Tag: Rev. Jaebok Gu

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Matthew 1:18-25, and 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

 

It’s the Fourth Sunday in Advent. It’s time to think more about love. We also plan to celebrate today’s service with a Blue Christmas service. When I think of those who have gone to heaven before me, I am filled with longing. Sadness and sometimes loneliness come to me. Some people say that through these separations, they are burying the departed in their hearts. Now, the next few days are a time when even non-believers will be excitedly celebrating the holidays. The world will spend this period with as much excitement as when Jesus entered Jerusalem two thousand years ago. At times like these, some people may feel even more profound sadness. I pray that God’s comfort be with you, and that His grace, which restores us, may fill our lives.

Matthew tells Joseph about Jesus’ birth, that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was to be named Immanuel. When Joseph was unaware of this, he felt deeply wronged and upset. Joseph thought to himself. “The woman I love is pregnant with another man’s child.” But he did not want to expose her to public disgrace. He attempted to divorce her quietly. These decisions are tough. A bride who brought another man’s child to her groom, who was waiting for her to get married! Sometimes, after waiting like this, we face disaster. But to persevere in these circumstances requires great ability and tolerance. In today’s Scripture, Joseph showed us that. In fact, recently, while I was going to a member’s room with my wife, a car driven by a student from the countryside hit my bumper. But thankfully, there were no scratches at all. Of course, I didn’t tell my wife, but something similar happened to me four years ago shortly after I bought the car. At that time, the driver behind me was a newcomer who was driving while drowsy. However, I did not make a claim then or this time. It wasn’t because I was generous, and there weren’t any particular problems. All I did was tell all those drivers to drive safely. But even in these moments of choice, I struggle. Should I report it? A friend told me to report the student because he might cause other problems. Actually, I don’t know which one is correct. But the important thing is that we are constantly faced with moments of conflict and having to make choices. Joseph would have done the same. So, we must ask God what is wise in that situation. Just as Joseph maintained his emotions and mind even in situations of great injustice and hurt, we too need to control our minds when faced with great sorrow and emotional difficulties.

This year, we have gone through many moments of choice. And at the end of the year, we await the birth of baby Jesus. He comes to us as the Prince of Hope, the Prince of Peace, and brings us joy. Finally, we will meet the Lord, who is love itself.

Dear friends, this is the season when we think of our precious families. We each carry longing in our hearts. We may think of our parents who have gone to heaven first. Sometimes you may think of your children and friends. But the place left by that deep sadness is difficult to comfort with any words. And no matter how much time passes, it is not easy to manage that pain. But the gospel says: “It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. it is raised imperishable. it is raised in glory. it is raised in power.”

These words from 1 Corinthians are the contents of a letter sent by the Apostle Paul to the church in the Greek port city of Corinth. At that time, the Corinth region was a logistics and industrial center, much like an international airport or highway passing through it today. Socially, the Romans immigrated in large numbers and settled there, to such an extent that there was an outdoor stadium that could accommodate 20,000 people. There were also over a dozen Greek temples, a place where Greek culture and philosophy combined. So, we need to understand the concepts of death and the body from the perspective of Greek philosophy. At that time, some Corinthians and Greeks rejected resurrection and the afterlife. They witnessed the death and perishing of the body. Observing this, they concluded that the body was mortal and that only the soul was noble. They believed that death was the escape of the soul from the prison of the body. So they couldn’t figure out how to raise it back to the spiritual body.

The Apostle Paul testifies that even though the decay of the body in the tomb clearly shows the destruction of the body, human destiny does not end here. “The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable.” This means that this body, which is destined to die and decay, will be transformed into a new and glorious body on the day of Christ’s second coming. Because the Greeks devalued the body, they condoned various sexual depravities and crimes. In the center of the city was the Temple of Aphrodite. The big problem was that there were over a thousand priests who were engaging in religious prostitution inside the temple. And these actions were not problematic in the philosophy and values of the time.

But we know that, beyond all these values, ideologies, and philosophies, God is alive and with us. The Creator loved us so much that he sent his son, Jesus, to this earth in his place. He sent his Son, whom he loves more than himself. And through him God testifies that he is Immanuel. Beloved, as we wait together for the birth of baby Jesus, let us manage all our longing, pain, and sorrow. The God of life will bring us all together in God’s time. Amen.

Psalm 122, Matthew 24:36-44, and Romans 13:11-14

 

Through today’s sermon, I would like to meditate on the present and future events. Jesus Christ is our hope. How do you feel when you hear this? The Lord is our hope. His coming to this earth allows us to dream of heaven. His coming to this earth gave us a new vision of the afterlife. His coming to this earth will enable us to trust in God’s promises, for Jesus Christ is the proof of those promises. From today until Christmas, we will meditate on hope, peace, joy, and love. What is the hope that Christ shows us? It is a record of hope written in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It is a journey that has raised the lives of those who were broken because they could not dream. It is a journey of light that leads people living in despair to a life of hope. It is the hope that liberates those who feel guilty and say, “I am a sinner,” because they failed to keep the numerous provisions of the law. It is the hope that lets me know that I, too, can be saved. Jesus Christ is hope itself.

Jesus foretold his death to his disciples in Matthew 24. At the same time, he told them that he would return after these tribulations. Jesus, who died on the cross and was resurrected, came to visit his disciples. And the resurrected Jesus ascended into heaven. However, through the Gospel of Matthew and the Book of Romans, we have hopeful anticipation of Jesus’ return. You can have hope for that salvation. Can we know the time of that salvation? No, it isn’t. Perhaps it’s impossible. There have been countless heresies throughout history that claimed to know this, but it’s impossible. Although we may not realize it at that time, we can see that it has come close to our lives. Some might ask, as the Apostle Paul said, “If it came close two thousand years ago, how much closer must it be?” But here we must understand the concept and philosophy of time in the kingdom of God, which goes beyond the scientific concept of time.

When the ancient Greeks thought about time, they used two terms: chronos and kairos. Chronos refers to the concept of 24 hours in a day, which are physical and given to everyone equally. It’s the same time for everyone. However, Kairos is a concept of time that is given a subjective and special meaning. So, even though it is the same hour for everyone, when we pray, some people feel it is long, while others think it is short. It also means the time when God’s time is fulfilled. What is important is that when the Apostle Paul says in Romans that the time of God, the time of salvation, is near, he is applying the concept of kairos. We have to prepare. It is to put on the armour of light, to clothe ourselves only with the Lord Jesus Christ, and to meditate on heavenly things.

Dear friends, let us therefore hope for salvation in the future. It will happen soon. Over the tens of thousands of years of Earth’s and the galaxy’s history, the time we humans have lived on this Earth is very short. But in that short time, if we dream of Jesus Christ and hope for his life, it is a historic time. This is the time when God comes into our lives. At the same time, it is a moment when we participate in God’s holy history. At this very moment of worship, some people may be working or spending time in other aspects of their lives. But the time given to us now is a time to embrace Jesus Christ in our hearts. It is a time to wait for him and remember the love of God who sent him to us. We will have communion shortly. Let us deeply meditate on Jesus, who came to this earth for us, through our Communion. Let us reveal to the world the blood he shed and the life he gave me. Let us live out that ministry today. Let us share his will and love with our neighbours. And here at Knox, let us sing of hope that transcends past, present, and future. With the Lord! Amen.

Jeremiah 23:1-6, Psalm 46, and Luke 23:33-43

 

Sometimes I am shocked and saddened by the passing of close friends, family, and church members. Among them, the news of acquaintances who passed away without being prepared for the separation leaves a deep scar. In these times, today’s Bible lectionary provides passages that prepare for the end of the world before Advent, the church calendar that prepares for the birth of Jesus.

What image does the end of the world have for you? After coming to Canada, I discovered that each region has its own unique residential culture. While in Vancouver, I discovered a house style called the Vancouver Special, which was popular from 1965 to 1985. According to CBC creator Uytae Lee, the population was growing, but there were strict regulations on building houses. The limitation is the amount of square footage the first floor can occupy. But basements were not included in that calculation, and architect Cudney took advantage of this by building his first floor 18 inches below the ground — just enough for it to qualify as a ‘basement.’

This allowed people to build bigger houses, with the so-called basement becoming a separate unit of housing, enabling two separate families to live under one roof.

Thus, the Vancouver Special was perfect for many aspiring homeowners: immigrants could house extended family on the other floor, and working-class residents could rent out that floor and use the income to pay their mortgage.

As more and more Vancouver Specials were built, it became easier to build them. The materials became standard in the construction industry, and city staff began to recognize the design and approve it for construction more quickly. But by 1988, the city officially made it illegal to build them.

The Kelowna Special: In 2018, the city of Kelowna held a competition for designs that could fit multiple housing units on properties within single-family neighbourhoods. The winning designs for a quadplex were given a fast-track approval process, from over a year to just two to three weeks. However, people began to describe its architecture as bland, ugly and far too familiar.

Coming to Alberta, I was introduced to the Farmhouse and Craftsman styles, which were new to me. Just as there are houses for different purposes, humans have houses to live in while living on this land. And as time goes by, there is a house that should move to. Some people don’t believe in it. But we Christians believe in its existence. In the Scripture today, we read that Jesus went to be crucified at a place called the Skull. There were two criminals there, one on the left and one on the right. At that time, a criminal asked Jesus. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

I meditate on one aspect of faith in this scene: faith is believing in situations where faith is impossible. There was a man whom many thought was the Messiah. He performed countless miracles. He is called a prophet with the ability to bring even the dead back to life. Even when he entered Jerusalem, a great crowd welcomed him as if he were a king. But that prophet is being crucified right in front of me. In this situation, I cannot rationally understand the prisoner’s request. Everyone is pointing fingers at Jesus and denying his existence. Two thousand years later, we can confess Jesus as the Messiah because we know his entire life and his resurrection.

But now, Jesus, who is before the prisoners’ eyes, is being slandered by the rulers, soldiers, and even the prisoners. Where in this image can we confirm the existence of the Messiah? What can we see that will make us believe in Jesus? It’s not rational. Instead, it is close to impossible. But it is at this very point that we see faith begin. To the criminal who asked Jesus for his afterlife, Jesus promised paradise. This prisoner must have believed Jesus’ words. I also declare that when we trust this, we will receive it.

Yes, the prisoner’s confession of faith led him to paradise. His faith helped him discover Jesus as the Messiah. This belief is soon a miracle. It is a miracle that makes the incomprehensible understandable and the impossible possible. How else can we explain the fact that we are here today if not by a miracle? Dear friends, just as we met in Red Deer, I believe that in the distant future we will all live together in paradise where Jesus resides. We will obtain that world by faith.

Second, I hope to spend the last days of 2025 meditating more on Jehovah. The image of God, as confirmed in the Psalms and the Book of Jeremiah, is diverse. Through the book of Jeremiah we read today, we can see that God is the Righteous Saviour. He warns the leaders of society and religion and is concerned about the lives of the people. God understands our needs and struggles, and He conveys His will through Jeremiah, promising to send a great leader.

In Psalm 46, God shows another expression. God is our refuge and an ever-present help in trouble. Difficulties and hardships, big and small, will continue to arise as we live. But in all our problems, God is with us. It may not respond in the way I want. The important thing is that God is with us. So, when the world sees it, even during tribulation, the saints can keep their faith. Even if you have financial difficulties, you will not lose sight of God. Even when life’s significant wounds and trials come, you can rise again because we know what the Lord has done.

We need to know, confess, and worship that God is the Creator. At the beginning of this winter, I want to meditate on God’s actions and, together, praise Him for helping us this year as well. You meditate on the Lord’s guidance. I hope that your family will draw closer to God. Therefore, when Jesus comes into his Kingdom, I bless you and your whole family to be saved and rejoice greatly.

Isaiah 65:17-25, Psalm 98, and 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

 

It’s really exciting to be a role model for others. There are some giants of faith whom I would like to imitate. One person introduced Korea to several critical methods of theological study. Of course, when the pastor introduced that methodology, he was heavily criticized by seminaries and churches. At that time, the atmosphere in churches and seminaries was such that introducing critical methods to the Bible was taboo. This caused the denomination to split and even led to the creation of a new denomination. Of course, I don’t have the same academic passion or resilience as he does. So, I prefer to avoid conflict and mediate whenever possible. Another person was a good colleague of this pastor. With his help, the pastor could build a seminary. He generously supported the professor so the pastor could teach theology freely. So, he was a great co-worker in the establishment and operation of the seminary. When I look at these two people, I often reflect on the importance of pastors and their fellow members.

The letter to the Thessalonians reminds me of people who were like models to me. This is verse 9. “We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.”

At that time, some Thessalonian believers had an incorrect eschatological view and believed that the second coming of Jesus Christ would occur tomorrow. There were quite a few people who were so obsessed with this fanaticism that they gave up their livelihoods and lived in idleness. Paul wanted to be a model for them and correct their wrong view of the end of the world. Now in the text, he exhorts us to live a model life as saints.

In fact, Paul had a right to claim the expenses necessary for his ministry. But he didn’t use all of those rights. Rather, by giving up this right, he had to work hard day and night. But here was his purpose and intention. It was intended to present his life to the congregation, encouraging them to work faithfully in society and actively participate in their religious life. Paul’s life is a good model not only for those who are hearing the gospel for the first time, but also for those living in the end times.

It is right to abandon bad lifestyle habits after accepting the gospel. However, some people say they met Jesus, but instead show regression in their lives. I often encounter people who are devoted to their religious life but are, on the contrary, unfaithful at home, at work, and at school. This is not just something that happens today. There were people in the first-century church who said they had experienced the Holy Spirit and believed in Jesus, but then left their families, and there are still people today who do the same.

The changes people experience are natural because they have decided to believe in Jesus. Believing in Jesus, saving, and using that money to meet the needs of the church and society is a valuable transition. Experiencing the Holy Spirit and donating some of my time to those in need are signs of responsible stewardship. Missionaries are not just those who go abroad to help; all who undertake this ministry are stewards and missionaries living within the urban cultural sphere.

The important thing is persistence. As we serve our community with limited time and resources, we may sometimes feel disappointed and frustrated. Sometimes we may not be able to come up with an excellent solution. But remember the following encouragement from the Apostle Paul: “As for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.” Let us do what we can and humbly await the judgment of our Lord. Then, all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

When we look at the reasons why believers first believed in God, we often find that it was due to the influence of those who believed first. It may be because of differences in their own lifestyles, but ultimately, they come to church because of the love shown by believers. So, among believers who come to church for the first time, there are cases where they get hurt because they misunderstand that the church is always a place overflowing with love. But the church is clearly a community of love and a place of rich fellowship. Thus, we must be models wherever our feet turn. It is to follow Jesus Christ and become his model.

The world these models face is different than before. The Bible calls these new heavens and a new earth. This new space that God is creating is a blessing for our lives and a prophecy of the end times. This new world is for God’s faithful stewards to enjoy. “They will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them.” (23) As we receive the vision of the new heavens and the new earth, we can expect grace that goes beyond mere material blessings. There we can rejoice with God. “The sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.” (19) Those who possess this vision and those who do not live together on this earth. But they have very different worldviews. Those who have this vision can be courageous even in the face of great disasters on this earth. They can maintain peace of mind, whether in prosperity or poverty. These stewards can remember to be thankful and meditate on God’s grace even in times of trouble. Finally, they will be distinguished from the world. Furthermore, people will look to them as models and want to be like them. I hope that we all have this vision and become models for the world. Our Lord will lead us. Let us live by responding with Amen.

 

Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, and Luke 20:27-38

 

I recently read a book titled “Creating a Culture of Invitation in Your Church.” I went to a local church pastor’s meeting, and they lent me that book. I ordered the book because I thought it was meaningful. When this book arrives, I hope you read it from the bookshelf in the Centennial Room. There are times when it’s not comfortable to invite friends or family to church. The author analyzes and explains several reasons why people do not invite their acquaintances to church. Moreover, today, more people than in the past believe that salvation can be found outside of religion. Also, many people think that they don’t need to go to church because they are spiritual, even though they are not religious. Many people do not believe in heaven, hell, or resurrection. Some argue that heaven and hell are simply inventions of the 13th-century Italian writer Dante Alighieri in his book “The Divine Comedy.” Are the concepts of heaven, hell, and resurrection really just human creations?

Today, the Sadducees appear in the Gospel of Luke. They denied the existence of resurrection. So, they discussed allowing the younger brothers to marry the older brother’s wife and continue the family line when the older brother died, according to the Law of Moses. If there is a resurrection, then whose wife will she be when she is resurrected? At first glance, it seems like a very reasonable question. But this  [rӕʃənǽləti]rationality is not suitable for conversations about worlds of different dimensions. Because what we think is rational now may not be rational in other cultures and times. For example, when we look at dishwashing culture, Australia and Canada are very different, even though they are both Commonwealth countries. In Australia, a common practice is to soak dishes in detergent-dissolved in water, then take them out and dry them on a drying rack without rinsing. It is common practice to finish by wiping with a towel after the foam has dried to some extent, and this is a reasonable practice in Australia. Conversely, this approach is not sensible in Canada. Most of us have a dishwasher and prefer to use it. I love my dishwasher too. These differences in perception stem from differences in awareness of water conservation and detergent residue. In this way, the differences in perception and rationality vary from era to era and region to region.

The rationality of the Sadducees was thus inadequate in its perception of the times and circumstances. So, there was a lack of knowledge and understanding of the world after death. The world in which the children of the resurrected Lord live is different from the world we live in today. Jesus explains to them that there will be no marriage or death, and that there will be no such needs or desires. Furthermore, verse 38 explains as follows: “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” In this way, the world after death goes beyond the limits of our perception. And God is the God of all the living, and before God, “All are alive.”

These are truly mysterious words. I apply this to my life: I don’t remember the date my great-grandfather died, but I commemorate the death of Jesus. I don’t know if my great-grandfather is resurrected or in heaven, but I celebrate the resurrection of Jesus every year. I do not commemorate the death and resurrection of my great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, who lived a hundred years ago. But I remember Jesus who died and was resurrected two thousand years ago. And through that act of remembering, I believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Also, the resurrected Jesus exists in my heart now.

Likewise, the Canadian armed forces have played a very significant role in peacekeeping operations, including during World War I, World War II and the Korean War. In this matter, the veteran members of our church responded with noble sacrifice. We will remember those names and call them later. They are with God now, but they live on in our consciousness because we remember them. They will remain in our memories as long as our church exists. Memories like this will be passed down through generations. Furthermore, it will be resurrected with living meaning for our descendants. Through their dedication and sacrifice, we have gained democracy and religious freedom. I hope that God will hear their sincere prayers and cries, and that, like David. God will protect them and use Canada for His ministries.