Sunday 2nd Service Worship
Temple Construction Dedication Worship
Speaker: Pastor Ryu Gwang-su
A Church Where Christ Can Dwell (Matthew 8:18-22)
Date / Location: February 6, 2022 / Immanuel Church
Matthew 8:18-22
18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake.
19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Summary
▷ There were largely two things Jesus taught. The last was the story that he would triumph on the cross and resurrect, and the one before that continually speaks of foundational things.
Foundation (Memo) – There must be foundational strength, and foundational healing was what was spoken of last week. Where does foundational strength come from? As you listen to the Word, try to grasp the most important words to the degree you think, “I need to pray about this!” When you just try to pray, it doesn’t go well, but if you treasure each meeting and each field and pray, prayer continues. This is what is meant by this kind of memo.
▣ Introduction_ What is the beginning of the true gospel?
It is knowing the value of Christ. – Only Christ eliminated disaster and spoke of Satan and destroyed Satan. Only Christ spoke of the background of hell and broke the authority of hell. We must actually believe this, but there are many things we do not actually believe. This must be recovered.
1. Three Temples – They must be unified.
1) The Throne – The throne is the temple.
2) Indwelling – The temple coming to dwell within me.
3) The gathering place – The place where people gather is the temple.
▷ Jesus is saying, let us build a temple of only Immanuel, only the upper room, enjoying the covenant of the throne.
2. A place to lay his head (Herod’s Temple) – Foxes have dens and birds have nests, yet the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. This means Jesus cannot go to Herod’s Temple and cannot stay in the royal palace.
3. What is urgent – Jesus told his disciple not to go to his father’s funeral even though his father had passed away. The meaning is that right now everyone is dying spiritually, so fleshly things are not what is urgent. This is because Israel will soon be destroyed, disaster will come upon Rome, and the next generation will wander aimlessly.
▣ Main_ There is something the world’s churches are failing at.
1. The Owner of the Temple – Christ (Κύριος, Lord) – The word “Lord” is the Greek word Kyrios (Κύριος). In Rome, the church was persecuted for 250 years because this word was considered only for use with the emperor. The emperor Constantine confessed after 250 years, “My Lord, our Lord is Christ!”
Genesis 3, 6, 11 (I – Lord) → Satan – Satan completely makes Genesis 3, 6, 11 about making myself the master. Unbelievers are 100% steeped in this. It is the weapon Satan uses best. The owner of the church is Christ. The owner of the courtyard that will save the whole world is Christ. The owner who will save us, the next generation, and the future is Christ.
1) Absolute covenant – When Christ becomes the owner of the temple, the absolute covenant is fulfilled.
2) Genesis 3:15, 6:14, Exodus 3:18, Isaiah 7:14 are fulfilled.
3) Destiny – The destiny is completely overturned.
2. Owner of the Three Courtyards – Christ
1) The courtyard of the Gentiles
2) The courtyard of prayer
3) The courtyard of the children
▷ At this time the absolute journey is restored. A platform to save 237 nations is created, a bartizan to shine light into the darkness of 237 nations is created, and a spiritual antenna to communicate with 237 nations is raised.
3. The Owner Who Will Restore the Future
1) 7 great temples – The 7 great temples to save the whole world are created: the churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The owner here is Christ.
2) Holy Trinity, Throne, Age – At this time, the response of the Holy Trinity God, the power of the throne, and the answer that saves the 3 ages will arise.
3) Absolute goal – Seeing this, passing through the absolute journey, this is called the absolute goal.
▣ Conclusion
1. Seven stars, seven lampstands – Christ who holds the seven stars and walks among the seven lampstands in the church of Ephesus means God is present in the church. Therefore, one must confirm the message and enjoy it in prayer.
2. First and last – Christ who is the first and the last.
3. Sharp sword – Christ who holds a double-edged sharp sword.
4. Fire, bronze – Christ whose eyes are like flames of fire and whose feet shine like burnished bronze.
5. Seven spirits, seven stars – Christ who holds the seven angels and seven servants of the Lord.
6. Key – When Christ who holds the key of David closes, no one can open, and when he opens, no one can close.
7. Foundation of creation – Christ who is the foundation of creation.
▷ This is how Christ is guarding the true church. When you are praying, the answer is already coming. Looking at Revelation 8:3-5, Daniel 10:10-20, Psalm 103:20-23, all prayers are being accumulated. Do not worry at all and hold on to the covenant of challenging the church that will save the world.
Transcript
Foundation (Memo)
There were largely two things Jesus taught. To start from the last one, it is the story that he would triumph on the cross and resurrect. Before that, he was not teaching things like “do this and the answer will come, do that and the answer will come.” He is continually speaking of foundational things right now. You all need to have foundational strength. Doing this gives strength, and this is necessary too, but fundamentally you need to have strength. For healing, you need to do this and that as well, and that is why a doctor is needed, which is why there are doctors. But the foundational healing was what was spoken of last week. That being the case, where does foundational strength come from? So when the centurion said, “Just say the word,” Jesus praised him to the highest degree.
Memo
Among these things, you can set aside some as you listen to the Word now. Make a memo like this, going through it. The most important words. Try to hold on to the things you think, “I need to pray about this for a week.” A student studying English who studies without ever using English once? That is fake. When you are someone learning to speak a language, never once following along or trying to write it – that is an impossible story.
You need to pray, but it doesn’t go well, does it? And when it comes to adults, doctors will often say things like, “You really should exercise.” It won’t go well. But how can that go well – when you just try to pray, prayer doesn’t go well. If you treasure each meeting and each field and enjoy them as you pray, prayer continues. That is what this kind of memo means. You can go hiking once in a while. Right? But the person who goes every day is different. The person who goes every day looks at the water, looks at the trees, realizes something all of a sudden, and exercises like this. It’s different.
When you listen to the message, as you quietly listen to what Jesus is saying right now, realization comes, doesn’t it? He is talking about foundations. Right now. Continuously. Then what is realized? It is completely different from what we think, isn’t it? You are always saying things like this happened this way, that happened that way, always going on like that. Then when great difficulty comes upon you, you cannot overcome it. Even now, Jesus is asking from the very beginning, “Do you know what true blessing is?” Isn’t that right? We are not the kind of religious people who bow to stone Buddhas. This is the Word of God, and we believe in God – “Hey, do you know what true prayer is?” That is what was said. By Jesus. That is the Sermon on the Mount. “Hey, why do you fight over such useless things? Is that worth fighting over?” That is what was asked. That is Matthew chapter 7. Simply put, it asks, “Does the other person really have so many faults? Do you have no faults?” That is what Jesus is asking right now. “And can that be worship?” That is what is being said. Not that your worship is not received, but “can that be worship?” That is what Jesus is saying. This is extremely important.
So when Jesus says in today’s passage, “Truly, the Son of Man has no place to lay his head,” many people misinterpret this. There are even many theologians who misinterpret it. “Jesus was so poor that, you know, he was like that.” There are many who interpret it this way. That is a wrong understanding.
“A Church Where Christ Can Dwell” (Matthew 8:18-22)
We need to have a church where Christ can dwell. False prophets are doing just fine in Herod’s Temple, aren’t they? If Jesus were like the false ones, he could go to good places too. This gives us a tremendous lesson today, those of us here. Verses 18 through 22. It appears to be simple talk, but what is the beginning of the true gospel?
▣ Introduction_ The Beginning of the True Gospel
If it’s the true gospel, that’s the end, but what is the beginning of the true gospel?
[The Value of Christ]
The beginning of the true gospel is not about knowing that Jesus came and knowing who Christ is, but knowing the value of Christ. It is an enormous thing. Only Christ eliminated disaster. Only Christ spoke of Satan and destroyed Satan. Only Christ spoke of it. He spoke of the background of hell and broke the authority of hell. Other people, religious figures, heroes cannot talk about that. Because they have no such power, and because there are people dying who belong to that category, they cannot say it. Only Christ told this story.
“What Is Not Actually Believed”
Now, not knowing this value well means one cannot actually believe well. We must actually believe, but there are many things we do not actually believe. You must recover this.
1. Three Temples – Unification
We need the three temples to be unified. What are they?
1) The Throne
Originally you have no need to waver, because the throne is the temple.
2) Indwelling
The temple comes to dwell within me. The throne comes to dwell.
3) The Gathering Place
The place where these people gather is also the temple. The point is to unify these three. Only Immanuel, only the upper room, enjoying the blessings of the throne, holding the covenant of the throne – let us build a temple where such people gather. That is what Jesus is saying right now. Other things have no value.
2. A Place to Lay His Head
Even so, what did Jesus say? “Foxes have dens. Birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Why did he say this? One scribe asked. What did he ask? Jesus – great responses kept happening – “Where are you going this time?” That is what was asked. It’s the question of people who can’t sustain their faith to the end, isn’t it? Oh, it’s remarkable. “Oh, where are you going this time?” When he asked that, Jesus was so exasperated: “I have nowhere to go.” That is what it is. Right now. If you don’t know the background of this text well, you’d think, what does that mean? In our early upper room days, before the political fighting started, an enormous number of people came following along, and pastors lined up saying, “What should I do?”
So Jesus was asked a question similar in nature. Jesus seemed enormous to him, you see. So “Wow, you are truly remarkable. Teacher, where are you going this time?” That’s how it came out. Not even “Lord.” That’s how it came out.
“I have no place to lay my head,” he said. What does that mean? Jesus cannot stay in Herod’s Temple right now. Right? Jesus cannot go and stay in the royal palace. If Jesus had been fake, he could have been in Herod’s Temple there in a good position. And there is the place where the priests stay, you know, a well-made place – he cannot go there.
3. What Is Urgent
Then what does the disciple say? The disciple speaks. The previous question was asked by the scribe. Then the disciple speaks. “Oh, my father has passed away, and I will go and hold the funeral and come back.” That is what he said. Then Jesus said something out of nowhere. “Let the dead bury the dead.”
That’s what was said. He was telling him not to go.
Now, is Jesus so unaware of family, some kind of unethical person? That’s not what he’s saying. It’s asking what is urgent right now. Right now everyone is dying spiritually, so fleshly things are not what is urgent – that is what is being said. Israel is soon going to be destroyed. Disaster is going to come upon Rome. Our next generation will wander aimlessly. What is urgent, that is the question. Jesus has only one brief opportunity. You must know this value today. Now, what is it that almost all people are failing at?
Let the dead bury the dead, and the living, follow me – that’s what it’s saying.
▣ Main_ World Church (Κύριος) – Lord
Today there is something the world’s churches are failing at right here. We can do it. The world’s churches won’t be able to. You can do it. Once you truly understand, there is nothing difficult. What is it right now?
1. The Owner of the Temple
The owner of the temple is Christ.
2. The Owner of the Three Courtyards
What is the second most important part? The temple missed three things. The courtyard of the Gentiles, the courtyard of prayer, the courtyard of the children – the courtyard of the Remnant – the owner of these three courtyards is Christ. There is no place to do this, that is what’s being said.
3. The Owner Who Will Restore the Future
The third must definitely be remembered. He is the owner who will restore the future. This scribe came and said “Teacher.” There is a great difference between saying “Teacher” and saying “Lord.” So looking at him as “Teacher” versus the word “Lord” means seeing him as the master. Now this word “Lord” is the Greek word Kyrios (Κύριος). This word means “Lord” as in master (主人). Because of this, many problems have come and gone. Last week we talked about it. Why did Rome persecute Christians – because of this word. It’s unimaginable. This word caused the church to be persecuted for 250 years. This (Κύριος) looks like the letter P, but in Hebrew it is the letter R (알). This word Kyrios was to be used only for the emperor. How could one use the word Kyrios for a carpenter born in Israel, for Jesus? So this spiritual battle is a great one.
After 250 years of doing this, after 250 years, Rome surrendered. The emperor Constantine said, “My Lord, our Lord Christ is Christ.” What a miracle. A confession 250 years in the making. Now, this is an extremely important statement. If you learn this carelessly, the more you learn the less you will understand.
[Genesis chapter 3, chapter 6, chapter 11 (I – Lord) – Satan]
This Satan, Satan completely makes Genesis chapter 3, chapter 6, chapter 11 about making me the master (主人). Unbelievers are 100% steeped in this. Almost all churches are steeped in this. Do you know when you dislike a minister? Even ministers – when they try to act as master there, that’s when they are disliked. Right? This is not just talk. It is the weapon Satan uses most. You need to understand this. Pastors need to understand this. One pastor said, “You know, many church leaders make things difficult for me.” “I don’t think that’s the case,” I said. “Church leaders don’t trouble you just because you make a mistake.” Right? When you make a mistake, they pray for you and try to help. Do you know when they trouble you? When you try to play the role of master.
The owner of the church is Christ. The owner of the courtyard that will save the entire world is Christ. The owner of the future that will save you and the next generation is Christ. These enormous questions come and go here. Since Jesus’ public ministry was three years, it wasn’t long, you see? Each small thing is extremely important. What might seem ordinary to us – “Just say the word” – Jesus praised that to the highest degree. There is a reason for all of it.
Let’s think for a moment about our own appearance, and the appearance of the world’s churches, and let’s think about our church, this text, and the field. Jesus is still going around saying, “Hey, the true gospel is this. Prayer is this.” He is teaching right now. Then once he performs some miracles, many people look only at that and come rushing to follow him. So one scribe asked, “Teacher, where are you going next?” And Jesus’ answer was, “I have no place to lay my head.” Give up, that is what it means. “No place to lay my head.” And then the disciple says, “There is a funeral at home right now, I will go and come back.” “Don’t go.” That is what it’s saying, simply put. If you misinterpret these two things, something terrible happens. Because he said he has no place to lay his head, Jesus is greatly…
How did someone interpret it? You know that ‘Do-ol, Kim Yong-ok’ who comes out with his head shaved? He interpreted it this way: “Jesus Christ was non-possessive. He is not a possessor. Of anything.” It’s a statement with some validity. It is also a story meant to warn Korea, the world’s churches, the large churches. In that sense it is quite correct. Right? Oh, big churches buying enormous amounts of land and doing things with it – if he is non-possessive, why buy such things? That is what Do-ol is saying. Simply put, it is the doctrine of frugality. That is a good thing, but it is not the truth. You cannot place Jesus’ standard there. Right?
Jesus said something of great meaning right now. Right now, the one who should have been the owner here (in Herod’s Temple) cannot be there, that is what is being said. Originally, he should have played the role of owner of Herod’s Temple. Please make a good memo of this covenant, and even one realization brings an enormously great response.
1. The Owner of the Temple
1) Absolute covenant
What kind of response comes? When Christ becomes the owner of our temple, the absolute covenant is fulfilled.
2) Genesis 3:15, 6:14
At that time, things like Genesis chapter 3 verse 15, chapter 6 verse 14 are fulfilled, that is what’s being said.
Exodus 3:18, Isaiah 7:14
Right now, an enormously great Exodus chapter 3 verse 18, Isaiah chapter 7 verse 14 – aren’t these tremendous covenants? They are absolute covenants.
3) Destiny
When Christ becomes my master and the master of our church, the destiny is completely overturned. That is what is being said. It is an extremely important statement. Though it appears to be a brief remark (introduction), it contains something enormous. This (Main point 1) is a part that many pastors and church leaders of world churches need to quickly understand. Many churches are fighting, quarreling, becoming enemies, and being ruined. They need to quickly understand. The owner of the church is Christ. There is no place for that, that is what is being said.
2. The Owner of the Three Courtyards
Even more so, Herod’s Temple did not have these three courtyards.
1) Gentiles
The courtyard of the Gentiles,
2) Prayer
The courtyard of prayer,
3) The Courtyard of the Children
The courtyard of the children, you know.
These did not exist. He is the owner who restores these. This kind of church is needed.
Absolute Journey
When you hold onto this, what is restored? Our absolute journey is now completely restored. Because we saw accurately. From this time, what is created? You must remember this.
Platform
From this time, a platform to save 237 nations is precisely created.
Bartizan
A bartizan to shine light into the darkness that will save 237 nations – a bartizan is completely created.
Antenna
A spiritual antenna that can communicate with 237 nations – a complete spiritual antenna is raised. This is the kind of temple that is needed, that is what is being said. You only need to pray. Once you know this value, the answer follows. If you truly know, it follows. So for the Remnant who truly know this covenant, many things will follow, so you must not be shaken by small things.
3. The Owner Who Will Restore the Future
Right now, this is the owner who will restore the future. Do you know what comes after this?
1) 7 great temples
The 7 great temples to save the entire world are created. Where does that appear? It appears in Revelation. The church of Ephesus, the church of Smyrna, the church of Pergamum, the church of Thyatira, the church of Sardis, the church of Philadelphia, the church of Laodicea. Enormously. And this is how the church that saves the world comes about. The owner here is Christ.
2) Holy Trinity, Throne, Age
What response arises at this time? At this time, right now, the response of the Holy Trinity that we always enjoy, the power of the throne, and the response that saves the 3 ages will arise.
3) Absolute Goal
Seeing this, passing through the absolute journey, this is called the absolute goal. This is what is being spoken of.
If you just hold on firmly to this covenant, the answer will come. Now, who knows that you are holding on to this answer? God knows it well. There is nothing to worry about. And Satan knows. “Is that person truly Christ’s, or not, is he fake?” He knows everything. Because he knows, he attacks. You can’t spend your whole life being attacked by that and die. When you hold on to this covenant and come out, this is the conclusion.
▣ Conclusion
In the church of Ephesus, it is written like this.
1. Seven Stars, Seven Lampstands
“Christ who holds the seven stars and seven stars and walks among the seven lampstands.” What is this? God walking among the lampstands together with the angels of the Lord means he is present in the church. Right now, even without taking a special prayer time, you need to confirm the message and enjoy it in prayer. And that is why worship time is important. For me, there is no reason. Whether 1st service, 2nd service, young adults, whatever – on Sundays, anyone who misses worship is a fool. You all, on Sundays especially, must enjoy it in prayer the entire day. Try it. John Davison Rockefeller said that. Even for that one hour of worship, on Sundays only, the Word and prayer only. This person actually did it. No need to listen to people, only the Word and prayer. His mother taught him that. “Hey, when you go to church, don’t say useless things. Only the Word and prayer. Don’t talk about people. Just only the Word and prayer. So you earn a lot of money and doing the Lord’s work is what you are to do.” It’s true. Looking at the records, while other people came just in time for worship, it says he came one hour before worship and began to pray face down. He was first generation, so it’s impossible to know how much money he earned. God just poured it out. He built 2,000 churches within America alone. It doesn’t disappear. He even took out insurance on them. Including Chicago – including the University of Chicago, 24 universities within America alone he built.
If you just pray well on Sundays, you become like this. That mother taught him rightly. “On other days you are busy doing business, so on Sundays, spend the whole day only in worship and prayer.” This is the kind of temple that is needed, and this is the kind of church that is needed.
2. First – Last
What does it say? “He is the first and the last.” No matter how much you struggle and wrestle, Christ is the first and the last.
3. Sharp Sword
What does it say? “Christ who holds a double-edged sharp sword.” Now, what happens if it’s a double-edged sharp sword? A sword, a very sharp sword, a razor-sharp blade – if only one side has an edge, what happens? If only one side has an edge, you need a technique for using just that one side, right? If both sides have an edge, what happens? You can just swing it freely.
4. Fire, Bronze
What does it say? “His eyes are like flames of fire” – he sees everything, that is what it means. “His feet are like burnished bronze like that of Christ.” He is with you like this. This is the church. To say the church cannot function makes no sense. That’s because those are fakes. The church is the one that has received this kind of blessing – this is the church. Let us make this kind of temple, and like the early church that built the 7 great temples to save the entire world, let us hold on to the covenant.
5. 7 Spirits – 7 Stars
“The seven spirits and the seven stars,” it said. This was said to the church of Sardis. Christ who holds the seven angels and the servants of the Lord.
6. Key
What did it say? “Christ who holds the key of David.” “When he closes, no one can open. When he opens, no one can close.”
7. Foundation of Creation
“He who is the foundation of creation,” it said. This is how it appeared. What needs to be seen accurately here is: the true church – Christ is guarding it like this. If you firmly hold on to this covenant today, the answer starts coming from now. It is certain. When I am in unbelief, do people who don’t believe in God do well? The spiritual problem is coming. What you must not do is be discouraged – when you are praying, the answer is already coming.
Revelation chapter 8 verses 3 through 5, Daniel chapter 10 verses 10 through 20, once it starts, it is coming. Your prayers are all being accumulated. Psalm 103 verses 20, 21, and 23 – it keeps coming. It is. It is certain. Do not be anxious about anything and you must hold on to the covenant of challenging the church that will save the world. Through our Remnant, 237 nations will come alive. Right now this answer is coming. I bless you in the name of the Lord to confirm this over the next six days. Let us pray.
Prayer. We give thanks to God. May today be the day we hold on to the covenant. May we deliver to the entire world the spiritual realm arising behind us. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.