Title: New Year's Hope
Contents
Text: 2 Corinthians 4:8-10
As we look back over the year, let us pastoral Christians not be caught up in the mistakes of the past or let them dwell on the mistakes and failures of the past. Let's not keep hate or sadness in our hearts. And let's start with strong faith. Today's text tells the story of the hope that Paul, who had lived as an evangelist for half his life, had in the face of extreme hardship, harsh persecution, and gloomy reality that cannot be expressed in words.
2 Corinthians 11:23-28 introduces Paul's sufferings and difficulties.
“As a worker of Christ, I worked very hard, I was put in many prisons, I was beaten many times, and I almost died. Stoned and shipwrecked three times in a shipwrecked stomach, he fought for a day and a night, fighting for his life, many times in danger from rivers, in danger from robbers, in danger from his fellow countrymen, in danger from strangers, in danger in the city, in danger in the wilderness, in danger in the sea, in danger in the sea, and in the danger of false prophets. In danger of self, in danger among false brethren, many times hunger, thirsty, sleepless and naked.”
In the midst of such suffering, today's text gives us new hope.
I wish you great comfort and joy with these words in the new year.
The new hope given in the text is,
1. Even though they were tormented on every side, they were not crushed (verse 8).
To be ‘stricken in all directions’ refers to despair, dilemma, and bereavement. In the absence of hope, to “not be wrapped up” is hope, and it means that we have found a hole that will spring out. This is possible “by looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” In order for this people, who have been living in the midst of China, Russia and Japan, to live without being ruled by them for half a million years, it is necessary to create a country of faith, a nation of Christians, and always open a hole that will rise to the sky. It means you need God's help. I pray that God's care will be with you in the new year as well.
2. Do not become discouraged even when faced with hardships (verse 8).
As long as they build chapels and devote themselves with food to the house of God, they will be seeds of blessing for those who believe.
Don't be discouraged, and stay strong.
3. Though persecuted, they are not forsaken (verse 9).
For the past few years, at the end of the year, it has been frequent to pour cold water on the atmosphere of the Christmas festival with broadcasts that damage the church on KBS, a major broadcaster. But when you think about it, what other religion can benefit the state and society as much as the church? Even when ordinary people swear, there is no such thing as 'those who attend temples and those who believe in Confucius'. However, it is common to say, “Those who go to church, those who believe in Jesus” are common. I see that the president also visits the temple to make an assessment when digging a tunnel, but does not listen to the voices of church leaders.
Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.”
God never forsakes us.
In Acts 7, the deacon Stephen is persecuted and martyred. At that time, we see our Jesus rising from the heavenly throne and personally receiving the deacon Stephen. Do not be afraid of the persecution that comes to those who believe. Greater blessings await.
4. Though they are overthrown, they do not perish (verse 9).
As the saying goes, “Eight times of the seven seasons” (七顚八起), we are never destroyed even when the world tries to perish us Christians. Because God is with us. The Israelites' exodus from slavery in Egypt, crossing the blocked Red Sea, and feeding on manna and quail in the wilderness, survived the knockdown without being destroyed. A man who stands rich without God will never get up if he falls. But when those with whom God is with him fall, God gives opportunity and new power to rise.
is