Ordinary: The ordinary church

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)

Rev. Dwight Yoo

God works in extraordinary ways through the ordinary ways of the church. He does great things via normal, everyday church activities. We do not have a high view of the church today. We consider it antiquated, inefficient, and useless. But God works through it, it is His chosen method. He loves the church, even though it is made up of sick people. Jesus is the head; the church is the body. You cannot have one without the other.

Devoted to the word

The church is dedicated to apostle's teachings. They are to work via the word. Even after the original disciples die, the church is given offices to feed, grow, and mature the church via the word.

Fellowship, the intimate sharing of lives

The members of the church look out for each other. They are generous to each others. They share good times, bad times, burdens, sins, and joys. If you are struggling with sexual sin, depression, financial trouble, or marriage issues... But no one in the church knows, then something is wrong. We are failing to fellowship. The church is not working in the ordinary way that God meant.

Sacraments

Communion and baptism are the ways that Jesus commanded us to spiritually feed the church. Not miracles, just everyday actions where God brings about spiritual work.

Devotion to ordinary church life brings growth.

The devotion to the ordinary practices of church grows the church both qualitatively and quantitatively. It is not our personal effort, but God working through it. The wind of His spirit working brings about spiritual change.

Ordinary: The Value of Ordinary Work

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

1 Thesis

Rev Dwight Yoo

This sermon series is trying to address our generation's fear of being ordinary. We are trying to create an image of a sustainable, everyday faith. We want to avoid being lazy in our spiritual walk, but also avoid the over-valuing of radical, world-changing lifestyle.

Your ordinary job is an important way of living others.

Paul writes the church during persecution and tells them to continue doing what they do in regards to brotherly love. This is a very generous church. They were not rich, but they were generous. Paul talks about living quiet lives as well as giving to kingdom work in other regions. Working with your hands is another way of showing love. Aspiring to live quietly and working is a way to show love. Why? Many Christians in this church were not working. They were so obsessed with the return of Jesus that they quit working. They were living off of other Christians and welfare. This was hindering the witness of the church there. They were so caught up in the spectacular that they lost sight of the mundane. God works in the everyday. He doesn't always work in miraculous and spectacular ways. God provides. How? Through work, the everyday ordinary work of a baker and a supermarket worker stocking shelves. Work is more than just for your fulfillment. It is also for those we work with, for those who depend on us... That our jobs are not all about us. Not about us being the most impactful or respected by those around us. It is about being a blessing. Whether it is about freeing people from seed trafficking or baking bread for people. The work is equally valued by God. He loves both workers regardless of what work they do. Don't get caught up in big ideas and crazy schemes. Live quiet and peaceful lives. Quiet faithful lives can make an impact.

The power of valuing ordinary work

Be ambitious about being unambitious. We are driven by selfish ambition. But this is not what we are to do, we are to be ambitious to bless others and give glory to God. Don't trample those in the way of your career path. Don't envy those who work the job you want. We do this as a way to follow Christ. To lay down our personal desires for fame or acclaim, due to yourself, take up our cross and do the will of our Father in heaven just as Christ did.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2.3-11 ESV

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

Beware of   practicing your righteousness before other people in order   to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.    “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may   be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have   received their reward.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

Proverbs 29:25, Matthew 6:1-3

Rev. Dan Whang

Fear of man. We often strive for approval and appreciation from others. How often do we check how we look in the mirror? How often do you update your Facebook status or profile picture? Do you suffer from FOMO, fear of missing out? Many of us struggle with this. Do you define yourself by what others think of you? Are you a slave to their opinion of you? Is your identity tied to the approval and acceptance of others?

Addiction to attention or fear of rejection. This sums up what it looks like to be a slave to fear of man. The workaholic looks for validation from his coworkers and superior. Social media addicts look for likes and comments for validation. We might never share or speak up for fear of rejection. We don't want others to judge us or think us stupid or lacking.

Dealing with the fear of man

We can avoid people entirely. But this does not address the issue. We can put on a different attitude, be ourselves and be our own person. But this is ultimately self centered..

How then should we deal with it?

Firstly, we are not the center of the world. No one looks at you that much.

Secondly, there is no judgement. God has taken that away. God rejoices over you. In Christ, we have acceptance and identity.

Fear of man will be replaced by a fear of God. Good tells his prophet, Isaiah, to speak a message that the people will reject. So God dominates his temple with His presence and the prophet is freaked out. God is more fearsome than man. When we are reminded of God's greatness, our other fears are diminished.

The Gospel for the Performance-Driven

11:28-30 ESV

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Rev. Charles Han

This is the beginning of the series on our motivations outside of Christ. Today, we will address those who feel that success and self accomplishment will fulfill.

Crushing burden

This is not just talking about physical/mental exhaustion. Jesus is talking about spiritual exhaustion. What does this mean? It is the tiredness that comes from getting our identity from success whether it is work, parenting, ministry. God is not saying we should not work hard. It is when what you do becomes what you are. You get significance from success and depressed from failure. You are a success or failure depending on your circumstances. This comes from standards both internal and external. What makes us feel significant? Or insignificant? Do more. Do it now. Spiritual legalism is one form of this. Trying to justify ourselves. We are constantly in need of validation of our identity. Always trying to control everything, but we cannot sustain this. We will break down. This is what idols do, they bring us to death. The standards of perfectionists and performance are higher than how we can live or do.

Invitation to ultimate rest

Jesus invites everyone to come to Him and find rest. This is an everlasting, soul fulfilling rest. This is the end of the need for any justification. He took on all our guilt and shame. And He gives His righteousness, his inheritance, his performance, and his victory. You no longer need to measure up. In Christ, you no longer need to become, but rather you already are. You are completely justified in Him, you have nothing left to prove.

Learning to live under Jesus' easy yoke

So what then now that we know? We are free from the yoke of self justification. But we are not yoke free. He says we should be yoked under Jesus. Like an apprentice, we should learn  from Christ... to live in the reality that Christ has done it all.

Define your identity by what Christ did, not by anything else

Living in full obedience to the one who delights in our progression, not our perfection. He works in our imperfection and brokenness. He is easy to please but hard to satisfy. Like a father watching a baby learning to walk. He wants his child to walk, but he also delights in every bit of progress.

Isaiah 42:3 ESV

a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.

Spiritual warfare

6:10-17 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Paul starts to close out his letter. Finally, he speaks of spiritual warfare, this is integral. Here's what Christ has done, here's what you should do, and finally, here is what you should keep in mind.

We who are chasing God, you will be fiercely opposed. We have enemies in this work that God has given us. There are two reactions, complete denial and unhealthy obsession.

Reality of the enemy

Our enemies are not of flesh. They are invisible. He is the devil and one of many fallen angels. There is a question of whether this is referring to rankings of demonic forces or evil governments. It is likely both.

We are called to stand firm. This falling is not losing salvation, but rather seasons of spiritually unfruitfulness and inability to minister. Hurting rather helping the cause of Christ. This a call to wake up and realize that we are in a battlefield. This is a call to arms.

Tactics of the enemy

Before you fight your enemy, you need to learn about him. The enemy is stronger than you. Much stronger than we give him credit. This us why we need God's help. He is very shrewd. He deceived Adam and Eve. He will study your weakness and attack those character flaws and weaknesses, old wounds. He will try to reopen old wounds. He will take a lack of self control to sow division and discord. Times of isolation and idleness draw him to attack.

How to overcome

Allow no points of exposure. The armor should be worn, in it's entirety. The enemy is incessant. We are called to be strong in the Lord.

First, we need to know the truth of God. We need to know God both quantifiably as well as qualitatively.

Secondly, we need faith in God. Knowledge of his work and his promises, that he is dependable.

Thirdly, the helmet of salvation. That our salvation is secure in Christ. That our eternal destination is ours.

Finally, the one offensive weapon in the passage. The gates of hell are being assaulted... by the church. We are called to not just defend ourselves, but to take ground! The spirit pushes onward.

The shoes of the gospel give us the desire to take ground. The knowledge of how much God loves and gives us, winds over our hearts and drives us to advance the kingdom of God.

Everything we need for the fight is already ours in Christ. He has secured all these things for us. All this equipment is firmly within our grasp.

Spirit filled relationships

Ephesians 6:1-9 ESV

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.   Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Relationships, including work ones, are important to God. Most of our waking hours are spent at work. God wants to address this large portion of our lives.

Specific roles

Paul addresses those under submission, under authority. Children are called to obey their parents. Paul appeals to the fifth commandment. The ordering of these commands is one of severity or priority. We may feel that dishonoring parents isn't as bad as adultery, stealing, or murder. But this isn't how God sees it. Our parents are the first form authority in our lives. If we cannot submit to authority we can see, how can we submit to authority we cannot see, i.e. God. Your honoring of your parents is reflective of your relationship with God.

But make sure we differentiate between the relationship of children and parents AND adults and parents. Adults with parents are called to not obey, but honor them. This is not a conditional command. We are to honor our parents, even if they are undeserving! When we marry, we become authorities, we are now to consider ourselves carefully in acting as adults rather than child-like. We are to honor, but no longer under their authority.

Fathers are called out specifically. They are not to provoke their children to anger. What provokes anger in children? Humiliation, excessive disciple, gross  insensitivity, excessive goals, etc. So we are not to give them iron-fisted authority. We are to raise them up in how to follow the LORD. We are not trying to control them; rather teaching then how to make godly relationships. We are not to subdue them under your control. Not only that, we are not to just to make them happy. We are to disciple them. We are not to always let them get their way. We will make them unhappy in the short term; so they will prosper in the long term.

Slavery in the Roman empire is different from the slavery we experienced in the United States. It was not racially motivated, imposed. It was voluntary. There were classes of slaves. Doctor slaves, teacher slaves... Learned and well trained slaves. This is the slave that Paul addresses. The slave who works, works for God. Not because the slave was singing worship songs as they worked, but rather God cares about good work. He cares about good craftsmanship. When we do good work, God is pleased... because we image Him. We are to work not to please the boss when they are watching... But full diligence because God is pleased by this.

Those in authority should exercise their authority in light of the LORDSHIP of God. They are not to threaten or abuse their authority. In God's eyes, we are equal in dignity. We must conduct ourselves giving dignity to everyone equally, regardless of earthly authority.

Common roles

We are the same. We are to submit and lead as Christ. We are all brothers and sisters in the family of God. We are all common image bearers of God.

We are all to submit even those who do nothing for us. Because Christ did for us even as we were enemies. Wives submit because Christ gives more then enough to make up for whatever our husbands do not do for us. Husbands are to lead and love as servants... Because of how Christ has served us. When children have parents who have serious shortcomings... They need to remember that their Father in heaven is more than they need for all that shortcoming. Workers are to work in light of the unending love and grace of God. Work does not give them identity or significance.

Results of faithfulness in our roles

Our generation is all about fast and sexy. We don't want to hear about everyday diligence. The mundane day to day is how God works. This is our testimony to the world. In our everyday relationships. Our job day to day. Our employees under our management.

The Spirit-filled life

Ephesians 5:15-21 ESV

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Rev. Charles Han

Living a life filled with the spirit is like trying to catch a wind in a sailboat. We are not rowing, but tapping into a power greater than ourselves. That is what it means to be filled with the Spirit.

What it means to be "filled with the spirit"

We often think it means to be filled with a has or liquid. Like gas bring put into a car. But the Holy Spirit is not an object... He is a person. This is about qualities not quantities. We are not talking about the amount of the Spirit we have. But rather how much the Spirit has of us... How much of our will, our passion, etc... Does the Spirit control?

The grammar used here, refers to an ongoing thing. We are not looking at periodic spiritual experiences. But an ongoing experience. being kept filled

Finally, how much are we under the influence of the Spirit? How much does it affect your life, your entire life? The influence of wine is all encompassing. In small quantities, we get feelings of courage and warmth.

The Spirit increases and deepens our understanding of God. We called the Holy Spirit the "shy" part of the trinity. His entire purpose is to draw attention to Father and Son. So being filled by the Spirit means we are filled with/intoxicated by the Gospel truth.

Alcohol blurs our ability to see, the Spirit awakens our sight.

How do you know "filled with the spirit"

V 19-21:
"Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs"
"Giving thanks always"
"Submitting to one another out of reverence"

The Spirit-filled life is one of worship and obedience, not necessarily on gifts/abilities nor experiences.  Its about how you're living, how you're walking.

The Spirit-filled life is rather ordinary. It's not always in epic, radical ways. Just with plants, fruit comes in slow, everyday growth that eventually brings a seed to a tree. They grow, but you can't see it. Plants grow quietly, invisibly. But don't think that it's not a manifestation of great power.

Worshipful Singing
Worshipping together is not just to God.  It is also a way for us to edify each other. Worship engages the entire being. Our hearts, minds, and voices are fully focused on a song about Jesus and God.

Continual thankfulness towards God
We are continually thankful for all that God has done. If we have any feeling that we get less than what we deserve, we have lost the reality of grace. That we get what we do not deserve from God. Constant gratitude can grow all these fruits outlined in this passage.

Here's a formula for you.
Everything God gives is grace to you, glory be to God, thanks be to God. All things that are nice or not so nice.. even suffering, fit under this formula.  God bring good for us through all things.

Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ
We are to submit to those in spiritual authority over us. We are one body, following the command of Christ.

How to be "filled with the spirit"

Be immersed in the word of God.
The spirit has been working on writing out the Bible for centuries...  If the Spirit spent this long to get it written, does that not mean something?

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. - Col 3:16 ESV

You cannot simply read it. You must meditate on it. Chew and consider it. Not just listen to it.

Sing
Singing worshipfully to God is not only a mark of the spirit filled life... It is also a means of God's sanctification.