The Spiritual Leader Who Saves the Empty Place (Acts 27:20-25) 9/18/2021
The Field of Answers of 1st 2nd 3rd RUTC:
The Spiritual Leader Who Saves the Empty Place (Acts 27:20-25) 9/18/2021
Last week, we shared the Word about the empty places of three fields (empty place in me, empty place in the church, empty place of the 237-world field). An empty place is not merely a place that has no people. It’s a place where the gospel, which is the God-given absolute answer, is absent. Why is Samaria an empty place? It became a place covered in darkness and a dying and abandoned place because there was no answer when problems and suffering took place. The real problem is that there is no one to give that answer. Thus, a place becomes truly empty when there is no spiritual leader to give the answer in that place covered in darkness. That is why this week’s message is “the spiritual leader who saves the empty place.”
Israel was a hopeless and dying empty place when they were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. Everything changed when Moses, the spiritual leader whom God had prepared, went there. All of Samaria changed when deacon Philip went in as a spiritual leader. God desires to bless us as this kind of spiritual leader.
- Why is Paul in the passage important?
He stood as a spiritual leader before the Roman centurion and soldiers who were faced with a storm. It said that stars had not appeared for several days, and they lost all hope of being saved. This place is a darkness-covered, dying, and deserted place.
1) Paul gave God’s answer that moves history and all creation and stood as a spiritual leader.
From a worldly perspective, Paul could not be a leader before the Roman centurion and soldiers. An even greater problem is his prisoner identity. However, Paul gave God’s answer to them. They received hope with that answer, and everyone was saved.
2) Why do problems come in the world? Why do problems prolong in my family, church, and this age?
It is human greed. It is also the Devil’s doing that works to destroy humans and the world from the beginning.
① There is an even more important reason. God plans to raise me who has been saved first as a spiritual leader who will give the answer in that field.
Therefore, there is a continuous emphasis on our three spiritual identities for the world (spiritual watchmen, spiritual ambassador, spiritual doctor).
② Like the passage, storms will continue in the world even after COVID-19. Problems may persist even in our family.
Times of division, conflict, and despair may continue. God sent us who have the gospel to that field. Thus, God has raised us as spiritual watchmen who stay awake and pray (1 Peter 5:8), spiritual ambassadors who give answers with Christ’s three authorities (1 Peter 2:9), and spiritual doctors who save those who lost hope and are sick (Mark 16:15-20).
- How can I be a spiritual leader? Have this forum? We must restore three things lifelong(Journey of Leader).
1) It is my spiritual identity that God has given to me the moment I was saved. This is the fundamental of a spiritual leader.
① We are freed individuals the moment we are saved (Romans 8:1-2). This must be imprinted in me (edit). As long as I am in Christ, I am no longer bound by curses, destiny, scars, and the world. Always declare this before yourself and the devil .
② We are children of God who will enjoy heavenly blessings when we are saved (Ephesians 1:3-5). This must be rooted in my spirit (plan).
The seven identities and authorities of a child of God are the fundamental blessings that a spiritual leader must possess. We already have these the moment we are saved. These are all heavenly blessings that we must enjoy.
③ We are people whose everything will come together and stand as witnesses the moment we are saved (Romans 8:28, Acts 1:8). This needs to be the nature of our life (design).
Believe in God’s absolute plan in all problems and incidents and meditate. We are deceived by Satan as much as we worry, fear, complain and resent (why the Israelites of 40 years in the wilderness suffered and failed).
2) We must make the spiritual leader’s rhythm (habits, patterns) in our daily life. This is the spiritual leader’s basics.
① The important keyword is 24. Inside the word 24 are three things which are my today, day to day, and concentration. Every day and in every moment, it is the state of enjoying the given blessing (gospel) in Christ in my place and all my incidents. This becomes living worship and prayer that fulfills God’s will in all problems and incidents (Romans 12:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
② A rhythm of life comes from this. A leader has a leader’s rhythm of life.
If incorrect things become a rhythm and pattern, you will eventually crumble (body, heart, thought, spirit, all relationships). Restore life’s rhythm through five 24s in your day-to-day life. You can create a special time and do this.
Word 24- It creates a rhythm that meditates God’s word and lives with God’s answers every day.
Prayer 24- It creates a rhythm that discovers God’s will in all problems and incidents, and my soul receives spiritual strength.
Breathing 24- Breathing deeply provides oxygen to my body. It creates a rhythm that saves my brain.
Eating 24- Eat everything in thanksgiving and eat food that revives your body. It creates a rhythm that revives my body.
Exercise 24- The body, heart, and spirit are connected. Body-appropriate and continuous exercise will create a rhythm that forms my body’s balance.
3) When problems, incidents, and crises come, hold onto it as a time schedule to experience God’s 25. This is the foundation (spirituality) of a spiritual leader.
① Paul did not meet a storm. He was met with an opportunity to confirm God’s absolute answer and power. Are you faced with a personal storm (family problems, finance, illness)? Change all the standards of thoughts to be gospel-centered and God-centered. That is the beginning of spirituality. Pray for the filling of the Holy Spirit. It is then that you experience God’s 25.
② What did Paul do in this time of tribulations? There was nothing else he could do. That was what God had permitted.
Paul prayed before the eternal God (God of the throne, God who transcends time and space, God of light who saves all nations covered in darkness). He would have prayed for himself and everyone else who was on board the ship (watchman). He would have received the answer first and then carried out the errand of delivering that answer (spiritual ambassador). What is that answer? It said, “You must stand trial before Caesar, and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” With that, he was told not to worry about anything and to be relieved. He saved those trembling in fear (spiritual doctor).
③ God desired, promised, and fulfilled according to what He had said. This is the real answer.
That is called the answer of only (what God has done), uniqueness (what everyone saw), and recreation (answer that saves everyone). A spiritual leader is a person who forms this system lifelong.
Conclusion – Storms will continue in the world. Me, my children, and the church could face this storm. We are those who have been called spiritual leaders with the God-given answer to deliver that answer and stand as witnesses of that very answer. May you have victory this week as you hold onto the God-given spiritual identity (fundamental), the 24 that makes the spiritual leader’s life (basics), and the covenant of 25 that I will experience in the storms of life.