Just do as the title says (February 6th)
Content span id="writeContents">◆ Text: John 2:1-11
Whether before or after New Year's Day, the number of worship services at our church does not change. Thank you so much. I don't know if he didn't have a hometown or if he couldn't go home because of poor circumstances, but the faces of those who have been there are brighter and better to see.
I'm at church on New Year's Day, and three elementary school kids come and go. When I look closely, it seems that three times have come to me. I pretend not to know and listen inside, so there's only one guy.
“How much would you give me if I tripled it?”
“Our pastor will give you a lot because the barrel is big.”
So here's another guy.
“At least 5,000 won will come out.”
Today's text is the story of Jesus' coming to the wedding feast in Cana. Perhaps a distant relative, Jesus went to the wedding feast. When I attended, there were a lot of people. In any case, it is good to have a large number of people at the banquet house. Also, it is good to have an abundance of food in the feast house. Also, it is good that the house of the feast is overflowing with joy. The house of the wedding feast in Cana where Jesus attended seems to be a house that has all these three elements. However, there were more people than expected, so food ran out along the way.
In Korea, noodles are traditionally served at feast houses. Likewise, the Israelites prepare wine at the wedding feast and serve it. So, people from affluent families prepare good wine and give it abundantly. However, despite all the preparation, too many people came, and the wine ran out at the party house. People were starting to panic when they came. There was no way to make up for this shortage of wine by any means.
At this time, Mary, the mother of Jesus, looks at Jesus and says:
“This house has run out of wine now.”
What do you mean? Jesus was not carrying wine, and there was no way. There were absolutely no means and methods that people thought of. But Maria knew. Mary knew the God who made the impossible become, and Jesus who made the non-existent into existence. Folks, this is faith. It's not about giving up. It's not about being frustrated. Just like Mary, you have to ask Jesus.
I once got a call from someone I didn't know at all.
“Tomorrow is our wedding, the pastor, please officiate.”
I can't remember the name at all, but I'm asking you to officiate. It didn't come, and I didn't talk about it in advance. It's a wedding tomorrow and I asked to officiate, so I declined several times. But he's asking me with a very earnest heart. And there was only one story he had to tell me.
“I got grace from that pastor’s meeting and I want to get married.”
So I went to the promised wedding venue. There were a lot of people at the other wedding venues, but when I entered the wedding hall where I had been promised, there were only two people sitting there. You cry as soon as you see me.
“What happened?”
It would be nice if that woman went in and lived there for 7 years, but they insisted that we start with the wedding. There is no way the foster parents would allow it. So, it was inevitable that only the two of them would get married.
“I was wondering who to ask to officiate at the wedding, and then I thought of the pastor, so I made this request.”
During the wedding, the two of them cry so much that I cry over and over again. Then I have something to say.
“Today is tears, but tomorrow will bring us joy. Yes, let's cry as much as we want to the wedding today. But I bless you in the name of Jesus, and your families will be blessed.”
I've done such a ceremony before.
Even Jesus refused at first to this bewildered family.
“How can I do this?”
But the second time Mary asks the servants there.
“Whatever Jesus says, do it.”
Folks, faith is what it is. The word is as it is.
It is impossible to do anything by looking at the rationale. But Jesus said this.
“Fill the jar with water.”
Guys, since this is the word now, we just say Amen Amen, but this is a story that is difficult to accept. What are you going to do with the water in the jar? But faith is what it is. do it as it is.
Our church has grown so much now, but it was very difficult to build two chapels at the Tent Church. Since we didn't build the chapel with money, it was especially difficult when we built the first chapel at the Tent Church. But people who are trying to get money don't care. What is the most difficult thing is that during the Wednesday worship service and the Sunday night worship service, people who will receive money are sitting in the back with soju and squid.
It's hard to see those people while preaching. Still, you have to watch the worship service, so “Everyone, let’s live by faith.” Then the church members say Amen, and those people are waving squid from behind. It was really hard. But on Wednesday night, the person receiving the money came to me with this much alcohol.
“If you don’t pay 2 million won by 7 o’clock tomorrow morning, the pastor’s house will be set on fire.”
It's very difficult. It must be 9 o'clock when the bank door opens, or how should we give time to talk... … . It seems that people who are nodding their heads now are people who borrow money from others and have not been able to pay it back.
I was really upset. I pray all night that day, and people focus on it, so that's how prayers come out.
“Lord, two million won.”
There are no other prayers.
“Lord, two million won. Two million won.”
I just stood at the pulpit to lead the morning prayer, and the construction donation is up. That's 2 million won... … . Neither is our church. He goes to another church, but he sometimes comes in the morning. I put 2 million won on the podium. I was so surprised that I called him after I finished the morning service. “How did you come to donate 2 million won for a building donation?”
I got some money last night, and I fell asleep thinking about how to spend it. It was around 1 am and I suddenly felt such an emotion in my dream.
‘Dedicate this to the Songnae Central Church building offering.’
I was worried and worried all night long, but in fact, God had prepared it in advance. Since then, my faith has been upgraded to one level, and what I am concerned about is that God is a God who prepares in advance. God prepares in advance. So far, we have not done anything with the money of our church. What we are looking for is a God who prepares. God who prepares, God is clearly working when we look to Him. In our faith, there are many times when we think that what we have in our hands is grace. Ladies and gentlemen, God prepares you in advance because He loves you. He is a God who prepares in advance. The problem is that we live by the word.
I literally poured water on it. Then Jesus speaks again.
“Now, float it up and bring it to the banquet hall.”
Water became wine. How can we interpret this scientifically? In the 30 years I have been with this church so far, I have experienced so many things that I cannot express in words. Ah, this is a good story. Amen, be diligent. Ah, I can't put it into words. (Amen)
What is the best copy of Korean advertisement these days? There's that health food ad.
"It's really good for men~~~ This is really good for guys~~~ There's no way to express it in words~~~ It's like saying it yourself~~~"
It's so good for people who believe~~~ Amazing things like this happen to people who believe~~~
There are so many times when I don't know how to put this into words.
Everyone, have you prayed before Jesus with the same faith as Mary, seeing the first of Jesus' miracles today? Have you prayed with the faith that Jesus will solve it in advance?
“Do what Jesus tells you to do.”
Everyone, do what you say. (Amen)
Just do what the Bible says. (Amen)
That's it. (Amen)
Even though I believe in the living God, I am worried because my thoughts take precedence, and I cannot because my thoughts take precedence. Just as water becomes wine, faith is such a grace that gives us such a wonderful work of making us come out of nothing. Everyone, let's have the same faith as Mary during this week. Let's ask Jesus like Mary. As you seek, I pray that you will know that you have already received it and live according to the Word. We will pray together.
“Thank God, I want to have the same faith as Mary today. We lack too much. We also have too many things to deal with. Help me to pray before worrying. And help me to live by your word. I earnestly pray in the name of Jesus. Amen."