Blessings of the saved
Luke 2:1~14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (14)
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #117
God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen (#117 in previous version) God had a great plan for world evangelization, and within that plan and by His grace, He chose and called out Abraham from his field of idolatry and gave Him salvation. Even still, Abraham lived according to his own level and thoughts, and in the end, faced a great hardship and problem. That same Abraham, later on, makes his confession of faith before God, and from that moment on, he begins to experience answers. Though many people have received salvation, they live in great hardship without realizing how tremendous the blessings of the saved really are. Even though we are saved, when we meet with people without faith, we shake, and when we hear words of unbelief, we lose strength yet again. When we are anxious and fearful, and as a result, things are not working so well, what kind of faith must we choose?
1. Confession of faith that glorifies God
Abraham faced many problems because, in the moment of difficulty, he chose unbelief. In the same way, when he chose faith, he became a person who gave the greatest glory unto God. One person''s confession of faith changed into the blessing that saved the age.
2. One on whom God’s favor rests
Mankind has limitations, and they have no choice but to live in the unhappiness of Genesis 3 if they do not know God. God called me when I had no choice but to die before long ages past and told me He would be responsible for me for eternity. For Jesus Christ to be with me means that the triune God is in complete control of my life and background. People on whom God’s favor rests can enjoy their identity as children of God in every part of their lives.
3. One who has mutual spiritual communication
Abraham who realized the covenant began the prayer to mutually communicate with God. Through Abraham who built the altar that was pleasing to God, the doors to the cities of their enemies were opened and all nations were blessed through his offspring. Even though you fall due to weak faith and are deceived due to unbelief, if you stand sincerely for the sake of communicating spiritually with God, God who sees your heart will give you new answers. Even if you had a bad beginning, just start anew right now within the Gospel.
- The beginning of communication with God is salvation, and the time of communication with God is prayer. Do not doubt the blessings of the saved, and make the resolution of building an altar before God. Immanuel Church Sunday Worship 1st Service / 2011.12.25