Exodus 30:10 (KJV)
10 And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the Lord.
In Exodus 30:10, we see a ritual that took place every year through Aaron the high priest. He was the representative for everyone's sins. He would sprinkle the blood of a sin offering on the horns of the altar. This word "atonement" in Hebrew is כִּפֻּרִים (kippurim), which means “covering.” The people’s sins were temporarily covered by the blood of an animal sacrifice. This ritual was repeated year after year because it was never enough to completely take away sin.
We call this a foreshadowing of somethign so deep.
What Aaron did once a year, Jesus did once for all!
Hebrews 10:10 tells us that through the sacrifice of Jesus, we are sanctified (made holy) once for all! He died one time for all of our sins.
n Hebrews 9:12, it says, “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” The Greek word used for “redemption” is λύτρωσις (lytrōsis), which means “a full ransom” or “to liberate.” Jesus didn’t just cover our sins temporarily—He liberated us fully from sin’s power forever. The sprinkling of the blood on the altar was a symbol of God’s grace and mercy, pointing toward the ultimate sacrifice which was Jesus Christ.
Through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice, the power of sin was broken once and for all. Our lives no longer require striving to cover our sins or earning God's favor. Instead, through Jesus, we are fully sanctified.
When Jesus said, "It is finished" on the cross (John 19:30), the Greek word he used was τετέλεσται (tetelestai), meaning "paid in full." No more sacrifices, no more temporary coverings, and no more work needs to be done. Our debt is cleared and our sins are eternally forgiven.
Our prayers are made holy and acceptable, not because of our efforts, but because of the eternal work of Jesus Christ, the true high priest.
This Saturday, we will delve deep into Exodus 30, exploring how every element in this chapter, from the altar to the incense, from the anointing oil to the atonement, points us to Jesus Christ. The Hebrew and Greek words in these passages carry profound meanings that reveal the heart of the gospel. Words like kippurim (atonement), qeren (horns), lytrōsis (redemption), and tetelestai (finished) help us understand that everything in the Old Testament was pointing to what Jesus would ultimately do for us. I hope to see every single one of you on Saturday @ 12PM PST!
Don't forget to use promo code "BIBLESTUDY50" to get 50% off your first month.
Shalom and Selah! Amen!
John 6:29 (KJV)
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
The world tells us to strive, to work harder, to prove ourselves. This iswhy so many people fall into the trap of thinking we need to earn God’s love, favor, or approval. They are no longer teaching grace but works.The gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, tells us that everything has already been done for us. Our salvation is secure, and our sanctification is complete because of Jesus' finished work on the cross.
It’s not in what you achieve, but in what you believe.
Jesus made it clear in John 6:29 that the "work of God" is to believe in the One He has sent. Not to strive, not to perform, not to worry, only believe! This is the core of the gospel message: it’s not about what we do, but about what Jesus has already done. Our role is simply to receive that truth in faith and rest in it.
The most important thing in God’s eyes isn’t your works, it's having faith in his Son who completed the work.
When Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, He didn’t just make salvation possible, he made it complete. Our sins were forgiven, once and for all. We were made holy, set apart for God, and sanctified through His sacrifice. Our sanctification isn’t something we need to work for, Jesus already accomplished it for us.
We're not working towards salvation, we're working from salvation. SHEESH.
When you realize this truth, it changes everything. You no longer have to live in fear, wondering if you’re doing enough to please God or if you’re “holy enough” to make it into heaven. Jesus took care of it all. Your salvation is secure, and your sanctification is already done. You don't have to worry about earning something that's already yours.
We often feel the need to prove ourselves, to check all the boxes, to make sure we’re doing everything right. But the gospel frees us from that burden.
Jesus alone does the work. Through his blood we are healed.
Amen!
1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
After receiving salvation, we often think about what we need to gain more knowledge, wisdom, and faith. But the truth is, spiritual life isn’t just about accumulating more. It's about learning to let go. We must unlearn to truly learn.It's about acknowledging our flaws, our weaknesses, and our limitations, and then entrusting those to God.
Letting go is one of the most difficult yet liberating things we can do. We like to be in control, to hold on tightly to our worries, our plans, and even our mistakes. But God invites us to release those burdens to Him.
God wants us to cast all our cares upon Him, because He's the only one that truly cares for us.
He cares about your struggles, your flaws, and your fears, and He’s more than capable of handling them.
Letting go isn’t losing control; it’s finding peace.
When we try to manage everything on our own, we carry a burden we were never meant to bear. The more we hold on, the more weighed down we become. But when we let go, when we place our concerns and flaws into God’s hands, we experience a peace.
Acknowledging our flaws is not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of wisdom.
It’s an acknowledgment that we are imperfect, that we don’t have it all together, and that we need God’s help. When we bring our flaws before God and trust Him with them, we’re no longer bound by the pressure to be perfect. Instead, we find freedom in His grace.
Spiritual growth doesn’t come from striving to be perfect. It comes from surrendering to the One who is perfect. It’s not about holding on but letting go and trusting God to do the work. The more we release to God, the more peace he gives to us. Letting go must be a daily thing. Every day we have an opportunity to hand over our worries, our plans, and our flaws to God. Every day is an opportunity to experience God and grow in faith. God is fully capable of taking care of everything, he only asks us to trust him.
Please remember that surrendering isn't giving up, it's giving in.
Take a moment today to reflect on what you’re holding on to. Whether it's worry, your kids, your health, or future. Then ask yourself "What would it look like for you to let go and give that to God?" I believe by faith, he can handle all those problems in your life better. I hope we can truly trust God fully today. Amen!
Thank you to everyone who came through to the event today! None of this is possible without the support of this amazing community.
Reminder: Tomorrow, Pastor Kim is doing a special sermon for the COTH family.
Date: SUNDAY (tomorrow), 9/15
Time: 9 AM PST
Address: 9456 Broadway, Temple City, CA 91780
- COTH staff
Today is the big day!
If you are attending the event in-person, please review the event times, parking instructions, and rules:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ULoFLuW_iEkqaHZZFajm-f77t403eRopl5AZAEm-3RE/edit?usp=sharing
Show up promptly at the times listed as we have limited time inside the venue. The event is SOLD OUT. If you don't have a ticket, you won't be able to get inside.
If you are tuning into the livestream, the link will be posted inside of www.coreoftheheart.com closer to 2 PM PST
To login:
1. Go to www.coreoftheheart.com
2. USE THE EMAIL you purchased the ticket with
3. We will post the livestream link inside the Coreoftheheart.com website.
If you haven’t logged or created an account , check your original confirmation email when you purchased the livestream ticket and follow the sign-up instructions there.
REMEMBER: the live stream is available to Tier 2 & Tier 3 members PLUS anyone that purchased the one-time ticket.
TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IS THE BIG DAY!!
Looking forward to meeting you all!
Remember, Tier 2 and 3 get access to the livestream for FREE.
It will start promptly at 2 PM PST and we will send the link here.
If you are a lower tier, make sure to upgrade your account.
If you just want to purchase a 30-day membership, get your livestream ticket here: https://coreoftheheart.com/products/official-live-stream-ticket-for-core-of-the-heart-live-in-la-our-purpose?
For everyone else who has a ticket for the in-person event, PAY ATTENTION TO THE EVENT TIMES and follow these instructions carefully:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ULoFLuW_iEkqaHZZFajm-f77t403eRopl5AZAEm-3RE/edit?usp=sharing
Romans 8:28 (KJV)
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
September 11th, 2001, is a day forever etched in our memory. How could such devastation occur? How could God allow so much pain and suffering? These are difficult questions, and the answers are not always easy to understand. But in times of tragedy, we can seek refuge in God's word.
He is always at work, even in the midst of the darkest moments.
God, in His infinite wisdom, can bring good out of even the most painful situations. It’s natural to struggle with the idea of God allowing suffering, especially when we face something as devastating as the events of 9/11. The loss of life, the destruction, and the pain caused many of us to question him. But through it all, God calls us to trust in His greater plan, a plan that we may not fully understand in this life.
In our experience, we often find it hard to see how good can come from evil and how light can emerge from darkness. Yet, God uses the contrast between good and evil, life and death, to help us appreciate the beauty and value of life. Without the pain of loss, could we truly understand the depth of love? Without experiencing the darkness, would we ever fully appreciate the light? Without death, can we truly appreciate life? It's truly impossible.
Jesus Himself experienced the ultimate act of evil and suffering when He was crucified on the cross.
But through His death, the greatest good was accomplished—our salvation.
In the same way, while we may not understand why God allows certain things to happen, we can trust that He is at work, bringing about His purpose in ways we cannot see.
Without the night, we can never experience dawn; without the suffering at the cross, we can never know salvation.
The cross is the ultimate reminder that God understands our pain, and He has already provided the solution through Jesus.
The events of 9/11 brought out both the worst and the best in humanity. In the face of evil, we saw acts of heroism, sacrifice, and love. Strangers helping strangers, communities coming together, and a nation united in grief and hope.
These glimpses of light in the darkness remind us that God’s goodness can shine even in the most tragic circumstances.
It is in darkness where we start to appreciate the light.
Just like we remember those who lost their lives, let us also remember that God is with us in our pain. He understands our suffering, and He promises to bring comfort and hope. The tragedies we experience in this life, whether on a national scale or in our personal lives, are not the end of the story.
God’s plan is bigger than we can imagine, and His love is deeper than we can comprehend.
Amen!
John 7:24 (KJV)
24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
In the context of John 7, Jesus is responding to the criticisms of the Pharisees, who judged others based on their interpretation of the law. They prided themselves on their outward righteousness and following the law yet they missed the heart of God’s message. Jesus challenges them and us not to judge this way, but to judge righteously.
This verse is often misunderstood, especially in a world that frequently emphasizes outer appearances. The judgment Jesus speaks of isn’t about condemning or looking down on others based on their outward appearances. Instead, it’s about discerning the true condition of someone’s heart. The true test of righteousness isn’t how someone looks or acts on the outside but whether they truly believe they are perfected through Jesus Christ on the inside.
Righteousness isn’t a show for the eyes, it’s a heart surrendered to Christ and his will.
The Greek word for "righteous" in this context is "dikaios", which means conforming to the will of God. When Jesus tells us to judge righteously, He’s telling us to evaluate whether someone’s heart is truly aligned with the gospel or if they’re simply putting on a show of self-righteousness.
We aren’t called to judge others based on how well they keep the laws. Instead, we’re called to discern whether someone has truly placed their faith in Jesus and his finished work at the cross. Are they speaking only about Jesus and his work or are they speaking about Jesus mixed with their work.
This is how we judge righteously. We must look past the surface level and evaluate whether a person’s righteousness comes from Christ or from their own efforts. It’s about discerning whether someone’s life reflects the truth of the gospel. This means they are saved by grace through faith, not by their works. Many people may appear righteous on the outside, doing good works, and following religious practices. But if their righteousness isn’t rooted in faith in Jesus, then it’s not true righteousness.
They will move like the Pharisees, who were more concerned with their self-righteousness than with the righteousness that comes from God.
True righteousness is found in grace and Christ alone.
As we go through life, we’ll encounter people who seem to be good and righteous on the outside. But Jesus calls us to look deeper, to judge righteously, and to discern whether their righteousness comes from a genuine faith in Him or from their own efforts.
Let’s be careful not to judge based on appearance, but to ask God for the wisdom to see people’s hearts. Amen!