Title: The Joy of Brotherhood (Romans 8:28)
Contents
Man is a sinner. This means that no 'good' can fly in man. Moreover, we cannot produce good by working together. When people gather, it cannot be hidden like when acting alone. Everything in a person is revealed when they are together. In a crowd, everyone behaves according to his nature. That is why, when sinners work together, there is strife, jealousy, and war.
There is a saying that Japanese people used to refer to Joseon people during the Japanese occupation. "It's not okay for Koreans. If there is one, they take a nap, if there are two, they curse others, if three gather, they gamble, and if four gather, they fight in pairs. When the Koreans heard that, they thought it was so and laughed. But all people are the same. Without Jesus, there are conflicts anytime, anywhere. Look at the 'fruit of lust' in Galatians 5.
However, there are people who work together for good. This is an exceptional phenomenon. They are “those who love God and are called according to the will of God.”
First, I love God. He is a God who loves everyone. So He made man in His image. Therefore, the will of God is contained in all people. Those who love God love humans.
Second, we are called according to the will of God. God's will is unity, not strife. God wants all humans to love one another. Therefore, when those who are called and gathered together according to God's will combine their strength, wisdom, and power, they will reveal 'goodness', that is, God's goodness.
Today we have a combined worship service of Sanghang Presbyterian Church and Sanghang Somang Presbyterian Church. It is a happy day when the two churches are united and become one. Considering my qualifications as a servant to the San Francisco Area Korean Association of Churches, this work really came from God.
The same is true of the “Symposium,” which is less than a month away. Less than 30 churches have gathered to hold an event unprecedented in the history of the American church. In preparing for this event, the San Francisco Regional Korean Church Association has the idea that 'all member churches are one'.
Each church is in charge of one 'table'. I hope that 'Sanghang Somang Presbyterian Church' can meet at one symposium table to share food and share the vision of unification.
Sanghang Presbyterian Church and Sanghang Somang Presbyterian Church are both 'witnesses' in this area. God's will has been unfolded in the long history. Now, the two churches will unite as one and carry out the work of the Lord with great strength.
Today, two churches with great traditions are reborn as "Sanghang Somang Presbyterian Church", and today, I declare that all Korean churches in the San Francisco area are one in "the love of God and the calling of God." We all know it, and we realize it every day, but we are one. One brother and sister.
Satan's history is 'division'. It divides, divides, envy, and promotes strife. However, the work of the Holy Spirit is 'harmony'. He unites them to form 'goodness'. It reveals the beauty of God.
I hope that you will become a church that bears witness to the fact that 'all sins', the seeds of division, have been washed away by the blood of the Lord Jesus. May we become a church that proclaims that all the saints are one in Jesus Christ. I hope that you will become a church that throws away the fruit of lust and bears the 'fruit of the Holy Spirit'.
I bless you in the name of the Lord. I pray that Sanghang Somang Presbyterian Church will shine as a growing church in the San Francisco area, a church full of grace and truth. Amen.
Prayer
Lord of grace. Thank you. Sanghang Presbyterian Church and Sanghang Somang Presbyterian Church have now become 'one'. This grace of unity already confirms that all the churches in the world are one in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. With all the saints around the world who are called as brothers and sisters in the name of Jesus Christ, I sincerely bless you today's 'unity'. Please establish it as a church that grows day by day and proclaims your amazing grace every day. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
(Rev. Eun-Seok Cho)