September 24

 God’s existence

1. There are primarily two ways of doing philosophy in the world: metaphysics and ethics. Ethics is concerned with defining what it means to be human, the nature of life, and how we should live our lives. On the other hand, metaphysics delves into non-physical aspects such as mysterious beings like gods, ghosts, or supernatural phenomena. Metaphysical philosophers have attempted to comprehend the existence of God, the world, and everything in it, but they have been unsuccessful in fully grasping these concepts. In reality, it is impossible for humans to fully understand God or any supernatural entity using human concepts and logic, as our understanding is limited to the realm of creatures. We cannot comprehend these entities beyond the scope of our human limitations on Earth. Today, our church has introduced a new system. This morning, before the main service, we held a Youth Sunday Service. Now, the children are having their session in the fireside room. Regardless of whether we attend the Youth Service or the Children's session, we have decided to focus on the same topics in order to foster a unified faith and direction for the church. Our interim education coordinator has provided sermon and teaching plans for the entire year, and we will be following these topics. Over the course of this year, we will be exploring the fundamentals of Christianity. While I'm aware that you are already familiar with Christianity, it's beneficial for us to refresh our knowledge and strengthen our faith through these topics. Today's topic is the existence of God. I want to start today’s sermon with Exodus 3:7-8. 

Exodus 3:7–8 NKJV

And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites. 

2. This is the story of Moses. While he was looking after his flock, he went up to a mountain and saw a bush on fire, yet it didn't burn up. This unusual sight intrigued him, so he approached to understand what was happening. During this moment, God called out to Moses by name, and he instinctively tried to worship the burning bush, perhaps thinking it was a divine being summoning him. However, God made it clear that Moses should not come any closer because the ground he stood on was holy. God then explained the purpose of His appearance to Moses. 

3. This story teaches us how to recognize and understand the existence of God. In the beginning of the sermon, I introduced metaphysics as a philosophical approach for grappling with supernatural beings or events. However, metaphysics falls short in providing a complete comprehension of God because it attempts to fathom God through the lens of nature. Since humans cannot directly perceive God, they must begin their quest to understand Him by observing the natural world. This is why metaphysics has limitations in uncovering the true nature of God. Therefore, if we want to understand God and His existence, our reliance should be on God's own method of revealing Himself, which is through divine revelation.

4. When Moses encountered God, he wasn't actively seeking God; he was simply tending to his flock. However, God chose to reveal Himself to Moses, sharing His covenant and divine plan. During this encounter, God also made it clear to Moses who He truly is – the Holy God, distinct from the other gods worshipped in Egypt and Midian.

Exodus 3:4–6 (NLT)

When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!”  “Here I am!” Moses replied. “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God. 

5. God now revealed Himself to Moses and declared that He is "Holy.” When we think of the concept of holiness, it goes beyond human notions of purity, morality, or ethical behavior. In this context, holiness primarily signifies the divine nature and essence of God Himself. God did not showcase righteous deeds or actions to Moses; instead, He revealed His holiness through the burning bush. In the context of Exodus 3, the primary meaning of "Holy" is a reference to God Himself rather than a statement about His moral conduct. God was conveying to Moses that He is inherently sacred and set apart from all else. To emphasize this, God instructed Moses on how to stand on the Holy Ground, which signifies that this territory belonged exclusively to God. It wasn't about moral righteousness but rather about acknowledging God's unique and sacred presence.

Exodus 3:5 NIV

“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 

6. Sandals hold great significance for humans as they provide essential protection for our feet, shielding us from potential dangers. Without shoes, our feet would be vulnerable to harm, and our ability to walk properly would be compromised. Therefore, sandals represent our fundamental safeguard. Moreover, sandals symbolize our desires and directions, as they enable us to travel anywhere. When we prepare to leave our homes, one of the first things we do is put on our shoes. When God instructed Moses to remove his sandals, it carried a deeper meaning. It signified that in the presence of the distinct and holy God, human desires, motivations, and preconceived notions should be set aside. By taking off his sandals, Moses was essentially shedding his personal desires and concepts in order to approach and understand God in His uniqueness and holiness. 

Psalm 24:3–4 (NKJV)

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.

7. When God instructs us to be pure, the primary message is that we should cultivate a simplicity of mind and spirit, akin to the straightforward nature of God. God's revelations are clear and without hidden agendas, and in the same way, we should approach Him with transparency and simplicity. As God chooses to reveal Himself to His people and foster a relationship akin to that of friends, we, too, should present ourselves openly to God. However, there are times when we may struggle with a duality of mind or a divided heart when we come before God. This suggests that we should strive for a single-minded, sincere, and unambiguous approach in our relationship with God.

8. I watnt to share a Korean fable. Once upon a time in a small town reminiscent of Melville, there were two brothers. After the passing of their parents, the older brother inherited the entire family estate. Regrettably, the elder sibling was consumed by greed and refused to share even a fraction of the inheritance with his younger brother, leaving the latter in dire poverty. Despite their challenging circumstances, the younger brother and his wife shared a deep love, and this love brought them seven sons. To provide for their growing family, they required at least 40 pounds of rice every day. However, one fateful day, they found themselves penniless and in dire need of food. Turning to his older brother for assistance, they were met with rejection. The older brother argued that they needed to work for their family's sustenance to avoid becoming spoiled. One day, a wounded sparrow sought refuge in the younger brother's home with a broken leg. Filled with compassion, the younger brother tended to the injured bird, nursing it back to health. When the sparrow was well enough to return to its home, it left behind a single pumpkin seed as a token of gratitude. The younger brother planted this seed, and when the harvest season arrived, it yielded three plentiful pumpkins.

9. As the younger brother prepared to enjoy his pumpkins, he began to cut them open. To his astonishment, three angels emerged from the pumpkins, bestowing upon him vast properties, wealth, and an abundance of food. The news of this miraculous event spread throughout the entire town, leading the older brother to approach his younger sibling, eager to learn how to attain such blessings. Generously, the younger brother shared the secret with his elder sibling. Filled with hope, the older brother and his wife anticipated the arrival of the sparrow, but alas, it never appeared. In their desperation, they captured a sparrow and deliberately injured its leg. They then tended to the injured bird until it was healed. In gratitude, the sparrow offered them a seed. However, when the time came for the seed to yield its harvest, the older brother's anticipation turned to disappointment. Instead of angels, three malevolent figures emerged from the zucchinis. These miscreants proceeded to ransack the older brother's home, taking away all his possessions and wealth, leaving him and his wife homeless and destitute.

10. You've brought up a valuable perspective from the story. Indeed, the elder brother's desire to be blessed, not for the sake of compassion but solely for personal gain, reflects a corrupted mindset. This perspective extends to our relationship with God. Often, we observe individuals or churches experiencing blessings and prosperity in their spiritual journeys, and we aspire to attain similar blessings in our own lives. Consequently, we may seek deeper connections with God through activities like prayer and worship, hoping to experience revival. However, if our motivation for seeking God's blessings is solely driven by a desire for personal gain or comparison with others, it mirrors the corrupted mindset of the elder brother in the fable. A genuine connection with God should be rooted in love, humility, and a desire to draw closer to Him, rather than merely pursuing blessings or personal achievements. True spiritual growth is nurtured by a sincere heart and a selfless devotion to God's will, rather than a desire for recognition or material rewards.

11. You've made a profound point. In Christianity, the belief in Jesus and His sacrifice is often seen as a source of blessing. This understanding teaches that believers have already received a significant blessing through salvation. Therefore, the motivation to live for the sake of God's kingdom should not stem from a desire for additional blessings or rewards. Indeed, living a life devoted to God's kingdom, even in the face of trials and temptations, should be a response of gratitude and love for the blessing of salvation. When our motivation is pure and selfless, driven by a desire to fulfill God's will and contribute to His kingdom, it reflects a genuine and sincere faith. A pure and humble heart, free from selfish desires for personal gain, is the foundation of a true and authentic relationship with God. Such a mindset allows believers to participate meaningfully in God's kingdom, where the focus is on glorifying God and serving others rather than seeking personal blessings or recognition.

Matthew 5:3 (NKJV)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

12. The idea that true knowledge and understanding of God come through divine revelation and a pure heart, rather than through human concepts and philosophy. Indeed, it is often said that when we approach God with an open and humble heart, free from our own desires and preconceived notions, we become more receptive to God's guidance and revelation. This is a reminder to focus on God's love, which is pure and devoid of darkness, rather than allowing our own desires and distractions to cloud our spiritual journey. In this pursuit of spiritual purity and closeness to God, many find solace and a deeper connection with the divine, which can ultimately guide their actions and attitudes towards a life of love, compassion, and service to others.