Holy Spirit - Life In The Spirit

[0:00] Thank you for choosing to listen to today's message by Reverend Dr. David H. We know you will be blessed if you seek and serve God. We believe that this message will stir up a desire for more of God even as you listen.

[0:15] Be blessed. Last week I was talking about, last Sunday I spoke about the Spirit and I spoke about the manifestation of the Spirit and the liberty of the Spirit.

[0:26] The manifestation of the Spirit, which is word of wisdom, word of knowledge, discernment of spirit, interpretation of tongues, diverse kinds of tongues, and word of prophecy, gift of healing, gift of faith, and working of miracles.

[0:39] 1 Corinthians chapter 12 from verse 7 to 10. All these nine special gifts were mentioned. And then that is Bible calls it, verse 7 says, the manifestation of the Spirit.

[0:52] We can't have church without the Holy Spirit. And I spoke about the liberty of the Spirit. So in effect, what I was talking about was the gift of the Spirit, the manifestation, and the fruit of the Spirit, which is a function of the liberty of the Spirit.

[1:10] And I spoke about how when you are either under legalism or under liberty, sorry, under license, both legalism and license invariably will bring you into bondage.

[1:26] So when you are operating by license, I'm free to do whatever I want. I'm free to do whatever I want. I can eat whatever I want to eat. I can go anywhere I want to go. You end up putting yourself into bondage.

[1:37] You are not free anymore. Because you are addicted to this thing you like doing, which you can't stop. So you thought you were free, but actually you are enslaved. So you don't like legalism, and so you tip over to license.

[1:49] So you remove yourself, as I said last Sunday. You take yourself from the shackles of legalism and willingly put your hands in the handcuffs of license.

[2:01] So you think you are free, but you are in another form of bondage. That bondage is legalism is being subjected to a law and control slavery from outside of yourself.

[2:14] License is being subjected to a law of slavery that is from within you. So in our society and in our times, you see people working in town who are free.

[2:26] No one bothers them. They can do whatever they want, but they are addicted. Look at your boss. It's free. You can travel anywhere. Holidays. Where can't he go? Where can't he go?

[2:39] Apart from going back home from work. Because he's going to meet his wife. Because of the messes he's been living in, he can't even be free.

[2:50] His children don't like him. You are free to do whatever you want to do, but you are actually in bondage. You know, there are a lot of people who are in slavery.

[3:03] They can't say no to what they know they don't want to do. That's miserable. You can't say no. That's called addiction. You don't want to do it, but you are...

[3:16] You are enslaved. You are enslaved. And inside, you look very sophisticated outside.

[3:27] But internally, you are breaking down. It always leads into depression. You are breaking down inside because you are not in control of your life.

[3:38] Life is... It's like life is out of end. It's like you are on a plane that is... Or you are in a car. Fast car. And the brakes have gone off.

[3:50] And you don't know how to stop the car. You can't stop the car. And you are in a populated area. So the law inside you is actually playing you into the law outside you.

[4:02] That will convict you because you know you are not free. You are not free. But when you are in the spirit, the spirit gives liberty.

[4:17] So it's not legalism, legalism, not license, but liberty of the spirit. And when you have the liberty of the spirit, you will not end up in the works of the flesh.

[4:30] So in Galatians chapter 5, it says, but the works of the flesh, verse 19. But the works, not the works of the flesh. Say works. Somebody say works.

[4:42] It's like a factory. Manufacturing center. You are producing something. Your flesh will always be producing things that can make you miserable and can make you miss out in life.

[4:55] The works of the flesh. They start mentioning them. Then when he finishes with verse 22, when he finishes the work of the flesh, he said, but not the fruits.

[5:06] Just the fruits of the Holy Spirit. It's love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.

[5:17] Against such no one can make a law. There's no law that can be made against these things. How can you make a law against being temperate? Sometimes when you are driving on the road, it's so pleasant to see people who are temperate.

[5:36] Especially when you drive rough. And then you are trying to cut you, just let you go. Some gentle man. Some gentle man. I like those guys. Temperance.

[5:55] Meekness. Meekness. You won't hurt people. Love. Joy. Peace. Who will make a law against peace? Longsuffering.

[6:07] Longsuffering. You are there. You are working in this company. You can't tell. Sometimes you do everything. Your boss will take their credit and they don't even make it. But you are longsuffering because you know you are there to work.

[6:17] You don't want to react to spoil things. Longsuffering. Who can make a law against that? Gentleness. Goodness. Faith. Against such there is no law. This is the fruit of the.

[6:29] The fruit of the Spirit is not I. It's just this. That means that fruits. Watch it. I said it last week. Fruits are not natural. Sorry. Are not man-made. So you can't make fruits.

[6:40] Anytime you see fruits. You have to look past. If you want to enjoy more fruits. What do you do? Take good care of the tree. Yeah. That is producing the fruits. And so the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

[6:52] If you want to see this more in your life. That means that you have to make sure you create a room in your life for the Holy Spirit. Because it's not your works.

[7:02] It's your fruit. It's his fruits. Signs that show that he's working. It's not your tongues that show the Holy Spirit is definitely in you. That is not necessarily a sign of the Holy Spirit.

[7:17] Because if the Holy Spirit is there. Let's look at the fruits. Jesus himself said in Matthew chapter 7. You shall know them by their fruits. So if the Holy Spirit is there. It's the fruits that determine the presence of the Holy Spirit.

[7:28] Because watch this. Watch this. Even when it comes to gifts. Miracles. Satan can produce certain types of. Excuse me. Counterfeit miracles. So that man who is working miracles.

[7:40] How do you know he's of the Holy Spirit? He said check out for the fruits. Check out for the fruits of the Spirit. I don't know whether he's born again or not.

[7:52] It's easy to know. Listen to him speak. Listen to her speak. Watch her behave. Watch him react. It will tell you. Because the fruits will show if the Holy Spirit is living with you. One of the things about fruits also.

[8:05] Brothers. Number one. As I said. It's not natural. It's good. Number two. It's God. Who else? It's God. God. It's a product from God. Number three. There must be a tree.

[8:16] In order to have fruit. Number four. Fruits are not overnight. It takes time. It takes time for fruits to be ready for enjoyment.

[8:28] There are certain fruits. If you eat them in their unrived. States. It's so acidic. It can affect you so badly. So. It takes time. Tell somebody. It takes time.

[8:39] It takes time. So allow me as I grow in the Lord. Allow me. People should give you space. You have not been in church too long. I'm not saying that you should continue.

[8:50] But what I'm saying is that. Not the works of the flesh. Sometimes you may not be in the work of the flesh. But the fruits of the Spirit are not really showing very well. We don't have to build church fellowship around people's pockets.

[9:05] And their social buttons. Your spiritual quest is what gives you a place. We are all on a pursuit.

[9:17] Pursuing God. Every one of us. So I have to run faster. But I want to get to God. I want to get more into God. And as I'm running. I don't want to leave you behind.

[9:28] So we don't leave anywhere. We all. But there are some people. When you are running. You are trying to hold them. They are snatching their hand. Because they are trying to go. It's like you are in a shop with a child. Three year old child.

[9:38] Who wants to just stay in the suite. And then he will throw himself on the floor. You are showing the fruits. That are not of the Spirit.

[9:50] So maybe. In effect. You are actually not born again. Possibly you are born against. You are born again. But unfortunately.

[10:01] Your body is not. That lady in church.

[10:12] Her body is not born again. That brother in church. His body is not born again. You are born again. But. You are still human. Yeah.

[10:25] Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You are born again. And if you allow the flesh. It will do the works. So those of you.

[10:35] Who are always pointing. At kissing fingers. She is in church. But look at her. She is in church. But look at. You can tell this guy. Or this lady. Is genuine about this church thing. But just that his body is not.

[10:47] It's flesh. It's members. The members. The members. The members. Members. Some of you have some.

[10:58] Wow members. Untamed. We are able to send man to space. Yeah. We are able to tame every form of wild animal.

[11:08] Go to our zoos. Man. We. Our. Our. Our feats are amazing. Our achievements. Amazing feats. Tame. Straight. And wild. If there are still dragons. We will be able to tame someone.

[11:19] Yeah. Man. But unfortunately. We can't even tame ourselves. Wow. We can't tame ourselves. That's the power. That's the power. Wow. We can't tame ourselves.

[11:30] We're preaching. It works. So when you are a Christian. When you become born again. Now. You have to. It is your responsibility. To allow the Holy Spirit.

[11:43] Give him room. To operate in your life. Yeah. Give him room. Give him room. It doesn't come by laying on. Receive it. Most of you. All. The core of your Christianity.

[11:53] Is hinged on your ability to shake. Mmm. Mmm. Wow. Yeah. It's okay. But that doesn't determine you're a Christian.

[12:05] Mmm. Mmm. Doesn't determine you're a Christian. Yeah. Create room for the Holy Spirit in your life. Yeah. One of the reasons why we come to church. Is to come and receive.

[12:16] Fresh strength. Yeah. To be able to go out there. And walk with the Holy Spirit. Yeah. Because outside of. Listen. Outside of fellowship. You run out. Mmm. Yeah. Oh, you run out of fellowship.

[12:27] Those of you who think there's no big deal if I don't go to church. Yeah. It's a big deal spiritually. Well, we need the fruit of the Spirit. Yeah. Other than that, you are left to the messes of your desires.

[12:40] Mmm. Ah. Because every one of us has a certain, a discipline, discipline problem to a certain extent. Oh, yeah, yeah. Oh, yeah. You know there's a discipline issue you are grappling with.

[12:52] Yes, sir. Yeah. People don't know you. Hmm. You are grappling with discipline issues.. Yeah. Sometimes you. Yeah. You eat the, eat the, eat the takeaway.

[13:04] Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. We're just seeing that. That's another one. It's like we're, of course.

[13:16] Say the liberty of the Spirit. The liberty of the Spirit. Everyone. Sometimes when you see people in church and active in church and leadership, you think they are okay. As long as we stay in this village, every one of us is capable of doing something that's very surprising, shocking, foolish.

[13:34] The only security is stay in church, stay in the spirit. When you are in church, you receive strength to stay in the spirit and walk in the spirit. When you are in church, it helps you to be able to read your Bible.

[13:47] Yeah. The basic things you need to do to keep yourself sustained, it comes to the strength of fellowship. There is nothing like a Christian who is not part of a fellowship in the New Testament.

[14:02] Read the Bible. It is very foreign to the New Testament that somebody is a Christian, it's not part of a fellowship. It's very foreign. Because as I said last week, Christianity is not based on, it's not a personal relationship, based on a personal relationship with God, but a corporate relationship with God.

[14:21] You and others are serving God together. Hallelujah. Amen. Let me finish that by talking about the life in the spirit.

[14:32] In Ephesians chapter one, say, I like to hold my Bible. How did I end up down here? In Ephesians chapter one, Bible talks about Paul.

[14:45] He said, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abandoned message, has begotten us unto, no, no, no. He said, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us, sorry, I was quoting Peter.

[15:01] Who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings, where? In heaven. What kind of blessings has he given us? I can't hear you. Spiritual blessings.

[15:11] So that tells you there are spiritual blessings and physical blessings. And most of us can boast of a lot of physical blessings. You're talking about the car you have got.

[15:22] Yeah, it's a blessing. It might be a blessing, because it's helping you immensely in life. Some of you, your jobs are a blessing. Yeah. Some of you, some of you, the woman you are married to is a blessing.

[15:37] The man you are married to is a blessing. It's not a burden. Even though sometimes it looks like a burden. But really, no one should have chosen you, but she chose, she took you like that. Yeah, she took you like that.

[15:51] So the difference, some of us is our family, our father, our mother, our background, school you attended. All these things are blessings. But interestingly, whatever physical blessings you boast about, some people who are not in Christ can also boast about it.

[16:06] So it's not some, physical blessings are not exclusive. To Christians. To Christians. Hello. Is it a good job?

[16:17] Others are also having a good job without being in God, being in Christ. You understand that? But there are certain blessings that it will only, it's only for Christians.

[16:29] That's what Paul mentioned. He has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places, like redemption. You have to be a Christian to know what redemption tastes like.

[16:41] You have to be a Christian to understand and appreciate and enjoy forgiveness of sins. So he begins to enumerate them, mention them. He says that he has blessed us, all spiritual blessings, according as he has, verse four, according as he has chosen, chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.

[17:00] How can a non-believer talk about this? This is the terminology, the language of Christians. Being chosen before the world began. You were chosen. Being in church is not because, based on your whims or your personal, private decisions.

[17:16] No, no. You have been already chosen. And when the appointed time came, you flowed into it. It's just like when my beard started, when I was a boy, I didn't have beard. But when the time came started growing, yeah, I had rather a lot of hair.

[17:31] But you, one day. So, so, you were chosen before time.

[17:43] But in time, the blessing of God through Christ was activated. And you have found yourself in church. That's why me, the fact that I'm a pastor, I'm a preacher, I can't boast over anybody.

[17:59] In Christ, nobody is better than anybody. Even my ability to do what I'm doing is a donation. It was given. That no one can boast.

[18:10] Bishop Oedipo puts it this way. He said, in Christ, you can't boast about achievement. You can't talk about achievements in Christ. What achievement have you got? In Christ, we talk about engracement.

[18:23] Yeah. Yeah. It's a function of grace. Grace has found me and look at what I'm doing. It's because of the grace of God. 1 Corinthians chapter 15, verse 10, Paul said, I am what I am by the grace of God.

[18:35] I am. The grace makes you. I am because of grace. So, we have been chosen before the foundation of the earth because unbelievers can't talk about that.

[18:47] But we can talk about that. Say, he has chosen us before the foundation of the earth. We will be holy and without blame before him in love. Wow, this is amazing. These are the spiritual blessings, some of the things.

[18:58] The first, verse 5 says that, having predestinated us onto adoption as children, God himself adopted. He looked, he said, this is why I can't bond him.

[19:09] So, I will adopt them. We are children of God because we have been adopted. We look very much like Christ in the eyes of God.

[19:20] Why? Because we have been adopted in Christ. It's not because we are actually, so there is, I thought this some time ago, there is a way in which Christ is the son of God, which we are not.

[19:35] For God so loved the word, John 3, 16, the 3, 16, I mentioned it. For God so loved the word that he gave his only begotten son. That only begotten son is different from us. John 1, 12, for as many as received him, those who believe him, he gave them the right or the power to become the sons of God.

[19:51] So, we are sons of God. Romans chapter 8, verse 29, he says that, for those he predestined, he called to be conformed into the image of his son, that Christ may be the firstborn amongst many brothers.

[20:05] So, we are the many brothers of Christ, we are also the sons of God. Bible says in verse John chapter 3, verse 1, behold, what manner of love the Father has given unto us, that we should be called the, hallelujah.

[20:19] This is what Christians can boast about. Other religions say, Jesus is not the son of God. No wonder they are also not the children of God. But we, Jesus is the son of God, and he brought, oh, I don't want to go into it, but he brought us into glory, in bringing many sons into, Hebrews chapter 2, verse 9, Bible says it was fitting, oh my God, but we see Jesus, a little, look at verse 10, let's go to verse 10, because it was, yeah, it became of him, for whom all, by all things, I was making, yeah, in bringing many sons, you see that, in bringing God, in bringing many sons to glory, in making the captain of our salvation, perfect through suffering, Jesus is the captain of our salvation, and God's plan was to send Jesus, so that through Jesus, he can bring many sons, tell somebody, I'm the son of God, I'm the son of God, so we are the sons of God, God brings many sons into glory, so, but Jesus is a son of God, in a way we are not, so even though we are also sons of God, please, please, please, it's not the same, we have the DNA of God, but it's not the same, we are actually sons, because of him, so we have been clothed, after him, so he became, he becomes, the prototype, and then we are all, used to, so they put us, you know, my mother used to make biscuits,

[21:47] Christmas biscuits, and there's, there are shapes, you do a flat dough, and then you sit, you, so sometimes you can see, a running boy, a biscuit, by a running boy, or star, or there are different shapes, so Jesus Christ was made, into the shape, the first one, and then now he was used, as a model to make all of us, so in the spirit, you look just like Jesus, but you are not the original, you, you look just like Jesus, hallelujah, hallelujah, and so these are the blessings, now, so he says that, he, in bringing, we have been predestined, before the foundation of the earth, verse five, please, and, he has predestinated, unto adoption, as children, by Jesus Christ, to himself, according to the good pleasure, of his will, that's another interesting, he said, he has done this, according to the good pleasure, of his will, when he says, hmm, I'm happy I've done this, God is so happy, he has added you, that's why, don't be busy, trying to exclude people, from church, unless they are, they are not interested in God, that one, if you can't exclude them, just leave them, let's focus on what, what is of God, it has a way, we see, when we bring God down,

[22:58] God has a way of, weeding out, those who are not looking for God, God is so happy, listen, listen, listen, listen, God is so happy, you are in, yes, yes, yes, some of you, maybe this is your first time, first, second time, or something, in proper church, yeah, and guess what, God is so happy, you finally made it to church, you made it, you made it, according to the good pleasure, and he's going to give you, opportunity to be a true son, he's happy, and he's doing this, with pleasure, he did this, according to the pleasure, of his good will, his will, according to, he's happy, he's happy, to call you sons, he's angry, he said, but this guy used to be a thief, this guy has, has raped many people, this guy has done this, this lady is a thief, he's a liar, and God is so happy, to have you as sons, and so, let's go to, let's check on this, because God, it's not fair, so he said, okay, bring the record, okay, let's go into a record, they type your name, into God's record, after you become born again, to bring out the, all the things about that, they type, there's nothing, zero, certain, it's not fair, what,

[24:13] I know it's a thief, yeah, but me, I can't see any thief in him, because it's in Christ, everything is wiped away, so, so, when it comes to the record of God, your past has been wiped away, but when it comes to your flesh, the thing, the proclivity, the tendencies, the inclinations, the desires, they are still well alive, and active, so you are forgiven in Christ, but if you are not careful, you go back again, and this is one of the things, I want you to know, about crucifixion, so Jesus said, the Bible says, be crucified with Christ, I found out, I found out in my studies, that crucifixion, doesn't necessarily kill people, it's not like a gunshot, crucifixion doesn't kill people, some of them can stay, on the cross for days, they can be there, so afterwards, that's why they have to check, before they took them from the cross, if Jesus, because they could have taken from the cross, because crucifixion does not kill, it is staying on the cross that kills, if we leave you long enough, on the cross, you will die, so no, you are born again, you are crucified with Christ, please don't bring your body down, from the cross, you are crucified, and yet still alive, you are crucified, and yet your members are still active, your feelings are as potent as before, even now, you even feel stronger, you feel, the anger stronger, but when the Holy Spirit is in you, it has a way, of moving with you, so much that the things, that you should be suffering under, you don't even feel, it's negative influence, why, because the Holy Spirit, is taking over, hallelujah, so after, let me finish this, after mentioning the blessings, he kept, he kept going on, then he went to,

[26:20] I think I need to run ahead of my, so he went to verse 13, still the blessings, the blessings, the blessings, and then verse 13 said, in whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, say the word of truth, oh say it again please, say it louder please, the gospel of your salvation, in whom after that you believed, you were sealed, and he mentioned the Holy Spirit, after you believed, the Holy Spirit said, okay, now that you are in, I seal you, you know when you are buying some stuff, like, or when they deliver, a new phone to you, there's a warning, if the seal is broken, please return it, you are, the Holy Spirit is, the seal of God, on your sonship, yeah, and they can't break the Holy Spirit, but you don't grieve him, so he's the seal of God, and at their place sometimes, how many of you have posted a letter,

[27:20] I didn't go, it was brought back, because the stamp, was insufficient on payment, because, all you posted, you forgot to put the stamp on it, it never will go, so the Holy Spirit is, is like the stamp, and endorsement of God, that you are okay, you have passed quality control, in spite of what your ex will think, hey, let me tell you, your ex may end up in church, oh, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, that day, you'll be confused, you'll be confused, suddenly, you'll have flashbacks, and, listen, they hurt you, but they may come to church, and be accepted, in the beloved, because God has taken a long time, to draw them in, and God is happy, say welcome, and you are saying, no, you can't come, because it's your ex, who do you think you are, who do you think you are, yeah, just brace yourself, the one you hate most, in the world, is likely to end up in church now, and you are not supposed to, even hold that hatred, so you are born again, your step mom, will come to church, and come and give his life, to Jesus Christ, yeah, and you are going to say, oh no, no, no, no, this one, no, no, no, no, pastor, you don't know this person, if you don't, excuse me, it's not about that, is someone getting, what I'm saying, yeah, so please, when we come to church, stop determining, who is qualified, to also come in, all right, let's get serious, so, he spoke about, the Holy Spirit, so, life in Christ, is life in the Holy Spirit, other than that, you are just religious, and you are not still free,

[29:11] I'm submitting something to you, I know you started coming to church, you are taking it serious, but you are not living, in the Holy Spirit, that you are not enjoying Christ, it must be alive, in the Holy Spirit, and then the second point, he mentioned, is in chapter two, in Ephesians chapter two, talks about how, you were thinking, maybe I might say, let me even finish the, sealing of the Holy Spirit, verse 14 of chapter one, talks about how, the Holy Spirit, is now the guaranteed, which is the earnest, of our inheritance, until the redemption, of the purchase, but it's like, he's the guarantee, that you are going to heaven, you want to know, that when you die, you go to heaven, the Holy Spirit on you, is the guarantee, it's like someone, has sold the land to you, you haven't seen it, it's in maybe, Jamaica, you haven't seen it, and they said, it's five acres of land, and we want to make sure, we give it to you, you pay some money, and then they bring you, the title deed, you haven't seen the land, but you have the title deed, then, so we are guaranteed, possession, the Holy Spirit, shows that our heaven, bound, is guaranteed, it's like your ticket, it's like you go into, a theater, you purchase your ticket, and you get there, or you have to check into a hotel, you have paid everything, reservation number, you get there, they say, there's no space here, the hotel is full, you say, oh no, sorry, you don't, you can't be bothered at all, it's full, my room is one of the full ones,

[30:38] I'm part of the people, so check me, so no, we don't have a space, you don't, as long as you have the reservation number, it's not your headache, however they got it full, they should sort it out, you are waiting for your room, you are waiting for your room, they should sort it out, the same way, the Holy Spirit on your life, is the guarantee, that heaven bound, the guarantee, that anything Jesus died, to save you from, or to die for you, is guaranteed, you just have to access it, and then number three, number two, that number two is chapter two, Ephesians chapter two, verse 18 and 19, it says, we both, through him, we both have access, by one spirit, you want access to God, it takes the Holy Spirit, sometimes you dial and dial, I don't know if you have used a card before, and they say, do you have another card, and maybe you've forgotten the pin number, say, do you have another card, and people are behind you, in the queue, you feel so embarrassed, do you have another card, you know, so access denied, but with the Holy Spirit, you have guaranteed access to God, in your prayers, sometimes you don't even know, what you pray about, some of us, when we say pray, you'll be confused, you don't know, what words to use, but in the Holy Spirit, you can communicate to God, and get to God,

[32:00] Bible says in Romans chapter eight, verse 26, that likewise, the Spirit helps us, in our infirmities, for we know not how to pray, as we ought to, but the Spirit himself, helps us in our infirmities, intercedes for us, with groans, groanings, and groanings, which cannot be uttered, so the Spirit of God helps us, in our prayer weaknesses, he helps us, it takes the Holy Spirit, to be granted access to God, through him, we both have access, number three, in chapter three of Ephesians, every chapter, he speaks about the Holy Spirit, number three, number three, chapter three of Ephesians, it talks, I like this one, from verse 16, it says 16, now remember I mentioned, John 3, 16, there are some 3, 16 in the Bible, that are very important, so like John 3, 16 is very important, first John 3, 16 is very powerful, first Timothy, second Timothy 3, 16, very powerful, now this one, Ephesians 3, 16, he says that, that he, that he will grant you, according to his, the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might, by his spirit, in your inner man, most of us, in our modern day, we have, there's so much power, some of you here, you have so much economic power, some of us here, you have so much, earning power, some of us here, we have so much, power to get things done, or to connect people, some of us, in our nation, we have, this nation, has military power, yeah, in the world, if you have military power, you are powerful, we have economic power, we have different types of power, as human beings, but what power, most people lack, is the internal power, the power of the inner man, to be able to, to bring your life, the way you, you see, sometimes you, you are not in control, your mind is wild, it's going off, your emotions, or your, let me even talk about, your will, your mind, and your conscience, is out of control, people say anything, and you believe easily, sometimes you can't, even resistance, you lack the ability, to say no, you just can't say no, when a child, is growing up, two years, three years, the first thing, they learn out, psychiatrists tell you, no, no, no, no, no, but that's a rebellious no, you need a control, no, to be able to control your life, you should be able to say no, to some things,

[34:28] I'm not watching it today, you should be able to say no, you should be able to say no, I'm not visiting them, I'm not going there, you should be able to say no, I'm not drinking it today, you should be able to say no, someone shout no, don't say no, I'm not going to church, yeah, but you should be able to say no, no more fornication, yeah, no, no, no more, no more arrogance, no more hateful behavior, that is spoiling every meaningful relationship of mine, no more, no more hateful my wife, you should be able to say no, when you are getting into temptation, at the edges, you have to say no early, the beginning, elementary stages of temptation, because that one, you have more strength, yeah, you have more strength, you are going to visit that lady again, cut the visit, abort the visit, you should say no early, no, later on still say no, but earlier one is easier, yeah, am I not talking at all, yes, yes, yes, most of us have ended up, in a instance, we never wanted to, in a state, we never regret full states, because we didn't say no, any, some of the invitations, you are, the parties you have invited to, you have to say no, some of us, this is the truth, can I say this, you are actually, very soft towards some people, isn't it so, you are very soft towards some people, sometimes, even when they are, ushering you to sit near them in church, you have to say no, can I sit somewhere, it's just human, you look like a king cone, you are so soft, and if you underestimate, your weakness, you will look very wicked, at the end, if I were you, instead of praying,

[36:57] God bless me, you have to pray, Holy God help me to say no, help me to say no, no, no, and you have to be rehearsing it, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, so, someone shout no, no, I mean shout no, no, can we do some rehearsal now, yes, scream no, no, no, now what it takes to be able to say no, is the spirit, he said, I pray for you, that God will strengthen you with might, by his spirit in your inner man, in your inner man, in your inner man, in your inner man, so it's not just a mental thing, it's deep inside you, your inner man, your outer man may be weak, but your inner man is strengthened, and he takes the Holy Spirit, it's part of the blessings of, of being a Christian, the Holy Spirit, then you can say bring it on, Jesus said, Satan is coming, the priest of this world is coming, and he has nothing in me, John chapter 14, I think there's 30 or so, the priest of, he has, he can't use anything to trap me, because I've worked on my law, he brought the pleasures of the world, said Jesus, if you can, if you can have this, it will be good for you,

[38:12] Jesus said it is written, let me finish this, the fourth one, is it chapter four, can I talk about chapter four, chapter four, chapter four quickly talks about, verse three, endeavor to keep the bond of the spirit, the bond of the spirit, is the bond of the spirit, is not the bond of humanity, people, but when you are, sometimes you come to church, people say, me, I've made up my mind, I just come to church, and I go, I don't want to have interactions, with people, because, no, no, no, no, no, it's not a Christian life, some people says that, somebody said, yes, I'll give you a right hand of fellowship, by a long arm, but keep you at arm's length, right hand of fellowship, but keep you at arm's length, right hand of fellowship, but keep you at arm's length, right hand of fellowship, but keep you at arm's length, no, in Christian fellowship, we put our hands around people, but, sometimes, you find people so annoying, oh yeah, people in church can be annoying, it's family, how can I step on your toe, if I don't get close to you, so the more we are coming closer, the likelihood, the more the likelihood, for someone to step on your toe, but it is part of fellowship, and so it requires, the bond of the spirit, you can create our unity, it's like the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the island, the,

[39:41] Shetland Islands, in Scotland, you see, there are a lot of islands, you may think that they are just, individual, but when you go down a little bit, deeper, up from the bed, they are, they are joined, they are all one land, under it, they are all one land, but on the surface, it looks like they are islands, that the Shetland Islands, all right, they are all one big land, yeah, but they are just, because of the water bodies, looks like, different, different, in the church, in Christianity, we look like individuals, but really, we are all one, yeah, behind the scenes, we, every Christian is one with other Christians, it mentions one spirit, one father, one Lord, one baptism, it's there, Ephesians chapter four, but, so you can't do anything about our unity, because it already exists, but you have to, the spirit of God is the one who, causes the unity, and we have to keep it, and how do we keep it, in the bond of peace, the bond, the bond is, humility, meekness, forbearance, and, for, and long suffering, patience, and long, that's how you can keep the unity, you have to forbear people, sometimes people are so annoying, don't like the way this girl talks to me, but you know what, keep, just, just, just, just, just, bear with her,

[40:52] I don't like the way this guy, sometimes, the other, you, you, you, telling somebody, I am, I am, I am, I am, I am, arrogant, he was telling, saying negativity, I know, I heard it, I heard it, I heard him, listen, listen, learn how to bear, but it takes the spirit to do that, other than that, you won't be able to live the church life, and then, number four, so the spirit to be able to live the church life, and then number five, Ephesians chapter five, amazing, amazing, hallelujah, Ephesians chapter five, from verse, for verse 16, He says, oh, this one is too good.

[41:24] I feel like standing on something to talk about it. Are you ready for this? Verse 16 says that redeeming the time for the days are evil. Listen to this. Look at verse 17. Shall we all read it together from the screen? Then go to 18.

[41:48] Now, hold it. Give me an IV. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.

[41:59] What is debauchery? It's the same word that was used for the prodigal son when he left home. And in Luke chapter 15, he took all his assets and his resources and went and spent it on righteous living.

[42:14] It is something that you enjoy, but afterwards you have nothing to show for it. You can't keep people happy.

[42:25] You can't get people excited and happy without giving them something. So, that's why some of us take alcohol. That's why every night I practice, I think they sell alcohol.

[42:37] Am I right? It helps you to laugh in God. You know, all those things. It helps you to. But guess what? After all the excitement, empty. Nothing to show for it. The next day, you are grumpy.

[42:49] The next day, you are empty. After all the sex. Look at you, girl. Yeah, yeah, no, no, wait, wait. It's true. Look at you. All these guys, you have given them good time.

[43:03] None of them decided to stay with you. Debauchery. You got drunk. The next day, you have hung. Hangover.

[43:15] Yeah. Debauchery. So, it says that you are having a good time, but you don't have anything to show for the next day or afterwards.

[43:26] All the money, it's expensive to get drunk. It will cost you some time. It will cost you money. It will cost you reputation. It's expensive.

[43:36] But afterwards, you don't have anything good to show for. That is debauchery. You spend something. You get something to have a good time. Good time you will have.

[43:48] It's like Christmas. You see some people, you'll be singing Amazing Grace in town centers. And then you see somebody also as they're drunk and playing. What's that song?

[44:01] No, no, no, no. Christmas song. The drunken ones who play some. What? Some pop song or some wonderful song. Singing. They are all having good times.

[44:12] Good times. But afterwards, this one is empty. This one is going with some resources. And so, he said, don't be filled with wine. Because wine produces some good time.

[44:22] Most people have read this scripture thinking about holiness. So, be not, back to normal. Be not drunk with wine, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.

[44:35] They think about this scripture in line of holiness. But this scripture has been given in line of happiness. To have good time in church, you need the spirit.

[44:47] Other than that, church will remain boring. You need the spirit. It takes the spirit to actually enjoy your Christian work. It takes the spirit.

[44:59] And then when you're enjoying it, look at the results. Verse 19. Speaking to yourselves in Psalms, in hymns, spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.

[45:12] Speaking to yourself, that tells you that you cannot enjoy the Holy Spirit outside the context of the community. Be filled and then speaking to yourself. Why have you taken church so light?

[45:26] And you still want to enjoy, have the joy of the spirit? No. Don't take church lightly. Speaking to yourself. In Psalms, in songs.

[45:38] When people get drunk, don't they sing? In our country, the reason why many people go to pubs is for fellowship. Or socializing. Yeah. Someone told me that when football is being played, that major match, most pubs get filled.

[45:52] And I'm wondering, you're going to pubs to watch TV. Why don't you watch it at home? You say, no, no, it's different. When you are enjoying it with others, you see. So, some little bit of beer. The people there, it's nice.

[46:05] In the same way, we come to church to have good time in the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah! You can't stay at home and be watching TV and thinking that that is fellowship.

[46:15] It's no fellowship. You need to have a good day. So, we can have a good time in the Holy Spirit. And then when they play and they're winning, they begin to sing some. Ole, ole, ole, ole.

[46:28] Ole. When the Holy Ghost comes to, we also will sing. So, hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. We sing songs, spiritual songs, psalms, hymns.

[46:41] Make a melody in our heart to the Lord. So, hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Then the verse 20 talks about giving thanks. When people mess up their lives and waste times, they end up grumbling and complaining.

[46:57] The next day, complaining, all these things. But when the Holy Spirit fills you, you always give thanks to God. You're always giving thanks. So, you're still having good time.

[47:08] You can have good time in church. But it must be a function of the Holy Spirit. And finally, chapter 6. Christianity is not just one big happiness move.

[47:20] It's not a picnic. It's also a warfare. You have not been caught every time, everything. No, no, no. There are good times and there are times of battle.

[47:34] So, he begins to tell us, chapter 6. Introduce us into battle ahead. Because you can't be a Christian without battles. There are battles ahead.

[47:45] But you can't win without a spirit. So, quickly, in Ephesians chapter 6, towards the end of the battle, he talks about, watch this. He talks about our armor.

[47:57] Because Paul was quick. Do you know what? Those days when you are arrested, you are a top prisoner. They chain you to a guard.

[48:08] Yes. So, when he was talking about a guard on my knees, the soldier has to sit down. Because he's, sit down. So, soldier is always there and he's praying. He's hearing the prayers.

[48:19] Everything is. But he says that me, I'm the prisoner of Christ. Not the chain to this. I'm chain to Christ. And he was talking about the armor. Because he had the soldier near him. And you can see the armor.

[48:30] And he said, take the whole armor of God. Not part of it. Don't get only part of your spiritual work covered. Don't take only part. You have only covered your emotional life.

[48:42] You've left your financial life. You've covered your relational life. You've left your church life. You have to cover everything. So, take the whole armor. Don't do it partly.

[48:53] Because if you do it partly, the enemy can use the other access. Thank you. So, take the whole armor of God. And then he begins to mention them. Mention them. Mention the breast.

[49:04] Then he says, all these ones are for defense. Do you know? I don't know. We have some soldiers, ex-veterans here. When soldiers are not fighting or they are not busy fighting.

[49:16] After relaxation, they spend their time polishing their armor. Their weapons. Making sure their weapons are all. So, soldiers spend a lot of their time getting their armor ready.

[49:28] So, part of your job as a Christian soldier, spend a lot of time getting your ammunition ready. Which is the word of God. You are not spending time in the Bible.

[49:40] How can you defeat the devil? You are not spending time working on your... When Satan came, do you think you just say, okay, hey, hey, pastor was saying...

[49:52] No, no, no, no. He has been eating it. So, when Satan came, he had something to tell him. It is written. It is written. It is written. It is the sword of the sword. Now, listen. Satan is the father of lies.

[50:04] He is a liar from the beginning. And what weapon he can't stand is the truth. He fears... The weapon he fears most is the truth. And so, when you have the word of God in your mouth, your foot...

[50:18] That's why it said, and take... Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit. Which is the word of God. Take the sword of the spirit. Take the sword of the spirit.

[50:30] So, you can fight. Other than that, all this, your Christian good life is a wishful thinking. It is a hoax. It will never be materialized. You have to take responsibility by the spirit.

[50:43] Did you receive something? Hallelujah.

[50:55] You want to pray. You want to pray and say, Lord. I don't know what you heard. I said quite a few things. Chapter 1. The blessings of assurance of salvation.

[51:09] Chapter 2. I spoke about access to God. Maybe you are not sure when you pray. God will hear. It takes the spirit. Chapter 3. He spoke about how the character will be able to say no.

[51:20] God, the spirit of God is strengthening you from any man. Chapter 4. Then he went to speak about Christian fellowship. How he will be able to accommodate others and work on you. It takes the spirit. Chapter 5. It talks about having a good time in God by the Holy Spirit.

[51:33] Chapter 6. Being able to fight the spiritual war and win by the spirit. I don't know what you have heard. But you want to pray. Lord. Help me. I'm ready.

[51:44] I'm ready to fight. I'm ready to take a stand for it. Shall we all write to our feet? We thank God for using his servant, Reverend Dr. David Entry, to share this awesome word.

[51:56] If this message has blessed you in any way, please spread the word by sharing it and send us an email to amen at karis.org. Remember to stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter for regular updates on what God is doing here at Karis Ministries.

[52:13] Stay blessed. Bye. Bye.