The eternal perspective

Ephesians 3:1-13 ESV

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.   Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

This passage is Paul's digression from his prayer for them. He talks about God's work in the context of his imprisonment.

The gospel is the surprise that keeps on  surprising.

God takes on flesh to save humanity. He takes on flesh, dies the death of a criminal, and lives the life we cannot live. The gospel is a mystery. It is not a message that is not immediately obvious.  Jesus defeats evil, sin, and death by dying. This is counter-intuitive. Dying on the cross is how God triumphs? This is not what we expect. Ask your average person, how do you get right with God? Do good, they would say. But that is not what the gospel tells us, it tells us that it comes by grace through faith. That is how salvation comes. God has to open the door. Not only is the gospel generally a mystery, but there are mysteries within portions of the gospel. God chooses the Jews and yet also chooses the gentiles... Jews are the chosen people of God, but the gentiles are also welcomed into the family of God. That somehow both Gentile and Jew are the same family. This was very difficult for the Jews to accept. It is another mystery.

The church is God's masterpiece.

God uses the church to display His manifold wisdom and power. God points to the church as a group consisting of people from various tribes, tongues, cultures, economic status, shapes, and sizes... as his masterpiece. And he will receive praise for this... not only from humans, but heavenly beings... angels and, perhaps, even demons. When the angels look at the church, it brings into light God's wisdom... it illuminates his power. The church often seems unimpressive to us. So is God wrong about the church? Probably not. It is our perspective that is off. We're looking at the back of a tapestry. Or we're zoomed in on an impressionist painting. It looks like a jumbled mess from here, but on the other side of eternity, we will be awed alongside the angels.

How does this comfort the Ephesians?

Paul tells them of these things so the Ephesian church would not worry about him. He is in jail by choice. He is not imprisoned by the Romans but rather by the grace of God. He is willing to give up everything for his witness because of what God had already done for him.

Paul knows that even when he loses, he will win. Suffering for Christ is okay because God will complete the work. God's plan will come to fruition regardless of setbacks, trials, and tribulation. Suffering brings God glory... and not only that, but it brings us glory. Imprisonment, suffering, and cancer will bring about good. The worst things in our lives will be used for good. They will be redeemed. And no matter what happens, the best is yet to come.

One in Christ

Ephesians 2:11-22 ESV

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Future faithfulness is fueled by Christ's finished work.

once ____, but now _____

Paul speaks of how we were before Christ and now what has changed.

The wonder of oneness

Back in this age, the Jews saw the world as two. Jew and gentile. Jews were called to be holy and separate. But this became the basis for a sense of superiority.

Not only that, but there were the Greeks. They saw themselves as enlightened and viewed the rest of the world as uneducated barbarians.

So there was often animosity between these two groups. Yet there was one place where they lived in peace together, the church. They greeted each other with a holy kiss as family. Paul exhorted them to celebrate this unity.

In our day and age, there are many divisions. Ferguson shows that we are not in a "post-racial" America. So many heated arguments on this. Or the influx of hipsters and young families into Philly and the impact on the poor families that have lived here. Where in the gospel in all this? The gospel is the one way to lasting unity and oneness. It can bring together divisive and hostile groups into community.

The way of oneness

The gospel tells us that we are all human, we are all sinners in need of a savior, and we are need Christ for life and hope.

Jews prided themselves on circumcision and their status as a holy people. But all of this was only available through the grace of God.

Christ gives Shalom, not just peace, but rather wholeness. Not only not hating and not living in hostility, but loving those around us. The Jews were following specific practices to show that they were different. But this became superiority. When Christ comes, he shows that we are all sinners in need of salvation. When we have self-righteous justification, we compare our righteousness against one another. But from God's perspective, it looks like we're comparing whose $h1t smells less. It's all worthless and pointless. Our righteousness is filthy rags.

In Christ, we are all in the family of God. We may be different in many ways, but we are family. Different income, socio-economic, culture, etc.

The chief identity of every Christian is being in Christ. This does not eliminate race, economic, and other differences. But it should not be what we find most value in. How does this look? Your identity shows up in who you hang out with. We only hang out with those like us. And additionally, we are afraid of anything that threatens our identity.

The "so what" of oneness

We should worship. We should be awed by what God has done. There is much of brokenness in this world, but the church is a new thing.

We should reach out to people from all walks of life. Do not root your identity in other things. Root it in Christ.

From Death To Life

Ephesians 2:1-10 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Rev. Charles Han

Total Depravity -  corruption of every part of ourselves: mentally, physically, spiritually.
Before Christ, we were dead in our sins. So God resurrected us. Dead bodies don't need a bandage, a cast, or even resuscitation... they need resurrection. But why? Why would God resurrect those who hate him? Because God is rich in mercy and love.
Church is not about becoming nice people, or becoming more religious, or going to church regularly... it is about becoming new people. Being reborn.

The grace of God is not simply resurrection.

We are his workmanship. We are made for good works. This too is a gift from God. The faith you have is also a gift from God. Our obedience is not a response to God's grace; it is part of God's grace to you. Your salvation includes being rebirth as a new person, not just a small change in lifestyle.

Revived: A balanced life

John 17:1, 22-23 ESV

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,  The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,  I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

This is Jesus' thoughts on how to have a revived life. How to find a deep and satisfying relationship with God, the Father.

A revived you, the Father's better version of you, is found in the sweet spot of balance between Up, In, and Out.

Jesus models this for us in this prayer. He prays on our behalf to the Father. Then he prays about the cross.

Up

Jesus prays standing up, looking up. If we wish to be healthy, we need to be looking up towards God. Our lives should be oriented towards God in a worship stance.

Inward

Jesus is concerned about unity. He speaks of glory, a sort of weight, to Christians living in unity. This is not something we can fabricate, but something that comes through the Holy Spirit. It is "Holy Spirit" Unity to quote my friend, Doug Logan in Camden, NJ.

Outward

"So That" is a indicator of purpose/reason. He prays upward for our inward to turn outward. Worship is better in heaven because Jesus is right there. Prayer is better, there's no ambiguity. The Lord's supper is a taste of the grand banquet in heaven. There is one thing better here than heaven. Our ability to evangelize and share about Jesus.

Our worship is not only for God. It is also so the world would know. Our unity should reflect the unity of God to show that we are disciples of God. Our mission to spread the gospel should be in a healthy revived life.

Revived: By the Spirit of Jesus

Acts 1:8 ESV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 2:1-4, 14-16, 22-24, 40-47 ESV

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.  But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:  “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.  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.

Being revived is by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus promises power to his disciples. He promises "dynamite" for them to be witnesses for Him. That they would be so fired up that they would give up their lives for their witness.

Chapter 1 is about Jesus promising revival through the Holy Spirit.
Chapter 2 is about the fulfillment of that promise.

The spirit turns weaklings into witnesses.

The power God gives enables us to share about Jesus. It gives us courage and strength to talk publicly about Jesus.

Peter stands up and testifies about Jesus being the Messiah. Prior to this Peter had denied Jesus three times. He had run away while Jesus was dying on the cross. Peter had changed. He was changed by the spirit.

The spirit turns crowds into communities

The church is a motley crew. It is made up of people who wouldn't normally be friends or even love one another. It molds a crowd into an intimate group of fellowship.

The Pentecostal celebration was attended by people who only had the festival in common. After the spirit, they broke bread together and prayed together. They were devoted to the teachings of the apostles.

The spirit turns cities into saturation points.

The spirit changes people and crowds until an entire city becomes a witness to Jesus. Three thousand became Christian on the first day. Out of a population of 600,000. 0.5% in one day. By the end of the week, three thousand men... in other words, there thousand families. Enough house churches to witness to every neighborhood in Jerusalem. This is what God wants.

Come What May: Joy And Peace In All Things

Philippians 4:4-13 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious 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.  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.  I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Pastor Luke Woo

The time between Christmas and New Years can be a time of worry and sometimes, depression.

The passage we are covering today should help us to navigate the New Year.

Exhortations of Joy

Paul tells us to pray more. To exercise our spiritual muscles. To follow in his steps in following the leading of God. But this is not a laundry list of to-do's, but rather a lifestyle. To live lives centered around God.

We are to tune into God' desires rather than our own. What does this mean? We end up chasing after things that we desire over God's desire. Our capacity for joy becomes limited to just those things we decide will bring us joy. A tunnel vision sort of effect. Failure to do this will make us idol worshippers, always chasing after things other than God. Find joy in the Lord. Rejoice in things that glorify God. Rejoice in things of eternity.

He repeats this in the negative. Avoid being anxious. Do not worry about those things that will not bring joy. Bring your troubles to God. Trust that God will take care of things. God is good, loving, and powerful. He will resolve things for the good. God is king over all things.

The type of prayer he commands us is one of thanksgiving. The heart of this prayer is one where we acknowledge God as loving and merciful. A father who loves to bless His children.

Paul's Example

Paul sets his life as an example. This letter was sent to the church of philipi. He was under intense persecution. They had been stripped, beaten, and jailed. From their jail cell, they were singing praises to God.

His joy comes from the churches being planted and growing. His focus is not on the chains, the convicts, or those persecuting him. It is upon God's work in this church and the people.

Paul's X Factor

Jesus Christ is the X behind Paul. He is the one who died and was punished for us. He is the one who gave us eternal life and a hope that will not disappoint.

The secret to being content in all circumstances is understanding that we have Jesus... and all other things of this world pale in comparison.

The mothers of Jesus: The wife of Uriah

Matthew 1:1-6, 12-17 ESV

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.   Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.  So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Genealogies were like a resume. It wasn't about what you accomplished or went to school. It was about from where you came. Matthew is trying to prove that Jesus is the Christ that is the Messiah. To the Jewish audience, he is trying to show the credibility of Jesus.

Our need for a savior

If that is so, why is the wife of Uriah here? Bathsheba, the beautiful wife of one of the mighty men of David. The sorry story of betrayal,  conspiracy, murder, and sin of David against one of his most loyal and best fighting men, Uriah. But why would this be on the resume of Jesus? It was a reminder. A reminder of the ways we sin and oppress. David, a man after God's heart, who is a point of pride of the Jews. He also needs a remedy for sin, just like many of us. It is to point to our mutual need for a savior.

Our need for a real king

King David was leading the nation through many victories and in wise judgement. And then suddenly, oppression and betrayal. We need good leadership. But everyday, we see bad leadership. Nations, governments, schools, police, and sports... It can be enough to make anyone reject any authority.

Final thoughts

We have an authority that we can rest and rejoice in. One who has power, but does not abuse it. A king unlike any other. He brings about the reign that we long for. One full of justice, peace, and dignity.

We are called to labor and long for Jesus. We are to actively promoting the cause of Jesus. Justice, truth, peace, and love. We are limited in power, but eventually Jesus' reign will come and all these things will come to fruition.