November 10, 2019 Be blessed by faith

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Dear Bereans! This is how we overcome the world: being joyful always, praying continually, and giving thanks in all circumstances.

When some are born in the world, they gain kingdoms, power and glory from it. They make great names for themselves to be considered great. Their worldly ambitions are exceedingly great. But the saying goes, “If we come into the world emptyhanded, we will go out emptyhanded.” Whenever we die, what we hold in our hands will pass away. They will be buried in the dust.

The dust of the ground is death. Hades is the grave. When Jesus was begotten in the world, He was begotten to die on the cross, exactly as was planned. He did not come to the earth to be served. Since the time He was born, King Herod tried to murder and drive Him out. Finally, He was persecuted and abandoned by His relatives and killed by His people. When it was time to go to the cross, He cried out, having been abandoned by the world. He said, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” He also proclaimed, “It is finished.”

What was His public ministry like? Was it something worldly people envied? Does anyone want to be cursed and die like that? Jesus Christ’s death and public ministry was greatly despised by the people of this world. It was something they wanted to avoid. He said to those who sought Him, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” He also said, “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.”

The Lord clearly said whoever tries to gain the world’s glory is not worthy of Him. We became Baptists because we are set free from Hades (which is the universe). We now belong to heaven. Hades (which is the universe) has no hope. All humans are appointed to die once. Afterwards, their spirits must be judged. No one in this world can deliver us from this dreadful judgement. In this world, we are under the authority of death. We do nothing but contend with each other, and kill or be killed.

Our hope is not in this world, but in heaven. There is an eternal kingdom, power and glory in heaven. Someone waits to give these to us. He came to the earth and was given curses and death. He resurrected and ascended to heaven. He is the Lord Jesus. He died in the world, but instead of entering a filthy grave, He was buried in the tomb of a wealthy man. Though He was cursed, He received a blessed tomb.

Is this not our hope? Despite what glory there is in the world, it is not the grave filled with decay which awaits us, but paradise. It is like the blessed grave of a wealthy man. The Lord will certainly take us there (John 5:24-29). Though people persecute and curse me, my spirit will sleep in the blessed grave of a wealthy man. Here, we will await the Lord. Amen.

Semuon,

10th November 2019

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Outline translated by John Kim
Letter translated by John Kim
Interpretations by John Kim
Korean Summary by Ki-Taek Lee