• 도마의 회심 이야기 (Thomas's Con

  설교날짜: 6/05/2022

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 요한복음 20:24-29

  Sunday Worship Service’s Sermon (6-05-2022)  

  Thomas’s Conversion Story

  John 20:24-29

  1.     

  In Jesus’ days, as well as today, there are some people who do not see any change in their lives even after hearing this historical fact that Jesus was resurrected. But there are also many people whose lives have been completely changed by meeting the resurrected Jesus personally. Among those whose lives were completely changed, I would like to share with you the story of Thomas's conversion today.

  2.     

  Thomas was one of Jesus' 12 disciples. Jesus came to visit his disciples in the evening of the day He was resurrected. But Thomas was not with them at that time. When Thomas returned, the disciples shared the joy of meeting the resurrected Jesus. “Thomas, we have seen the risen Lord! The resurrected Lord has come to visit us.”, the disciples said. However, Thomas did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus even after hearing the same testimony from the 10 disciples. Even though Jesus, whom he loved, had spoken of his resurrection before he was crucified, Thomas thought that such a thing could not happen. Thomas told his companions, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”

  In short, Thomas absolutely did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus.

  Even now, like Thomas, there are many people who doubt the resurrection of Jesus. They think that the dead cannot come back to life.

   

  Fortunately, the relationship between Thomas and the resurrected Jesus did not stop there. See today's text.  A week later, after meeting the resurrected Jesus, Thomas was converted from a disciple who had the most doubts to the one who made the strongest profession of faith. When he met the resurrected Jesus, Thomas shouted. “My Lord and my God.”  He turned from the greatest skeptic into the greatest Christian.

   

  How did this happen? A week after the resurrected Jesus had visited the 10 other disciples, while Thomas was in the house with them, the resurrected Jesus came to visit his disciples again. In fact, he came looking for Thomas. Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Then Thomas, who had previously denied the resurrection of Jesus, went beyond just the intellectual acknowledgment of the resurrection of Jesus and said to the risen Jesus, ‘My Lord and my God,' he confessed. This confession means that Jesus is my God who saved me. He saw that the resurrected Jesus was the God who saved him.

   

  Where did this firm belief come from? There is no indication in the text that Thomas put his hand into Jesus’ wound that day. If so, what was it that broke the solid suspicion of Thomas?

   

  (1) When Thomas met the resurrected Jesus, he realized that Jesus did not just die on the cross and rise again, but that he was crucified and resurrected for Thomas himself. Thomas began to see that the cross and resurrection of Jesus were the grace and love of Jesus for him. He realized that the wounds on Jesus' hands, feet, and side, which He wanted to confirm as evidence of Jesus' resurrection, were for him.

   

  When Jesus said to Thomas, 'Look at my wounds that you wanted to see’,  Thomas developed a new understanding.  Seeing the wounds on Jesus’ hands, feet, and side showed Thomas the evidence of Jesus’ love and the sacrifice that he made to save him.  To Thomas, the wounds of Jesus were not simply evidence that Jesus was resurrected, but evidence that Jesus died to save him, paid the price for his sins, and overcame the power of death that ruled over him. Thomas saw the amazing love and grace of Jesus who saved him by actually seeing the wounds that the risen Jesus showed him that day.

   

  Then Thomas makes a sincere confession of faith in the resurrected Jesus, ‘Jesus is my Lord and my God.’ This confession is, ‘From now on, I will live with Jesus as my master. From now on, I will live for Jesus who saved me.' It is a sincere confession of his strong heart's determination. From this moment on, Thomas's life changed and conversion began. Thomas became a true disciple of Jesus. While following Jesus during the previous three years, he lived without any change in his previously formed character. But when he saw and realized the grace and love of Jesus, he began serving Jesus as his Lord from that time on. A life of serving Jesus as his God began. A person who has faith based on the love and grace of Jesus in this way begins a converted life unlike before.

   

  (2) Until the previous week, Thomas had a lot of doubts. But where did Thomas' resolute faith come from? It came from the resurrected Jesus, who met Thomas that day, approached him and first said, “Thomas, put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side." We have one question here. How could Jesus have been fully aware of this requirement of Thomas? Did one of the disciples tell Jesus the story Thomas had told him?  No.

   

  Leon Morris, pastor and New Testament scholar in Australia, said this:

  “Jesus lived, and he was right next to Thomas, and he was with him all the time, and he knew everything about Thomas. And Jesus heard Thomas say that he did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus also saw his heart and his thoughts that doubted his resurrection.”

   

  I totally agree with Leon Morris' answers. As the resurrected Jesus was with Thomas, he is always with us now. He is always walking with us. He always guides us, helps us, protects us. He fills our needs.

   

  On that day, Thomas also realized that Jesus was fully aware of his needs and saw Jesus filling those needs: ‘Jesus is risen and he is always with me and walks with me. Jesus knows and supplies all my needs. Even though I am weak, Jesus loves me to the end and is always on my side.’

   

  For several days, Thomas was caught up in disappointment and fear as he watched Jesus die on the cross. However, seeing the grace of the resurrected Jesus who was always with him, Thomas confessed to Jesus with gratitude, saying, 'You are my Lord and my God.'

   

  If we, too, know that the resurrected Jesus is always by our side and with us, we will love Jesus, who has given us this wonderful grace, even more than ever.

   

  3.     

  In 18th century England, it is said that all the people went to church. However, during the Great Awakening in England, preachers of the Great Awakening, including John Wesley, challenged the audience with the question, 'Are you converted?' That is why it is so important that we live a converted life through Jesus.

   

  Are you and I living a converted life like Thomas right now? Or are you living your life of faith, but your converted life has not yet been resolved, and you are living your life of faith as you were before? The resurrected Jesus will come to us this morning and, like Thomas, lead us to live as converted disciples. Those who know the love and grace of Jesus begin to love Jesus. A person who lives a life based on the love of God begins to change into a person who lives for Jesus.

   

   
  • 
  • 

• 도마의 회심 이야기 (Thomas's Con

  설교날짜: 6/05/2022

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 요한복음 20:24-29

  Sunday Worship Service’s Sermon (6-05-2022)  

  Thomas’s Conversion Story

  John 20:24-29

  1.     

  In Jesus’ days, as well as today, there are some people who do not see any change in their lives even after hearing this historical fact that Jesus was resurrected. But there are also many people whose lives have been completely changed by meeting the resurrected Jesus personally. Among those whose lives were completely changed, I would like to share with you the story of Thomas's conversion today.

  2.     

  Thomas was one of Jesus' 12 disciples. Jesus came to visit his disciples in the evening of the day He was resurrected. But Thomas was not with them at that time. When Thomas returned, the disciples shared the joy of meeting the resurrected Jesus. “Thomas, we have seen the risen Lord! The resurrected Lord has come to visit us.”, the disciples said. However, Thomas did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus even after hearing the same testimony from the 10 disciples. Even though Jesus, whom he loved, had spoken of his resurrection before he was crucified, Thomas thought that such a thing could not happen. Thomas told his companions, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”

  In short, Thomas absolutely did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus.

  Even now, like Thomas, there are many people who doubt the resurrection of Jesus. They think that the dead cannot come back to life.

   

  Fortunately, the relationship between Thomas and the resurrected Jesus did not stop there. See today's text.  A week later, after meeting the resurrected Jesus, Thomas was converted from a disciple who had the most doubts to the one who made the strongest profession of faith. When he met the resurrected Jesus, Thomas shouted. “My Lord and my God.”  He turned from the greatest skeptic into the greatest Christian.

   

  How did this happen? A week after the resurrected Jesus had visited the 10 other disciples, while Thomas was in the house with them, the resurrected Jesus came to visit his disciples again. In fact, he came looking for Thomas. Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Then Thomas, who had previously denied the resurrection of Jesus, went beyond just the intellectual acknowledgment of the resurrection of Jesus and said to the risen Jesus, ‘My Lord and my God,' he confessed. This confession means that Jesus is my God who saved me. He saw that the resurrected Jesus was the God who saved him.

   

  Where did this firm belief come from? There is no indication in the text that Thomas put his hand into Jesus’ wound that day. If so, what was it that broke the solid suspicion of Thomas?

   

  (1) When Thomas met the resurrected Jesus, he realized that Jesus did not just die on the cross and rise again, but that he was crucified and resurrected for Thomas himself. Thomas began to see that the cross and resurrection of Jesus were the grace and love of Jesus for him. He realized that the wounds on Jesus' hands, feet, and side, which He wanted to confirm as evidence of Jesus' resurrection, were for him.

   

  When Jesus said to Thomas, 'Look at my wounds that you wanted to see’,  Thomas developed a new understanding.  Seeing the wounds on Jesus’ hands, feet, and side showed Thomas the evidence of Jesus’ love and the sacrifice that he made to save him.  To Thomas, the wounds of Jesus were not simply evidence that Jesus was resurrected, but evidence that Jesus died to save him, paid the price for his sins, and overcame the power of death that ruled over him. Thomas saw the amazing love and grace of Jesus who saved him by actually seeing the wounds that the risen Jesus showed him that day.

   

  Then Thomas makes a sincere confession of faith in the resurrected Jesus, ‘Jesus is my Lord and my God.’ This confession is, ‘From now on, I will live with Jesus as my master. From now on, I will live for Jesus who saved me.' It is a sincere confession of his strong heart's determination. From this moment on, Thomas's life changed and conversion began. Thomas became a true disciple of Jesus. While following Jesus during the previous three years, he lived without any change in his previously formed character. But when he saw and realized the grace and love of Jesus, he began serving Jesus as his Lord from that time on. A life of serving Jesus as his God began. A person who has faith based on the love and grace of Jesus in this way begins a converted life unlike before.

   

  (2) Until the previous week, Thomas had a lot of doubts. But where did Thomas' resolute faith come from? It came from the resurrected Jesus, who met Thomas that day, approached him and first said, “Thomas, put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side." We have one question here. How could Jesus have been fully aware of this requirement of Thomas? Did one of the disciples tell Jesus the story Thomas had told him?  No.

   

  Leon Morris, pastor and New Testament scholar in Australia, said this:

  “Jesus lived, and he was right next to Thomas, and he was with him all the time, and he knew everything about Thomas. And Jesus heard Thomas say that he did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus also saw his heart and his thoughts that doubted his resurrection.”

   

  I totally agree with Leon Morris' answers. As the resurrected Jesus was with Thomas, he is always with us now. He is always walking with us. He always guides us, helps us, protects us. He fills our needs.

   

  On that day, Thomas also realized that Jesus was fully aware of his needs and saw Jesus filling those needs: ‘Jesus is risen and he is always with me and walks with me. Jesus knows and supplies all my needs. Even though I am weak, Jesus loves me to the end and is always on my side.’

   

  For several days, Thomas was caught up in disappointment and fear as he watched Jesus die on the cross. However, seeing the grace of the resurrected Jesus who was always with him, Thomas confessed to Jesus with gratitude, saying, 'You are my Lord and my God.'

   

  If we, too, know that the resurrected Jesus is always by our side and with us, we will love Jesus, who has given us this wonderful grace, even more than ever.

   

  3.     

  In 18th century England, it is said that all the people went to church. However, during the Great Awakening in England, preachers of the Great Awakening, including John Wesley, challenged the audience with the question, 'Are you converted?' That is why it is so important that we live a converted life through Jesus.

   

  Are you and I living a converted life like Thomas right now? Or are you living your life of faith, but your converted life has not yet been resolved, and you are living your life of faith as you were before? The resurrected Jesus will come to us this morning and, like Thomas, lead us to live as converted disciples. Those who know the love and grace of Jesus begin to love Jesus. A person who lives a life based on the love of God begins to change into a person who lives for Jesus.

   

   
  • 
  • 

도마의 회심 이야기 (Thomas's Conversion Story)

설교날짜: 6/05/2022

설교자: 김덕신 목사

설교본문: 요한복음 20:24-29

• 아직 해결되지 않은 일 - 회심한 삶 (Un

  설교날짜: 5/29/2022

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 요한복음 21:15-17

  Sunday Worship Service’s Sermon (5-29-2022)

  Unresolved things – A Conversion Life

  (John 21:15-17)

  1.     

  The Bible mainly tells stories of people who met Jesus personally and were converted. Christians are people who have experienced the love of Jesus on the cross and the grace of resurrection and are converted. When we truly meet Jesus, we have no choice but to be converted. If we truly know Jesus, we cannot help but change.

   

  In 18th century England, it is said that all the people went to church. However, during the Great Awakening in England, preachers of the Great Awakening including John Wesley challenged the audience with the question, 'Are you converted?'.  That is why it is so important that we live a converted life through Jesus.

   

  From today, for three weeks, I would like to share with you the stories of those who met the risen Lord and were converted. The first is Peter.

  2.     

  Today's text is a beautiful story of Peter becoming a disciple of Jesus and following Jesus for three years, living with his previously formed personality without any change. But when Peter personally met the resurrected Jesus, he was converted. Peter met the resurrected Jesus several times. On the evening of the day Jesus was resurrected, he came to the place where Peter and 9 other disciples were.  Thomas was not present that evening. (John 20:19-29). And there were times when Jesus appeared only to Peter (Luke 24:34). However, it is in today's text that Peter personally met the resurrected Jesus and was converted to life.

   

  In the Bible, there are scenes that show what kind of person Peter was before he met the resurrected Jesus who came to him that day and was converted. Previously, Peter had assured Jesus that even though everyone would forsake Jesus, he would never forsake him (Matthew 26:33-35). But after Jesus was arrested and the other disciples fled, he strongly denied Jesus three times, saying he was not his disciple. When he denied Jesus for the third time, he even cursed. (Mark 14:71) He wanted to prove that he was not a disciple of Christ in order to save his life when Jesus was in crisis. But when the rooster crowed twice, he realized the gruesome truth and wept.  In times of peace and safety, he acted as if he was the most loyal disciple. But in times of crisis, he did not act as a true disciple of Christ. It must have been difficult for Peter to forgive himself for abandoning Jesus when he was in trouble in order to save his own life.

   

  Peter had always considered himself loyal and superior to the other disciples in every way.  When, after the Passover supper with his disciples, Jesus said, ‘This very night you will all fall away’, Peter said, ‘Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will’.  (Mark 14:29) His language and attitude had always been that way.

   

  When a person is intoxicated with a sense of superiority in this way, two consequences follow. One is that they cannot deny or see their reality. On that day, Jesus had already warned, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me.” Still, Peter did not sense the danger. Because he had a sense of superiority, he was proud of himself that he wouldn't fall away. The other is, when a person indulges in a sense of superiority in this way, he develops hostility toward others. Such people tend to be very angry with others who are not like themselves or be disrespectful to them. We can easily see this in Peter. On the night that Jesus was arrested, Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest. At that time, Jesus told Peter to put his sword back in its place (Matthew 26:51-52) and healed Malchus' ear. The self-proclaimed loyal follower of Jesus was acting in the opposite direction of Christ's path. While Jesus died for them (sinners) praying, ‘Father, forgive them,’ Peter attacked the very people Jesus was trying to save.

   

  That's not all. In the region of Caesarea Philippi, when Jesus told his disciples that "he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things, and that he must be killed, and on the third day, be raised to life." Peter began to rebuke Jesus. "Never, Lord, this shall never happen to you." (Matthew 16:21-22) He knew it was the way for Jesus. He felt that his actions and thoughts were always right and better than others. But Jesus rebuked Peter. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns." In addition, Peter was very zealous when his other companions seemed to be more loved by Jesus than he was.

   

  In a word, Peter did not base his faith and life on the great love of Jesus for himself, but on his love (action) for Jesus. For such a person, the life of faith is always self-centered. Such people act according to their feelings. When there is calamity or persecution, they deny Jesus like Peter did. Even if such a person learns the words of Jesus, he/she obeys if he/she want to and does not obey if he/she doesn’t want to. For such a person, the center of his/her faith and life is not in Jesus who saved him/her, but on himself/herself. There is no true conversion in faith and life that is not rooted in the free love of Jesus. They have no true loyalty, faith, and devotion. The life of faith is just only lived by self-centeredness. Also, rather than boasting about Jesus, they just only live with their own pride.

   

  On this day, Jesus came to Peter and, after eating with his disciples, Jesus walked with Peter along the lake shore and asked Peter, who had always loved himself more than anyone else. “Do you love me more than these people?” Peter only answered the question of Jesus, "Lord, I love you." Peter, who had loved himself severely, was the first to sincerely confess, “I love the Lord.” Peter’s conversion began in his heart. He made no excuses. He did not defend his failures or shift the blame. He didn't try to prove how much he loved Jesus by revealing his deeds. He did not blame himself for denying Jesus. He only replied, 'Lord, I love you.'

   

  This answer included true repentance. Peter's repentance on this day was true repentance that came from the sorrow that he had hurt Jesus, whom he loved. And this answer was a confession that came from realizing how precious and grateful the love and grace that Jesus gave to him through the cross and resurrection. When a person knows that he is a sinner and a weak being and realizes the grace and love that Jesus gave him through the cross and resurrection, only then, like Peter, can he truly confess 'Lord, I love you', and begin a changed life in which he loves Jesus who saved him.  To this Peter, Jesus asked, “Feed my sheep,” and “Feed my people.” Remember do this. Jesus did not ask Peter to do this when Peter was in his own superiority. When Peter experienced the amazing love that Jesus gave on the cross and resurrection, he gave thanks to him and became a person who loved Jesus more than he loved himself. Only then Jesus told Peter to 'Take care of my sheep' and 'Feed my sheep.' This is because no one can love Jesus and the flock he entrusted to him more than a person who truly understands the grace and love of Jesus.

  3.     

  Although Peter had been living as a disciple of Jesus for three years, he still lived with the character that was formed before he became a disciple of Jesus. However, when he realized with his whole body the wonderful grace and love that Jesus bestowed upon him through the cross and resurrection, he was completely converted into a man who truly loved Jesus. Those who know the love and grace of Jesus in this way begin to love Jesus. A person who lives a life based on the love of God begins to change into a person who lives for Jesus. Are you and I living a converted life like this now? The risen Jesus will lead us to live a converted life, just like Peter.

  • 
  • 

• 아직 해결되지 않은 일 - 회심한 삶 (Un

  설교날짜: 5/29/2022

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 요한복음 21:15-17

  Sunday Worship Service’s Sermon (5-29-2022)

  Unresolved things – A Conversion Life

  (John 21:15-17)

  1.     

  The Bible mainly tells stories of people who met Jesus personally and were converted. Christians are people who have experienced the love of Jesus on the cross and the grace of resurrection and are converted. When we truly meet Jesus, we have no choice but to be converted. If we truly know Jesus, we cannot help but change.

   

  In 18th century England, it is said that all the people went to church. However, during the Great Awakening in England, preachers of the Great Awakening including John Wesley challenged the audience with the question, 'Are you converted?'.  That is why it is so important that we live a converted life through Jesus.

   

  From today, for three weeks, I would like to share with you the stories of those who met the risen Lord and were converted. The first is Peter.

  2.     

  Today's text is a beautiful story of Peter becoming a disciple of Jesus and following Jesus for three years, living with his previously formed personality without any change. But when Peter personally met the resurrected Jesus, he was converted. Peter met the resurrected Jesus several times. On the evening of the day Jesus was resurrected, he came to the place where Peter and 9 other disciples were.  Thomas was not present that evening. (John 20:19-29). And there were times when Jesus appeared only to Peter (Luke 24:34). However, it is in today's text that Peter personally met the resurrected Jesus and was converted to life.

   

  In the Bible, there are scenes that show what kind of person Peter was before he met the resurrected Jesus who came to him that day and was converted. Previously, Peter had assured Jesus that even though everyone would forsake Jesus, he would never forsake him (Matthew 26:33-35). But after Jesus was arrested and the other disciples fled, he strongly denied Jesus three times, saying he was not his disciple. When he denied Jesus for the third time, he even cursed. (Mark 14:71) He wanted to prove that he was not a disciple of Christ in order to save his life when Jesus was in crisis. But when the rooster crowed twice, he realized the gruesome truth and wept.  In times of peace and safety, he acted as if he was the most loyal disciple. But in times of crisis, he did not act as a true disciple of Christ. It must have been difficult for Peter to forgive himself for abandoning Jesus when he was in trouble in order to save his own life.

   

  Peter had always considered himself loyal and superior to the other disciples in every way.  When, after the Passover supper with his disciples, Jesus said, ‘This very night you will all fall away’, Peter said, ‘Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will’.  (Mark 14:29) His language and attitude had always been that way.

   

  When a person is intoxicated with a sense of superiority in this way, two consequences follow. One is that they cannot deny or see their reality. On that day, Jesus had already warned, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me.” Still, Peter did not sense the danger. Because he had a sense of superiority, he was proud of himself that he wouldn't fall away. The other is, when a person indulges in a sense of superiority in this way, he develops hostility toward others. Such people tend to be very angry with others who are not like themselves or be disrespectful to them. We can easily see this in Peter. On the night that Jesus was arrested, Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest. At that time, Jesus told Peter to put his sword back in its place (Matthew 26:51-52) and healed Malchus' ear. The self-proclaimed loyal follower of Jesus was acting in the opposite direction of Christ's path. While Jesus died for them (sinners) praying, ‘Father, forgive them,’ Peter attacked the very people Jesus was trying to save.

   

  That's not all. In the region of Caesarea Philippi, when Jesus told his disciples that "he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things, and that he must be killed, and on the third day, be raised to life." Peter began to rebuke Jesus. "Never, Lord, this shall never happen to you." (Matthew 16:21-22) He knew it was the way for Jesus. He felt that his actions and thoughts were always right and better than others. But Jesus rebuked Peter. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns." In addition, Peter was very zealous when his other companions seemed to be more loved by Jesus than he was.

   

  In a word, Peter did not base his faith and life on the great love of Jesus for himself, but on his love (action) for Jesus. For such a person, the life of faith is always self-centered. Such people act according to their feelings. When there is calamity or persecution, they deny Jesus like Peter did. Even if such a person learns the words of Jesus, he/she obeys if he/she want to and does not obey if he/she doesn’t want to. For such a person, the center of his/her faith and life is not in Jesus who saved him/her, but on himself/herself. There is no true conversion in faith and life that is not rooted in the free love of Jesus. They have no true loyalty, faith, and devotion. The life of faith is just only lived by self-centeredness. Also, rather than boasting about Jesus, they just only live with their own pride.

   

  On this day, Jesus came to Peter and, after eating with his disciples, Jesus walked with Peter along the lake shore and asked Peter, who had always loved himself more than anyone else. “Do you love me more than these people?” Peter only answered the question of Jesus, "Lord, I love you." Peter, who had loved himself severely, was the first to sincerely confess, “I love the Lord.” Peter’s conversion began in his heart. He made no excuses. He did not defend his failures or shift the blame. He didn't try to prove how much he loved Jesus by revealing his deeds. He did not blame himself for denying Jesus. He only replied, 'Lord, I love you.'

   

  This answer included true repentance. Peter's repentance on this day was true repentance that came from the sorrow that he had hurt Jesus, whom he loved. And this answer was a confession that came from realizing how precious and grateful the love and grace that Jesus gave to him through the cross and resurrection. When a person knows that he is a sinner and a weak being and realizes the grace and love that Jesus gave him through the cross and resurrection, only then, like Peter, can he truly confess 'Lord, I love you', and begin a changed life in which he loves Jesus who saved him.  To this Peter, Jesus asked, “Feed my sheep,” and “Feed my people.” Remember do this. Jesus did not ask Peter to do this when Peter was in his own superiority. When Peter experienced the amazing love that Jesus gave on the cross and resurrection, he gave thanks to him and became a person who loved Jesus more than he loved himself. Only then Jesus told Peter to 'Take care of my sheep' and 'Feed my sheep.' This is because no one can love Jesus and the flock he entrusted to him more than a person who truly understands the grace and love of Jesus.

  3.     

  Although Peter had been living as a disciple of Jesus for three years, he still lived with the character that was formed before he became a disciple of Jesus. However, when he realized with his whole body the wonderful grace and love that Jesus bestowed upon him through the cross and resurrection, he was completely converted into a man who truly loved Jesus. Those who know the love and grace of Jesus in this way begin to love Jesus. A person who lives a life based on the love of God begins to change into a person who lives for Jesus. Are you and I living a converted life like this now? The risen Jesus will lead us to live a converted life, just like Peter.

  • 
  • 

아직 해결되지 않은 일 - 회심한 삶 (Unresolved things – A Conversion Life )

설교날짜: 5/29/2022

설교자: 김덕신 목사

설교본문: 요한복음 21:15-17

• 다시 회복된 하나님의 나라 (The rest

  설교날짜: 5/22/2022

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 사도행전 2:42-47

  Sunday Worship Service’ Sermon (5-22-2022)

  The Restored Kingdom of God

  (Acts 2:42-47)

  1.     

  Paul said in Romans 4:25, “Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” This is the reason why Jesus was crucified and was raised from the dead.

   

  I have a question for us here. Why did Jesus grant us this grace through the cross and resurrection? This is to enable us, who have turned our backs on God because of sin, to live in the presence of God again. That is why he did this so that we could enjoy the Kingdom of God not only in the Kingdom of heaven to come, but also on this earth under the reign of God. The resurrection of Jesus enables those who are united with Jesus to enjoy the Kingdom of God on this earth.

  2.     

  The Garden of Eden is where the first humans created by God, Adam and Eve, lived. At first, they communed with God and lived with God here.

  However, Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden where they lived with God because of their sin of disobedience. Afterwards, a flaming sword was placed at the entrance to the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24). This means that the way back to a life in the presence of God was blocked by the sinful human beings.

   

  Human beings were created to have fellowship with God. Therefore, human beings can be satisfied only when he has fellowship with God. When a person departs from God, they become shabby and have no rest. The worst calamity that can befall man is turning his back on God. What we most need is the presence of God, but because of our sins, we have lost the blessing of God with us. As a result, if human beings wanted to live in God's presence again, he had to pay the price for our sin. However, since human beings who are sinners cannot solve this on our own, the righteous Jesus passed through death on the cross and was resurrected to be justified, so that we can live with a righteous God again.

  The moment Jesus died on the cross, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). This means that because Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins, the dividing wall of hostility between God and us was destroyed, so that we, sinners, can draw near to God again. In other words, as long as anyone is united with Jesus, they will be able to enjoy a happy life where God is with them again.  Christians are those who live in the presence of God in union with the resurrected Jesus.

   

  In that sense, Christians do not just mean ‘good people who believe in Jesus’. (1) Christians are people with whom God is with them. (2) Christian means the temple of the Holy Spirit, where the Spirit of the living God dwells. (1 Corinthians 6:19, 2 Corinthians 6:16) (3) Christians are those who, as disciples of Christ, share in Christ's work and live for the Kingdom of God. (4) Christians are people who have citizenship in heaven. (Philippians 3:20) (5) Christians are people who can approach God's presence through worship and prayer. It means that whatever they ask of God, they are able to receive it. (6) Christians are those who always draw near to God (Hebrews 4:14-16) and lead others to God.

  Christians are people who enjoy these wonderful privileges on this earth. Jesus gave Himself to the cross because of our sins so that we might enjoy this grace. And he was resurrected so that we could live again as new beings living in the presence of God. The resurrection of Jesus has given us such great grace.

   

  Now, so those who are united to Jesus by the Holy Spirit, whom the resurrected Jesus Christ has sent to us, can now live in the presence of God. As a result, individuals become newly transformed into the image of God, and the church becomes a community experiencing the Kingdom of God. If we live led by the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of the resurrected Jesus Christ, then we, as Christians, enjoy the Kingdom of heaven on this earth and begin a changed life.

   

  Paul said in Philippians 3:20, “Our citizenship is in heaven.”

  This means that Christians are people who belong to heaven even if they live on this earth, enjoy the privileges given by God the King, and fulfill their duties as people of heaven. Also, this means that Christians are people who live on this earth, but are based on a life in heaven.

  This means that the church is a holy community separated from the world, and a new community that shows the living God to each other and the world, and shows the Kingdom of God. In this sense, churches and Christians are to follow God's standards, God's directives and laws, not the ways of the world or the will of men.

   

  All churches and Christians on earth are imperfect. But nevertheless, churches and Christians are a place to show how people in heaven live, and to show the world the Kingdom of God in which we will live in the future. But the world disappoints because people in the world cannot see God and the Kingdom of God in churches and Christians.

   

  Then, since the resurrected Jesus came to us as a Spirit, from now on, what will people who live in God's presence look like on this earth? How will those who have citizenship in heaven live on this earth through the resurrection of Jesus?

   

  Pastor Jeremy Treat visited Kibera, an extremely poor area in Nairobi, Kenya. There were rows of houses built of wood chips and dry earth along the sewers. Numerous children were playing, naked, in the filthy mud 'right next to the sewer'. The guide pointed to one of them, a 12-year-old girl, and told them that “the girl is a prostitute.” Pastor Jeremy, shocked by this poor environment and situation, was stunned for a moment. Then he heard a sound from the distance. He found the place where the sound was coming from, and when he entered the shack-like building, about 70 people were praising God with their voices and raising their hands in worship. It was a melting pot of tears, laughter, prayers, and hymns. Pastor Jeremy wrote this, thinking, “What can give people such hope and joy to people living in such unfavorable conditions? In that poor slum, the Kingdom of God was upon them”

  This is the best blessing. This is the best picture of the church. This is the best form of a Christian. This is the best form of worship.

   

  It should not become a religious life and church that is based on buildings, finances, and numbers. Like these people, we should earnestly hope to become a person who has the Kingdom of God in us because we have the Holy Spirit in us, and to become a family where the Kingdom of God has come because of the Holy Spirit in our family. Since the Holy Spirit reigns in our church, we should be able to earnestly hope that it will become a church where the Kingdom of God has come. So, our church should be a community that shows God, a community that shows the kingdom of God to come in the future. For this, Jesus was crucified and resurrected. For this purpose, the resurrected Jesus came among us as the Holy Spirit.

   

  He continued his writings like this. “The future Kingdom of God, which will come in the new heavens and new earth in the last days, has not yet been fully realized. However, the Kingdom of God was clearly in the midst of the most terrible suffering and wounds I had ever seen.”

   

  Pastor Jeremy saw that the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the resurrected Jesus, was clearly manifested in individuals and communities. He saw that God's reign has penetrated and changed the lives of real people. He saw that even though they were poor, they enjoyed the full happiness of having everything in Christ. It was because they were living in the presence of God. And Pastor Jeremy saw the love of God poured out on them and the love of God flowing out through them. Also, he heard all day long the story of how these people love and serve others in the area. Pastor Jeremy wrote again: "I have seen the image of the coming Kingdom of God in this church built with that little shack and in the Christians here. They were poor, but the Holy Spirit dwelled in them, and the Kingdom of God came within them, and these beautiful stories continued through them."

   

  Christians living in a slum in Kenya are not the only ones living this way. Today's text is a picture of the early church that the resurrected Jesus came as a spirit and began. This church, in which the resurrected Jesus came as the Holy Spirit and in which Christians live in the presence of God, is where individuals are changing, and where families and church communities are experiencing the Kingdom of God. When we look at them, we can see that God lives. Looking at their community, we can see the coming Kingdom of God. They balance truth and love. Truth and life were not separated. As in verse 42, after receiving the apostle's teachings, they followed the truth and lived a life of balance in love.

  They fellowshipped, broke bread, sold their property and possessions for the poor, and distributed it according to their needs. Every day, they continued to meet together in the temple court and pray together. This is the image of true Christians, and this is the image of the church where the true Kingdom of God has come. It is a picture of the Kingdom of God to come. As a result, the early church (as in verse 47) enjoyed the favor of all people, and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. What does it mean to say 'they enjoyed the favor of all people' here? It means that the early church was a church that allowed them to see the Kingdom of God, and they lived as Christians who showed the reality of the one true God, they believed in. This is the image of Christians living in the presence of God led by the Holy Spirit, and this is the image of the church community living in the presence of God.

  3.     

  The world now needs churches and Christians who can inspire and reassure them, like the early Christians and the Christians who showed the Kingdom of God in a slum in Kenya; “When we see these people (or when we see this church),” we can believe certainly that the Christian message is really true." When we look at these people, we can confidently believe that God lives and that Jesus is the Savior." When we see this church, we can really believe that there is a Kingdom of heaven that we will enter and gain in the future.”

   

  So, how should we live as believers in the resurrected Jesus?

  We should live every day giving thanks to Jesus for giving us this wonderful grace that allowed us to live with God again through the resurrection of Jesus. And from now on, we should be led by the Holy Spirit who has come into us and live as people belonging to the kingdom of God. Also, we should live a life in which truth and love are in balance. Then each of us will be transformed into the image of Christ. And our church will grow into a community that experiences the Kingdom of God.

   

  False beliefs will have no fruit. False beliefs will grow weaker. False beliefs will wither. But the true faith will come to life more and more. Real faith will grow even to Christ. The true faith will flow the love of Christ to your neighbor. The true faith will enjoy the Kingdom of God while living on this earth. The true faith will show the God we believe in in our lives. The true faith will reveal a community that can experience heaven.

   

  • 
  • 

• 다시 회복된 하나님의 나라 (The rest

  설교날짜: 5/22/2022

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 사도행전 2:42-47

  Sunday Worship Service’ Sermon (5-22-2022)

  The Restored Kingdom of God

  (Acts 2:42-47)

  1.     

  Paul said in Romans 4:25, “Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” This is the reason why Jesus was crucified and was raised from the dead.

   

  I have a question for us here. Why did Jesus grant us this grace through the cross and resurrection? This is to enable us, who have turned our backs on God because of sin, to live in the presence of God again. That is why he did this so that we could enjoy the Kingdom of God not only in the Kingdom of heaven to come, but also on this earth under the reign of God. The resurrection of Jesus enables those who are united with Jesus to enjoy the Kingdom of God on this earth.

  2.     

  The Garden of Eden is where the first humans created by God, Adam and Eve, lived. At first, they communed with God and lived with God here.

  However, Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden where they lived with God because of their sin of disobedience. Afterwards, a flaming sword was placed at the entrance to the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24). This means that the way back to a life in the presence of God was blocked by the sinful human beings.

   

  Human beings were created to have fellowship with God. Therefore, human beings can be satisfied only when he has fellowship with God. When a person departs from God, they become shabby and have no rest. The worst calamity that can befall man is turning his back on God. What we most need is the presence of God, but because of our sins, we have lost the blessing of God with us. As a result, if human beings wanted to live in God's presence again, he had to pay the price for our sin. However, since human beings who are sinners cannot solve this on our own, the righteous Jesus passed through death on the cross and was resurrected to be justified, so that we can live with a righteous God again.

  The moment Jesus died on the cross, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). This means that because Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins, the dividing wall of hostility between God and us was destroyed, so that we, sinners, can draw near to God again. In other words, as long as anyone is united with Jesus, they will be able to enjoy a happy life where God is with them again.  Christians are those who live in the presence of God in union with the resurrected Jesus.

   

  In that sense, Christians do not just mean ‘good people who believe in Jesus’. (1) Christians are people with whom God is with them. (2) Christian means the temple of the Holy Spirit, where the Spirit of the living God dwells. (1 Corinthians 6:19, 2 Corinthians 6:16) (3) Christians are those who, as disciples of Christ, share in Christ's work and live for the Kingdom of God. (4) Christians are people who have citizenship in heaven. (Philippians 3:20) (5) Christians are people who can approach God's presence through worship and prayer. It means that whatever they ask of God, they are able to receive it. (6) Christians are those who always draw near to God (Hebrews 4:14-16) and lead others to God.

  Christians are people who enjoy these wonderful privileges on this earth. Jesus gave Himself to the cross because of our sins so that we might enjoy this grace. And he was resurrected so that we could live again as new beings living in the presence of God. The resurrection of Jesus has given us such great grace.

   

  Now, so those who are united to Jesus by the Holy Spirit, whom the resurrected Jesus Christ has sent to us, can now live in the presence of God. As a result, individuals become newly transformed into the image of God, and the church becomes a community experiencing the Kingdom of God. If we live led by the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of the resurrected Jesus Christ, then we, as Christians, enjoy the Kingdom of heaven on this earth and begin a changed life.

   

  Paul said in Philippians 3:20, “Our citizenship is in heaven.”

  This means that Christians are people who belong to heaven even if they live on this earth, enjoy the privileges given by God the King, and fulfill their duties as people of heaven. Also, this means that Christians are people who live on this earth, but are based on a life in heaven.

  This means that the church is a holy community separated from the world, and a new community that shows the living God to each other and the world, and shows the Kingdom of God. In this sense, churches and Christians are to follow God's standards, God's directives and laws, not the ways of the world or the will of men.

   

  All churches and Christians on earth are imperfect. But nevertheless, churches and Christians are a place to show how people in heaven live, and to show the world the Kingdom of God in which we will live in the future. But the world disappoints because people in the world cannot see God and the Kingdom of God in churches and Christians.

   

  Then, since the resurrected Jesus came to us as a Spirit, from now on, what will people who live in God's presence look like on this earth? How will those who have citizenship in heaven live on this earth through the resurrection of Jesus?

   

  Pastor Jeremy Treat visited Kibera, an extremely poor area in Nairobi, Kenya. There were rows of houses built of wood chips and dry earth along the sewers. Numerous children were playing, naked, in the filthy mud 'right next to the sewer'. The guide pointed to one of them, a 12-year-old girl, and told them that “the girl is a prostitute.” Pastor Jeremy, shocked by this poor environment and situation, was stunned for a moment. Then he heard a sound from the distance. He found the place where the sound was coming from, and when he entered the shack-like building, about 70 people were praising God with their voices and raising their hands in worship. It was a melting pot of tears, laughter, prayers, and hymns. Pastor Jeremy wrote this, thinking, “What can give people such hope and joy to people living in such unfavorable conditions? In that poor slum, the Kingdom of God was upon them”

  This is the best blessing. This is the best picture of the church. This is the best form of a Christian. This is the best form of worship.

   

  It should not become a religious life and church that is based on buildings, finances, and numbers. Like these people, we should earnestly hope to become a person who has the Kingdom of God in us because we have the Holy Spirit in us, and to become a family where the Kingdom of God has come because of the Holy Spirit in our family. Since the Holy Spirit reigns in our church, we should be able to earnestly hope that it will become a church where the Kingdom of God has come. So, our church should be a community that shows God, a community that shows the kingdom of God to come in the future. For this, Jesus was crucified and resurrected. For this purpose, the resurrected Jesus came among us as the Holy Spirit.

   

  He continued his writings like this. “The future Kingdom of God, which will come in the new heavens and new earth in the last days, has not yet been fully realized. However, the Kingdom of God was clearly in the midst of the most terrible suffering and wounds I had ever seen.”

   

  Pastor Jeremy saw that the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the resurrected Jesus, was clearly manifested in individuals and communities. He saw that God's reign has penetrated and changed the lives of real people. He saw that even though they were poor, they enjoyed the full happiness of having everything in Christ. It was because they were living in the presence of God. And Pastor Jeremy saw the love of God poured out on them and the love of God flowing out through them. Also, he heard all day long the story of how these people love and serve others in the area. Pastor Jeremy wrote again: "I have seen the image of the coming Kingdom of God in this church built with that little shack and in the Christians here. They were poor, but the Holy Spirit dwelled in them, and the Kingdom of God came within them, and these beautiful stories continued through them."

   

  Christians living in a slum in Kenya are not the only ones living this way. Today's text is a picture of the early church that the resurrected Jesus came as a spirit and began. This church, in which the resurrected Jesus came as the Holy Spirit and in which Christians live in the presence of God, is where individuals are changing, and where families and church communities are experiencing the Kingdom of God. When we look at them, we can see that God lives. Looking at their community, we can see the coming Kingdom of God. They balance truth and love. Truth and life were not separated. As in verse 42, after receiving the apostle's teachings, they followed the truth and lived a life of balance in love.

  They fellowshipped, broke bread, sold their property and possessions for the poor, and distributed it according to their needs. Every day, they continued to meet together in the temple court and pray together. This is the image of true Christians, and this is the image of the church where the true Kingdom of God has come. It is a picture of the Kingdom of God to come. As a result, the early church (as in verse 47) enjoyed the favor of all people, and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. What does it mean to say 'they enjoyed the favor of all people' here? It means that the early church was a church that allowed them to see the Kingdom of God, and they lived as Christians who showed the reality of the one true God, they believed in. This is the image of Christians living in the presence of God led by the Holy Spirit, and this is the image of the church community living in the presence of God.

  3.     

  The world now needs churches and Christians who can inspire and reassure them, like the early Christians and the Christians who showed the Kingdom of God in a slum in Kenya; “When we see these people (or when we see this church),” we can believe certainly that the Christian message is really true." When we look at these people, we can confidently believe that God lives and that Jesus is the Savior." When we see this church, we can really believe that there is a Kingdom of heaven that we will enter and gain in the future.”

   

  So, how should we live as believers in the resurrected Jesus?

  We should live every day giving thanks to Jesus for giving us this wonderful grace that allowed us to live with God again through the resurrection of Jesus. And from now on, we should be led by the Holy Spirit who has come into us and live as people belonging to the kingdom of God. Also, we should live a life in which truth and love are in balance. Then each of us will be transformed into the image of Christ. And our church will grow into a community that experiences the Kingdom of God.

   

  False beliefs will have no fruit. False beliefs will grow weaker. False beliefs will wither. But the true faith will come to life more and more. Real faith will grow even to Christ. The true faith will flow the love of Christ to your neighbor. The true faith will enjoy the Kingdom of God while living on this earth. The true faith will show the God we believe in in our lives. The true faith will reveal a community that can experience heaven.

   

  • 
  • 

다시 회복된 하나님의 나라 (The restored Kingdom of God)

설교날짜: 5/22/2022

설교자: 김덕신 목사

설교본문: 사도행전 2:42-47

• 내가 전한 복음, 우리가 굳게 지킨 복음 (

  설교날짜: 5/08/2022

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 고린도전서 15:1-20

  Sunday Worship Service’s Sermon (5-08-2022)

  The gospel I preached, the gospel we firmly Hold

  (1 Corinthians 15:1-20)

  1.     

  Today, on Mother's Day and Homecoming Day, to our children who came to Home Church, and to our mothers who raise our children with love and pray every day, I have something I want to present.

  That is Jesus who is the most precious gift God has given us because He loves us. Through this time of worshiping with mothers and children, I bless you with the happiness of meeting Jesus, gaining Jesus, and returning to your home with Jesus.

   

  In today's text, Paul urges the Corinthian believers: 'of the gospel that I preached to you' and 'the words I preached to you, hold fast to them, and do not believe in vain'. What was the gospel that Paul preached to the Corinthian Christians? What was Paul's message to the Corinthian believers? What was the gospel that Paul told the Corinthian Christians to hold onto firmly and not to believe in vain?

   

  It is the cross and resurrection of Jesus: as in verses 3-4, that “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures.” This is because, if you are a Christian, you must have faith in the cross and resurrection of Jesus to receive salvation. This is because, in order to receive this grace that Jesus gives through the cross and resurrection, we must believe the truth of verses 3-4 with our hearts and make it our own.

   

  If we say we are living a life of faith, but if we do not have faith in the cross and resurrection of Jesus for us, then we do not yet believe in Jesus as the Savior and therefore cannot be saved.

  The center of our Christian faith is based upon the belief that Christ died for our sins according to the Bible, and that Christ was buried and was raised on the third day according to the Bible. This is the foundation and beginning of our faith. This faith makes the Lord's Church the true Church of the Lord.

  Above all, when we realize that these two truths exist by the grace of God, we can receive Jesus, who was crucified and resurrected for our salvation, as our Savior. When we take these two beliefs as our own, our faith and life are full of vitality, joy, and hope. Also, when you regard these two gospels as God's grace, you begin to live a life in which that grace is not in vain.

   

  The church in Corinth was a church that Paul planted and served for three years, and Paul saw something very unfortunate in some of the Christians in Corinth. He describes this in verse 12. I'll read it. “But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?”

   

  Paul delivered this good news to the Corinthian Christians that “Christ died on the cross for our sins, that he was buried, and he was raised the third day according to the scriptures.”

  However, among the Christians in Corinth who received this gospel, there were those who did not yet have faith in this resurrection.

  So, Paul repeatedly exhorted the Christians living in Corinth, 'Keep the gospel that I preached to you, and do not believe in vain', and he preached this gospel to them again.

   

  This gospel is not only preached on Easter. This gospel tells us who Jesus is. This gospel brings us to truly meet Jesus. This gospel is the power to save all people in the world. This gospel changes our lives anew. This gospel establishes our home as a home like heaven, and this gospel establishes our church as the true church of the Lord.

  2.     

  Because this truth is so important, Paul taught three important things about the cross and resurrection faith in order to establish this faith in the cross and resurrection firmly in the lives of Christians so that they can truly trust Jesus.

  
  

  First, Paul said that the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus were events that were fulfilled “according to the Bible.”

  Let's read verses 3-4 again. “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

  that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

  The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are not stories made up by people. This is an event that was fulfilled according to Scriptures. The phrase ‘according to the Bible’ here means that ‘Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection are truths and historical facts. And this is that the cross and resurrection of Jesus are events that fulfilled the Word of God for our salvation.

   

  Second, Paul said that Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection were 'real events in our history'. Christ was ‘buried in a tomb, and then he was raised on the third day. The word “on the third day” here shows that the resurrection of Christ is a real event with a “time stamp.” Also, Paul listed the people who personally met the resurrected Jesus in order to confirm that the resurrection of Jesus is a historical fact in today's texts verses 5-8.

  “The resurrected Jesus appeared to Cephas, and then to the twelve disciples. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. And Paul confidently said that most of whom are still living.” It was an exhortation to visit them and hear their testimony firsthand if anyone doubted the resurrection of Jesus. And Paul confessed this to emphasize once again that the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are real events in our history: 'Christ also appeared to me, and through the cross and resurrection of Jesus I have been transformed into a completely different person' (1Corinthians 15:10).

  In Acts 26, there is a scene where Paul is taken to Rome and tried before King Agrippa and the Roman governor Festus. However, Paul does not defend himself in front of them for his own life at that time. Rather, in the short time given to him, Paul tells King Agrippa and Festus, the Roman governor, and to everyone there about the ‘death and resurrection of Christ.’ And then he said: 'The king is familiar with these things, it was not done in a corner (Acts 26:26), this is what God has done for our salvation in the midst of our history.' He also said to them that I pray to God that all who are listening to me today may become what I am (Acts 26:29). That's not all. If we look at the church that the Holy Spirit came and established on this earth, it proves that the cross and resurrection of Jesus are actual events that God performed in our history for our salvation.

  
  

  Third, in addition, Paul taught nine reasons why Christians should hold fast to this gospel and not believe in vain. Through these nine things, we will see how great is the grace that Jesus gave us through the cross and resurrection.

  
  

  (1) Because the resurrection of Jesus proves that Jesus is the Christ.

  In Mark 8:31, before Christ was crucified, He taught His disciples that “the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. As Jesus taught his disciples in this way, Christ was put to death on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day to show that Jesus is the Christ whom God sent into the world for our salvation.

  
  

  (2) Because the resurrection of Jesus proves that our faith in Jesus as Savior is not in vain. Like verse 14, if Christ had not been raised, our preaching would have been useless, and our faith would have been in vain. However, Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, it has shown that our faith in Jesus as Savior is not useless.

  
  

  (3) Because the resurrection of Jesus proves that our lives do not end with death, but that there is a resurrection. Like verse 13, if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ would have been raised, and like verse 16, if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. But God showed us that there is a resurrection by raising Christ from the dead, who died on the cross for our sins and was buried.

  
  

  (4) Because the resurrection of Jesus proves that we are justified.

  Like verse 17, if Christ had not been raised, we would still be in our sins and would perish as a result. However, the resurrection of Jesus shows that our sins were all forgiven through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, and that all who believe in Jesus as Savior were justified.

  
  

  (5) This is because the resurrection of Jesus proves that life on this earth is not everything, but that there is an eternal heaven. Like verse 19, if only for this life we have hope in Christ, then we are, of all people, those most to be pitied. However, the resurrection of Jesus showed that life on this earth is not everything, and that there is an eternal heaven.

  
  

  (6) Because the resurrection of Jesus testifies to our resurrection.

  Like verse 20, Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. This shows us that the resurrection of Christ is a sure guarantee of our future resurrection.

  
  

  (7) Because the resurrection of Jesus proves how precious our baptism is.

  Like verse 29, if there is no resurrection, our baptism is useless. But the resurrection of Jesus made us know how precious it is to receive Jesus as our Savior and to be baptized as we decide to follow Him.

  
  

  (8) Because the resurrection of Jesus proves that our labor for the Lord is not in vain. In verses 30, 32, Paul said that ‘If there is no resurrection, our labor in the Lord will be in vain. However, the resurrection of Christ showed us that suffering and persecution for the Lord, devoting and sacrificing for the Lord was never in vain. There is always a reward from God for the labor of faith for the Lord.

  
  

  (9) Because the resurrection of Jesus testifies that the risen Jesus is always with us, loves us, and always protects us until we enter the kingdom (1 Peter 1:5).

   

  Aren't these amazing things that God accomplished through the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our salvation? That is why Paul exhorted Christians to hold firmly to this gospel that he has preached and not to receive it in vain.

  3.     

  There is a reason I am preaching you this gospel: that "Christ died for our sins, that he was buried, and he was raised on the third day” on Mother's Day and on Homecoming Day. It is because if we hold firmly to this gospel and do not believe in vain, we will all be saved.

  
  

  When I am serving you all, I have a holy purpose. I have a holy purpose when I live with the faith on this earth. Also, I have a holy purpose when I live with my wife. I have a holy purpose when I am raising my children. It is to serve faithfully all of the people God has given me so that I can stand before our Lord beautifully on the last day of this earth, that is, on the Lord's Day, without losing any of them.

  
  

  I still have heartbreaking memories that come to mind from time to time. When I was pastoring in Seoul in my early 30s, I visited a certain family. After the service, I was introduced by the family to a man battling cancer. The man seemed quite cold on the outside. And he seemed to be defending me from even approaching him and saying anything. So, I couldn't tell him this gospel that day and returned home. Even after 30 years have passed, sometimes, I still think of this person. Each time I am afraid that God will rebuke me. And there are times when I felt sorry for this person, and it is painful. “If I had preached Jesus to this person at that time, this person would have been saved,” but the failure to do so remain always in my heart. So even now, whenever I think of this, I am repenting to God, and I am trying to stay awake in order not to miss this opportunity and this responsibility.

   

  Today, I said that 'Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures with love for you all.

  I pray that we all hold firmly to this gospel that I have preached with love to you, so that we will all be saved and live in God's love. And when we meet again next time, I hope that you and I will grow into more mature people of Jesus Christ.

   

  Now, when I read verses 3-4 in today's text, you say Amen with a loud voice. And then you read verses 3-4 by faith. Then I will say Amen with a loud voice.

   

  (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures.”

   

  (Closing Prayer) Dear God, thank you for preaching us the gospel of the cross and resurrection of Jesus again during this time. Let our parents have this kind of faith, and let our children have this kind of faith too. Help us all to be saved by holding on to this faith while we live on this earth. In the name of the risen Christ, we pray. Amen.

   
  • 
  • 

• 내가 전한 복음, 우리가 굳게 지킨 복음 (

  설교날짜: 5/08/2022

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 고린도전서 15:1-20

  Sunday Worship Service’s Sermon (5-08-2022)

  The gospel I preached, the gospel we firmly Hold

  (1 Corinthians 15:1-20)

  1.     

  Today, on Mother's Day and Homecoming Day, to our children who came to Home Church, and to our mothers who raise our children with love and pray every day, I have something I want to present.

  That is Jesus who is the most precious gift God has given us because He loves us. Through this time of worshiping with mothers and children, I bless you with the happiness of meeting Jesus, gaining Jesus, and returning to your home with Jesus.

   

  In today's text, Paul urges the Corinthian believers: 'of the gospel that I preached to you' and 'the words I preached to you, hold fast to them, and do not believe in vain'. What was the gospel that Paul preached to the Corinthian Christians? What was Paul's message to the Corinthian believers? What was the gospel that Paul told the Corinthian Christians to hold onto firmly and not to believe in vain?

   

  It is the cross and resurrection of Jesus: as in verses 3-4, that “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures.” This is because, if you are a Christian, you must have faith in the cross and resurrection of Jesus to receive salvation. This is because, in order to receive this grace that Jesus gives through the cross and resurrection, we must believe the truth of verses 3-4 with our hearts and make it our own.

   

  If we say we are living a life of faith, but if we do not have faith in the cross and resurrection of Jesus for us, then we do not yet believe in Jesus as the Savior and therefore cannot be saved.

  The center of our Christian faith is based upon the belief that Christ died for our sins according to the Bible, and that Christ was buried and was raised on the third day according to the Bible. This is the foundation and beginning of our faith. This faith makes the Lord's Church the true Church of the Lord.

  Above all, when we realize that these two truths exist by the grace of God, we can receive Jesus, who was crucified and resurrected for our salvation, as our Savior. When we take these two beliefs as our own, our faith and life are full of vitality, joy, and hope. Also, when you regard these two gospels as God's grace, you begin to live a life in which that grace is not in vain.

   

  The church in Corinth was a church that Paul planted and served for three years, and Paul saw something very unfortunate in some of the Christians in Corinth. He describes this in verse 12. I'll read it. “But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?”

   

  Paul delivered this good news to the Corinthian Christians that “Christ died on the cross for our sins, that he was buried, and he was raised the third day according to the scriptures.”

  However, among the Christians in Corinth who received this gospel, there were those who did not yet have faith in this resurrection.

  So, Paul repeatedly exhorted the Christians living in Corinth, 'Keep the gospel that I preached to you, and do not believe in vain', and he preached this gospel to them again.

   

  This gospel is not only preached on Easter. This gospel tells us who Jesus is. This gospel brings us to truly meet Jesus. This gospel is the power to save all people in the world. This gospel changes our lives anew. This gospel establishes our home as a home like heaven, and this gospel establishes our church as the true church of the Lord.

  2.     

  Because this truth is so important, Paul taught three important things about the cross and resurrection faith in order to establish this faith in the cross and resurrection firmly in the lives of Christians so that they can truly trust Jesus.

  
  

  First, Paul said that the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus were events that were fulfilled “according to the Bible.”

  Let's read verses 3-4 again. “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

  that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

  The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are not stories made up by people. This is an event that was fulfilled according to Scriptures. The phrase ‘according to the Bible’ here means that ‘Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection are truths and historical facts. And this is that the cross and resurrection of Jesus are events that fulfilled the Word of God for our salvation.

   

  Second, Paul said that Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection were 'real events in our history'. Christ was ‘buried in a tomb, and then he was raised on the third day. The word “on the third day” here shows that the resurrection of Christ is a real event with a “time stamp.” Also, Paul listed the people who personally met the resurrected Jesus in order to confirm that the resurrection of Jesus is a historical fact in today's texts verses 5-8.

  “The resurrected Jesus appeared to Cephas, and then to the twelve disciples. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. And Paul confidently said that most of whom are still living.” It was an exhortation to visit them and hear their testimony firsthand if anyone doubted the resurrection of Jesus. And Paul confessed this to emphasize once again that the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are real events in our history: 'Christ also appeared to me, and through the cross and resurrection of Jesus I have been transformed into a completely different person' (1Corinthians 15:10).

  In Acts 26, there is a scene where Paul is taken to Rome and tried before King Agrippa and the Roman governor Festus. However, Paul does not defend himself in front of them for his own life at that time. Rather, in the short time given to him, Paul tells King Agrippa and Festus, the Roman governor, and to everyone there about the ‘death and resurrection of Christ.’ And then he said: 'The king is familiar with these things, it was not done in a corner (Acts 26:26), this is what God has done for our salvation in the midst of our history.' He also said to them that I pray to God that all who are listening to me today may become what I am (Acts 26:29). That's not all. If we look at the church that the Holy Spirit came and established on this earth, it proves that the cross and resurrection of Jesus are actual events that God performed in our history for our salvation.

  
  

  Third, in addition, Paul taught nine reasons why Christians should hold fast to this gospel and not believe in vain. Through these nine things, we will see how great is the grace that Jesus gave us through the cross and resurrection.

  
  

  (1) Because the resurrection of Jesus proves that Jesus is the Christ.

  In Mark 8:31, before Christ was crucified, He taught His disciples that “the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. As Jesus taught his disciples in this way, Christ was put to death on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day to show that Jesus is the Christ whom God sent into the world for our salvation.

  
  

  (2) Because the resurrection of Jesus proves that our faith in Jesus as Savior is not in vain. Like verse 14, if Christ had not been raised, our preaching would have been useless, and our faith would have been in vain. However, Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, it has shown that our faith in Jesus as Savior is not useless.

  
  

  (3) Because the resurrection of Jesus proves that our lives do not end with death, but that there is a resurrection. Like verse 13, if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ would have been raised, and like verse 16, if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. But God showed us that there is a resurrection by raising Christ from the dead, who died on the cross for our sins and was buried.

  
  

  (4) Because the resurrection of Jesus proves that we are justified.

  Like verse 17, if Christ had not been raised, we would still be in our sins and would perish as a result. However, the resurrection of Jesus shows that our sins were all forgiven through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, and that all who believe in Jesus as Savior were justified.

  
  

  (5) This is because the resurrection of Jesus proves that life on this earth is not everything, but that there is an eternal heaven. Like verse 19, if only for this life we have hope in Christ, then we are, of all people, those most to be pitied. However, the resurrection of Jesus showed that life on this earth is not everything, and that there is an eternal heaven.

  
  

  (6) Because the resurrection of Jesus testifies to our resurrection.

  Like verse 20, Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. This shows us that the resurrection of Christ is a sure guarantee of our future resurrection.

  
  

  (7) Because the resurrection of Jesus proves how precious our baptism is.

  Like verse 29, if there is no resurrection, our baptism is useless. But the resurrection of Jesus made us know how precious it is to receive Jesus as our Savior and to be baptized as we decide to follow Him.

  
  

  (8) Because the resurrection of Jesus proves that our labor for the Lord is not in vain. In verses 30, 32, Paul said that ‘If there is no resurrection, our labor in the Lord will be in vain. However, the resurrection of Christ showed us that suffering and persecution for the Lord, devoting and sacrificing for the Lord was never in vain. There is always a reward from God for the labor of faith for the Lord.

  
  

  (9) Because the resurrection of Jesus testifies that the risen Jesus is always with us, loves us, and always protects us until we enter the kingdom (1 Peter 1:5).

   

  Aren't these amazing things that God accomplished through the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our salvation? That is why Paul exhorted Christians to hold firmly to this gospel that he has preached and not to receive it in vain.

  3.     

  There is a reason I am preaching you this gospel: that "Christ died for our sins, that he was buried, and he was raised on the third day” on Mother's Day and on Homecoming Day. It is because if we hold firmly to this gospel and do not believe in vain, we will all be saved.

  
  

  When I am serving you all, I have a holy purpose. I have a holy purpose when I live with the faith on this earth. Also, I have a holy purpose when I live with my wife. I have a holy purpose when I am raising my children. It is to serve faithfully all of the people God has given me so that I can stand before our Lord beautifully on the last day of this earth, that is, on the Lord's Day, without losing any of them.

  
  

  I still have heartbreaking memories that come to mind from time to time. When I was pastoring in Seoul in my early 30s, I visited a certain family. After the service, I was introduced by the family to a man battling cancer. The man seemed quite cold on the outside. And he seemed to be defending me from even approaching him and saying anything. So, I couldn't tell him this gospel that day and returned home. Even after 30 years have passed, sometimes, I still think of this person. Each time I am afraid that God will rebuke me. And there are times when I felt sorry for this person, and it is painful. “If I had preached Jesus to this person at that time, this person would have been saved,” but the failure to do so remain always in my heart. So even now, whenever I think of this, I am repenting to God, and I am trying to stay awake in order not to miss this opportunity and this responsibility.

   

  Today, I said that 'Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures with love for you all.

  I pray that we all hold firmly to this gospel that I have preached with love to you, so that we will all be saved and live in God's love. And when we meet again next time, I hope that you and I will grow into more mature people of Jesus Christ.

   

  Now, when I read verses 3-4 in today's text, you say Amen with a loud voice. And then you read verses 3-4 by faith. Then I will say Amen with a loud voice.

   

  (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures.”

   

  (Closing Prayer) Dear God, thank you for preaching us the gospel of the cross and resurrection of Jesus again during this time. Let our parents have this kind of faith, and let our children have this kind of faith too. Help us all to be saved by holding on to this faith while we live on this earth. In the name of the risen Christ, we pray. Amen.

   
  • 
  • 

내가 전한 복음, 우리가 굳게 지킨 복음 (The Gospel I Preached, The Gospel We Firmly Hold)

설교날짜: 5/08/2022

설교자: 김덕신 목사

설교본문: 고린도전서 15:1-20

• 예수님의 부활이 나를 변화시켰다 (The r

  설교날짜: 5/01/2022

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 고린도전서 15:1-10

  Sunday Worship Service’ Sermon (5-01-2022)

  The Resurrection of Jesus Changed Me

  (1    Corinthians 15:1-11)

  1.     

  The text we read this morning contains very important words which summarize the entire 66 books of the Bible into one sentence. Those are verses 3 and 4: “It is that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, Christ was buried, and rose on the third day according to the scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

   

  This is the core of the Christian gospel. This is the center of the Christian faith. Believing this truth in your heart and living worthy of this grace is called faith on the cross and faith in the resurrection.

  2.     

  Christians are people who believe in what Jesus has done in our history for our salvation: the cross and resurrection of Jesus. Christians are people who believe in Christ, who died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day as Savior. If we do not believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, the faith will be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:14). On the other hand, ‘if the faith in the cross and resurrection of Jesus is certain, our faith and life will be full of vitality, thanksgiving, and hope.

   

  Early Christians firmly believed that Christ died on the cross for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. They made this truth and grace their own. The center of their faith and life was the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The gospel they boldly preached to the people of the world was also the cross and resurrection of Jesus. On the day Peter preached that ‘God has raised Jesus to life, and we are all witness of it’, (Acts 2:32), ‘God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah’ (Acts 2:36), 3,000 of those who received this gospel believed in the resurrected Jesus as their Savior and were baptized (Acts 2: 42).

   

  As such, the early Christians were strong in their faith in the cross and resurrection of Jesus, and preached that, 'According to the scriptures, Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the scriptures.' (1 Corinthians 15:11). They passed on what they received without hesitation to their neighbors. They boasted of the crucified and resurrected Jesus. As a result, the number of disciples who believed in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus increased rapidly. They have grown into a world-changing church. They have grown into a church that is favored of all people (Acts 2:47).

   

  What is the difference? The church building today looks beautiful only outside. The finances are plentiful. However, faith in the cross and resurrection of Jesus faded. However, even if the early church had no church buildings and no gold and silver, they stood firm in the faith of Jesus' cross and resurrection.

   

  The current church has lost the power that this gospel gives. Today's churches and believers have lost the hope that this gospel gives. The current church has lost the emotion that this gospel gives. The current church has lost the grace that this gospel gives. The churches of today have lost the joy that this gospel gives. The present church has lost those who boast of this gospel. Today's churches and believers have lost people who happily testify that their lives have been changed by this gospel.

   

  Shall we ask ourselves: What is the basis for your faith and why do you and I believe in Jesus as my Savior? Why do you and I live for Jesus?

   

  There is a reason I believe in Jesus. There is a reason I live for Jesus.

  It is because of what Jesus actually did in our history to save us. This is because Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day.  So, it is because Jesus made us sinners righteous and gave us eternal life. Paul called this ‘the grace of God (1 Corinthians 15:10).’

   

  When people believe and accept this truth (verses 3-4) and grace as their own, they will receive Jesus as their Savior. In other words, when we consider this work that God has done through Jesus to save me as God's grace and give thanks, we begin to live a life worthy of the grace we have received from God.

   

  Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and our faith is also useless.” The word ‘vain’ here is ‘kenos’ in Greek. This means 'no ability' or 'useless'. Let's apply this to those of us who are currently living the life of faith. If we say we believe in Jesus, but do not accept this truth as our own, such false beliefs and false lives will not allow us to be justified or to be saved. If a church community is filled with only people who have faint faith in the cross and resurrection, that church will not stand as a church like an authentic church.

   

  The reason that the early church grew into the true church of the Lord (even under more difficult conditions than there are now) and the disciples of Jesus were able to change the world was because the center of their faith was their faith in the cross and resurrection of Jesus.

   

  Because they believed in the cross and resurrection of Jesus (like verses 3 and 4), they conducted themselves in a manner worthy of the grace of Christ. Because they believed in the cross and resurrection of Jesus, they lived doing good no matter how evil the world was. They shared this gospel (like verses 3 and 4) with their neighbors because they believed in the cross and resurrection of Jesus.

   

  We, too, must believe this truth (verses 3-4) with all our hearts and make it our own, not just through religious knowledge. There is a big difference between knowing this truth as just religious knowledge and taking it entirely as your own.

   

  In the end, only when people realize that they need this grace that God gave them through the cross and resurrection of Jesus, can they accept Jesus as their Savior. And that person becomes grateful for the cross and resurrection of Jesus. However, if they do not yet realize that they need this grace that God has given through the cross and resurrection of Jesus, they will not accept Jesus as their Savior. And that person will be cold-hearted even in the face of the grace of Jesus' resurrection.

  The heart to thank and love Jesus begins from this time. It is when we truly believe in the cross and resurrection of Jesus that we can begin to give thanks to Jesus, to love Jesus and to dedicate ourselves to Him. And when the cross and resurrection of Jesus are realized as God's great grace to me, such things begin in us.

   

  In today's text, Paul testified how this truth (v3-4) has changed him personally. Paul was not content to simply teach the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus as doctrine or religious knowledge.

  In verse 10, Paul confidently said that ‘Jesus’ cross and resurrection changed him into a completely new person’. Have you and I had a spiritual experience like this through the cross and resurrection of Jesus? Those who have made the cross and resurrection of Jesus the center of our life and faith can bear this kind of testimony.

   

  The gospel of the cross and resurrection of Jesus has this kind of spiritual power. If this gospel (v3-4) enters an individual, a family, a city, and a nation, everyone becomes a new being. That is the power of the gospel of Jesus' cross and resurrection. This gospel comes to some as great emotion. And this gospel comes to some as holy excitement. It comes to us as the boast of lifetime. It comes to us as the hope of a lifetime. It makes a life a whole new person. A prime example of this is Paul.

   

  So, how did this truth (gospel or grace) change Paul? What made Paul a completely different person? I will read 1 Corinthians 15:9-11.

  “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.”

   

  Before he knew about the cross and resurrection of Jesus, Paul thought that he did not need the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus at all. He felt that he did not need any new birth or justification at all. However, when he met Jesus who died on the cross and was resurrected in Damascus, for the first time he saw his own sins and transgressions. For the first time, he realized that he needed God's forgiveness. At that time, in order to save himself, Paul opened his heart to Jesus, who was crucified and resurrected. He finally saw the cross and resurrection of Jesus as the great grace of God. Here, in verses 9-10, Paul used the word “God's grace” three times.

   

  Most people in this age (even those in the church) consider themselves to be pretty decent person. Like Paul, we think we know who God is and who Jesus is. However, in fact, we really do not know well Jesus who died on the cross and rose again on the third day. We do not want to accept as our own what Jesus did for our salvation. We do not know well the grace of Jesus' cross and resurrection. We don't even know how great grace and love is. We don't even know how to express that grace and be thankful for it. It could be because, like Paul did, something like scales cover our eyes.

   

  We also have spirit eyes. Spiritual eyes are the eyes that can see the inner self. It is eyes that can see what God has done for me. Even if our physical eyes are bright, if our spiritual eyes are blind, (a) Jesus' cross and resurrection cannot reach our hearts at all. (b) If we are blind in spirit, we cannot see the grace that Jesus gave us through the cross and resurrection. (c) If we are blind in spirit, we cannot see what Jesus did to save us. (d) If we are blind in spirit, we do not understand why we need Jesus. (e) If we are blind in spirit, we may not know why the cross and resurrection of Jesus are necessary for us. (f) If we are blind in spirit, we may not know why Jesus’ cross and resurrection are God’s grace to us.

   

  Paul was also a man who was blind in spirit at first. However, one day, when Paul met the resurrected Jesus, who had come to him, he had an amazing experience – something like scales fell from his eyes and he could see again. (a) At the same time, he found out that he is the worst sinner. (b) He realized that he cannot possibly be saved by his own works. (c) He began to see what God had done to save him.  (d) He realized that the cross and resurrection of Jesus were absolute for his own salvation. (e) He saw that it was the great grace and love God had given him. (f) Then, his life changed like verses 9-11.

   

  “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

  But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.”

   

  Paul knew how great and precious were the gifts of grace and love that God gave him through the cross and resurrection of Jesus. So, he confessed that ‘by the grace of God I am what I am.’ And he lived a life worthy of the grace God had given him. He lived by sharing this gospel he had received to more people (1 Corinthians 15:11). Although we hear countless times that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again on the third day, we often live His grace in useless. But after receiving this grace, Paul lived a life in which the grace God had given him was not in vain.

  This is the testimony and life that only those who live by faith in the cross and resurrection of Jesus can do. In fact, Jesus wants us to live like this, so He died on the cross for us and was resurrected (Romans 4:25).

  God wants us to live like this.

  3.     

  Through this Easter season, we hope that this belief that 'Christ died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day, became our Lord and Christ' will be strengthened in us. And I want all of us to become Christians who live worthy of this grace. The worthy life is to come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning. (1 Corinthians 15: 34) And, it is to share this gospel with our neighbors. (1 Corinthians 15:11, 58). Also, to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the grace of Christ means to love one another, in humility value others above ourselves, take care of the interests of others and in the same mindset as Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:1-5). May the peace of the risen Jesus be with you all (John 20:19).

   

  (Closing Prayer) Dear God, please strengthen this belief that 'Christ died for me on the cross, was buried, and rose again the third day to become our Lord and Messiah.' Help us to live worthy of this grace God has given us. Please fill us with the Holy Spirit so that we can also tell the cross and resurrection of Jesus to more people. Please changing me through the cross and resurrection of Jesus. In the name of Jesus who saved us. We pray. Amen.

  • 
  • 

• 예수님의 부활이 나를 변화시켰다 (The r

  설교날짜: 5/01/2022

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 고린도전서 15:1-10

  Sunday Worship Service’ Sermon (5-01-2022)

  The Resurrection of Jesus Changed Me

  (1    Corinthians 15:1-11)

  1.     

  The text we read this morning contains very important words which summarize the entire 66 books of the Bible into one sentence. Those are verses 3 and 4: “It is that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, Christ was buried, and rose on the third day according to the scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

   

  This is the core of the Christian gospel. This is the center of the Christian faith. Believing this truth in your heart and living worthy of this grace is called faith on the cross and faith in the resurrection.

  2.     

  Christians are people who believe in what Jesus has done in our history for our salvation: the cross and resurrection of Jesus. Christians are people who believe in Christ, who died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day as Savior. If we do not believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, the faith will be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:14). On the other hand, ‘if the faith in the cross and resurrection of Jesus is certain, our faith and life will be full of vitality, thanksgiving, and hope.

   

  Early Christians firmly believed that Christ died on the cross for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. They made this truth and grace their own. The center of their faith and life was the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The gospel they boldly preached to the people of the world was also the cross and resurrection of Jesus. On the day Peter preached that ‘God has raised Jesus to life, and we are all witness of it’, (Acts 2:32), ‘God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah’ (Acts 2:36), 3,000 of those who received this gospel believed in the resurrected Jesus as their Savior and were baptized (Acts 2: 42).

   

  As such, the early Christians were strong in their faith in the cross and resurrection of Jesus, and preached that, 'According to the scriptures, Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the scriptures.' (1 Corinthians 15:11). They passed on what they received without hesitation to their neighbors. They boasted of the crucified and resurrected Jesus. As a result, the number of disciples who believed in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus increased rapidly. They have grown into a world-changing church. They have grown into a church that is favored of all people (Acts 2:47).

   

  What is the difference? The church building today looks beautiful only outside. The finances are plentiful. However, faith in the cross and resurrection of Jesus faded. However, even if the early church had no church buildings and no gold and silver, they stood firm in the faith of Jesus' cross and resurrection.

   

  The current church has lost the power that this gospel gives. Today's churches and believers have lost the hope that this gospel gives. The current church has lost the emotion that this gospel gives. The current church has lost the grace that this gospel gives. The churches of today have lost the joy that this gospel gives. The present church has lost those who boast of this gospel. Today's churches and believers have lost people who happily testify that their lives have been changed by this gospel.

   

  Shall we ask ourselves: What is the basis for your faith and why do you and I believe in Jesus as my Savior? Why do you and I live for Jesus?

   

  There is a reason I believe in Jesus. There is a reason I live for Jesus.

  It is because of what Jesus actually did in our history to save us. This is because Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day.  So, it is because Jesus made us sinners righteous and gave us eternal life. Paul called this ‘the grace of God (1 Corinthians 15:10).’

   

  When people believe and accept this truth (verses 3-4) and grace as their own, they will receive Jesus as their Savior. In other words, when we consider this work that God has done through Jesus to save me as God's grace and give thanks, we begin to live a life worthy of the grace we have received from God.

   

  Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and our faith is also useless.” The word ‘vain’ here is ‘kenos’ in Greek. This means 'no ability' or 'useless'. Let's apply this to those of us who are currently living the life of faith. If we say we believe in Jesus, but do not accept this truth as our own, such false beliefs and false lives will not allow us to be justified or to be saved. If a church community is filled with only people who have faint faith in the cross and resurrection, that church will not stand as a church like an authentic church.

   

  The reason that the early church grew into the true church of the Lord (even under more difficult conditions than there are now) and the disciples of Jesus were able to change the world was because the center of their faith was their faith in the cross and resurrection of Jesus.

   

  Because they believed in the cross and resurrection of Jesus (like verses 3 and 4), they conducted themselves in a manner worthy of the grace of Christ. Because they believed in the cross and resurrection of Jesus, they lived doing good no matter how evil the world was. They shared this gospel (like verses 3 and 4) with their neighbors because they believed in the cross and resurrection of Jesus.

   

  We, too, must believe this truth (verses 3-4) with all our hearts and make it our own, not just through religious knowledge. There is a big difference between knowing this truth as just religious knowledge and taking it entirely as your own.

   

  In the end, only when people realize that they need this grace that God gave them through the cross and resurrection of Jesus, can they accept Jesus as their Savior. And that person becomes grateful for the cross and resurrection of Jesus. However, if they do not yet realize that they need this grace that God has given through the cross and resurrection of Jesus, they will not accept Jesus as their Savior. And that person will be cold-hearted even in the face of the grace of Jesus' resurrection.

  The heart to thank and love Jesus begins from this time. It is when we truly believe in the cross and resurrection of Jesus that we can begin to give thanks to Jesus, to love Jesus and to dedicate ourselves to Him. And when the cross and resurrection of Jesus are realized as God's great grace to me, such things begin in us.

   

  In today's text, Paul testified how this truth (v3-4) has changed him personally. Paul was not content to simply teach the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus as doctrine or religious knowledge.

  In verse 10, Paul confidently said that ‘Jesus’ cross and resurrection changed him into a completely new person’. Have you and I had a spiritual experience like this through the cross and resurrection of Jesus? Those who have made the cross and resurrection of Jesus the center of our life and faith can bear this kind of testimony.

   

  The gospel of the cross and resurrection of Jesus has this kind of spiritual power. If this gospel (v3-4) enters an individual, a family, a city, and a nation, everyone becomes a new being. That is the power of the gospel of Jesus' cross and resurrection. This gospel comes to some as great emotion. And this gospel comes to some as holy excitement. It comes to us as the boast of lifetime. It comes to us as the hope of a lifetime. It makes a life a whole new person. A prime example of this is Paul.

   

  So, how did this truth (gospel or grace) change Paul? What made Paul a completely different person? I will read 1 Corinthians 15:9-11.

  “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.”

   

  Before he knew about the cross and resurrection of Jesus, Paul thought that he did not need the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus at all. He felt that he did not need any new birth or justification at all. However, when he met Jesus who died on the cross and was resurrected in Damascus, for the first time he saw his own sins and transgressions. For the first time, he realized that he needed God's forgiveness. At that time, in order to save himself, Paul opened his heart to Jesus, who was crucified and resurrected. He finally saw the cross and resurrection of Jesus as the great grace of God. Here, in verses 9-10, Paul used the word “God's grace” three times.

   

  Most people in this age (even those in the church) consider themselves to be pretty decent person. Like Paul, we think we know who God is and who Jesus is. However, in fact, we really do not know well Jesus who died on the cross and rose again on the third day. We do not want to accept as our own what Jesus did for our salvation. We do not know well the grace of Jesus' cross and resurrection. We don't even know how great grace and love is. We don't even know how to express that grace and be thankful for it. It could be because, like Paul did, something like scales cover our eyes.

   

  We also have spirit eyes. Spiritual eyes are the eyes that can see the inner self. It is eyes that can see what God has done for me. Even if our physical eyes are bright, if our spiritual eyes are blind, (a) Jesus' cross and resurrection cannot reach our hearts at all. (b) If we are blind in spirit, we cannot see the grace that Jesus gave us through the cross and resurrection. (c) If we are blind in spirit, we cannot see what Jesus did to save us. (d) If we are blind in spirit, we do not understand why we need Jesus. (e) If we are blind in spirit, we may not know why the cross and resurrection of Jesus are necessary for us. (f) If we are blind in spirit, we may not know why Jesus’ cross and resurrection are God’s grace to us.

   

  Paul was also a man who was blind in spirit at first. However, one day, when Paul met the resurrected Jesus, who had come to him, he had an amazing experience – something like scales fell from his eyes and he could see again. (a) At the same time, he found out that he is the worst sinner. (b) He realized that he cannot possibly be saved by his own works. (c) He began to see what God had done to save him.  (d) He realized that the cross and resurrection of Jesus were absolute for his own salvation. (e) He saw that it was the great grace and love God had given him. (f) Then, his life changed like verses 9-11.

   

  “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

  But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.”

   

  Paul knew how great and precious were the gifts of grace and love that God gave him through the cross and resurrection of Jesus. So, he confessed that ‘by the grace of God I am what I am.’ And he lived a life worthy of the grace God had given him. He lived by sharing this gospel he had received to more people (1 Corinthians 15:11). Although we hear countless times that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again on the third day, we often live His grace in useless. But after receiving this grace, Paul lived a life in which the grace God had given him was not in vain.

  This is the testimony and life that only those who live by faith in the cross and resurrection of Jesus can do. In fact, Jesus wants us to live like this, so He died on the cross for us and was resurrected (Romans 4:25).

  God wants us to live like this.

  3.     

  Through this Easter season, we hope that this belief that 'Christ died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day, became our Lord and Christ' will be strengthened in us. And I want all of us to become Christians who live worthy of this grace. The worthy life is to come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning. (1 Corinthians 15: 34) And, it is to share this gospel with our neighbors. (1 Corinthians 15:11, 58). Also, to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the grace of Christ means to love one another, in humility value others above ourselves, take care of the interests of others and in the same mindset as Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:1-5). May the peace of the risen Jesus be with you all (John 20:19).

   

  (Closing Prayer) Dear God, please strengthen this belief that 'Christ died for me on the cross, was buried, and rose again the third day to become our Lord and Messiah.' Help us to live worthy of this grace God has given us. Please fill us with the Holy Spirit so that we can also tell the cross and resurrection of Jesus to more people. Please changing me through the cross and resurrection of Jesus. In the name of Jesus who saved us. We pray. Amen.

  • 
  • 

예수님의 부활이 나를 변화시켰다 (The resurrection of Jesus changed me)

설교날짜: 5/01/2022

설교자: 김덕신 목사

설교본문: 고린도전서 15:1-10

• 살아있는 희망의 노래를 불러라 (Sing a

  설교날짜: 4/24/2022

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 베드로전서 1:3-5

  Sunday Worship Service’s Sermon (4-24-2022)

  Sing a Song of Living Hope

  (1    Peter 1:3-5)

  1.      

  Now the whole world is full of despair. Many people are living in fear of infection and death with the worst pandemic in a century. This is also difficult to bear, and the war with Ukraine and Russia has caused a sharp rise in prices and the world is worried about a food crisis. On the other hand, our society is experiencing more serious violence and racism than ever before. The hope we desire for is slowly fading away.

  Nevertheless, there is one hope we can hold on to. He is God. God is our hope because God has given us a wonderful new hope through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the cross. This is the living hope for all people in the world, as the testimony of 1 Peter 1:3 says.

   

  The day Jesus was resurrected is the day he gave living hope to those who are drowning in sorrow, frustration, anxiety and despair, and to those who are weary of life and have lost hope.

   

  Peter taught the Christians at that time and to us today about three wonderful gifts that God has given us through the resurrection of Jesus. In a word, Peter called it “a living hope in heaven for you that can never perish, spoil or fade.” (1 Peter 1:4) This hope is the eternal hope that Jesus, who is merciful to us, paid a great price for us.

  2.   

  So, what are the three hopes God has given us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

  (1) Jesus has given us new birth through his resurrection.

  In verse 3 of today's text, Peter teaches that "God has given us new birth through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." This is the first hope that God has given us through the resurrection of Jesus. The word ‘born again’ here means ‘to be justified.’ Human hope begins from here.

   

  When Christ paid the penalty for our sins on the cross, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). Until then, this curtain had symbolized human's separation from God's holy presence. But the presence of the God who made this earth a paradise in the beginning has now actually come to us thanks to Christ's death and resurrection. Through the cross and resurrection of Jesus, anyone who believes in Jesus as their Savior is justified, and became able to draw near to God again, became able to receive God's love again, and to live a life with God again.

  When all people live a life with God by believing in Jesus and being justified, the hope of that life begins.

   

  So, David said, 'It is a blessing that I, who had been separated from God because of transgressions, received forgiveness from God, and was reunited with God, and was able to live in God's presence again.' (Psalm 32:1)

  Not only David, but in our hymns.  There are many hymns written by persons of faith who are grateful for the substitutionary atonement and are happy. For example, O for a thousand tongues to sing (#23), I can sing now the song (#257). These hymns are exactly that.

   

  As sinners, our justification by God is our great hope on this earth and in the life to come. When we see that Jesus suffered a terrible sacrifice on the cross for our justification, we will realize how precious it is for us to be justified.

   

  In this way, Jesus was raised to life for our justification, so those who know the meaning of Jesus' resurrection live a born-again life (Romans 4:25). For those who have been justified by the resurrection of Jesus, everything begins to change. For example, they count themselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11). They no longer live for themselves, but for Jesus who died and was raised again for them. (2 Corinthians 5:15). And those who have been justified by the resurrection of Jesus begin to change the way they treat people and the way they labor at work. When we are baptized, the Holy Spirit who has come into us is working in us to make us live like this.

   

  (2) Through the resurrection, Jesus gave us, who had no hope because of our sins, the living hope of living again and living forever in heaven.

  Through the resurrection of Jesus, he has ensured that we will live again and live forever in heaven where there will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, together with Jesus who saved us, with our family and the saints who have gone before (Revelation 21:4). This is the great hope we have longed for.

   

  As it is written in 1 Corinthians 15:20, “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” This means that we who believe in the risen Jesus also become the second and third fruits of the resurrection.

   

  This promise of hope, guaranteed by the resurrection of Jesus, can be seen in other Bible verses as well.

  “Because I live, you will live also.” (John 14:19)

  "Knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.” (2 Corinthians 4:14)

  Christ’s resurrection from the dead guarantees our future resurrection. What a grateful thing!

   

  So, when will we live again and live forever in Heaven?

  When Christ comes again, the dead will be raised to immortality, and we too will be transformed into living beings in heaven forever. (1 Corinthians 15:52). Thus, the Apostle Paul exhorted the church to “comfort one another with these words:  We believe in Jesus who died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." (1 Thessalonians 4:14, 18)

   

  (a) The fact that we can live again and live forever through the resurrection of Jesus is a great comfort to those who have already died or are facing death. (b) Also, the fact that Christ is resurrected gives great comfort and hope to Christians who live and believe in Jesus as their Savior. (c) The resurrection of Jesus shows that Jesus is the Christ and the King of kings. (d) The resurrection of Jesus clearly showed how precious it is for us to believe in Jesus. (e) And the resurrection of Jesus showed how beautiful it is for us to be baptized and born again to live for Jesus. (f) And the resurrection of Jesus shows that our labor of faith is not in vain. (g) Moreover, the resurrection of Jesus showed us that this life we are living is not everything. (h) The resurrection of Jesus shows that Jesus is coming back to us to take us to heaven. (i) The resurrection of Jesus shows that in the last days a righteous God will judge us according to our works. (j) The resurrection of Jesus shows us how much God loves us.

   

  I encourage all of you to “Set your hearts on things above.”

  (Colossians 3:1) "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” There is heaven and eternal life that the resurrected Jesus gives to Christians.

   

  (3) Jesus made it possible to shield us by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last days through his resurrection.

  Paul always lived with strong trust in this living hope that the resurrected Jesus gave us. Paul lived boldly, singing the song of hope given by the resurrected Jesus in all circumstances. For Paul, no matter what he encountered, at any time, the resurrected Jesus (God) was always his hope. The world we live in is full of despair, but God/Jesus is our hope.

  If we believe that 'we are God's beloved children' and 'believe that we live again through Jesus Christ and live forever', we cannot fall into despair under any circumstances or problems. Listen to Paul's songs of hope in Romans 8:32-37

   

  “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:32) “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all -how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:35) “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Romans 8:37) “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” ‘

   

  No matter the circumstances, no matter what the enemy, Paul had no fear or despair because of God/Jesus Christ. His life was full of hope, calling on the name of Christ, calling on the name of God. The power to dispel all fear and anxiety within me is the name of our Heavenly Father, who loves us. It is the name of the resurrected Jesus Christ. It is the name of Jesus who comes back to us.

   

  If we know and remember Jesus, who was resurrected after overcoming the powers of sin, death, and the devil, we will be as bold as Paul in any dark situation. If we believe that Jesus is our Savior, if we believe in the resurrection of Jesus, a living hope will be planted in our being. And if we cherish this living hope that the resurrected Jesus has given us, we will be able to overcome suffering, death, and worries and fears about the future like Paul and face any situation with confidence. In times of fear and anxiety, our hope is the resurrected Jesus, the returning Jesus, the God who is with us and protects us even to the salvation we have prepared.

   

  The name that gave Paul courage and strength in all circumstances was the resurrected Jesus. The God who gave us this hope through the resurrection of Jesus wants us to live like Paul did.

   

  Even if we live in a world full of despair and anxiety, Christians are those who live happily, boldly, always giving ourselves fully to the work of the Lord in this living hope that the resurrected Jesus has given us.

  3.     

  Like this, the day Jesus was resurrected is the day when he gave living hope to all those who were drowning in sorrow, frustration, anxiety and despair, and to those who were weary of life and lost hope. The day Jesus was resurrected is the day when Jesus gave us this living hope, saying, “Peace be with you (John20:19),” and gave us great peace. That is why the resurrection of Jesus makes us so joyful, very happy, and very grateful.

   

  I hope that you and I will be more grateful and love Jesus more, who gave us this living hope and grace. The resurrection of Jesus proves how precious is our faith and how beautiful it is to be baptized.

  “Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because your faith and labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58) 

  
  

  (Closing Prayer) Dear God, we thank Jesus for being resurrected and giving us living hope and peace. May we grow as Christians who sing a song of hope in union with the resurrected Jesus and live for you. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

   

   
  • 
  • 

• 살아있는 희망의 노래를 불러라 (Sing a

  설교날짜: 4/24/2022

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 베드로전서 1:3-5

  Sunday Worship Service’s Sermon (4-24-2022)

  Sing a Song of Living Hope

  (1    Peter 1:3-5)

  1.      

  Now the whole world is full of despair. Many people are living in fear of infection and death with the worst pandemic in a century. This is also difficult to bear, and the war with Ukraine and Russia has caused a sharp rise in prices and the world is worried about a food crisis. On the other hand, our society is experiencing more serious violence and racism than ever before. The hope we desire for is slowly fading away.

  Nevertheless, there is one hope we can hold on to. He is God. God is our hope because God has given us a wonderful new hope through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the cross. This is the living hope for all people in the world, as the testimony of 1 Peter 1:3 says.

   

  The day Jesus was resurrected is the day he gave living hope to those who are drowning in sorrow, frustration, anxiety and despair, and to those who are weary of life and have lost hope.

   

  Peter taught the Christians at that time and to us today about three wonderful gifts that God has given us through the resurrection of Jesus. In a word, Peter called it “a living hope in heaven for you that can never perish, spoil or fade.” (1 Peter 1:4) This hope is the eternal hope that Jesus, who is merciful to us, paid a great price for us.

  2.   

  So, what are the three hopes God has given us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

  (1) Jesus has given us new birth through his resurrection.

  In verse 3 of today's text, Peter teaches that "God has given us new birth through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." This is the first hope that God has given us through the resurrection of Jesus. The word ‘born again’ here means ‘to be justified.’ Human hope begins from here.

   

  When Christ paid the penalty for our sins on the cross, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). Until then, this curtain had symbolized human's separation from God's holy presence. But the presence of the God who made this earth a paradise in the beginning has now actually come to us thanks to Christ's death and resurrection. Through the cross and resurrection of Jesus, anyone who believes in Jesus as their Savior is justified, and became able to draw near to God again, became able to receive God's love again, and to live a life with God again.

  When all people live a life with God by believing in Jesus and being justified, the hope of that life begins.

   

  So, David said, 'It is a blessing that I, who had been separated from God because of transgressions, received forgiveness from God, and was reunited with God, and was able to live in God's presence again.' (Psalm 32:1)

  Not only David, but in our hymns.  There are many hymns written by persons of faith who are grateful for the substitutionary atonement and are happy. For example, O for a thousand tongues to sing (#23), I can sing now the song (#257). These hymns are exactly that.

   

  As sinners, our justification by God is our great hope on this earth and in the life to come. When we see that Jesus suffered a terrible sacrifice on the cross for our justification, we will realize how precious it is for us to be justified.

   

  In this way, Jesus was raised to life for our justification, so those who know the meaning of Jesus' resurrection live a born-again life (Romans 4:25). For those who have been justified by the resurrection of Jesus, everything begins to change. For example, they count themselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11). They no longer live for themselves, but for Jesus who died and was raised again for them. (2 Corinthians 5:15). And those who have been justified by the resurrection of Jesus begin to change the way they treat people and the way they labor at work. When we are baptized, the Holy Spirit who has come into us is working in us to make us live like this.

   

  (2) Through the resurrection, Jesus gave us, who had no hope because of our sins, the living hope of living again and living forever in heaven.

  Through the resurrection of Jesus, he has ensured that we will live again and live forever in heaven where there will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, together with Jesus who saved us, with our family and the saints who have gone before (Revelation 21:4). This is the great hope we have longed for.

   

  As it is written in 1 Corinthians 15:20, “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” This means that we who believe in the risen Jesus also become the second and third fruits of the resurrection.

   

  This promise of hope, guaranteed by the resurrection of Jesus, can be seen in other Bible verses as well.

  “Because I live, you will live also.” (John 14:19)

  "Knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.” (2 Corinthians 4:14)

  Christ’s resurrection from the dead guarantees our future resurrection. What a grateful thing!

   

  So, when will we live again and live forever in Heaven?

  When Christ comes again, the dead will be raised to immortality, and we too will be transformed into living beings in heaven forever. (1 Corinthians 15:52). Thus, the Apostle Paul exhorted the church to “comfort one another with these words:  We believe in Jesus who died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." (1 Thessalonians 4:14, 18)

   

  (a) The fact that we can live again and live forever through the resurrection of Jesus is a great comfort to those who have already died or are facing death. (b) Also, the fact that Christ is resurrected gives great comfort and hope to Christians who live and believe in Jesus as their Savior. (c) The resurrection of Jesus shows that Jesus is the Christ and the King of kings. (d) The resurrection of Jesus clearly showed how precious it is for us to believe in Jesus. (e) And the resurrection of Jesus showed how beautiful it is for us to be baptized and born again to live for Jesus. (f) And the resurrection of Jesus shows that our labor of faith is not in vain. (g) Moreover, the resurrection of Jesus showed us that this life we are living is not everything. (h) The resurrection of Jesus shows that Jesus is coming back to us to take us to heaven. (i) The resurrection of Jesus shows that in the last days a righteous God will judge us according to our works. (j) The resurrection of Jesus shows us how much God loves us.

   

  I encourage all of you to “Set your hearts on things above.”

  (Colossians 3:1) "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” There is heaven and eternal life that the resurrected Jesus gives to Christians.

   

  (3) Jesus made it possible to shield us by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last days through his resurrection.

  Paul always lived with strong trust in this living hope that the resurrected Jesus gave us. Paul lived boldly, singing the song of hope given by the resurrected Jesus in all circumstances. For Paul, no matter what he encountered, at any time, the resurrected Jesus (God) was always his hope. The world we live in is full of despair, but God/Jesus is our hope.

  If we believe that 'we are God's beloved children' and 'believe that we live again through Jesus Christ and live forever', we cannot fall into despair under any circumstances or problems. Listen to Paul's songs of hope in Romans 8:32-37

   

  “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:32) “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all -how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:35) “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Romans 8:37) “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” ‘

   

  No matter the circumstances, no matter what the enemy, Paul had no fear or despair because of God/Jesus Christ. His life was full of hope, calling on the name of Christ, calling on the name of God. The power to dispel all fear and anxiety within me is the name of our Heavenly Father, who loves us. It is the name of the resurrected Jesus Christ. It is the name of Jesus who comes back to us.

   

  If we know and remember Jesus, who was resurrected after overcoming the powers of sin, death, and the devil, we will be as bold as Paul in any dark situation. If we believe that Jesus is our Savior, if we believe in the resurrection of Jesus, a living hope will be planted in our being. And if we cherish this living hope that the resurrected Jesus has given us, we will be able to overcome suffering, death, and worries and fears about the future like Paul and face any situation with confidence. In times of fear and anxiety, our hope is the resurrected Jesus, the returning Jesus, the God who is with us and protects us even to the salvation we have prepared.

   

  The name that gave Paul courage and strength in all circumstances was the resurrected Jesus. The God who gave us this hope through the resurrection of Jesus wants us to live like Paul did.

   

  Even if we live in a world full of despair and anxiety, Christians are those who live happily, boldly, always giving ourselves fully to the work of the Lord in this living hope that the resurrected Jesus has given us.

  3.     

  Like this, the day Jesus was resurrected is the day when he gave living hope to all those who were drowning in sorrow, frustration, anxiety and despair, and to those who were weary of life and lost hope. The day Jesus was resurrected is the day when Jesus gave us this living hope, saying, “Peace be with you (John20:19),” and gave us great peace. That is why the resurrection of Jesus makes us so joyful, very happy, and very grateful.

   

  I hope that you and I will be more grateful and love Jesus more, who gave us this living hope and grace. The resurrection of Jesus proves how precious is our faith and how beautiful it is to be baptized.

  “Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because your faith and labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58) 

  
  

  (Closing Prayer) Dear God, we thank Jesus for being resurrected and giving us living hope and peace. May we grow as Christians who sing a song of hope in union with the resurrected Jesus and live for you. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

   

   
  • 
  • 

살아있는 희망의 노래를 불러라 (Sing a Song of Living Hope)

설교날짜: 4/24/2022

설교자: 김덕신 목사

설교본문: 베드로전서 1:3-5

• 그리스도께서 우리에게 산 소망을 주셨다 (C

  설교날짜: 4/17/2022

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 베드로전서 1:3-5

  부활하신 예수님이 우리에게 주신 3가지 희망 (3 Hopes the Resurrected Jesus Gave Us)

  그리스도께서 우리에게 산 소망을 주셨다 (Christ Has Given Us a Living Hope through The Resurrection) 

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• 그리스도께서 우리에게 산 소망을 주셨다 (C

  설교날짜: 4/17/2022

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 베드로전서 1:3-5

  부활하신 예수님이 우리에게 주신 3가지 희망 (3 Hopes the Resurrected Jesus Gave Us)

  그리스도께서 우리에게 산 소망을 주셨다 (Christ Has Given Us a Living Hope through The Resurrection) 

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그리스도께서 우리에게 산 소망을 주셨다 (Christ Has Given Us a Living Hope through The Resurrectio…

설교날짜: 4/17/2022

설교자: 김덕신 목사

설교본문: 베드로전서 1:3-5

• 그리스도께서 우리를 위해 죽으셨다 (Chri

  설교날짜: 4/10/2022

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 로마서 5:6-8, 이사야 53:5-6

  그리스도께서 우리를 위해 죽으셨다 (Christ Died for Our Sins) 

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• 그리스도께서 우리를 위해 죽으셨다 (Chri

  설교날짜: 4/10/2022

  설교자: 김덕신 목사

  설교본문: 로마서 5:6-8, 이사야 53:5-6

  그리스도께서 우리를 위해 죽으셨다 (Christ Died for Our Sins) 

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  • 

그리스도께서 우리를 위해 죽으셨다 (Christ Died for Our Sins)

설교날짜: 4/10/2022

설교자: 김덕신 목사

설교본문: 로마서 5:6-8, 이사야 53:5-6