Those Who Struggle for Our Eternal Blessings
Ephesians 3:5-6
Overseer Sung-Hyun Kim
“which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,”
Ephesians 3:5-6 NKJV
We confess that Jesus is the head of the church. Our such confession is for highly honoring Jesus; however, it may sometimes fall far short of the glory He deserves. This is because many Christians tend to view the church itself as an insignificant part at the edge of the world. If we hold such a small perception of the church, how can we truly grasp the greatness of Jesus, who is the head of the Church? Even if the people of the world disregard the church, it is truly unfortunate that even Christians perceive the church so lowly.
To accurately convey the reality, prior to emphasizing Jesus as the head of the church, we must first clarify that Jesus is the head of all things. The statement that Jesus is the head of all things signifies His sovereignty over all things. Regarding this, Paul said, “He put all things under His feet.” This implies heaven, earth, and all beings within them submit to Jesus Christ who has received glory. God gave this exalted One to be head over all things to the church.
How elevated is the One who reigns over all things? This One came to be the head of the church. Is the seemingly unremarkable church outwardly such a great presence? Has the sovereign over all things truly become the head of the Church? Yes, it is true! The church is the glorious presence as much. Jesus is the One to whom all creation should kneel and worship; even the holy angels should submit to Him. It is the church that must be led by Him and represent Him before all creation.
Why has God given the One who is the head of all things to the believers of the church? Are they exceptionally remarkable individuals? Do these individuals far surpass others? No, that is not the case. Instead, they fully understand that they are sinners above all; thereby, they recognize that they cannot survive without the grace of God. This truthful repentance has granted them the opportunity to serve the One who has ascended to the heavenly throne and enabled them to be the representatives of the exalted One who surpasses any principality and power in heaven and earth.
Becoming members of the church as believers signifies that the One who reigns over all things personally governs and leads us. Similarly, as we belong to Him, the most crucial and fundamental problem in our lives has already been solved. Originally, those who were once destined for hell as belonging to the devil have now obtained the eternal inheritance with the Son of God. Accordingly, now what we must do is to take up the responsibility for the work of God. What has been given to us is not an opportunity to gain necessary resources for our worldly lives, but a glorious duty to serve the One who reigns over all things. Since God has called us and appointed us as the representatives of Christ, let us be the church that glorifies God, fully manifesting the nature of God who has granted us such great grace.
Sermon by Overseer Sung-Hyun Kim
Lord’s Day Service on November 19, 2023