PWP Changhyun Kim

January 06, 2022

Rob Ernest

January 2, 2022. Sunday Morning Service Scripture: John 1:9-12 Title: The right of Children. There is an everyday man who has recently become very popular all over the world. People describe and express him like this. “This man has just decided to adopt the entire internet and I think that’s absolutely amazing.” “When he said “you got this, I’m proud of you” I started sobbing cause I’ve never had a dad so I’ve never had someone tell me that.” His name is Rob Kenney, and he runs a YouTube channel called "How Do I, Dad? " Let me show you what he is doing. He doesn't provide top secrets or unique information. He just lets people know what fathers are teaching their children. For example, he makes videos of how to tie a tie, fix a toilet, shave, and change tires. Many people are moved by his video, and people who have not been cared for by their parents are receiving comfort and benefits. As someone said, he adopted everyone through online and decided to be someone's father. And he became the father of countless sons and daughters online. The reason many people thank and follow him is probably his fatherhood rather than the quality of the information he provides. We all need parental love and care, teaching, and wisdom. And we all have a fundamental longing for this kind of parental love. God, who created us to need parental love, came to become our parents. This event in which Jesus Christ came to us shows He adopted and embraced the whole world as His children. This is good news for all of us and the world. But when Jesus came to this earth, the world did not recognize and did not receive that He was true light, savior, and parent. The world was like an orphan, a lost sheep. The Gospels are full of stories of the lost people. Among them, I would like to introduce a religious leader named Nicodemus. He was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council. He was a religious leader, and he was a strict follower of the law, but he did not know who God was or what salvation was. At that time, religious leaders, and ordinary people did not recognize and receive Jesus as the Son, Light, and Savior of God. Nicodemus must have known that there was no true peace and salvation in his life. He probably pretended to keep the law perfectly as the other Pharisees. But he discovered the hypocrisy that he could not be saved and perfect by himself. How frustrated and scared must he have been? He was surrounded by the descendants of Abraham, a Pharisee who said “ We keep the law perfectly.” But Nicodemus knew that their lives were hypocritical and had no faith in salvation. Pharisees lives would have been full of a sense of loss, wanderings, fears, and insecurities, and to hide those fears, they adorned themselves with more significant lies and hypocrisy. Meanwhile, Nicodemus hears stories and miracles about Jesus and thinks He might be the key to salvation. So, he goes to Jesus late at night and says: “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” (John 3:2) And Jesus teaches that the kingdom of God can only be seen by being born again and said “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John3:16) Nicodemus came to Jesus and asked about life, salvation, and the kingdom of God. And Jesus shows him the way to salvation and eternal life. I think Nicodemus' question is like a child going to his father and asking, "How do I, dad?" He asked Jesus the fundamental questions of life that he could not solve on his own. At that moment, Nicodemus hears the good news and the message of salvation through Jesus. He was the one who heard John 3:16 as the voice of Jesus. I believe our reality is not much different from Israel at the time Jesus came. The light of Christ has already come to the whole world and everyone. But many still live in anxiety, worry, fear, and wandering. As we shared during Advent season, the Christian life does not guarantee that conflict will evaporate. In our reality, problems constantly pop up. Our church has a prayer team. Through this ministry, the prayer requests of church members and community people are updated weekly. Many suffer from illness, relationships, financial problems, psychological problems, and a sense of loss. Sometimes, when I hear prayer requests for someone's death or severe illness, my heart is heavy and overwhelmed. I trust God to hear our prayers, work, and lead our lives in the best way, but there are still times when fear and confusion weigh on my spirit. What if the miracle doesn't happen as we prayed? How should I send God's comfort to them? Where is God in their lives? These anxiety and fears lead to frustration and fear in our hearts even though we are Christians. At that moment when frustration, disappointment, and doubt grow in your heart, we have work to do. It is not to be immersed in our problems and despair but to remember the Word of God. Today's Scripture says a powerful truth. In John 1:12, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Also, John 14:18 says:”I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” Amen. Our faith is not in our circumstances and problems. Our faith is in God who calls us as His children. When Nicodemus was in despair in his life, he went to Jesus and asked: How do I, Dad? Christ came to us to be our parents, to establish a loving relationship with us, and to become a family. The Bible says that when we believe and depend on this love of Christ, we have the right of children. The rights of a child of God are simple. It means that we can call God Father and Mother, and we can always ask, depend, cry, and lean on Him. God is your good father and mother. When you have difficulties and pains that you have never experienced in your life, run to God, your parent. And ask. How do I, Dad? The abundant love, wisdom, and comfort of Christ will present into your life, and our hearts, minds, and souls will be completely renewed. Dear LUMC family, always remember the promises of Christ and the rights of children. You are the beloved children of Christ.