Title Named Worker
Contents
♡♥♡ Famous Workers / Romans 16:1-2
***Introduction
It was during the Warring States period of ancient China, when ‘Liu Bang’ fought with ‘Hang Yu’. Among the generals of Liu Bang’s subordinates, there was a man named ‘Fengkee’, and the unit led by Beungwae was surrounded by Xiangwu’s troops and was in imminent danger. He sent a messenger to ask for help, along with the fact that the main army was in dire straits.
The messenger in charge disguised himself as a madman, and for safety and confidentiality in case of detection by the enemy, he himself put a lump of charcoal in his mouth and became mute. The herald was soon discovered by the enemy, arrested and interrogated. However, the enemy decided that the messenger was dumb and crazy and sent him back. The herald finally accomplished his mission, and with this he received reinforcements and won the battle to unify the nations.
Passion to the point of burning one's tongue for the sake of his mission is a sign of his faithfulness. The saints are workers who are equally called by God, but the talents and missions given to them are different. In 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, “To one the word of wisdom through the Holy Spirit, to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another The gift of healing by one Spirit, to some the working of miracles, to another prophesying, to another discernment of spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, to another interpreting in tongues , and all these things are done by one and the same Spirit, distributing to each one according to his will.” Ephesians 4:11 says, “And he gave as an apostle, or as a prophet, or as an evangelist, or as a pastor or teacher.”
As such, although the positions given to each member are different, there should be no difference in the passion for carrying out the duties. Obviously, there are people who are worthy of God and there are people who are used lowly. This is the difference in job titles. However, the issue of being used is different. There are workers who are properly recognized for their work, and there are workers who are not recognized for their work. Therefore, it is important to be called and to be appointed, but more importantly, to be a recognized worker. See 2 Timothy 2:20-21. “In a large house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also vessels of wood and earthenware, some of which are noble and others of lowly use. You will be prepared for work.”
Do you consider yourself to be approved by God? This evening, we would like to examine the way to receive God's approval through a person whose name is written in the Bible as a faithful worker who has received God's approval.
Verse 16, including the main text, mentions the faithful and recognized workers. These are faithful workers who were not only recognized by Paul, but also recognized before God. On the other hand, verses 17-18 imply that there are also unfaithful people in the church. What heading would you like your name to be written under?
1. A believer who deserves to be recommended receives God's approval.
The women who were recommended by Paul were faithful members of the ‘Cencrea Church’ that Paul called “our sisters.” The name “Phoebe” means “chastity”, and as the name suggests, Phoebe was a pure and pious believer before God.
As such, the sacrificial service and almsgiving of the saints is a beautiful faith that will be remembered not only by the saints in this world but also by God. In verse 4 below the text, Prisca and Aquila are commended as people with sacrificial love who would give even their own lives. Also, in Acts 10:4 and below, there is a scene where the service and alms of a Gentile centurion are recognized by God. Verse 4. “Cornelius looked and looked and was afraid and said, 'Lord, what is the matter?' The angel said, "Your prayers and alms have come up before God for a remembrance."
Faith that is pure before God and devoted to people like this is what we should have today and the faith that is recognized by God.
2. Active and passionate believers receive God's approval.
If we study the history of the church, the church has been maintained and developed by two kinds of people. One is the outward devotees who come out. For example, 'John Wycliffe', 'John Hoods', 'John Calvin', 'Zwingli', 'Martin Luther', 'Karl Barth', a doctrinal master, The famous preacher 'Chrysostom', the revivalist 'John Wesley', etc.
The other, the less obvious, are the inward devotees who made up the majority of the church and were the basis of revival. These were mainly women saints. Together with slaves, orphans, and widows, these were the marginalized class of society, forming the mainstream of the early church and becoming witnesses of Jesus Christ. Even at the time of Jesus' ministry, there were devoted women who always followed like shadows on the way of the cross, under the cross, and in the tomb.
Korea is no exception. Most of the first believers of Korean Protestantism were servants, butchers, widows, and women. Even now, regardless of any church, the majority are women. In addition, it is easy to see that there are more women members and marginalized groups in the work that is zealous and devoted.
The environment and conditions at that time did not welcome women to take part in everything. It is because of his fervent passion for God that he was able to work devotedly in spite of such a poor environment. In the text below, ‘those who lay down their lives’, ‘those who labored a lot’, ‘those who were approved in Christ’, ‘those who labored in the Lord’, etc. These modifiers are catching up. It cannot achieve this beautiful recognition by sitting still or passively.
Passion is essential in serving God. God also said that the way he works is 'zealous'. In the Old Testament, we can find many sayings, “The zeal of the Lord will do this.” Ezekiel 39:25 says, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD. Now I will be zealous for my holy name, and bring back the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy on all the house of Israel.” Even Jesus was zealous enough to forsake Himself. In John 2:17, when Jesus was cleaning the temple, the disciples said in the Bible, “The zeal for your temple will consume me.” He said he remembered what he did.
Ladies and gentlemen, serving God is not influenced by circumstances and circumstances. It was not during the Middle Ages, when the church dominated the world, that Christianity was at its hottest. Rather, it was the era of the 10 Roman emperors, which suffered the most persecution. The Middle Ages, when the Church ruled the world, was the most corrupt period in the history of the Church to date. Therefore, we cannot sit down because our times are too difficult for the Lord's work.
Everyone in this world has a mission from God. Even unbelievers. God said that even the wicked will be used in a proper time. Unbelievers simply forget their mission because they do not believe in God. So they spend all their talents for the desires of the flesh.
We must do our best with enthusiasm, enduring even sacrifices for the mission we have been given. To become a famous person before God. Therefore, believers should not wait for an opportunity to do God's work. Because today may be the last chance of my life.
If you earnestly create opportunities and follow the opportunities that God gives you and be faithful with all your life, you will receive praise from God. 1 Corinthians 4:5 says, “Therefore, judge nothing before the time, until the coming of the Lord. He will bring to light the things hidden in darkness and reveal the will of the heart, and then each will receive praise from God.”
We pray that our lives will be recognized not only by people but also by God, and become people of beautiful faith whose name is known to God like Moses, the man of God.