The absolute mystery
Acts 2:1~4 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #321 My Life, My Love I Give to Thee (#351 in previous version) On Pentecost, the people of God gathered together in one place and received the filling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:14). As children of God, we must gather together to be rooted in the Word and ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit in prayer. Receiving the filling of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost refers to having received God’s absolute mystery What is the mystery that other religions and the world does not possess- the mystery we can only discover when we are solely in the Gospel?
1. God’s absolute sovereignty
When God called Moses, Moses faulted his own failings to prolong going before the Pharaoh. But God led Moses with His absolute sovereignty, and saved the Israelites from Egypt. Our thoughts and standards are nothing before God. No matter how impossible it may seem, when something is aligned with God’s direction and desire, it will without fail be fulfilled. We must look not to our own strengths, but the power of God and acknowledge His absolute sovereignty.
2. God’s absolute covenant
The God-given covenant of Jesus Christ is absolute. The covenant is not something we hold onto and let go depending on when the mood strikes us. Those who believed in the covenant were able to escape from Egypt (Passover), and even in the wilderness, those who held on to the covenant survived (Pentecost). Additionally, Joshua firmly held on to the covenant of Canaan, the land promised by God, and ultimately enjoyed blessings (Feast of Ingathering). People who hold on to the covenant of God will succeed through the power of God. We must experience the absolute power of the covenant.
3. God’s perfect salvation
God is the completion of everything, and He possesses the power of liberating us from our fetters. Once we know God’s will and remain in His plan, He will work like fire and wind, and open the doors of world evangelization. Additionally, He gives the absolute Word to His children as well as the wisdom to realize the spiritual truth. Whenever we enjoy this Word, He will allow us to meet those who are loyal to the Word in the field, attach disciples to us, and give us the power to change the age.
- There are times in which we may be weak and make mistakes, but God who is my Lord possesses absolute power and protects me. Meditate on the Word to enjoy this truth in the field. Pastor & Elder Prayer Meeting Lecture 2 / 2012.4.24