Continue the life of an evangelist!
Mark 3:13~15 He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons (14~15)
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #170 I Know that My Redeemer Lives (#16 in previous version)
The passage is about what Jesus says to His disciples. Jesus called the twelve disciples first and abided with them, training them, evangelizing with them, and giving them authority. In John 8:44, it reads that Satan is a liar and one who deceives. Satan unceasingly tricks us into forgetting that we are children of God. It is crucial for us to remember that we are God’s children, regardless of Satan’s deceptions, and enter into the life of the evangelist who tastes the blessing of the Gospel. How, then, can we continue the life of the evangelist?
1. People of heaven
Jesus called those He wanted and they came forth. We must always remember that we are the people of heaven whom God has called because He wanted to call us. You can receive answers if you are not deceived by your weaknesses and enter into the blessing of the people of heaven. First, do not be deceived by your powerless self. Enjoy the blessing of God being with you as a person of heaven. Thereafter, you will enjoy the blessing of evangelism and the authority to drive out demons. It is vital that you hold to the promise that He will be with us to the ends of the earth with all authority in heaven and on earth. This is the never-changing, eternal promise of God.
2. With
Christ is the head and we are all His body; He said we are each the parts that form one body. Our meeting is one that has been prepared from before creation. In the church, there are many different parts of the body. When we gather together and train intensively with God’s Word, prayer, and evangelism, you will taste the answer of healing. Moreover, you will come to uncover and enjoy this blessing even on your own. Only then can you be the evangelist to save others in your respective fields. If we simply refrain from being deceived by our circumstances, problems, and people, we can taste God’s works.
3. Blessing of the field
The invisible Satan continually hinders you from realizing the Gospel. Remembering the background of heaven, you must not be deceived. There is nothing you can take with you to heaven in the afterlife. However, those who have heard the Gospel and received salvation through you will be in heaven. This is the crown that will never vanish. When you ponder about how you can share the Gospel with no ulterior motives, God will give you the answer. With no worries, remembering the blessing of the afterlife, you must become the disciple who proclaims the Gospel.
- Are you conflicting and worrying? Enjoy the status and authority of a person of heaven, remembering the eternal blessings of God.
Japan Evangelism Conference Lecture 2 / 2010.10.5