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Pastor Hakan Kuh
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Our ancestors in the Bible all bore “marks of Jesus” on their
bodies (Gal 6:17). They had something to boast of before
the crucified Jesus. For
proclaiming the whole, pure Word of God, they were sawed in two, pierced
to death, burned to death, torn to death, or drowned to death. If not martyred, they were stoned,
whipped, struck on the cheek, spit at, or put in prison. If not persecuted, they often went
without food, without clothes, without shelter, or without sleep. I don’t have any such marks that the
prophets of the Old Testament and the apostles of the New had on their
bodies.
But I do have a clear
call that I received from the Lord.
It is to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to everybody, in
accordance with the will of God to save everyone. It is to preach the wisdom and power of
God hidden in crucified Christ to non-Christians, who do not know their
sin and thus consider the message of the Cross “foolishness,” and to quasi-Christians, who have
not yet met Jesus in person and so find the way of the Cross “a stumbling
block.” It is to see the dead
souls come alive and the saved souls live an abundant life, by the power
of the whole, pure gospel and through the work of the Holy Spirit. It is to see the individuals, homes,
and workplaces transformed, through the church, into the kingdom of God full of holiness, love, and
righteousness. And it is to enjoy
a kingdom life with other saints, a life full of peace, joy, and freedom
in the Spirit.
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength,
that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and
a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in
ignorance and unbelief. The grace
of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and
love that are in Christ Jesus … I was shown mercy so that in me, the
worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an
example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal,
invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen (1
Tim. 1:12-17).
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