The day of Christ
Matthew 1:21~25 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. (21)
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #524 Come to the Savior (#313 in previous version)
When he was young, Joseph was sold as a slave, imprisoned after being falsely accused, and was appointed as the governor. After becoming the governor of Egypt, he solved the crisis of the nation and saved his family and the entire world. Even if you are placed in a hardship, there is God’s plan, and because that plan is absolutely fulfilled, you must have spiritual mutual communication with God. How can you have mutual communication?
1. Believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him
The way to meet God is one way alone. (Acts 4:12) The moment you believe in Christ you become a child of God, and the Holy Spirit dwells in us. (1 Corinthians 3:16) As the Holy Spirit is with us, He leads us in all things. (John 14:16~17) If you receive the filling of this power, you gain the power to handle anything and the kingdom of God comes upon your field. (Matthew 12:28~30) When you pray in the name of Jesus Christ, God hears and answers (Revelations 8:3~5). If you have become a child of God, you can mutually communicate with God.
2. Just use the authority of a child of God
Power is given to the children of God. When the Israelite people realized the ‘sacrificial offering’ that foreshadowed Christ, they were set free from Egypt, and they experienced God parting the Red Sea and guiding them with the pillar of cloud and fire. David who confessed his faith before the battle against Goliath triumphed in one shot, and testified the name of the Lord to the nations. When Peter proclaimed the name of Jesus of Nazareth the crippled beggar got up, and before the Sanhedrin, he boldly proclaimed, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Like the figures of the Bible, when we use the authority of being a child of God, we end up mutually communicating with God.
3. We just need to testify of Christ
The children of God must be able to see the people who are suffering because they lack the Gospel and the field that is becoming more desolate with tears and a child-like heart. In order to save them, God has called us. Just like it appeared as if the Early Church was falsely accused and persecuted, no one could block those people who staked their lives for evangelism, and they accomplished the works of Rome and world evangelization. Those who communicate with God know God’s tears and His heart, and for this reason, they have no choice but to testify of the Gospel.
-If we are enjoying the blessing of God being with us in every part of our lives, that day is the day of Christ. In front of every circumstance, mutually communicate with God and try enjoying your authority. Immanuel Church Sunday Worship 2nd Service / 2011.12.25