2025.10.19 Sunday 2nd Service
237 Missions Committee Devotional Worship
Scripture Reading: Acts 11:1-18
When we talk about world evangelization, Abraham said, ‘Surely not?’ So although he received many answers and made much preparation, in reality he was in a situation where he did not accomplish world evangelization. The same thing is happening now.
[ Genesis 37:11–45:1–5 ]
When Joseph spoke of world evangelization, it says, “Jacob kept the matter in mind.” Then one day Joseph became the prime minister. He came to carry out world evangelization. Thus we can easily miss what is important. And because it is not immediately visible before our eyes, we end up not recognizing it. However, this covenant will surely be fulfilled. I am speaking of what is happening now.
[ Exodus 2:1–10, 14:19 ]
This is the covenant that Moses heard from his mother. After the exodus, this is what is taking place now. On Moses’ way, God sent the Angel of the Lord ahead of him and guarded him from behind. This is what is taking place now. That is why we are offering the 237 missions dedication worship now. Many people misunderstand. They wonder what they should do, but it is enough just to hold to the covenant. Because that is faith. In reality, we cannot accomplish world evangelization, so we held only to the covenant, and God did it. You must hold to that evidence. Because Moses’ ability could not accomplish world evangelization, God sent the Angel of the Lord ahead of Moses and guarded him from behind.
[ 1 Samuel 1:9–11, 7:1–15, 17:1–47 ]
Look carefully at what happens in the Bible regarding missions. Hannah held to this covenant and prayed. One day, this covenant arose in Samuel as the Mizpah Movement. The same answer is arising even now. This became the amazing history by which David brought down Goliath and defeated the Philistines. It is the same even now.
[ Daniel 3:8–24, Daniel 6:10–22, Esther 4:1–15 ]
Those who held to the covenant given through Isaiah came to testify to God’s work there in Babylon. This is not about “you must do this” or “must not do that.” This is not about whether we can or cannot do it. We cannot understand God’s Word with our heads. We cannot go by our own ability. That is why we keep on disbelieving like this. “Surely, how could we do world evangelization?”—this is what Abraham thought. But it was fulfilled through Joseph, who believed the covenant. Daniel, who held to this covenant, brought about a history great enough to save the king. The same is happening even now. Through Esther, a work took place that saved a nation. It did not end there—the door to world evangelization was opened. This is happening even now.
[ Acts 13, 16, 19 ]
What is happening? The events of Acts chapter 13 are happening now. The events of Acts chapters 16 and 19 are happening even now.
Those who hold to this covenant, and know and believe it, are people who can do evangelism and missions. This is the time right now to receive this blessing. Originally, we ought to read all of Acts chapter 11 today. But because time is limited, we read only this portion.
▣ Introduction: Acts 11:1–18
We read only Acts chapter 11:1-18. We must be cautious. We are people who cannot do missions. Here, even though the age has changed, with the same time and the same answer, they still could not do missions. There were many explanations, but they could not do it. You must catch this. You may have many thoughts. You may have studied in school. You are living on that basis now and will continue to live on it. But you cannot do world evangelization with that. You must keep this in mind. With the thoughts the Jews had, they could not do world evangelization. They might be right words, but they could not do it. You must quickly catch this first. With the abilities you and I possess, we cannot do it. That is why Jesus spoke strongly: “All authority in heaven and on earth is given to Me, and I will be with you.” “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” They did not understand this. It cannot be done. There was even the matter of eating in Cornelius’ house—there are many weighty words today. You must hold to the covenant to receive the true answer today. There are many stories. Haven’t I said this several times? When I went to America—I consider the church leaders important—so after listening to them at length, everything they said was correct. So I always tell them, “Thank you for saying such very correct things. I’ll take it as a reference. However, elder, those words cannot evangelize America.” They looked a bit surprised. After hearing everything, I gave only the conclusion. “It cannot be done. American evangelization is not that simple. We cannot evangelize America by our strength. But God will surely do American evangelization.” That is why it is important. That is why today is extremely important.
▣ Main Message: Acts 11:19–30
The people who could do this—were these people. The church at Antioch. Their conditions were worse; they were those who were being chased. Those who were not being chased could not do it. So once it opens up to you, it’s over.
Introduction
1. The past
These people were still seized by the past. There was a circumcision party. How could there be a circumcision party—in the church? There was a circumcision party. You cannot do world evangelization like that.
2. The current mood
Why were they like that? Why did they say such wrong things? We can easily become like this. “Well, the current mood is like that.” Our remnants must not follow the mood. You must quickly discern the mood and go beyond it. You must remember this. Otherwise you will lose all the blessings. They are all at the doorstep, and you will miss them. These people could not do it. You must catch this first.
3. Public opinion
“Why did Peter go to a Gentile’s house and eat?” Does that make sense? From where we stand now, it does not make sense. Why was it like that then? Because of public opinion—public opinion. If you follow public opinion, you cannot do world evangelization.
4. The system
“Haven’t we done it this way until now? Wasn’t there a circumcision party? That is the system.” That may be true, but you cannot do world evangelization with that. You must teach your children these things so they know them, but they must go beyond them. They did not go beyond. That is why these people (Acts 11:19–30) did not go beyond. This is extremely important. These were the very people in the Early Church who received the greatest answers in Mark’s upper room.
5. Customs
They were still talking about “Haven’t we done it this way until now?”—customs. That is what was happening.
6. Tradition
What is even more fearsome? “Don’t we have traditions we have kept?” With such words—you can never do world evangelization. But these people (Acts 11:19–30) could do it simply. We must receive this blessing. Right? It is a great misfortune to live your whole life and depart having never been used for world evangelization.
7. The law
What is even more fearsome? They had an excuse. It sounds so right—“We must live according to the Word.” That’s right—the law. With this they blocked the whole gospel. This is how the Jews spoke.
Main Message
Not long after this, Israel ceased to exist. Paul even prepared for that. The church that prepared for it was the church at Antioch. If Jesus’ last words spoke of world evangelization, then we must align our direction that way as well. Whether it works or not is the next matter. Right? Whether we go or not is the next matter—the content must be correct. Even if we do not go, we must go in the right way. Even if we stop while going, we must go in the right way—if we go in the wrong way, it is useless. So how did the Antioch church do world evangelization?
1. The scattered ones
First. Though we did not read it all today, as you well know, it says, “Those who were scattered by the persecution that arose over Stephen…” They were the scattered ones. What is this, really?
[ Destiny ]
They were those who changed destiny. The scattered ones were not people who were merely running away. In fact, they were those who changed destiny. They went around doing the work of changing the destiny of others. This is missions. The covenant you must hold today is that the gospel you proclaim will overturn the destiny of many perishing people. You need not worry. You are worrying, but that is not your part to do. We are children of God—our destiny has been overturned. We are delivering this.
1) Genesis 13:18
So from the very beginning God said to Abraham, “Through you the nations will be blessed. Through your seed the nations will be blessed.” He said it from the start. Abraham at one point did not understand these words, and then he came to understand. From that time his destiny was completely overturned. May you go back receiving this blessing today. Destiny overturned.
2) The seven remnants
As you know, how did the seven remnants receive answers? Holding to this covenant, every destiny was overturned.
3) Those who were sent
They appear to be the scattered ones, but no—they were the sent ones. They look scattered, but they were sent. A remnant looks like one abandoned, but he is one who remains. Those of you who know English know this, right? The word remnant has two meanings—“the abandoned” and “the remaining.” It also has the meaning of “refuse,” and the meaning of “what remains in storage.” It is a striking word. They look like wanderers, but they are conquerors. They look like scattered ones, but they are the sent ones. You must remember this. You did not go by your own searching; you were sent from God.
The moment you hold to this covenant, the Angel of the Lord goes ahead of you, and the Angel of the Lord guards you from behind. According to (the words at the beginning), the answer comes. Even if you have nothing, it is fine. Holding to this covenant, how far have we come? We have come as far as the 5,000 tribes. Now, by God’s will, upheaval is happening worldwide, and children among the 5,000 tribes across the world are rising. Therefore, you must quickly prepare visas and such in advance. In America, Japan, and Korea—all advanced nations—it is understandable to be apprehensive because of visas. But the doors must open. The gospel is what blocks the worldwide spiritual epidemic.
Look at what happened in Cambodia. It is almost the same worldwide. Cambodia was simply caught this time. Apart from this gospel, there is no way to block it. Under no circumstances should you ever take back alleys in other countries. If they only needed to take your money, they could, but they kill you. They mercilessly kill. They have no thought and no maturity. For a trivial amount of money they have no future, nothing. Therefore we are working to raise important remnants within this, to extinguish the darkness.
2. Grace
In verse 23 it says, “He saw the grace.” Do you see the grace? In verse 19 it says, “Those who were scattered.”
[ Eyes ]
What does “he saw the grace” mean? It means their eyes were opened to three important things God gave. “He saw” means the eyes were opened. These eyes were opened. What eyes?
1) Past, today, future (blessing)
You are people who turn the past, today, and the future into blessing. You must see well. The gospel is turning the past, today, and the future into a platform of blessing. These people do not really know the gospel. “What is the gospel? Believing in Jesus.” Even the devil knows that—that is why he prevents people from believing. What is the gospel? It is to completely overturn the past, today, and the future into a platform of blessing. If you do not go that far, your life will never come out of the past. You will always remain there. That might be fine, but you pass it on to your children. You cannot come out. It is truly grievous. You cannot come out.
I tell the remnants, “Kids, be thankful for what you learned from your parents—and go beyond it. Do not spend your days always struggling with food, clothing, and shelter. You must do world evangelization. You cannot do that with your own ability. It is good that you went to college, but that alone is not enough.” Therefore, do it with what Christ has given. It is dark now. It is not only Vanuatu. It is so heartbreaking. We invited them, and for them it was their first time in life to get on a plane to come here. What an amazing thing—some brushed their teeth for the first time in their lives. It is miserable. Hearing that, Elder Mr. Soga in Japan asked, “Is there a way to send lots of toothpaste and toothbrushes?” There probably is.
I am not talking about brushing teeth. They are completely in darkness. They do not even know why they live. And the team that came to Korea were the elites. If you go a little deeper into the 5,000 tribes—you cannot even speak of it. They have no shoes at all. At all. Try living your whole life without shoes—you are not truly living. When we go, we prepare water to give them. There is no shortage of things to be frustrated about—we prepare water to give them. There is no water. “How do they live?” There is no water.
The gospel turns the past, today, and the future into a platform of blessing. The remnants did this.
2) Problems, conflicts, crises (answer)
The gospel makes problems, conflicts, and crises into answers. You must do this quickly—into answers. These eyes are opened, and “he saw the grace of the Lord.”
3) The throne (restoration)
The gospel restores the bartizan, journey, and guidepost of the throne, made with what Christ has given, because by our power it cannot be done. Why is it grace that “he saw the grace of the Lord”? Because we could do nothing and had done nothing, and yet the past, today, and the future were all overturned into blessing. It would be fortunate enough that destiny changed, but now problems, conflicts, and crises were all overturned into answers. And when we looked closely, the background of the throne is our background. Believe. Do not worry even about disease—believe. To a friend struggling to quit drugs, I said, “Hey, do not think about quitting. Receive healing first. You must gain spiritual strength. No one can help you. You must truly gain spiritual strength. Only then will you overcome. Everything else is a lie. Believe God’s Word. May the work of the Holy Spirit’s fullness arise in you. Input and imprint the bartizan, journey, and guidepost of the throne.” No matter how much people talk to those of you suffering spiritually, there is no one who can help you. That is why He showed this—“He saw the grace of the Lord.”
3. Disciples
Third. “A great many disciples were raised up.” In verse 26. Now the disciples were raised up as a great multitude in the church at Antioch—because they had to do world evangelization. This is verse 26.
1. The scattered ones (19)
This is verse 19,
2. Grace (23)
this is verse 23,
3. Disciples (26)
and this is verse 26. Here we find the answer regarding those who will do world missions. What is it?
[ 24, 25, eternity ]
They are those who saw this. Disciples began to arise.
1) Matthew 28:1–20
Right after Jesus rose, in Matthew 28:1–20, though some doubted, those who believed arose. He promised, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” “I am with you not ‘until the end of the age’ only, but ‘always.’” We believe. These eyes were opened. Then a multitude of disciples cannot help but arise.
2) Mark 16:15–20
Where you go, those demon-possessed and those who are sick will be healed.
3) Acts 1:1–14
Persecution, in Acts 1:1–14, will rather become the beginning. Those whose eyes were opened gathered in Antioch. They could not help but do world missions.
You must truly enjoy this answer exactly as in (the Main Message).
As I said earlier, a few came to greet me, saying they were being ordained as pastors, and I said, “A pastor must have no reason. A pastor must have no ulterior motive. A pastor must not worry. He only needs to hold to the gospel alone. Then everything will be resolved.” Right? If you do not begin missions to save the 237 now, we will lose to the darkness. Our posterity will already have to go there and run errands. We must block it.
▣ Conclusion
So then, as we pray, what kind of answers will come from now on? We must also know this, right?
1. Acts 27:24
As we go holding to this covenant, what answers will come? No one believes God’s Word. That is how the world is. They listen to the devil’s words, but they do not believe God’s Word. They listen to human words, but they do not listen to your words. Thus they met a storm. It was then: “Last night an angel of the Lord stood beside me and said, ‘Paul, do not be afraid. You must stand before Caesar.’” This is the answer you will receive from now on. It means you will go to the place that has met crisis, give the Word, and calm the storm.
2. Acts 28:30–31
You must believe. There is no one who can block the Word. There is no one who can block the gospel.
3. Romans 15:23
It does not stop there. “You must go as far as Spain.” At that time they considered Spain the ends of the earth. “You must go as far as Spain.”
4. Romans 16:25–27
This is always the conclusion. God will give to you what He has kept hidden.
Therefore, from today onward, you who do world missions need not worry about anything. Wait by the strength God gives. Only. Do only that—only. Therefore you must first receive the answer. Only. Do not even think about healing the disease—only. From there the work begins. Thus, this word “only” is not an ordinary word. It is the word that saves everything. With this, as you pray throughout the week, you must truly wait for the answer to come at least once. God will send the army of heaven and guard you in front and behind. Let us pray.
Prayer. God, we thank You for giving us the work of saving the whole world. We thank You for giving it to the remnants. We thank You for opening the way to save the 5,000 tribes. From this very moment, let us stand before the power of God who works. Bless us to live a new life. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.