Acts 29 Midwest Regional meeting

On Tuesday, April 28th, 2009, my lovely wife Grace and I attended the Acts 29 regional meeting at St. Louis. Acts 29 exits to promote church planting.

One of the speakers was Ed Stetzer who wrote a book called "Lost and Found. The younger unchurched and the churches that reach them."

As we pray to reach out to the unchurched students here at the U of I, Ed presentation is very relevant to us.

His key points are:

Young people are hungry for spiritual things and they are ready to listen to the gospel. They are somewhat confused.

We can reach out to young people via:
1. Community
2. Content (in depth)
3. Social Responsibility
4. Cross generational connection

Here are some practical advices:

1. Create a deeper community
2. Make a difference through service
3. leading young adults to experience worship
4. delivering content
5. connect young adults through technology
6. being cross generational
7. being authentic
8. leading with transparency
9. Reaching young adults, leading with team

Here is Ed's presentation here

If you want to get the flavor of his book, here is Ed's podcast.

If you are interested, you can get more info at:

http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/edstetzer/

Jesus' Heart For Jerusalem

Paul Toh delivered the message on Luke 13:31-35.

Paul writes:

This passage is a continuation of last weeks (need to know last weeks to understand this). Attempt to summarize. Jesus spoke about salvation and making every effort to enter through the narrow door. In his parable Jesus explains that once the door is closed those on the outside will not be allowed into the house for the feast. Jesus illustrates that these people on the outside will justify themselves saying, “We ate and drank with you and you taught in our streets, please let us in” but that God’s response will be “I don’t know you” and God the judge will make the final call saying, “away from me you evildoers” These people saw themselves as sincere in their own eyes, but God saw their hearts, they were evil doers.

Jesus closes with this picture of people of all races, ethnicities and backgrounds gathered at the feast in the kingdom of God.

Jesus is the narrow door. Jesus calls us to make every effort to enter through him, not because by our own efforts we are saved, but because it is through Christ’s sacrifice and grace alone that we can come to the Father.

This is the message of salvation and the message about God’s kingdom that he shares with the people and this section of the text is about the Pharisees response.

Today we want to think about responses to Jesus and Jesus’ response to us (in view of salvation) More.

Daily Illini quotation

Dr. Eugene Lawson, co-founder and former president of the U.S.-Russia Business Council, gave the keynote address for the Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center’s annual Current Affairs Forum at U of I.

After the presentation, someone commented, “He seemed like such a knowledgeable person with a lot of connections to the top guns. I am very impressed that the University offers this sort of event.” Daily Illini picked up his comment

Do you know who this person might be?

Abraham Keun Won Song, sophomore in business and secretary of the deeper roots in Christ.

Abe's comment became instantaneously global and permanent online. His legacy will live. Here is the link.

Gospel Coalition Conference

Nathan Walker, Mary Walker, Paul Toh, Grace Lee, Alex Foster of Springfield and Sam Lee attended the Gospel Coalition organized by DA Carson. I was happy to meet up with old friends: Tim Fitch and Dr. Charles Kim of Minnesota. The main theme of the conference was to live with the Gospel based on 2 Timothy.

The link for the conference is at:
http://www.an thegospelcoalition.org/

We were only able to attend the first day. The first day speakers were: Tim Keller, John Piper and Phil Ryken and Mark Driscoll.

I had a chance to chat briefly with Mark Driscoll after his presentation on 2 Timothy 2:14-26. As we pastor the flock of God, we can grow in the character of Jesus. We call these positives. Or we can do foolish things that do not glorify God or harm the church or harm the flock of God i.e. doing negatives. Mark shared 20 negatives and 20 positives in the presentation. (Mark's presentation notes are here: http://theresurgence.com/gospel_coalition_2009_driscoll_outline) We shared our scores and had a good chuckle. My score was -5. (10 negatives and 5 positives). From this score, I realized that I need much work to be done to grow as a mature servant of God

The gospel of Jesus unites the gospel workers and exposes our sins and redeems us from our idols and makes us to serve the true God.

Here is Alex's perspective on the conference:
http://alex.buckhart.com/2009/04/22/meeting-my-theological-hero.aspx

Strive to Enter the Narrow Door

Nathan Walker delivered the message this week:

Luke 13:22-30

Key Verse: 24

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.”

Last week, as some of you know, we had the first ever marathon in this town. I love people who want to run a marathon because its such a crazy idea, and really who cares if you can do it or not? But it’s the honor and the challenge. People will literally cause themselves bodily harm to finish the race, and sometimes at the finish line, they have serious medical problems. I love to see the close-ups of their faces in miles 18-22 when the going really gets tough, and then see the elation on the other side of the finish line. These runners strive to finish, some of them strive to beat their times or to beat others in the race.Do we strive the same way for an eternal goal, the kingdom of God? Hmmm. In this passage someone asks Jesus about who will be saved and Jesus tells a story about the kingdom. This section of Luke is full of stories about the kingdom, especially about how the kingdom works and how people get in. More:

Re Life Easter Conference Pictures

Juan Jose outside reading the Bible.
Indeed, he is a blessed man. (Psalm 1) Dan B. posted the pictures from the conference. Here is the link.

Click here.

Concert Trip to Springfield, April 19th

There is a concert at Springfield featuring MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, Sanctus Real, Tenth Avenue North, and a message by Bart Millard (not sure who that is).

It is $10 at the door (no tickets required).

It is on Sunday, April 19th at 6:00PM (doors open at 5:00PM).

It is at the Prairie Capitol Convention Center (where the Casting Crowns concert was).

Check out www.rockandworshiproadshow.com for more information.

Illinois Marathon

On Sat April 11th, The first Illini Marathan was held at Urbana and Champaign, IL.

The Christie Clinic where Nathan Walker works sponsored the event.

Gidoen Shin, Josh Tice, Mary and Nathan Participated. They finished the race.

Gideon Shin commented that there was no way he could finish it without training.

You can see there are two future Boston Marathon runners.

Baby Gloria's 1st Birthday

We celebrated Baby Gloria Jeong's 1st birthday on our Easter Sunday

This is a resurrection baby.

It's a Turkish boy

Point and Rebekah of Turnkey had a baby boy, Samuel L. on Saturday, April 12 '09. He is such a good baby, calm and cool according to Maria.



Here is the baby picture. (Courtesy of the UBF.org)






May God grow him after God's own heart. (1 Samuel 13:14)







Point writes:

Dear brothers and sisters. Dear co-workers.

I am very happy to let you know two amazing things that happened at
the same day.

First of all, God granted us a son as he has promised through his servants. This was a difficult pregnancy for sh. Rebekah. She was about to lose the child a couple of times. During one of those times a prayer group from Korea came to our house and prayed for her. The
leader of the group said it would be a son and his name would be Samuel because he would grow a prophet of God. We believed and God granted us a son. We had thought to name him Paul, because Paul Toh helped us a lot during the pregnancy time sending several packages
from Urbana with medications and stuff but we decided to obey God and named him Samuel even though it is a strange name in the place we live in.

Second, at the same day (Apr. 11) God granted us a new place for raising disciples of Jesus. It was used before as a congregation place but later, two years ago was abandoned. The owner is a Christian. He gave us that place basically for free because he wants it to be used
as a holy place. May God Almighty help us to be good shepherds and raise 12 disciples of Jesus using that place.
I thank you very much for all your prayers and all your help. Most importantly I thank God for his great mercy and unconditional love towards this sinner whose sins were so heavy. Again and again I can hear his voice: Do you love me? Feed my sheep.

With respect and love, your debtor Point

Testimony writing

Here is the presentation at the Re-Life Easter conference on how to write testimonies.

As God said, he had enough sacrifices. We write testimonies to listen to the word of God and build our relationship with God and our brothers and sisters in Jesus.

Good presentation by Dan B.

Re Life Easter Retreat April 3-5 '09

Here is a group picture of the re-Life Easter retreat.

Lincoln Park, IIT, UI at Springfield and Illinois gathered together to listen to Jesus' death and resurrection stories based on Luke.

The camp was located in Hudson, IL, a home of Doug Browning.

Nick Vujicic (life without limbs)

Operation World

Here is a good site that helps us to pray for the world mission

http://www.operationworld.org/index.html

Also our tax dollars are in good use. If you are interested in a particular country, the world fact book is a good resource.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/

Re-LIfe Easter Retreat, Alex Foster's message on Resurrection

Alex spoke on the resurrection of Jesus at our retreat.

(FYI...Alex Foster's blog's title is A sinner's blog. He is a sinner and Jesus is his savior.

http://alex.buckhart.com/ )

Luke 23:50-24:12

Before we begin, allow me briefly to let you know who I am. My name is Alex Foster. I am a sinner that grew up a non-Christian, but by the providential hand of God, I was led into Bible study in college. Through Bible study and church, Jesus came to me in my last year of college and changed my heart. He inspired me to live for him and follow him, leading me into part-time ministry in Springfield along with a couple other sinners such as I.

Now, the focus of this message: Jesus.

We have been studying and will continue throughout this conference to study about what the resurrection of Jesus means in our lives. The conference theme is “Re-Life…” The goal is that we may be able to restart our lives in Christ Jesus. It is never too late to refresh your life and live it newly again in Jesus. For those of you that call yourselves Christians, this is a time for you to remind yourself what it means to call yourself that, what it means that Jesus is your Lord and Savior, and why it is important to understand what his resurrection means in your life. If you’re not a Christian, then this is the perfect time for you to come to understand who Jesus is and what he has done for you and continues to do for you. The false notion is that we celebrate some dead guy from the past. The truth is that we are celebrating what our Lord did in the past, how that continues to affect our lives today, and how he is still alive and well.

As we come to verse fifty, Jesus is now dead, but his body is unclaimed. We meet a man named Joseph who comes to claim Jesus’ body and give him a proper burial. Joseph is a very godly man, but in a very curious position. Let’s look at verses 50 and 51.

He is a member of the Jewish ruling council that sent Jesus to his death. However, he was on the losing side of the murder trial. While many were shouting for Jesus’ crucifixion, Joseph called for his exoneration. This took courage and strength to stand up to the warlike cries that came from those yelling, “Crucify him!”

Not only did Joseph stand up to the Jewish ruling council, but he also came to a Roman governor and requested Jesus’ body from him. Though Pontius Pilate tried to dissuade the Jewish ruling council from killing Jesus, he did not have the courage of Joseph, and he consented to Jesus’ crucifixion. Therefore, even though he seemed to be on Jesus’ side, he still was submissive to the enemies of Jesus, and so it would seem likely that asking the guy responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus for the body of Jesus would be difficult to say the least. Yet Joseph stood fast and persevered.

The question arises as to why Joseph would go through all of this. Looking back at verse 51, we see that Joseph was “waiting for the kingdom of God.” Joseph had in him a desire for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was waiting for Jesus this whole time, and now he gets to take part in God’s plan. He, no doubt, did not know to what extent his role was in God’s plan. Despite this, he played an interesting role.

If we go on to verse 53, we see that Joseph takes special care of Jesus’ body. The Sabbath is approaching, which means no work may be done and certainly no one is supposed to hang out with the dead, so Joseph has a time constraint. Because of his love for Jesus and his desire for the kingdom of God, he gives up his own tomb for Jesus. If you look at Isaiah 53:9, we see that Joseph plays the part of “the rich in [Jesus’] death.” In the time that he has, he gives Jesus his personal tomb and prepares Jesus’ body for death.

Meanwhile, there are many women that have been following Jesus throughout his ministry that love him and want to make sure he is well-taken care of. Because of the Sabbath approaching, they too have a time constraint but aren’t able to do what they’d like to do. They’d like to prepare Jesus for his final burial with spices and perfumes to anoint his body, but they have to wait until after the Sabbath. As soon as the Sabbath ends, they go out to the tomb, but they find nothing. Jesus is not there.

This is precisely where many of us are today. We are filled with joy from the Scriptures and believe that what happened happened, yet we stop there. We try to find Jesus in a tomb or in the history books (or even solely in the Bible), but we treat him as we treat the Bible -- as dead, someone that like the Bible is a couple thousand years old. Like the women, we mourn for our situation, because we cannot seem to find Jesus wherever we look. The problem is not that Jesus is dead -- it is that we are not looking for him where he is -- precisely because he is not dead!

Looking at verses 5-7, we see that Jesus is not where we think he is. The women are astounded at not finding Jesus, but the angels rebuke them, because they are looking in the wrong spot. Jesus has risen. He is alive and among us today. What is more is that Jesus even told us where he would be. We just failed to listen.

The problems that we face occur because we don’t try to seek Jesus out. It’s not like you need some super-secret decoder ring to read the Bible. It’s not like you need the deductive abilities of Sherlock Holmes to track down and find Jesus. He is where he said he would be. He is living among us and ready to help if we ask.

One thing that is particularly important to notice is how Luke records the witnesses of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. In this passage, we see Luke’s record of Joseph coming to Pilate for Jesus’ body and taking his body to his tomb in which Jesus is laid to rest. Then, the women take over the watch before Jesus is sealed in the tomb, and they return back home to begin preparations for him. When they come back to the tomb, the stone that sealed the tomb has been rolled away and Jesus is nowhere to be found. Instead, there are two men (whom we interpret to be angels) that appear at the tomb to let them know where Jesus went. The women hear the information and bring it to the Eleven disciples until finally Jesus reveals himself to them. So each step of the way, there is someone to see what is going on.

Out of his love for us, God provided proof for us that the story of Jesus is non-fictional. He gives us witnesses that can account for the story as he wrote it -- as it happened. The gospel writer Luke pays particular attention to the seemingly non-essential details (such as who was emperor and who was where and when) in order to establish a frame of reference for us. In verse one of chapter two, Luke records that Caesar Augustus was emperor of Rome. This allows those of us that struggle with the facts to see how the story of Jesus lines up with the historical records in the history books. As far as the Biblical record is concerned, we also see that Joseph of Arimathea fulfills Old Testament Scripture, as we read in Isaiah 53:9. Moreover, we see Jesus fulfilling his own prophecies in the New Testament, as the angel points out in verse seven. As such, it is the goal that we can start seeing the Bible as the historical record.

Now, there are essentially two ways that you can be a part of God’s plan. One is to do evil, such as the Jewish ruling council did: persecuting Jesus and killing him. The other is to allow God to do good through you, such as how Joseph of Arimathea gave his tomb away to Jesus, helping seal the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection, so that there could be no debate about its occurrence. Either way, God will reign supremely and his will will be done.

It is reassuring, though, to know that no matter if good or evil is performed in the world, Jesus will always make good out of it. You can take heart in knowing that God always has the final say in any matter. Know, too, that Jesus has risen and is able to provide healing and comfort to any that ask him in his name.

Question: What part in God’s plan do you want to follow? Do you want to be like the evil that God used for good? Or do you want to be like the good that came out of the evil?

I pray that you and I may be the good that God uses. May Jesus always have the last say. Amen.

The kingdom of God is like...

Text: Luke 13:18-21

¹⁸Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? ¹⁹It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches." ²⁰Again he asked, "What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? ²¹It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount^[a] of flour until it worked all through the dough."

HAPPY EASTER

We are here because Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead. We are here to celebrate Jesus' resurrection today.This is a special Sunday because Jesus rose from the dead.

This Sunday let's look at Luke chapter 13 and see how Jesus' death and resurrection is good news of great joy.

Let's see this story in the context. Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem. (9:51). His death and suffering was waiting at Jerusalem.

Along the way, Jesus met many people and taught many things but mainly he spoke about the good news of the kingdom of God. (4:43) The phrase, the kingdom of God. is repeated 31 times in Luke (You can see more on this at: http://bible-theophilus.blogspot.com/2009/04/kingdom-of-god.html )

The central teaching of Jesus and Jesus' going to Jerusalem is not that he stops there. His intention was to bring his people to the kingdom of God.

Many are asking, "Where am I going? Am I going to a journey of no end? What shall we do after graduation?" I want to say that we are heading to the kingdom of God, made only possible by Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead.

What is the kingdom of God? Can you explain this to your friends?

Jesus wanted to make sure that we understand the good news of the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is not like the kingdoms of this world. It is so different from what we know. So Jesus gave us two examples. The kingdom of God is like:

1. A growing mustard seed.
2. the yeast in the dough that transforms the bread.

May God open our eyes to see and accept the good news of the kingdom of God.

Let's pray. Dear Lord, we are so much earth bound. We do not value your kingdom. May God help us to pray your kingdom come. Grant us the good news of the kingdom of God today. May the meditation of my heart and my words of my mouth be pleasing to you. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

1. The kingdom of God is like a growing mustard seed.

Look at verses 18-19 ¹⁸Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? ¹⁹It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches."

Here Jesus is challenging us to see if we know the kingdom of God and can explain the kingdom of God to others. Jesus is the only person who can do so because he came from the kingdom of God.

What do you compare the kingdom of God to? Here Jesus knows our weaknesses. We are so much earth bound and all we can see is the kingdoms of the world. Jesus wants us to have the spiritual eyes to see God's kingdom. What is the kingdom of God like?

Is it like Panama, FL where many U of I students go for Spring break? No. The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches. The mustard tree attains in Palestine a height of ten feet and is a favorite resort of linnets and finches.(http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07176a.htm)

From this verses we can learn several attributes of the kingdom of God.

• It is small like a mustard seed.
• It has life.
• It grows to a tree
• Many birds come and eat and enjoy the tree

Let's look these attributes one by one.

First, it is small. The mustard seed is tiny. The kingdom of God looks very insignificant. For example, when Jesus was born, he was born as a baby in a manger. His birth is so insignificant. No one recognized his birth. On this earth, he lived in a poor country. He died the most shameful death hung between two known criminals. When he died all of his disciples ran away. When we look at the life of Jesus we do not see anything significant. Instead we want something else. The life of Jesus is small and insignificant like a mustard seed.

Second, even though it is small, the seed has life. But Jesus' life did not end in his death. He rose from the dead. When Jesus did not save himself and died for us, God raised him from the dead. We are so familiar with the present life that we do not know that our God is not the God of the dead but of the living. God raised Jesus from the grave.

When Jesus laid down his life for us, God accepted Jesus' life as a mustard seed falling to the ground. The life of Jesus has power. The kingdom of God is more than our present life. The kingdom of God triumphs over the power of death.

Third, Jesus grew and became a fruitful tree. Jesus did not become a savior over night. He came as a baby. He became a teenager like Andrew. Then he became a man. He started his ministry when he was 30. He died when he was 33. In his life, he chose twelve disciples and taught them. In one sense, the disciples really enjoyed Jesus' fruitful life. Jesus taught them them the word of God. Jesus quenched their thirst. Jesus helped them to see the good news of the kingdom of God.

Jesus' life did not stop at his death.. After his resurrection, he appeared to his disciples and taught the Bible more until their eyes were open to see who Jesus is. Indeed Jesus' life is compared to a small mustard seed that grew to be a big fruit tree.

We are in the world where we value the big things. The big shark eats the small fish. We want to be strong and well fed. But Jesus showed us that in the kigndom of God it is not like that. When I moved into my house, I noticed that I had so many closets. I wondered how can we fill all these spacious closets. In a matter of time they filled up so quickly. I want more space. I want a better house. I want a bigger car. My jeep is so small.

I am so earth bound that I do not value the good news of the kingdom of God. I sing the Lord's prayer every day. "Your kingdom come." In some way, I want my kingdom to come. I do not value the mustard seed but I value a big pumpkin seed.

But Jesus showed us what it means to have God's perspective. Jesus' life is compared to a mustard seed. He died but God raised him. His death opened the door for us to come to the kingdom of God. Many benefited from Jesus' life.

Jesus came and died so that he can bring us to his kingdom. As we look at the Bible,

• the Bible begins in the kingdom of God. Originally we lived in God's garden which is the kingdom of God. (Gen 2)
  
• It ends in the kingdom of God (Rev)
  

• Because of our sins, we cannot live in God's kingdom. We see all the messes created when we live outside of the kingdom of God. we cannot have real and authentic relationship with God and men.
• God is creating a new kingdom purchased by the blood of Jesus. Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead so that our sins can be forgiven and we can stand before the holy God.

• After he rose from the dead, Jesus went up to the kingdom of God
• Jesus is coming back to bring his kingdom to us

It is all the believers' aspiration to have God's kingdom come and his will be done.

We are made to live under the kingship of our Lord Jesus. In some ways we are like fish out of the water. We want to live on the ground even though we are made under the water.

We must pray that while we read the Bible, we must not miss the main point. Pray that God may open my heart to see the reality of the kingdom of God, made possible by his Son's death on the cross. We are made to live in the kingdom of God. Jesus knows our needs so he came to bring us to his kingdom.

I hear so much about the kingdom of God but do not value its message. This morning, I want everyone to hear the good news of the kingdom of God. As Jesus grew and became a tree, we too have hope to be like Jesus. Even a small thing that we do for Jesus, our God does not reject us.

When we follow Jesus we have hope to be like a tree. As Jesus shared his fruit with us, we, too, can share the fruit with many birds of the air. They can come and taste the sweet fruit that we bear when we follow Jesus.

When we live in the kingdom of God we share the fruit of our labor and others benefit. Our life is not only for us but for others as well.

We bear the fruit and many birds of the air find its shelter and find something to eat. We are the first beneficiary of Jesus' death and resurrection. In Jesus we find our shelter. In Jesus we enjoy something to eat. In Jesus we share with others what we have.

2. The kingdom of God is like the transforming yeast

Look at verse 20. ²⁰Again he asked, "What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? ²¹It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."

Again Jesus asked us to describe the kingdom of God.

It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough. The kingdom of God leads to changed lives through faith in our Lord Jesus.

This verse gives us hope. When we meet Jesus and accept him he can transform us. It is like yeast. it works all through the dough. Please note the phrase all through the dough. All is everything. Every aspect of your life.

The kingdom of God changes everything. The good news of the kingdom of God is meant to give us perspective and transform all things. Who Jesus is (a mustard seed) and what he has done (died for our sins and rose from the dead) provides both the motive and the means to true Christian life.

As Tim Keller said, "The good news of the kingdom of God is to be applied to every area of thinking, feeling, relating, working, and behaving."

We try to pretend that we are all put together well. We pretend that we have no issues. Because we do not know the good news of the kingdom of God, we work night and day without any rest because we do not know the good news of the kingdom of God.

The good news of the kingdom of God frees us from our fear of not ever being changed. It works slowly and steadily and transforms lives like the yeast working through the dough.

The good news of the kingdom of God bears fruit specifically into the real life of the people. For example, Jerry Park was stressed out due to his demanding research. He had no joy when he came to our re-Life conference. but the words of God came to him and he was changed. The kingdom of God drove out fears and brought much joy.

I know some are struggling with various things such as bitterness and addictions of various kinds but the good news of the kingdom of God which is Jesus going to Jerusalem and dying on the cross and rising from the dead transforms us and is changing us like the yeast working through the whole dough. It simply means admitting what the Bible says about us; we are fallen people who desperately need God in our lives…every day. Christ in us and accepting Christ for our sins is our salvation.

If you do not believe me, please visit Dunkin Donuts and order your favorite donuts. Taste it and ask the owner if they put yeast in it. Of course they did. As we eat the bread, please have hope that your life will be transformed by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

We have hope to be like fluffy bread, aromatic and tasty so that many hungry people can come and enjoy the bread. God is making all things new (Rel 21:5). This is our hope. God will not do a patch job but the gospel of Jesus is working in you.

Let's summarize:

God created all things new, and they were good.

All things have fallen so that original goodness is lost and we are broken.

Jesus' death and resurrection makes it possible for all things to be renewed.

Eventually Jesus will return and make things eternally new.

We join in the Holy Spirit's work of growing us like a mustard tree and transforming us like yeast working through the whole dough. God will grow us and transform us in the image of our Lord Jesus.

Let's thank God for his transforming power through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

This is our sure hope and solid foundation.

Let's look at our text.

¹⁸Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? ¹⁹It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches." ²⁰Again he asked, "What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? ²¹It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount^[a] of flour until it worked all through the dough."

May God grant us faith to put our hope on the solid rock of Jesus and accept the good news of the kingdom of God.

Biblical parenting

In writing Shepherding A Child's Heart, Dr. Tripp drew on his 30+ years of experience as a pastor, counselor, school administrator, and father. He now also includes 10 years of insights from teaching this material in his conferences offered around the world. In addition to speaking at conferences, Dr. Tripp is the pastor of Grace Fellowship Church in Hazleton, PA.

The things your child does and says flow from the heart, and Dr. Tripp's Shepherding A Child's Heart conference is about how to speak to and engage with the heart of children.

"God is concerned with the heart - the well-spring of life"Proverbs 4:23

"Parents tend to focus on the externals of behavior rather than the internal overflow of the heart. We tend to worry more about the "what" of behavior than the "why."
Accordingly, most of us spend an enormous amount of energy in controlling and constraining behavior. To the degree and extent to which our focus is on behavior, we miss the heart."

Here are some videos you can watch: (You can watch videos by clicking the link below)

• Biblical parenting -the call to formative instruction:
• Give kids God's glory

Help Kids understand

• the heart
  the authority
  Overview of corrective discipline

In addition, you can find Gloria Jeong's summary of Dr. Tripps presentations here:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ah96jxp79t7n_206crc5np9s

Kingdom of God

While I was preparing for the message on Luke 13:18-21 this week, somehow I noticed that Jesus was talking about the kingdom of God twice in the text. By doing a quick search on the kingdom of God in Luke, the kingdom of God is repeated 31 times in Luke's gospel.(See below for citations.)

Jesus taught so many times about the kingdom of God. We sing the Lord's prayer each day, "Your kingdom come." But I am so much away from the main teaching of Jesus. I am so foolish and so blind that I have a tendency to ignore 31 times of Jesus' teaching.

Wow. Am I blind and so much earth bound that I study the Bible and miss the main point? This week, God spoke me through Luke's gospel 24:25-27.

Luke 24: 25He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

I am a fool but God has hope on me. and bring me to his kingdom. Not me but everyone. Jesus wants to bring everyone to his kingdom.


God reminded me that

• We are made in the image of God.
  
• We are made to live in the kingdom of God. We lived in God's garden which is the kingdom of God.
  
• Because of our sins, we cannot live in God's kingdom.
  
• So Jesus came to bring us to his kingdom. Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead so that our sins can be forgiven and we can stand before the holy God.
• After he was rose from the dead, Jesus went up to the kingdom of God
• Jesus is coming back and bring his kingdom to us
  

It is all the believers' aspiration to have God's kingdom come and his will be done.

I am made to live under the kingship of our Lord Jesus.

We must pray that while we read the Bible, we must not miss the main point. Pray that God may open my heart to see the reality of the kingdom of God.

The kingdom of God citation on Luke.

1. Luke 4:43
   But he said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."
   Luke 4:42-44 (in Context) Luke 4 (Whole Chapter)
2. Luke 6:20
   Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
   Luke 6:19-21 (in Context) Luke 6 (Whole Chapter)
3. Luke 7:28
   I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."
   Luke 7:27-29 (in Context) Luke 7 (Whole Chapter)
4. Luke 8:1
   [ The Parable of the Sower ] After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him,
   Luke 8:1-3 (in Context) Luke 8 (Whole Chapter)
5. Luke 8:10
   He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, " 'though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.'
   Luke 8:9-11 (in Context) Luke 8 (Whole Chapter)
6. Luke 9:2
   and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
   Luke 9:1-3 (in Context) Luke 9 (Whole Chapter)
7. Luke 9:11
   but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdomof God, and healed those who needed healing.
   Luke 9:10-12 (in Context) Luke 9 (Whole Chapter)
8. Luke 9:27
   I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."
   Luke 9:26-28 (in Context) Luke 9 (Whole Chapter)
9. Luke 9:60
   Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
   Luke 9:59-61 (in Context) Luke 9 (Whole Chapter)
10. Luke 9:62
    Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
    Luke 9:61-62 (in Context) Luke 9 (Whole Chapter)
11. Luke 10:9
    Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you.'
    Luke 10:8-10 (in Context) Luke 10 (Whole Chapter)
12. Luke 10:11
    'Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdomof God is near.'
    Luke 10:10-12 (in Context) Luke 10 (Whole Chapter)
13. Luke 11:20
    But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.
    Luke 11:19-21 (in Context) Luke 11 (Whole Chapter)
14. Luke 13:18
    [ The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast ] Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to?
    Luke 13:17-19 (in Context) Luke 13 (Whole Chapter)
15. Luke 13:20
    Again he asked, "What shall I compare the kingdom of God to?
    Luke 13:19-21 (in Context) Luke 13 (Whole Chapter)
16. Luke 13:28
    "There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.
    Luke 13:27-29 (in Context) Luke 13 (Whole Chapter)
17. Luke 13:29
    People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in thekingdom of God.
    Luke 13:28-30 (in Context) Luke 13 (Whole Chapter)
18. Luke 14:15
    [ The Parable of the Great Banquet ] When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."
    Luke 14:14-16 (in Context) Luke 14 (Whole Chapter)
19. Luke 16:16
    [ Additional Teachings ] "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.
    Luke 16:15-17 (in Context) Luke 16 (Whole Chapter)
20. Luke 17:20
    [ The Coming of the Kingdom of God ] Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of Godwould come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation,
    Luke 17:19-21 (in Context) Luke 17 (Whole Chapter)
21. Luke 17:21
    nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."
    Luke 17:20-22 (in Context) Luke 17 (Whole Chapter)
22. Luke 18:16
    But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
    Luke 18:15-17 (in Context) Luke 18 (Whole Chapter)
23. Luke 18:17
    I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
    Luke 18:16-18 (in Context) Luke 18 (Whole Chapter)
24. Luke 18:24
    Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!
    Luke 18:23-25 (in Context) Luke 18 (Whole Chapter)
25. Luke 18:25
    Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom ofGod."
    Luke 18:24-26 (in Context) Luke 18 (Whole Chapter)
26. Luke 18:29
    "I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God
    Luke 18:28-30 (in Context) Luke 18 (Whole Chapter)
27. Luke 19:11
    [ The Parable of the Ten Minas ] While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.
    Luke 19:10-12 (in Context) Luke 19 (Whole Chapter)
28. Luke 21:31
    Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
    Luke 21:30-32 (in Context) Luke 21 (Whole Chapter)
29. Luke 22:16
    For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."
    Luke 22:15-17 (in Context) Luke 22 (Whole Chapter)
30. Luke 22:18
    For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."
    Luke 22:17-19 (in Context) Luke 22 (Whole Chapter)
31. Luke 23:51
    who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God.
    Luke 23:50-52 (in Context) Luke 23 (Whole Chapter)