The eyes of evangelists
Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #515 Lift Your Eyes And Look to Heaven (#256 in previous version)
Nahum means ‘comfort.’ The prophet Nahum prophesied Nineveh’s destruction and explained how Israel would receive salvation. Because we have been called as evangelists, there are things we must see through the lens of evangelists. When the pastoral workers and believers in both the country and the world are unaware of three things, the church will face dire circumstances. What is it that they do not know?
1. Evangelism
They are unaware of the neglected 99% of the field because we are too concerned with holding on to the 1% that are right in front of our eyes. But if we do not know 99% of the field, we do not know evangelism. We have no choice but to face conflicts when we neglect the 99% in favor of focusing on the 1%. People believe that Bible study is evangelism. But when we cannot see 99% of the field, we will face abject failure no matter what we do. But when we see 99% of the abandoned field through the eyes of evangelism we will be able to open our eyes differently.
2. The Word
We have to see the entirety of the Bible through the perspective of the Gospel. When we are unaware of the Gospel, nothing can prevent our collapse. Israel considered believing God to be their state religion. But this is precisely the reason why wars ravaged Israel ceaselessly. Additionally, the Israelites saw themselves as the chosen people. That is why the Ninevites grew wicked and, besieged Israel, and made captives out of the Israelites.
3. Prayer
God’s greatest interest lies in the disciples. God moves His disciples according to His time schedule. God uses His disciples as the signpost to move all living things. God determined all things with disciples as the ultimate purpose. Disciples are hidden. Seeking these disciples is God’s time schedule, guide signs, and purpose. Knowing this is prayer. Make daily plans to find the disciples God has hidden. Make yearly plans, monthly plans, and weekly plans through which you can discover the disciples of God. God works within the daily plans of evangelists. Answers lie within this.
- Disciples are hidden. Even pondering why God is not attaching disciples to me is prayer. Begin a journal of evangelists for this purpose.
RTS Opening Seminar / 2011. 3. 2