Sermons

Unity in the Faith and in the Knowledge

2010-09-05T13:05:31-04:00

Unity in the Faith and in the Knowledge
Ephesians 4:1-4 (September 5, 2010. 103rd Anniversary Service)

(Presentation of pictures of Years 2009-2010) (After the presentation) How beautiful is it? How beautiful is our effort to be one church despite all the differences among us? We’ve never given up our unity in spite of all our differences in race, culture, language and thought. Of course, sometimes, actually so oftentimes, we’ve been frustrated because of the varieties we have. However, we’ve never given up but still have been faithful to our unity. I believe our effort that the three language groups are trying to be one body is pleasant in God’s sight as well.

I want all of us to be more thankful for the presences of all the three language groups together under the same roof. I want all of us to be more grateful for what we are and to keep searching a meaning from our harmonious coexistence under the same roof. “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (vs 3. NIV)

Beyond doubt, it will be much easier if we are one congregation who use only one language. It will be much easier if we pray, sing and hear in our own native tongue in worship. It will be much more fun if we have fellowship with only those who speak in the same tongue. We know it. We all know it.

Despite we all know those benefits we could enjoy, however, we still come together at the Olive United Methodist Church in which various cultures and tongues coexist. Why? “One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Eph. 4:5, 6. NIV) Yes. We believe all who are saved in Jesus are brothers and sisters regardless of each one’s ethnicity, language and culture. We are convinced with this biblical teaching. Therefore, we make every effort to overcome all kinds of barriers (of different ethnicity, language and culture) that could separate us from each other.

Moreover, we come to Olive United Methodist Church because we want to be faithful to our call. The world we live in and the island we reside now are just like a melting pot. So many ethnicities, languages and cultures exist together at the same place. Therefore, at this particular church, we want to be more efficiently equipped to meet our call that the Lord Jesus has assigned to each one of us.

Personally I admire all the members of Olive United Methodist Church. It is because you come to a church in which many differences continue to be present but try your best to fit in. I applaud your brave effort. Furthermore, while applauding you warmly, I’d like to ask you to add a little more effort in binding ourselves together in peace and love.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:2, 3. NIV)

First, let us lower ourselves down before others (especially before the other groups among us). If we bring ourselves down, we will gain the hearts of others. The lower we bring us down, the more respect we will gain.

Second, let us be more kind to each other (especially more to the other groups). Let us be more temperate in our tongues and actions toward each other. Rather let us offer our hands and greetings to others first as we meet them.

Third, let us be more patient and tolerant to each other. I believe the one who holds his mouth for the sake of others and for the sake of the peace and harmony of the community is more mature than the one who speaks out whatever he wants to speak. The worst one breaking the peace and harmony in the community is the one who speaks aloud for he thinks he knows better.

Fourth, let us be more understanding and embracing to each other. When we find someone with a mistake or fault, let us try to think, “He must have a reason for it” and try to understand and embrace him. When someone is obviously aware of my mistake but tries to understand and holds me in his arms in love, naturally I give my trust and respect to him.

Fifth, let us be more sensitive and considerate to the differences among ourselves. Even though someone’s idea is different from mine, it doesn’t mean he is always wrong. Even though he behaves against my standard, it doesn’t mean his behavior is always bad. Oftentimes he is not wrong but he is different.

For example, in general, the English Group is slow and quiet but the Korean and the Samoan Groups are fast and emotional. But the English Group who is slow and quiet shows unchangeable love and service to the church; and the Korean and the Samoan Groups who are fast and emotional are passionate and very good at achieving a short-term plan. On the other hand, the Youth and the Young seem to ask so much from the church. Sometimes their ideas seem too unrealistic and too radical. However, because of their constant demand, the Olive United Methodist Church can be a future-oriented congregation.

A tree with deep roots can bear with strong storms. The Olive United Methodist Church has a long history so our church will bear with any kind of trials. The history of 103 years has proven it. Knowing it, I am so proud of our long history.

At the same time, however, I am worried about it. What I am worried about is our church could be too aged because of the long history. Of course, I don’t mean getting aged is all bad. Age has its own beauty and unique taste. (Picture Presentation) But there is a strong possibility for a church with a long history to end up like a withered tree. A withered tree is a dead tree breathing no longer.

Of course, a withered tree has its own beauty. (Picture Presentation) A church like a withered tree can serve as a history museum. So many European Cathedrals are the best examples. (Picture Presentation) But I do not want Olive United Methodist Church to serve as a history museum but continuously function with the original purpose of a church. (Pictures of sequoia trees at Sequoia National Park)

As the age of a tree is determined by the surrounding environment, the life of a church is the same. And that environment that could determine the length of a church life is us. We are the environment preserving our church stronger and more fruitful in the days to come.

It is not bad for an aged tree or a withered tree to keep its own beauty (Picture of a withered tree), but it is better for it to become a fertilizer for other plants around (Another picture of a withered tree) I believe it is the greatest thing for us to sacrifice our own beauty (including thoughts, ideologies and views) for the sake of others and especially for the future of the younger ones.

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:24, 25. NIV)

Dear brothers and sisters, let us never forget we are the ringleaders who are responsible for the future of this blessed church! Let us always remember we are the past, present and future of this church. What we decide now will determine the future of our church that we love dearly. Therefore, let us stand up and stay together and make the most effort for our church to grow stronger and more fruitful in the days to come. Amen?

Give All You Can

2010-08-22T14:02:09-04:00

Give All You Can
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (August 22, 2010)

It happened about two months ago. I was driving to Honolulu and my two boys were with me in the car. While driving, I told them the following, “When Mom and I die, we will not leave any money to you. If there is anything left on our names, please give it to a church or charities as soon as we are gone. However, I will leave you one precious gift which will be my life story. I can promise you that I will make it truly interesting.” After a few words more, in order to verify that they had heard me, I asked them, “When your Mom and Dad die, what are you going to do with anything left on our names?” They replied in unison, “Take it to a church or charities!”

Many Christians believe money as the root of all evil. If you have this belief, get it away from you. Give it away. Come out of a false teaching. The Biblical teaching on money is far away from it. Indeed, the fault does not lie in the money but in our manner to treat and use it. Based upon how to use it, the money could be the best or the worst gift to us. We all know the unspeakable service of the money to so many lives. We also know the extreme harms of the money to us in all the common affairs of life. Therefore, I want to speak aloud, “Based upon how we use the money, it could be the best or the worst gift from heaven.”

As a matter of fact, John Wesley had often preached about money and once he said,

“Money is an excellent gift of God if it is used excellently, answering the noblest needs of humanity.”

If we all Christians consider money as the root of all evils and pursue only a frugal life by staying away from it, then how can we help the needy coming to us for something? Just as Peter and John had said to the crippled man at the Temple gate, do we have to repeat the same word to them? “We don’t have any silver or gold for you. But we will give you what we have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” (Acts 3:6) If money is bad, how can we give it to the needy? If there are people in need among us, don’t we have to pray to God as follows? “Dear Lord, bless us so that we can support them more!”

On the other hand, there is another typical misunderstanding about money in the church. Some wealthy consider their possession as their high status and power in the church. However, remember that money cannot be used for the purchase of status or for the demonstration of power. In his epistle, James, the Elder, gave a warning to those who were wealthy and misused their money in the church:

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor” - well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? (James 2:1-5. NLT)

Unfortunately, despite his warning, in reality, money often speaks in the church. Therefore, I feel I have to underscore once more that money is never used for the purchase of status or for the demonstration of power in the church. Money is given (entrusted) to us for a better service to God and others.

It is very important to understand what money is for? The simplest answer for the question is that money is for exchange. However, we better not limit our understanding of money. Money is good for goods and services that may add better education and living environment to our lives and to the lives we love. Furthermore, it is a good tool for us to partake in the good of humanity and in the expansion of the Kingdom of Heaven.

In John 12:8, Jesus told his disciples, “You will always have the poor among you. . .” (NLT). Yes. The poor and the needy are always among us. Then what does it mean to us? Their presence allows the opportunity for us to stretch our hands to them anytime. It is a great blessing for us to serve. The more we serve, the more we are blessed. We have to consider our wealth in this manner. If any of you think you are wealthier than others, be more thankful for your opportunity to share with more people.

Of course, we all leave this world sooner or later. Some have a short life time, but some longer. However, the commonality we all experience is that we will leave this life with an empty hand. No matter what we are. No matter how rich or poor we are. None can bring travel expense after his death. As a matter of fact, the ancient Chinese people had placed money in the coffins for the dead to use on their journeys to the next life. However, it was a fruitless practice. All we gained in this world will remain here, regardless how much we collected. We will be so sorry when we look at all our possessions that we worked so hard to gain and leave them behind.

We cannot take the money we earned here but the fruit of our good deeds for others. We cannot take the wealth we gained here but the fruit of our positive influences over others. Our good deeds and good influences over others will be evaluated by the mourning of those who were cared for by us and by the praise of God who will reward us as we enter the Eternal Kingdom.

The following is what Andrew Carnegie said in “The Gospel of Wealth”:

[Y]et the day is not far distant when the man who dies leaving behind him millions of available wealth, which was free for him to administer during life, will pass away “unwept, unhonored, and unsung,” no matter to what uses he leaves the dross which he cannot take with him. Of such as these the public verdict will then be: “The man who dies thus rich dies disgraced.”

Jesus told as follows, “Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.” (Luke 16:9. NLT)

After a great success in business, Mr. Carnegie gave an astronomical amount of money to philanthropy and summarized the possible best gifts we can give away:

1. Establish a university.
2. Establish a free library.
3. Establish hospitals, medical colleges and laboratories.
4. Invest in public parks.
5. Build social/meeting halls and music concert halls for the people.
6. Build public swimming-baths.
7. Give to churches and to the community at large.

In these days there is a great movement among the world’s richest people and it is called “The Giving Pledge” that the rich people will give a majority of their wealth to charity after their deaths. It was initiated by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates and quite a number of people have already promised to join. At the urging of Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, forty of the world’s richest families have promised to give at least half of their fortunes to philanthropy. Based upon Forbes’ current estimates of their net worth and other data sources, a collective sum of what they would give to charity is at least $125 billion. Hallelujah! Personally, I want this movement to get strengthened more and more and all the rich people in the world may join soon.

With caution, I want to present this idea to you this morning. If able, why don’t you open one account to our church scholarship and give a scholarship to the students each year? For reference, one account of Olive Scholarship is $500.00 per year. How about you leave a note about the scholarship account in your will?

In today’s text, the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to Timothy, his son in faith, and encourages him to teach the church members how to use money.

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. (1 Tim. 6:17-19. NIV)

During the life journey on earth, giving is not a duty but an enjoyment and privilege for us. We can experience true joy and abundance in life by giving. These blessings of joy and abundance, we can taste only when we share. Dear brothers and sisters, therefore, let us do our best to share what we have with others more and more. Let us store up our treasures in heaven through a giving life.

Dear brothers and sisters, let us work hard. Let us work and sweat more and more. Let us save all we can. Let us stop wasting but save all we can. And let us open our wallets as the Spirit of God stirs our hearts. Let us be generous as we decided to give. Amen?

Save All You Can

2010-08-15T13:58:46-04:00

Save All You Can
Luke 12:42-48 (August 15, 2010)

Last Monday I picked up my two boys from school and took them to the piano school. On the way, I heard the following conversation between them.

Joseph: “Do you have something to drink for me?”
Mark: “No. But I can buy you a drink because I have $1 with me now.”
Joseph: “Mark, You don’t have to use it. Let’s say: If you have $100, it doesn’t mean you have to use it to buy a $100-value thing.”
Mark: “Of course, I know it.”

I felt I should jump into their conversation to tell to the older one, “You better speak it to yourself!” According to my observation, the younger has more power to save money than the older. When the younger boy wants to buy something, he has a strong power to save for what he wants. Therefore, in general his wallet is thicker than that of his older brother.

The society we live in teaches us with an economic philosophy that “Consumption is a virtue” and encourages us to consume more and more. Many economists insist that economy will boost if the consumption rate goes higher. They equal the index to economic progress with the consumption index. When a trustful economic organization makes a report that the consumption index has increased, the values of stocks jump up on that day.

For consumption is highly encouraged in the US, this nation has an enormous amount of debt. For your reference, according to http://www.usdebtclock.org, by August 12, 2010, 5:22 p.m., the US debt to GDP (Gross Domestic Product) ratio was 62.003851%. Japan was the worst whose debt to GDP ratio was 204.4366362%, and the next was Greece whose ratio was 126.7489206%. However, the China debt to GDP ratio hit 21.2004969%. By the way, the total debt of the US by August 12 was $13,315,692,696,451, and the debt per citizen was $42,958.

Considering all the facts above, a high consumption rate is not always good for us. This is what I am convinced: The US should not encourage consumption but saving. Indeed, if we borrow money from someone, we put ourselves under the influence of the lender. “Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.” (Prov. 22:7. NLT) The Bible continues teaching as follows: “Owe nothing to anyone except for your obligation to love one another.” (Rom. 13:8. NLT)

Debt is a seed of trouble to any nation, society, family and individual. If we are in debt, we have more anxiety and stress and are no longer able to share. Nowadays we frequently hear that the US economy is getting worse. Then what would cause this economic crisis? The huge debt of ours could be the number one cause of it.

We have to keep us from being in debt. The best way of freeing us from debt is to control expense less than income. Saving money is easier than making money. Money can stay only if its leak is closed up. Don’t ever think you can pay off after you make a fortune later. Debt doesn’t decrease but increases as time goes by. The debtor lends more and more.

According to the Bible, we should be stewards to money. A good steward doesn’t use his money unsparingly but uses it for its purpose. He doesn’t say “I can use my possession as I want,” but he says “God has entrusted his possession to me temporarily.”

And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.” (LK 12:42-44. NLT)

A common symptom found from those who live in poverty is “one talent syndrome.” They don’t value what they have now. They don’t consider the value of what they possess but pay more attention to the possessions of others and envy them. They often make an excuse, “If I was blessed with a fortune, I could maintain it well.” Just as the servant who was entrusted with one talent in MT 25:14-30. However, we have to keep in mind the promise that the Lord gave to the two other servants who were faithful to what they were entrusted: “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” (vss 21, 23. NLT) The Lord can leave his possession only to those who are faithful even to a “small” thing.

There is a proverb: “Many a mickle makes a muckle.” (“Many drops make a shower.” Or “Penny and penny laid up will be many.”) Moreover, the writer of Proverbs teaches us about wealth as follows: “Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.” (Prov. 13:11. NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, don’t dream of hitting a jackpot, but make the best effort to save, even one single penny. Don’t ever expect God’s blessing with a fortune in a short period of time. He is the God of justice. His verdict is this: We will harvest as much as we sow.

By the way, the Bible mentions about faith 215 times, about salvation 218 times, but about wealth and stewardship 2,084 times directly and indirectly. Isn’t it interesting?

Some Christians understand money as the root of all evils. So they hesitate to mention about it. However, the Bible teaches about money quite differently. It deals with money more than with any other subject. According to the Bible, money (wealth) is a gift from God and we are stewards to his possession. Therefore, if we are convinced with this stewardship teaching, we can’t neglect and waste what he has entrusted to us.

When a nation, family and individual plan something, the most important factor to be considered first is about saving. The one who saves has hope. The one who saves can expect success. Our plan can be achievable only if we prepared or prepare the fund to use.

Even Jesus underscores the importance of savings when planning:

But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, “There’s the person who started that building and couldn't afford to finish it!” (LK 14:28-30. NLT)

The wikihow.com shares very useful lessons with its readers in the article, “How to Save Money?” I will quote some from it for you.

First, Set savings goals. For short-term goals such as purchase of a video game or an automobile, this is easy. However, for long-term goals such as retirement, you’ll need to do much more planning. You have to start planning it at least 20~30 years prior to your retirement.

Second, establish a time-frame. For example, “I want to be able to buy a house two years from today.” Set a particular date for accomplishing goals, and make sure the goal is attainable within that time period. If it’s not attainable, you’ll just get discouraged.

Third, figure out how much you have to save per week, per month, or per paycheck to attain each of your savings goals. For most savings goals, it’s best to save the same amount each period.

Fourth, keep a record of your expenses. Write down everything you spend your money on for a couple weeks or a month. Be as detailed as possible, and try not to leave out small purchases. Keep a small notebook with you at all times. Get in the habit of recording every expense and saving the receipts. Sit down once a week with your small notebook and receipts. Record your expenses in a larger notebook or a spreadsheet program.

Fifth, trim your expenses. Take a good, hard look at your spending records after a month or two have passed. You’ll probably be surprised when you look back at your record of expenses: $300 on ice cream, $100 on parking tickets? You’ll likely see some obvious cuts you can make.

The wikihow.com provides much more useful lessons for savings. If you are interested, check it out with http://wikihow.com.

The following wisdom to trim your expenses is quoted from the same website:

• Can you move to a less expensive apartment or house? Can you refinance your mortgage?

• Can you consolidate your debts so that you're not paying as much interest?

• Can you save money on gas, or give up a car altogether? If your family has multiple cars, can you bring it down to one?

• Can you get a better price on insurance? Call around and make sure you are getting the best price you can. Consider taking a higher deductible, too.

• Ditch your expensive coffee house latte for a home brewed cup. Avoiding that $4 per day whatever-cino can save you $1000 a year.

• Skip the salon and do your own nails for a fraction of the price.

• Can you drop a land line and either only use your cell phone or save money by calling over the internet for free with services such as Skype?

• Can you live without cable or satellite TV?

• Can you cut down on your utility bills?

• Can you restrict eating out? Cook more at home?

• Buy food in bulk? Start using coupons?

Before you purchase anything, throw this question to yourselves first: “Is this a necessary and wise to use of my money?” We have to remember our money is a gift from God, therefore, we can’t waste or squander it for an unnecessary purpose.

Lastly, while we make every effort to gain and save, don’t put your trust in wealth. Wealth is a gift from God. Therefore, when we gain and save wealth, we have to put our trust only in God and become more faithful stewards to his gift.

He did all this so you would never say to yourself, “I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.” Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath. (Deut. 8:17, 18. NLT)

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. (1 Tim. 6:17. NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, let us gain all we can. Let us save all we can. And let us give all we can to please God. Amen?

Gain All You Can

2010-08-09T11:57:45-04:00

Gain All You Can
Psalm 126:1-6 (August 8, 2010)

Last Thursday (August 5, 2010), the Associated Press posted the following news, under the title, “Fast food won't work on car.” (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/270839/fast-food-wont-work-car)

ROCK HILL, South Carolina (AP) – A South Carolina woman found out fast food won’t make your car go fast. The Herald of Rock Hill reported Thursday a 30-year-old woman made a complaint to police after she took her car to a Rock Hill mechanic last week because it would suddenly stop running.

Police said a mechanic found a cheeseburger and pickle inside the car’s gas tank. The woman told officers she had no idea how it happened. [Then who did it?]

Investigators said the damage cost about $1,000 to repair.

On the other hand, on the same day, the Korean Chosun Daily posted the following article under the title, “The Fall of the China Dream: Two Chinese Brothers in Chain.”

About two years ago, the two brothers were envied by the public. By 2008, among all Chinese people the younger brother (黃光裕, 41) became the richest who owned more than $7 billion, and the older brother (黃俊欽, 43) was the eighth who owned more than $2 billion. They became a symbol of the Chinese Dream and a myth for all salary men.

But both of them are handcuffed to the bars one after the other in 2 years. According to the article from Kyunghwa Daily News on August 5, the Beijing People Investigation and Prosecution reported that Mr. Hwang Zuinchin was officially arrested of illegal internal trade, fraud, illegal loan and Visa forgery.

For more reference, in 1985 the two brothers had left their hometown with $690 and started a trade business in the Inner Mongolia. At that time, the older brother was 18, and the younger 16. They made themselves successful in a short period of time. However, as the Chinese Government started investigating their business absurdity, their dream became an empty dream. Their unfortunate story shows an end of those who look for a fortune at a stroke.

Actually, one of the British TV stations broadcasts “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” This television game show offers large cash prizes for correctly answering a series of consecutive multiple-choice questions of increasing difficulty. The format is owned and licensed by Sony Pictures Television International. The maximum cash prize (in the original British version) is one million pounds. (Wikipedia Dictionary) Wow! One million pounds!

The game has similarities with the 1950s U.S. show, “The $64,000 Question.” In that show the money won would also double with each question, and if the wrong answer was given all the money was lost. Contestants would win a new car as a consolation prize if they had reached the $8,000 question. (Wikipedia Dictionary)

There are still so many people searching for a rich mine. Therefore, those books for making a fortune at a stroke are bestsellers at bookstores. Books for success attract the eyes of the modern readers more than any other generations.

By the way, last Thursday when I typed “how to earn money fast” in the internet search engine, it revealed to me so many secrets. (Powerpoint) If you are searching for the secret, why don’t you use the internet search engines such as Google and Yahoo? You will find some useful tips there. However, what I truly want to advise those who dream for big money in a short period of time, is to forget it as soon as possible. Wake up from an empty dream!

According to the Bible, we are made to sweat for food. We have to sweat to remove thorns and thistles from the ground, plant seed in it and grow it. “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19. NIV)

Dear brothers and sisters, don’t dream a bonanza. God is delighted with those who work hard for food. In the beginning God commanded humans to sweat for food. In this sense, the Apostle Paul advises us, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that ‘if any would not work, neither should he eat.’” (2 Thess. 3:10. NIV)

King Solomon teaches his son about the importance of labor by telling a parable of ants.

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest -- and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. (Pro. 6:6-11. NIV)

Nowadays people don’t like to sweat, and some even despise hard labor. But hard labor is divine. Of course, physical labor is not easy but guarantees its reward. The Psalmist who wrote today’s text proves it as follows: “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” (vss. 5, 6. NIV) Money earned from lottery, stocks and realty venture, goes away easily.

I think you know about Leo Tolstoy. As you know, he is one of the best writers from Russia. His masterpieces are “War and Peace” and “Anna Karenina” which made him rich and famous. However despite all the praises on “War and Peace” and “Anna Karenina,” he rejected the two works later in his life as something as not true of reality. In “The Death of Ivan Ilyich,” he presented the true life of a man from the family and servants who struggle with water and food for survival. Tolstoy was a wealthy member of the Russian family. However, he came to believe that he was undeserving of his inherited wealth and gave away his wealth to the needy and had a simple life.

Once he said, “And when I understood all this, seemed to me ludicrous. By a long series of doubts, searchings, and reflection, I had reached the extraordinary truth that man has eyes in order to see with them, ears in order to hear with, legs in order to walk with them, and hands and a back to work with, and that if he does not use them for their natural purpose it will be the worse for him.”

By the way, have you had a chance to read “Ivan the Fool and his Two Brothers,” one of Tolstoy’s great works? I truly want you to read his short storybook. It presents the true value of labor.

Ivan the Fool, the main character, is a very simple-minded man. He has two older brothers: Simeon (a soldier) and Tarras-Briukhan (“Tarras the fat belly, a merchant). Simeon is ambitious to conquer; Tarras-Briukhan eager to be wealthy; and Ivan pursues nothing but happiness in simple life.

In the book, the devils try hard to create troubles for the brothers as they’re not happy to see peace. The devils successfully tempt Simeon and Tarras-Briukhan but not Ivan. The oldest and wisest devil comes to Ivan and whispers, “The foolish law you have in your kingdom that all persons must work, is surely the invention of fools. People who work for a living are not always forced to labor with their hands. Do you think wise men labor so?” But Ivan replies, “Well, what do fools know about it? We all work with our hands.”

God says, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work.” (Exo. 20:9, Deut. 5:13) Dear brothers and sisters, let us work! Work hard! Gain money! Gain as much as we can! However, before we try hard, we have to be able answer to a question, “Why do I want to make money?”

In conclusion, the reason we make money is to use it for good. We seek every possibility to gain more and more because we want to use it for good works for others. If we gain it for ourselves only, it will possess us. It will become our god, mammon. Those who have possession, don’t use it for the benefit of others but are possessed by it, are unfortunate.

Moreover, those who hurt their bodies and souls to gain more make their lives a misery. What pleasure does the fortune that they earned after a hard toil but ruined their bodies and souls bring them at the end? They have to waste all their earnings to pay off medical bills. Furthermore, in my opinion, the worst person in the world is the one who hurts the bodies and souls of others in order to gain for himself. This is my personal advice: Don’t hurt anybody for money. Never and ever!

Dear brothers and sisters, let us not hurt our body and soul to gain more, rather let us choose to live in insufficiency. Don’t consider insufficiency as a misery. Don’t envy the things others have. Consider your insufficiency as a means to live a simply life. I believe the hungry beggar is better than the un conscientious rich man. Don’t you think so?

Store up Treasures in Heaven

2010-08-04T13:14:57-04:00

Store up Treasures in Heaven

Luke 12:32-35 (August 1, 2010)

On November 25, 1835, Andrew Carnegie was born in Dunfermline, Scotland, but immigrated to the United States with his family when he was 13. As soon as his family settled in the US, he began his career as a bobbin boy in a cotton factory in Allegheny, PA. Carnegie who loved reading books, frequently visited the local library and increased his knowledge by reading. As a result, he could get a job from Western Union as a messenger boy to telegraph to operator and became the superintendent of the Western Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

During his working at the Pennsylvania Railroad, Carnegie invested in a new company to produce railway sleeping cars. Later he expanded his business to the building of bridges, trains and rails. For better efficiency of his business, he organized his companies into one, the Keystone Bridge Company. The steel company prospered and built him a fortune. When he sold the company to J. P. Morgan in 1901, its value was at $400 million.

He began practicing his philanthropy around 1870. Perhaps the best contribution among many contributions he made for humanity could be his gifts of free public libraries. I think it was a way of his return to the benefit that he got from the public library when he was young. In 1881 he built a library in his hometown in Scotland, and then he built so many free public libraries (2,509) in Scotland, US and many other countries. Actually for most of us, to leave just one public library to our own name during our lifetime wouldn’t be easy. . .

His contributions to the public exceeded far beyond free public library buildings. He helped so many churches, local communities, universities, schools and nonprofit organizations and association around the world. According to his family, when he died in 1919, he had already given away about $350 million during his lifetime. $350 million was not small. It was humongous in those days.

Andrew Carnegie reveals his view of wealth in his essay, “The Gospel of Wealth,” written in 1889: The rich are merely “trustees” of their wealth and are morally obligated to use it to promote the welfare and happiness of the common people. I think his essay is worthy of reading. We can learn how to manage our wealth from it. Thankfully, we can download it free from the Google Books Service.

The following is what Carnegie says in “The Gospel of Wealth”: “The man who dies thus rich dies disgraced.” What he means is that if anyone earned wealth but didn’t use it for good before his death, he is a failure. Personally I agree with what he says. His point is very biblical as well.

In today’s text, Jesus says as follows:

So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning (Luke 12:32-35. NLT)

We Christians are not seeking for wealth in this world but seeking for eternal rewards in heaven. Aren’t we? Therefore, we don’t look for more earning, more savings, bigger and better houses, and a more comfortable and luxurious life. Rather we are willing to give away our wealth to the needy during our lifetime. We are convinced that our sharing is a way of storing up treasures in heaven.

Regretfully, however, it seems that today’s Christians don’t fully agree with Jesus’ teaching of wealth. We believe more earning, more savings, bigger and luxurious houses and life are blessings from God. So in order to earn and save more and more, we compromise or give up our service to worship God or show our love for him. We are supposed to yield our time and wealth for God and for his work. Is it because of the American Dream? We tend to put more money and better lifestyle before our duty to please God and our will to come closer to him. It is so sad.

Jesus who knew our weakness warns us: “Be careful, and be very careful that your possessions do not possess you. Remember that life is not about things!” He continues, “You shall have no other gods before me.”

In his preaching, “The Danger of Riches,” John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, teaches as follows: “I gain all I can, without hurting either soul or body. I save all I can, not willingly wasting anything. I give all I can, so I am effectually secured from laying up treasures on earth.” We all Christians should pay attention to these three financial principles of success that John Wesley suggests.

Gain all you can. Of course, he doesn’t mean us to be workaholic. We have to pay attention to the condition he puts. Earn all you can “without hurting either soul or body.” Moreover, we shouldn’t harm the souls and bodies of others when we make money.

Save all you can. It doesn’t mean about 401k plans, retirement finds or stocks. “Save all you can” means that we better not waste resources unnecessarily. We better not buy a thing that is unnecessary. We better not eat food that is unnecessary. What Wesley suggests is simple life. But nowadays we are stuck in the notions of popularity and consumption. We think, if someone has a certain thing, we have to be blessed to have it as well.

Give all you can. Even though we worked hard to earn and save, the wealth we possess is not ours. We are still merely stewards of that wealth. As a responsible steward, we do our best to use it for God and for his pleasure. And the best way of using it is to share it with the needy.

John Wesley took the Gospel (LK 12:32-35; MT 6:19-21) literally and tried to live as he was told:

So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. (LK 12:32-34. NLT)

Wesley lived on about 28 pounds when he was a student at Oxford and continued to live on about the same amount for the rest of his life. Therefore, if he earned more than 28 pounds, he gave the surplus to the poor. This is what he’d often said, “When I die with more than 10 pounds to my name, I should be held up as a thief or traitor, for hoarding funds.”

In Matthew 19:23, 24 Jesus teaches us: “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (NIV)

I want none of us fail to enter the kingdom of God because of wealth. Rather I want all of us to thank God for what he grants us and use it for good works which can please him and promote the welfare and happiness of our neighbors and of our world. Amen?

Is the Creed Mandatory for Worship?

2010-07-11T21:33:12-04:00

Is the Creed Mandatory for Worship?
Luke 10:25-28 (July 7, 2010)

In Mark 1:21-26, one day Jesus went to the town of Capernaum. On the Sabbath, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority, quite unlike the teachers of religious law. Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit screamed out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!” Jesus cut him short and ordered, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion and then came out of him.

The evil spirit knew who Jesus was. With his own lips, he confessed Jesus as the Holy One, sent by God. However, even though he knew and confessed that, he didn’t live in accordance with his knowledge and confession.

In Matthew 8:28-32, Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gadarenes and two men who were possessed by evil spirits met him. They lived in a cemetery and were so violent that no one could go through that area. When they saw Jesus, they began screaming at him, “What do you want with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding in the distance. So the evil spirits begged, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” “Go!” Jesus commanded them. So they came out of the men and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.

The two evil spirits knew who Jesus was. They knew their condemned destiny at the appointed time, but they didn’t repent nor come to Jesus.

From these two stories we can learn that the knowledge we have doesn’t bring us to salvation and that the faith we possess doesn’t guarantee us our salvation, either. If we know, we have to live in accordance with the knowledge. If we have faith, we have to live in accordance with the faith. Therefore, James the Elder says in James 2:19, 20, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”

At every Sunday service, we read the Apostles’ Creed or similar ones. Of course, the Apostles’ Creed and other creeds are important. Indeed, the creeds are the best statement which we can learn about God and build up the right relationship with him.

Moreover, the creeds were created by those church leaders who had seriously thought in order to keep the church from all sorts of heretic teachings. Therefore, we should value the creeds more and read to memorize them at best. If possible, we should read and memorize them until we can come to complete understanding of God and get ready to live in accordance with them.

According to the Catholic Church tradition, the Apostles’ Creed was made by the Twelve Apostles in AD 55. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Peter began writing the first phrase, and all other eleven Apostles added after, one by one. However, in reality, it took quite long years for the Creed to be completed. A historical document gives us a hint that there was a creed, used at the baptismal ceremony in AD 200s. Perhaps it became the source of the Apostles’ Creed. After that, the phrase, “he descended into hell,” was added in AD 360; in addition, “the holy Catholic Church” in AD 650 and “the communion of saints” after AD 650. Considering these factors, we can agree that the Apostles’ Creed was not made by the Twelve Apostles nor used in worship service by the Early Christians.

But those churches which don’t use the Apostles’ Creed in worship are frequently misunderstood by some Christians, esp. by conservative Christians. Therefore, most churches regard the Creed to be mandatory for worship. However, the Baptists who want to be faithful only to the teaching of the Bible don’t use it in their worship. They don’t want to give absolute authorization to any other than the Bible. It think, we have to learn this attitude from them.

This is what I believe regarding to the Apostles’ Creed in worship. If our reading of the Creed is merely a ritual practice, we better remove it out of our worship service. We shouldn’t fall into the error of making a meaningless or false confession before
God. In Exodus 20:7, Jehovah God commanded his people, “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” As you know, this is the third out of the Ten Commandments.

In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus tells us about the teaching of the Final Judgment:

But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.”

Then these righteous ones will reply, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?” And the King will say, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!”

Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, “Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.”

Then they will reply, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?” And he will answer, “I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.” And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life. (LNT)

If we look at his teaching with a close look, we can find that there is no comment of Jesus about the reading of creeds in worship.
Perhaps some of us may want to say to the Judge at the Last Judgment, “O Lord, I kept the faith. I believed everything that the creeds taught me, every single bit of it, word by word.” The question our Lord is concerned with is not “how well did you read it in worship?” but “how did you live in accordance with it?”

In Luke 10:25-28, one day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” The man answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus answered, “You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live!”

As the final word for today, I will say this. The essential purpose of the creed is practical. It means, if we don’t mean it or don’t follow it, we better remove it from our worship. We shouldn’t play the hypocrite before God in worship. We should confess anything that doesn’t contain our heart for him, and that we don’t promise to obey in our holy worship and in front of the Holy One. “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” (Exodus 20:7) I will repeat it once again: The importance of knowing, reading or memorizing the creed is not to keep it in accordance with the worship ritual but to live in accordance with it in life. So when we read the Apostles’ Creed in worship, let us do our best to understand about God and make a true confession of him. Therefore, whenever we read a creed in worship, we have to give our heart to each word and to each sentence in it. So this time let us read the Creed slowly and make it our true confession of God.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell, on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

There Is a Prophet in Israel

2010-07-04T13:00:58-04:00

There Is a Prophet in Israel
2 King 5:1-8 (July 4, 2010. Independence Sunday)

Naaman was captain of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man with his king, and highly respected, for he brought victory to Aram so often. However, even though he was a valiant warrior in battlefield, he suffered from a serious illness which was leprosy. It proves that no one is ever free from any problems.

Once he had captured a little girl from the land of Israel and sent her to wait on his wife. One of those days the Hebrew girl came to her mistress to tell, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” (vs 3) So the wife relayed the news to her husband. Naaman went in to inform his king the tempting news from his wife. Then the king replied, “By all means. I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” (vs 5)

Naaman departed and took with him ten talents of silver and six thousand shekels of gold and ten changes of clothes. Arriving at Samaria, he handed the letter over to the king of Israel. The letter said, “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.” (vs 6) When the king of Israel read it, he didn’t know what to do but tore his clothes and cried out, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!” (vs 7)

We can understand his frustration and anger when he read the letter from the king of Aram. Indeed, to the Samaritan king, the letter was to find the cause of trouble for the Aramean king to attack Israel once again. Israel was suffering after a severe loss to the Aramean army not too long ago. Therefore, the king of Israel was greatly distressed by the news, got upset and tore his clothes in a fury.

On the other hand, when Elisha heard that the king tore his clothes, he sent word to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel. (vs 8)

I saw the different responses between the king of Israel and the Prophet Elisha to the troublesome news delivered by the Aramean king.
First of all, the king of Israel didn’t know what to do with the imminent news of danger and exploded his frustration and anger to his subjects. By the way, what did the subjects do wrong to the king? They did nothing wrong. I feel so sorry for the poor guys. On the other hand, however, Elisha who heard that the king had torn his clothes reacted differently. He didn’t worry nor get upset. Rather he tried to understand the situation more clearly. He found out that the letter from the king of Aram was far away from a declaration of war but was a stately request to cure the leprosy of Naaman with God’s help.

The difference between the king of Israel and the Prophet Elisha was the ability to understand the given situation and find the cause and the solution of the situation. The first got overpowered by the given situation, frustrated and upset, but the latter stayed calm and searched the real intention of the words that the king of Aram sent.

A man of prayer doesn’t get overpowered by the given situation. God grants him wisdom to comprehend the situation thoroughly. I believe that prayer opens our eyes to see things clearer and better. Therefore, I strongly recommend that you don’t get agitated or come to a conclusion in a hurry. Take time to pray. Take more time if the situation seems worse.

After having examined the situation thoroughly, Elisha, a man of prayer, sent word to his king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.” (vs 8) In consideration of the phrase - “he will know that there is a prophet in Israel,” the pronoun “he” indicates “Naaman” or “the king of Aram.” But I think it could indicate the king of Israel as well. So I will interpret that phrase as follows: “My King, why did you tear your clothes? Why don’t you send to me your problem, Naaman, the leper? Why don’t you remember there is a prophet praying to God for the King and for Israel?”

During my meditation on today’s text last week, what Elisha delivered to the king of Israel got my special attention and made me agree that the word must be for President Obama and for all the leaders of this nation in a critical moment like this. It speaks, “Why are you so confused? Don’t you remember there are the people of prayer in this nation? Why don’t you share your worries with them? Why don’t you bring your concerns to God in prayer? Don’t you know God is your God?”

Nowadays whenever I see the President and the leaders of this country, they are always distressed in anxiety. I know there are so many disasters happening to put more stresses on them every day. There are thousands of problems that make them frustrated nowadays, but I will point out only a few:

First, it is the devastating and still unresolved gulf oil spill crisis. The oil spill has continuously spilled since April 20 in the Gulf of Mexico and already caused serious disasters to vast areas around the gulf. We cannot ignore the damages that fishermen, seafood workers, sea-creatures and birds in the Gulf of Mexico are going through now. According to energy analysts, the oil spill could ultimately push oil prices higher and drive the globe to another oil shock crisis. Therefore, BP and the Obama administration faced mounting complaints.

Second, it is the whole complexion of a long war in Afghanistan. The deadline that President Obama had promised to withdraw the American soldiers is approaching but there is no clear indication of the end of the war. So there is a great concern that the American army and the alliance could pull out their military, being defeated, from Afghanistan.

Third, it is the global economic crisis and the US jobless rate. The global economy hasn’t vividly improved so that the jobless rate of the US has hardly dropped. As a result, the amount of unemployment insurance to the unemployed has been climbing up, so now the reserved fund in the Labor Department is about to hit the bottom. To make things worse, getting emergency benefits dropped after Congress failed to act on extending the legislation recently.

Fourth, it is the anti-illegal immigration law and the administration’s likely lawsuit against it. Dealing with the 11 million illegal immigrants is not a new but on-going problem for this country. President Obama renewed his push for U.S. immigration reform on last Thursday, but his voice beat only the air. It seems that his reform policy on this issue has no chance to pass in Congress. Contrary to his wish, the anti-illegal immigration law is getting more support from the public. The Arizona’s and the Nebraska’s tough anti-illegal immigration laws proved it.

Because of so many hard issues, President Obama has lost his popularity and the approval rating from the public has significantly dropped. Therefore, there is a serious concern among the Democrats that they would hand the power back over to the Republicans in the following elections. If the Democrats lose the elections, President Obama will lose his political ally and face more difficulties in running the government.

Nowadays whenever I see the President on TV, he looks overstressed. I can understand why. Old problems are hardly resolved but new ones constantly are adding up, so he must be more and more frustrated and tired. As a result, he becomes intolerant and often expresses his frustration and anger to the political opponents. Just like the king of Israel in today’s text.

I know all the problems in this country are not solely of President Obama or of the leaders of this nation. They are ours. We all are responsible. Therefore, we better stop blaming others but kneel down before God for this nation. I really hope President Obama and all the people lower themselves before the Almighty and seek his help for peace and welfare of this nation and of the world. I hope that the President stops splitting this nation because of his political ideologies but urge the people of this nation to come together and pray to God with one heart. I am waiting that the President will issue a presidential declaration of a special day of prayer for the nation. I am waiting. I am waiting.

However, despite my prayer, it seems that he doesn’t see the value in seeking God’s special assistance regarding the current problematic issues. Former presidents have often called the nation to prayer when it was necessary. Actually in April of last year, President Obama declared, “We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation.” But whatever he said, the fact is that 62% of Americans still consider the country as a Christian nation.

This is what I pray: “God, help our President be humble to kneel down before you for the sake of this country and for the sake of all the people in this nation just as the Prophet Samuel was a long time ago!” When Samuel was in his office, he never forgot to pray during and after his regime: “As for me, I will certainly not sin against the LORD by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right.” (2 Sam 12:23. NLT)

I believe, if the President of America and his people come together in prayer, God is willing to deliver this nation from all sorts of troubles we face now.

Last, I will conclude today’s message by reading the prayer of King Solomon at the consecration service of the Jerusalem Temple:
If there is a famine in the land or a plague or crop disease or attacks of locusts or caterpillars, or if your people's enemies are in the land besieging their towns - whatever disaster or disease there is - and if your people Israel pray about their troubles, raising their hands toward this Temple, then hear from heaven where you live, and forgive. Give your people what their actions deserve, for you alone know each human heart. (2 Kings 8:37-39. NLT)

Open Your Ears to Non-Believers

2010-06-27T13:16:40-04:00

Open Your Ears to Non-Believers
Luke 9:51-56 (June 27, 2010)

As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. But the people of the village did not welcome him. When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went on to another village.

According to Mark 3:13-19, Jesus went up into a mountain and called to him whose he wanted. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.

These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. (vss 16-19. NIV)

You can see that Jesus gave the nickname, “Boanerges (sons of thunder),” to the two brothers-James and John. Their hot temper resembled thunder so he called them “sons of thunder.” Even today’s text proves they had a really bad temper. When the Samaritan villagers didn’t welcome Jesus, they got angry and suggested to him to bring fire down from heaven to destroy them. Of course, it was regretful for the Samaritans to reject Jesus who was the God-Sent-One and was respected by many. However, it was not necessary for the two brothers to command fire to come down from heaven and destroy them all.
During my meditation on today’s text and especially on the words of the two disciples, James and John, I thought I’ve often thrown the same curse to non-believers. Of course, I haven’t said it to them directly but I have it in my mind.

When we go to non-believers to share the Good News, they close their ears to our message and hurt our feelings. In fact, we don’t preach to them for ourselves but for themselves, but still they are not willing to heed us. In many cases they tend to mock us. When we give them evangelism flyers, they put it into trash can immediately in order to inflict humiliation upon us. When we are humiliated in such a way, we feel disgraced and get upset. And we want to pay back to them just as the sons of Zebedee did to the Samaritan villagers.

However, what we have to pay attention to is the reaction of Jesus to the two angry disciples of his. “But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village.” (vss 55, 56. NIV) First of all, Jesus turned himself about to them, looked upon them with a stern countenance, and harshly spoke to them. He reproved them for their intemperate zeal, anger, and desire of revenge.

The Korean Bible, NIV and many other translations don’t have but KJV and Webster and YLT have the following phrase in between verses 55 and 56: “and [he] said, ‘Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.’” This phrase means that the two disciples didn’t consider that the will of God was not to destroy sinners, but to give them space to repent, and that he might save them unto eternal life.

After having rebuked the two disciples, Jesus stopped going into that village but went to another village. He didn’t want to use violence or conflict to cross through Samaria.

Then what was the reason for the Samaritan villagers to reject Jesus? Was it because of the bad blood between the Samaritans and the Jews throughout history? It could be one reason. We know the animosity between the Samaritans and the Jews throughout their long history.

However, today’s text gives an important hint for the reason the Samaritans didn’t accept Jesus. [B]ut they did not receive him because his face was set toward Jerusalem” (53b). It is quite interesting, isn’t it? They rejected Jesus because he didn’t come to Samaria to stay with them but tried to cut his way to Jerusalem in order to arrive in Jerusalem for the Passover celebration on time. As you may know, Passover celebration was a big religious event for the Jews but not for the Samaritans. The Jews despised the Samaritans and didn’t allow them to join. Therefore, the Samaritans were not happy that Jesus intended to make his way through their city for someone’s festival.

What if the sons of Zebedee knew what the Samaritans had in their minds? What if they understood it, wouldn’t they have reacted to the Samaritans differently? If they knew it, they must have done their best to help the villagers to see the real intention of Jesus.

We need to give our ears to others. We Christians need to open our ears to non-believers more and more. But regretfully we don’t have patience to listen to the people outside but are in a hurry to judge them. We are busy judging especially those who have different faiths. We have to remember that once we were unbelievers. Therefore, we should not judge others for their unbelief or their other faiths but feel sorry for them not to hear the Good News yet or feel sorry for their unbelief after they have heard it.

Do you know outside people are throwing this question to us? “Why do Christians hate us so much?” Do you think it is nonsense? Of course, we want to claim we have never hated them, but that’s what they feel about us. Then some of us may say, “That’s their problem.” Hmm. You could be right. However, we have to realize we are not free from the responsibility for their misconception of us.

When John Shore was preparing his book (“I’m OK – You’re Not: The Message We’re Sending Nonbelievers and Why We Should Stop”), he posted a notice on Craigslist sites asking non-Christians to send him any short personal statement that they would like Christians to read. He got so many responses from non-Christians but I will introduce to you only a few from those responses.

"The main thing that baffles and angers me about Christians is how they can understand so little about human nature that when, in their fervor to convert another person, they tell that person (as they inevitably do, in one way or another), 'You're bad, and wrong, and evil,' they actually expect that person to agree with them. It pretty much guarantees that virtually the only people Christians can ever realistically hope to convert are those with tragically low self-esteem."-- E.S., Denver

"I feel that Christians have got it all wrong; it seems to me that they've created the very thing Jesus was against: Separatism."-- T. O., Denver

"Christians seem to have lost their focus on Jesus' core message: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and love your neighbor as you love yourself.'"-- R.M., Tacoma, WA

"I have no problem whatsoever with God or Jesus - only Christians. It's been my experience that most Christians are belligerent, disdainful and pushy." -- D.B., Atlanta
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-shore/listen-up-evangelicals-wh_b_491058.html

We know the believers in the Early Church were respected by the people outside and nicknamed “Christians” who looked like Christ.

But regretfully many of unchurched Americans consider us judgmental, hypocritical, anti-homosexual, too political, insensitive and boring. What bad images they have against us! Many of those outside of the church have no problem whatsoever with the Bible and God but they don’t like those who call themselves Christians. Why? The biggest reason for them to dislike us is the condemnation that we Christians throw upon them. Do you know what scripture verse is the most favorite for unchurched people to tell us? It is Matt. 7:1 – “Judge not, lest you be judged.”

As a matter of fact, we Christians are not narrow-minded. We are not those who always judge others. Our love is greater than those of any others. Our ears are always open to anyone. Our hearts are always open to everyone. Aren’t we? We respect anyone and accept everyone in the love of God and of Jesus. We don’t judge but forgive because we are not judged but loved and forgiven by God first. Don’t you think so?

Jesus told us, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Christianity is not a hate religion but a love religion. We have to sell this positive brand of us to the world. We have to help the people in the world to understand us in a proper manner. Then how? Most of all, we have to stop judging but heed the people outside. We have to listen to them, to their voices, to their anger and to their petitions to us. Why? If we do, in return, they will listen to us. Amen?

A Liar vs A True Prophet

2010-06-08T15:23:30-04:00

A Liar vs A True Prophet
Galatians 1:11-24 (June 6, 2010)

Today’s text gives a strong hint that the Apostle Paul was faced with dangerous challenges by some people who were called the Judaizers. They were Christians but sill rooted their faith into Judaism at the same time. The accusations that the Judaizers put Paul in trouble were: First of all, the apostolic legitimacy of Paul was in question. His apostleship was not approved by any authority but self-appointed. He was not sent by the apostolic church, Jerusalem Church. His gospel was different from that of the apostolic teachings. Simply put, he was a heresy to be expelled out of the church.

If I were faced with such accusations, how should I respond? If you were faced with those false lies, how should you respond? If we are put in such an unfortunate circumstance, it should cause a lot of pain to us. It is not pleasant to become an object of gossip. Definitely it hurts our feelings and pride.

Of course, Paul was not with Jesus when Jesus was delivering the Good News in Galilee and Judea. He was not among the twelve apostles whom Jesus chose from his followers. Rather Paul was the one who persecuted Jesus by arresting the believers of Jesus and putting them in prison. “You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion and how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.” (vss 13, 14. NLT)

But when he was on the way to arrest the Christians in Damascus and bring them to Jerusalem in chains, he met the Risen Lord who appointed him to be an apostle to the Gentiles.

For reference, “apostle” means “the one who is sent out.” In Hebrews 3:1, even Jesus was called the apostle. “Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.” (NIV) He was called the apostle because he was sent out by God to the world as the Messiah.

In this sense, Paul’s apostleship was legitimated because he was sent out to the Gentles by the Risen Lord himself. So Paul cried out this way: “But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.” (Gal. 1:15. NLT) He claimed his apostleship was granted not by men but by God the Father and Jesus the Risen Lord.

He didn’t seek the approval of his apostleship from the authorities in Jerusalem because he had no doubt that his apostleship was legitimated by God and Jesus Christ. Rather he wanted to stress his difference or independence from the Jerusalem authorities.

But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus. (vss 15-17. NLT)

According to Acts 9, after his conversion, Paul preached the Gospel in Damascus a few days, went up to Jerusalem and spent some days with the apostles and the disciples in Jerusalem to have fellowship and spread the Gospel together.

However, unlike the record of Luke in Acts 9, in today’s text (vss 15-17), Paul underscored he never went up to Jerusalem right after his conversion. If I were Paul, I would like to agree with the record of Luke in Acts 9 in order to use the fellowship account with the great apostles in Jerusalem as a means to justify my apostolic legitimacy.

However, Paul was different. Contrary to Luke’s account, he claimed that without any consultation with the Jerusalem authorities, he went to Arabia right after he had seen the Risen Lord on the way to Damascus. And after his return from Arabia, he didn’t go to Jerusalem but to Damascus again and then visited Jerusalem a few days. But still he didn’t agree that he met other apostles there except Peter and James. “Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother.” (vss. 18, 19. NLT)

He knew the record of Luke could benefit him to resolve the apostolic legitimacy issue. However, he didn’t want to resolve that matter in such a way. If God approved him as an apostle, if Jesus the Christ approved him as an apostle, that was all he needed. He didn’t need human approval or recognition. That is what we need to learn from Paul.

Another reason for Paul not to seek human approval was that he knew ① that the Gospel revealed to him was different from the Gospel given to the Jerusalem apostles, and ② that the targets he was sent to were different from those whom other apostles were called to. What I mean is that Paul was sent to the Gentiles but not to the Jews. Therefore, the Gospel he had to deliver to the Gentile world must be different from that the Jerusalem authorities delivered to Jerusalem and Judea. Of course, the fundamental teachings of the Gospel must be the same regardless who the targets are. However, the methods of its deliverance must be various and its emphasis must be different as well. Therefore, Paul who was sent to the Gentles didn’t have to have an approval from the church authorities in Jerusalem.

For your reference, here’s the attitude of Paul as an evangelist:

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (1 Cor. 9:19-23. NLT)

Now we live in a world of competing truths. Because of the freedom of religion, we can’t despise or interfere with the different truths in other religions. No longer can we claim, “Quran or Death!” or “Bible or Death!” We can’t intimidate other religious peoples to receive what we hold on to by using violence. What we can do is we have to root our faith deeper in the teaching of our religion and then respond to the different teachings of other religions. Meanwhile, we can’t ignore what we are commanded by our Master, “Be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) That is what we are called to. Then how can we be witnesses of Jesus and his Gospel to the people who live in a world of competing truths?

First of all, we should be convinced that the Gospel we received is based on divine authority and initiative. The Apostle Paul could overcome all kinds of false accusations with his unshakable confidence that the Gospel he held on to was revealed to him by God himself. Yes. Our Gospel doesn’t originate from human wisdom or myth. It is what God revealed to his prophets, what Jesus God’s Son completed and entrusted and what the Holy Spirit has guaranteed until now.

If you are not still confident of the Gospel, read the Bible over and over until you have the confidence. You can’t have the confidence unless you fully understand it. Therefore, open the Bible and read it every day. Do not read it here and there. Read it from the beginning to the end, and then repeat it over and over. Do your best to participate in the Bible studies so that you can increase your understanding of the Bible deeper and wider. Be more diligent to participate in prayer meetings or small group meetings. If you don’t have a heart for the Word, you can’t be confident of the truth; and if you are not confident of it, you can’t share it with others. Therefore, let the Gospel be clear to you before you share it with others!

Second, we have to be convinced that we are called to be witnesses of Jesus and his Gospel. If we are not convinced with our call, we can’t be faithful to it. How can we waste our time, talent and possession to the call, if we are not fully convinced with it, if our heart is not inspired? Regardless what his opponents said, Paul was confident of his apostleship to the Gentiles and his confidence made him fearlessly and powerfully open his mouth to all the people he met. Dear bothers and sisters, are you convinced that you are called to be a witness of Jesus and his Gospel? Are you? If you are, what are you doing now as a witness of Jesus?

Third, we should create our personal testimony that we can confidently share with others. Of course, we can say, “The Bible tells about salvation such and such way.” However, here’s a better way. If we share our personal testimony that contains the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ, it is much more persuasive to the audience. The Apostle Paul didn’t want to repeat the same message that other apostles had proclaimed in Jerusalem and Judea. He was not afraid of using his own intellect, thoughts and experiences in his preaching to the Gentiles. His influence has been so great until now. His many letters in the New Testament have been a guide for our spiritual journey.

Dear brothers and sisters, don’t get satisfied with what you hear from others. Don’t get satisfied to repeat what others have told you. We have to create our own testimony which can be a great tool to persuade those who live in a world of competing truths.

Lastly, share your personal testimony with others. Don’t ever say you will do it sooner or later. We have to do it right now. Go to the place where you can share your testimony: bible study, class meeting, prayer meeting, street evangelism, personal meeting with friends, business place and so on. Don’t close up your mouth but open it wide! If you open your mouth again and again, gradually you will be more natural and confident to share the Gospel with others. Amen?

Leaving for Our Good

2010-06-01T15:47:50-04:00

Leaving for Our Good
John 16:12-15 (May 30, 2010. Trinity Sunday & Memorial Sunday)

There is a military family who will leave us this week due to the job transfer to Florida. Since the member who will move out has been diligently serving in the Korean Praise Team, the Team offered a small farewell party for her last Sunday afternoon. While sharing goodies, a team member said, “I really wish she doesn’t go away but stays with us forever. . . .”

There was a firefight in Wanat, Afghanistan, on July 13, 2008 that took away the lives of nine American soldiers and caused more than two dozen soldiers wounded. Captain Jason Bogar was among those killed that day. He had a good habit to write a journal and in his journal he wrote the following a few days prior to his death.

21 June 2008

We took indirect fires two days in a row. It’s just a matter of time that the guy slips up and is killed. I just pray that no friendlys are hit before we kill him. . . . It’s a little village in between where I am now and [where] I was for the first 6 months. . . . There is also Icom chat from Taliban that they have built up fighting positions and are just waiting for us. I think that we will see some pretty heavy fighting while we are out there.

TO MY FAMILY

I feel my days are numbered so I want to say all this while I still can. I pray to god no-one will ever have to read this but as death is all around me if it falls upon me you will understand my recent feelings on this madness we call life.

My views and outlook on life seems to be drastically changing recently. As many of you saw before I left when I quit drinking, I was just starting to live my life. Never have I felt as strong as I do about what I am doing here in Afghanistan is the right thing to be doing and is understood and accepted by god. As a result of that death is easier to accept.

. . . . . .

Being back here in Afghanistan is exactly [where] I was supposed to be and where I wanted to be. I feel I’m doing more good over here than I was as an electrician. I knew exactly what I was doing when I re-enlisted Infantry I’m just sorry that you all have to suffer for it now.

For me to prepare myself to take life without hesitation has been a very difficult thing to do. To take away another woman’s son, husband, man’s son, brother has always bothered me but through my eyes is understood by my god and I am forgiven. For the man that took my life more than likely for all he has known his whole life he feels the exact same way I do when he killed me.

. . . . . .

Know that you all are the reason I am here and to give my life for that is nothing to me. My love for every-one of you is what drives me and brings me comfort under stressful situations.

Carise (The name of Bogar’s sister), let your child know of me and that even though I was never able to see he/she grow I love them more than they could imagine.

(http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/04/eveningnews/main5362370.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody)

By the way, when Captain Bogar was killed, he was 25.

As a matter of fact, no one would like to say goodbye to his or her loved one. It is not easy to send away the one who we’ve dearly loved. Therefore, all we want is to have them stay with us forever.

John 16, today’s text, mentions about what Jesus told his disciples at the night before his death. In his speech, he mentioned he would leave them soon. When the disciples heard the news from him, they didn’t know what to say. “But now I am going away to the One who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going.” (John 16:5. NLT) When we hear something really shocking, our lips just get closed up. Perhaps that’s the situation the disciples were in that night. Indeed, the disciples were greatly influenced by Jesus so that they couldn’t imagine a future without him. They couldn’t imagine it and they didn’t want to think of it. So when they heard about the shocking news from their Master, they didn’t know what to say but remained in a deadly silence.

Today is Trinity Sunday and Memorial Sunday as well. So it was not easy for me to prepare a sermon that could preach for two big occasions in a short period of time. However, with the inspiration from the Holy Spirit I could find a common lesson for these two Sundays and will share it with you this morning.

According to today’s text, when the disciples heard the shocking news from Jesus, no one would ask where he was going. Instead, all of them grieved because of what they’d heard from him (vs 6). Understanding the uneasy feeling of the disciples, Jesus told them the following: “But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.” (John 16:7, 8. NLT) Of course, “he,” mentioned in this passage, refers to the Holy Spirit. Jesus knew that, even though his sudden leaving would be sad and difficult for the disciples, it would be better for them eventually.

In order to comprehend the true meaning of Jesus’ words to the disciples, we better understand the nature of the Triune God working together for the salvation of humanity. In the last sermon, I introduced to you the concept of the Trinity: “Three Persons but One Substance.” Do you still remember what I shared with you last week? If you already forgot it, read it from the church website once more. (http://english.oliveumc.org/bd_sun/3290)

In the Bible, each person of the Triune God was assigned to work for a certain era. In the Old Testament, God the Father worked so hard to deliver his people; in the New Testament, God the Son preached the Good News of the Kingdom of God and completed the salvific work for all humanity at once on the Cross; and after the Ascension of Jesus Christ, God the Spirit with the disciples of Jesus is spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every corner on earth. It is just like the marathon relay contest: The first runner holding the baton runs at best and delivers it to the next runner.

In this sense, Jesus Christ who diligently preached about the Good News of the Kingdom of God, atoned for all sins of humanity on the Cross and came back to life after three days in the tomb had to release the baton (assignment) to the next runner who was the Holy Spirit. It was what the Triune God had already planned together. The work of the Redemption and Reconciliation was assigned to Jesus, but the spreading the Gospel of his work was to the Holy Spirit and to his disciples. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere - in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8. NLT); “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.” (John 16:13, 14. NLT)

Therefore, even though it caused pain to the disciples, Jesus had to leave them now. If he didn’t go away, the Holy Spirit couldn’t come. His personal tie with the disciples couldn’t afford to ruin the big picture of the Trinity. Moreover, he knew the disciples would be comforted as soon as the Spirit fell on them. “I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.” (John 16:20. NLT)

The Book of Acts well describes how the disciples were comforted, how gladly they rejoiced and how powerfully they spread the Gospel of their Master after the Holy Spirit had come upon them. They were no longer tied to their past memories with Jesus but devoted themselves to spreading the Good News throughout the world with the Holy Spirit. If you want to know more about the reaction of the disciples to their commission after the infilling by the Spirit, open the Book of Acts this week. If you read 4 chapters a day, you can finish the entire book in a week. I’d like to strongly recommend you to do it.

Obviously from time to time the disciples had remembered Jesus after his Ascension, but it was not for them to remain in the good memories with him but to get more meanings out of what he had told and showed them by the guidance of the Holy Spirit in order that they could share them with the people in a perusable way. “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” (John 16:13. NLT)

Today is Trinity Sunday and Memorial Sunday as well. Therefore, I will finish my message by sharing with you some significances of Memorial Sunday.

Tomorrow is Memorial Day. It is a day for remembering those who were important to us. Especially it is a day for remembering those who sacrificed their lives for us in in Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I & II, Korean War, Vietnamese War, and in the recent wars such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan Wars. Moreover, it will be a day for remembering those who lost their lives on duty to keep us from all kinds of terror and hazard.

However, we all also know it is not just a day for simply remembering their names. It is not just a day fasting and mourning for our losses, either. It is a day not only remembering their names but also remembering our vows and commitments to learning from their sacrifices and their pure ideologies. The English vocabulary, “remember,” is a perfect word to teach us what to do for this special day. “To remember means to re-member.” Therefore, when we think of those who lost their lives for us, we have to recall what they taught us through their own sacrifices and re-dedicate ourselves to their teachings in life at best.

No longer should we seek happiness and comfort for ourselves but for others. We will voluntarily give up our own happiness and comfort on behalf of others. We will stop hating or complaining but try to understand, love and reconcile with others and make a better world.

At the Last Supper, Jesus told his disciples, “There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:13, 14. NLT) We are not his friend for we are saying we love him. We are not his friend for we are still remembering the old days with him and cry. We are his friend for we are voluntarily sacrificing ourselves for him and for those whom he loves. In this sense, those who have given up their lives for us, for our independence, for our freedom and for the peace of the world, could be the true friends of his, don’t you think so?

Show Us the Holy Spirit!

2010-05-25T16:18:16-04:00

Show Us the Holy Spirit!
John 14:8-17 (May 23, 2010. Pentecost Sunday)

Today is Pentecost Sunday in which the Holy Spirit came down to the 120 people praying at the Upper Room of Mark and drove them out to the streets. The Disciples was greatly changed after his coming to them. They were no longer feared. Without fear, they met people on the streets and in the piazzas and preached to them what the Spirit asked them to speak in their own language and in other languages. So when the people who came from different places heard what the Disciples were speaking about in their own languages, they were completely amazed and said, “How can this be? Aren’t they all from Galilee?” The Apostles with the power of the Holy Spirit persuaded their audience. Actually when Peter preached, about three thousands of people received Jesus as their Savior and were baptized on that day. The Apostles continuously performed miraculous signs and wonders so that the people respected them in a deep sense of awe and fear.

Those who received the Word of God devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching and to fellowship and to sharing in meals. They met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. You can find this story from Acts 2.

As a matter of fact, if anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and attends church for a while, he won’t deny the existence of the Holy Spirit. However, even though he doesn’t deny his existence, it doesn’t prove he has a complete understanding of the Spirit.

The reason for us to have a difficulty to understand the Spirit could be due to the lack of record of the Holy Spirit in the Bible. Of course, I don’t mean the Apostles and the leaders of the Early Christian Church were short in understanding of the Holy Spirit. As a matter of fact, they knew him better than anyone else because they could learn about him through their own personal experiences with him every day. However, they didn’t pay attention to leave a lengthy writing about the Spirit. Why? It could be they were too busy. It could be they didn’t feel it was necessary for them to write down because it in those days they has a strong interaction with him.

For example, if you want to teach about an apple to a person who has never seen and tasted it before, how would you teach him about it? One good exercise is to bring an encyclopedia and open the page that describes about an apple just as follows:

The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rose family (Rosaceae) and is a perennial. It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are utilized by humans. The apple forms a tree that is small and deciduous, reaching 3 to 12 metres (9.8 to 39 ft) tall, with a broad, often densely twiggy crown. The leaves are alternately arranged simple ovals 5 to 12 cm long and 3–6 centimetres (1.2–2.4 in) broad on a 2 to 5 centimetres (0.79 to 2.0 in) petiole with an acute tip, serrated margin and a slightly downy underside. Blossoms are produced in spring simultaneously with the budding of the leaves. The flowers are white with a pink tinge that gradually fades, five petaled, and 2.5 to 3.5 centimetres (0.98 to 1.4 in) in diameter. The fruit matures in autumn, and is typically 5 to 9 centimetres (2.0 to 3.5 in) diameter. The center of the fruit contains five carpels arranged in a five-point star, each carpel containing one to three seeds. (Wikipedia Internet Dictionary)

However, a better way to teach is to show him an apple and let him taste it. I believe there is no other better way to teach him about an apple than this.

In this sense, the Apostles and the leaders of the Early Christian Church didn’t feel the need of a lengthy record of the Holy Spirit in detail. They could help the new believers to learn more about the Spirit just in the same way that they had experienced him every day of their lives.

However, the problem arose after they were gone. Since they didn’t leave detailed information about the Spirit, the next generations had different understandings of the Spirit based on their own experiences and traditions. Some believed in the existence of the Holy Spirit but believed him not as a God but as a mere assistant to God; some regarded him just as one of the angels from heaven.

When the Church was still in turmoil because of their various views of the Holy Spirit, Tertullian (so called “The Father of Latin Christianity,” 160-220 A.D) came out to speak and introduced to the Church the theological concept of the Trinity (Three Persons, One Substance). According to him, the Spirit was coordinated with the Father and the Son, and was joined with them in substance, coming from the Father through the Son in some way.

As I mentioned above, when the Apostles established the church with the Holy Spirit, they didn’t focus on the theological issues. Therefore, in the beginning, there were many new theological opinions being developed and disappeared every day. It means that many important theological understandings including the Trinity and Christology were not settled. As there were various views of the Holy Spirit, there were many views of Christ as well. Some respected only the human character of Jesus; some only the divine character of him. Arius and his followers claimed that Jesus was the most perfect of creations but was a mere creation of God the Father. So they claimed he was a lesser entity than the Father. Of course, the different theological views could create dangerous heresies in the church.

Therefore, under Emperor Constantine I, the First Council of the Church was held in Nicaea (now known as İznik, in modern-day Turkey) in 325 A.D. and we call it “The First Council of Nicaea.” For your reference, this was the first general council in the history of the Church since the Apostolic Council of Jerusalem, which had established the conditions upon which Gentiles could join the Church (Acts 15).

The First Council of Nicaea in which many representatives came from various places was the first effort to attain consensus in the church. The main focus in the Council was laid on settlement of the Christological issue of the relationship of Jesus to God the Father. And this Council agreed and proclaimed what it believed to be the teachings of the Apostles regarding who Christ is: that “Christ is the one true God in deity with the Father.”

By the way, the Creed that was found at the First Council of Nicaea was as follows:

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father [the only-begotten; that is, of the essence of the Father, God of God], Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; By whom all things were made [both in heaven and on earth]; Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down and was incarnate and was made man; He suffered, and the third day he rose again, ascended into heaven; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. And in the Holy Ghost. [But those who say: 'There was a time when he was not;' and 'He was not before he was made;' and 'He was made out of nothing,' or 'He is of another substance' or 'essence,' or 'The Son of God is created,' or 'changeable,' or 'alterable'—they are condemned by the holy catholic and apostolic Church.]

This Creed was more developed in Constantinople in 381 A.D. and, along with the Apostles’ Creed, it has been loved by the Church throughout the years and often used in the church worship. By the way, the updated Creed in Constantinople came up with more explanation of the Holy Spirit:

And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spake by the prophets.

In the Christianity history, unfortunately in many cases, those who have attempted to describe the Holy Spirit were misunderstood and condemned to be heretic.

As a matter of fact, the Holy Spirit is not an object or being for us to easily understand because he is a Spirit. Therefore, the early Eastern Orthodox teachers put it this way:

The 'face' of the Father is revealed by the Son; the 'face' of the Son is revealed by the Spirit.

When you read it, you have to be able to notice that there is no Person who reveals to us the 'face' of the Spirit.
But still we want to claim this way: “Show us the Holy Spirit! If you show us him, we will believe and will follow his direction.” Just as Philip insisted to Jesus in today’s text, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” (John 14:8)

In Antonie de Saint Exupery’s “The Little Prince,” the following story is recorded:

After some work with a colored pencil I succeeded in making my first drawing. My Drawing Number One. It looked like this:

I showed my masterpiece to the grown-ups, and asked them whether the drawing frightened them. But they answered: “Frighten? Why should anyone be frightened by a hat?”

My drawing was not a picture of a hat. It was a picture of a boa constrictor digesting an elephants. But since the grown-ups were not able to understand it, I made another drawing: I drew the inside of the boa constrictor, so that the grown-ups could see it clearly. They always need to have things explained. My Drawing Number Two looked like this:

As a matter of fact, children can believe without much explanation. They believe just as they hear. Are they too simple? Of course, they could be. However, once Jesus said this: “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.” (MT 18:3. NLT)

I have another good example telling us how simple the children can believe in the teaching they have.

There was a boy riding on his bike outside a church. The priest saw him and told him to come into the church and the boy said, “... But they’ll steal my bike.” The priest explained how the Holy Spirit would take care of it, so they went inside.

During the service, the priest showed the boy how to make the sign of the cross and told the boy to repeat it. So the boy repeated, “In the name of the Father, the Son. . . Amen.” The priest asked, “What about the Holy Spirit?” The boy replied, “He is outside taking care of my bike!”

(http://www.top20fun.com/funny_jokes/4976.html)

“Show us the Holy Ghost, then we will believe!” Anyway, I have to explain about the Holy Spirit to the grown-ups, then how? I wish I could say “This is the Holy Spirit!” by showing him to you, but unfortunately he is invisible and untouchable. Therefore, I have to find other ways to explain about him to convince you. If possible, it is better for me to speak to you with more explanations. To the grown-ups, the more is the better. However, because of the time limit, the examples (explanations) of the Holy Spirit that I will provide you will be very short and abstract.

The Bible tells

• The Holy Spirit is a living God.
• The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God.
• The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth.
• The Holy Spirit is the Comforter (Counselor).

The Bible speaks

• The Holy Spirit as water.
• The Holy Spirit as anointing.
• The Holy Spirit as fire.
• The Holy Spirit as cloud and light.
• The Holy Spirit as the dove.
• The Holy Spirit as wind.

The Bible tells

• The Holy Spirit convinces us both of our sinfulness of our actions.
• The Holy Spirit brings us to conversion.
• The Holy Spirit enables us to live the Christian life.
• The Holy Spirit mediates us to God and prays for us in trials.
• The Holy Spirit inspires us and helps us to understand the Scriptures.

According to the Bible, the Spirit of God was manifested in the Creation and still in our daily life journeys. By the way, the Holy Spirit is referred to in the Old Testament about 80 times and about 240 times in the New Testament.

Jesus promised to his disciples at the last supper, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16, 17. NIT)

Dear brothers and sisters, do you believe in the Holy Spirit? Do you know he is a living God? Do you believe he is with you and works in your life? Do you know his will that he wants you to join in the Great Commission that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is delivered to the ends of the world? If you know, what would you do? Will you work with him? Will you?

After He Was Lifted

2010-05-18T13:56:25-04:00

After He Was Lifted
Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:6-11 (May 16, 2010 Ascension Sunday)

After the resurrection, Jesus visited here and there to proclaim the Kingdom of God and finally summoned his disciples to Mt. Olive. He taught them the Scriptures that were written about the prophecies relating to the Messiah who would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. Moreover, he emphasized them to proclaim forgiveness of sins in the authority of his name to all the nations beginning in Jerusalem. And then he ascended into the sky while his followers were watching. After that moment Jesus was seen to the followers no longer. However, they still were staring at the sky where he disappeared.

I can understand why they kept watching the sky. They were buoyant with expectations before his ascension. They fluttered with a new future to build up with Jesus who conquered death and came back to life. “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” (Acts 1:6. NLT) But their dream was broken in pieces along with his departure for heaven. So they were staring at the sky with great disappointment. You can understand how difficult it is when hope gets ruined, can’t you? The disciples were greatly frustrated. At that moment two angels appeared among the disciples who were vacantly gazing at the sky and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (vs 11)

Of course, it is good that in life we look up to heaven. Heaven is the place where our Lord resides. It is the place where he is preparing a place for you and me. . . However, the real world where we belong and carry out our duties as Christians is the earth where we put our steps on.

One day Moses, who led the Israelites in the desert for 40 years, died in the land of Moab. When he died, God himself took care of burying Moses his faithful servant. So the Bible wrote about his burial as follows: “God buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth Peor. No one knows his burial site to this very day.” (Deut 34:6) Moses was 120 years old when he breathed his last breath on earth. However, his eyesight was still sharp. He could still walk with a spring in his step. He was still full of passion to take the Israelites to the Promised Land. However, his wish was not granted.

The Israelites lost their great leader, so they wept for him in the Plains of Moab thirty days. It seemed that the days of weeping and mourning for Moses continued because their sorrow for the loss was too deep. The empty space created by Moses’ death was too big. Therefore, they could do nothing except just sit down in the desert. They just wasted days by recalling their good days with Moses.

When the people of Israel were still looking back on the past, God spoke to Joshua, Moses’ assistant for 40 years: “Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I'm giving to the People of Israel. I’m giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on--just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River--all the Hittite country--and then west to the Great Sea. It’s all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I’ll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won’t leave you.” (Joshua 1:2-5) In summary it was what God said to Moses: “Joshua, as you know, my servant Moses is dead. Therefore, from today you shall stand up to lead my people to the Promised Land. I the Lord will be with you as I was with Moses.”

In fact, it was not Moses who led the Israelites in the desert for 40 years. Actually it was God himself. Moses was a mere messenger who delivered God’s directions to the Israelites. Therefore, practically their leader should be not Moses but God himself. But the Israelites gave their hearts to Moses, God’s messenger. They trusted in him more than in God. Therefore when Moses was dead, there was no the leader (the center) for the people in the desert.

Sometimes I see similar situations in today’s churches. When great pastors (or lay leaders) move to other ministry settings, the flock who trusted the leaders miss them so much. They don’t know how to settle down and they don’t know what to do next. Of course, I can understand their feelings and frustrations when they lose their great leaders. However, they shouldn’t plant their trust or faith in their leaders but only in Jesus Christ himself. Only God should be the leader (the center) for them.

The Israelites had to keep marching on to the Promised Land even though Moses was no longer with them. Even though Moses was not with them, God was with them. Even though Moses left them in the desert, God never left them alone. Therefore when God spoke to Joshua, he put a strong emphasis on this point, “In the same way I was with Moses, I’ll be with you. I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you.”

Before Jesus went to heaven, he shared the last supper with his disciples and said, “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” (LK 24:49. NLT); “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you what he promised. Remember, I have told you about this before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4, 5. LB) His point was that, after his departure to heaven, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, should come and stay with them and help them in carrying out their duties. Therefore, the disciples should come out of their affection to Jesus as soon as he goes to heaven. They shouldn’t be tied up with Jesus but prepare for a new beginning with the new leader, the Holy Spirit.

It is not a right attitude to be a slave to the past. It is not a right attitude to be tied up with the person(s) who was good (or bad) to them in the past. Nobody will walk the path we should walk in place of us. It is the path we should walk. Perhaps someone could have helped us during our journeys before, but it is up to us to take care of it now. Here is another thing that we need to remember: we don’t have to worry about how to walk the path because the Holy Spirit will stay with us and guide us in our spiritual journey.

Once a eunuch of great authority under the queen of Ethiopia (the treasurer of Ethiopia), went to Jerusalem to worship God. He came all the way from Ethiopia to Jerusalem for worship! On the way home, in his carriage he was reading one of the papyruses he bought in Jerusalem. The papyrus spoke about the prophecies by Isaiah. But it was not easy for him to understand when he read. The most difficult part to understand was that “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” (vss 32, 33)

He read the same paragraph over and over but couldn’t come up with a proper interpretation for it. In his agony he heard a stranger shouting to him from the outside, “Do you understand what you are reading?” To the stranger he gave an honest rely, “How can I, when there is no one to instruct me?” And he begged the stranger whose name was Philip to come up into his carriage and sit with him. From Philip he learned about the prophecy he was reading and finally understood it was about the suffering of Jesus Christ and he received Jesus as his Savior. As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch was baptized by Philip. As the baptism was done, suddenly Philip disappeared. He was taken away by the Holy Spirit.

Brothers and sisters, if you were the eunuch, how would you react to the sudden disappearance of Philip who helped you to understand God’s words and even baptized you? Would you not be embarrassed or upset? Would you not be seeking for Philip? Perhaps some of you would go back to Jerusalem to search for your good teacher. However, the eunuch didn’t behave like that. The Bible wrote, “The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing.” He was not sorry or disappointed but he was still full of joy. Wow! How? It was because he was not led by Philip any longer but by the Spirit.

The Ethiopian eunuch was not led by a man but by the Spirit. It gives us a very important lesson for our spiritual pilgrimage. We should not rely on the lead by a man but by the Spirit. Of course, some men or women can help us in our pilgrimage, but still we need to depend upon the guidance of the Spirit alone. The people who help (or helped) us are merely a tool of the Spirit.

Two angels appeared and asked Jesus’ followers who were still staring at the sky. “Why do you stand here looking into the sky?” And then what was their response to the advice of the angels? According to Acts 1:12-14, they walked back to Jerusalem and went to the upstairs room where they were staying. All the apostles (except Judas Iscariot) and other male and female followers including Mary the mother of Jesus and the brothers of Jesus were there. They were 120 people. They stayed together and constantly prayed together. Why? For what? They prayed for the Spirit, the promised gift from God. They definitely needed the Spirit in order to become Jesus’ witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judaea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Without the power from the Spirit they couldn’t fulfill their duty as a witness of Jesus.

When I studied today’s scripture for this sermon, I couldn’t find any hint that the disciples of Jesus were bound up by the past after they had heard from the two angels. They didn’t sit down to talk about the good days with their Master who performed great miracles, told them great stories and taught them by showing good examples. Rather they knelt down and prayed together. In prayer they were waiting for their new leader, the Holy Spirit. They stood up as soon as they received the Holy Spirit. They couldn’t remain inside any longer. Rather they walked out and met the people. They healed the sick on the street. They testified Jesus as the Savoir to the public and brought them to Jesus. Hallelujah!

I believe Jesus purposely left his disciples for a while. It means that he should come back. However none of us knows when he will return. Therefore, we must be prepared for his return and behave as his disciple at every moment of our lives. In this way he will be delighted with us when he comes back.

Yes. It is certain that Jesus will return. So when he returns, what would he say to you and me, if he finds we are still vacantly staring at the sky (recalling the past), if he finds we are still asking others to take care of our duties for us? Do you think he will praise us by saying, “Did you love me that much?” or “Did you long for me that much?” I don’t think so. Rather he will say to us like this-“Why are you still standing here watching the sky?”

What Jesus wants from us (his church) is that we are diligently carrying out our duty in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Dear brothers and sisters, let us not stay in the past any longer. Rather let us focus on the future and create it better with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will definitely guide us to a bright future if we go with him. Amen?

Woman Is Weak, but Mother Is Strong

2010-05-09T09:20:30-04:00

Woman Is Weak, but Mother Is Strong
Mark 7:24-30 (May 9, 2010. Mother’s Sunday)

One day Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre to rest. He didn’t want to be bothered by anyone, so he informed no one where he was staying. But a woman found out where he was resting, and she fell at his feet. She was a Gentile, born in Syrian Phoenicia, and had a daughter who was possessed by an evil spirit. So she begged him to cast out the demon from her daughter. Jesus told her, “First let the children eat all they want, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” But she answered, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Marveled at her answer, Jesus replied, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” And when she came home, she found her little girl lying quietly in bed, and the demon was already gone.

During my meditation on today’s text last week, I remembered what Shakespeare said, “Woman is weak, but mother is strong.” The Syrian Phoenician woman proves his saying is true. As a woman she was weak, but as a mother she was strong. As a woman she couldn’t come to Jesus, but as a mother she came and fell at his feet. As a woman she couldn’t tolerate Jesus’ malicious tongue that was so prejudiced against the Gentiles, but as a mother she was patient and continued begging for her daughter. Yes. Definitely mother is strong.

When I was preparing this sermon, I found a meaningful poem about mother’s love from the internet and its title is “Woman and Mother.”

Woman is weak, but mother is strong.
Woman is pretty once she is young, but mother is beautiful endlessly.
Woman shows off her beauty, but mother lets the children show up.
Woman’s heart sways by the smell of flower, but mother’s never even by the strong winds.
Woman loves a baby for he is cute, but mother likes him for she loves him.
Woman can’t do many things, but mother can do all.
Woman is happy for she is loved, but mother is happy for she loves.
Woman breaks up when she doesn’t like, but mother lowers herself to be one with the children.
There are many women, but there is only one mother.

When I read this poem, I found no word was wrong. As it speaks, woman and mother are not the same. In my view, mother is evolved from woman. What I mean is that, when a child is conceived, the mother (or motherhood) is born at the same time.

Woman invests a lot to her beauty. But when she gets pregnant, her focus is dramatically shifted from herself to the baby in the womb. She forgets all the hard effort of her fitness in the past but is concerned for the health of the baby in her the most. Of course, she doesn’t mind to give up the beauty of her body.

The woman who is introduced in today’s text definitely had her pride. However, she didn’t leave the place when she was humiliated by Jesus. She begged him even harder, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” What did she mean? I think what she meant was “Lord, I don’t mind being humiliated as a dog. However, even though I look like a dog in your sight, please grant some crumbs of Thy grace for my poor daughter.”

Sometimes I have thought, “Do the mothers really have pride in themselves?” Of course, I know women have pride in themselves. Actually their pride is so big. So mothers have their pride, too. However, mothers give up pride for the children’s benefits. They regard the benefits of their children prior to their own.

Mothers frequently say, “I will eat later,” “I am not hungry now.” Actually my wife often uses that kind of language. But do you truly believe they don’t eat because they are not hungry? They don’t eat at the same dining table for they worry the shortage of food for their children? Mothers eat the leftover after the children eat.

Let me give you another illustration. If there are five people in the house but there are only four pieces of pizza available, who will be the one not to touch the pizza? Of course, it will be the mother. And she will definitely say, “Today somehow I don’t feel to eat pizza, so you guys finish it.” But dear children, don’t get fooled by your mother! You better remember that, as much as you like pizza, so does your mother the same.

As I have observed my wife, I am frequently marveled at her ability to take care of all the housework by herself. As you know, housework is something that never ends: cleaning, meal, washing, children, and so on. It is not one person’s job. But the mother does all the work by herself. Nowadays many mothers work outside but still they hardly neglect the housework. So they make me come to this following conclusion: “Mothers must have a different watch from us.”

Milton Berle said, “If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?” Woman says “I can’t,” but mother says “I can do anything because I am a Mom.” If the traffic light doesn’t work at the busiest street because of power shortage, I believe the best traffic controllers will be any mom in the world. Through their daily housework, they are well trained to handle any given situations. They are “supermoms.”

There is a Jewish Proverb: “God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers.” I know it doesn’t sound correct theologically but at least we can understand its meaning.

Today is Mother’s Day. For all the hard works and all the sacrifices they have made for the children, I want to express my genuine thanks and gratitude to all the mothers who are sitting in this sanctuary and to all those who are outside and to all those who have already gone to God’s Kingdom. We can come to this place because you never give up but continuously encourage us and cheer us up when we are in trouble.

At the end, I will finish my word by quoting from Abraham Lincoln who said, “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.”

The Power of Ignorance

2010-05-06T10:09:12-04:00

The Power of Ignorance
Acts 11:1-10 (May 2, 2010)

About two weeks ago I stopped by the Barnes and Noble Bookstore at Kahala Mall. I didn’t’ go there to buy a book for myself but for one of our church members who wanted to buy an electronic book reader. As we went inside, we directly headed to the counter in which the device, so called “Nook,” was displayed. I grabbed a salesperson who was about to pass by and asked him to explain about the gadget for the lady whom I took with me. I was checking books but still overhearing what he explained to her. I was satisfied with his explanation to her. After he finished talking, the member asked him, “Can I buy foreign language books with this device?” When he was asked the question, the salesperson was perplexed for a moment. He replied that according to his short knowledge it must be hard now. So I interrupted their conversation by pulling out my Nook from my pocket and opening one of the Korean books that were stored in it. When he saw the Korean book on the device, he stared at it with great awe. He confessed that he bought a Nook but his wife was using it at home. So he hadn’t tried to read a book other than English books. Actually, it is very natural that the person who speaks only English doesn’t have to look for the possibility to read a foreign language book with the gadget. The salesperson’s name was James, one of the general managers at the store. After a few words of conversation, we became acquainted and he suggested to buy us coffee at the Starbuck’s Coffee Shop inside of the bookstore. Always the smell and taste of Starbuck’s coffee is so great to me, but for that day it was much greater because it was free. It was sweeter than honey.

When we came out of the coffee shop and were about to exit from the store, I found a couple, in 50-60s, was asking a female salesperson about Nook at the display counter. At the end, they questioned whether they could read foreign language books with the device. At that time, the salesperson answered, “I am so sorry, but you can’t.” So the couple got disappointed and left the place. When I saw them leaving with great disappointment, my heart was broken for them. Therefore, I ran to the saleswoman and told her “Yes. They can read foreign language books with this magnificent machine by showing her my Nook that was still displaying a Korean book. So the lady’s eyes became big.

After I came out of the bookstore, the following thought came to my head: “Ignorance (or lack of knowledge) could kill a man.” If the salesperson had better knowledge of the device, she could help the couple to buy it. If she knew more about it, she could help them to read more books with it. However, she failed to help them to have it but to rob them of the opportunity to read more books with the great tool.

For reference, it is my strong recommendation for you: For yourself get one of the electronic readers - Nook, Kindle, Sony Reader or others. If your sight is getting dimmer, definitely you better get one for you! It contains so many great options that help you to read more and better - such as font control, font size control, dictionary, bookmark, and so on. However, I shouldn’t miss to say that for reading there is no better tool than a paper book because you can still smell the paper and enjoy turning over its pages.

If you look at today’s text, you can see the Apostle Peter who is in trouble. The believers are poking a finger at him and harshly criticizing him. But for what? What could Peter possibly have done wrong to them to be in this miserable situation? On the other hand, why did the believers get so upset with him? Verse 13 explains it as follows: “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” “Uncircumcised men” indicates “gentiles.” Peter fell into trouble because he ate with gentiles a few days ago. The ones who brought it into question were the circumcised believers. They were those who considered their circumcision as a special symbol, privilege and right. If we have to explain it in the church concept, we can match it with baptism. Therefore, those who were baptized criticized Peter for eating with the non-baptized people.

It seems that those accusers made an issue out of nothing. However, indeed, it could have been an issue in those days. In that time, the church was in the beginning stage of development and her theology was still not settled yet. It means that those Christians could still root their faith in the old Jewish tradition and its theology. As you may know, according to the Jewish tradition and teachings, Jews were not allowed to sit and eat with gentiles; so then who was Peter? He was not a mere believer but the leader of the church. So according to the old Jewish viewpoint he deserved to be criticized. However, they must have forgotten their Master and Lord who had loved to eat with the sinners and tax collectors when he was with them. Don’t you think so?

Ignorance was the cause of the criticism that the circumcised believers threw at Peter. They pointed their fingers at him because of it. They condemned their leader because of their short knowledge. Ignorance has the power to kill a man. However, please remember that ignorance is not something that is inexcusable but something that should be cured. If it is not cured, it could cause a lot of disaster not only to us but also to others. Dear brothers, try to learn more and more. Never stop learning from daily Bible reading and Bible studies.

Actually circumcision (baptism) is not a guarantee for our salvation. In Romans 2:28, 29, the Apostle Paul says as follows:

A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God. (NIV)

He continues his saying in Romans 3:29, 30:

Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. (NIV)

Of course, we can’t say that circumcision is all useless. Indeed, there is a lot of benefits in it. The first and the most important is that the words of God were entrusted to those who were circumcised first.

What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. (Rom. 3:1, 2. NIV)

The lesson that today’s text offers to us is that if we don’t come to the true meaning of circumcision (baptism), our circumcision (baptism) could become a hinder to us. Because we are circumcised (baptized), we could become haughty and bluff out before the uncircumcised (unbaptized). This is the true meaning of circumcision (baptism): When we are circumcised (baptized), we swear to live according to the Word of God and spread it to the world through our full obedience to it.

If a man becomes arrogant, he becomes stiff-necked before God as well. How could it happen? In today’s text, Peter was praying and in a vision he saw something like a large sheet was coming down. In the sheet there were all sorts of small animals, wild animals, reptiles, and birds. And a voice was delivered to him, “Peter, get up; kill and eat them.” But he replied, “No, Lord, I haven’t eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure or unclean.” He expressed his opinion that he couldn’t obey God’s command. It could be understood in this way: “God, you have to respect all my hard effort to purify the body by avoiding all sorts of unclean things until now!” But God told him, “How dare you to say like that! Do not call something unclean if I have made it clean!” (Acts 11:9) This happened three times before the sheet was taken away. It indicates that the argument between Peter and God lasted for a while. Peter was so stubborn before God for he kept refusing God’s command over and over.

“The ripe wheat will bow its head more.” (A literal translation) It means that the wise become more humble. The more the wheat grows, the heavier it turns. Therefore, the wheat that is ripe naturally drops its head due to its weight. However, on the other hand, the wheat that doesn’t grow, never drops its head down because there is nothing inside. As a matter of fact, those who love to criticize others have hardly matured inside. They never know things completely, so they pretend to know everything by showing off and often times judge and condemn others by their own incomplete knowledge.

Ignorance makes a man arrogant and wounds others, but, on the other hand, true knowledge (understanding) helps him to be humble, generous and help others. In this sense, we, as Christians, should learn more and more. If we don’t, we could be stiff-necked people before God and judge and condemn others by our short knowledge.

Dear brothers and sisters, never try to disvalue the thoughts and understandings of others. If we are matured and if we are full of knowledge, we won’t insist on others but rather we will be willing to listen to them. Moreover, if we are matured and if we are full of understanding, we will be more humble before God. We will open our ears to him always. We will put our thought and knowledge under his Word. And we will be more courageous to change our own ways when he and his Word speak to us. Don’t you think so?

Dorcas, the Positive Self-Image Creator

2010-04-25T14:13:33-04:00

Dorcas, the Positive Self-Image Creator
Acts 9:36-43 (April 25, 2010)

The Scriptures doesn’t give us much information on Dorcas who is mentioned in today’s text. However, it is not too difficult for us to guess who she was and what kind of life she had. According to Acts 9:36-42, Dorcas (Dorcas in Greek, Tabitha in Aramaic) was a female disciple who lived in Joppa. She was a dressmaker, but she didn’t make dresses for herself but for the poor and the widows in her village. Simply put, she was the angel of Joppa, the incarnation of love. However, a disease, an unwelcomed guest, visited her one day and finally took her life. It was very unfortunate to all the villagers who knew her.

The news of her sickness and death spread throughout Joppa soon and broke the hearts of many people including the poor and the widows. Now they no longer were able to see their angel who used to make dresses for them. Those who benefited from her good deeds came to prepare a burial ritual for her after they had washed her body and had laid in an upstairs room.

Even though they had completed all the preparations for the burial, they couldn’t say “goodbye” to her. It was not easy for them to say it to the one whom they had dearly loved? Therefore, the disciples who had heard that the Apostle Peter was nearby at Lydda, immediately sent two men to him. They had a hope that, if the Apostle Peter prayed for the dead, God wouldn’t refuse his prayer.

On the other hand, Peter, who traveled from place to place, came down to visit the believers in the town of Lydda. After he had heard from the two men from Joppa, he left for the city with them immediately.

As soon as Peter arrived, all the people waiting for him in the house greeted him. And he was taken to the upstairs room. When he went up, many women followed him. Most of the women were widows and they were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them. It was a kind of silent demonstration to request that ‘You must help us have the wonderful lady back!’

Peter understood what they wanted to say. He asked them all to leave the room and knelt down to pray to God. During the prayer, he got an assurance from God and turned to the dead body and said, “Get up, Tabitha (Dorcas)!” And she opened her eyes and sat up after she saw Peter. Peter gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive. The wonderful news, of course, spread throughout the whole village, and many people believed in the Lord because of the miracle.

During the meditation on today’s text last week, I was so impressed by the life of Dorcas who was devoted to good works for the poor and the widows. All the people who used to know her had no difficulty to testify to who she was and to what life she lived when she was still with them. As a matter of fact, the coats and other clothes that Dorcas had made for them showed who she was and what she did for them. So the widows didn’t have to talk to Peter about Dorcas much but just showed him what they were wearing.

When I read this fact, I had to throw the following question to myself: “When I leave this world, what would people say about me and my life? Would they approve me as the one who was devoted to good works for them?” But one thing for sure is that they will approve me not by my good words but by my good deeds during my life.

And then I threw to myself the following question in continuance: “What if I got sick and died, how many people will feel sorry and cry for my sickness and death? When Dorcas was sick and died, so many people expressed their sorrow and wept for her sickness and death. . .”

Do you know about King Jehoram who had taken over the kingdom of his father, Jehoshaphat? He reigned in Jerusalem eight years, but he forsook God. He built high places in the mountains of Judah and caused the people of Jerusalem to give themselves to pagan gods and led Judah astray. After years, the Lord struck Jehoram with the severe intestinal disease that was incurable. He was sick for two years and his bowels came out at the end and he died in great pain. He became king at thirty-two years old and reigned in Jerusalem for eight years. However, the Bible describes the reaction of the people after his death as follows – “No one was sorry when he died.” (2 Chro. 21:20. NLT). He was dying in great pain, but no one among his own people felt sorry for his pain and death. His people made no fire for him like the fire for his fathers. How sad it was!

Unlike King Jehoram who possessed everything, Dorcas had a little. When King Jehoram was dead, no one felt sorry for his death, but when Dorcas was dead, so many wept for her death. What made the reactions of the people to their dead so different? It must be the influences of the deceased to the people when they were still alive.

People will remember us after we die not by what we used to possess or what rank we used to reach, but by what we used to offer to them with our possession and in rank. Then what approval would be for our lives by the people after we are gone? Maybe someone will say, “I don’t care what the people will think or say about me after I am gone.” But I care and God cares, too!

What we have to realize is that we are the ones who can help our people how to remember us and how to value our lives. Our effort to serve and to meet their needs will change their views of us and our lives. So I want all of us to be like Dorcas who successfully imprinted a good image of herself in the hearts of the villagers in Joppa through her good works for the poor and the widows.

Dear brothers and sisters, never and ever say, “I really wish to help others, but I cannot. I have no money. I have no good education. Most of all, I don’t have time.” Rather on the way home after this service, throw all those negative thoughts or excuses into the Wahiawa Lake. What we don’t have or what we are not given cannot be a good excuse for us to cover up the lack of our effort to serve others.

In fact, Dorcas didn’t help the poor and the widows for she had more than enough or more than others had. If you want to learn more about her, give a close look at the text and you will find the hidden story of her there.

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha who was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed [by them] and placed in an upstairs room. (vss 36, 37)

Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. (vs 39)

He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. (vs 41)

Don’t you see something unusual from these phrases? If Dorcas died because of disease, it means she didn’t die soon. Then her family should have stayed with her during the last days of her sickness. Her family should have taken care of washing the dead body. The family should have greeted Peter and should have led him upstairs where the deceased was laid. The family should have been the ones for Peter to call in after she came back to life. However, strangely enough, today’s text mentions no hint of her family at all. What does it mean? Don’t you think she must be a window, a widow who didn’t have any child as well? Do you think I am guessing wrong?

The sick person can understand other sick persons better than anyone. The poor can understand other poor people better than anyone. Dorcas! She became the mother for the poor and the friend of all the widows in Joppa. Why and how?

She refused to complain about her situation, rather she visited those who suffered in the same situation that she was in and comforted them. She refused to get overpowered by her situation, rather she became a friend of all who got disappointed of their given situations. Personally I believe most barriers or walls that ruin our lives are created by ourselves. As a matter of fact, nothing can stand in our way if we love ourselves and the given situation, too. If there is a difference between the common people and the leader, it must be their different views of the given situation. The common people see their difficult situation as “a problem” to complain, but the leader considers it not “a problem” but as “a situation” that is given to him and that he should handle it somehow.

Dear brothers and sisters, don’t yield yourselves to complains about the situation! Rather be thankful and make your best effort to find a way to please God in that given situation! “Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.” (1 Thess. 4:1. NIV) Let me repeat the same point once more! - “There is no barrier or wall in our way if we do our best to please God in any given situation.”

From my own careful observation, it is not always true that the healthy and the rich can give away more. Good deed is resulted from a good heart and an effort to share. Therefore, I will put it this way: The situation that makes us be able to share is not given but to find. If we wait for the perfect situation that can allow us to share, our waiting will last until we depart this world.

However, let us remember that Dorcas didn’t make dresses for the poor and the widows because of the strong support from a healthy family. She was not given such a good family but she still was able to serve the needy with her hands. What do we learn from her mere service? We have to try hard to find a way to serve others as well, don’t you think so? Even if our service looks small, please don’t mind! There is nothing small and big in service. True service is to meet the needs of the needy. If we give a piece of bread to the hungry, that is the best service that the hungry needs. If we offer a bottle of water to the thirsty, that is the best service that the thirsty needs.

“Dorcas.”Its name means “deer.” By the way, have you ever heard of the Dorcas Gazelle? The Dorcas Gazelle, also known as the Ariel Gazelle, is a small and pretty gazelle. The Dorcas Gazelle eat grass and live in semi-desert climates of Africa, Arabia and into Iran and northern India. But now about 35,000 - 40,000 exist in the wild. Well. I don’t know whether the name of the beautiful lady was taken from the name of the animals, or vice versa. However, one thing for sure is that the name becomes match to the good lady in the Bible and to the pretty animals in the wild.

When I think of “Dorcas” in the Bible and “the Dorcas Gazelle” in the wild, I have come up with the following thought: “What if we, all Christians, try our best to imprint a good image of us in the hearts of the people around us?” The believers at Antioch succeeded to create their own image in the hearts of their neighbors, and the image that they successfully crated was “Christians (the believers trying to imitate Christ).” So that image has been delivered to us who are following Christ in the present. In the same manner, we need to create our own image that describes who we are and what we are doing. But this positive self-image is not given by nature. It must be created by our continuous effort to do good work for the people around us. As a matter of fact, Jesus our Lord suggested to us a good image that we should go after and that was “the light and salt of the world.” We all know that we cannot have the image of the light and salt of the world without sacrifice and good deeds in the world. Brothers and sisters, therefore, let us stand up to do good work more and more and be able to show a positive image of ourselves to our community and in the world! Amen?