Sermon: Jesus the Humble King

Today Pastor Choi highlights Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem 2000 years ago.  The biblical scholars call it “triumphal.”  Was it really, though?  If so, in what sense?  Not in the world’s point of view but in God’s.  Not in power and dominance but in humility and service.   Christ the King clearly demonstrated true power and triumph through His humble examples in birth, teaching, life, and death.

  Jesus the Humble King

 

Following is a summary of his sermon: 

Jesus the Humble King                                                              John 12:12-16

Jesus Enters Jerusalem    John 12:12-16 (NASB)

12 On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,13 took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.” 14 Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” 16 These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him.

Introduction 

Once I watched a PBS program on “Frontline” featuring Kim Jung-il the North Korean dictator.  It explained how America got into the botched nuclear deal with North Korea in the 1990s.  One of the people interviewed in the program was then Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.  She had a meeting with Kim to ease the tension between the two countries caused by North Korea’s missile development.  Albright and her team were invited to the 50th Anniversary of the Labor Party.  They were impressed with the way they were treated.  ¼ million people cheered in one accord, applauded, chanting their leader’s name, and pledging their unshakable allegiance to their leader. 

Wow!  That’s what I would call an unforgettable welcome.  Such an impressive welcome, however, is nowhere seen in today’s passage where Jesus the Messiah enters Jerusalem.   

Contents  

Two thousand years ago today, He entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey’s back.  The crowds, marching in front and behind Him, shouted in excitement “Hosanna! (הושיעה־נאPlease save now!) Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna!”  They shouted aloud, “O Jesus Our King!  Please save us now!  Save us!”   Some waved the palms in honor of the king of Israel.  Others spread their cloaks on the road along with palm branches.  I have to tell you, though.   It was rather a small and unnoticed event in Jerusalem at the time, because about 3 million people were in the city to celebrate the Passover.   Had it been there a newspaper in town, it never would’ve made a headline. The biblical scholars call the historical event of Jesus’ entry triumphal, though. 

Now, here’s a question to ask.  Why is it called triumphal? (See also, Zechariah 9:9, 2 Corinthians 2:14)   Why is it so? 

Was it because there was anything in Jesus’ march that deserves to be called triumphal and magnificent?   Humanly speaking, my honest answer is no.   Here’s why.  The word “triumph” comes from an ancient “ceremony attending the entering of Rome by a general who had won a decisive victory over a foreign enemy (Merriam-Webster).  Certain images come to my mind such as an impressive long procession of captives, chariots, and soldiers carrying in pride on their shoulders the spoils of the battle.   Laurels on the general’s head and fancy red carpet would also be appropriate.  Finally, the march would culminate in magnificent and professional fanfares.  Yet, none of the above was shown, not even a hint, in Jesus’ procession.  Not at all. 

Furthermore, in the worldly sense, the status as triumphant king should have lasted for a while.  At least, more than a week.  Yet, do you know what happened to Jesus following His entry?   Two or three days after the entry, Jesus was completely betrayed and abandoned by His own disciples.   He was arrested, spat on, beaten, and mocked by Roman soldiers.  The next morning the crowd rejected Him by shouting, “Crucify him!  Crucify him!”  Eventually, Jesus the King of the Jews was crucified.   Anyone with average intelligence would not call such Jesus’ entry and the following events triumphal and victorious, would he?  Why, then, do we call it triumphal?

Here’s why.  We call it triumphal because God says so.   We must understand that God’s definition and our Christian understanding of triumph is absolutely different from that in the world.   The world measures one’s success and victory by power, achievements, position, degrees, wealth, health, and long life.   The more you have, the greater you are.   The less you have, the less significant you are.  However, God judges differently.  He measures one’s success by faithfulness and obedience to the Lord, even though at times it means rejection, humiliation, mockery, persecution, suffering, imprisonment, and even death.  E.g. Think of all martyrs.  John the Baptist.   Please notice here that Jesus rode on the donkey back in order to fulfill the Scriptures (Zechariah 9:9), that is to obey God’s will.  In fact, He could’ve have commanded the heavenly angels to declare, “Hail the king!  Long live the king!”  He could’ve called out the heavenly choir to sing wonderful tributes one after another accompanied with angelic trumpets.  Yet, He didn’t.  Why?  Because He knew better than that.  He wanted to demonstrate to the world what really matters in the Kingdom of God: Love not force.  Service not dominance. Humility not arrogance. 

Speaking of humility, Jesus was a humble king.   His image as king doesn’t fit at all the worldly image, does it?  Listen to Napoleon Bonaparte: “Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius?  Upon force.  Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for him.

In the worldly sense Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem was anything but triumphal.  Yet, it was the most splendid and magnificent procession in God’s sight.   He was anybody but king in human eyes.  Yet, He was the true king of kings in the kingdom of God because He was the humblest of all.   Paradox, isn’t it?  Paradox!   In fact, Christ’s message is full of such paradox:  He said, if you lose your life for Me, you will gain it again.   When you cling to your life denying Me in front of the people, then you would lose your life eternal.  Death means life.  Life means death.  The first will be the last, and the last will be the first.   The servant of all here on earth will be the greatest among all in heaven.  The master washes disciples’ feet.   Bless your enemies, give them a drink when they are thirsty, and feed them when they are hungry, and so on. 

Jesus came to earth not to be served but to serve us (Mark 10:45).  He demonstrated true humility in all areas of His life— birth, life examples, teachings, and even in death.  He was equal to God, yet He was born in human flesh laid down in a manger.  He was the Lord of all, yet He washed His disciples’ dirty and smelly feet with His hands.  He was the king of kings, yet He died naked on the cross.   Philippians 2:5-8 well summarizes such Jesus’ humility.  “Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on the cross!” (E.g. the closest analogy I can think of is turning myself a human into a lower form of life such as an amoeba or ant).

Conclusion 

As we celebrate Palm Sunday today, I pray that all of us would remember one thing: Jesus’ humility.  I pray that we imitate the humble Christ in all areas of our lives.  I pray that we seriously check out our own measurements of greatness and success: follow God’s definition not that of the world.  I often wonder how we Americans appear in the eyes of the world.  We are a mighty nation, are we not?  We often demonstrated our military supremacy to the world, didn’t we?  Yet, are we not considered a very arrogant nation? 

Christ’s message is clear for all whether individuals, families, or nations: true greatness is only to be measured and demonstrated in humility and service not in arrogance or dominance.  May the Lord would help us to practice our humility daily by considering others better than we are and serve them accordingly. 

Let us pray.      

  

 

Sermon: Jesus’ Ministry: Healing

Today Pastor Choi talks about Jesus’ healing ministry.  He points out that God’s healing is still available in the 21st century.  He also reminds the congregation to do three things before they seek divine healing: first, say “God’s will be done.”  Next, leave no sin unresolved.  Third, believe that God can heal the sick.  He exhorts the congregation to claim God’s healing with faith and perseverance. 

     Jesus’ Ministry. Healing

 

 

Following is a summary of the sermon:

 

Jesus’ Ministry (3): Healing                             Matthew 8:1-4

 

Matthew 8:1-4   New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

8 When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

 

Introduction

 

In the past two Sundays we learned what Jesus has done for people in His ministry.  First, He taught.  His teachings were full of truth, grace, and wisdom.  Jesus’ teachings are priceless and it would be tragic if we don’t learn from them.  They are recorded in the Bible and that’s why I urge every child of God to get into the Word of God to be fed by and live on Jesus’ teachings.  Jesus also preached.  He proclaimed the Kingdom of God—that is to come and that is here and now.  While we await the Kingdom of God to come with Jesus’ Second Coming, we live out God’s Kingdom here and now by keeping Jesus’ Word.  We live it out by on-going repentance of our sins and forgiveness of each other’s sins.

 

Today, as part three of my series, I will speak about the healing ministry of Jesus.  Once a pastor calculated how much time Jesus spent during His public ministry for healing of the sick.  He claimed that about 2/3 of Jesus’ time was devoted to healing and the rest to teaching and preaching.  Just for this reason alone, it is worth our time looking into the healing ministry of Jesus.  After careful research on this topic I realized that there is no way for me to cover the entire subject of divine healing with one sermon.  Therefore, this morning I would focus on the following two things: first, divine healing is still available in the 21st century.  Second, what we need to remember when we seek God’s healing.

 

Contents

 

History of the divine healing in the Scriptures: 

 

Throughout the Scriptures, both Old and New Testament, we see God heal His people.  The God whom we worship and serve is the God of Healing.  Begin with the name Rafael—God of Healing (Immanuel, Israel, Michael, El Shaddai, El Elyon, and Bethel).  YAHWEH God declares, “I am the Lord who heals you” (Exodus 15:26). 

 

Here are three examples in the Old Testament where God made people whole again.   First, God healed the infertility problem among the women of Abimelech (Genesis 20:17).  Second, He healed King Hezekiah’s unknown sickness at the point of death and added 15 more years to his life (2 Kings 20:1 ff).  Third, He cured Naaman’s leprosy (2 Kings 5).

 

Jesus our Lord also healed many people during His Ministry on earth.  He even raised the dead (Luke 11, John 11).  In fact, He healed every disease (Matthew 4:23).  To name the few, He healed the people of paralysis (Matthew 4:24), hemorrhage (Matthew 9:22), blind (Luke 18:43), deaf and dumb (John 5:10), dropsy (Luke 14:2), epilepsy (Luke 9:42), and leprosy (Luke 17:11 ff).  He also healed the people who were oppressed by demons (Mark 9:14 ff).  He came to set people free from the bondage of pain and suffering.

 

Even after Jesus ascended into heaven, God’s healing ministry continued in the Early Church: this time by the hands of Jesus’ Apostles.  I am going to give you a couple of examples. 

 

First, Peter and John (Acts 3).  One day, they were going up to the Temple in Jerusalem to pray.  It was in the afternoon around 3 o’clock.  At the gate of the Temple, a man lame from birth was begging for alms from the people who entered the Temple. When the beggar asked for alms from Peter and John, Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none, but I give you what I have.  In the name of Jesus, rise and walk!”  Then, Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.  The man stood up, and began to walk, jump, and praise God. 

 

Next, Paul the Apostle did many healings as well in the name of Jesus.  One time, he was shipwrecked at an island (Malta) along with other 275 passengers (Acts 27:37 ff).  He cured the father of the chief of the island and later many others with diseases and led the entire island to Christ (Acts 28:8-9). 

 

What about the churches in the first century?  Yes, they too carried on this divine healing in the name of Jesus.  For instance, in the Corinthian Church, some believers received the gift of healing and used it for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 12:28).  

 

For the next 2000 years, the Church of Christ practiced and benefited from divine healing of the sick. 

 

The real question is whether divine healing still happens or not in today’s church.  It was thing of the past and no longer God Himself heals the sick, some claim.  He uses doctors instead.   Others like me disagree.  Why?  Because God doesn’t change over time.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).  The God of Healing in the Old Testament still heals people today.  The same Jesus in the New Testament still sets us free from the demonic oppressions and ailments in our body and soul (Acts 10:48).  

 

For more empirical reasons, I asked the following questions for myself: Have I experienced it personally?  (YES, I have and in fact more than once too)  Do I personally know people who are healed in the name of Jesus?  (YES, I do)  Have I seen God’s people healed in my own ministry? (YES, I have)—one time in Michigan, we prayed for God’s healing in the congregation and for 18 months we didn’t lose a single life.  Therefore, with the fullest conviction, I can testify to you that divine healing is still available to those who claim it in the name of Jesus.  Of course, God uses many other means of healing such as doctors, nurses, medicine, and medical technology, yet God still wants you and me to seek divine healing. 

                               

I am going to present now three essential things to remember as we seek divine healing: 

 

First and foremost, God’s will:  Before we claim God’s promise of healing, we must bring in our humble attitude—the foundation of answered prayers—God’s will be done.

 

In today’s story, the leper said to Jesus, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed” (Matthew 8:2-3, NASB).  Take this God’s promise with you in your prayers and present it to Jesus: Lord, if you are willing, you can make me whole like you did the leper. 

 

Next, leave no sin unresolved.   Sin must be dealt before we invoke God’s healing upon us, because undealt sins block the answers from God (Mark 11:25-26).  Confess every sin before you ask.  Also, forgive your perpetrators.  An unforgiving spirit is a boulder that blocks the path to answered prayers. 

 

Thirdly, believe that God heals you.  In almost every case of Jesus’ healing He emphasized the importance of the person’s faith: your faith has saved you (Luke 7:50) or do you believe that I can do for you? (Matthew 9:28) or.  Say to Jesus, “YES, I DO!”  In today’s story, the leper said to Jesus, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”  Say to Jesus, “YES, YOU CAN!” Do not expect to get anything from God if you doubt God’s ability (James 1:6-7).  E.g.  My experience with some people who prayed with me for the divine healing.  Believe that you already received it: Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you (Mark 11:24, NASB).   Notice the sequence here: believe and it will be granted. 

 

 

Once these three conditions are met, we go to God in prayer for healing.  Don’t give up after one prayer.  Keep on praying.  In fact, Jesus commands us to be persistent (Luke 18) until we receive the healing or until the Lord reveals the reason why the answer is no like Jesus or Paul (but that’s another topic for later time).

 

 

Conclusion

 

My prayer for all of you: may God heal your body, mind, soul, and spirit in Jesus’ name. 

 

Invite the people to the altar in the following steps as Paul did (Acts 28:8): Pray-Lay Hands-Heal.

 

  1.  I pray: Lord, You are the God of Healing.  You want us to be free from physical illness.  If You are willing, You can make us whole.  We ask for Your forgiveness on everything we’ve done wrong.  We forgive those who trespass against us.  Every one of them.  We believe that You have already answered our prayers.  We thank You and praise You for the healing.  Have mercy on us.  In Jesus’ name, we pray.
  2. People kneel/stand around the altar.
  3. I lay my hands on them saying, “Be healed in the name of Jesus.  Amen.”
  4. Leave the rest to God.

Sermon: Jesus’ Ministry: Preaching

Today Pastor Choi continues his sermon series on Jesus’ ministry: preaching.  The central theme of Christ’s preaching was the Kingdom of God.  Pastor Choi explains the two aspects of the Kingdom of God: here and now (present) and that is to come (future). In the end, he exhorts God’s people to establish God’s Kingdom in their hearts by repentance and forgiveness.

Jesus’ Ministry. Preaching

 

Following is a summary of the sermon:

Jesus’ Ministry (part 2): Preaching     Mark 1:14-15

14 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:14-15, NASB).

Introduction

I promised you last Sunday a three-part sermon series on Jesus’ ministry.   First, I talked about His teaching ministry: his teachings are filled with truth, grace, and wisdom.  It would be a grave mistake with eternal consequences if we fail to tap into God’s great resource for us—the Bible where we find Jesus’ teachings.  Today, as part 2 of the series, we will think about His preaching ministry.  During His ministry for three years, Jesus would go around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the Kingdom of God (Luke 8:1).  Today’s text well sums up what He preached about:  Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:14-15).

Contents

The catch phrase for His ministry is this: The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15).   The central theme of His preaching was the Kingdom of God.

What is the Kingdom of God?

A child in China once asked a missionary what the Kingdom of God is.  The missionary simply explained that the Kingdom of God is the kingdom where God is King.   The Kingdom of God is, indeed, where God is King and we are His subjects.  In the Kingdom of God, God is in charge and we are His citizens.  He is our loving Father and we are His children.   In God’s Kingdom He is our Lord and we are His servants.  He is our boss and we are His agents working together to bring about His Kingdom here on earth.

Two concepts

We all wonder when and where Kingdom of God is going to come.  I will explain briefly this morning that there are two aspects of the Kingdom of God: here and now and that is to come.   Present and future.  Let me explain the future sense of God’s Kingdom first.   It will come in the end times.   One day Jesus’ disciples asked Him when the end of the age is going to come on the earth—the full consummation of God’s Kingdom (Matthew 24:3).  Jesus answered: there will be wars, rumors of wars, natural disasters, heavenly signs, and the persecution of believers.  The gospel must be preached in the entire world before it comes.  There will be false prophets and false Christs.  Lawlessness is to be increased and people’s love will grow cold.  Then, the end of the world will come and Christ will return in His glory.   Since nobody but God knows exactly when it is going to be, Christ commands us to be prepared, watch, and pray.   That is the Kingdom of God in the future.  The full consummation of God’s reign both in the heavens and on earth.

Here’s the other aspect: the Kingdom of God here and now—it is the foretaste of God’s Kingdom in your heart and this is what we need to be concerned about while we are waiting for Christ’s coming.  In fact, that’s what today’s text is all about: God’s Kingdom here and now.  Let me elaborate on it.

The Kingdom of God at hand

Jesus begins verse 15 saying, the time (kairos–God’s time) is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand.  “At hand” means God’s Kingdom is right next to you and to your heart.  By the way, the Kingdom of God at hand— it reminds me of an imagery of Jesus standing at the door knocking: Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me (Revelation 3:20, NASB).

What is your answer to His call?  Jesus asks you to open your heart and invite Him so that you may have the relationship with Him: Christ as your King and you as His servant.  Invite Him into your heart and to your throne: you give up your throne to Him and serve Him as your Lord.   He calls you to establish this wonderful and eternal relationship with Him.  He wants you to walk in God’s light and truth.  He wants you to do justice and walk humbly with God.  He wants you to pursue holiness with Him and peace with one another (Hebrews 12:14).

Repent

You may wonder what’s the first thing you need to do to establish the Kingdom of God in your heart.  Jesus answers, “through repentance.”  Now, think with me.  Out of so many words Jesus could’ve chosen for His ministry catch phrase such as “The Kingdom of God is at hand, therefore, be good/do good/serve the poor/ pray/read the Bible/go to church/transform the world” and so forth, why did He choose the word “Repent” instead?

Repent is one of the most beautiful words in Christianity that has been misunderstood, misinterpreted, and consequently has been shunned by preachers and believers for years in America.  E.g. In my seminary days, the emphasis of preaching class was “Give a positive and uplifting message.”  Therefore, shun negative words such as sin or repentance.  But, you know what?  If Jesus used them, so shall I.  So must every preacher.  In fact, it would be a great disservice to you if I only focus on the “feel-good” words never mentioning words that are essential in the Christian’s life.  I just don’t want to omit the words that Jesus frequently used: the words that are crucial in our relationship with God and with each other.  Repentance is the word Jesus often used in the context of forgiveness.

Why repentance is important?  Because it is a means to restore our relationship with God and with each other.  Everyone needs a relationship with God, therefore, everyone needs repentance.  Without repentance, there’s no forgiveness, and there is no relationship with God.  No matter how holy and devout we may think we are, we still need to repent to God and to one another.  As often as we can.  Repentance is a tool to make up our broken relationships with God and with each other.  By the way, the tense for Greek verb ‘to repent’ here is present and it carries the meaning of “on-going” action of repentance, not just a one-time and done deal.  Repentance is an on-going act before God.   If you had repented twenty years ago, and never did repent since, something is wrong.  To me, repentance is a daily act with God and with each other.

Believe in the gospel.

Jesus said, repent and believe in the gospel (v. 15).

Believe what?  The gospel.  The good news.  What is the good news?  The good news of God.  The good news that God originated and brings to all.  The good news that Jesus came and died on our behalf.  Last Sunday, one child asked me why we call the Friday when Jesus died on the cross good.  I explained that although it was sad to see Him crucified, we still call Good Friday because of the good that God brings forth out of Christ’s death on our behalf.  I cannot have enough of this great news for all.  In fact, the greatest news of all with the eternal benefit for you and me.

Jesus died on the cross to redeem us from the penalty of our sins.  The same Jesus asks us (the forgiven) to forgive others.  Lent is the great time for forgiveness.  First, we seek God’s forgiveness for our sins against God and against others.  Next, we ask for forgiveness from others.  Thirdly, it is our turn to forgive others’ sins.  Now, some of us have a hard time forgiving someone in our lives.  For whatever wrong they have done against us.  Let me tell you.  God commands us to forgive.  Forgiveness is not a suggestion or option.  It is a command like the Ten Commandments.  E.g. You shall not murder/steal.

Forgiveness is intentional not emotional.  When we forgive the perpetrator, we do not rely on our feelings.  Rather, we use our will power.  It is about giving up our right to revenge and putting it in God’s hands. “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay” says the Lord (Romans 12:19).  E.g.  On October 2, 2006, a non-Amish man Charles Karl Roberts IV, a 30-year old truck driver, entered an Amish Schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, PA.  He tied up all ten girls and shot them all.  Five of them died.  When a trooper came in through the window, he turned the gun on himself.  The same day the Amish community visited the killer’s father and told him, “Chuck, we will forgive you.”  More than thirty Amish attended the burial of Charles Roberts the perpetrator.  Among them were the parents of several victims.  Listen to a mother of a victim: “To me when I think of forgiving, it doesn’t mean that you have forgotten what he’s done.  But it means that you have released unto God the one who has offended you.  And you have given up your right to seek revenge.  I place the situation in God’s hands.  And I choose not to hold against Charles because it really doesn’t help me anything anyway” (Video, The Amish, The American Experience).

Conclusion

If Jesus starts His public ministry in America today, what catch phrase would He use for His ministry?  I believe He would take up the same sentences that He used 2000 years ago in Israel: the Kingdom of God is near, therefore, repent and believe in the good news.  Establish your relationship with God by repenting of your sins.   Ask for God’s forgiveness and forgive those who trespass against you.  Believe in the greatest news of all: Jesus loves you and died for you.

Amen.

Sermon: Jesus’ Ministry: Teaching

Today Pastor Choi walks the congregation through Jesus’ teaching ministry.  He points out that His teachings are still relevant today in America in the following three aspects.  They are full of truth, full of grace, and full of wisdom.  He exhorts God’s people to get into God’s Word today to live out Jesus’ teachings in their daily lives.

 

    Jesus’ Teaching Ministry

 

Following is a summary of the sermon:

 

Jesus’ Ministry (I): Teaching                         Matthew 4:23-25

Matthew 4:23-25  New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Ministry in Galilee

23 Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.

24 The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. 25 Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.

Introduction

 

Last Sunday, I talked about why Jesus the Messiah came to this earth: to set us free from the bondage of sin and death and to release us from physical and emotional evils.  For the next three Sundays, I am going to walk you through Jesus’ public ministry to know what He has done to minister to the people.   Today’s reading well sums up His ministry: Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people (Matthew 4:23). 

 

This morning, as part 1 of the series, we will think about Jesus’ teaching ministry.

 

Contents

 

Jesus was a marvelous teacher.  People in His time were truly astonished at His teaching.  They noticed that His teaching was far superior to those of the scribes—teachers of the Law, because He taught the lessons with authority (Mark 1:22).   In fact, they were so amazed that they debated among themselves saying, “What is this?  A new teaching—and with authority!”  (Mark 1:27). 

 

Of course, it is not difficult to figure out why His teaching was so outstanding:

 

First, Jesus was from above while the other teachers were from below.  He was the Son of God while the scribes/rabbis were mere human beings.  When it comes down to God’s Word, He learned firsthand from God the Father while the others didn’t.  

 

Next, Jesus was the Word of God Himself (John 1:1). Therefore, He had no need of external support for His teachings, while the scribes would refer to the rabbinic teachings.    E.g.  Jesus (the Sun—the source of light) and scribes (the Moon—the reflections). 

 

Thirdly, the clarity, simplicity, and the conviction of truth Jesus brought to the audience were far superior to those of the scribes because the Holy Spirit was working together in His teaching, while the same Spirit was foreign to the scribes. 

 

That was 2000 years ago.  His teachings truly helped the people of God in Israel.  What about today?  The question of relevance arises: Are Jesus’ teachings still relevant in today’s world?   In the 21st century in America?  My answer to that question is a resounding “YES!!!”

 

Why? 

 

Because His Word is the truth, and the truth never changes.  The same truth He taught 2000 years ago in Israel still remains true and relevant in the 21st century in America.  His teachings were filled with truth, grace, and wisdom back then, and they are still the same today.  Let me elaborate on what I said.

 

First and foremost, Jesus’ teaching is full of truth.  In the Gospel stories, we see many lessons of Jesus.  When you really pay attention to them, you cannot but think that He is telling you the truth and nothing but the truth.  He is not politically correct.  He doesn’t show favoritism to anyone, either.  Here’s one example.  One day He was speaking to the religious leaders about their hypocrisies.  He didn’t mince words.  Listen: 25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.26 You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also” (Matthew 23:25-26, NASB). 

 

When it comes to speaking the truth, Jesus is the lion, not a lamb.  He also speaks directly to the heart of the listeners, so sometimes it hurts.  That’s why the religious leaders hated Him and later killed Him. 

 

I remember reading a story of a preacher and two brothers:  “(The two brothers) were rich.  They were also wicked.  Both lived a wild, unprofitable existence, using their wealth to cover up the dark side of their lives.  On the surface, however, few would have guessed it, for these consummated cover-up artists attended the same church almost every Sunday and contributed large sums to various church-related projects.  Then the church called a new pastor, a young man who preached the truth with zeal and courage.  Before long, attendance had grown so much that the church needed a larger worship center.  Being a man of keen insight and strong integrity, this young pastor had also seen through the hypocritical lifestyles of the two brothers.  Suddenly one of the brothers dies, and the young pastor was asked to preach his funeral.  The day before the funeral, the surviving brother pulled the minister aside and handed him an envelope.  “There’s a check in here that is large enough to pay the entire amount you need for the new sanctuary,” he whispered. “All I ask is one favor: Tell the people at the funeral that he was a saint.”  The minister gave the brother his word; he would do precisely what was asked.  That afternoon he deposited the check into the church account.  The next day the young pastor stood before the casket at the funeral service and said with firm conviction, “This man was an ungodly sinner, wicked to the core.  He was unfaithful to his wife, hot-tempered with his children, ruthless in his business, and a hypocrite at church…but compared to his brother, he was a saint” (Leadership magazine, Fall 1995). 

 

I pray that God’s Church would follow Jesus’ example of teaching the truth.  May the preachers do the same, handling God’s truth accurately without compromise (2 Timothy 2:15).  May God’s people welcome the truth of God even though it hurts. 

 

Next, Jesus’ teaching is full of grace.  Do you remember His encounter with a woman who was caught in adultery?  Listen:  “But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. 10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” 

 

Each time I read this account, it gives me goose bumps.  No one but Christ can come up with such a graceful truth to a sinner like me.

 

Thirdly, His teaching is full of wisdom.  His lessons are priceless.  Listen to this: 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 

Here’s another one:22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 ‘No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth’” (Matthew 6:19-24, NASB). 

 

How about this one? “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34).

 

Oh, I can go on and on.  We sure miss such great teachings from a great Teacher.  However, God hasn’t left us alone without help.  In fact, He has given us two resources to tap into for our life journey: the Great Book and a resident Teacher in us.  The Great Book is the Bible where we can find Jesus’ teachings.  The resident Teacher in us is the Holy Spirit. 

 

Here’s the sad reality: Few people of God get into God’s Word, because they lack the desire to get into the treasure of Jesus’ teachings.  Few are aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence in them and even less ask Him for help.  Therefore, most of God’s people remain ignorant of Jesus’ teachings and deprived of blessings thereof.   The end result?  We miss out on the life-transforming teachings of Jesus.  We miss out on the abundant life in the Holy Spirit.  The worst of all, we may miss out on eternal life if we neglect God’s Word. 

 

Do you know who Satan is?  Your enemy.   Do you know what his ultimate goal is?   To deprive you of eternal life.  How does he achieve that?  By convincing you that you can live by bread alone without God’s Word.  By convincing you that God’s Word is too difficult to understand so that you may not open the Bible.  By convincing you that it is the preacher’s job, not yours, to read the Bible.  By keeping you from having access to God’s Word.  By keeping you ignorant of the salvation knowledge.  He would do everything in his power to keep you from God’s truth so that you may miss eternal life.  Never ever allow your enemy to do that.

 

Conclusion

 

God has given us the Bible and the resident Teacher in us.  We have no excuses not to rely on them in our life journey.  We have God’s Word right under our nose and God’s Spirit in us.  Show me a believer who takes God’s Word seriously, and I will show you a believer who loves Jesus. 

 

Get into God’s Word today.  Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you Jesus’ way, too.  By the way, about 18 months ago, I challenged you to read the entire Bible, from cover to cover and let me know.  Then, I would record your name in my book, “The Book Club.”  I am still waiting.   If you think Jesus was the Great teacher and His teachings are relevant today, you will get on them in the Bible starting today.  Beginners, you can start with the Gospel of John, and you will be forever blessed.

 

Let’s pray.

Sermon: Christ’s Mission Statement

Pastor Choi talks about Christ’s mission statement today.  Jesus the Messiah, the Anointed One of God, came to accomplish God’s given mission to preach the good news to the humble and meek, to bind up the broken-hearted, to set the captives free from the bondage of sin and death, and to pay the wages of our sin forever through His own death.

 

Christ’s Mission Statement

 

 

Following is a summary of the sermon:

 

Title: Christ’s Mission Statement

Text: Luke 4:14-21, Isaiah 61:1-2

 

Luke 4:14-21New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Jesus’ Public Ministry

14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. 15 And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all.

16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. 17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives,
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set free those who are oppressed,
19 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”

20 And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

 

Introduction

Imagine this: Using a time machine, you travel back to the first century Israel to the town of Nazareth the hometown of Jesus.  The first thing you notice is that it is a very small town with a population under 500.  It happens to be a Sabbath Day.  You walk into the synagogue that is built on a hill.  You enter there and quietly sit while waiting for the service to start.  There are about 30-40 people gathered, men and women altogether.  Not long after you sit down, Jesus comes in.  The service starts.  Then, He stands up which means He has something to say to the people.  The attendant of the synagogue brings Him the Torah.  He opens Isaiah 61:1-2 (the prophecy on the Messiah) and reads it aloud to the people.  Then He sits down and says to the congregation the prophecy that they just heard has been fulfilled in their hearing that day.  In other words, Jesus claims that He is the Messiah–the Anointed–God’s chosen one.   You hear Him saying it in plain Aramaic.  He is the Messiah.  Most of the folks, however, don’t get it.

 

Contents

In fact, that’s exactly what happened one day two thousand years ago in Nazareth Jesus’  hometown (Luke 4:16-30).  Before He launched His public ministry in the district of Galilee, Jesus declared to everyone in His hometown that He was the Messiah of God.  FYI: the Hebrew word ‘Messiah’ is same as Christ.  The anointed one of God.  In the Old Testament times, in three occasions a person was anointed with oil to announce that God has set them apart for certain tasks: kings for ruling, priests for sacrifices and prayers, and the prophets for delivering God’s message to God’s people.  The Messiah has all three offices: king of kings, the High Priest for our sins, and the Messenger of God’s Word.  Jesus is the Messiah sent by God.  This morning, we will carefully listen to the Messiah and His mission statement.

Isaiah 61:1-2 is not only the prophecy on the Messiah but it also tells us about his mission.  It is Christ’s mission statement in which Jesus laid out why God anointed Him, to whom He was sent, and what He would do for the people.  Let me unpack His mission statement:

First, God sent the Messiah to preach the Good News to the poor.  The first task for the Messiah is to bring the Good News of God to the poor–the recipients of the Good News.  The original meaning of ‘to preach the Good News,’ ‘to bring the good tidings,’ and ‘to bring a joyful message’ carries the meaning of ‘to rub/smooth the face.’  By bringing the Messiah, God wants to comfort His people.

The Hebrew word for ‘poor’ (ahnahv) also deserves our attention here.  It can be translated in five different ways: poor, afflicted, weak, humble, or meek.  Consider the two slightly different versions of the Beatitudes: in Matthew Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3, NASB).  In Luke Jesus says, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God ” (Luke 6:20, NASB).  Matthew was a Jew who understood Jesus’ usage of the word (ahnahv) and, therefore, translated it ‘those who are poor in spirit (that is, humble),’ while Luke a Gentile literally translated as the poor with meager material possessions.

Knowing the usage of this adjective ‘poor’ (ahnahv) in various settings, I am inclined to go with that the Messiah preaches the Good News to the humble and meek.  The humble and meek means that they are neither strong nor mighty.  Perfectly understanding their weaknesses, they are not high on themselves.  They readily acknowledge that they need One who is mightier and stronger than themselves.  They are ready to accept God into their lives.

What about the proud and the mighty–the opposite of humble and meek?  Rich folks tend to be haughty.  Jesus says that it is extremely difficult for the rich to get into the Kingdom of Heaven: “Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24).   Why?  Because, they are proud, relying not on God but on their own might.  Furthermore, they rely on the power of money and pursue and worship mammon.  They also tend to look down on folks believing that they are better than others.  God is opposed to the proud.  Be sure that you stay humble to avoid self-reliance and to prevent yourself from worshiping mammon.

The second mission of the Messiah is to bind up the broken-hearted.  The Hebrew word for ‘to bind’ is habash: bind up the wounds.  So, the Messiah came to bind up the wounds of the broken-hearted.  He came to comfort the distressed and emotionally wounded.  I am thinking of those folks who have been emotionally mistreated and verbally abused in their relationships.  The Messiah came for those folks to bind up their wounds and make them whole again.   The imagery that comes to my mind is gentle and loving, kind hands that bind up our wounds.  In fact, Jesus is such a kind and loving God.  Isaiah 42:3 says about the Messiah: “A bruised reed he will not break and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.”  Matthew 11:28-29: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (NASB).   The Church–the Body of Christ– also should be the sanctuary for the wounded spirits and crushed souls.

Thirdly, Christ came to set free the captives and set at liberty those who are oppressed.  Here, Jesus the Messiah is not talking about political liberation through revolution.  Rather, He refers to the liberty and freedom from both spiritual and physical evils.  The Messiah came to free us from oppression and harassment, both spiritual and physical, imposed on us by our enemy the Devil.  As a matter of fact, if I had to choose one word to summarize what the Christian life is all about, I would choose ‘freedom’– the first and foremost benefit I enjoy as a Christian.  Nothing and nobody owns me but God.  Christ set me free from the power of sin and from the fear of death.  I am no longer enslaved to sin.  I am no longer under the bondage of sin.  I am no longer oppressed by Satan, either physically or spiritually (Acts10:38).  This is especially essential and true to those with addictions.  Christ is the Liberator.  Christ is the truth.   He liberates people from the strong grip of sin and addiction (John 8:32).  That’s what He did when He was on earth.  He would heal many people who were physically inflicted and set them free from the spiritual oppressions by Satan.

Last, but not least, Christ came to proclaim to all Jubilee (the favorable year of the LORD).  What is a Jubilee?  It is every fiftieth year when a release is proclaimed through the land to all its inhabitants (Leviticus 25:10).  It is the year when the people of God return to their own property and to their families.   Slaves become free and people forgive each other’s debt.   Christ declares that He has forgiven our debts through His own death once and for all.  Indeed, the Messiah paid the wages of our sins through His own death so that we may forever go free from the consequences of our iniquities.   In the mid-course of His ministry, Christ affirmed His mission as this:  “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many”(Mark 10:45, NASB).  To give His life as a ransom for many.  He completed that mission on the cross offering His sinless and innocent body on behalf of all who would believe in His atoning death on the cross.  The sinless for the sinful.  I pray that all of us understand how great God’s love for us to send His only begotten Son Jesus the Messiah to do that job on the cross— to save us from our sins and let us go free.  Some day we will be eternally grateful for the Messiah.

Conclusion

On the night before He was crucified, Jesus the Messiah was standing before the high priest.  The high priest asked Jesus one question: Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One? (Mark 14:61).   And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62, NASB).  2,000 years ago, Jesus the Messiah came to us for the first time with the Good News of redemption and healing.  The same Messiah will come again this time not to redeem the sin of the world but as the Judge in the last days (Hebrews 9:28).

May we find ourselves blameless and pure in the sight of the Messiah on that day (2 Corinthians 2:11).     Amen.