2001.9.30. Rev. Yong Hwan Kim

To seek my dream following Him

Jeremiah 32:6-15

Last week, I heard Rev. Cho's sermon on the Internet. It was very inspiring and touching. My afterthought was "Gosh, the mission committee is very ambitious. How do they expect me to follow his foot steps?" But the reason I still went on with the plan to give a sermon today is because I strongly believe that the one who gives inspiration is God and He will also touch all of you who are listening. I hope we can share the words of God this morning. Let's pray.

God, thank you for gathering us here this morning. Let us not hear the human voice but help us to listen to Your words. With your words, let the sad receive a consolation, let whom ever in despair have hope. Please heal us who are in sickness and renew our faith when we are weak. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

1. The lesson of the Terrorism

The recent terrorists act has shocked all of us. On the day of the terror, a young man from my previous church was on the 10th floor of the World Trade Center. As soon as the first plane hit the building he ran out of the building and survived. I wondered what went on in the minds of the people who survived, including this young man. I'd bet they all asked themselves "How am I going to live my life from now on?". What did all of you think watching this horrible act of terror? Clearly, we all should take this as a learning opportunity. We have to think about what we have to do so that nothing like this will ever happen again. We have to think about how we should live our lives.

A lot of churches come up with mission statements or vision statements and they put them on the Internet or bulletins. And some make banners and hang them. Not only churches or organization, but also I think it would be a good experience for each of us to make our own mission statements. I made my own mission statement. One of them is "Make a difference in the community." Wherever I am, at home, at work, or in my community, I want to live to make a difference. What would be your mission statement?

2. Story of Jeremiah

A lot of people live according to their mission. Today, I would like to introduce you the prophet Jeremiah who lived 600 years before Christ. United States is going through a tough time right now, but not as tough as the time of Jeremiah. At the time, the nation was going down completely. Not only that, he foresaw the future tragedy. Can you imagine how you would feel if you knew what was going to happen tomorrow? If only good things will happen, it's no problem. But if you knew about the terrible things what were to happen, you probably will go insane. I think, the five cases of suicide, jumping off the buildings, happened because of the same reason.

What was more difficult for Jeremiah was that he had to tell his people about what was going to happen. If we look at Jeremiah chapter 32, verse 2, he was in jail because of his prophecy of the fall of Judah. Not only that, but he also said that the army of Babylon will besiege Jerusalem and the King of Judah, Zedekiah, will be the prisoner of Babylon.

What would happen if some Secretary or presidential aid of Bush administration said they could never win the war with the Terrorists? If they said the life of the president is in danger, he or she might get fired. Jeremiah made the king angry and he was confined in jail as a traitor. He was spending his time in jail in tears worrying about his falling country. If we look at Jeremiah chapter 9, verse 1, he cries, "Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night for the slain of my people."

Not to mention the families of the victims, many Americans are crying now. Many are in fear of possible war. What is the role of us Korean Americans, especially Christians? For us, who left our homeland and will live in this land until we die, this is not a foreign county. In Christians' point of view, this is also land of God. It is our country. Then, we have to contribute ourselves to make America a beautiful country.

It is a sad situation that a country that was built on the heritage of Puritanism is a target of terrorists' hatred. If other countries think that the country of Christianity, that teaches to love their enemies, is retaliating because of their wounded pride, it would be blasphemous to Jesus. Is there a way to give everyone hope at a time like this? God gave hope to Jeremiah who was in sorrow.

3. God who gives hope.

One day, God came to Jeremiah in his jail. He said Hanamel, son of Shallum your uncle, is going to come to you and tell you to buy his field. As God told him, son of his uncle came to him and told him to buy the field in Anathoth, which was Jeremiah's homeland. He probably needed money to buy food since they were being besieged by Babylon.

Since God told him, Jeremiah buys that land. But he had a complaint. In chapter 32, verse 25, he says And thought the city will be handed over to the Babylonians, you, O Sovereign Lord, say to me, Buy the field with silver and have the transaction witnessed. He objected to the idea of buying the field when the country was downfalling.

Jeremiah didn't know the reason for buying the field in the beginning, but according to Chapter 32, verse 44, he realizes that God had the intention of retrieving the captivated people back to their land. God gave the hope to the people that they can buy and sell houses, fields, and the vineyards again in their homeland. It seemed as though they have no hope in the falling country, but the restoration was God's plan and dream. Trusting God, Jeremiah buys the field with 17shekels of silver. It wasn't the field for him to use. But it was to give the people of Israel the hope of their future. He made the transaction documents and gave instructions to Baruch to keep them in a clay jar. God has instructed that way. Because it was the symbol of God's promise.

4. What is the hope of America?

Where can America find its hope? Can they find it in their patriotism by putting up the star-spangled Banners in front of their houses and on their cars? Can they find it in their kind manners of yielding by letting the other car go first in the intersections? Can they find it in their services, when they drive hours to help out in the disaster sites? Can they find it in their attitude when they are willing to learn about other races and religions? They are all good. But they are not the solution to solve the fundamental problem. I believe the hope of future America lies in raising leaders with the love of Christ.

Let's look at the hi-jackers in this terrorism. Some of them had wives and children. We don't know who is responsible for the whole thing, but he is not an ordinary person. How can he persuade other people to give their lives to achieve his goal? Can you and I have the courage to die in the name of Christ? If the Islamic religion gives people that kind of courage, why can't Christians? Jesus gave His life. Isn't there something wrong if his followers can't give their lives?

If I don't do anything but want other people to change, there is no hope. It has to start from me. I have to train my children to become the leader. At a time like this, when America is in mourning without knowing which direction to go, eligible Korean-American leaders should be able to give directions in politics, economy, and other parts of our community.

5. Reason for coming to Virginia

I believe God has a plan for Korean Americans. The reason I came to Virginia from Connecticut is to participate in realization of God's dream. It was exactly a year ago. My family and I came to Washington D.C. on our vacation that wasn't planned. That's when I met Rev. Myung Jong Kim and heard that Virginia Conference had a plan to start a new church for second generation Korean Americans and their parents. Rev. Kim asked me if I had any desire to start a ministry in Virginia. When I told him I wasn't confident, he told me to pray when I go back home.

When I came back from my vacation, I was in agony. The problem wasn't "to be or not to be" but it was "to go or not to go". The bigger problem was that my son started to pray for us to move to Virginia when I didn't have the confidence to go. After 7 months, in April, I met Rev. Albert Hahn in New York. He told me that he was moving to Washington D.C. I was relieved thinking that he was going to serve that new church. I was happy to be out of my dilemma. But after one week, Superintendent Bray from Alexandria District called me. That's when I came down here to meet Rev. Cho and Rev. Myung Jong Kim. Now, here I am.

When I was in hesitation for the past year, God had made me realize many things. He made me remember that when I started the seminary I had a dream to be a bridge in between the second generation Korean Americans, who are suffering in language and cultural differences, and their parents. And He has trained me through different ministries in American churches, Korean churches, second generation ministries, and multi racial ministries.

When I questioned "How can a first generation be in ministry of the second generation?" God let me realize that it was not Moses but it was God who saved Israelites from Egypt. Then I remembered God's promise to Moses that He will send Aaron to help him and that He will teach him what he had to say. He gave me an assurance that it will be God who will lead the new ministry. When God called Moses, He saw the love Moses had for his people. I realized that the reason He is calling me is because I have this love in my heart towards the young Korean Americans.

When the members of the church in New York were disappointed to find out that I was leaving, I told them "I am not going there because of my desire, but I am going to make God's dream come true for the Korean Americans in Virginia."

6. The reason for calling us

God has clear reasons for calling us to America. Your children were born in this country according to God's plan. It is for us to give people in America hope.

Last June, Virginia Conference took the following vision statement; "We envision churches where all God's people are welcomed at table, nurtured and transformed to be Christ to others in the world." What a great statement! You and I are to be Christ to others. Christ is not a part of Jesus' name but it's a title. It refers people who are anointed. Only Kings, Judges, and Prophets were anointed. They are the leaders, savers, and ones who give hope. We are to become people who can console those who are sad, give hope for those who are in despair, be friends with those who are lonely, love those who hate, and share our good news of eternal life with those who fear death.

Wouldn't it be nice if this starting church, that Virginia Conference had been planning for a few years, grows to be that kind of church? Wouldn't it be wonderful if our offspring will become not just mere religionists but leaders of politics and society, and shed light on the nooks and cranny of this great country? America should not be the target of hatred but should raise leaders who can give hope to build this country as the heaven on earth. We know very well that a devoted leader can make many people happy.

7. One person can make the world of difference

John Mason's mother always told her children, "Sometimes, one person taking just one small action can make all the difference." In the July issue of Guide Post, John Mason, from California, tells his story of how he practiced his mother's teachings. The title was "To Light One Candle". He is 42 year old, fire station emergency paramedic.

One day, in a newspaper, he read an article about Kosovo, which was now a ruin after the war. All of the sudden, he heard God's voice saying Go and help them. He got a 6-week vacation from work. He picked up his carpenter's tools and arrived at Kosovo. But he was disappointed when he got there. Only thing he could do through American Refuge Committee was putting a bandage on bullet wounds. It was impossible to repair houses with a few panels of wood when they already lost walls and ceilings. When he met residents, he realized a lot of them would die during winter without proper shelters.

He applied and received Government aid after red tapes of bureaucracy. When a big truck full of cement, tiles, and tools came into town, people shouted with joy. But his 6-week vacation was almost over. He couldn't go back just yet. He called his fire station and extended his vacation for another month. During that one-month, his coworkers worked instead of him. He and all residents worked together and fixed all the houses in 3 villages before he came back to his California home.

One drop of water seems powerless. But as they gather, it becomes rivers, and oceans. One person's devotion was enough to provide shelters to people in Kosovo who lost their homes in the war and further more, it gave people hope to go on

8. Conclusion

Jeremiah bought field in the time of despair according to God's words. His foolish behavior gave inexpressible consolation and hope for people in Judah. It planted the dream of coming back. Who will give hope to Americans? It is something we, who are blessed with the love of Christ, have to do. Who will give hope to our next generation? Who will encourage and help them to complete the dream God gave us? It is our job.

What is the dream God gives you this morning? God is telling us to buy the field that seems to have no future. He is telling us to invest. The result will come from Him. Our able God can accomplish anything. It is such a heart throbbing thought to dream about our young men and women leading politics, economy, and the society with the love of Christ in the future. It might seem impossible but the dream of our offspring building a great country is a challenge and calling God and Virginia Conference gave us, the Korean American community.