Tag: Rev. Jaebok Gu

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.

Exodus 24:12-18, Psalm 99, and Matthew 17:1-9

 

Jesus went up the mountain with his disciples. Scholars are also unsure whether it is Mount Tabor, 588 meters high, or Mount Hermon, 2,814 meters high. However, when we compare Luke 9, which parallels Matthew, we see that the emphasis is on prayer rather than the mountain’s location. Jesus went up on the mountain to pray. He planned to take his disciples with him and train them in prayer. In verse 2, the word “transfigured” is the biblical word “metamorphote”, meaning a change in both external appearance and internal nature. Based on this, we can understand that Jesus, the sinless Son of God at that time, transcended his human body, and his divine glory was revealed outwardly. In this regard, I would like to discuss the image of God’s glory that we Christians possess.

When God created humans, we know that they were created in the image of the Creator. However, as humankind lived, they sinned due to various desires and lost their responsibilities, roles, and status as children of God. But God has repeatedly forgiven them and given them constant opportunities to return. And as a final and complete solution, God offered reconciliation and forgiveness through Jesus for humanity’s sins. Through the love and forgiveness on the cross, we can be restored to a glorious life as children of God, not as sinners. Yet many Christians in this age live forgetting the glorious nature within us.

When modern people think of the church, what comes to mind first? Some may raise the issue of the church’s decline; others, the issue of trust. There are people who look at the church with negative and worried eyes. Some people also criticize the church for being authoritarian. As a pastor, I feel sorry and responsible for all these negative thoughts. I believe that the church is being criticized by the world because my life as a pastor has not been an example to the world. All of us, as the church itself, must reveal God’s glory to the world. We must show a different way of life as stewards who lead the world and preserve creation. I like to call it Transfigured Life.

Jesus showed his disciples this glorious appearance and revealed his divinity as a child of God. We, too, as children of God, must reveal our role and status in the world. Just as Jesus called us last week to be the salt and light of the world, we must respond by living a distinct and holy life.

We can identify another model for this holy life: the way of Moses. God gave Moses important instructions on how humanity should live: the Ten Commandments. For this purpose, God called him to Mount Sinai. Moses stayed there with God for forty days, dwelling in holiness and glory. The number 40 is very special in the Bible. The time that Noah’s flood lasted was 40 days, and the time it took for the flood to subside was also 40 days (Genesis 7:12, 8:6). It took the prophet Elijah 40 days and 40 nights to reach Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8). The period of Jesus’ fast was also 40 days. In this way, the number 40 in the Bible represents a period of trials and hardships, a time for me to change as I wait for God’s will. Starting this week, on Ash Wednesday, we will spend Lent. These 40 days are a time for us to be transformed through piety. It is a time to meditate on God’s will and plan being realized in my life. So, it is time to prepare for a new life and a new history.

We, believers, have a unique worldview called resurrection and believe in the kingdom of God called heaven. This is what Jesus taught us. We are invited to a new life by Him. As we approach Lent, let us advance toward the cloud of God with bold faith and pious resolve. I hope that we, like Moses, Elijah, and the disciples of Jesus, will experience that holiness. May you, through that grace, invite others to a transfigured life. Amen.

Psalm 112:1-10, Matthew 5:13-20, and 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

 

Last Sunday, in my sermon, I shared my thoughts on missions and the life of a believer. Among them, we face the question of how to manage the various material debts and donation needs that arise in our lives. While common sense would be to pay off debt first, we Christians said we would do missionary work and make offerings despite being in debt. Here, I might ask a question: If the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God are different, what is their true nature?

The words of 1 Corinthians 2 suggest several things to us. The Apostle Paul says that God’s wisdom helps us understand God’s will and plan. When a person has the wisdom of God, they can understand the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. The plan to send the Son of God to save humankind and have him die as a sacrifice on the most humiliating cross is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. Therefore, believers need God’s wisdom.

This wisdom of God can be obtained through the Holy Spirit. They are spiritually mature believers. When people are babies, they drink their mother’s milk, and as they grow up, they drink milk and other drinks. Later, they eat bread, vegetables, fruit, and meat. As they grow, they eat the nutrients their body needs at the right time. Just as the plants and animals of the world grow, so too do people with faith grow. And they have to keep growing. Anyone who has attended church since infancy, as a student, or as an adult, should become a more mature believer than when they first came to faith. Their roles can shift from novice recipient of grace to dedicated servant and steward. Of course, we are all still thirsty children before God’s grace. However, the Apostle Paul emphasizes in his letter to the Corinthians that there were spiritually immature people in the first century. They were sometimes swept up in heresy, including the Gnostics. Some people did not understand Jesus’ ministry on the cross. Why do they have these limitations? Because they did not fully rely on the Holy Spirit.

This is verse 10. “These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” It is a fact that the world’s wisdom cannot understand, but the Holy Spirit enables humans to do so. There was a problem that the Corinthians had at that time. They were gifted with an overflowing gift. However, those who were supposed to serve the church and the world with these things were in conflict within the church. They were busy arguing and splitting up along the lines of their preferred leader. So, Paul judged them to have received grace and gifts and possessed faith, but he believed they had not yet acquired the wisdom to understand the gospel of the cross. Furthermore, he concluded that Jesus’ love on the cross was not practiced throughout their lives. So, he asked those who could not believe in Jesus to rely on the Holy Spirit to be saved and live transformed lives. It is to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, not the way of life and strength they have relied on until now. Therefore, we believers must always seek the Holy Spirit’s help when facing any issue. Just as you invited me in the summer of 2024, despite the many limitations, we must pray at every crucial moment of choice. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of God, we must move forward step by step.

Paul asks: “Who has known the mind of the Lord to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. Some scholars believe that Paul’s question expresses his reception of the Holy Spirit. However, I interpret this part literally to mean that we can receive the Holy Spirit when we have the mind of Jesus Christ. When I understand the mind of Christ, I can repent. Since I was in elementary school, I attended an early-morning prayer gathering with my mother every Sunday. Typically, most Korean churches install a large cross on the wall behind the pulpit with blue or red lights illuminating it. After the pastor’s sermon and hymns, all the lights in the sanctuary are turned off, and only the blue light of the cross is dimly visible. My mother prayed with her eyes closed, and one time, I was tearful when I looked at the cross. I remember meditating on the death of Jesus and crying a lot while confessing my faults and sins. It is difficult to understand or explain that time rationally. It wasn’t hard for me to imagine Jesus, who loved me so much that he climbed Golgotha for me. That touched my heart so deeply. In this regard, I understand the Apostle Paul’s words. “We have the mind of Christ.” I can confess too. I have the mind of Christ. And you have it, too.

Dear friends, the Apostle Paul urged the Corinthians, who had received abundant grace and gifts, to live a mature life of faith. In the Gospel of Matthew, we see Jesus Christ giving specific directions to his disciples. It is an invitation to live as salt and light.

Salt has been an essential survival element throughout human history, and has been called “white gold,” a symbol of wealth and power, and a key means of trade. It was essential for food preservation, currency, and religious rituals, and trade routes such as the Salt Road across the Sahara Desert determined the exchange of civilizations and the rise and fall of great powers such as Rome and Venice. The four major civilizations, including Mesopotamia, began in places where salt production and trade were easy, and populations gathered around salt production sites. In ancient Rome, soldiers were paid with salt, which is where the word ‘Salary’ comes from. Just as salt is essential to our lives, modern Christians must serve this society as essential beings.

Like lighting a lamp to illuminate the surroundings, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Jesus commands: “Let your light shine before others.” I want to accept these words as words addressed to us today. May we shine the light of Christ before everyone we meet. I hope that through our good deeds, people will be reminded of the living God. We have the mind of Christ. You are the Salt and Light of God for this land.

Micah 6:1-8, Psalm 146: 5-9, and Matthew 25:31-40

 

Today I’m going to start my sermon with a silly story. I encountered a conflict while preparing the sermon. Today, we commemorate the Presbyterian World Service & Development Sunday, as designated by the denomination. We will soon begin Lent. It is not easy for a church to send missionary offerings to external organizations while facing a projected deficit. But by worldly standards, we are not very smart people. If we look at ourselves, there are cases where we buy a house with a mortgage. Although we have a huge debt, we give to the church and live a life of faith. Why is that? Because we have faith. The world would say it is wise to save that money and pay off the debt quickly. Our church, however, is trying to cooperate in this work, even if only a little. We would like to allocate a budget to local ministries and seek your consent at the Annual General Meeting. The world might ask, why are you going to such lengths? But we will do it because this is God’s heart. Your donations will support this mission. If you would like to support Presbyterian World Service & Development through our church, please indicate on the offering envelope. If you would like to support Local Mission, please indicate on the offering envelope as well. I also extend my special thanks to the Session and Board of Managers for their hard work in this missionary work.

Here, I would like to share a volunteer’s report on PWS&D’s projects and work. She is Christine Samuels, a member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newmarket, Ontario.

Today we gather to celebrate and reflect on the work of Presbyterian World Service & Development, an integral ministry of The Presbyterian Church in Canada that reaches out in Christ’s name to people around the world—helping families overcome hunger, gain access to clean water, grow sustainable food and build a future of dignity and hope. It’s fitting that on this Sunday, we turn our hearts to two passages that show us both who God is and who we are called to be.

Psalm 146 reminds us that “The Lord gives food to the hungry and lifts up those who are bowed down.” And in Matthew 25, Jesus tells us that when we feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty or welcome the stranger we are serving Him. Both scripture passages invite us to participate in God’s compassion. Psalm 146 opens by saying, “Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help.” The psalmist points us away from worldly powers and toward the God who alone brings real justice and hope.

How does God do this? God executes justice for the oppressed, God gives food to the hungry, God lifts up those who are weighed down and God protects the foreigners and cares for the orphans. God, whose very nature is mercy and provision, pays very close attention to those who are vulnerable­. This psalm also tells us about the power of God who frustrates the wicked and reigns throughout generations. The Psalmist says that God remains faithful forever (Psalm 146:6). Our support to PWS&D allows marginalized men and women to plant crops that can survive drought or learn new skills to feed their families. In so doing, we step into the work God has called us to do.

In Matthew 25:31–40, Jesus paints a vivid picture of the final judgment, a scene where the Son of Man comes in his glory and separates the nations as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. At first glance, this passage seems to be about works, but at its heart, it reveals the nature of true discipleship and the heart of God’s kingdom. Jesus identifies himself completely with those who are in need: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick and the imprisoned. This identification is startling. He does not simply care about the poor—Jesus locates himself among them. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” In these words, Jesus collapses any divide between love of God and love of neighbour. Service to the marginalized becomes sacred ground, a meeting place with Christ himself.

We must show deep empathy toward every person created in God’s image and likeness, recognizing their eternal worth. This understanding should ignite within us a passion for missions and a fervent desire that none be left behind. Serving humbly among the least of these reflects the humility of Jesus, who left the splendor of heaven to save the weak, the broken, the outcast and the dying. Our service must never arise from mere religious duty, for that only reveals pride. Rather, we serve because we have been served, we love because we have been loved, we lift others because we ourselves have been lifted, and we must never forget this truth.

That means every meal shared, every seed planted through the ministry of PWS&D is more than long-term development or humanitarian aid: it is Christ encountered. When we provide therapeutic food for a child in Malawi, teach sustainable farming in Guatemala or help communities rebuild after disaster we are not only helping others survive: we are meeting Christ himself in the faces of those we serve. Jesus calls us to serve out of humility. The presence of Christ is found not in prestige or power but in vulnerability, need and compassion. Compassion that moves beyond sentiment to action.

Both Psalm 146 and Matthew 25 call us to an active, living faith. The psalm invites us to trust in God’s faithfulness. Matthew 25 calls us to embody that faithfulness in the world. Faith, then, isn’t a quiet belief we hold in our hearts: it’s a posture of compassion, a way of life that mirrors God’s own generosity. When we give to PWS&D, we don’t simply send money or resources: we send hope. We declare that hunger is not inevitable, that poverty is not acceptable and that God’s love is not limited by borders or circumstances.

Through this shared ministry, we also become transformed. We learn to see as Jesus sees, to recognize Jesus’ presence in the faces of those who struggle and to remember that we, too, depend on God’s daily bread. When we live generously, when we ensure that others have enough to eat, we reflect the very heart of God’s kingdom—the place where all are fed, all are welcomed and none are forgotten.

Friends, as followers of Christ, we are called to be bearers of hope in a hungry world. When we give, when we pray, when we serve, we participate in God’s own mission of justice and mercy. Through PWS&D, we see what happens when faith becomes love in action: hope takes root where despair once lived.

May we never forget that in every act of compassion, we meet Christ, the One who said, “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat.” So let us go and live as people of that kingdom trusting God’s promises, walking humbly, loving generously and bringing hope to the hungry, until all are fed and all know they are loved. Amen.

Psalm 27:1, 4-9, Matthew 4:12-23, and 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

 

I feel more refreshed by the colder weather this year than last year. The temperature feels like minus 30 degrees Celsius, and it seems like there’s been quite a bit of snow this winter. I was very grateful to be inside my home and church building when the windstorm blew. Meanwhile, I also had homeless people come to the church during the day and connect with social workers from the Safe Harbour Society. I am grateful that several church committees are working to help them.

King David in Psalm 27 sings: “The Lord is my light and my salvation. I praise you, the strength of my life. I have faced many hardships throughout my life. But God has rescued me from my enemies. He has finally raised my position and honor above them. Therefore, I praise God. I will joyfully offer sacrifices in his holy place and sing praises to the Lord.”

David repeatedly refers to the house of the Lord, his dwelling, and the shelter of his sacred tent in verses 4-6. What is the holy tabernacle? It is where God dwells. It is a place where God’s people meet God. We can experience God’s presence with us. It is a place where the very fact of being there is a blessing. Based on the original text of the Bible, scholars believe that the tent David spoke of was the Holy of Holies, where God was worshipped. This is where the priests of the Old Testament era worshipped God. It is the most secret and sacred place in God’s tabernacle. Only the high priest could enter once a year, on the Day of Atonement. So, this is the safest place if God allows it. At the same time, it is a place where you can put aside worldly worries and concerns and focus entirely on God. In this sanctuary, God provides David with grace and power. God communes with him and gives him the strength to stand again.

In what places do you feel God’s presence? When do you enjoy God’s peace? Personally, I am happy when I sit alone in the church sanctuary and pray. Actually, when I look at photos of the church members and pray to God, I ask for their protection and blessings, and I feel God’s protection as I sit quietly.

There is no fear or dread for those who are sure that God is with them. God speaks to Joshua, who will lead the Israelites in the war to conquer Canaan. “⁵ No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. ⁶ Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.” (Joshua 1:5,6) After this, Joshua’s attitude changed greatly. We find no fear or dread in him whatsoever. Who is Jehovah? He is the one who created heaven and earth with words. The Creator is the Almighty, whose powers are limitless. If such a God is with us, what is there to fear? The prophet Elisha was not at all afraid when the Aramean army surrounded the city of Dothan, where he was, to capture him. Because he knew that God’s army was protecting him (2 Kings 6:16).

Dear friends, God is with us today. God made a promise to the saints. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”(Hebrews 13:5) In fact, the Holy Spirit dwells within us from the moment we receive Christ. So, what have we to fear? No matter how urgent the crisis, we have absolutely no reason to fear. If we truly trust in God, we should have no fear. Paul says, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) Yes, what we should fear is not visible enemies or crises, but the absence of God from our side. Therefore, beloved, trust that God is with you and dwell in his sacred tent. The prophet Isaiah says: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”(Isaiah 41:10)

Next, I hope you will stay with Jesus in the house of the Lord. As Jesus began his public ministry, he called his first disciples. He urged people to repent and preached the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. He met Peter and Andrew by the Sea of Galilee and said to them, “Come, follow me.” He met James and his brother John and made them his disciples. He went around the synagogues of Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease. May this ministry of Jesus bless you and heal your weaknesses and illnesses.

When Jesus preached the gospel, the history of soul salvation took place. Their desperate lives took a 180-degree turn, giving them hope. Jesus performed miracles that made the impossible possible. He opened the eyes of those who did not even have a proper home to dream of the kingdom of God. There are diseases that are not easily cured. I pray that God will proclaim healing to your hearts, souls, and bodies. So, I hope that you can break down not only personal problems but also many barriers that arise in relationships.

As we all know, we cannot be with Jesus as the disciples were. But we have something that the disciples did not have. That is the Bible. We can encounter Jesus, the Word made flesh, who came in human form, through the printed media called the Bible. It’s a simple and easy method. And it is also the safest and most reliable method. Through the Bible, we can live according to God’s will and plan. Therefore, beloved, I hope you will dwell with the Word. I pray that you may fully enjoy the peace that God gives you in it. Amen.