Title Evangelism! is the best reward
Contents
Text: 2 Timothy 4:7-8
The Apostle Paul, the author of 2 Timothy, was an evangelist who preached the gospel to the Gentile world, and we call him the ‘Apostle of the Gentiles’. The footsteps of his evangelism, which occupies half of the book of Acts, shows how the gospel was spread to the Gentile world. The book of Acts, also called ‘Acts of the Holy Spirit’, ‘Acts of Ecclesiastes’, ‘Acts of Missions’, and ‘Acts of the Church’, is a Bible containing the contents of the blossoming of evangelism.
The Apostle Paul dreams of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd missionary trips and the Roman missionary trip, and as he throws himself away only to preach the gospel, he experiences great suffering. Let's look at 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 together.
“I worked so hard, I was beaten countless times, and I almost died many times.”
Paul was beaten by the Jews five times (Deuteronomy 25:2), he was beaten with rods three times (Acts 16:22), he was stoned once (Acts 14:19), and he was shipwrecked three times in a week. drifted in the sea and saved his life, many times in danger from rivers, in danger from robbers, in danger from our own people, in danger from Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the wilderness, in danger at sea, in danger among false brothers, and through toil and sorrow Through the Word, you can know that you were bitter, sleepless, hungry, thirsty, starved, cold, and naked many times.
Why did Paul preach the gospel while suffering like this?
Because he knew that evangelism was the best reward. The evidence that supports it is mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:1-6, and Paul tells the story of the third heaven (Ananois) he experienced. It's not about the sea, it's about the third sky, heaven.
“In Paradise… I have heard words that cannot be uttered, words that no man can utter.”
After going to heaven, where Paul was so important, he heard very important experiences and words that could not be put into words, he did his best only to preach the gospel of Christ after he converted to Christianity. I'm going to Rome too.
And in the end, as an evangelist, he becomes a victim of the religious oppression of the Roman Empire. Today, on the spot where Paul was beheaded, the huge Paul's Memorial Chapel stands tall and attracts a lot of tourists. Paul, he was called to evangelism (Acts 9:15 My chosen vessel), lived for evangelism (Acts 21:24 I do not consider my life to be of any value), and went to the Lord’s kingdom while preaching (2 Timothy 4:7) ~8).
This is today's text.
The Apostle Paul, who wrote a letter from prison in Rome to Timothy, the son of faith, saying, “Preach the word in season and out of season,” is now clearly telling that the time is near when he will go to the Lord’s kingdom. “The time of my departure is near.” That's right. A patriot throws his body to be patriotic. Therefore, Yu Gwan-sun, walking the road of patriotism, crying out for national independence for the freedom of her motherland, dies at a flowery age. That is why history honors him as a great man, a great woman, and a great patriot.
Politicians throw themselves into politics. Businessman throws himself into doing business. We Christians give ourselves to the Lord. We dedicate ourselves to preaching the gospel of the Lord. Jesus knows that evangelism is difficult, so in Acts 1:6-8 he says that he will give the Holy Spirit and power.
Of course, evangelism will not be easy. So, in return, in Daniel chapter 12 of the Old Testament, he said that he would give us glory shining like the stars in the sky, and in Revelation chapter 2 of the New Testament, we would give the crown of life.
However, the reward of the kingdom of heaven given to those who work hard
1) It is an eternal reward.
2) It is an unchanging reward.
3) It is the best reward.
Let's say a person went to heaven after being faithful as a deacon, kwonsa, or elder for decades. Get compliments. But if you do not evangelize, you will be rebuked.
1 Corinthians 9:16 “If I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, because it is my necessity. If I do not preach the gospel, woe to me.” Ezekiel 3:17-20 "Evangelism - refusal - to die in your sins, but the price of their blood will be found in you."
Instead of woes, I ask you to use blessings, praise, rewards, and crowns.
Just as the Apostle Paul said that I ran my course, we too must take first place in the race of faith.
I pray in the name of the Lord that all the members of the Shepherd Church who believe that it is prepared for all of us and receive the reward of the kingdom of heaven by evangelizing diligently as it is said that the crown of righteousness has been prepared because we have kept our faith.