Only

Acts 1:12~14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. (14)

Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #295 Of Jesus’ Love that Sought Me (#417)

The individuals in the Bible received God’s heavenly mandate. Moses discovered life’s answer on Mount Horeb and Elijah reached the spiritual summit on Mount Carmel. In addition, the members of the Early Church received God’s heavenly mandate for the age on the Mount of Olives. The people who received the heavenly mandate from God saw the important time schedule that God had prepared and possessed the unique mystery of ‘only’ that the world did not know about. What must we do in order to experience the mystery of the heavenly mandate and ‘only’?

1. Content of the heavenly mandate

God gave a sure promise to the Early Church. He granted them the assurance to remain unshaken before the problems of the world, and He led them to restore their thanksgiving as they looked to God’s plan despite the many hardships that they faced. Priscilla and Aquila were businesspeople who devoted themselves to the evangelism movement. They were individuals who gave everything they had for the Gospel, and in turn, the financial blessings that could not be explained by the standards of the world were bestowed upon them. If you know the accurate content of the God-given heavenly mandate and have assurance regarding it, blessings have no choice but to follow. 

2. Relaying the heavenly mandate

Relaying the heavenly mandate that God has given to other people is evangelism. Studying at school and working in our workplaces are tools for sharing the heavenly mandate that God has given to us. Making a lot of money is not our purpose. Getting good grades and going to a good school is not our purpose. Fulfilling God’s heavenly mandate is our purpose; everything else is simply the tool to do so. Through those who realized this mystery, the Gospel movement to change the age arose. 

3. Heavenly mandate and finances

Together with the heavenly mandate, God has given the blessing of finances. The blessing of finances came upon those who fulfilled their commission as messengers to relay the Gospel. A royal messenger is a person who delivers the king’s decrees. Through those who gather in prayer to relay the heavenly mandate, the family is restored and the door of finances is opened. We just need to follow the plan of God without worrying about anything else. 

-The individuals in the Bible held onto the heavenly mandate given by God. As a result, they were not conflicted or worried before problems and hardships. What must I do today in order to relay this heavenly mandate?

World Businessperson’s Evangelism Conference Camp Training Lecture 2 / 2013.5.14