Omc: Family Chapel

To the church in Philadelphia, Jesus presents himself as the faithful doorkeeper to God's kingdom. He then commends his church for their active faithfulness despite their apparent weakness. As such, Jesus exhorts his church to remain faithful until he returns. Lastly, Jesus reassures his church that they have a permanent place of honor in God's kingdom.

Jesus declares himself as one with full power and authority and declares that the church in Sardis, though having the reputation of being alive, was actually dead. It had become a church where it was just going through the motions with no fight left in them. They had no significance to God's Kingdom, no threat to Satan and the enemy, and no signs of life. But yet, Jesus still does not give up on them and exhorts them to wake up, repent, and remember the truth of God's words. Even in a dire condition as this, Jesus recognizes that there will be some who will remain faithful. He promises swift judgment upon those who remain in their deadened state. But for those who remain faithful, Jesus gives the assurance of recognition and eternal life.

To the church in Thyatira, Jesus presents himself as the holy king who is worthy of total allegiance from his church. He then calls out his church for embracing worldliness especially through tolerating sin. As such, Jesus exhorts his church to carry out church discipline. Lastly, Jesus reassures his church that instead of being overcome by the world, they will overcome the world.

To the church in Smyrna, Jesus presents himself as the righteous judge who authoritatively speaks the truth to his church. He then warns his church against compromising the truth by entertaining false teachers. As such, Jesus exhorts his church to turn away from false teachers and to return to the truth of God's Word. Lastly, Jesus reassures his church that the truth will set them free for a flourishing life.

To the church in Smyrna, Jesus presents himself as the one who has sovereignly experienced and victoriously defeated death for his church. He then affirms that his church is blessed even in the face of persecution. As such, Jesus exhorts his church to not be fearful but instead to be faithful in the midst of ongoing persecution. Lastly, Jesus reassures his church that he has secured indestructible life that goes beyond death.

To the church in Ephesus, Jesus presents his authority and affection for his church. He then commends his church for their steadfast diligence and sound doctrine, but he rebukes them for spurning their devotion. Doing everything else right while neglecting the main thing leads to having nothing. As such, Jesus exhorts his church to remember, to repent, and to repeat their devotion. Lastly, Jesus reassures his church that they will enjoy perfect love in his presence forevermore.

In leading the Israelites to the Promise Land, God calls upon His people to look back and to look forward. Likewise, in the face of new opportunities and challenges before us, instead of shrinking back in fear, we can move forward with confidence in our faithful God.

Through a new decree that was passed, the Jews are able to defend themselves and find victory against Haman's evil plot. They then inaugurate the Feast of Purim as a celebration and remembrance of God's deliverance. Although we do not celebrate Purim, we have a greater joy, a greater victory, a greater understanding of God's deliverance under the New Covenant in the act of communion. Therefore, we can live from a place of strength and victory and know joy and celebration even in a world of despair and chaos.

After making preparations, Esther comes before the king to make her request. Through the unfolding of events, we see how God carries out His plan of salvation. God remains faithful to His people despite their unfaithfulness. God sovereignly works to bring forth good out of evil. God victoriously prevails over evil with justice. God graciously invites people everywhere to repent and join His Kingdom. The gospel according to Esther is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.

Esther finds herself in a dangerous predicament. Haman, one of the top officials in the Persian government, has persuaded King Xerxes to issue a royal edict to annihilate all the Jewish people in the empire. Mordecai implores Esther to present herself before the king to intercede on behalf of her people. But doing so would mean risking her own death. However Esther is able to take on this righteous risk through fasting. In the face of great evil, God's people are to faithfully steward their God-given opportunities with clarity and courage.

The story of Esther takes place in the capital of the Persian Empire where many Jews lived under Persian rule. And Esther is an unique book of the Bible in that God is not explicitly mentioned anywhere. Yet all throughout, you see God's sovereign hands throughout the narrative that reinforces his commitment to faithfulness and redemption. So in the midst of a society under foreign pagan rule, God uses his people to bring about his grand purposes. And we worship and serve the same God today who is committed to bring about his grand purposes even in our own contexts.

As God has called Family Chapel to Los Angeles, we are not to merely be a church in the city, but we are to be a church for the city. If we are to faithfully and fruitfully minister to Los Angeles, then we need to rightly worship God, build up a compelling community, love our neighbors through ministries of evangelism and mercy, disciple Christians to live out their faith in their everyday lives, and seek a gospel movement in our city. May Family Chapel carry these things out by God's grace for God's glory!

While the gospel is universally applicable in all contexts, if we want to faithfully and effectively communicate the gospel to Los Angeles, we need to contextualize the gospel for Los Angeles. Following the Apostle Paul's example in Athens, contextualizing the gospel requires correctly understanding your city's story, constructively challenging your city's story, and lovingly re-telling your city's story. Los Angeles tells a story of reinventing one's image. The gospel tells a better story of Jesus remaking people in His image.

In a sense, the story of Scripture can be told through the story of cities. The Bible teaches that cities are a part of God’s original design for human flourishing (Eden), that cities can amplify sinful pride and idolatry (Babel), that God's people should actively seek the comprehensive renewal of the city (Babylon), that cities can be missional hubs in reaching the nations (Antioch), and that our true home is found in the heavenly city that comes to earth (New Jerusalem). Understanding these things should shape how we live, work, play, and relate to our own city here in Los Angeles.

In contrast to the other gospels, John presents an epilogue with a personal, intimate look into the gracious recommissioning of Peter and the disciples. This presents a unique facet of the commission that Christ gives to his followers as he restores and calls us to faithfully serve his Kingdom by continually beholding and abiding in him and tending and caring for one another.

In the aftermath of Jesus' crucifixion, the disciples are filled with doubt. But rather than being a hindrance to faith, when rightly approached, doubt can be an avenue for even greater faith. Jesus draws near to us in our doubts and invites us to trust him. And as those who believe, we should invite others to believe that Jesus is the risen Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing they will find true life in his name.

The hour has come as Jesus goes to the cross. The cross reveals that Jesus is the true King, Prophet, and Priest. Jesus is the true King who flexes his authority over everything. Jesus is the true Prophet who fulfills all the promises of Scripture. Jesus is the true Priest who reconciles his people with God and with one another. As such, we should submit to Jesus as the true King, believe in Jesus as the true Prophet, and rest in Jesus as the true Priest.

After Jesus prays for his disciples, the narrative moves forward to his betrayal and arrest where we see our humble king. He is a king in full majesty and power whose Kingdom is not of this world. So as he stands before all the authorities, Pilate, the high priest, and those who would arrest him, he is in complete control. And at the same time, he is the humble king, who was obedient even unto death so that we may have life. Therefore, we ought to trust and obey our humble king.

In his final moments with his disciples before going to the cross, Jesus prays. Our prayers reveal our priorities. What does Jesus pray for? Jesus prays that the Father would be glorified, that his disciples would be sanctified, and that the church would be unified. May Jesus' priorities shape our prayers!

As Jesus spends his final moments with his disciples, he gives them the sobering warning that they will be hated by the world. But despite the persecution they will face, they can take heart because Jesus will be sending them the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will be their "Helper" as He convicts the world towards repentance, guides disciples into a deeper understanding of the Gospel, and transforms sorrow into indestructible joy. As such, disciples of Christ should respond to the hatred of the world, not by avoiding or attacking or accommodating to the world, but by being witnesses to the world as they are empowered by the Holy Spirit.