Category: Books of the Bible

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Treasures in Heaven – Part 2

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 21:1-9. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on January 14, 2024.

In last week’s sermon, we delved into Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 6:19-24, where He instructs us to lay up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. Jesus emphasized that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21, ESV). This teaching, part of the larger Sermon on the Mount, underscores a fundamental principle of Christian ethics: our hearts follow our treasure. The passage also hints at how we can store up heavenly treasures—by embracing generosity and rejecting the twin evils of stinginess and jealousy.

Jesus further illustrates this point by drawing a stark contrast between a healthy and a bad eye, a first-century idiom for generosity versus greed. He closes the passage by addressing the idolatry of wealth, stating, “You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24, ESV). This sets the stage for today’s message, which builds on last week’s lesson by exploring the practical application of generosity through tithing and offerings in the church.

Today’s topic is not easy to discuss, primarily because it involves personal finances—a subject often considered taboo. Moreover, discussing giving in the church can be uncomfortable for pastors and congregants alike, especially in light of the potential for abuse. Many of us are familiar with the so-called “Prosperity Gospel,” a dangerous distortion of Christian teaching that promises health, wealth, and prosperity as the divine right of all believers. This false gospel preaches that financial blessing and physical well-being are guaranteed by faith, often leading to the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

As theologian Stephen Hunt explains, the Prosperity Gospel centers on the belief that “health and wealth” are the automatic divine rights of Christians and can be attained through faith. However, as John MacArthur rightly points out, this message is not just misguided—it’s satanic. It preys on the sinful desires of people to accumulate wealth, offering them false promises in exchange for their money. Prosperity preachers often live lavish lifestyles, using their wealth to further deceive their followers into giving more, all in the name of “activating” divine blessings.

One of the scriptures frequently twisted by Prosperity Gospel proponents is Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap” (ESV). On the surface, this verse seems to support the idea that giving leads to financial gain. However, when we examine the full context—“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged… forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:36-37, ESV)—it becomes clear that Jesus is not talking about material wealth, but about mercy and forgiveness.

This misuse of scripture is a prime example of the potential for abuse when discussing giving in the church. It’s understandable that such distortions can make people wary of sermons on tithing. However, the truth remains that Christians are indeed called to give generously. The motivation behind our giving is what truly matters.

So, what should motivate our giving? First, it’s essential to understand that everything we have belongs to God. Psalm 24:1-2 reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein” (ESV). Our giving, then, is not about meeting God’s needs—He has no needs—but about acknowledging His lordship over all creation.

Tithing, or giving 10% of our income, is a biblical principle rooted in passages like Leviticus 27:30: “Every tithe of the land… is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord” (ESV). While we are no longer bound by the Mosaic Law, tithing remains a beneficial practice that honors God and supports the work of the church. Proverbs 3:9 further instructs us to “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce” (ESV). This principle suggests that our giving should be from our gross income, not after taxes and other deductions.

Moreover, tithing helps reorder our priorities, aligning our hearts with God’s kingdom rather than with earthly wealth. Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:21—“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (ESV)—serve as a poignant reminder of this truth.

Finally, tithing provides for the needs of the church and the community. Malachi 3:10 encourages us to “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house” (ESV). The early church exemplified this practice, as seen in Acts 4:34-35: “There was not a needy person among them… as any had need” (ESV).

As we consider our giving, let us remember the example of the poor widow in Luke 21:1-4, who gave two small copper coins—“all she had to live on” (ESV). Her gift was small in value but immense in faith. May we, too, give generously, not out of obligation, but out of love for God and a desire to see His kingdom flourish.

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Treasures in Heaven – Part 1

Summary of my sermon, based on Matthew 6:19-24. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on January 7, 2024.

Have you ever heard of the game called Minecraft? If you haven’t, it’s what they call a “sandbox game.” Unlike traditional games with clear objectives—like saving Princess Peach in Super Mario or clearing lines in Tetris—Minecraft gives players the freedom to interact with the game world however they want. You can mine blocks, which are your raw resources, and build whatever your imagination can conjure up. Whether it’s a simple house, a model of the Titanic, or even entire cities, the possibilities are endless.

Though it might seem like a simple child’s game, Minecraft is actually the best-selling video game of all time by a huge margin. It has sold over 300 million copies, far surpassing the next best-selling game, Grand Theft Auto V, which has sold 190 million copies. Even though Minecraft was released in 2011, it remains incredibly popular, averaging 140 million monthly active players in 2023. That’s more than three times the population of Canada playing the game every month!

With such popularity and success, it’s no surprise that Minecraft made someone very wealthy. The game’s creator, Markus Persson, sold it to Microsoft in 2014 for a staggering $2.5 billion. To put that in perspective, Facebook bought Instagram for just $1 billion in 2012, and Google bought YouTube for $1.65 billion in 2006. Markus Persson became incredibly rich from Minecraft, which would make you think he’d be happy. But just a year after selling the game, he tweeted, “The problem with getting everything is… you run out of reasons to keep trying, and human interaction becomes impossible due to imbalance.”

Persson also tweeted about his struggles with relationships, saying, “Found a great girl, but she’s afraid of me and my lifestyle and went with a normal person instead.” He further expressed his isolation by stating, “Hanging out in Ibiza with a bunch of friends and partying with famous people, able to do whatever I want, and I’ve never felt more isolated.”

It’s hard to feel sorry for a billionaire, but Persson’s experience reveals a profound truth: the riches of this world don’t bring the happiness most people think they will. Yet, this is what many strive for. Whether it’s the dream of becoming a billionaire or just wishing for a million dollars, a nicer car, or a bigger house, these thoughts often lead to a sense of despair. Despite living in one of the wealthiest places in the world during the wealthiest period in history, many people still feel empty.

This isn’t a new phenomenon. Over a hundred years ago, the French political thinker Alexis de Tocqueville observed a “strange melancholy” haunting the inhabitants of democratic countries, even in the midst of their abundance. This “strange melancholy” persists today because, as the riches of this world lead to despair, we must learn to treasure Jesus Christ instead.

In Matthew 6:19–21, Jesus teaches, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The message is clear: the treasures of earth don’t last forever. Everything we own will be left behind when we die. But the treasures we store in heaven—good works, generosity, and devotion to God—are eternal.

The Apostle Paul echoes this teaching in 1 Timothy 6:17–19, saying, “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

This passage is a reminder that we are the “rich in this present age,” and our focus should not be on accumulating wealth but on laying up treasures in heaven through good works and generosity. While God has given us good things to enjoy, we must remember that our ultimate purpose is to glorify Him in all that we do (1 Corinthians 10:31).

In Matthew 6:22–23, Jesus continues, “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” Here, “healthy” refers to a sincere and generous spirit, the opposite of stinginess and jealousy. When we set our eyes on Christ and His righteousness, our whole being is filled with light.

Finally, in Matthew 6:24, Jesus warns, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” As believers, we must choose to serve God, setting our minds on things above (Colossians 3:1–3) and storing up treasures in heaven rather than being consumed by the fleeting riches of this world. In doing so, we find true fulfillment in Christ, who is our greatest treasure.

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O Come: See What Your God Has Done

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 2:30-32. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on December 31, 2023.

As we journey through the Christmas season, one of the most profound aspects of this time is the fulfillment of ancient prophecies that foretold the birth of Jesus. Often, when we think of these prophecies, our minds turn to the familiar passages in Isaiah, particularly Isaiah 7:14, where we read of the virgin conceiving and bearing a son, and Isaiah 9:6-7, where the coming Messiah is described as “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

These passages have sometimes been misinterpreted, seen by some as referring to a military hero or political leader—a Messiah who would deliver Israel from oppressive empires like Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. This interpretation has led some to doubt that these prophecies refer to Jesus, suggesting instead that they were fulfilled by King Hezekiah or that they remain unfulfilled. Another crucial misinterpretation is the belief that the Messiah was meant only for Israel, sent solely to save the Jewish people.

But if that were the case, why are we, who are not Jewish by birth, here today, worshipping Jesus as the promised Messiah? How do we reconcile the fact that Jesus, in Matthew 28:19, instructs His followers to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”?

To understand this, we must delve into the events following Jesus’ birth as recorded in the Gospel of Luke, where we find a key moment that reveals the universal nature of Jesus’ mission.

Before we explore these events, it’s important to clarify some elements of the Christmas story. Many of us are familiar with the traditional nativity scene: Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus, surrounded by shepherds, angels, and wise men, under the light of a shining star. These elements, while deeply ingrained in our Christmas celebrations, are actually a combination of details from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

Both Gospels share common events, such as the angel’s visit to Mary and the census decree that led Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. However, Matthew focuses on the visit of the wise men and the family’s subsequent flight to Egypt, while Luke tells of the shepherds and the angelic announcement of Jesus’ birth. Luke also includes a lesser-known but significant part of the story that is particularly relevant to us as Gentile believers.

In Luke 2:21-24, we read that Jesus was circumcised, presented at the temple, and that a sacrifice was offered for Him. His circumcision fulfilled the covenant requirement in Genesis 17:11: “You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you.” The presentation at the temple, though not a specific requirement, is tied to the sacrifice Mary and Joseph offered, fulfilling the law that every firstborn male was to be consecrated to the Lord (Exodus 13).

What stands out here is the humility of Jesus’ family. They offered two turtledoves or pigeons, the sacrifice prescribed for those who could not afford a lamb (Leviticus 12:8). This humble offering underscores the lowly circumstances of Jesus’ birth, a stark contrast to the grandeur we might expect for the King of Heaven.

Amid these rituals, Luke introduces us to Simeon, a devout and righteous man, who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. Simeon, described as “waiting for the consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25-26), was not merely expecting a political savior but someone who would bring true comfort and redemption to God’s people. When he saw Jesus, he recognized Him immediately as the fulfillment of God’s promise.

Simeon’s response upon seeing Jesus is a profound declaration of the Messiah’s universal mission. In Luke 2:29-32, he says, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Simeon understood that Jesus was not just the Savior of Israel but the Savior of the world. This understanding goes back to God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3: “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” It is echoed in Isaiah 49:6, where God declares, “I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

As we reflect on Simeon’s song and the prophecies of Isaiah, we see that Christmas is not just a celebration of Jesus’ birth but a reminder of His mission to bring salvation to all people. This truth should compel us to share the message of God’s love and salvation with others, just as Paul urges in 2 Corinthians 5:20-21: “We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

As this Christmas season draws to a close, let us remember that we are called to be lights in the world, proclaiming the good news of salvation to everyone, so that all might come to know the love and grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

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O Come: Christ is Born

Summary of my sermon, based on Matthew 1:18-25. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on December 24, 2023.

In the hustle and bustle of life, there’s something uniquely satisfying about receiving those small brown boxes on our porches. Those little Amazon deliveries bring excitement, especially during the holidays. Have you ever paused to ponder where these parcels originate?

Near my place, there’s a colossal Amazon warehouse, spanning over a million square feet and built with a budget exceeding $100 million. They call these hubs “Fulfillment Centers.” These are the nerve centers ensuring Amazon’s swift delivery of our impulse purchases from halfway across the world.

Recently, as I prepared for a family gathering, I found myself relying on Amazon for White Elephant gifts. Ordering on Monday, the packages arrived promptly on Tuesday. Amazon once again fulfilled their promise, as they so often do. But as impressive as this fulfillment process is, it pales in comparison to the fulfillment observed at Christmas.

The Birth of Jesus was the culmination of a promise, an assurance generations in the making. Old Testament scriptures foretold specific events that Jesus, the Messiah, would fulfill. Isaiah prophesied, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14, ESV)

Micah predicted the birthplace, saying, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel.” (Micah 5:2, ESV) And indeed, in Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary registered for the census, paving the way for the birth of Jesus.

The birth of Jesus wasn’t in opulence but in humble surroundings. Born in a manger because “there was no place for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7, ESV), this marked the beginning of a life defined by humility.

This humble birth echoed the greater purpose of Jesus’ life. As stated in Philippians, Jesus “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:7, ESV) This humility foreshadowed his ultimate sacrifice on the cross.

Christmas isn’t merely about past fulfillment. It’s a precursor to more than 300 Old Testament prophecies that Jesus would ultimately fulfill. The birth of Jesus signaled the commencement of a journey that would fulfill God’s promises in profound ways.

Jesus’ life was a testament to humility, signifying his willingness to embrace a human experience, ultimately leading to his sacrificial death. As we celebrate Christmas, it’s crucial to reflect on the humility of Jesus’ birth amidst the clamor of festivities. It’s a reminder that the essence of this celebration lies not in material grandeur but in the fulfillment of a promise and the embodiment of humility.

This is especially important because we know that Christmas can also be a difficult time for many of us. There are some of us who are hurting during despite the joy all around. Some of us may have lost loved ones recently, or spending Christmas away from home for the first time, or maybe we’re just burnt out by the busyness of the season.

To tie this back in to our theme song, O Come All You Unfaithful, I want to quickly share the story of Lisa Crow, who wrote it. She tells us how the song came to be:

I was struggling. It had been a long year and a half. Finances were stressful, I miscarried twins, and on top of it I was battling a deep relational bitterness…That Sunday morning, I stood at my seat as they began to sing “O Come All Ye Faithful” and the first line of the song just clobbered me. It hit me like a giant wave of guilt. 

O come all you faithful, joyful and triumphant!

I remember hearing those words and thinking, “I have been so unfaithful. My joy has dwindled, and I am a triumphant…failure.” And I didn’t sing the rest of the service. I drove home, my mind still churning, “Is that really who is invited to come to Jesus? The faithful? The joyful? The triumphant? If so, then I am hopeless.”

The Story Behind O Come, All You Unfaithful

Lisa found solace in the final verse I want to share. It is an incredible verse of how the humility of Christ is an invitation to those who are struggling. He invites us:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30

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O Come: Taste of His Perfect Love

Summary of my sermon, based on Psalm 34:8. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on December 17, 2023.

In reflecting on the essence of the sermon series, “O Come: All You Unfaithful,” each installment draws from a poignant song by Sovereign Grace Music. The initial sermons are rooted in pivotal lines from this song, each revealing profound truths about God’s nature and our relationship with Him.

The first sermon delved into the profound need that God fulfilled by sending Jesus—addressing the sinful nature inherent in humanity. The subsequent sermon, “His Promise is Peace,” unpacked the anticipation of the Messiah as detailed in Isaiah, notably emphasizing Isaiah 9.

However, a notable issue emerged in the interpretation of these verses about Jesus. Many misunderstood them, anticipating a militaristic conqueror as the Messiah. This misconception stemmed from a limited reading of Isaiah 7-12, with verses like Isaiah 7:14 (the famous Immanuel verse) and Isaiah 9:6-7 (“For to us a child is born”) seemingly aligning with the restoration of Israel as a nation.

Consequently, the prevailing expectation was for the Jewish Messiah to be a political or military leader. Even the disciples initially harbored such notions, hinted at in their actions and inquiries, like James and John’s request in Mark 10 and their disbelief regarding Jesus’ resurrection despite His teachings.

However, these anticipations were shattered by later revelations in Isaiah, particularly in chapter 53—the “Suffering Servant” prophecies. Isaiah 53:5 foretold Jesus’ sacrificial act for humanity’s redemption, disrupting the prevailing understanding of the Messiah’s purpose.

Jesus didn’t come to rescue Israel from earthly oppressors; He aimed for a far grander victory. This sets the stage for the theme “Taste of His Perfect Love” from the song—a natural extension of God’s promise of peace and a concept echoed in 1 John 4:18.

The invitation is extended to both the ancient Israelites and us today—to experience God’s goodness and perfect love. The invitation to “Taste” the Lord’s goodness may seem peculiar; however, it’s a metaphor for experiencing and embracing His love and salvation.

This tasting of God’s goodness parallels the assurance that His perfect love removes the fear of punishment, illustrated in Hebrews 2:9. Jesus tasted death, enabling us to savor His perfect love and escape the death penalty our sins incurred.

This tasting isn’t limited to Psalm 34:8 alone but intertwines with the broader concept of salvation, seen in Titus 3:4–6. The goodness of God leads to salvation—an experience that fills us with joy and a deep sense of God’s pursuit, as echoed in Psalm 23:6.

The goodness of God, though profoundly comforting, finds its application in taking refuge in Him, a concept reiterated in Nahum 1:7 and Psalm 36:7–8. Practically, this refuge is found in immersing ourselves in the Word of God, as evidenced in 2 Samuel 22:31 and Colossians 3:16.

The call to immerse in scripture isn’t just an individual pursuit but a communal one. The encouragement to engage in reading the Bible together, as a church, becomes a spiritual goal for the year—a simple act of seeking refuge in God collectively.

So, in the pursuit of God’s goodness and love, let’s engage deeply with His Word, for it holds the pathway to understanding, joy, and the fullness of His promises.