Daejeon Onnuri English Ministry: September 2023

September 24, 2023

Sep 24, 2023 “Giving Thanks”(Psalm 136:1-16)

Psalm 136:1-16 New International Version
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:

4 to him who alone does great wonders,

5 who by his understanding made the heavens,

6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,

7 who made the great lights—

8 the sun to govern the day,

9 the moon and stars to govern the night;

10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt

11 and brought Israel out from among them

12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;

13 to him who divided the Red Sea[a] asunder

14 and brought Israel through the midst of it,

15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;

16 to him who led his people through the wilderness;

Giving Thanks

Psalm 136:1-16

Next week is Chuseok which is when Koreans find reasons to be thankful.

In Psalm 136 we read a psalm that God's love endures forever. The first verse states, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good." This asks the question, can be thankful because God is God.

There are some shows which prank rich couples by the husband saying that he lost his job. This has led to actual divorces because some of the wives only married because of what they could get.

The same can be true with Jesus. Do we love Jesus for who he is or what he can give us.

In God's providences not just experience God's blessings but also suffering and struggles. There are reasons why problems and difficulties come our way, and sometimes it is for a good that would not have happened unless the sorrow and pain came.

to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever; and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever; with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever; and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever; but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever;

Psalm 136:10‭-‬16 ESV

In these verses we read that God is with us and has done great things and is continuing to work with us. God was with the Israelites when they were in slavery and when they were freed.

God's love is eternal. He is with us on our path. He is with us at this moment, and this is enough reason to give thanks.

2023 OEM Fall Retreat

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September 17, 2023

Sep 17, 2023 “Growing Stronger 💪 in the Power of God”(Ephesians 6:10-20)

Ephesians 6:10-20 English Standard Version

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Outline

1. Know the Energy (vs. 10)

2. Know the Enemy (vs.11-12)

3. Know the Equipments (vs.13-20)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Ephesians 6:10 ESV

Paul tells us that we are strong in the Lord. We are to become stronger, and this strength comes from God. We are not called to be strong in strength, finances, relationships, or anything else from this world. We are called to be strong in God and His might.

He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.
Daniel 11:32 ESV

The book of Daniel tells us that those who know God will be strong. We cannot overcome temptations in our own strength. Our strength comes from the Lord. It is easy to get tired when we use our own energy. We have to use the energy from the might of God.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:11-12 ESV

Paul also makes it clear that we need to know who the enemy really is. An enemy you cannot see is very powerful. Our enemy will camouflage himself to look like something else and we see others as our enemies. The devil can use people, but it is spiritual powers that we must fight those spiritual powers and not the people. The real enemy is not the government or your nasty neighbors.

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ESV

Paul takes time to show what equipment we need to win against the enemy. Our warfare is spiritual and needs spiritual armor and weapons.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Ephesians 6:13-17 ESV

Every piece of equipment is needed. You cannot ignore one piece.

Belt of truth
Breastplate of righteousness
Shoes of the Gospel
Shield of faith
Helmet of salvation
Sword of the spirit

Why was prayer not listed as a specific weapon.

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Ephesians 6:18 ESV

Prayer is not an offensive weapon or a defensive weapon; however, it is a coordinating weapon. Prayer shows how and when to use weapons effectively.

We need to know our energy, our enemy and our equipment.

Open The Eyes Of My Heart

Here I Am To Worship

What A Beautiful Name

September 10, 2023

Sep 10, 2023 “Patience by Faith”(Hebrews 6:13-20)

Hebrews 6:13-20 New International Version

The Certainty of God’s Promise

13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,

14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”[a]

15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.

17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.

18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.

19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Patience by Faith

Hebrew 6:13-20

The author of Hebrews describes who God is by the promise God gave Abraham. God kept His promise to Abraham and this is the same God we worship.

saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.

Hebrews 6:14-15 ESV

After Abraham waited patiently, he received his promise. We need to wait patiently and need to also be righteous while waiting.

“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.

Luke 12:35-36 ESV

We need to have faith. Genuine faith will show in a righteous life. If our life is not righteous, we are not showing genuine faith. If we struggle to live righteously, we need faith. Our faith can be strengthened by hope in Jesus and trusting in Jesus.

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,

Hebrews 6:19 ESV

It goes back to who God is. God kept His promise with Abraham and He is a trustworthy God. God will always keep his promises.

This does not mean you will have an easy oath or avoid struggles. God has never promised that. Abraham endured many struggles, tests, and disappointments, but he had faith in God. This faith gave Abraham comfort and strength to continue during hardships. Abraham relied on God's word.

God kept His promise to Abraham, and he will keep His promises with us. We need to wait and let the Holy Spirit come on us. We do not know when Jesus will return and it is not for us to know. We just need to believe Jesus will return. We also need to live as witness about Jesus. Living a righteous life will show Jesus to others.

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 1:6-8 ESV

We also must remember that Jesus has done all the work for us and is in Heaven.

where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 6:20 ESV

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.

John 14:3 ESV

September 4, 2023

Sep 3, 2023 “Growing Deeper in the Love of God”(John 21:15-19, Ephesians 3:14-19)

John 21:15-19 English Standard Version

Jesus and Peter

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”

19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Ephesians 3:14-19 English Standard Version

Prayer for Spiritual Strength

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth is named,

16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Growing Deeper in the Love of God

John 21:15-19, Ephesians 3:14-19

The real question is, "How much do you love God," and not "How much does God love you?" This is seen in John 21 when Jesus asks Peter three times "Do you love me?"

After Jesus dies, his apostles leave him and go back to their lives. They are casting their nets and catch nothing. Jesus tells them to cast their nets on the other side and they catch many fish. Then they know this is Jesus. Did they live for Jesus because he provided for them or they loved him unconditionally?

Jesus asks Peter if he loves him three times and Peter tells him he does. Jesus does not want a verbal confession, but a true confession of love. Jesus pushed Peter to think about what the love for Jesus. Love comes with an action. If you do not act your love with Jesus, you do not love him.

1. Spend time with Jesus. How much time do you spend with Jesus in prayer, Bible study and meditation. We create time for the people we love. Jesus wants quality time from you.

2. Obeying Jesus' words. It is not enough to say you work for Jesus; you must obey Jesus.

3. Serving Jesus' children. We serve others because we love Jesus.

The breadth and length and height and depth of the love of God is different for all

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Luke 10:27 ESV

All your soul

All your heart

All your strength

All your mind

This is a hard order to follow but it is necessary. It takes time, but it can be done. However, we may ask why we should do this.

1. You are known and recognized by God, and this is done by your love for God.

If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

1 Corinthians 8:2-3 ESV

God loves everyone but he favors us differently. The more we love God, the more God will know you.

Knowing God is not enough. It is a privilege to be known by God. If we love God deeply enough, God will know us.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 ESV

If God knows us, He works for us. If something bad happens to us and we still love God, it is not a problem. God will use our trauma to bring us closer to him. The disaster comes to bring us good.

Our love for God preserves us from Evil and the Evil One. When we love God, we hate evil.

Thank You Jesus For The Blood 감사해요 주님의 보혈

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