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The 2015 Asia Sunday service was held in Gangnam PROK Church. The theme lifted up the theme of the approaching Christian Conference of Asia General Assembly, “Living Together in the Household of God”, but because of the anguish in Nepal, a secondary theme for this day was “Tribulation in Asia”
After introductory praise and the welcoming of guests by NCCK General Secretary, Kim Young Ju and prayer by Gangnam host pastor Jun Byeong Gum, the sermon was delivered by NCCK Past President Hwang Yong Dae; he began by reading his central scripture
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scripture: 2 Corinthians 1 8-11;
For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
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He went on to say that two thousand years ago, the apostle Paul wrote this scripture verse; as deep suffering in Asia was prevalent at that time as it is today. Their distress was so difficult that the Apostle Paul talked profoundly about even losing the will to live. Consequently, in that despair, as Christians we must hope and realize that only God is our salvation, and to admit that there is no choice other than through His saving grace.
He continued saying that 'tribulation in Asia’ was not only an issue during Paul’s time, two thousand years ago. Catastrophes are continuing even now. In particular, there is the common problem of natural disasters. (The Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, volcanic eruptions in Indonesia, the triple-disaster in Japan of 2011, the terrible typhoons in the Philippines, especially in 2013, and now the agony of Nepal.)
Pastor Hwang continues his reflection on these difficult issues with three separate passages of scripture:
(Psalms 24:1) The earth is the LORD'S, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
(Colossians 1:16-17) For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together;
(Colossians 1:19-20) For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
He concluded by saying that this world is God's house and those who dwell in it are God’s family. Asian churches should do as Jesus did. The Peace of Christ means to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are in despair, wherever and whenever that may be. Using the words and example of Paul, the church body should strive to hear the calls of the suffering, in the same way as the story recorded in Acts 16:09 The apostle Paul received in a vision a request from suffering people and he went to Macedonia to them: in the same way we should not ignore the tragedies of others who are calling for our presence and solidarity.
Rev. Hwang concluded with a play on the word ‘Nepal’. In Korean ‘Neh Pal’ means ‘your arm’. As we say Neh Pal we think of Nepal, and hold out our arms in an embrace as God would and does, holding each and every one of us.
After the sermon, a time was given for the Nepalese Consul Ambassador Raja Ram Bartaula to talk about the current grave situation in Nepal. He said how grateful he was for the care and concern of the Korean church, and both asked for and prayed that this spirit will continue in God’s wonderful unity.
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