The life of the evangelist and meetings
Acts 2:41~42 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen (41~42)
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #391 A Wonderful Savior is Jesus My Lord (#446 in previous version)
The believers of the Early Church had assurance that they had already received answers, and did not wait for answers (John 19:30). Instead, they staked their lives for the Gospel movement. They grabbed hold of Jesus’ final command as the covenant, and confirmed the presence and filling of the Holy Spirit in every place they went and every meeting they had. Enjoying this blessing is the life of the evangelist. How can you enjoy the blessing of meeting through the life of the evangelist?
1. Correct meetings
The Early Church did not evangelize with the goal of church growth, but led every meeting to blessings of meeting as they enjoyed Immanuel all the time. As they staked their life for the Gospel movement, within a short span of time, gifted individuals gathered from 15 nations. The Word of God that was to be fulfilled that day appeared, and as disciples who grabbed hold of the Word went out to the field, 3,000 disciples arose. As we are worrying about this and that, we cannot be at ease. Discard your worries, and if you start today with the assurance that God is with you, God’s will absolutely will be fulfilled through blessings of meeting.
2. Correct ministry
The ministry God desires starts from correct meetings. Luke, who knew about blessings of meetings, considered the meeting with the important individual, Theophilus, as an opportunity to share the Gospel. To Theophilus, he testified about the kingdom of God, Christ and the filling of the Holy Spirit. In addition, as disciples who had received the Word prayed together, they waited for the Lord’s promise and the work of the Holy Spirit arose, God’s Word was fulfilled, and as God’s blessings always appeared in the temples, homes, and fields, they were able to see the works of 3,000 disciples arising.
3. The blessing of meeting
If the person with the Gospel has the answer of blessings of meeting, you realize that you connect with the pastor as a disciple who evangelizes through prayer topics, the Word, and the direction for evangelism, and you realize God’s personal contract for you. You see the blessings that God has hidden before creation, and learn that God’s plan is even now being fulfilled. Lastly, you come to see the blessings that God will eternally answer you with, and remain as main figures of blessings who give all glory to God, like the Early Church.
- How can I enjoy the blessings of meeting that the Early Church enjoyed? Regarding meetings set for today, prepare evangelism materials that you can explain the Gospel with in prayer. Also, pray for the blessings of meetings, like the Early Church had.
Core Training Message / 2011.2.19