March 24, 2025

Sunday Service on March 23, 2025

Triangle Family Church Sunday Service on March 23, 2025

Music Offering

Sermon

Diversity unites us as a family under God; we are in a golden age of spiritual awakening, marking the fulfillment of True Parents' vision.

Key Insights:

  • Unity in Diversity: Despite our different backgrounds and experiences, we are all part of God's family, emphasizing inclusivity and connection in faith.
  • Golden Age of Awakening: The current era is seen as a unique time for spiritual growth, urging believers to embrace new understandings and practices.
  • Meaning of Grace: Grace is presented as a free gift from God, liberating us from past transgressions and inviting us into a renewed relationship with Him.
  • Pushing Boundaries: True leaders in faith, like Jesus and True Parents, challenge norms to broaden the spiritual landscape and encourage believers to grow beyond limitations.
  • Struggles of Younger Generations: The sermon highlights the difficulties faced by younger generations in balancing their upbringing within the faith and their desire for normalcy.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The establishment of significant spiritual sites, such as the Cheon Won Gung, is tied to the realization of divine promises and plans.
  • Role of True Mother: True Mother is depicted as a key figure in fulfilling the dream of uniting humanity under God’s ideals, representing the feminine aspect of divinity.
Sunday School - Moral lesson from the folktale "Princess and the Pea"

March 17, 2025

Sunday Service on March 16, 2025

Triangle Family Church Sunday Service on March 16, 2025

Music Offering

Sermon

In a heartfelt discourse preceding a band practice, the speaker contemplates how the essence of spirituality connects to the Biblical teaching of not hiding one’s light under a basket. This concept is intricately tied to the notion that God, after the fall of Adam and Eve, could no longer fully recognize humanity due to the loss of their original nature. The speaker encourages individuals to embrace their divine light and to change their perspective, particularly in challenging situations. Through the examination of historical religious figures like Moses and Abraham, the speaker illustrates how paradigm shifts, such as the introduction of monotheism and sacrificial love, have transformed human understanding and ethical frameworks. The discussion prominently touches on the idea of renewing one’s spirit—essential for fitting into a “Heavenly future” that true parents envision. The notion of “old wine” placed into “new wine skins” urges a profound transformation of thoughts, culture, and art, aligning them with a more divine perspective. The speaker insists that a collective orientation of love, understanding, and selflessness is vital for creating a brighter world, encouraging a shift from self-centeredness to a more communal mindset. The notion that “there’s no I in team” is emphasized, as well as the importance of seeing oneself in connection with the community. Ultimately, the speaker implores listeners to adopt a paradigm shift—a crucial step towards peace and a renewed way of thinking that fosters unity, compassion, and light in the world. Key Insights

  • Illumination and Sharing: The speaker posits that one of the primary purposes of human existence is to shine brightly and share inner goodness with others, acting as beacons of hope and support within communities. This sheds light on the psychological and spiritual need for individuals to connect over shared values rather than for selfish reasons.
  • God’s Perspective of Humanity: The theological implications of God’s inability to recognize evil prompt a deeper reflection on how sin dims our spiritual connection. This insight encourages individuals to realign themselves with a divinely inspired understanding of love that transcends ego and self-interest.
  • Introduction of New Paradigms: The significance of paradigm shifts is not only historical but also personal, as individuals are urged to continually reassess their beliefs and approaches to life. This reveals an ongoing need for adaptive thinking when faced with the evolving human experience in relation to spirituality.
  • Covenant of Love: The love exhibited through biblical characters illustrates the importance of sacrifice and obedience in cultivating relationships with God and others. This historical analysis provides a framework for contemporary believers to embody love in ways that extend beyond familial and social limits.
  • Cultural Renewal: The concept of rebirthing art, music, and thought patterns positions culture as a key channel for expressing divine love and inspiration. This insight encourages a collective creativity that draws individuals closer together and harmonizes the community’s spirit with divine attributes.
  • Collective vs. Individualistic Mindset: The reminder that “there’s no I in team” fosters a sense of collective responsibility, encouraging individuals to embrace a broader view of love that extends beyond simplistic group affiliations. Understanding interconnectedness is a vital aspect of reshaping how one perceives the world around them.
  • Self-Reflection as a Tool for Change: The emphasis on personal transformation as a prerequisite for broader social peace acts as a blueprint for individuals to cultivate a sincere attitude toward communal harmony. It emphasizes the need for inner healing and perspective when addressing conflicts and challenges in life.
Sunday School: Bible Study - Good Samaritan

March 10, 2025

Sunday Service on March 9, 2025

Triangle Family Church Sunday Service on March 9, 2025

Music Offering

Sermon

The sermon discusses the Unification Movement's relevance today, emphasizing the need for strong leadership and unity in addressing spiritual battles.

Key Insights:
  • Relevance of the Movement: The Unification Movement remains vital in today's troubled world, requiring leaders who embody integrity and moral vision to guide others.
  • Generational Connection: The movement's children, raised without original sin, are a testament to its values, but their engagement is crucial for its future.
  • Spiritual Battle: The fight against darkness is not physical but spiritual, requiring deep repentance and connection with God to combat evil effectively.
  • Universal Salvation: The sermon presents two views on salvation, reinforcing the belief that all souls can be saved, which aligns with the church's mission to share love and truth.
  • Leadership and Innovation: The need for leaders who blend traditional values with modern thinking is essential for the movement's evolution and relevance in a changing world.
  • Community Transformation: The church has evolved into a vibrant community that embraces all, fostering an environment of acceptance and support.
  • Responsibility for Peace: The call to action is clear; fulfilling the mission of peace requires commitment from every member to reach out and support others in their spiritual journey.

March 09, 2025

The Era of Reconciliation and Positive Change

Peace Start with Me - The Era of Reconciliation and Positive Change
March 8, 2025 Triangle Family Church

Photo Album

Music Offering




Speech by Rev. Levi Daugherty
In this thought-provoking discourse, the speaker emphasizes the intrinsic value of life and existence, drawing a parallel between the fundamental need for air and the pursuit of peace. The speaker reflects on the shared cultural and religious experiences that shape human perception, suggesting that the essence of various faiths ultimately converges toward a common objective—peace. Through anecdotes of personal cultural experiences, the speaker illustrates how deeply ingrained practices and beliefs affect interpersonal relationships. The discussion transitions into examining the concept of peace, both on a personal and universal scale, and posits that true peace must be cultivated on Earth before it can be realized in the afterlife. The discourse also explores the idea of divine principles governing existence, emphasizing that life is a delicate balance of give and take, akin to the act of breathing. By the end, the speaker calls for a collective effort to embrace and promote peace, acknowledging that it is a divine act that must be pursued actively in daily life. Key Insights
  • Existence and Value: The speaker emphasizes that life’s value can be measured by fundamental needs, such as air. Without air, life ceases to exist, framing existence as inherently valuable and worthy of respect. This analogy serves to highlight the importance of understanding our interconnectedness and the vital resources we share.
  • Religious Convergence: By examining various religions, the speaker suggests that despite cultural differences, the underlying principles often converge toward a common goal of peace. This insight encourages an appreciation for diversity while recognizing shared human aspirations, fostering dialogue and understanding across different faiths.
  • Culturism and Its Implications: The speaker introduces the concept of culturism, proposing that cultural differences often lead to misunderstandings labeled as racism. This perspective invites listeners to reflect on their own cultural backgrounds and biases, promoting a deeper understanding of oneself and others, and encouraging empathy in cross-cultural interactions.
  • The Nature of Peace: The discussion on peace reveals that true peace is a complex and often misunderstood concept. The speaker suggests that peace must be actively cultivated rather than passively awaited, emphasizing the need for personal and collective efforts to achieve harmony in everyday life.
  • The Role of Heaven: The assertion that heaven is an ideal state rather than a physical location challenges traditional views of the afterlife. It suggests that individuals should strive to create a peaceful existence here on Earth, aligning their actions with divine principles to manifest a sense of heaven in their lives.
  • Divine Law and Balance: The analogy of divine principles governing existence, particularly the act of breathing, illustrates that life is governed by fundamental laws that demand balance. This insight highlights the importance of understanding and respecting these laws, as they are essential for a fulfilling life.
  • The Pursuit of Divine Peace: The speaker emphasizes that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but rather a divine principle that requires active participation. This understanding calls for individuals to engage in creating peace through their actions, encouraging a proactive approach to personal and social harmony.
Speech by Mrs. Beverly Yekeson


The speaker expresses gratitude to the event organizers and attendees while emphasizing the importance of International Women’s Day. She highlights the role of women and men as partners in fostering peace and community service. Drawing from her own experiences in Liberia, she reflects on her childhood during a tumultuous political period and the significance of community service in her journey towards inner peace. The speaker advocates for peace-building through service, emphasizing that it starts at the community level. She shares personal stories of her upbringing, the impact of trauma, and her commitment to help those in need. The speaker encourages everyone to recognize their unique gifts and utilize them to bring positive change to their communities. She concludes by calling for prayer and action for Liberia, stressing the ongoing need for reconciliation and support for those affected by conflict. Key Insights
  • Significance of Community Bonds: The speaker underscores the need for knowing and connecting with one’s neighbors as a foundation for peace. This highlights the importance of local relationships in fostering a sense of community and support. By addressing the isolation many feel, the speaker advocates for active engagement and compassion within one’s immediate surroundings.
  • Peace as a Personal Responsibility: The speaker reflects on her journey towards understanding peace, suggesting that it is a personal responsibility to cultivate peace within oneself and then extend it outward. This insight encourages individuals to take ownership of their contribution to a more peaceful society, emphasizing that true peace begins internally before it can manifest externally.
  • Empowerment Through Service: The narrative illustrates how engaging in community service can lead to personal empowerment and fulfillment. The speaker’s story serves as a powerful reminder that serving others can help individuals find purpose and heal from their own traumas, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
  • Storytelling as a Tool for Healing: The speaker mentions storytelling as an essential component of community service. Sharing stories can bridge gaps between people, foster understanding, and create connections that promote healing. This insight emphasizes the value of narrative in facilitating empathy and shared experiences.
  • Diversity of Gifts: The recognition of diverse talents—whether through music, art, or direct service—highlights that everyone has something unique to contribute. This insight encourages individuals to explore their gifts and how they can be used to uplift and support their communities.
  • Global and Local Connections: The speaker makes a poignant connection between her experiences in Liberia and the global issues of war and suffering. This insight serves as a reminder that while local actions are crucial, they are part of a broader global context. Encouraging individuals to think globally while acting locally can foster a more interconnected and compassionate world.
  • Hope and Action: The speaker’s closing remarks about hope and action resonate strongly. Despite the challenges faced, she emphasizes that hope remains, and it is through collective action that communities can strive for peace and healing. This insight encourages resilience and proactive engagement in the face of adversity, reinforcing the belief that change is possible through concerted efforts.
Speech by Archbishop George Augustus Stallings Jr.

In this enlightening and passionate discourse, George Augustus Stallings Jr., founder and Senior Global Pastor of the Iman Temple African-American Catholic congregation, reflects on the profound concept of interconnectedness and spirituality as it relates to peace, reconciliation, and our shared humanity. He opens with the Hindi greeting “Namaste,” emphasizing the recognition of the divine within each individual. Stallings shares insights from his extensive background in the Christian faith, discussing fundamental biblical principles that highlight our unity as children of God and the spiritual essence that binds us together. He critiques the limitations of organized religion and stresses the importance of spirituality in understanding our true identities. Through scriptural references and personal anecdotes, Stallings calls for a return to the essence of love and connection, urging individuals to recognize their roles in fostering peace and community. The message culminates in a reminder that true change begins within each person, resonating with the timeless wisdom of figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Michael Jackson, who both speak to the necessity of self-reflection and transformation in creating a better world.
Key Insights
  • Namaste and Spiritual Recognition: The greeting “Namaste” encapsulates the essence of acknowledging the divine presence in each person. This perspective encourages a deeper respect and understanding among individuals, fostering a sense of community and oneness that transcends cultural and religious boundaries. By recognizing the God within others, we cultivate an environment of love and acceptance, which is essential for global peace.
  • Biblical Foundations of Unity: Stallings references Genesis 1:26 and First John 3:1 to highlight that humanity is created in the image of God, not in a physical sense but in a spiritual one. This interpretation challenges the narrow view of divinity based on appearance and emphasizes the intrinsic worth of every individual. Understanding ourselves as children of God can transform our interactions and inspire a collective effort toward unity.
  • Interrelated Existence: The idea that all individuals are interconnected is a central theme in Stallings’ address. This interconnectedness implies that the actions of one affect the whole, underscoring the importance of collective responsibility. In a time of division and strife, recognizing our shared existence can motivate individuals to work towards common goals, fostering a spirit of collaboration and mutual support.
  • Personal Responsibility for Peace: The call for peace begins with self-awareness and personal responsibility. Stallings invokes the song “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” emphasizing the necessity for individuals to embody the change they wish to see. By taking ownership of our actions and striving for inner peace, we can collectively contribute to a more harmonious world.
  • Limitations of Organized Religion: Stallings critiques the shortcomings of organized religion, noting that it often fails to fulfill its original purpose of connecting individuals to God and each other. This critique resonates with many who feel disillusioned by institutional practices that overshadow spiritual experiences. Instead, he advocates for a return to spirituality that aligns with our inherent connection to the divine.
  • The Essence of Spirituality: Spirituality is framed as a more profound connection to God and each other, transcending the rituals of organized religion. Stallings suggests that true spirituality fosters an understanding of our collective identity, enabling us to see beyond superficial differences. This perspective is crucial in healing societal divides and nurturing a culture of acceptance.
  • The Mirror of Change: The closing message emphasizes the need for personal transformation, echoing the sentiment of Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror.” Stallings encourages individuals to look inward and initiate change within themselves as a pathway to broader societal improvements. This powerful message serves as a reminder that lasting change is rooted in personal accountability and self-reflection.
Speech by by Dr. Dean Bascombe

Dr. Dean Bascombe emphasizes the importance of reconciliation and personal change through faith in God, grace, and understanding oneself.
Key Insights:
  • Grace and Mercy: Recognizing the importance of grace and mercy from God encourages a transformation in our lives, allowing us to let go of past behaviors and embrace a new path.
  • Inner Reconciliation: True peace and reconciliation must start within ourselves. We must confront our internal conflicts before we can effectively promote peace in our communities.
  • Embracing Change: Acknowledging that change is a constant in life is vital. We must adapt and embrace new perspectives to grow spiritually and personally.
  • Losing Control: Sometimes, losing our preconceived notions and control allows God to work through us, leading to greater understanding and peace in our lives.
  • Divine Presence: Each individual carries the divine presence of God. Recognizing our inherent value can empower us to influence others positively.
  • Power of Words: Our words have the potential to bless others. Speaking with intention can lead to significant changes in our surroundings and encourage others on their journeys.
  • Unity in Diversity: We may come from different backgrounds and experiences, but our shared belief in God can unify us, fostering reconciliation and collective growth.


Speaker discusses his commitment to peace and their involvement with an organization, which aims to promote a more peaceful environment in Durham through collaboration with law enforcement. The speaker expresses a deep longing for peace, highlighting the scarcity of discussions centered on this critical topic. He reflected on his transformative experience at an event dedicated to peace, emphasizing the importance of gathering esteemed individuals to share insights on God’s peace. The speaker concluded by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about peace and how it can influence perspectives.

Q&A and Closing
In a compelling discussion, speakers reflect on their experiences with cultural division, the search for identity, and the quest for peace in a divided society. The primary voice, who identifies as a minister and social worker, shares personal anecdotes about growing up during Jim Crow and contrasts that with the current state of division in America. The sentiment is that, despite historical segregation, there was once a sense of community that seems lost today. Speakers emphasize the importance of understanding one’s identity, purpose, and destiny, suggesting that these elements are crucial for healing societal rifts. A recurring theme is the idea that peace begins within individuals, and that recognizing our shared humanity can help bridge divides. The discussion also touches upon the need to confront darkness within ourselves, as well as the collective responsibility to promote positive change and unity. The session concludes with a call to action, urging attendees to embody the principles of peace and love in their communities. Key Insights
  • Historical Context of Division: The speaker’s reflection on their upbringing during Jim Crow highlights how societal divisions have shifted yet remain impactful. This historical context emphasizes the need to learn from the past to foster a more inclusive future.
  • Community vs. Segregation: The speaker notes that, despite segregation, there was a sense of community that transcended racial boundaries. This suggests that today’s divisions could be bridged through community engagement and shared goals.
  • Self-Reflection and Identity: The discussion on identity, purpose, and destiny reveals the importance of understanding oneself as a foundation for contributing positively to society. Recognizing one’s unique role can empower individuals to act with intention and purpose.
  • The Role of the Church: The speakers discuss how cultural divisions, particularly within religious contexts, have contributed to societal rifts. This highlights the need for churches and faith leaders to promote unity and reconciliation rather than division.
  • Confronting Darkness: The metaphor of “dungeons of darkness” serves as a powerful reminder that individuals must confront their internal struggles to promote peace externally. Acknowledging our flaws and biases is the first step toward healing.
  • Women in Leadership: The call for increased representation of women in leadership roles reflects a broader societal shift toward equality. Empowering women is essential for creating a more balanced and just society.
  • Collective Responsibility for Peace: The repeated assertion that “peace starts with me” reinforces the idea that societal change begins at the individual level. Collective action and personal responsibility are crucial for fostering a culture of peace.

March 03, 2025

Sunday Service on March 2, 2025

Triangle Family Church Sunday Service on March 2, 2025

Music Offering

Sermon

In this heartfelt talk, the speaker explores the concept of family and its significance in their life, emphasizing the deeper connections that exist beyond traditional familial ties. Reflecting on personal experiences and challenges, the speaker recounts their journey over the past ten months, addressing both the highs and lows of life while celebrating the importance of community, friendship, and spirituality. The speaker shares anecdotes about their granddaughter, highlighting the pure and uncomplicated love children bring, contrasting it with more complex adult relationships. She also express concerns about global issues and the need for strong, supportive connections to combat loneliness and despair in today’s world. The overall message encourages the audience to recognize the value of their relationships and to aspire for greater unity and understanding, not just within their immediate families but also within their larger communities and spiritual families. Key Insights:

  • Embracing Challenges as Growth Opportunities: The speaker’s acknowledgment of both the best and worst times in life illustrates how challenges can lead to significant personal development. This perspective encourages individuals to view difficulties not as setbacks but as opportunities for growth and learning.
  • The Innocence of Childhood as a Reflection of Divine Love: The speaker’s relationship with their granddaughter symbolizes a pure and uncomplicated love that many adults often overlook. By comparing this with adult relationships, the talk suggests that embracing the simplicity of children’s love can deepen our understanding of divine love.
  • Community as a Family Replacement: The concept of ‘beyond family’ suggests that the bonds formed in communities can be just as, if not more, significant than those of traditional families. This insight invites audiences to reflect on their connections and consider how they can strengthen these ties.
  • Addressing Global Issues Through Local Connections: By linking personal relationships to broader societal issues, the speaker urges the audience to take action locally. This approach highlights the potential for grassroots movements to create significant change in response to global challenges.
  • Reinventing Family Definitions: The speaker’s call to redefine what family means encourages audiences to personalize their understanding of familial connections. This flexibility allows individuals to form deeper, more meaningful relationships that align with their values and experiences.
  • Curiosity as a Life Guiding Principle: The emphasis on curiosity aligns with the idea that understanding one’s purpose and the nature of relationships is crucial for personal fulfillment. This insight encourages audiences to continually seek knowledge and understanding in their lives.
  • Gratitude as a Catalyst for Connection: The speaker’s expression of gratitude serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and appreciating the roles others play in our lives. This acknowledgement fosters a sense of community and belonging, reinforcing the idea that we are all interconnected.
Sunday School - Penny Experiment

February 24, 2025

Sunday Service on February 23, 2025

Triangle Family Church Sunday Service on February 23, 2025

Music Offering

Sermon


The sermon titled “Collective Goodness” explores the concept of working together for the benefit of humanity, drawing on Biblical references, personal anecdotes, and moral lessons. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of individuals within a society, likening it to a body where each part is essential and serves a purpose. The speaker shares insights from Romans 12:4-5 and 1 Corinthians 12:20-25, which highlight the importance of each individual in the community and the need for cooperation and collective responsibility. The discussion then shifts to the notion of collective sin and the path humanity must walk toward liberation and joy, particularly following the Second Coming of Christ. Through a story about a family trying to uproot an enormous turnip, the speaker illustrates the power of teamwork and the unexpected contributions individuals can make, regardless of their perceived strength. Personal experiences, such as a family trip to Japan and the realization of the limited time with loved ones, serve as poignant reminders of the importance of cherishing relationships and contributing to collective goodness. The sermon concludes with a call to recognize the unique value of each individual and the potential for everyone to be an “unexpected hero” in building a better community and serving humanity. Key Insights:
  • - Biblical Foundations of Community: The references to Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 provide a theological framework for understanding societal roles, emphasizing that although individuals may have different functions, they are all essential. This perspective encourages believers to appreciate diversity within their community and underscores the importance of collaboration for a common purpose.
  • Implications of Collective Sin: The speaker discusses the idea of collective sin as a shared responsibility that humanity bears, which can lead to suffering. This highlights a critical understanding of moral accountability and the need for a collective effort toward healing and liberation. It provokes thought about how society can address collective issues and work towards a hopeful future.
  • The Power of Unexpected Contributions: The story of the gigantic turnip serves as a metaphor for how every member of a community, regardless of their size or perceived ability, can play a role in achieving significant goals. This insight encourages inclusivity and highlights that success often comes from collaboration, even from unexpected sources.
  • The Importance of Family Bonds: The personal anecdotes shared about the speaker’s family experiences emphasize the vital role of family in one’s life. The reflections on limited time with loved ones stress the importance of cherishing relationships and making the most of the moments shared together.
  • Encouragement for Individual Impact: The notion that everyone can be an “unexpected hero” empowers individuals to see their potential within a larger context. It fosters a sense of belonging and encourages participation, motivating people to engage actively in their communities.
  • Collective Goodness as a Path Forward: The call to recognize the value of collective goodness aligns with the idea that small, individual contributions can culminate in significant societal benefits. This perspective can inspire action, urging individuals to engage in acts of kindness and service, knowing they contribute to a larger good.
  • The Vision of a Harmonious Society: The conclusion of the sermon envisions a society where every person’s contribution is valued, and where collective effort leads to a brighter future. This idea resonates deeply, suggesting that by fostering an environment of cooperation, humanity can overcome challenges and thrive together.

Slide 1

My sermon title is "Collective Goodness." 

Slide 2

Let's read two Bible verses I picked for the reference of Collective Goodness. They illustrate that human society is like a body, where every part is essential and serves each other. God gave gifts and talents to each one to be used to serve humanity. 

Slide 3

First one is Romans 12:4-5.

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Second one is 1 Corinthians 12:20-25.

As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

These verses tell us that human society is like a body, in which every part is needed, and all the parts exist to serve one another and God gave gifts and talents to each one to be used to serve the humanity.

Slide 4

What does the term “collective” remind those who learned the Divine Principle? It may be a collective sin.

Slide 5

What does the Divine Principle tell about Collective Sin? It is the sin for which a person is responsible as a member of a group. Humanity as a whole has had to walk a path of tribulation, until the Second Coming of Christ.

According to the Divine Principle, humanity needs to go through suffering until the Second Coming of Christ due to Collective Sin. Then what will happen after the Second Coming of Christ? What is the opposite of tribulation? Delight, good luck, happiness, and joy are listed as antonyms of tribulation. After the Second Coming of Christ, humanity can walk a path of joy and happiness instead of tribulation. How can the path of joy and happiness be achieved? When you learned about hereditary and collective sins, did you think it was unfair to be responsible for sins we didn't commit? Did God create humanity to suffer from collective sin? I think God’s plan was to make humanity enjoy the path of joy and happiness through collective goodness.

Collective goodness is a concept that can refer to the idea of working together for the benefit of a group, or to the idea of doing what is good for humanity.

Slide 6

I would like to share a story telling the power of collective effort, which we learned at Sunday school. The title of the story is the Gigantic Turnip or "The Enormous Turnip". 

Have you ever heard the story? It is a Russian and Ukrainian fairy tale but widely recognized and familiar. I recall it being included in my Japanese reading class textbook during elementary school. 

Slide 7

The narrative is straightforward: an elderly man planted turnip seeds, and one of them grew to an enormous size. His family collaborated in their efforts to uproot the giant turnip.

Slide 8

Let us read the story.

On a Russian farm, a grandfather lived with his wife, four children, and sixteen grandchildren. The youngest was a baby.

The turnips in the garden were ready to be harvested, but the grandfather struggled to pull out a particularly stubborn one.

The grandmother came to the garden and put her arms around the grandfather's waist. They pulled and pulled, but they could not get the turnip out of the ground.

Even with all children and their spouses pulling, they could not get the turnip out of the ground!

The fifteen grandchildren lined up, tallest to shortest, and the whole family pulled and pulled. But they could not get the turnip out of the ground.

The grandfather noticed that someone is still missing. He went over to the baby grandchild, who was lying on a blanket, and gently removed the rattle from the baby's hand. He tied a rope around the smallest grandchild's waist and put the other end of the rope in the infant's tiny fist.

Slide 9

The whole family lined up again by height. They pulled and pulled, but they could not get the turnip out of the ground.

"One more time," said the grandfather. "Pull!"

They pulled and pulled. To see them, the baby laughed out loud, and tugged on the rope.

The turnip came out of the ground! It popped out so fast, the whole family fell down like a row of dominoes. 

"That is one strong baby!" they all laughed.

"That's the strength of a family," said the grandfather.

The moral of the story is Unity in Teamwork and Unexpected Hero.

The family worked together to pull out the turnip, demonstrating collaboration.

The baby succeeded in pulling out the enormous turnip, indicating that success can come from unexpected sources individuals. Isn’t it a nice story?

Slide 10

Next, I would like to share our family’s experiences during the holiday season.

Our family had a trip to Japan. In Kyoto, the Fushimi Inari shrine made me realize the value of collective effort. It is a popular spot for tourists due to its mysterious and photogenic scenery. 

Dedicated to Inari, the deity of harvest and business success, Fushimi Inari Shrine is the head of all Inari shrines in Japan. The vibrant orange torii gates leading to Mt. Inari offer an impressive view and are one of Japan's iconic images. Known as the "1,000 torii gate" path, it actually features around 10,000 gates. A torii gate marks the transition from the secular to the sacred.

You may wonder who built so many torii gates and why. As you can see from the picture, the business or individual donor’s name is engraved on each torii gate. The shrine's faith community believes that donating a torii gate makes their wishes come true, and if they do, they donate larger gates. The 10,000 torii gates are the result of this collective faith and good deeds. Tourists are enjoying the photogenic and mysterious scenery created by these collective goodness. 

Slide 11

True Parents started the construction of Cheon Il Guk, focusing on the Cheon Pyong Holy Ground in Korea. Who can complete their initiative? The completion of their initiative can be achieved by the collective faith and good deeds of the faith community. Although often misunderstood by society, I believe that people will eventually recognize and appreciate the outcomes of our faith community's collective goodness.

Single small torii gate along with the other 9,999 torii gate can impress the visitors of the shrine. An infant along with the other family members can pull the Gigantic Turnip out from the ground. God created each one of us to do good deeds and make the collective goodness benefit all humanity.

Slide 12

Two incidents remind me that time to serve True Parents on the earth is limited.

My mother-in-law broke her back and suffered extreme pain. When we visited her at the hospital in Dec., she looked so weak. Fortunately, she is now recovering well.

During our Japan trip, we spent some time with my mother. She gave me some of her jewelry for our daughters as a distribution of mementoes. Do you know what memento is? It is katami in Japanese. We call the distribution of mementoes “katamiwake” in Japan. According to a dictionary, memento is an object kept as a reminder or souvenir of a person or event. One of my mother’s mementoes was a diamond ring my father gave her. It reminded me of the story that True Mother gave her wedding ring to a member. I did not think deeply about the story that True Parents gave away their belongings to members. But now I realize that it was their distribution of mementoes to give the memories and connections with True Parents.

It has been over 10 years since I saw my mother last time. She looked very good. But she suddenly felt so sick when we were about to leave her home. She needed to lie down and rest when we said good-bye.  

Slide 13

Our mothers are getting old and cannot stay on earth for long. I regret that we could not have much time to serve them and time for them to spend with grandchildren. 

My mother-in-law is now living with us. I think God gave our family the time to serve my mother-in-law at our home.

I realized True Mother is 2 years older than my mother-in-law and 4 years older than my mother. We do not have time with True Mother for long as well. There is a saying that when we feel we want to serve our parents, they are not on earth. This saying tells us to serve our parents as much as possible when they are on earth.

Slide 14

Conclusion

Each of our faith community members is precious and unique.

- Anyone can contribute and be an unexpected hero to build Cheon Il Guk.

We are connected by True Parents.

- All of us received the best memento from True Parents, which is Blessing. 

Let us cherish our time with True Parents and each other.

Our collective goodness will eventually benefit humanity.

February 17, 2025

Sunday Service on February 16, 2025

Triangle Family Church Sunday Service on February 16, 2025

Music Offering

Sermon

The pastor discusses the profound cost of faith and the sacrifices made by believers throughout history, particularly when standing against injustice. It highlights powerful stories of individuals such as Reverend Moon, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, all of whom faced persecution for their beliefs. The narrative emphasizes that true faith often leads to trials, but through these challenges, believers can find strength and purpose. The message encourages Christians to remain steadfast in their convictions, as the essence of faith is rooted in truth and resilience against oppression. The pastor underscores that the journey towards freedom and justice often runs through difficult paths, including imprisonment and persecution, but faith can break down barriers and inspire hope. Key Insights

  • The Price of Faith: The speaker begins by addressing the tangible cost of following God, illustrating that true faith may lead to persecution and hardship. This sentiment is particularly potent in a world where many face discrimination for their beliefs. The underlying message is that one should be prepared to sacrifice personal comfort for the sake of their convictions.
  • Historical Context of Faith and Persecution: Reverend Moon’s story serves as a reminder of the historical context in which faith-based movements have often faced backlash. His decision to return to North Korea during communist rule to preach exemplifies the belief that one’s faith must transcend fear. The narrative illustrates how faith can act as a catalyst for change, even in the most oppressive environments.
  • Dr. King’s Philosophical Foundations: Dr. King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is a profound illustration of civil disobedience as a moral duty. The speaker highlights King’s nonviolent approach and his ability to articulate the struggles of African Americans, forming a bridge between faith and activism. This insight reveals how faith can inspire a movement toward justice, emphasizing that oppression must be met with peaceful resistance.
  • Transformation Through Suffering: The transformation of Alexei Navalny from an atheist to someone who recognizes the strength in Christ’s teachings speaks volumes about the power of faith. His narrative highlights that personal beliefs can evolve through experiences of trial and suffering, reinforcing the idea that true courage often emerges from adversity.
  • The Role of Prayer in Dark Times: The biblical example of Paul and Silas praying in prison serves as a powerful metaphor for hope in despair. Their faith led to miraculous outcomes, suggesting that prayer can transcend physical boundaries and bring about change. This teaches the importance of maintaining spiritual practices even when facing dire circumstances.
  • The Universality of Injustice: The video draws connections between the struggles faced by various individuals across different cultures and eras. This universality emphasizes that the fight for justice is not confined to one group or belief but is a shared human experience that requires solidarity and collective action.
  • The Importance of Community: The speaker concludes by stressing the significance of community support among believers. In times of hardship, the assurance that one is not alone can provide comfort and strength. This insight encourages a culture of mutual support and resilience, reinforcing that faith communities can be a source of hope and strength during challenging times.

Sunday School - Bible Study: Parable of Pearl

February 11, 2025

Jesus Is Searching for Us in This Way - Morning Devotion in Feburary 2025

Jesus Is Searching for Us in This Way
May 20, 1956

Former Church Headquarters

Matthew 18:1-14

The title of the speech today is "Jesus Is Searching for Us in This Way." This is the topic upon which I will speak.

Jesus Christ is the person who came on the earth as the one for whom God had poured out His heart in preparation for 4,000 years. Jesus Christ came to save humanity, representing the will of God and His languishing heart.

The Lamb that Fell Away

Fallen man is like the lamb that fell away from the herd of sheep. After the fall, humanity does not stand among the 99 lambs, but with the lamb that fell away. The millions of Heavenly soldiers and angels in heaven cannot return joy and praise to God because they have lost Adam and Eve, who are like the lost lamb. God has been working hard until now to claim back fallen men, who have prevented the Heavenly soldiers and angels from returning joy and praise to Him. Jesus was sent to the earth as the one God has been seeking for 4,000 years. Jesus, as the good ancestor of humankind, stood in the position of True Parents and persevered in his toilsome work in order to redeem our lives.

Today we have a simple understanding of Jesus Christ as the only begotten son of God in the 4,000-year history of the dispensation and the central figure who won the victory over Satan. He bore the cross for the sake of saving humanity, which had lapsed into sin and evil ways. What did God do to raise up Jesus as the center? He entrusted in Jesus all that He had been doing in His dispensation for the world and humanity. As a result, when Jesus Christ was lifted up as the new center of the providence, he stood in the position to be responsible for the salvation of the whole of humanity. When he was put in such a position, his mind and body must have been overwhelmed with unspeakable sorrow.

Jesus Christ Who Came Looking for Us

When Jesus seeks us, what kind of course does he take? To save humankind, during the 4,000-year history, God established the word, and through many prophets and sages, He prophesied to the multitudes that the Messiah would come.

Therefore, the followers of Judaism were prepared to receive the Messiah based on the words and testimonies of the prophets. This is the history recorded in the Old Testament. Jesus Christ, who came on that prepared foundation, was supposed to consummate the 4,000 years of Old Testament history as the history of goodness. 

Accordingly, the new words of truth that he spoke contained within them the sorrow that had accumulated during the 4,000-year course of the dispensation of restoration. 

At the same time, they were the truths that revealed the heavenly laws all must follow in their life of faith.

How would Jesus have felt looking down upon the unfaithful groups of the countless followers of Judaism? They were supposed to listen and believe in the words that he proclaimed. You must understand that Jesus was crying out to them with an agonized heart.

God has been looking for me, this one man, until today. To claim back all of humanity, who are imprisoned in sinfulness, He has been working hard for a long time. Through the prophets, He gave the Israelites the law during the Old Testament era. To end the sorrowful history of 4,000 years, He sent Jesus Christ and proclaimed the new words of truth. Because the Jewish people did not believe in those words, they were not able to comfort the sorrowful heart of God. Instead, they exacerbated the grief in the heart of Heaven. This is what you must understand.

For this reason, Jesus went before the crowd who did not know the direction they must head in and who remained within the dominion of Satan and, pointing the way, he revealed the path to survival. Nevertheless, the Israelite people did not listen. 

Consequently, humanity lost the direction of life and the altar of 4,000 years of toil that God had built. If the Jewish people had become one on the foundation of God's words, then they would have substantiated the words of God, and God would have been able to embrace them as children again.

The Jewish People Did Not Believe in the Words of Jesus

Because the Jewish people, who were originally supposed to become the examples, did not believe in the new words Jesus gave and could not unite, Jesus had to leave behind words of sorrow. For this reason, the Jewish people, who should have stood in the position of the hundred lambs, found themselves in a position similar to that of the lost lamb. We find ourselves in the same situation.

We have to understand the heart of Jesus toward the Jewish people, who were like the lost lamb. In order to elevate the lost Jewish people, Jesus cried out with a sad heart.

What we have to understand today is that God had been carrying on the dispensation with a heart full of pain for 4,000 years so that He could claim me; and after that, Jesus inherited the sorrowful heart of God. He has been calling to us, following us.

In his thirty years of life, what kind of course did Jesus walk? Jesus prepared for thirty years of private life, hoping for God's dispensation to emerge. When he appeared to spread the new words after that period had passed, he was not speaking the words with joy. He propagated the message with the sorrowful heart of God.

Although Jesus spoke many words such as "Follow me," or "Believe in me," those who attentively listened to the voice that cried out from a lamenting heart were extremely small in number. 

You must understand that Jesus spent thirty years of his life in such an environment with a sad and bitter heart. The desperate voice of Jesus, spoken aloud in his lifetime, is still pleading with you through the biblical passages. Even in this hour, Jesus Christ is making an earnest request to you from the spirit world.

Therefore, you must now learn the contents of Jesus' request and find the way that you must walk. You will be greatly mistaken if you do not know the way in which you must head and what position you are in, the position of the lost lamb, and if you hold to the belief that this world will continue as it is. You yourselves might not know this very well, but while walking the 2,000-year course of history since his birth, Jesus is calling out with a sad voice, that calling has become your hope.

God's Heart and the Voice of Jesus

Would you ignore this voice, which is so earnestly calling to you? If there is anyone who cannot hear, he or she should at least feel the heart of bitterness. Is there anyone among you with ears to hear who does not long for that calling voice? We must shape up in order to listen to this voice. If you hear the voice calling out to you but cannot move because your body is not strong enough, you should direct your heart and soul toward that place. To claim back this one person who is like the lost lamb, God has been struggling not for one day, not for one year, not for one hundred years, but for 6,000 years. The 6,000 years He suffered to find the lost flock of lambs in heaven and on the earth is Heaven's history of redemption. Because we men cannot hear the voice of God calling out to us, He revealed it through Jesus, who was the embodiment of God. The words proclaimed by he who unveiled the invisible heart of God are the words of the gospel.

Because men cannot understand the mind of God, who exists in invisible form, and cannot hear His voice, Jesus came as the incarnation of God. Moreover, the Jewish people should have listened to the words he preached, and by going before him, they should have understood the true intent of God, which had not been understood for 4,000 years. Feeling the heart of God, they should have repented. Despite this, the Jewish people did not repent, but instead distanced themselves from Jesus. Therefore, from now on, you must make preparations so that you can understand the sorrowful voice of Jesus. What should you do in order to do this? The only way is that just as you listen attentively to words spoken in the worldly context, you should have the determination to believe in Jesus who stands before the multitude representing the heart and will of God. Jesus came as the representative of the invisible God and walked the course of atonement on behalf of ignorant man, who has only caused grief for Heaven for 4,000 years. Likewise, you should be able to fathom the heart of God who put Jesus in such a rueful situation and made him renew his determination.

If the Jewish people had been able to broaden their perspective and discern the voice that cried out on behalf of the internal heart of God, they would not have had any problem understanding the doleful words of Jesus, who came as the substantial body. 

Yet in what state were the Jewish people? They were content only with the words written in the Old Testament scriptures. They thought that God's final words were all already written in the Old Testament.

This is not the only sorrow of God. The Jewish people did not realize that if they did not serve Jesus when God lifted him up to reveal and testify to His innermost heart, the sadness of Heaven would become the sadness of the earth. You should understand that Jesus was supposed to liberate God's sorrow and suffering of the 4,000 years, but because the Jewish people did not recognize him, God's sorrow could not be liberated. 

Furthermore, His sorrow continued.

Jesus Christ, who came to the earth representing the will of God and the 4,000-year history, had to go back without proclaiming the words of happiness. Consequently, 2,000 years of history have passed since Jesus, but when we look back on the 6,000 years of history today, we find that even now, the sorrow of God and Jesus is still deeply rooted on the earth. We should come to understand the sadness of God and Jesus and be able to consider God's words of happiness and the words of Jesus. The reason Jesus came seeking us is not only to give words of sadness. In the laborious course of claiming back we who are like the lost lamb, God should not always speak grievous words. Since He spoke sorrowful words for 6,000 years, the moment the lost flock of lambs is found, there must appear words of such happiness that one can completely forget the 6,000 years of sorrow. You might think that such words of happiness will come from Heaven, but that is a great misunderstanding. Now we have to become the flock of lambs who will rush toward the heart of Jesus, who has toiled 

for 2,000 years, and toward the Lord who is to come seeking us.

We should not hesitate or be unable to find our direction after hearing the crying voice of the wounded Jesus Christ of sorrow. When Jesus Christ comes suddenly and calls you with a doleful voice, you should not flinch. What should you do? Before the sad voice of Jesus can be heard by you, you need to cry out in a sad voice first. You must be the first to shake heaven and earth with the cry, "My shepherd! Lord!" Jesus who comes seeking you will then listen carefully to your cry; when he calls you again, he will not call in a sad but a happy voice. You should stand in such position.

We Must Testify to the Sorrowful Heart of Jesus

Today, we must testify to the sorrowful heart of Jesus. We should not just lament about having lost the shepherd, but we should also cry for the sake of finding the shepherd.

Likewise, we can only satisfy Jesus when we become people who can take responsibility for the path of suffering Jesus left behind. You must understand that today Jesus is searching for us with a sorrowful voice. In order to find us, he is repeating the pain of his life. Jesus, who represented the 4,000-year dispensation for the sake of saving humanity, could not live comfortably. He is coming looking for us today based on the foundation of his life of pain and suffering.

As you know, the thirty-year life of Jesus was a life of anguish. The thirty-year preparation period as the son of Joseph the carpenter was a life of pain and suffering, both internally and externally. He could not live freely in comfort like you. It is a great mistake to assume that he lived like the honored Savior of humanity. He was persecuted by his stepfather Joseph, Mary and even his younger brothers and sisters. 

He lived a life of agony in which he could not speak freely, though he had so much to say. His tribulations were not suffered for his own sake. He knew that if he did not represent the heart of God, there was no one else who could claim back the lost family, so he focused all of his heart and soul toward Heaven. Furthermore, when he saw people fighting among themselves in a pathetic environment for the sake of themselves and the surrounding environment, Jesus entered the course of a difficult and grievous life. Representing the living words of God of the 4,000 years, he put his life on the line and fought to build the ideal world.

Jesus did not receive proper treatment from the time of his birth until the time of his death. He led a lonely and difficult life just like the life in the wilderness. Such external tribulations are sufferings, but the internal anguish in his heart, hidden from others, is known only to God.

The Jewish people, who should have believed in and followed Jesus, did not recognize him and recognized someone whom they had little need to recognize. 

Living amid such people, Jesus longed for his life in the homeland.

His life, the things he ate and clothes he wore were not for his own sake and not for the sake of his own peaceful days. Jesus ate, clothed himself and did everything for others. He stepped beyond it all to live for the sake of God and humanity. The same can be said about each of his footsteps. However, there was not even one person who could understand the situation of the Messiah. There was no one who embraced the lonely heart of Jesus and said, "I understand your heart. I understand your feelings, so I will follow you wherever you go and become a friend who can comfort you." 

Without a doubt, his disciples should have comforted him, but they could not comfort the innermost, heart of Jesus hidden from others.

For this reason, the thirty years of Jesus' life became dotted with suffering and pain. From the first day of his three-year public ministry, when he preached the gospel, the words he spoke were not private words. They were not words spoken for his own benefit or for boasting about his skills. They were spoken to fulfill the will of God.

However, there was not even one person who tried to represent the people and become a friend to Jesus, who came to him with comforting words and good will. 

Jesus was mocked by the people in his own town and ridiculed by all the people. Today, you live in an environment in which you can listen to the words of God in comfort. You should never lose this opportunity to relate with God in a free environment.

Jesus of Suffering

At that time, even when he was speaking the words of truth, Jesus had to do it secretly, and when he was listening to the words of God, he also had to hide. 

Consequently, they went into the wilderness. Even in the midst of that, Jesus tried to lure many people to the wilderness and teach them the words of God. You have to understand the heart of Jesus. He was determined to fulfill the will of God by propagating God's words even if he had to use those means.

Likewise, during the course of his life, Jesus tried to spread the gospel to many people, but there was not even one person who welcomed it. No matter how desperately in earnest he was in his desire to disseminate the truth, there were many who did not understand. The more Jesus tried to fulfill the mission and responsibility given to him, the more people appeared who tried to obstruct him.

Miserable Jesus Christ, who was observing this and crying out to the multitudes in the wilderness all day, voluntarily began walking the thorny path leading to Gethsemane in order to appeal to God once more. You should reflect again on the hard-on accomplishments of Jesus, who went before God alone because his disciples all dispersed. Comforting God's wounded heart, he tried to generate enough strength to fight with Satan again. You must understand that Jesus offered all thirty years of his life to lead the most painful of all lives. But this is not all. It is a great mistake to think that the suffering of Jesus came to an end when the thirty years of tribulations were over. Today, even after going to the spirit world, Jesus is still in great anguish.

Jesus is carrying on the dispensational providence centering on the one purpose of realizing the will of God, because the 2,000 years of history has been prolonged. He is leading a life of suffering even in this hour. His life of suffering was connected to the present.

How will this suffering then be resolved? It is not through all the things on the earth today. It is absolutely not through them. The only way for the longstanding suffering to be resolved is through your pain and suffering, you who can be responsible for today.

Therefore, Jesus disregarded the historical distance between you and revealed to you the suffering he experienced during the long process of the dispensation. You should realize this, and you should hold onto the painful hands of Jesus and comfort him. The responsibility lies with you today to place the deep-rooted suffering and grievance of Jesus on your own shoulders and give comfort to him. What happens when you have failed to stand in such a position? You should feel the tribulations of Jesus in your own environment. You should be able to analyze the suffering life of Jesus from within your own life.

What kind of sin did Jesus commit that he had to live all of the thirty years of his life in such pain and suffering? If he did commit a sin, it was that he was chosen as the Savior to bring salvation to humanity. You must understand that Jesus was in pain and shouted in desperation for the sake of humanity. We should have a repentful heart before Jesus today. Even within your own life, you can find traces of the suffering of the thirty years of Jesus' life. You are to reap them, and you are to reap all of his suffering beginning from the time of his birth at the stable to his trials on the hill of Golgotha. You must even reap the traces of his suffering during the 2,000 years after the resurrection. You must understand this will of the whole.

The sorrow of Jesus did not end with just crying out in desperation. It did not come to an end with the tribulations and toils in his life. Many people today misunderstand and think that his sorrow came to an end through the difficult life he led and his death on the cross, but because the dispensation has been prolonged as a result, the sorrow of Jesus remains unresolved. Knowing this, you should put your life on the line and save Jesus from sorrow.

Since Jesus Christ has endured the pain and has walked this path full of grievance and suffering for 6,000 years until now in order to find us, and since he has put his life at stake and walked the road of the cross, you must hold onto Jesus.

Even when he was facing death on the cross, which put an end to the thirty years of his life, he earnestly appealed to God, "Oh Father. . . ." The appeal that the countless prophets had made with their blood in the 4,000 years should have been brought to fruition by the Jewish people. It was not, so how could they recompense their ancestors? There is no way they can compensate for it.

The person who requited the historical appeal of blood on behalf of the people and who paid indemnity was Jesus Christ. When the blood of Abel made the appeal through Jesus, there came about the liberation of the conditions laid by the countless prophets and sages who had shed their blood wherein they appealed to the earth, shattered and stained with blood, as well as to the Jewish people. The voices of lament and the cause that the countless sages and prophets had appealed for during the 4,000 years were answered through the death and resurrection of one man, Jesus. Because the grievances of the ancestors who had shed blood on the earth were addressed by the resurrection of Jesus, their will, for which they had reproached the earth and demanded liberation, had been realized. Only after that moment, men were finally able to bow as an offering before Heaven through Jesus who stood before us.

We Must Liberate Jesus

Jesus consummated the appeal of the blood of the sages and prophets who had been sacrificed because the Jewish people had not remained faithful to Heaven. At the same time, what did he leave behind for the future generations? Jesus left behind the blood of the death of crucifixion for ensuing generations. For this reason, when you stand before Jesus and when you reflect on your life, you will find that even in your own life there have been passes of blood that you had to cross. You must understand that while this is a compensation for the appeal that the sages and prophets made through their blood, it is also a recompense for the appeal of blood made by Jesus. So, when Jesus comes through the path of the cross and tells us to come, we should also go toward him through the path of cross. Now you have to deeply feel the zeal with which Jesus made the desperate appeal with his blood on the cross on the hill of Golgotha. His blood is now actively at work in your veins and arteries.

Jesus came seeking you by the way of the cross, but you have not understood his suffering until now, and you did not even take the cross away and reach out to him. Jesus, who walked the path of death and came to look for us while bearing the cross, is even now still crying out and appealing unceasingly for our sake. Even while suffering pain and walking the path of death, he is still working strenuously for our sake.

Now we are facing Jesus with the cross placed in the middle, and someone must resolve the grief and suffering caused by the cross. It is we of today who must do it. Without resolving it, we cannot graft onto Jesus and call him our bridegroom. This is the reason when Mary Magdalene called out, "Oh Lord!" right after the resurrection, Jesus stopped her. For the same reason, although Mary wanted to begin life in Heaven from the day she met the Lord, life in Heaven was prohibited for 2,000 years. We should understand this grief from the background of the cross, and we who have faith must bring the solution.

What did Jesus, who crossed the pass of crucifixion to come seeking us, leave behind? 

He left the mission of the bride and bridegroom. Accordingly, now the Lord will appear as the bridegroom in your prayers. You are the bride and the Lord is the bridegroom, and this is the appearance with which he will come before you. When you meet the Lord who comes as the bridegroom, you have to always think about the recompense of the blood shed on the cross.

What is left and what the Lord must give us is that he must find for us the path through which we can dismantle the cross and wish for the blessing to be given to humanity. He must show us the path through which we can go over the cross. We must cross the pass of the cross so that Jesus can hold onto us freely and we must bring liberation from grief by shaking off the cross. Unless we set the unchanging standard based on which we can dismantle the cross, the altar, heaven and earth, and the works of the Second Coming, will not be complete.

The Light, Water and Oil that Jesus Left Behind for Us

What did Jesus, who came seeking us, leave behind for us of this day? What is that which he has given us, having found us through his doleful life of suffering and death on the cross? Jesus left behind for us the light of life. He risked his life and came looking for us, and the gift that he brought was the light that lit up this dark world. Therefore, when we shed tears of gratitude while reflecting on the death of Jesus, we will come to understand his heart and his situation. What is the next thing that Jesus left for us? He left behind water and oil. He left behind water and oil with which he can heal our wounds as we undergo tremendous ordeals and many wounds are inflicted on us. Accordingly, we must use the light Jesus provided for us to discover our wounds and wash them with the water and oil. 

Knowing our sins and realizing that we are naked, we must weave a holy gown and wear it. Such a time has come. Similarly, only after you have lit up your heart and mind to wash all the sins away, healed the wounds, and worn the gown, can you realize today the dream of Jesus who passed away 2,000 years ago. Now, we must light up the lantern in our hearts, wash our bodies with the water, and apply the oil to our wounds. Finally, after wearing the gown granted to us, we should bear the cross so that Jesus does not have to and bow before Jesus. This is the task man on the earth must fulfill. Do not wish for Jesus to bear the cross for you, but bear it yourself. It is not Jesus who should bear it; you must become the people who give out the light of life. Then being equipped with all the power, wear the gown that can represent the light of the eternal and unchanging value. After that, go over the cross to become the beloved brides who will hold onto Jesus and bow before him, saying, "Lord, please rest in peace eternally." God is hoping these kinds of brides will appear.

Now you have to unravel the burdens Jesus left behind. You must inherit the light of the heart from Jesus, and receive from Jesus the blessings of water and oil, and then wear the holy gown. This gown is not to remain only with you as individuals. It will not apply only to you, but there must emerge many people who can become the brides by receiving the light, as well as the blessing of water and oil through you.

Prayer

Father of love! Please let us realize the grieving heart and be in awe before that heart by understanding how thorny the 6,000 years of history have been. We did not know what the gravest of all sins was, but when we come to the realization, we find that it was a great sin to consider the light that the Lord has given us only as our own. 

Although we possess the water and the oil, it was a great sin to hold it only for ourselves. Although we were wearing the holy gown, it was a grave sin not to have caused many people to wear the gown, although we have the responsibility to make people become faithful. It was a great sin on the scale of representing the 6,000 years that we could not make others believe.

Please let your children who have gathered here understand that more than committing sin themselves, it is a greater sin to cause another to commit sin, and it is a greater sin to have failed to give them the light, water, oil and the gown that Jesus left behind through his suffering. Father, please let the children who had scattered receive the hyung-sang of Jesus Christ and listen to his calling through the words I have spoken. Although they should be responsible for the historical difficulties and tribulations, including even the suffering of the cross, because they are inadequate and ignorant of Heaven's will and the Father's wishes, please encourage them and reveal Your will to them first; let them hear Your voice directly first. Loving Father, I pray from the bottom of my heart that, since they are trying to lead a life of goodness, You will lead them to live their life as they hope.

Please prepare them as the bride of the Lord and guide them to become children who can prevail over everything and bring glory to Heaven, and please govern over the new historical event. I entrust everything to You, so please govern us as You will and appear in the hearts of these who have gathered here. I pray that You will raise them up as the children who can represent the eternal glory of victory. I pray all these things in the name of the Lord. Amen.