Title Oh! The Cross! (Galatians 2:20)
Contents
Title Oh! The Cross! / Scripture Galatians 2:20 / Space Daebok Church
*** Introduction
Today is the 7th year since God first established the church in Daebok Village. It was the beginning of Daebok Church that started as a house church with the first worship service held in Daebok on Sunday, September 4, 1994. Like all churches in the world, Daebok Church has been striving to share the life of love with the world while enjoying the love of God. In other words, it is not a word or a conscious act, but rather a way of illuminating the living ground given to us as God's people.
But there were also a lot of human aspects, and there were times when I had to experience disappointment and frustration. There were also many heretical challenges, misunderstandings and accusations of people. In the midst of this, people who had the setbacks of their lives, the sick, wandering believers, fugitives, etc. Many people went there. Of course, God knows what kind of results the words of testimony or the seeds of love sown to them have produced.
The one thing that is most certain and important is that Daebok Church has come so far because of God's total guidance. I haven't done anything. I just did my best to do the things that were given to me every day. Now and in the future, this church belongs to God and is led by God Himself. As long as God has entrusted me with the work, I will do my best to be faithful. In other words, Daebok Church must be nurtured beautifully through the lives of obedience, service, and witness to those who have been called to the church.
The word of God to us, who is celebrating our 7th anniversary today, is the ‘cross’. The cross is obviously a terrible frame to even contemplate. It is also a symbol of suffering, pain, and persecution for Christians. How do you feel about the cross? The words given to us as we celebrate the 7th anniversary of the founding of the church have a deeper meaning than that. I hope this will be a blessed time to reflect on the path we have taken and to make a promise to the future.
1. The cross is our way.
In the confession of the saints, ‘I believe in Jesus Christ’ is a confession of ‘I believe in the cross of Jesus.’ Why do you believe in the cross of Jesus? Usually the cross is a terrible death instrument that ends it all. But on the cross of Jesus there is a ‘way’. It is the only way to the kingdom of God, where eternal life and joy are guaranteed.
After the first men created by God, Adam and Eve, sinned, the kingdom of God was hidden and closed from people. When the Jews became God's chosen people, they formed Israel, and at that time the ‘law’ was given. In other words, ‘If you keep the law, you will be saved.’ But no one kept the law perfectly. God's love of compassion for mankind eventually opened the way to the kingdom of God by using Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for the ransom. The moment Jesus Christ died on the cross and drank the cup of God's wrath to atone for the sins of mankind, God opened the door to the kingdom of God. Look at Matthew 27:50-51. “Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and his soul departed. Then the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom... ” he said. And the cross is the way to the gate of the kingdom of God. This way is the way of salvation and the way of eternal life. It is also the road to the lost hometown. Besides, the cross is the way to know God.
Many people do not understand God right away. The Jews sought God in miraculous powers. The Greeks sought God through wisdom and knowledge such as philosophy. But the wisdom of the world cannot know God. The only way to know God and to feel God's love is through the cross of Jesus.
- 1 Corinthians 1:22-24, “Jews ask for signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called Jew and Greek, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
The cross is the way for those who are called to go. Apart from the cross, we cannot know God and we cannot enter the kingdom of God.
2. The cross is the mission I must bear.
The cross, recognized as a symbol of the church, is not actually raised high and illuminating. Neither is it for necklaces or decorations. It is not something you can carry with other people. The cross is a mission given to those who have been called by God. Therefore, the cross given to me is the only one I can carry.
Before ascension, Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Peter, who betrayed the Lord, confesses in agony, saying, “You know that I love you.” And to offset the crisis, he pointed to John who was beside the Lord and asked, “Lord, what will happen to this man?” The Lord dismissed it, saying, 'Do not care about him, and follow me.' This means that the mission of God's calling is everyone's share.
Even today's saints confess that they love Jesus and hope for the kingdom of God. However, there are not many people who carry the cross of Jesus. Many people want to be comforted, but not many want to suffer with the Lord. There are many saints who are moved by wonder in the field where miracles and powers appear, but too many saints turn away from the places of service, labor, and suffering that do not appear. We love the Lord until we face persecution, hardship, or hardship. But when a dark shadow is cast on life, people fall into complaints, resentment, and frustration. The cause of faith that wants to get only good things and appear only in famous places is because they do not know the mission given to them, that is, the cross, or they do not dare to ignore it.
Do you know what your mission is and what cross you must bear? If you do, are you determined to carry that cross without saying a word?
On a cold winter day, on a snowy street, a girl in thin clothes was trembling, unable to eat even a single meal. A young Christian passing by the road cried out to God with an angry heart. “God, why are you just watching these things? You must come up with some countermeasures.” But there was no voice in response to that call, only a quiet silence.
That night the young man heard a whispering voice. “I must have taken measures already. I made you.”
Do you not think that God has sent me as a countermeasure for this age, only complaining about the haves and the social structure?
The reason God has called us to be the church in this age and made us His people is because there is work to be done in this generation. The place in life that is given to each of us is by no means an accident. In Proverbs 16:9, God says, “A man plans his way in his heart, but the Lord directs his steps.” It belongs to the Lord.” Your cross is in the place of your life right now. If you turn away from or avoid the cross, you will never be able to move forward. Why? This is because in order to follow the Lord, we must cast away our own thoughts and take up the cross that was given to us.
3. The cross is our pride and joy.
But one day the pastor testified like this. “One day, while I was quietly meditating on the Bible, the scene of the crucifixion came up, and I was not moved. So I started crying. ‘Lord, why did the emotion of my heart disappear before the event of the cross that saved me?’”
The cross is not for Lent, Holy Week, or Holy Communion. Also, the cross is not only a symbol of persecution, suffering, and tribulation. Deep in the cross, there is a way to God, there is a mission of calling, and there is life and emotion. And the cross is the life we must always carry until we reach the kingdom of God.
It is now time for Daebok Church to mature and grow. Let's get rid of the habits and behaviors of little children and go to the way of the cross. This is the path the Lord has taken before, and it is also the path we must follow. Not only that, but this road is the road of promise. Let us all move forward boldly with a new mindset, comforting and encouraging us on this path that is promised life and reward.