2024.09.08 District Message
Scripture Reading: Acts 1:1-8
▣ Introduction
Only in the Bible does it say not to worship idols.
1) Idol worship (Exodus 20:1–5)
Foolishly, all other religions do it. That’s why I firmly believe they are not God’s Word, nor the truth. In Exodus 20:1–5, it says that if you worship idols, disasters will come upon you for three or four generations. Even in advanced nations like Japan, without knowing, they follow the Prime Minister in idol worship events. And nearly all citizens worship idols. Taiwan is next after Japan. In Taiwan, even in front of houses, they set things up and burn incense. Somewhat surprisingly, though many Japanese are here, Japan has the highest rate of depression and mental illness in Asia. In places like Taiwan, already over half the children are afflicted. The Bible doesn’t tell us not to do it without reason—this is God’s Word saying not to do it.
2) Ancestral rituals (1 Corinthians 10:20)
Many people value ancestral rituals. But the Bible clearly says not to do them. In 1 Corinthians 10:20, it says that when you do this, it’s not your ancestors who come but demons.
3) Temporary effect (John 8:44) (2 Corinthians 11:4)
Then why do people do it? There’s a reason. It has a temporary effect. For a short time, power seems to arise. Everyone falls for this. But in John 8:44, these demons are said to be directed by Satan, who is the deceiver. So it’s deception.
There was once a businessman involved in politics who followed everything a fortune teller said—and strangely, the business worked. If you go to a fortune teller, they’ll get it right. But later, even that fortune teller gets deceived. This man was so extreme that he succeeded in areas he had no experience in. But eventually, the nation itself was affected. When that problem came, it was revealed that he lived not in a nice house but in a room by the front gate. Even that was in the news. Why? The fortune teller told him to live in the entryway. So his entire work collapsed.
They deceive while giving temporary results. Sometimes, according to 2 Corinthians 11:14, they appear as angels of light. Where is the real problem? It’s the mistake of Christians. God gave Christians the power to save (as explained in the introduction), but they have no interest.
“The work of the Triune God – The eternal answer” (Acts 1:1–8)
What is the answer? It’s the work of the Triune God. Christians don’t treasure this. They don’t enjoy it. Instead of trying to receive answers, enjoy this secret of the Triune God. Then what comes is the eternal answer. This is what Jesus spoke of last on Mt Olive. So when you hold onto this covenant and begin praying, eternal answers come.
To be honest, for me, it was understanding the gospel and understanding prayer. After I understood prayer, not a single visible answer came to me—and that’s important. Shouldn’t answers come? Some people talk about experiences. Experiences? I’ve never had any. Some say they faint while praying. I don’t faint—I get clearer when I pray. Never once fainted. Some speak in tongues and share all kinds of stories. I used to be very curious—“What is this experience?” So I closely observed pastors who talked about this. But none of them received answers or led evangelism movements. Though they testify that they received answers, I’ve never had a single one like that.
That’s important. In fact, after praying a lot and doing evangelism, I even shrunk 1cm in height. Still, for 30 years I was persecuted but continued world evangelization without any problem. I was slandered and criticized from the start. An older pastor once told me, concerned I’d be troubled, “Don’t worry about it. That power is already within you, Pastor Ryu.”
Another elderly pastor said something similar. “Is that so?” I replied. That’s an eternal answer.
▣ Main Point
Then how does the Triune God actually work? We need to see that.
1) The Word
First, God the Father does all things, but He works through the Word. So, if you are guided by the Word, you are already receiving answers.
2) Salvation
God the Son, Jesus Christ, does all things too, but He is carrying out the work of salvation through His name.
3) Power
God, the Holy Spirit, is still working through power today.
When these things are built up within you, world evangelization takes place.
[Bartizan]
When this becomes a bartizan within you, world evangelization happens.
I’ve never been sick even once while doing world evangelization. I’ve never once worried about money. I’ve never once missed the blessing of the fulfillment of the Word or the evangelism movement.
Today’s important first service message asks: where is this evangelism movement problem attached? It is today’s first service—RTS Sunday. You must pray. The more pastors who know how to evangelize, the greater the benefit. The more pastors with no fruit of evangelism, the greater the loss. Isn’t that right?
Right now, churches in America and Europe are disappearing due to serious problems. Children gather with their friends starting Friday for drug parties. That’s why I easily held onto the covenant: “We must open the three-day weekend age.” At first, Korean kids wouldn’t join in. But the atmosphere makes them feel like fools. Almost everyone does it. So, by not going, they become loners. Little by little, they get drawn in. That’s human nature.
In the past, when I traveled abroad and stayed in hotels, sometimes they were terrible. But after three days, I didn’t notice. By the fourth day, I even grew fond of it. That’s human nature. Kids, without knowing, sneak into it and fall in. That’s why many Korean kids who go to America or Europe become drug addicts.
▣ Main Point
1) The Word
So what kind of answer must we receive and act upon now?
How does the Word mostly work?
1) Genesis 1:1–3
It is the Word of creation. In fact, your words also have power. Your words become seeds. So those who always speak unbelief end up only experiencing unbelief. You can’t help it—because that’s how they speak. Proverbs 6:2 says, “You are ensnared by the words of your mouth.” It becomes your destiny.
James 3 says a large ship is directed by a small rudder. “The words of your tongue move your destiny.” Then how much more is God’s Word—the Word of creation.
2) John 1:1–14
That’s why the Bible says in John 1:1–14, “The Word was God,” to that extent. “The Word became flesh.”
3) Hebrews 4:12
Hebrews 4:12 says, “The Word is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow.”
“To the marrow” means it even heals physical disease like cancer. It has the power to heal.
This place has such a great environment and air. On Sundays, spend the whole day in deep prayer. Do you remember last week’s Sunday message? You need to pray like that on Sundays. Even the preacher may forget the message after preaching. That means they didn’t hold onto the Word. When? During worship.
Why do we remember heartfelt conversations with friends? But after a bunch of idle chatter, nothing remains.
Last Sunday’s message was a very important verse—Galatians 2:20. Even Peter couldn’t enjoy the gospel. If you can’t enjoy the gospel, you die—so they couldn’t enjoy it. James and even Barnabas weren’t enjoying the gospel. Paul rebuked them with deep sorrow: “I have been crucified with Christ. I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” This was Paul’s confession. That’s why he was able to evangelize the world and Rome. Peter couldn’t do it. “It is living and active.”
So this Word saves our soul and brings life. That’s why the second service message is Galatians 3:28—the Word that Lincoln held onto. Don’t just memorize it—hold onto it deeply in prayer. Because there’s so much every Sunday, you can’t memorize it all. But you can see the flow of the answer. By now, you should be thinking at home, “Which multiethnic talents should I invite next year?” That’s how answers come.
2) Salvation
The work of salvation is still happening today.
1) 1 John 3:8
“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”
2) John 14:6
He is still working the same way. John 14:6 says, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”
3) Mark 10:45
As evidence, Mark 10:45 says, “He gave His life as a ransom for many,” cutting off all disasters.
3) Power
How does the Holy Spirit work?
1) Indwelling (1 Corinthians 3:16)
He dwells within us. Isn’t that amazing? That’s why the forces of darkness can never overcome you. You’re only shaken by yourself. People worry 24 hours a day by themselves. Some people have nothing to worry about, yet they make things up to worry about—it’s their nature. If they have nothing of their own to worry about, they borrow others’. If that’s not enough, they imagine problems that don’t even exist. That’s a mental illness. There’s nothing wrong, but they say there is. The Holy Spirit is dwelling within us. “Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”
When I used to take evangelism teams around, I always sent them first to the shamans. Why? To evangelize. A true shaman is one possessed by an evil spirit. The rest are frauds. But real ones can tell who you are the moment they see you.
“Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”
2) Guidance (John 14:16)
This Holy Spirit also guides us. In John 14:16, how does He guide us? Through the Counselor, the Holy Spirit.
‘Bo’ (保) means “to protect.”
‘Hye’ (惠) means “to give grace” and help in times of crisis.
‘Sa’ (師) means “to teach” and “to enlighten.”
“This Holy Spirit will be with you forever”—this is the promise of Jesus.
But if Christians don’t believe this, why even come to church? On a day like this, go out for a picnic instead—even if it ruins your life. Isn’t that so? Go to the mountains, the fields—then slip and fall to your death. Isn’t that pleasant?
You must go with certain strength. Otherwise, you can’t save people in hardship.
Don’t make excuses about your family. You have to live first for your family to live. It’s inevitable. Go to your workplace—people are only after their own gain and money. How could that produce justice? If something doesn’t align with their self-interest, they won’t accept it. That’s what they’re there for. Some people try to ruin others with slander and lies. That’s why you must carry this blessing and save them.
3) Filling (Acts 1:8)
Then what happens when this all takes place? You become filled. What is “filling”? It means to be full. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” Just as John baptized with water, when the Holy Spirit comes upon you—this means when the Holy Spirit fills you completely—“you will receive power.” You will gain it. What kind of power? “You will be My witnesses.”
To what extent? “To the ends of the earth.” You must enjoy this blessing.
▣ Conclusion
1) House
So what must we do today? In reality, this force of darkness builds houses invisibly.
1) Matthew 12:28–30
Jesus said something shocking. In Matthew 12:28–30:
“Satan has built a house within you and taken control. As long as that remains, you can’t do anything.”
He gave a parable:
“When a thief enters the house, can you guard it?”
2) Matthew 12:43–45
They build a house, and it continues to grow.
Look at shamans—they keep needing to do bigger rituals.
What do you think will happen?
3) 2 Corinthians 10:1–5
In 2 Corinthians 10:1–5, it says they’ve built strongholds. This means they’ve fortified a castle. Tear it down—with the Word of God.
2) Bartizan, journey, guidepost
What does this mean? Establish the bartizan God has given you. Walk the journey God has given you. Raise the guidepost God has given you. Then it will work.
3) Absolute answer
Then one day, the absolute bartizan will be raised for you and your children. From that point on, everything is different. You win without fighting. Did Joseph compete? There was no need to—he was on a different level. You have the right to receive this blessing. You must absolutely teach this to the remnants.
Today’s second service will speak about missions—the missions we must do for the remnants. Today’s first service is a message about how important pastors are, and how we must pray for them.
From now, I hope this will be a day where you pray all day and are healed, even of the illnesses you don’t know about. I bless you in the name of Jesus Christ that during the time of prayer today, the work of God’s kingdom will first come upon your field.
Let us pray.
Prayer. May today be the day when the stronghold of darkness is destroyed and the bartizan of God is raised in us. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.