08.18.24 District Message
Scripture Reading: John 21:15-18
▣ Introduction
There’s an old story: a couple, married for just a week, were found dead in their car on the roadside. It made the news. Both had died from gunshot wounds, but it wasn’t a suicide—the gun wasn’t found near the scene. Much later, the killer was caught. It turned out to be a hunting accident gone wrong. The man had gotten into an argument while driving—one of those typical roadside confrontations. Words were exchanged, windows rolled down, and in a moment of uncontrollable rage, the hunter grabbed his gun and shot them. He confessed, filled with regret, unable to explain his actions. He wasn’t ignorant of right and wrong; he simply couldn’t control his fury. And in that rage, he destroyed lives—including his own.
Why share this story? Because you need three essential kinds of strength to live in this world.
1. Spiritual nutrition (immune system) – [Courtyard of prayer (healing)]
Spiritual strength begins with spiritual nutrition. Though invisible, it is vitally important. You need this strength during prayer, worship, and even in your thoughts throughout the day. Scripture commands us to establish a courtyard of prayer, because this courtyard is the courtyard of healing.
(Immune system)
Do you remember Yoo Byung-eun? His body was found in the mountains. There was debate—was it murder? Was he killed? But the medical experts knew the truth immediately: he died from hypothermia. When your body temperature drops, your immune system collapses. That’s why children must be warned when hiking—if they lose their way, their temperature drops. It’s not drowning that kills people in water—it’s the drop in body temperature. A fall of just 3 degrees can be fatal.
In the same way, when your spiritual “temperature” drops, your spiritual immunity weakens. Some people handle problems with ease; others fall into panic. That’s the difference. When hardships come, some remain calm, while others collapse emotionally or mentally. Life constantly brings noise, conflict, and chaos—those without spiritual strength are overwhelmed. Even family life becomes difficult without this strength. That’s why you must always receive strength through the courtyard of prayer.
2. Foreigners – [Courtyard of the Gentiles]
What if you moved to a foreign country? What if you had to live there permanently? The anxiety would be immense. You’d be tense all the time. Now think—what is it like for foreigners living in Korea? If you understand their fear and unease, you can truly help them.
God commands in Scripture: Build a courtyard of the Gentiles. The Word of God is perfect. In the church, establish both the courtyard of prayer for healing and the courtyard of the Gentiles so foreigners can live again.
3. Children – [Courtyard of children]
And God commands us to care for children. Scripture speaks clearly about these three courtyards. Children must study, grow, and one day find their calling—some may go into work or business. They must be prepared. That’s what the courtyard of children is for. God gave precise revelation when He commanded the construction of the temple.
What do you think? Shouldn’t we establish these three courtyards in our church? Traditional evangelism through handing out tracts is fine, but it’s a low-level approach. If something is prepared well, people will come naturally. A good restaurant doesn’t need flyers—just one taste convinces customers to return and bring others. In the same way, spiritual ministry must be solid. You must gain this strength through prayer.
When children are taught to pray, they begin to learn three things:
[Only]
They discover what it means to hold to “only.” This is what Jesus emphasized—through prayer, they realize the “only” Christ.
[Uniqueness]
Others begin to notice the uniqueness in them. Your children begin to realize the unique blessings God has given them.
[Re-creation]
Eventually, they begin to bring life to others. This is the blessing of re-creation.
300%
Put another way: we must prepare them with 300% strength. If we fail to prepare our children, they may grow up with uncertainty, suffering under others’ control. This is not about micromanaging their lives—it’s about not letting them fall into spiritual slavery, like the descendants of Israel who became captives due to their parents’ disobedience. This is how we stop that cycle. This blessing is incredibly important.
Even today, you need to receive this (spiritual nutrition) first. We all come from the world’s pressures, carrying concerns and burdens. Even with friends or family, we still need deeper spiritual comfort. We need strength.
“Courtyard of the Summit – Eternity”
This is what we call the courtyard of the summit. It is where remnants are raised as summits. And the answer given here is for eternity. That’s what the Bible teaches.
(John 21:15–18)
In John 21, Jesus told Peter the same command three times: “Feed my lambs.” Even as He was on His way to the cross, He said, “Do not weep for me; weep for your children.” These are powerful words. Because God blesses this work, all you need to do is pray. No major preparations needed—just prayer.
– Imprint
Imprint this blessing on your children. Even if answers don’t come right away, that’s okay.
(Brain, soul, eternity)
Imprints form first in the brain. That’s why what children see and hear while growing up is so important. What is imprinted in the brain rarely disappears. That’s why we must not scar children—they don’t forget. The only solution is this: “When the Holy Spirit comes upon you…” Only Christ. Nothing else can heal it. And it doesn’t stop at the brain. Because we have souls, the imprint goes deeper—into the soul—and eventually connects to eternity.
Body
What appears as a physical or emotional problem is actually just the outward sign of what has been imprinted in the brain, soul, and spirit. That’s why worship is so important. Teaching your children the Word of God is crucial. Teaching them to pray is crucial. Because it becomes imprinted in their brain, soul, and spirit—and connects to eternity.
▣ Main message
1. Parents – Church leaders
Now to the main point: the role of parents and church leaders is crucial. Let’s look at a few examples:
1) Exodus 2:1–20
When her child’s life was threatened, Jochebed made a bold decision: “There’s only one way—send him into Pharaoh’s palace.” What faith! She sent Moses with the covenant imprinted in him—and that changed the world. She must have poured messages and prayers into him while nursing him. A mother’s prayer may look small, but it has world-changing power. Your prayer is that important.
2) 1 Samuel 1:9–11
Hannah’s prayer gave birth to the prophet Samuel. You know what happened.
3) 1 Kings 18:1–15
Obadiah, a faithful church leader, protected one hundred prophets. The number isn’t the point—his devotion was. That act turned into the Dothan movement, and later a global work that blocked the Arameans.
4) Daniel 1:8–9
Daniel held Isaiah’s words in his heart. While others ignored the message, Daniel embraced it—and God used him to influence Babylon. That is the power of the Word and of prayer.
5) Acts 2:10
At the Mark’s Upper Room, there were pilgrims from Rome. I believe Priscilla and Aquila were among them. They later transformed Rome. Maybe you can’t relate right away—but your one prayer can do the same.
2. Jesus’ promise
Why is this courtyard of the summit important? Because it’s the promise of Christ—God’s promise.
1) John 2:12–25
When Jesus saw the temple missing these three courtyards, He became angry and cleansed it with a whip. A church that lacks these courtyards is not a true church. See the blessings that followed. Even now, we are unknowingly entering into incredible grace.
Herod’s temple lacked the courtyard of prayer, courtyard of the Gentiles, and courtyard of children. They had turned it into a marketplace—for animal sales and currency exchange. Bringing outside animals was discouraged. Instead, people were forced to buy from the temple system, run by Annas and Caiaphas. That’s why Jesus drove them out. They even changed money specifically for the temple tax—right in the children’s courtyard. Jesus knew this—and that’s why He became angry. If you understand this, you will certainly receive answers.
2) Luke 23:28
While carrying the cross, Jesus told the weeping women, “Do not weep for me. Weep for your children.” Even while ascending Golgotha, He was thinking of the next generation.
3) John 21:15–18
Again, Jesus told Peter: “Feed my lambs. Take care of my sheep.” This is Christ’s promise.
3. Ministers (Paul)
God entrusted this work to the ministers. Many failed, but Paul was different. God used him powerfully. This is something all ministers must understand.
1) Synagogues
Paul always went to the synagogues because children were there.
2) Rome
Eventually, Paul went to Rome to save the next generation of the world. That’s why he had to go there.
Even recently, some children came from Oceania. It was their first time on a plane, their first time overseas, and their first time seeing something like this. We invited them to show them something real. It’s said that even a president cried. That’s what true leadership looks like. Many visitors were determined to raise their own children properly after seeing this.
3) Romans 16:25–27
More than that, Paul revealed what had been hidden for ages. The mystery of the gospel.
So today, as you pray, be spiritually aware. We need strength to save other nations and our own future generations. Even if you don’t travel abroad, you can save the foreigners already among us. Hold firmly to the covenant.
Someone once asked me, “What should we do for multiethnic people?” My response? Don’t ask—just act. In Busan, I said, “Let’s eat lunch together with the multiethnic group.” Nothing complicated—just weekly fellowship. Get to know them. Let them open their hearts. Let them say, “This church is better than home. God must have brought us to Korea for a reason.” That’s what they must feel.
▣ Conclusion – The Word
God’s Word will surely be fulfilled. Jesus said, “Not a single stroke or letter will disappear until all is accomplished.” When faced with a crisis, Isaiah said, “The Word of the Lord endures forever.” In a way, not even God can stop it, because it is His Word.
God is all-powerful, but there’s one thing He cannot do: lie. What humans do best, God cannot do. We lie easily. Someone asks, “Pastor, did you eat?” And even if we didn’t, we say, “Yes, I did,” just to be polite. That’s not a harmful lie—it’s kindness. But God cannot lie.
May today be the greatest day for you in Jesus Christ. Let us pray.
Prayer. God, thank You for giving us the opportunity and blessing. May today be a day when we gain spiritual strength. Help us pass on this blessing to our future generations and to the multiethnic next generation. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.