Sunday 1st Service / RTS Sunday Service
Title / Scripture: The Last Mission Field (John 3:1-16)
Speaker: Pastor Kwang-Su Ryu
Date / Place: September 18, 2022 / Immanuel Church (Seoul)
Summary
▷ The Daegu frog boys incident and the gun incidents in the U.S. are the doings of people filled with rage. Things that no one can resolve are happening all over the world.
▣ Introduction_ The Answer Is in the Bible
1. Because my spirit is trapped in darkness (John 3:19, 20)
1) Whether there is thankfulness for God’s grace. Whether prayer is actually happening and answers are coming, the person himself knows better.
2) A person whose prayer is not happening has to say many words and has to listen to many people’s words. Then the countless cells in my body change that way. It cannot help but be difficult.
3) Today the people of Israel and their future generations will soon face destruction, and the reason is that they are trapped in darkness.
2. Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at this time
1) A rich man (John 19:39) – When Jesus was executed, he brought 100 pounds of aloes.
2) A Pharisee – The Pharisees, numbering 6,000 nationwide, must pledge before 3 witnesses to keep all the law.
3) A leader of the Jews – As a member of the Sanhedrin council (70 people), he holds religious judicial authority.
4) In the eyes of Christians who do not properly enjoy the gospel, he is a role model.
3. The purpose for which Nicodemus came and Jesus’ unrelated answer
▷ To Nicodemus’ words, “If God were not with you, these signs could not appear to you,” Jesus gave an unrelated answer: “Unless a person is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” He said, “Even if you went back into your mother’s womb and came out, you cannot enter the kingdom of God.” He said, “Just as the wind is not seen by the eyes but blows, so is the Holy Spirit.” He spoke of how the Son of Man must be lifted up just as the bronze serpent was lifted up in the time of Moses. And then He said that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes shall not perish but have eternal life.
▷ It is not that Nicodemus, who had learned much and had ability, did not understand these words. The purpose for which Nicodemus came to Jesus was not to hear those words. We live our lives of faith that way. We are not trying to listen to what Jesus truly wants to say. Nicodemus did not ask Jesus that question. He did not want to hear that answer. The problem is here. You must catch this.
1) The real purpose for which Nicodemus came to Jesus was that he wanted to ask the question, “How can I have power and escape from my limitations?”
2) People’s interest is elsewhere! – This is the reason for the wars, destruction, and church problems of the Middle Ages. It is the reason churches are closing their doors today and the reason mental illness is rapidly increasing.
3) If the servants of the Lord are interested in other things, they die.
▣ Main_ The Way to Block Darkness
1. Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3) – Restoring the true blessing
1) 1 Peter 1:3, 23 (born again with the seed of life), Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15 (newly created) – It is saying to receive this blessing first.
2) Being born again with the power of being born from above as a child of God – The heavenly throne, the Triune God, and that tremendous power have come to me. You must hold on to this power.
3) When you open your eyes in the morning – Slowly, with your breathing, begin the prayer (3·9·3) in which the Triune God, the power of the throne, and the mission that changes the age come upon you. Then you will completely escape from darkness.
▷ Don’t just do it; pray slowly while breathing. This is because people suffering from depression have a slight lack of oxygen in the brain. If it continues like that, it absolutely will not work. Salvation is salvation, but the brain completely collapses.
▷ Originally, the mouth should be heavy and the heart should be light. If the mouth is light and the heart is heavy, you die. But when the heart is light and comfortable while the mouth is heavy, this person is a person of prayer. Pray that this blessing of 3·9·3 comes upon you when you breathe in, and deliver it when you breathe out.
4) The Jews who had no interest at all in this blessing – A horrific thing happened in which their future generations were beaten to death for 2,000 years.
2. Being with us and working through the Holy Spirit – Restoring the true power
1) People who have learned a little and think they are successful do not believe in this work of the Holy Spirit and regard it as worthless. That is why spiritual problems come.
▷ Nicodemus had everything, yet he himself was not at ease. He was trying to resolve something, but this person’s thoughts were elsewhere. Jesus pierced right into that. “You must be born again. You are not saved. You are a servant of Satan. You are caught in darkness. What sign are you seeking? Is being one of the 70 council members everything? You will die. Your future generations will soon be ruined, so you need to come to your senses.” That is what He meant. Yet he does not understand. And then He explained the work of the Holy Spirit.
2) Genesis 41:38 (the power that must be passed on to future generations), Zechariah 4:6, Acts 1:8 When you believe this fact, world evangelization happens.
3) A difficult world and workplace life – If you change everything into prayer, works happen.
3. Light is needed in the midst of darkness – Delivering the true light
1) John 3:20 People who do not come to this light and are in darkness
2) We need the light of creation
3) Receiving this light through prayer and delivering it through prayer – Come forward in the name of Jesus Christ and try healing the sick. “Heal me with the Holy Spirit and the light of creation.” Keep praying and see what happens.
▣ Conclusion_ Where Is the Last Mission Field?
1. ‘Israel,’ the main players of the three organizations, which will become the cause of World War III
2. ‘Christians’ who are interested in other things without the gospel
3. ‘Pastors’ who enjoy worldly things when they should be enjoying the gospel
▷ Pastors must receive the greatest grace before God when preaching, and believers must receive the best answers during worship time.
Transcript
Thank you. They still haven’t caught the culprit, right? In Daegu, five children went out saying they were going to catch frogs, and they all died. Until not long ago, I saw on the news that they were analyzing the cause. How must those parents feel? Who killed them? What is clear is that someone filled with such rage did it, when there wouldn’t even be a reason to kill young children so horrifically.
Why do children in America shoot guns and kill people every month like that? It didn’t become that way from the beginning; inside them they are filled with rage. As time goes on, they become mentally deranged. Right now, no one can resolve it. These things are happening all over the world.
▣ Introduction_ The Answer Is in the Bible
1. Because my spirit is trapped in darkness (John 3:19, 20)
Today’s Bible reveals the answer. It reveals the answer in verses 19 and 20. It’s because we are in darkness. Everyone, even physically, how hard is it when it’s dark? Because my spirit is trapped in darkness, there’s nothing I can do.
1) Whether there is thankfulness for God’s grace. Whether prayer is actually happening and answers are coming, the person himself knows better.
Today you must truly get the real answer. Wouldn’t you know yourself? ‘I am thankful for God’s grace.’ Wouldn’t you know yourself? ‘I am actually praying and answers come.’ Wouldn’t you know yourself? Right? You must find it.
2) A person whose prayer is not happening has to say many words and has to listen to many people’s words. Then the countless cells in my body change that way. It cannot help but be difficult.
A person whose prayer doesn’t go well has to say many words. What’s more, they have to say and hear many people’s words. And the countless cells in my body change that way. It can’t help but be difficult.
3) Today the people of Israel and their future generations will soon face destruction, and the reason is that they are trapped in darkness.
The people of Israel now will soon face destruction. It actually happened, so think about it. Something happened in which all the future generations faced destruction. Jesus said, “Because they are in darkness.”
2. Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at this time
At this time Nicodemus came. Up until then, many people in difficulty had been met, but a tremendous figure came to Jesus. Whether it was to avoid people’s eyes or to talk seriously, he came at night. We need to check a little about this Nicodemus. Because it’s almost the same as the world now, we need to check.
1) A rich man (John 19:39)
First of all, this person is rich. If you look at John 19:39, when Jesus died, completely, aloes, you know, the thing used for anointing with oil. He is the person who personally came bringing a hundred (百) pounds.
2) A Pharisee
But looking here today, it said he was a Pharisee. Everyone, you must not take Pharisees lightly. There are 6,000 Pharisees nationwide. Before three witnesses they must pledge, “I will keep all these laws perfectly.” Amazing, right? They pledge, “I will thoroughly keep all the laws without breaking a single one,” and become a Pharisee.
3) A leader of the Jews
It also said ‘a leader of the Jews,’ right? Simply put, he is a member of the Sanhedrin council. Amazing, right? In terms of our country, it’s higher than a member of the National Assembly. There aren’t many in this Sanhedrin council. There are only 70. He is a person who completely holds religious law, who holds judicial authority. Amazing, right?
4) In the eyes of Christians who do not properly enjoy the gospel, he is a role model
When you look at him, he is a person you should greatly respect. Many people, in today’s terms, when this person appears, reporters rush over asking, “Do you have anything to say?” and take pictures; he’s a person of that level. Simply put, in the eyes of Christians who don’t properly enjoy the gospel, he is a role model (Role Model). This person was not at ease. Nobody knew. He had everything, but he was not at ease.
3. The purpose for which Nicodemus came and Jesus’ unrelated answer
He came to Jesus. He came and said “Teacher,” saying, “If it were not one who came from heaven, such power could not appear.” That’s great praise, right? “If God were not with you, these signs could not appear.” At that time Jesus gave an unrelated answer. Shouldn’t He have said something like “Is that so?” or “Thank you” or “Why have you come?” Right away, what did Jesus answer? “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a person is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” “No, how can one be born again? Can I, old as I am, go back into my mother’s womb and come out?” From our point of view, this leader asked an almost foolish question. Right?
Jesus said this. “You are a leader of the Jews, and you don’t know what these words mean? How could you go into your mother’s womb and come out again? Even if you went back in and came out, could you enter the kingdom of God? If I tell you all about worldly things, would you understand? Much less, if I tell you about the kingdom of God, would you understand?” And then, “The wind is not seen by the eyes, but the wind blows. So is the Holy Spirit.” Jesus said, “The Son of Man will be lifted up just as the bronze serpent was lifted up in the time of Moses.” Now He began to speak about the main point. What that means is, in the wilderness period, everyone who was bitten by snakes and looked at the lifted bronze serpent lived, right? “I too must be lifted up like that.” He doesn’t understand. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes shall not perish but have eternal life. Whoever does not believe will be condemned.” What is that condemnation? “It is being in darkness.” You don’t know when you’ll be ruined. It is being in darkness now. A tremendously staggering message came out.
1) The real purpose for which Nicodemus came to Jesus was that he wanted to ask the question, “How can I have power and escape from my limitations?”
But did Nicodemus, who had so much, had learned so much, and was so capable, not understand Jesus’ basic words, “You must be born again”? Here is the key (Key) that you and I must know. It’s not that he didn’t understand. The purpose for which Nicodemus came to Jesus was not to hear those words. That’s how we live our lives of faith, don’t we? We aren’t trying to listen to what Jesus truly says. It’s not that he didn’t understand those words; that wasn’t the question he asked. He doesn’t want to hear that answer. The problem is here. You must catch it quickly.
Since Jesus performs tremendous signs, how can I too have that kind of power? It’s not at that level. Why doesn’t it work for me? I’m telling you it’s not at that level. Why have limitations come to me? How can I escape from these limitations? He asked this question. Jesus gave a completely different answer.
2) People’s interest is elsewhere! – This is the reason for the wars, destruction, and church problems of the Middle Ages. It is the reason churches are closing their doors today and the reason mental illness is rapidly increasing.
Look carefully at God’s Word. If we hold on to it, answers can come with just a single word of prayer. Right? The answer has come. Why did so much war, destruction, and church problems come in the Middle Ages? Those people’s interest was elsewhere. Because they don’t know what the real answer is. Why have churches in developed countries closed their doors today, and why are they swarming with mentally ill people? Too many churches are closing now. Too many churches will close in the future. It’s serious. People who know this have a reason to live in America, and people who don’t know this are in big trouble. I’m telling you, their interest is elsewhere.
3) If the servants of the Lord are interested in other things, they die.
Today is RTS Sunday. Simply put, it’s a school that raises pastors who will evangelize in the future, and it’s a day when the whole nation prays for that. If the servants of the Lord are interested in other things, they die. Isn’t that right? That’s why Jesus spoke today about what can block this darkness.
▣ Main_ The Way to Block Darkness
1. Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3) – Restoring the true blessing
1) 1 Peter 1:3, 23 (born again with the seed of life), Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15 (newly created) – It is saying to receive this blessing first.
This is the first. “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” That is the Word. It’s a tremendous message. It said so in verse 3. Everyone, if you look at 1 Peter 1:3, what does it say, and also if you look through verse 23, it says, “We did not come from a perishable seed, but He caused us to be born again, to obtain the seed of life.” Galatians 2:20 says, “I have died with Christ and live with Christ.” It’s tremendous. Looking at 1 Corinthians 5:17, “Became a new creation.” Looking at Galatians 6:15, “Became newly created.” Everyone, you must receive this blessing first.
2) Being born again with the power of being born from above as a child of God – The heavenly throne, the Triune God, and that tremendous power have come to me. You must hold on to this power.
Here it said salvation; it’s the same thing, but why did it call salvation ‘being born again’? Everyone, you must be born again with that power of being born from above as a child of God.
RTS must remember this. I told you before, right? Two incidents happened in the Philippines. A missionary worked hard. He did so many things, worked a lot, and built buildings to the point that if you saw them, you’d say, “Wow!” It happened in the Philippines. As far as I know, he was a Tonghap-side pastor, and one day a Filipino who worked under him brought gangsters and threatened the pastor. “Will you go to prison or hand all of this over?” like that. As far as I know, he handed everything over. In the nearby Philippines.
Also, there was someone like that in the Philippines, right? A certain pastor did mission work and came to retire. He appointed a successor. On the day of the retirement ceremony, the successor would give a greeting, right? In his greeting he said something astounding. “I respect our predecessor missionary very, very much, and this is the first time I’ve seen such a great person.” He said this. He explained the reason. “Seeing that he brought so much money from who knows where and built such tremendous buildings, I respect the pastor so much.” He said this. At that moment, this predecessor pastor thought, ‘Ah, I have failed.’
3) When you open your eyes in the morning – Slowly, with your breathing, begin the prayer (3·9·3) in which the Triune God, the power of the throne, and the mission that changes the age come upon you. Then you will completely escape from darkness.
Pastors must remember. Everyone, you must truly pray. The heavenly throne, the Triune God, and that tremendous power that changes the age have come to you, I’m saying. Right? You must hold on to that first. Everyone, don’t worry, and try starting.
This morning I woke up at 5 a.m., and at 7 I had to leave. From 5 to 7 it doesn’t matter. I kept praying. It’s so good. “God, give me the Word You need today, and work directly through the Holy Spirit upon God’s people.” Try it, everyone. We sit somewhere, sit in a corner and pray, and don’t even turn on the TV……. There’s no need for that. I do everything I do. I keep praying. Among you, there may be people who say, ‘I’m especially depressed.’ These people, when you open your eyes in the morning, pray slowly. Don’t just do it; pray slowly while breathing. This is because people suffering from depression have a slight lack of oxygen in the brain. If it continues like that, it absolutely won’t work. Salvation is salvation, but the brain completely collapses.
There are people who talk a lot, aren’t there? You must be careful. Originally, speech — the mouth should be heavy and the heart should be light. The mouth is light and the heart is heavy? You die. You can’t keep the mouth still. But the heart is heavy. But when the heart is very light and comfortable while the mouth is heavy, that is a person of prayer. Try it, in the morning. Works are bound to happen.
4) The Jews who had no interest at all in this blessing – A horrific thing happened in which their future generations were beaten to death for 2,000 years.
Missing all of this blessing, Nicodemus had no interest at all in this. He just went back. And in exactly the year 30 years later, Israel was destroyed. His, that great man’s sons, grandsons, and granddaughters went all over the world as wanderers. Because they are in darkness, they don’t even know what disaster is and can’t escape it. Everyone, you must know how blessed you are. What should you enjoy? It’s completely escaping from this darkness, completely escaping from this darkness of Satan, so it’s tremendous. Just do it. When you open your eyes in the morning, do this prayer first. You are born-again, saved people of God. What does that mean? It means it’s the time when the Triune God is with you, the power of the throne comes upon you, and the mission that changes the age comes upon you. Enjoy that, I’m saying.
Those of you who are getting older, you must do it. You don’t need to do it well, just slowly. Even while hiking, or in your room, breathing slowly, pray slowly, like this. I do it that way.
I pray that this blessing of 3.9.3 comes upon me when I breathe in, and I pray that it is delivered when I breathe out. Try it. This isn’t some religious talk or anything like that. Scientifically, medically, I’ve done it for 40 years. It’s very scientific. You must do it. You must pray. You must actually pray. Since I live by breathing, I must actually pray in time with it. Try it. Almost all your illnesses will disappear. Older people will be in big trouble if you don’t do it. Everyone, your lungs keep shrinking. Your diaphragm has stopped, your intestines don’t move, and your ribs are completely shrinking right now. You must keep doing it. It’s easy.
These Jews had no interest in what God truly gave. It’s obvious. How to succeed in the world? Do it. Who’s saying anything? But because you miss what is important, it becomes a problem. It’s all in vain. The lesson of Nicodemus is a tremendous lesson; the Jews had tremendous things, didn’t they? The nation was completely ruined, and the future generations were beaten to death for 2,000 years. Wandering around. Why? Because they were given the gospel but became arrogant and did not spread it. Right now there are hardly any countries where the gospel is being witnessed and done properly. Only our Korea. You must come to your senses.
2. Being with us and working through the Holy Spirit – Restoring the true power
This is the second. What did Jesus say? “It’s not seen by the eyes, but isn’t the wind invisible to the eyes? But doesn’t the wind blow?” Jesus asked a question. And then what did He say? He explained the work of the Holy Spirit. This is the blessing you will enjoy. The work of the Holy Spirit, God who, though invisible to the eyes, works in you and accomplishes the power of re-creation.
1) People who have learned a little and think they are successful do not believe in this work of the Holy Spirit and regard it as worthless. That is why spiritual problems come.
They don’t believe. People who think they’ve learned a little don’t believe. So problems come. Spiritual problems come. People who think they’ve succeeded a little, people who make some money, these people see this as worthless. So spiritual problems come.
Nicodemus had money, had status, had all honor. He had everything, but he himself was not at ease. He’s trying to resolve something, but this person’s thoughts are elsewhere. Jesus pierced right into it. “You must be born again. You are not saved. You are a servant of Satan.” That’s what it means. “You are caught in darkness. What sign are you seeking? What are you going to do with that money of yours? Is being one of the 70 Sanhedrin council members everything? You will die.” That’s what it means. “Your future generations, just wait a little. They’ll be ruined. Come to your senses.” That’s what it means. He doesn’t understand, you know.
So what was the second thing He talked about? He explained the work of the Holy Spirit. Right? Every time they were ruined, in Egypt they said to Joseph, “We have never seen anyone this filled with the Spirit of the Lord.” What about you? Hold on firmly. This power must be delivered to our future generations. This power must be delivered to the Remnant. From now on, open the three-day weekend age, call our Remnant together, and let them rest a bit. Let them gain strength. If you look at the mothers of Gangnam, children’s studies are everything. That’s why your children are going astray. So problems come and they fall into drugs. You must do it. He just can’t understand. This smart man just can’t understand Jesus’ words……. He’s saying, “What do you mean by that?”
Zechariah 4:6 says, “Not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord.” Even at the end, Jesus said, “Only when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will receive power.” That’s right. That power is what we need. That’s why we are worshiping today. If it’s worldly power, you can just go to the world. Here God said, “I will be with you with the power of the Spirit of the Lord.” I believe this fact. From now on, world evangelization will happen through you.
So what you should take note of is, during the day, there are many things we see, right? Many things we hear. If we’re not careful, we miss everything spiritual. Going into the world is hard. Going to the workplace is hard. Right? There are many swindlers. There are many people who only know themselves. If it’s profitable, they’ll do anything. They even lie. Right? Change everything into prayer. Works are bound to happen.
3. Light is needed in the midst of darkness – Delivering the true light
Jesus talked about the last, third thing.
1) John 3:20 People who do not come to this light and are in darkness
What is in verse 20? Because we are in darkness, light is needed; that’s what it’s saying. No, light is needed; that’s the Word. But it said people don’t come into the light. Everyone, how much is light needed for those who are in darkness? You must shine that light.
2) We need the light of creation
This light is not just light. The light of creation! Right now this (fluorescent) light is also needed. But the light of creation. When we walk a dark road, we need that lamp, right? More important than that, the light of creation.
3) Receiving this light through prayer and delivering it through prayer
Right now, at this time, you can receive it through prayer, and you can deliver it through prayer. In whose name? In the name of Jesus. Try praying for the sick. Nothing else is needed. Lay your hands and pray in the name of Jesus Christ. “Heal me with the Holy Spirit of the Lord. Heal me with the light of creation of the Lord.” Pray. Try it once. Keep doing it. See what happens. I’m saying don’t miss this. Everyone, it’s not saying don’t do other things, right? It’s saying don’t miss what is important. Don’t even watch television? No, right? I pray with the television on. That way there’s a lot to see. Right? No problem at all.
▣ Conclusion_ Where Is the Last Mission Field?
I will conclude. RTS everyone, where might the last mission field be? There are three places.
1. ‘Israel,’ the main players of the three organizations, which will become the cause of World War III
First is Israel. Everyone, why did Israel lose its nation for 2,000 years? They still don’t know themselves. Why? Because they didn’t spread this light, even though it was given. Right? Because they didn’t spread it. Scattered for 2,000 years. So that it would be delivered. But now in America and Europe, there are the three organizations, the forces of darkness, and the main players of these are Jews. Now. What will happen in the future? Many people see it that way. They see that the cause of World War III will be the Jews.
2. ‘Christians’ who are interested in other things without the gospel
Where is your second last mission? Christians. Christians don’t have the gospel. They are interested in other things.
3. ‘Pastors’ who enjoy worldly things when they should be enjoying the gospel
Where is the last, third mission field? Pastors. You must enjoy the gospel properly. While you’re enjoying all those worldly things, you must enjoy the gospel properly.
Today, even in a short time, you can receive answers. You really must start this prayer. Do you know why? While I’m receiving answers to prayer, receiving answers while praying, among receiving much, when is the time I receive the most? It’s when I prepare sermons. That’s when I receive the most. It’s true. Almost — other people don’t know. I’m hardly interested in anything else. I have a lot of sermon preparation. Especially Sunday sermon preparation takes a great deal of time. I hardly sleep. Sleep doesn’t come. I just keep holding on to the message and praying. So then I get sleepy during the day. That’s sleeping too. It’s fine.
Why am I saying this? When I prepare sermons, I receive the greatest grace before God. It has all been fulfilled, I’m saying. The important words. Why am I saying this? You receive the greatest answers when you worship. That’s what I mean. On this Sunday today, I bless you in the name of Jesus Christ that it will be a Sunday of receiving truly the greatest grace, of receiving new grace. Let us pray.
Prayer
God, we thank You. Let us restore the true gospel. Let us restore the true power. Let us deliver the true light. Let our future generations, the Republic of Korea, and the future generations of the world be revived. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.