2026.07.12 District Message Week 28
「Abraham’s Life of Grace and Prayer For the Field」
(Ge 18:1-33)
Genesis 18:1–33
1 The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.
2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by.
4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree.
5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way — now that you have come to your servant.” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”
7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.
8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.
9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said.
10 Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.
11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.
12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”
13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’
14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”
16 When the men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way.
17 Then the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?
18 Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.
19 For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”
20 Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous
21 that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.”
22 The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord.
23 Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
24 What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it?
25 Far be it from you to do such a thing — to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
26 The Lord said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”
27 Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes,
28 what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five people?” “If I find forty-five there,” he said, “I will not destroy it.”
29 Once again he spoke to him, “What if only forty are found there?” He said, “For the sake of forty, I will not do it.”
30 Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?” He answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
31 Abraham said, “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?” He said, “For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.”
32 Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.”
33 When the Lord had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.
Introduction
1. Way — 1 altar (18:1) / 2. Meeting (18:2–7) / 3. Genesis 18:9–15, 16–21 Word
2. Reason for field destruction
1) Sodom – Gomorrah / 2) John 8:44 / 3) Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:14
3. Lamentation — Prayer
Conclusion — 300%
Summary
Past / Present / Future
Guidepost — Bartizan (Holy Trinity) — Bartizan — Me / Journey — Future
▷ God is originally seated on the throne answering us, and even now is fulfilling His word, so
we look carefully at the word. From this throne He raises the bartizan within me, and sends me on this journey, and the guidepost stands. So I need only be within this. There are also many things happening. There is our past, present, and future as well. Bringing all of this to the throne is prayer. One day Abraham came to realize this, and this is called grace. With this, prayer toward the field began. Within God’s word and promises, amazing things happen. When you come to understand this, it becomes our calling.
▣ Main
1. Way – Strength Because the covenant people hold the covenant, the way that was invisible to Abraham before becomes visible, and He gives the strength to walk that way. Abraham kept making mistakes because he could not wait, but he received it as he waited.
1) Altar (Genesis 18:1) — He builds an altar under the oak trees.
2) Genesis 18:2–7 Angels — A guest came, and it was the angel of the Lord sent by God.
3) Genesis 18:9–15, 16–21 Word — He sent these angels and God gave the word that would be fulfilled and departed.
▷ This is the answer and blessing we will receive. Just live according to the word.
2. Reason for the destruction of the field
1) Sodom – Gomorrah — In Pilgrim’s Progress, the world is the City of Destruction, a city that will perish in the future. Within it you came to buy the goods of truth, but they are not there. Yet it is so nice there that you cannot leave. This is the parable. So you must not look at the world too lightly or too pessimistically — you must see it accurately.
2) John 8:44 — Jesus spoke to the people of the world, saying their father is the devil.
3) Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:14 — So from the beginning God gave the gospel. The offspring of the woman will crush the serpent’s head. A virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel. Abraham saw this.
3. Lamentation – Prayer Abraham looks at the field and lamentation and prayer arise. Abraham did not actually disbelieve God’s covenant, but he kept taking different paths and went through near-death experiences several times before he completely found the answer.
1) Saving — Our calling is the evangelism that saves people in the field facing destruction. Not by our own strength, but by giving the gospel and shining light.
2) Heart — Those who have seen the reality of the field must have God’s lament, that heart, contained within them.
3) Intercessory prayer — Intercessory prayer for the field arises.
▣ Conclusion — 300%
So we prepare 300%. Our work must become 300% in order to save people. So the blessing of world missions. Hold firmly to this line and enjoy the blessings of Romans chapter 16.
Transcript
[Throne (Holy Trinity)]
God is originally seated on the throne answering us. Even now He is fulfilling His word, so we look carefully at the word.
[Bartizan]
From this throne He raises the bartizan within me.
[Journey]
And so He makes us go on this journey.
[Guidepost]
In the end the guidepost stands.
[I]
So I need only be within this. Many people make things hard and difficult, but do not do that — just be within this. Then let God handle everything else.
Work
There are also many things happening.
Past
We also have a past. We try to forget it but it does not go well.
Present
We also have our present.
Future
We also have our future.
All of this is to be brought here (to the throne, bartizan, journey, guidepost). This is prayer. Our past, present, future, and all our work must all be brought here (to the throne, bartizan, journey, guidepost). There is no way but to be victorious.
“Abraham’s Life of Grace and Prayer Toward the Field” (calling)
One day Abraham came to realize this. When he saw this, what did he say? I came to understand this. I see it and I call it grace. Oh, God has given this to me. Grace. He began to live this life. Now with this, prayer toward the field began. Then it becomes easy. Many people offer you many words of help, but the accurate thing is not what they say. We must be within God’s word and promise like this. Then somewhat astonishing things happen. That is grace. Now that we have realized this and are speaking of it, it becomes our calling. We received it without knowing — that is grace. Now that I know this fact, a calling has been born.
▣ Main
What kinds of roads open up?
1. Way — Strength
When you hold this covenant, first a way that was invisible to Abraham before becomes visible. Do not be discouraged — when you are praying because you cannot see it, the way becomes visible. He gives the strength to walk this way. If the answer does not appear quickly, do not be discouraged or flustered — just wait. Abraham kept making mistakes because he could not wait, but he received it as he waited.
2. Reason for the destruction of the field
At that time the people of the field did not know before, and before they were even envious — they now come to know why the field is facing destruction. Before, the world seemed so frightening. But now knowing the reason the world faces destruction — are you afraid? We must save it. Before, not knowing, we just followed the world. But now looking at it, the field is one that cannot help but face destruction. We have come to know this reason.
3. Lamentation — Prayer
The more important thing is that lamentation and prayer arise from looking at this field. Abraham was completely transformed. Before, he kept doubting. And strange things kept happening because of that. Before, he kept escaping to strange places. It is not that he disbelieved God’s covenant, but he kept going down different paths. And so he narrowly escaped death several times. But now Abraham has completely found the answer. You may have expectations. If you remain in this — in the Holy Trinity throne God — and keep doing this prayer, you will see the way. So I am worried about our sharp Remnant — they need to live diligently, but they go outside, see the worldly people, and think there is something to learn from them. It is obvious. They study to death. You have to study, right? Someone I know studied to death. And then he got into Seoul National University, which others cannot get into. That would be some comfort. And then he studied to death again and passed the bar exam, which others find so hard to pass. It seems remarkable. But then when he actually got to the field, he was just living as he always had. Fighting constantly, dominating others, constantly trying to win, constantly. And so accomplishing nothing all the while. He got sick relatively early. That is how most people live. I am worried about our Remnant living that way. I want them to do world evangelism with the relaxed power of the throne. Right? Your descendants must live that way. Take the blessings of the throne — the bartizan, journey, and guidepost — 300% fully, and do world evangelism and save others. Today at the morning session I gave this message — but as you get older you need more strength. The way becomes clear.
1. Way – Strength
What kind of way became visible?
1) Altar (18:1)
He was building an altar under the oak trees. That is Genesis chapter 18 verse 1. Before, he would not have done that. He kept worrying about things, but he builds an altar in front of the oak trees.
2) Genesis 18:2–7 Angels
At this point something remarkable happened. Something people simply cannot believe happened. He sent people, but they were not ordinary people — God sent the Lord’s angels directly. A guest came, and it was the Lord’s angel sent by God. Right? Satan attacks you, but does Satan come like that? No. He enters into people and comes, doesn’t he? This Satan entered into the serpent and tempted Eve. And here he is receiving a guest, and it is an angel. An angel sent by God.
3) 18:9–15, 10–21 Word
At that point — what did God do when He sent these angels? He gave the word that would be fulfilled and departed. This is the answer and blessing you will receive. Do not listen to other words. In my case, being a somewhat lazy type, I wait until I can see it before doing anything else. Not so much lazy as someone who finds things bothersome. Originally. I always say unnecessary things and find things bothersome. Once I went to a restaurant and it was very busy. They did not bring soup. I had gone alone, and what kind of personality do I have? I just let it go. Because it was bothersome, I thought, it is fine without soup. They were too busy. As I was leaving I casually mentioned it. I said I could not eat because they did not bring my soup. They were so startled they said they would not charge me, going on and on. So having that kind of personality I like being led (in point 1), I do. Some people are so busy and diligent they immediately go off and do something else. There is no stopping them. They just do nonsense things. And it is bothersome even to verify things. You check and it turns out to be wrong. They say things with no basis at all. And it is astonishing. People really live strange lives. Just live according to the word. Without a doubt. Especially young adults, do not be startled when you go out into the world. It is nothing special. Do not be afraid. Do not be envious. And do not be dismissive. Hold the covenant and go.
2. Reason for the destruction of the field
Then you now know the reason the field faces destruction. No need to tremble before it.
1) Sodom — Gomorrah
Sodom and Gomorrah. They are going to perish. He prophesied their destruction. How can you look at that with envy? They are going to perish. In Pilgrim’s Progress, the pilgrim enters a certain city and the name of this city is the City of Destruction. That is what he saw. What is it? A city that will perish in the future. You need to come out quickly. People do not come out because it seems so nice in there. Inside there — the goods of truth came to buy but are nowhere to be found. A friend of mine went there and found it so nice he would not come out. This is a parable. You must not look at the world too lightly or too pessimistically — you must see it accurately.
2) John 8:44
Jesus said something. He said something terrifying. To the people of the world He said, “Your father is the devil.” That is what He said. It is a terribly unpleasant thing to say, but it is the truth. Even so, we cannot go to unbelievers and say “You are the children of the devil, your father is the devil.” We can’t. Right? Jesus said it to the Jewish people. How remarkable. Because He is Jesus.
3) Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:14
So from the very beginning God gave the gospel. You cannot do it with your own strength. “The offspring of the woman will crush the serpent’s head.” The offspring of a human being will not do. Right? That is why it is the offspring of the woman. “A virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Abraham saw this.
3. Lamentation — Prayer
1) Saving
So lamentation and prayer began. So our calling is the evangelism that saves the people in the field facing destruction. To save them. And not by our own strength but by giving the gospel there and shining light.
2) Heart
And those who have seen the reality of the field — what they need inside them is God’s lament. That is the heart that needs to be there. If a person doing evangelism and missions goes without this, it is pointless. I would like to ask all the pastors and churches across the country and the world — the mindset of doing evangelism in order to grow the church is not bad in itself, but it is of no help. That is a merchant. You need to have a heart of genuine compassion for them. Right? To me it looks like a desperate cry. It looks like groaning. How much suffering they must have experienced. We must shine light on them. So right in front of apartment buildings, inside buildings, on doors — churches stick things up everywhere. That is fine. How can you look busy and eager? Come to our church, right? I once saw the most moving evangelism tract of my life. A piece of paper this small, folded up. Just one line of text. What did it say? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house.” And then one more line of text. “Come to me, all ye who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Nothing else. No other text at all. And then, go to the nearest church, like that. In some sense aren’t those the very people with this heart?
3) Intercessory prayer
So of course intercessory prayer for the field arises from us. Now, we have already received blessings. And we will receive more. And we have come to know the reason the field faces destruction. We will save it. That is why we also do our work and study.
▣ Conclusion — 300%
So we are going to prepare this 300%. Think carefully. Your work must become 300% before you can save people. Otherwise just surviving is difficult. When you receive 300%, you can save others. The Remnant must absolutely be like that. 300% is not greed. There is much opportunity in the field. Even if you run one restaurant and become 300% prepared, restaurants like yours will multiply. It is not about unconditionally opening more places. Right? The blessing of world missions. I bless you in the name of Jesus Christ to hold firmly to this line and enjoy the blessings of Romans chapter 16.
If possible for the rest of today — praise, and if you can, raise your voice in prayer as you praise, and you need to confess many things before God and gain strength today. Even when just singing hymns today, since it is Sunday, clap as well. On weekdays you would get strange looks if you walked around clapping. But on Sundays it is wonderful. What an opportunity. All your senses come alive. Spiritually alive, physically alive. From now on when you lead praise, pray as you lead — do it together like this. Everyone comes alive. Especially men, do this. You need to live a long time, but men tend to sit there frowning. Not that they are actually frowning — men just sitting quietly look like they are frowning. I heard this myself. Others did not tell me I had a frowning face, but our granddaughter told me grandfather always looks like he is frowning. I wasn’t frowning. “Oh, I see.” Please relax your faces and I bless you in the name of Jesus Christ to receive grace all day long. Let us pray.
Prayer. God, thank You. Let today be a day of grace. Let it be a day of healing. Please let us gain the new strength that only You know. Let the Lord’s Holy Spirit visit the sick. If there are congregation members facing difficulties, please give them new strength, God. Please open the spiritual eyes of the Remnant. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.