Our altitude depends on our attitude. In a similar why, our attitude is influenced by the depth of our knowledge on things. Our attitude toward our services will also differ according to different levels of reverence for and knowledge about God. It is written in 2 Timothy 2:20, “In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.” Vessels of gold and silver belong to God and are valuable; vessels of wood and clay belong to men and are common. God’s children are from a wealthy family, because their father in heaven controls everything in the universe. So we should not belittle ourselves; we should not live so miserably as if we are in a slum. Later, in verse 21 it reads, “If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” God gives to those who belong to Him absolute freedom; we can love God, sanctify ourselves, devote ourselves to serving God and become the valuable vessels of gold and silver. Of course you can also choose to be cold, indifferent, unwilling to give yourself to God, unwilling to change yourself and be the vessels of wood and clay.
In John 16, Lord Jesus mention “these things” and “many things” several times. He tells us that people will hate and persecute us because of Him. However, Jesus, God’s son, will be crucified for our sins. He foretells that He will resurrect after 3 days, and that He will send Counselor to dwell in us. At that time the disciples don’t understand these things. But after Jesus is crucified, ascends to heaven after his resurrection, the disciples are filled by the Holy Spirit in Pentecost. God gives them power and ability, they can preach God’s words with great boldness and they can heal the sick. All these miraculous signs and wonders are done in Jesus’s name. Today, God sends the Holy Spirit to us too. We are also bestowed the power to preach and to heal, but we need to believe and accept those powers to exercise them. We need to take actions in order to see miracles.
When we are suffering, Jesus provides us the best remedy. He tells us that in this world we will encounter difficulties, but we can find peace in Him. Living in Christ, seeking Him is the best solution to our problems. Being close to God is like breathing, we don’t do it intentionally, yet it is so crucial to us. Jesus also tells us that we will have painful experiences in our lives or our services by comparing them to a woman giving birth to a child. Yet when we turn to God and look up to Him, and when we experience God in our sufferings, our hearts will be once again filled with Joy. Don’t try to move a mountain with our own strength. Remember, lift up our eyes to the hills, our help comes from the Lord!
Message by Elder Yeh / Summary and response by Jim Lin
