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 Sermon > Official Service |
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Title |
God Guides Us - The 26th Anniversary Eve |
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Speaker |
Rev. Jaerock Lee |
Bible |
Joshua 1:7-9 |
Date |
2008-10-10 |
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Scripture
Joshua 1:7-9
[7] Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.
[8] This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
[9] Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
Tonight, it's been exactly 26 years since this church was established.
After we had Foundation Service on July 25, 1982, 12 weeks later, on October 10, we had Opening Service.
On July 25, we had just 13 members including 4 children, but on October 10, the number was more than 100.
When we had the Opening Service, we had to expand our sanctuary.
We rented the basement of the building where the sanctuary was located.
Since then, for 26 years, this church has never stopped growing spiritually and physically.
I give all thanks and glory to God the Father who has been with us for the last 26 years.
For the 26th Church Anniversary, many precious guests from overseas countries are visiting this church.
I thank you, all the precious quests, and welcome in the name of the Lord!
Dear brothers and sisters, and precious guests.
The title of tonight's message is "God guides us."
I'd like to recall how God the Father has guided us till now for the last 26 years.
I'm going to tell you what kind of prayer titles and Word He has given us each year, and how He has guided us to ride on the flow of the spirit.
I hope you will realize the great love and grace of God the Father.
In the name of the Lord, I pray that all of you may run the race of faith to enlarge the kingdom of God with greater dreams and visions.
Dear brothers and sisters, and precious guests.
In tonight's scripture, Joshua 1:7-9, is found the word that God gave to Joshua.
Joshua succeeded Moses and he was entrusted a duty to lead the Israelites to the land of Canaan.
Such an important duty of opening a new era by finishing the 40-year-long wilderness life and taking the land of Canaan; this duty was entrusted to Joshua.
Since there were 7 gentile tribes in the land of Canaan, Israelites had to fight to drive them out to acquire such a land.
From a fleshly perspective, the reality before Joshua might have seemed very difficult to Joshua who just became a leader.
Moreover, there wasn't even Moses? Whom can he trust and depend on?
In this situation, God says to Joshua.
"Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
It was the word of promise that He would be with them no matter what they might encounter and wherever they might go.
However, there was a condition attached.
That is, they would receive God's protection and prosperity only when they lived in the word of God.
When the Israelites were in the Word, no thing mattered to them even if it were an impregnable fort.
This word has been exactly applied to the history of this church for the last 26 years.
God has guided us with His word every year. As we have obeyed His word, God allowed us to accomplish greatly like today.
Form the beginning, God the Father gave this church great dreams and visions.
They were the National Evangelization, the World Mission, and the Grand Sanctuary.
Since I and all the Manmin members believed in the word of God, we've never forgotten this dream and vision.
We believe that the providence of God will be completed through this church.
Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
When we completely believed in the word of God, and prayed without ceasing, the God-given dream and vision started to come true.
They didn't become reality in one day, but we've gradually come close to our goals.
And, we've been assured of His guidance through the prayer titles that God gives us every year.
Through the prayer titles, God has told us what to prepare, and what to accomplish both in spirit and body
It was 1989 that God Himself began to give us prayer titles each year.
Before then, we found the prayer titles in areas this church needed most in the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
For the first few years, we were like a toddler that just began walking.
We prayed for the organization of the church, and also for the church sanctuary and the revival.
Since this church made tremendous revival from the beginning, we started to pray for the church sanctuary right after the establishment.
The prayer subjects of Year 1983 were, "1. Three Church Commissions 2. Acquire Sanctuary Site 3. Cell Leaders & Church Workers 4. Transportation, Conductor, & Choir."
By looking at these prayer titles, you can see how actively this church laid the foundation in such an explosive growth.
At the end of 1982, we had about 300 registered members, but at the end of 1984 when we moved to the 2nd sanctuary, the number increased to 1,500.
The number increased by 5 times!
Before we moved to the 2nd sanctuary, we had to repeat the Sunday Morning Service 3 times. But still, some members had to attend the service while standing on stairs, and some others in front of the restroom.
But we were so full of God's grace and the Holy Spirit, and thus this physical poor condition didn't matter at all.
Our current situation is similar to that year.
In order to construct the Canaan Sanctuary, we sold out the old sanctuary. For a time being, we all have to use this main sanctuary.
The physical situation may seem poor.
However, I hope that you will over this physical condition by the grace and the fullness of the Holy Spirit as in the beginning days.
As days went by, various organizations inside the church were established, and subsidiary facilities were founded.
Manmin Prayer Center was established in October 11, 1983, and Manmin Kindergarten in March 12, 1984.
In addiction, I realized the desperate need of church pastors' help to accomplish the God-given dream, and started 'Pastors' Conference' in 1984.
I focused on educating pastors and church workers while viewing a couple of decades ahead.
We moved to the 2nd sanctuary in December 31, 1984.
The next year, 1985, this church held the 1st Revival Meeting. Then, this church greatly revived to make the newly moved sanctuary already small.
Among the prayer titles of Year 1985 was "3,000 Souls Evangelization."
Of course, the amazing works of God's power and Spiritual Word were the great driving force of the church revival. But the church members' passion and fervor for evangelization was great strength as well.
In 1985 and 1986, in order to transport the rapid increasing church members, we made "Transportation" as one of our prayer titles.
And then, 'Acquirement of New Sanctuary Site' became the 1st prayer title of year 1986.
As its result, we moved to the 3rd sanctuary in March, 1987.
Among the prayer titles of 1986, there was "Publishing the Word of God into Books."
By the inspiration of God, we looked forward to the decades ahead, and began to pray for the Book ministry.
As its result, the next year, 1987, my first testimonial book, "Tasting Eternal Life before Death" was published and it has become a steady seller.
In addition, the first issue of Manmin News was printed.
After the years of tremendous revival, in order to insure substantiality, we made the following as our prayer titles of 1988.
They were "1. The Year of Book Ministry / 2. Educating Church Members into Church Workers / 3. The Duty of Saving Souls / 4. The Blessing of Spirit & Soul & Body."
And, just as we prayed, many members received blessing in spirit and body, and there were overflowing testimonies.
Moreover, the church grew up to have 7,000 registered members before the end of 1988.
From 1989, we've started to pray to God and received the prayer titles directly from God.
Among the four prayer titles, 3 of them were what we had to accomplish church-wise, and the last one was regarding a spiritual matter that applied to all the members.
The prayer titles of 1989 were, "Obedience, Sanctuary Construction, Church-wise Evangelization, Fulfillment of Duties."
The prayer titles of 1990 were, "Sanctification, Sanctuary Construction, Arise Shine, The blossom of Glory."
Actually, "Arise, Shine" is the catchphrase from the foundation of this church.
And there was a reason that God gave this as one of the prayer titles in 1990.
There was a great trial that might have questioned the existence of this church.
Due to wrongful misunderstanding and entrapment, I was discharged from my pastoral duties, and this church was expelled from the denomination that this church used to belong.
Its situation is written in great detail in my autobiography, "My Life My Faith Part I"
Since God foreknew such a trial would come to this church, God gave us prayer titles such as "Arise, Shine," and "The Blossom of Glory."
Even though Jesus was nailed on the cross and died, since He didn't have any sin, he broke the authority of death and resurrected.
He opened the door of salvation to human beings, and proclaimed the glory of God.
Likewise, even though I and this church underwent false accusation, its result was rather great blessing to us.
We came to be able to freely preach the Five-Fold gospel of sanctification.
The next year, 1991, on July 1, the United Holiness Church of Jesus Christ was established and I was elected as the 1st chairman.
In addition, even during the period of such a great trial, my sermons were broadcast through FEBC and FEC.
And my sermons were broadcast over the States through WCBN.
The revival continued so that we moved to the 4th sanctuary which is the current Old Sanctuary in February, 1991.
The result of the trial was not death but resurrection; it was indeed the great and wonderful glory of resurrection.
In the first Sunday Service after we moved to the 4th sanctuary, I delivered a message, titled "Like the Early Church" which was the first prayer title of 1991.
Then, we started to pray to make this church as a church whose members gather in one mind, and devote themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship to the breaking of bread and to prayer, where many signs and wonders take place, whose members share their property and possessions; we prayed to make this church like the Early Church that God desires.
With the Canaan Sanctuary ahead, now is time to make this church like this Early Church completely.
In 1991, when the denomination was established, Manmin Church began to take the lead in various Christian activities.
Because of this church's various participations, it was said that any Christian activity is impossible without Manmin Church, and at the same time, the standing of this church rose.
In continuing revival, this church was selected as one of the 50 World Greatest Churches by Christian World, a Christian magazine in the States.
And we started to turn our eyes to the world.
From 1992 to 1998, I led various meetings in overseas countries such as the USA, Japan, and other African countries. My sermons were aired through many broadcasting stations.
Every year God has given us a prayer title that is related with Sanctuary Construction, and a prayer title for the spiritual growth of church members.
"Prepare the Oil," "The Righteous One," "The One who conquers and rules," The blessing that spirit and soul prosper," "The Golden Vessel," "The One who lives by the will of God"; every year God has led us to spiritual growth.
And in August 1996, we moved to the 5th sanctuary which is the current main sanctuary.
In this rapid flow, trials for huge blessings began to come upon this church in 1998.
They were the trials that I and this church had to overcome in the justice in order to make a new spiritual takeoff.
Until 1999, there were 3 trials, and these trials made great impact on this church outwardly.
But we now know that the trials turned into great blessing and they were rather an opportunity of spiritual great explosion.
The power of God that I manifested was upgraded to a new level that couldn't be compared with former times.
You finally began to look into the spiritual level, and it became an opportunity to adorn yourself as a bride.
And then, in 2000, God gave us a prayer title, "Arish, Shine" again.
God foreknew the new history would be written from year 2000, and gave us the prayer title.
That is, the actual world mission began with Uganda Holy Gospel Crusade in 2000.
Compared with former days, the whole new level of world mission began.
From tens of thousand to hundreds of thousands, and even millions of people gathered in a crusade.
National TV and radio broadcasting companies began to broadcast the crusades all over the nation.
It became an issue in CNN, and the crusades started to live-broadcast all over the world.
And the healing works of God's power became beyond the imagination.
Beginning with Uganda, the crusades were held in Japan, Pakistan, Kenya, the Philippines, Honduras, India, Russia, Germany, Peru, Congo, and New York.
In addition, my sermon has been broadcast 24 hours a day to all over the world through Manmin TV which was established in 2000, and GCN, established in 2005.
So far, I have written 54 books, and they have been translated into 15 languages and 76 books with different languages have been published.
Besides 15 languages, my books are being translated into 22 other languages. (total of 37 languages)
The World Mission that we have been fervently prayed for are being accomplished like this.
Be the witness of the Lord to the remotest part of the earth, The Church High above the Nations
The power of the Shepherd, the Fiery Works of the Holy Spirit, Unhindered Works of God the Father
Along with this, God has led each individual member into spiritual growth in the rapid spiritual flow.
God has given prayer titles such as the Whole Spirit, the prepared Vessel, the fruit (man of Spirit), and again the whole Spirit, the sanctification, and the prepared one.
Through these, God has guided the members to awake and adorn as a bride and to come into the sprit and the whole spirit.
Like this, in a short period of time since year 2000, Manmin Church has made such a huge growth.
And the fruit that God has guided Manmin are seen as clear evidences.
Through the 12 overseas crusades, we accomplished the great world mission. More over, we are fulfilling the duty as the last instrument to preach the gospel to Israel, 'the remotest part of the earth.'
And we came to have more than 7,800 branch churches with more than 2 million members worldwide.
Among them are former vice president, ministers, senators and congressman, and other various high government officials and politicians all over the world.
Not only generals and the head of police, but also there are many entrepreneurs; even chairmen of other denominations, and various church leaders of the world.
Transcending nations, races, and languages, Manmin Church is binding the whole world by the means of the gospel of sanctification and the power of God.
The providences that God has hidden for this end time is being revealed one by one through Manmin Church.
And now, there is another providence of God; the construction of the Grand Sanctuary.
For this, God has assigned to us the construction of the Canaan Sanctuary.
We will surely accomplish this, and right after that, all the Manmin will accomplish the construction of the Grand Sanctuary.
Manmin has created something from nothing, and made the impossible possible.
Under t he guidance of God the Father, there was not a slightest error in the last 26 years.
There is nothing that cannot be made possible by Manmin in which God abides
What about you?
God says to us, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Can you courageously say, "Yes"?
I ask all the precious guests who are here tonight to celebrate the 26th anniversary to pray together with us for the dreams and vision given to Manmin Church.
We are brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus the Lord, and also in the name of Manmin.
Dear brothers and sisters, and precious guests.
Manmin has run without ceasing.
There might have been moments to take a rest, and we sometimes gave tearful prayers before great trials.
But, we have overcome them only for the glory of God the Father.
But, it's been possible only because God has led us into the bright light even in the darkness through the valley of the shadow of death.
Can you feel the touch of the hand of God who is always with Manmin while listening to this message?
I do believe.
I believe that God who has guided us till now will lead our every step until the Lord comes back.
I believe that God will protect us by His power, and guide us to new Jerusalem with the spiritual word of life.
May we stay together until the day of glory, in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, I pray!
I give all thanks and glory to God the Father 'who made the earth, and who formed it to establish it'! Helleujah!
[Amen] |
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