2025.11.02 Sunday 1st Service
RU Sunday
Scripture Reading: Acts 16:6-10
▣ Introduction_ My Mission For The Rest Of My Life Today is also RU Sunday. What answer should we hold on to at RU? Also, there are new family members here. What answer should new family members hold on to? And perhaps there are sick people today. What should they hold on to? Although everyone offers worship, today, holding to the covenant, what answer should our church leaders hold on to? To put it simply, what is your mission for the rest of your life? You must hold to that. In other words, what are RU and my mission for the rest of my life? This is what you absolutely must find.
1. Those who do not know their mission for the rest of life – God has not even started yet. What is my mission for the rest of my life?
1) Moses – I cannot go to Pharaoh now. Because he did not know that, Moses said this. When told, “Go to Pharaoh and speak,” he said, “I cannot go now.” He also considered his age: “My age does not fit. If I go to Pharaoh now, I will die.” He spoke of many factors included in that. God had not even started with Moses yet. You might, if you are not careful, fall into that snare. You would have to live your whole life without receiving answers, but that should not be.
2) Elijah – He said he could no longer go on and asked to be taken, but God said He had left 7,000 disciples, told him to raise Elisha, and said He would change the king. Even Elijah, a man of prayer, did that. “I can no longer continue.” And then he even fell into a misunderstanding. “Everyone has died and I alone am left. So please take me.” Many people live their walk of faith like that—most do. God had not started yet. He said his age was advanced and he had suffered too much, and he spoke like that: he could no longer do anything and had no strength. But God had not even started yet. God did not speak in the strong wind, but spoke in quietness, “I have left seven thousand besides you. Call Elisha and raise him as your successor. I will change King Ahab.” God had not even started.
2. Within God’s absolute sovereignty, what belongs to you remains. The answer Paul received today is, in my view, the greatest field answer of the New Testament era. Our being born and our dying are in God’s hands. If you were born in Korea, that is in God’s will. If, though you might not have desired it, you were born in America, that is in God’s will. Therefore, within God’s absolute sovereignty, what belongs to you remains. No one can change it. It remains within absolute sovereignty.
1) The conquest by Egypt, Babylon, and Rome is not success. Hardship is not failure. Egypt conquered many nations. Babylon conquered many nations. Rome has done the same now. But that is not success. Right? With time, it is not success. You may suffer hardship among many matters. That is not failure. Because we do not know what remains within God’s absolute sovereignty, we view things as “success” or “failure.” Joseph’s brothers tried to kill Joseph but sold him instead. Potiphar’s wife threw Joseph into prison. They did not win. Joseph did not lose.
2) Within God’s absolute sovereignty, your plan exists. Within God’s absolute sovereignty, He holds your plan. You must find that from now on.
(1) Do not trap yourself in your own limits and finalize matters; re-challenge in prayer. Pastors generally—though they do not say it—are trapped in their own limits and have finalized their decisions. Today you must re-challenge in prayer.
(2) Elders, receive the blessing of an elder. I told two elders I met with today, “Receive the blessing of an elder.” Right? “An elder must receive the blessing of an elder. An elder must know what the prayer of an elder is. Do not be concerned with other things.” Right? In your life, within God’s absolute sovereignty, what remains of my blessing—what is left—this is the question.
3) Those who knew early, those who knew late, and those who live not knowing.
(1) Those who knew early (Joseph, Samuel, David) and those who knew late (Moses). Fortunately, Joseph knew early. As you know, although Moses had been set apart from childhood, it is said he realized it after he was over eighty. Samuel and David knew the plan that God held within His absolute sovereignty in their youth. There are only these two kinds.
(2) Those who live not knowing (Joseph’s brothers) – living within unbelief, thinking that lies are right, they fall into hardship and spiritual problems. There is knowing late and knowing early, but the vast majority live not knowing. So they live like Joseph’s brothers. “What shall we eat? Why do you wear better clothes than I do? Where shall we live?” They lived always speaking of such things, and Joseph’s brothers lived their whole lives off others. But Joseph realized what his mission was within God’s absolute sovereignty. When you miss it, you must live within unbelief. This unbelief is fearful. Do you know how fearful it is? A person with mental illness speaks outright falsehoods. But that person is certain those things are right. That is fearful. A person lies but thinks it is right. This unbelief is fearful. So later they fall into severe spiritual problems. And they cannot come out. Such is the terror of unbelief.
3. What happened before Paul discovered his mission within absolute sovereignty What happened before Paul received this great answer today?
1) On the road to Damascus, the light of Christ shone upon Paul. As you know, as he walked on the road to Damascus, light shone from above. When the light shone, Paul could no longer walk and fell. And from within that, a voice called his name. What would you do if it were you? As you know, Luther was walking on the road when there was a great thunderbolt; he survived and the one next to him died. At that moment he realized, “What is the mission God has left for me?” Therefore events occurred that changed the world. Today you must ask that question and realize it. You are valuable people. Not merely valuable. If you ask that question, the answer will surely come: “What is the answer remaining for me within God’s absolute sovereignty?”
2) “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” – every question was answered. Then Paul realized it. He heard, “Saul, Saul,” and asked, “Who are You?” As the educated would do, according to the law, he asked, “Lord, who are You?” Then came the words, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” From there every answer came. From there Paul’s questions regarding all knowledge—answers came.
3) A chosen vessel to be set before Gentiles and kings – first missionary sending; as he was led by the Holy Spirit, works occurred that destroyed the darkness. So, “a chosen vessel to be sent to the Gentiles and to stand before kings.” The amazing fact is that Paul is the first in history to be sent as a missionary. But what is utterly beyond comprehension is that in Acts 13:1, where he is sent, the brother of Herod is together with them. Unimaginable. And as he went led by the Holy Spirit, works occurred that overthrew the darkness.
▣ Main Message_ The Way To Find My Mission Within Absolute Sovereignty To keep it short: how do we find this answer today? This is the main point. God, holding absolute sovereignty, sends us—how do we find it?
1. Acts 16:6–10 Find the absolute bartizan. As Paul evangelized, the way was blocked. Today we read Acts 16:6–10.
1) “In a vision of the night to go to Macedonia” (verse 10) – while praying, a turning point of the age occurred. What does verse 10 say? There is a very important phrase: “After he had seen the vision, we concluded that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” He was called to Macedonia—“after he had seen the vision.” What does that mean? On the night when he asked what truly remained as his portion within God’s absolute sovereignty—“in a vision”—this means he prayed. You must begin with this question: “to Macedonia.” A turning point of the age occurs. This is called the absolute bartizan. You must find this. It becomes visible. “That night.”
2) When the way is blocked – if you ask before God, He gives the answer. What do we usually do when the way is blocked? When the way is blocked, we give up. Or we do something else. That is the usual way. Paul was different. Those who received answers of the age are different. How different? “That night,” he asked before God so that the answer would come. How simple and how good is God? If you ask, He gives the answer. The phrase “in a vision” is extremely important. Of course, sitting in a coffee shop drinking coffee and suddenly seeing a vision—that rarely happens. Right? As he prayed, he was called to Macedonia.
3) The reason God blocked the way – to give the absolute bartizan (Macedonia, the turning point that changes the age). God blocked the way in order to give what is real and called him to Macedonia. That place was called “Troas.” Thus the absolute bartizan to go to Macedonia was established; this is the turning point that changes the age. When your way is blocked, realize it is the time when God gives you the absolute bartizan. Sick ones, do not be discouraged—establish God’s absolute bartizan. Our remnants, do not worry excessively about studies; first quickly find, “What is God’s absolute bartizan?” When the way was blocked, Paul, at night, entered into deep prayer before God.
2. Acts 16:11–15 The absolute journey Second: Acts 16:11–15 appears. We could not read it all today, but this is when he took the first step toward Macedonia. Since he was told to go to Macedonia, he took that first step to Macedonia. See what he did then.
1) “On the Sabbath day we went outside the gate by the riverside to see if there was a place of prayer” (verse 13) – do not be discouraged; do not look at other things; seek this first. It appears in verse 13. “We went…to see if there was a place of prayer.” This is different. Do not be discouraged; “to see if there was a place of prayer.” You can find what the world has missed. “To see if there was a place of prayer.” Our ministers and church leaders, do not miss this; do not be discouraged; do not look at other things; you must find this first.
2) The meeting with Lydia (verses 14–15) – Lydia’s house, having received the gospel, became the mission home and the Philippi church. There he met Lydia. As he went seeking a place of prayer, he met her, and Paul proclaimed the gospel to Lydia. In 16:14 it says, “The Lord opened Lydia’s heart.” At that time Lydia received the gospel and, offering her house, asked that the gospel movement be done there as a mission home. Later it became the Philippi church. This is called the “absolute journey.”
3) The absolute journey that God, with absolute sovereignty, has reserved for you – Lydia. When your way is blocked, it is the time schedule for establishing the absolute bartizan. If hardship has come or the door is shut to you, it is the time when God is letting you know the absolute bartizan. Do not miss it. Thus, as soon as he went to Macedonia, the person he met was Lydia. The absolute journey. This is what God, with absolute sovereignty, has reserved for you.
3. Acts 16:16–18 The absolute guidepost Third: Acts 16:16–18 records what occurred immediately upon arriving in Macedonia. This is what happened right as he went to Macedonia.
1) As we were going to the place of prayer (verse 16). In verse 16 it says, “As we were going to the place of prayer.” The same expression appears now. In a vision—the absolute bartizan. As they went to see if there was a place of prayer—the absolute journey. Here it says, “As we were going to the place of prayer.”
2) Healing the demon-possessed in the name of Jesus – the absolute guidepost. There he met one possessed by an evil spirit. A demon-possessed person suffers greatly. Others come to her for fortune-telling and the like, but she herself suffers greatly. Some may make money through it because income comes from it, but the person herself suffers greatly. Day by day she suffers more. Paul healed her. He cast out the demon in the name of Jesus. What is this? The absolute guidepost.
3) For the rest of your life, God has prepared the absolute bartizan, journey, and guidepost. If you only pray, they are easy to find. These three remain before you. What must you now find, most importantly when RU does its work? Since God, with absolute sovereignty, controls my life, what is the remaining ministry for me? Even if no one helps you, it is fine. Prayer alone is enough. “In a vision to Macedonia.” If you look at the expressions, you find: “As we went to see if there was a place of prayer, Lydia.” “As we were going to the place of prayer, the demon-possessed.” These events are tremendous events. Astonishing works began to occur. It is enough that you merely ask. Some ask, “What is God’s will?” That question itself is a blessing. One elder asks, “How shall I do world missions?” That question itself is a blessing. Therefore, the undeniable fact is that for your remaining life, God has prepared the absolute bartizan, journey, and guidepost. And the One who holds absolute sovereignty over your life has done so. When God calls us, we must all go. Right? How many years we will live—we can only roughly guess; we do not know. But someday we will go. More important: that is not the issue. God has left something for you within His absolute sovereignty over you. It is very easy to find because you can find it by praying. It is very difficult to find because if you do not pray, you cannot find it.
※ What you must do most for the rest of your life – restore the enjoyment of the power of prayer.
Therefore, for our remnants and our elders—these precious ones—what must they do most in their remaining life? You must truly restore the power of enjoying prayer.
▣ Conclusion_ The Second Life Camp – Experiencing God’s Work of Finding the Absolute Bartizan, Journey, and Guidepost
So what conclusion arises? Begin the second life camp. The first life camp is to be led by God, but the second life camp is to now experience spiritual works. What? Establish the absolute bartizan along my path. Find the absolute journey along my path. Leave the absolute guidepost during my lifetime.
1. The spiritual answers that come first (3 John 1:2, Hebrews 11:1–3) When you pray like this, what is the first answer that comes? It is not that such visible things appear. Right? The first answer that comes is a spiritual answer. This is the true one. Thus, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” Things follow that. In Hebrews 11:1–3 it says, “Faith” is unseen. “The substance of things hoped for”—unseen. “The evidence of things not seen.” It is substance and evidence.
1) The power of the throne. Therefore, what does it mean that a spiritual answer comes first? It means that wherever you move and pray, the power of the throne begins to come upon you. You must believe this.
2) The kingdom of God. Wherever you go, the kingdom of God is set to come.
3) The work of the kingdom of God. The work of the kingdom of God is fulfilled. This is the first answer that comes.
2. The bartizan, journey, and guidepost of the Triune God begin to work.
3. The answers that follow
1) Transcendence of time and space – as you worship and pray, works occur in the places connected to you. Therefore the answer that comes is the transcendence of time and space. As you are here praying today in worship, works are surely set to occur in the places related to you.
2) Unprecedented and unrepeatable – what has been prepared only for you. There is what has been prepared only for you—unprecedented and unrepeatable. It surely exists. You must make a resolution.
3) 237–5000. Only then can you save the 237 nations and the 5,000 tribes.
※ A resolution of faith – you must go beyond your parents’ situation, the positions and levels of the elders, and your own level. The Lord has promised the power of the throne and the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
I did nothing. I only made moment-by-moment resolutions, holding to faith. That is all, and God worked. I love and respect my parents who never spoke of others but only prayed. However, I thought that I must go beyond my parents’ situation. I thought I must not remain as my parents were. I made a resolution. To evangelize the world, I must not remain there. Remnants must make resolutions. Then answers come—if you truly make them. There have been many elders whom I respect who saved and helped me. I truly respect and love them. Even now I do. But there is something clear. If I remain exactly at their positions and levels, I cannot evangelize the world. That is certain. I must go beyond. I made that resolution. Each time I made moment-by-moment resolutions, God answered. Why? Because it cannot be done by our power. More importantly, at my level I can do nothing. Therefore the Lord promised to give the fullness of the Holy Spirit with the power of the throne. Then we only need to pray for that.
※ Pray for RU, which calls pastors who have not studied theology and Remnant talents worldwide to study. Today is RU Sunday. Do you know why RU was established? I went to South America and Africa, and thousands of pastors gathered. They said they heard the gospel for the first time. It was shocking. Understandably, many had never attended seminary at all. How can this be? Pastors who never studied theology. They said they were hearing the gospel for the first time. “This is no ordinary problem,” I thought. Once, there was even something quite discourteous to Pastor David Yonggi Cho. A missionary sent by Pastor Cho wanted to hear the gospel. He invited two speakers—Pastor Cho and me. In the evening Pastor Cho, a man of great power, ministered, “Receive fire! Do this!” At night it was like that, and in the daytime thousands gathered and I lectured—an evangelism lecture. Those African pastors were hearing the gospel for the first time. They had no idea what “Christ” meant or even what the term meant. They were shocked. I asked the interpreter, “Why is there no response?” He told me something important: “When they are shocked, they remain still.” It was an uproar afterward. Then Pastor Cho’s aides said, “How could you invite two speakers in a way that invites comparison…” That is not my point. In America too there are many who became pastors without theological study. Others studied, yet do not know the gospel or evangelism at all. Our missionary Hong Chang-ho in Germany said this: he briefly joined a German gathering and simply shared the gospel, and they had never heard it. That is the current situation. Therefore RU was established so they would hear and proclaim the gospel. So, we will start by teaching pastors who have not studied theology. More importantly, there are Remnant talents all over the world. We will call them and train them. That is the kind of school it is. These days it is proceeding rather stably. Your prayers are needed. At least today, please pray for RU in prayer. I will not say, “Pray every day.” You are busy and have IQs to use. But at least today you must pray. And in your life, find what is within God’s absolute sovereignty. Let us pray.
Prayer. We give glory and thanks to God. May today become the day when, all day long, we ask about what remains of God within the absolute sovereignty over the rest of my life. Grant that we may receive answers of the age like Paul. Make us witnesses who save those who are perishing. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.