[The Progress of the Holy Spirit]
Acts 9:22-31
This is the 10th online worship. Many of you might be curious whether to progress your divorce, marriage, finding jobs, or resignation. With the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, we must progress our lives focused on Gods purpose. I hope this sermon would help you in progress of the Holy Spirit.
First, several days must pass. At first, Paul grew more powerful and baffled the Jews even though they rejected the Gospel and him (v. 22). However, even after Paul had been trained, people conspired to kill Paul (v. 23). All of us must go through trainings of several days these days were necessary and perfect for Paul.
In Galatians 1, it said that Paul stayed in Arabia for three years, he did not consult with his relatives, and he did not go to the apostles. I thought of the reason. Our conversion and vocation might not be a proper topic to discuss with our relatives. We have to be aware the mental state of the other whom we are trying to evangelize. Pauls conversion was too strong that no one could understand. Thus God guided him to be alone for several days. But the conspiracy of killing him was known to him (v. 24). We are chosen, and if we repent, we can endure any suffering with joy. That is why doing QT is important. Regardless of the schemes, no one can disturb Gods plan, and regardless of Satans watch on us, there are followers who would help us to lower in a basket (v. 25). Paul obeyed to run because his followers sent him away for the vocation. He did not beg for life. The joy of meeting Jesus cannot be taken away despite a shabby appearance. Paul killed Stephen, and he had nothing to say about the waste basket he had to ride in. His murder of Stephen became Gods best plan and training for Paul. He could have excused himself that others joined him to kill Stephen but he solely took the responsibility. We always should give credit to the others and take the responsibility to guide others to the Lord.
Second, we must forget the past and go forward. The Jews tried to kill Paul saying he betrayed them. The Christians said that they could not believe Paul who tried to kill them, and even the disciples kept distance from him (v. 26). It had been three years since Paul stoned Stephen to death, but people did not forget. Blessing means that every way is open, and curse means every way is closed. With the ways closed, we cannot go forward. We must forget the past to open the ways, but people who have hurts always recite their past making their ways blocked from receiving blessings. However, it is not easy to forget our past. Many mental illnesses come from holding onto the past. Without the blood of Jesus Christ, no one can let go of the past. We must forget the past so that the other could do the same. But it is important to discern what to forget and what to remember. You should not be confused between the spirit and the flesh. For example, since everyone is 100% sinner, you should not just marry a person who has not yet repented. That is another evil and ignorance. Without the acknowledgement from the Jerusalem Church, Paul could not be acknowledged elsewhere even if he worked for the Lord. We must have true fellowship with other believers to be recognized as a true believer. Regardless of the lonely trainings, it was the heart that mattered to have fellowship with the Jerusalem Church. Do not unconditionally forget the past. If the past is our burden to carry, then forget about it and move forward. If the past is known to everyone, then admit the past and put up with the shame of running away in a waste basket.
Third, God gives brothers and sisters. If God has chosen us, He definitely gives us brothers. Paul had Barnabas and Ananias (v. 27). And while we wait for several days, we will gain spiritual insights. It is important to stay with the disciples in one Spirit (v. 28). We need to stay together for several days to understand each other. Time is mandatory for the community to verify us. We have to wait till Barnabas takes a notice of us. The reason for staying together and getting trainings is for spreading the Gospel. However, the Hellenistic Jews did not try to evangelize they only tried to defend themselves. Because they only tried to defend themselves, they did not listen, and they focused on killing Paul (v. 29). When the brothers learned about the scheme, they sent Paul to Tarsus (v. 30). The Hellenistic Jews lost in the debates to Paul so they tried to kill him, and through the debates Paul made the enemy fiercer. Our words cannot change others if they do not receive the Holy Spirit. Therefore, most of the time, we might have to avoid the debates. But we still would have brothers who send us to Tarsus at crisis. Paul now had brothers he had trained. The greatest blessing for a Christian is having a brother. I tell you, once again, that Paul did not flee for his life his brothers sent him away. When we carry out our mission with selfless heart, God gives us brothers and guides us to help the progress of the Holy Spirit.
Fourth, the number increases. Even though Paul was constantly being threatened among his trainings, it is said that the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was strengthened. Judea indicates the faith, and Galilee and Samaria indicate the suffered and the despised. In this scattering of the Holy Spirit, those among sufferings were at peace, strengthened. The progress of the Holy Spirit helps each other and guides us through the Word each day. We might have been scattered in personal, ecclesiastical, and national perspective because of COVID-19, but the numbers still multiply to show how reading the Word is the progress of the Holy Spirit. This is the essential revival. When the family is restored, the church and nation will be restored.
