What does it Mean to Call Jesus Lord? / Pastor Adrian de Lange
1. Introduction As many of you know, Iβve managed to take all my vacation for 2025 before the end of June. Maybe youβve missed me. Iβve certainly missed being with you all here. But Iβm back now from four weeks (and an extra weekend!) of rest, ready and excited for the months to come! μ¬λ¬λΆ μ€ λ§μ λΆλ€μ΄ μμλ€μνΌ, μ λ 2025λ μ λͺ¨λ ν΄κ°λ₯Ό 6μ λ§ μ μ λ€ μΌμ΅λλ€. μλ§ μ λ₯Ό 그리μνμ ¨μ μλ μκ² λ€μ. μ μμ μ¬λ¬λΆκ³Ό ν¨κ»νμ§ λͺ»ν΄ μ λ§ μμ¬μ μ΅λλ€. νμ§λ§ μ΄μ 4μ£Ό(κ·Έλ¦¬κ³ μ£Όλ§ νλ λ!)μ ν΄μμ λ§μΉκ³ λμμκ³ , μμΌλ‘μ λͺ λ¬μ κΈ°λνλ©° μ€λΉκ° λμ΄ μμ΅λλ€! And I know Iβve come back just as summer break is kicking off and many of you are feeling tired and thinβready for a break. Maybe a little peace and quiet somewhere in the shade, maybe by a mountain lake, or back to some other part of the world that used to be home. κ·Έλ¦¬κ³ μ κ° λμμ¨ μ΄ μμ μ λ°λ‘ μ¬λ¦ λ°©νμ΄ μμλλ λμ΄κ³ , μ¬λ¬λΆ μ€ λ§μ λΆλ€μ΄ μ§μΉκ³ νμ΄ λΉ μ§ μνλΌλ κ²μ μλλ€βν΄μμ΄ νμνλ€κ³ λλΌκ³ κ³μμ£ . μ΄μ©λ©΄ κ·Έλμ§ κ³³μ΄λ μ° μ νΈμ«κ°, νΉμ μμ μ μ΄λ κ³ ν₯ κ°μ κ³³μμ μ‘°μ©ν νμμ λλ¦¬κ³ μΆμΌμ€ μλ μμ΅λλ€. Today I want to end with a story about peace. But before we get there, Iβm going to make you work a little bit for it. Weβre going to see that peace only comes when Jesus is Lordβand Jesus alone. No additions or exceptions. On the other hand, weβre going to see that, when Jesus is Lord, we can find peace anywhereβeven in difficult situations. μ€λ μ λ ννμ κ΄ν μ΄μΌκΈ°λ‘ μ€κ΅λ₯Ό λ§μΉκ³ μ ν©λλ€. νμ§λ§ κ·Έ μ μ, μ¬λ¬λΆμ΄ μ‘°κΈ μκ³ ν΄μΌ ν κ² κ°μ΅λλ€. μ°λ¦¬λ ννκ° μ€μ§ μμλμ΄ μ£Όμ΄μ€ λβκ·Έλ¦¬κ³ μ€μ§ μμλλ§μ΄ μ£Όμ΄μ€ λβμ¨λ€λ κ²μ λ³΄κ² λ κ²μ λλ€. μ΄λ€ μΆκ°λ μμΈλ μμ΅λλ€. λ°λλ‘, μμλμ΄ μ£Όμ΄μ€ λ, μ°λ¦¬λ μ΄λμλ βμ¬μ§μ΄ μ΄λ €μ΄ μν© μμμλβννλ₯Ό μ°Ύμ μ μλ€λ κ²λ λ³΄κ² λ κ²μ λλ€. What does it mean to call Jesus, βLordβ? Well, itβs pretty simple: is Jesus your master? Is Jesus in charge? Of everything? Jesus says that βNot everyone who says to me βLord, Lordβ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heavenβ¦β (Matthew 7:21). Just saying the words is not enough. Just coming to church or attending church meetings or signing on the dotted lineβsadly, itβs not enough. μμλμ βμ£ΌβλΌκ³ λΆλ₯Έλ€λ κ²μ λ¬΄μ¨ μλ―ΈμΌκΉμ? μ¬μ€ μμ£Ό κ°λ¨ν©λλ€: μμλμ΄ μ¬λ¬λΆμ μ£ΌμΈμ΄μλκΉ? μμλμ΄ λͺ¨λ κ²μ μ± μμμ΄μλκΉ? μμλμ βλλλ¬ βμ£Όμ¬, μ£Όμ¬β νλ μλ§λ€ λ€ μ²κ΅μ λ€μ΄κ° κ²μ΄ μλμ, λ€λ§ νλμ κ³μ λ΄ μλ²μ§μ λ»λλ‘ ννλ μλΌμΌ λ€μ΄κ°λ¦¬λΌβ¦β(λ§ν볡μ 7:21)κ³ λ§μνμ ¨μ΅λλ€. λ¨μ§ λ§λ‘λ§ νλ κ²μ μΆ©λΆνμ§ μμ΅λλ€. λ¨μ§ κ΅νμ μ€κ±°λ κ΅ν λͺ¨μμ μ°Έμνκ±°λ μλ₯μ μλͺ νλ κ²βμνκΉκ²λ, κ·Έκ²λ§μΌλ‘λ μΆ©λΆνμ§ μμ΅λλ€. Actually, itβs a great relief that we enter the kingdom of heaven by Godβs graceβand not by our right or perfect actions or beliefs. And yet, Jesus also says, those will enter the kingdom of heaven βwho do the will of my Father who is in heavenβ. What is Godβs will? Jesus has already told usβin the part of the Sermon on the Mount which is our text for today: μ¬μ€, μ°λ¦¬κ° μ°λ¦¬μ κΆλ¦¬λ μλ²½ν νλμ΄λ λ―Ώμμ΄ μλλΌ νλλμ μνλ‘ μ²κ΅μ λ€μ΄κ°λ€λ κ²μ ν° μμμ λλ€. νμ§λ§ μμλμ λν, βνλμ κ³μ λ΄ μλ²μ§μ λ»λλ‘ ννλ μβκ° μ²κ΅μ λ€μ΄κ°λ€κ³ λ§μνμλλ€. νλλμ λ»μ΄ 무μμ λκΉ? μμλκ»μλ μ΄λ―Έ μ°λ¦¬μκ² λ§μνμ ¨μ΅λλ€βμ€λ λ³Έλ¬ΈμΈ μ°μμνμ ν λΆλΆμμ: 2. Text (Matthew 6:19-24 [NIV1984]) 19 βDo not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 βThe eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 βNo one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. 19 βλν¬λ₯Ό μνμ¬ λ μ 보물μ μμ λμ§ λ§λΌ. κ±°κΈ°λ μ’κ³Ό λ Ήμ΄ ν΄νλ©°, λλμ΄ κ΅¬λ©μ λ«κ³ νμ³ κ°λ€. 20 μ€μ§ λν¬λ₯Ό μνμ¬ νλμ 보물μ μμ λλΌ. κ±°κΈ°λ μ’μ΄λ λ Ήμ΄ ν΄νμ§ λͺ»νλ©°, λλμ΄ κ΅¬λ©μ λ«μ§λ λͺ»νκ³ νμ³ κ°μ§λ λͺ»νλ€. 21 λ€ λ³΄λ¬Όμ΄ μλ κ·Έ κ³³μλ λ€ λ§μλ μλλλΌ. 22 βλμ λͺΈμ λ±λΆμ΄λ, λ€ λμ΄ μ±νλ©΄ μ¨ λͺΈμ΄ λ°μ κ²μ΄μ, 23 λ€ λμ΄ λμλ©΄ μ¨ λͺΈμ΄ μ΄λμΈ κ²μ΄λ€. κ·Έλ¬λ―λ‘ λ€ μμ μλ λΉμ΄ μ΄λμ°λ©΄ κ·Έ μ΄λ μ΄ μΌλ§λ μ¬νκ² λλ! 24 βν μ¬λμ΄ λ μ£ΌμΈμ μ¬κΈΈ μ μλ€. νΉμ νλλ₯Ό λ―Έμνκ³ λ€λ₯Έ νλλ₯Ό μ¬λνκ±°λ, νλμκ² μΆ©μ±νκ³ λ€λ₯Έ νλλ₯Ό λ©Έμνκ² λλ€. λν¬λ νλλκ³Ό μ¬λ¬Όμ κ²Ένμ¬ μ¬κΈΈ μ μλ€.β 3. Investing as Recognizing Lordship Jesus first gives us a picture, then an idiom, then tells it to us directly. The picture is of finding and storing something of value that lasts. If your hope and your treasure is on earth, Jesus says, it will wear away or be stolen or lost. Money gets spent. Physical strength and energy do not last forever. We lose our memories. However powerful we become, others will rise up to take our place. Money, strength, and power are wonderful gifts! But they are also fleeting. They are temporary. Jesus calls us to invest what we have in kingdom of heaven; because that is the only investment that lastsβand he promises that when we invest in the kingdom of heaven, that our heart (that is, our personhood) will be there as well. We invest first in what matters most. μμλμ λ¨Όμ κ·Έλ¦Όμ 보μ¬μ£Όμκ³ , κ·Έ λ€μμ κ΄μ©κ΅¬λ₯Ό μ¬μ©νμκ³ , λ§μ§λ§μΌλ‘ μ§μ μ μΌλ‘ λ§μνμλλ€. κ·Έ κ·Έλ¦Όμ μ€λκ°λ κ°μΉ μλ κ²μ λ°κ²¬νκ³ μ μ₯νλ λͺ¨μ΅μ λλ€. μ¬λ¬λΆμ μλ§κ³Ό λ³΄λ¬Όμ΄ λ μ μλ€λ©΄, μμλμ κ·Έκ²μ΄ λ³κ±°λ λλλ§κ±°λ μμ΄λ²λ¦΄ κ²μ΄λΌκ³ νμλλ€. λμ μ¨λ²λ¦¬κ² λ©λλ€. μ 체μ μΈ νκ³Ό μλμ§λ μμνμ§ μμ΅λλ€. μ°λ¦¬λ κΈ°μ΅μ μμ΄λ²λ¦½λλ€. μ°λ¦¬κ° μ무리 κ°ν΄μ Έλ, λ€λ₯Έ μ΄λ€μ΄ μ°λ¦¬μ μ리λ₯Ό μ°¨μ§νκ² λ©λλ€. λ, ν, κΆλ ₯μ νλ₯ν μ λ¬Όμ λλ€! νμ§λ§ κ·Έκ²λ€μ λ§μκ³ , μΌμμ μ λλ€. μμλμ μ°λ¦¬κ° κ°μ§ κ²μ νλλλΌμ ν¬μνλΌκ³ λΆλ₯΄μλλ€; κ·Έκ²λ§μ΄ μμν λ¨λ ν¬μμ΄κΈ° λλ¬Έμ λλ€βκ·Έλ¦¬κ³ μμλμ μ°λ¦¬κ° νλλλΌμ ν¬μν λ, μ°λ¦¬μ λ§μ(μ¦, μ°λ¦¬μ μΈκ²©)λ κ·Έκ³³μ μκ² λλ€κ³ μ½μνμλλ€. μ°λ¦¬λ κ°μ₯ μ€μν κ²μ λ¨Όμ ν¬μν©λλ€. How do we invest in the kingdom of heaven? If we want to invest in anything in the worldly economy, we need to keep it for ourselves and use it for ourselves. But the kingdom of heaven is very different. Itβs not like the kingdoms and powers of our world. μ°λ¦¬λ μ΄λ»κ² νλλλΌμ ν¬μν μ μμκΉμ? μΈμ κ²½μ μ ν¬μνλ €λ©΄, μ°λ¦¬λ κ·Έκ²μ μ°λ¦¬ μμ μ μν΄ λ³΄κ΄νκ³ μ¬μ©ν΄μΌ ν©λλ€. νμ§λ§ νλλλΌλ λ§€μ° λ€λ¦ λλ€. μ΄ μΈμμ λλΌλ κΆλ ₯κ³Όλ λ€λ¦ λλ€. Jesus illustrates this by using an idiom that was common to Jews in his day, but might seem strange to us. Bible Commentators who know the history and cultural context can help us a lot here. So letβs watch a short video from βThe Bible Projectβ to help us understand what Jesus is saying here. μμλμ λΉμ μ λμΈλ€μκ² νν μ°μ΄λ κ΄μ©κ΅¬λ₯Ό μ¬μ©ν΄ μ΄κ²μ μ€λͺ νμλλ€. μμ¬μ λ¬Ένμ λ§₯λ½μ μλ μ±κ²½ μ£Όμκ°λ€μ΄ μ¬κΈ°μ ν° λμμ μ€λλ€. κ·Έλμ βThe Bible Projectβμ μ§§μ μμμ ν¨κ» 보며 μμλμ΄ μ¬κΈ°μ λ¬΄μ¨ λ§μμ νμλμ§ μ΄ν΄ν΄ λ³΄κ² μ΅λλ€. 4. Jesus' Lordship Leads to Generosity [Watch Attached Video in Media Tab] Jesus is making an important point about the kinds of master we will serve. If we are storing up some treasure on earthβwhether thatβs a political power, influence, or financial independence for ourselvesβwe end up adopting a scarcity mindset. We feel the need to provide for ourselves, to store up stuff for us, to depend more and more on our own money, our own intelligence, our own power, and our own intelligence to plan for the future. Correspondingly, we become stingy and greedy and withhold from others. μμλμ μ°λ¦¬κ° μ΄λ€ μ£ΌμΈμ μ¬κΈΈμ§μ λν΄ μ€μν μ μ λ§μνμλλ€. λ§μ½ μ°λ¦¬κ° μ΄ λ μ μ΄λ€ 보물μ μκ³ μλ€λ©΄βκ·Έκ²μ΄ μ μΉμ κΆλ ₯μ΄λ , μν₯λ ₯μ΄λ , μ¬μ μ λ 립μ΄λ βμ°λ¦¬λ λΆμ‘±ν¨μ μ¬κ³ λ°©μμ κ°κ² λ©λλ€. μ°λ¦¬λ μ°λ¦¬ μμ μ μν΄, μ°λ¦¬λ₯Ό μν΄ λ¬Όκ±΄μ μμλκ³ , λ―Έλλ₯Ό λλΉνκΈ° μν΄ μ μ λ μ°λ¦¬μ λ, μ°λ¦¬μ μ§λ₯, μ°λ¦¬μ νμ μμ‘΄νκ² λ©λλ€. κ·Έμ λ°λΌ μ°λ¦¬λ μΈμνκ³ νμμ€λ¬μμ§λ©°, λ€λ₯Έ μ¬λμκ² μ£Όλ κ²μ μλΌκ² λ©λλ€. When you have a scarcity mindset, others can see it in your eyes! You are always downcast or with your head on a swivelβlooking around in worry. If you have this mindsetβif you are always trying to provide for yourself and plan for the future and do it allβeven do good!βin your own strength; if thatβs the only spark that you have, brothers and sisters how great is that darkness! It will do very little good to βsprinkle in a little Jesusβ on top of that darkness.... Jesus does not say, βyou should not serve two masters.β He doesnβt say βitβs a bad idea and donβt do it for too long.β Jesus say, βyou cannot.β He says itβs not possible. If you try, either you will hate the first and love the second, or you will be devoted to the first and despise the second. Then, Jesus gives one prime example to close it off: you cannot serve both God and money. λΆμ‘±ν¨μ μ¬κ³ λ°©μμ κ°κ³ μμΌλ©΄, λ€λ₯Έ μ¬λλ€μ΄ μ¬λ¬λΆμ λμμ κ·Έκ²μ λ³Ό μ μμ΅λλ€! λ νμ΄ μ£½μ΄ μκ±°λ, κ±±μ μ€λ¬μ΄ λλΉμΌλ‘ μ£Όμλ₯Ό λ리λ²κ±°λ¦½λλ€. λ§μ½ μ¬λ¬λΆμ΄ μ΄λ° μ¬κ³ λ°©μβμ€μ€λ‘λ₯Ό μν΄ λ μ€λΉνκ³ , λ―Έλλ₯Ό κ³ννκ³ , λͺ¨λ κ²μ μκΈ° νμΌλ‘ νλ €κ³ νλ€λ©΄, μ¬μ§μ΄ μ ν μΌμ νλ €κ³ ν΄λβκ·Έκ²μ΄ μ¬λ¬λΆ μμ μ μΌν λΆμ¨λΌλ©΄, νμ μλ§€ μ¬λ¬λΆ, κ·Έ μ΄λ μ΄ μΌλ§λ ν¬κ² μ΅λκΉ! κ·Έ μ΄λ μμ βμ‘°κΈμ μμλβμ λΏλ¦°λ€κ³ ν΄λ λ³λ‘ μμ©μ΄ μμ΅λλ€.... μμλμ βλ μ£ΌμΈμ μ¬κΈ°μ§ λ§λΌβκ³ λ§μνμ§ μμΌμλλ€. β그건 λμ μκ°μ΄λ λ무 μ€λ νμ§ λ§λΌβκ³ λ νμ§ μμΌμλλ€. μμλμ βμ¬κΈΈ μ μλ€βκ³ νμλλ€. λΆκ°λ₯νλ€κ³ νμλλ€. λ§μ½ μλνλ©΄, νλλ₯Ό λ―Έμνκ³ λ€λ₯Έ νλλ₯Ό μ¬λνκ±°λ, νλμκ² μΆ©μ±νκ³ λ€λ₯Έ νλλ₯Ό λ©Έμνκ² λ κ²μ λλ€. κ·Έλ¦¬κ³ μμλμ λ§μ§λ§μ ν κ°μ§ λνμ μΈ μμλ₯Ό λμλλ€: λν¬λ νλλκ³Ό λμ κ²Ένμ¬ μ¬κΈΈ μ μλ€. When people look into your eyes, what do they see? Do they see the scarcity mindsetβthat you are always needing more? Do they see that you are worried about the future? Or do they see a person at war within themselvesβsomeone with two masters, two lords, competing prioritiesβeach one fighting to be in charge of the other? μ¬λλ€μ΄ μ¬λ¬λΆμ λμ λ³Ό λ, 무μμ λ΄ λκΉ? λΆμ‘±ν¨μ μ¬κ³ λ°©μβλ λ νμνλ€λ λ§μμ λ΄ λκΉ? λ―Έλμ λν κ±±μ μ λ΄ λκΉ? μλλ©΄, λ΄λ©΄μμ μ μμ μΉλ₯΄κ³ μλ μ¬λβλ μ£ΌμΈ, λ μ£Ό, κ²½μνλ μ°μ μμβκ°κ°μ΄ μλ‘λ₯Ό μ§λ°°νλ €κ³ μΈμ°λ λͺ¨μ΅μ λ΄ λκΉ? Or, do they see the light of Godβs kingdom? Do people see the lordship of Jesus shining through your eyes? If they do, they will see Godβs reality! The kingdom of heaven, packing earth full of Godβs abundant provision for usβeven despite many injustices and inequalities that persist today. Your generosity to others shows to othersβand also is a mirror to yourselfβwhat you actually believe about God. νΉμ, νλλμ λλΌμ λΉμ λ΄ λκΉ? μ¬λλ€μ΄ μ¬λ¬λΆμ λμμ μμλμ μ£ΌκΆμ΄ λΉλκ³ μμμ λ΄ λκΉ? λ§μ½ κ·Έλ λ€λ©΄, κ·Έλ€μ νλλμ νμ€μ λ³Ό κ²μ λλ€! νλλλΌκ° μ΄ λ μ νλλμ νμ±ν 곡κΈμΌλ‘ κ°λ μ±μ°λ λͺ¨μ΅μβλΉλ‘ μ€λλ μλ λ§μ λΆμμ λΆνλ±μ΄ λ¨μ μμ§λ§βλ³Ό κ²μ λλ€. μ¬λ¬λΆμ κ΄λν¨μ λ€λ₯Έ μ΄λ€μκ² λ³΄μ¬μ§ λΏλ§ μλλΌ, μ¬λ¬λΆ μμ μκ²λ μ¬λ¬λΆμ΄ μ€μ λ‘ νλλμ λν΄ λ¬΄μμ λ―Ώλμ§ λΉμΆλ κ±°μΈμ λλ€. 5. Church Application The only way for a diverse church to succeed and to grow (in wisdom, in strength, and in favour with God and humanity) is for us to really live with Jesus as Lord. For God has not given us all the same. To those he has given wealthβbe generous with your wealth. Do not demand that others give as you give. But give according to what God has given to you! To those who God has given great amounts of timeβthis includes especially our young peopleβuse your time to bless and love and serve others! Do not look down on older Christians who are busy with other tasks; give as you have been given. And to those who have been given a vast array of talents and gifts and passionsβuse your talents to bless others. Use your gifts to serve others. Share your talent generously! Do not expect others to become like you; focus on becoming generous, as your Lord has been generous to you. See what he will do with you, in you, and through you! λ€μν κ΅νκ° μ±κ³΅νκ³ μ±μ₯νκΈ° μν(μ§ν, ν, νλλκ³Ό μ¬λλ€μκ² νΈκ°μ μ»λ λ° μμ΄μ) μ μΌν λ°©λ²μ μ°λ¦¬κ° μ λ§λ‘ μμλμ μ£Όλ‘ λͺ¨μκ³ μ΄μκ°λ κ²μ λλ€. νλλμ μ°λ¦¬ λͺ¨λμκ² λκ°μ΄ μ£Όμ§ μμΌμ ¨μ΅λλ€. μ΄λ€ μ΄μκ²λ λΆλ₯Ό μ£Όμ ¨μΌλβμ¬λ¬λΆμ λΆλ‘ κ΄λνκ² λ² νΈμμμ€. λ€λ₯Έ μ΄λ€μ΄ μ¬λ¬λΆμ²λΌ μ£ΌκΈ°λ₯Ό μꡬνμ§ λ§μμμ€. νλλκ»μ μ¬λ¬λΆμκ² μ£Όμ λ§νΌλ§ λ² νΈμμμ€! μ΄λ€ μ΄λ€μκ²λ λ§μ μκ°μ μ£Όμ ¨μ΅λλ€βνΉν μ°λ¦¬ μ μμ΄λ€μ΄ κ·Έλ μ΅λλ€βμ¬λ¬λΆμ μκ°μ λ€λ₯Έ μ΄λ€μ μΆλ³΅νκ³ μ¬λνκ³ μ¬κΈ°λ λ° μ¬μ©νμμμ€! λ€λ₯Έ μΌλ‘ λ°μ λμ΄ λ 그리μ€λμΈλ€μ 무μνμ§ λ§μμμ€; μ¬λ¬λΆμ΄ λ°μ λ§νΌ λ² νΈμμμ€. λ μ΄λ€ μ΄λ€μκ²λ λ€μν μ¬λ₯κ³Ό μμ¬, μ΄μ μ μ£Όμ ¨μΌλβμ¬λ¬λΆμ μ¬λ₯μΌλ‘ λ€λ₯Έ μ΄λ€μ μΆλ³΅νμμμ€. μ¬λ¬λΆμ μμ¬λ‘ λ€λ₯Έ μ΄λ€μ μ¬κΈ°μμμ€. μ¬λ¬λΆμ μ¬λ₯μ μλμμ΄ λλμμμ€! λ€λ₯Έ μ΄λ€μ΄ μ¬λ¬λΆμ²λΌ λκΈ°λ₯Ό κΈ°λνμ§ λ§μμμ€; μ¬λ¬λΆμ μ£Όκ»μ μ¬λ¬λΆμκ² κ΄λνκ² νμ κ²μ²λΌ, μ¬λ¬λΆλ κ΄λν΄μ§λλ° μ§μ€νμμμ€. νλλκ»μ μ¬λ¬λΆμ ν΅ν΄, μ¬λ¬λΆ μμμ, κ·Έλ¦¬κ³ μ¬λ¬λΆμΌλ‘ 무μμ νμ€μ§ 보μμμ€! 6. Personal Application If Jesus is your lord, you will be generous with whatever you have. If you have little, you will be generous with the little that you have. If you have some very specific talent or resource, you will share that. If you have even a little bit of time or energy or strength, you will share it with others. Why? Because if Jesus is your Lord, then you will have internalized Godβs generosity to you. God has been generous to all people. And he continues to be generous to all people. If Jesus is your Lord, then he will direct you to be generous to others because, whether he is working in and through youβor anywhere or any way elseβGod is generous. God is self-giving. μμλμ΄ μ¬λ¬λΆμ μ£Όμ΄μλΌλ©΄, μ¬λ¬λΆμ κ°μ§ λͺ¨λ κ²μΌλ‘ κ΄λνκ² λ² ν κ²μ λλ€. κ°μ§ κ²μ΄ μ μ΄λ, κ·Έ μ μ κ²μΌλ‘ κ΄λνκ² λ² ν κ²μ λλ€. μμ£Ό νΉλ³ν μ¬λ₯μ΄λ μμμ΄ μλ€λ©΄, κ·Έκ²μ λλ κ²μ λλ€. μ‘°κΈμ μκ°μ΄λ μλμ§, νμ΄ μλ€λ©΄, κ·Έκ²μ λ€λ₯Έ μ΄μ λλ κ²μ λλ€. μμΌκΉμ? μμλμ΄ μ¬λ¬λΆμ μ£Όμ΄μλΌλ©΄, μ¬λ¬λΆμ νλλκ»μ μ¬λ¬λΆμκ² λ² νΈμ κ΄λν¨μ λ΄λ©΄ννκΈ° λλ¬Έμ λλ€. νλλμ λͺ¨λ μ¬λμκ² κ΄λνμ ¨μ΅λλ€. κ·Έλ¦¬κ³ μ§κΈλ κ³μν΄μ λͺ¨λ μ¬λμκ² κ΄λνμλλ€. μμλμ΄ μ¬λ¬λΆμ μ£Όμ΄μλΌλ©΄, μμλμ μ¬λ¬λΆμ λ€λ₯Έ μ΄λ€μκ² κ΄λνκ² νλλ‘ μ΄λμ€ κ²μ λλ€. μλνλ©΄, νλλκ»μ μ¬λ¬λΆ μμμ, μ¬λ¬λΆμ ν΅ν΄, νΉμ λ€λ₯Έ μ΄λ€ λ°©μμΌλ‘λ βνλλμ κ΄λνμκΈ° λλ¬Έμ λλ€. νλλμ μμ μ λ΄μ΄μ£Όμλ λΆμ΄μλλ€. This means that Christianity is actually very difficult. Christianity is not a religion of holding up a high bar and encouraging others to jump over it. Christianity is a religion of generosity and self-giving, even to those who do not understand, do not measure up, and cannot repay a gift or a debt. Be very careful and thoughtful before you become a Christian. If you are a Christian, be very careful before you call yourself a follower of Jesus. A follower of Jesusβa Christianβis someone for whom Jesus is Lord. Jesus guides every aspect of your life. And while we might focus some energy on Jesusβ wise teachings (and rightly so), Jesus was always giving himself to others. He was always serving others. Jesus served many people through healings. He served his disciples through teaching and literally serving them food and washing their feet. He gave himself more and more to others, until he even gave his whole life in love for others. μ΄κ²μ κΈ°λ κ΅κ° μ¬μ€ λ§€μ° μ΄λ ΅λ€λ κ²μ μλ―Έν©λλ€. κΈ°λ κ΅λ λμ κΈ°μ€μ μΈμλκ³ λ€λ₯Έ μ΄λ€μ΄ κ·Έ κΈ°μ€μ λλλ‘ κ²©λ €νλ μ’ κ΅κ° μλλλ€. κΈ°λ κ΅λ μ΄ν΄νμ§ λͺ»νκ³ , κΈ°μ€μ λ―ΈμΉμ§ λͺ»νλ©°, μ λ¬Όμ΄λ λΉμ κ°μ μ μλ μ΄λ€μκ²κΉμ§ κ΄λν¨κ³Ό μκΈ°ν¬μμ λ² νΈλ μ’ κ΅μ λλ€. κΈ°λ κ΅μΈμ΄ λκΈ° μ μ λ§€μ° μ μ€νκ³ κΉμ΄ μκ°νμμμ€. μ΄λ―Έ κΈ°λ κ΅μΈμ΄λΌλ©΄, μ€μ€λ‘λ₯Ό μμλμ μ μλΌκ³ λΆλ₯΄κΈ° μ μ λ§€μ° μ μ€νμμμ€. μμλμ μ μβκΈ°λ κ΅μΈβλ μμλμ΄ μ£Όμ΄μ μ¬λμ λλ€. μμλμ΄ μ¬λ¬λΆ μΆμ λͺ¨λ λΆλΆμ μΈλνμλλ€. μ°λ¦¬λ μμλμ μ§νλ‘μ΄ κ°λ₯΄μΉ¨μ μλμ§λ₯Ό μμ μ μμ§λ§(κ·Έλ¦¬κ³ κ·ΈλμΌ λ§λ νμ§λ§), μμλμ μΈμ λ μμ μ λ€λ₯Έ μ΄λ€μκ² λ΄μ΄μ£Όμ ¨μ΅λλ€. μμλμ νμ λ€λ₯Έ μ΄λ€μ μ¬κΈ°μ ¨μ΅λλ€. μμλμ λ§μ μ¬λλ€μ μΉμ λ‘ μ¬κΈ°μ ¨κ³ , μ μλ€μκ²λ κ°λ₯΄μΉ¨κ³Ό μ€μ λ‘ μμμ μ 곡νκ³ κ·Έλ€μ λ°μ μ»μ΄μ£Όμ¬μΌλ‘ μ¬κΈ°μ ¨μ΅λλ€. μμλμ μ μ λ μμ μ λ€λ₯Έ μ΄λ€μκ² λ΄μ΄μ£Όμ ¨κ³ , λ§μΉ¨λ΄λ μ¬λμΌλ‘ μμ μ μλͺ μ 체λ₯Ό λ΄μ΄μ£Όμ ¨μ΅λλ€. Jesus suffered, yes, but his focus was not on the suffering. He was able to face the suffering and struggle because he was refilled again and again with the life and joy of his Fatherβthe life and joy of the kingdom of heaven. Jesusβ treasure was in heaven and his Father returned Jesusβ heart and Jesusβ life to heaven because of it. μμλμ κ³ λμ λΉνμ ¨μ§λ§, κ³ λμ μ§μ€νμ§ μμΌμ ¨μ΅λλ€. μμλμ μλ²μ§μ μλͺ κ³Ό κΈ°μ¨βνλλλΌμ μλͺ κ³Ό κΈ°μ¨βμΌλ‘ κ³μν΄μ λ€μ μ±μμ§μ ¨κΈ° λλ¬Έμ κ³ λκ³Ό ν¬μμ λ§μ€ μ μμμ΅λλ€. μμλμ 보물μ νλμ μμκ³ , μλ²μ§κ»μλ κ·Έλ‘ μΈν΄ μμλμ λ§μκ³Ό μλͺ μ νλλ‘ λλ €μ£Όμ ¨μ΅λλ€. So here we are. Almost at the end. The story about peace.... During our vacation to Netherlands and Germany, we visited two little towns in Germany: Erfurt and Eisenach. Kaylee sang in churches there and I mostly relaxed. You have probably never heard of Erfurt or Eisenach, but you likely have heard of Martin Luther. μ΄μ κ±°μ λμ λ€λ€λμ΅λλ€. ννμ κ΄ν μ΄μΌκΈ°μ λλ€.... ν΄κ° μ€ λ€λλλμ λ μΌμ μ¬ννλ©΄μ, μ°λ¦¬λ λ μΌμ λ μμ λ§μβμλ₯΄νΈλ₯΄νΈμ μμ΄μ λνβλ₯Ό λ°©λ¬Ένμ΅λλ€. μΌμΌλ¦¬λ κ·Έκ³³ κ΅νμμ λ Έλλ₯Ό λΆλ κ³ , μ λ μ£Όλ‘ μ¬μμ΅λλ€. μ¬λ¬λΆμ μλ§ μλ₯΄νΈλ₯΄νΈλ μμ΄μ λνλΌλ μ΄λ¦μ λ€μ΄λ³΄μ§ λͺ»νμμ§ λͺ°λΌλ, λ§ν΄ 루ν°λ λ€μ΄λ³΄μ ¨μ κ²μ λλ€. Martin Luther, at 17, had left his little home village in Germany and was on his way to a city to become a lawyer. As he passed near the town of Erfurt, a violent thunderstorm struck. Luther cried out, asking God to protect and deliver him. Luther promised God that he would become a monk if God saved his life from the storm. God did protect him, and so Luther became a monk in Erfurt. λ§ν΄ 루ν°λ 17μΈμ λ μΌμ μμ κ³ ν₯ λ§μμ λ λ λ³νΈμ¬κ° λκΈ° μν΄ λμλ‘ κ°κ³ μμμ΅λλ€. μλ₯΄νΈλ₯΄νΈ κ·Όμ²λ₯Ό μ§λλ μ€, κ²©λ ¬ν μ²λ₯λ²κ°κ° μ³€μ΅λλ€. 루ν°λ νλλκ» λ³΄νΈμ ꡬμμ κ°κ΅¬νλ©° μ리쳀μ΅λλ€. 루ν°λ λ§μ½ νλλκ»μ κ·Έλ₯Ό ννμμ ꡬν΄μ£Όμ λ€λ©΄ μλμ¬κ° λκ² λ€κ³ μ½μνμ΅λλ€. νλλκ»μ κ·Έλ₯Ό 보νΈνμ ¨κ³ , 루ν°λ μλ₯΄νΈλ₯΄νΈμμ μλμ¬κ° λμμ΅λλ€. As a monk, Luther became grieved because he saw the many ways that Christian leaders at his time were serving two masters. Yes, they said, βJesus is Lord!β But they also threatened people with hell; they also squeezed money out of poor people; they always focused on getting more and more financial wealth and political power for the church. Luther wanted the church to serve only one masterβand to put aside all the extra and additional burdens they were laying on people. Luther also wanted regular people to know and understand Jesusβ words in their own language and to be challenged and encouraged in ways they could understand. But the church refused to be corrected. The church refused to change. Instead, they doubled down and they suspended Lutherβthey sent him into exile. At Wartburg Castle, just above the tiny town of Eisenach, Luther was exiled. While there, Luther translated the Bible into the German language for the first time. μλμ¬κ° λ 루ν°λ λΉμ κΈ°λ κ΅ μ§λμλ€μ΄ λ μ£ΌμΈμ μ¬κΈ°λ λ§μ λͺ¨μ΅μ λ³΄κ³ μ¬νΌνκ² λμμ΅λλ€. κ·Έλ€μ βμμλμ΄ μ£Όμ΄μλλ€!βλΌκ³ λ§νμ§λ§, λμμ μ¬λλ€μ μ§μ₯μΌλ‘ μννκ³ , κ°λν μ΄λ€μκ²μ λμ μ§λ΄μμΌλ©°, κ΅νμ μ¬μ μ λΆμ μ μΉμ κΆλ ₯μ μ»λ λ°λ§ μ§μ€νμ΅λλ€. 루ν°λ κ΅νκ° μ€μ§ ν μ£ΌμΈλ§μ μ¬κΈ°κΈ°λ₯Ό μνκ³ , μ¬λλ€μ΄ μ§μ΄μ§κ³ μλ λͺ¨λ μΆκ°μ μ΄κ³ λΆνμν μ§μ λ΄λ €λκΈ°λ₯Ό μνμ΅λλ€. 루ν°λ λν νμ λλ€μ΄ μκΈ° μΈμ΄λ‘ μμλμ λ§μμ μκ³ μ΄ν΄νλ©° λμ λ°κ³ κ²©λ €λ°κΈ°λ₯Ό μνμ΅λλ€. κ·Έλ¬λ κ΅νλ κ³ μ³μ§κΈ°λ₯Ό κ±°λΆνμ΅λλ€. κ΅νλ λ³ννκΈ°λ₯Ό κ±°λΆνμ΅λλ€. λμ , κ·Έλ€μ 루ν°λ₯Ό μ μ§μν€κ³ κ·Έλ₯Ό μΆλ°©νμ΅λλ€. μμ΄μ λν μμͺ½μ μλ λ°λ₯΄νΈλΆλ₯΄ν¬ μ±μμ 루ν°λ μ λ°° μνμ νμ΅λλ€. κ·Έκ³³μμ 루ν°λ μ²μμΌλ‘ λ μΌμ΄λ‘ μ±κ²½μ λ²μνμ΅λλ€. Luther gave up so much to become a monk, then later gave up the his place in the Roman Catholic Church, in imperfect love for God and imperfect service to others. But he was not focused on his suffering. He was not focused on scarcity. Closer to the end of his life, he wrote, βWe cannot give God anything; for everything is already His, and all we have comes from Him. We can only give Him praise, thanks, and honor.β 루ν°λ μλμ¬κ° λκΈ° μν΄ λ§μ κ²μ ν¬κΈ°νκ³ , λμ€μλ λ‘λ§ κ°ν¨λ¦ κ΅ν λ΄μ μμ μ μ리λ ν¬κΈ°νμ΅λλ€. νλλκ» λν λΆμμ ν μ¬λκ³Ό μ΄μμ λν λΆμμ ν μ¬κΉμΌλ‘ λ§μ λλ€. κ·Έλ¬λ κ·Έλ μμ μ κ³ λμ μ§μ€νμ§ μμμ΅λλ€. κ·Έλ λΆμ‘±ν¨μ μ§μ€νμ§ μμμ΅λλ€. μμ λ§μ κ·Έλ μ΄λ κ² μΌμ΅λλ€. βμ°λ¦¬λ νλλκ» μ무κ²λ λ릴 μ μμ΅λλ€