Sunday First Service Message
May 18, 2025
Pastor Ryu Kwang-Soo
Joshua 14:6-15. Now the people of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. ⁷ I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, ⁸ but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. ⁹ So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.’
¹⁰ “Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! ¹¹ I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. ¹² Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”
¹³ Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. ¹⁴ So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. ¹⁵ (Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba after Arba, who was the greatest man among the Anakites.)
Then the land had rest from war.
※ What Must Come First – We must first discover the fact that each individual has God’s never-before-and-never-again answer and blessing. Our new believers are beginning their walk of faith—what should they begin with? And our church officers have much experience. What must they seek first? This is especially essential for remnants. What must they find first? We also have people from many nations here. What must they carry with them? Of course, it is the gospel—but what kind of gospel is it?
As you know, ten emperors reigned over 250 years, and during that time, countless Christians were martyred under Roman rule. The reason was simple. They called Christ “Lord”—the word “Kyrios.” But Rome forbade that word. “Kyrios,” meaning “Lord,” was to be used only for the Roman emperor. That’s why they were killed unconditionally. What would you have done?
During that time, a woman believed in Jesus as Lord—a believer in Christ. She resolved in her heart, “No matter what happens, I will believe in Christ as Lord. I have just one wish—to pass this faith down to my son and disciple. That is my mission. I cannot do great things. I will simply hold on to this faith.”
One day, Rome—the nation that ruled the world—crowned a new emperor. And this new emperor declared Christianity the state religion. “From now on, our Lord is not the emperor, but Christ. We declare our national religion to be faith in Christ.” This happened in 313 A.D.
This occurred about 400 years after the fall of Israel. And who was that emperor? He was the son of that woman who vowed to keep and pass on the gospel. His name was Emperor Constantine. What an astonishing event.
So today, what must you discover? Last week, we spoke of Joshua’s prayer that made the sun and moon stop. The Bible records this as a never-before-and-never-again event. Of course—if the sun and moon kept stopping, what would happen? That event ended there. But there is something more important: You must discover the never-before-and-never-again answer and blessing God has for you.
That woman never imagined her son would become emperor. She certainly didn’t expect him to declare Christianity as the national religion. She simply thought, “I will guard the gospel and pass it on to my son. That is my never-before-and-never-again task.” She discovered it.
If you are a church officer, this doesn’t take long—it’s simply a matter of discovery. If a remnant discovers it early, it marks the beginning of success—of answers. Among the 7 remnants, some discovered it early, some later—it doesn’t matter.
Now, as we enter today’s passage, we’re encountering something very important. What is it? When people are hurt, their scars eventually surface. And when those hidden scars emerge, they can become so severe that people lose control.
Some scars from childhood emerge after marriage and cause problems in the home. There are various types of scars. Some people suffer so much they cannot function in daily life. Some take their own lives due to these scars. All sorts of things happen.
To understand today’s passage, we need to go back to an event that took place 45 years earlier, when Moses sent out twelve spies to explore the land. When they returned, ten of them—each representing one of the twelve tribes—said they could not enter the land. If ten out of twelve session members oppose something, what happens? It gets rejected. If ten out of twelve approve, it goes forward.
They said, “The enemy cities are too strong—we will die there with our women and children. We cannot go.” But two men—Joshua and Caleb—said, “No, this is the land God has given us. A land flowing with milk and honey. We must take it.”
Moses sided with the two, not the ten. Moses said, “Let us go. We are going to the land of Canaan.” That land—where the people trembled and refused to enter—was called the hill country of Anak. Do you see the connection? As the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, those without faith were filled with scars.
When they heard the report about the Anak hill country, the entire people wept—not just complaints or grumbling, but public weeping. Isn’t that how people are? Children cry not because something is seriously wrong, but because of deep-seated scars. The whole nation wept at the thought of the Anak region.
Now, they were standing in front of that same land. So, when it came time to fight and conquer it, they cast lots. “Who will go?” No one wanted to. The old wounds from 45 years ago returned. “We won’t go,” they said. Then Caleb stepped forward and said, “Give me this hill country.” That’s today’s passage.
In my view, Caleb is an even more remarkable figure than Joshua. Caleb was no ordinary man. If two people served under Moses but only one rose to leadership, wouldn’t the other become bitter? Both were aides to Moses—his right and left arms. Joshua became the leader, and Caleb was not chosen. But Caleb showed no bitterness—only loyalty. He continued to serve Joshua. And in every crisis, Caleb stepped up. He was that kind of person.
▣ Introduction
So today, how do we discover this never-before-and-never-again answer? Caleb’s heart was different. First, let’s look at what he saw.
He saw what the Word and the power of God truly were. So even when something seemed absolutely impossible, he saw that God’s absolute plan made it possible.
He also knew that spiritual answers must come first. He knew that among all answers, spiritual answers must come first. This is important and emphasized repeatedly.
He knew that the Lord being with him was the answer – the three feasts
The most important thing in the wilderness was the three feasts. Through the blood covenant (Passover), they were set free. The background of the freed person is the throne—Feast of Ingathering. Their journey was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit—Pentecost. Caleb knew this was the true answer.
He saw that behind the covenant, God’s kingdom and works followed, and the covenant was fulfilled afterward. Today, when you hold to the covenant, God’s kingdom and works will follow. Caleb saw this over a period of 45 years.
Ask this question: What is God’s never-before-and-never-again reason for calling me? This answer will come to you. For me, I received a simple answer. Some people receive it over a lifetime—it differs from person to person. You must ask this today.
(1) Remnants – As you start your life, ask: What is God’s unique and never-before-and-never-again plan for me?
(2) Church officers – Elders, deacons, ordained deacons—your remaining life may be short. Then ask: “What is God’s unique and never-before-and-never-again plan for me?”
(3) New believers – Like Rahab, some new believers realize it immediately—and history begins to move.
Because Caleb knew this covenant, he survived and changed his generation. Our remnants must resolve today. No excuses. No background is needed. Even a poor family is okay. You need no one’s help. Make a firm decision and hold to the true answer. “I have no background.” That’s fine—perhaps even better. Hold tightly to the covenant, like Caleb.
▣ Main
How did Caleb receive such a never-before-and-never-again answer?
1. What to confirm – He took definite fulfillment of God’s Word as his evidence. This is what you must confirm. How was God’s Word fulfilled along your journey? Though it may seem like nothing, a never-before-and-never-again answer will begin in your life.
1) Caleb held on to the covenant of the past.
Verse 6 says, “Then…” He refers to the past: “Didn’t the man of God speak to you at Kadesh Barnea?” He brings up that time. “Others said we couldn’t go, but you and I gave a different report.” And he refers to Moses as “the man of God.” “Do you not remember the Word he gave us?” He held tightly to the past covenant.
2) He held on to today’s covenant.
From verses 7 to 11, Caleb speaks about today’s covenant. He says, “I was 40 years old then. I gave my report with sincerity. The others discouraged the people, but I was faithful to the Lord and said we could go. Moses told me that land would be my inheritance.” In verse 10: “Now, behold! I am here today. I am 85 years old but still alive and well.” This continues in verse 11.
3) He held on to the covenant for the future.
This is in verse 12. “Though I am 85, if the Lord is with me, I will surely take that land. Send me.” Caleb, at 85, clearly spoke of the past, present, and future covenant.
When you hold today’s covenant, lifelong answers will begin. Without this, Christians grow weaker over time—that should not be. But today, simply by praying, doors to the 5,000 tribes are opening. God’s Word works. I believe this year’s World Remnant Conference will be amazing.
2. Do not be deceived – When you see God’s absolute plan.
Second, how did Caleb pray? He wasn’t deceived by his environment—he held on to God’s absolute plan. First comes the covenant—he held tightly to it, past, present, and future. That may seem simple, but it changes everything. Then, hold tightly to God’s absolute plan.
1) He saw Satan’s reality.
He saw the fortresses of the giants. While others were afraid, Caleb saw through them—he saw the reality of Satan.
2) He saw that our life and future are in God’s sovereignty.
Through all this, Caleb saw that our life and future are not in Satan’s hands but under God’s sovereign rule. He was certain of this.
3) He saw the site where hearts melted – Satan’s identity.
They saw the people’s hearts melt in fear. That is the true identity of Satan. If you go forward with the covenant, darkness will break and tremble—but we trembled instead. So go forward with God’s absolute plan. Never-before-and-never-again answers came not only to Joshua but now also to Caleb. You must take this with you today.
3. What to be assured of – A certain future.
Lastly, what must we be assured of? A certain future. Regardless of life or death, we must devote ourselves.
1) Exodus was coming out of darkness, not just from Egypt
2) The wilderness journey wasn’t suffering—it was filled with evidence.
3) Entering Canaan was heading into God’s absolute future—world evangelization.
So Caleb’s heart was different.
As for me, over the past 40 years—really over 30 years of evangelism—what I’ve found most difficult is that people try too hard to show off in front of God. There are so many people like that. They put too much effort into looking good and claiming positions. All their energy is focused on that.
I’ve worked in that kind of environment for 40 years. That’s why my expression is the way it is—not smiling, not frowning. Even when I encounter absurd situations, I must endure without showing it. Even when I’m overjoyed, I must not get too excited. As if nothing happened.
But the work of God continues. Right? Nothing can block the gospel.
※ Do not be discouraged. Hold on to the never-before-and-never-again covenant that remains. In other words, what God has given only to you—Caleb realized this early on. That’s why he served as Moses’ assistant. That’s what he decided: “This is what I’ll live and die for.”
So he served as Moses’ attendant. After Moses passed, he served as Joshua’s attendant. He was Joshua’s friend. Do you know what he said to Joshua? “Just as I served Moses, I will serve you.” What a great man. And he also said, “If anyone stands against you, I will not leave them alone.” He supported Joshua like that.
When they stood in front of the Anak hill country again—where they had once been terrified—the people wavered again. Caleb rose up and said, “Give me this hill country.” He always appeared in moments of crisis.
During the events at Kadesh Barnea and every major crisis, Caleb went to the battlefield. Today, you must hold to this covenant.
▣ Conclusion
There are so many great pastors—highly educated, wonderful people. But I asked a simple question. Because I cannot do complicated things, I asked something simple: “Lord, evangelism and world evangelization are not really happening—please let it take place.”
People don’t even know what evangelism is. Evangelism is not something you do. It’s something you see. You see the work of God. Missions is also something you see.
We try to do it ourselves, and that’s why it doesn’t work. But it’s about witnessing God’s amazing works. So I determined, “This is what I must do for the rest of my life.” I held on to that as my never-before-and-never-again answer.
When I go out to the field, I see so many difficulties. Nothing else would work. As I often say, this church was my last station, but I had the opportunity to learn from many other places. Most of them don’t know what evangelism really is. That’s why they suffer. If you don’t know what evangelism is, that’s a serious issue—it means you don’t know the gospel.
So we must teach the remnants. We must tell them ahead of time. You’ve come this far by the grace of your parents, but now it’s time for you to receive answers enough to carry out world missions. You must build the three courtyards and receive answers great enough to save the world. To do that, you must discover the never-before-and-never-again blessing that God has given only to you. You definitely have it.
I gave this sermon when I was still an assistant pastor. When I said, “Each of you has a never-before-and-never-again blessing,” one elderly deaconess said, “Do I have one? He says we do…” But then she received an answer. Her spiritual eyes began to open.
One day she went to find her granddaughter and saw her playing with other kids at the playground. She had seen it before, but this time, her spiritual eyes were opened. So she made puffed barley snacks—healthy and delicious. A single scoop becomes a whole sack.
She gave these snacks to the kids at the playground. The kids loved it. So she kept giving them. The parents saw and realized it wasn’t harmful. So this deaconess began to evangelize to the children. She said, “This is my never-before-and-never-again calling.” And it truly was. Eventually, the parents began to believe, too.
Now look at the teams in America participating in the three-courtyard movement. When they quietly met with the American children, they found that all of them had spiritual problems. When they evangelized and led the children to accept Christ, the children changed. Before that, they hadn’t even spoken up. But after receiving Christ, they began to talk about their issues. That’s how the gospel began to enter the American community. What is that? That is the never-before-and-never-again blessing.
This week, even just thinking about this will bring answers. That’s how it was for me. I bless you in the name of Jesus Christ that you may recover the never-before-and-never-again blessing of Caleb.
Prayer. God, we thank You for giving us this important covenant. Let this be the day we hold on to the covenant that will surely be fulfilled. Help us to see Your absolute plan and allow us to see the covenant that shows us the future. Let this be the week we receive the never-before-and-never-again blessing that remains for us. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen.