How to Overcome the Faltering of Heart in the Uncertainties of Life

How to Overcome the Faltering of Heart in the Uncertainties of Life

John 14:1-11 

How would you feel if you were one if the disciples on Jesus' last night? The disciples did not know what Jesus was really talking about. 

Jesus found his disciples, and these same disciples left their professions to follow Jesus for three years. Not only did Jesus lead them, he loved them and took care of them. Some of the disciples were opportunists (see John 6), but others were sincere. The disciples who stayed with Jesus until now trusted and relied on Him. 

That evening Jesus reveals that he is going to leave His disciples. There had been many threats against Jesus by many people, and it was dawning on the disciples that Jesus would be removed violently. The disciples were worried and filled with fear. Who was going to take care of them and protect them after Jesus left? 

There are many threats against us at different stages. At sometime in our life, our livelihoods, health or very existence will be threatened. If not you, it may be someone who is close to you who is being threatened. Our prayers may request that these threats be removed, yet that prayer is unrealistic. So, how do we overcome terror? 

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 

John 14:1 ESV 

Jesus commands us to believe in Jesus. The disciples had been with Jesus for three years and followed Jesus. They had built up their faith in Jesus, but Jesus still commanded them to believe or put their trust in Jesus. 

Jesus commands them to actively believe in him. Jesus knows that they are worrying about their lives and future. Jesus wants them to build up their faith. When our lives or livelihood are threatened, our faith can be shaken. More likely our faith is shaken when difficult times come on us. These are the times we need to build up our faith. 

Jesus wants us to establish our relationship on him based on the facts of who Jesus is. These facts will keep us going on when our faith is shaken. These facts will hold up our faith when it is so hard to believe in Jesus. 

What is it that Jesus wants us to know about Him. 

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” 

John 14:2‭-‬4 ESV 

Focus on that which is ahead of you. Jesus is preparing an eternal life for us and He will return for us. As Jesus is preparing a room for you, he is watching over you and working with you. His presence is with us forever. Jesus was going to continually work with the disciples until they were home with Jesus. 

The difficult times are to remind us that we are not alone. Yes, when troubles come we need to plan and work out the problems, but Jesus is with us. We need to remind ourselves that Jesus has the power over life and death and is the God of plenty and lack. We can know in our hearts that Jesus is with us and working with us. 

It is also important to know that everything we go through is temporal. The threats we face will come and go, but heaven is eternal. The problems we face are temporal, and we should not fear our problems because Jesus is with us and those problems will be dealt with in time. These same problems are also a means to get us to heaven. Good times and bad times are to bring us closer to God and help us reflect on God and His character. 

Although the difficult times seemed to be the efforts of men, Jesus was in charge. It was all done for the glory of God. 

Let's us actively build up our faith in Jesus and remember who Jesus is, what He has done, and what He is preparing for us.

Bearing the Glory of Christ Through Love for One Another

Bearing the Glory of Christ Through Love for One Another
John 13:1-20 

The passage of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples is known by all Christians. We share in the glory of Jesus because of his victory on the cross. We share this same glory of God by striving to live a righteous life and sharing the good news as witnesses.

We are also called to love one another and serve one another. Jesus demonstrated this lifestyle in the action of washing their feet. In the narrative, Jesus is at the eve on his last day on Earth. This is a crucial meal.

Many leaders who are departing, typically leave some parting words and wisdom. They want to leave a message as how they hope their followers will carry on.

In Jesus' last days, he brought those he loved closer to him. His command was to love one another. Jesus demonstrates this love symbolically by washing the disciples' feet.

Why did Jesus wash their feet and not some other part? In Greco Roman society, feet washing was a part of the culture. This foot washing was done by slaves or servants. The person of higher status would never wash a person of lower status feet. It was common to have someone else wash your feet, but it was strange was that a person of senior status wash a lower person's feet. Moreover, Slaves and servants could be punished for not following the protocol of washing a master's feet.

We understand that the last supper was done in a private house and probably there were servants who could have washed the disciples' feet. Yet Jesus had to teach a lesson of humility. Jesus chose to wash their feet to demonstrate the humbling act needed to do God's will.

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
John 13:3‭-‬5 ESV

We read here that Jesus knew what was going to happen and He had also the authority over all things. The disciples had to understand what Jesus would do on the cross. Jesus had to humble himself to do God's will. Paul writes about how much Jesus had to humble himself in Philippians 2.

who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:6‭-‬8 ESV

As Christians, we need to understand that we were brought into his calling even though we did not deserve this. We also need to understand that even in the body of Christ, we still do not understand how much we do not deserve his love and salvation.

Jesus message in John 13 is for His followers and not the world. This is a call to understand that Jesus was poured out to bring us into the family. We are also called to love one another to bring the glory of God.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34‭-‬35 ESV

Jesus knew that to keep our faith and to live with other Christians would not be easy. This is why he calls on us to take care of one another. We need support, and our best support comes from each other. Jesus knew that differences would happen among ourselves.

A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.
Luke 22:24 ESV

Indeed, the disciples started to fight among each other over who was going to be the greatest on Jesus' last day, yrt Jesus had a solution. Jesus calls us to patiently endure one another because he knew differences and our arrogance would tear us apart.

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:35 ESV

Christ wanted us to be known for our love for one another and our identity with Christ. We are called to imitate Christ through loving one another; however, this is impossible unless we understand and accept what Jesus has sacrificed for us when we did not deserve this love.

Let us love one another so that Jesus will be glorified and we can share in that glory. 

Ezra Project

Ezra Project 2020

Daejeon OEM has been commissioned to hand copy 100 chapters from the Bible. We need DOEM volunteers!

You will not have to copy all one hundred chapters. The number of volunteers will determine how many chapters you will need to copy. DOEM needs to copy these chapters listed below.

    

    Books                        Number of

    names                        chapters
1. Psalm 123-150                  28
2. Proverbs 1-31                    31
3. Ecclesiastes 1-12              12
4. Song of Song 1-8               08

5. Isaiah 1-21                         21

--------------------------------------------

     total                                  100       

Volunteers will be given official paper to copy their assigned chapters. The handwritten copying will need to be completed and submitted by August 30. More information will come out on actually writing assignments and how to collect and submit the papers. Those who volunteer will be told by July 26 their assignments.

Click on the Ezra Project Volunteer Form if you wish to volunteer. 

You can indicate on the form if you wish to volunteer or not. You can also tell us if you have preferences on which books you would like to copy and how to collect official copying paper. The actual copying will need to begin on July 27 in order to meet the August 30 deadline.

Please use the form to ask any questions you have.

The deadline to complete this form is Wednesday, July 22. 

Bearing the Glory of Christ

Bearing the Glory of Christ.
John 12:20-32

Each Christian is called to bring glory to Jesus. Jesus lived a life that showed us how to give glory to God.

Jesus has entered Jerusalem, and there were some Greeks who had also come to the city. These Greeks wanted to see Jesus. When Philip and Andrew tell Jesus that some Greeks want to meet Him, Jesus takes the opportunity to talk about how to bring glory to God and that his time for glory has come.

And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
John 12:23‭-‬25 ESV

It seems strange that glory would come to someone through a brutal execution. Yet Jesus shows that in order for a seed to make much fruit, it must first die.

Jesus' death on the cross shows two attributes of God. That God is loving and just. Unless Jesus died on the cross, countless numbers would not be saved. Also, we see that God has a righteous standard of purity and cannot tolerate sin.

If we are honest, we cannot meet God's standards. We fall into sin and do not remain pure. No matter how much we try or much we want to, we just cannot meet God's standard. In fact, we were so lost in our sin, that we could not have a relationship with God. Yet, Jesus' death on the cross allowed people to see Jesus, so they could be saved.

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
John 12:32 ESV

It is not enough just to see and know Jesus, but are sins needed to be removed as well. Jesus sacrifice on the cross was a remedy for sin we could never remove.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 ESV

In order to remove sin, a blood sacrifice was needed. In order to remove all our sins, past, present and future, Jesus needed to be perfect and become sin itself.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

It is important to note that Jesus understood what he needed to do so others could be saved. Jesus understood better than us the severity of what he was to endure. No other person had, has or will have becomes sin. Jesus also knew that he would die a long and humiliating death.

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
John 12:24 ESV

Jesus did not want to die on the cross or to suffer as he did. Jesus was a human being just like us.

“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.
John 12:27 ESV

saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
Luke 22:42 ESV

We sometimes wonder why God who is all powerful and sovereign did not just declare us holy and avoid the pain and suffering of the cross. God is holy and this would go against his nature. This would go against his very laws.

but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:15‭-‬16 ESV

We gave the task to carry on the purpose of the cross. The purpose of the cross was to bring men to him. Drawing sinners to the cross, so that they would know Jesus and salvation.

God is still drawing people to the cross. He does not do this through magic, but through His people. Everyone in the church is supposed to follow the commission Jesus gives. It is not just the pastors who are to bring others to Christ, we are all called to lead others to Christ.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Matthew 28:19 ESV

What are we doing about our commission? How are we committing ourselves to Jesus and serving Him.

If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
John 12:26 ESV

Our willingness is the most important ability we need to serve Jesus. God will be with us.

The glory of the Lord will be with us when the nature of Christ is also our nature. When we sacrifice our sinful ways, we glorify God. When we give up our rights, we glorify God. In other words, when we give up our lives, we glorify God.

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
John 12:25 ESV

The paradox is an old one, yet it speaks strongly with truth. To become the sons and daughters of God, we must die and be reborn. We see this message in seeds which grow and produce fruit. God wants us to have right relationship with him, and for us to become whom He has always intended for us to be. God wants this for everyone and not just for those who believe. Someone told us about Jesus. Many encouraged us to believe. Let us speak the truth and encourage others to know Jesus. Let us live the life that Jesus lived.

 

Living in the Resurrection
John 11:17-36

Everyone fears death at some level. In truth, we will do anything to avoid death. Jesus offers not only a remedy for our fear of death, but also death itself. Resurrection is the power, or the process, of overcoming death.

In John 11, we read how Martha and Mary display their fear and desperation over Lazarus' death. They most likely had to depend on their brother for finances and protection. They ask the questions such as "Why God would allow this pain to happen?", and "where is God?" Their fears and actions are typical of us.

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”
John 11:21-22 ESV

Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
John 11:32 ESV

Jesus takes the opportunity to state who he is.

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
John 11:23-25 ESV

Jesus sees and understands Martha and Mary’s their desperate situation. Then He tells Martha and Mary as well as the others that he has the power, is the power and gives people the ability to live. Jesus reveals to them that people who are friends of Jesus and who love Jesus will be saved. Jesus grants the Resurrection to the people He loves.

Throughout the book of John, it is stated many times that Jesus loved this family. Yet, he let them suffer through death and mourning of a loved one in John 11. Lazarus died so that Jesus could affirm who he was and what he could do as well as give this family the confidence that those who know and love Jesus are saved.

Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”
John 11:24 ESV

Martha expressed her belief in the future resurrection, but Jesus told her that the Resurrection He offers is for now. Jesus implants His presence in us once we believe.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26 ESV

There will be many pains, losses, sufferings, uncertainties and disappointments in our lives. If we don't have the confidence in the Resurrection and the life, we will have problems continuing in difficult times. The confidence gives us hope to continue. Jesus plants a seed of the Resurrection in us. This seed of the Resurrection works on us and it grows. Yes, we do suffer and fail, but sin will lose its appeal and effects on our lives.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18 ESV

We also need to understand that God may allow us to suffer and endure bad times, so we will return to him. God does not want anyone to be lost. The reason why Jesus is in our lives is so that He may sustain us until the last time. Even when things are bad, Jesus is with us and wants us to be saved.

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.
John 6:39 ESV

With Jesus in our lives, we should also have the confidence that Jesus is the life. He gave and gives life to everyone who ever existed.

All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
John 1:3-4 ESV

The three siblings had been exposed to loss. Lazarus lost his life and all the hope that comes with life. With Lazarus dead, Martha and Mary had lost their heritage, their finances, and their protection, yet Jesus told them not to worry. Even after Lazarus was resurrected, this family would have been targeted because of Jesus and the miracle of resurrection.

Jesus wants us not just to understand that He loves us and will save us. We are to have confidence in who Jesus is and that we are saved now and are resurrected now by the one who first gave us life and is life.