Title Paul's Mission Report / Acts 14:19-28
Content Paul's mission report / Acts 14:19-28
After hearing the words of the risen Jesus in Damascus, the apostle Paul repented and became a new person, he devoted his whole life to missionary work.
He made three mission trips for evangelism. The record of the first missionary trip is recorded in chapters 13-14, and today's text is the last part of the first missionary trip.
His evangelism journey was long, arduous, and tiring, so he would have wanted to hurry up and come back as soon as possible on the way back. However, he is truly admirable when considering Paul returning to the places he evangelized in the past one by one.
And because they are full of responsibility for evangelism and sincerity in the work, their heads are bowed down.
1). Because it was the work of the Holy Spirit.
After the two apostles returned to the church in Antioch, they reported the results of their missionary activities, which is a testament to the humility, responsibility, and integrity of the two apostles, and is touching our hearts.
Evangelism is not done by human strength. Of course, from the perspective of an individual missionary, it is not easy to leave home and preach the gospel to a remote place 200 million miles away from parents, brothers, and relatives. It is a work that we risk our lives and depend only on God.
Therefore, nothing can be done without the help of the Holy Spirit. Because it was the work of the Holy Spirit, it gives emotion and grace to everyone who hears it.
2). Because it showed sincerity.
The two apostles reported everything that had happened in the meantime. To say that you have made all reports means that you have made a detailed report, and that you have made a detailed report means that you have made the report sincerely.
There is nothing more offensive than doing anything insincere. On the other hand, anything that contains sincerity is something that pleases the viewer.
3). Because it was an honest report.
The Apostle Paul had amazing miracles while on his missionary journey, and many people were converted. Especially, the door of evangelism to the Gentiles was opened wide and he overcame the terrible tribulation with his power.
If you think about it, it is a very natural report, but we are moved to be moved by the honest reports of the apostles because people are using so many tricks. A person of faith is always honest. God wants it as it is.
That is why, whenever we come before the Lord, we confess, 'Receive the Lord as I am'.
There is no other reason why people are not recognized before God and not respected by others. It's not because you can't do great things. Because you are not honest.
God uses honest people. Not someone who thinks he's capable. You want someone who is honest and sincere. The reason is that if you are caught in the midst of God, you will become a person of power.
Apostles Paul and Barnabas were used as men of power and were able to accomplish great things, not because they were intelligent and intelligent. It's not because I have a lot of knowledge and experience.
It was only because he humbled himself before God and trusted everything and was honest and sincere in all things. Even today, God is waiting for us to become such people. Our church needs such people.
Honest people are humble. The beginning and the end do not change. Why? Because we do everything by faith. Faith is not an emotion.
It's not something you do with your own thoughts or experiences. All of these things change. Faith is obedience to the word of God, according to the will of God. Therefore, it is unchanging. Faith is like unchanging gold.
God is pleased to not only use these people as weapons of righteousness, but also to give them great grace and blessings.
In Ephesians 6:24 it says, "Grace be with all who have an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ." In this way, grace and blessing are given to those who love the Lord unchangingly, are loyal to the church, and carry out their mission well to the end.
Dear saints, I bless you in the name of the Lord that you will be filled with emotion and grace as if you were blessed by hearing Paul's mission report while listening to the missionary report of Missionary Ahn Sung-sil during this time.