2025.08.17 Sunday 1st Service
Scripture Reading: Daniel 1:8-9
▣ Introduction_ Hold on to the Living and Active Word – The Standard of Worship and Prayer
Thank you. This is the question that our remnants overseas ask the most. “There is no place to worship.” Also, “It is difficult because the church is going through trials.” These are the contents they mention the most. What should they do? We must find the answer today.
Also, there are important multiethnic people here today. From my perspective, they are more important than congressmen or ministers. How should they properly feel this value?
Also, our church leaders are here. And there are many listening to this message across the nation and the world. What should they do? You must take this with you today.
Also, some may say, “I am in hardship.” “I am in great trial.” “I am in conflict.” What should you do?
- Jesus Christ who defeated Satan with the Word of God (Matthew 4:1-11)
Let me first give an example. When Jesus was fasting for 40 days, Satan came to Him. It was a very important timetable. And Satan even dared to approach Jesus Christ. He gave three temptations. We must take note.
1) Temptation through physical needs
Satan knew He was very hungry and brought a stone that looked like bread, saying, “Turn it into bread and eat it.” In the Korean Bible it says “rice cake,” but in English it says “bread.” What is this? It is temptation through physical needs. Jesus defeated it with the Word.
2) Temptation using pride and self-esteem
The second temptation is something we must surely know. “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from the temple.” He even quoted Scripture: “The angels will come and lift you up so you will not strike your foot.” What is this? Satan uses our pride and self-esteem to destroy us. Of course, Jesus overcame with the Word.
3) Temptation to change the object of worship
When that didn’t work, Satan brought out the real temptation. This is the true one. “I will give you all of this.” This enormous Satan told Jesus he would give Him everything. What if he said to you, “I will give you one thousand trillion”? Many would change their heart. “I will give you one thousand trillion if you just do this one thing.” What was it? “Bow down to me just once.” This is important. Change the object of worship. Do not worship God. That’s what he said. Then you will get everything.
Satan tempts in three ways. He destroys you using your physical needs. He destroys you with useless pride and self-esteem. And finally, with money: “I will give you everything. Isn’t money the greatest? I will give it all. Just don’t worship God.” That’s what it is.
So then, today, you are missing something in worship. That is what the remnants must grab hold of. These precious multiethnic people are here, perhaps only once in their lifetime, what must they take with them? That is what is being spoken of here.
We must know the temptations Satan gave. Jesus quoted three verses from Deuteronomy and struck Satan down. Though He could have defeated Satan with His own authority, Jesus broke him with the Word of God. “Then Satan left Him, and the angels came and ministered to Him.” That is how it is recorded.
- Historical examples
Let me give you the answer right away: Hold on to the living and active Word. This is the standard of worship. This is the standard of prayer. If you don’t catch this, you must keep going until you do.
1) Rockefeller
Let me give an example: Rockefeller. His mother told him, “On Sundays, go to church one hour early. Pray deeply. Find out beforehand what passage the pastor will preach on. Hold onto that Word and pray during the six days that it will work as living and active. Since you are a businessman, earn much money and give offering—that is the best way you can live your life of faith.” John D. Rockefeller Sr. actually did this. And what happened? The living and active Word came upon him. His business flourished beyond words, and he established 24 universities.
This is what many of you don’t know—what to do after worship. It’s true. Many don’t know what to do after coming to worship on Sunday. Instead of holding on to the living Word of God, we hold on to other things. That is a great loss.
2) Wanamaker
This morning in the elders’ meeting I shared this: Wanamaker once said, “For me, teaching children in Sunday school and worshiping on the Lord’s Day is more important than being a government minister.” He said this when he was actually appointed as a minister. What would an ordinary believer say? “How important it is to be a minister! Not everyone can be one. But anyone can serve in Sunday school.” They would say, “Hallelujah! I’m a minister.” And to get it, they would even lie in their confirmation hearings. But Wanamaker said no.
This is not about whether being a minister is important or Sunday school is important. What he meant is this: holding onto the Word in worship on the Lord’s Day and making it living and active—that is how he became the department store king of the world. This is what we are missing.
3) Lincoln (Galatians 3:28)
Another example: Lincoln. You know how he faced continual failures. Yet he held on to one thing: the living and active Word. Even in the midst of failure, he held on to it. He held on to Galatians 3:28. And he changed the world. The work of the Word continued to happen. This is what you must hold on to. Remnants, this is beyond words.
- Biblical examples
Let’s look at biblical examples. We just saw historical ones, now let’s look at the Bible.
1) Joseph
He was sold to a place where no one could help him. Joseph. But Joseph held on to the living and active Word. In Potiphar’s house, God worked. Even in the fields, God worked. Though falsely accused and imprisoned, he held on to the living and active Word. He became governor. This is not just a story. If you lose hold of this on Sunday and throughout the week, you lose everything. Even if pastors have a hundred doctorates, world evangelization won’t happen without the work of the Word.
2) Jochebed
A great crisis arose: all the babies were to be killed. But Jochebed prayed and held on to the covenant. She realized, “Only God is living.” “Only the gospel is living.” And she thought, “Where will the gospel be revealed and spread the most? In the palace. I will send my son there with the living covenant and Word.” And an astonishing work took place.
3) Moses
That covenant eventually came to Moses. Before he turned 80, he had the covenant, but he didn’t hold on to the living and active Word. That’s why God appeared to him at Mt Horeb: “Go, offer the blood sacrifice. Speak to Pharaoh. Speak to the people before Pharaoh. Speak to the elders before the people. Tell them the Lord has spoken. I will be with you with My mighty hand.” Moses said, “I can’t.” “I am not able.” The living Word and Moses had nothing to do with each other. “I am too old. I am not eloquent. I am a fugitive.” But in Exodus 4:24, God came to take Moses’ life. After telling him to go to Pharaoh in Exodus 3, in chapter 4, God came to take him. What does this mean? Simply: “Will you go or die?” Moses chose to go, because that was better than death. From then on, the living and active Word began to appear to Moses.
4) Joshua
The same happened with Joshua. God said, “I have given you the land of Canaan.” Not “I will give,” but “I have given.” “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. Do not fear. Be strong and courageous. I am with you.” This meant great works would happen. From then on, the Word lived and worked through Joshua.
5) Rahab the prostitute
What did she see? She heard the news, and she saw the living and active Word. Many Israelites who saw it did not realize it, but Rahab heard the news and held on to the Word.
6) Jeremiah
Next week’s sermon, but I’ll mention it: “The Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah a second time.” The living Word of God came to him. What happened?
7) David
The most afflicted man in the Old Testament was David. But the reason he received the greatest covenant was not just because of answers here and there, but because he held on to the fulfillment of the living and active Word of God.
※ John Bunyan
Today’s passage is also about captivity. What covenant did they hold? This is important: How would this Word live and work?
John Bunyan, as you know, was imprisoned 16 years for the gospel. Sixteen years in prison is no small matter. But the issue was not age or losing everything—while there, he experienced the living and active Word. From that came Pilgrim’s Progress.
So, without many words, you must catch this: “Ah, this is how I must worship, and how I must live during the week.” You must catch this.
▣ Main point: Daniel who resolved in his heart when he became a captive
When Daniel became a captive, he resolved in his heart. You must resolve in your heart. What must you do? He resolved it. He knew why they were captured. He knew why they were destroyed. Then what should he do here? He resolved it.
- He held on to the covenant to be fulfilled – Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14)
First, he held on to the covenant to be fulfilled. We must not hold on to covenants that will not be fulfilled.
Who gave this covenant? Isaiah did. Daniel held on to it. The most important word Isaiah gave was this: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Daniel held on to the covenant of Immanuel—God with us.
Isaiah spoke of five great things. Daniel held them. What are they?
1) The remnants will rise and bring restoration (Isaiah 6:13)
This was the first: “The remnants will rise and bring restoration.” Daniel held on to this.
2) The Word that works forever (Isaiah 40:8, 31)
“You will hold on to the power of God’s Word. Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Word of the Lord is the Word that works forever.”
3) The power of the Word (Isaiah 43:18-19)
In Isaiah 43:18-19, he explained the power of God’s Word: “A way will be made in the wilderness. Rivers will flow in the desert. Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing.”
4) Arise, shine your light (Isaiah 60:1-22)
“Arise, shine your light. The glory of the Lord has already risen upon you. Your posterity will return. The third economy will return. The least will become a thousand, the weakest a mighty nation. I the Lord will hasten it in its time.”
5) The watchman (Isaiah 62:6-12)
“Set watchmen on the walls. Be a watchman. Do not let the Lord rest day or night. Build up the highway. Raise a banner so that all nations may come.” Daniel held on to this. That’s why he could not but be victorious. Hold on to the covenant that will be fulfilled—the living and active covenant.
- He held on to the place and timetable of fulfillment
Second, when and where is the covenant fulfilled? You must hold on to this.
1) The great disaster and crisis in Egypt
In Egypt, when the great disasters came, the power of the Word appeared.
2) The attack of the Philistines
For fourteen generations the Philistines brought suffering, and no one appeared. But David, who was inside the living covenant and Word, arose and defeated them. You must see when it happens.
3) The invasion of Assyria (2 Kings 19:35)
The Assyrians continually oppressed Israel. But one man arose—Hezekiah. When he became king, he sent word to Assyria: “You have oppressed us until now. But I am now king of Israel. From now on, I will not send you tribute.” Why should they send it? Hezekiah was remarkable. Assyria then came with 185,000 soldiers. In 2 Kings 19:35, it says Hezekiah turned to the wall and prayed with all his life. He prayed for the power of the Word to work. And that night, God called away the 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. The Bible records: “The angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the Assyrian camp.” I believe this. Why? Because when you go to heaven, the angels also come to take you. No one goes alone. Likewise, those going to hell are dragged by Satan. That’s why unbelievers scream when they are about to die—they are terrified. But the saved are accompanied by angels, sometimes even singing hymns as they depart.
4) The attack of Aram (2 Kings 6:8-23)
When Aram continually attacked Israel, Elisha was at Dothan, raising disciples and remnants, praying. There the living Word of God was proclaimed, testified, and taught. Aram learned of this. “Why is Israel always one step ahead of us? Do we have spies?” They answered, “No, there is a man who sees everything—Elisha in Dothan.” The king commanded: “Capture him alive and bring him.” So the Aramean army surrounded Dothan. But the Bible records: “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” God made them surrender, and Israel won without fighting.
- They were inside the fulfilled covenant
Third, they were inside the fulfilled covenant. Not about what will be fulfilled—they were already inside the fulfilled covenant. These were people who were already filled with the power of the Word Isaiah had prophesied. Five people stood out at that time.
1) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:16-18)
Nebuchadnezzar built an idol and commanded all to bow. These three did not. The king was astonished and said, “Bow. I will give you one more chance.” But they replied, “We do not need to defend ourselves in this matter. Even if God does not rescue us, we will not bow.” The power of the Word appeared in Babylon and saved the 237 nations.
2) Daniel (Daniel 6:10, 16, 20-22)
Another was Daniel. Though in captivity, the living Word began to work greatly in him. He interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and Belshazzar’s writing on the wall. In the time of King Darius, who loved Daniel deeply, politicians plotted against him. They tricked the king into signing a law that anyone who worshiped another god must die. Darius approved it. Daniel knew about it, but “as before, he prayed three times a day toward Jerusalem, giving thanks and worshiping.” He could not be stopped. When thrown into the lions’ den, the king cried out, “Daniel, servant of the Most High God, has your God whom you serve continually rescued you?” From the den came Daniel’s voice: “O king, live forever. Last night the angel of the Lord shut the mouths of the lions, and they did not harm me.”
3) Esther (Esther 2:10, 4:14-16)
Another was Esther. She became queen. Mordecai told her first: “Do not reveal that you are a Jew.” Later, when all Jews were about to be destroyed, he told her, “Now reveal it.” In Esther chapters 2 and 4, we see how someone inside the living and active Word of God could see what to do.
▣ Conclusion_ The Living and Active Word
Today, forgive me for speaking so long, but simply hold onto this: the living and active Word. Is this possible? It was for me.
- Poverty, incompetence, and disease
When I was young, I faced poverty, incompetence, and disease. I had no ability to evangelize. I was incompetent, poor, and sick. But I challenged so that God’s covenant Word would work. Today I still minister with this: “Do evangelism this way. Do healing this way. Work in 300% this way.” - Hardship
I once faced a time when it seemed absolutely impossible. Then I began to organize God’s living and active Word. After that, world evangelization arose. Meeting you is a blessing. We started here without strength, yet world evangelization arose. Some started here, and others came from across the nation and world to Busan because they truly wanted to evangelize. - Hold on to the living and active Word in the future
What about the future? I believe you must hold on to the living and active Word. We will go to the 5000 tribes, not just the 237 nations.
If any of you are sick, do not be discouraged. Experience the living and active Word of God. You must experience the power of the Word.
※ Do not give up. Do not limit the spiritual with your own thoughts.
Some say, “My husband cannot change.” “My child cannot change.” Many think this way. But that means you are already imprisoned in your own limits. You must know how God works.
One woman said, “My husband cannot change. He is an alcoholic.” I told her, “That is your thought. Thank God he is alive. He may be used for world evangelization.” She realized something. Her thinking completely changed. That night her husband came home drunk, asked for water, and she brought it saying, “Thank you.” The husband was shocked: “Why are you thankful?” She said, “Thank you for coming home alive. Thank you for not being sick despite drinking so much. God will bless you.” From then, change began.
I am a witness. Many told me it was impossible. But do not be discouraged because of your children. My mother never gave up. She held my feet in prayer and never gave up. One day, the gospel came upon me, the Word came to me, and I gained faith and assurance.
So then, when I repented and went out carrying my Bible and hymnbook, there was the owner of the largest store in our neighborhood, a man who ran a bar. He looked up to the heavens and said, “Surely God is alive.” Isn’t that right? Do not give up. Do not limit the spiritual with your own thoughts. I bless you in the name of Jesus Christ that from this week, the greatest days will begin.
Prayer. Lord, let today be the day of the covenant. Let us confirm the living Word today. Let us experience it this week. Let it be the beginning. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.