Title: Living Martyrs/ Acts 1:6-11
Contents
There is a story like this. It's fiction, of course, but it teaches us an important lesson. After Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected, He ascended into heaven. Then one of the angels who met Jesus in heaven asked a question. “Jesus, you have worked very hard. But have you come to tell the world about the cross and resurrection?” "No, I know only a few of Jerusalem and Galilee." "Then you didn't work in vain, did you?" "No, I left it to my disciples." “No Jesus, those people are lousy people.
Isn't it? Won't it fail?" "Anyway, I'm not considering any other plans." Everyone, what happened after that? The 2,000-year history of Christianity testifies. Like the angel's concern, the disciples did not fail. It's not yet complete, but through them the cross The gospel has been spread all over the world. The gospel has been spread to us on the other side of the world. So when we heard the gospel, we were saved by faith. Churches were established in various places. And to this day, the church is actively expanding. will be
Guys, how was this possible? In fact, the disciples who remained at the time of the ascension of Jesus are lowly people who say they are insufficient from a human point of view ... Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishy fishermen and ignorant Galilean fishermen; ... these kind of people, how could they possibly change the world with their ingenuity? You need to know the exact reason.
They spent three years together with Jesus and received a lot of training. He witnessed numerous miracles, especially the death and resurrection of Jesus on the cross. Of course, this was a very important factor, but it was not enough. According to John 21:1 and below, even after they witnessed the resurrection, they went to the Sea of Galilee to fish in dead grass. Also, in verse 6, we ask a strange question about the resurrected Jesus. When will Israel be restored? In other words, political recovery, building a kingdom independent from Rome?
This is it. It's like knocking on a stick while sleeping. In verse 3, what did the Lord do for 40 days after His resurrection? I explained the work of the kingdom of God...
For this reason, the Lord emphasized something before ascension. what? Verses 4-5. Wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit! They were changed only after the Holy Spirit came upon them. They realized all the truths of the gospel and became powerful workers. Their changed appearance appears after Chapter 2.
As you can see from the text, just before ascending to heaven, Jesus gave verse 8 in anticipation of their changing future. These are the last testaments he left on earth. Therefore, it is the best command. So, together with Matthew 28:18-20, this word is often called the Great Commission. Let's recite together!
Holding on to this very word, the disciples preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. That gospel has saved and changed millions of people all over the world. From now on to us living in this land that was like the end of the earth 110 years ago... Therefore, these words do not only apply to the disciples at that time, but are a command to all Christians. This is the life that every Christian will follow.
It is a purpose, a style of life.
When Jesus finished these words and ascended to heaven, the disciples at that time were still puzzled and looked only at the sky where Jesus was disappearing. Then the two angels in white robes spoke. Section 11. It is not just looking at the sky, but living according to the Word until the Lord returns.
That's really important. Please think carefully. If you believe in Jesus, you become the people of the kingdom of heaven. You have been given the right to go to heaven right away. Surely heaven is better than this world, so why does the Lord leave us in this world? Why do we have to survive in this harsh world? That's just to carry out this command. It's not just for rinsing. People all over the world say that even if you roll in dog poop, life is better. You must keep this in mind. so really
You can live a meaningful life.
What kind of meaning would our life be if we were only interested in eating and drinking just like the rest of the world? It's just a life that withers and disappears like grass.
1 Peter 1:24-25 "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever..." 1 John 2:15-17 "... For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, all do not come from the Father, but from the world. The world and its lusts pass away, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
Therefore, saints! Do you want to live a life of no regrets and glory forever? Acts 1:8 Please hold on to the word and live! What will we be proud of on the day we stand before the Lord? Only this.
Then let's take a look at what these words mean in detail.
[1] Jesus' Witnesses
The word 'witness' in the Bible is originally a legal term. 'A person who witnesses and reports what he has heard and seen'. However, in the Roman era, when the book of Acts is the background, believing in and witnessing Jesus is in line with giving up one's life. So the word witness is the original Greek word for the Bible, 'malthus', from which the English word for martyr (martyr) was derived.
In other words, to be a witness of Jesus means to live by preaching the fact that Jesus is the Son of God, that his death on the cross was the atoning death for mankind, and that his resurrection opened the way to eternal life for those who believe. Because this is the most important truth ... important to ourselves, important to everyone, ...
For this kind of life, it was not uncommon for many Christians in the early church to be martyred by giving their lives for their faith and witness.
Example> The 12 disciples (including Matthias who entered in place of Judas Iscariot) - All except the apostle John were martyred. In Korea
Missionaries who came to visit - Missionary Thomas and others ... Jeoldusan ...
The Christian church grows through the blood of martyrs.
This is still happening all over the world today. Muslim bloc, communist bloc, ...
It is said that there are about 150,000 martyrs every year. That's huge, right?
However, we are living in an era of peace, a country where religious freedom is guaranteed.
They are not given the opportunity to martyrdom like them. In fact, martyrdom feels frightening, but if you can afford it, you will die once anyway. It is the most glorious aspect of life.
But everyone! We also have other ways of martyrdom. Like the title of today's sermon, it is to become a 'living martyr'. what do you mean? They gave their lives for Jesus at once. In other words, it was a 'short and one-time martyrdom' by death. Although we are not given such an opportunity today, if we live our lives with such determination and determination, that is, the spirit of a martyr, it would be like giving up our lives for Jesus. In other words, it is a 'long and lasting martyrdom'. They are martyred by death, we are martyred by living. Romans 12:1 "Therefore, brethren, in all the mercy of God, I
I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Romans 14:7-8 "None of us lives to himself, and not one dies to himself. We live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's."
This is not our choice, it is only given by God through the ages. A person who lives as a witness of Jesus in a true sense is possible when he is in a martyrdom situation of death. It is impossible to be martyred in a dangerous situation if you do not become a witness of Jesus in today's life.
Example> If the Communist Party pushes you down ... Pastors, elders, and saints are taken first. Then what am I? the problem at that time
No, that's the problem now.
We entrust everything to the Lord and we only hope to live the life of the Jesus Witnesses in the circumstances of our life.
wish.
[2] The life of a concrete living martyr
① Specific method
* Direct Evidence - Through the evidence of lips, through various communication means (letter, document, broadcasting, Internet, etc...), going out as a missionary, etc...
* Indirect evidence - through evangelism, missionary support, and example of character and life
Matthew 5:13-16 Salt and light
Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds,
Glory be to your Father who is in heaven." - This is, in a word, love.
In a word, love is to lose because of Jesus. Those who believe and those who mature will lose.
This is especially urgent in places where the Gospel has already been witnessed a lot like our country. When there is a difference between what we believe, what we say, and what we live, the people of the world close their ears and turn their backs. In the end, the truth is rejected. It is our responsibility. We cannot say that the world is not listening to us. You have no right to condemn the world. I'm not blaming the world for being dark. The world is always like that. It's just that we're the only problem we can't shine.
② Where - Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria to the ends of the earth
* Nearby (Jerusalem) - family, close neighbours, kin, ...
* From afar (to the ends of the earth) - After Jerusalem, then Judea, ... It's not like this. simultaneously
is to implement it. That's why I'm doing overseas missions.
In fact, it is because of these words that we are saved. If we had done everything step by step and went to the next area, the gospel would not have come to us yet.
In particular, today's era is the era of globalization. With the development of transportation and communication, it is even called a global village. At first glance, this appears to be for trade or industry. But spiritually, it is for the gospel. Just as a well-developed military road network was used for the gospel in Roman times...
③ When - Until the day when the Lord comes (until the end of the world - the end of the universe), until the day he calls me (personal end)
[3] Only when the Holy Spirit comes...
Looking back at verse 8, it says, "When the Holy Spirit comes... you will be witnesses." In other words, the life of a witness, a life of a martyr, is not something that people strive for. It's also not attractive to people to see. That is why the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus must come upon us. Then the power will come. The Greek word is 'dunamis', from which words such as dynamite and dynamic came from. So, what abilities are revealed?
① It is believed. We believe in God, Jesus, Heaven, and eternal life and resurrection.
② Be bold. I am not afraid of death either. Because there is eternal life, resurrection, and heaven...
③ Jesus will be revealed. The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus with the Spirit that comes from Jesus. It is inevitable because the Holy Spirit is the one who came to testify of Jesus. (John 15:26, 16:14) When the Holy Spirit comes upon us, we automatically smell of Jesus. And the figure of Jesus is revealed.
Today is Pentecost! Let's welcome the Holy Spirit upon us! And let's live the life of the Jesus Witnesses! Let's become living martyrs! This life is happy. It is a joy that is so great that it rejoices while being martyred. And forever glorious life. I bless you all who live the lives of these living martyrs.