Especially he explained deeply on the expectation of God toward Cain, the first born and applied this story to members.

Then he concluded “You can feel hard because of relationship. It can be hard to love somebody. At that time, we have to remember this. Through him who you couldn’t love, we can go to God closer. In the other hand, we were the enemy of God whom he cannot love at all. We were at this position. However, God comes to the ones who didn’t deserve to receive this love but loves us first. We received this amazing love already.

It is easy to love someone who love me. However, what is the teaching of Christianity? Love your enemy. By loving my enemy, I can go closer to God. That is how building the Kingdom of God.

It is not easy at all. It is really hard that older serves younger. I pray you can love others with this heart. Loving enemy, Loving others is not easy. But if you love others when it is not easy, you can get closer to God as much as you endure it. As much as it is hard, God has great expectation from you. God is looking at you with the heart of father. God want you embrace other with great love.”

After service, there was sharing over the lunch and prayer for new visitor. Ministers also had deep conversation with long registered member Tany to start bible study again and guide him to community more.

On Sunday 8th, pastor delivered a message from Acts 2:1-4, explained the background and importance of the Pentecost. Among 3 big holidays of Jews-the Passover, the Sukkoth, and the Pentecost, this is the 50th day after the Passover. Number 50 means ‘Freedom’ and ‘Salvation’ for them, it symbolizes the year of Jubilee too.

Pastor said “Pentecost is the day of freedom declared. All creations are under the pain of sin now. Slave of Satan. But the Pentecost is the day of liberation. For the church, it’s like a birthday. Early church began from here. You must remember the meaning of it and keep well” and continued with main scripture.

“In Acts 1:7-8, Jesus says that you will receive power. Why do we need to receive power? Power from above, then we can do the work of God. We need to receive this power to follow the way of Jesus. At the Pentecost, we have to receive the power of God for work of God” he added then encouraged listeners saying “120 people who gather in the attic of Mark receive the Holy Spirit. When they pray together, they received the Holy Spirit. It is not Just for them. Today, to all believer, Holy Spirit comes. When we pray together with sincere heart, we can receive the Holy Spirit like them”

The pastor also explained one by one about gifts of Spirit and emphasized that having love is the true gifts. Lastly, all looked Galatians 5:22-23, 9 fruits of the Spirit and decided to bear many fruits during this Pentecost season.

There are 3 new visitors from Clark Atlanta University and beautiful fellowship.

After pastor read John 18:28, he asked “How much hatred is inside of them? This hatred tries to kill the son of God. It is the rage and wrath that is boiling inside of them. But look at their image. They want to keep the Passover holy. How hypocritical is this? How two-faced is this? This is such a false image.”

He also talked about the conversation between Jesus and Pilate. Jesus wouldn’t be accused with anything in the secular court, that’s why Pilate tried to release him. But the Jews really hated so wanted Jesus to crucify saying ‘We have no king but Caesar!’. It was denying God is the king for them as well as Jesus is the king of Jews.

Pastor lastly let attendees look Jesus, the son of God.

“He didn’t shake at all. He gave out his life as a ransom for many, redemption. This is obedience. What is the teaching us about the absolute path Jesus walked? No matter what tribulation or death, can you go that path without changing? Can you still go? Can you obey to the will of God and obey that one path without changing?” pastor asked then brought John 19:11 then concluded “This is a very amazing scene. IT is not that Jesus bagged and tried to find a way for him to live and avoid this. Therefore, his death was the love for us.”

Before closing sermon, members watched one video clip of Passion of Christ last scene on the path of cross. It made many members to cry and gave thanks to His death for us.

After service, members deeply shared on this true love of Jesus. They also had great fellowship then helped out to clean together.

Pastor brought out John 13:1-17 about ‘Last Supper’ and ‘Jesus washing his disciples’ feet’. It was the last encouragement for Judas and lowering himself before his disciples.

He explained the situation at the last supper and continued “The way of cross, the way of suffering is determined. Pain, sorrow and tears are determined. Judas decided to sell his teach. Satan had prompted Judas. If you look at this scene, Jesus poured water into a basin and wash his disciples’ feet. It is really beautiful scene. The Lord of love, The son of God loved his disciples to the end. He served them. He teach them humbleness and the way of serving. It is very beautiful but also very sad scene.”

Pastor emphasized many times the view point of Jesus that was totally different from the world. It is self lowering, the stronger serving the weak, the higher serving the lower. Then he concluded sermon saying “You might commit sin with your feet again. Because you are walking in this sinful world. You are not perfect yet. You are so weak. So you have to wash always. You have to walk through sanctification. But you should not be bounded with the past that is done already. When you died on the cross with Jesus, past me was already dead. Remember this. You are already washed. No need to bath again. You were saved already then you have to live following this grace.”

After service, there was deep fellowship and sharing time. Even new visitor, David Praise enjoyed good time with other members and decided to continue bible study with minister Michael Ford.

During the fellowship meal, church prepared and celebrated Ms. Tiombe’s 45th birthday. She always likes to serve church and brings her 3 beautiful kids to church. She is very busy as a single mom and full time work, she tries to church Sunday and events as much as she can. She was thankful for this great time in church.

Pastor started from John 13:1-2, opened attendees’ hearts to understand ‘the heart of God’ for his son, Jesus’ cross.

“First, let’s think about the death of Jesus. Cross of Jesus, what is this meaning? Did he die or was he killed? Some say he must die because we get a salvation through his death. But this is half right but half wrong. When we say Jesus must die, then Judas who sold Jesus, should receive the greatest reward in heaven. He made a great contribution. But that’s not true. Jesus was killed.

God is painful because of the evil but not a creator of the evil. Death of Jesus is like this. Who is Jesus? He is the son of God. Do you think when God sent him to the world, he said ‘You must die on the cross miserably’? No, that’s not true. Jesus came to the world to build the kingdom of God. Satan sowed weeds on it. So Jesus was killed. However, this precious death didn’t become meaningless. God fulfilled his will through the resurrection beyond the death. God opened the way of salvation for us through this precious death on the cross. So this cross is victory.”

He also explained the situations of Jesus and his disciples in many other verses and challenged people to check their heart is for Jesus or just for themselves. Although it was just a beginning the series of the path of the cross, many members were touched and shared reflections on the life of cross.

Fellowship was prepared as a potluck. Some members brought dishes and mothers prepared everything just right. Mothers volunteered to do it every month.

After service and fellowship, Atlanta Elim prayer team set a time for campus prayer and mothers also had short but powerful prayer time.

The situation for the church in Rome wasn’t this unwinnable(by their own power) war anymore, It wasn’t persecution either, but the atmosphere was so sinful around these believers in Rome- Adultery, prostitution, homosexuality and with Kids. There was so much depravity everywhere. But Paul, he never stopped proclaiming the good news. The members all grew in better understanding of knowing their status, cleansed by the word, and only having to wash their feet. The only fight we as believers have left is cleanup duty. One member said, ” We should be on watch, but know it’s the winnable battle since Jesus took on the huge battle that was impossible for us”. Knowing this will help them be more like Paul, who boldly, preached the Kingdom of God and Jesus. These two were the only hope then and only hope of this corrupted world today.

Danielle shared, “People take it for granted, lack understanding of what it means to be saved. It took me a long time to understand this myself; how it changed my identity, who I am in God’s eyes. I am a child of God, he loves me, that’s all that matters. Knowing this changed my life.

I like the comparison of Joseph and Jesus. I wondered what Josephs death was. He never lost faith in God through his ordeal, he denied any of the human desires you’d expect him to indulge. And through this whole situation, he saved his whole family, the world at the time, like Jesus.”

Michael concluded sharing time by saying, “The chains are gone, but I often hold onto what used to enslave me. All I have to do is let go and move on. The massive battle ended on the cross and in that cave where Jesus rose. Now I can go on with confidence. This is what we all must do, let go of the chains of the past and grab on to Jesus as slaves to righteousness.”

“Blessings of God are not just given when you are waiting; doing nothing. God blesses the ones who are obeying and following the Word of God”

“When we have this faith, we can leave. We can go to the promised land. When God tells you, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household,’ it is not because of God wants to take them from you. It is not because of God doesn’t love you. It is because God wants to give you (something more) the promised land and bless you.

In your life, you have many things to leave. It can be your past, your sinful habit, your current situation, games, school, family. They are your idols that you love more than God. When God asks you to leave, you have to leave. You know that very well. You know that you love something more than God. The obedience is most important. Abraham became ancestor of faith through obedience.”

During the service, God poured grace when Vanessa Eusebio led the praise team for the first time. Praise team guided attendees to open their hearts to the Word of God. It’d been several years’ prayer topic to set up ‘Praise Leader’ and God answered it last week. The church expects that through this praise team, God can touch the hearts of members in many ways.

After service, young people gathered to share grace over the message. Some of them confessed their weaknesses of not wanting to leave, but challenged to receive His blessing. During the sharing, ministers encouraged each one with the right words.

Coneeto, as the new Sunday meal team leader, prepared delicious food for the congregation with Tiombe. She already shared many recipes and plans for Sunday meal with Minister Hyunhee and said, “I’m so excited and thankful to serve church”.

New visitors for Sunday and growth of previous members affected the church over all. The atmosphere is really refreshing and full of active participation. Please pray for Atlanta Bethel Community Church’s revival continuously.

Around 400 years ago, the Puritans tried to find a new land for their freedom of faith. In 1620, they begin to voyage with the English ship named ‘The Mayflower’

After they arrive, they tried to settle down. They farmed and harvested. And they gave special Thanksgiving with their first harvest. It was service of giving thanks to God.

But if we look at their situation, it was not good. It was very bad and a sad situation. They didn’t give service because their situation was very good or because joyful things.

Around one hundred people left together for a new land. But around 40 people died on the boat. Think about it. Almost half of them died. Whenever someone die, they must have felt so much sorrow. Some of them should be their family. They leave together for the freedom of faith. They were like all family. They might talk about their plan and dream in America. But so many people died on the boat. Even before they arrived on land. How sorrowful is this situation?

Even after they arrived, it was not easy. They faced cold weather. They weren’t not prepared and they had nothing here. Their situation was really hard. But they didn’t lose the hope and absolute faith.

Today, we read Psalm 23. This poetry is the poetry of faith. The Puritans had absolute faith. “Even though my family died, Even though we are in suffer. There must be the reason that God gave this situation” They had this faith. They didn’t lose their thanks.

Great point of Christianity is this positive thinking.

We need to have this positive attitude of life. In your life, there will be hardship all the time. Is there anyone who has no hardship in their life? Everyone has hardship. The important thing is whether you will face those hardships with positive thinking or negative thinking. It is your choice.

Let’s go back to the Puritans. Along with having almost half of their people parish, even the survivors also were in difficulties.  They could’ve fallen into despair. If you look at their situation negatively, it is the worst situation. Isn’t it? But they didn’t lose thanks even within that sad situation. They didn’t lose hope. And they gave their Thanksgiving service.

In this world of hardships, how can we live with positive thinking? With gratitude. We always have to thank to God. When we don’t lose this gratitude, we can live with positive thinking.

What is Thanksgiving?

It is gratitude. We give thanks that God protected us and gave us precious harvests. I hope you all give thanks to God through this time. The Israelites also had a Thanksgiving day. They wandered 40 years in the desert. And finally they got to the Canaan land; the promised land. Then they gave Thanksgiving service with harvests. They gave the first one to God.

Thanksgiving is the day of thanks. We give thanks that God gave us all the things we receive. It is the season of thanks. This gratitude is really important in our faith. We shouldn’t lose this thanks.

Let’s read Romans 1:21.

It is our sinful nature. Although we know God, we neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him. Do you lose these thanks in your heart? You have to think about it. You shouldn’t lose it.

Let’s look at the book of John 3:16.

God gave us this love. God so loved us so he gave his one and only Son. This verse talks about this debt of great love that God save us.

Romans 13:8

Apostle Paul says that let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another. What is in the person who was saved? There is the debt of love.

In Korea, there is interesting saying that “I rescued someone who fell in the water, but he asked for his bag”

Does it make sense?

Every summer, there is typhoon in Korea. So there is flood and sometimes someone fall in the water. Usually, If you save someone, they really thanks about that. They testify that they saw their whole past life and repent when they fell in the water. They confess that “When I fell in the water, I promise to God. If you save me, I will live for you”

But someone doesn’t have any gratitude. You saved him. But he ask to you “Where is my bag?” Isn’t it our image? Jesus saved us. He died on the cross for us. But we don’t thank and instead ask to him, “Where is my blessing?” We don’t thank but we ask blessing. It is the image who lost gratitude.

We need to remember this. We are very arrogant. We so easily forget this gratitude. When he love us so much, we forget that. Then we commit sins. And when we have a crisis, when we have obstacles, we look for God again.

When air is clean, we don’t notice a preciousness of clean air. But when air is polluted, we realize that clean air is so precious. When you are with your parents, you don’t know the preciousness of your family. But if you lose your parents, you will regret that. “I should have done well when my parent alive” We are like this. We have this sinful nature.

How can we not lose the gratitude?

Let’s look at today’s scripture. David wrote beautiful poem. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. When we forget his grace, we lose gratitude. Why you don’t gratitude because you forget his grace. We received his grace so much. When you remember that, you always have gratitude.

I hope we can meditate his grace deeply. In this scripture, David meditated his grace that gave him through his whole life. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He leads me in green pastures. This abundant world. He gave us so much grace. We need to think about the grace that God gave us. Sometimes, there were hardships. Yes, they’re are difficult times.

Philippians 4:11-13

It is the confession of Paul. He also experience so much difficulties. But what is his confession.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Through that hungry, through that difficulties I learned the secret of being content. And he said. Don’t forget the grace that God gave us.

1Thessalonians 5:18

He says “Give thanks in all circumstances” Is it easy? It is really hard. It is impossible in this world. You can say “How can I thank in all circumstances. I can thank only when I have in good situation” But look at the confession of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. There is no lack in the people who follow him.

Don’t complain your circumstance. Meditate the grace that God gave you. You have big enough grace. Don’t think that is not enough. We need to meditate this every day. Not just on the thanksgiving day.

As you know, David live a life full of ups and downs. But he confess this.

Psalm32:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

He refreshes my soul. God always refreshes our souls. He guides us along the right paths. In this scripture, we can see David’s faith in God. He rely on God. It is the way that we don’t lose thankful heart.

David remember his grace. And he believe that God is faithful God. He has this absolute faith.

Psalm 32: 4

In this verse, there is a reversal. He talks about green pasture but he suddenly talks about the darkest valley. It is our lives. There are good circumstances and bad circumstances. God is my protector. God is my shepherd. But sometimes we walk through the darkest valley. But what does he believe is that “I will fear no evil for you are with me”

David experience so many wars. Countless wars. There were so many hardship. But in this verse, we can see his absolute faith.

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me

Shepherd have two things. One is rod and the other is staff. What is a rod? Shepherd use a rod for protecting sheep from wolves. And Shepherd guide the way with staff. God protect me and guide me with rod and staff.

Psalm 23:5-6

We received so much grace in this year. Why do we meditate about this grace? Do you remember the story of Bartimaeus?

Mark 10:46-52
Through this story we can see great faith of Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus was blind. And he was beggar. It is really bad situation. Isn’t it? But Bartimaeus doesn’t complain his circumstance. He doesn’t fall in despair. In that circumstance, he thanks that he can hear. And through his ears, he heard that Jesus is passing by. Then he cry out. Many rebuke him. But he doesn’t give up. He cry out more. And he get salvation.

Even though you walk through the darkest valley, don’t give up like Bartimaeus. If you are in green pastures, don’t forget his grace and praise him. Let’s read Psalm 23:6.

Psalm23:6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The minister spoke of how Satan is always there ready to condemn us, filling us with negative thoughts and feelings about ourselves, but Satan isn’t our judge, we aren’t even our judge. God alone is the judge and He has given us our identity through His Holy Word.

1 Corinthians 3:9

Minister Ford preaches,”This verse says a lot about believers. They are coworkers with Him in His service, His field, His building and His church. As I grow on the path of faith, my eyes are open more and more to who I am as a Christian, and who we are as the church.

I recall the other day that I caught myself (with God’s help) on the verge of thinking negatively about myself for something. I quickly was able to evaluate the foolishness in that potential false claiming. I see more than ever that I, just as much as you, really need to fill up on the Word more, it is the only real source of identity.

We have Satan, our enemy, constantly seeking to kill us. And his lethal weapon is lies.”

John 8:44

“Our identity is likely the most vital area of our lives- so Satan aims to kill us by attacking that spot a lot. He wants to kill us with condemning words to define us. Many Christians know this, but their lives would say otherwise.

The difference between living a full and amazing life as a Christian is all leaning on your beliefs. Whose words do you believe in? What do we define our life on? Is it us who judges and gives ourselves our value or is it our culture, our peers, our family? The basis of this message comes from a look into our actions, our choices, our values.”

After the message, the members took the nourishment of the Word of God and used it to exercise their faith in a great session of prayer. May God continue to bless these brothers and sisters as they humbly let God’s Word define them.

Also pray for the growing teaching of Minister Michael Ford who voiced his ambitious desire to one day preach a sermon series about the identity of the Christian.

“John 19:30 states, ‘When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit’. It is an amazing proclamation. What did he finish? At the very last moment, how does he have this conviction? In this Word, there are many meanings. There is all his life in this verse. He did all that he could do until the end. He worked for the kingdom of God. He lowered himself. He devoted all his life for it. He obeyed absolutely. Even though death. He did all. He proclaimed the victory of love. Even God did not answer, and it seemed like God had left him, and he was all alone. This place of despair. At this place, he said it is finished. “It is finished” It was his will. In this verse, we can see the victory that overcomes the death. He shows us an absolute faith. Even death couldn’t break his faith. Thy Kingdom come will be done on earth. The kingdom of God already begins.”