A Genealogy of Joy

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. - Matthew 1:1‭-‬17 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Advent was a time set aside to remember how the saints of old waited for Jesus, for their Savior. But we are not to only look to the past, we are also to look forward to the second coming.

It is my hope that this season stirs our hearts to remember Jesus' coming and long for Him in deeper ways. Not only that, but for us to hope deeply in His coming.

Jesus came to bring outsiders in

The listings of genealogy differ between the books of the Bible. The authors of individual books used Jesus' ancestry to highlight different aspects of Jesus. Christ is not Jesus' last name. It meant that He was the Messiah. This is why David and Abraham is listed in this genealogy.

A woman is listed in this genealogy. This was not usually done. They were often seen as second class citizens. Not only that, but the listed women were not Jewish, they were gentiles. They were foreign women.

God uses the broken the save the broken

Matthew does not only speak of the strong and successful. We usually talk about those relatives that we are proud of. We don't talk about the drunk, the poor, the embarrassing relative. But look at these ancestors in the list... incest, prostitution, idolatry, adultery, murder, etc. This is just a reflection of human reality. Look at the sex scandals in recent days... It spans people across the political spectrum. Celebrities who greet us in the morning with a friendly smile. Are we surprised? Should Christians be surprised? Are we not more evil than we think? It doesn't matter who we are... Pastor, leader, old, young, new believer... We are all susceptible to the pull of sin. So hear this, it does not matter the scandalousness of your sin or mistakes in your life, Jesus welcomes us. He calls those with a contrite heart and broken spirit to come. He beckons then to lift their heads, because He died for us with His head hung in shame.

Jesus saved in unseen and unexpected ways.

The third set of names is unfamiliar. Why? They are not listed anywhere else in the scriptures. Between the second set and the coming of Jesus, there is silence. It is as if God had stopped working. Jesus came... to an as yet, unmarried woman. He was born in a manger, acknowledged by some shepherds and some wise men. The king of Kings came quietly and lived quietly as he grew up. It is not how we expected the Messiah to come.

God works quietly and not as we expect. It is not as we would do it. We want a preview of life from God. We want to know what He is doing and why. But that is not what He gives us. He promises that He is working things out for our good. We are called to have faith and trust in God and to trust in Jesus.

The Gospel's Outward and Inward Reach

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.  And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,  Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.  Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.  And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.  The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:  In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.  And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?  Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.  And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?  And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.  And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.  But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. - Acts 8:26‭-‬40 KJV

Rev. Charles Han

The Gospel has an unparalleled outward reach

Phillip was sent to the middle of the desert for a single man. This man was a Ethiopian finance official. The Christians in Jerusalem were scattered by the persecution. The Gospel is moving outward from Jerusalem to the ends of the world. Africa is considered the ends of the world from the Jews in Israel.

America does not own Christianity. It is not an USA export. It is from Jerusalem and it is for the entire world. It is for everyone. It to be embraced by all people. That is what Acts tells us. It is not only for my race or culture.

The Gospel's unparalleled inward reach

Earlier in the book of Acts, there were mass conversions. Now, we see the individual conversions. From breadth to depth. How do we relate to the Ethiopian eunuch? He was a man of status and power. For his job, he had to be sexual changed to serve at this position. He has no family. He must be singularly devoted to his job.

But no one chases after their job at the peril of their health. They don't devoted themselves to their jobs so much as to become estranged from family. We no longer have that stuff this day. He had money and power. But he was not satisfied. So he takes a months long journey to the temple in Jerusalem to find significance. Only to be barred from the temple, since he was a gentile and not only that but because he was a eunuch. He could not stand before a holy god as he was.

This is the story of our life. We see echoes of our lives in this man's life. He found power and it left him empty. He gave up much for his position and it left him unacceptable to stand in the congregation before God. So as he travels home, Phillip comes. And Phillip speaks of how a eunuch can be reconciled to God and how God gives a legacy everlasting. It changes the eunuch from not just a cleaner, nicer version of himself. He is a new creation. His dreams, his goals, and what he loves, desires, and strives after have changed. That is what makes someone a Christian. Not better church service attendance or more church activities. But a fully new person.

For the church, the Holy Spirit desires one thing. To drive us to those who don't believe or have not heard. It pushes us as it pushed Phillip to go to those who need the Gospel.

The Suffering Church

Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.

Acts 7:54‭-8:4 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Stephen was preaching the Gospel. The religious leaders were out to suppress the spread of this movement. They were so threatened they brought forth false witnesses to persecute believers. So they found Stephen and proceeded to threaten him.

A pattern of suffering

We see a church being persecuted. Not only that, but we see it over and over again. Luke writes this to remind us that believers are called to suffer for righteousness. Not just regular everyday  troubles, but rather suffering for the sake of Christ. This is the norm. Even the old testament speaks of this pattern. Joseph suffers because his brothers did not believe him. Moses suffered because the people of Israel did not believe. The way to glory is through the cross. We may not experience this the same way here in the United States. Our lives are not at stake, but we may find threats to our social standing, the respect of our peers, and maybe even a job.

The believers understood that they had to experience the violence of the world to bring peace to others. Not only that, but it sets a pattern for how to respond to persecution. Stephen portrays boldness of witness. Not only that, but he prayed for those who were in the midst of killing him. He loved those who hated him. This reflects Jesus, who also prayed for those who crucified Him.

The example here is both boldness in truth and grace & love for our enemies. We must have both.

How God uses suffering

A great persecution causes the believers to scatter from Jerusalem. The persecution that the religious leaders meant to suppress believers had the opposite effect. There was an explosion of witnessing spreading out from Jerusalem. The Gospel spread as a result of the persecution in that city. This is not how we would approach it. How does it start? The death of a loved one. It comes from a painful and difficult situation. The scattering happens because of the suffering. The Gospel does not spread in spite of suffering; it spreads through the suffering.

God works through our pain. Not only in the Gospel, but that is also how God refines and matures us. He does this to wake us from our spiritual slumber.

Making sense of suffering - Tim Keller

How we endure suffering speaks to those around is. Discovered meaning is when you suffer and then find meaning in the Bible. Created meaning is when you experience suffering and then decide what is worth living for. If we don't have an external source of truth, we must invent meaning for our lives. Keller indicates that created meaning is always less durable than discovered meaning. If we live for our kids, what happens if they die before us? If we live for enjoyment of life's pleasures, what happens if we become bedridden by cancer? We have no more reason to live. This informs how we handle suffering. We can go through the same things as an unbelievers, but still go through it with a sense of hope. Christians can suffer loss, grief, and pain, but not lose hope.

The power to suffer

Why did Stephen die? The religious leaders were enraged, but he may have gotten out alive if not for one thing. Stephen verbalized that Jesus was standing next to God. This was blasphemy to the Jews. That is why they executed him. But why is Jesus standing? Christ is standing as Stephen's advocate. Stephen was testifying as to who Jesus was. Jesus is God. The approval of Jesus far surpassed that of those around him breathing out. Jesus was there to receive Stephen into His arms. When we willing follow Jesus into hard places, places of hostility, it is there that we will most experience the reassurance, power, and love of Christ. We will feel these things most strongly as we suffer with Christ.

The way to truly experience life is not to hold onto it, but rather to lose it. To take up our cross and follow Christ. To love difficult people. To be hated. To have difficult conversations.

The Serving Church

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us." And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Acts 6:1‭-‬15 ESV

The pervasive posture of service

There are threats both inside and outside the church. There was internal hypocrisy. Today's passage addresses the growing pains of the church. There was a tension between the Hellenist widows and the Jewish windows. The Hellenists were like the immigrants of the Jews who lived in Greek areas rather than the Holy Land. They acted and thought more like Greeks than Hebrews. They felt like the widows of this minority group of believers were being being treated as less than their peers.

So what happened? The apostles held a congregational meeting. They called for the appointment of godly men to serve this important need. The apostles decided that the need exceeded their ability to serve the widows without impacting their serving in prayer and the word.

A particular concern for the most vulnerable and needy

Serving the needy is important. We are saved by faith in Christ. However, tangible service of those in need is evidence of saving faith. A saving faith is always accompanied by good works. It never comes alone. Someone who does not love those in need does not know the love of God. Now priority goes to those in the church, but it is not limited to just those who believe.

Prioritizing both prongs of service

Pray for your pastors. Pray for your diaconate. Pray that we, as pastors, keep our focus on the word. To devote ourselves to the Word, preaching, and teaching. Pray that we are mindful that we do not get too caught up in deeds and forget/neglect the need for the Word and biblical truth.

It is easy to serve material needs in this day and age. But we must boldly witness as well. They must first know that we care. But we cannot stop there, they must eventually know why we care. So where does this drive come from? Not from our personal willpower. It comes from sitting at the feet of Jesus. From seeing His love and care of us, we are empowered and motivated to love, serve, and witness those around us.

Prayer for Boldness

When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, "'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed'— for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. - Acts 4:23‭-‬37 ESV

Rev. Dan Whang

We often think of blessing as getting good grades, finding a close parking spot, or having our sports team go on a winning streak. But the early church saw blessing as the expansion of the kingdom. And they only experienced this through prayer.

Prayer is Connected to the church

The apostles were threatened for speaking of Jesus. Peter and John were told not to speak of Jesus. After they were released, they went to their friends. This circle of friends were there to encourage and help them on their mission. So immediately after hearing of the circumstances, they started to pray. This is the church. No hesitation. Is that how we react to trouble and discouragement?

Persecution unifies the members of a church. Trials and trouble should bring forth a response of prayer. Sometimes, we just need to open up and let people know about our struggles.

Prayer is Shaped by the scriptures

Their prayers were informed by Scripture. They saw God as sovereign and powerful. This was more than just meditation and a quiet length of time. God is the maker of heaven and Earth.

Prayer is Driven by missions

The apostles were focused on the mission. There is no request for protection. They ask for boldness. The focus is on God and the kingdom rather than themselves. They endured jail, beatings, and all sorts of trouble for the kingdom of God. How do we pray through trials and difficulties? Do we ask for strength or the removal of the troubles?

Outward facing Gospel

How can we be better tools of the Gospel?

Eight ministry principles

These apply to your life and to ministry.
They are basic biblical concepts. Each Sunday, I preach the same message from a different part of the Bible. Our church is not there yet. I'm not there yet.

Love your neighbor

Loving your neighbor along with loving God is fulfilling the will of God for your life. It may seem overly simplistic, feel free to take it up with God. But we don't do this, hence the need for salvation. Love is the sacrifice of commitment or the commitment to sacrifice. Love is the call of the church.

Know your neighbor

To love presumes that we must first know the other person. We must know the other person deeply. We should know each other's sins and struggles. This applies firstly to those in the church then those of the world. Love your family and the family of God... And love those who are unlike us. Without favoritism. Who do you love without favoritism? Who do we love without categorizing them? Do we love them because they are images of God?

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:19‭-‬20 ESV

We need to listen to those we are trying to love. God may desire us to be ears rather than God's mouth. Job's friends listened for seven days and nights because of his great suffering.

God works through the community of God as He works in the community of God

How are we relevant in the work of God? We are sinners. Both inside and outside of the church. But our sins are forgiven, so we can be broken in our sin as we work among sinners. God works through this.

God super-intends our plans

God is sovereign. He is in control. We can plan, but God determines the outcome. Our trust should not be in our plans, but rather on God.

We are His instruments, but we are in His hands. The Holy Spirit moves as it wishes. So we should lightly hold onto our own plans and outcomes.

There are different responses to the Gospel

We should expect different outcomes to sharing the Gospel. Mockery. They mock the cross and the preaching of the Word. Sometimes, they is interest and curiosity. And then there are those who believe. God promises salvation of some.

What is our expectation and reaction to other people's reactions? Do we pin our hopes on their immediate reaction? Do we take their rejection of Jesus as a personal rejection?

There's more power in we than me

Each member of the body is dependent upon each member of the body. There is interdependent relationships within the church.

There's power of God is in the gospel

The power is not in persuasive ability. The same power that created the world is in the Gospel. The same power that raised Jesus from death to life. For those who are in Christ Jesus, they stand in the grace of God. There are no exceptions.

Remember the power of prayer

We need to know that prayer is work. Thessalonians 5:17 says to pray without ceasing. We are to be walking in constant communion with Christ. Prayer is our response to the Gospel. The basis of prayer is our security in God through Christ.

Gospel Opposition

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, "What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name." So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old. When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, "'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed'— for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. - Acts 4:1‭-‬37 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

The offensiveness of the Gospel

In the pluralistic world of the Romans, the message of the Gospel is offensive. The exclusivity of salvation by Christ alone against the backdrop of the many gods and religions can bring forth opposition. Today, tolerance is accepting all positions and all opinions. Rather than agreeing to disagree, there is no longer an option for this in some circles here in America.

Commit to Gospel proclamation

Whenever and wherever, we must see the opportunities to share the gospel. Rather than fearing prosecution and judgement, we must look proactively for openings to witness about Jesus. Not to say that many will accept and repent, actually many will reject and rebuff it. But God will save and convict, we need not fear; the Spirit will move. We need boldness in witness. We will get hit when we share and witness. That is a given.

Faithfulness to the ministry of deed

The teachers of the law wanted to discredit the apostles. But they could not. The people were with the apostles because of the healing of this lame man. So we, the church, must be faithful to serving the poor, helping the hurting, and loving their enemies. It does not suppress the opposition, but it lends credibility to the Gospel. It wins us a hearing. More than only a verbal essay, we must live a life than expresses the grace, love, and mercy we have received in Christ.

The crippled man was lame from birth for thirty years. He is begging at the temple. The apostles are going to the temple at 3pm. They don't give this beggar money. Instead, they get his attention and he is commanded to walk. So he gets up and walks.

The people at the temple are amazed. They know this beggar. They know of his lameness. And suddenly, he is walking.

Looking Inward

The Saving Word

But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: "'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, "'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.' "Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, "'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool."' Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. - Acts 2:14‭-‬41 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Use of the WORD

For us to be good witnesses, we must use the word. There is hesitation on our part to bring up the Bible. Many Christians are excited about deed ministries. But we must use the word to minister well. We must have a balance of ministry between word and deed.

Christ-centered word

Peter was explaining the Pentecost and how Jesus has come... And the end of days approached. He explained how passages of the Bible spoke of Jesus as the Savior. He covered the old testament through the three major sections: the law, the prophets, and the palms. In each, Peter shows how they pointed to Jesus. He is the central figure of the entire Bible and at that time, the entirety of the Jewish scriptures.

The power of the WORD

We look at how three thousand were baptized and have some modern skeptical thoughts. We think that perhaps the people were less sophisticated.

But we forget, it was not easier back then. The Jews were greatly offended by the idea of a crucified Messiah. Greeks were polytheistic and very secular. It was not easier. So then, why? Because there is power in the WORD and in the gospel. The message itself as hard as it is to intellectually accept, is powerful.

The Holy Spirit, Wholly Given

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine." - Acts 2:1‭-‬13 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Era of the Spirit

Pentecost happened fifty days after the Passover. It was around the time of harvest, which aptly described God's harvest of souls for salvation. The Hebrew and Greek terms for the Holy Spirit were associated with wind and breath. But the Holy Spirit is not an inanimate thing; He is a person.

What is the Holy Spirit?

He is one of the three persons of the one God. He is not lesser or inferior to Jesus and God, the Father. He was hovering over the water at creation. He empowered people in the Old Testament. But this is a new period, the Holy Spirit will be poured out on all believers, young, old, male and female.

How then can one be filled with the Spirit, if they have the Spirit now and forever? How does that work? The clarification comes from the prior caution to avoid drunkenness. We are called to be influenced by the Spirit rather than strong drink.

So then, how do we know the Spirit is influencing us? The ministry of the Holy Spirit is one of spotlighting Jesus and glorifying God, the Father. He does not draw attention to himself, but rather points us to the Father and the Son. We can have periods of life where we are a source of grief for the Spirit. We go astray from the goodness of following God's desire for our lives.

Effect of the Spirit, Corporately

The Galileans were considered backwater, uncultured, and uneducated people. Hence, the surprise of the people around them. How could there be such learning of so many languages? It is the opposite of the tower of Babel. God is bringing back together that which divides us. He is reconciling all people. God brings all tribes and nations to salvation.

We, as believers, are called to live in community, not just in the community. We are to value the multitude of cultural expressions of faith and worship of God.

Effect of the Spirit, Individually

The Holy Spirit comes down as fire. It is to make our hearts burn with passion for God. He is here to empower us to witness to Christ and the Good News of salvation.

The Need for Gospel: Tenacity

In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, "Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say, 'Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes? Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord . Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord . Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.'" On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, "Thus says the Lord of hosts: Ask the priests about the law: 'If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and touches with his fold bread or stew or wine or oil or any kind of food, does it become holy?'" The priests answered and said, "No." Then Haggai said, "If someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?" The priests answered and said, "It does become unclean." Then Haggai answered and said, "So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the Lord , and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean. Now then, consider from this day onward. Before stone was placed upon stone in the temple of the Lord , how did you fare? When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the Lord . Consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the Lord 's temple was laid, consider: Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you." The word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, "Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord , and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts." - Haggai 2:1‭-‬23 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Haggai prophesized to the generation that returned from exile. He spoke to them to turn from building their own houses and dedicate themselves to the Lord.

The first several messages of Haggai were of rebuke. The people responded by turning to God. They started working on a temple for God. But after weeks, the work was progressing slowly. The people were discouraged. So then God gives them a message of reassurance. Be strong; be courageous; take heart.

To do anything of spiritual significance, we need perseverance and tenacity. We cannot serve based purely on our personal expectations, desires, and feelings. We will desert our commitments and abandon godly convictions.

A promise

God empowers us by his presence. He is the God that parts seas. The one who brought Israel out of Egypt. We may not be enough, but God is enough. He has all the resources and ability to complete the work.

A principle

Do not repudiate small beginnings. The temple was as nothing to the Israelites. But God works through unimpressive and inconsequential looking tasks. The temple they were building did not measure up to the prior temple built by Solomon. But God works through this little temple... to foreshadow the greater temple, Jesus, who opens the way to God and greater glory and peace than any temple the people would build.

A perspective

The leader of this building project was Zerubbabel. And he was discouraged with this work. How can one who leads in spiritual work persevere? They must know that God is behind this work. God will see this through to completion, so we can work hard. Zerubbabel was reassured that God has chosen him. He needed not fear the political realities, the enemies around then, and the unknown circumstances that lie ahead. He was important to God and he promises to make him like a signet ring. A valuable symbol of power that was always heals close at hand. We as sons and daughters of God through Christ can claim this same promise.

Yet I Will Rejoice in the Lord

A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth. O Lord , I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord , do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy. God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power. Before him went pestilence, and plague followed at his heels. He stood and measured the earth; he looked and shook the nations; then the eternal mountains were scattered; the everlasting hills sank low. His were the everlasting ways. I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction; the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble. Was your wrath against the rivers, O Lord ? Was your anger against the rivers, or your indignation against the sea, when you rode on your horses, on your chariot of salvation? You stripped the sheath from your bow, calling for many arrows. Selah You split the earth with rivers. The mountains saw you and writhed; the raging waters swept on; the deep gave forth its voice; it lifted its hands on high. The sun and moon stood still in their place at the light of your arrows as they sped, at the flash of your glittering spear. You marched through the earth in fury; you threshed the nations in anger. You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck. Selah You pierced with his own arrows the heads of his warriors, who came like a whirlwind to scatter me, rejoicing as if to devour the poor in secret. You trampled the sea with your horses, the surging of mighty waters. I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me. Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us. Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord ; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.  God , the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. - Habakkuk 3:1‭-‬19 ESV

Rev. Charles Han

A prayer of Transcendent joy

No crops means no seeds for the next year. No oil, no food. No herds mean no meat or milk. This is not just a Monday or a bad day. This is a catastrophic disaster. Utter desolation. The coming invasion will bring all these things to pass. So what does this joy have to do with anything? It is a joy not rooted in the things of this world. It is a joy that is not displaced by suffering. It does not make light of suffering nor does it make us immune. This joy remains in the midst of suffering and pain.

A prayer of Big Picture Faith

Rejoicing in God in the midst of suffering does not come naturally. It comes from exercising our faith. How can we rejoice in the Lord during life's trials and pain? By faith. Regardless of the troubles of the next generation or the circumstances of this life, the repentant will be saved and the unrepentant enemies of God will be judged. Come famine, slavery, oppression... God will still save and judge. The final outcome is already set.

A prayer of Unconditional Commitment

Have you found your deepest joy in God himself? This will keep us during those tough times. We go to God for material provision and health. But how about times of adversity, tribulation, and trouble? This is how we know we love God. It is a promise of faithfulness during times of trouble and times of plenty.

Job 13:15
Daniel 3:16-18
Romans 5:3-4

The Lord is in His Temple

Shall not all these take up their taunt against him, with scoffing and riddles for him, and say, "Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own— for how long?— and loads himself with pledges!" Will not your debtors suddenly arise, and those awake who will make you tremble? Then you will be spoil for them. Because you have plundered many nations, all the remnant of the peoples shall plunder you, for the blood of man and violence to the earth, to cities and all who dwell in them. "Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house, to set his nest on high, to be safe from the reach of harm! You have devised shame for your house by cutting off many peoples; you have forfeited your life. For the stone will cry out from the wall, and the beam from the woodwork respond. "Woe to him who builds a town with blood and founds a city on iniquity! Behold, is it not from the Lord of hosts that peoples labor merely for fire, and nations weary themselves for nothing? For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. "Woe to him who makes his neighbors drink— you pour out your wrath and make them drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness! You will have your fill of shame instead of glory. Drink, yourself, and show your uncircumcision! The cup in the Lord 's right hand will come around to you, and utter shame will come upon your glory! The violence done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, as will the destruction of the beasts that terrified them, for the blood of man and violence to the earth, to cities and all who dwell in them. "What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols! Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, Awake; to a silent stone, Arise! Can this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in it. But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him." - Habakkuk 2:6‭-‬20 ESV

Rev. Dan Whang

The woes against evil

The first set of verses about woe are a taunting song. It is a song sung to enemies who have fallen. The Chaldeans were greedy. They stole, plundered, and enslaved people for their own desires. God promises that the people they plundered will themselves be plundered by those very people. No concern for the lowly poor or those who were struggling. They built houses far from others on high. Places with gigantic gates. Financial security and personal ambition can do horrendous things to the human heart. We forget that what we have is grace from God.

The Chaldeans killed people to control them. They have hearts filled with violence. We may not kill people but we all may find that we have violent hearts. We desire to bully, control, take advantage of or oppress others. We can yell or lecture those who disturb or impose on us. We are not innocent.

Sexual immorality will only bring shame. The wrong person, at the wrong time, outside the desire of God... It brings shame to the person on that screen. It feels sex trafficking.

Idolitry is serving something other than God. Looking for hope in created things rather than the Creator. Whether it be wealth, talent, comfort or any other variety of things... We depend on it save or teach us. Idolitry can lead into all these kinds of sin that the Chaldeans practiced.

Silence before the temple of God sounds so nice. But really it is the judgement of God. He will bring justice. He's fed up with injustice and suffering as well.

Promises of hope

God's plan to save is coming. The earth will be filled with the glory of God. Jesus will come and will restore all things. Justice will come. The glory will submerge all things.

Spreading His glory

Practice gentleness and compassion. Give kindness in return for evil. We leave vengeance for God. Seek accountability in battling sin. Find time to pray and keep a right perspective.

Habakkuk's Cry Against Evil

The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw. O Lord , how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you "Violence!" and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted. "Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize dwellings not their own. They are dreaded and fearsome; their justice and dignity go forth from themselves. Their horses are swifter than leopards, more fierce than the evening wolves; their horsemen press proudly on. Their horsemen come from afar; they fly like an eagle swift to devour. They all come for violence, all their faces forward. They gather captives like sand. At kings they scoff, and at rulers they laugh. They laugh at every fortress, for they pile up earth and take it. Then they sweep by like the wind and go on, guilty men, whose own might is their god!" - Habakkuk 1:2‭-‬11 ESV

Rev. Dan Whang

How do we reconcile all the evil around us with the idea of a good God?

Cry against evil

The prophet cries to God. He is speaking to God about all the brokenness around him. Strife, perverted justice, and violence were all around. The prophet asked how long? Why does God not hear Habakkuk? If God is in charge, why then is would filled with such evil? How can a good God allow this?

This is an act of faith. The prophet goes to God with his complaints. Why go to God, if you don't believe God cares or God can do anything about it?

God's answer to evil

God's response is strange. It doesn't make much sense. God says that the prophet would not understand the answer. God replies that he has been raising up the bigger and badder people. The nation of Israel was turning from God and His commandments. So God says that He's bringing more trouble from outside the nation. The Chaldeans, Babylonians, would take the Israelites captive. But this was not an act of anger, it was how God was saving people. He was preparing the way for Jesus so that the good news could spread more easily through the gentiles. This was because there would be synagogues and Jews amount these other nations. There would be a place for the future disciples to go and share the news of salvation through faith in Christ. But this only makes sense in hindsight. The prophet, Habakkuk, could not have understood why God responded with more seemingly bad news when the prophet was crying of injustice... So then what? We must trust that God's plan for us is for our good, even when it doesn't appear to be so.

Victory Over Wilderness Temptations

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written,  "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"  Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written,  "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. - Matthew 4:1‭-‬11 ESV

Rev. Dan Whang

Temptation is something we all struggle with. In English, we consider temptation to be something that is leading us away from God and towards sin. But in the Greek, it is seen as a form of testing. Temptation a way of seeing them substance of our faith.

And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.
Deuteronomy 8:2 ESV

Victory over temptation

Israel walked in the wilderness for many years. They saw how they stumbled and sinned. It is a clear picture of how much we need a Savior. Israel was supposed to be the true sons and daughters of God. But they failed and aggrieved God in the wilderness. But where they brought frustration, Jesus brought hope and redemption. In the wilderness, Jesus shows victory rather than failure against sin. From His victory on our behalf, we then act in faith.

Severity of temptation

We are called to be sober minded. On the battlefield of life, the enemy is looking to take us out. The enemy is looking to twist our desires to distract and disable us in the spiritual battle. Our individual desires are different, but the temptation comes to everyone.

Jesus was tempted to change stones to bread. Why? The devil was telling Jesus to stop being human. It is a question of trust in God's provision. Will we trust God to provide?

Jesus was told to throw himself off the top of the temple. Why? It is trying to find reassurance from God. We want to know that God is good for His promises.

Jesus was offered glory and significance. What does it mean? For us, we want glamour and glory. We want greatness and significance; to make a mark for those we come after us.

Strategy against temptation

How does Jesus fight temptation? Three words. "It is written..." He memories and places trust in God's word. We meditate on God's promises and place it in our hearts. This takes time and discipline. It is not enough to recite a Bible verse. We must believe it.

Yes, we must have accountability and the will to avert our eyes. But before that, what do we believe? Do we believe that giving into that sin will bring happiness and joy? Will we find everlasting fulfillment in following our flesh?

A verse to help us to resist and battle sin:

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:15‭-‬16 ESV

In the Wilderness: cravings?

And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. Then the people cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the Lord , and the fire died down. So the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the Lord burned among them. Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, "Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at." Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like that of bdellium. The people went about and gathered it and ground it in handmills or beat it in mortars and boiled it in pots and made cakes of it. And the taste of it was like the taste of cakes baked with oil. When the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell with it. Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, everyone at the door of his tent. And the anger of the Lord blazed hotly, and Moses was displeased. Moses said to the Lord , "Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? Did I conceive all this people? Did I give them birth, that you should say to me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing child,' to the land that you swore to give their fathers? Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they weep before me and say, 'Give us meat, that we may eat.' I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness." Then the Lord said to Moses, "Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. And I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone. And say to the people, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat, for you have wept in the hearing of the Lord , saying, "Who will give us meat to eat? For it was better for us in Egypt." Therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat. You shall not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the Lord who is among you and have wept before him, saying, "Why did we come out of Egypt?"'" But Moses said, "The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand on foot, and you have said, 'I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month!' Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, and be enough for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, and be enough for them?" And the Lord said to Moses, "Is the Lord 's hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not." So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord . And he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tent. Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it. Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp." And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, "My Lord Moses, stop them." But Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord 's people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!" And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp. Then a wind from the Lord sprang up, and it brought quail from the sea and let them fall beside the camp, about a day's journey on this side and a day's journey on the other side, around the camp, and about two cubits above the ground. And the people rose all that day and all night and all the next day, and gathered the quail. Those who gathered least gathered ten homers. And they spread them out for themselves all around the camp. While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck down the people with a very great plague. Therefore the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had the craving. From Kibroth-hattaavah the people journeyed to Hazeroth, and they remained at Hazeroth. - Numbers 11:1‭-‬35 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

The wilderness experience is part and parcel of the Christian spiritual life. Times of trouble, spiritual dryness, and times of refreshment. The temptation to be a complainer is something we often encounter. This is what is addressed in our passage.

The pervasiveness of complaint

The Israelites spent months at the mountain, Mount Sinai. They spent months preparing. This is the second leg of the journey. The first leg was their escape of Egypt. The parting of the Red Sea. They set out on their second leg and complain about water, food, etc. Complaining isn't just part of the difficult parts of our lives. In this modern day and age, complaining is now normative part of our lives. How so? What's the first way we open our conversations? We complain about our sports teams, our commute, the weather... If we stopped and recorded ourselves, we would find that we are complaining all day. It comes so naturally to us. But this is serious, it is not just normal.

The seriousness of complaint

There is a faith filled way to complain. It is pouring out our troubles to God. But we are talking about the other kind. This is complaining about God.

The rabble were not Israelites. They left Egypt with the Israelites. When they grumbled, they spread that attitude to people around us. When we gripe and grumble, it spreads a poisonous attitude to people around us. Un-thankfulness is contagious.

Often, grumbling makes us idealize the past/future and despise the present. It makes us look at what we don't have. It is a rejection and diminishing of the gracious provision of God. It is heinous.

Complaint is an expression of unbelief. The Israelites were promised a land overflowing of milk and honey. But they doubted; so they wanted to go back to Egypt, to slavery. We doubt God and do not grasp that God is working out things for our good. We can't see any good through our pain or trouble.

A heart of complaint places us in the center. We want things in our timing. We deserve better. A better marriage, more obedient kids, etc. People who are full of complaint are ultimately full of themselves. They expect everything to go their way and people to meet their standards. God becomes secondary to our self-centeredness. This is why God's anger burns against the Israelites. But we should not be so harsh with them. We are just like them. Even if God showed us miracle after miracle today, we would be unthankful maybe tomorrow, very likely by this evening.

The cure

Jesus is the cure. He comes as a sacrifice for a people whose mouths are full of complaint. He comes willingly to give them life. He spills forth love and grace in the face of griping and complaining. In Christ, all our bad will become good, all the good can never be taken away, and the best is yet to come. We have the bread of life. All other kind of bread will leave us hungry again. Whether power, pleasure, friends, family, or anything else we find satisfaction in this life... will ultimately leave us empty again.

What does a healthy church look like?

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. - Acts 11:19‭-‬30 ESV

Rev. Won Ho

What is a church supposed to be about? We don't have to guess our make something up. The word speaks about this.

The word is being spread through the world. But

Faithful to Evangelise

The scattering of believers was not of their choice. They were pushed out by persecution. They shared their faith with other Jews. But then they ended up in gentile territory. So they shared the good news with them. Cross cultural and out of their comfort zones. How are we at witnessing? Are we sharing Jesus with those around us?

So where are the opportunities to share the faith? Make small talk with those in our circle. Talk about what happens on Sundays. Invite people to church service.

Faithful to Embrace

Barnabas is glad to embrace the gentile believers. He is kind and generous. He was encouraging. He saw the church at Antioch and recognized that it was the grace of God.

How do we handle other's success? Do we see the blessing of God as grace? Are we glad for God's grace? Are we glad when our enemies repent? Or are you glad when others fail?

Faithful to Edify

Barnabas exhorts faithfulness. He not only pushed​ for evangelizing, but also pursuing faithfulness towards God. Barnabas goes off​ to find Saul. Why? To teach and grow the believers, not just win people to Christ. This is the concept of discipleship. Are we hungry for more of God's word and wisdom? We spend a fair amount of time on hobbies, interests, college education, and career progression. How about theology and church history? How are doing in leasing in these areas?

Faithful to Extend generosity

Are we extending a hand to those in need? Do we support the work of missionaries? This is healthy.

A church can do all these things and still fail to grow. Why? Verse 21 says this: "And the hand of the Lord was with them." We are called to be faithful, but God is the one who causes growth.

A Missional and Mature Church

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not being merely human? - 1 Corinthians 3:1‭-‬4 ESV

Rev. Paul Kim

If we want to be a gospel spreading movement, we need a health and strong church. It takes more than a couple of gifted people. It takes a church.

Paul makes a distinction between a mature and an immature. So what does it take?

Four marks of a Christian

Focus on the right person

The problem in the Corinthian church is the divisiveness. The church has factions. Some teachings are seen as greater or better than others. It is superficially a unity issue.

But what is the real issue? Immature churches focus on the front man. They are focused on the wrong person. It is a celebrity culture. They are using their leaders to give themselves a sense of superiority. We are to honor and support our church leaders. But Paul warns us of  pitfalls.

The mature church focuses on the message of the cross and the power of the Holy Spirit. The focus should not be on the workmen, but rather on the King, on Jesus. Focusing too much on our leaders is not only unhealthy for the church, but also bad for its leaders.

Paul lowers the stage and raises the body.  He takes the celebrity culture and flips out on its head. He celebrates weakness and honors those who do not get honor.

A spiritually gifted and active body

In a mature church, there is fellowship. People are involved, engaged, and serving. Church is not a spectator sport.

Finally, love

In the midst of 1 Corinthians 12-13, Paul speaks of love. Not romance, not marriage, but in the context of ministry! You don't need more talent and gifts for ministry. You need love.

So what do we really lack? Is it just a lack of desire? It is more than that. God is the one who gives the church growth. God reveals grace on our weakness. God is the one who purifies and sanctifies his church. Work knowing that God will accomplish all these things.

Deacons: Illuminating the path to greatness

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. - Acts 6:1‭-‬7 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

This passage holds great significance to us because it is the first instance of deacons. The church was growing and this is an indication of growing pains. At first, the church took care of their needy. The needy were cared for by people selling their possessions and giving to the poor believers. But now the needs of the needy outstripped the ability of the church. So the apostles called the disciples together and called the church to appoint deacons. Not just any disciples, but spiritually mature, respected men.

The apostles did not dismiss the needs of the widows. They were not denigrating the deacons nor denying the addressing the needs of people. At the same time, they needed to be devoted to the ministry of the word.

Deacons bring organization, coordination, and focus to the ministry of deeds. But they are not solely responsible. Every believer is responsible as well. The ministry of the word is borne out in the ministry of deeds.

Meeting the needs of our neighbors is not cool. It is not often glamorous. Deacon means servant. In the world we live in, those who are greater are served. But according to Jesus, those who serve the most are the great ones. It flips everything upside-down. The kingdom of God is opposite of the kingdoms of the world. Jesus, the greatest of all, came to serve all. He did not come to be served, but to serve. When the truth of this grasps us, we will grow a servant heart for those around us.

Gospel spreading movement

And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city. - Acts 8:1‭-‬8 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

A gospel spreading movement

Stephen, one of the first deacons, was killed just prior to this passage. Not only that, but there was a breakout of persecution against believers. So the believers scattered, but not only that, it was a purposeful scattering. They are preaching where they were scattered.

A healthy church is seen as a movement. It has a sense of mission and destiny. There is a sense of hunger.

In the second phase, it becomes a monument. Things go from exciting to routine. Energy is turned inward rather than outward.

Finally, it becomes a Mauseleum. There is no energy, no excitement, no desire for change or growth. We do not believe Renewal Church is there yet.

The makeup of a gospel spreading movement

Who spearheaded this movement? Was it the apostles? No, it was the laypeople. The everyday Christian, not the pastor. Each church member must take the gospel to their friends, neighbors, and coworkers. It does not rely on the pastors and full time ministers.

Is it true?
Does it matter?
Does it work?

Most people will need to see proof of the last two points before they will listen to your truth claims. So in our increasingly skeptical would, we will only get a hearing if we meet the last two questions in a reasonable fashion.

Finally, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. We need to pray. Please pray for us, your leaders, for wisdom and reliance upon God.

So there was much joy in the city. We, the church, are not just for our own good, but the good of those around us. We are to bring restoration and healing to all areas of life where the church resides. Does Renewal bring joy to the city? If we closed our doors, would anyone care? Or would they rejoice at the greater availability of parking?

How did this movement start? With death. Stephen died. So it is with church movement. We must die to our own comforts, our dreams, our desires. For the spread of the gospel, we must sacrifice these things.

The Parables of Jesus: The Ultimate Neighbor

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?"  And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live."  But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead.  Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side.  So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.  He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.  And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.'  Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?"  He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise." - Luke 10:25‭-‬37 ESV

Necessity of Mercy

Context matters. The lawyer here is not a civil servant. He is an expert in the law of God. This lawyer is testing Jesus. He knows that Jesus keeps company with sinners of all stripes. The lawyer wanted to test and trap Jesus in some theological trap. So Jesus see the question as what it is, a trap. He counters with another question. Jesus affirms his response. But the lawyer wanted to justify himself. He wanted to whittle down and water down the law of God. He wanted to claim that he had kept the law of God in his own life. So he asked, who is my neighbor? In other words, what is the bare standard needed to claim that they follow God's law.

Nature of Mercy

The hero of this story is a Samaritan. They are hated and despised by the Jews. This is the standard by which we judge our love for neighbors. How we treat those who we do not relate and maybe even see as enemies... That is God's standard. We cannot do this or be justified in this. Acts of mercy are a mark of saving faith. A faith that produces no love and no mercy is dead and will not save.

Consider ourselves in light of this. We limit mercy, by who they are, because of timing, or how much. We all seek to justify ourselves in how we "love our neighbor." Mercy will cost us, make us uncomfortable, and may even require us to risk our lives.

Motivation for Mercy

Guilt is not enough to keep us loving those around us. The law of God should make us acknowledge our inability to keep His law. And from this humble place, we will see that we need Jesus; we all need a Savior. One who fulfills the law and grants us undeserved grace and mercy. Those who know Jesus will be merciful. We cannot truly know Jesus without being motivated towards mercy and grace.

Methods of Mercy

We are finite, we cannot meet every need. The world is too big. We are most obligated to help those who are closest to us, either geographically, spatially, or relationally. We cannot love those halfway around the world and neglect our family members. If your sister is in trouble the next state over, you cannot ignore then because they are geographically far.

We should focus on those close to us. The poor who we cross paths with on a consistent basis. Our coworkers and friends. We need to use wisdom in considering the urgency and their proximity to us.

The Parables of Jesus: The Rejected Son

And he began to tell the people this parable: "A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while.  When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed.  And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed.  And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out.  Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.'  But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.'  And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?  He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others." When they heard this, they said, "Surely not!" But he looked directly at them and said, "What then is this that is written:  "'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him."  The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. - Luke 20:9‭-‬19 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

This is Jesus' response to the religious leaders questioning His authority. They wanted to get rid of him, but Jesus was too popular and the leaders were afraid of the people. So they took a shot at Jesus to attack his teaching.

Human nature

This parable is understandable to the common man. Throughout that time the nation of Israel was portrayed as a vineyard. So the idea that the vineyard is taken from the tenants meant that God would take away from the Israelites. The servants were the prophets. The owner was Father God. So the son can only be Jesus. Specifically, the tenants were the religious leaders.

Jesus speaks about Israel, but really it is not just the Israelites, but people and their hearts. Israel is hard hearted and anti God. But Israel is not alone in this, we all suffer from this. We are all sinners​. We all want to live our way and ignore God.

Unbelief comes from a desire not to submit to God. There are no objective views, not even scientists. We do not wish there to be a God. There are many atheists who disavow God, His very existence.

But some are more convert, there are many religious people who only serve themselves. They are in the vineyard, but they are taking the rightful place of the owner. Their devotion to God is to serve their self interests. Serving is to upkeep their image and to give them a sense of worth. Service is done not for God, but the praise of men.

Covert rebellion is also found in twisting the Bible to suit ourselves. We pursue our own desires and cover it over with theological argument. We gloss over what the Bible says rather than submit to what God desires. We want to be owners rather than managers over all the things that God has given to us.

God's nature

Why does God keep sending servants? Is God stupid? No. He is patient and tenacious in seeking out the people He loves. Servant after servant. He does not quickly retaliate, unlike us. He does not give up on hard headed, stubborn people. God does not treat us as our sins deserve.

The nature of God's judgement

Those who reject the servants and the son will be destroyed. God's judgement will obliterate. Jesus quotes from Psalm 118, letting us know that He will be the cornerstone. The entire building will be built to a new standard, Jesus. He is speaking of God's rebuilding from only being for the nation of Israel, to being also for the gentiles. Jesus claims to be the way, the truth, and the life. The only one. Those crushed are those who reject Jesus. They will be crushed by the full judgement of God.

The Parables of Jesus: The kingdom of God is like ...

He said therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?  It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches."  And again he said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?  It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened." - Luke 13:18‭-‬21 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

"The kingdom of God, already present but not fully realized, is the exercise of God's sovereignty in the world toward the eventual redemption of all creation." - The Gospel Coalition

In this passage, Jesus is teaching some specific things about the kingdom. The context of this teaching comes from a previous situation. A woman has a debilitating disease. Jesus lays hands on her and heals her. But the ruler of the synagogue opposes him and rebukes Jesus because it was the Sabbath. Healing was considered work. People had preconceptions of what the kingdom looks like.

From minute and mundane to majestic

The kingdom starts as something small and inconsequential. Christianity was initially seen as a sect of Jews. Jesus picks a very common seed. He doesn't talk about an exotic plant. He speaks of birds nested in a tree. This is a common metaphor used to speak of great kingdoms that would shelter smaller, weaker kingdoms. Jesus could have said the cedars of great strength, but he picks such a mundane and unassuming thing.

So how does God's power work in this world? It is unimpressive. This is not a fireworks display. The change of people happens in community. Common everyday things is what God works through. We should be encouraged and heartened. God often works in us through common mundane things. But we don't see it, we don't have faith that God is here in our mundane moments. He is at work; convicting us of sin, growing our faith, and challenging us to walk closer to God.

Transformation by infiltration

Fermented dough, leaven, about a fistful worth, can affected fifty pounds of dough.  Faith in God is small, but it will change our lives, each and every part. Not only for ourselves, but it will also impact the world. A changed person will change the world.

The Parables of Jesus:

"Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and recline at table'?  Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink'?  Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded?  So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'" - Luke 17:7‭-‬10 ESV

Rev. Dan Whang

Our heavenly home should shape our day to day life. This parable is no different. The are many things where our sense of love and desire are not aligned with what we should do. This is where our sense of duty should kick in.

Our service and obedience to our Master, Jesus, is not to be looked as a cause of merit.

For all followers of Christ, we are called to serve Christ. Maybe not in official capacity, but we are all called to serve.

The Master comes first; His food, comfort, and desires. It is common sense. Servants are not thanked after doing their duty, that is what they were hired for...

For those who serve, we desire immediate rewards. For example, we want thanks and expressions of appreciation. This desire is not bad in itself. But it speaks about our heart, especially when we don't get appreciation for our service. We are used to getting things done, and getting them done well. It makes us feel important and accomplished. Or feeling like God owes you something for our service. That God should bless us or give us comfort for our service.

Character of servanthood

Unworthiness of the servant/service. It can be seen as being of little worth. That the work is of little impact. It is a sober view that all things we did for God does not really give us grounds to make a claim on Him.

God has given us the resources and talent to serve, what do we really contribute? Not much in the great scheme of things.

Inspiration of servanthood

Jesus served. The king of kings laid it all down to serve the sinner. That is our servant king. This is our Muse in service. Serve people, worship God. One who deserved all to serve Him, came to serve. We, as servants, can make no outright demands of God. Your kingdom come, your will be done.

The Parables of Jesus: Holy Shrewdness

He also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions.  And he called him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.'  And the manager said to himself, 'What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.  I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.'  So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'  He said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.'  Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' He said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.'  The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.  And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.  "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.  If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?  And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?  No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." - Luke 16:1‭-‬13 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

This is a very challenging passage. In this story, Jesus appears to commend dishonest behavior. How do we handle this? It is a very difficult story to accept. Is Jesus telling us to be like Bernie Madoff? Why is this dishonest manager commended for shrewdness?

Here's an interpretation that seems​ to best fit what we know of Jesus. Charging interest was sinful. Usury was held up with adultery as sinfulness. So how did this work? Money managers were hired by the rich. And managers were blamed, if the charging of interest was discovered.

So why does this matter? The manager probably cut the interest from these debts. Since charging interest is sinful, the rich man cannot claim the interest without incriminating himself. Not only that, but the rich man looks generous. And the dishonest manager curries favor with the people around him since he was about to be fired. This is some Oceans Eleven type of thinking. The manager was using the resources around him to secure his future.

The world is so much better than Christians in being shrewd. We look at it as negative, but that isn't how we should see it. Shrewdness is insight, foresight, and diligence. We are called to be shrewd as snakes, innocent as doves.

The application of holy shrewdness

How to apply this in our lives? Firstly, we cannot allow money to master our lives. We cannot look to money for security. Money masters us quietly and quietly. We are very much like the Pharisees. We can look like God fearing and spiritual people, but what will Jesus see inside our hearts?

We need to examine our hearts in regards to finances. Consider tithing. We do eGiving here. It can easily be a set it and forget it, kind of thing. But we can think that just by tithing, we are being obedient financially. But we should consider everyday, what we spend, what we save, what we spend money on.

We should be creatively and diligently considering everything we do to maximize the impact for God's kingdom and His glory. Examine the passions, strengths, stewardship, and opportunities that God has given us.

The result of holy shrewdness

If you have invested your money and resources well, may those who you have served and ministered to... be the ones to welcome you into heaven. Generosity done well points to Christ. But not only that, but it points to Christ in you. If you can't handle earthly riches well, then you cannot handle heavenly riches. Shrewd stewardship doesn't save, but it shows that we know Jesus, who poured out all his resources in our behalf. If we are gripped by Christ, who gave his all for us, then we will desire to pour ourselves out for others.