2025.06.22 Sunday 1st Service
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 7:1-15
▣ Introduction
Today, may you discover the answer that God has surely given to you. Do not listen to my sermon—concentrate your heart on this Word.
※ A state in which one cannot escape because destiny has already been determined (John 9:3)
Jesus was walking with His disciples when they encountered a man born blind. The disciples asked, “Is this his own sin? Or his parents’ sin?” Jesus replied, “It is neither his sin nor his parents’ sin, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” Because our destiny is already determined, we cannot escape it.
Today is about the Mizpah Movement. They were unable to escape suffering and war. As we examine today’s Mizpah Movement, we must find the accurate answer.
1. Three questions
Do you perhaps have any problems? Are you perhaps bound by an incurable disease? Today, we must take with us an important answer. Before explaining what the Mizpah Movement is, I must first ask you three questions in this introduction.
1) Don’t fall into discouragement over the problem, but discover the true cause
Whenever we face problems, though we may not speak it aloud, we often fall into despair and sink into the issue. The Israelites suffered under the Philistines. But God is saying that this is not the issue—we must know the cause. This is important. These events occurred so we would come to know the true cause.
2) If you deceive yourself with fixed thoughts, you cannot receive answers
If we continually deceive ourselves, we cannot receive answers. We are deceived from the very start. Many of you are full of worries. “How will I live from now on?” This is how we deceive ourselves with our own conclusions. I clearly tell the remnants: “Even if you clean, you can succeed. That’s what it means to be a child of God.” I always mention this to married people—look at Schwab. He started as a janitor and became the Steel King. We keep falling into these traps ourselves.
3) The Philistines are not the problem. Because they didn’t know the cause of their suffering, they turned to idols
God was revealing this to Israel through Samuel for the sake of world evangelization. Egypt was not the problem. The Philistines were not the problem. Right? “Throw away all your idols and return to the Lord.” Of course they should. But why did they go that way? Because they didn’t know the cause. Not knowing the cause of their suffering, they turned to Baal and Ashtoreth. That’s what happened today. “Throw everything away and return to the Lord.” That’s what Samuel said. “Then the Lord will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” He even said this. The people fasted and prayed earnestly. But that was not the solution. When the Philistines heard the news, they attacked again. So in desperation, they said, “The Philistines are attacking again. Pray for us.” When Samuel prayed, God thundered from heaven, and they won against the Philistines. But even that was not the answer. Is it enough just to kill the Philistines with thunder? God was trying to reveal something important.
2. The cause of suffering
There are a few words you must remember. What does “Mizpah” mean? “Mizpah” means bartizan. It’s a very important word. This means they lost the bartizan war. Win the bartizan war. Satan has erected 16 bartizans to quietly destroy mankind. Because we don’t know this, we don’t even know why suffering comes.
1) The 12 bartizans of darkness
You may have tried to live diligently, but fell into Genesis 3 without God. You don’t know the cause. “Why do I have these spiritual problems?” You’ve become a Nephilim. You tried to live diligently, but collapsed like the Tower of Babel. You tried hard in your faith, but fell into religion, idols, and superstition. The problem continued into your future generations. These are the 12 bartizans of darkness.
2) It entered us and built a house (Matt. 12:43–45)
It would be fine if it ended there, but now it has entered us and built a house.
3) Fortress (2 Cor. 10:4–5)
It would be fine if it ended there, but now it has formed a fortress (2 Cor. 10:4–5).
4) Satan as the ruler of the world (John 16:11–14)
It would be fine if it ended there, but according to John 16, this darkness—Satan—is the ruler of this world.
5) The god of this age (2 Cor. 4:4–5)
Even worse—the god of this age. That’s why people go to fortune-tellers. That’s why they perform shamanistic rituals. The more they do it, the harder it gets. These are the bartizans of darkness.
3. Win the bartizan war
So make the bartizan of the Lord. This is the battle. This is the war—not against the Philistines, but against darkness. Coming out of Egypt isn’t the issue—coming out of darkness is what’s important. That’s what God is showing now. Mizpah itself means bartizan. Isn’t that so important?
▣ Main – How was it resolved?
Let’s go into the main body. How was this history resolved? How did it become solved? We miss it again. We get deceived here again. How was it resolved? Until now, we’ve lived a life of faith. How was it resolved? If we don’t know this, we’ll just pass by today again. We must know how it was resolved.
If you know this, there’s no need to worry about people suffering from depression. It can become a tremendous spiritual blessing—if only we know this. “I don’t have anything.” Then you can find the true thing. “I’m already old now…” Age doesn’t matter. Moses began at 80. Elijah said, “I can’t do it anymore.” He hadn’t even started. God hadn’t even begun yet, and Elijah said, “Just take me now.”
So today we must understand how this problem was resolved, and how the Philistines could no longer invade, and how there was peace in the land. I’ll give you the answer simply. You must remember this.
1. Replace the bartizan and restore the fundamental covenant
The bartizan was replaced. Verses 8 and 9. You must understand this. Trouble upon trouble came through the Philistines. But when they asked Samuel to save them, what did Samuel do? Verses 8 and 9.
1) Spiritual problem, original sin, darkness
He “offered a suckling lamb as a burnt offering.” And that’s when the work of destroying darkness took place. You must remember this. It’s not because of your own sin. It’s not because of your parents’ sin. How do you resolve this original sin with spiritual problems? It was resolved by the blood of the suckling lamb. If you don’t know this, even after a lifetime of faith, you’ll realize at the end that you lived in vain. If you know this, no matter what hardship comes, the gospel never disappears. You must remember this.
You simply said “Amen,” right? Because you’re a believer. But darkness trembles when you truly say “Amen.” Satan knows who you are. He knows what you truly value. He knows what you consider most precious. He knows how much power you have. He knows how much money you have. He’s not afraid of that. But if you have this blood covenant—this covenant of Christ—he cannot attack.
2) Replacing the bartizan
At Mizpah, they replaced the bartizan. The Bible calls this a “new creation.” “The old has passed away, the new has come.” It means destiny was changed. Right? Your identity changed. Your authority changed. Never be deceived. We keep getting deceived. Wasn’t the suffering in Egypt enough? They still got deceived after coming out. Humans are smart, but foolish. Right? How smart are people? Unimaginably smart—but just as foolish.
Don’t they say rats flee before a flood hits? Rats escape first. Smart, right? But how foolish are people? Even after being told a flood is coming, they set up tents right there. Truly foolish.
So they became captives again. They didn’t even know why. Then they became a colony under Rome. They kept repeating this. The bartizan must be replaced. Through the blood covenant, by offering the suckling lamb as a burnt offering, all darkness was bound.
3) The answer of Ebenezer
Then what answer came? Just as our elder prayed today—the answer of Ebenezer came. Right? “Ebenezer” means “thus far the Lord has helped us.” He set up a stone as a memorial. Why? To lead them on the path of Ebenezer. First,
(1) Gen. 3:15 – The offspring of the woman will crush the serpent’s head.
Resolve the fundamental problem embedded from the beginning—this is the message. It’s not just a casual phrase. In Eden, during the great fall, God said, “The offspring of the woman will crush the serpent’s head.” That “serpent” is important. Someone deep in shamanism confessed, “A serpent entered me.” Yes. “The offspring of the woman will crush the serpent’s head.” In every nation’s temples, they all feature serpents. Isn’t that strange? All nations—even advanced ones—are trapped in darkness and doing Nephilim movements. May you be assured today. The path of Ebenezer is about solving the fundamental problem. Replace the bartizan, solve the root.
(2) Gen. 6:14 – Enter the ark and you will live.
(3) Exod. 3:18 – Go and offer the blood sacrifice.
When they became slaves, God said, “Go and offer the blood sacrifice.” No one understood it. The world king Pharaoh didn’t understand it. He couldn’t. Even today, people don’t understand. But that elderly Moses understood. That was enough.
(4) The 40 years of wilderness suffering
They suffered 40 years in the wilderness—but that wasn’t the problem. What did God give them in the wilderness? Recover the covenant of the three feasts. What was in the Ark of the Covenant? Recover that. What was in the tabernacle? Recover that. That’s why they gave the burnt offering.
(5) The burnt offering that ended the suffering of the 14 judges
They suffered through the 14 judges—now it’s over. “As long as Samuel lived, there was no war.” There was peace.
2. The path of Ebenezer
Second. What is the path of Ebenezer? Now build the real power to save. Restore this power.
1) The power to change the destiny of Egypt, the Philistines, and Israel
It’s the power to change Egypt’s destiny. Believe this. You are the ones who will change the power and destiny of the Philistines. You are the ones who will reverse Israel’s destiny. You must build this power.
2) At the time of offering the blood sacrifice, all the forces of darkness bow before this covenant. Just hold onto the covenant
This burnt offering, the time of offering the blood sacrifice, is something we cannot understand. But all the forces of darkness bow before this covenant. You must firmly hold onto this covenant today. Grab it and start the battle.
Some of you might say, “Since the time of my ancestors, we’ve had shamans and spiritual illness—I’m suffering so much.” Don’t worry. Hold onto the sure covenant. The forces of darkness that tormented your family line for generations—they know. Don’t ever lose the covenant—just hold onto it.
3) Even if God must use other things, He will stop the wicked and protect you (verses 10, 14)
In verse 10, it says God sent thunder to stop the Philistines. If you have nothing, God will use anything in this world to protect you. God knew Israel had no strength to win. So He stopped the wicked by sending thunder.
So in verse 14, it says, “There was no war and peace came.”
3. The remaining future – the posterity movement (David)
It doesn’t end here. Through Samuel, the path of Ebenezer does not end. What was prepared next?
There is a great history that remains. It’s the future. There is something that remains through you. You must take this with you.
1) To David was given the covenant of the ark and the temple that would house it, and he was anointed
What is this? The appearance of David. David didn’t just appear. Samuel went to find David. What do you think he did? He probably told David about all the works of God. He probably told him about the Philistines. Most importantly, he must have spoken about the Ark of the Covenant. Right? And about the temple to house the Ark.
He gave that covenant to David and anointed his head with oil. This time, for those being appointed during the ordination service—you are, accurately speaking, being anointed. Hold onto the covenant. Prepare. Proclaim the Mizpah Movement. Walk the path of Ebenezer and begin the posterity movement.
2) From that day on, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David
“From that day on, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.” This is what we’ll look at next Sunday. You must not miss the correct Mizpah Movement.
Recover the fundamental covenant God gave. Recover the power to save others—that’s what God is promising. And also, the future.
3) The answers David received throughout his life
You know what kind of person David became, right? There are two answers he received throughout his life by holding onto the covenant. Defeating the Philistines wasn’t it—that was natural.
He established 1,000 bartizans to protect the nation of Israel. Mizpah is a bartizan. He raised those bartizans in a thousand locations. And what else? He built bartizans for the world. What was that? It was preparing the temple. That’s what he did.
This is the answer you must take with you today.
▣ Conclusion
Now, in conclusion, what is it?
1. Bartizan, journey, guidepost
1) Changing myself into the Lord’s bartizan
Mizpah. Changing myself into the bartizan of the Lord. This is the answer you must hold onto firmly. God can answer in an instant. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Let it be done according to your faith.” It can end in an instant. Or it might take 40 years like Moses—it doesn’t matter. Today, you must firmly hold onto this covenant.
2) The Ebenezer journey that saves the world must become my journey
Ebenezer. Hold onto it. “Let it become my journey.” Just hold onto it.
3) Establish the guidepost to save the world through the ark of the Lord
And what came out in the first half of chapter 7? The ark of the covenant was mentioned. They had no place to put it, so they placed it in Abinadab’s house. Listen carefully. This is what was told to David. So what did David say? He could never forget Samuel’s words. What did he say after becoming king? “I live in a fine palace, but the ark of the Lord is out in the wind.” He said he was not at ease. That’s why his desire was to build a temple for the ark. This must become our guidepost.
Today it’s bartizan, journey, and guidepost. The moment our bartizan changes to the Lord’s bartizan at Mizpah, history begins. To save the world, we walk the path of Ebenezer. Through the ark of the Lord, we establish the guidepost to save the world.
2. Receive the answer immediately and go
Now, receive the answer right now and go. How do you go? This is important. You can receive the answer right now.
When I realized the gospel, I said, “I do not accept powerlessness in evangelism, poverty, and disease. I will destroy them.” The answer came just as it was. It’s true. Don’t listen to me—look closely at the Bible.
1) The answer to receive today
There is an answer to receive right now—today.
(1) Joseph in the problem of his family line
He experienced great hardships in his family. But it was not his problem. Joseph held onto the dream of world evangelization. Right? Hold onto it right now. God’s Word is the Word of creation, so the moment you hold onto it, history takes place. People don’t believe this. If so, why attend worship? When will the work happen? You don’t know. But God will act precisely.
(2) Moses in the problem of the nation
If you think, “I’m caught in national issues and suffering unfairly,” you won’t receive answers. But when Moses realized, “This is why God sent me to the palace,” history began. Even when God spoke to him, he said he couldn’t do it. But from the moment he held onto the covenant, history started.
(3) Samuel living away from home
If Samuel had said, “Why do I have to live like this, away from my family and home?” he would have missed the answer. But when he realized, “God allowed me to live beside the ark,” it was finished. Right? That was it.
(4) David in hardship
David never prayed, “Why are You giving me these hardships?” He said, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. Your rod and staff comfort me. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” It’s different, right?
(5) The remnants in crisis in Babylon
You must receive the answer now—today. You must find the answer now—today. Crisis came? It’s okay. They said, “We don’t need to be delivered from the fire. We’re willing to enter the lions’ den. If we die, we die.” That shook Babylon. Right?
(6) The early church under heresy accusations and persecution
The early church was falsely accused of heresy and unable to move freely, yet they gathered in Mark’s upper room. More persecution came, yet they gathered in Antioch. This is the answer for today.
2) The answer received during the process
Then what’s the answer you’ll receive in the future? You must take that with you. When an answer comes, don’t get overly excited. When hardship comes, don’t worry. This is the answer received during the process. You must see it the other way.
(1) Joseph going as a slave
I’ll talk about this in Ansan today—you must look at things in reverse to receive answers. Joseph didn’t just go as a slave—he went to Egypt.
(2) Joseph going to prison
Did Joseph go to prison? No. He went to meet a politician. You must look carefully.
Today you receive an answer, and there is an answer you’ll receive as you go forward. You must hold onto that.
3) The answer to receive in the future
You must know the answer that’s coming in the future.
(1) Joseph who wasn’t discouraged in hardship or excited in success
When Joseph became prime minister, he wasn’t excited. He didn’t fall into despair when he faced hardship. Right?
(2) Joseph who didn’t rebuke Potiphar’s wife and comforted his brothers
He didn’t summon and rebuke Potiphar’s wife. When his brothers came, he comforted them.
(3) Joseph who carried out world evangelization
What did he do? He accomplished world evangelization. This is the answer about the future. You must remember this. I don’t have time to explain more—so receive the answer today. There’s the answer for now, for the journey ahead, and the answer waiting in the future.
That’s why when David became king, he said, “The Lord is my King.” That’s David. That’s the answer he held for the future.
Today, hold onto the Mizpah Movement, the Ebenezer Movement, and this covenant movement. Hold tightly to the covenant that will save the future and return.
May you receive today’s answer in the name of Jesus Christ.
Prayer
God, thank You for working through the covenant even now. Thank You for letting us discover the true cause. May the Mizpah Movement that replaces the bartizan arise, and may we see the true answer of discovering Ebenezer. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.