• 크리스마스 - 내가 주님을 처음 만난 날 (

  설교날짜: 12/22/2024

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 마태복음 1:18-25

  Sunday Worship Service Sermon (12-22-2024)

  Christmas - The Day I First Met the Lord

  (Matthew 1:18-25)

  1.     

  Today is Christmas Sunday. What does Christmas mean to you? What kind of day do you want Christmas to be for you this year? What kind of day does God want Christmas to be for mankind?

   

  Human history was divided into BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini) based on the birth of Jesus. As such, Christmas is at the center of human history. His story (=History), Jesus’s story, became the center of history. Likewise, there are many people whose lives have been changed by Christmas. They are the saints. I hope that Christmas will be a historic day in our life.

  2.     

  Today's text tells us about the great event of Jesus' birth. Today's text begins with, “This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about.”

   

  I will explain it by reading verses 18-23 verse by verse:

  “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit’ ” (verses 18-20).

   

  To summarize, this means that Jesus, who came to the world for our salvation, was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the body of a virgin and came to the world.

   

  Let's look at the next verse 21: “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

  This tells us that the name of the Messiah whom God sent for our salvation is Jesus. And he tells us that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit through the body of a virgin and came to the world in human form. What did God say? Yes, God said that he came to the world to save his people from their sins (verse 21, John3:16).

   

  Let’s look at verses 22-23: “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’--which means, ‘God with us.”

   

  This explains that all this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, “God with us”.

   

  To summarize all these verses, Christmas is the work of God who loved His people and wanted to save them from their sins. Since sinners cannot save themselves, the righteous God became a man and came to us through the body of a virgin to save mankind. It was for this one purpose only. Jesus was born to save His people from their sins (verse 21). Jesus was born to redeem His people (Luke 1:68). Because we, sinners, cannot save ourselves, the righteous God came into the world in human form to save mankind. That is what Christmas is.

   

  Christmas is the expression of God's great love for mankind. Christmas is God's way of showing humanity that He created our lives and that He is love and wants to save us. Christmas is God showing us that He is love. So, on the day that Jesus was born, the angels said that the birth of Jesus, who came to save His people from their sins, was “good news of great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10). This is called God's love. The world condemns those who sin, but God forgives and saves them.

  Christmas shows us how much God loves mankind. Christmas shows us that God wants to save mankind from sin.

   

  Some people deny the existence of God, who cannot be seen with our eyes. Some people also deny this love of God. However, just because I deny it, the existence of God, who is real, does not disappear.

  In 1961, a Russian named Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin became the first person to fly outside the Earth into space. Nikita Khrushchev, then the Secretary General of Russia, said of Gagarin's space flight: “Men were sent to heaven, but there was no God. The religion of Russia is atheism.” He said that God was not seen in the universe.

   

  At that time, C.S. Lewis answered: “If God exists, we cannot see Him just like a person living on the first floor cannot see a person living on the second floor. We cannot know Him by ourselves. We can only know His existence when He reveals Himself to us, His creatures.”

   

  Lewis then concluded: “God did much more than just give us a little information about himself. He came to earth to love us and save us. And he will be with us until the end of time. He really did this. Christmas teaches us this. It teaches us about the love that created us and this world. Even though we have fallen and have turned away from God and are living our own way, God looked at us, the main characters of this world, and loved us first. So, God came into our lives. He had to take on human flesh. He had to come to the manger. Christmas is proof of this.” So, we can come close to God again. We are forgiven of our sins. We become children of God. We live forever with God. This is called the love of God (John 3:16).

   

  Dear friends, God took the initiative in creating our lives and saving us from the destruction that came with sin. Why? Because He loves us. God came to the world in human form and became a sacrifice on the cross to pay the price for our sins. That love made us righteous. That love made it possible for us to live with God here and in heaven forever. God knows you by name. He created you because He loves you. He wants to save you because He loves you. He wants you to live with Him here and in heaven forever.

   

  If this earth were all there was, if our life was all about living here, if this life were all there was, then there would be no need for God to come to the world to save us. If God had not created us, if God did not love us, there would have been no need for Him to come to the world to save us. There would have been no need for Him to bear the cross. But God came to the world in human form to save us, because this is not all there is to our lives. It means that we, as sinners, need God’s salvation. It means that God loves us. It means that God wants to save everyone and not let anyone perish.

   

  But the sad thing is that there are people who celebrate Christmas without meeting Jesus, who came to the world to save us from sin. Why? Why does this happen? It is because they do not yet realize that they are sinners who need to be saved.

   

  If I don’t know that I am a sinner who needs to be saved, what need does Jesus have for me, who came to save sinners? However, if I know that I am a sinner who needs to be saved, I can stand joyfully before Jesus, who came to the world to save sinners like me. When I realize that I am truly a sinner who needs to be saved, I am thankful to Jesus who became a sacrifice on the cross to save a sinner like me. And after I am justified, I no longer live in sin, but live for Jesus who gave everything he had to save me (Galatians 2:20). That is why Jesus said that, just as a sick person desperately seeks a doctor, a person who realizes that he is a sinner who needs to be saved desperately seeks Jesus (Matthew 9:12).

  3.     

  God came to us today in human form to save us from our sins.

  I hope that Christmas (=the day the Savior came) will be the day you and I first meet the Lord. That is what we must do on Christmas. That is what God wants most for us to do on Christmas.

   

  Christmas should be the day Jesus came into my life. Christmas should be the day I first met Jesus. Christmas should be the day Jesus’ blessings began in my life. Christmas should be the day I was called to be a disciple of Jesus. Christmas should be the day I began to live with Jesus.

  Christmas should be the day I began to follow Jesus. Christmas should be the day when Jesus stood outside my door and knocked and I opened my heart wide and welcomed Jesus. Christmas should be the day when the true life that God seeks for me began (the day when a life following Jesus began). Christmas should be the day when I was reborn, the day when I was born again through Jesus Christ.

   

  Those who stand joyfully before Jesus, who came to the world to save us from sin, will also stand before the Lord when He comes again.

   

  On this Christmas Sunday morning, let us stand before Jesus who came to the world for our salvation and confess: “O, Jesus dear Lord, my heart is opening now the door. Come in today, come forever to stay, and be my Savior.”

   

  Whether that person has welcomed the born Jesus as his savior, and whether that person stands before the born Jesus will be proven by his or her life. That person will also stand before the Lord when he comes again. Amen!!

   

   

   

   

  • 
  • 

• 크리스마스 - 내가 주님을 처음 만난 날 (

  설교날짜: 12/22/2024

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 마태복음 1:18-25

  Sunday Worship Service Sermon (12-22-2024)

  Christmas - The Day I First Met the Lord

  (Matthew 1:18-25)

  1.     

  Today is Christmas Sunday. What does Christmas mean to you? What kind of day do you want Christmas to be for you this year? What kind of day does God want Christmas to be for mankind?

   

  Human history was divided into BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini) based on the birth of Jesus. As such, Christmas is at the center of human history. His story (=History), Jesus’s story, became the center of history. Likewise, there are many people whose lives have been changed by Christmas. They are the saints. I hope that Christmas will be a historic day in our life.

  2.     

  Today's text tells us about the great event of Jesus' birth. Today's text begins with, “This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about.”

   

  I will explain it by reading verses 18-23 verse by verse:

  “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit’ ” (verses 18-20).

   

  To summarize, this means that Jesus, who came to the world for our salvation, was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the body of a virgin and came to the world.

   

  Let's look at the next verse 21: “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

  This tells us that the name of the Messiah whom God sent for our salvation is Jesus. And he tells us that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit through the body of a virgin and came to the world in human form. What did God say? Yes, God said that he came to the world to save his people from their sins (verse 21, John3:16).

   

  Let’s look at verses 22-23: “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’--which means, ‘God with us.”

   

  This explains that all this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, “God with us”.

   

  To summarize all these verses, Christmas is the work of God who loved His people and wanted to save them from their sins. Since sinners cannot save themselves, the righteous God became a man and came to us through the body of a virgin to save mankind. It was for this one purpose only. Jesus was born to save His people from their sins (verse 21). Jesus was born to redeem His people (Luke 1:68). Because we, sinners, cannot save ourselves, the righteous God came into the world in human form to save mankind. That is what Christmas is.

   

  Christmas is the expression of God's great love for mankind. Christmas is God's way of showing humanity that He created our lives and that He is love and wants to save us. Christmas is God showing us that He is love. So, on the day that Jesus was born, the angels said that the birth of Jesus, who came to save His people from their sins, was “good news of great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10). This is called God's love. The world condemns those who sin, but God forgives and saves them.

  Christmas shows us how much God loves mankind. Christmas shows us that God wants to save mankind from sin.

   

  Some people deny the existence of God, who cannot be seen with our eyes. Some people also deny this love of God. However, just because I deny it, the existence of God, who is real, does not disappear.

  In 1961, a Russian named Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin became the first person to fly outside the Earth into space. Nikita Khrushchev, then the Secretary General of Russia, said of Gagarin's space flight: “Men were sent to heaven, but there was no God. The religion of Russia is atheism.” He said that God was not seen in the universe.

   

  At that time, C.S. Lewis answered: “If God exists, we cannot see Him just like a person living on the first floor cannot see a person living on the second floor. We cannot know Him by ourselves. We can only know His existence when He reveals Himself to us, His creatures.”

   

  Lewis then concluded: “God did much more than just give us a little information about himself. He came to earth to love us and save us. And he will be with us until the end of time. He really did this. Christmas teaches us this. It teaches us about the love that created us and this world. Even though we have fallen and have turned away from God and are living our own way, God looked at us, the main characters of this world, and loved us first. So, God came into our lives. He had to take on human flesh. He had to come to the manger. Christmas is proof of this.” So, we can come close to God again. We are forgiven of our sins. We become children of God. We live forever with God. This is called the love of God (John 3:16).

   

  Dear friends, God took the initiative in creating our lives and saving us from the destruction that came with sin. Why? Because He loves us. God came to the world in human form and became a sacrifice on the cross to pay the price for our sins. That love made us righteous. That love made it possible for us to live with God here and in heaven forever. God knows you by name. He created you because He loves you. He wants to save you because He loves you. He wants you to live with Him here and in heaven forever.

   

  If this earth were all there was, if our life was all about living here, if this life were all there was, then there would be no need for God to come to the world to save us. If God had not created us, if God did not love us, there would have been no need for Him to come to the world to save us. There would have been no need for Him to bear the cross. But God came to the world in human form to save us, because this is not all there is to our lives. It means that we, as sinners, need God’s salvation. It means that God loves us. It means that God wants to save everyone and not let anyone perish.

   

  But the sad thing is that there are people who celebrate Christmas without meeting Jesus, who came to the world to save us from sin. Why? Why does this happen? It is because they do not yet realize that they are sinners who need to be saved.

   

  If I don’t know that I am a sinner who needs to be saved, what need does Jesus have for me, who came to save sinners? However, if I know that I am a sinner who needs to be saved, I can stand joyfully before Jesus, who came to the world to save sinners like me. When I realize that I am truly a sinner who needs to be saved, I am thankful to Jesus who became a sacrifice on the cross to save a sinner like me. And after I am justified, I no longer live in sin, but live for Jesus who gave everything he had to save me (Galatians 2:20). That is why Jesus said that, just as a sick person desperately seeks a doctor, a person who realizes that he is a sinner who needs to be saved desperately seeks Jesus (Matthew 9:12).

  3.     

  God came to us today in human form to save us from our sins.

  I hope that Christmas (=the day the Savior came) will be the day you and I first meet the Lord. That is what we must do on Christmas. That is what God wants most for us to do on Christmas.

   

  Christmas should be the day Jesus came into my life. Christmas should be the day I first met Jesus. Christmas should be the day Jesus’ blessings began in my life. Christmas should be the day I was called to be a disciple of Jesus. Christmas should be the day I began to live with Jesus.

  Christmas should be the day I began to follow Jesus. Christmas should be the day when Jesus stood outside my door and knocked and I opened my heart wide and welcomed Jesus. Christmas should be the day when the true life that God seeks for me began (the day when a life following Jesus began). Christmas should be the day when I was reborn, the day when I was born again through Jesus Christ.

   

  Those who stand joyfully before Jesus, who came to the world to save us from sin, will also stand before the Lord when He comes again.

   

  On this Christmas Sunday morning, let us stand before Jesus who came to the world for our salvation and confess: “O, Jesus dear Lord, my heart is opening now the door. Come in today, come forever to stay, and be my Savior.”

   

  Whether that person has welcomed the born Jesus as his savior, and whether that person stands before the born Jesus will be proven by his or her life. That person will also stand before the Lord when he comes again. Amen!!

   

   

   

   

  • 
  • 

크리스마스 - 내가 주님을 처음 만난 날 (Christmas - The Day I First Met the Lord)

설교날짜: 12/22/2024

설교자: 김덕신 목사

설교본문: 마태복음 1:18-25

• 주의 길을 준비하라 (Prepare the

  설교날짜: 12/15/2024

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 누가복음 3:1-14

  Sunday Worship Service Sermon (12-15-2024)

  Prepare the Way for the Lord

  (Luke 3:1-14)

  1.     

  Today is the third Sunday in the season of Advent. Advent means coming or arrival, especially the arrival of someone who is expected. Since today is already the third Sunday in the season of Advent, the day the Lord will come to us is closer than it was last Sunday. We light the Advent candles so that we can see with our eyes and feel with our whole body that the day the Lord will come is getting closer and we can prepare for it.

   

  The season of Advent reminds us of two things. First, Advent is the time when we await with great expectation the coming of the Lord. Second, it is the time when we prepare ourselves and our society to receive the Lord when he comes. We need to prepare a way for the Lord and make his path straight so that there will not be any obstacles in his way. Awaiting with expectation and preparing to receive the Lord are two important aspects of Advent.

   

  God chose Abraham as the father of faith to save fallen mankind and, among many nations, he chose Israel as his people. And he promised to send the ‘Messiah’ to the people of Israel for their salvation. God spoke of hope through the prophets that he would come to the world to save Israel. Everyone in Israel was waiting eagerly for the Messiah. When John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Jordan, the whole of Judea and Jerusalem went after him, thinking he would be the Messiah. The people of Israel were a community in waiting, waiting with great expectation for the coming of the Messiah.

   

  However, most of them were only waiting for the Messiah to come to save them, and were not preparing to meet the Lord who was coming to save them.

  2.     

  At that time, God, through John the Baptist, reminded the Israelites (and us today) to 'prepare' to receive the Messiah who would come for their salvation. That is the message of today's text (verse 2).

   

  Let me read Luke 3:2-6 again; “During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God's salvation.’”

   

  John the Baptist cried out to the Jews who were eagerly waiting for Jesus, “Prepare the way for the Lord; make straight paths for him” (verse4), and “Receive a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (verse 3) and produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (verse 8). Then, all people will see God's salvation (verse 6). However, he warned “every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (verse 9).

   

  Let’s examine this verse by verse. What was the message that God gave to the Israelites who were waiting for the Messiah at that time and to us today through John the Baptist? Yes, it was to ‘prepare the way of the Lord’. It was to ‘make straight his paths’, that is, every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low, the crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.

   

  At that time, when a king departed on a journey, his subjects went out in advance and prepared the road for the king to take. They filled in the hollows, leveled the mountains and hills, straightened the crooked, and made the rough roads smooth. That is, they removed all obstacles blocking the king's path. Thus, they made the road the king would take straight. God reminded the Jews of this fact through John the Baptist, saying, ‘Remove all obstacles (sins) that block the Lord, the King of kings, from coming to us, and prepare for the coming of the Messiah.’

   

  I wonder: Then, how can we prepare the way of the Lord who is coming to us? How can we remove all the obstacles that block the Lord from coming to us? God told us how to prepare the way of the Lord? Yes, He said that we should receive the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins and produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Then, He said that all people will see God’s salvation.

   

  Repentance is confessing that I am a sinner before God, truly regretting my transgressions and sins, asking for forgiveness, and returning to God.

  A new beginning in life begins with true repentance. A new relationship between Jesus and us begins with true repentance. Repentance is preparing to meet the righteous Jesus who forgives our sins. Those who recognize that they are sinners, truly repent, and produce fruit in keeping with repentance see God's salvation. Those persons meet Jesus who came to us. Those persons can stand before Jesus when He comes again.

   

  If you repent, you will be saved. If you repent, you will become a child of God. If you repent, you will receive eternal life. It is so important to repent of your sins, receive forgiveness, and live a life that produces fruit in keeping with repentance. Otherwise, Jesus warned that the axe is already at the root of the trees (verse 9).

   

  The baptism we received is a 'baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.' Therefore, those who have been baptized must produce fruit in keeping with repentance. (=live righteously/live by following the example of Jesus).

   

  Today's text describes the state of the Jews who were eagerly waiting for Jesus at that time. They lived ‘like a brood of vipers.’ John the Baptist called them ‘You brood of vipers!’ (verse 7). They called themselves ‘descendants of Abraham’, but their actions did not produce good fruit in keeping with that name (verse 8). They waited for Jesus in this state. However, John the Baptist said that if they did not repent for living their lives like this, they would not see God’s salvation, but would be like a tree that was cut down by an axe and thrown into the fire. So they should repent and produce fruit in keeping with repentance. He said that this would prepare the way for the Lord who comes to us.  

   

  Then, people went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Some people asked John the Baptist, “What shall we do then?”, hoping to produce fruit in keeping with repentance after receiving the baptism of repentance. (verse 10).

   

  Why? They made this decision because they wanted to prepare to welcome Jesus who was coming to them. And it was because they wanted to prepare the way of the Lord. And it was because they wanted to be saved by welcoming Jesus who was born.

   

  I pray that this will be our attitude as we wait and prepare for the Lord's return during the season of Advent and Christmas.

   

  Who will confess their sins and receive the baptism that forgives their sins? Who will bear fruit worthy of repentance and live? Who will eagerly wait for Jesus, who comes to the world for our salvation? Who will prepare to joyfully welcome the Lord, who comes to the world for our salvation?

   

  (1) Those who acknowledge that they are sinners who have betrayed and opposed God, like these people here, confess their sins, receive baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and live out their lives producing fruit in keeping with repentance. (2) Those who prepare the way for Jesus who is coming for our salvation, like these people here, confess their sins, receive baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and live out their lives producing fruit in keeping with repentance. (3) Those who earnestly desire to be saved by the born Jesus, like these people here, confess their sins, receive baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and live out their lives producing fruit in keeping with repentance. (4) Those who earnestly desire to stand before the Lord who comes again on that day, like these people here, confess their sins, receive baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and live out their lives producing fruit in keeping with repentance.

   

  For such people, the birth of Jesus and the second coming of Jesus fills them with joy, hope, peace, and love. Why? Because they know that they are sinners who need to be saved. And because they know that they are sinners who desperately need the Savior Jesus.

   

  3.     

  Advent is a time of repentance. It is a time to receive the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. It is a time to begin a life that produces fruit in keeping with repentance. It is a time to repent and prepare to meet Jesus who comes for our salvation with a changed life.

   

  Just as those who came to receive the baptism of repentance asked John the Baptist, “Then what shall we do?”, we, too, must prepare to meet the Lord by praying and asking God, “What shall we do?” (verses 10-14)

   

  Jesus came to us to save us from sin (Matthew 1:21).

  Therefore, during Advent and Christmas, we must repent of our sins, receive forgiveness of our sins, and be changed as people who have received salvation.

   

  Those who repent of their sins during Advent and receive forgiveness of their sins, and live by producing fruit in keeping with repentance, and those who prepare the way of the Lord, will see the salvation of Jesus who was born. They will stand before Jesus when He comes again. And those who meet the Lord during the season of Advent and Christmas will begin to live a changed life through Jesus. Amen!

   
  • 
  • 

• 주의 길을 준비하라 (Prepare the

  설교날짜: 12/15/2024

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 누가복음 3:1-14

  Sunday Worship Service Sermon (12-15-2024)

  Prepare the Way for the Lord

  (Luke 3:1-14)

  1.     

  Today is the third Sunday in the season of Advent. Advent means coming or arrival, especially the arrival of someone who is expected. Since today is already the third Sunday in the season of Advent, the day the Lord will come to us is closer than it was last Sunday. We light the Advent candles so that we can see with our eyes and feel with our whole body that the day the Lord will come is getting closer and we can prepare for it.

   

  The season of Advent reminds us of two things. First, Advent is the time when we await with great expectation the coming of the Lord. Second, it is the time when we prepare ourselves and our society to receive the Lord when he comes. We need to prepare a way for the Lord and make his path straight so that there will not be any obstacles in his way. Awaiting with expectation and preparing to receive the Lord are two important aspects of Advent.

   

  God chose Abraham as the father of faith to save fallen mankind and, among many nations, he chose Israel as his people. And he promised to send the ‘Messiah’ to the people of Israel for their salvation. God spoke of hope through the prophets that he would come to the world to save Israel. Everyone in Israel was waiting eagerly for the Messiah. When John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Jordan, the whole of Judea and Jerusalem went after him, thinking he would be the Messiah. The people of Israel were a community in waiting, waiting with great expectation for the coming of the Messiah.

   

  However, most of them were only waiting for the Messiah to come to save them, and were not preparing to meet the Lord who was coming to save them.

  2.     

  At that time, God, through John the Baptist, reminded the Israelites (and us today) to 'prepare' to receive the Messiah who would come for their salvation. That is the message of today's text (verse 2).

   

  Let me read Luke 3:2-6 again; “During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God's salvation.’”

   

  John the Baptist cried out to the Jews who were eagerly waiting for Jesus, “Prepare the way for the Lord; make straight paths for him” (verse4), and “Receive a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (verse 3) and produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (verse 8). Then, all people will see God's salvation (verse 6). However, he warned “every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (verse 9).

   

  Let’s examine this verse by verse. What was the message that God gave to the Israelites who were waiting for the Messiah at that time and to us today through John the Baptist? Yes, it was to ‘prepare the way of the Lord’. It was to ‘make straight his paths’, that is, every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low, the crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.

   

  At that time, when a king departed on a journey, his subjects went out in advance and prepared the road for the king to take. They filled in the hollows, leveled the mountains and hills, straightened the crooked, and made the rough roads smooth. That is, they removed all obstacles blocking the king's path. Thus, they made the road the king would take straight. God reminded the Jews of this fact through John the Baptist, saying, ‘Remove all obstacles (sins) that block the Lord, the King of kings, from coming to us, and prepare for the coming of the Messiah.’

   

  I wonder: Then, how can we prepare the way of the Lord who is coming to us? How can we remove all the obstacles that block the Lord from coming to us? God told us how to prepare the way of the Lord? Yes, He said that we should receive the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins and produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Then, He said that all people will see God’s salvation.

   

  Repentance is confessing that I am a sinner before God, truly regretting my transgressions and sins, asking for forgiveness, and returning to God.

  A new beginning in life begins with true repentance. A new relationship between Jesus and us begins with true repentance. Repentance is preparing to meet the righteous Jesus who forgives our sins. Those who recognize that they are sinners, truly repent, and produce fruit in keeping with repentance see God's salvation. Those persons meet Jesus who came to us. Those persons can stand before Jesus when He comes again.

   

  If you repent, you will be saved. If you repent, you will become a child of God. If you repent, you will receive eternal life. It is so important to repent of your sins, receive forgiveness, and live a life that produces fruit in keeping with repentance. Otherwise, Jesus warned that the axe is already at the root of the trees (verse 9).

   

  The baptism we received is a 'baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.' Therefore, those who have been baptized must produce fruit in keeping with repentance. (=live righteously/live by following the example of Jesus).

   

  Today's text describes the state of the Jews who were eagerly waiting for Jesus at that time. They lived ‘like a brood of vipers.’ John the Baptist called them ‘You brood of vipers!’ (verse 7). They called themselves ‘descendants of Abraham’, but their actions did not produce good fruit in keeping with that name (verse 8). They waited for Jesus in this state. However, John the Baptist said that if they did not repent for living their lives like this, they would not see God’s salvation, but would be like a tree that was cut down by an axe and thrown into the fire. So they should repent and produce fruit in keeping with repentance. He said that this would prepare the way for the Lord who comes to us.  

   

  Then, people went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Some people asked John the Baptist, “What shall we do then?”, hoping to produce fruit in keeping with repentance after receiving the baptism of repentance. (verse 10).

   

  Why? They made this decision because they wanted to prepare to welcome Jesus who was coming to them. And it was because they wanted to prepare the way of the Lord. And it was because they wanted to be saved by welcoming Jesus who was born.

   

  I pray that this will be our attitude as we wait and prepare for the Lord's return during the season of Advent and Christmas.

   

  Who will confess their sins and receive the baptism that forgives their sins? Who will bear fruit worthy of repentance and live? Who will eagerly wait for Jesus, who comes to the world for our salvation? Who will prepare to joyfully welcome the Lord, who comes to the world for our salvation?

   

  (1) Those who acknowledge that they are sinners who have betrayed and opposed God, like these people here, confess their sins, receive baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and live out their lives producing fruit in keeping with repentance. (2) Those who prepare the way for Jesus who is coming for our salvation, like these people here, confess their sins, receive baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and live out their lives producing fruit in keeping with repentance. (3) Those who earnestly desire to be saved by the born Jesus, like these people here, confess their sins, receive baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and live out their lives producing fruit in keeping with repentance. (4) Those who earnestly desire to stand before the Lord who comes again on that day, like these people here, confess their sins, receive baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and live out their lives producing fruit in keeping with repentance.

   

  For such people, the birth of Jesus and the second coming of Jesus fills them with joy, hope, peace, and love. Why? Because they know that they are sinners who need to be saved. And because they know that they are sinners who desperately need the Savior Jesus.

   

  3.     

  Advent is a time of repentance. It is a time to receive the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. It is a time to begin a life that produces fruit in keeping with repentance. It is a time to repent and prepare to meet Jesus who comes for our salvation with a changed life.

   

  Just as those who came to receive the baptism of repentance asked John the Baptist, “Then what shall we do?”, we, too, must prepare to meet the Lord by praying and asking God, “What shall we do?” (verses 10-14)

   

  Jesus came to us to save us from sin (Matthew 1:21).

  Therefore, during Advent and Christmas, we must repent of our sins, receive forgiveness of our sins, and be changed as people who have received salvation.

   

  Those who repent of their sins during Advent and receive forgiveness of their sins, and live by producing fruit in keeping with repentance, and those who prepare the way of the Lord, will see the salvation of Jesus who was born. They will stand before Jesus when He comes again. And those who meet the Lord during the season of Advent and Christmas will begin to live a changed life through Jesus. Amen!

   
  • 
  • 

주의 길을 준비하라 (Prepare the Way for the Lord)

설교날짜: 12/15/2024

설교자: 김덕신 목사

설교본문: 누가복음 3:1-14

• 예수 그리스도를 간절히 기다리는 사람들 (

  설교날짜: 12/08/2024

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 누가복음 21:34-36

  Sunday Worship Service Sermon (12-08-2024)

  People Who Are Waiting Eagerly for Jesus Christ

  (Luke 21:34-36)

  1.     

  A week has passed since the beginning of Advent. Today is the second Sunday of Advent. The church begins the new year with Advent. Although the world is still in December, the church has already begun a new year. Advent is the four weeks before Christmas, and it is a season of ‘waiting’ to give thanks for Jesus Christ who came to the world for our salvation and to eagerly await the return of Jesus Christ.

   

  The word Advent is a translation of the Greek word ‘παρουσία - Parousia’ (=coming). ‘Parousia’ was used when a Roman emperor visited or descended to a certain place. The Latin word for this is ‘Adventus’, which also means ‘coming’. Therefore, Advent is a season of gratitude for Jesus Christ coming to the world for our salvation and anticipating and waiting for the coming of Jesus who will take us to our eternal home in heaven.

   

  However, it is not just a season of waiting for Jesus Christ, but a season of earnestly waiting while living according to Jesus’ example. All Saints are ‘people who follow Jesus who saved me, and live while earnestly waiting for Jesus’ return.’

  2.     

  Today’s text contains the words Jesus gives us about the day of Advent.

   

  Jesus told us in many places in the Bible that He would come again on the last day of this world, and that we should be always on the watch, and pray that we may be able to stand before the Son of Man (= Jesus Christ).

   

  In particular, the Gospel of Luke, unlike the other gospels, begins with the story of people who eagerly awaited the coming of Jesus Christ for our salvation (Luke 2:25-38). At the end, Jesus, who came to the world, tells us that he will come again on the last day of this world, and commands us to be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man on that day (Luke 21:5-36).

   

  I would like to share these two Bible versions of scripture with you today.

  First, let me read Luke 21:34-36 again.  “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

   

  (This is from the Message Bible version of Luke 21:34-36) “But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t fall asleep at the wheel. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.”

   

  Let's examine this verse by verse.

  First, Jesus said, “Be careful.” What did Jesus tell us to be careful of? Yes, Jesus told us to be careful not to let our hearts (faith) that earnestly wait for Jesus to be weighed down (verse 34). What did Jesus say were the 'things that dull our hearts that earnestly wait for Jesus'? Yes, he said, ‘with carousing, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life which hinder our hearts that earnestly wait for Jesus (verse 34).’* People who do not have faith which eagerly await the return of Jesus may live like this.

   

  In verse 34, he warned that if you are not careful to watch for this, that day will be a day of destruction for you, and that day will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth (verse 35).

   

  Therefore, He said to us, “be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man” (verse 36).

   

  Here, in verse 36, what does it mean to say, “You may be able to escape all that is about to happen?” ‘All that is about to happen’ (verse 36) refers to the words Jesus gave us in the previous verse of today’s text (Luke 21:5-33) about the signs of the end of the Age.

   

  Jesus told his disciples about the signs of the end of the world, and told them to (1) Watch out that you are not deceived by the anti-Christ who would deceive them by saying, "I am the Christ" (verse 8). (2) He said that there would be many rumors of wars, great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven (verses 9-11).  (3) He said that there would be persecutions and imprisonment of believers in Jesus (verse 12) and that, because of your faith in Jesus, you will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death (verse 16). (4) He said that believers in Jesus would be hated by all people (verse 17). (5) He said that not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will gain life (verses 18-19). (6) He said that there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, the nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken (verses 25-26). (7) And he said that at that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory (verse 27).

   

  Therefore, Jesus told us, “Be always on the watch and pray that you may be able to endure all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before Jesus when he comes again on the last day.”

   

  If this world is all there is, there is no need for Christ to come to us. If this world is all there is, there is no need to wait for Jesus to come again. If we do not need a Savior, if we do not need Emmanuel who is always with us, if we do not need to be saved from sin, there is no need for Christ to come to us. If we do not need the birth of the Messiah, if we do not need the cross and resurrection of Christ, if we do not need the redemptive love of Christ, if we do not need the grace of the cross of Jesus, then there is no need for Jesus to come to us as our savior.

   

  However, for us who are to receive eternal punishment in hell because of the sins we have committed, if not for Jesus, we would be eternally destroyed. God came to us as a man to take pity on us and save us (John 3:16). Therefore, while we live on this earth, it is important to accept Jesus, who came to the world to save us, Jesus who bore the cross and was resurrected for our salvation, and Jesus who is still with us, as our savior, and live a life of following Him. And it is important to live with all our heart and strength focused on Jesus so that we can stand before Jesus who will soon come to us to take us to heaven.

   

  So how should we wait for Jesus to come again?

  In the Bible, God tells us, through Luke, about two people who eagerly waited for the birth of Jesus, whom God sent for our salvation (Luke 2:25-38). It was so that we could all stand before Jesus on that day when he comes again.

   

  *There was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon.

  This man had been eagerly waiting for a long time for the Messiah who would console Israel in their sorrow and suffering. This person lived righteously and devoutly, with the Holy Spirit, in order to meet the coming Christ. This person waited ‘living according to the example of Christ', for whom he had been waiting for so earnestly. This man grew into this kind of person while waiting for Jesus to come for our salvation.

   

  Simeon's faith is a good example of how we should live now while waiting for Jesus. How earnestly he waited for Christ. The Holy Spirit promised him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Then one day, Simeon, moved by the Holy Spirit, went into the temple courts and saw Jesus’ parents bring the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required. Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “For my eyes have seen your salvation.” How happy and joyful must he have been?

   

  Simeon had been waiting for the Christ for a long time, focusing his whole life on earnestly waiting for him, and finally he was standing before Jesus, who had come to the world in human form.

   

  *There was a woman in Jerusalem called Anna, a prophet. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She waited for the redemption of Jerusalem all her life. She waited so earnestly for Christ that she never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she also met the child Jesus like Simon. How happy and joyful must she have been?

  Anna gave thanks to God for allowing her to meet the Christ she had so earnestly waited for, and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

   

  These two people, not dulled with carousing, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life, were always on the watch, and praying to meet Jesus, who was coming to the world for their salvation, and so they stood before the Lord like this. Jesus wants us, like them, to always pray and watch so that we can stand before Him on that day.

  3.     

  These two people had a faith that eagerly waited for Jesus Christ. These two people were always careful not to let this faith fade away. And they focused their whole lives on this. As a result, they stood before the glorious Lord. This is the attitude of faith that we must quickly recover through Advent. We, too, must begin to prepare and pray so that we can stand before the Lord on that day.

   

  All saints are people who are eagerly waiting for the Lord to come again. Faithful saints are people who grow up into Jesus Christ while waiting for the Lord. Jesus knows those people who truly understand that they desperately need Jesus, love Jesus and eagerly wait for Him and those persons will stand before Him on that day. Amen!

   

  • 
  • 

• 예수 그리스도를 간절히 기다리는 사람들 (

  설교날짜: 12/08/2024

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 누가복음 21:34-36

  Sunday Worship Service Sermon (12-08-2024)

  People Who Are Waiting Eagerly for Jesus Christ

  (Luke 21:34-36)

  1.     

  A week has passed since the beginning of Advent. Today is the second Sunday of Advent. The church begins the new year with Advent. Although the world is still in December, the church has already begun a new year. Advent is the four weeks before Christmas, and it is a season of ‘waiting’ to give thanks for Jesus Christ who came to the world for our salvation and to eagerly await the return of Jesus Christ.

   

  The word Advent is a translation of the Greek word ‘παρουσία - Parousia’ (=coming). ‘Parousia’ was used when a Roman emperor visited or descended to a certain place. The Latin word for this is ‘Adventus’, which also means ‘coming’. Therefore, Advent is a season of gratitude for Jesus Christ coming to the world for our salvation and anticipating and waiting for the coming of Jesus who will take us to our eternal home in heaven.

   

  However, it is not just a season of waiting for Jesus Christ, but a season of earnestly waiting while living according to Jesus’ example. All Saints are ‘people who follow Jesus who saved me, and live while earnestly waiting for Jesus’ return.’

  2.     

  Today’s text contains the words Jesus gives us about the day of Advent.

   

  Jesus told us in many places in the Bible that He would come again on the last day of this world, and that we should be always on the watch, and pray that we may be able to stand before the Son of Man (= Jesus Christ).

   

  In particular, the Gospel of Luke, unlike the other gospels, begins with the story of people who eagerly awaited the coming of Jesus Christ for our salvation (Luke 2:25-38). At the end, Jesus, who came to the world, tells us that he will come again on the last day of this world, and commands us to be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man on that day (Luke 21:5-36).

   

  I would like to share these two Bible versions of scripture with you today.

  First, let me read Luke 21:34-36 again.  “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

   

  (This is from the Message Bible version of Luke 21:34-36) “But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t fall asleep at the wheel. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.”

   

  Let's examine this verse by verse.

  First, Jesus said, “Be careful.” What did Jesus tell us to be careful of? Yes, Jesus told us to be careful not to let our hearts (faith) that earnestly wait for Jesus to be weighed down (verse 34). What did Jesus say were the 'things that dull our hearts that earnestly wait for Jesus'? Yes, he said, ‘with carousing, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life which hinder our hearts that earnestly wait for Jesus (verse 34).’* People who do not have faith which eagerly await the return of Jesus may live like this.

   

  In verse 34, he warned that if you are not careful to watch for this, that day will be a day of destruction for you, and that day will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth (verse 35).

   

  Therefore, He said to us, “be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man” (verse 36).

   

  Here, in verse 36, what does it mean to say, “You may be able to escape all that is about to happen?” ‘All that is about to happen’ (verse 36) refers to the words Jesus gave us in the previous verse of today’s text (Luke 21:5-33) about the signs of the end of the Age.

   

  Jesus told his disciples about the signs of the end of the world, and told them to (1) Watch out that you are not deceived by the anti-Christ who would deceive them by saying, "I am the Christ" (verse 8). (2) He said that there would be many rumors of wars, great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven (verses 9-11).  (3) He said that there would be persecutions and imprisonment of believers in Jesus (verse 12) and that, because of your faith in Jesus, you will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death (verse 16). (4) He said that believers in Jesus would be hated by all people (verse 17). (5) He said that not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will gain life (verses 18-19). (6) He said that there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, the nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken (verses 25-26). (7) And he said that at that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory (verse 27).

   

  Therefore, Jesus told us, “Be always on the watch and pray that you may be able to endure all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before Jesus when he comes again on the last day.”

   

  If this world is all there is, there is no need for Christ to come to us. If this world is all there is, there is no need to wait for Jesus to come again. If we do not need a Savior, if we do not need Emmanuel who is always with us, if we do not need to be saved from sin, there is no need for Christ to come to us. If we do not need the birth of the Messiah, if we do not need the cross and resurrection of Christ, if we do not need the redemptive love of Christ, if we do not need the grace of the cross of Jesus, then there is no need for Jesus to come to us as our savior.

   

  However, for us who are to receive eternal punishment in hell because of the sins we have committed, if not for Jesus, we would be eternally destroyed. God came to us as a man to take pity on us and save us (John 3:16). Therefore, while we live on this earth, it is important to accept Jesus, who came to the world to save us, Jesus who bore the cross and was resurrected for our salvation, and Jesus who is still with us, as our savior, and live a life of following Him. And it is important to live with all our heart and strength focused on Jesus so that we can stand before Jesus who will soon come to us to take us to heaven.

   

  So how should we wait for Jesus to come again?

  In the Bible, God tells us, through Luke, about two people who eagerly waited for the birth of Jesus, whom God sent for our salvation (Luke 2:25-38). It was so that we could all stand before Jesus on that day when he comes again.

   

  *There was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon.

  This man had been eagerly waiting for a long time for the Messiah who would console Israel in their sorrow and suffering. This person lived righteously and devoutly, with the Holy Spirit, in order to meet the coming Christ. This person waited ‘living according to the example of Christ', for whom he had been waiting for so earnestly. This man grew into this kind of person while waiting for Jesus to come for our salvation.

   

  Simeon's faith is a good example of how we should live now while waiting for Jesus. How earnestly he waited for Christ. The Holy Spirit promised him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Then one day, Simeon, moved by the Holy Spirit, went into the temple courts and saw Jesus’ parents bring the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required. Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “For my eyes have seen your salvation.” How happy and joyful must he have been?

   

  Simeon had been waiting for the Christ for a long time, focusing his whole life on earnestly waiting for him, and finally he was standing before Jesus, who had come to the world in human form.

   

  *There was a woman in Jerusalem called Anna, a prophet. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She waited for the redemption of Jerusalem all her life. She waited so earnestly for Christ that she never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she also met the child Jesus like Simon. How happy and joyful must she have been?

  Anna gave thanks to God for allowing her to meet the Christ she had so earnestly waited for, and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

   

  These two people, not dulled with carousing, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life, were always on the watch, and praying to meet Jesus, who was coming to the world for their salvation, and so they stood before the Lord like this. Jesus wants us, like them, to always pray and watch so that we can stand before Him on that day.

  3.     

  These two people had a faith that eagerly waited for Jesus Christ. These two people were always careful not to let this faith fade away. And they focused their whole lives on this. As a result, they stood before the glorious Lord. This is the attitude of faith that we must quickly recover through Advent. We, too, must begin to prepare and pray so that we can stand before the Lord on that day.

   

  All saints are people who are eagerly waiting for the Lord to come again. Faithful saints are people who grow up into Jesus Christ while waiting for the Lord. Jesus knows those people who truly understand that they desperately need Jesus, love Jesus and eagerly wait for Him and those persons will stand before Him on that day. Amen!

   

  • 
  • 

예수 그리스도를 간절히 기다리는 사람들 (People Who Are Waiting Eagerly for Jesus Christ)

설교날짜: 12/08/2024

설교자: 김덕신 목사

설교본문: 누가복음 21:34-36

• 하나님께 '감사함으로' 아뢰는 기도 (Pra

  설교날짜: 12/01/2024

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 빌립보서 4:6-7

  Sunday Worship Service Sermon (12-01-2024)

   

  Pray With Thanksgiving for Your Requests

  (Philippians 4:6-7)

  1.     

  What do you do when something worries you? Different people may react differently to the same thing. Some may just worry. Some may pray. And some may pray with thanksgiving. Which of these people are you? Which of these people should you be?

   

  Last Sunday, we talked about how God accepts the person and his offerings who worships with “thankful faith”. The same is true of prayer. God accepts the person and his prayers who, with all their worries, is anxious about nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, presents their requests to God.

  2.     

  Today’s text teaches us what prayer is, how to pray, who to pray to, and what happens when we pray.

   

  Let's read Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

   

  Through these words, God teaches us that prayer is ‘presenting your requests (to whom?) to God in every situation and to not be anxious about anything.’ And He teaches us that prayer is ‘Asking God for what we want with thanksgiving.’ And God promises that when we ask God for what we want with thanksgiving, ‘the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.’ There is no gift more precious than God filling the hearts and minds of those who pray with His peace.

   

  Today, I would like to talk about the phrase ‘by prayer and petition with thanksgiving’ (verse 6). What does ‘by prayer and petition with thanksgiving’ mean?  I have been wondering about this phrase, ‘by prayer and petition with thanksgiving’ for a long time.

   

  There is something that many people miss when they pray. It is ‘giving thanks to God.’ In general, many people think that ‘thanks’ is something to express and act on after everything has been accomplished (after what I wanted was accomplished). And although there are many things that we ask God for, there are few who ask God with thanks, and it is rare to find someone who thanks God after God has granted what they asked for.

   

  But in today's text, God teaches us, ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, (how?) with thanksgiving, present your requests (=what you hope and desire) (to whom) to God.’

   

  God tells us to present our requests to God in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving. Even when we pray in our anxiety, he tells us to present our requests to God 'with thanksgiving'.

   

  So, what does it mean when he tells us to present our requests to God in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving? How can we present our requests to God with thanksgiving even in our anxiety and in every situation? (1) We know very well that we gain nothing by ‘worrying’. We know very well that we have lived by the grace of God every moment of every day. Therefore, this means that we should expect God to help us in every situation when we present our requests to God with thanksgiving. (2) This means that since everything we have enjoyed is because of what God has done with us and for us, we should expect the amazing things God will do with us and for us in all the circumstances we are experiencing now when we present our requests to God with thanksgiving. (3) This means that we should pray to God with thanksgiving, expecting that God, who has provided us with everything up to now, will fill us with what we need without any lack. (4) This means that we should pray to God with thanksgiving, expecting that God, who has led us to this point, will lead us on the most beneficial path for the rest of our lives. (5) This means that we should pray to God with thanksgiving for our requests, expecting that God, who saved us in even more difficult situations than this one, will save us in all the difficulties we are going through now. (6) This means that since we have lived by the boundless grace and love of God up to now, we should pray asking God for what we want with thanksgiving, expecting that God will do the same for us in the future.

   

  When Jesus prayed to God, he prayed like this: in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, he presented his requests to God. And our predecessors in faith followed Jesus' example and prayed like this.

   

  (Luke 9:10-17) One day, when Jesus was in a town called Bethsaida, a large crowd followed him. Jesus welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to Jesus and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” Jesus replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish - unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” (About five thousand men were there.) The disciples were worried about this, but Jesus was not worried about anything. Jesus said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Jesus did not pray with thanksgiving to God after the miracle happened. Jesus knew that everything in his life up to now was accomplished by God's grace, so he prayed with thanksgiving presenting his requests to God expecting what God would do that day. Then he gave the food to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

   

  When Jesus prayed to God with thanksgiving knowing that he should not be anxious about anything, but that in everything he should ask for help through prayer and petition, God was glorified and gave Jesus God's salvation. This is a prayer we must learn.

   

  (John 11:38-44) Lazarus, who lived in Bethany, became sick and died. Knowing this, Jesus went to him with his disciples. On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. When Jesus saw Mary weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled and came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. So, they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

   

  Jesus did not pray with thanksgiving to God after he saw Lazarus come out of the tomb. When they took away the stone, he prayed to God with thanksgiving. And after praying to God with thanksgiving, he said, “Lazarus, come out.”

   

  We usually give thanks to God when we see the results we want. We do not pray in advance, saying, “Thanks be to God,” for something that has not yet happened. However, when Jesus saw Lazarus come out of the tomb, he did not say, “Thank you to God.” Instead, he first prayed, “Thanks be to God,” when they took away the stone.

   

  Jesus was not worried about anything even in the face of Lazarus’ death. Jesus was thankful that God had heard his prayer, and he prayed with thanksgiving to God presenting his requests, while expecting what God would do. That is, Jesus prayed with thanksgiving to God for raising Lazarus so that the people standing there could believe in Jesus as their savior and thank Him for raising them forever on the last day (verse 42). All of God’s work begins with us thanking God.

   

  (Daniel 6:1-10, 23) Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of sixty-two. He appointed 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom. With three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. So, they came up with an evil plan in an attempt to have Daniel put to death. They went to the king and proposed a decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to the king, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. They also asked the king to sign the decree so that it cannot be altered - in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed. So, King Darius put the decree in writing.

   

  However, when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God (verse 10).

   

  Daniel prayed in advance with thanksgiving, believing that God would protect him from the danger he was in (verse 23; because he had trusted in his God). Daniel did not worry about anything even when facing the threat of death. He prayed in advance, thanking God that He would save him from the lions’ den. He prayed in advance, knowing that God, who had led him to this place in a foreign land and protected him, would be with him and save him from this lions’ den. He prayed in advance, thanking God that God, who had been with him until now, would be with him and protect him in the future.

   

  Paul also prayed like this. He was anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, presented his requests to God. And he taught the Philippians to pray like this with thanksgiving to God.

   

  God, through Paul and Asaph, tells us what happens when we pray like this: One of them is Philippians 4:6-7. And the other is Psalm 50:23.

  (Philippians 4:6-7) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

  (Psalms 50:23) “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”

   

  I wonder: Why do these works happen with prayers of thanksgiving? Why did God tell us to pray with thanksgiving?

  Because prayers that ask God with thanksgiving like this are prayers of faith. And God is pleased and glorified when we pray with thanksgiving. And God grants salvation to those who pray with thanksgiving. And God always guards the hearts and minds of those who pray with thanksgiving with God’s peace.

  3.     

  God commands us to worship and pray with ‘thanksgiving.’

  Practice worshiping God with a thankful faith and praying to God with thanksgiving. Our church will continue to practice worshiping God with thanksgiving, praying to God with thanksgiving, and living as saints overflowing with thanksgiving.

   

  Then, the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. And we will become people who glorify God.

   

  Whenever we pray to God, first pray with thanksgiving for the grace and love God has given us. And do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Also, when you start your day, start with thanksgiving. When you end your day, finish with thanksgiving. When you work or study, do it with thanksgiving and finish it with thanksgiving.

   

  God wants you to be thankful (Col 3:15). God is glorified when you give thanks to Him (Psalms 50:23, Luke 17:17-19). Amen!

   

   

   

  • 
  • 

• 하나님께 '감사함으로' 아뢰는 기도 (Pra

  설교날짜: 12/01/2024

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 빌립보서 4:6-7

  Sunday Worship Service Sermon (12-01-2024)

   

  Pray With Thanksgiving for Your Requests

  (Philippians 4:6-7)

  1.     

  What do you do when something worries you? Different people may react differently to the same thing. Some may just worry. Some may pray. And some may pray with thanksgiving. Which of these people are you? Which of these people should you be?

   

  Last Sunday, we talked about how God accepts the person and his offerings who worships with “thankful faith”. The same is true of prayer. God accepts the person and his prayers who, with all their worries, is anxious about nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, presents their requests to God.

  2.     

  Today’s text teaches us what prayer is, how to pray, who to pray to, and what happens when we pray.

   

  Let's read Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

   

  Through these words, God teaches us that prayer is ‘presenting your requests (to whom?) to God in every situation and to not be anxious about anything.’ And He teaches us that prayer is ‘Asking God for what we want with thanksgiving.’ And God promises that when we ask God for what we want with thanksgiving, ‘the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.’ There is no gift more precious than God filling the hearts and minds of those who pray with His peace.

   

  Today, I would like to talk about the phrase ‘by prayer and petition with thanksgiving’ (verse 6). What does ‘by prayer and petition with thanksgiving’ mean?  I have been wondering about this phrase, ‘by prayer and petition with thanksgiving’ for a long time.

   

  There is something that many people miss when they pray. It is ‘giving thanks to God.’ In general, many people think that ‘thanks’ is something to express and act on after everything has been accomplished (after what I wanted was accomplished). And although there are many things that we ask God for, there are few who ask God with thanks, and it is rare to find someone who thanks God after God has granted what they asked for.

   

  But in today's text, God teaches us, ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, (how?) with thanksgiving, present your requests (=what you hope and desire) (to whom) to God.’

   

  God tells us to present our requests to God in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving. Even when we pray in our anxiety, he tells us to present our requests to God 'with thanksgiving'.

   

  So, what does it mean when he tells us to present our requests to God in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving? How can we present our requests to God with thanksgiving even in our anxiety and in every situation? (1) We know very well that we gain nothing by ‘worrying’. We know very well that we have lived by the grace of God every moment of every day. Therefore, this means that we should expect God to help us in every situation when we present our requests to God with thanksgiving. (2) This means that since everything we have enjoyed is because of what God has done with us and for us, we should expect the amazing things God will do with us and for us in all the circumstances we are experiencing now when we present our requests to God with thanksgiving. (3) This means that we should pray to God with thanksgiving, expecting that God, who has provided us with everything up to now, will fill us with what we need without any lack. (4) This means that we should pray to God with thanksgiving, expecting that God, who has led us to this point, will lead us on the most beneficial path for the rest of our lives. (5) This means that we should pray to God with thanksgiving for our requests, expecting that God, who saved us in even more difficult situations than this one, will save us in all the difficulties we are going through now. (6) This means that since we have lived by the boundless grace and love of God up to now, we should pray asking God for what we want with thanksgiving, expecting that God will do the same for us in the future.

   

  When Jesus prayed to God, he prayed like this: in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, he presented his requests to God. And our predecessors in faith followed Jesus' example and prayed like this.

   

  (Luke 9:10-17) One day, when Jesus was in a town called Bethsaida, a large crowd followed him. Jesus welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to Jesus and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” Jesus replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish - unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” (About five thousand men were there.) The disciples were worried about this, but Jesus was not worried about anything. Jesus said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Jesus did not pray with thanksgiving to God after the miracle happened. Jesus knew that everything in his life up to now was accomplished by God's grace, so he prayed with thanksgiving presenting his requests to God expecting what God would do that day. Then he gave the food to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

   

  When Jesus prayed to God with thanksgiving knowing that he should not be anxious about anything, but that in everything he should ask for help through prayer and petition, God was glorified and gave Jesus God's salvation. This is a prayer we must learn.

   

  (John 11:38-44) Lazarus, who lived in Bethany, became sick and died. Knowing this, Jesus went to him with his disciples. On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. When Jesus saw Mary weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled and came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. So, they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

   

  Jesus did not pray with thanksgiving to God after he saw Lazarus come out of the tomb. When they took away the stone, he prayed to God with thanksgiving. And after praying to God with thanksgiving, he said, “Lazarus, come out.”

   

  We usually give thanks to God when we see the results we want. We do not pray in advance, saying, “Thanks be to God,” for something that has not yet happened. However, when Jesus saw Lazarus come out of the tomb, he did not say, “Thank you to God.” Instead, he first prayed, “Thanks be to God,” when they took away the stone.

   

  Jesus was not worried about anything even in the face of Lazarus’ death. Jesus was thankful that God had heard his prayer, and he prayed with thanksgiving to God presenting his requests, while expecting what God would do. That is, Jesus prayed with thanksgiving to God for raising Lazarus so that the people standing there could believe in Jesus as their savior and thank Him for raising them forever on the last day (verse 42). All of God’s work begins with us thanking God.

   

  (Daniel 6:1-10, 23) Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of sixty-two. He appointed 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom. With three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. So, they came up with an evil plan in an attempt to have Daniel put to death. They went to the king and proposed a decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to the king, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. They also asked the king to sign the decree so that it cannot be altered - in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed. So, King Darius put the decree in writing.

   

  However, when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God (verse 10).

   

  Daniel prayed in advance with thanksgiving, believing that God would protect him from the danger he was in (verse 23; because he had trusted in his God). Daniel did not worry about anything even when facing the threat of death. He prayed in advance, thanking God that He would save him from the lions’ den. He prayed in advance, knowing that God, who had led him to this place in a foreign land and protected him, would be with him and save him from this lions’ den. He prayed in advance, thanking God that God, who had been with him until now, would be with him and protect him in the future.

   

  Paul also prayed like this. He was anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, presented his requests to God. And he taught the Philippians to pray like this with thanksgiving to God.

   

  God, through Paul and Asaph, tells us what happens when we pray like this: One of them is Philippians 4:6-7. And the other is Psalm 50:23.

  (Philippians 4:6-7) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

  (Psalms 50:23) “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”

   

  I wonder: Why do these works happen with prayers of thanksgiving? Why did God tell us to pray with thanksgiving?

  Because prayers that ask God with thanksgiving like this are prayers of faith. And God is pleased and glorified when we pray with thanksgiving. And God grants salvation to those who pray with thanksgiving. And God always guards the hearts and minds of those who pray with thanksgiving with God’s peace.

  3.     

  God commands us to worship and pray with ‘thanksgiving.’

  Practice worshiping God with a thankful faith and praying to God with thanksgiving. Our church will continue to practice worshiping God with thanksgiving, praying to God with thanksgiving, and living as saints overflowing with thanksgiving.

   

  Then, the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. And we will become people who glorify God.

   

  Whenever we pray to God, first pray with thanksgiving for the grace and love God has given us. And do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Also, when you start your day, start with thanksgiving. When you end your day, finish with thanksgiving. When you work or study, do it with thanksgiving and finish it with thanksgiving.

   

  God wants you to be thankful (Col 3:15). God is glorified when you give thanks to Him (Psalms 50:23, Luke 17:17-19). Amen!

   

   

   

  • 
  • 

하나님께 '감사함으로' 아뢰는 기도 (Pray with Thanksgiving for Your Requests)

설교날짜: 12/01/2024

설교자: 김덕신 목사

설교본문: 빌립보서 4:6-7

• 하나님께 '감사하는 믿음으로' 드리는 예배

  설교날짜: 11/24/2024

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 창세기 4:1-9

  Sunday Worship Service Sermon (11-24-2024) 

   

  A Worship of Grateful Faith to God

  (Genesis 4:1-9)

  1.     

  We thank God for crowning the year with His Bounty. We also thank God for calling us to a special assembly to offer Thanksgiving Sunday worship to God. In the future, 'Thanksgiving Sunday' will be the day when God takes us to our eternal house in heaven, just as farmers gather their harvested grain and store it in the barn. So God, who wants to take all the people on this earth to their eternal house in heaven, commanded:  On Thanksgiving Day, you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites, the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns should be completely joyful and give thanks to God in the place chosen by God (Deuteronomy 16:14). Therefore, Thanksgiving Sunday, which has this meaning, is the most joyful day, the happiest day, and the most thankful day of all.

   

  This morning, I would like to share with you the story of two people who held the first Thanksgiving service in human history.

   

  2.     

  God gave Adam and Eve two sons. The first son's name was Cain, and the second son's name was Abel. Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering – fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. These two people were the first to worship God, who had given them grace, after they had gathered the produce.

   

  However, the Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. This is God's word to us that while it is important to worship God, it is more important to worship God with the right attitude so that He looks with favor on the worshipper and his/her offering.

   

   

   

  I wonder: Why did God look with favor on Abel and his offering, but did not look with favor on Cain and his offering?

   

  God gives us the reason in the Bible (Psalm 50:23, Hebrews 11:4, 6): God commended ‘Abel for his right act of worship’ (Psalm 50:23). (=God said that ‘Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did’) (Hebrews 11:4).

   

  So, how can we make our act of worship right in God’s eyes? (= how can we offer our worship in a way that is viewed favorably in God's eyes?)

  God's answer is recorded in Psalm 50:23 and Hebrews 11:4, 6: (1) “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”

   

  When we worship God, the right act of worship that God favors is to worship Him with a ‘thankful heart’ (=a grateful faith). God receives glory when we worship Him with a thankful heart.

   

  Let me ask you a question: Why do you worship God?

  We worship God to give thanks to Him because we are so thankful for the grace and love He gives us every day, and for saving us. Therefore, even if we worship God, if we do not have ‘thankful faith’, it is no longer worship but merely a religious act. And God does not accept worship without thankful faith. The most important thing in worshiping God is a thankful heart (faith). God looks with favor on worship offered with a thankful heart. (2) God said in Hebrews 11:6: “And without thankful faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him, and come with a thankful heart.”

   

  Just as God observed Cain and Abel when they worshipped Him and with what kind of heart they worshipped Him, He also observes whether we worship with a grateful heart or in a formal way that lacks gratitude.

   

  Then, how does God know that we worship Him with grateful faith? (or a grateful heart?)

   

  God said in Hebrews 11:4 that “Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did,” and God spoke well of his offerings.

  After the harvest that year, Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. He, a farmer, did not bring the best of the first fruits of his crop that year to God, but he simply brought some of the fruits that he had harvested as an offering to the Lord. But Abel brought an offering of fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock - that is, the best of what God had given him. He acknowledged that all the flocks he had acquired came from God and that they all belonged to God. The fact that he offered the fat portion of the firstborn of his flock to God showed his faith and expressed his gratitude to God through this action.

   

  Even though these two people are brothers, aren't their attitudes toward God, their hearts of gratitude, and their motives for worship different? Abel expressed his grateful faith as he worshipped God with a grateful heart for the grace he had received from God. Even with our eyes, can’t we see that Abel truly worshipped God with thankful faith? Because of this, God looked with favor on Abel and his offering, who worshipped God with ‘thankful faith.’ God said that He saw Abel’s ‘thankful faith (heart)’ in his offering. And God acknowledged (saved) him as ‘righteous’ who had thankful faith and worshipped God with a thankful heart. As Psalm 50:23 says, God gave salvation to him who glorified God by offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving. But God did not accept Cain and his offering because He saw that in the worship and offering that Cain offered to God, he did not show gratitude faith (=heart) to God.

   

  Today’s text shows Cain after he worshipped God without a thankful heart.

  Because of this, Cain was very angry and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?” And, knowing that Cain was full of thoughts of killing his brother, God told him, “Sin is crouching at your door, it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” God also told Cain, 'Do Good.' That good is living in gratitude to God. However, Cain did not listen to God’s words, and he attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know,” he replied and complained, “Am I my brother's keeper?”

   

  This is the daily life attitude that Cain revealed to God and his brother after worshiping God. If he had been a person who worshiped God with gratitude, he would not have acted like this after worshiping God. This is the typical appearance of a person who is not grateful to God.

   

  A person who worships God without a grateful heart will not be grateful in his daily life. A person who worships God with gratitude will not live like this. A person who is grateful for God's grace in all circumstances will not live like this. A person who is not grateful in his daily life will not be grateful when he worships God.

   

  3.     

  (Psalms 50:23) “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”

   

  The thing that glorifies God the most is being thankful to God. The thing that pleases God the most is for us to be thankful to God.

   

  Do you want every day to be a day that glorifies God? Give thanks to God. Do you want your worship to be one that God looks on with favor and that glorifies God? Give thanks to God.

  Do you want to be saved? Give thanks to God.

   

  I hope that you will not only worship God with a thankful heart, but also live a life overflowing with gratitude in your daily life. Then God will receive glory through you and God will say that you have lived well. God will praise those who live like this as righteous and give them the gift of salvation. He will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands (Deuteronomy 16:15). He will lead you to the kingdom of God at the end of time. Amen!

   

   

  • 
  • 

• 하나님께 '감사하는 믿음으로' 드리는 예배

  설교날짜: 11/24/2024

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 창세기 4:1-9

  Sunday Worship Service Sermon (11-24-2024) 

   

  A Worship of Grateful Faith to God

  (Genesis 4:1-9)

  1.     

  We thank God for crowning the year with His Bounty. We also thank God for calling us to a special assembly to offer Thanksgiving Sunday worship to God. In the future, 'Thanksgiving Sunday' will be the day when God takes us to our eternal house in heaven, just as farmers gather their harvested grain and store it in the barn. So God, who wants to take all the people on this earth to their eternal house in heaven, commanded:  On Thanksgiving Day, you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites, the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns should be completely joyful and give thanks to God in the place chosen by God (Deuteronomy 16:14). Therefore, Thanksgiving Sunday, which has this meaning, is the most joyful day, the happiest day, and the most thankful day of all.

   

  This morning, I would like to share with you the story of two people who held the first Thanksgiving service in human history.

   

  2.     

  God gave Adam and Eve two sons. The first son's name was Cain, and the second son's name was Abel. Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering – fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. These two people were the first to worship God, who had given them grace, after they had gathered the produce.

   

  However, the Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. This is God's word to us that while it is important to worship God, it is more important to worship God with the right attitude so that He looks with favor on the worshipper and his/her offering.

   

   

   

  I wonder: Why did God look with favor on Abel and his offering, but did not look with favor on Cain and his offering?

   

  God gives us the reason in the Bible (Psalm 50:23, Hebrews 11:4, 6): God commended ‘Abel for his right act of worship’ (Psalm 50:23). (=God said that ‘Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did’) (Hebrews 11:4).

   

  So, how can we make our act of worship right in God’s eyes? (= how can we offer our worship in a way that is viewed favorably in God's eyes?)

  God's answer is recorded in Psalm 50:23 and Hebrews 11:4, 6: (1) “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”

   

  When we worship God, the right act of worship that God favors is to worship Him with a ‘thankful heart’ (=a grateful faith). God receives glory when we worship Him with a thankful heart.

   

  Let me ask you a question: Why do you worship God?

  We worship God to give thanks to Him because we are so thankful for the grace and love He gives us every day, and for saving us. Therefore, even if we worship God, if we do not have ‘thankful faith’, it is no longer worship but merely a religious act. And God does not accept worship without thankful faith. The most important thing in worshiping God is a thankful heart (faith). God looks with favor on worship offered with a thankful heart. (2) God said in Hebrews 11:6: “And without thankful faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him, and come with a thankful heart.”

   

  Just as God observed Cain and Abel when they worshipped Him and with what kind of heart they worshipped Him, He also observes whether we worship with a grateful heart or in a formal way that lacks gratitude.

   

  Then, how does God know that we worship Him with grateful faith? (or a grateful heart?)

   

  God said in Hebrews 11:4 that “Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did,” and God spoke well of his offerings.

  After the harvest that year, Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. He, a farmer, did not bring the best of the first fruits of his crop that year to God, but he simply brought some of the fruits that he had harvested as an offering to the Lord. But Abel brought an offering of fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock - that is, the best of what God had given him. He acknowledged that all the flocks he had acquired came from God and that they all belonged to God. The fact that he offered the fat portion of the firstborn of his flock to God showed his faith and expressed his gratitude to God through this action.

   

  Even though these two people are brothers, aren't their attitudes toward God, their hearts of gratitude, and their motives for worship different? Abel expressed his grateful faith as he worshipped God with a grateful heart for the grace he had received from God. Even with our eyes, can’t we see that Abel truly worshipped God with thankful faith? Because of this, God looked with favor on Abel and his offering, who worshipped God with ‘thankful faith.’ God said that He saw Abel’s ‘thankful faith (heart)’ in his offering. And God acknowledged (saved) him as ‘righteous’ who had thankful faith and worshipped God with a thankful heart. As Psalm 50:23 says, God gave salvation to him who glorified God by offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving. But God did not accept Cain and his offering because He saw that in the worship and offering that Cain offered to God, he did not show gratitude faith (=heart) to God.

   

  Today’s text shows Cain after he worshipped God without a thankful heart.

  Because of this, Cain was very angry and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?” And, knowing that Cain was full of thoughts of killing his brother, God told him, “Sin is crouching at your door, it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” God also told Cain, 'Do Good.' That good is living in gratitude to God. However, Cain did not listen to God’s words, and he attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know,” he replied and complained, “Am I my brother's keeper?”

   

  This is the daily life attitude that Cain revealed to God and his brother after worshiping God. If he had been a person who worshiped God with gratitude, he would not have acted like this after worshiping God. This is the typical appearance of a person who is not grateful to God.

   

  A person who worships God without a grateful heart will not be grateful in his daily life. A person who worships God with gratitude will not live like this. A person who is grateful for God's grace in all circumstances will not live like this. A person who is not grateful in his daily life will not be grateful when he worships God.

   

  3.     

  (Psalms 50:23) “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”

   

  The thing that glorifies God the most is being thankful to God. The thing that pleases God the most is for us to be thankful to God.

   

  Do you want every day to be a day that glorifies God? Give thanks to God. Do you want your worship to be one that God looks on with favor and that glorifies God? Give thanks to God.

  Do you want to be saved? Give thanks to God.

   

  I hope that you will not only worship God with a thankful heart, but also live a life overflowing with gratitude in your daily life. Then God will receive glory through you and God will say that you have lived well. God will praise those who live like this as righteous and give them the gift of salvation. He will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands (Deuteronomy 16:15). He will lead you to the kingdom of God at the end of time. Amen!

   

   

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하나님께 '감사하는 믿음으로' 드리는 예배 (A Worship of Grateful Faith to God)

설교날짜: 11/24/2024

설교자: 김덕신 목사

설교본문: 창세기 4:1-9

• 주의 은혜로 한해를 관을 씌워 주신 하나님

  설교날짜: 11/17/2024

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 신명기 16:13-17

  주의 은혜로 한해를 관을 씌워 주신 하나님 (God Has Crowned the Year with His Bounty)

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• 주의 은혜로 한해를 관을 씌워 주신 하나님

  설교날짜: 11/17/2024

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 신명기 16:13-17

  주의 은혜로 한해를 관을 씌워 주신 하나님 (God Has Crowned the Year with His Bounty)

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  • 

주의 은혜로 한해를 관을 씌워 주신 하나님 (God Has Crowned the Year with His Bounty)

설교날짜: 11/17/2024

설교자: 김덕신 목사

설교본문: 신명기 16:13-17

• 우리의 평범한 사랑의 행위를 통해 하나님이

  설교날짜: 11/10/2024

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 마태복음 15:21-28

  우리의 평범한 사랑의 행위를 통해 하나님이 하실 놀라운 일을 기대하라 (Expect the Extraordinary Things God Can Do with Our Ordinary Acts of Love)

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  • 

• 우리의 평범한 사랑의 행위를 통해 하나님이

  설교날짜: 11/10/2024

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 마태복음 15:21-28

  우리의 평범한 사랑의 행위를 통해 하나님이 하실 놀라운 일을 기대하라 (Expect the Extraordinary Things God Can Do with Our Ordinary Acts of Love)

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  • 

우리의 평범한 사랑의 행위를 통해 하나님이 하실 놀라운 일을 기대하라 (Expect the Extraordinary Things God Can …

설교날짜: 11/10/2024

설교자: 김덕신 목사

설교본문: 마태복음 15:21-28

• 장벽 허물기 (Breaking Barrier

  설교날짜: 11/03/2024

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 누가복음 19:1-10

  막힌 담 허물기 (Breaking Barriers)

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  • 

• 장벽 허물기 (Breaking Barrier

  설교날짜: 11/03/2024

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 누가복음 19:1-10

  막힌 담 허물기 (Breaking Barriers)

  • 
  • 

장벽 허물기 (Breaking Barriers)

설교날짜: 11/03/2024

설교자: 김덕신 목사

설교본문: 누가복음 19:1-10