Those who witnessed the resurrection
Acts 2:14~21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (21)
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #406 I Have Found Sweet Rest (#464 in previous version)
In the eyes of the Jewish leaders and Roman politicians, the Early Church may have seemed ridiculous and pitiable. The Early Church, however, saw the Word of God come to fulfillment as they witnessed the resurrection of Jesus Christ firsthand. All the disciples and lay leaders of the Early Church, who saw the resurrection of Jesus Christ, boldly spread the Gospel before the world. If we receive true answers, everything will change. How did the Early Church change after they saw the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
1. They grabbed hold of the kingdom of God as their covenant
The way to enjoy the kingdom of God is through Jesus Christ. We can enjoy the kingdom of God by the realistic faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the name that led us to eternal life when we had no choice but to die because of our fate and curses. From now on when we await with faith, the kingdom of God will come upon us. What is more, when we as children of God who confess that Jesus is the Christ and have received salvation begin to pray, God works only by the Holy Spirit.
2. They enjoyed the privilege of prayer
The privilege that God has given to the people of God who have received God’s blessings and salvation is prayer. When we pray, we no longer need to make excuses; we come to know the value that is worth staking our lives without calculating our gains and losses. To those who have tasted the mystery of the Gospel, there is no other reason necessary. They only need to enjoy the privilege of prayer. The prayer of faith moves the throne of heaven.
3. They had the assurance of their future
When the day of Pentecost came, the works of the Holy Spirit took place. God promised that our sons and daughters will prophesy, our young men will see visions, and our old men will dream dreams. God made a promise for the future of His children who received salvation. There is no need for us to worry. We need to grab hold of the covenant that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved and gain new strength. God promised that He would be with us and that He would give us the filling of the Holy Spirit. With the power of God we can begin everything anew.
- Let us begin our day with the new strength that God provides along with the confession of faith that we must change the world by experiencing the power of God and meeting the Lord who has resurrected.
Immanuel Church Sunday Worship 2nd Service / 2011.4.24