The experience that leads to a lifetime of answers
Genesis 22:1~20 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son (13).
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #298 I will Sing of My Redeemer (#35 in previous version)
How can we start the life of the evangelist? Many people are burdened because of the term, ‘life of the evangelist,’ and they think that it is difficult. The most important thing in the life of the evangelist is the Word, prayer and evangelism. We listen to a great many sermons, but we must sincerely grab hold of God’s Word from the pulpit message. Our prayers must be sincere but also prayers that we are comfortable with. In addition, we must always enter into the life of the witness that God is most pleased with. As we look at Isaac’s life through the Scripture reading, may you newly discover the life of the evangelist.
1. The experience on Mount Moriah
Isaac experienced an important covenant on Mount Moriah. When Isaac was about to die, God prepared a ram in Isaac’s stead. Afterwards, Isaac received hundredfold blessings, and with the passage of time, he enjoyed the blessings regarding the Gospel. Through the experience on Mount Moriah, Isaac enjoyed the lifelong covenant of God that he would never be able to forget, enjoyed the mystery of true prayer, and lived his life with the evidence that God was with him. This was the life of the evangelist that Isaac enjoyed.
2. The blessings given within the life of the evangelist
Isaac realistically enjoyed the Gospel in his life through the experience on Mount Moriah. He enjoyed the mystery of prayer through the Word he received from God, and lived a life in which he relayed answers to other people. Starting from this moment, all nations on earth were blessed through Isaac’s seed, and he planted crops and the same year received the blessing of reaping a hundredfold. In addition, when he simply dug a well, he gained the source of fresh water. That is why an experience of the Gospel is important. This experience is the fundamental element of the life of the evangelist. If we just focus on the Word and prayer, and the Gospel through evangelism, we can receive the greatest answers.
3. Meetings given within the life of the evangelist
Isaac also enjoyed blessings of meetings. First, among Isaac’s meetings, we can pick out Eliezer. Although he was just a servant, he was a person of prayer and the covenant. He was the one who brought Rebekah as Isaac’s wife. The meeting with Rebekah was also a blessing. Even while Isaac lived in the culture of polygamy, he only took in Rebekah as his wife. His meeting with Jacob was also a blessing. Isaac had Jacob who would lead the 12 tribes of Israel. This is the blessing the evangelist who enjoys the Gospel has received. Starting now, we must always question what today’s Word, today’s prayer and today’s evangelism has to do with us.
- If we simply enter into this, the blessings Isaac enjoyed will become our own. Let us think about the Word, prayer and evangelism given to us today. With faith, we must also draw the blessings God will give us from within this.
Core Training Message / 2010.10.16