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06.23.24 "The Joy of a True Worshiper" (진짜 예배자의 기쁨은)

작성자 사진: Urban PilgrimsUrban Pilgrims

2 Kings 2:9-14


9. When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.” And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.”


10. “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.”


11. As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven.


12. Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” And as they disappeared from sight, Elisha tore his clothes in distress.


13. Elisha picked up Elijah’s cloak, which had fallen when he was taken up. Then Elisha returned to the bank of the Jordan River.


14. He struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and cried out, “Where is the Lord , the God of Elijah?” Then the river divided, and Elisha went across. '


<INTRODUCTION>

Continuing from last week, I got to preach the word of God again. Since I will be speaking for two weeks in a row, I think we have the advantage of being able to figure out the next steps together following the sermon we delivered last week. Last week, I shared a message called “How to Distinguish a True Worshiper.” A true worshiper is not someone who imitates worship. They are people who become like Jesus by getting to know Him. True worshipers are the peopele who does God’s will and obeys it. They are ‘those who do not gain physical benefits through Jesus, but give up oneself.’ I told you that's the difference between real and fake. During the early morning service last week, while praying about what kind of words God wanted me to share, I continued to meditate on a person I saw during the Zoom morning service. Last week, we learned what kind of person God looks at as a true worshiper. Today, I will share the word of God about what joy a true worshiper enjoys and the joy we can experience when we become true worshipers.


<The joy of a true worshiper is... Part 1>

In the Bible, there are two people who went to heaven without dying. Do you know who the first person is? The first is Enoch from Genesis. If you look at Genesis chapter 5, you will find the genealogy of Adam, the first human being.


Genesis 5:22-24 (NIV)

22. After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters.

23. Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years.

24. Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.


In the genealogy of Adam, the only person described as ‘walking with God’ is Enoch. From Adam to Noah, no one else has been described as ‘walking with God.’ Only Enoch is recorded as ‘walking faithfully with God and then being taken.’

  1. The joy of a true worshiper is enjoying a life of walking with God.

Companionship is possible because it is a special relationship. It is something that can only be enjoyed in an intimate relationship.

When we talk about a special relationship, we say ‘best friend.’ They also call it ‘soul mate.’ Why express it that way? They say it that way because they are closer or more intimate than someone else. Enoch was that kind of person to God.


Elijah, mentioned in today's text, was also a person who walked with God his entire life. Elijah was also taken up to heaven by God.

Elijah was a prophet called by God during Israel's darkest hour. Israel was so dark and evil that it was divided into ‘Northern Israel’ and ‘Southern Judah’ through the sins of King Solomon. Kings continued to be established in Northern Israel and Southern Judah. The Bible says, ‘All of those kings were full of sin.’ When we move on to the next era in a world full of sin, that era is bound to be even darker. Among them, God called Elijah to be a prophet, and Elijah lived a life walking with God. Because it was dark, people who were held by God were able to have a more special and intimate relationship with God.


Only an intimate relationship with God can allow us to experience the joy that can be enjoyed as true worshipers. We all want to live a life that walks with God. A companion cannot be led by just one person. An intimate relationship can only be achieved when both parties respond to each other. I hope you respond to God that way. I hope you meet God. When we live a life of walking with God, we will enjoy the joy of true worshipers.



<The joy of a true worshiper is... Part 2>

Even if we try to walk with God, we often experience various crises that seem to destroy our efforts. However, please remember that the joy of true worship does not come from our circumstances but from our faith.


Elijah's life was a series of crises. There was a king named Ahab, the seventh king of Northern Israel. In most cases, when you look at the genealogy of kings, there is a king, and after the king dies, his son takes over the throne. Especially during the time of King Ahab, the Bible records his wife. It is a rare occurrence, and that is because King Ahab's wife, Jezebel, is the one who caused something incredible.

King Ahab's wife, Jezebel, is a person like a stranger. She is the one who seduced King Ahab and brought the god Baal into Israel. She is the one who built the temple of Baal and the altar to Baal. Among the great things she did was slaughter all the prophets called by God who remained in Israel at the time. Israel had an antagonistic relationship with God because the idol of Baal and the presence of foreign gods covered the country. That is why they killed all of God's people.

At that time, Elijah managed to escape to a cave and save his life. In addition, you all know the story of the battle between 450 Baal worshipers and Elijah alone to determine who was the living God of Israel.


In the end, Elijah revealed the true living God. And he killed all the Baal worshipers. Jezebel, King Ahab's wife, saw this and tried to kill Elijah. So Elijah takes refuge again in this crisis. I think this time she felt that loneliness deeply. When she was outnumbered 450 to 1, Elijah said, “Now I’m left alone.” Even though she fought a lonely battle and won, she must have lost a lot of strength because she was placed in a situation where her life was at stake. It must have been so lonely. Then he went into the wilderness alone and begged to die under a broom tree. At that time, an angel appears to Elijah. “Elijah, what are you doing here?” At that time, the great pioneer spoke for the first time from the depths of his heart.


1 Kings 19:10 10 Elijah answered, “I have served only the Lord God Almighty with passion. But the children of Israel forsook the covenant they had made with the LORD, tore down the LORD's altar, and struck down the LORD's prophets with the sword. “Now I am alone, and they are looking to take my life.” At that time, God spoke to Elijah. “Turn from your wilderness journey, go to Damascus, make a king over Syria, and anoint Elsia the prophet to succeed you.” Then what does Elijah do? I listen to that voice and obey. “And Elijah departed from there and went on his way.” We need to see this process. Elijah's life was a series of crises. Elijah sought God every time. Even though he begged for her death, he said, “Lord, I have nothing more to ask for now. “I am left alone.” Even in that crisis, Elijah's eyes were focused on God.


As I was preparing for his talk, I remembered the crises and difficulties in my life that I had previously shared. There was a time when I suddenly thought, ‘My life is going smoothly.’ But then difficulties started to come into my life. God is so amazing. He gives us a crisis at that timing. Through cars, we can experience various events that can be experienced in life. The car was stolen, the car was scrapped, and the car was in such bad condition that it had to be scrapped, so I was scammed into doing towing, so I rented a car, but in the meantime, someone hit me and an accident happened. And my family is hurting. My mother collapsed, and a few days later I also collapsed. Skin disease breaks out. As for my situation at that time, it was a miracle that I was able to live with my sanity day after day. When hardships come all at once, you become dazed. I can't come to my senses. As I come to my senses, various battles begin to arise within my mind. Then God brought a verse from His Word to my mind.


Psalm 121:1-2

1. I lift up my eyes and see the mountain. Where does my help come from?

2. My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.'


God’s word says, ‘Rejoice in tribulation.’


James 1:2-4

2. My brothers and sisters, when you fall into various trials, think of it as supreme joy.

3. You know that the testing of faith produces perseverance.

4. Make full use of your patience and become a complete and mature person without any shortcomings.


Being able to rejoice in tribulation, The hardships that come into our lives are the process through which we become mature believers. What does it mean to have good faith? “Good faith does not mean that you accomplish great things, but that you struggle and try not to leave God.” Good faith is exactly that. Rejoice if difficulties come your way in life This is your chance to exercise your faith. Please remember that the joy of a true worshiper comes not from circumstances, but from faith.


<The joy of a true worshiper is... Part 3>

The true joy of a worshiper is raising up the next generation. It's great blessing that Elijah has his following prophet, Elisha.


Elijah tries to fulfill Elisha's last request before ascending to heaven.


2 Kings 2:9

9. When they reached the other side of the Jordan, Elijah said to Elisha: “What do you want me to do to you before the Lord takes me?” Elisha answered Elijah, “I wish I could have double the power you have.” Elisha wanted twice the power of Elijah.


Some say Elisha had great greed. However, Elisha did not have great greed but a great sense of duty. Elisha must have seen Elijah's great deeds during this time. She will now be able to handle such tasks in her own time, and at times, there may be situations where her life is at stake. But she will remember Elijah's worship, where Elisha walked with God every time. Because of that sense of duty, she asked Elisha for twice the power of Elijah. And she, Elisha, seems to have loved Elijah very much as her teacher. When Elijah leaves her world, Elisha begins to cry in her sorrow.

2 Kings 2:12 12. When Elisha saw this scene, he cried out. “My father! my father! “You are the chariot and horseman of Israel!” Elisha never saw Elijah again. Elisha was so saddened by her that he pulled on her robe and tore it in two.


When I look at the reactions of the next generation, I can see whether I have lived as a true worshiper.


<Small group questions>

1. Are you walking with God? What do you think you need to do more to have a closer relationship with God?


2. Do you have the faith to rejoice in suffering? If so, please share your testimony. If not, why?


3. What does ‘next generation’ mean to you?

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