In 2012, Pastor Tim Keller wrote a book titled Center Church. Many people were amazed by the fact that an evangelical megachurch had emerged as a missionary church in the heart of New York City. Redeemer Church became very well-known for its gospel-driven ministry and urban outreach. Many pastors and missionaries visited this place to ask about the secrets of effective ministry. The book Center Church is a compilation of the answers to those inquiries. In this book, Pastor Tim Keller diagnoses that current evangelical churches are not bearing the fruit of the gospel in their church ministries. He attributes this to a misunderstanding of the gospel. While many ministries are being carried out, they may not be ministries that are genuinely rooted in the gospel. Why did he make such a provocative statement? Pastor Tim Keller emphasizes the importance of the gospel.

It is said that what is derived from the gospel can be broken down. The gospel produces all kinds of good things; while everything that comes from it is good, not everything is the gospel itself. To be precise, there are results produced by the gospel. For example, the gospel leads one to live a life of love, but a life of love is not the gospel. It is a result of the gospel. We should not equate the gospel with the fruits it produces, but it is essential to distinguish them to protect the essence of the gospel. The book mentions that if we focus too much on the good results that the gospel brings, we may lose sight of the gospel itself and its power. Pastor Keller states that the gospel is not just advice but good news. As we know, what is this good news about? It is the event of humanity being rescued from the most fundamental dangers and threats. That is the good news. Even

Even until death, our God has solved the great things in our lives that we cannot resolve by our own strength. This is the gospel. If we believe this, the truth is that we, who are in Jesus, celebrate every day. Do you believe it? Amen. Now, let’s consider this as an example: what is the biggest problem in your life that you need to solve right now? Take a moment to think about it. The gospel is that God has already accomplished this before the foundation of the world. Therefore, God works together for our good. This is the gospel that Paul realized. We need to examine whether we are holding onto the gospel in our church, homes, and personal lives, or if we are merely clinging to the results and rejoicing in them. Sometimes we need to ask ourselves why we lack joy, why we feel weary in our faith, and why we feel so powerless.

When our hearts are moved, we must reflect on whether we are truly holding onto the essence of life. I wonder if we have this joy that comes from God and whether we possess this strength within us. I hope you take a moment to think about this. In today’s passage, a celebration took place in a household—specifically, the household of Lazarus. In verse 1, it says that before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead, was. There, Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Jesus. Jesus visited the home of Lazarus in Bethany, and a feast was taking place there. Why was there a celebration in this household? It was because Lazarus, who had died, was alive again. Although we haven't read all of John chapter 11 today, in the preceding verses, this family experienced deep sorrow, but now heavenly joy was poured out upon them once again.

Martha and Mary welcomed Jesus with joy because of Lazarus, who had been brought back to life. Until recently, Lazarus had been a dead body in the tomb. However, he is now alive and sitting with Jesus, enjoying fellowship. The text tells us that Martha continued to work, preparing the meal. She must have been overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for having her brother restored to life. Another person is introduced here, and the gratitude she feels towards Jesus is described in verse 3: Mary took a very expensive perfume, pure nard, and anointed Jesus' feet with it, wiping them with her hair, and the fragrance filled the house. Mary poured the very expensive perfume, pure nard, on Jesus' feet. This very expensive perfume is referred to as pure nard in the Gospel of Mark.

이로와이 류는 한 근이 들어가는 희고 매끄러운 향유로, 구급 용기에 담겨진 것이었습니다. 학자들은 이 향의 원산지가 인도에서 아마도 들여온 수품이라고 추측하고 있습니다. 이 고급 향유를 마리아가 자신의 머리털로 예수님의 발을 닦았다고 기록합니다. 마리아가 예수님을 향한 그 마음이 얼마나 뜨거운지, 그 은혜로 가득한 것을 우리가 엿볼 수 있는 대목입니다. 그런데 이때에 예수님의 제자 중 가롯 유다가 이렇게 비난합니다. 이 향유를 어찌하여 300 데나리온에 팔아 가난한 자들에게 주지 아니하였습니까? 이는 가난한 자들을 생각함이 아니라, 그는 도둑이어서 동전을 막고 거기 넣은 것을 감추고 있었습니다. 마리아가 예수님께 치한 향유를 부은 행위에 대한 가롯 유다의 성경이 내린 평가입니다. 가롯 유다는 그저 마리아의 행동을 낭비로 본 것입니다. 그런데 마태복음에서 보면...

At that time, it seems that not only Judas Iscariot but also the other disciples had the same thoughts as Judas Iscariot. In Matthew 26:8, it says that the disciples saw this and were indignant, saying, Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a great price and given to the poor. The perfume that Mary poured on Jesus' feet was worth a staggering 300 denarii. At that time, one denarius was the wage for a day's labor. If we consider 300 denarii, it corresponds to a year's salary, assuming we don't work on Sundays. Our Lord responds to Mary's actions by saying, Leave her alone; she has kept this for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me. With these words, Jesus defended Mary against all those who were gathered and criticizing her, recognizing the beautiful heart of Mary. This was in preparation for His burial.

Maria did not know, but Jesus revealed to her that she would be used in the work of redemption that would soon take place at His cross. Dear beloved saints, can you see in this story the difference between Mary's pure act of devotion and the waste that Judas Iscariot thought it was? In fact, the biggest difference between Lazarus's household and the group of Judas Iscariot was that Lazarus's home was filled with gratitude and grace towards the Lord, something that Judas and his group lacked. The joy of having their brother resurrected was the joy of that household, and it was an indescribable joy of salvation. The strength of Martha and Mary's devotion flowed from this grace of salvation. If Mary's action had ended here, the impact of the passage would not be as great. Although the perfume was expensive, if we think a little deeper...

If there is money, I think one can buy anything and pour it at Jesus' feet. But what is the reason that Mary makes a different impact? In Mark 14:9, Jesus says that wherever the gospel is preached, what this woman has done will be told in memory of her. Jesus also acknowledged Mary's act of breaking the alabaster jar. What does this signify? It is actually Mary's next action after anointing Him with the perfume. Let's look at verse 3 again and read together. 

Mary took a very expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she wiped His feet with her hair, and the fragrance filled the house. In the Jewish society of that time, a woman's hair symbolized her dignity. Therefore, the fact that Mary wiped Jesus' feet with her hair indicates that she forgot her own shame for the sake of the Lord. How great was her love that she used her hair to wipe Jesus' feet!

It is said that they honored the feet with a heart of respect. What Jesus received was perhaps not the expensive perfume itself, but rather the heart and sincerity of Mary. This action of Mary was filled with the joy, gratitude, and grace of salvation, and it likely flowed out of her service naturally, without anyone prompting her. As we look at this passage, we realize that while the external aspects of our faith are important, what truly matters is our heart. Therefore, we must restore the joy of salvation in our hearts. The strength of the saints comes from this. In Romans, it is stated that the righteous shall live by faith. The faith we have in Jesus Christ not only leads us to salvation but also brings us from faith to faith, ultimately reaching the fullness of Christ's stature. The power of the Gospel that came upon Lazarus' family is the joy of salvation that we also experience.

It is faith that leads us to the fullness of Christ, as mentioned in Ephesians, where it is said that the church will fight in the last days with the helmet of salvation among our weapons. Why is that? The devil takes away all our memories of the Lord and our gratitude towards Him. Beloved saints, we must wear the helmet of salvation. When the church is deceived by false emotions and fills itself with the things of this world, the joy we have towards God can no longer be true joy. We can only find our joy in the counterfeit pleasures of this world. This era seems to be replacing the joy and delight that come from our relationship with the Lord and the joy that comes from worship with the pleasures of the world. Last summer was very hot, but without taking a vacation, how...

Yes, it is about spending a vacation at home with Netflix. Among young people, the term hotel staycation became popular, but nowadays it seems like cancation is in vogue. The power of these experiences is immense; it really draws you in. When you watch this drama, you find wisdom, comfort, and joy in life. It feels like it embodies the words of God. We should not be satisfied with the imitations of the world that steal the joy that comes from God. Such pleasures are fleeting, and ultimately they will leave us feeling powerless and empty. Many people are filling their lives with these imitations due to a sense of deficiency. The recent Great Holy Spirit Conference was truly a blessing. I sat on the sandy floor, thinking I would receive grace by pushing my way to the front.

I participated with longing, and among the messages, there was one that deeply resonated with me. It was a message from Pastor Lee Chan-soo. Among the messages he shared, there was one that truly felt like a message for our times. There is no one without a sense of deficiency. My father and mother did not carry the deficiencies of life into depression or inferiority, nor did they compare themselves with others. Instead, they used the deficiencies of life as a means to rely on Jesus Christ. They drew closer to Jesus Christ and used their reliance on Him as a resource. He then said, Which pastor, businessman, parent, or child does not have deficiencies? The issue is not whether there are deficiencies or not, but rather that the problem lies in how we have taken those deficiencies and turned them into sources of depression and inferiority. Let us take this time to repent and pray about this issue. My heart feels...

It has become intense. Dear beloved congregation, how are you? How are we addressing the deficiencies within us? Among the words we have meditated on today, the decisive difference is the joy of salvation, which is the essence of the Gospel. Are we rejoicing in this essence, or are we finding joy in the outcomes that stem from it? We need to discern this. Soon, our beloved festival will take place. Through this opportunity, we should once again remember the grace the Lord has given to our church, recall the grace bestowed upon our families, and acknowledge the joy of salvation that God has granted to our church, families, and individuals. We should turn this into a moment filled with gratitude and grace. The essence of the Gospel is rejoicing in the Lord. All the counterfeits of this world that stand against God will be revealed as we listen to His Word.

May these things in love come to life like smoke, becoming the inspiration of God's love. By His grace, may our faith deepen, our commitment be renewed, and our hearts be restored with joy. I bless you in this autumn as we rejoice, that the essence of the Lord's love may shine forth as the joy of salvation. I bless you in the name of Jesus.

2024년 10월 2일 차이 (요 12:1-8)_백민수목사

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