Evangelist
1 Corinthians 2:1-9
Evangelism is an important command which Jesus has given us. In South Korea churches and Christians as respectable; however, after COVID, Christians were not respected as they had been before. That and prosperity as well as an increase in education has made it difficult to preach the Gospel.
Paul admits that he did not come with eloquence. In fact, Paul came in weakness and fear.
1 Corinthians 2:3 ESV
[3] And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling,
We have to remember that when we share our beliefs we demonstrate God's power to save us.
Paul was an intelligent and educated person. He was a powerful speaker and could persuade others easily. He was very wise and eloquent but choose not to preach the gospel in his own strength, but relied on the Holy Spirit. He allowed God's power to make the difference.
1 Corinthians 2:4 ESV
[4] and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
We have to ask ourselves are we spreading the gospel through God's power or are we relying on our own strength.
The power of the Gospel can only be truly shown through the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:5 ESV
[5] so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Paul proclaimed simply and boldly the Gospel. Paul relied on the Holy Spirit. In fact, just like Paul, we need to rely on the Holy Spirit and seek the Holy Spirit earnestly before and during our preaching of the Gospel.
1 Corinthians 2:2 ESV
[2] For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
Paul only preached the Gospel. He did not preach how the Gospel made his life better, or how you can manipulate God into getting what you want. Paul only preached Jesus and His crucifixion. People might be seeking intellectual curiosity or secular benefits and it is useless to pander to them. They need to hear a pure Gospel to save them.
- God Will Make A Way
April 7, 2024
April 7, 2024 "Evangelist" (1 Corinthian 2:1-9)
April 5, 2024
God Will Make A Way
CCLI song # 458620 Don Moen
March 29, 2024
March 31, 2024 “Resurrection” (John 20:19-27)
Resurrection
John 20:19-27
Easter Sunday is the day that we take time to
remember what Jesus did and what his resurrection means. The disciples were not
just amazed at Jesus' resurrection but encouraged to live like Jesus and spread
his message. The disciples were given strength and courage by the Resurrection so
they could endure hardships in the face of danger.
We start to live eternal life after we accepted
Jesus into our hearts. It doesn't start after we die. It is happening now.
John 20:19 ESV
[19] On
the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where
the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said
to them, “Peace be with you.”
Jesus was not resurrected with the same body but
still contained the scars from his death. This paradox is hard to understand . The
disciples could not at first recognize who Jesus was. The same body and yet transformed.
Matthew 22:29-32 ESV
[29] But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong,
because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. [30] For in the resurrection
they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. [31]
And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you
by God: [32] ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?
He is not God of the dead, but of the living.”
Jesus tells us that after the Resurrection, we
will be like the angels. Our bodies will be in a different order. We will be able
to love God more deeply. We will put Christ as a priority in every decision
These days there is a weakening emphasis on being
united with God.
Easter is time when we can anticipate being in
our Resurrected body and living with Jesus all the time.
Jesus scars were the most important identifiers.
Our wounds will serve as reminders as what we sacrificed to love others and follow
Jesus.
Too often, we just want to go to church, but we
do not want to suffer for Christ or the church. Jesus suffered greatly on the cross,
and Easter is a time to remember what bearing our cross. We should not be afraid
of a suffering for others.
We should emulate Jesus.
Our resurrected body should reflect our commitment
and sacrifice to Jesus. It is about pursuing a life that pleases God