As we delve into the study of Matthew chapters 11 and 12, we are challenged by the example of Matthew's prompt response to Jesus' call, urging us to follow Him without hesitation, regardless of our external position or status. Furthermore, through Jesus' teachings and actions in these chapters, we discover that embracing full devotion to God leads to a transformative journey of the heart, mind, and actions, characterized by selflessness, love, and spiritual growth. Therefore, we are also called to emulate Jesus' inclusive nature, inviting others to sit at the table without judgment, just as He did for us.

Hurrying through our lives pushes our emotional and physical cares to the sidelines. God uses the Sabbath and comes in a still small voice to provide us peace and rest. He also places people in our lives to fulfill our needs.

Pastor Jae challenges us this week to set aside time and spend the Sabbath every week with God. Spending time in God's presence never fails to provide perfect peace and rest.

This week Pastor Jae preaches on the importance of living out the lifestyle and doing the things Jesus did as his disciple.

Jesus emphasizes in Matthew 28:20 the importance of not only hearing His teachings but also putting them into practice and obeying His commandments. It's a call for the disciples to live out their faith and follow His instructions faithfully.

Being with Jesus means to abide in Jesus. Abiding in Jesus means practicing the presence of God by being in two places at once, always.

Pastor Jae speaks on how if we want to experience the life of Jesus, we must adopt the lifestyle of Jesus. One way we can do this is to practice the discipline of fasting.

This teaching was inspired by John Mark Comer's podcast series on 'Practicing the Way'.

"Part of the very essence of Christianity is to be together in a concrete community, with all the real human faults that are there and the tensions that this will bring us" - Ronald Rohleise

Community holds a power like no other, and by the presence of the Holy Spirit, it shapes people into the image of Christ. It arises as the byproduct of commitment, mirroring the faithful covenant made between Jonathan and David.

This week Pastor Jae preaches how, "we struggle with patience, not because a lack of willpower, but because these virtues have not been fully formed or developed in our character."

As believers, we undergo spiritual formation, or the process of being filled and permeated by the character of Jesus.

In what ways is God developing your character to become more Christ like today?

This week, Pastor Jae preaches on how the story of Saul's tragic death reveals a heart of idolatry which led to both a physical and spiritual death. We must have a revival in our hearts through repentance and look toward Jesus to save us. God graciously takes our heart of idolatry and gives us a new heart of worship, which was ultimately paid for by the sacrifice of Jesus's death on the cross.

A safe place is where you take off your mask of lies and reveal your true self, allowing for complete acceptance by God our father. He is always running and desiring after our hearts to be fully loved by him.

This week Pastor Jung Ja Kang, with translation by Emily Hur, speaks upon 1 Samuel of the place of Adullam. It was a safe place for David after years of hiding and living with a false identity in the land of the Philistines. She urges us to also come to the father to be accepted and loved in the image he has created us.

Daydreams often reveal our deepest desires and priorities, and identifying what we can't imagine living without can shed light on our idols. These idols, when placed above God in our hearts, lead us to a path of comparison, stealing away our joy and contentment. However, the truth lies in God's perfect and unconditional love, exemplified through Jesus' sacrifice for us. Pastor Jae's impactful sermon draws from the story of King Saul, emphasizing the dangers of idolatry, particularly the idol of power, which caused Saul to spiral into jealousy, murder, anger, and a lack of fulfillment. The call is to repent, find gratitude in God's sacrifice, and discover our true identity and purpose in Christ, not in material possessions or achievements.

Last week, Pastor Jae preached about the importance of Christian apologetics in order to protect our faith and encourage others who may struggle with doubt of the existence of Christ. As we learn in 1 Samuel, Saul had a divine moral responsibility to lead the Israelites according to God’s law and principles. As believers, we also have an objective moral obligation and purpose to equip ourselves with answers and read the Bible to support our faith.