Title: Luxury Church
Contents
Bible: Acts 11:19-26
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Antioch Church has become a very famous church for us. The church in Antioch became famous because of the persecution, and it became a famous church because of the persecution. Antioch Church, which becomes more famous as the years go by, can be called a luxury church. Because Antioch Church has a good influence on us living in the 21st century.
When we say luxury, it also has a negative meaning. However, there are many more positive images of luxury. Above all, luxury items retain their value over time. And everyone likes it. And the reason for owning a luxury item is that it has a high value and, at the same time, its value increases as its value is recognized even after using it for a long time.
Like the Antioch Church, we earnestly hope that Hanshin Church will become a prestigious church that everyone will remember in history even after the years pass.
According to today's Bible, Antioch Church was the first to hear the name Christian. The word Christian at that time meant a Jesuit. He called him Christian out of a slight mockery, but as time went on, Christian changed to a more respectful name.
If we look at Judges 6-8, we see the story of Gideon's victory over the 135,000 Midianite army. At that time, when fighting the Midianites, Gideon recruited the entire army of Israel. At that time, when the first 32,000 soldiers gathered, God said to Gideon, “Send all the cowards.” So all the cowards were sent. Those who were afraid of war said to go, but 22,000 people went and 10,000 were left. Even then, 9,700 people returned to their homes because God said that only those who could really focus on the war and who would trust and depend on God and would go to war would be selected. There are 300 remaining heroes. Those 300 warriors defeated the 135,000 Midianites.
Like Gideon's 300 warriors, the Antioch church had 300 absolutely devoted members who could give their lives for Jesus. That is what made the Antioch church today a luxury church.
Antioch Church was a church that loved the Word. As we know, Barnabas and Paul taught the Word diligently for a year. And other prophets came and taught zealously. The members of the Antioch Church studied the Word diligently. The life of the church is right here. It is important to take root in the Word.
Second, circumcision was performed in the sense of cutting off the unclean thing. We tried to cut everything to be cut thoroughly and become a holy church.
The third characteristic of the church in Antioch is obedience. It was a church that was especially obedient to missions. The Antioch Church set up Barnabas and Paul separately and sent them as missionaries to support them. I did my best to be obedient to this support.
I hope that our Hanshin Church will become a luxury church. I hope that Hanshin Church will remain as a church that saves lives even after time passes. The beginning of becoming a luxury church is not far away. I hope that we will keep our longing for worship that comes a little earlier during the service time, and we hope that we will have the heart to donate with gratitude rather than giving it to God with no regrets. God is pleased to accept the offering with a grateful and joyful heart. Why don't you give your donations with a regretful heart? I would like to thank you with a happy heart. This is the secret to becoming a luxury church.
Ladies and gentlemen, Hanshin Church is a luxury church. Hanshin Church members are luxury members. I hope so.
2010-07-04 09:24:08