Message on Pentecost

Acts 2:1-13                                                                                                         

Rev. Kwang Cheol Choi

The spring has come.  

Flowers along the streets show different types of beauties. These various and colorful flowers reminds me of International Taste we enjoyed last month.  I was amazed to know we represent many different ethnic communities.

They also have various types of scent.  Paul wrote in his letter to Christians in Corinth.  “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ”   I believe we are a best aroma like a perfect perfume that is produced out of mixing various aromas.

More importantly, they reveal the beginning of new life.  A flower is the sign of fruits, and a flower is sensitive to temperature and warmth. Flowers have been waiting for the perfect time to bloom.

Pentecost is like a warm sunlight of spring.  It is a sign Jesus, the crucified and resurrected Savior gave his disciples.  It was, ‘Wait for the Holy Spirit.’ The Holy Spirit became the foundation for living and evidence for hope. We can overcome anxiety and fear because of Jesus Christ.

The public life of Jesus Christ started with baptism by John the Baptist.  At his baptism, the Holy Spirit was descending upon him like a dove. When this happened, John the Baptist was reminded immediately of the words from God: “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” (John 1:33)  It was the day for Jesus to begin carrying out his earthly ministry and fulfilling his heavenly call.

Receiving the Holy Spirit is the sure evidence that we do live as Christians. Before being ascended to heaven, Jesus asked his disciples. “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” (Act 1:4)  As we know, they all joined together in prayer at the Mark’s attic and waited for the promised Holy Spirit.  

I was introduced to Jesus Christ when I was ninth grade and decided to believe and follow him.  As the winter vacation began, I went to various revival gatherings, hoping to receive the Holy Spirit.  I carried nothing but only a blanket and literally lived in the church.  I listened to every sermon at the early morning service, at the morning service and at the evening service.  I did not want to miss any sermons, lest I might lose the opportunity to receive the Holy Spirit. When there were no sermons offered, I prayed hard for the Holy Spirit.  But I did not feel the coming of the Holy Spirit at all.  I was not sure if I received the Holy Spirit or not.  So I decided to take a rather strong and radical approach.  On a snowy dark night, I went out of the church sitting in the middle of the street and prayed to God, thinking and hoping God might be touched and moved by my serious approach and send me the Holy Spirit.  It did not last long because it was too cold out there.  I gave up.  “God. Let me try again next time.”  It was an embarrassing memory.  But I was really serious and yearning about the Holy Spirit.  By the grace of God, I had a strong conviction during fasting and praying that I received the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ taught his disciples that another name for the Holy Spirit is “Advocate.”  Advocate is someone who helps us. This is the reason why we need to receive the Holy Spirit.  As Jesus Christ completed the work of salvation by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we also need help and care of the Holy Spirit to live in this world and keep the faith in Jesus Christ.

Let’s look at John 14:26.
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

Another important aspect of the Holy Spirit is the power to transform.  Jewish Rabbi Nicodemus visited Jesus Christ in the middle of the night, because he was interested in being transformed, in another word, being alive new.  Jesus told him straightforwardly, “‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.” (John 3:5)

My beloved brothers and sisters!

The Holy Spirit is the energy that unifies. The Holy Spirit that was poured on Pentecost had the power to unify all the people who were there.  The Holy Spirit that Jesus Christ received was personal and like a dove, but all people who were in Mark’s attic could receive the Holy Spirit.  This is the evidence that Holy Spirit has the power to unify.  

Therefore, the Holy Spirit is the spiritual Serotonin.  Do you know what is the Serotonin?  The neurotransmitter in our brain is composed with three important parts.  First one is Nor-Adrenalin; this is related with impulse aggression.  Second one is Dopamine or Endorphin; this is related with pleasure feeling.  The last one is Serotonin, which balances between Nor-Adrenalin and Dopamine and gives happiness feeling. The presence of Holy Spirit is exciting and dynamic, but it is not impulsive or overflowing. This is the key to remember.

 After people received the Holy Spirit, they started to speak in different language by the guidance of Holy Spirit.  But the amazing thing was that other people who visited Jerusalem for holiday were able to understand what people were speaking. Isn’t it amazing?

The Holy Spirit is the power to communicate. The Holy Spirit is the power to unify.  They prayed in different language, but they were able to understand. God revealed his plan.  They became God’s witnesses.

They experienced a new birth.  The power of “being born again” is active and positive.  Being born again of water and the spirit has been accomplished among believers.  This is the birth of the church.

The church has been surrounded by the energy and power of the Holy Spirit. 
Today, the infant baptism for three babies means a lot to all of us, because it shows the beginning of the church as well as their new beginning with Jesus Christ.  St. Paul said “for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Galatians 3:27)”  May the Holy Spirit continue to shine upon you like a spring light and empower all of you.  May you experience being clothed with Christ and welcome a new life ahead.  In the name of God, the Creator, Jesus Christ, the Savior and the Holy Spirit, the Sustainer.  Amen.

봄이완연합니다. 각종꽃이만발한거리를따라교회로오면서이계절에맞이하는성령강림절을되새겨보았습니다. 버라이어티한아름다움이있습니다. 서로다른솜씨를드러내는칼라플한꽃의향연을바라하면서, 저는지난번인터내셔널푸드페스티발이떠올랐습니다. 우리교회에그렇게많은네이션들이한믿음안에있다는것이흥미로왔습니다. 버라이어티한향기가있습니다. 사도바울은 ‘너희는그리스도의향기다’라고고린도교회에편지하였습니다. 하지만서로다른향유가만나최고의향수를만드는것처럼말입니다. 하지만더흥미로운것은 생명의시작에있습니다. 꽃은열매의시작을알리는싸인입니다. 그리고꽃은온기에민감합니다.꽃을피워야할때를기다리는것입니다.  

성령강림절은그래서봄빛입니다. 부활하신예수님은제자들가슴에두근거리게하는싸인을새겨주셨습니다. 그것은‘약속하신성령을기다리라.’는것이었습니다.성령은그래서존재의이유가되고희망의증거가된것입니다. 아직경험해보지못한성령을기다려야했지만, 그들은예수님때문에두려움을극복할수있었습니다.

예수님의공적생애는세례요한에게세례를받으심으로시작되었습니다. 그런데기억해야할것은예수님이세례를받으실때성령이비둘기같이임한것입니다.즉시로요한은하나님으로부터받은말씀을기억해냈습니다.“성령이내려서누구위에든지머무는것을보거든그가곧성령으로세례를베푸는이인줄알라.(요1:33) 세례요한은이날을자기소명의끝으로삼았습니다. 하지만예수님은소명의시작을알리는깃발임을알고계셨습니다.

그러므로하나님안에사는유일한증거는성령을받는것입니다. 예수님은승천하시기전에제자들에게당부하셨습니다. “예루살렘을떠나지말고내게서들은바아버지께서약속하신것을기다리라.(행 1:4) 그래서그들은마가의다락방에서마음을같이하여오로지기도에힘쓰며(행 1:14) 약속하신성령을기다렸습니다. 

저는하이스쿨 1학년때에예수를믿기로결심하였습니다. 그때는부흥집회가유행이었는데겨울방학이시작되면부흥회가곳곳에서시작되었습니다. 당시뜨거운가슴으로무장한저는담요 1장을들고한주간내내새벽과아침, 저녁에목사님의말씀을듣고, 남은시간에는기도하며성령받기를사모하였습니다. 그런데어떤조짐도나타나지않자, 어느추운겨울늦은밤특단의조치를취하기로했습니다. 눈이내린교회밖보도블록에무릎을꿇고기도하면정성을보시고성령을주실것같은생각이들었기때문입니다. 그런데그날밤얼마나추웠든지, 성령을주실때까지자리를뜨지않겠다는시위는오해가지못했습니다. “죄송합니다, 하나님! 다음기회로미루어야하겠습니다.”

돌아보면낮뜨거운기억이지만, 그간절함만은하나님께서기뻐하셨다고믿습니다. 결국금식하며밤을새는기도를통해성령을받고방언으로기도하며기뻐하던때를기억합니다. 

다음은 ‘성령의다른이름이보혜사이심’을알려주셨습니다. 보혜사는우리의곁에서우리를돕는분이시다는것입니다. 우리가반드시성령을받아야하는이유가여기에있습니다. 성령을받은예수님이성령에게이끌리어구원을완성하신것처럼우리가세상에서믿음을지키며살아가기위해서는성령의도움이절대적으로필요합니다.  

요한복음 14:26을보십시오.

“보혜사곧아버지께서내이름으로보내실성령그가너희에게모든것을가르치고내가너희에게말한모든것을생각나게하리라”    

하지만무엇보다중요한것은 ‘성령만이변화시키는능력’이라는것입니다.

유대인랍비니고데모가예수님을한밤중에찾은진짜이유는거듭남즉새생명에관한관심때문이었습니다. 예수님은그를향하여 “사람이물과성령으로나지아니하면하나님의나라에들어갈수없다.”(요3:5) 단호하게말씀하셨습니다.

사랑하는여러분!

오늘우리가말씀을통해마음에새겨야하는가르침은무엇일까요?

성령은하나되게하는에너지입니다. 오순절에주어진성령은그곳에있는모든사람을하나되게하는능력이었습니다. 예수님에게임한성령이개인적이고비둘기같았다면, 마가의다락방에내린성령은불의혀같이모두에게임하였다는것이증거입니다. 그러므로성령은각자를하나로이어주는영적세로토닌이었습니다.

세로토닌(Serotonin)을아시나요? 우리뇌속의신경전달물질은크게세가지가중심을이루고있습니다. 충동이나공격성을불러일으키는노르아드레날린(Nor-Adrenalin), 강한쾌감을동반하지만중독위험이있는엔드로핀이라불리는도파민(Dopamine= endorphine) 그리고마치자동차의윤활유처럼이둘사이를조절하여새롭게하며, 행복감을주는세로토닌입니다.

성령의임재는그래서뜨겁고역동적이지만충동적이지도넘치지도않습니다. 이점이중요합니다.

성령충만을받고그들은성령의말하게하심을따라다른언어로말하기시작하였습니다. 그런데유쾌한것은명절을맞아예루살렘을방문한세계각지역의사람들이한소리로들었다는것입니다. 놀랍지않습니까? 그러므로성령은소통하는능력입니다. 서로나뉘지않는것입니다. 하나되게하는인격입니다. 서로다른말로기도했지만듣는사람들은하나같이그내용을이해하였습니다. 즉하나님큰일을드러낸것입니다. 하나님의증인이bec된것입니다. 

그래서결국은새로운탄생(new Born)을경험하게되었습니다. 새생명의힘은적극적이고좋은변화에있습니다. 하나님나라를경험하기위해서는물과성령으로거듭나야한다는말씀이오늘성취를이룬것입니다. 이것이교회의탄생입니다.그러므로성령강림절은교회의시작을알리고축하는절기입니다. 교회는성령의에너지안에있어야한다는것을확인하는것입니다.

성령강림절인오늘근혜의유아세례는뜻깊습니다. 교회의첫탄생을위한성령세례와근혜의물세례는너무닮아있기때문입니다. 사도바울은 “누구든지그리스도와합하기위하여세례를받은자는그리스도로옷입었느니라”(갈 3:27) 말씀합니다.

봄날에봄날같은성령으로화사해지고충만해지는교회와세례받는근혜그리고우리모두에게성령의능력이함께하시기를바랍니다. 그리고그리스도를옷입고새롭게도약하는복된날이되시기를주님의이름으로축원합니다.

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Gifts Wanted

May 12, 2013

Ephesians 6:1-4

Sunday school teacher: Tell me, Johnny. Do you say prayers before eating?
Johnny: No, ma’am, I don’t have to. My mom’s a good cook.

Today is Mothers Day.  Have you prepared gifts for your mom today?  If you haven’t and don’t have any idea, google “Mothers Day gifts” and you will find, “Top Ten Mothers Gifts” easily.  We give mom all sorts of gifts which range from the extravagant to the simple, from the store-bought to the homemade, from fancy flowers to cash.  We want to shower mother with gifts, for indeed she needs to be reminded of our love and gratitude for all she has done.  

Guess what.  The Bible teaches us that there are gifts you can give your mom and dad, not just one day a year, but throughout the lifetime.  They are priceless gifts that are necessary in the Christian family and should be given each day.   

First of all, the Bible says that the gift we should give our parents everyday is honor!  One of the Ten Commandments says, “Honor your Father and Mother.”  No matter what age we are, from nine months to ninety years, we should give our parents honor. 

That means that we children are to treat our parents with great respect, in how we act toward them and in the way we speak to them.  Do you know that in ancient Israel, if a child cursed his or her mom or dad, he or she was to be stoned to death? (Exodus 21:17)  They took God’s law very seriously.  The Lord demands that we speak with utmost love and respect to our parents. 

Mom and Dad are the instrument through with God gave us life.  We are here thanks to them.   For this reason alone, I strongly believe that they deserve our love and respect and thanksgiving and we should honor them in how we act toward them and in the way we speak to them.   

We can also honor them in the way we live.  Whether we want it to be this way or not, the way we live is a reflection upon our parents.  So, if we really want to honor our parents, we should live in a way that they will be proud of.  We must live an honorable life.

One day, a son told his mom, “Mom, teacher was asking me today, if I have any brothers or sisters who will be coming to school.”   “That’s nice of her to take such an interest in you.”  Mom replied.  And she said, “So what did she say when you told her that you’re the only child, my dear?”  He replied, “She just said…“Thank goodness!” 

One day, several convicts were in a prison library flipping through a merchandise catalog. On one of the pages there was the picture of a lovely home. One of the prisoners said, “Man, I sure wish I could give my mother a house like that to live in.”  Another prisoner pointed to the nice car that was pictured in front of the house and said, “No, I’d rather give my ma a car like that, so she could come to see me once in a while.”  Then the two men noticed their friend, Bill, just staring blankly at the magazine, so they asked him to say what he would like to give his mother. After thinking for a few minutes, he looked at them with tears in his eyes and said, in a sorrowful tone, “I wish I could give my mother a more honorable son.”  That young man was grieving about the fact that his dishonorable life and actions had dishonored his mother.

A child’s life-style reflects on his parents.  “Would my mother be proud of what I am doing? Are my actions honoring her?  Would my father be proud of what I am doing?  Are my actions honoring him?   The Bible says, “Honor your father and mother.”   It is the first and greatest gift we all children give to our parents.  

Another gift that God says we must give to our parents is obedience. The Bibles says in Ephesians 6:11 and Colossians 3:20, “Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents, for that is the right thing to do.”

There are times when we think that our mother and father know absolutely nothing about the way life is in the twenty first century.  We are aware that there are many times we think we know what is best for us, much more than our mom and dad do.  But let me tell you something that may come as a surprise to you.  Our mom and dad are much wiser than we are.  They have a wisdom that can only be gained through years of living. 

A mother is trying to get her son to eat carrots. “Carrots are good for your eyes,” she says.  “How do you know?” the boy asks.  The mother replies, “Have you ever seen a rabbit wearing glasses?” 

Here is a light hearted presentation of what we all think about our moms and dads, at different points of our lives. Don’t get surprised because we all have the same tendency towards our parents

4 Years Of Age – My Mommy and Danny can do anything;
8 Years Of Age – My Mom and Dad know a lot! A whole lot
12 Years Of Age -My Mother and Father don’t really know quite everything.
14 Years Of Age -Naturally, Mother and Father don’t know that, either
16 Years Of Age -Mother? Father?  They are hopelessly old-fashioned
18 Years Of Age -That old woman? That old man?  They are way out of date
25 Years Of Age -Well, they might know a little bit about it
35 Years Of Age -Before we decide, let’s get Mom and Dad‘s opinion
45 Years Of Age -Wonder what Mom and Dad would have thought about it
65 Years Of Age -Wish, I could talk it over with Mom and Dad

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”

 The Bible says that parents do have gifts to give to their children.  Verses 3 and 4 read, “And, parents, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”   “Parents, do not provoke your children to wrath.”   

What does that mean?  Well, again, listen to what Paul says in Colossians 3:21 “Parents, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”  Parents can either beat their children down or they can build their children up.  They can either discourage them or they can encourage them.

Jay Kesler, in his book, Ten Mistakes Parents Make with Teenagers, gives us, I think, an exhaustive list of how, if we’re not careful, we can aggravate, frustrate, and provoke our children: 

Mistake # 1 – Failure to be a consistent model.  “Do as I say, not as I do.” 

Mistake # 2 – Failure to admit when you are wrong.  “I’m the adult, I am right.”

Mistake # 3 – Failure to give honest answers to honest questions.  “Because I said so, that’s why.” 

Mistake # 4 – Failure to let your teenager develop a personal identity.  “You want to be what?” 

Mistake # 5 – Failure to major on the majors, and minor on the minors.  “This room is a pigsty!” 

Mistake # 6 – Failure to communicate approval and acceptance.  “Can’t you do anything right?” 

Mistake # 7 – Failure to approve your teenagers friends without making any attempt to get to know them.  “Where did you find him?” 

Mistake # 8 – Failure to give your teenager the right to fail.  “You did what?” 

Mistake # 9 – Failure to discuss the uncomfortable.  “Can we talk about something else?” 

Mistake # 10 – Failure to take time.  “I’m kind of busy right now. Could you come back later?”

There is an Aesop’s fable in which the wind and sun argued over who was the stronger. The wind said, “Do you see that old man down there? I can make him take his coat off quicker than you can.”  The sun agreed to go behind the cloud while the wind blew up a storm.

However, the harder the wind blew, the firmer the old man wrapped his coat around him.  Eventually, the wind gave up and the sun came out from behind the cloud and smiled kindly upon the old man. Before long, the old man mopped his brow, pulled off his coat and strolled on his way.

The sun knew the secret: warmth, friendliness, and a gentle touch are always stronger than force and fury.  We can be wind to our children or we can be a sun. The sun will work better.

One more gift to your children is here.  That is, Paul says, “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”  What does it mean?  It means to help them know God and love God and follow God and obey God.  It means to make sure they should be part of the Body of Christ Jesus, the church family, where they learn and grow to love God and love their neighbors.

Next Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, we will baptize three babies.  As I prepare the sacrament of baptism with their parents, I stress the important role of parents to them.  They have an awesome and important responsibility to help their children make the best decision they can ever make.  That is, commit their life to Jesus Christ.   That is the most precious gift parents can give their children, along with the church.

This morning I found this today’s devotional in the upper room. Gregory Weeks in Missouri wrote: My mother died a few days after my fourth birthday. The only knowledge I have of her comes from stories my family tells.

When I was a teenager, my dad handed me an envelope. Inside was a letter Mother had written to me before she passed away. I read her handwritten note: “I want to tell you how very much I love you and how I wanted and waited for you. You probably won’t remember too much about me as the years go by, but I want you to grow into a fine young man, to be always mindful of God, and to ask for God’s direction. Remember your mother loved you with all her heart and will always be with you in spirit.”

What gifts are you giving to your children?

What gifts are you going to give your mom and dad today?

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Holy Spirit, the Mentor

 John 14:15-31  

No one can live alone.

When God Almighty created the world and everything that is in it, God the Creator discovered Adam lacked a suitable helper. The Lord God said to himself, “It is not good for man to be alone.  I will make a helper suitable for him.”

No one can live alone. 

We are made for community. Without community, we find ourselves lonely, isolated, and limited.  We need one another.  We need mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, friends and lots of others.  

This month, May has been observed as Christian Home Month.  I am glad we took a special time to celebrate our children and youth in our midst.  We need them. They need us.  Do you that this month is also Mental Health Month?  Many, including Stephanie, one of my nieces, have mental problems.  The magnitude of mental illness in this country is overwhelming.  According to the Surgeon General, one in every five Americans experiences a mental disorder in any given year and half of all Americans have such disorders at some time in their lives. These illnesses of the brain affect all of us, regardless of age, gender, economic status or ethnicity. 

Those who have mental problems are in our neighborhood.  They are members of our congregations, members of our families; they are everywhere in this country. Mental illness affects the mind, body and the spirit. It is a real, common and treatable illness. Mental illnesses are far more common than cancer, diabetes, heart disease or arthritis We need to take action to pay attention to them.  Our faith communities can be an important part of the recovery process through education, support and by helping individuals and families feel part of a caring community.  

Everybody needs somebody to lean on.

Our confirmation candidates are looking for their mentors now, because we know they need someone to journey together in order to grow strong and confident as disciples of Jesus Christ.

We all need mentors.  Actually we all do have mentors, whether you acknowledge or not.  They may be parents, friends, teachers, spouses, counselors or consultants, but everybody needs somebody to lean on.

It is a good, right, and a proper thing to stop once a while and give thanks to God for all the beautiful people we encounter in this life journey.  I know one of my colleagues who write a thank-you letter to three mentors every Thanksgiving Day.  Who has been your mentor?  Who is your mentor these days?  We thank God for our mentors who cross our paths along the journey of life.

But do you know that we do have a Spiritual Mentor Who Supplies Our Every Need?

When I think of God, the Creator, I think of God as my Father in heaven.   When I think of Jesus who came to hang with us for a while, I think of Jesus as my big brother I can lean on and share my concerns and joys with.   

When I think of the Holy Spirit – the Comforter, the Counselor, the ever-present Third Person of the Trinity, who cares about us, who teaches us and grants us peace, I think of the Holy Spirit as my Mentor.

A. When the Holy Spirit is our Mentor, we have God’s PRESENCE.

Listen to the teaching of Jesus in John 14 verse 15-17, “The Father will give you another Comforter who will be with you forever. You will know this Counselor for she lives with you and will be in you. We will not be left as orphans. God will come to us in the person of the Holy Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit is God present with us.   The Holy Spirit never leaves us alone.   So we won’t be alone and God is with us.

I recall the story of a little girl who, when trains were popular transportation, was taking her first train ride with her parents. As night descended, the mother took the girl, who was clearly quite anxious, and placed her on the upper bunk of the sleeper. She told her little one that up there she would be nearer to God and that God would watch over her.

But, when everyone was ready to sleep, the young lady she became afraid and called softly, “Mommy, are you there?”  “Yes dear,” came the response.  A little later, in a louder voice, the child called, “Daddy, are you there, too?”  “Yes dear,” was the reply.

After this had been repeated several times one of the passengers sharing their sleeper car finally lost his patience and shouted loudly, “Yes, we’re all here, your father, your mother, your brother, and all your aunts and cousins; now settle down and go to sleep!”

There was a moment of silence and then, in hushed tones a little voice asked, “Mommy, was that God?”

A Statement of Faith of  the United church of Canada reads, “In life, in death and in life beyond death, God is with us.  We are not alone.  Thanks to be God.  Amen” 

The Holy Spirit, our spiritual mentor is with us and we are not alone.

B.  When the Holy Spirit is our Mentor, we have God’s WISDOM.

John 14:26 says, “He will teach you all things, and remind you of everything I have said to you.”

Hallelujah!  The Holy Spirit teaches us all things and reminds us of everything Jesus has said to us.  He helps us.  

Have you heard about this prayer?   “Dear Lord, so far today, I have done all right.  I have not gossiped, have not lost my temper, and have not been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or even over-indulgent. But in a few minutes God, I am going to get out of bed. And from then on I am going to need a lot of help.”   

The Holy Spirit not only helps us but also reminds us.

Last Sunday I went to the district conference in the afternoon which was held in Middletown, CT.  During the conference, all the worshippers prayed the Wesleyan Covenant Prayer.  On the way back to Fairfield to attend the International Taste, I found myself repeating the prayer until I arrived in Fairfield.  

I am no longer my own, but thine.

Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.

Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee,

exalted for thee or brought low for thee.

Let me be full, let me be empty.

Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.

And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

thou art mine, and I am thine.

So be it.

And the covenant which I have made on earth,

let it be ratified in heaven.

Amen.

Yes, I was reminded of whose I am.  I was reminded of the day of my ordination.   I was thankful for this reminder.   

So we pray daily to the Holy Spirit, our Mentor, “Help me know the truth about myself and others, help show me guidance for the way, help me have strength for today and hope for tomorrow.”

C. When the Holy Spirit is our Mentor, we have God’s PEACE.

John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives to you, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Many of you know the story behind this hymn, one of America’s best loved hymns.

Horatio Spafford was a wealthy businessman from Chicago. However, the Chicago fire of 1871 wiped Spafford out financially. A couple of years later Spafford’s wife and four children were traveling to Europe when their ship collided with another ship. The four children perished, while Anna survived. She later sent Horatio a telegram with these two words, “Saved Alone.”  Spafford, heartbroken and sad caught a boat to be with his wife. It was on that voyage that he wrote:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,  When sorrows like a sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Have you found that kind of peace?  You can, with the help of the Holy Spirit, have that peace that the world cannot give.  

We are not alone. We live in God’s world.  In life, in death and in life beyond death, we are not alone.   We are not alone.  We do have the Holy Spirit who teaches us and reminds us and give us peace. 

Thanks be to God.  Amen.

성령, 우리의 멘토

 요한복음John 14:15-31  

아무도 혼자 살지 못합니다.  하나님께서 세상을 창조하시고 그 안의 모든 것을 창조하셨을 때, 한가지 부족한 것을 발견하였습니다.  아담에게 배필이 필요하다는 것을 아시고 하시는 말씀이, “아담이 혼자 있는 것이 좋지 않구나.  아담에게 적절한 배필을 창조하리라.”

아무도 혼자 살지 못합니다.  공동체를 필요로 합니다.  공동체가 없으면 우리는외롭고, 갇혀있게 되고 제한된 삶을 살게 됩니다.  서로가 필요합니다.  엄마가 필요하고 아빠, 그리고 형제 자메, 그리고 숙모 숙부, 친구들 그리고 동네 사람들.   이번 달이 기독교 가정의 달입니다.  아이들이 우리 가운데 있음을 감사하고, 아이들에게 감사하는 시간을 갖게 되어 좋습니다.  아이들이 우리를 필요로 합니다.  우리가 그들이 필요합니다. 

그런데, 이번 달이, 정신건강의 달이기도 합니다. 제 조카, 수진이도 정신 질환으로 고생을 합니다만, 많은 사람들이 고생하고 있습니다.  뉴타운의 총격 사건이 바로 정신 질환으로 고생하던 아담때문이 아니였습니까?   미국에 정신 질환으로 고생하는 사람들이 일년 단위로, 다섯 사람들 중의 하나라고 합니다.  여기 100명이 앉아 있다고 한다면 20명이 정신 질환으로 고생한다고 생각하면 됩니다.  그리고 반 이상의 미국인들이 사는 동안 한 두번씩 정신 질환을 앓고 있다고 합니다.  이 질환은 나이에 상관없이, 남자 여자 상관업이, 경제적 지위 상관없이, 어느 민족출신에 상관없이 존재하고 있습니다.   우리 이웃 가운데 있고, 교회에 있고 가정에 있습니다.  전국에 있습니다. 이 정신 질환으로 맘, 몸 그리고 영이 영향을 받습니다.  고칠 수 있는 병입니다. 정신 질환으로 고생하는 사람들이, 암, 당뇨, 심장질환 그리고 근육통으로 고생하는 사람들 보다 더 많습니다.   우리 교회가 관심을 가져야 합니다. 교육하고 이해하고 도움이 되어 주어야 합니다.   그래서 그들에게 사랑의 공동체가 되어야 합니다.

우리는 서로 필요한 존재이기 때문입니다.  입교반 학생들이 멘토를 찾습니다.  왜냐하면, 그들의 신앙 여정에 누군가가 필요하기 때문입니다. 도움을 줄 사람이 필요하기 때문입니다.   그래서, 신앙 여정을 건강하게 엮어나갈 수 있습니다.

우리 모두가 멘토가 필요합니다.  사실, 알아채지 못할지라도, 우리는 멘토가 있어서 지금까지 살아왔습니다.  부모가 멘토였습니다. 형제 자매가 멘토이고 친구가 멘토고,  남편 부인이 멘토이고, 스승이나 목사가 멘토입니다.    멘토에게 감사하는 것 중요합니다.  그들이 없으면 제가 없기 때문입니다.  제 친구 목사는, 일년에 한번씩, 추수감사절 주말이 되며는, 그 한해를 지내면서 큰 힘이 되어 주었던 멘토 3사람을 찾아서 감사 편지를 쓰고 있다고 합니다.  여러분의 멘토가 누구입니까?  하나님께 그 분들을 허락하여 주심에 감사합니다.

영적 멘토가 있습니다.  우리의 모든 필요를 채워주시는 멘토가 있습니다.  바로 성령이십니다.  하나님을 생각하며는, 저는 하늘에 계신 아버지로 연상을 합니다.  예수님은 내 형님이라고 생각합니다.  성령님을 생각하면, 저는 멘토라는 생각을 합니다.

오늘 말씀에 보니까, 성령님이 멘토로서, 우리에게 약속하신 사역이 있으십니다.  그 첫째가 하나님의 임재입니다.  함께 하심입니다.  14장 16절 17일 말씀에 보니까, “내가 아버지께 구하겠으니 그가 또 다른 보혜사를 너희에게 주사 영원토록 너희와 함께 있게 하리니  그는 진리의 영이라… 그는 너희와 함께 거하심이요 또 너희 속에 계시겠음이라.   내가 너희를 고아와 같이 버려두지 아니하고 너희에게로 오리라.”

성령님은 우리와 함께 하시는 하나님이십니다.  우리를 홀로 내버려두지 않습니다.

한 소녀가 기차를 부모와 탔습니다.  침대기차입니다.  밤이 되어서, 잠 잘 시간인데, 아이가 많이 무서워합니다.  엄마가 이 아이를 위쪽 침대에 올려 놓으면서, 하나님과 더 가까운 곳에 있고, 하나님이 돌보아 주실 것이니 아무 염려하지 말고 자거라 하였습니다.   모두 잠을 자려고 하는데, 아이가 “엄마 거기있어?”  하였습니다. “응 나 여기 있어” 엄마가 답하였습니다.  조금 지나자, 또 아이가 말하기를, “아빠, 거기있어?”  하였습니다.  “그럼 나 여기 있어” 아빠가 답하였습니다.  이렇게 하기를 서너번 하였습니다.  그랬더니, 함께 침대 차를 타고 있던 손님이 소리를 치면서, “예야, 우리 여기 다 있어.  너희 아빠도 있고, 너희 엄마도 있고, 너희 숙모도 있고 사촌도 있고.  이제 그만 자자.” 하였습니다.  조금 침묵이 지난 후에, 조용한 목소리로 이 아기 말하기를, “엄마,  지금 누가 말했어? 하나님이셔?”

카나다 교회 신조는, “이 곳의 삶가운데, 죽음 가운데,  죽은 후의 삶 가운데도 하나님이 계십니다.  우리는 홀로가 아닙니다.  하나님께 감사합니다. 아멘.”

성령님이 멘토이기에, 우리는 하나님의 지혜를 얻으며 살아가게 됩니다.

요한복음 14장 26절 말씀에, “보혜사 곧 아버지께서 내 이름으로 보내실 성령 그가 너희에게 모든 것을 가르치고 내가 너희에게 말한 모든 것을 생각나게 하리라.”

할렐루야!  성령님은 가르치시고, 생각나게 하십니다.  우리를 도와 주십니다.

이런 기도 들어보셨나요?   “주님, 현재까지 참 좋습니다.  잘못한 일이 없습니다. 남 흉도 안보고, 화를 내지도 않았고, 욕심도 안부리고, 뚱하지도 않고,  남에게 신경질도 안내고, 너무 집착하지도 않았습니다.  몇분 지나면, 하나님, 침대에서 일어납니다.  그후로 부터, 당신의 도움이 절대적으로 필요합니다.”

성령님, 멘토가 필요합니다.  성령님의 도우심 없이는 살 수 없습니다.

지난 주일에, 지방 연회가 있어서 미들타운에 올라갔다 왔습니다.  갔다가 내려오면서, 예배 시간에 기도하였던, 웨슬리 언약 기도문을, 제가 읊고, 또 읊고 하였습니다.  얼마나 감동하며 감격했는지 모릅니다.  그 기도문은 이렇습니다.   

주님, 제 생명은 더 이상 제 것이 아니며, 오직 주의 소유입니다. 

저로 하여금, 주께서 원하시는 곳에 있게 하시고,

주께서 기뻐하시는 사람들과 함께 있게 하소서!

저에게 일을 시키시고, 고생을 시키셔도 좋습니다.

주님을 위해서라면,

저를 사용하시거나,옆으로 제쳐놓아 두셔도 상관없습니다.

주님을 위하여 저를 높이셔도 좋으며,

주님을 위하여 저를 낮추셔도 좋습니다.

저에게 가득 채워주시거나,

전부를 거두어 가셔도 좋습니다.

모든 것을 다 가지게 하시거나,

아무 것도 가진 것이 없게 하셔도 괜찮습니다.

제가 진정,자유함으로 주님의 기쁨과 사역을 위해 모든 것을 내려 놓습니다.

오 영광중에 거하시며 복되신 성부 성자 성령 하나님이시여,

주님은 저의 하나님이시며, 저는 주님의 자녀이오니,

진정 그렇게 되어지기를 간구하옵니다.

그리고 이 땅에서 서약한 이 언약이 하늘에서도 인정되게 하소서. 아멘

제가 누구인지를 생각나게 해 주셨습니다.  제가 받은 목사 안수 예배를 생각나게 해 주셨습니다.  얼마나 감사하였는 지 모릅니다.

우리는 매일 기도합니다, 성령님께.  “나에 관하여, 그리고 이웃에 관하여 알아야 할 진리를 알게 도와 주세요.  제 길을 인도해 주세요 그리고 오늘을 위한 능력과 내일을 위한 희망을 갖게 도와 주세요.”

마지막으로, 성령님은 우리의 멘토이십니다.  하나님의 평화를 주십니다.

요한복음 14장 27절에,  “평안을 너희에게 끼치노니 곧 나의 평안을 너희에게 주노라 내가 너희에게 주는 것은 세상이 주는 것과 같지 아니하니라 너희는 마음에 근심하지도 말고 두려워하지도 말라.”

“내 평생의 가는 길” 찬송 참 잘 알려져 있는 찬송입니다.  이 찬송 가사를 지은 사람이 호라티오 스파포드라는 분이십니다.  시카고의 부자 사업가였습니다.  그런데 1871년 시카고에 큰 화재가 있었을 때 모든 재산을 잃어 버렸습니다.  그리고 2년 후에, 아내와 아이들이 배를 타고 유럽을 가다가 사고를 만나서, 아이들이 다 죽고, 아내만 겨우 살아 남게 되었습니다.   아내가 보낸 전보에, “혼자 구출받음”이라고 적혀 있었습니다.  스파포드는 너무 상심하고 슬픔에 젖게 되었습니다.  아내를 만나러 배를 타고 가다가, 그가 쓴 기도문이 바로, 오늘 부르신 찬송 가사입니다.

“내 평생에 가는 길 순탄하여 늘 잔잔한 강 같든지 큰 풍파로 무섭고 어렵든지 나의 영혼은 늘 편하다 “ 

이런 평화, 이런 평안을 가지셨습니까?  성령님의 도움을 가능합니다.  이 세상이 줄 수 없는 평안을 누릴 수 있습니다. 할렐루야!

우리는 혼자 아닙니다.  하나님의 세계에 살고 있습니다.  이 삶 가운데, 죽음 가운데, 죽음 후의 삶 가운데, 하나님은 우리와 함게 하십니다.  아멘.  우리는 혼자가 아닙니다.   우리를 가르치시고, 생각나게 하시고, 평안을 주시는 성령님이 계십니다.   멘토이신 성령님과 함께 호흡하시고, 그 분의 가르침에 귀 기울이시고,  동행하시어, 이 세상을 넉넉히 이기시기를  축원합니다.  할렐루야.  아멘.

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Are We in God’s Way? 

Acts 11 : 1-18 

In our lesson today from the book of Acts, the early disciples of Jesus are confronted with a critical turning point. As you know, all the members of the early Christian community had been Jewish. They viewed themselves as a holy and chosen people set apart from others.  So even though they had become the followers of Jesus, they believed that Gentiles, non-Jews were in some way unclean, unfit to belong to the body of Christ.

Then something quite unsettling happened among them.  They heard that Gentiles were being welcomed into the body of Christ.  They even heard Peter, the most influential apostle supported this new movement.

So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those Jewish Christians criticized him.  “Peter, is it true that you not only entered the house of uncircumcised Gentiles, but also actually ate with them.” “Tell us, Peter,” they cried, “that it’s not so!”  But it was so.  

So, Peter laid out for them step-by-step how he had come to this position of accepting Gentiles and welcoming them into the body of Christ.

“Recently I was in the town of Joppa praying. I fell into a trance and saw a vision: Something like a huge blanket, lowered by ropes at its four corners, came down out of heaven and settled on the ground in front of me. Milling around on the blanket were farm animals, wild animals, reptiles, birds—you name it, it was there. Fascinated, I took it all in.

“Then I heard a voice: ‘Go to it, Peter—kill and eat.’ I said, ‘Oh, no, Master. I’ve never so much as tasted food that wasn’t kosher.’ The voice spoke again: ‘If God says it’s okay, it’s okay.’ This happened three times, and then the blanket was pulled back up into the sky.

“Just then three men showed up at the house where I was staying, sent from Caesarea to get me. The Spirit told me to go with them, no questions asked. So I went with them, I and six friends, to the man who had sent for me.  Cornelius. 

Cornelius told us how he had seen an angel right in his own house, real as his next-door neighbor, saying, ‘Send to Joppa and get Simon, the one they call Peter. He’ll tell you something that will save your life—in fact, you and everyone you care for.’

“So I started in, talking. Before I’d spoken half a dozen sentences, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as he did on us the first time. I remembered Jesus’ words: ‘John baptized with water; you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So I ask you: If God gave the same exact gift to them as to us when we believed in the Master Jesus Christ, how could I object to God?”

Simon Peter says, “if God gave them the same gift [of the Spirit] . . . who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”

What a wonderful passage of scripture. What a historical turning point in our church history!  You and I should be thankful for this turning point.  Because it did not happen, we who are from non-Jewish backgrounds would not able to be in the church today.

“Who was I,” said Simon Peter, “to think that I could stand in God’s way?”  Peter understood that it was God’s will to throw open the doors of the church to all, Jews and non-Jews and changed his long time belief.  He decided not to oppose God or, in his words, “stand in God’s way.”  Instead, he decided to go with God’s move.

Are there times we Christians actually stood in God’s way in our human history?   Are there times in the church when we have stood in God’s way?   Honestly speaking, we as an institution or as individuals have stood in God’s way more than often.  For example, we persecuted Galileo for his scientific discoveries.  Some stood with Nazi.  Many Christians opposed the Civil Rights movement. 

Of course, we the church has been an active agent of positive changes that have occurred in society.  However, to be fair, we have been on and off against significant progress that has taken place in human society.

Over two hundred years ago, in Gloucester, England, a man named Robert Raikes started a movement, the Sunday School movement. He invited a group of children together on Sundays to instruct them in reading and in the Christian beliefs.

Believe it or not, the Sunday School movement was strongly resisted by the established church. The ruling classes, who had much influence in the church of that day, feared that such a program would lead to popular education which in turn would lead to revolution. And then there were legalistic people in church who believed strongly that the Sabbath day was for worship and rest only, not for recreation or for school.  One Scottish preacher feared that such Sunday Schools would “destroy all family religion.” (1) Imagine that. Sending children to Sunday School would destroy family religion.

Many progressive steps that have ever been made in human society has first of all been opposed by somebody or some Christians in the name of Christ.

During the early days of the Salvation Army, General William Booth and his associates were bitterly attacked in the press by certain religious leaders. Can you imagine religious people opposing a group that simply try to help the poor and the down?

Some of you grew up in the days of segregation in this land.  You can remember a few decades back when even many religious people were guilty of racism in this country. Racism is still alive in our land. In fact, some recent surveys show that it might even be increasing.   

God’s will is all of us live in harmony and peace.  There is a time coming when every child on this earth will live in freedom and dignity.  This is God’s will.  This is the vision Jesus has placed in our hearts.  And we should either help make it happen or get out of the way.  

Jesus taught us that there is a kingdom at work in this world, a kingdom that will someday result in all people living freely and joyfully as God’s own people. We cannot stop its coming.  We cannot stop God who is at work in this world.   So, you and I have a decision to make:  Are we going with God’s move or are we in God’s way?

Donald Ponder was a legislator in Georgia.  As a representative to the state legislature, he stood on the House floor of this conservative Southern state and implored his colleagues to pass a bill that would impose extra penalties for hate crimes committed against ethnic and racial minorities, as well as against gay and lesbian people.  He confessed to the state Legislature that all his ancestors in the nineteenth century owned slaves and that his great‑grandfather had fought in the Civil War for the Confederacy.

He told his fellow legislators of how his college fraternity had ostracized six members because they were gay.   He told of his nanny, an African‑American woman who had raised him from birth, who had taught him more than anyone else the difference between right and wrong.  He told of how one day when he was a boy about to leave for school, she had leaned over to give him a kiss on the cheek, and how he had turned his head away from her, because he had been taught all his life that black people were not supposed to kiss white people. He spoke of the shame that he had carried since that day.

Then Representative Donald Ponder spoke these unforgettable words: “The day came not long ago when we buried the magnificent woman who had raised me. I pledged to myself that day that never again would I look in the mirror and know that I had kept silent and let hate, prejudice, and indifference negatively impact another person’s life. I finally have figured it out. The only way we are ever going to make progress in this world is when somebody gets up and takes a stand. And so I stand before you today, my distinguished colleagues, and I urge the House of Representatives of the State of Georgia to pass this hate crimes bill.” And you know what? They did.

Hallelujah!  God is at work. 

As announced, I am going to participate at Ecumenical Korea Peace conference next month in Atlanta, GA.  This conference is a nation-wide and a church-wide gathering to see what we need to do for peace in the Korean peninsula. 

The Korean War ended in July 27, 1953, 60 years ago.  Actually it did not end, because countries involved in this war, including North Korea, China and the United States signed the armistice agreement 60 years ago to stop fighting. Officially the war is still on.  The United States and South Korea have been doing a joint military exercise annually in the Korean peninsula.  And North Korea has been considering it as a threat to invade and fighting back by doing missile testing and developing nuclear power.  Last 60 years, more than 1/3 of South Koreans haven’t got a chance to communicate with their families and relatives.  No visitation.  No mailing, No phone.  Last 60 years.  Only about 3 hour driving distance between them.  It is a tragedy.  It must be ended.  It can be ended. 

So we Christians gather and raise voice for peace and reconciliation in the Korean Peninsula.  We will demand all the countries involved to sign the peace treaty that would open many possibilities to build up trust and reconciliation in the Korean peninsula.  We take this bold action, believing that bringing peace on earth is God’s will and we are called to peacemakers. 

President Jimmy Carter, a Baptist Christian, has sent us the audio-taped greetings and words of encouragement to be played at the opening worship.  He said, “People all over the United States need to take notice of the goals you are pursuing – especially the central goal of achieving a genuine peace treaty between our countries.  Anyone should surely see this as long-overdue, something that would be of great value not only to our own countries but to the region and to the whole world.  I assure you that I will be doing what I can to assist in that great undertaking – and I believe that by working together we will succeed!”

Jesus taught us to pray, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  We pray every Sunday with our children and youth.  This prayer is not only our petition to God, but also our commitment to work hard to help make the Kingdom of God happen on earth as it is in heaven. 

God is at work in this world. God’s kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven.  God is able. And God will do what God has promised.   God works and moves anytime someone is willing to be used of God.

Are you in God’s way or are you going with God’s move? 

Are we in God’s way or are we going with God’s move?

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When nine high-school aged youth staggered in the door at 3:00 AM after a night on the streets, their parents showed no concern.  They didn’t check for slurred speech, blood shot eyes, or signs of mischief.  They knew in fact that their children were roaming the streets of New York City on a mission — A mission to bring assistance and compassion to those in need.

For several months now, the Congregations of both Fairfield Grace and Jesse Lee Methodist Churches have been rallying their Youth in collecting clothing, blankets, toiletries, and food donations in preparation for this Midnight Run.  Hundreds of dollars in monetary contributions, food supplies, and donated items were garnered.

On Thursday, March 28^th, after hours of preparing close to 200 sandwiches, filling lunch bags, making soup, organizing toiletry bags and sorting clothing, the youth loaded in vans and headed to the streets of Manhattan.  Arriving at 10:00 PM, they spent the next four hours combing the streets helping those in need.  They passed out supplies and hot beverages, distributed warm clothing, left lunch bags next to those sleeping on the sidewalks, and most importantly, these youth interacted with dignity and respect to those who have so little.  They understood that respect can reaffirm the humanity of a person at a time when homelessness seems to have stripped it away.  “Hearing their stories and the circumstances which led to their current situation was a real eye opener” stated 15 year old Nick Leppla.

Through this worthwhile endeavor, these youth were able to see the homeless as real people, and the homeless men and women learned that these teenagers have commitments and concerns that go beyond their own lives and families.  These late night relief efforts create a forum for trust, sharing, understanding and affection.  That human exchange is the essence of the Midnight Run.  And Hunter Rempe felt that “Our homeless brothers and sisters were very appreciative of our efforts.  It felt good to give back to the community”.

So the next time your child states they want to roam the streets of New York City, they just may be up to something good!Midnight Run, headquartered in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., is a nonprofit union of more than 100 churches, schools and communities in the metropolitan area, and throughout the United States. It was established to deliver clothing, blankets, food and toiletries to the homeless and oversees the process of material distribution of volunteers.  For further information, visit www.midnightrun.org.

Join us for a family fun fellowship event!

Saturday, May 18th
Fellowship Hall
5:30pm – 7pm

Family, Friends, and Children welcome!

Please bring coins to mark your card,
and donate them when you’re done!

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Earth Day Sermon

Genesis 2:15, 9:8-11 & Matthew 6:25-34

Good morning! 

 “Most Earth-like” worlds detected.  It was a headline I encountered last week in BBC News.  They reported that researchers have found two worlds, which are similar to Earth.  They are 1,200 light-years away from where we are.  So it is impossible to know for sure if there is liquid water on their surface.  But they said, “it is a exciting discovery.”  In case you want to live there later, their names are Kepler 62e and Kepler 62f.   What a vast, wondrous and amazing universe!  Astronomy or cosmology is one of my bucket lists. 

We don’t know much yet about these two Earth-like worlds, Kepler 62e and Kepler 62f.  But we do know we do have Earth right here with us.

Happy Earth Day.  Tomorrow, April 22 was designated as International Mother Earth Day by a consensus resolution adopted by the United Nations in 2009.  It is an annual day on which events are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

Today is the first Mother Earth day we celebrate together at FGUMC.  I am thankful to God for this opportunity to reflect on the goodness of the creation and on our role in its stewardship.

Who is the Creator?   

Of course, you and I know the answer.   It is right there on page one of the bible -­God created heaven and earth and said it was good.  And, although in the Christian tradition the human role in God’s world is unique among the animals, we, man and woman are not creators.  We are merely a part of the Creation — placed in the garden by God.  Job learned that lesson the hard way.

But we don’t stop with this reaffirmation of God as Creator.  We go on to affirm that God not only created the universe, including the earth and all that is upon it, but that Creation belongs to God - the land, the water, the animals, the air, the “riches” — all God’s. 

We remember the parable from Luke about the rich man who has accumulated so many worldly goods that he must build a bigger barn to contain them all.  God’s response is to call the rich man a fool and declare, “This very night your life is being demanded of you.  And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” We know the answer to that one too.  So from the Bible, we know that God is the creator and that creation belongs to God. 

Have you seen the rainbow lately?  Last week, Dottie sent me pictures of rainbow by email.  They truly are amazing. 

We all know the Noah Story in the Bible.  God put it in the sky as a sign of covenant after the flood.  No one who has seen the rainbow can possible doubt God’s resolve to uphold his covenant with the Earth.

God said to Noah and his sons, ’I set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the Earth.”   It is quite clear that God’s covenant was established not just with people, but with all of creation.    

Jesus  taught one day his disciples on the mount.  The topic was about not worrying.  He said, “Look at the birds in the air.  Who is taking care of them?  Look at the lilies in the field?  Who is taking care of them?”  “Guess who will take care of you?”  You know this teaching.  In this teaching, Jesus reminded the listeners that God is God of all, human and animals.  And God satisfy the needs of every living creature.  We give thanks to God for His care and love.  What a wonderful world God has created and cared about.

Last Thursday afternoon I had visitation with two different family.   But what a coincidence!  They are both animal lovers.

Peter and Kathleen.  In the middle of our conversation, I learned that they have been taking care of abused dogs in the animal shelter and anywhere, providing pet foods and helping people find and love their pet.   We talked about the need to invite all the pets in the community and share God’s blessings with them.

Another member I visited was Phil Stein and learned once again his passion for birds.  He is a birdie man.  I mean he loves and lives with birds. Have you seen all those birds he himself carved?  Have you visited his library full of books about birds?   He is a long time board member of the directors of CT Audubon Society in Fairfield.  Their mission is to conserve Connecticut’s environment through science-based education and advocacy focused on the state’s bird populations and their habitats.  He and CT Audubon Society deserve our thanks and respect and support

Are we faithful stewards?  What does it mean to be a faithful steward of God’s creation?  Good question.  Fortunately the bible provides guidance — the first reference right in Genesis 2 when God placed the human creature in the garden “to till it and keep it.” 

Clearly this direction from God means we have the authority, if not the responsibility, to till the Earth in order to make its productive powers flourish.  But does this mean we are to till all of it?  I don’t think so, because we also have the obligation to “keep it” which means to sustain it, conserve it, perpetuate it — to “keep” the Earth by protecting its God-created life systems and life forms. 

Last Tuesday in the morning, Wed. 10:10 study group met one day earlier than usual because of the Naomi circle’s meeting at the parlor.  During the study, we asked one another what we did to express our love to God and others, after meditating how much God expressed His love to us by dying on the cross.  A participant said I called and visited a church member at a rehap center.  Guess what Pastor J and Fredene shared with the group.  They did pick up trashes on the streets outside their home in Westport.  Empty bottles and broken bottles and napkins and even remains of pets.  I heard this morning they picked two extra bags of trashes yesterday.    

And, let’s not forget the rainbow — God’s covenant with creation and with all of the world’s creatures.   And we are God’s stewards to take care of God’s creation and all of the world’s creatures, including of course, our human sisters and brothers who are different from us in many diverse ways and also our animal friends and trees and mountains and oceans and rivers, etc.

Tomorrow is Earth Day.  Officially, it is International Mother Earth Day.  Not just Earth Day, Mother Earth Day.  Why Mother? Why not Father?  Maybe because of its Mother-like, nurturing, loving, caring and embracing characteristics.    We need Mother Earth who provides all we need to live and enjoy this life as much as Earth needs you and me.   God wants us to enjoy this interdependence and asks us to take care of our God-given home, Earth.

Let me finish this message by reading a paragraph from the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church, the  paragraph 160 under the title, the natural world, it says,

“All creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it. Water, air, soil, minerals, energy resources, plants, animal life, and space are to be valued and conserved because they are God’s creation and not solely because they are useful to human beings. God has granted us stewardship of creation. We should meet these stewardship duties through acts of loving care and respect.”

“Economic, political, social, and technological developments have increased our human numbers, and lengthened and enriched our lives. However, these developments have led to regional defoliation, dramatic extinction of species, massive human suffering, overpopulation, and misuse and overconsumption of natural and nonrenewable resources, particularly by industrialized societies.  This continued course of action jeopardizes the natural heritage that God has entrusted to all generations.

Therefore, let us recognize the responsibility of the church and its members to place a high priority on changes in economic, political, social, and technological lifestyles to support a more ecologically equitable and sustainable world leading to a higher quality of life for all of God’s creation. 

AMEN.

Let us pray.

Lord, we thank you for this opportunity to reflect on your creation, your covenant with all living things, and our obligation to be good stewards of the gifts you have provided.  Help us to understand that each of us has an important role in Caring for Creation, by the choices we make and by the actions we take.  Give us the wisdom to choose thoughtfully, and to act with care, in accordance with your will, and your love of this good Earth, our home.  - Amen

데살로니가전서 3:16-17

쉬지 말고 기도하라

16 항상 기뻐하라 17 쉬지 말고 기도하라 18 범사에 감사하라 이것이 그리스도 예수 안에서 너희를 향하신 하나님의 뜻이니라

어떤분은 기도를 마치 수증기와 같다고 하였습니다. 수증기가 증발해서 구름이 되고, 구름이 모이면 비가 내리는 것처럼, 우리의 기도가 올라가서 모이면 축복의 소나기가 되어 되돌아오게 된다는 것입니다.

저는 그래서 이말씀을 이렇게 해석해 봅니다. “기도의 분량이 채워 질 때 하나님께서 응답하실 것이다”기도하는데 응답이 없다고 느껴진다면 아직 기도의 분량에 이르지 못 하였구나 헤아리고 더욱 간절히 기도해야 할 것입니다.

이런 기도

솔로몬 왕은 왕위에 오른 다음 기브온 산당에서 일천번제를 드렸습니다. 그리고“하나님의 백성을 다스릴 수 있는 지혜로운 마음을 주십시오.”라고 기도하였습니다.

하나님께서는 자신의 부귀나 명예, 원수 갚음을 구하지 않고 하나님께서 맡기신 사명을 감당할 만한 지혜를 구한 솔로몬의 기도를 기뻐하셨습니다. 성경은 이 기도가 “주의 마음에 맞은지라”왕상3:10에 기록하고 있습니다.

그래서 하나님께서는 솔로몬 왕에게 전에도 후에도 없었던 지혜를 주시고, 부와 영광과 장수의 축복까지 덤으로 주셨습니다.

부러우시죠? 솔로몬의 기도에서 우리가 이끌어낼 가르침은 무엇이겠습니까? 희생이 있었습니다. 번제는 하나님께 드리는 제사 가운데 하나도 남김없이 하나님에게 올려 드리는 제사입니다. 남김없이 드리려는 마음이 하나님의 마음을 흔들었습니다. 또 무엇이 있습니까? 다함이 없었습니다. 일천 번제가 의미하는 바는 응답을 주실 때 까지 기도 하겠다는 결의가 있습니다. 그리고 한가지 더 이끌어 내자면 자신을 구하지 않았습니다. 내 것을 구하지 않았다는 것은 기도의 한 단계 높은 차원입니다. 내 것을 챙기지 않는 다는 것은 자신을 넘어서 있다는 것을 의미하기 때문입니다.

이세가지가 솔로몬이 기도의 응답을 받은 이유입니다. 이렇게 보면 솔로몬이 아주 치밀한 사람임을 보게 됩니다. 요즘 우리가 잘 쓰는 말처럼 그는 기도전문가였습니다. 덤까지 얻어 내는 기도기술을 여러분도 전수 받고 싶지 않으십니까? 물론 솔로몬이 받은 덤에 더 관심을 보이는 사람들이 있습니다. 하지만 솔로몬의 입장에서 본다면 차원이 없는 기도입니다. 덤은 먼저 구하는 것은 부질 없기 때문입니다.

하나님은 모든 기도를 들으십니다. 그러나 모든 기도에 다 응답하시지는 않습니다. 하나님께서는 응답받을 자격이 있는 기도에 관심하십니다. 그렇다면 ‘기도 응답의 자격’은 무엇이겠습니까? ‘하나님의 마음에 드는 기도’를 드리는 것입니다.이것이 100% 적중을 보장하는 기도법인 것입니다.

예수님처럼

왜 우리가 살아가면서 기도가 필요합니까? 우리가 기도에 주목하는 이유가 분명히 있습니다. 예수님이 기도하셨습니다. 하나님이신 예수님이 기도 하지 않으신 들 무슨 문제가 있겠습니까? 그러데 예수님은 기도의 줄을 놓지 않으셨습니다. 그러면 기도하지 않는 그리스도인들은 도대체 어떤 사람들 입니까? 예수님보다 믿음이 더 좋기라도 한 것일까요? 아니면 하룻강아지처럼 뭘 몰라서 일까요?

예수님의 일생은 기도하는 생애였습니다. 예수님은 기도로 그의 공생애가 시작되었고 기도로 그의 일생을 마무리하셨습니다. 예수님은 새벽에도 기도하셨고 한밤중에도 기도 하셨습니다. 산에서 이슬을 맞으며 기도하셨고 들에서도 기도하셨습니다. 예수님의 일생에서 가장 중요한 시간들은 거의 기도하는 시간이었습니다.

우리가 예수님의 생애에서 기도가 차지하는 비중이 크다는 확신은, 예수님의 터닝포인트가 있는 때에 반드시 기도 하셨다는 것을 알기 때문입니다.

예수님은 공적생애를 앞두시고 광야에서 40일동안 금식하시면서 기도로 준비하셨습니다.

누가복음 3장 22절에 보면 예수님이 세례를 받으시고 기도하실 때에 하늘이 열리고 성령이 비둘기같은 형체로 그의 위에 강림하셨습니다. 그리고 하늘로서 소리가 나기를 “너는 내 사랑하는 아들이라 내가 너를 기뻐하노라“ 는 격려를 받으셨습니다.

우리는 예수님처럼 우리 인생의 터닝포인트를 잘 잡아야 합니다. 그리고 중요한 때에 더욱 기도해야 하는 것입니다. 때를 보는 지혜는 예수님이 하나님께 인정받는 자세가 되는 것입니다.

예수님 공적생애에서도 마찬가지입니다. 가장 힘든 때가 언제였겠습니까? 소명을 붙드는 것이었습니다. 그래서 예수님은 그 해답을 위하여 변화산에 제자들과 오르셨습니다.

누가복음 9장에 보면 예수님이 하나님에게 ‘기도하실 때’ 용모가 변화되고, 그 옷이 희어져 광채가 났습니다.(29절) 예수님이 변화 되셨습니다. 이 말씀은 우리가 좀 더 깊이 묵상할 가치가 있습니다. 예수님이 사는법은 철저하게 하나님 뜻대로 사셨기에 자신을 돌아보지 않으셨습니다. 변화산의 변화는 자신을 향한 최고의 응답이었습니다.

용모가 변화 되었다는 것은 “신화”되었다는 것입니다. 즉 영생을 죽으시기 전에 경험한 것입니다. 부활의 몸을 미리 맛보아 아신 것입니다. 율법의 모세와 예언의 엘리야가 하나님의 전령으로 예수님과 만났습니다. 모세와 엘리야는 죽음을 보지 않고 하나님께 올림을 받은 사람들입니다. 영생하는 사람들인 것입니다. 그런데 그 이후 예수님이 영광속에 그들과 나눈 대화는 앞으로 자신이 예루살렘에서 죽으심 즉 별세에 대한 것 이었습니다.(눅 9:31). 십자가를 하나님의 뜻으로 발견하신 것입니다.

우리는 겟세마네 기도를 잘 알고 있습니다. 땀방울이 핏방울이 되도록 기도하신 주님은 ‘내 뜻이 아닌 아버지의 뜻’을 확인하시려는 것이었습니다. 기도 하신 후 한 치의 흐트러짐도 없이 자신에게 맡겨진 길을 가셨습니다.

공적생애 전,후가 기도로 시작되고 기도로 마무리 되었습니다. 그리고 예수님은 제자들에게 시험에 들지 않기를 기도하라 당부 하셨습니다. 세상을 살아가는 것은 문제가운데 살아가는 것입니다. 시험가운데 있는 것입니다. 그 시험이 결코 단순하지 않습니다. 기도하지 않으면 결코 이겨 내지 못할 것입니다. 제자들은 예수님의 기도를 따라잡지 못했습니다. 예수님과 한 호흡에 있지 못하였던 것입니다.

기도하는 사람과 기도하지 않는 사람이 결정적으로 나뉘는 것은 예수님과 제자들이 좋은 예입니다. 그래서 예수님이 부활하시고 승천하심으로 영광을 받으신 후,제자들은 남은 기도의 분량을 채워야 했습니다. 그리고 기도에 집중하고, 믿음의 식구들에게 기도를 가르치기 시작하였습니다.

저희가 사도의 가르침을 받아 서로 교제하며 떡을 떼며 기도하기를 전혀 힘쓰니라(사도행전 2:42)

기도하라!

마하트마 간디도 감동시켰던 인도의 존경받는 선교사 스탠리 존스가 89세에 뇌졸중으로 쓰러져서 반신불수가 되었습니다. 그래서 그를 강제로 보스턴 병원에 입원시켰습니다. 그가 의식이 깨어난 후 의사에게 말했습니다. “의사 선생님, 당신들이 주사를 놓고 약을 투여해서 치료를 하지만 낫게 하시는 분은 주님이시니 오늘부터 치료하기 전에 나를 향해서 큰 소리로 외치십시오. ‘나사렛 예수의 이름으로 명하노니 스탠리 존스야 일어나라‘ 이렇게 외치면 내가 아멘 할 것입니다.” 의사가 들어오자마자 “나사렛 예수의 이름으로 명하노니 스탠리 존스야 일어나라” “아멘“ 그렇게 하기 시작했습니다. 또 간호사들이 와서 간호할 때마다 입을 열고 “나사렛 예수의 이름으로 명하노니 스탠리 존스 선생이여 일어나라” “아멘“ 이렇게 하기 시작했습니다. 온 병원 실내는 나사렛 예수의 이름으로 메아리 치고 있었습니다. 그런데 신기한 기적이 일어났습니다. 6개월만에 완전히 치료되어 나은 것입니다. 그는 병원을 나가서 90세에 다시 인도로 돌아갑니다. 나사렛 예수의 이름으로 그는 나은 것입니다.

우리가 예수의 이름으로 기도하는 것은 예수께서 기도의 본을 보여 주셨기 때문입니다. 예수님처럼 기도하면 우리 앞에 놓인 많은 문제를 풀어 낼 수 있습니다. 믿으십니까?

기도하지 않는 것은 그러므로 하나님 앞에 믿음 없음을 스스로 드러내는 것입니다.

기도하지 않는 것은 하늘에 소망이 없음을 보여 주는 것입니다.

부자와 나사로 예수님이 보여 주신 영적 텍스트입니다. 기도 없이 이 땅에서 잘되는 것은 더욱 위험합니다. 영적갈망이 점점 작아질 것이기 때문입니다. 그래서 스펄전목사는 “기도하지 않고 성공했으면 성공한 그것 때문에 망한다“고 하였습니다. 새겨들을 말씀입니다.

그리스도인들은 기도로 성공해야 합니다. 예수님은 “네 믿음대로 될지어다”라는 말을 즐겨 하셨습니다. 그러므로 하나님께 믿음을 보여야 합니다. 그렇다면 마가복음 11장 24이 어러분을 향한 축복의 증거가 될 것입니다.

“그러므로 내가 너희에게 말하노니 무엇이든지 기도하고 구하는 것은 받은 줄로 믿으라 그리하면 너희에게 그대로 되리라.”

오늘 본문을 지난 주간 묵상한 우리를 향한 하나님의 뜻 첫째 항상 기뻐하라! 에 이은 두 번째 권고입니다. 사도 바울은 예수님의 삶을 기도로 요약하였습니다. 그래서 쉬지 말고 기도하라! 권고하고 있습니다. 또한 골로새서교회에 보내는 편지에서 기도를 항상 힘쓰고 기도에 감사함으로 깨어 있으라( 골로새서 4:2) 다시 강조하고 있습니다.

이 말씀을 다윗은 가장 시적으로 잘 표현하였습니다.

나의 기도가 주의 앞에 분향함과 같이 되며 나의 손 드는 것이 저녁 제사 같이 되게 하소서(시141:2)

그의 소원은 아침 분향 같은 기도와 저녁 제사같이 손드는 것이라고 하였습니다.이 소원에 담긴 뜻은 단순합니다. 분향은 계속되어져야 하는 하나님의 명령이고,저녁제사는 하루의 감사입니다. 그러므로 기도하지 않은 하루는 빈손, 빈입입니다.

그래서 다윗은 이어지는 기도를 통하여 내 입앞에 파숫군을 세우시고 내 입술을 지켜 달라고 기도하며(3) 행악자의 진수를 먹기보다(4) 오히려 의인의 핍박을 은혜로 여기며 항상 기도하겠다고 다짐하고 있습니다.(5)

쉬지말고 기도 하라! 는 주님의 음성이 여러분의 중심을 흔드시기를 축원합니다.우리가 살길이기 때문입니다.

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Event activities include:

• Special message from the Newtown UMC Ministry Team.
• Musical offerings by children’s & adult’s choirs, as well as a steel drum band
• Recognition of new lay servants
• Updates from Race & Religion and Vital Congregations

Car-pooling is recommended.  Churches are invited to bring a finger food to share at the reception.

Contact Heather Sinclair at 203-929-3537 or click on brochure for more information.

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