Title: God Establishes the Church (2007.8.12)
Contents
Date: August 12, 2007
Word: Acts 16:11-15
Title: God Who Establishes the Church
Contents :
When we give up our thoughts and plans and obey the Lord's will, the Lord gives us great joy and fruit as much as we give up and obey.
In the text, Paul intended to proceed with his second missionary destination in Asia, that is, to the east, but with the strong will of the Holy Spirit, he led him to the Philippi region in the opposite direction. Paul became a great missionary because he gave up on his plan without any regrets and followed God's will.
He gave us a great co-worker when we lived in obedience to the Holy Spirit.
When they first came to Philippi in obedience to the Holy Spirit, there was no one to help them.
But Paul was not discouraged. Don't be discouraged when there's no one to help and there's no sign that the problem will be resolved. I believe that God will help and that God will send.
On the Sabbath, Paul went out to the river to find a place to pray. This is because we know that prayer is the beginning of unraveling the work of missionary work. Prayer is the way to hear the voice of God. Prayer is a signal to seek God's strength.
There, I met Lydia, a self-employed merchant. Lydia became the first blessed daughter in Philippi and Europe to receive Jesus. Lydia was a God-fearing woman who became a great strength to Paul's evangelism in Philippi. God has given us great workers to help the church when we give up our will and live a life of surrendering before the Lord.
When we obeyed the Holy Spirit, God gave Lydia and the church a stronghold.
The church is established by God. The protagonist of mission is the Lord. Where will Paul build the church? Who should I hold on to? When we obeyed the Holy Spirit without worrying and prayed, God took care of everything.
Lydia gave up her house as a place of prayer and soon as a church. In an instant, a place to live, a church, and a life were provided. Even today, I believe that God has prepared a second and third Lydia everywhere.
When we obey the Holy Spirit, God establishes a beautiful church.
The Philippi church has grown into a more mature church than any other church within a short period of time. When the Apostle Paul abandoned his plans and went ahead in obedience to the will of the Lord, the Church of God grew vigorously. The church is God's church. I am happy to live according to what the master tells me to do.