Monthly Archives: April 2008

A Few Good Men

by Pastor John Kim

Many churches today are stricken with the same problem that has plagued many churches through the ages: the lack of godly men who are devoted to Christ. We see it most explicitly through the kind of leaders that often dominate the elder boards, pastoral pulpits, and committee heads; men who are more interested in furthering their own agendas and exercising worldly wisdom rather than wisdom from above (James 3:17). Instead of godly character, there is a conformity to earthly standards that mimic the culture rather than the standards that are found in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Why is this so?

There is a lack of honorable ambition for godly leadership. J. Oswald Sanders, in his classic work Spiritual Leadership, opens the book with words on “An Honorable Ambition.” The term ambition is often tinged with an immediate sense of pride and self-centeredness that comes from the all-too-often stories of those who have exercised vain ambitions that are not seeking God’s glory. But there is a sense in which there can be an honorable ambition to be a spiritual leader, not so much because of an office but, as Sanders emphasizes, it is the function of leadership that makes it an honorable task. True leadership is never self-serving. From a Christian worldview, true leadership centers on bringing God glory through the pursuit of fulfilling the character and conduct that is required in order t make impact in the lives of people so that they would be encouraged and exhorted to follow Christ in an excelling way. It is not about seeking presige, power or the accolades of men. It is it take on the role of a slave that is utterly devoted to the King of kings and Lord of lords, to exercise delegated authority as defined by the Word of God and to influence people in appropriate ways that point people to Christ.

Jeremiah 45:5 states “But you, are you seeking great things for yourself? Do not seek them.” In its context, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to Baruch, who was the faithful recorder that took down the dictation of the words of the Lord as spoken through Jeremiah. Baruch had set his expectations high regarding the future and the thoughts of impending judgement are a stark contrast to what he had hoped for. So Jeremiah warns him not to seek great things for himself but to be content with simply life itself.

There is a danger for seeking great things for our own agenda, even if they are good things in the sight of others. So we must definitely be careful of a self-seeking agenda that seeks to promote self-glory at the expense of God’s flory, no matter what the situation or issue might be.

But there is definitely a place where we are to seek great things for the glory of God and part of that happens through men embracing the role of spiritual leadership, to be diligent and devoted to the cause of CHrist to the point where they are willing to labor to the point of exhaustion and serve to the point of agony. It is not that there is any glory inherent in suffering. But to suffer for the purpose of serving our Savior – there is nothing that isn’t worth losing for the sake of the One who died and rose again on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:15).

We are in need of such men in today’s generation, and we cannot afford to wait and see if some will rise to the challenge and answer the call. We must embrace it, here and now. You might say that you are not ready, that you are not capable, that you are busy, and that you have much to learn and you would be correct in all those assessments. Butthat is not what is at stake. The question is: are you willing to deny yourself, take up the cross, faithfully follow Christ daily and discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness so that you might be a vessel fit for the Master’s use? Will you seek to be a living and holy sacrifice that is acceptable to God and commit all that you do as worship to Him? Will you stop conforming yourself to this world and be continually transformed by the renewing of your mind through the Word of God illumined by the Spirit of God? Will you seek to become men of character so that you might become godly husbands and fathers that will raise a generation to the glory of God and teach your children the glories of our Sovereign Creator? Will you seek to be faithful members of Christ’s church and to contribute such time, energy, talents, and resources that God has given to you as a stewardship that you might build up the bdy of Christ? Will you faithfully be a witness and testimony of the gospel of Christ, from your home to the ends of the world? Will you be a true lover of God and people?

These questions and more all point to the gravity and the intensity it takes to courageously go against the flow of the status quo, even within the church, and rise up to be men of God who are sold out for the kingdom of God and who will only pursue the glory of God.

Will you be one of the few, the humble men of God who will leave his mark by choosing today whom you will serve? Pray about it. Then come talk to me. There’s a mission I would like to have you join. Seriously.

Book Review: 12 Ordinary Men

Book by John MacArthur

Review by Stephen Rodgers

In Twelve Ordinary Men, Pastor MacArthur does more than simply attempt to lay out a Biblical analysis of Jesus’ disciples. While an exegesis of their attitudes and actions is certainly found between the covers, he also traces God’s plan to perform His work through these oh-so-flawed agents; a plan made all the more remarkable and divine due to the utterly lacking nature of the disciples themselves.

Think about it for a moment: if you wanted to turn the world on its ear, and you were to pick twelve men to help you do it, and if you had any strategic sense or managerial talent…you would systematically AVOID picking the type of men that Jesus picked! Fishermen. A socially-reviled tax collector. A terrorist. These are not the sort of vocations and backgrounds that one imagines when one pictures the kingdom of heaven being advanced here on earth. But these are precisely the remarkable men that Jesus picked: men who were remarkable precisely of their complete ordinariness.

I had the privilege of actually attending Grace Community Church when Pastor MacArthur was going through the list of the twelve disciples from the gospel of Luke, so I thought I knew what to expect. I can remember sitting in the pews while he would say something like “Everything we know about Thomas comes from three passages in the gospel of John;” of course, it would then take two to three weeks to completely expound upon those verses! So I was prepared for a detailed analysis of the lives of these men. And yet, I had completely forgotten the first three rules of hermeneutics: context, context, context.

Don’t get me wrong: the details are there. You’ll learn more about the disciples, particularly Peter, Andrew, James and John than you ever thought you could know. You’ll understand why Nathanael would have been a terrible poker player. You’ll come to realize that an unremarked-upon miracle of Jesus’ ministry is that Simon never killed Matthew. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll fall in love with Thomas, the completely misunderstood disciple who arguably loved Christ more than any of them.

But ultimately, the disciples are not the point. To paraphrase a different Pastor John, “life is not about them either.” Rather, it is through them that we understand how Jesus made himself known to mankind, how he taught us, how we should (and shouldn’t) respond, what we should abandon, and who we should love. You see, this is a book about the contrast between the frail, unremarkable, relatively uneducated, powerless, socially stunted, flawed, sinful, and emotional disciples of Christ…and what can happen when the power of God gets a hold of just a dozen men like that.

And it should make us wonder what would happen if we let God get a hold of us like that too.

Invading the Homeschools

by Jennifer Shin

There is much controversy going on in the state of California, as there was a state appellate court ruling on February 28, mandating that parents who aren’t credentialed cannot educate their children at home. Legislators stated that parents do not have the constitutional right to teach their own children and that under the law, these children should be sent to public schools where they will receive instruction from credentialed and “qualified” teachers.

According to Justice H. Walter, who was one of three members of the district court to sign the opinion, “Parents who fail to [comply with school enrollment laws] may be subject to a criminal complaint against them, found guilty of an infraction, and subject to imposition of fines or an order to complete a parent education and counseling program.”

There are an estimated 166,000 students in California who are currently being homeschooled. If the decision isn’t appealed, then many parents will be considered offenders of the law and their children considered truants.

Teachers, especially those firmly rooted in the teachers’ union, stated that only credentialed teachers are qualified to teach. Others said that homeschooling is elitist and anti-democratic. Two professors emeriti at Cal Poly Pomona said in a Los Angeles Times article, “It’s evident that the vast majority who teach their offspring in front of the television do so because they don’t want their children to be subjected to such dangerous doctrines as evolution, abortion, global warming, equal rights and other ideas abhorrent to the evangelical mantra.”

This statement shows the blatant hostility toward parents who homeschool their children, especially those within the Christian realm. The two professors at Cal Poly Pomona and others who are supporting the decision mock these parents, stating that they “fear the contaminating influence of what is commonly known as a liberal education.” To them, it is a matter of being open-minded in a liberal society. For us as Christians, it is more than a matter of law or conforming to how the world thinks. In fact, in Romans 12:2, Paul states, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” It is not a matter of children being taught by “qualified” teachers but a matter of keeping their minds from being infiltrated with the world’s doctrines and being exposed to teachings that support evolution, homosexuality, same-sex marriage and sex education that contradicts God’s design.

Many Christian parents homeschool their children because what is taught at the public school contradicts what is taught in the home in alignment to God’s Word. A Christian parent in Sacramento stated in the Los Angeles Times, “I want to have control over what goes in my son’s head, not what’s put in there by people who might be on the far left who have their own ideas about indoctrinating kids.”

Ephesians 6:4 calls parents to “bring [children] up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Legislators and teachers are stating that parents are not qualified to teach their own children. But God declares that parents are the primary instructors in their children’s lives. We must keep in mind to be discerning in what we teach children, whether they are our own or not. Even what we teach is to be set apart from the world. Though we are called to submit to our earthly authorities, our ultimate authority is God and our perfect and complete source of instruction that is profitable for all things is His Word.

Onward Christian Soldier

by Stephanie Shin

A stroll down America’s timeline quickly shows that our country’s history is rife with war—you’d be hardpressed to find a generation that hasn’t lived in an era unaffected by one. Rarely are the cultures that result from these wartime periods as the crow flies; they flow from the wellspring of political, economic and social change. It’s arguable to what extent public support can determine the success of a war, but it’s unquestionable that the home front can govern the morale and purpose of a wartime era A short 5 year stint in the early 1940s in the U.S. is a prime example of this. World War II was a significant time in American history: iconic figures such as Rosie the Riveter, and similarly noteable establishments like the Salvation Army and the YMCA and YWCA were created in the WWII era.

What was most striking about this period was the solidarity in which the American people banded together. There was little to no revolution against decisions to curb production of certain items that we today have come to rely on as necessities: cars, houses, new appliances. Rationing of food items and other basic necessities were met with hardly a blink of an eye. Labor unions took a hiatus on their strike over wages, coming to a temporary arbitration with the government in light of the war. The women who stayed at home rallied around their men across the seas by planting Victory Gardens and joining the American workforce. Roosevelt stated that the efforts of civilians at home to support the war through personal sacrifice was as critical to winning the war as the efforts of the soldiers themselves. The support of the average Joe combined with the discipline and bravery of the military uniform made WWII a hopeful time rather than a dark one.

On March 25th, 2008, news headlines underscored the 4,000th fatality since the March 2003 invasion of Iraq. The stark contrast between the WWII era and the Iraqi War that we’re presently a part of is unmistakably clear. It’s a sad testament to the apathy to how this war is seen that many are unaware that there’s a war still going on. Unlike the unity of cause during World War II, the Bush administration is facing deep malcontent and antiwar movements from a large portion of the American people. The majority are content to remain blissfully unaware and to only occasionally churn out rhetoric to disparage or support. Meanwhile, the weight of this war on American morale and the world’s perception of the United States is devastating. The war is still being fought bravely by the soldiers we send overseas, but the home front remains disconcertingly inert.

Oftentimes, I find that I fight the spiritual battles of this life as if they were part of a war that I was forced to be a part of. Rather than a patriot for the cause of glory that God saved me for, I fight like a conscripted soldier who is unsure of the means and purpose. But it’s clear in the Word that this life is one not only meant to be lived with joy (“O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation” Ps 95:1), but with an unflinching purpose and resolve to be a light in the darkness. 2 Timothy 2:2-4 says: “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.” John Macarthur in his commentary writes, “Just as a soldier called to duty is completely severed from the normal affairs of civilian life, so also must the good soldier of Jesus Christ refuse to allow the things of the world to distract him.” Our purpose is clear: “Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever” (1 Timothy 1:16-17). As sinners saved by a merciful God, we are not to be like hired mercenaries whose loyalties stop at the point of personal sacrifice and are fickle at best; we are slaves who have been freed by a merciful King who equips us with the whole armor of God to fight for Him. We are to pray at all times in the Spirit, be on alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.

What does it mean to fight the war on the home front as a Christian? It means to recognize the day-to-day choices that we make that will either give God the glory or not. This varies from person to person as God chooses to convict people in different ways. As shown by the war mobilization of civilians during WWII, a foundation of support at home helped to create a unity of purpose. “The main purpose was to remind people that there was a war on and to provide activities that would engage the civil spirit of millions of people not otherwise involved in the war effort.” That purpose is given to us in the Word! We can often get caught up in the stories of men who have fought the visible spiritual fight and have died for the cause; I read the stories in Foxe’s book of martyrs, the journalled testimonies of David Brainerd and Jim Elliot and became caught up in flames of zeal and conviction to go abroad and do the same. But the reality is that this isn’t the type of spiritual warfare that most of us will have to face. Rather than looking abroad to where the ammunition can be seen and heard, we confront an enemy who is much more internal, infiltrating, and increasingly unnoticed.

To submit to Christ the seemingly mundane things in our lives and to discipline and train our minds and bodies to determine to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified is the daily battle that we are entrenched in. Will we rejoice when circumstances seem to exact otherwise, to desire humility when our sin clamors for acclamation,to love when it hurts, to sacrifice when our flesh desires more, to consider all the things of the world as loss for the surpassing value of knowing Him as bondslaves of Christ?

At the end of his run, the apostle Paul was able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Will we able to say the same? We fight the fight for the promises He mercifully gives in His word.

The Life of John Calvin

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

The life of Frenchman John Calvin has generated words of thankfulness to God from some but also words of criticism from others. He was born in Noyon, France July 10, 1509 to a family of which his father was an attorney. Sent to the University of Paris at 14 years of age to study medieval theology, he became deeply entrenched in Catholicism in addition to works by Aristotle and Euclid, with studies ranging from Latin, to the arts, to philosophy, developing the skill of disputation. Yet, from his father’s conflict with the Catholic church, he had his son removed from the school to pursue law instead, and received a law degree in 1532. Things changed, however, after the death of his father (1531), which allowed Calvin to study the classics, writing his first book on Seneca, Roman Stoic and advisor to Nero.

Remembering that the Protestant Reformation occurred in 1517 with the nailing of Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses, Calvin, who around the time began studying Seneca, had known a man named Nicholas Cop. Cop preached a sermon on Matthew 5:2 at the University of Paris, which included Lutheran doctrine, that awoke the authorities. They had Cop and Calvin leave the city and, soon, France altogether, to Basel, Switzerland, bringing about The Institutes of the Christian Religion:
But lo! while I lay hidden at Basel, and known only to few people, many faithful and holy persons were burnt alive in France. . . . It appeared to me, that unless I opposed [the perpetrators] to the utmost of my ability, my silence could not be vindicated from the charge of cowardice and treachery. This was the consideration which induced me to publish my Institutes of the Christian Religion. . . . It was published with no other design than that men might know what was the faith held by those whom I saw basely and wickedly defamed.

Three years later, in 1536, Calvin was able to return to France, preaching in Geneva for two years, then was in Strasbourg from 1538-41, preaching to 500 French refugees and finally returned to Geneva to preach there until his death in 1564 at the age of 54.

This was a life that was dedicated to seeing the Word of God preached expositionally, writing everything with pastoral care to his flock, from commentaries, to tracts, to letters to believers in prison. Calvin “preached on a New Testament book on Sunday mornings and afternoons (although for a period on the Psalms in the afternoon) and on an Old Testament book on weekday mornings” (publisher intro, Sermons on the Epistle to the Ephesians). Although he is known mainly for his work The Institutes, Calvin had an insatiable desire to draw out the meaning of Scripture in a verse-by-verse fashion, preaching 89 sermons in Acts, 174 on Ezekiel, 159 on Job, 200 on Deuteronomy, 353 on Isaiah, 123 on Genesis, and much more throughout his preaching ministry, emphasizing the glory of God as the goal of all of life, including exposition.

The zeal Calvin had to preach the Word of God in his own life was the battle that he fought in his own life to live out sola scriptura, the Scriptures being the sole and infallible rule of faith for the church in opposition to Rome’s unauthorized “infallibility.” The glory of God fueled him to see what was truly at stake when disputing with those who were defenders of Rome.

What can we learn from the life of Calvin? Passion for God’s Word must be fostered in His church. Calvin truly believed the Word of God must be preached, since it is an application of Christ’s words, “My sheep hear My voice” (John 10:27). Are we listening to the preaching of the Word? Do we pray for our pastors to never compromise in preaching the Word? Are we just as passionate to study the Word day in, day out, during the school year and while we’re on “break” as our leaders should be? We may celebrate Calvin’s 500th birthday next year, but we should be celebrating God’s Word every day as the beacon of light that enlightens our path and keeps us faithful to Him and His perfect and authoritative Word.

Editor's Note: April 2008

by Steven Hong

If you receive this newsletter, chances are good you’ve scoped out the new building. Members are buzzing with the excitement a new facility brings, but with all the celebration, let’s look beyond the great gift and continue to fix our eyes the Giver. As James writes, “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

Additionally, let’s remember that with the new facilities come many new opportunities to serve our church family. Be on the lookout for ways you could lend a helping hand.

Incomparable Joy In Christ

by Pastor Patrick Cho

I have to admit that I am an avid “Lost” fan. This season has been particularly good because of the new twists and turns that are being introduced to the overall plot. Theories abound explaining all the new phenomena: "Is there time travel on the island?" "Is Jin still alive?" "Does Jack not want to see Aaron because he was somehow connected to Claire’s death?" While theories about the show are fun to discuss, one thing that I am reminded about is how stupid it is to allow your life to waste away because of a TV show. One theory was passed on to me by another member in the church where another avid fan devoted pages and pages of detailed explanations and evidence about the show. This “Lost” theorist even walked through major counter arguments to his theory and then wrote detailed rebuttals to each of them. I couldn’t believe how much time and research must have gone into such a project. Of course, the work would have been worth it for that fan because of the joy that the show brings to those who watch it.

But this leads me to my point. It is so easy to find joy in entertainment, but is God really the One who brings you the greatest joy? Is your perspective towards your salvation still like that man who found the priceless treasure in the field only to go sell all that he has to obtain it? Is Jesus the first love of your life or is He merely an afterthought? These are serious questions to consider because I feel like the church is becoming spiritually numb when it comes to each member’s personal devotion to Christ. Corporately, people have gotten really good at enjoying the fellowship of the church. Sermons are great because the hearer has all the work of Bible study done for them. Prayer becomes unnecessary because others are sure to be praying. In all of it, instead of running in the faith, many are reclining by the side of the road. The principle reason for this is because Christianity has become a chore to people and ministry is burdensome. Pursuing Christ is not fun or easy, and sadly, people are drawn more to the things that are fun and easy.

We must pray like the Psalmist, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation” (Ps. 51:12a). Sinners who have truly experienced salvation from the wrath of God and freedom in Christ understand that there is no greater joy than living for the Savior. God forbid we find greater joy in the things of the world. God forbid we turn instead to the things that are simply fun, easy, and entertaining. This isn’t to say we cannot be entertained. It is vital, however, that each day we remind ourselves of this joy. We must not let ourselves fall to the point where we find counterfeit joy in idols. Christ is everything. If He is not everything to you, then you are not in Him. Instead of turning to the things of the world, let us cling to Him (cf. Deut. 10:20).