God Who Prepares


1 Corinthians 2:9-10, NIV.

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" - but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.


This morning I'd like to share a message with you titled, "God Who Prepares."

We should know about God who prepares. God is our Creator. Our creator didn't keep distance from us. He isn't indifferent to us. He didn't just create us and let us live for a while and die. Remember, before God created human being, He created heavens and earth. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1). First day, He created light. Second day, firmament. Third day, land, seas and plants. Forth day, sun, moon and stars. Fifth day, living creatures in the water, birds and fishes. Sixth day, living creatures on the ground and at last human being according to His image.

Even His salvation is already prepared.

Ephesians 1:4-5 says, "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-"

Brothers and sisters, you were not born by accident. Not just before 10 year or 100 year or 1000 year or 10000 year but even before the creation of the world God chose you in Him. How deep is God's wisdom and Knowledge! His doing is beyond our imagination.

God has chosen you before the creation of the world. We are here through our parents. Before God created time and space, before he sent us to this world, He got a plan for us. We are not here by accident. You are so precious to God. If you are not important to Him, He would not plan you. Therefore we should realize how much God loves us.

Pastor Han, Kyeung-Jik, before he went with the Lord, said "I'm a mass of sin!" I was there when he had an interview. As I know he became an example to the rest of pastors. He was a faithful servant of God.

Before God, we are nothing but sinful men. Human being is fundamentally sinful. With our own strength we are not able to save ourselves because we are sinners. To save us God sent Jesus Christ. He prepared His Son in order to save us. He prepared the salvation even before the creation of the world. God prepared heavens and earth for us. He prepared the grace of salvation for us. The Son of God, Jesus was born as a human. The absolutely spotless One carried our sins and suffered in this world. He tore His body and shed His precious blood on the cross and paid the penalty of our sins. 2000 years ago, Jesus declared, "It is finished!" He paid our debts already. Now we're encountering the resurrected Lord!

We are saved by the grace of God. By faith we know that our sins are washed away and we are saved. In the history we can see God's preparation for His people. In the Old Testament we read that God led Israelites from Egypt. Millions of people were standing before the red sea. How could they suppose to across the sea? The Israelites were disappointed. They were in despair. They were between the great army of Pharaoh and the deep red sea. Nowhere to go. They grumbled against Moses and God. But God knew whole the process. He has prepared a way through the sea.

Exodus 14:15-16 says, "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground..."

The great water was divided. God already prepared a way under the sea. People couldn't have dreamed about it. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). God has prepared wonderful things for us!
God led the Israelites from the red sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. They found water at Marah but they could not drink its water because it was bitter. They grumbled against Moses. Then Moses prayed to the Lord.

God has prepared a piece of wood. God showed him it. Moses threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. All of them could quench their thrist.

Exodus 15:23-25 says, "When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, 'What are we to drink?' Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet."

Our Lord already knew they will be thirsty. He knew the water at Marah is bitter. So He prepared a piece of wood for them. Look at the whole process. We should pray to God then He will show us what He has prepared for us. If we do not pray but grumble, we cannot see God's preparation.

If we cry out to the Lord, He will show us what He has prepared. Don't grumble against God but pray to God. In the desert the Israelites worried about food and drinks. They didn't know how to go through the desert. But every time God prepared Manna and quail.

Exodus 16:13-15 says, "That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, 'What is it?' For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, 'It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat...'"

God has givien them to eat not for one day or two days. Not for 10 year or 20 year. For 40 year He has prepared food for them. Do not worry. God doesn't stop help you. For 40 years, day and night He has supplied water and food for the Israelites in the desert.

God is an everlasting God. When He created us, He wanted us to live not for a while but for eternity. Therefore when we obey God, He'll be there for us forever.

God helped the Israelites long time ago. What about now? God is preparing even now for us.
Every day we face difficulties. In this world there are always problems and troubles. "Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward" (Job 5:7). Therefore to one degree or another, it is true, we face trouble constantly.

But in time of trouble, God has prepared a way for us. He wants us to overcome difficulties. Even we christians face trouble. Someone will ask, "We are christians. Why our dog died? Why our cat ran away?" Do not talk like this. Everybody faces trouble we can overcome the trouble by the power of God. He lets us overcome every obstacle.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

We always find a hiding place. God is our refuge. Jesus invites us. He said, "come to me, all who are weary and burdened." If we come to Jesus, He gives us rest. We can go through difficulties.

God loved the world so much. How much? Let me ask you. How much does God love you today? We need evidence. He sent His one and only Son. That's it. God proved how much He loved us. Whether God loves us or not, that's out of question.

The Devil asks God doesn't love you. Do you think God loves you? Don't even let him dare ask such a question. God gave His Son, Jesus. Jesus was crucified on the cross and shed His blood to give us eternal life.

Isaiah 53:5-6 says, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

During my 50 years' ministry, I've experienced God's wonderful preparations. He led me on His way. When I was a little boy, I wanted to be a doctor. I worked at Gyang-Bok-Dong Hospital in Pusan for a while. One day, it was raining. I felt melancholy. As soon as rain stoped I strolled along the street to Pusan station. I saw ruins all around. Since the station was destroyed during the Korean War, it remained still in ruins. I found a tent in front of the station. An American young man was preaching the Gospel with loud voice.

The young man served in the American Marine Corps. Since he survived in the Korean War, he made up his mind to be a missionary in Korea. He went back to the United States and attended a Bible college. He became a pastor and return to Korea. After the worship service I asked him to pray for me. After he prayed for me, he told me, "it's hard to find someone who can speak english. You speak good english! Can you work for me as my interpreter?" I was touched by his sermon so I said "yes!".

I went back to the hospital and packed up. His name was Ken Theis. From that time I stayed at his house. After a while later he married a korean woman. She wanted to go to the States. He went back to the States with her and I left like that.

At that time it was really hard to find a job. It's like asking for the moon. He just said good-by to me. He was sorry about that and introduced me to an older American missionary, Pastor R. Richard, who was working in World Mission in Pusan. In his house I just sat there like a wallflower. I had nothing to do.

Every morning and evening I visited his house and listened to his preaching. We prayed together often. One day he said to me. "You're still young. You'd better go to Seoul. There is a Full Gospel Bible School and I want to send you there. You'd better study theology." "I don't have any money. How can I go there and study?" "I'll pay for your school fee and your living expenses." We cannot imagine what God is doing!

I was forced to move to Seoul. I didn't know where to go. I didn't realize that I was called. He said, he will support everything for me if I go to the Bible School. Not bad. So I went to Seoul. It was fall. At the school I had taken an exam for special admission. At that time I saw an elderly woman who took the exam also. She looked some my mother's age. "She must have an unfortunate destiny. At least I'm young. Why does she come to this school in her age?"

At that time people who come to theology school, have their story. We took the exam and both of us passed it. I got to know her in the class. Her name is Ja-Shil, Choi. Once she was rich. She got a big factory in Jin-Hae. Since her business has failed, she moved to Seoul. In Seoul a pastor introduced her a Bible School.

Since we were poor, we encouraged each other. After I graduated from the School, I could not find a financial support from Pusan anymore. I didn't know where to go. I just prayed. Pastor Ja-Shil, Choi asked me to come over and help her. She started a church in Dae-Jo-Dong. She rented a shabby house and tried to start an orphanage. She had a hard time.

I helped her. I taught hymn to children. I prayed together. We worked together and wanted to set a church. But I didn't have any money. Pastor Choi bought a tent and rented a piece of land. Our beginnings were humble but God let us be prosperous in future. He greatly helped us.

In the tent church we worshiped God, we preached the Gospel and the Holy Spirit worked so strong. Many people received the salvation. We were there. And one day Pastor John Hurston visited me. He was in Africa as a missionary and God commanded him to come to Korea.

He asked me to work together. Pastor Ja-Shil, Choi, Pastor John Hurston and I, we preached the Gospel together as a threesome. Our church members grew to five hundred. Our church was small that's why we could not stay at Da-Jo-Dong anymore. We wanted to move to Seoul but we don't have money.

Pastor John Hurston reported about it to the mission headquarter of the States and we got aid. We built a church in Seodaemun. It was not I who built the church. I was just there. Pastor J. Hurston told me, "Let's go to Seodaemun. It's time to move. We will grow continually." For the first time I wouldn't move. He persuaded me to move. I was wandering whether the Holy Spirit wants it. Actually I was afraid to move. "I don't have money, I don't have background. I don't have talent." But Pastor Ja-Shil Choi also wanted to move. She was my spiritual Sponsor. I had no choice but followed them.

We started a church in Seodaemun. Our Chruch memebers grew continually: 1000, 3000, 6000 and to 10,000. We could not stay in Seodaemun, since the traffic police station could not deal with traffic jam on Sunday. They ordered us to set up measures. We had 8 worship services on every Sunday. It was too much for me to handle alone. I did my best but I fall on the pulpit during I preached. I was so tired.

I worked at the risk of my life. We should move once again but we could not afford to make money nor land. We had many church members but they were all poor. They came up to Seoul since they could not find any job in their provinces. They attended church every Sunday but they don't have money. They lived in Hyeun-Jae-Dong, A-Hyeun-Dong where there were ghettoes in Seoul. There was no way to go out. But at that time Hyeon-Ok, Kim was elected mayor of Seoul. He planned to develop Yoido area. He asked us to use the land free of charge. "I can lend it to you. You can pay back the price later." I was not got a lot of guts. "He will take a cow if it's free"as the korean saying goes. He suggested me around 81 acres but I refused. I said "we need 2.5 acres". "Tut, tut, what about 25 acres?" I said, "no, we need just 2.5 acres."

If I took the whole land he offered me to do, may be we can have whole big land in Yoido now. Think about it. God has prepared all these things. He determined my steps. It was I who could not follow His vision. He said "open wide your mouth and I will fill it." But I didn't open my mouth wide. Since we built the Full Gospel Church in Yoido, we went through many difficulties. But every time God helped us. After I was retired, often I meditate on what God has done for us. God has already prepared everything what we needed.

From Bul-Gyang-Dong to Seodaemun. From Seodaemun to Yoido, God has prepared His way. He prepared this big church. He was always with me. Nothing I accomplished with my own strength. If Pastor Ja-Shil, Choi is still alive, I'd want to be a good son, but she went with the Lord already. Be good to your parents while they are here with you. When I think about Pastor Ja-Shil, Choi and Pastor J. Hurston, they did their best and I'm always thankful. They were my companions. They all went with the Lord and now I'm here alone among threesome.

I don't know when my Lord will call me but still I'm doing His holy mission continually. I just thank God. Therefore we should trust in God who has prepared for us. Even our parents prepare good things for us, how much more does our God prepare for us? The bible tells us about God's preparation. Through more than 50 years ministry I've experienced His goodness which you will experience too. We have solid evidence. God has already prepared everything what you need. When you go through the difficulties, ask God to show you His prepared way. Pray to God and seek His face.

Let's read 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 together. "However, as it is written: 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him' - but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God."
Even your eye has not seen, nor your ear has heard. Beyond your imagination God has prepared His miracles for you.

When I see our senior Pastor Young-Hoon, Lee I really give thanks to the Lord. I couldn't imagine that Pastor Lee would be the senior pastor. I even did not dream about it. When I had ministry at Seodaemun, his parents were our church members. His father was an elder and his mother was a deaconess. Later his mother became a pastor. Pastor Lee was a little boy who used to play marbles in the church-garden. By God's preparation that little boy became a senior pastor of Yoido Full-Gospel church. He is preaching the Gospel boldly. He is a good preacher. On every sunday in the second Service I hear his sermon. I receive much grace from God and by the help of the Holy Spirit I stand in fourth Service. I give thanks to God who prepares.

Matthew 7:7-11 says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

Please, repeat after me. God is a good God. God gives us good things. May be it looks bad through our eyes. May be it looks difficult but later you will see that everything will turn into good.

Jeremiah 33:3 says, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

Therefore whoever trusts in God and whoever expects Him in prayer will experience His preparation beyond our imagination. Do not step back, do not despair.

God will lead us on His way. Whenever and wherever He is there for us. Rely on God. He's got the whole plan for you. Before the creation of the world He has already prepared for you. God knows everything about you. You are so precious to Him. If you were not precious to God, He would not choose you as His children.

Here is the key. Let's seek first His kingdom and righteousness. When we live for His glory even when trouble comes to us, we can pray and cry out to God who has prepared solution and promotion for us. He will lead us with joy. Let's shake off grumbling and despair. In faith I declare we are all dwelling in His goodness and mercy. In Jesus we've got the answer from God who prepares.


Let's pray together.

Our Father!
You are a living God. We thank You for your grace and love.
We thank You for Your preparation. We believe You have already preapred good things for us. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what You have prepared for us.
Help us not to worry about our life, what we will eat or drink; or about our body, what we will wear. Our life is in You, Lord. You believe in You we have everything what we are looking for. Let us seek first Your kingdom and righteousness in prayer. Let us glimpse Your glory all the time.

In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen.