Title: The Saints Who Became God's People
Contents
Sermon Day - 1201015
Text - Ephesians 2:21-22
Title - The Saints Who Become God's People
Not long ago, I saw a pastor who was very upset when he came to get a visa from the US embassy for a trip to the US.
According to the pastor, to go to the United States, people were lining up like rationers, and I was ashamed of how difficult the visa issuance process and screening was.
Traveling to the United States is just as difficult, but how proud must the American citizens be?
However, the text testifies that the more glorious people and people are the saints.
The saints are precious and blessed people who have been chosen as God's people among all nations.
Yehwa - Honest religious life is wealth
It was the early days of American history, when people rode horses.
One day, a rich man came to the poor blacksmith who made horseshoes and said,
"Make a bridle and a horseshoe by Monday".
The blacksmith said he couldn't do it on Monday, so he would do it on Tuesday.
"No, I need it by Monday, so why don't you work?"
Then the blacksmith says:
"I can't work because tomorrow is Sunday. I'll do it by Tuesday."
The angry rich man went to the blacksmith next door and placed an order.
Then the blacksmith next door came and said,
"Thank you. You have made my work more."
One day a soldier comes and tells the blacksmith.
"Are you the one who doesn't work on Sundays?
Are you the one who rejected my friend?"
Then the blacksmith said, "Yes. I don't do what the customer wants.
I never do anything that goes against my faith and conscience because of people or money.”
Then the soldier says:
“I understand that you have the freedom to choose what pleases men and what pleases God.
So I chose you.
The purpose of coming to you is for government business.
We are looking for people to work with integrity.
I believe that those who work hard for God will be able to work honestly for the country as well.
I want you to take over the work of the government."
It was General Downing who entrusted the work to the blacksmith.
An honest life of faith is wealth.
1. People chosen by God
We envy those who attain high honor and power, or those who attain wealth, or those who have attained good fortune.
They alone seem to have been specially chosen and invited out of the multitude.
However, the saints must recognize that they are chosen by the hands of fortune, glory and wealth that cannot be compared with them.
It is because you have been specially chosen by God, the Lord of heaven and earth.
What a blessing it is to have been chosen as God's saved people out of so many unbelieving sinners.
The Bible says in Ephesians 1:4 and below,
“He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be his sons,” he testifies.
Any nationality in this world can be obtained through human strength and effort.
However, it is impossible for the sinful people of this earth to obtain the qualifications of the people of the kingdom of heaven by any effort.
It is only possible through God's special mercy and choice.
Therefore, the Bible says in 1 Peter 2:10,
“Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people, where you previously did not have mercy, but now you have obtained mercy.”
They were chosen by God's mercy and compassion to become God's people through faith in Christ.
We should be thankful for knowing that this is not a gift made by our efforts, but a gift made according to God's choice.
♣ The temple being built in Jesus
Paul said that all the saints who share in salvation through the cross must become one as citizens of the same kingdom of God.
It is like a single building, connected to each other and being built into a temple.
Through the cross, Christ tore down the wall between Jews and Gentiles and made them one.
Therefore, all are being built into one temple in Christ.
Since the Holy Spirit dwells in the heart of every believer, each and every believer is a temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells.
But also the church, the organic community of saints, is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, believers should strive to keep the unity of the Holy Spirit in Christ, transcending all differences.
Yehwa-Following the guidance of the Holy Spirit
Many drivers have GPS navigation installed in their cars.
GPS is a 'Global Positioning System' and refers to a 'satellite positioning system'.
GPS was originally developed by the US Department of Defense for military use.
Six circular orbits are made in the sky at an altitude of 20,000 km, and 24 satellites are launched, four in each orbit.
Then, the user selects the 4 most suitable satellites from his location.
It receives a signal from it to pinpoint its location.
In addition, if you set the destination you want to go, it will guide you on the optimal road to your destination.
It will guide you to the fastest way.
The Holy Spirit is the GPS of our life.
He tells us exactly where we need to go.
He guides us to the most accurate and fastest way.
We just need to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
2. People who serve only God
On the other hand, the Apostle Paul said in today's text,
“In him, every building is joined together to become a temple in the Lord, and you too are being built together in Jesus to become a dwelling place for God in the Holy Spirit.”
I need to use Jesus as my model for my life.
There is a saying that the longer you live with that person, the more similar you become. So they say that the couple are similar.
The saints are gradually being made.
In today's text, it is said that "it is becoming" and "it is being built".
Saints are not perfect.
Therefore, there is shame, failure, and mistakes that others do not want to see.
It is gradually being made towards completion.
A person who acquires a new nationality takes an oath before the flag and laws of that country.
I promise to love my country, obey its laws, and be loyal.
The saints who have become God's people must recognize that they are called to serve only God and be loyal to Him.
The life of serving the happiness of the world and one's own greed as an idol has come to an end.
Only serving God and his country should be the goal of life from now on.
In Philippians 3:20, Paul says,
“Remember that our citizenship is in heaven,” he testifies.
I hope you will always remember these privileges and duties and become believers who lead a life full of joy and truth.