The one who has discovered true value(2012.12.29)

1 Timothy 1:11~20 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. (17~19)

Hymn for scheduled worship: #90 I’ve Found a Friend (#98 in previous version)

Even though we are children of God, when problems or crises come, we are easily shaken. However, even when Paul was persecuted, he did not shake. Rather, he was thankful for the suffering that he had to endure for the sake of the Gospel. Even at the threat of death, he did not shake at all. How was he able to do that? It was because Paul was able to discover something of true value to the point where he could be thankful for everything else.

1. Value of Christ1 Timothy 1:2
Paul was from the greatest city at that time, Cilicia Tarsus. He was also a Roman citizen and he was a scholar who was learned in every field of study. Though he was in the seat of success, he could not solve his own spiritual problems or the problems of his family line. Paul then meets with the resurrected Jesus and gains the answer to all things. We, too, must be aware of spiritual problems and the problem of Satan and realize the value of Jesus Christ. When we realize Christ, we will be able to transcend our hardships and live a life of thanksgiving within Christ. Pray to truly discover and realize Christ.


2. Work of the world1 Timothy 6
Paul was able to accurately see the world of human beings who had left God. He knew the state of the lives seized by Satan regardless of how much success had been attained. That is why he advised Timothy not to follow after the false doctrines of the world. The people of God must not follow after the success of the world or money. They must stand in the place where money and success follows. Also, if we correctly know the world, we have no choice but to fight the spiritual fight, and we will discover the value that only Jesus Christ is the solution to the world.


3. The things that will happen at the end times1 Timothy 2:1
We must not place our hope on our unclean sacrifices; instead, we must place our hope on God who gives us everything in abundance in Christ. In the end times, many people will worship idols and be swept away by the culture of the world without knowing the value of the Gospel. Starting now for 10 minutes a day, we must lay ourselves down and take time to receive the filling of the Holy Spirit. At that time, the works of saving my field and my age will arise.

There is so much knowledge in this world, but we have come to know the value of the Gospel enough to lay
our lives down for it. The Gospel is the power to save all things. Pray for that power to come upon you.