‘복음 전파자를 살아나게 하는 것은?’
본문관찰과 묵상
아덴에 머물던 바울은 디모데를 데살로니가에 보내 믿음을 굳건하게 하고 위로하려고 보냈다. 디모데가 와서 저들이 믿음안에 굳건히 서있다는 소식을 듣고 바울과 팀원들은 영적으로 살아났다. 기쁨과 감사가 넘쳐 저들을 보기 원하며 하나님앞에 모두가 거룩하게 살기를 기도하였다.
QT를 통해 듣는 주님의 음성
내가 전한 복음을 들은 사람들이 믿음에 굳게 서 있다는 말을 듣는 것 보다 더 보람있고 행복한 것은 없다. 데살로니가에서 마음껏 복음을 전하지 못하고 떠났던 바울이 저들이 복음을 듣고 핍박가운에서도 굳건한 믿음으로 산다는 소식을 들었을 때 자신들이 살아났다고 할 정도로 큰 힘을 얻었던 것이다.
결단과 적용
오늘도 타주로 이사가신 한 가정이 편지를 보내왔다. 안디옥 교회에서 말씀을 듣고 믿음생활을 시작했고 지금은 장로와 권사로 교회를 잘 섬기고 있다는 말을 듣고 내가 얼마나 행복하고 기쁜지, 정말 내 영혼이 또 살아나고 힘을 얻었다. 남은 인생 계속 복음을 전하고 살리라!
‘How can I revive any witness of Jesus?’
I Thess 3:1-13
Observation and meditation on the text
Paul was staying in Athens when he sent Timothy to the church in Thessalonica to strengthen and encourage Christians there. When Timothy joined Paul, he reported to Paul that they were standing firm in the Lord by faith, which revived Paul and the team members’ spirit. They were filled with joy with thanksgiving, and they prayed that all of them should live blameless and holy in the presence of God as they wanted to see the believers in Thessalonica.
I hear the voice of the Lord through QT
Nothing will make me happier with the spirit of fulfillment than hearing the news that those who heard the gospel of Jesus Christ from me are standing firmly in Jesus by faith. Paul could not stay in Thessalonica as long as he wanted due to persecution. However, when he heard that they were living firmly by faith in Jesus, Paul and the team members were encouraged and strengthened enough to confess that they were revived.
Decisions and applications
Today, one family who moved to another state sent me a letter. When they attended Antioch Church, their faith was growing as they heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. And now the husband is an elder ant the wife is an ordained deaconess, and they are so happy to serve in the church there. As I read the letter, I was filled with joy and happiness. I was strengthened and revived. Therefore, I will keep on preaching the gospel for the rest of my life.