God is calling us: "Arise, my beloved, and come with me." Even after Jesus' resurrection 2,000 years ago, his disciples were unsure of which direction to take. It was at that time that the resurrected Jesus spoke to his disciples, saying, "My beloved, arise and come with me" (John 21:15-22). Last Easter Sunday's service was truly enjoyable. How was your experience? The people were friendly, the food was delicious, and the conversations were pleasant. Thank you to everyone who contributed to … [Read more...]

Great news awaits us today: Jesus is risen! He has conquered death and returned to life, closing the door to death, and opening the door to eternal life for us. Today, I would like to share three pieces of good news with you. The first is the promise of eternal union with God. Following His resurrection, Jesus assured His disciples in Matthew 28:20, saying, "I will be with you always, even to the end of the age." What a remarkable promise and blessing! I've read these words thousands of … [Read more...]

We have manna. It may seem like a small thing, but it has tremendous power! It actually grants us the power of resurrection, allowing us to overcome death itself. Now, when we talk about eternal life, it's not just about living a long life. Trust me, living a boring life forever would be unbearable. In fact, it would be like living in Hell, especially without the good attributes of God. But with Christ, we have access to all of God's amazing attributes like love, joy, and infinite wisdom. And … [Read more...]

Today, let's ask ourselves: How sincere are we in our prayers? Even Elijah, who had the power of prayer, didn't get immediate answers to his requests. Nevertheless, he persisted and prayed fervently, even in moments of despair. He kept on praying until he saw a glimmer of hope. As we observe Lent this year, we reflect on the Word of God with the theme of 'Little Things.' Within this theme, I want to share a message with you about hope. Even if our hope seems small, if it comes from God, it … [Read more...]

I recently watched a Netflix series called "Physical: 100". It was an experiment on the subject of "What is the limit of human physical strength?" Contestants with exceptional stamina were selected from South Korea and competed against each other, showcasing to viewers the extreme levels of physical strength that human beings can attain. After seeing their perfect bodies, I couldn't help but look at my own and feel a sense of pity. One of the contestants effortlessly slung a 400-pound rock … [Read more...]

Our Father in Heaven   Last Sunday after Epiphany, February 19, 2023, Matthew 6:9 Pastor John Kim, Lakeridge Lutheran Church   May all of you gathered here find comforting peace in God. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus refers to God as our Heavenly Father. Why did he use this title, and what does it mean to us? During the time of Jesus, addressing God as "Father" was an extraordinary term. Today, we might use a friendly term like "Papa" to refer to God, but in Jesus' … [Read more...]

Synopsis: The sermon urges believers to reject false narratives that can infiltrate their minds. It identifies two common lies that can deceive people - feeling emptiness in their hearts and blindly pursuing zeal without understanding. The lies will destroy our lives. So, let us remain in truth. By standing in the truth, we can find great riches in our hearts and experience the full power and blessings of God. … [Read more...]

Synopsis: God is in silence. This sermon encourages you to appreciate silence and to seek out moments of stillness to connect with God. Using the story of Elijah, I emphasize that God is always with us, even in times of stress and overwhelm, and can be found in the silence. I also encourage you to not push yourselves too hard and to remember that God's grace is always present. … [Read more...]

Synopsis: The sermon reflects on the love of Christ and how it can fill a person's hungry and tired soul. The story of Jesus cooking for his disciples in John 21 is discussed, where Jesus showed compassion for his disciples, who were lost and weary. I encourage you to find a quiet place to hear Jesus' voice and to make time for spiritual food. God's love and mercy are endless. God's help and support will follow you on your journey. … [Read more...]

Synopsis: We want to connect to God. Abiding in God is the key to receive peace, wisdom, and power. Connecting to God properly can allow us to access the full range of blessings and functions available to us. … [Read more...]