작성일 : 24-03-23 10:42
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2024년 3월17일 Englsih sermon " The cross Carried By Forced" Luke's Gospel 23:25-38
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Sermon English Text AKFPC / March 17, 2024 Rev. Yongjin Park
“The Cross Carried By Forced” (Luke’s Gospel 23:25-38)
May the grace and love of God is upon you who is listening God’s voice today in this worship.
Jeonwhawibok is terminology of ancient wisdoms which means bad fortune might turn to lucky fortune. Seongjima is another one from ancient wisdom.
A old man lived a small town near border and he got a son at his very old age. People envied him having a son. But he said that it is not sure that it might be good or not.
He bought a strong and good horse someday. People envied him but he said I am not sure it might be good or not. His son felt down and injured breaking his leg while riding the horse. People comforted old man on his son injured. He said as he has been saying. War happened soon due to invasion of barbarians and all men in the town were drafted by king to battlefield.
But the old man's son was not drafted due to his leg. Later almost of men in war were injured or dead except the son of the old man.
Let us don't disappoint when we encounter bad situation. It can be good opportunity through this hardship.
Today Bible introduces a man who experience changing bad one to good one in his life. His name is Cyrene Simon. He carried cross by forced instead of Jesus suddenly. But this changed his life and his family totally.
Let us read together Luke's gospel 23:25-26,
"He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will. As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus."
When Simon went Jerusalem there happened an execution on criminals. He was on his way but soldiers seized him suddenly and put the cross and carried it due to Jesus was not able to carry it. Luke and Mark have written this story of Simon as meaningful moment because he became one important leader of early churches.
It could be seen accidently but it was plan of God. Simon from Cyrene encountered Jesus on his way of life. But this encounter made his life changed totally. It was not sure how he believed Jesus Christ as Lord but his family can be found many records of Apostles as Paul.
Simon was with Jesus dying on cross accidently but later he became great witness for Jesus Christ.
Romans 16:13 says,
"Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too."
Apostle Paul said Rufus' mother has been a mother to me. How much praise to her by Paul? His mother might be sincere and mature servant to church and workers of Gospel.
Mark' gospel 15:21 says,
"A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by in his way in from the country and forced him to carry the cross."
This is record of relationship on who is father of Rufus. Rufus was son of Simon Cyrene who carried away the cross of Jesus on Calvary.
Acts 13:1 says,
"In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers; Barnabas, Simon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch and Saul."
"Simon called Niger" is "Simon Cyrene" he was from Africa.
It is record of becoming one of important leaders of Antioch church.
He carried away cross instead of Jesus without his will but from this encounter his life dramatically has been changed to servant of kingdom of God.
Simon was with Jesus dying on the cross for our salvation accidently. He did not intend it but God did intend it. He became great witness for Jesus Christ on the cross.
After becoming believer and servant of God he recognized how much love of God was with him and his life. He could be with Jesus glorified on the cross for salvation of all human being.
Brothers and sisters in the Lord,
We don't know intention of God when we believe God first. But we are growing up our faith gradually while tasting Word and grace from God. Later we recognize how much love of God with us.
Apostle Paul was against Jesus Christ first but God seized him and made him for Lord as servant of God.
Calling from God is unlimited!
Let us think we are blessed already in listening Word and having faith. First is tiny but last is great! This is grace from God for our life in faith.
Matthew 17:20 says,
"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to mountain, "move from here to there and it will move, nothing will be impossible for you."
Simon Cyrene had small faith as a mustard seed but he grew up and became servant for church and Lord's glory. And his family became great servant for God inherited him.
This is grace that we are called as servant now for God among multiple people passing by every day. As Simon we are used by God to do for kingdom of God as well.
Mark's gospel 4:30-32 says,
"Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it?" It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you planted in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plans, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade."
We were small faith first but later we will be big one. This is blessing from God for our life.
Let us give thanks to God in living with God every day.
One faithful lady was unbeliever. She persecuted her sister who was believer due to hate for believers. Her sister prayed for her as this someday Lord will call her life. Later her prayer accepted and she became sincere believer. When I visited her home with some members of church for blessing she served us with sincere heart. She confessed that she did not know love of God but now know well. It is great thank from God on my life.
Mark's gospel 4:20 says,
"Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop, thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was sown."
God be with all of you. Amen.
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