Brief Summary
Pastor Yookim Lungquist discusses how to step out in faith and witness God's movement. He emphasizes the Holy Spirit's role in preparing both the church to share and the world to receive the Gospel. Key points include daring to believe in the constant presence of the Holy Spirit and stepping out of one's comfort zone to experience God's power.
- The Holy Spirit prepares the church to share and the world to receive the Gospel.
- Believing in the constant presence of the Holy Spirit is crucial.
- Stepping out of one's comfort zone allows for experiencing God's power.
Opening
Pastor Yookim Lungquist introduces himself and poses a question about feeling afraid and insecure when trying to obey God's will. He promises to teach how to step out in faith and witness God's movement. He expresses his honor to be at CCF and introduces his family, mentioning their relocation to the US from Sweden, a secular nation where their church has become a global movement. He connects the message to the upcoming Pentecost celebration, explaining that the Holy Spirit prepares the church to share and the world to receive the Gospel.
1. Dare To Believe That The Holy Spirit Is With You
To connect the prepared church with the prepared world, one must dare to believe that the Holy Spirit is always present. Referencing John 14, Jesus introduces the Holy Spirit as an advocate who will be with believers forever. This presence is constant, regardless of emotional experiences. Even when one doesn't feel His presence, the Holy Spirit is still there, and asking for His help is essential. Pastor Yookim shares a personal story from a flight to the Pharaoh Islands, where he encountered a drunk and loud passenger. Despite his initial annoyance and lack of prayer, he was prompted to pray for the plane to land due to a storm. Relying on the promise of the Holy Spirit's presence, he prayed with the passenger, and miraculously, the storm cleared, allowing the plane to land. This story emphasizes that even without feeling an emotional experience, the promise of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit can bring about miracles when one dares to believe.
2. Step Out Of The Boat
The second way to connect the church with the world is to step out of one's comfort zone, drawing from the story of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14. Peter, a fisherman, had to step away from his understanding of boats and lakes to walk on water at Jesus's command. Similarly, everyone has a spiritual "boat" representing their safety zone and area of control. Jesus may ask individuals to step out of this boat to do something new and see something new. Pastor Yookim shares a story about his church in Sweden, which decided to welcome Muslim refugees during the 2016-2017 humanitarian crisis. Despite fear and challenges, they put up a "Refugees Welcome" banner and hosted welcome parties. This led to over 900 Muslims converting to Christianity, highlighting the potential for revival when stepping out of one's comfort zone. He emphasizes the importance of making a decision to step out of our boat to do something we've never done before so that we can see something we've never seen before.
Closing
Pastor Yookim concludes by urging the congregation to leave with the conviction to dare to believe in the Holy Spirit's presence and to be ready to step out of their comfort zones. He believes that by doing so, the church will connect with the world, and God will perform amazing works. He then leads a prayer for those who want to accept Jesus into their lives, offering forgiveness and restoration. Additionally, he encourages believers to think of one person in their lives who needs Jesus and to commit to reaching out to them during the upcoming week, trusting that the Holy Spirit has prepared that person to receive God's love.
Sunday Fast Track
Aika Makazo from CCF Communications interviews Pastor Yokim Lenis, posing questions from the audience.
Q1, How do we draw near to God when waves of doubt seem t carry us away from Him?
Pastor Yookim answers that amidst the many voices speaking to us, we can choose to tune in to God's voice by spending time in His presence, reading His word, and praying. This practice makes His voice more dominant, pushing out fear and doubt.
Q2. How can we do what wants us to do when it feels uncomfortable?
Pastor Yookim explains that the Bible contains stories of ordinary people who struggled with life but lived for God. God has given us the word of God as a strong foundation. As we read, confess, and yield to the word, our lives become more stable and secure, providing stability even through storms.
Q3. How do we focus on Jesus when we're stormed by life's challenges?
Pastor Yookim emphasizes the importance of the church community. We are called to be together as a family, supporting and praying for one another. The presence of God, the word of God, and the support of the church are key to stability and faith.
