2023.07.09 District Message
Scripture Reading: Genesis 12:1-4
This is what you must absolutely experience at least once in your lifetime. Only then can you explain it to the next generation.
Genesis 12:1–4
In Genesis 12:1-4, God instructs Abraham to leave Chaldea. The Bible says, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household.” This means to leave completely, which may sound simple today, but back then, people thought doing so would lead to ruin. And God didn’t even say exactly where to go—He said, “Go to the land I will show you.” Then He said, “No one will be able to stand against you.”
Even more puzzling was the statement, “All nations will be blessed through your seed.” Abraham couldn’t understand this. He didn’t even have a child—what seed would bless the nations? It didn’t make sense. It’s not that he didn’t believe in God, but it didn’t sit right with him, so he hesitated. And while he hesitated, a tragedy struck his family—his older brother suddenly passed away. Aren’t we all similar in that way? That made Abraham afraid: “I need to go now.” So he left.
But still, how can you survive without making money? He was told to leave his relatives and father’s household and go to the land God would show him, and that somehow his seed—though he had no children—would be a blessing to all nations? It was incomprehensible.
Frankly, we could also be in that situation. God’s Word might not make sense or fit us. We could face the same. We need to survive right now, and God says, “You will be the source of blessing.” How can that be a source? He couldn’t understand. Abraham was desperate and didn’t even know where to go.
So he made two mistakes. Since he just couldn’t believe it, he went down to Egypt. Why Egypt? He thought, “Maybe I can make some money there. It’s a wealthy place.” So he went. There he faced a big problem. Back then, there weren’t laws like today—might made right. So he came to the verge of losing his wife. That happened. By God’s grace, he escaped that crisis.
Then a second problem came—he had brought his nephew along. God had said to leave his country, relatives, and his father’s household, but he brought a relative. From the outside, it may have seemed reasonable—his older brother had died, his father was gone, so it made sense to bring his nephew. But Abraham wasn’t thinking spiritually. He had gone to Egypt because he was worried—how would he survive? And he thought, “I don’t even have a child. I should at least raise my nephew well.” That was his reasoning.
So, concerning God’s Word, Abraham was completely in the wrong. Right? But to speak of the conclusion: every word of God was fulfilled to Abraham once he realized it. In Genesis Chapter 13, after a dispute arose, he sent Lot away. But he didn’t just kick him out—he said, “You choose first. Take the best for yourself.” As expected, Lot chose the wealthy area of Sodom and Gomorrah. So Abraham chose the mountain.
Genesis 13:18
From that point, answers began to come to Abraham. “Abraham sent Lot away and began to build an altar.”
“Spiritual independence and the 25 answers”
Many Christians today fail to experience this spiritual part. Because it’s invisible, it’s hard to experience. But if you believe and receive answers, you will experience it. Spiritually, you can survive anywhere. Spiritual independence means having the spiritual strength to survive anywhere. This is the blessing and answer God will give you this week.
▣ Introduction – The Word
Because the spiritual is invisible, the best answer is to hold onto the Word. The spiritual doesn’t come by experience—it comes as an answer. It can’t be experienced, because it’s spiritual. When you hold onto the Word and receive answers, then you know.
1. The wrong things (Genesis 3, 6, 11)
Because people don’t believe, they choose things based on their own thoughts, leading to incorrect decisions. That’s Genesis 3. Satan knew this and said, “Don’t trust God. You’ll be like God.” And they fell immediately. Genesis 6 is about Noah’s flood. People thought, “If I just do this, I’ll gain power,” and so today people go to shamans and such—they fall into those traps.
Then comes the Tower of Babel—Genesis 11—“You can succeed. If you unite, you’ll be powerful.” There’s a famous con artist named Cho Hee-pal who once said, “All I have to do is say, ‘I’ll make you rich,’ and people will come running.” That’s how Satan works: “Be like God (Gen. 3). Gain power (Gen. 6). Succeed (Gen. 11). Build your tower.”
This is the Bible’s clearest answer as to why people face problems. So even if you simply get rid of your “self,” great answers will begin to come. This is hard to understand, but not really difficult. When problems come, just let go of your thoughts and ask, “What does God’s Word say?” That’s enough for God’s works to begin. At the time, it may seem small, but later you’ll realize, “Wow, I was really guided well.”
2. The wrong actions (idolatry)
People hold onto the wrong things, so they end up doing the wrong things. And it turns out, the area Abraham went into was full of idols. He got trapped.
3. The wrong decisions (Genesis 12:10)
Because he hadn’t realized yet, even Abraham made wrong decisions, though he was a person of God. God said, “Go to the land I will show you,” but in Genesis 12:10, he went down to Egypt. That can happen easily. But once Abraham held tightly to the Word, God’s work began.
▣ Main Point
1. God – the Word
In some ways, this is simple. When problems come, don’t think based on your thoughts—ask what the Word says. Then amazing spiritual works happen. Some people simply ask, “What is God’s will?”—and that alone brings answers. Because it changes your spiritual world.
You need to receive the same answer Abraham received: no matter what problem comes, hold firmly to the Word without relying on people. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t talk to people—we listen to family and friends, of course. But don’t depend on them. Hold to the Word you believe comes from God. That’s what it means.
1) People (Genesis 37)
Most people believe what others say. It’s hard to believe God’s Word. But Joseph in Genesis 37 believed only God’s Word. To what extent?
2) Dreams (verses 6–9)
He held onto God’s Word so firmly that it even appeared in his dreams. Now, dreams aren’t the standard, but our thoughts can appear in dreams. Dreams are often nonsense, but they reveal our current state. Some people say, “I had a dream about an accident, so it must happen.” But it’s really just showing how anxious you are. That’s why it appears in a dream.
For example, I just remember, “My sister’s husband is sick—I should contact them.” But I still haven’t. Thankfully, they understand. As for me, I always dream about being late for worship. And in those dreams, close people like Pastor Hwang Sang-bae appear, and I’m asking him, “What do I do?” This shows that I’m completely immersed in giving this kind of message in real life. That’s the kind of dream I mean. Joseph held onto God’s covenant so firmly that it even came out in his dreams. That’s verses 6–9.
3) Heart (verse 11)
He also treasured God’s Word in his heart. That’s all it takes. If God’s Word is clear, comes in your dreams, and is stored in your heart, then He will absolutely work. You’ve probably experienced this already, but you must have that experience to be able to speak to others about it.
2. Life (within)
But it’s not enough to just store the Word. It must be inside your life.
1) Crisis – opportunity
Then there’s no need to fear. Even when a crisis comes, it becomes an opportunity. That was true for Abraham and Joseph.
2) Fear
Then fear of the world disappears—because you’re inside the Word.
3) Satan
And while you don’t fear the world, you also don’t take it lightly. Why? Because Satan continues working through it. You don’t dismiss it, but you don’t fear it either. This is the Word you must hold firmly.
3. Success (witness)
And it doesn’t end there. When you enjoy this blessing of “God with me,” you will succeed, not just with success, but as a witness. Then what comes?
1) The throne
The work of the Triune God and the power of the throne become yours. How can we understand that? But if you do understand, then you fear nothing. But people don’t know this well. Because you’re in the Word, wherever you go—even your difficult workplace—the blessing of the throne comes. Others say it’s hard, but for you, it becomes an opportunity. It comes. Our remnants go abroad and into the world, and God has already prepared everything. That’s a witness.
2) Identity – authority
You’ve received the blessing of being a child of God. You have that identity and authority. That’s the witness you become.
3) Background
And it doesn’t end there. The throne, your identity, and your authority become your background.
You need to experience this at least once. I’ve often heard people say, “That pastor is great, but he only cares about money.” He’s a great person with no problems, but people say he only cares about money. I’ve heard that a lot. It’s not that he really only cares about money—if you don’t receive and enjoy the answer concerning this message, you end up like that. That’s how it is. It’ll happen to you too. If you don’t receive and enjoy this answer, you’ll become the same.
I’ve mentioned this before: once in Japan, I had some time and decided to do some research on my own, so I made arrangements through the Darakbang travel agency and went with just a camera. I went alone—no staff. But the hotel situation wasn’t what I’d heard. They required full payment up front to reserve a room, so I paid it. But I had no money left for food for the three days. I only had Korean money in my pocket, which is useless in Japan. I could have called missionary Kang Myung-joo in Tokyo, but I felt that would be a burden. I had ten 100-yen coins. I went out and found a place where you put in a coin and get a meal ticket. I ate like that for three days, counting my coins. I saved one coin. That’s when I thought, “This is how a person can end up.” Just three days, and I became like that. Shaking, holding that one coin, still trying to live with dignity.
You see, even if you’re holding to God’s Word, if you haven’t received the answer concerning this message, you can’t see it. From now on, start enjoying this blessing and praying.
▣ Conclusion
1. WITH
Then what result comes? You receive the evidence that God is with you. That’s enough. From then on, Abraham could see the world and everything else. Just pray even during this worship. Even just today, if you hold onto God’s Word and pray on Sunday, that’s enough.
2. Immanuel
The blessing of Immanuel comes.
3. Oneness
If you’re inside the covenant, aware of the spiritual, all your past problems and hardships turn into answers. That’s certain. That’s what we call oneness. Later, you’ll realize, “What I thought was unanswered wasn’t actually unanswered.” Back when I was a student, I thought, “Money!” because things were so hard. Looking back, that was such a foolish prayer. God was preparing everything.
Today, just hold onto the Word all day and pray deeply. During the weekdays, just confirm how that Word is being fulfilled. That’s certain. God has given us this opportunity, and in the capital region, I don’t think there’s any other church that can build the three courtyards. God prepared our church for that. It’s not just about the building—we have members who can establish the 237, healing, and summit courtyards. Our church is already prepared through you. It’s an amazing answer. For someone like me who sees the future, it’s shocking. How can God work like this?
What’s even more amazing is how, when these messages are shared, such as at the dedication service, the elders grasp onto them as their covenant and move with them. I’m just amazed, “How can they do this?” Today again, I felt that. “Wow, our elders are truly led by the Holy Spirit.” It’s reassuring and something to be thankful for. How can people move so precisely with God’s Word?
I bless you in the name of Jesus Christ to hold onto the covenant today, enjoy it throughout the week, and wait upon it.
Prayer. God, we thank You. We thank You for giving us the true covenant. Now let us enjoy the blessing that Abraham restored through choosing the covenant. Let spiritual healing arise during this day-long worship. Let all my problems be turned into answers from God. Let all my weaknesses and illnesses be healed by God’s power. Let the remainder of my life be a life that fulfills God’s covenant. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.