Tag: God’s Sovereignty in Adversity

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The Escape of Jesus

Summary of my sermon, based on Matthew 2:13-23. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on December 29, 2024.

One of the hard truths about the Christian life is that we will face discrimination and persecution. It has been this way from the beginning, and it remains a reality today.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned Richard Dawkins and the New Atheist movement. Their so-called intellectual objections to Christianity often serve a deeper agenda—freeing people from what they see as the “repressive” nature of religion. Their campaign slogan, “There’s probably no god. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life,” reveals their true mission. They want people to pursue joy in worldly things—money, power, and pleasure—rather than in God. But does that really lead to fulfillment?

Take John D. Rockefeller, the first American billionaire. When asked how much money was enough, he replied, “Just a little more.” That’s the trap of worldly pursuits—they never satisfy. Yet, atheists like Dawkins would have people chase those things in the name of “enjoying life.”

But their efforts don’t stop at persuasion. Dawkins, in a speech at the Reason Rally, called for open ridicule of Christians, saying, “Mock them. Ridicule them. In public.” The persecution we face in the West may not be as severe as in other parts of the world, but it is real. According to OpenDoors’ World Watch List, 365 million Christians today suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination. In just one year, nearly 5,000 Christians were murdered, over 4,000 were detained, and more than 14,000 churches were attacked.

For example, in Burkina Faso, a Compassion center was recently forced to suspend operations because its staff, all working in a local church, had to go into hiding due to death threats from armed groups. Christianity is, without a doubt, the most persecuted religion in the world. Even secular sources like the BBC acknowledge this, with a 2019 report stating that Christian persecution was at “near genocide levels.”

But persecution is nothing new. Even from the first Christmas, Jesus himself was a target. In Matthew 2:13–23, we see how King Herod, upon hearing of the newborn “King of the Jews,” sought to destroy him. An angel warned Joseph to flee to Egypt, fulfilling the prophecy in Hosea 11:1: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” When Herod realized he had been tricked by the wise men, he ordered the massacre of all male children in Bethlehem under two years old. This fulfilled another prophecy, from Jeremiah 31:15, about Rachel weeping for her children.

Matthew repeatedly highlights how Jesus fulfilled scripture. Sometimes, this fulfillment is precise, as in Isaiah 7:14’s prophecy of the virgin birth. Other times, it is a pattern, like Jesus’ journey paralleling Israel’s Exodus. The key message is that Jesus is the long-promised Messiah, not just for Israel, but for the whole world.

Even in persecution, God’s sovereignty remains. Psalm 115:3 declares, “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” Herod’s brutality could not stop God’s plan. Jesus, though despised as a Nazarene (John 1:46), fulfilled Isaiah 53:4–5, suffering for our salvation.

Christians today can take heart. Our Savior suffered before us, and He stands with us. As Titus 2:11–12 reminds us, “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people… to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.” No matter what we face, we remain steadfast, knowing that God is in control and His purposes will stand.

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The Transfiguration

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 9:28-36. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on October 20, 2024.

The stories of Moses and the Tent of Meeting in Exodus set the stage for understanding one of the most awe-inspiring moments in the Gospels: the transfiguration of Jesus. Moses had a unique intimacy with God, described as speaking “face to face” (Exodus 33:11), though not literally seeing God’s face. When Moses asked to see God’s glory, the Lord hid him in the cleft of a rock, allowing him only a glimpse of His back while proclaiming His merciful and gracious character (Exodus 34:5–6). The effect of this divine encounter was visible—Moses’ face shone so brightly that the Israelites were afraid, and he had to wear a veil (Exodus 34:29–30).

Fast forward to the New Testament, and we find Jesus ascending a mountain with Peter, James, and John. There, His divine glory was revealed. Luke 9:29 describes, “The appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.” Unlike Moses, whose face reflected God’s glory, Jesus radiated His own glory, for He is God. This moment wasn’t just a display of divine splendor; it was a confirmation of His identity and mission.

The appearance of Moses and Elijah with Jesus on the mountain deepens the significance. Moses, the great lawgiver, and Elijah, the great prophet, represent the Law and the Prophets—both pointing to Jesus. They spoke with Him about His “departure” (Luke 9:31), a reference to His impending death and resurrection. This affirmed that Jesus’ mission to suffer and die wasn’t a departure from God’s plan but its fulfillment. Isaiah 53 foretells this: “He was pierced for our transgressions… and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

Peter, in his zeal, misunderstood the event. Suggesting tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah (Luke 9:33), he seemed to place Jesus on equal footing with the other two. But the voice of God corrected this: “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35). This declaration echoes through Scripture, affirming Jesus’ unique status as God’s Son and the culmination of all the Law and Prophets.

The imagery here connects back to the Old Testament. The cloud that enveloped them recalls the Shekinah glory, the visible presence of God, which guided Israel and filled the temple (Exodus 13:21; 1 Kings 8:10). In Jesus, God’s glory is no longer distant or veiled—it has become incarnate. As John 1:14 proclaims, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory.”

The transfiguration is not merely an isolated miracle; it’s a powerful affirmation of Jesus’ divine nature and His purpose to redeem humanity. Like the disciples, we can sometimes misunderstand or undervalue His glory, but Scripture calls us to see Jesus for who He truly is: the Son of God, the Savior, and the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan. In Him, the full radiance of God’s glory shines, not to terrify, but to invite us into His presence.

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Marveling at God’s Word

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 8:22-25. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on August 18, 2024.

My first typhoon in Japan, Typhoon Talim, was unforgettable. A Category 4 storm with winds reaching 220 km/h, it hit shortly after I began my term as a missionary in September 2017. Preparing for it meant stocking up on supplies, closing my storm shutters, and canceling plans. When it finally arrived, I even stepped outside briefly to capture a video for Instagram. By the next day, only broken branches remained as evidence of the storm. Sheltered in a sturdy building in a country prepared for natural disasters, I wasn’t afraid.

This memory pales in comparison to the storm Jesus and His disciples faced in Luke 8:22-25. As they crossed the Sea of Galilee, a violent windstorm arose, threatening their small boat. The Sea of Galilee’s geography makes it prone to sudden, ferocious storms. Warm air rising from the water collides with cool air rushing down from surrounding hills, creating powerful winds that churn up waves as high as three meters. Even experienced fishermen like the disciples panicked.

While the disciples frantically bailed water, Jesus slept. In their terror, they woke Him, crying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” (Luke 8:24, ESV). Jesus rebuked the wind and waves, and the storm immediately ceased. Then He turned to the disciples and asked, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25, ESV). Despite witnessing His miracles and authority, their faith faltered in the face of danger.

How often do we do the same? It’s easy to trust God when life is calm, but when storms hit—whether financial struggles, health crises, or personal losses—fear takes over. Yet Scripture reminds us of God’s constant presence. Joshua told the Israelites, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened…for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, ESV). Like the disciples, we need reminders to trust God, especially during trials.

Faith is like a muscle; it grows through exercise. Jesus encourages even the smallest faith, saying, “If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed…nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20, ESV). Small, consistent steps make a difference. Daily habits like reading the Bible and praying strengthen our trust in God. Fellowship with other believers helps us bear each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2, ESV) and grow in community. Spiritual disciplines like fasting, memorizing Scripture, and deeper Bible study can further mature our faith.

After Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples marveled, asking, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” (Luke 8:25, ESV). Psalm 135:6-7 answers, declaring that God commands the winds and rain. As we face life’s storms, we can trust that the same Jesus who calmed the sea is sovereign over our struggles. Our faith, though small, becomes unshakable when placed in Him.