Foreword
Foreword
This world is like Romans 1:21–23— “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him This world is like Romans 1:21–23— “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.” crawling creatures.”
But David’s final conclusion at the end of his sojourning life was thanksgiving. David wore the But David’s final conclusion at the end of his sojourning life was thanksgiving. David wore the crown of thanksgiving, the helmet of thanksgiving, the socks of thanksgiving, and the garments crown of thanksgiving, the helmet of thanksgiving, the socks of thanksgiving, and the garments of thanksgiving. of thanksgiving.
He confessed, “All things come from Your hand; from You come dominion, riches, power, and He confessed, “All things come from Your hand; from You come dominion, riches, power, and might. What I offer to You is not mine—it is what You have graciously given me. Everything comes might. What I offer to You is not mine—it is what You have graciously given me. Everything comes from Your hand.” This means that our sojourner’s life on earth is not of our own making, but an from Your hand.” This means that our sojourner’s life on earth is not of our own making, but an inevitable gift from God. How delighted God was with this confession! “You have understood inevitable gift from God. How delighted God was with this confession! “You have understood rightly.” At that moment, God opened the gates of heaven and said to David, “I will establish rightly.” At that moment, God opened the gates of heaven and said to David, “I will establish your throne so that it will never cease throughout your generations” (1 Chr 29:11–25). your throne so that it will never cease throughout your generations” (1 Chr 29:11–25).
We too, as sojourners, must not attribute our life’s journey to mere chance or blind fate, but to We too, as sojourners, must not attribute our life’s journey to mere chance or blind fate, but to the sovereign and inevitable God, confessing: “Everything comes from Your hand. Nothing is the sovereign and inevitable God, confessing: “Everything comes from Your hand. Nothing is mine. Even my thoughts belong to You, Lord.” mine. Even my thoughts belong to You, Lord.”
We are passing sojourners, strangers, temporary residents with no lasting home, shadows that We are passing sojourners, strangers, temporary residents with no lasting home, shadows that soon fade. Yet when the Lord transforms us in the final moment of this finite world, we will live soon fade. Yet when the Lord transforms us in the final moment of this finite world, we will live forever with God. And we know that the ticket to that eternity is thanksgiving. Lord, may every forever with God. And we know that the ticket to that eternity is thanksgiving. Lord, may every Pyungkang member never forget to give thanks. Let us be thankful when we see our parents, Pyungkang member never forget to give thanks. Let us be thankful when we see our parents, thankful when we see our children, thankful for our daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. thankful when we see our children, thankful for our daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. May our church members be thankful when they meet one another. Please let the fragrance May our church members be thankful when they meet one another. Please let the fragrance of thanksgiving fill Pyungkang Cheil Church, creating a work that permeates the entire world. of thanksgiving fill Pyungkang Cheil Church, creating a work that permeates the entire world.
Thank You, God. Until the day we enter Your kingdom, as long as we breathe and live, make us Thank You, God. Until the day we enter Your kingdom, as long as we breathe and live, make us people who do not forget thanksgiving, and whose thanksgiving never cease. Let every member people who do not forget thanksgiving, and whose thanksgiving never cease. Let every member of Pyungkang Cheil Church be overflowing with thanksgiving—for what we see, what we realize, of Pyungkang Cheil Church be overflowing with thanksgiving—for what we see, what we realize, whom we meet, what we eat, where we go, and where we return. We pray and give thanks in whom we meet, what we eat, where we go, and where we return. We pray and give thanks in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen. the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
January 27, 2013 | Sunday Main Sermon
January 27, 2013 | Sunday Main Sermon “The Sojourner’s Prayer of Thanksgiving”(1 Chronicles 29:10–15)
- 25년 10월호