Sunday 1st Service Worship
Title/Scripture: Let Us Heal Myself and the World with the Word (John 1:1-18)
Speaker: Pastor Ryu Kwang-soo
Date/Location: September 4, 2022, Immanuel Church (Seoul)
Summary
Long ago, I went through something so difficult that I prayed for two months straight. “In the name of Jesus Christ who truly saved me, fill me with the power of the Triune God and of the throne. Bind every power of the curse in the name of Jesus Christ.” The answer did not come right away, but peace came. After that, answers began to come, and answers that could evangelize the world poured out to an almost unbelievable degree. I have nothing to boast of or that is admirable, but I really wanted to pass this covenant on to you.
▣ Introduction
1. Rome and Israel on the Brink of War and Ruin
At that time the people of Israel, their leaders, and the Romans were all outstanding people. Yet Israel was on the brink of ruin. Rome had conquered the world, but it remained continually at war and on the brink of ruin. What is even more astonishing is that Christ had come, and even though people nailed Christ to the cross, executed Him, and He rose again, the church was in a situation of being completely persecuted.
2. John
It was at this time that a figure named John appeared. This John is the one who left us the Gospel of John. John chapter 1 is extremely important. I held onto this covenant and prayed, and I truly received God’s answer. I have seen so much of God’s work and so many testimonies over thirty years. What kind of prayer could have brought that about?
3. The Name of Jesus Christ
“But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” This is the name of Jesus Christ. It is a tremendous thing.
▣ Main
1. The Name That Is the Key Opening the Door of the Eternal Throne
1) The Name That Is the Key
(1) Matthew 1:23 — When Jesus was born, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.” Jesus’ name is Immanuel. Whatever you have prayed in that name, or exercised authority in that name, is bound to be fulfilled.
(2) Mark 16:17 — “In my name they will cast out demons.” Through this name a demon-possessed person can clearly be healed. Because there was no way to break through the darkness, God gave us the key that breaks it.
(3) John 14:14 — “Ask me anything in my name.” Why? Because God gave us the key.
(4) Matthew 16:19 — Matthew also says, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”
(5) John 3:16 — “For God so loved the world.” If it were you, wouldn’t you give anything to your own children without condition? It is grace.
2) In the Name of Christ
(1) John 14:16 — Jesus himself said it. “I will send you the Helper, the Holy Spirit, in my name.”
(2) John 17:11 — “You have given me your name.” When we act in the name of Jesus Christ, darkness trembles.
(3) Acts 2:21 — “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Why? Because nothing else can save.
(4) Acts 3:6 — Having realized this, Peter became a different person. “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” His destiny was completely overturned.
(5) Acts 4:12 — Then the Pharisees picked a quarrel over this. Peter answered them this way. “There is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved.”
(6) Acts 9:15 — What was even said concerning Paul? “For the sake of my name. He is a chosen vessel raised up for the Gentiles and for Israel.”
3) The Name That Subjects All Things (Philippians 3:21)
An even more important word is Philippians 3:21. “The name that subjects all things to itself.”
2. The Name That Is the Central Party of the Covenant That Heals Me and the World
It is the name that is the central party of the tremendous covenant that heals me and the world.
1) That Name Is God
Today’s passage says that name is God. To speak the name of Christ is to have signed with the name of God.
(1) John 1:1 — “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” That is speaking of Jesus.
(2) John 1:18 — “No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, has made him known.” That is signing with that name.
2) That Name Is the Word
(1) John 1:1 — That name is the Word, and the Word is God himself. Verse 1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God.”
(2) John 1:2 — “He was with God in the beginning. All things were made through him.” So through the name of Jesus Christ the power of creation comes out as well. It can heal me and the world. You must experience it.
(3) Revelation 19:13 — “I saw Christ clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name was the Word of God.” That is why we listen to the Word.
3) That Name Is Light and Life
(1) John 1:4 — “That name is light and life.” When you pray in the name of Christ, this means the dead are raised and life shines forth.
(2) John 1:9 — “The true light shone into the world.”
(3) John 1:10 — “The world did not know him.”
(4) John 1:11 — “His own people did not receive him.”
(5) John 1:12 — “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Knowing that name and praying in it — before that, everything trembles. This is the true gospel. That is who you are.
3. That Name Is the Evidence That Solves Salvation and Every Problem of Darkness
The name of Jesus Christ is the evidence that solves salvation and every problem of darkness.
1) The Public Ministry of Jesus
The woman with the issue of blood touched Jesus’ garment, and the source of her affliction was resolved. Bartimaeus said, “Have mercy on me.” Christ said, “Be it done to you according to your faith.” That settled it. Christ is God. That is why we pray in that name. Lepers no one could cure, the deaf — he finished it all with a single word. Because he is God.
2) The Ministry of Peter (Acts 3:1-12)
At the time of the early church, what no one else could heal was healed in the name of Jesus Christ. “In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
3) The Ministry of Paul (Acts 16:16-18)
Paul said, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out.” And it left. That name — he is God. To what extent? It is recorded that he existed at the time of creation. Therefore he is the Triune God.
▣ Conclusion
1. Characteristics of Answered Prayer
There are characteristics to answered prayer. In my case, when I pray, it comes gradually, after quite some time. For some people it comes right away.
2. Morning, Noon, and Night
I use the name of Jesus Christ, in the morning, as the name by which I enjoy the power of the throne. In the afternoon, as the name by which I deliver much authority and light to many people. At night, as the name by which I pray with concentration.
3. Intercessory Prayer
There was a person I thought well of who achieved great success. But one day he caused a great scandal, and other people cursed and pointed fingers at him. At that time I repented before God. “Ah, that friend had an empty place. Ah, I failed to help him.” From that time I began to intercede for that friend in the powerful name of Christ. The answer comes.
Transcript
Down in that lower village there is a place called Ungchon. It is a bit rural, and also a bit urban, both at once. There used to be a person there who was well known long ago. This person had no education, and was not particularly articulate. Because of that, the people of the village did not think much of him. He had no special occupation either. So he went from house to house doing odd jobs and receiving a little pay here and there — that was the situation. But now, that household had three sons. These children, being one and two years apart in age, grew up close like friends. This person was in a position of being somewhat looked down upon in the village. So this person began attending church, though I’m not sure exactly why — probably because life was hard, so he went to pray and worship at church, something like that.
But later, when this person’s three sons grew up, they passed the bar exam, which was difficult back then and is still difficult now — and he did it almost entirely on his own studying. And another one, the one a year younger, went through that same difficult, still-difficult course of study and became a doctor. A lot of time passed like this. And then the youngest son became the first in that village ever to become a general. This person, whom everyone had once looked down on, became from that point on a respected figure in the community. But there is something remarkable about him. When he speaks, you can tell, “Ah, this is a person without much education.” But when he shares the gospel, it is incredibly precise. He knows the gospel with a precision that most educated people could never imagine. I believe that influence carried over to his children.
A long time ago I went through something so difficult I would say I simply “failed.” Other people knew about it that way too, and comforted me accordingly. For two months I prayed. “In the name of Jesus Christ who truly saved me, fill me with the power of the Triune God and of the throne. Bind every power of the curse in the name of Jesus Christ.” I prayed for two months like that. But the answer did not come right away. Peace came to me instead. It was such a hard situation. Don’t you all have times like that? A situation where it feels, “There is absolutely no way this can work out.” After that, the answers began to come, and answers that could evangelize the world — to an almost unbelievable degree — kept pouring out one after another. I have nothing to boast of or that is admirable, but I really wanted to pass this covenant on to you. First, let’s check the evidence a bit, and then look at the content.
▣ Introduction
1. Rome and Israel on the Brink of War and Ruin
At that time the people of Israel, their leaders, were outstanding — and the Romans too were outstanding people. But Israel was on the brink of ruin. This is certain. Rome had seized control of the world, but it remained continually at war and on the brink of ruin. What is even more astonishing is that Christ had come, and even though they nailed Christ to the cross, executed him, and he rose again, the church was in a situation of being completely persecuted. Because they did not understand what mattered most, going to church accomplished nothing — persecuting the church, that kind of thing. They lived their faith so devotedly, and yet their nation still fell to ruin.
2. John
It was at this time that a figure named John appeared. As you know, this John is one of the three disciples who were always with Jesus. When we say Peter, James, and John — this is that John. This person wrote not only the Gospel of John but also 1, 2, and 3 John. And he received and wrote down the tremendous blessing found in no other book — the Book of Revelation. What a remarkable figure. This John is the one who left us this Gospel of John. What did he write? Plato — someone you all know well — read this Gospel of John chapter 1 and said, “This is writing worthy of being preserved in golden letters.” Junius, a well-known scholar, is he not? What did he say? “I was living a faith soaked in worldliness, but this Gospel of John gave me a great awakening.” That’s what he said.
When I look at this Bible, Matthew, Mark, and Luke are the Synoptic Gospels. And after them, the Gospel of John is the conclusion. Now, through the Gospel of John, there is much we should search carefully for, and this John chapter 1 is extremely important. I held onto this covenant and prayed, and I truly received God’s answer. I have seen so much of God’s work, so many testimonies, over thirty years. I’ve come to understand this covenant.
3. The Name of Jesus Christ
What in the world is it? What kind of prayer could bring about such a thing? “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” — you all know this passage. But it is not so. I knew this passage from childhood, but it had nothing to do with me. It is the name of Jesus Christ. It is a tremendous thing. Praying this for two months completely changed my whole life. It made many pastors take part in evangelism movements — God changed it all. What in the world is it? This is what you must grasp today as you look at John chapter 1.
▣ Main
1. The Name That Is the Key Opening the Door of the Eternal Throne
First. It is the name that is the key opening the door of the eternal throne.
1) The Name That Is the Key
(1) Matthew 1:23
In Matthew chapter 1, verse 23, when Jesus was born: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.” Jesus’ name is Immanuel. Whatever you have prayed in that name, or exercised authority in that name, is bound to be fulfilled. Please believe this. Even when done without understanding it, works still happen. Why? Because you are children of God. This is truly an astonishing thing.
(2) Mark 16:17
In Mark chapter 16, verse 17, Jesus said, “In my name they will cast out demons.” Jesus said this himself. Through this name a demon-possessed person can clearly be healed. You must believe this. I prayed this for two months — and the situation that made two months necessary was that as soon as I prayed, God changed everything completely. Now, think about it. Because there was no way to break through the darkness, God gave us the key that breaks it. You must believe this.
(3) John 14:14
In John chapter 14, verse 14: “Ask me anything in my name.” Why? Because God gave us the key.
(4) Matthew 16:19
Matthew also said, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Why is that? If it were you, when your own child is in danger, would you just stand and watch? When there is danger, someone will tell you what to do. When a king sends an important envoy, a secret royal inspector, he does not send him empty-handed. He gives him a royal seal-plate and sends him out. However intelligent unbelievers may be, they do not understand spiritual things. They do not know why disaster is coming. In America, why are there so many mentally disturbed people and so many accidents constantly occurring — even the president does not know why. In Korea and Japan today, there are countless suicides, and Korea ranks first in suicides. The leaders do not know why.
(5) John 3:16
Try it and see. He gave us the name that is the key opening the door of the eternal throne. Who did? God did. “For God so loved the world” — if it were you, wouldn’t you give anything to your own children without condition? It is grace, isn’t it? If your child were burning to death, would you just wait around? Wouldn’t you do everything you could to save them?
2) In the Name of Christ
(1) John 14:16
In John chapter 14, verse 16, Jesus said it himself. “I will send you the Helper, the Holy Spirit, in my name.”
(2) John 17:11
Even in John chapter 17, verse 11, Jesus said, “You have given me the name of the Lord.” So when we act “in the name of Jesus Christ,” darkness trembles. You must believe this. You must experience it. That is how faith comes alive. This word “Jesus Christ” is “the key God gave us.”
(3) Acts 2:21
It is more than that. In Acts chapter 2, verse 21: “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Why? Because nothing else can save you. “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
(4) Acts 3:6
Even in Acts chapter 3, verse 6, having realized this, Peter became a different person. “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” His destiny was completely overturned. You must experience this. Only then are you truly a believer. Because people fail to see this, they keep wasting time on the wrong things. If so, then all of you and the generations after you will just live and die like that. That cannot be right. It is the most important thing in Scripture.
(5) Acts 4:12
Then the Pharisees picked a quarrel over this. “Why do you speak of Christ when we told you not to?” they said. Peter answered them this way. “There is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved.” That uneducated Peter said this in that educated court. Whose words were right? What happened after that? After that, Peter went on to evangelize the world, while Israel was destroyed.
(6) Acts 9:15
What did it even say concerning Paul? “For the sake of my name — he is a chosen vessel to bring my name to the Gentiles, to kings, and to the children of Israel.”
3) The Name That Subjects All Things (Philippians 3:21)
Even more important is Philippians chapter 3, verse 21. “The name that subjects all things to itself,” it said. Is that not enough? Then my prayer changed. “In the name of Jesus Christ, let every unbelieving darkness depart.” Why? Because it said all things are subjected. “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, let every heavenly army be mobilized.” All things are subjected, remember? That two months of prayer changed my whole life. Truly. Before, I used to worry, “How will I live?” That was the level I was at. All I thought about was, “How will I eat and survive?” How pitiful is that. I always had this sense that just eating and surviving would be a struggle. “Living like this, won’t I end up unable to even feed my children, letting them starve?” That was the level I was at. What kind of child of God is that? It makes no sense. Back then I was always worried about money at that kind of level. What could I do? Since I had nothing, I always felt, “I need help.” That was my level. What kind of child of God is that? Then one day — the name of Jesus Christ, it is the key.
2. The Name That Is the Central Party of the Covenant That Heals Me and the World
Second. It is the name that is the central party of the tremendous covenant that heals me and the world. There has to be a covenant, right? So there is a central party to that covenant — the name. It is the name that is the central party in that covenant. The name. When you stand as a guarantor, you have to give your seal and sign your name, right? You become responsible. Signing in the name of Christ — that’s what this is. What will happen? I will give the evidence.
First. There are three things within this.
1) That Name Is God
Today’s passage said that name is God. To speak the name of Christ is to have signed with the name of God. It is clearly stated.
(1) John 1:1
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God — the Word was God, and he was with God in the beginning.” That is speaking of Jesus.
(2) John 1:18
Verse 18 says this: “No one has ever seen God. Through the only begotten one, in the bosom of the Father, God has been made known.” It said. That is praying in that name. That is signing with that name. Remarkable, isn’t it? Don’t just take it from me — read the Scripture carefully and truly pray. If your prayers are not being answered, you need to truly pray. If you get it wrong, it is all fake prayer. You must truly pray.
At that Mucheoksan prayer retreat center, there was a grandmother who has since passed away, who dealt with mentally ill people no one else could cure. She focused in the name of Christ for a month, and they were completely healed. There is no one else who does this kind of work. If you truly experience this answer to prayer, your life will be completely transformed.
2) That Name Is the Word
Second, what is it? That name is the Word, and the Word is God, it said. This is something ordinary people cannot even understand. Scientists cannot understand it either. Because with this way of thinking, you cannot bring life.
(1) John 1:1
Verse 1: “In the beginning was the Word of God, and the Word was God.”
(2) John 1:2
Verse 2: “He was with God in the beginning” — isn’t that astonishing? “All things were made through him” — verse 3 says that.
So through the name of Jesus Christ, the power of creation comes out as well. It can heal me and the world. You must experience it, you must receive the answer, this.
For myself personally, I don’t understand it. “Will my faith really work?” That’s how I felt personally. “Why go to church? It’s going to be boring.” For me, before I knew this blessing, nothing was harder than going to church. Why do I go to church? Only people are visible. God is not visible. Isn’t that so? On top of that, having to force myself to attend all-night prayer meetings. “Let’s shout ‘Lord’ three times.” I wouldn’t do it. Why shout it three times when there’s no answer coming to me at all? You need to confirm it. It says that darkness has made it so we don’t know this, has darkened us, kept us from seeing, kept us from understanding. “Those in darkness did not know.” You need to become a church that truly receives answers. Isn’t that right? You must know this. This is not just my own story. You don’t need to learn from me — you need to confirm today’s Word of God for yourselves.
(3) Revelation 19:13
Revelation chapter 19, verse 13, says this. He saw Christ clothed in white and in a robe dipped in blood, and what did it say? “His name is the Word of God.” What an astonishing statement. That is why we listen to the Word. Originally, in the Chaldean scriptures, the word “memra” means “the Messiah is the Word of the Lord.”
3) That Name Is Light and Life
What else does it say? That name is light and life, it said. That is today’s passage. When you pray in the name of Christ, light shines, and life shines forth so that even the dead are raised — that is what this means.
(1) John 1:4
Today, verse 4: “In him was life, and the life was the light.” Whoever feels bad hearing this is someone who has not been saved. If you feel bad, leave. You shouldn’t stay here. Do you find this saying utterly incomprehensible? Then something is a bit wrong with you. Someone who understands this is called a Christian. Now, if a church member gets this wrong, it is truly shameful. A church member, a Christian, is someone who knows Christ. Isn’t that so?
(2) John 1:9
Verse 9, the true light. “The true light shone into the world,” it said.
(3) John 1:10
Verse 10: “The world did not know him.” Of course it didn’t.
(4) John 1:11
“His own people did not receive him.” Verse 11.
(5) John 1:12
“But to all who received him, who believed in his name,” it does not say they merely “become” children of God, but “he gave the right to become children of God.” When elders pray and close by saying, “We pray in the name of Jesus Christ,” that is no ordinary statement. Isn’t that right? You must understand this. Knowing it is what makes darkness tremble. Isn’t that so? Would a police officer, catching a thief, go about it timidly, shaking all over? See — thieves know it. Thieves are not afraid of that kind of officer, are they? Would a detective, catching a robber, go about it hesitantly, eyeing the robber nervously? The robber would not fear that officer at all, would he? Would a soldier going into battle against the enemy go bravely and build up his courage, or crawl forward trembling and shaking? Who would fear someone like that?
Satan knows. Whoever knows that name and prays in it makes Satan tremble. Please believe this. This is the true gospel. This is who you are — you must let that light shine. The world does not know. Of course it doesn’t.
The name of Jesus Christ is the key that opens the door of the eternal throne. The name of Jesus Christ is the signature on the covenant, the testament.
3. The Name of Jesus Christ Is the Evidence That Solves Salvation and Every Problem of Darkness
The third and final point. The name of Jesus Christ is the evidence that solves salvation and every problem of darkness.
1) The Public Ministry of Jesus
The woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, and the source of her affliction was resolved. Bartimaeus said, “Have mercy on me.” Christ said, “Be it done to you according to your faith.” And that settled it. Someone needs to understand this — we cannot do that ourselves. If you go and say “be it done according to your faith,” it won’t happen, will it? Christ is God. That is why we pray in that name. Lepers no one could cure, the deaf, those with withered hands — he finished it all with a single word. Why? Because he is God. That is the Gospel of John.
You must know this. What is the point of Matthew? It is the explanation that “Jesus is royalty.” Mark was written to explain that “Jesus came as a servant.” Luke contains the message that “Jesus is human, having taken on a human body.” Put those three together and you get what is called the Synoptic Gospels. When Israel came to a moment of extreme crisis, the book that came as the final conclusion beyond those three is the Gospel of John. What is the theme of this Gospel of John? “Jesus is God. So pray in that name.” In John chapter 8, it says, “Our father Abraham believed and was saved.” Hearing this, the Pharisees, those learned scholars, could not understand and said, “How old are you?” At that level, they cannot be saved. That kind of prayer does not work. They know nothing of Scripture. They do not know the Word — while the Word is God.
2) The Ministry of Peter (Acts 3:1-12)
Today, as you all receive the Word, the work of healing will happen. You really must believe this. It is more than that. What no one could heal in the early church was healed in the name of Jesus Christ — isn’t that right? “In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
3) The Ministry of Paul (Acts 16:16-18)
Paul said, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ, unclean spirit, come out.” And it left. Why? Because that name — he is God. To what extent? Today’s passage records that he existed at the time of creation. Therefore he is the Triune God. How could ordinary people ever understand this? That’s why verse 13 says such a thing. It cannot be known by bloodline. It cannot be known through the flesh. It can truly only be known through the spirit, through salvation, through the power of God.
▣ Conclusion
Since I came to know this covenant and began to pray, honestly, though it may sound like a somewhat strange thing to say, I have hardly ever been sick. It may sound strange, but it’s true. I’m a little embarrassed to say this, but I haven’t lost a single tooth. My wife has lost six; it turns out I’ve lost none. My hair hasn’t gone gray at all. I can see small print clearly. Is that my own ability? It’s because God protects me, that’s all it is. This isn’t something to boast about, and it sounds like a strange thing to say, but since it’s true, I’m telling you. It’s simply because so few of you believe, so I’m asking you to believe. Why else would I even talk about my teeth like this? Believe — the name of Christ, the name that makes Satan tremble. If you don’t know that, Satan will play with you. Satan plays with the church. He has given us something tremendous. Laws will probably come out in the future. A law saying, “Do not say Jesus alone is Lord” will probably come. It will come. Just watch. “Why is Christianity the only truth? Is Jesus the only way of salvation? Aren’t other religions the same?” That is the kind of thing that will come out. The name that subjects all things to itself.
1. Characteristics of Answered Prayer
There are certain characteristics to answered prayer. In my case, I pray, and it comes after quite some time — not just after some time, but gradually, after quite a long while. For some people, it comes right away. I’ve told you this before. My younger sibling, three years younger than me, was small — long ago, when someone brought candy from a trip, there would be eight pieces. You’d take four in each hand to eat them properly. Holding them tightly. My mother would pull one piece out and give it to me. Seeing that, this little sibling, who understood well enough what it meant to lose a piece, would throw everything down the moment one was taken. And cry. That little kid, holding on, throwing things down, crying — my mother, having no choice, would say, “Fine, take them, go ahead.” Once given all of them, only then would that child stop crying and eat happily. But even then, this child could never finish eating even one properly, and in the end I would eat all nine myself. In some ways, you see, God can answer someone with weak faith right away.
2. Morning, Noon, and Night
I use the name of Jesus Christ, in the morning, as the name by which I enjoy the power of the throne. In the afternoon, as the name by which I deliver much authority and light to many people. At night, as the name by which I pray with concentration.
3. Intercessory Prayer
Let me close with this. There was someone — not exactly a friend, but someone I knew well and thought highly of — who achieved great success. But one day he caused a great scandal, and people cursed him and pointed fingers at him. At that time I began thinking about that friend. He was such a fine person — he grew up without parents from a young age, and yet he turned out to be such a good person. Capable, good-natured, strong in faith. And yet he failed, and everyone else condemned him for it. At that time I repented before God. “Ah, that friend had an empty place.” Wasn’t that so? “Ah, I failed to help him.” From that time on I began to intercede for that friend in the powerful name of Christ. The answer comes. Today, I bless all of you who are beginning something truly important — that as true Christians, true children of God, you would recover this blessing, in the name of the Lord Jesus. Let us pray.
Prayer
God, we thank you for calling us your children. By that name, save this world fallen into darkness. Let me find my true answer. Let true healing take place. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.