2025.06.29 Sunday 1st Service
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
※ Ask about God’s absolute plan
Today, you must ask yourself two questions. Wherever you are, ask, “What is God’s plan?” For that person, something important will surely appear. “What is God’s absolute plan for me?” From that moment, important answers begin. Today, God’s absolute plan is delivered to David. It says, “From this day onward.” Therefore, wherever we are, we must ask, “What is God’s plan?” Then naturally, your perspective changes. For that person, God’s absolute plan will appear. Even if you cannot find the answer, the question itself is important—especially in difficult times.
When I was studying—attending university, seminary, and studying—it was not easy. After marriage, while our children were in school, I was studying alongside them. Life was difficult. When I went to university, I saw so many outstanding students. But I was in a very difficult situation.
At that time, I asked God, “What is Your absolute plan? What is Your absolute plan for me? With so many excellent seminary students, do I really need to be here?” I simply asked that question, and I received an incredibly important answer. To the point that the whole nation and even the world came to know what evangelism truly is.
Also, when I was serving as an assistant pastor, I faced great difficulties. At that time, I set aside time for prayer and asked God about His absolute plan. But the condition is this: Though people fall into destruction, God desires to save us. So what is His absolute plan? From that moment, the evangelism school began, and I came to Yeongdo.
As you know, when I started in Yeongdo, I faced tremendous hardships. It was an impossible situation. At that time, I asked God, “What is Your absolute plan?” From that moment until now, God has given answers for world evangelization.
1) God has an absolute plan for you.
Today, you must ask this question. God has an absolute plan for you. You may think, “Someone like me…” But God has one for you. Most people just pass by without discovering it.
2) King Saul, who walked the opposite path of God’s absolute plan
Some people go against God’s absolute plan, though His absolute plan will be fulfilled regardless. Those people suffer for a lifetime. In today’s passage, it clearly says that God rejected King Saul. Saul walked the opposite path of God’s absolute plan his entire life—and suffered for it.
3) From the day you hold onto God’s absolute plan, hardships turn into answers
The moment you discover God’s absolute plan, no hardship remains a hardship—they all turn into answers. That’s why it says, “From this day onward.” What does that mean? From the day you hold onto God’s absolute plan.
Some may say, “I’m already old…” But Moses discovered God’s absolute plan at age 80. It’s impossible to predict. “I can’t do it anymore.” Elijah said that. But Elijah’s work hadn’t even begun yet. Some say, “I’m too sick; I can’t do it anymore.” Even at that time, God gave Paul the true thing. Today, you must surely receive that answer.
▣ Introduction: Before this day
It says, “From this day onward.” If so, we must know what came before that day. That’s the introduction.
1. We saw the situation of those who lost hold of the absolute covenant and absolute plan
What happened before this day? David knew it well. Samuel knew it well. They understood the situation of those who lost hold of the absolute covenant and absolute plan.
1) 400 years of slavery in Egypt—utterly absurd, God’s people in slavery for 400 years.
2) 40 years of suffering in the wilderness—even that might be bearable.
3) The attacks from the Philistines during the 14 generations of the Judges—after coming out of Egypt and expecting to restore the nation and evangelize the world, they faced constant attacks from the Philistines throughout the 14 generations of judges.
2. Each time, God used those who held His absolute plan
God used those who had His absolute plan—like Moses and Joshua.
At the time when the Philistines were severely oppressing Israel, there was already a king, but God clearly said today that He rejected Saul. It was a time of great hardship for Israel. Even Samuel was old. At that time, Samuel came to David. He came to Jesse’s house, and as you know, the important covenant was delivered to David. The most important thing was the announcement that David would become king—a shepherd becoming king. There, the important anointing took place. We know the details well.
3. The place where I stand is the mission field. There, I must find God’s absolute plan
“From this day onward, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.”
1) David’s shepherd days (Psalm 78:70-72)
As you know, the more important part today is the person of David.
(1) There, he enjoyed God’s mystery—David, even as a shepherd, wrote many psalms, prayed, praised, and worshipped God. That’s all he did.
(2) He did not lose a single sheep—many people want to do something special. But in his position as a shepherd, David enjoyed the greatest answers. Many people want to accomplish great things. But David, as a shepherd, exercised the skill of not losing even one sheep.
(3) He was prepared as a vessel fit for kingship—it’s recorded that by that time, David was already prepared as a vessel fit to become king (Psalm 78:70, 72).
Your current position is important. Some people say, “I can’t do it here.” Then you can’t do it anywhere. The place where you stand is your mission field. You must remember that. Your workplace is your mission field. There, you find God’s special plan. There, you find God’s absolute plan. Of course, God often leads us to better places. That is following God’s plan—not running away.
The place of worship today must become your greatest place. It may seem like nothing, but people don’t realize how important it is.
There was a person working in a restaurant. Somehow, they came to me, kept asking questions, and I sensed they were going through something difficult. I told them stories of some people I knew.
I know someone who, when their company collapsed in Seoul, became a person of prayer. What did they do? Sold pancakes. That person even appeared in the news. Wearing the finest clothes, using the finest ingredients, selling pancakes. With a name tag—himself as vice president, his wife as president. Using the finest ingredients for pancakes, advertising nationwide delivery. As a joke, someone from Daejeon ordered delivery—and they actually delivered it. Even with just pancakes, they succeeded. Eventually, they gave testimonies to university students and appeared on TV.
As you know, it doesn’t matter where we are. That’s important. Even as a young shepherd, David enjoyed God’s mystery. The time schedule surely comes. If you do not lose heart and enjoy the correct covenant, the time schedule will come.
2) Do not be deceived—make your current place and work 300%
I tell remnants, “Wherever you are, do not fear—make it 300%. Don’t worry about anything else.”
“What should I do in the future?” “Make your current place 300%.”
“But I have talents to develop…” “Don’t worry, just do it.” God will surely lead.
Joseph’s specialty was not cleaning. But Joseph cleaned 300%. Meaning, everyone knew it, he himself enjoyed it, and even Potiphar noticed. Potiphar said, “You are clearly not a slave. You shouldn’t be a slave. Take responsibility for my entire household.” Remember this.
It’s the same for those in business. Whatever you do—even if you deal with garbage—it’s fine. Make it 300%.
David, as a shepherd, nurtured his spiritual strength. He nurtured his skill. He prayed unwaveringly. That’s all. The rest follows.
One day, the time schedule came—the high priest came. At that time, the high priest’s appearance was overwhelming. When he appeared, the entire town trembled, asking, “Have you come with bad news? Have you come to bless us?” The high priest said, “I’ve come with good news.” Then he went to Jesse’s house and anointed David. Until then, David had been with the flock, but when he returned, he understood.
There are two things you must always remember.
First, make your current place 300%. No excuses.
Second, make your current work 300%. You know it, others know it, and God knows it. Make it so.
“Isn’t that hard to do?” Of course—but don’t be deceived. You must do it.
I always tell this to young people I meet. I shared this with that restaurant worker too.
It’s true. A man entered as a janitor and became president of the world’s largest steel company.
Years ago, an elderly driver entered a bank as a driver but became a full employee. Later, he became a branch manager.
What did he do? Nothing special. He made his place 300%.
He was a driver for the branch manager. He often waited, bored. The building frequently had electrical failures. Others ignored it, but he studied electricity. That’s what 300% means.
He studied electricity, fixed the problems, and when the bank had electrical issues, they called him. Eventually, he became an employee. But as a new employee, he was the lowest rank, sitting among the beginners.
One day, an important figure visited and thought, “This man doesn’t seem ordinary. Why is he sitting here?” Through that person’s influence, he gained trust, and large deposits followed. He became number one in the entire bank nationwide—and later was promoted to branch manager. That’s 300%. He was a person of prayer.
John Wanamaker—he was a person of prayer. Remnants must not be shaken, not be deceived—make it 300%. The rest is deception. I can confidently tell remnants this because I was in that situation. Just don’t be deceived.
3) One day, God’s absolute plan will surely be delivered to you
Without fail, one day, God’s absolute plan will be delivered to David. One day, God’s absolute plan will be delivered to you.
▣ Main point_ From this day onward
1. From the day he understood the reason
The day you understand the reason.
1) The 17 bartizans of Satan—no one teaches this. Satan has built 17 bartizans to destroy the world. What illness plagues the superpowers? The weak nations? Israel? That’s what he came to know. Samuel explained it.
2) The reason the Philistines kept attacking, the reason Israel became like this.
3) The Ark of the Covenant—Samuel surely spoke of it. When the Ark was captured, Samuel prayed, and it returned. He surely told David where it was—in the house of Abinadab.
Later, even as king, David struggled with this. Unlike ordinary people, David said, “I live in a nice house, I sleep on an ivory bed, but the Ark of the Lord is exposed to the wind.”
God blessed David just for having that heart. But when did he receive that? During Samuel’s time. From that day onward, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David—not just mere emotion, but God’s great answers.
2. From the day he was anointed
The second “From this day onward.” From the day he was anointed. He received the entire covenant and was anointed. Simply put, from the day God’s bartizan was established.
1) The precious covenant delivered to David—the day he understood why Satan’s bartizan must be destroyed, God’s bartizan was established. God’s most precious covenant was delivered to David—the bartizan of the throne, the journey, and the guidepost.
※ Fundamental healing—don’t worry about depression. When the Lord’s bartizan is established, it disappears. Don’t worry about your illness. When the Lord’s bartizan is established, it disappears. Even in today’s church leaders’ meeting, we said—healing the root is what matters, temporary relief is not what’s important.
2) As this bartizan came upon David, power began to arise.
3) He began to conquer the Philistines.
As you know, through David, what happened? Before, they always suffered because of the Philistines. After David came, he began to defeat them. A prime example is Goliath.
But that’s not the most important thing. What did Goliath say? “Let a believer in the Lord come out.” It wasn’t ordinary ridicule. It was a direct challenge to the Lord’s believers. How shameful!
No one dared to fight him. But David heard it and went. The important part comes there.
Goliath cursed David in the name of his gods. David replied, “I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts—the name you have insulted.” He added, “You come with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come in the name of the Lord.”
It was a war with reason. David declared, “I will prove that life does not depend on swords but is in the Lord’s hands. I will reveal that the whole world may know that the Lord is the one true God.”
He declared, “Today, the Lord has delivered you into my hand.” That came from young David. From there, the world was shaken. That time schedule will come.
※ From the day he held the absolute covenant, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him.
The day the Lord’s bartizan was established for him. You must receive this blessing.
3. From the day he realized his future mission
From the day he realized his future and mission—the third point.
1) From that moment, David’s 300% preparation began.
2) The 1,000 prayer bartizans to save Israel were established because of David.
3) He fully prepared the temple with the three courtyards to save the world.
▣ Conclusion_ Hold onto the lifelong covenant, the accurate covenant, and the covenant of creation
1) Hold onto the lifelong covenant.
Never be discouraged in life. Don’t be deceived. Hold onto the important covenant. We don’t need to do anything excessive—just hold the important covenant. God’s absolute plan remains for you.
The most important thing was the Ark of the Covenant that Samuel delivered to David. He told David how the Ark must be handled. David held onto that covenant and prayed for his entire life. Today, conclusively, hold onto the lifelong covenant. From today, for the rest of your life, hold firmly to the lifelong covenant.
2) Even when you see God’s absolute plan but lack ability, find the answer and hold onto the accurate covenant.
When you see God’s absolute plan but can’t do it yourself, what do you do? Look at the Bible. Throughout history, God’s absolute plan is clear, but often we cannot accomplish it ourselves.
The survival of the Israelites was God’s absolute plan—but they couldn’t do it themselves. At that time, Jochebed held onto the accurate covenant. The survival of the Israelite babies was God’s plan, but they couldn’t defeat Pharaoh. So she found the answer. “I can’t do it by my own strength.” She planted God’s covenant into Moses and sent him to the palace. There was no other way.
Jochebed’s action changed the world. Today, you must take that blessing.
3) When God’s covenantal Word comes upon you, the work of creation arises—the covenant of creation must be delivered.
When God’s covenantal Word comes upon you, it produces the work of creation. In your remaining life, in your work, God’s covenant of creation must be delivered. Without a doubt. The covenant of creation must be delivered to remnants.
1) The covenant of creation delivered to David—without fail, build the temple with the three courtyards to save the world. God could not help but give this to David.
2) The dry bones—God asked Ezekiel, “Can these dry bones live?”
That’s where the problem comes. We lack ability.
“Can they live?” Saying “No” is unbelief.
Saying “Yes” is fantasy. We often take one of those two extremes.
But Ezekiel answered, “Sovereign Lord, You alone know.”
God said, “Prophesy to the bones.” When he prophesied, they came to life.
God didn’t say, “Blow breath into them.” He said, “Prophesy to the breath.”
The dry bones became a mighty army.
Hold onto this covenant.
Declare that you will fulfill God’s absolute plan for the rest of your life.
May today be the day this blessing is planted in you.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I bless you. Let us pray.
Prayer
God, may Your absolute plan, which You delight in, be discovered in our remaining lives. Let today be the day we hold onto the covenant of creation. Let today be the day the dry bones come to life. Let today be the day all diseases are healed. Let today be the day all darkness and unbelief are bound. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.