March 29th Service
On Line Service due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Saint John’s Pulpit (March 29) – "The Two Ways" Romans 8:6-11

To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  7  For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot,  8  and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.  10  But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.  11  If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

The Movie, The Two Popes

Let me tell about one movie which I watched recently. It is The Two Popes (2019) directed by Fernando Meirelles. This movie tells a leadership change from Pope Benedict XVI to Pope Francis in the Catholic Church. These two Popes are like water and oil. Hard to find any chemistry between them. To count on differences is like to count on the number of stars in the Galaxy! One is a renowned theologian, the other is a person of praxis. One is from Germany, the other is from Argentina. Noble lifestyle vs. normal lifestyle. To play the piano by himself in a fancy room (Pope Benedict XVI) and to dance Tango with people (Pope Francis)… background, theology, Bible interpretation, life style, perspectives on social issues, appetite, hobby and favor drinks… They were totally different!

So, in the beginning part of the movie, people see a sense of tension and conflict between the two Popes. However, surprisingly, we find there are several things in common between the two Popes which made them be in unity:

They made mistakes with which they’ve been struggling.
They wanted each other to listen to their stories and forgive each other.
They loved singing, eating, dancing, and watching the World Cup Final game Argentina Vs. Germany in the movie.

Let's go back to the text today. One of big lessons from Romans 8:6-11 is to know how different is between to set the mind on flesh and to set the mind on the Spirit. Indeed, we all know what it is.

To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 NRSV

The movie The Two Popes raises the same question as the text today does. When we insist on our own background, thoughts, ideology, perspectives, preference, and life manner, we find that our life is lifeless. No peace, joy and life there! Rather tension, arguing, and conflict only! If so, what does it mean to set the mind on the Spirit? And how could we do it? Romans 8:9 gives a good idea to practice it.

But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Romans 8:9 NRSV

Apostle Paul's suggestion is this: we should be in the Spirit of Christ. Please remember what Jesus did for us in this world.

Jesus embraced all people regardless of who they were. He opened his arms to everyone who needed comfort and healing. Jesus loved eating and drinking with people. Jesus had no favor to meet people. Jesus felt sorry when he met sinners. Instead of blaming and criticizing, he listened to them, understood, forgave them and let them see new hope in Christ!

In our Lenten journey, we are challenged to think about what Jesus did in this world by the text today. At the same time, we are asked to follow what He practiced. Due to the serious concern about Covid-19, all world is under mourning and suffering. We’ve thought that it is no wonder to worship in the sanctuary, but in these days, we realize that how it was so blessed to meet people, worship in Sanctuary, shake hands each other, give a hug and even eat and drink in fellowship coffee hour.

Let me ask a simple question. What is happiness? Happiness is not from thoughts on our mind. It is from thoughts in Christ. To serve others with humble spirit, to know that we all make mistakes, need forgiveness and grace of God, and to eat, dance and sing in Christ… the Bible says it is life and peace. How? We all are ones saved by Jesus Christ who died on the Cross!

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you. Romans 8:11 NRSV

The Movie, The Two Methodists

Like the movie The Two Popes, if the movie The Two Methodists would be directed in these days, how the movie should go? Many thoughts and perspectives for many Methodists. However, here is one clear ending scene for that movie (Also this is my single prayer). We all Methodists should make peace, dance, forgive, bless and eat (don’t you think that it is a great privilege for Methodists?) together. Furthermore, we need to invite people who don’t know Jesus into our community and let them know a joy of sharing life one another and living in Christ. How? We need to focus on what we need in common:

We need forgiveness!

We need the Grace of God!

We need one another who listen to our story!

We need to remember we are saved by Jesus Christ through his death!