Matthew 10

And as you go, preach, saying, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 10:7

This week I have been reading the book of Matthew for my personal devotional time. When I came to chapter 10 I was inspired to read the chapter over again for the following two mornings. And it has been truly a blessing. I remember reading this book many times in the past but I learned so much as I was going over the chapter a few number of times. At many times, we forget what our role is as Christians. We are not just church go-ers. We have a specific mission and a role and Jesus has taught us that in Matthew chapter 10.

The chapter has reaffirmed my role not just as a pastor, but as a Christian as well. It teaches me to 'preach, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand!” '(v. 7) and to ‘confess Jesus before men.’ (v. 32)

It also tells me that I will be 'persecuted and hated for Jesus’ name’s sake.' (v. 22) When dad was young, dad used to be persecuted by grandfather for being an Adventist. He would spank dad each week when he would skip school on the Sabbath. (In Korea, students go to school on Saturdays.) And when grandfather spanks dad, he would get drunk and cry and ask dad, “Of all the churches, why would you go to an Adventist church?”

Being a Christian does not guarantee an easy life. Rather, Jesus tells that it will be difficult. But God calls us to endure. And He promises us that 'when we endure, we will be saved and that Jesus will confess my name before the Father.' (v. 22,32) Therefore, Hyemi and I are willing to 'take the cross and follow Him.' (v. 38)

The Great Controversy, p. 457,458

The history of ancient Israel is a striking illustration of the past experience of the Adventist body. God led His people in the advent movement, even as He led the children of Israel from Egypt. In the great disappointment their faith was tested as was that of the Hebrews at the Red Sea. Had they still trusted to the guiding hand that had been with them in their past experience, they would have seen the salvation of God. If all who had labored unitedly in the work in 1844, had received the third angel’s message and proclaimed it in the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord would have wrought mightily with their efforts. A flood of light would have been shed upon the world. Years ago the inhabitants of the earth would have been warned, the closing work completed, and Christ would have come for the redemption of His people.

It was not the will of God that Israel should wander forty years in the wilderness; He desired to lead them directly to the land of Canaan and establish them there, a holy, happy people. But “they could not enter in because of unbelief.” Hebrews 3:19. Because of their backsliding and apostasy they perished in the desert, and others were raised up to enter the Promised Land. In like manner, it was not the will of God that the coming of Christ should be so long delayed and His people should remain so many years in this world of sin and sorrow. But unbelief separated them from God. As they refused to do the work which He had appointed them, others were raised up to proclaim the message. In mercy to the world, Jesus delays His coming, that sinners may have an opportunity to hear the warning and find in Him a shelter before the wrath of God shall be poured out.

Fragrance of Jesus

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?” 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

After the constituency meeting was over I headed back home. It was a long drive to get back home from where Wisconsin Academy is. I was getting tired and I really wanted to be in my bed soon. It was around 11 o’clock at night when I finally arrived. When I opened the door to the house, a nasty, stinking smell hit my nose. The stink was all over the house!

The nasty smell was from food waste that I hadn’t disposed of the day before as I left for church. For harder pieces of food waste we would throw away in a plastic bag instead of using the disposer in the sink to prevent from breaking. As I was leaving for church on Sabbath, I forgot to throw away the food waste bag. So when I returned back home the following day, the stink was all over the house.

I was tired but I had to do something. I opened all the windows to let the fresh air in. Then I lit couple Yankee candles to let it suck the stink but also let the fragrance spread out in the house. Next morning, when I got up again, I did the same thing once again. Opened the windows and lit the candles. Ah, it smelled so much better.

Paul talks about the fragrance of Christ. Our sinful nature stinks. It stinks really bad. And we want it off from us. The first thing we would do is to wash ourselves right? We must wash off our sins through Jesus Christ. Then we must put on Christ. We must put on the fragrance of Him. We need it not just for ourselves but that the fragrance will penetrate the people around us as well.

Be ready!

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:15

This morning (on Thursday, by the way) I was looking at my bill for the internet service in my house. I was surprised at the amount. It was about $16 more than what I usually pay. Immediately I called the internet company.

After going through a process of automated answers I finally reached an agent to speak with. I told him my issues. After reviewing for a moment he had told me that my one year promotion of the deal had ended. I did remember about the one year promotion but I had not realized that it was already over.

The agent was kind and he asked me to stay for a moment so that he can find a way to extend the promotion. While he was examining he asked, “So what do you do, Mr. Kwon?” (I always find it funny when people call me that way…) I told him, “I am a church pastor.”

“Oh, nice! What denomination are you?” “I am a Seventh-day Adventist.”

When he heard that he said, “I don’t go to church anymore but I believe that Saturday is the day of worship!” I couldn’t believe my ears. We started chatting more and the agent started telling me his Catholic background and why he didn’t go to church any more. Knowing that I am pastor, he started asking me deep questions about faith. He was going through issues and he was looking for answers. I offered to pray for him. I wasn’t sure at first because I know these dialogues are recorded, but he didn’t care and I prayed for him and his family.

We need to be ready all the time. When people reach out to you because you are a Christian, we need to be ready to witness Jesus. They will come to you unexpectedly. It will be a great opportunity to witness when that happens!

Oh, by the way, I got a better promotional deal for my internet service. It’s cheaper than before!

Fall Colors

“O LORD, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of your possessions” Psalm 104:24

I am truly enjoying the colors of the leaves these days. They are just amazing! This is a luxury which I haven’t been able to enjoy in the past couple years out in the west coast and I am truly thankful for God’s awesome gift. Just like last week, Hyemi has given me some insight and devotional thoughts as we are enjoying the fall colors together.

About 20 years ago, wearing the Dallas Cowboys cap and Jordan basketball shoes used to be the ‘cool’ thing to do in school. The Cowboys cap was relatively affordable but the shoes weren’t. I really wanted the Jordan shoes. They were expensive, but I didn’t care. I begged dad so much to buy me a pair. Eventually he bought me a pair and I became one of the coolest kids in the world.

Today, I realize how much dad spent for me. Now that I am a grown-up and understand the value of money, I can see how much those pair of shoes had cost for my dad. Dad was still in the seminary and every dollar mattered. It was needed to help with the living. I now see that he wasn’t able to afford it back then. Yet, dad still bought me the shoes. Simply because I am his son, and he wanted the best for me.

That is what God must be feeling when He let’s us enjoy the fall colors. The weather that we have today are not as ideal as it used to be. These colors did not exist before the Flood. There was perfect weather before the Flood, with no rain and winter and everything was gorgeous. The most ideal climate was allowed to us until the Flood. The consequence of sin had affected our climate and thus we have rain, snow, and unpredictable weather. But even in these unfortunate circumstances God still wanted us to enjoy His wonderful creation. That is how I feel when I see the fall colors. The leaves will fall due to the winter but even when it’s about to fall, it shines out its beauty because they sing of God’s creation. Once again, God will bring us the ideal New Earth when it’s time, but until then God will express His love through the nature that we have today. Simply because we are His children and He wants the best for us.