Easter Morning IBC. 4/20/2014. Colossians 2:13-14.

Hope of Life and the Forgiveness of Sins. Colossians 2:13-14.
Pastor Nam Park.

Colossians 2:13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Sunday Morning IBC. 4/13/2014. Luke 9:28-36.

The Glory of Christ Unveiled. Luke 9:28-36.
Pastor Nam Park.

Transfiguration: meaning that "something changed." 
It establishes once and for all who Jesus is, in the shadow of what he is to accomplish.

Luke 9:28 Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. 30 And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, 31 who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. 33 And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not realizing what he was saying. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.

Lord, help us to appreciate who He is. Not just the Lamb that would take away our sins... but the true and definite Son of God, God very God; come to die, so that we might have our sins forgiven. 
Help us to drink deeply and be satisfied in the goodness of our Savior... Amen.

In this text, we are in the shadow of the imminent death of Jesus Christ.
Previously, events that deal with life.
- Lord over the storms/nature.
- Lord over the spirits. Demons.
- Lord over sickness and death. Jairus' Daughter. The bleeding woman.
- Feeding the 5k. Creation of food. Demonstrating mastery over matter.

In the midst of these teachings, Jesus reveals the specific death.
A turn in Jesus' ministry as He heads to Jerusalem.
Luke 9:22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.”

Then, v.28 the Lord allows the transfiguration to happen.
Taking Peter, John, and James... Jesus goes to Pray.

Prayer is a common element of Jesus' ministry. Things happen after/during times that Jesus is found praying. Praying to the Father, probably of the things to come. Pouring out His concerns of dying for millions of sinners; the weight of having to lay His life down for sinners.

Luke 9:29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. 
- "appearance of His face became different": changed.
- shone: on fire, more than just "shining".
- exceedingly white: as no launderer on earth can launder them.
- "gleaming": like a flash of lightning.

Sometimes we think of His glory as mundane... We've diminished it; the magic is gone.
Jesus is something greater than any human teacher or any religious leader.
The timing of the transfiguration would mingle with events and the person of Christ and leave a lasting mark on us.

Luke 9:30 And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah
- Why Moses and Elijah? The great law giver, the great prophet?
- Moses: Most likely b/c he's the founder of Israel's religious economy.
- Elijah: Did great things to restore Israel back to the Israel of genuine faith. 
Malachi 4:5 “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. 6 He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.”

These two (Moses and Elijah) aim the hope Israel back to the Christ.
Deuteronomy 18:15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.
- The rabbi's think Moses will return. 

Luke 9:31 who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
- Talking about Jesus' "departure"... aka "exodus" or conclusion of His earthly ministry.
- "accomplish": the term for "fulfill". Jesus is not just finishing, but fulfills all of the Father's plans. 

Peter, James, and John fell asleep often while Jesus prayed. 
Keep in mind that Jesus had a strange discipline of prayer. 
He would find a solitary place to pray after a long day of ministry.

Peter: This is good, Lord! We can build you all huts!
- In some degree, he is babbling.
- Missing the significance of the moment. The significance: Jesus' glory is unveiled for a moment. This is a Martha/Mary moment in which Peter should have just worshipped.
- Jesus isn't some celebrity. He is the Lamb of God.

New believers might ask: How is the death of one man sufficient for the sins of many?
A: It's the value of His life. He is the Lamb of God.

Subtle rebuke to Peter.
Luke 9:34 While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.
- cloud: associated with the near presence of God.
- "they were afraid": that's an appropriate reaction. We love that our Lord is great, but we forget how dangerous that is too.
- a clear rebuke, to Peter: "listen to Him"

The transfiguration wasn't a public event. It was something to be reflected upon.
It's not just about the gift of salvation, but it's about the Giver. Esteem the Giver.
You can't have affection for someone you don't know. Jesus Christ is the glory of the God, who laid down His life; so that His righteousness becomes yours. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the chosen one; laid down His life, once and for all. For us.

Sunday Morning City Church. 4/6/2014. Philippians 2.

"Best Friends Forever." Philippians 2:19-30.
Pastor Rick.

Philippians 2:19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. 20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. 23 Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; 24 and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly. 25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; 26 because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you.29 Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.

Philippians 2:19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. 

- I hope in the Lord.

Psalms 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;

My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;

Therefore my heart exults,

And with my song I shall thank Him.

The ideal BFF is...

1. Encouraging and Unique. Philippians 2:19-20.

2. Unselfish. Philippians 2:21 and 2:3.

3. Proven and Trustworthy. [Coming from "refining precious metals.] Philippians 2:22.

Three examples of a BFF:

1. Timothy. Visit you in prison.

2. Epaphroditus. Sick to the point of death.

3. Jesus. Lived and died for me.

The secret to success: Have the mind of Christ. Philippians 2:4-5.

Philippians 2:4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 This I command you, that you love one another.

Sunday Morning IBC. 3/30/2014. Galatians 3.

Sucking the Life out of Christianity. Galatians 3.

Pastor Nam Park.

Faith Brings Righteousness

Galatians 3:1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

6 Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. 7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.” 11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Intent of the Law

Galatians 3:15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one. 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.

- Legalism, in the stickiest sense, is to obey the Mosaic Law. The Mosaic Law cancels out faith in Christ.
- Christians believe: There is nothing in us worth saving. Nothing in us that would make us any more acceptable to God.
- Christian motives should start with LOVE. Then within the context of love, do whatever you want to. Don't act because you feel like you have to.

To say that we are "good enough" to be saved is to chip away at the cross.
Galatians 3:6 Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. 

James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.
- Faith comes before the law. And the Promise came before the law.
- The Abrahamic Covenant was unilateral. (It is no longer considered a gift if it needed to be earned.)

#1 Legalism has no power to save, only the power to curse.
#2 Legalism is not how we continue in our life in Christ.

Galatians 3:19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one. 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

- If the law could save us, we would only have need for the law.
- The law's purpose is to reveal sin (like a tutor would point out what to learn).
- Sin infiltrates every part of our lives.

Example: Bible Reading Plan.
- Legalism is easier than living by faith alone. 
- God doesn't give us a grade for devotionals.
- The Parable of the Laborers who worked for a Denarius. The point was to focus on the GRACIOUSNESS OF THE GIVER. (Not on the attitude of the workers).

Application: It would be great if our kids loved the Lord b/c their parents did... But better still, they should have their own relationship with Christ. Convictions of their own. A love for the Savior. Not a set of rules.

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?

- We live our lives in relationships. If we love the Lord, we live in relationship with the Father. And with others by keeping the "one-anothers."
- You expect the attitude of "clocking out" from employees, but not from a son.

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.
- We are all called "sons" because we are all heirs, according to the promise.

Sunday Morning IBC. 3/23/2014. John 7.

Misconceptions of Jesus. John 7:39-53
Pastor Gary Takahashi.

John 7:39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Division of People over Jesus

John 7:40 Some of the people therefore, when they heard these words, were saying, “This certainly is the Prophet.”41 Others were saying, “This is the Christ.” Still others were saying, “Surely the Christ is not going to come from Galilee, is He? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So a division occurred in the crowd because of Him. 44 Some of them wanted to seize Him, but no one laid hands on Him.

45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, “Why did you not bring Him?”46 The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks.” 47 The Pharisees then answered them, “You have not also been led astray, have you? 48 No one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? 49 But this crowd which does not know the Law is accursed.” 50 Nicodemus (he who came to Him before, being one of them) *said to them, 51 “Our Law does not judge a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” 52 They answered him, “You are not also from Galilee, are you? Search, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.” 53 [Everyone went to his home.

Sunday Morning IBC. 3/16/2014. John 7.

Division over who Jesus is. John 7:37-52.
Pastor Gary.

John 7:37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Division of People over Jesus

40 Some of the people therefore, when they heard these words, were saying, “This certainly is the Prophet.”41 Others were saying, “This is the Christ.” Still others were saying, “Surely the Christ is not going to come from Galilee, is He? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So a division occurred in the crowd because of Him. 44 Some of them wanted to seize Him, but no one laid hands on Him.

45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, “Why did you not bring Him?”46 The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks.” 47 The Pharisees then answered them, “You have not also been led astray, have you? 48 No one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? 49 But this crowd which does not know the Law is accursed.” 50 Nicodemus (he who came to Him before, being one of them) *said to them, 51 “Our Law does not judge a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” 52 They answered him, “You are not also from Galilee, are you? Search, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.” 

Feast of Booths/ Feast of Tabernacles.

Water Pouring Ceremony.

John 7:37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 

3 Aspects of the Gospel Call

- Man must recognize the spiritual need that needs to be quenched.

- Must realize that Jesus is the only source.

- Must drink all of Him.

John 7:38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

- Living water is reference to the Holy Spirit.

- The Spirit was active prior to Jesus' glorification, however not in the same way as after the resurrection. The new covenant is better because the HS dwells within our hearts now.

Jeremiah 31:27 “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of beast. 

- Verse 27 looks forward to the Messianic time. The time that God will make a new covenant.

Jeremiah 31:31 “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. 33 “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 

- Contrasting the old covenant with the new covenant. God putting His laws on the hearts of the people.

- The old covenant was constantly broken. God remedied the new covenant by changing the hearts of believers.

Jeremiah 31:34 They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

Ezekiel 36:26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. 28 You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God.

- The law God puts in the heart is equivalent to the Spirit. The indwelling ministry of the HS.

Sunday Morning IBC. 3/2/2014. Luke 9:12-22.

Who do people say I am? Luke 9:12-22.

Pastor Nam Park.

Luke 9:18 And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying,“Who do the people say that I am?” 19 They answered and said, “John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again.” 20 And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.” 21 But He warned them and instructed them not to tell this to anyone, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.”

Two Simple Questions & a Strategic Warning.
1. Who do people say that I am?
2. Who do you say I am?
- Don't tell anyone.

Who Jesus Christ is, IS the ultimate question.
Physically: He's not someone blonde and thin. He wasn't easily pushed around. 

Luke 9:18 And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying,“Who do the people say that I am?” 
- Jesus went off to pray. Praying that the answer would be clear to the questions that He's about to ask them. After praying, He questions them.

Luke 9:19 They answered and said, “John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again.” 
- John the Baptist didn't perform miracles. So, relating Jesus to John deals with the message of repentance that Jesus also preached.
- Elijah, since Jesus also performs miracles.

Malachi 4:5 “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. 6 He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.”

- Elijah was also prophesied to help "restore all things." The idea of this through Jesus' preaching ministry.

Luke 9:20 And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.” 
- But who do YOU say that I am?
- And it was Peter that answered (on behalf of the 12).
- "Christ" wasn't His last name. It meant: "the Anointed One of God." The one to sit on the throne of David forever. He'd conquer all enemies. Crush the Romans. Restore Eden to reality. There was much to this title of "Christ."
- "Christ of God": Sending and purpose was from God. God the Father had anointed Him.

Strategic Warning.
Luke 9:21 But He warned them and instructed them not to tell this to anyone,

- The 12 had the wrong expectations. They were looking for a political savior. They wanted the "good life."

They wanted to make Jesus, king... even if by force.
John 6:15 So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.
- They're not quite wrong, but off-center.

Luke 9:22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.”
- The fullness of His role was not completed yet.
- Jesus knows these things MUST happen. He MUST suffer many things and be rejected.
- Rejected by all of these groups (These groups usually fight against each other. Here it suggests that Jesus will be rejected by all of them, united against Him.)
- "Rejecting": like rejecting a candidate for office, after scrutiny.

Luke 22:66 When it was day, the Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their council chamber, saying, 67 “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe;
- In Jesus' trial, He was questioned about being the Christ.

Peter's greatest moment: Affirmation of a Revelation.
His lowest point: "Get behind me Satan."
Jesus isn't here to make your life comfortable. It's a path of suffering.

If He is the Christ, why does He die?
A: Because we should be killed. 
2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

He knows that the Wrath of God will be poured out upon Him. 
He dies, the very death that we deserve to die.
The lamb, sacrificed on our behalf.

It's not about what others at church say. It's about what YOU say. He died to secure YOUR ETERNAL JOY.

What we get out of life, is not about the good things we want, BUT the PAIN we are willing to accept that will determine our choices.

Heavenly wisdom.
Mark 8:36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?

Come to the foot of the cross.
We are to act, not for the sake of our good pleasure, but for the sake of Him.
We are to find this life satisfying, because He did what we had no ability to do.