Pastor Cho's Sermon Outline - Yoido Full
Gospel Church - Seoul, KoreaEbenezer, Thus Far Has the Lord Helped Us 1 Samuel 7:12 2003-05-18
When Samuel was the judge of Israel, the Israelites fought with the Philistines reaching all the way to Mizpah. Following their victory, Samuel set up a stone between Mizpah and Shen calling it "Ebenezer," translated thus far has the Lord helped us. On May 18, 1958, a tent church was started on the outskirts of Seoul in the farming village of Daejeo-dong. Through spiritual warfare lasting 45 years from Daejeo-dong to Seodaemun and finally to Yoido, today on May 18, 2003, God has indeed helped us thus far, and we give Him thanks. Let us look back upon the path we have trod.
Looking back to the pioneering days in Daejeo-dong (1958-1961). In early 1958, Pastor Choi Ja-shil started a Sunday Bible school for children. On May 18, 1958 we officially began the Full Gospel church. My first sermon was based on Mark 16:17. Many in this area of Seoul were without hope: alcoholics, gamblers, thieves, and those subsisting near poverty level. Christ taught us that the Cross was the only answer (John 3:16; 14:6). Miracles began to happen. A man was healed, unable to walk since childhood. An alcoholic of 10 years was healed. In three years, the church grew to 600 members.
Characteristics of the revival in Seodaemun (1961-1973): 8,000 members. We established the Mission Center with Pastor John Hurston, and the American Assemblies of God used the revival center built in Seodaemun as part of a world mission strategy. During former President Jung-hee Park's military rule and economic development movement, countless vagrants from the countryside were searching for work in Seoul. They needed to renew their minds and hearts, and have faith and dreams for a better tomorrow. I strongly preached Philippians 4:13, Romans 8:28, Mark 9:23, and Ephesians 3:20. Great miracles took place, the home cell and prayer movements were started, and the Seodaemun church became too small. We moved to Yoido.
The growth in Yoido and world missions (1973-2003). Yoido became our base for world missions (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15), teaching the gospel of Christ-the Fivefold Gospel and the Threefold Blessing. We've sent out 636 missionaries to 53 countries. The expansion of our church outreach also includes Fasting Prayer Mountain, Elim Welfare Town, Hansei University, Bethesda University, the Kukmin Newspaper, broadcast mission, Full Gospel Family Newspaper and World of Faith magazine, Church Growth International, the David Cho Evangelistic Mission, and our NGO (non government organization). We are working on our goal to pioneer 500 churches in Korea. Through countless hardships and turbulence, God has held our hands and helped us reach this far. We must thank Him and always look to Him as we strive onward.
Heavenly Father, although some have gone to heaven already, for 45 years You have kept us. Continue to use our church as Your messengers.
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