Text: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Summary: Pastor Choi gives three pieces of advice to young believers (confirmands) in Christ. If they practice his advice, they will lay out the foundation of their faith in Christ and harvest and enjoy the fruit thereof. 1. Take God’s Word seriously: Read God’s Word daily. 2. Keep the Sabbath holy: Worship the Lord weekly. 3. Do tithing: Give tithing to the Lord monthly. And, they will be secure and content in the Lord.
Text: Jeremiah 1:4-10
Today, Pastor Choi talks about the nature of prophecy in the following ways: who is a prophet, what is their role, do we still have prophets in the 21st century, can anyone be a prophet of God, and ways to tell true and false prophets.
Text: Ephesians 5:15-21
Today, Pastor Choi talks about the meaning of being filled with the Holy Spirit. He explains what it means to be filled with the Spirit, how we can be filled with the Spirit, the signs of the Spirit-filled life, and what keeps us from being filled with the Spirit.
Text: Exodus 20:1-17
Today Pastor Choi talks about Torah-God’s Law. He states that the spirit of Torah is the 10 Commandments. The spirit of the 10 Commandments is the love of God and the love of neighbors. He exhorts the people of God to keep obeying the 10 Commandments until Christ comes.
Text: Genesis 3:20, Matthew 15:21-28
Today Pastor Choi talks about three things we all owe to our mothers: life, nurturing, and prayers. He exhorts the mothers to pray fervently on behalf of their children for their salvation, protection, and deliverance.
Text: Matthew 5:1-12
Pastor Choi defines the biblical understanding of blessings: Blessing is anything, any event, or any person that brings us closer to God and vice versa. He exhorts God’s people to see blessings as God does in an eternal perspective such as the Beatitudes.
Texts: Genesis 1:28, Romans 8:19-22
Pastor Choi talks about Creation care. He points out that sin of the inhabitants of land causes the whole creation to groan and suffer. The creation waits eagerly for the children of God who would take good care of them as God would. By being faithful to God, merciful and forgiving to each other, we can be a true steward of God’s creation.
Text: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Today’s sermon provides a brief overview of Bible’s history both on the Old and the New Testament (covenant). Pastor Choi exhorts God’s people to get into God’s Word by pointing out that the God of Bible still speaks to God’s people today through His written Word.
Text: Luke 24:1-12
Today, talking about Christ’s physical resurrection, Pastor Choi points out that God provides no other means but His angels and human witnesses for us to proclaim and believe in it. We believe in His resurrection because of the witnesses’ accounts based on their integrity. We believe in Jesus’ physical resurrection because of Jesus’ own integrity. We also believe in Christ’s body resurrection because it withstood the fiery trials for centuries sealed with the blood of martyrs. He is risen! He is risen indeed!
Text: Mark 11:1-11
Today Pastor Choi talks about the meaning of Palm Sunday: two thousand years ago another prophecy on Messiah was fulfilled in Jesus as He entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. He showed the true quality of Messiah—humility. We also await His second coming as the Judge of the world.
Text: Ephesians 6:10-18
Today Pastor Choi concludes his sermon series on prayer: Prayer is a reclaim on our hearts, on our victory posts, and on our loved ones. He calls the saints to devote themselves to prayer.
Text: Matthew 11:28-30
Today, pastor Choi talks about prayer as a rest in God. He points out that both God and Jesus needed rest. How much more do we need rest? We can find rest in Jesus by two ways: first, coming to Him in prayer. Next, by taking His yoke and learn from Him.
Today’s text: Philippians 4:6-7
Today Pastor Choi continues his sermon series on prayer: Prayer Is a Request (an act of asking).
First of all, asking for God’s favor is a command, not a suggestion: Ask, and it will be given (Matthew 7:7). Next, we must practice with requests over and over again. Learn from mistakes and ask again. Ask, Learn, and Repeat. Finally, there are five ways to ask: a. Ask in Jesus’ name (John 14:14). b. Ask with faith (Mark 11:24). c. Ask without worries (Philippians 4:6). d. Ask with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). e. Ask with persistence (Luke 18:1).
Text: Matthew 14:22-33 (Jesus Walks on the Water)
Today Pastor Choi talks about another nature of prayer: it is God’s response to our heart-cry for help in times of need. Most of the time, we pray in silence or in a soft voice, yet, sometimes, we ought to cry aloud onto God for His deliverance (Jeremiah 33:3). Pastor Choi urges the parents of children who are under the bondage of addiction, sin, and death to keep crying out onto the Lord.
Text: Matthew 26:36-42
Today Pastor Choi talks about the basic nature of prayer: it is not a requirement as some of us believe. Rather, it is a privilege and constant communion with God in every moment. It is a relationship where we meet and talk with our loving Heavenly Father.
Today Pastor Choi talks about love as an investment: giving self on behalf of others. He points out two roadblocks to a successful marriage: unrealistic expectations and negligence on each other. He exhorts the audience to take initiative in investing themselves in Christ-like love for their loved ones.
Today, Pastor Choi explains three reasons why we can trust the Bible as truth: 1. It stands stronger than ever after three millennia of fires and persecutions. Only truth can last forever. 2. We can trust the Bible because of the integrity of authors and witnesses. 3. We trust in the Bible because it calls a spade a spade.
Text: 1 Corinthians 3:18-20
Today Pastor Choi talks about two types of wisdom: wisdom of the world and wisdom of God. These two clash in our lives and vie for our attention and loyalty. Which one would you choose? You cannot have the both. Listen to his sermon below.
Using Genesis 3:1-7, Pastor Choi expounds on the nature of temptation and considers ways to ward off temptations in life. The tempter: he is a deceiver; his motive is never for us, rather for his own gain; he is also a liar.
The tempted (the one who is tempted): beware of the attack that always comes upon the weakest link in your life.
Ways to ward off temptations: 1. The fear of the Lord 2. God’s Word in heart 3. Knowing your boundaries 4. Learn to be content.
In today’s sermon, Pastor Choi points out four things that pervert justice: they are partiality, bribes, corrupt witnesses, and the desire to please the crowd than the Lord. At the end of his message, he exhorts the people of God to live out justice day in day out where they are.
Today Pastor Choi designates 2018 to be the Year of the Bible encouraging all the members of congregation to get into God’s Word for the following three reasons: 1. God’s Word is indispensable for salvation. 2. It is indispensable for life’s journey. 3. It is also indispensable for sanctification.
Guest Preacher: John Parker
For those who thirst after God, He has promised an eternity beyond belief. Creation will be made new and perfect. There will be no more pain, no more sorrow, and no more death. We will be made pure and all things will be made new. In Revelation 21 the Apostle John records the appearance of the new heaven and the new earth and the New Jerusalem coming out of heaven. In this holy city, God will be with us and we will be His children. In 2018, let’s resolve to thirst after God.
At Christmas Eve service, after sharing his own story of celebrating Christmas, Pastor Choi invites the congregation to accept Christ.
Today Pastor Choi points out in his sermon the connection between Christmas and love. Christmas is about God’s love that sent God’s own Son to the cross to save humanity from their sins. Pastor Choi also connects the Christmas spirit with Jesus’ teaching on the great commandment: love God and love your neighbor (Matthew 22:34-40).
Manahawkin UMC offered a Quiet Christmas service for those who needed quiet peace of God during this Christmas season. Following is the recording of the service. May God touch your heart with Christ’s peace and grace.
Today Pastor Choi talks about faith in Jesus Christ. Expounding Hebrews 11:6, he points out the importance of believing that God is and that God rewards those who seek Him.
Pastor Choi talks about Christ the hope of the world in the following ways: 1. Christ is the hope of the world. There’s no other. 2. The same Christ is also the hope in our daily struggles. 3. The hope we need is found in God’s Word.
Christmas is fast approaching. Christmas is all about Christ’s birth. Behind the birth story, we see the love of God who sent His Son Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins. Pastor Choi explains three aspects of forgiveness: 1. Forgiveness is reciprocal. 2. Forgiveness is divine. 3. Forgiveness is about initiative.
Pastor Choi talks about contentment and shares its secret: 1. Make Christ as your ultimate goal, not contentment itself. 2. The secret does lie in God, not in yourself. 3. Trust in God’s good will in all circumstances.
Based on the story of Luke 21:1-4, Pastor Choi talks about aspects of giving: Giving is to the Lord, Giving is a matter of priority and heart, Give cheerfully and sacrificially. At the end of the sermon, he presents a divine challenge to all believers in Christ: Tithing (Malachi 3:10).
Today Pastor Choi walks the congregation through Paul’s letter to the Corinthian believers regarding the practice of the Lord’s Supper. He reminds of the congregation to examine themselves against the Word of God before they partake in the Communion. Well taken with clear conscience, the Communion can bring strength, health, and life to the partakers.
Pastor Choi shares three important lessons from Paul’s second letter to Timothy in preparation of persecutions: 1. No Christian can suffer for the gospel without the power of God. 2. No Christian can suffer for the gospel without a heavenly calling. 3. No Christian can suffer for the gospel without trust in the Lord and His good will.
Today Pastor Choi expounds on Proverbs 6:16-19: seven things which the LORD hates. Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.
Today Pastor Choi concludes his sermon series on “marks of a vital congregation.” He points out that ‘to evangelize’ means to share the greatest news of all with others that Christ died for all sinners and invites them to believe in Him and live for Him to receive eternal life. He also reminds the congregation that when a sinner repents there’s a great joy in Heaven (Luke 15:7). He finally points out the heart of evangelism: Christ’s compassion. He exhorts the congregation to share Christ with others in Christ’s compassion.
Pastor Choi continues his sermon series on “marks of a vital congregation”—worshiping church. Worship is an appointment with God. In worship, we encounter the living God. In worship, two things happen: first, we praise and adore the Heavenly Father along with all creatures in heaven and earth. Next, God realigns our priorities. He renews our hearts and minds and sends us back into the world as Christ’s representatives.
Today Pastor Choi focuses on the second mark of a living congregation: caring church. He walks the congregation through the history of sharing in Christian Church from Jesus’ teaching to the Early Church. He also points out the core of charity: love, God’s love, and God Himself. He exhorts the people of God to care daily through sharing and collects God’s rich rewards!
Pastor Choi starts a new sermon series today: four marks of a vital congregation. Today, in part 1, he points out that a vital congregation is a learning church; it takes God’s Word very seriously, eager to learn of God through preaching and teaching.
Pastor Choi concludes his sermon series today expounding the Jeremiah 7:1-7. He points out that God holds accountable the believers in Christ for the destiny of our nation, that our reformed ways of life determines the future of our nation, and that God’s promise of peace and security depends on our obedience to His commands.
In part 2 of 3 series, Pastor Choi points out that we the believers are committed to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). We are to go out into the world to make all the nations disciples of Jesus Christ. As we do, we should retain our identity of “holy” people of God not compromising our Christian values, principles, and standards.
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:
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?