URC Weekly 4/24/2011: The Truth Will Set You Free
Happy Easter URC!
We worshiped the Lord yesterday in a joint service, and it was quite a scene. There were little children dancing, testimony of a grandfather who woke up from an 11-day coma, celebratory messages from all over the world and our very own praise team blessing leading the offering. People of different age, language and culture joined together to rejoice the day Jesus Christ defeated death.
Yesterday’s worship really reminded me of how all of us have been released from the bondage of sin. I’m not trying to bore you with hard Christian doctrine which you have heard so often. Nor am I trying to brainwash you with a notion that we are dirty and sinful. I do believe that we have been created in the image of God and thus are naturally good; yet we cannot help but to sin because we are in a fallen state caused by the original sin of Adam and Eve. But in the light of the greatest day in history, I must make one more analogy of what God has done for us.
Guantanamo Bay is a prison in which the U.S. keeps high profile prisoners such as terrorists, war criminals and political detainees. National Public Radio reported yesterday that more than 160 of the prisoners released or transferred from this prison have previously been judged as “likely to pose a threat on the US.” Similarly, our sinful tendencies are likely to pose a threat on the kingdom of God.
The Bible is clear that the wage of sin is death (Rom 6:23). This death isn’t the natural death that all of us will face. Rather, it’s the eternal spiritual death to which unbelievers are condemned. The good news is that this very same verse also says that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Church, the resurrected Jesus Christ is the truth. Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6).” Jesus also says, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).” In other words, Jesus tells us that when we know him, we will be free.
“Free? Free from what?” you may ask. Obviously, we have to be free from something. This means that we are free from our sinful inclination that causes death as explained above! This does not mean that we will be perfect and be clean every moment of our lives. This means that we have been granted forgiveness for the past, present and even future sins of ours – every single one of them! All it takes is to know Jesus.
Yet knowing Jesus isn’t just a one-time verbal pledge. It’s a lifelong journey. The great thing is that we are in this together. Let us better recognize each other as God-given partner in our life mission to know Jesus and to share His good news. God bless you.
• NEW DISCIPLESHIP FORMAT STARTING MAY: Joint, Preschool, Elementary, Youth
• SMALL GROUP SPLITS: Coming up soon
• MPR BOX: Our Monthly Prayer Request Box is here! Thank you Hyunjoo!
• MPR for MAY: Please think of your new monthly prayer requests for this month
• HOLY COMMUNION: 5/1 (SUN) during worship service
• URC PICTURE SELECTION: 5/1 (SUN) after worship service
• GROUP A COORDINATOR MEETING: 5/1 (SUN) @ 1:30pm
• PRAISE TEAM MEETING: 5/1 (SUN) @ 2:30pm
• BASEBALL w/ KM: 5/8 (SUN) @ 2:30pm – We need you to play!
• SNACKS: David Kwon
• SCRIPTURE READING/OFFERING: Won Lee
• DEVOTIONS: John 4 – John 10
