6/16/24 “Even While You are Sleeping”

Click here for Sunday worship material

 

“Even While You are Sleeping”

 

I want to start with something funny that I found on an internet site: A little girl was sitting in her grandfather’s lap as he read her a story. From time to time, she would take her eyes off the book and reach up to touch his wrinkled cheek. By and by, she was alternately stroking her own cheek, then his again. Finally, she spoke, “Grandpa, did God make you?”

“Yes, sweetheart” he answered, “God made me a long time ago.”

“Oh,’ she said, then, “grandpa, did God make me too?”

“Yes, indeed honey” he assured her, “God made you just a little while ago.”

“Oh,” she said. Feeling their respective faces again, she observed, “God is getting better at it now, isn’t he?

Today, we observe Father’s Day. I miss my father this morning. My father was a weak son to my grandfather, an incapable husband to my mother, and a drunken father to my sibling and me. In my childhood, I rarely saw my father sober. I didn’t understand my father, and I was also ashamed of him when he was drunk in front of our neighbors and my friends. However, one day I learned my father’s painful inner wound: he lost his mother when he was six years old. He was not allowed to cry because he was a boy. My grandfather taught him that “a boy never cries.” My grandfather raised him under the strict discipline of Confucianism. My grandfather’s exacting expectations and discipline made my father weak, incapable, and discouraged.

After our family converted to Christianity, we began having family devotions and home services, and we prayed for our father. When I was a sophomore in a seminary, my father also converted to Christianity. He then removed the Confucian temple from his grandparents’ house, and proclaimed, “We will no longer have ancestor’s worship. Instead, we will worship God.” We didn’t know God had a plan for my father and my family’s future life.

My father who became a Christian, was totally changed through Jesus Christ. He became a strong believer and the head of household. He started his daily life with an early morning prayer service with my mother. He became diligent and stopped drinking, although my father only lived a short life.  After our family converted to Christianity, we had time for family devotion and home service, and then we prayed for our father. When I was sophomore in a seminary, my father also converted to Christianity. Then, he knocked the Confucian temple down from his grandparents’ house, and proclaimed that ‘We will not have ancestor’s worship any longer. Instead, we will worship God.’ We didn’t know God had a plan for my father and my family’s future life. My father who became a Christian was totally changed through Jesus Christ. He became a strong believer and head of household. He started his daily life with early morning prayer service with my mother. He became diligent, and no more drink. Although my father only lived a short life after converting to Christianity due to having diabetes, he made a huge change in the lives of our family and relatives.

His decision and leadership were like those of Joshua, who led the Israelites. Joshua proclaimed, “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and Egypt, and serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:14). The kingdom of God was planted in our family through my mother when she was a child.  It was through an American missionary, and finally, through my father who converted and destroyed ancestor’s temple and worship, that we could see the fruits of the gospel.

What if my mother had never met an American missionary? What if my father had never converted to Christianity? I am not sure if the rest of family would still keep the Confucian temple and worship the ancestors. I am not sure if I would have become a pastor. However, while we are sleeping, God still works. Even when we don’t notice, the seeds of the gospel still grow, even if it is slow. Therefore, youth and children ministries are very important. If they learn about God in their childhood, the seeds of the gospel are never destroyed. Instead, they grow even though nobody notices. We plant the seed of gospel in our kids’ hearts and minds. Who knows, they might become strong believers in God and Christian leaders who can change their homes, their neighbors, our county, and the future. Through them, God may make tomorrow different.

Today’s scripture tells us about the kingdom of God through two parable stories:  We learn that the kingdom of God may starts smaller than the seed of plant, and even though we don’t notice, it grows day and night. Finally, it leads us to joyful harvest times. These parables give us precious lessons: even though a person scatters seeds of the Gospel, the one who makes them grow is God. Therefore, the one who scattered seeds, should wait for the harvest. In the second parable, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a mustard seed, the smallest of seeds, which grows into the largest of garden plants. This illustrates the potential within small beginnings.

Fathers, your influence might sometimes seem small or insignificant, but never underestimate the power of your words and actions. Small acts of kindness, moments of guidance, and expressions of love can grow into strong, enduring virtues in your children.

The mustard seed reminds us that great things can come from humble beginnings. No matter the challenges you face, the love and care you provide have the potential to grow beyond your wildest expectations. Your efforts, though they may seem small, are the foundation upon which great things are built. Just as the farmer tends his field, be present in your children’s lives. Spend time with them, listen to their concerns, and be a steady presence they can rely on. Rememer that your every small act of love plants a seed. Whether it’s a hug, a word of encouragement, or a helping hand, these actions grow into lasting memories and values.

And, we should understand that growth takes time. Be patient and trust that God is at work in your children’s lives, even when progress seems slow. Encourage your children to grow in their faith. Share your own faith journey, pray with them, and guide them towards a relationship with God.

In conclusion, I want to share a story about a father crab and a baby crab.  One sunny day, a father crab and her baby crab were happily strolling along the beach. The father crab, enjoying the rare walk, became flustered when he saw how the baby crab was walking and scolded him. “You shouldn’t walk sideways like that. Try walking like me.” The baby crab watched his father walk. However, he continued to walk sideways. The father crab scolded the baby crab again. “I told you not to walk like that! You should walk like me.” Then the baby crab said, “Father, I’m doing my best to follow your instructions. Look, aren’t my footprints exactly like yours?” The father crab was surprised when he looked at the footprints in the sand. Just as the baby crab had said, the footprints were identical. The father crab had also been walking sideways, just like the baby crab.

Fathers, your role is vital. How do you want walking in front of your children? The path you walk guides your children. Like the farmer in the parable, you may not always see the immediate results of your labor, but trust that God is at work. Your patience, faith, and love are the seeds that will grow into a bountiful harvest in your children’s lives. May God bless all the fathers today, giving them strength, wisdom, and love as they nurture their families. Amen