The glorious gospel

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:10‭-‬12‭, ‬21‭-‬25 ESV

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
1 Peter 2:1‭-‬3 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

The central focus of the Word of God is the Gospel, the good news. It is news, as in history. It is not good advice. It is what has already happened.

Centrality of the Gospel

Suffering comes before glory. There are many examples of this in the Bible, but the death and resurrection of Christ is foundational. The prophets, though prior to Christ, knew of the foretold suffering Messiah. From 1400BC, in Genesis, there is a passage prophesying about the coming Christ. "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." (Gen 3:15 ESV) The old testament is not just a historic record, but it is about Christ.

We cannot read the scriptures properly without a focus on Christ. This will result in legalism and self centered living. We will descend into either self righteousness or guilt ridden living. We cannot find joy in the word of God.

Children's storybook Bible
God's big picture
Getting the message

Depth of the Gospel

Angels don't need salvation. They are observing history from another perspective and the gospel is awe inspiring. While the gospel is simple, it is also full of unsearchable riches and the vastness of it's implications. The reason the gospel is mundane and boring is not the gospel, but it is the heart within us. The gospel should impact and transform all aspects of our lives and how we see things. It will take an eternity for us to wrap our minds around what the gospel is and has accomplished.

The Transformative Gospel

The gospel is an imperishable seed. It brings about eternal life. But it is not just for the start of our spiritual lives, but it is also necessary for our growth and maturity. The gospel is sustenance. The gospel is not minimal required theology, it is the full knowledge of living.

Living Hope

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. - 1 Peter 1:1‭-‬9 ESV

Rev.  Dwight Yoo

The nature of hope

We don't have the same hope as hoping for something that may or may not come. Christians have a hope based upon the resurrection of Jesus. It is based upon a promise from God. It is not wishful thinking. Hope gives our lives meaning. In the Christian view, faith is confident expectation.

The object of hope

Even of you lose all your earthly things, you h have a heavenly inheritance that no one can take away. What is this inheritance? It is not just houses. It is many things, but primarily it is God himself. God's salvation includes many rewards and heaven, but above all it is living and bring in the presence with Jesus & God.

The power of hope

The confident expectation of heaven can allow us to endure suffering. We can find joy, and sometimes, even rejoice in the midst of persecution and pain. Trials are for refining our faith. It is not God testing us, but God working on us through tough situations.

We are constantly tempted to put our hopes in other things rather than in God and heavenly things. Pain forces us to confront whether we believe what God says. Whether God and God alone is enough. All our other hopes can disappoint. How can we know that we can withstand these trials and tribulations? The word says we are guarded by God's power. God gives faith and salvation, then he guards us for that salvation.

The persuasive power of the word

I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. - 2 Corinthians 10:1‭-‬6 ESV

Pastor Paul Park

The word is for spiritual battle. The devil and demons are real. We forget or often dismiss that we are in a war. Unless you know what the word is for, it is hard to understand why we need the word. The word is referred to as a sword. Who goes to battle without a sword?

But it not just about carrying around the Bible. We must know and use it. We battle in the flesh, but not according to the flesh. All of us are human with limitations, but not all of this is sinful. We don't know everything. We are created and not divine. There is a humility in trusting in God's wisdom and not our own.

What are the strongholds?

They are rationalizations and lofty opinions that are anti-gospel. They keep us from living lives devoted and joyfully for God. We are not trying to take down the castle walls, but the inner defenses within the castle. We need renewal from these ways of thinking. Here are some questions that can guide us:

How can a good God allow suffering?
How can God send people to hell?
Why is Christianity so exclusive?
Hasn't Christianity caused many wars?
Isn't science truer than any religion?

What can take our thoughts captive? Here's some popular modes and ways of thinking.

"Be all that you can be!"
Celebrity/consumer mindset - (we follow what is flashy and attractive to our eyes and ears.)
"You can do anything you want/Chase your passions"
Relativism/intolerance - (it's true for you, not for me/don't judge me/don't offend anyone)
Materialism - (there is only what you can see/touch/taste.)

If we don't take every thought captive to Christ, then the thought is captive to something else. It is in rebellion. It is a question of autonomy. Who is in charge? Jesus or us? When we don't do take them all captive, we are effectively saying, Christ is not better than ______. We are saying we know better than God what is best. Many of our sins and addictions stem from this. Is Jesus better than any of your goals and dreams? Is Jesus better than your life? Jesus calls us to submit our thoughts, dreams, goals, and lives... Not just once, but everyday. If your heart is not captive to Christ, how can you captivate others to Christ? If Christ is not persuasive in your life, then how can you persuade others?

We are not persuasive in being argumentative. It is being gracious and loving. We aren't trying to prove a point or be correct. We are trying to rescue the other person from destructive ways and habits. We are not dropping "truth bombs" but walking with them. We need to suffer with them and love them.

The Disciplines Of The Word

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord ; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Psalms 119:9‭-‬16 ESV

Teach me, O Lord , the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!
Psalms 119:33‭-‬40 ESV

You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord , according to your word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law. It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Psalms 119:65‭-‬72 ESV

Rev. Charles Han

What do we need to do to get the most out of God's word?

Prayer

Prayer and scripture go together. Prayer needs to be empowered by scripture. Bible reading needs to be approached prayerfully. We are not naturally inclined to notice the goodness nor order our lives by the word of God. Our hearts are more inclined towards worldly pleasures and gain. Prayerlessness can often make scripture reading fruitless. It can change rout reading into an life changing encounter with God.

Meditation

Do you wish to sin less? Or walk more in the way of God? Hide his word in your heart. Store it up by meditating on it. This is Christian mediation, not eastern meditation. It is not about emptying your mind, but rather about filling our minds with God who brings true peace. We need to fix ourselves on the concrete character of God in scripture. It is not just hearing or reading, but you need to chew and digest the word.

Memorize some scripture for a day or a week. Use it to shape your desires, thoughts, and actions. Even if you keep forgetting, keep going. Get back up and get back into it.

Trial

Why is this one of the main disciplines? Only in the midst of our real needs, struggles, and sins does scripture become real. Only through the bitter cold of winter do you know the glorious joy of spring.

God's word only comes with grace and truth when we are in the struggle of life and pain. Suffering brings scripture to life. We can be theological giants but with small hearts and insufficient experiential understanding. God's desire is for us to speak god's word with genuine grace and understanding... And this comes thorough suffering. God exalts scripture through our suffering. God will bring trials for our good.

How does the psalm end? He ends on a note of straying like a lost sheep, one who is backsliding. He needs a savior. There is only one blameless one with a perfect devotional life. He was the afflicted one. This is Jesus. It is not about your commitment to His word, but rather His devotion to you.

A Decade of Renewal: Renewed Mission

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where  moth and rust  destroy and where thieves  break in and steal,  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light,  but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!   “No one 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.    “Therefore I tell you,  do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,  yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. - Matthew 6:19-33 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Meant to live for a bigger kingdom

We are created for more then just living for ourselves. We are made for more than just our little kingdoms. We shrink ourselves when we live within such small borders.

Identifying small kingdom living

Earthbound things as the most desired thing
Needs driven (wants morph into "needs")
Anxiety driven (animalistic survival mindset)
Bored with the things of God and His kingdom

God becomes a means rather than an end.

If God is the end goal, then is loving God than which drives and masters us? Are we gunning for His kingdom and loving Him more? Or is our praise time just lip service. Is Jesus truly your treasure?

A decade of renewal: renewed community

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!  It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!  It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
Psalms 133:1-3 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Community is like the anointing oil.

This oil is specially and specifically for anointing. And the picture is that it is abundant and overflowing. God made us for himself, but not just Him... But also for community.

We are broken sinners. Fearful of rejection and rejecting others. We can be married or be in a crowd and still feel deeply alone.  When the desire for community is met, there is joy and contentment. So therefore, God created the church.

The church community is here and not yet. It is the heavenly ideal, yet not quite. We are becoming like Christ; we are works in progress. By the work of Christ, we are a family. We are called to love the community that God has given, not the one we dream about.

Not only that, but we are blessed by this flawed community. It is through the messiness of sinners in gospel community that we grow and mature in God. He promises

Enchantment -> Disillusionment -> Maturity

Don't check out of church. God blesses the mess.

A decade of Renewal: Renewed Lives

For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. - Romans 2:28-29 ESV

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. - 2 Peter 1:3-4 ESV

For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. - Romans 7:19, 21-21, 24-25 ESV

Rev. Young Lee

Gospel renewal here at Renewal church

We wish to be married to Jesus, but remain bachelors in lifestyle. We want eternal life & salvation, but not sanctification. We want to benefits without changing our lives.

What is Gospel change

Circumcision is not what makes us followers of God. It is not public actions, but the heart. We don't change behavior first. We must change our affections in order to impact our behavior. We must have an inner circumcision. We do not do things for men, but for God. Christianity is not about making us worship God. But rather God will make us worshippers. It is not about trying to be more pure, but loving purity. Transformation is not about behavior, but the heart.

Power of change

Peter talks about godliness and then... the promises of God. Why these things rather than power or strength? Because what we know of God is greater than self control. Knowing and loving God's promises gives us hope. We can't change until we have hope of change. Hope gives us power to persevere.

But more important than just any hope is the promise of fulfillment. Hopes can be dashed. But God promises victory and glory. If God is all he says he is, then He will fulfill His promises.

Change, without the gospel, is by denial and fear. But true and lasting change comes from affection. We can tell ourselves to avoid sin, but this is unsustainable. This kind of change will not last. We need a greater love. Lasting change confess from tasting how good God is.

Measuring change

How do most of us try to measure this change? Sanctification is not measured by how perfectly we avoid sin. We need to measure by passion and progression. "Wretched man that I am..." is not followed by more self discipline. But "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" is his response. He looks at how he has been saved. We cannot look at the day to day, but rather the gradual progression of change in our lives. Not being holy, but becoming holy. Not glorious, but being glorified.