July 6 Sunday Sermon Manuscript

Galatians 6:6-18

When the Time Comes, That Opportunity

1. Going to church or living a life of faith, and being a Christian or a follower of Christ—all essentially mean the same thing. Depending on where you place the emphasis, the expression might differ, but ultimately, it all refers to being a Jesus-believer.

2. At every annual conference, there are certain people who always draw attention. Those in various leadership roles take to the stage and present their stories with a level of showmanship that draws interest.

3. Each year, what we confirm through the annual conference is that the number of church members continues to decline, and the spirituality of the leadership seems to be weakening.

4. Since it's a human gathering, it is often led by those who are close and familiar. As a result, essential elements disappear while unnecessary ones emerge, creating a sense of tension that lingered with me after the conference.

5. There was a time when churches led by Korean pastors felt stable and secure. But seeing some of these churches closing immediately after being taken over by people of other ethnic backgrounds who have loud voices makes me realize that some people are more focused on asserting their opinions than on building God’s kingdom through the church. It reminded me that we must stay vigilant and speak up about what truly matters.

6. During the conference, our church's Yeonok Park proposed that we begin providing language services starting next year. This suggestion seemed to bring a psychological balance to those who had been loudly dominating the conversation. I hope that next year, under our church’s name, we can submit petitions containing diverse perspectives and bring fresh wind to the conference.

7. Today’s passage is connected to the Galatians text we shared two weeks ago. As I explained then, the Letter to the Galatians was written by Paul to the churches in the region of Galatia. A major issue there was that false teachers were troubling the believers, and Paul addresses this strongly throughout the letter.

8. Today’s reading is from the final part of the letter, where Paul sums up the core message he wants to convey.

9. In short, Paul exhorts that we are part of a new creation. This new creation doesn’t mean that something entirely new has been made, but rather that our way of seeing the world has changed.

10. Then what are the things that have changed?

11. When children return from a retreat, they often come back like heroes filled with God’s grace. But they are shocked to find the world hasn’t changed at all. Their mothers still nag, their fathers are still busy, and they end up alone, reconnecting with retreat friends through games.

12. It feels like we’ve changed, but the world hasn't changed a bit. This is the key point when we talk about transformation. When we believe in Jesus, we are transformed—but the world remains the same. Yet because we are changed, we see the world differently. That’s what it means to be transformed by faith in Jesus: seeing the same world through new eyes.

13. In verse 6, Paul writes that those who are taught the word and those who teach it should share all good things together. It’s a short sentence that might be easy to overlook, but it holds an important message.

14. We often look for a "good church." Do you know what makes a good church? A good church is where both learners and teachers of the word share good things together. But what does it mean to share good things?

15. The "all good things" mentioned in verse 6 refers to the "best things by comparison." In contrast, bad churches tend to focus on comparing and highlighting what is lacking—praising other congregations or churches while constantly criticizing their own.

16. A pastor once shared his experience of a sudden influx of newcomers—about 20 people—who attended every Sunday, sat in the front, and were enthusiastic in worship, prayer, and offering. It seemed wonderful. But after a month, one of them submitted a list of "10 things this church needs to fix." It was a bit shocking. A long-time elder nearby rebuked them for their lack of humility, and they never returned.

17. This perhaps fictional story highlights a real concern: a good church is one where, despite its shortcomings, people still find and speak of the best in it.

18. In verse 7, Paul challenges, "Do not be deceived." This refers to those who believe their actions and their consequences are unrelated. In simpler terms, it means ignoring the problems and difficulties that arise in church life and thinking they have nothing to do with oneself.

19. When people point out problems by comparison, it can sound like the issue lies with others, not themselves. But Paul says not to deceive ourselves. Choosing to highlight flaws instead of what is good is like planting seeds of negativity in the church community. That, he says, is equivalent to mocking God—and God cannot be mocked.

20. Verse 8 expresses this more clearly: "The one who sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

21. We often interpret this verse as relating to moral or ethical living. But Paul is speaking more about how we view and live within the community of faith. In other words, as believers, how should we see the world and build the church?

22. The phrase "doing good" in verse 9 is translated from the Greek word "kalon," which doesn’t just mean moral goodness. It refers to all actions that build up the community and reveal the gospel. Within the context of verses 6:1–6, it means bearing one another’s burdens, sharing the word, and caring for one another.

23. "Do not grow weary" is encouragement for those who might ask, "Why should I be doing this?" when dedicating themselves to the good of the community.

24. If we keep doing good without giving up, "in due time"—the Greek word "kairos" appears here—we will reap a harvest, just like a farmer gathers the crop.

25. In verse 10, the same word "kairos" is used again: "as we have opportunity." Paul urges us to live lives that revive the community and proclaim the gospel to all people, and especially to fellow believers.

26. Paul was a great evangelist. However, as we know—and as we often think—we tend to remember him only as someone who worked hard to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. But through today's message in Galatians, Paul shows us that preaching the gospel must begin with a deep love and care for those nearest to us—those with whom we currently share a life of faith. Without building up the church through that love, the gospel cannot be carried farther.

27. Paul refers to such moments not as times that simply pass and are forgotten, but as “kairos” moments—times that are eternally remembered.

28. If general time is referred to as “chronos,” and the world we experience is “cosmos,” then “kairos” refers to qualitative time. It is not just a normal passage of time or a fantastical, unforgettable moment. Instead, it is the time when we show love to the fellow believers nearest to us, care deeply for their lives, and live as people who build up the church by serving one another with love. That is the kind of time that is remembered.

29. This is a special gift of time given to Christians. Fruit requires effort; we reap what we sow. That is how the world works—through the chronological process of “chronos.” But we are given a special concept of time—kairos! The great love of God that Paul experienced, and the moments of dedication to building up the church, can be experienced by us today through the Word we are reading. Just as Paul did, we too can experience that same love of God and that same sacred moment in our lives right now.

30. Paul ultimately says that the life of faith means committing ourselves to the church community. When we do good to those sitting right next to us, we become true evangelists.

31. Starting in verse 11, Paul describes what we will experience as we live this out. He writes "with large letters" to emphasize its importance.

32. Verses 12–13 explain why some insist on circumcision. But in verse 14, Paul gives us the heart of the matter, just as relevant now as in his time.

33. Verse 14: "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

34. Verse 15: "For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation."

35. Paul, writing across centuries, urges us to live in this way. Our highest and most urgent task is to carry each other’s burdens and encourage one another in love to build a strong church community. When we do this, we live as true Christians.

36. Don’t look too far away. Don’t expect that the church will magically grow and be revived just because time passes.

37. If we cannot love one another or carry each other’s burdens now, that growth will never happen.

38. Our conference may look grand on the outside, but there is little mutual care. The willingness to dedicate oneself to building community and church is weakening. I hope our church can show what a strong and restored church truly looks like.

39. At this conference, I never paid for my own meals. Veterans and laypeople generously provided them. After receiving enough, I now feel the time is coming when I will buy meals for them.

40. While eating together, someone I barely knew said to me, "I always hear that Yeolin Church is growing and thriving. That makes me so happy."

41. I was taken aback in that moment.

42. I imagine you might feel the same. In an era when church growth is rare, hearing that our church is warm and welcoming and gaining new members hits differently.

43. Though it felt like a burden, it also sounded like encouragement to keep building the church. Someone caring about us when they don’t have to felt like a call to deeper humility.

44. On the way home from the conference, I was lost in thought and prayer. I prayed to truly experience revival. If God leads us that way, I hope Yeolin Church experiences such growth. I also hope our efforts plant seeds in this conference so others may be inspired to dedicate themselves to God’s church once again.

45. As I prepared this sermon, Paul’s message was clear: revival doesn’t come from loud declarations. It comes when people of faith carry one another’s burdens.

46. Beloved congregation, we cannot live just for ourselves anymore. We are being watched. Remember—whether we intend it or not, eyes are on us. Some are waiting to see us fail, while others look to us with hope.

47. So let us do our best. With love for Yeolin Church, let us guide those on the edge of leaving back to faith, and let us witness together how the church can grow and thrive.

48. Then, our small efforts may change the entire tone of the conference and even shift the atmosphere of the Korean-American Christian community. July may be a bit slower, so let us listen for God’s voice and pray about the specific steps we can take to live out His calling.