First Presbyterian Church, Encino

We come to Jesus' sermon where he talks about "You have heard it said...but I say to you" passage. These words of Jesus are difficult to take since they offer dramatic images of cutting off body parts and judgment of fire in hell to get his message across. These hyperbolic images point to a message that God deeply cares about our relationships. According to Jesus, it's not enough to keep the laws that one should not murder, commit adultery, divorce and give false witness. He demands that we go beyond what is required by the law and digs deep into the human heart. We need to treat each other with respect and hate no one. We need to see others not as objects of our desire or means to an end. We need to speak truth and gain the trust of others so that our "yes" is yes and "no," no. The laws that govern human relationships are not enough, but understanding the heart matters. This tells us what the kingdom of heaven is like, the reality of God we are called to live into. That's what the sermon on the mount is all about. As a matter of fact, it's more important than coming to church when you have a relationship that needs attention. Jesus says resolve or settle the dispute or whatever problems you may have with your brother or sister before coming to the temple. Jesus also spoke against those who abused their wives in a patriarchal world where husbands gave certificates of divorce at will, leaving women without protection from poverty. The message of Jesus is clear, our relationship matters to God, who seeks just relationships. The disposition of our heart matters too, to be in the right place, showing respect, dignity and love. 
 
Come this Sunday, I want you to think about a relationship that is very important to you, a relationship that is good and whole. Think of that person who has inspired you or nurtured you. As you think of the person, I want to invite you to give thanks to God for that person. During the service I also want you to think about a relationship that is important to you but somehow your relationship with that person has suffered. Without blaming anyone, I want to invite you to hold that person in your prayer and seek God's guidance and wisdom to find ways you can take action to heal and mend the relationship, trusting that God will give you the courage, strength and faith to heal the broken relationship. Come this Sunday, in worship you will be challenged to seek God and live into just and loving relationships that matter! 
 
Pastor Dae

We come to Jesus' sermon where he talks about "You have heard it said...but I say to you" passage. These words of Jesus are difficult to take since they offer dramatic images of cutting off body parts and judgment of fire in hell to get his message across. These hyperbolic images point to a message that God deeply cares about our relationships. According to Jesus, it's not enough to keep the laws that one should not murder, commit adultery, divorce and give false witness. He demands that we go beyond what is required by the law and digs deep into the human heart. We need to treat each other with respect and hate no one. We need to see others not as objects of our desire or means to an end. We need to speak truth and gain the trust of others so that our "yes" is yes and "no," no. The laws that govern human relationships are not enough, but understanding the heart matters. This tells us what the kingdom of heaven is like, the reality of God we are called to live into. That's what the ser

Sunday, February 16, 2014 - "Our Relationship Matters" Matthew 5:21-37

The sermon on the mount or beatitudes of Jesus is a wonderful message we need to hear. It's not a message of judgment packed with fire and brimstone but of love and compassion. It's a message of blessing and promise. Listen to Jesus' sermon once again. 
 
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." 
 
Pastor Dae

The sermon on the mount or beatitudes of Jesus is a wonderful message we need to hear. It's not a message of judgment packed with fire and brimstone but of love and compassion. It's a message of blessing and promise. Listen to Jesus' sermon once again.
 
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they

Sunday, February 2, 2014 - "Blessed Are You" Micah 6:1-8 Matthew 5:1-12

Our first Sunday of the year 2014. How shall we begin our new year? You may already have come up with resolutions, to challenge yourself or even make changes in your life that will make a difference on your health, your spirituality, or even seeking a new opportunity for a new job. Whatever they may be, the gospel reading for this coming Sunday may help us by reaffirming our identity, the very foundation of who we are, that will enable us to make necessary changes in the way we do things or respond or engage with the everyday and people around us. But before we begin to think about this, I want to remind us that the Christmas season is not over. Just because the frenzy at the shopping mall is slowing down or the Christmas tree was taken down and left by the sidewalk does not mean Christmas is over. As a matter of fact, as Christians, Christmas is really not about a holiday or shopping or vacation or even annual candlelight service attendance, but much more. It's about faith witness of God's loving act in human history that permeates throughout the year. 
 
So it's fitting that according to the gospel of John, there are no angels, Mary and Joseph, shining star above or Magi's visit with their treasured gifts. John's version is simply stated, "the word became flesh and dwelled among us." That's it. And the lesson continues, those who receive this "word became flesh" God gave them the power to become God's children, born not of the flesh or by the will of human beings, but by the will of God." In other words, there is nothing in this world that can define you. Only God can. At the core of our identity is God's given identity as God's beloved. John's Christmas story is not concerned with the birth of a baby Jesus in Bethlehem, but is concerned about who we are. John is more concerned about the birthing of God in you and me. This is a very important truth we need to touch base with before we begin our new year, because you and I know that from our past and future to come, more often than not, we can easily be seduced to think and behave as if people, good/bad experiences, achievements/failures, possessions, short comings, hurts and shame define us. They do not. We are God's children. We are deserving of love and respect, and God will use us to change the world. WOW. Imagine that. Yes you read that correctly. God will use you to change the world. God will use us, God's beloved, to make a difference in the coming year. Factor this truth as you think about new resolutions! So, come, let us worship God and listen to this good news, God's voice that says you are my children, my beloved. Amen. 
 
Pastor Dae

Our first Sunday of the year 2014. How shall we begin our new year? You may already have come up with resolutions, to challenge yourself or even make changes in your life that will make a difference on your health, your spirituality, or even seeking a new opportunity for a new job. Whatever they may be, the gospel reading for this coming Sunday may help us by reaffirming our identity, the very foundation of who we are, that will enable us to make necessary changes in the way we do things or respond or engage with the everyday and people around us. But before we begin to think about this, I want to remind us that the Christmas season is not over. Just because the frenzy at the shopping mall is slowing down or the Christmas tree was taken down and left by the sidewalk does not mean Christmas is over. As a matter of fact, as Christians, Christmas is really not about a holiday or shopping or vacation or even annual candlelight service attendance, but much more. It's about faith witness of 

Sunday, January 5, 2014 - "You Are God's Children" Jeremiah 31:7-14; John 1:1-18

Rachel, Jacob's beloved wife, after years of a barren womb, cried out to God and was answered with the birth of a son, Joseph, meaning "Do it again!" When she was pregnant with a second child, she died from a complication, thus naming her second child Benoni as she breathed her last, "son of my sorrow." Jacob couldn't bare such sorrow for he loved Rachel very dearly, thus changed Benoni's name to Benjamin, "son of my right hand." This change silenced Rachel's sorrow until a thousand years later, the prophet Jeremiah raised her voice once again, her sorrow to describe the tragic exile of Rachel's children, Israel, when they were taken as prisoners of Babylon, "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more." Rachel's lament is profound. 
 
Later Jewish mystics took this lament a step further. They taught that when the Messiah came, only one place on earth would prove suitable, a lonely place on the road to Ephrath where Rachel lies in the dust. "To mother Rachel he will bring glad tidings. And he will comfort her. And now she will let herself be comforted. And she will rise up and kiss him" (Zohar 2.7a-9a). 
 
This coming Sunday, Matthew recalls Rachel's lament in the story of Jesus' birth and Herod's destructive slaying of innocent children. Rachel's lament, even after so many years through biblical times and history, still echoes a profound sense of human suffering, grief and sorrow where even God must dig deep to respond. Today, in our world of twenty first century, how shall we raise Rachel's lament? How will she be comforted today, in our world of tragic violence and deep sorrow we maybe be experiencing. There is no easy answer. The birth of Christ took place in the world of king Herod. The birth of Christ takes place on the road to Ephrath where Rachel weeps. 
 
Come to worship and join Rachel's Lament 
 
Pastor Dae

Rachel, Jacob's beloved wife, after years of a barren womb, cried out to God and was answered with the birth of a son, Joseph, meaning "Do it again!" When she was pregnant with a second child, she died from a complication, thus naming her second child Benoni as she breathed her last, "son of my sorrow." Jacob couldn't bare such sorrow for he loved Rachel very dearly, thus changed Benoni's name to Benjamin, "son of my right hand." This change silenced Rachel's sorrow until a thousand years later, the prophet Jeremiah raised her voice once again, her sorrow to describe the tragic exile of Rachel's children, Israel, when they were taken as prisoners of Babylon, "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more." Rachel's lament is profound.
 
Later Jewish mystics took this lament a step further. They taught that when the Messiah came, only one place on earth would prove suitable, a lonely place 

Sunday, December 29, 2013 - "Rachel's Lament" Isaiah 63:7-9; Matthew 2:13-23

As we see images and hear reports of the tragic loss of lives in the Philippines, towns and cities ripped apart and devastated by the typhoon Haiyan, our hearts and prayers go out to the survivors and people of the Philippians. So many people are trying to stay alive with what little is left. The international community has responded quickly but with the landscape of Haiyan's path crushed, everything imaginable has to be shipped or airlifted to the location to provide life sustaining water, food and shelter. Any recovery of this magnitude takes a very long time, long after the media coverage, as we have seen the recovery effort by Japan from the tsunami in Fukushima prefecture two years ago. The scars left behind may even take a lifetime if there is any recovery at all for the survivors who lost loved ones. It's tragic and may even feel hopeless. 
 
The people of Israel were devastated too. They were taken hostage, defeated, exiled and lost loved ones from violence unimaginable. After this Babylonian exile, the survivors returned to rebuild their shattered lives and the Temple in Jerusalem. In our reading for this coming Sunday, prophet Isaiah cries out, "I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind, but be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating...No more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it or the cry of distress." The prophet cries out, "There is Hope!" Don't give up for God is creating something new! There is good news! 
 
The challenge for us today is when we see so much brokenness in our world and tragic loss of lives from violence by nature or human cause, how can we respond to the question, where is hope? When we experience hopeless situations, where can we draw our strength and hope for tomorrow? Is there hope for victims of Haiyan? Is there hope for you in whatever situation or challenge you may face? What is this prophetic hope which Isaiah speaks of and has vision for in our reading? What is God doing in creating hope for our future? Am I part of the new creation of hope? Please join me this Sunday, the message of hope is something you don't want to miss! 
 
Pastor Dae

As we see images and hear reports of the tragic loss of lives in the Philippines, towns and cities ripped apart and devastated by the typhoon Haiyan, our hearts and prayers go out to the survivors and people of the Philippians. So many people are trying to stay alive with what little is left. The international community has responded quickly but with the landscape of Haiyan's path crushed, everything imaginable has to be shipped or airlifted to the location to provide life sustaining water, food and shelter. Any recovery of this magnitude takes a very long time, long after the media coverage, as we have seen the recovery effort by Japan from the tsunami in Fukushima prefecture two years ago. The scars left behind may even take a lifetime if there is any recovery at all for the survivors who lost loved ones. It's tragic and may even feel hopeless.
 
The people of Israel were devastated too. They were taken hostage, defeated, exiled and lost loved ones from violence unimaginable. After t

First Presbyterian Church, Encino Videos

Sunday, February 16, 2014 - "Our Relationship Matters" Matthew 5:21-37

Sunday, February 2, 2014 - "Blessed Are You" Micah 6:1-8 Matthew 5:1-12

Sunday, January 5, 2014 - "You Are God's Children" Jeremiah 31:7-14; John 1:1-18

Sunday, December 29, 2013 - "Rachel's Lament" Isaiah 63:7-9; Matthew 2:13-23

Sunday, November 17, 2013 "There Is Hope" Isaiah 65:17-25; Luke 21:5-19

Description

Group of Brands

First Presbyterian Church, Encino Videos

Sort by Default

Sunday, February 16, 2014 - "Our Relationship Matters" Matthew 5:21-37

Sunday, February 2, 2014 - "Blessed Are You" Micah 6:1-8 Matthew 5:1-12

Sunday, January 5, 2014 - "You Are God's Children" Jeremiah 31:7-14; John 1:1-18

Sunday, December 29, 2013 - "Rachel's Lament" Isaiah 63:7-9; Matthew 2:13-23

Sunday, November 17, 2013 "There Is Hope" Isaiah 65:17-25; Luke 21:5-19

Description

Group of Brands