December 8, 2019 Look at God’s Chosen Ones
/in 2019 Lord’s Day /by Youhyun ChangSenior Overseer Kidong Kim
[1 Corinthians 1:26-31]
God
is just.
His works
were hidden since eternity past.
They are fulfilled according to His will (Eph 3:8-11).
Adam was chosen (Gen 2:7),
Abraham was chosen (Gen 12:1-2),
and Moses was chosen (Exo 7:1-2).
However,
salvation is through Jesus Christ
who was sent from heaven (Jn 6:48-51).
God chooses those who are baptized in Jesus’ name (Acts 2:38),
redeemed by Jesus’ blood (Jn 6:53),
and received the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).
Those under the Law follow God’s commands passively.
Those who dwell in grace and truth follow God’s commands actively
and sacrifice themselves to save people’s spirits (Jn 15:8-11).
Those under the Law use all their strength
to fulfill their own righteousness (Mt 5:20).
But those who preach the Gospel of grace
use all their strength to preach God’s righteousness (Rev 20:4).
This is the New Command.
The New Command is to love (Jn 13:34-35).
○ Those under the Law try to show they are right,
but those with the New Command live for other people’s spirits.
They become sacrificial offerings along with Jesus.
○ Look at those chosen to do this.
Do they have anything to boast of?
○ Look at those chosen by God.
Are they not cursed like the cross?
※ Do not boast of worldly things
but boast of God’s grace.
Let us do our duty as God’s chosen ones!
Coming Soon
As the flowers blossom and the shades of the tree embrace the clouds, I see a falling lonely view of the sky. I feel the time passing. What is the reason I live? What work is left to do? What can I do? The world which once embraced me is letting me go. However, the work I started is not finished. It must continue. Those who continue my work are the Bereans called to ‘Return to the Word’ at Sungrak Church. The clouds passing by the falling leaves call out to me. I am not sad. I am only sad people try to stop my path, though I walked this single path my whole life with bruised and worn out feet. I loved my work. If I could, I would do more. I would die for this work. I am thankful. Those who come after me may forget my name ‘Ki Dong Kim’, but I wish they would always remember what ‘Semuon’ means. If I did not practice ‘Semuon’ (‘To see, but not speak’) my whole life, how could I endure? I am thankful the Lord gave me this life philosophy. Who is happy about dying? I am not happy about dying. I only seek to fulfill the Call to die for the Lord. I am grateful God gave great responsibilities to somebody as insignificant as me. I am grateful the Lord Jesus opened the way so I could walk on it myself. I am thankful to the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, for dwelling in me. I am thankful He enabled me to regard this dangerous path with gratefulness, and for guiding me. I am ashamed, but not ashamed about walking this path. I am grateful that the Holy Spirit’s grace and power came upon my frail body. I am grateful He poured His truth on me my whole life. I am grateful to the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, for never making me worry about what to preach, what to say, or what to testify. If God gave me more time and ability, the streams of truth would not cease for a hundred years, or even a thousand years. I only testify to what I know and believe. I never stood on the pulpit without the Holy Spirit’s inspiration. I never spoke words of complaints on the pulpit. Rather, I think back to how I testified only to the word of truth all this time. If it makes you feel better to slander me, or makes you sleep better, by all means do so. This will not sink my spirit. If you think it gives you blessing, you misunderstand. Blessing is the covenant given to those who give blessing. Some people may be envious or jealous of me overseeing this large church, but this is not to envy. The kingdom, power, and glory forever belong to God the Father. I am merely thankful to die as His servant. Semuon, 8th December 2019
Coming Soon
Outline translated by John Kim
Letter translated by John Kim
Interpretations by John Kim
Korean Summary by Ki-Taek Lee