The incarnation : The wonder of Christ's compassion

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 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 2:14‭-‬18, 4:14‭-‬16 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Jesus took on flesh to save

He came to save. Through death he came to deliver us from death and slavery to sin. Jesus saves us from the fear of death. Before the industrial revolution, death was immediate and direct. Now we can keep death at arm's length. We have modern medicine and vitamins. We have even outsourced to some extent with funeral homes and hospice care. Not only that, but we distract ourselves with entertainment. Inevitably, death awaits every one of us. The pursuit of legacy and achievements is trying to make our name outlast our lives. The vast majority of us will be forgotten in one or two generations. There is nothing that lasts without God. All our deeds will be forgotten. Death and sickness awaits us all.

But God sent his son. Man sinned and rejected God. Our punishment is deserved. But instead, Jesus came in the form of man to accept the punishment of men. But he was, in substance, God, so that he could take the full wreath of God and survive. So that we have grace for now and for the life to come. We can intellectually agree. But how about the here and now? Often we find life as a believer difficult and tough. 

Jesus took on flesh to fully sympathize with us

Jesus knows us. He had walked in our shoes. The priests of old offered up animal sacrifice. But Jesus came and offered his very life. He knew sickness. He knew the burden of serving others. He knew of slander, shame, betrayal, pain, sickness... He knew of sorrow and to weep over the death of a loved one. He knew what it was to be forsaken. He knew temptation and the pull of revenge, sexual temptation, and immediate gratification. He was sinless, but he knew temptation better than any one of us. Whatever hardship, struggle, or temptation, Jesus fully sympathize with us.

Jesus strengthens us

Jesus comes in compassion and gentleness. We find sympathy in Him. But more than that, He saves and delivers. Jesus saves. He invites us to come to Him. We can find strength and salvation in Jesus.

The incarnation: The wonder of Christ's Obedience

Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Galatians 3:23‭- 4:‬7 ESV

What is this law that Christ came to obey?

This law is referred to as a guardian. Kind of like a governess or supervisor of the children of the household. In the time of the text, these guardians were often slaves. They kept the minors in check with the household code. This is different from the workplace or the courts. This was in the context of families. The law was not how one entered the household. It was because one is part of the household.

When the minors come of age, the supervisor is no longer over us. But we don't ignore the law, it is that we have become mature that we desire to follow the law. We not longer needed the guardrails. All those rules and things we were compelled to do should, now that we have matured, make sense and have value for us.

Why does His obedience matter?

Is there something significant to this? Jesus living the perfect life is insufficient. How do we know? Because of the cross. The law cannot give us life. Righteousness does not come from the law, it comes from faith. Being obedient to the law will not make God love you. God's love is unconditional. Jesus did not earn the Father's love. He just received God's love. 

God loves, even though we bring nothing to the deal. That is saving faith. Nothing to be earned in our salvation. The cross was necessary and sufficient for us. We are now heirs in the family of God. Christ's daily experience of obedience was the proving ground for the cross. His daily submission to God was pointing to His final submission to death on the cross. 

Small obedience leads to big Obedience. Jesus submitted to his parents. He knew more than his parents, but still obeyed. It's like a parent listening to their five year old. That is the radical humility of Jesus.

Are we practicing the small acts of obedience and submission to God? It begins today. The inverse is also true. Small rebellions will lead to greater sin. Great unfaithfulness comes from little disobedience day by day. We are called to daily die to ourselves and pick up our cross. This is not just some pithy saying. This is how we are changed, day by day.

Those who are in the family of God are concerned with what He is concerned about. Believers grieve when they sin because they know it hurts God. They cry for mercy, not as an employee to their boss, but a child crying to their parent. Repenting over sin is more than just not doing it again. It is seeing the life & goodness of the right way. Guilt should lead you somewhere, not hold you down. Self loathing will not save you. Jesus saves. God loves and no sin can separate us from Him. 

The law cannot bring us life. It cannot be used to please God. It can only reveal our relationship with God. We cannot come to God through the law. Our obedience does not bring us to God; it only reveals what is true about our relationship with God.

We need to put our faith in God.

We need to rest in God's provision for us. We need to let God love us. Stop earning and striving. We cannot argue our case because we are guilty. We cannot make God love us. We are not a slave in the house of God; we are heirs. There is nothing we can do to make salvation happen. God is good and loving. We can only take it by faith and come to Him.

The incarnation: the wonder of Christ's humility

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2:5‭-‬11 ESV

Rev. Dan Whang

The wonder of Christ's humility

Jesus became one of us. This should impress us. But we live in a first world country, we live comfortable lives. But we need to consider the life of an Israelites under the rule of the Romans. It was not a pleasant life. 

Jesus' life is summarized in 3 parts. First Jesus was in the form of God. He was a separate person, but he was in the nature of God. He was in perfect communion with the Holy Trinity. Then, He became nothing. God is so far above us and so different from us in so many ways. But he became restrained by human limits. It is unfathomable to us. It is the greatest downgrade in lifestyle and everything else. He was born into obscurity, a blue collar family, no good looks to recommend him. Not only that, but he would die in the most painful and shameful way. We might be able to humble ourselves in some extent, but Jesus humbled himself beyond what we could by ourselves bare. He knew the awkwardness of teenage years. He knew betrayal, loneliness, frustration, ... All these things He experienced. He knew the pain of family infighting, lack of money, and all the human troubles large and small. Finally, he was exalted to the right hand of God, the Father. He came back to life after defeating the grave and death. He went from the humble King to the risen King. At his name, every knee would bow. 

Walking in Christ's humility

Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit and he wrote this passage for a reason. He was asking the church to be of one mind. There had been pride, quarreling, and infighting amount members of the church. Salvation does not mean all conflict will disappear. If our hearts are not filled with the love of Christ, we will seek to fill it with other things. Respect, pleasure, power, praise of men, a sense of control... If you are full, then other things will not have the same pull or temptation.

By Faith

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.- Hebrews 11:1‭-‬40 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

What will motivate & sustain us in our convictions? Faith

What do we mean by Faith

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

God, who we cannot see, is real. And spiritual realities, also invisible and some, yet to come, are true and will come to pass. We are sure and convicted. This is not a passive thing, but an active dynamic thing. A genuine faith leads people to act. It is more than just verbally affirming some doctrine. Faith is more than mental assent. It will convict us and we still step out into action. 

What can be achieved by Faith

There is a list of amazing things done by faith. An ark built in a desert. A barren woman, past childbirth age, gave birth. A man gives up all social statue, power, and riches in order to free a people from slavery. The Christian can be optimistic because they know God and what he can do. It is more than worldly optimism. And it is better than cynicism and unfettered pessimism.

How do we endure by Faith

God doesn't guarantee comfort, riches, or an easy life. Believers will suffer. Hardship and difficulties will come, sometimes because of ministry and sometimes because our faith in Christ. What can keep us ministering? What can help us persevere? 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, - Hebrews 12:1 ESV

God's Heart... My Part

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him! - Psalms 67:1‭-‬7 ESV

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.- Acts 13:1‭-‬3 ESV

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.- Philippians 4:10‭-‬15 ESV

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.- 1 Timothy 2:1‭-‬7 ESV

Chris Brown (WEC International)

We are happy and joyful about God blessing us. But we need to keep going after verse 1, the blessing is so that God would be known. If we love God, we want to love things that He loves. God loves us. But His love is not restricted to one people, one nation. God loves people from every tribe, every nation, every tongue. 

If the nations are on God's heart, then how are we doing? 4.24 billion people don't know a single Christian. This is the current state of things. Knowing God's heart, what is our part in this?

Go, be sent. - Acts 13:1-3

We can be sent to share the gospel. Some may be called to go for the rest of their lives. But others may only be there for a short time, 3-4 months. They can use their skills for that time to further the mission.

Share the trouble of those sent - Philippians 4:10-15

Paul received financial support, but that is not his primary point. Paul was touched by the church sharing the burden of trouble. He appreciated their concern. So it should be with us. Love our missionaries and share their burdens.

Pray for the world and salvation - 1 Timothy 2:1-7

We should read the news and pray through it. Consider the crises and unrest happening around the world as an opportunity for the gospel. Consider if God is calling you to go.

Go, be sent

Visit short term

Willingness to go long term

Concern for those sent

Comfort and emotional support

Give financial help

Pray

Read the news prayerfully

Pray for those who have been sent by your church

The Church's Great Global Commission

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."- Matthew 28:16‭-‬20 ESV

Rev. Charles Han

The greatest claim

A couple of days has made such a difference for these disciples. They saw their leader, Jesus, treated like the worst of criminals. Humiliated and put to death in the most painful way. Their hopes and dreams dashed. And suddenly, the greatest reversal, Resurrection! The risen King was before them, in the flesh. He has total authority over all things, even over sin and brokenness. None of these things will stop or trouble Jesus. This is why we can have any hope to complete what Jesus commands.

The greatest cause

What does it mean to make disciples? Go baptize, teach men to obey all that God calls us to. It includes making unbelievers into believers. They are baptized to testify to their conversion. But it doesn't end there. They must be discipled to full maturity. What does this mean? This is not a singular task. It is lifelong. Full maturity requires more than one individual teaching a new believers. It requires a community, the church. Full obedience to discipleship also means making more disciples.. And making more churches. And so on. So the most important question for us is this, what part are we playing in this?

The greatest comfort

Jesus is with believers. Even more so for those who are sent. Unreached people are unreached for a reason, it is difficult. There are obstacles and dangers. We can do this because we are not doing this alone, but Jesus, the risen & reigning King is by your side.

Work for the good of the city

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

1 Thessalonians 4:9‭-‬12 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

One of the ways we can be a blessing is through our work. Work takes up to a third of our lives. Our faith should connect to our work. What we hear on Sunday needs to connect to what we do on Monday through Friday.

Purpose of work

Paul was writing to a very young church. It was being persecuted. He commends them in their brotherly love. They were not a wealthy congregation, but they were  generous. Paul asked them to live quiet lives, mind they're own affairs, work with their hands, and continue showing brotherly love. Why? That's such a strange phrasing. Some of the congregation believed that Jesus' return was imminent. So much so that they stopped working and started depending on others to meet their daily needs. How does that apply to our current life and times?

We see work individually. They are a way to provide for us and our families. But in the grand scheme of things, our work provides for others. God uses our jobs to provide everyone their daily bread. He uses the farmer, the mill worker, & the baker. All kinds of work are sacred and have dignity and worth.

We tend to raise up those who are white collar and look down on those who are blue collar. But in the eyes of God, both are sacred. Both doctors and surgeons as well as the janitor who keeps the hospitals sterile are doing important work. Jesus showed by example in this as well. He was a carpenter as well as a public intellectual figure. He elevated both manual and mental work. 

Power of work

There was a system called patronage at work at the church. People would raise up and hype up powerful and influential figures. It wasn't paid, but it gave them a chance to influence people of power. But Paul told them to live quiet lives instead. Paul was telling them to lift up ordinary faithfulness. Don't get caught up on the big and spectacular to miss out on the everyday diligence. We are called to approach our work no matter how menial as a place for excellence.

Power for work

Paul urges them the live quietly. He tells them to be ambitious to live quiet lives. Have them right ambition. We are called to work, at the beginning, before sin entered into the world. We are to work to bless those around us.

Our measure of worth is not based on our performance at work. To do so is exhausting and soul crushing. But maybe we do not struggle with that. Many work is just something to be beared with so we can do what we want on our weekends. That too is soul crushing. We were not made to just stuff ourselves with pleasure. It makes our lives feel meaningless. We can only find true freedom in Jesus. 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."- Matthew 11:28‭-‬30 ESV

It us only in working under Jesus' lordship that we can be free from being crushed by performance anxiety and the emptiness of living for pleasure.