Title: House of God (1 Timothy 3:14-16)
Contents
Today is the 12th anniversary of our church's founding anniversary. Now is the time to do something for the Lord. Yet we are still hesitant, indolent and complacency. We want to change our thoughts toward the church through this time. Let's set the direction of the church in which we should go today and look for the things we need to do again.
1. A house of blood
A house is very important. A house built on sand will topple over when rain and wind blow, but a house built on rock will not collapse even when the wind blows and rains. The Jerusalem Temple was also built on Mount Zion. Mount Zion was the place where Isaac, Abraham's son, was sacrificed as a burnt offering, and where the blood of sheep was sacrificed, and became the site of the temple.
Many Korean churches now need the sweat, tears, and devotion of the members to build and lead the church. Moreover, not to mention our church is at a very important historical period in which we must lay the groundwork for the church of the future.
How we lay the groundwork is a very important issue that will determine our descendants and the future of the Church as well. We must not let the dedication of those who have shed blood and tears to build this church in vain. We must not turn away from the expectations of the Lord for us. Now, we will have to build a church that is like a church with our own strength.
A church without devotion cannot be established. This temple is narrow. This narrow temple should be filled with our tears, sweat, and blood. We will have to make sure our prayers and devotion overflow to allow for a larger temple. Without this greed, the church would not be able to stand. This will make this temple truly the house of God. We have not yet laid the right ground. You will have to build a rock-like foundation with your fervent devotion to the Lord.
2. A house built as a pillar of truth
The pillars of the house are also important. A house must have a pillar, whether it is a stone pillar, a wooden pillar, or an iron pillar. The church, the house of God, must establish the pillars of the church with the truth in accordance with God's will. Hearing Peter's confession, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," in the region of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus said, "I will build a church over you." He said that he would build the church on the confession of faith that was in line with Peter's will of God.
The church must be a church that conforms to God's will. This is the duty and faith life of believers who obey the truth. If a church does not follow God's words, laws, and will, it cannot stand as a church. Even now, countless churches are built - all of them are called the temples of God - but there are also churches that do not conform to God's will.
Among the seven churches recorded in the book of Revelation, there is a church in Ephesus that was rebuked for abandoning their first love, and a church in Sardis that had a name of living but died. The church in Laodicea boasted that it lacked nothing because of its abundance, but I was rebuked that they were spiritually poor, needy, and naked, and that they were neither cold nor hot.
The church in Ephesus, which boasts of being a big church, the church in Sardis, which boasts of its tradition, and the church in Laodicea, which boasts of being rich, were all churches that did not conform to God's will.
Today's churches boast of their ecclesiology, establish traditions, and show off their wealth, but we need to look at whether all churches are in line with God's will. Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven." The church that does God's will is the true church.
What kind of church will our church make today? Will they become a group of people who are rebuked against the will of God? Will you thoroughly obey God's will and stand in a position of praise and glory? It is entirely up to our choice.
To accomplish God's will, above all else, let's become those who fear God's word. The Word of God is a command to us, a promise or a covenant. It is our choice whether we hear it or reject it, but we are not capable of taking responsibility for it.
We must have a heart that fears God's judgment on us.
In addition, we must strive to be a church that strives to gather, pray, worship, and evangelize. All of this is God's will for us. When we become a church faithful to these things, we will become a church with strong pillars and a revival church. Don't complain about why the church has no power and can't revive. All these responsibilities do not belong to anyone, but to 'me' who cannot live according to God's will. I pray that you will become a church with strong pillars that follow God's will.
3. A house maintained by love
The state is maintained by power, the company is maintained by money, but the family is maintained by love. Neither family is maintained by law. A family is maintained only when there is love. However, love in the family must also learn new love through the church. A true family is to be established with the saints who are called in the Lord, and the unconditional love shared in the Lord must be established.
4. A house moving towards the vision
Early on, the philosophers of Israel warned that the people without a vision would perish, scourging the people for a new era. The church must have a vision. Without a vision, it is already hell. A church without a vision is helpless. Today, our church must learn to have a vision even in this difficult situation. It is the Holy Spirit who gives us hope even in difficult situations.
Joel 2:28 "After this I will pour out my Spirit on all people, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
Let's have a missionary vision. As we look forward to the day when this mission field given to us will be fully evangelized, we will have to nurture our enthusiasm for the spirit. Even those who are stubborn and demanding evangelists will not be able to achieve anything if they give up before even presenting the Gospel. Let's have a vision to evangelize this area by finding, researching, and mobilizing all possible methods. This is the first and most important mission we should have.
Acts 1:8 "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Also, I hope you will develop a vision for church revival. The Lord has said that whatever you ask in faith will be done for you. I hope you have a vision to become a model church in all aspects of this region and a church that is envied in Korea and even in the world.
Our hope is to offer proper worship to God in a proper temple, with a proper choir, and with the right members.
If our spiritual condition is shaken by small difficulties now, how will we do great things? Even though our intentions are not being fulfilled quickly, I hope that God will surely hear our prayers and have stronger, unwavering hope in our faith.