I have undeniably proof that John Baik plagiarizes his sermons not once but MULTIPLE times.
Here are several examples and they are all very recently (all of Baik’s sermons are currently on the church’s website)
Let’s look at an excerpt on Baik’s sermon on Matthew ch 1
IMMANUEL! GOD WITH US!Matthew 1:1-25Key Verse 1:23“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they willcall him Immanuel” –– which means, “God with us.”First, the genealogy of Jesus Christ the Son of David (1:1-17). Lookat verse 1. “A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the sonof Abraham.” In the New Testament, there are two places which talk aboutJesus’ genealogy – one in Luke’s gospel, and the other is this Matthew’s gospel.Luke was a Greek, and he emphasized the Universal Messiahship of Jesus. Soin Luke’s gospel, Jesus’ genealogy traces back all the way to Adam, the firstman. But in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus’ genealogy starts from Abraham, thefather of faith, and the author Matthew suggests Abraham and David as tworepresentatives of Jesus’ genealogy. In this way, Matthew proclaims to the Jewsthat Jesus is their promised Messiah, whom God had mentioned to Abrahamand David. God said to Abraham, “Through your offspring, all peoples on earthwill be blessed.” Jesus brings blessings of God to all peoples on earth. God alsosaid to David, “When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I willraise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, andI will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name,and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” (2Sa 7:12-13) Jesus isthe king in the line of David forever.’ Source: Matthew 1 – IMMANUELNow let’s look at an excerpt of Chang- Woo “Samuel ” Lee’s (the founder of UBF) sermon on Matthew ch 1 in 2000-2001:THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS Matthew 1:1-17 Key Verse: 1:1 "A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham.".... I. Jesus Christ, David and Abraham (1,2) First, the character of the genealogy of Jesus. Look at verse 1. "A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham." When the world was first created, it was good; it was paradise in which man lived for the glory of God and enjoyed utmost happiness. But through one man Adam's disobedience to the holy command of God, sin and death came into the world (Ro 5:12). Since then, man lost paradise. The world became like hell. What did God do in this situation? God, in his great mercy, made a new plan of world salvation. God promised to send a Savior from the offspring of a woman (Ge 3:15). He is Jesus. Before his coming, God established two ancestors of faith, Abraham and David. There are many patriarchs and kings who could have been included in the genealogy of Jesus. But Matthew chose three persons--Abraham, David and Christ--as three posts and main characters in the genealogy, because God gave each of them special promises and made them covenant people (Ge12:2,3; 2Sa 7:12-16; Mt1:21). God helped them to live as a covenant people, who believed his promises that God would send a Savior of the world (Ge15:6; Ro4:3). Source: http://web.archive.org/web/20180205204714/http://www.chicagoubf.org/dsl/matthew/mt01a.mss
Notice how similar they sound? You may say to yourself ” that’s just a coincidence.”
Let’s look at an excerpt on Baik’s sermon on Matthew ch 2:
WHERE IS THE ONE WHO HAS BEEN BORN KING OF THE JEWS?
Key Verse: 2:2
Merry Christmas! I thank God for blessing us to worship him today. I also thank God for allowing me to be a Christmas messenger. But you also can be messengers as well. Look to your neighbor on your right and your left and say, “Jesus came into the world for you!” Now you are all Christmas messengers. Amen.
…and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
First, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” (1-2). Look at verse 1. “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem….” Magi, traditionally called “Wise Men,” supposedly lived in ancient Persia or Babylon. They were great intellectuals, occupying high government positions. In the ancient times, Astrology was one of very popular subjects among the intellectuals. The Magi said in verse 2, “We saw his star in the east….” They saw “his star.” As they were studying stars at night, they found one exceptionally bright star. It was an extraordinary star which captured their eyes. They were convinced that it was “his star,” which symbolized the King of the Jews – the Promised Messiah. Modern day, people, both believers and unbelievers, have heard about Jesus’ second coming; in the same way, people heard and knew about the Messiah’s first coming in those days. Source: http://www.shepherdschurch.org/Current-Message/sundaydecember242017
Now let’s look at an excerpt of Lee’s sermon on Matthew ch 2 in 2000-2001:
THE MAGI'S PILGRIMAGE Matthew 2:1-23 Key Verse: 2:2 "...and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.'"... First, the Magi--truth-seekers (1,2). Look at verse 1. "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem...." Magi, traditionally called "Wise Men," supposedly lived in ancient Persia or Babylon. They were ancient astrologers who were highly regarded as great scholars and kingly people. In ancient times, many believed that a man's destiny was determined by the star under which he was born. According to Time Magazine, in 1969 there were 10,000 full-time astrologers in the United States, and in fact, they are all magic artists. Where did the Magi get the idea to come to Jerusalem? Verse 2b says, "We saw his star in the east...." They saw "his star." In the course of seeking the truth, once they looked into the sky. They saw a bright star in the sky. The star was not an ordinary star. It was an extraordinary star which captured their souls. They were convinced that it was "his star," which symbolized the King of the Jews. The Bible teaches us that Jesus himself is the Star. Revelation 22:16b reads, "I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star." The bright Morning Star is the beginning of brightening the whole world every day. Matthew 4:16 says that Jesus is "a great light." When the Great Light began to shine, the Magi caught its light from his star, which was solely reflected by the Great Light. When they had a burning desire to seek the truth, God showed them his star. Source: http://web.archive.org/web/20180205204933/http://www.chicagoubf.org/dsl/matthew/mt02.mssNotice how they are nearly identical? At this point you are saying to yourself “this is just an anomaly.” But here is more evidence to debunk that.
Let’s look at an excerpt on Baik’s sermon on Luke ch 2:
GLORY TO GOD, PEACE TO MENLuke 2:1-20Key Verse 2:14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favorrests.”First, “She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger” (1-7).Look at verse 1. The Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus issued a decree that acensus should be taken of the entire Roman world. The purpose of this censuswas to collect taxes from its colonies more effectively. Because of this census,everyone had to go to his own town to register. So Joseph together with his fullypregnant wife, Mary, also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, toBethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for the baby to be born, and shegave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in amanger, because there was no room in the inn.“She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger…” The CreatorGod, when he came into the world in the form of a human, was rejected andpushed all the way that he was born in a stable and laid in a manger. Who canbelieve this? When God was coming to the world to save his people from their sins,the world offered him a stable where cows and horses were staying as his birthplace, and he was laid in a manger, a feeding trough for animals. Who canimagine this? God says in Isaiah 1:3, “The ox knows his master, the donkey hisowner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” This ishow we, mankind, have treated God from the beginning until now. Adam, the firstman did not honor God, but disobeyed him even though God was so good to him.Israel people refused to welcome their God. John 1:10 and 11 testifies this, saying,“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world didnot recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did notreceive him.” Source: Luke 2a – GLORY TO GOD, PEACE TO MEN (3)Now let’s look at an excerpt of Lee’s sermon on Luke ch 2 in 2000-2001:JESUS, THE SAVIOR KING (I) Luke 2:1-14 Key Verses: 2:10,11 "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.'"... First, the time when Jesus was born (1-7). Luke the historian depicts the historical background of the time of Jesus' birth. Verse 1 says, "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world." The Roman Empire extended westward to England and east ward to Asia Minor and to North Africa across the Mediterranean Sea. The world was a Roman world. Rome ruled the world with the slogan, "Peace of Rome," which meant the Roman Empire rules the world with peace. But the census reveals the cruelty of Caesar's inner motive of squeezing poor colonial people. As much as the Roman Empire prospered, the colonial people suffered. Look at verses 4-5. "So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child." This story reflects the social unrest of that time. All the people of the colonies had to stop what they were doing and go to their own town to register because they knew that Caesar was despotic and his decree was inflexible. Because of the decree, someone might have postponed the day of his wedding ceremony. There was no exception to the decree. Joseph knew that it was not good for a woman who had reached the full term of her pregnancy to travel such a long way. But there was no choice. He went to his home-town to register with Mary, traveling 100 miles on foot, risking the lives of both the baby and Mary. Look at verses 6-7. "While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." This story tells us about the dis tressing situation of the times. Maybe someone who made a hotel reservation wanted to give his room to Mary when he heard Mary crying with delivery pains. But for his own survival, he hardened his heart and turned deaf ears to a woman crying with birthpains. Many people might have done the same. As a man, Joseph should provide a room in which Mary could deliver the baby. But he could not afford it. Probably, he felt like dying. So with no choice, Joseph and Mary went into the stinking stable of an animal, where many flies were buzzing around, and she gave birth to a son and placed him in a manger. To be the mother of Jesus was literally a suffering servant, and it was indeed glorious. Source: http://web.archive.org/web/20180206004917/http://www.chicagoubf.org/dsl/luke/lk02a-v1.mss
Notice once again how they sound nearly identical? At this point it is impossible to claim that this is a coincidence or an anomaly. Now let’s Look at Baik’s sermon on Romans ch 1:
THROUGH HIM AND FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE
Key Verse 1:5
Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith…
First, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus“ (1). Look at verse 1. Paul introduces himself saying, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God–” He calls himself a servant of Christ Jesus. In those days, “servant” belonged to the slave class. Being a slave was not pleasant at all for anyone – no freedom, no right, no self-esteem, no nothing. But slaves belonging to prominent families regarded their enslavement to their master great honor. In the movie, “Ben Hur,” the servant of Hur family, regarded his position great honor and privilege. To Paul, being a servant of Jesus Christ was immeasurably great honor and privilege to be proud of. So, this is his first title as he introduces himself to others. He was happy to be known as a servant of Jesus.
Being a servant to anyone means to live according to the commands of the master being restricted in freedom, will, desire and right. Actually, when we think about this carefully, we can see that no one is truly free; instead, all people are serving someone, or something. Some people are salves to sin, doing what their sinful desire wants them to do, even at the cost of ruining their future, their family and their life. Some people are serving their own dreams and desires for success in the world, pouring out everything they have for them. Some people are serving their fear – the fear of security – doggedly struggling to pay the bills and to build their career. The Bible suggests that eventually, people live as slaves either to God or to sin and Satan. Whom do you want to serve? Living as slaves to our sinful nature, or our worldly desires or pride is disgusting! Surely, being a servant of Jesus Christ is a glorious and honorable thing. Source: http://www.shepherdschurch.org/Current-Message/sundayjanuary72018
Now let’s Look at Lee’s sermon on Romans ch 1 in 2001:
THE RIGHTEOUS WILL LIVE BY FAITH Romans 1:1-17 Key Verse: 1:17 “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.'”…
I. Paul the servant of Jesus Christ (1-4) Look at verse 1. “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God…” Paul begins by giving his own credentials. He calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ. In Paul’s time, servant meant slave. A slave is one who was once sold and bought and is no more free; he is the possession of whoever bought him. He cannot claim his own human rights. He is completely at the disposal of his master. Why does Paul describe himself in this way? It was because he was once a servant of the Jewish leaders, and more fundamentally, a servant of sin and Satan; but now he was purchased by the precious blood of Jesus, and now he belonged to Jesus Christ. Paul also says that he was “set apart for the gospel of God.” Paul did not think that he became a servant of Jesus Christ by chance or fate. He accepted his servantship as God’s absolute plan for him, a plan made before he was born (Gal 1:15). He had absolute faith that he was called to be Jesus’ servant by the providence of God. Paul continues to explain whose servant he was. He was a servant of Jesus Christ, who is the King both humanly and spiritually. Verses 2-4 say, “the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.” Here we learn several things. Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20180206015931/http://www.chicagoubf.org/ubftvorg_chicagocubf2013/wp-content/uploads/Ro2001SL/messages/Ro1_1-17m.pdf
Notice how awfully similar the sermons are? At this point you are no doubt scratching your head and seriously pondering about Baik’s sermons.
John Baik is plagiarizing Lee’s sermons by rewording/rephrasing them and claiming it came from God. The reality is that he looks at Lee’s sermons then uses his laptop to copy and paste content from Lee’s sermons before rewording/rephrasing it in addition to splitting and/or massing paragraphs together. This is how Baik disguises his plagiarized sermons as his own genuine message from God.
What John Baik also does to disguise his rip-off sermons as his own is that Baik changed the title of the sermons and the key verses (for the most part).
Another thing I want to point out is that on the church’s website only the last 5 sermons are viewableeverytime. They NEVER archive the older sermons despite the fact that they have had the website since 2010. So the only way to view an older sermon is if you have archived the link to that older sermon. Here is an example https://web.archive.org/web/20171218172730/http://www.shepherdschurch.org/Current-Message/sundaynovember282017
After doing research for this article I came to confirm my notion that John Baik is actually not a missionary but a phony. It is for this reason that I don’t call him missionary.
Comments