베델 크리스천교회 9월 27일 (성령강림 후 제17주) 예배 영상, Sermon Summary (English)

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9월 27일 주일예배 영상입니다.

메시지: 달라질 생각이 있습니까? Are you going to change your mind? (마태복음 21장 23-32절) – 김백희 목사

이곳에 오신 모든 분들을 환영합니다. 샬롬.

 

 

Bethel Christian Church – Sunday Sermon (September 27, 2020) 

Are you going to change your mind? (Matthew 21:23-32) by Baek Hee Kim

 

  • The story of two sons
    • Today’s scripture consists of two parts. The first part discusses Jesus’ authority, and the second presents a parable. Let us discuss the second part first.
    • A man had two sons. He went up and said to the first, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.” The son answered, “I don’t want to.” But later on, he changed his mind and went. The father gave the same command to the second son. He answered, “I will.” But he did not go. Which of the two sons did better? Which of them did what the father asked?
    • I would say, “the first.” The people who were with Jesus said the same, “the first.” Why? First of all, he did what the father asked. Yet, more importantly, “He changed his mind.” (verse 29) Jesus focuses on this point.
  • Changed one’s mind
    • As the scripture describes, the first son “changed his mind.” This phrase came from a Greek word, μεταμέλομαι (metamelomai). The meanings of this word are “regret,” “repent,” and “change one’s mind.” Some bible versions like KJV or NEB render the word into “repent.” NASB translates it as “regret.” And some newer versions, including NIV and NRSV, translate it as “change his mind.” Most New Testament scholars favor “change one’s mind and argue that it is close to the meaning that the original Greek word implies.
    • Jesus used the same word, metamelomai, in verse 32 when he criticized the chief priests and the elders of the people, saying, “For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him… you did not change your mind and believe him.”
    • In today’s scripture, Jesus asks a simple question to the people around him and us. “Are you going to change your mind?” “Can you change your mind?” “Do you care enough to change?”
    • We try to change our mind and behavior when we have done something wrong or want something better than what we have now. And it’s not just a personal matter. When there is something wrong with our church, our community, or our society, we (should) try to change. It is a courageous act to correct his/her mistakes, repent, and change his/her mind and behaviors.
  • Authority for transformation vs. authority for reinforcing the status quo
    • Matthew and the other Gospels focus on Jesus’ power and authority. The authors of the Gospels argue Jesus is more powerful than the world’s powers, but his power is of a different kind, a power for transformation that produces healing and reconciliation rather than alienation and violence. When a person or a community encounters Jesus, he/she transforms into what God wants them to be. Stanley Saunders points out that the outcomes of the transformation were gathering and restoration, healing and cleansing, release form demonic powers, restored sight, table fellowship with sinners, and preservation of the least ones. However, the chief priests and elders, and probably some of us, want to reinforce the very status quo Jesus seeks to transform.
    • Again, Jesus asks a question. Here are two sons. One did self-examination, changed his mind, and what his father asked. The other gave his father comforting words but did not do what he wanted. Which Are You? Which Am I?
  • Faith to the new things God is doing
    • New Testament scholar, Douglas Hare, interprets the chief priests and the elders, “They claim to be faithfully obedient to God, but they are blind to the fact authentic obedience includes responding in faith to the new things God is doing.” As Jesus’ disciples, we all seek to be transformed and change our minds for good things. One of the most important driving powers for the change is the belief that God is doing new things.