“Ambassadors in Chains” (Ephesians 6:10-20) - Belong VIII –

 

Spiritual Warfare?

What comes to your mind when you hear the words “spiritual warfare”? The French poet Charles Baudelaire once wrote, “The devil’s finest trick is to persuade you that he does not exist.” As C. S. Lewis echoed this idea in the Screwtape Letters, saying people tend to fall into two extremes about the devil: either ignoring his existence completely or becoming obsessed with him. Neither is helpful. As Christians, we are called to have a balanced, biblical understanding of spiritual warfare.

As followers of Jesus, we know the devil is real. Recognizing the enemy is the first step in the battle. His attacks come in different ways. Sometimes it’s obvious, like persecution of Christians. Other times, it’s more subtle—distracting us with meaningless debates, false teachings, or temptations like money, power, and selfish desires.[1] We wrestle daily with some of these whether we like it or not. Paul reminds us that our struggle is not with human beings (“flesh and blood”), but with evil spiritual forces. We must be ready to face these battles.

 

The Full Armor of God

God has given us what we need to win. Paul describes it as the full armor of God. In his time, people often saw Roman soldiers, so this analogy was easy to understand. The armor includes six parts:

1. The belt of truth
2. The breastplate of righteousness
3. The boots of the gospel of peace
4. The shield of faith
5. The helmet of salvation
6. The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

This armor is not something we put on physically. It’s a picture of our relationship with Jesus. Just as a soldier wears armor, we “wear” Christ. Just as a soldier’s armor becomes a part of him, our lives must be completely united with Christ. When we stay close to Christ, we are protected.

All-Prayer

How do we put on the armor? Through prayer. After describing the six main pieces of the armor, Paul tells us how to put the armor on, saying, “Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication” (v. 18). Prayer connects us with Jesus and equips us for the fight.

In Pilgrim’s Progress Christian defeats Apollyon the dragon with his sword. But then, he enters the valley of the shadow of death. In that valley you hear things like a continual howling and yelling; discouraging clouds of confusion hang over the valley; the pathway is so dark, that you can’t see where your next step would land. The sword is no help. He switches to another weapon called All-prayer. He cries, “O Lord, deliver my soul!” And God answers him.[2]

We too face times when the enemy attacks subtly but persistently. He whispers lies like, “God doesn’t care about you,” or “Why does a good God allow suffering?” In those moments, we fight back with prayer. When we feel unworthy, we pray, “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” When we feel confused, we pray, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9). When we feel afraid, we pray, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You” (Psalm 56:3). Prayer helps us stay close to God and overcome every attack. By All-prayer, we win the battles.  

 

Stand

God provides the armor and does most of the work in our battles. He strengthens us, sustains us, helps us. But he asks one thing of us: to stand. Paul says “stand” four times in Ephesians 6:11-14: Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore. Stand, stand, stand, stand. That’s our part. God provides all the means to overcome, but we must be willing to stand, and persevere.

In the Old Testament, we see this principle in the story of King Jehoshaphat. When the Moabites and Ammonites came against King Jehoshaphat for battle, Jehoshaphat was afraid. But he resolved to seek the Lord, praying, “O our God… we are powerless against this great multitude that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” God answered, “Do not fear or be dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours but God’s… You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf” (2 Ch 20:17). Early the next morning Jehoshaphat and his army went out, marching and singing to the Lord, saying, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever!” As they sang, God caused their enemies to turn on each other. Israel won the battle by standing firm in faith. So how did Israel win the battle? By standing. God did all the work, but still Israel had to stand firm, hold their position by faith.

The story of Dick and Rick Hoyt shows what it means to stand. Rick was born with cerebral palsy and cannot walk or talk. Yet, he and his father have completed over 800 races, including Ironman triathlons. In these races, the father pulls, pushes, and carries Rick. The father does all the work, but Rick must endure the cold, wind, and exhaustion. In one race, when their bike broke, Dick knelt beside his shivering son and asked, “Do you want to keep going?” Rick nodded. Together, they finished the race. This is a powerful picture of standing in faith. God carries us, but we must remain willing.

 

Ambassadors in Chains

Paul knew what it meant to stand firm. In Ephesians 6:20, he calls himself “an ambassador in chains.” What a paradoxical truth it is! Ambassadors usually travel freely, representing their king. But Paul was imprisoned for the gospel.

Paul might have thought his education and background made him perfect to preach to the Jews, but God had a different plan. Paul was sent to the Gentiles. He was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and imprisoned. Yet, he remained faithful. From prison, he wrote at least four letters, including Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, and throughout his life he wrote about half of the New Testament* (*He wrote 13 letters out of 27 books in the NT). He also planted at least 14 churches, and influenced many more through his disciples and co-workers. Paul was willing, standing firm, praying always. Paul was an ambassador in chains for Christ.

When I began ministry, I thought that if I gave my very best, the church would grow and flourish. Yet, over time, I’ve learned that it doesn’t always work out that way. Our church, like so many others in the UMC, is facing challenges. Every empty pew makes me think of those who have gone before us and those who have left, and I often feel the weight of it. But through these trials, God is teaching me to trust Him more deeply and embrace humility and compassion. I am beginning to understand the heart of a true shepherd—that one soul is more precious than the entire world.

Let me close with a prayer known as the Creed for the Disabled:

 

I asked God for strength that I might achieve.

I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.

 

I asked for health that I might do greater things.

I was given infirmity that I might do better things.

 

I asked for riches that I might be happy.

I was given poverty that I might be wise.

 

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.

I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.

 

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.

I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

 

I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

 

Are you willing to stand? Will you trust God, no matter the battle? God has already given us everything we need. Let’s say “Amen” with our lives. Amen.

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[1] N. T. Wright, Ephesians (N. T. Wright for Everyone Bible Study Guides) . InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition. Location 867 of 1084.

[2] John Bunyan, Pilgrim’s Progress, Aneko Press. Kindle Edition. 69-70.

“Life in the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18-21) - Belong VII –

New Life

Once, John Wesley visited factory workers in Epworth. In his journal, he described their behavior as “profane and loose to the last degree.” But Wesley didn’t give up on them; he kept visiting and praying with them. Over time, a remarkable change took place. In three factories, profanity and lewdness disappeared, replaced by worship and encouragement. “God put a new song in their mouths,” Wesley wrote, “and blasphemies were turned to praise. Those three I visited today, and I found religion had taken deep root in them. No trifling word was heard among them, and they watch over each other in love. I found it exceedingly good to be there, and we rejoiced together in the God of our salvation.”

Where there is the Holy Spirit, there is new life. The same transformation was happening in Ephesus. People who turned to Christ left behind their old, pagan ways. They put away sexual immorality, greed, and anger. In chapter 5, the Apostle Paul calls the Ephesian Christians to “walk as children of light” and says, “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” (v. 18) Here, Paul highlights the responsibility believers have to be open and receptive to the Spirit’s work in their lives. We choose to drink alcohol, and we can also choose to seek the Spirit’s filling. While we can’t create the Holy Spirit’s work ourselves, we can welcome and invite the Spirit into our lives. And that choice—this decision to open ourselves to God—leads to joy, peace, and freedom. 

 

Singing

How can we be filled with the Holy Spirit? Today’s passage gives us three ways, beginning with singing. Verse 19 encourages us to “sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to one another, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts.” Singing is a spiritual practice that keeps our hearts and minds fixed on God. Many hymns come directly from the Bible, especially from the Psalms. When we sing hymns, we’re not just saying words; we’re giving the Holy Spirit space to fill and strengthen us.

Eric Liddell, the Olympic athlete and missionary, experienced the Spirit’s filling in this way. Liddell faced many trials, starting with the 1924 Paris Olympics, when he refused to compete in the 100-meter race scheduled for Sunday. He endured public criticism for his decision, but he stood firm. Later, he served as a missionary in China, where he lived in constant danger during the Japanese invasion. As conditions worsened, he had to send his wife and young children to safety in Canada, staying alone in China. Eventually, he was sent to a prison camp, where he suffered from a brain tumor, migraines, and depression. Through it all, Liddell stood firm, often singing the hymn “Be Still, My Soul,” which is inspired by Psalm 46:10 (UMH #534):

 

Be still, my soul, the Lord is on your side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to your God to order and provide;

In every change, God faithful will remain.

 

Be still, my soul, your best, your heavenly friend,

Through thorny ways, leads to a joyful end.

 

By singing, Liddell kept God at the center of his life. He enthroned God in his heart. When we sing hymns, we also set our minds on God and are filled by His Spirit.

 

Giving Thanks

We are filled with the Spirit when we give thanks to God. Verse 20 encourages us to “give thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Pastor Charles Spurgeon once said, “Be thankful for moonlight, and you shall get sunlight: be thankful for sunlight, and you shall get that light of heaven which is as the light of seven days.” Some of us may feel we have little to be thankful for, but Paul, by the Spirit, urges us to give thanks in all circumstances, even for small things.

One powerful story of gratitude in difficult circumstances comes from Corrie ten Boom. Corrie and her sister Betsie were sent to a Nazi concentration camp for hiding Jews. Conditions in the camp were unbearable, and the sisters had to fight off fleas every day. Corrie struggled to endure it, but Betsie reminded her of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.” Together, they counted their blessings, thanking God for being together, for having a Bible, and for the opportunity to share the gospel. Betsie even thanked God for the fleas, though Corrie resisted, saying, “The fleas! This was too much. Betsie, there’s no way even God can make me grateful for a flea!” But later, they discovered that the fleas kept the guards away, allowing them to hold Bible studies freely.

Giving thanks opens our hearts to the Spirit. The more we thank God, the more we recognize His presence and love. By this, we are filled with God’s Holy Spirit.

 

Submitting

Thirdly, we are filled with the Holy Spirit when we submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (v. 21). Submission is important to God, even though it’s often difficult, especially under “unjust” authority. Why does God allow us to experience challenging relationships with difficult parents, spiritually immature church leaders, mean bosses, or incompetent politicians? It’s often to test our hearts and help us grow in humility.

Pastor John Bevere shares a story of learning submission in his book Under Cover. As a young pastor, he was given permission by his senior pastor to start a home cell group program. After months of preparation, however, his pastor announced that the plan was canceled. John was angry and felt sure he was right. But as he continued to meditate on his frustration, he sensed the Holy Spirit saying, “John, when you stand before me in judgment for the time I had you serve this pastor, you will not first give an account of how many youth you led to salvation. You will first be judged on how faithful you were to the pastor I’ve put you under.” These words changed his heart, leading him to repentance and reconciliation with his pastor.

If we don’t submit to the people we can see, how can we submit to God, whom we cannot see? (1 John 4:20). The Holy Spirit is a humble Spirit, and as we practice submission, we become more teachable and receptive to the Spirit’s direction.

 

Life in the Spirit

In Ephesians, Paul shows us how the gospel transforms our relationships. When we are filled with the Spirit, our marriages, homes, and workplaces are redeemed. Paul emphasizes that being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event but a continuous experience, a privilege to be renewed daily through spiritual practices.

Recently, I had a meaningful conversation with my father. For 14 years, he had a strained relationship with someone, but God showed him his own pride and led him to seek reconciliation. So my dad reached out to that person and asked for forgiveness. I could feel the freedom, joy, and peace that this brought him. It was a reminder of how the Spirit can bring healing and transformation to our lives when we are willing to be filled and guided by the Spirit.

My prayer for each of us is that we would be filled with the Spirit every day, becoming more like Christ through singing, gratitude, and humility. May the Spirit work in our lives and our relationships, guiding us toward freedom, joy, and peace. Amen.

“Our Church Speaks” (Eph 4:11-16) - Belong VI -

 

Who Are the Saints?

Many of us find inspiration in The Upper Room devotional, and I want to share a story from October 10 that particularly touched me. In this story, the author and his wife took a summer hike through New Mexico. The landscape was brown, dry, and desert-like. But as they walked, they noticed a few green trees standing out against the dry land. They found out these were juniper trees. They have a special root system that goes as deep as 25 feet and spreads up to 100 feet wide to find water. These roots allow them to survive even in drought.

This reminds me of the beautiful truths written in Psalm 92:

 

The righteous flourish like the palm tree

and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

They are planted in the house of the Lord;

they flourish in the courts of our God.

In old age they still produce fruit;

they are always green and full of sap,

showing that the Lord is upright. (vv. 12-15a)

 

Today, we remember our saints. Who are the saints? Saints are the ones who believed in us, invested in us, and helped us grow in faith. Who are the saints? Saints are the ones who took us under their wings and guided us. They taught us, prayed for us, and lived out God’s love in such a way that shaped us.

When I think about the saints in my own life, I see the faces of several people who have deeply impacted me. My grandfather stands out as a hero of faith. Through his life and his actions, I learned how precious Christ is. Through his preaching, I came to faith when I was 12 years old. My mother is another hero. When I was in high school, I went through a season of spiritual drought. I felt like my prayers were just words hitting the wall. The Bible felt like a book of fairy tales to me. I shared these struggles with my mother, and she listened carefully, then shared her own faith story—how she grew up in a pastor’s family and encountered the living God. Her story and her steady, persistent prayers helped sustain me through that time. 

I also remember my 8th-grade Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Won. At that time, I wasn’t very interested in Christianity. But I could tell she was praying for me and each one of her students. Her godly life made a lasting impression on me, even when I didn’t realize it.

 

Called to Equip the Saints

I am sure you have those heroes of faith. Each of these saints in our lives acts like stepping stones along our journey of faith. God has sent us saints – apostles (spiritual leaders), prophets (those correcting us), evangelists (those preaching the gospel to us), pastors (those shepherding us), and teachers – to help us grow. Isaac Newton once said, “If I have seen further, it is because I am standing on the shoulders of giants.” In the same way, we are standing on the shoulders of saints today.

Now, we are called to do the same for others. We are called to equip other believers – potential saints, the next generation. Perhaps they may be skeptics or seekers. They may be new believers. They may be our own family members or neighbors. Whoever they are, God calls us to equip them for one purpose: to build up the body of Christ, strengthen the church and God’s kingdom. Some of us in this room may feel unprepared, thinking, “I don’t know what to do.” But every of us can do three things for others right now: we can love them, serve them, and pray for them. We never know how these simple actions might change their lives.

Have you heard of the name Edward Kimball? Probably not. But his story shows how even a “nobody” in the world’s eyes can make an incredible impact when they care about others and God’s kingdom. Edward Kimball was a Sunday school teacher in Chicago in 1855. One day, he visited a teenage student from his class at the shoe store where the teen worked, and there he shared the gospel with him. Kimball then helped nurture the young man’s faith through his Sunday school class. That young man’s name was D.L. Moody.

1.      Moody shared Christ with a man named F. B. Meyer.

2.      F. B. Meyer’s preaching led to the conversion of J. Wilbur Chapman.

3.      Chapman’s preaching led to the conversion of Billy Sunday.

4.      Mordecai Ham was converted at a Billy Sunday meeting.

5.      Billy Graham was converted at a Ham meeting.

6.      Graham preached the gospel face-to-face to more people than anyone else in history.[1]

 

This whole chain of faith began with one Sunday School teacher who simply cared enough to do his part and share the gospel according to his gifts.

 

Small Things Like These

Mr. Holland’s Opus is a movie about a dedicated music teacher who dreams of becoming a famous composer. He does not have those gifts and, instead, makes an impact he does not fully appreciate in the lives of a generation of students in his high school music program. Mr. Holland never writes the musical opus that will make him famous but pours himself into the young people before him: a redheaded girl with pigtails who struggles to play the clarinet, a football player who cannot keep rhythm but needs a band credit to keep his game eligibility, a street kid who is mad at the world but who discovers the beauty of his own soul in music.

As the movie concludes, Mr. Holland is fighting budget cuts for the survival of the high school’s music program. He loses. And he retires. The last day of school he cleans out his desk and, with shoulders slumped down, walks the school hall for the last time. He feels defeated, as if this life’s work was wasted. But as Mr. Holland walks, he hears noise in the auditorium. He goes in to see what is happening and faces a packed auditorium of students and alumni thundering an ovation and chanting his name. The little girl with pigtails is now the governor of the state, and she addresses Mr. Holland from the podium. “Mr. Holland, we know that you never became the famous composer you dreamed of being. But don’t you see it today? Your great composition is what you did with us, your students. Mr. Holland, look around you. We are your great opus. We are the music of your life.”[2]

One of my Korean clergy friends recently visited some of her Sunday School teachers to express her deep gratitude while visiting Korea. It was a way of honoring those saints who poured into her life. Today, you may feel like you don’t have much to offer. You may feel like you are planting in dry soil. But let us remember God’s promise and be encouraged. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Cor 15:58) Let us remember the words of missionary C. T. Studd and be encouraged, “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” Amen.

  

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[1] Kenneth Boa and Jenny Abel, Recalibrate Your Life (pp. 200-201). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.

[2] Bryan Chapell, Ephesians (Reformed Expository Commentary) (pp. 195-196). P&R Publishing. Kindle Edition.

“With All the Saints” (Eph 3:14-21) - Belong V -

 

Enough

Watchman Nee, a church leader in China during the first half of the 20th century, faced serious illness his whole life. He pleaded with God daily for healing from a chronic stomach disorder and heart disease. One night, he had a dream. In the dream he was crossing a river by boat. But suddenly, a massive rock appeared in his way. He prayed, “Lord, please take away this rock!” But he heard the voice gently respond, “My beloved son, do you want me to take away that rock? Or do you want me to make the waters rise so you may pass over it?” He answered, “Lord, please help me pass over that rock.”

Watchman Nee’s illness was not cured, and each day, he had to lean fully on God’s strength. Through this, he discovered that God’s grace was always enough for him to live fully and abundantly.

 

The Power of the Gospel

Life is hard.

Franciscan priest Richard Rohr shares five core truths about life that resonate deeply with Scripture. He says:

 

1.     Life is hard.

2.     You are not that important.

3.     Your life is not about you.

4.     You are not in control.

5.     You are going to die.

 

All these truths rooted in the Bible, especially in the wisdom books. Solomon, in Ecclesiastes, declares, "Meaningless! Meaningless!" Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." (1:2) He goes on, “For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune… All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless.” (2:21, 23) James echoes this, saying, “Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14)

God often does not remove all our sufferings, pains, or struggles in this life; but instead, God redeems our life from them (cf. Ps 103:4):

·       Life is hard, but it’s worth living.

·       I am not that important, but I’m precious in God’s eyes.

·       My life is not about me, but it’s all about Christ.

·       I am not in control, but I am free.

·       I am going to die, but I will live.

 

God accomplished this redemption by sending Christ to die for us, so that we might truly live a rich and satisfying life. Paul understood this, and in today’s passage, he bows his knees and prays for the Ephesian Christians and for us. He prays that God may strengthen us in our inner being by the Spirit, so that we will be rooted and grounded in Christ’s love (Eph 3:16-17). In other words, Paul wants us to know that salvation is not just about forgiveness of sin, but it’s about growing in strength, being deeply grounded and maturing until we fully know Christ and become more like him.

 

With All the Saints

So here’s the question: “How do we grow in the knowledge of Christ and become more like him?” Paul gives us the answer in the next verse. He continues to pray, saying, “I pray that you may be able to understand, with all the saints, how wide and long and high and deep is Christ’s love” (v. 18).

Each of us can know something of Christ’s love. But our individual understanding and experience are one-dimensional. Only “with all the saints” do we begin to grasp the full dimensions of Christ’s love. It takes the whole family of God – “the church” – to fully experience and understand the whole love of God. Together, with all the saints, men and women, young and old, with all different backgrounds and experiences, we come to know Christ’s love more completely.[1]

How do we discover the fullness of Christ’s love? Through the church, with all the saints! How do we grow and become more like Christ? Through the church, with all the saints! Rick Warrens puts it well this way:

The local church is the classroom for learning how to get along in God’s family. It is a lab for practicing unselfish, sympathetic love… Only in regular contact with ordinary, imperfect believers can we learn real fellowship and experience the New Testament truth of being connected and dependent on each other.[2]

Yes, church life can be messy. But the local church is God’s design for us to grow and experience the full dimensions of Christ’s love. For me personally, I can say I’ve come to know Christ’s love intimately through our church. I still vividly remember the day my family and I moved into the parsonage. It was on June 25, 2014. Over these past ten years, we have welcomed new members, baptized babies and new believers. We sent off those who were moving or leaving the church. We also buried quite a few beloved church members. So many times, we have worshiped together, shared meals together, met in small groups together, served in mission together. Through all of this, I believe we have become stronger, more resilient, and more loving like Christ – as a church.

 

Our God Is Able

Let me share a picture of God’s healing that speaks to us today. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing pottery with gold. When a pot is broken, the pieces are carefully glued back together, and each crack is filled with gold. Rather than hiding the damage, this art makes the object even more beautiful than it was before, as each gold-filled line tells a story of restoration.

Imagine a broken pot, shattered and seemingly beyond repair. In the hands of a kintsugi artist, though, every single piece is seen with care, and each crack is carefully filled with gold. What once looked like a useless, broken vessel becomes a beautiful masterpiece, telling a story of resilience and transformation.

This is exactly what God does with our lives and with us as a church. We have faced pain and loss – whether from the pandemic, the challenges from decisions made at the general conference, or the loss of beloved members. These experiences can make us feel fractured, as if parts of us have broken. But our God doesn’t see our cracks as shameful; he sees them as places where his grace can shine. Our God is able. He takes our brokenness, our struggles, and our traumas and fills them with his love, making us stronger, more united, and deeply beautiful. Together, in our gold-filled scars, we see how wide, how long, how high, and how deep Christ’s love truly is. You need the church, and the church needs you.

So in one spirit and with a grateful heart, let us join the Apostle Paul in his doxology to God: “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever!” (vv. 20-21, NLT) Amen.

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[1] John Stott, The Message of Ephesians (The Bible Speaks Today Series) (pp. 137-138). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.

[2] Scott Sauls, Jesus Outside the Lines: A Way Forward for Those Who Are Tired of Taking Sides (p. 48). Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

“One People” (Eph 2:11-22) - Belong IV -

Whose Side Are You on?

Nicky Gumbel, the founder of the Alpha Course, once shared a story about how challenging it can be to maintain the unity of the church. There was a man who was standing in the middle of the Golden Gate Bridge, admiring the view. And he heard another tourist say quietly, “What an awesome God!” Intrigued, he turned to the tourist and asked, “Oh, are you a Christian?” The tourist said, “Yes, I am a Christian.” He said, “So am I,” and they shook hands. Then, he asked, “Are you a liberal or a fundamental Christian?” The tourist said, “I'm a fundamental Christian.” He said, “So am I,” and they smiled and nodded at each other. Then he asked, “Are you a covenant or dispensational fundamental Christian?” The tourist said, “I'm a dispensational fundamental Christian.” He said, “So am I,” and they patted each other on the back, agreeing to exchange Christmas cards every year. Then he asked, “Are you an early Acts, mid Acts, or late Acts dispensational fundamental Christian?” The tourist said, “I'm a late Acts dispensational fundamental Christian.” To which the man shouted, “You heretic!” and he pushed him off the bridge.[1]

 

Through the Cross

When we look around, peace seems impossible to find. We hear almost daily of wars, conflicts, and divisions among different tribes, classes, nations, and races. But this isn’t new. Even in Jesus’ time, these problems existed. Jews and Gentiles did not associate with one another. They were hostile toward each other. But something incredible happened. By his sacrificial death, Jesus created peace. Ephesians 2:14 tells us, “For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us” (NLT).  

When Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom. At that moment, a double reconciliation took place. First, reconciliation with God. No longer was access to God reserved for the high priest once a year; now anyone who repents and believes can enter God’s presence at any time. Second, Jews and Gentiles were reconciled to each other. Together, they could approach the Father. Through his death on the cross, Jesus created one new humanity (v. 15). In himself, he created the new society – the church.

The Apostle Paul describes how the church was born and how it grows this way: “You [Gentiles] are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.” (vv. 19-22, NLT) The church is God’s idea. The church is God’s new society, made up of all who confess Jesus as the cornerstone. Through the church, we get a glimpse of God’s reign – here and now. The church is the sign of God’s kingdom.

 

Christ the Cornerstone

Peace is not something we create on our own. It was created by the blood of Christ. Our role is to keep that unity. “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3).

In the early church there were mainly two groups of people in terms of language and culture. The majority of the church believers were Hebrew-speaking Jews, and there were some Greek-speaking believers as a minority group. Satan tried to distort this "diversity" into "division." For some reason, the Greek-speaking widows were neglected in the daily distribution of food. So the Greek-speaking disciples started to complain against the majority group, that is, the Hebrew-speaking disciples. Satan put a barrier between the believers. That division made the apostles “distracted” from their ministry. Now the peace and unity of the church were at stake. So how did the early church overcome this crisis and keep the unity of the Spirit?

The apostles designated and empowered others. They said, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task.” (Acts 6:3) So the church chose seven people. We can find a very interesting fact here. All seven were Greek names. In other words, all of them came from the minority group. The majority of the early church believers did not choose their own people. They did not insist on their own way, but instead, they chose the right persons for this issue. They chose the seven people from the minority group to take care of their neglected widows. In this way, the early church could overcome division and maintain the unity of the Spirit.

 

The Politics of God’s Kingdom

St. Augustine once 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 when it comes to non-essentials, such as politics, we Christians have liberty. Both political sides have their strengths and their weaknesses. Republican candidates often emphasize issues like abortion, marriage and family, and religious freedom, while Democratic candidates may focus on racial justice, economic fairness, and the environmental protection.  

Even among Jesus' disciples, we see political diversity. 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 progressive. John Wesley gave three pieces of advice to voters 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.

3.     To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.

If we place Jesus as our cornerstone, it becomes possible to disagree with others while loving them deeply at the same time. “In nonessential liberty, and in all things love.”

 

Journey to the Peaceful Kingdom

Do you think it’s possible Israel to be reconciled with its neighbors? For Republicans and Democrats to get along? For traditionalists and progressives in our denomination to work together? With the world’s politics, these things seem impossible, but with God’s kingdom’s politics, all things are possible. In the church, God’s new society – with Jesus as the head and cornerstone – we can experience peace and unity in all circumstances.

Dr. King had a vision of building a beloved community, famously saying, “I have a dream today.” In fact, his dream was deeply rooted in the Prophet Isaiah’s vision of God’s peaceful kingdom: “The wolf shall live with the lamb; the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the lion will feed together, and a little child shall lead them” (Isaiah 11:6). My prayer is that we, the church, may faithfully follow Jesus and make every effort to keep the unity given to us. Then, we will foretaste and live in God’s peaceful kingdom. May God’s name be honored, may God’s kingdom come, and may God’s will be done. Amen.

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[1] Nicky Gumbel, Alpha Course, “Talk 15: What About the Church?”

[2] Scott Sauls, Jesus Outside the Lines: A Way Forward for Those Who Are Tired of Taking Sides (Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), 4.

“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.