사랑하는 복음의 동역자님께,
예수님의 이름으로 문안드리며, 지난 주일 제가 텍사스 수도 어스틴 큰빛교회 (킴미션 사역멘토 김대영 목사님)에서 전한 주일 낮예배 설교 <사도적 열정> 의 유투브 영상입니다. 아래 링크를 클릭하시면 보실 수 있습니다. 영문으로 번역된 설교 원고도 첨부합니다. 사도적 열정은 퍼스펙티브스 제5과 <복음을 자유롭게 함> 교재의 한 부분입니다. 참고로 우리 킴미션 웹사이트에도 올릴 예정입니다. 복된 유월의 첫 주일 맞이하세요.
감사와 기도로,
김경환 목사 드립니다.
[설교 유투브 링크]
[설교 영문 원고]
The Apostolic Passion (Barnabas Kim)
(Acts 20:24)
Floyd McClung, a respected leader within Youth With A Mission (YWAM), defines the words ‘passion’ and ‘apostolic’ as a powerful invitation to participate in God’s mission, stating that God is the source of that very passion. The Latin root of the word ‘passion,‘ ‘passio,’ carries the meaning of ‘suffer, endure, resign.’ Passion involves being painstakingly focused, earnest, and dedicated to achieving something important or to a specific purpose.
The Apostolic Passion refers to the deliberate and intentional choice to live for the purpose of seeing the nations worship Jesus. It characterizes those who burn with zeal for Jesus and dream of seeing the entire world filled with the glory of God. It is not maintained by human zeal alone. When God gives us His own passion – the hope to see His name glorified among all nations as the Perspectives on the Global Christian Movement (perspectives.org) has been aiming for over 50 years with the Mission Statement, “Our mission is about enabling people who do not yet know or call upon God’s name to call upon it, to go to places where God’s glory is not yet known and make it known, and to fill areas that do not yet worship God with abundant worship of Him.”
So, we must confirm and develop what God has given us. The following four elements should be developed in our lives:
- The Apostolic Abandonment
Many seek the fruits of Paul’s ministry without bearing the cost Paul paid. Paul died to everything daily. He was crucified with Christ. A determined and stubborn individual, Paul knew he had to die to self. He understood that staying in the flesh would hinder him from bringing forth Jesus’ revelations. Thus, he died and surrendered himself. We too should pray – “Lord, expose all my selfish ambitions and reluctance to die to self. Grant me the courage and determination to surrender for Your sake.” When we relinquish small things, the Lord can accomplish great works with them.
Dying to Self Daily: “I die every day—I mean that, brothers—just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:31)
Crucified with Christ: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Self-Denial: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'” (Matthew 16:24)
- The Apostolic Focus
God has called and blessed us to go towards the nations, our missional focus. We must always focus intently on the Gospel. Otherwise, we risk, like the Israelite nation, misunderstanding God’s blessings as being solely for ourselves and forgetting our original mission. God’s foremost intention is to raise people among the nations who worship His Son, Jesus.
“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” (Psalm 96:3)
“My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets.” (Malachi 1:11a)
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” (Revelation 7:9)
This mission of raising worshippers for God should also be our focus.
- The Apostolic Praying
David Wilkerson, who established the Times Square Church in New York and grew it to a congregation of more than 10,000, once advised a Bible school student volunteering for street ministry in New York City. He said, “If you wish to do street ministry, pray two hours every day for a month. In the spiritual battlegrounds of streets rife with violence and crime, you will need at least two hours of daily prayer to survive spiritual warfare.” Living an ordinary life itself is spiritual warfare; moreover, those aspiring to tread mission fields with the Gospel must indeed engage in apostolic praying.
Apostle Paul spoke of praying “day and night… (1 Thessalonians 3:10) with tears… (Acts 20:19) without ceasing… (1 Thessalonians 5:17) with thanksgiving… (Philippians 4:6) in the Holy Spirit… (Ephesians 6:18) incessantly… (1 Thessalonians 1:2) boldly… (2 Corinthians 3:12) with godly sorrow… (2 Corinthians 7:10) opposing the evil one (Ephesians 6:11).” Apostolic prayers aligned with apostolic focus are akin to spiritual nuclear bombs in warfare.
- The Apostolic Decision-Making
Apostle Paul was guided by the passion given to him. Acts 20 and 21 narrate his decision to go to Jerusalem, anticipating suffering despite personal premonitions, genuine warnings from prophets, and pleas from friends. Acts 20:24 (NIV) states: “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” This verse exemplifies the apostolic passion Paul had for his mission, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to spreading the Gospel regardless of personal cost.
Why did he act against his own intuition? Setting aside the persuasive efforts of prophets and tearful urgings of close friends. Paul had received a revelation of a greater priority, a higher motivation – “the glory of God.” Apostolic decision-making begins with a passion for seeing God glorified among nations and people groups. Then it asks, “Where shall I serve God?” Most people do the opposite. Often, we are absorbed in our trivial desires, living without recognizing God’s passion. If you are armed with apostolic passion, you will be one of the most formidable, indomitable individuals on earth.