Finding Transformers #1 God’s Dream
7 PM, Tuesday, October 6, 2020
“God wants all people to be saved
and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
- 1 Timothy 2:4 -
The Organic Church #1
Sunday Sermon, July 5, 2020
When we live through times of crisis, the things that must be checked are the pillars of the foundations that support our lives. We will have to reflect on where we are coming from and where we are going and walk in a clearly marked direction without going off on our way.
When we meet unexpected things or face a crisis, it can shake our minds or thoughts. It is important to remember the foundational values that hold our lives together. I hope that this will be a time to discover once again what the most important values are in our lives and to strengthen our foundation so that our hearts and eyes can remain focused on God always.
Today I am going to share the Word of God, which has guided me since 1995. That is 1 Timothy 2:4. "God wants all men to be saved and to come to know the knowledge of the Truth."
This was my guiding principle as an overseas missionary after entering a seminary to do ministry in Korea. My Life Verse allows me to focus my mind back on God even during difficult times. When I see it, I have the heart of God, who loves everyone, and I remember God’s calling for me to serve as a missionary. This word, which has led me to the heart of God for 25 years so far, probably holds the rest of my life as well.
The wish that I always have while talking about this verse is that all of you who listen to this will be able to find your own "Life Verse." You may change your Life-Verse for a while. But at some point, you will have a verse or some verses that will have you continually seeing God in your lives. The verse or verses will keep your focus on God and bring you back to God when you might otherwise lose your way.
Who is a Christian?
Basically, Christians are people who have accepted Jesus as the Christ, the Savior, and the Lord in their lives. Other than that, you may describe it in various ways. Today, I would like to introduce a 'Christian' as 'a person who achieves God's dream'. Why would this be considered to be a way to describe a Christian? Because Christians are people who live according to the purpose of Jesus' life in their own lives. Christians are those who decided to follow the life of Jesus. Therefore, it is the Christians who live to fulfill God's dream that Jesus wanted to achieve.
What is God's dream?
1 Timothy 2:4
“God wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth”
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
God wants all people to be saved and does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
The population of the world is about 7.8 Billion. When God said ‘Everyone’ he meant there are no exceptions in the world. This is God's dream that all the people in the world are to be saved and that they come to know the Truth of Jesus Christ. The purpose of God's sending Jesus to the earth was to save everyone, and the purpose of Christian living is to follow the purpose of Jesus’ life.
This is the reason God calls us 'God's fellow workers' in 1 Corinthians 3:9
1 Corinthians 3:6-9 (NIV)
6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
But we have a concern. Some might think that “I am not qualified for God’s work” I don't know what qualifications you have heard for God’s fellow workers. But I find there is a misunderstanding about being God's worker. Please allow me to offer some good advice.
"God doesn't call the qualified, but God qualifies the called"
Like Isaiah's confession, if we want to participate in God's dream, we must let God mold us to respond to His dream.
Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)
8 Yet you, Lord, are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
God did not only create us; he still molds us through His dream for His dream.
In fact, meditating on God’s Word more and more, we can find that God did not just invite us to do His work, but molds us as His wonderful creature, restoring His image, and then invites us to be His workers for His dream of saving all people in the world.
I hope and pray that all of us can keep walking with God so that we can be mold as good workers and partners for His dream.
Discussion Questions:
Do you have a “Life Verse”? How did you come to select it?
How would you define “Christian”? Does the Pastor’s definition resonate with you?
In your own words, based on 1 Timothy 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9, how would you describe “God’s dream”?
Think about your unique gifts and talents. How can you best be a “fellow-worker” with God?
In letting God mold you, what rough edges need to be smoothed away?