The correct confession of faith and resolution
Acts 19:8~22 After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.” (21)
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #391 A Wonderful Savior is Jesus My Lord (#446 in previous version)
There are many times when we believe ourselves to be powerless and weak. However, that is not the case. The moment that we received the Gospel and became children of God, we have been given the mystery of uniqueness. However, when we lose hold of Christ, when the Gospel in us becomes weak, or when we fall into unbelief, the devil attacks us. Conversely, when we let go of our unbelief and choose faith, we will come to receive the answer to save the age. Even in the face of a small decision, when we make the choice of faith and come to a resolution of faith, we will receive the blessing to change the age. What kind of faith must we restore today?
1. The faith to make everything into a blessing
Most people are seized by problems and fall into failure when problems come their way. We are the people of God; if we cannot overcome our problems and conflicts, Satan will be elated. We already have the uniqueness of Christ; now we must have the faith and eyes to make everything into a blessing. Problems are blessed answers, and all conflicts are opportunities for renewal. If perhaps a crisis comes our way, it is the greatest opportunity to save the age. We must not only enjoy the Gospel with our mouth; we must be able to enjoy it in our lives.
2. The faith to save the next generation
Many youth are going into the world only to wander, sway in their convictions, and crumble. One day, when spiritual problems come to them, it will not only prove to be difficult to solve them, it will also present them with unspeakable suffering. Satan tries to fell our descendents and bring destruction upon them. We must help our children and descendents have the weapon of the Gospel in order to fight the world before they head out. If they have the unique answer of the ‘Offspring of the woman,’ ‘sacrificial offering,’ ‘Immanuel,’ and ‘Christ,’ they will be able to see the works of God. Paul told Timothy, who was like a son to him, “My son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” This is because the strength to save the world is in Christ.
3. The faith to save the age
In order to save the age, it is important for us to bring our strength together within the context of the Gospel. When we gather our strength together within the Gospel, the answer to change the age will be given to us. It may appear as though Oneness in the Gospel is difficult to achieve. We must make the confession of faith and the resolution of faith. In addition, we must equip ourselves with the specialty to save the culture, economy, politics, and society of this age, and possess the mystery of the Gospel to live in these end times. We must have the spiritual strength to change the age.
-Our reality may be difficult. Make the correct confession of faith and resolution of faith in the Gospel today.
New Year’s Conference Lecture 3 / 2011.1.1