The Suffering Body of Christ on Mission

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 ESV

[7] But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. [8] We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; [9] persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; [10] always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. [11] For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. [12] So death is at work in us, but life in you

Romans 12:9-21 ESV

[9] Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. [10] Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. [11] Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. [12] Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. [13] Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. [14] Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. [16] Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. [17] Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. [18] If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. [19] Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” [20] To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Rev. Kyobeum Lee

Following Jesus is not about prosperity, success, and the good life we often here preached. It is about suffering on mission for God.

The Paradox of Christ's pain

Paul describes being afflicted, pressed, persecuted. This isn't about finding a comfortable, easy life. The gospel isn't about working harder. It tells us that we are terminal, dead. We need resurrection and new life. Grace isn't displayed by the strength of the messenger. It is shown in weakness. We are not golden chalices, but clay jars. We don't look down on suffering. We don't glorify suffering. We are not heroes. When we live faithfully, suffering comes. If we say that Jesus is ours and we are His, our life will become cross-shaped. This is how we witness and minister to the world. 

Patient suffering

Love is not transactional. It is genuine and not self serving.. It's not weird quid pro quo. Love for the sake of love, that is real love. Bless and pray for those who persecute you. Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn. Feed your enemies. This is a very counter cultural idea. It is not the way of those of the world. This is normal life in the kingdom of God. We are to lift up others. Quiet and enduring suffering because this is how Jesus lived. 

The early church was not full of eloquent speakers, good marketing. It grew because of their patience. When persecuted, they endured the suffering. They prayed as they were threatened with death. 

The Peril of Martyr Syndrome

We are called to suffering, but we are not called to be heroes. The martyr syndrome is something like this: "we seek conflict to affirm our point of view. If we are suffering, then God must be pleased. If we are persecuted, then we must be righteous. Don't you deserve better treatment? Aren't we righteous?"

The Holy Spirit does not speak like this. We are not the center of attention. Jesus should be the center. Our suffering does not save others. Our suffering only points to Christ's suffering. Our lives should point to Jesus. We are jars of clay, but we contain new life.

Encounters with Jesus

John 8:2-11 ESV

[2] Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. [3] The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst [4] they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. [5] Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” [6] This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. [7] And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” [8] And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. [9] But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. [10] Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” [11] She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”]]

Justin Kim

Superficial appearances

This situation was presented as a situation of choosing justice. But that is not really what's going on. Firstly, the Pharisees only brought the woman. Where is the man? The law states that both the man and the woman should be stoned. But here's another catch, the mount of olives is under Roman jurisdiction. The Jews were not allowed to execute capital punishment. This was purely made up as a trap. There was no concern with justice or the woman. People were treated as pawns. This situation exposed how corrupted and twisted these teachers of the law really were.

The wisdom in the silence

Jesus understands the trap. The Pharisees were pressing him on this to trap him whether he chose to execute the woman or let her go. He doesn't engage him on their terms. He stoops down and draws something on the ground. After they press him further, he responds on his terms. He tells them that one who is without sin should cast the first stone. What is he really saying? He's referring to the rest of the law. The execution is supposed to be started by the eyewitnesses. Eyewitnesses were to be impartial and looking for justice. Where were they? Are they innocent in this? Do they fall short in this area as well? 

There's two silences in this. One is when Jesus doesn't answer at first. Next is when Jesus answers them. Silently, the Pharisees walked away starting from the oldest to the youngest. Jesus' response was a mirror. They see their need for mercy as much as this sinful woman. 

We go from this chaotic scene of a crowded courtroom drama to just the woman & Jesus. We don't know whether this woman knew Jesus. Consider that Jesus is the one person who could cast the first stone. He was without sin. He does not condemn, but rather gives her grace. The initial situation was a sham of a trial. But this, this is the real judgement. But also he immediately tells get to leave her life of sin. It is both grace and truth. Jesus met her in her guilt and calls her to new life. 

Grace that doesn't call us to change is not grace, but permissiveness. 

This is the call of the gospel. We cannot reverse these two. We feel like we need to earn our place. Firstly, we need to receive this forgiveness, this mercy. Then, we can answer the call to a new life. We cannot earn it, so Jesus pays it. He is the payment of our debt. It is a costly grace. 

The verdict for the Pharisees is for them to sit in the silence and consider their sins & their need for grace. So, we should also consider that we too need to consider our sins firstly and what grace we need rather than focusing on others' sins.

For the woman, who came with guilt and shame, there is a call to accept the grace of Jesus and walk the path of new life. To consider our old life dead and to walk in the new life Jesus calls us to. To accept the grace offered to us, that is free to us, but is of great cost to Jesus.

The body of Christ

Ephesians 2:11-22 ESV

[11] Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— [12] remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. [14] For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility [15] by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, [16] and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. [17] And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. [18] For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. [19] So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [20] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, [21] in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. [22] In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

https://bible.com/bible/59/eph.2.11-22.ESV

Rev. Kyuboem Lee 

Remember who you are

We are part of the family of God. Good has adopted and welcomed us in. To both gentiles and Jews, Paul calls us acknowledge that we are on equal footing in each other. Neither group has superior position. It does not matter what you have done, your racial background, your cultural background. We are the people of God because of what God has done. 

Remember your story 

Much like the Jews, Asians stood out. We were very different from those around us and sometimes picked on for those differences. Have we sought to be successful, as our parents instructed, and often erased our cultural differences in order to succeed. But have we gone too far? We are not called to ignore our history. We are to see this as part of how God has made us. Our culture is part of how we can be a good witness. The church doesn't need to be white majority culture. We are to meet each other where we are. For majority culture, have we leaned in and sought to learn about brothers and sisters culture and background. For monitor culture have you taken another look at your history and considered things that were never taught in history books.

Become God's new household

Jesus is taking people for disparate places and cultures and making a new extended family. With all those conflicts, mismatching, and miscommunication, he seeks to reconcile all of us. We have familia responsibility to reach others as the church. We are not called to be isolated groups within the church. We should reach out across groups. College students, young adults, young parents, older adults... Reconciled by the cross. We are called to that same work, not to simply pass by each other, but to engage each other with love, following in Jesus' footsteps.

Deuteronomy: Gleaning Laws

“You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless, or take a widow’s garment in pledge, but you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this. “When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this.

Deuteronomy 24:17-22 ESV

https://bible.com/bible/59/deu.24.17-22.ESV

Rev. Kyu 

Gleaning is contrary to the gospel of greed of today

We are a culture that accepts greed and the maximization of profit. Don't reap to the edges of the field? What CEO would promote such a thing? We are God's people. We are to use the land and resources that God has given us for the sojourner, the widow, the poor. This is the kingdom that good desires. 

Gleaning is justice

Gleaning is the right of the poor. We are given resources by God not simply for ourselves. We need to find edges of our time, our budget,... and give to the organizations that care for the poor, the migrants.

Gleaning is not charity, it is an opportunity

Gleaning is not about a handout. It is an opportunity. Ruth did not get grain delivered to her door. She went with her mother in law and gathered grain from Boaz's field. She worked to survive. 

The gleaning laws are a glimpse of God's desire

God wants to build a community. He wants a community that resolves conflicts peacefully. One where people care for one another. This is the good life that God calls us to. 

In contrast, we have the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Big houses, sports cars, and travel to exotic places. We save and scrape in order to get this sort of lifestyle, but is this what God desires for us?

Doing good is not because we are good. We are called to do this because God first served and gave to us. God gave land to the Israelites. God saved us by the blood of Jesus. This is why we serve. In an age where cruelty, stinginess, and selfishness seem to be the way, we, as God's people, are called to be generous, kind, and loving. We are to bear witness to what God has done for us.

Deuteronomy: Judges and Kings

Deuteronomy 15:1-9,16:19-20,17:14-20

This book is a book of transitions. Our church is also in transition: considering senior pastors, particularizition, etc. While these passages speak of leaders of those times, this is still applicable for leadership. This is God's consideration for leaders.

What do leaders do

For the Israelites, we hear of the jobs of judges and kings. Judges handle disputes between parties. But there's a fair amount of overlap. Kings were seen as military leaders. There was a hierarchy to these leaders. 

What qualifies a leader

Leaders need to be experienced and are to be impartial. They need to see both rich and poor equally. They are not to take bribes. But not just that, they need to pursue justice only. Not fame, not power, nothing else should distract. Not wives, not horses... In other words, not political power, not military power.

These are not qualities God desires: It is not charisma, not ministry success, not giftings, and not worldly qualifications. God desires character. But this isn't just a way to beat up our leaders. Do we value character over charisma? Do we want someone to lead with love, care, and a heart after God? 

How to become qualified

You must understand and be captivated by the love of God for us. Such a Sunday school answer, right? But how does someone ignore the power of the powerful, the riches of the rich? It is by knowing that God is the most powerful, richest and He approves of us. We don't need the influence of the world's riches or power. In a hundred years, we'll all be dead. We'll be with Jesus. And the place where we will be will have streets paved with gold. How can someone with an inheritance bigger than Elon Musk be bribed? They cannot.

Addison Frank

Generosity from God's generosity

[1] “At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release. [2] And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not exact it of his neighbor, his brother, because the Lord’s release has been proclaimed. [3] Of a foreigner you may exact it, but whatever of yours is with your brother your hand shall release. [4] But there will be no poor among you; for the Lord will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess— [5] if only you will strictly obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all this commandment that I command you today. [6] For the Lord your God will bless you, as he promised you, and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow, and you shall rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over you. [7] “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, [8] but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. [9] Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, ‘The seventh year, the year of release is near,’ and your eye look grudgingly on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the Lord against you, and you be guilty of sin. [10] You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. [11] For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’ [12] “If your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you, he shall serve you six years, and in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you. [13] And when you let him go free from you, you shall not let him go empty-handed. [14] You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your winepress. As the Lord your God has blessed you, you shall give to him. [15] You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today. [16] But if he says to you, ‘I will not go out from you,’ because he loves you and your household, since he is well-off with you, [17] then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever. And to your female slave you shall do the same. [18] It shall not seem hard to you when you let him go free from you, for at half the cost of a hired worker he has served you six years. So the Lord your God will bless you in all that you do.

Deuteronomy 15:1-18 ESV

https://bible.com/bible/59/deu.15.1-18.ESV

Being generous

We have modern banking in the control of the elite. They lend us money to buy houses and cars.

 But in the ancient Middle East, it was different. There was a more democratic system. People could set interest rates and lend to whomever they wanted. Everyone in Israel had land that was parceled out to each tribe. This was given out and done to the rememberable of God giving these things to Israel. God didn't just bless the elite; it was for all those in Israel. It wasn't for just a subset. Everyone was expected to be generous because everyone was given to generously by God. 

Why generosity

For is the explanation or cause of something. There are four for clauses. 

God says there should be no poor in the nation of Israel. But things happen, disaster, poor financial planning, and other issues. So those who had excess had enough to meet those who were lacking or in need. There was enough for everyone in the nation of Israel. 

God said that he would bless Israel so that it would bless other nations. God's generosity to Israel was the way for them to be a blessing to the nations. It was how God enabled Israel to fulfill the promise. 

Slavery or servanthood was different from chattel slavery. Those who choose to stay forever with their masters would join the masters family with the inherent protections. They were not commodities or resources to be used as simple tools. Every seven years, these people were to be given their freedom regardless of how much debt had been paid. And not simply sent away, but sent away with goods from the master's house. 

What is generosity

When Jesus came, he forgave sins and also fed the poor. It was holistic. We are to be generous with our resources to give them a taste of the kingdom of God. We are to pray with them, have a conversation, and meet their physical needs. 

Rev. Hansoo Jin

The Holy Spirit

But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

John 16:5‭-‬15 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

The personhood of the Holy Spirit 

We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. But he is not a substance like a liquid, he is a person. There is one God and three people, the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit. Eternal and there at the beginning at creation. God is not in three different forms. It is three people, yet one God.

The presence of the Holy Spirit 

Jesus says he's leaving the disciples and they are saddened. But Jesus says it is better that way because then the Holy Spirit will come to them. Jesus was a localized singular person, but the Holy Spirit is available 24/7. He is with us at all times and we become the temple of God as a result. The indwelling of the Spirit reassures is that God is working in us. The Spirit works in us to manifest Jesus more and more in our lives. We, in ourselves, cannot do it. But while we are never going to perfectly live as Jesus in this life, we will become more like Him more and more.

The purpose of the Holy Spirit 

First, the Spirit convicts us of sin and judgement. If we do not believe in Jesus, then we will choose for ourselves what is right, what is wrong. We will find another basis to judge our morals. And whatever it is, it will make us see the claims of Jesus as silly, outdated, and/or foolish.

The Holy Spirit brings focus on Jesus. He will illuminate Jesus and bring glory to God. How do we know it is the Holy Spirit and not some other spirit? He will bring out a greater love for Jesus, a greater humility, and a greater desire for Jesus in our lives.