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.**
