Sunday Morning IBC. 1/19/2014. Luke 8:26-39.

Master of Spirits Part II. Luke 8:26-39.
Pastor Nam Park.

A story with a level of discomfort; because I believe what the scriptures say. A demon was running around and that's not a normal thing. The scriptures report it and thus it is genuine and true. The one that we worship is more powerful that storms... than demons.

Come away from this passage, not with the "craziness of demons"... the point is that Jesus is the Master over the storms, over sickness and death, and over the supernatural. Jesus has absolute control.

Luke 8:26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. 28 Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.” 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert. 30 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. 31 They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.

32 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons implored Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission. 33 And the demons came out of the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

Luke 8:34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran away and reported it in the city and out in the country. 35 The people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened. 36 Those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well. 37 And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat and returned. 38 But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

We think upon our Savior and that He has absolute dominion and right to rule over even the demons. We know little about this but we trust in the scriptures concerning. We have no control. Help us to not be men and women who just fear, but who fear with great love. Help us to accept the testimony of the word of God. And to be astonished at the ability of Jesus to save us from the difficulties of this life: storms and death. Feed us with a deeper appreciation of Jesus Christ. Amen.

They were using chains to bind him. He was walking amongst the dead bodies in tombs. And something has taken hold of him so that they feared him, would beat him and bind him. He comes to Jesus screaming. Powerful, frightening, yet these demons verify theological truth to Jesus. The demons acknowledge: “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me."

Theologically, there is only one God and the rest (demons). No competition. There is no yin and yang. And one day there will be only God.

They feared something real. We normally fear things not imminent, ghost stories. And how this fear directs us and how it controls us is the issue of the people. 

Luke 8:35 The people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened. 
- Preconditioned. What they see confirms what they had heard. These descriptions tell us that he is the exact opposite of what he had been with the demons.
- Instead of praising God, or thanking Jesus for healing the man, they became frightened. Thankfulness? No, fear. Their fear started at that point. "They were afraid."
- Good had triumphed over evil. Why Fear? 1. A guilty conscious maybe (dealing with pigs) and not living according to the law (not probable). Or 2. Because they are preconditioned to remain fearful of all supernatural items (demons and Jesus who can overcome demons). They are a fearing people. They didn't want to deal with any of it.

The locust of their fears: "Leave our lives as it is. This is my life, it's not perfect, but it's my life. And control of my messed up life is better than no control at all"
Why won't you give up your life to Jesus Christ? A: I would rather still be in control.

The Rich Young Ruler
Matthew 10:17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.” 21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.

In the face of the greatest good, the preconditioned nature of our hearts is still the fear of losing control. I'd rather not have demons, but I'd rather not have you here either. What do I do with you? Yet such fear is irrational.
This reminds us that knowledge is not sufficient to grant salvation. Knowledge and fear is not sufficient unto salvation. They were dominated by their fear.

Their reaction, to ask Him to leave.
Luke 8:37 And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat and returned. 
- Why do people no accept Christ? They are gripped with fear. Trying to keep control.
- Our fears can be consuming and irrational.
- Consider the greatest good: Letting go of control of this life.

GK Chesterton once said that "if people stop believing in God, they don't believe in nothing, they believe in anything."

People think: If Jesus has all the power, does He have the power to do what I want. Because I'd rather have my good life now, apart from Him, now.

The People: Fear without love.
The Demoniac: Love without fear. He just wanted to be with Jesus, the man that rescued him. He recognized that Jesus was the only hope in his life. Begging that he might stay with Jesus. Surprisingly Jesus sends him away. But Jesus gives him a commission. 

The commission would require a reconnection to his family.
Return to your home. Of all the mission fields, going back home is one of the hardest. A bit of fear because these people knew how bad your fall was. They knew your sins well. Proclaim what God has done for you.

"Proclaiming" is different from just narrating. To proclaim was to preach. Proclaim with an anticipation that there must be a response to it. The goodness of God in the face of Jesus. And that Jesus had done great things for him. He told of the great things done. He understood that Jesus had a direction connection to God, Himself. He was an evangelist amongst those that knew his sin best. The man went back home to be a genuine missionary. His love casted out fear.

It is only when we come to the end of ourselves. Our sins are absolutely visible. The one who can rescue my soul is worthy of all my affection and worship. This man understood enough of Jesus to become an evangelist of Christ.

What should our Reaction be to Him?
1. We still want control
2. We ascribe everything to Christ and then seek to follow Him.
The main thing: To reshape how we live, even the mundane things, to be lived for Him.

Our commission might not take us to unreached people groups. But for the most of you, your call will be similar to this man's: Acknowledging your sinfulness, recognizing Jesus as Salvation, and accepting His charge to return to your house to describe what great things God in Christ has done for you.

The most amazing work: Saving us from our Sinfulness so that we might serve Him, and serve Him well.

Sunday Morning IBC. 1/12/2014. Luke 8:26-39.

Master over Spirits. Luke 8:26-39.
Pastor Nam Park.

CS. Lewis writes: "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight."
- We don't plan to run into demons, but scripture tells us that these things exist. Throughout church history, demonic activity is concentrated in the gospel accounts. Why? A: Because Jesus became God-incarnate. 
- Let's not fall into the error that they don't exist today.
- How would we react if we were there to see this story unfold?
- The focus isn't on the demons, but on the Master that can control these demons.
- He is Lord over storms, Lord over demons, Lord over death itself. He is the absolute Lord over everything we see, touch, beyond all things that humans want to control (weather, disease, death, etc). 

The Demoniac Cured

Luke 8:26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. 28 Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.” 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert. 30 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. 31 They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.

32 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons implored Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission. 33 And the demons came out of the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. 
34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran away and reported it in the city and out in the country. 35 The people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened. 36 Those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well. 37 And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat and returned. 38 But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

Prayer: Help us to live for our Savior, because He deserves it and is compassionate towards us. The Lamb of God, slain on our behalf. May we learn more about Him who has saved our souls today. Amen.

Right on the heals of Jesus calming the storm.
They are fearful of who He is and immediately when they land, they meet a demon possessed man.

Luke 8:25 And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”

The demon possessed man. We normally put the possession by the demon. This man was purchased by the demons. He's a man "having demons." Maybe there was something this man did that had done that the demons would enter him. He had not put on clothing for a long time, living among the tombs (homeless). 
- He's so distressed to have no hope.
- A person that no longer fits under the category of person: "filth."
He falls down prostrate, a position of absolute and full submission. 
Full knowledge of Jesus Christ and their sins.
Not bowing of reverence, but more a bowing of forced reality. 

Luke 8:28 Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.” 
- Statement of fear.
- What must happen now that we are both here?

James 2:19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
- They know who Jesus is, but it doesn't change them.

Luke 8:29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert. 
- In order to help this man, they bound him. 
- With many men they would beat him, bind him, and then put him under guard. Then the demon drives him into the dessert.
- This is what sin and filth does to an individual.

Why are demons concerned with degrading human life?
- A: Because we're made in the image of God. Killing a mammal feels weird because of the spark of life within them. Animals don't think about purpose of life. As humans, we do think about purpose. Demons are about crushing that "image of God" in you. Demons try to eradicate any semblance of human potential. To act like the animals.

Luke 8:30 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. 31 They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.
- "Legion" is used for a grouping of Roman Soldiers.
- The demons kept asking (imploring) that they would not be tossed into the abyss.
- "Abyss" in revelation is related to cells of tormenting. 

The parallel account in Matthew.

Matthew 8:29 And they cried out, saying, “What business do we have with each other, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

- Demons have better theology than we do.

We have the volition to bow willingly. 
This man wants to go with Jesus Christ. 
We realize that he is just a man, just like us.
And even this disfigured and sorrowful life, is not beyond redemption.
This is the power of the gospel. The power of God in the face of Christ.

Sunday Morning IBC. 1/5/2014. Luke 8:22-26.

Jesus Christ is the Master of the Storms. Luke 8:22-26.
Pastor Nam Park.

The End of Chapter 8 is a series of narratives that highlight Jesus' Lordship/Mastery, He is in absolute control in areas that it is IMPOSSIBLE for humans to have control in. Today, we are looking at His control over literal storms. Later: control over demons. Later: ability to heal those that are far away and ailments. Ultimately: He has control over life/death itself. Learn to exalt Him. With dependence upon the Father, He can do miraculous things upon His will. 

Naturalism: Theory denying that an event/object has a supernatural significance, specifically that scientific laws are adequate to account for all phenomenon. Believing that all things can be explained by scientific living.
(As Christians we are not Naturalist, since miracles happen outside scientific explanation.)
- Death shouldn't scare a pure naturalist. Death is just data.
- Not only are we not naturalist, we are supernaturalist. We believe that there is a God and that He CAN act wherever and whenever He chooses. 
- Jesus touches the supernatural. He has given sight to people that have been blind their whole lives. He's healed dead people. Miraculous. If we except these, then the other things that follow are not as miraculous. Then scripture will point to the question: Who is this Man?

Jesus Stills the Sea

Luke 8:22 Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they launched out. 23 But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger. 24 They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. 25 And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”

Prayer: We thank you for the gift of Jesus Christ, the God-man, who came to earth, lived a perfect life, and laid down His life, so that we would have the debt of our sins paid for on the Cross. Indeed, we worship a God who is worth of worship because our Savior lives and is in absolute control over all things. We praise you as we look to you in this new year as the Lord over storms, sickness, demons, death, over ALL things... knowing that your Lordship matters; because if you are the sovereign God in control over all things of this world, then we really do have nothing to fear. We tremble and shrink back of the difficulties that may come in the course of our lives, teach us to grow in trust and to grow in the ability to endure more; To believe in the power, willingness and compassion of our God to rescue us. We praise You for your mercy. Please unfold this passage so that we might learn to grow in depth of our appreciation and trust in You. Amen.

There will be storms in 2014 in your life (metaphorically).
This isn't twisting the reality of this story to saying "Live Your Best Life Now" and that Jesus will be there for you in your storms. But, that we can trust the Lord in the Storms of our lives and even in the small moments of our lives as well.

A literal story about a literal storm. A normal day of ministry.
Luke 8:22 Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they launched out. 

Parallel account in Mark calls it a hectic day.
Mark 3:20 And He *came home, and the crowd *gathered again, to such an extent that they could not even eat a meal. 21 When His own people heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, “He has lost His senses.” 22 The scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.”
- Busy in terms of the strain of people, family matters, and the accusation of the scribes...
- Jesus wants to get away from the crowds for a moment.

Luke 8:23 But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger. 
- It is appreciated that we see that Jesus is exhausted, it's part of His humanity. He falls asleep.
- The Sea of Galilee is below Sea Level. Deeper than a Crater lake. High Jagged Mountains are around it. It's only 13 miles long, and 5 miles wide. Area around the water is tropical/warm. Thus cold air from mountains and tropical air mixing creating wind storms similar to hurricanes.
- Like an "earthquake" or a "water-quake."
- Verse 23 shows these men in a panic in contrast to Jesus' behavior.

Luke 8:24 They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. 
- They had to wake Jesus up. Shouldn't Jesus have the same sensibilities as us? How is it that Jesus doesn't wake up.
- He sleeps with PERFECT DEPENDENCE on the Father. Deep and true sleep.
- If there are anxieties upon your heart, it affects your ability to sleep. [[Sigh, I know this is true.]]
- The sleep of a righteous man is restful.

Mark 4:38 Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they *woke Him and *said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

- Mark records the words of the disciples in a more dire place.

The disciples were right to feel the burden of their anxiety. They were in imminent danger.

On the flip side, we tend to be over dramatic in our lives today: "Lord, don't you care?"

The mark of our immaturity is that it feels like "the end of the world" to us.

Like not having a gf or bf. Having this kind of a car or not.

We laugh at the disciples, but look at our immaturity.

We are so immature that every slight disappointment is cause for us to abandon all hope.

The scriptures argue with us. If you are a child of God, you have been redeemed/purchased even though you don't deserve it. You have been cleansed from your sin. Recreated in the image of God, and adopted into His family. With the promise of Eternal Life, not just a life, but an ETERNAL life. And not just an Eternal life, but an ETERNALLY FULFILLED, Satisfied, and Blessed life with the God who has created you. If that is our reality in Salvation, it is a bit silly that we are talking about life/death and "perishing" over money issues... relationships... work... friendships... etc.  Sometimes it demonstrates that we are not in tune with who Jesus is. 

He is not just a good teacher (although he cares for them).

Jesus then rebukes the wind.

Luke 4:39 [Jesus rebukes a fever: Fever, get out of here.]

Luke 4:35 [Jesus rebukes a demon: Demon, get out of here.]

Luke 8:24 They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. 

- Perfectly still. Like a sci-fi movie.

- The disciples were fearful and amazed.

- It's a miracle. And our God is behind each miracle.

Luke 8:25 And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”

- It's a teaching moment: Where is your faith? The equivalent as saying, "You should have trusted."
- As storms hit, we might find ourselves lacking in the trust we should have in the Lord for all things?
- His expectation of them: Was to rest in the sovereign hand of God. He demonstrated this by sleeping in this storm. Encouraging them to find rest in the wisdom of God. In the howling storm, there is reason to trust in a God who is greater still. Later, they would be hunted as disciples. And hopefully they learned to trust in a God who is greater still.

Think of Job who lost his 10 children and all his earthly possessions.
This was Job's reaction:

Job 1:20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 He said,

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked I shall return there.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

22 Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.

- To this point, Job demonstrated why he was a righteous man. 
- The key isn't that God will fix any bad thing. He will not deliver us from all bad things. But He will deliver us through these things.

Whatever you trust in, Jesus is more than capable of them. He keeps His promises.
In the presence of God, stand amazed.
They might recognize, that He is like YHWH in the scriptures:

Psalms 65:7 
Who stills the roaring of the seas,

The roaring of their waves,

And the tumult of the peoples.

Psalms 89:9

You rule the swelling of the sea;

When its waves rise, You still them.

Psalms 107:24-30

24 They have seen the works of the Lord,

And His wonders in the deep.

25 For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind,

Which lifted up the waves of the sea.

26 They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths;

Their soul melted away in their misery.

27 They reeled and staggered like a drunken man,

And were at their wits’ end.

28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

And He brought them out of their distresses.

29 He caused the storm to be still,

So that the waves of the sea were hushed.

30 Then they were glad because they were quiet,

So He guided them to their desired haven.

This Jesus is more than a man. We appreciate the fact that He is human, very human. But we should acknowledge that He is also God, very God. And God very God knows all things, has the ability to do all things, and has compassion to know what is best for us in any given moment, so that the best is accomplished in all things.

What an amazingly large universe we live in. In a place like this, how ridiculous to think that little us matter at all. Our God controls it ALL. The numbers of atoms that we are composed of... He is also in control of the minuscule items as well.
He knows about the sparrows, He cares about you. His omniscient care for you.
He has the divine love that would rescue you from yourself and from your sin.
The key: We worship a God that is WORTHY of WORSHIP. 
There will be storms.
But the question: What would make you lose faith this year?
Unless the answer is nothing, then we are in danger.
Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ, the one whom he has sent.

*hm. wow. thankful for the redirection of focus. where is my faith?

Sunday Morning IBC. 12/22/2013. Luke 8.

"Listen Well." Luke 8:16-21.
Pastor Nam Park.

The emphasis is on hearing and doing God's Word.
We just went over the different types of soil. These aren't issues of people that have never heard the word of God preached. Jesus is addressing individuals that hear the word on a daily basis. They hear but it doesn't bear root.

It's not so much about just hearing, but our response to it. A good and excellent Word for me to think upon and to grow from. Why like a tree in Psalms 1? A: Because a tree continues to grow.

Parable of the Lamp

Luke 8:16 “Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. 17 For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. 18 So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”

19 And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd. 20 And it was reported to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.” 21 But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” 

As Christians, we should be the most distinctive/joyful because we have a hope in Jesus Christ, that is not just a good hope but the ONLY hope. Help us to be the kind of men and women that live out our hope in a genuine and real way. That we might be a people of the Word. We submit ourselves to your sovereignty, that we might be transformed day by day. Amen.

Young and old people commonly use the term "I forgot."
Having a lot of things on our minds as adults, "I forgot" is an excuse for our inattentiveness but it's also due to the fact we can't keep all the information in. 

The Delusion-ist in James 1.
James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

If we're becoming forgetful of God's Word, this is the Lord encouraging us to do something about it. The Lord's instruction to do something with God's Word. And the incentive to listen well is the reward of being related directly to Jesus Christ.

1. MAKE IT VISIBLE.
The lamp's purpose is to shine/give light. An oil burning lamp/lantern.
Hear the word of God in such a way to fulfill it's purpose.
Luke 8:16 “Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. 17 For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. 
- Drink in God's Word as how we were created to drink it in and dwell on it. We are not animals. And it is not just a catchy motto. Not to hear it and have the world choke it out and take away the nutrients. We are to hear so that it becomes VISIBLE in your living. 
- There is only one world-view that is accurate: coming from the word of God.
- You are the lamp and the Lord has no intention of hiding you. Let other people see you, as flawed as you are.

2. MAKE IT GENUINE.
Hear with authenticity and sincerity. If there's an issue with our lives, we are to obey the Word of God. Don't just know the Word in principle. Have integrity with what you hear.
- It's not "should I obey the Word of God or Satan." Usually it's not as clear cut. It's "shall I obey the Word of God, or shall I delay, since there are certain things I'm hoping for first."
The point: Nothing is hidden, including men's motives.
Things will become clear, publicly displayed. God knows.
Choose well, at the moment that you have to choose well. Choose obedience. Choose humility.

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 
- Not just coming to hear.

Difference between Deceit and Delusion.
Deceit: Tricked from the outside. The con-man tricking you to believe you're Napoleon.
Delusion: Believing the wrong thing. You believe you're Napoleon. This is all on you.

3. MAKE IT PRODUCTIVE (FRUITFUL).
A warning to "look out."
Luke 8:18 So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”
- The idea of "the poor get poorer."

Psalm 1 Principle. Drink in the Word and grow roots. No matter what is thrown at them, they can withstand since the Word of God has prepared them.
A tree is a good example. Either you continue to grow, or you die. And if you look at a tree's stump and roots, the roots go deep.

Exhortation. Make the hearing of God something VISIBLE, GENUINE, PRODUCTIVE.
And if you find yourself forgetting, THEN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. There must be something creative you can do to engrain the Word of God in your hearts.

THE INCENTIVE: WE GET JESUS.
The illustration of His family.
Luke 8:19 And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd. 20 And it was reported to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.” 21 But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” 
- Catholic church thinks that these are children of Joseph in a previous marriage. Or Jesus' cousins to protect Mary's virginity.
- Probably these brothers were their children after Mary gave birth to Jesus.
- A surprising characterization of human allegiance. 
- Jesus isn't disowning or disliking His family. He is emphasizing that there is something that ties us stronger than blood.
- Jesus also chooses a disciple that is not martyred and lives into his 90's to take care of his Mother. He did want to take care of her.
- The incentive: We get Him. We will be related to Christ. Some Christians are kicked out of house and home for their faith.

What makes these Household codes in Ephesians 5-6 different from the world?
Answer: These roles are done unto the Lord. Distinctive, Christ-honoring relationships.
Ephesians 5:22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,30 because we are members of His body. 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

Faith-works. Not because works save us. It's that faith causes us to act. We are to hear the Word of God and to try to be fruitful. And in hearing well, we get Jesus Christ.

Closing with a memory of preaching labs while earning an M.Div.
He remembers Dr. Ben Aubrey. He'd lay out all his notes. And as someone was preaching up front, he wouldn't write anything. The first thing he'd say would be in appreciation to being faithful in application to the Scripture. He kept preaching labs from being an academic exercise. It is still the Word of God preached. 

We are to take in the Word of God. Drink it in Deeply. And let it seep into the roots of our life.

Christmas Sunday IBC. 12/15/2013.

Luke 2:1-14. Christmas Sunday.
Pastor Nam Park.

Luke 2:1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

Sunday Morning IBC. 12/8/2013. Luke 8.

The Parable of the Sower. Luke 8:1-15
Pastor Nam Park. 

Luke 8:1 Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.

Parable of the Sower

4 When a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable: 5 “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out. 8 Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great.”As He said these things, He would call out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

9 His disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant. 10 And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.

11 “Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. 12 Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.

How are we receiving the Word of God?
Are you "falling asleep" spiritually? Not being in the Word. Not allowing the scriptures to change your life.

Beside the Road: Sowing seed was just tossing hand fulls in a general direction.
Rocky soil: Top soil was shallow.

Luke 8:8 Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great.”As He said these things, He would call out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
- Let anyone who has ears pay attention to what I've just said.

Isaiah 6:9 He said, “Go, and tell this people:

‘Keep on listening, but do not perceive;
Keep on looking, but do not understand.’

10 “Render the hearts of this people insensitive,

Their ears dull,
And their eyes dim,
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
Hear with their ears,
Understand with their hearts,
And return and be healed.”

They were all "there" at church, but it didn't make a difference in their lives.

Luke 8:14 The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
- Worry. They are consumed in the moment with this temporary existence.
- Riches and Pleasures.
Enjoying delights apart from God is sinful.

Luke 8:15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
- These hear the Word and make it virtuous. They don't assume upon God but they do their best to do what the Word says. They believe that the next life is FAR better than this life.

God has a wonderful plan for your life, but it just might be that that plan is for the life to come.

Sunday Morning IBC. 12/2/2013. Luke 7.

Forgiven Much Part 2. Luke 7:36-50.

Pastor Nam Park.

Luke 7:36 Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, 38 and standing behind Himat His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.”

Parable of Two Debtors

40 And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44 Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. 47 For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” 49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50 And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Here: A supreme religionist vs. a sinner.

Two individuals that are stark contrasts to each other.

3 Comparisons. It's about this woman. Jesus points out the virtues of a person that's forgiven.

Luke 7:44 Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 

- Do you see this woman... Simon sees her in dimensions of unworthiness. He might say, "Yes, I see her" but Jesus would reply "Well, so do I."

Luke 7:47 For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 

- Sentiment is not sufficient for Christianity. God doesn't forgive us by sentiment. The price for our sins was paid in FULL by Christ on the cross.

- "For she loved much" gives hint that this is WHY she is forgiven. BUT then stop to think upon the parable that Jesus told. The parable told of the two men who were unable to pay. And the one who loved more was the one who was forgiven more.

After being in church for so long, we might find our passions start to ebb. How do we rekindle it? The recovery comes in the rediscovery of our unworthiness to be forgiven.

Luke 7:48 Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” 

- Affirmation that she is accepted and welcomed by God. This is beautiful.

Luke 7:49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50 And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

- The Jewish people knew that only the Lord can forgive sins. 

- Yet Jesus still concentrates on speaking to her. She can now leave and live in peace with God and men.

She then fades into history. Maybe she died an early death. But what she did receive was a public affirmation of her forgiveness from Christ.

If you don't feel like worshipping, then you've lost the wonder.

Why would HE choose you??? us???