Category: Sermon

Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 130, and John 11:1-45

 

It is the 5th Sunday in Lent. Lately, I have been meditating on life, death, faith, and grace. When I think about the life of Jesus, I see it as the way to save humanity. At the same time, it was a way to kill Jesus himself. It is truly ironic. It is difficult to understand giving up my own life for the sake of saving someone else’s life. However, through the grace of Jesus, we have become Christians, and we too are motivated to live an altruistic life like Jesus.

In the Book of Ezekiel, a vision of dry bones is described. When the power of Jehovah comes, God’s breath enters, flesh is formed, skin is covered, and life is created. What do you feel when you read Ezekiel chapter 37? It looks like a scene from a science fiction movie. But what if these things actually happened around us? What if, at Red Deer Cemetery, Mount Calvary Cemetery, and Alto Reste Cemetery, bones paired up, new flesh grew on them, spoke human language, and chased us? It is not Halloween right now. Actually, I am very scared.

In Korea, cemeteries are located on mountains quite far from residential areas. However, in North America and Europe, cemeteries are often seen located within cities or next to churches. There are such differences in a society’s culture and its members’ perceptions of death. The more some feel that the world after death is far away, the more death is a space some must keep away from. Consequently, they had to establish themselves somewhere far away. Cemeteries have become undesirable facilities. However, in Christianity, death is always with us. Ironically, we witness a cruel instrument of execution every Sunday. It is the cross. It made Jesus suffer terribly. It is the place where Jesus, whom we love so much, passed away. Jesus endured terrible suffering on the cross. What is the reason? It is precisely for us. It was for me. Jesus did that to save me. Jesus showed us death and resurrection. Therefore, we can witness the cross of suffering being transformed into the cross of glory.

There is another death besides Jesus. It is the death of Mary and her sister Martha’s brother, Lazarus. It is so desperate that these sisters plead with Jesus for Lazarus, whose condition has worsened severely. “Lord, please visit our home and heal our brother.” They know. They believe that Jesus has such power. However, unlike Jesus’ usual response, he does not immediately grant their request. Instead, he goes to meet Lazarus only after delaying for two more days. By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus was already dead.

It was an era when medical technology and treatment were inadequate. Therefore, to prevent the spread of diseases and external contamination after death, people at the time immediately placed the body in a tomb. Likewise, Lazarus has already spent four days in the tomb. Anyone can see that life has biologically ceased. Martha resented Jesus for arriving late. How upset she must have been, in truth? To be honest, I am also very upset these days. This is because I believe that God often calls our members to heaven. So, on the one hand, I also feel that I have lost my beloved members to God.

However, what I feel and believe is this: the fact that God’s embrace is more peaceful than our side. It is also to manifest the glory of God through the moment of the end of all these lives and the beginning of another life. Just as so much snow and rain were needed in winter for summer farming, we cannot experience heaven and eternal life without this condition of death. It is cruel, but true. While it is impossible for us, all of this is possible for God. It was proven in Ezekiel’s vision and confirmed through the proclamation of Jesus Christ. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. The author of the Gospel of John describes this scene very impressively, like a drama trailer. “I am the resurrection and the life.” It was done just as Jesus said. This also serves as a preview of Jesus’s future path. The power of God, who raised Lazarus from the dead, breathed life into countless bodies in the valley of dry bones. And the Creator raised Lazarus and raised Jesus.

Then how should we wait for the work of God’s power to take place? It is waiting with faith and expectation. As the watchman waited for the morning, he looked forward to the majestic light, safety, and the sense of liberation that would come with the shift change after the darkest and most solitary night shift. I served on night duty in the Presidential Security Service in Seoul for over a year, so I can deeply relate to the feelings of a watchman.

While working on the mountain behind the Blue House in pitch darkness, I worried that people or animals might break in. On the one hand, I was worried that an accident might occur because we were on duty carrying bullets. It is especially dark for 30 minutes before sunrise. This is a time when it is difficult for watchmen and soldiers to fight off drowsiness. It is the most dangerous time. So, I spent that time praying that there wouldn’t be any problems until morning. However, the author of the Psalms waits for God even more earnestly than a watchman waits for the morning. This is because the poet, facing a desperate situation, earnestly awaits God’s salvation and forgiveness. He implores God’s help and mercy.

I also pray for God’s work. Please let God stop the countless wars all over the world. Please have pity on the sacrifice of the children who died without reason. Comfort the hearts of those parents. Furthermore, may God visit all bereaved families facing sudden separation with hope, just as He did the sisters Mary and Martha. May the power of God, who opened the eyes of the blind and raised Lazarus from the dead, work in Your people. Also, please bless each and every member who is now in heaven, and breathe life into their bones.

Beloved, I hope that we all witness the glory of God in our daily lives, just as Jesus Christ said. And let us proclaim: “Just as dry bones come to life for the glory of God, dying souls will come to life.” I pray that God, who used Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago, will use us today as the breath of God, saving lives. Amen.

John 9:1-34, Psalm 23, and Ephesians 5:8-14

 

There is a book called “Courage To Be Disliked.” Japanese authors Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga wrote a reflection on modern humans based on the theories of psychologist Alfred Adler. The Courage to Be Disliked unfolds as a dialogue between a philosopher and a young man who, over the course of five enriching conversations, realizes that each of us is in control of our life’s direction, independent of past burdens and others’ expectations. Wise, empowering, and profoundly liberating, this book is a life-changing experience that shows you a path to lasting happiness and how to finally be the person you truly want to be.

I suddenly talked about Courage To Be Disliked. This is due to one agenda item and the decision-making process at the presbytery meeting held last Thursday evening. Since I came to the presbytery, it has not been common to go through the voting process on agenda items. However, this time the votes were split between one-third and two-thirds in favour and against. Actually, I held both opinions: the one I could agree with, and the one I opposed due to a lack of equity. However, I did not express my opinion on either side. On the other hand, since it was a Zoom meeting, I was able to confirm who was in favour and who was against. So, on the one hand, I thought deeply about why I didn’t actively express my opinion after the meeting. Of course, I sympathized with both sides, but I reflected on whether I was worried that expressing my stance might make someone uncomfortable. As I did so, I began to think that perhaps I lacked the courage to be disliked, as I had mentioned just moments ago.

Honestly, I wish I had never had to go through life being criticized by others. However, there are times when we unintentionally find ourselves in such a situation. In this respect, our Jesus is truly unrivalled. Even in John chapter 9, Jesus stands at the center of a controversy. He is not afraid of the criticism and attacks he receives from the Pharisees and other Jews. What was the reason they attacked Jesus? First, Jesus broke the law. The law is that people must not engage in productive activities on the Sabbath. Therefore, a doctor cannot heal a patient on the Sabbath. If Jesus had not come 2,000 years ago, we would not have been able to receive treatment if we went to a hospital emergency room on Saturday or Sunday. We understand very well that this is wrong. The reason we can easily distinguish right from wrong today is that we know our priorities. We know now that human life is far more precious to us than the Sabbath. However, for many Jews at that time, doctrine was a much stronger factor in their choice than life. However, at that time, Jesus had a clear priority. It was the salvation and life of the people. God wanted the people of Israel to understand Jesus’ intentions and teachings. Even the blind man’s mother could not tell the truth about her blind son regaining his sight, for fear of suffering disadvantages from the Jewish community she lived in. However, Jesus boldly shines His light on the blind man’s life as the light of the world.

Second, Jesus challenged their notion that disability is caused by sin and that the cause lies with the individual or their parents. Rather, Jesus uses people with disabilities as an opportunity and a tool to reveal God’s glory. I believe that there are hardly any modern people who think that having a disability is the result of religious sin. There are many diseases whose causes have not yet been discovered, even with advanced medical technology. It is a very cruel act to label minorities who are not cared for by the existing religious system as sinners. People with disabilities or patients are subjects of healing and care. Therefore, they need to receive even greater consideration and support. However, what would happen if we branded them as sinners? The basis for helping them disappears. A person who comes into contact with a sinner becomes an unclean sinner according to the purity laws. It creates the effect of pushing minorities further to the margins of society. However, Jesus acts differently from these Jewish leaders. Rather, Jesus makes disadvantaged people receive attention. The Lord raises minorities from the margin to the center. Today, the case of the blind person is like that. He was a being whom no one cared about. However, Jesus healed him. And he became a very famous figure in that village. This blind man does not fear even the threats of the Pharisees, who would expel him from the synagogue if he acknowledged Jesus as the Christ. He boldly proclaims that Jesus came from God.

Here, we can find about two things. The first is the fact that miracles instill courage. The Jews and the mother saw the same miracle. However, they could not confess Jesus as the Christ. However, the blind man, who was poor and had no choice but to beg, confesses and proclaims Jesus. Rather, he tells those who call Jesus a sinner not to insult the prophet. A person who had been begging without a job or possessions until just moments ago experienced a miracle of healing from Jesus. Then, his fear disappeared. He is reborn as a figure who boldly stands up even to the Pharisees, who were religiously learned and held power in the society of that time. He also resolved to live as a disciple of Jesus. It was the life of a disciple, in which persecution from the world awaited. However, he stands up with confidence and courage.

Next, here is the paradox of miracles. It is precisely the fact that the blind man saw what the Jews with normal eyes could not see. Some research shows that if one of a person’s senses weakens, another becomes stronger. Even though they have ears, the Pharisees cannot hear the blind man’s story. The blind man looked at the work of God being done through Jesus. He had deep insight into the fact that no one other than God could perform such a miracle.

All of this was made possible through the ministry of Jesus and the blind man’s sincere confession. Beloved, the Apostle Paul exhorted the believers in Ephesus. “⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”

A blind man, in darkness, saw the light in Jesus Christ and found the courage to live as a child of light. ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth. The confession of truthfulness and courage shown by the blind man exists within our faith as well. Why is that? This is because we all confess Jesus as the Christ. I hope that through this faith and this confession, we may become people who spend the miraculous daily life given by the Lord with gratitude. Amen.

Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95, and Romans 5:1-11

 

It is a time when thoughts of peace are desperately needed. Every time I hear world news, it keeps me from feeling at ease. I just pray that the wars end as soon as possible.

What are some things that disturb peace in modern life? Financial instability, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, concerns about parents or children, health, etc. If you look for them, there will be countless. On the contrary, I think about the elements that create peace: church members, prayer, God, sanctuary, home, food, and so on. When I think about it, I often find many reasons to be grateful.

In the story of Exodus, the Israelites, following Moses, complain because they have no water. When anyone is thirsty, it is easy to complain and lose peace. But God closely observes the thoughts of these Israelites. This is verse 7. “And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

They doubted God and tested the Creator. “Is the Lord among us or not?” Those who abide in God’s Word make different choices in times of discomfort. Those who trust in God are wary of letting discomfort turn into complaints. Everyone walked through the wilderness under the same conditions. It was not an easy journey for Moses, either. Of course, he did protest and complain to God in some cases, but fundamentally, he trusted God. He obeyed the command to strike the rock of Mount Horeb with his staff. It is strange to strike a rock with a stick, but it is not reasonable to say that water will come out of it. This is an unscientific expression.

Let’s imagine I was given a revelation that if I went out into the field and struck the ground with my staff, oil would come out. Do you believe this? You and I both think this is absolutely absurd.

However, Moses believed God’s word and experienced God’s grace and peace. The Creator gave him. Dear friends, how wonderful it would be if, like Moses, we too could hear God’s voice every time we pray. But we know this is difficult. So, we understand God’s will through the Bible and live by faith. When we read the book of Romans, we realize that Paul explains that we can find peace through Jesus Christ. By faith, we can receive grace and hope and enjoy the glory of God. When we hold this belief, we are justified. We have peace with God. Why is that? Because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

As Christians, we can sing of hope even in times of suffering. Even in times of crisis, we can seek God’s wisdom and hope for His plan to be fulfilled through us. Why is this so? Because the passionate and boundless love of Jesus Christ, who loved sinners so much that he gave himself up on the cross, is within us today. We have now received reconciliation through Jesus. I hope that during this Lenten season, we will enjoy reconciliation and peace and strive to live for them. Amen.

Genesis 12:1-4, Psalm 121, and John 3:1-17

 

When I was preparing my sermon, it was not easy to find a connection between today’s Lectionary and Lent. But as I meditated on the Word, two verses stood out to me: Genesis 3 and John 17. “³ I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” “¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Through you, through him. When Jehovah blessed Abram, the Creator said that through Abram all people on earth would be blessed. I wondered at first what connection these Bible verses might have with Lent. However, through John 3:17, I clearly understood its meaning. It means that salvation is a blessing. Just as God wanted to bless Abram, God wants to bless us through Jesus Christ. Through him we are saved. This is God’s plan from more than two thousand years ago. The plan to save humankind was thus thoroughly prepared and executed. And that plan continues to reach our neighbours and us today.

Jesus came to save humanity. He became a bridge between God and us. Now it’s our turn. Just as Abraham was the starting point for the salvation of humanity, it is our turn to begin our work.

Sometimes, the more members a church has, the more ideas and plans it has. And we discuss the direction the church should take. Through this process, the church matures, but at times it also experiences wounds and conflict. So, pastors say that each member of the congregation has their own ideal church. It’s already been a year and six months since I came to Red Deer. Some church members often tell me how much they love our church. Some people say it’s more harmonious than last year. Sometimes, new members or first-time visitors give us that evaluation. It is an expression of great joy and gratitude to me. Moreover, it makes me feel good that our church members seem to be receiving good reviews. Of course, I believe that there is no place in the world where there is no conflict. There is no church without conflict. In times of abundance, we must prepare for times of famine. Likewise, when many good things are happening in the church, we must prepare for bad things.

Even within families, there can be conflict. Personally, I braved the yellow warning due to snowfall on Thursday evening and took my kids to ice skating lessons. Normally, my wife would take my kids there, but I was worried, so I drove with them. On the way back from skating, my son complained that his mom hadn’t bought him Gatorade. I gave up my sermon preparation time to go there, but what I returned with was protests and conflict. At first, I was upset, but after an hour, peace returned to my home. Of course, there are many stories about our church that I don’t know about.

The important thing is that we must try to control all of these things in a harmonious way. God uses us just as we are. Even though we are lacking and weak, God calls us, Knox, and gives us strength to do God’s work. We, who have received various gifts, serve the church and society in the same way. Last Sunday, after the service, we had a pancake brunch where Sunday school children, elders, and many church members actively participated. Thanks to your cooperation, we raised over $500, which will be donated to the Red Deer Amethyst House. Although it’s a small step, we continue to seek additional support and discover mission tasks through the Mission Committee.

Among the doctrines of Christianity, there is the concept of sanctification. Sanctification refers to the process or act by which a believer’s religious life becomes holy. I think Lent is a good opportunity to reflect on this concept. It helps us break free from the tendency to be dominated by this world’s values. The values of this world keep us busy with our own affairs rather than God’s worldview. Sometimes it leads us away from God’s Word and from our fellow believers. But sanctification cleanses sinners from the corruption of sin and helps renew human nature in the image of God. It is both the process and the result. It is the ongoing and gracious work of the Holy Spirit that enables humans to do good deeds.

Humans have a constant desire to become more comfortable. As life becomes more difficult, people tend to think only of the benefit for themselves and their families. But when crises come to the world, Christians meditate on God’s plan. We need to think about God’s will and Jesus’ love. What does God want us to realize in this situation? How would Jesus act? We pray and meditate. So, even in moments when everyone has no choice but to think and decide selfishly, we constantly strive to make altruistic decisions. Why is that? Because there is the way of Christ. Because Jesus Christ lived that kind of life. Because He showed us the way and silently walked the way of the cross. So, as disciples, we too are walking that path today. From the mind that continues to think about earthly things and seek comfort, we choose heavenly things and discomfort. All this is possible when we are born of water and the Spirit, as in John 3:5. When we are born again by the Holy Spirit, we can enter the kingdom of God as new beings. When we live as people of the Holy Spirit, we can experience the kingdom of God on this earth. As Jesus told Nicodemus, if we believe in Him and follow Him completely, humanity will be able to see God through us. People will look at our lives and hope for salvation and eternal life. Let’s live as Christians this week, too. I deeply contemplate the weight of the word Christian and pray that the love and grace of Jesus, who gave His life for us, may fill your home. Amen.

Psalm 32, Matthew 4:1-11, and Romans 5:12-19

 

I have a friend who went to seminary with me and shared a dormitory and room with me for about five years. He is a pastor whom I quite like and trust. He is a very honest and family-oriented person. He started his student ministry earlier than his peers. Unlike the Presbyterian Church in Canada, the honorarium for student ministers in Korean churches varied from church to church. Relatively speaking, he served for a long time in a church with good benefits for pastors. But strangely enough, when I saw how he lived, I felt that he had been struggling financially for a long time. When I went to seminary, I could see why. His father had a huge debt at home due to business failures and car accidents. After that, his father was unable to find a high-income job.

The whole family had to work hard to pay off that debt. In modern society, people are pushed out due to financial debt or other factors. And it requires a desperate effort to restore status and honour. It was the same in ancient societies. Moreover, from a religious doctrinal perspective, the concept of original sin in theology, which uses Adam’s sin as its rhetoric, is perplexing to modern people. Just as a family was ruined by a father’s mistake and paid a great price to recover, the doctrine that humanity suffered because of Adam’s sin is both understandable and difficult to grasp. I’ve often met people who questioned whether Adam’s blood and sin truly reside within them. But one thing I can easily understand is that all humans are easily tempted. So, it is easy to sin. When we hear news about various social issues these days, we often hear about brutal crimes we’ve never experienced before.

Especially when it comes to scams, we very commonly receive such calls or emails. Some people use people from certain countries or races to deceive their acquaintances, and even go so far as to traffic in them. Sometimes, some people start unjust wars and take the lives of countless young people. When I see the pervasiveness of this sin, I empirically believe that the doctrine of original sin in humanity is valid.

In Romans, Paul explains Adam’s sin and Adam’s responsibility for all humankind. In particular, it makes a statement about original sin, that sin entered the world through one man, Adam. It also claims that the nature and resulting punishment were passed on to all humanity, and that death came to all people. That is, Adam, the ancestor of humankind, is considered the first person to sin and the source of sin. Because of this, human beings groan under the power of sin and death.

At this point, we can understand it through the diplomatic ambassadors or trade representatives of each country in modern society, who represent their respective countries and engage in talks. They enter into contracts on behalf of countries and companies. But the consequences and impacts of this apply to both citizens and companies in each country. The principles of these contracts still apply today.

In the case of Adam, he made a covenant with God. On behalf of humanity, he made a promise through the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It is a covenant that if he keeps this well, he and his descendants will enjoy eternal life and blessings. But when this is not done, all humanity united with him will be punished with sin and death. Therefore, the concept of death, the end of human life, which was not part of God’s plan of creation, came into the world. The death reigned from the time of Adam to now.

But the good news is that God, by the same principle, established Jesus Christ as the new representative of humanity. God has given us the gift of life in place of death through Jesus. So, we can confess Jesus as the Saviour of humankind. Christ is the gift of my life. This is not a reward for my righteous deeds. It is simply a gift by the grace of Jesus.

Beloved, this is Lent, a day to remember the suffering, great love, and grace of Jesus Christ. I hope that this Lent will be one in which we overcome the temptation of sin and the power of death, just as Jesus overcame temptations in the wilderness. Through the obedience of Jesus, the many are created righteous. In this way, we too may discern and obey God’s will and plan, live like Jesus, and enjoy His gifts. Amen.