Sermons

26th December 2021 (First Sunday after Christmas) Title: Growing in God’s Word and Wisdom (Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:12–17 & Luke 2:41-52)                                                                                     By Heeyoung Lim Yesterday was Christmas day, but now is the first day of Season after Christmas among 12 days until Epiphany. When we look back a year or COVID related two years, what did we experience? Some people refuse to look back on their journey and give themselves credit for the gains they have made.  In today’s story, told only by Luke, we hear about Jesus around the age of 12. In Luke 2:41–52, Jesus’ family becomes disconnected from their son and overwhelmed with all the worry and fear that brings. When they eventually found Jesus in the temple, they were amazed because Jesus related to God and enjoyed the time of sharing God’s word. His mother said, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been very worried, and we have been searching for you!” Jesus answered, “Why did you have to look for me? Didn’t you know that I would be in my Father’s house?” Disconnection often brings anxiety and depression into our lives, but we need a time of solitude before God to truly connect with God. We all have experienced anxiety, depression, and loneliness amidst many difficulties that have continued throughout the year, but even these disconnection times will be a way to deepen our relationship with God and enrich our relationships with people. In Luke’s gospel, Jesus’ parents did not look back on the way home. They were busy looking ahead and walking for a long time without Jesus. 12-year-old Jesus’ earthly growth was preparing him for heavenly mission. At the temple he showed he was more than ready. While his parents absorbed in preparations for the journey, they did not notice the missing child in the crowd. When people feel that they have a shared responsibility, they sometimes fail to take care of someone or something, and they pass the responsibility on to others. What was their priority? What is our priority?  Sometimes you and I lose Jesus just like Mary and Joseph. We get so busy in our daily routine that we never give him a thought. Then, one day we realize that he is gone out of our lives. Would you know what we need to do when that happens? We need to go back to the place we left Him. That is where we will find Jesus, right there waiting for us. Today, the last Sunday of 2021, may we look back on whether we are walking with Jesus in our hard and busy daily life. Jesus is the promised Messiah and Saviour who brings salvation to all people, and His role as Saviour was proclaimed before his birth. Jesus’ salvation, however, does not come automatically. People retain the freedom to accept or reject him. Jesus’ salvation was accomplished because a human baby or boy faithfully accomplished the growth tasks of a child to enter a heavenly mission. Jesus became wise, and he grew strong. God was pleased with him and so were the people. (52) In what ways have you grown in God’s word and wisdom this year? Colossians 3:12–17 speaks of God’s chosen holy and beloved those who live in harmony with God and with each other. Today’s text introduces rules for holy living such as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience and leads us to be thankful in our lives. (12) Attributes of real connection with God seem to be these five virtues. How does practicing compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience help you feel closer to God? How does it bring you joy? Verse 12 invites us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. We are all loved by God, and God wants us to love each other and grow in faith. Verse 14 tells us, “Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” May we put on love over all virtues. May we live each day in obedience so that God can use us when His time comes. I hope we can tell others the good news that God has shared with us more in 2022. Verse15 tells us, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” We are called to be thankful.   Each one of us is part of the body of Christ, and we were chosen to live together in peace. I believe that the peace that comes from Christ control our thoughts. Let us obey the message about Christ completely fill our lives, while we use all our wisdom given by God. With thankful hearts, may we sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God and share blessings and encouragements more each other next year.  When life seems overwhelming, or when sorrow seeks to overtake us, how are we able to find joy within that? During this Christmas season, we are invited to join in God’s word to praise God and rest in the joy of God’s presence in the birth of Emmanuel, God with us. Especially, finding Jesus and seeking God’s will would be our joy. May we walk with Jesus even when we are busy or focus on something.   We are called to model ourselves on Jesus. Modelling ourselves on Jesus does not mean we aim for to be perfect and then despair and beat ourselves up for failing to reach that standard. Jesus started from a baby weak and helpless on the earth. We follow Jesus on the journey of growth. Our journey has its ups and downs, its obstacles and its catchups. Sometimes we pick

25th December 2021 (Christmas Day) Title: Christ the Lord, The True Light of the World (Scripture Reading: John1:1-14)                                                                                     By Heeyoung Lim We give thanks for the light of hope, peace, joy, and love. Our hope in Christ shines on. The peace of Christ lights our way. His peace is not weak, it is strong and unafraid. His Joy is persistent and unpredictable. The Joy of Christ brightens our lives in so many ways. The love of Christ comforts and challenges. Today we lit the Christ candle as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The darkness is working so hard in the world, but Christ’s light is working harder through us. Jesus is the true light of the World.  Christmas Day is a celebration of the light of Christ coming into our world. Today we sing of the light which breaks open the darkness and lights up the whole world. For the light of Christ gives us hope in the dark times in our lives. Jesus reveals life and light. Eternal life and heavenly light come to those who trust Jesus and are born again from above. (6) John introduces Jesus to his readers as the Word of God, the Son of God, and the Lamb of God. John 1 tells us that “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” In other words, God himself came to be one of us. He came to live with us. He came to provide us the gift of becoming children of God. May we appreciate Jesus lives among us with full of glory and grace and truth. The Incarnated Word as the mediator of revelation and reconciliation lives among us. The child born for us will rule with endless peace and justice for everyone. In today’s text, we find the purpose of the coming of Christ. “O Come, All Ye Faithful” is one of the well-known songs of Christmas. In its first three verses it tells the story of Christ’s birth with triumphant joy. And in the fourth verse, the deep mystery is described as in John1. We sing with hope, for we live in dark times. This is verse 7 we sang at the beginning, “Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing” this lyric reminds us that God himself has come to be one of us. When we celebrate Christmas, we celebrate the mystery that God has become one of us so that he could save us from our sins and death, giving us new life as the children of God. And as the song’s refrain invites us to sing, “O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!” May we sing and adore Jesus as our Lord in our daily life. We are living totally different life after we believe in Jesus. All of this was possible because Jesus came to this earth for us. His incarnation made us to born again.  Light is defined by the shadows that surround it. Every parent knows that a newborn infant will face both happiness and difficulties as the child grows up. When God send Jesus to us, He knew the Son’s future suffering on the cross. Incarnation does not only include happiness, but also God’s heart-breaking sorrow. However, Christmas day is a day of hope and salvation. Today we celebrate the birth of a baby born in a manger. We join our voices with the company of angels, shepherds, and wise men. Today we declare this baby to be the light of the world, the true light that enlightens everyone, the light that the darkness cannot overcome. We have struggled with darkness in our world for a long time because we hunger for Christ’s light. This is the light which promises the salvation of the world. And if we can live in the light, then we will find ourselves as children of God. And if we follow the light, then we will walk with Jesus as his disciples. As followers of Jesus, we keep holding up the light of Christ and the hope that brings. And if we refuse to let the darkness take over, then the light will grow brighter, and the darkness will move away a bit further. We need to shine our light of faith and hope, no matter how small. It is amazing how even a little bit of light can really light up the darkness. Even threats and force cannot stop the people who sing songs of freedom, hoping for the light to come. Jesus Christ is the heart of the gospel. For all who receive Jesus, believing in Him as the true light of the world, He gives “the right to become children of God.” May we all be brightening the dark world with the light of Christ as children of God and disciples of Jesus.  Thanks be to God! Amen. (Ref. Bible, commentaries, theological books, UCA materials) 

12th December 2021 (Advent 3) Title: Rejoice in the Lord  (Scripture Reading: Zephaniah 3:14–20 & Philippians 4:4–7)                                                                                       By Heeyoung Lim In Zephaniah 1:4, God had fought against Judah and now He will save and defend them. Believers do not need to fear because the LORD, the King of Israel, is with them. 3:14–20 rejoices in the hope of Jerusalem’s restoration through the One who will gather Israel. Zephaniah is calling the people of Jerusalem “daughter” and renewing his love for them (14, 17). How does God bring us home or destination in this season of preparation and waiting?  Today’s text includes God’s exaltation of the suffering and the outcast. God’s presence protects and rejoices. God shows us the fulfillment of God’s promises in the journey of Advent through prophets. Christ’s presence and blessing will bring inexpressible joy and absolute security to His people in accordance with God’s words. As the joy candle is lit, may we give thanks for our gladness, remember all who are in sorrow, and care for them. As a result of social injustice, the oppressed are fearful, while the powerful are corrupt and reject divine correction. In Zephaniah 3, the ways in which God will deal with the oppressors have been described for those who have suffered at their unjust hands: “I will deal with all your oppressors and save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth” (3:19) God’s promises are being achieved for protecting and lifting the lowly, the suffering, and the oppressed. We find an unfolding of God’s promises in many places throughout the biblical narratives such as the prophetic word, the coming of Jesus, and the kingdom of God. The prophetic word through Zephaniah affirms that some of God’s purposes are to make injustice right, to heal the shame that results from oppression. In the exaltation of the humble and lowly, Zephaniah finds both a divine rejection of the abuses of power and a divine promise to protect the weak and the outcast. In verse 15 and 17, the prophet affirms that God is with the people and will continue to be in them. God’s presence protects His people from harm and God rejoices with them. The people will live without fear, trusting that God saves them from disaster and all kinds of attack. However, God’s presence does more than remove threats. A theologian Jennifer said, “His presence among the people is animating, in that God rejoices with them, renews them, and exults over them.” I believe that God frees and strengthens us by being present among us and God’s presence heals and leads us to lean into God’s promises. In dwelling among the people, God makes real the promised future of peace and joy. This is a hopeful message that will encourage the faithful on this Third Sunday of Advent. As the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus nears, we are challenged to remember God’s living promise to protect and exalt the lowly. This is the time in which the prophetic word, the coming of the Messiah, and the shape of the kingdom of God are derived and embodied. It is also the place in which the character of God is revealed. Biblical thought and the tendency of obeying God’s word understands hope as the expectation of a good future which rests on God’s promise. A good future itself is not our ultimate goal, but we can look to Jesus as our hope and expect even in the dark times and difficult trials. May we praise the Lord for the promise of our glorious future with Christ. However, when we are in the middle of sorrow, despair, and suffering, we often do not recognize the work of God. Why can we not live in joy? When we forget the gladness of salvation and God’s unconditional love, we will be living without joy. What are we doing where it seems there is no better place? How can we deal with dark times? How can we help suffering families and grieving people?  In these complicated circumstances, Philippians 4 invites us to be joyful in the Lord. Gospel joy is always shared joy. When Paul calls on the church to rejoice, in those times, Christians were being hunted, persecuted, and killed in Rome. During persecution and fear, Paul simply points to the promise and recalls the peace of God that passes all understanding.  “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (4-7)  In 4:4–7 Paul powerfully exhorts his Philippian friends to rejoice. Happiness from contemporary social discourse is something that is pursued, and it is tied up in the pursuit, but rejoicing in the Lord comes even in the face of trials and suffering. As in verse 5, may our gentleness or Christlikeness be known to everyone.  In accordance with these Bible verses, we can rejoice in the Lord and this word is a command. Joy Brings Patience, and prayer is the answer to anxiety, but our joy cannot be complete without peace. Paul’s advice to his readers to counter the anxiety of their lives with prayer is not just a simple alternative designed to hide or avoid the fear and uncertainty of their daily existence. This is a call to take those anxieties to God in prayer and allow God to reform us.  And joy Brings Peace. Peace is not simply the absence of

5th December 2021 (Advent 2) Title: Prepare the Way of the Lord! (Scripture Reading: Luke 3:1-6; Philippians 1: 3-11)                                                                                       By Heeyoung Lim We usually clean our house every time we invite a guest, but Advent is a time to purify ourselves and await the coming of the Lord. Advent offers the church the opportunity to remind of Christ’s coming and prepare in faith. At home people are cleaning, getting out their Christmas decorations, purchasing gifts, hosting, and attending parties, and simply getting ready for Christmas. However, John demands that we get ready for Jesus. Advent is a time to prepare to welcome Jesus and not simply our invited Christmas guests.  God’s salvation is available for every person, not just a chosen few. God’s invitation for salvation reaches out both men and women, poor and rich, Gentiles and Jews. This Advent Sunday is a great time for us to be reminded of that. A key theological theme in Luke is that God’s invitation toward salvation is for all people. In Luke 3 John the Baptist prepares the way for the coming of the Messiah by calling on people to repent from their sins. Forgiveness of sins comes only through repentance that involves a change of lifestyle, not just a momentary feeling or statement.  Today’s text invites us to confess our sins, repent, and ask God for forgiveness. Repentance is sometimes accompanied by discomfort and heart-breaking moments, but it is a time of being cared for by the word of the Lord in our relationship with God, and it is a time of joy and peace that the Lord has given us. We can ask God to show us the changes repentance should bring in our daily life. May we change our life in the ways God shows us through words, prayers, and praises. God sent the message to John, not in Rome, not in Jerusalem, but out in the wilderness. John prepared for his ministry and proclaimed his message in the wilderness. It is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Isaiah 40:3–5 was a word to the exiles in Babylon and it brought comfort to the people of Israel who were in their time of oppression. The oppressed and the least will be comforted with God’s rescue because God had not forgotten them and would not neglect them. Isaiah called all people to prepare for the Lord by making crooked paths straight, lifting up valleys, and making rough places plain. Luke uses Isaiah’s words to show the continuity between the ministries of John and of Jesus: John’s coming was not only predicted, but his message was the good news, for his message of repentance was the one that prepares the way for the Lord. John’s challenge is to repent and prepare. True repentance means to change one’s mind, turn around, reorient oneself. Luke 3 calls all people to turn to God, to seek God’s forgiveness, and to prepare the way of the Lord. How to prepare the way for the Lord? I believe that we can prepare the way for the Lord through being peacemaker and doing true repentance.  In addition, as in Isaiah 40, the way for the Lord would be prepared by making crooked paths straight, lifting up valleys, and making rough places plain. All of these can be connected to making peace. This week we live in the prophetic message that makes twisted paths straight, lifts valleys, and makes rough places plain to prepare for the Lord. God is consistent, sticks to his purposes, fulfills his word, and then brings new fulfillment for new generations and times. For John’s generation, salvation came in the similar setting as for the exiles who were in the wilderness. However, it came in a new way. People did not have to cross the dry desert, they had to cross the line of self-centred religious pride. Even now, God allows and leads us to cross our hurdles of our faith and life. The appearance of the wilderness and the things we need to overcome through repentance are constantly changing, but the fact that the truth is proclaimed in the wilderness and that we are living in preparation for the coming of the Lord does not change. In Luke 3:1–6 John the Baptist implores those gathered people to remove any obstacles that are hindering openness to the renewed ways of peace and justice that God has promised to reveal through the child to come. John was the messenger of change and prepared the way for the Lord.  In Philippians 1, Paul expressed his gratitude to God every time he remembers the church. God brings grace and peace to his church, and those are possible only from our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Bill Lawrence, a theologian, once said, “Happiness is based on happenings, but joy comes from relationships.” A relationship with Christ is necessary to achieve fruit in the Christian life. The Philippian Christians had supported his efforts and participated in the gospel since they had trusted Christ as their Saviour during Paul’s ministries. The partnership through active participation in the gospel caused Paul’s joy. (5) Being partners in the gospel of Christ will bring joy in our lives. Especially, love is a primary characteristic of Christlikeness, and God is the witness of Paul’s love for Philippians. (8)  Paul expressed his love Jesus showed, prayed for love and faith growth of Philippians, and continued to pray for discernment of what is best. (10) Christian love must be rooted in wisdom from God’s Word if we are to love both God and people in greater ways. We are to base our decisions on Scripture so that the best way is selected. When these are observed in our lives, we can be pure

28th November 2021 (Advent1) Title: In the Light of Christ’s Coming   (Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36)                                                                                    By Heeyoung Lim Children Time & Advent Greetings  Paul showed his great joy at seeing progress and strength in the lives of those he loved. Although Paul was thrilled with the strength of the Thessalonians’ faith, he prayed throughout the day and night fervently. Everything is up to the all-knowing and all-powerful God, but Paul was not passive and wanted God’s divine intervention. He asked for God to step in and make possible a return trip to this Thessalonian church to supply what is lacking in their faith. Spiritual progress is always to be commended, but it is never to be considered complete.  Love, gratitude, and other virtues spring from the heart, it is not from just following rules. Paul’s prayer was that the believers’ hearts would be strengthened. Faith is not about temporary once-off matter, it is related to lasting change that comes from our hearts. However, there will be no longer growth and development in our faith and life unless the heart is firmly established.  Faithful obedience to Christ is often misunderstood by those outside the faith, but in these circumstances, warm encouragement from each other is a source of strength in our relationships and in our lives. As the great proof of the Christ-life in us, love must always be on the increase. (12) It was to convey the love of God to other believers or non-believers. The love of God through us needs to extend to all, even our enemies. Our Christian relationships will be characterized by love and care for the good of others. May we care about other’s faith and pray for one another as Paul did. We were in very unstable COVID related situations for a long time, and we had to go through unexpected difficulties. May we find the way to overcome existing difficulties through renewal of heart and growth of faith even in this transition period. Short-term change can arise from changing habits or willingness, but long-term change begins with the heart and faith that the Lord has given us. The reason our hearts need to be strengthened is to be blameless and holy in the presence of our God. (13) But how can we be blameless before God on the day of judgment? With God’s grace, we are to lean on the strength of Christ to “live a life worthy of the calling we have received”. (Eph. 4:1) May we seek to make righteous decisions in Christ and try to be holy before God. I hope we can deal with our sins immediately through repentance, confession, and transformation whenever those enter our heart.  With this additional grace, we will stand blameless before our Lord, now and when Jesus comes in all his glory. May we be blameless and holy in the presence of our God when Christ returns. What are you waiting for everyday? I expect and wait that we will be grown or transformed in faith and life through renewal in Christ. Now we are waiting for the birth and return of Christ at the same time in Advent. In this season of Advent, may we concentrate on Jesus first and seek the kingdom of God. Our faith can be expressed as a daily commitment to believe Jesus, no matter what happens to us. It is not about a certain moment or the end, it is about growth or fullness. May we lean on God more daily, even though pain and temptations are regular components in our lives. I believe that God helps us grow in His holiness and love. May our lives be filled with joy, gratitude, and a sense of belonging to the kingdom of God until when we die, or Jesus returns.  In today’s gospel reading, Jesus becomes more specific about the heavenly signs that lead up to the end times. (Luke 21:25) Sun, moon, and stars can be warnings that represent the ends. Such signs will fill the earth with fear and a sense of being trapped because there would be no place to escape. (25) Jesus said, if you follow the two sinful ways of life, you will find yourself in a trap. We should not think we can escape the second coming and its judgment. It comes on the whole earth. Everyone is involved and no one escapes. (35) The heavenly signs will come before the end and cause people to swoon in fear. Jesus said, they will have no source to trust and no reason for hope. (26) This will bring greater fear to those who are unprepared, but not for you who are prepared in faith. (27) His imminent arrival will terrify the inhabitants of the world, but the redemption on a worldwide scale will be at hand for the faithful.  How will we react when this takes place? Jesus tells us, “Stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (28) In full glory, the Redeemer will be coming to judge and rule the earth. I believe that we can stand up straight and lift our head high without fear because Jesus will save us and give us our rewards. Jesus’ emphasis is not on knowledge but on action. We need to pray, stay alert, and ask God for strength to escape the persecutions, wars, and destruction rather than staying in spiritual stagnation. Christ is coming again and has given us the signs that ought to make us pray and get ready for his coming to establish his kingdom. (38) I believe and pray that we will stand before Christ as He judges the world, and we will receive the reward coming to His faithful ones

21st November 2021 (Christ the King Sunday) Title: Reign of Christ (Scripture Reading: Revelation 1:4 – 8; John 18: 33 – 37) By Heeyoung Lim Grace and peace to you! Today is Christ the King Sunday or Reign of Christ Sunday. It brings us full circle in the liturgical year. Next week, we will begin again in Advent, preparing for the birth of the Christ child. Today, our texts show us the circle of hope in which our faith is grounded, and our lives transformed. It is about God’s covenant, Christ’s reign, and the Spirit’s abiding presence. The Book of Revelation begins and ends with grace (1 & 22). The greetings in 1:4 bestowing grace and peace from the God ” who is and who was and who is to come” are connected to the circle of hope in Christ. “Grace and peace” had become a standard Christian greeting by the time John wrote. Grace is the great privilege of the Christian life and peace was the great privilege of the Old Testament age (Num. 6:26), in Hebrew, shalom. Christians share in all the blessings God has to offer. Grace and peace are privileges God extends to all believers. In the book of Revelation, “Lord Jesus” is more mentioned instead of “Jesus Christ”. Revelation shows the fact that Jesus is the ruler of the kings of the earth and his sovereign role as King. This was written during the reign of the emperor Domitian. Domitian had instituted a decree that he be addressed as “Lord and God.” Those who refused suffered persecution or death. Christians in those times faced an extraordinary crisis. The book of Revelation highlights the promissory message it gives and offers hope and encouragement, especially to suffering people. The real authority over their lives is God, revealed in Christ, not earthly kings. Jesus is worthy of all praise because of who he is and what he has done. In today’s text, Jesus is the Alpha and Omega who is the First and the Last. He is the Living One, the firstborn from the dead, the one alive forever, the faithful witness, and the one who holds the keys of death. Regarding the reign of Christ, Jesus freed us from our sins, made us to be a kingdom and priests and he loves us. His second coming will be glorious and public, because the Lord God Almighty will make it happen. The Almighty One – who is, and who was, and who is to come – encircles us in hope before and beyond all time. His power is seen in the title the Almighty, the one whom none can resist. What truth maintains and shapes your daily living? How does our faith community express its hope in God’s eternal truth both individually and collectively? Power and authority belong to Christ. Christ’ power, exercised and embodied in love and freedom, is contrasted with the oppressive power confronted by the community of this book. Especially, in verse 6, the verb love is a form that could be translated “keeps on loving.” The verb love is not a past recollection of what had been done on the cross. It is not restricted to the promise of hope that will someday be fulfilled. Christ’s love is continued in our lives. The crises and problems that affected us do not define us. Christ makes us as “kingdom” and as “priests” even in our difficulties as in the expressions of Revelation. Jesus is King over the kingdom of God, and we can believe that Christ will come again. The public, glorious return of Jesus Christ is the theme of Revelation. We do not know when Jesus will return, but the second coming of Christ will be glorious and public rather than lowly and private, and it would not be hidden, it can be seen in public. In today’s Gospel reading, Pilate, the imperial governor of Judea, could not imagine this beaten man was the king of the Jews. When Jesus is standing before Pilate, Pilate asks, “Are you the King of the Jews?” But this is not his real question. The real question is, “What is the truth?” Jesus has come to testify to the truth, so Pilate asks again, “So you are a king?” But through the conversation, Pilate gets one answer, “My kingdom is not from here.” Earthly kingdoms find their source with sinful humanity, but Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world. When we live in his spiritual kingdom of truth rather than worldly kingdom, we recognise the lordship of the King over the lives of his people. Jesus said, “everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” Once again Jesus set truth as the dividing standard for right and wrong, but the truth was not all he cared about. In John 18:38-40, Pilate declared Jesus’ innocent: I find no basis for a charge against him. Nevertheless, to satisfy the Jews, he let them select a prisoner of choice for release at the Passover. Whereby the sinner, Barabbas, which means “son of the father” was released, and Jesus, Son of the heavenly Father, went to death row. In this chapter we see religious people twisted by hate. Pilate characterized this trial as a religious bickering among these Jews whom he was authorized to control. He tried to get at the truth about Jesus, but on a limited level. He needed to know the truth that Jesus was a completely different being who has genuine authority, but he was just confused and wanted to be rid of religious worries as quickly as possible. However, Jesus was in control of all events related to his death and resurrection. Christ is, was, and always will be not just a king, but “ruler of the kings of earth,” to use the title from Revelation. Today’s text is model for the faithful witness of the early Christians and Christians today. May we never be caught ourselves at the temptation of Jesus’ enemies. I hope we

141h November 2021 Pentecost 25 (Twenty Fifth Sunday after Pentecost) Title: Justice and Joy in God’s Promise (Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 1:4-20 & 2:1-10) By Heeyoung Lim 1 Samuel 1:4-20 describes the profound suffering and faithful persistence that Hannah embodies. Hannah expresses the abundant hope and thankfulness to the LORD by her song in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. The gratitude and praise come from her experience of despair, but it represents God’s power and faithfulness. Hannah experienced the insistent trial and is harassed by Elkanah’s second wife for being barren. Peninnah gave Hannah no peace by irritating her. Despite Elkanah’s support, she refuses her portion of the sacrifice and weeps as he offers her words of consolation (7–8). Even her husband’s love cannot remove Hannah’s humiliation or change her state. (20) Hannah was deeply troubled and was praying out of her great anguish and grief. Especially on a trip to the temple, Hannah prayed silently for a son and was praying in her heart. The only thing she poured out was her soul to the LORD. She prayed and promised to God. If God would give her a son, she would give him to the LORD for all the days of his life. When Eli saw Hannah was praying, he thought she was drunk, but when she defended herself and explained, he listened and affirmed her. He then sent her away in peace by affirming that Hannah’s asking will find the answer. Hannah seemed to know then that God had heard her prayer. She went back to the family and sat down and ate something (1:18). In her trusting attitude, the depression disappeared, and her sorrow melted away. Hannah’s spiritual victory was gained through the anguish of tearful prayers. In the end, Hannah trusted completely in God’s will for her life. Upon returning home, Hannah conceives and bears a son, Samuel. He is born to a faithful woman who dedicates to the Lord. God’s hearing goes named in the child “heard of God”, Samuel. Hannah is the one who keeps her word, after a prayer of thanksgiving, she leaves him with Eli, the high priest, to be raised in the temple. Her child will be the one who anoints. God’s promises will be kept and achieved. The Scripture tells us that the LORD remembered her. I believe that God remembers our church member’s existence, prayers, and praises. In 1 Samuel 2, Hannah wanted a name that focused praise on God for what he had done and not on anything she may have done. Samuel was a gift from God. He was not the product of her strength or her own achievement. She prayed a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for his blessing and exalted Him for his great works. Hannah rejoiced in her own experience and exalted in the LORD. “In the LORD” her strength was lifted high, and her boasting was in the deliverance of the Lord. The final section of Hannah’s song rejoiced in her future hope, and she proclaimed that the Lord would guard the feet of those who are faithful to him. Hannah also rejoiced in her God and in God’s way of justice. Hannah sings the ways of God in “raising the poor from the dust.” Her song is a victory song for the Lord who overturns conventional wisdom and dismantles earthly powers while uplifting the least this world overlooks and oppresses. God’s promises of justice and joy will be kept continually. Encouragement based on God’s promises builds up community. Hannah connects the personal miracle of bearing a child against all odds to God’s promise for the whole community. The gifts Hannah brings to the community were persistent trust from profound suffering, the existence God remembers, and Samuel who is a gift from God who will be anointed in the promises of God. I appreciate that we all have gifts and talents to be shared in our family, faith community, and this suffering society. With Hannah, we may sing with joy, celebrating the justice of God that breaks open the future to new life. In her closeness to the Lord, Hannah caught a prophetic glimpse of the coming Messiah, the exalted King who will be the judge of all the earth. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. In the meantime, God’s presence will always be with us, helping something new and good to be born out of destruction and sadness. Especially in crisis, time seems to stand still, “How long, my God”, or “How long, our Lord” sounds like a familiar lament in the past or present. However, history remains in God’s good care. God’s promises will be fulfilled, and His presence links past, present, and future in hope. Mark emphasizes the danger to faith that will arise after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. In Mark 13, Jesus said to his disciples, “watch out that no one deceives you.” At least three times Jesus warned his disciples to “watch out” or “be on your guard” several times. Jesus wants us to live life in alertness and awareness.” Jesus warned his disciples not to be deceived by imposters who claims of themselves or others to be the returning Messiah. Jesus warned us not to be deceived by such false prophets who claimed to know when Jesus was returning. In Mark 13, Jesus prepares his people, both present and future believers, for the end times. Jesus begins the preparation of his disciples for the end times by warning them about false saviours and false signs. (5) Mark puts this story close to the time when Jesus is arrested. Jesus knew there would be troubling and difficult times ahead and He wanted to give His disciples something to live as true believers and disciples no matter how bad things get. How has faith sustained through difficult times? What might our church members encourage each other in hope? Together we are the body of Christ, and individually members of it! We can have confidence in the certainty

7th November 2021 Pentecost 24 (Twenty Fourth Sunday after Pentecost) Title: Giving and God’s Presence (Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 17:8-16; Mark 12:38-44) By Heeyoung Lim God told Elijah to go to Zarephath and directed a widow in that place to supply you with food. This was the heartland of Baal worship, but a remarkable place for the prophet of God to be protected. This is a place where the Lord’s power could be seen. The widow was suffering in times of drought and famine. This was hardly the place a person would look for help. In spite of the strangeness of this command and promise, Elijah obeyed. He asked her for a little water and a piece of bread. The woman was in between the demands of hospitality and her own desperate condition when Elijah requested it. She said to him, “I don’t have any bread, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” This was a bold request for a stranger to make, but it was followed by an even more remarkable promise: The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land. She went away and did as Elijah had told her. As a result of her trust, she experienced God’s supernatural provision, not just on that occasion but for an extended period. The prophet had learned to trust God, and he invited the woman to trust Him as well. They experienced God’s presence by giving and doing. The widow and her son became rely on the Provider, not the provision. In the process God revealed that He alone, and not Baal, was the Lord of all. God is our provider. The woman shows us courage that gives all to another. The spiritual courage is the capacity to stand for the Lord and sustained only as we are trained to know Him better and to trust Him more. It comes from commitment to the Word of God. Faith grows as we trust God’s word and see His faithfulness to his promises. The difficult places of life are God’s training ground, and the Lord trains us under His plan and providence. God is consistently faithful, meeting the need just in time every day. God is generous, giving, loving, forgiving, and gracious, and we are worshipping and trusting God. May we deepen our confidence in God’s power and have spiritual courage in the presence of God. In the first scene of today’s Mark’s gospel, Jesus taught and said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets.” Jesus warns against religious leaders who would make a show of how great they are. They sought to draw attention to themselves, and their attention was all external show, designed not to give honour to God but to attract it to themselves. They also acted out their attitudes of superiority by oppressing other people. Because of their great knowledge of the law, they should have done with compassion toward the vulnerable as they knew God did. What can we hear and feel when the two coins hit the bottom of treasury? How do we respond to those who cry out in need? She was not seen by the religious leaders, but she was seen by Jesus. They overlooked her, but Jesus looked at her and recognised the meaning of her giving when the poor woman throws two coins only. Jesus contrasts the greed of the scribes with a poor widow. In the second scene of today’s reading, the temple is a busy place and there are many events taking place. What does Jesus notice? What events do we give our attention to in our lives? Are our important events truly important in the eyes of Jesus? The widow was doing real action which is based on her faith while the religious leaders were doing empty ceremonies. God sees our actions even when people do not. In verse 40, they devour the property of widows, and make long prayers without meaning them. Some religious leaders exploited the poor woman’s property and then tried to show what they are praying without meaning. They misused their positions and exploited the poor rather than helping to care for them. The widow’s action is not only an example of faithful giving but also a demand for justice. Jesus contrasts the hypocritical teachers of the law with a woman who demonstrates true spirituality. Jesus did not condemn the people who put in large amounts of money. His intent was to show the disciples what true sacrifice is. She gave all she had to God and took the huge risk for the work of God. Jesus makes the point that this poor woman has given more than all the others who contributed to the treasury. Jesus draws attention to that which other might easily overlooked. God does not look on the amount of money a person gives, but on the attitude and heart a person has. If we are consumed and addicted by honour, power, money, social media, and beauty, they will leave us empty. I hope we can seek and have nutritious and healthy spiritual food rather than spiritual junk food. Spiritual courage for giving comes from God’s presence and words. Helping those in need, doing or giving something constructive with all of our resources, not just our money, will be a way to live by the gospel. Giving to God is an act of worship. Her giving and worship grab Jesus’ attention. In the eyes of God who sees the heart she has put in more than all the rest. God

31st October 2021 Pentecost 23 & Reformation Sunday (Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost) Title: The Greatest Commandment (Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Mark 12:28-34) By Heeyoung Lim About Reformation Sunday & The Five Solas of Reformation 
(Scripture, Faith, Grace, Christ Alone & To the Glory of God Alone) Reformation Sunday reminds of Luther’s and other reformers’ efforts in reforming ecclesial duty and responsibility. This day calls to remembrance the cost the poor have paid, the cost people were deceived at the hands of material greed with the name of indulgence. Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the Cathedral door in Wittenberg, Germany. His action sprang from his faith and theology. He began seeing a great truth of Scripture that had been lost to many in the church of that day and he realised and confirmed that we are saved by grace through faith declared righteous in God’s sight by Christ alone. Today’s Old Testament reading starts “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.” Strength in this passage refers not to a person’s physical strength, but to his/her intensity. The Lord invites us to “Hear” and “Love” God. Deuteronomy 6:4-5 constitute the core statement of faith. In this context, the command to hear implies “to listen closely for the purposes of obedience.” God wants people to be sincere in their faith and love. God’s commandments are not to be treated as a list of the acts we perform but as a description of who we are. It is more related to our whole “being” rather than our partial “doing” because God wants us to love Him with all that we are. His truth is to be placed upon the hearts of his people. (6) As today’s Bible verses, godly parents would impress God’s commandments upon the inner parts of children and each generation. God wants us to talk about His commandments when we sit, walk along, lie down, and get up. In Mark 12, one of the teachers of the law came and asked Jesus, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” By quoting the Shema of Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Jesus emphasized that we must give our whole being to God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength when we love God. Jesus then quotes Leviticus 19:18, calling for love of neighbour as self. He is reciting a command from the law of Israel as an answer to a question. The question is “Which commandment in the law is number one?” He is emphasising the idea that what God really wants from us is to live our lives based on love and not based on strict obedience to a bunch of religious laws. Jesus brings these two commands together in a way that links love and justice. Why is Jesus giving us a command to love? The scribe answered wisely, “loving God and neighbours are more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” It reminds us of Amos 5, “I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them.” (21-22) Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” (34) It was meant to encourage the scribe to continue down this path he had described by himself. It may be the equivalent of Jesus’ “Follow me” statement. No one asked Jesus any more questions after this encounter. His enemies seem to be failed to trap Him. An honest seeker in Mark 12 was the only scribe who received a commendation from Jesus. This reminds us of that there are always individuals within any group who are open to the gospel and to God’s movement in their lives. Jesus will not turn away any person who seeks Him with sincerity. Jesus is giving us a command to love God and neighbours. To love God and neighbours is to be near to the kingdom of God. Love is something where there is always room for improvement. The fullness of love is always something that we hunger for but can never be enough. However, Christ’s love compels us to love God with all that we are and leads us to love others as we love ourselves. Are we loving God with all that we are? Will we love our neighbours by letting “justice roll down like waters,” as the book of Amos tells us to do? (24) May all of us aspire to grow in love. We are commanded to “Love” and “Listen”. We can surely respond to a command to love and listen because Christ’s command helps us keep striving to love. I believe that every move of love we make helps to accompany in God’s kingdom of love. Every step of love we take can be a way of reformation. Even our weak efforts at love become little signs of hope in the present and the future. Every single act of love in faith contributes to being a witness for the kingdom of God. I believe that these ritual expressions of love will grow in the fullness of love and become deeper, richer, and more meaningful as our lives and communities be filled with our growing love. For the scribe and all the characters in Mark’s Gospel, including the disciples, love is not complete until they see the cross of Jesus and the power of God. May we experience the full life of love of God and neighbour when Christ’s love embraces us. Then we will be in joyful obedience and take up our cross and follow Jesus with love. Today’s text invites us to focus on how our faith draws us into relationship with God and with each other. In John 14:21, Jesus says, “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who

24th October 2021 Pentecost 22 (Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost) Title: Eyes of Faith (Scripture Reading: Job 42:1-6, Mark 10:46-52) By Heeyoung Lim Truly we need God’s mercy and grace. & Peace be with you. God speaks to Job of matters beyond his understanding. Job’s suffering remains an unanswered situation, but the encounter with God transforms and Job moves forward in faith. He now sees with new eyes of faith. He recognized God’s sovereignty and retracted his own sin. In the whirlwind, Job’s faith is wide open as he responds to God. (Job 42) He refocused on God’s intimacy and reaffirmed God’s supremacy. Job said, “But now I have met you face to face. So now I am ashamed of myself.” He knew he was spiritually poor. Job knew that he didn’t know everything, so he knew he needed God’s grace and mercy. In Job 42:2-5, Job confessed, “I know that you can do all things”, and he confided, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you” with deepening repentance. Job had been experienced with a deeper realization of God’s wisdom, power, and care through his suffering and trial. What his eyes had seen of God seems to refer to spiritual insight rather than physical vision. Job’s understanding of God’s awesome character is much greater than before his suffering began. Job was in agonizing trial, but he was always in God’s providential care at the same time, and his spiritual gain outweighed his temporal and physical loss. Job repents of his arrogance, acknowledges God’s sovereignty, and he renews sight of God. Is our heart quick to repent when God points out our sin through His words? Today’s text invites us to refocus on a personal and abiding relationship with God and a communion in which we are to grow closer to God. Are we growing in our knowledge of God? After today’s Old Testament reading, God rebukes Job’s three friends in anger, ordering them to give a burnt sacrifice and directing Job to pray for them. God said to Job’s friends, “My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly.” God restores to Job the great abundance of health, children, and possessions that he had before his tragedy. Broken and humbled Job repents of his view of God and restores his three friends back to God, and he is abundantly blessed by God with more than he had before. May God completely restore and abundantly bless you in your lives. The cure of two blind men is positioned at the beginning and end of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem between Mark 8 and 10. The two cures play a symbolic role to overcome the spiritual blindness of the disciples regarding Jesus’ identity and mission. In Mark 10, Bartimaeus was expressing faith in Jesus and begged for mercy. He began to shout, “Jesus, have mercy on me!” He calls out and comes to Jesus. Some people tried to stop Bartimaeus from seeking Jesus, but he shouted more for Jesus to have mercy on him. He had both hope and persistence. His persistence finds its reward in verse 49, a verse that is not only a story of healing, but also a story of calling. Jesus calls him. “Call him over!” We must not hinder anyone from coming to Christ because of our words or actions, because Jesus is calling us to walk with Him. In verse 36, Jesus asked James and John: what do you want me to do for you? Where they saw only self-interest, Bartimaeus sees hope in Faith when Jesus asked him the same question. Who is seeking to cure the spiritual blindness of his disciples? The disciples want status and privilege while Bartimaeus sees with the eyes of faith and says, ““Let me see again.” Jesus told him, “Your faith has made you well.” This means, “You may go. Your eyes are healed because of your faith.” The blind man regains eyesight through his faith and Jesus’ healing power, but the story does not end with this healing. In Mark’s story Bartimaeus can see Jesus in a way that others do not. He is willing to immediately follow Jesus on the way with sight restored rather than going away. When Jesus first asked what he wanted, Bartimaeus did not hesitate to tell Jesus that he wanted to see. He was expressing faith in the one who could help him, the expected Messiah, and he begged for mercy. He had eyes of faith. He has precious inner sight and insight about who Jesus is. Bartimaeus knows what he needs and believes that Jesus is the one who can deliver. What do you want Christ to do for you? In today’s text, Bartimaeus appears as a disciple that cast away his only valuable belonging. According to a theologian, Luis, ” Whereas the miracle starts with Bartimaeus “sitting on the side of the road” (46), it ends with the new disciple “walking, following Jesus on the road” (52) What do we need to throw aside to follow Jesus with faith wide open? Are we ready to follow Jesus immediately without any hesitation when He asks us to follow? The thirst for faith and the Word can be expressed as spiritual poverty that gives us the capacity to believe when we cannot see. It is what drives us to search out deeper, hidden truths about God. It turns us into a spiritual beggar. When we do listen to God, we will gain a deeper understanding, an in-sight, and a knowing without seeing. The man was healed physically and saved spiritually, and he followed Jesus on the way and moved from beggar to disciple. The blind beggar becomes a model of discipleship and faith. Jesus calls us to the new way of life and faith opens our eyes to see Jesus and His work in our lives. In the kingdom of God, even the one