2023.07.16 District Message
Scripture Reading: Genesis 41:1-38
If you go to the countryside in our country right now, there are many empty schools. That much is understandable, but even in semi-urban areas—between cities and rural villages—schools are shutting down. Why? Because there are no children. When I went to Hamyang, I asked what the locals liked most, and they openly said that it was nice to see many people coming in, as it meant the population was increasing. If this continues, Korea may soon face a serious crisis due to population decline. Why is this happening? For about 30 years when we were young, people were taught to have fewer children. Our politicians didn’t understand the spiritual world, so they just said whatever was convenient at the time. Because of that 30-year-long education, it will take 300 years to reverse.
Even believers don’t really understand this spiritual reality. When this spiritual reality is established, powerful answers come. But when it is wrongly formed, terrifying consequences follow. Communism and capitalism are still in conflict today. Communism—formed by these people—is a terrifying force unseen to the physical eye, greatly destroying the world.
If we understand this, we will come to know the spiritual reality and the 25 answers of prayer. This is what Pharaoh said of Joseph in Genesis 41:38: “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”
[Home, Church, Work]
You must first build spiritual houses in your personal life, family, church, and work. From now on, you must pray for your unseen family, church, and work.
[Bartizan]
You must clearly build an unseen bartizan. Try it.
[Concentrated, Continuous Prayer]
This is not mere repetition. What is needed is concentrated, continuous prayer. Then you will see amazing reality unfold. Start like this. Many people do things haphazardly. Truly decide what you will do for your family, church, and work—build the bartizan and continuously pray. Amazing things will arise.
Even now, I keep praying, “What must I do to establish 1,000 bartizans?” Pray with an actual plan. First, this (spiritual reality) will change. Because people don’t believe in this aspect, they only talk about what they can see.
[Hebrews 11:1–3 – Substance and Evidence]
Hebrews 11:1–3 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Though it’s unseen, it is substance and evidence. Even though I haven’t grasped it yet, what I hope for is substance. Though I cannot see it, it is evidence. Those going through hardship must hold onto this spiritual reality exactly as it is.
“Ah, what can I do when it’s so difficult?” Let me give just one example. When I first came to Yeongdo, our church was the smallest in the area, and we didn’t even have a building. Before coming to Yeongdo, my prayer was: “Even if I have no ability, if God is with me, it’s enough.” After arriving in Yeongdo, my prayer changed: “It will work because it’s Yeongdo.” Right? There was nothing there. It was by God’s power. So I determined to follow only the gospel, only evangelism, and only the Word. This spread endlessly throughout the world. Now, more works are arising abroad than in Korea. It must be that way. People who hear the Word just once overseas are experiencing works of God.
Just this week, in a certain country that has both a prime minister and a king, they were using the prayer journal. I asked why, and they said someone introduced it to them and they liked it so much that they’ve continued. The king even said, “I must visit Immanuel Church in Korea.”
So if you feel like it’s difficult, there’s no need to wonder why or what to do. You must hold onto God’s absolute plan. Our church is not acting a certain way because it’s in hardship. I didn’t see it that way. I believed that revival not aligned with God’s Word is not true revival. Right? That eventually leads to problems and no works. Any movement that strays from the Bible, no matter how large, is dangerous. Then, works began arising, even in places we’ve never been.
▣ Introduction – Reason
What is the reason? We already know three things.
1. The World’s Kingdom
The world’s kingdom thinks that as long as you eat and live well, it’s enough. But we are not at that level.
2. The Kingdom of Satan
Satan’s kingdom takes advantage of the worldly kingdom, which believes it’s fine to just live well.
3. God’s Kingdom (Work)
God gave us the final message through Christ: the kingdom of God and His work.
We understand the reason. These are things completely unseen, so those who only know what they see have no value. But true works arise here. In the end, answers come according to one’s level. In the end, answers come to what you think about. So faith is important.
▣ Main
Then what should we do?
1. Spiritual Reality – God’s Plan
You see reality and facts, but you must not only look at those. You must see the spiritual reality. Reality only extends so far—beyond that, it’s false. It’s just the visible layer. More important than that is the hidden reality. And even more important is the truth, which exists separately. Right? We must not be deceived. By understanding the spiritual reality, we can see God’s plan. Then, answers come.
2. The Lowest Place – The Highest Place
What else? We must not start carelessly. We must always begin at the lowest place and move toward the highest. If we start moderately, we cannot reach the highest. For example, if I have no money, I can’t start as if I do. I must start with what I have. If I only have 3, I must begin from 3. Starting at 20 would result in failure. From the lowest place to the highest.
What emerges at this time?
1) WIO
Holding onto the blessing that God is with me and enjoying Immanuel and Oneness.
2) CVDIP
Then, you’ll definitely see the covenant journey—CVDIP.
3) Absolute
From that point, we firmly hold onto God’s absolute plan and covenant. If it can or cannot be done, why risk your life on it? Hold to what is absolutely guaranteed. So during Sunday worship, hold onto the covenant all day and concentrate—not repeating, but with focused, continuous prayer. One day, it will appear as an answer.
3. Circumstances
Even before the answer appears, the solution comes first. So if you understand this spiritual reality, you’re okay in any circumstance. We all face circumstances.
1) With
In every circumstance, there is evidence of God being with you.
2) Preparation
In every circumstance, you see what God has prepared.
3) Victory
And in every circumstance, knowing the spiritual reality and actual reality, God prepares you for victory.
(1 Corinthians 10:13)
1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” It also says, “He will provide a way out.” So today is an opportunity. When you worship on Sunday, you can cast aside all other thoughts. Pray, “God, let this be the day I truly build a spiritual bartizan.”
▣ Conclusion – Answer
If you concentrate like this, one day the answer will become visible to you. At that time, many unseen things will also become visible. But the conclusion we must draw is this: the answer is not the important thing—it’s what’s rightfully yours. Since we are human, we tend to focus only on the answer. But what God has prepared for you is far greater than anything you imagine—even beyond your own understanding. That’s why now is your opportunity.
When I talk with many of today’s young adults, I can tell they haven’t internalized this message. That’s understandable, but if you stay like that, what will happen in the future? What if an answer comes? Even that could become a problem. What if no answer comes? That too will be a problem. So your thoughts, prayers, and faith must first hold onto this unseen bartizan, because it will surely be fulfilled.
Prayer Content
As you continue this way, your prayers will start forming. Your prayer content will be established. Keep praying with that. During today’s Sunday worship, don’t just go through the motions. After the message ends, enter into deep prayer.
(5 Powers)
Lastly, if you enter into deep prayer, the five powers will be restored. The first of the five powers is this: you gain a spiritual strength that no one else understands—not even yourself. So in some ways, it’s not burdensome. When I preach, I hold onto a particular Word. And it’s such a joy to keep praying until God gives me the answer from that Word. I get excited. Then I deliver that—not my thoughts, but what’s in God’s Word, what God desires. I continue to pray for that. There are many blessings in this “joy,” if I can call it that.
May today’s worship be a time for you to restore these five powers. I bless you in the name of Jesus Christ.
Prayer. God, thank You for giving us the strength to carry out world evangelization and for blessing our work to be used for world evangelization. May we receive new grace today. Let this be the day we receive new strength that no man can give. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.