The term "installation" (Imjik in Korean) is derived from Latin, meaning to set in place or establish in a position. For God to place us in a role of ministry is a truly holy and precious calling. Alongside joy, it is natural to also feel fear and burden. When I was ordained as a pastor, I had many concerns and a heavy heart. Amid deep worries—wondering whether I was sufficiently prepared to carry out such a holy mission—feeling as though I was carrying the weight of the world, three graces upheld me. First, there were the prayers of those around me. Second, there was encouragement from hearts that love souls. Lastly, it was the grace of the Lord’s voice that I encountered in John chapter 21, which sustained me. Today's scripture is also the words the Apostle Paul urged upon Timothy, his beloved son in the Lord: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed" (verse 15). This is not a burden or compulsion but sincere exhortation born of a heart that loves and cherishes him. 2 Timothy is Paul's final letter. About a year after writing this letter, Paul was martyred. These words carry the weight of exhortation given at the end of his own ministry. Although this message was spoken to Timothy, it is also a message given to us. Today’s installation service is a day to establish precious workers. Installation is God’s call to serve the Lord’s church. Those being installed today must walk the path of a faithful servant. I hope they will faithfully carry out the mission entrusted to them. Moreover, this message is also given to all believers. We are the called. We have been called to believe in Jesus and to worship Him. May we recognize that we have been called to build up the body of Christ and renew our commitment as faithful servants. Through today’s scripture, let us consider how one can become a faithful servant. A faithful servant must keep this in mind.

1. Recognizing the Glory of This Calling

We must understand that the calling to serve as a church officer is a glorious calling. This is because God has called us to be workers in His church. Not just anyone is asked to serve as a worker. It is only when one is prepared and the timing is right that God calls them. We should hold onto the belief that God has entrusted us with this precious duty because He has seen our faithful faith. God calling us as fellow workers in ministry is a great privilege and grace, not a burden or imposition. In Jesus’ teachings, the role of a steward carries significant meaning—it signifies the master entrusting his possessions to a faithful servant. Precious assets are not entrusted to just anyone; they are entrusted only to those deemed trustworthy and loyal. Therefore, we must view the calling to serve as an officer as something glorious. 

Athletes aspire to become national representatives. The reason is not only for personal achievement and the highest level of skill but also for the honor and pride of representing their country in international competitions. That’s why they pour their sweat and effort into becoming national representatives. Similarly, becoming a worker in the church can be seen as representing the kingdom of God. From a biblical perspective, church officers are representatives who manifest the values of God’s kingdom on earth and carry out the mission of being a royal priesthood. If we do not take our calling lightly but instead approach it with the resolve and mindset that the reputation of God’s kingdom depends on it, we can fulfill our roles as salt and light, serving as a precious conduit and mediator connecting the church and the world. Let us embrace this calling as a precious mission.

2. A faithful servant approaches the Master's calling with humility and gratitude. 

Paul tells us that the reason he entrusted us with this duty is that "He considered me faithful, appointing me to his service" (1 Timothy 1:12). The Lord sees us and considers us faithful. While those who have demonstrated enough faithfulness to earn the Lord's recognition might naturally accept this, such individuals are few. When I hear the words "considered me faithful," I feel not entitlement but a profound sense of inadequacy. This is because I am aware of my own shortcomings and weaknesses. I have fallen so short, yet He calls me faithful—how humbling that is! Paul could remain humble because he knew his past as a persecutor of God and his present weaknesses. That is why he confesses in 1 Corinthians 15:10: "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me." Even though Paul worked tirelessly, there were moments when he could have taken pride in his efforts, but each time, he remembered "grace." And so, he humbly bowed down. Paul maintained a balance of humility and gratitude. 

The path to becoming a faithful servant is not about fully unleashing our own abilities, visions, or competencies. Of course, we must use the talents entrusted to us. Yet we must always remember that serving in a position of responsibility is not about our own abilities but about serving with the authority and power given by God. We must remain humble, knowing that our ministry is a gift granted entirely by God's sovereignty and mercy, and recognizing our own inadequacies. We are insufficient, yet He calls and uses us—for this, we are truly grateful.  When we believe that He considers even someone like us faithful, His words become a great comfort and encouragement. Therefore, let us respond to the Lord’s calling with even greater gratitude and strive to be even more faithful.

3. For myself, and for the Lord who called me, my utmost is to be faithful.

God has fashioned people into various vessels for His kingdom. People tend to focus on the material and size of the vessels—saying things like, "That person is a large vessel," "That person is a small vessel," "They're like a soy sauce dish," or "That person has great capacity." Today’s passage, verse 20, also speaks of various kinds of vessels: gold, silver, wood, and clay—some for noble purposes and some for common use. Though the vessels differ, they are all vessels in the hands of God, the Master. While their uses may vary, there is no distinction in qualification. Each has its own purpose. What matters is becoming a vessel fit for the Master's use. The vessel the Master desires is a clean one (verse 21). Even a clay vessel, if kept clean, can be used honorably before God. The Lord will use as precious vessels those who cultivate their inner lives rather than focus on outward appearances, and who live sincerely and purely before God.

My request to those being installed today is that through this installation, you become vessels the Lord can use honorably. I humbly and earnestly ask you to “become such vessels” because, in our time, there are not many who receive this word wholeheartedly. In the Lord’s eyes, not all are faithful. If we are loyal only to the world and our own lives, it is difficult to be loyal to the Lord. But you, through today’s installation, have been recognized by God and entrusted with a precious task. I hope you will give thanks and strive to become faithful servants. That is the path for your own growth and development. It is also what brings joy to the heart of the Lord who called you. Our utmost is to be faithful in the tasks entrusted to us.

Moreover, all believers have been called as workers needed in God’s church. We have been called to serve with our bodies and with all our hearts. If you do not know what to do, adopt an attitude of learning and seeking. Ministry must be voluntary. Become representatives of God’s kingdom. If you have been faithful until now, I pray you become even more faithful servants. When we faithfully fulfill the role of a faithful servant, God grants us great blessings and grace. He will call us, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” I bless you all to become precious workers who firmly build up the church.