2023.04.09 District Message
Scripture Reading: Mark 11:24
We are standing before our important missionary convention. We are also praying, “What is the temple that God most desires in this age?” At such a time, you must receive important answers.
The assurance regarding the answer is important. It does not simply mean to “believe firmly,” but rather to hold on to the precise covenant. Only then will the 25 answers come. In the Gospel of Mark 11:24, it says, “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” Does this mean that if you pray with faith, a mountain will actually move? Has a mountain ever moved? What does this mean? You must understand this clearly.
▣ Introduction
[Mark 11:21] Fig tree
To understand this properly, we must begin from verse 21. Before verse 21, what happened? As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, Jesus saw a fig tree hoping to eat its fruit, but there was none. But Jesus was not someone who would act rashly. He cursed the fig tree. The disciples should have asked, “Lord, why did You curse it?” They should have asked, because it was not the season for figs. The Bible clearly states that. Then why did He seek fruit when it was not the season for it? Why curse it when it naturally had none? They should have asked that question. But they didn’t, so Jesus gave no answer. Then, later, they passed by and saw, “Oh! The fig tree has withered!” That’s verse 21. Then the quick-tongued Peter said, “Oh! The fig tree has really withered!”
If we are not careful, our walk of faith becomes like that. Isn’t that so? The Word of God is revealed, but we don’t believe. Then when problems occur, we say, “Oh?” and when answers come, we get excited and say, “Oh, the answer came!” That’s dangerous. No, when Jesus spoke the Word, we must ask, “What does this Word mean?” Instead, people just react to sermons. Sermons themselves are not the main thing. The preacher can only preach according to their own measure, but you must hear the Word of God. If they had asked, that night a tremendous message would have been given, right? And they would have received great answers.
Why must we hold this missionary convention? What is the meaning of temple construction for our church in this age? Why are so many multiethnic people coming to Busan, to this small corner? Why did the evangelism movement that began here 30 years ago spread to the whole world? We must ask many such questions. Only then will answers come. Only when we hold on to the precise covenant will answers come. But they failed to hold on to the precise covenant earlier, so later they said, “Oh? It really withered!”
This fig tree symbolizes the nation of Israel, right? It is the national tree of Israel—just as the hibiscus is the national flower of Korea. Jesus deliberately went to find fruit even though there was none, symbolizing Israel. The fig tree withering represents the future of Israel.
[Mark 11:22] Believe in God
Then Jesus said, “Have faith in God.” What is there that God’s power cannot do?
[Mark 11:23] The mountain
Then He said these words. Before verse 24, verse 23 says, “Even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed,’ it will move.” God can move it. When He said this, it was based on the premise that we humans cannot move a mountain. Isn’t that true? If someone could pray and move mountains, there would be no need to say this. But we can’t. Yet He said, “If you believe, even a mountain can move.” That means that God’s power can move mountains. The power of God has already been shown—Jesus even raised the dead. That is verse 23.
[Mark 11:24] What you prayed for, [believe], and it will be done.
Then in verse 24, today’s main passage, He says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” “Believe that you have received it.” It does not say “will receive it.” This is something we must pay close attention to. Wouldn’t it seem natural to say, “Believe that you will receive it”? But He said, “Believe that you have received it.” Understand this. From the day I understood this, I began to receive answers. “Ah, I see. Believe that I have received it?” When you pray, God hears. Believe that He has heard. What you say becomes imprinted in your brain. Believe that you have received it. When will the answer come? That’s just a matter of time—it’s certain. We often speak carelessly, but eventually it is fulfilled.
Sometimes, I see believers, church leaders, or remnants who are sharp-minded—it’s good to be discerning—but some are very critical. It’s not entirely bad; in some ways, it shows intelligence. But the problem is that their life ends up that way. That’s the problem. It’s natural to get angry when there’s something to be angry about. But if you constantly live in anger, your life becomes that way.
“Believe that you have received it.” If you truly prayed holding onto the covenant, then believe that you have received it. Isn’t that right? Even if the answer hasn’t come yet, believe that you have received it. If the covenant is accurate, then God’s plan is sure. I prayed. Therefore, believe that you have received it. Then it will be done for you.
There was once something unbelievable. I may have told this story before. It was when our church had just been planted. A deacon called me urgently to come to his home. When I arrived, his daughter had lost her mind. She wasn’t like that before—she was calm, working at a company, faithfully attending Sunday service. But now she was out of her mind. “Since when?” I asked. “About three days ago,” he said. The deacon, desperate, asked me to pray. We held a worship service, but she couldn’t stay still—making noise, shouting. We barely finished the service, but after that, she got even worse. I started to doubt. “It’s not working…” I thought. It was a Wednesday. I left, saying I had to prepare for the service. On the way, I thought, “I definitely prayed in the name of Jesus Christ. God surely heard my prayer. And the evil spirit inside that woman must have also heard my prayer.” That conviction came upon me. It wasn’t that I healed her. When I got home, another call came. I felt uneasy, but they said she was even worse and that they were going to take her to the hospital. Without thinking, I said, “Deacon, please wait a little longer.” He said, “Okay.” That very evening, a work took place. The evil spirit said, “I can’t live in this house anymore. Why are you tormenting me? Why? Is Jesus tormenting me?” Have you ever heard something like that? Then it left. She came back completely fine. So I believe this passage: “Believe that you have received it.”
No gospel, no spiritual strength, no ability
The Israelites at that time did not really know the gospel. They were given the gospel but did not understand it. They had no spiritual strength. And because they lacked spiritual power, they had no ability to overcome great nations. That is why Jesus said, “Have faith in God. If you believe that what you prayed for has already been given, it will be done for you.”
Today, hold firmly to the accurate covenant and pray. No matter what others say, in the wilderness they still entered Canaan. The situation may seem difficult, but they entered. That is God’s covenant. Those who prayed received answers; those who complained did not enter. “According to your faith, it will be done.” This is a very important word.
▣ Main
When such important tasks lie ahead, you must hold on to the accurate covenant and pray.
- The name of Jesus Christ
In what name do we pray? In the name of Jesus Christ. We have no right to pray otherwise. God established it this way.
1) Promise
There are so many promises. Though there is no time to go over them all now, Jesus Himself explained this about seven times. He promised.
2) Answer
He promised—and how did He promise? He promised an answer. In the name of Jesus. That is clear. Next, what must we do? Hold onto the Word. The covenant must be accurate; if we pray holding onto the wrong one, it won’t do. Also, we must understand spiritual things—the kingdom of God. Then we must confirm: is this God’s will in His timetable? Only then will the answer come. And if something seems off, we must realize our own mistakes. When we pray together in one accord, answers come.
3) Five types
There are five types of answers. You must remember this well. First, some answers come immediately. Some come later. Some don’t come—because we prayed incorrectly. If we prayed wrongly, it’s better not to receive. Some come from the opposite side—you prayed in one way, but the answer comes from another direction. And sometimes, before you even pray, God gives the answer beforehand. We can’t always understand it. But overall, the key point is this: God promised to answer our prayers. Through the name of Jesus Christ who moves the power of the throne. Through the name that broke Satan who long enslaved us. Remember this.
- Work
Then, what happens when we pray? We must know what happens.
1) Within me
What happens within me when I pray? Three things. Genesis 1:27 — we are clothed with God’s image. Genesis 2:7 — we receive the breath of life that God breathed. Genesis 2:18 — God’s presence comes into our lives as in the blessing of Eden.
2) From above
Things from above come upon us—the power of the throne. When we pray, the power of the throne comes, and from then, transcending time and space, the light of 237 shines.
3) Hidden things
Things we never expected—hidden things—are revealed. What are they? Unprecedented and never-repeated blessings. Such things never happened before. There has never been anyone like you before. That is the unprecedented blessing. There was never someone who knew the gospel and worked faithfully in their field like you. Remember this well. There are many who run businesses, but are there many who know Christ and do business like our elders? No. There are many members of parliament, but how many truly know Christ? That’s why it’s not very important to me personally, though necessary for the nation. There are many professors, but how many truly know Christ? We have such professors in our church—that’s what makes it important. Unprecedented blessings. Remember this. Answers come according to spiritual state, so we must hold the covenant correctly. And what happens? We save the three ages. This is the work. The hidden thing.
- Spiritual concentration
Let’s look at the spiritual concentration of the seven remnants who had the assurance of prayer answers. Since prayer brings answers, you must have areas where you can focus. That’s why we worship.
1) The room
Joseph prayed alone as a slave and in prison—like a “room prayer.” No one knew, but that turned everything around. There will be such times when no one can help you, when you have no one to speak to. Joseph found the power of focused prayer there.
2) Mt Horeb
Moses had his mother’s covenantal prayer since childhood, yet until the age of 80, nothing happened—until Mt Horeb. He prayed with deep concentration.
3) Ark of the covenant
Samuel couldn’t even stay at home; he grew up beside the ark of the covenant. That’s what is needed. Today must become such a day for us. Isn’t that so? Today, the day of worship, is your Mt Horeb. Samuel lay beside the ark of the covenant when no one else was there.
4) Shepherd
Who recognized David? No one. He was alone in the mountains tending sheep. There, David concentrated in prayer. May it be so for you today.
5) Jordan River
While other prophets were calculating and hesitating, Elisha followed Elijah all the way to the Jordan, saying, “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit.” That’s it. Others acted halfheartedly, but he went all the way.
6) The window
Look at Daniel. From captivity to the end, he always prayed facing Jerusalem three times a day before God. Such prayer is needed.
7) Only, solely, completely
The early church held to this covenant and prayed “only,” “solely,” “completely.” These all mean the same—utter devotion to prayer.
That is today. If you believe, that becomes your home. When you believe, that becomes your bartizan. Isn’t that so? If you get angry though you don’t want to, that becomes your bartizan—so don’t let it happen. If you doubt, that becomes your bartizan. May today be a day of important covenant.
▣ Conclusion
Genesis 1:3
The conclusion is this: this light shines upon you (Genesis 1:3). The light of creation shines. Try praying for someone sincerely—the light of creation will shine. But there’s a condition. It’s not about “I want to live well.” We must do world evangelization. If you don’t, who will? Pray, “God, grant me the economy of light to accomplish world evangelization.” Then the light shines.
Isaiah 60:1–2
In a completely ruined situation, God says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”
1 Peter 2:9
When Israel was in its hardest time, God called someone like Peter and raised him up: “You were called to proclaim this light.”
In other words, the conclusion is this: you have been called as watchmen of prayer. The watchman is someone others do not see—one who guards, helps in danger, shines the light, and saves when crisis strikes.
Today will truly be such a day. I am certain of it. Whatever may have come upon me, it doesn’t matter. God will surely come upon your work and upon you who hold the right covenant, with His light. May today be a day of important worship—a day of resurrection. Let us pray.
Prayer. God, we thank You for giving us this important time to worship You on this Resurrection Sunday. Let us build the bartizan that saves ourselves, our fields, and the world. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.