“Who Is Your Lord?” (Eph 2:1-10) - Belong III -

 

Jesus is Lord

“Jesus is Lord”

In the early church, this was not just a phrase—it was a bold confession of faith. At the time, the Roman Empire demanded that people say, “Caesar is Lord,” pledging loyalty to Rome. But Christians, transformed by the gospel, proclaimed a different Lord: Jesus. This was a radical act because it meant rejecting the authority of Caesar and recognizing Christ’s lordship instead. It was a public declaration that Jesus is most precious.

A powerful example is Polycarp, the Bishop of Smyrna. He lived during the 2nd century and was a disciple of the Apostle John. When he was 86, Polycarp was arrested during a time of intense Roman persecution. He was brought before the Roman authorities, and they demanded that he renounce Christ and declare “Caesar is Lord.” The authorities promised that if he swore allegiance to Caesar and denied Christ, his life would be spared. But Polycarp refused. Instead, he famously said, “86 years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?” He chose to proclaim “Jesus is Lord”, even if it cost him his life.

 

Salvation Journey

Today’s scripture, Ephesians 2:1-10, is one of the most important passages in the Bible, because It tells us about our salvation journey in a nutshell. Salvation is the transformative journey from “I am Lord” to “Jesus is Lord.”

The Bible says that we were once spiritually dead because of our sins (v. 1). What does that look like? The spiritually dead live as the lords of our own lives. They do what they want, when they want, and build their own little kingdoms (v. 3). At the foundation of their lives is self – “I am Lord.” And you know what? We’ve all been there.

Think about Lazarus. He was dead in his tomb for four days. He wasn’t partly alive; he was completely dead. But when Jesus came to him and called, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man arose and came to life. In the same way, we were all spiritually dead, living for ourselves and doing our own thing. But God, in his great mercy, reached out to us and made us alive in Christ. That’s when the foundation of “self” is exchanged for “Christ.” For the first time, we begin to delight in Christ, we make much of Christ, and we surrender our self-centered lives. We declare with joy, “Jesus is Lord!”

 

Who Is Your Lord?

So, how can we tell if "Jesus is Lord" or "I am Lord"? Throughout the Bible, we see stories of people wrestling with this tension. Let me share two key stories from the Bible.

First, we have the story of the young rich ruler in Mark 10:17-27. He comes to Jesus and asks, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus tells him to keep the commandments, and the young man proudly says he has kept them all since this youth. But then Jesus points out the one thing that shows who is really lord of his life: his wealth. Jesus tells him to sell everything, give it to the poor, and follow Him.

The rich young ruler couldn’t do it. His wealth and possessions were his lord, not Jesus. Even though he wanted eternal life, his heart was divided. He couldn’t let go of control. “I am Lord” was still reigning in his life. His trust was in his money, not in Jesus, and so he couldn’t fully surrender to Jesus as Lord. It’s a sad story.

The second story is more encouraging. It’s about the Apostle Paul in Acts 9:1-22. Paul’s transformation is a powerful example of moving from "I am Lord" to "Jesus is Lord." Before his conversion, Paul (then Saul) was persecuting Christians, believing he was doing God’s will. He was full of pride, control, and self-righteousness. His life was driven by his own sense of purpose, not by submission to God.

But on the road to Damascus, Paul encountered the risen Christ. In that moment, for the first time Paul realized he had been living with himself as lord, trying to control his own life and even the lives of others. Jesus asked him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4). Blinded and humbled, Paul surrendered to Jesus as Lord. This was the beginning of his completely transformed life.

So, how do we know “Jesus is Lord” or “I am Lord” in our lives? These two stories teach us that when "I am Lord," we hold on to control and trust in our own efforts. But when “Jesus is Lord”, we let go of control, trust Him fully, and follow His lead, even when it’s difficult or costs us something. When “Jesus is Lord,” we can say, like Paul, “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).

 

Jesus Is My Lord!

Recently, I heard a story about a college student who answered a telemarketer’s call. This atheist student planned to mock the caller for her friends’ amusement. Using a fake accent, she pretended to be a Christian. But, the man on the other end of the call, instead of engaging in her joke, shared his genuine faith story. He opened up about how Jesus had transformed his life—freeing him from alcoholism, healing his marriage, and filling him with hope. He shared how God’s grace brought him from death to life. He shared how his foundation shifted from “self” to “God.” His joy and peace were so genuine, so contagious. She didn’t know what to say. At the end of the call, the student felt humbled. She realized that she, too, longed for that same joy and peace.

C.S. Lewis once wrote about how God transforms us. He said that when we come to God, we might expect Him to just fix a few things—patch up some leaks, fix the plumbing, maybe stop some drafts. We think we need small improvements to make life better. But then, God starts knocking down walls, tearing up floors, and adding new wings. And we wonder, “What is He doing?”

It’s because God isn’t just making repairs—He’s transforming us into something far greater than we could ever imagine. He’s building us into a palace, a place where He intends to live with us.

This is what Ephesians 2:1-10 is all about. God's grace doesn't just fix a few broken parts of our lives. It radically transforms us from the inside out – from “I am Lord” to “Jesus is Lord”. We were once dead in our sins, living for ourselves. But through God’s grace, we are made into new creations. He is building us into something beautiful, where He can dwell.

So, let me ask you – who is your Lord? Wherever you are on your journey, Jesus is with you. Today you may be walking through unexpected or even painful paths. But Jesus knows what he is doing. He’s shaping you into his masterpiece. Trust him and follow him. Give him full control, and let him turn your life into something beautiful. Let this be our prayer:

Into my heart, into my heart

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus

Come in today, come in to stay

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus!

“Spiritual Eyes” (Ephesians 1:15-23) - Belong II –

 

Spiritual Wisdom

William Wilberforce was an English politician and a key leader in the movement to abolish slavery. His life changed dramatically when he experienced a conversion to Christianity at the age of 26. One of his close friends was William Pitt,  the youngest Prime Minister and a very intelligent and capable man. One Sunday, Pitt and Wilberforce went to church together. That Sunday the pastor preached a powerful sermon on “How to be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Wilberforce was deeply moved and thought that it was the best sermon that he had ever heard. So after the service, he eagerly turned to his friend to talk about it, but Pit spoke first. He said, “Did you understand what the preacher was talking about? I tried hard to follow, but I couldn’t make sense of it.” Wilberforce was shocked. That moment, he realized that only those whose spiritual eyes are opened by the Holy Spirit can truly grasp spiritual truths.

In today’s passage, Paul prays for the Christians in Ephesus, and for us too, that the eyes of our hearts may be enlightened so that we can truly know God and experience three spiritual blessings: hope, inheritance, and power.

 

Hope

First, Paul prays that God may give us spiritual eyes to see hope – the hope we have in Christ (v. 18). This isn’t just a wishful hope, but a strong and confident hope that comes from knowing that the world is the Lord’s and we are his forever. This undying hope comes from the blessed assurance, “I belong to Christ.” “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? … I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Chris Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:35, 38-39).

Think about the story of Elisha and his servant in the city of Dothan. One night, they found themselves surrounded by a large enemy army. The servant was terrified and asked, “Alas, master! What shall we do?” He was lost in despair. Elisha was not afraid. He said, “Don’t be afraid, for there are more with us than there are with them.” Then he prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes that he may see.”  Then the LORD opened the servant's spiritual eyes, and he saw the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha (2Kg 6:17).

I remember a story from a pastor friend of mine. After he started a new church in Korea, he became very discouraged because the congregation was so small. People didn’t come to church, and the church didn’t grow. It was so painful for him to watch empty pews every Sunday. But one Sunday morning, as he was praying and worshiping with the few people who were there, God opened his spiritual eyes. Then he saw every pew filled with angels worshiping God alongside them. From that day on, he no longer felt discouraged because he knew God was with him and his church.

 

Inheritance

Next, Paul prays that God may open our eyes to see God’s inheritance – the riches of his glorious inheritance (v. 18). The Bible says that if we are children of God, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. (Romans 8:17, NIV). This means that no matter what we go through in this life, we have a glorious future waiting for us. Our current struggles can’t compare to the glory that will be revealed in us.  

If we see this life only, God is not fair. But if we see this life from eternity, God is just and righteous. Think about Stephen, the first Christian martyr. As he was being stoned to death, he was filled with the Holy Spirit. And the Spirit opened his eyes to see beyond this world - heaven and the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He saw the riches of God’s glorious inheritance. This vision gave him strength to endure such a painful death with peace and courage.

When we sing hymns at the nursing home, one of the favorites among the residents are “Farther Along.” The second verse goes like this:

 

When death has come and taken our loved ones,

It leaves our home so lonely and drear;

Then do we wonder why others prosper,

Living so wicked year after year.

 

Farther along we’ll know all about it,

Farther along we’ll understand why;

Cheer up, don't worry, live in the sunshine,

We’ll understand it all by and by.

 

Power  

Finally, Paul prays that God may give us eyes to see power – the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe. Not only does God promise us a future glory and inheritance on the Last Day, but also he gives us power to live a rich and satisfying life now. Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10, NIV).

If we look around our world today, or even just read our local newspapers, we are constantly faced with the same heavy realities – meaninglessness, evil, sickness, and death. The elderly read the obituaries first. Many young people seem to be searching for a sense of purpose, feeling lost. Middle-aged people are busy but bored. We hear rumors of wars. And we feel powerless.

There are two things that humanity just can’t control: evil and death. We are all fallen; we cannot overcome evil. We are all mortal; we cannot avoid death. “Sin problem” and “death problem” we cannot solve. BUT GOD in Christ conquered both – sin and death.[1] By his mighty power, God raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at his right hand. And here’s the best part: that same divine power – the power that raised Jesus from the dead – is available to every one of us who believes in him. This resurrection power isn’t just for someday in the future; it’s for us today, to live in hope, to overcome, and to live a victorious life. What a gift!

The movie Sight tells the true story of Dr. Ming Wang, a Chinese immigrant who overcame huge challenges to become a world-renowned eye surgeon in the United States. He grew up during China’s Cultural Revolution, facing persecution and poverty, but was able to immigrate to America, where he eventually earned degrees from Harvard and MIT. His groundbreaking work has restored sight to millions of people worldwide. But Dr. Wang struggles with deep guilt and shame from his past. He couldn’t save his girlfriend from a life-threatening situation in China, and he failed to help an Indian girl with her vision. These haunting experiences left him deeply burdened. However, when he visits the Indian girl at a church, God opened his spiritual eyes. There, he realizes that true healing goes beyond physical restoration. God gives him spiritual eyes to see God’s power – the power to overcome guilt and shame, the power to heal and forgive. This revelation gave him new strength and purpose beyond anything the world could offer.

 

For the Church

God wants us to know his hope, inheritance, and power. But these spiritual blessings are not just for individuals, but for the whole church. Ephesians 1:22-23 says, “He has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body the fullness of him who fills all in all.”

This reminds us of Shekinah’s glory in the Old Testament. When the Israelites finished building the tabernacle, the cloud covered the tabernacle, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tabernacle because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. The cloud of God was over the tabernacle during the day and the fire was in it at night. God’s presence was full and visible in the tabernacle. This continued throughout all their journey in the wilderness (Ex 40:34-38). Today, God’s presence is with His church. Zechariah prophesied that people from all nations would come, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” In the same way, God’s glory will draw people to Him through the church.

The church is Christ’s body. In the church Christ speaks and acts. By the church Christ fills everything with his presence (cf. Eph 1:23, Message) May God open the eyes of our hearts, so that we may see his hope, inheritance, and power. May Christ fill our church and each of us with his presence, so that people may see his glory and be drawn to him. Amen.  

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[1] John Stott, The Message of Ephesians (The Bible Speaks Today Series) (p. 58). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” (Eph 1.3-14) - Belong I -

Ephesians’ Struggles

I want to begin with a story from my family. My three younger girls love their gymnastics class. But one day, out of the blue, Esther said, “I don’t want to go to gymnastics anymore.” Surprised, I asked her, “Why? Is it just for today or from now on?” She said, “From now on.” So I asked, “Why?” Her response? “Because you’ve already spent so much money on our Chicago trip. I don’t want you to spend more money for me.” In the meantime, Hannah went up to her room for a while. Not long after, she came downstairs holding $20 bill from her piggy bank and said, "Here, Dad, you can use this money for the Chicago trip!"

I have no doubt that Esther and Hannah love me and care for me, but they struggled and worried because they didn’t know my plan – how Joyce and I carefully prepared for this trip for a long time in advance. If they knew the plan, they would have been able to relax and enjoy more and worry less.  

Now, the Ephesians were in a similar situation. They were struggling, just my girls, but for different reasons. Ephesus was a major center of pagan worship, particularly of the goddess Artemis. The Christians there were facing a lot of spiritual opposition. They struggled with how to live out their new identity in Christ, especially surrounded by a sinful culture. On top of that, there were tensions between the Jewish and Gentile believers in the church. So, like my girls, they were questioning, "Where is God in all of this? Does He still care about us?"

So here in today’s passage the Apostle Paul shouts his encouragement to the Ephesians in three ways: the Father’s plan, the Son’s mission, and the Spirit’s work.

 

The Father’s Plan

The first message Paul gives them, and to us today, is that God has a plan. This is the very first message for the Ephesians and for us today. “I am here for you in your struggle, my child.” And this is the Father’s plan: “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us… God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ” (vv. 4-5, NLT).

Yes, our struggles are real. Disease still comes, finances are still tight, relationships still remain difficult, and next steps still remain uncertain. In the midst of all these challenges we may find ourselves worried, confused, discouraged, asking ourselves, “Who am I?” “Where is God?” But these verses are God’s answer: “Do not be afraid. Do not worry. I loved you before the world began. I called you, chose you, and adopted you into my family. You are mine. You are safe and secure, no matter what happens.”

Robert Peterson beautifully articulates what it means to be adopted into God’s family this way[1]:

God didn’t choose to be our foster parent. We don’t get kicked out of the family because of our behavior. We don’t have to worry day to day whether or not we are good enough to be part of the family. In his infinite kindness, God made us a permanent part of his family. . . . Nothing can undo the legal procedure that binds me to Christ. He died to redeem me. He signed the adoption papers, so to speak, with his blood. Nothing can cancel the work he did for me. I am free from the fear of falling away. Hallelujah!

 

The Son’s Mission

Adoption is costly. It can range from $20,000 to $50,000 or more. But God purchased our freedom at the highest price—His Son’s life. Ephesians 1:7 tells us, “He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.” Through Jesus Christ, we are freed.

Sundar Singh was born in 1889 into a rich family in India, and he grew up to hate Christianity as a foreign religion. He even expressed his hostility at the age of fifteen. He publicly burned a Gospel book. But three days later he was converted through a vision of Christ, and in his late teens, he determined to become an itinerary preacher. On one occasion Sundar Singh visited a Hindu college, and a professor accosted him aggressively and asked, “What have you found in Christianity that you don’t have in your old religion?” Sundar Singh replied, “I have Christ.” The professor continued impatiently, “Yes, I know, but what particular principle or doctrine have you found that you did not have before?” Sundar Singh replied, “The particular thing I have found is Christ.”[2]

Christ is everything. In today’s passage (vv. 3-14) Paul repeats the phrase “In Christ (him)” or “through Christ (him, or his blood) 11 times. How do we know God so loves us? Through Jesus Christ. How did God make his adoption plan possible? Through Jesus Christ. We are adopted at the cost of His blood (1 Peter 1:18-19).

 

The Spirit’s Work

But there is more! God doesn’t just give us His plan and leave us to figure it out on our own. He gives us the Holy Spirit to make this truth real in our lives. Ephesians 1:13-14 says, “When you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit… The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised.”

Several years ago my Honda Civic literally stopped in the middle of the road. So I had to purchase another vehicle. When I bought my car, I made a down payment, and even though I hadn’t finished paying for it, the car was mine. In the same way, the Holy Spirit is God’s down payment on what’s to come. Because the Holy Spirit is in us, we believe God’s love has been poured into our hearts (Rom 5:5). Because the Holy Spirit is in us, we believe we are forgiven and adopted, calling God “Abba! Father!” (8:15-16). Because the Holy Spirit is in us, we believe Christ died for us, rose from the dead, and gives purpose to our life today. Our believing is the evidence that the Holy Spirit is in us.

 

It’s a Wonderful Life

This brings me to the movie It’s a Wonderful Life. George Bailey feels overwhelmed by life’s challenges. He reaches a point where he believes the world would be better off without him. But when the angel Clarence shows him a glimpse of what life would be like without him, George's perspective changes. He begins to see the incredible impact he’s had on others. What he thought was an ordinary life was actually extraordinary.

Sometimes, our hardships and struggles cloud our perspective, and we lose sight of the blessings God has given us. And we wonder, “Is there really purpose in all of this?” But in today’s passage, Paul encourages us to lift our eyes and see our lives from God’s perspective. The Father has a plan. He loves us. He is at work in us through His Spirit.

May God the Father open the eyes of our hearts so we can see a glimpse of His glorious plan in Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. And when we do, we’ll say with joy:

 

“This is my Father’s world.

O let me ne’er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the ruler yet.”

 

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[1] Chapell, Bryan. Ephesians (Reformed Expository Commentary) (p. 25). P&R Publishing. Kindle Edition.

[2] [1] E. Stanley Jones, The Christ of the Indian Road (Hodder & Stoughton, 1926), 64.

“The Church Is Not Dead” (John 12:20-33)

Introduction

There’s an old story about a Boy Scout leader who wanted to teach his troop how to handle first aid. So, he took the boys into the woods near their neighborhood. He had one of the boys lie down under a tree and pretend to be injured. The leader's plan was to take the rest of the troop over the hill, teach them how to properly bandage a wound, and then rush back to "save" the injured boy.

But the leader got so caught up in his teaching, going over every detail, that he forgot all about the boy waiting under the tree. Time went by, and suddenly it hit him: "Oh no! We’ve left him alone all this time!" The troop quickly rushed back, worried about what they might find. When they arrived, there was no boy. Instead, they found a note stuck in the ground that said, "Have bled to death and gone home!"

 

Greek Seekers

A lot of people have “bled to death” and left our churches for various reasons. Even today, within and without the church, many people are bleeding, struggling, and seeking – seeking truth, freedom, and community.

In today’s scripture, some Greeks came to see Jesus (v. 20). In Jesus’ time Greeks were known as seekers after truth. These Greeks in today’s reading went up to worship at the Passover festival and kept asking to see Jesus. The original Greek text shows their request  (“we would like to see Jesus”) was continuous. They were persistent. They really wanted to see and hear Jesus.

“We want to see Jesus.” But how did these seekers see Jesus? Through his death. How did they understand him as King and Messiah? Through His death. Jesus replied to their request this way, “Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain, but if it dies it bears much fruit” (v. 24).

 

The Gospel

Christ’s death is the source of life to the world. Just as, a single seed must be buried and dead to sprout and bear fruit, Christ’s suffering and death were to produce great blessings for all people. The heart of the Gospel is that Christ’s death (not just His life, his miracles, or his teachings) was the key to bringing salvation – “new life with God” – to a world in need. Without Christ’s death there would be no life for the world.

Charles Ross Weed captured this truth beautifully in his poem “Christ and Alexander” in this way[1]:

Jesus and Alexander died at thirty-three,

One died in Babylon and one on Calvary.

One gained all for self, and one himself he gave.

One conquered every throne, the other every grave.

When died the Greek, forever fell his throne of swords,

But Jesus died to live forever Lord of lords.

 

Jesus and Alexander died at thirty-three.

The Greek made all men slaves, the Jew made all men free.

One built a throne on blood, the other built on love…

The Greek forever died, the Jew forever lives.

He loses all who gets and wins all things who gives.

 

Our new life comes through Christ’s death. How did the Greek seekers see Jesus? Through Christ’s death. Jesus said, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself” (v. 32). Whenever Christ crucified has been preached, souls have been drawn to Christ in every part of the world, just as iron filings are drawn to a magnet.

Follow

How will those around us see Jesus? Only when we die to ourselves and live for Christ. Jesus said, "Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also” (v. 26). As the sheep follows its shepherd, we are to follow Him on the way of the cross—a life of sacrifice.

Jesus faced a moment of great inner struggle. He said, “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name” (vv. 27-28). Jesus chose obedience and God’s glory over comfort and safety.

This reminds me of William Wallace's famous battle speech from the movie Braveheart, where he inspires his people to fight for freedom over safety:

“Fight and you may die. Run and you’ll live – at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom?” 

I still remember a former District Superintendent from the Greater Boston area lamenting over the state of many churches he supervised. The majority were small and stuck in survival mode. Their mindset was, “We’ve been there and done that.” They weren’t willing to take risks or make sacrifices. Instead, they were simply trying to keep the doors open for as long as possible.

A church in survival mode is already dead. But a church that dares to take risks, to step out in faith, is a church that will truly live. Jesus said, “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25, ESV).

 

The Church Is Not Dead

The other day I had a movie night with my children. We watched the movie All Saints. It is a story about a former salesman-turned-pastor who is sent to close a dying church. But when the pastor meets a group of refugees seeking help, he feels God calling him to keep the church open and turn the church property into a farm to help the community. The congregation steps out in faith, in spite of the challenges ahead. They face setbacks—no rain during planting and a flood at harvest—but they press on, trusting that God is at work.

In that story each one does their part. The Karan refugees have to work at their chicken farm all day, but still they come to help on the church farm after work and on weekends. The pastor and his family sacrifice all they had – their times, talents, treasures –

for the church. Even the bishop resigns to help this church designated as mission church. Through their sacrifice and perseverance, the church comes alive again.

The Bible says, “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. The one who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:5-6). Today we plant small seeds by faith. We may not see many young people among us, but we plant a seed by starting a praise band and holding a monthly music service at the nursing home. We may not see many new faces among us, but we plan a seed by staring small groups.

We don’t get to choose the time, but we can choose what to do with the time given to us. There’s a life-cycle of the church. We don’t know exactly what phase our church is in. Our local church may live or die. But what we know for sure is the Universal Church will never die. The Church will prevail. The Day will come when every knee shall bow before the Lamb that was slain, and every tongue confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father. That’s the glory of the Church on that day.

The Church is not dead.

When we feel discouraged and think our work is in vain, may the Spirit of the living God revive our souls again. May the Lord lead us into a life of sacrifice, so that people can see Jesus and find life in Him. Amen.

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[1] R. Kent Hughes, John: That You May Believe (Preaching the Word) (p. 303). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

“Sardis and Philadelphia” (Revelation 3:1-13)

A Wounded Soldier’s Story

Let me share with you a story about a wounded soldier who desperately needed medical help. After being injured in battle, he was ordered to the nearest military hospital. Upon arrival, he found two doors: one marked "For Minor Wounds" and the other "For Serious Wounds." He chose the first door, and after walking down a long hallway, he encountered two more doors: "For Officers" and "For Enlisted Personnel." Again, he chose the second door, only to find himself at another set of doors, labeled "Army" and "Marines." He chose the second. Eventually, he found himself back outside on the street. When he returned to his unit, his buddies asked, "How did your trip to the hospital go?" The soldier replied, "They didn't help me much, but man, are they organized!"[1]

 

Sardis

This story reminds us that many of our churches are highly organized. We have committees, teams, and we diligently fill out forms each year. Yet, as the soldier observed, sometimes we fail to truly help people. In today’s scripture, Jesus speaks to two churches: Sardis and Philadelphia. To the church in Sardis, He says, "I know your works; you have a name of being alive, but you are dead" (v. 1b). Outwardly, they had a good reputation—vital, progressive, growing. But inwardly, they were dying. They had the appearance of godliness without power, reputation without reality, and outward show without inward integrity. We too can fall into this trap, going through the motions—singing hymns, reciting creeds, praying—while our hearts are far from God.

What is the remedy for nominal Christianity? Jesus tells us, "Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die" (v. 2a). When we find ourselves in a dying or dead church, we may be tempted to leave, but Jesus calls us to stay and be part of the solution. He reminds us that there is still a godly remnant, saying, "Yet you have still a few persons in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes" (v. 4). There is hope, even for a church that seems to be dying. God can revive His church through a dynamic minority of committed Christians. May we be that faithful remnant!

 

Philadelphia

Now, let’s move from Sardis to Philadelphia. Though these two churches were neighbors, they were very different. Philadelphia wasn’t well-known. It was small and weak, and its people faced fierce opposition and persecution. Strabo, the ancient historian, called Philadelphia "a city full of earthquakes." Many left for safer places, but Jesus had different thoughts. He said, "I have set before you an open door that no one is able to shut" (v. 8). Even though they had little power, now was the right time—the door of salvation, the door of service, and the door of evangelism was open wide.

Perhaps the congregation in Philadelphia may have been small. Perhaps they consisted of the lower classes, with little influence in the city. But they were faithful ones. They obeyed Jesus’ word and did not deny Him (v. 8). Inwardly, their bond as Christians was strong, and outwardly, they reached out to others. Jesus encouraged them, saying, "The world will know that you are the ones I love... I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown" (v. 9, 11). May we too be found faithful, holding fast to what we have been given!

 

Life Together Community

From today’s scripture, we learn what Christ thinks of the church and what the church is meant to be. The church is an organic body, and each member is indispensable. The church is a missional body, supporting and discipling one another. The church is a "life together" community, made up of committed followers of Jesus.

John Wesley understood this well. During his time, God used both Wesley and George Whitefield to revive His people in England. Whitefield was a more popular and effective preacher, yet today, we speak of the Wesleyan Revival, not the Whitefield Revival. Why? Because the fruit of Whitefield’s labor died with him, while Wesley’s fruit remains, grows, and multiplies. Whitefield himself once said, "My Brother Wesley acted wisely—the souls that were awakened under his ministry he joined in class (small group), and thus preserved the fruits of his labor. This I neglected, and my people are a rope of sand."[2]

In the Movie The Forge, there's a powerful scene where Isaiah, a newly born Christian, is asked to hold a sword, symbolizing his spiritual battle. As time passes, the sword grows heavier and heavier. But what's truly moving is that every member of the men's group steps in to help him hold the sword together. This reminds us that in our spiritual journey, we are not meant to stand alone. Just as they shared the weight of the sword, we too are called to support one another, bearing each other's burdens and lifting each other up in times of need. That’s why the church is given to us. That’s why I am so passionate about small groups. Sometimes people ask me, "What’s the difference between Bible study and small groups?" While both are important, Bible study is more geared toward intellectual learning, while small groups are meant to be a "life together" community within the church.

After I was appointed to Hodgdon and Houlton UMCs in 2014, I found myself struggling. My family and I didn’t seem to fit in, and I questioned my calling. I hit rock bottom and was ready to give up. But what sustained me during that time was my clergy small group. They listened to my story, they struggled with me, they prayed for me and with me, and they visited me. I still remember one particular day. After a very difficult church meeting, I thought it was over. Suddenly, one of the pastors from my small group dropped by and shared his signature dish with some encouraging words. I regained strength to love, strength to press on.

Yesterday, I attended Ron Grafflin’s funeral in Danforth. After the pastor’s message, there was a time for naming and witnessing. As I listened, I realized that Ron was not just a churchgoer; he was a committed member of the church body. He wasn’t a spectator; he was a participant. His Christian bond with other believers was strong and beautiful. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "He who looks upon his brother should know that he will be eternally united with him in Jesus Christ." Our Christian fellowship is eternal. The church is a "life together" community, in and through Jesus Christ. We need the church. The church needs us. Before we leave this room today, let us ask ourselves: "How can I build community? How can I strengthen our Christian bond?" May we answer these questions through our lives. Amen.

 

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[1] Brad Kalajainen, How to Start Small Groups, Discipleship Ministries the UMC, 5.

[2] D. Michael Henderson, A Model for Making Disciples (Warner Press, 1997), 29-30.

“Alone Together” (Daniel 1:8-16)

The Imperial Hotel and 1923 Earthquake

In 1923, a powerful earthquake hit Tokyo. Many buildings crumbled, but the Imperial Hotel stood firm. The architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, had designed its foundation to absorb the shockwaves, allowing it to withstand the quake. This story reminds us how important it is to build on a strong foundation. When life’s storms hit—when challenges and trials shake us—what will keep us standing? Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:24-25 that the wise man builds his house on the rock, and when the storms come, that house doesn’t fall.

 

Daniel

In today’s scripture, we see a great role model who builds his life on God (Christ). At a young age, Daniel was brought into the Babylonian court of the king and sent to the best university in the land. There, he studied a completely foreign and pagan way of viewing the world—history, religion, literature. He learned about myths, astrology, sorcery, and magic—all things banned in Israel. Pagan priests and counselors educated him in their wisdom and religion. The Babylonians made every effort to assimilate Daniel. They even changed his name to Belteshazzar. Even in those tough times, Daniel was not lost; he stood firms. How did Daniel keep the faith? How did he keep strengthening his foundation in God?

 

Alone

Two pillars help him steady and kept him strong. One is “alone,” and the other is “together.”

The first pillar is being “alone” with God. When storms came, Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself by eating the king’s food or drinking his wine (v. 8). Daniel resolved that he would do God’s will. Daniel resolved that he would be alone with God. On one occasion, some of the Babylonian high officials tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct. They manipulated King Darius and made the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man for the next 30 days shall be thrown into the lions’ den. When Daniel learned that the law was signed, he continued to pray three times a day just as he had done before (6:10).

How did Daniel keep strengthening his foundation in God? By being alone with God. In the same way, we need to be alone so we can listen to God. Our spiritual ancestors practiced spiritual disciplines of “silence and solitude.” We are so easily distracted by incessant noises and demands. We are preoccupied with our overloaded schedules. But silence and solitude are the remedy. Some of us are morning people, others are night owls. Whether it’s early in the morning or late night, we must take the time to be silent and be alone to listen to God.

 

Together

The second pillar is “together.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his classic Life Together warned: “Let the person who cannot be alone beware of community. Let the person who is not in community beware of being alone.” We are to be “alone together."[1]

Daniel was alone with God. But also, he was always in community, surrounded by trusted companions. He had three godly friends – Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. When Daniel was determined not to eat the king’s food, he shared that vision with his friends. And those four discerned together and took action together. Again, when Daniel was asked to interpret the king’s dream, he urged his friends to join him in prayer, asking God’s mercy and revelation.  

John Cassian, in the fifth century, tells the story of a hermit named Hero who lived in the desert for fifty years, completely devoted to God. Hero was so strict in his discipline that he refused to join other hermits for worship, fearing it would seem like he was relaxing his devotion. One day, Hero believed God was testing his faith by telling him to jump into a deep well, expecting an angel to save him. Sadly, he fell to the bottom and was badly injured. His fellow monks rescued him and tried to convince him that he hadn’t heard God's voice, but Hero refused to believe them. Even as he lay dying, he was so stubborn and believed that he had obeyed God. His pride was too great.[2]

 

Blest Be the Tie That Binds

How can we withstand storms and earthquakes in life? On our solid foundation, Christ Jesus, two pillars are to be built – “alone” and “together.” Joyce and I didn’t intend it at first, but our family road trip to Chicago ended up being a time of church family reunion. On the way to Chicago, we contacted one member of the church where we had served to stay overnight. That member contacted others, so when we got there, about 40 people were waiting and greeting us. Many of them were our small group members. Ten years had passed, but we didn’t feel awkward. As soon as we met, we were drawn to each other because we shared our lives together through thick and thin. As a small group, we prayed together, we did missions together, we withstood storms together.

John Fawcett (1739-1817) was a pastor in a rural area in England. He and his family were well connected to the congregation. But then, one prestigious church in London extended a call. John and his wife Mary decided to accept. The announcement was made to the church, and the farewell sermon was preached, and the day of departure arrived. The parishioners came to say good-bye. On the wagon, John and Mary changed their minds and decided to stay. They remained and served that church and community for 54 years. Based on his experience, John wrote a hymn that became one of the most beloved hymns of all time, “Blest Be the Tie That Binds:”[3]

Blest be the tie that binds

Our hearts in Christian love;

The fellowship of kindred minds

Is like to that above.

 

I don’t know about you, but for me, when I think about the future of our church and the UMC – 10 or 20 years later, I feel a sense of urgency. I feel our church is facing storms. How can we weather the storms? Although there is no easy answer, I believe we are to be “alone together.”

We are launching our new small groups this fall (in the middle of September) – more welcoming and new people-friendly groups meeting at homes led by lay facilitators. The main goal of our small group ministry is to help connect people to God (“alone”) and to each other (“together”). There’s a sign-up sheet (“morning or evening groups”) on the back table. You’re invited. Bring a friend.

Alone, we listen to God. Together, we stand with God.  

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[1] Peter Scazzero, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: It's Impossible to Be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature (p. 63). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

[2] Ibid., 64.

[3] History of Hymns: "Blest Be the Tie That Binds," Discipleship Ministries,

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-blest-be-the-tie-that-binds 

“We Are Sent” (Luke 10:1-12)

 

Peter’s First Battle

Some of you may have watched the film or read the book, The Chronicles of Narnia written by C. S. Lewis. In the story there is a chapter called “Peter’s first battle.” Aslan, who represents Jesus, and Peter, the young prince of Narnia, are having a peaceful conversation. Suddenly, their conversation is interrupted by Susan’s emergency horn. Peter rushes toward the sound and finds that his two sisters are surrounded by two wolves, the agents of White Witch. Aslan and the creatures (his army) are also right there for them. Immediately, Aslan emasculates one of the wolves. But for some reason, Aslan allows Peter to face the other. He commands the creatures to step back, declaring, “This is Peter’s battle!”

In the ensuring battle, Peter grips his sword tightly, feeling both the weight of responsibility and fear, but he stands firm. Aslan, watching calmly, knows this is a pivotal moment for Peter. With determination, Peter strikes the wolf wins the battle, marking his first real test of leadership in Narnia.

 

Two by Two

As we begin this new school year, we might feel anxious and filled with “what if” questions. As a new student, you might wonder, “What if I can’t make new friends?” or “What if I struggle in class?” As a parent or grandparent, you might worry, “What if I can afford the tuition fees?” or “What if my child is bullied?”

In today’s scripture, when Jesus sends out his disciples, he knows the mission field is not favorable. Jesus says, “I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves” (v. 3). But Jesus knows what he is doing. He has a plan. He has a strategy.

First, Jesus sends them out two by two. The disciples are not out there by themselves. Going in pairs provides mutual support and encouragement. Ministry can be challenging, but knowing they have each other’s backs give them strength and resilience. If one disciple faced difficulty or discouragement, the other could offer help, prayer, and encouragement. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 echoes this principle: "Two are better than one... If either of them falls down, one can help the other up."

When we are out there in our mission field, we are not alone. God always sends us out in pairs – in community. God always sends us helpers at the right time. More importantly, his presence goes with us.

In Korean tradition, when we have a college entrance exam, family members, typically parents, accompany us. I still remember crossing the gate where my parents couldn’t accompany me any further. Yet, at that very moment, I strangely felt God’s presence. I was not alone. Recently, Joyce and I sent our two older children off to boarding school. We thought we couldn’t be there for them anymore. But that was the moment when they experienced God’s presence. Now, we share our devotions in the morning and our highs and lows in the evening through text messages. I see God’s presence is with them. God sends us out in pairs – in community. We are not alone.

 

God-given Authority

Second, when God sends us out, he gives us his authority. Jesus said to his disciples, “Indeed, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you” (v. 19).

Today’s reading needs to be understood in the context of spiritual warfare. In Deuteronomy 20, God gives instructions to the Israelites about engaging in war. They are to send messengers and offer terms of peace first. If the city accepts, its people are spared. But if they refuse, then war is waged against them.

In today’s scripture (Luke 10), the disciples are sent out with the authority as God’s messengers. So whatever house they enter, first they are to say, “Peace to this house!” If they accept peace, it rests on that household. But it not, it will return to them (vv. 5-6).

Similarly, when we are sent out to the world, no matter how we feel, we are given Jesus’ authority. We are messengers and ambassadors representing God and God’s kingdom! When I was appointed to my first church in MA, I was nervous, feeling unprepared for the pastoral work ahead. But God provided a lay leader who walked alongside me and supported me wholeheartedly. She once said to me, “Pastor, God doesn’t call the equipped, but he equips the called.” And he did. God provided everything I needed.

The disciples were not asked to create new things and be successful. Instead, they were called to be faithful. They were called to faithfully preach the message given to them: “Repent, the kingdom of God has come near to you.” (v. 9) The Holy Spirit gave them authority and the words to speak at the moment. Jesus knows what we need. The One who calls us is faithful and able. He will equip us, he will provide for us, he will give us authority, wisdom, strength to love.

 

True Joy

Third, when God sends us out, he gives us his joy. After the mission, the disciples returned with joy. They had stories to tell, saying, “Lord, eve the demons submit to us in your name!” (v. 17) Jesus replied, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning.” Then he said this, “Do not rejoice because evil spirits obey you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (v. 20) Here Jesus was saying true joy is not from our performance, but from our relationship with God. Our gifts come and go. Our resources come and go. Our strength and wisdom come and go. But God’s grace stands forever. It’s not about what I do for God, but what God does for me. That’s the source of true joy.

When I was young, I had many health issues. I was a weakling. My grandfather often prayed for me and said, “God will use your health issues for God’s glory. One day you will have a story to tell!” He was right. I have many healing stories to share. But as I shared those stories, I realized that healing is just a means, not the end. God desires a relationship with us. Above all, God wants you and me.

As we start this new school year, let us remember God’s promise: “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will sustain you with my righteous right hand” (Isa 41:10). Let us remember we are sent in pairs – in community. We are sent with God-given authority and wisdom and power. Let us rejoice, not because we are doing great, but because we are loved and our names are written in heaven. We fight from victory, not for victory. Thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

St Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer

Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise,

Christ in the heart of every one who thinks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

Salvation is of the Lord,

Salvation is of the Christ,

May your salvation, O Lord, be ever with me. Amen.

(Saint Patrick, Ireland, 5th Cent., Alt.)