What is church?

* Definition: Church is an embodiment (or manifestation) (primarily among people both in heaven and on earth) of who Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is, what he did and is doing, and going to do till the end (Daniel 7:28) arrives.

Note: the word church appears 79 times in 77 vs. in NT.
[Matthew uses 2 times, Luke 18, James 1, Peter 0, John 9, the rest Paul.]

While on earth in a physical body, as the time for Jesus to go back to heaven approaches, Jesus took his disciples to a remote area, and asked, "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Then Jesus said, "On this (rock) foundation I will build my church."

Then he took Peter, John and James to a high mountain. There the three felt good. Their mind and body rested, and they got into a so called "prophecy mode", a sort of dreamy state, just as Jacob who at night fell asleep and saw the vision of the ladder reaching high (Gen 28). While on this state they saw Jesus transfigured, Moses, Elijah appearing talking to Jesus about Jesus' departure, bringing fulfillment (what had been prophesied) at Jerusalem (that is, his death and resurrection, coming again etc.)

As of that moment Peter had no idea of what church is all about. So he blurted out, "Lord, let us stay here, build a shelter." But later what Peter saw on the mountainside helped him understand the meaning of church. Thanks to Jesus' revelation, the Lord used Peter to make a break-through in Jerusalem, John to primarily manage (such churches as 7 churches in Asia Minor).

* Development via:

- Moses: Moses showed up at the mountain, conversing with Jesus and Elijah, talking about his departure, only to fulfill the prophecy on God's way of salvation.

Moses occupies a special position as a prophet, for unlike other prophets such as Miriam or Isaiah he saw the Lord face to face, speaking to him or listening to him face to face: Moses did not need to get in a so called prophetic mode such as in a vision carried by the Spirit or while in a dream with one's mind and body resting in tranquility.

The Lord talked to Moses to come up with the first five books of the Bible (called Torah). Torah contains among other contents the prophecy on the Son, the author of Prophets/Prophecy, the one who is to save the Lost, restoring them back home. Speaking of Jesus' coming after him, Moses said to his folks (as a farewell message, so to speak before saying 'bye, good luck' to his flock ready to get into the Promised Land), "The Lord will raise a prophet like me; you guys ought to listen to him. Otherwise you are stuck." Deut 18. Examples of the symbols, types, messages, that point to the Savior coming include the ark, instructions on the 7 festivals, etc.

- Elijah: the Prophet Elijah was said to come before the coming of the (first, and arguably second) coming of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior. He is a trumpeter, signaling the coming of the king in a royal procession. He also played a role of Jesus' rising, by way of himself rising into heaven riding a fiery horse and chariot.

- Voice from heaven: Listen to Him. Luke 9:28-43 [At that time Peter did not like Jesus going to the way of Calvary.]

- Peter: He worked to break a ground building a church fellowship during the dawn of the Post Jesus era, as seen the number of people added to the church fellowship in the Book of Acts via three speeches. The first speech includes the message stating, "Repent and be baptized all of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins, and receive the gift (Holy Spirit) from God." Acts 2:38. Not so long after persecution arose. Many were confused about the church. Peter had a heart for them, and encouraged them to stand firm in faith so they could grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. Read I, II Peter.

- John: It is said John had to be cautious for he was given charge of Jesus' mother. Apparently his base was in Ephesus at least during the latter part of his career. His career also included the hard times of persecution during the Roman rule. Yet, since Jesus put in his mind a clear concept of church, he was able to minister for the people undergoing the Roman persecution. Examples of his pastoring include giving them such messages as the three epistles, and the messages to the seven churches in the book of Revelation.

- [The rest of the disciples at the foot of the resurrection mountain]: Tradition says all except for the Apostle John suffered martyrdom preaching the gospel (building church if you will) in different areas of mission. For example, according to Spanish legends, James once preached in Spain, got beheaded in AD 44 in Jerusalem, with his dead body moved back to Santiago for burial (close to Portugal) in Spain, thus even to this day many do the trail/road trip/pilgrimage called Camino de Santiago, some to collect souvenir some to get their life reorganized. Last fall my brother in law along with his wife covered the route extending over 800 kms all on foot. And his wife did it twice, once with her husband, second alone.

- [Later Paul]: He maintains that he saw the Risen Jesus, and got zapped. :-) Since then his life was never the same. In his 14 (arguably 13) epistles (and arguably through his influence on Luke in the book of Acts) it is seen how he worked to build the church (among the Gentiles) in action and in words (or theory if you will.) Note: some bible scholars call (in a loose sense) the book of Ephesians as a church "doctrine".

- Apostles, ministers, pastors, missionaries, evangelists, prophets, teachers, shepherds, theologians, scholars, seat-warmers :-) etc. Epes 4:11; 2Ti 2:20

Be alert and of sober mind. 1Pe 5:8a

From Bitterness to the life of freedom (12) and complete joy (15)

In today's daily bread (Deut. 16) the Lord commanded the Israelite to celebrate the festivals, celebrating the life that is in the presence of the Lord.

The Lord has seen the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10)

John saw a lamb looking as if it had been slain. Rev 5:6

The Lord knew Adam would fall and came up with the remedy from before the creation.

O, Poor Earthworm Jacob (Isaiah 41:14)

In reading the account of the Lord's creation in Genesis 1,2 a question arises, "Why did God put in the garden the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?"

God did not create the universe and everything in it for his own good; by definition God is all sufficient, so he had no additional need to make him happy by creating something. He created the world only for one reason, that is, for the sake of bestowing upon his creation all that are truly good.. John thus says, "God is love" and love seeks the highest good of the one he choose to love.

Plus, by definition the created being (men and all other creatures) is limited on his own. For survival and thriving it is critical for one to be connected with his creator, which is accomplished through faith and obedience.

Faith and obedience

The Lord did not allow Moses to enter the Promised Land, so the Lord could send a message, that is, faith in the Lord who is holy, is the only key to life to the full. In Numbers 27:14 in rejecting Moses' request to allow him to get in, the Lord bothered to explain the reason for rejection, that is, his failure to honor the name of the Lord as holy before the eyes of people.

The word holy (kadosh in Hebrew) means separate or different from. In what respect is the Lord (his name consisting of four letters) different from all other names? It is only in this respect: He alone is the creator, all the rest creation. Thus he alone is self-sufficient; all the rest are dependent upon him for survival or extinction. All the rest are deficient. We humans are therefore self-deficient; you are sufficient in the fullest sense of the meaning only by way of faith in the Lord fully, the Lord who can get water by speaking to a rock.

According to the Apostle Paul faith produces obedience.

Read manual and follow through it.

Now in regard to obedience consider the following:

Once upon a time (it was in 1983 summer I recall) I bought a 1970 Fiat for $500. The guy who sold the car told me that I needed to change the engine oil. In order to save money, instead of going to a mechanic, I decided to change the oil myself. So I put one quart of engine oil. Then I drove the car everywhere, not knowing that the car needed for quarts of engine oil. Lo and behold. After six months the car broke down. The engine melted down. I did not follow the instruction.

In Proverbs Solomon learned this truth firsthand in regard to the way the Lord created man. You need to follow the Lord's words for the enjoyment of full life, so he said, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:6

Bible Nigeria

bible academy held at the unilag ubf bible center (photo credit - chicada nodi)

Growing faith

When I am in the cellar of affliction, I look for the Lord's choicest wines.

My faith has no bed to sleep upon but omnipotence.

Millions of hells of sinners cannot come near to exhaust infinite grace.

Faith grows best in the winter of trials. 

- Samuel Rutherford

It is Feb. 26, 2017. Winter is almost gone, spring is already here.

One of my neighbors donated Aloe Plant along with a pot. 

We put the pot at the porch last Fall. 

This morning after the worship service we went out to the porch. And saw that during the winter the Aloe produced a baby aloe, right next to the "mother" Aloe. 

Mother Aloe

Baby Aloe

We transplanted the baby aloe from the pot to the soil at the front yard.

Three years ago I also planted cacti - which I call a twintower. At first they were about 12 inches, but now they are about 2 feet tall. 

Twin Tower

The cacti had hard times during the winters and summers. But they kept growing. 

We hope the baby Aloe does well. 

In today's daily bread passage (2 Thessalonians 1:4) The Apostle Paul thanks the Lord for the growing faith of the Thessalonians. He mentions that their faith grew despite persecutions and hardships.

This remark of the Apostle also reminded me of what Samuel Rutherford said: Faith grows best in the winter of trials.

Twp Points to ponder

- Nurture faith

Faith needs to be nurtured, for otherwise like plants it can wither and die (or it can be shipwrecked, as the Apostle says). 

The Lord set a good example for he kept nurturing the faith of Abraham in Genesis. Each time he wavered in faith, the Lord appeared to him and nurtured his faith by talking to him, often times taking him out for a walk, or asking him to look up into the night sky and count stars etc. Finally his faith grew as strong as a tamarisk tree. 

- Fruit

* In the end: in the daily bread passage (5-10) a rich welcome into His kingdom and glory

* In the meantime: as faith grows love increases. Faith promotes deed, causes every good desire to come to fruition (4,11-12)

To those who are jobless, actively seeking work

They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. 1 Thessalonians 1:9b

In today's daily bread the Apostle speaks of the state of employment for "all" of God's children, that is, He calls former slaves/jobless to turn to the true and living God (of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob), worship and serve Him only, (and to wait for the Son to come and rescue God's children from coming wrath.)

Today's passage reminds me of the following points on the Lord's employment plan for his children:

* Former state

The Thessalonians used to serve/worship "idols". But by God's grace the gospel reached them, and they were set free to serve the true and living God. 

This is like the Israelite serving Pharaoh while in Egypt. They did not have future, for they worked, worked, and worked, until they were all used up and perish.  

* Training

But in His mercy the Lord God saved them through Moses. Put them in the desert area for close to 40 years, and train them to know what it is to worship and serve God. 

During this time of training they did not work. The Lord provided them with what is needed - food, clothes, sandals, every thing. They devoted their time to study the Bible, to know that man lives on the word of God. 

* Employment

The Lord put Israel in the Promised land so they would worship and serve God, that Israel be a kingdom of priest and nation. 

The Old Testament history writes  that Israel failed to live up to the call. 

Yet the Lord did not give up on them. He sent Jesus the Son of God, who when tempted said to the Devil, "Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that come from the mouth of God", "Worship God and serve Him only",  and "Do not put God to the test". 

Jesus then taught people, the parable of the workers in his vineyard. 

Pharaoh dictated Israel to make bricks without providing them with supplies. But God is different. He never asks his children to work without providing them with means to meet the call, as Paul says, "work produced by faith, labor stemming from love" etc. 

* Insurance/Retirement Program

The Lord will come back to rescue us from the coming wrath.

Upon leaving this world, while seated on the Mt. of Olives, looking at the Temple, Jesus gave his disciples the future state, that is, the coming wrath, culminating his return for the purpose of rescuing believers. 

Since then about two days (or two thousand years per man's calculation) on God's time clock passed. It appears that things grow difficult world wide. (We have lots of disasters looming large every where.)

But soon Jesus will come back to save his children (bride) to Himself, only to renew and put them in the new heavens and the earth, as is seen in Revelation 20-22.

Making the U.S.Rich (again) (Wisdom's Call)

In today's daily bread the wisdom makes "911" call to us.

Mr. Trump says the U.S.is getting smaller so he calls to stand up to make the U.S. great again.

"Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?" Prov. 8:1

Why are the verses in the form of a question? Why are they in a negative question, "does not"?
The answer is obvious: to emphasize the point. There is a call 'rigging' but no one listens, or although the call has been there ringing out 24/7 loud and clear many consider the call as non-existent.

What doe the call say?

First, the source and channel

Verse 1 talks about the highest point (2). This point refers to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as the Scriptures call him the son of the Most High. With his wisdom Jesus founded the earth (which is rich with all resources like food. With his understanding he formed the heavens (which represents the environments in a loose sense of the word). Knowledge denotes the details like how to do's.

Gate in verse 3 (to the city of life) symbolizes the channel through which resources travel, which again represents Jesus Christ, for he says directly on himself, "I am the gate" to the sheep pen.

So if one looks to become rich again (like Mr. Trump calls out saying, "Let us make America great again" one must first look for Jesus, the Lord and Savior.

Second, the way to secure what the call offers

Verses 4-19 describe the blessings that the call offers. Question becomes "How do I secure the offer?" "How can I gain wisdom, understanding, and knowledge"?

The last two verses answer the question: the way of righteousness, that is "live by faith in the Lord." As one puts trust in the Son, the Creator and Redeemer of God, one gains what the call calls out to us. And the result is the cities getting filled up with treasures! 

Joy of our Lord

Last night it rained hard.

Morning came.

After breakfast I opened the front door and looked out at the porch for the morning newspaper: "Record Searchlight".

The paper was wrapped in a vinyl bag twice, and the opening was folded back tied down back to the paper, so water would not get in. And  it was placed right over the front porch gate.

On seeing the paper I thought, "Oh, he (or she) did a good job." And I was reminded of the days when I was doing the paper delivery in W. LA area. The paper was LA Times. My route was located in a residential area near the Wilshire Blvd. between Santa Monica close to Bundy and Veterans Hospital Hospital at Westwood. The number of papers was more or less 380. I woke up around midnight, went out to the delivery center, made bundles, load them up to the pick up, go to the route, and deliver. And you must finish the job by not too late like before 5 am. The pay was not much: close or $500 a month. Then when the next morning come (the night passes 12 midnight) you go out and see your boss: the boss hands you over a note showing how many papers you screwed up: some paper missing, some got wet (by virtue of paper landing on a wet spot, or even in a swimming pool, or paper bag not covering properly) on wet days, or the paper hitting the front gate, making loud noise waking up the customer, so the customer had to file a complaint even threatening to cancel the subscription etc and so forth. When this happens it was the boss who had to make up for the blunders.

So I know how hard the job is: It is not easy! Yet the paperman does a good job "all the time", like today! He or she (I don't know who that person is; I have the subscription for two years but never seen that person) has been punctual, with paper never missing, or landing in an odd spot. Thank you the delivery person for your service. You have been faithful/trustworthy with what is small!

And I am reminded of what the Lord said:

Matthew 25:21New King James Version (NKJV)

‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’"

May the joy of our Lord be yours!

Leave and Go - the way of the life of the blessed

In today's daily bread passage, Proverbs 3:33 it is written: "The Lord curses the house of the wicked, but blesses the home of the righteous."

I think the translator of the Hebrew Bible did a good job in distinguishing the house from the home, that is, the house which is just a hollow shell vs. the home which is filled up with love, peace, and comfort.

In the previous passage the author of the psalm talks about a bunch of dos and donts in our relationship with our neighbors.

Question becomes: how can you keep up with these dos and donts? The key is found in v. 33 of this blessed chapter: the home of the righteous.

And even the life of the righteous does not come on its own. It requires to follow the principle (or rule), as is found in the life of Abraham in Genesis 12:1-5. There the Lord commanded Abram to leave his own country people and household, go to the land the Lord was going to show him. So Abram left and went.

So we are exhorted to leave and go to the promised land never turning back, every day.

In this internet age, we are all connected to our own country, people, and household, via all different inventions such as social media like facebook, google plus, whatsup, or kakaotalk. To some even one has to this leaving and going in regard to the one who lives and sleeps under the same roof all the time like his wife or kids.

Leave and go. Exodus daily! Live by faith in the Lord, going to the land the Lord is going to show you for the land (spiritual) which is made visible to you only to the extent that you leave and go step by step.

Here are the stages in the journey

Snow at the Peace Camp

Here are the stages in the journey of the Israelites when they came out of Egypt by divisions under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. 2 At the Lord’s command Moses recorded the stages in their journey. This is their journey by stages... Numbers 33

There are forty two of them spread from the Exodus to the Entry. 

During the journey they could not go back to Egypt, nor get into the Promised Land right away. 

The areas were not exactly an oasis. Rather they went through desert lands devoid of civilizations. 

The Lord chose the stages in such a way that through the journey the Lord could reveal his glory fully, so they could live by faith in the Lord in all circumstances. Isaiah 40:5

One of the missions on the Jewish people is to make the Bible come into being, embodiment of the glory of the Lord, as Jesus said, "Salvation comes from the Jews." 

Those who lived by faith in the Lord saw the glory and well fed. Deuteronomy 29:5; Nehemiah 9:21

Those who distrusted the Lord all perished during the journey. 

Hymn 105 (Sing to the Lord) thus says, "Day by day and with each passing moment strength I find to meet my trials here."

One word: the righteous will live by his faith

Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior

Why should our father's name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Numbers 27:6

Our life here on earth in a mortal body is like the life of the Israelite journeying to the Promised Land through the desert.

They endured the hardship with the hope of entering the Land and settle there.

So did the five daughters.

But their father died. They lost protection. Most likely none of them married. They dreamed of the day to enter the Promised Land, build their life in the land flowing with milk and honey.

Had their father left even a son, some day (or sooner than later) they could cross the Jordan River, get assigned a peace of land register the peace of land in the county recorder's office in the name of Zep (thereunder five daughters), secure a deed of title, build a house, farm, and make a living.

But since the father died in whose name should they get the title?

So they came out and pleaded with Moses who in turn made an inquiry with the Lord. The Lord said they were right. Grant their request. And they secured the promise to inherit the land in the name of Zep.

The five ladies' faith and courage inspires us the Gentiles to come to the presence of the Lord and ask for the inheritance in His Kingdom not because of our merits but because of His merit, the merit of our Lord Jesus who died for the sins of the world, and rose for the justification of all who believe in Him.

Happy New Year 2017

No misfortune is seen in Jacob no misery observed  in Israel. The Lord their God is with them. Numbers 23:21

Jesus said, "Flesh counts for nothing; Spirit gives life to men." Those who are born of the Spirit through faith in the Lord live in and with the Lord their God. They begin the New Year with the the Lord who is new and makes his creation new.

For the children of God living the New Year what Balaam said of Jacob/Israel is true of them:

- you do not consider yourself as one of the nations, for you have been called from Above
- there is no divination no sorcery against you
- you rest for you rise like lioness/lion only to devour your prey
- how beautiful are your tents, for like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters, so that waters will flow from your buckets, seed coming with abundant water
- you have knowledge from the High, see a vision from the Almighty

The Lord's blessings upon you! 

Year 2017 European Coordinator's conference (12.27-28) - by Msn. Jose Ahn

European Coordinator's conference (12.27-28) (Skopie, Macedonia) (Around 100 attendees from around 30 countries; See their profiles as attached)

The airport of Skopie reminded us of Alexander the Great, the Macedonian born. We are reminded more of God's Macedonian Calling of Paul that made Europe as a continent used by God to shine Jesus, the light for the Gentiles to all nations through Rome. Now we hear again "God's Macedonian calling, 'Come over and help us!'" We believe our UBF missionaries are today's Paul called by God to make Europe again to be the Missionary sending continent!

The highlights of the conference:

1. Informal discussion led by Caleb Lee with Dr. Abraham K Lee, Caleb Hong and Dr. Peter Chang: on the night of 26th a forum of national directors and missionaries was held. They covered various topics such as UBF ministry-challenge and prayers.

2. Introduction to Macedonia and Opening message(Deut 8 by M. Barnabas Kang of Macedonia): His message was so humorous as well as so sincere. It showed God's wilderness training in Macedonia was to let him live on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

3. 9 GBS with different languages and gender and 2nd genes and joyful fellowships and special songs and 2nd genes dancing with their own Bible study and activities.

4. 25 country mission reports were very heart touching to see God's quiet but mighty work in each country. We could see God would bless Europe again as God blessed first century Paul's Macedonian ministry with Lydia, one to one bible studies in the rent house in Rome conquered Rome and the whole Europe to reach to the ends of the earth.

There were very useful and meaningful special lectures by Dr. Henry Park (Three spiritual paradigm shifts), Walter Nett (Seek peace and prosperity of the city) (Jer 29:1-14), Pastor Abraham K. Lee (Christian understanding of Islam) and LT by Joseph Ahn

 

5. Main message by Pastor Abraham Kim (Look forward to the Day of the Lord: 2 Pet 3)

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Thank you for all prayer supports. On 12/29 all members will visit campus and pray for Macedonia mission before leaving for their respected mission fields.