Unification Sermons and Talks

by Reverends Kim

With a Strong and Courageous Faith like Joshua

This is an excerpt from the Regional Sunday Sermon given by J. S. Kim at the Boston Church on September 11, 1994

According to Numbers 13:1-2, "the Lord said to Moses, send men to spy in the land of Canaan, which I give to the people of Israel: from each tribe of their fathers shall you send a man, everyone a leader among them." God sent into the land of Canaan the twelve persons whom He had chosen, one from each tribe (Numbers 13:1) and had them spy on the land for 40 days (Numbers 13:25). However, all returning from the land, except Joshua and Caleb presented faithless reports, that is, they reported that the Israelites would not be able to destroy the city and the people there, saying that the people dwelling in the land were strong and that the cities were fortified (Numbers 13:28). Besides, they said that the land would devour its inhabitants and that all the people they saw in it were men of great stature alongside whom they seemed to be like grasshoppers (Numbers 13;32-33). The Israelites, hearing this report, murmured against Moses and cried in lamentation, saying that they should choose a captain and go back to Egypt.

Nevertheless, Joshua and Caleb cried out, saying that they should not rebel against the Lord, that they should attack the people dwelling in the land without fear. They proclaimed that the Lord was with the Israelites, and that the Canaanites would become their prey, since their protection was removed from them (Numbers 14:9). In this way, Joshua and Caleb demonstrated their faith. Those belonging to the "external Israelites" who had been born in Egypt and had fallen into faithlessness in the wilderness, all died in the wilderness except for Joshua and Caleb, who had set up the 40-day period of spying in good faith. Only the "internal Israelites," born during their life in the wilderness when the people drunk the water from the rock and exalted the tabernacle, entered Canaan centering on Joshua in place of Moses (Numbers 32:11-12). Just as they survived in their wilderness course, we, with True Parents, have also passed a 40-year wilderness course.

Today's subject is "Let Us Become the Standard Bearers of Joshua's Strength and Courage." We are the living Joshua and Caleb; therefore, we can become the standard bearers who can settle the entrance to Canaan. Then, how did the Israelites enter Canaan? Centering on Joshua, "internal Israelites" who were born during their wilderness course, demonstrated absolute faith and united in oneness. This is what we understand from the Bible verse Joshua 1:16. In other words, because of Joshua's unchanging heart and faith, the Israelites followed him. In Joshua 1:18, The Israelites say to Joshua, "whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your word, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage." They determined to follow Joshua pledging, their lives.

According to Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God." This verse conveys that, though, we have only a small foundation, Heavenly Father still gives His gift of salvation. God has already prepared today's historical time of the Safe Settlement of True Parents and the Completed Testament Age. Through grace, even though we have only a small foundation, we can receive the blessing of God at this time.

What do we have to do in order to settle in Canaan? Just as it says in Ephesians 2:8, we do our best to have faith in True Parents' words. True Parents have exemplified a victorious Heavenly lifestyle. We need absolute faith in our activities so that everything can be accomplished in accordance with Heavenly Father. God sent True Parents to save His children. To do this, True Parents showed us a 40-year model for victory. Now True Parents have given their command to accomplish victory in the 3000 campus providence through witnessing university students on campus. Through this we can inherit a parent's heart, and the content which led to victory over Satan. Why is Father asking us to witness on university campuses? In order that God's Will can be accomplished we need to become one centering on True Parents. Specifically, CARP, Abel side, and YFWP, Cain side, must unite in order to settle in spiritual Canaan. Father especially emphasized that the Completed Testament Era is a great transition period during which the providence moves into the second generation era. In addition, it is the time to establish the founding spirit of a nation. This spirit is exemplified in Joshua 2:24 when two men, reporting in faith say, "Truly the Lord has given all the land into our hands and moreover, all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of us."

The descendants of Israel born in the period of wilderness believed the words of the faithful spies; so they could enter Canaan centering on Joshua. What is the second generation's standard in today's time? Who becomes the standard bearer of Canaan's settlement? Who is Joshua this time? The Second generations standard must be one of absolute faith in Heavenly Father, just as at the time of Joshua. A second generation person is an individual who is one in heart with True Parents as well as one who has inherited True Parents' lifestyle. Therefore, second generation must testify to True Parents as our Messiah. We know that at the time of the Israelites' entrance into Canaan, Joshua was probably over 60 years old; however, he represented the best second generation person. What does this mean? Second generation means that the person embodies Heavenly Father's Heart and is in oneness with God's Providence. True Parents have declared that second generation are those born after 1945. At the same time, second generation also means a person who has strong faith and good courage like Joshua. Today is a very historical day because New England members welcome the Special Task Force team and together we have Sunday Service in order to realize Canaan's settlement in the Completed Testament Age.

Who is the central figure in today's New England region? We remember that the Israelites were separated into two nations: Northern Israel and Southern Judah, because they lost God's viewpoint and God's Purpose. In particular, the second generation inter-married with Canaan's seven tribes as a result of incorrect mother-son cooperation. We now are in a position to restore this failure through WFWP, victoriously restoring the foundation through principled cooperation with CARP. This restores mother-son cooperation. Today we take the same boat in order to witness to young students. We are sailing with one purpose. It is truly great that our members are welcoming the STF brothers and sisters and really supporting them. This shows that our members have a great heart. Thank you for investing the very best that you are, and that you have, so that we accomplish together Heavenly Father's Will and our True Parents' will. Our New England members have great memories about this year's 100-campus providence. During that time True Mother blessed us and told us that "our regional really became #1." Also, True Father emphasized that New England is the model case and central pivot for the salvation of America. We really want to attain another great success this time. We accomplished a wonderful success in the 100-campus campaign during the spring time. Now in the autumn season, it is the time to bear fruit and, thus, great victory in the 3000 campus providence. We want to invest the very best of our abilities, efforts and selves this time also. Our New England region is making a special 40-day prayer condition, which consists of three parts:

1. The Safe Settlement of True Parents and Heavenly Father in our region. 2. The success of the 3000 campus providence. 3. Our regional members can mature and grow towards becoming perfected individuals having the highest standard of heart based on the Principle and collectively working together.

True Parents asked us how can we bring victory like them? We have to attain success, not by fighting with guns and knives, but with true love. We have to become masters of the land of Canaan as True Children to take over True Parents' victory and sovereignty. All of our activities should be done so that our descendants can feel proud of them because all of our activities are like the Acts of the Completed Testament Age Bible.

Once again welcome to the STF team. Let us advance forward to become standard bearers of Canaan's settlement like Joshua, having strength and good courage. Thank you very much for bearing with me.

 

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