Title "Let's Work Together for Good" (April 25)
Contents
"Let's work together for good"
(Romans 8:26-30)
Airplanes receive wind resistance, but use that wind to fly. The church also faced many challenges and persecutions, but it grew and matured through those persecutions. In his letter to the church and the saints in Rome, Paul tells us to see the evil hidden in the city lights and overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). The world's view of the church these days is not pretty. This means that the troubles of being a saint deepen. “How can I live a life that resembles Jesus?” Today's message introduces two treasures for a “glorious life” (Romans 8:30). One is 'the Holy Spirit' and the other is 'suffering'.
① Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is always with us. Jesus' final promise is “the power of God from above”, the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4). This promise was fulfilled in Acts 2, and the church began as a witness. The life of a believer begins with the power of the Holy Spirit. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, it is as difficult as driving a wheelless car. In Romans 8:1-27, the word ‘Holy Spirit’ is mentioned about 20 times. “All things work together for good” (Romans 8:28), which means that everything in all things is the 'Spirit'. The Holy Spirit is not a gift. It is not part of any phenomenon. The Holy Spirit is essence and everything. And it is God, Jesus Christ. If the Holy Spirit is with you, all of my dead life will come to life. Thoughts come alive, relationships come alive, and my heart that was dark after death comes alive with light. When we live believing that the Holy Spirit is with us, we can feel the “taste of life” living as a saint.
② hardship