Genesis 26:1-34

Genesis Study 108

STAY IN THE PROMISE OF GOD

Genesis 26:1-34
Key verse 26:3
"Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham."

After the death of his father Abraham, Isaac had lived in Beer Lahai Roi. There God blessed him. After twenty years of prayer Isaac received twin sons from the Lord. Esau grew to be a skilful hunter and Jacob an expert cook.

Look at verse 1a. Now there was a famine in the land—besides the earlier famine of Abraham's time. For the last more than one century people did not experience such a severe famine. The lands were parched, the waters dried up and grasses withered. Like his father Isaac could have gone down to Egypt where there was an ever-flowing river the Nile. But he moved up to Gerar in order to stay in the Promised Land. However the situation of Gerar was not better than that of Beer Lahai Roi. So he decided to go down to Egypt.
Look at verse 3. The Lord appeared to him and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham." Egypt was just 220km away from Gerar. There everything was abundant—food, water and kind people. But here in Gerar everything was scarce. Isaac could have planned to stay in Egypt for a while and come back to the Promised Land after the famine. But God wanted him to stay in the Promised Land in all situations. Someday even the Nile will dry up (Ezekiel 30:12, Zechariah 10:11). But the Lord will never fail to care for his people. He will surely bless those who trust in him.
In our life of faith we encounter various kinds of severe famines. One of our shepherds left his office on time everyday in order to serve God's ministry. Then he faced the famine of manager's recognition and was asked to move to another team. It was easy for him to go down to Egypt and seek manager's recognition. But he decided to stay in the promise of God. I believe God will surely bless him in his new team. When we stay in the land of God's promise we encounter the famine of boy friends and girl friends. They all desert us. But when we continue to stay in God's promise, he will grant us the best life co-workers. He will also grant us numerous spiritual children and friends. Famines are not a problem. Instead they are a good chance to meet God and grow in faith.
Look at verses 4 and 5. The Lord said to Isaac, "I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations will be blessed, because Abraham obeyed me and kept my requirements, my commands, my decrees and my laws." At this moment Isaac's only concern was survival from the famine. But God was talking about something far greater than the survival. He showed Isaac a great vision. His descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. God would give them all these lands. And through his offspring all nations would be blessed. God had promised this to Abraham. Now he was promising the same to Isaac. God wanted him to see beyond the present troubles. He wanted him to see the glorious vision of God.
In 1998, Korea went a national bankrupt. So my parents' financial support stopped. There was not even one rupee at home. I was an M.Phil student in J.N.U. But I couldn't register. Jane Jr. was two years old. But we couldn't buy her milk. One day she licked a cookery book out of hunger. It was a severe famine in my life. I had no one to turn to but to the Lord. He told me, "I did not call you to die of hunger in India. I called you to change this nation into a kingdom of priests." This promise made me stay in this Promised Land till today. At last God granted me a good job now with a salary of more than eleven lakhs and raised me as a director of South India UBF. I know each of us has a severe famine. But God did not call us to die of the famine. He called us to bless all nations through us. He will never let the famine consume us. He will protect us until his glorious hope comes true in our lives.
Look at verse 6. "So Isaac stayed in Gerar." He did not go down to Egypt. He stayed in famine-stricken Gerar because he stayed in the promise of God.

While Isaac was living in Gerar, the men of that place asked him about his wife. He knew why they were interested in his wife. He thought they would kill him on account of Rebekah. So he said, "She is my sister." At this moment he did not stay in God's promise. Instead he stayed in his tricky idea. His body was in the Promised Land. But his mind moved from the land of truth to the land of lie. Later his lie brought more troubles. They say honest is the best policy. Staying in the land of God's truth is the best solution for all troubles.
Finally Isaac's lie was exposed. He was rebuked by Abimelech, the king of Gerar. However God used the king to protect Isaac's family. Through this event, Isaac must have repented of his human idea and decided to stay only in the promise of God. Since then God blessed him abundantly. He planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold. He planted one bag of rice and harvested hundred bags. Wow! He was not a farmer. He was basically a shepherd. But he harvested much more than the professional farmers of Gerar. His wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy.
Where there is God's blessing, there is also Satan's hindrance. The people of that place began to envy Isaac. There is a saying in Korea, "Man will have a stomach pain even if his cousin buys a land." Since Isaac a foreigner became very wealthy, how severer stomach pain must the people of Gerar have! They stopped up all the wells Abraham's servants had dug, filling them with earth. The king himself said to Isaac, "Move away from us; you have become too powerful for us." So Isaac moved away from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there.
We want only God's blessing. But God's blessing comes always with troubles. It was easy for Isaac to trust his great wealth. But the troubles helped him trust in God all the more. They became a good medicine for Isaac to keep his spiritual health. Let's thank God for all the troubles we are facing today. Through these troubles we come to know where to put our trust and hope.
Look verse 18. Isaac reopened his father's wells and gave them the same names his father had given them. The names reminded him of his father's life of faith. Isaac's servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. But the herdsmen of Gerar quarrelled with Isaac's herdsmen and said, "The water is ours!" They were so mean. In those days wells were as precious as lives. So if anyone attacked a well its owner could kill the attacker in self-defence. But Isaac did not do that. He only named the well and yielded it to them. He did the same for the second well. His servants might have complained to him saying, "Master, we have worked hard day and night to dig the well. But now you generously gave it to your enemies. What is that?" Isaac did not fight with his servants too. He believed his life would be sustained not by a well but by the Lord. He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarrelled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, "Now the Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land."
Our life is a well digging life. When we see someone digging his well so deep and wide we envy him. People fight each other to take bigger and better wells. Every well has its limitation. It can supply fresh water only for certain period. So people go for new wells. But we see Isaac going for only one well that was the promise of God. Whenever his enemies took his well by force he went to the promise of God. He dug it until he could get fresh hope and strength. So his life was not dry in all situations.

Look at verses 23 and 24. From there he went up to Beersheba. That night the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham." Beersheba was again a different place. Now Isaac was about hundred years old. Things were not favourable to him. But he held fast to the promise of God. He built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord. He determined to rely on God alone.
Meanwhile, Abimelech had come to him from Gerar, with his personal adviser and the commander of his forces. He requested Isaac to make a peace treaty with him. He said, "Let us make a treaty with you that you will do us no harm, just as we did not molest you but always treated you well and sent you away in peace. And now you are blessed by the Lord." What he said was not true. He and his people were hostile to Isaac and forced him to move away from them. But he was true in saying Isaac was blessed by the Lord. It was so vivid even to the eyes of his enemies. The kingdom of Palestine came to fear the family of one man who lived by faith. Isaac won the victory without physical fight. Sometimes he looked like a coward. But his inner character was very strong. Instead of fighting with men, he fought against his earthly desires. When he won his inner battle he could win outward battle. He made a peace treaty with his enemies and sent them in peace. God blessed him with a new well.
We all want a grand victory in our study and office life. So we compete with our classmates and company colleagues. But here is the secret of true victory: Fight inner battle by holding the promise of God. We may become losers for sometime. But at the end God will make us true victors.
Esau did not learn his father's faith. He was busy with hunting the girls of Canaan. He married two ungodly women and became a source of grief to his parents.
This morning I thank God for granting us a clear life direction: Stay in the promise of God. This promise guarantees us the most blessed and successful life. Every morning we gather to dig the well of God's promise. May God bless this struggle and grant us fresh hope everyday.

Genesis 25:1-34

Genesis Study 107

JACOB AND ESAU

Genesis 25:1-34
Key verse 25:33
"But Jacob said, 'Swear to me first.' So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.'"

Last week we studied about Isaac and Rebekha's beautiful faith in their marriage. In today's passage we see four events. First, Abraham's death (1-11). Second, the descendants of Ishmael (12-18). Third, the birth of Jacob and Esau (19-26). Fourth, Esau despises his birthright (27-34).

First, Abraham's death (1-11). After the death of Sarah, Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. She bore him six sons. Abraham gave them gifts and sent them away from Isaac. He left all his possessions to Isaac. God gives his gifts to all peoples on earth. But he gives his kingdom only to his promised children.
Abraham died at the age of a hundred and seventy-five. He had lived exactly hundred years in the Promised Land. At his death he joined his wife Sarah. During his life time the world was not changed. In fact people became more and more wicked that God had to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah with burning sulphur. But Abraham got Isaac by faith. God used Abraham's descendants in his soul saving ministry. God changed the history of mankind through one man Abraham's life.
After Abraham's death, God blessed his son Isaac. The God of Abraham is the God of history. He works not just in one generation but works throughout all generations. Now the same God is our God. He guides our lives with the same kindness and blessing.

Second, the descendants of Ishmael (12-18). Ishmael was Abraham's son whom Sarah's maidservant, Hagar the Egyptian, bore to Abraham. Twelve sons were born to Ishmael and all of them became the rulers as God had promised to Abraham (Ge 17:20). But they lived in hostility toward all their brothers. They became great in number and power. But they neither feared the Lord nor loved their brothers.

Third, the birth of Esau and Jacob (19-26). Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah. But Rebekah was barren like her mother-in-law. Both Isaac and Rebekah had firm faith in God. Yet they remained childless for twenty years. Every morning their neighbours were busy to send their children to the school. But Isaac and Rebekah's tent was silent all the time. In the later years they used to receive invitation letters for the wedding of their neighbours' children. It was easy for Isaac to shout at Rebekah and get a concubine. God had generously granted twelve sons to Ishmael. It must be very hard for Isaac to understand God's will. But he always remembered how he himself was born. He believed God would surely grant him a son in God's own time. This made him pray on behalf of his barren wife for twenty years. Faith enables us to pray without giving up. And prayer is the best expression of our faith in God.
When Isaac was born he did not need to do anything. Great wealth and huge number of flocks were freely given him. His neighbours were all favourable to him because of his father's influence. God granted him a godly wife. Isaac thanked the God of his father Abraham for all these blessings. But God wanted to give him the best blessing that is God himself. So he purposely let Isaac undergo twenty years' childless training.
We are all different. But one thing is common to us all; each of us has at least one life-long problem which can never be solved without God. Some people have incurable diseases. Some have never ending family disputes. Some have never changing sinful habits. Some have no spiritual children for many years. Are those problems God's curse upon us? No. Not at all! God gave us the problems to make us rely on him and meet him personally.
After twenty years of prayer, Rebekah became pregnant. God answered Isaac's prayer in double. Rebekah conceived twin boys! Through this event Isaac could meet the God of his father as his God. The God of Abraham became the God of Isaac.
The babies in Rebekah's womb jostled each other within her. Everyday they had kick boxing, Tae Kwon Do and wrestling matches. Rebekah said, "Why is this happening to me?" She could have consulted an obstetrician. But she went to inquire of the Lord. She too was a woman of prayer. The Lord said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." God did not say, "Two sons are in your womb." He said, "Two nations are in your womb." And before they were born or had done anything good or bad, their destiny was determined by God. In his sovereign will God put Esau under Jacob. It does not matter whether we are at the top or at the bottom. What is important is to serve the Lord wherever we are. Then God uses us preciously. But later Esau tried to kill Jacob out of envy. So he could not be used by God.
At the time of delivery, Esau came out first. He was red and his whole body was like a hairy garment. Jacob came out, with his hand grasping Esau's heel. This shows how much he struggled to come out first even from his birth.

Fourth, Esau despises his birthright (27-34). The boys grew up. Esau became a skilful hunter, a man of the open country. People fear wild animals. But Esau enjoyed hunting wild boars, bears and tigers. Unlike his brother, Jacob hardly came out of his tent. He was a quiet man. His hobby was cooking. He was expert in making various kinds of food including—samba, kimchi and bamboo chattni. Quiet Isaac loved active Esau and active Rebekah loved quite Jacob.
One day Jacob was making some roti and dhal maakerni. Then Esau came in from hunting. Unluckily he caught nothing on that day and was extremely hungry. He said to Jacob, "Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!" Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright." This reply is so unusual. Shepherdess Jane has been cooking for me last eleven years. But she never asked me to sell anything to buy her food. Yet here Jacob was asking Esau to sell his birthright to buy his dhal maakerni. What is going on here?
Let's first think about a birthright. A birthright is the special privileges belonging to the firstborn son among the Israelites. The one who had this right would inherit double share from his father. It means two third of Isaac's possession would go to Esau and one third to Jacob. But the most important thing is that the one who had this right would inherit God's blessing upon his father. He would be the main figure in God's redemptive history. God would raise him as a source of blessing and save mankind through him. There are many kinds of rights such as copyright, patent right, property right, and human right. But a birthright surpasses all other rights in its importance. Now Jacob was hunting for this most important right.
What was Esau's response to Jacob's proposal? "Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?" The birthright could do nothing for Esau's hungry stomach at this moment. He could claim his birthright only after his father's death. And God's blessings would come true after thousand years. So the red stew was much more practical and attractive than the birthright.
Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So Esau swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some roti and some dhal maakerni. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. The Bible says, "So Esau despised his birthright." The birthright was given by God. It bears God's great hope and divine will. But by despising the birthright, Esau despised God. Hebrews 12:16 and 17 say, "See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears." There was no written agreement between Jacob and Esau on this deal. No one knew what happened between these two men. But God saw what Esau did and rejected him.
What does this event mean to us? What birthright do we have? John 1:12 says, "Yet to all who received Jesus, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." In Jesus we have spiritual birthright as the children of God. With this we can claim the kingdom of God as our eternal inheritance. However this birthright does not fill our hungry stomachs. It does not guarantee a job with handsome salary. Instead it commands us to live before God our Father. We want to enjoy drinking and dancing in a pub. But our spiritual birthright teaches us that we are the holy children of God. I am so glad to hear that one of our apostles rejected an invitation to a pub. We want to enjoy morning sleep. But our birthright tells us to start our daily life with the word of God. Every morning I see a miracle. Since last Monday all our coworkers started to come for morning prayer meeting and daily bread meditation. I thought they would soon be exhausted. But they are becoming brighter and happier. Shepherd Ben started independent worship service in Mysore in order to keep his birthright as a son of God. It is not easy to keep our spiritual birthright with our sinful bodies and in this corrupt world. Yet to those who keep it to the end, God will give his everlasting kingdom. He will use them as sources of blessing.
Even after selling his birthright for a single meal, Esau continued to live in God-fearing family. He studied the Bible with his father and attended worship service regularly. Yet he did not repent of his sin of selling his birthright. So God could not bless him or use him anymore. God is ever ready to forgive us. He is ready to restore our spiritual birthright. May the Lord give us the heart of repentance so that we may once again live as the holy children of God. May God bless us never to sell our right as the holy children of God.

2006 Banglaore May Conference Photo (Shepherds-Suresh,Ben,Raghavendra)

2006 Banglaore May Conference Photo (Disciples)

2006 Banglaore May Conference Photo (All Participants)

Genesis 24:1-67

Genesis Study 106

A FAITH MARRIAGE

Genesis 24:1-67
Key verse 24:58
"So they called Rebekah and asked her, 'Will you go with this man?' 'I will go,' she said."

Today's passage is about Isaac and Rebekah's marriage. This is the longest chapter in the book of Genesis. In fact among all the chapters of the Bible, this passage talks about God's people's marriage most in detail. Here we can learn the secret of the blessed marriage.
Look at verses 1 to 9. Here we can learn the faith of Abraham. He was now one hundred and forty years old. He asked his chief servant to get a wife for his son Isaac. He put two conditions. First, get a wife for Isaac not from the daughters of the Canaanites but from his own relatives. Second, do not take Isaac back to his former country. Abraham did not talk about beauty or wealth or degree. His only concern was the woman's God-fearing faith and desire to serve God's mission. Proverbs 31:30 says, "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." Abraham believed God himself would arrange such woman of faith for his son.
Look at verses 10 to 28. Here we can see the faith of Abraham's servant. He took ten of his master's camels and left, taking with him all kinds of good things from his master. He set out for Aram Naharaim and made his way to the town of Nahor, Abraham's brother. It was a journey of 720 km that took a month. But even after such a long and hard journey, he continued to carry out his mission. He stood beside the well which was outside the town. It was toward evening, the time the women go out to draw water. Then he prayed. He did not say, "Lord, grant the best wife to my master's son Isaac." Instead he offered a very specific prayer. First, the girl must come to draw water. If she is busy with her boy friend or sleeps at home at this time, she is disqualified. Second, she must be generous. If she fetches water only for herself she is disqualified. But if she willingly gives water to the servant and his ten camels, she is the one God has chosen for Isaac.
Before the servant had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the granddaughter of Nahor, Abraham's brother. She was the first one to come to the well among all the women of the town. Though she had many maidservants in her house, she herself came to draw water. Being a hardworking shepherdess she did not have time for a makeup or nail polish. Yet the Bible says she was very beautiful. Her beauty came from her purity. She was a virgin; no man had ever lain with her. No one is pure by birth. But when we repent of our sin of lust and give our hearts only to Jesus, we become the pure virgins of God. Such people are very beautiful in God's sight. And we can keep our purity by serving God and God's flock diligently.
The servant asked Rebekah, "Please give me a little water from your jar." "Drink, my lord," she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink. After she had given him a drink, she said, "I'll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking." So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels. She was a well trained shepherdess. Many girls find their joy in chatting with their boy friends. But Rebekah found her joy in serving others before God. Without saying a word, the servant watched her closely to know God's final will. He rewarded her with a gold nose ring and two gold bracelets. When he came to know that Rebekah was the granddaughter of Abraham's brother, he praised God. Only by faith and prayer he found out God-chosen wife for Isaac.
Look at verses 29 to 53. Here we can see the faith of Rebekah's family. The family set delicious food before the servant and his men. But he said, "I will not eat until I have told you what I have to say." As for him his mission was more important than food or rest. He narrated the whole story taking a long time. The bread became hard and soup cold. But his graceful testimony made everyone's heart soft and warm. He made it clear that Rebekah was the one chosen by God for Isaac. Then he said, "Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn." He did not beg for their mercy. He only revealed God's will to them and asked for their decision.
What was their decision? They answered, "This is from the Lord; we can say noting to you one way or the other. Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master's son, as the Lord has directed." Ungodly parents calculate many things. But God-fearing parents see only one thing: "Is this from the Lord?" They know if it is from the Lord, the marriage will be successful. Rebekah's family had this faith. The servant bowed down to the ground before the Lord. He presented costly gifts to Rebekah and her family.
Look at verses 54 to 61. Here we can see the faith of Rebekah. The next morning Abraham's servant said, "Send me on my way to my master." Rebekah's brother and mother replied, "Let the girl remain with us ten days or so; then you may go." Once she left they would never see her again. And they did not prepare anything for her wedding. But the servant's concern was to fulfil the will of God. He did not give a room for human attachment. Then they said, "Let's call the girl and ask her about it." So they called Rebekah and asked her, "Will you go with this man?" "I will go," she said. She could have asked many questions about the son of Abraham: "What is his name? How old is he? What is he doing? How much is his income per month? Did he marry before? Is he tall or short? Is he fat or slim? Is he healthy? Can I see his passport size photograph? Why didn't he come for himself? Is he handsome?" She asked none of these questions. She said only three words: "I WILL GO." She did not know anything about Isaac. But she knew it was the Lord who arranged her marriage. And this was more than sufficient for her. She married only by faith. Then she could become a mother of many nations. Her descendants increased to thousands upon thousands. Jesus was born among her descendants and destroyed the gates of Satan.
Look at verse verses 62 to 67. Here we can see the faith of Isaac. He was busy in tending the flock inherited from his father. At the same time he devoted himself in meditating the word of God. If Rebekah was a woman of action, Isaac was a man of thought. Already three years had passed after his mother's death. He became now forty years old. He could have been very anxious about his marriage. But he spent his time only with God and his flock. He trusted God would grant him the best life partner in his own time. Then one evening while meditating in the field he met Rebekah. The servant told him all he had done. Isaac could learn that Rebekah was from the Lord. So he did not ask her about her academic qualification or her past or her age. He accepted her only by faith and loved her from the heart.
There are many kinds of marriage: a love marriage, an arranged marriage, a court marriage, a common-law marriage, a companionate marriage, a left-handed marriage, a marriage of convenience, a mixed marriage, a religious marriage and an internet marriage. Men developed various kinds of marriage system in order to live a best marital life. But marriage by human decision results either in divorce or in life long regret. However marriage by faith results in eternal joy and happiness. When Isaac and Rebekah married only by faith, God blessed their marital life to the end. He protected their family from all dangers. He used them very preciously in his soul saving ministry. May God bless us to grow like Isaac and Rebekah. Then God will establish many beautiful house churches among us.

2006 South India Pioneering Mission Report (John Bunyan Yeon, Bangalore, India)

2006년 인도 남부 개척 선교보고 (연번연 벵갈로, 인도)

마른 뼈에서 하나님의 극히 큰 군대로

에스겔 37:10"이에 내가 그 명대로 대언하였더니 생기가 그들에게 들어가매 그들이 곧 살아 일어나서 서는데 극히 큰 군대더라."

하나님께서는 1993년에 저를 인도 뉴델리에 유학생 선교사로 보내셨습니다. 그곳에서 11년 동안 많은 양들을 도왔습니다. 그 중에 목자가 되고 목동이 된 양들도 있었습니다. 그러나 결국에는 모두 떠나갔습니다. 남은 것은 만성설사병 뿐이었습니다. 저는 마른 뼈가 되었습니다. 몸의 물기도 다 빠져나가고 선교열정도 다 사그러 들었습니다.

하지만 하나님께서는 이런 저를 폐기처분하지 않으셨습니다. 2004년에 남인도 개척 목자로 세우시고 벵갈로를 개척케 하셨습니다. 동역자님들의 기도와 평범 목자님의 헌신적인 동역으로 2005년 첫 수양회를 통해 다섯 명의 제자들이 섰습니다. 그러나 감격도 잠시 벤 형제는 마이소르로, 아쉬시 형제는 직장을 찾아 그리고 아미트 형제는 형을 따라 흩어졌습니다. 저는 다시 마른 뼈가 될 것만 같았습니다. 오직 말씀만이 살 길이었습니다. 매주 절실하게 주일 메시지를 준비했습니다. 먼저 제가 살아났습니다. 그리고 동역자들이 살아났습니다. 저희들은 오후에는 양얻기를 하고 저녁에는 성경읽기와 기도를 하였습니다. 또 벤 형제를 심방하여 예배를 보았습니다. 결국 벤 형제도 살아났습니다. 차멀미를 하면서도 왕복 9시간이 걸리는 먼 거리를 와서 저희와 함께 예배를 드리기 시작했습니다. 메고 자매와 자넷 자매가 소감 훈련을 받기 시작했습니다.

2006 년 5월 수양회는 선교사 3명이 섬긴 첫 자립 수양회였습니다. 기도하는 가운데 24명 등록목표를 잡았습니다. 등록가능한 수를 아무리 헤아려도 11명이 넘지 않았습니다. 이때 "구하라 그러면 너희에게 주실 것이요, 찾으라 그러면 찾을 것이요, 문을 두드리라 그러면 너희에게 열릴 것이니"(마 7:7)라는 말씀을 붙들었습니다. 이 말씀은 저희들에게 하나님의 생기가 되었습니다. 저희들은 각 사람이 매일 다섯 명 이상의 양을 돕기로 하였습니다. 그리고 이것을 Action Prayer 라고 불렀습니다. 컴퓨터 자판을 두드려 메일을 보내고, 핸드폰을 두드려 전화와 문자메시지를 보내고, 양 집의 문을 두드려 심방을 하였습니다. 나중에는 각 사람이 하루에 20 ~ 30명의 양들을 돕게 되었습니다. 양들은 꿈속에서도 등록을 하였습니다. 다니엘 목자님도 꿈속에 나타나셔서, "음, 잘하고 있구만"하시며 격려하셨습니다. 그런데 정말 꿈만 같이 23명이 수양회에 참석하였습니다. 함께하신 예수님을 포함해서 정확히 24명이었습니다. 거의 매일 한 사람씩 등록할 때마다 저희들은 하나님께 감사하고 저희를 위해 간절히 중보기도를 해 주시는 동역자님들께 감사하였습니다. 이 수양회를 통해 벤, 라그벤드라, 수레쉬 형제들이 목자로 섰습니다. 메고, 자넷 자매들이 목동으로 섰고 일곱 명의 형제들이 제자로 섰습니다. 저희가 구하고, 찾고, 두드린 이상으로 응답해 주신 하나님을 찬양합니다. 저희가 하루 다섯 명의 양을 돕는 Action Prayer를 계속 잘 감당하도록 기도해 주시기 바랍니다.

수양회 직후 세계선교보고대회 참석 준비를 하였습니다. 벤 목자는 보고대회가 시험 기간과 겹쳐서 참석하기 힘들하고 하였습니다. 그와의 통화가 끝나자마자 다니엘 목자님의 전화가 걸려왔습니다. 마치 저희의 대화를 도청하신 듯 벤 목자의 어려움을 믿음을 심는 기회로 삼으라고 하셨습니다. 저희는 다시 "무릇 사람이 할 수 없는 것을 하나님은 하실 수 있느니라" (눅 18:27)는 말씀을 붙들었습니다. 그리고 벤 목자뿐만 아니라 사라 목자와 메고 목동의 비자 문제를 믿음으로 도전하였습니다. 수양회에 참석하였던 양들도 센타에서 무릎을 꿇고 합심기도를 하였습니다. 그랬을때 벤 목자의 시험이 선교보고대회 후로 연기되었습니다. 그의 비자 관련 서류를 제출했는데 태국인은 비자없이 한국에 갈 수 있다는 통보를 받았습니다. 미소사모님께서는 지난 16년 동안 동역자님들께서 태국선교를 위해 기도해 왔다고 하셨습니다. 하나님께서 그 기도를 들으시고 벤 목자를 보내 주신 줄 믿습니다. 한국에 오기 하루 전에 사라 목자와 메고 목동의 비자가 나왔습니다. 뭄바이 영사관의 한국 행정관은 은행잔고가 500원뿐인 사람에게 비자를 주기는 평생 처음이라고 하였습니다.

저희는 이번 일을 통해 사람이 할 수 없는 것을 하나님은 하실 수 있다는 귀한 믿음을 배웠습니다. 저희가 이 믿음으로 마른 뼈와 같은 남인도 캠퍼스 영혼들에게 하나님의 말씀을 힘써 전할 수 있기를 간절히 기도합니다. 그리할 때 남 인도에 극히 큰 하나님의 군대가 일어날 것을 믿습니다. 또 그들이 장차 동남아와 서남아를 넘어 아프리카와 전 세계를 말씀으로 먹일 것을 믿습니다. 저희 모임이 창세기 말씀과 Action Prayer를 통해 늘 하나님의 생기가 넘치는 모임이 될 수 있도록 기도해 주시기 바랍니다.

한마디: 남 인도에서 일어날 하나님의 극히 큰 군대

Life Testimony – Sarah Grace Jeevan (Bangalore, India)

Life Testimony – Sarah Grace Jeevan (Bangalore, India)

FROM A CURSED PRICNCESS TO A MOTHER OF NATIONS

Genesis 17:15,16
"God also said to Abraham, 'As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.'"

Hello, my name is Sarah Grace Jeevan. I was born in a Hindu Brahmin family in 1981. I am the youngest among the three sons and two daughters. From my childhood I worshipped all the Hindu idols. Being the youngest I was treated like a princess. I did not enter a kitchen. I did not clean the room. Parents bought me whatever I wanted. Especially I wanted to wear short, colourful and tight dresses. This was not usual in a conservative Hindu family. But I was given maximum freedom. When I joined a college I searched for my prince. At last I found him. I wanted him to love me more than his life. One day in 1999 he brought me to UBF. I had no intention to study the Bible. I just followed him to be with him. But after sometime he deserted me and I was left alone in UBF. I couldn't understand the Bible. I always said to shepherd Joseph, "Don't try to change my religion." After losing my first prince, I was longing for a second prince. I spoiled my heart with all kinds of lustful fantasies. I asked my Hindu gods to save me from my sin of lust. But there was no answer from them.

Then one day God spoke to me through John 4:13-14, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." I was not changed in one day. However this verse slowly led me to Jesus. Weekly Bible study was like the living water Jesus gave me. The more I drank it the more I was satisfied.
By God's grace I was raised as a shepherdess in 2001. The living water of Jesus taught me who the Living God is. I stopped worshipping idols. I said to my family and neighbours, "Jesus is the only true God." In reply they said, "You are brainwashed by Christians. How dare you betray your religion?" They beat me and locked me inside a room not to attend worship service. They threatened to kill me. Due to the persecution I could not be regular to Bible study and worship service. Slowly I lost spiritual desire. Finally I stopped coming to UBF for a year since October 2003. My heart was again filled with dirty waters. I dreamed to be a rich career woman. I also wanted to satisfy my lustful desire without limit. Then I had a physical relationship with a married man. I became worse than idol worshippers. I couldn't forgive myself. I was afraid of God's judgment.
But God called me to 2004 UBF Bible conference. There he granted me Mark 3:5b, "Jesus said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored." Based on this word, I confessed my sin of lust. I thought they would say to me, "You are dirty and useless." But they warmly accepted me in Jesus. After the conference I was afraid to go back to my house where I would be persecuted and tempted. Then the shepherds in New Delhi advised me to go to Bangalore UBF.

In Bangalore God granted me a job with Rs. 4000 salary in a software company. After two days of work the interviewer came to know that I did not know how to on a computer. He was angry with me but did not fire me. I thought I would grow spiritually very fast because I could freely attend worship service and study the Bible. But my real problem was not environment but myself that is my sin in me. I again developed my desire to be a rich woman. Instead of meditating on God's word and feeding God's flock, I always thought how to get more salary. I set up a long term plan to buy a land in Bangalore and build my own house. In order to increase my commercial value I took an MBA course. I skipped even worship service and testimony writing to be faithful to my MBA course. At the initial stage of its pioneering ministry, Bangalore UBF needed a firm foundation of faith. But I was only disturbing God's ministry with my vanity and pride. By name I was a shepherdess for five years but in reality I was worse than sisters. Being a Brahmin-converted shepherdess I had been always treated with special love and care in New Delhi. I desired to remain as a princess in God's ministry too. But in Bangalore, there was no such special treatment. Instead every Sunday morning I had to cook with shepherdess Jane for all worship service participants. Whenever I shared my Bible testimony I was rebuked for lacking the word of God. When I did not attend worship service for MBA course test, God trained me for seven weeks. I was not allowed to be a representative prayer servant in worship service. I was called as sister Jeevan by everyone. God humbled my heart through this training. After the training God granted me Genesis 17:15-16, "God also said to Abraham, 'As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.'" I realized that life as Sarai (which means My Princess) was a cursed life. Such life spoils everyone including myself. But life as Sarah (which means A Mother of Nations) is the most blessed life. Such life brings God's eternal blessing to many people. God changed my name into Sarah. I dropped my MBA course to fully devote myself in campus gospel ministry. In order to live as a mother of nations, I invited more than hundred students to Bangalore May Bible Conference. Among them brother Awung attended the conference and is growing as Jesus' disciple. To have a vision as a mother of nations, I eagerly wanted to attend World Mission Report. However I was informed that I must have USD 3000 in my bank account in order to get a visa. But there was only 50 cents in it. The Korean visa section officer repeatedly said, "It is impossible, it is impossible." But in my visa application letter I wrote, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." (Luke 18:27) This one word moved the Korean consul's heart. He gave me a visa within one day. It is like a dream for me to share my life testimony before you. I praise God for growing me as a mother of nations. It is impossible with men to change me into a mother of nations. But it is possible with God. God will surely grow me as a mother of nations. God will grow India as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

One Word: You will be a mother of nations.

Life Testimony – Attapon Paotem (Bangalore, India)

Life Testimony – Attapon Paotem (Bangalore, India)

FROM A SICK BOY TO A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS

Genesis 17:5
"No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations."

Hello, my name is Attapon Paotem. But they call me Ben. I was born in Chiangmouwn, north of Thailand in 1985. My father is a farmer. His farm covers many mountains and hills. But we are not rich. My parents had to work hard. But they did not allow me to do any hard work. So I grew as a sick boy. I was a regular patient. Sometimes I visited a hospital more regular than doctors. One day a doctor gave me a wrong medicine. I lost conscience. I had to undergo operations three times in a row. Everyone thought I would die. But God restored my life. Since then I haven't consulted a doctor till today.
At the age four, I joined a nursery which was run by a church. There I saw a picture of a man who was hung on the cross. The more I saw the picture the more I was curious about him. After one month I asked my teacher, "Who is he?" "He is Jesus," she replied. "Who is Jesus?" I asked her. But she gave me no answer. In the evening my father came to pick me up. I asked him, "Father, who is Jesus?" My father is a Buddhist. So he was silent for few seconds. Then he said, "Jesus is the Son of God. He founded Christianity." I asked him again, "Why was he nailed to the cross? He looks very painful. Is he a good man or a bad man?" My father was again silent for few seconds. Then he said, "My son, I don't know. Let's go home." Jesus' crucifixion had remained a mystery until I studied the Bible with my shepherd.
In a strange way God has guided me to India. At the age of sixteen I cleared Thai military school entrance test. I hoped to be a military officer. But I missed the final interview due to the new year celebration. The next year I cleared a medical college entrance test. My parents were excited to hear the news. But something happened in my heart. I gave another test for government scholarship to study in abroad. I was sure to fail the test because I prepared for it only one month. But to my surprise I got through. There before me were multiple choices—Korea, Japan, Singapore, France, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Spain and India. I chose India. My father was very angry with my decision. Thai government tried to send me to New Delhi. But I was finally sent to Bangalore in August, 2004. God had already sent shepherd Bunyan to Bangalore to pioneer South India in March the same year.
I entered Christ College. Everything was very different from my country. I like Saam Kyeop Sal. But most of Indians were vegetarians. My English was very poor. But Indian professors spoke English like a jet. Life in India was very boring. Football was the only exit. One day I met shepherd Bunyan and shepherd Pyeongbum in the college ground. I was happy to play with the people from a world cup semi final qualified country. After the match I was invited for Christmas worship. Christmas message was graceful and powerful. Everyone welcomed me like their own family member. After this I began to attend Sunday worship service. Through Bible study and message I came to know the truth. I came to know that the world was created not by accident but on purpose. God has created me for his good purpose. My parents loved me so much that they did not give me any hard work. But God loved me so much that he gave me his one and only Son Jesus. Before even I knew him, Jesus bore all my sins on the cross. My life in India was not boring anymore. Everyday I came to the Bible house for daily bread meditation. Every evening I went to Christ College with my shepherd. We invited students for Bible study. I was so happy to be a member of God's family.
But I was not happy with my college art course. I wanted to do a bio-technology engineering course. But there was no seat available for me in Bangalore. Then I moved to Mysore which was more than four hours away from Bangalore. I missed worship service and Bible study. I spent much time on my subjects and chatting with my Thai seniors. Time to time I called my parents over the phone. But strangely my heart was empty. I couldn't find the meaning of my life. Then shepherds visited me. We had a worship service in my room. I was deeply moved by their love. We began to have worship service twice a month—once in Mysore and then in Bangalore. One day God spoke to me through Genesis 17:5, "No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations." My faith is smaller than a seed. But God is growing me as a father of many nations. Especially he grows me as a father of Thais and Indians. I left the Buddhist country and entered the country of Hinduism. But God guided me to his truth. In Jesus, God's kingdom is my eternal kingdom. I believe God will save many campus souls in Thailand and India through me.

One Word: You will be a father of Thais and Indians.

Mark 4:30-32 (2006 Special Lecture 1)

2006 Special Lecture 1

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Mark 4:30-32
Key verse: 4:32
"Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in it shade."

Last week we had May Bible Conference. There we studied about the kingdom of God. Some may think we can enter the kingdom of God only after death. But in today's passage Jesus teaches us that the kingdom of God is already growing in our hearts. Some may despair looking at their unchanged sinful nature. But Jesus says to us that the kingdom of God in our hearts will grow until it becomes the largest of all. May today's word give you a great hope.

Look at verse 30. "Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it?" In verses 26-29, Jesus had already described the kingdom of God. He said it is like a growing seed. The kingdom of God grows as a growing seed. For people's further understanding, Jesus sought a proper parable to describe the kingdom of God. Why did Jesus explain the kingdom of God repeatedly? It is because knowing the kingdom of God is very important. Without knowing it, people follow their own kingdom. Even those who follow Jesus desire their own ideal kingdom. For example, Jesus' disciples sought the kingdom of self-glories. One day, two disciples, James and John came to Jesus and said, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." They asked to sit at glorious positions. So they missed the kingdom of God. Also, crowd desired the kingdom of prosperities. Crowd strived to find Jesus. But Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill."(John 6:26) Although they followed Jesus, they sought the kingdom of enough food. But Jesus wanted to give them the kingdom of God. So he taught it repeatedly.

Look at verse 31. "It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground." Israelites thought that the kingdom of God might be more magnificent and grand than the Roman Empire. But Jesus said it is like a mustard seed. How is mustard seed? It is the smallest seed we plant in the ground. We should come closely to see the mustard seed. It is as light as dust. We should hold our breath to see it or it will be blown away. The kingdom of God is such a small and light seed. We may expect a large plant from a large seed and a small plant from a small seed. The seeds of kidney beans or water melon seem to grow to be the biggest plants. But once planted, the mustard seed becomes the largest plant.

Let's look at verse 32. "Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." The seed is very small and light. But it grows in the ground. And it becomes the largest of all garden plants. To become the largest plant, it takes only one year. It grows up to 3~4 meters. Its branches give such a good shade to the birds. The kingdom of God grows like a mustard seed. It becomes the largest of all kingdoms. At the beginning the kingdom of God planted in people's hearts is very small. It is too small that people can hardly notice it. In fact the kingdom of God grows from one small Bible verse planted in our hearts. I believe each of us has received one word through the Bible conference. It means the kingdom of God has already begun to grow in our lives. The more it grows the more we will bear the image of God. In everything we do we will humbly seek God's will and guidance. We will put all our hope not on earth but in heaven. Earthly beauty and fun will lose their charm to our eyes. Instead we will taste heavenly joy and peace even in the midst of sufferings and hardships. Though we have nothing we will expect great things from God and attempt great things for God. People see only our small number. They fail to see the kingdom of God growing in our hearts. When Jesus taught the kingdom of God to his disciples, it was just twelve in number. The Roman Empire was far greater in number. But Jesus knew that the kingdom of God would grow and become the largest of all kingdoms. So he continued to teach the kingdom of God to the small number. Then the kingdom of God indeed grew and prevailed all over the world.
Just 45 years ago, University Bible Fellowship started from a handful number of students in Korea. Now it grew to cover 85 countries. The kingdom of God has such a tremendous power of life. Our Bangalore campus ministry is as small as the mustard seed. Brother Hanumesh expected 1000 participants for our May Bible conference. He was surprised to see only 23. But the important thing is that the kingdom of God is growing among us. Someday thousands of thousand students will come to us to listen to the word of God.
Let's look at verse 32b. What does a full-grown mustard plant have? It has big branches. The birds of the air can perch in its shade. Some birds may be tired after their long journey. Then they can take a rest on the big branches. In the heat of the day, birds can come under its shade. The burning sun will not exhaust them anymore. A swallow couple can make their nest on the branches and multiply in number. Likewise when the kingdom of God grows in our hearts, people can find comfort and rest under our love and care. They will taste heavenly love, peace and joy from us. Many campus students are exhausted after wandering in their sins. They need rest and comfort for their weary souls. God has already planted his kingdom in us. The more we love God's word the more the kingdom of God will grow in us. Then someday we can provide a heavenly shade to the weary campus souls.

Genesis 17:15 -16 (2006 May Conf Morning Lecture)

2006 May Bible Conference Morning Lecture I

A MOTHER OF NATIONS

Genesis 17:15 -16
"God also said to Abraham, 'As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah .I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of people will come from her.'"

This morning we want to study about Sarah. She had lived 4000 years ago. It sounds like a very old story. Why should we study about her life? It is because Sarah and we have a common point. She wanted to live a special and meaningful life. This is what we want. God guided her to live such life. We can learn the secret from her.
Sarah was born in Ur which was ancient Iraq. Her parents named her "Sarai" which means "my princess". From her birth she was exceptionally beautiful. She won the first prize at every beauty contest. She received hundreds of love letters every week. Many boys told their parents that they would marry no other girls but Sarai. Her parents did not allow her to touch water in the kitchen. She dressed like a princess. Every week she bought new and fancy dresses. She thought she was living a very special life.
Now it was time for her to marry. She selected the smartest, richest and kindest of all young men of Ur. It was Abraham. From early in the morning she did a heavy makeup to draw her husband's full attention. She loved to attend a party every night to hear people's praise. She did not allow Abraham to chat with any other ladies. She let her servants prepare all kinds of delicious food. But when Abraham appreciated the food, she took all credits to herself.
However something bad happened to her marital life. One year had passed since her wedding. But there was no sign of pregnancy. Ten years had passed. But she could not give birth to a child. She was barren. She did not know what to do. She feared that Abraham might take a second wife. What was worse, her wrinkles kept on increasing over her face. One day she was shocked to see grey hairs growing on her head. She secretly dyed her hairs before Abraham reached home. She once dreamed to be the happiest girl in the world. She believed her extraordinary beauty would make her always happy. She thought Abraham's love would make her life meaningful. But because of her beauty she was taken by kings twice to be their wife. Whenever such moment came her husband did not protect her. Instead he told everyone that she was his sister. Once Sarai eagerly wanted to have a son. So she gave her maidservant to her husband. When the maidservant knew she was pregnant, she began to despise Sarai. But Abraham did not rebuke the maidservant. Sarai almost got mad. Many years had passed. And now she became eighty-nine years old. She had no strength in her body and no joy in her heart. When she thought of her death life seemed to be so meaningless.
But at that time God appeared to her. He changed her name into "Sarah" which means "a mother of nations." At that time she did not have a child. She had passed the age of childbearing long ago. How then could she be a mother of nations? She could be a mother of nations only by faith in God. When she believed in God she could give birth to a son at the age of ninety. This was her only son. But she believed God would raise numerous descendants through him. One day her husband invited three unknown guests in the heat of the day. He asked her to bake some bread with 23 kg of wheat. She did not give the work to her maidservants. She herself baked the bread and served the guests. How could she do so? She could do so because she accepted them as her own children. When Abraham was pleading for the perishing Sodomites, she also eagerly prayed for them at her tent. She accepted even the wicked Sodomites as her own sons and daughters. She did not ask Abraham to build a house for her. She was happy to live in a tent with a hope to live in kingdom of God. She brought up her son Isaac with the same faith and hope. Then he grew as a source of blessing. As Sarah grew older her head was covered with grey hairs. Her teeth were gone and her back was bent. But people could see the true beauty from her. It was not earthly beauty. It was heavenly beauty. Finally she was buried in a small cave. But even today her name is honoured above all women. Among her descendants Jesus was born to save all mankind from their sins. Indeed Sarah became a mother of all those who believe in Jesus.
Once I dreamed to live like a princess. I never cooked in the kitchen till I joined a college. I always wore tight, short and colourful clothes. If anybody hurt my feeling I shouted at them. I saw others as my competitors. Though I got the lowest pay in my company, I looked down on everyone including my CEO. To prove myself better than others, I took MBA course. It was not by faith but by vanity and pride. God had pity on me. And he gave me a spiritual training. He took away my position as a prayer servant. He let me be called "sister Jeevan" for seven weeks. At first I was angry with God and the shepherd. But later I started crying for God's help. I found myself seeking recognition both from God and the world. This was a double life. God could not bless such person. Such person must perish and suffer forever in hell. But God forgave my sin of double life in Jesus. When the seven weeks' training was over God changed my name into "Sarah". He restored my desire to live only as a mother of nations. I had lived like a worldly girl. But God called me to be "a mother of nations". A mother of nations prays for all peoples on earth. She sacrifices her whole life to raise men and women of faith. God wants to bless all campus students through me. I pray I may give birth to one Isaac by faith. Then he will be a source of blessing for all campus souls. May God bless our sisters to be the mothers of nations. Then you will have heavenly beauty. Your names will be honoured generation to generation. Finally God will take you to his kingdom to share his glory forever.

Matthew 9: 9-13 (2006 May Conf Lecture 3)

2006 May Bible Conference Lecture III

FOLLOW ME

Matthew 9: 9-13
Key Verses 9:9
"As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. 'Follow me,' he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him."

In today's passage Jesus calls a man named Matthew. He told him, "Follow me." Matthew had two choices: one to follow Jesus and the other not to follow Jesus. What was Matthew's choice? And what happened to him after the choice?

Look at verse 9. "As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. 'Follow me,' he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him." Matthew was a tax collector. Every month 30% of my house income is paid as tax. But the road in front my house remains muddy all the time. So I am not happy with the income tax officers. In Matthew's time, his country was under the rule of the Romans. Matthew collected tax from his own people and gave it to the Roman invaders. The tax enforced Roman rule over Israel. At the beginning of every fiscal year the Romans set a tax quota for Matthew. Once achieved the quota the extra tax would go into his pocket. So he levied very heavy tax on his people. He knew how much they were suffering. But nothing mattered to him if only he could be rich. People called him a traitor. They cursed him in the name of God. They did not allow him to enter the temple. They considered him as dirty as a prostitute. Nobody visited him. Nobody invited him. The Romans treated him as their faithful dog but nothing more than that.
Here we have a question. Why did Matthew become a tax collector, the most despised one in his time? Was he not smart enough to know the consequence of becoming a tax collector? No, he was smart very smart. As for the Romans, tax collectors were their revenue makers. So they did not appoint ordinary people. They appointed exceptionally intelligent and hardworking people like Matthew. Before taking his job as a tax collector Matthew prepared his life balance sheet. There he wrote down what he would gain or loss after becoming a tax collector. He would definitely lose people's recognition. But what was that to him since his people became the slaves of the Romans? But if he became a tax collector he would gain great wealth. Then his family would dine in five star hotels. He would send his children to an international school. In every vacation he would take his family for a world tour. There seemed to be endless things he could do with money. Then he became a tax collector. He decided to follow money.
In our society, we hear many horrible cases such as a murder and a robbery, stealing and kidnapping. Many of them are related to money. People lie, cheat and even kill for the sake of money. A family fights over money. And then they become enemies to each other. However they cannot resist the temptation of money. With money they can buy the latest mobile phone and the latest car. They can marry pretty girls and handsome boys. They can purchase a land and build their own houses. They can travel everywhere they want. Life seems to be full of joy and happiness with money.
Matthew was happy for sometime. He had a swimming pool at home. His house was air-conditioned. Its temperature remained 25 degree Celsius throughout the year. His family were wearing clothes imported from Rome. Security guards kept vigil 24 hours a day. On his daughter's birthday he presented her Honda City. On his wife's birthday he put ten diamond rings on her ten fingers.
But soon his dream was shattered. He could hardly see his wife at home. She was busy with parties. His daughter started to live an immoral life. His son became a drug addict. Most of the time, Matthew had a meal all alone. While going to his office people spat on his car. Every night he had a nightmare. He wanted to take someone's advice. But he had none to listen to his agony. He wanted to pray to God. But he was a public sinner. Then he realized he took a wrong path. But he was already trapped. He did not know how to come out of it. People would remember him as a dirty tax collector forever.
But one day while he was sitting at his booth, someone stood at his door. It was Jesus! Matthew had heard about Jesus—his miracles, his teachings and his love. But he never imagined that Jesus would ever visit him. Now Jesus was seeing him with gracious eyes. Suddenly Matthew recalled all his past memories. He had put widows into a prison to extract more tax. He had beaten pregnant women for not paying tax. Many poor farmers and fishermen had committed suicide because of him. Matthew felt Jesus already knew all his dirty sins. He wanted to run away from Jesus.
But Jesus told him, "Follow me." Matthew couldn't believe his ears. This was the first invitation he ever received after becoming a tax collector. The one who invited him was none other but Jesus, the Son of God. Jesus should have told him, "You rascal, go to hell." But he told him, "Follow me." It means Jesus was forgiving all his sins. When Matthew followed money he became like a money-animal. But when he followed Jesus he would become like Jesus. In the Bible, there was a girl who followed romance. Finally she landed up having five husbands and one boy friend. There was a boy who followed friends. He had four hundred mobile numbers of his friends. Daily one hundred friends called him for five minutes each. He became a permanent chatter. Our life is determined by what we follow. Some clever people want to follow both Jesus and money. But Jesus said, "No servant can serve two masters…You cannot serve both God and Money." (Luke 16:13) Young people want to follow both Jesus and romance. But Jesus did not say, "Follow both". He said, "Follow me." When Matthew followed only Jesus what happened to his life?
Look at verse 10. Matthew held a great feast for Jesus and his disciples. His heart was full of joy and happiness. He invited many tax collectors and prostitutes to meet his Jesus. For the first time he realized serving others was much happier than serving himself. He became a new person. This feast was his new birthday party.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked Jesus' disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" They were Jewish religious leaders. They were strictly following their rituals. They saw themselves as the most righteous people. They condemned Jesus and all others. On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." The Pharisees saw Matthew as a completely hopeless sinner. But Jesus saw him as a sick person. Jesus believed if Matthew received a proper treatment he would be completely healed. In fact Jesus believed Matthew would be a great servant of God. For physical sickness we must consult a physician. But for spiritual sickness we must consult a spiritual doctor. Jesus is our perfect spiritual doctor. He welcomes all kinds of sin-sick people. Sin made Matthew follow money. Sin made him like a senseless animal. But Jesus healed him. Jesus restored in him the holy image of God. Matthew became the most generous and sacrificial man of God. There is no sin-sickness that Jesus cannot heal.
Look at verse 13. Jesus said to the Pharisees, "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." The Pharisees were expert in sacrificing animals and performing rituals. They were righteous in their own eyes. But in Jesus' eyes they were sinners. They were suffering from their pride and hypocrisy. Jesus came to heal them too. But Jesus could heal them only when they admitted themselves as sinners. Jesus could cure them only when they confessed their sins without hiding. The self-righteous people have nothing to do with Jesus. But sinners can receive his perfect healing touch. Jesus heals them to be healthy children of God.
Before meeting Jesus I had followed good marks. I showed no concern for my classmates. I had no time to smile. I studied and studied. At last I became a topper in my class. But I was very lonely having no real friends around me. I feared to lose my top position. I feared to face my future. I feared to face my death. But Jesus invited me to one to one Bible study in UBF. One day he told me to follow him. Then I got up and followed him. Jesus restored real peace and joy in my heart. He restored my big smile. He restored my life purpose and mission. I know where he is guiding me. Someday he will take me to his everlasting kingdom to be with him forever. May God bless you to follow Jesus. He heals all your sin-sicknesses. He guides you to his everlasting kingdom.

Luke 23:13-43 (2006 May Conf Lecture 2)

2006 May Bible Conference Lecture II

FATHER, FORGIVE THEM

Luke 23:13-43
Key verse 23:34a
"Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.'"

Last night we studied about Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus. Jesus told him, "You must be born again." At this Nicodemus was hurt. He left Jesus without saying "Thank you". But in today's passage we see a man crucified along with Jesus. He was a capital criminal. But he was born again. He entered the kingdom of God.

Now about three years had passed since Jesus had met Nicodemus. During those three years Jesus served many people. Through Jesus the blind received sight, the lame walked, the deaf heard, the lepers were cured, and the dead were raised. Jesus preached the good news of salvation to everyone. A large crowd of people followed him. But the Jewish leaders envied him.
One night they arrested Jesus without any legal ground. They brought him to Pilate, a Roman governor. In those days Israel was under the colonial rule of the Roman Empire. Pilate had authority to execute criminals. The Jewish leaders accused Jesus, saying, "This man is dangerous. He incites the people to rebel against the Roman government. He opposes payment of taxes. He even claims to be a king." Being a governor, Pilate already knew the whole story behind. He knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. (Matthew 27:18) Pilate wanted to release innocent Jesus. He called together the Jewish leaders and the people. He expected at least the people would support Jesus. But at this time they stood on the side of their leaders. They showed no interest in helpless Jesus. All of them shouted, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Pilate spoke to them for the third time, "Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him." But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that Jesus be crucified. At last Pilate surrendered Jesus to their will. He chose to kill innocent Jesus in order to secure his political position. There was no one who stood on Jesus' side.

Let's read verse 32. "Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with Jesus to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left." Before crucifying Jesus, the Roman soldiers removed his clothes. Then they laid him on the cross. They tied his hands and feet. One of the soldiers placed a big nail on his hand. Then another soldier hammered it. The nail tore Jesus' flesh. It crushed his bones. The blood splashed to all sides. Jesus screamed in pain. He violently shook his body. But he was shown no mercy. The soldiers mercilessly nailed his other hand and feet.
Why should innocent Jesus bear such a terrible cross? Isaiah 53:5 says, "…he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." There was a boy. His father beat his mother almost everyday. The boy began to hate his father. He did not call him father for ten years. During those long years hatred crushed his bones. And the boy secretly committed a sin of lust. He was afraid that people might know what he did in secret. He feared that God would punish him eternally. Guilty conscience pierced his heart day and night. Like this boy all people are suffering from their sins. In their deep hearts, they know how miserable they are. But look at Jesus. He was pierced for our sins; he was crushed for our guilt. We must be punished by God. But Jesus was punished on our behalf.

Look at verse 34. "Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' And they divided up his clothes by casting lots." Once my son was playing outside. A small boy threw a stone at him. Then my son ran to me and said, "Father, go and beat him." We all understand his feeling. We want revenge. But look at Jesus. He was declared innocent, yet he was crucified. The people received his love, yet they betrayed him. One of his disciples sold him for money and other disciples ran away. Jesus could have prayed to God, "Father, take my revenge on them." But he said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Jesus called God "Father". It means he is the Son of God. John 1:3 says, "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." All mankind received life from Jesus. He is our Creator. But the world betrayed him. The world nailed him. Yet he had no grudge. He prayed not for himself but for us.
While Jesus was praying on the cross, what did the people do? They stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." The soldiers also mocked him by offering him a drink of sour wine. And they said, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself." Even one of the criminals hanging beside him hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" The Son of God was making the greatest sacrifice. But he received only mockery and insults. Jesus could easily save himself from the cross. But he did not save himself in order to save us.

Look at verse 40. The other criminal rebuked the one who hurled insults at Jesus. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Both criminals saw Jesus and heard his prayer. But their response was completely different. The first criminal did not fear God. But the second criminal was afraid to meet Holy God while in sins. He had tried his best to hide his crime. But he was caught and crucified. If he could not hide his sins from men, how could he hide his sins from Holy God? Just for one crime he was crucified. Then how severely would he be punished for all his sins? He must be thrown into hell and suffer there forever. Now he became desperate. He sought salvation not from the cross but from the eternal judgment of God.
Look at verse 42. "Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'" In human point of view Jesus was helpless. He could not move even his hands and feet. But the criminal believed that Jesus would enter his kingdom in heaven. He acknowledged Jesus as the Eternal King. A king is distinguished by his power. In a country north of India, a man became a king by murdering his elder brother. He had power over the people. But recently his people rejected his kingship. He could not win the people's hearts with his military power. But look at Jesus. On the cross he was displaying the greatest power. That was the power of forgiveness. Jesus has power to forgive all the sins of the criminal. He has power to forgive all those who crucified him. He has power to forgive all mankind. It is because he alone bore our sins in his body. Jesus wins people's hearts not with military power or money power. He wins our hearts through his wonderful forgiveness.
Look at verse 43. "Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.'" The second criminal could do nothing for his sinful past. He could do nothing for his miserable present. He could do nothing for his darkest future. But he repented and accepted Jesus. Then the most tragic day was turned into the most glorious day. All his sins were forgiven. And he entered the paradise with his Eternal King.

In conclusion, guilt and shame marked our past. Fear and sorrow fill our today. The eternal judgment of God awaits our future. But Jesus prays for us, "Father, forgive them." In Jesus God already forgave all our sins. May God bless us to accept Jesus as our King and Saviour. Then his paradise will come into our hearts today.

John 3:1-16 (2006 May Conf Lecture 1)

2006 May Bible Conference Lecture I

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN

John 3:1-16
Key verse 3:7
"You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'"

Good evening! Tonight we are going to study a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. It took place at night. It is good that we studying this passage at night. Let's participate in their beautiful conversation.

Look at verse 1. Now there was a man named Nicodemus. He was a Pharisee. In those days the Pharisees were religious elites. To become a Pharisee, Nicodemus had to accomplish a PhD. course. Furthermore, he was a member of the Jewish ruling council. The council consisted of 70 members. It was like a parliament. It means Nicodemus was a member of Jewish parliament. He was one of the most influential political and religious leaders in Israel.
Look at verse 2. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." The renowned figure acknowledged Jesus as a teacher from God. Jesus could have been impressed by his recognition. But he didn't give any attention to that. Instead, Jesus saw deep agony in Nicodemus' heart.
In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." Jesus knew that Nicodemus' fame, wealth and power could not fill his heart. Jesus saw his emptiness. Only the kingdom of God could fill his heart. Whoever has this kingdom will have true joy and happiness. But to have this kingdom, Nicodemus must be born again.
What was Nicodemus' response? Look at verse 4. He asked "How can a man be born when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Nicodemus misunderstood Jesus' word as physical rebirth. So he thought an old man like him could not be born again.
Let's see verses 5 and 6. "Jesus answered to him. 'I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.'" Jesus was talking about spiritual rebirth. Here, water signifies repentance. When we make a mistake, we feel sorry about it. We decide not to repeat it. So in spite of some mistakes we still consider ourselves good and innocent. But repentance is different. It is to acknowledge our whole beings as helpless sinners. While repenting, Paul cried out, "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?"(Roman7:24) Repentance is to open the door of our hearts to God. We are saying to him, "Lord, nothing good lives in me. Even while serving you I am proud of my devotion. While serving others I seek their recognition. I behave nicely before men. But in my mind I entertain all kinds of evil thoughts. I am helpless to change myself. Lord, save me or I must perish forever." When we repent, the Spirit of God enters our hearts. He washes away all our sins. He plants holy desires in us. He opens our eyes to see the Living God. He opens our ears to hear his voice. He guides our steps to walk on God's path. He changes a man of hatred into a man of love. He changes a melancholy man into a powerful servant of God. The Bible says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2Corinthians5:17)
When Jesus saw Nicodemus surprised, he took one example. He compared the Spirit of God to the wind. The wind blows wherever it pleases. We can't control it. But we can notice its blowing by hearing its sound. In the same way we can notice the work of the Spirit by seeing the people's changed life.
Look at verse 9. "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. He had struggled so hard to make himself perfect. But he still could not see the kingdom of God. How then can a man be made perfect without any struggle?
In verses 10 to 12, Jesus worried about him. Nicodemus was Israel's teacher. He memorized the Bible and taught it to his disciples. But he was blind to its actual meaning. In spite of Jesus' clear explanation, Nicodemus didn't believe it. The Spirit of God was blowing mightily from Jesus. But Nicodemus closed his heart with unbelief.
However Jesus didn't give him up. He said in verse 13, "No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man." They say there are many ways to reach heaven. But Jesus says only the one who came from heaven can lead the people to heaven. Jesus is the Son of God who came from heaven. He alone can lead us to heaven. In John 14:7 he declared, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
In verses 14 and 15, Jesus taught Nicodemus why he must believe in Jesus. He said, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." In B.C. 1440, the Israelites spoke against God and against their leader Moses. Then God sent venomous snakes to bite them. The people pleaded with Moses to pray for them. God said to Moses to make a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. God told the people to look at it and live. Whoever looked at the bronze snake was healed. They gained temporary physical life. Now Jesus would be lifted up to the cross. God promises that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.
Look at verse 16. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Nicodemus was very proud. He didn't open his heart. He loved his wealth and fame more than Jesus' truth. But God loved him so much that he sacrificed his Jesus on his behalf. God never wanted him to perish in his sins. God wanted to give him eternal life even at the cost of his one and only Son. God loves us all with the same love. Because of our sins we suffer day and night. Because of our sins we must perish forever in hell. But if we believe in Jesus God gives us eternal life. Eternal life is not simply a long life. The moment we believe in Jesus, God makes us the citizens of his kingdom. God pours upon us heavenly joy and peace. God grows us as his holy children. This is eternal life. When we die God takes us to his everlasting kingdom to be with him forever.
In school days, I saw lewd pictures. I spent whole night pursuing lustful fantasies. In the next morning, I was ashamed of my deeds. I was afraid that others might know my sinful life. To quit my lustful habits, I struggled hard. I went through mind-control books. I tortured my body to get rid of my sinful desire. But I failed again and again. One day Jesus visited me through the Bible study. He taught me that he died for my sins. I confessed all my dirty sins and accepted Jesus as my Saviour. Then the Spirit of God came into my soul. He blew away my girl friend, internet chatting, lewd movies and lustful fantasies. He filled my heart with new desire to serve God and campus souls with Jesus' truth. Everyday I taste heavenly joy and peace. I know I will live forever in the kingdom of God. I can see the Spirit of God blowing mightily among us. May God bless us to believe in Jesus. The Spirit of God will blow away all our sins. He will bring us eternal life. Then we can enter the kingdom of God.