The life of the evangelist for me
Genesis 6:1~20 So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. (14)
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #407 Dying With Jesus (#465 in previous version)
Noah was the very first person in the Bible to begin the evangelism movement. Noah lived in the age of the Nephilim, in which wickedness shrouded the entire world. At that time, Noah took the voice of God commanding him to build the ark as his very own commission and put into action the life of the evangelist. How did Noah enjoy the commission of evangelism that was given to him?
1. The life of the evangelist for my own sake (Genesis 6:14)
The forces of darkness that were active in Noah’s age existed even before the creation of Adam (Genesis 1:2). This existence was in conjunction with the history of humanity, and will rear itself even more greatly as we near the end days. Noah was fully aware of the age in which he lived, and was very certain of his commission. Once he discovered his commission, Noah did not waver in the face of any hardships. It was during this age that God commanded Noah to build the ark; however, God told Noah to build the ark first and foremost for himself. The life of the evangelist that has been given to us is first and foremost for our own benefit.
2. Living the life of the evangelist for the future and our children (Genesis 6:18)
The life of the evangelist that Noah enjoyed was relayed to his children. The covenant that we are holding on to must also be passed on to our posterity. The world churches are diminishing because they have lost hold of this aspect. We must discover our own evangelism to prevent disasters and curses. And we must also relay this covenant to our posterity and children. This is the key to the Remnant movement. Once the Early Church discovered this mystery, they received the greatest answers in the history of the earth (Acts 2:1~47), and thereafter enjoyed the blessings of missions for the very first time in the world (Acts 11:19~30).
3. Living the life of the evangelist for the purpose of life and eternity (Genesis 6:20)
Because God knew the future from the very beginning, he commanded Noah to build the ark to maintain life and for what was eternal. God knows our past, present and future and takes full responsibility. If it is true evangelism, it does not matter even though great fruits may not be borne immediately. We must discover the evangelism God desires from me in specific regions, and as we meet certain people. When we enjoy this blessing, we will come to enjoy representative answers.
- The life of the evangelist that I live each day is not only for myself and my posterity, but also for what is eternal. Put into action the life of the evangelist as you draw the picture of the great answers that will take place in your daily life of the evangelist.
Mokpo Conference Lecture 1 / 2011.3.8