Prayer Journal: November 13, 2025
27. Aug. 2024 237 Tuesday Disciple Training, Lecture 1
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 13:8
From Caesarea Philippi to Rome, we are confirming the covenantal flow. Among these, today I will imprint a few things that we must surely engrave in ourselves and in our disciples. The most important word, the word we must most deeply imprint, is “Christ.” Most people think they know the word “Christ” because they attend church. When Joseph confessed the covenant, what did his brothers say? They called him arrogant and said his character was bad. When David said he would fight Goliath, his brothers said the same thing: “You’ve been arrogant from the beginning.” Then consider Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—when the king’s command came, they refused it. They faced a death sentence. Were those three men arrogant? The biggest reason the Pharisees persecuted the early church was that they preached the gospel; but when they held to “only Christ,” the Pharisees said they were wrong. Were they wrong? You all “know” Christ. The devil knows even better; precisely because he knows, his goal is to confuse you so that you won’t truly know. It makes no sense for Christians to not truly know Christ. This must become 24/25/eternity. Then every problem will truly be resolved. There is no way answers won’t come. But this (24/25/eternity) is what is not happening. Paul had a reason he could be used. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”—you cannot help but be used. So, when you read Romans 16 where Paul wrote, he introduces person after person; and for every single one he adds—almost tiresomely—“in Christ.” He never just lists a name without that nuance. He could have simply said, “Esther in Christ,” and then moved on to just the next person’s name, but he keeps repeating “so-and-so in Christ.” This is different. If we do not form our congregation like this, we will surely fail. How simple and good this is—and yet how often we miss it.
▣ Introduction
1. Christians who lost Christ
So you must check this: there are actually many Christians who have lost hold of Christ. Let me give a few examples.
(1) The Jews (Acts 4:1–12) – Especially the Jews. They had no choice but to be struck by disaster—from the slavery in Moses’ time all the way to 1948—because among them were those who possessed the gospel, and God had to drive them to that point. To what extent did it go? When the name “Christ” was mentioned, they grew furious—without even knowing why. Acts 4 records the evidence: they put Peter on trial—supposedly because a man lame from birth was healed. Does that make sense? He wasn’t tried because of the healing; they were forbidding the mention of Christ. Even in court they said, “Never speak of Christ again.” Who told them to say that? Not the king. The high priest? I believe Satan did. It’s terrifying. Then Peter said, “There is no other name under heaven given to man by which we must be saved.” He spoke too boldly. So the officials remarked, “Aren’t these uneducated fishermen? Something has changed.” They missed the point. We think we know Christ—of course our minds must first know—but in reality many do not truly know.
(2) Peter’s associates (Acts 11:1–18) – Look at the brothers around Peter. They said absurd things. Many church people say absurd things. Don’t go to church and talk absurdities. What happened? Salvation arose in Cornelius’s house; the Holy Spirit came; Peter ate a meal there. They quarreled with him over that, because Jewish law said not to associate with Gentiles. If it were me I might have said, “Are you crazy? Didn’t Jesus command us to the ends of the earth?” Peter instead explained, “In a vision the Lord told me to go; they believed and were saved—how could I refuse? They served me a meal, so I ate.” Beneath this is the same mindset as Jonah’s: “I won’t preach in Nineveh—if I do, they’ll repent, and I don’t want to see that.” The same idea. Why eat there? And then, in Acts 11:19, those scattered because of Stephen—this became the Antioch church. Personally, I see the lampstand being moved. Without Christ, the lampstand is moved. Know this. No matter how great the theology or learning, church members need the gospel. Without the gospel’s moving and wonder, church members die. Remember this. We are in an important timetable; don’t miss it.
(3) The medieval church (John 2:1–11) – The medieval church was still “church,” having grown out of the early church. But was Christ there? No. In John 2:1–11 Jesus attended the wedding at Cana; when the wine ran out and trouble came, Mary—Jesus’ mother and a sound believer who knew He was conceived by the Holy Spirit—asked Him. Knowing that if she asked, He would act. On that basis the medieval church insisted we must pray in Mary’s name, since Jesus performed His first miracle at her request. Does that make sense? It went further: in the medieval church, Mary functionally became “lord”—in art and culture Christ is small below and Mary is exalted. Thus, on the same continent, South America fell under a curse while North America saw revival; because the gospel was proclaimed in the North, and Mary was proclaimed in much of the South. In Russia too, Mary is centered. I would ask any well-trained priest: why? Where is Christ? They made culture and music centered on Mary. That was the medieval church.
(4) The 237 nations (museums) – I’ve visited many of the great powers among the 237 nations. I used to go first to the museums—like the Pushkin in Russia, the Louvre in France—same story: everything centered on Mary. Nobody coordinated that; yet Russia and France look the same. Satan has no “made in USA” or “made in Japan”; the pattern is the same. As evangelists you must have eyes to see and imprint the congregation properly. Don’t be theologically wrong, but also know: people don’t live the Christian life because they studied much theology. Whatever your gifts emphasize, nothing may be above Christ.
(5) The 5,000 tribes (Nephilim) – Globally among the 5,000 tribes we haven’t visited, but we can sense it: it is rife with Nephilim culture. So we must carefully watch the missionaries evangelizing the 5,000 tribes and support them in prayer. The headquarters must help in a better way. Missions isn’t “support when we feel good, drop when we don’t,” nor swaying with church mood. Missions is far more. I saw this in Korea: while we lived in huts, a large mission house in the village sustained the whole town—boiling corn into gruel for us, ladling milk into bowls because we had none. Now I realize: we have made missions too light and strange. We say “the Japanese church is weak,” but not necessarily; in Japan, upon ordination, the pastor assumes total responsibility, and they don’t ordain lightly. In some respects their standard is higher. Numbers may be small, but that’s not the measure. Korean baseball players go to Japan to learn and earn; Japanese players do not come here to learn. Think carefully.
2. The Answer
Therefore the answer must be Christ.
(1) Need nothing else (John 19:30) – Those who truly have the answer of Christ do not “need” everything else, because they know they already have all. “It is finished.” Many ruin themselves because they are restless for what they “need.” Evangelists and pastors must not do that. We must prepare 300% and move 300%. Later in Lecture 2 I will explain that phrase. It is written: “It is finished.” For example, I told our elders: “Build as offerings come in; nothing special—if about 70 billion won comes, do that much.” Our elders said, “No, it must exceed 100 billion,” but that’s not the point. If Christ is not the answer, we die. History gives proof—though not always immediately visible. Did the medieval church that had its greatest outward ‘boom’ actually preach the gospel? On the contrary, they opposed Christ.
(2) Nothing else should be seen (Matthew 17:1–9) – Elijah needed? Moses needed? If so, you have not been saved. Only Christ must remain. Because they could not grasp this, the global church is sinking into darkness. Do memories of your hardest days bother you? Lingering problems? What should you do? I discovered this: our nation and my home were simply under darkness; Korea itself was under darkness. Africa needs light. The great powers are under darkness. The answer is Christ. Thus we must have true thanksgiving and a real evangelism movement must arise in the church.
(3) No religious insistence (Matthew 16:13–20) – Stop insisting on religious things in church—that kills. At Caesarea Philippi Jesus asked not for a poll, but because after three years of training He needed to see what His disciples had grasped. When He asked, “Who do people say I am?” the disciples answered—and that answer revealed their own faith: “John the Baptist… Elijah… Jeremiah… one of the prophets.” That was their confession! Then Jesus asked, “But who do you say that I am?” Most could not answer. Peter’s confession is astounding: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah; this was revealed by my Father in heaven. You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church; the gates of Hades shall not overcome it. I give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” This does not change; it continues even now. This is not about “doing something”—it is that nothing else should be seen.
3. Romans 16
So, as noted, in Romans 16 Paul introduces everyone as “in Christ.”
(1) 3 concentrations – With what Christ gave, we carry out the three concentrations. If we do, something is formed; because this is not happening, answers lag.
(2) 3 settings – If we truly do the three concentrations with what Christ gave, three settings are established. This is true in Lecture 2 as well—God has given you something special to save the congregation; you must do it.
(3) 3 answers – And we go with three answers.
King/prophet/priest – the way, the truth, and the life; Philippians 3:21
Then, what answer must we draw early? “Christ” means “the Anointed One”: the true King, the true Prophet, the true Priest. Jesus Himself said He is the way to the Triune God—the word “Christ” means the way, the truth, and the life. “No one comes to the Father except through me.” We can say clearly to religionists: “There is no other.” You cannot solve your problem by cultivating your way—dangerous self-deception. When evil spirits enter, people think they have attained—but they have not. Even a monk of great discipline may gain phenomena—that is not the answer. In the book published at the death of the renowned Seongcheol, the first line of the foreword was, “Why did I choose Buddhism?” The next: “Because I could not find the way.” The third: “If I find the way, I will leave Buddhism.” He even mentioned Satan: “Shakyamuni was a disciple of Satan.” It’s in the book—check it. So Paul not only held the answer in Christ but held the proof: “At the name of Jesus every knee bows”—all things obey His name.
From this introduction, you must truly seize the answer, and the saints must find it. We must now enter a sober time to receive true answers—your members must live. Many events are God shaking to separate. If trials come to your church, do not worry—God is distinguishing.
▣ Main – John 14:14 (prayer)
By what shall we do this? Jesus left one crucial word: We are not saved now by slaughtering lambs and offering blood—that was a symbol pointing to the covenant. Now He says, “Pray in my name.” God-given name. John 14 records it clearly. “Pray in my name; do not slaughter lambs or oxen; pray in my name. Do not perform shamanistic rites to defeat Satan—you cannot. Pray in my name.” A tremendous message. I was shocked and said, “Ah—then everything truly ends in Christ.” Then it must truly end. Pastors who served with me can attest: I did not micromanage, nor say “Use this person.” God takes 100% responsibility and carries it forward. What are we? Those who shine light to people dying in darkness. Why don’t we? Because we have so much—ironically that prevents us. The Jews boasted: “We defeated Egypt and Philistia; we are God’s children”—but stripped out the substance.
Look also at the medieval church—tremendous power, but they thought it was the gospel when it was not. After Rome made Christianity the state religion, the world was in upheaval. Kings now “had” to believe; whether they truly did or not, they had to attend worship. Where would the king attend? Wherever he went, chaos followed: thus the pope stood at the center, clashing with kings. Where is Christ in that? With such power, if a king attended a church, business magnates flocked there. Cathedrals went up easily—“Let’s build here”—and massive shrines were raised, thought to be “answers.” They removed Christ. If Christ is removed, the church inevitably falls into darkness. Then world evangelization is impossible. So “pray in my name” is explosive—an answer, yet to the Jew it sounded insane. But the proof stands: as the name of Jesus Christ was proclaimed worldwide, the medieval church eventually knelt. God openly blessed the nations that preached Jesus Christ—above all, the United States. America became proud, forgetting God’s blessing, but God poured so much that Europe combined cannot match it. Officially the US still sends the most missionaries. Some even observed that as missionary-sending increased, so did GNP.
1. By status
First, enjoy Christ by your status.
1) John 1:11–12
He came as the light; let this light come into you. “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
2) Matthew 5:13–16
Jesus did not say, “Become the light”; He said, “You are the light of the world.” Because you believe, you are light. Do not lose this. You are those who shine the light.
3) 1 Peter 2:9
More: you were called to proclaim that light. The whole world lies in darkness—often in proportion to its “prosperity.” Evidence? The richest, strongest nation has the most mental illness. The earth can change at any time. By status.
2. By authority
More important: by authority—the authority of God’s child. Pastors have authority to bless and heal. Deuteronomy 21:5 shows three given to the Levitical priests: the authority to bless, to judge, and to officiate worship. You have authority. What authority?
1) Acts 3:1–12
“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Peter added the more important word: “Silver and gold I do not have”—not meaning he couldn’t give coins, but “That is not what you need. Even if you get coins, you remain lame. I will give what you truly need—in the name of Jesus Christ, walk.” This is prayer that uses authority. Jesus taught and concluded with prayer.
2) Acts 4:12
“There is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” The name of Christ.
3) Acts 8:4–8
They proclaimed Christ intensively, and the people gave undivided attention—works arose. In your fields and from your pulpits, if you deliver with one heart and your people hear with one heart, destinies are overturned. If you worship properly on Sunday, even bodily illnesses can be healed—I have reasons for this. God may have purposes in affliction (Paul was ill), but living namelessly under constant sickness is not ideal. Be strong—it is more God’s will that you be strong to preach. He gives much grace in weakness, but that is for root-healing, not the norm. Nothing else will do.
4) Acts 16:16–18
“In the name of Jesus Christ I command you: come out!” Immediately it left. Of course. He gave us such a crucial thing.
5) Philippians 3:21
“By the power that enables him to bring everything under his control.” Not only demons; all darkness, disease, disasters, and even your anxious future—under the name of Jesus Christ.
3. By life
Not only this—enjoy Christ by status and authority, and by life. In a sense, this is even more important. How?
1) 24 (enjoyment)
24—enjoyment. Nothing is greater. There are two lifelines in prayer; here we enjoy the power of life. To our Remnants we must explain: prayer-happiness 24 surely revives me; prayer-power 25 revives the field; prayer-completion eternity surely saves the world. With this, create 300% “works” that save the age.
2) 25 (waiting) – the whole covenant
When you build works holding the covenant, this becomes an eternal secret. Wait for 25… See the whole Bible—the whole covenant. Joseph did not “just wait.” He waited enjoying the covenant and receiving blessing in it. He did not file an application to meet the prime minister; the king summoned him. It surely comes. Church members miss this. Without enjoyment, waiting is impossible; with enjoyment, waiting is natural. If you have hope, you can endure; without hope, endurance is impossible. When hope is sure, even waiting becomes happy. (If someone promised you ten trillion won for one year in prison, you’d go gladly.) The entire Bible is like this. This is what Jesus meant by the kingdom of God—enjoy Christ as 25; wait. Since this fills Scripture, I won’t elaborate more. Abraham waited 25 years; Joseph about 10+; David around 20 between Goliath and kingship—and they waited receiving answers.
3) Eternity (future)
Eternity—this speaks of the future, sustained into eternity. Many key verses:
(1) John 14:16, 26; 16:13 – “He will be with you forever”; “He will teach you all things”; “He will tell you what is to come.”
(2) Joel 2:28 – “I will pour out my Spirit on all people… your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” Future.
(3) Acts 2:17–18 – Fulfilled and unfolding.
Even now these answers continue. Be in prayer, not just in thought. Animals live by instinct; humans by thought; but evangelists live in prayer. Thought can be dangerous. Enjoying Christ in this way does not merely save me; we must go beyond “I must live.” In Lecture 3 you will see: if you do just one thing properly, there is no need to worry about the church. Elders live in the world and their concerns are not “wrong,” but they are not the criterion. Our criterion is not “making a living,” nor “How to manage the church?” People will come. You must hold and communicate this so that all saints conclude, “We just follow the Word.” How? Not by reading the 66 books a hundred times and memorizing, but by holding the Word God is fulfilling now for me and for our church.
▣ Conclusion: The age / the church / me
How is Christ working now? This is crucial. How is the message of salvation being fulfilled in this age, in our church, and in me? You must check. When a car breaks, it must be serviced; nowadays even without a breakdown you get regular inspections. At least check this: how is the gospel being fulfilled in this age? What is the flow in our church? It’s not about “right or wrong”—there surely is a flow; find it. Where am I in it? Find that too. Where am I now? I used to be at a level where I couldn’t even give offerings; then I set my heart, and works arose. Where am I in evangelism now? Many say, “I don’t go to the field”—that’s an honest reflection. When churches grow, pastors should stop running everywhere and instead raise disciples who go—this is the “field.” We look to the 5,000 tribes; that is our evangelism field. Going in person is the conclusion and confirmation. Remember this.
So let me conclude again: people do not know who Christ is.
1. The Christ from eternity past
He is the Christ from eternity past. Without this, you will speak as the Jews did and remain bound to your past. In John 8:56 Jesus said, “Abraham rejoiced to see my day.” They could not understand—that the Triune God existed before us. “How old are you, then?” They missed it.
2. The incarnate Christ
This God, the Christ, came in the flesh to save humans—if He were to save dogs, He would have come as a dog; to save people, He came as a man.
3. The risen Christ
As proof He is the Christ, He died and rose as the Scriptures promised. Meaning: He is working now. When we pray in His name, darkness trembles; disasters depart. Why cling to other things and keep suffering? Only Christ—this is real. Study history. If you don’t grasp this, you cannot come out of darkness. The Jews kept pushing the law and drove the whole nation deeper into darkness—this is verified.
4. The returning Lord Christ
He will come again as the Lord of the Second Advent; every king will bow.
5. The Judge Christ
He is also the Judge. When you hold this word, great things happen. With this covenant, Satan is bound; he cannot touch you; sin, curses, and disasters depart. This must be overcome—and then the kingdom of God comes. This is it.
Today, all day in prayer, may you truly enjoy the blessing of healing, summit, and the opening of 237–5,000 tribes. I bless you in the name of Jesus Christ. I will pray.
Prayer. We give thanks and glory to God. We give glory to the God who gave us Christ. Thank You for the grace to know the mystery of Christ. By this name, let all darkness be overthrown. By this name, let the church be revived. Grant the power to save churches around the world. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.