International Graduate Student Ministry – Gracepoint Berkeley

In this Friday Forum message, Chul Kim used the backdrop of “The Calling of the Disciples (Luke 5:1-11) and Zacchaeus the Tax Collector (Luke 19:1-10) to teach us about two notions of time.  While we may find many example of “chronos” (“time”, in terms of sequence and amount) in our lives, the “kairos” (“time”, in terms of significant and often, life changing) moments in our lives doesn’t come every day.  These two Bible stories teach us how to bridge the chasm between the seemingly disparate realms of the Bible and real life through the bridge of obedience and trust in Jesus.

To hear the podcast of this message, click the link below:

Also check out our pictures of the after Friday Forum outings- going to get snacks in Oakland Chinatown at the Yummy Guide and Shooting Star Cafe.

In this IGSM Open House message, Chul Kim juxtaposes the biblical account of “Apostle Paul’s Vision and his Thorn” with the “Parable of the Rich Fool” to examine what happens when varying worldviews collide with reality.   He also leads us in contemplating whether or not material possessions satisfy our heart and how we will face the ultimate reality in our life–death.

To listen to the podcast, click the link below:

To view the pictures, see below:

In our first IGSM Large group Sunday Gathering, Chul Kim gave a message based on the the Healing of the Paralytic in Mark 2:1-12.  Through this message, we learn to identify the core problem in our lives–sin–and the critical importance of dealing with this issue amidst the busyness of our daily lives.

To listen to the podcast, click the link below:
 

In the fourth installment of the IncomPARABLE Wisdom series, Chul gave a Bible study on “The Parable Of the Great Banquet” from Luke 14:15-24.  From this passage, we learn that the excuses by those who were first invited to the banquet reveal both a noncommittal attitude and a shift of interest that exposes that they never took seriously the banquet invitation, God’s invitation to life with Him.  We learn that we need to safeguard ourselves from allowing good things, such as possessions, (our) potential, and people (in the form of relationships), from precluding ourselves from the joy that God wants to bring to our lives.

To hear the podcast, click the link below:

In the third installment of the IncomPARABLE Wisdom series, Chul spoke about, “The Parable of the Good Samaritan”, based on Luke 10:25-37.  From this message, we can learn how we can develop two main ingredients in love–noticing others’ need and growing compassion for others.  It is when we add these ingredients into the recipe of our lives that we can bring unity into our Christian community and better understand God’s heart for us.

To hear the podcast, click the link below:

In the second installment of the IncomPARABLE Wisdom, Chul teaches us about the Parable of the Tenants from Matthew 21:33-45.  We explore the answer to the question, “What is the purpose of our lives?  What expectations does God place in our lives?  We learn about sharing in God’s heart for the spiritual harvest field and considering the critical life questions despite the busyness of our lives.

To hear the podcast, click the link below:

In the first installment of the “IncomPARABLE Wisdom” series, Chul discusses the theme of “Lost and Found” through the Parable of the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and Lost Son from Luke 15.  What is one of the most important things in Christian life?  What common themes do these three parables share?  Chul answers these questions, and we learn more about the fundamental identity of God, i.e. his sheer joy in finding what was once lost, in freeing us from the enslavement of our sinful desires, and in helping us understand our inherent worth as beloved children of God.

To hear the podcast, click on the link below:

In the last installment of the “Why Am I….?” series, Sharon answered the question, “Why am I so lonely?”  It turns out that the way to deal with loneliness is not to constantly surround ourselves with family and friends or to pursue our own agenda, but rather to take our eyes off of ourselves and onto God and others.  Through a character study of Zaccheus from Luke 19, we begin to notice modern-day “tax collectors” in and around us, and learn that the Biblical solution to loneliness leads us to true joy, contentment, and refreshment.

To listen to the message, click on the podcast link below:

For Part IV of the “Why Am I…” series, Chul explicated the topic that so many of us can relate with—envy.  (This explains the picture of the three gummy bears—two gummy bears talking together, and the other one, aloof, and his food coloring exposing just how much he is green with envy.)  The text was on Genesis 4:1-16, and from the story of Cain and Abel, we learned that God is a Personal God who examines our hearts and inner motivations.  Cain and Abel both seemed to bring comparable offerings, but God was concerned about not only the offering,  but also about the response from Cain that he would be “angry, and his face downcast” in light of the circumstances.

For more details, click the play button below to hear the podcast:

As part three of the “Why am I…?” series, Chul gave a most insightful message on a topic that hits very close to home for many of us graduate students–stress.  There is, of course, healthy stress that motivates us to do things that we need to do, but where does the unhealthy stress come from?  One factor is that of having to work on too many things at the same time, and another, perhaps more potent factor, is that of worry arising from fear.  We worry because we fear failure and falling short of expectations, we fear falling behind and how others view us, and because we fear not having enough–enough time, enough ability, etc.   Worry causes us to focus on outward things and to waste away trying to guarantee for ourselves security or achievement, when in fact we are ultimately powerless over our future.  Unhealthy stress leads to escapism and the seeking of shallow pleasures, isolation and loneliness, and an inability to adequately consider the truly important questions of life–those of meaning and purpose.  What can free us from fear, worry, and stress?  We find Jesus’ answer in Matthew 6:25-34 and John 14:1-3.  You can listen the bible study below.  Our time began with Brother Eric’s sharing of his salvation testimony: