2023.10.01 District Message
Scripture Reading: Acts 18:1-4, Romans 16:1-27
Acts 18:1–4 (lifelong)
This is the field of the meeting between the couple Priscilla and Aquila and Paul. We tend to think only according to what we see. But God leads you with the answer for your entire life already prepared.
Romans 16:1–27 (eternal)
In Romans 16:1–27, we may simply “do ministry,” but God views you and your ministry as connected to what is eternal.
Therefore, our past, present, and future are very important. This communication and the 25 answers have been given to you.
▣ Introduction: [God’s preconception]
We all have preconceptions. Because we have them, we judge and choose with them.
[先入見] Preconception means something that has “entered beforehand.” That becomes a problem.
[Before in View of God] If writing for non-Koreans: “before” means something already out in front; it has now entered us and becomes our view—our “me.” In a sense this is everything. Even when you hear today’s sermon or pray, you view it by the standard of what has already entered you. Sometimes this (preconception) becomes the problem—you cannot see beyond it.
So we must have God’s preconception. This is crucial. God desires to bless you. Look with that eye. God is blessing you to enjoy the future of world evangelization. When we look at a person, we quickly say, “He’s wrong,” and stop there. Then your prayer is in vain. God wants to change and bless that person. With that eye many things become visible; with that eye you see correctly. God is blessing your paths with important plans. With that eye you must look. To those of you advanced in years, God is blessing you to enjoy what is His in your remaining life. This (introduction) is the whole answer.
At a glance, many Christians seem no different from unbelievers—we judge lightly, “That person is like this, that person is like that.” God is not like that. God wants to change you, bless you, and use you to save others. This is God’s preconception. With that, view the past, present, and future.
This is extremely important. Among the elderly there are youthful people; among the young there are the aged. The criterion is not the face; it is that this (preconception) becomes hardened within. When teaching Remnants, do not teach by your level. Remnants must live when you are not there; teach them by viewing the age. Even if many problems have come to you, God has a tremendous plan within them. If you lose this (introduction), your prayer is in vain. What you do is meaningless. We need God’s view—not my preconception, but the saving preconception of God that seeks to save. Even some wise unbelievers say, “A person changes more than twelve times.” God is blessing you with a very important plan. Always look with that eye.
▣ Main
1. The past (a platform)
What is our past—and the past of many? In one word, the past is not a scar but a platform.
2. Today
What is our today? In reality there are many problems, difficulties, conflicts, and crises. In a way, our today can be viewed as the future.
3. The future – the throne
Our future can easily feel anxious. But our future is to enjoy the blessing of the throne of God.
2. Today (past, future, eternity)
In fact, our today contains the past, the future, and the eternal. Upon what platform shall we build it?
1. The past (a platform)
(1) Genesis 3, 6, 11 (the hidden background)
We can easily fall into Genesis 3, 6, and 11 regarding the past.
(2) Scars
We also end up carrying scars. Genesis 3, 6, and 11 are a hidden background, so people do not realize it. Suppose you have a family. Is it helpful if your husband revolves around you—or your wife around you? Anyone with a bit of sense recognizes that when you center on the other person, it benefits you. Is it better to act by my thoughts, or by God’s thoughts? The results are immense. Left unchecked, I think only centered on myself—falling into the terrifying Genesis 3, 6, and 11. Remember this well.
This applies to ministers too. Is it better to think centered on myself—or on the congregation? Even by calculation alone, centering on the congregation benefits me. At work, many ask, “What benefit do I get?”—that is a loss. Such a person is unnecessary to the company. Ask, “How can I benefit the company?”—then I live. I always say this: either have great faith, or a good mind, or good choices—at least one. If you lack faith, lack sense, and have a foul temper—this “trinity” harms others. Either have true faith or realize rightly. If centered on “me,” only scars remain—no thanksgiving. And Satan targets that.
(3) Family line
God wants all these things in your family line to become a platform for blessing. This is God’s preconception. It becomes very important.
2. Today (past, future, eternity)
(1) Problem – answer
As often said: problems are not matters for worry; they are God’s plan to lead us to the answer.
(2) Conflict – renewal
Recurring conflicts are God’s blessing to lift you a level—today is for renewal.
(3) Crisis – opportunity
Crisis is God’s amazing blessing to grant opportunity. Someone once said, “Crisis is opportunity.” The principle is right: God desires to bless us in this way (main 2).
Always, in work and in viewing people, throw away my preconception. Everyone has them—about “so-and-so,” about this elder or that person. Then when a problem comes, you interpret it only by your own lens—causing immense trouble.
Helen Keller’s main problem was not herself but her parents. The greatest obstacle to her healing was her parents’ preconception: “She cannot.” But Teacher Anne Sullivan said otherwise: “She can—because I did, by God’s power.”
Such preconceptions make tremendous differences and create different paths. Though our future seems anxious, it is not. God has prepared this (the throne) blessing for you. Believe firmly.
3. The future – [the throne]
(1) The kingdom of God
The kingdom of God has come upon you. This is your future. Going to the kingdom later is another story; for now, the kingdom has come.
(2) The work of the kingdom of God
After it comes upon me, it comes upon my work. “The LORD was with Joseph”—that is the kingdom. “Whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper”—that is the work of the kingdom.
(3) Throne-ization
Thus we enjoy the blessing of throne-ization. To enjoy the gospel, I must be gospel-ized; to save the world, I must be world-ized; to convey the throne’s blessing, I must be throne-ized.
I often travel abroad. I don’t even think of it as “going overseas.” I used to feel jet lag; now I don’t—since even in Korea I sleep little. Seniors say, “I can’t sleep.” Do not worry. Doctors speak from scientific and medical statistics—we ought to reference them—but every person differs. As we age, we tend to sleep with our mouth open; long sleep can be harmful. Shorter, segmented sleep with daytime dozing often helps more. One Japanese physician split cancer patients into two groups: one slept eight hours (the medical recommendation), the other only three. The three-hour group recovered faster. I’m not arguing medical doctrine—rather: do not be anxious.
Many elements around you feed anxiety—blood pressure rises with age; that can be normal. The “normal” standards were set largely by pharmaceutical companies; do not be ruled by fear.
God has reserved for you the blessing of the throne. Be assured. In this way, in your remaining years you will give greater glory to God, gain greater strength, and carry out world evangelization.
▣ Conclusion: Simultaneity
View the past, present, and future simultaneously—against God’s timetable from eternity past to eternity. Think as though filming the movie of a life. A film without thrill, problem, or crisis is dull. Your life is such a film.
Glory
Surely God will reveal His glory through you.
This week’s small-group lesson is very important. If this (introduction) is not established, worship, prayer, and the Word become vain. Now, with God’s preconception, view everything. See children with that eye—it changes. See adults with that eye—it changes everything.
In my village there was a man who behaved strangely; all pointed fingers. But a teacher with the gospel met him and smiled, saying, “I’m praying for you.” The young man was moved and asked, “What are you praying for me?” The teacher shared the gospel and added, “You can.” That one short word began his change.
People do change. Speak a word of blessing once a day to your children. Our language too easily curses—then how can they not fall?
May today be a day of great grace for you, in the name of Jesus Christ. Our Immanuel Seoul Church must be full—even on holidays. I will pray.
Prayer. God, we thank You. Today, let us discover ourselves within Your plan. Today, by the power unknown to people, heal me. Use us as witnesses who rescue those in many hardships. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.