Calvary Youth Ministry

Blue Pill or Red Pill

Posted on June 25, 2021June 25, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Acts 19:21-41 The 1999, sci-fi/action film, The Matrix, eerily depicts the not-too-distant future of when human beings have finally been overrun by the devices of their own making, namely, machines and artificial intelligence. The machines have enslaved human beings by plugging them into the matrix. And so, Morpheus and his motley crew of unplugged soldiers...Read More

The Sons of Sceva

Posted on June 24, 2021June 24, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Acts 19:11-20 Along with the other apostles, Paul shares in the extraordinary experience of performing miracles. And like Simon the Magician (8:18-21), the wannabe exorcists see from afar that the apostle has something they want. Power. Indeed, how does this man perform such wonders? Well, they hear Paul invoking the name of the Lord Jesus....Read More

Wanted: Skilled and Knowledgable Disciples

Posted on June 23, 2021June 23, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Acts 18:1-28 Paul and his co-laborers in the faith go on in reasoning with other Jewish and Gentile non-believers about the veracity of the Christian faith. Part of their task, therefore, is not merely to proclaim but to persuade (v.4). For this reason, it seems like the work of God's Spirit has receded into the...Read More

Lessons for Evangelism

Posted on June 22, 2021June 22, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Acts 17:16-34 Not only do I love everything about this passage, but the sermon that Paul delivers here has to be one of my absolute favorites. The gospel continues to move among the Gentiles. Most recently, we saw the gospel makes its way through Thessalonica and Berea. Now, it has found its way into Athens,...Read More

Humanities of the Gospel

Posted on June 21, 2021June 21, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Acts 17:1-15 Marilynne Robinson once said the humanities (e.g. theology, philosophy, history, literature, classics, arts) are well-named because they do just that. They humanize. In a bygone era, educators used to believe that central to the task of human flourishing was to educate students in such a way that they become ardent pursuers of what's...Read More

Demonic Economy

Posted on June 18, 2021June 18, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Acts 16:16-24 There is a slave girl in the Roman city of Philippi. Her body belongs to her owners, but her soul belongs to the demonic spirit. The slavemasters and the demon are close economic allies, because they mutually profit from the girl's misery and captivity. For her owners, the divination (i.e. fortunetelling) literally brings...Read More

Timothy and Us

Posted on June 17, 2021June 17, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Paul came also to Derbe and Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers and sisters at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised...Read More

(Dis)agreement

Posted on June 16, 2021June 16, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Acts 15:22-41 After much deliberation, the elders and apostles reach an agreement (vv.22-29). The Gentiles are not to be burdened with the fine print of Jewish law (e.g. dietary restrictions, circumcision) since they are now saved by faith through the grace of Christ Jesus (15:11). This is a great moment for the church, as an...Read More

Witness In Growth

Posted on June 15, 2021June 15, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Acts 15:1-21 As more and more Gentiles come to believe, some of the Jews grow increasingly alarmed. They observe that these Gentile Christians are not obeying the laws and customs of Moses, in this particular case, the practice of circumcision. As a result, this continues to stir theological debate within the early church. Some believe...Read More

To Those Who Want Him

Posted on June 14, 2021June 14, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Acts 14:1-28 Through the missionary activity of Barnabas and Paul, the God of grace presents himself to those who have yet to hear and receive his good news. However, we see their message being rejected in a twofold manner. In vv.1-7, 19-23, the religious leaders of the synagogue foment religious violence against Barnabas and Paul,...Read More

God’s Love Letter

Posted on May 21, 2021May 21, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Acts 13:13-52 As we've already seen with Peter (Acts 2:14-41) and Stephen (Acts 7:1-53), it is now Paul's turn to preach and proclaim the gospel. They are in the synagogue. The reading from the Law has been given. "Before we dismiss, is there any other word of encouragement for the people? If so, say it."...Read More

When the Spirit Speaks

Posted on May 20, 2021May 20, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Acts 13:1-12 What does it mean to listen to the Holy Spirit? Listening to the Holy Spirit means courage, because it is nothing less than wholly entrusting ourselves to the Lord and his direction for our lives. Equally important, listening to the Holy Spirit also means prudence, because it requires that we discern the genuineness...Read More

Manipulator and Manipulated

Posted on May 19, 2021May 19, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Acts 12:20-25 King Herod is now angry and upset, for no other reason than the fact that Herod is not used to not getting his own way. This is very unnerving. Not because a man is upset, but because a man with an enormous amount of power is upset. And of course, if history teaches...Read More

The Spirit Who Sets Us Free

Posted on May 18, 2021May 18, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Acts 12:1-19 Like the King Herod who was threatened by the arrival of Israel's Messiah, here, we stumble across another King Herod who is now threatened by the followers of that same Messiah. He kills James the brother of John, and then, after seeing his approval ratings blow through the roof among the Jews, he...Read More

Discerning the World’s Needs

Posted on April 23, 2021April 23, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Acts 11:19-30 What's the purpose of a solution? It's to fix a problem or to fill a need. But we cannot determine what the comprehensive solution should be without first understanding what the problem is. For instance, it's difficult to conceive of what a car should be - that is, the required space, capabilities, and...Read More

Joining the Unexpected

Posted on April 21, 2021April 21, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Acts 11:1-18 The circumcision party was a group of Jewish Christians who believed it was necessary for Christians to adopt Jewish laws and practices. And by the time Peter reaches Jerusalem, we see they had already received word of him fraternizing with the uncircumcised, or those the Jewish law considered outside of God’s covenant. They...Read More

Peter and Jonah: Two Responses to Divine Inclusion

Posted on April 20, 2021April 20, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Acts 10:34-48 God shows no partiality. Regardless of one's race, class, gender, or nationality, God accepts all who do what is right and walk in the fear of his name. Peter receives this stunning revelation by way of his encounter with Cornelius, as he - along with his close friends and relatives - receives the...Read More

Kill and Eat

Posted on April 20, 2021April 21, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Acts 10:9-33 Peter and Cornelius are the most unlikeliest of companions, because one is a Jew and the other a Gentile. In Acts 10:1-8, we saw the Gentile moving towards life with the Jews. Now, in this passage, we see the Jew moving towards life with the Gentiles. But how is it that these two...Read More

Divine Pull

Posted on April 19, 2021April 19, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Acts 10:1-8 Luke tells us that Cornelius is a centurion, which means he is a man of war in league with the Roman state. He is a master of slaves (Acts 10:7) and a leader of well-trained soldiers. In many ways, he is what so many of us aspire to be, that is, strong, commanding,...Read More

Betrayers of Disruption

Posted on April 16, 2021April 16, 2021 by cyg-pd

By Pastor David M. Choi Acts 9:23-43 Once he gives his life to Jesus, Saul goes from being persecutor to persecuted. By his own people, he is now seen as the great betrayer. "How could you, Saul? How could you abandon your faith, your identity, your people, and your God like this?” As a teacher of the law, Saul carried...Read More