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He is Greater: Joshua and Jericho

Summary of my sermon, based on Joshua 6:1-5 Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on July 30, 2023.

As a history enthusiast, I find myself drawn to captivating stories like the American code-breaking feat in World War II. However, today, we turn to a different story, one of biblical significance—the beginning of Israel’s military conquest of the Promised Land. We will explore the tale of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho, uncovering valuable lessons about trusting God’s sovereignty in our own lives.

Before engaging in the Battle of Jericho, Joshua had a divine encounter with the Commander of the Army of the Lord. Expecting military strategy, Joshua was instead told that God had already given Jericho into their hands. This was not a conventional battle plan but a unique approach orchestrated by God Himself.

The Battle That Never Was

God’s plan for Jericho was unconventional, to say the least. Instead of a direct assault, the Israelites were instructed to march around the city once a day for six days, followed by seven laps on the seventh day. On the final day, they were to blow trumpets and shout, and the walls of Jericho would collapse, leading to their victory.

The Battle is Not Ours

In our own lives, we face challenges that seem insurmountable, akin to the fortified walls of Jericho. Just as God fought for Israel, we can find assurance that the battles we face are not ours alone. The promise of Romans 8:37-39 affirms that we are more than conquerors through Christ’s love, and nothing can separate us from His steadfast love.

While the battle is not ours, it doesn’t mean we do nothing. Just as Israel obeyed God’s guidance, we should take action, putting our trust in God’s power instead of relying solely on our own abilities. Philippians 2:13 reminds us that God works in us, willing and empowering us to act according to His good pleasure.

For some, facing life’s challenges may lead to discouragement and paralysis. However, Philippians 4:13 assures us that we can do all things through Christ’s strength. When fear creeps in, Psalm 56:3-4 encourages us to put our trust in God, for nothing can defeat us when we rely on Him.

The Battle’s Lone Survivor

Among the survivors of Jericho was Rahab, a former prostitute who helped the Israelite spies. Rahab’s story represents overcoming past failures and trusting God’s plan. Incredibly, Rahab is also an ancestor of Jesus Christ, underscoring the significance of redemption in God’s plan.

The Battle of Jericho serves as a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty in our lives. When facing our own Jerichos—be it sin, challenges, or difficult circumstances—we must trust in God’s power and guidance. The call to action is to obey God, lean on His strength, and step out in faith. Like the Israelites, we are more than conquerors through Christ’s love. So, let us face our battles with confidence, knowing that God fights for us and will lead us to victory in our struggles. As we trust in His sovereignty, we can find hope and courage to overcome every obstacle that comes our way.

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A Christian’s Love Life

Summary of my sermon, based on 1 John 3:11-18. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on February 26, 2023.

Japan, known for its reputation of friendliness, often confuses politeness with genuine friendliness. However, behind the facade, Japan can be an unfriendly place, evidenced by the rising rates of loneliness and unattended deaths. In a society where indifference can prevail, the call to love and serve one another becomes crucial.

The “ethic of reciprocity” is a principle found in various religions and cultures. While most versions express the negative form of “do not do to others what you don’t want done to yourself,” Jesus presents it positively: “do to others what you would have them do to you.” However, it is important to consider the full context of this teaching, as it sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Love One Another

Jesus emphasizes the command to love one another as a significant test of discipleship. The phrase “love your neighbor as yourself” complements the Golden Rule, extending beyond passive avoidance of harm to active love and service. The ethic of reciprocity sets a low bar, whereas Jesus calls us to a higher standard.

The message heard from the beginning, which encompasses the Gospel, emphasizes the call to love one another. Love becomes the outpouring of the Gospel, a mark of discipleship, and a reflection of God’s love for the world. It is not just an intellectual belief but a heartfelt action rooted in the message of salvation.

John links love for others with the assurance of eternal life. By demonstrating love for our brothers and sisters, we bear witness to our transformed lives. John contrasts this with the negative example of Cain, emphasizing that hatred and murder are incompatible with the eternal life found in Christ.

Serve One Another

Following Jesus’ example of sacrificial love, we are called to lay down our lives for one another. Love is demonstrated through service, going beyond mere words to tangible deeds. This sacrificial love is illustrated by Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for humanity while we were still sinners.

Jesus emphasizes that love involves sacrificial service. The command to love one another is coupled with the highest form of love—a willingness to lay down one’s life for friends. Christ’s death for sinners exemplifies the depth of God’s love, serving as a model for our love towards others.

Love is not confined to words alone; it requires practical action. We are called to bear one another’s burdens and generously share what we have. Such acts of service and generosity align with the law of Christ and please God.

While the “ethic of reciprocity” provides a baseline for human interaction, Jesus sets a higher standard through the command to love one another. Love becomes the outpouring of the Gospel, assurance of eternal life, and a call to sacrificial service. In a world marked by loneliness and indifference, let us embrace the transformative power of love, fulfilling the commandments of Christ and reflecting God’s love to others.

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He is Greater: Joseph and His Brothers

Summary of my sermon, based on Genesis 50:15-21. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on July 16, 2023.

The story of Joseph and his brothers, found in the Old Testament, explores themes of betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption. This narrative encompasses Joseph’s early life, his trials and triumphs, and his eventual reconciliation with his family in Egypt. Today, we delve into Joseph’s remarkable journey and reflect on God’s sovereignty in his life, drawing valuable lessons for our own walk of faith.

Summary of Joseph’s Story

Joseph, favored by his father Jacob, incites jealousy and hatred among his brothers. Betrayed and sold into slavery, he finds himself in Egypt, facing numerous challenges and trials. Although Joseph gains favor with Potiphar, he is later unjustly imprisoned. In prison, he interprets dreams for Pharaoh’s servants, leading to his interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams about an impending famine. Impressed by Joseph’s wisdom, Pharaoh appoints him as second-in-command over Egypt.

When famine strikes, Joseph’s brothers seek grain in Egypt, prompting a series of tests that ultimately lead to his revelation of identity and reconciliation with his family. They settle in Egypt, and Joseph’s father Jacob blesses his sons, including Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Joseph’s forgiveness and grace towards his brothers mirror the love and grace displayed by Jesus Christ, offering redemption to all who believe.

The Sovereignty of God

Joseph’s story beautifully portrays God’s sovereignty, as Colossians 1:16-17 reminds us that all things were created through Him and for Him, and in Him, all things hold together. Likewise, Romans 8:27-28 assures us that all things work together for good for those who love God, according to His purpose. Joseph’s story may have a happy ending, but it reminds us of the years of struggle he endured before witnessing God’s resolution.

Applying Joseph’s Lessons to Our Lives

  1. Trust in God’s Plan and Timing: Jeremiah 29:11-13 encourages us to seek God wholeheartedly, trusting in His plans for our welfare and future. Like Joseph, we should lean on who God is amid uncertainty, seeking Him rather than merely seeking relief.
  2. Use Your Gifts for God’s Glory: Joseph’s story emphasizes the significance of using our God-given gifts for His glory. His administrative skills proved vital during the years of plenty and famine, leading to the preservation of many lives. Let us also serve faithfully in the tasks God entrusts to us.
  3. Spread God’s Love and Grace: Joseph’s forgiveness and reconciliation with his brothers teach us to extend God’s love and grace to others. His story points to Jesus Christ, who offers redemption and forgiveness to all who believe in Him.

Joseph’s journey from adversity to triumph serves as a poignant reminder of God’s unyielding sovereignty and His ability to work all things together for good. We can apply the lessons from his life by trusting in God’s plan and timing, using our gifts for His glory, and spreading His love and grace to others. Like Joseph, let us embrace God’s purpose for our lives and find hope in His sovereign hand, knowing that He is always at work, even amidst our struggles. May we live faithfully, seeking God wholeheartedly, and reflecting Christ’s love and grace to the world.

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The Practice of Purity & Righteousness

Summary of my sermon, based on 1 John 2:27-3:10. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on February 19, 2023.

Movies have a way of capturing our imagination and sometimes even offering valuable lessons. One film that left a lasting impression on me was “Midway.” It depicted the historic Battle of Midway, which took place from June 3 to 6, 1942, during World War II. The battle marked a turning point as Japan suffered a significant defeat, losing four aircraft carriers and numerous skilled pilots. Some argue that this defeat sealed Japan’s fate, leading to their ultimate surrender on September 2, 1945. But why is this history lesson relevant to us today? Well, in our passage from the Bible, the Apostle John revisits the moral test, one of the three tests he previously discussed: the Moral Test, the Social Test, and the Belief Test. By exploring the concept of the “Already but Not Yet,” John helps us understand the tension surrounding sin and its implications for our lives.

Already but Not Yet

The Battle of Midway serves as a powerful illustration of the “Already but Not Yet” concept in Christian theology. Although the United States effectively won the war in the Pacific, the Japanese didn’t surrender immediately. They had to continue fighting until their eventual defeat. Similarly, Jesus’ death and resurrection marked His victory over sin, as Ephesians 1:7-10 beautifully articulates. We are set free from sin and death through Christ’s sacrifice, but it doesn’t mean we are instantly made perfect and sinless. We live in the tension of the “Already” and the “Not yet.”

Prepare for Jesus’ Second Coming

In 1 John 2:28–3:3, John emphasizes the importance of purity and righteousness to prepare ourselves for Jesus’ second coming. When He appears again, we will face either shame or confidence. Psalm 14:1-3 reminds us that those who operate as if there is no God, practicing unrighteousness, will face condemnation. However, through the Gospel, we are made pure. Romans 3:23–25 assures us that we are justified by God’s grace through the redemption found in Christ Jesus. Our hope in Jesus leads us to purify ourselves as He is pure (1 John 3:3).

We Become Children of God

John also highlights that practicing righteousness is the consequence of being God’s children. In 1 John 2:29–3:1, he reminds us that we have been called children of God. As His children, we have received the Spirit of adoption, crying out to Him as our loving Father (Romans 8:15–17). Although we are God’s children now, what we will become has not yet appeared. Our hope lies in the future, when Jesus returns, and we will be transformed to be like Him (1 John 3:2). This assurance motivates us to practice righteousness, forsaking sin and living in accordance with God’s commands.

The Practice of Sinning and Righteousness: 1 John 3:4–10 draws a clear distinction between those who practice sinning and those who practice righteousness. The Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil, and those born of God cannot keep on sinning because they have been transformed by His grace. Hebrews 2:14–15 affirms that Jesus’ death defeated the power of death and delivered us from lifelong slavery to sin. Galatians 5:19–21 outlines the works of the flesh, warning us that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Conversely, Galatians 5:22–24 describes the fruit of the Spirit, which characterizes those who belong to Christ Jesus. As we walk in the Spirit, we crucify the desires of the flesh and exhibit the righteousness that comes from God.

Although we continue to wrestle with sin in our lives, we can take comfort in the hope of the Gospel. Philippians 2:12–13 encourages us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that it is God who works in us. We are being sanctified and transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our whole being—spirit, soul, and body—can be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23–24). We can trust in God’s faithfulness as He completes the work He began in us.

Righteousness is the Consequence of Being God’s Children

Living in the tension of the “Already but Not Yet” requires us to embrace the reality of our salvation while actively pursuing righteousness. The Battle of Midway serves as a reminder that victory doesn’t always mean an immediate end to the struggle. Likewise, Jesus’ victory over sin and death doesn’t eradicate sin’s presence in our lives. However, through faith in Him, we are made pure and have the assurance of our future transformation. As God’s children, we are called to practice righteousness, forsaking sin and walking in the Spirit. May we find encouragement in the hope of the Gospel as we navigate the tension of the “Already but Not Yet” in our journey of faith.

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He is Greater: Rachel and Leah

Summary of my sermon, based on Genesis 29:15-30. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on July 9, 2023.

In this sermon, we delve into the intriguing story of Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, and his encounter with Laban. As we explore Jacob’s idolatry and Laban’s deception, we witness the consequences of placing earthly desires above God. Join us on this journey of disappointment and God’s unwavering faithfulness.

Jacob’s Idolatry of Rachel

From the very beginning, Jacob’s infatuation with Rachel reveals his idolatrous tendencies. His superficial love for her and his willingness to sacrifice seven years of labor reflect his misplaced priorities. The narrative highlights Jacob’s lust and idolization of Rachel, setting the stage for Laban’s deceptive plan.

Laban’s Deception – Disappointment from Idols

Laban, seizing the opportunity presented by Jacob’s infatuation, employs a scheme to deceive him. Although Jacob was known for his cunning, Laban manages to exploit his idolatrous desires. We observe the disappointment that accompanies idolatry, as Jacob’s dreams of marrying Rachel are shattered when he discovers that Laban has tricked him into marrying Leah.

Jacob’s willingness to offer seven years of labor for Rachel demonstrates the extent of his idolatry. Laban, recognizing Jacob’s intense affection for Rachel, capitalizes on this and accepts the deal without negotiation. Jacob’s devotion is so profound that the years of labor seem like mere days in his pursuit of Rachel.

The climactic moment arrives when Jacob is deceived into marrying Leah instead of Rachel. Laban’s refusal to confirm the agreement with Jacob foreshadows his deceptive plan. The consequences of Jacob’s idolatry and Laban’s deceit lay the foundation for a dramatic family saga filled with favoritism, rivalries, and personal struggles.

Despised and Rejected

As the narrative unfolds, Leah, the unloved wife, experiences rejection and disdain. Despite her pain, she gives birth to several children, including Judah. Interestingly, Judah becomes a key figure in biblical history, eventually leading to the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Jesus Christ. Isaiah 53:3-5 beautifully depicts the sufferings and ultimate redemption brought about by Jesus, the one who was despised and rejected.

Jacob’s idolatry of Rachel and Laban’s deceptive actions serve as cautionary tales, reminding us of the dangers of misplaced priorities and the disappointments that follow. True fulfillment can only be found in God, not in earthly desires or idols. May we learn from Jacob’s story and strive to keep God at the center of our lives, experiencing His unwavering faithfulness and avoiding the pitfalls of idolatry.