Sunday 2nd Service Worship / Temple Building Dedication Worship
Title/Scripture: The Church, a Model of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 22:1-14)
Speaker: Rev. Ryu Kwang-soo
Date/Place: May 22, 2022, Immanuel Church (Busan)
Matthew 22:1-14
01 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying:
02 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.
03 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.
04 Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’
05 But they paid no attention and went off — one to his field, another to his business.
06 The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them.
07 The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
08 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come.
09 So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’
10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes.
12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.
13 Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
14 For many are invited, but few are chosen.
Summary
You must always remember what time it is right now, and what kind of time it will be from Monday onward once worship ends. Knowing the church correctly is a tremendous answer.
▣ Intro_ You must know what is happening right now.
1. Identity – the children of God have a different identity.
1) John 8:44 – unbelievers belong to “your father the devil” and are constantly attacked by the devil through fortune-telling and shamanistic rituals.
2) 1 Corinthians 3:16 – those who are saved have God’s Holy Spirit dwelling within them, invisibly.
2. Prayer – what happens during the time of worship
1) Psalm 103:20-22 – angels, heavenly host – the word is fulfilled, God’s presence occurs, and God’s plans are accomplished. At this time God sends angels, the heavenly host.
2) Revelation 8:3-5 – the prayer being offered now rises to the throne and is placed in a bowl before God.
▷ Those who pray knowingly come to enjoy the tremendous power of the spiritual world.
3) Daniel 10:10-20 – the moment you pray, from the very start God sends his messenger.
3. Fullness (History) – when this timetable (Intro 1, 2) continues and a moment of fullness comes, history occurs.
1) Matthew 12:28-30 – “When the Holy Spirit comes and Satan is bound, the kingdom of God has come.”
2) Acts 1:3 – for 40 days he explained the things of the kingdom of God.
3) Acts 1:8 – when the time of fullness comes, power appears and you become witnesses to the ends of the earth.
▷ The figures who completely changed the world of politics by holding this secret of prayer were Joseph and David. Figures like these must begin to rise. On the Lord’s Day you must enter into deep prayer. During the six days, the answer gets confirmed.
▣ Main_ Worship (Church)
1. Participating in the kingdom of heaven banquet
1) The Triune God – participating in the special gathering where the Triune God is present
2) The throne – the time when the blessing of the throne comes
3) Calvary, Mt Olive, Mark’s upper room – the secret of enjoying, exactly as they are, the answers that happened at Calvary, were promised at Mt Olive, and occurred at Mark’s upper room
2. Participating in the wedding banquet
▷ If Christ is our bridegroom, the believer is the bride.
1) A place where there is covenant
2) A place where there is joy
3) A place where the future is contained
▷ In the nation of Israel, weddings are held in three stages. The gathering of only the family is called the betrothal ceremony. The second wedding is held at the bride’s house. The time for the groom to go to the bride’s house is not fixed. So it is similar to the second coming of Jesus, our bridegroom. The wedding is held again at the groom’s house. We too will hold a wedding banquet again when we go to the kingdom of heaven.
3. The gathering of those wearing wedding clothes
▷ At that time, clothing indicated one’s status. Only those wearing wedding clothes were gathered.
1) Genesis 3:15 – those who knew moved the age.
2) Exodus 3:18 – when they became slaves, “go and offer sacrifice.”
▷ This was a promise of Christ. Human beings can never overcome disaster, the background of hell, and the dark background of Satan. The word that overcomes it is “Christ.” That is why it is said, “clothed with Christ.”
3) Isaiah 7:14 – this appeared again when they had fallen. Daniel and the three young men who understood this word overturned Babylon.
4) Matthew 16:16 – when they forgot again and became a subject nation, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
▷ The gathering of those clothed in wedding garments who save the world and transform the world is the church, it is worship. That is participating in that banquet.
▣ Conclusion_ The Temple
The temple is what can properly send out this tremendous truth through evangelism and mission.
1. The court of the Gentiles, the court of the children, the court of prayer – the reason the first, second, and third temples in Jerusalem fell, and the reason churches around the world are closing down, are the same. He commanded three courts, but they made them and then sold animals and exchanged coins there, until they did away with them.
2. 237, healing, summit – a temple is a facility where people from the 237 nations can come and receive healing to their heart’s content and become summits.
3. Culture – whether it is God’s culture or idol culture is judged by the temple.
▷ This is spiritual warfare. Pray earnestly before God about what record you will leave in God’s work going forward. What kind of footprint will you leave behind? What is needed? You must be a servant, using the power of this gospel to save many people across the nation and the world.
Transcript
There are also people who worship all day on the Lord’s Day, from morning to night, at church. What’s the difference? Some people, well, just barely attend the first service and leave. Others don’t even realize it’s Sunday. Then after a while, “Oh, today is Sunday.” There are people like that too. And you must always remember. You must remember what time it is now, and what kind of time it will be from Monday onward after worship ends.
This morning, Jesus confirmed for us something very important — what the cornerstone that builds our lives is. If that is set properly, the answer just comes. If you build a building on the wrong foundation, it’s a disaster. That is what Jesus was talking about.
Today, our families in Europe, America, and elsewhere are also joining us in worship. What kinds of things might be happening? Also, today we are glad that Assemblyman Yang Jun-mo is joining us in worship. Candidate Seo Seong-han is also worshiping with us. Originally, Assemblyman Yang Jun-mo — Elder Yang is an elder at Dongsam Church now and has been a great help to our church. Also, Assemblyman Yang Jun-mo’s aunt is Deaconess Yang Hye-eun of our Immanuel Seoul Church. We are practically all one family. This week, in regard to our nation as well, you must pray especially hard. The moment I heard these people were coming, I realized, “Ah… now is the time for us to pray for our nation.” That is what I thought.
Jesus said this. Today in chapter 22, verse 1, “The kingdom of heaven is like,” it explains in verse 2. Then it goes on to say that a banquet was held, and when people were invited to the banquet, they didn’t come — that kind of story. The servants who were sent to invite people to the banquet were beaten and even killed — that kind of story comes up. So the servants went out to the street corners and invited many people to come to the banquet — that is the story. At first glance, you might think this is just a parable Jesus told, but if you understand it well, there is a tremendous answer contained in it.
“The Church, a Model of the Kingdom of Heaven”
Knowing the church correctly is a tremendous answer. It is the church, a model of the kingdom of heaven.
▣ Intro_ Now
So you must know what is happening right now. Now, you must know what will happen tomorrow.
1. Identity
The children of God have a different identity.
1) John 8:44
No matter how much you explain, why do unbelievers go to fortune-tellers and shamanistic rituals? They belong to “your father the devil” right here. It’s very unpleasant, but there’s no helping it. So it is entirely normal for unbelievers to go find a person possessed by a demon for fortune-telling and rituals. Why? Because they are children of the devil. And so they keep being deceived and attacked by the devil like this.
2) 1 Corinthians 3:16
Those who are saved have God’s Holy Spirit dwelling within them, invisibly.
These things are about the kingdom of heaven. Ordinary people don’t even know about this. Most of you take it for granted, but this is what I always talk about. If you really meet a person possessed by a demon, the moment they see you, they know instantly that you are a child of God.
I’ve told you this before too, and you’re probably hearing my sermon right now. In America too, just like in Korea, there are places where people pay money to have their fortune told. Usually friends say, “Let’s go, come on, let’s go.” A friend who believes in Jesus keeps saying no, but they kept insisting she come along. So, inwardly, she wanted to go too. “Let’s try it.” When they had their fortune told, it cost something like 50 dollars. The moment she paid the 50 dollars, this person took her hand and got everything right about her. It’s astonishing. This person, being possessed by a demon, got the past completely right and talked about the future. Who wouldn’t be drawn in? But the moment this fortune-teller took the hand of this deaconess — she was a deacon at the time — this person began shaking all over and couldn’t speak. So he pushed the money back and told her to leave. “I can’t do this with you,” he said. Her friend saw this and thought, “Wow, there really is something here.” There is indeed.
The moment you are saved, you become a child of God, and the Holy Spirit comes to rule over you. Many people succeed like this, so why do they fail like this instead? It’s because of this part (John 8:44). You must know this.
2. Prayer – Worship
What happens during your time of prayer, during your time of worship?
1) Psalm 103:20-22 – angels, heavenly host
If you look at Psalm 103, verses 20, 21, and 22, you’ll see that the moment you worship and pray, the word is fulfilled. Right? The moment you pray and worship, God’s presence occurs. By the Holy Spirit. Right? God’s plans are fulfilled there.
At this time, it’s explained that God sends angels, an invisible heavenly host. This is tremendous.
2) Revelation 8:3-5
When the apostle John was in exile, if you look, it’s recorded in Revelation chapter 8, verses 3 and 5, right? The prayer you offer right now all rises up to the throne and is placed in a bowl. Before God. Right now. So it’s tremendous, everyone. Those who know this and pray come to enjoy tremendous power in the spiritual world.
3) Daniel 10:10-20
If you look at Daniel chapter 10, verses 10 through 20, it’s recorded that “the moment you pray, from the very start, God has already sent his messengers.”
3. Fullness (History)
The important thing is the third point. We often say things like, “I suddenly just collapsed…” That’s how we talk. As if something happened suddenly. But it’s not sudden. It’s been building for a long time. Right? Many people also say, “My heart suddenly hurts…” It’s true the heart suddenly hurts, but it’s been building for a long time. Someone told me, “I always had physical exams and there was nothing wrong, but suddenly I found out I have terminal stomach cancer.” But there’s no such thing as sudden. That’s just because the checkups they went to were done carelessly, that’s all — there’s no such thing.
The really important third point for us is this thing called fullness. Jesus talked about this. Right? When this timetable (Intro 1-2) continues, and this fullness happens, history occurs. Someone who is always in disbelief — when this fullness comes, one day a spiritual problem erupts. Right? Someone who is always troubled in a spiritually dark world — one day a spiritual incident erupts, some day.
1) Matthew 12:28-30
If you keep praying like this, Jesus said something. What did Jesus say? In Matthew chapter 12, verses 28 and 30, “When the Holy Spirit comes and Satan is bound, the kingdom of God has come.”
2) Acts 1:3
If you look at Acts chapter 1, verse 3, “For 40 days he explained the things of the kingdom of God.”
3) Acts 1:8
When this time of fullness finally comes, power appears and you become witnesses to the ends of the earth.
You must remember this. I always share this as my testimony with you — I don’t have a special prayer time. I just always keep praying, continually, 24 hours. You have no idea how good it is.
Now, the figures who completely transformed the world of politics by holding this secret of prayer (Intro) were Joseph and David. Isn’t that right? Now, figures like these among us must begin to rise. It’s certain. It’s happening right now, I tell you.
If you see someone who, during the time of Sunday worship, just gathers and always gossips about people — that person is a real fool. On Sunday, you must go deep into prayer. During these six days, this is when the answer gets confirmed.
▣ Main_ Worship (Church)
Now then, what is it that we gather for in worship today? It appeared in today’s Scripture.
1. Kingdom of heaven banquet
Worship is participating in the kingdom of heaven banquet.
2. Wedding banquet
If so, then it’s not just any banquet. What is it? It is like participating in a wedding banquet. Jesus used a parable.
3. Gathering of those wearing wedding clothes
So then what is it to worship at church right now? It’s the gathering of those wearing wedding clothes. Those without wedding clothes were driven out. This is a tremendous statement.
If you know this (Intro), you won’t get bored even if you sit here all day long. You get to enjoy many blessings of prayer. Those who enjoy many blessings of prayer don’t need to talk much, because they are constantly enjoying prayer.
1. Kingdom of heaven banquet
What does it mean to have participated in the kingdom of heaven banquet?
1) The Triune God
It means participating, exactly as the model of the kingdom of heaven, in the special gathering where the Triune God is present.
2) The throne
What is the kingdom of heaven banquet? It’s the time when the blessing of the throne comes upon you. That’s tremendous, isn’t it?
3) Calvary, Mt Olive, Mark’s upper room
So now, simply put, it is telling of the secret of enjoying, exactly as it is, the answer that happened at Calvary, was promised at Mt Olive, and occurred at Mark’s upper room.
2. Wedding banquet
Now, why is it called a wedding banquet? This is because, if Christ is our bridegroom, the believer is the bride. What does that mean?
1) Covenant
It means a place where there is a covenant.
2) Joy
It’s not just a place of covenant. What happens at a wedding banquet? At a wedding banquet, there is a great deal of joy, praise, and glory — those kinds of things. Among them, the greatest thing is joy, isn’t it? Right?
3) Future
Here there is also contained a tremendous future.
Why is it called a wedding banquet? In the nation of Israel, marriage involves three banquets. The gathering of only the family is called the betrothal ceremony. In our terms, that’s the engagement.
Then comes the second wedding, the wedding ceremony. How is the second ceremony done? It’s held at the bride’s house. But by Israelite law, in principle, by tradition, the time when the groom comes to the bride’s house is not fixed. It’s not that he’ll come tomorrow or the day after — say he says he’ll come Tuesday, but even the exact time on Tuesday isn’t fixed. He usually comes very late at night. That’s why the story of waiting with lamps lit comes up. So that’s why some people fall asleep from exhaustion — the story of the virgins comes from this too. It’s very meaningful. This includes something similar to the second coming of Jesus, who comes in place of the bridegroom — that story is included in this, right now.
Then, after the wedding ceremony is held at the bride’s house, they take her to the groom’s house, and hold it there again. This has a tremendous meaning. We too will hold a wedding banquet again when we go to the kingdom of heaven. It’s a tremendous thing. You get to enjoy these enormous secrets during worship.
3. Gathering of those wearing wedding clothes
What does it mean to have worn wedding clothes? These wedding clothes refer to garments. For example, right now we all wear the same kind of clothes. But back then, clothing indicated one’s status — it was fixed. Nowadays, President Yoon Seok-yeol and the rest of us wear the same kind of clothes. But back then, there was clothing worn only by kings. So you had to wear clothes fitting your status. That’s why only those wearing wedding clothes were gathered here. It’s very important.
1) Genesis 3:15
The most important flow in Scripture — those who knew Genesis 3:15 moved the age.
2) Exodus 3:18
After being forgotten, it came up again in Exodus 3:18, when they became slaves. “Go and offer a sacrifice of blood.” This is the Passover. Can you easily understand this? You probably can’t. This was a promise of Christ.
Human beings can never overcome disaster, the background of hell, and the dark background of Satan. The word sent that overcomes it is Christ. That is why it is said one is “clothed with Christ.” That’s a very important statement.
3) Isaiah 7:14
This appeared again when they had fallen. Isaiah 7:14: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.” Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Esther, who understood this word, overturned Babylon.
4) Matthew 16:16
They forgot again and became a subject nation. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
The gathering of those clothed in wedding garments who save the world and transform the world — that is the church, that is worship, that’s what it means. It is participating in that banquet.
Now, if you don’t recover this thing I am talking about right now, your life of faith is entirely useless. The answer won’t come either. Even if it comes, you won’t recognize it. This always happens (Intro). Your identity has changed, I tell you. When you pray, this is bound to happen, and when it becomes full, history occurs.
(Church)
The place where such people gather is the church, and that is worship.
▣ Conclusion_ Temple
Let me conclude. Today is our temple building dedication service, so then, what is the temple? What is the temple? The temple is what can properly send out this tremendous truth through evangelism and mission. In other words, the first, second, and third temples in Jerusalem all fell, didn’t they? Why did they fall? You already know that. If you know that, you’ll know why churches around the world close down. It’s the same thing.
1. The court of the Gentiles, the court of the children, the court of prayer
God commanded the court of the Gentiles, the court of the children, and the court of prayer. But they built these in the temple and then sold animals and exchanged coins there, and eventually did away with them entirely. You must remember this without fail.
2. 237, healing, summit
A temple is a facility where these people can come from the 237 nations and receive healing to their heart’s content and become summits. You must pray with this in mind. We shouldn’t just chant slogans — we must build a system that allows the 237 nations to come. That is what the temple is.
What era are we in right now? Right now. If we can’t connect with the 237 nations and if diverse peoples can’t come, that can’t be considered a proper church. That’s why we’re looking at this screen right now, right? This is different, everyone. Even our church now, both the field team and the headquarters, is putting this together so well, and I’m grateful. Already, this — the materials — are different. When viewed from other countries, when everyone sees it, it’s already different. Through the RUTC broadcast, it’s going out to over a hundred nations, and now it’s being made in more than a dozen languages for each country.
Now, the church can gather without a building, but the reason the temple is important is because it’s important for doing things like this (Conclusion 2).
3. Culture
The truly important third point is this. Is it God’s culture or idol culture? This is judged by the temple.
Now, we here in Yeongdo — building the most outstanding temple? That completely overturns culture. Right? Build it. Build at least one part of this temple so cultural performances can be held there. Build it so many different peoples can come and rest there. I will prepare the content, so you prepare the system. This is war, spiritual warfare. There’s no way we can fail to receive an answer.
Especially, our Immanuel Church here in Busan is a bit different too. When I watch you all, it seems like you have no strength at all, yet you do have strength — like that. I don’t understand it. This time too, only you — while hosting the missionary and holding our mission conference, you gave so much in offering that it was sent up to headquarters with surplus. Headquarters is having a hard time. Only our Immanuel Church. Other places can’t do it, because they don’t have the strength — they can’t. We didn’t even ask for anything, but when they came and saw, that’s how it turned out. “The elders gave this much, so it just kept adding up…” “I already figured it would be about that much.” That’s what I said.
Please pray earnestly before God about what kind of record you will leave in God’s work going forward. We don’t know when we’ll go, when we’ll have to leave this earth. We don’t know when. What kind of footprint will we leave behind? And also, once we reach our appointed time, nothing else is needed. What is it that is truly needed?
Someone suddenly fell ill, and when I asked, they said they were in so much pain they wanted to go quickly. They were in so much pain. In that kind of situation, no knowledge, nothing you possess, is of any use. Wow, how much pain must they have been in, to want to go so quickly, from so much suffering. I looked at that person — no ordinary person — and thought, “Ah… we human beings amount to nothing unless we stand before God.” I thought that. You must see this accurately.
You must be a servant, using the power of this gospel to save many people across the nation and the world. I bless you, in the name of Jesus, that this week will be a week of receiving new grace. Let us pray.
Prayer
We thank you, God. We thank you that we are able to worship today with this temple building dedication service. Please restore true prayer, true worship, and the blessing of the church. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.