8/31/25 'As Is’ Is Not Okay
/English Translation
Sermon 58 on the Acts of the Apostles
Date: 8/31/2025
Title: 'As Is’ Is Not Okay
Scripture: Acts 11:19-26 (NIV)
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
Christian
The title "Christian" first appeared in history in today's scripture. Do you all remember when we looked into the meaning of this title in detail before?
It comes from adding the suffix -ianos (-ιανός) to the noun Christos (Χριστός). In Greek, it was Christianos (Χριστιανός), and that is what they began to be called.
Although Christos was the Greek translation used in the common language of the time, in the language of the Jews, it originally meant 'Messiah'—the anointed one. The title 'Messiah' sounds grand and mighty to anyone now, but if you translate it literally, its meaning as 'the anointed one' is hard to grasp.
If you asked a Korean person with no interest in religion what 'the anointed one' means, you would likely get many strange answers, but it would be difficult for them to picture the image of a 'Messiah.' In fact, even back then, it held a very important meaning only to the Jewish people.
It was a title the Jews had heard since they were young, until they were sick of it! The one appointed by God through anointing to save Israel! They are still waiting for the Messiah.
Therefore, the Hebrew word 'Messiah,' and its common language equivalent Christos, was a name that evoked a sense of awe, deep emotion, and honor just by hearing it.
That is why when Stephen called Jesus the Christ—the Messiah—he was stoned to death by the Jews. And it was a young man named Saul, who instigated it, that later had a dramatic reversal, met Jesus, and immediately made the bombshell declaration, "Jesus is the Christ!"
Because of that, Paul also became a fugitive and, at the time of today's scripture, was in hiding in his hometown of Tarsus. For the Jews of that time, claiming that Jesus was the Christ was a confession of faith that cost them their lives.
Before they were called Christians, they called each other "disciples" or "brothers." They were called disciples, meaning those who emulate Jesus and follow His path, and brothers, meaning those who became brothers with Jesus by becoming His disciples.
They were considered a dangerous group for following Jesus, whom the Jews had executed for blasphemy, but using the holy title 'Messiah - Christ' for him was an entirely different matter. Even today, for a Jewish person, there is a huge emotional difference between me saying I am a Christian and saying Jesus is the Messiah.
Therefore, the fact that the disciples came to be called Christians means that Christianity was now drawing a clear line between itself and Judaism.
Antioch was one of the three largest cities of the Roman Empire, a place where many Romans, other ethnic groups, and Jewish diaspora coexisted. It was an ancient metropolis where various peoples lived together using Greek as a common language, much like the New York City of its time.
In the eyes of the Romans, they were all just Jews, but now a distinct group emerged that was called something different: Christians. What was even more shocking to everyone was that the Jews, the most unique people who did not mix with other nations due to their distinct religion and traditions, had now formed a new community with Gentiles.
Although the history of the church began with the descent of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem, the church, which was still like a sect of Judaism, saw the birth of a new group called Christianity when the first church founded by both Gentiles and Jews emerged in the Roman city of Antioch.
However, for the majority of Romans in Antioch, 'Christos' was used not as a common noun meaning 'the anointed one,' but as a proper noun referring to Jesus Christ. In other words, a community was formed with Jews at its core, joined by various peoples, and its most important feature was that it had an 'owner' or 'master' named 'Jesus Christ.'
Last week, the funeral of John MacArthur, a major figure in American Christianity, was held. There are truly diverse opinions about him. He was an outstanding theologian and pastor, but he barely acknowledged tongues or the works of the Holy Spirit, so he could be seen as a very rigid biblical literalist. However, everyone respects him for boldly rebuking heretics who clouded the church and prosperity theology, and for unwaveringly preaching the simple gospel his entire life.
At the funeral, his eldest son shared what he became convinced was the one message of his father's 56 years of preaching, through their final conversations. His father was most saddened and frustrated by the fact that while many Americans believe in Jesus as their Savior, they do not truly accept Him as their Lord.
Treating Jesus as Lord was seen as an optional choice for only those who decided to become more dedicated Christians. Therefore, his lifelong message, in one sentence, was: 'If Jesus is not your Lord, He can never be your Savior.'
Who can argue with that? That is the very meaning of the name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ!
However, in this day and age, almost no one gets angry or surprised when you say Jesus is the Christ, yet people are largely ignorant of the meaning of that name.
Romans 10:9 (NIV): If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
When preaching the gospel to Gentiles who, like people of this generation, did not know the meaning of the name Jesus Christ, Paul challenged them to confess Jesus as Lord—'Kyrios.' At that time, everyone in the Roman Empire had to confess and pledge allegiance to 'Caesar is Lord (Kyrios).' However, to confess, "Not Caesar, but Jesus is my Kyrios!" was a confession that could get you thrown to the lions in the arena.
For a Jew, the confession "Jesus is the Christ-Messiah!" and for a Roman, the confession "Jesus is Kyrios!" were statements that could only be made at the risk of one's life. It was not a light confession one could make just to get by in the moment without truly believing it.
Is Jesus your Kyrios—your Lord? Is Jesus truly your Christ—your Messiah? If so, can you stake your life on this confession?
Because I came to believe in Jesus as an adult, the church culture was very unfamiliar to me at first. For example, not long after I started attending church, around Christmastime, my small group decided to visit a nursing home. We were writing Christmas cards for the grandmothers.
During a time when our small group leader was looking at the cards we made and praising them, I still remember how he froze and was taken aback when he saw my card. I had written, "Merry Christmas, and Happy Birthday to God!"
The leader, flustered, said, "Ah... um... I suppose you could put it that way." That was one such episode. As someone so unfamiliar with church culture, many things felt strange and fascinating to me.
For instance, people would call each other "brother" and "sister" right after meeting for the first time. It's a very friendly expression, and it's good to use it, but the problem was that the title often felt empty and disconnected from its meaning.
Before I attended church, the only people I could call "brother" who weren't my actual siblings were those who were as close as family, people for whom I would make such sacrifices. But in the church, you could call someone "brother" without knowing their name, age, or anything about them.
The title 'deacon' (jipsa) also seemed strange. A deacon, by common sense, is someone who serves in a humble position, clearing tables, sweeping floors—people who always have a cleaning cloth in their hands. However, it was so fascinating that people who did none of that were all made deacons just by getting married, regardless of their level of faith. Even if unmarried, if you were over a certain age, you became a probationary deacon, but were still called 'deacon.'
As time went on, I, too, became more accustomed to church terminology. I realized there are many terms in the church that are used with little connection to their actual meaning.
However, even if we can overlook those things, aren't there some things that should never be spoken of emptily? There are expressions central to our faith that are rarely used in the world, such as the term 'Lord.'
Even after I started attending church, I think it took me quite a long time to truly grasp the meaning of the title 'Lord.' The fact that it took me so long to realize the meaning of the most frequently heard title for Jesus in the church says something, doesn't it?
When I finally understood the meaning of 'Lord'—an expression that can only be used for God, the Owner of everything with complete authority over me and the entire world, the highest form of address for the Master of all—I was taken aback. I saw churchgoers casually say 'Lord, Lord,' but I rarely saw people who truly thought of Jesus as their Master or believed He was the Lord of the entire universe.
So when I truly grasped the meaning of that word, I remember feeling quite bewildered. Calling someone you don't even know brother or sister, calling someone who doesn't serve at all a deacon, and calling Jesus 'Lord' while still making all your own decisions—can such a place truly be a place of worship in spirit and truth? Is it okay to continue like this?
Can the fellowship spoken of in such a place be true fellowship? Moreover, is the love they talk about really love?
As sons and daughters of God, who is love itself and the source of all love, our love cannot be lighter or shallower than the love spoken of by the world, can it? This shouldn't be happening, should it?
What grieves me as a pastor is the painful suspicion that these empty words might have started from the sermons of pastors, from the pulpit itself. I have seen many young American pastors preach this message:
"You know, the only person who can live like Jesus is Jesus himself. Because Jesus lived a righteous life for us, it's okay that we can't! We can't do it! So don't be discouraged! Don't feel guilty! It's okay!" Have you heard similar messages? Is there something wrong with this?
Such a message is not entirely wrong in itself, but its intention is flawed. If we are preaching the gospel to someone who doesn't know Jesus for the first time, we should say, "God loves you. Even if you are still in sin, even if you are ashamed, come to the Lord just as you are!" That is the gospel. But that's not the end of it! There must be repentance. One must confess their sins, reflect on their shame, and mournfully ask the Lord for forgiveness.
It is not okay to stay as you are; you must confess to the Lord, mourn, and ask for forgiveness. Then, the righteous life and death of Jesus Christ pay the price for our sins.
By experiencing dying and rising again with Jesus, we are made new. We become children of God. This is the gospel.
We can fall again and commit the same sin. But what do you think happens then? Do we become more brazen and numb? Absolutely not.
The shame is greater, and we cannot help but go to the Lord with a more mournful heart. It's not okay. When you truly revere and love the Lord, you never become numb to sin.
The Lord is not a vending machine that dispenses forgiveness when you press the 'repent' button; He is a person. If we repeat the same mistake, we can't help but go to our Father with a feeling of embarrassment and greater pain when we ask for forgiveness.
That is why the sins we used to enjoy now become more and more uncomfortable. A good conscience is revived, and we want to live righteously even if it means taking a loss. We want to live without shame before God, even when no one is watching.
That is the path of holiness that 'saints'—which means holy ones—should naturally walk. As we are restored to the image God wants for us, we naturally enjoy a life of greater peace and satisfaction.
That is the most blessed life. It is the blessing of an abundant life that our Master—our Lord—has promised. But Satan twists God's will to make us live as if we are still the master, while deceiving ourselves into thinking we are pretty good Christians.
As of 2023, 67% of Americans said they believe in heaven, but in the same survey, only 59% said they believe in the existence of hell, showing that about 8% of people believe only in heaven and not in hell. And that's not all.
A 2010 study (Probe Ministries/Barna) found that among born-again Christians, 47% held a 'biblical worldview' (which includes the belief that Jesus is the only way to salvation). A 2020 study by the same group showed that 10 years later, the percentage of the same group holding a 'biblical worldview' had plummeted to 25%.
This means that only 25% of people who identify as born-again Christians believe that Jesus is the only way to salvation. This is not among all Americans, but among those who identify as born-again Christians. 75% believe there are other ways to salvation.
How can someone who claims to be a born-again Christian disregard the teachings of Christ like this? "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Does this mean that because I am a Christian, everything I do—eating, drinking, whatever—automatically brings glory to the Lord? Or is it a challenging word to do all actions in a manner worthy of a child of God, considering whether it brings glory to the Lord?
Which of these two interpretations is the truth? Depending on how you interpret it, the fruit of your life will be extremely different, won't it?
Living for the Glory of the Lord
What does it look like to live for the glory of the Lord? In today's passage, which records the scene of a great revival where Gentiles were turning to the Lord, Barnabas appears again. A large crowd was added to the Lord through Barnabas. What aspect of Barnabas does the scripture say was the reason for this?
Acts 11:24 (NIV): He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. Because Barnabas was such a person, a great multitude came to believe in Jesus Christ as Kyrios and became Christians through him! That is what it says.
Barnabas is now receiving high praise from the scripture in this second scene of revival. But do you remember the first scene of revival where he first appeared?
Acts 4:36-37 (NIV): 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Barnabas was also there during the first revival in Jerusalem, and the Bible specifically records and praises his role in that revival.
Can one be filled with the holy Holy Spirit and not become good? Can a person who lives for the glory of the Lord in all they do, whether eating or drinking, not become good?
If Jesus Christ is the master, can one not be good? As you repeatedly feel the Holy Spirit grieve when you have evil thoughts and go before the Lord in repentance, can you not gradually become a better person?
Can a person who continuously experiences repenting to the Lord, being forgiven, and being restored in love every day not be full of the Holy Spirit and faith?
This word applies to me as well. If we become more and more good like Barnabas, and become full of the Holy Spirit and faith, can a true revival—souls returning to the Lord—not be added to this church? Is the Lord, our Lord Christ, asking too much of us?
The Seed of an Amazing Revival
The Antioch church appearing in the text now is a historically significant church, the first one where Gentiles and Jews were called Christians together, forming one church. It can be called the beginning of Christianity. The Lord's hand was with the saints who lived good lives for His glory, and there was an amazing revival. This church also was the first to officially send out missionaries after hearing the Lord's voice together.
It is truly an enviable and wonderful church. But if you look at the first verse today, you can see that all of this began with the 'martyrdom of Stephen.'
When Stephen was stoned to a miserable death by his Jewish brothers, the Jews who killed him were so emboldened that they thought the followers of Jesus would be too terrified to move. They probably thought that, like other groups before them, they would scatter and disappear without a trace.
But instead, they spread deeper and wider, shining a light to the whole world and establishing churches. Did Stephen's death become the seed of all this revival?
Romans 8:28-39 (NIV): 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
For those who love God like Stephen—those who have been called according to his purpose—in all things God works for their good!
29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
We were not saved just to be saved, but we were chosen to be conformed to the image of his Son, Jesus Christ. In their lives, all things work together for good. This means that even death can become a seed of revival.
And God will conform them to the image of His Son. He will justify them and glorify them. Praises and confessions about becoming like Jesus echo in churches every week, but are we truly walking that path seriously?
What does it mean for us to become like Christ? To become like Christ is to become Christ. And what would you do if you became Christ? It is to become as if Jesus Christ is living through me.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
Who are these "we"? Those who willingly fill up in their own lives what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church and our neighbors. They are the "we" who receive the promise here.
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen. Do you belong to this "we"? Do all those people who identify as born-again Christians belong to this "we"?
Friends, although I have become a pastor, I do not want to be stained by the church culture of this generation. I want to call someone 'brother' whom I truly consider a brother, and I want to treat you all with a heart that can at least be called love, not something empty.
Above all, I will preach a message of truth that is not shameful before my beloved Lord. Even if it offends and makes the people of this generation uncomfortable, so much that no one wants to listen, as long as I stand in this place representing the Lord, I cannot give that up.
If I must be stoned for it, I will declare the uncompromising truth that Jesus is the Christ and that no one who does not make Jesus their Lord can be saved, and I will be stoned.
I will cry out the truth that we must return to the Lord just as we are as sinners, but we must absolutely not remain as we are. I would rather become a Stephen who is stoned for it.
If that death becomes a seed from which life springs up in many places and becomes a prelude to true revival, I will gladly become a Stephen. However, I still have hope.
If we who have gathered here together share the heart of Stephen, all of us, this whole church, can become the 'good man' Barnabas of this generation, full of the Holy Spirit and faith! I believe that this promise from Romans can truly be realized in our lives, in this special church.
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV): 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
When we become a light through our good deeds, the Lord will lift us up to shine on the whole house! Then, revival will come once more in this generation. Amen! Let us pray together.
