May 31, 2026 "Freedom That Loves"(1 Corinthians 10:23-33)

• 1 Corinthians 10:23–33 New International Version

  
  

  The Believer’s Freedom

  23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 

  24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

  
  

  25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,

  26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[a]

  
  

  27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 

  28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. 

  29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? 

  30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?

  
  

  31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 

  32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 

  33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
• Freedom That Loves 1 Corinthians 10:23-33

Through Jesus Christ we have been given many things. We have freedom; however, Paul addresses this truth with a deep question. What are we using our freedom for? Paul shows that even if everything is permissible, not everything is beneficial.  

 

1 Corinthians 10:23 ESV

[23]  “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.  

 

The world will ask the question, "How does this benefit me?" Paul tells Christians to ask, "How does benefit others?"

 

1 Corinthians 10:24 ESV

[24] Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.  

 

We like to build ourselves up and take care of ourselves. We protect ourselves and focus on what we want to do. However, Christians need to ask what is going to please God. We should use our freedom to help others. We need to look at others before making a decision.  

 

My faith affects the person next to me. My faith can build someone up or tear them down. That is the power of faith. We can make our choices in love. The love for God and our neighbors will help us the make the right decisions.

Then we will have the freedom to make the right choices. We also need to ask whether or not our decisions promote love.

 

The church has been called to act as a union of followers. The church should build up the community. We need the strong standard of love of God. Will this choice show the heart of Christ? Will this choice promote God's love?

 

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

[31] So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  

 

We know this verse very well. It is also misused. Paul has been talking about everyday choices, even food. Paul tells us that whatever we do, we must do this for the glory of God. We must always ask if this choice glorifies God, not simply satisfy ourselves.

 

Paul is not telling us to only think about doing big things for God's glory. He tells us that all things should be considered for glorifying God.  

 

When we use our freedom and it makes God look small then we need to change. If someone is hurt or the community has been damaged, this is not to the glory of God. Yes, we must correct people who speak heresies or who are living destructive lives, but it must always be done in love.

 

We are truly free in Christ. We do not have to be slaves to Christ. We do have the freedom to lay down our rights for others. We are free to serve others without expecting anything in return. We are free to forgive others. We are free to sacrifice—even to lay down our lives.

 

The world sees freedom as building oneself up. It looks at the cross as punishment. With Jesus, we have genuine freedom the world cannot give. We can see freedom in the cross. Our freedom that loves, serves and sacrifices brings us closer to God.

• Praise
• O Praise The Name
• In The Garden (I Come To The Garden Alone)

Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross (Near The Cross)

 

Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross (Near The Cross)

Fanny Jane Crosby, William Howard Doane

CCLI Song #36736

© Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain

Verse 1

Jesus, keep me near the cross,

There a precious fountain,

Free to all, a healing stream,

Flows from Calv'ry's mountain.

예수여, 나를 십자가 곁에 두소서  

그곳엔 귀한 샘이 있어  

모두에게 열려 있는  

치유의 흐름이  

갈보리 산에서 흘러내리네

Chorus

In the cross, in the cross

Be my glory ever,

Till my raptured soul shall find

Rest beyond the river.

십자가, 그 십자가 안에서  

영원히 나의 영광이 머물고  

내 황홀한 영혼은 마침내  

강 너머 고요한 쉼을 찾으리

Verse 2

Near the cross, a trembling soul,

Love and mercy found me;

There the Bright and Morning Star

Sheds its beams around me.

십자가 곁에서 떨리는 영혼은  

사랑과 자비를 만나고  

거기서 새벽별은  

빛을 흘려 나를 감싸네

Verse 3

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,

Bring its scenes before me;

Help me walk from day to day

With its shadows o'er me.

십자가 곁에서, 하나님의 어린 양이여  

그 장면을 내 앞에 펼쳐 주소서  

날마다 걸어가는 길 위에  

그늘이 나를 덮어 인도하소서

Verse 4

Near the cross I'll watch and wait,

Hoping, trusting ever,

Till I reach the golden strand,

Just beyond the river.

십자가 곁에서 나는 기다리며 지켜보네  

희망과 신뢰를 품고  

마침내 닿으리  

강 너머 황금빛 해변에

십자가로 가까이

새 439장. (통 496장)

1. 십자가로 가까이

나를 이끄시고

거기 흘린 보혈로

정케 하옵소서

십자가 십자가

무한 영광일세

요단 강을 건넌 후

영원 안식 얻네

2. 십자가에 가까이

내가 떨고 섰네

거기 있는 새벽 별

내게 비추시네

3. 십자가로 가까이

가게 하시옵고

몸소 받은 고생도

알게 하옵소서

4. 십자가에 가까이

의지하고 서서

천국 이를 때까지

항상 머물겠네

I Stand In Awe

I Stand In Awe

Mark Altrogge

CCLI Song #23914

Verse 1

You are beautiful beyond description

Too marvelous for words

Too wonderful for comprehension

Like nothing ever seen or heard

Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom

Who can fathom the depth of Your love

You are beautiful beyond description

Majesty enthroned above

Chorus

And I stand I stand in awe of You

I stand I stand in awe of You

Holy God to whom all praise is due

I stand in awe of You

Verse 2

You are beautiful beyond description

Yet God crushed You for my sin

In agony and deep affliction

Cut off that I might enter in

Who can grasp such tender compassion

Who can fathom this mercy so free

You are beautiful beyond description

Lamb of God who died for me

Chorus

And I stand I stand in awe of You

I stand I stand in awe of You

Holy God to whom all praise is due

I stand in awe of You

(2X)

I stand in awe of You

I stand in awe of You

주 경외함으로 서리라 (아름답고 놀라운 주 예수)

Mark Altrogge

CCLI Song #6383644

Verse

아름답고 놀라운 주 예수

말로 할 수 없네

그 측량할 수 없는 위엄

주님과 같은 분 없네

한없는 그 지혜와 사랑

그 누구도 다 알수 없네

아름답고 놀라운 주 예수

보좌에 앉으셨네

Chorus

주님 앞에 내가 서 있네

주 앞에 내가 서 있네

(내가 주를 경외함으로 

주님앞에 홀로 섭니다)

주는 거룩하신 하나님

그 앞에 서 있네

May 24, 2026 "A Church That Does Not Hate Sinners, Yet Does Not Ignore Sin" (1 Corinthians 5:1–13)

1 Corinthians 5 New International Version

Dealing With a Case of Incest
5 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife.
² And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this?
³ For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this.
⁴ So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present,
⁵ hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,^[a][b] so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.
⁶ Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?
⁷ Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
⁸ Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
⁹ I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—
¹⁰ not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.
¹¹ But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister^[c] but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
¹² What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
¹³ God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”^[d]

A Church That Does Not Hate Sinners, Yet Does Not Ignore Sin

1 Corinthians 5:1-13 

 

Sometimes we do not deal with problems immediately. Like a little yeast, it moves into the entire loaf of bread. 

 

In 1 Corinthians, Paul brings up a case in which the church did not deal with the sin. Paul asks why the church did not grieve over this sin. This should be the first response when the church finds sin in its community. Sin keeps us from God. It damages and breaks the relationship between us in God 

 

We should not mock people who have committed sin. We should not judge lightly people for their sin, but we, as a church, need to deal with the sin. Nor should we condone the sin or ignore the sin pretending it did not happen. 

 

We need to love one another. We need to love sinners. However, we need to hate sin. 

 

Paul's response in verse 3 needs to be emulated by us. True love involves responsibility and this can require firm correction.  

 

1 Corinthians 5:3 ESV 

[3] For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing.  

 

When the church deals with sin, it must not be done to shame someone. It should not be done by our emotions or personal standards. We should not also use these sins as an excuse for fun or play. Gossiping can be fun and build up our weak egos, but it is not the nature of God. 

 

1 Corinthians 5:4 ESV 

[4] When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus,  

 

Paul's purpose in verse 5 is to bring restoration. It is not to destroy the person. The church must deal with sin differently than the world does. The church needs to call sin, "SIN!" However, the straight and clear goal must be restoration. 

 

1 Corinthians 5:5 ESV 

[5] you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. 

 

We should not take a position in which are superior. We are afraid of conflict, so we call it peace. We take sin lightly and call it grace.  

 

Our church is a new community, and we live Holy lives as a response for what God has done. The Holiness of the church comes from Christ's sacrifice, and we must not treat it casually.

 

1 Corinthians 5:7-8 ESV 

[7] Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. [8] Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 

 

We need to ask ourselves, "Do we truly love that person enough to restore them?" True love is not neglect. True grace does not take sin lightly. Jesus did not simply cover our sin. The Lord offered His life to save us. He did not condemn us or push us away. He hated our sin, but loved us and He restored us. 

 

We should pray first when encountering sin with other people. We should find words which will promote correction and repentance. The church is a community that restores sinners to life.   

• You're Worthy of My Praise
• Resurrecting
• How Deep The Father's Love For Us

Hope Of The Nations

Hope Of The Nations

Brian Doerksen

CCLI Song #3540703

Verse

Jesus hope of the nations

Jesus comfort for all who mourn

You are the source of heaven's hope on earth

Jesus light in the darkness

Jesus truth in each circumstance

You are the source of heaven's light on earth

Pre-Chorus

In history You lived and died

You broke the chains You rose to life

Chorus

You are the hope living in us

You are the Rock in whom we trust

You are the light shining for all the world to see

You rose from the dead conquering fear

Our Prince of Peace drawing us near

Jesus our hope living for all who will receive

Lord we believe

D.C

Tag

Lord we believe

Lord we believe

Lord we believe

Pre-Chorus

In history You lived and died

You broke the chains You rose to life

Chorus

You are the hope living in us

You are the Rock in whom we trust

You are the light shining for all the world to see

You rose from the dead conquering fear

Our Prince of Peace drawing us near

Jesus our hope living for all who will receive

(2X)

Ending

Lord we believe

(Jesus hope of the nations)

Lord we believe

(Jesus hope of the nations)

Lord we believe

(Jesus hope of the nations)

Lord we believe

(Jesus)

Lord we believe

예수 열방의 소망

Brian Doerksen

CCLI Song #6352479

Verse

예수 열방의 소망 예수 우리의 위로자

주는 온 땅의 영원한 소망

예수 어둠 속의 빛 예수 변함없는 진리

주는 온 땅의 빛이 되시네

Pre-Chorus

우리 위해 죽으시고

다시 사신 생명의 주

Chorus

주님만이 소망이요 변함없는 반석이라

주님만이 온 세상을 비추시네

또 죽음에서 부활하신 우리 구주 평강의 왕

주를 믿는 모든 자의 소망되신 

주를 믿네

Verse

예수 열방의 소망 예수 우리의 위로자

주는 온 땅의 영원한 소망

예수 어둠 속의 빛 예수 변함없는 진리

주는 온 땅의 빛이 되시네

Pre-Chorus

우리 위해 죽으시고

다시 사신 생명의 주

Chorus

주님만이 소망이요 변함없는 반석이라

주님만이 온 세상을 비추시네

또 죽음에서 부활하신 우리 구주 평강의 왕

주를 믿는 모든 자의 소망되신 

(2X)

주를 믿네

Pre-Chorus

우리 위해 죽으시고

다시 사신 생명의 주

(3X)

Chorus

주님만이 소망이요 변함없는 반석이라

주님만이 온 세상을 비추시네

또 죽음에서 부활하신 우리 구주 평강의 왕

주를 믿는 모든 자의 소망되신 

주를 믿네

May 17, 2026 "We are So Smart That We Miss the Cross" (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

 

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 

 

We live in an age of information and powerful tools to search and calculate. We can calculate and find the best deals before we make a purchase or decision. We sometimes do this with the word of God. We are persuaded by the wrong influences when hearing the word. 

 

When Paul was in Corinth, he abandoned human wisdom, knowledge and eloquence while preaching the gospel. Paul knew that impressive sermons, strong logic and dramatic performances can blind us to the cross. 

 

We have to be careful when we hear the word. We look towards the human wisdom that makes more sense. We look to strategies that are stronger than what the Word says. We ignore the power of the cross while we seek out worldly ways and wisdom to succeed.  

 

We often seek worldly wisdom to make ourselves look more important, stronger, more intelligent and more independent. The wisdom of the cross makes Jesus look more important.  

 

When the cross is removed, faith becomes something different. Love without the cross, it is something different. Faith without the cross becomes self-sufficient. Sacrifice without the cross is just a personal investment. With the cross, faith becomes love, love becomes sacrifice and sacrifice becomes joy. 

 

Without the cross, we seek more exciting sermons, bigger miracles, deeper wisdom and anything that will stimulate our appetite for the Gospel. The power of the cross is enough and reminds us of our first love. The cross might look weak and repulsive, but it has the power to bring us to God and transform our lives. 

 

No one wants to look weak or be weak and yet, the way if the cross is to admit our dependence and bring our weakness to the Lord. We can lay down all our failures, all our weaknesses, all our faults.  

 

The disciples abandoned Jesus, they did not understand Jesus' words and they even denied Jesus. Yet, Jesus forgave them and restored them. This was the power of the cross. 

 

Looking at our faults and weakness can depress our minds and stop us from trying. We become ashamed and overwhelmed confronting the truth. 

 

By acknowledging our weakness, the cross can restore us and bring us to the place we need to be. 

• O Come To The Altar
• 10000 reasons (Bless the Lord o my soul)
• Be Thou My Vision (Slane)

In The Garden (I Come To The Garden Alone)

In The Garden

Charles Austin Miles

CCLI Song #62858

© Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain

Verse 1

I come to the garden alone

While the dew is still on the roses

And the voice I hear falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses

Chorus

And He walks with me

And He talks with me

And He tells me

I am His own

And the joy we share

As we tarry there

None other

Has ever known

Verse 2

He speaks and the sound of His voice

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing

Verse 3

I'd stay in the garden with Him

Tho' the night around me be falling

But He bids me go thro' the voice of woe

His voice to me is calling

 

저 장미꽃 위에 이슬 (찬송가) 새 442

1. 저 장미꽃 위에 이슬

아직 맺혀있는 그때에

귀에 은은히 소리 들리니

주 음성 분명하다

주님 나와 동행을 하면서

나를 친구 삼으셨네

우리 서로 받은 그 기쁨은

알 사람이 없도다

2. 그 청아한 주의 음성

우는 새도 잠잠케 한다

내게 들리던 주의 음성이

늘 귀에 쟁쟁하다

주님 나와 동행을 하면서

나를 친구 삼으셨네

우리 서로 받은 그 기쁨은

알 사람이 없도다

3. 밤 깊도록 동산 안에

주와 함께 있으려 하나

괴론 세상에 할 일 많아서

날 가라 명하신다

주님 나와 동행을 하면서

나를 친구 삼으셨네

우리 서로 받은 그 기쁨은

알 사람이 없도다

May 10, 2026 "Learning from Jesus and Becoming Like Jesus"(John 13:13–15)

John 13:13-15 New International Version

13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 

14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 

15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Learning from Jesus and Becoming Like Jesus

John 13:13–15

Today is Teachers’ Sunday. Many of us can think of someone who taught us in the past and made a lasting difference in our lives. These teachers did more than pass on knowledge—they lived as examples of how to live. They gave more than lessons. Jesus Himself was a teacher who lived what He taught.

John 13:13–15 (ESV):  

“You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”

Where there is a teacher, there are students. Jesus had many disciples, yet not everyone truly followed Him. Many admired Jesus and respected Him, but only came to Him when they needed something or wanted to see a miracle. They did not change their lives or follow His teachings.

It is good to call Jesus our Lord and Teacher, but the real question is: do we follow His teachings? Jesus taught us to love and to forgive. He showed us that forgiveness does not bind us to those who wronged us, but frees us to live in grace. He did not teach us to ignore our pain, but to find a better way to deal with it.

Jesus also taught us to serve. He lived a life of service and expects us to serve others as well. When we serve and live like Jesus, people experience Him through our obedience.

Jesus wants us to persevere. Just as He never gave up on us, we should not give up when we fall—and we should not give up on others either.

Jesus loves us and calls us to love others. If we have received forgiveness from Him, we must forgive others. If we have received grace, we must extend grace to others.

Parents are role models to their children. Children learn from our kindness, patience, and love—but they also imitate our bad tempers and careless words. Every action in the home is a lesson.

We must reflect Jesus not only in our homes but also in the church. The congregation has countless opportunities to show His love through forgiveness, dedication, and humility.

In the workplace, people are watching us too. We need to live lives that put our faith above everything else—lives of honesty, respect, and generosity, especially toward those who cannot repay us.

The world teaches independence, aggression, and selfishness. But Jesus teaches dependence on God, meekness, and generosity. He shows us a better way to live, and we are called to share this way with the world.

• Jesus Loves Me This I Know (Jesus Loves Me)
• My Lighthouse
• Every Giant Will Fall
• Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me
• 
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 

• 

  
  

  

God Is The Strength Of My Heart

God Is The Strength Of My Heart

CCLI Song #80919

Eugene Greco

Verse

Whom have I in heaven

But You

There is nothing on earth I desire

Beside You

My heart and my strength

Many times they fail

But there is one truth

That always will prevail

Chorus

God is the strength of my heart

God is the strength of my heart

God is the strength of my heart

And my portion forever 

(Repeat)

Forever

하늘 위에 주님 밖에

CCLI Song #6328142

Eugene Greco

Verse

하늘 위에 주님 밖에

내가 사모할 자 이 세상에 없네

내 맘과 힘은 믿을 수 없네

오직 한가지 그 진리를 믿네

Chorus

주는 나의 힘이요

주는 나의 힘이요

주는 나의 힘이요

영원히 주를 의지하리

(반복)

영원히

D.C

내 맘과 힘은 믿을 수 없네

오직 한가지 그 진리를 믿네

Chorus

주는 나의 힘이요

주는 나의 힘이요

주는 나의 힘이요

영원히 주를 의지하리

(반복) 

영원히

영원히

영원히

May 3, 2026 “As for Me and My House, We Will Serve the Lord”(Joshua 24:14-18)

Joshua 24:14-18 

 

In Korea, during the month of May, we celebrate family. Often, we think of the good times and love we experience with our family, but all of us can also think of the bad parts of family. 

 

The first mission field is the family. We need to make sure that our family knows who God is and experience God. Joshua makes a declaration concerning him and his family. 

 

Joshua 24:15 ESV 

[15] And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 

 

We need to fear God, and this means to put God first in everything. The first generation of Israelites who left Egypt to go to the promised land wanted to return to their old lives, culture and their old gods. 

 

We might say that we are Christian families, but what is the focus in life? What is that you and your family serve?  

 

Families are not built by words alone. When God is the centre, we are grateful. We might become anxious or sad, but we return to God when He is the centre. When we argue, we can forgive each other. Before we eat, we can take some time to pray to God.  

 

When Joshua declares that he will serve God with his family, the people respond with the memories of grace. 

 

Joshua 24:16-17 ESV 

[16] Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods, [17] for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed.  

 

When we remember how much God has given us and done for us, we experience gratitude.   When we are grateful, our words change and this changes our situation.  

 

By remembering grace and what God has done for us, we keep our focus on God. We must remember the answered prayers, the hardships God rescued us from and His intervention.  

 

We can praise God now for what He has done for us. When we put off our praise to God, we start to lose focus on God. We start to focus on our problems and might look for other solutions. This is why Joshua calls on the people of Israel to make a choice today. 

 

Even as Christians, we need to confess that God is Lord. We need to praise God and renew our faith. 

 

When our lives are busy, when our lives are full of uncertainty, when our lives are experiencing pain, we will put God first and confess that he is our Lord. 

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