Simeon's Song of Peace

Luke 2:22-35 ESV

And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,  “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;  for my eyes have seen your salvation   that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,   a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”  And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Rev. Charles Han

Jesus has been born and there are sacrifices that need to be made for this birth. They go to Jerusalem to offer these sacrifices. There is a man who has been waiting for the coming Messiah. He has been told by prophecy that he will see the Savior in his lifetime. He then blesses both Jesus and his parents.

The peace that Christ brings

Simeon says that now he has seen Jesus he can die in peace. We usually say this in a playful way. But this reveals something of our hearts. But Simeon is not being playful. This is more of a heavenly peace. What does this mean? He is ensured peace with God. He has been delivered from the fear of death. He is assured that when he dies and meets God, he will be live in heaven and find favor from God. Since we do not control when and how we die, there will be  plenty loose ends. But in Jesus all the necessary work has been done. There are no loose ends that needs to be done. This peace comes from eyes of faith. Simeon held baby Jesus and saw salvation.

How this peace is brought

When Simeon blesses the couple, he speaks of conflict. Rising and falling of people in Israel. A sword piercing Mary. He brings peace in the midst of conflict. What a paradox. He brings this peace by expanding the kingdom of God. We find peace when Jesus reigns in more and more of our lives. When Christ comes, there is opposition. Whether Jerusalem or our hearts, when Jesus comes in there will be conflict. When we become a Christian, there will be opposition and rebellion within our own hearts.

Are you like the Jews trying to find peace in your life by having God improve your circumstances? Or are you trying to submit more of your life to the Lord Jesus? Jesus doesn't come to change our circumstances. He comes to save us from our sins. It is a spiritual struggle. That is what constitutes a Christian life. A spiritual war within as well as an inward peace. That is what is necessary for heavenly peace.

Mary's Magnificat

Luke 1:46-56 ESV

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever." And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

Rev. David Skinner

Mary hears that her old aunt is pregnant. They are together in miraculous pregnancy. This is a tumultuous time. Mary is a virgin. She's pledged to be married. And then along comes an angel, who says she is pregnant. Rumors and gossip are starting to circulate in her town. Joseph is planning to quietly divorce her, otherwise she might be killed. What is the first thing she heard upon coming to visit her aunt, Elizabeth? Blessed. There are many troubling things, but she is favored by God. God is here and in our lives. Jesus is not just a baby in a manger. Jesus is in the world, permeated throughout every aspect of our lives. But we don't see it, we often live as functional atheists. But God is there in our everyday lives.

Mary is greeted by the angel... And there is no freaking out on her part. There are plenty of people who freak out when an angel appears throughout scripture. But she is calm, she's more troubled by what the angel says then the appearance of an angel. The angel tells her that she's pregnant. She takes the angel at his word. She believes that she was pregnant and then says how she could be pregnant, being a virgin? She's wondering if this angel knows how pregnancy works... Just a conversation with an angel. Nothing amiss here. The angel replies, the holy spirit will be the father of her babe. Mary says, okay.

Mary applies the scripture in her life. She sees God in the everyday. Her song includes words from various parts of the bible. Her reaction to the angel is the reaction of one who assumes the world has angels and a God who intervenes. On earth as it is in heaven so to speak...

When she sings of God, she exalts in God. One who gives mercy and raises the lowly. She is familiar with how God works. This is just like God to do something like this. She is a simple young girl from a small town. And God comes to save the world through her.

Do you fear God? God can give us wrath and death beyond imagination. He can destroy both body and soul. He gives grace to the humble and fearful. God humbles the proud. He lifts up the humble. Repent of our self glorification. The instagrams. The pictures of food. Stop trying to make our mark on the world. God is against such people.

God feeds the hungry. He offers food, true food and pure living water. Not food that does not satisfy. Mary lives in a world where God provides for those who are his. Where angels are normal. And babies can come from virgins, if God wills it.

God gives his perfect son through a virgin. To die upon a cross so that we who are lacking will have enough; those who are afraid will be given courage; those who don't live god fearing lives, will have help. So that sinners will have a great help.

The songs of Christmas: Zachariah's praise

Luke 1:57-80 ESV

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, "No; he shall be called John." And they said to her, "None of your relatives is called by this name." And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us  from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Rev. Dan Whang

Advent is a good time to draw close to God through the story of the incarnation, Jesus' coming. To take time away from all the shopping, food, and celebrations... And celebrate the coming of the Christ.

The passage speaks of Zacharia's response to the coming of Christ. Benedictus is the name given to his response. This word came after a long period of silence. The prophets had stopped. The people had only the old testament words to study and wait for the coming Savior.

Reasons to live with hope

Christ's visitation had a saving purpose

When Jesus came, it was to save. To save his people from soon and death. It was to bring redemption and deliverance. He is God's compassion and love to sinners. This should give us an enduring hope.

Christ's visitation was predicted and fulfilled

Christ came to fulfill the word of the prophets. He is the one to complete the covenant. He is a promise from God. This is not a promise from people, but God. This is a guarantee from God. This means there are things that we can build our lives on. That God will be with those who love and follow Him. That there is always grace for the day. God works for those who love him. We have hope regardless of how our lives or faith is doing. We can stand on the authority and promises of God.

Christ's visitation brought a transforming enablement.

Perhaps we are stuck by fear. That we must serve to keep people happy, to keep God happy. Or we are afraid to serve, we think we are unworthy or not good enough. But Jesus is our acceptance and worth. He brings love and grace. Jesus is the fulfillment of the whole law. Something that we sinners cannot do. He justifies us and clothes us in His righteousness. For those who serve, we fail constantly. But we are covered by His righteousness. We can serve confidently because we are covered by Christ.

Christ's visitation leaves an eternal impact

He brings light to those in darkness. Pardon for those condemned. And guidance for those walking in the shadow of death. He comes for those in shadows and doubt, He brings light. For those caught in sin, he brings life and freedom. For those lost and wandering, there is a shepherd who will guide you.

Members of one another

Romans 12:3-8 ESV

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Rev Dwight Yoo

What does it mean to be a member of a church?

To belong to each other

Salvation is not by what we do but rather what Christ has done. It is started by the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit will complete the work. What does this look like? All of life becomes an act of worship. The church is an integral part of this process. The process of becoming like Christ requires a church. When we become a believer by faith, we now have a relationship with every believer. We are all brothers and sisters to one another. Regardless of political stance, race, ethnic background, etc. When we are adopted into the body of Christ, we don't get to choose our family members. But we don't belong to an organization, we belong to a body of believers, the people of the church. We belong to the individuals of the local church. We are not a club where we can pay dues and get benefits. The church is not for consumers. It is a body. It requires both give and take. The eye requires blood to function. It also gives; it gives sight to the body.

To contribute confidently, but not condescendingly

Everyone in the body has gifts. They are all to contribute to the body. Some have more gifts than others in the body. But Paul tells us to watch our attitudes. That those who have more gifts have been given more by God by grace. These are gifts from God by grace, not by works. We are to be humble in contributing with our gifts. We are, as members, to contribute to the body. But we are also to use it with the right attitude.

Meeting consistently and constructively

We are to meet each other regularly. And not just to play, but to spur each other to do good works. We are to remind each other. We are to encourage one another. To keep fighting the good fight.

When we do not meet regularly, this can often come from idolotry. From fear of losing out in our career or school. We forget that living and loving one another is one of the marks of the Christian is the way we love one another.

Culture, creativity, and grace

Genesis 2:8-25 ESV

And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. The name of the second river is the Gihon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Cush. And the name of the third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Psalms 8:1-9 ESV

O Lord , our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O Lord , our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Mr. Andy Crouch

Most of our time is spent working. It is what takes up the most of our time outside of church worship. To get a good picture of work, we should not start in Genesis three, but rather Genesis one and two. The first references to humans is "earthling". They are not yet man and woman. But rather like earth. We are not extraterrestrial. We are much like the rest of the created animals of earth. Not only that, but these earthlings are given a lot of authority. We have an innate sense of responsibility for animals. We have been given dominion over not only domesticated animals, not only land animals, but even birds and even the teeming fish of the sea. So what does this have to do with our work? We are given a piece of God's creation and we are to celebrate and improve this small part of God's creation. But we are also naked. We are incredibly vulnerable. Humans don't fit into any one ecological niche. We are so vulnerable when we are first born. As image bearers, we are both authoritative as well as vulnerable. We are not meant to be alone. We have authority over the world, yet we retain the created creature's vulnerability. It is erroneous to think we can grow in authority without growing in vulnerability. We are meant to clear over each other's vulnerability in relationship. We are many to create and cultivate. Our purpose is not to sit back and drink little drinks with little hats. We are meant to cultivate. To maintain and increase the fruitfulness of creation. We are meant to keep culture good. We are meant in our workplaces to find that which is good and keep it as good. We are not called to impact the world. We are to maintain and keep it good. But are not to just to conserve. We are also to create with the things of creation. All healthy work is a combination of conservation and innovation. To have one without the other is unhealthy.

Consider live music. It requires using our authority and considers traditions and that which currently exists. And it requires vulnerability on the part of the performer. And it requires a relationship with your audience. Only when we have authority, vulnerability, and relationship can we have flourishing.

Abraham pleads for the city

Genesis 18:16-33 ESV

Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. The Lord said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him." Then the Lord said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know." So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord . Then Abraham drew near and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" And the Lord said, "If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake." Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?" And he said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there." Again he spoke to him and said, "Suppose forty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of forty I will not do it." Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there." He answered, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." He said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it." Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there." He answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it." And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Why he pleads

God leads Abraham to plead. God starts off with an internal debate. He considers whether to discuss the issue with Abraham. So God decides to wait and talk with Abraham. He wants to teach Abraham how to live in righteousness. A way of living in community that promotes the life of all its members.

Because of his compassion for the lost. Abraham could have pleaded for his relative, Lot. But instead he pleads for the entire city. He could have pleaded for the righteous to be saved only. But no, he asks for the wicked to be spared on behalf of the wicked. Not only this, but pleads for other peoples, not just his own. Prophets only cry out for their own people, but Abraham calls out for foreigners. Foreign people may become enemies, who do not worship God.

Because of his role in redemption. This is a minority tribe outnumbered by a world full of tribes who do not worship the one true God. So how many? Abraham wanted to know how many believers would stay the destruction of the city. They went back and forth. And when they hit the number ten, God ends the conversation. Commentators say that ten is minimum for a synagogue or a church. One church is enough for the redemption of an entire city. They are enough to preserve a city.

Why he is able to plead

God was a friend to Abraham. So they can go back and forth. They can discuss the nitty gritty. Because Jesus was abandoned, we can all be friends with God.

Why we should plead for our own cities

Because God leads us to. God desires the redemption of the lost and sinners. He wishes for their salvation. Our hearts should be troubled by those living in sin, those who do not know the Lord.

Matthew 9:37-38 ESV

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;  therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

We are troubled by God. But we do not plead with God over these things. We stop by wishing someone would be caught. We stop short of praying. God troubles us so that we would pray.

Because of our compassion for the lost. We are different from the people out there because God opened our eyes. We are just like those outside the church. The only thing different is the grace of God. One sign of spiritual maturity is the knowledge that we are just as sinful as those outside the church.

The gospel according to Abraham: The greatest test of Faith and the greatest testament to Love

Genesis 22:1-19 ESV

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here am I, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together. When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, "The Lord will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided."  And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord , because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice." So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

This is the climactic moment in the life of Abraham. It is a very dramatic event.

Faith Tested

God told Abraham that he was to be tested. God told Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, as a burnt offering. This sounds insane. But during these times, the Canaanite worldview said that the god that provided fertility was also entitled to a portion of what had been provided. This included animals, grains, and even children. This would have been a normal request to Abraham. It must have made no sense. God promised to make a great nation through this son. And now, God asks for Isaac as a burnt offering. But God knows that Abraham will obey. So why does God ask for this? God knows what will happen, but God still asks Abraham for his son.

God wanted the expression of Abraham's devotion. Not just the emotion. Isaac is the symbol of all of Abraham's hopes and joy. Abraham has been waiting for his entire lifetime. And God asks it. He wants to know, will God be sufficient. Does Abraham follow God because of God's promise or is it because God is enough? Would we follow God, if all we got was pain? This is the test of devotion and love for God. As believers, we are called to leave everything, take up our cross, and follow God.

The second test is one of trust. Does Abraham trust God enough to follow through even when the instructions make no sense, cruel, and painful?

Faith Proved

This is the heart of faith. Abraham did not argue with God. He did not delay. He woke up early in the morning. The mountain was a three days trip. There was plenty of time to turn back and to change his mind. But Abraham does not turn back. He does not hesitate. We can only imagine how Abraham struggled internally. It is possible that Abraham believed that God could raise the dead. So even if Abraham sacrificed his son, Good could raise him from the dead.

Hebrews 11:17-19 ESV

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

Abraham has failed to believe in God. Plenty of tests where Abraham failed to believe. But now, Abraham has such a mature faIsaac, Not only this, but God is working out this kind of faith in us as well.

Testament to Love

This passage does not only speak of Abraham's love and devotion to God. It also speaks of God's love and devotion to us. God provides and sees to the blessing of Abraham's descendants. Even though Abraham and his descendants are sinful and difficult, God sees to it. He does it. God would provide through a substitute. Since the ram was sacrificed instead of Isaac, Abraham knew that God would provide a sacrifice in our stead.

John 8:56 ESV

Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad."

Another man also carried wood up this same mountain range. He was also silent as he was prepared for sacrifice. And just like Abraham agonized for three days, God experienced this same pain. But there was no one to stay the knife. God allowed his only son to be tortured and beaten beyond recognition. Not only that, but willed it. To die for the enemies of God. What kind of love is this?

Romans 8:32 ESV

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

The gospel according to Abraham:

Genesis 18:1-15 ESV

And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, "O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on— since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes." And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate. They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" And he said, "She is in the tent." The Lord said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?" The Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, "Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?" Is anything too hard for the Lord ? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son." But Sarah denied it, saying, "I did not laugh," for she was afraid. He said, "No, but you did laugh."

Genesis 21:1-7 ESV

The Lord  visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac.  And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. And Sarah said, "God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me." And she said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Hospitality was a big deal in these times and places. Abraham was resting in the middle of the day, much like the way some cultures have a siesta. And during the siesta, he is visited by three strangers. They were two angels and the Lord, but Abraham did not know it. We should, however, consider the greater hospitality of God. God welcomed Abraham in... a pagan and sinner. He went out of His way to come for sinners.

The laugh of doubt

God had already told Abraham that Sarah was going to bear a child. But for some reason, Abraham had not told his wife. So this announcement was not for Abraham. God came to announce this to Sara who was eavesdropping nearby. God wanted to meet Sara. She was not only barren, but by this time Sara had hit menopause. And some bible commentators think that Sara and Abraham had stopped having sex. Not only was bearing children a distant possibility but the couple may have stopped having any sexual relationships.

The idea behind this is one that says the situation is hopeless. There is nothing that can be done. But the unspoken assumption is that God is not powerful enough. It makes God seem weaker than he is. God becomes smaller in our eyes.

Not only that, but our lives shrink. We limit ourselves by looking at the situations based on what we can do. We do not attempt things that require more than we are capable of. We do not attempt things because we do not have faith.

Laugh of faith

A year later, Sara has a son. A ninety year old woman nursing her son. That is such a strange picture. An impossibility of impossibilities. Sara is still laughing, but it is because life is full of more possibilities than one can imagine. It is a laughter of awe and joy.

But we need to balance this idea. Not all of our circumstances will end in miraculous events. There is nothing that God cannot do, but there are things that God will not do. Some of our prayers for healing or intervention will not be answered as we hope.

The ultimate basis of our laughter

Another woman was told she would have a child. But this was no old woman, but rather a virgin. Yet another impossibility. But this son, would do infinitely more for us. He would save us. His death and resurrection would tell us that we have a hope and miracle that we can laugh about regardless the circumstances.

The cross secures our ultimate hope. The world seems so hopeless and full of such impossible situations. Work seems pointless. Family disappoints and hurts us. But the cross tells us that this is not the end. God is up to far more than we can see. Jesus defeated death. Who could have foreseen this? God's out to redeem all things. All of creation.

Luke 6:21 ESV

"Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh."

The principle of using your time well: Therefore understand... The will of the LORD

Understanding God's will through circumstances

Looking at our situation for God's will is not always clear. It takes wisdom and sometimes wisdom from the possible around us.

Understanding God's will through His word

The spirit of God ministers to us through one another in the following ways:

Spirit of Jesus creating faith by ministering the word. The office of pastor or a lay counselor who talks through how the word applies to the personal circumstance.

Spirit of Jesus creating hope by meeting nerds with deeds.

Spirit of Jesus creating love by building the new community.

Goals of the church as seen in the Word of God

Be friends to one another
Be family to one another
Be servants to one another

The principle of using your time well: Making the best use of the time

Paul's command

Time is an asset to be used wisely. It is to be invested wisely for God's kingdom.

Time is something to be used. We are to use it to gain interest. Jesus tells us He expects a return on our use of time. God gives us gifts, one of which is time. We are to use them.

We need different kinds of relationship. We need mentors. We also need people who feed you. And you also need people that you are serving and giving to. This is how the community should work.

Here's a framework to look at different areas in our lives.

Urgent/important: problem
Urgent/unimportant: popularity
Not urgent/important: purpose
Not urgent/unimportant: pleasure

What is important but not urgent in your life?
Consider the different roles in your life: husband, father, son, homeowner, neighbor, church member, worker, small group member, friend, brother... Focus on purpose rather than problems. In your schedule, set it up to address twice the amount of purpose areas for problem areas. Eliminate popularity areas in your life.

The principle of using your time well: Look carefully then how you walk

Busyness, unchecked, can rob you of relationships and your health. It can distract us from things that are important.

First have a clear idea of God's will for you.

You need time with God. Prayer/quiet time
You need time for physical stewardship. Exercise, sleep, family time, recreation.
Find five to fifteen people you can shepherd. This includes family relationships!

Define your key roles for the next week and month.

Take on the purposes in bite sized pieces. Don't try to tackle all of them at once. Just take on those things that are important for the coming week and month.

Select goals for an entire week

Schedule them all as time blocks or appointments for the entire week

Daily adapt your schedule by adding unanticipated events.

Start saying no to things. If there are too many, you may not be prioritizing properly. God's will cannot be larger than the amount of time you are given. God will not ask for than the number of hours in a day/week/month/year. Cross things off your list without guilt!

The problem of using your time well: "Not as unwise, but wise"

The gospel according to Abraham: Covenant Faithfulness

Genesis 17:1-27 ESV

When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly." Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, "Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham,  for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God." And God said to Abraham, "As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant." And God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her." Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, "Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?" And Abraham said to God, "Oh that Ishmael might live before you!" God said, "No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation. But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year." When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. Then Abraham took Ishmael his son and all those born in his house or bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house, and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very day, as God had said to him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. That very day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised. And all the men of his house, those born in the house and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

This passage is the formalizing of the covenant between God and Abraham.

The call of the covenant

God promises all these things at first. Then, now, we see Abraham's part of this agreement. God calls Abraham to walk before me and be blamelessly before Him. This really means God wants Abraham to reorient his entire life around God. A life fully dedicated to God.

In those times, there are often these king-vassal agreements. The king sets the terms and the vassal must agree. There is no negotiating. The greater king has the full right to demand everything. God is the king of kings. He has every right to demand this. But God approaches this differently. He promises to make a great multitude of nations of Abraham. Kings will come from him. The promises of God grow more expansive over time. Not only this, but He promises to be a personal God to these people. God wants a relationship like marriage. Close and intimate love relationship like no other. Marriage is an illustration of what God wants with His people. God yearns to be with His people.

The sign of the covenant

God gives a physical tangible sign of His promises. But why circumcision? It was a reminder to Abraham that God had marked His people. It also reminded Abraham that God promised much to his descendants. Not only this, but to reject this, was to reject God. It is the equivalent of rejecting a proposal. The ring is a sign to marriage... To reject it, means that they are not bound. That is why rejecting this sign is so serious. Not only this, but these say something of the heart of God. God is a romantic. He leaves love notes for His people. And He is a reassuring father. He loves us no matter what we have done.

The fulfillment of the covenant

What is the sign for us today, if it is no longer circumcision?

God promises a son to Abraham through Sarai at the ages, respectively, of one hundred and ninety. An impossible promise.  Through Jesus, a descendent of Abraham, another impossible circumstance. Born of a virgin and God.  So now households are no longer circumcised. They are now baptized. There is no longer blood, because we are covered by the blood of Christ. Communion reminds us that God is near. The Holy spirit testifies that we are children of God.

The Gospel according to Abraham: The story of Hagar: The LORD had seen me

Genesis 16:1-16 ESV

Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said to Abram, "Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her." And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. So, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her servant, and gave her to Abram her husband as a wife. And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress.  And Sarai said to Abram, "May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my servant to your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the Lord judge between you and me!" But Abram said to Sarai, "Behold, your servant is in your power; do to her as you please." Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her. The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. And he said, "Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?" She said, "I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai." The angel of the Lord said to her, "Return to your mistress and submit to her." The angel of the Lord also said to her, "I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude." And the angel of the Lord said to her, "Behold, you are pregnant and shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has listened to your affliction. He shall be a wild donkey of a man, his hand against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen." So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, "You are a God of seeing," for she said, "Truly here I have seen him who looks after me."  Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; it lies between Kadesh and Bered. And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.

Rev. Dan Whang

Hagar finds incredible hope after much trial, hurt, and trouble. This story reads like a soap to me.

This is ten years after Abram received a promise from God. Sarai told her husband that God had prevented her from having children. She had given up on God keeping His promise. Abram puts up no resistance. He goes along with her leading.

Hagar was a servant of Sarai. Sarai gave her servant to Abram. When Hagar conceived, her status excelled Sarai. In this time, women were valued by their ability to bear children. So Hagar becomes greater. When Sarai experiences this, she takes it out on Abram. And in response, Abram takes a even more passive position. He lets Sarai have her way. Sarai takes out her frustration on Hagar, very likely in the form of physical abuse. So Hagar does the only thing she can, she runs away and gets away from this ugly situation.

When it's clear that God is causing us to wait, the best thing to do is to keep waiting.

Hagar had run away and was on her way back towards Egypt. This is when the Lord catches up with her. It was likely that this story was told to the Israelites while they were fleeing from the Egyptians after for hundred years of oppression. Some may have even thought that Hagar was getting her just desserts. So the rest of this story is much of a shock, God does not deal with her as they would have expected.

God brings Hagar back into the promise of Abram. It is a crazy situation there, but God casts her lot with Abram. Not only that, but God gives a promise of numerous descendants to Hagar as well. They are an echo of the promise given to Abram. God draws her attention from past pain to the hopeful future. It is not comforting, but rather a bracing promise. A foreign slave, an Egyptian receives the words of God.

The gospel according to Abraham: Faith and prosperity

Genesis 13:1-18 ESV

So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb. Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord . And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land. Then Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.  Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left." And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord , like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the Lord  destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord . The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you." So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord .

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Abram retraces his steps after his failures. This symbolizes repentance. He is going back to where it all started. He is going back and seeking God's face.

Abram is a rich man. He had plenty of wealth on the form of livestock. So did Lot. So much so that they had to separate.

Prosperity can be both a test and temptation.

When things are tough, our character is tested. We are under pressure. And when that happens, our true character is revealed. The same happens in times of prosperity and easy going.  We can be tempted to forget God and walk away from Him.

Deuteronomy 6:10-12 ESV

"And when the Lord your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—with great and good cities that you did not build, and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant—and when you eat and are full, then take care lest you forget the Lord , who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Proverbs 30:8-9 ESV

Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, "Who is the Lord ?" or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.

Mark 10:25 ESV

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

We, as citizens of the US, are far richer than most of the people in the world. In this country, we are in a culture of materialism. We have things that people can only dream of. Or there is a time of success at work or at your studies, even this is a form of prosperity.  We are tempted to forget God.

We often hear for prayer when we go through tough times. Job layoffs, exam failures, and singleness are frequent prayer requests. But what about temptations of prosperity? We never hear of prayers for those who are doing well in life. But we should pray.

Lot chose to walk by sight and not faith.

Lot chose only by sight. It looks good, but it is close to wicked people. It looks like the garden of Eden, but with one significant difference. God is not there. Lot desires earthly, created things rather than the Creator.

We think that money gives us a sense of security and control. But it is a false promise. The security is fleeting. Whether we look for security in wealth, material possession, relationships, and created things, we can only find disappointment.

Real prosperity leads to radical generosity.

Abram failed the first prosperity test, but he passed the second one. He gives Lot first choice.  The younger cousin is allowed to choose first. It is counter cultural. Lot can only benefit. Abram gives this choice to Lot. Abram chooses to seek out Good rather than wealth.

Hebrews 11:9-10 ESV

By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Abram decides that material gain is not the ultimate. Seeking God is. The mark of true faith is one who lowers their standard of living... to raise their standard of giving. Giving up HD TV so they can give more. We cover the idolatry of material security with an excuse of wisdom or stewardship.

"I place no value on anything I have or may possess, except in relation to the kingdom of God. If anything will advance the interests of the kingdom, it shall be given away or kept, only as by giving or keeping it I shall most promote the glory of Him to whom I owe all my hopes in time or eternity.” - David Livingston

Partnership in the gospel

Philippians 1:1-11 ESV

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

What does it take to be a genuine and helpful partners in spreading the gospel?

Shared goals

There is a fondness between the missionary and their church. It wasn't just a personality. It wasn't just their caring for his financial needs. They were genuine partners in sharing the gospel with the world. Partnership is also translated as fellowship. Fellowship is not just a bunch of Christians hanging out together. It really means a commitment to one another with financial implications. It speaks of almost a business venture. If the mission goes awry, it is felt by both partners. Not only do they share in good things but also the bad. The church sent a person to Paul while he was in prison. The physical presence meant that the church was there for them. That we shared the same heart of sharing the gospel. We share in the drive to share the gospel and putting our lives in danger and or dreams sacrificed for the mission. It is a difference in missions context, nothing else. We are not just sending checks. We are on fire for the mission of the great commission. Just as the missionaries, only we stay here and they are over there.

Sharing of gifts

Paul writes a letter to the church to help shepherd the church and teach. The church was poor and yet they sent money and they sent someone to help Paul survive prison. They invest and build each other up.

Common american missions mistakes
(How to help without hurting)

Gospel-centered view of self and others
(We are all broken sinners in need of grace. We can only share our gifts with one another.)

Awareness of cultural idolatry
(Americans are very results and time driven.)

Focused on strengthening the long termers, ideally the local church.
(Short term missions must support the long term local church. Work with the long term missionaries, rather than for the short term teams good.)

Shared power

The work of the church is not the most important. Not even the work of the long term missionaries. But mutual dependence on the power of God to complete the good work.

Praise the LORD, O my soul!

Psalms 103:1-22 ESV

Bless the Lord , O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord , O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord , O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the Lord , all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! Bless the Lord , all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord , O my soul!

Rev. Charles Han

This psalm is the climax of the psalter. The trend of psalms starts in lament and ends in worship of God.

Praise the Lord

Vocal joy only completes the praise of something. We praise those things that we admire and delight in. The consummation of joy is praise. This is the purpose of the Christian life.

Praise the Lord, o my soul!

This statement implies that one is not naturally desiring the praise of God. He had to rouse himself to delight in God. It is not a spontaneous reaction. Praise is a discipline.

This is what we mean when we tell you to preach the gospel to ourselves. We are to bombard and saturate our souls with the gospel and what God has done for us.

We are called to behold what we have in Christ. This gospel promises us an overabundance that can never be lost or taken away. Grace for the enemies of God, an inheritance, a family, a purpose, and redemption.

Praise the Lord, all you creation!

After David tells himself to praise God, David calls others to praise God. He is not satisfied in just praising God. He calls others to praise God. Not only our neighbors, our city, the USA, but every person. And not only that, but even the stones and waters and creatures. That is the heart of praise... Mission.

Praying our troubles to trust

Psalms 3:1-8 ESV

O Lord , how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. Selah But you, O Lord , are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord , and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord ! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord ; your blessing be on your people! Selah

Rev Charles Han

The psalms were during a time when David was on the run. His son had taken the throne and he was running for His life. Absalom was looking to kill him and had taken the throne.

Expect troubles

Large and small troubles are the norm, not the exception. We should not expect ease. We should find ourselves often uncomfortable and troubled. The overall feeling and sense of the psalms is one of attack, suffering, and need for divine intervention. We should not be surprised that our lives are troubled.

Maybe you feel deep down that you should be free from troubles. That we should be above the fray. But that is not biblical. We will often feel weak, overwhelmed, and troubled. That life on this side of eternity is one of struggle. If you are a Christian and you are up to your neck in trouble, you are in esteemed company.

"What can miserable Christians sing?" - Carl Trueman

Pray your troubles

Now that we are to expect troubles as the norm, what should we do then? Not only external troubles, but internal storms. David prays. He brings all these to God.

The most common command in the bible is do not fear. His commands this because fear can shackle us. It can affect us spiritually, physically, and emotionally. It makes us cowardly and keeps us from free righteous living. Low level anxiety to gripping intense fears are part and parcel of our hearts. But instead of fearing people, enemies, and circumstances, we should fear God. From that fear comes life and wisdom.

Is your instinct when fear comes to go to God? Or do you try to handle the burden on your own? When we meet God in fearful prayer, do we go to Him looming to become bold and strong in God?

Pray your troubles to trust

What is the way to go from fear to trust in prayer?

First, verses 1&2 tell us to come with our complaint(s).

Verses 3&4 confess faith in God. The fear in our lives can only be overcome by a greater fear. A reverential fear of God that casts out all our other fears. David does not confess general aspects of God. He gets specific. He speaks of God being his shield and his glory. The lifter of his head, the encourager of his heart, and the one who affirms him.

Verses 5&6 express confidence.

David says that he will not fear thousands of men seeking to kill and undo him.

Verse 7 is David's asking God to save.

We usually skip straight to this step. But there's a difference, he knows who he prays to.

Verse 8 is a celebration.

David was not saved yet. He was still in the same situation. But he celebrated salvation. The peace of God had taken over.

From doubt to delight

Psalms 73:1-28 ESV

Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment. Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression. They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth. Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them. And they say, "How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?" Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning. If I had said, "I will speak thus," I would have betrayed the generation of your children. But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors! Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms. When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

This psalm is credited to Asaph. He is equivalent to the modem day worship leader.

The honesty of Asaph

Asaph speaks of a time of being tempted to walk away from God. He considered leaving the faith behind. He was being honest not just with friends and family, but also being brutally raw and honest to God. There is no pretense here. God calls us to come to Him not in formality. He calls us to meet Him without any pretenses or masks. As we are.

Not only that, but psalms were meant to be publicly shared. So, Asaph was sharing his troubles with everyone. His doubts of God. His struggles with faith.

The struggle of Asaph

Asaph was envious of unbelievers. He saw people who did not follow God. They were corrupt, happy, successful, and cocky. Following God has been painful. It seems in vain. Doubt is not only for the unbelievers, but also for the Christian, even pastors. Where is the justice?

The transformation of Asaph

Asaph goes to the sanctuary of God. And he is changed. So is that it? Just go to church? No, it is not just that. We are to pray together, praise together, take communion together... and somewhere in all that, God comes and meets us. When He does, we are changed. God confronts both Asaph's head and heart. Asaph experiences God and discovers that God is the ultimate treasure.

Acts 14:21-22 ESV

When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Suffering is not without reason. For the believer, it is expected. Because we follow Christ and no one is greater than their teacher.

The true prayer of repentance

Psalms 51:1-19 ESV

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Rev. Dan Whang

We are going thru the psalms because they are relevant to our lives. They were written in good times and bad. They show us how to pray in all sorts of situations.

This psalms focuses on repentance and struggle over sin. This is meant to drawn us home from places of helplessness and hopelessness in our sins.

A spiritually healthy Christian is one who is continually repenting. They are constantly repenting of sin in view of God's grace and mercy.

Victory over sin does not come from just changing our behavior, paying enough penance/sacrifice... It comes from repenting properly. Repenting in a way that changes us.

A sincere appeal to God's mercy and kindness

David asks for God's mercy. Not by trying to be very sincere or earnest, but throwing ourselves upon God's mercy and love. David appeals to God's faithful love for His people. David knew that he had failed, but God is still faithfully loving us.

An honest admission of our total depravity

David speaks of how he was born in sin and grew up in sin. Are we surprised when people point out our sin? Are we surprised by our bad habits and excuses for them? Do we blame our circumstances, other people, or say that it was an exception to our usual behavior? We should not. We need to admit that we are sinners and that is our character. We need to own up to it. No but's. It is when we see our darkness clearly that we can then receive the fullness of God's grace.

Wanting sin to be completely out of our lives

David then asks for God to completely blur this sin from his life. Not a halfway appeal for momentary forgiveness, but a complete cleansing and removal of sin from our lives. If we do not want the sin out of our lives, it is because we have not repented deeply enough. We are still entertaining thoughts of sin. We are not repenting fully, if we are only concerned with feeling relief from the burden of our sin.

We will know that we have gotten there when we sing of God's righteousness and speak of mercy. When we share of God's mercy to others. Repentant people are not dour. They are joyful because they are being constantly spiritually renewed.

Two ways to live

Psalms 1:1-6 ESV

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord , and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord  knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Why are the psalms beneficial for study?

These are songs meant for accompaniment with a harp. These writings span about a thousand years. They have been encouraging believers for over three thousand years.

The value of the PSALMS

They teach us how to PRAY

These psalms teach us how to pray. In all sorts of circumstances, joy, sorrow, doubt, etc.

SONGS to honestly express ourselves

They help us to express how we are feeling. Music can express better than just dialog.

Because of their MESSAGE

The psalms not only teach us how to talk to God, but they also teach us about God's love, faithfulness, his character...

Psalm 1 is the introduction to this book. It tells us that there are two ways to live. Only two. This psalm tells of the beauty of the good path and the tragedy of the other path.

Difference in influence

The wicked man walks, stands, and sits. This is the picture of one who is being influenced by the people of the world. They walk with wicked people. They are living a lifestyle of sin. And not only disbelieve, but they mock belief in God. Thus speaks to a breadth and depth of influence of worldliness.

This picture is a stark contrast to the one who follows God. They meditate on God's law day and night. It speaks of a totality of life being influenced by the word of God.

These two influences are completely radical and in stark contrast to each other: the word of God and the world. We will listen to those that we believe are authoritative. If we believe God, then we will listen to Him. If not, then we will look to the world for truth and happiness.

Which one does your life look like? What really influences you?

Difference in output and outcome

The life of the righteous are fruitful and prosperous. Not materially prospering or worldly success. Even in tough times, they will still bear good fruit. When you spend time with these people, you are spiritually refreshed. They are encouraging, blessing, and bear much spiritual fruit. The leaf does not wither! Even in the worst of drought and heat, they still bear fruit. They are headed towards intimacy with God.

The wicked are like chaff. They have no substance to their lives. Chaff has no value. The only thing you can do is burn it. In the eternal picture, they have nothing of worth. They are building sand castles. They are headed towards destruction.

How to get on and stay on the road to life

This passage is not talking about how to get on the righteous road. It talks about one who is already on the road to life. It is descriptive, not commanding.

So then how do we get on the road?

We first acknowledge that we cannot live this way. Then we turn to the only one who lived this way, Jesus. Through faith in Him, we find the road. He changes us to become this person we've read about. God will plant us and make us  fruitful trees.

A True Disciple

John 11:45-12:11 ESV

Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Council and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish." He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they made plans to put him to death. Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples. Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?" Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, "Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.  For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."  When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

BACKGROUND

The religious leaders were afraid of Jesus's growing popularity. They were afraid that the Romans would dismantle the Jewish religious system. The Romans might see Jesus as a growing political power and decide to disperse the Jewish system as a result.

This story is one of contrasts. The striking contrast between Mary and Judas. Judas has all the trappings of a true Christian. He's in the original twelve. He's in a position of power. Mary does not.

Three marks of a true Christian

Humility

Mary was completely changed by her interaction with Jesus. So when they are throwing a thank-you party for Jesus, Mary does more. She buys this expensive perfume. She anoints his feet. Not his head, but his feet as an expression of reverence for Jesus. Feet were disgusting. Even servants might be demeaned by washing feet. And the hair, the glory of women, is used to wash the lowest part of God. It portrays a sense of how unworthy our service is compared to what God deserves. The best that Mary had to offer was less than what Christ deserved.

It is recognition that our best, our righteousness, and our goodness are filthy rags in the sight of God.  We are in need of the grace of God. Humility comes not from seeking to be humble but from seeing God. When we see God and then we see ourselves, we are humbled.

And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" - Isaiah 6:5 ESV

Mary spent a lot of time at the feet of Jesus. Is it any surprise that Mary is so humble?

Extravagant sacrifice

This perfumed ointment was a year's salary. It was probably a family heirloom. At today's price, it was probably 30 to 50 dollars. Not only that, but in those days perfume was in jars and once opened, it was done. You didn't dap it on. You broke the neck of the jar. Mary broke the neck of that perfume-filled jar and poured it all out on Jesus's feet. The perfume probably filled the entire house. The disciples were all shocked at the extravagance. Judas was the only one who could speak.

Jesus asks not for a year's wage. Not three years. But rather he's asking for our entire lives. And not just that, but he wants control over the entirely of our lives, every area. This looks foolish and crazy to the world.

Treasure Jesus

Judas brings up the ministry of the poor. Not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief. He wanted the money in the treasury so he could steal more of it.

This can enter our lives as well. We serve at the church for our own ends. We do the "Christian" thing because this can get us what we truly want. We can serve for personal reasons rather than because we treasure Christ.

Jesus says that treasuring him is better than serving the poor. This is not to say that serving the poor is bad. But treasuring Christ is much, much, much better.

Consider how calculated we are with our giving. We say that we are being wise in our giving. But is this really true? Or is this a cover for our hearts? Do we treasure Jesus above this life and all the things it gives us? Mary anointed Jesus as a way to recognize the kingship of Jesus. But she, unknowingly, was anointing him for his death.

John 12:24 ESV Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

How Jesus deals with our pain

John 11:17-44 ESV

Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."  Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,  and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"  She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world." When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?" Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"  So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me.  I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me."  When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out."  The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."

Jesus comes and finds Mary and Martha in deep pain. In this passage, we see how God engages us in our pain.

He uses our pain

Martha acknowledges that Jesus has power. She said that He can ask anything of God and it would be granted. She believed that a resurrection would happen at end times. But Jesus says that He is the resurrection and the life. She says she believes, but her belief is shallow. It is mostly theological. We can see this when she tells Jesus that the body would smell. In many ways, Martha reflects us. We have a set of core beliefs that make us Christian. But even though we believe, it is abstract. We say Jesus is powerful, but we place limits on his power. We box God. We say Jesus forgives our sin, but how much of that is more than just theoretical? How much do we know in our hearts and in our experience? Often God uses painful circumstances to grow our faith. Those who suffer for God KNOW of his provision, his power, his strength, and his faithfulness.

He shares it

God is not just sitting in heaven pushing buttons. Does he understand what is happening to us during our dark times? Jesus not only understands it, he knows it better than us. How so? First, he is creator. He first created things as good, now he sees how things have been spoiled by sin. Jesus is deeply troubled, but most think that Jesus had a sense of anger and frustration. Death is not how it is supposed to be. Consider people who have been robbed. They come home to a ravaged home where someone has destroyed things. The anger, frustration, and feeling of violation is just an echo of God. Second, Jesus takes the wrath of God for generations of believers. This is not something we will ever know. Jesus knows intimately of pain and suffering much more than we do.

He redeems it

Lazarus is physically raised. Not given a resurrection body, but just a physical reduction. That's why Lazarus is still bound. When Jesus resurrected, he passed through the burial strips. In an instant, a crowd in mourning becomes one of shock and rejoicing. This is a miracle, but remember Jesus does miracles to point towards something greater. It points towards the greater resurrection in heaven. God will take these hardships and agonies and return to us glories and greater joy. We know this because Jesus came back with the nailmarks. Those pain filled scars on Jesus represent the death and humiliation. But those scars also represent the forgiveness of our sins, the hope of salvation in the death and resurrection of our Lord. When we get to heaven we will trade our tears for joy.

Precious promises I the midst of pain

John 11:1-16 ESV

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." But when Jesus heard it he said, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it."  Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again."  The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.  But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."  After saying these things, he said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him."  The disciples said to him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus has died,  and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."  So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

Rev. Dwight Yoo

There is an inescapable part of life: pain and suffering. In this life, every human relationship ends in pain. We will all die. We face the pain of failed endeavors, pointless jobs, mental illness, physical ailments... This comes to the rich, poor, smart, or successful. No one comes away unscathed.

People react differently. Some get depressed. Some try to avoid it. Some get bitter.  Some blame other people, the Man, the government, even God and the church. But others do something differently. They learn and grow.

Gospel truths on pain from the passage on Lazarus

The love of God is sure, in spite of all appearances.

This is the most questioned truth. When we go through pain we don't sense His love. In fact, when life is good, we feel the closest to God. When we are in tough circumstances, it feels like God is far.

When Jesus was told that Lazarus was sick, Jesus did not rush to the family. He waited two more days as this family suffered. He loved them. John 11:5 states it clearly. Jesus loved this family.

Not only this, but this is in the face of great opposition. The disciples fully expected to die in going back to visit the family. This event precipitates the death of Jesus. Jesus knew that this move back towards Jerusalem would eventually cost Him His life.

Jesus waited so that Lazarus would be dead for four days. There was a rabbinic tradition that said that the spirit hovered over the body for a few days. So there was a chance that the spirit would reenter the body and the person would be resuscitated. However, after three days, the body was so far gone that the spirit would leave. So when Jesus resurrected Lazarus, everyone would know...it was no coincidence. Not only that, but this was a wealthy family. There were many powerful Jews at the funeral. So when this brother was raised, many came to believe, the faith of the family strengthened, the faith of the disciples lifted.

Romans 8:28 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord . For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God is a lavish giver.

The snake tempted Adam and Eve by calling God greedy and selfish. And they believed the snake. God still blessed them after they sinned. We have a lavish and good giver. The disciples and the family wanted a healing. But instead they got a lot more than they wanted or expected. They witnessed a resurrection. But we should not stop there. Jesus is not only one who gives life. He is life! In him, we find delight and satisfaction.

Ephesians 2:4-7 ESV

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.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord , plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 ESV

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

Church membership

Acts 2:42-47 ESV

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.

Rev. J.B. Watkins

Every church is to make sure that their mission and vision aligns with God's mission. We cannot just do what we want. We are to bring God glory.

We are called together For Christ

Very high crime and murder rates plague our community. Not only that but also the church reflects the community. I've asked ourselves why our church is here? We are not only to alleviate poverty or build houses. We are gathering for Christ, first and foremost. Not just a social affair, because we like these people, or we eat the same things. We are here for our Lord, Jesus Christ.

We are called together For each other

We are here for each other like the three muskettiers. One for all and all for one. We may be many different cultures and background, but we are here for one another. We are to serve each other corporately.

We are called together For the world

They are here to take the gospel to the surrounding communities. The believers in acts are spreading the gospel to the area around them. Jesus is our example. He does not boast, but rather called forth a people to serve God. He taught and discipled them to bring glory to God.

Jesus the Great Emancipator

John 8:31-59 ESV

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,  and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  They answered him, "We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, "You will become free"?" Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.  The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you.  I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father."  They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did,  but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.  You are doing the works your father did." They said to him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.  Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.  You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.  But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.  Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?  Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God."  The Jews answered him, "Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?" Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.  Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge.  Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."  The Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, "If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death."  Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?" Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, "He is our God."  But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.  Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad."  So the Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?"  Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."  So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

In the confrontation between Jesus and the religious leaders, things get more heated over time.

The myth of freedom: autonomy, total free will

Freedom is defined as total autonomy in this current day and age. Gay marriage, gun control... all speak of freedom this way. To be one's own self imposed person...

There are some assumptions in this:

Goodness is no longer transcendent. It is personal and individualistic.

Jesus says this: "... everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin." The idea that we can be free and completely autonomous is an illusion. Jesus claims that we are servants and we will always serve something. And if we refuse to serve God, we will serve something else. Relationships, careers, and other things will take over our lives. Those things we seek to pursue will eventually enslave us.

We do not have complete and total free will. We cannot do everything as we wish. We are fallen and sinners, so therefore we cannot choose God. We can choose different ways to reject God, but we cannot choose God. To reject God is in our nature.

The means to true freedom

To be saved, one needs first to see the truth. Even secular addiction programs know this. The first step is this, acknowledge that they have a problem. Jesus is the truth and the savior. He is the way to freedom and life. He has to break into our lives and break us from slavery permanently.

Jesus claims that he is the son of God. Therefore, he can grant freedom as the son of the true Master of all things, God. Not only this, but he claims equality with God.

The marks of true freedom

"The slave does not remain in the house forever, the son remains forever."

Slavery leaves people in an insecure position. They always have to prove themselves and keep chasing. They are continually trying to keep their master happy.

So what does freedom look like?

We abide in the Word.
We are at peace and secure in God.
They live in joy.

God changes our nature. So we will seek out God. We are drawn to God and delight in Him. We are not perfect in obedience; rather persistent obedience. Jesus frees us to be as we were originally designed. He constrains us to be as we were originally created. That is freedom. Sin is what truly constrains us. Parents constrain their kids. Food habits, so they will be healthy and have a fuller life. Less video games and tv and more studying...so they will be successful adults.