24.08.11 District Message
Scripture Reading: Acts 13:4-15
Originally, there were three courtyards in the temple. God gave a revelation, and it was a very important one. The courtyard of the Gentiles (foreigners), the courtyard of healing (prayer), and the courtyard of children (remnants). There was a courtyard so that foreigners from other nations could come. A courtyard where Gentiles could dwell. Then there was also a separate courtyard for children. And most importantly, there was the courtyard for prayer and healing. These three courtyards existed. So, in other words, foreigners were coming. This (healing courtyard) was where one could pray. And this was the courtyard where children and remnants came.
But what you need to know is that even though the church received this revelation and followed it, the church eventually lost hold of it. Since they didn’t understand it, it ended up being empty. So what happened? During Jesus’ time, people sacrificed animals in the temple by shedding their blood. In order to do that, they needed clean animals. The Jews took advantage of this by requiring the animals to be inspected. So people had to pay an inspection fee. And whenever possible, animals bought from outside were disqualified: “This won’t do.” As they kept doing this, it turned into a commercial scheme. Then they started selling the animals inside the temple courtyard. If you bought those, you were accepted. It became corrupt. And when purchasing all those animals, you couldn’t just pay with regular money. The temple had its own currency. That’s what the Jews used back then. So people had to exchange their money. And of course, there were commission fees for the exchange. So what do you think happened? During the festivals, many people came. And where were all the animal inspections, animal sales, and money exchanges happening? They all took place right here—in these three courtyards. Do you understand now? That’s why Jesus got angry and drove them out, swinging a whip.
So in reality, these three courtyards have not been restored to this day. That’s why we must restore them. This time, including the presidents of several countries, around 200 foreign children came. We expect many more to come next year. And they will be sent to each church. Will these three things (the courtyards) be coming to your church and to the temple currently being built in Changwon? It’s not just a building. All of you who participate will receive blessings. Of course, there are many people involved in construction, but they, too, will be blessed.
Long ago, the mayor of Yeongdo once told me, “Pastor, it seems our Yeongdo is receiving blessings because of your church.” At first, I thought it was just a polite remark, but he actually understood something. He said, “People from all over the world are gathering here.” And it’s true.
There are blessings that we receive knowingly and those we receive unknowingly. What we receive unknowingly is called grace. You and the people working on this temple project have already received grace. You did it without knowing, but it was a blessing. You must remember this: These three courtyards are coming. When God gave His revelation, He commanded that these be placed around the temple—inside it. Not just the main sanctuary, but these three courtyards were to be there. It’s truly something to be thankful for.
Healing courtyard and the eternal answer
Among the three, today we are looking at the message regarding this one—the courtyard of healing. This is not just an answer—it is an eternal answer. As we proceed with temple construction, many sick people must come and be helped. So, if possible, doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals should take an interest in this healing ministry. That will give it a more refined and medical approach.
[Past | Treatment | Future]
Why is this necessary? Doctors treat patients today. Isn’t that right? They take scans, diagnose pain, and so on. But many doctors can’t take responsibility for what happened in the past. Yet the illness came from the past. But what doctors do is only this (treatment). They can’t go beyond that. Doctors are already busy treating the present; how could they deal with someone’s past? But what’s more important is the future. Can a doctor who is already busy running a hospital be responsible for someone’s future? No. That’s why the church must be able to provide this (past, treatment, and future)—in the healing courtyard.
▣ Introduction – True healing: the church
So this “true healing” is the reason the church must exist. This is what makes a church proper. A proper church must allow people to receive healing. If that’s not happening, it is not a proper church. But what kind of healing are we talking about? That’s what you need to see carefully.
▣ Main message
1. Blessing of Eden
God originally gave the blessing of Eden. This is the original blessing. The church helps people realize this.
2. Healing of darkness
Next, many people are living in darkness without knowing it. The church must bring healing by shining light in that darkness.
3. Healing of the field
Only then can we help those suffering in their homes, workplaces, and in the field.
1. Blessing of Eden
1) Genesis 1:27
The blessing of Eden means that only humans were created to believe in God. That’s what it means to be human. “Created in the image of God.” No matter how smart a dog is, it cannot believe in God. Have you seen a dog offering worship? No matter how intelligent, it can’t. Only humans can worship. So when someone offers the wrong kind of worship, that’s called idolatry. It’s wrong. God told people to believe in Him, but they end up bowing to stones. They make something and then bow to it. That’s not it. This is a very important point.
2) Genesis 2:7
God breathed into humans strength—true strength, the breath of life. We must restore this. How important is that?
3) Genesis 2:18
And He blessed humans so they could live happily in Eden. We must restore that. People don’t realize how important humans are. “People can just live.” Do people live by food alone?
2. Healing of darkness
Not knowing this, people fall into darkness. Where did they fall?
1) Genesis 3:4–5
Satan came and tempted them, and they fell. That’s Genesis 3:4–5. The devil came and said, “Don’t listen to God. Don’t believe in Him. Believe in yourself.” It sounds right. But they were deceived. We often hear things like, “Don’t trust God. Trust your fists.” There used to be people like that. But eventually, they fall into Satan’s grip. That’s how all the shamans and occultists appeared in the world.
2) Genesis 6:4–5
This is the Nephilim incident. People thought, “We can live well without believing in God.” And powerful nations rose up. But they were all destroyed in disasters.
3) Genesis 11:1–8
Then they said, “Let’s build the Tower of Babel.” Let’s unite our strength. That’s how humans are. But it collapsed. Today, you must beware of powerful nations like the U.S., China, and European countries. They’re always building towers and preparing for war—even without saying so. China and the U.S. keep thinking about war: “We must become the number one superpower.” They’re constantly at it.
When North Korea launches missiles, the U.S. places THAAD systems to intercept them. But China objects. Why? Because the U.S. can now observe everything in China too. China doesn’t like that. They say, “Don’t look at us.” They don’t say it directly, but they mean, “Stop it.” The U.S. plays dumb and says, “We’re placing it here to intercept incoming missiles.” This is the kind of ongoing conflict. It’s always been that way. And so the whole world has been plunged into darkness. Nothing but the gospel can heal this. If a king truly believed in God, how could he try to kill others?
3. Healing of the field
Now it’s reached the field. So we must heal the field.
1) Acts 13:5–12
Paul went into the field and found a town completely consumed by shamanism. And he brought about change.
2) Acts 16:16–18
Most people go to fortune-tellers because they’re anxious. But it turns out the fortune-teller was possessed by a demon. People unknowingly go to hear the words of demons. That’s why they get more and more troubled. Paul went and brought healing. He reached the field.
3) Acts 19:8–20
Now, various incurable diseases are arising. Even if we cure cancer, another disease will come. Incurable illnesses keep appearing. In the past, people died from tuberculosis. Not anymore. Back then, people died from AIDS. Now, they don’t. Medical science has advanced. The time will come when even cancer isn’t deadly. But new diseases will keep appearing. Paul went into this scene and healed through the power of God’s Word. That is the church’s mission.
▣ Conclusion – [Disease]
If you’re already suffering from illness, what should you do? There are three things:
1. Invisible spiritual strength (7·7·7)
First is the unseen—the spiritual strength. You must gain that strength. We know this: the bartizan, journey, and guidepost God gives. The church must help people gain this strength.
2. Five elements
Second, for visible physical illnesses like cancer, five things are essential:
(1) Listen carefully to what the doctor says.
(2) Find the foods that help with healing.
(3) Engage in healing physical activities.
(4) Learn proper breathing—it heals. I once noticed during a summit between President Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un that something was wrong. I suspected an illness just by watching how Kim Jong-un breathed while speaking. Later, it showed on his face and body. That’s how I knew. Breathing is powerful. You can live or die based on how you breathe. You can heal.
(5) Prayer. The church must teach all five. Cancer patients can be helped. It’s not difficult. These five things: exercise, doctor’s instructions, food—anyone can try them. In short, it all comes down to breathing and prayer. That’s the conclusion. I’ve practiced breathing prayer for 37 years. I’m currently a registered member of Asan Medical Center. The hospital said I’m the healthiest among all their members. Probably true.
If you know prayer correctly, you can gain great strength and healing. The church must be able to help in this area—not just healing disease but fulfilling this (main message). It’s tremendous.
3. Future
And then the future. We must help people prepare for spiritual battles. And help them understand eternity. We need to teach them what will happen when they grow old. If you don’t know this mystery, you’ll suffer more as you age. You won’t be able to say it, but serious difficulties will come.
That’s why we must gain spiritual strength and build a temple where people around the world who are suffering can also gain strength. A temple may be a building, but this (the message) is the true content. So today, don’t let your mind wander during Sunday worship. At least today, pray properly. That way, every week you can have time to gain real spiritual power.
Let us pray.
Prayer. God, we thank You. May we gain spiritual strength today as we spend this entire day in prayer. Heal our diseases. Let this be a time where Your light shines upon all our works. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.