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[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] Father, we are hungry for your word. Show us Christ Jesus in the pages of scriptures. Give us the revelation of yourself as your word is taught.

[0:48] Father, I submit and humble myself under your influence. I pray that you use me to be a blessing to your people, including myself. Holy Ghost, come upon me.

[1:00] Let your word come unadulterated. That at the end of the day, sicknesses will be healed. Those who are discouraged will be encouraged. The weak will be made strong.

[1:11] The confused will receive direction. The lost shall be saved. The backslidden shall be restored. Father, the brokenhearted will be healed. The blind shall see.

[1:21] Oh, Lord, I pray that as I teach your word, let light, let illumination dawn on everyone who hears my voice, both in this building and beyond.

[1:33] Thank you. In Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Extended grace is our theme for the month. Ezra chapter 9 verse 9. It says that even though we were slaves or we were in bondage or we are in bondage, yet, for we were slaves, yet our God did not forsake us in our bondage.

[1:57] God will not let you down. Amen. I said God will not let you down. Amen. Even though we were slaves, yet our God did not forsake us in our bondage, but has extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia.

[2:14] And so the first thing God did was when he came in to help us in our bondage, he says that he, the Bible said he extended mercy, the same word grace, okay, or loving kindness or favor.

[2:28] He extended it for us in the sight of the Persian king. In other words, the powers and the authorities that be, there is a way God can touch their hearts when your time comes.

[2:42] He will touch their hearts. Extended grace has to do with making people who under normal circumstances will not favor you, will not listen to you, will not consider you. God making them become personally interested in seeing your well-being and your welfare.

[2:58] Some man or a woman who in the past would have said, no, you are not my type, is now busily positioning yourself for you to see her and propose to her. That's when extended grace is working.

[3:10] Listen, to be married, you need favor. Before you get married, you need favor before the one who will choose you. Because you can't force yourself on anybody.

[3:21] It doesn't matter how you think you are pretty. You can't force yourself. Some women do that, though. They try to force themselves on men, but it doesn't work. Later on, they are offended. Now, you can't force yourself on anybody to marry you.

[3:33] And you can't, as a man, you can't force yourself on someone that you are going to be my wife. You know, you know, you know, the Lord told me. The Lord told me. When people come to me with excessive God said, God said, I don't listen to them.

[3:44] They are phony usually. Everything God said. God said. God told me I should sit here. God told me I should do this. God told me I should do that. You don't tell us, God. You keep doing. Let's see the result. We will know God told you.

[3:55] Some people use that to buy favor or to buy respect. Hey, ask for this person. God speaks to her or God speaks to him.

[4:06] Normally, it's very common with people who want to look spiritual. And they, you can shake and gyrate. It does not mean you are actually connected to God.

[4:16] I'm not saying that anyone who shakes and gyrate, they are phony. No, I'm not saying that. But I'm saying that sometimes people use that. So sometimes someone has got your call.

[4:29] If you are sick or something, come forward. And they come and stand around there. Sometimes you have to take the Bible. Let's pray for people who have some level of spiritual and common sense.

[4:43] So even to be married, you have, you need, you demand, you need favor before the, so you need extended grace. Laying on of hands alone is not enough.

[4:58] Lay on of you. Hey, every spiritual marriage. Hey, every spiritual marriage. We break it. We break it. But afterwards, now you need to be noticed and someone must be interested. Wow. Wow.

[5:10] You are receiving favor. Favor. You are receiving favor. Favor. Application for a job. It takes favor to get a job. Pastor David Odepo told us some time ago that you don't buy a house or a land with just money.

[5:25] You buy with favor. And we saw it in our sister's life. There was someone who wanted to pay more. They were paying less. But the owner of the house said, you know what? We don't know why we just like you.

[5:37] We want you to have our house. We want to sell it to you. We don't want to sell it to those Chinese couples. Yeah. Even though they had more money. Yeah. So, someone shout favor. Favor.

[5:48] The louder you shout it, the closer it gets to you. Favor. Shout favor. Favor. But listen to me, brothers and sisters.

[5:59] Favor in the Lord is a function of your work with the Holy Spirit. Favor. Say the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit. Everything in Christianity rises and falls based on how much of the Holy Ghost is involved.

[6:15] So, if you don't engage the Spirit of God, you'll be disengaged from your destiny. A God-given destiny. It takes the Spirit of God. It takes, let's all say it takes the Spirit of God.

[6:31] It takes the Spirit of God. So, there's a scripture that I stumbled across that was a blessing to me and it's not one of my major texts. But you need to see it on the screen and then we go to John chapter 14.

[6:42] In Acts chapter 13. Ah, I love this. Oh, Jesus. Acts chapter 13. You need the Holy Ghost. Say Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit. Any Christian work that does not engage the Holy Spirit is actually not Christian work.

[6:57] It's religion. So, a church that doesn't depend and engage the Holy Spirit is not actually doing the church work. They're just, they've moved into religion.

[7:10] We only remain fresh in the presence of God when the Spirit of God is in us. Church, this is the definition of church. The definition of church is man plus God fused together to become one entity.

[7:25] Okay. Man or God mingling, let me use this word, mingling himself with us so much that you can't separate the two. So, God and man, it takes God.

[7:37] God alone cannot have church. Man alone cannot have church. God alone cannot have church. That is why Jesus had to come.

[7:49] In the wilderness, what they were having was not, was a type of church, but it wasn't the actual church. We are the body of Christ. Last Friday, I was sharing with some people.

[8:00] When, in the New Testament, when you see the word church, actually it's a New Testament word. Church is not an Old Testament word. It's a New Testament. The Greek word is ecclesia, ek, out, and keleo, call out.

[8:11] So, we're called. So, keleo is call and then ek, out. So, we are called out. Some of us have been called out, but we stay so much in. We do not have to impress the world around us to feel that we are nice people.

[8:26] We don't have to try and impress them. We have to engage the Holy Spirit and you begin to work on them. That's how church works. And when you read the New Testament in Matthew chapter, this is not part of my text, but I think it's good to do that.

[8:39] In Matthew chapter 16 verse 18, Jesus said, Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I'll build, what? My church. And the gates of hell shall not prevail against my world.

[8:52] Church. This church is the universal church which is different from the church in Matthew chapter 18 verse 17. In Matthew 18 verse 17, he said, When someone offends you and you go and talk to the person who doesn't listen to you, tell it to the church.

[9:07] Alright? And so, he said that, but if he refused to hear you, tell it to the church. This is the local church. So, Jesus spoke about church in two ways.

[9:18] The universal church and the local church. And everybody alive, if you are Christian, you must be part of a local church. You don't say, I mean, when I wake up, where the Lord tells me to go is where I go.

[9:29] You are not a serious Christian. God can't use you much. Because you must be part of a local church, accountable in a local church. We know you, you know us.

[9:40] You are serving, we are serving you, you are serving us. It is a beautiful mutual union. You give, we give. That is how the body, the Bible talks about Ephesians chapter 4.

[9:52] By that which every joint supplies. Ephesians 4, 16 and 17. It talks about by that, that the body grows. It grows up by that which every joint.

[10:03] From whom the whole body joins and knits together. By what every joint supplies. According to the effective working by which every part does is shared. Every part of it.

[10:16] You see, it's not your giving offerings that make you very useful to a church. It's part of your, offering is part of worship. You can't worship without giving.

[10:30] No, offering is part of worship. Tithing is part of worship. If you are a worshiper, you will be a giver to the object of your worship. So those who don't give, they are not worshipers.

[10:44] They are users. They want to use God as a pimp to get what they want. You must be part of a local church where you are useful, you contribute.

[10:56] Not financial, it's part of your worship. But you do something. Use your energy. Use your intellect. Use your abilities to serve the local church to a certain dimension.

[11:09] As you are given the opportunity. Because people who serve get noticed by others who serve. Thank you. So, now, you must be useful in the context of a local church.

[11:25] So Jesus, now watch this. Ah, thank you, Holy Spirit. When you, okay, when you read Ephesians chapter 1, verse 21, it talks about him being seated far above principalities and powers and was given.

[11:38] It says that far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age, but the age to come. Look at verse 22. And he put all things under his feet.

[11:50] Talking about Jesus. The his. His feet, okay. And gave Jesus to be the head over all things towards the church. Now, this church is talking about the universal church.

[12:00] Anybody who is born again anywhere, a genuine Christian, anywhere in the world is part of this. We are all one body. But, much of the New Testament, when you read it very carefully, you don't even have to read it carefully.

[12:14] If you open your eyes, anytime you see church, much of it is referring to, is making reference to the local church. It's not making reference to the universal church. Read the epistles.

[12:26] The epistles were always pointing to the local church. In Romans chapter 16, verse 1, it says, I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant. You see, this is what we are. We need Phoebes. Phoebes.

[12:36] The servant to the church. The church in Sincria. Not the general church. The church in Sincria. Sincria. The church in Sincria. The church in Cary. The church in London.

[12:47] The church meeting in Victoria. You are a blessed. You are a servant. You must make yourself a servant to the church. God recognizes that heavily. No wonder the apostle says, I commend such a one to you.

[12:59] If you want someone to marry, I commend Phoebe to you. Wow. Servant to the church. 1 Corinthians chapter 1, verse 2.

[13:10] It spoke about the church. Local churches. It spoke about to the church of God, which is at where? Corinth. Not everywhere. The church of God, which is at Corinth. Talking about a particular church.

[13:22] In Acts chapter 5, verse 11. Verse 11. And great fear came upon all the church and upon all who had it. Talking about when Ananias and Sapphira lied. When they lied.

[13:32] Alright. So, it's talking about church. All the church there talking about the church in Jerusalem. Acts chapter 8, verse 1. Spoke about. Now, great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem.

[13:44] Saul was consenting to his death. At that time, a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem. Talking about a local church. Everybody say local church. Say local church.

[13:55] Local church. Romans chapter 16, verse 21. There are so many references I can give you. But, permit me to just indulge myself in mentioning a few. I, Tertullius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.

[14:09] Let's go to 21. Is that okay? Let's indulge in the scriptures. Now, find out that when you read the New Testament, take notice of the names. It tells you a lot about the way the church life should be.

[14:20] It says, Timothy, my fellow worker. And Lucius, Jason, and Sosipita. My countrymen greet you. These are people. When Paul was. Romans is for 16 chapters.

[14:32] This is the end of Romans. Now, he begins to give greetings. This one is greeting you. This one says hi. This one. And look at the people whose name he mentioned. Do you know who he started with? He started with Phoebe. Verse 1.

[14:43] Started with Phoebe. Then he went to Priscilla and Aquila. Romans 16, verse 1. Then Priscilla and Aquila, verse 2 and 3. People who have laid down their necks for me. Talking about Priscilla and Aquila.

[14:53] Then he went. After mentioning a few. Went. He said, Timothy, my fellow worker. I like that King James. He said, my work fellow. My fellow worker. I like that one. Work fellow. Hallelujah. Paul calling Timothy.

[15:06] Timotius. They say, we'll give him a new King James. Timothy, his fellow worker. And Lucius. And Jason. And Sosipita. His countrymen. Other translations say, my kinsmen. Other translations say, the NIV said, my relatives.

[15:19] My relatives. My relatives. So, his relatives were also working in the church with him. He said, these guys greet you. Then, look at the next verse. I like this one.

[15:30] And Aita Chileus, the one who was doing the writing, he said, me too. I greet you. Are you ready for the next one? Verse 23. Listen to this. Gaios. My host and the host of the whole church.

[15:40] We need some Gaios. You have to open your house for K group. We need some Gaios. Gaios is the one who is right. Tertullius host.

[15:51] He said, he hosts me and the church. He hosts the church in his house. He said, such a person, we can't forget when we are mentioning him. He too, he greets you. You see the people God recognizes?

[16:06] These are the people God recognizes. And listen to this. Listen to this. Erastus. The treasurer of the city. These are big guys. They are all part of the church.

[16:17] You can imagine Erastus' usefulness to the extent that they are to mention his name. Now, when he said that the host of the church, he's not talking about the universal church. He's talking about the local church.

[16:28] Let alone to get to Revelations. Galatians chapter 1 verse 2. Revelations chapter 1 verse 4 and verse 11. I like Revelations. Revelations chapter 1, it talks about verse 4. It says that these things write.

[16:39] It says that John to the seven churches which are in it. Not everywhere. So this word churches is referring to local churches. Look at verse 11. Verse 11.

[16:49] Revelations chapter 1 verse 11. It says that saying, I am the omega. The alpha and the omega. The first and the last. And what you see, write in a book.

[17:01] And send it to the seven churches which are in Asia. So when you hear people telling you, ask for me, I'm a Christian and I go anyway. I don't have a local church.

[17:13] That tells you that they are missing out on the New Testament model. The New Testament model is local churches. Because local churches are the local representation of the entire body of Christ.

[17:28] And your usefulness in the local churches is a reflection of your usefulness in the eyes of God. Now, there are people who say, me, I know I've been called for the body of Christ.

[17:40] I'm going to do so much for the body of Christ. Start with the local church. And as you do it, and you do it like Isaac Motobo. Where is he? Isaac Motobo. He's sitting in a building. Yes.

[17:51] Right to your feet. Last two weeks, he went to Uganda to go and see his dad. And when he went, he went to minister in one of the biggest churches, most reputable churches in Uganda.

[18:06] Why? That's not his local church. But because he's done it so well in his local church. Now, doors are beginning to open beyond the confines of his local church. Are you getting one?

[18:18] So, now, when you come into, if you think you are supposed to be a member of a church like here, one of the things you should start thinking about, what can I do in this church? Don't ask what the church can do for you.

[18:32] Some of us, all we want is when you are in trouble, you want a letter from the church. Or you want a loan from the church. I don't even know why people, it should come into their mind that church should give me money to go and pay a bill or pay something.

[18:43] That really is not godly. Satan usually is behind that kind of thinking. It's a hard saying, but some people may not understand.

[18:56] You read the New Testament, you will see that the model is clear in the New Testament. And he said, no, okay, but the church, they take care of the widows and people, those who had need. Everybody brought, in Acts chapter 4, verse 34, that was, and there was none who had need in the church.

[19:12] For all those who had brought things to the apostles' feet and then it was distributed to everyone who had need. Acts chapter 5, verse 35, and laid them at the apostles' feet and they distributed it to each one.

[19:26] No. When we see you have a need, we will make sure we help you. In the first Timothy, he said, the widows, who are widows indeed? Indeed. Right. So whoever determines the indeed is those who are vast who are doing that, we are responsible.

[19:40] Those who are widows, some people are not widows indeed. Timothy, where are you? Yeah. Because they've made themselves widows and they are trying to now use the church because they think that, ah, I can get money from church.

[19:50] So if you make the church your source of provision, that is not godly. But in the time of crisis, church leaders and welfare can come and help.

[20:02] You know, but if you are actually a serious giver to a church, there never arises a situation where you need welfare from church. I've been a pastor and an active, I've been in ministry since 95.

[20:15] How long is that now? 21 years. I'm talking about full-time ministry. That's all I'm doing. 25 years now. And I've been in pastoral work for a while now. And I've discovered that two things I've discovered.

[20:27] You like what I'm about to say. People who go from conference to conference, program to program, pray for me. Yeah. Yeah. Right. They never progress in life properly.

[20:39] The things, things don't really work. The covenant blessing doesn't manifest on their life. Check it. Some of you know some people. You know your, some aunties and normally it starts with women first. You know some aunties and some.

[20:51] They've gone for one prophet, prophet one, prophet two, prophet three, prophet four. Prophetic meeting, deliverance meeting upon deliverance meeting. And it's the same problems they normally tend to have. It does not change.

[21:04] I normally say, why would you change a church? You change churches. Three churches within two years in one city. It means that the problem is you. You are not growing. Yes. Yeah.

[21:14] I've been there. I've been here. I've been in this church. I've been in this church. No. It's not something nice to be talking about how many churches you have been in. Because it doesn't speak well of your spiritual maturity.

[21:26] Right. Right. It's a reflection of your immaturity. Your infantileness. Yeah. It's pediatric behavior. So. I've been in church leadership for a while now.

[21:40] And I've seen people who are always running from meeting to meeting. Shaking, shaking. Most people who shake a lot. It looks like they don't engage their brains a lot. Now I'm not saying shaking doesn't make you.

[21:51] Those who go differently are always shaking. No, no. Check. You check. You check. You check. And then they go to that meeting. Another meeting. Every meeting.

[22:02] They are not doing much with their lives. No. I believe in shaking. I believe in shaking. If you feel like shaking, you start shaking. If you feel like falling, fall. If you feel like rolling, you start rolling.

[22:13] Brother, roll. But those who have made that their job. Most of the time. You realize that you can't focus on them as a church leader. Right.

[22:24] Because they zap your energy. And there's no productivity. Now. So. By experience. People who go from one meeting to the other. People who are always looking for help. Usually stay like that for a very long time.

[22:37] Two. People who are always thinking that church must give them something. Church must give them something. They always tend to need welfare. I've seen that people who are always thinking.

[22:48] How can I give to God's way? How can I give? Like situations are such that they don't get to a state where church has to rescue them. You don't have to organize a bailout program for them. Check it and see.

[23:01] People who say, hey. When. This was the final. If you are. If you give tithe at a certain level. And you stay faithful. You never go low. You never go low.

[23:17] You never go low. You actually go higher. Higher. Higher. Higher. But those who play. Hide and seek. Hide and seek. We got. Today. Okay. Tomorrow. Okay. Oh. This one is too much. And then you divide your tithe.

[23:28] This one must go to that prophet. This one must go here. This one must go to save. People say that. But if I give the money to church. Why? I'm going to make a statement here. It's necessary. Why should I give it to church? Because when I was coming to church.

[23:39] There's someone who was in eating. Sitting by the roadside. And so I gave my offering to them. Why don't you stay there. Have church with them. And let them. But you are coming to listen to the music here.

[23:50] Yes. You are coming to. Yes. For us to live. Whose money should we use to buy this one? This one. Oh my God will provide. That's why he's sending you here.

[24:01] Yeah. Oh so are you trying to say. I know what you are thinking. Are you trying to say. We shouldn't give to the needy. Why not? Give to them. But don't go on. Nah.

[24:15] Nah. I don't agree. I don't agree. You. Do you think it's national lottery. National lottery. That pays the hotel for. I don't know why people don't choose.

[24:28] To use their thinking. When it comes to spiritual things. Be objective. Say. It takes a lot. If we have to send missionaries.

[24:41] Which we are planning to do. Send missionaries around the world. How do you think it gets done? Homelessness is a sign of irresponsibility. In United Kingdom. If somewhere.

[24:52] It's different. Most people. Intentionally. They don't want to work. They don't want to work. They don't want to work. We will have more people in India.

[25:09] By bringing them to the cross. Thank you Lord. Hallelujah. That is how. Africa. Brazil.

[25:22] And other parts of the world. That is how. Those places. Were evangelized. Missionaries. They went out. And people were supporting them. Financially.

[25:32] From the local churches. Yes. I can show you scripture. In Philippians. Where. Paul. Paul. Paul was doing. Church ministry. Read the Bible very well. He was doing it.

[25:43] But that was not always. Most of the time. He was being funded. By the church. In Philippians. Chapter 4. He says that. When I was in Thessalonica. No. No church.

[25:54] Supported me. Except you. Philippians chapter 4. Verse 15. 16. 17. From 15. 16. 17. He said no church. He said that now. You Philippians know also. That in the beginning. Of the gospel.

[26:05] When I departed. From Macedonia. No church shared. With me. Concerning giving. And receiving. But you only. Look at the next verse. Look at the next verse. For even in Thessalonica.

[26:15] You sent once. And again. For what? My need. The need. To be able. To do the gospel. Wow. I'm saying.

[26:29] Some interesting things. Because. Listen. God sent me. To be a blessing. To somebody. But I discovered. That blessing. Doesn't just come. I say. Receive it. Receive it. Ah.

[26:40] I speak. Ah. Receive it. Receive. Oh. No. Instructions. Must precede that one. Yeah. Right. Amen. She came to church.

[26:52] Within few months. She heard the message. On forgiveness. On. Dealing with bitterness. And she was filled. Of bitterness. She said. She didn't even realize. There was so much inside her. Yeah.

[27:02] And she decided. To listen to the word. And work with it. Now her marriage. Is already started getting. Yeah. And she tapped. Into the declaration. But you are taking. Only declaration.

[27:13] And you are not. Taking advantage. Of the instructions. You'll be restricted. Yeah. You'll be declared. Comatose. Comatose.

[27:26] Is someone listening to me? Yeah. Yes. So it's necessary. To teach these things. There are people. Who are seated here. Who got. In on God's program. They are going to be one of the strongest financiers of his work.

[27:39] Amen. But Satan has kept them on the shelf. Because they have not started the giving life. When they think. Oh. I can't give all this money to church. I can't give money.

[27:49] I can't give money. There's no amount of money you give God. Which is too much for him. Say the church.

[28:00] So when you are thinking about. Extended grace. And favor on your life. Think about what God expects of you. Before you. Because back on the screen. Ezra chapter 9. Verse 9.

[28:11] He said that. God extended. Mercy. He said. He did not. He did not forsake us in our bondage. But extended mercy to us. In the sight of the kings of Persia.

[28:22] To revive us. Now. Give me the new living translation. If you have it on the system. Now it says to revive us. But I like the way the new living translation puts it. If you have it. For we were slaves.

[28:34] But in his unfailing love. Our God did not abandon us in our slavery. Instead. He caused the kings of Persia. To treat us favorably. That's extended grace.

[28:44] And watch this. He revived us. So we could build. So. The kings of Persia. Favored them. And God himself. To revive them. So favor was coming.

[28:56] And God. By his spirit. Charged them. Stared them up. That's revival. They stayed in their spirit. To do something for God. What? The message I'm preaching. Is a revival message. Yeah. Yeah. Stay in their spirit.

[29:07] To do something for God. Well. After this message. If you still feel like. I don't want to do anything for God. You haven't been revived. But if you feel like. I think I have to do something. I think I have to do more for God.

[29:18] I think. Because you can do more for God. Actually God wants more of you. Yeah. So. If you feel like that. That means that. God is actually working in you. And please. Comply.

[29:29] Right. Don't shut it down. No. Later. Later. Procrastination is a thief of time. Yeah. The more you procrastinate. The more you delay. What God can do in your life. Yeah. The time is.

[29:41] Now. The time is when? Now. In John chapter 14. When Jesus was about to leave them. That's my main text. And then we're done. We would like to come to church.

[29:54] And jump and shout. And jump and shout. And jump and shout. And jump and shout. And jump and shout. And most of the time. It has its place. But that alone is not enough. Because you can't live your life on veg alone. Every time you are eating fruits.

[30:10] You'll be very weak. It won't be strong. You need some strong fiber in your system. Praise the Lord. What did I say? John chapter what? I was actually reading Acts chapter 13 earlier on.

[30:23] How they went to a place called. I think it's Phrygia. Acts chapter 13 verse 6. We will come to John in a minute. Acts chapter 13 verse 6. It said now.

[30:33] When they had gone through the island of Paphos. They found a certain sorcerer. A false prophet. A Jew whose name was Bargesus. And he.

[30:44] Look at the next verse. Proconcil. And who was with the proconsul? Sir Jospalus. An intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul. And sought to hear the word of God.

[30:56] But this Bargesus. Elimas. His nickname. Elimas. Go to the next verse. But Elimas. The sorcerer. So his name is translated.

[31:08] Withstood them. Seeking to turn the proconsul from the faith. There are people who always try to stop you. From moving in faith to God. And most people who meddle in the occult.

[31:22] Will always desire to stop you. That's why the sister was talking about Freemason. Most. Haven't you realized how the Jesus people. Tend to be marginalized in society.

[31:33] Everywhere. They tend to want to marginalize us. Because of forces of darkness. They fear the name of Jesus. You can mention any other name. People will be fine.

[31:43] You can say. Inshallah. They'll be smiling with you. But if you say the name of Jesus. They look at you fine. What do you mean by that? What do you mean by that? So.

[31:55] He was preventing and stopping the proconsul. And it was a spirit. Spiritual thing. When Reverend Pia Kofi came here. Last Friday. Two Fridays ago. He was saying. That once you are working the Holy Spirit.

[32:07] And God has an assignment for you. Those in the satanic world. They notice you around. They know we are here. They know we are here for a revival in this country.

[32:18] Shout yes. Yes. Yes. So. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. So. So. This false prophet. Was trying to stop the proconsul. Intelligent man. Can you imagine if he becomes a believer.

[32:29] How it will help the work of God. He was trying to stop him. And Paul. This is what I wanted to come to. Verse 9. I like the verse 9. Let's all read it out together.

[32:39] Let's go. Saul. Yes. Yes. Yes. Louder. Let's go. Let's go. Who is also called Paul. Fill with the Holy Spirit. Look at him.

[32:50] Then. Paul. Saul. Who is also called Paul. Fill. Don't marginalize that phrase. Fill with the Holy Ghost. That is the biggest challenge in the church at the moment.

[33:03] Yeah. Lack of infilling of the Holy Ghost. If the church can't do much. It's not because the church has not got money. But it's because the church is not allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us.

[33:15] When. Bible says that when. Pastor. He said when they had prayed. Acts. Chapter 4. Verse 31. They prayed. Verse 29. They said. God. Behold their tretenings.

[33:27] And grant that with boldness. We will declare the name of the. By stretching forth your hand. That signs and wonders will be done. In the name of your most holy child Jesus. Now watch this.

[33:38] Verse 31. He said. When they had prayed. They were praying for God to give them boldness. But when they were prayed. The place where they stood. Shook. And something happened. Bible did. And they were filled.

[33:50] They were filled. Acts chapter 2. On the day of Pentacles. They were all together in one place. And suddenly. There came a son from heaven. As a mighty ration ring. And filled the whole house where they were sitting.

[34:02] And clothing. Thorns of fire. Sat on everyone's head. And verse 4. Acts 2. He said. And they were all. Fear of the Holy Ghost. And began to speak with tongues.

[34:14] As the Spirit gave them utterance. What. You can't do anything from God. Outside the Holy Ghost. That's why in Acts chapter 1 verse 4. He says. Told them. Wait. Tarry. Don't go.

[34:25] Tarry in Jerusalem. Until you are endued with power. For you have heard me say. That not many days from now. You shall. You shall receive. You shall receive the promise of the Father. In the book of Luke.

[34:36] Chapter 24. Verse 49. It says the same thing. He says that. Tarry ye. Wait. Until you are endued with power. He said. Behold. I send the promise of the Father upon you. But tarry in the city of Jerusalem.

[34:48] Until you are endued with power from on high. And this is talking about the Holy Spirit. So don't rush. And try and do for God. Without the Holy Spirit coming strongly upon you.

[35:00] In other words. If you want to do anything for God. Don't use your natural strength. Don't use just your intelligence. Because you are very intelligent in school. Because you are a successful business. A business owner.

[35:11] It does not mean that God can have any use with you. Your usefulness in God. Has everything to do with your burden. Burden. The rod must bat.

[35:22] Christ must lose out of you. But that must be the Holy Spirit. On your natural ability. And he supernaturally inspired your natural ability. To be able to do what only he can do.

[35:35] Take the Holy Spirit. Say Holy Spirit. So he says that you shall be endued. You shall be endued with power. After the Holy Spirit has come upon you. And Bible says Paul. Be filled with the Holy Spirit.

[35:47] Looked at the man intently. I like that. Someone say power past power. Power. Power. Power. Power. Power. When it comes to power. There are levels of power. And God's power is above all power.

[36:00] The Holy Ghost power. Why? Because Paul looked at. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. Look at him intently. And see what he did. And he said best. And he said. You son of the devil.

[36:11] I like that. He said. Oh fool of deceit and all fraud. You son of the devil. Enemy of all righteousness. Will you not cease to perfect the straight ways of the Lord.

[36:21] And he said. You. Look at rest. He would say. Paul was not being Christian enough. Look at what he did. He said. Now. He did. The hand of the Lord is upon you. Where? He said. God's hand came upon him.

[36:32] And what's going to happen? And you shall be blind. Not seeing the sun for a time. And immediately. A darkness fell on him. And he went around. Seeking someone to live in them.

[36:43] And you know the resultant effect. Sir Josipalus is not believed. Look at it. Look at the next verse. Then the proconsul believed. When he saw. What had been done. Being astonished.

[36:54] At the teachings. When you read King James. At the doctrines. Of the Lord. This is the doctrine. New Testament doctrine. Oh. Nice. Nice. No. No. No. No. Some people. If they stand in the way of the Lord. The Holy Ghost come upon you.

[37:06] They have to be removed. They may not be killed. But they have to be removed. Because God's work must go for it. Absolutely. You can buy me a house.

[37:16] If you make yourself like. By Jesus. Elymas. That's why I always pray. God fill me. Holy Ghost fill me. Holy Ghost fill me.

[37:26] One of the reasons. Is so that I can take care of Elymas. The gospel must be preached. But the point I'm making here. Is that.

[37:37] It takes the Holy Spirit. To do the work of God. Right. Too many of us. Too many of us. I like this. You know. Sometimes you go. You do a. Go and do a blood test.

[37:48] And they will tell you that. Your blood is low in iron. You're very low in iron. No. You are. I know you are. You look slim. But you're fine. They will tell you.

[37:59] Some of us. Some of us. Your tongue is low. Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit. It's very low. You know what I'm talking about. Very low. You know all the songs we sing.

[38:11] You know the quotations. Matthew 8 20. 5, 6, 7, 7. He did. He did. He did. He did. He did. Very low in Holy Ghost. You have been a Christian for 28 years. But very low in Holy Ghost. Wow. It's the Holy Ghost that makes the difference.

[38:23] That's right. And so if I were you. Wow. I like this. I. If I were you. I would concentrate the entirety of my Christian life pursuing the Holy Spirit. I want more of you Holy Spirit.

[38:34] I want more of you. I give you more of myself. Fill me Holy Spirit. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit. Fill me. When Paul met the believers. He said that you receive the Holy Ghost after you believe. It takes the Holy Ghost to do the work of God.

[38:48] It takes the Holy Ghost to do the work of God. When Mary said how can these things be since I know no man. He said don't worry. Luke chapter 1 verse 35. He said the Holy Ghost shall come upon you.

[39:00] And the power of the highest shall over you. Shout Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost. Don't make too much noise about how nice a person can sing.

[39:11] Don't make too much noise about how many quotations a person can quote. What we really need is how much the Holy Spirit has filled them. So that no man can take the credit.

[39:27] All the glory comes to the Spirit of God. Jesus before he left in John chapter 14. That's all I've been trying to quote since I started. So now I can open my Bible.

[39:40] John chapter 14. You are thanking God for extended grace. The reason why he will extend grace is so he can revive you to do the work. Revival means Holy Ghost coming upon your life.

[39:52] That's what it is. So extended grace means that time of more infilling of the Holy Spirit. That's what makes extended grace a reality. Because listen to the argument here.

[40:05] He gave them extended grace and revived them so they will build. Why did he give them the grace? So that in their attempt to build, the Persian kings will not restrict them.

[40:17] Will give them favors. But if you are not going to build, you don't need the favor from them. Why should God promote you if your money will not go into his work?

[40:32] You can be promoted. People get promoted without God's involvement. So, okay. But God cannot back some things if it's not for his own purpose and to his glory and agenda.

[40:44] Believing God for contact. Believing God for opportunities. Believing God for marriage. And you are marrying to keep the man. You want to marry a church brother to keep him at home. Because you also, you don't like going to church. You come so that one day you can find somebody to marry.

[40:57] But not because you're actually looking for God. You are marrying. Some people, you know. Sister, you know some guys come to church just because of some girls? They come. They come. They behave like one of us.

[41:08] They come. But sometimes even they. They normally like sitting on their back. I don't know. They come. They are coming to new for a wife.

[41:19] Or a girl. Ah. Don't you know what I'm talking about? People come. They say. Actually, Carys have. Carys. We have some of the nicest girls in town.

[41:29] Is it not true? Oh, is it not true? We have some of the nicest girls, ladies in town. Carys.

[41:40] So they will come. They look at her face. We just, ah. Hey, these girls are nice. These girls are nice. Let's go and look for some. At least. If that is what will make you come, come.

[41:51] Come. But you come and meet me. Hey. Let me finish this.

[42:11] So. People can come to church for all kinds of reasons. People can come to church for all kinds of reasons. We are coming to look for. Seek the Holy Spirit.

[42:22] Listen. This is the case I'm trying to make. As a Christian. Don't believe. Just. Don't just believe God for money. Don't just believe God to win a court case.

[42:36] Don't just believe God for a job. Don't just believe God for a husband, a wife, or a child, a house. Believe God that his spirit will fill you. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

[42:46] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. And watch this. And make that your single pursuit. And he said, when you make that your single pursuit, God himself will make. Let me show you something.

[42:57] When that man, the sorcerer, Simon the sorcerer, he had so much money. When he saw the move of the Holy Ghost, he offered Peter them money.

[43:08] That can you give. Peter said, money. We have seen so much money. You can't intimidate us with how much money you bring. Let your money perish with you. You can't buy that. You can't hijack the work of God. Why? Because in Acts chapter 5, people were bringing money and putting it at the apostles' feet.

[43:23] They were not using it. But it was there. Money. They have seen money. Why? Because the Holy Ghost was moving. When we are working with the Holy Spirit, we always will have an upper hand in life.

[43:34] Amen. We will. Anyway. Let. You are running a business. Someone is also running a business. But they are using some evil spirit for customers. And you are using the Holy Ghost. Who should have more?

[43:45] You. Holy Ghost. But most of us, we are so low. We are so low in Holy Ghost. We are so low. So the people with the wrong spirits tend to even seem to have an upper hand.

[43:58] Christians, go out more for the Holy Spirit. How do you do that? That's what I'm talking about now. How do you do that? How do you do that? I think I will. Let me read the John 14 because I said I will read it.

[44:09] John chapter 14 so that I can finish this message. Because it looks like if I don't read it, I can't finish it. I ain't in John chapter 14. Is somebody learning something at all?

[44:22] John chapter 14. Did I say 14? Yes. Verse, I think we should just read from verse 18 because of my time. But Jesus, from verse 15, started talking about how God would do things for them.

[44:36] And started talking about how God would do things for them. And then he, verse 18, said, I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you. Verse 19.

[44:48] Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more. But you see me. Because I live, you shall live also. So we don't have to judge our lives by the way the world judges.

[45:03] God, the world don't see what we see. Remember that. Very important. Now, verse 20. At that day, ye shall know that I am a my father.

[45:14] Let's go read it a lot. I want us to read it before. I want to show you something. Let's go. Can you read it out very loud? Let's go. At that day, ye shall know that I am a father.

[45:28] And ye in me, and I in you. So who is in who? Who is in who? Where are we? Is he in us, or we are in him?

[45:39] We are in him. And he's in us. It's called, we co-inhabit. Co-inhabit.

[45:51] He inhabits us, we inhabit him. That's very interesting. But mentally, how can that work? We are living in him, and he's in us. He also lives in us. We live in him.

[46:01] How does? He said, it's a function of the Holy Spirit. In that day, so he started praying. He said, I'm not leaving you. I've come forthless. I'm coming back. I'm coming back in the person of the Holy Spirit.

[46:14] In the person of the Spirit. So Jesus, after resurrection, he became a life-giving spirit and came to us as the Spirit. So Romans chapter 8, he talks about the Spirit. Not even so much as the Holy Spirit, but the Spirit.

[46:26] The Spirit. The Spirit. The Spirit. In Galatians. In Romans chapter 8. In Galatians chapter 6.18.

[46:37] I think Galatians 6.18. Somewhere there. It talks about how Christ is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians chapter 3. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

[46:48] Be with your spirits. So Christ, he deals with us from our spirits. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. In 1 Timothy, I think the last verse in 1 Timothy, which is supposed to be 1 Timothy chapter 6.

[47:01] But 2 Timothy chapter 4, rather. Verse 24. Somewhere there. 2 Timothy chapter 4. It talks about Christ. Grace. Christ be with your spirit. The grace of Christ. 2 Timothy chapter 4. Verse 24.

[47:12] 23. Somewhere there. Do you have it on the screen? Okay. Maybe I went to. 22. 2 Timothy chapter 4. Verse 22. The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

[47:23] Grace be with you. Now. See. He said grace. The author said grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Now he said grace. Jesus is grace. And where is he with you? In your spirit. Because he is the life-giving spirit. So when he came, when he resurrected, watch this, when he was going, he said I'm not leaving you as orphans.

[47:40] I'm coming back to you. How does he? He's coming in the person of the spirit. Right. So you, he said I am, that day you know that I'm in you and you are in me, I'm in the father.

[47:52] Then, how does it work? Watch this. Watch this. Verse 21 of John chapter 14. How does it work? As I finish. He who has, ah, okay.

[48:09] He who has my commandments. See where responsibility comes in. Gives them. It is he who loves me.

[48:20] This is a love issue now. It's moving into love. Love. He who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my father. And I will love him and manifest myself to me.

[48:35] You know why you are low in Holy Ghost? Your love factor. Love for God. It's so low. That's why you complain so easily. Love. Bible said, and Solomon, 1 Kings 3, 3.

[48:47] And Solomon loved the Lord. Solomon's biggest advantage in life was his love for God. Just like his father. Christian sister.

[48:58] Do you love God? It's your love for God that makes you very open to the Holy Ghost. Your love for God. One of my, what God has used to help me in life says, is if you hang around me a little bit, my wife will tell you, Pastor, I love God.

[49:17] I love God. If God doesn't give me anything in life, I will love him. Everything I have in life, everything I am in life is all invested in God.

[49:32] Because I love him. Sometimes I give so much, I'm beginning to, remember I come to my sense, I'm thinking, am I not doing something wrong? And it comes, I'm just in church, I give, I just, I am, I'm a love addict.

[49:45] I love God. I love God. When you love God, it makes it easy for the Holy Spirit to come upon your life. Your love for God, it matters.

[49:59] Some of us, our love for God is so questionable. We love things more than we love God. We come to God to use him to get things. But not because we love him.

[50:10] How do you know you love God? Look at the things that offend you. Look at the things that are able to keep you away from church. And in line, when the osher gave me, that's it.

[50:20] I'm very upset. You see, it's a love issue. It's a love issue. It's a love issue. If you love God, it doesn't matter what somebody does, it's not nice, but you get over it because I'm here.

[50:32] And Lord, I love you. Lord, I love you. When you love God, it's not only the music you enjoy. You actually enjoy the music, but it's not only that. Every aspect of anything about God, you are interested in holding. When the baby is crying, you will be letting disturb you, but the mother will take care of her.

[50:45] But you just... You love God. Tell someone, I love God. Sorry, I made a mistake. Don't say it if you don't love. No, ask the person, rather.

[50:56] It's easier. Do you love God? You know why you are struggling pornography?

[51:10] It's a love issue. Because Jesus said, if any man loves me, he will keep my commandments. He will keep instructions from God. Church instructions will not be bad in some way you love God.

[51:24] Have you realized how people who don't love God, have you realized how people who don't love God, and are not crazy about you, just like the way you are crazy, they have problems with the way you do things for God.

[51:35] Why do you allow them to always call you? You have to go to church. Sometimes you do without even realizing it. Like a mother who hasn't eaten, sometimes she wouldn't even realize she hasn't eaten, because she's thinking of how the children will eat.

[51:47] So my dad doesn't even realize I've not been eaten. Because of your love, your concentration, your love for God. You don't love God. When you love God, instructions from God are not laborious. Holy Ghost.

[52:01] Holy Ghost. Yes, sir. Holy Ghost. That's it. God, the Spirit of God won't rest on you, so that he will shut down and shut Simon the sorcerer, he will shut him up permanently.

[52:16] But it cannot be done by your own strength, because it takes the Spirit. Simon operates in the Spirit. Simon operates in the Spirit. I'm telling you. Simon is operating in the Spirit.

[52:27] Don't use natural skills to try and silence him. You can't. We need the Holy Ghost. If there's something you should desire, brothers and sisters, this morning my message is simple.

[52:39] Desire more of the Holy Spirit. Desire more of the Holy Spirit. Desire more of the Holy Spirit. The Bible talks about Luke chapter 2. A man, his name is Simon.

[52:49] Simon again. Luke chapter 2. And verse 25, 26, there about, it talks about this man. He was, it's called Simon. When Jesus was born, he came into the temple.

[53:00] Luke chapter 2, verse 25. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simon. And this man was just and devout. And what? Watch this.

[53:11] And what? Waiting for the consolation of Israel. And what? And the Holy Spirit. And what? And the Holy Spirit. I can't hear you. And the Holy Spirit. I can't hear you. And the Holy Spirit.

[53:22] There is a certain lifestyle when you live. It's easy for the Holy Spirit to be upon you. This man was just. He does the right things.

[53:33] And devout. He's committed. Devoted to the things of God. Your level of devotion will determine how the Holy Ghost can settle on you.

[53:45] Devoted. Devoted. He was devout. And he was just. Doing the right things. And he was devoted. When we say we are meeting for outreach. He's there.

[53:57] He has the leg problem. But he will still come. He has the eating. But he will leave the food and come. When we say we are meeting at 8. He's quickly there. Because he takes the work of the Lord serious. He's that devoted.

[54:08] Devout. Just and devout. And the Holy Ghost was upon him. The same man. When Jesus was born. People have not seen him. But he knew that. Look at the next verse.

[54:18] When Jesus was born. The Spirit of God came upon him. Watch this. He said. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit. That he would not see death before he had seen the Lord Jesus.

[54:30] Say the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit. Say Holy Spirit come upon me. Holy Spirit come upon me. Say Holy Spirit come upon me. Look at the next verse. The next verse. So.

[54:40] Watch this. God. So. He came. He came. By. The Spirit. Into the temple. And when. The parents brought the child Jesus.

[54:51] To do for him. According to the custom of the Lord. He took the. Because he knew the Messiah has come by. He came. By. The Spirit. He came. By. The Spirit. He came.

[55:02] By. The Spirit. There are too many spiritless believers. Spiritless. Spiritless. God hasn't blessed me. I don't have a testimony. Oh look at me.

[55:14] I'm coming to church. That is God. Okay. If you are there. Let this figure turn into a cat. If you are there. You are. You are spiritless. The reason why people.

[55:27] People ask God. Okay. God. If this is you. If it is you. If it is you. If you want me to marry this lady. Once she comes to my house. Let her come and sit on the bed. Let her not sit on the sofa. But you have put a lot of.

[55:37] Dirty stuff in the sofa. May I tell you something. The people who say. God. If it is you. Jesus said.

[55:48] Adoptal generation. We are always looking for a sign. If it is you. You love God enough. That God. I am all out for you. Whatever you want. I am God. Whatever. I am ready.

[55:58] Whatever. I am ready. Whatever demand you make. I am ready. If it can be to my last. I am ready. That is love. God will test your love. God will test your faith.

[56:11] But I see Holy Ghost coming upon you. Wherever you work. In your company. The business you own. The schools you are. People begin to notice. That the Holy Spirit is upon you. The solutions that you will be given.

[56:23] The answers and the solutions. The problems you will be solving. People will be amazed. And will be saying that. No. This is the Spirit. Bible says that they said about Paul. That the God have come to us.

[56:33] In human flesh. They will say that about you. Because you shall be filled with the Holy Ghost. I see somebody being filled with the Holy Spirit. I see someone being filled with the Holy Ghost.

[56:45] I see someone being filled with the Holy Ghost. I pray for you. Amen. That this whole church thing.

[56:55] Doesn't become just religion. But to become a realistic walk. With the Holy Spirit. That when you are running low. In the Holy Spirit. You work on yourself.

[57:07] By your love factor. How devoted. And committed you are. And the other ones. I will talk about later. Time will not permit me. But the Holy Spirit on your life. Is what will silence Simon the sorcerer.

[57:20] Is what will deal with the Freemason spirit. Is what will do with that generational curse. It's not deliverance. Just deliverance you need. You need the Holy Ghost. Upon your life. I see somebody's story changing.

[57:33] From today. I see somebody's story. I want to pray now. For somebody. Please bow your heads with me. You want to say. That pastor.

[57:44] Pray for me. I know God has been speaking to me. To start a new walk with him. So the Holy Spirit can actually. Feel me. And come upon my life. I want to be born again.

[57:54] I want to. Start walking with him afresh. You are here. You want to say. You know God has been speaking to you. As I spoke. That you know. God has prepared you for this moment. You know. You are actually hungry.

[58:05] You are. You are. You desire the Holy Spirit. You desire the Holy Spirit. You want so much of the Holy Spirit. But you know. You have never experienced. You are not. You have not made yourself ready. But now.

[58:16] You want to say I am ready. And if there is. If your heart is not for Jesus. If you love him. You open your heart for him. And if your heart is not for him. The spirit cannot come upon you.

[58:26] And I want to pray for some people. A special group of people. You are here. You want to say. Pastor. Pray for me. Because I want to be born again. I want to give my life to Jesus.

[58:37] I want Jesus to come in my life. First to be my Lord. I want to invite him to my life. So I can start the work with him. If that is your genuine prayer. It is personal. And say this after me. Close. Say this.

[58:48] Say Lord Jesus. I know I am a sinner. And I have sinned against you. But I believe. That you died on the cross. To save me from my sins.

[58:59] From today. I repent of my sins. And I invite you into my life. To be my Lord. And my Savior. I will work with you. I will serve you.

[59:10] Holy Spirit. I am ready. Fill me. Come upon my life. So I can do God's work. So I can fulfill my assignment. In God.

[59:21] Thank you Jesus. For doing all this. Because you love me. I love you back. By the help of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name. Amen. Father I thank you for my brothers and sisters.

[59:33] They heard your voice. And they have taken a step. I pray for strength. I pray for grace. That they will grow strong in you. And make a difference. For the kingdom. That Simon the social.

[59:43] Because of these ones. Will be stopped and put in his tracks. Because of these ones. The kingdom will expand. Thank you that they heard your voice. I pray for grace upon your life. That you will be able to walk the walk.

[59:54] And talk the walk. Talk the talk. And make a difference for Jesus. In Jesus name. Amen. Hallelujah. Thank you for listening. For more resources. Please visit caris.org.

[60:06] Or call us on. 0207-740-9960. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. Amen. ROMine.

[60:16] Thank you. God bless you. That was a great request. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you.

[60:29] God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. Amen. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you.

[60:39]  God bless you. God bless you. God bless you.