2025.10.05 Sunday 1st Service
Scripture Reading: Acts 8:4-8
▣ Introduction
※ Because they do not know what they have received, they ask what they should do.
Many people ask, “How should I live my life of faith?” Indeed, most people ask that question. “What should I do?” they ask often. But the truth is, they do not know what they have received. That’s why they cannot overcome unbelievers. Rather than defeating them, we should save them, but instead, they are defeated by unbelievers. This is extremely important. Our remnants go out into the world but cannot overcome unbelievers. They have to follow them around, thinking that following them is success, but the problem is—they don’t know what they have received.
1. Be assured – Wherever you go, curses and disasters collapse and are bound in the name of Jesus Christ.
Today’s title is “The Gospel That Blocks Curses and Disasters.” You must be assured of this. Wherever you go, curses and disasters collapse and are bound in the name of Jesus Christ. That is what today’s passage shows us. If you do not believe this with certainty, what happened to Philip will never happen to you. You will not be able to save a nation like Samaria.
1) Hebrews 11 – The characteristics of those who overcame darkness, curses, and disasters: Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.
There is a place in the Bible where the names of all those who overcame darkness are gathered. Where is it? The place where only those who overcame the world of darkness, curses, and disasters are gathered—it’s Hebrews chapter 11. That’s right, Hebrews 11 gathers all the names of the heroes of faith up to now. And at the beginning of Hebrews 11, what does it say? “Faith is the substance of things hoped for.” It doesn’t say it’s something you already have—it says “things hoped for.” You don’t have it yet. “The evidence of things not seen.” This is where people make mistakes. They don’t see it; they don’t have it yet; they only hope for it. Because they can’t see it, there’s no distinction between believers and unbelievers—they both become unbelievers. What is unseen is actually first, but because they cannot see it, they think it has no value. But the unseen is the true reality. Isn’t that what it says? “The substance of things hoped for.” You have not seen it yet. “The evidence of things not seen.” What does this mean?
(1) Faith grows and takes root.
Faith grows. This faith continues to take root.
(2) The result of unbelief taking root.
Recently, a child killed his whole family. Not long ago, a father made a homemade gun and killed his son and wife. The law can only analyze why it happened. The opposite of faith is unbelief. Because they had invisible unbelief deeply rooted in them, such results came out. This year alone, reports show 338 murder cases occurred in our country. Among them, our nation ranks number one in suicides—this year it’s at the highest level. It’s serious, isn’t it? Because unbelief that does not know God fills the land, this is what happens. Unbelief itself is a curse and disaster. Because people are full of it, they cannot escape. Even emergency room statistics show the same. Excluding those who come due to illness or injury—those who attempted suicide but survived were taken to the ER. Among them, 87% are young people. This is no small problem. Such is the terror of curses, disasters, and unbelief.
2) Faith that knows the Gospel correctly
It is extremely important to have faith that knows the Gospel correctly. This doesn’t mean, “I trust that person.”
(1) Believe in Jesus Christ—the name that removes curses and disasters.
God gave us the name that removes curses and disasters, and that name is Jesus Christ. Believe in that name.
(2) You have been given the light of creation—arise and shine, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
“The light of creation, that light, has been given to you. Arise and shine, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”
3) If you do not believe this fact
If you do not truly believe this—
(1) You remain at the same level as unbelievers.
You’re on the same level as unbelievers.
(2) You cannot evangelize—you end up serving unbelievers and Satan.
You cannot evangelize. You end up serving unbelievers and doing Satan’s work because you don’t believe. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” You must believe this.
(3) There is no way to block curses and disasters.
If you’re not careful, the more educated you become, the harder it is to believe. As you age, it becomes even harder to believe. That’s why there’s no way to stop the incoming curses and disasters. That’s why so many teenagers start committing suicide—there’s no solution. You must be assured that wherever you go, curses and disasters collapse in the name of Jesus Christ, just as they did for Philip.
2. The reason curses and disasters come
So why did these curses and disasters come?
1) The 12 problems
(1) The Garden of Eden (leaving God and trying to become like God), the Nephilim (idol worship—power), the Tower of Babel incident (success without God).
Humanity left God. Not just left, but was deceived by Satan’s temptation. Of course, it was ultimately man’s choice to leave God. Satan deceived man by pretending to offer something good: “You will be like God.” That was the Garden of Eden incident. It continues even today. In Noah’s time came the Nephilim—those who worshipped idols for strength. That began to rise. Then came the Tower of Babel: “We can succeed without God.” Indeed, look at many communist nations that lasted seventy years and collapsed—they said they didn’t need to believe in God, but collapsed like Babel’s tower. This continues even today—this curse and disaster.
(2) Struggling—idol worship, fortune-telling.
So they struggle desperately. They panic, so they make idols and worship them thinking they are God. They go to fortune-tellers who are possessed by demons. They listen to the voice of demons deceived by Satan’s lies and do everything according to that.
(3) As children of Satan, spiritual problems begin; their background is hell and Satan, and greater problems pass to future generations.
In the end, it turns out that I am not the one leading my life—Satan is. Jesus said so. It’s a spiritual problem no scientist can solve. That’s why suicide arises. The background is hell; the background is Satan. And it doesn’t stop—it spreads to future generations. You must grab hold of the covenant of the Gospel that blocks curses and disasters. Believe it. Even one person holding to this covenant can change everything.
2) A church that does not know Only the Gospel cannot overcome curses and disasters.
A church that does not know Only the Gospel cannot overcome curses and disasters. You must remember this. Shall we see the evidence?
(1) Acts 11:1–18 – Criticizing eating at a Gentile’s house (emphasizing Jewish tradition over the Gospel).
When Peter returned from Cornelius’s house, they said, “Why did you go to a Gentile’s house and eat?” Such people cannot block disasters. That’s why people say, “Why do churchgoers act like that?” They cannot block it. Satan fears Only Christ, nothing else. Because they don’t know this, mental illness increases rapidly even in developed countries like the U.S. and Japan. They don’t even know why. Therefore, they cannot stop it.
(2) Galatians 2:10–20 – Emphasizing Jewish law over the Gospel.
Even Peter said to Paul, “Although we are saved, we must still keep the Jewish law.” That’s in Galatians chapter 2. Paul was astonished and said, “You, who know the Jewish law so well—do you even keep all of it? If you can’t, why do you require Gentiles to do so?”
※ A church that does not know Only the Gospel is no different from idol worship. It cannot block disasters.
A church that does not know Only the Gospel is the same as idol worship. It cannot block the curses and disasters spreading over the world and upon you. This is not achieved by effort. That’s why God said, “Believe.” We cannot produce it ourselves.
(3) Matthew 12:26–30 – Satan is building a house in your household.
Jesus said, “Satan is building a house in your household.” The devout Jews were shocked. No matter how blessed you are, if you do not know the power of this Gospel, you cannot overcome curses.
3. The background of today’s passage
What happened?
1) The reason curses and disasters came upon Samaria
(1) During Solomon’s reign, idols spread, and the kingdom divided.
Around 722 B.C., Assyria invaded. But before that, what happened? Solomon became king, and the kingdom prospered greatly. Foreigners came to visit; even foreign kings dreamed of meeting Solomon. But Solomon brought in many foreign women—thousands. These women pleaded, “We’re bored and unhappy here. Let us serve our gods.” Solomon agreed, and idols spread throughout Jerusalem. It became a town full of demons. That’s why Israel was divided—northern Israel and southern Judah, like north and south today. The capital of Judah was Jerusalem; the capital of Israel was Samaria.
(2) Captivity to Assyria, intermarriage with Gentiles.
Then around 722 B.C., Assyria invaded. It was tragic. When you don’t know what curses and disasters are, this is what happens. The men of northern Israel were all taken as captives. Later, southern Judah was taken by Babylon. The men were sold as slaves in foreign markets. To further destroy Israel, Assyria brought in slaves from other nations, who intermarried with Israelite women. Because of that, the Jews in Jerusalem who lacked understanding of the Gospel despised them as “mixed breeds.” Thus, curses and disasters deeply afflicted them.
※ Philip, who proclaimed the Gospel – Only the Gospel can solve curses. Only the light can overcome darkness.
It was there that Philip came and proclaimed the Gospel. Only the Gospel can solve curses, for only the light can overcome darkness. If you do not firmly hold this covenant, our future generations will again become servants of the world.
(3) Because they did not understand the Gospel, Judah saw Samaria as a cursed land.
The problem was not Samaria—it was Judah and Israel who possessed the Gospel but misunderstood it. They saw Samaria as a cursed land. Some Jews would even go around Samaria rather than set foot there. Ridiculous! That’s how people become when they don’t understand the Gospel. So when Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, “Give me a drink,” she was shocked: “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?”—for Jews did not associate with Samaritans. That’s where today’s amazing work of revival took place.
2) The time when Jesus was crucified and believers were legally ostracized
This was the time when Jesus had been crucified, and believing in Him was illegal. If you were a believer, you could lose your job—even public officials were dismissed. If you went to the Upper Room of Mark, you lost everything.
3) One man, Philip, broke down the darkness, disasters, and curses in Samaria. Believe this.
This was the era of the early church. In Samaria, one man, Philip, destroyed all darkness, disasters, and curses. Hold firmly to this covenant. Believe it. This is not received by effort. To pray in the name of Jesus Christ is not effort—it is faith, not payment.
▣ Main Message – How did he block curses and disasters?
How were curses and disasters blocked?
1. When hardships come, discover God’s great blessing.
First, when great persecution or hardship comes, find God’s great blessing within it. When hardship comes, enduring or trying harder won’t work. Don’t take another path—find God’s great blessing within the hardship.
(1) The believers scattered due to Stephen’s death and great persecution (verses 1–3).
Verse 1 says that great persecution broke out and the believers were scattered throughout the land. Verse 2 says that after Stephen’s death, they mourned deeply. Then in verse 3, Paul began to arrest and imprison believers to kill them. That’s when the believers scattered.
(2) The blessing Philip discovered – He went to Samaria to proclaim the Gospel (verses 4–5).
Among them, Philip went to Samaria. Believers who have the Gospel do not fear persecution or hardship—they find God’s blessing there. “At that time, Philip went to Samaria to proclaim the Gospel.” Those who were scattered went there.
To pray today means to discover God’s greatest blessing. Try it—discover what blessing God has hidden for you.
(3) The Gospel is life-giving.
Look throughout Scripture—all who received answers saw this: the Gospel gives life.
2. One heart, whole heart, continuation – Miracles that change the world
Second, when they proclaimed the Gospel, “the crowds listened to Philip and paid close attention with one accord.” The one heart, whole heart, and continuation you must have bring miracles that change the world.
(1) Those scattered preached the Gospel, testifying to Christ in Samaria (verses 4–5).
“The scattered believers went about preaching the Gospel,” it says. “And in Samaria, they testified to Christ.”
(2) They listened to Philip’s message with one heart (verse 6).
“They heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, and they paid attention with one accord.”
(3) Miracles that changed the field (verse 7).
“Evil spirits came out with loud cries, and many paralyzed or lame were healed.” Miracles that changed the field occurred.
Today’s prayer is simple. You have the covenant that blocks curses and disasters. If you don’t understand this, you’re at the same level as unbelievers. The increasing disasters in America cannot be stopped. Things won’t get better—they will get harder. Mental illness is rapidly increasing.
3. There was great joy in that city (verse 8)
Thus, “There was great joy in that city.” Don’t lose these three things. In every hardship and problem, do not just pass through it—God’s blessing is hidden there. Once you find it, continue with one heart, whole heart, and continuation. “There was great joy in that city.” That’s the answer you will receive today.
※ During worship, pastors must convey what God desires, and you must find the answer. Once you find the answer, pray with one heart. Then you will see God’s plan and there will be great joy.
If you lose this during Sunday worship, worship becomes meaningless. Pastors must not preach their own message but convey what God desires. You must find answers during worship. Don’t just listen to my sermon—find answers through God’s Word.
Today, our former district head Kim Cheol-Hoon is worshiping with us. I see him as one who has dedicated himself greatly for Yeongdo. Please pray earnestly for him. Through his term, our church received its long-delayed construction approval. He will receive much blessing because our church prays continuously, broadcasting to over a hundred nations. Today, his name was mentioned worldwide. May wherever he goes, not only Yeongdo but all curses and disasters be broken in the name of Jesus Christ. That is our covenant.
If you have found the answer, what does “one heart” mean? It means to pray with one heart and one mind. That’s why you came today—to do this. When you do, God’s plan becomes clear. “There was great joy.” This is today’s complete answer.
Why was there great joy? Because nobody could solve that problem—nobody! There was no way—nothing worked. But when the light shone, darkness collapsed. When they prayed in the name of Christ, demons fled.
(1) Nobody → Everybody
Nobody became everybody.
(2) Nothing → Everything
Nothing became everything.
(3) No way → Everywhere
No way became everywhere. Great joy overflowed.
So when you come to worship, don’t listen to human voices or my sermon. Your life is not worthless. You haven’t come to learn from me. Whether you have problems or not, find the answer through God’s Word today.
There was great persecution, yet they entered Samaria. That’s not an ordinary story. They went to the very place that was the biggest problem between North and South Israel and proclaimed Christ—and people listened with one heart. Let this be imprinted in you. When God’s Word is fulfilled, great joy follows. Don’t miss this.
I told you before about a poor dock worker who prayed an hour after work every day. He found the answer and prayed with one heart, whole heart, and continuation. One day, he became a ship magnate—Onassis. Immanuel Kant too prayed and meditated early every morning while hiking. The same work that broke curses and disasters in Samaria can happen to you through prayer. Believe it. You may seem like nothing, but when you believe, God works.
When I was young, my mother chose the Christian Gospel. That one choice ended everything. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you and your household will be saved.”
▣ Conclusion – What happens when you pray
Finally, what happens when you pray? You must know this. Prayer is to God—it is spiritual. But what actually happens, even scientifically? There are three principles.
1. Imprinted in the brain
Whatever you say, hear, or pray is first imprinted in your brain. If you say, “I’m doomed,” your brain takes it as truth. If you say, “I can do it,” your brain accepts that. It happens as you say—it’s imprinted in your brain.
2. Imprinted in the spirit
Then prayer becomes imprinted in your spirit. This is no small matter.
3. Delivered to the throne (Revelation 8:3–5)
According to Revelation 8:3–5, prayer is delivered to the throne. That is prayer.
※ Prayer is everything. Nothing else works—Only!
For those who understand prayer, it is everything. Jesus said “Only.” Nothing else works—Only. Today, you must discover this power all day long. Especially our visiting district head—may you gain true strength and become a witness blessed enough to proclaim the Gospel to the world. I bless you in the name of Jesus Christ.
Prayer. God, we thank You. Make us today into witnesses who block curses and disasters. Make us witnesses who block curses and disasters in our family line,
and make us witnesses who block the darkness, curses, and disasters in the field of Samaria, and make us witnesses who block the curses and disasters of this age that no one can block. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.