Phil 4:13 I can do
By the help of God, the Israelites could return to Jerusalem from Babylon where they had spent 70 years as the captives. But when they returned to Jerusalem, they saw Jerusalem desolate and the temple of God destructed. They tried to reconstruct the city of Jerusalem. But Sanballat and Tobiah ridiculed the Israelites. Tobiah said, "What they are building- if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones !" (Neh 4:3)
And the Samaritans who worshiped the gentile's god and Jehovah God came to the Israelites and suggested joining the reconstruction of Jerusalem. But Zerubbabel and the leaders of the Israelites refused their suggestion because the Samaritans did not have the spiritual commonness with the Israelites.
Then the Samaritans had grudge against the Israelites and they tried to discourage the Israelites and make them afraid to go on building. Especially they hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans. Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill for about 15 years.
But God made the king of Darius to issue a decree, "Do not interfere with the work on this temple of God. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its site. If anyone changes this edict, a beam is to be pulled from his house and he is to be lifted up and impaled on it. And for this crime his house is to be make a pile of rubble. May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or any people who lifts a hand to destroy this temple in Jerusalem." (Ezra 6:7, 11-12)
And the king Darius paid the costs and offered sacrifices pleasing to the God, so that the work could be finished and prospered.
Brothers and sisters, it was not easy for the Israelites to rebuild the Jerusalem and the temple of God because they have just returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. Likewise it is not easy for us to build the temple of God in this foreign land. Lots of difficulties will follow us. But the Israelites did it because there was the help of God and the leaders' belief in God.
Brothers and sisters, have faith in God. We can do it. We can build the model church in Calgary, in Canada and in north America even though there are lots of difficulties and obstruction. Who are we ? We are the children of God, aren't we ? God helps us and provides us with everything. Therefore we can do it. Don't say, "It is impossible." It can be done successfully because it will be done by God not by us. God will accomplish it. God works with us who have faith in Him.
I have learned a lesson when we changed the gym's lighting of our church. It was really hard and difficulty work. But deacon Lee insisted that he could do it. And he said to us, "It is possible for me to do it because I have experienced the same kind of works before. Just commit the work to me. I can do it."
But we thought it was very difficult and impossible for us. But we could not find any other way. so we committed the work to him. And surprisingly, just as he said, it was done easily, quickly and neatly. When I look at the lighting I sometimes think, "How could it be done ?" the answer is nothing but faith such as 'I can do'. As a pastor I think I cannot do the work by myself. But the professional or expert think, "It is possible. No problem !"
Brothers and sisters, we sometimes say it is impossible when we do the work of God. But the professional or experienced man think it possible. When I was a section leader of the youth mission in Yoido Full Gospel Church, I have experienced building the temple of God. And I also joined building the temple of God when I was a district pastor. I mean I am a experienced pastor especially for building the temple of God. That's why I told you 'I can do it.' when we built the temple of God.
Just I said, God let us purchase this beautiful church building within 2 years. I can also tell you. "Our church will be the model church for the works of God." Let me tell you the reasons. Which church is the biggest church in the world ? Yoido Full gospel Church, isn't it ? I have come from that church. And I have learned the lesson from pastor Yonggi Cho. And I have experienced it. His God is my God.
When I was a district pastor I accomplished church growth even in the many difficulties. Of course, it was by the help of God. And pastor Cho sent me here as the missionary because he thought that pastor Kim would be capable of setting up the church in Calgary. And I accomplished the church growth by the 100 members within 1 year in Calgary. After that we divided and the church growth stopped. But we will rise again. There will be revival again because I have 'I-can-do-faith'. And I am sure you have same faith.
Let me ask you. Are you the 'I can do person' or 'I cannot do person' ? Do you believe you can do it or you doubt ? Bible says, "He who doubt is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord ; he is a double-mined man, unstable in all he does." (James 1:6-8)
God likes the faithful children who say 'I can do' better than the faithless adults who say 'I cannot do'. Therefore bible says, "From the lips of children and infants, you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger." (Psalms 8:2)
God dislikes 'I cannot do person'. God hated and killed the 10 Israel leaders who spread 'We cannot do rumor' to discourage the Israelites. And God abandoned in the wilderness the people who accepted 'We cannot do rumor' and grumbled against Moses. But God helped Joshua and Caleb to overcome the Canaanites. And God let them go into the promised land flowing with milk and honey.
Therefore brothers and sisters, have faith and say "I can do." Bible says, "Through faith they conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised, shut the mouth of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of sword, their weakness was turned to strength, and became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies." (Hebrews 11:33-34)
And bible says, "Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its crops." (James 5:17-18)
That means, we can do it like Elijah. Jesus said, "Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these." (John 14:12)
Therefore we can cast out demons just as Jesus cast out demons. We can heal the sick people just as Jesus healed the sick people. We can calm down the furious wind and waves of problems just as Jesus calmed down the furious wind and waves. That's why the apostle Paul shouted, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Phil 4:13)
Brothers and sisters, when the situation is bad to you, do you grumble or pray to God ? "Lord, give me strength to overcome it !" I want you to pray to God. I want you to be the persons of 'I can do'.
We could purchase the most beautiful Korean church building in Calgary in 2 years. And we can also make our church the model church for the works of God. Look at the disciples of Jesus. They were not educated. They were not rich men but only the fishermen of the Sea of Galilee, and tax collector, and sinners. They were the cowards who deserted Jesus and ran away. But when they received the power of the Holy Spirit, they did it, accomplished it. They spread the gospel everywhere and built churches wherever they went.
Brothers and sisters, we can do it. "Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) Jesus likes to help us who confess 'I can do'. Therefore shout, "I can do it."
I can do
날짜:
2002/03/11
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