2023.09.24 District Message
Scripture Reading: Acts 18:1-4, Romans 16:1-27
▣ Introduction
These days, according to statistics, the number of people who suddenly suffer from depression has greatly increased.
And there are now many more people who carry wounds and pain in their hearts. Many are suddenly diagnosed with cancer and suffer in great pain and hardship. But in fact, you do not need to worry—our church has many good systems. Right now, key individuals are preparing for healing ministries and for how to teach Remnants to pray. If you know people like this, you must also evangelize to them, bring them to church, and connect them practically.
[Brain] – [Body] – [Spirit]
So why is prayer necessary? Because this (the brain) must first come alive. Usually when we face difficulties or problems, they all come from issues in this area. Some people have a hard time because they cannot control their emotions; there are also many who suffer because they cannot hold back their anger. Some, when driving, if someone slightly gets in their way, they take a hammer out of the trunk and smash the car—they cannot hold it in. It is not that they are particularly evil people; it is because this (the brain) is in a difficult state. Even whether students study well or not is related to this (the brain). We are now preparing professionally to help and heal these aspects.
Now the three-day weekend age is gradually opening, and as it opens, we must do this kind of work. But instead of using the term “healing” too much—because the word “healing” sounds like something for sick people—it may be good to use a more positive expression. People in special positions often do not go to anything called a “healing team,” because they would then be the ones receiving healing. That is why the three organizations do this very well. They call it “mindfulness.” With children, they call it “how to study well.” When a golfer wins a tournament, they visit and ask, “How can we strengthen mental power?” and they teach that.
We actually have the real thing, far greater than what they have, but although we are preparing, many doors must still open. Thankfully, there are many talented people in our church right now who can do this work—this is something to be thankful for. Ultimately, this (the brain) must be healed, because it governs the whole body. But it does not end there—next is our spirit. That is why Hebrews 4:12 says, “It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow.”
“Communication with people”
With this in mind, today and next week the message we must forum on is communication with people. Since you are saved, how is your communication with others? Those who are saved have the Holy Spirit, so their way of seeing people is different. Those who are not saved do not have the Holy Spirit, so they see people from a worldly or self-centered perspective. We must not see people that way.
This gospel leaves an eternal mark even through a brief devotion. On Pentecost, people from fifteen nations who had come to Jerusalem received grace in the Mark’s Upper Room. After receiving grace, they offered to the Mark’s Upper Room church. That offering became the light economy that changed the world. Among them were people from Rome—that was the couple, Priscilla and Aquila. We must see people with such eyes. You never know what kind of plan God will fulfill through you. Certainly, no one knows what kind of plan God will fulfill through your children—only God knows.
So when we say we receive answers to prayer, it means that we understand these things and our spiritual state becomes aligned with them.
▣ Main
1. Upward (God – people) – pastors, church leaders, assistant ministers
In human relationships, there are always people above us. But when we look upward, we do not look only at those above us—we look at God who blesses us through them, and within that, we see people. From this perspective, pastors, church leaders, and assistant ministers are all extremely important. Even one assistant pastor in our church is very important. Most people do not have eyes to see this. If they do not, then all their efforts become vain, and their walk of faith is in vain. How can someone receive answers if they do not see the value of an elder or the value of the congregation? If someone does not see the pastor as precious, what use is it to listen to the sermon? This is extremely important.
2. Sideways (the field of answers)
Through this (the upward relationship), much of God’s blessing arises, and at the same time, we also have the sideways relationship. “Sideways” refers to the many fields of answers that are right next to us.
3. Downward (future – Remnant)
There are three directions. The downward direction refers to our future and to the Remnant. That is how important it is.
1. Upward (God – people) – pastors, church leaders, assistant ministers
1) Fulfillment of the Word
Through this (upward direction), God certainly fulfills His Word. That is why we hold onto the pulpit message—not the sermon itself, but the Word of God proclaimed through the pulpit. The fulfillment of this Word will surely take place. Even if all 7 billion people in the world deny it, it is true. That is why worship is so important.
2) Worship
During worship, we must receive great grace.
3) Prayer answers
Even in worship, we must hold onto the answers of prayer. Because God’s Word is surely fulfilled, you must gain strength through worship and go forth holding the answers of prayer in advance. This is the blessing that comes from above. Those who edit our district lessons based on my messages sometimes leave out this part (upward relationship).
2. Sideways (the field of answers) [Acts 18:1–4]
Looking at Acts 18:1–4, I realized that we must give you a slightly new message.
1) Rome (Acts 2:10)
There was an incident in Rome that brought people to Israel—this couple was Priscilla and Aquila. In Acts 2:10 it says, “visitors from Rome,” referring to people like them.
2) Acts 9:1–15
As you know, in Acts 9:1–15, God personally called and changed Paul, the one who would carry out world evangelization.
3) Corinth
Then they met in Corinth. Just before that, Paul had ministered in Athens, where he seemed to have failed—not because he truly failed, but because Athens was a very intellectual city. We all learned about Athens in school—it was a great center of knowledge. So Paul, without realizing it, had relied on intellect. Later he realized, “I resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Then he arrived in Corinth and met this team.
This is our sideways relationship. Who would have thought that this meeting would change the age? Only God knew. You must recognize—without arrogance—how precious you are in God’s blessing. If you do not know your own value, you will not recognize the value in others. Failing to see the value of the person beside you makes everything in vain. If you lose hold of the pulpit message and your human relationships, what will happen?
3. Downward (future – Remnant)
This refers to the next generation. Even small devotions given for the future generation will surely bring about God’s works.
1) Isaiah 6:13; 7:14; 60:1–22; 62:6–12
God showed Isaiah a vision and gave him a calling. Isaiah said, “Here am I, send me,” and God replied, “Send the Remnant.” Those who held to this covenant saw works arise even in Babylon. God said, “Teach them what the true gospel of the woman’s offspring is. When they shine their light, those in darkness will come to them. Set them as watchmen.” How blessed this is!
2) Paul
It did not end there. Paul staked his life on this.
(1) Acts 17:1 – He explained why Christ is necessary.
(2) Acts 18:4 – On the Sabbath, he taught what true worship is.
(3) Acts 19:8 – In the school of Tyrannus, he explained what true prayer is.
This is what we must teach the next generation.
3) RUTC
So that future generations may receive this blessing everywhere—the RUTC blessing. It is not a difficult term: Remnant Unity Training Center—a place for Remnants to unite and be trained.
▣ Conclusion
So what must we do as we open the three-day weekend age?
1. Talent (coming-of-age ceremony) – Our Remnants must discover their talents. Discovery comes through prayer.
2. Specialization (mission ceremony) – They must understand their specialization and be equipped with it. Their eyes must also open to see the world correctly.
3. Field (commissioning ceremony) – Then they must be sent out to the field.
Discovering one’s talent is called the coming-of-age ceremony. If the talent is not discovered, no matter the age, one is not truly an adult. Realizing one’s calling is the mission ceremony. And being ready to go into the field is not merely going into the world—it is being sent by God; this is the commissioning ceremony.
As you worship today, may you gain strength through deep prayer. Not only for six days of the week, but may the blessing of God’s kingdom continue in all your remaining time. Spend this Lord’s Day in prayer—it is such a blessing. Our church even has clean air! In your free time, enter into deep prayer.
Prayer. We thank You, God. Let there be a time of healing through deep prayer today. Let Your kingdom come upon every place where there are problems. Let this be a day of receiving true spiritual strength. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.