My Life, Your Life-John 10:10

John's Gospel, New Testament, Sermons

In the last few months 17 WL members shared their stories to welcome 2018: Christy Toh, Angie, Tim, Rhoel, Elena, Jenny, Jim, Michael, Gail, Henry, Susan, Whitney, Chris, William, Jen, Taneisha and Noah. They made the love of God real and highly exalted Him. Praise and thank God for his mercy to us and to our church! I had shared a very brief review of our first ten years at West Loop Church since 2008. This is my story leading up to that.

What is my life? What is your life?

Billy Joel captures our human sentiments: “I don’t care what you say anymore, this is my life. Go ahead with your own life and leave me alone.”

Jesus: “I don’t care what you say anymore, this is my cross. God ahead with your own life and I’ll die … for you.” In our sin, iniquity and rebellion we left Jesus alone to die alone.

 

My version: “I do care what you say, yes I do, this is my life. Do live your own life and let me walk alongside.” And if you won’t, I’ll shed a little tear.

In The Greatest Showman, Keala Settle sang the Academy Award nominated song “This Is Me” (Benj Pasek, Justin Paul):

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down

I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out

I am brave, I am bruised

I am who I’m meant to be, this is me

Look out ’cause here I come

And I’m marching on to the beat I drum

I’m not scared to be seen

I make no apologies, this is me

As a Christ follower, Jesus’ words capture my soul more than any other words: “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance” (Jn 10:10b, HCSB). “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (Jn 10:10b, NLT).

What is my life? It is nothing but the grace of God!

  1. Before 1980: Frustration (Eccl 1:2). A non-Christian in Malaysia/Singapore.
  2. 1980 – 2007 (UBF): Mission (Lk 9:23). A Christian in Chicago UBF.
  3. 2008 – 2018 (WL): Freedom (Isa 40:31). A soaring eagle at West Loop.

Why do I love Jesus?

  • The happiest man and a man of sorrows.
  • Bravest/boldest and kindest/gentlest man.
  • Most authority and most approachable.
  • Most peaceful and most challenging.
  • 1 John 3:19. Grace, unfailing love, compassion.
  • Jeremiah 31:3. Everlasting love.
  • Psalm 103:10-12. Not as our sins deserve.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:10. By the grace of God…
  • Galatians 2:20. He gave himself for me.

I. Frustration (Eccl 1:2): Everything is meaningless.

Words I remember growing up:

  • Mom: “If you don’t study hard, you will become a garbage collector.”
  • Brother: “You’re so fat. One day you’ll just suddenly drop dead!”
  • Aunt: “You’re cross-eyed. No pretty girl will ever marry a cross-eyed boy!”
  • Simon & Garfunkel: “If I never loved I never would have cried. I am a rock. I am an island.”
  • Henry David Thoreau: “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”

 

Before 1980 in my pre-Christian days, I should really be happy.

  • My parents were happily married. I never heard them curse or use a swear word in anger.
  • I was NEVER EVER (emotionally) traumatized.
  • I went to medical school and became a doctor.
  • I really should be so darn happy but … … I was not. I swore constantly.
  • Outwardly I am a brat, aloof, distant, indifferent, sarcastic, restless, an agent provocateur. Inwardly I am shy.
  • My favorite word was “Frustration.”

Conclusion of Part 1: “My heart is restless until it finds its rest in Thee.” St. Augustine. I was a restless wonderer on the earth (Gen 4:14).

II. Mission (Lk 9:23): Deny yourself and take up your cross.

The Bible verses that changed my life:

  • First epiphany (Genesis 1:2).
  • My conversion (Genesis 2:16-17).
  • Change of priorities (Matthew 6:33).
  • Principle of life (Luke 9:23).
  • Marriage (1 Corinthians 15:36).
  • Second conversion (Jeremiah 31:3).

1980 to 2007

  • Before 1980 I should be happy growing up. I was not.
  • After my conversion, I was happy with my mission .… until I was not.
  • Every week I attended 5-6 meetings (UIC to Rogers Park and back), carried out 5-10 1:1 Bible studies while working full time for over 25 years. Burned out. Boring and predictable. Habitual and formulaic. Lost my joy.
  • Authoritarian leadership. Sectarian. Elitist. Racism and favoritism. Inability to address problems that some leaders do not wish to address.
  • Felt trapped by a system that saved me. Equating total commitment to UBF with commitment to God.
  • Felt I had no choice by the mplicit/explict expectation impressed upon me that I am absolutely obligated to pay back to UBF with my life because of all I was given–my wife, children, ministry, support and prayers by the founder and by UBF.
  • No misgivings. No regrets. No bitterness. Thankful. Nonetheless I needed a change.
  • Fish swimming in dirty water.

III. Freedom (Isa 40:31): Soar like an eagle in the sky.

Freedom is not from mission, but for my mission from God.

What is my (hopefully abundant) life?

  1. My passion (what I want to live out): Testify to grace (Ac 20:24).
  2. My foundation (the basis of what I do): The whole counsel of God (Ac 20:27).
  3. My desire (what I want to do): Entrust the gospel to faithful people who can teach others (2 Tim 2:2).
  4. My hope (what I want to see): Noble people examining the Scriptures daily (Ac 17:11; 1 Th 2:13).

What is my vision for the church?

  1. Enjoy reading the Bible (Ps 1:2; 119:97).
  2. Engage/encourage each other through studying Scripture (Heb 10:24–25).
  3. Enhance each other’s lives (Jn 10:10b).
  4. Encounter God and fall in love (Isa 6:5; Dt 6:5; Mt 22:37; Mk 12:29–30).

How do I/will I want to live my one life?

  1. Read the Bible (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:21; Mt 24:35; Lk 21:33; Ps 19:7), books (2 Tim 4:13) and people–to understand them and to be friends (Jn 15:15; Prov 17:17).
  2. Respond to others softly and gently (Phil 4:5; Jas 1:19; Col 3:12; 4:6; Lk 6:45; Eccl 10:12; Prov 15:1, 4; 16:24; 25:15).
  3. Remember God’s grace and kindness (1 Cor 15:10; Rom 2:4; Gen 48:15).
  • Reflect/review/reaccess the above often.
  • Rejoice! (1 Thess 5:16, Rom 12:15, Phil 1:18, 3:1, 4:4; Zech 9:9; Eccl 9:7)
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