Title: The Church's Step towards Tomorrow
step of content
Sunday, February 9, 2003 Sermon
Acts 11:14-18
Human history is “Conservative? Are you progressive?” “Is it radical? Moderate?” It is no exaggeration to say that these two powers have been connected by conflict. This difference in thinking will be a reaction to change. And every change requires our adaptation. We also need an unchanging conviction of the truth and a change in ourselves that is appropriate to the flow of the times.
The Bible tells us that every saved Christian must make a beautiful change every moment of every day. And for a beautiful change, today's text seriously introduces some methods.
First, you must be able to distinguish between essential and non-essential.
The reason we cannot experience the beautiful changes that God has given us is that in many cases we cannot distinguish between the essence and the non-essence. When we cannot distinguish between essential and non-essential, we cannot change even though we should be transformed into the truth of God, and like the scribes and Pharisees, we will hear from God that it is a whitewashed tomb. We must be conservative in nature and open to non-essentials.
Second, we must be careful not to fall into institutionalism.
If we are not always awake, we are easily institutionalized without realizing it. The content is gone and only the form remains. This is also true of faith. It is easy to institutionalize me over the years. Today's text tells us that if we fall into institutionalism, we can easily criticize others. The person who falls into institutionalism is because the motives of a person's actions are not important. However, we are gathered here today to be witnesses and to share the gospel. Take a look at your own life now.
Third, you must have the right attitude.
In today's text, Peter maintains a rational, logical, and calm attitude. The truth that God was trying to teach Peter was that even Gentiles could be saved. God told him through a vision. He was traditional, conservative, and raised in Judaism. But he says he opened his heart when God spoke. And the early Christians were also quiet. Because they were open to God.
We must change. So, I hope that our church will become a church of blessing that can bring new changes on top of beautiful traditions and become a church that does the wonderful things of God.