2002.1.20. Washingtonians(32) - Rev. Young Jin Cho

Reasons for Grace of God

Romans 15:14-33

During our life there is a most important question yet is most seldom asked. That is "Who am I?" Some said when the questions such as "who am I and what is my life?" surface to our mind, it signified the age level of 40s. In spite of that age if one has a moment to ponder such questions, is fortunate but in many instances these questions are forgotten. As we are engaged in busy life pattern, we do not think about it, instead we allow our time to pass swiftly.

One day a philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer, was walking in deep concentration then ran into a man who became angry and shouted "Who are you walking without looking ahead?" Then embarrassingly Schopenhauer responded, "Did you say who am I? I was just thinking about that?" Friends! Who am I? What should I do? In answering these questions the faith plays important role. It deals answering to these ultimate questions of life. If the Christian faith and Buddhism happened to have a common pursuit, that will be the discovering of self. Of course, the true meaning of self may differ but nevertheless the faith definitely deals with these fundamental questions.

I.

In today's reading we find Paul's discovery of his genuine self. Especially, by the amazing grace of God the purpose of his life he discovered is being shared with the Christians in Rome. Also, it is to be shared with us living in Washington area of 21st century. In 15:16 he describes his mission as follows; "The grace of God gave me to be a minister of Christ to the gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God so that the gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In his statement there are two important words, "minister of Jesus Christ" and the "priest proclaiming the gospel of God." Often Paul had portrayed himself as a servant of Jesus, but in today's reading he was saying he is a minister.

Once a theologian analyzed the Greek meaning of the word "minister". In ancient Greek society this word was used to designate the volunteers for the national importance. There were volunteers singing during the national holidays and volunteer athletes and the soldiers, especially navy personnel. In order to help the country the ministers provided financial needs for those volunteers. Also during the national festival time, and for the construction of the embassies in other cities, the ministers contributed voluntarily. But at later time, this voluntary task became mandatory. Anyhow, the word "minister" was originated for designating the voluntary and generous actions.

Paul considered himself as a voluntary worker and minister for Jesus. As his minister the duty given to him was the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel. Friends! What does priest do? He brings the sacrificial offering to God. Paul believed that proclaiming the gospel to the gentiles was his mission, and that would result an offering to God. By the amazing grace and love, Paul who was a forerunner in persecuting the Christians is now changed to a forerunner in proclaiming the gospel. In Christ, Paul discovered who he was and what his lifetime mission was supposed to be. He discovered his real "self" and real mission. My friends! Is discovery of self like Paul's confined only to him? How about ourselves living in Washington area of 21st century? How do we define our real image? What is the mission given to us? We are standing in a similar situation as Paul was. We also are called like Paul to pursue for the discovery of self. We all are ministers of Christ and the priests of God's gospel; not only preachers, elders or other believers with different titles. We, the Christians, are all witnesses of the gospel and the ministers of Christ. As priests of God's gospel, we are chosen to deliver the souls of non-believers to altar. As stated clearly in the American United Methodist Church's policy, "All baptized Christians are minister." Yes, we all are the ministers of God's gospel.

II.

Today's reading has additional important message. While Paul was functioning as a priest of gospel, he obeyed the fundamental principle. He did not act according to his own way but did according to God's instruction. What was the fundamental principle? What was Paul's clear conviction?

(1) First of all, in evangelizing to the gentiles, he became capable with the help of Holy Spirit. Let's read 15:17, "Therefore I glory in Christ in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the gentiles to obey God. What I have done was by the power of signs and miracles through the spirit so from Jerusalem all the around Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. In evangelization, one common misconception prevails. It is a belief that a conversion can take place through my own effort, therefore the people think they are incapable projecting reluctance. But converting to God's people is not in my power but it is up to God. Only when the God, through the Holy Spirit, opens and changes one's mind, the fruits will be produced. Therefore, the utmost important preparation is praying for the person's soul. Pray to God to open his mind, and introducing the Christian theory and principle should take place later on.

In evangelization, we are just instruments of God who is trying to save people. Therefore, Paul said that he would not dare to speak of any thing except what Christ had accomplished through him. God who is much cleverer and smarter than we are knows the best way of saving us. So, all we have to do is pray first then the outcome is in God's hands. We know not when and how God will change a person, therefore we have to just wait patiently for the work of Holy Spirit. God works mysteriously.

One day near the London train station, while a woman was walking, an old gentleman approached her and said "excuse me, lady." Then further said "I wish to say thank you." "Why thank me" said the lady puzzledly. " Yes, lady, I had worked at the trains station for longtime inspecting passengers' tickets. And whenever you showed me your ticket, your bright smile was a sign of your greeting. I was convinced that your smile was originating deep in your heart. One morning I saw a small Bible in your hand and I decided to buy it too. Consequently, through the Bible I met Jesus Christ." God changes people even through a friendly smile and the Holy Spirit wants to continue the work of salvation.

(2) The second message for us in today's reading is learning Paul's evangelizing manner. Let's see 15:20, "It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation." Paul was agonized great deal trying to stick with the principle. Already the Jews encountered the Gospel by others, so Paul put his efforts for the gentiles. After establishing a church in one region, he stayed for a while then moved to a new place. Therefore, the gospel was proclaimed from Jerusalem to Illyricum, from Asia minor to Europe. As mentioned in today's scripture, he intended to visit Spain through Rome.

Friends! How should we accept Paul's principle? In Korea I saw buildings with church signs of different denominations on every floor. According to Paul, this is problematic. Even in Washington, D. C. area, while we drive, we find churches in a cluster. How should we view this situation? A person like me, a non-original founder, began to serve an already existing church. Even in mission territory, this phenomenon does prevail. Of course today's era is different, and the historical situation has changed also. Accepting Paul's principle as the only avenue can be unreasonable. However and now, as priests of God's gospel, we must remember one thing. That is, when proclaiming the gospel, do not choose the ones already attending other churches. Many are saying that the growth of immigrant churches are attributed to the lateral transfers of the believers. This remark needs to be heard seriously. Recently, in Korea this phenomenon is circulating. Friends! Let's lead the people who have not met Jesus. Leading the people from other churches to ours in not evangelizing and this manner is not that of priests God desires. Of course some churches of today bring disappointment to those wanting to become serious Christians. It is understandable but should not forget the fundamental principle of evangelization. Not building on someone else's foundation, as Paul said, is a challenge for us who are chosen as missionaries. We are to be awaken, especially we living in Washington area of 21st century. This is an admonishing message for all of us.

(3) The third message for us from today's reading is having cooperative attitude as demonstrated by the early churches for his mission works. Paul said he was on his way to Jerusalem because the Christians of Macedonia and Achaia made contributions for the poor in Jerusalem, therefore was going there to deliver the contribution. In today's reading, we find Paul pleading for assistance to the Christians in Rome for his mission trip. Friends! What are we learning here? In proclaiming the gospel, churches need to work together extending assistance. What is the situation around us? Instead of cooperation, don't we see ugly happenings? Aren't we interested just gaining reputation? The American United Methodist Church's connectionalism is a good example demonstrating cooperation in field of evangelization. Sometimes a church cannot accomplish alone but working together can yield good outcome. For example, when the African Zimbabwe United Methodist University was built, all 35,000 United Methodist churches chipped in earnestly including our own church although the amount was not large.

Last Thursday in Falls Church, I met a United Methodist pastor who is ministering to the Vietnamese congregation. He is in process of going through the pastor confirmation, and I happened to be his mentor. We had a chance to exchange conversation including the hardship of his ministry and the uncertain future of his church. As he wanted our church to be his model, I expressed our desire to assist. We prayed together for his successful ministry and for the future of his church. As priests of God's gospel, we felt as one in Christ. For the gospel, I deeply realized the importance of working and helping together. Our brother church in Burke, to be ministered by Rev. Young Whan Kim, needs to be considered from this viewpoint. A rumor prevails that we are trying to unload our members because of the rapid growth. Overflow of our congregation members has no relationship in assisting the growth of this future church. For the proclamation of gospel, working together among churches, portrays beautiful image. This manner pervaded when Paul undertook his mission, and we need to regain this image and this beautiful deed must be continued in Washington area of today.

III.

At the latter part of today's scripture, Paul is requesting for prayer for his mission. He realized that his mission can be fulfilled only through the prayer, and this is true even today. Without prayer gospel cannot be proclaimed fully, without prayer we all cannot fulfill the duties of priests of gospel. Without prayer we cannot be ministers of Christ. Today we all, in God's grace, discovered "who I am" and also discovered our mission of life. The author of the famous hymn, "Amazing Grace," Rev. John Newton said once that during our spiritual journey there are three definite amazing experiences, which we all encounter. The first is discovering that I am a sinner, and the second discovery is God's forgiveness in spite of my sin and the last discovery is God's desire to use me in addition to forgiveness. God wants to use us as his ministers of Christ and priests of God's gospel. This is an amazing grace and love.

This story happened during the Korean War. A man who studied the law at the Japanese Waseda University was working for the Korean government with 4 children. He passed away during the war without receiving proper treatment. With sudden death of father, the oldest son had to take care of mother and 3 siblings by working for the American troops. A separated family joined him and lived in one room near his work place. That time the landlord, Choi Ki Man who was a group leader of a church, led his mother to church. Meanwhile, the oldest son met a Lutheran soldier named Paul Happel who also took him to church, and this was his first in his life attending church. Since then all family members became believers and those who led this family to the Lord had no idea what the outcome of 4 children was going to be. All 4 graduated from the Methodist seminary in Korea; two sons became ministers while two daughters happened to be wives of ministers. Today this family has brought a big impact to the Korean United Methodist Church in America. As ministers of Christ and priests of the gospel, they are still working. Do you know who they are? This very oldest son is Rev. Hae Jong Kim, the bishop of the Western Pennsylvania Conference and the second son is the minister of one of the largest Korean United Methodist churches in America, located in Flushing, NY. He is Rev. Joong Hun Kim and the father of our youth minister, Yoo Min Kim.

Why did God bestow us with grace and for what purpose? The purpose is to become his ministers and priests of God's gospel. He bestowed us with grace to undertake these amazing tasks, which are admired even by the angels.