Scripture Reading: Acts 19:21
The dream bartizan – The eternal answer (Acts 19:21)
There is the word “dream,” but it’s a little different from how unbelievers use it. It’s the dream through which we receive the eternal answer. It’s completely different. We’ve all probably had experiences like this: things aren’t going well, or maybe you started a business and it didn’t work out, so you had to shut it down. Or perhaps you’re experiencing failure in business. But what if everything keeps going wrong? It would be extremely discouraging. That’s why today, you must firmly hold onto this covenant and start praying about what critical issue you have. You have to start asking, “What is it that I need to do going forward?”
▣ Introduction: Leisure (여유)
As we continue holding onto God’s Word, the most important thing is this: I don’t have that kind of leisure. Honestly, I started studying a bit late. I got married and then went to college. It’s because I didn’t discover God’s calling early on. After I got married, I entered graduate school. So I ended up going to school at the same time as my son. But looking around, I saw that others had some kind of background. Many of them were children of pastors or elders, so it was natural for them to attend seminary. My situation was really difficult. I couldn’t even say it out loud due to pride—it was just too hard. In other words, I didn’t have this kind of leisure. I couldn’t afford to say, “I’ll receive answers to prayer,” or “I’ll do something special.”
I don’t think people keep failing because they’re bad people—it might just be that they lack this leisure. If you have financial room in your business, you can try this or that, or wait when things aren’t going well. But many people don’t have that kind of margin. I was one of those cases. But that wasn’t the end. I completely hit rock bottom. It was only after hitting bottom that I started to pray.
[ Field ] – Evangelism
So what did I do? While other seminary students or assistant pastors hardly ever went, I kept going out to the field to evangelize. In some ways, it’s easy, but it’s also difficult. I spent nearly ten years in the field, and then things started to come into view. It was because God was pleased. The Bible says that winning one soul is “more precious than the whole world.” If you truly pray for world evangelization and evangelism, one day you’ll discover that your destiny has changed. That’s what I kept praying for.
Watchman – [Prayer]
God is my watchman, so He raised me as a watchman of prayer. I went to the field to evangelize and prayed as a watchman—anyone can do this. But most people don’t know this secret.
Bartizan, journey, guidepost
As I continued this prayer, the bartizan began to arise. Of course, a watchman needs a bartizan, right? As the bartizan formed, I realized this wasn’t just about being a stationary watchman—I was on a moving journey. Along the way, God had prepared guideposts. Of course, this is my personal experience, but this kind of answer began to come.
Platform, watchtower, antenna
From that point, what happened? A platform naturally formed. And once there’s a platform, you can raise a watchtower to shine the light. And through prayer, the antenna that enables communication starts to work. From that point, answers I didn’t even expect began to come. Even though I wasn’t qualified in personality or character, the doors to world evangelization began to open. I saw in the field that every layperson can enjoy such answers from God. If such things (as in the introduction) began happening in your work, what would that look like?
– [Prayer]
So this amazing thing—we can’t do it on our own. That’s why Jesus gave us a very important answer: prayer.
[ 7.7.7 ]
This isn’t just any prayer—it’s a prayer that moves the throne of God. As you continue, this (7.7.7) starts to happen. How did God fulfill this covenant? He began to work in those who truly had the definite dream given by Him.
Covenant
We must remember this: when you pray, the first thing that comes is the covenant being imprinted in you. If you don’t taste this, it will be very hard. If you keep waiting in this (introductory) prayer, the covenant will surely come. Of course, it’s all God’s Word, but the covenant distinctly comes.
Vision
Once I grabbed hold of this covenant, my eyes were opened to see the second thing: “Ah, the harvest field is completely ripe. It’s become a total blind spot. No—it’s become a disaster zone.” That’s how I saw it. Go out into the world today—it’s a mess. What you see is what we call a vision.
[Dream] – [24]
Then you’re able to hold onto something you can do 24/7. That’s what we call a dream. It’s completely different from what unbelievers mean by the word.
So in conclusion, never fall into despair—pray, and God’s work will arise. When we pray, it’s not like our stomachache goes away instantly, or a money bag drops from the sky, right?
[ World evangelization ]
Everyone we see in the introduction received answers through this (world evangelization). That’s why it’s so easy for us to miss it. Some may ask, “I’m praying, but how will the answers come?” They don’t know. Some don’t even know how to pray. The Bible talks about world evangelization, but it feels so far from where we are. That’s why you need to discover one thing here.
▣ Main: [Self] 1 Corinthians 3:16, John 14:16, 16:13
You yourself are the bartizan. This is the conclusion I came to. How can I go to the whole world? It’s difficult even to travel. You yourself are the bartizan of the throne. That’s why Scripture says something amazing: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” Jesus, after speaking about all the things we would lose, ended by saying, “When I go, I will send you the Helper, the Holy Spirit. He will teach you all things.” So see what kind of answers came through prayer.
1. Egypt
It happened in Egypt.
1) Genesis 37:1–11
As you know, in Egypt, Joseph held to the covenant (Gen 37:1–11) and prayed. It seemed like nothing was happening—he was sold as a slave, thrown in prison. But one day, the answer of world evangelization came accurately. So you must believe this. Not a single one of your prayers falls to the ground.
2) Exodus 2:1–10
This is Jochebed’s prayer. What kind of result came from this? This (introductory) difference is why we keep missing out. Today is the time schedule of that answer. Believe it. Today is the day to receive the filling of the Holy Spirit. Believe it. It surely happened.
3) Joshua 1:1–9
This was passed down in Egypt to Joshua. “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” Many important things are said here. Joshua saw Moses firsthand. “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” Then something even more important was said—not “I will give you the land of Canaan,” but “I have given it to you.” It’s already given. So “go boldly.” This is the secret of prayer. You’re sitting in the worship hall—how will we do world evangelization? It’s already done. It’s already given. That’s why today you gain strength, because tomorrow is in God’s hands. A cancer patient, if they truly pray, will gain strength. You must pray with the mindset, “Even if I die, I can go before God.” This (main point 1) was fulfilled exactly. Hold tightly to the dream of this covenant.
2. Babylon
Historical proof—it happened in Babylon.
1) Daniel 1:8–9
Daniel had already held to the covenant, so in Daniel 1:8–9 it says he “resolved in his heart.” It came at that very moment. Don’t miss it. “But it hasn’t come yet.” It will come. It came exactly. The moment Daniel held the covenant, it had already come. “I will become a witness of world evangelization.” The moment you hold the covenant, it’s already here. Was it fulfilled or not? It was. There’s evidence. So we worship today, and you might pray today—that’s what we’re doing. “But what if problems come?” Maybe they’re not problems. Daniel was suddenly about to die, falsely accused. But Daniel didn’t die—they did. So your brief prayers and today’s worship—they’re very important.
2) Daniel 3:8–24
At this point the covenant was already fulfilled and the answer had come. They were about to enter the fire, and they said, “Even if we go into the fire, it’s fine.” Why? Because the Lord will rescue us. Then they said something more important—the key to prayer answers: “Even if Jehovah does not rescue us, we cannot bow.” It had already come. We often don’t understand this. Jesus said, “Believe that you have received what you asked for in prayer.” Why? Because that prayer has already been lifted up and is confirmed in the covenant.
3) Esther 4:1–16
Esther 4:1–16. It happened in Babylon—in the field of world evangelization. So for world evangelization and the 3 Todays, it’s enough to just think about them daily.
3. Rome
Finally, in Rome. Once again, they were a colony. Why? Because only through Rome could world evangelization happen. The answer is simple. May today’s worship be a time when even unknown illnesses are healed by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes—it happens the moment you believe. The Holy Spirit begins to work. That’s science. Look at Paul.
1) Acts 19:21
In Rome as well—“I must also see Rome.” The answer had already come.
2) Acts 23:11
“Take courage. You must testify in Rome as well.” It had already come. When will it come? That’s in God’s time schedule.
3) Acts 27:24
“Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar.”
▣ Conclusion_ [24.25.Eternity]
At the very bottom, just do this (24, 25, Eternity). From the very bottom. He is probably listening to this message. Didn’t I share last time? A company closed due to hardship, and the family began to worry. This person suddenly had no work. But he pretended to go to work. Imagine the pain. But he made a wise decision. He went to a place that pays daily wages. In other words, he went all the way to the bottom. He ended up working in construction—interior work—which he didn’t know how to do. So he had to do errands. It was rock bottom. But he did so well that the boss asked, “Why don’t you become our full-time employee?” As he followed around, he learned all the skills. And he was shocked—“People mostly cheat. If I just don’t cheat, I’ll be fine. They cut corners on invisible parts—I should do those even better.” Then he realized—it’s something he could start without a huge fund. Now he is so busy with work that he is being asked to come everywhere.
No matter where you go, it’s okay. From the very bottom, aim for the highest with 24, 25, and eternity.
1. The highest (height)
Even if we work at the lowest place, we aim for the highest.
2. Depth
At the field, we work with the deepest excellence. This (height) can be seen as level. Victory is certain.
3. Breadth
While praying for 24, 25, eternity—we go to the broadest places.
“Height” refers to level, especially important for our youth—you must do it properly. “Depth” is the content. “Breadth” is the information. Then you’re bound to win. Even a person with the mystery of prayer can win selling pancakes. A person with prayer power can win even doing cleaning.
Hold onto this covenant, and I bless you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that today will be the best day you’ve ever had. Let us pray.
Prayer
We thank You, God. Work in all the people of God gathered here this morning by the power of the Holy Spirit. May healing take place today through the filling of the Holy Spirit. Open the doors of the throne. May the works of the kingdom of God be fulfilled. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.