Behold the Beauty of God

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord , that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord . Hear, O Lord , when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, Lord , do I seek." Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in. Teach me your way, O Lord , and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord ; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord ! - Psalms 27:1‭-‬14 ESV

Rev. Charles Han

If we could ask God for one thing and he would frame it, what would you all?

Made to behold beauty

What makes us human? What distinguishes is from animals? We desire good over evil. We desire beauty. We seek it out in people, in music, in our work. Beauty captivates us and leaves us wanting more. But our first experience cannot be bottled and experienced again. It brings us less awe the second time around. If this thirst for beauty is real, then it points to God. How so? Hunger points to food. Thirst to drink. Loneliness to companionship. If beauty cannot be met be things of this world, then it points to something of another world.

Made to behold the beauty of God

In Jesus, we see beauty. How so? We see the majestic and powerful God of the heavens stoop down to serve us, mere humans. The sovereign omnipotent God came to live as a slave. In the grand scheme of creation, David is less than a speck of dust, but God takes the time to tend to David's needs. Jesus is both the lion and the lamb. He is powerful, able to destroy without anyone able to restrain. But he is also a lamb, offered up in sacrifice to us. God's majesty is perfectly seasoned with His meekness. And His meekness is perfectly seasoned with His majesty. We love the ephemeral experience of the endless beach and sea, the majesty of the Grand Canyon. Why? We thirst for the personal and intimate. This ache in our hearts points to God. This is the aim and goal of personal quiet times and corporate worship.

What beholding the beauty of God makes us...

"Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." - 2 Corinthians 3:12‭-‬18 ESV

We become what we behold. By beholding God's beauty, we become more and more the unique beauty of both the majesty and meekness of God. One of the marks of someone who beholds Jesus is the dual attributes of both boldness and humility. They are bold, not timid. Yet they are humble instead of proud and arrogant. We will find a remedy for both fear and pride.

Consider the steadfast love of the Lord

Oh give thanks to the Lord , for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron. Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy! Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the Lord , his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits' end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants. He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield. By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish. When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks. The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord .- Psalms 107:1‭-‬43 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

God had saved the people of Israel. He had saved them from wandering in the desert, a storm at sea... These snapshots show how God comes to us and saves. These situations seem very foreign to us in this day and age. But we should look for ourselves in these circumstances.

Look at the album

The first snapshot is the picture of the wanderer. Hungry, thirsty and without a place. They have no home and no place to belong. Perhaps we are not homeless, but we may feel without a place to belong. For those, Jesus calls us home and a place to belong. Jesus left his heavenly home to come to the desert and come for those to who wander. Even for those who know Jesus, we have this feeling in our hearts of being lost and no place to call home.

The next two snapshots speak of sickness and imprisonment. Israel had experienced chains and bondage. Now not everyone experiences this because of sin, but it was the case for Israel.  The people were sick and in bondage because of their sin, but even so, when they called out to God, He came and rescued.

We are all in the bonds of sin and only Jesus can set us free. Are we gripped by drugs making us deathly sick? Are we workaholics, constantly worrying about our work performance, career prospects, and comparison to coworkers? We are all addicts in one way or another.

The final snapshot is of the overwhelmed. Israel is not a sea faring people. But they were exiled and taken to foreign cultures and lands. They were brought to their wits end. Sometimes God brings us to the end of our resources. God throws us into the storm so that we turn from ourselves to rely on God. He does this to drive us to the greatest haven, God himself. Every storm in our lives is from the hand of our loving Father. He is in control of the storm.

We can look at these various snapshots and see reflections of ourselves. So what then?

Live in thanks

As we review these snapshots, we should give praise to God and be thankful. But this is not a single instance, it is a continual habit. We should be more thankful. Why are we always so full of complaints? Two reasons: We think we deserve more and we feel that we worked hard for what we have. Jonathan Edwards has said that the bad things will be used for good, our good will never be taken, and the best is yet to come.

Be quick to cry out to God
Believe in God's mighty power
Be still as we wait on God

Christ the King

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, "Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill." I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.- Psalms 2:1‭-‬12 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Kings were considered the sons of God. This meant that kings were not just to do as they wished. They were to do the Father's will. They were also to be the champion on the people. It was the king's job to be a blessing to the nations. King David penned this psalm in reference to his children. But none of David's descendents fulfilled and embodied this psalm in completeness. Some of them fulfilled some of these things, but only Jesus did it in fines

The fact and futility of human rebellion

The nations of the world rage and set themselves against Jesus. They conspire against God and to be free of the reign of God. This is in the heart of everyone. It is not that just resistance, but inherent resentment in our hearts.

Some of it is outright. Atheists and agnostics are often angry with God. They want to curse him. But some of it is more convert. Some say... God didn't really say that. They make God into a different image one that reflects what they personally want. Or people grumble and complain, they, intentionally or not, question God's goodness, faithfulness, integrity, power, perception, wisdom, etc. We all have this.

God laughs. Because all these things are nothing. God will not be thwarted. Even those things that people try to use against God, He uses to advance His own ends and agenda. All those who meet God have just one reaction, utter terror. His majesty is so overwhelming as to be terrifying. The God of the old testament is the same God if the new testament. We should not be so casual with God. Through Jesus, we can draw close. But this God is also worthy of all reverence and respect.

Final victory of Jesus

God's judgement is coming. God's wrath will be poured out. Christians of this day and age are hesitant and afraid to speak of this aspect of God. We make a God who accepts and loves everyone but without judgement. But this is a God only for the sheltered and privileged. Anyone who's experienced injustice, betrayal, and evil desire justice. They will desire a God who delivers justice and judgement for wrongs. This is found in Jesus.

Fulfillment of serving God

The only way to find refuge from this fearsome God is to take refuge with this God. Serve this God with fear and rejoice with trembling. How do we rejoice with trembling? It seems to make no sense. But Jesus has no equal, he will pour out wrath on the nations. He is not safe, but for those who trust in Jesus, they are safe in His arms.

We are to kiss the son. Jesus will be our refuge. True freedom is found in serving Jesus. Freedom from God is no freedom at all. True rest is found in submitting to Jesus. Because Jesus is not a master selling slaves, but he is our friend, our priest, our King. He binds us with cords of love.

Knowing God

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord , my rock and my redeemer.- Psalms 19:1‭-‬14 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

This is the start of a new series through the book of Psalms. The Psalms help to provide words that speak of our hearts and our emotions. They convey not just our hearts, but also God's heart to us.

Today's psalm covers how God encounters us and our reaction. It is split into three parts

The first part tells us to turn our perspective upwards. It speaks of the night sky, of planets and stars. But not just that, but also of God. When we look at creation, it speaks volumes of the Creator, God. It is like nonverbal communication. It is like to body language of God, speaking of His love and care for us.

The second part of this psalm speaks to God's verbal communication. It is the word of God. The word of God is all trustworthy, perfect, and true. Each of us are prone to making bad decisions. We are all in need of wisdom. The word of God will benefit us not just in heaven but in the here and now. It protects us from foolish living. Not only that, but the word of God revives. It brings those who are dead back to life.

The final portion of this psalm is David speaking about his own sin. Why? This is the reaction of anyone who meets God. First, creation speaks of God's power and majesty. Second, the scriptures speaks of God's desire for us and his commands to us. So then, David finally looks inside himself. He speaks of his inner darkness, his sinfulness, and unrighteousness. Even moreso, he speaks to his spiritual blindness. But spiritual blindness is not like physical blindness. Those who are physically blind know it. But the spiritually blind are unaware of it. We are all blind to some of our spiritual faults. Not only that, but David asks to be declared innocent of his hidden fails and sins. This is an audacious request. What gives him any standing to ask this? The Israelite system of sacrifice told of a substitute that would take on the punishment of sin. David knew that a sacrifice would come and make him acceptable before the eyes of a holy and righteous God. This sacrifice was Jesus. The one who had no hidden fault. He lived the perfect life that we could not and died the death that we deserved.

As the Father has sent me, so I send you

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."  And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld."- John 20:19‭-‬23 ESV

Dr. Kyuboem Lee

This is the story immediately after the resurrection. It seems apt that we look at this after Easter. Now Jesus is risen... now what? What is your purpose or mission? Why are you in this city (Philly)? This is a key passage for answering these questions.

Let's start at the beginning of the story. God creates Adam. This is in Genesis chapter 2. God sculpts Adam from clay. Just like an artist takes a boulder or babe clay and brings out the likeness of a human being. But after the artist is done, it is still rock or clay. But God, he breathes into the clay and Adam comes to life. Then what? God gives Adam the woman, Eve. He gives them work in the garden. They have a specific place. They are to love one another and love God.

So it is with us. God have given us a specific place to work for Him. He calls us to love those around us and love God. Consider that Jesus, in this passage breathes on his disciples. And he sends or calls them.

What happened just before this passage? Mary has told the disciples that Jesus is risen. They had heard, but they were afraid. Don't despise then for their fear. Their world has been turned upside down. Their leader, Jesus was arrested and before they knew it, Jesus was dying on the cross. They were afraid of the religious leaders and authorities. They were hiding.

Doesn't that characterize many of our actions and reactions? We make so many decisions to avoid failure. We fight changes so that we can worship with the praise music style we prefer. We want ministry that addresses our needs and our demographics.

So God tells us again and again. Do not be afraid. God is saying, "I've got this." So God sends them out and says, "I will be with you till the end of the age." God will be with us on this mission.

Adam and Eve sinned and were sent out of the garden. So it is with us, we are reminded that this is a broken and dangerous world. Mass shootings and violence. The first church had plenty of things to fear as well. They went out into the world as God sent and paid the price. They were beaten, persecuted, threatened, and some even killed for their faith. But they made disciples and kept the faith.

Jesus breathes a new life into the disciples. Just as God breathed life into Adam. Jesus is making a new creation with the Holy Spirit. Every believer is never alone. Jesus is giving the Holy Spirit, the power that resurrected Him. He gives this so that they would be resurrected. So it is with Jesus' disciples. For those who are addicts, people who can't handle their anger, people who have themselves... Jesus can give us new life. The timeline may be days or years, but that is the path of the believer. Each one of us can testify to that. Ezekiel 37 speaks to the mighty power of the Holy Spirit. Dry and dead bones with no hope of life... come to life.

So what happens after the Holy Spirit comes into our lives? We need to adjust our lives. What are we supposed to do? We are to look for how God is moving and work with Him. But we don't like change. God brought persecution to the first church and the disciples were scattered. They had to get used to new neighbors. They continued to share about Jesus and so continued to grow the church and bring people to salvation.

There are people who are called halfway across the world. They get new neighbors, new cultural context. But what of those who remain behind? What about the church that has sent? They are also of the same purpose. They are to share the gospel and live out their lives. We are called to incarnational ministry. Jesus didn't just send a message, a text, an email, or a podcast. He came down to us. God came and moved into the neighborhood. We are called to the same. We are to be a good presence, a good neighbor, a life lived out in love. This is how we can earn the opportunity to share about Jesus.

Jesus is not coming for the nice Christians. He isn't here for those in the Christians and those on the inside. Jesus is moving out towards the outcasts. He doesn't move towards the powerful. He turns away a young prince who wished to follow Him. Instead, He seeks out the prostitute, the uneducated fisherman, the unclean lepers, and the tax collectors. Those who were hated and despised. Jesus moves towards ones such as these.

God calls us to uncomfortable places like this. He calls us to people who are in need and in difficult situations. How should we approach this? We need to remember what Jesus has done for us. We need to remember that the Holy Spirit is with us. We need not fear. Listen to God and be challenged, be called to difficult things, difficult people, & situations.

Not a fan, but a follower

"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.  "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.  "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.  A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.  "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'  And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'  "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.  And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."  And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.- Matthew 7:12‭-‬29 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Do not presume that you are a Christian. This is not a question we should gloss over. Even those who have been walking with God for many years should stop and check. Sin so easily misleads and blinds us. It is easy to be a fan of Jesus. To admire the miracles, the theology, the teachings... but this isn't enough to be counted as a disciple. We cannot afford to be wrong about this.

Two paths

The way is narrow and few enter. The narrowness of the Christian life is spoken this way by Jesus: "I am the way, the truth, and the life." There is only one path to salvation. Additionally, "the way is hard" speaks to the difficulties of following Jesus. He spoke truth and not out to win any popularity contest. The first generation of disciples literally died for their faith. We may not be called to lay down our very lives, but we are called to daily lay down our lives for Christ. We need to make sure that we are living out our lives according to what Jesus desires. Following Christ will bring hardship and difficulties in this life.

Two trees

Here are two trees that look very similar. It's hard to tell at first which ones are healthy. False prophets are dressed in sheep's clothing. It is hard to tell at first. But it takes time to tell... We have to look at the fruit. It is more than being doctrinally and theologically sound. It is more than doing miracles in Jesus name. These things cannot be used to verify salvation. Busyness and the level of activity is not enough. The religious leaders of that day were very busy.
Passion and zeal isn't enough either. We can be passionate about social justice but not for Jesus.

So then how do we figure out someone's spiritual state? It is character. Over the course of time, we cannot fake character. The fruits of the Spirit will be found all at once. If someone is patient with no self control, then we have to wonder. Not that all the fruits are big, but they are there in some measure. This is the marks of an authentic disciple. It cannot be faked over time.

Two houses

The two houses look the same. The difference is the foundation. What is the difference? Obedience. Two church goers hear the same sermon. They go to the same Bible study. Then they go home and apply it. This is not sinless obedience but rather a "sin less" obedience. No man enters the kingdom by obedience, but no man enters the kingdom without obedience.

Trials and temptations reveal us like the storms that visit these two houses. Prosperity is a trial. What happens to our Christian walk when we get what we want? The authentic believer follows the words of Jesus not out of fear of judgement, but because of who Jesus is. He is the one who left his heavenly home for us. He hung on a tree for us. He spoke of the hard and narrow way, but those are just words. He walked the hard and narrow way. Believers walk the hard and narrow way because they love Jesus.

Ask Your Father

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.  Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!- Matthew 7:7‭-‬11 ESV

Rev. Dan Whang

Each of our sermons in this series on the Sermon on the Mount is not just a call for outward conforming to some behavior, but a change of inward character that brings us closer to the character of Christ.

Ask, seek, and knock

We are told to pray for God's aid. We are invited to pray and ask. This is not a guilt trip. The tone is not forcing the believer to pray but rather a friendly invitation.

We need to consider this call to prayer in the context of the passage. God is our heavenly father. He does no wrong. He loves us. He is omniscient and omnipotent. God will do us good. This is the backdrop of the invitation.

And this is not limited to spiritually strong. God answers everyone. Not just pastors or overseas missionaries. We can all pray and receive an answer.

Are you a child of God? Then you have been received into the family of God at the price of God's own beloved son. We have already received the most costly gift from God. Why would he withhold any good thing from us? The cross tells us that any thing is no problem... It is no big deal. Because our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus. The big deal has already been handled.

What prayer will God fulfill? Ask for God's kingdom to come and for God's will to be done. God will answer prayers for spiritual harvest and salvation. God will answer calls to equip and mature the church, the body of Christ. God will answer these prayers in the affirmative.