07/12/2018 UPH Fest
Living with transforming minds? is the message conveyed by Pastor Yung Tik Yuk in the dawn of the second day of UPH Festival 25, at UPH Lippo Village Grand Chapel on August 26, 2018. Pastor Yung preached about the story of Jesus and His disciples, accounted in Matthew 16: 21-24.
From the passage, he emphasized that we have only two regions in our life ? living with God or against God; thinking God?s thoughts or worldly thoughts; focusing on vanity or eternity with God. He pointed out that there is no neutral ground. Because of this, we need a mindset that is transformed by God, so that we have the right outlook on who God is.
?As Christians, we say God?s name properly, but we haven?t understood the right concept about Christianity. We are similar to Peter ? in the Gospel, we can see that Peter still thinks how humans would think and not yet transformed to the mind of Christ. Being Christ?s followers, we have to experience a mental revolution and a transforming of the mind,? Pastor Yung explained.
Christians believe that undergoing a metal revolution means denying ourselves, bearing our cross, and following Christ. A mental revolution will give God?s followers new courage ? courage to think like Christ, so that the center of our life will be the plans God has set for us, in addition to being a blessing for others.
Through the life story of Jesus and His disciples, Pastor Yung also explained the 4 levels of humans? faith in Christ. The first level is that humans believe in God because they need God. The second level is knowing that God is good. The third is experiencing God?s goodness, and the last level is reached when we truly believe and have a willingness to sacrifice.
?The levels of Christianity should begin with knowing who God is. We can only love God if we know who He is. Then, we go to the next level when we not only know that God is good but also experience His love for us. By experiencing His love, we will always have an intimate relationship with God. Then, we arrive at the hardest level ? bearing His cross and having a willingness to sacrifice,? preached Pastor Yung.
Pastor Yung explained that at the end of the day, mental revolution is inevitable ? we have to go through it. This process is not an easy one, for we will face many challenges that tempt us to go off God?s rails.
At the end of the devotion, Pastor Yung called the new students and other participants that are willing to follow Christ. Are we ready to live in the highest level of Christianity? Are we ready to contemplate God?s plans for us? It will be hard, but God will always be on our side. (mt)
