A Heart for the Kingdom

[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.

[0:33] Lord, let your spirit enter into us as we hear your word. For you said in your word, and the spirit entered into me when he spoke unto me.

[0:46] Lord, as your word is delivered, let your spirit brood and fall and fill us afresh and anew.

[0:56] Convict the sinning. Save the lost. Deliver the captives. Step back into flames. Cold hearts. In the name of Jesus Christ.

[1:07] Heal the sick. Let your name be glorified. Grant me utterance that I will speak just what you want spoken, not just what I want to speak. Let your word come through me as your agent, as your servant assigned for this morning.

[1:23] Thank you, Lord. As your people listen to this message in this building, beyond this building, across the world, anytime I pray that, Lord, your spirit will fall upon us and our hearts will burn within us to love what you love and do what you do.

[1:41] We thank you in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Hallelujah. Praise the Lord. I want to talk today. This month we are dealing with what?

[1:52] Kingdom investment. Kingdom investment. And today I want to talk on a heart for the kingdom. A heart for the kingdom.

[2:03] Or a heart for God. A heart for God. Let's all say a heart for God. A heart for God. Say it again, please.

[2:14] A heart for God. In Psalm 63, verse 1. Oh God, you are my God.

[2:25] Early will I seek you. My soul thirsts for you. My flesh longs for you. In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.

[2:40] Oh God, you are my God. Early. Early. Early. Early will I seek you. My soul thirsts for you.

[2:53] My flesh longs for you. In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. This is David, the psalmist. Oh Lord, I am thirsty for you.

[3:07] I am hungry. I have such an insatiable appetite for you. I am desperate for you. I want you, Lord.

[3:18] I want you, Lord. I want you, Lord. One day I discovered a heart for God is one of the most prized assets in life.

[3:33] A heart for God. To have a heart for God. If you have a heart for God, you have the best in life. Now, I am not talking about material things coming to you.

[3:44] They will eventually show up. But, God will give you what you need to make life going the way it should go. Because God only sponsors his lovers.

[3:58] When you have a heart for God, heaven's heart is yours. God says that you are the apple of my eyes.

[4:10] God says that I have found David. Because David is a man after my own heart. When we talk about the great men and women in the scriptures who God used.

[4:24] One of the ones who stand out very prominently is David. Someone say David. David. Someone say David. David. And you realize that David doesn't stand out prominently because of his background.

[4:36] No. Not because of his parents. No. Not because of the family he was born into. No. Not because of his skill. No. Not because of his height.

[4:47] Saul was appointed king because of his height and a few things he had. He was from a wealthy home. You know, so he was appointed king because of his background, his upbringing, and a few things.

[4:58] But David has no got to do with any of these things. David was chosen by God simply because he had a heart for God. Yes. Yes. Yes. And up to now, heaven still refers to David.

[5:11] The genealogy of Jesus. The Bible talks about how Jesus Christ, the son of Abraham, the son of David. He leaves all the rest out. But you're talking about three sets of 14 generations.

[5:24] So many people, so many fathers, so many ancestors, they were all left out. But they said, Jesus Christ, the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

[5:36] In a nutshell, those are the people who wanted. I mean, if you say Abraham, we can understand because Abraham is the father of the Jews.

[5:47] He's the father of the chosen race. Abraham is the father. And so when God wanted to select his people, he chose Abraham. So you can understand. But David, where did he come in?

[5:58] He's far in the middle. There were others before him and so many others after him. At least you'd have said Mary. Others. But why David? Because David had a dangerous heart for God.

[6:12] You can't have a heart for God and you be erased in life. You can't be erased in life.

[6:23] When you have a heart for God. When you have a heart for God. When you have a heart for God. When you have a desperation for God. When you love God. When you love God.

[6:34] Life comes under your command. Because heaven is on your side. Wow. Bible talks about how the eyes of the Lord move through and through the whole earth.

[6:45] Seeking to show himself strong in the behalf of those whose hearts are right towards him. God has committed his backing to people who love him.

[6:56] God has committed his backing to people who love him. Love for God. A heart for God.

[7:06] Is the greatest asset in life. Make sure your heart for God doesn't grow cold. Because it's expensive for it to grow cold.

[7:17] Let's go to some further scriptures. Let me finish Psalm 63. We got a few things there. Let me just read it. So it says that my heart thirsts for you Lord. Verse 2 says that.

[7:28] So I have looked for you in the sanctuary. Where? I love God. So I went to church looking for God. David said in Psalm 122. He said.

[7:39] I was glad when they said unto me. Let us go to the house of the Lord. Because this is it. I was glad when they said to me. Let us go to the house of the Lord. This is someone who had a heart for God.

[7:54] He had a heart for God. Psalm 27. Many people settle more on from verse 1 and 2 and 3. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

[8:06] Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh. They stung. Doesn't this sound nice?

[8:17] This is a nice testimony. Powerful. That's what most of us like. So I know a lot of people who love Psalm 27 for verse 1 and verse 2 and verse 3. Because when your enemies are stumbling and falling, it sounds very good.

[8:32] Good news. The verse 3. The verse 3 goes on to say that. Though an army, a whole army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war may rise against me, in this will I be confident.

[8:46] Then the verse 4, which a lot of people won't go to that. He said one thing. Someone say one thing. One thing. Say one thing. One thing. So before you begin to brag about your enemies falling. Before you begin to brag about a host encamping against you.

[9:02] He said, in this will I be confident. What is your confidence? What is, where does your confidence lie? He said, in this. What is the this? He said, the Lord is the light of my salvation.

[9:13] Whom shall I fear? Before you go around talking, whom shall I fear? You must make sure this one thing. He said, one thing have I desired. Desire connos love. Desire connos, I have a heart for it.

[9:24] One thing. There is only one thing. If there is something I need from heaven. If there is something I need in life. There is one thing. Someone say one thing. One thing. Say one thing. One thing. One thing.

[9:36] Have I desired. And they said, I desire. Desire of the Lord. That I may seek after. Put you on the screen. One thing have I desired. Desire of the Lord. That I may dwell.

[9:46] That will I seek. That I may dwell in the house of the Lord. All the days of my life. And to behold the beauty of the Lord. And to inquire in his temple. Hallelujah.

[9:57] Hallelujah. Having a heart for the things of God. Having a heart for the house of God. It puts you on the pedestal of protection and blessing in life. You show me someone who loves God.

[10:10] And I will show you someone who cannot be a victim. You can't be a victim in life. You cannot. I'm telling you, you cannot. That is when after saying that there is one thing I desire.

[10:24] And that would I seek after. That I would dwell in the house. I may dwell in the house of the Lord. All the days of my life. To behold the beauty of the Lord. And to inquire in his temple. Then he went on. Verse 5 said. For in the time of trouble.

[10:36] I don't have a problem. Did you see that? Did you see that? No, you are running and taking God. Why have you protected me? You are not seeking him. I have a problem when people went and said. God, I was praying that you heal my sister.

[10:49] Or heal my mom. Who was smoking and smoking. And I had lung cancer. I was praying that you healed. And my mom died. So I'm upset with God. Was your mom going to church? Looking for God?

[11:00] Yeah, she spent time in God. That's religion. That's religion. He said protection is guaranteed for God lovers. Protection.

[11:11] That's why when I walk around. I don't fear. I love God. I love God. With all my heart. Mark chapter 12 verse 28. It says that.

[11:22] Then one of the scribes came. And having heard them reasoning together. Receiving that he had answered them well. Asked him. Which is the first commandment of all?

[11:34] Jesus answered him. Jesus answered him. The first of all the commandment is. Hear O Israel. The Lord our God. The Lord is one. Verse 30. And you shall love the Lord your God.

[11:47] With all your heart. With all your soul. With all your mind. And with all your strength. You shall love the Lord your God with how many? All what?

[11:59] So let's start. With all your heart. With all your soul. With all your mind. And with all your strength. The first there doesn't mean one, two, three.

[12:11] But the foremost. The most important. Once you have this. Others. Every other one. Then he went on to say. Then he wanted to say that. And the second is like. Is this.

[12:23] You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than this. First of all. You love God. With all your heart. With all your soul.

[12:35] With all your mind. And with all your strength. Physically. Strength. Don't wait until you are old. And you are on pension. Before you start serving God the way you should.

[12:48] Most of us. Our physical strength. Have been invested in other things. Chasing money. Chasing money. Is good to work. But if all there is to you.

[13:01] Your existence. Is working. To get money. There is a problem. There is a problem. Your future is very unsettled. If all there is to you.

[13:15] Is getting money. Making money. You are a very miserable person. Haven't you seen. In the city of London. People commit you suicide.

[13:25] In city. City workers. Committed. They have. They pay. They have to. Committed suicide. Oh I love God. And I know there is someone here who loves God.

[13:39] Someone here who loves God. Not because of what you are going to get from him. But because of who he is. Bible precedes this way. It says that. We love God because he first loved us.

[13:53] He first loved us. I want to give you six signs. That show you love God. Six signs. So don't say it. We will see. So you have to.

[14:03] You can check yourself. Okay. Check yourself to see whether you are a God lover. I am going to give you this six signs to check. All right.

[14:14] This guy wants me. Or this lady is interested in me. Or this man is interested in me. He wants to marry me. Does he love God? I don't know. But maybe. Yes. This is a good person.

[14:26] All right. These are the signs. You will see. When someone loves God. You will see. Hallelujah. Sign number one. Sign number one.

[14:38] If you love God. It shows in your love for his word. Psalm 119 verse 97. Let's read it out loud from the screen. Are you ready?

[14:49] Let's go. Let's read it out loud. Oh, how I love your Lord. It's my invitation. Your word. When you are reading the Bible. You come across your law.

[14:59] Especially Psalm 119. Your law. Your precepts. Your instructions. Your commands. They all refer to the same thing. Said. How I love your law.

[15:12] It's my meditation all day. I love God's word. I love God's word. My meditation. I think about it. Instead of other. Instead of other things.

[15:23] The word of God is on my mind. Now. Whatever is on your mind. Eventually comes out of your mouth. There are Christian brothers.

[15:34] Some are pastors. And nothing. Nothing. Reflective of God's word. Comes out of their mouth. Such people. If he is a pastor.

[15:46] Such person. May be just operating as a professional. Professional. Is doing his job. But. When you love God.

[15:57] You have a heart. For his word. You love his word. You love his word. Have you realized. That nowadays. Some of us. When the revival. Began to show up on us. You realize.

[16:07] That when you read the Bible. It's different. Yes. When you are listening to God's word. It's different. You. Some of us take the Bible. You can't put it down. You just feel like. Reading. And reading on. And reading on. And reading.

[16:17] And when your heart is cold. The sight of the Bible. Is a border for you. Do I have to read this again? Psalm 23. The Lord is my shepherd. I shall know.

[16:28] Okay. Okay. Right. So. It is necessary. When you have a heart for God. There's something. See. When you read this word. Suddenly something enters your heart.

[16:38] Because. Oh. Oh. I like this. I like this. This is like a love letter. There's a message. Some of you. You will never delete it. Even though he has moved on.

[16:52] You still. I don't know who I'm talking to. Delete the message. Put some scriptures in there. So.

[17:03] If you love God. You will love his word. Amen. Number two. Sign. For God's word. When you're talking to somebody. And then. The person says. He's a Christian. And saying. But the Bible says. Oh.

[17:14] This one. Put the Bible aside. You know. There is a heart. A heart problem. With that person. There's a heart problem. Right. So. It starts with God's word. Number two.

[17:24] If you love God. You will definitely. It will show. In your love. For his presence. What do I mean by his presence? His. David said.

[17:35] That all the days of my life. I will dwell in the house of the Lord. One thing have I desired. Desired of the Lord. That I will seek after that. I may dwell in his house. The psalmist said. My heart pans for you. My heart desires for you.

[17:46] He says that. Early in the morning. Will I rise up and seek you. For I'm thirsty for you. Then he went on to say that. I will seek you in the sanctuary. Jesus. Even though the synagogue.

[17:57] Was a troublesome place. That was the only place. Dedicated for God. In these times. So Jesus was. The Pharisees were all there. The troublesome guys were there. The scribes.

[18:07] The Pharisees. The teachers. They were there. But Jesus will always go there. The Bible says actually. I think in Luke chapter 4. Verse 15 or 16. Somewhere there. The Bible says that.

[18:18] He went to the synagogue. And as his. As his custom was. He had that custom. It was his practice. Regular practice. A week will never pass.

[18:29] Without Jesus showing up. In the presence of God. A whole week. A whole week will never pass. Without him. See. See. Oh thank you Holy Spirit.

[18:41] Our world. And our generation. Has made it like. If you seek God. You are. Unintelligent. Yeah. They make it look like.

[18:53] If you go to church. Or if you seek God. If you read your Bible. There must be something. Wrong with you. So most of us. Are shy. To even hold the Bible. So even when you are going to church.

[19:03] You won't carry a Bible. Mm-hmm. At least your phone. Will be okay for you. Your iPad. Will be okay for you. So most. Most people. Not because they don't have a Bible.

[19:14] But they are. They are feeling shy. To hold their Bible publicly. In your. On the train. People will be reading. All kinds of stuff. Yes. All kinds of stuff. On the train.

[19:26] In the tube. In the bus. Reading all kinds of stuff. Some of them. Listening all kinds of music. Sometimes you can hear it loud. It's. It's. Excuse me. Rubbish. You can hear it. But you can't be confident enough.

[19:37] To open your Bible. And read. You can't show someone. That listen. If you are going to the pub. And you are so religious. About going to the pub. Every Friday. I want you to know. There is something better.

[19:48] Than the pub. The presence of God. And no one will intimidate me. From going to the presence of God. So yes. Yes. Don't let anyone intimidate you. Unless your son doesn't cough.

[19:59] Hey. Ah. Opportunity. Jump in the duvet. Son. Come. Come. Come. Come. And to understand that. Even that little boy. Is actually mommy. Daddy. Why are we not going to church? We are training them.

[20:15] How to stay away from God. A whole man. A child. Even. Let's say. Just Sunday morning. Is still in bed. Lie in bed. Holding television.

[20:25] Ah. And your daughter. 12 year old daughter. Nine year old son. Say daddy. Are we not going to church? Ah. Mommy.

[20:39] Why are we not going to church? Oh. Today. We have gone to church a lot. So. What are you instilling in these people? They know you don't love God. No wonder. After a while. They don't want to follow you.

[20:50] Because the whole thing is religion. No. Children don't like fake. Things that are fake. They want. What is real. So. Most of us. We have given our children religion.

[21:02] Religion. Religion. Religion. And say. I raised them in church. I don't know. You didn't raise them in church. They were in church. But church was in them. But if you love God.

[21:12] You will love his house. If you love God. Don't let people come begging you. Please come to church. It should be a disgrace for you. That people are checking. Or encouraging you to come to church. You shouldn't need encouragement.

[21:23] To go to church. Huh. Think about this. You shouldn't need encouragement. To go to church. Because I'm down. God has disappointed me. I didn't get a job. So. I'm even tired. And people have to encourage. Oh sister.

[21:33] Don't come. Come. You know. How are you? We need to do this. Don't do that. Don't do that. It's an embarrassment. On your redemption. Yeah. Yeah. Hallelujah.

[21:46] Amen. Love for his house. Number three. What are some of the signs for the love of God? Number one. Love for his word. Number two. Number three.

[22:00] Giving. Giving. Giving to God. Giving is a sign. That. Giving to God is a sign that someone loves God. In first chronicles chapter 29.

[22:17] Verse one to three. Let's look at that text. Furthermore. King David said to all the assembly. My son Solomon. Who alone God has chosen. Is young. And inexperienced. And the work. Is great.

[22:27] Because the temple. Is not for man. But for the Lord. I like this one. See. It's understanding. The temple. This is not the work of man. Anything you do here. You are not doing it for man. Is for God.

[22:38] The temple is not for man. But it's for. For the Lord. Now. Now. For the house of my God. I have prepared with all my might. How has he prepared? How has he prepared?

[22:49] Do you know that people will see him doing that. Some people wonder. Are you okay? Why are you using. Are you so. Why are you using all your energy. To do the things of God like that. What's wrong? Are you the one who died to save people?

[23:02] With all my might. All right. This is David's secret. The secret of David. His heart for God was strong. So even when he fell. He made. He sinned against God. God put it.

[23:13] They were able to sort it out. It didn't. No shit. It didn't affect his destiny. Think about it. It did not affect his destiny.

[23:24] Because he had a heart for God. When he realized he's gone off. He begged God. God. Forgive me. Take everything from me. Leave the Holy Spirit for me. Lord. I want to work with you. Lord.

[23:35] Search me and know my heart. See. Drive me. And see if there is any wicked way in me. Lead me in the path of a lasting. God. I love you. God. I want you. David had a heart for God. And so his destiny was preserved.

[23:47] In spite of his messes. He said. A heart for God. That counts. When he. See. Some people. If you say. Have a God. A heart for God. You fall into sin. And it.

[23:58] It comes. You find yourself. You say. They continue. It's a heart problem. But David discovered. Sometimes. It takes. Sometimes. Your heart can be so deceived. Bible says that. The heart of man is desperately wicked.

[24:10] So. You. You think. I'm fine. I'm. You are not fine. That's why you need some other Christian brothers and sisters around you. If everybody around you. Is just some people who don't love God.

[24:20] They don't know anything about God. They don't care anything about God. Sister. Your Christian life will be. Questionable. And will be in trouble. You need someone. Who will be able to. Who will be able to point you to the things of God. And tell you. I think the way nowadays.

[24:30] You are missing church. There's something wrong. There's a problem of not being. An accountant member of a church. If you are not an accountant member of a church. If you are absent. No one knows.

[24:41] Maybe you have gone to church B. Water garden. The Lord is my shepherd church. Apostolic continuation church. No one knows. Because. You are. You are.

[24:51] You are. You are a church tourist. Like a butterfly. From one flower. One pollen. So. So. People wouldn't know. They think it's normal.

[25:02] But if you have a commitment. When you are absent. Everyone is on your case. Where are you sister? That's the Christian work. Where are you brother? We didn't see you. Is everything okay brother?

[25:13] Is everything okay sister? And he said. Oh these guys are probably. Some of you could have. Maybe missing certain services. But because you know. People are going to chase you. It has kept you up. Am I speaking the truth? Yeah.

[25:25] It's. It's. It's kept you straight. So. It's. It's necessary. To have healthy relationships. That can push you. Towards the things of God. And David. Said. That.

[25:36] Solomon my son. Is a great man. And because I have a heart. For the things of God. And I've left the. Watch this. I've left the temple. For this boy. To build it. He's inexperienced.

[25:47] But the temple. Is a very. Treasure thing. So. David said. He went further. He prepared. God. For the things of God. Prepared all that. Because of Solomon. Solomon is inexperienced. And the work of the temple of God.

[25:58] Is a great thing. He had a heart for God's house. He had a heart for God's house. He had a heart. So. I don't understand. How. Someone can be. In an environment like this.

[26:10] In church. And you. Passing by. Maybe. A chair has fallen now. Or. Water is spinning somewhere. And just. Me where I work.

[26:22] Everybody saves me. You know. Anything about God's house. Is a concern. Take ownership. I know sometimes.

[26:32] Some of us. By nature. And upbringing. We don't know how to do that. Even in our own homes. But you learn it in God's house. Oh. Am I not speaking the truth? If you like.

[26:44] Let them take a picture. Of some place in your house. And bring it. Hey. So. But then. When it comes to God's house. It's different. You can't go to Buckingham Palace.

[26:54] And handle the place. Anyhow. When you go. You don't even feel like walking. You look at the. Marble slabs.

[27:05] Or the granite slabs. Or whatever. On the floor. And you don't. You step. In a square. You just. Because you are. You are in Buckingham Palace. And when you come to God's house.

[27:17] They say. No chewing gum. You come and. Chew it in there. When you finish. Stick it under the chair. Am I speaking the truth at all?

[27:30] We are God lovers. We love God. David said. And because God's house is very important. Look at verse three. Thank you Jesus. Moreover. Because I have set my affection.

[27:41] On what? On what? See that his love. His love factor. Because I have set my affection. On the house of God. I have given. To the house of my God.

[27:52] Over and above. All that I have prepared. For the holy house. My own special treasure. Of gold. And silver. Three hundred. Three. Three. Three thousand talents.

[28:04] Of gold. And of gold. Of the. Of offil. And seven thousand talents. Of refined silver. To overlay. The walls. Of the house. The gold. For the things of gold.

[28:15] And silver. For the things of silver. And for all kinds of work. To be done. By the hands of craftsmen. Who. Who. Craftsmen. Who then. Is willing to consecrate himself. For this day.

[28:25] So David said. Because of my heart. For God. Besides all that. I have prepared. In my office. As a king. For the house. Out of my own treasure. I have also given. Gold.

[28:35] For the things of gold. Silver. For the things of silver. And it wasn't a problem. Our messages. Are on internet. Free. Not for. It's not for profit making. Free.

[28:47] Some places. You buy. And buy. And buy. Nothing free. It's as simple as that. But the truth of the matter is. If God determines. To build his house.

[28:57] And the leaders. Are committed to God. God will find it. Without your help. God doesn't need anybody's help. God doesn't. When you give to God's house. You connect yourself. To something. Have you noticed.

[29:08] When someone is blessed. Do you know. During the Queen's Jubilee. Do you know. The gifts she received. What does she need it for. But the kind of gift. That will come to her. Because of who she is.

[29:19] See. When you relate to a king. Or a queen. Based on their status. They react to you. Based on their status. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. It's very important.

[29:32] We understand these things. Pastor John. I have an uncontrollable love. For the things of God. Thank you. Holy Spirit. Say. I love the Lord.

[29:43] Second Corinthians chapter 8. Oh. I like this one. Lord help me. Thank you. Holy Spirit. I give you praise. It says. That more of our brethren. From verse 1. We make known to you.

[29:54] The grace of God. Bestowed on the churches. Churches of Bethlehem. That in the greater affliction. The abundance of their joy. And their deep poverty. Abounded in riches. Of their liberality.

[30:05] Can you imagine? Their deep poverty. Abounded in the riches. Of their liberality. It sounds antithetical. Or it sounds oxymoronic. Poverty.

[30:17] And abundance of. Liberality. The reason why certain countries. In certain parts of the world. Are poor. And continue to be poor. Is because they think. Some other countries.

[30:27] Must always be giving them. Grants and money. People who live for grants. Don't make it. People who make. You see. Life.

[30:38] You make life. By your giving. And you make a living. By what you get. So. That's. That's one of the problems.

[30:48] Of Africa. They always think. America must give them money. America. In the time of disaster. When there's a disaster. In another country. They will still send. Aid. And so they keep prospering.

[31:03] In their deep poverty. They. They were rather. Increasing in their giving. Watch this. For I bear witness. For I bear witness.

[31:13] That according to the. Their. Ability. Yes. And beyond their ability. They were freely. Willing. In. Really willing. Imploring us.

[31:23] With much. Urgency. That we would. Receive the gifts. And the. And the fellowship. Of the. Ministry. Of the saints. They were. They were begging. Please receive it. Receive it.

[31:34] They counted it. A privilege. To be connected. To the things of God. They were giving. It's a privilege. To give to the things of God. It's a privilege. It's a big privilege. It's a big privilege.

[31:48] So. This is their. At this. Disposition. Watch this. Let me show you something. Verse five. And. And not only. Not only. As we had hoped. But. They first gave themselves.

[31:59] To the Lord. And then to us. By the will of God. So. First of all. The reason why. They were able to do that. Because. Their hearts were gone for God. That's why giving. To the people of God.

[32:11] Was not a problem. God needs your heart first. God needs your heart. Tell someone. God needs your heart. God needs your heart. God needs your heart. Now look at verse eight.

[32:22] That's a serious one. Verse eight. Of second Corinthians chapter eight. Give me the King James. He said.

[32:34] I speak not by commandment. By. But. By occasion. Of the forwardness. Of others. And to prove the sincerity. Of your love. So. I'm not talking about these guys.

[32:45] Because. I'm just trying. I'm trying to command you. Or compare you. But I'm bringing. Up their story. To prove that. See. Your giving. Is a proof.

[32:56] Of the genuineness. Of your love. Does that make sense? Giving. Is a photograph. Of your love. Giving. So.

[33:06] When you are struggling. To give. It's a sign. That. There is. A. A. Heart. Problem. There is. A. Cardiac.

[33:18] Arrest. We need to. Perform. An ECG. ASAP. Hallelujah. So. Now. A proof. Of love.

[33:29] To God. Is we give. So. Number one. We love his word. Number two. We love. His presence. Number three. We give. To the things of God. The verse eight. Is so clear.

[33:39] It says. To prove. The sincerity. Of your love. That's what we are talking about. Other people's generosity. To prove. The sincerity. Of your love. Right. So. And then. Number four. Quickly. Now.

[33:49] How many did I say. I was giving you? Good. Number four. In John chapter four. Verse twenty three. It's. It says something very profound. John 14. Twenty three. Jesus answered and said to them. If anyone loves me.

[34:00] If anyone loves me. Let's all say. If anyone loves me. If anyone loves me. Louder. If anyone loves me. Oh. Please say louder. If anyone loves me. Ask someone. Do you love the Lord? Do you love the Lord?

[34:13] Jesus said. If you love me. Then something will show in your life. What did he say will happen? Put it on the screen again please. If anyone loves me. What will happen? He will keep my word.

[34:25] What does it mean to keep your word? Does that mean to put it under your pillow? Or always put it in your. Put the Bible in your purse. Or your bag. And hang around. No. That's not what it means to keep your word. Give me the King James.

[34:36] I prefer the King James. The way King James puts it. It says. If anyone loves me. What will you do? He will keep my. That's the King James. Okay. NIV. Let's look at how NIV says it. And then. If anyone loves me.

[34:47] He will do what? He will do what? For the last time. He will do what? New living translation. NLT. NLT.

[34:59] What does it say? All who love me. Will do what I say. I like that one. Straightforward. Straightforward. I love God. I love God.

[35:11] Just let us know. You will do what God says. Whether it's popular. Whether it's not popular. Whether people will like it. Whether people don't like it. When you love God. You will do what he says. When Peter and John went to heal the man at the beautiful gate.

[35:25] Acts chapter 4. They brought them before the Sahindrin. And they discouraged them from preaching. Bible says in the verse 12 and 13. Acts chapter 4 verse 12. Bible says Peter told them. Peter told them that. There's no name under heavens by which men can be saved.

[35:38] They perceive the burden. But look at verse 19. They threatened them not to preach again in the name of Jesus Christ. Peter said to John. Peter and John said to them. Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than God.

[35:50] You judge. They couldn't obey you. They said it would matter. So I obey God. That's right. Now if you. Jesus said if you love me. You obey me. So what's the problem.

[36:01] This was the issue. This issue of sin. Sin. Sin. Oh I can't stop it. I just. I'm just. You know. We are all human beings. So every now and then. Sister.

[36:12] Your love for God is very cold. Bible says that in the last days. The love of many works cold. Right. So when you love God.

[36:23] You obey his commandments. You are not obeying his commandments. Because a pastor said. You are obeying because God said. That's why it's good to have your Bible. After a pastor has said.

[36:33] Check if that's what God's word is saying. If God's word is saying. Then that's fine. If God's word is not saying that. If you can't be convinced from scripture. That this was scripture I say. Please throw it away. Put it aside. If you love me.

[36:46] You obey what I say. People who constantly continue. Walking in sin. Can't claim they love God. Because when you love God.

[36:58] You can't live in sin. You can't walk in sin. And it's okay. It can't be okay. Something is wrong. Something is wrong. If you are really alive.

[37:08] If you are. If there is. There is. Life in your leg. Then if you step on fire. You will know. But you are standing on fire. And you didn't know.

[37:19] You say. I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm fine. No. No. You are not fine. They need to rush you to. A&E. You are not fine. You either suffer stroke. Or something. You are not fine. You don't have. Feeling.

[37:30] You can't respond to. Respond to stimuli. In the leg. Now. If you can't. Sin. Sin will poke you. So. If you can't respond to the stimuli of sin.

[37:41] Spiritually. That means that there is something wrong. With your heart for God. Am I talking to somebody? You. You. You. Blast your wife.

[37:52] Insert your wife. And hit her. And kick her. Or you insert your husband. And give her a head. You. And you finish. Sha. La la la la la. Oh Lord. You know I love you. You don't. You don't. You don't.

[38:06] Someone say. Ben. That's all Lord. And then. Number five. So. Number four. You will obey God. If you love him. Number five. oh I like this one if you love God it shows in the way you treat people 1 John 4 verse 20 and 21 1 John 4 20 and 21 talks about how if someone says I love God you know me I like God very much that's the Bible talking okay and usually those people like that are very pious they behave like oh I love God if someone says I love God and hates his brother he's actually a liar he's lying Bible says the person is lying for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen how can he love God who he hasn't seen so if you love God it shows in the way you love people you treat people you forgive people you handle people's messes hello are you very hateful it's likely there's a problem with your love for God you don't love God if you love God it comes automatic and natural you love people you care about people the suffering of people touches you it touches when you see poor suffering it touches you when you see things

[39:39] I mean you can't say you love God and then this is your neighbor who has bought a new car but you don't he's so proud and suddenly you hear the car has caught fire and you're happy yes now now he's lost his job you say you love God and this other sister has gotten married even though you were in church before she came now she's gotten married you are not happy and then later on you head out the husband has even left her you are happy you say thank God he's the son of victory yeah and then you go to her oh you know sometimes when you are in trouble there are certain people who call your friends they are quick to come and mourn with you than celebrate with you they hear you've got an appointment with the UN they won't call you they hear you've got a new you've bought a new house they will never step there to see the house but they heard that you have been involved your love or something has accident or someone your mom or someone then suddenly they begin to call

[40:43] I'm coming are you there I'm coming I'm coming they love to mourn with you than to celebrate with you something is wrong something is wrong people who can't celebrate with you there is something wrong if you don't make God your help men will disappoint you because human beings are very funny we are all like that that's the way it is one day we are very okay another time something has destabilized our hearts the very person who says that oh my lord and my god kissing you crucify him crucify him crucify him human beings are like that so you must learn how to put your hope in God and love people some people will hurt you but love them don't wish them evil please don't don't have time to wish people evil don't do that when you wish them evil you have disengaged God to prove himself right on your behalf so I like to help people do good for people and I stay short of trying to revenge or trying to wish them evil when they hurt me and I continue to wish them good and guess what they need me

[41:57] I continue to be in a position where I will need their help but they will always need my help do you understand that it is a big secret in life don't fight them back love them love them the dynamics of the love when we go to K-Groo we can discuss that this is a very big one if you love God let's look at John chapter 21 John chapter 21 verse 15 so when so when they had eaten breakfast Jesus said to Simon Peter Simon son of Jonah do you love me more than this what did you just ask him what did you just ask him one more time so loving God loving Jesus is important to him he wants you to love him he asked do you love me like a little girl a little boy who asked mom mom do you love me dad do you love me or a wife who asks husband this is the affirmation

[42:59] Jesus asked Peter do you love me so don't say oh that's what God is almighty God so it doesn't matter whatever I do no it matters when you love him you secure his blessing when you love him he does things for you which he doesn't do for any other person so Jesus asked Peter do you love me more than these things and what did Peter say yeah Lord he said yes Lord you know that I love you he said you know you shouldn't have been asking this kind of questions I love you he said to him feed my world lamb feed my world lamb alright then verse 16 he said to him again a second time Simon son of Jonah do you love me he said yes Lord you know I love you Lord he always felt like he was crying and he said turn my sheep he said to him the third time he said to him the third time Simon son of Jonah do you love me Peter was grieved he said to him the third time do you love me

[44:03] God was trying to point something to him sometimes you think you do but God can't see there is a defect in your love but God wants us to love him unreservedly so he said yes I do and he said what did he say feed my sheep the sheep here is talking about is people souls souls souls let's all say souls if you love God you'll be interested in souls when you see someone has become born again it's your top priority because you see someone on the street the person if the person is not born again do you know what's going to happen to the person when the person dies he's going to hell he's going to hell no scientific programming can stop that anyone who is not born again where is he going when he dies hell straight straight straight to hell now so if you love God if you love God you will be interested in getting people out of hell's clutches you will care about them you will feed them help them become strong if you are a reason why someone has stopped coming to church because after church you went to ask him do you know what they said was not nice at all they don't think they like you and then because of you someone has stopped going to church hey you should make sure that because of you someone will be committed more to the house of God it's a sign of love it's a sign of love what are the six signs of a love for God number one number two love for his presence number three giving to the kingdom number four obedience number five love for people and number six love for souls love for souls when you love souls it is a sign that you love God how do you develop a love for God pursue Jesus keep holy communication holy communion relationship that's how you develop a love for God keep association with holy people people who love God it generates your love and then pursue Jesus and then finally the biggest of all

[46:21] Romans 5.5 Bible says that the love of God is shared abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit let's all read it together Romans 5.5 put it back on the screen quickly let's all read it let's go now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured up on our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has given us you don't have an excuse to say I can't love because the Holy Spirit if you have the Holy Spirit he pours out the love of God in your heart he shares the love I pray that the love of God will grow in us and as you love God Bible says that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord Bible says that no eye has seen no ear heard neither has entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those who love him I pray that as your love grows for God his blessings multiply on your life as your love grows for God you become a force to reckon with in life as your love grows for God you expand in life your love for God grows God continues to increase you as your love for God grows people see that you are blessed in the name of Jesus Christ and begin to pray that

[47:23] Lord give me a heart for you give me a heart for you I want to I want to grow in my love for you I want to walk in love for you someone begin to pray right now thank you for listening for more resources please visit caris.org or call us on 0207 740 9960 God bless you