하나님께서는 하나님의 형상을 따라 인간을 만드셨습니다. 삼위일체 하나님께서 영원한 사랑의 관계 속에서 완전하게 존재하시는 것처럼, 우리 인간은 의미 있는 따뜻한 관계 속에서 행복과 삶의 의미를 경험합니다.
그러나 안타깝게도 우리가 지금 살아가는 시대는, 관계가 단절된 시대입입니다. 사람들은 다른 타인과 의미 있는 관계를 맺고 따뜻한 대화를 나누고 싶어 합니다. 그러나 각자가 자신의 삶에 바쁜 나머지 다른 사람을 돌아볼 여유를 갖지 못합니다. 혹은 다른 이를 섬기고 싶은 마음이 있지만, 방법을 모르는 경우도 종종 있습니다.
성도로서 성장한다는 것은, 하나님을 닮아가는 것입니다. 그분의 사랑, 인내, 격려, 권면, 진리, 정의를 배우며 닮아가는 것입니다. 교회 안에 많은 양육 프로그램이 있겠지만, 실제로 이것을 이루기 위해서는 단순히 강의만으로는 부족합니다. 성경적인 글을 읽고 함께 대화하며 서로를 격려하고 서로가 서로에게 배우며 성장하는 북클럽 이 반드시 필요한 이유입니다.
담임 목사로서 성도님들과 함께 본격적인 북클럽을 할 수 있게 되어서 하나님께 감사드립니다. 저는 저의 삶 전부가, 그리고 저의 모든 학업이 북클럽에 맞추어져 있습니다. 또한 제가 지금까지 성장한 모든 배경에 책과 북클럽이 존재합니다. 그러므로 이 양육 프로그램을 통해서 제가 가진 가장 좋은 것을 성도님들께 드릴 수 있어 저는 참으로 기쁜 마음입니다.
북클럽은 함께 성장하며 주님을 닮아가는 자리입니다. 그리고 복음으로 내 마음과 생각과 태도를 변화시켜, 궁극적으로 참된 교회의 본질로 회복되는 회복의 자리입니다. 볼티모어 교회에서 양육 프로그램의 공식적인 이름을 기도하면서 결정했습니다.
원래 "리딩크리스천"이라는 기존의 제가 운영하는 북클럽의 이름이 있지만, 볼티모어 교회만을 위해서 "은혜의 샘터 북클럽"이라고 새롭게 이름을 만들었습니다. 이 모임을 통해서 성도님들이 모여서 함께 은혜를 누리고 생수의 근원 되신 예수 그리스도로 충만해지기를, 그래서 꽃처럼 활짝 피어나는 인생 되시기를 원하는 마음으로 지었습니다.
이번에 함께 나눌 "복음이 울다"는 참으로 귀한 책입니다. 데이비드 플랫 목사님의 아주 짧은 여행기를 통해서, 복음, 그리고 복음으로 영혼을 섬기는 것의 의미를 찾아가는 탁월한 책입니다. 무리가 되겠지만 최대한 저의 시간을 조절해서 일주일네 네번의 클래스를 오픈하려고 합니다.
분명히 말씀드릴 수 있는 것은, 인생에 다시 돌아오지 않을 기회입니다. 3월 18일 주간부터 시작 예정이고, 이번주 부터 신청을 받습니다. 꼭 시간을 내셔서 함께 하시면 좋겠습니다. 아래 링크를 통해서 "복음이 울다"에 대한 저의 리뷰, 그리고 저와 함께 하신 성도님들에 대한 저의 평가와 북클럽 후기를 읽어 보실 수 있습니다.
성도는 세상 속에 존재합니다. 그것은 목회자도 마찬가지입니다. 저는 교회에서 일을 하지만, 항상 세상 속에 존재해야 한다고 생각합니다. 믿지 않는 분들을 만나고, 그들의 이야기를 듣고 교제하며, 그분들이 자신의 삶의 의미와 아름다움을 발견할 수 있도록 돕는 것이 목회자의 사명이라고 생각합니다.
복음은 전달해야 하지만, 강요할 수는 없는 것입니다. 그리고 복음은 따뜻한 관계 속에서 전달됩니다. 누군가와 마시는 따뜻한 커피 한잔의 시간이, 그리고 어려움을 듣고 경청해 주는 그 의미있는 순간들이 우리의 지친 삶에 힘이 됩니다. 그런 면에서 저는 교회를 나오지 않는 분들과의 북클럽 역시 너무나 소중히 여깁니다.
그래서 "리딩 피플 북클럽"을 시작합니다. 기독교 책이 아닌, "불편한 편의점"이라는 정말 따뜻한 소설을 함께 읽고 나눌 예정입니다. 저는 목사이지만 이 시간 만큼은 복음을 강요하지 않습니다. 그저 함께 삶을 나누고, 그 안에서 서로를 격려하고 응원할 수 있다면 그것만으로도 하나님께서 우리에게 허락하신 큰 축복입니다.
교회의 여러 사역도 감당해야 하기 때문에, 아쉽게도 한 클래스로 시작합니다. 3월 25일 부터 매주 화요일 10시, 총 아홉 번의 모임을 가집니다. 북클럽 오리엔테이션을 포함해서 누구든지 하실 수 있도록 친절하게 안내해드리고 모임을 이끌어갈 예정입니다.
교회에 다니시지 않는 누구라도 함께하실 수 있습니다. 그리고 만약에 볼티모어 교회 성도님의 친구분이 모임을 하고 싶어 한다면, 저희 성도님도 함께 하실 수 있습니다. Catonsville에 있는 Panera에서 모임을 합니다. 본인 커피 값만 내시면 됩니다. 최소 4명에서 최대 6명으로 모입니다. 이 모임을 통해서 인생의 진정한 회복과 기쁨을 누리실 수 있으리라 확신합니다. 아래 링크를 통해서 리딩 피플 북클럽에 대한 자세한 사항을 확인하실 수 있습니다.
God created mankind in His image. Just as the Triune God exists perfectly in an eternal relationship of love, we, as human beings, experience happiness and the meaning of life through meaningful and warm relationships.
However, sadly, we live in an era of disconnection. People desire meaningful relationships and warm conversations with others, yet they are often too busy with their own lives to take the time to care for others. Some may have the heart to serve others but lack the knowledge of how to do so.
Growing as a believer means becoming more like God—learning and embodying His love, patience, encouragement, exhortation, truth, and justice. While the church offers many discipleship programs, mere lectures are not enough to achieve true spiritual growth. This is why a book club that involves reading biblical literature, engaging in discussions, encouraging one another, and learning from each other is essential.
As the senior pastor, I am grateful to God for the opportunity to launch an official book club with our congregation. My entire life and academic journey have been centered around book clubs. Books and book clubs have played a significant role in my personal growth. Through this discipleship program, I am thrilled to share the best of what I have with our church members.
The book club is a place where we grow together and become more like Christ. It is also a space for restoration—where the gospel transforms our hearts, minds, and attitudes, ultimately restoring us to the true essence of the Church. After much prayer, we have decided on the official name for this discipleship program at Baltimore Church.
Although I have been running a book club called Reading Christian, I have created a new name specifically for Baltimore Church—The Spring of Grace Book Club. This name reflects my hope that through this gathering, our church members will experience God’s grace together, be filled with Jesus Christ, the source of living water, and blossom like flowers in their lives.
The book we will be discussing this time, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt, is truly a precious work. Through the author’s short yet powerful journey, this book excellently explores the meaning of the gospel and what it means to serve souls through the gospel. Although it may be challenging, I will adjust my schedule as much as possible to open four classes per week.
One thing I can say with certainty is that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The book club will begin the week of March 18, and registration opens this week. I strongly encourage you to make time to join us.
Below are links to my review of Something Needs to Change (복음이 울다), as well as reflections and evaluations from fellow church members who have participated in the Challenge of God's Kingdom book club.
* Something Needs to Change (David Platt) / Discovering the True Vision of Ministry
Believers exist in the world, and this applies to pastors as well. Though I work in the church, I firmly believe that I must always be present in the world. Meeting those who do not believe, listening to their stories, building relationships, and helping them discover the meaning and beauty of their lives is a vital mission of pastoral ministry.
The gospel must be shared, but it cannot be forced upon anyone. The gospel is conveyed through warm, genuine relationships. A simple moment of sharing a cup of coffee with someone, listening attentively to their struggles, and being present in meaningful moments can bring strength to our weary lives. In this sense, I deeply value book clubs that include those who do not attend church.
That is why I am launching the Reading People Book Club. Instead of a Christian book, we will be reading and discussing Uncomfortable convenience store (불편한 편의점), a heartwarming novel. Although I am a pastor, I will not impose the gospel in these gatherings. My hope is simply to share life together, encourage one another, and support each other. That alone is a great blessing that God allows us to experience.
Due to my various church responsibilities, I will start with just one class. The book club will meet every Tuesday at 10 AM for a total of nine sessions, starting on March 25. The first session will include an orientation, and I will guide everyone through the discussions in a welcoming and supportive way.
Anyone who does not attend church is welcome to join. If a Baltimore Church member has a friend who would like to participate, they are also welcome to join alongside them. Meetings will be held at Panera in Catonsville. Participants will only need to cover their own coffee expenses. The group will have a minimum of four and a maximum of six members.
I am confident that through this gathering, we will experience true restoration and joy in life. You can find more details about the Reading People Book Club in the link below:
* Recruiting Members for Reading People Book Club – Season 2
볼티코어 교회의 리더 훈련은 분명한 목표를 가지고 있습니다. 그것은, 리더들이 먼저 행복한 소그룹을 경험하는 것입니다. 그리고 리더들의 행복과 좋은 관계가, 교회 전체에 선한 영향을 끼치게 하는 것입니다.
모든 교회가 리더 교육의 중요성을 알고 있습니다. 그리고 단순히 구역 리더 분들을 모시고 리더십에 대해서 강의하는 것은 저에게 어려운 일이 아닙니다. 그러나 오랫동안 생각했던 것은, 리더십은 강의로만 배울 수 없다는 것입니다. 좋은 리더가 되기 위해서는 본인이 먼저 좋은 소그룹 안에서 서로를 알아가고 함께 은혜를 누리고 그 안에서 긍정적인 변화를 경험해야 합니다.
그래서 저는 구역 예배를 준비하기 위해서 현장에서 강의하지 않습니다. 강의는 영상을 통해서 미리 준비해드리고 오히려 모임 당일에는 실제 소그룹에 초점을 맞춥니다. 저와 박동민 목사님, 그리고 제 아내를 통해서 함께 북클럽 셋팅을 만들고, 다음 달에 있을 구역 예배 교제로 실제로 소그룹 모임을 하면서 리더분들이 은혜를 누리도록 돕고 있습니다.
사람들은 어떤 모임이든 나와 비슷한 연령대를 편하게 생각합니다. 실제로 동년배의 사람들과 대화하는 것이 즐겁고 도움이 됩니다. 그러나 영적인 관계를 맺어가다 보면 나와 다른 연령대의 분들과 모임을 하는 것 역시 매우 유익하고 감동이 된다는 것을 깨닫게 됩니다. 그것이 intergenerational 교육입니다. 그래서 의도적으로 다양한 연령대로 구성된 구역 리더분들과 북클럽 셋팅의 소그룹을 진행하고 있는 것입니다.
저는 지난 주 리더 모임이 참 좋았습니다. 모든 리더 분들이 저보다 연장자이셨습니다. 그래서 참 좋았습니다. 어르신들이 자신의 삶 속에서 경험한 신앙의 고민과 결단을 듣는 것이 좋았습니다. 그리고 제가 만약 저 정도 나이가 들었을 때에 과연 저런 믿음으로 살아갈 수 있을 것인가를 생각했습니다. 어쩌면, 귀한 신앙의 선배님들이 걸어가신 길을 따라가는 것만으로도 저에게는 인생의 성공이라 생각했습니다.
저에게 볼티모어 교회는 이제 시작에 불과합니다. 그러나 많은 부분들이 체계가 잡혔고, 특별히 리더 훈련의 부분에서 벌써 확고한 방향을 가지고 섬길 수 있어서 참으로 감사합니다. 그리고 가장 감사한 것은, 저와 리더들이 행복하다는 것입니다. 이것이 가장 중요한 것입니다. 만약에 리더들이 은혜를 받고 행복하다면, 당연히 구역원들을 더 잘 섬길 수 있을 것입니다. 본인이 리더 소그룹에서 먼저 경험한 칭찬, 격려, 권면, 사랑 등을 자신의 구역 모임 안에서 자연스럽게 실천할 수 있을 것입니다.
볼티모어 교회 구역 리더 분들의 귀한 사랑 그리고 섬김에 감사드립니다. 앞으로도 신실한 믿음의 리더들을 통해서 볼티모어 교회가 더 행복한 교회로 나아갈 것을 믿습니다. 하나님께서 우리의 모든 걸음을 선하게 인도하실 것을 믿고 또한 기도합니다.
The leader training at Baltimore Church has a clear goal: for leaders to first experience a joyful and thriving small group themselves. The happiness and strong relationships of these leaders will naturally have a positive impact on the entire church.
Every church recognizes the importance of leader training. And while simply gathering district leaders and giving lectures on leadership is not a difficult task for me, I have long believed that leadership cannot be learned through lectures alone. To become a good leader, one must first experience a healthy and grace-filled small group—getting to know one another, sharing in God’s grace, and witnessing positive changes within themselves.
Therefore, I do not conduct on-site lectures to prepare for district worship. Instead, I provide pre-recorded lectures through video and focus the actual meeting day on the small group experience itself. Together with Pastor Dongmin Park and my wife, we have established a book club setting, using next month’s district worship material to create real small group gatherings where leaders can personally experience spiritual enrichment.
People naturally feel most comfortable with others of a similar age group. Conversations with peers are enjoyable and beneficial. However, as we build spiritual relationships, we come to realize that engaging with people of different age groups is also deeply meaningful and inspiring. This is the essence of intergenerational education. For this reason, we intentionally structure our district leader groups and book club small groups with diverse age ranges.
Last week’s leader gathering was truly a blessing. All the leaders were older than me, and I found it to be a wonderful experience. Listening to their faith struggles and decisions throughout their lives was deeply moving. It made me reflect on whether I would be able to live with such faith when I reach their age. In a way, I believe that simply following the path of these great spiritual predecessors would already be a great success in life.
For me, Baltimore Church is still in its early stages. However, many structures have already been established, and I am truly grateful that we have a clear and firm direction, especially in leader training. Above all, I am most thankful that both the leaders and I are experiencing joy in this process. This is the most important factor. When leaders receive grace and experience happiness, they will naturally serve their small groups better. The praise, encouragement, guidance, and love they first experience within their leader groups will naturally be practiced in their own district gatherings.
I sincerely thank all the Baltimore Church district leaders for their love and dedication. I firmly believe that through the faithfulness of these committed leaders, Baltimore Church will continue to grow as a joyful and thriving church. I trust that God will lead every step we take and continue to pray for His guidance.
오 나의 맘을 주님께
열었으니 주여 내게 오셔서 내 맘에 거하여
주옵소서 주가 기뻐하는 주의 성전 되게
하소서
2. 곡 소개
이 곡의
원래 제목은 “My Heart, Your Home” 으로, 성도의
마음 안에 오셔서 거하시는 주님에 대한 고백, 그리고 주님께서 기뻐하시는 성전이 되고자 하는 성도의
아름다운 갈망을 담고 있는 곡이다.
3. 말씀으로 바라보기
시편 51:10 하나님이여
내 속에 정한 마음을 창조하시고 내 안에 정직한 영을 새롭게 하소서
요한복음 14:23 예수께서
대답하여 이르시되 사람이 나를 사랑하면 내 말을 지키리니 내 아버지께서 그를 사랑하실 것이요 우리가 그에게 가서 거처를 그와 함께 하리라
신자가 하나님과 그리스도와 함께 하늘의 영광 속에서 거할
것처럼, 삼위일체 하나님은 이미 은혜 가운데
있는 참된 신자의 마음에 거하십니다.
Joel R. Beeke, Michael P. V. Barrett, and
Gerald M. Bilkes, eds., The Reformation
Heritage KJV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage
Books, 2014), 1538.
성령 하나님께서 신자 안에 내주하시는 것처럼, 아버지와 아들도 성령의 임재를 통해
신자 안에 거하십니다.
로마서 12:1 그러므로
형제들아 내가 하나님의 모든 자비하심으로 너희를 권하노니 너희 몸을 하나님이 기뻐하시는 거룩한 산 제물로 드리라 이는 너희가 드릴 영적 예배니라
고린도후서 6:16 하나님의
성전과 우상이 어찌 일치가 되리요 우리는 살아 계신 하나님의 성전이라 이와 같이 하나님께서 이르시되 내가 그들 가운데 거하며 두루 행하여 나는
그들의 하나님이 되고 그들은 나의 백성이 되리라 하셨느니라
우리는 살아 계신 하나님의 성전입니다. 구약에서는 하나님의 거처가 이스라엘 백성과 함께하는 성막이었으며, 이후에는
솔로몬이 건축한 성전이 되었습니다. 그러나 그리스도께서 오셨을 때, 그분
자신이 참된 성전, 곧 하나님의 거처가 되셨습니다. 이제는 성령 하나님께서 우리 안에 거하시며, 이로 인해 우리는 개인적으로, 그리고 그분의 교회로서 공동체적으로 새로운 종말론적 성전이 되었습니다.
이 찬양은, 하나님께 나의 온 마음을
드리고, 주님께서 내 안에 거하시기를 바라는 간절한 기도가 담겨 있다.
특별히 이 찬양은 하나님과의 친밀한 교제를 향한 깊은 갈망을 표현하고 있다. 나의 마음을
받으소서 라는 고백은, 우리의 마음을 새롭게 하시는 하나님을 신뢰하며,
그 마음을 날마다 주님 앞에 정결하게 내어드리겠다는 결단을 담고 있다.
성경은 하나님께서 단순히 우리 곁에 계시는 것이 아니라, 우리 안에 거하신다고 분명히 말씀하신다. 특별히 성령님께서 우리
안에 임재하고 계신다. 이것은 우리의 마음에 감사와 감격과 경외감과 감동을 만들어내는 하나님의 약속의
성취이다. 그러므로 우리는 마땅히 말씀을 사랑하고 순종하는 삶을 살아야 한다. 주님을 사랑하고 그분의 뜻에 따라 사는 삶이야 말로, 하나님께서
우리 안에 거하시는 믿음의 삶인 것이다.
우리의 몸과 마음은 온전히 하나님의 것이며 신앙은 감정적인 헌신을 뛰어 넘어, 우리의 삶 전체를 하나님께 드리는 것이다. 그러므로 우리의 삶 자체가
하나님께 드리는 거룩한 산 제물이 되어야 한다. 이 찬양을 부를 때 마다 주님이 내 안에 계심에 대한
감사가 넘치기를 기대한다. 깨끗한 마음을 주님께 드리며, 또한
온전한 헌신과 예배를 통해서 하나님께 나의 전부를 주님께 드림으로 주님의 기뻐하시는 성전으로 변화되는 삶을 살아가기를 원한다. 매일 마다 주님과 더 가까워지며 주님 앞에 나를 온전히 드리는 모든 성도님들 되시기를 기대한다.
제가 2024년 10월에 부임했기 때문에, 2025년을 준비하는 것이 쉽지가 않았습니다. 새로운 한해를 계획하는 것이 시간이 필요한 것인데 절대적인 시간이 부족했습니다. 그리고 저에 대한 기대와 또 앞으로 교회가 더 잘 되기를 원하는 귀한 마음들을 가지고 계시는 것을 알고 있었기 때문에 마음에 적잖이 부담도 있습니다.
성도님들과 대화를 나눠보니, 특히 제직 세미나에 대한 기대가 있으시다는 것을 알게 되었습니다. 제직은 교회의 핵심 멤버이고 교회를 섬기고 또 이끌어가는 분들이기 때문에 저 역시 중요하다고 생각했습니다. 그래서 오랫동안 하나님 앞에서 기도하면서 준비를 하였습니다.
요즘에 저에게 주시는 아이디어는, 교회의 중요한 모임을 위해 영상을 미리 준비하는 것입니다. 예를 들어서, 제직 수련회를 위해서 미리 강의의 내용을 녹화해서 공유하는 것입니다. 이것의 유익은, 성도님들께서 필요하신대로 계속 보실 수 있고, 또 실제 모임 때에는 이미 전반적인 내용을 아시는 분들이기 때문에, 목회자로서 더 핵심적으로 필요한 것들을 강조할 수 있다는 것입니다. 그래서 미리 교안을 준비하고 영상을 만들어서 성도님들께 보내드렸습니다.
제직 수련회의 전체적인 방향은, 리더십으로 잡았습니다. 단순히 목회자만 리더가 아니라, 제직들 모두가 교회의 리더이며 그런 맥락에서 함께 마음을 모으기를 원했습니다. 켄 블랜차드의 리더십의 정의, 그리고 짐 콜린스의 좋은 리더의 특징을 간단하게 정리해서 말씀을 드렸습니다.
그리고 교회의 비전을 함께 나누었습니다. 저는 단지 교회가 아니더라도 좋은 공동체는, 그 공동체의 비전을 모두가 함께 품고 가는 것이라고 생각합니다. 길거리를 지나가다가, 당신이 속한 공동체의 비전이 무엇이냐고 누군가 갑자기 물어보더라도 대답할 수 있어야 합니다. 특별히 교회의 리더인 제직은 더 그러합니다.
볼티모어 교회의 비전은 "서로 사랑하며, 진실하게 예배함으로 성숙하여 복음을 전하는 교회" 입니다. 이 안에 교회를 향한 하나님의 꿈 그리고 교회의 본질이 압축되어 있습니다. 이 내용을 풀어서 함께 나누고, 다시 한번 교회의 비전으로 마음을 모아 주시기를 부탁드렸습니다.
그리고 제직의 역할에 대해서 설명드렸습니다. 장로님, 권사님, 그리고 집사님들의 성경적 역할에 대해서 간략히 말씀드리고, '자기 자신'에게 있어서 무엇을 실천할지를 그룹으로 나누도록 인도했습니다. 참 좋았습니다. 진지하게 저의 강의를 들으시는 모습들이 좋았고, 또 열정적으로 나누시고 박수치는 모습이 참 좋았습니다.
그리고 올해 있을 목회 계획에 대해서 말씀드렸습니다. 현재 준비하고 있는 추가적인 내부 북클럽인 '은혜의 샘터' 양육과 외부 북클럽인 '리딩 피플'에 대한 안내를 해드렸습니다. 그리고 임직, 부흥회, 전교인 수련회 등의 중요한 행사들을 안내해드렸습니다.
모든 나눔의 시간이 참 좋았습니다. 그리고 마음이 벅찼습니다. 성도의 기쁨은 교회가 잘 되는 것이며, 하나님을 향한 소망으로 마음을 가득 채우는 것인데 그런 점에서 제직 수련회는 정말 좋았습니다. 제 마음도 기뻤고, 또 성도님들의 얼굴이 밝아서 참 좋았습니다.
담임 목사로서, 교회를 참으로 사랑하고 아끼고 열심으로 섬기는 제직들이 계셔서 행복합니다. 앞으로도 하나님께서 볼티모어 교회 가운데 은혜를 주시고, 아름다운 미래를 열어갈 것을 믿고 소망하고 또 기도합니다.
Since I began my ministry in October 2024, preparing for 2025 has not been easy. Planning for a new year requires time, but I simply did not have enough. Moreover, knowing that many members hold high expectations for me and deeply desire the church to thrive has placed a significant burden on my heart.
Through conversations with church members, I realized that there is a particular expectation for the leadership seminar. Since church leaders are the core members who serve and guide the church, I also recognized its importance. Therefore, I spent a long time in prayer before God as I prepared for it.
Recently, God has given me the idea of preparing videos in advance for important church meetings. For example, I recorded and shared the lecture content ahead of time for the leadership retreat. The benefit of this approach is that church members can revisit the material as needed, and since they are already familiar with the overall content, I, as a pastor, can focus on emphasizing the key points during the actual gathering. So, I prepared the lecture materials, created the video, and sent it to the members.
The central theme of the leadership retreat was leadership itself. Leadership is not just about pastors; all church leaders, including the deacons, play a crucial role. I wanted to unite our hearts in this understanding. I briefly introduced Ken Blanchard's definition of leadership and Jim Collins’ characteristics of a great leader.
Additionally, we shared the church’s vision together. I believe that a good community, whether a church or not, is one where all its members carry the vision in their hearts. If someone were to suddenly ask you on the street what your community’s vision is, you should be able to answer confidently. This is especially true for church leaders.
The vision of Baltimore Church is: "A church that loves one another, worships sincerely, matures in faith, and proclaims the gospel."
Within this statement lies God’s dream for the church and the essence of its mission. We unpacked this vision together and encouraged everyone to recommit their hearts to it.
We also discussed the role of church leaders. I briefly explained the biblical roles of elders, kwonsas (ordained women leaders), and deacons, and then guided the participants to reflect in small groups on how they could personally apply these roles in their own lives. It was a meaningful time. I was deeply moved by how attentively they listened to my lecture, and it was wonderful to see their passionate discussions and enthusiastic applause.
I also shared the ministry plans for this year. I introduced two upcoming book clubs—an internal discipleship group called “The Well of Grace” and an external outreach book club called “Reading People.” Additionally, I provided information about key events such as ordinations, revival services, and the all-church retreat.
Every moment of sharing was truly special, and my heart was full. The joy of the congregation is found in the growth of the church and in being filled with hope toward God. In that sense, the leadership retreat was a wonderful time. I was happy, and it was a joy to see the bright faces of our church members.
As the senior pastor, I feel blessed to have such dedicated church leaders who genuinely love, cherish, and serve the church with all their hearts. I firmly believe that God will continue to pour His grace upon Baltimore Church and lead us into a beautiful future. I hold onto this hope and continue to pray.
Isaiah 2:1-4 - Swords Turned into
Plowshares (Advent 1)
Waiting
Perhaps some of you here today have a pet dog.
When I was a student, I spent most of my time with a dog. There were many
things I felt while raising a dog, but one of the things I felt most was
intimacy and loyalty. Of course, it varies depending on the breed and
personality, but most dogs are loyal, trust their owner, and wait for them.
That’s why, after being away for a day or two and meeting again, they are so
happy to see you. The dog believed the owner would return and waited, so they
are even more joyful when the reunion happens.
A Story About a Dog
I recently saw a story on the news
by chance. It was about a pet dog named Caramelo. This dog, Caramelo, has been
living like a staff member at a hospital in Brazil. But Caramelo has quite a
story behind it. In 2016, Caramelo's owner was admitted to this hospital and
then passed away. From that moment, Caramelo has remained at that hospital. Of
course, the owner’s family tried to take the dog home several times, but it kept escaping and
returning to the hospital. Eventually, the late owner’s children gave up trying to bring
Caramelo home. Instead, the hospital decided to adopt the dog. Since we can't
communicate directly with dogs, we don't know Caramelo’s deepest thoughts, but maybe it is
still waiting for its owner to return, faithfully staying at the same spot.
The Background of Isaiah
Today's passage is about waiting.
In verse 2, it says: “In the last days, the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the
highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations
will stream to it.” The prophet Isaiah, who wrote today’s passage, was active from around
740 BC to 681 BC. Isaiah's ministry took place when both the southern kingdom
of Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel were in political turmoil. The
greatest threat at that time was the Assyrian Empire. The Assyrian Empire was
expanding its power through violence to satisfy its greed, and it was a
significant threat to surrounding nations. Therefore, we can easily imagine
that people of that era lived every day with rumors of war and threats. Their
hearts must have been filled with fear and anxiety. And it was during such
times that Isaiah proclaimed the message of waiting for the last days.
Waiting for That Day
The phrase "in the last
days" refers to the end times. Isaiah prophesied in today’s passage what
will happen when that time comes. In verse 2, it says: “The mountain of the LORD’s temple will be
established as the highest of the mountains.” The "mountain of the LORD's
temple" refers to Mount Zion, where the city of Jerusalem is built, and
the temple was there. I remember the first time I saw Jerusalem during my
pilgrimage. We were on a bus heading toward Jerusalem for a long time, and I
began to see the city. The first thought that came to my mind was,
"Jerusalem isn’t as high as I thought." In the Bible, there are many references to “the mountain of
the LORD,” so often we think that Jerusalem is built on a high, scenic mountain. But
in reality, what is it like? It feels like a huge, gently sloping hill. Of
course, the city of Jerusalem is magnificent, but there are many mountains
taller and more glorious than it. But what does today’s scripture say? It says, “The mountain of
the LORD's temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will
be exalted above the hills.” What does this mean? This is referring to the spiritual importance of
Jerusalem. Though it may appear to be a low mountain on the outside, because
the temple of the LORD is there, it can be called the most important place.
All Nations Will Stream to It
What is truly astonishing in
today's passage is the latter part of verse 2, which says: “All nations will
stream to it.” The word "stream" in the original language means to flow like a
river, which makes this part even more vivid. Originally, it was a place where
only the Jews gathered to worship God. Now, all nations and all peoples are
streaming in, like a mighty current, to come before God and worship Him. This
is a vivid vision of the future.
Come
Moreover, in today’s passage, we see a lively
conversation that the people have as they head up to Jerusalem. In the first
half of verse 3, it says: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of
Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” What do you feel
when you hear these words? As I read this passage, I felt the excitement of
these people. It feels like they are going on a journey to a beautiful place
they have never been before in their life or heading toward a place they had
long dreamed of. So what are these people so excited about? Their anticipation
is about God. They are filled with a beautiful resolve that God will teach them
and that they are willing to obey His words. So the latter part of verse 3
says: “The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” What is the
conviction in their hearts? They no longer wish to hear the stories of the
world. They want to hear the word of the LORD. They are confident that only
God's word is the truth, and that is why they approach the temple of God with
boldness and joy.
The Lord Will Judge Between Nations
After showing us this picture of
nations coming to God and the hopeful conversations they are having, verse 4
continues by saying: “He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many
peoples.” God promises to judge what is right and wrong in the disputes that have
existed thus far and to resolve their conflicts. And then, the transformation
in reality is shown: “They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning
hooks.” And finally, it says, “Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war
anymore.”
Why War?
What are your thoughts as you read through
this passage? As I prepared this sermon, one of the biggest questions that came
to my mind was, “Why the imagery of war?” Why would God use the image of war to describe the transformation of those
who seek Him earnestly and come to Him? Why is it that when describing the
changes in those who truly seek the Lord, God uses the imagery of warfare? I
thought we should go back and reflect on the history of war and what it
represents. With that in mind, let us think about it. If we consider peace as
the opposite of war, then when was the most perfect peace shattered in human
history? That was when sin entered the world with the eating of the forbidden
fruit, and at that very moment, complete peace was shattered into pieces.
Broken Relationships
In Genesis 3, after Adam and Eve
ate the forbidden fruit, God came to Adam and rebuked him, wanting Adam to
admit his sin. God asked him: “...Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I
commanded you not to eat from?” (Genesis 3:11) But how did Adam answer? Adam said: “The woman you put
here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” (Genesis 3:12) I think this scene
might be one of the saddest in the entire Bible. Why? Because the very creature
God loved most—Adam—turned his back on God by refusing to admit his sin. Furthermore, Adam went
so far as to blame God by implying that the woman God gave him was the root of
all problems. We also see the beautiful relationship of marriage that God
allowed being completely broken here. Adam refused to take responsibility for
his sin and, instead, blamed his beloved wife. He claimed, “Because of that
woman, I ended up like this.” Right in front of Eve, his partner, Adam is recorded in Scripture
displaying this ugly scene of blaming her. Ultimately, the reason peace among
humans was shattered and wars broke out was because of our sinful, fallen
nature, which says, “It’s not my fault; it’s yours.”
Why Did They Leave the Church?
Recently, I read a book called “Why Did They Leave
the Church?” The title itself is both intriguing and heartbreaking. It’s a book by a
journalist, Sookhee Chung, who works for the Korean Daily News in America. She
wrote about a conflict that occurred in a church in the LA area years ago: “When you meet both
sides who are fighting, they all seem like perfectly fine Christians. Each of
them has a deep faith, and each has a great love for the church—greater than
anyone else’s. Their reasons and arguments are also logical in their own way. Then who
is right, and who is wrong? Before determining who’s to blame, the problem is that
everyone points at each other, saying, ‘It’s your fault.’ In church
disputes, people say they ‘pray while fighting’ and label the other side as ‘Satan’—that’s what makes it so serious.” What are your
thoughts on this? And how can you connect this writing with today’s scripture? As I
meditated on today’s passage, I realized how serious the war brought by our fall really is. It’s a war of blaming
others—even blaming God. No one takes responsibility for their sins, and instead,
everyone keeps blaming others. This is humanity's greatest war.
The Lord Took Our Place
So, let us think for a moment—what hope could
there be in such a situation? What hope is there for us in a situation where
humanity has turned against God, blames Him, and even becomes enemies with one
another? But as I meditated on Isaiah today, I found the phrase in verse 4, “He will judge
between the nations,” to be particularly significant. The word “judge” here carries the meaning of
mediation. In other words, God Himself will mediate between people. So what
kind of God is the LORD? The LORD is not a God who passively watches wars from
afar. He is a God who actively intervenes. He does not leave us alone as we
blame God and blame one another. Instead, He works on our behalf. In 1 Timothy
2:5, it says: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man
Christ Jesus.” The Bible tells us that in order to turn a relationship of war into one of
peace, it is Jesus Christ alone who stands as the mediator between God and
humanity.
God Who Bears Responsibility for Us
How did Jesus carry out the work of
mediation? Isaiah 53:5-6 says: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our
iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds,
we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to
our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” In 2 Corinthians
5:21, it says: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might
become the righteousness of God.” Isn’t this truly astonishing? What
amazes us is that what God does is the exact opposite of what we do. While
sinners continually blame each other, saying, “It’s all your fault,” the Lord does not
blame us but instead has compassion on us and willingly takes responsibility
for our lives.
This Is True Grace
Therefore, the gospel is completely
against our instincts. We are people who feel it’s only natural to get even when we’re hurt. We are
people who resolve, “I won’t let anyone else’s mistakes cost me.” And if something is unclear, we are the kind of people who just have to
blame others to feel better. But God carried all of it alone and worked for us.
This is true grace. I remember talking to a young man during a book club
session a long time ago. I asked him, “What do you think God’s grace is?” He answered, “Pastor, it is that
Jesus died on the cross.” So I slightly corrected him: “That’s good, but I think something
important is missing. The grace is that Jesus died on the cross for me.”
The Lord Takes Full Responsibility
for Us
In that
sense, perhaps we still have not fully grasped the true grace of God. We say we
know God, but in reality, we may not truly know Him. Why? Because when we think
of Jesus, we rarely think, “I am truly a sinner, and Jesus came to this earth because of me.” Instead, it’s like we think
God was in some way indebted to us and, out of necessity or guilt, had no
choice but to send His Son to this earth. But that’s not the case. That Jesus died on
the cross in our place means that God did not hold us accountable for our sin.
Rather, the Lord took on all responsibilities, and this is the essence of
Christ’s mediation. Therefore, even amid our failures and despair, we do not lose
the hope of salvation. Furthermore, even though we still stumble due to sin, we
can stand again and approach God boldly because we are assured that God still
takes responsibility for us.
Restore Your Relationships The “last days” that Isaiah the prophet spoke about
are the times we live in now. After Jesus’ first coming and as we wait for His
second coming, this era is what Isaiah was referring to as the “last days.” In this plan,
Gentiles like us would come to seek the Lord, and because of Jesus, our
relationship with the Father would be restored. We would hear the Lord’s words and seek
His will—a remarkable miracle is taking place. In that regard, I would like to ask
you this: Are you in the middle of a war? Are you in an uncomfortable
relationship with God? This question is about whether your relationship with
Father God has been fully restored. Do you feel peace when you think of God? Do
you understand, believe, and trust in Jesus, and do you have the assurance that
you are His child? And further, I would also like to ask how your relationship
is with your spiritual brothers and sisters.
The True Characteristics of the
Church
What we
should pay attention to is that those who have come to believe in Christ have
become the temple of God. In Ephesians 2:22, it says: “And in him, you too are being built
together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” In other words,
in these last days, we have become one body in Christ, a complete spiritual
family. Then what is the ultimate picture of the church that the Bible shows
us? The latter part of verse 4 today is like the highlight of a movie. It shows
us the ultimate image that the gospel of Jesus Christ creates. And here we see
people who overcome war.
This is truly remarkable. Why? Because this is
contrary to all of human history, and it shows that those who have overcome the
sinful nature of humanity have finally appeared. Take note of how vivid this
scene is. They have beaten their swords into plowshares. A plowshare is a
farming tool like a plow. The tool of war has become a farming tool. There is
no longer any tool to wage war. It says they will no longer take up swords to
strike one another, nor will they train for war. In other words, there will be
complete peace without even a hint of that horrible sin of blaming others,
destroying me, the church, and the world. So in Romans 14:17, it says: “For the kingdom of
God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and
joy in the Holy Spirit.” What does this mean? Many people still misunderstand the church, focusing
on our buildings, our numbers, and how we appear outwardly. But the Bible
speaks of the true church, where the Holy Spirit pours out boundless peace and
joy. In other words, it speaks of the true characteristics of the church—a church where war
has disappeared and inner satisfaction, peace, and awe are present.
Have True Faith
Isaiah 2:4, which we read today, is
inscribed on a stone in front of the United Nations headquarters. It represents
the determination to achieve world peace through political and diplomatic
efforts. But what’s the problem? The world is still filled with war and anger. The world’s methods will
never bring about complete peace. Sookhee Chung writes in her book: “Today, I want to
ask those involved in disputes at the 'frontlines'—how long will you keep saying, ‘It’s your fault’? By now, I want to
see someone say, ‘It’s my fault,’ and show the true image of a Christian by breaking the pride in their
hearts and repenting.” What does this mean? Just looking like a Christian outwardly will never
bring about this peace. Only those who have been deeply moved by God’s grace, who
continues to bear responsibility for sinful me and guides me, can bring about
this peace in their lives. Only those who wait for the Lord with loyalty and
sincerely long for Him can achieve and enjoy this peace.
What Are We Waiting For?
Therefore, as we meditate on today’s passage, I want
us to ask ourselves honestly: Are we waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ as
Isaiah waited for the end times? Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is
a time of waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ and preparing for Christmas.
But if we reflect, it seems that many people have forgotten the true value of
Christ. It seems that we have lost our loyalty to Him. We are busy with
year-end activities and excited about the holidays, but it seems like we have
forgotten the times we are living in. Yet in verse 3 today, it says: “Come, let us go up
to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach
us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” In other words, today we are
listening to the cries and exhortations of many people who walked the true path
of faith through this time of worship. We are learning the true way of life.
And God is inviting us away from a life of war—where we blame and condemn others—into a life of
genuine grace, where we even take responsibility for others' faults.
The Lord Invites Us to Peace
Therefore, at this very point, we
face the greatest challenge in our faith. The world we live in is like a
battleground. It feels like if we lose even once or overlook someone’s mistake,
everything will fall apart. Our reality is that we live with a sense of crisis.
The truth is, we fear that if we don’t blame others and live naively, we
might end up living a miserable life. So today’s message may seem so unrealistic.
It may sound as idealistic as the promise of peace given to Isaiah amid the
threats of war. When we hear the command to end the war today, it may seem like
it surpasses our reason completely. However, the Bible clearly shows us that
Christ has already emptied Himself completely and came to this earth, that He
willingly gave up everything for us. The Lord sacrificed for us first. The Lord
made us His body, the church. The Lord told us that this is the right way and
is asking us today, “How long will you continue to fight? How long will you live blaming others?” As we approach
Christmas, the Lord invites us, who have pledged loyalty to Him, to end the
war. On this Advent Sunday, He invites us into His peace.
Conclusion
I want to conclude today’s message. Beloved
congregation, what are you earnestly waiting for this year-end? Though there
are many things we can wait for and enjoy, I hope we wait for the true peace of
Jesus Christ. And I pray that through the Prince of Peace, the relationship between
God and us will be restored. I pray that the relationship between fellow
believers, which has been broken, will be healed. I pray that the terrible war
engraved in our sinful nature will gradually disappear. May we no longer lift
the sword against one another. May we not wield it or train for war anymore. I
sincerely bless you all in the name of the Lord, that you may live as the
people of God’s peace, without wielding the sword against one another. Let us pray
together.
