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2016.04.10_The Reality of Faith

in 2016 Lord's Day, Ki Dong Kim

Senior Overseer Ki-Dong Kim

Outline

[John 14:1-17]

God

is living.
He revealed Himself to the world
and gave us faith (Jn 3:16).
through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God (Jn 1:18),
but we have seen the One who came from His bosom.
Jesus ascended to heaven after the resurrection
and is seated at the right hand of God (Ac 7:56),
where He is preparing our dwelling place.
He will surely return to take us at the appointed time.
This is our faith and hope (Mt 24:37).
Our faith is not a religion but a reality.
Jesus has the power of God, for He is in the Father (Jn 14:11);
similarly, whoever believes in the Lord
will do what the Lord has done (Jn 14:12).
And for this He said,
“Receive the Holy Spirit” (Ac 1:8).
True faith must not lack in God’s power (1 Co 4:20).
Whoever has faith must do what Jesus has done.
The Holy Spirit guarantees this forever (Jn 14:16).
○We must believe how Jesus who is in the Father
has done the Father’s works.
Our faith is a reality.
○Whoever believes in Jesus and abides in Him
will do what Jesus has done.
Our faith is not a religion but a reality.
○Those who believe in Jesus
have the power of Jesus,
for Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

※Why do you boast of your lack of power
as though it indicates a sound faith?
Repent of it and receive God’s power.

Summary

Faith, to know the living God
God is living. Because He is living, He is still doing His work. Though the world may be uninterested in God, God is doing His work according to His time. Some people say they believe in Christ and yet they have doubts about their faith out of disappointment that He is yet to return. However, there is something we have to consider before we can even discuss concerning the Lord’s return, and that is the fact that each person’s lifespan in this world is actually not very long.

The people of Israel believed they were serving God well, and yet they killed Jesus Christ. This was because they did not know who Jesus Christ is. The reason Jesus came to the earth was to fulfill God’s will (Jn 6:38-39). Whoever does not know Jesus Christ does not know the will of God who sent Him to the world, and if one does not know the will of God, it ultimately means he does not know God. And such a person who does not know God is bound to ignore God.
The people of Israel tried to understand the word of God as a form of a law. To be mindful of the law means to always be conscious of the punishment that follows when one does not comply with the law. Hence, a person who takes God’s word as a law will live in constant fear and anxiety, and will have to act hypocritically in order not to break the law.

As Christians, our perception of God’s word goes beyond that of the people of Israel. The word of God is, to us, life. To accept the word of God does not imply abiding by certain regulations, but instead to receive God’s life. We do not read the Bible for the sake of cultivation as though reading a sacred religious book, but to actually know what God has done through Jesus Christ and be empowered by His meritorious works.

A powerful faith life
Jesus wants for us to lead a powerful faith life. A great number of Christians today lack the power of God in their lives and yet consider that as expected. They even criticize those Christians who do have God’s power, in order to justify their lack of power. They are making the same mistake that the Pharisees and scribes had made. For what reason did Jesus rebuke them saying, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” (Mt 23:13)? Though they had a form of godliness but not its power (2 Ti 3:5).

Apostle Paul said, “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power” (1 Co 4:20), and also, “Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds” (2 Co 12:12). Jesus said, “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mk 16:17-18). Like so, our faith and God’s power are inseparable.

After Jesus chose the twelve disciples, He gave them power to cast out demons and heal the sick. As He sent them, He said, “Go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’. Heal the sick, cleans the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give” (Mt 10:1-8). Are Christians today obeying the Lord’s command?

A table prepared for us before our enemies
One of the reasons people do not obey the Lord’s word is because they fail to distinguish between that which we receive through the gracious works of God and what we receive through our own works. Grace is something we receive through God’s righteousness, that is, through the meritorious works of Jesus Christ. This is a gift of God, meaning there is no merits or cost demanded of us. Originally we, as sinners, were doomed to death, children of the devil, headed for the fire of hell. However the Lord shed His blood for us and died, was raised to life by God and thus gave us life. The life the Lord gave us is grace. The Holy Spirit was also given as grace and so was the truth. The inspiration of God’s word, the Lord’s blood and the Holy Spirit was also given as grace, even Jesus’ name. Grace is given to all people irrespective of their efforts, to both the knowledgeable and ignorant, the rich and poor. Anyone can receive grace if they only accept it.

On the other hand, there is something which can only be obtained through one’s own righteousness. Even if a person is filled with God-given life, the Holy Spirit and faith which are all given as grace, without his own works, he cannot be rewarded on earth. Psalm 23:5 says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”, where “a table” refers to a feast table which a king presents a person to eat with him in front of everyone. That table can be enjoyed only on the earth where the enemy exists. The reason people do not receive this table of feast is because they fail to keep their promises with God. If there is any promise made to God, one must not delay in keeping it (Deut 23:21).

Do not blame God but ask
When people encounter difficulties in matters they are pursuing, some turn the blame to their parents saying that they cannot succeed because they did not help them out enough. Yet if they are mature, they would be grateful to their parents just for the fact that they raised them as healthy individuals, rather than resent them. The same attitude should be had before God. We must not go on resenting God saying, “Nothing is working out for me even though I go to church” or “God doesn’t listen to my prayers” and so on, whilst forgetting about everything God gave us. God already gave us the right to pray. We should never blame God without even asking, knocking, or making any efforts to obtain what we need.

In order for us to display in our lives the gifts and powers of the Holy Spirit which God gave us, we have to keep our promises with God. It is only natural that a person does not have power if he is lazy to pray. Likewise, God’s signs will not follow those who do not obey, who give up hope, who disobey the word for the sake of their own reputation and name. Hence it is not God we should resent when matters do not go according to plan, rather, we need to repent of our own laziness and disobedience. In any given situation, we must not ignore God’s grace. Whatever man obtains on the earth through his own works cannot be taken to heaven no matter how great that might be. But what God has given as grace is everlasting. Life is everlasting; the truth is everlasting; even the Holy Spirit abides in us forever.

Faith is a reality. We must become powerful saints, not mere religious people. We need to receive power, just as the Lord wants of us. We must make sure that we, as well as our children are all able to display the works of God. If we find ourselves to be without power, we need to repent. By having the fullness of the power of God, we ought to display the reality of our faith.

Semuon’s Letter

Already I’m nearing life’s sunset and very little time remains for me to work on the earth. Whenever the Lord might call me, I will have to leave everything behind and leave immediately. And I’m filled with the readiness of heart for that day.

I ponder over the many days I have spent in this world, and what they were worth. Though my flesh followed the world, my soul was filled with love for God all my life. What remains before me is only the Lord’s reward and punishment, for which I am fearful on the one hand but also joyful. Everything I taught passionately until now is what I received from the Lord and for this reason, I want to pour out everything I have into the world and leave nothing remaining in my flesh.

Some say of me, “He is a uniquely special individual”. However that is unbelief, an excuse made by those who do not believe in God’s word. They refuse to accept the fact that an ordinary person like me received God’s power and grace to do His works. Aren’t they only trying to justify their lack of power and laziness?

My life’s testimony has always been about the Lord Jesus and not myself, for I was entrusted to bear witness of Him. Hence I urge and reemphasize to all of our church members as well as everyone who came to learn from me to remember that Semuon is not a special individual but a very ordinary person who simply believes and obeys God. I do not preach to boast about what I have; I preach this faith I have, that everyone can receive God’s power and grace and work as I have done.

A great concern I have is that one day, Semuon will be remembered as nothing more than a legendary figure. If our church lacks in God’s power and fails to continue doing what Semuon has done, Semuon will surely become just a legend. Then what good is that to us? People who learned from me should not only take and utilize the unique terminologies they heard from me, but humbly believe and obey no matter what just like me, for then they will have God’s power. If they don’t pray but only expect to live off others lazily, they’ll simply consider Semuon as a legendary figure.

I’m no legendary figure. The Lord’s word is always living and pressing saying, “As the Father is in Me doing His works, if you abide in Me, you will also do the works that I do, even greater works than these” and “He who believes in Me will cast out demons in My name and have power”.

Please do not turn Semuon into a legendary person but let us all have powerful faith in Jesus.

Pastor Ki-Dong Kim
Lord’s Day Worship Column

2015 Audio

2015 Video

Credits

2016.04.03_The Key of Heaven

in 2016 Lord's Day, Ki Dong Kim

Senior Overseer Ki-Dong Kim

Outline

[Matthew 16:13-20]

God

is the creator.
For He created all things for His Son,
the Son is the Lord of all creations (He 1:2-3).
He gave His saints a key,
namely the authority to acquire heaven and earth
and all creations (Mt 16:19).
They received it
through the Holy Spirit;
it is the key of heaven (Jn 3:5-8).
This is also called faith,
which must be accompanied by obedience;
faith without obedience cannot receive anything (Jas 2:26).
One cannot acquire the key of heaven even if he is a Christian
unless he puts his faith to work;
but he will be given it if he obeys in faith,
for this is the power of Jesus Christ and His promise (Mt 28:18).
The name of Jesus and faith are one and the same (Jn 1:12).
The name of Jesus is the key of heaven.
This is the right of the children of God.
The Holy Spirit guarantees this.
○Let us have faith.
Let us trust in the name of Jesus.
Our faith becomes the key of heaven when it is sealed.
○We are able to see the glory of God’s kingdom
and receive God’s power and blessings
while we are on earth.
○Do not ignore the key of heaven God gave us,
but use it for everything,
and it will be opened in heaven.

※ Let us have the confidence
that Jesus is the Son of God
and the Christ.

Summary

Be bold as children of God.
God is the creator. He created the heavens and the earth and everything within them for His Son. After He resurrected, Jesus Christ ascended to heaven with the authority of heaven and earth, and thus became the King of kings. He is the sovereign, the Lord of all creations. What is amazing is the fact that He gave His authority to those who believe in Him. We already became children of God, and will later resurrect to inherit the kingdom of heaven. Yet it is unfortunate that many Christians forget about this great authority they have and consider themselves as orphans.
Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn 8:31-32). If we are to become true disciples of Jesus, we must abide in His word. To abide in His word does not mean accumulating Biblical knowledge, but rather to understand the will of God as revealed in the Bible and put into practice, to fulfill God’s will.
Jesus also said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (Jn 15:7). If God’s words abide in us, the Lord will give us whatever we ask of Him. However although people have received this promise, rather than using the authority given them, they first seek the help of other people, and thus lose the confidence they should have as children of God.

Have the faith that overcomes the power of the devil
When the people at Caesarea Philippi welcomed Jesus, Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” The disciples answered, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets”. Had Jesus introduced Himself as a prophet to the people, He would not have been killed. However because He called Himself the Son of God, He was put to death.
Christians today often say, “Since I started attending church, I feel peaceful, my husband’s work seems to be going well and my children listen to what I say as well”. Yet not many people confess, “Jesus is the Son of God and our Savior”. When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”. At this, Jesus said, ““Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” (Mt 16:13-17).
Jesus built His church upon the faith that confesses, “Jesus is the Christ and the Son of the living God” (Mt 16:18). Though numerous denominations exist within the Christian Church today, the Church was not established upon a denomination but the faith that believes Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God. Jesus said that only the church built upon such faith will be able to overcome the power of the devil (Mt 16:18).
What is the reason behind churches not experiencing a revival? It is the oppression of the devil. Ephesians 2:1-2 says, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience”. Whether people or the church, if they remain in sins, they will follow the ways of this world which proves that they are under the oppression of the devil. Only the church that confesses Jesus as the Christ and the Son of the living God will defeat the power of the devil and have a revival.

Use the key of heaven
Jesus said to the Church, “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Mt 16:19). God gave a key to David (Rev 3:7), and it was because he had this key that David was able to enjoy a peaceful reign for 40 years. Whoever has the key has the right to open and shut the door. The Lord who received all authority from God gave us this key saying, “I will give you this key which you can freely use. If you open it, it will be opened in heaven; if you shut it, it will be shut in heaven”. We must use the key we received from the Lord and open the gates of heaven. Even if we attend church with a good conscience, unless we open the gates of heaven, there cannot be any development in our spiritual life.
What is the key of heaven? The name of Jesus. Jesus’ name is the greatest key God gave to His Son. Hebrews 1:4 says, ”Having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they”, and Philippians 2:9 says, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name”. Jesus has now given us that name. Had we not the name Jesus, how could we cast off our sins? It is impossible to cast off our sins no matter how much we cultivate ourselves and practice asceticism. It is because of Jesus’ name that we have been set free from our sin; it is because of Jesus’ name that we came to have the mark of Jesus Christ through baptism; and it is because of Jesus’ name that the Holy Spirit comes inside us and manifests His many gifts.
When people are faced with problems, rather than relying on Jesus’ name and seeking God’s help, some people seek counseling or prayers from other people. These people appear to have faith on the surface, but they are actually inclined towards mysticism. It is no different even if the person they seek help from is their church pastor. Whenever we encounter a problem, the first thing we need to seek is not people but Jesus’ name. The Lord promised that He will do whatever we ask in His name (Jn 14:13). We are heirs of God who will inherit the glory of heaven. If we have such authority, we should not hesitate to use the key of heaven while we are on the earth.

Bow your knees before Jesus’ name
People that seek other people’s help in times of hardships have idols in their hearts in most cases. Such people will be ignored by God, let alone receive His help. God warned that anyone who sets up an idol in his heart and comes to a prophet to inquire of his matters will perish, and that the prophet who is induced to speak anything to the one who inquired him will receive the same punishment (Ez 14:3-10).
God listens to the prayers of those who are humble before Jesus’ name. Hence, it will be difficult for anyone that ignores the works God commanded in Jesus’ name to receive answers to their prayers. On the contrary, those who humble bow before Jesus’ name, in other words, who diligently discharge the duties they received in Jesus’ name and faithfully use the gifts they received in Jesus’ name will certainly receive answers to their prayers.
We must not give up after asking the Lord once or twice, but keep asking until we receive His answer. For example, Daniel did not cease praying once he started until he received God’s answer. Actually, God had answered Daniel’s prayer the moment he prayed, but the devil interfered the way of the angel who was trying to deliver God’s answer to Daniel. Nevertheless, Daniel did not give up, and finally after 21 days, he received God’s answer (Dan 10:13-14). The timing for us to receive answers to our prayers is up to God. What we have to do is ceaselessly go before God in prayer until we receive His answer.
We ought to seek God first rather than rely on men whenever we encounter problems. Though we received Jesus’ name, if we do not use it, the door will remain shut. On the other hand, if we use Jesus’ name, the Lord will open the doors of heaven and provide us with all the spiritual things of heaven without measure. The Lord already gave us the key of heaven. We need to go before God every day with this key, rather than begging other people for their help and leaving the key stored away.

Semuon’s Letter

My life’s resolution has always been, “I want to be alive”. Time runs together with the living, and just as a tender shoot sprouts and grows into a tree, continuous change and development should come with time. The living has to grow, not just rotate in circles like a water mill. Thus I must always grow and not be a water mill. I’m not a water mill; I want to live a life full of creativity.

Because I believe in having endless growth day after day, as well as making creative progress in both pastoral ministry and preaching, I pursue originality and creative ways in everything I do, rather than trying to maintain the old way of things idly. In this way, I can advance forward and achieve greater things.

When a seed gets planted, it has to sprout and grow a stem, leaves have to grow until finally the flowers bloom and bear seeds. Similarly, to be living means to grow afresh day after day. My life had always been stationary in the past, for I had nothing I could lean on. But I put my trust in the Lord ever since I received Jesus Christ, and pursued originality in all aspects of my life in order to advance day after day. As a result, a worthless person like me has become a great witness of the Lord today.

Though I will depart this world, I’m certain that the seeds I’ve scattered will continue to grow and bloom to bear fruits. This is the reason that my soul rejoices. I’m aware that I’ve almost reached the limits of my flesh; yet there is much work left to be done. I desire to continue my work with the younger generations and work harder than anyone else, hoping that my soul will be of first-rate through such a faith life.

I’m actually not ashamed of the state and circumstances of my past, for that’s where I started off. Though I began with nothing, I’ve grown to be where I am today by trusting in the Lord. The Lord never let go of me even for a day, nor did I ever let go of His hand. Indeed my flesh was weary and my state of condition was not to be envied by anyone. Nevertheless, the angels in heaven were with me watching; they will be my witnesses.

I need to have grown from ten years ago, three years ago, a year ago, and even yesterday. For this, even if my soul has to struggle against my flesh, my soul must triumph. Though my flesh hinders my soul’s development, I endeavor to overcome my flesh once again for my soul to grow.

How can I lead a better faith life? How can I write better? I’m constantly filled with original ideas rather than anguish. My beloved saints! Let us not remain constant like a water mill but be creative and grow daily as mature saints. Amen.

Pastor Ki-Dong Kim
Lord’s Day Worship Column

2015 Audio

2015 Video

Credits

2016.03.27_Our Goal is the Resurrection

in 2016 Lord's Day, Ki Dong Kim

Senior Overseer Ki-Dong Kim

Outline

[1 Corinthians 15:1-11]

God

is the Father of life.
He has given faith to the world,
namely the resurrection (Jn 11:25-26).
Our faith is not a religion,
but God-given faith (Jn 20:27).
Jesus is the resurrection,
and whoever believes this will be saved (Jn 20:29).
Just as He foretold His resurrection (Mt 16:21),
Jesus rose again from the dead (Mt 28:5-10).
He preached concerning this faith and power,
which is the Gospel and truth (1 Co 15:15).
In order for us to be resurrected like the Lord,
we must be united to the Lord Jesus (Rm 6:5).
For this,
we first have to receive the remission of sins (Ac 2:32),
receive baptism as an experience of faith,
and receive the Holy Spirit by grace (Jn 3:5).
The Holy Spirit will give life to our mortal bodies (Rm 8:11).
We must have the marks of Jesus
to partake in the resurrection of Jesus.
○All flesh will die eventually.
However the spirit will be resurrected.
There will surely be the resurrection of the dead and the living.
○No one can see God
without the resurrection.
Resurrection means eternal life.
○We must overcome the world
as we head for the goal of resurrection.
We must be victorious with Jesus Christ.

※Be holy.
Await the resurrection with perseverance.
The Lord Jesus is truth.

Summary

We will live eternally as those who have inherited God’s genes
God is the Father of life. Some people despise their fathers for not leaving them a great fortune as inheritance. However the greatest inheritance a father can give his child is his genes. Genes are what determines whether one will be born as an animal or a human being. The reason we call God as our Father is not only because God created us but because He has given us His genes.
God sent us Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. They are not something which God created. God granted us what is uniquely His, that which cannot be separated from God forever. Those who have not received God’s grace are still able to obtain what God has created. However they cannot receive what is uniquely God’s. Yet we have received it, namely God’s genes. God gave us His genes in order that we may live eternally just like God.

The resurrection is the goal of our faith
Jesus Christ is God, the only begotten One who came from God’s bosom. He was born as a man through the body of a virgin. Yet this does not mean He is one of mankind. He has no relations with Adam’s lineage and thus He is without sin. He died on the cross to atone for man’s sins. And God raised Him to life after three days. He had resurrected from the dead, just as He said before His death, “I am the resurrection” (Jn 11:25). The disciples witness Jesus who had resurrected. The reason they were able to keep their faith to the end despite persecutions was because had witnessed the resurrection of Jesus.
The resurrection of Jesus is significant because there is God’s promise that whoever believes in Jesus will be resurrected also. If there was no resurrection, Christians who believe in Jesus would surely be the most pitiful people on earth. It says in 1 Corinthians 15:14-15, “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise”.
The purpose of our faith life is not the prosperity of our flesh. No matter how well-disciplined and trained our flesh may be through the Law, flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven (1 Co 15:50). Though we believe in Jesus, our carnal desires do not disappear. The perishable flesh cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven. Only the souls who have been graced by God can inherit the kingdom of God.
Those who accepted the grace of God receive baptism in order to take part in Christ’s resurrection. Receiving baptism is not about performing a ceremonial ritual established by doctrines; it’s about obeying the truth, and uniting with Jesus Christ to partake in His resurrection. Apostle Paul said he had the mark of Jesus in his body (Gal 6:17). This means having an experience which the body can sense, or more specifically, baptism. To have been baptized means one has partaken in the death and resurrection of Jesus, which in turn means he has the testimony of Jesus’ death and resurrection in his body.
Christian faith life has a clear goal. And that is the resurrection (Ph 3:8-14). Some people say they are marching towards the goal of the cross. However the goal of Christians is not the cross but the resurrection. The cross represents death. We carry the cross and put ourselves to death daily because we have the goal of the resurrection. Apostle Paul said, “If, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Ph 3:11-12).

We must live by the Holy Spirit in order to be resurrected
The topic of artificial intelligence has been making headlines recently. There is even news that artificial intelligence succeeded in writing a novel. The reason this is possible is because novels are fiction. Yet, no matter how advanced artificial intelligence becomes, it will be impossible to write a personal essay because essays are based on the author’s personal experiences. If the Bible was classified in terms of literary genre, it is more of an essay than a novel, for the people who witnessed and heard the works of God wrote of their experiences.
In the future, preachers might even have their sermon scripts written by artificial intelligence. But will such sermons have the inspiration of the Holy Spirit? The Bible was written by men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit with inspiration from God. How can the spirit-less artificial intelligence receive the Holy Spirit, nor the sermons written by it have any inspiration of God? Such sermons are nothing more than fiction. In the Book of Revelations, it says many men will die from the water that turns to wormwood (Rev 8:11). The souls of those who receive fiction as the word of God will gradually perish without themselves even realizing.
When Jesus was preaching at the synagogue in Capernaum, a demon came out of a person and was cast out. People who saw this exclaimed, “A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey Him!” (Mk 1:27). Only the word that proceeds from the mouth of the eternally supreme God brings the demons to submission. Will demons submit to sermons written by artificial intelligence? There will probably be people who say they were blessed from listening to the sermons written by artificial intelligence. However their souls are bound to perish, for the Holy Spirit works only where there is the word of God (1 Thess 2:13).
Many people today do not lead their faith life in the spirit but according to their feelings. We must hold fast to a God-centered faith life. Though this is very difficult for the flesh, this becomes living water for the soul. If people live a faith life based on man-made doctrines, they will naturally follow their own feelings. Such people are only interested in personal satisfaction even during worship. But we have to understand that God is spirit and therefore seeks those who worship in spirit and truth (Jn 4:23-24). Those that lead their faith life based on feelings could even leave the church if their feelings get hurt for any reason at church. However, not only is this woeful for such a person, it is also for their children and descendants. If they move churches every time they feel hurt or offended, how can their children’s faith ever be rooted? While the Lord gave up His life in order to give us the resurrection, it would be most terrible if we bring harm to our children’s souls simply because we cannot overcome our own feelings.

Prepare for the resurrection in hope
A person who is baptized has not just gone in and out of the water; he has tasted the death of Jesus and partaken in His resurrection. In other words, he has the mark of Jesus. Just as Jesus headed for the resurrection, we are Baptists, who are running towards the goal of the resurrection (1 Co 15:23-24). Christians gather every Lord’s Day and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, for it is a great promise that has been given us.
Until the Lord returns, our lives should be about preparing for the resurrection. Revelation 19:7-8 says, “’The marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.’ And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints”. In order for the saints to have righteous acts, they must first have hope in the resurrection. A person filled with the hope of resurrection will be able to gladly bear death for the sake of that hope.
God sends the Holy Spirit to those who repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Because the Holy Spirit abides within us, God will raise our mortal bodies to life also (Rm 8:11). Religions can never lead a person to the resurrection. Only those who have the testimony of the Holy Spirit can participate in the resurrection. Hence, we need to fellowship with the Holy Spirit. We ought not to quench the Holy Spirit but always live by the Holy Spirit.
Artificial intelligence will, one day, surpass human beings. Without the help of the Holy Spirit, people will be unable to overcome in those times. Jesus said, “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Mt 12:28). There must be the manifestations of the Holy Spirit inside the church continuously and the good news of God’s kingdom must be proclaimed always.

Semuon’s Letter

Human beings are formed inside their mother’s womb and finally born after ten months. From that moment, they learn about the world by which their personality and character are shaped. They can also receive education, acquire reputation, and earn money to become rich. However everyone faces the physical limitations of the flesh and eventually departs from this world one day. This is one’s lifetime.

However, no one can enter eternal life simply as the person they were cultivated through discipline or education, nor with what their flesh gained in the world. When man’s body and soul (spirit) separate, everything that belongs to the body will be cast off, while the soul will either be judged as God has willed or pay the price of his sin. Knowing this, God sent His Son to the world in order to redeem mankind out of His compassion.

The Son of God was sent to the earth to fulfill the will of God the Father. Jesus came to the world so as to give God’s faith to the world. Jesus is God-given faith. The value of that faith is equivalent to the only begotten Son of God. Therefore if anyone has faith, he has the Son of God; and whoever has the Son of God, he has obtained equal status as the Son of God. Thus he has the right to call God as his Father and receive glory as a child of God.

This faith is not given to our flesh but our soul. Though our flesh dies and disappears, our faith never fades away. We take our faith with us when our soul goes to Paradise, and to the Kingdom of God, that is, eternal life. Faith is not something we have temporarily and then discard; it is everlasting. Honor and fame gained in this world cannot be taken to Paradise, neither can material wealth nor knowledge. However we can take our faith; the value of our faith lasts for eternity.

For God gave me faith, I have what is of enormous value. No matter how much an expensive diamond ring might be worth, it can never be worth as much as the world, nor can anyone take it to heaven. Yet what I can surely take with me to heaven is faith and faith alone. As the value of faith is equivalent to the Son of God, faith is thus the Son of God and my soul receives the glory of the Son of God. Neither the angels in heaven nor the Law can deny this, let alone the devil. By faith I can overcome the devil and the demons, for they cannot deny this faith I have.

I must receive the Holy Spirit’s seal and guarantee of the fact that this God-given faith is in me. Oh, this faith, of more worth than any treasure in this world…

Pastor Ki-Dong Kim
Lord’s Day Worship Column

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