2/8 By the Power of Chris

Date: February 8, 2026

Scripture: Acts 13:39-46

It has been quite a while since we last looked into the Book of Acts.

Currently, Paul and Barnabas are on their first missionary journey.

Starting from Antioch, they passed through the island of Paphos and have now arrived at Pisidian Antioch.

Before we move forward, let’s briefly look back at the significant events that took place during this journey.

The first place they reached after leaving Antioch was the island of Cyprus.

The most notable event there occurred in a place called 'Paphos,' where a man named Sergius Paulus, a proconsul of the region, came to believe in Jesus through the mission team.

Since Sergius Paulus was the highest-ranking official representing Rome in that area, his conversion was a massive victory for this very first missionary journey.

Think about the missionaries who visited us last week—they are ministering to the Bedouins. If the chief of a Bedouin village were to believe in Jesus, how amazing would that be?

The conversion of a Roman representative governing Cyprus was an even more astounding event than that.

They experienced a tremendous victory almost as soon as their mission began.

However, right in the midst of that joy and confidence, something happened that felt like a bucket of cold water being thrown on them.

It involved Mark, a young man who was one of the most promising figures in the early church.

The fact that he was chosen as a member of the very first mission team proves his potential.

Mark, the son of the household where the upper room was located—where the first church was established—deserted the mission team.

For some reason, he gave up on the mission and left the path that required one to practically risk their life.

One thing is certain: that decision was not made lightly.

This also meant that the team had to continue their journey without knowing whether Mark was dead or alive.

Can you imagine how drastically that must have dampened the morale of the mission team?

It was in this very situation that they arrived at the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch, where today’s passage takes place.

And it is from this point onward that the Bible stops using the name 'Saul' and begins to refer to him exclusively as 'Paul.'

Some say this was Saul's original Roman name since he was born in a Roman city, while others believe he chose it himself to signify he was a new person after meeting Jesus.

While scholars have different views, one thing is clear: the Bible completely replaces his name with 'Paul' from this moment on.

When we consider that this is ultimately God’s perspective, it shows that Paul, who had already followed Jesus for some time, was passing through a major momentum shift in his journey of faith.

The name Paul means "small."

The fruit Paul bore after passing through that momentum was becoming a person of even greater humility before God.

Even looking only at the journeys clearly recorded in Scripture, we see that the Apostle Paul did not become a perfect disciple all at once after his dramatic encounter with Jesus; he walked a path of continuous growth.

There is a table by Erik Erikson, a social psychologist who viewed human life as a journey of growth consisting of eight stages.

When we use expressions like "identity crisis," we are using concepts first coined by Erik Erikson.

The unique thing about his research is that, unlike previous concepts that saw growth only until adulthood, he believed humans grow throughout their entire lives.

It is also remarkable that he viewed life's crises as opportunities for further growth.

I believe such an excellent perspective was possible because Erikson was not only an outstanding psychologist but also a faithful Christian.

Whether I apply this to myself or look at my children, I find his analysis to be incredibly insightful.

However, looking at this table, I realized that spiritual growth follows a very similar process.

Every one of us, including myself, is still undergoing a process of growth.

If we do not have this correct perspective—that we are in a process of spiritual growth—it becomes very difficult to accept and forgive one another.

This is because we tend to simplify things by saying, "You either have faith or you don't," and easily judge, saying, "How can a Christian act like that?"

Instead, we should be gracious, thinking, "That person's eyes are opening to a new world, and their identity is being shaken," or "They are struggling to walk the path of trusting God."

Our role as a community is to fully rejoice and cheer each other on when we see someone walking the path of change, even if they still have many shortcomings.

Spiritually, the Apostle Paul was also in a process of growth.

The fact that he is now called by the name Paul shows that a new journey has begun for him as a man of 'humility.'

Even though Paul had become humble, he spoke the word boldly and without fear in the Jewish synagogue at Pisidian Antioch.

What kind of message did he deliver?

Paul was clearly preaching the Gospel, which means 'Good News.'

However, his conclusion was a shocking comparison between David and Jesus.

Moreover, his message contained many expressions that could have deeply infuriated the Jews there.

First, Acts 13:18 says: "For about forty years he endured their conduct in the wilderness."

Using such an expression while talking about their ancestors must have made the listeners' eyes widen.

But he didn't stop there.

He spoke of Jerusalem, their holy land, and the high priests whom everyone looked up to, saying they killed the innocent Jesus and thus brought upon themselves the woe warned by the prophets. How would that sound to them?

Also, King David is the pride of the Jews—to the point that the Israeli flag still features the Star of David today.

To say that King David "saw decay" was an expression that was truly hard for them to stomach.

But here is the climax:

[Acts 13:39] "Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses."

For the Jews, the only way to salvation was the Law of Moses.

Do you remember what the Jewish youths said in the video we watched at the end of the year?

They believe they must pay for their own sins by keeping the law themselves, not through anyone else.

But Paul declares: "You can never be justified by that law!"

This was a declaration so shocking that he could have been dragged away and stoned for it.

He told them David died and rotted, and there is no salvation in the law they and their ancestors had worked so hard to keep.

It was an incredibly provocative thing to say.

If this had been Jerusalem, he would likely have been dragged out and stoned immediately, just like Stephen.

Fortunately, this was a Roman city where they couldn't just carry out an execution, and this synagogue was unique in that it included many Gentiles who believed in God.

So, while they were thrown into confusion, they couldn't carry out a summary execution.

Nonetheless, many Jews were violently enraged by his sermon.

The Gospel is a word meant to save us.

However, it is not a painkiller that simply makes us forget our pain for a moment.

Jesus said that to enjoy true life in Him, we must take up our cross daily.

He said we must face our old selves that need to die in order to live.

This is called being "born again"—dying and being born anew.

It is described as being crucified with Jesus and being raised with Jesus.

It means passing through death to gain true life, and from there, enjoying the life and joy that overflow eternally.

Long ago in New York, I often met and evangelized a Vietnamese friend who was a Buddhist.

We ate together and spent time together, and occasionally I would share the Gospel and invite him to church. Eventually, he accepted Jesus in a park in New York.

But something he said while we were talking about sin surprised me.

In the Vietnamese Buddhism he followed, if you commit one bad deed, you must do four times as much good to erase that karma.

I was surprised by the requirement to pay back fourfold and began to think:

What would happen if someone really tried to practice that seriously?

During our conversation, I became curious.

Does "sin" for them only refer to outward actions, or does it include sins of the heart?

He said that in Buddhism, sins of the heart—like hatred and jealousy—are also considered sins.

If that's the case... is it even possible?

While you are looking for good deeds to do after making one mistake, what if you make another mistake? Now the good deeds you owe have increased to eightfold.

And if you do one good deed but then fail again... what happens?

Ultimately, because there is no way to pay it back yourself, you are forced to choose the path of religious effort to settle the debt.

Surprisingly, Roman Catholicism has a very similar concept.

It is called 'penance.' The idea is that if you don't pay the full price for your sins in this life, you cannot enter heaven immediately after death.

Instead, you are trapped in a place called Purgatory for hundreds or thousands of years to be purified before entering heaven.

Therefore, one of the important roles of a priest is to hear confessions and tell the believer how to pay for their sins through penance.

Once the believer completes the method of atonement prescribed by the priest, they feel a sense of relief.

Paul viewed this type of religion—where you trade back and forth according to fixed rules—as a low-level, elementary religion.

Why are such systems necessary?

Because these believers do not have a personal encounter with their God.

The numerous rituals and rules moderated by priests fill that emptiness.

Then, what do we as Christians believe about how our sins are paid for?

Jesus Christ paid the price for all our sins—at once! for everyone!

No matter what kind of person someone was before believing in Jesus... whether their sin deserved a 10-year or 20-year sentence...

Even the price for someone like Paul, whose hands were stained with the blood of martyrs, has been paid in full!

We are those who believe this. Do you truly believe it?

Why would Jesus, the sinless Son of God, take the punishment for someone like me?

Isn't it hard to believe? What merit do I have?

So, what happens if you really believe this?

Since Jesus solved everything, should we now live however we want?

Since even future sins are forgiven, should we live recklessly?

I once heard an American pastor use this illustration to explain it:

Some young men who loved surfing found a beach with perfect waves.

When they parked, they saw a sign saying "No Swimming: Shark Sighted."

The young men didn't think much of it and started surfing.

A young lifeguard on patrol saw the parked car, went to the beach, and blew his whistle at the surfers, but they ignored him.

Through his binoculars, the lifeguard saw a shark heading toward them.

When he shouted, the young men finally realized the situation and rushed out of the water, but one young man was so paralyzed with fear that he froze.

The lifeguard desperately dove in and pulled him out, but he ended up paying for it with his own life.

Police cars, ambulances, and families arrived.

Among them was the lifeguard's father.

The rescued young man knelt before the father and sobbed... and the father forgave him.

Every time the father passed that beach after that, his heart was overwhelmed with grief.

But one day... what if he saw young men surfing at that same beach again?

And what if, among them, was the very young man who had been saved by his son's sacrifice?

What would be in that father's heart?

Like all parables, this story isn't perfect, but it has a very important point.

God does not take the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross lightly.

We must pay attention to how the Bible uses language we humans can somewhat relate to—calling Jesus the "only begotten Son" and saying God "did not spare His own Son."

He is asking: "Could you sacrifice your only child for someone else?"

He wants us to know at least a fraction of the magnitude of that love and sacrifice.

He wants you to know that God loved you so much that He gave His only Son.

The sinless Son of the Creator was mocked by created human beings, slapped, punched, and spat upon.

He suffered the agony of the scourge until he was near death.

And then, His Son hung limp on the cross in a state so wretched he was unrecognizable...

What father or mother could even keep their eyes open while watching their child go through that?

There is likely no parent who could witness such a scene without losing their mind.

If a human parent, who has selfishness and can sometimes be tired of their children, feels that way...

How was it for God the Father, who is Love itself, to see the sinless Son, Jesus, endure that?

Even at the moment when a human parent loves their child so much it hurts, that love cannot compare to how God loves Jesus.

Yet, He completely gave up that precious Son... for humans who chose darkness and became slaves to sin.

That is why some have called it "reckless love."

With such love, God gave His Son for you and for me.

The pain Jesus paid was not just the visible crucifixion.

While the Apostles' Creed uses the gentle expression "buried," the original meaning suggests He descended into the depths for three days.

Jesus went to the hell where we, the sinners, should have gone.

That was Jesus taking all our punishment to save us.

Hell, like heaven, is a place where time as we know it does not exist... it is eternal.

Therefore, Jesus did not just stay there for a mere 72 hours.

In that eternal dimension, our Lord Jesus paid the full price for every sin of every one of us.

In that place where the light and warmth of God’s love were completely cut off...

He was utterly forsaken and paid the full price for our sins. This is the Gospel.

Those who truly believe this can no longer commit the same sins with the same heart as before.

Things they once took lightly or enjoyed now become uncomfortable and something they gradually distance themselves from.

It doesn't mean they immediately stop sinning altogether, but it means they now feel the weight of it.

Sin begins to lose its "taste," and they can no longer enjoy it.

And if they fall again... they cry out before the Lord.

They cannot endure without repenting to the Lord.

However, the reason I feel strongly about what I call "sugar-coated gospels" is because of the tendency to simply cover up the uncomfortable heart and the sorrowful heart that leads to repentance—the very things that bring us to true freedom.

Is that the true Gospel? Is that God's love?

That is not a true cure; it is just a painkiller.

It ultimately leaves you stuck in that same state!

If you believe the Gospel, the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of Holiness, the Spirit of Jesus—dwells within you.

He is there to make us holy. That is the purpose.

Continuing on the path of holiness may look narrow and difficult, but as we take one step at a time, our hearts become humble, purified, and free—no longer living as slaves to sin or guilt like religious hypocrites.

When you walk that path... it is the most blessed path for you, but that blessing also flows to the people around you.

You bloom flowers and bear fruit on the path you have walked.

In this way, a disciple begets another disciple.

Creating this virtuous cycle—the cycle of the Kingdom of Heaven—is the reason the Lord established the Church.

This is the Gospel, and if we truly believe and live this Gospel, we will enjoy the Kingdom of God starting now.

Salvation, which grants eternal life, is accomplished in a single moment by grace alone.

It is like receiving a citizenship certificate; the right to be a child of God is given.

However, now the journey of becoming like a child of God—the journey of holiness, or sanctification—begins.

As long as darkness is stuck to our lives like a hard, thick shell... the Gospel has almost no influence on our daily lives.

As a result, we waste our lives without fulfilling the purpose and mission for which we live on this earth.

That is a tragic loss for ourselves, for those we are in relationship with, and for our mission fields.

Why must we still live in this unjust world?

It is because our greatest purpose—the "Great Commission" given to all Christians that the missionaries shouted about last week—is not yet finished.

[Matthew 28:18-20]

"18 Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"

While talking with the missionaries after last week's service, they emphasized two things:

We are doing well at "teaching," but we are lacking in "making them obey (keep)."

Teaching can be done by one person in front of many, like a school class.

However, "making them obey" cannot be done like a classroom lecture.

It is like Jesus and His disciples—showing your life up close, rebuking mistakes, comforting sorrows, and praying together.

"Making them obey" cannot happen without such a personal relationship.

The only other way to "make them obey" without knowing each other personally is to go back to laws and rules.

Is that what Jesus wanted?

Of course, within a community, depth of relationship and proper boundaries are needed according to each person's timing and situation.

However, within the church, we must at least know each other.

We must pass through the "inconvenience" of becoming people who truly know one another.

The process of wrestling together, praying together, and finding the best choices in daily life within relationships is how we participate in God's most important ministry on earth.

Making disciples of all nations must start here.

If there are those among you who are uncertain whether Jesus Christ is the Master of your life, meditate more deeply on the love of God who sacrificed His Son for you.

Do not meditate by your own strength, but by the power of Christ.

For those who have experienced and know that love, obey the Lord’s voice to grow into the full measure of Christ.

The word "keep" in "teaching them to keep" means "to obey."

Not by your own strength, but by the power of Christ...

Start taking steps of obedience to practice the things you have learned so many times.

Things will begin to break loose.

When we truly become a community of Jesus' disciples who teach and keep His word together...

This Church, the body of Christ left in the world, will truly become the fullness of Christ, manifesting Jesus abundantly to the world.