JANUARY 5, 2025

Bible verse “ACTS 17:22~34

Sermon title "A saints renewed through the word"

Have you ever experienced watching the sunrise on New Year's Day? If you're Korean, you might have participated in this tradition at least once. Why do people go to see the sunrise on New Year's Day? Is it because the sun that rises on the first day of the year is somehow different from the sun that rose on the other 364 days? No, it's not because the sun is any different. The reason people venture out early in the morning is due to the belief that making a wish during the first sunrise of the year will make it come true.

In modern times, everyone understands what the sun is, why it rises once a day, and why it always rises in the east. Especially for Christians, there’s no doubt that the sun and the moon were created by God. According to the Bible, on the fourth day of creation, God made the greater light, the lesser light, and the stars. Since then, the sun and the moon have never deviated in brightness, temperature, or cycle—they’ve remained consistent from the moment they were created. Of course, we now know that it is the Earth that revolves, not the sun.

Despite this understanding, why do people still make wishes to the sun as if it could hear them or grant their desires? The sun is not a living being with ears, eyes, hands, or feet. It's a mass of carbon-based material. Yet, people head to places like Ganjeolgot to gaze at the sunrise and make wishes. Why do they do this? The answer lies in Acts 17:22: "Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious."

Paul remarked that the Athenians were religious in every way. But were the Athenians the only ones who were religious? No. The Korean people are arguably among the most religious in the world. Across history, in both the East and the West, and in ancient and modern times, no people group has been entirely devoid of religiosity. Among them, Koreans are particularly noted for their religious nature, often characterized by natural theology and pantheism—worshiping visible objects as gods.

Koreans have even worshiped the most mundane objects, such as fire pokers in kitchen corners or dried tree branches placed at village entrances, believing them to be guardian deities. Similarly, the Athenians displayed their religiosity by going so far as to build an altar "to an unknown god," fearing that neglecting an unknown deity might bring a curse upon them.

Where does this universal religiosity come from? Did it emerge when humans supposedly evolved from apes? No. God placed this sense of religiosity in the soul when He created humans. Romans 1:19 states, "Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them." This refers to the innate knowledge of God that God has instilled in every human being. This is what we call religiosity.

Before Adam and Eve sinned by eating the forbidden fruit, there was no other deity but God. The idea of a sun god, a fire poker god, or an unknown god did not exist. They knew there was only one true God, Jehovah. However, when Adam sinned, this innate religiosity became corrupted. Romans 1:23 explains, "They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles."

Thus, people began to worship non-living entities like the sun, treating them as gods. This is why some Koreans engage in the seemingly absurd practice of watching the sunrise on New Year's Day, folding their hands in prayer, and making wishes. This is not limited to a handful of ignorant individuals; the entire nation seems to partake, as the media broadcasts these events. As a result, Korea is often perceived as a nation that worships the sun god on New Year's Day, honors ancestral spirits during the Lunar New Year and Chuseok, and venerates Buddha on Buddha's Birthday.

This is despite the fact that Korea is home to some of the largest churches in the world. Four of the top ten largest churches are in Seoul, and the church with the largest congregation globally is in Yeouido. Korea also sends the most missionaries worldwide, and about a quarter of the population attends church. Yet, how have Christians lived that the nation is still seen this way?

What do Christians do? They don't go to Ganjeolgot or Jeongdongjin on New Year's Day. Instead, they attend the Watchnight Service (송구영신예배) at midnight. It’s almost as if they are saying, “We are more devout than you. While you make wishes to the sun, we worship the living God at midnight.”

Almost every church in Korea holds a Watchnight Service. If someone asks why this service is held, the question might seem strange. However, is there any biblical basis for a Watchnight Service? No, there isn't. Do churches in other countries hold Watchnight Services? No, this is a uniquely Korean practice.

When did the uniquely Korean tradition of the New Year’s Eve Service (송구영신예배) begin? The roots trace back to the Covenant Service initiated by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, on August 11, 1755. This service, called "언약갱신예배" (Covenant Renewal Service) in Korean, was intended as a time for believers to reflect on their past actions, repent, and renew their covenant with God. Wesley did not designate a specific time or date for this service, emphasizing instead the importance of sincere repentance and recommitment.

When Methodist missionaries brought the gospel to Korea, they adapted this concept to fit local contexts. On December 31, 1887, Presbyterian and Methodist missionaries jointly held the first midnight service in Korea, marking the beginning of the New Year’s Eve Service tradition. Initially, missionaries doubted whether Koreans, who had a reputation for strong superstitions and religious syncretism, would stay awake until midnight for a worship service. To their surprise, many Koreans, driven by their deep religious zeal, eagerly participated.

What started as a Covenant Renewal Service with a focus on repentance and reflection gradually morphed into the modern 송구영신예배, incorporating elements of Korean cultural and religious practices. Over time, the service began to include rituals such as lighting candles, drawing scripture verses from a basket, receiving New Year’s blessings through prayer, and writing prayer requests accompanied by offerings.

These practices, however, reflect a mixture of Christian worship, shamanistic traditions, and Roman Catholic liturgical influences. For instance, the act of drawing scripture verses to guide the year mirrors divination practices, transforming scripture into a kind of talisman. Such acts can inadvertently shift the focus from the holistic message of the Bible to a singular, out-of-context verse, potentially reducing the Bible to a superstitious object.

Koreans, known for their fervent religiosity, often engage in these practices without questioning their biblical validity. This is compounded by the fact that these practices are labeled as “worship,” leading many to assume that all forms of worship are automatically pleasing to God. However, the Bible warns against empty religious formalism.

In Acts 7:42, God says to the Israelites:

"Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, people of Israel?"  Although the Israelites offered sacrifices, God rejected them because their hearts were far from Him. Similarly, in Amos 5:21-23, God expresses disdain for their festivals and sacrifices, saying:  "I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them."  God said He despised and rejected their festivals and took no delight in their solemn assemblies. He said He would not accept any religious acts performed out of zeal for the temple. Did Israel repent and confess upon hearing this? No. Did they think God was upset because their devotion was insufficient? Instead, they offered even more burnt offerings and grain offerings. They tried to appease God with their rituals until they had “consumed” Him, until they had "overpowered" Him.

Now, if God told the Korean church to stop holding the New Year’s Eve service, would the response be, “Yes, Lord, we will obey”? Likely not. Instead, they might assume their devotion was insufficient, and they would redouble their efforts. They would push even harder, attempting to “consume” God with their zeal.

Koreans are known for their deep religiosity, and another nation with a similar characteristic is Japan. Japan is said to have more gods than people. When Christians share the Gospel with Japanese people, they often listen without much resistance because they are accustomed to a multitude of gods. However, when told that all other gods must be rejected and that only the one true God should be worshiped, they find it unacceptable. In extreme cases, they might even commit seppuku (ritual suicide) because they cannot accept such exclusivity.

Similarly, the Athenians were so religious that they even built an altar “To an Unknown God.” This prompted Paul to introduce the one true God to them in Acts 17:24–31. These verses serve as a concise yet profound explanation of who God is for those who do not know Him. If one understands these verses, they will lack nothing in explaining God to others.

In verse 24, Paul declares that God is the Creator of the universe and everything in it. Two thousand years ago, Paul spoke of the universe and all creation. Four thousand years ago, Moses described the sun, moon, and stars. And over 4,500 years ago, Job mentioned Jupiter and Saturn. The God who made all these things is the Lord of heaven and earth.

Verse 25 tells us that God gives life, breath, and everything to all people. In verse 26, it says that God made all nations from one blood—whether they are white, yellow, or black—and He determined their times and the boundaries of their dwellings. This means that God determines the lifespan of nations and their borders.

For example, in Europe, there are villages where the national border runs through the middle of the town. Crossing the street means entering another country, even though it’s the same village. The language spoken on each side of the street is different. These boundaries weren’t decided by human agreements but by God’s will.

Why did God set such boundaries? Verse 27 explains that it was so people might seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him. We live, move, and have our being because of Him.

In verse 29, Paul criticizes the Athenians for reducing the Creator to gold, silver, or stone images, crafted by human hands, and calling them gods that give life and movement. This is absurd.

Finally, in verse 31, Paul proclaims that God will judge the world with justice. How did the Athenians respond to Paul’s message? Verse 32 tells us that some mocked him, scoffing at the idea of resurrection. They essentially said, “What kind of God is this?” However, others were intrigued and wanted to hear more.

Indeed, it is rare for someone to hear about God for the first time and immediately say, “I believe.” They need to keep hearing the Word of God. They need to continually study the Scriptures to learn more about Him.

Our church’s 2025 slogan is “A Church Renewed by the Word.” True renewal comes only through God’s Word. Like the Athenians who wanted to hear more about God, we should have a hunger for His Word. It is the Word that can renew the church. It is the Word that can renew individuals.

May the year 2025 be a year when we believe in the one and only living God, the Creator of the universe and all that is in it, who gives life, breath, and all things to everyone. I bless you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.