Author: knoxchurchreddeer

Genesis 18:1-15, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19, and Matthew 10:9-23

 

The title of today’s message is what God said when He visited Abraham in human form. As we know well, God promised Abraham a son. In that process, God speaks. “I will return to you at the appointed time next year.” How would Abraham feel upon hearing these words of the Lord? Sarah was afraid. Abraham’s heart was probably no different. If God were to visit us at this very moment and say the same words, how should we respond?

Living with a constant awareness of God brings a joyful and grateful heart. There, we find peace and comfort. We also experience grace and mercy and gain the strength to live through a new week. However, at the same time, we know that the God experienced by ancient Israel was a god of war who also showed favouritism toward the Israelite people. Therefore, some Christians and theologians view the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament differently. Some pastors choose sermon texts from the New Testament only rather than the Old Testament.

However, if we erase shameful acts, wrongs, and sins from our history, there will be no lessons to learn. Rather, it would be wise to learn from past mistakes and strive not to repeat them. Likewise, the reason the Bible records the numerous wrongdoings of the people, as well as the disciples’ betrayals and mistakes, lies precisely here. This is because we can make mistakes just like them. Likewise, we can see that the understanding of God gradually became more diverse and broader, beginning with the early records of the Old Testament, where He was depicted solely as the God of the Israelite people. We can meet God, who is overflowing with love. At the same time, we remember the fearsome God who is sometimes strict regarding sin and idolatry. Therefore, we too can meet the God whom Abraham met, and the Creator gives us a heart of reverence.

What was the reason Abraham received the promise of children? The first is Abraham’s patience and steadfast faith. Abraham met God at the age of 75 and obeyed the command to leave his hometown. God encouraged him, who had been childless until then, by promising to make him the father of a great nation. So he left with Sarah and his nephew Lot. His power grew, and he became an influential figure in the region, with over 300 soldiers in his household. However, even though 25 years had passed since he left his hometown, he had neither a nation nor even children. I find it very painful to even wait for the end of the Iran-USA war, which has been going on for over 100 days. However, what about Abraham’s patience in having to spend 25 years relying on God’s promise? If I were him, I could not do that. My faith would have weakened, and I would have been disappointed. However, Abraham waited for God without wavering. He waited at the entrance of the tent, lest he fail to recognize God who would visit him again at any time. He must have believed that God would surely come again before he died. Over the past 25 years, spending more than 9,000 days and nights, he was anxious, feeling various emotions such as anticipation, expectation, and disappointment, wondering when God would come to him again. But finally, he met God again through patience and faith.

Secondly, he received God’s gift through humble service. Even today, travelling a long distance in the ancient Near East remains a life-threatening act. It is a time when transportation is not convenient. It is also a time when neither rest areas nor villages, nor maps or roads, are functioning smoothly. At that time, a stranger passing by can be perceived as a threat to someone. Conversely, if you regard a traveller as your precious guest, it is also an act of bestowing great grace. Abraham was a wealthy man in the region and a powerful figure who commanded an army. It is safe to say that he is the representative of the small village. Such a man humbles himself by calling himself a servant and shows kindness to the pilgrims before him. I presume that this act was not merely a one-time occurrence but has been consistently performed for the past 25 years. I think that otherwise, it would have been difficult for Sarah and the servants to entertain guests so naturally. Therefore, through this generosity, Abraham confirmed God’s gift to him.

Beloved, I want us to emulate Abraham’s patience, service, and generosity. The service of love that transcends decades of waiting gives insight to my heart. Although I find it difficult to practice such giving and service, I hope that we will try every day and become people who welcome guests visiting our church and this community. I pray that the blessing of Abraham, who received a miraculous gift from God through such loving patience and labour, will also take place in your lives. Amen.

Psalm 50:7-15, Hosea 5:15-6.6, and Romans 4:13-25

 

The prophet Hosea was active in the Northern Kingdom of Israel in the 8th century BC. He had the nickname “Prophet of Love.” He was active until 722 BC, when Northern Israel was destroyed. The time when a prophet is actively working is, in fact, a negative expression. This is because the prophet’s diligent proclamation of God’s word and warning to the citizens signify that the times were corrupt. At that time, Northern Israel was ruled by Jeroboam II. It was politically and economically more stable than Southern Judah. However, paradoxically, they were arrogant due to their economic wealth. They distanced themselves from God and overestimated their military power. Instead of serving God, they were intoxicated by worldly comforts. This shows just how dangerous the idea that one can be perfectly happy without God is. Hosea was called in this era and left this book of prophecy to warn the people of Northern Israel and Southern Judah.

When we look at Hosea as an individual, we can see that he is a truly pitiful person. Although he came from a family of prophets, he ultimately failed to prevent the nation’s destruction. The wife betrays him and keeps looking for another man. He had to obey God’s command to forgive his wife, who was constantly having an affair. It is hard to imagine how painful this is. In fact, this is because when we suffer deep wounds and fall into hardship, they often come from the people we usually trust and are closest to us. However, Hosea forgives his wife who abandoned her husband and turned her back on the family. This is because God wanted Hosea to demonstrate God’s mercy and promise through these actions.

Of course, the prophet Amos, who was active about 40 years before him, attempted to bring about change in the corrupt society of Northern Israel. He sought a society where God’s justice is realized. On the other hand, Hosea focused on individual faith and spiritual transformation from idolatry. So, as stated in verse 1, he exhorted the people. “Come, let us return to the Lord.”

Beloved, what is the foundation of your faith? Some people think it is knowledge of the Bible. Some people might think of it as God’s great and wide love. Others might call it a prayer life. Some people might say that church members are the foundation of faith. All of these are correct. Considering the situation in Northern Israel at the time, the prophet Hosea believed that knowing God was important. Even if patients have the same disease, doctors prescribe different treatments depending on the symptoms. Likewise, Hosea thought that what the audience at the time needed was to know God’s character and the promise of salvation. The prophet encouraged the people to trust in the expectation and promise that, even if we are currently undergoing trials for our great wrongdoings, God will not abandon us. So it was so extreme that he even argued strongly that God desires mercy rather than sacrifice. In this way, God desires mercy and acknowledgment of God from us.

Most Korean men are very afraid of their partners asking, “Is there anything different about me?” when dating. A perceptive person might notice that their girlfriend has been to the hair salon or changed her makeup. However, I am not a person with great talent here. The questioner’s intention is clear: they want me to take more interest in them. In the Book of Exodus, God is portrayed as jealous. God is jealous, telling us to focus on God instead of other idols and false gods. The Creator sends a prophet to warn us to look only at God, focus on God, take more interest in God, and strive to know God. This request from God is still valid today. The point is that we must trust in God’s mercy and strive to know God more. I hope that we will adjust our priorities so that God becomes the most important part of our lives and focus more on Him.

Finally, God requires even stronger faith from us. We can understand this through the Apostle Paul’s expression regarding Abraham. Abraham’s pure faith made him the heir of the world and the father of faith. Even at that time when he was biologically unable to have children, he trusted in God’s promise. He was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God. God looked upon him as righteous because of his confident actions. It means that righteousness was obtained through firm trust in God. And this is the same invitation not only to the members in the Roman region reading Paul’s letter, but also to us today. God looks upon us as righteous because we believe that Jesus has risen.

I hope that we all become people who trust in God and abide in His grace, just like Abraham, Paul, and Jesus, who were good models. Therefore, I pray that you give glory to God and share that love with your neighbours. Amen.