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Weekly Message | December 30th, 2007
PASS AWAY OR LIVE FOREVER
Passage: 1John 2:1-29
Key Verse(s): 2:17
"The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."
This is the last Sunday of this year. This year is passing away. At the end of this year we consider the meaning of this life. What is this life about? We have this yearning in our soul to seek what is meaningful and memorable. We do not want our days merely pass away. Nehemiah, after laboring so much for his people, prayed, “Remember me with favor, O my God, for all I have done for these people”(Neh 5:19). We want our God and our friends remember us.
Today, we think about 1John 2. Particularly, we meditate this message with a title, “Pass Away or Lie Forever”. 1John 2:17 contrasts between the world and its desires vs. the man who does the will of God. The difference is this: the world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
First, “The darkness is passing and the true light is already shining” (1-11). At this time John was very old—probably 90 years old. To him, every Christian was just like children to him. Christian churches at this time have grown. They are no longer small house churches. People gathered in large numbers. The pure, humble, and faithful image of the early church is replaced with the mark of this world. The world with all the sinful desires and ungodly practices came into this world. The church carried the problems of this world. One evident trend is selfishness among people. Christians care very little of others’ needs. Engaging in labor of love was becoming rare. People rather wanted to be served and get the benefits of what the church gives. Spiritual disciplines were slowly discarded. Christians, with inadequate spiritual quality and power, easily fall into sin. Leaders, who claim to know God, display a little hint of the grace of God and servant heart. In this context, John was writing this letter to Christians in general.
Look at verse 1: “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” He did not want Christians to fail. To sin is to fail. Yet, sin is not fatal. John is sympathetic to those who sin. He reminds sinners to depend on Jesus Christ, our Defender before God.
Look at verse 2: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world”. Jesus is our atoning sacrifice. John is introducing the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins is effective not only for a few people but for the sins of the whole world.
Starting from verse 3, John is focusing on love among Christians. Staring from verses 4-11, John contrasts those who walk in darkness and who walk in the light. John is very critical of those who hate brothers. Look at verses 4-11:” “The man who says, `I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.” John particularly rebukes those who hate others. Here, John is not so sympathetic to those who hate their brothers.
At the same time, John expresses his joy of thinking about those who love brothers. Look at verses 5-11: “5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. 10 Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.” Here, John is expressing his joy of seeing Christians to love one another.
As I review about this year, God reminds me many wonderful moments. This year some key leaders have left this fellowship. They joined in other Christian fellowship and they continue their Christian walk. God has used this ministry in that way. For this we are thankful.
In spite of many of our shortcomings God has made this church a loving fellowship of believers. Faith and Daniel Choi happily married in November with blessings of God’s people. Yesterday Jeremy and Elizabeth had a wonderful wedding ceremony in Guadalajara, Mexico. Ruth Kille and Angela Roh attended as our representatives. We welcomed Hanyang Vision Team and served them wholeheartedly. I cannot forget our family trip to California by driving half of this country with a small Corolla. We had a memorable time together.
John Wilson went to Korea for his senior trip. We sent off Dr. Tom and Maria Kalapos to California along with their four children (Joshua, Isaac, Grace and Rebecca). We prayed for Faith Ohashi, Samuel Ellis, Samuel Jeong and Marcus Mendoza. At the end of this year, seven students (Augustine and Albert Hong, Ruth Gamber, Elizabeth and John Wilson, Maria Koo and Sunyoung Kim) attended YDC. Our HBF students had a joint conference with Chicago HBF. Our little ones in CBF have been well-cared for through dedicated CBF teachers among us. Orchestra members (mostly with teenage members) served us well throughout this year. We have welcomed and served so many guests throughout this year. We have served students with one to one Bible studies, hospitality and earnest prayers. We have prepared Spring, Summer Conferences and Christmas Worship Service—all with prayer and labor together. Our voluntary effort and labor maintained this ministry. We have willingly offered for African Mission. Our young leaders clean the facilities and carry on the routine service needs with willingly and joyfully. What do all these activities of love tell us about?
Ralph Waldo Emerson said about success in life in this way: “To laugh often and much, to win respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” He is a natural humanist. But he recognizes what is really meaningful and worthwhile in life. The labor of love does not pass away but lives with us.
As we end this year, we have no regret because we have not hated brothers but loved them as best as we can. If we have failed to love others deeply, we depend on Jesus, our Defender and Atoning Sacrifice on our behalf. Now, at the end of this year, the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. We have no reason to carry the sense of guilt for the coming year. Our conscience is clear not because we are sinless but because of the wonderful saving grace of Jesus that covers all our sins and leads us to his marvelous light. We can welcome the New Year with joy and anticipation.
Second, “I write to you, young man, because you are strong…”(12-14). Look at verses 12-14: “I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. 13 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father. 14 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
We also remember the wonderful fellowship with God. We have known God for one more year. We have overcome the evil one that has tempted us and tested our endurance. At the end of this year, we have become strong. The word of God lives in us. We have overcome the evil one.
Many suicide bombers killed themselves along with others. This week Bhutto was assassinated in Pakistan. The world knows the power of hatred. Even in a Christian community the effort to love may not always result in constructive changes and happy outcomes. Rather, sometimes we become weary in loving others. Our effort is not well-received. Our labor dose not bear fruit as we wish. Some of us became weary, disappointed and even hurt in this process of loving others. But we have not given up. We have not lost to the evil one. We have become stronger than before.
I don’t know all about how you feel at this time. But God has made me strong. As the word “wounded healer” suggest, I now better appreciate those who love the Lord. Throughout this year it has been my great joy to meet our leaders at every Saturday night to discuss and pray for the next day’s Sunday message. Tuesday and Thursday morning at 6;00 A.m. we have maintained prater meeting. 5:30 A.M. at every Wednesday morning young leaders met together to share their testimonies. Women leaders met different days to share their testimonies and pray together. God has supplied the word of God richly throughout this year. We have overcome the evil one. No one among us has fallen to the evil one.
As this year comes to close, we recognize the work of God among us—we are strong, not weak. Our spirit is deep. Our perspective is high. Our prayers are real. Our souls are well-fed because of the word of God within us. We have come to know the Lord better. God is not far away from us. God is near. We know and appreciate his grace and mercy better.
Third, “The man who does the will of God lives forever”(15-17). Look at verses 15-17: “ Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” John urges Christians not to love the world or anything in the world. What does the love of the world do for our souls? Here, the world refers to the reality in which the love of the Father has no place. Instead, the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of wealth and success in this life blind us from seeking the love and the will of God.
This has not happened to us. We have not been blinded by the love of this world. We have not lost the spirit of devotion and prayer to God. We have not lost sight of doing the will of God in this world. Instead, we have integrated our lives in all aspects. Our motto is, “Whether we eat, drink or whatever we do, do it all for the glory of God”(1Cor 10:1).
In the coming year, I have taken Luke 9:23 for the guiding word of God this New Year. Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”. Our direction is to follow Jesus. This is our only life direction in this world. We follow Jesus. We worship and honor Jesus as our Lord and Savior. He is our Leader. He guides us with all the glorious promises of God. All the wonderful and perfect gifts are from him. We know no other Lord but Jesus. We deny sinful nature. We are open to learn from God’s truths. We are willing to change as needed. We are committed to grow up all the more. We also are willing to take our share of burdens in this life. We joyfully take our responsibility and assume the legitimate roles in this world. We do this daily. We follow Jesus.
In doing so, all the glorious promises and faithful provision from above are ours. By taking Luke 9:23 as our key verse for 2008 we as individuals and this body of Christ is committed to do the will of God. We accept Jesus’ challenge, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will b ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels”(Lk 9:24-26). God has put us in this world. We do not pass away but live forever. We are committed to do God’s will. We will all the more dedicate ourselves for the gospel of Jesus Christ. With the strength God provides we will continue to labor in the Lord. May God bless your review of this year and plan for the new year.
December 30, 2007. Toledo UBF.
Today, we think about 1John 2. Particularly, we meditate this message with a title, “Pass Away or Lie Forever”. 1John 2:17 contrasts between the world and its desires vs. the man who does the will of God. The difference is this: the world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
First, “The darkness is passing and the true light is already shining” (1-11). At this time John was very old—probably 90 years old. To him, every Christian was just like children to him. Christian churches at this time have grown. They are no longer small house churches. People gathered in large numbers. The pure, humble, and faithful image of the early church is replaced with the mark of this world. The world with all the sinful desires and ungodly practices came into this world. The church carried the problems of this world. One evident trend is selfishness among people. Christians care very little of others’ needs. Engaging in labor of love was becoming rare. People rather wanted to be served and get the benefits of what the church gives. Spiritual disciplines were slowly discarded. Christians, with inadequate spiritual quality and power, easily fall into sin. Leaders, who claim to know God, display a little hint of the grace of God and servant heart. In this context, John was writing this letter to Christians in general.
Look at verse 1: “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” He did not want Christians to fail. To sin is to fail. Yet, sin is not fatal. John is sympathetic to those who sin. He reminds sinners to depend on Jesus Christ, our Defender before God.
Look at verse 2: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world”. Jesus is our atoning sacrifice. John is introducing the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins is effective not only for a few people but for the sins of the whole world.
Starting from verse 3, John is focusing on love among Christians. Staring from verses 4-11, John contrasts those who walk in darkness and who walk in the light. John is very critical of those who hate brothers. Look at verses 4-11:” “The man who says, `I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.” John particularly rebukes those who hate others. Here, John is not so sympathetic to those who hate their brothers.
At the same time, John expresses his joy of thinking about those who love brothers. Look at verses 5-11: “5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. 10 Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.” Here, John is expressing his joy of seeing Christians to love one another.
As I review about this year, God reminds me many wonderful moments. This year some key leaders have left this fellowship. They joined in other Christian fellowship and they continue their Christian walk. God has used this ministry in that way. For this we are thankful.
In spite of many of our shortcomings God has made this church a loving fellowship of believers. Faith and Daniel Choi happily married in November with blessings of God’s people. Yesterday Jeremy and Elizabeth had a wonderful wedding ceremony in Guadalajara, Mexico. Ruth Kille and Angela Roh attended as our representatives. We welcomed Hanyang Vision Team and served them wholeheartedly. I cannot forget our family trip to California by driving half of this country with a small Corolla. We had a memorable time together.
John Wilson went to Korea for his senior trip. We sent off Dr. Tom and Maria Kalapos to California along with their four children (Joshua, Isaac, Grace and Rebecca). We prayed for Faith Ohashi, Samuel Ellis, Samuel Jeong and Marcus Mendoza. At the end of this year, seven students (Augustine and Albert Hong, Ruth Gamber, Elizabeth and John Wilson, Maria Koo and Sunyoung Kim) attended YDC. Our HBF students had a joint conference with Chicago HBF. Our little ones in CBF have been well-cared for through dedicated CBF teachers among us. Orchestra members (mostly with teenage members) served us well throughout this year. We have welcomed and served so many guests throughout this year. We have served students with one to one Bible studies, hospitality and earnest prayers. We have prepared Spring, Summer Conferences and Christmas Worship Service—all with prayer and labor together. Our voluntary effort and labor maintained this ministry. We have willingly offered for African Mission. Our young leaders clean the facilities and carry on the routine service needs with willingly and joyfully. What do all these activities of love tell us about?
Ralph Waldo Emerson said about success in life in this way: “To laugh often and much, to win respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” He is a natural humanist. But he recognizes what is really meaningful and worthwhile in life. The labor of love does not pass away but lives with us.
As we end this year, we have no regret because we have not hated brothers but loved them as best as we can. If we have failed to love others deeply, we depend on Jesus, our Defender and Atoning Sacrifice on our behalf. Now, at the end of this year, the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. We have no reason to carry the sense of guilt for the coming year. Our conscience is clear not because we are sinless but because of the wonderful saving grace of Jesus that covers all our sins and leads us to his marvelous light. We can welcome the New Year with joy and anticipation.
Second, “I write to you, young man, because you are strong…”(12-14). Look at verses 12-14: “I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. 13 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father. 14 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
We also remember the wonderful fellowship with God. We have known God for one more year. We have overcome the evil one that has tempted us and tested our endurance. At the end of this year, we have become strong. The word of God lives in us. We have overcome the evil one.
Many suicide bombers killed themselves along with others. This week Bhutto was assassinated in Pakistan. The world knows the power of hatred. Even in a Christian community the effort to love may not always result in constructive changes and happy outcomes. Rather, sometimes we become weary in loving others. Our effort is not well-received. Our labor dose not bear fruit as we wish. Some of us became weary, disappointed and even hurt in this process of loving others. But we have not given up. We have not lost to the evil one. We have become stronger than before.
I don’t know all about how you feel at this time. But God has made me strong. As the word “wounded healer” suggest, I now better appreciate those who love the Lord. Throughout this year it has been my great joy to meet our leaders at every Saturday night to discuss and pray for the next day’s Sunday message. Tuesday and Thursday morning at 6;00 A.m. we have maintained prater meeting. 5:30 A.M. at every Wednesday morning young leaders met together to share their testimonies. Women leaders met different days to share their testimonies and pray together. God has supplied the word of God richly throughout this year. We have overcome the evil one. No one among us has fallen to the evil one.
As this year comes to close, we recognize the work of God among us—we are strong, not weak. Our spirit is deep. Our perspective is high. Our prayers are real. Our souls are well-fed because of the word of God within us. We have come to know the Lord better. God is not far away from us. God is near. We know and appreciate his grace and mercy better.
Third, “The man who does the will of God lives forever”(15-17). Look at verses 15-17: “ Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” John urges Christians not to love the world or anything in the world. What does the love of the world do for our souls? Here, the world refers to the reality in which the love of the Father has no place. Instead, the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of wealth and success in this life blind us from seeking the love and the will of God.
This has not happened to us. We have not been blinded by the love of this world. We have not lost the spirit of devotion and prayer to God. We have not lost sight of doing the will of God in this world. Instead, we have integrated our lives in all aspects. Our motto is, “Whether we eat, drink or whatever we do, do it all for the glory of God”(1Cor 10:1).
In the coming year, I have taken Luke 9:23 for the guiding word of God this New Year. Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”. Our direction is to follow Jesus. This is our only life direction in this world. We follow Jesus. We worship and honor Jesus as our Lord and Savior. He is our Leader. He guides us with all the glorious promises of God. All the wonderful and perfect gifts are from him. We know no other Lord but Jesus. We deny sinful nature. We are open to learn from God’s truths. We are willing to change as needed. We are committed to grow up all the more. We also are willing to take our share of burdens in this life. We joyfully take our responsibility and assume the legitimate roles in this world. We do this daily. We follow Jesus.
In doing so, all the glorious promises and faithful provision from above are ours. By taking Luke 9:23 as our key verse for 2008 we as individuals and this body of Christ is committed to do the will of God. We accept Jesus’ challenge, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will b ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels”(Lk 9:24-26). God has put us in this world. We do not pass away but live forever. We are committed to do God’s will. We will all the more dedicate ourselves for the gospel of Jesus Christ. With the strength God provides we will continue to labor in the Lord. May God bless your review of this year and plan for the new year.
December 30, 2007. Toledo UBF.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. NIV®;. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
