Today Pastor Choi starts a three part series on commitment.  He reminds everyone that Christ is worthy of our full commitment.  He shows two characteristics of committed believers: on fire for the Lord and consistent in keeping God’s will in their lives.

Pastor Choi concludes his sermon series today.  He explains the meaning of being God’s child, privileges and responsibilities of God’s children, and God’s discipline in their lives.

Today Pastor Choi continues his sermon series “The Gospel We Believe”–part 2 of 3.  He expounds on the meaning of divine grace, what role our faith plays in salvation, and God’s sovereignty.

Pastor Choi presents his sermon series “The Gospel We Believe” (part 1 of 3) today.  His message focuses on three main entities in the Gospel: God, sinners, and Christ.  God demonstrates His eternal love toward us while we were sinners through Christ who died for us (Romans 5:8).

Guest speaker–John Parker.

Like so many of the people God uses to complete his perfect plan, Jacob is far from perfect. Esau, Isaac’s first born, “despised” his birthright and Jacob trades a bowl of soup for Esau’s birthright. Later, Rebekah covers Jacob’s arms and the back of his neck with sheepskin to deceive Jacob’s father, Isaac, into believing that Jacob is actually his brother Esau and Isaac pronounces the Abrahamic blessing over Jacob. But, because Jacob is steadfast in his faith in God and God’s promises, Jacob is blessed by God with the same blessing that was said over Jacob’s grandfather, Abraham. But, the blessing does not come right away. In today’s passage, Jacob is in the wilderness and has a dream in which God pronounces the Abrahamic blessing over Jacob and assures Jacob that wherever he goes, God will be there with him. God says that he will be with him and will not leave him throughout all of Jacob’s wanderings, even until Jacob returns to his homeland.  Jacob maintains his faith for over 14 years as he labors for Laban to earn the right to marry first Leah and then Rachael before returning to Canaan.

The message for us is timeless giving us courage and perseverance to follow God’s will no matter what we face:

1. Whatever you have done, wherever you have been, there is nothing too big that God will not forgive you. Consequently, there is nothing too big such that God cannot use you. God has a plan for your life. Whatever you have done and wherever you have been, God has a fantastic plan for your life.
2. When you are given a birthright or blessing you can take it to the bank. This promise will not expire, it will not bounce. But you can give it away. Do not … Do not be like Esau and sell your birthright for a bowl of soup. Hold onto to your blessing. Pursue your blessing. Forget about the short term temptation to go get a BigMac … it’s not worth it.  Don’t trade your permanent  birthright for a temporary comfort like a bowl of soup.
3. God will always be there for you. When God gives you a call, He doesn’t just send you on your way. But also, the blessing does not come the very next day. God has ordered your steps and He will be with you every step of the way … From Canaan, out to the wilderness to Laban, work for all those years, then back out to the wilderness returning to Canaan. God is there with you, will always be there for you, and will never leave you nor forsake you. Keep putting one foot in front of the other, never stop, never give up, God is there with you. God’s blessing comes in God’s time and the blessing is much bigger and much better than you could have imagined.

Pastor Choi talks about freedom in Christ today: the freedom from sin and the ways to get it.

Today Pastor Choi concludes his sermon series on the words of the risen Christ: Go to all the nations.  Christ’s command is still relevant today for us to go into the world, to make disciples baptizing and teaching what Christ has commanded us to keep.

Jesus commanded His disciples to receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:22).  Following His command, countless believers received the Holy Spirit in the next two thousand years.  Their ways of experiencing the Holy Spirit can be boiled down to two ways: Outpouring of the Holy Spirit [a.k.a. baptism] and Indwelling of the Holy Spirit [a.k.a. filled with].  Pastor Choi explains strengths and weaknesses of both approaches and exhorts the believers to be baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Today’s sermon is the continuation of the last Sunday’s story where Jesus had breakfast with His seven disciples.  After the breakfast, the risen Christ asked Peter three times: Do you love Me? (John 21:15, 16, 17).  Today, the same Christ asks the same question for all of His followers: Do you truly love Me?  What is your answer?

Using John 21:1-14, Pastor Choi focuses on the character of the risen Christ and His interactions with the seven disciples.  He points out that Jesus was considerate and humble to serve them and that He is generous to do far more abundantly beyond our imaginations.

In today’s sermon, using Power Point Slides, Pastor Choi introduces “5 markers of vitality” that the United Methodist Church uses to measure the congregation’s health: disciples in worship, new disciples, disciples in small groups, disciples in hands-on-mission, and mission giving.  He exhorts the congregants to work together to achieve the 2017 goals in each category.

Pastor Choi expounds the Fifth Commandment of the Ten Commandments: Honor your father and your mother that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you (Exodus 20:12).

The risen Christ appeared to the Ten disciples and said, “Peace to you all.”  Pastor Choi raises and explains the following questions: What is peace?  Why do we need it?  Who can give it to us?  And, how can we obtain it?

Fear not (stop fearing)!—these words are the first words the risen Christ spoke to the women at the tomb.  The risen Lord would speak the same words to us who are daily bombarded with fears.

Pastor Choi presents three biblical solutions to our fears: 1. Remember Immanuel (God is with us).  2. Remember how great and awesome our God is.  3. Cast away fears by filling your heart with love, joy, peace, and with God’s Word.

Today Pastor Choi talks about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and unbelief of the disciples.  He ends his sermon with a story of Jesus’ appearing in different forms, different ways, and different times to His beloved children.

Today Pastor Choi introduces a book to the congregation written by Derek Prince: God’s Medicine Bottle.  He points out four directions to take God’s words as medicine for physical healing: 1. Take them with undivided attention.  2. Take them with humility and teachability.  3. Take them with simplicity and sincerity.  4. Keep them in the midst of your heart.

God’s Word is the guide of your life.  Pastor Choi points out that when God’s children diligently observe God’s commandments and teaching, then God will guide, watch over, and talk to them through His Word.

Pastor Choi invites God’s people to think with him about the meaning of life.  He points out that it is God who gives our lives meaning and purpose: that is, to have relationship with Him and to glorify Him in our lives.

Pastor Choi talks today about Jesus’ healing ministry.  Healing takes place when our faith worships, confesses, and believes.  God also rewards when we persist in prayer.  Pastor Choi exhorts the congregation to claim God’s healing with faith and perseverance.

Jesus’ teachings can boil down to one verse in the Bible: John 8:32 “You shall know the truth and truth shall set you free.”   Pastor Choi exhorts God’s people to get into God’s Word the truth daily to live out the life of jubilee (freedom).

Pastor Choi today designates 2017 to be the Year of Jubilee for the people of Manahawkin United Methodist Congregation based on Leviticus 25:10-12.  He points out three areas that God’s people need Jubilee: spiritual, physical, and financial.

Presented by Manahawkin UMC Chancel Choir and Music Director Vel Gamble with Special Instrumental Ensemble and Bells Directed by Joe DelVecchio.

Today Pastor Choi talks about his own journey in thanksgiving.  First, he learned to be thankful for the blessings.  Next, the Lord taught him to be thankful even in adversities.  Finally, he learned about the reasons behind God’s command for us to be thankful in all circumstances.

Today Pastor Choi concludes his sermon series on spiritual warfare.  He explains the six components of the full armor of God: belt of truth, helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the Gospel of peace, shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit–the Word of God.  He exhorts God’s people to hold their ground standing against the devil’s schemes until Christ comes.

Today Pastor Choi talks about two prerequisites for spiritual warfare: resting in Christ and in what He has done for us, and walking in God’s standards through the power of the indwelling Spirit of Holiness.

Pastor Choi continues his series on spiritual warfare: Expounding three verses in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 4:4, John 13:2, and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5), he points out what Satan is up to and how he harasses, oppresses, and attacks God’s children.

Today, Pastor Choi introduces a three-part (that ended up in a four part) series on spiritual warfare.  In his message, he talks about two opposing kingdoms in spiritual realm: the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan.  He urges the people of God to wake up from their spiritual sleep and follow their leader Jesus Christ in their spiritual battles.

Today, at Manahawkin UMC, Laity Sunday was observed where everything was led by the members of the congregation.  Guest speaker was Sarah Choi, also member of the church.  She talked about the secret of God’s provision.

Today Pastor Choi concludes his sermon series on the Church of God.  He exhorts the congregation to focus on what God has in mind for MUMC and be faithful to His call as the Church in Philadelphia did: with a little power, keep His Word and not deny His name, hold fast Christ’s Promise on Second Coming, and listen/obey what the Holy Spirit says to the churches.

Pastor Choi talks about the necessity of the Church in today’s sermon.  The Church of Jesus Christ is commissioned to take the message of reconciliation in Christ to the world (Matthew 28:19-20).  No other organizations in the world was chosen by God for that task.  God reveals salvation the divine mystery through the Church.  That’s why people need the Church.

Today Pastor Choi addresses the congregation on the question of why people need Jesus.  For healing, for peace, for happiness, for teaching, and for eternal life.  Yes, they are all legitimate reasons, but the true reason why every soul on earth needs Jesus is because of their broken relationship with God through sin.  Everyone is a sinner and every sinner needs a Savior.  That’s why we need Jesus the Savior and Lord.

Today Pastor Choi examines the question of why on evil.  In the time of violence, evil, and injustice, he exhorts the congregation not to run away from God but to run towards Him in search of hope, courage, strength, and wisdom to overcome evil.

Pastor Choi talks about the importance of watch and pray in the believer’s life.  Explaining the background information of the wedding in Israel at the time of Jesus, he exhorts God’s people to saturate their lives with prayer in earnest anticipation of Christ’s return.

Pastor Choi’s sermon series on Jesus’ Why questions ends today.  Jesus’ question of “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” was directed not to humans but to God the Heavenly Father.  He cried out to God not because His disciples betrayed and abandoned Him.  Nor because of the mockery and insult from the religious leaders and bystanders.  He rather did so, because the sin of entire world entered between Him and His Father and created a total separation between Christ and His loving Father in whose presence nothing unholy or impure is allowed.  That separation made Christ cry out to God, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Through the story of a paralytic man who was healed by Jesus, Pastor Choi highlights the following: Be the friend to bring your loved ones to Jesus in prayer, God searches all hearts and understands every intent of our thoughts, Forgiveness trumps all other blessings, and Accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord.

Pastor Choi talks about breaking the commandment of God with human teachings and tradition.  In today’s story, he draws three lessons: beware of human tradition that invalidates the Word of God, do not worship in vain, and watch out what truly defiles you.

Today Pastor Choi talks about putting the Lord to the test: what constitutes testing of the Lord.  Not every act of asking for God’s sign is considered ‘putting the Lord to the test.’  The Scripture identifies three elements of testing the Lord: 1) Unbelief of God’s wisdom, power, good will, and His existence  2) Demand of wanton cravings  3) Rebellion against God.

Pastor Choi talks about three approaches people take in terms of salvation and eternal life: human goodness, the Law, and Christ.  He explains how the first two approaches fail to bring us into God’s eternal presence.  He reiterates what God’s Word says about salvation: Christ is the way, the life, and the truth.  No one can come to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).

Today Pastor Choi expounds Jesus’ command on discerning the present time (Kairos).   Kairos is God’s appointed time that demands God’s people to live a holy and godly life, spotless and blameless, for the day of Christ (2 Peter 3:11, 14).

Today Pastor Choi talks about the meaning of “not to judge” others.  They are stop being self-righteous, stop being judgmental, and stop condemning others like God.

Today Pastor Choi talks about Jesus and Peter walking on the water.  Three lessons he points out in the story of Jesus: God’s in it, so is our faith, and fix your eyes on Jesus.

Pastor Choi today talks about the cure for anxiety.  First, he points out four characteristics of worries: useless, evil, stressful, and contagious.  Next, he identifies four ways to handle life’s worries: keep a heavenly perspective, have faith in God, stop worrying, and seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness.

Acts 2:1-13

Substituting for Pastor Choi, John Parker delivers a sermon on Pentecost when everyone asked “What does this mean?”

Pentecost is considered to be the day that the church was born. Ten days before, the apostles were with Jesus when He told them to wait in Jerusalem until the Spirit came upon them and that they would be given power through the Spirit to be His witnesses to Judea, Samara, and all the earth. This was the last thing that Jesus said to the disciples before He ascended to sit at the right hand of the Father.

After waiting and praying for 10 days, for the first time the Holy Spirit baptized all of the believers and they were forever changed. The power of the Holy Spirit made them boldly proclaim the great works of God in every language and dialect of all of the devout Jews who had gone to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Weeks. Peter became the rock that the church would be built upon reciting passages from the prophet Joel as he gave the first sermon of the Christian church.  As prophesied in Jeremiah, the Word of God and the will of God would be written on people’s hearts and “they will be My people and I will be their God.”

These 50 days were perfect fulfillments of the Jewish feasts. At Passover, the sacrifice of the sinless Jesus, God’s only Son, the perfect Lamb of God, Mashiach ben Joseph , was the final payment for all sin of all mankind. At the Feast of Firstfuits Jesus was resurrected from the dead and so became the firstfruits of the new covenant. And at Pentecost or Feast of Weeks when the wheat harvest is celebrated, over three thousand souls were saved as Peter delivered the first sermon of the Christian church reaping the first harvest of souls ripe for salvation.

120 believers had faith in Jesus’ promise that He would never leave them alone even though He had gone to be with the Father. The believers waited patiently, expectantly, and prayerfully for the Holy Spirit to come to them.  And on this Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended from heaven with the sound of a mighty wind and these 120 believers turned the world upside down. We are this generation’s body of Christ and we are called to do the same. We are called to be witnesses of Jesus Christ to Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth proclaiming the great works of God in every tongue to every nation.

Today Pastor Choi talks about Mary of Bethany who poured the very expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet.  Three lessons to learn from Mary: a. Give all you have to Jesus.  b. Jesus remembers your love and acts of service and reward you accordingly.  c. Don’t wait until tomorrow to serve the Lord.

Today Pastor Choi concludes his series on the heart: we are to love the LORD God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our might.  May God approve us like He did King David whose heart was wholly devoted to the LORD.

Today Pastor Choi concludes his sermon series on the prayers that Lord Jesus has actually said.  He focuses on the last word of the last sayings of Jesus: Father, into Your hands, I commit my spirit (Luke 23:46).

Pastor Choi talks about Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane the night before crucifixion.  He prayed on His knees, for God’s will to be done not His, and commanded His disciples to keep watch so as not to fall into temptation.

Today Pastor Choi continues his series on the Lord’s Prayers. He points out that Christ’s prayers were relational, personal, and grateful (full of gratitude).

Today Pastor Choi talks about three characteristics of Jesus’ prayer: intentional, habitual, and alone with God.  The sermon exhorts the congregation to cultivate the habit of spending time alone with God in prayer throughout the year.

Pastor Choi invites the congregation to examine the biblical accounts on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  “Where has the body of Jesus gone?”  Two theories: one by the Christian community that He is risen indeed.  The other theory by the chief priests and the elders that the disciples of Jesus stole away the body of Jesus, that’s why the tomb was empty.

Which theory do you believe?  The sermon urges the congregation to make up their minds.

Today we celebrated Sunday School Sunday.  All the Sunday School children and teachers participated in the worship services.  Pauline McShea the teacher preached a message on how we started our faith journey and where we are going.

Today Pastor Choi continues his sermon series on ‘heart’—part 2 of 3: how to take care of your heart.  After a brief recap of the last Sunday’s message, he points out three excellent ways to watch over the heart: 1. Screen out all negative and destructive thoughts.  2. Store up good and godly thoughts beginning with God’s Word—the Word of Life.  3. Stay on whatever is noble and honorable.  By doing so, we will have the life God intends us to have.

How to Take Care of Your Heart

Following is a summary of the sermon:

Watch Over Your Heart

Proverbs 4:23   New American Standard Bible

Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.

Introduction

This morning I will continue my sermon series on heart- part 2 of 3: how to take care of our heart.

Recap of the Last Week’s Sermon

1. Remember that the heart is the innermost seat of emotion, will, thoughts, and appetites.   It is an open bowl where all the thoughts freely come and go.  Three parties have access to your heart: you, God, and the devil.  It is also a battleground where God and the devil vie for your worship, affection, and devotion.
2. Remember that you’re the sole caretaker of your heart.  You are the guardian appointed by God and your heart is a ward under your protection.  Your job is simple yet very important: to keep your heart safe and secure.
3. I am sure every one of us wants to take good care of our hearts.   A healthy and strong heart begins with our desire to provide excellent care to the heart.  Unless we want to take care of our hearts, no one will.  Even God cannot help us on that.  Why?  Because God never overrides our free will.   Without our desire or invitation, God won’t be able to help us much.  The neglected heart becomes confused, unruly, and eventually we suffer the consequences thereof, that is, evil things march out and defile us (Mark 7:21-23).

Contents

Today’s verse expounded:

The first half of today’s verse reads: “Watch over your heart with all diligence.”  The literal translation of the original Hebrew is:  Above all guarding, guard your heart.

Definition of “to guard”: “to protect property, places, or people from attack or danger” (Oxford Dictionary).   We all protect something or some people from attack or danger.  A question: what do you guard?  Life, health, wealth, house, bank accounts, investment portfolios, family, jobs, image, identity, and so forth.  One thing is for sure: none of us guard anything worthless.  We only guard something precious, valuable, and essential.  So, out of all things worthy of our guarding, which one does God command us to guard most?  The heart.   Our heart is the number one priority to protect.  Guard it fiercely.

Why the heart?

The second sentence of today’s text reveals the reason why we must guard our heart above all things.  Once again the English translation reads: For from it (heart) flow the springs of life.   The literal translation of the same sentence is this: For from it come out the sources of life.  All things of life stem from your heart.

Let me elaborate a little more on ‘life’ here.  The life here means more than just daily survival.  It is the life meaningful.  It is the life fulfilling.  It’s the life of contentment.  It’s the life God intends us to enjoy.  In fact, Jesus wants us to have that life—and have it abundantly (John 10:10).  It’s the life that consists of “earthly felicity combined with spiritual blessedness” (The New Brown-Driver-Briggs-Cesenius Hebrew-English Lexicon, p. 313).  To ‘life’ here, the Septuagint (LXX) Bible renders a unique Greek word ‘zoe’ instead of ‘bios.’  In other words, things that matter most in life originate from our heart.  The essential elements of the blessed life come out of our heart.   And, whatever comes out of our heart even determines our final destination.   That’s how crucial our heart is in life.  So, if you want to live a life satisfactory and meaningful, and if you want to live a life with purpose and destination, and if you want to secure your life eternal,  then learn to take good care of your heart.

Once again, understand your identity: You are the watchman.  You are the guardian of your heart.  Your job is to keep your heart pure, innocent, and blameless in the sight of God until Christ comes (Philippians 1:10).  So, based on these understandings, I am going to introduce three ways to take a good care of your heart.  Let’s not forget.  The entire well-being of your heart and the quality of your life are determined by your desire, discipline, and diligence.

Three things we can do for our hearts: Screen out, Store up, and Stay on.

Screen out.  You are on guard duty for life on behalf of your heart: to prevent the enemy infiltration.  E.g.  The army uses the daily password.  Whoever says the correct password may pass, whoever doesn’t, the guard can shoot.  Same goes with our guard duty for the heart.  For any thought trying to enter the heart, ask the password which is always the same: are you in line with God’s will?  If so, enter. If not, stop.  Never allow anything bad to enter your heart: only good things.

God commands us to take captive every thought and bring it to Christ.  Listen: “… we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NASB).  We must learn to screen out thoughts and feelings especially those that are negative and destructive.  Some of us are in the habit of following whatever our heart says.  Follow your heart, they say.  However, beware: the same heart can deceive us.  In Jeremiah 17:9, God says, “The heart is deceitful above all things…”  I would rather let God’s Word guide me not my own feelings.  E.g. 1.  “I cannot forgive my brother.”— Remember the Lord’s Prayer.  E.g. 2.  A young couple wants a divorce due to no more feelings of love to each other.—Marriage is a commitment.  Let no one separate what God has joined (Matthew 19:6).  E.g. 3.  Depressive / Suicidal thoughts.  Check out the source of every destructive thought.  Satan can prompt such a thought in your heart (John 13:2).   Give no opportunity to the devil (Ephesians 4:27).  Bring every thought and feeling under the control of Christ.  Filter it.  Test it against God’s Word.  E.g. Practice the screening on TV and movies you watch.  Pray before you watch.  Place guards on your eye-gate and ear-gate.   Stay disciplined on it.  Payoff will be huge.

Store up.  There are many good things we can store up in our hearts; good memories, good music, good stories, good images, good thoughts, and so forth.  But, first and foremost, begin with God’s Word the Good Book.  Why?  Because it is the Word of life (1 John 1:1).  It gives you peace.  It restores your health (Proverbs 4:22).  It is essential for your eternal life, too.  Do you love God?  Then, you will love and cherish His Word.  It would be an oxymoron if you say, “I love God, yet I never open the Bible.”  It would be equally contradictory if you say, “I care for my soul, yet I never read the Bible.”  Why? Because God’s Word is the food for your soul, and if you don’t feed your soul with God’s Word, your soul will starve to death.  Never believe in the devil’s lie that the Bible is too difficult to understand.  He does everything to keep you from getting into God’s Word for your salvation.  You need God’s Word for your eternal life.  You need God’s Word to protect your heart (Matthew 15:19).  Listen to the Psalmist:  ⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. ¹¹ Your word I have treasured in my heart that I may not sin against You (Psalm 119:9, 11, NASB).

Stay on good and godly thoughts: ⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things (Philippians 4:8, NASB).  Whatever comes into our hearts, it stays in our hearts and it is extremely hard to remove it.  That’s why we need to make every effort to put godly things in our hearts in the first place as a daily positive reinforcement.  Then, we keep on dwelling on such things all the time.  Chew on them, sit on them, and meditate on them daily.  You will have a blessed life.

Conclusion  

Above all guarding, guard your heart: screen out all bad thoughts.  Next, store up God’s word diligently; fill up your heart with whatever is honorable and noble.  Finally, stay on them daily.  Then, you will enjoy the life abundantly in Christ.   Amen.