Category: Sermon

Psalm 65:9-13, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, and Romans 8:1-11;

 

Here is a person. His father was a pastor of the Protestant Church in Switzerland, and his maternal grandfather was a famous pastor and seminary professor. He established the concepts of complexes and the collective unconscious, and distinguished personalities into introverted and extroverted groups. His name is Carl Gustav Jung, the founder of analytical psychology. Although he grew up in a Christian environment, he understood God as a spiritual model that humans should follow. In which category of Jesus’ parables does he belong?

As a believer and minister, I observe various factors that influence the growth of faith, such as human psychology, emotions, and interpersonal relationships. Moreover, a person’s heart and emotions sometimes serve as a support for spiritual growth, and conversely, can become a stumbling block. Three months ago, when I returned from visiting my parents in Korea, my mother told me this episode. My home church was a church that started through church planting at the largest church in that town. When I was in elementary school, my family and about 10 other church members were seed members. In fact, after the senior pastor retired, the newly appointed pastor forced other clergy members to resign, and there were conflicts, both large and small, within the church. Our family, who never left the church even during wartime since my grandfather’s time, eventually started a new church. My father was a deacon at the time, and with the presbytery’s permission, he started a new church. Afterwards, the church grew to about 200 attendees. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the church’s founding, and my mother was upset since

new leaders erased my father’s dedicated history after he retired as an elder. They celebrated it by praising themselves.

I am sharing this message with you because more than 80% of my faith comes from my mother. She is very dedicated to church service and has strong social resilience. She also served as the leader of a women’s group. She is frequently asked to pray by church members because she is the one who prays the longest at the early morning prayer meeting every day. Even she, however, is shaken by small misunderstandings or mistakes that occur between people, and her life of faith spanning over 70 years is shaken. Of course, she is fine now.

Dear friends. How is your faith? Today, Jesus’ words explain a parable in the Gospel of Matthew that encompasses our lives and inner selves. There are four places where the seeds of the Gospel have been sown. These places are along the path, in rocky places, among thorns, and on good soil. Many people today listen to the Message about the kingdom. They have various tools to access it through radio, TV, and the internet.  We have a much more convenient and effective method than people 2,000 years ago. However, very unfortunately, the field of our hearts still requires continued effort to fertilize and create good soil. This is because the evil one constantly hinders the gospel from taking root and growing within us.

If I think about the time when my faith was purest, and I readily accepted the Gospel, it was when I was a teenager. I wandered the most during my adolescence and made many mistakes. So, there were many times when I repented even more and prayed with tears. That is why I accepted the Gospel with a pure heart at that time. Through nearly 10 years of theological studies and over 20 years of church ministry, my knowledge and maturity have grown. Still, in terms of spiritual growth, I remember my teenage years as the period of the most rapid growth.

However, my current heart is like a rocky place; I easily rejoice in the Gospel, yet I still stumble. Of course, you probably won’t notice. That is because I maintain a poker face. I merely reveal my weakness to God. I hold a pastoral philosophy that faith is something demonstrated through one’s life. However, when I look into myself, I often confirm that I am a very fragile being. When trouble or persecution comes, I stumble easily. That is me. So, I entrust myself to God more often. I pray and ask God for help. It is because I lack ability and the good soil of my heart.

Many people today live in an era of unparalleled abundance. Of course, facing financial difficulties is common. Just as there is an ancient inscription in the tomb of an Egyptian Pharaoh that reads, “Kids these days have no manners,” experiencing economic hardship has always existed, regardless of time or place. However, as I get older, my worries increase. As you can see, the reason my hair is gradually turning silver compared to two years ago is worldly worries. Modern people are living in the best environment to encounter the Gospel. However, paradoxically, in this most affluent and convenient era, there are not enough places for the Gospel to take root for them.

Therefore, you who have heard the word and understood should produce a hundred times as many crops. I hope that you all live as good soil and good trees. I hope you provide shade and fruit to someone. I hope that when someone sees you, they can smell the fragrance of positivity and the Gospel. This is because you are the Knox Church, and each one of you is an agent of Jesus Christ.

As the Apostle Paul said, you are in the realm of the Spirit. The Spirit of God lives in us. We have the Spirit of Christ. Therefore, beloved ones, let us live as Christians. Just as this single seed holds infinite potential, let us also live as seeds of the Gospel. Amen.

Psalm 145:8-14, Zechariah 9:9-12, and Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

 

The vacation season has officially begun. Having weathered the past winter and spring, summer is a time for us to find special rest and recharge. Actually, in Korea, where I grew up, summer is the hottest and most humid season, and it is a difficult time because rainfall and typhoons occur frequently. Conversely, in Canada, I often feel cool just by going into the shade. Although there are many mosquitoes these days, I find a sense of peace when sitting in a rocking chair and quietly gazing at the sky.

Jesus invites us to peace and rest. Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened.” Looking at the original biblical words for “weary” and “burdened,” they refer to a state of physical fatigue and emotional exhaustion. That is why Jesus went to find those who had lost courage and were in despair. Why were people at that time so exhausted? The reason was that they were burdened with heavy loads by others. One of them is the stress caused by the oppression of the Roman Empire. Another was the practices of the law enforced by the Pharisees and scribes.

Compared to today, the income of modern people has increased compared to 30 years ago. However, housing prices and living costs have risen much more than that. Therefore, we have entered an era where it is no longer very difficult to support a family or buy a house with the income of just one person. In North America, it is easy to find news that the percentage of people who consider themselves middle class has significantly decreased today. Of course, I think Canada is relatively better than the US. The important thing is the fact that many people are losing their jobs due to industrial automation and mechanization. Therefore, modern people are each experiencing various threats, both economically and existentially. One cannot imagine how much stress and tension this resulting psychological and physical burden places on so many people.

Jesus speaks to us again. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. I feel very grateful through these words of Jesus. When we meet someone, there are times when we feel a sense of stability just by being together. I left my hometown to live in a boarding school starting from high school. So, strangely enough, whenever I went back to my hometown, I would get very sleepy whenever I met my parents. Looking back now, I think it’s because I felt a sense of stability and peace by my parents’ side. However, Jesus promises us a peace that is deeper and wider than this.

However, the following statement is very paradoxical. “²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” How many people in the world would like a yoke? However, Jesus explains. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Jesus was the King of Kings. However, He laid down all that authority and came to this earth. Although He was the Son of God, He lived as a thoroughly suffering servant. He lived our lives exactly as they were for the salvation of us humans. He shared in the various worries and difficulties we face in life. Jesus also faced the various problems encountered in the life of faith. Because He fully understands our human problems and their causes, He provides appropriate solutions. That is precisely the invitation to bear the yoke of Jesus.

What is the easy and light yoke that Jesus spoke of? It is lighter than the 613 laws imposed on the people by Jewish religious leaders. It is easier than the heavy religious rituals and practices they made people observe. Therefore, the words of Jesus are a yoke based on God’s overflowing grace and love. Therefore, the burden that Jesus placed on humanity can be learned through Jesus. Jesus tells us about salvation and rest that go beyond our human abilities and deeds that we consider righteous. It means that humans do not open the door to salvation through their own works, but that God, in His sovereign power, calls us through Jesus. And it means that when we walk that path with faith, we enjoy the state of salvation through God’s grace. Therefore, let us silently follow the path of Jesus Christ, our King.

Finally, the Messiah prophesied by Zechariah was proven 500 years later by the coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus gave peace to Israel, a colonized people suffering from oppression, in a way different from their expectations. He bestowed grace and blessings different from their hopes. There are times when we feel that God’s timing is much further away and slower to be answered than we think, just like the prophets’ prophecies. So, even when my situation is so desperate, there are times when God’s presence feels distant. However, grace that surpasses our hopes and the peace of Jesus, who deeply understands our sorrows, will surely come. I hope this rest will be with you in your daily life forever. Amen.

Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18, and Matthew 10:40-42

I had a very busy week. Actually, rather than having many schedules, there were a lot of things to think about. The lectionary also invited me to cover very important and in-depth topics.

The first is death. Recently, gun-related accidents have been occurring all over the country. There have been incidents where a considerable number of police officers lost their lives for the sake of public safety. What particularly impressed me was that broadcasters live-streamed the funerals of these police officers. I recently watched parts of the Funeral for Toronto Police Constable Marc Pinizzotto on CTV. I feel that the culture of the entire society mourning together, including the funeral of Vancouver Police Officer Shaelyn Yang last year, is precious.

There are various ways to interpret and mourn death from a humanities perspective. Differences in religion can arise depending on the interpretation of continuity and discontinuity regarding life and death. There are psychological and philosophical approaches surrounding loss and healing. As seen in the collective memorial service for police officers mentioned earlier, there is a culture of sharing communal solidarity and memories. Here, the Bible and theology share diverse perspectives on death. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can confirm a connection to a world beyond the time on Earth where the body resides. Furthermore, today, as in the words of Genesis, we discover God, who uses even death as a tool to test our faith.

How can we understand God’s command to offer Abraham’s only son, Isaac, as a burnt offering to God? This is a completely different matter from asking someone to pluck the stars from the sky when dating. Honestly, if God were to ask me to sacrifice my son Sean’s life for God, I wouldn’t be able to do it. I simply expect and pray that the God I believe in will not demand such things from me, at least. Of course, God simply wanted to confirm Abraham’s obedience based on his faith. Abraham proved his faith through very fundamental and thorough obedience. God praised him as He saw that he did not withhold anything in the world from God. Abraham’s determination to return everything he has because it was given by God is very sincere. Even if God required my death, it would be difficult to obey, so the command to offer my children is very tough. However, God tests him so that many people may take Abraham as a model through him. Abraham’s attitude of placing no great value on anything before God challenges today’s Christians who fear God. The important thing is whether I, like Abraham, am choosing God first and above all other values.

Today, we will have Holy Communion shortly. What can we remember today through the death of Jesus? The fact is that even if it differs from my will, if God wills it, I must do God’s work. We can reflect on whether we have the faith to obey, even if we cannot understand all of God’s plans through our own reason, knowledge, and experience. Jesus also struggled. However, just like Jesus, who finally obeyed God’s will, and like Abraham, I want to walk this path of faith that transcends death with you today. This journey of faith is never easy. So, prayer is needed, and companions in faith are needed.

As one example, there were drug-addicted homeless people on the church lawn last Thursday. Glenn Allen was mowing the lawn and watering, but the homeless’ condition was not good. The Safe Harbour social division team arrived and attempted to handle the situation, but they were unable to do so. Unlike the typical case of fentanyl addiction, where physical signs are low, he ran around wildly here and there. He crossed the road across the middle school playground, and eventually, peace officers and even the RCMP were dispatched. As a result, the Safe Harbour team found him. It made me think a lot. It was a very pitiful situation, and at the same time, it was one in which the children at the daycare center and the middle school students could feel threatened. In addition, the young man under the influence of drugs was also at risk of being involved in a traffic accident. In addition, as part of our mission, we sometimes receive complaints, both large and small. For some, this can easily turn into criticism, with people asking, “How could the church do such a thing?” I actually receive a stipend for my ministry, but it deeply hurts my heart when church members who volunteer are criticized by others.

However, I thought about it the other way around. I think that such things can happen because of the high expectations for Christians and the high demands from society on the Knox congregation. The question, “Shouldn’t a church be like this?” is asked only when the church still has a reason to exist. People do not demand such expectations or high standards from churches that have stopped growing and are just waiting to close their doors. People are making requests of us because we are seen as a church with the capacity for a mission. I invite you to continue this precious ministry. Amen.

Jeremiah 20:7-13, Psalm 69:7-15 and Romans 6:1-11

 

On Father’s Day, I reflect on my father’s love and grace. The strong father I saw when I was young has disappeared, and he seems to be becoming increasingly frail, so I often feel sad. The memories of upsetting my father sometimes make me feel ashamed. They create regret for me. My father is as old as the age difference between my daughter and me. I can no longer see my father’s arms and shoulders, which were so strong. However, that love is now passed on to his grandchildren and me. I extend my deepest gratitude to all the fathers of this land.

Looking at Romans verse 4, we can see that Jesus Christ rose again in the glory of the Father. And through the resurrection that raises the dead, we also receive the gift of a new life—people who believe in this gain a new way of living and new values. Through the glorious life given by God, we know that the world of life has an overtime period after the regular period.

Since the 2010s, “Early Retirement Extreme” by Jacob Lund Fisker and Peter Adeney’s concept of early retirement through saving have caused a sensation. It was called the FIRE movement, taking the first letters of Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE). It is a new value system among the younger generation that emphasizes saving and investing toward early retirement. Of course, through this, I hope our young generation will make meaningful use of the wealth and time given to them. Humans need a longer-term perspective and values regarding such wealth and time. This is because, as we all know, we must prepare together to live in the world after death. You must prepare for life after retirement and the new world after death. It is the life in heaven that we have received as a gift through God’s love. Furthermore, it is a new dimension of space-time that includes resurrection.

In the past, we had no choice but to live immersed in this land’s values, like ordinary people. God saved us. The Creator sent Jesus to humans, who are prone to stumble because of sin. In a world rampant with sin, it is very challenging for us to live as righteous people on our own. This is because my surroundings are full of sin and temptation. These days, I maintain the lawn in my front yard and pull dandelions. However, there is a 170,000-sq-ft park across the road. There are countless dandelions there, and the city manages them. However, I cannot handle the countless tree, grass, and weed pollens that have been flying in over the past few weeks. Even if I keep pulling the weeds in my yard, I cannot keep up with the countless dandelion seeds. Likewise, even if we place several air purifiers inside our house, we are helpless if the air outside is bad.

Similarly, we are surrounded by sin. So, although it is impossible with our own efforts, God sent Jesus to us. Christ was crucified and died for sin, and we also died symbolically with Him. But He promised that we would rise again with Him. Through baptism, we have been united with Jesus. We are called to be new beings. All of this is thanks to the amazing love and grace of God the Father.

Next, through the Father’s love and glory, we can preach the gospel. The prophet Jeremiah warned against Judah’s unbelief. As a result, he suffered from numerous jealousies and criticisms. He prophesied the destruction of Judah and the suffering of his people. This is not an easy task. If the country falls, it breaks the prophet’s heart. Conversely, if they do not repent and the prophecy is not fulfilled, the prophet must endure the nation’s resentment and criticism. The prophet’s proclamation, in hopes of the repentance and salvation of the people of Israel, is like very bitter medicine. It is effective, but they do not prefer it. Every time he warned of judgment and disaster, he was driven even further into a corner. So he vows not to convey God’s warning on his behalf. However, he cannot suppress the passion for the Gospel that burns like fire in his heart.

Likewise, the Psalmist is slandered and suffers hardship because of the things he did with passion for God’s work. Nevertheless, he trusts in God’s great love and sure salvation.

Beloved, we are all united in Christ. Also, in any situation, we can preach the gospel. Why is that? It is because the power of the blood of the cross is within us. And it is because the amazing love and glory of God the Father flow in our blood. It is thanks to God’s great love that even an unworthy person like me can preach the gospel. If I can do it, you can do it too. There are now six months left in 2026. I hope that miracles will unfold in which we share this great gospel of love and grace with our friends and invite them to live such a life. Amen.

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.