The Church Family

[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.

[0:37] Father, teach us your ways. Reveal yourself to us. Lord, impart yourself into us. Transform our lives by the impartation of yourself through your word into our hearts.

[0:52] We thank you in Jesus' name. Amen. Hallelujah. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is to know God as the God of Abraham means to know him as what?

[1:09] The Father. To know him as the Father. Let's all say the Father. The Father. Say it again. The Father. Jesus said, Noah has been to the Father except the one who is coming from the Father.

[1:23] Who knows what is in John 3. Who knows what is in John 3.16? He gave his only begotten son. What did he give? His only begotten son. What did he give? His only begotten son.

[1:35] His God's son. Yeah. As soon as you hear the term father, you hear the term son. You are talking about family. Yeah. God chooses to identify himself as a family God.

[1:51] That's why when he was calling Abraham to bless him, he started by telling him that, and I'll bless you and your seed. And he extended not only to Abraham.

[2:03] God always thinks family. And because of his interest in having a large family, he gave his only begotten son. Hello.

[2:16] It wasn't that he didn't know how to do family planning. He just likes a large family. So, Bible says that Jesus Christ would become the firstborn among many brethren.

[2:31] God, one was not enough. He wanted a larger family. Ephesians 2.19, it talks about how we are all members of God's family.

[2:42] Okay. Or God's household. Another word translated God's family, God's household, is family. Ephesians 2.19, from my Bible, it says that, Now therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members.

[3:00] Let's all say members. Members. Members of what? Household. Household. So, God has a household, and we are all members of that household. We are members. So, as soon as you become born again, you are enlisted into God's family.

[3:13] That's a serious thing to know. So, once you are born again, you are a member of God's own family. In John 1, verse 12, it says, But as many as believed in him, what happened to them?

[3:25] What happened to them? He gave them the power to become what? The sons of God. All right. Sons. Sons. Talking about family. So, as soon as you believe, become God's family member.

[3:35] It's so important. Right. And then, in Galatians chapter 4, verse 5, he says that, And because you are sons, God has sent for the spirit of his son into our hearts, which Christ, our Father.

[3:52] Galatians chapter 4, verse 5. Let's go to verse 5. Verse 5 talks about to redeem those who were under the law that we might receive adoption as sons.

[4:06] So, Jesus Christ came to be born and to die so that we might receive adoption as sons. Okay.

[4:16] What does adoption mean? When someone is adopted into a family, that means the person is a member of the family but was not originally born into the family. Yeah. So, originally, you and I were not God's family members.

[4:29] We are not in God's family. Because of Christ, we have been adopted. Now, we are full-blown members of his family. That we might receive adoption as sons. Watch this. And then it said, And because she has sons, God has sent for the spirit of his son into your heart, which Christ, our Father.

[4:45] He calls God Father. So, we have that intimate relationship with God. We call him Father. Because we are sons. Hallelujah. So, tell someone, we are family.

[4:55] We are family. Say to another person, we are family. We are family. It's very important. Every Christian is your family member. Every Christian is your family member.

[5:09] When I go born again, this is one of the things I understood very early. I placed premium of the Christian family. It doesn't mean my natural family is not important.

[5:19] It's also always important. But there is something about Christian family which surpasses natural family life. You need a natural family because you need a bloodline.

[5:30] They have to trace you. But it ends with your natural life. That's what Jesus said.

[5:41] In heaven there shall be no marriage. All right. So, when we all resurrect, you say, Oh, that's my sister. That's my brother. Oh, that's my uncle. I mean, somebody you know in your family may be likely to be in hell.

[5:54] So, does that mean you'll be mourning? No, you won't feel it. You won't feel it. You are married and your husband and your wife is not born again. You are born again.

[6:05] You'll go to heaven. They'll go to hell. All right. And you won't feel it. Oh, no, no. There's no more sorrow. There's no sorrow. But we will all assemble before God as God's family.

[6:19] Suddenly, the reality of this heavenly lifestyle, this heavenly family life will dawn on you. And nothing matters again but Christ who is the center and we are all one with him.

[6:29] So, we are called the new Jerusalem. We are the body of Christ. We are one body. It's so important. Praise the Lord. The church is a few things that we must understand.

[6:43] Let me tell you what the church is not. The church is not just an organization. Okay? It's not just an organization. People, what's an organization? An organization is bringing an assembly of different parts.

[6:56] When we even talk about the church being a body, the body of Christ, not like it is when you say maybe a body of lawyers have come together. Or a body of surgeons have met together.

[7:06] A body of teachers. No, that is not. Those are individual entities coming together. When we talk about a body, your body. If they inject something into your finger, it affects your eye.

[7:21] So, that's why Paul said, the eye cannot say to the ear, I don't need you. It's something I said, anyway, it's my ear. It doesn't matter. My eye will be fine. My eye can be bodied.

[7:33] The eye will be crying when the ear is affected. Even the toe is affected. That's when we talk about the body of Christ. So, the church, first of all, is not an organization.

[7:46] There's an organizational aspect of it because we have to be organized. We sit down with it. But fundamentally, the church is not an organization. It is an organism. It's an organism.

[8:00] Let's all say the church is an organism. What's the difference between an organization and an organism? Organization and an organism. Organization is the assembly of different parts.

[8:11] Individual parts together to form one unit. Whilst an organism is the growing of units. One life which grows. So, one shared life in an organism.

[8:27] So, our union, my connection with you, your connection with that brother, it's an organic connection. It's organic. It's not just something just superficial on the surface.

[8:39] It's actually organic. We share one life. We have an organic union with Christ Jesus. Shout hallelujah. Hallelujah. Does that make sense? The life that flow through Christ is the life that is flowing through us.

[8:51] Would you say hallelujah to that? Hallelujah. Praise God. All right. So, it's very important to understand that we share one life. The church is not, secondly, the church is not a business.

[9:03] It's a body. It's not a business to be run by business principles. That's why when you come to church, you don't see the leaders as, they are not chief executives.

[9:15] Ephesians chapter 4 verse 11. Ephesians chapter 4, it says that when he ascended on high, he gave a led captivity to captivity and gave gifts to men. All right. To some, he gave apostles. He gave apostles. Some, he gave prophets.

[9:26] Other, some, he gave apostles. He gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, teaching pastors. Nothing else. He didn't even give doctor.

[9:39] He didn't give bishop. He didn't give the fundamental positions. Church as a body. Whatever you are, in church leadership, it must be one of these.

[9:50] Because that's what Jesus gave. So, the church is not a business. It's a body. So, you are a successful business executive.

[10:03] It doesn't mean you can be a good pastor. Some people are doing well in their business and they look at maybe Pastor Charles. Ah, this guy is, I know him.

[10:13] My business is doing better. And they look at their social status and social standing so long as business achievement is concerned. And they look at maybe Pastor Charles or Pastor Philip, Pastor Charles or Pastor David.

[10:27] This guy, I have MBA. So, they think that if they are doing it, then we can also. They go and call one or two business associates. You know, let's team up. They go and get a loan from the bank to start a church.

[10:39] You are going to hell. I'm telling you, it doesn't work. It doesn't work like that. The church is not a business. It's a body. It's a body. It's a body.

[10:51] I learned something. So, first of all, the church is not an organization. It's an organism. It's an organism. But that's just for you to know. So, the church is a body. Let's say the church is a body. The church is a flock.

[11:03] Say it's a flock. Can you imagine? It's not an insult when Bible says that you are sheep. It's not an insult. It says that feed my sheep.

[11:15] Feed my lamb. In Acts chapter 20, when he gathered the elders of the church, he says, Say to the shepherds, the pastors, that they should feed the sheep.

[11:28] They should care. The Greek word poimen. That's the way we get the word pastor from. Pastor the sheep. Which God has purchased with his own blood.

[11:39] The church. Jesus bought the church with his blood. It's a serious one, isn't it? The church is a body. So, it's run by ministries. Okay? Ministries.

[11:51] Not necessarily business offices. Of associates. Ministries. Because, you see, when there is a problem on the leg, the signals will be sent to the brain.

[12:03] If there is a cat, blood will flow there already. And the blood will begin to clot to help protect the body. And so many things. So, it thrives on ministry.

[12:15] So, what are ministries? You have various abilities that God will use to build his body. So, anyone who doesn't do anything in church, in the body of Christ, you are really not.

[12:30] You know, when your nail gets to a plate, you can cut it off. Because, no, do it. And you don't feel it when you are cutting it off. You are in church.

[12:43] And is it possible that heaven, when heaven looks, you look like an unwanted. Do you see what I'm saying?

[12:56] It's serious. And some people, their attitude towards the things of church, the things of God, is like they are doing the church a favor.

[13:08] I'm doing the pastor a favor. He should be calling me every day and clapping for me. The church is a body.

[13:20] So, it requires ministries. The church is a flock. So, it requires pastors to take care of it. Not experts. Pastors. So, listen. If you are here and you are submitting to any department, humble yourself to submit to the leader there.

[13:33] He's a representative of the pastors. The person may be your subordinate at work. But humble yourself. Don't bring your job to church. Do you understand what I'm saying?

[13:46] Don't bring it to. It's like you go to the hospital and then they want to attend to you. You say, don't you know I'm a computer analyst? For you are sick. Yeah, that's why I'm still a computer analyst.

[13:58] I have a lot of computer knowledge. Will you do that at the hospital? Even when you go to Tesco, you won't do that. You won't do that. You say, I'm a medical doctor. So, let's.

[14:08] I can't join the queue. I have to go straight to the team. Hey, everybody. Self-service. Stay aside. The medical doctor has come. But when you come to church, ushers can't even show you where to sit.

[14:24] Because of that little job you have got. And you're not even the company owner. The job, you have been employed. Or your company.

[14:35] You have a little company. And that's even employed more than a thousand people. And yet you want to take a whole role in a church.

[14:45] Because a chief executive have come to church. You see how. What stops people from receiving the blessings of God the way they should. So, if you were God.

[14:56] It would require a lot of mercy to be dealing with the church. Isn't it? Because we all have a lot of things. Our flesh. Every now and then the flesh slips out. The flesh slips out.

[15:07] It's like sugar in your pocket. So, if there's sand in your pocket. If there's a little hole. By the time you realize the thing is. So, what I'm trying to do is.

[15:19] I'm trying to sew the holes. So that. Then we can suck it out of your. Because every now and then. Yourself is getting in the way of your blessing.

[15:33] Are you happy you came to church tonight? Yes. This has been my secret. And it's helping me in life. I'm telling you.

[15:47] When I sleep, I have peace. I'm not afraid of tomorrow. I'm not afraid of any threats in life. Because God has committed himself to me.

[15:59] And I'm living for him. Your life will be better. No demon will ever have any advantage over your life. You see what God will do in your children's life.

[16:15] So, the church is a body. It's a fellowship. Say fellowship. That's what the church is. So, it's good to know what the church is. So, when you are coming to church, you know you are coming to a body.

[16:27] You are part of a body. You are part of a fellowship. It's a fellowship. That's why harmony. Okay. That's why harmony and unity is essential. Because without harmony and unity, a fellowship can't stand.

[16:40] Yeah. Yeah. And I suppose you should know by now, the greatest threat to a fellowship or to harmony and unity. One of the greatest threats to harmony and unity is gossip.

[16:52] Yeah. Someone say, hey. Hey. Look at the one sitting beside you. Maybe I'm talking to the person. Hey. Hey.

[17:02] Hey. Listen. Pride. Anger. Arrogance. Gossip. These are things that come naturally to you.

[17:15] They come naturally to us. And depending on who raised you, where you were raised and your temperament, one of them will be stronger. You know what I'm talking about? So, everyone has the pensity to be proud to their head.

[17:31] So, every now and then, you have to check yourself and remember it's just by grace. Just by grace. This job is because of grace. And be thankful to God.

[17:41] Where you live is because of grace. Even the fact that you can walk is because of grace. I was listening to Bishop Aude Papa when I was coming and he made a statement about gratitude. It's when you are grateful, it will make you great in life.

[17:55] He said, he found out some time ago, years ago, he said, he found out that there was someone who was born on the same day he was born. But the person didn't make it out of hospice.

[18:05] No, he died. It became an experiment because of the complexity of the person. Didn't even live to as long as he should. And so, if you are alive, it's just grace.

[18:18] You understand that? So, we have the propensity to be proud and all that. But in church too, because we are a family and a community, all right, and a fellowship, sometimes you notice things about people who you may not have the chance to talk about, but you may be unnecessarily interested.

[18:34] And then someone begins to draw your attention. Because of your unnecessary interest, you will lend an ear to the person.

[18:49] And then by the time you realize you are encouraging because some people too, anointing is to talk about, find something and talk about other people. They can look at you and say, haven't you seen what is going on?

[19:07] That sister, just look at the way she's been praising God nowadays. I think she's got another job. But it's like, you're wondering. And then they'll tell you, no, haven't you seen she's changed her hair again?

[19:21] Oh, why are you behaving like you don't know what I'm talking about? Some people here, three hours ago, two hours ago, you were talking about somebody in a way you shouldn't have.

[19:34] And you are sitting here behaving like you are. You don't know what I'm talking about. You know what I'm talking about. God sent me to you. Shout mercy.

[19:45] Mercy. It's necessary. Gossip spoils our fellowship. Gossip is not brotherly.

[19:58] Gossip is not brotherly. And some of us have become so super spiritual. We know everything about it and then we cover it by, oh, let's pray.

[20:10] I'm just sharing with you so we will pray. Please, let's. Right, they put it in the box. I'm sharing it for us to pray.

[20:26] Just so you know what is going on. Just so you know what is going on. Someone went to somebody. He said, ah, I know the way things are going.

[20:36] You will get to hear about this. So I might as well come and tell him. This lady's husband went to this man. And went to the man.

[20:46] I just want you to know. A certain sister can tell you, can tell the husband. Or can tell the brother, I mean, I don't like this lady. The way he looks at me. I said, ah, how did he look at you?

[20:57] We were all walking when she looked at us. So he didn't see it. The things they can see. It's not true. It's true, eh?

[21:08] Yes. And they will talk about it. So suddenly they prepare your mind. Some of the things that some of them can say is amazing. Church is a fellowship. Listen, if someone is telling you something about somebody, tell the person you want to go and read your Bible.

[21:25] So fellowship is number one? Church is a family. The next one. Church is a family.

[21:37] When God likes to describe himself as the God, the Father. It's very important to understand that. Pastor Charles, look at how Jesus puts it. In the book of Mark chapter 3, very nice text. Let's all look at it.

[21:48] Mark chapter 3, verse 32. Mark chapter 3, verse 32. Mark chapter 3, verse 32. It says that. From verse 31 makes sense.

[21:59] Then his brothers. That's talking about Jesus. His brothers and his mother came. Standing outside, they sent to him. And standing outside, they sent to him, calling him. Can you imagine? Like I'm teaching.

[22:11] Like, look at the way I'm teaching. Then I get a message that my brother and my mother, they are standing there calling me. Oh, family is a blessing, you know.

[22:22] Family can have access to you in a way that others don't. The Bible says that. Then his brothers and his mother. Hey. Then his brothers and his mother came.

[22:35] And standing out. They didn't even meet you. They were standing outside. Sent to him, calling him. And the multitude. Can you imagine? Was sitting around him.

[22:46] When he was teaching like more teaching. The mother and brothers were standing outside. Calling him. Bro. I think. And they said.

[22:57] And they said to him. Look. Your mother and your brothers are outside seeking you. But I answered and said. Who is my mother and my brothers? And he looked around.

[23:09] In a circle. At those who sat around him. And said. Here are my mother and my brothers. Verse 35. For whoever does the will of God.

[23:19] Is my brother. And my sister. And my mother. It gets to a certain stage. When it comes to your work with God.

[23:30] That the priority. Is what God is doing. And the people God has put around you. To achieve. For his purpose. Doesn't mean natural relationships.

[23:41] Are not important. They are always important. Natural. Israel. Is just like. Natural Israel. And the spiritual Israel church. The church. As the Israel. Cannot replace.

[23:53] The natural Israel. But. What God is doing. His. His. His target. And his focus. When we get to heaven. His focus has always been. The people is raising.

[24:04] So. The church. Is a combination. Of both. Natural Israel. And. Natural Gentiles. To come together. To form a spiritual Israel. Who are going to eventually become.

[24:15] The. Bride of Christ. And the new Jerusalem. Hallelujah. Did you see. So when you talk about. Eternity. Is. The.

[24:25] In Christness. That matters. So then. It matters. How you treat people. Who are also in Christ with you. Are you getting what I'm saying?

[24:39] Yeah. Yeah. You value. The spiritual family. The church. Is a family. The church. Is a family. Tell someone.

[24:50] This is a family thing. This is a family thing. The church. Is a family. The church. Is a family. We are a family.

[25:01] And because we are a family. What are we supposed to do? Let me just. Give you just two. Number one. To keep our family.

[25:12] Life going properly. Number one. Love. Someone say love. Love. Matthew chapter 22. Verse 36. Teacher.

[25:23] Which is the greatest commandment. Of the Lord. Verse 36. Verse 37. Jesus said to him. You shall love the Lord your God. With all your heart. With all your soul. With all your mind. This is the first. And the greatest commandment.

[25:35] And the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor. As yourself. So love. Say love. Say love. The first one said. Love the Lord your God.

[25:46] With all. With all your heart. Your soul. And your mind. All. All.

[25:57] I know people. I know people. Who have become Christians. And have been disowned. By natural family. Because they want to just be. What they want to work with God.

[26:10] And some of you have had. Experiences with natural family. Or. Old time friends. Who are saying. Ah. Now you are at church. So. You don't want to drink with us. Now you are at church.

[26:21] So you are. And. They. They. They treat you. I heard. Bishop. He said something. This evening. When I was listening to him. It was a blessing. He said. If everybody is your friend.

[26:31] You are very foolish. Because. Depending on where you are going. Some people cannot be. Your friend. You may not have problems with them.

[26:43] You may not disagree with them. Or you may not. Sit down and. Not dislike them. But. Because of your persuasion. They. They can't fit into your life. He made a statement.

[26:55] He said. You go to church. And you go back home. And someone who is living with you. Is always attacking. And. Saying. Hey. This church thing. This Bible. They are deceiving you. And you are accommodating.

[27:05] He said. Suck him from your house. Suck him from your house. And so. We are.

[27:15] We are family. We are all. It's my brother. It's my sister. So. And. What. Where you are going in life. You can say. This person is taking you away from there.

[27:27] And you also. It's my brother. And my. It's just like you are traveling. You get to the airport. This flight is going from Terminal 1. This other flight is going from Terminal 2.

[27:38] And your flight is Terminal 2. And because of your friend. Have you realized. That when you even get to the airport. Every now and then. Even if you are. Having a conversation. You have to keep your. Ears alert.

[27:49] Because the one who is conversing with you. Maybe his flight is in an hour's time. You are waiting for the announcement of the gate. We are friends.

[28:02] We are. And you have forgotten about yourself. Later on. He will join his flight. He will take off. And you. Have missed your flight. May you not miss any destiny flight. I said.

[28:13] May you not miss any destiny flight. Shout a living. Hallelujah. So it's important to understand. That. Natural family is important.

[28:25] But spiritual family carries some serious weight. First of all. He said. Love the Lord your God. So. It starts with your love for God. Say. Love for God.

[28:35] Love for God. Listen. Don't be deceived. You cannot love. Anybody. The way you should. If you don't love God. The way you should. So let's get this thing. In the proper perspective.

[28:46] No. It's about. Oh. It's love. It's love. Love. What love? What kind of love? First of all. It's the love for God. Tell you the truth. It's the love for God.

[28:58] He said. How can you say you love God. But you hate the one you can't. The God who you can't see. In 1st John chapter 4. He said. It's verse 17, 18, 19. He said. The God you cannot see.

[29:10] You say you love. But the man you can see. You hate. So he said. You cannot hate people and love God. That means that. When you love God. It's.

[29:21] It's manifest in the way you love people. Yes. But when you. When you love people. You can love some and hate others. Yes. And you can love people and hate God anyway.

[29:33] And eventually. If you say you love people and hate God. Actually it's not people you love. You love them because of ABC. And that's because of your personal interest. So.

[29:44] Invariably. It's yourself you love. It's not people you love. Even when someone says. I love you. I want to marry you. I will do anything for you. I will do anything for you.

[29:55] And then the person says. You know I've got HIV. He said. You know what. I really love you. But I'll call you later. I'll call you later.

[30:14] You know what I'm talking about. There's human beings. There's human beings. I heard TDJ say something years ago. He said. When you are not well.

[30:26] People will come. When maybe you are in hospital. They admit you in hospital or something. People will come. The Christian man. He said no. The devil is a liar. He said the devil will be a liar for two weeks.

[30:39] If you stay in the hospital longer than that. The same people. You won't see them. And if you don't have the love of God in your heart.

[30:51] You will find it difficult to relate with them properly. So say love. Love. Listen. What I'm trying to tell you is. We are a family. It is wrong for us to be coming to church.

[31:03] You know someone has need and you don't care. It's a big disgrace. In Ephesians chapter 1 verse 15. It said. Therefore when I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And your love for the saints.

[31:15] They go together. Faith in Christ. Faith in Jesus. Will always translate into love for the saints. Yes. I mean I love God.

[31:27] I just can't stand some of these church folks. You are a liar. You don't actually love God. And you don't have faith in God. How many of us are church people? They are all hypocrites. You are the biggest of all of them.

[31:39] Because if you said they are all hypocrites. And you can't stand them. That means that you yourself. Because if you love God. It's easy. Have you noticed that when you are born again. The closer you get to God.

[31:50] The more you like people who are Christians. There is something. It's a family thing. And it's in the heart. Romans chapter 5 verse 5. It says that the love of God. Is shed abroad in our hearts.

[32:02] By the Holy Spirit. So it doesn't come from you. You don't have it. The Holy Ghost puts it inside you. Romans 5 verse 5. Did I say that?

[32:12] Romans 5 verse 5. The love of God. Is shed abroad in our hearts. By the Holy Ghost. You are in debt. If you are born again.

[32:25] You are in debt. Sister. My credit card is in your pocket. Or that credit card in your pocket. You are making the payment to me. I am the lender.

[32:38] Romans chapter 13. Verse 7. Is it okay if we are all ready together? Let's read verse 7. Render therefore to all their dues. Tax to whom tax is due.

[32:51] Customs to whom customs. Fear to whom fear. Honor to whom honor. Alright. So it's telling you. Everyone you give it to them. Alright. Let's go to the next verse.

[33:02] Oh no one nothing. Except to love one another. Did you see that? For he who loves another. Another has to fill the law.

[33:15] He said. Oh no one nothing. Except what? Oh. Except what? Love another. Oh no one nothing. Let's all say that together.

[33:27] Oh no one nothing. He said. Oh no one anything. Okay. Oh no one anything. Except to love one another. Except to love one another.

[33:39] Oh no one anything. Those of you who like borrowing money and you don't pay. Say. Oh no one anything. I don't even see why you should borrow money from your church sister and not pay.

[33:51] It's bad. It's bad. Because we are all sisters. We are all sisters. He went to plug the money from a tree. And you know.

[34:05] The Bible said that. Do not defraud one another. Some people. They are in church. And the reason why they are in church is to take advantage of some people.

[34:17] Because they want to come and do business. They want to come and sell hair. Or come and sell. Come and cook.

[34:28] And after church they open a canteen. To be doing business. Hey. Church. What did I say? Church is a body. Not a business. Alright. So. Church.

[34:38] Okay. It's a family. And it's a family operates on love. It's very important. He said. Oh no one nothing. Except love. So the one you are sitting near. You owe the person.

[34:50] That's why I said credit card is in your pocket. That's what I mean. You see. You owe me love. I owe you love. It's not like. Okay. If I like. I don't have a choice.

[35:01] I don't have a choice. But to love you. Whether you are lovable or you are not lovable. Whether you reciprocate or not. That's not your business. My business. So long as my work with God is concerned.

[35:14] Is to love you. It's as simple as that. And then love is not in words. Look at. This is said in the book of John chapter 13. Verse 34 and 35.

[35:26] A new commandment I give to you. That you love one another. Say love one another. Love one another. And you know he showed us how we should love.

[35:37] As love. How did he say we should love? As I have loved you. The way I have loved you. He said you to love one another. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow.

[35:47] Wow. Wow. Wow. So this is how I love. The way you know I've loved you. That's how you love others. Right. Wow. 1 John 3.16. That's a powerful scripture. 1 John 3.16.

[35:59] It talks about how we should love one another. People the way Jesus loved us. And gave himself to us. He gave us an example. 1 John 3.16.

[36:10] It's easy to remember. Isn't it? Alright. So let me finish this thing. So what was I reading? John chapter 13. Verse what? 34. Are you there? Yeah. 34. 34. A new commandment I give you. That you love one another.

[36:22] As I have loved you. That you also love one another. Verse 35. Oh. Let's already verse 35 together. Are you ready? Let's read it from your Bible. Let's go. Verse 35. Let's go. By this all men know that you are my disciples.

[36:36] If you have love one for another. Did you see that? This is how men will know you are actually. You are church folks. If you. When church people are tearing one another down.

[36:52] In the eyes of outsiders. They are listening to you. But they know you are hypocrites. Jesus said. By this. All men will know you are my disciples. When you have love one for another.

[37:06] So they come and they look at the way. Ah. Look at this guy. Is it not the one who. The other time you gave him the money. And after he finished eating. He insulted you. And today he needs his money. You are giving him again. They are watching it.

[37:18] And they can see their relationship. They can see forgiveness is flowing like no man's business. They can see care. They can see protection. They can see comfort. We are covering one another. We are caring for one another.

[37:29] They can see. You go to the shop. You are doing full shopping. They say buy one. Get one free. Oh. And you bought it. And you have the other ones. Other one in mind. Meanwhile. Some people.

[37:40] They say buy one. Get one free. They will buy about four. They don't need it. They will keep it. Go bad. They will throw it away. Instead of going to give it to somebody. It's.

[37:50] I think it's criminal. It's a disgrace. For someone to be in a midst. Not to know what. Not to have. Not know what is going to eat. After a service like this.

[38:01] It's a crime. Against our family life. That someone who come to church. And doesn't even know how he's going to go home. And doesn't know how he's going to pay his rent next week.

[38:12] It's not that. Not that. It has been. That some people. They are responsible. They will go. Go a five bedroom house. They don't know how they are going to pay. And they want everybody to. Gather and pay for them.

[38:22] No. I think. But you understand what I'm talking about. Some. Some basic stuff. Are you getting what I'm saying? Bible says. Care for one another. Love one another.

[38:34] In the New Testament. There are about 58 one another's. Because the church life is a one another life. It affects you. It affects me. Bless one another. It's so.

[38:44] It touches my heart when I hear that. Someone. Oh. Pastor. Someone bless me with this. Some of us. You. I'm talking about. This kind of handkerchief. You have all kinds. Different colors.

[38:57] And you are still buying them. Collections. You have seen one shoot you buy one day. And you combine. Why? You can bless somebody.

[39:09] That necklace. That you haven't worn. It's likely God is telling you. Bring it to that sister sitting near you. We are family.

[39:24] Stop making this noise. God of Abraham. It's important. But no. Let's bring it down. He's our father. The God of Abraham is a father.

[39:37] And so we are his offspring. So. Why don't you let him use you? So that. Maybe this prayer. This brother has been praying about.

[39:49] The answer is in you. God is the father. He has packet the answer in you. But you have blocked it. You are asking for more.

[40:01] God. This one. You haven't done enough. Get this one. Get this one. And it's interesting when God speaks to you. The way you know he's trying to tell you something about somebody. Because some things. You know it's not a coincidence. It's not a coincidence.

[40:12] You saw the brother's glasses break. And for a whole three months. He hasn't been able to wear any. Let me put in a disclaimer here. Don't manipulate people.

[40:26] By trying to make yourself look sorry. It's robbery. A man can receive nothing. Except to be given to himself.

[40:39] Look up to God. Don't look up to man. Why are you upset with someone. Because he didn't help you. Why? Did he give that to you? Do you know what I'm saying?

[40:49] Look up to God and stop being like a beggar. Don't chip in the grass on your life. Do you know what I'm saying?

[41:01] We are afraid people. It's God who supplies our needs. It's God who takes care of us. So stop hijacking people. And say no one even cares. Look at this.

[41:12] And you intentionally are now intentionally spoiling their shoes. So that someone. Yeah. So what's up? You know the watch is virtually gone. You know the watch is virtually gone.

[41:24] You know this one. You bought it from Woolwich. Five pounds. And it's virtually gone. Because you want someone to feel responsible for a new watch. Because of a pastor. You are. Praise that. Praise that. Oh God. And then the watch.

[41:35] Everything breaks down. And then you are looking at people. Oh. Because you are timing somebody's watch. Oh. Are you getting what I'm saying?

[41:50] Listen. In effect. This disclaimer. What I'm trying to say is. Learn how to trust God for your needs. Hallelujah. Trust God. Help.

[42:00] Man cannot help you. Man cannot help you. Learn how to trust God. But as you are trusting God for your needs. Don't ignore the needs of others you see around you.

[42:12] That's what I'm saying. The hand that always gives. Will always receive from God. Do you understand that? Don't do that. Don't relate to people based on their looks.

[42:25] Don't relate to people based on their salary. Their salary level. Don't do that. It's an insult to your helper. Your helper. If you do that. You are insulting God. That God. You can't help me.

[42:36] But relate with everybody nice. Don't be partial. Be nice. Love everybody. Look out for how you can be a help to somebody. Even when you are in need. Just still look out for how you can be a help to somebody.

[42:48] And to show you how God will provide for you. Shout hallelujah. Hallelujah. Well. That's the Christian life. The church life is a one another life.

[43:01] Yes. It's a love life. It's a forgiveness life. If you can't forgive people. You might as well stop coming to church. Because you'll be wasting your time.

[43:14] God will forgive you when you pray. When you give offering it to work. Oh yeah. It's in the Bible. Read the Bible. When you give offerings it to work. And because you are harboring.

[43:26] It's that when you stand praying. Forgive. Mark 11 25. It's that when you stand praying. Forgive. So that your heavenly father will regard your prayer. It's that when I'm blessed.

[43:37] Put your hands together for Jesus. Shout hallelujah. If you are not saved. You are not safe. Because life is dangerous.

[43:48] 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. It means I want to put all my confidence in him.

[44:00] 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. Say Lord Jesus. I know I'm a sinner.

[44:11] 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. From today.

[44:22] I'll 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.

[44:34] 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.

[44:45] 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.

[44:57] 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.

[45:08] Amen. Thank you for listening. For more resources. Please visit caries.org. Or call us on. 0207-740-9960.

[45:20] God bless you. Amen. Friendship project. Amen. Can you act please? Amen. Amen. Belle.

[45:30] Amen. Number. Amen.