Sermon on the Mount: The Beatitudes

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.  "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.  "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.  "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.  "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.  "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
- Matthew 5:1-12 ESV

Rev. Charles Han

Upside down kingdom

Blessed starts every verse in Jesus' sermon. This means that they are favored and happy. What do we think of when we hear the word blessed? Jesus defines some very odd people as blessed. The meek, those who mourn... Why are these people considered blessed? Jesus came from heaven... He had the authority to speak of who is blessed, he came from heaven after all. Why does Jesus repeat this so many times? Jesus is trying to get through to a deaf world.

Everyone seeks out happiness. Some may go to war; others avoid it. It is to this same end that drives both behaviors. Some even look to suicide. But not all these paths will end in happiness, many will end with misery and cursing. This path is the path to true happiness and fulfillment. These are all the qualifications for a true citizen of heaven. We are not fully embodying these qualities, but these are present and growing in a Christian's life and heart. To have these qualifications requires more than simply a religious life.

Inside out kingdom

The true kingdom citizen is spiritually poor. We acknowledge that we are spiritually bankrupt. We are humbled to the dust. How does this differ from your typical person? Most people consider themselves spiritually middle class. Not great, but not in need of help, in need of salvation. This is not something a Christian can hold in their heart. They need to know that they have no spiritual worth outside of the saving work of Jesus. They know of no other way to salvation other than utter dependence upon God.

Christians mourn over their sin. They see the darkness of their heart and the destructive results of their sin... And they mourn.

This is turn drives us into meekness. Not weakness, but meekness. It takes away our drive to glorify ourselves. We have an inner quietness because we know of our spiritual brokenness. But not only that, we are aware and secure of our standing before God. But this is not a coddled security. It makes us zealous for the kingdom of God.

Once we are accepted and adopted into God's kingdom, we want to extend and expand this great kingdom. We have a growing desire for personal piety. We have a heart for mercy. We do not emphasize one over the other.

The forward-back kingdom

How do we live this out? With the world constantly pushing back, trials, suffering, and even persecution... There is a coming kingdom. It will come and suddenly, the proud will be humbled. Those who are comfortable with their sin and evil, will find themselves in mourning. And those who mourn now over their sin, will be comforted. Persecution and reviling over this way of living is something that a Christian will rejoice in. It is a confirmation of our future destination. This is an attitude that cannot be counterfeited.

God's blueprint for His Church

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.- Titus 1:1-2:14 ESV

Rev. Charles Han

This is one of Paul's letters to Titus. Titus was one of Paul's proteges. Titus was to stay with the churches Paul had founded in Crete. He was to continue Paul's with there.

The gospel is vital for all peoples

Whether Christian or not, we all need the gospel of God. The gospel is of first importance. The message of the Gospel is life giving and life changing. It changes lawless, immoral people into upright, loving, and people zealous for God. Not only that, but for those who believe, the gospel is still vital. The gospel is still working in our lives to renounce ungodliness and add to our zeal for Jesus.

The church is vital for the gospel

For the gospel to come in fullness, we need a group of believers, i.e. the church. Missionaries are not sent out to bring some people to salvation. It is to plant a local church. The church is where older believers model and guide younger believers. It is where spiritual growth happens. We need a community of believers, a body of people investing in each other.

Make it your intention, your goal, this year to shape and invest in one younger believer. Or be shaped by an older believer. Maybe that's someone in your community group or that we minister alongside.

Elders are vital for the church

Elders must know sound doctrine in order to defend the church against false teaching. They must be above reproach. They must be trustworthy. They must be full of grace and full of truth.

The Gifts of Christmas

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."- Luke 2:8‭-‬12 ESV

Rev. Dan Whang

Is our Christianity truly joyful? Or are we faking it? Is it a struggle to have joy? The core of Christianity is joy.

The joy of Christmas comes from the Good News of the baby Jesus coming to a broken world.

The shepherds are outsiders. They are outcasts from society. But in a flash of light, angels appear and proclaim the birth of Christ. The first reaction is one of fear and anxiety. It had been a long time since Israel had heard from God whether prophet or judge. So the people were afraid. Hence the first words of the angel, fear not! And immediately followed by the proclamation of joy.

God has sent salvation in his son. God is working out redemption, salvation, and restoration. With a backdrop of suffering, sin, and pain, we see a great joy come. So it still is today. So in the midst of stress, anxiety, rushing, and pain, we still have this great joy. Jesus has lived the perfect life and died for our sins. So we have eternal life and a perfect restored relationship with God.

How can we increase our joy?
+ Learn how to delay your gratification this season
+ Get rid of unhealthy comparison and competition in your life

Advent: The gifts of Christmas: Hope

But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.- Isaiah 9:1‭-‬7 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Hope animates our lives. It helps us to persevere through trials and difficulties. It drives us to make goals. But losing hope can kill us. It can make us like walking dead. Not only that, but we must have hopes that are good. There are bad hopes. We can hope in things that can only disappoint. Like an abused woman who hopes their abuser doesn't leave them; there are harmful things to hope for.

The ultimate source of hope

Isiah gives these words of hope. However this will not come to pass for three hundred years. The prophecy was spoken in past tense to indicate the confidence that it would come to pass.

To those who hope for joy, Jesus comes to fill us with joy. The harvest is the last step of farming. After plowing, planting, guarding against pests, and waiting patiently, finally, time to taste the fruits of their labor. But more so than anything else we can hope in, whether careers, relationships, our spouse, sports teams, or any other goal or dream...

To those hoping for freedom, Jesus provides true freedom. Israel was under Assyrians and the Romans. There were times of freedom between the slavery and political oppression. But the freedom Jesus gives is freedom from sin. Humans enslave because there is something horribly wrong inside each of us. Jesus comes to conquer sin and death not by strength, but by God's power. The day of the Midianites was the story of Gideon. God calls for the smallest army of the most incompetent soldiers to battle thousands of Midianites.

To those who hope in peace, Jesus answers that as well. Not just the absence of war, but wholeness. Everything working as it should, with justice and properly restored. Can we hope that this world will work properly and be restored by human hands? Can we expect that we will deal with each other lovingly and justly? Does history tell us that we are moving away from war, oppression, neglect, slavery, and hatred? No, we repeat it time and again, different people and different contexts with the same problems.

Faith begets hope. Faith is trusting that what God promises will come to pass because God is trustworthy. Hope is the feeling of excitement and anticipation. Hope animates us. It drives us to make goals and push forward. It is what allows Christians to enter hopeless situations and being hope for more than what circumstances may dictate. God will move. People will be changed. The world will be restored.

Gospel Thanksgiving

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. -1 Thessalonians 5:16‭-‬18 ESV

John Yun

It is one thing to feel gratitude, it is another to give thanks. One is a feeling. The other is an action. We may have trouble conjuring a feeling. But we can pursue the act of giving thanks. How often is our gratitude directed towards God? How do we give thanks to God?

Pray. Do not confuse it with mediation. Prayer is a conversation. We are not to simply consider what we should be thankful for. We should talk to God about what God has given to us.

How much of our prayer life is asking for things? Do we acknowledge what God has done for us? Do we meet God with a humble heart before it's savior? If our prayer life is only about asking God to give us this, to help us out of this situation, to get us... then something's missing.

We should thank God unceasingly. For every good thing God brings into our lives. If we counted all the things God brings, then we would be praying endlessly. This doesn't mean we have our heads bowed and eyes closed all day. But it is a conscious turning towards God. A God-consciousness. Knowing that God is always present and always involved in our lives.

Why is it so difficult to feel grateful? Children are taught to say thank you, even if they don't feel it. It is the polite thing to do. So it is with the children of God. We don't feel gratitude towards God. This is often a symptom of pride. We don't want to acknowledge that God deserves credit. A proud person feels they deserve a good life. It is a sense of entitlement. The key to deep gratitude is humility. "Every good and perfect gift comes from above..." Every good thing that comes is grace from God. It isn't something we can produce ourselves.

When a child receives a gift for their birthday or Christmas, they jump up and down in joy. They did not and could not have earned that gift. They receive with unbridled joy.

Another reason that we are ungrateful is because we are forgetful and blind. We forget what God has done as soon as he's answered our prayers. We only ask and ask and ask without reflecting on how God has answered our prayers. We don't see how God has been at work...

Finally, the last barrier to thankfulness is anxiety and idolatry. An anxious heart is rooted in feeling that God either doesn't care or will not provide. An idolatrous heart is searching for anything and everything to satisfy except God. Instead of keeping God front and center, we seek satisfaction in other things. We don't think God can or will satisfy.

How do we give thanks when we have all these things going wrong in our lives? Family troubles, relationship problems, trials, struggles at work, health issues... We can always give thanks in Christ. We have a Savior who suffered and knows our troubles intimately.

Gospel Spreading

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.- Acts 11:19‭-‬26 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Every member is on mission (witnessing is priority!)

A great persecution had broken out in Jerusalem. This caused believers to spread out and preach the gospel as they went. Who spearheaded this massive spreading of the Gospel? The disciples were still in Jerusalem. It was the everyday believer. They lived their lives with gospel intention. They didn't want to leave Jerusalem. But even so, they witnessed about Jesus wherever they found themselves.

Perhaps that is you. You find yourself in Philly. But that wasn't what you wanted/planned. You're at a job or school that you're not crazy about. You are living in a neighborhood that you don't really like. But maybe that's where God wants you. He wants you to witness to that supervisor. He wants you to engage that neighbor. He desires that you help at your local school. Are you faithful to the call to make disciples in your current situation/circumstance?

Believers engaged everyone

The church at Antioch reached out to not just Jews, but the Hellenists as well. The church at this time usually reached out to the Jews. But Antioch was very diverse, if somewhat segregated, so we find that the gospel was shared with these wild pagans. What interest could they have in the God of the Jews? It was unbelievable. This is the first place where they were called Christians. Why? Because it was a diverse ethnic group. It was not just Jews, not just Indians, etc.

It is very similar to Philly. This city is so diverse, but also so segregated. Diversity is difficult. It is hard to be in community with those who are different from us. But this is what the church should look like. People of different ethnic, socio-economic status, political affiliation... making up the same church.

And the hand of the Lord was with them

It was the hand of God opening the hearts of people. It was God working through them. All these things cannot come about by our hard work alone. We need God. So we must pray for convicted hearts, kingdom growth, and wisdom & desire to love our neighbors.

Gospel Community: part 2

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.- Galatians 6:1‭-‬2 ESV

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.- James 5:19‭-‬20 ESV

Rev. Dan Whang

Truth telling

Pursuing Holiness through Accountability

Why is gospel community important?

We need to hear the truth. We need accountability. This reminds us of what sin is doing in our lives. It keeps us from drifting away. We do need a personal spiritual life, but that is not enough. We need a community that challenges and confronts sin in our lives.

Gospel community is hard

Speaking the truth in love requires love. We are selfish and harsh. We either don't confront because we don't care what that sin will do. Or we confront them in a harsh manner in order to belittle.

For those being confronted, there can be this fear of judgement. Or this need to defend ourselves. Finally, pride. We don't want to hear other people's feedback on our spiritual lives. Or maybe it's simpler than that, maybe we don't want to grow. Maybe we don't want to change, we're comfortable. Are you okay with your current state of spiritual stagnation?

How do we practically build each other up?

First, we need to realize that this is not a casual activity. We need to pray for God to empower us. For humility; for a selfless love. We must be in his word, so we can recognize sin.

Pray for your heart. If this bothers just you, perhaps you should bear with them. If it affects the community, then ask for another point of view. Not gossip, but rather if whether you discern rightly. Then confront them lovingly.

For those who are confronted, stop and consider the words of rebuke or admonishment. Put aside your pride and consult the word. See if there is truth in what was said.