Gospel elites
Isaiah 43:1 But now, this is what the Lord says? he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
♬ Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #351 Onward, Christian Soldiers (#389 in previous version)
God has called us as Gospel elites. However, if we don’t know this, our Christian lives will get stuck in hardships and problems, and we will wander. The 7 Remnants faced much harder situations than us, but they began to pray within those hardships, and received the answer of overcoming all situations and problems. We must discover God’s plan in the midst of hard situations, and make problems into opportunities to receive answers.
1. All of our hardships are ways to receive blessings
Whether our hardships are big or small, they are all ways to receive blessings. All of the 7 Remnants experienced this. There is no reason to get discouraged, because hardships are all ways to receive blessings. We can be thankful instead. In the Early Church, Timothy made hardships and persecution into ways to receive blessings. We can find many examples in 18th and 19th century church history when hardships became channels to blessings. Gospel elites hold onto and enjoy the covenant that God is with them, and make all hardships into ways to receive blessings.
2. The plans that God has given to us individually
There is a plan that God has for each of us. The reason why we fail is because we don’t know this plan that God has give to each of us. That is also the reason why we get discouraged because of hardships and crumble. If we realize that our hardships are channels through which God will bless us, we will begin to open up doors of blessings. From this point on we will begin to see our past, present and future and receive healing, and receive answers that others cannot receive. This is when we will come to know why God has called us.
3. The mystery that has been given to us
There is a mystery that God has given to us. How much are we enjoying the reason why we’ve been called, or the essence of the Gospel? God has called us as true leaders and witnesses to save this age; He has called us as Gospel elites. Hold onto this mystery and challenge yourself, while knowing the characteristics of Gospel elites. Gospel elites can change all circumstances, people, work, and events into blessings. Gospel elites do not waver in the midst of hardships because they pray with the covenant. They must be able to enjoy this blessing daily and have a conclusion in this before hardships come. Finally, Gospel elites are sure of God’s sovereignty, believing in it and holding to it.
° Forum Topic - Meditate upon the fact that God has called you as a Gospel elite. Find what God’s plan is in the midst of your present surroundings and hardships, and meditate upon it.
Youth Retreat Lecture 1 /2010.1.12