Upgrade of faith

Acts 2:1-21 Upgrade of faith
When we watch Korea soccer team in the World Cup, we realize that Korea team is not the past team. That means the present Korea team has been upgraded in power, speed and system, so that they got the first victory in the World Cup after 48years' try, and they defeated Portugal team who is the fifth in the world soccer, and they also defeated Italy team who had got the World Cup championship three times.
When we watched the past Korea team, we felt pitiful on them, and we thought there is a distance between Korea team and the world-class teams. But when we see the present Korea team, we think, "They are very nice !", and we feel very happy on them. I think it is because Korea team has been upgraded. As I watch the upgraded Korea team with joy, I think Korean politics, economy, society and all other fields should be upgraded. And I also think how good it is if our faith is upgraded.
Every player of Korea team will receive the great benefits such as Sonata car, exemption from military service, and lots of money, and date chance with Miss Korea because every player has been upgraded. I think if our faith is upgraded, we will also receive the great benefits from God.
In the bible, we can see upgraded person or downgraded persons or stagnant persons. Let's see the 12 disciples of Jesus. They were taught by Jesus for three and half years. But all of them ran away at the time of Jesus' death. Even the best disciple Peter disowned Jesus three times and he cursed Jesus. Some disciples including Peter gave up the discipleship. They went back to Galilee to catch fish. They collapsed like the France soccer team in the World Cup. They were totally defeated even though they were taught by Jesus who is much better than Hiddink, coach of Korea soccer team.
They were nothing but failures. They thought themselves pitiful. And they became so weak that they could not stand before Jews and Romans. Once they experienced the miracle of expelling demons. And Peter walked on the Sea of Galilee. They had self-esteem as the disciples of Jesus. But they failed.
They needed upgrade. Or not, they would become everlasting failures or like 386 computers or past Korea soccer team. Without the upgrade of their faith, they would not reach the quarterfinal or semifinal or final in the World Cup of faith. They desperately needed upgrade in order to get victory like the Korea team. Without the upgrade, they could not receive the benefits.
The upgraded Korea team has given hope and confidence to all Koreans. They encouraged Korean to shout together 'Great Korea !'. And Asian countries says, "Korea team has encouraged us. Korea team has kept Asian self-esteem !" Brothers and sisters, I want to all of us to be upgraded like Korea team, so that we may encourage many people to shout together 'Great kingdom of heaven !'
Today's scripture says, "They were all together in one place." It was the player meeting for upgrade of their faith. Jesus told them to stay in the city until they have been clothed with power from on high. Why ? Because Jesus knew that even his disciples could not preach the gospel without the upgrade of their faith and mouths.
When the Holy Spirit came upon them, their words and tongues were changed. Before they received the Spirit, they spoke negative and grumbling words. But today they began to speak in other tongues. When the crowd heard them speaking in other tongues, they were amazed, "They spoke negative and weak words. But today they are speaking thankful and hopeful words. What happened ? Maybe they have had too much wine !"
Then Peter stood up and raised his voice and addressed the crowd, "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, these men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning ! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel ; 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams." (Acts 2:14-17)
People of the world are surprised at the upgraded Korea soccer team. I want people to be surprised at the upgraded you and me. Of course, it is not easy for us to be upgraded. It needs time and efforts. But Korea team did it. They upgraded themselves so that they encouraged Korean people. They implanted patriotism in Korean people and they gave a big joy to us who are in the foreign land.
Brothers and sisters, I ask you to upgrade your faith, so that you may encourage us, and you may satisfy God's heart. I ask you to join with us in the movement of upgrade. And I ask you to upgrade your words and your heart. If you upgrade your faith, you and your family can be blessed, and you can shout with joy even in this foreign land.
Let me ask you again. Upgrade yourselves like Korea soccer team and go to quarterfinal, semifinal, final and get the championship and the benefits even in this foreign land. Of course, we face many disadvantages because we are not in homeground but in the away ground. We are now playing away game. But overcome the difficulties with faith and prayer. And upgrade yourselves and enjoy the abundant blessing and wonderful joy. And receive the great rewards from God on that day. Amen !