The Early Church
Colossians 2:2~3 ”My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
♬ Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #391 A Wonderful Savior is Jesus My Lord (#446 in previous version)
Our desire to restore our blessings is a topic that the Early Church addressed. We can receive the same answers in this age that the Early Church received concerning world evangelization. In order for this to happen, we must understand the Early Church. Paul said that all wisdom and knowledge and treasures are hidden in Christ. What is the most important facet of the Early Church and Paul’s answers?
1. Evangelism, the Word, and prayer
We should not look at anything besides the Gospel and evangelism. We may look at these two things separately, thinking, “All I have to do is evangelize.” However, when Jesus first called us, He did not separate the Gospel from evangelism (Mark 3:14, Mark 4:19). It is possible to understand the messages and gain great strength through prayer with the Gospel alone. This starting point is the true focus of the Gospel.
2. Four things
When we begin enjoying evangelism, the Word, and prayer within the Gospel, amazing works will take place around us. First, the Word movement will take place. Second, the experiences we have had in our lives will be used for the Gospel in the most valuable way. Third, our talents will be used. Fourth, our school and work lives will be used for the Gospel as we receive financial blessings. We must go into all parts of the world with Christ. This is the core of the answers that the Early Church experienced. Although the Jewish people looked down on the Early Church, believing it had no strength, the Early Church had the greatest strength and eventually evangelized to Rome and the rest of the world.
3. Worldly things
God prepared Paul, who was an outstanding figure, for the Early Church. After Paul met God, he held onto God’s covenant and began to understand things through the Gospel. Paul reinterpreted theology, the prevalent culture, and the master-slave relationship. We must also be able to reinterpret the world around us through the Gospel. As we do this, we must apply the Gospel in our fields. We must apply the Gospel in our personal lives, our work, the churches we serve, and the cultures in which we live. We must raise Remnants who possess the skills of applying the Gospel to their lives. This is the most important reason for why we must build the RUTC in this age.
° Forum Topic - Meditate deeply on today’s evangelism, message, and prayer. Holding onto this mystery, reexamine the things of the world.
RUTC Morning Message / 2010.1.20