God who is within Community (Matt18:18-20)
18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 “Again[d] I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Intro)
Some Korean pastor went to Russia few years ago alone. It was a long trip not knowing any Russian of course. He was travelling alone, but Russian were not treating him special, maybe a less. For travelling he would use Taxi, but most does not have official business, so they are just running on their own vehicle. Often those travel system ran by gang or something not secure. Like so, travelling alone with no help often seems dangerous and uneasy. Therefore, if you go with guide you can travel with comfort. This is same as our life. We do not know what is in front of us and walking through the path without the guide alone will bring anxious and be difficult. However, God promises us “I will be with you” and becomes guide and guardian of our lives, and then we can walk the path with peace
Everyone, Jesus came around two thousand years ago and stayed with us. This is grace of Immanuel, grace that is being with us. Immanuel means, ‘God is with us’ and the Christmas is the day that prophet came true. After that Christmas day repeats and the season we longing for God is called ‘Advent’. Advent starts from the beginning of first Sunday of December and lasts until Christmas. So, as of today we are in Advent, therefore let me share the word of God about How God is pleases with community of Christians.
Body)
A. Characteristics of church community-community gathered under name of Jesus Christ.
1. There are many different communities out there. They all have different names for the purpose of the group.
2. What kind of name does our church have? A Baptist, yes Baptist is a church is most biblical, strict, and church that follows Saint Paul teach.
Our church is also keeps baptism, and has a politic system of the most democratic system. Therefore, annually the church opens meetings to plan church’s rule and direction of church etc. Presbyterian Church has indirect democrat politic system; Methodist church is controlled by supervision it is not close to democratic. However, this is church we gathered under name of Jesus Christ and we claim him as our lord and savior. Jesus is lord of life, savior and master of us. Jesus is the head of our church, and the master, therefore he is the most important man in the church and take him in the highest place. Jesus’ word is the most important standard and value.
B) Number and community
1. However, bible does not put importance in number of church. It considers more than two as a group. Originally in Judaism more than 10 men and 10 families counted as community, but Jesus made it count as long as it was more than two.
2. Everyone, in this world number can be important. Country has to have number to become strong country, just like the number of army. However, as long as people gather under name of Jesus Christ it does not matter how many they are. It is still a true church community.
3. In the book of Genesis Abraham tried to save Sodom and Gomorra, and prayed to God if there are 10 righteous men in the city God promised that he will save them. City has so many people, but 10 small numbers of people with correct relationship God was what it takes.
4. What is a good restaurant? Sometimes it can be a service and price, but primarily the taste has to be good. Even old run down restaurant lure peoples, because it has good foods. If then, what is a good church? Church that gathers under name of Jesus and worship the lord is a good church.
C) Promise of Immanuel = The most basic promise.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Everyone, there is basic but most valuable promise God made, which is that God will be with us. This is the biggest blessing and grace that God is giving us.
On the other had the biggest curse is that to people who disobey God and betray him God says he will leave them. This means he will take all the blessings away from them. How terrible is this?
Even today the biggest blessing is that God’s son Jesus will be with us.
1. Immanuel’s promise is promise of peace.
When Jesus is with us we earn peace. God protects, guides us, so people receive peace when God is with us.
On
book of Psalms 23:4 says ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with
me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.’
Even the environment is deadly if God is with us we will be protected and earn comforts.
Jesus resurrected only after 3 days. Disciples who did not know about this gathered in a house and filled with fear. 19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were [e]assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
2. There is authority and ability within community under the name of Jesus Christ.
Jesus casts out the demons, cures illness. We have faith in the name of Jesus and we receive salvation under his name. We become workers of Jesus and do world mission. Hallelujah!
Some pastor went to Egypt and met some missionary. Since Egypt is Islamic nation missionary could not reveal his identity. So, he met missionary in hotel. Pastor asked missionary, "why the spreading gospel here is so slow? There is a church with quite of history.” Missionary replied, ‘the church in here is called Ichabod.” Ichabod means God’s glory has left. When worshiping God if there is a greed it isn’t glorifying God. so, God has left. Church only has its ability and authority when only it was gathered under name of Jesus and God has to be with us.
3. There is an answer to prayer for church community.
19 “Again[d] I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”
We of course can pray on our own, but when community put the prayers together it has more power. When Esther tried to save his people, he asked every Jewish in Shush city to fast and pray for 3 days. With prayers people of Israel has been saved.
When people of Samuel were in danger he gathered and prayed together. As result, there was the great thunder and scared Philistine and able to destory them and found peace of 40 years straight.
Let’s take a look at today’s verse one more time. 19 “Again[d] I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”
Is your prayer does not work? Gather the voice give prayers in community it will work better. When we pray together God can hear us better.
Con)
Everyone! spend time on your own to pray as well. However, put more effort when you pray in community. Because, when you pray in group it will take better effect.
Ezekiel 36:33-38 says, ‘33 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. 34 The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. 35 So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ 36 Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.”
37 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them: I will increase their men like a flock. 38 Like a [f]flock offered as holy sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem on its [g]feast days, so shall the ruined cities be filled with flocks of men. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.” Even blessing you earn if you do not ask God may not give you. So you have to ask for it! Hallelujah!
Put importance in this community that gathered under the name of Jesus Christ. Keep up your prayers and faith, so you keep your peace and have full of God’s grace, pleasant, and love. Let’s keep work hard to keep this community to glory God.
120119 Pastor: Ik Sun Ahn
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