Category: Sunday Message

2025.06.08 Sunday 1st Service
Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:9-11

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▣ Introduction
Today, even though our time is short, we must receive an important answer. A young man came from Busan a long time ago. He seemed to come from a good family. His father was a capable man who graduated from Seoul National University. His older sister also graduated from Seoul National University. This young man entered Busan National University. Although Busan National University isn’t bad, it seemed to have been a great source of stress for him. It built up; he got married, his wife was good, and they had a child. But he couldn’t overcome the stress and ended up with a mental illness. Simply put, he was asking for help.

Looking around, you’ll see many people, especially very smart ones and celebrities, suffering greatly in their spirits. There’s no place for them to truly be healed, so they struggle deeply. There was also someone who kept having disabled children born into their family. Burdened by the thought, they decided not to marry. And it’s not something you can easily tell anyone.

What should we do? We need to give them answers from the Bible. What should we tell them? Don’t try to fix it. Cultivate the fundamental strength so that it leaves. This is what the Bible teaches.

1. Build the bartizan of the Lord first
Hannah prayed earnestly for a child. In her time, being childless was considered a curse. But she wasn’t only praying for a child — jealousy and resentment began to rise. “Why does Peninnah have children and I don’t?” Peninnah would provoke and distress her, and Hannah kept praying with accumulated resentment. It wasn’t real prayer — it was prayer piled with bitterness. Things only got worse. Year after year, resentment piled up. Many of our prayers are like that — prayers full of bitterness.

But because you are children of God, when you pray wrongly, God teaches you how to pray rightly. One day, Hannah, without giving up, continued to pray to God. That’s when God changed her. This is important. God’s bartizan was firmly established inside Hannah. God’s covenant began to appear as a bartizan in her life.

That’s what I’m telling you to do. Many talented people suffer from depression. Those with little intellect don’t suffer as much — it’s the talented ones who suffer. “Do not despair. Build the bartizan of God.” That’s the answer. It’s not about running away from evil spirits; it’s about building a place where they cannot even come near.

Health is the same. Of course, when in urgent need, you should quickly go to the hospital and do as the doctor says. But what’s more important is the fundamental — building the strength to overcome disease and to prevent it from even coming. That strength comes from God.

Keep this in mind. Cancer? There’s no need to fear it so much. Fight it with the strength God gives. Likewise, don’t fear the problems of the world too much. God gives the strength to overcome without even fighting.

2. Hannah saw five streams.
One day, this strength came to Hannah. She came to see five things. She realized, “Ah… It’s not really about the child.” She realized, “Not having a child is not the real problem. Peninnah having children and I not having them — that’s not the real issue.”
1) She discovered that no one could stop the continuous oppression by the Philistines. One day, she realized: “Our nation is being continually oppressed by the Philistines, and there is no one to stop it.”
2) Israel had the covenant of God, but was powerless and without a leader.
Israel, despite having God’s covenant, was in a state of weakness, without a leader. It was miserable.
3) The greater problem was the church. 1 Samuel 3 says, “The word of the Lord was rare.” That’s the problem.
4) Prayer had stopped.
5) God’s Word should be testified, but the testimony had been cut off. Hannah saw this.

From that point, not only Hannah’s life but also her future began to change. You must take this today. But before you do, remember: build the bartizan of God first.

Forty years ago, I was in a very difficult place — no possessions, a dark future. Worse, I didn’t know what prayer was. Now, I enjoy 24-hour prayer and gain strength, but back then, I had none of that.

What did I do? I went to early morning prayer because it was obligatory. After the service, people would leave quickly. That was actually a good time for me because I didn’t know how to pray. Holding onto the covenant that Jesus explained the kingdom of God for 40 days, I took notes and prayed for 40 days. After finishing, I kept praying. I didn’t even know what the answer was. Slowly, realization began to come. This is important.

I realized, “Ah, I’ve been praying wrongly.” From that realization, I kept praying. And what happened? God, who answers prayer, granted me the bartizan. It’s real. There’s no need to rely on people. People are objects of love, not objects of faith.

3. Eli’s blessing
The bartizan of God was established in Hannah. Eli, though powerless, blessed Hannah. The blessing prayer of the Lord’s servants is important. The Lord’s servants have no right to curse, only to bless. They have the authority to bless the congregation. You can read how Eli blessed Hannah.

4. It is important that the bartizan changes (Luke 18:1-8)
More important than the main point is the change of the bartizan. Wait. Enjoy. Do not despair.

Jesus said, “Do not lose heart in prayer,” and then gave a parable: A helpless widow was wronged by an unjust judge. She persistently appealed, and although he didn’t care, he eventually gave her justice because she kept coming to him.

Look carefully — what’s the important point? She didn’t talk to other people; she went to the only one who could give her justice. Likewise, take your true problems to God.

Jesus concluded by saying, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” He said this in the context of prayer.

▣ Main Message – Three graces realized by building the bartizan
You must take with you the three graces Hannah realized by building the bartizan.

1. The Grace of Realization (Heavenly Mandate) – A platform is established.
First, the grace of realization came to Hannah — the heavenly mandate.
1) Nazirite
What does this mean? The grace of realizing the Nazirite vow came to her. In Korea, there were people like Dr. Kim Hwal-lan and Dr. Kim Ok-gil who didn’t have biological children but raised many spiritual children. Hannah realized this — “It’s not that I need a child for myself; if You give me a child, I will dedicate him as a Nazirite to block the crisis of this nation.”

This was firmly given as her heavenly mandate. When the bartizan of God is built within you, such realization comes. The grace of realization is the most important. This realization came to her.

The Nazirite vow means not cutting the hair — not shaving — and living in the wilderness in prayer wearing leather garments. Yet they were different from kings. They performed kingly roles while living in prayer. And they weren’t priests either, yet fulfilled the role of a priestly leader. It’s very important: someone who understands the spiritual and knows the world. Knowledge is important, but knowing the spiritual is essential. Hannah prayed to raise such a Nazirite.

2) A Watchman of Prayer
From childhood, Samuel was sent to the temple — even as a young boy — as a watchman of prayer to save the era. Hannah realized: “There are no Nazirites. There are no watchmen of prayer. Eli, who guards the temple, has grown old and fallen asleep. I will send a watchman of prayer there.” This was firmly given as her heavenly mandate.

Today, while you pray, surely you will receive such grace. Even if no one acknowledges you, prayer is answered. You may have your own testimonies — I have mine. I have no boasting testimony. Many of my classmates are more excellent and talented than me — there were 621 in my class alone.

I observe what many of them are doing now. Many are not doing pastoral ministry. Many are not evangelizing at all. I thank God. You must save lives — that is our task. This was the realization Hannah came to.

2. The Unexpected Grace (Calling)
Second, what kind of grace did she receive? Unexpected grace started coming. Unexpected grace came upon Hannah’s family line. This is called a calling. Once she realized the grace from God and received the heavenly mandate, a platform was built. From that moment, all the answers to prayer started coming to Hannah. More importantly, this unexpected grace came. What happened?

1) The Philistines Lost to the Prayers of Samuel and Hannah and Returned the Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 3:19). God gave revelations concerning the era and the future to Samuel. It is written: “Not one of Samuel’s words fell to the ground.”

At that time, an enormous incident occurred — the Philistines seized the Ark of the Covenant. Even though they were cursed, they took the Ark. What was Samuel doing? He was just a young boy — but Scripture says: “Not one of Samuel’s words fell to the ground.”

In other words, the strong power of the Philistines collided with Samuel’s prayer. It collided with Hannah’s prayer. The Philistines lost to the prayer of a single household. They were struck by plagues and couldn’t help but return the Ark.

2) The Mizpah Movement That Saved the Entire Nation (1 Samuel 7:1-12)
It didn’t end there. Through Samuel, the Mizpah Movement that saved the entire nation arose. This unexpected grace came — it became a calling.

3) During Samuel’s Lifetime, There Was No War (1 Samuel 7:13-14)
Scripture records: “Throughout Samuel’s lifetime, there was no war.” Such a blessing came. Through the Mizpah Movement, all of Israel was revived. This happened through Samuel.

3. Grace Concerning the Future – The Antenna of the Throne Was Established.
Third, grace regarding the unseen future emerged — the mission. Even before seeing it, it came. This is the spiritual antenna of the Throne being established.

Samuel Raised David (1 Samuel 16:1-13)
Samuel didn’t just grow old; he accomplished very important things. He didn’t only lead the Mizpah Movement — he raised David. In 1 Samuel 16, it records that the priest visited Jesse’s house with the revelation: “One of your sons will be king; go and anoint him.”

Jesse brought his sons one by one, but Samuel found none of them chosen — until the young David appeared. Samuel recognized him and, before anointing, must have explained everything: “You will become king.” He anointed David, and it says: “From that day on, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.” Such tremendous work came from the prayer of one woman.

1) David Who Defeated Goliath
Following that, an incident occurred. David surely held onto the words given to him — “I will become the king of Israel; the high priest anointed me and gave me the promise.”

Then war broke out. Goliath came forward. This Goliath battle was unique — not a battle of armies, but a one-on-one fight to avoid mass casualties: “Send one man to fight me; if he defeats me, we will surrender, and if I defeat him, you will surrender.”

For forty days, Goliath cursed Jehovah. During this time, Jesse sent David on an errand: “Deliver this to your brothers and the captain. Bring back a token from them.” Not just “Come back safely” — but “Bring proof.” This was important education.

David, on his way, heard the mocking words against Israel — worse, the blasphemy against Jehovah. This struck David. He knew he was destined to be king. David made up his mind: “I must fight Goliath.”

Of course, his brothers mocked him. Even the captain doubted him: “How can you, a boy, fight that giant?” Even King Saul said: “You are but a youth — how will you face him?”

The armor didn’t fit him. But David didn’t need armor. There were many soldiers wearing armor — what was needed was someone who knew the spiritual reality. David was that person. Goliath could be defeated in an instant.

2) David Who Held onto the Covenant Delivered by Samuel and Overcame Suffering. It didn’t end there. David continued to suffer many hardships, but he had one way to overcome — he held firmly onto the covenant Samuel gave him. David had the 1,000 bartizans established through him.

3) David Who Completed Preparations for the Temple That Would Save the World. Not only that — David completed preparations for the Temple that would save the world. Such an incredible mission — grace regarding the unimaginable future — is contained within your prayer. Believe it.

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▣ Conclusion – Prayer Answers Are for Today, Received Through the Word
When do prayer answers come? Today. Right now. How? Through the Word. If you hold onto the Word, Jehovah will accomplish it.

1. Prayer Answers
Prayer answers come in three ways:
1) Immediate answers
Some prayers are answered immediately.
2) No answers
Some prayers seem unanswered. That’s even better. No answer is an answer. God withholds what you do not need.
3) Waiting
But most important prayers require waiting. Abraham waited 25 years. He was promised at 75 years old that his descendants would evangelize the world, but only had a child at 100. Jacob waited 20 years. Joseph waited 17 years. David waited over 20 years.

The Early Church waited 250 years. Those who were impatient all fell away. For 250 years, the gospel movement was trampled. Fathers were martyred; then their sons were persecuted. But in the end, true disciples remained. They evangelized Rome after 250 years.

※ Hold firmly onto the Word and do not let it go.
You don’t even need to memorize it — just write it down and let it remain as a recorded blessing.

2. Today – Three Concentrations, Three Settings, Three Answers
What should you do today? Three Concentrations. Three Settings. Three Answers.
They will surely be fulfilled through the kingdom of God and His work.

I have seen it: enduring only by prayer, working on the field only by prayer, serving the church only by prayer. I’ve seen it — so you have no reason to despair or be shaken.

3. First, build the bartizan of God. The Grace of Realization, the Unexpected Grace Regarding Descendants, and the Grace Concerning the Future Will Be Seen.
First, build the bartizan of God. Then, you will see three graces: the grace of realization, the unexpected grace regarding descendants, and the grace concerning the future — even the parts you cannot yet see. This was Hannah’s prayer.

Today, may you hold firmly onto this and see the throne, the kingdom, and His work fulfilled throughout the day in the name of Jesus Christ.

Prayer
Lord, we thank You for granting us Your amazing grace today. We believe You are working even now. We are confident that the power of the throne is with us right now. We pray and trust that the kingdom of God will come upon our workplaces, businesses, and fields. We pray that Your kingdom’s work will be fulfilled among our descendants and in all the places we go. May we enjoy Your answers all throughout today. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Ruth 1:15-18. “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” ¹⁶ But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. ¹⁷ Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” ¹⁸ When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

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Today is a significant day to receive great answers through God’s Word. As we reflect on Scripture, it becomes clear that Satan’s deception is not a vague threat but a pervasive reality influencing individuals, families, and entire nations.

The Bible warns us about the reality of Nephilim, those under demonic influence. In America, organizations rooted in secularism dominate. In Japan, ancestral worship through Shinto shrines holds deep sway. In Korea, shamanistic practices, such as fortune-telling and ritual ceremonies, still grip countless lives. Many seek help from shamans, and though fortunes may seem accurate, their purpose is deception and destruction. A woman, desperate for help, was told by a fortune-teller to perform rituals. Eventually, she was led deeper into bondage — her family plagued by mental illness, epilepsy, even suicide. This story is not rare; spiritual problems are deeply rooted in many cultures.

John 8:44 says, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning… he is a liar and the father of lies.” Jesus spoke these words to the religious leaders of His time. No matter how accurate demonic revelations may seem, they are lies whose ultimate purpose is destruction. First Corinthians 10:20 makes it clear: “What pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God.” Idolatry, shamanism, and spiritualism may appear cultural or harmless, but Scripture tells us they are dealings with demons.

Satan deceives through 12 strategies. First, in Genesis 3, he says, “You will be like God.” It is the lie of self-deification — you can be your own god. Second, in Genesis 6, the Nephilim gained power but ultimately faced ruin. Power without God leads only to destruction. Third, in Genesis 11, the Tower of Babel symbolizes the human pursuit of success without God — and it, too, fell.

When people despair, they often turn to mysticism: consulting shamans (Acts 13), demon-possessed fortune-tellers (Acts 16), or building grand temples to false gods (Acts 19). Yet, the result is always deeper bondage. Those trapped in this deception experience six states: 1) Satan becomes their master, 2) idolatry takes root, 3) mental illness follows, 4) physical suffering occurs, 5) their children inherit the curse, and 6) ultimately, they face eternal separation from God in hell.

We see the story of Naomi and Ruth. Naomi’s family left Israel during a famine and settled in Moab, a land known for idol worship. There, Naomi’s husband and two sons died, leaving Naomi and her daughters-in-law widowed. In her grief, Naomi decided to return home and urged her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab. Orpah complied, but Ruth made a different choice.

Ruth declared, “Your people will be my people and your God my God.” This was not a sentimental decision; it was a covenantal one. Ruth chose the God of Israel over the idols of Moab. This was her turning point.

First, Ruth trusted the God who could change her entire past. By following Naomi, she left behind her former life. Similarly, we must abandon past spiritual deceptions and declare, “The God who transforms my past is my God.” Even if spiritual attacks persist, we need not fear. Once the decision is made, no darkness can overpower us.

Second, Ruth trusted the Creator God to restore and renew her. This is not about self-effort but God’s power. Israel lived centered around the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle — symbols not of human power but of God’s presence. The key is the covenant contained within. As Scripture says, “Believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24). Ruth held onto the promise by faith, and God led her forward.

Third, Ruth believed in the Eternal God who fulfills His covenant through future generations. Ruth’s marriage to Boaz was not just a personal blessing; it was part of God’s greater plan. Ruth and Boaz bore Obed, who became the father of Jesse, the father of David — the lineage from which Christ came. This shows the profound impact of one person’s covenant decision. A Moabite woman who abandoned idolatry became the great-grandmother of King David, anchoring her forever in God’s redemptive history.

This is not just an inspiring story; it is a call to action. We must escape the deceptions leading to destruction and instead raise the bartizan of the covenant — establishing a life rooted in prayer and God’s Word. We must come out of spiritual bondage, not only for ourselves but for the sake of future generations.

Today, we must remember: the true Gospel liberates people from cultural and spiritual bondage. As long as there are believers and churches faithfully proclaiming Christ, our nation and our future will not collapse. Just as Sodom and Gomorrah fell not simply because of sin but because there were no righteous people left, our generation needs those who will hold firmly to the covenant and preach the Gospel.

We must not be deceived by appearances. Temporary success or failure does not define us. God can turn even our missteps into missions. Naomi’s family left Israel for survival, but God used Ruth’s faith to restore the covenant and raise up David. God called unlikely, broken individuals like us to be His evangelists.

The true answer is the evangelism movement that blocks disasters and darkness. Material success alone cannot stop spiritual disaster. Wealth, education, and social status without God are powerless against the true enemy. Only the Gospel can rescue and restore. Thus, the greatest blessing is not worldly success but being rooted in the mission of spreading the Gospel.

In conclusion, end your past — break from it as Ruth did. Seize the covenant today. And look to the future, preparing it for the next generation. Like Ruth, let us say, “Your God will be my God,” and walk boldly into God’s plan for our lives and our descendants.

Prayer. Father God, we thank You for calling us out of darkness into Your marvelous light. Help us today to make the covenantal decision to leave behind old ways and fully follow You. May our lives be turning points not just for ourselves but for generations to come. Let us raise the watchtower of prayer and establish the flow of Your Word and evangelism in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

May 25, 2025
Pastor Ryu Kwang-Soo

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Romans 16:25-27. Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, ²⁶ but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— ²⁷ to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

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Thank you. In truth, Paul’s team didn’t do that much, yet they received the greatest blessing. Today, we need to understand why. Back then, there were no airplanes, no mobile phones, and their scale was much smaller than ours. Yet, they received the greatest answers. Since today is the Teacher’s Dedication Worship—especially the dedication of the Remnant Summit Committee—we must understand this well. Let us quickly confirm what Paul did.

[Acts 1:3, Acts 19:8, Romans 16:25–27] It is recorded that Jesus spoke about the kingdom of God for 40 days. But very few understood what He meant. Paul understood. In Acts 19:8, it says he explained about the kingdom of God for three months. And in Romans 16:25–27, Paul says, “The mystery hidden for long ages past, now revealed… something eternal.” That’s what Paul did—Acts 1:3, 19:8, and Romans 16.25–27. But that’s not all. What else did Paul do that pleased God so much?

[Healing the Nephilim] He healed what the world could not—the illnesses of the Nephilim—things even doctors could not solve. In at least three places. That’s why I want to begin meeting those who can minister healing for shamanic bondage, starting in Busan. God sees this as extremely precious. Paul did one more thing.

[Acts 17:1, 18:4, 19:8] He entered the synagogues. There, he explained the meaning of “Christ.” Again, he went to the synagogue and explained the true meaning of worship on the Sabbath. In the same way, he entered the synagogue and spoke about what it means to receive the answer of the kingdom of God. That’s all Paul did. And then he left behind one important statement.

[Acts 19:21, 23:11, 27:24] “I must also see Rome.” And God used Paul’s words: “You must also testify in Rome.” In a time of crisis, God sent an angel and said, “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar.” That was everything about Paul. We must absolutely know this.

“24, 25, and the Eternal Time Schedule”—this is what we must teach the Remnants. There is nothing more important. But in order to teach it, you must first enjoy it. You must receive this blessing first. Schools teach physical science—that is necessary. The phones we use are a product of scientific advancement. We cannot disregard other philosophies and religions either—they are mental science. But the Bible does not stop there. It speaks of spiritual science. That’s what Paul saw. And that is what we must see so we can raise the Remnants. But what must be done first?

▣ Introduction – What must be done first: If you only do this, everything else will follow. What must be done first for Remnants? We must teach them what the 7 Remnants did. What is that?

1. Spiritual Summit. Before our Remnants go out into the world, even while they are young, they must become spiritual summits. This is your calling. Before Joseph stood before Pharaoh, it says he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord. That’s what matters. That’s why we do what we do. “Summit” means top, king, or president. We are not trying to make them presidents right now—we are to make them spiritual presidents first. That’s why Moses didn’t succeed when he tried to rise up by human effort. One day on Mount Horeb, he experienced the spiritual summit. That’s when it began. It was the same with David. He first became the spiritual summit. “From that day on, the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power.” And look at Elisha. While other ministers were competing for places like Gilgal, Jericho, and Bethel, Elisha asked for the spiritual summit. He asked for a double portion. Jesus, too, in His final promise, said, “Be filled with the Holy Spirit”—be the spiritual summit first.

2. Reason. There is a reason. There are many brilliant students. Naturally, they get into good schools and land good jobs. But if they go without this spiritual power, they will struggle their whole lives—whether things go well or not. They will face hardship. Many cannot endure it. In some ways, we adults are the ones who made things this way, but many young people simply cannot handle it.

3. World Evangelization. Once they understand this, world evangelization begins. Teachers, remember this well. Even if you can’t give them anything else, you can give them this: the spiritual summit. Why? Because God gives it. That’s why I always tell the Remnants: don’t be deceived. Go with the power of prayer. Don’t be deceived. Go with the power of the throne. Then what does it mean for us to teach this (spiritual summit) to the Remnants?

▣ Main – Nephilim. What does this really mean? First, before going into the first point, we must consider something. One day, the church lost the spiritual. One day, people started saying, “Why talk about Satan?” “Why talk about angels?” Today, pastors and theologians from other denominations are listening to my message. You must truly think this through. One day, people began speaking about Jewish law again. Everything started changing. One day, they stopped doing what Jesus told us to do—and strangely, kept doing what Jesus told us not to do. Jesus made it clear—the Sabbath is not more important than saving lives. He demonstrated that. But people keep insisting on things that don’t matter. In the end, this is not spiritual—it’s just physical.

And in the meantime, the Nephilim arose. During that gap. Where did it start? Satan is well known—it had to start in America. And it did. A massive Nephilim movement began. They literally teach this. Americans listening to this message know it. What are they teaching? “You are God.” That’s New Age. They say, “Don’t believe in God.” They’ve even said something scarier: “Worship Satan.” That’s what they teach. And it doesn’t end there—there’s the possession movement. Do you know what the key of Freemasonry is? Possession movement. You can’t escape it.

But the church keeps talking about physical things: “Receive blessings.” What blessings are they even talking about? You know that many famous people came out of Nephilim training. One representative figure is Bill Gates—he changed the world. Singers like Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson—they all came from this. Believers should be holding to the covenant God gave, but they aren’t. It’s tragic. They must hold to it.

Remnants must surely go forward as spiritual summits who defeat the Nephilim with the true gospel of Christ. There’s nothing to hesitate about—believe. Why? Because it’s already given. God gave the highest promise—so believe. Now the answer becomes clear.

1. Enjoy 24. Enjoy 24 and teach it. This is your calling. What is 24?

1) 300% prayer. Teach them 300% prayer—they will overcome.

2) 300% studies. In the future, industries will arise. For Remnants, this is easier. Prepare 300% in their studies. That’s 24.

3) 300% future. Remnants, pray and prepare 300% for the future. What is 300%? It is the watchtower, journey, and signpost that will save yourself and the next generation. That’s what must be prepared. If you have no watchtower, how can you help others? You must have a watchtower to go on the journey. And that journey must leave behind signposts for future generations. That’s 300%. And it’s actually easier. You must hold the covenant today. Anyone worried about money—hold to the covenant today. Remnants, are you worried about employment or the future? Then hold the covenant now. Enduring through sheer willpower isn’t patience—it’s stubbornness. If evangelism isn’t happening, then hold the covenant. Are you going to live like that your whole life? Remnants, don’t be deceived. Live 24. You must teach Remnants how to enjoy 24.

2. Wait for 25. Second, teach Remnants how to wait for 25. What is that?

1) 7·7·7. Wait for the watchtower, journey, and signpost to be fulfilled in history.

2) Throne, Kingdom, Work. Wait for the throne, the kingdom, and His work to be fulfilled. That must be your goal.

3) Transcend time and space. Only then will Remnants understand what prayer truly is. Transcending time and space. Only then will they grasp what 237 is.

Unprecedented and unrepeatable. That’s when answers beyond all bounds begin to come in studies and industry. Church members—don’t just listen to the pastor’s sermon. Confirm it is God’s Word. Don’t just listen to my words. Confirm it as God’s Word. Jesus spoke about this for 40 days. Paul’s team understood it. That’s why God entrusted the future generations, the Remnants, and the synagogues to Paul. Others went, but it was useless. 25.

3. Eternal masterpiece. Teach Remnants the eternal masterpiece. That’s all.

1) 237. Make that the standard. Teach them so they are aligned with the 237 nations. When we go with the states of unbelievers and believers, peoples who have never heard before say, “This is the first time we’ve heard this—it’s the answer we needed.” Of course it is—it’s God’s Word.

2) 5000. Prepare them so they align with the 5000 people groups. Soon the three organizations will rise again. But among the 5000 tribes, most have no communication. Internet doesn’t work. Cell phones don’t work. It works for us, but not for them. Whoever develops this will hold the key. You must keep your eyes open and observe the Remnants. The team that develops this will “hit the jackpot,” so to speak. Right now, the most hopeful method is radio frequency—that’s the most promising. Still, most of them don’t have internet like we do. Language barriers remain. Yet countless people are waiting. What can be done? Only the TCKs inside those places can do it. You must see this.

3) Monument. So you must leave monuments for the Remnants. Cross the Jordan. Tear down Jericho. Teach them this. Don’t make it complicated. Once they hear and go, they will begin to see. When they go, they will realize that five powers await them—spiritual power, intellectual power, physical strength, economic power, and human resources. You must be careful—because it’s already there. Don’t say, “We have nothing.” That’s a different issue—it’s already there. Our assistants and members know—there are too many open doors for us to go to all of them. That’s why we don’t go. We shouldn’t. People talking about money—that’s what people with nothing talk about. Be cautious. Many people will try to latch on—be careful. Build monuments. Remnants, open your spiritual eyes, don’t worry, prepare 300%, and build the 25 and eternal masterpiece. Why can’t we build what the Nephilim built? We can—so do it.

▣ Conclusion. So what conclusion must we come to? Remnants, you must do this. No matter what—just do it.

1. Summit Time. Have Summit Time at least once a day. Why? Because you are going to be the summit. And you must be. That’s all you need to do. “I am a spiritual summit.” “I am a spiritual president.” “I am a spiritual king.” “I may not be above my parents, but I can save them.” Have that time. Any time is fine—morning or evening. If you’re more active at night, do it at night. I prefer early morning or dawn. Remnants, since you’re going to be the spiritual summit, make sure you have Summit Time. If possible, every day. If not, at least once a week. Then how does the answer come during Summit Time?

2. Summit Vessel. Now is the time to prepare the Summit Vessel. When your vessel is ready, God fills it. Joseph was ready at 30, and God called him to be governor. Vessel. Remnants don’t need to be greedy, but they should prepare a large vessel. Now, when is the time to fully enjoy this?

3. Summit Attitude. Take on the Summit Attitude. Why? Because you will become the spiritual summit. Attitude has many aspects. But when I look at most people working, they not only lack the vessel, they lack the attitude. Then they crave attention and credit. That already shows their vessel is lacking. Their attitude isn’t there either. They fight over positions, whether work is done or not. They fight over issues that miss the essence. Many people are like this. They fight for positions and lose all blessings. They fight over legalism and lose the gospel. They lose the essence completely.

Remnants, have Summit Time, prepare the vessel, and take the right attitude—because you will become the summit. David’s brothers couldn’t do it. Why? Because they lacked all three. When Goliath came and shouted, they were hiding—too afraid to go out. That’s when David heard. But he had to complete his errand. His father told him to bring proof. He gave the food to his brothers and said, “I will fight Goliath.” What did his brothers say? “You arrogant brat. You’re crazy.” No real conversation was possible. They weren’t prepared in these three things (Summit Time, Summit Vessel, Summit Attitude). So David spoke to the captain. He needed permission. “I will fight Goliath,” he said. He said he was confident. The captain was stunned and reported it to the king: “This kid says he’ll fight Goliath.” Then King Saul said, “He’s a warrior, and you’re just a boy. How will you fight?” David answered, “The Lord rescued me from the lion and the bear.” Lions are fast. When they grab a sheep, they don’t let go. David struck the lion’s vital point, then tore its mouth to rescue the sheep. “The Lord will rescue me from this Goliath who defies Him.” He said, “You come with sword and spear, but I come in the name of the Lord you defy.” It was incredible. Then he said something most don’t even understand: “I will prove that life is not in the sword, but in the hands of the Lord.” From there, people couldn’t understand anymore. “I will prove that the Lord is the one true God.” His final words: “Today the Lord has delivered your head into my hands.” Poetically, he was saying, “You’re dead today.” Before anyone could respond, the stone flew. It struck him directly. Goliath didn’t even scream. He just dropped. “David had no sword.” He pulled out Goliath’s sword and cut off the head of the one who had mocked them for 40 days. This young boy had conviction and a plan. He carried the head to Saul. The king was stunned. A normal person would say, “Weren’t you the one playing the harp in my room?” Or, “How did this happen?” But Saul asked, “Who are you?” Not because he didn’t know—but because he was shocked. Of course, Saul knew David. David said, “Your servant, the son of Jesse from Bethlehem.” He bowed before the king with Goliath’s head in his hands. At that moment, all three (Summit Time, Summit Vessel, Summit Attitude) were already complete.

Remnants, do not fear. Do not envy the world. Do not look down on it either. Carry this (Summit Time, Summit Vessel, Summit Attitude) with you.

Prayer. We give glory to God. The most important ministers who nurture the Remnants are offering a service of dedication. May God receive all the glory. Please grant us Your grace. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

May 25, 2025
Pastor Ryu Kwang-Su

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Judges 21:25. In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.

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When I think about life, I realize there are small joys we all experience—like passing an exam or getting a driver’s license. I still remember how good I felt the day I got mine, but that feeling faded quickly. Even big milestones like buying a car or a house bring happiness for a few days at best. But there’s one thing I absolutely must stress: the experience of God answering your prayers.

This is not a luxury—it’s essential. I’ve seen it in real life. I’ve seen the children of mothers who never ceased praying grow up with blessing. I’ve seen churches pastored by people of prayer thrive. I’ve seen entire family lines blessed because of one praying father. So I can tell you confidently: you must experience this for yourself.

But here’s the sad reality—about 99% of people live without really receiving answers. They may not say it aloud, but I can see it in their lives. They’re not living like unbelievers—they’re living worse, trapped in struggle without clear answers. And when prayer goes unanswered, deep spiritual problems follow. Spiritual problems don’t discriminate; they can hit anyone. But I’ve noticed that people who know God answers prayer see things differently. They live differently.

That’s why I won’t make this complicated today. I want to go straight to the point: you must receive answers.

First, you must become a person who has the power of prayer. Think about it: if you had true prayer power, what could stop you? If your children had prayer power, they would be fine wherever they go. If you yourself had it, no situation could overwhelm you. That’s why this is urgent—you must have this power.

Looking at Scripture, we see how Israel suffered under the Philistines during the time of the Judges. They had been set free from Egypt, but they failed over and over. We admire Gideon and his 300 warriors, but if you read carefully, you’ll see that wasn’t a true victory in human terms. God chose 300 cowards—not elite warriors—because He wanted to show that He was the one fighting for them. Even so, Israel suffered. Why? Because they lacked real faith and real prayer.

Then why don’t we receive answers? It’s simple. Judges 21:25 says, “Everyone did as they saw fit.” That’s it. People live according to their own thoughts, not by God’s.

Let me explain. The moment you think without praying, you’ve already fallen into Genesis 3: self-centeredness, separation from God. Right now, some of you are probably distracted even during worship, thinking about your own problems. That’s exactly when you fall into the trap of relying on your own thoughts. This is why prayers go unanswered.

There’s plenty of biblical evidence. Look at Joseph’s brothers—they lived by their own thoughts. Instead of trusting God’s plan, they grew jealous of Joseph. They thought, “Why does our father love Joseph more?” They didn’t see the bigger picture. As a result, they lived bitter lives, eventually having to rely on Joseph for food.

Or look at the Israelites in the wilderness. They complained, wanting to return to Egypt. They thought they had it better there, forgetting that Egypt was slavery. They never received true answers; instead, they perished in the desert.

Even King Solomon fell. Blessed beyond measure, he began to think he could strengthen his kingdom by marrying foreign women for political alliances. But those women brought idolatry into Israel, and soon the kingdom was divided and ruined. It was a disaster that started because Solomon trusted his own wisdom rather than God’s word.

And it didn’t end there. Assyria invaded the northern kingdom, enslaving the Israelites. Later, Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and carried the people of Judah into exile. This repeated cycle of failure happened because “everyone did as they saw fit.” They trusted their own judgment instead of seeking God’s will.

So how do we receive answers to prayer? The key is simple but profound: pray as God sees fit. Prayer is not complicated; it’s spiritual science. Even new believers can do this. Don’t pray according to your emotions or logic—pray according to God’s will. Ask, “What is God’s view? What is God’s plan in this situation?” This simple shift flips the entire spiritual realm.

From my experience and study, one person holding onto God’s covenant is enough. Think about Joseph again. Despite being sold into slavery and imprisoned, Joseph saw everything through the lens of God’s covenant—world evangelization. That’s why he never despaired. Becoming a slave and then a prisoner wasn’t a setback; it was part of God’s process. Joseph even stood before Pharaoh and said, “I can’t interpret your dream, but God will reveal it.” That’s the heart of true prayer—seeing and depending on God, not yourself.

Jochebed, Moses’ mother, faced an impossible situation. Yet instead of despairing, she saw through God’s plan. That’s how Moses was preserved and prepared to deliver Israel. If you see your hardships as the path to God’s plan, everything changes.

Hannah, too, began by praying for a son for herself, but her prayer matured. She shifted to seeking a Nazirite for God’s kingdom—and through that prayer, Samuel was born, and Israel’s spiritual landscape changed.

Isaiah stood alone and overturned empires because he held onto God’s covenant. Today, I urge you to do the same: don’t view life through your eyes—view it through God’s.

Second, one person who knows God’s method is enough. God has already shown us His method: the three feasts—Passover, Pentecost, and Ingathering—representing salvation, the Holy Spirit’s power, and our heavenly background. Those who know and center their lives on this are aligned with God’s method.

That’s why the Israelites built the tabernacle, a place of 24-hour prayer and worship. Daniel understood this; he prayed three times a day facing the temple, no matter the cost. Prayer aligned with God’s method opens the way.

The Ark of the Covenant also shows God’s method—holding the unchanging Word, God’s provision (manna), and God’s life-giving power (Aaron’s budding staff). One person who understands this mystery can change everything.

Finally, one person who knows the background God gives is enough. The throne of God is our true background—the power, guidance, and protection we rely on. Jesus taught us to seek first the kingdom of God, not to worry about our daily needs. That’s our first answer—God’s kingdom reigning in our lives.

The early church held onto this truth even when persecuted. They didn’t pray for easy lives; they prayed for the kingdom of God to come. And it did.

Throughout history, prayer has changed nations. Rome persecuted Christians for 250 years, yet the prayers of faithful believers eventually led to Christianity becoming the empire’s official religion under Constantine. That didn’t happen overnight; it was the fruit of countless unseen prayers.

In conclusion, I challenge you: prayer changes everything. It destroys darkness. It brings the power of the throne. It establishes the journey and guideposts God has set for you. I’ve seen it in my life—through hardship and perseverance—and I’m here to tell you, your prayer can change the world.

Don’t ever be discouraged. Don’t look at your situation through human eyes. Pray through God’s eyes, walk in His plan, and experience the answers that only He can give.

In the name of Jesus Christ, I bless you to begin this journey today.

Prayer. May God work to open our spiritual eyes. Do not let us be deceived. Let us taste the work of God by holding the mystery of the throne that moves the world. Let us become witnesses who save the age of global darkness. May the one person sitting here today save the field. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Sunday First Service Message
May 18, 2025
Pastor Ryu Kwang-Soo

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Joshua 14:6-15. Now the people of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. ⁷ I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, ⁸ but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. ⁹ So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.’

¹⁰ “Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! ¹¹ I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. ¹² Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”

¹³ Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. ¹⁴ So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. ¹⁵ (Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba after Arba, who was the greatest man among the Anakites.)

Then the land had rest from war.

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※ What Must Come First – We must first discover the fact that each individual has God’s never-before-and-never-again answer and blessing. Our new believers are beginning their walk of faith—what should they begin with? And our church officers have much experience. What must they seek first? This is especially essential for remnants. What must they find first? We also have people from many nations here. What must they carry with them? Of course, it is the gospel—but what kind of gospel is it?

As you know, ten emperors reigned over 250 years, and during that time, countless Christians were martyred under Roman rule. The reason was simple. They called Christ “Lord”—the word “Kyrios.” But Rome forbade that word. “Kyrios,” meaning “Lord,” was to be used only for the Roman emperor. That’s why they were killed unconditionally. What would you have done?

During that time, a woman believed in Jesus as Lord—a believer in Christ. She resolved in her heart, “No matter what happens, I will believe in Christ as Lord. I have just one wish—to pass this faith down to my son and disciple. That is my mission. I cannot do great things. I will simply hold on to this faith.”

One day, Rome—the nation that ruled the world—crowned a new emperor. And this new emperor declared Christianity the state religion. “From now on, our Lord is not the emperor, but Christ. We declare our national religion to be faith in Christ.” This happened in 313 A.D.

This occurred about 400 years after the fall of Israel. And who was that emperor? He was the son of that woman who vowed to keep and pass on the gospel. His name was Emperor Constantine. What an astonishing event.

So today, what must you discover? Last week, we spoke of Joshua’s prayer that made the sun and moon stop. The Bible records this as a never-before-and-never-again event. Of course—if the sun and moon kept stopping, what would happen? That event ended there. But there is something more important: You must discover the never-before-and-never-again answer and blessing God has for you.

That woman never imagined her son would become emperor. She certainly didn’t expect him to declare Christianity as the national religion. She simply thought, “I will guard the gospel and pass it on to my son. That is my never-before-and-never-again task.” She discovered it.

If you are a church officer, this doesn’t take long—it’s simply a matter of discovery. If a remnant discovers it early, it marks the beginning of success—of answers. Among the 7 remnants, some discovered it early, some later—it doesn’t matter.

Now, as we enter today’s passage, we’re encountering something very important. What is it? When people are hurt, their scars eventually surface. And when those hidden scars emerge, they can become so severe that people lose control.

Some scars from childhood emerge after marriage and cause problems in the home. There are various types of scars. Some people suffer so much they cannot function in daily life. Some take their own lives due to these scars. All sorts of things happen.

To understand today’s passage, we need to go back to an event that took place 45 years earlier, when Moses sent out twelve spies to explore the land. When they returned, ten of them—each representing one of the twelve tribes—said they could not enter the land. If ten out of twelve session members oppose something, what happens? It gets rejected. If ten out of twelve approve, it goes forward.

They said, “The enemy cities are too strong—we will die there with our women and children. We cannot go.” But two men—Joshua and Caleb—said, “No, this is the land God has given us. A land flowing with milk and honey. We must take it.”

Moses sided with the two, not the ten. Moses said, “Let us go. We are going to the land of Canaan.” That land—where the people trembled and refused to enter—was called the hill country of Anak. Do you see the connection? As the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, those without faith were filled with scars.

When they heard the report about the Anak hill country, the entire people wept—not just complaints or grumbling, but public weeping. Isn’t that how people are? Children cry not because something is seriously wrong, but because of deep-seated scars. The whole nation wept at the thought of the Anak region.

Now, they were standing in front of that same land. So, when it came time to fight and conquer it, they cast lots. “Who will go?” No one wanted to. The old wounds from 45 years ago returned. “We won’t go,” they said. Then Caleb stepped forward and said, “Give me this hill country.” That’s today’s passage.

In my view, Caleb is an even more remarkable figure than Joshua. Caleb was no ordinary man. If two people served under Moses but only one rose to leadership, wouldn’t the other become bitter? Both were aides to Moses—his right and left arms. Joshua became the leader, and Caleb was not chosen. But Caleb showed no bitterness—only loyalty. He continued to serve Joshua. And in every crisis, Caleb stepped up. He was that kind of person.

▣ Introduction

So today, how do we discover this never-before-and-never-again answer? Caleb’s heart was different. First, let’s look at what he saw.

He saw what the Word and the power of God truly were. So even when something seemed absolutely impossible, he saw that God’s absolute plan made it possible.

He also knew that spiritual answers must come first. He knew that among all answers, spiritual answers must come first. This is important and emphasized repeatedly.

He knew that the Lord being with him was the answer – the three feasts
The most important thing in the wilderness was the three feasts. Through the blood covenant (Passover), they were set free. The background of the freed person is the throne—Feast of Ingathering. Their journey was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit—Pentecost. Caleb knew this was the true answer.

He saw that behind the covenant, God’s kingdom and works followed, and the covenant was fulfilled afterward. Today, when you hold to the covenant, God’s kingdom and works will follow. Caleb saw this over a period of 45 years.

Ask this question: What is God’s never-before-and-never-again reason for calling me? This answer will come to you. For me, I received a simple answer. Some people receive it over a lifetime—it differs from person to person. You must ask this today.

(1) Remnants – As you start your life, ask: What is God’s unique and never-before-and-never-again plan for me?

(2) Church officers – Elders, deacons, ordained deacons—your remaining life may be short. Then ask: “What is God’s unique and never-before-and-never-again plan for me?”

(3) New believers – Like Rahab, some new believers realize it immediately—and history begins to move.

Because Caleb knew this covenant, he survived and changed his generation. Our remnants must resolve today. No excuses. No background is needed. Even a poor family is okay. You need no one’s help. Make a firm decision and hold to the true answer. “I have no background.” That’s fine—perhaps even better. Hold tightly to the covenant, like Caleb.

▣ Main

How did Caleb receive such a never-before-and-never-again answer?

1. What to confirm – He took definite fulfillment of God’s Word as his evidence. This is what you must confirm. How was God’s Word fulfilled along your journey? Though it may seem like nothing, a never-before-and-never-again answer will begin in your life.

1) Caleb held on to the covenant of the past.
Verse 6 says, “Then…” He refers to the past: “Didn’t the man of God speak to you at Kadesh Barnea?” He brings up that time. “Others said we couldn’t go, but you and I gave a different report.” And he refers to Moses as “the man of God.” “Do you not remember the Word he gave us?” He held tightly to the past covenant.

2) He held on to today’s covenant.
From verses 7 to 11, Caleb speaks about today’s covenant. He says, “I was 40 years old then. I gave my report with sincerity. The others discouraged the people, but I was faithful to the Lord and said we could go. Moses told me that land would be my inheritance.” In verse 10: “Now, behold! I am here today. I am 85 years old but still alive and well.” This continues in verse 11.

3) He held on to the covenant for the future.
This is in verse 12. “Though I am 85, if the Lord is with me, I will surely take that land. Send me.” Caleb, at 85, clearly spoke of the past, present, and future covenant.

When you hold today’s covenant, lifelong answers will begin. Without this, Christians grow weaker over time—that should not be. But today, simply by praying, doors to the 5,000 tribes are opening. God’s Word works. I believe this year’s World Remnant Conference will be amazing.

2. Do not be deceived – When you see God’s absolute plan.
Second, how did Caleb pray? He wasn’t deceived by his environment—he held on to God’s absolute plan. First comes the covenant—he held tightly to it, past, present, and future. That may seem simple, but it changes everything. Then, hold tightly to God’s absolute plan.

1) He saw Satan’s reality.
He saw the fortresses of the giants. While others were afraid, Caleb saw through them—he saw the reality of Satan.

2) He saw that our life and future are in God’s sovereignty.
Through all this, Caleb saw that our life and future are not in Satan’s hands but under God’s sovereign rule. He was certain of this.

3) He saw the site where hearts melted – Satan’s identity.
They saw the people’s hearts melt in fear. That is the true identity of Satan. If you go forward with the covenant, darkness will break and tremble—but we trembled instead. So go forward with God’s absolute plan. Never-before-and-never-again answers came not only to Joshua but now also to Caleb. You must take this with you today.

3. What to be assured of – A certain future.
Lastly, what must we be assured of? A certain future. Regardless of life or death, we must devote ourselves.

1) Exodus was coming out of darkness, not just from Egypt

2) The wilderness journey wasn’t suffering—it was filled with evidence.

3) Entering Canaan was heading into God’s absolute future—world evangelization.

So Caleb’s heart was different.

As for me, over the past 40 years—really over 30 years of evangelism—what I’ve found most difficult is that people try too hard to show off in front of God. There are so many people like that. They put too much effort into looking good and claiming positions. All their energy is focused on that.

I’ve worked in that kind of environment for 40 years. That’s why my expression is the way it is—not smiling, not frowning. Even when I encounter absurd situations, I must endure without showing it. Even when I’m overjoyed, I must not get too excited. As if nothing happened.

But the work of God continues. Right? Nothing can block the gospel.

※ Do not be discouraged. Hold on to the never-before-and-never-again covenant that remains. In other words, what God has given only to you—Caleb realized this early on. That’s why he served as Moses’ assistant. That’s what he decided: “This is what I’ll live and die for.”

So he served as Moses’ attendant. After Moses passed, he served as Joshua’s attendant. He was Joshua’s friend. Do you know what he said to Joshua? “Just as I served Moses, I will serve you.” What a great man. And he also said, “If anyone stands against you, I will not leave them alone.” He supported Joshua like that.

When they stood in front of the Anak hill country again—where they had once been terrified—the people wavered again. Caleb rose up and said, “Give me this hill country.” He always appeared in moments of crisis.

During the events at Kadesh Barnea and every major crisis, Caleb went to the battlefield. Today, you must hold to this covenant.

▣ Conclusion
There are so many great pastors—highly educated, wonderful people. But I asked a simple question. Because I cannot do complicated things, I asked something simple: “Lord, evangelism and world evangelization are not really happening—please let it take place.”

People don’t even know what evangelism is. Evangelism is not something you do. It’s something you see. You see the work of God. Missions is also something you see.

We try to do it ourselves, and that’s why it doesn’t work. But it’s about witnessing God’s amazing works. So I determined, “This is what I must do for the rest of my life.” I held on to that as my never-before-and-never-again answer.

When I go out to the field, I see so many difficulties. Nothing else would work. As I often say, this church was my last station, but I had the opportunity to learn from many other places. Most of them don’t know what evangelism really is. That’s why they suffer. If you don’t know what evangelism is, that’s a serious issue—it means you don’t know the gospel.

So we must teach the remnants. We must tell them ahead of time. You’ve come this far by the grace of your parents, but now it’s time for you to receive answers enough to carry out world missions. You must build the three courtyards and receive answers great enough to save the world. To do that, you must discover the never-before-and-never-again blessing that God has given only to you. You definitely have it.

I gave this sermon when I was still an assistant pastor. When I said, “Each of you has a never-before-and-never-again blessing,” one elderly deaconess said, “Do I have one? He says we do…” But then she received an answer. Her spiritual eyes began to open.

One day she went to find her granddaughter and saw her playing with other kids at the playground. She had seen it before, but this time, her spiritual eyes were opened. So she made puffed barley snacks—healthy and delicious. A single scoop becomes a whole sack.

She gave these snacks to the kids at the playground. The kids loved it. So she kept giving them. The parents saw and realized it wasn’t harmful. So this deaconess began to evangelize to the children. She said, “This is my never-before-and-never-again calling.” And it truly was. Eventually, the parents began to believe, too.

Now look at the teams in America participating in the three-courtyard movement. When they quietly met with the American children, they found that all of them had spiritual problems. When they evangelized and led the children to accept Christ, the children changed. Before that, they hadn’t even spoken up. But after receiving Christ, they began to talk about their issues. That’s how the gospel began to enter the American community. What is that? That is the never-before-and-never-again blessing.

This week, even just thinking about this will bring answers. That’s how it was for me. I bless you in the name of Jesus Christ that you may recover the never-before-and-never-again blessing of Caleb.

Prayer. God, we thank You for giving us this important covenant. Let this be the day we hold on to the covenant that will surely be fulfilled. Help us to see Your absolute plan and allow us to see the covenant that shows us the future. Let this be the week we receive the never-before-and-never-again blessing that remains for us. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Sunday First Service
Speaker: Pastor Ryu Kwang-Soo
Date: May 11, 2025
Place: Immanuel Church (Seoul)

Joshua 6:1-7. Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.

² Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. ³ March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. ⁴ Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. ⁵ When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”

⁶ So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant of the Lord and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it.” ⁷ And he ordered the army, “Advance! March around the city, with an armed guard going ahead of the ark of the Lord.”

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Today, what answers must we receive?

If we hold on to the accurate covenant, believe, and pray, then the answer has already come; the fulfillment begins afterward. Jesus said, “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24). At first, I didn’t really understand what that meant.

Today, if you hold firmly to the accurate covenant, believe, and pray, then the answer has already come. The fulfillment starts after that. This is such an important promise. What you need to do today during worship is simply hold on to the accurate covenant, pray, and imprint it upon your heart with faith. That alone will bring about incredible work of God. If you’ve grasped the accurate covenant, then be confident, believe, and pray. Worship and prayer are about seeing God’s absolute plan and absolute possibility within what seems absolutely impossible.

As we go through life, we often face situations that are incredibly difficult—circumstances that seem absolutely impossible. What should we do then?.

Jochebed, a woman of prayer, encountered a situation that was absolutely impossible. Pharaoh had issued a law commanding that every Hebrew—every Israelite—baby boy be killed. There was no way to stop it. No one could defy Pharaoh. It was a hopeless situation. But in that moment, she looked to see what God’s absolute plan was. Clearly, the total destruction of the male children of Israel was not God’s plan. She realized something: “God’s absolute plan is for our descendants to leave Egypt and go to the Promised Land.” That’s when the absolute possibility became clear. She saw it: “There’s only one way for my son to survive—he must enter the palace.” She found the answer. In this way, our spiritual eyes open to see God’s absolute plan. The day we see that is the day we truly worship. Seeing that is prayer.

The City of Jericho. Absolute impossibilities may stand before us, but God’s absolute plan is hidden within them. And when we see that, absolute possibility comes into view. That is the key.

It’s not about forcing things through with sheer willpower—“If I just try hard enough, I can make it happen.” That’s not faith. And saying “It’s impossible, I give up”—that’s unbelief. Saying “I can do it” is humanism. The real question is: “How will God do it?” That’s when our spiritual eyes are opened. What do we see?

“The city of Jericho was tightly shut up; no one went out and no one came in.” But they had already received a report through Rahab. The people of Jericho had lost heart—they were terrified. “Their hearts melted. They even lost their minds. Jericho was paralyzed, completely shut down.” That was the answer. Their spiritual eyes were opened to see it.

This is why we can say, “I give thanks even in the midst of hardship.” That kind of confession comes from this truth. An absolutely impossible situation unfolds before you—but you discover God’s absolute plan within it. Then, you begin to see the absolute possibility that only God can bring about. Opening your eyes to see that—that is prayer. That is worship. And once you see it, the answer is already there.

So today, the key answer to prayer for you is this: Tear down the Jericho walls of darkness, disaster, and Satan.

Introduction

Let’s get right into it since time is short. The question we must start with is: Why? Before we talk about how the walls of Jericho will fall, we need to understand the why. There are three key points.

Was Egypt a successful nation? We have to settle this question first. If we don’t answer this correctly, everything else will be misunderstood. At the time of the Exodus, Egypt suffered great disasters. But were those really disasters? Let’s quickly analyze it. From what I see, those weren’t just random calamities—they were God tearing down the forces of darkness over Egypt.

Israel, led by Moses, performed miracles and came out of Egypt. But was that truly success? Was that real deliverance? Unless they came out of the spiritual darkness, even the Exodus itself would have been meaningless. That’s what we must confirm first.

Why did God keep them in the wilderness for 40 years? This is extremely important. There’s an important message here—five key points came out of this period:

1) Genesis
The Book of Genesis shows us why problems came into the world in the first place. It contains the answers. We must check: Do I really know and enjoy that answer? How deeply have I entered into it?

2) Exodus
Again, the issue wasn’t merely about leaving the land of Egypt. The real Exodus means coming out of spiritual darkness, curses, and great disasters. That is what the Book of Exodus is truly about. And all of that—this deeper meaning of Exodus—was recorded and revealed throughout the 40 years in the wilderness.

3) Leviticus
What’s next? Why was everything centered on the tabernacle? Why did Aaron’s staff bud? That’s what the Book of Leviticus explains. We need to understand this. It reveals the true meaning of worship. This is where we must make a clear decision: “All my answers must come from worship.” That’s why pastors and servants of God must never preach their own words. They must speak the Word that God fulfills. It wasn’t about Aaron. It wasn’t even about the staff itself. Life—a bud—sprouted from that place where God fulfilled His Word. That’s what Leviticus is all about. We need to understand this.

4) Numbers
Why the twelve tribes? Why did they scout the twelve regions before entering? That’s the message of the Book of Numbers. And it’s extremely important.

5) Deuteronomy
What needs to be prepared before entering the land of Canaan? What must be ready before we go into the world? Those truths must be imprinted, rooted, and become our nature. That’s what the Book of Deuteronomy teaches. We must not lose hold of this.

Why did God command them to tear down Jericho? We need to ask this third question and understand the reason. As we move forward, yes, we need knowledge—but what we truly need is God’s power. Why? Because the walls of Jericho represent something absolutely impossible to tear down by human effort. That’s why we need the power of God.
And God said, “Go forward with that power.”

So today in this introduction, I haven’t been speaking my own thoughts. I’ve been pointing out that we often cling to things other than God’s Word—and that’s what needs to be corrected.

Main Message

So then, how did God command the Israelites to bring down Jericho? There are three key points you must hold onto today.

1. Hold on to the Absolute Evidence
In verse 4, God said, “Follow the Ark of the Covenant.” But we must not interpret this as simply following a physical object. It means: Follow holding on to the absolute evidence of God. Cling to God’s unshakable proof.

What does this mean? Hold tightly to the evidence God gave during the Exodus, and the evidence that has come through the wilderness up to now. With that in hand—circle Jericho. That’s the command. You need to know why. Like we said in the introduction: Why were they enslaved in Egypt? There was a reason. Egypt was not a successful nation. It was a nation of disaster, provoking wars. That’s exactly where the gospel needed to go. So the answer is no—Egypt was not a nation of success. That’s why they became slaves. There was a purpose in their slavery. That’s also why God kept them in the wilderness for 40 years—to uncover this truth.

What does verse 1 say? “Because of the Israelites, Jericho was tightly shut up; no one went out and no one came in.” And then God said: “March around it, following the Ark.” In other words: March holding firmly to the clear evidence God has already shown you. Why? Because God’s Word always fulfills what it declares.

What does verse 2 say? God declares: “I have already given Jericho into your hands—along with its king and mighty warriors.” He didn’t say, “I will give it to you”—He said, “I have already given it to you.” Then He says, “Follow the Ark. Don’t fear Jericho.” What is God saying here? He’s giving you clear and undeniable evidence: “Jericho, its king, and its mighty men—I have delivered them into your hands.” This is the absolute assurance God provided.

When you encounter moments that feel hopeless or overwhelming—
that’s precisely when you must hold on to God’s absolute plan and His covenant. Even when a human word seems reasonable or comes true,
God’s Word doesn’t just come true—it unleashes the power of creation itself.

2. Move Toward the Absolute Goal
What is the second thing God says? We find it in verse 16. What should you hold on to? It’s not just “I will give you this city.” It’s “I have given you this city.” What does this mean? Entering the land of Canaan is God’s absolute goal. This is not about an empty, abstract “I believe”. It’s about holding onto God’s absolute evidence and moving toward God’s absolute goal. There’s no hesitation here. Even if it means dying on the way, you must move forward. Why?

The seven nations that entered Canaan completely turned the land into a kingdom of idols, causing destruction worldwide. God is sending His people to take action. Go quickly to recover the land and heal the spiritual issues. This is the absolute goal.

This is the method to bring down Jericho. “Carry the Ark of the Covenant and march around the city.” This is holding on to God’s absolute evidence. “I have already given it to you. Now follow the Ark.” This is the absolute goal.

Within Canaan, there were 31 kings—these are the leaders of idol worship. And it’s not just about entering the land of Canaan. God says: Enter, recover the land, and bring the gospel to the entire world. This is the higher calling and absolute goal of God’s plan.

Hold firmly to that goal. No matter what anyone says, march around Jericho. These three courts, the Three Day Weekend Age, and the Holy Meditation Age—these are all part of God’s absolute goal. That’s what we must embrace and pursue, unwaveringly, as we move forward.

3. Absolute Answer
The third instruction is this: What does God say in verses 2 and 10? In verse 2, and especially in verse 10, we see a critical command: “March around the city without saying a word.”And on the final day, “shout together as one.” These two key commands are given in verse 10.

What’s the problem for those who don’t receive answers? They speak when they should be silent and remain silent when they should shout. That’s the issue. “March every day, once around the city.” Imagine what the people inside Jericho must have thought. Here comes the nation of Israel, the people who conquered Egypt, the ones who parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River. And now they’re just marching around the city!

“Don’t say a word as you march.” Why? Because if someone were to speak out and question the plan, that would be disastrous. “What are we doing? Are we just walking around? What if they throw rocks at us? What if we die like this?” This would ruin everything. That’s why God says: “Don’t open your mouth. Just march silently.”

On the final day, when you reach the end of the march, then you must shout together as one. This is the absolute answer. This command emphasizes faith and obedience without doubt or speaking against God’s plan.

Jericho is brought down with three key elements: Absolute Evidence, Absolute Goal, and Absolute Answer. These are the tools used to bring it down.

In verse 6, it says, “Set the seven priests in front.” This is an important statement. The servants of God must become leaders in 24-hour prayer.

In verse 7, it says, “Set the armed men in front of the ark.” What does this mean? It refers to the mission and blessing of key workers. “The servants of God must carry the Ark of the Covenant and march before the people. The key workers must also march in front of the people, carrying the Ark of the Covenant.”

Shout When the Trumpet Sounds on the Last Day (Verse 5) In verse 5, it says, “When the great trumpet sounds seven times on the last day, shout together.” And “the city will fall.” Something incredible happened. There are many scientific explanations, but right now, we’re not in a science class. The city collapsed completely.

Today, as you hold onto the covenant, there are a few things you must always remember. Absolute impossibilities exist in both small and large areas of life. But what is God’s absolute plan? When you see His plan, you will see His absolute possibility. At that moment, your spiritual eyes will open. “Ah, it’s finished. God is doing this. Jericho has already been destroyed. The land of Canaan has already been given to us.” Then, why did we live as slaves in Egypt? Why were we held in the wilderness for 40 years? Why not just take us directly? Why did we have to cross the Red Sea, and why were we made to conquer Jericho and cross the Red Sea? Once you understand the reason, it becomes a great answer.

One day, the Jericho in your path will fall. The spiritual Jericho must fall. That’s what will happen. Therefore, “Follow the Ark of the Covenant.” Hold onto that absolute evidence. Follow it. There’s nothing else. No matter what others say, the goal of reaching the land of Canaan is God’s purpose, and He will remove everything standing in your way. “Don’t speak, just keep walking.” Wait for the absolute answer. This is the message.

Today is the day to bring down the walls of Jericho. It’s the day to break down the powers of darkness around you through prayer and the Word. As you worship today, you need to find this truth. Why? Because if you try to memorize all of this and carry it with you, it’s impossible. You don’t need to do that. By next Sunday, you’ll be worshipping again, so why should you try to memorize everything? Today, you need to receive an important answer. Today.

What is today? It’s the day to break down the walls of Jericho. That’s all you need to hold onto. The city has already fallen. It needs to be brought down. Today, you will silently and powerfully break the powers of darkness around you through prayer and the Word. There’s no battle to fight; you’re just walking around, praying, and the walls of darkness are falling.

Conclusion

Let me introduce a few people who must survive.

There were only two people who saw Egypt and entered the land of Canaan. There were many others, but only Joshua and Caleb saw Egypt and entered Canaan from the very beginning. God established them firmly and kept them alive.

Who else did God keep alive? It was the next generation born in the wilderness. God saved them and brought them into the promised land. They didn’t experience the struggles their ancestors went through in Egypt. They were born in the wilderness. So, the 40 years might have seemed long, but during that time, God was restoring everything and imprinting it on the next generation. He brought them along into the land.

Another very important point is found in verse 17: “Save Rahab the harlot and her family.” This is deliberately recorded. Rahab and her family were brought into the land. Though it seemed insignificant, Rahab entered the land of Canaan and later married. She has children, and from her line, a man named David is born. This is part of God’s hidden plan, a mystery of the gospel’s power that is beyond our understanding. We can’t comprehend it fully. This is the blessing we must receive.

Today, the matter is settled. Today, we will destroy the dark stronghold of Jericho through prayer. That’s all. Once we say “Amen,” it’s done. Next week will bring another new grace. Today, amidst God’s Word flowing, we need to hold onto the covenant. Make a decision today. Whatever happened last week belongs to last week, but today, make a decision to recover your health, strength, and spiritual power. Today, in this time of worship and prayer, bind the darkness and completely bring down Jericho. Receive that answer today as you go.

I have shared this before, but when we hold onto a covenant, even if we once thought something was impossible, the responses will keep coming. It’s quite amazing, isn’t it? From when I was young, I thought something would never work out, but when I held onto God’s covenant, responses kept coming. I’ve experienced it. The Word of God is alive and working.

When I was younger, evangelism was very difficult for me. Even now, my personality hasn’t changed much in that regard. How could I go somewhere and evangelize, talk to someone? I couldn’t do it. Maybe if someone pushed me into being a public figure, I might try, but I could never go out on the street and sell something, even a simple item. I would be too embarrassed. So how could I evangelize?

But one day, I realized that evangelism had nothing to do with me. That was a big breakthrough. Honestly, I didn’t understand what prayer was. My life had to be in prayer, but I didn’t understand what prayer truly meant. I had heard that God’s Word is alive and works, but I hadn’t experienced it. So, there seemed to be no reason to attend worship or hold onto the Word. That was the life I lived.

But one day, it dawned on me. It wasn’t a big or dramatic decision, just a simple realization: “I should be able to pray, shouldn’t I?” I asked myself, “If God’s Word is alive and is being fulfilled, shouldn’t I experience it? That’s what worship is, right?” And then I realized: “I should be a witness. That’s what evangelism is.” Once I realized that, God’s responses started coming.

I pray that today will be the day you receive that same strength. May you experience this power in Jesus Christ’s name. Let’s pray.

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Prayer. May today be the day of great importance. May today be the day when the walls of Jericho fall. May the strongholds of darkness crumble. What we cannot do, may the darkness before us fall at the presence of the Ark of the Covenant. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.