“They Could Not Do It”

In yesterday’s early morning message, a father brought his demon-possessed son to the disciples, asking them to heal him. But they could not. What the father later said to Jesus has stayed with me: “They could not do it.” I wonder if this is what the world might be saying about the church today. Or perhaps, as a pastor, it could be said of me.

At the same time, whenever a pastor is known as someone who is “powerful in prayer,” that pastor must be very careful. It is God who works, and we must never take for ourselves the glory that belongs to God alone.

And yet, there are so many people today who are hurting and struggling. I long to see their burdens lifted and their lives healed. That is why, during our early morning prayers, I cry out: “Lord, may everyone who comes through the doors of this sanctuary experience Your healing. May those who are sick be made well and may the problems in their lives that have seemed impossible to resolve finally be set free!”

Jesus healed the sick. He set free those who were oppressed by evil spirits. Then He entrusted that ministry to His disciples. Therefore, it is also part of the mission entrusted to the church today.

I often think about what the church needs to recover. When hurting and struggling people come to us, I pray that they will not have to say, “They could not do it.” Instead, I hope we can be a church that says: “We will pray with you. Let us expect together the amazing things God will do.”

Sometimes people look for spiritual power in pastors whose ministries are highly visible, dramatic, and impressive. But Scripture warns us about this. When Simon the sorcerer saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered money to obtain that power for himself. Peter strongly rebuked him for trying to possess and use the power of God. The seven sons of Sceva made a similar mistake when they tried to imitate Paul after seeing him cast out evil spirits in the name of Jesus. The power of Jesus is revealed through the way of Jesus.

Beginning this coming Friday, we will have our Fall Revival. Our guest preachers are precious servants of God who have spent many years ministering among those who suffer and those who live in the overlooked and marginalized places of Korean society, bringing comfort and healing.

I believe that through this revival, we will witness the healing and restoration that the Lord has already prepared for us.