Whose Side Are You On?
In the heat of the American Civil War, one of President Lincoln’s advisors said he was grateful that God was on the side of the Union. Lincoln replied, “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”[1] We don’t need to say this has been one of the craziest election years. There are only 9 days left until the Election Day. Many Christians, probably many of us in this room, are frustrated, stressed or concerned about the future. Normally I am kind of a person who tries to steer away from politics, but after much thoughts and prayers I felt it might be beneficial to talk about it as we prepare for the upcoming election. This morning I am not going to tell you whom to vote for and what to vote for. Instead, I want to tell you the story of Elijah and share few things to keep in mind as Christians this election season.
God Is in Control
This is the most important truth that we need to learn from today’s passage: GOD IS IN CONTROL. Elijah experienced a great victory on Mount Carmel. God answered his prayer in a very powerful way by burning up the sacrifice on the altar. Then Elijah removed all of Baal and Asherah’s prophets. And that day there was the sound of a heavy rain after three and a half years. Revival and spiritual awakening finally seemed to come. But then, Elijah heard the news that Queen Jezebel was going to kill him by this time tomorrow. At first Elijah was quite taken aback. What he expected was King Ahab and the people of Israel would repent and now follow God’s ways. But it didn’t happen. Instead, he had to run for his life. Elijah was afraid, tired, upset, confused, disappointed, and discouraged. But then something happened. God opened Elijah’s eyes to see what was really happening. Elijah said to God, “Lord, I am the only one left, and now they are going to kill me too.” God answered, “No, Elijah! Listen! I have plans. I have a plan A, plan B, plan C… plan Z. I have a plan for Hazael, a plan for Jehu, a plan for Elisha, and most of all I have a plan for my people.” God showed Elijah something much bigger than Israel’s politics and even the world’s politics. God showed him the politics of God’s kingdom. And now Elijah realized God is fully in control of his life, of his country, and of all nations. That changed everything. Many people say that this election is the craziest one. But still God has plans. This election doesn’t have God stressed or concerned about the future. Why should we be so stressed out or concerned? God is in control.
Solitude and Silence
What does it look like for us to live out the faith “God is in control” in our daily lives, especially for 9 days? Probably it looks like reducing time spent watching or listening to political news and increasing the time of solitude and silence spent to listen to God. I am not saying that we don’t need good information to vote for the right candidate. But we need a break from the chaos, from the noise and the crowds, more than we may think. As we know, the world’s politics by nature manipulates the truth, gives us half-truths, and promotes more fear and hatred toward the other party. More than ever before we need a time of solitude and silence to listen to God’s “gentle whisper.” So this week I exhort all of us in this room to spend less time listening to political news and more time listening to God.
Prayer
Secondly, let us pray for our future president whether it’s Hillary or Trump. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, "Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone, for kings and for all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty, for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior" (1 Tim 2:1-3 NKJV). When he was writing this letter, Paul was thrown in jail by the very government that he was telling people to pray for. As Christians, regardless of our party, opinions, and who gets elected, we have a holy obligation to pray for our future president. We should pray for health and safety. We should pray for wisdom to execute justice. We should pray that he or she would follow the Lord’s ways. Praying for the future president is a sure sign of our acknowledgement that God is in control.
Love
And last but not least, let us love one another deeply, from the heart no matter where we stand on politics. St. Augustine said, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.” There are some essentials we cannot comprise such as Trinitarian faith and the lordship of Jesus Christ. They are the foundations of our Christian faith. But we Christians have liberty in things that are nonessential, including politics. The political left and the political right both have good things to say, and both have their problems as well. Normally, Republican presidential candidates are better on issues like abortion, marriage and family, and religious freedom, while Democratic candidates are better on racial justice, economic justice, and the environment. In fact, we find that there was political diversity among Jesus’ disciples. Simon, a Zealot, worked against the government, while Matthew, a tax collector, worked for the government. But both of them were Jesus’ disciples. Jesus himself is nether conservative nor liberal, but he is also both. Sometimes Jesus is more conservative than the far right. He rebukes liberal Sadducees and says, “not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished” (Matt 5:18). Sometimes Jesus is also more progressive than the far left. He rebukes conservative Pharisees and upends religious traditions of his time, saying, “You have heard that it was said this… but I say to you that…” Jesus is outside the lines. Pastor Tim Keller once said, “The more we faithfully preach Jesus, the longer it takes people to figure out where we stand on politics.”[2] It is because Jesus is neither conservative nor liberal. John Wesley advised three things to his people who had votes in the upcoming election in this way: 1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy: 2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against: and, 3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.[3] If we faithfully follow Jesus, it is possible to disagree with others and love them deeply at the same time. “In nonessential liberty and in all things love.”
Here and Now
On Mount Horeb Elijah saw a glimpse of the glory how God’s kingdom looks like. God’s kingdom advances when we acknowledge that God is in control and do His will. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There!” for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you” (Luke 17:21 ESV). The kingdom of God is not limited to politics and government, but we can and must live in God’s kingdom in everyday life.
Recently I had such a vivid experience of living in God’s kingdom. I had a final interview with the Board of Ordained Ministry for the full membership connection in the UMC. Since there are so many requirements, I was not sure I would be able to apply this year. But I experienced God’s supernatural intervention and help. So I was able to apply on time. I studied hard. I prayed hard. I had mock interviews with my mentor, colleagues, seminary professors and retired clergy. I felt I was ready to go. Even during the interview hours I was confident. A day after the interview, one of the board members called me. And the board said “not yet.” I was disappointed, confused, and upset. I was worried and concerned about my future. It was hard to accept the result. That night my wife Joyce and I sat down together and took time to pray. We poured out our hearts and our disappointment. At the end of the prayer God spoke to us with a gentle whisper, “I am in control.” So finally, I was able to pray like this, “Lord, if it is the board members that say “not yet,” it’s very hard for me to accept. But if it is you who say “not yet,” I can gladly accept it. Abba Father, you are fully in control.” After this prayer, God restored to us the surpassing joy and peace that only comes from Him. Then again, I was able to pray for the UMC and for leadership with sincere heart.
Yes, this election season is a difficult time in many ways. But at the same time, it is a great opportunity to discover who we are and whose we are (cf. 1 Peter 2:9). It’s also a perfect time to seek first the kingdom of God and start living in it. In this time of trouble let us run to our broom tree and listen to God’s gentle voice. Let us take time of solitude and silence. Let us then pray earnestly for our future president because God has his divine plans. And most of all, let us stop speaking ill of the other party or candidate; instead, let us love one another deeply with all our hearts regardless of our political views. This is how we can transform our society. This is how we can live in God’s kingdom here and now. “Seek first the kingdom of God… and all these things will be added to you” (Matt 6:33). Amen.
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Sunday, October 9, 2016
“Dead Men’s Bones” (Matt 23:23-28) - Not A Fan V -
When Christians
Are So unlike Christ
“I like your
Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your
Christ.” These famous words are attributed to Mahatma Gandhi. According to
Gandhi, his way of life was inspired first and foremost by the life and
teachings of Jesus. But he never seriously considered becoming a Christian. Not
because of Christ, but because of Christians. While Gandhi was in Europe , he saw racism and
self-righteousness instead of love among Christians. Once he was asked to leave
a church service because he was not white, and he was routinely denied rooms
and tables at Christian-owned hotels and restaurants because he was a Hindu.
Gandhi saw very little of Christ in the lives of Christians.[1]
Unfortunately, Gandhi was not alone in his displeasure with Christians,
followers of Christ.
“You Are
Hypocrites”
Today’s passage is
one of the hardest sayings of Jesus in the Bible. Matthew 23 is called “Seven
woes to the religious leaders,” or “A warning against hypocrisy.” As we read
this passage, for many of us the first thing that comes to mind is the group
of the self righteous people in the Church. There are so many self righteous
people, particularly pastors and church leaders. The thing is they don’t think
that they are self righteous. In v. 30 Jesus says, “And you say, ‘If we had
lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in
shedding the blood of the prophets.’” In others words, many of the self
righteous Christians don’t have acute self-awareness. They deny. In fact,
they are deceived by themselves. They don’t know what they are doing. Even when
Pharisees and religious leaders were crucifying Christ, the Son of God, they
didn’t know what they were doing. So Jesus prayed for them, “Father, forgive
them, because they don’t know what they’re doing” (Luke 23:34
ISV). In today’s scripture Jesus uses a very familiar analogy for the people of
Israel
In his article, “Can
Your Church Handle the Truth?” Matt Russell shares inconvenient truth with us. Every
day for nine months, Matt sat at a coffee shop in Houston , Texas Kingdom of Heaven
“I Am a
Hypocrite”
Yes, there are so
many self righteous people and hypocrites in Christ’s church today. But when we
read today’s scripture, we need to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, saying, “You
are a hypocrite. You are one of them” WE ARE HYPOCRITES. We all share
self-righteousness, pride, and hypocrisy. But there is hope for us when we are
deeply aware of how impure, how unrighteous, how sinful we are. The Scribes and
Pharisees tried to prove how “pure” they were to others by doing things –
tithing and giving alms to the poor. But the proof of spiritual maturity is
not how pure we are, but our awareness of our impurity. That very awareness
opens the door to God’s grace.[3]
When Isaiah saw the throne of God and encountered the living God, the first
thing he said was, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and
I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord
Almighty” (Isaiah 6:5). As the Apostle Paul almost completed his mission here
on earth, he said to his beloved mentee, Timothy, “Jesus Christ came into the
world to save sinners. And I am the worst of them all” (1 Tim 1:15 ).
He did mean it. The closer we come to Christ, the more we are aware of our
impurity. So when we hear Jesus saying this warning today, we are blessed if we
are aware of our impurity – “Lord, have mercy on me. I am a sinner. I am a
Pharisee. I am a hypocrite.”
Our Lord Jesus
Christ confronts us and speaks the truth, but always “in love.” Jesus did not just harshly rebuke the religious leaders and then
run away. No! He never gave them up to the very end. In fact, after saying
this, Jesus directly headed to Jerusalem 22:27 -28).
So here in today’s scripture Jesus is basically saying, “You hypocrites, I
love you! I love you brood of vipers!” This message is to be heard by all
of us in this room. Jesus loves “humbled” hypocrites. When we respond to Jesus’
warning with repentance and humility, he will save us from ourselves.
Being with
Jesus
Now one important question
remains: “How are we hypocrites actually changed?” How are we
transformed from the inside out? We can find an answer in the Book of
Revelation. In Revelation 3 Jesus speaks to Christians in Laodicean church, who
weree filled with pride, self-righteousness, and hypocrisy, but didn’t have
self-awareness. Jesus rebukes them in love as follows: “You say, 'I am rich. I
have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that
you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (v. 17 NLT).
That’s spiritually where they were. What’s the cure for this? Jesus
says, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
Look! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the
door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me” (vv. 19-20).
This is the key – “being with Jesus.” This verse (Revelation 3:20 )
is often used when we evangelize “unbelievers.” (Ex. “Invite Jesus to your
hearts today!”) But in fact, in this context Jesus invites “Christians” who are
so hypocrites. The more we hypocrites spend time with Jesus, the more we are
transformed from the inside out and become more like him.
My sister and I
had fought and argued a lot when we were young. In some sense we were like oil
and water. And we are still very different in many ways. But I have grown to
love the person she has become since the day she met my brother-in-law
(at that time her boy friend). The more she was with him, the more I was
drawn to her. The more she was with him, the more I wanted to be around
her. The more she was with him, the more I saw in her the best version
of herself. This is how Jesus changes his people. The more we are with
Jesus, the more people around us start to smell a Christ-like fragrance.
Are you tired of the self righteous people in the church? Don’t be discouraged.
Hope in Christ. Look to Jesus and be with him. Are you tired of your own
hypocrisy? Invite Jesus in every area of your life, be with him, and let him be
with you 24/7. And as we do this, as we have continual communion with Jesus,
the people around us will look at us and say, “You know I like your Christ, and
I also like your Christians, because you are so like your Christ.” Amen.
Sunday, October 2, 2016
“Bury the Dead” (Luke 9:57-62) - Not a Fan IV -
“Flexitarians”
Have you heard “flexitarian”? Probably some of you have heard this word from Kyle Idleman’s Not
A Fan Bible study. This is a term voted most useful word of 2003 by the
American Dialect Society. Several years ago MSNBC did a report on the new
Vegetarians. Here’s what one flexitarian, Christy Pug, said: “I usually eat
vegetarian. But I really like Bacon.” Christy explains it this way, “I really
like vegetarian food, but I’m not 100 percent committed.” Flexetarian is
a good way to describe how many people today view their commitments.
Flexitarians are committed until it becomes inconvenient and uncomfortable.
It’s probably ok to eat a flexitarian diet. But when it comes to committing to
Jesus and Bible, flexitarian approach doesn’t work. Many Christians say, “I
really like Jesus, but I don’t like going to church. I love Jesus, but don’t
ask me to pay tithes. I worked hard for that. I will follow Jesus, but don’t
talk to me about my marriage life. The list goes on. I really like Jesus, but…”
We call ourselves Christians, followers of Christ, and then we pick and
choose as if the teachings of Jesus were a buffet.[1]
Let us ask ourselves: when it comes to our relationships with Jesus, where
are we living as a flexitarian?
“On My Terms”
In today’s scripture
Jesus meets many people who want to follow him. His conversations with three of
them are written in Luke 9. Those three prospective followers are in different
circumstances, but all three have one thing in common. They want to follow
Jesus on their terms. The first one says, “I will follow you wherever
you go.” On the surface, it sounds like this person offers an unconditional
commitment to Jesus. But in reality, it is not. Jesus replies, “I am homeless.
Are you still willing to follow me?” Then this man walks away, because he
wanted to follow Jesus if certain conditions are met. Then, Jesus says
to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replies, “Lord, first let me go and
bury my father.” Jesus says to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you
go and proclaim the kingdom of God
“On Jesus’
Terms”
In fact, today’s
passage needs to be understood in the larger context. Right before today’s
passage, Luke 9:51 says, “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, Jesus set
his face to go to Jerusalem Jerusalem
Today we celebrate
“World Communion Sunday.” As we break bread together, we remember all
Christians around the world. We remember that we are one body in Christ. We
remember that we are connected and united in Christ. In particular, this
morning I want us to remember persecuted Christians. For them, cost of
discipleship is real. Some are disowned by their family and deported from their
community. Some are tortured and killed. A few years ago my previous
congregation set up a sisterhood relationship with a mission organization for North Korea North Korea
Around that time I
heard a story about four North Korean young men. They crossed the border and
asked the Christian worker, Paul, in Northern
China for help. This worker helped them
find food and shared with them the love of Christ. All four became Christians.
For their safety, the four men chose to use fake names. One of them used the
name “pencil.” Three of them grew in faith, but Pencil seemed an undisciplined,
out-of-control boy who refused to grow up. After several months of discipleship,
these three young men decided to carry the gospel back into North Korea
“Anything,
Anytime, Anywhere”
Once a young man
approached an older Christian with this question: “I live in a place where it’s
hard to experience martyrdom or persecution. In this kind of environment what
does it mean to follow Jesus?” The old man said, “A follower has no further
plans of his own.”[3] I can’t
agree with him more. A follower puts all of his or her trust in Jesus. A
follower always says, “Yes, Lord to anything, anytime, anywhere.” So what
does living as a follower look like? Probably, it is different for each person.
Some of us are called to serve where we grew up; some of us are called to
journey thousands of miles away. Some of our Christian brothers and sisters
live in hardship and lose their life for the faith, like Peter who died for the
faith, while others live a long life, like John who died of old age. But there
is one thing in common. Followers obey on Jesus’ terms, not on their terms.
Fanny J. Crosby
describes the joy of obedience as a follower of Jesus in this way:
Perfect
submission, perfect delight,
Visions
of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels
descending bring from above
Echoes
of mercy, whispers of love.
This
is my story, this is my song,
Praising
my Savior all the day long;
This
is my story, this is my song,
Praising
my Savior all the day long.
“Perfect
submission, perfect delight.” These are the follower’s words. Amen.
[1] http://crosswalk.ccphilly.org/no-exception-clause,
Excerpt From: Idleman, Kyle. “Not a Fan Daily
Devotional.” Zondervan, 2016-01-01.
[2] North Korea Hermit Kingdom
[3] “I have been crucified with Christ!”
(Chito Cordero, May 14, 2014 ), Asian Journal, http://asianjournal.com/lifestyle/i-have-been-crucified-with-christ/
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