The Race and Commission that the Remnant Must Have (Acts 20:24)
 
-In the last week, there was an Fort Lauderdale Airport shooting. Because of this incident, over 5 people died. Esteban Santiago, who planned the attack,  confessed that he was hearing voices from August, 2016. He was receiving the treatment for his mental problems.
-Even though science and technology  are continuously developed, mental illness, the rate of suicide, and spiritual problems increase and are getting worse and worse. Why cannot people prevent these problem?  Most of them do not know the spiritual and fundamental problems of human beings. Adam and Eve, who were the first parents of all human beings, disbelieved and disobeyed God’s Word through the deception of Satan (Gen.3:1-7; 2:17). This is the original sin. Sin makes people separated from God (Rom.3:23). As a result, Satan become their father and master (John 8:44).  No one can find true rest, peace, and happiness under sin, separation from God, and the slave of Satan.
Matthew 11:28,  Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
-When we believe in Jesus Christ, we receive the forgiveness of sin, meet God through the way of the gospel, and are free from the power of Satan (Rom.8:2; John 14:6; 1 John 3:8). We become God’s children and remnant. God has His perfect plan for each believer and child. Therefore, we must find the race and commission which God prepare for us.
 
1.The race that the remnant must run
1)Every believer has his/her own race
-Paul confessed that he ran a race during his  life (Acts 20:24). After he/she becomes a Christian, every Christian has the race which God prepares.
Hebrews 12:1, Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2)The race of world evangelization
-There is God’s greatest plan, that is, world evangelization. Toward this direction, God is leading and guiding each believer. Because they have different background, education, family, jobs, and situation, the race can seem various. However, the end of its race and direction is God’s goal and purpose.
-After his great success in the ministry of Ephesus, Paul confessed his race that God gives him.
Acts 19:21, When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
-What is my race? Through your specialty and profession, you will stand before elites, presidents, and people in order to share the gospel (Acts 27:24).
 
2.The commission that the remnant must have
1)The ministry to testify the gospel of Jesus Christ
-As Paul did, we should fulfill the ministry to testify the gospel of Jesus Christ. How can we accomplish it?
①the witness of Jesus Christ
-When we believe in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit dwells in us (John 14:16-17; 1 Cor.3:16). Then, we will receive power and become the witness of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8). We can fulfill our commission to share the gospel by the power from the filling of the Holy Spirit.
②a steward of God
-We are stewards of God. We serve and obey Him alone. Therefore, we must focus not on our desire and need, but on God’s desire and concern.
1 Corinthians 6:16-17, For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.
③the ambassador for Christ
-Instead of Jesus Christ, we will go to the field and share God’s good news to the lost people. God calls us as the ambassador for Christ. It means that God entrusts to us the commission to save the field.
2 Corinthians 5.20, Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
-Accordingly, all Christians are witnesses of Jesus Christ, stewards of God, and ambassadors for Christ.
2)The commission that the remnant must enjoy daily
Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
-In order to fulfill our commission, we have to enjoy the gospel of Jesus Christ every single day.
①Confess and proclaim the message of “the Way of Salvation” to myself
-With the biblical passage, we must have daily time to concentrate on the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel can change our imprints and scars. This time is to save yourself and to gain spiritual power and to heal your spiritual, mental, and physical problem. Hebrews 4:12,  For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
②Have time to proclaim the message of “the Way of Salvation” to those to whom you want to evangelize
-First, you ought to have a list of those to whom you want to evangelize. Second, you pray for them and daily proclaim the message of “the Way of Salvation” to them without meeting them. Third, according to God’s time schedule, you can share the gospel to them.
 
Conclusion
1)Start the message of “the Way of Salvation”
-It is the practice and small action to seek God’s righteousness according to 2017 New Year’s message.
2)Find and confirm 30 fields
-You can find the lost people (family, relatives, friends, co-workers, acquaintances) around you. This people might be over 30 persons. You can choose your school, regions, and work place. You can make easily the list for 30 fields. Then, start to pray for these and to proclaim the message of “the Way of Salvation.”