The works of evangelism of the crippled getting up
Acts 14:8~10 ’He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.’(9~10)
♬ Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #305 Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound (#405 in previous version)
People cannot block the work of God. God has a definite plan regarding places and people. Paul visited Lystra on three of his missionary journeys. Lystra was a flourishing town in the southern part of what is now Turkey. Paul healed a crippled man in Lystra, and evangelism arose as a result. We must know that God gives the most important blessings through evangelism. We are in the midst of an important time schedule when we are faced with problems or hardships. Getting sick is the best time to receive the greatest filling of the Holy Spirit. When God starts a great work, what kind of workers does He use?
1. He accomplishes historically important works through people who evangelize
God prepared Paul before creation and called and used him as an evangelist. God moves church history and world history through evangelists. We must begin to think about what evangelism is. God said He would do world evangelization through evangelism; think about the kind of relationship we have with evangelism. This must be one of our concerns. Then we will enjoy the blessing of meetings, and find disciples among the people we meet. When we establish these disciples and help them to receive training, we will succeed and receive answers. This is when we will begin to revive the field. Enjoying these four things is what we call evangelism.
2. God greatly used people who gave all the glory to Him
There was a commotion about the crippled man who was brought to his feet and could walk. People acted as if Paul and Barnabas were God and they would receive something from them. Barnabas and Paul persistently rejected any glory that was given to them. “We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.” God works through people who sincerely return all the glory to Him.
3. God used people who did not fear persecution
Those who did not know what evangelism was tried to block evangelism, criticizing the evangelists and attacking what they thought were weaknesses. Paul saw through them and did not fear persecution. There were people who resolved not to eat or sleep before they killed Paul, who was persecuted because he shared the Gospel. However, the Gospel is victorious in the midst of any persecution. Although we cannot do it, God can do it.
° Forum Topic - Reflect upon the reasons why, even though you’re a child of God, problems have come to you.
Core Training Message / 2010.1.9