jesus was going to Jerusalem, he cursed a fig tree that had only leaves and no fruit.

It was a very difficult action to understand."

"At that time, a huge crowd was gathering in Jerusalem.

The reason they were gathering was to offer Passover sacrifices.

However, they had long lost the true meaning of the Passover.

Although many people gathered, there were very few who truly loved God, and there were only abundant leaves.

The fig tree that could not bear fruit symbolized the corruption of Israel."

"The evidence of this was the state of the temple.

Jesus had once cleansed the temple, which had become a marketplace filled with merchants, early in his ministry, but the temple had returned to its original state, crowded with money changers, merchants selling sacrifices, and people who came to buy things.

Also, the fact that it had only leaves and no fruit meant that it was lush only on the outside, and that was the state of the temple at that time.

The appearance of the temple, which was much larger in area and volume than Solomon’s Temple, completed according to God’s specific commands, and decorated much more splendidly, also made Jesus angry."

"[Mark 11:15-18] 15 And they came to Jerusalem.

And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the chairs of those who sold pigeons.

16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple.

17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, 'Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’?

But you have made it a den of robbers.'

18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching."

"Jesus again entered the temple, overturned the tables, and drove out the animals with a whip.

Considering that he did not often show such anger, it is clear that what made the Lord most angry, as in the case of withering the fig tree, was ‘hypocrisy’—losing the essence and being flashy only on the outside.

Tuesday was the day when Jesus taught the disciples an enormous number of things.

From Jesus’s point of view, it was the day when he felt he had to urgently tell them many things because there were not many days left to teach them directly."

"First, to the disciples who were amazed to see the fig tree withered from the roots, he taught about the power of prayer.

If you ask in faith, even a mountain can be lifted up and thrown into the sea.

When we see this part, it may feel like Jesus is giving an irrelevant answer.

We want more of an answer about why he caused such a strange thing to happen, but what the Lord was more urgent about was that the power of God would come upon the disciples who would be left behind after he left."

"Is the saying that if you ask with 100% certainty, even a mountain will be moved, mean that if you have 100% conviction, all your wishes will come true?

If you have 100% conviction, will even something that goes against God’s will happen?

Of course not.

Therefore, what Jesus urgently emphasized was that if you know God’s will and pray with the faith to believe it, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished with God!"

"He wanted them to have that power and faith so that they could live with that power in the persecutions and dangers that would soon come.

Also, seeing the poor widow’s offering, he praised her, saying that she gave the most, rather than the rich people who boasted and gave a lot of money.

He shows that in matters of finance, the ways of the world and the kingdom of God are completely different."

"Following this, Jesus teaches the way of God’s kingdom, which is different from the world, through three parables.

The first parable, the parable of the two sons, is about a father who asked his first son to do something, and the son said he didn’t want to, but later repented and went and did it.

But the second son said ‘yes’ in reply, but did not go.

At the end of this parable, he said that tax collectors and prostitutes would enter the kingdom of God before the religious people."

"In the end, this parable is saying that those who seem outwardly obedient but are actually passively resistant are worse off than the sinners who seem not to listen now but eventually completely turn around, repent, and return.

Second, the parable of the vineyard is about a owner who entrusted a vineyard to tenants and kept sending people to receive some of the produce, but the tenants instead drove them out and killed them.

Finally, the owner sent his son, thinking, ‘They will respect my son,’ but the tenants said, ‘This is the heir; let us kill him and take his inheritance,’ and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard."

"It was a terrible story of God’s fearsome judgment on the owner who was furious about it and destroyed them all.

This parable shows how God feels as he watches Israel, who has consistently ignored the pleas to repent from God’s people like John the Baptist and has even killed them, and now does not welcome his son, Jesus Christ.

And the third parable is the parable of the wedding feast, which is recorded in Matthew 22."

"A king invited people to the grand wedding feast of his son, but the people who were initially invited did not respond to the invitation, saying they had other important things to do.

So the king sent his servants again, telling them to announce again how much he had prepared for the feast, but they now mistreated and drove away the king’s servants.

Then the king was furious and told his servants to invite anyone they found on the streets, and only then was the feast filled."

"What is the common point of these three parables?

First of all, we can see that they are somewhat frightening warnings.

Through these many parables, we can see that what the Lord is trying to do is to wake people up with a jolt.

Because he loves them, he wants to wake them up, open their eyes, and see the truth.

He wants them to see what truly has eternal value, and to see the truth that they are actually wasting their lives in a way that they will only regret for eternity, even though they think they are living diligently."

"Isn’t it true that leaving those who are running at full speed towards a cliff, telling them that everything is fine, is not love?

That’s why he warns them so frighteningly and wakes them up.

In particular, this last parable of the wedding feast ends with a frightening conclusion, with the appearance of a strange character who is eventually kicked out because he is not wearing wedding clothes among those who came to the feast.

There are several interpretations of this person’s problem, and if it is a biblical interpretation, all of them are correct."

"However, looking at the king’s great anger towards him, it is possible that he was the one who had repeatedly refused the invitations at first and had mistreated and driven away the servants.

So, he came to the feast after changing his mind, but he did not have the wedding clothes that were sent with the invitation.

In conclusion, the message of this parable is that the opportunity to be invited by God is not forever.

It is a warning not to miss the opportunity when it comes."

"I have given you a very brief summary, but this Tuesday was a day with many debates and teachings.

It was a day when the urgent cry of the good shepherd, who wanted to open the eyes of even one soul and find even one lost sheep, was evident.

On Wednesday, there was an event in which a woman poured expensive perfume on Jesus.

Everyone was furious."

"Even Jesus’s disciples rebuked the woman, saying it was a waste that could have been used for better purposes.

However, Jesus said that this good deed of the woman would be told wherever the gospel was preached, and he praised her greatly.

This was a declaration that, contrary to common sense and realistic standards, whatever is given to Jesus with a heart of love can never be a waste."

"Now it is Thursday.

Thursday is the day for Jews to have the Passover meal before the Passover.

So, Jesus and his disciples had the ‘Last Supper’ in a place known as the Upper Room.

The only Christian ritual that Jesus commanded is the Eucharist.

The Lord said, 'Do this in remembrance of me.'"

"What is it that we commemorate?

The bread and wine, symbolizing his flesh and blood, are to remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who died for us.

And Paul told us what to do with the power of the Eucharist, which is to proclaim ‘his sacrifice’ and the hope that comes from it until the day the Lord comes again, every time we partake in the Eucharist.

Is the church of this era doing this well?"

"Could the loss of power of Christianity in this era be unrelated to this?

And when we eat and drink the Eucharist, we experience union with the Lord, which is the really important purpose of the Eucharist.

It is to experience love with the Lord as one.

What was importantly emphasized here is that the leadership of the world and the church must be different."

"A person called a leader in the church must be the most humble servant, not someone who dominates.

Washing each other’s feet was described as an act of showing forgiveness to one another.

We are people who have been forgiven.

We are people who have been pardoned from eternal punishment.

Therefore, there can be no one who has committed a greater sin against us than what we have been forgiven."

"Forgiving someone is not only a duty but also a privilege.

When we forgive, God is most pleased, and it becomes a great gift for both the one who is forgiven and the one who forgives.

Another thing is that Judas Iscariot was included among those whose feet Jesus washed.

It was said that washing feet is forgiveness.

Jesus forgave him once again."

"Jesus also prophesied about Peter’s denial of him.

Looking at the situation in detail, it was not a warning because he knew that Peter had no possibility of making a different choice.

Rather, it showed Jesus’s concern to comfort Peter, who would be so discouraged afterward, in advance.

And he gave a new commandment."

"That night was the last night of his ministry with the disciples.

Jesus preached to them and prayed for them.

To summarize all of that, he emphasized and commanded, even calling it a new commandment, 'Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.'

As I organize this, I feel that Jesus really poured everything out during these few days of Holy Week."

"It feels like he was shaking them violently, as if to say, 'If you fall asleep, you will die!'

He gave opportunities, even forgiving the person who had already betrayed him.

How much he wanted the power of God, which can move mountains, to come upon them and upon us!

He imprinted that shocking scene by withering a tree from its roots.

Especially, he kept emphasizing until the end that brothers and sisters should continue to forgive each other as if washing each other’s feet, and to admit their faults and ask for forgiveness as if entrusting their feet to each other, and to love one another as much as they love God."

"He even emphasized that this was a new commandment after the Ten Commandments.

Since Jesus himself defined the Ten Commandments as those two things, this is a re-emphasis!

Even if you don’t know anything else, you must follow my will on this one thing!

Love one another.

And the last event of Thursday night was the Garden of Gethsemane."

"The last lesson Jesus taught his disciples, showing them an example himself, was prayer.

It is recorded that he prayed so earnestly and with all his strength that drops of blood fell to the ground.

It reminds me of the scene where Jacob wrestled with the angel of the Lord all night at the Jabbok River.

However, when you look at how Jesus went to his disciples three times in the middle of such pouring out of prayer, you can see that Jesus wanted to show us that scene."

"The Bible records Jesus’s prayer at that time as follows: [Matthew 26:39] And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'

And, as we all know, that mountain was not moved.

The Gospel mainly records the major events of Jesus’s life, and this scene of prayer in Gethsemane does not seem to be of great help to the overall flow."

"In this scene, Jesus has a different will from God, and it even says that he was afraid to the point of death.

However, the fact that it is recorded in such detail means that the Lord definitely wanted to show us something through this.

We can gain practical wisdom that if even Jesus’s prayer was not answered, our prayers may also be like that, but as I look at this entire Holy Week in connection for the first time, the most strong resonance that came to my heart was Jesus’s sincerity."

"Weren’t all the targets that Jesus so strongly criticized and rebuked all hypocrisy—ultimately, about falsehood?

How strongly did he rebuke and cry out to strip off that ring of falsehood, which was deceiving even himself?

Because nothing can happen if you don’t see the truth, your own miserable spiritual reality.

There is no way to fix it if you are not okay but think you are okay."

"That’s why he showed it.

Even his own weakest self without any pretense… How much did he want the disciples to live like that?

Truly sincerely… freely in the truth… How much did he want them to live without falsehood or hypocrisy?

Therefore, when we look at ourselves in this mirror called Jesus, we will face our own miserable selves that we cannot lift our heads up."

"But we must face it.

We must offer our shameful hearts to the Lord.

The journey of a Christian’s faith is, in fact, the continuous repetition of that process.

Then, we will become humble enough to show ourselves completely even to the people we need to help.

And they will see Jesus in someone like me.

If you love the Lord, and you begin to look at your brothers and sisters with that love, that day will surely come."

"Holy Week begins today… Jesus’s suffering was to make us truly free.

During this year’s Holy Week, let us reflect on ourselves in the mirror of Jesus… Although it cannot be compared to Jesus’s suffering, it may be a bit painful to face the reality.

But as a result, we will become more free."

"This coming Friday is Good Friday.

Good Friday is the climax of Holy Week, and it is the day when Jesus, who even wanted to avoid the cross, finally faced it and opened the way of hope and salvation to countless hopeless sinners.

Until the Friday worship service commemorating that day, let us encounter Jesus’s zeal.

Let Monday be the day to purify our hearts, Tuesday to meditate on the many teachings, Wednesday to find things to waste for Jesus, and Thursday to face the mirror of Jesus, who wanted us to be truthful in our weakest status."

"Let us pray."

4/6 Joy of Disciples and Saints

Acts Sermon series 48

Date: April 6, 2025

Title: Joy of Disciples and Saints

Text (Acts 9:26–31, NIV):

26 When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.

27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.

28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him.

30 When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

⸻

A Change of Ownership

In today’s passage we see how the believers in Jerusalem struggled to accept Saul. From their perspective, their fear was understandable. It was as shocking as if a ruthless oppressor—one who had arrested and even killed Christians—suddenly reappeared as a champion for independence.

But Saul himself must have felt deeply hurt. After fleeing Damascus in a basket to escape death threats, he finally reached Jerusalem, hoping for fellowship and safety among the apostles. Instead, he found suspicion.

Worse yet, the Greek-speaking Jews who had once been his companions now labeled him “Public Enemy No. 1,” a traitor whose life was in danger. Even within the church walls, Saul had nowhere to turn—until one brother stepped forward.

“But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles…” (Acts 9:27a)

Do you remember the name Barnabas? During the months of revival following Pentecost, the apostles and the early believers—mostly poor—lived together, sharing meals and resources. This required generous funding. Among those who gave sacrificially, one man stands out in Scripture for his generosity and encouragement: Joseph, nicknamed Barnabas.

“Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.” (Acts 4:36–37, NIV)

Though his given name was Joseph, everyone called him “Barnabas”—“son of encouragement,” or “son of consolation.” What a fitting nickname! The Bible preserves this detail to show how vital he was to the young church.

When Barnabas sold his field, his motivation was beautifully simple:

“He had land; so he sold it and brought the money…” (Acts 4:37a)

No elaborate explanation—just, “I had land, so I gave it.” It’s like someone pouring their heart into service and, when asked why, replying simply, “Because I can.”

Barnabas was that kind of person.

When he heard what had happened to Saul—how the Lord had appeared to him on the road, how Saul had preached boldly in Damascus—he believed it without hesitation. While others shied away or doubted, Barnabas stood by Saul, vouching for him before the apostles.

In this, Barnabas reminds us of Boaz, who rescued Naomi and Ruth. Though he isn’t a headline figure throughout Scripture, Barnabas shines as a model disciple—one whom the Lord highlights for our example.

Just as his name suggests, Barnabas was a son of encouragement and strength—not only to the church but to God Himself.

Children Who Bring God Joy

God loves all His children, but there are some who bring Him special delight—just like Barnabas.

In the Old Testament book of Job, we see God speaking of Job with pleasure and boasting about him before the angels.  David, Moses, Abraham, Joseph, and, as we saw last week, Ruth the Moabite and Boaz—all of these brightly shining figures in Scripture were children whom God especially delighted in.

Don’t you want to be someone who brings joy to God?

Think of children: when they draw a picture or make something, they can’t wait to show it to their teacher or parent.  When they do well on a test, they shout, “Look, Dad! Look, Mom!”  They want to be a source of joy.

Every person has a natural desire to be loved, affirmed, and to bring joy.  When that desire is directed wrongly, it can ruin lives—but at its root, it springs from our Creator-Father.

In his Confessions, Augustine of Hippo put it this way:

“You have made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”

And the 17th‑century mathematician Blaise Pascal said much the same in his Pensées:

“There was once in man a true happiness, of which all that remains is a trace and a shadow.  Man endeavors to fill this void with everything around him, but it is all in vain.  This infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object—that is to say, only by God himself.”

Not only Christians but the wisest in the world agree: human desire is endless.  You cannot fill an infinite void with finite things.

What sets us free?

When you’re recognized and praised at work or at home, it means you have met someone’s expectations—and there are few feelings sweeter than that.  You’ve done your part.

But that satisfaction vanishes the moment you fail to meet those expectations.  How then can we fill this infinite space?

Jesus gave us the answer:

“The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”

—John 8:29 (NIV)

Our Lord Jesus, the perfect Son of God, always did what pleased the Father—and so the Father was always with Him.  This is the only sure way.

To be God’s child is to be God’s delight.

Like a toddler learning to walk and feed himself, this is an ongoing process—and yet it holds the hope of completion, of maturity.

Scripture makes clear the difference between a life that bears fruit and one that does not:

“If anyone builds on this foundation [of Christ] using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,

their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light.  It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.

If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.

If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.”

—1 Corinthians 3:12–15 (NIV)

On that Day nothing will be hidden.  All that we have done—whether out of love for the Lord or for ourselves—will be laid bare.

Those who have accepted Jesus as the Christ may wander and live as though they were their own masters, but unless they fall beyond the reach of repentance, most will turn back in true repentance and be saved at the last moment.  Yet their lives will be filled with regret—watching their labor become ashes, meeting the Lord in sorrow and shame.

As your pastor and brother, my mission is to help you avoid such tragedy.  I long for every member of our community to have a life filled with eternal, shining moments with the Lord.

That’s why through these sermons, through service, retreats, missions, one‑on‑one encounters, and every means available, I teach you how to spend time with the Lord, help you focus in prayer, and, when your heart is drawn away by distractions, I urge and challenge you to wake up.

Ask yourself: are you “investing” in things that will burn away?  Or are you living for the things that will shine forever?

Disciples and Saints

Aside from cults, North Point Church has been the largest church in the United States for several years.  Its pastor, Andy Stanley, once said in a sermon that the very first name given to us—before we were ever called “Christians”—was “disciples.”  This remark made headlines in most Christian publications at the time:

“Christians are, in fact, all ‘disciples’!”

What do you think?  Is that surprising to you?  In many evangelical churches—ours included—the Great Commission at the end of Matthew’s Gospel (“go and make disciples of all nations” [Matt. 28:19, NIV]) is regarded as the church’s primary purpose.  Logically, then, everyone who believes in Jesus is ultimately a disciple.  So it’s almost puzzling that the statement “all Christians are disciples” caused such a stir.

Why were people so amazed?  Clearly, they regarded “disciples” as something special—reserved for an elite few.  Only when I saw their reaction did I understand: many churchgoers happily call themselves “Christians,” but hesitate to call themselves “disciples.”

What makes them draw a line between an ordinary Christian and a disciple?  Seminary training?  Those who feel “called” to ministry?  Or perhaps only those who have completed an advanced “disciple-making” Bible study?

In truth, the reason “disciple” feels too weighty for many is that they assume Jesus’ hard sayings don’t apply to them.  For example:

“Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:

‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.  And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.’”

—Luke 14:25–27 (NIV)

To love Jesus more than your own family—or even your own life—and to take up your cross is no optional extra.  Jesus Himself made that clear.  Do you think these demands apply only to some “special” disciples, but not to ordinary Christians?  Do you want to remain in the crowd rather than truly follow Him?

In Acts, another title appears: “saints.”  In many churches, “saints” is used more loosely than “disciples,” often referring to everyone who isn’t a specially trained disciple.  But the Greek word is hagios—“holy ones,” “set-apart people.”  In English, “saint” means “holy one.”

Compared to “disciple” (“one who follows Jesus”), “saint” (“holy one”) is an even higher title.  One of Jesus’ own titles was “the Holy One of God.”  To be called “saints” is not merely to follow Jesus but to be like Jesus.

Two weeks ago at Communion, we examined the meaning of “Christian”—one who acknowledges Christ as Savior, Lord, and King.  So none of these titles—disciple, saint, Christian—is lightweight.  Who are you?  A disciple?  A saint?  A Christian?

In truth, if you are a disciple, you are by definition a saint; and if you are a saint, you cannot help but be a Christian.  So why did the simple statement “Christians were first called disciples” shock so many believers today?  What does that reveal about us?

Is that normal?  If the majority insists on something, does it become the standard?  Even if it contradicts Jesus?  Must we accept that?

Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”

He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.”

—Luke 13:23–24 (NIV)

J.O.Y.

I found this in an old children’s Sunday‑school curriculum: J.O.Y. teaches that God’s joy comes when we set the priorities of our lives in the order of J, O, Y:

1. Jesus first

2. Others second

3. You last

This is the standard God gives us throughout Scripture: “God – community – myself and family.”

The whole Bible commands us with all our strength to love God first, and Jesus Himself taught that our love for our brothers and sisters—the community—expresses our love for God:

“And we have this command from him: Whoever loves God must also love their brother and sister.”

—1 John 4:21 (NIV)

In fact, J and O are so intertwined that there really is no distinction in rank between them.

Through history, faithful Christians have taken this so for granted that they taught it even to children.  But what about today?  Among those who call themselves Christians, how many truly honor Jesus’ command and this divine ordering?

In our day, if you emphasize J‑O‑Y in that sequence, might someone think, “What’s wrong with that pastor?  Isn’t loving Jesus first enough?  What kind of church is this?”

Here’s the truth: if your life’s priorities aren’t J‑O‑Y, then no matter what you claim, you and your family—“Y”—will always come first.

God’s J.O.Y.—His delight—fills that place when we lay aside selfishness.  From there it overflows forever.  That infinite void nothing else could satisfy is filled when God delights in us.

For Barnabas, the joy of giving up his field paled beside the joy of meeting his suffering brothers’ needs—and the infinite joy it brought to God.

That is the joy of a disciple, the joy of a saint, the joy Jesus promised to every Christian.

Joy Is an Inheritance

I have a Mongolian disciple named Khulan, a high‑school senior. Three years ago, she and her mother came to our mission team, saying she desperately wanted to learn English. Every Thursday morning since then, I’ve been helping her with English—even though I’m neither a certified teacher nor particularly skilled, and even though I’m busy with other responsibilities.

Yet none of that stopped me from saying, “Sure—let’s do it!”

Over the years our lessons haven’t always gone smoothly.  She’s had cell‑phone problems and slow internet.  In summer, her family’s rural traditions meant months without classes.  Other Mongolian students joined at first but dropped out for various reasons.  Only Khulan stuck with it, faithfully doing her homework and staying focused on my imperfect teaching.

At first, we could barely communicate.  She imitated native speakers and practiced pronunciation.  Now she can hold basic conversations and even writes English journal entries.

Last week, at the end of our lesson, she surprised me by asking for a recommendation: “Please give me a good song—Jesus song, not just a pop song.”  My heart leapt.  Khulan’s family doesn’t attend church, and though I always began class with a hymn and a prayer, I hadn’t pressed my faith on her.  Early on, we couldn’t even communicate the gospel in English.

But over time she’s shared prayer requests, and her journal entries hinted at an open heart toward God.  Now she was asking me for a worship song.  I immediately had her install an English Bible app and assigned John 1 as her next reading.  She agreed without hesitation.

As we closed in prayer, tears welled in my eyes—tears of JOY overflowing.

Nothing we offer for the Lord’s sake is ever wasted.  He multiplies our small gifts thirty‑, sixty‑, even a hundred‑fold.

Barnabas’s name means “son of encouragement,” “son of consolation.”  I want to be a Barnabas—to each of you, to our community—because that’s how I become a Barnabas to the Lord.  And the abundant joy that flows back will bless me and my family more than anything else.

Even when the world and our flesh pull us toward the easy, wide road, remember the order of JOY:

1. Jesus first

2. Others second

3. You (yourself and family) last

This is God’s order—the priority for a life filled with His infinite joy.

Are you a disciple?  A saint?  A Christian?  Then join in God’s JOY.  Arrange your life in that order.  It’s not merely an option; it’s the only path to true joy.

Filling your heart with anything else only creates a deeper void.  Haven’t we all tried?  Marriage, children, travel, career advancement, a bigger salary—none of it satisfies unless you first become a source of joy to the Lord.  Then you can rightly enjoy those blessings and make them gifts to one another.

So why keep pouring your energy into temporary fillers?  Why believe they’ll satisfy?

Fill your worship and daily life in the J‑O‑Y order.  Like Barnabas, do what needs doing for the Lord and the community simply because “you can.”

Jesus didn’t seek crowds—He sought disciples like Barnabas: believers who encourage one another, who build up the church in God’s joy.  Let’s dream together of a community strengthened by saints filled with divine joy and a growing number of true disciples.

God, who spoke to us today and gave us this desire, will surely bring it to pass as we obey.

Let’s pray.

3/30 The Lord does not mock the child who has fallen after trying to do things by their own strength.

Sermon:

“The Lord does not mock the child who has fallen after trying to do things by their own strength."

Scripture: Ruth 1-22

1 In the days when the judges ruled,[a] there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.

 2 The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.

3 Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 

4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 

5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.

6 When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. 

7 With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.

8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. 

9 May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”

Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud 

10 and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”

11 But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? 

12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— 

13 would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!”

14 At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.

15 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”

16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 

17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” 

18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

19 So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”

20 “Don’t call me Naomi,[b]” she told them. “Call me Mara,[c] because the Almighty[d] has made my life very bitter. 

21 I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted[e] me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”

22 So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.

"Are you coming home today?" "When are you coming?" These are the questions that parents ask in anticipation of their children's coming. 

It is a word that parents ask with anticipation while waiting for their children who are absent or have been away from home for a long time. Children can freely come and go at their parents' house whenever they want. 

We all left Korea or our homeland and came here, but if we want, we can return to our parents' house. However, some people may not want to go back home, or there may be people who can no longer return. 

If, when you left home, there was a serious argument with your parents, and if you had doubts or denial about their love, returning home will not be easy. 

This is because the condition for returning is confessing your mistakes, so you will feel guilt, shame, and embarrassment on the way back home. 

When you see your parents, who might say, 'I knew this would happen. Didn’t I tell you so?' or 'I knew you'd come back begging like this,' it will be hard to go back.

In Luke 15:11-14, the Parable of the Prodigal Son is mentioned. Let's read it together."

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 

12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 

14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 

Like this son, there are many moments when we reveal the prodigal son’s image, and we can relate the heart of the prodigal son to our own hearts. 

We want to search on our own, do things the way we see fit, and have the desire to try things out, preferably by going far away to a distant country to experience everything in life. 

When students go to college, they often want to go as far away from home as possible. Why? Because they want to live without being interfered with, and they want to take those risks and adventures. 

We have the right to leave, and we use it. Moreover, we also have the right to return. Leaving and returning is a continuing theme in life.

There’s a quote that says, “There is a psychoanalytic theory that explains why Christians can become violent towards others. It says that Christians, because they have never truly chosen, experienced, or integrated their faith, are in a state as if they are angry. 

In other words, because their faith is not based on experience but on conclusions learned, they accept faith like a burden they cannot refuse"(Home tonight, Henri Nouwen).

Today’s story is about Naomi’s departure and return. In her story, imagine it as your own story, something that repeatedly happens in your own life, and I pray that the Holy Spirit opens our spiritual eyes.

Naomi’s name means ‘pleasantness,’ but she found herself in a reality that was the opposite of her name. As she returned to her hometown, she told the villagers who recognized her that she was no longer Naomi, but Mara. 

In other words, she said that God had made her life bitter.

She lived during the time of the Judges. What kind of time was it? As soon as Israel entered the land of Canaan, they sinned, and history repeated itself. 

The promised land should have been the kingdom of God, but the people didn’t want God to rule over them directly. Even though they disobeyed God, whenever they were invaded by enemies, they cried out to God, and the Lord raised up judges to save them. 

But once they became comfortable again, they would betray the Lord, serve idols, and do what seemed right in their own eyes. This period of the Judges lasted about 400 years.

 This is similar to how we, who believe in Jesus as our Savior and Lord and are saved, fail during the process of sanctification when we do not follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth. 

When we do what seems right in our own eyes, it is not God's kingdom but our own. One of the reasons the period of the Judges ended in failure was that during this time, Israel did not gather to worship. 

Without worship, they inevitably became focused on visible things, thinking that what they saw was all that mattered.

In this time, a famine occurred. Due to the drought and food shortage, Naomi and her family had no choice but to leave their homeland. God, the Creator of all things, controls the rain, making it stop or fall. 

The famine was a sign that something was not right in the land. Famine due to drought was considered a punishment from God. 

The family of Elimelech left the land of Judah, Bethlehem, to go to the land of Moab to escape the famine. We can understand why Naomi’s family left the land of Judah. 

How could they survive during a famine? They probably left with the thought that no land could be worse than Judah. Naomi’s family seems to have settled down and lived a relatively stable life in Moab. 

However, just when things seemed stable, problems arose. Naomi’s husband died, and her two sons also died. Only three vulnerable women were left—Naomi, the elderly widow, and her two daughters-in-law.

Then, Naomi heard the news that God had shown mercy to the land of Judah, bringing about a plentiful harvest. 

She decided to return to her homeland with her daughters-in-law. On the way back, Naomi urged her daughters-in-law to return to their own homes. 

Her suggestion for them to find new husbands and start fresh was an expression of genuine love for them. She believed that sending them back was the best thing she could do for them. 

Obedient to Naomi’s words, one daughter-in-law, Orpah, returned to her homeland, but the other, Ruth, said she would go with Naomi to the end. 

When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she no longer tried to stop her.

Looking at Ruth, Naomi might have remembered how resolutely she herself had left her Father’s house. 

God did not stop or prevent Naomi and her family from leaving the land of Judah. Just as the father of the prodigal son allowed his son to leave, even though he knew what would happen, God allowed Naomi to leave as well.

The reasons Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth were leaving Moab were different. One was returning to her homeland where her father was, while the other was leaving her parents and going to live with strangers. 

Ruth, despite the possibility of a better future, or even remarriage, chose to go with her elderly mother-in-law, who seemed to have little hope for the future. 

Ruth did not consider other possibilities, even though other paths existed. She chose the path that appeared to have the most hardship, accompanying the elderly Naomi. 

In those days, marriage meant safety and protection for a woman—protection by a husband, raising children, security, and the hope of future happiness. 

Ruth, however, chose to accompany Naomi, who would have to live alone with no one to protect her. Even though Naomi heard the news of the harvest in Judah, Ruth left her family and homeland, not knowing whether her future would be one of abundance or famine. 

From a third-party perspective, this was clearly a difficult and challenging choice.

These two women, with their many stories, return together to the land of Judah. 

When Naomi brings Ruth back to Judah, the village becomes noisy and buzzes with talk.

19 So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”

These villagers ask, 'Is that really Naomi?' This shows how Naomi returned to her hometown and how the people of the village reacted to her appearance. 

Because of this, Naomi tells the people that she is no longer the Naomi but she tells them to call her 'Mara,' which means bitter, because the Lord has brought great suffering upon her. 

This was an appropriate way for Naomi to explain her return to her hometown with nothing, empty-handed. 

Naomi must have left Judah with bitterness in her heart, doubting and distrusting God's existence, power, and love, thinking that she could overcome the famine on her own. 

God was not the one who stopped her; the Lord allowed her to do as she wished. Just as the father of the prodigal son allowed his son to leave, despite knowing what would happen, Naomi was allowed to leave as well. 

The father’s love for the son was not expressed by stopping him from leaving or threatening him, but by letting him go.

We can assume that Naomi lived somewhat decently in Moab, but in the place where she stayed for a while, she lost her husband and two sons. 

Naomi must have wanted to leave the land of Moab, where she had lost everything. How could Naomi, who couldn’t bear the famine in Judah with her family, endure the 'famine' of life in Moab, a place where she had no one? 

Ten years ago, Judah was the land of famine, but now, Moab had become the land of famine. There is no place on earth that is truly safe. 

A land of famine can become a land of plenty, and a land of plenty can turn into a land of famine. How have you responded when you have encountered such confusing situations?

Henry Nouwen describes four characteristics of spiritual signs: 

First, they are simple, not complicated. Second, they are persistent.

 Third, they seem difficult to prove. 

And fourth, they are always connected not just to ourselves, but to others. 

As seen in Naomi’s story, events and situations that arise from both inside and outside of us are enough to capture our attention. Don’t miss the signs, and use them wisely in your journey of faith. 

If you are encountering such signs right now, pay close attention. Do not ignore them, because these signs and movements of the heart provide clues to what will happen in the future.

The sign that leads Naomi to return to God’s constant love is this: Naomi, who had lost her husband and two sons, found life painful and difficult. 

It was in this situation that she heard the news that there was a plentiful harvest in Judah, and Naomi must have remembered the love of God the Father. 

Until then, she had only blamed God, unable to think about His love. If Naomi had been successful in Moab, she would not have returned to her homeland. 

She would have lived decently in Moab and would not have been able to remember the love of her Father. When Naomi returns to her hometown, how does she confess?

 21 I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”

In other words, she left my father’s house full, but the Lord has caused her to return empty. Can I return home as an empty-handed person?

 Yet, when Naomi became aware of the emptiness in her life and heart, she was able to turn toward the Lord and remember the love of the Father. 

In the land of Moab, there may have been enough food. The labor of three men would have provided protection and security. 

However, when that security and protection were no longer there, Naomi made the decision to return to the house of God, where there is eternal rest and protection. Why?

Because Naomi remembered the love of God that had been accumulated in her heart. 

“The Lord does not mock the child who has fallen after trying to do things by their own strength" (Home tonight, 78).

When I left Korea and came to the United States, I was so happy. No one could interfere with me, I could go anywhere, and whatever I did, no one would know. 

I was excited about how free I could live, filled with expectations. However, just three days after coming to the U.S., I was caught by someone who was more knowledgeable than my parents. 

The Lord in heaven led me to the church in just three days, and for the past 30 years, He has guided me. I haven’t been able to visit Korea often. 

I could only visit once every 3 or 4 years at most. But one day, I realized that my mother was waiting for me. 

I began to see a little bit of the heart of a mother who waits for her child to return. Though I couldn’t visit more often, my mother was waiting for me. 

Even 15 years ago, just before her passing, she waited for me and held on to life. I arrived early in the morning, went to the hospital to see her, and a few hours later, she passed away. 

A parent’s love remains in the place where the child has left, even if it is considered a departure. 

In the same way, God’s love is the kind of love that stays 'there' before anything happens and after something happens. 

However, because we lack wisdom, we only remember the love of our parents when something happens, and then finally, we remember God and reflect on His love and grace. 

When my son was about to enter college, he injured his ankle while playing sports. I graduated from high school in June and spent a few months hanging out with my friends until I entered the school in August or September. 

A child who had never had such a time was busy walking around when he had time. We really walked around so much that we didn't have time to eat together. 

But he injured his foot while exercising, and from then on, my child really stayed at home. When he entered university, he picked up crutches. 

There is an entrance ceremony at the university, and the new students parade. But my child was on crutches. 

There was another child in the same situation. He had broken his leg while diving. So I remember the school providing these kids with an open car or something like that, and they rode it to watch the parade. 

The point is this. Because he hurt his foot, my son was spending time with me. Otherwise, he wouldn't have had to spend time with me until the time he was gone off to university.

When Naomi was empty-handed, she turned her steps toward God the Father.

When Naomi returned to her hometown, God the Father prepared a great feast for her. 

Just like in the parable of the prodigal son, a feast was prepared for the returning son. Let’s read Luke 15:22-24.

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 

23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 

24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

This feast is an expression of God's joy and love for the returning prodigal son. The feast given to the prodigal son is for this one son. 

It shows how precious the Lord considers one soul that returns to His love. The feast for Naomi, however, is beyond imagination in scale. 

In this case, the feast goes beyond just being for an individual; it is like the prelude to the salvation of the nation of Israel. 

Let’s see how God works in the lives of Naomi and her daughter-in-law, Ruth, as they return.

At that time, the barley harvest had begun in Judah. Ruth started gleaning for food, and the field she worked in belonged to Boaz, a close relative of Naomi. 

When Boaz heard about Ruth, he treated her kindly and instructed her to only glean in his field. He also told his workers to be kind to her and provide whatever she needed. 

When Ruth asked Boaz why he was showing her such kindness, Boaz replied,

11 Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. 

12 May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge”(2:11-12).

When Ruth returned home and told Naomi that she had worked in Boaz's field, Naomi replied that Boaz was their close relative. 

He was the one who would take responsibility for Naomi and Ruth’s lives—he was their kinsman-redeemer.

Having returned to God’s house, Naomi finally found rest. She lived under the Lord’s love and protection. As Naomi saw her daughter-in-law, Ruth, she must have realized deeply how much Ruth needed a safe place to be protected. 

Naomi, filled with compassion for Ruth, saw her daughter-in-law working hard, not complaining, but diligently gleaning for their livelihood. 

When you receive salvation, you can’t help but desire that others experience salvation as well, and so you pray for them.

Naomi, wanting Ruth to have a happy home and to live in safety and protection, began to make a plan. 

Knowing that Ruth had been working in the field of Boaz, a powerful relative, and understanding that Boaz was their kinsman-redeemer, Naomi sent Ruth to the threshing floor at night. 

Ruth obeyed her mother-in-law’s plan, going to the threshing floor as instructed. There, she lay down at Boaz’s feet. When Boaz woke up and was startled, Ruth humbly lowered herself and, in front of her redeemer Boaz, did not hide or internalize her needs. 

Instead, Ruth asked Boaz, “Spread your garment over me, for you are a kinsman-redeemer.”

Boaz praised Ruth for her good character. 

“You could have gone after a younger man, whether rich or poor, but you did not. Don’t worry, I will do everything you ask. Everyone in this town knows you are a virtuous woman.” Boaz also said,

12” Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. 

13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning” (3:12-13). 

Boaz meets a relative who is closer to Naomi than he does, and he urges the elders to buy Elimelech's land and restore the family land.

He also emphasizes the responsibility of marrying Naomi's daughter-in-law, Ruth, to have future generations and continue the family. 

Then the close relative said that he could not redeem it, and Boaz became the inheritor of the house of Elimelech, that is, the savior. 

Not only did Boaz buy the land and give it back to Naomi, but he married Ruth and gave birth to Obed, who begat Jesse and Jesse begat David. 

Through the family of David, the Savior, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for us, comes. God prepared Boaz to be the one who would save Naomi and Ruth in Bethlehem in the land of Judah, so that she would be a savior, to give her the safety and protection she needed, just as Ruth showed her mother-in-law Naomi.

Ruth gave birth to Obed, and the Bible says, "Naomi saw a son" (4:17). When Naomi returned to God's house and asked her to call herself Mara instead of Naomi, God gave her such a feast that would bring about the salvation of Israel and all mankind. 

He gave a new life, Obed, to Naomi, who had lost the lives of her husband and two sons.

What land are you in now? Are you in Moab, where you can escape God's providence and sovereignty and do what you think you want, and you seem to be rich? 

But is there a problem? Are you losing everything? If so, don't ignore the signals. This signal would be a signal to return to Heavenly Father. 

Can't you go because you're empty? Are you afraid of the eyes of others? Was it easy for Naomi to admit her failure? Probably not. 

However, when Naomi saw the signs of life's events, she could not take her eyes off God's unwavering love. That's the only way to be saved and safe. 

Heavenly Father's love is the love that does not laugh at His children who fail and return, or at His children who have fallen. 

"The Lord does not laugh at a child who has fallen down trying to do something with his own strength." Like Naomi, we are empty. 

I tried to live on my own, but I became empty. So where do you go? Is it the land of Judah? Will you stay in the land of Moab? 

We must go to the place where God's presence and love are. It is only in God's love that we can be filled and enriched again. 

Salvation is when we return to the place where God's presence is and God's love awaits us. 

If the place you are in is only filling your physical stomach and making you even more empty, do you hesitate to go to the land of Judah? 

Remember Heavenly Father's love. And return to God, the land of Judah, where God takes care of His people. 

Let us pray.

3/9/2025 Becoming Jesus and in His Power

Acts Sermon 46 -

Date: March 9, 2025

Title: Becoming Jesus and in His Power

Scripture: Acts 9:15-22 (NIV)

Acts 9:15-22 (NIV)

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.

16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,

19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”

22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

⸻

Acts 9 records an extraordinary transformation: Saul, a young man who was once the leading persecutor of the church and a rising figure in Judaism, switches sides to stand with the very people he had been attacking.

Considering that Paul would go on to write much of the New Testament, this event is one of the most pivotal moments in church history.

Last week, we examined how Saul, despite being deeply knowledgeable in Scripture and zealous in practicing his faith, had actually become an enemy of God. His spiritual blindness had left him unable to recognize the truth.

What were the two issues that blinded Saul’s eyes?

1. Stubbornness

2. Rebelliousness

We discussed how these two factors can also blind our own spiritual vision, preventing us from encountering the Lord even when reading Scripture or attending church.

God is not just an impersonal force, like the magnetic fields or light that flow through the universe. He is a person. And when people encounter a perfect person, the natural response is conversation.

A Personal Relationship with God Through Dialogue

2 Samuel 5:19 (NIV)

“So David inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?’ The Lord answered him, ‘Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.’”

Here, we see David asking a question and God responding directly. This is what prayer looks like for those who have a personal relationship with Him.

When I first came to the United States and attended an English language school, I found myself in a small classroom filled with students from every continent and background. Among them, I was particularly intrigued by the Muslim girls wearing hijabs.

One day, I struck up a conversation with a diligent and kind Muslim student and asked her,

“What have you been praying about to God lately?”

She looked confused, so I rephrased my question:

“When you pray, what does God say to you?”

At that, she gave me a look of disbelief and firmly responded, “That’s not how prayer works!” She then turned away from me.

For Muslims, prayer is something offered up to Allah, and they believe Allah speaks exclusively through the Quran, which they consider his direct revelation.

Most religions have prayer rituals, but what sets Christianity apart is the concept of a personal, two-way communication with God. 

However, history shows that whenever Christianity becomes too institutionalized or ritualistic, believers often reduce prayer to a one-way practice, much like in Islam or Buddhism. 

Instead of listening for God’s voice, they replace it with simply reading Scripture in a routine manner.

The Special Prayer of Christians

Just as Ananias conversed with the Spirit of Jesus, those who are born again through the Holy Spirit can communicate with God and live in intimacy with Him. 

This is called being filled with the Holy Spirit, and Scripture commands Christians to be filled with the Holy Spirit as both a privilege and a duty.

When Saul lost his sight and was staying in Damascus, Jesus appeared to Ananias, a leader in the church, and gave him a command:

“Go to him and lay hands on him so that he may regain his sight.”

Ananias, unable to understand this command, questioned the Lord.

Acts 9:13-14 (NIV)

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.

14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

The news of Saul’s arrival must have caused confusion and fear among the Christians in Damascus. Saul was already notorious as a destroyer of the church and a murderer. Ananias could not comprehend the Lord’s command.

How could he go and pray over the leader of their enemies—the one who was actively arresting the Lord’s disciples? Moreover, Saul had official authority to capture believers, including Ananias himself.

Although Ananias was a man of deep faith and had a close personal relationship with the Lord, he honestly expressed his concerns when given an incomprehensible command.

Jesus did the same.

Matthew 26:39 (NIV)

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

There is something significant to note about Jesus’ prayer:

There is no recorded response from the Father.

Yet, Jesus understood God’s will.

Similarly, in the Psalms, David often cries out to God, but in many cases, there is no record of what God said in response. However, David’s cries of distress often turn into praise.

Psalm 13:1-6 (NIV)

1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?

How long will you hide your face from me?

2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts

and day after day have sorrow in my heart?

How long will my enemy triumph over me?

3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.

Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,

4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”

and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love;

my heart rejoices in your salvation.

6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,

for he has been good to me.

In verses 1-4, David is almost arguing with God, crying out with intense expressions. But suddenly, in verse 5, he declares joy in God’s love and salvation.

What happened between these verses?

Personally, I experience this process every day—many times a day.

Though I may not always cry out in despair, I never hide my frustrations or sadness from the Lord. I openly share my heart with Him multiple times a day.

Just a few days ago, I went through something deeply painful. In that moment, I opened my heart to the Lord, seeking Him in my loneliness and brokenness.

And when I do this, the Lord covers my heart in a way that is beyond human language—

in a way that does not even require words.

A mysterious warmth and peace fill my soul.

Of course, when I praise the Lord on joyful days, that joy overflows into every part of my being.

Jesus prayed more than anyone else, and through prayer, He relied on God’s power to accomplish His ministry. He also taught His disciples to do the same.

I Have Set You an Example

John 13:15 (NIV)

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

The reason Jesus lived humbly on earth, as one of the least among men, is crystal clear:

“You should live this way too!”

We don’t all need to become carpenters or wandering rabbis,

but we can live as ‘Jesuses’ in this world.

God sent Jesus so that we might live like Him,

and Jesus showed us how by setting an example!

As a preacher,

and as someone whose every action is seen by my family,

I sometimes feel the temptation to say:

“Well, of course, Jesus lived that way—He is the Son of God.

But we are sinners, so there’s no way we can truly follow Him.

We are just sinners living by grace…”

But if we set aside our stubbornness,

if we look humbly and honestly at the Bible,

the truth of Jesus will become clear.

Hebrews 13:7 (NIV)

“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you.

Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”

Here, the writer of Hebrews tells us to carefully observe the lives of those who lead and preach the Word and to imitate their faith.

1 Peter 5:2-3 (NIV)

2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;

3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Peter also teaches that those who lead the church should not do so for personal gain,

but willingly and eagerly.

They should not rule over others harshly but lead by example.

Philippians 3:17 (NIV)

“Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters,

and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”

Did these early church leaders ever say,

“I am just a sinner saved by grace… Don’t look at me, just look at Jesus!”?

This March marks five years since I became a pastor—

which means I am still a rookie pastor.

And right when I was ordained, the world entered the COVID-19 pandemic,

forcing churches to stop gathering.

For an inexperienced pastor facing an uncharted world,

this was an enormous challenge.

Yet, at the same time, it was an opportunity—

a chance to see everything with fresh eyes, free from biases.

I began to understand why many preachers avoid certain messages.

From a human perspective, it makes complete sense—

preaching this kind of message places a heavy burden on the preacher.

So, most tend to take one of two approaches:

1. The Korean church model:

Pastors strictly hide their personal lives behind a veil of secrecy.

2. The American church model:

Pastors emphasize the “priesthood of all believers” and argue that

since everyone is a priest, no one should hold them to a higher standard.

But looking at Scripture, don’t both approaches miss the mark?

If pastors must set an example,

but they hide their lives completely,

should we follow their secrecy?

As a young pastor, I feel deep sorrow

when I see the modern church filled with spiritual infants

due to these unhealthy practices.

At the same time,

I feel a sense of shame that I struggle to say, “Follow my example.”

That’s why I have been thinking about what I can do best

to serve the church in my current state.

One of my solutions is our Spiritual Reading Group.

Through this group, we read books written by faithful spiritual mentors,

drawing close to their thoughts, struggles, and experiences.

In doing so, we follow their examples,

and I, as a pastor, continue to grow alongside the congregation.

One day,

I hope to be someone who can truly set an example for others.

For now, I believe that walking this journey—

even as an imperfect pastor—

is the best way I can serve the church.

A Church That Sets an Example for the World

What is the church?

It is not a gathering of perfect people,

but what if it is a place where we grow together—

becoming gentler, more faithful, and more loving

while fulfilling our mission to spread the gospel and care for one another?

What would the church become in this world?

What if, as Scripture promises,

Christians actually became more beautiful and admirable as they aged?

What would happen?

2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV)

“Therefore we do not lose heart.

Though outwardly we are wasting away,

yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

But why does this not always happen?

Is Scripture speaking empty words?

Or is the problem with us?

The power of Jesus, the life of Jesus,

is revealed when we strive to live like Him.

The joy of heaven and the peace of abiding in Christ

naturally come when we go where Jesus calls us

and live the way He teaches.

Isn’t that exactly what the Lord promised?

But following Jesus does not happen automatically.

It does not come easily or naturally.

That is why we must look at the next verses

to understand how this daily renewal actually takes place.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

“Our light and momentary troubles”—this is the key!

Raising children has taught me something:

You cannot raise a child properly through praise alone.

Children grow not in a sterile, greenhouse environment,

but through disappointments and hardships.

Think about the people we admire most.

Did any of them live without suffering?

Most of them endured unimaginable hardships.

The same is true for the figures in Scripture.

That is why Jesus told Ananias about the future of Paul’s life:

Acts 9:16 (NIV)

“I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Isn’t this a bit harsh for a new convert?

Shouldn’t Jesus have said,

“I will show him how many blessings await him!”?

Yet the Lord said the opposite.

We call ourselves Christians,

but how much of our thinking resembles the world rather than God?

We need to open our eyes to see how often we think and act contrary to God’s ways.

The Greek word for “how much” in Acts 9:16 is “hosos”,

which means both “many” and “this much”—

as if Jesus were stretching out His arms and saying,

“This much suffering awaits him.”

Scripture repeatedly teaches a truth:

There is a minimum amount of suffering that even Christians cannot escape.

But this is not meant to make us afraid.

Rather, it gives us peace,

because it means that suffering is not unlimited,

and that it is never meaningless.

God, in His love, has set boundaries around our pain.

When I entered seminary, the enrollment rate in the U.S. was already at its lowest.

Yet, because of that, those who did enroll were deeply serious.

As I got to know my classmates, I noticed a common theme—

each of them had endured deep suffering.

Henri Nouwen’s book “The Wounded Healer” states:

“Our wounds are not something to be ashamed of.

Rather, they can become a tool to reveal God’s love and grace.”

The Japanese author Ayako Miura, known for her novel Freezing Point,

experienced incredible suffering:

• Diagnosed with tuberculosis at 24

• Suffered from severe tuberculous spondylitis, spending 13 years bedridden

• Endured 10 years of chronic coughing and high fever

• Lost the ability to walk due to spinal damage

• Lived through deep pain, depression, and despair

Yet, she left behind this faithful confession:

There is a prayer I could not have prayed unless I suffered.

There is a word I could not have heard unless I suffered.

There is a sanctuary I could not have entered unless I suffered.

There is a holy face I could not have lifted my eyes to unless I suffered.

Ah, without suffering, I could not even be human.

Haven’t we all suffered?

Then we understand these words.

There are prayers we can only pray in suffering.

There are words from God we can only hear in suffering.

There is a sanctuary we can only enter in suffering.

It is His embrace.

Suffering and pain humble us and restore us to our rightful place—

the place where we realize:

“Without the Lord, I am nothing.

But with the Lord, I have everything.”

I have never met anyone who encountered Jesus personally

while laughing in perfect comfort with no troubles at all.

In her book Even in This Earthen Vessel, Ayako Miura writes:

“I am nothing but a clay vessel, yet God has poured countless blessings into my life. For that, I give thanks.”

The late Tim Keller, one of the most influential pastors of our time,

planted Redeemer Church in New York, wrote over 40 books,

and profoundly impacted the modern church.

After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he made this confession:

**“It may sound exaggerated,

but my wife and I never want to return

to the prayer life and spiritual life we had before cancer.

Through this illness, we have truly experienced Psalm 90:14:

‘Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,

that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.’”**

This is a man who had already written one of the most famous books on prayer.

Yet, after suffering, his prayer life was transformed—

so much so that he said,

“It is so good, I would not want to go back.”

When Saul met Jesus and became Paul,

his life became a path of suffering.

First, he became the #1 target of the Jews who once stood with him.

At the same time, the church itself did not welcome him.

The Hellenistic Jews, the brothers of Stephen, also sought to kill him.

Saul had given up everything—his status as an elite Jew—

to follow Jesus.

Yet, it only led to greater suffering.

Why?

As we continue through Acts,

we will follow his journey and see what God was doing through it all.

At the Time of My Departure

Then, did Paul’s life end in failure?

Did he feel resentment and blame God?

In his final letter to Timothy, his beloved spiritual son, he wrote:

2 Timothy 4:5-8 (NIV)

5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

A drink offering was a liquid sacrifice poured out before God.

Paul knew that his life was meant to be an offering,

and he willingly walked that path.

If, at the moment of my last breath,

I could leave these words to my children,

and to all those I have loved through the church…

“I have fought the good fight,

I have finished the race,

I have kept the faith.”

If I could say this and close my eyes in peace—

would there be any greater success in life?

Would there be a greater legacy to leave behind for those who remain?

Perhaps the things we will regret the most on that day

are the opposite of the things we are chasing after now.

So what if, as an evangelist for the kingdom of the Lord,

we choose the path of willingly bearing small sufferings for the church—

the way of the cross, just as Jesus did?

What if, with souls in mind,

we open our homes and welcome others?

What if, with Jesus’ heart,

we go out to share the gospel,

or join a short-term mission trip?

Aren’t these all ways of voluntarily stepping onto the path of small sufferings?

Isn’t this the narrow road?

If a set amount of suffering is already determined for us,

wouldn’t it be better to embrace it willingly

rather than keep running from it?

Doesn’t something deep inside us resonate with this truth?

To be an example to even one person—

isn’t that the true purpose of our lives?

And if that is the most precious thing,

then the things we must give up for it—

aren’t they not so precious after all?

That is what it means to live as Jesus.

To carry our small crosses and follow Him.

This is the most normal life of a Christian.

And when we do,

the heartbeat of Jesus will pulse within us.

The power of Jesus will be revealed in us.

Just as a bird is freest when soaring in the sky,

we will find the greatest joy, the deepest peace,

and finally, true freedom—

when we live as Jesus.

Let us pray.

2/16/2025 My Chosen Vessel

Acts Lecture 44 - Sermon

Date: February 16, 2025

Title: My Chosen Vessel

Main Text: Acts 9:1-5

1 Saul was still breathing out threats and murder against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest

2 and asked for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any who followed the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

3 As he was traveling and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.

4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” He replied, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Saul appears once again in this passage.

Do you remember who he was?

He was the notorious young man who led the Jews in stoning Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

Acts 8:3

“But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.”

Stephen’s martyrdom caused many Christians to scatter throughout Judea and Samaria. When a person lives for the Lord, even their death holds meaning and shines eternally in the kingdom of God.

Saul ravaged the church, entering every house and dragging off believers to be imprisoned.

Verse 1 of today’s passage states that Saul was still breathing out threats and murder. This shows how excessively brutal he was in persecuting Christians.

He even put them to death. Let’s hear his own testimony.

Acts 22:4

“I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison.”

He was so zealous that he voluntarily went to the high priest and requested permission to travel over a week on foot to Damascus, just to capture those who followed the Way.

What drove him to abandon his own work and become so obsessed with persecuting Christians? Was it a sense of legalistic duty?

No, it was religious fanaticism.

He was possessed by a spirit that opposed God. Even as he murdered innocent people, he felt no guilt—he truly believed he was doing a holy work for Yahweh.

Did Jesus or His disciples ever use their power to instill fear, force belief, imprison, or punish those who did not accept the gospel?

No. When people rejected the gospel, Jesus simply said, “Shake the dust off your feet.” That was all.

Yet, there are those who demonize and attack people who have not yet accepted the gospel. No matter how many crosses they carry, no matter what titles they hold in the church—if they are acting in violent religious fervor, they do not belong to Jesus.

Among them, Saul was the worst. He relentlessly pursued God’s people, forcing them to flee their homes and live as refugees.

Then, as Saul neared Damascus, a brilliant light from heaven suddenly surrounded him.

The light was so intense that it nearly blinded him, and in fear, he fell to the ground.

Then he heard a voice:

Acts 9:4-5

4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied.

Every time I reflect on this scene, I am deeply moved.

Jesus had never personally been persecuted by Saul. Yet, He said, “Why do you persecute me?”

Jesus identified Himself with the very people whom Saul had arrested, beaten, and killed. He declared that they were a part of Him, His own body.

Hurting them was the same as hurting Jesus. Inflicting pain on them meant inflicting pain on Jesus Himself.

Are you abiding in Christ?

1 Corinthians 12:26-27

26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Who later wrote these words? The very same Saul!

After encountering Jesus, he became part of the body of Christ and personally experienced what it meant to be united with Him.

Saul’s Three Days of Darkness

After this encounter, Saul was struck blind and spent three days in Damascus, neither eating nor drinking, only praying.

Imagine his inner turmoil. Outwardly, nothing was happening, but internally, he was in the midst of a storm.

He must have been thinking:

“What have I done? How could I have been so wrong?”

“Stephen was right. Jesus is truly the Messiah, the Son of David we had been waiting for.”

“All those people I imprisoned, all those I persecuted… They were the true children of God.”

“What have I done to them?”

The weight of his sins, the blood of the martyrs on his hands—it must have been unbearable.

Yet, at that moment, Jesus spoke to Ananias about Saul:

Acts 9:15

“But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen vessel to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.’”

To the very person who had killed His followers, Jesus now extended grace and called him “My chosen vessel.”

My Chosen Vessel

Previously, we studied how Jesus chose simple, ordinary people to be His disciples.

But this time, He chose someone far worse—an enemy, a persecutor, a murderer. Jesus transformed him and said, “He is my chosen vessel.”

God does not see as people see. Where we see a lost cause, God sees a vessel of grace.

If Jesus could turn Saul, the greatest enemy of the church, into Paul, the greatest apostle, then truly, no one is beyond God’s reach.

This is the amazing power of God’s grace.

No matter how broken, lost, or sinful a person may be, if Jesus calls them, they can become His chosen vessel.

Paul Continues to Be Raised Today

Lee Strobel, the author of The Case for Christ, which was also made into a book and a movie, was originally a journalist for The Chicago Tribune, a newspaper similar to The New York Times. Before he came to believe in Jesus, he described himself like this:

“I lived in a world without God, and I thought that was more realistic. I believed that faith in God was nothing more than a psychological crutch that people relied on in difficult times.”

However, his wife became a Christian after being evangelized by someone, and this made him increasingly uncomfortable. Feeling that his wife’s new faith was a threat to their family, he persistently argued against it and created conflict at home.

Eventually, he decided to use his skills as a journalist to uncover the truth about Jesus. He set out with the determination to expose Christianity as a baseless superstition, confident that he could quickly reveal its falsehood.

But as he investigated, the people he met and the evidence he encountered only led him into deeper confusion.

Finally, after 21 months of research, he made this confession:

“I set out to disprove Christianity, but I came to realize that rejecting Christianity actually required a greater ‘leap of faith.’”

With this realization, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. He then became a writer and an evangelist for Jesus.

Hearing such stories makes my heart race.

Because I, too, was once one of those people.

Before I knew God, my life was a miserable cycle. When I achieved something and received recognition, I became arrogant, looking down on others. But in front of those who were more successful than me, I would shrink back in fear.

I also disliked churchgoers and even harassed them.

For example, when I was working in a company, I once attended a team dinner where a young subordinate refused to drink the alcohol I poured for him. In frustration, I asked, “Does your church feed you?” “Isn’t it your company that provides for you?” I pressured him to obey me, ignoring his beliefs.

After repeatedly refusing, he finally took a sip, got drunk quickly, and I found pleasure in watching him struggle. That was the kind of person I was.

If an employee’s performance suffered due to personal circumstances, I would tell them to quit without hesitation. I still remember one such employee leaving in tears, calling me a heartless and cruel person.

Yet, even to a person like me, the Lord came.

At that time, I spent about two weeks barely eating, standing blankly on the beach for hours every day, as if living in hell. But in the midst of that despair, I first came to realize that God is real. From that moment on, He drew me closer and led me all the way to where I am today.

That’s why there are many people from my past who would probably find it unbelievable that I am now a pastor.

But the reason I share this embarrassing story is simple—

to boast about my Lord.

The forgiveness of the Lord is not just a story in the Bible.

I want to testify about how He lifts a person from the depths of sin, washes them clean, and dresses them in new garments.

The world says that people never truly change.

But the Lord can. He can make someone completely new.

I am a witness to that, and I am still in that process today.

Now in my late 40s, my face has more wrinkles, and my gray hairs multiply every day.

But I don’t mind it. My body may age, but my soul grows clearer.

I am a better person today than I was when I first met Jesus in my late 20s.

I am becoming a more mature and complete person.

Isn’t that the privilege and blessing of Christians—

to breathe and live with the life of eternity?

A living being cannot remain stagnant.

During winter, trees may look dead, but beneath the soil, changes are happening.

Even those dark, bare branches, if observed closely, already carry winter buds—small buds preparing for spring.

When flowers bloom in spring, they display their beauty only for a short time.

But I find these winter buds even more precious and moving.

Don’t they look like they are wrapped in fur? If you touch them, they feel soft and warm—

as if God has clothed them in a cozy garment to protect them from the cold.

The more I come to know God,

the more I realize that His love is not only present in full bloom or in abundant fruit—

but also in the stillness of winter buds.

Such people can rejoice not only in moments of achievement

but also in the journey of preparation and practice.

However, if a Christian fails to understand this truth and only sees worldly success and accomplishments as proof of God’s love,

their life will inevitably be filled with misery.

Those Who Have Left God

The journalist Lee Strobel, now a Christian evangelist and author, once conducted an unforgettable interview. The man he spoke with was Charles Templeton, a Canadian preacher who was not only a co-laborer of Billy Graham but also the one who introduced Billy Graham to the world.

At one of his revival meetings in Evansville, Indiana, 90,000 people attended, even though the town’s total population was only 120,000. After his gathering, church attendance in the area increased by 17%.

He was once recognized by the National Association of Evangelicals as “the most promising evangelist being used by God.”

Templeton traveled the world with Billy Graham, preaching to hundreds of thousands. Every time he spoke, thousands of people accepted Christ in a single day.

Yet, over time, he began to have doubts about his faith. In 1957, he left Christianity entirely, and in 1996, he published his autobiographical book Farewell to God.

In his book, he wrote:

“If God designed this world, why do some creatures have fangs that crush bones and tear flesh, claws that grip and rip, venom that paralyzes, mouths that suck blood, and jaws that swallow prey whole? … Why is nature, as Tennyson described, ‘red in tooth and claw’? Life is a bloodbath.”

He ultimately reached this conclusion:

“How can an all-powerful and loving God create such horrific things as we have seriously examined?”

His struggles began as he traveled the world, witnessing different religions, natural disasters, poverty, and disease.

The well-known Bible verses we love to quote are easy to remember, like catchy headlines that inspire confidence and lead to conviction.

But if we don’t also know the countless other scriptures in between, we risk misunderstanding God.

If we build our entire perception of God on a handful of popular memory verses,

we will fail to grasp the depth and greatness of His love.

If we only understand God’s love as warm, gentle, and comforting, we will be unable to see how Stephen, who loved and obeyed God completely, was brutally stoned to death by his own people while God seemed to do nothing.

Looking back, those who stood in support of Stephen’s execution could not have imagined that God would go to unimaginable lengths to save someone like Saul—a man who, in their eyes, was nothing less than a devil.

Their first misunderstanding was this:

they only recognized love in its soft and tender forms.

After reading the testimonies of former pastors, theologians, and Christian writers who left the faith, I have noticed they all wrestled with similar inner conflicts.

First, they struggled with the existence of immense tragedies, like tsunamis that wipe out thousands of innocent people in an instant. If there is a loving God, how could such things happen?

Second, they were disillusioned by many Christians who seemed indifferent to suffering, lived without love or holiness, yet still confidently claimed they were saved and guaranteed eternal life.

These were the two main reasons they walked away from Christianity.

And these are serious, deeply valid concerns.

Sin has corrupted and distorted all of creation. Natural disasters, as well as monstrous individuals, have appeared throughout history without end.

But where do we draw the line on who is a monster?

By what standard do we define it?

Someone may be a savior to one person, yet an unforgivable source of pain to another.

Are they good or evil?

Who decides?

Even scripture teaches that God judges based on what each person has received:

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded.” (Luke 12:48)

Think of the two Koreas. Though separated by only a few kilometers,

what it means to believe in Jesus carries vastly different implications.

Even though they are the same people, sharing the same language under the same sky,

the faith required of them is not the same.

If God’s expectations are proportional to what has been given,

what score would we receive, having been given so much—living in a country like the United States?

The Golden Bell of Grace

Yet, there is something like a “Golden Bell” in God’s kingdom—

something that overturns every score and rewrites the results.

It is the work Jesus did for us.

Even the most wicked enemies—those who imprisoned and murdered Christians—

were offered a path to salvation through Jesus.

If we truly believe this,

if we have been reborn through the life of Jesus,

then following His word should naturally become our way of life.

And when we stray from it,

shouldn’t it feel as if something is terribly wrong?

Those who breathe with the life of Jesus should feel the greatest peace and joy when they walk in His ways.

And when they follow the ways of the world, shouldn’t their steps grow heavy?

Still, some may ask:

“Why does God allow monstrous people to remain and cause so much suffering?”

Perhaps Jesus would answer,

“That person, too, was created in the image of God. There is still hope. He is my chosen vessel.”

Templeton traveled the world preaching the gospel,

but in the end, he failed to realize that without Jesus,

he himself could become the very monster he despised.

The world is full of evil because of sinners—including ourselves.

Yet God, who longs to save even one more soul,

endures and waits with unfathomable patience.

But Templeton, failing to see this love,

eventually turned his back on God.

The same man who once shouted, “Come back to Jesus!”

ended up writing books that encouraged others to leave Christianity.

At the end of Billy Graham and Charles Templeton’s revival meetings,

they always invited people to come forward to accept Jesus.

Hundreds, even thousands, responded every time.

For some, that moment was their true salvation.

But the act of walking forward itself does not save anyone.

This is another grave misunderstanding.

A sinner’s prayer is not a magical formula that guarantees salvation just because someone repeats it.

If we are truly born again in Christ,

then the Holy Spirit must become like an umbilical cord,

connecting us to God through prayer.

And that is only the beginning.

We must continue to receive from Him,

sharing the details of our lives with Him in an ongoing, connected relationship.

“Lord, why? Why does that innocent person have to suffer? Can’t You do something? Can’t You make it right?”

“Lord, I can’t take it anymore because of that person! Please do something!”

This is how we seek the Lord in prayer!

And in most cases, rather than answering with clear words or audible sounds,

He pours His heart into ours—not through the ears, not through the intellect,

but directly into our spirit.

Sometimes, He tells us to share in the pain.

Other times, He assures us, “Do not worry. It’s all in My hands.”

Without this kind of intimate conversation with God,

it does not matter if thousands gather to hear our preaching—

our souls will only grow emptier.

But those who remain connected to the Holy Spirit,

even when speaking to just one person,

can see the infinite worth of that soul through the eyes of Christ.

Because He fills their hearts with His own.

Jesus called Saul “My chosen vessel.”

A vessel is meant to contain something.

To be Jesus’ vessel means to be filled with Him.

Saul became a vessel overflowing with the Spirit of Christ.

What about you?

Perhaps you have not seen a blinding light,

but have you ever experienced a moment where you could do nothing but fall to your knees in repentance?

A moment when the Lord embraced you like the father of the prodigal son,

without asking questions, without hesitation?

Was that connection with Jesus a past event?

Or is it still strong through worship and prayer today?

If so, He will call you too—

“My chosen vessel.”

What, then, is filling your vessel?

Many like Charles Templeton failed to understand that this world is meant to be a place where we experience both heaven and hell.

God desires that we learn to love heaven and hate hell with all our hearts.

Will you choose the kingdom of God today?

Let us pray.

2/9/2025 From “Evangelical” to Gospel-Minded

Acts Lesson 43

Date: February 9, 2025

Title: From “Evangelical” to Gospel-Minded

Scripture: Acts 8:35–40

Acts 8:35–40 (ICB/Standard New Translation)

35 Philip opened his mouth and, beginning with this passage, taught about Jesus and proclaimed the gospel.

36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look, there is water. What is preventing me from being baptized?”

38 So he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water. Then Philip baptized him.

39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but he went on his way rejoicing.

40 Philip appeared at Azotus and went on to preach the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

Overview

Last week we encountered the scene in which the royal treasurer of Ethiopia received baptism from Philip. This event marks the very first time the gospel was introduced into Ethiopia—a country that today is recognized as a true Christian nation with 60% of its population being Christians. About 300 years later, in the 4th century, Christianity became the state religion of Ethiopia.

All these events began with the ministry of Philip, as recorded in Acts chapter 8. From that moment on, one person’s sharing of the gospel became a seed that spread throughout an entire nation. Nowadays, it is increasingly difficult to find any place in the world where the cross and the church do not exist.

From the beginning of Acts to the very end of Matthew’s Gospel, the “Great Commission” to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth has remained an ongoing “mission on earth” for all Christians throughout history.

I, too, encountered Jesus in an evangelical church and received training, with evangelism being one of the most important disciplines. Especially after coming to New York, I quickly realized that this is truly a place where evangelists are desperately needed. As you may have noticed, whether at school or work, you will encounter foreigners—and many of them have never been to a church or heard the gospel.

Once, when I was engaged in campus evangelism, I met a variety of people. At one point, I encountered a Jewish student at Hunter College. Coincidentally, I had been reading a small booklet on methods for Jewish evangelism from a Jewish Christian group, so I showed that student Isaiah 53. When I asked him who he thought this passage referred to, he replied as if it were obvious: “Isn’t it Jesus Christ?” I then explained that this passage is not from the New Testament but from Isaiah—a prophetic book held in high esteem by the Jewish people—and his eyes widened in surprise.

Let’s take a closer look at this passage:

[Isaiah 53:1–12]

1. “Who has believed our message?

And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

When we speak of someone as being the “right hand” of another, we mean a trusted person or one who embodies power. In this context, the “arm of the Lord” signifies His mighty power. Ultimately, this passage refers to the Messiah, yet it tells us that many do not believe.

2. “He grew up before the Lord like a tender shoot,

and like a root out of dry ground.

He had no beauty or majesty

that we should desire him.”

Being compared to a tender shoot indicates fragility, while a root from dry ground suggests a withered, hard condition. In other words, he had neither a beautiful appearance nor any majesty that might attract us—overall, an unremarkable and insignificant appearance.

3. “He was despised and rejected by mankind,

a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.

Like one from whom people hide their faces

he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.”

There is little recorded about the approximately 30 years between when Jesus was baptized by John and when He began His ministry. Most portray Him as a carpenter who lived a quiet life in the countryside, making and selling furniture. However, this passage in Isaiah shows that such portrayals are far removed from reality.

In fact, the Bible tells us that Jesus had no beauty that would render Him attractive. Moreover, the original Greek word for “carpenter” is teknon, which refers to a construction laborer who works with stone and wood.

About 6 kilometers north of Nazareth—where Jesus spent most of His life—Herod Antipas, the son of King Herod, was rebuilding a city called Sepphoris. This massive construction project required enormous manpower, so it is reasonable to assume that carpenters from the surrounding area were all called to work there. 

Since the work lasted from 4 BC to AD 40, we can deduce that Jesus’ entire life overlapped with this period of construction.

At that time, Jewish children began learning and assisting their fathers from around age 7, and by age 12, they took on responsibilities and began working seriously as adults. 

Thus, until about the age of 30—when Jesus began His ministry as a rabbi—He likely spent over 20 years commuting daily to Sepphoris and living as one of the construction laborers. 

The Bible does not mention this period at all, which indicates that Jesus lived each day just like most laborers in Nazareth, in an unremarkable manner.

What I find most astonishing is that Luke records that at the age of 12, Jesus clearly understood who He was. From that point on, He knew that He was the Son of God, the Lord of the whole world—yet He spent nearly 20 years living as an ordinary construction laborer. 

It must have been a time of unimaginable humility and patience.

Jesus lived in lowly circumstances—not only in appearance but also in social status, identity, region, and occupation.

In verse 3, we read that He suffered contempt and rejection, experienced great sorrows, and was intimately acquainted with sickness. Here, “sorrows” corresponds to “suffering” in English, signifying that He endured many kinds of pain, while being “acquainted with sickness” implies that He was thoroughly familiar with illness and physical affliction.

Thus, this verse does not refer solely to the suffering of the cross.

Jesus experienced a variety of pain and suffering even before beginning His ministry and long before the agony of the cross. He became so accustomed to physical pain and illness that He knew it all too well.

As I shared last time, having studied art and drawn countless images of Jesus in meditation, I came to realize that no movie or illustration truly captures the appearance of the real Jesus who walked the streets of Israel 2,000 years ago.

 Most portrayals show a handsome, majestic figure played by a very attractive actor. Perhaps that image reflects not the Jesus who lived on earth, but rather His transformed, spiritual glory.

Discovering the True Jesus

There is a reason I emphasize Jesus as a human being today. Jesus Himself continually stressed that He was the “Son of Man.” 

Only by recognizing Jesus in His humanity can we more clearly and profoundly understand God’s love.

We come to grasp the significance of Jesus having lived not only the three years of His public ministry on earth but also an additional thirty unrecorded years—a span of time ten times as long—in which He lived an utterly ordinary life.

What does that mean?

Even though many people were already following Him, when Jesus chose His twelve disciples He did not select the most promising or outstanding individuals. Instead, He chose those who were ordinary—even so ordinary that they were regarded as lowly and ignorant fishermen, considered insignificant by the world. 

This was no accident.

It is no coincidence that when God sent Jesus, He allowed Him to live most of His life first as the weakest of infants and then as an exceedingly ordinary construction laborer, subjecting Him to a wide range of hardships and even accustoming Him to illness. 

And when Jesus departed, the very people He commissioned to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth were not chosen from the elite but from those so ordinary that they would be looked down upon wherever they went!

Isn’t it all interconnected?

Thus, the meaning is exactly this:

“You too can do it!”

Most of us have enjoyed better food, received higher education in fairer environments than Jesus or His disciples—even worshiping on some of the most expensive land in the world. There is no need to mention Nazareth in Galilee… Can Jerusalem be compared to New York?

We live in an environment and a world that the disciples could scarcely have even dreamed of. That means we cannot say that what they were capable of, we cannot do.

Yet we rarely take this thought seriously. We seldom hear of such challenges. Instead, we tend to think, “He is the Son of God” or “They are specially chosen disciples.”

Evangelicalism

Most Christian churches in Korea and the United States are “evangelical” churches. No one denies that, according to Jesus’ Great Commission, our most important mission is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus throughout all of Judea, Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.

Evangelical churches have dispatched missionaries more zealously than ever before and have poured tremendous effort into evangelism. Churches have been established with the express purpose of spreading the gospel as widely and as far as possible throughout the world.

It has become increasingly difficult to find any continent or country without a church, and the Bible is now translated into most of the world’s major languages. Since the Internet age began, there has never been a generation for which it was easier to seek out and listen to the message of the gospel and songs of praise.

However, because the very word “gospel” means “good news,” evangelical churches naturally emphasize messages that comfort and give hope. In fact, when evangelicalism spread throughout the world, the positive message aimed at opening the hearts of those encountering the gospel for the first time was emphasized far beyond its actual proportion within the New Testament.

Yet, just as the law, though good in itself, can lose its essence when it becomes legalism… so too can the gospel, though inherently good, become problematic when it turns into a mere form of “evangelicalism.”

Just as a mistaken equation arose—that keeping the law is equivalent to loving God—so it has happened that in evangelicalism the act of proclaiming the gospel, evangelism itself, is mistakenly taken to be the very expression of loving God.

In Jesus’ day, when legalism was widespread, believers exerted every effort to strictly obey the law—perfectly keeping it—even though they paid little attention to God; they diligently performed charitable acts for the poor as commanded by the law, yet lacked a heart of love. That is why they ultimately received the most severe warnings from Jesus.

Likewise, if the motivation and meaning behind proclaiming the gospel are lost and evangelism itself becomes regarded as an absolute good—a purpose in itself—the same situation may occur.

A few months ago, before we moved to this place, I once tried a method on Sunday evenings at Bryant Park with several fellow church members. We sang and worshiped, and when the Holy Spirit came upon the heart of Manhattan, we would invite those who showed interest to join us for a meal or fellowship.

However, every time, an older Korean gentleman—wearing a mask and hardly making eye contact—silently handed out an evangelistic track. When I tried to greet him and speak, he simply tucked the track back into his bag without a word and left. I saw him repeatedly, always wearing a mask and using the same method of evangelism.

That approach might very well be his calling; if it leads someone to believe in Jesus, I have no desire to criticize him.

But I would like us to consider it as one example together.

At the very least, couldn’t one offer a gentle smile with kind eyes, or say something as simple as “God bless you,” as is common in the United States? Yet before I attended church in Korea, I too often encountered evangelism of a similar style—and each time, the impression I got was, “Either accept this or go to hell!”

Just as one can strictly observe the law without genuine love for God… (not that this is always the case) preaching the gospel without love—something that should be impossible—can, and all too often does, happen. It has become a case of “evangelicalism.”

Since we have decided to take a period of rest and preparation for street evangelism until this year’s Easter, let us pray together and seek methods that are well suited to those to whom we must now bear witness.

When the law—a good gift from God—becomes a shackle that binds someone, or a tool for wielding power over others, Jesus was most vehemently angered by it. This is because the very reason for keeping the law—loving God—was lost, leaving behind only an empty shell of form and ritual.

Without the love for other human beings that is revived through loving God, everything else becomes the same.

The most effective and clear way to make this possible is selfless prayer! When we pray every Sunday morning for the nations, it is not only a prayer for those countries and peoples, but also an opportunity to nurture within ourselves God’s love for them.

When we research countries we never even knew, think about their prayer needs, and pray for them, something stirs within us without even realizing it.

Then, if we happen to meet someone from one of those countries on a street in Times Square… that encounter becomes special. It is like a tiny mustard seed of interest—but that interest is none other than God’s love. If you have ever called out that country’s name and prayed for it even once, isn’t that making a difference?

Let us now continue with Isaiah 53.

4 “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.”

5 “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”

As we live in this world, we must continually experience this grace. The Lord takes away my suffering and grants me peace; He takes away my illness and bodily pain and gives me health.

And with that health and grace, we are to live as a living, little Christ for others. What is the purpose for which Jesus took my troubles upon Himself and gave His life in my stead?

Positive Message

6. We are all like sheep, for we have all gone astray, each of us turning to his own way; yet the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7. When he was oppressed and afflicted, he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers remains silent, he did not open his mouth.

In evangelical churches, the emphasis is often placed on the message, “God loves you just as you are!” But if that means it’s acceptable to live without hope—without knowing God or even realizing one’s own sinfulness—doesn’t that message seem intended for those who are not yet Christians?

Yet for those who have returned to God through Jesus, have they not come to understand the 30 years of endurance Jesus underwent to rescue us, as well as the agonizing suffering of His final cross? And even if they continue to live in the same old ways—without any distinction from the world—does it mean that God loves them and rejoices in them just as they are?

Among us, there may be friends who have not yet established a genuine relationship with God. For them, the open arms of the Lord who accepts them exactly as they are should always be proclaimed.

But what if that becomes the conclusion of most messages—if it turns into what is known as an “evangelical message”?

If God’s Spirit dwells within us and eternal life has begun, does that life not grant us a new longing and the power to live anew? Even when we stumble, the life of Jesus within us continually leads us to be transformed in His likeness, never allowing us to remain stagnant.

Thus, an evangelical-style sermon might, on the contrary, produce the unfortunate result of shutting down that inner demand for life and renewal—or, if that life has not yet truly manifested, it may lead to a state of religious brainwashing, a false sense of security in which one considers oneself a Christian without sensing any true need for change. I am afraid of this!

Jesus said, “Follow me!” and He instructed us to live according to His example.

Indeed, He even commanded us daily to deny our desire to be the masters of our own lives and to follow Him by taking up the cross that has been entrusted to us.

Loving those who are not lovable, and sharing the gospel with others, are both aspects of bearing one’s own cross.

Jesus demonstrated the gospel with a love that willingly sacrificed for others—a love that endures suffering for the sake of others, a love that mirrors the cross.

What do you think? Could evangelism be accomplished in this manner?

In this era, is it truly impossible to encounter Jesus simply because the information does not reach someone? Rather than due to the gospel’s message failing to reach or being insufficient…

Is it not that, in the lives of those who profess to believe in the gospel, they fail to perceive its reality—the life of Jesus and the transformative difference it should make in their lives!

In this age of self-promotion, where selfishness is no longer a source of shame, the greatest miracle is a love that comes at a cost—a love of sacrifice.

 In such times, that miracle will be mightier than ever. People who experience the love conveyed through us—those of us who daily bear a small cross in following Jesus—will be won to the gospel.

Become a Gospel-Minded Person by Living a Gospel-Centered Life

Why did Jesus—who was the greatest at evangelism—entrust evangelism to His disciples and then depart?

Jesus left the task of proclaiming the gospel in the hands of His disciples, who were still far from perfect, in order to give us the opportunity to become little Christs. 

He charged us, being filled with the Spirit of Jesus, to willingly take up the cross for the sake of the souls that need salvation—just as He did.

Imagine if Christians truly heeded Jesus’ words and took up their crosses every day… if, for even one soul that needs Jesus, someone carried the cross. Just imagine: if you were to bear the cross for that person, how would that person react? 

Would the world still point its finger at our community? 

Would they scorn this church that bears the cross for others?

9 He committed no violence, nor was there deceit in his mouth; yet his tomb was with the wicked, and with the rich in his death.

10 It was the will of the LORD to crush him with suffering; and when he had offered his life as a guilt offering, he would see his offspring, and his days would be prolonged; and through his hand the will of the LORD would be accomplished.

11 He shall see the result of his labor and be satisfied; my righteous servant will justify many, bearing their iniquities upon himself.

12 Therefore, I will allot him a portion with the great, and he shall share the spoils with the mighty; for he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors—but he bore the sins of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

We do not confront evil with violence or deceit. We may suffer the injustice of being regarded as villains—even face martyrdom. Yet in the end, the truth is revealed, and the light of the Lord’s glory shines forth.

That we shall “see our seed” and that “our days will be prolonged” signifies that the spiritual descendants who follow him will continue to multiply. Just as it is written in Daniel that those who bring many back to the right path will shine like stars forever, 

those who follow the path of Jesus will be remembered and shine as an example for eternity.

Our own small crosses carry injustice, suffering, and affliction. Thus, to love people is always a challenge that entails sacrifice—because it is a cross to bear.

Yet this cross is exceedingly precious and costly. But the will of the LORD that delights Him will be fulfilled in us.

Being counted among the rich after death means that we do not truly suffer a loss.

Whatever seems like a loss now will be rewarded with a crown of glory of equal measure—a resurrection that is the most radiant and glorious.

Although evangelistic tracts (such as those still circulating among people who have never heard the gospel) may be useful, the most powerful method of evangelism is “the story of God and me—our testimony.”

As with my own testimony last week, take a moment to reflect on the stories in your life that are worth testifying to. Will the story of how you schemed to avoid any loss be the testimony you share? 

In time, such actions may indeed come to be regarded with shame.

It is the stories of loss—of choices that the world may deem foolish, of the endurance we displayed like the lamb led to the slaughter who did not open its mouth—that remain. Only these stories of small crosses will shine like stars for eternity.

The time we spend following Jesus, the days in which we live as a little Jesus for someone, are what will forever bring us joy and fulfillment.

This is the way of life to which Jesus has invited us. 

“If Jesus of Nazareth was able to do it as the Son of Man, then you too can do it. Follow Me!” 

This is a gospel-centered life—a life filled with the light of Jesus and the light of the gospel.

1/26/2025 Witnesses, Offerings, and Priests

Acts 41

Date: 1/26/2025  

Title: Witnesses, Offerings, and Priests  

Passage: Acts 8:25  

**Acts 8:25**  

25 After the two apostles had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of Samaria.

**Samaria and the Ends of the Earth**  

As persecution began against the church following the first revival in Jerusalem, the church started to scatter to different parts of Judea and even Samaria. If you look at a map, Judea is to the south of Jerusalem, while Samaria is to the north. Israel, with its elongated shape, resembles the geography of Korea, stretching from north to south. The prophecy that the disciples would be witnesses in all of Judea and Samaria shows that the message of Jesus Christ would eventually reach all corners of the earth.

**Acts 1:8** "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

This was the last message that Jesus gave just before His ascension.

Last week, we saw how, through the apostles laying hands, the Holy Spirit came upon the people of Samaria. There was a clear, unmistakable transformation in them when the Holy Spirit came. 

Now, they were no longer followers of Jesus in an indirect way by following Philip. Instead, with the Holy Spirit living in them, they could directly follow Jesus and live as His brothers and sisters, children of God.

As a result of this transformation, the change in their identity, Jesus called them "witnesses." 

**Who are witnesses?**  

Witnesses are those who have evidence and testify to it to the world. 

We were all trapped in sin and bound by the darkness, but the Son of God, Jesus Christ, took on all our sins on the cross, died for them, and after paying the price, He resurrected! Anyone who believes in Him is reborn with new life and can experience eternal life, starting from here and now!

These two apostles, on their way back to Jerusalem, continued preaching the gospel in every village they passed through.

They lived as witnesses of this gospel. This is what happens when the Holy Spirit comes upon us.

**Samaria**  

There was a reason why Jesus specifically mentioned "Samaria." Geographically, Samaria was only about 50 km from Jerusalem, about a 3-day walk, so it wasn't a long distance.

However, the emotional distance between Jerusalem and Samaria was vast.

The Bible clearly states that Jews did not associate with Samaritans; there was a deep hostility between them, almost as if they were enemies.

Because of King Solomon's sin, Israel was divided into the southern kingdom of Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel. The capital of Judah was Jerusalem, while the capital of Israel was Samaria.

On the map, the northern part was called Israel, and the southern part was called Judah. This division happened because the ten northern tribes formed Israel, while the southern part consisted of the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and the Levites who lived around the Jerusalem temple.

For over two centuries, these two kingdoms remained hostile. As a result, the northern kingdom built places of worship in Bethel and Dan, where they placed idols, even going as far as setting up a golden calf as a representation of God.

**1 Kings 11:38** "If you do whatever I command you and walk in obedience to me and do what is right in my eyes by observing my decrees and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David, and will give Israel to you."

Here, we must remember something: In God's great plan, certain things must come to pass, and no one can change them. However, many other things depend on the choices we make and the paths we walk in response to the opportunities God places before us. It depends on the prayers we offer.

Moreover, when we are uncertain about God's unchangeable will, we must focus on how we respond rightly. This is what the Lord expects from us, and it is in such moments that we contribute to making an eternal difference.

Although God gave King Jeroboam a promise of blessing and opportunity, he ultimately betrayed God, and the northern kingdom of Israel was destroyed by Assyria in 722 B.C.

As the people of Israel and the foreigners who entered were mixed, these people became known as Samaritans.

For this reason, the Jews harbored not just a hatred for Samaritans as Gentiles, but a deep animosity. Furthermore, when, around the 4th century B.C., the Samaritans built their own temple on Mount Gerizim and claimed legitimacy, the anger of the Jews deepened.

Yet, the Lord sent the first missionary to Samaria—Philip.

**Deacons**  

Who is Philip?  

**Acts 6:5-6**  

5 The whole group was pleased and chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.  

6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.  

Philip, along with Stephen, was one of the first to receive the laying on of hands and became an official leader in the church. What was their mission?

**Acts 6:2**  

So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables."

The task of waiting on tables — in English, it says "Wait on tables" — refers to the work of serving meals or providing for the needs of others. They were called to serve in this way, and that is why they were given the title “deacon,” which means "servant" or "minister."

To understand the qualifications for these deacons, we should look at why they were chosen.

**Acts 6:1**  

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

During the time of the first revival, many people, especially those in need of economic support, gathered together. It was clear that they needed help with food and daily provisions. The twelve apostles, who were the primary leaders at that time, were handling the distribution. 

However, managing all these needs personally became inefficient and problems started to arise, particularly with the Hellenistic Jews, who felt neglected in the distribution.  

The seven deacons chosen for this role were all Hellenistic Jews, indicating that the apostles specifically chose them to address the needs of this group.

**Acts 6:3**  

Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them.

The qualifications for these deacons were that they should be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and have a good reputation. These qualities show that they were to be people who lived by God's power and not their own strength. Additionally, they needed to be recognized as good and virtuous people, worthy of respect. This is also mentioned in 1 Timothy 3:7 as part of the qualifications for deacons.

**1 Timothy 3:7**  

They must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that they will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

These qualifications apply to anyone who serves in the church in any capacity. First, they must be filled with the Holy Spirit, then they must have wisdom, and they must also be recognized as good people by those outside the church.

This is the qualification for being a deacon. Imagine if deacons in Korean churches, and in churches in the United States, truly met these three criteria. 

Can you imagine how beautiful the church community would be if the deacons truly embodied these qualities? The church would undoubtedly be recognized as good in the world. The church would shine as a city on a hill, reflecting the fullness of Christ! This is the vision that God has for His church.

The members of the church do not need to be highly trained or masters of advanced Bible studies. Simply accepting and living by these clear standards from Scripture would be enough. Why, then, do we disregard these standards while professing to believe in God’s Word?

These seven deacons were established after the laying on of hands.  

The laying on of hands was originally done to consecrate sacrificial offerings, and God commanded the Levites to perform the role of priests. The Levites were considered offerings, "shaken offerings" (as it’s described in the Hebrew term **"תְּנוּפָה" - Tenufah**), meaning "to shake" or "to move." 

The Levites were seen as moving offerings, and this is reflected in Paul’s writings in Romans where he refers to this as “living sacrifices.”

**Romans 12:1**  

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship.

Peter tells us that we are now holy priests who will offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.

**1 Peter 2:5**  

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Isn’t this all part of the same story? In truth, if we are to build the true church, we must all be holy priests offering spiritual sacrifices that are pleasing to God.

Becoming a priest means offering ourselves to the Lord as a living sacrifice.

While it may seem illogical for a sacrifice to live and move, this is the most important spiritual truth: everything we do with our lives should be an act of worship. This is the true meaning of spiritual worship!

Someone like Simon, who followed Jesus for his own benefit, was baptized, and even spent money, could not truly be filled with the Holy Spirit. This demonstrates that a true Christian cannot live for their own benefit.

So, what kind of life should the Levites, those who are living sacrifices, and priests lead?  

Since all of us are spiritual Levites, we must understand the identity of the Levites. Don’t you think it’s important to know what it means to be a Levite in spiritual terms?

**Who are the Levites?**

When the land was divided among the 12 tribes of Israel, the tribe of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin were together in the southern part, and many Levites lived among them. However, not all Levites were in Judah, which is why there were only two tribes in the south, not three.

So, where were the Levites?

The descendants of Jacob's 12 sons formed the 12 tribes, and the land was distributed among them. Technically, there are 13 tribes in Israel because Joseph’s tribe was divided into two: one for each of his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.  

Yet, as seen in the map, the Levite tribe is not listed. Why is that?

**Numbers 3:12**  

The Lord said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites.”

The Levites did not receive land like the other tribes. Instead, God declared, "I am your inheritance." 

Do you think the Levites felt happy hearing this? While it's wonderful to have God as your inheritance, didn't they need a place to live?

**Joshua 21:41-42**  

41 The towns of the Levites in the territory held by the Israelites were forty-eight in all, and the pasturelands for them.  

42 Each of these towns had pasturelands surrounding it; this was true of all these towns.

The Levites were given cities to live in, along with pasturelands around them. These were good lands—about four cities from each tribe. While the other tribes lived together, the Levites were scattered among them.

Why was this?

When Moses was blessing the tribes before they entered the Promised Land, he gave a special blessing for the Levites:

**Deuteronomy 33:10-11**  

10 They will teach Jacob your laws and Israel your teachings; they will burn incense before you and offer whole burnt offerings on your altar.  

11 Bless all his skills, Lord, and be pleased with the work of his hands. Strike down those who rise up against him, his foes, so that they will not rise again.

The Levites were called to teach God’s law to the people and guide them in offering true worship to God. They were spiritual leaders.

As they carried out their role, God promised to bless their work and protect them from their enemies.

Now, those who belong to Jesus Christ are all spiritual Levites. Our role is that of witnesses, offerings, and priests.

We are all sent to teach others God's law and to lead them in true worship. Whether in the church, workplace, or school, God has sent us to those people. It’s not about making money, but about showing them the law of love, the light of Christ, and leading them in true worship.

From an earthly, temporary perspective, other things might seem more important, but in light of eternity, there is no greater calling than revealing Jesus Christ to others and guiding them into true worship. That is our mission as Levites!

If we live according to this calling, God will bless us, prosper the work of our hands, and protect us from our enemies. Amen!

Will we live constantly worrying about our material needs, trying to protect ourselves by our own strength? Or will we live as people who fulfill the mission God has given us, trusting that He will bless and protect us? 

There is no better life than this.

Let's look at the blessing given to the Levites as an example of the calling for all of us.

**Numbers 6:23-26**  

23 "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:  

24 The Lord bless you and keep you;  

25 The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;  

26 The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.'" 

All of us Christians are called to declare this blessing. Wherever we are, whatever tribe we are sent to, our purpose remains the same as the Levites: to declare the blessing of the Lord and guide others into true worship.

Witnesses, Offerings, and Priests!

The church is like the 48 cities where the Levites lived — a community where we gather together to comfort and encourage one another. And just like the Levites, we are preparing to go out into the world, into the land that God has entrusted to us. At the end of each service, I pronounce the benediction, right? The benediction is a sending forth. We are sent as witnesses to go back into the world!

Do not live for yourself. Half-hearted living is the worst kind of life. Wherever you are, whatever job you have, look at the souls around you. Be willing to become an offering for them.

Become a priest for them.  

Sow seeds with tears. It requires patience, courage, and love, but the blessings flow from that. When we live according to our calling, there is a joy in it that cannot be expressed.

We are not called to live for our own comfort and happiness.

You will never see it from a place of hesitation. Only when you begin to take that step, to make that choice, will things begin to reveal themselves. There is an array of indescribable lights, a joy that shines brightly from deep within, soaring with that joy. Let’s share that joy together.

This is the life we are called to — the life of a witness, an offering, and a priest.  

Jesus Christ, the true witness, offering, and priest, has invited us into this life.

Let us pray.

1/19 Are You Ready to Receive the Laying on of Hands?

Acts Chapter 40 - Sermon
Date: January 19, 2025
Title: Are You Ready to Receive the Laying on of Hands?
Text: Acts 8:9-25

Scripture Reading (Acts 8:9-25, NIV)

9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great,
10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.”
11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery.
12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria.
15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money
19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!
21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.
22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.
23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

25 After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.

Last week, we reflected on how Christianity spread to Samaria through faithful Christians like Philip and what happened as the people there began following Jesus.

According to Scripture, wherever Jesus and His disciples went, evil spirits were driven out without exception. Similarly, in modern times, when the gospel first enters a place, similar events often occur.

Although Western society has rapidly entered a post-Christian era, a small remnant of faithful people of God still exists as the true Church. Where the worship of Spirit and truth continues, those places have not yet become entirely spiritually barren or lands of paganism.

The final verse of last week’s message has lingered in my heart: “There was great joy in that city!”

When does joy come?

Unlike fleeting pleasures or instant gratification, joy always includes hope. For example, when parents confirm a pregnancy, they begin to love the tiny, barely-formed life, giving it a nickname and looking forward to the child to come. This is joy filled with hope.

In Samaria, the activities of evil spirits that had long held the city captive began to retreat, and people were being freed from various forms of bondage. The joy they experienced was full of hope.

However, we must remember that during this period of great revival in Samaria, many house churches in Jerusalem were disappearing, and the city was becoming spiritually desolate once again.

### Outline

---

Last week, we reflected on how Christianity spread to Samaria through faithful Christians like Philip and what happened as the people there began following Jesus.  

According to Scripture, wherever Jesus and His disciples went, evil spirits were driven out without exception. Similarly, in modern times, when the gospel first enters a place, similar events often occur.  

Although Western society has rapidly entered a post-Christian era, a small remnant of faithful people of God still exists as the true Church. Where the worship of Spirit and truth continues, those places have not yet become entirely spiritually barren or lands of paganism.  

The final verse of last week’s message has lingered in my heart: “There was great joy in that city!”  

When does joy come?  

Unlike fleeting pleasures or instant gratification, joy always includes hope. For example, when parents confirm a pregnancy, they begin to love the tiny, barely-formed life, giving it a nickname and looking forward to the child to come. This is joy filled with hope.  

In Samaria, the activities of evil spirits that had long held the city captive began to retreat, and people were being freed from various forms of bondage. The joy they experienced was full of hope.  

However, we must remember that during this period of great revival in Samaria, many house churches in Jerusalem were disappearing, and the city was becoming spiritually desolate once again.

Looking Critically at Revival  

When we critically examine revival movements that lasted anywhere from several months to at most three years, it seems similar to how passion fades in young couples after about three years. Could it be nothing more than fleeting passion? Are most revival movements like this?  

When I first believed in Jesus, I attended church with great enthusiasm. I sought out every possible worship service and participated in more and more church activities. At that time, a senior colleague at my workplace, who had attended church since childhood, said something to me:  

“I’ve been there too... Everyone has that phase.”  

Those words hit me like a bolt from the blue. Looking back, I realized that I had similar experiences in the past—enthusiastically joining Mac user clubs, photography clubs, and motorcycle clubs, only to lose interest after two or three years.  

So when I heard that comment, fear overwhelmed me: What if this, too, was just a passing passion that would fade after two or three years?  

That Sunday during our small group meeting, we had a time to draw cards with Scripture verses on them. The verse I received was:  

**Matthew 7:25**  

*“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”*  

At the time, I didn’t fully understand the verse, but the word **“rock”** gave me great comfort. It felt like a word that steadied my anxious heart, assuring me that there was something unshakable. Now, nearly 20 years later, I am thankful that the fire within me is still alive.  

Thousands or even tens of thousands of people simultaneously experiencing such fervent passion is undoubtedly a special time. During those moments, spiritual activities are often expressed through emotional zeal, and historically, it is clear that such movements tend to begin as temporary phenomena.  

However, not everyone who experienced those passionate seasons continued to carry that fire. This has been true of every revival in history. Many people allowed those seasons of passion to end as nothing more than temporary moments.  

### Simon the Sorcerer  

Today’s passage introduces us to an intriguing character: Simon the Sorcerer.  

Simon practiced sorcery, performing miracles by relying on demonic powers. Sorcery was a grave sin detested by God and punishable by expulsion under Israelite law. However, this was Samaria, and here he was regarded as *“the Great Power of God”*.  

Verses 9-11 provide a detailed description of this unique figure. Simon was not a transient charlatan who tricked people briefly and disappeared, nor was he a fleeting sensation. He had been in the city for a long time, astonishing people with his acts, and had earned the admiration of everyone—from commoners to the elite.  

Simon wielded enduring influence, much like a modern-day figure such as Elon Musk. A person of immense wealth and extraordinary ability, someone whose words and actions could shake the world and leave people amazed and envious.  

Yet, despite his prominence, Simon, along with the rest of the Samaritans, heard Philip’s message, believed, and was baptized. The passage tells us that men and women alike were baptized, and even Simon, the city’s most famous and admired figure, became a follower of Philip.  

The impact of this revival must have been tremendous. Imagine if someone like Elon Musk were to announce publicly that he had become a Christian and was baptized. It would make global headlines, with every media outlet rushing to cover the story.  

A few years ago, even a brief comment by Musk on a Christian podcast, where he expressed his respect for the Golden Rule and the teachings of Jesus, became a significant topic. Christian newspapers turned it into headlines, and it sparked widespread discussion.  

Back then, and even now, when someone like Simon converts, there’s a temptation to give them special treatment and leverage their influence to maximize the momentum of revival. From the text, it seems Simon might have expected to be treated as someone exceptional.  

However, instead of receiving special treatment, Simon was harshly rebuked by the apostles and ultimately rejected. The passage recounts this in great detail.  

Hearing of the remarkable revival in Samaria, two of Jesus’s closest disciples, Peter and John—referred to as apostles—came to join Philip in his ministry.  

The apostles began laying hands on the new believers who had already been baptized in the name of Jesus, praying for them to receive the Holy Spirit. It was then that the Holy Spirit came upon those who had received the laying on of hands.  

A Significant Theological Question  

This passage raises a profound theological question for us.  

The believers in the Samaritan church, including Simon the Sorcerer, had already heard the gospel of Christ through Philip. They had obeyed his teaching and been baptized in the name of Jesus.  

As a result, the demons in the city were cast out, and people’s values began to change. Joy, hope, and freedom swept through the city. Even Simon, the renowned sorcerer, became a devoted follower of Philip and was baptized.  

Yet the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon these people. Isn’t that astonishing?  

While Scripture focuses on Philip, it is likely that a small number of disciples from the Jerusalem church were also evangelizing in Samaria. Through their ministry, countless people were impacted, and their values and culture were being completely transformed. However, all of this was the work of the Holy Spirit operating through Philip and the disciples.  

The Bible makes this clear: even though the Samaritans had been baptized and were zealously following Jesus under Philip’s guidance, their experiences were external. The joy and power they felt were an overflow of the Holy Spirit working through Philip and the disciples. It was not a new life that had been birthed within them.  

Do you understand the difference?  

In sensational situations, people can experience excitement and passion for months or even years, much like falling in love for the first time. These experiences can be shaped and sustained by external circumstances.  

The Samaritans witnessed remarkable signs: the sick being healed and demons being driven out. This created a sense of awe and a sensational response. They were captivated by Philip’s message, obeyed his teachings, and followed him daily. But the new life of the Spirit had not yet taken root within them.  

Everything changed when Peter and John arrived and began laying hands on the Samaritans. Through their prayers, the Holy Spirit came upon the believers.  

Now, the act of receiving the Holy Spirit is not something visible to the naked eye. How, then, did everyone know the Spirit had come upon them? Isn’t that remarkable in itself?  

Moreover, these people had already undergone significant cultural and spiritual changes and were actively following Jesus. What further transformation could have occurred that made the Spirit’s arrival so unmistakable?  

A similar phenomenon occurred during the First Great Awakening in America, which took place in the 1730s and 1740s.

The figure who became the starting point of this revival was Pastor Jonathan Edwards, and the sermon that ignited it was titled **“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”**  

As a result of this revival, churches that had been nearly empty and lifeless were suddenly overflowing with people, so much so that services often had to be held outdoors. A massive wave of repentance swept across the United States like a tidal wave.  

However, Jonathan Edwards himself noticed something troubling amidst the revival.  

He observed the rise of what he referred to as **“enthusiasm” or “emotionalism”**—a phenomenon where people sought after powerful emotional experiences during services and revivals but did not undergo genuine personal or existential transformation.  

This prompted him to write a thick book titled **“Religious Affections”** to distinguish between the true work of the Holy Spirit and these superficial emotional responses.

*Religious Affections* is divided into three parts, addressing the essence of true faith and its evidence. Edwards argued that true faith necessarily includes emotions. Faith goes beyond intellectual understanding, involving “holy affections,” or a deep sense of love and reverence for God from the depths of one’s heart. However, not all emotions are evidence of true faith; the source and outcome of emotions must be carefully examined.  

Intense emotions alone are not proof of true faith. External emotional expressions (e.g., physical reactions, loud cries) are not evidence of true faith. Sudden emotional experiences cannot be assumed to be genuine conversions. Reciting or quoting Scripture does not guarantee genuine conversion.  

Evidence of true faith includes love and reverence for God’s glory and character, obedience to biblical truth, transformation into a holy life, humility and self-denial, and the fruit of the Spirit. While feelings of peace or passionate emotions are natural and good in Christ, they are not always evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work.  

The true work of the Spirit begins with an absolute acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty. It is accompanied by awe and reverence for Him, resulting in a joy born of love for God. This joy produces a longing for God’s Word, a desire to obey it, and an inevitable transformation into a holy life. Selfishness, greed, deception, and darkness gradually fade away, and pride diminishes as humility grows.  

What change occurred in the people who had zealously followed Philip? In short, they transitioned from merely following Philip to living their own lives as independent witnesses for Jesus. This does not mean they immediately became equal to Philip. However, they no longer needed Philip as their sole mediator to connect with Jesus. They now carried Jesus’s life within them and became Philip’s coworkers, living as evangelists according to their own calling. They became new beings—this is what we call rebirth.  

Even Simon the Sorcerer could see the unmistakable transformation in those who received the laying on of hands. At that time, most ordinary people lived passively, always following someone else. But suddenly, Simon saw these people displaying unprecedented boldness, confidence, and noble character. What astonished Simon the most was seeing traits he had only known in society’s elite—people of influence and authority like himself—now appearing in ordinary people who had received the laying on of hands. This was a miracle far greater than healing the sick or casting out demons. These individuals, who might have considered themselves worthless, were transformed into new and noble creations. Witnessing this, Simon resolved to obtain this power at any cost.  

Acts 8:18-19 (NIV):  

“18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, ‘Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’”  

The apostles did not lay hands on Simon or pray for him. Instead, Peter rebuked him sternly:  

Acts 8:23 (NIV):  

“For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”  

Let us imagine the situation. The laying on of hands involved the apostles placing their hands on the foreheads of individuals and praying for them one by one. Simon, observing this scene, was deeply shocked by the dramatic transformations in those who received prayer. He approached the apostles with money and made a special request: Unlike others, Simon said, “I’ll give you all the money you want—just sell me that power. Give me the ability to lay hands on people so that they, too, can receive the Holy Spirit.”  

What happened to Simon? He not only failed to acquire the ability to lay hands on others, but he also received a severe warning and ultimately did not receive the Holy Spirit as the other Samaritans had.  

Why does the Book of Acts suddenly include this strange story about Simon the Sorcerer? Today’s passage challenges us to find the answer to that question.  

In the Gospels, Jesus praises the faith of only two individuals, both of whom were Gentiles.  

One was a Roman centurion. A centurion was a high-ranking officer commanding 100 soldiers.  

Luke 7:6 says,  

*"He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: 'Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.'”*  

The centurion was so humble that he felt unworthy for the holy Lord to meet him, a Gentile who had committed many acts of violence, or to enter his house. For this humility, Jesus commended him:  

Luke 7:9 says,  

*"When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, 'I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.'”*  

The other was a Gentile woman who pleaded with Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter. Jesus tested her faith with a seemingly harsh statement:  

Matthew 15:26 says,  

*"He replied, 'It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.'”*  

The woman responded humbly, and Jesus gave her great praise in return:  

Matthew 15:27-28 says,  

*"‘Yes it is, Lord,’ she said. ‘Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed at that moment."*  

Here, Jesus defines true humility as faith. He equates the greatness of faith with the depth of humility.  

The laying on of hands is also something one cannot receive without humility.  

In the Old Testament, laying on of hands was most commonly performed not on people but on sacrificial animals. It was a ritual to transfer one's sins onto the animal to atone for them.  

An instance of laying on of hands on a person occurs when Moses commissions Joshua through prayer.  

These two examples might seem like opposites—one transferring sin like a curse, the other bestowing authority like a blessing. But Numbers shows that they are fundamentally the same.  

Numbers 8:10-11 says,  

*"You are to bring the Levites before the Lord, and the Israelites are to lay their hands on them. Aaron is to present the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering from the Israelites, so that they may be ready to do the work of the Lord."*  

Laying on of hands always signifies that the recipient is being dedicated as an offering to God.  

The significance of the Levites being presented as offerings is that they were set apart to live solely for the Lord.  

Joshua and the Levites shared this: their lives were fully dedicated to serving as mediators between God and the people. While their specific roles differed, and even among the Levites there were various types of work, they shared the same reality: God was the master of their lives, and their purpose was to bridge the gap between God and His people. In turn, God took full responsibility for their lives.  

All the ordinary Samaritan believers willingly accepted this calling, received the Holy Spirit, and began living out this mission. They had no reason to boast or grow proud; they were weak and humble, yet, as Jesus said, their weakness and humility became their blessing.  

However, Simon, who was powerful and high-ranking, sought to possess the power of the Holy Spirit for his own benefit. While he had listened to Philip’s teachings and followed him zealously, all his actions were ultimately aimed at elevating himself.  

The God we worship is not a deity who exists for our personal religion. He does not tolerate being treated that way. No matter how fervent one’s efforts, if the purpose of one’s faith is centered on oneself, God will deliver the same curse and severe warning He gave to Simon the Sorcerer.  

But to those who willingly offer themselves as sacrifices for God and His people, the Lord will lay His hands upon them and pour out His Spirit in abundance.  

The path of the cross that the Lord walked, the way of living sacrifices, is the most noble purpose of life. Those who walk this path willingly will experience the greatest blessing, dignity, happiness, and peace.  

The Holy Spirit comes only to those who are humble, ready to close their eyes, and receive the touch of the Lord’s hand upon their forehead.  

Are you ready to receive the laying on of hands?  

1/12 There Was Great Joy in That City

Acts Sermon #39

Date: January 12, 2025
Title: There Was Great Joy in That City
Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

1 And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.

3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there.

6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said.

7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.

8 So there was great joy in that city.

### Today’s Scripture Shows That the Church Entered a New Era of Mission.  

To understand this, we need to revisit the birth of the church.

After Jesus was crucified on the cross, He rose from the dead and spent 40 days appearing to His disciples. During this time, a gathering formed around those who had encountered the resurrected Christ, and this became the foundation of the church.

Jesus instructed them to wait for the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem. Then came the event we have meditated on many times: the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

About 100 people were gathered closely together in an upper room. When the Holy Spirit came upon them, they were suddenly able to speak in various languages. Filled with power, the Holy Spirit led them out into the world.

This demonstrates the characteristic of the Holy Spirit: the power to share the grace one has received.

Coincidentally, during the Jewish festival, the temple was crowded with foreign Jews who spoke those very languages as their native tongue. 

When these uneducated Galilean fishermen began speaking in unfamiliar languages, some onlookers wondered if they were drunk early in the morning. However, Peter stood up and declared that it was the work of the Holy Spirit. He proclaimed that the prophecy of Joel regarding the last days was being fulfilled before their eyes:

**[Joel 2:28-29]**  

*28 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.  

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,  

your old men will dream dreams,  

your young men will see visions.  

29 Even on my servants, both men and women,  

I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”*

Thus, the birth of the church at Pentecost also marked the beginning of the last days in human history.

At the time, pilgrims naturally formed groups based on their native languages. The disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak these foreign languages, approached these groups and interpreted Peter’s message into their native tongues, preaching the sermon in a way they could understand.

The fact that individuals who had never traveled to those countries or studied those languages were suddenly able to speak them fluently was an extraordinary miracle. It silenced the crowd and caused them to listen intently to the sermon.

The conclusion of Peter’s message was as follows:

**[Acts 2:36-38]**  

*36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”  

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”  

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”*

All who came to believe in Jesus Christ and were baptized were called “the church.”

Throughout church history, and even in our time, such as during the Asbury Revival two years ago, there have been miraculous experiences and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. The early believers gathered daily in the temple to hear the apostles’ teachings, praise God, and engage in a completely new form of worship.

**[Acts 2:42]**  

*“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”*

Before this, worship involved exchanging currency, purchasing offerings, and presenting them to the priests, who would then sacrifice the offerings, sprinkle their blood, and burn them. But now, there was no need for currency exchange or offerings. Worship became about receiving the apostles’ teachings, fellowshipping, breaking bread, and praying together—the very form of worship we observe today.

However, many pilgrims from foreign lands were part of this early community. The local believers in Jerusalem faced challenges in providing food and shelter for far more people than their own families. At this critical moment, individuals like Barnabas voluntarily sold their possessions and brought the proceeds to the apostles, creating a heavenly community the world had never seen.

**[Acts 2:44-46]**  

*44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.  

45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.  

46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.*

This is the fragrance of heaven.  

Isn’t it common for close relatives to become enemies over money? Across cultures, financial issues are one of the main reasons for divorce. Earthly power is rooted in selfishness, while heavenly authority is grounded in selfless love.  

Imagine pooling all our paychecks on payday and redistributing them according to need. Most of us would feel an overwhelming sense of discomfort, maybe even shock. It’s such an alien idea, completely at odds with the values and norms of the world we live in. 

But 2,000 years ago, the disparity between the rich and the poor was even greater. Most people were in dire situations where they relied heavily on help just to get by. So, this concept was even more shocking back then. 

The degree of our discomfort or shock at such an idea is, in fact, proportional to the distance between our values and the values of the kingdom of heaven.

I remember something that happened many years ago. At the time, I was a young ministry intern leading a Bible study for the English-speaking group at our church. One of the members, a man who had been attending church for some time, began opening up more and participating sincerely in our Bible study. Week after week, he faithfully completed his assignments, showed a growing interest in Scripture, and seemed eager to deepen his commitment to the church. Watching his progress brought me great joy and a sense of purpose.

One Sunday after Bible study, he approached me with a serious question. He told me he wanted to start giving properly to the church but didn’t know how much to give. He asked if I could provide him with some guidance or a standard.

I remember feeling cautious. When I first started attending church, I was living in Seoul, struggling to make ends meet in a demanding job. The concept of tithing—a tenth of my income—had been shocking to me. It took time for me to fully grasp the truth that all of my income came from the Lord and belonged to Him. So, I understood how sensitive this topic could be, especially for someone new to the faith.

At first, I suggested that he simply give according to his gratitude toward God, as much as he felt comfortable. But he was persistent, earnestly wanting to know the “right” standard. Reluctantly, I explained the concept of tithing. His reaction was one of visible shock.

Sadly, not long after, he began attending less frequently. Eventually, he stopped coming to church altogether. I was heartbroken. For years, I thought about that moment. What could I have said differently? Was there a better way to approach it? Even now, I occasionally wonder about it.

In the world, fairness is often seen as everyone paying the same price for the same service or receiving the same wage for the same work. But the church has never operated that way—not from the very beginning. God’s ways are not like the ways of the world.

The parable of the talents clearly illustrates this principle: God requires more from those who have been given more—not only financially, but also in love, commitment, and service.  

**[Luke 12:47-48]**  

*47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.  

48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”*  

If everything we have has been given by the Lord, then isn’t it only fair that we live by His principles?  

When I was younger, teachers often said, *“Being first place isn’t what’s important. What really matters is being honest and giving your best—that’s the true victory.”* They would genuinely praise students who worked hard, regardless of their results.  

But as I grew older and entered the world, I realized how far ideals are from reality.  

Even at a children’s amusement park, wealth determines who can skip lines. What message does that send to kids about fairness and effort?  

When electing leaders, morality is no longer even a consideration; the immediate personal benefits they offer have become the main criterion. It’s no wonder that the people children admire today are often those who’ve accumulated the most wealth, regardless of their methods.  

In a world where children grow up learning such lessons early, the phrase *“Being honest and giving your best is what really matters”* can sound like a hollow echo.  

The values and culture of the world constantly shift—sometimes toward good, sometimes toward evil. In the 1950s, for example, in the United States, it’s said that if you weren’t a registered church member, you couldn’t even get a bank loan. At that time, attending church was so common that those who didn’t were in the minority. Christian values shaped the societal norms of that era.  

Even those who didn’t attend church shared similar moral standards with Christians: valuing fidelity in marriage, prioritizing honesty and diligence over mere achievement, and holding to a high view of integrity.  

When Christian values began to permeate society, they fundamentally changed it. For instance, in ancient Rome, where it was once common to abandon unwanted infants, the advent of Christianity led to the establishment of orphanages. Hospitals were built to care for the sick, driven by a new ethic of compassion.  

This pattern has repeated wherever Christianity has taken root. In Korea, missionaries introduced orphanages, hospitals, and schools, bringing transformative change to society.  

When Christianity enters a culture, it doesn’t merely establish churches—it eradicates widespread evils and builds a fairer, healthier society.  

A striking example of this comes from 1974, during the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Switzerland. An Indian pastor, while walking through Swiss pastures with a local pastor, noticed something remarkable. They passed a self-service milk stand in front of a dairy farm. The Swiss pastor casually took a bottle of milk from the fridge, left money on the counter, and walked away.  

Astonished, the Indian pastor exclaimed, *“Pastor, I’ve been wondering since we walked past those pastures without any guards. How is it possible that no one steals the cows? And now, how can you leave cash at the counter with no one watching? And what’s more, how can the milk be sold without adulteration?”*  

The Swiss pastor, equally puzzled, responded, *“Why would anyone need to guard it?”*  

It was then that the Indian pastor realized something profound. In India at the time, leaving cows unattended was unthinkable because they would surely be stolen. Shops always required attendants, and milk was often diluted with water to increase profits, necessitating multiple layers of quality checks. Ironically, despite India’s lower GDP, the price of a glass of milk there was higher than in Switzerland because of these inefficiencies.  

This wasn’t about the Swiss people being inherently more devout or pure. It highlighted the pervasive influence of Christian values on a society. Where trust, honesty, and fairness prevail, society becomes more efficient and just. Christianity shapes not just individuals but the broader culture in ways that promote human flourishing.

This passage shows us how such transformative changes in human history began.  

The Samaritans *listened to Philip, saw the signs he performed, and followed what he said.* The text implies that their values and culture were beginning to change.  

The gospel of Jesus Christ had reached Samaria.  

And what happened as a result?  

**[Acts 8:7]**  

*“For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.”*  

Do you know people around you who are possessed by evil spirits, screaming and manifesting violently? Perhaps you’ve encountered such cases occasionally, but it’s not something we commonly see.  

Yet, in the Bible, these occurrences are frequent. Doesn’t that strike you as curious?  

Jesus, the disciples, and Paul encountered such people repeatedly, and countless stories of exorcism are recorded throughout Scripture.  

So why don’t we see such cases as often in our time?  

Even in a world where finding a truly godly church is challenging, and Christianity faces criticism for its shortcomings, God’s presence still remains in the places we live.  

Just as ten righteous people could save a city (Genesis 18:32), the presence of even a small number of faithful believers who love God sustains our communities. The Holy Spirit, who dwells in and works through these believers, protects the region.  

This isn’t just a matter of historical differences. If you go to areas where Christianity has little to no influence, you’ll still find bizarre phenomena and people possessed by demons relatively easily.  

In regions shaped by what we often call Western civilization, where the influence of Christianity has been historically significant—even if it’s waning—there are still faithful remnants who keep the church alive. Because of these remnants, these areas are not overtaken by the dominion of evil spirits.  

The sustaining presence of God’s people and the work of the Holy Spirit prevent such places from becoming dens of spiritual darkness.  

A few days ago, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter passed away at the age of 100. What caught my attention was the widespread recognition and admiration for his life, far beyond what I expected.

Though he holds the distinction of being one of the few one-term presidents in U.S. history, a title often seen as unfavorable, his post-presidency life achieved what no other president has accomplished.

As a human rights ambassador, Carter monitored over 100 elections in 39 countries and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his decades-long efforts in resolving international conflicts peacefully. He also devoted much of his life to volunteering through *Habitat for Humanity*, traveling the world to build homes for the homeless—a mission he pursued for decades.

In 1976, during his presidential campaign, Carter faced a major crisis due to his unflinching honesty. Openly professing his born-again Christian faith, he was asked if he had ever sinned. He responded, *“I cannot say I’m without sin because I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.”* Yet the press twisted his words into headlines claiming, *“Carter Confesses to Adultery,”* a narrative that followed him throughout his life.

Even so, Carter went on to win the presidency, and one of his most famous statements became, *“I will never lie to you.”*  

He was the first U.S. president to openly identify as a born-again Christian. Advocating for limited government intervention, Carter believed the freedom this allowed should be filled with Christian values and a clear moral conscience.

Carter’s lifelong motto was encapsulated in his words during his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech:  

*"God has given us the ability to choose.  

We can choose to alleviate suffering.  

We can choose to work together for peace.  

We can make these changes—and we must."*

Seeing the world honor Jimmy Carter’s 100-year legacy—from secular newspapers to Christian media, and across the political spectrum—was both surprising and heartwarming. It felt as if God was affirming Carter’s life, allowing him to receive respect and glory from all people.

In these times of severe polarization—whether in Europe, Korea, or the U.S.—where nations are torn apart by far-right and far-left ideologies, Carter’s values shine even brighter. His life offers a stark contrast to the darkness of division and serves as a reminder of a higher calling.

As I wrote these reflections, his funeral on Thursday was broadcast globally. Current President Joe Biden described Carter as a *“faithful servant of God,”* a eulogy that felt more fitting for a pastor than a politician.

For Jimmy Carter, being a faithful servant of God mattered far more—eternally more—than being a president of the United States.  

And the same holds true for us all.

What kind of book is the Bible? While there are many ways to analyze it, when we look at its content, it’s not merely a list of rules or wise sayings for life. Instead, it’s filled with the stories of people—individuals God wanted us to know about.

The book of Acts we are reading now illustrates this well. It moves from the story of Barnabas to Stephen, and now to Philip, showcasing the commonalities among God’s faithful servants. These are individuals who loved and followed God, and through whom God worked powerfully.  

The Bible is the record of those who loved God and the works God accomplished through them.  

If that’s the case, then in the time after the Bible, God’s work should still manifest through those who follow Him.  

It has been 2,000 years since Christ, and now the church exists all over the world. If so, there should be countless individuals in every church who, like Jesus, inspire and move others—even nonbelievers.  

But where are such people today?  

When we think about Christianity in America, or even more so in Korea, who comes to mind?  

Among politicians known for their faith, it’s hard to find the honesty of someone like Jimmy Carter. Among pastors, it’s rare to find those filled with the fragrance of deep and boundless love.  

A few days ago, I came across statistics shared on a Korean Christian broadcast. It revealed that Christianity is the most disliked religion among Koreans. Even more startling was the reason: both Christians and non-Christians alike cited corruption and immorality within the church as the primary cause.  

There were other painful truths in the survey, but one stood out to me as the most serious problem.  

When asked about the most important aspect of faith, both Christians and non-Christians gave the same answer. Can you guess what it was?  

Both groups agreed that the primary purpose of religion is *“peace of mind.”*  

The professor presenting the results noted that this shift, away from “salvation and eternal life” as the primary purpose of faith, represents a profound paradigm shift.  

This change is more than just a statistic—it’s a reflection of how far the church may have drifted from its foundational mission.

For those who believe that this life is all there is, it’s natural to see religion as a source of “peace of mind.” I thought the same way before I met Jesus.  

But how is it that the majority of Christians today also define the purpose of faith as “peace of mind”?  

Peace of mind is a byproduct of having Jesus as Lord and receiving eternal life, not the purpose of faith itself.  

Yet, most Christians no longer agree with this truth. The broadcast concluded with the suggestion that we must find ways to improve Christianity’s public perception.  

But how should we approach this?  

Should churches work to provide the kind of peace people are looking for?  

Or should they boldly call people to repentance, saying, *“That’s not the way!”*  

This situation clarifies and explains so much.  

The harshest rebukes Jesus gave were directed at the religious leaders of Judaism. He called them *“whitewashed tombs”* and *“hypocrites.”* His criticism wasn’t of Judaism itself, which began with Moses, but of how it had become a religion serving their self-interests rather than a true worship of God.  

In the same way, Christianity has, for many believers, devolved into a religion that fulfills their personal needs. Recognizing this pattern in the data makes it all the more understandable.  

I believe this is why the Lord gives us sobering and, at times, frightening messages in Acts. Many churchgoers today live without realizing their state, pursuing the *“new idol”* of peace of mind as their ultimate goal. Doesn’t this call for us to wake them up, even if it means shaking them?  

If there are people around you who place the purpose of their faith in peace of mind, physical health, or their children’s success, pray earnestly for their salvation.  

Like the Jews of Jesus’ time, they need to be awakened to the true purpose of faith. And remember how sharply Jesus rebuked them to shake them from their spiritual complacency.  

In the introduction to *“Spiritual Disciplines and Growth,”* which we began studying this past Wednesday, the author emphasizes the necessity of spiritual training and warns against two prevalent extremes within Christianity.  

On one side are those who misunderstand grace to mean that we should remain passive, doing nothing because *“it’s all God’s work.”* On the other side are those who strive to live a godly life entirely through their own effort, apart from God’s power.  

Most of us have likely experienced both extremes, along with their discouraging results.  

I’ve seen many Christians swing between these two approaches, living joyless spiritual lives. I, too, have fallen into those traps at times.  

So, what should we do?  

**“Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”**  

**- Galatians 6:8**

If we look closely at this verse, it emphasizes that *we* are the ones sowing. Whether we choose to sow to please the flesh or to please the Spirit, the responsibility for that choice lies with us.  

The statement *“everything is grace”* is not meant to be an excuse for us to keep sowing to the flesh as if it doesn’t matter.  

However, neither can we manufacture grace. If we start to think, *“I’ve studied the Bible, I’ve gained knowledge, and now I can produce grace myself,”* we are setting ourselves up for failure.  

Even the seeds we sow, the ground they are sown in, the water that nourishes them, and the sunlight that shines upon them—all of these are God’s grace.  

No matter how much we grow spiritually, our role remains a small gesture to position ourselves to receive grace.  

This involves self-control: refraining from seeing, hearing, or touching things that hinder us from receiving grace. But even this self-control is not something we can accomplish by our own strength or willpower.  

The choices we make—to receive grace, to walk in love, to pray faithfully for others, to drag our tired bodies to fellowship—these are all acts of sowing to please the Spirit. Yet, even these are not things we can do on our own.  

Take this cold morning as an example. Are we here simply because of our own will? No. This is the result of both our choice and the Lord’s help working together.  

For some of us, the discipline of attending Sunday worship is well-ingrained, making the decision easier. For others, being away from worship for too long has made the step of coming back feel overwhelmingly difficult.  

In the same way, our daily lives are a blend of God’s guidance and our choices. Some will spend most of their day disconnected from God, while others will strive to make decisions aligned with their faith, grappling with what is right.  

But neither of these paths is what we seek.  

The life we pursue is one where we remember God and continually open up space for Him to work. The power and the love in that space must always come from Him.  

This way of life is not easily achieved. It’s like trying to change an old habit; it requires persistence.  

But faith is not about merely seeing or hearing—it is about following.  

Knowing about Jesus won’t transform the world, but following Jesus will.  

When more people truly follow Him, great joy will spread throughout the city.  

Let’s dream together this year, in 2025, of being the kind of followers through whom His joy can radiate. Let’s make choices that open up space for Jesus to move and work.  

In every one of those spaces, the fragrance of God’s kingdom and His great joy will overflow.  

**Let us pray.**

1/5 From Saul to Stephen

Date: January 5, 2025

Title: From Saul to Stephen

Scripture: Acts 8:1-6

It feels like it’s been a very long time since we’ve worshiped here. We’ve truly lived the life of travelers this time of the year as well.

But in my heart, it feels more like a warm and cozy time, as if we all went on a journey together. I believe it’s because we’ve been surrounded by God’s grace.

In the neighborhood where I live, there are two large Jewish synagogues, and about 30% of the town’s population is Jewish, so it’s common to see them around. Every year, around September to October, during the time of Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles), you can easily spot homes with sukkahs (temporary shelters) set up in front.

The Feast of Tabernacles is a time to remember the days when the Israelites lived as travelers in the wilderness. Especially in the fall, during the season of the harvest, God made sure that, in the midst of abundance, they wouldn’t forget Him. He wanted them to remember the God of the wilderness—the God of Gershom.

For Jewish children, experiencing the cold air and the hard, uncomfortable ground each year offers a completely different experience compared to just hearing stories about the wilderness from thousands of years ago.

Finding a place to worship every year at the end of the year isn’t easy, but the experience of feeling the same longing that Mary and Joseph must have had when they searched for a place to give birth to baby Jesus during Christmas is truly a blessing.

Just like the Feast of Tabernacles that God gave us, having a pilgrim’s heart and placing our hope only in God is a miraculous blessing.

Here, where a million people gather to welcome the New Year on January 1st, isn’t it a miracle and a privilege that we can worship Jesus Christ every week?

Let’s thank the Lord for yet another miracle that has happened today and give Him our applause!

We have been studying the sermon of Stephen, whose name means “crown,” over the past few weeks, and through this, we’ve also explored the history of Israel—God’s history.

Through Stephen’s sermon, the Israelites would have felt a sense of pride as they listened to the great stories of their ancestors, from Abraham, their proud forefather, to Jacob and the era of the patriarchs, as well as the great history of the Exodus led by God with Moses.

However, the incident of the golden calf, which took place just before the Ten Commandments were given in the wilderness, turned the mood around dramatically.

Despite having experienced the miraculous parting of the Red Sea and other great miracles of salvation, how quickly and easily the Israelites had turned their backs on God—this was the truth that Stephen exposed, and it stirred up the crowd.

Without hesitation, Stephen proclaimed the shocking truth he really wanted to share.

“You are no different from the Israelites in the wilderness who foolishly called the golden calf God and worshipped it. You have come to treat this temple as if it were God Himself. Do you really think God is confined to this temple?”

They were enraged and picked up stones.

But think about it for a moment.

Was Stephen wrong?

Was God not present before the temple was built?

What about before the tabernacle was established? Was God not there then?

The God of Jacob and Abraham did not have a physical form or a designated place, did He?

Was God’s presence lacking because there was no temple? Isn’t it the opposite?

God was everywhere and was always with them, wasn’t He?

Stephen wanted to tell his Jewish brothers about the restoration of worship.

[John 4:21] Jesus replied, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.”

This was Jesus’ response to the Samaritan woman, who had asked whether the true place of worship was the temple on Mount Gerizim in northern Israel or the temple in Jerusalem.

And He continued:

[John 4:23] “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”

Stephen wanted to convey this message:

“You say you value the temple because you love God, but now are you not only loving the temple itself?”

If you truly loved God, how could you kill the prophets He sent?

When John the Baptist died, you didn’t mourn.

You killed the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and now you want to kill me too, don’t you?

I’ve shared this a few times before, but as I reflect on Solomon’s Temple and Herod’s Temple, I find myself thinking deeply.

Solomon didn’t build the temple simply because he lacked materials, money, or love for God. He was the wealthiest king in Israel’s history.

Yet, he humbly listened to God’s will and completed the construction in seven years. On the other hand, the expansion of Herod’s temple, according to the Gospel of John, took forty-six years.

[John 2:20] “The Jews responded, ‘It took forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?’”

By the time of Jesus, the construction had already been ongoing for 46 years, and it was completed in AD 63, taking a total of 83 years. However, in AD 70, it was completely destroyed by the Roman army.

What is the significance of the size of these two temples, and the fact that one took 7 years to complete and the other 83 years?

There are many meanings, but I believe the most important lesson is, “Do not pour too much energy into building the temple!”

What did God want to accomplish through His protection and blessings on the nation of Israel?

[Exodus 19:5-6]

5 “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.

6 Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

In the Old Testament, God was pleased and blessed Israel when they feared Him and served as a light to the nations. On the other hand, when they became more and more like the nations around them and even envied them, they suffered defeat in wars and were destroyed.

The characteristic of the prosperous foreign cities of that time was their enormous idols and temples, which attracted pilgrims from all over. The fact that Herod expanded the Jerusalem Temple into something more beautiful and grand was not unrelated to this.

Among the Jews of that time, it was almost unthinkable not to believe that the long, ongoing expansion of the temple was for the glory of God and in accordance with His will.

However, God did not want the construction of such a grand and elaborate temple. Instead, He wanted Israel to live as His people and become a holy nation of priests, spreading His salvation to the ends of the earth.

When grand church buildings were constructed in medieval Europe, how many people truly thought that these were being built for God, to make Him happy and glorify Him?

However, we must remember that when St. Peter’s Basilica, the most beautiful and magnificent church, was built in Vatican City—recognized today as the heart of Catholicism—it was also during a time when the church had fallen so far that it had nowhere left to go.

The Reformation was a resistance by a poor monk who saw how the construction of such church buildings was funded by the blood and sweat of the common people.

Something very similar happened in Jesus’ time in Judaism and in Catholicism during the medieval period. Thus, the same force that led to this deception must also have been at work.

What is shocking, however, is that medieval Catholicism was no different from Judaism in many ways. That is truly shocking.

They had read the same Acts of the Apostles we are reading, and they had heard Stephen’s cry.

And yet, they were deceived again, and returned to the path of idolatry.

Their hearts, eyes, and ears were once again darkened.

They had the truth that leads to light, but they never met God in that truth.

Can we confidently say that our evangelical Christianity is different? Can we be sure that today’s churches are truly meeting God in the light of truth?

Do we sometimes think that we can lead people to God through visible success and grandeur? When a successful businessman or a famous celebrity reveals they are Christian, we get excited and proud, sometimes even showing off their crosses or religious symbols. We expect that many people will follow Jesus because of them.

I, too, had similar thoughts for a while. But now, I don’t see it that way.

Even if people are led to church through such individuals, I’m not sure if they will be helped toward true faith, or if those individuals will actually be a hindrance to their faith.

Jesus Himself rejected people who followed Him because they thought being a Christian would bring them success in business or wealth. He said to them, “You follow me because you ate the bread I gave you and were filled. You just want to make Me your king so that you can live well and prosper. But I will not be that kind of king for you.”

But do we see churches today saying such things? Have we ever heard a church say, “If you follow Jesus with such intentions, you are not worthy to be His disciple. Think carefully, count the cost, and then come.”

Instead, we hear churches saying, “Come sit down first, regardless of your reasons. Faith comes from hearing, so listen to the Word!” Haven’t we all heard this? But have churches that attracted people with such an approach become shining examples of the light of Christ in the world? Has Christianity truly become the fullness of Christ revealed to the world?

Look at the examples of Christians shown in the Acts of the Apostles, aside from the twelve apostles who had a special position with Jesus. Barnabas, for example, did not consider his wealth his own; he freely shared it with the community to help those in need.

And Stephen, whom we’ve been reflecting on for the past few weeks, did not even hesitate to give his life.

God may not be asking all of us to live the same way, but if Christ is truly our Lord, can we give only a portion of our possessions to Him, keeping the rest for ourselves? Can we still call Him our Lord while doing that?

It’s good to admire the life of Jesus and to gain wisdom from reading the Bible—these will benefit us greatly in life.

However, that is not what makes someone a Christian.

A Christian is a “ChristiAN” It means belonging to Christ. It means Christ is the Lord. That’s why we call Him “Lord, Lord.”

“Lord” is a title that elevates the name of Jesus, showing that He is both God and the Owner of our lives. In English, it is written with a capital “LORD” to signify this. It’s not just any master; He is God Himself.

The ones who stoned Stephen to death were not Gentiles or Roman soldiers. They were deeply religious Jews. They were absolutely certain that they were punishing a heretic who was blaspheming God.

If they truly knew God and encountered Him through their faith, how could they not recognize a faithful brother like Stephen? How could they have stoned him to death for blasphemy?

Who, then, was the “Lord” they so firmly believed in and followed? This is not something we should take lightly, is it?

The most religious Jews of that time did not truly follow God as their Lord. Similarly, during the Middle Ages, countless priests and popes presided over the most grand churches. They wore magnificent robes and hats decorated with crosses, but in reality, Jesus was not their Lord.

Isn’t this a serious and frightening matter?

In today’s passage, it is recorded that some Jews, like Saul, rejoiced in victory at the death of Stephen, while another group of Jews mourned and wept for him.

They were the same people, likely from the same synagogue, growing up and learning together, yet they had completely opposite reactions.

The difference between Moses and the people of Israel…

The difference between Stephen and Saul…

In the same era,

Having witnessed the same miracles of God, they chose completely different paths.

What makes the difference?

[Acts 7:51]

“You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your ancestors: you always resist the Holy Spirit.”

In the Bible, when God rebukes Israel, He often uses the phrase “stiff-necked people.”

This expression literally refers to being stubborn and proud. These two qualities are inseparable.

When it says that their hearts and ears were uncircumcised, it means their hearts and ears were covered by lies, making them unable to see or hear the truth.

When covered by lies and stubbornly proud, no one can help you.

We are being told not to be stubborn but to open our hearts and ears. We need to be humble before both God and people, and obedient to the Holy Spirit.

Personally, no matter how many times they hear the gospel or receive sacrificial love, a stubborn person will not accept Jesus as Lord.

Without a heart that pleads for help in weakness, without mourning over one’s sins, without the desperate, humble recognition that there is no hope for salvation except through Jesus, salvation cannot come.

The first appearance of the young man named Saul is connected to the death of Stephen.

[Acts 7:58]

“They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.”

If we misunderstand this scene, we might think that Saul wasn’t actively involved in the brutal killing of Stephen. However, the reality is the opposite.

Later, as the record shows, Saul was a key figure who ruthlessly sought out and destroyed churches one by one. The book of Acts clearly records how he eagerly volunteered for this task.

The fact that the witnesses laid their coats at Saul’s feet actually shows that he was the leader of this mob.

The Pharisees were careful never to stain their hands with the blood of sinners. Even approaching a dead body was considered taboo for them. They saw themselves as holy and left the dirty work to the common crowd.

When Stephen was put to death, the English translation of Acts 8:1 says, “Saul approved of their killing.” This shows that he permitted and led the crowd in the execution.

Forgiveness

However, as we saw in last week’s passage, Jesus sternly warned that anyone who causes one of the little ones to stumble would be better off tying a millstone around their neck and drowning in the sea.

How heavy must Saul’s sin be?

Stephen, who lived exactly as Jesus did, a man so precious that he could even make Jesus rise, was stoned to death by Saul. Saul stirred up the crowd, and without getting his hands dirty, he was the one who orchestrated the brutal killing. How much more grievous must his sin have been? Doesn’t he deserve the harshest punishment?

Yet, God forgave him.

When this man lost his sight and knelt before one of the very Christians he had been hunting, God not only forgave him but also made him walk the same path as Stephen—living a life like Stephen’s.

This Saul became the Apostle Paul.

Who was Paul?

Some scholars even say that Christianity is the religion of Paul, who completed the doctrine of Christianity.

It was a complete reversal.

Furthermore, due to Stephen’s martyrdom, the Christian faith that began in Jerusalem quickly spread throughout Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

[Acts 1:8]

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Whatever the cause, whatever the method, the Lord wanted His church to spread beyond Jerusalem and reach the whole world.

Though one Stephen was martyred, countless other Stephens spread out into the world, didn’t they?

This is the Christian version of a happy ending, where everything works together for good.

Death and Sleep

In Acts 7:60, it says that Stephen “fell asleep” rather than “died.” It expresses it as sleeping, not death.

[1 Thessalonians 4:16]

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”

Being “in Christ” means belonging to Him, being His possession. As those who belong to Christ, we will awaken, and that day will be more refreshing than any morning.

Jesus, while on the cross, said to a repentant sinner, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise!”

In the physical world, the return of Jesus and the resurrection of those who are asleep in Christ could take thousands of years, but when we awake and put on our glorious spiritual bodies, that day will feel as if no time has passed at all—just like today.

For Stephen, who slept that day, he is not waiting for the second coming of Jesus after 2,000 years. From his perspective, the moment he “fell asleep,” he was already with his beloved Lord.

Do you believe this? If you truly believe this, how will our lives change?

The fears and frustrations we experience, especially the dissatisfaction with things that have not been achieved, could they actually stem from our inability to truly believe in eternal life?

When we stand before the Lord in that eternal place, we will look back on our lives and see them as if they were a dream, just a brief moment.

In that brief moment, we have been tricked into thinking we must accomplish everything, proving how important we are or that we deserve to be loved. We spend this short time trying to prove ourselves. Who is trying to deceive us into living this way?

Don’t we live with the same anxieties and worries as those who think their bodies, which will eventually decay and return to dust, are all they have?

How many of our life’s resources have we poured out trying to protect and preserve what is only a handful of things, living in fear of loss?

If this isn’t just someone else’s story, let’s dedicate ourselves completely to the Lord in this new year of 2025.

Let’s live a life where the Lord truly is the Master,

a life where He takes full responsibility from beginning to end,

and let’s live a year where we don’t interfere with His work.

When we look to the Lord, who is watching over us,

we will mysteriously find that sacrifices made out of love will no longer feel like losses.

The love that comes from eternity is something that grows the more we share it.

Loving like that is the fundamental reason we live in this world.

The One who can move someone like Saul to the place of Stephen—let’s entrust ourselves completely to Him.

We will rise up and meet the gaze of Jesus, who watched over Stephen.

12/29 Those Who Receive the Crown

Acts Lesson 37

Date: 12/29/2024

Title: Those Who Receive the Crown

Scripture: Acts 7:50-60

[Acts 7:50-60]

50 "Is it not he who made the heavens and the earth and everything in them?"

51 "You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors did.

52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him,

53 despite the fact that you have received the law that the angel of the presence gave.

54 When they heard these things, they were enraged and began to twist their ears and kill Stephen.

55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

56 "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

57 At this, they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him,

58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes down at a young man named Saul’s feet.

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep."

Greeting

First, thank you to Chajojohneun Church for inviting and welcoming our church.

Our church is currently using a studio near Times Square in Manhattan as our worship location. However, since the studio itself will close from Christmas through the end of the year, we suddenly find ourselves without a place to worship.

Therefore, starting with the Christmas worship on the 25th, continuing through today—the last Sunday of the year—and up to the New Year’s worship a few days later, we have been wandering like strangers.

However, this is not entirely unfamiliar to our church.

We have worshiped at Dominican Republic Church in Washington Heights, Manhattan, and also at a nursing home.

As a result, when I mentioned that we need to hold three worship services at different locations by the end of the year,

almost no one in the congregation was surprised, which actually made me a bit embarrassed.

Last week’s Christmas worship was also held in Fort Lee, and many members attended, making it a warm and abundant service. Taking advantage of being in Fort Lee, we also had warm jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles) delivered for lunch.

Repeating these processes every year is not easy, but

through this process, we are reminded of many things: the fact that the church is not a building, and that we are still travelers on the journey.

Jacob, the patriarch of faith, defined his life as a "traveler’s life,"

and Peter, a disciple of Jesus, also called his brothers "those who are strangers in Christ."

When we look at life from the biggest possible perspective, until we enter the Kingdom of God, which has eternal homes, we are all travelers living in temporary dwellings.

However, we keep forgetting that and think and act as if we will live here forever.

This is the most serious factor that binds our lives to be indistinct from the world.

Therefore, experiencing the life of a traveler through the church has been an opportunity for spiritual awakening.

Nevertheless, this last Sunday’s worship this year is another extraordinary and new experience.

Because two communities have gathered together to worship.

The sight of two children being friendly together can instantly make a parent’s heart go to heaven.

Even without specifically presenting related Bible verses,

I am confident that the sight of our two churches uniting to praise and worship the Lord today is like honey dripping from the Lord’s eyes!

Even before I started my pastoral ministry, such things happened occasionally, but after I started, I actually experience this quite often. What I mean is, "Wow... this is really not something I am doing. It is the Lord working through me."

The moment we decided on this united worship was just like that. It was not a plan in my mind. Probably, it was not a plan in Pastor Chun's mind either. It was just that when the two met, their hearts connected, and it was the work of the Lord.

At such times, although it is a new situation, it feels as if it has been prepared for a long time and must come to be this way.

Therefore, I hope you can fully expect today.

Not my sermon, but through today’s worship where we have united, let's fully expect the changes and great works that will happen to us.

Our church has been studying Acts together for 36 weeks, spending time finding and hearing the Lord’s word through Acts.

Today is the 37th session, which is the scene of Deacon Stephen’s martyrdom.

**Entering Acts Chapter 7, Stephen began his sermon to the religious leaders and Jews who were fiercely pressing to kill him.**

He started from Abraham, the patriarch of faith whom they proudly regarded, moving through Moses and the years in the wilderness, the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant created there, and Joshua leading the people into the land of Canaan. The Ark of the Covenant was finally placed in the Temple by Solomon, David’s son.

When the Ark of the Covenant, which had been housed in tents as a temporary dwelling for a thousand years, was finally placed in a stable Temple, the joy of the Israelites was overwhelming and indescribable.

Later, the Temple expanded by King Herod became almost ten times larger than the one Solomon initially built, becoming magnificent and a source of pride for all the people of Israel.

**[Luke 21:5-6]**

5 "Some of those who are present said, 'Look, Teacher, what magnificent stones and buildings!'

6 But Jesus replied, 'Do you see all these great buildings? Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.'"

When we see that Jesus spoke about the destruction of the Temple slightly differently in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we understand that He did not mention it just once.

Moreover, the direct reference to the destruction of the Temple was the immediate reason that incited the Jews' greatest anger.

Jesus also esteemed the Temple, but only as a "house of prayer for all nations," not equating the Temple itself with God.

However, the Jews had come to worship the Temple as if it were God. Their behavior was no different from idol worshipers who treated Greco-Roman temples and idols with reverence, despite only the name of Jehovah God being used. Their attitudes and the meaning of their worship had already become indistinguishable from idol worship.

The main purpose and final key point of Stephen's lengthy sermon was ultimately:

You are now worshiping the Temple as Jehovah God, just as the Israelites in the wilderness sang and worshiped Jehovah, the God who saved us, while they made the golden calf during Moses' time.

But God was not there; He was with His Son, Jesus Christ... whom you killed!

It is Jesus, whom you killed, not the Temple, who is worthy of honor and glory!

That is what he shouted!!

Did they awaken upon hearing this truth?

The enraged Jews did not even give Stephen a chance to defend himself in court. Shouting loudly, covering their ears, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city, and stoned him to death without a trial.

What made them so angry and excited to the point of killing a person might have been their love for the Temple, but it was certainly not love for God.

Let's take a look at a verse that we often memorize and that gives us great strength.

[Romans 8:28] "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Paul, who wrote this letter to the Romans, was writing to fellow believers who were suffering and whose hope seemed to be fading.

So, when he says, "in all things God works for the good," he was reassuring them that even if it seems like nothing good will come from their current situation, eventually everything will work out for the best. He wanted them to understand that.

In the end, everything that happens in our lives can be divided into two categories: things that God actively gives us, and things that He allows to happen with sorrow in His heart.

As a result, both joyful and sorrowful things coexist in our lives.

However, there is a special promise for those who love God. The severity of their pain is limited, and God promises to help them bear it. Furthermore, even the pains we endure will eventually bear beautiful and good fruit.

This is the foundation of the true and deep peace that we have.

Sadly, there are many Christians who treat God like Santa Claus, thinking He simply rewards good behavior and punishes bad. These people hide the truth about themselves, pretending everything is fine and acting like they are good, quiet children who never cry.

They think that if they obey God's commands, their business will prosper, their health will be good, and their children will do well, as if everything should work out in a simple, transactional way.

But doesn't the Bible say that God sometimes rebukes and disciplines those He loves? Doesn't it say that He hears the prayers of those who mourn? Doesn't it say that the sacrifices God accepts are a broken spirit?

Thus, so-called "prosperity theology" can never be true faith, even if someone is outwardly religious and seemingly holy. The Jewish leaders, who were the most religious and appeared the holiest, are the ones who dragged Stephen—who was like a saint, looking directly at Jesus—and stoned him to death. This shows that, in reality, they were idolaters, having no true relationship with God.

When we look carefully at Romans 8:28, the verse that gives us hope and the basis for our peace, we see that the promise is specifically for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

It is not about pretending to love, or following the selfish love that the world speaks of. It is about those who are called according to His will—those who obey God's purpose.

Jesus explained who these people are:

[Matthew 10:37-38]

37 "Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me."

Isn't this shocking? Does it seem too extreme?

This is what it means to love God and to be called by Him.

And we see this in the example of Stephen, who is shown to us as a model.

Stephen was not one of the Twelve Apostles. He was not killed by the Roman soldiers but by the very Jewish people he called his brothers. These people, filled with anger, stoned him to death.

What could be a more miserable and painful death than this?

But is there any good in this? Do you see this as an example of Romans 8:28, where "all things work together for good"?

How could this possibly have a happy ending?

Indeed, how many people in human history have loved God as much as Stephen did, and given everything for His calling? He is undoubtedly one of the few. Moreover, wasn't he the first martyr, the one who laid down his life for his friends, just as Jesus taught?

If the promise of Romans 8:28 did not apply to him, how could anyone dare to speak of hope?

[Acts 7:55] "But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God."

The Lord kept His promise to Stephen.

At the very moment when everyone was rushing to kill him, the heavens opened, and Stephen could see the throne of God and Jesus standing at God's right hand.

A miraculous event occurred in Stephen’s heart—there was no sense of injustice, rejection, or desire for revenge.

Although his body was being dragged outside the city and stoned by those around him, Stephen continued to gaze upward and speak only to God until the very end.

[Acts 7:59-60]

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

After being struck with stones and falling, Stephen rose again and knelt down. With his focus back on the Lord, he prayed his final prayer for those who had thrown him outside the city and stoned him. “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

After saying these words, he fell asleep.

This is the first Christian "happy ending" recorded in the Bible, a fulfillment of the promise to those who love God and are called according to His purpose, where everything works together for good.

Does this match the "happy ending" you expected? If not, what went wrong?

Someone once said that today’s Christianity started without counting the cost... and now, it is filled with ruins and remnants of unfinished towers.

The figure of Stephen does not appear again in the Bible, but his name reappears with a different meaning.

[2 Timothy 4:7-8]

7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing."

The meaning of Stephen's name is "crown." This passage from 2 Timothy, like the message in Romans, clearly specifies the intended recipients of this promise.

It is for those who have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. And it is specifically for those who long for the Lord's Second Coming.

This is not intended for everyone who simply calls themselves a Christian.

We can know this from a simple question: Do all those who call themselves Christians truly see the Lord's return as the best news they could possibly receive? Are there any who would not want to delay the Lord's coming, wishing they had more time to prepare?

It is not those who delay or hope for more time, but those who truly love God—those who love Him above all else, in every moment of their lives. Those who have been called according to His purpose and live a life of obedience.

These people long for the Lord's return at any time. The glorious crown is for them.

If one spends their whole life chasing after an easy and wide path, thinking that they are a Christian, it is okay. No need to count the cost. All their sins were God's will. The discomforts of avoiding obedience must be fought as spiritual battles. Eventually, we will all receive a crown.

But if this is the voice you're hearing, and if you find peace in it, know that it is not the voice of the Lord. It is certainly not the voice of Jesus, who rose from His throne to welcome Stephen.

When someone rises from their seat, it is a sign of respect.

Jesus rose from His throne to welcome His faithful servant, Stephen. "You are now my friend because you know and do my will."

Compared to Stephen, haven’t we lived much longer under God’s protection and blessings?

I hope that all of us can make choices that will cause the Lord to rise from His throne to welcome us, just as He did for Stephen.

When we look back on the final day, we will see that much of our time was spent blending into the world, living lives that were comfortable, where all we will have left are ashes and regrets. We will stand before the Lord empty-handed.

But I hope that we will be people whom the Lord cannot take His eyes off. Living lives that bring joy and gratitude to God, filled with peace from eternity, and living in endless joy, until we see Him place the crown of glory on our heads.

This is not about appearance or ability. In fact, it is often the opposite of what is visible.

Amidst the people who insulted and attacked him, Stephen’s gaze remained fixed on the Kingdom of God, on the throne of God. Whether alone or in the crowd, Stephen’s focus remained on the Lord. The depth, length, and clarity of fixing one’s heart and mind on God is what we define as "faith."

It is through this faith that we will receive the crown of glory.

Do we desire to be those who love God, are called by Him, and long for His return above all else?

Our final day has not yet come, and as long as we have breath, there are still infinite possibilities before us.

On that day, if we, like Stephen, receive the crown of glory, we will see how everything—our mixed life of joy, sorrow, disappointment, and hope—ultimately comes together and is beautifully completed, just as God promised.

The cost of such a life was shown to us through Stephen.

Now, the question is: what kind of life will you choose, and what path will you walk?

Let us pray.

12/22 Selah-hammah-lekhoth (the Rock of Parting or Escape)

Topic: Selah-hammah-lekhoth (the Rock of Parting or Escape) 

Scripture: 1 Samuel 23:1-15 & 24-29

23 When David was told, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,” 2 he inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”

The Lord answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”

3 But David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!”

4 Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.” 

5 So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah. 

6 (Now Abiathar son of Ahimelek had brought the ephod down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.)

7 Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, “God has delivered him into my hands, for David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with gates and bars.” 8 And Saul called up all his forces for battle, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.

9 When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.” 10 David said, “Lord, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. 11 Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Lord, God of Israel, tell your servant.”

And the Lord said, “He will.”

12 Again David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?”

And the Lord said, “They will.”

13 So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and kept moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he did not go there.

14 David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.

15 While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life.”

24 So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the Desert of Maon, in the Arabah south of Jeshimon. 25 Saul and his men began the search, and when David was told about it, he went down to the rock and stayed in the Desert of Maon. When Saul heard this, he went into the Desert of Maon in pursuit of David.

26 Saul was going along one side of the mountain, and David and his men were on the other side, hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his forces were closing in on David and his men to capture them, 27 a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly! The Philistines are raiding the land.” 28 Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why they call this place Sela Hammahlekoth. 29 And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi.”

The most dangerous moment for a newborn is likely the very instant they are born, transitioning from their mother’s womb into the outside world. Though they cannot speak, how frightening it must be for them! Therefore, it is important to create the safest, most calming, and comfortable environment possible to help the newborn adjust. 

It is customary to wrap newborns in swaddling clothes (baby wraps). Swaddling involves gently wrapping a newborn in a light, breathable blanket, inserting the baby’s arms into it, and allowing some movement of the legs. This idea helps create a safe and comforting environment that calms and soothes the baby, resembling the environment of the mother's womb. 

The goal is to make the baby feel cozy and safe, just like when they were in the womb. Wrapping newborns in swaddling clothes is a long-standing tradition practiced in many cultures and is recommended for parents who have just had a baby. The benefits of swaddling include the following:

1. When a newborn is swaddled, the gentle pressure around their body mimics the sensation of being in the womb, which can help reduce fussiness and promote relaxation.

1. Newborns are easily startled and automatically react to surprises. Swaddling the baby can reduce the frequency of the startle reflex, which lowers the chances of the baby waking up unexpectedly. When a newborn is startled, it can cause anxiety for both the baby and the parents, especially during sleep.
   
   Swaddling helps keep the baby’s arms close to their body, which suppresses the startle reflex and provides more uninterrupted sleep. Therefore, swaddling the baby in this way can be an effective method to help the baby sleep longer and more deeply.

1. Since newborns' ability to regulate body temperature is still developing, they are easily affected by cold or overheating. Swaddling helps maintain a steady body temperature without the suffocation risk of heavy blankets, adding warmth to the baby.

1. The transition from the womb to the outside world can be overwhelming for a newborn. Swaddling helps recreate the cozy and secure environment of the womb, which can provide comfort and stability for the baby. This sense of security can reduce crying and improve overall mood, making the early stages of parenting easier to manage. Experts emphasize that it can be particularly helpful in reducing crying and irritability during the first few months.

1. One of the greatest concerns for parents of newborns is the risk of SIDS. Swaddling, combined with safe sleep practices, can help reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infants Death Syndrome). It is emphasized that babies swaddled should always sleep on their back, as this position is associated with a lower risk of SIDS.
   
   It is also important not to swaddle the baby too tightly, especially around the hips. Tight swaddling can lead to hip development issues, so it is necessary to leave space for the baby’s legs to move freely.
   
   In summary, swaddling a newborn promotes better sleep, reduces the startle reflex, and provides comfort and security. Swaddling supports the baby’s healthy sleep, calming, safety, and development, making it an essential parenting practice for at least the first 2-3 months of life.

Just as swaddling is essential for newborns, protecting life, even as adults, we too need a "swaddle" that can protect our lives. There are many times when we cannot protect ourselves. Today, the story of David highlights this even more. 

David was constantly running away and hiding because Saul, who was trying to kill him every day, was relentlessly pursuing him, David lived in fear. Escaping narrowly from Saul’s pursuit, David continued to survive, but it was not easy. Saul relentlessly chased David, but he could never catch him. It is because of God's providence, the Selah-hammah-lekhoth – the Rock of Parting.

The Israelites, who had entered and were living in the promised land, desired to become a stable nation like the surrounding countries. They demanded from the prophet Samuel that they too should have a king like other nations, and God, through Samuel, appointed Saul as their first king. 

Saul was the king chosen because the people of Israel asked for him. However, from the very beginning of his reign, Saul became more concerned about the people and feared them more than God, and he did not follow God's commands. He acted according to his own will, disobeying God, and as a result, he was rejected by God.

In contrast to Saul, the king that the people demanded, David was the king that God sent to the Israelites. David, who had been a shepherd tending to sheep, was exactly the kind of person God was seeking. 

God anointed David as the second king of Israel, and from that moment, David was filled with the Holy Spirit. He served Saul in the royal palace by God's providence, learning obedience. 

However, Saul, having been rejected by God, began to feel jealous of David, who was more capable than him, and made a firm decision to kill David. To accomplish this, Saul used his son, daughter, priests, and military forces. Saul dedicated himself entirely to trying to kill David. 

However, because he did not fully commit to his duty as king, particularly in the war with the Philistines, Saul had to fight them for the rest of his life.

What are the things you are doing half-heartedly?

Because of Saul’s continued pursuit, David fled to the land of the Philistines. Fearing that his identity might be exposed there, David did something desperate: he pretended to be insane. Eventually, David sought refuge in the cave of Adullam in Judah. 

There, David became the leader of 400 people who were oppressed, suffering in darkness, and unjustly treated. At that time, the prophet Gad urged David not to stay in the stronghold but to go into the land of Judah. David obeyed and entered Judah.

While David was in Judah, he heard that the Philistines were attacking Keilah and raiding its grain. David prayed to the Lord, asking if he should go to war against the Philistines. Although Saul still held the throne, David, the future king, was permitted to go to war.

It seems that David may have waited for Saul to respond to the Philistine attack on Keilah before proceeding. Saul likely heard about the Philistine oppression of Keilah but did nothing in response. 

Why did Saul, upon hearing the news that the people of Keilah were being oppressed by the Philistines, take no action? It is speculated that Saul hated David's tribe, the tribe of Judah, and therefore refused to go to war to defend them.

The reason David asked God if he should go to war with the Philistines was because he anticipated Saul’s anger if he took such action. Saul had been pursuing him daily, trying to kill him, and David did not want to provoke him further. 

However, as the situation worsened, David asked the Lord again whether he should go to war against the Philistines. The Lord answered and commanded David to go and defeat the Philistines to save Keilah.

David’s men, however, opposed the idea. They were already living in fear, constantly fleeing from Saul, and they felt that facing the Philistines would only add to their danger. 

But when David asked the Lord once more, the Lord assured him that He would deliver the Philistines into his hands. With this assurance, David went to war with the Philistines, defeated them, and saved the people of Keilah.

Amidst the battle with King Saul, who sought to kill him, David was also concerned about the crisis facing the community. David was fleeing from King Saul, uncertain of when he might lose his life, yet despite all the dangers, he courageously went out to fight for God's people.

 Even though, as his men pointed out, he could be putting himself in greater danger, David trusted in and obeyed God's word, going to battle and achieving victory. As the king sent by God to save Israel, David was willing to sacrifice his life.

On the other hand, King Saul was neglecting his royal duties. He was continuing to chase David. When Saul learned that David had entered Keilah, he exclaimed, "Now God has given him into my hands"(23:7). 

Saul believed that because God was on his side, he would finally be able to capture David. Saul thought of David as a mouse trapped in a cage. Saul then gathered his soldiers for battle and went down to Keilah to surround David. This marks a clear contrast: David was engaged in God's battle, while Saul was not. 

While Saul did not gather an army to defend the people of Keilah, who were being oppressed by the Philistines, he used the nation’s military force to pursue his personal goal of capturing David. 

As a result, David and his followers were in even greater danger, while Saul thought that the perfect opportunity from God had come. But would God truly give David into Saul’s hands as Saul thought?

God had handed the Philistines over to David, because the Philistines were a common enemy of both God and David. However, the passage tells us that God would never give David into Saul’s hands (verse 15). 

Why? Because David was not an enemy of God. Saul often made mistakes in his judgments. Just because David was Saul’s enemy did not mean that David was God’s enemy. This was Saul's very personal and subjective opinion. 

When one becomes too subjective, they fail to make proper assessments of situations. King Saul ignored God's war against the Philistines, a battle for God’s people. Instead, he mobilized the army to wage a war to eliminate David, the greatest threat to his kingship, driven by his own desires.

In doing so, he misinterpreted God’s providence for his own purposes, even using the suffering of the people of Keilah to serve his own ends. Saul was waging his own war, not God's.

On the other hand, David was fully aware that Saul was looking to kill him, and he moved accordingly. David asked God again, saying, "Lord, God of Israel, I have heard for certain that Saul has come to Keilah to destroy the city because of me. Will the people of Keilah surrender me into Saul’s hands?" (23:10-11). 

The Lord answered David that Saul would come down and that the people of Keilah would indeed surrender him into Saul's hands. As a result, David and his men left Keilah, and Saul ceased his military action.

Even when David was walking through the valley of the shadow of death, he sought to align his path with God’s will. He did not use God for his own benefit or use the community as a tool to fulfill his own purposes. 

Neither did he rely on great national power or military strength to achieve his goals. Instead, David voluntarily entered deeper into enemy territory and selflessly fought for Israel.

However, this did not mean that David’s suffering stopped. Whether great or small, all the hardships he faced were things he had to endure. In verse 14, we see that after leaving Keilah, David did not return to a place of safety but continued to hide in the wilderness. 

Despite his selflessness, suffering did not cease, and David’s life was one of fleeing and hiding. Even though he walked with the Lord, David still faced hardship.

After fleeing from Keilah, David lived in the strongholds of the wilderness of Ziph, which was in the territory of Judah. Once again, the Ziphites, who were from David’s own tribe, Judah, betrayed him and handed him over to Saul. 

With the help of the Ziphites, Saul came close to capturing David. Psalm 54 was written by David during this time, when the Ziphites went to Saul and reported David’s whereabouts, betraying him.

1Save me, O God, by your name;
    vindicate me by your might.
2 Hear my prayer, O God;
    listen to the words of my mouth.

3 Arrogant foes are attacking me;
     ruthless people are trying to kill me—
     people without regard for God.

4 Surely God is my help;
     the Lord is the one who sustains me.

5 Let evil recoil on those who slander me;
     in your faithfulness destroy them.

We can understand the emotional state of David when he wrote this psalm after being betrayed by his own family. Thankfully, David's friend Jonathan visits him in this situation to offer comfort. Jonathan reassures David that he will definitely become king. 

Saul, on the other hand, resolves to search all over Judah to find David. In verse 23, Saul told the Ziphites like this:

"Go and prepare thoroughly. Find out where he is hiding and who saw him, and get detailed information. From what I've heard, he is very cunning. You must search every possible hiding place, and bring back reliable information. Then I will go with you. As long as he is in this land, I will search all the villages of Judah and find him, no matter what."

Saul’s determination to search every village in Judah to kill David leads him to the Wilderness of Ziph. When David, who was in the Wilderness of Maon at that time, hears this news, he descends to the rocks in the wilderness. 

Saul follows him there. So, while Saul and David were on the same mountain, David was fleeing from one side while Saul pursued him from the other side. It was a chase, back and forth. 

However, at this moment, Saul receives news that the Philistines have suddenly invaded Israel, and he is forced to turn back. He had to divert his attention and abandon his pursuit of David. 

According to Matthew Henry's Commentary, scholars generally agree that without such divine intervention, David would almost certainly have been captured. It is also interesting to speculate about which area of Israel the Philistines attacked. 

One might ask why Saul had not acted so quickly when Keilah was attacked, but now he is hurrying to leave. Henry speculates that the area might have been Saul's territory in Israel. If it had not been, Saul would not have stopped pursuing David. 

The place where Saul stopped his pursuit and David was able to escape is called the Rock of Escape or the Rock of Parting. Whenever Saul came to pursue David, he missed David. What made the difference? Was it because, as Saul said, David was cunning and managed to avoid death? Or was there another reason?

The Rock of parting symbolizes God's providence between David and Saul. The fates of David and of Saul were separated, and life was spared from death. In other words, David narrowly escaped King Saul's pursuit, and it was the moment of his salvation from death. Psalm 66:8-9 says,

8 Praise our God, all peoples,
    let the sound of his praise be heard;
9 he has preserved our lives
    and kept our feet from slipping.

God’s providence saved David from the brink of destruction, never allowing him to fall into Saul’s hands. The reason Saul always missed David by a hair’s breadth is because God was protecting David's life. We can find the reason for this in the words Abigail spoke to David in 1 Samuel 25:28-29:

" 28 “Please forgive your servant’s presumption. The Lord your God will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because you fight the Lord’s battles, and no wrongdoing will be found in you as long as you live. 29 Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling."

The reason Saul always missed David by a hair’s breadth is that God was holding David’s life securely, wrapped in the bundle of life. At the beginning, we discussed how important swaddling is for a newborn. For a newborn to adapt to the world, to be calm and safely protected, they must be wrapped in swaddling clothes for a period of time. 

Similarly, no matter how much Saul pursued David day and night, God was wrapping David’s life in His protective swaddle, preserving and guarding it. This is why David experienced what is referred to as Selah-hammah-lekhoth (the Rock of Escape or the Rock of Parting). 

God kept David’s life in His protective covering. While David fled, he must have experienced being enveloped in God’s protective covering. But even though Saul mobilized the entire army, he could not take David’s life, which was under God’s protection.

When we protect valuable treasures, we use locks and keys to secure them. But our lives are not protected by locks and keys. Only when our lives are in God’s protective covering will they be preserved forever. This is because God Himself is the guardian of that life. 

Those who, like David, fully trust in the Lord, who live with the Lord as their Protector, and who always fight the Lord's battles, will experience Selah-hammah-lekhoth. The reason is that their lives are wrapped in the Lord's protective covering of life.

Jews often use this verse as an inscription on their tombstones:

"Here we have laid the body, but trust that the soul is bound up in the bundle of life, with the Lord our God. There it is safe, while the dust of the body is scattered.”

Are you now wrapped in God's protective covering of life, experiencing the Rock of parting Selah-hammah-lekhoth right now?

Let us pray.

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28). First, take a moment to reflect on what Jesus said here. Start from here and reflect whether you are, like David, fully trusting in the Lord, believing Him to be your Protector. 

Jesus is our protective covering of life. I will offer a heartfelt prayer, praising Him, dwelling in His Word, and hoping that we can trust in Him and live in greater dependence on Him.

Are you helping those around you who are in need, or are you, like the proverb says, “too focused on your own problems,” avoiding God’s work because you are too caught up in your own urgent issues? 

David fought against the Philistines for the residents of Keilah, willing to sacrifice himself for them. King David was a type of the coming Jesus Christ. Our true King, Jesus, gave everything for our salvation. 

Because of Him, like the people of Keilah, you and I have escaped the power of sin and death. Through Jesus, Selah-hammah-lekhoth (the Rock of Escape) has become real for us. Fight the Lord's battles! That is God's will. Serve the community well. I will pray for that.

Now think about the symbol of God’s providence that is happening in your life. David relied completely on God, while Saul relied only on himself. If you have faith like David’s, God will command your escape from the Philistines at the most desperate moment. 

If you do not stand firm in your faith, you this, you will not stand firm (Isaiah 7:9). In the events of God's providence, I will take a moment to pray that you may experience God bringing about your escape through the Philistines.

12/15 The Lord’s Resting Place

Date: December 15, 2024

Title: The Lord’s Resting Place

Scripture:

[Acts 7:44-49]

44 Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.

45 After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David,

46 who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.

47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him.

48 However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:

49 “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be?”

The passage we just read captures Stephen’s final cry. What enraged the religious leaders to the point of losing control and rushing to silence him was his claim that “God does not dwell in the Jerusalem temple.”

This was the same accusation that provoked them to seize Jesus—setting up false witnesses to claim that He threatened to destroy the temple.

Last week, we examined how easily Israel fell into idolatry, worshiping the golden calf as if it were the Lord God Himself. They sang to it, calling their idolatry worship.

In today’s cry, Stephen is essentially shouting, “Don’t you see that you’ve begun to call this temple building the Lord God? This too is idolatry!”

Do you hear Stephen’s cry?

Or perhaps you think: “Isn’t it too harsh to call the temple of God an idol? Could that really be true?”

Yet, consider this: When Jesus was on the cross, passersby mocked Him, repeating this very accusation.

[Mark 15:29-30]

29 Those who passed by hurled insults at Him, shaking their heads and saying,

“So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,

30 come down from the cross and save yourself!”

For these people, the temple itself had become their god.

They did not set up idols like Molech or openly worship false gods.

To them, even the word “idol” was a term of utter disgust.

But what was the reality?

The temple building, along with the laws and commandments given by God, had become idols to them.

Stephen’s cry was this: “How can this building contain all of God? Can the Scriptures you study and memorize fully contain Him? Is God so small?”

No, to Him, the whole earth is merely His footstool.

When I undergo a medical examination, the doctor may learn a lot of medical data about me, but that doesn’t mean they know me as my wife or family does.

[1 John 4:7-8]

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

This is not about knowledge of the Bible.

That’s why Jesus rebuked the teachers of the law, calling them “blind” for reading the Scriptures every day but failing to see God.

It’s like receiving a letter from a loved one and being impressed by its content, studying and memorizing it, but not actually thinking about the person behind the letter—becoming fixated on the letter itself while failing to love its author. How could something so absurd happen?

Isn’t that frustrating and baffling?

This doesn’t happen by chance. It is the result of Satan’s persistent deception.

Satan blinds our eyes in this way. He tempts us by baiting our desires and, at the same time, makes us idolize even the good things God has given us, like the temple or the law, leading us to the path of destruction.

The problem is, this path appears to be a good one. It looks like a smooth road that promises stability and success, but its end is destruction.

That’s why Jesus emphasized:

[Matthew 7:13-14]

13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

When we encounter an easy and wide-open path, we should not feel relieved.

Instead, we must seek the Lord more earnestly and stay alert, because, as Jesus warned, they come in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

[Amos 5:25-27]

25 Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings for forty years in the wilderness, people of Israel?

26 You have lifted up the shrine of your king, the pedestal of your idols, the star of your god—which you made for yourselves.

27 Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,” says the Lord, whose name is God Almighty.

This passage is very similar to last week’s text. Some scholars even argue that Stephen quoted from Amos, but upon closer examination, this is not the case.

Verse 25 is nearly identical: “For forty years in the wilderness, you never truly worshiped me.” However, in Amos, additional idols such as your king—Melek, Sikkuth, and Kiyyun—are mentioned, and the place of exile for their idolatry is Damascus, located in present-day Syria.

Amos’s warning was fulfilled in 722 BC when the Northern Kingdom of Israel was destroyed by Assyria.

Meanwhile, in Acts, Stephen referred to exile in Babylon, which occurred approximately 120 years later when the Kingdom of Judah was taken to Babylon (modern-day Iraq), where they spent 70 years.

Though the events are similar, they refer to two distinct incidents.

The objects of worship and the resulting tragedies may differ slightly, but ultimately, the same patterns are repeated over and over.

How different is our era today? Why does the tragic history of humanity repeat itself?

When we look at what is most emphasized in the Ten Commandments, we see that God did not want to be represented by any visible form. Nevertheless, seeing the limitations of the Israelites, God provided something visible for them.

Interestingly, the things God instructed them to make all share a characteristic:

simplicity.

Where had the Israelites come from at that time?

They had just left Egypt, hadn’t they?

For example, Egypt’s most famous structure, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, stands at a height of 150 meters—about the same height as New York’s Flatiron Building—but its base covers an area equivalent to about eight New York city blocks.

And that was just a tomb for one pharaoh.

Additionally, there were massive statues, such as the Great Sphinx, which stands 20 meters tall and stretches 80 meters long.

Even today, these structures are considered awe-inspiring and mysterious in their grandeur.

Yet, what did God provide to represent His presence?

The stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. According to the Talmud, these tablets were thin and small, approximately 30 cm by 30 cm in size.

The Ark of the Covenant, which housed the tablets, was a small box less than one square meter in size.

And the tabernacle, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, was a modest structure measuring only 63 square meters (about 19 pyeong in the traditional Korean system).

To compare the scales, it looks something like this:

To the Israelites who had lived surrounded by the grandeur of the Great Sphinx and the pyramids, the tabernacle—barely different from the tents they lived in—must have seemed exceedingly modest.

While idols compete to display their greatness, why is the true God so humble?

The first reason is that, unlike idols, God did not want to burden His people with heavy obligations.

Jesus also said to His disciples:

[Matthew 11:28-30]

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

More importantly, God did not want to compete in the same realm as visible, finite, and temporary things.

Have you ever had a favorite book you read as a child?

If that book was ever made into a movie, you were probably disappointed.

Even the best-made film can never fully recreate the scenes you imagined while reading.

Technology continues to advance, from 4K to 8K, and with AI creating ultra-realistic virtual worlds. Yet, these cannot compare to the boundless experience of diving into the world of a book as a child.

When imagining, time flows differently, space is transcended, and the laws of physics are ignored in a limitless world where we get a taste of eternity. We were created to have these extraordinary experiences within ourselves, without the need for VR headsets or similar devices.

While advancements like TV and virtual reality make it seem like imagination is becoming reality, most of the “realities” we enjoy today were imagined decades ago in someone’s writings.

Those authors experienced these realities long before the technology to create them existed.

Even in today’s highly developed world, our reality is merely catching up to the imagination of the past—it has not surpassed it.

However, as we rely on conveniences like driving everywhere, we might begin to find even a 10-meter walk burdensome.

This is an example of technology diminishing human abilities.

New technologies may cause us to lose opportunities to train and develop our imagination. We must be cautious about this.

Reading books and engaging in deep conversations with others can stimulate and train our imagination.

For me, the happiest moments with my children are when we talk about heaven.

In those moments, the experience of such a world becomes vivid, and the more we discuss it, the clearer it becomes. It is a training of the imagination.

The Second Commandment is directly related to this concept.

God not only forbade the making of images of false gods but also prohibited creating any representation of Himself.

Many artists have tried, but not even one of God’s essential attributes—such as His love—can be perfectly represented in any form.

God cannot be depicted by anything on earth.

Is Michelangelo’s depiction of a white-bearded man supposed to be God?

It may represent one small, partial image of God that the artist envisioned through prayer, but it can never fully express who God is.

As someone who draws, I’ve tried countless times to depict God, but neither on canvas nor even within my heart could I ever capture His image.

Yet, this does not mean I’ve experienced God’s absence.

In those moments, as I earnestly sought God with all my heart, I couldn’t capture Him in an image, but I could feel His presence. God was undeniably with me during that process.

The reason God has not given us a visual image of Himself is that He desires this kind of imagination and focus from us.

It is not merely intellectual concentration but a total dedication of all our being.

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

—Hebrews 11:1

This does not mean imagining something that doesn’t exist.

It means using our imagination to perceive the One who is real and present with us.

This is spiritual focus. This is loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.

This is the faith to see the unseen God.

This is also why we, unlike followers of other religions, do not create or display images in our homes.

Some Protestants, citing the Second Commandment, criticize Catholics harshly for creating and displaying various images or statues.

If someone can often think of Jesus in their daily life without such items, and if they can remain spiritually focused, that is undoubtedly the best case.

But if they rarely think about the Lord throughout their day and place a small cross on their bookshelf to remind themselves of Him, even for a brief moment when their eyes pass over it—would the Lord really say they have violated the Second Commandment?

Moreover, if they are not keeping the other commandments perfectly themselves, they have no right to criticize others for this.

Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments as follows:

[Matthew 22:37-40]

37 Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

38 This is the first and greatest commandment.

39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Jesus explained that all the laws, including the Ten Commandments, are condensed into two principles: love for God and love for one’s neighbor.

The Ten Commandments, which consist of ten laws, are generally divided into two parts:

• Commandments 1 to 4 deal with our relationship with God.

• Commandments 5 to 10 concern our relationship with other people.

However, Jews traditionally hold certain numbers as significant—3, 7, 10, and 12.

For this reason, I believe the commandments concerning God are not four but the complete number, three:

• Commandments 1 to 3 focus on God,

• Commandments 5 to 10 (six in total) focus on humanity,

• and the 4th Commandment—the Sabbath—stands in between, as a meeting point of God and humanity.

Thus, the Ten Commandments are structured as:

• Three for God,

• Six for humanity,

• One uniting the two in the Sabbath.

This completes the Ten Commandments.

If we count the commandments, however, the ones concerning humanity are twice as numerous as those concerning God. Why is this the case?

Jesus gives us a clue:

[John 15:12]

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

Jesus redefined the Ten Commandments, condensing the two principles into one: “Love one another.”

The Apostle John explains why this love is so central:

[1 John 4:20-21]

20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

21 And He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

One critical point here is that the word “love” has been distorted in meaning, so we must first clarify its true definition.

[John 15:13]

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

The love described in the Bible refers to this kind of self-sacrificial love.

Most of us experience this love primarily through the love of a mother. Ordinary mothers are willing to sacrifice everything for their children. For this reason, we often encounter God’s true love through our mothers.

However, there is a difference: can you extend such love—not for your children—but for your friends?

This is transcendent love, not of this world, but love that comes from heaven and is enabled by divine life.

The Hebrew word “hesed” embodies this meaning. Often translated as “kindness,” it refers to a love that manifests through kindness—

not kindness to make oneself look good or from surplus resources, but kindness that comes at a cost, kindness that involves sacrifice and loss.

This is the love God demonstrated to us through Jesus Christ.

Perhaps few of us will ever face a situation where we must literally lay down our lives for a friend.

However, all of us have someone we can show such sacrificial kindness to for the Lord’s sake.

Primarily, we are meant to be such people for one another.

In today’s passage, Stephen refers to the tabernacle where the Ten Commandments and the Ark of the Covenant would be placed as the “tent of testimony.”

In Hebrew, the word “edut” has three meanings: “testimony,” “law,” and “covenant.” This is why the Ark of the Covenant is sometimes referred to as the Ark of the Testimony.

However, since today’s text comes from the New Testament, it was written in Greek rather than Hebrew. Among several interpretative options, Stephen deliberately chose the expression “tent of testimony.”

He emphasized the meaning of the tabernacle as a testimony.

What kind of testimony?

The very existence of the tabernacle served as evidence of God’s presence with His people.

If the tabernacle is the “tent of testimony,” then the stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments also become the “tablets of testimony.”

[Exodus 25:16]

“Place inside the ark the tablets of the covenant law that I will give you.”

The Ark of the Covenant, made during the time of Moses, remained with Israel as a symbol of God’s presence for nearly a thousand years until the time of David.

Under Solomon, David’s son, the ark was finally placed in the temple—Israel’s first immovable structure built to house it.

As we saw earlier, the tabernacle was a small structure of about 63 square meters (19 pyeong), and even Solomon’s temple, compared to the temples of other idols, was modest. This is why Herod expanded it to nearly ten times its original size in volume.

Did Herod do this out of love for God? No, it was to display his own grandeur and authority.

However, as the Second Commandment clearly states, seeing God through visible forms was only a temporarily permitted way; God never intended to limit Himself to such representations.

When the tabernacle is called the “tent of testimony” and the tablets of the Ten Commandments are referred to as the “tablets of testimony,” it signifies that the Israelites were to live as witnesses of the living and loving God.

Two thousand years ago, in a season as cold as today, God’s presence came to this earth in an entirely different way—humble and unassuming.

A child was born with the name Immanuel, meaning “God with us.”

Looking at the life of Jesus, He was not only the fulfillment of God’s promises—the Ark of the Covenant—but also the Ark of Testimony.

He revealed the living God and lived as His testimony.

Likewise, we are called to do the same.

When Jesus came, Judaism had become a heap of hypocrisy, even though the temple was the most extravagant it had ever been in history.

Was it a coincidence that the largest and most elaborate cathedrals were built just before the Catholic Church faced the Reformation?

Building something grand and magnificent, like Herod’s temple, is not what pleases the Lord.

Our Lord, who said, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head,” did not value such things.

As the “tent of testimony” of God’s presence among us, we are to live in such a way that demonstrates it through our lives and words as witnesses of Christ.

In this cold season, we remember the Lord who was born in a stable because there was no room in the inn, who rested in a manger used to feed animals.

Though the place was humble and uncomfortable, His heart was surely filled with joy.

And now, the Lord comes to dwell in us through the Holy Spirit,

choosing to reside in hearts that may be even humbler and more uncomfortable than the manger.

No matter how shabby we may be, the One who dwells in us is the King of kings.

He declares, “You are my temple.”

Moses, whom God loved so much, never entered the Promised Land.

David, whom God called “beloved,” was not permitted to build the temple.

Yet, who are we that He would make us His temple?

He has made us His “tent of testimony.”

He desires us to live as witnesses, bearing the testimony of Jesus.

Just as Jesus revealed the unseen God, we are called to become “little Christs,” showing Him to the world.

Even though He is unseen, we must cultivate spiritual focus on the Lord within us,

becoming increasingly aware of Him, communicating with Him in every moment until we grow into the full measure of Christ.

If a cross helps you focus, look at it.

If a quiet hymn helps, seek the Lord in the hymn.

If the Scriptures draw you near, meet the Lord through the Word.

But do not remain there.

Train yourself to focus on the Lord even when you cannot see the cross, hear the hymn, or open the Bible—

in your workplace, at home, or even while driving.

Do not remain still.

Strive to reach the full measure of Christ, opening the narrow gate and walking the narrow path.

If we are reborn in Christ, we must now grow into maturity.

Love cannot be fully learned by simply receiving it. It must be practiced through sacrifice and kindness.

This is why the church was established and why the Lord commanded us to love one another.

Only then will we become the resting place where the Lord finds joy and peace. Amen.

Let us pray.

12/8 How to cross the Desert

Acts Sermon 35

Date: 12/8/2024

Title: How to cross the Desert

Text: [Acts 7:38-45]

38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us.

39 But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.

40 They told Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!’

41 That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and reveled in what their own hands had made.

42 But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the sun, moon, and stars. This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets:

“‘Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings

forty years in the wilderness, people of Israel?

43 You have taken up the tabernacle of Molek

and the star of your god Rephan,

the idols you made to worship.

Therefore I will send you into exile’ beyond Babylon.

44 Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.

45 After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David.

With the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, the Israelites escaped from Egypt. When Moses stretched out his hand again, the walls of water collapsed, wiping out Pharaoh and his elite army entirely.

Here lies the profound wisdom of God. Although we cannot fully comprehend His plans, we can glimpse some of His divine purposes now, which were unknown at the time.

God orchestrated this situation intentionally.

Looking at the map, there was a route to Canaan that didn’t require crossing the Red Sea. Yet, God chose to show this extraordinary event. Why? Firstly, it was to establish Moses’ authority among the Israelites, who were quick to complain. Through Moses, God demonstrated the kind of people He wanted Israel to be.

Secondly, it was to completely annihilate Pharaoh and the Egyptian army. The Israelites were about to embark on a long journey through the wilderness. Who could guarantee that Pharaoh wouldn’t change his mind and attack them again? By this act, God ensured Pharaoh’s forces would never threaten them.

However, these two reasons didn’t necessarily require parting the sea. The most significant purpose behind this method was to make it absolutely clear that there was no going back. How could they return after crossing through a path carved in the sea?

It was God’s strongest declaration: “Do not even dream of returning to Egypt.”

Yet, despite this, some among the Israelites continued to grumble and long for Egypt at every opportunity. Still, God took this extraordinary measure to minimize such thoughts, sealing the way back as if covering it with a lid and stamping it with a seal. Later, the Apostle Paul compared this event to baptism.

Thus began 40 years in the wilderness.

Stephen, in the New Testament, referred to the Israelites in the wilderness as the “church in the wilderness.”

Jesus and His disciples also provided verses defining the purpose of the church in the world. Likewise, Stephen highlighted an essential aspect of what it means to be the church.

The Greek word for church, ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía), derives from “ἐκ” (meaning “out of”) and “καλέω” (meaning “to call”), with “σία” indicating the result of an action. Combined, it signifies “those who have been called out” — a gathering of people who have been summoned out of the world, though still living in it, to form a community.

Stephen further explains what kind of community this is:

a group of people walking together through the wilderness — a wilderness community.

Does this concept of the wilderness feel familiar to you?

Ultimately, the true Canaan where we will dwell forever is the Kingdom of God. From that perspective, our life on earth is, in the grand scheme of things, a journey through the wilderness.

So why didn’t God, after performing such miraculous acts to save the Israelites, take them directly into Canaan? Why did they have to spend 40 years in the wilderness?

Stephen highlights the infamous “golden calf” incident as the root cause of many problems, pointing to it as the most significant reason behind Israel’s failure. Ultimately, every other issue stemmed from this one event.

This incident took place while Moses was on Mount Sinai, spending forty days in God’s presence.

[Exodus 32:23]

“They said to me, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.’”

The Israelites were overwhelmed with anxiety. They begged for a god they could look at, one that would give them a sense of stability. In response, they collected the gold they had brought from Egypt and handed it to Aaron.

It’s baffling to consider what Aaron was thinking when he complied with their request and crafted the golden calf. Later, when Moses confronted him, Aaron explained his actions by saying he was afraid of the crowd’s demands. However, Aaron described something extraordinary in the process of making the calf:

[Exodus 32:24]

“So I told them, ‘Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.’ Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!”

This, of course, is not entirely accurate. The Bible explicitly states that Aaron fashioned a mold, poured the molten gold into it, and then carved the figure of a calf. Despite this, Aaron’s statement implies that he experienced something beyond his own capability—a supernatural phenomenon.

This is evident in what Aaron declared to the Israelites after creating the golden calf:

[Exodus 32:4]

“He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’”

Aaron made the golden calf with his own hands, yet he proclaimed to the Israelites, “This is your god, Israel, who brought you out of Egypt!” He even built an altar in front of it and claimed that this idol was “the LORD.” The people celebrated, eating, drinking, and dancing before the idol.

How could such a thing happen?

Aaron was astonished at the outcome of his craftsmanship, perhaps believing that God had assisted him in creating the golden calf. Despite being chosen by God, Aaron failed to discern between the true God and deceitful spirits.

Even today, people celebrate great inventions and admire those who make life easier for humanity, often elevating them as heroes. However, if such talents and popularity truly come from God, it will be evident through the fruit of their lives. It’s critical to remember that such abilities are not always from God.

How shocking is it that the Israelites, along with Aaron, were dancing and rejoicing before Satan in worship, proclaiming that the golden calf was the LORD who had delivered them from Egypt?

The oldest literary work in human history is considered to be the “Epic of Gilgamesh” from Mesopotamia. Gilgamesh is believed to have been a real figure who lived in the region of Uruk (modern-day Iraq). The oldest archaeological record of him is found in Sumerian tablets, which are clay tablets dating back to around 2100 BCE.

Later, Akkadian versions of the clay tablets are estimated to date from the 19th to 18th centuries BCE, while the most complete form of the Epic of Gilgamesh is found in Babylonian tablets from the 12th century BCE.

The discovery of these clay tablets caused a significant stir in Western societies because the epic contained a story strikingly similar to Noah’s Flood as described in the Bible.

Moses, who is traditionally believed to have written Genesis, is thought to have lived around the 15th century BCE. This means the most complete version of the Epic of Gilgamesh is three centuries later than Moses. However, the Sumerian tablets mentioning Gilgamesh date back to 2100 BCE, making them over 500 years older.

This has led some scholars to argue that Moses might have drawn on ancient Near Eastern myths that had been passed down through generations. In the flood story from the Epic of Gilgamesh, the protagonist is named Utnapishtim, who parallels Noah in many ways.

Let’s compare the two stories.

It is astonishing how many striking similarities exist between the two stories. For example, both Noah and Utnapishtim sent out a dove, a sparrow, and a raven to check if the waters had receded. Such specific details are hard to dismiss as mere coincidence.

How should we understand this?

Scholars generally agree that both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible were first passed down orally before being written down at a later point.

This means that no matter when these stories were recorded, what we have today are merely manuscripts, not the originals. Finding an older manuscript doesn’t necessarily mean that the oral tradition it represents is older as well.

When comparing the two, it becomes clear which narrative is more logically structured and even verifiable through modern understanding.

For instance, Utnapishtim’s ark is described as a perfect square, with its length and width both measuring 120 cubits. Have you ever seen a square-shaped ship? It’s impossible for such a vessel to stay afloat; it would spin uncontrollably and capsize with the slightest waves. On the other hand, Noah’s ark was built with dimensions of 300 cubits in length, 50 cubits in width, and 30 cubits in height—ratios remarkably similar to those used in modern shipbuilding. How could Noah have known these precise, scientifically sound proportions?

Moreover, when reading the Epic of Gilgamesh, even in its best-preserved versions, the narrative appears disjointed, its logical flow weak and superficial. It lacks the emotional depth and progression needed for readers to connect with its characters and events.

Contrast this with the account of Noah’s flood in Genesis. Can you not sense Noah’s emotions and God’s feelings toward him? This narrative exhibits a literary quality that surpasses even the standards of 15th-century BCE literature, let alone the manuscripts of the 1st century CE. Its vivid, cohesive storytelling is unparalleled.

What does this suggest? It points to the idea that the flood story in Genesis is a divinely revealed and accurately recorded account, where God showed Moses the true events and guided him to write them down. The Epic of Gilgamesh, by contrast, seems to be a distorted retelling of the same historical event, passed down through oral traditions and gradually transformed into myth.

There is another critical point to consider. While Noah was a flawed but faithful servant of God, Utnapishtim in the Epic of Gilgamesh becomes an immortal being, almost godlike by the end of his story.

This reveals not only the corruption and distortion of the original event but also the direction of that distortion. Polytheistic systems like Greek, Roman, Norse, and Hindu mythologies show similar patterns, where humans and gods blend and interact in exaggerated ways. These traces are visible in Utnapishtim’s transformation.

The Hebrew word for “god,” Elohim, literally means “heavenly beings” and broadly refers to spiritual entities. This term can denote God Himself, as well as angels or other celestial beings, depending on the context.

However, Yahweh is used exclusively to refer to the one true God we worship.

Thus, the gods and idols that appear in various mythologies could be understood as fallen angels who were falsely revered as deities by humanity.

The ancient Greek word “εἴδωλον” (eidolon) later transitioned into Latin as “idolum.”

In Korean, the term for idol is “우상” (usang), derived from the character “우” (偶), which means “likeness” or “image.” Interestingly, “우” can also mean “ox” or “cow” in Korean, making “우상” interpretable as “the image of a cow.” This is fascinating given that one of the most common objects of idol worship globally is the “horned bull or ox.”

In today’s passage, there is a warning against the golden calf, as well as Molek and the star of Rephan. Both the golden calf and Molek are known to have been represented as horned oxen.

Little is known about the star of Rephan. However, considering the Bible often personifies stars and frequently associates them with angels, it is reasonable to view Molek as one of these fallen stars, a fallen angel.

The name Molek frequently appears in the Bible as Baal, which means “lord” or “master.” The original form of Molek, Melek, means “king” in Hebrew. The similarities between the two outweigh their differences. Both were idols worshiped in the Canaanite region, and both were often depicted as bull-like figures.

This suggests that these names were less about specific deities and more about titles or descriptors of divine-like beings.

Outside the Bible, rituals dedicated to Molek reportedly involved a bronze statue of a bull with human arms. Infants were placed on its outstretched arms, and fire from the hollowed body consumed them as sacrifices. To drown out the cries of the children, drums were beaten, and festivities ensued.

Amos 5:26

“So you offered sacrifices to Molek and worshiped the gods you made for yourselves, bringing offerings to them.”

This practice wasn’t due to a lack of value placed on children. As seen in the stories of Abraham and Moses, children were regarded as great blessings and extensions of one’s legacy. They were cherished deeply.

Ironically, the desire for prosperity—often sought for the well-being of their offspring—led people to offer those very children as sacrifices. This starkly reveals the essence of idol worship: it promises abundance while taking away what is most precious.

Idols are not always tangible objects. When Jesus came, He rebuked the religious leaders of His time for idolizing the law itself and treating obedience to the law as a form of righteousness. About them, Jesus said:

[Matthew 15:14]

“Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

These leaders meticulously observed not only the Ten Commandments but also the 600 additional laws derived from them. Yet, they had forgotten the original purpose of these commandments.

At that time, the law, rituals, and acts of worship themselves had become idols.

It is not that observing the law is wrong—after all, the law was given by God. However, if the purpose of keeping the law is not rooted in love for God and for one’s neighbors as commanded by Him, then even outward obedience can become idolatry.

Today, it’s unlikely that the law itself becomes an idol for us. So, what could be our idols?

Let’s examine whether the desires that once led humanity to worship idols in the past continue to tempt us today.

The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche famously said, “God is dead,” and he predicted that money would replace God’s place in society—a claim that has been proven true.

But that’s not all.

Most ancient gods shared common characteristics: they never aged or died, and they embodied health and youth. Are these desires significant in our culture today?

Moreover, the gods of mythology were often portrayed as physically attractive and sexually alluring. Their appeal was centered around their sexiness.

Isn’t this reflective of our era? Today, being described as “sexy” is often considered the highest compliment, regardless of age or gender.

Respecting and maintaining the health of our God-given bodies is not idolatry. However, the problem arises when good things become the ultimate things.

For example, love and addiction share similar traits. Love fosters trust and freedom, while addiction breeds anxiety and traps people in bondage.

The feeling of being loved or happy is a good thing. Achieving this requires effort and patience. But what happens when we bypass the process and seek instant gratification, wanting happiness whenever and however much we desire? The pursuit of the feeling itself becomes the goal.

A clear and extreme example is drug addiction.

You may have heard of the opioid crisis in the United States during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Misleading claims that opioids had low addictive potential led to countless patients being prescribed these drugs, only to become lifelong addicts. This tragedy culminated in Purdue Pharma, the company at the center of the crisis, admitting its responsibility in 2020 and agreeing to a settlement of $40 billion.

Yet what happened? Purdue filed for bankruptcy and is now attempting to restart its business under a new name.

Isn’t this pure evil?

While some victims of addiction are tragic cases, many are also the result of their own unchecked desires.

How convenient it would be to feel good without any external reason! To decide when and how much happiness we experience. Yet, the cost is devastating.

Initially, drugs create moments of euphoria, but over time, it’s not about feeling good anymore—it’s about avoiding the misery of not having the drug. What began as a pursuit of happiness leads to deeper despair.

This is the essence of all idolatry.

If something that brings energy or excitement into your life starts making most of your remaining time feel dull or lifeless, it is becoming an idol, much like a drug.

If prioritizing a particular person or relationship makes you increasingly indifferent to everything else—especially God—that’s a red flag.

The most striking part of the golden calf incident is this:

While Aaron and the Israelites were engaging in such an outrageous act of rebellion against God, God and Moses were preparing the stone tablets for them.

After 400 years of slavery, as the Israelites faced a new chapter in their lives, God prepared a priceless gift for them. This gift was the Ten Commandments, a fundamental guide for life and values—ten simple rules that would serve as the foundation of their relationship with God. Alongside this, God planned the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle, symbols of His presence that the people so earnestly desired.

At the very moment God was preparing these gifts, the Israelites, unable to wait just a little longer, committed one of the greatest sins. They violated the first and most important commandment by crafting and worshiping an idol, the golden calf, calling it Yahweh and offering sacrifices to it.

Right before God is about to give His greatest blessings, Satan’s temptations often come strongest. How many times have we, too, made foolish choices because we couldn’t endure those last few moments of waiting?

Earlier, I mentioned how our lives as a whole can be likened to a wilderness journey. But within that larger journey, there are periods of desert and periods of milk and honey—just as the Israelites eventually entered the Promised Land with Joshua. These alternating times are like day and night: the dark hours of the night prepare us to fully embrace the light of the day.

Similarly, small desert moments in our lives teach us to persevere and let go of idols. These moments refine us, preparing us for victories in our own “Promised Lands.”

The purpose of the 40 years in the wilderness was to let go of idols and renew their hearts. Likewise, the recurring desert-like experiences in our lives are God’s way of helping us remove the idols within us.

While God governs the entire universe, He also focuses intimately on His relationship with each of us individually. In the conflicts and struggles we face with others, God is not primarily concerned with those who hurt us but with us—our reactions, our growth, and which idols we will choose to let go of during these times.

Thus, in those moments when the temptation to sin feels overwhelming, we must remember and believe that God is preparing a gift we truly need.

Even in biblical times and still today, idols tempt us by offering many things—wealth, fame, power, health, beauty. Fallen angels can provide these things, but they cannot give the heavenly peace or the freedom and confidence we long for.

What in your life is so important to you that losing it would feel like the end? What unmet desire leaves you feeling a persistent emptiness that nothing else can fill?

These are our idols. As long as they hold that place in our hearts, they will ultimately bring unhappiness to us and those around us.

We must come to a place where, as we sing in our worship songs, we find our satisfaction in Christ alone. Even if we lose everything, even if we lose the people we love most, we must believe that if God is with us, we will be okay. Only then can we truly love others.

When God is the most precious presence in our lives, we stop demanding from others what they cannot give us. This is love, and it is what distinguishes true worship from idolatry.

Remember the God who parted the sea to rescue us from Egypt. See His passionate desire and love in closing the waters behind us, ensuring there is no turning back.

Idols often boast of their size and grandeur, competing with one another in splendor. Yet our God chose to dwell in a small wooden box—the Ark of the Covenant—measuring less than one square meter, made of acacia wood.

The Creator of the universe dwelt in that small wooden box, designed to be carried by just a few people, so that He could go with His people wherever they went.

And now, the God who created the heavens and the earth, who parted the sea, desires to dwell in someone even smaller—you and me. He longs to be with us, day and night, because of His great love.

When something, whether bad or good, begins to steal your focus and devotion, threatening to become an idol, turn back to the Lord. Set it in its proper place, and peace will come to you, to God, and even to those around you.

By faithfully walking through your deserts, you will experience overflowing joy in the radiant light of God’s presence.

Let us pray.

12/1 God of Gershom and Eliezer

Acts Sermon 34

Date: December 1, 2024

Title: The God of Gershom and Eliezer

Scripture Text:

Acts 7:32-37 (NIV)

32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look.

33 Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.

34 I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’

35 “This is the same Moses they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush.

36 He led them out of Egypt and performed wonders and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for forty years in the wilderness.

37 “This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.’

Honestly, I hadn’t planned to spend so many weeks on Moses. However, as I prepared for these sermons, I sensed that the Lord wanted us to meditate more deeply on Moses. So, following God’s leading, we will spend a few more weeks reflecting on the God of Moses.

Last week, we looked at the scene where God called Moses through a gentle flame that did not burn up the bush. God told Moses, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

On Thanksgiving, we had some visitors at our home, including people who hadn’t visited in a long time. Since they hadn’t seen how our home had changed over the years, they were surprised by all the transformations that had happened.

Originally, our basement was what professionals would call an “unfinished basement.”

The walls were exposed concrete blocks, and the floor was just cement painted with waterproof paint, which could never really look clean no matter how much we scrubbed.

Naturally, you could only walk there in shoes or slippers.

The lighting consisted of exposed incandescent bulbs that had to be turned on and off one by one, making the space dark and uninviting. Except for doing laundry, we hardly used it at all.

After living like this for years, I began to think it was a waste of space. So, I decided to buy flooring I could install myself and laid it down on one side of the basement. I also set up a projector and created a family theater since we didn’t have a TV at home.

Laying the flooring turned out to be easier than I expected. Once I had covered about a third of the space, even my young kids started running barefoot there. Seeing this, I eventually extended the flooring to cover almost the entire basement, except for the storage area.

This once-neglected space slowly transformed into a livable area. Last summer, the condition of the walls deteriorated, so we renovated both the walls and the ceiling. Now, the basement has become what you’d call a “finished basement.”

Yesterday, in that space, we ate together, worshiped together, and watched my kids running and rolling around on the floor. How could I not feel proud?

I’m sharing this story not to boast about my flooring project but to make a point: none of this transformation would have been possible if the basement had remained a space where shoes were required.

Shoes allow us to go anywhere—through dirty streets or over rough and hard surfaces—without much trouble.

When we wear shoes, we can also share spaces with strangers without feeling out of place.

But when we take off our shoes, the places we can go and the people we can meet become much more limited. Taking off your shoes and sitting on the floor implies intimacy. It signifies that the people you’re with are close enough to be considered family.

Meeting weekly at church while keeping our “shoes on,” so to speak, is one thing. But inviting someone into your home, where they take off their shoes and spend time in your personal space, is a completely different level of relationship.

I firmly believe that a church should be a community where we can metaphorically “take off our shoes” with one another. The Bible describes the church as one body, saying that if one part suffers, the whole body suffers with it.

A true church community is formed by people who can invite one another into such intimate, shoe-less spaces.

The God who appeared to Moses in the burning bush desired this kind of relationship.

God came to Moses as a gentle flame that didn’t burn—a symbol of His tender, patient approach. And in this intimacy, God invited Moses to join Him in His mission to save souls. God wanted to walk with Moses, so close that even a whisper could be heard.

Does This Apply Only to Moses?

If we were to simplify the Old Testament, beginning with the story of Moses, it could be described as the narrative of a few praiseworthy individuals whom God used powerfully, and the rest—a foolish people who repeatedly strayed from Him.

Does this mean that pastors like me belong to the group of figures like Moses, while the rest of the congregation must remain with the foolish people?

Absolutely not.

I remember when I was a small group leader for new believers, leading quiet times (Q.T). The passage one day was from the book of Joshua. After the group session ended, a strange chill came over me, and a question arose in my heart:

“Wherever you go, I will be with you.”

This was something God had promised Joshua. But why was I receiving it as if it were a personal promise to me?

So, I asked a young man in the group who had been in the church much longer than I had. He was a solid, faithful believer, but even he seemed slightly caught off guard by my question. He replied, “Well, since God doesn’t change, I think those promises apply to us too, don’t they?”

Although his answer didn’t fully resolve my question, I accepted the sense that God had indeed given me this promise as well, and I moved on.

But let me ask you: Why do you believe that promises made to Moses or Abraham have any connection to you personally?

Moses and the other key figures of the Old Testament are foreshadows of the Messiah—Jesus Christ.

They were imperfect, yet they were led by God’s Spirit. When they obeyed, they were used mightily for His purposes.

We, as believers, have the Spirit of Jesus—the Holy Spirit, the very Spirit of God—dwelling within us.

This means that people like Moses weren’t just shadows of Christ. They were also shadows of us, who now live with the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Therefore, every word God spoke to them, every promise He made, is even more directly relevant to us today. Amen?

If the God of Moses is your God and mine, then God calls us to take off our shoes as well. He invites us into that same sacred space, into that same intimate relationship.

God’s call to Moses is also His call to us: “Come closer.”

Moses had two sons. The name of his first son was Gershom, which, as the book of Exodus explains, means, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land.”

Imagine if someone you knew decided to name their child something like that—wouldn’t you be tempted to try to dissuade them? This name gives us a glimpse into Moses’ state of mind at the time, and it’s clear that he wasn’t in a positive place.

Even as he started a new family and welcomed his firstborn son, the bitterness and despair in Moses’ heart came through in the name he chose.

Moses was an Israelite by birth, but after his early months, he was raised in the Egyptian palace, where he spent 40 years. However, it’s evident that he was never fully accepted there. The moment his crime of killing an Egyptian was exposed, Pharaoh, who was like a grandfather figure to him, immediately sought to kill him.

At the age of 40, Moses believed he was ready to lead Israel as their deliverer, but his efforts were rejected by his own people. As a result, he became a fugitive, fleeing to the wilderness of Midian. Even there, he could not truly belong. Moses had no place he could call home—he was, in every sense, a wanderer.

It was during this time in the wilderness that God began to shape Moses into someone He could use.

Moses saw himself as “Gershom.” That name wasn’t just his first son’s name—it symbolized the 40 years Moses spent in the wilderness, feeling like an alien in a foreign land.

Later, Moses had a second son. The Bible doesn’t specify exactly when this child was born, but we know that when Moses encountered God at the burning bush and left Midian at the age of 80, only his wife Zipporah and his firstborn, Gershom, accompanied him.

From this, we can deduce that Moses’ second son was born after his encounter with God, during the events of the Exodus.

This son’s name was Eliezer.

Exodus 18:4 (NIV):

“The other was named Eliezer, for he said, ‘My father’s God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.’”

Does the name “Eliezer” sound familiar? Do you remember Abraham’s servant—the one who went to find Rebekah to be Isaac’s wife? That faithful servant, who played a role even greater than Isaac himself during that mission, was also named Eliezer.

The meaning of the name “Eliezer” is “God is my help.”

Moses gave his second son this name after witnessing God’s deliverance at the Red Sea, where God saved him and the Israelites from Pharaoh’s sword in a dramatic and miraculous way. Moses named his son Eliezer to declare, “God is my help.”

n stories—whether novels or films—there is always a main character and supporting characters. The main character is the protagonist, and the others play a supporting role.

When we think of the name Eliezer, meaning “God is my help,” it gives the impression that God plays the supporting role, while we are the protagonists.

And here’s the surprising truth: this is exactly what God desires.

Genesis 1:28 (NIV):

“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’”

God entrusted humanity with the rule of all creation. He gave us the food we need, wisdom through His presence, and the freedom to govern as we depend on Him. In essence, He was saying, “I will help you; rule over the world!”

The same was true of God’s relationship with Moses.

God stood beside an 80-year-old shepherd, Moses, manifesting His power through Moses’ humble staff. Together, they completely devastated Egypt.

The climax of God’s help was the parting of the Red Sea. The Israelites crossed safely on dry ground, while the Egyptian army was utterly destroyed.

When Moses named his second son Eliezer—*“God is my help”—*it was in response to this very event.

Exodus 14:21 (NIV):

“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided.”

This scene sends chills down my spine every time I picture it. The parting of the sea is an awe-inspiring miracle, but for the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, it’s not beyond His capability.

What truly stirs me is this:

When Moses stretched out his hand, God divided the sea.

It wasn’t Moses who parted the sea. All Moses did was obey God’s command and stretch out his hand over the waters. But the moment he did, God, who had been waiting for that act of faith, parted the sea.

To the two million Israelites watching, it must have looked as though Moses himself had performed the miracle.

This is the kind of partnership God desires with us.

God wants to work with us to bring about a spiritual exodus in the lives of those who have been enslaved by sin—turning people who once served themselves into those who serve God.

When Moses stretched out his hand in faith, God acted, delivering His people.

Looking back at last summer, when we learned we would have to leave Battery Park, it seemed impossible to find a new gathering place in Manhattan. We searched for months and faced despair.

But then God parted the sea before us, and here we are, worshiping together in this space for a year and a half now. During this time, we’ve gone on missions, evangelized in Times Square, and held two CROSS events—things that seemed unimaginable at first.

God still wants to part seas with us today.

But He doesn’t call us to simple, comfortable tasks that require no faith. Instead, He invites us to step into seemingly impossible, even embarrassing situations—to stretch out our hands for the sake of saving souls.

It’s in those moments that God becomes our Eliezer—our help.

These acts of faith often come at great cost. Sometimes, we face criticism and disbelief. Just as the Israelites, trapped between the sea and the pursuing Egyptian army, quickly forgot the ten plagues and miracles of deliverance, we too are prone to forget. Instead of trusting God, the Israelites turned against Moses and even threatened to stone him.

This illustrates the stark contrast between Moses and the Israelites. God was not comparing Moses to Pharaoh but to the very people he was leading.

If Moses had stretched out his hand over the sea and nothing had happened, he would have been killed—not by Pharaoh’s army, but by the angry mob of Israelites. Yet Moses didn’t cry out to the people; he cried out to God. In his trust, Moses remained calm before the people, reflecting his faith in God’s deliverance.

This is the difference between foolish people and a transformed servant of God.

Where do you stand?

Will you stand with Moses, trusting in God, or with the Israelites, who so quickly forget His grace?

God wants to work with us, but He requires faith. He calls us to stretch out our hands even before the sea moves. Stretching out a hand may seem like a small act—it doesn’t part the sea. But it is a small act that demands great faith, and it is that faith that invites God to do great things.

The tasks God asks of us are always simple acts of obedience—reaching out to a neighbor, showing kindness to coworkers, living as a Christ-like example in our daily lives. These acts may seem small, but they can lead to miraculous outcomes.

By the time next year’s CROSS event comes around, we will have spent a year in these small, faithful acts of obedience. What will we see when those seas part?

Some may walk through those doors, and simply being there will feel like a miracle—their very presence a sign of God’s work. Let us spend the next year faithfully stretching out our hands so that together, we may witness the seas part once more.

Gershom and Eliezer Are Two Faces of God in Moses’ Life

The God of Gershom is the one who reminds us that He is our true place of rest and that His children are ultimately sojourners in this world.

If Moses had not experienced Gershom, he would not have been able to meet God, nor would he have been prepared to be used by Him.

That is why, during seasons when we feel settled in our jobs, homes, and families, we must cling even more tightly to the God of Gershom. We must seek Him to avoid losing our sojourner’s heart.

In that sense, isn’t our church a true blessing?

For years, we’ve worshiped in different places during Christmas and the year-end season. This year, too, we will hold our Christmas service and December 29th Sunday worship in a different location.

Yes, this is inconvenient, but in a way, it’s something to be thankful for.

What a tremendous blessing it is to preserve our sojourner’s heart, not through other areas of life, but through the most spiritual area—our church! Amen!

The Help of God—Eliezer—Is Given Only to Those Who Know the God of Gershom

The defining characteristic of a sojourner or traveler is humility.

No matter how much research a traveler does before their journey, they lack direct experience and therefore remain humble. They rarely feel a sense of pride or offense at being underestimated or overlooked.

However, once the traveler begins to settle down, anger and wounded pride start to emerge. The more they establish their sense of belonging, the more prone they are to feeling frustrated and resentful when things don’t go their way.

In such moments—when the world feels disappointing, unjust, or infuriating—we need to remember the God of Gershom.

We must thank Him for revealing to us how quickly we begin to act as if we are the masters of this place.

We should thank Him for reminding us that this world is not our eternal home and for helping us surrender our will and standards to Him.

When we do this, the Lord will see us as people He can use.

When We Meet the God of Eliezer

We will encounter the God of Eliezer:

• We will experience His protection before the Pharaohs in our lives.

• We will meet the God who gives us the words to say when we stand before difficult challenges.

• We will meet the God who gives us the strength to take the next step of faith when we feel weak.

And when we stretch out our arms toward the surging sea with beads of sweat running down our foreheads, we will encounter the help of God—our Eliezer—through miracles that defy belief.

In Moses’ time, the person in the most danger was not who it appeared to be.

It wasn’t Moses, the shepherd wandering in the wilderness. It was Pharaoh, seated in the grandeur of his palace.

Let us give thanks for the discomforts in life that remind us we are Gershom. Let us praise the difficulties that bring us to the God of Eliezer.

Let us give thanks for the life situations that teach us to remember we are not the owners of this place, but sojourners passing through.

And may we give glory to the Lord, who makes us ready to be used and allows us to experience His mighty help.

11/24 People with Wearproof Shoes

Sermon: Acts Series 33

Date: 11/24/2024

Title: People with Wearproof Shoes

Text: Acts 7:22-33

Scripture Reading: Acts 7:22-33

22 Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.

23 When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites.

24 He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian.

25 Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not.

26 The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’

27 But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us?

28 Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’

29 When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons.

30 After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai.

31 When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say:

32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look.

33 Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’

Since Moses was a man pleasing in God’s eyes, the Bible, God’s Word, devotes more space to Moses than to almost any other figure.

Although Moses was not a perfect man, he was a special individual whom God delighted to use. Moreover, when we view his life as a story of growth, it becomes an incomparable source of benefit and learning for us.

Moses was nurtured with special care and provision in his mother’s arms until he was weaned. Afterward, he was raised as a prince in Pharaoh’s palace, receiving the finest education Egypt could provide.

By the age of 40, Moses had grown into a robust and confident Egyptian prince. Acts 7:22 describes him as an exceptional man. He was skilled in many languages, eloquent in speech, and proficient in his endeavors. These attributes indicate that as a prince, Moses excelled in areas such as military strategy and governance, making him an outstanding leader.

Moses also felt within himself that he was now ready. A burden arose in his heart to care for his oppressed people.

Although he was not unaware of the treatment the Israelites endured, his position as a member of Pharaoh’s household—always under suspicion as a possible spy—left him powerless to act. All he could do was diligently refine his skills.

However, at 40 years old, sensing his readiness, the burden on his heart grew heavier. “I must do something,” he thought. “This is my calling, my destiny.”

When Moses ventured into the region where the Israelites lived—an area he had been reluctant to visit—he witnessed a scene that was all too familiar. He saw an Egyptian guard brutally mistreating an Israelite. Enraged by the harsh treatment, Moses struck down the Egyptian and buried him in the sand.

This event caused a significant change in Moses. Acts 7:24–26 reveals his thoughts:

“24 He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. 25 Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. 26 The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’”

Although Moses had lived as an Egyptian in Pharaoh’s palace for 40 years, he did not feel remorse for killing the Egyptian. Instead, he saw it as a righteous act.

Moses believed this act was an act of vengeance on behalf of his people and thought it would be a clear sign of his divine calling to deliver the Israelites. He assumed that his people would recognize this and acknowledge him as their savior.

He even saw the rescue of the oppressed Israelite as a symbolic precursor to the greater salvation God would accomplish through him. He was confident that the people would understand.

The next day, Moses returned to the Israelite community. What did he expect to find?

Surely, he thought, there was no one better prepared to save the Israelites from their oppression. News of his actions the previous day must have spread among the people. He believed they would quietly hope for Moses to be their savior, even if they didn’t openly celebrate.

However, when Moses tried to intervene in a dispute between two Israelites, their response was entirely unexpected:

“27 But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us? 28 Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’”

Not only did the man rebuff Moses, but he physically pushed him aside. There was no gratitude, no respect—only resentment. “Who made you ruler and judge over us?” he demanded. In other words, “Who do you think you are?”

It didn’t stop there. He added, “Are you going to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?”

Moses had indeed become known, just as he expected. But in the eyes of the people, his actions were not seen as a rescue or an act of justice. Instead, they viewed him as the one who killed an Egyptian, potentially bringing greater trouble upon them.

They neither trusted Moses nor saw him as a source of hope for deliverance from Egypt’s oppression.

The man Moses thought would be a hero, even a savior, suddenly became an outcast. His killing of the Egyptian made him a traitor to Egypt, and his people did not accept him as their leader. He belonged nowhere.

We know from Scripture that Moses would later fulfill his calling to deliver Israel, proving that his sense of purpose at 40 was not entirely misplaced. Yet, it was not the right time, and the conditions were not yet aligned.

It was clear that the Israelites were not ready. Exodus 2:23 reveals:

“During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God.”

By this point, Moses had been a fugitive for 40 years. From the time of his birth, the Israelites had been under harsh oppression for 80 years. It was only then that their cries reached God.

It wasn’t that they had never cried out before, but their cries had not yet reached the depth of complete dependence on God. They still relied on their own efforts and human wisdom, hoping that Pharaoh might grant them relief, rather than fully turning to God in desperation.

Even after Moses left Egypt, it took another 40 years for the Israelites to reach a place of readiness. Their absolute reliance on God was still far off.

As we read the story of Exodus, we see that even after their deliverance, the Israelites constantly complained. At the first sign of difficulty, they grumbled against Moses, longing to return to Egypt. “Why did you bring us out of Egypt?” they asked. “It was better there!” They acted as if Egypt had been a place worth staying.

Looking back, it’s evident that even at the time of their initial deliverance, the Israelites were not fully prepared.

Moses’ actions at age 40 reveal that the Israelites were still looking for Pharaoh’s crumbs of mercy, rather than dreaming of freedom and trusting in God’s power. They weren’t ready to be delivered, and tragically, it took another 40 years of suffering to prepare them for that step.

Is this just Israel’s story? Or is it ours as well?

Have you truly left Egypt? Have you completely abandoned your old life without longing for what you left behind? Have you made God the absolute Lord of your life? Without this, God cannot be merely a helper or protector.

We call God our Father, friend, protector, Savior, and provider—all true names. But all of these roles begin with Him as our Lord. Jesus cannot be our friend, provider, or Savior unless He is first our Lord. Yet, when He is our Lord, He becomes far more than all of these combined.

Unfortunately, despite all their suffering, the Israelites were still far from being ready for salvation.

But was the problem only with the Israelites? Was Moses himself truly ready?

At 40 years old, Moses excelled in every way. He was trained in both academics and military strategy in Egypt, the most powerful nation of the time. As a prince, he likely held significant authority and had valuable experience leading battles.

Compared to the Israelites, who were enslaved and considered the lowest of the low, Moses must have stood out as a shining figure of hope. Yet, in God’s eyes, Moses was not ready. What was lacking?

To understand what Moses still needed, we can compare the 40-year-old Moses, who tried to deliver Israel through his own strength, with the 80-year-old Moses, whom God finally called into service.

First, consider their age. The physical strength and vitality of the 40-year-old Moses cannot be compared to that of the 80-year-old Moses. Furthermore, their social status and resources were vastly different. Moses at 40 had power, wealth, and influence; Moses at 80 had none of these.

But the most striking difference is highlighted in Exodus 4:10:

“Moses said to the LORD, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.’”

At 40, Moses was described as eloquent and persuasive, a man skilled in speech. But after 40 years in the wilderness as a shepherd, Moses had become unaccustomed to speaking and felt entirely unqualified for the role of a prophet.

While Moses was physically capable at 40, he relied on his own abilities and confidence. At 80, he had none of that confidence left. When God called him, Moses responded in desperation:

“But Moses said, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.’” (Exodus 4:13)

The 80-year-old Moses didn’t just exhibit humility; he truly believed he was incapable of fulfilling God’s mission.

Let me share a verse I memorized when I first came to faith:

Proverbs 18:12

“Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”

I initially memorized this verse because it was short and easy to remember. At the time, I thought I understood its meaning. But looking back, I realize I knew little about true humility or the dangers of pride.

In those days, I considered humility to be merely polite behavior—pretending to respect others while inwardly dismissing them. But this superficial humility is actually the worst form of pride.

C.S. Lewis wrote extensively about pride and humility. He called pride the “cancer of the soul” and described it as the root of all sin. He noted that pride is inherently competitive, finding satisfaction not in one’s achievements but in surpassing others. Pride, he argued, is insatiable because it thrives on comparison.

Lewis also observed the close relationship between pride and insecurity. A prideful person is often plagued with feelings of inadequacy because pride depends on constant validation and superiority over others.

Lewis redefined humility, not as self-deprecation but as “thinking less about yourself.” True humility shifts focus away from oneself toward God and others.

The path to overcoming pride and insecurity is the same: to love God and others more and to think of oneself less. This shift frees us from the grip of pride and insecurity.

When we live selfishly, prioritizing our own desires, we become increasingly anxious and dissatisfied. This is the trap Satan sets for us. Yet, when we live for others, God’s blessings flow into our lives, and we experience true fulfillment. That is real humility, the path to honor described in Proverbs.

When God called Moses at 80, He initially spoke to him with encouragement, showing Moses miraculous signs to assure him. Yet Moses still resisted, insisting he was unqualified.

This exchange reveals a profound truth: God found the 80-year-old Moses, stripped of confidence and self-reliance, far more useful than the self-assured 40-year-old Moses. Moses’ reluctance, while not an ideal response, was at least free of pride. And God can work with humility, even if it is laced with doubt, far more effectively than with arrogance.

God can use the weak, but He cannot use the proud.

Even the gravest sinner, if humble, can kneel before God in repentance. But the proud cannot. Pride hardens the heart and blinds us to God’s grace.

For those who know me, my journey of faith came late, and it wasn’t an easy one. I came to the United States with the intention of sharing my faith with a wandering friend, hoping to support each other in our spiritual journeys. But in the end, I arrived alone. Here, God guided me into art school, and I believed that upon graduating, the path God had prepared for me would unfold.

During my time in art school, I spent much of my energy befriending younger students and inviting them to church. I also started prayer meetings on campus and found joy in sharing the gospel. However, the themes of the artwork, the spiritual atmosphere of the school, and the worldview of the professors often left me spiritually burdened.

Looking back, I now see that my zeal was not purely motivated by love. My insecurities, spiritual pride, and desire for recognition were entangled with my efforts.

After graduating, I experienced a season of deep struggle. As a husband with no job and a wife who had to work, I felt utterly humiliated. Taking care of my child at home, I frequently found myself losing patience. Those were some of the most challenging days of my life.

Through those hardships and subsequent trials, I came to identify with the 80-year-old Moses. I realized that, like him, I had to be stripped of my pride to be made useful for God’s purposes.

It wasn’t that I deeply desired to attend seminary. I simply couldn’t remain in my current state, and every other path felt blocked, as if walking any other way would lead to unbearable distress. To be honest, seminary became a way of escape—any place but where I was seemed better. That’s how I found myself taking my first steps toward seminary. Throughout my time there, I often thought about the 80-year-old Moses.

Like Moses at that age, I felt completely inadequate for anything. I lacked confidence and felt incapable of doing anything significant.

Near the end of seminary, during a preaching class with a renowned professor, we were assigned to prepare and deliver a sermon. For me, it felt like the first and perhaps only opportunity to preach to both Americans and Korean second-generation seminarians. I still remember challenging them with these words:

“Friends, every day, people from all over the world gather in Times Square, right here in our backyard in New York City. If we, as students of a seminary located in New York, do nothing for them, how can we justify ourselves? Let us be the evangelists they need.”

Whether or not my words moved my classmates, God seemed to respond. Today, I preach weekly here in this place, and in the process, I’ve come to realize something profound. The Lord who waited 80 years for Moses to become ready also waited for me to learn true humility. Only when I reached that place was I finally useful to Him.

When God appeared to Moses in the wilderness, He revealed Himself in a simple and humble way. It wasn’t a towering pillar of fire reaching the heavens but a small flame within a bush that did not burn up—a symbol of humility.

Had God appeared as a raging storm or a blazing fire, perhaps the 80-year-old Moses would have turned and fled in fear.

God spoke to Moses:

“Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” (Acts 7:33)

What does it mean to remove one’s sandals? There are many interpretations, but the simplest one comes from everyday life. We take off our shoes when entering someone’s home. For the nomadic people of Moses’ time, removing one’s sandals signified entering a close, intimate space—a small rug near the bed or a tented area where family and close friends gathered.

To remove one’s sandals is to step into a space of intimacy, to be close enough to face one another. It’s an invitation to fellowship and relationship. God invited Moses into such closeness.

Are you sitting barefoot before the Lord? The Lord has invited you to come near.

After Moses’ encounter with God, he put his sandals back on, but he was no longer just a shepherd in the wilderness. He had become the shepherd of God’s people, tasked with caring for the flock of Israel.

Even the sandals Moses wore were no longer the same. Deuteronomy 29:5 tells us:

“During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet.”

For 40 years, Moses’ sandals did not wear out. God, his Master, protected even the soles of his shoes.

In the same way, I removed my shoes before the Lord and have since worn shoes that do not wear out. God has given me the privilege of caring for the souls He entrusts to me, and He provides for all that I need. Even when I face rejection or insult, I am learning to respond not with anger but with humility.

This is not false humility or insecure submission. It is a genuine humility that places God’s will above my own and values others more highly than myself.

Such humility transforms us into people like Moses, who grew to fear nothing but God.

So, which Moses are you most like? The 40-year-old Moses or the 80-year-old Moses?

The world urges us to be like the 40-year-old Moses—to be confident, ambitious, and self-reliant. Increasingly, the world’s leaders are being shaped in this mold.

But for God, such people are of no use.

Do you desire a life where God, who cares even for the soles of our feet, provides and protects you? If your longing is sincere, you must leave Egypt behind. God will help you. He will lead you out of Egypt’s palace and into the lowly places where He dwells.

He will guide you to a place where you can be truly useful to Him, where your life aligns with His purpose.

Amen.

11/10 Beautiful in the Sight of God

Acts Sermon series #32

Title: “Beautiful in the Sight of God”

Scripture: Acts 7:17-22

Acts 7:17-22

17 “But as the time drew near for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased.

18 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.

19 He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our ancestors by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die.

20 At that time Moses was born, and he was beautiful in the sight of God. For three months he was cared for by his family.

21 When he was placed outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son.

22 Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.”

Intro

The first book of the Bible, Genesis, concludes with the story of Joseph, who became the governor of Egypt, and the migration of Jacob’s family to Egypt at Joseph’s invitation.

As we have observed, Joseph is a figure who completes the era of the patriarchs and shows a clear foreshadowing of Jesus. He consistently placed God first in every situation and served as a savior not only for Jacob’s family but also for neighboring nations, reflecting Jesus as the “light to the nations.”

However, as emphasized previously, the Bible is a record of the growth of its characters. Even someone like Joseph, who fulfilled his calling, did not reach the complete perfection of Jesus Christ. We must pay attention to the growth of these figures and God’s intervention in their lives, as it offers great benefit for us.

Starting today, we will examine a character whose influence and impact in the Bible even surpass that of Joseph. He is none other than Moses, the most significant figure in the Old Testament.

Background on Moses

The period in which Moses was born was over 400 years after Joseph’s family had migrated to Egypt. By this time, a new dynasty had risen in Egypt, and Joseph’s legacy had long been forgotten.

To this new dynasty, the Israelite people had become increasingly burdensome. Egypt, which was the leading superpower in every aspect at the time, had absorbed many immigrant groups, most of whom eventually assimilated into Egyptian culture. However, the Israelites were different—they maintained their distinct identity and resisted assimilation.

Moreover, their population grew rapidly, outpacing that of other groups. From Pharaoh’s perspective, the Israelites, as a separate community, could potentially align with Egypt’s enemies, posing a significant threat.

In his anxiety over the Israelites’ resilience despite the various cunning ways he used to oppress them, Pharaoh devised a brutal plan. He commanded the midwives to kill all newborn Israelite boys, as these boys could one day become threats to Egypt as part of an opposing army.

Exodus 1:16 — “When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth, observe them on the delivery stool; if it is a boy, kill him, but if it is a girl, let her live.”

Exodus 1:17 — “The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.”

Was it easy to defy Pharaoh’s cruel command to kill every male child at birth? It was a choice that required courage, a choice that risked their lives.

But the Hebrew midwives feared God more than Pharaoh, and they decided to save the children, regardless of what punishment might come from Pharaoh.

The Bible continually tells us, “Do not be afraid!” The things we are commanded not to fear are the “world,” “people,” and “death.”

Yet, there is one we are instructed to fear—God Himself. If we are not on God’s side, if we stand against His will, or if we fall into temptation, we must hold a reverent fear of God.

Jesus taught us this way:

Matthew 10:28 — “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Who is this One who has the power to destroy both soul and body in hell?

The message is clear: Do not fear the powers of this world or Satan, the father of all tempters, who cannot touch your soul. Instead, fear God.

Satan perpetuates a culture where sin is taken lightly. But to a holy God, sin is unbearably offensive and draws His righteous wrath.

A.W. Tozer once shared an anecdote. A woman approached him for counsel, confiding that she was in a same-sex relationship and was experiencing deep anxiety and fear. Tozer sensed that she wanted him to say, “It’s alright. Don’t be afraid.” Yet, he knew he could not give her that reassurance.

Do you know what certain false teachings mean when they talk about being “set free from sin”?

They imply that freedom from sin means feeling no guilt for sin, becoming shameless. They even go so far as to twist Scripture passages that warn, “How can those with the Holy Spirit sin?” They claim, “Since we have the Holy Spirit, we cannot sin; therefore, none of our actions are sinful in God’s sight.”

They reverse the truth, suggesting that grieving and repenting over sin is actually evidence of not being saved.

In Hebrews 6, this condition is referred to as “falling away.” It describes such actions as exposing the Son of God to public disgrace, with a frightening warning that those in this state will not find forgiveness.

To be freed from sin because the Holy Spirit dwells within us does not mean we are excused to sin without remorse. It means that we no longer enjoy sin or succumb to it as easily. It means that we grow in discernment, develop the inner strength to resist temptation, and increasingly find the power to overcome.

This strength doesn’t come from us; rather, it is because we are growing closer to the life of Christ and learning to lean on Him more.

In this way, as children of God, we are progressively freed from sin—able to discern it, avoid it, and overcome it. And as Christians, we are people growing from fear into love, and toward greater wholeness.

Some areas of our lives change quickly, while others can still cause us to sigh. At times, God will awaken us through sudden events, and at other times, He leads us through words of encouragement and affirmation. Just as a loving parent guides their children, so the Holy Spirit leads us to greater freedom and wholeness.

When we rely on the Lord and gradually let go of bad habits one by one, we find increasing freedom each step of the way.

To those who follow this path, God gives blessings, rewards, and gifts.

Exodus 1:21 — “And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own.”

God Calls for the Right Response

God’s word is alive, always asking something of us. Sometimes, He calls us to feel peace and reassurance; other times, He urges us to approach Him with a reverent, trembling heart. He tells us to change our mindset and asks for actions of obedience.

The Lord speaks, and we are to respond rightly to His words.

However, if we oversimplify and take the biblical truth that “God’s will is fixed and everything happens according to His purpose” to an extreme, we may mistakenly believe that every choice, process, and outcome in our lives happens solely according to God’s plan.

This scene makes it clear that this is not entirely the case. The Bible says that the midwives feared God more than Pharaoh, and as a result, their households prospered! God was pleased with their response and blessed them.

What was a great “crisis” in front of them became an “opportunity” to show their reverence for God. When they demonstrated their faith, God rewarded them greatly.

This is the most basic aspect of faith—a pattern that flows throughout Scripture. God provides opportunities, we respond, and according to how we respond, the outcomes are given to us in our lives.

Our thoughts, decisions, and actions are not predetermined; they stem from our free choices, and the responsibility lies with us.

Sometimes, however, our choices are limited for the fulfillment of God’s plan for the world.

For example, even if the midwives had initially chosen to kill the children out of fear of Pharaoh, it wouldn’t have made a lasting difference because Pharaoh would have eventually found another way to carry out his orders.

However, instead of receiving blessings, the midwives would have found themselves opposing God.

And still, among the surviving children, Moses would undoubtedly have been there.

God had chosen this child, Moses, to one day save the Israelites about 80 years later, and no one could alter that. This is what we refer to as God’s providence.

God’s Providence in Choosing Moses

When Pharaoh failed in his plan of slaughter through the midwives, he issued an even more brutal order: anyone who saw an Israelite baby boy was commanded to throw him into the Nile River.

Though the exact numbers are uncertain, when the Israelites eventually left Egypt, the population was approximately 600,000 men, totaling around two million people. Based on this, an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 Israelite baby boys may have been cast into the Nile.

In the book of Exodus, it says that Moses’ parents hid him because he was a “fine child.” The expression used to describe the beauty of this child is the same expression used during creation when God saw His creations and deemed them “good.”

When they looked at Moses, they saw something unique and special about him.

However, in today’s passage in the Book of Acts, it is not Moses’ parents who recognized this beauty but rather that “he was beautiful in God’s sight.”

“At that time Moses was born, and he was beautiful in the sight of God; for three months he was cared for by his family.” (Acts 7:20)

God does not look at outward appearance, so what did He see that He deemed beautiful?

When God looked at baby Moses, He saw all the possibilities of his life at once. He saw him three months later, ten years later, forty years later, and eighty years later—every choice Moses would make and every potential within him. And it was this that God found beautiful.

The Beautiful Ones Who Are Chosen

Matthew 22:14 — “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

In Jesus’ parable, which He repeats in the Gospels, we may initially perceive “being chosen” as a passive act. However, in this parable, it signifies an active response: “accepting the invitation.”

Those who are “chosen” are the people who responded rightly to God’s extended hand and opportunity, setting aside other seemingly important matters to attend the king’s invitation. This is how Jesus describes those who are chosen.

And so, Jesus was angered by those who, though invited, did not come—those who were not chosen.

Those invited had the freedom to “be chosen,” but they rejected and disregarded this opportunity, and that was why He was angry.

Our future is constantly unfolding. Just as a clock’s hand keeps moving, our future continuously becomes our present, moment by moment.

When the Lord looks upon us right now, He sees all of this.

In today’s worship, something may be happening within us. We may have made certain resolutions—“I’ll finally let go of this,” or “I’ll start again.” When these genuine stirrings of the heart occur, the possibilities change, and God sees it all.

Not only does God see our inner transformation, but He also sees the beauty that will be created by these changes.

The Obedience of a Mother

When Jochebed, Moses’ mother, could no longer hide her baby, she carefully crafted a basket. Preparing for the possibility of a longer journey for the baby, she made the basket watertight and then sent it down the river, letting it drift toward the region where Egyptians lived.

Now, what command had the Egyptians received? Pharaoh had ordered them to kill all Hebrew baby boys.

Yet, despite this, Moses’ mother sent the basket toward the Egyptian area. Why? Because the Hebrews’ living areas were already being thoroughly searched. So, with only a sliver of hope, she trusted that it was better to risk meeting a compassionate Egyptian than to remain in hiding.

And then, she instructed her eldest daughter, Miriam, to follow the basket and see what would happen to the baby.

What happened next?

An extraordinary turn of events unfolds. The basket drifts all the way to the Egyptian royal palace. Is this good news? The basket reached the house of Pharaoh himself—the very man who ordered the slaughter. One can only imagine Miriam’s shock as she followed along.

And then, another unexpected twist occurs.

Exodus 2:4-10

4 His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.

5 Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her female slave to get it.

6 She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This is one of the Hebrew babies,” she said.

7 Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?”

8 “Yes, go,” she answered. So the girl went and got the baby’s mother.

9 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So the woman took the baby and nursed him.

10 When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water.”

What Has Just Happened?

Only hours before, Moses’ mother had entrusted her baby’s fate to God, sending him down the river. Now, Moses has returned to her arms—alive, but not as a slave. He has returned with the status of a prince.

Moments ago, Moses’ home was so dangerous for him that his mother chose to release him to the Nile. But now, with his return, this very home has become the safest place in Egypt.

Not only could he now grow up safely in his mother’s arms until he was weaned, but she was also compensated for fulfilling her motherly role.

Moreover, would Pharaoh’s daughter have left the home of the child she intended to raise as her son in the poor conditions of an Israelite slave’s house? She surely would have provided the best possible environment for him.

This is the multiplied blessing that comes with obedience.

While it was a dark time of great sorrow for all Israelite families, how great must have been the joy of those who played their roles in this plan—Miriam and her mother, Jochebed.

The times spent risking their lives to hide the child, the care with which his mother prepared the basket, and the heavy heart with which she released it—all these came to an astonishingly joyful moment when Miriam courageously intervened, and Moses’ mother was reunited with her son, even within the palace itself.

This is the joy of heaven, which comes when God’s providence intersects with our obedience.

Consider this incredible drama. Who could have planned this and brought it to such an outcome?

Could it have been Moses’ mother? Pharaoh’s daughter? Even the powerful Pharaoh himself?

Toward a Life Beautiful in God’s Sight

Now, take a moment to reflect on your life.

At the very least, none of you here today are ordinary people.

But is the reason we’re here now the result of a plan we carefully laid out 20 or 30 years ago? Out of all the events in our lives, the people we’ve met, how much of it happened exactly according to our own plans?

Isn’t there a unique “drama” to each of your lives? And has that drama unfolded according to your own script? Is it progressing even now according to your blueprint?

No matter how hard I try to take ownership of my life, I am never truly its master. In fact, every time I try to take control, things seem to go wrong. Peace slips away, and my worries and anxieties only grow.

If the Lord is truly the master, we must stop trying to be in charge. What does the Lord desire of me right now? Instead of calculating my own way, I need to seek His will first. And when I begin to understand it, I need to obey. This is the best approach. When we do this, the Lord blesses us, causes us to thrive. This is the greatest happiness and blessing we can experience.

The Lord continues to invite us—each time we open our Bibles, each time we worship, and in every challenge we face in life.

How are we responding? Though we are invited, are we among those who are chosen?

Remember how the calling and choosing unfolded for Moses’ family. In the darkest of times, consider the light that came to them.

Instead of fearing Pharaoh, they feared God. And when God moved their hearts, they obeyed, risking everything. Even in the moment when they had to release the child, they didn’t lose heart or give up. They trusted God and did what they could. They prepared the basket with care, and they sent Miriam to follow, hoping in God’s deliverance.

Do you desire for this church to be beautiful in the Lord’s sight? That depends on us. What commitments are we making now? What changes are happening within us? What steps of obedience will we take after this worship? It all hinges on these things.

And when the Lord looks at each one of you, what will He see?

At this moment, the future is constantly becoming our present. If these resolutions and changes within us become “seeds of obedience,” our future will shine even more beautifully in God’s sight.

A church beautiful in God’s sight, a life beautiful in God’s sight…

This depends on each one of us, standing before the Lord who speaks to us today—upon each individual here, upon this church.

11/3 [English] When you face a crisis in your life

[Ne 4:1-14, NIV]

1 When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews,

2 and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, "What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?"

3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, "What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!"

4 Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity.

5 Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders.

6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.

7 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry.

8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.

9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.

10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall."

11 Also our enemies said, "Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work."

12 Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, "Wherever you turn, they will attack us."

13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows.

14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."

In 586 B.C., Jerusalem was conquered by Babylon, and the southern kingdom of Judah was completely destroyed. Most of the Israelites were taken as captives to Babylon. Forty-seven years later, that enormous Babylonian empire fell to the Persian kingdom established by King Cyrus. Three years after he had conquered the world, King Cyrus allowed the Israelites to return to their homeland. At that time, 50,000 Jews went back to their country and began rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. The person who led this reconstruction was “Zerubbabel.” We refer to this event as the first return from captivity.

Eighty years later, in 457 B.C., a smaller group of Jews returned to their homeland. During this time, a great spiritual revival took place, led by “Ezra.” Then, twelve years later, in 445 B.C., God sought someone to rebuild the broken walls of Jerusalem, and the person who responded to this call was “Nehemiah.” Nehemiah was the cupbearer, essentially the prime minister, for King Artaxerxes of the Persian Empire. He returned to Jerusalem as the governor of Judah to oversee the rebuilding of the city walls.

Please read verses 1, 2, and 3 of the text:

[1] When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became very angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, [2] and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” [3] Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!”

The enemies, like Sanballat, the Samarian governor, and Tobiah the Ammonite, mocked the Israelites who had begun to rebuild the wall.

1. They mocked them by saying, “What are you weaklings trying to accomplish?”

2. They ridiculed, saying, “Do you think building the wall is something that can be finished in a day, like a child’s play?”

3. They sneered, “Even if you try a hundred times with those burnt stones and piles of rubble, you won’t succeed.”

4. They also scorned, “Even if you manage to build the wall, a mere fox would climb up and bring it crashing down.”

Nehemiah’s first response to the unbearable ridicule and insults he faced is recorded in verses 4 and 5 of the text.

Please read verses 4 and 5:

[4] “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their insults be turned back on their own heads. Let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity. [5] Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders.”

Nehemiah’s first response was prayer.

He prayed, “God, hear us. Your people are being humiliated.”

Dear beloved congregation,

In every circumstance, never let go of the lifeline of prayer. Hold onto it for your entire life. Continuously go before God in prayer. Present everything to Him in prayer.

When we pray, God gives us a promise, which is recorded in Jeremiah 33:3:

(Jeremiah 33:3) “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

And also in Psalm 3:7:

(Psalm 3:7) “Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.”

The first wall and gate you must build in your life is the wall and gate of persistent prayer.

Next, let’s look at Nehemiah’s second response.

Please read verse 6:

[6] So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.

After praying, Nehemiah and the Jews continued working diligently on rebuilding the wall.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

After praying, do not just sit back with your arms folded, waiting for something to happen. Such behavior is irresponsible and lazy. When the enemies mocked them, Nehemiah and the people prayed and then gave their best effort to rebuild the wall.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Do not let ridicule stop your work or ministry. Bring your problems to God in prayer. Then, alongside your prayers, do your very best to solve the problems. Prayer and hard work must always go hand in hand. By combining prayer with their best efforts, Nehemiah and the people miraculously managed to rebuild half of the wall in just four weeks.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The second wall and gate you must build in your life is the wall and gate of doing your very best.

When the wall was halfway built, Nehemiah faced yet another attack.

Please read verses 7, 8, and 9:

[7] But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. [8] They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. [9] But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.

Once the wall was halfway completed, the evil forces became desperate and began planning a physical assault.

These evil forces moved beyond mockery and now prepared to attack our spirit, soul, and body.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We have already built the gates and walls of prayer and giving our best effort. But we cannot stop here. The gates and walls are still unfinished. To live victorious lives and to become a victorious church, we must build even more defenses.

Now, please read verses 10, 11, and 12:

[10] Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.” [11] Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” [12] Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”

Following the attacks of mockery and force, the enemy’s third strategy is to use the weapons of discouragement and fear. The tribe of Judah, the largest of the twelve tribes, began to speak words of despair:

1. “The rubble is still piled up like mountains.”

2. “We are exhausted from carrying the loads.”

3. “We can’t possibly finish rebuilding this wall.”

=> The enemy constantly seeks to make us discouraged.

Meanwhile, Jews who lived near the enemy outside Jerusalem repeatedly came to Nehemiah, warning him ten times that the enemies were plotting to invade the city, kill everyone inside, and destroy everything. They urged everyone to give up and run away.

=> The enemy constantly seeks to make us afraid.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The attacks of discouragement and fear lead us to the tragic conclusion of giving up.

“How about abandoning the wall reconstruction right here and now?”

“Should I just get a divorce at this point?”

“Should I just end my life?”

“Should I hide away somewhere?”

“Should I just give up on any hope for my future?”

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

You must recover today. Focus and receive the Word with all your heart.

This is how you will survive.

Please read verse 13:

[13] Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears, and bows.

In this moment of crisis, Nehemiah did not fall into discouragement or fear, nor did he give up. Instead, he had the people arm themselves with swords, spears, and bows, ready for battle.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

There is one thing you must absolutely refuse in your life: Refuse to give up.

“But Pastor,” you might say,

“Giving up comes so naturally to my heart. How can I refuse it?”

No, that’s not true!

Giving up is a choice. If you give up, it’s because you have made the choice to do so.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Right now, in this very moment, choose not to give up. One thing we must commit to today is not surrender, but a “battle stance” with our lives on the line.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Repeat and proclaim Romans 8:31 over and over:

(Romans 8:31) “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

No one can stand against you.

No evil force can defeat you.

With God on your side, who can possibly oppose you?

What could make you give up?

How could you ever be a defeated person?

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The third wall and gate you must build is the wall and gate of refusing to give up.

Please read verse 14:

[14] After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

Nehemiah spoke to the people, saying: “Remember the great and awesome Lord.” “Remember God.”

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Specifically, remember these three things about God:

First, remember the “grace” God has shown you in the past.

(Deuteronomy 8:14-16)

[14] The LORD brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

[15] He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock.

[16] He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, remember how God rescued you from your hardships, provided for your needs, and has always been faithful in leading and blessing you. Let this remembrance strengthen you in your current battles.

Second, remember God’s presence with you right now.

(Isaiah 43:1-2)

[1] Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

[2] When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

God assures us that He is always with us, even through the deepest waters and the fiercest flames. His presence surrounds and protects us.

(Isaiah 49:15-16)

[15] Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!

[16] See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

God’s love is even greater than that of a mother for her child. He never forgets us; we are engraved on His hands, and He continually watches over us.

(Hebrews 13:5)

[5] Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.

God’s promise is steadfast: He will never abandon or leave you. Remember His constant, faithful presence in your life, and let it be your strength and comfort.

Third, remember the power God will grant you in the future.

(Philippians 4:13)

[13] I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

God equips us with His power, enabling us to overcome any challenge and accomplish all things through Him.

(1 John 4:4)

[4] The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

The power of God within you is greater than any force or opposition you will face in the world.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

When we look at the world, we may feel disappointed; when we look within ourselves, we may feel discouraged. But when we look to Christ, when we fix our eyes on God, we find that we can overcome anything.

Therefore, the fourth wall and gate you must build in your life is the wall and gate of remembering the grace God has shown you in the past.

The fifth wall and gate are remembering the presence God gives you in the present.

And finally, the sixth wall and gate you must build are remembering the power God will bestow upon you in the future.

Let these truths become your stronghold and defense.

And now, at last, we come to the eighth wall and gate that we must build. Today’s Scripture passage concludes with a command: “Fight!” If we fight in our own strength, we will surely be defeated. But if we fight with the power of the Holy Spirit, we will be victorious.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Earnestly desire the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

(Zechariah 4:6)

[6] “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty.

Our strength and power are not enough, but the Spirit of the Lord makes all things possible.

(John 20:21-22)

[21] Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

[22] And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus commissioned His disciples and breathed the Holy Spirit upon them, equipping them with divine strength.

(Acts 1:4-5)

[4] On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

[5] For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus instructed His disciples to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, a gift that would empower them for the work ahead.

(Acts 1:8)

[8] “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The Holy Spirit grants us power to be witnesses and to fulfill God’s purpose on earth.

(Acts 2:1-3)

[1] When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.

[2] Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

[3] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came with power, transforming the disciples and empowering them for God’s mission.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The eighth and final wall and gate you must build in your life is the wall and gate of seeking the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Desire His presence, His power, and His guidance. Only through the Spirit can we truly overcome and live victorious lives.

10/27/2024 I Know nothing of this so-called God

Sermon: I Know nothing of this so-called God

Scripture: Exodus 5:1-2

Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.’” Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.”

Stubborn or headstrong is to persist without changing one’s opinion or thoughts. The heart becomes as hard as a stone and hardens. The word “hardened in heart,” “hardened,” or “hardened” means “heavy,” kabed. Moses says at Exodus 4:10: “I am a man of a dull mouth and a dull tongue.” When Kabed uses this for the body, it is referring to his tongue being heavy and slow to speak. On the other hand, when the word is used for God, it has a completely different meaning, and it is used to express something that glorifies God or that God must accomplish. Pharaoh was hard-hearted, and God was glorified through it.

The plagues that came upon Pharaoh for Israel’s deliverance were all related to the idols of the land of Egypt. The Nile River was the god of fertility for the Egyptians who practiced agriculture. The fact that the Nile River, considered the god of all the food of Egypt, is covered with blood shows that it is nothing in the sight of God. The plague of frogs was the second plague that befell Egypt, who believed it to be the god of fertility. The Egyptians, who worshipped cows as idols, even worshipped the ‘gnats’ attached to the ox. There will be a plague of flies, the death of livestock, malignant boils, hail, locusts, and even a plague of darkness.

The ninth plague, the plague of darkness, was when Moses stretched out his arms to heaven and darkness fell on the land of Egypt for three days. The Egypt people were worshipping the sun god, and darkness had fallen. The god they revere most can’t help them when they really need it. Darkness fell, and the sun god, who was supposed to reveal the light, was helpless. In the sight of God, the sun god is nothing.

Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, had a proud, stubborn, and hardened heart. Pharaoh is stubborn and unyielding. Moses and Aaron appear before Pharaoh and tell him to send God’s people, the Israelites, away. “The Lord God of Israel said, ‘Let my people go. They must keep my feasts in the wilderness.’ But Pharaoh replied: ‘Who is the Lord, that I should listen to him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go.’” (Exodus 5:1-2). Pharaoh gives reason for not letting Israel go, saying, “I do not even know the Lord.” Pharaoh, who is in opposition to God, begins to see Israelites as an opponent of him. Pharaoh’s stubborn determination of heart becomes very savage.

That same day Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and overseers in charge of the people: “You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don’t reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ Make the work harder for the people so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies.”

In the eyes of the proud Pharaoh, Israel who sought to escape his rule was his enemy, a lazy slave. It’s mad to see them, but you want them to go? If you made them suffer more with more hard work, could they just let you go? His stubbornness was getting stronger as time went on. The reasons for not sending it out have become clearer. The worse the situation gets, the more corrupt the mind becomes. It becomes more and more stiff. There is only one thing that God wanted from Pharaoh. Let Israel go. God’s people are told to be sent out to rule by God, but Pharaoh refuses to be ruled by that God.

“I will do my will,” says God. “But I will do my will,” says the sinner Pharaoh. Pharaoh would not have wanted to know that there was another king above him. For Pharaoh, Israel was his property, his national power. To free his property, the slaves, would have been tantamount to forsaking his power and glory. So Pharaoh’s response to all the plagues God brought upon him was stubbornness, hardness, and barbarism toward the Israelite slaves. Because he is resisting God, he cannot help but think that the Israelites are challenging and resisting his authority.

Why did Pharaoh say, “I know not the Lord”? These words represent the decision of his heart to refuse to know the Lord in order to fulfill his purpose of not sending Israel. It’s not that he didn’t let Israel go because he didn’t know the Lord, but that he didn’t have the heart to let Israel go. So he shouldn’t know the Lord. If he had humbled himself and sought to know who the Lord was, then the previous nine plagues would have been unnecessary. However, his pride and stubbornness of heart eventually lead to the 10th calamity.

It is a plague in which his firstborn and all the firstborn of Egypt die, and Pharaoh sends God’s people, the Israelites, away because of this. When you say, “I don’t even know the Lord,” what are the events, people, and relationships that are now hardening your heart and resisting God? If you have financial difficulties and you think that the reason for this is your spouse’s poor financial management and business management, the more you think about it, the more you will look at your spouse in the same way that Pharaoh looks at the Israelite slaves.

When you look at the existence of the person you want to blame and see them solve problems in such a strange, slow, wayward way, without priority, without logic, it seems that you just can’t stand their existence and you can’t let it go. Looking at them, your determination to “I must change my habits” deepen, and my resentment, anger, and bitterness grow stronger.

So how do we deal with the stubbornness or hardening of the heart? If you exercise repeatedly, your body will be healthy. In the same way, if we give in to the temptation of sin and sin repeatedly, we become stubborn in it. We can’t just let go of a hard heart. If the heart is hardened, the price is too high. Pharaoh’s hardened heart was not caused by God or Israel. It was in himself.

So when we recognize a problem or fact that happens to us and want to change, there is nothing more personally painful than examining our inner self. Because introspection comes with pain. God’s Word is God’s perfect guide to our lives and growth. How do we deal with hardness or hardness of heart? The first is the desire to know God.

Rather than increasing our own stubbornness by saying, “I don’t know the Lord, and I’ll never forgive him,” we should come to the Lord to know what He wants from this event and how we can submit to His will. Pharaoh showed us how ignorant and unwilling to know God can make us ruthless. When we refuse to know the Lord, we lose the image of God.

The problem is that God is inviting you to meet with him. If you don’t know God, if you don’t have wisdom, if you don’t have knowledge, if you don’t have advice, then you’re going to fall apart. The Word of God is near you. When you listen to and read these words, you can see the way, how to train, and God’s will.

Why, to whom, and under what circumstances are you stubborn? Because of your stubbornness, you keep hovering in certain situations, and the darkness is deepening because you do not seek to know God or listen to His word. Pharaoh, who would not let Israel go, made the excuse that he did not know the Lord. But in the presence of God, we must cultivate a heart of stone with the Word.

Second, ask God questions so that you do not fall into the temptation to sin and become obstinate. In 2 Kings 1:1-4, we read the story of King Ahaziah, the son of King Ahab. He falls from the railing of the king’s palace in Samaria and is injured. But he sends an envoy to ask Beelzebub, the god of Ekron, if he can be healed. In a word, they were sent for divination. God gives Elijah a message and commands him to deliver it to Ahaziah.

When the prophet Elijah met with the delegation, he says: “When you go to inquire of Beelzebub, the god of Ekron, is there not a God in Israel? Therefore says I, the Lord. You will not get up from the bed where you have gone up and lain down, and you will die.”

Beelzebub means King of the Flies. It is not pleasant for him to go to God and ask questions about his life and death. Because God will not only give him comfort. For him and his royal family to inquire of God and obey Him is a matter that requires fundamental reform, such as repentance of sins and spiritual renewal.

King Ahaziah’s father was King Ahab, the most wicked king of northern Israel, and Jezebel, Ahab’s wife and Ahaziah’s mother, was one who spread Baal worship in northern Israel, which God considered abomination. Jezebel was the woman who made Baal worship the state religion in northern Israel and led Israel down the path to ruin. Ahaziah, who has such a family background, was unwilling to ask God; his tasks may include repenting of the sins of his family, the sins of his fathers, the sins of his parents, and his own sins.

It’s an acknowledgment of sin, a display of shame, and a humiliation. It was a process that he had to go through in order to be saved, to be healed. But Ahaziah took the easy way. If you ask a foreign god, you don’t have to humble his heart, and you don’t have to take responsibility for looking back on your life. He found a way to live without reflecting on his family’s shame and without lowering himself. He sent his servants to the god Baal. Then God intervened. He sends Elijah to rebuke King Ahaziah.

“When you go to inquire of Beelzebub, the god of Ekron, is there not a God in Israel?” After hearing Elijah’s prophecy, King Ahaziah sent 150 of his men three times to kill the prophet Elijah, who had proclaimed the word of God, and 100 of them died when fire fell from heaven. King Ahaziah died without turning to God, just as God had prophesied.

The God who saved you is here with you, so who do you go to seek answers to know your life, death, and future? Don’t be an idolater. Instead, seek God and ask Him what to do.

Third, you have to let go of your own thoughts and controls that are in opposition to God and the way you want to achieve your own goals. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5. “Our weapons in battle are not physical weapons, but God’s mighty weapons that break down strong fortresses. We defeat sophistry, we crush every pride that hinders the knowledge of God, and we bring every thought captive to Christ.”

What are the things that resist God? His providence and purposes, Christ, the way of salvation, the wisdom which seems to be greater than all the truths of the gospel, the exaltation of oneself, all the arrogant thoughts of the heart, the vanity, the haughty gaze and arrogance, the arguments that are developed against the gospel of Christ, are those things that are opposed to the knowledge of God.

All these thoughts are taken captive and brought into subjection to Christ. How can we submit them to Christ? Why is it difficult to obey? It depends on your sense of Christ. What have you received from Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ gave Himself to us, who were dead in trespasses and sins, so it is natural that we should give ourselves to Him.

But if we don’t have a sense of what Jesus has given us, then this call to take every thought captive and submit to Christ is meaningless. Therefore, if you first have the consciousness of death in sins, and then the joy of a new life in Jesus Christ, then the passion of self-surrender or self-denial is natural. But without a sense of Jesus’ death, there is no joy in a new life, and therefore no enthusiasm for self-surrender.

Are you a sinner deserving of trespasses and sins, and do you feel that Christ gave Himself for you? Those who profess that Jesus Christ is the Christ do not fight with the world’s weapons, the swords and spears, when they fight against thoughts that oppose God. Instead, we fight with God’s weapons: the Bible of truth, the sword of the Spirit, and the Word of God.

This arsenal can be used with all kinds of weapons, both offensive and defensive. It is a weapon used to establish the doctrine of the gospel, to protect it, and to refute the errors of the wicked. Do not allow your physical ways, your past patterns of behavior, to control you any longer. When a thought comes in, think of Christ instead of the way you handle it based on past experiences. You will surrender your mind and will to Christ according to the degree to which He has surrendered for you.

Obedience on the cross of Christ is complete freedom, not by force, nor by any chains. It was done only by love. Therefore, it is only when you allow Christ’s perfect love for you to control you, that you will be able to truly surrender yourself.

Pharaoh’s hardened heart was a refusal to know God. The heart that resists God is on the path of opposition to God’s will. He wanted to do their own thing, so he refused to know God. A heart that is higher than God becomes stubborn and hard, and it becomes more and more ruthless. It is to let go of your own stubbornness in resisting God, and your attitude and control to achieve your own purpose and will at all costs. Instead, you confess to live according to God’s will.

“I will forgive the person who hurt me, because I have received the love from the Lord.” “Because I know the grace of God, I am going to break this relationship and addiction that is not pleasing to the Lord.”

Finally, exhort one another. There is a temptation to sin, and when sin is repeated, we become hardened in it. “Exhort one another, that day, that day that may be called today, that no one may be hardened by the temptations of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). Be good at gathering, and share your life. Share your struggles in God’s presence, speak of your temptations to sin, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another.

Be grateful as the Word reads and listens to one another, illuminating the darkness within you. The darkness revealed in the light is healed. Do not ignore the loving exhortations of the members. Share each other’s burdens. That is God’s will for you in the Lord Christ Jesus. Amen.

10/20/2024 [English] Not you, but God

Acts 31 - Sermon

Date: 10/20/2024

Title: Not you, but God

Text: Acts 7:9-16

9 His fathers were jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt, but God was with him.

10 And he delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt, and Pharaoh appointed him ruler over Egypt and over all his house.

11 At that time there was a famine throughout Egypt and all the land of Canaan, and there was great distress, and our ancestors had no food.

12 When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our ancestors first.

13 And he sent again, and Joseph became known to his brethren, and Joseph's kinship was revealed to Pharaoh.

14 Joseph sent and invited his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five of them.

15 Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died.

16 They were brought to Shechem and buried in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a price of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

Summary of past stories

We have been able to take a detailed look at key figures in the Old Testament. While preparing the message, I reflected deeply on the ancestors of faith and how God led them, connecting their lives to ours. What stood out was not only their greatness but also how God trained and grew them. Their journey of obedience, failure, and eventual growth, along with their limitations, became clearer. Jesus, who lived a perfect life, took our place, and we now have the privilege and duty to live as God's children.

The term "children," like "disciples," means growing to resemble a parent. Thus, when we examine the figures in the Bible, we must view them as people undergoing growth, and this perspective is essential.

If we don't see it this way, what might happen?

We could view Abraham abandoning his wife for survival, Rebekah and Jacob scheming for blessings, David succumbing to sexual temptation, and other sins of Old Testament figures too lightly. These were people God used and blessed greatly, but if we simply see them as heroes of faith, we might trivialize their sins. This mindset has dangerous outcomes, and we continue to witness this today.

Just in this past year, four prominent megachurch pastors in the U.S. resigned due to inappropriate behavior, and the sins of many Catholic priests are too unspeakable to mention.

Jesus Christ didn’t wait for us to become clean; He died for us while we were still sinners, and He called us in that state. He came to our sinful lives and knocked on the door first. This is immeasurable grace.

When He healed and forgave sinners, He always said, "Your sins are forgiven! Sin no more! Now, live a new life!"

Of course, He wasn’t demanding instant perfection, but He was commanding an immediate change in attitude. While some things can be stopped right away, other transformations may take a lifetime. This is the journey toward holiness, and the standard becomes clearer as we progress.

In the process, we become more humble as we recognize the changes we haven't achieved. Rather than viewing this journey as rigid rules, it becomes a path we walk with the loving Lord! Even amid our persistent limitations, we live with gratitude, knowing that we are still loved by God. In this way, we follow the way of Jesus.

It is by grace that we are not only saved and given eternal life, but also by grace that we are restored to our original identity as children of God.

If the word "children" means that we are people who must grow and mature as we follow our parents, then "disciples" are those who learn and become like their teacher.

No other religion uses the word "disciple" as much as Christianity does. As a result, the word "disciple" has accumulated various meanings, like "someone chosen" or "someone who demonstrates exceptional abilities." However, the original meaning of the word disciple, "one who follows and learns from the teacher," cannot change.

When Jesus called His disciples, what He required of them was nothing other than "Follow me!"

Therefore, we are people who continually follow Jesus as our example, being transformed along the way. This is the meaning of being a "disciple of Jesus."

We must view ourselves and one another through this perspective that Jesus taught. When I see myself as someone who must continue growing as I follow Jesus, I can genuinely be humble, not pretending to be holy or humble. And when I look at others, I won’t fall into the pride of judging them with an unfair, impossible standard of perfection.

Looking at the forefathers of faith, another important point is that God never demands from us something He doesn't first give. This aligns with what Paul later said: "The Lord only gives trials we can bear."

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were people who received many blessings, and thus, their faith was also greatly tested.

But were they more blessed than we are? Their encounters with God and the coming Savior were brief moments, but we, as Christians, live with the Spirit of Jesus, the Spirit of God, dwelling within us. We live in a time when the things they only dreamed about have already happened or can happen.

Therefore, the faith and obedience required of us are incomparable to theirs. With both the Old and New Testaments completed, our knowledge of God is beyond comparison.

After closely observing the forefathers of faith, we realize that Jesus is the One who fulfilled what God delighted in within their lives more perfectly. He is the Son of God who took upon Himself all their flaws and sins! We rediscover Jesus, the perfect Abraham, the true Isaac, the true Israel—the Son of God. And through this, we come to know more deeply the Jesus who lives within us.

We begin to realize the depth, size, and vastness of the grace we enjoy.

I hope that this journey will continue to deepen and expand as we meet more figures in the future. Amen!

Today, we will take a look at Joseph, another person in Genesis who occupies the most space and is shown to be greatly blessed.

Joseph

Joseph is also a figure who reflects many aspects of Jesus, but he too had several limitations. His story clearly shows how he grew through God's providence.

Joseph, with childlike innocence, told his brothers about the dream he had where they bowed down to him. He also proudly wore the special multicolored coat his father had made just for him, a naive but self-centered child who lacked consideration for others.

Moreover, as the eleventh son and nearly the youngest, Joseph often acted as a messenger for his father to check if his brothers were doing their work properly, which naturally caused his brothers to dislike him.

One day, while his brothers were working in Shechem, a place that required several days' journey, Joseph was once again sent by his father as a messenger to check on them.

But when his brothers saw Joseph approaching from a distance, they began plotting to kill him. The eldest brother, Reuben, intervened to stop them.

Genesis 37:22
"Do not shed any blood," Reuben said. "Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him." Reuben said this to rescue him from their hands and take him back to his father.

However, while Reuben was away, some Midianite traders passed by. Judah, one of the brothers, suggested, "Let's not kill our brother and leave him to die. Instead, let's sell him to the slave traders." The brothers agreed to this plan.

In the end, it was Judah who saved Joseph's life, and this event became one of the reasons the tribe of Judah was given special status among the twelve tribes.

By the time Reuben returned, Joseph had already been sold to the slave traders.

The brothers dipped Joseph's multicolored coat in goat's blood and deceived their father, Jacob, into believing that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. Jacob was devastated and lost all hope in life.

However, Joseph was still alive. He had been sold into the household of Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard in Egypt. There, Joseph worked diligently and earned Potiphar’s favor, eventually being put in charge of the entire household. But soon, Potiphar's wife became infatuated with Joseph because of his competence and hard work.

Genesis 39:8-10
8 But Joseph refused and said to his master's wife, "My master does not concern himself with anything in the house. He has entrusted everything he owns to my care.
9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?"
10 Though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.

Potiphar's wife persistently tried to seduce Joseph, but when she couldn’t succeed, she falsely accused him of attempting to assault her, leading to Joseph being thrown into prison.

Satan Speaks in Reverse

Satan falsely accuses in this way—not by twisting words slightly, but by convincing people to believe the exact opposite of the truth. The charges that led to Jesus being nailed to the cross and the accusations that imprisoned and killed Paul and the other disciples all claimed they had blasphemed against God. In reality, these were the very people who loved God the most, yet they were condemned for the exact opposite crime.

This is how Satan operates. For instance, someone might love and care deeply for another, giving them space and waiting patiently, even suppressing their own desire to reach out—only to be misunderstood as being indifferent or neglectful. Satan twists the truth into its complete opposite.

On the other hand, in the church, when someone is given a responsibility or asked to help, it is often because the opportunity to serve the Lord in love is being offered. However, Satan makes people believe that they are being used for someone else’s personal gain or ambition. This is Satan's method—lying by reversing the truth.

Take a look at what the man who received one talent said to his master in Jesus’ parable.

Matthew 25:24-25
24 Then the man who had received one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

This person viewed his master as harsh, as someone who gave him work merely for his own personal gain. He misunderstood his master as being selfish and ambitious.

This is precisely Satan’s lie and deception. But what is the truth? What is the essence of the situation? Why did the master actually entrust the talents? Wasn’t it out of love? Didn’t he return the profit to those who multiplied what they were given? The master entrusted the talents not for his own benefit, but for theirs.

How to Defeat Satan

Let’s look at how Joseph ultimately overcame Satan.

Genesis 39:20-21
20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison,
21 the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

Joseph didn’t plead his case to people, nor did he try to manipulate his situation. Instead, he trusted in God and accepted his circumstances. He remembered how God had saved him from death at the hands of his brothers, how he had been sold as a slave but was raised to manage Potiphar’s entire household by God’s grace. He had experienced how even evil events worked together for good.

Genesis 40:6-7
6 When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected.
7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?”

Even in his miserable and unjust situation, Joseph had grown to the point where he could care for the concerns of others. He was no longer the self-centered child who failed to consider his brothers’ feelings and only focused on himself.

Jesus’ life was never about serving Himself. Likewise, as His disciples, becoming more like Jesus means becoming people who live for others.

As those who believe in Jesus and have received eternal life, the only reason we remain on this earth is to live for others. What in this world could compare to even a moment in heaven? That’s why every moment we live here is not for our own pleasure but for someone else. This is the transformation we must undergo. But the world tells us the exact opposite. “Me, me, me!” It insists that even when we make sacrifices or pretend to be humble, it’s all ultimately for our own benefit.

However, such a life will never lead to God’s blessing. When love and grace flow not just to ourselves but to our brothers, sisters, and neighbors, we will experience true freedom, real joy, genuine peace, and abundant blessings.

Eventually, Joseph met one of Pharaoh’s close officials while in prison. His ability to interpret the man’s dream opened the door for him to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, and after over ten years in Egypt as a slave, Joseph became the second-in-command, the prime minister of Egypt, the most powerful nation at the time.

Throughout this process, Joseph’s deep respect and reverence for God consistently shone through.

Genesis 41:16
Joseph answered Pharaoh, “I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

This shows that Joseph had reached a level of faith beyond that of his ancestors, even his father. Standing before Pharaoh, the man who could either elevate him or condemn him to death, Joseph didn’t just accept Pharaoh’s praise. Instead, he boldly corrected Pharaoh, stating that it was God who held the power to interpret the dream.

Genesis 41:38-40
38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.
40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”

Joseph adapted to his circumstances but never compromised his faith. He boldly praised God and placed Him above all, no matter who he stood before. In doing so, Joseph demonstrated a faith more complete than that of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob combined.

This explains why so many Christian parents choose the name Joseph for their sons.

God’s Providence

Amid Joseph’s busy life as a powerful ruler, some familiar faces suddenly appeared before him—his brothers. These were the very brothers who had once tried to kill him and ultimately sold him into slavery. Now, due to a severe famine in Canaan, their father, Jacob, had sent them to Egypt to buy grain.

It was a fateful reunion.

However, the situation was now completely reversed.

To summarize, Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. Now a high-ranking Egyptian official, Joseph’s appearance and mannerisms were so different from the young boy they had sold. As Egypt's prime minister, Joseph questioned them—asking if their father was still alive and whether the youngest brother, Benjamin (the only other son of Rachel), was safe. To ensure Benjamin’s well-being, Joseph demanded they bring him to Egypt, keeping Simeon as a hostage in the meantime. Joseph was concerned that, like himself, Benjamin might have suffered from his brothers’ jealousy.

In a dramatic twist, when the brothers, who had thought they could just buy grain and return home, were met with this unexpected and personal interest from the Egyptian ruler, they began to argue among themselves. They thought this trouble was the result of their sin against Joseph. Speaking in their own language, believing no one could understand them, they discussed their guilt—but Joseph, understanding everything, had to leave the room to weep in secret.

Eventually, the brothers returned home to tell their father, Jacob, what had happened. However, Jacob refused to let Benjamin go despite Reuben’s pleas. Time passed, and the grain they had brought back ran out. With the famine persisting, they had no choice but to go back to Egypt. This time, Jacob reluctantly agreed to let Benjamin go.

Upon seeing Benjamin, Joseph was relieved, but he wanted to test his brothers to see if they had truly changed. He framed Benjamin for theft and threatened to imprison him. The brothers were horrified and tore their clothes in despair. They couldn’t bear the thought of returning to Canaan without Benjamin, knowing it would destroy their father, Jacob.

At this critical moment, Judah stepped forward and explained the entire situation in great detail, which is recorded in Genesis 44. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to read Joseph’s story in the Bible. In summary, Judah expressed that if Benjamin didn’t return, their father, who had already suffered from the loss of Joseph, would not survive. He then offered himself as a substitute for Benjamin, saying:

Genesis 44:33
“Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.”

Judah was pleading to take Benjamin’s place as a prisoner.

Does this scene remind you of anything? It is because of this act that Judah became the forefather of Jesus Christ, the One who would later take our place as sinners. From Judah’s lineage, Jesus would come. The Bible’s grand narrative of salvation is astonishing in its depth and beauty.

Genesis 45:1-3
1 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers.
2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

This is an overwhelming moment.

Can you imagine the brothers’ shock? The powerful Egyptian prime minister they had been dealing with turned out to be the very Joseph they had once tried to kill and sold as a slave, thinking he was long dead. What an emotional storm—regret for their past sins, fear of revenge, and perhaps a glimmer of gratitude for the opportunity to be freed from their guilt—all mixed together, leaving them speechless.

Yet Joseph, in this moment, said something truly remarkable:

Genesis 45:5
“And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.”

Genesis 45:8
“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.”

Joseph reassured his brothers not to worry or feel guilty, explaining that everything that had happened was part of God’s providence. The dreams he had as a boy were coming true—God had sent him to Egypt to become prime minister and save lives during the famine, including the lives of his own family. It was all part of God's plan.

However, we must be careful not to misunderstand or justify human sin through this story.

What does this mean? Even if Joseph's brothers had willingly let him go, he could have fallen into a pit on his own and been discovered by slave traders. Or, even if Potiphar’s wife hadn’t tried to seduce him, Joseph, already recognized for his abilities in Potiphar’s household, could have been recommended by Potiphar to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. These are all hypothetical scenarios, but what Joseph realized is that God’s providence will always be fulfilled, no matter what happens.

In the end, Jacob’s entire family was invited by Pharaoh to move to Egypt, where they lived in comfort and were treated with great honor. Imagine how joyful Jacob must have been to reunite with the son he thought was dead, now standing before him in royal splendor.

A similar scene will unfold when we arrive in God’s kingdom.

Isn’t it incredible that from the very first book of the Bible, we see God’s astounding providence at work? In Joseph’s life, although it involved many sinful acts, the ultimate message is that even when we make a mess of things, God will still accomplish His purposes.

At first, the brothers tried to kill Joseph, but God prevented that through Reuben. The Lord allows us to mess things up only to the extent that it can still be redeemed. That’s what He shows us.

This means that even if I feel like I’ve ruined my life beyond repair, the Lord can still restore it. Amen.

Is there any more comforting message than this? There is a limit to suffering, and even to how much we can mess things up. Knowing that all these stories will ultimately lead to a beautiful conclusion of grace for those who are in the Lord—doesn’t that bring us eternal peace?

With this in mind, I can forgive those who seem to have ruined my life. I can even reconcile with God, who I might have felt abandoned me in my times of need. My past, which may have seemed bleak and colorless, will now shine with varied and beautiful meanings.

There’s no need to live struggling to protect myself or my pride. If we are Christians and believe in God’s providence, we trust that the Lord knows all our grievances. Like Joseph, we can trust in Him.

When we shift our focus from ourselves to others and live for them, we will reach a point where even small problems no longer trouble us. At that point, we will experience God’s fullness in our lives.

Look at how magnificently God’s promise to Abraham—that his descendants would be a source of blessing—was realized through Joseph. Joseph wasn’t just the recipient of blessings but became the conduit of those blessings.

When we surrender the pursuit of personal wealth and focus on bringing life to others, we will experience true abundance.

This is what it means for the God of Joseph to be my God. Those who live not for themselves but for their brothers, sisters, communities, and neighbors will see the blessings of God pour out upon them. Amen.

Let us pray.