Title: Let's enjoy the promised blessings
Contents
Let's enjoy the promised blessing
(2012.01.01. Week) (John 3:16) (546/On the word of the Lord)
Commonly used money in our society is 50,000 won, 10,000 won, 5,000 won, 1,000 won, 500 won, 100 won, 50 won, and 10 won.
Although it is not commonly used by ordinary people, there is also a promissory note.
I'll give you 100 million in 60 days - if you get a stamped note - It's a lot of money that can't be compared with a 50,000 won bill.
But a promissory note isn't money right now - it becomes real money only when it's promised.
If you have received a bill but tear it up because it is not money, you cannot receive the money even on the promised date.
Promises are important - believe in them - but promises must come true.
God has promised unchanging blessings to the world - but those who do not believe in those promises will not receive the promised blessings.
What promises did God give to the world? Knowing, cherishing and cherishing that promise - I wish you all the precious blessings that the promise is fulfilled.
1. You promised in the Bible.
There are countless promises God has made to the world. Among them, the best promise is the words of the text we read today. What promises did God give to the world?
(3:16) - "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
1) It is a promise that God loves you.
“For God so loved the world” - This promise is an eternal promise and a promise that has already been put into effect.
* From the beginning when God created the world, He loved the world, saying that it was beautiful in God's eyes.
* In particular, he loved the man who was the foremost among God's creations more and more.
* Even after people sinned against God, He did not hate them, but forgave and loved them.
* Even when the whole world was full of sin - he did not destroy it as it was - he showed his love to save the world by sending his only begotten Son, Jesus.
From the beginning, to the present, and to the future - trust that God will continue to love the world and mankind. - I hope you will firmly believe and follow God's promise that He loves you and me.
2) This is the promise that Jesus redeemed.
“He gave his only begotten Son” - Jesus, the only begotten Son, has finally come. You came as promised.
And Jesus took on all the sins of the world.
Jesus took our sins upon us - God's promise is that our sins will no longer be covered.
* Jesus is the one who took up the cross as promised in the past - Please believe that our sins have been resolved as promised.
3) It is the promise of eternal life.
“that he might not perish, but that he might have eternal life”-
* What is the purpose of God sending Jesus into the world? - The purpose is to give us eternal life.
* What was the purpose of Jesus dying on the cross? - To wash away our sins, make us righteous, and give us eternal life.
The promise that God gave when sending Jesus into the world, and the promise that Jesus fulfilled when he took up the cross on his own - is a promise to give you and me eternal life.
The promise that God loves the world is already a reality. This is the promise Jesus made on the cross for our salvation. The promise of eternal life to us is a sure promise to come.
4) It is a command to believe in Jesus.
* Promissory notes can be exchanged for money only if they are kept well until they are exchanged for money.
God's love, Jesus' atonement, and eternal life - all of these are clear promises from God - but not everyone receives these promises. - To whom will this promise be made?
“For everyone who believes in him” that is, only to those who believe in Jesus, this promise is fulfilled.
*Those who have torn the promissory note, those who have lost it, and those who have been burned - will not receive any money.
*God has promised eternal life - but it is a promise that you must believe in Jesus and not everyone.
There is only one condition - “If you believe in Jesus” - This promise will come true - You and I have already believed in Jesus, so hold on to this faith until the end - Do not fall out of this promise - I pray that you will receive eternal life and go to heaven.
2. The world situation attests to this promise.
Do not doubt the promises of the Bible - look at the reality.
A few days ago, I looked at the number of Christians for 100 years (1910-2010) published in the newspaper.
1) Areas that reject Jesus will fall.
* In the Middle East, filled with Muslims, 0.7% were Christians in 1910 - now it has decreased to 0.6% - They are an unfortunate region where violence, terrorism and wars do not cease in the past and now, especially this year due to a coup d' tat and civil war. Several presidents have been killed or lost.
*100 years ago - Communism that started with the banner of “God is dead and religion is drugs” has now completely collapsed, and the last remaining North Korean regime, Kim Jong-il, died a few days ago. is.
2) Areas where faith is cooling down are declining.
Europe, which lived 100 years ago as one of the world's most developed countries with a Christian population of 66%, has now fallen to a Christian population of 26% - Similarly, now they have lost their advanced status and have become second-class countries.
3) Areas where faith has grown are receiving blessings.
*The United States and Canada, which were second-class nations 100 years ago, have now developed into world-class nations, just as the Christian population increased from 27% to 37%.
*Asia, where 4% of the Christian population 100 years ago was rudimentary, has grown to 13% today - Asia is now a livable region.
*Africa, where there was only 1% Christian population 100 years ago, has grown rapidly to 24% - Even if they still live in a difficult situation, it is an area to keep an eye on in the future.
Just looking at this reality - statistics show that if you believe in Jesus well, you will receive blessings, and if you do not believe in Jesus, you will not receive the promised blessings.
3. Our Commitment.
Now we know the promises made in the Bible, and we know that reality is consistent with the promises of the Bible.
We believe in the promises of the Bible and obey the commands of the Bible, so we must receive the promised blessings.
1) Let's believe in Jesus.
He said <If you believe in Jesus you will have eternal life> - I pray that you will enjoy eternal life by believing in Jesus until the end.
2) Let's love God.
*Under the picture on the front page of our newsletter -(Exodus 20:6)-“I show kindness to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments” - If you love God, you will receive God's grace to a thousand generations. - Let's love God.
3) Let's keep God's word well.
*If you keep God's commandments well, you will receive grace to a thousand generations. - Let's keep God's word.
Please keep the promise you gave today in your heart again - and practice so that you can receive all of these promises.
*Even after the body dies - Believe in the promise of eternal life in heaven - Let's believe in Jesus.
*Believe in the promise that God will give you abundant grace while you live in this world - Let's love God. Let's be obedient to God's word.
① Believe well in Jesus, ② Love God, ③ obey God’s Word well - I pray that you will receive abundantly all the blessings that God has promised. - From this year on, I wish you abundant blessings.