The answer God gives
Romans 16:17~20 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. (19)
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #94 I’d Rather Have Jesus (#102 in previous version)
The reason the Early Church believers did not shake in front of crises was because they knew the mystery of the Gospel. As they had the assurance of the Gospel, they did not fall into problems, and they acknowledged the absolute sovereignty of God. In particular, they did not doubt that it was not the strength of man, but the working of God. God gave the answer through the Word, opened the way amidst hardships, and through those prepared, opened the door of world evangelization. If you want to follow the work that God does, what must you know and prepare?
1. You must make all problems into opportunities of blessings
If I look to the problems that are not working out for me, all that forms is worry, and even if I want to have faith, I lose my strength whenever I speak with people who have unbelief. In particular, there are a lot of people in the church fallen into conflicts who need to gain strength. Even though problems were caused by Ananias and Saphira, the believers of the Early Church did not shake looking at people. Instead, the more they faced persecution, the greater their assurance in the Word.
2. You must find the plan of God amidst crises
If I were to look at the field of Joseph with my own level, I would fall into discouragement and not find the Word of God believable. The aggravation of his brothers and the sorrow of not having a mother were grounds for grumbling, but Joseph did not grumble against anyone. It was because no matter what crisis came, he experienced that God was with him. God gives problems and crises and also gives blessings together with them. Even though it may not seem visible, the Holy Spirit is working and with us even at this time, and He is waiting for us to seek God’s plan in the midst of crises.
3. We must prepare to become professionals who will change the age
Because renowned people have accomplished everything by their own strength, they are not afraid of the world. However, because they do not know the mystery of God being with them despite being equipped with everything, they shake and die without reason. In order to share the power of God, which is not the strength of man, God prepared Joseph and Moses. He prepared Elisha in order to save the nation of Aram and prepared Paul for the sake of Rome evangelization.
- Evaluate what eyes need to be opened, with what posture you need to pray, and how you must prepare for the sake of world evangelization. 70 Worker Training Message / 2011.11.29