Title: Throw Bread into the Flowing River
Contents
I have been to Riverside Church several times. The Evangelical Council was hosted by the Gangbyeon Church, and the deacons and priests did a lot of volunteer work, so we ate delicious food many times. It was always thought that such things were just throwing bread into the flowing river.
It has been 27 years this year since I served Deoksu Church. It happened in the early 70's when I was teaching college students. I went to a retreat in Munho-ri near Yangsu-ri. We rented a ferry, anchored it in the middle of the Bukhan River, lit candles, and held water worship. It was a very graceful prayer meeting where time did not pass. When we arrived at the naru a couple of hours later, it was a river with a completely unfamiliar cliff. It was dark at night to find the camp, and after struggling a lot, we finally came up and came to think about the reason. The anchor we had dropped was a bit weak, and the boat was slowly drifting down without us realizing it. At that time, God was very
A powerful revelation has been given. It was understood that a flowing river is a flowing history and a ship is a church.
While the church was intoxicated and immersed in its own program within the church, history continued to flow silently, and I thought that it would be a disappointment if we couldn't sense the flow of history, where changes were drastic.
Today, I will tell you what bread is in the phrase ‘throw bread into a flowing river’. Bible scholars say that the background of this verse may be the Nile River. It is said that if you sow the seeds upstream, a harvest will occur in the lower delta region. Of course, people don't eat the roots. Thinking about throwing bread and the fish eating it, a fisherman catches the fish and puts it on a table to eat, just as we Christians sow seeds in a flowing river or throw bread, sow the word of God and seeds and labor of love. I came to think of two things: and volunteering. The church must sow the seeds of the gospel in season or out of season. Just spraying it on anyone anywhere in the world. Mission is the first and most urgent work of the church.
In Luke 10, it is recorded that when 70 evangelists returned from preaching the gospel and reported to Jesus, Jesus rejoiced with the Holy Spirit. The parable of the good Samaritan follows those words. Preaching the gospel and practicing love are not separate, but the practice of love is the practice of the gospel. In fact, we do not stand still by receiving the gospel, but because the gospel has the power to change us, the fountain of love locked up within us bursts and flows and our good deeds are revealed to everyone. Seeds. The Lord has reminded me that the church must do these two things at the same time.
History moves at the speed of propagation. But can the church remain silent? The mission of the church is to put on the full armor and save this work in the history of the power of evil spirits shaking the world by sharpening and sharpening a sharp sword so that we can receive more and exert the power of the gospel. A normal church has a mission to transform people with the gospel, melt people with love, and melt the world, while the power of the gospel and the power of love are aligned, so that the kingdom of God can be concretely realized and expanded in history.
Let me tell you another verse 4. “He who watches the wind will not sow, and he who watches the clouds will not reap.” In the Living Bible, it is paraphrased, “He who waits for perfect conditions to be fulfilled will accomplish nothing.” For the sake of the kingdom of God, nothing can be achieved by using this excuse, that excuse, this condition and that condition. There are times in life when you have to challenge yourself and there are times when you need to take risks. Abraham was not like those who did not know the winds and went on an unknown path while holding on to the word of God. I went by faith.
I've been to the UK and Japan for a week. The world is changing a lot. In my view, it is not changing in a good direction and is running on the 'road of destruction'. Both the Japanese and British churches are dying. This must be heard as the voice of God earnestly calling to the Korean church today.