WEBVTT NOTE Podcast: Acts 29 Vancouver Episode: Appointed Publishing Date: 2017-07-23T06:00:44-07:00 Podcast URL: https://acts29.ca Episode URL: https://acts29.ca/appointed/ 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.000 If you call yourself a follower, this message is not for you. 00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:06.000 If you call yourself a seeker, this message is not for you. 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:11.000 If you call yourself a part-time believer, this message is not for you. 00:00:11.000 --> 00:00:19.000 But if you're a disciple, then God has appointed to you a distinct lifestyle. 00:00:19.000 --> 00:00:22.000 You have to exhibit a distinct lifestyle. 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:24.000 And what does that lifestyle look like? 00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:28.000 It should bear the marks of divine ownership and divine sonship. 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:33.000 It should bear the marks of divine ownership and divine sonship. 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:40.000 A disciple's life bears traces of divine ownership and divine sonship. 00:00:40.000 --> 00:00:41.000 What do you mean by that? 00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:45.000 Guys, do you know that if someone became a disciple ages ago, 00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:50.000 like when John was baptizing people and they became John's disciples, 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:55.000 or when Jesus' disciples were baptizing people and they became Jesus' disciples, 00:00:55.000 --> 00:00:59.000 every time someone got baptized, the intent was to say that, 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:06.000 I join myself to your doctrine, to your teaching, and I acknowledge you as master. 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:11.000 That is why when you got baptized, you didn't get baptized in the name of Jacob John. 00:01:11.000 --> 00:01:16.000 Because if you got baptized in my name, then what you would be saying is, 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:22.000 Jacob, we subscribe to your doctrine, your way of thinking, and you are our master. 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:24.000 Thank God that didn't happen. 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:28.000 Thank God it was in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:30.000 And what are we saying when we get baptized? 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:35.000 We are saying we now agree, Jesus, that your doctrine is our doctrine, 00:01:35.000 --> 00:01:38.000 you are our master, and we are your followers. 00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:43.000 So there's divine ownership in being a disciple. 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:45.000 And there's divine sonship. 00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:48.000 God doesn't want slaves and students. 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:50.000 He wants sons. 00:01:51.000 --> 00:01:54.000 God doesn't want slaves and students. 00:01:55.000 --> 00:01:57.000 A teacher can have students. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:01:59.000 God is not interested in students. 00:01:59.000 --> 00:02:01.000 God is interested in disciples. 00:02:01.000 --> 00:02:06.000 Divine sonship and divine ownership are part of who we are as disciples, 00:02:06.000 --> 00:02:10.000 which then means that every time you say you're a disciple, 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:15.000 there is an expectancy that you will live a distinct lifestyle, 00:02:15.000 --> 00:02:17.000 that you're appointed to certain things. 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:21.000 Once Jesus went up the mountain and spent a whole night praying, 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:25.000 he comes back and he calls to himself twelve. 00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:29.000 And he called them, and then he appointed them to things. 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:32.000 I mean, there were tons of people walking around him. 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:35.000 He did choose seventy-two, but he did choose twelve. 00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:38.000 And he chose the twelve because he said, I've chosen you twelve, 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:42.000 I'm going to call you apostles from now on, I'm going to call you sent ones, 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:45.000 but I'm sending you with a specific task. 00:02:45.000 --> 00:02:47.000 I'm appointing you to something specific. 00:02:47.000 --> 00:02:51.000 So here are the appointments that you as a disciple are called to. 00:02:51.000 --> 00:02:57.000 The first thing that you are appointed to is you're appointed to follow. 00:02:57.000 --> 00:03:00.000 You're appointed to follow. 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:03.000 You're appointed to follow. 00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:05.000 What does that entail? 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:10.000 Guys, in Matthew chapter four, verse eighteen, it says, 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:17.000 Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, and he sees two brothers. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:22.000 One of them was Simon, called Peter, and the other one was Andrew, his brother. 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:26.000 And both of them were casting a net into the sea because they were fishermen. 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:31.000 And then Jesus says to them, follow me and I will make you fishers of men. 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:33.000 That is all Jesus says. 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:36.000 Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:41.000 These guys leave their dad, leave their nets, leave their boat, leave their occupation. 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:44.000 They had wives. They leave everything. 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:48.000 And they respond to a simple command, follow me. 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:52.000 And the strange thing is Jesus didn't have a reputation at that time. 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:54.000 He had just begun his ministry. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:57.000 It was not like there was a track record that they could examine. 00:03:57.000 --> 00:04:00.000 There was no cost analysis, no cost benefit analysis. 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:03.000 They just heard him say, follow me, and they stepped out. 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:08.000 If you say you are a disciple, if I say I'm a disciple, then listen to this very carefully. 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:13.000 You must at any cost follow him to whatever he says to you this week, this day. 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:15.000 It cannot be amended. 00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:19.000 You do not have any leeway in this if you're a disciple. 00:04:19.000 --> 00:04:21.000 There are demands placed on disciples. 00:04:21.000 --> 00:04:24.000 On seekers, there are no demands placed. 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:29.000 On students, there might be exams. 00:04:29.000 --> 00:04:34.000 On followers, well, wishy-washy. 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:39.000 But if you're a disciple, there is no amending the voice and the call of God. 00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:44.000 So the question then is, why is it that we can live such easy lives? 00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:50.000 May I suggest to you it is because we aren't even looking to see every week 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:55.000 whether he is asking us to follow him to a certain place or go to a certain place. 00:04:55.000 --> 00:04:58.000 This guy loves saying this. Eddie loves saying it. 00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:03.000 If you listen, you will hear. 00:05:03.000 --> 00:05:06.000 If you look, you will see. 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:10.000 And if you dare, you will go. 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:13.000 The question then is, tomorrow morning when I wake up, 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:17.000 I must understand that as a disciple I'm appointed to follow. 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:21.000 So my question is, Jesus, as you're walking down the Sea of Galilee 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:25.000 and I'm doing what I normally do. 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:28.000 Peter and John were just doing what they normally do. 00:05:28.000 --> 00:05:30.000 What is it that you're asking me to follow you into? 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:33.000 Where do you want me to go? 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:35.000 It's a must that we ask this question. 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:38.000 Otherwise, Jeevan's work will take over. 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:40.000 My pastoring will take over. 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:43.000 Your cycling will take over. 00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:47.000 Heidi's nursing will take over. 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:50.000 Your retirement will take over. 00:05:57.000 --> 00:06:00.000 If you listen, if you choose to listen, you will hear. 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:02.000 If you look, you will see. 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:05.000 If you dare, you will go. 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:11.000 Because God beckons you to follow his command. 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:13.000 Will you heed? 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:19.000 Luke chapter 9, verse 57 to 62 is about this. 00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:21.000 Jesus is walking. There are people around him. 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:24.000 Everybody wants to follow Jesus. 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:26.000 Everybody wants to follow Jesus. 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:28.000 There is nobody in this room. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:30.000 Anyone in his sane mind wouldn't... 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:33.000 No, actually, anyone who isn't a follower wouldn't be here. 00:06:33.000 --> 00:06:37.000 There are better ways to spend a Sunday afternoon. 00:06:37.000 --> 00:06:38.000 But you're here. 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:41.000 And if you're here, it's because you want to follow Jesus. 00:06:41.000 --> 00:06:46.000 Luke chapter 9, verse 57 to 62, you see people who wanted to follow him. 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:49.000 But when they were appointed and when there was stuff demanded of them, 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:52.000 it was very hard for them to see it through. 00:06:55.000 --> 00:06:59.000 I do not want a life that is less than a disciple. 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:04.000 I pray, God, that when I turn Wayne's age and when I turn Gisela's age, 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:06.000 that it is still the same. 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:10.000 The father, either disciple or nothing. 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:13.000 Don't want to be a follower. Don't want to be a retiree. 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:22.000 Will you ask tomorrow? 00:07:22.000 --> 00:07:25.000 Will you ask tomorrow? 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:30.000 Is there an agenda in heaven for me this week? 00:07:31.000 --> 00:07:34.000 Are there people you're bringing to mind? 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:37.000 Are there places you want me to go? 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:41.000 Is there a nation you want me to visit? 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:45.000 Is there a holiday you want me to take? 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:49.000 Is there some money I'm supposed to give? 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:52.000 And then without question, without question, 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:57.000 do exactly what he says with no thought to the past, present or future. 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:01.000 Anyone who stops to think of past, present and future 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:03.000 is just like the man who said, 00:08:03.000 --> 00:08:06.000 Let me go bury my father or let me finish taking care of my fields 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:07.000 and then I'll join you. 00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:09.000 This is the demand of discipleship. 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:12.000 And God expects nothing less from us. 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:13.000 Nothing less. 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:16.000 It's this or squat. 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:22.000 In Matthew 9, 9, unfortunately, there was a man who was a disciple 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:25.000 and he says to Jesus, can I come? 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:28.000 And Jesus says, sure, but you won't have this and this and the other. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:31.000 And the guy says, I'm sorry, I'll have to delay my coming 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:33.000 because I've got to go bury my father first. 00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:35.000 What he was saying when he said, I've got to go bury my father first 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:38.000 is saying, I'll come after my dad dies. 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:41.000 What if that took 20 years? 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:47.000 We don't have this luxury. 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:51.000 Please, guys, please understand that the demand that is being made of you 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:55.000 is beyond your work, beyond your family, beyond your possessions 00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:56.000 and beyond your wealth. 00:08:56.000 --> 00:09:00.000 All that is secondary to the primary call of Christ. 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:04.000 Remember that image we've drawn many times over. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:08.000 All that comes second. 00:09:08.000 --> 00:09:09.000 Your work is not primary. 00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:11.000 Your family is not primary. 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:14.000 And God will not make unreasonable demands, 00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:15.000 so you don't need to be afraid of it. 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:17.000 Pastors may, God won't. 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:25.000 Yep. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:28.000 The next thing he's appointed us to, 00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:31.000 he's appointed us to bear fruit, to bear fruit. 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:35.000 He's appointed us to bear fruit. 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:41.000 I love the fact that, and I know I've shared this with you before, 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:44.000 but John, when he started following Jesus, 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:46.000 John was probably a kid, eh? 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:51.000 He must have been 13 or 14 or so, 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:56.000 which then helps us understand why his mother came to speak for him. 00:09:56.000 --> 00:10:03.000 It helps us understand why Jesus had this love for John that was unusual, 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:09.000 which helps us understand why John would rest his head on Jesus' bosom while they were eating, 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:13.000 which helps us understand why he was on the island of Patmos 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:18.000 and he's 80 or 90 years old while all the other apostles have died. 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:22.000 Must have been 13 or 14 when he decided to follow Jesus. 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:24.000 What kind of a life did he live, man? 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:32.000 Leaving everything, getting up and following the Son of the Living God. 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:36.000 How dare you hold back? 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:39.000 I say this with much love, much love, and I sincerely mean that. 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:41.000 How dare you hold back? 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:43.000 How dare you hold back? 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:48.000 How dare I hold back anything for the sake of the King? 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:50.000 How dare? 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:52.000 How dare? 00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:03.000 I've been praying that what I teach today may convict you by the Spirit. 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:08.000 I've been praying that Father, may I not shout, may I not use rhetoric, 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:12.000 may I not use any skill I have, but Spirit of God, would you just do something? 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:18.000 At Acts 29 over the next four weeks so that there's an odd kind of transformation that happens for us. 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:21.000 Just the sheer work of the Spirit of God. 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:25.000 That our proud hearts, where its pride may be humble, 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:29.000 that where we lack wisdom, that wisdom may enter, 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:34.000 and that where there is a lack of truth in our inward paths, paths, truth may arise. 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:37.000 We are appointed a bare fruit. 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:41.000 John chapter 15, I think 15 or 14, I'm not sure. 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:44.000 John chapter 15, verse 16. 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:46.000 You did not choose me, but I chose you. 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:48.000 Why did I choose you? 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:49.000 Why did I choose you? 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:52.000 I chose you and appointed you that you may bear fruit, 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:55.000 and that this may be the kind of fruit that remains. 00:11:55.000 --> 00:12:00.000 And then if that happens, whatever you ask my Father in Jesus' name, I will give it to you. 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:06.000 Guys, we are appointed to bear fruit, appointed to bear fruit. 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:09.000 One of the scriptures you should look at is when you get home, 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:14.000 it's a beautiful scripture, 2 Peter 2, verse 5 to 9. 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:25.000 It says, to your faith, now Jacob, add, diligently add, to your faith add, 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:29.000 what is this thing after faith? 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:33.000 I forgot. 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:41.000 And to that add, sorry, no, to your faith add something, to that something add knowledge, 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:47.000 to that knowledge add self-control, to self-control add patience, 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:53.000 to patience add godliness, to godliness add brotherly love, to brotherly love add love. 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:56.000 I don't remember the one in between. 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:59.000 But the point is this, when you read 2 Peter 2, verse 5 to 9, 00:12:59.000 --> 00:13:03.000 depending on which version you read, the message says it beautifully too, 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:08.000 cultivate those qualities, cultivate those qualities. 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:12.000 Godliness is described as reverential awe. 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:16.000 Self-control is described as passionate patience. 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:23.000 Virtue, yeah, 2 Peter 1. 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:34.000 Virtue, virtue is another word for virtue is the good character of God, godly character, godly character. 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:38.000 And so cultivate these because, guys, we are appointed to bear fruit. 00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:41.000 We are appointed to bear fruit. 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:43.000 We are appointed to bear fruit. 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:51.000 Appointed to bear fruit so that people can come and eat of you and say, oh shucks, the father tastes good. 00:13:55.000 --> 00:14:03.000 At 3 in the night, a couple of days ago, I got this nasty text message with a lot of foul words. 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:07.000 From someone I know. 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:13.000 And I'm getting up the next morning and all kinds of thoughts are filling my head as to what I will do. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:18.000 Cultivate good fruit, man. 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:21.000 Don't know why this person wrote what they wrote. 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:24.000 But cultivate good fruit. 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:33.000 Learn not to take offense and when they prod you, let Jesus just keep coming out in oodles and oodles of Jesus. 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:37.000 I may become a regular thing for you, eh? 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:39.000 Regular thing for you. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:41.000 Loving with the love of another. 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:42.000 It's impossible. 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:47.000 I sometimes hear preachers teach a group of people who are not believers how to forgive and how to love. 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:49.000 And I think to myself, it's impossible. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:52.000 It is humanly impossible to forgive. 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:54.000 It is humanly impossible to love. 00:14:54.000 --> 00:15:00.000 But there is one whose life, if he begins to live in you, it is possible to love and live like him. 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:02.000 Love with the love of another. 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:05.000 Love with the love of another. 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:08.000 But you're appointed to bear fruit. 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:12.000 Many, many will be found in the end days. 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:17.000 Hey, I'm someone who believes that if you're really saved, you're saved forever. 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:18.000 I believe that. 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:26.000 But many will be found who said the sinner's prayer and there was absolutely no fruit in their lives. 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:29.000 And they will not be found in the kingdom of God. 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:33.000 There will not be found in the kingdom of God. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:38.000 I really believe that once your spirit is new, it's new forever. 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:43.000 That salvation cannot be lost, is what I believe and what this church believes. 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:48.000 But it has to be, it has to be shown. 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:54.000 If there is no fruit, Jesus in you, if it does not produce fruit, ain't Jesus. 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:04.000 I mean, if Rachel came and told us she's pregnant for the last seven months, 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:09.000 and there was nothing to show, we'd talk to Matt about it. 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:15.000 Appointed to bear fruit. 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:19.000 This happens outside of church, eh? 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:21.000 We are the guys who won't know about it. 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:26.000 Your friends and your colleagues will know about it. 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:31.000 What will they say when I go and ask Chantal's colleagues, eh, how's Chantal? 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:34.000 And what if I hear stuff like, ah, she's got a foul mouth. 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:44.000 What if Jeevan is all nice here, but is a terror at work? 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:50.000 The fruit is cultivated between Sundays. 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:52.000 This is a quarry where things are done silently. 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:55.000 When Solomon's temple was being built, there was no sound of chisel. 00:16:57.000 --> 00:17:00.000 Because everything was done quietly, but out there six days, 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:02.000 there would be the work of putting things together. 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:07.000 I pray, God, that this be, this is what makes us look like Jesus, eh? 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:12.000 The third thing is you're appointed to walk with and like him. 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:16.000 You're appointed to walk with and like him. 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:21.000 You're appointed to walk with him and like him. 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:26.000 In Mark chapter three, verse 13 to 15, 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:27.000 it says, 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:31.000 then Jesus appointed twelve that they might be with him 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:35.000 and that he might send them out to preach 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:38.000 and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons. 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:40.000 Mark chapter three, verse thirteen, 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:44.000 Then he appointed twelve that they might be with him 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:47.000 and that he might send them out to preach 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:51.000 прик and have power to heal sickness and to cast out demons. 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:59.760 Guys, to walk with Jesus, you cannot be like Jesus unless you walk with Jesus. 00:17:59.760 --> 00:18:06.680 You cannot be like Jesus unless you walk with Jesus. 00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:10.920 But then we have a problem because He ain't around. 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:24.680 So today, He appoints us to the body, to sent ones, and to equip us. 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:38.600 Who as they imitate Christ, will help us imitate Jesus. 00:18:38.600 --> 00:18:44.360 It is not possible to be like Him unless you walk with Him. 00:18:44.360 --> 00:18:49.360 I'm talking about in areas of works and words of Jesus. 00:18:49.360 --> 00:18:50.360 It's not possible. 00:18:50.360 --> 00:18:51.640 You have to hang around with Jesus. 00:18:51.640 --> 00:18:53.600 This is why Jesus called them. 00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:55.600 Yes, He's given us the Holy Spirit. 00:18:55.600 --> 00:18:58.960 Yes, the Holy Spirit is the one who brings us the words of Christ. 00:18:58.960 --> 00:19:03.760 Yes, the Holy Spirit is the one who allows the works of Christ to be expressed to us. 00:19:03.760 --> 00:19:08.320 But know this, that we, God has been doing this since the beginning of time. 00:19:08.320 --> 00:19:14.000 You imitate Christ through being part of the body, through associating with sent ones, 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:15.640 through being equipped by equippers. 00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:21.360 And if you choose not to, you will not, on the authority of the word of God I say to 00:19:21.360 --> 00:19:27.000 you, you will not walk in the words and works of Jesus Christ. 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:29.760 Will not. 00:19:29.760 --> 00:19:30.760 We'll hear about it. 00:19:30.760 --> 00:19:32.800 We'll pray prayers like Sheldon prayed. 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:36.080 Oh God, let me be a witness to your healing. 00:19:36.080 --> 00:19:38.600 And you'll see a healing or two. 00:19:38.600 --> 00:19:41.720 But I ain't going to go further than that. 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:48.720 It's God's method of both empowering and humbling. 00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:54.020 One of the things I liked about Sheldon being on the Strip is how teachable he was. 00:19:54.020 --> 00:19:56.480 How teachable he was. 00:19:56.480 --> 00:20:01.120 The last day he's leaving India, the reason he laid hands and instantly that pastor was 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:02.440 in New Zealand. 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:03.440 The pastor called me and said, you won't believe what happened. 00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:04.440 And he told me. 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:07.000 Before this guy could tell me, he told me. 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:10.680 But it was because someone was teachable and someone was willing to learn. 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:17.240 I encourage you over the next six months to a year, come on a trip with us. 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:22.680 There'll be some basic qualifications that are required of you. 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:25.320 But come on a trip with us. 00:20:25.320 --> 00:20:27.940 And you will see how your life will be changed. 00:20:27.940 --> 00:20:35.780 You will learn in six months what you otherwise take ten years to learn. 00:20:35.780 --> 00:20:42.580 Because there is nothing like learning on the go in the field. 00:20:42.580 --> 00:20:44.660 Anybody who's come here will testify to that. 00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:51.340 But remember this, that if you are unable to receive sent ones, equipers and the body 00:20:51.340 --> 00:20:53.980 into your life, opening your life saying, teach me. 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:57.720 There are two things that happen when you're appointed to walk like Jesus. 00:20:57.720 --> 00:21:01.540 It humbles you and it empowers you. 00:21:01.540 --> 00:21:03.180 It humbles you and empowers you. 00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:11.460 And if you choose to be proud in this, you will witness, but you will never eat. 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:15.420 Strong words, but these are those times guys. 00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:19.580 These are times like that. 00:21:19.580 --> 00:21:25.300 Because today it's the body, the sent ones and the equipers who train you into a stature. 00:21:25.300 --> 00:21:27.480 Ephesians 4, 12 and 13. 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:32.380 God has appointed in the body, equipers to equip the body for ministry. 00:21:32.380 --> 00:21:36.060 Ephesians 3, 1 to 8. 00:21:36.060 --> 00:21:40.340 Paul is saying to the church in Ephesus, man you read Ephesians 3, 1 to 5 and you think 00:21:40.340 --> 00:21:43.260 to yourself, gosh Paul was a daring guy. 00:21:43.260 --> 00:21:47.340 He's saying to the church in Ephesus, hey Acts 29, if he was here he would have said 00:21:47.340 --> 00:21:52.580 to you, hey Acts 29, I'm here for your benefit. 00:21:52.580 --> 00:21:56.900 If you associate with me, you will do better. 00:21:56.900 --> 00:22:01.960 Come from me, because I was sent to reveal to you certain things that God wants to teach 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:02.960 you. 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:10.420 And now I want to set Paul aside and I want to say to you Acts 29, there are areas in 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:16.840 my life that if you imitate, you will do so well in Christ. 00:22:16.840 --> 00:22:21.720 There are areas of ministry in my life that if you came along and associated with and 00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:26.480 imitated you would learn so much. 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:32.720 There are areas in the prophetic and in building apostolicly that if you imitated me, you would 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:35.920 learn so much. 00:22:35.920 --> 00:22:41.320 Years of reading books and going to Bible college could be sorted out in six months. 00:22:41.320 --> 00:22:46.820 There are areas of generosity in my life which if you saw, you would learn so much in terms 00:22:46.820 --> 00:22:48.820 of generosity. 00:22:49.820 --> 00:22:56.460 And I say that with all humility and modesty because I say that with enough fear before 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:57.460 God. 00:22:57.460 --> 00:23:01.700 But I encourage you, choose, choose. 00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:04.440 Do not let your pride prevent you. 00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:09.500 Do not let your pride prevent you. 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:14.140 Some of you have, eh, and you've definitely benefited. 00:23:14.140 --> 00:23:16.020 Some of you are hesitant. 00:23:16.020 --> 00:23:20.900 I would say please take advantage of this season in Acts 29's life. 00:23:20.900 --> 00:23:26.420 I don't know if I've told you this and if I am repeating myself. 00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:32.620 So look at how shameless you sometimes have to be. 00:23:32.620 --> 00:23:37.420 So he tells his wife that this is what I'm going to do and he calls me up and he says, 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:40.100 I'm going to, can I turn up at your house at 9 o'clock? 00:23:40.100 --> 00:23:44.620 And I want to spend the whole day from 9 to 10 in the evening or 11 in the evening till 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:47.900 you go to sleep with you. 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:49.720 And so he spends the entire day with me. 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.900 Was it a pain at times? 00:23:50.900 --> 00:23:51.900 Yes it was. 00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:59.260 I mean I was meeting with Mike at Denny's and I told him to go sit on a separate table. 00:23:59.260 --> 00:24:02.820 And then the next day he says, I want to come and visit you at home. 00:24:02.820 --> 00:24:05.240 I want to see what your house is like. 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:06.780 Can I come into your house? 00:24:06.780 --> 00:24:10.860 I mean people inviting themselves. 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:11.980 And so I said yes. 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:18.780 So he comes into my house and now he's looking at every room. 00:24:18.780 --> 00:24:23.100 This is called shameless pursuit. 00:24:23.100 --> 00:24:25.520 What is the, is this even biblical? 00:24:25.520 --> 00:24:29.660 You should see what Jesus did with Peter and Andrew. 00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:30.660 When they said, where do you live? 00:24:30.660 --> 00:24:31.660 He said, come and see. 00:24:31.660 --> 00:24:32.660 He took them home. 00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:38.140 One of the first things he does in his ministry is he takes them home. 00:24:38.140 --> 00:24:40.100 He opens his life to them. 00:24:40.100 --> 00:24:41.100 Shows them how he spends. 00:24:41.100 --> 00:24:46.380 Shows them how he behaves with his mom, his sisters, his brothers. 00:24:46.380 --> 00:24:50.940 This is the life that is expected of you as a leader and expected of me as a leader. 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:55.780 And if it is denied to you, then you can say, ah Jacob, but, but till it's denied to you, 00:24:55.780 --> 00:25:01.340 till you ask, you won't know. 00:25:01.340 --> 00:25:04.560 This is the kind of life that should be developed in our households. 00:25:04.560 --> 00:25:11.780 This is the kind of life that is expected of our leaders in this church. 00:25:11.780 --> 00:25:16.800 And this is the only life that will get you to where you'll be able to say, I walk like 00:25:16.800 --> 00:25:17.800 him now. 00:25:17.800 --> 00:25:19.200 I'm minister like him. 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:20.200 I heal like him. 00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:21.920 I cast out demons like him. 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:26.080 Him being Christ. 00:25:26.080 --> 00:25:32.840 There's no other way around it guys. 00:25:32.840 --> 00:25:36.840 There'll always be a ceiling on your life unless you do this. 00:25:36.840 --> 00:25:40.360 Always be a ceiling on your life. 00:25:40.360 --> 00:25:46.480 Only way to walk in the words and the works of Jesus is to learn the ways of the Spirit. 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:48.360 Learn the ways of the Spirit. 00:25:48.360 --> 00:25:51.680 I'm going to give you an opportunity to ask questions here. 00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:54.000 I'm not even interested in finishing all this. 00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:55.360 I've got 10 of them. 00:25:55.360 --> 00:25:57.200 So I'm in no hurry. 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:58.400 We can continue it next week. 00:25:58.400 --> 00:26:03.020 So any questions on what I've said thus far? 00:26:03.020 --> 00:26:06.560 If your question is, but I'm a female and you're a single guy, how can I come to your 00:26:06.560 --> 00:26:07.560 house? 00:26:07.560 --> 00:26:11.080 That can be arranged by getting a few more females there. 00:26:11.080 --> 00:26:16.360 But if you just want to see my house, I'll bring photographs next week. 00:26:16.360 --> 00:26:21.960 That wasn't the intent anyways. 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.960 I got a decent place. 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:34.880 Reading the Bible is good, Gisela, but so many of us read the Bible and ask the Holy 00:26:34.880 --> 00:26:36.280 Spirit to teach us. 00:26:36.280 --> 00:26:38.840 But we do not go through this process. 00:26:38.840 --> 00:26:42.120 And because of that, we always come up short. 00:26:42.120 --> 00:26:44.400 I know I've repeated this line a hundred times. 00:26:44.400 --> 00:26:48.080 This is the hundred and first time. 00:26:48.080 --> 00:26:50.360 Upgrade comes through association. 00:26:50.360 --> 00:26:52.240 Imaging leads to formation. 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:54.080 Formation causes imitation. 00:26:54.080 --> 00:26:55.080 And not mimicking. 00:26:55.080 --> 00:26:56.080 Imitation. 00:26:56.080 --> 00:26:58.400 Mimicking is different from imitation. 00:26:58.400 --> 00:27:02.080 Mimicking is when you parrot what someone else is doing. 00:27:02.080 --> 00:27:10.200 Imitation is when it's expressed through your own personality. 00:27:10.200 --> 00:27:11.200 Any questions? 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:12.200 Go ahead, Mike. 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:27.960 Yeah. 00:27:27.960 --> 00:27:33.420 How does it work when Jesus on one hand says any man who neglects his family is worse than 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:38.960 an infidel versus we have left everything to follow you, Jesus? 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:43.260 Because the same Jesus who said leave everything and Peter says we've left everything to follow 00:27:43.260 --> 00:27:44.260 you. 00:27:44.260 --> 00:27:49.280 The same Jesus said, but if you neglect your family, you are worse than an infidel. 00:27:49.280 --> 00:27:51.880 So how do those two equate? 00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:56.560 See, what Jesus is saying when he says your family, your work, your possessions and your 00:27:56.560 --> 00:28:03.800 wealth does not come second is that hate it so that you love just one. 00:28:03.800 --> 00:28:05.380 It doesn't mean you neglect it. 00:28:05.380 --> 00:28:11.460 It means when it comes to a toss up between Christ's call, Christ's demands, Christ's 00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:16.580 principles that there will not be a contest. 00:28:16.580 --> 00:28:18.100 There will not be a contest. 00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:23.340 So when my mom had her eye problem, if my mom said hey, I want you to come and spend 00:28:23.340 --> 00:28:26.060 10 days with me because I'm going through an eye operation. 00:28:26.060 --> 00:28:28.220 I want you to be here because your sister can't come. 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:32.960 If I turn to her and said too bad, I've got to go to Mongolia. 00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:36.680 Now we've got a problem because now I'm leaving my mom helpless. 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:41.720 My sister can't go and I'm going off saying I've got to go to Mongolia. 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:43.520 There there's a problem. 00:28:43.520 --> 00:28:54.560 But if my mom says to me that hey, Jacob, I would rather that you choose not to go to 00:28:54.560 --> 00:29:00.200 a certain place and stay and we go for some unnecessary thing on a Sunday. 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:04.320 It's easy for me to make a choice because God is saying hey, Jacob, this is what is 00:29:04.320 --> 00:29:05.320 important. 00:29:05.320 --> 00:29:06.320 My mom's saying forget it. 00:29:06.320 --> 00:29:07.320 You do it most of your life. 00:29:07.320 --> 00:29:08.320 Why do it? 00:29:08.320 --> 00:29:09.320 Just leave it alone. 00:29:09.320 --> 00:29:10.320 Out of question. 00:29:10.320 --> 00:29:13.400 There have been times when my mom and I have had arguments because I believe that what 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:19.780 I'm doing is more important than what my mom's asking me to do for the sake of social welfare 00:29:19.780 --> 00:29:22.880 so that a few relatives are happy. 00:29:22.880 --> 00:29:27.300 Couldn't get two hoots to keep a few relatives happy if there is something that is a greater 00:29:27.300 --> 00:29:30.180 call upon my life or a greater demand. 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:35.980 So to answer Mike's question, it is not that God is saying neglect your family. 00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:42.100 It is God saying when it is a toss up between your family, your possessions, your work and 00:29:42.100 --> 00:29:47.820 your wealth and me and what you clearly know I'm telling you to, there should not even 00:29:47.820 --> 00:29:49.620 be a contest. 00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:52.860 You should hate one and love the other. 00:29:52.860 --> 00:29:58.900 It should be hatred and love. 00:29:59.860 --> 00:30:00.860 Yeah. 00:30:00.860 --> 00:30:07.260 And if, when you choose to do what God has called you to, he'll take care of the family, 00:30:07.260 --> 00:30:10.060 not tenfold, not twentyfold, not thirtyfold. 00:30:10.060 --> 00:30:16.060 It says in Mark 10 or Matthew 10, 28, Peter says to them, but I've given up family, I've 00:30:16.060 --> 00:30:18.900 given up wealth, I've given up land, I've given up possessions, I've given up, and Jesus 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:24.380 says anybody, anybody who gives up all these things will get in this life a hundredfold 00:30:24.380 --> 00:30:26.940 plus persecution, plus eternal life. 00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:29.580 And guess where the persecution will come from? 00:30:29.580 --> 00:30:31.020 Sometimes from your own family. 00:30:31.020 --> 00:30:36.460 We were shocked when we were going, a pastor was telling us that they went and planted 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:40.020 churches in a certain area in India and guess who persecuted them? 00:30:40.020 --> 00:30:41.020 The Baptist Church. 00:30:43.020 --> 00:30:47.940 And I'm thinking to myself, I was listening to stories, hundreds of them got beaten up 00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:50.100 and I'm thinking, ah, poor guys. 00:30:50.100 --> 00:30:53.460 I'm thinking it must be some militant other religion people. 00:30:53.460 --> 00:30:54.460 So I said, who beat you up? 00:30:54.460 --> 00:30:56.780 They said the Baptist Church. 00:30:57.620 --> 00:30:59.140 And I'm thinking to myself, really? 00:30:59.140 --> 00:31:01.620 The Baptist Church beat you guys up? 00:31:01.620 --> 00:31:04.140 Somehow it didn't feel like persecution suddenly. 00:31:04.140 --> 00:31:08.140 But it was because they got big sticks on their heads, man. 00:31:19.140 --> 00:31:21.700 Let me do half and then we'll stop. 00:31:22.620 --> 00:31:24.620 Appointed to receive the Holy Spirit. 00:31:24.620 --> 00:31:28.620 Appointed to receive the Holy Spirit. 00:31:33.620 --> 00:31:35.620 Appointed to receive the Holy Spirit. 00:31:42.620 --> 00:31:44.620 Guys, there's no blanket statement, eh? 00:31:44.620 --> 00:31:46.620 There's no blanket statement. 00:31:47.540 --> 00:31:54.940 Last Sunday, after the wedding, which was on Saturday, I was asked to go speak at that 00:31:54.940 --> 00:31:58.620 large church in Chennai, the Chad pastors. 00:31:58.620 --> 00:32:05.100 And so I'm asking God, okay, so I've been in India for 12 days. 00:32:05.100 --> 00:32:10.900 I think it's a good idea to go spend a day with my mum. 00:32:10.900 --> 00:32:16.420 And so father, here is four services that I can do in this 25,000 people church. 00:32:16.420 --> 00:32:19.420 Or I can spend a day with my mum. 00:32:20.420 --> 00:32:26.420 And without a shadow of a doubt, the choice was, go spend it with your mum. 00:32:26.420 --> 00:32:33.420 And so I called Chad up and said, I'm sorry, I won't be coming to the church. 00:32:34.420 --> 00:32:38.420 And then later on I joined him in Mumbai for the evening service on Sunday. 00:32:38.420 --> 00:32:40.420 So there are no blanket statements. 00:32:40.420 --> 00:32:45.420 It's just that when God puts a demand on your life, there should not even be a contest. 00:32:45.420 --> 00:32:52.420 It should be an outright denial where Jesus says, and you say, who is my mother and who is my brother? 00:32:52.420 --> 00:32:57.420 But those that follow the will of God, they are my mother and my brother. 00:32:58.420 --> 00:33:00.420 There should not be a contest. 00:33:00.420 --> 00:33:07.420 There shouldn't even be a thought of, guys, that's the wrong word. 00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:11.420 Yeah, there shouldn't be a contest. 00:33:12.420 --> 00:33:14.420 There is no contest. 00:33:17.420 --> 00:33:20.420 Fourth one is, appointed to receive the Holy Ghost. 00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:23.420 Appointed to receive the Holy Ghost. 00:33:23.420 --> 00:33:33.420 Ephesians 1.13 says, it's in Christ that you now, it is in Christ that, it is, it's in Christ that you, 00:33:33.420 --> 00:33:39.420 once you heard the truth, believed and found yourself home free. 00:33:39.420 --> 00:33:42.420 Sealed, signed and delivered by the Holy Spirit. 00:33:42.420 --> 00:33:48.420 Or in other words, you were purchased, you were jealously loved, and now you are occupied by the Holy Spirit, 00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:52.420 who is a reminder of everything else that God wants to give you. 00:33:52.420 --> 00:33:57.420 At the end of the day, you and I were appointed to receive the Holy Spirit. 00:33:57.420 --> 00:34:03.420 Go every morning and say to the Spirit of God, this is what I was preaching in Mumbai last Sunday, 00:34:04.420 --> 00:34:11.420 that say to the Holy Spirit, Spirit of God, I so eagerly recognize this morning that you think this is your body, 00:34:11.420 --> 00:34:17.420 that I am the purchased property of God, and here I come to be fully available not to live by my fullness, 00:34:17.420 --> 00:34:23.420 but to live by your measure, your measure, O God, your measure. 00:34:23.420 --> 00:34:30.420 Here walks a man called Jacob John on the earth that is filled with the Holy Spirit, as full of the Holy Spirit as Jesus Christ. 00:34:30.420 --> 00:34:35.420 And Jesus, would you now teach me to be as yielded to the Holy Spirit as you were, 00:34:35.420 --> 00:34:43.420 so that the same things that happened on the earth when you walked, greater things may begin to happen through this piece of earth, O God. 00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:49.420 For this I was born, for this I was called, for this I was set apart, for this I was anointed, 00:34:49.420 --> 00:34:55.420 and for this I will live every day, to live for anything less, O God, is a disservice to you. 00:35:01.420 --> 00:35:03.420 A disservice. 00:35:06.420 --> 00:35:08.420 You gotta be like this, guys. 00:35:10.420 --> 00:35:12.420 Gotta be like this. 00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:19.420 Unfortunately, the only way we can do this is by practicing it every morning. 00:35:19.420 --> 00:35:26.420 And I would say with Peter and with Paul that it bothers me not to repeat this to you again and again and again. 00:35:26.420 --> 00:35:29.420 For it is for your good to have these things repeated. 00:35:37.420 --> 00:35:43.420 Regardless of whether you're suffering from a sleep problem or a cramp or a pain or a disease or a sickness, 00:35:43.420 --> 00:35:47.420 all of them will begin to line up when you align with God. 00:35:48.420 --> 00:35:53.420 The more you yield to the Spirit of God, the more He quickens your mortal body. 00:35:53.420 --> 00:36:01.420 The more you walk free of diseases and sicknesses, the more you're aware of how to handle everything that God has given you, 00:36:01.420 --> 00:36:06.420 abounding in every good work for all things at all times, in all sufficiency. 00:36:07.420 --> 00:36:12.420 You dare things that you would not otherwise dare, you dream things you would not otherwise dream, 00:36:12.420 --> 00:36:16.420 you think of yourself with an estimation that is right in the sight of God, 00:36:16.420 --> 00:36:23.420 and not lousy humility that is sometimes just low self-esteem that is another way of self-control. 00:36:28.420 --> 00:36:34.420 Guys, many of us know how to live by faith from one occasion to the other occasion. 00:36:34.420 --> 00:36:36.420 We do very well in the wilderness. 00:36:36.420 --> 00:36:40.420 One of the things Christianity, Pentecostal Christianity does to believers, 00:36:40.420 --> 00:36:43.420 or charismatic Christianity, is to live by faith. 00:36:43.420 --> 00:36:48.420 What Christianity does to believers, or charismatic Christianity does to believers, 00:36:48.420 --> 00:36:55.420 is they make them experts at living by faith from one situation to the other situation to the other situation. 00:36:55.420 --> 00:36:59.420 God likes that, but then He brought Israel into the promised land. 00:36:59.420 --> 00:37:02.420 We have to learn to stop living like we are still in the wilderness. 00:37:03.420 --> 00:37:09.420 We've got to begin to live like God has brought us into a land where there are wells, where there are vineyards, where there are houses, 00:37:09.420 --> 00:37:15.420 where instead of carrying baskets to collect manna, we now have to learn how to dig the ground and produce grapes. 00:37:19.420 --> 00:37:23.420 I mean, I suggest to you that knowing what I know about what God is going to do with this church, 00:37:23.420 --> 00:37:31.420 He's saying stop living faith to faith to faith to faith to wilderness to wilderness to water from the rock, 00:37:31.420 --> 00:37:35.420 to manna from the sky, to quail from the horizon. 00:37:35.420 --> 00:37:42.420 Start living like you've actually arrived somewhere where God is now big and He knows how to sustain you. 00:37:46.420 --> 00:37:47.420 That's what God wants us to do. 00:37:47.420 --> 00:37:55.420 Guys, I am telling you a time is coming in this church where there'll be more and more people walking in health even as you get older. 00:37:57.420 --> 00:38:01.420 It's okay to say a quiet Amen or a whispered Hallelujah to stuff like this. 00:38:01.420 --> 00:38:03.420 Nothing will happen to us. 00:38:03.420 --> 00:38:05.420 Anything. Things may get better. 00:38:07.420 --> 00:38:08.420 It is okay. 00:38:10.420 --> 00:38:11.420 We were meant for a time like this. 00:38:11.420 --> 00:38:16.420 You don't know how long for the last 12, 13 years God has been waiting for a time like this. 00:38:17.420 --> 00:38:19.420 Saying you've plotted with me. You worked with me. 00:38:19.420 --> 00:38:22.420 You were not interested in fame. You were not interested in renown. 00:38:22.420 --> 00:38:25.420 You were not interested in preaching what is normal. 00:38:25.420 --> 00:38:27.420 You weren't interested in all these things. 00:38:27.420 --> 00:38:29.420 You came together. You stuck with it. 00:38:29.420 --> 00:38:32.420 Now let me show you what a big God I am. 00:38:32.420 --> 00:38:36.420 And the one thing that stands in the way of a big God in you is one, pride. 00:38:37.420 --> 00:38:38.420 Be humble. 00:38:44.420 --> 00:38:46.420 Do not allow pride to get in the way. 00:38:47.420 --> 00:38:49.420 How does pride get in the way? 00:38:49.420 --> 00:38:52.420 Guys, the thing that pride stops is dependence. 00:38:52.420 --> 00:38:54.420 Do not let. 00:38:55.420 --> 00:39:01.420 Do not let independence prevent you from sharing in the full fruit of God. 00:39:03.420 --> 00:39:07.420 Dependence on the Spirit and on the community of the Spirit. 00:39:07.420 --> 00:39:12.420 Remember that. Dependence on the Spirit and on the community of the Spirit. 00:39:12.420 --> 00:39:17.420 Dependence on the Spirit and on the community of the Spirit. 00:39:21.420 --> 00:39:22.420 Critical. 00:39:25.420 --> 00:39:29.420 I'm so excited about the time we're entering into. 00:39:34.420 --> 00:39:36.420 And the last one. 00:39:36.420 --> 00:39:39.420 No, they say appointed to receive the Holy Spirit. 00:39:39.420 --> 00:39:41.420 Appointed to receive the Holy Spirit. 00:39:43.420 --> 00:39:47.420 May every day this week have less and less time when you're not aware of it. 00:39:48.420 --> 00:39:53.420 May every day this week have less and less time when you're not aware of it. 00:39:53.420 --> 00:39:57.420 When you're doing the most mundane things, in my case it would be washing dishes. 00:39:58.420 --> 00:40:02.420 Even in the most mundane things, may you be aware of him. 00:40:03.420 --> 00:40:04.420 May you be aware of him. 00:40:04.420 --> 00:40:08.420 May you work not towards his presence, may you work from his presence. 00:40:09.420 --> 00:40:16.420 Oh, the mistake Christians make where they spend half the church service helping the congregation to get into the presence of God. 00:40:16.420 --> 00:40:23.420 When they are actually dwelling in the presence of God and must operate from the presence of God, not towards the presence of God. 00:40:23.420 --> 00:40:25.420 We are not in the Old Testament. 00:40:26.420 --> 00:40:32.420 We work, we worship, we do things from, not towards. 00:40:39.420 --> 00:40:42.420 May his presence, may you be so aware of his presence. 00:40:42.420 --> 00:40:49.420 Guys, there are many people in this church that I meet with and I'm so encouraged when I meet with you because I know the strides you're making. 00:40:51.420 --> 00:40:55.420 So don't think that what I'm preaching is because I'm disappointed or anything. 00:40:55.420 --> 00:41:08.420 No, I'm preaching so that the bar that Jesus has set for us is so high, so high that I praise God that it will be hard to achieve except by the power of the Spirit of God. 00:41:13.420 --> 00:41:17.420 I love straining for the things of God. 00:41:18.420 --> 00:41:21.420 Love straining for the things of God. 00:41:26.420 --> 00:41:29.420 It's like that woman who lost a coin. 00:41:29.420 --> 00:41:33.420 She's blooming, moving her sofa and tables. 00:41:33.420 --> 00:41:37.420 Finally, she has to call the movers because it's stuck somewhere in the deep end of the sofa. 00:41:37.420 --> 00:41:44.420 So finally the movers come and they move the sofa and she finds that coin and she calls everybody and she celebrates. 00:41:44.420 --> 00:41:51.420 So you should be straining for every little piece that God wants to give. 00:41:51.420 --> 00:42:05.420 And when you begin to strain like that, God says, my God, this boy or this girl has such a desire that I will tear open windows in the tent so they can see more and more and more. 00:42:05.420 --> 00:42:10.420 For to whom much is given, more will be given and more will be expected. 00:42:10.420 --> 00:42:17.420 And to whom much is given and not much is produced, even that which he has will be taken away. 00:42:17.420 --> 00:42:20.420 Choose this day which side you want to be on. 00:42:20.420 --> 00:42:22.420 Duh! 00:42:28.420 --> 00:42:30.420 I think duh is the new silah. 00:42:36.420 --> 00:42:41.420 Last one because we've got 10 so I'll stop at five. 00:42:41.420 --> 00:42:44.420 You're appointed to great kindness. 00:42:44.420 --> 00:42:48.420 You're appointed to great kindness. 00:42:48.420 --> 00:42:51.420 To great kindness. 00:42:54.420 --> 00:42:59.420 One, two, three, four, five. 00:42:59.420 --> 00:43:02.420 You're appointed to great kindness. 00:43:02.420 --> 00:43:09.420 In 1 Thessalonians 5 verse 9 it says, you as believers are not appointed to wrath. 00:43:09.420 --> 00:43:12.420 You are not appointed to wrath. 00:43:12.420 --> 00:43:30.420 I was WhatsApping a guy we met in Mumbai who ended up reading a lot of books and stuff by guys who keep talking about how God can be troublesome. 00:43:30.420 --> 00:43:37.420 And so I told him that listen, do you understand this concept of being a much loved child? 00:43:37.420 --> 00:43:48.420 And he wrote back in a WhatsApp saying, every time I mouth the words that I'm a much loved child, I immediately feel a wave of condemnation after that. 00:43:50.420 --> 00:43:57.420 And this is someone who has been a believer for a while, is a worshipper and stuff like that. 00:44:01.420 --> 00:44:05.420 And yet God says, I've not appointed you to wrath. 00:44:05.420 --> 00:44:08.420 Another word for wrath that we'll understand easily. 00:44:08.420 --> 00:44:12.420 He's saying, I've not appointed you for angry rejection. 00:44:12.420 --> 00:44:15.420 I've not appointed you for angry rejection. 00:44:15.420 --> 00:44:20.420 And therefore guys, nor should we appoint anybody to angry rejection. 00:44:20.420 --> 00:44:24.420 Make sure that even when you're angry that you don't reject. 00:44:24.420 --> 00:44:30.420 Every time I'm angry and I say a word that is rejecting, I'll go and apologize for it. 00:44:30.420 --> 00:44:35.420 I'd apologize to him at one point for a word that I use. 00:44:35.420 --> 00:44:38.420 Nice word, but it was a little rejecting. 00:44:38.420 --> 00:44:41.420 And so then I went and told him, I'm sorry I used that word. 00:44:41.420 --> 00:44:44.420 I really meant it, but I could have used another word. 00:44:45.420 --> 00:44:49.420 Just as God does not appoint us to angry rejection. 00:44:49.420 --> 00:44:57.420 So you and I should not appoint anybody within our scope except the devil and his demons to angry rejection. 00:44:58.420 --> 00:45:00.420 So keep that in mind. That's just a side point. 00:45:00.420 --> 00:45:05.420 But the main point is this. If you were not appointed towards angry rejection, where does that leave you? 00:45:05.420 --> 00:45:13.420 It leaves you in Ephesians 2, 7 where it says, and now you have been seated with Christ in heavenly places. 00:45:13.420 --> 00:45:18.420 For what? All my life I thought it was so that you can have authority over demons. 00:45:18.420 --> 00:45:32.420 That's a side point. Ephesians 2, 7 says that you have been seated with Christ in heavenly places so that for now and for years to come, God can shower his kindness on you. 00:45:32.420 --> 00:45:40.420 God didn't appoint you to angry rejection. Instead, he has appointed you to high places of exceeding kindness. 00:45:40.420 --> 00:45:47.420 High places of exceeding kindness. Is this your glorious expectation every morning? 00:45:47.420 --> 00:45:55.420 Is this your glorious expectation every morning? That I am appointed to high places of exceeding kindness. 00:45:55.420 --> 00:46:01.420 This is the nature of my father and the nature of my life and what will then proceed out of my life to others. 00:46:01.420 --> 00:46:11.420 Do we know what it is to be wrapped up in the laughter and the goodness, the kindness and the majesty of King Jesus? 00:46:11.420 --> 00:46:24.420 Let me ask that again. Do you know and do I know what it is to be wrapped up in the laughter and the power, the goodness and the kindness and the majesty of King Jesus? 00:46:24.420 --> 00:46:34.420 What is it to be wrapped up in that? As a child wrapped up in swaddling clothes, are these the swaddling clothes that you are wrapped up in? 00:46:34.420 --> 00:46:44.420 Because if you are, life is lived super differently. Super differently. 00:46:44.420 --> 00:46:55.420 Life is lived super differently. Super differently. And therefore may I suggest that we are not. 00:46:55.420 --> 00:47:02.420 Because I'll tell you something else guys. I'm going to end on this perhaps sour note. 00:47:02.420 --> 00:47:12.420 If we were wrapped up in the goodness and the kindness and the laughter and the power and the majesty of God, 00:47:12.420 --> 00:47:20.420 it would be impossible for us to sit quietly and listen to what I'm saying. 00:47:20.420 --> 00:47:29.420 And I charge you who are sitting here who want to say things but have gotten used to the silence in this church. 00:47:29.420 --> 00:47:34.420 Do not allow it to smother you. 00:47:34.420 --> 00:47:43.420 There are people sitting here in this church who came out of a background where it was alright to express. 00:47:43.420 --> 00:47:51.420 But this church has created an environment and I'm partly responsible for it that smothers expression. 00:47:51.420 --> 00:47:58.420 That cannot respond to a teaching like this with any expression. 00:47:58.420 --> 00:48:11.420 And that has nothing to do with the spirit of God. It's devilish. It is not even cultural. It is demonic. 00:48:11.420 --> 00:48:21.420 May you who feel the stirring within now have the guts and the courage over these next few Sundays 00:48:21.420 --> 00:48:28.420 to begin to speak because you will not come under the power of a false spirit. 00:48:28.420 --> 00:48:32.420 You will not. 00:48:32.420 --> 00:48:38.420 We break the culture here. How did it come about? It's Canadian. 00:48:38.420 --> 00:48:44.420 And it slowly worms its way into all our lives. Guys trust me. 00:48:44.420 --> 00:48:49.420 I'm most responsible for whatever happens here. But praise God for a new day that is coming. 00:48:49.420 --> 00:48:54.420 And I firmly believe it. I'm not rarying. I'm not being dramatic. I'm being absolutely factual. 00:48:54.420 --> 00:49:01.420 But you guys arise. You guys arise. 00:49:01.420 --> 00:49:06.420 We won't... Yeah. You guys arise. On that brilliant note I'm going to end. 00:49:06.420 --> 00:49:09.420 And we'll do the next five next week. 00:49:09.420 --> 00:49:12.420 Bless you guys. 00:49:12.420 --> 00:49:17.420 Father we bless you. I thank you, spirit of God, for you. 00:49:17.420 --> 00:49:23.420 It's almost like you're saying like in that Sherlock Holmes movie, the game is afoot. 00:49:23.420 --> 00:49:30.420 And it's almost that sense, Holy Spirit, where you're saying the game is afoot. The games have begun. 00:49:30.420 --> 00:49:37.420 Yes, spirit of God. Have a riot. Have a riot, spirit of God. 00:49:37.420 --> 00:49:46.420 Because your riots are so orderly, so honoring, so godly. 00:49:47.420 --> 00:49:54.420 I'll choose another word. Have your own way, oh God. Have your own way. 00:49:54.420 --> 00:49:59.420 So we bow and we say please Jesus, we are ready. 00:49:59.420 --> 00:50:05.420 Thank you for the month of August and another July Sunday. Thank you. 00:50:05.420 --> 00:50:08.420 We look forward, spirit of God. 00:50:08.420 --> 00:50:12.420 Rachel and Matt are looking forward to their baby. 00:50:12.420 --> 00:50:19.420 Every day passes by, it's another day down. Soon they'll have this child. 00:50:19.420 --> 00:50:24.420 If they can have that kind of an anticipation, we have an anticipation both for their baby 00:50:24.420 --> 00:50:29.420 and oh God, for what you are about to do in our midst. 00:50:29.420 --> 00:50:33.420 And it's a fact. It's not a rah rah statement. It's a fact. 00:50:33.420 --> 00:50:38.420 So we bless you. Father I thank you that every need in this church will be met. 00:50:38.420 --> 00:50:42.420 Every need that is brought to the altar today will be met. 00:50:42.420 --> 00:50:48.420 Because oh God, you are a portion and you are enough. 00:50:48.420 --> 00:50:53.420 You are enough and you are here and it is enough. 00:50:53.420 --> 00:50:57.420 You are enough oh God. So I thank you for every need that will be met. 00:50:57.420 --> 00:51:00.420 Again, that's another factual statement. 00:51:00.420 --> 00:51:05.420 So we bless you now. In Jesus name. Amen.