Family Chapel

After explaining how we have been set free from sin through our union with Christ, Paul now explains that our freedom from sin leads to our freedom for obedience to God. True obedience to God is willing submission, is in alignment with God's Word, is carried out in all of life, and transforms us to become more like Jesus. While this may seem like a paradox, true freedom is found in obedience to God and leads to the kind of life that is actually worth living.

Paul anticipates that there will be those who seek to take advantage of God's grace by continuing in their sin. But he adamantly states that Christians should not continue in sin because they have been set free from the power of sin through their union with Christ in his death and resurrection. As such, their old life is dead and they have been given a brand new life. From that foundational union with Christ, Christians must now fight against sin by remembering who they are, by refusing to submit to sin's power, and by resting in God's grace.

As Paul has unpacked the blessings that come with justification by faith, he highlights just how great a blessing justification is by presenting a "before" and "after" contrast between where we used to be and where we are now. Before in Adam, we belonged to a fallen humanity condemned to death. But now in Christ, we belong to a redeemed humanity justified for life. Jesus is the "greater Adam", whose exclusive and exhaustive work paints a brand new picture.

Previously, Paul had just laid out that justification comes by faith and uses Abraham as an example. Now in Romans 5, Paul briefly lays out the multitude of blessings that come with our justification through faith. We have peace with God, and we can now find access into his unending grace. Furthermore, we have joy even in our sufferings because it produces hope. And this hope does not fail us because it has been proven through God's own love for us.

The Apostle Paul has laid out the heart of the gospel message, which is that we are justified before God not on the basis of our works, but on the basis of what Jesus has done. But how do we receive such righteousness? We receive Christ's righteousness by faith, and by faith alone. In this passage, Paul brings up the example of Abraham to show that God has always justified on the basis of faith alone. The outlook of such justifying faith is trusting God to do what we can't do for ourselves, and the outworking of such justifying faith is faithfully doing what God has called us to do. As such, we are invited to trust in Jesus for our justification and to faithfully follow after him.

Here in chapter 3, we get to the crux, or turning point, of the gospel message. Paul has articulated the fullness of man’s depravity, both Jews and Gentiles alike, and their inability to attain righteousness for themselves. All had sinned, and none could save themselves. But now the righteousness of God, promised and foreshadowed from the Old Testament, has been revealed through the person of Jesus Christ. This righteousness may now be received through faith apart from the law of works. This is the glory and hope of the gospel message.

After laying out how God's judgment comes upon those who blatantly sin, Paul turns the tables and shows that those who are self-assured, morally-upstanding, and religiously-devout are just as much in danger of God's judgment through their religiosity. Religiosity is the attempt to secure righteousness before God through religious performance. As such, we need to repent of our religiosity just as much as we need to repent of our blatant sins. Thankfully, the gospel invites us to rest in something far better - not in what we do, but in what Jesus has already done for us.

As Paul lays out the gospel message, he will first explain God's just wrath on all unrighteousness. There is no good news without first knowing the sobering truth of the bad news. Paul explains the fullness of the depravity of the human condition where we were given up to our idolatry, lusts, and rebellion. This highlights not only our utter need for a savior, but also the glory of God's salvation.

With the introductory portion of his letter, the Apostle Paul highlights the central theme of his entire letter: the gospel of God. The gospel of God is the good news of God's salvation for everyone who believes. As such, it fulfills the promises of the Old Testament, it is centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ, and it has a missional impulse to reach all nations.

Andrew was one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus. But he is one of the lesser-known disciples, especially since he was so often overshadowed by his older brother, Peter. But despite Andrew’s relative lack of screen time on the pages of Scripture, there are some very helpful things we can glean from him about Jesus. Through Andrew, we see that Jesus is worth surrendering everything to follow, that Jesus is able to multiply anything far beyond measure, and that Jesus empowers us to fear nothing with his victory over death.

As Boaz carries out his work of redeeming Ruth and Naomi, he reflects God's greater work of redemption. Through Boaz, we see that God's work of redemption is motivated by great love, marked by great cost, and secures great renewal. God's work of redemption is perfectly displayed in Jesus, who lovingly lays down his own life to redeem his people.

God's sovereign and loving hand is at work, and rather than lying around in passivity, Ruth decides to take a risk and pursue Boaz, who is a kinsmen-redeemer. Even in the midst of complications, Ruth and Naomi stand resilient and hopeful. This story not only points to Jesus who becomes our very own kinsmen-redeemer, but also reminds us that we may take steps forward in boldness and stand resilient in setbacks because God's sovereign hand and loving-kindness is upon our lives as well.

After arriving in Bethlehem with Naomi, Ruth decides to glean for food in the surrounding fields in order to survive. As she goes to glean, we see God's steadfast love in action as she stumbles upon the field of a man named Boaz and receives unexpected generosity. God demonstrates his steadfast love through the seemingly random coincidences of life as well as through the exceedingly generous kindness of others. The right response to experiencing God's steadfast love is gratitude, stewardship, and generosity.

After Naomi hears about God's provision of food in Bethlehem, she decides to leave Moab and return home. But having lost everything, she has become bitter. Nevertheless, we see that a genuine faith in God can be marked by overwhelming bitterness towards God. A bitter faith is still a genuine faith, and a faith that God accepts. Naomi is able to maintain genuine faith despite her bitterness because of the commitment that Ruth makes to her. Our faith is sustained in the midst of bitterness through faithful and faith-filled friends.

The book of Ruth takes place during a very chaotic time in Israel's history and it focuses in on a family that faces great tragedy. But in the midst of tragedy, we see God's sovereignty and God's steadfast love at work. Whether leading us out of suffering or into suffering, God exercises his divine sovereignty and steadfast love. As such, God's sovereignty and steadfast love are to serve as the foundation for our lives, especially when suffering rips everything else apart. That's the only way we can truly live consecrated lives.

The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to live with eternity in mind because this will shape our values, help us to stay on mission, and fill us with hope and anticipation.

A consecrated life is not meant to be lived alone, but rather is lived within the context of community. Community consecrates us as it provides opportunities to live out the Gospel in our relationships with one another. We are consecrated in community by humbly serving one another, as we wage war against sin together, and through caring for the lost and vulnerable among us.

Consecration does not end with just purification and sanctification. God consecrates his people for purpose and mission so that we may be faithful vessels of his Spirit and power. Therefore, as God consecrates our lives and our church, we must be ready to live with boldness and urgency for His glory.

Our theme for 2026 is "A Consecrated Life" - to faithfully live a life set apart by God's grace on God's mission for God's glory. We will have a two week sermon series introducing this theme and vision for 2026. For this Sunday, I will be focusing on the Holiness of God and how that becomes the basis and strength for our own sanctification. Peter mentions in his epistle: "You shall be holy, for I am holy." Our consecration begins with beholding our Holy God and understanding the depths of his grace to make us into a holy nation, called out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Even as we, as second generation Asian-Americans, are settling into where God is leading us, God still desires for us to seek the renewal of the next generation. God deeply cares about the next generation and commands His people to lay the foundations of faith for them. The renewal of the next generation is built upon our obedience, modeled through our testimonies, and requires our consecration.

God desires to redeem a people for himself from all peoples. As such, our role as a local church in seeking the renewal of the nations is to make disciples of all nations. We can faithfully carry out that Great Commission as we pray for the nations, support the work of global missions, and go to the ends of the earth!

Rather than isolating from our neighbors or assimilating to our neighbors, God calls us to seek the comprehensive renewal of our neighbors. We should genuinely desire and actively help our neighbors to experience a thriving life. One of the primary (and often overlooked and underrated) ways we can do that is through our work. When we work with excellence, we bring glory to God and good to our neighbors.

The gospel is the good news of God's plan of salvation for the redemption of His people and for the renewal of all things. While the gospel is primarily about what Christ has done, the gospel should radically shape how we live our lives. In living out the gospel, we engage in worship, community, discipleship, and witness.

This Sunday, we will go over the first part of that statement: "To build a thriving family of Christ in Los Angeles..." We will unpack some of the pitfalls, misconceptions and obstacles to the modern understanding of family. In contrast, the biblical concept of family calls us to a new identity, purpose and commitment as brothers and sisters in Christ. This means that we must pursue a unified effort and focus for greater intentionality in discipleship as well as greater responsibility for one another's growth and sanctification.

To the church in Laodicea, Jesus presents himself as the only true source that guarantees the good life. He then calls out his church for attempting to secure the good life with their own resources. As such, Jesus exhorts his church to receive from him the resources they need for the good life. Lastly, Jesus reassures his church that they will truly live the good life as they enjoy rich fellowship with him.

To the church in Philadelphia, Jesus presents himself as the faithful doorkeeper to God's kingdom. He then commends his church for their active faithfulness despite their apparent weakness. As such, Jesus exhorts his church to remain faithful until he returns. Lastly, Jesus reassures his church that they have a permanent place of honor in God's kingdom.

Jesus declares himself as one with full power and authority and declares that the church in Sardis, though having the reputation of being alive, was actually dead. It had become a church where it was just going through the motions with no fight left in them. They had no significance to God's Kingdom, no threat to Satan and the enemy, and no signs of life. But yet, Jesus still does not give up on them and exhorts them to wake up, repent, and remember the truth of God's words. Even in a dire condition as this, Jesus recognizes that there will be some who will remain faithful. He promises swift judgment upon those who remain in their deadened state. But for those who remain faithful, Jesus gives the assurance of recognition and eternal life.

To the church in Thyatira, Jesus presents himself as the holy king who is worthy of total allegiance from his church. He then calls out his church for embracing worldliness especially through tolerating sin. As such, Jesus exhorts his church to carry out church discipline. Lastly, Jesus reassures his church that instead of being overcome by the world, they will overcome the world.

To the church in Smyrna, Jesus presents himself as the righteous judge who authoritatively speaks the truth to his church. He then warns his church against compromising the truth by entertaining false teachers. As such, Jesus exhorts his church to turn away from false teachers and to return to the truth of God's Word. Lastly, Jesus reassures his church that the truth will set them free for a flourishing life.

To the church in Smyrna, Jesus presents himself as the one who has sovereignly experienced and victoriously defeated death for his church. He then affirms that his church is blessed even in the face of persecution. As such, Jesus exhorts his church to not be fearful but instead to be faithful in the midst of ongoing persecution. Lastly, Jesus reassures his church that he has secured indestructible life that goes beyond death.

To the church in Ephesus, Jesus presents his authority and affection for his church. He then commends his church for their steadfast diligence and sound doctrine, but he rebukes them for spurning their devotion. Doing everything else right while neglecting the main thing leads to having nothing. As such, Jesus exhorts his church to remember, to repent, and to repeat their devotion. Lastly, Jesus reassures his church that they will enjoy perfect love in his presence forevermore.

In leading the Israelites to the Promise Land, God calls upon His people to look back and to look forward. Likewise, in the face of new opportunities and challenges before us, instead of shrinking back in fear, we can move forward with confidence in our faithful God.

Through a new decree that was passed, the Jews are able to defend themselves and find victory against Haman's evil plot. They then inaugurate the Feast of Purim as a celebration and remembrance of God's deliverance. Although we do not celebrate Purim, we have a greater joy, a greater victory, a greater understanding of God's deliverance under the New Covenant in the act of communion. Therefore, we can live from a place of strength and victory and know joy and celebration even in a world of despair and chaos.

After making preparations, Esther comes before the king to make her request. Through the unfolding of events, we see how God carries out His plan of salvation. God remains faithful to His people despite their unfaithfulness. God sovereignly works to bring forth good out of evil. God victoriously prevails over evil with justice. God graciously invites people everywhere to repent and join His Kingdom. The gospel according to Esther is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.

Esther finds herself in a dangerous predicament. Haman, one of the top officials in the Persian government, has persuaded King Xerxes to issue a royal edict to annihilate all the Jewish people in the empire. Mordecai implores Esther to present herself before the king to intercede on behalf of her people. But doing so would mean risking her own death. However Esther is able to take on this righteous risk through fasting. In the face of great evil, God's people are to faithfully steward their God-given opportunities with clarity and courage.

The story of Esther takes place in the capital of the Persian Empire where many Jews lived under Persian rule. And Esther is an unique book of the Bible in that God is not explicitly mentioned anywhere. Yet all throughout, you see God's sovereign hands throughout the narrative that reinforces his commitment to faithfulness and redemption. So in the midst of a society under foreign pagan rule, God uses his people to bring about his grand purposes. And we worship and serve the same God today who is committed to bring about his grand purposes even in our own contexts.

As God has called Family Chapel to Los Angeles, we are not to merely be a church in the city, but we are to be a church for the city. If we are to faithfully and fruitfully minister to Los Angeles, then we need to rightly worship God, build up a compelling community, love our neighbors through ministries of evangelism and mercy, disciple Christians to live out their faith in their everyday lives, and seek a gospel movement in our city. May Family Chapel carry these things out by God's grace for God's glory!

While the gospel is universally applicable in all contexts, if we want to faithfully and effectively communicate the gospel to Los Angeles, we need to contextualize the gospel for Los Angeles. Following the Apostle Paul's example in Athens, contextualizing the gospel requires correctly understanding your city's story, constructively challenging your city's story, and lovingly re-telling your city's story. Los Angeles tells a story of reinventing one's image. The gospel tells a better story of Jesus remaking people in His image.

In a sense, the story of Scripture can be told through the story of cities. The Bible teaches that cities are a part of God’s original design for human flourishing (Eden), that cities can amplify sinful pride and idolatry (Babel), that God's people should actively seek the comprehensive renewal of the city (Babylon), that cities can be missional hubs in reaching the nations (Antioch), and that our true home is found in the heavenly city that comes to earth (New Jerusalem). Understanding these things should shape how we live, work, play, and relate to our own city here in Los Angeles.

In contrast to the other gospels, John presents an epilogue with a personal, intimate look into the gracious recommissioning of Peter and the disciples. This presents a unique facet of the commission that Christ gives to his followers as he restores and calls us to faithfully serve his Kingdom by continually beholding and abiding in him and tending and caring for one another.

In the aftermath of Jesus' crucifixion, the disciples are filled with doubt. But rather than being a hindrance to faith, when rightly approached, doubt can be an avenue for even greater faith. Jesus draws near to us in our doubts and invites us to trust him. And as those who believe, we should invite others to believe that Jesus is the risen Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing they will find true life in his name.

The hour has come as Jesus goes to the cross. The cross reveals that Jesus is the true King, Prophet, and Priest. Jesus is the true King who flexes his authority over everything. Jesus is the true Prophet who fulfills all the promises of Scripture. Jesus is the true Priest who reconciles his people with God and with one another. As such, we should submit to Jesus as the true King, believe in Jesus as the true Prophet, and rest in Jesus as the true Priest.

After Jesus prays for his disciples, the narrative moves forward to his betrayal and arrest where we see our humble king. He is a king in full majesty and power whose Kingdom is not of this world. So as he stands before all the authorities, Pilate, the high priest, and those who would arrest him, he is in complete control. And at the same time, he is the humble king, who was obedient even unto death so that we may have life. Therefore, we ought to trust and obey our humble king.

In his final moments with his disciples before going to the cross, Jesus prays. Our prayers reveal our priorities. What does Jesus pray for? Jesus prays that the Father would be glorified, that his disciples would be sanctified, and that the church would be unified. May Jesus' priorities shape our prayers!

As Jesus spends his final moments with his disciples, he gives them the sobering warning that they will be hated by the world. But despite the persecution they will face, they can take heart because Jesus will be sending them the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will be their "Helper" as He convicts the world towards repentance, guides disciples into a deeper understanding of the Gospel, and transforms sorrow into indestructible joy. As such, disciples of Christ should respond to the hatred of the world, not by avoiding or attacking or accommodating to the world, but by being witnesses to the world as they are empowered by the Holy Spirit.

As the Vine, Jesus is vitally united to His people so that they get to enjoy His life in their lives. As branches, our role is to abide in Jesus. We can abide in Jesus as we regularly commune with Him through the Word and prayer, as we engage in loving and joyful obedience, and as we love others with Christ's love.