God who watches over the steps of the evangelist
Acts 18:1~4 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them (1~2)
♬ Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #545 Down in the Valley Where the Mists of Doubt Arise (#344 in previous version)
After not having much success in evangelism in Athens, Paul went to Corinth, and it was there that God had prepared the greatest answer for Paul. Furthermore, Aquila and his wife Priscilla were expelled from Rome, but God gave them the greatest blessing of meeting Paul. Likewise, God watches over the steps of evangelists. If we are indeed the people inside the blessing of evangelism, though it may seem as if we are facing hardships, God will ultimately lead us to the greatest blessing.
1. Answers will come if we believe in the works that are in Christ
If we put our faith in God who guides evangelists and stop worrying, important answers will begin to come from that moment on. First and foremost, the Word will begin to be fulfilled. Works will take place in the name of Jesus Christ. The working of the Holy Spirit, which no one can stop, will take place. Though unseen to our eyes, God will mobilize the heavenly armies of angels and guard evangelists from the front and the back. It is at this time that the forces of darkness will lose their power.
2. God’s time schedule is accurate
From then on we will come to see God’s time schedule. Priscilla and Aquila had already known the Gospel even before they met Paul. It was while they were facing hardships after being expelled from Rome that they met an evangelist named Paul. Not only did they help Paul because God blessed their business, but they also proclaimed the Word of God to many disciples. Furthermore, the church that would save the region was established in their home, and with that place as the center, the works took place that gave rise to the Word movement. Eventually they received the blessing of staking their lives until Rome evangelization. This is God’s time schedule by which He guides evangelists.
3. The answers that evangelists receive cannot be compared to anything else
As time passes, we will not be able to compare the blessing of evangelism to any other things. The blessings that came upon Mark’s upper room were greater than the blessings that the whole of the Israelites had received. Priscilla and Aquila were banished from Rome, and yet they received greater blessings than they had in Rome. This couple gave a lot of offering as they took part in evangelism movement, which led to even greater blessings than life. Priscilla and Aquila laid down their lives for the Gospel.
-It is a sure and absolute fact that the steps of those who are living the lives of evangelists are in the hands of God. We will come to taste all the answers if we live the life of an evangelist. What kind of life should we live today?
Core Training Message / 2010.4.24