Sermon note (A happy home, A joyful church life 6)                                                 Feb 12^th 2012

( Luke 15: 13 ~ 24 )

Celebrities and sports stars feel happy in the adoration of their fans, yet at the same time they feel pain and stress from critical and hateful anti-fans.  Does this happen only to celebrities and famous athletes?  Do you have a hard time with people who hate you or with people you hate?  We all have those we love and those we hate.  There are suicides among young people today because of alienation by their peers.  In our hearts and minds feelings of love and hate coexist.  Surrounding us are not only positive people who encourage us, but also negative people who discourage us.  If you don’t go to church because you feel someone there hates you or because you hate someone there, then you are the unhappy one.  The bible says anyone who hates his brother is a murderer (1 John 3:15)

Every day we have good and bad feelings.  Some things we do make us feel good about ourselves, other times we act in ways that are cruel and intolerable.  It is no exaggeration that dark sinking feelings, boiling anger, mental tension and stress are a part of our everyday lives.  In the past agricultural society our suffering was primarily due to physical exhaustion.  How hard was it to work in the rice paddies or to plow the fields?  In modern society mental pain supercedes physical pain.  Then again, most of us are dominated by negative thinking as opposed to positive thinking.  Many relationships end because we focus on the bad rather than the good.  Many people are drawn into spiritual stagnation and deep depression.

We forget some important facts.  We unconsciously speak to ourselves in our minds.  Everyone has a certain impression of himself which is self-image.  The self-talk that we all do is our way of interpreting events and how we respond to them.  Our feelings and responses to stimuli as well as old habits and actions have been developed non-stop since childhood.  As a result, we hear our interpretation of facts rather than the facts themselves.  These interpretations can change in place and time.

Kathy is a woman who says, “I want to die.  There’s no hope.  If I die at least my 6-month old daughter will have a new opportunity.  Someone can adopt her daughter, raise her well, and give her a better life.”  Is she really better off dead, as she says?  Will her parents be happier with her dead?  Is there really no hope in her situation?  No.  This is not the absence of hope, just a painful and difficult situation.

Jesus tells us of a man who had fallen on desperate times, of the negative emotions he felt, and how he overcame his circumstances.  This is our story!

1. Overcome pessimism and (                            ).

2. Shake off feelings of rejection and (                            ).

3. Nail to the Cross the (                     ) of punishment

and an uncertain future.

[ answer ]

1. emptiness    2. Loneliness    3. fear

   Sermon Note                                                                                                                                  Feb. 5, 2012

(Isaiah  40:25 ~ 31)

There was a married couple in a church, who are very obedient. People regarded them as docile to the extent that they can live even without laws. The couple had a seven-year-old son, who was a headache to Sunday school teachers. The teachers could not control the easily angered and recalcitrant boy, who became aged 8. The parents struggled to make him a good child, sometimes coddling, admonishing, and punishing him with a rod. They earnestly prayed for their child. Then one day, the mother confessed that God made her reflect on herself.  

She said,“I found myself exhausted with the circumstances where my husband had been unemployed five years and I had to take care of my mother who became ill. Unlike the images my neighbors superficially had about me, I discovered that I had been too aggressive to my child and hurt him with verbal harassment. Do on your own way! How come you cannot do such a small thing! Do you really think that I teach you one by one, step by step? Disconnected from intimate relationships with the parents, the child felt denied and rejected from his parents. He naturally became frustrated and the anger accumulated in his heart increased. I realized that the anger resulting from my problem transferred to my child. This realization made me painful. The thought that my child got wayward partly because of my own problem made me excruciating. I felt hopeless.”  

In a process of our growth, we might want to live like our parents. On the other hand, we might think that we would never live like our parents. So after marriage, we have various kinds of fears raising our children. We have fears that we would have a quarrel with a partner instead of solving problems with conversations. We also fear that we might hurt our children instead of giving them infinite love.

The lives of immigrants are full of tensions and anxiety. We immigrants have difficulties with language and economy. We are very likely to feel overburdened by the harsh reality surrounding us. We often feel discouraged because of our relationships with other people.

It is common that most immigrants struggle adapting to new world. So they are very likely to have unusually high expectations on their children. According to surveys done to immigrants, most of them responded that their biggest joy of life comes from their own achievements, social or economic, or the academic achievements of their children. But we should keep in mind that the bigger our expectations on our children, the higher the level of stresses and pressures our children would have felt. Our children must be hurt and despaired because of parents who would not embrace who their children really are, disappointed with them.  

God is telling us that 'who our children are and what the missions of parents are'. God is explaining to us“The principles of education of children”. Many acclaimed psychologist and educators discovered the profoundly universal principles through the study of human and education. The analysis of such principles reveals that those principles are the ones God already mentioned in the Bible. Then what are the biblical principles in educating our children?

1.  Parents should  (                            )  first.

2.  Who are parents? Remember that parents are (                           ) of children.

3.    (                     ) about your children. What are their thoughts,

    pains,  and characteristics?

[ Answers ]

1. change     2. stewards      3. Study

Pastoral Letter (428)                                                                                                                               Jan 15, 2012

If we have a severe headache, we go to the drugstore and buy medication.  If our body is sick, we receive an examination from the doctor, and in severe cases, the doctors perform surgery.  However, the troubles in our lives are not as easy to solve as these.  In the root of every problem is spiritual emptiness.  It is because our souls have lost its way when we turned our backs from God.  We may think that our lives were ruined because of financial problems, but we know that even in financial abundance our lives can be in a mess.  Isn't it a more of a problem that my soul is lost without a master then the problem of our crushed moral values and cultural clashes?

As a cancer patient on his last stage will die if a medication is not found, if we cannot find medication that will treat our souls, we will also die.  If we cannot find the treatment for our souls, human nature's corruption will accelerate.  So is there a solution?  The solution is nothing else but Jesus Christ who made us.  If it wasn't for His love for us at the cross, our souls could never be filled completely.  As the society's misfortunes have been reported through news to this date, so it will continue to report even more shocking news in the future.  Even the words of "no possible solution" and enervation might be said as a conclusion.  So will humankind be defeated and come to an end in that way?

What is Jesus like?  This question is the one that not only me but other dedicated Christians have pondered about for their lifetime.  Jesus is the God who won victory.  He is the savior of mankind.  The Almighty God who heals our darkness, troubles and wounds.  The world's light. The Terminator of conflict. The perfect Healer of all wounds.  Only Jesus is the original figure of humanity, and is in God's true form.  We cannot live like Him but we can accept our Lord as our master.  We are not the Lord, but we can be connected to Him and bear fruits.  The Lord is the vine, and we are His branches (John 15:4).

The history of mankind has been interconnected with problems that seemed unsolvable.  The problems of eating, financial problems, environmental problems, nuclear bomb problems, ..... And in the center of these problems were always humans.  Problems always follow us in our family, church, school, work place, and every place where humans exist.    "Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”   All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD. "(2 Chronicles 20: 12-13) .....  He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.'" (2 Chronicles 20:15)  

We find the solutions to our problems in God's words.  It is the work to pray for God's intervention with all our hearts.  At this moment, what is your God like?  Is He the God that was there yesturday, is ther today and will be there forever in the future?
 

                                                                                                           A Hopeful Brother, Ki Beom Lee

  Sermon Note                                                                                                       Jan. 15, 2012

( Romans 1: 24 ~ 27 )

Presently, gay issues are in the forefront in the United States.  This is occurring not just in the church, but within the US social system as well.  What rights to give gays is one of the main concerns in the US today.  In American society, each of the 50 states has its own legal system and individual laws. The federal government also has a legal system and laws of its own.  Federal law takes precedent over state law.  If there is no federal laws, however, each state can determine its own laws. If a state passes a law concerning gay issues it does not become a US law.  It stays within the state. 

During the 2009 Miss USA pageant, Miss California Carrie Prejean, was asked by by openly gay pageant judge, Perez Hilton, whether she believed every state should legalize same-sex marriage. She responded that she did not. The pageant Hilton gave her the zero point. The front-runner before that, Prejean lost the competition as the result. According to the Gallup report done in May, 2009, opponents of legalizing same-sex marriage outnumbers supporters in the United States, by 57% to 40%.

PCUSA, which we belong to, has been discussing the issue of gays within the church and the positions they can hold for the last 20 years.  Even though they debated the issue a long time, the general assembly has been unable to conclude whether or not gays should be ordained within the church.  The general assembly determined that further argument over this issue could damage the church so it ceded the final decision to each individual presbytery. In 10-A of the church constitution the standard of ordination was mitigated.  However, these mitigation measures have led to serious concerns in most evangelical churches. Their main concern is the possibility of their presbytery accepting these changes.  This would then lead to churches changing presbyteries regardless of area to fit their beliefs. 

So last May 11^th the NCKPC (the Korean presbytery) had to make a statement.  In my pastor’s letter of June 19^th 2011 I shared this statement with our church.  The essence of this statement is the Korean church is in agreement with the evangelical churches concerns.  We will not ordain gays in the church and will not recognize the ordination of gays in other churches.  It also reaffirmed a determination to maintain a more biblical approach.  Inside our church the evangelical churches held a meeting called The Fellowship of Presbyterian.  They determined we can no longer bow to fundamental changes in standards of ordination and other dangerous changes leading to the potential crippling of the bible’s authority.  For more detail you can go to www.fellowship-pres.org . 

The evangelical churches have 3 possible moves.

1. Affiliate with other like-minded individuals and congregations by joining The Fellowship of Presbyterians while remaining in your current presbytery or continuing to explore some form of differentiation within the PC(USA).

2. Differentiate more completely under the umbrella of The Fellowship by pursuing a union relationship (congregation or presbytery) with both the PC(USA) and the new Reformed body.

3.Separate from the PC(USA) by joining the new Reformed body, while maintaining important relationships and creating new ministry partnerships under the umbrella of The Fellowship of Presbyterians.  The Fellowship is meeting Jan 18-20 in Orlando, FL to discuss new challenges to the church.  Also, NCKPC will be activating a task force to discuss these same challenges.

The bible does not mention homosexuality often.  Just six times. (1)Genesis19:1-29 (2)Leviticus18:22, 20:13 (3)1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (4)1 Timothy1:10  (5)Acts15:28-29  (6)Romans1:18-32.  

God says "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable."(Leviticus 18:22)

Christian ethics can ask the following questions.

(a) Should the church support civil rights for homosexuals?

(b) Can homosexual persons be members of the Christian church?

(c) Is it Christianly appropriate for Christians who experience themselves as having a homosexual

     orientation to continue to participate in same-sex erotic activity?

(d) Should the church sanction and bless homosexual unions?

(e) Does this mean that persons of homosexual orientation are subject to a blanket imposition of celibacy

     in a way qualitatively different from persons of heterosexual orientation?

(f) Should homosexual Christians expect to change their orientation?

(g) Should persons of the fate homosexual orientation be ordained?

           Today God tells us very clearly in Romans the answer to this question.

        Sermon note (A happy home, A joyful church life 2)                                   Jan 8^th 2012

( Mark 12: 28 ~ 34 )

‘How shall we live? If God permits me to have only one week to live on this world, how should I live for that one week without regret? What does it mean to live a wise life?’ Today, Jesus gives us the answers about such questions.

In exercise, study, working life, home life, health care, human relations, and religious life, we would rather succeed than fail. We want to be confident of a successful life. We want to get along well with friends than to be left alone. Above all, we want to be happy. However, it is not easy for people to live this way. There is a great difference between the ideal and the real. Therefore, we worry.

Even though we succeed in all fields of our life, if we failed to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves, what would our life be like?  Even though many others envy and respect you, if you cannot confirm that you are a child of God, what will your soul become? On the contrary, even though you have had a pitiful life that you could not show off in all fields of your life, if your soul knows God’s love and you feel happy due to God’s love, can you say that your life was a failure?

Rick Warren, regarded as a representative of American religious circles today, said, “The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now.”

Even though someone has lost money and lost friends, if he has experienced God’s love and enjoyed it every single day, he is a happy person. And if he has a warm heart that loves his neighbor as himself, can’t we call him a successful person?

Today, Jesus tells us that we should at least become successful in the works that we love. Love that Jesus teaches us is about love of God and love of our neighbor. It is called  <Two commandments of Love>.

Although the Korean Church has completed reviving and growing by faithfully following the great commission of Matthew 28, the mission order to bear testimony of the Gospel to the very end of earth, it has been criticized for paying no attention to the Two Commandments of Love.

Then, to obey to this order of God and become those who love God and love their neighbors, what shall we do? God tells us.

1.     Jesus loves me with all his (       ).

2.      Those who love (          ) are joyful, touched, cured and consoled.

 3.  To love your neighbor as yourself, you have to (         ) from Jesus every single day.

[ Correct Answers ]

1. soul

2. Jesus

3. learn

Pastoral Letter (427)                                                                                                                               Jan 8, 2012

Korean churches have replied faithfully to the command of Jesus Christ on earth (Matthew 28, spread the gospel to the ends of the earth).  So in result, Korean churches have grown tremendously over the past 100 years and held the world's attention at its feet.  However, during that time of development, many scars were created and were not healed, and Korean churches received the criticism that the churches were not healthy.  It gave effort to spreading the gospel and missionaries, but neglected the "Dual Commandment of Love"(Mark 12).

The Dual Commandment of Love is Jesus Christ's lesson to "love God and your neighbor."  We need to implant His words deep into our hearts.  Where specifically the love for God and neighbors would be practiced in life?  It is at <home> and at <church>.  To love your family and to love your neighbors.  If we witness to others when we are at a state in which these are not properly practiced, our faith can only be perceived as false.  So this year, our church plans to actively practice loving God and our neighbors through happy families and joyful church life.  To obey Him.

Starting this Wednesday the Wednesday worship service will change to <Training for Family Ministry and Counseling>.  Ministers, teachers, elders, deacons, and kwonsas who can attend are planning to read a book ahead of time and share their thoughts.  Also, they will be hearing lectures on Family Ministry,  We wish to realize the importance of family ministry, for the Holy Spirit to give us a vision on "happy family and joyful church life" while we pray and devote together, and for church life to become even more joyful.  We plan on having <Wednesday Praise Convention> every first Wednesday of each month.

An immigration church preceded a questionnaire among its 482 people on, what troubles do you have the most?  The answer choices were: (1)Child problems (2)bruised souls (3)problems with faith (4)problems with business (5)future courses (6)problems with marriage (7)immigration (8)menopause problems (9)relationships.  23% of the responses said that <consultation> was needed.  Reasons for not consulting when there's a problem?  (1)I want to figure it out on my own (2)I don't trust the counselor with my private secrets (3)I'm too exhausted (4)embarrassment (5)no time.  What help have you tried?  (1) prayed alone or endured it (2)family member or a friend (3)pastor or a professional (4)leader or a member in their section. 

What programs do you wish to have in our church?  They replied: (1)Program for relationships (2)class for success in marriage (3)mental health education (4)training class for helping a family member (5)training for parenting (6)preparation class for marriage (7)preparation for re-marriage (8)class for overcoming a divorce (9)test for depression.  In a healthy family, a healthy church can be established.  Let us pray to God sincerely for a even healthier family this year.  This is because Satan longs for destruction in families and separation in church.  I wish for God to be with us through (1)7 weeks of Bible study (2)1 night 2 days program for married couples (3)counseling (4)common service for families (5)family service that connects the family together (6)Sunday afternoon family communion program (7)family ministry book exhibit (8)family ministry celebration seminar(April).

I bless those who have read this letter,

Pastor  Kibeom Lee

   Sermon Note(Gospel and Healing 23)                                                                                  10/ 16 / 2011

( 1 Cor. 10: 23 ~ 33 )

In the essay by Han Biya, 『This, is love』 There are two stories that really touched me. First was the story of Father Pierre of France. He was picked the top humanist of France for 8 years running, and he was named the top most respected person in France for 8 years straight. There was a episode where he begged to withdraw his nomination because of the fact that he wanted someone else to receive the award. During the Second World War, he was a leader of the Resistance, he became a National Assembly member after the war, dedicated to easing the plight of the poor. After realizing that politics alone cannot solve this problem, he stated a movement to create homes for the orphans of the war. He was born into affluence, but he gave up all his rights to wealth, and he gave everything he had to create a world where everyone could live happily.

Another person, is the Venezuelan musician Jose Abreu he is a 71 year old man who spend the last 30 years with 400,000 impoverished children teaching them music. He was the Minister of Culture and a doctor of economics, and a pianist. He started teaching music to street children to give them hope. He looked for a way to profit everyone using 100% of his talents. He gave wings to the lives of many students.

What is the similarity between the two people? Whenever they achieved something, and found success, they were applauded by a multitude of people. They did not have the view of success as delivering failure to others. Their success brought joy, happiness, and benefit to others.

Who is God? He sacrificed himself on the cross and succeeded his mission so that the whole humanity could be saved. Today, the movie Dogani, is popular (Yi), despite committing acts of brutality to disabled people, prays with the bible before his trial asking for a not-guilty verdict.

God tells us to lead virtuous lives through today’s passage. How should we live then, in order to be the light and salt of the world?

1. Even though we are free to pursue other things,

     seek the  (                            ) of others.

2. Do not be questioning, but be grateful whether you eat

 or drink, do it for (                        ).

3. Do not simply go through the motions

 but spread (                 ).

[ Answer ]

1. Benefit

2. God

3. Joy

   Sermon (Gospel and Healing 22)                                                                                             10/ 9 / 2011

( Gal 3: 28 )

What is the biggest wish of our lives? What is the biggest problem of our lives? What is the thing that can quench our thirst? What is the desire that we cannot fill? This is becoming oneness. Knowing another person, and letting someone know you. Understanding another person, and receiving understanding in turn. Loving someone, and receiving love. Oneness is acceptance of another person without conditions. This is how God loves us today.

The vision of God towards us was that we become one. People were originally one. God was one, a man and a woman were one, and a child and parent were one. We were all God’s family. All people regardless of skin color, economic status, education levels, abilities, and appearance are one. “ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

When did people lose oneness? When did people become segregated? It began at the moment of sin towards God. Even now, sin divided the relationship between God and people. With the entry of sin into our lives, people began to put their focus on differences rather than similarities. When sin enters a couple, their relationship fails. When sin enters, relationships between parents and children fail. When sin enters a church, the church receive scars or is broken up.

Then why does sin enter our communities? It is because of human fallibility and arrogance. It comes with the doubt of the fact that we were created to live with God. Humans have limitations to love, ability, and energy. When we do not realize our limitations, but falsely believe that we are strong and capable, then arrogance enters our lives. However, we learn how wrong arrogance is through our lives. Arrogance invites ruin, and we realize that we cannot live our lives well. Arrogant people become lonely and sad.

What is the prayer of Jesus towards us? For us to become one. “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21)

The biggest problem of the world today is not based on nuclear weapons, economic depression, or environmental degradation. The biggest problem today is the loss of humanity. South and North Korea must become one. America has a problem with oneness as well. Americans must achieve racial harmony in order for oneness to take place. The task for American leadership is to bring the world together. We must worship the creator, love each other, and be stewards of the earth. How do we fix our relationships? How do we restore our trusting hearts? How do we rise again after failures?

God tells us how today.

1. What is God? People are (   Collectives  ) just as God is one.

 God is the Father, Son, and the Spirit. God is by nature one, and the three Godheads are equal. “ Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,  and over all the creatures that move along the ground.  So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; 
   male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:26-27).

Whether it is the Father, or the Spirit, or the Son, none act independently. The way that God exists is through a collective. Therefore, God created human beings as a collective that cannot live alone. When two people meet, marry and become one body, the true intentions of God are achieved. God loves us and that love is infinite. God has created many categories for us. This great universe testifies to this fact. The universe is vast, no matter how human population increases, civilization advances, people will always form a collective. The universe is a collective. God is one vast collective.

What about the family? The family is a collective of people. The church is a collective of people as well. The earth is a collective of different tribes. We need each other to survive.

During the Civil War, along the Potomac river, the North and the South set up their camps. During the night, both sides sung war songs. At one point, one side started on a song called “Home sweet home.” And the other side followed suit. The two sides that have met in war, had the same heart of mind to miss home, and desire to go back. Are we two separates? No, we are one.

Let us not focus on our differences, but our similarities.

2. We can become one, when we emulate Christ’s ( Character ).

How can two people who differ in thoughts and culture become one? We can accept Christ into our hearts, and ask Christ to renew us every day.

Jesus’ character is humble and gentle. The sinless Christ was captured by soldiers of the High Priest. When one of the Disciples cut off an ear of a soldier,

Jesus reattached it, and told the Disciple the following.  “ But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.” (Luke 22:51)

Is there any of us here today who cannot repress anger? Is there anyone who are angry, saddened, and mad? Are there any of us who are at their wit’s ends? Then Jesus tells us, “Enough of this.”

We can become one if we become humble. We must become gentler, we must endure long pains, we must accept the other person, and forgive. Jesus is my God, and he leads us.

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.”

(Ephesians 2: 13-14).

3. Who is my owner?

    When our owner changes our (  lives  ) change.

There was a rice farmer in southern China. One day he saw a neighbor steal water from his rice field. The farmer was a Christian, and he filled the field back up with water without talking. However, this happened again and again. What could he do? Then he came to church and prayed on it, and talked to a pastor about it. The pastor responded, “Brother, you have no faults, I think you should complain, and protect your property.”

When the farmer came back, he prayed, and finally he went to his field, and voluntarily channeled water to his neighbor’s field. He did this for many days, until his neighbor came to him and asked why he was voluntarily doing this. The farmer responded, “My owner commanded me.” “Who is your owner?” Then the farmer told his testimony to his neighbor, and the neighbor came to Christ.

Who is the owner of our lives? God tells us one more time: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28).

    Sermon on Combined Family Worship Service                                                                                 July 31, 2011

(Genesis 4: 1 ~ 12)

On July 22 at 15:30 in Oslo, Norway there was a big explosion near the government complex housing the ruling Labor party.  Dozens were injured in the bombing.  At 16:30 on the same day on the island of Utoya just 30km northwest of Oslo a horrible series of shootings occurred.  Over 560 14-19 year olds were attending a Labor Party Youth Camp.  A man dressed as a police officer gathered everyone into one place, pulled his gun, and began indiscriminately firing into the crowd.  The massacre lasted 105 minutes, 77 people lost their lives in the incident.  The culprit was identified as Anders Behring Breivik, age 32.  He spent a lot of money in preparing for more than 2 years to commit this crime.  On his twitter account he posted the saying “The convictions of a man are stronger than the profit-driven motives of 10 others.”  Philosopher John Stuart Mills is accredited with this quote.  So one person’s misconception lead to the deaths of many and shocked the world. 

Diseases, disasters and accidents happen not just to people, but to animals as well.  However, the difference between humans and animals is whether or not they worry about these incidents.  Animals do not worry.  Animals feel pain in their dying moments, but do not worry about the possibility of dying.  People worry, and this ingrained ability to think ahead is one of the things that puts man above the animals.  Everyone worries, but each person worries according to his nature.  So Jesus tells us, in Matthew 6:31 “So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or  'What shall we wear?”

In humans worry falls into 2 categories; Godly woes and normal worldly anxieties.  In 2 Corinthians 7:10 “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”  What worries you today?  Your future is determined by your worries.  God is telling us today how to resolve our worries.

In today’s text murder happened East of Eden.  This is a family murder case, brother killed brother. Nowadays society has become even more violent and brutal.  It seems to us as though the end is near.  However, the history of the human race began with violence and bloodshed.  Human life against God is agony and sin.  So today’s text typifies all this year’s main events of human misery.

Where was the beginning of misery?  Cain’s mind was filled with worry and his sense of inferiority, which is Cain’s complex.  His complex kept escalating and he did not try to resolve it through his relationship with God or his parents.  And this is how a small worry can intensify.  These worries can multiply to the point where they explode into murder.

Worry is not a bad thing.  Even diseases are not all harmful to our body.  When we catch a cold our body fights the virus.  As time goes on our body builds up its immunity and we get healthy again.  When we are young we are given immunizations.  What is an immunization?  It is injecting a virus into our body.  When a small amount of a virus goes into the body, the body builds an immunity to the virus.  People could prevent a big failure after repeated smaller failures, such as; lost lover, failure in an examination, unfair punishment in the army.  After these failures people become more humble and grow stronger in patience and acceptance.

Philosopher Heidegger divided people’s worries into 3 categories. 

1. Physical worries - Material gain. I want to have something, I want to eat something, I want to do something.  When we’re unsuccessful we worry.

2. Worry caused by others – fighting with friends, or lovers, also uncomfortable relationships with your boss.  But in the world its impossible for everyone to love you.  But having even a few who love you makes life worth living. 

We all worry about other people’s judgement.  Entertainers need people to love them to make more money.  Some entertainers have even self-destructed at the loss of their popularity.  Everyone wants more power in their relationship – couples, parent-child, even in church and politics.

We all need to remember that Jesus never led his life according to his popularity or other peoples’ judgement.  When Jesus solved the food problems for the people His popularity was at its highest.  With the fish and bread miracles people wanted to make Him a King.  But Jesus never lost his focus.  In John 6:15 we can see his actions. “Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.”

3. Worry about ourselves – some people excel at sports why not me?  Some people do well in school, why not me?  Worry comes from differences between ourselves and others.  We want what others have and wonder why we can’t.  Our worry does not stop there.  We want to be better than others.  I’m not wearing what everyone else wears, I won’t drive what everyone else drives, my jeans cannot be the same as others, and even hairstyles must be original.

Heidegger concludes that some succeed in overcoming the first type of worries.  Some peoples’ desire for material gain is dropped.  They no longer worry about these things.  The 2^nd type of worry is very difficult to break free of, since our relationships are part of human life.  The 3^rd type of worry is impossible to free ourselves of.

I see how that would make sense.  On the surface it appears as though Cain’s complex is a relationship worry but when you look deeper it is actually a fight within himself.  ‘Who am I?  Why was I born?  Why am I alive? Where does my soul come from and where does it go?  Does God truly love me?  I worship God but does he recognize me?’

Deep down Cain wants recognition from God, but God didn’t give him the recognition he wanted.  This was his worry.  When God didn’t recognize him he felt that even Abel acted superior to him, as did other people.  So he focused his anger on his brother.

God wanted Cain’s sincerity.  God does not compare us with others.  Each person is a unique creation of God’s.  God sees each of us as a precious loving individual worth more than the world.  God never compared Cain with his brother.  He never felt Cain was less than Abel.  He loved Cain as much as Abel.  But Abel worshipped God with sincerely while Cain worshipped formally, simply following the rules.  That is why God refused Cain’s offering.  Cain should have looked into his own heart and then tried to fix what he missed.  Cain, however, did not look within but instead felt anger towards God .  His face was changed.  In Genesis 4:6-7 God had a conversation with Cain

 “Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?  If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

You might think that because you’re wrong, you are a worthless person.  You might think that because you sinned that you are worthless and now your irresponsible acts are OK because no one likes you.  But God tells us that, “Even though you sinned you are useful and I love you forever with unchanging love.  You are indispensable to me because I love you.  If I didn’t love sinners would I have sent Jesus to you?  Would I have made him the sinner and given him the pain of the cross?  People might not like you but this does not mean you can be irresponsible.  I made you, I love you and I have a surprise plan for you. 

The worry is yours but you need to control it.  Unhappiness is not caused by your environment or other people.   Sin comes from within.  If you can’t control your sinful desires you can’t be safe from committing horrible crimes.  You need to control your sin.  Do you think you are poor because of rich people?  Is your misfortune in Spokane caused by your parents, church, pastor, or others?

Do you think Cain’s problem was solved by killing his brother?   Don’t blame your problems on others.  Don’t blame your bad character on others.  Whatever your environment, be thankful.  Don’t solve your problems through violence.  Nothing can be solved with a gun.  If you live by the sword, you die by the sword.  Repentance is the only key to solving your problems.  Like King David, admit your sin, then repent.  I will always forgive you.  Worry is human, salvation comes through Me.  Give me your worries, I will give you grace.  Only by following My voice can you find a way to solve your problems.

  (Prayer)

 God when we are falling into worry help us entrust those worries to you.  Instead of worrying let us pray to you for salvation.  Instead, let us thank You every day for bearing our burdens.  In Jesus name we pray.

    Sermon on Combined Family Worship Service                                                                                 July 31, 2011

(Genesis 4: 1 ~ 12)

On July 22 at 15:30 in Oslo, Norway there was a big explosion near the government complex housing the ruling Labor party.  Dozens were injured in the bombing.  At 16:30 on the same day on the island of Utoya just 30km northwest of Oslo a horrible series of shootings occurred.  Over 560 14-19 year olds were attending a Labor Party Youth Camp.  A man dressed as a police officer gathered everyone into one place, pulled his gun, and began indiscriminately firing into the crowd.  The massacre lasted 105 minutes, 77 people lost their lives in the incident.  The culprit was identified as Anders Behring Breivik, age 32.  He spent a lot of money in preparing for more than 2 years to commit this crime.  On his twitter account he posted the saying “The convictions of a man are stronger than the profit-driven motives of 10 others.”  Philosopher John Stuart Mills is accredited with this quote.  So one person’s misconception lead to the deaths of many and shocked the world. 

Diseases, disasters and accidents happen not just to people, but to animals as well.  However, the difference between humans and animals is whether or not they worry about these incidents.  Animals do not worry.  Animals feel pain in their dying moments, but do not worry about the possibility of dying.  People worry, and this ingrained ability to think ahead is one of the things that puts man above the animals.  Everyone worries, but each person worries according to his nature.  So Jesus tells us, in Matthew 6:31 “So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or  'What shall we wear?”

In humans worry falls into 2 categories; Godly woes and normal worldly anxieties.  In 2 Corinthians 7:10 “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”  What worries you today?  Your future is determined by your worries.  God is telling us today how to resolve our worries.

In today’s text murder happened East of Eden.  This is a family murder case, brother killed brother. Nowadays society has become even more violent and brutal.  It seems to us as though the end is near.  However, the history of the human race began with violence and bloodshed.  Human life against God is agony and sin.  So today’s text typifies all this year’s main events of human misery.

Where was the beginning of misery?  Cain’s mind was filled with worry and his sense of inferiority, which is Cain’s complex.  His complex kept escalating and he did not try to resolve it through his relationship with God or his parents.  And this is how a small worry can intensify.  These worries can multiply to the point where they explode into murder.

Worry is not a bad thing.  Even diseases are not all harmful to our body.  When we catch a cold our body fights the virus.  As time goes on our body builds up its immunity and we get healthy again.  When we are young we are given immunizations.  What is an immunization?  It is injecting a virus into our body.  When a small amount of a virus goes into the body, the body builds an immunity to the virus.  People could prevent a big failure after repeated smaller failures, such as; lost lover, failure in an examination, unfair punishment in the army.  After these failures people become more humble and grow stronger in patience and acceptance.

Philosopher Heidegger divided people’s worries into 3 categories. 

1. Physical worries - Material gain. I want to have something, I want to eat something, I want to do something.  When we’re unsuccessful we worry.

2. Worry caused by others – fighting with friends, or lovers, also uncomfortable relationships with your boss.  But in the world its impossible for everyone to love you.  But having even a few who love you makes life worth living. 

We all worry about other people’s judgement.  Entertainers need people to love them to make more money.  Some entertainers have even self-destructed at the loss of their popularity.  Everyone wants more power in their relationship – couples, parent-child, even in church and politics.

We all need to remember that Jesus never led his life according to his popularity or other peoples’ judgement.  When Jesus solved the food problems for the people His popularity was at its highest.  With the fish and bread miracles people wanted to make Him a King.  But Jesus never lost his focus.  In John 6:15 we can see his actions. “Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.”

3. Worry about ourselves – some people excel at sports why not me?  Some people do well in school, why not me?  Worry comes from differences between ourselves and others.  We want what others have and wonder why we can’t.  Our worry does not stop there.  We want to be better than others.  I’m not wearing what everyone else wears, I won’t drive what everyone else drives, my jeans cannot be the same as others, and even hairstyles must be original.

Heidegger concludes that some succeed in overcoming the first type of worries.  Some peoples’ desire for material gain is dropped.  They no longer worry about these things.  The 2^nd type of worry is very difficult to break free of, since our relationships are part of human life.  The 3^rd type of worry is impossible to free ourselves of.

I see how that would make sense.  On the surface it appears as though Cain’s complex is a relationship worry but when you look deeper it is actually a fight within himself.  ‘Who am I?  Why was I born?  Why am I alive? Where does my soul come from and where does it go?  Does God truly love me?  I worship God but does he recognize me?’

Deep down Cain wants recognition from God, but God didn’t give him the recognition he wanted.  This was his worry.  When God didn’t recognize him he felt that even Abel acted superior to him, as did other people.  So he focused his anger on his brother.

God wanted Cain’s sincerity.  God does not compare us with others.  Each person is a unique creation of God’s.  God sees each of us as a precious loving individual worth more than the world.  God never compared Cain with his brother.  He never felt Cain was less than Abel.  He loved Cain as much as Abel.  But Abel worshipped God with sincerely while Cain worshipped formally, simply following the rules.  That is why God refused Cain’s offering.  Cain should have looked into his own heart and then tried to fix what he missed.  Cain, however, did not look within but instead felt anger towards God .  His face was changed.  In Genesis 4:6-7 God had a conversation with Cain

 “Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?  If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

You might think that because you’re wrong, you are a worthless person.  You might think that because you sinned that you are worthless and now your irresponsible acts are OK because no one likes you.  But God tells us that, “Even though you sinned you are useful and I love you forever with unchanging love.  You are indispensable to me because I love you.  If I didn’t love sinners would I have sent Jesus to you?  Would I have made him the sinner and given him the pain of the cross?  People might not like you but this does not mean you can be irresponsible.  I made you, I love you and I have a surprise plan for you. 

The worry is yours but you need to control it.  Unhappiness is not caused by your environment or other people.   Sin comes from within.  If you can’t control your sinful desires you can’t be safe from committing horrible crimes.  You need to control your sin.  Do you think you are poor because of rich people?  Is your misfortune in Spokane caused by your parents, church, pastor, or others?

Do you think Cain’s problem was solved by killing his brother?   Don’t blame your problems on others.  Don’t blame your bad character on others.  Whatever your environment, be thankful.  Don’t solve your problems through violence.  Nothing can be solved with a gun.  If you live by the sword, you die by the sword.  Repentance is the only key to solving your problems.  Like King David, admit your sin, then repent.  I will always forgive you.  Worry is human, salvation comes through Me.  Give me your worries, I will give you grace.  Only by following My voice can you find a way to solve your problems.

  (Prayer)

 God when we are falling into worry help us entrust those worries to you.  Instead of worrying let us pray to you for salvation.  Instead, let us thank You every day for bearing our burdens.  In Jesus name we pray.

A Statement of NCKPC(성명서)

-National Council of Korean Presbyterian Churches-

미국장로교(PCUSA)는 127 년 전 한국에 복음을 전해 준 어머니 교단이다. 미국장로교에 속한 한인교회들의 전체 모임인 미국장로교 한인교회전국

총회(NCKPC)는 최근 교단의 안타까운 현실을 직시하며 다음과 같이

천명하는 바이다.

  1. 우리는 교단 전체 노회의 과반수 찬성으로 통과된 헌법 개정안 10-A 안수 기준 완화에 대해 깊은 우려를 표명한다.

  2. 이 헌법 개정은 미국장로교의 일부 노회 및 당회가 결정하는 경우 동성애 관계에 있는 사람들이 목사, 장로, 집사로 안수 받을 가능성을 열어 놓았다.  그렇지만 이 개정안은 복음적인 노선을 지키는 미국장로교 산하 한인 교회들과 미국 교회들에게 강요될 수 없는 것이다.  미국장로교 헌법은 이를 보장하고 있다.

  3. 우리는 오늘날 미국 사회와 일부 교회가 하나님의 말씀을 떠나 세속화되는 현실을 개탄하며 오직 하나님의 말씀만이 우리의 영원히 변치 않는 기준이 된다고 확신한다.

  4. 우리 한인 교회는 동성애 관계에 있는 사람들을 안수하지 않으며 그들의 안수를 인정하지도 않을 것이다.

  5. 미국장로교 한인교회전국총회는 복음주의를 고수하는 미국

     장로교 산하 다수의 교회들과 연대하여 교단을 갱신하고 성경적

     으로 개혁해 나갈 것이다.

                                    2011년 5월 11일,

                                 미국장로교회 한인교회 전국총회(NCKPC)

      We are thankful for the missionary work of PCUSA beginning 127 years

      ago that gave birth to the Korean Presbyterian church. However,

      the NCKPC, the National Council of the Korean Presbyterian Churches

     of PCUSA and a faithful body within the denomination, is deeply

    concerned with the recent constitutional change and declare the following:

  1. We express our deepest concern for the recent passage of Amendment 10-A by the majority of the presbyteries which lowered the existing ordination standard.

  2. With the amendment, certain presbyteries and sessions can proceed with the ordination of ministers, elders, and deacons practicing same sex relationships. However, the amendment cannot coerce the evangelical churches, Korean and others, to comply with the change of ordination standards.The Constitution of PCUSA protects this freedom.

  3. We are saddened by the secularization of our nation and certain churches that drifted from the values set by the eternal Word of God. The Word of God is our perpetual standard.

  4. The NCKPC will neither ordain people practicing same-sex relationship nor recognize such ordination..

  5. Uniting our efforts in solidarity with many evangelical churches within PCUSA, the  NCKPC pledge ourselves to the renewal of our denomination through the Word of God.

The Letter of Tom Sutherland

June 8, 2011

Rev. Ki-Beom Lee & the Session

Korean Presbyterian Church

1727 E Pacific Ave

Spokane, WA 99202

Dear Pastor Lee and Elders;

I am writing to share news with you.  It is good news for us and I hope that you can share in our joy.  The Presbyterian Church in Metlakatla, Alaska has extended a call for me to be their pastor.  And last week I accepted that call.  There are still many details to be attended to at this church, in our presbytery and in Alaska. 

As you know, my calling is to multi-cultural and multi-generation ministry.  At Korean Presbyterian Church I have enjoyed working with the English Upper Room home church, English worship and children’s ministry.  And I especially have enjoyed the Family worship and all church fellowship opportunities.  But apart from KPC, much of my ministry has been centered with Native American people and communities.  I have participated in multi-cultural and Native American weekly ministry here in Spokane and have been invited to speak at conferences and in churches in several states.  From the time I first began serving the Korean Church in April of 2009, I have been seeking a full time position to which I could be ordained – a church where I could serve in a more complete way – celebrating the sacraments, conducting weddings and funerals, leading the worship and session of the church. 

The time spent here at Korean Presbyterian Church of Spokane has been rich and rewarding in many ways.  I highly value the relationships we have formed and have appreciated the hospitality that you have extended.    I pray that our fellowship will continue in the years to come.

Last week I informed Pastor Lee that my final Sunday would be June 26.  I plan to leave for Alaska by the week of July 11-15.

Thank you for being the church that God has called you to be.  May he continue to abide in you and bless you.  In Christ’s service together,

Tom Sutherland

English Pastor

Sermon Note (Gospel & Healing 11)                                                                                                      June 5, 2011

(John 8: 3 ~ 11)

We face mental problems every day. Anxieties, loneliness, depression, feelings of inferiority are just some of them. There are many people within the church who have emotional scars. We have a huge difference in opinion as to how we will treat these people. Some believe that these people have scars due to their sins.

These people respond like Job’s three friends. “God is training and testing you. Be thankful for everything that you have.” However, this type of response does not help people in pain. They only add to the pain faced by people. This is seen through how Job speaks to his friends. “You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you!

If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.” (Job 13:4-5).

Another way to treat those in pain is to go to them, and try to heal them. They try to help the root source of the problems, and often consult a specialist. Nevertheless, despite this well meaning, this strategy could backfire because people often do not want help. We can see examples of this kind of fallout all around us.

How should we cure emotional scars? How should we pray for those struggling with mental illness? How should people overcome themselves to become Christians?

Today’s passage deals with an adulterous woman brought forth in front of Jesus. Her man had run off, and it was only her who would be stoned to death. The Pharisees and the people of the Law not only show no regard for the life that is about to die, but they entrap Jesus in the process. How did Jesus treat and heal the Pharisees and their colleagues, who are filled with emotional scars?

   1. (                   ) without grace will destroy us.

   2. (                 ) without truth does not help us.

   3. (                    ) is needed for spiritual growth.

[ Answers ]

1. truth

2. Grace

3. Time

Sermon Note (Gospel & Healing 11)                                                                                                      June 5, 2011

(John 8: 3 ~ 11)

We face mental problems every day. Anxieties, loneliness, depression, feelings of inferiority are just some of them. There are many people within the church who have emotional scars. We have a huge difference in opinion as to how we will treat these people. Some believe that these people have scars due to their sins.

These people respond like Job’s three friends. “God is training and testing you. Be thankful for everything that you have.” However, this type of response does not help people in pain. They only add to the pain faced by people. This is seen through how Job speaks to his friends. “You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you!

If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.” (Job 13:4-5).

Another way to treat those in pain is to go to them, and try to heal them. They try to help the root source of the problems, and often consult a specialist. Nevertheless, despite this well meaning, this strategy could backfire because people often do not want help. We can see examples of this kind of fallout all around us.

How should we cure emotional scars? How should we pray for those struggling with mental illness? How should people overcome themselves to become Christians?

Today’s passage deals with an adulterous woman brought forth in front of Jesus. Her man had run off, and it was only her who would be stoned to death. The Pharisees and the people of the Law not only show no regard for the life that is about to die, but they entrap Jesus in the process. How did Jesus treat and heal the Pharisees and their colleagues, who are filled with emotional scars?

   1. (                   ) without grace will destroy us.

   2. (                 ) without truth does not help us.

   3. (                    ) is needed for spiritual growth.

[ Answers ]

1. truth

2. Grace

3. Time

(Luke 24: 17 ~ 31)

    People start to feel threatened when they are alone. Despite the fact that God is always with us, people do not see the love of God present, and feel that they are alone simply from their observations of the world. This mistake causes problems. Eve gave into temptation when she was alone. If she had discussed her actions with Adam or God, the tragedy of humans would not have begun. When Cain killed Abel, he was in the fields; this is because Cain believed that it was just the two of them present in the field. "¹⁸ The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18)  

Recently, many celebrities around the world have been on the news because of scandals. These wrongs come from the belief that they are alone, therefore, can do anything that they please. The fact that many sins have their roots in loneliness is something that we have to think over. We must reflect on why so many people find sexual sins despite breaking families, why so many people fall into gaming addictions, and why so many people are addicted to sexual immoralities. The roots of these problems are not unrelated to loneliness. 

    Humans and all creation have a relationship with the world. All creation has a relationship with the wind, sunlight, water, air, and animals. The bond between the creator God and the human being is a relationship that cannot be separated. When this relationship ends, the human being runs into trouble.

The prophet Elijah won a battle against 850 false prophets of Baal only because of his faith. His relied on faith, rather than his senses, he relied on hope rather than complaining. He relied on God above all. But then, this man of faith makes the following claim. ⁴ while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” (1 Kings 19:4).  What could be the source of Elijah's confession? It is the belief that he is alone. ¹⁰ He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” (1Kings 19:10)

God healed Elijah's loneliness by an angel, and allowed him to sleep and eat. God also told Elijah to following: ¹¹ The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” (1Kings 19:11). God raised Elijah unto a mountain, and assured him of the future.

  Who am I?  Who is with me?  

  What is the way to a successful life?

 These are the questions that Jesus answers for us.

1.  (                    ) is the way to ensure peace, happiness, tranquility,

    and spiritual growth.