2026.05.10 Sunday 1st Service
Children, Parents Sunday
「I Am Doing a New Thing」
(Is 43:18-19)
▣ Introduction
1. World churches are closing their doors, but 237-5,000 ethnic groups are still waiting for the gospel.
By now our missions conference has almost concluded and everyone has returned to their respective countries. Right now churches in America are closing their doors. In Europe, it has been going on for a long time. 237-5,000 ethnic groups are waiting for the gospel. What should we do at a time like this?
2. The greatest gift parents can give their children is the power of prayer that enables them to survive in any environment.
Today you need to take with you something that gives you certain answers to experience. Also, today is Children’s Sunday and Parents’ Sunday. That too is important, but we must receive answers in order to be able to show filial devotion. The greatest education parents can give their children is to make them people who can pray. They are going out to be defeated in the world. No matter where they are, they need the strength to survive on their own.
3. The Word given to Israel in despair
Israel has now fallen into despair. When you fall into complete despair, what do you do? It is completely beyond comprehension… The temple has been destroyed and Israel has been taken captive. This is the situation they have encountered. At this time God gave them an important answer for receiving answers. There are parts that need to be understood first.
1) Do not remember the former things or ponder the things of old.
“Do not remember the former things. Do not ponder the things of old.” Is that possible?
(1) A person stuck in the past
A person stuck in the past absolutely cannot succeed. They cannot receive answers either. Right? For some reason — it is not even embarrassing — couples who fight so much appear on TV to try to resolve it. They must have been desperately frustrated to come out. From my perspective, these people are hopeless in two ways. Both of them say the exact same thing. “I have done nothing wrong; my husband is the problem.” The husband says, “No, that one is the one who is wrong.” This keeps going. And there is another characteristic: they are completely trapped in the past, constantly bringing up old things. I am confident that when those people go home, they will fight again.
(2) A person with mental problems
When you actually see a person with mental problems, they are completely gripped by the past, telling the same story over and over, trapped in it. So “Do not remember the former things. Do not ponder the things of old.” But is this possible? We stop remembering old things and stop thinking about them? Is that possible? Because this is not possible, many people fall into wounds. Many people fall into limitations. Some even have spiritual problems come. Some people, having been so wounded, have children who are in conflict.
But today an important Word has come out. It does not mean you should be unable to remember the past or should not think about old things. It gave the answer right after that.
2) I will do a new thing.
“I will do a new thing.” Right? You must remember this. A person who holds on to the new thing God is doing can overcome the past, the former things. This is extremely important. A person who does the new thing God is doing — no matter how much of a problem the past and former things become, it is fine. In fact, those things become a springboard. Right? “I will do a new thing.” What new thing will He do? “I will make a way in the wilderness. I will make streams in the wasteland.”
3) I will make a way in the wilderness. I will make streams in the wasteland.
Tremendous. It means He will completely bring life. “I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Because this is a sure covenant, do not think about the past. Do not remember the former things. This is what it means. This is tremendously important for us.
▣ Main — 5 sure covenants
How can we receive this blessing, what must we do to receive it? Today you simply need to hold five sure covenants.
1. You must know what true prayer is.
This is the first one from Isaiah. A person who knows what true prayer is can receive this blessing. What is prayer?
1) Isaiah saw the God seated on the throne and the heavenly hosts in the midst of prayer (Isaiah 6).
In Isaiah chapter 6, God appeared to Isaiah from within the throne. The angels were flying up and flapping their wings and so on. At that time God said, “Whom shall I send?” And he said, “Send me.” God said no. He said He would leave a stump. That part is right, but that is not what is important actually. That is God’s plan. When did this begin? This is the part that began while Isaiah was praying.
2) Prayer connects to the throne.
Your prayers are imprinted firmly on the throne. Right? That is prayer. When John the apostle looked, all your prayers are carried before the throne. They are placed in that bowl. The angel does all the errand work. This is prayer. Your prayer connects with the throne. When you hold the covenant today, God’s kingdom comes. Right? Then the work of God’s kingdom is accomplished — I explained that today. “Rather than you, I will raise up Remnant.” Right? “That is the holy seed.” When you hold the covenant today, if you know what prayer is, history will certainly happen. You must know what prayer is. There are many people who do not know what prayer is.
I spoke about it this morning. When King Saul was thinking about how to kill David, that is where the kingdom of Satan came. This is important. Right? David, hiding and running to the very end, said, “Because the Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” At that moment God’s kingdom comes. Right? You must know the fact that your prayers connect with the throne. Then a way will be made in the wilderness and streams will flow in the wasteland. You must hold on to this absolutely today. Why do we worship? What is an answer? During the time of worship, God’s kingdom comes from the throne.
3) During the time of worship, God’s kingdom comes.
If you do not know this, pray your whole life — however much you pray, you will not know. What you see with your eyes later is the result. It means the work of God’s kingdom has been accomplished. And so worship is important. When Joseph was being dragged away as a slave, what did he pray? “This is not going to slavery. This is the path of world mission.” Right? That is where God’s kingdom comes. So Satan is still alive today and always follows around. When King Saul kept trying to kill David, an evil spirit came upon him. The Lord seated on the throne appeared to Isaiah. If you know what prayer is, history will certainly happen.
4) What you see with your eyes comes a little while later.
What you see with your eyes — that comes a bit later. That is not what is important. Right now, in the moment you are worshipping, in the moment you are holding the covenant, when you pray, God’s kingdom comes. At that moment the errands of the Lord’s angels start going out. Unbelievers do not know and cannot believe it. Our life is in heaven. Right? Enjoying that heavenly throne is prayer. God showed this to Isaiah first.
2. You must know the gospel that breaks the power of darkness and reverses destiny.
The second one. You must know the gospel that binds the darkness and reverses destiny. What came forth at this time?
1) Isaiah 7:14
In Isaiah 7:14: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
2) Isaiah 8:3
It came up again in chapter 8, verse 3. What is this saying? It is speaking of the astonishing message that completely shatters the darkness and reverses destiny.
3) Genesis 3:15
In Genesis 3:15: “The offspring of the woman will crush the head of the serpent.” This is no ordinary statement. It means that Jesus Christ will break the authority of Satan. Then destiny is turned upside down.
4) John 1:12
“To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” It is speaking of that blessing.
5) Exodus 3:18
The day the blood of the lamb was applied, they were set free. Right? The gospel is tremendous.
If you know what prayer is, and what the power of the gospel is, a way will be made in the wilderness and streams will flow in the wasteland. You must hold on to this and go.
3. You must hold on to the power of the Word.
The third one. It is when the Word comes.
1) The Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah
“The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah a second time.” That is the end of it, right?
2) The word of God came to Moses
“The word of God came to Moses.”
3) The word of Galatians 3:28 came to Lincoln
There are many leaders here who will serve our region — city council candidates and the like — attending worship, and the word of God came to Lincoln. Right? The word of God in Galatians 3:28 came. And so he came out with the emancipation of Black slaves.
4) The word of Isaiah 40
What does Isaiah 40 say? You need to hold this covenant and go. Only then does history happen. “Go up to a high mountain and proclaim.” What to proclaim?
(1) Isaiah 40:8
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but proclaim that the word of the Lord stands forever.”
(2) Isaiah 40:18-20
“Is what was made by hands a god?” It appears in Isaiah 40. “People make something and bow to it — is that a god? Some make it large, some make it of gold — what kind of god is that?”
(3) Isaiah 40:27
And then what did he say? “Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel?” What is it? “Why is my way hidden from God? Why does God not hear my complaint?”
(4) Isaiah 40:28-31
In Isaiah 40:28: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The everlasting Lord God, who rules to the ends of the earth, does not grow tired or weary. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and stumble and young men fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”
No other strength can save us. We must remember this. You must know what prayer is. You must know what the gospel power is that reverses destiny. That is Immanuel. Once you know that, the Word comes. The Word is the eternal, living Word. That is what was explained today in Isaiah.
4. Arise and shine — evangelism and mission
What is next? The fourth thing comes out. You must know what the light is.
1) Arise, shine
“Arise, shine.” That is what evangelism and mission is. “Arise and shine.”
2) The glorious light of the Lord
More importantly: “The glory of the Lord rises upon you.”
3) Your children will return.
“Just shine this light and your children from the nations will return to you. Your daughters from distant lands will return. They will come bearing silver and gold.” It speaks of complete restoration. Light.
In some ways, even if busy people do not go out to evangelize, the door of evangelism opens. Right? If you know you are light. Then those who are in darkness will see the light and come.
I once said something pretty pointed to a military chaplain I was close to. “Just what are you doing as a chaplain?” I asked. Because we were close I could ask. “Hey, do you not know the gospel for the soldiers committing suicide in the military?” Those foolish things. Why would a soldier commit suicide just for doing something wrong in the military? Why would someone commit suicide just because someone is bullying them? No. This person has been tormented by spiritual problems even before going to the military and cannot endure it. The fact that there is no chaplain or military minister who can help them — that is the truly sad thing. Right?
Arise and shine. It is simple. Normal working people at the office, going around making noise and doing evangelism? No need to do that. One day, people will come knowing who you are. Right? Because light saves people. That is when you can speak to them. “Arise, shine. Those in darkness will return.” If you hold this covenant, a way will be made in the wilderness. Streams will flow in the wasteland. Right?
5. You must know the mission of the watchman.
One more last thing to know. Who are you? That is the question. You are watchmen. You must know that and go. A watchman is someone who keeps watch 24 hours.
1) One who does not give the Lord rest
“Do not give the Lord any rest, day or night.” That is a watchman.
2) One who opens the highway
“Open the highway.” There needs to be a highway for traffic to come.
3) One who raises a banner for all peoples
“Raise a banner for all peoples.”
These are the five. Those who understood these words are the ones who came forth. Right?
▣ Conclusion
When Isaiah spoke these words, most people cursed Isaiah. Some even killed Isaiah. Such spiritually ignorant people exist. Who held this prophecy of Isaiah as a covenant? You know.
1. Daniel
In Babylon, Daniel.
1) He held this covenant and made a resolution.
Daniel held it and made his resolution. What happened? A way was truly made in the wilderness and streams flowed in the wasteland. Right?
2) Three kings bowed to Daniel.
Three kings bowed to Daniel. Right? King Nebuchadnezzar. King Belshazzar. King Darius. Those kings even praised the Lord and exalted Daniel. Why? Because he held the covenant. Remember this.
When a desperate problem comes, you must know what prayer is — prayer that moves the throne. Prayer is the place where God’s kingdom comes first. Right? The kingdom where the Lord seated on the throne sends his angels and messengers to run errands comes first. And then what? You must truly know the gospel that reverses destiny and shatters the darkness. After that the Word comes. Right? After that, what? Now you shine the light. And so He established you as watchmen. New congregation members are watchmen who save their family lines. Missionaries are watchmen who save nations. Right? That is how they were established. But everyone missed this covenant.
2. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
There were those who held it. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Right? This is the prophecy about Babylon, I tell you.
1) High positions
As you know, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were placed in high positions. They did not think they had succeeded. They knew the reason. “We are captives right now. This is not success. I am now seated in a high position. This is not luck.” They had to see it correctly. There is the work of God that I must do here. Here is the covenant, as prophesied, to make a way in the wilderness and make water flow through the wasteland.
2) They did not bow before the idol temple.
At that time, they made an idol temple and had all the senior officials bow to it. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego naturally refused. So it showed. The king summoned them. “Why did you not?” Because they were such outstanding individuals, the king said, “I will give you one chance.” “I will give you one chance, so bow just once. When you hear the sound of the trumpet, hear it and bow.” At that moment they answered: “Your Majesty, we do not need to give an answer to what you are saying.” That is what they said. “The Lord will rescue us.” And then they said an even more fearsome thing afterward. “Even if the Lord does not rescue us.” So imagine how insulted the king felt. So he threw them into the fire. He threw three people in, but four were moving around inside. The one — a messenger of the Lord sent from the throne — was protecting them. When he saw this, what did he say?
3) The king was moved and made a way in the wilderness so that people could be saved, and streams in the wasteland.
The king was moved. A way in the wilderness — a way in the wilderness so all the world could go. Streams in the wasteland so people could be saved.
You are the ones who receive this answer, I tell you. Right? You must hold it firmly. You must first know what prayer is. So you must know what the gospel is. Without the gospel, darkness cannot be changed. So Daniel — you all know. Daniel was the one who held this covenant firmly, and Esther was one who held it. A few people. The numbers need not be many. A few people held the covenant. They opened a highway in Babylon. Right? Through that Babylon they made streams flow in the wasteland so that many people could receive life. This must actually become visible to you.
Today Seoul, Ulsan, and Changwon are all worshipping together. Distance does not matter. You must hold the covenant properly. Parents’ Sunday, Children’s Sunday — those are not so important. If I am told to write a birthday, I write it. Some date. I do not know if I am coming or going. Is it that important? Right when I came to this church it was 1987, I think. Very few congregation members. It must have been my birthday. They had a test of faith among themselves. So I told my wife at home: why did you tell them about my birthday like that? And I said: never do a birthday again. That sort of thing is not necessary. I have kept that promise to this day. Nothing needed. A while back, someone said “Let’s do a seventieth birthday.” That sort of thing is not necessary. What is so important about it? Women seem to think it is very important. It is not very important. We need to be set free. Right?
Right now people are dying quickly; we need to make a way in the wilderness. People are dying in the wasteland; we need to make streams flow right now. I ask that you hold the covenant firmly. If just one person holds it, answers keep coming for a lifetime. Right? When I was young, something was imprinted on me. “Why is my father always so sick?” That was imprinted on me. “That is not how it should be.” Right? And why are people always suffering because of money like that? Cannot even do evangelism. That is not right. I thought it was wrong. And the answers to that have kept coming ever since. It is not difficult, is it? I will make a way in the wilderness, make streams flow in the wasteland. It is God’s promise. Let us pray.
Prayer. God, let us go to the field today with important answers. Let us go to our families. Let us open a way through the blocked wilderness of the whole world. Let the water of life flow to those dying in the wasteland. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.