Download this episode (right click and save)
Jesus Is My Refuge
(Ps46:1-11)
God is the Lord of rest (Dt12:9).
Rest comes from Him (Jos1:13) and
He gives rest to those who are in Him (Rm8:1-2).
Faith is knowing and longing for Him and
The life of this faith is enjoying the unchanging rest in Him regardless of the situation and putting
effort to enter the eternal rest (He4:9-11).
Due to the threat of wars, danger, economic recession, unemployment, politics,
Education for children, spread of epidemic etc
People who live in these anxious times seek rest.
Consequently, the number of those who seek facilities for mediation and
Mental institutions due to anxiety and depression is increasingly daily.
The Bible clearly shows the origin of all this (Ge3:6-10):
Adam and Eve sinned wanting to be like God and as a result fear swept over all men.
Because of their worsened situation after being banished from the Garden (Ge3:16-24)
They became even more anxious.
Likewise, after Cain killed his brother and was found out by God
He became fearful of others (Ge4:8-13).
God sent Moses and delivered the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt and
Sheltered them by the blood of the passover lamb as death passed over them (Ex12:13), and
The entire Egyptian army that had pursued them drowned in the sea (Ex14:27-28).
The sanctuary which God commanded them to build in the desert (Ex25:8) was
A hiding place where the sinner could live by the sprinkled blood at the altar (Lev5:14-19) and
A sacred ground where one could escape death (1Ki1:50-53).
This was further reminded by the cities of refuge which
God commanded them to build after crossing the Jordan (Nu35:9-28) where
Sinners to run into to find refuge and live.
When Yeshua said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days" (Jn2:19),
The Jews became upset as they longed for the promised rest and peace (Mt26:61, 65-68).
But through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would give eternal rest not in the heart but in the souls of
Those burdened by sin and death through the Law (Mt11:28-30) for
He came as their Refuge.
As such, He rescued the sinful woman from the stoning (Jn8:3-11) and
The disciples from the storm out in the sea (Mk4:35-41).
As He hung on a tree and died, He said, "It is finished" (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Put an end to the suffering in the flesh and commended His soul to the Father (Lk23:46);
2) Destroyed the devil who disturbed rest (Is14:12-15; 1Jn3:8); and
3) Tore His flesh and opened the heavenly gates to lead men to eternal rest (He10:19).
After He rose and ascended to heaven,
He became the Lord of rest in the true heaven which
He purified with His blood (Lev16:14-16; He9:21-24).
The Holy Spirit was sent to those who
Received the name of Yeshua and put His blood on their souls, and
Testifies this (Ac2:33, 5:32).
In any situation, whether trouble, hardship, persecution, sickness, war or danger,
The Christian never loses peace and
By gathering into the church, his refuge on earth (He10:23-25) and
Through worship, praise, repentance and prayer in the name Yeshua he finds rest, and
He goes out to seek those suffering in fear and anxiety for
When the universe becomes the lake of fire (Rev20:14-15)
He hopes to enter the eternal rest.
O Lord,
Though in the past I suffered in anxiety
I now have this peace that no one can understand.
It is certain that my soul dwells inside the tabernacle where Your blood was sprinkled!
Let not even one of us fall away but
On the day You return let us all enter the eternal resting place! Amen.
Download this episode (right click and save)
The Greatest Inheritance
(2Ti3:12-17)
God is the heavenly Father (Mt6:32).
He gives birth to children in the most precious blood (1Pe1:19, 23), and
He inherits the best to His children (Mt7:11).
Faith is longing to receive His inheritance and
The life of this faith is living according to His will (last words) and fighting to gain His inheritance.
A nation leaves behind culture and cultural artifacts to its descendants and
A man desires to leave behind his name and excellent children, because of which
They invest in early childhood education and even emigrate to other countries for education.
While such effort might make the children intelligent
It is increasingly becoming difficult to make them real "humans."
The Bible is the testament or will of God towards man:
The first testament is the Old Testament and the latter testament is the New Testament.
Adam, the ancestor of all mankind, broke the word of God (Ge2:17. 3:4-6), because of which
His son killed the other son (Ge4:8) and thereafter
The tragedy of children causing pain for their parents has continued without ceasing.
God called Abraham and promised him an inheritance:
A kingdom and the land of Canaan (Ge17:5-6, 8).
His descendants, Israel, became slaves in Egypt (Ge15:13-15) and
After 4 generations, 430 years, God brought them back to the land for their inheritance.
The book of Deuteronomy contains the last words of Moses that
He spoke from east of the Jordan (Dt1:1-3) about
How they ought to keep the commandment when they entered the land and
All would go well for them (Dt15:4, 26:1).
The ark of the covenant inside the sanctuary
Contained the law, the testament, that Moses delivered them
Through the angels, the spirit to make slaves, to fear (Ac7:53; Rm8:15) and
Thus reminded them to teach their children to keep them (Dt31:9-13).
Yeshua said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days" (Jn2:19), and
Shocked the Jews who were obsessed with the last words of Moses but
Yeshua would, through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
Inherit not the earthly land but a new heaven and a new earth (Rev21:1),
Not a kingdom that is shaken but the kingdom of God (He12:28) for
He would tear down the inheritance for servants and give the one for the Son (Mt23:39; Gal4:30).
As His flesh tore and He died, He said, "It is finished" (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Died according to the Father's command and fought to gain the promised inheritance of the
greatest name, the Father's name (Jn17:11; Php2:9; He1:4);
2) Judged the devil who challenged the throne of God (Is14:12-15; 1Jn3:8); and
3) With His blood gave birth to children and opened the way to the Father's house (Jn14:1-6; 1Pe1:19).
He resurrected and ascended to the throne in heaven.
The Holy Spirit came to those who received the name Yeshua and became His children (Jn1:12) and
Lets them think only of the last words of the heavenly Father:
That is, going to the Father's house when He returns (Jn14:1-6) and
The inheritance, the kingdom of God (Jn18:36).
The man of the Spirit fights to gain the greatest inheritance
By praying in the name of Yeshua and
Testifying His name to gain and grow souls.
To pass down this inheritance to his children, both the physical and the spiritual,
He speaks only one way, the last words of Yeshua, the word of the Bible for
It is God-breathed and useful for
Teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2Ti3:12-17).
Therefore, even if the children are still immature now
The Holy Spirit will help them grow to finally fulfill the last words of the heavenly Father.
O Lord,
All my children, all the souls given to me!
Even if they do not listen now
Help them to change what they need to change and give up what they need to give up
So that they may inherit in that day
The greatest gift, the kingdom of God. Amen.
Download this sermon (right click and save)
Jesus is the Truth
(Jn14:6)
Our God is the true God (2Sa7:22; Jn17:3).
His essence is true (Jer10:10) and
His words are true (He6:18).
Faith is believing that His word is the truth and
The life of this faith is about keeping, defending and teaching the truth.
Truth refers to a principle that does not change.
While men attempt to exam and arrive at it through sciences and religions,
They can never achieve it because this world and its traces and men all change.
The Bible differentiates truth from false, and true words from lies.
It treats both liars and those deceived by lies as equally guilty (Eze14:10), for which
They will not enter the Holy City but
Be thrown into the second death, the fire of hell (Rev21:8, 21:27, 22:15).
Like Lot's sons-in-law, all men have come to consider God's word as a joke (Ge19:14) since
Adam, their ancestor, did not listen to His word and ate the forbidden fruit (Ge3:4-6) for
He was deceived by the devil, the father of lies, who
Deceived himself in heaven and was cast down to Hades (Is14:12-15).
The Law that God gave the Israelites was the commandment that
Warned them not to be deceived (Ex20:3-17) for
There is no other true god but the Lord God and that
Idolatry and false testimony were all meaningless.
Although the sanctuary where the stone tablets were placed
Inside the ark of the testimony reminded them of this (Ex25:21, 31:18),
They were enticed by the false prophets who had never heard God's word (Eze13:6).
God answered, however, Elijah's prayer with a fire, proving that
He is the true God (1Ki18:24).
Yeshua came and said, "Destroy the temple and I will raise it in three days" (Jn2:19), because
He would take down a shadow of the true one to come and
Build the true tabernacle (He9:6, 24, 10:1), for
He is the incarnate Word who was with the true Father in the beginning (Jn1:1, 14, 18),
Coming as the Truth to die and be risen (Jn2:20).
Though the Jews questioned Him and did not believe Him,
Yeshua's testimony is true because
He knew where He came from and where He was going (Jn8:13-14).
As He died, He said, "It is finished" (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) As the last Adam died according to the Father's word to the first Adam and testified that
the His word is true (Ge2:17; 1Co15:45);
2) Condemned the devil, the liar, the father of lies (Ge3:4; Jn8:44; 1Jn3:8); and
3) Redeemed the sins of all men in Adam who was deceived because of the weakness of
the flesh (1Pe1:18).
His resurrection testifies that He is the Truth, the true God (Jn11:25, 14:6; 1Jn5:20).
He sat on the heavenly throne to judge with the words He spoke (Jn12:48).
He sent the Spirit of truth to guide into all the truth (Jn16:13)
Those who drank His blood, the true drink, and ate His flesh, the true food (Jn6:55).
The Christian is he who believes that
Yeshua, His word and the Father's words are true (Jn14:24, 17:17).
Therefore, he is determined to keep, defend and teach the truth,
Such as baptism by immersion (Mt28:19) and
Goes out to the world and speaks only the true words, the gospel, the truth.
O Lord,
Open our ears so we only hear the true words!
With this tongue, let us only speak the truth! Amen.
Download this sermon (right click and save)
The Only True God
(Jn17:3)
God is the only true God.
He alone is self-existent and
He alone has His own will.
Faith is knowing that there is only one true God, one Only Begotten Son.
The life of this faith is rejecting any other god besides Him and declaring Him.
In the last days, as opinions of reconciliation and unity are preferred
Even Christians set out to insist on religious pluralism and interfaith dialogue.
Though there are many spirits (Mal2:15)
God created only one living being, Adam (Ge2:7) for
He was seeking one godly offspring.
Deceived by the devil, the fallen angel from the spiritual heaven (Is14:12-15),
Adam committed the same sin as he did, wanting to be like God, and ate the forbidden fruit.
As a result, he was banished from the Garden to toil and suffer thereafter.
The Ten Commandments that Moses received from the self-existent One (Ex3:14) was
Summarized into the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me" (Ex20:3-17),
With the rest nine highlighting it in details.
Thus, breaking any of the commandments was treated the same as having other gods before Him.
In the desert the Israelites called for a festival offered to the Lord and sacrificed burnt offerings
But about three thousand of them were massacred in a day because
They made and worshiped a golden calf and were considered enemies of God (Ex32:23-29).
God commanded them to build the sanctuary to be in their midst (Ex25:8) so that
They would look to it and not want anything else.
In spite of it, however, they built high places and worshiped idols, for which they were cursed.
Accordingly, the history of their kings was about
Whether they built high places or destroyed them (1Ki12:30-33, 13:34, 14:9-11).
Yeshua appeared and said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days" (Jn2:19),
Because through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would reveal that He is the incarnate Word, the only Begotten Son (Jn1:1, 14, 18),
The only way to the Father (Jn14:6) as He is One with God (Jn10:30, 14:9).
But those steeped in the monotheistic faith considered Him blasphemous and
Thus passed Him over to death (Mt26:61).
As He died, however, Yeshua said, "It is finished" (Jn19:30), declaring that:
1) The Father alone can let the Son submit to the point of death to fulfill His will (Jn10:18; Php2:6-11);
2) Condemned the devil who wanted to be like God (1Jn3:8); and
3) With His blood redeemed all men and became their one Lord (Rm10:12; 1Pe1:18-19).
The Father raised Him and
He ascended to the heavenly throne as the eternal King.
The Holy Spirit whom He sent comes in the name Yeshua and
Lets the believers to testify that:
1) Yeshua is the Son of God who alone is sinless (Mt16:16-17);
2) Yeshua is the only Mediator between God and man (1Ti2:5);
3) There is no other name by which one is saved (Ac4:12; Jn14:6); and
4) He alone reigns forever as the King (Ac5:31-32).
Therefore, true Christian is
Resolved to surrender his life to shout that
There is only one true God, one Only Begotten Son, one salvation, one Lord, one Christ, One faith,
One Spirit, one baptism, one way, one truth and one life (Eph4:4-6), and
Uphold the way of faith, the only way (Lk9:23; Mk10:29-31).
O Lord,
Though You insisted on the only true God
To the point of giving up the Son,
Those who call themselves "Christians" are compromising this truth
Such as the immaculate conception dogma and papal infallibility!
Let us go out and declare even if we lose our breath!
Amen.
Download this sermon (right click and save)
Yours Is The Kingdom Forever!
(Mt6:13; Rev5:9-10)
God is righteous (Ps11:7).
With righteousness He establishes His kingdom and
With righteousness He rules His kingdom.
Faith is welcoming the kingdom ruled by a scepter of justice and sustaining the relationship with
His kingdom (Ps45:6-7), and
The life of this faith is giving one's life for His kingdom and His righteousness (Mt6:33).
As "righteousness" refers to law,
Every nation has law and is governed by that law.
A nation's standing is determined by its constitutional government
While its fate is decided by who holds its power.
Adam was banished from the Garden of Eden (Ge3:24) because
He ate the forbidden fruit and broke the word of God, the law (Ge2:17, 3:4-6),
Being deceived by the words of the devil,
The unrighteous who challenged the heavenly throne (Is14:12-15; Eze28:15).
God called Abram "Abraham" for
Many kings and nations would come from him (Ge10:5, 17:5-6).
God fulfilled His prophecy regarding Abraham's descendants becoming
Strangers in a country not their own for four generations (Ge15:13-16) and
Delivering them from the ruler of that kingdom (Ex12:40-41).
In the desert, the kingdom of priests which
God ruled with the Law was born "“ that is, Israel (Ex19:6).
God commanded them to build the sanctuary and place the Testimony in it (Ex25:8, 40:20-21) to
Remind them how God brought them out of Egypt (Dt26:8) and
How they passed through many kings and overcame them.
However, they rejected God as their king and made a man to be their king (1Sa8:5-20), and
Eventually became a sinful nation and people who sinned by serving other gods (Is1:4).
Consequently, the kingdom divided into the Northern and the Southern Kingdoms,
Both of which collapsed in the end.
Yeshua came and said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days" (Jn2:19), because
He would tear down the kingdom ruled by the Law and raise a new kingdom ruled by His word.
He upset the Jews who, though had no sovereignty, still had the Temple and thus
Longed for the restoration of the kingdom of priests (Mt26:61; Ac1:6).
Nevertheless, Yeshua is the Word who was in the bosom of the Father,
The righteousness of God who came in the flesh, as the kingdom of heaven (Mt3:2, 4:17; Jn1:1, 14).
Refusing to be their king, as He died Yeshua said, "It is finished" (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Kept the Father's command and testified the Father's and His own righteousness
(Jn10:18; Rm3:23-26, 5:18);
2) Judged the devil, the unrighteousness prince of the world (Eze28:15; Jn12:31, 16:11; 1Jn3:8); and
3) With His blood purchased men, making them a kingdom, and offered to the Father (Rev5:9-10).
After He rose, He sat on the heavenly throne as
The King of kings who will judge the living and the dead (Ac5:30; 1Ti6:15; 2Ti4:1).
The Holy Spirit came as the Ruler to believers as a spiritual territory (Mk9:1) and
Established the kingdom of Christ on earth, the church (Mt16:16-19).
The man of the Spirit is a soldier of Christ (2Ti2:3-13) who
Gladly fights and overcomes suffering, and
Goes to the ends of the earth to testify Yeshua to all nations and win souls (Mt28:19; Ac1:8) for
The advancement and the expansion of the kingdom where Yeshua alone reigns as Christ, as
He longs to receive a rich welcome into that eternal kingdom (2Pe1:10-11) and
Sit on the throne next to the King and reign with Him forever (Lk22:28-30).
O Lord,
The kingdom of Christ is my life, my soul!
While we are on earth
Let us give our life for the advancement of Your kingdom, Your church and offer up it to You.
And when Your kingdom comes let us all be absorbed in it. Amen.
Download this sermon (right click and save)
Deliver Us from the Evil One
(Mt6:13)
God is good (Ps107:1).
He purges the evil and judges them with His righteousness (Dt17:7, 12; Is11:4), and
Saves those who turn to Him "from the hands of the wicked" (Jer15:21).
Faith is acknowledging Him and
The life according to this faith is about putting effort to be saved from the hands of the evil one.
While the world rewards those who do "good" by being tolerant and all-accepting,
The Bible clearly indicates "good" as rejecting and punishing the evil.
"The evil one" is the object of God's punishment such as
The devil, demons, the wicked, bad company etc and
The unbelieving heart, wicked desires and the like are to be purged.
Deceived by the devil,
Adam, the ancestor of all men, sinned by taking the forbidden fruit as
He denied God and wanted to be like Him (Ge3:4-6).
The devil was the fallen angel who attempted to be like God and
Became the origin of sin, the evil one (Is14:12-15), because of which
He was cast down to Hades, bounded in everlasting chains for judgment on the great day (Jude1:6).
This was all according to God's plan for the devil's self-destruction (1Jn3:8) since
God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone (Jas1:13).
Although he was deceived by the evil one and murdered his brother,
Cain pleaded to God to be saved (1Jn3:12; Ge4:13);
While others were going about their lives,
Noah and his family built an ark according to God's word and
They were saved from the flood (Ge6:5-8; Mt24:37-38);
Lot was distressed in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds of the people and
By overlying the word he and his family were saved (Ge18:23-33; 19:15-16, 29; 2Pe2:6-8).
Despite of hundreds of years of living as ungodly people,
Once God delivered the Israelites through Moses they became God's holy people (Ex3:10, 19:6).
But almost all of the adults who left Egypt fell and died in the wilderness for
God instructed them to purge evil among them (Dt22:21-24) for
They had sinful, unbelieving hearts and had turned away from the living God (He3:12-19).
In spite of it all, however, the sanctuary where the name Jehovah was placed
Reminded them for generations that it was the Lord God who rescued them from the wicked.
Yeshua said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days" (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would destroy the evil one, the prince of the world (Jn12:31), and
Do good by rescuing the souls of men (Jn12:47).
As He died, He said, "It is finished" (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Fulfilled the righteousness by laying down His life according to the Father's command,
and revealed that the Father alone is good (Jn10:11, 18; Rm5:18-19);
2) Judged the origin of evil, the devil, with His righteousness (Jn8:44; 1Jn 3:8); and
3) Took upon Himself the sin of the wicked to deliver them from the hands of the evil one, the
devil (Jer15:21; Mt20:28, 21:38; He2:15).
After His resurrection and ascension,
Yeshua received the authority to judge good and evil (2Co5:10)
The Holy Spirit whom He sent
Comes to those who believed in the name Yeshua and are justified (Rm10:10), and
Helps them to be delivered from the hands of the wicked world and the evil one.
The man of the Spirit is he who flees from
The atheists (Ps53:1), the sinful, unbelieving heart (He3:12), and
Those who do not have hope in resurrection (1Co15:32-33).
Therefore, he prays and
Puts every effort to put to death whatever belongs to his earthly nature (Eph5:1-7; Col3:5)
In order to not be found as the wicked to be thrown into the fiery furnace (Mt13:49),
But rather as the good and the righteous and
Enter heaven where the righteous dwells (2Pe3:13),
O Lord,
Help us not envy the prosperity of the wicked (Ps73:12),
Not "walk in the counsel of the wicked" (Ps1:1), and
Not love the world or anything in it (1Jn2:15-17)!
Help us cling on to Your word and prayer, and
Flee from the evil one.
Deliver us all from the wicked world! Amen.
Download this sermon (right click and save)
Lead Us Not Into Temptation
(Mt6:13, 26:41)
God is the glorious Father (Eph1:17).
He gloriously gives birth to His children and
Gloriously gives inheritance to them (He1:2-4).
While foolish fathers show love for their children by letting them live comfortably without any hardship,
The Father God puts His children through fiery tests and
Proudly crowns and seats those who overcome on the thrones before the angels (Mt25:31).
Faith is knowing this and honoring all of the Father's affairs, and
The life of this faith is to not falling into temptation but passing through them.
The Bible does not say, "rid of tests" but rather, "lead us not into temptation" because
Testing is what God does directly in order to give blessing once confirmed (Ge22:1, 18), and
Tempting is what He does indirectly through the tempter,
As He hopes that we fight and overcome (Mt4:3).
Adam, the ancestor of mankind was banished from the Garden of Eden and began a life of hardship,
Because he ate the fruit from the tree which God forbid (Ge3:4-5; 1Ti2:14).
In other words, he listened to Eve who was tempted by the devil,
The angel who became proud on account of his beauty and talent, and
Attempted to be like God and thus was cast down to Hades (Is14:12-15; Eze28:12-17).
God sent Moses and delivered the Israelites who had been slaves for 430 years in Egypt, and
He led them through the dreadful desert with no water or food
But with scorpions and venous snakes so that
They could be humbled and tested and finally be blessed.
This was because if they were satisfied and settled down, they would forget the Lord (Dt8:11-18).
All those who left Egypt could not overcome the test in the desert and instead complained, for which
They fell there and died (Nu14:25-30),
While those who finally overcame crossed the Jordan and arrived in Canaan.
The Temple of Jerusalem where the name of the Lord God was (1Ki9:3)
Reminded them for generations that God tested them and blessed those who overcame.
Yeshua came and said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days" (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of HIs body,
He Himself would pass through the fiery test and
Lead the children of God to the eternal Father's house.
Though He is the Son of God He came as the Son of Man (Jn1:1, 14; 1Ti2:5) for
He came in the condition of the flesh which is tempted.
As such, He began His public life by fasting in the desert for 40 days (Mt4:1-11) for
The desert was the place where the tempter and the to-be-tempted met.
Yeshua overcame the devil's temptation that stimulated
The most basic need of the human flesh (Mt4:4; Lk4:13), and
Further resisted the disciple's plea to refrain Him from death (Mt16:22-23) and
The thief next to him on the cross (Lk23:39).
As He died, He said, "It is finished" (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Through His death as the Son crowned with suffering gave glory to the Father (He1:3-5; 2:9);
2) Condemned the devil who attempted to steal glory (1Jn3:8); and
3) At the most glorious moment gave birth to children with His blood (Lk23:44-45; 1Pe1:23).
He resurrected and received the crown of life and
Sat on the heavenly throne (Jas1:12).
The Holy Spirit whom He sent comes to
Those who believed in the name Yeshua and were born again as the children of God and
Lets them overcome the expected tests (1Co10:13).
The true Christian is he who eliminates conditional faith.
For he knows that naked he came from his mother's womb naked he will depart (Job1:21),
When he is tested he gives thanks and
Watches and prays so that he does not fall into temptation (Mt26:41) for
He longs to receive the crown of life which
God will give to those who persevere and overcome tests (Jas1:12).
O Lord,
Our Father who gave birth to us and tests us "” thank You!
Since we must expect tests
Let us withstand and overcome them
Putting the devil to shame in defeat.
Let us as Your children make You proud before the angels!
Amen.
Download this sermon (right click and save)
Father, Forgive Us
(Mt6:12, 14-15)
God is our Father (Mt6:9).
He bears children through painful labor and
Nurtures them in the fold (Jn10:16).
Faith is knowing one's relationship with Him and honoring it, and
The life of this faith is about forgiving brothers in order to be forgiven (Mt6:14-15).
The prayer that the Lord taught us is
The model and the goal of faith life (Mt6:9-13).
Among the many parts, the one regarding sin and forgiveness is extremely important for
Sin refers to the separation from God and thus a broken relationship.
When they are assimilated, there is unity and happiness.
Furthermore, because there is energy and resilience it has productivity.
But those who cannot become a part of the unity are those who
Usually feel out of place and tend to be skeptical and critical, because of which
They are unhappy, lacking motivation and energy, and even useless to any society.
Nevertheless, for God wants to be the Father to those who call Him, "our Father,"
He created man and woman during the creation (Ge1:27) and
United Adam and the woman whom He made from Adam's rib to become one (Ge2:21-24).
But deceived by the devil (ho diabolos, the separator),
They sinned and became self-centered (Ge3:12).
The tendency of such sin surfaced as the denial of the brotherly relationship:
Cain killed his brother (Ge4:8-9);
The slavery of Israel in Egypt for 430 years originated with
Joseph's brothers abandoning him out of jealousy (Ge37:2-5, 23, 36).
However, when Moses learned that the Lord God, Jehovah, was "our God" (Ex3:18),
Rather than enjoying the pleasure of Egypt,
He chose to be mistreated and suffer with "our people" in the desert (Ex2:11-15; He11:24).
The core of the Ten Commandments (Mt22:36-40) received by the Israelites from God was:
1) The commandment regarding the relationship with God (commandments 1-4) "“
love God with all your life; and
2) The commandment regarding the relationship with men (commandments 5-10) "“
love your neighbors as yourself.
According to the Law, however, when they broke it
Charges were brought against them and they had to make compensations (Ex21:23-25).
Consequently, they became distanced from their neighbors "“ even becoming hypocrites.
Referring to the temple where the stone tablets were,
Yeshua said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days" (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would fulfill the Law for He came as the Son of Man (Mt5:17, 20:28) to
Become the Mediator between two beings different in essence, God and man (1Ti2:5) so that
The Father and the Son, and the Son and men could become one as "us" (Jn17:21-22).
As His flesh tore like the veil in the temple and died,
Yeshua said, "It is finished" (Jn19:30), declaring that:
1) Through His painful labor of sprinkling the blood God became the Father of many sons (He2:10);
2) He condemned the devil, the separator (1Jn3:8); and
3) He tasted death and became like men, becoming a Brother to them (He2:9-11).
He rose, ascended to heaven and sat on the throne, becoming our Father (Jas1:18).
The Holy Spirit whom He sent gives one breath (Jn20:22-23; 1Co12:13)
To the church where those who became His children in His name have been called and gathered,
Letting them know that they have become brothers (He2:11).
The greatest hindrance in becoming "us," is
Not overlooking others' mistakes (Mt7:1-5).
The man of the Spirit, however, desires to be one with "our Father," and
Thus infinitely forgives his brothers (Mt18:21-35).
O Lord,
Though we are brothers having received one blood and one Spirit, and belonging to one body,
We have failed to overlook one another's mistakes.
We have failed to embrace their pains, worries and loneliness.
Father, forgive us!
Let us be moved by "Our church! Our group! Our brothers!"
Father, we are one! Amen.
Download this sermon (right click and save)
For This Day
(Mt6:25-34)
God is eternal.
He is from everlasting to everlasting (Neh9:5), and
His word endures forever (Is40:8; 1Pe1:24-25).
As eternity refers to the present God who is the same yesterday, today and forever (He13:8),
Faith is knowing Him and longing for Him, and
The life of this faith is about living for this day before His present state.
For man, "this day" is important because
It is the day that I certainly exist, the day I can do something.
Yesterday's decision made today's "me" and today's decision will make tomorrow's "me".
While the Bible shows the difference between this day and tomorrow
Through the six-day creation (Ge1),
It also records the history of today's decision resulting in tomorrow.
The moment the living being Adam took the fruit which God forbade him (Ge2:17, 3:4-6),
His spirit died and his flesh was cursed, and he was banished from the Garden (Ge3:15-19, 24).
After being warned of the flood, Noah built an ark for decades, and
When the flood finally came and covered the entire earth he and his family were saved (He11:7).
Though Joseph was unjustly imprisoned for decades of his life (Ge39:9-20),
He was miraculously called by the Egyptian king and
Became second-in-command in a day (Ge41:41).
While the Israelites lived as slaves in Egypt for 430 years (Ex12:41),
They left overnight to never see the Egyptians again (Ex14:13) for
They became a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Ex19:6).
For 40 years in the desert
God rained down bread from heaven for them each day and
They were to gather enough for that day (Ex16:4-6, 13-36).
God instructed them to fill a golden vase with an omer of manna and
Preserve it inside the ark (Ex16:34) of the sanctuary.
It was to remind them for generations to come that
God would provide them daily bread until their last breath.
Thus, on the day called, "this day," they were to choose life to live (Dt30:19) and
Choose whom they would serve (Jos24:15, 26).
Yeshua said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days" (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
The Father in heaven would give His children (Mt6:9)
Not daily bread for the flesh but the bread that will give eternal life (Jn6:31-35).
Yeshua commended His soul to the Father and
As He died He said, "It is finished" (Lk23:46; Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) After His death would live again and reveal the eternal God who alone is the same yesterday,
today and forever (He13:8);
2) Condemned the devil who as a creature wanted to be like God (Is14:12-15; Eze28:13; 1Jn3:8); and
3) With His eternal blood gave life to all men so that may live eternally (Jn1:14, 6:54).
He rose and ascended to the heavenly throne, and
The Holy Spirit came in the eternal name Yeshua and
Testifies that He is the same forever (Ac1:8; He13:8).
The man of the Spirit is he who only lives a day called, "this day."
Therefore, he does not dwell in yesterday,
Does not worry about tomorrow (Mt6:34), and
Does not put off the work that needs to be done this day.
For the heavenly Father will provide daily bread (Mt6:33),
Unlike the foolish rich man but like Zacchaeus and the thief (Lk12:20, 19:9, 23:43),
On the day called "this day," he makes the best decision for his soul to live and
Does the greatest work, that is, the work of expanding the kingdom of God (Mt6:33).
O Lord,
If we only had one day to live"¦
Whom shall we meet? Where shall we go? What shall we do?
Let us testify Yeshua until our last breath!
This is our sincere hope. Amen.
Download this sermon (right click and save)
The Father's Will
(Jn6:38-40)
God has a will (Jn6:38-40).
His will does not change (He6:17) and
He surely fulfills His will (Is53:10; Pr19:21).
Faith is knowing His will and honoring it and
The life of this faith is surrendering one's will and living according to the Father's will.
Men are different from animals in that they have a will.
They are evaluated for having a noble will and keeping it consistently.
Though a father's will to give the best for his children may be the noblest will of all,
The children do not know.
Then, would it be possible for men born of dust to return to dust
To ever know the will of God who is in heaven?
Yet the Bible clearly states His will:
God has plans not to harm men but to give hope and a future "“ that is, eternal life (Jer29:11).
"Dispensation" refers to the will of God made before the creation "”
In other words, the divine, unilateral decision.
"Providence" refers to the moment when man encounters His dispensation, and
Though risk is involved when he carries it out there is blessing but
When he does not there is curse.
God let the living being Adam eat for his flesh from any tree in the Garden while
For his spirit eat the word, "Do not eat" from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Ge2:16-17).
Deceived by the serpent, the devil, however,
Adam sinned and death entered, and he was banished from the Garden (Ge3:4-6, 24) for
He despised the counsel of the Most High (Ps107:11).
The Bible records the stories of those who received providence.
Noah heard God's decision to judge the world by flood (He11:7) and
By building the ark for decades, he and his family were saved.
Abram was instructed by God and left his country and his father's household,
Though he did not know where he was going (Ge12:4; He11:8).
Furthermore, he gave his only son as a burnt offering and
Became a blessing (Ge22:12; He11:18-19).
Rebekah, Isaac's wife, carried out the providence of
The older serving the younger, even at the risk of being cursed (Ge25:23, 27:13).
Though he initially hesitated to go, Moses was sent to Egypt (Ex4:10-17) and,
According to God's prophecy 430 years before
He was able to fulfill the deliverance of the Israelites (Ge15:13).
They put the ark of the temple that reminded them that
The will of God is surely fulfilled (Pr19:21) and
Seized the land that God gave them (Jos6:12-16).
But Yeshua came and said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it in three days" (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would fulfill the will of the Father who would give eternal life to those who believe (Jn6:40).
As He died, He said, "It is finished" (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Through His death fulfilled the Father's will from before the creation, to make Him the Heir of
all things (Jn10:18; He1:2);
2) Condemned the devil who misunderstood and caused men to also misunderstand God's will
(Ge3:5; Is14:12-15; 1Jn3:8) and
3) By shedding His blood redeemed the sins of all men, made them clean and gave them life
(Lev17:11; He12:24).
The Father raised Him and sat Him on the heavenly throne "“ through which
The dispensation regarding the Son was completed.
The Holy Spirit came so that the Father's will which was done in the Son
Be done on earth, in His children (Mt6:10; Jn14:16).
In other words, it is to lose none of all that has been given Him
But raise them up at the last day (Jn6:39-40).
Thus, He commanded the disciples to go Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and
To the ends of the earth (Ac1:8).
The Christian is he who follows the Lord
Well knowing that there is danger ahead of him.
For the noblest will, eternal life and the expansion of God's kingdom (Mt16:24),
He takes up his cross and follows Him.
O Lord,
If we do not anticipate dangers that are expected in the work for
Eternal life and the expansion of His kingdom,
We would be deceiving ourselves.
Even if we live dangerously on earth,
Let us safely arrive in the Father's house in the end.
Amen.
Download this sermon (right click and save)
The Kingdom of Jesus Christ
(Jn18:33-38)
God is the God of truth (Is65:16).
With the truth He establishes His kingdom and
With the truth He reigns over His kingdom.
Faith is welcoming to become the people of His kingdom, and
The life of this faith is about firmly establishing His kingdom and expanding it.
For a nation to exist, it needs to have a territory, sovereignty and people.
While it is a group of people with a shared set of values and ideals,
It can be based on fate such as common bloodlines, languages, customs, religions etc, which can
Motivate extremely strong feelings of superiority and pride,
Resulting in ethnic conflicts, wars and even ethnic cleansing.
The kingdom where Jesus reigns as Christ, however, is
Not made up of flesh and blood (Jn1:12-13) but rather
It is by one's choice that he becomes an heir and people of that kingdom.
Deceived by the devil (ho diabolos),
Adam, the ancestor of mankind, sinned (Ge2:17, 3:4-6), and
All men thereafter became separated from God and also from one another (Ge4:9).
While there was only one language in the world until the deluge (Ge11:1),
From the three sons of Noah came different tongues, tribes, kingdoms and peoples (Ge10:1-5).
From Abraham came Ishmael and Isaac and
From Isaac came Esau and Jacob, two divided nations, peoples in their mother's womb (Ge25:23).
God sent Moses and led Israel out of Egypt and
Ruled over them with the Law and
Instructed them to build the sanctuary and give sacrifices there (Ex25:8), through which
He gave them the legitimacy as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Ex19:6).
Consequently, they became proud of their bloodline of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Ex3:6), and
Even as they were ruled by foreign powers
They longed for the restoration of their kingdom (Ac1:6).
But Yeshua said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days" (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would through the truth establish a kingdom that is not of this world (Jn18:33-38).
As He died, He said, "It is finished" (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Died according to the command He received from the Father before the creation of the world
and testified that the Father's word is true (Jn10:18, 17:17);
2) Absorbed the power of death of the separator, the prince of this world, the devil, and judged
him (Jn12:31; He2:14-15); and
3) In the word of truth, that is, His blood, gave birth to children (Jas1:18).
After He rose and ascended to heaven,
He sat down on the heavenly throne and became the eternal Christ (Ac2:36).
The Sprit of truth whom He sent (Jn14:17, 15:26, 16:13) comes
To those who received His name making them a spiritual territory for
The kingdom of Jesus Christ came (Mk9:1).
In truth, He reigns over His kingdom and
Those who are made His people are
Set free from sin, death, flesh and blood and natural principles (Jn8:32; Rm8:1-2).
In His name they receive healing (Mk16:17), and pray and receive the answer (Jn14:13).
They are content with the daily bread promised for whoever believes (Mt6:31-33), and
Enjoy the kingdom of heaven on earth (Ac2:44-47).
Therefore, for the sake of the expansion of His kingdom
They do not hold back even their life.
O Lord,
For such a long time
So many scholars, visionaries, and politicians have sought for this "”
The kingdom where Jesus reigns as Christ!
We are so moved that we are Your people.
We are so honored and proud!
Let us live for the expansion of Your kingdom and
After death let us enter that kingdom in heaven.
Amen.
Download this sermon (right click and save)
The Father's Name Given to Me
(Jn17:11; He1:4-5)
God is the God of honor.
He cherishes His name the most (Eze36:21) and
Considers it the greatest possession (Eze44:28).
Faith is receiving His name and cherishing it and
The life of this faith is being successful with the great inheritance, His name.
Some people benefit from the fame of their family's name,
While others are harmed by the disgrace of their ancestor's name.
God gives His name to His children as inheritance.
However, to another, that is, the angels (He1:5),
He does not give His glory or His praise (Is42:8).
Because Adam became proud having the authority to name all the animals in the Garden (Ge2:19),
He was deceived to be like God and sinned, consequently being banished (Ge3:4-6, 24).
This was due to the devil, the fallen archangel, Lucifer, who in heaven
Became proud and wanted to be like God but was cast down to Hades, the universe (Is14:12-15).
Thereafter, the temptation for all men was to make a name for themselves (Ge11:3-4):
After the judgment by flood,
Men went against God's dispensation and tried to build a city and a tower.
For Abram believed in God's covenant that said that God would make his name great (Ge12:2),
God named him Abraham, which means, "a father of many nations" (Ge17:5).
His descendants, the Israelites, became a holy people, high above all nations (Dt26:19) for
The name Israel was the name received after wrestling with the angel (Ge32:24-28) and
The people of Israel knew the name of God delivered by the angel was "Jehovah" (Ex3:2-4, 6:3).
While the Law warned them against the sin of misusing His name (Ex20:7).
In the sanctuary where the name of God was (2Ch20:5-8),
The sacrifice and worship that honored His name continued in fear.
Finally, Yeshua the Son of God appeared and said,
"Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days" (Jn2:19), because
He was going to tear down the name "Jehovah" and raise the name "Yeshua" (He10:9) for
It is the name of the Father that the Father gave to the Son as His inheritance (Jn5:43, 17:11; He1:4).
Though His work in the Father's name, such as
Driving out demons, healing etc during His public life all testified Him (Jn10:24-25),
The Jews who honored the name Jehovah considered Him as blasphemous, thus put Him to death.
As He died, however, Yeshua said, "It is finished" (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Lowered Himself to the point of death on the cross and fully received the name that is above
all names, the name that the Father wanted to give to the Son since the beginning (Php2:6-11);
2) Judged the angel who attempted to challenge God (1Jn3:8); and
3) Sprinkled His blood on men, making them a soil to receive the Father's name (He9:22).
Yeshua rose, ascended to heaven and sat on the throne.
The Holy Spirit whom He sent comes in the name Yeshua (Jn16:7, 20-24) and
Lets believers cherish His name for
Those who believe His name are not condemned (Jn3:18);
In His name, they receive salvation (Ac4:12; Rm10:9, 13), forgiveness (Ac10:43),
The right to become His children (Jn1:12), life (Jn20:31), healing and power (Mk16:17-18), and
In His name, they receive whatever they ask (Jn14:13-14).
The man of the Spirit knows that he received the greatest inheritance from the Father and
Thus has the confidence to always be joyful and
Live boldly and dignified for the success and the glory of the Father's name,
Pouring himself out for the kingdom where Yeshua's name is the King,
For the church where Yeshua's name is the Head and
For nurturing the souls given to him (Jn17:11).
O Lord,
Father,
Thank You for giving me the name Yeshua!
In the name Yeshua alone,
I possess life, blessing, joy, happiness, power, authority, hope "” I possess the whole world!
Amen.
Download this sermon (right click and save)
To the Father's House
(Lk15:11-32)
God is the Abba Father (Rm8:15).
He gives birth to His children in His blood (1Pe1:19) and
He waits from His house for them to return (Lk15:20).
Faith is longing for the Father's house, and
The life of this faith is putting effort to return to the Father's house.
A "house" or "home" is a place, unlike any other, where comfort and rest are found.
Especially for the runaway son who lives a prodigal life until he is left with nothing,
The abundant "father's house" is where he would finally want to return to for
Longing is greater than fear.
The Bible is the road sign to the Father's house (Jer31:21-22):
The Garden of Eden "”> the Law "”> the sanctuary "”> Yeshua "”> the church "”>
The Father's house.
This is because after being deceived by the devil
Adam sinned and was banished from the Garden (Ge3:4-6, 24) and
All men lost their way and became lost (Ge4:12).
God began to show the direction (Ge12:1) by calling on Abram, who
By faith left his country and his father's land (Ge12:4) and
Went to the land that God instructed him to go though he did not know where he was going.
Even in the land that was promised to him, he lived in tents like strangers for
He knew that he was a pilgrim seeking a homeland in heaven (He11:8-16).
His descendant Jacob, while sleeping outdoors, had a vision-like dream, after which
He set up a pillar making a vow to return to his father's house giving a tenth (Ge28:10-22).
While the Israelites were strangers in a country not their own for 430 years (Ge15:13; Ex12:41),
God called Moses and had him take off his sandals, changing his direction (Ex3:5, 10), and
it was to bring the people out of Egypt.
When they wandered in the desert wastelands and cried to the Lord (Ps107:4),
He instructed them to build the sanctuary (Ex25:8) so that
They would make the house of God their road sign and
Be led to the city where they would settle.
However, they wandered and turned away from God
Unfaithful to Him, with tithes and offerings (Mal3:6-12) and thus
The prophets warned them to return to the road signs, the guide posts, the highway (Jer31:21-22).
Yeshua came and said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it in three days" (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would become the way and the road sign for all men and
Let them return through Him to the Father's house in heaven (Jn14:1-6).
As such, He rebuked the Pharisees as blind guides neglecting the meaning of tithing (Mt23:23-24).
As He died, He said, "It is finished" (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Made His death on the cross a turning point from His pilgrimage to return to the Father's
house (Lk23:46; Jn1:1, 14, 18);
2) Condemned the devil who misled all men (1Jn3:8); and
3) Opened the way through His torn flesh and shed blood for all men who were lost to return to
the Father's house (Jn14:6; He10:19-20).
He rose and in glory entered the Father's house outside the universe (2Ch2:6).
The Holy Spirit whom He sent in the name Yeshua (Ac1:8)
Comes to those who received in His name, the guidepost,
Lets them know that they have a Father in heaven (Mt6:9).
The Christian is he who
The more difficult, the more challenging his life becomes,
The more longs for the Father's house where there is
Warm welcome, forgiveness, abundance, joy, feast etc.
Therefore, he turns to church, the road sign, the guidepost, the highway to the Father's house,
In worship, with tithes and offerings, and
Calls prodigal sons and daughters to return to the Father and looks after them.
O Lord,
Our Father in heaven!
How many more times do we need to worship,
How many more lights do we need to pass
To get to Your house?
Rather than living comfortably and becoming lost
Let us choose to be weary and burdened in this life and
Finally arrive in the Father's house in that day!
Let us never deviate from this direction, our resolution for the New Year! Amen.
Download this sermon (right click and save)
He Whose Hope Is In God
(Ps146:1-10; Rm15:13)
God is the God of hope (Rm15:13).
All good things come from Him (Jas1:17), and
He does not put to shame those whose hope is in Him (Ps119:116; Rm5:5).
Faith is putting hope in God, and
The life of this faith is in living with this one hope.
Hope, wish, dream etc all refer to desires for the future.
Especially in the new year people hope for their desires to be achieved:
For a nation, independence, peace or prosperity,
While for an individual, health, buying a home, marriage, children etc.
Even if they are fulfilled, however, there is no satisfaction and
Thus their hopes become untrue and constantly changing.
This originates from the ancestor of all men, Adam, who was
Deceived by the devil and desired to be like God, a false dream, and sinned (Ge3:4-6, 24).
Consequently, he was banished from the Garden and
Thus even though all men toil they would return to dust, making life meaningless (Ge3:16-19).
Yet Abram believed in God and hoped for the impossible (He11:13):
Becoming a blessing, a father of many nations (Ge12:3, 17:5), and
The inheritance of the land of Canaan (Ge17:8).
Accordingly, God delivered his descendants, the Israelites,
From their slavery of four generations (Ge15:13-16) and the hand of the Egyptians (Ex3:8).
He led them into the good and spacious land of Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey.
God instructed them to build the sanctuary (Ex25:8) to
Tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power and wonders,
Reminding them to put their hope in Him (Ps78:4-7).
Yeshua said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days" (Jn2:19), and
Upset the Jews who had been longing for the restoration of their kingdom (Mt26:61) and
Those who hoped for Him to become their king, because of which He was handed over to death.
However, through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would become the eternal King of the eternal Kingdom of heaven so that
All men would put their hopes in Him.
As He died, He said, "It is finished" (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Died in order to resurrect and ascend to heaven where the throne, the name and the glory of
God are, according to the Father's wish from the beginning (Jn11:25-26; He1:2; Jn1:18)
2) Judged the devil who instilled a false hope in mankind (1Jn3:8); and
3) Redeemed all men and gave them a living hope (1Pe1:3).
His resurrection testified the Father who did not put His hope to shame and
He ascended the throne in heaven as the King of kings.
The Holy Spirit whom He sent comes to believers and
Lets them put hope in Yeshua for
They united with Him in His death to also unite with Him in His resurrection (Jn11:25-26; Rm6:4-5).
The true Christian is he who
Has the same hope as Yeshua
Regardless of the change in year or month and
That is, to go to the Father's house after death and
Building His church and
Expanding the kingdom of God while on earth.
O Lord,
2017! Another New Year has come.
While others welcome the New Year with this and that wish,
Whether last year, the year before, or the next year or even the year after
I only have one simple dream"¦
And that is, to go to the Father's house after I die!
I pray that You would not put to shame those who live with one hope.
Let all those You have given me
Firmly build up the church and
Do the work that expands the kingdom of God.
To do that, give us all a double portion of Your spirit! (2Ki2:9)!
Amen.
Download this sermon (right click and save)
Christ Who Came to a Manger
(Lk2:1-14)
God is the exalted, the Most High (Ps92:8, 97:9).
He is in the highest heaven, and
His existence and His name are to be exalted (Ps7:17, 9:2, 111:9).
He dwells with those who are lowly and revives them (Is57:15).
Faith is longing for Him and
The life of this faith is becoming all the more lowly in order to serve Him.
For the dignity of a man is determined usually by the environment where he dwells and
The status of those who are near him,
People prefer those of a superb family and excellent education.
Then, how much better conditions would those who want to serve and live with a king need?
In spite of the fact the first man Adam was
Endowed with the privilege to rule over the Garden of Eden (Ge2:15),
He was deceived by Satan who attempted in heaven to be like the Most High and was
Cast down to Hades (Is14:12-15), and
Committed the same sin and was banished from the Garden (Ge3:4-6, 24).
Though God promised Abraham that kings would come from his descendants, the Israelites (Ge17:6),
They lived as slaves in Egypt for 430 years and in the desert for 40 years (Ex12:41; Nu14:34), and
God even added the Law.
It was, however, to humble and test them so that in the end all will go well with them (Dt8:14-18).
God instructed them to build the sanctuary where
As a kingdom of priests they would serve the name Jehovah (Ex19:6; 2Ch2:1, 4)
However, Yeshua said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would tear down the temple made with earthly things for the name Jehovah and
Raise a new temple made with His precious blood for the name Yeshua (1Pe1:18) for
He came lowly to a manger in a little town called Bethelem and served the Father (Mi5:2; Lk2:7).
While He cursed high regions of Chorazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum etc (Mt11:20),
He was delighted to visit alienated villages like Bethany (Jn11:18).
He declared the judgment against the prince of the world (Jn12:31)
Though He turned down the plea of becoming their king (Jn18:36), for which
The Jews became disappointed and betrayed Him.
As He died, Yeshua said, "It is finished (Jn19:30), declaring that:
1) The very nature God came in the likeness of a sinner, a man, and humbled Himself to the
point of death on a cross and exalted the Father as the only Most High (Php2:6-8);
2) He condemned the devil who attempted to exalt himself (1Jn3:8); and
3) He became a ransom lower than a sinner (Mt20:28).
The Father raised Him from the grave and
Exalted Him to heaven (Mk16:19; Php2:9-11).
The Holy Spirit comes to those who receive the name Yeshua (Jn1:12; Rev3:20) and
Lets them know that the name Yeshua alone is the Most High, the exalted name.
The man of the Spirit is he who
Confesses that he is the sinner, the poor, the sick whose dreams had been shattered (Mt5:3).
Therefore, whatever the test or the temptation he faces
He resolves to become all the more humble and lowly for
He understands that in his brokenness and lowliness
The name Yeshua is exalted.
This is because while Jehovah is the name served by the high priest, the superior man
Yeshua is the name above all names served by the lowest man, the sinner.
O Lord,
Yeshua!
Your name alone is the Most High, to be exalted.
How can we become more broken and
Finally be near You and serve You?
Let us be crushed.
Let us be crumbled.
Let us be broken even more! Amen.
Download this sermon (right click and save)
All the Toil Under the Sun
(Ecc1:1-11; Rev14:13)
God is omniscient.
He watches over and
He remembers for generations to come (Ps33:13-15).
Faith is acknowledging Him and His omniscience, and
The life of this faith is toiling in order to receive God's eternal comfort.
Everyone who wants to live must toil ”
Whether a student, a soldier, a farmer or a laborer.
Among them, the ones who toil the most would probably be
Those who through painful labor give birth to children and raise them,
Though the children do not remember such toil.
Thus, all the toil under the sun are meaningless and meaningless (Ecc1:1, 11).
This is the price of the sin committed by Adam, the ancestor of all men,
For dust he is and to dust he will return (Ge3:4-6, 19).
Nevertheless, for the wages of the righteous is life (Pr10:16),
Like his name, Noah was comforted by God for his painful foil (Ge5:29) as
He and his family were saved by the ark which he built for decades and
Became an heir of righteousness (He11:7).
At the end of his servitude for 20 years
Jacob did not return home with empty hands but rather became wealthy (Ge31:42).
After decades of living in prison and as a stranger in a foreign land
God made Joseph to be fruitful in the land (Ge41:52).
As the Israelites left Egypt after 430 years of slavery (Ex12:35-36, 41),
They plundered their silver and gold, with which
They later built the sanctuary where the name for the Lord Jehovah was and
It reminded them to remember for generations
The God who watches over their painful toil and comforts them.
However, Yeshua said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would tear down the temple built by the toil of sinners with earthly things and
Raise a new temple not part of this creation by the toil of the righteous (He9:11-12).
With one word He filled up with fish
Two boats that had been empty in spite of toiling all night (Lk5:4-8),
Revealing the toil of the righteous is not in vain.
As He died, Yeshua said, "It is finished (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Commended His soul to the Father at the height of His painful toils and sought only the
Father's comfort (Lk23:46);
2) Condemned the devil who without any toil stole (1Jn3:8); and
3) Through painful labor of tearing His flesh gave birth to children of God (Rm8:9; 1Pe1:23).
His resurrection and ascension proved that
The wages of the righteous is life (Pr10:16).
The Holy Spirit whom He sent comes in the name Yeshua to believers and
Lets them know that the toil of the righteous is never in vain.
The man of the Spirit, therefore, is he who
Willingly works harder than anyone (1Co4:12, 15:10; Php2:16)
For His body the church, whatever the work (Col1:24; 2Co11:3-27)
Giving birth to children in the gospel through painful labor for
When his toil ends
He longs to rest in the Father's house (Rev14:13).
O Lord,
This year has already reached its end.
It went by like a flash while I was busy with my day-to-day life.
How I meaninglessly spent the year 2016 which will never come back in my life¦
Lord, if You allow me another year
Let me no longer live in vain and
Let me instead toil for Your name, Your church and the gospel!
Amen.
Download this sermon (right click and save)
Christ Who Came In the Flesh
(Ps68:19; He4:14-16)
God is merciful (Dt4:31).
He is merciful to the weak, and
Shows greater mercy to those who are merciful (Mt5:7).
Faith is longing for His mercy, and
The life of this faith is entrusting Him with all burdens regarding the flesh and thinking of those
who also suffer like oneself.
While the flesh is important to man because without it he cannot live,
It is because of the flesh that he has the burden of the need of food, clothing and shelter,
The concerns of illness, hardship and aging etc.
The improvement of human culture and civilization compensates the weakness of the flesh,
Designed to add convenience.
Yet one can never escape death and once dead none of it will matter.
Adam is a spiritual being with flesh (Ge2:7).
For the flesh he was to live on fruits while
For the spirit he was to live on the word of God (Ge1:17).
However, deceived by the serpent, he disobeyed the word and was banished from the Garden,
After which all men became destined to live with the burden of sin and the toils of life (Ge3:4-6, 24).
In spite of the fact that God promised Abraham how He would be the God of his descendants
Reminded through the sign of circumcision done to the flesh (Ge17:10),
After his descendants were delivered from their slavery in Egypt of 430 years
By the blood of the Passover lamb and saved from the Red Sea (Ex12:41)
Almost all of them died complaining about their environment in the desert which was
Still inferior to that of their slavery.
Furthermore, they suffered even more from the burden of the Law,
The regulations for the body (He9:10).
Nevertheless, through the atoning sacrifice given in the sanctuary
They received God's mercy, from the mercy seat (Ex25:21; Lev4:27-31), and thus
They praised God their Savior who daily bears their burdens (Ps68:19).
Yeshua said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would tear down the regulations for the body and
Reveal the truth of the resurrection of the spiritual body (Jn11:25, 14:6).
The suffering of the Son of God Yeshua because of the flesh began
From the time He was laid in a manger as a baby (Lk2:4-7):
A manger ” escape ” poverty ” the devil's temptation ” mockery ” exhaustion ” arrest ”
Flogging, piercing, crushed ” death.
Yet He said to not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul (Mt10:28), and
To not worry about what to eat or what to wear for the flesh (Mt6:31-33).
As He died, He said, "It is finished (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Surpassed the limit of the suffering in the flesh by the Father's mercy (Lk23:46; He5:7);
2) Condemned the devil who brought on suffering for all men (1Jn3:8); and
3) Bore the burden of all men who also suffer the same because of the flesh (Mt20:28; 1Pe1:24).
He rose and became the firstfruit of the resurrection of the spiritual body and
Sat on the heavenly mercy seat (Lk24:39; 1Co15:20, 23).
For He sympathizes with the weakness of men
He showed mercy by pouring out the Holy Spirit (He4:15-16; Ac2:17)
On to those who are waiting for Him to appear a second time (He9:28).
The man of the Spirit is he who
In order for a natural body to receive a spiritual body,
The lowly body to a glorious body (Rm8:23; 1Co15:44; Php3:11),
Carries in his body the death of Jesus, that is, the cross (2Co4:10),
By approaching the throne of His mercy daily (Mt26:41; He4:16)
He surpasses all things, not even knowing whether in the body or out of the body (1Co7:29-30), and
Thinks of those who are also suffering because of their bodies and shows mercy on them (He13:3).
O Lord,
If we did not have these bodies
We would not even need shelter, clothing, food, car, job or even family!
Yet, for such things we put a great effort while
We hesitate to live for the eternal body that we ought to be living for.
Lord, for our heart is willing but the flesh is weak so
Give us Your power to surpass! Amen.
Download this sermon (right click and save)
Precious Living Stones
(1Pe2:1-10)
God is the God of glory.
His nature is glorious and He is surrounded by glory, and
He lets those who bring their glory dwell in His glory forever (Rev21:22-24, 22:5).
Faith is knowing and longing for Him and His glory, and
The life of this faith is about putting effort to carve oneself out like a precious stone in order to be
built into His spiritual house.
Since stones last in their freshness,
Regardless of the times, they have always been used as natural material for buildings,
While in ancient times they were considered to be spiritual and thus were idolized.
If the value of a house is in the materials used and the people who live in it,
Imagine the precious materials God would use to build His house.
Even though Adam lived in the Garden of Eden that was abundant with precious stones (Ge2:11-12),
Once he was deceived by the devil to be like God and sinned,
He was banished from there (Ge3:5, 24).
The devil was a beautiful archangel adorned with precious stones in heaven who
Then dreamed of being glorious like God and sinned (Eze28:11-16),
Because of which he was cast down to darkness, the depths of the pit (Is14:12-15).
The plan of God embarked with Israel:
Jacob poured oil on top of the stone where he had placed his head and dreamed of seeing God
and Called it Bethel, the house of God, the gate of heaven (Ge28:16-19),
Making the place a landmark for returning to his father's house.
After being delivered from their slavery, Israel returned to the place of their fathers (Ge15:16).
In the desert, God instructed them to build the sanctuary (Ex25:8) and
For the high priest's ephod a breastplate with precious stones (Ex28:17-21) for him
To enter and serve in the Most Holy Place where
There was no lamp because the glory of the Lord filled it (2Ch7:2).
Looking at the temple that was made of many stones (1Ki5:13-18),
Yeshua said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days, which
Shocked the Jews who belonged to the kingdom of priests (Ex19:6).
However, He was referring to the temple of His body (Jn2:19-20) for
The stone the builders rejected would become
The cornerstone of the house on Zion (Ps118:22; Is28:16),
The stone that makes unbelievers stumble and fall (Is8:14).
As He died in daylight, darkness came over all land and
He said, "It is finished (Mt27:45; Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Submitted before the glory of the Father (Jn10:17; Php2:6-11);
2) Condemned the devil who attempted to steal God's glory (1Jn3:8); and
3) For all men spilled out His precious living blood, the light of life (Jn1:1, 4, 14; 1Pe1:18-19).
The Father raised Him up and
Yeshua became the cornerstone for the heavenly temple (1Pe2:4).
The Holy Spirit whom He sent came in the name Yeshua and
Builds the church on the cornerstone, that is
The faith that confesses that Yeshua is Christ, the Son of the living God (Mt16:16-18),
The gates of heaven to return to the Father's house, the spiritual house.
The man of the Spirit is he who
Longs to enter the New Jerusalem where there is no need for
The light of a lamp or the light of the sun (Rev22:5),
The marvelous light of the glory of the Lamb.
Therefore, he puts effort to carve himself out like a precious stone,
Submitting to sacrifice and pains
In order to become a part of the church of Christ on earth.
O Lord,
I am not interested in the streets paved with gold,
The house with precious stones or the river of the water of life.
My only desire is to
Stand before the marvelous light of the Lamb Yeshua in that day! Amen.
Download this sermon (right click and save)
For My Soul To Live
(Jn6:63, 12:50)
God is the God of eternal life (Ge21:33).
In Him is life and
He lets those who want to live eternally live.
Faith is knowing that one is a soul that must live and thus longing to live, and
The life of this faith is putting every effort to live even at the cost of losing one's breath.
While the most important thing in this world is life
The life of man is only a breath, which makes
This life that is dependent on breath pitiful.
The composition of man is the flesh that lives by the food that comes from dust, and
The soul that lives by the word that comes from the mouth of God (Dt8:3).
Man sinned when Adam was deceived by the devil (Ge2:17, 3:4-6) and
Ate the forbidden fruit and disobeyed the word of God ” which was giving up to live.
When God judged the world by a flood
Everything that had the breath of life in its nostrils died (Ge7:22),
But Noah and his family obeyed God's word and lived (Ge6:22;).
The spirit of death passed over those who
Followed the word and put the blood of the passover lamb (Ex12:13) for
There is life in the blood and it is the blood that atones sin (Lev17:11).
There was always blood flowing at the altar of the tabernacle which
God instructed Israel to build in the desert (Lev4:18) for
It was where sinners gave sacrifice in order to live.
The commandment that God gave the Israelites was
For them to choose life in order to live (Dt30:19) and it showed that
Those who wanted to live were spared of their life:
Cain who killed his brother, those ran into the cities of refuge after accidentally killing,
Even the traitor who held on to the horns of the altar (Ge4:14-15; Nu35:15-28; 1Ki1:50-53).
Yeshua said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would reveal that He is the life that would die but live again for
His word is spirit and life (Jn6:63), and that He came as
The last Adam, the life-giving spirit who gives life to the living spirit, the first Adam (1Co15:45).
As He died, He said, "It is finished (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Died according to the Father's command in order to live forever (Jn10:17-18, 12:50);
2) Destroyed the devil, the origin of sin (1Jn3:8); and
3) With His blood redeemed the sin of all men and spilled life for them (Mt20:28; 1Pe1:18-19).
The Father raised Him up and
Yeshua sat on the heavenly throne for He is the author of life (Ac3:15).
The Spirit of life whom He sent (Rm8:2)
Lets the souls who received the blood of Yeshua live by
Receiving His word as command (Jn12:50).
The true Christian is he who
For his own soul to live
Clings onto the church to death and
Carries out his duty to death (Jn15:4-6).
O Lord,
Let us never give up on our souls from living,
Even if it means starving to death! Amen.
Download this sermon (right click and save)
Wait for the Precious Fruit
(1Th5:16-18; Jas5:7-11)
God is the Gardener (Jn15:1).
He sows good seeds in His field (Mt13:24) and
Waits to bring in the fruit into the barn which He prepared in heaven (Mt13:30).
Faith is receiving His good seed and longing to become a precious fruit.
The life of this faith is being patient and standing firm, growing by the early and late rains until being taken up to heaven.
A gardener or a farmer has a purpose, a principle and a plan:
His purpose is to reap many folds of his crop (Mt13:23);
His principle is to sow good seeds in a good field at the right time and looking after it until harvest;
His plan is to wait for them to grow in the sun and the rain.
God created man in order to
Sow in him the seed that was before the creation and
Reap many folds of crops (1Pe1:20-24).
Deceived by the devil, Adam the living being, however, sinned and
Sin and death entered all (Ge2:17; Rm5:12; 1Co15:21).
God gave the law, the law of sin and death (Rm8:2) for
Men to become conscious of sin and confess (Rm3:19-20).
The sanctuary where the stone tablets were placed
Inside the testimony reminded them this.
When the time had fully come, the Son of God Yeshua came
Born of a woman, born under law (Gal4:4-5), and
He said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn2:19), because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would fall to His ground and be sown as the good seed to bear many fruit (Jn1:11, 12:24).
As He died, He said, "It is finished (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Laid down His life and fulfilled the Gardener Father's will of sowing a good seed in His own
field to reap a valuable crop (Ps126:4-6; Jn10:17; Jas5:7);
2) Condemned the devil, the bad seed (1Jn3:8); and
3) Paid the price of sin for all men and sprinkled His blood to sow life (Mt13:24, 31-32; 1Pe1:23).
The Father raised Him up and
Yeshua entered the heavenly barn as the firsffruit (1Co15:23).
The Holy Spirit whom He sent comes
To those who received the sprinkling of His blood in the field of their hearts (He12:24; 1Pe1:2), and
Lets them grow by the early and late rains (Jas5:7).
The "early rain refers to experiencing the Holy Spirit, receiving His gifts,
Having prayers answered, finding joy and easily growing in faith,
While the "late rain refers to patiently waiting through
Poverty, persecution, hardship, test, absence of answer to prayers etc.
In order to become a precious fruit,
The man of the Spirit resolves to
Be patient and stand firm
Knowing that he is tempted only what he can bear and
When he is tempted the Lord provides a way out for him (1Co10:13).
Therefore he puts every effort to rejoice always, pray continually and
Give thanks in all circumstances (1Th5:16-17) for
He longs in that day to enter the gates of the heavenly barn with thanksgiving (Ps100:4).
O Lord,
How patiently You waited to come to Your own field to be sown at the right time.
How patiently You waited for me to finally receive the good seed, Your blood.
Thank You, Yeshua!
Let us all remember the first love, the first grace and
Stand up over today's suffering and overcome!
Amen.