Budding Rod

[0:00] Thanks for checking in on this podcast. You are about to hear an inspirational teaching from Caris Ministries. If God has used this ministry to bless you in any way, please take a moment and write to us at amen at caris.org.

[0:15] We are always inspired and blessed to hear how God is blessing people all over the world through what he is doing here at Caris. Also, if you would like to support this ministry financially, you can do so online at caris.org so we can continue making podcasts such as this available free of charge.

[0:38] Lord, open the scrolls to us. Father, reveal yourself to us by the teaching of your word. By these healthy words, let healthy words be spoken to the nourishment of your people in the body of Christ wherever anyone is listening to this message.

[0:56] We pray that let there be an outpour of favor, power, grace, revelation, and insight as we hear your word. We thank you in Jesus' name.

[1:07] Amen. Someone shout amen. Shout a better amen. Praise the Lord. Hallelujah.

[1:19] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. We thank God for a day like this where there is distribution of graces. Amen. That's how it gets done.

[1:35] In the book of Titus chapter 1, that's not my main text, so you can put that on the screen. Titus chapter 1, verse 1, it talks about how Paul, a born servant of God, a born servant of God, and an apostle of Christ, Jesus Christ.

[2:06] Paul had a habit of introducing himself, his status, letting you know his status before he starts to write the message. So he said, Paul, a born servant of God.

[2:20] That's the first place he calls himself a born servant of God. Other places, he described himself as the born servant of Christ. Here he said, a born servant of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ.

[2:36] That's just his credentials, he's telling you. But I'm glad he didn't just say, I'm an apostle. But he knew the purpose of his apostleship. Stop trying to call yourself by titles without knowing the purpose of your title.

[2:55] He said, Paul, a born servant of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ. Watch this. He says that, according to the faith of God's elect, stop telling me how anointed you are until I see, I see your calling impacting someone's faith.

[3:19] Ministry is not ministry until someone's life is changing. someone's faith is growing. That's what ministry is about. So he says that, according to the faith of God's elect, not just that, so two things, his apostleship was regarded.

[3:38] I am called to make someone's faith grow. You see, there are people who think a pastor is just like a social service worker or someone who is just there to be praying for you or someone who is just there to be conducting a service.

[3:54] That's why there are quite a few young, promising men and women with human abilities who think that the platform will be a lucrative place for me to display my talents and abilities.

[4:08] No, no, God is not looking for talents and abilities. X factor is there. British has got talents there. Yes, go there.

[4:20] God is not looking for talents. Actually, he's not looking, I was sharing with some people and I said, God just doesn't use people who have gifts. He's never interested in your gifts.

[4:35] Huh? Why are you saying that? Yes, you've been bothering and wasting your time trying to find out what's my gift, what's my gift, what's my gift. Where are you taking it to? So, when I know my gift, maybe I can see, I'm a prophet, I can see revelations.

[4:49] Then I can go around telling people what I'm seeing. Oh, come on, drop it. So, what is God interested in? God is not interested in people with gifts.

[5:01] He's interested in people with availability. The more you are able to tell him that, Lord, I give you more, the more he says, now we can start.

[5:13] Right. The more you say, God, look at me. This is what I can do. He said, I'm not interested. He says that so that no man can boast.

[5:23] It's clear in the Bible. God can't stand anyone being able to say it's because of what I can do. That's why. Forget it. I heard Papa saying this some time ago. Bishop Eadipo, somebody, I think a man of God or somebody, visited him in the Cana land, their property.

[5:43] I mean, you're talking about huge, multi-billion dollar. I mean, it's a city. City properties and he was taking this gentleman around and the man was watching these things.

[5:56] The man said, wow, money is talking. Money is talking. He said, shut up. Money is not talking. God is talking. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. God is talking.

[6:08] It's not money. It's God. How many of you agree with me that in Cana is God is talking? They are even confused that how can you be having a service in such a top class hotel regularly?

[6:24] Even the owners of the hotel can understand it. Why? God is talking. God is talking. He's making a statement. How can you afford this amazing top?

[6:37] Listen, you're talking about heavy duty. This is heavy duty when you're talking about big gigs. Budget is in hundreds and millions.

[6:49] That's the things they use. So, you two, how? How are you doing this? God is talking. Hallelujah. Amen. Hallelujah. The more you rejoice, the more he's beginning to speak for you.

[7:07] But let me get on my text. It said, according to the faith of God's elect, watch this, and the acknowledgement of the truth which accords.

[7:19] That's what I'm called. The acknowledgement. Someone must know. The truth that are in accordance with godliness. It's not everything that accords with godliness.

[7:31] It's not everything that looks true. That is everything that is true that creates a way for God to be expressed. Godliness is simply God expressed.

[7:45] And he says that the job of me, an apostle, I'm calling myself an apostle, is because it's based on the, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgement so then that I will have someone to acknowledge this is the truth that accords with godliness.

[8:04] Acknowledgement of the truth that accords with godliness. Christianity, watch this, Christianity is you believe in God, faith, salvation, and teaching.

[8:17] So Titus chapter 2 verse 11, the grace of God that brings salvation to all men, okay, has appeared. Or, some translation, the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

[8:32] Alright? Did you see that? So grace that brings salvation has appeared. Is that all? The next verse said teaching. Other translations said training. Grace teaches.

[8:44] So salvation and teaching go together. God desires that all men will be saved and come to the full acknowledgement of the truth. Full knowledge of the truth.

[8:56] First Timothy chapter 2 verse 4. First Timothy chapter 2 verse 4 says that who desires this God? God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

[9:09] Two things. Salvation and acknowledgement of the truth. That is why when we come to church it is necessary for someone to know some stuff or not everything.

[9:23] It's sad to say that it's getting very popular and it's getting very common in many puppets across the board to be hearing things that are not necessarily in accordance with the acknowledgement of the truth that occurs with godliness.

[9:40] It's getting quite easier and common for pastors a preacher to preach 30 minutes 40 minutes one hour without opening the Bible. But we've got from Winston Churchill we've got from Bob Marley we've got from Abraham Lincoln we've got from wise saints wise saints wise saints we've got from but when it comes to quoting from the word of truth we are found wanting that is an error.

[10:14] We are in church not just to be prayed for not to be prayed for actually we are in church to give ourselves more to God so that God will deposit more of himself into us and then he begins to spread in us and we begin to know the truths that are caught with godliness.

[10:35] You are not just saved to be there you are saved to know. So I want to shout hallelujah. Hallelujah. And so in the book of Numbers chapter 16 you have to know some things.

[10:55] I was I was seeking the face of God and wrestling in my spirit man which of the messages in my spirit to deliver and I have the freedom and the green light to bring this to your attention.

[11:07] in Numbers chapter 16 verse 1 to 3 are you ready for this? This is very interesting. There is this man called Korah. Someone say Korah.

[11:18] Korah. And we have Abiram. Abiram, Korah, Korah and then Dathan and Abiram and then On.

[11:31] I mean his name is very funny. On. On. Cut it. Is he On? And On the son of Peleth.

[11:44] Okay. Dathan or Korah Dathan and Abiram and On. They came to Moses. Go to the verse 2. Let's all read it from the screen.

[11:55] This kind of screen I tend to block people's view. Let's all read it from verse 2. Let's go. 250 leaders of the congregation.

[12:08] Representatives of the congregation. Men of renown. I mean these are not ordinary people. These are big guys. Relevant guys. Okay. Korah Dathan Abiram On.

[12:26] Verse 2. They rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel. 250 leaders of the congregation. Representative of the congregation.

[12:39] Men of renown. This is how. When they speak. All the others listen. And Korah Dathan Abiram got these guys going to Moses. What did they go for?

[12:50] For prayer? Ah. See what they went to do. Verse 3. Let's all read it. Let's go. against Moses and Aaron and said to them. You take too much upon yourself for all their congregation is holy.

[13:05] Every one of them and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the God? They said why?

[13:17] Why? We are all people of God. You prophesy we can also prophesy. You sing we can't sing. You pray we can't pray. That's the normal feeling.

[13:29] They gathered the congregation of Israel and came to Moses. Why? Why are you making yourself so important? Moses was just called by God. But these ones to who called them?

[13:44] Because they taught to do the work of God had to do with your physical ability, proximity and your exposure. training.

[13:55] It doesn't matter which Bible school you attended. It doesn't make you a cult. Bible school never donates calling. It doesn't give you any calling.

[14:09] You can be in church for so long serving as an usher or serving as a priest or a department. It does not convert you. I mean, how long can you stay in the zoo?

[14:20] You've been there so long now you have become a lion. praise the Lord. But because of time, Moses was very disappointed and Moses called them, look at verse nine.

[14:37] Moses spoke to them and Moses said, you guys, is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel to bring you near to himself?

[14:48] These guys were renowned people, the important people. He said, God has done this for you, to bring near to himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the Lord and to stand before the congregation to serve them.

[15:02] Is it not enough for you? You disdain this privilege? You disdain this privilege? And now he said, I can't submit to any money.

[15:14] Even that departmental leader, I'm more powerful than him. I'll be born again longer than him. Why is he leaving prayer for me to pray? And when I go born again, where was he? And when we were, where were we?

[15:35] It's a calling. It's a calling. And Moses said, okay, bring the congregation, call everybody.

[15:46] Moses told the matter to God. God said, don't worry. Moses said, call all the congregation. bring everybody. Bring them. And everyone should take senses. And let the priest, those who have the right to bear incense, let everybody take their senses and come.

[16:01] They sent to Moses, we won't come. We won't come. We will not come. Look at verse 19.

[16:14] Look at verse 19. God. And Cora gathered all the congregation against them at the door of the tabernacle of the meeting. Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the congregation. Cora was still gathering people against Moses.

[16:30] Cora. Cora. Cora. Cora. Never be a Cora. In the work of God, it will cost you too much.

[16:43] it's not only you. It costs your family. It costs your children. Cora. And verse 20 says what? And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron saying, what's the next verse?

[16:59] Separate yourself from among this congregation that I may consume them. Now, I know what the democratic, politically correct thinking should be.

[17:16] God, if you have something to say, why don't you just speak to these guys so that they will understand? You don't need to speak to Moses. He's fine. These guys are sick. Speak to them.

[17:27] They will listen. God, they are genuine. They want to do God's work. But God spoke to Moses. He didn't say tell them to stop it. He said, Moses, separate yourself.

[17:37] Give some distance. move it. Moses, move, move, move. Clear, clear the path. Joshua, read it from there, verse 22.

[17:51] Quickly. And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. And they fell upon their faces and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, to thou one man sin, and wilt thou be wrought with all the congregation.

[18:12] Moses and Aaron will be pleading their God. Don't destroy this. Only one man does something. Listen to what God said. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, speak unto the congregation, saying, get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

[18:29] And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram. And the elders of Israel followed him, and he spake unto the congregation, saying, depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men.

[18:41] Don't stand near them. He told the congregation. He told them because of what he has heard from God.

[18:54] He told the congregation, don't stand near these guys. Don't stand near them because you will sleep. God and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.

[19:16] He said, don't touch anything that belongs to them. Total separation. Don't go and eat their food. Don't attend their party. God is radical.

[19:27] when it comes to his program and his plan, if you stand in the way, you'll be cleared out of the way.

[19:40] Continue. So they get up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, on every side. And Dathan and Abiram came out and stood in the door of their tents.

[19:50] And their wives and their sons. Oh, family. They came with their children, wives and sons. still at the door of their tent. And Moses said, hereby ye shall know that the Lord hath sent me to do all these works.

[20:06] Yeah, 28 and 29. That's where I want you. There are interesting points there. He said, hereby, watch this, and Moses said, this is how you will know that God has sent me, to do all these things I'm doing.

[20:18] For I have not done them of my own mind. These guys are accusing me, thinking that I've made myself. But I've known them by my own mind. It's God who appointed me.

[20:29] And these guys are accusing me. He said, this is how you will know whether God has called me or not. Look at verse 29. If these men die, the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the death.

[20:41] God has not called me. He said, if these guys die normally, then God didn't send me. don't make any prayer go over your head.

[20:56] This message is not for people in this house. It's for these people who get the opportunity to listen to what I'm saying in other churches. Because there are congregation members in churches who are abusing their pastors.

[21:14] Define their pastor's leadership. and the set of leaders who are leading. They think that they are also, they know. They have, you know, one of the things that I can't understand, I mean, Paul County said, oh, I have a lot of pastor friends.

[21:27] And so on. Look at your life. And let it inform what you are saying. Didn't I tell you earlier on that the credible apostleship is according to the faith of God's elect.

[21:47] if you are close to other men of God, let us see it in your faith. I listen to pastors, preachers regularly, and it's showing in my faith.

[22:01] If you're always listening to preaching, you're always listening, you're always in church, but it's not showing your faith, then probably this faith is fake. So, it's important.

[22:12] there are a few things. This is not a normal message I would want to preach, but someone must know some of these things. My wife is not teaching these things.

[22:23] You have to go and pray and ask God. I'm telling you the truth. To the glory of God, Carice is a church with peace. With peace in our leadership.

[22:40] When was the last time you heard someone saying that me too I have to preach? Since last year, am I not the only one preaching? You are preaching. Are we not enjoying it?

[22:57] Some other places, the pastor can't preach. The leaders are sitting there. They won't take note. They are talking. Somebody will just get up and go to the toilet and camp.

[23:09] He's still preaching. pastors are soft. By God's grace, we don't have that kind of problem here. Sammy, you have been around some prophets and pastors and church.

[23:24] When you came, have you seen any problem here? You are close, very close to some of the leaders. Do you hear them talking? We don't do that here. We are just Christians. God is preaching.

[23:37] It looks like this kind of message is not for us. I'm preaching a message for the body of Christ. God has told me every time I stand here to speak, I shouldn't just speak to this congregation.

[23:49] God has told me, speak to my body. Sometimes some of these things go on recorded media and sometimes 10 years later, it begins to go viral to save lives.

[24:01] I am a generational messenger. I am not doing these things according to my own mind. Praise the Lord.

[24:15] All right. So, Moses said, listen to what, and you know what happened? Look at verse 30. He said, but if the Lord does not make a new thing, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up with all that are connected to them, and they do not go down quickly into the pits, then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord.

[24:45] So, what happened? Look at that. Verse 31. Hey, it's serious. And it came to pass, as he made an end of his speaking, all these words, that the ground claved asunder, and that was under them.

[25:00] And what happened? 32. Look at verse 32. And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up. And their houses, and all the men that were connected to Korah, and all their goods.

[25:17] Oh, this is your situation. Before you fight a man of God, just try and ascertain whether he's cold, and advise yourself.

[25:32] Because you will not be able to handle the replication. Unfortunately, it doesn't come only on you. It comes on you and all important people around you. People, family members, children.

[25:43] You endanger the health and the peace of your family. When you rise up against a cold man, sent with a mission. Wow. What kind of message is this?

[25:55] Some of you can understand why certain people you know are still suffering. The earth has opened its mouth against them. Look at verse 39. It said, Eliaza the priest took the bridge, verse 38, let's go to 38, I think it's better from 38.

[26:10] Then the census of these sinners against their own soul, they sinned against their soul. It wasn't against others, they have done themselves great injustice. And he said, they are censors, they are priests, they are supposed to burn, they are censors, flatten all their censors.

[26:28] It will burn incest again and then hang it around the altar. As a warning, a sign to people who rise up against their chosen elect of God. It is there at the altar. Why don't you go home, take your time and read it.

[26:41] This is a very interesting text. But after all this had happened, so there was one sign, God said, their censors, what I gave it to them to be using for me, is still holy. So bring it, stay it at the altar, but it can't be used anymore.

[26:53] Flatten it and keep it around the altar because it was a holy thing for the Lord. Put it around the altar. And then chapter 17 verse 1, God gave another direction.

[27:08] And the Lord spoke unto Moses. Let's read it. Let's go. I think it will be now if you're already. Is that okay? Is that okay? From the screen, let's go. And the Lord spoke unto Moses. God has people he's been talking to.

[27:27] When he comes to his work and the congregation, he asks people he talks to. He asks people he talks to. He won't talk to everybody.

[27:41] In some churches, you go, the pastor is preaching, and one person will get up. The Holy is talking. Hey, that is out of order.

[27:59] Out of order. You see the way we are sitting quietly? You can suddenly get up and start screaming. Hey, the Holy is on me. Hey.

[28:10] Oh, she's just sitting. It's not of God. It's not of God. Bible says that the spirit of prophets are subject to the prophet.

[28:24] Even a prophet too. Subject. 1 Corinthians chapter 14 verse 33, 34, 31, 33. It's that the spirit of a prophet is subject to the prophet.

[28:37] The spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet. And the spirits of the prophet are subject to the prophet. Do you know, listen to the next statement. Go to the next statement. Look at it. Therefore, God is not an author of confusion, but peace as in all the churches of the saints.

[28:52] There must be peace and order. God will not bring confusion. One person is speaking, this person is jumping. Some of you go to care group and you just talk by heart. Someone is teaching, he says, no, I also have my revelation.

[29:06] This is what the Lord has showed me. God speaks to me. Shut up. Why? Because God is not the author of confusion.

[29:19] There must be other. In fact, verse 30 and 31, it says, one person should speak at a time. Even people who have God prophesy you. He said, for you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all be comforted.

[29:33] Verse 32. Is it verse 32? No. Verse 30. Give me verse 30. Please. Give me verse 30. If anything be revealed to another that's seated by, let the first hold his peace.

[29:44] So while someone is speaking, there must be that, hold your peace, and then this one. But that's why he's saying that because your spirit is subject to you. Don't say, hey, the spirit is new.

[29:57] It's a kengeru spirit. It's not the spirit of the life. The spirit is new. The spirit is new. Hey, hey, hey. We are doing praise and worship.

[30:07] There you go. You want to go and collect the microphone? Running all over the place. There's time for everything. Do you see how God was moving? The people who got touched. Are they not sitting quietly? Why is it that's for you alone?

[30:18] Now we are preaching the word and you are still going, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, get him out of this world.

[30:31] It is false spirituality, sexual spirituality. I was teaching the guys, I said, anything, anytime you claim to come under the spirit of God, and you are out, you can't control it.

[30:45] It's not God, though. It's not God. Because I don't know how many of you have fallen before. Sometimes you fall and you are rolling, but still at least you can stop it. You are conscious, but just that you have allowed your spirit to be engaged.

[31:00] But your mind is still active. You are conscious. You are aware of what... The pastor said, everybody, no one should touch him. No one should touch her. Okay, make sure she doesn't fall, unless you know that there are people around you so you can feel it now start to fall.

[31:12] Because she... Have you noticed that the center where the Holy Ghost is moving, as soon as we scream, ushers, people knocking.

[31:29] Help is coming, so now I can't go. Help is coming, so now I can't go. You can't say that the Holy Ghost has moved you so much, so you are lying on the floor.

[31:53] And they say, it's okay, and they say, ha! Ha! Ha! You leave there. When, if there's fire, you see how it goes. Watch this.

[32:04] It is only in the occult. It's only in the occult that people can be so much possessed, they lose control. Bible said, every now and then, he catches my son and throws him into fire.

[32:15] He said, the devil, the devil, the devil, the devil. When God takes over, it never generates confusion. In fact, he puts it in the verse 40 of 1 Corinthians chapter 14.

[32:26] He says, in the church, let everything be done decently and in order. Let's start reading. Let's go. Let all things be done decently and in order. Some people don't want to read it.

[32:37] Let's go loud. Let all things be done decently and in order. Here, care groups, when we are in care groups, we are praying. They say, let's take the next topic.

[32:49] Keep quiet and listen to the next topic. Don't go, shh. Many both think that's what makes them spiritual.

[33:04] They think it's a sign of spirituality. Am I teaching anything at all? The acknowledgement of the truth that accords with godliness.

[33:20] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. That does not amount to suppression of the expression of god. You understand that? But then, there must be, he said, let everything be done decently.

[33:34] There are times when someone loses control significantly, severely. Let everything be done decently and in order.

[33:46] It's in the Bible. There shouldn't be chaos and disorder in church. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. So, these are the things that Moses was teaching them.

[34:00] And Korah said, no, we too, we know some stuff. Wow. Wow. Chapter 17 again.

[34:12] From verse 1. Listen to this. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Listen to this very carefully. Speak unto the children of Israel. Yes. And take every one of them a rod, according to the house of their fathers.

[34:24] Of all their princes, according to the house of their fathers, twelve rods. Write thou every man's name. How many rods? Twelve rods. Twelve rods. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

[34:37] Bible says that foolishness is bound in the heart of a child. But what? The rod of correction will drive it out.

[34:48] Rod signifies authority. Rod signifies leadership. Rod signifies correction. Leadership to go. So, political leadership.

[35:00] Which is okay. And he says that tell the children of Israel that every tribe, they should bring a rod. That means they had it. They had the leader. God wouldn't ask for a rod if they didn't have it.

[35:12] Rod signifies leadership. So, he said, let every congregation, every house out of the twelve tribes, everyone should bring a rod. And then they brought it.

[35:23] And he says that now, take the rod and take it before Ark of the Covenant. That's where God's presence was. Among the children of Israel. So, he went and put the rods at the Ark of the Covenant.

[35:36] And after he put it there, he said, okay, just read it. Quickly. And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation. Before the testimony, where I will meet with you.

[35:47] Before the testimony. The word testimony means the Ark. Sometimes it's called the Ark of the Testimony. Okay. Before the testimony, where I will meet you. And what happened? And it shall come to pass that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom.

[36:01] Alright. And I will make to seize from me the murmurants of the children of Israel. All this. Who is the leader? Who are you? Who is God? I will stop all that. Okay.

[36:13] God said, I will stop all that. Is he really supposed to be a K-league group leader? Me, I even know better than him. And look, I've done her. I've done him. And I'm sitting down. Look, the thing she's teaching, she doesn't even know.

[36:25] I will ask one question, you'll be confused. Okay. Praise the Lord.

[36:37] There was some earthly human genuineness with Korah, Ibiram, Drayton, and on.

[36:50] Genuine human desire to be in charge of God's work. If they were not Israelized, they wouldn't have said what they said. They were Israelized. They also had a vested interest in God's work going a certain way.

[37:03] But what they failed to realize is it's based on a calling. It's not based on the rod. You have rod and so what? You have a rod and so what?

[37:17] I'm teaching some interesting things. This is like a leaders conference. Now, so continue from there. Where did we end? Verse 5.

[37:28] Verse 5. Yes. And I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you. Yes. And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece.

[37:41] Okay. For each prince won according to their father's houses, even twelve rods. And the rod of Aaron was among the rods. All right. And Moses laid up the rods before the Lord in the tabernacle of witness.

[37:53] Okay. Shall we all read the verse 8 together from the screen? Is that okay? Can you see from the screen? Let's go. And it came to pass. That on the morrow. Do you know what this means? The next day.

[38:05] Okay. Morrow means the next day. All right. Give us the new King James. The new King James. All right. Let's read it. Let's go. On the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, has sprouted and put forth bats, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds.

[38:31] At least it takes five years to have an almond. Five years to plant an almond. What's the rod? A dead wood. A dead wood cannot produce, cannot bud.

[38:45] This one, it budded within 24 hours. It budded, and it didn't stop there. It budded and produced blossoms.

[38:58] It began to blossom. Flowers. Ah! Within 24 hours. It budded and then flowers. And as though that was not enough, produced almonds. No, no, no. Wait, wait, wait, wait.

[39:08] No, no, no. It produced almonds. And then not just that. The almonds were ripe. What do you do with ripe almonds?

[39:21] I can't hear you. I can't hear you. Almonds are for consumption. Eating. God said, let them produce their rods.

[39:39] Dead rods. Any rod that does not produce life is not my appointed leadership. According to the faith of God's elect.

[39:56] The essence of ministry work is to produce the resurrection life. Almonds, badden means resurrection life because that thing was dead. Dead wood. Resurrection life was oozing out.

[40:08] What gives you credibility to lead in God's house is your ability to produce life. The life of Christ in other people. The ability when you speak, when you do anything called ministry, life.

[40:23] The life of Christ is being impacted into them. They can attest that something has hit my spirit. Don't tell me you were trained. Don't tell me you've been to school.

[40:34] You have done, you have PhD in public relations. And so what? You have PhD in political science. And so what? That doesn't make you a leader. You just have a rod. And it's dead.

[40:48] It cannot do God's work. It cannot do God's work. It cannot do God's work. It cannot do God's work. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Any Chorah in the Aquarist is rising against the leadership of the choir.

[41:08] We are all wearing this. Hey, what is it? I won't wear it. What? You are a Chorah. A Chorah's spirit is operating in you. Ashes. What is it?

[41:19] Hey, God said, tell Moses. Tell the people to separate from them. Me, I won't speak to them. Moses, just leave them. I'll sort it out. I don't speak to people like that. I deal with them. Is someone learning something at all?

[41:36] Your K-group leader is giving you a call, check on you. What was it? This K-group leader, you are not a leader. I know more than you. I can't even listen to you.

[41:47] We are dealing with the brokenness. Look at what you're saying. He doesn't even read the Bible. He doesn't know anything. You are standing there. And you ask, I know what I'm going to ask a question, and everybody will see that I know.

[41:58] And when you forget to talk, you know, when I was in Bible school, when I used to travel with the bishop, when I used to travel with the... Shut, shut, shut up! God is not the author of confusion.

[42:17] Wow. I listen to what I'm saying. See, these things, people must be aware.

[42:28] It says that the grace that saves you teaches you. You are saved to be taught. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. So that you can enjoy the sonship life.

[42:40] The sonship life in Christ is meant for our enjoyment, for us to live it, for us to experience the life in it, for us to be entitled to our birthright, our inheritance.

[42:51] But these things can't happen when there is a disconnection from the supply from above. Now, I'm about to say something very interesting.

[43:02] Did you find out that the dried wood, the dried rot began to bat? I mean, not 18 days later. Next day. That's not scientific.

[43:14] That cannot happen. Supernatural activities, within 24 hours, it began to bat, and it began to grow some flowers, and it began to produce almonds, and ripe almonds, you can just get it and eat it.

[43:29] Don't tell me how much you know, how much God has called you and appointed you. Let the almonds begin to bat. Let your rod begin to bat.

[43:39] Your leadership is nothing if it can't produce the resurrection life of Christ. Pastor! Your leadership is nothing if it cannot produce and supply the resurrection life of Christ.

[43:53] There is no entitlement in titles. That is why he said in 1 Timothy 5, verse 17, he said, let the elders be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who live back in the word and in doctrine.

[44:07] Because then you can have something to produce life. He said, steady to show yourself approved unto God, not unto men.

[44:18] Don't get people, don't try and be looking for people's approval. They don't believe in my calling. They don't believe in my calling. You know me, I can preach. I can preach.

[44:28] I don't know why they won't allow me even to lead a kid group. I can preach. I can preach. People, in fact, when I preach, people will be crying. Me, I can sing. I can sing.

[44:39] I can lead praise and worship. It's a rod talking. Rod. Rod is just talking. It's not ripe almond that is talking. It's a rod. Thank you.

[44:50] Dead wood. Dead wood. Wow. Somebody shout hallelujah. Hallelujah. Let me work this and finish it. Watch this.

[45:03] Rod signifies natural leadership. So, every one of us may have some abilities, natural abilities to do some things. It's a rod. Okay. It's okay. It's okay.

[45:14] But if the rod is not burdened, please. Put it aside. Put it aside. It's good for fire. Fire. Are you learning something at all?

[45:30] Or you want me to prophesy? Prophesy. Prophesy. This is what will save your future. So that you don't suffer the fate of Korah, Iberian, and Datham.

[45:47] The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all, teaching us that denying ungodliness or denying fleshly lusts or worldly lusts, denying worldly lusts and ungodliness.

[46:00] We should live so badly. Titus chapter 2 verse 11 and 12. We should live so badly, righteously. So badly even is dealing with yourself. Righteous living has to do with your dealing with others.

[46:12] And godliness has to do with your dealing with God. It says that we should live, deny godliness and worldly lusts. Okay. We should live so badly dealing with yourself. Righteously dealing with others.

[46:24] And godly dealing with God. This presently. Godliness will teach you to do that. Godliness will teach you to do that. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[46:34] Thank you. Let me just. Sir. The road badded. What's ripe almonds for?

[46:47] Consumption. Ah. What? Consumption. Consumption. Someone say consumption. Consumption. What does that mean? Watch this.

[46:59] Church. Spiritual leadership. It's not. The road God gives us. Leadership God gives us. It's not for beating the sheep. But for feeding the sheep. Oh. Wow.

[47:10] This is deep. Good word. It's not for beating the sheep. But for feeding. We. Ah. We lead them. Not by correcting. Do this. Do this. We lead them by feeding them.

[47:21] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. We lead. Spiritual leadership is about feeding.

[47:32] Not beating. How do you lead them? All scriptures. It's given by the noopsis.

[47:42] The breath of God. It's profitable for reproof, for correction, for instructions in righteousness. Okay. For doctrine. That the man of God will be tolerably furnished. So it is put it back on the screen.

[47:53] The previous verse. Verse 16. It's the word of God. As a pastor. As you are teaching God's word. What are you using it for? You are using it for doctrine. For reproof.

[48:05] For correction and instructions in righteousness. Okay. Instructions in righteousness. That's what the word is supposed to be. But if you just read the Bible and tell people.

[48:15] Bible say. Bible say. Bible say. Without you yourself having a strong connection with the spirit of God. What you do is you end up producing rod. But no almonds. So you just be correcting people without feeding their spirits.

[48:32] Our job is simple. As a church leader. Is to feed people with Christ. They have encountered with God.

[48:43] As you minister to them. So you're. You're. No. Make a. Hey. Your usefulness. As a man of God. Has not got to do with the suit you are wearing.

[48:55] Come on. Give me a break. It's not your English. Not your phonetics. Not your big words. Not your looks. Not your ability.

[49:06] Your ability to be a blessing to the church. As a praise and worship leader. It's not the songs you can sing. You know some songs you can work. And people. People begin to. I'm crying. I'm crying. Somebody give me tissue. This song is good.

[49:17] Not that. Care group leader. Wake up. Care group leader. Wake up. Some of us want to be leaders in God's house. But you don't read your Bible. You don't have any dynamic relationship with God.

[49:31] You are just. You are just a man with rod. But no ripe almonds for people to eat. Feed the flock of God.

[49:47] That is amongst you. Ah. Acts. He said I say to the shepherds. Acts chapter. Chapter. 20.

[49:58] Yeah. Acts chapter 20. Yeah. Verse 26. Verse 26. He said he called for the elders. I testify to you that I'm innocent of any man's blood. Why? Verse 27. Watch this.

[50:09] For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. You see what I'm doing? It's not because there's a problem with anybody. But I'm innocent. I want to be innocent of somebody's blood.

[50:20] By declaring to you. Listen. If you're upset with me. Please. Don't waste your breath. It will not affect me. It will not affect me.

[50:31] It will affect you. Because I'm not teaching with you in mind. Right. I'm teaching with God in mind. Amen. I hate this thing to all of you.

[50:44] Let me finish this. See. It says that. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock. Say the flock. The flock. This means church members. Right. This means parish members.

[50:56] This means care group members. If you are a leader in God's house. Say take heed to the flock. Among which the Holy Ghost. It's the Holy Ghost that makes you. The Holy Ghost has made you an overseer.

[51:08] Don't make yourself. Moses said I'm not doing this in my own mind. God appointed me. Among which the Holy Ghost has made you an overseer. To do what? To shepherd the flock of God.

[51:19] In some other translation it says to feed. To shepherd means to take care. And to feed. Feed. Feed. When Jesus resurrected from the dead in John chapter 20. And Peter was just eating the fish.

[51:30] Eating the fish. Verse 15. Peter was eating the fish. Jesus said Peter. Peter. Take it easy. Do you love me more than these things you are eating? Haven't you realized? Listen.

[51:40] I'm about to say something. It's very easy. It's very easy to be a pastor. To be distracted by people who are giving you big offerings. People who are doing you favors. You tend to like them.

[51:52] It's a rude thing. Natural thing. You tend to coax towards people who like you. So there are people. If they want to buy a pastor. They just go.

[52:02] When we say. Oh. I want someone to give 100 pounds. They will come. I will do 200. It doesn't mean they are bad. But sometimes there will be fleshly motives. And there are people who join churches.

[52:15] And they want to control pastors. Some praise and worship leaders. They keep bodies. They are controlling the whole church. As a praise and worship leader. You decide when you come to church. Maybe you are coming to church.

[52:26] You are upset. So I don't come in. So I will sit somewhere. You are holding the whole church to ransom. You are doing it at the church. Wow. Listen.

[52:45] As a pastor. I have to be very careful. I have to be very careful. I don't get overtaken by. What I benefit from. Congregation members.

[52:55] That's the danger. So a lot of pastors have become endangered. I'm telling you. Their ministry. Their calling. Has been compromised.

[53:06] For bread and butter. And it's easy. Listen. Listen. Listen. Moses wanted to. He also had rod. He wanted to use it 40 years ago.

[53:17] When he was young. To go and deliver the people of God. God hasn't called him. He wanted to go and use it. So we all have rods. If you don't take care. You try to use your rod. Without any fruits on it.

[53:29] And that's. It's distracting people from Christ. Care group leader. Please. Please. Remember. You are working for God. When someone doesn't like you.

[53:40] It does not matter. Love them. Serve them. And work for God. Pastors. Let's work for God. If you don't celebrate my birthday. You didn't.

[53:51] I wasn't called for you to celebrate my birthday. You didn't call me. When I was. God was calling me. I never knew. There would be a brother. Handsome brother like this. With cravat. In church.

[54:02] Call. Where did I know you from? I never knew you from anywhere. It's just God. Who has made you part of this great assignment. He has given me the privilege to lead.

[54:13] I am nobody but a servant. So then if I begin to concentrate on. What are you? You are not doing anything for me. It's Christmas. You have not brought me anything. Haven't you realized. Look. It is normal and natural to fall into that trap.

[54:30] The devil. It's a denying worldly lust. Stop saying that for me. This is how I am. This is how I am. Do you like how you are? Look at your results and advice yourself.

[54:45] Wow. What kind of Sunday message is this? It's a message. Wow. I was going to show you a different message.

[55:03] Euthesia. Euthesia. Sonship. We have the spirit of sonship. Not just the spirit of the sun. We have the spirit of sonship. Aha. But God said. Teach on the almond.

[55:14] Burden rod. Burden rod. Please. We want to see some birds and fruits on your rod. Amen. Don't be satisfied with where you are.

[55:26] Yes. I give you more. Give you more so that you can burn more. Hallelujah. So you can produce. You can flourish. Please.

[55:37] Kick politics out of church. It will cost you. You know the thing you have to do this is to help the work of God. But for your own political interests.

[55:49] Selfish interests. Carnal interests. Fleshly desires. And political advantage. You don't care. Watching the work of God suffer just for you to look important.

[56:00] You don't have any almonds. You have just a rod. Thank you sir. Death rod indeed. Yes. Wow.

[56:14] I pray for you. Amen. That God will help us. Amen. To produce ripe almonds. Amen. To bud. To be useful in the master's hands.

[56:25] Amen. Amen. So God can use us to also leave a legacy in the body of Christ. Live a legacy. You don't have to. Ah. Listen. That is the cheapest way of.

[56:35] You don't need a pulpit. No. No. There are people on the pulpit but there's no burden. No. There's no burden. You can be in the congregation and be burdened.

[56:46] Be blossoming and producing ripe almonds. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

[56:56] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

[57:07] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

[57:22] Amen. Amen. have ripe almonds, wait. Let the almonds start to grow. God will find you there. Look at this nice, I'm ending on this. Look at this nice, beautiful, handsome men, beautiful ladies, handsome men, ashes, the Aquaristers, they're welcome to me. Are they not lovely?

[57:50] They are, but listen, we don't just want raw, though. We don't just want raw. You can't be coming to church and leading people and finishing and go, living like a devil. I'm coming close. Are you getting what I'm saying? At another, we reduce all this church thing to fashion, and that's rubbish. Give me a break. Who will go to church for fashion?

[58:21] Who will go to church for fashion? And then the chorus will take advantage of that and say, all this, all this, it doesn't matter, all this, it doesn't matter. Look at your life and shut up. Give me a break. I get what I'm saying. But some of us do. We are so fleshly. I feel like preaching now.

[58:54] Romans 8.8 talks about how carnal mindedness is enemy to God. Romans 8.8. Carnal mindedness. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God.

[59:08] For it's not subject to the law of God. Nor indeed can be. You can't have this carnality and think you can do God's work. You are rather a danger to the move of God.

[59:19] It doesn't make sense when he says that we are saved to be taught. Because we have been miseducated.

[59:32] And some of us are so weak. It's very easy to be very religious, you know. In church, very religious. You will not have to fly. You are very holy.

[59:42] Very spiritual. But very ungodly. What's godliness? As I said, godliness is the expression of God. God expressed is godliness.

[59:55] What's flesh? Flesh and lust. Lust. Lust is creating the room for the flesh to fulfill its desires. That's lust.

[60:07] And it says that we should restrict the flesh. So we want, I will share with the leaders, that we want God expressing services. God expressing fellowships. And flesh restricting fellowships.

[60:20] That restricts the flesh from beginning to manifest. Bible said, make no occasion for the flesh to fulfill its last. So the honest lies on you.

[60:31] Is somebody eating some almonds? Remember, spiritual leadership is to feed the flock, not to beat the flock.

[60:47] It's to feed. If I can't feed you, I've lost the authority, audacity to lead you spiritually. Wow.

[61:00] Amen. Did you receive something? Come on, celebrate Jesus by preaching your hands together for the Lord. If you are not saved, you are not safe.

[61:14] Because life is dangerous. Life is not under your command. I don't see why I should end this service without giving you an opportunity to say, Yes, Lord. Pastor, pray with me because I want to have this bread.

[61:26] It means I want to put all my confidence in him, all my hope in him. I want to give my life to Jesus. If that is your genuine desire, just lift up your hand and say this after me. Say it genuinely from your heart.

[61:36] Say, Lord Jesus, I know I'm a sinner. I've sinned against you. I ask you to forgive my sins. Wash me with your blood. Thank you, Lord, for dying on the cross to save me.

[61:50] From today, I will serve you. I believe in you. I put all my hope in you. I put my faith in you. As my Lord and personal Savior. I receive you into my life.

[62:02] I make a vow with you that I'll save you all the days of my life. Satan, get behind me. I don't belong to you. I belong to Jesus.

[62:13] Thank you, Lord, for saving me in Jesus' name. Father, I thank you. Your word says that you know your sheep and your sheep know your voice. No one can come to you except your father brings him.

[62:25] I pray that let your grace be upon them. Help them to be strong. I pray that the grace of God will come upon you. The power of the Holy Spirit will come upon you. And help you to be a strong Christian. In Jesus' mighty name.

[62:36] Amen. Thank you for listening. For more resources, please visit caries.org or call us on 0207 740 9960.

[62:49] God bless you.