Empowered

00:00 Amen. Let's do the confessions together. I believe in the almighty God, our Father and Creator. I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, God and my savior. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He suffered, died, and rose again. He ascended into heaven. He shall soon come again. I believe in God the Holy Spirit, who is worshipped and my guide. I believe in holy fellowship, faithful giving, and service to God and this church. I believe the Holy Bible is the perfect word of God. I [screaming] am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. And I can do what it says I can do. Today, as I learn the word of God here in my spiritual family, I am blessed, healed, and anointed for a holy and victorious living. I will never again be the same in Jesus' name. Amen. The Lord bless us. Please be seated. >> [clears throat] >> This month we've been studying from

01:02 God's word on the word power that Christ our Lord has given us. Power. We looked at Easter Sunday, the resurrection power that raised the Lord from the grave now works in our lives. Last Sunday we looked at how it transforms our lives. The power of God changes us and today I want to learn with you on how this power of God strengthens us to live our daily life. It is a empowering power. It's the power of God that empowers us. You know, we live in a culture the world has changed so much today. Uh waiting >> [clears throat] >> is considered a weakness. You know, if you have to wait for anything it's considered a weakness. Everything today is looked at through the lens of anxiety and stress. You know, if somebody is not living a stressful life, it's called boredom. If somebody is not living an anxious life, it's it's called a boring life because somehow everything anxiety is

02:07 fun. A normal marriage is not fun, but a secret love affair is fun. The stress involved is fun, you know? Anything that is negative, stressful, is suddenly considered adventurous. And anything that is right, appropriate, disciplined is somehow considered boring. And society somehow seems to reward those who pretend to be busy and pretend to work extra whether or not they are productive, whether or not they actually bring results is a secondary issue. But but we're living in a hustle bustle kind of a world and this is where the Lord Jesus said something very important. He said to his disciples, "When you wait for the Holy Spirit power, you're not wasting time, but you're using time to prepare yourself for the power that God will send on your life." Hallelujah. You are not wasting time, but you are preparing in that waiting period of time. That's why Acts chapter 1 is a very important verse in 8 where

03:11 the Bible says in verse number 8, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come." One of the things that we do receive and have received when the Holy Spirit come upon us is the power of God. It's just that a lot of times we haven't used that power, we haven't benefited from that power, and we are not even aware of that power. We don't even know such power works in our life. Many people are surprised when they pray and see a miracle. Such a surprise their testimonies are surprised because somehow they never knew that God will work through their life. >> [snorts] >> You know what I'm saying here? A lot times we don't understand the power God has put within us and we fail not only to identify God's power, but we fail to make benefit of that power, take advantage of that power. Look at Peter's life. You know, when the Lord Jesus was going to be crucified that night when he was betrayed and he was arrested, Peter, being a faithful disciple of the

04:16 Lord Jesus, he really wanted to be close to the Lord. So, he goes close to the Lord and he's hanging behind the Lord Jesus when somebody pointed out at the Peter and said, "Peter, you are also a disciple of the Lord Jesus. You are a Galilean, which means you are a follower of Christ in that sense." And he began to deny. He got so scared and a young lady accused him and he got scared and he said, "No, no, I don't know Jesus." He got so scared. He said, "I don't know Jesus. I I I have nothing to do with Jesus. Come on, lady. I was passing by. I saw a crowd and I just joined the crowd in the night. That's all what it is. I'm just curious." He was so scared. Just a few days later, after the Holy Spirit comes on him, you see him being questioned by authorities and being told you're going to be put to death and the guy says nonchalantly, he's least bothered. He says, "Do what you want. We are witnesses of the power of God Almighty and we stand to testify Christ is Lord." Amen. The power of God

05:21 actually brings transformation in our life. It brings courage in our life. Everyone, let's say together, "Power brings courage." A lot of times we have not allowed God's power in us to work and therefore we walk around with fear instead of courage. In a in a culture where money and success, today, money and success speak louder than anything else in today's world. And in such a world, sometimes it takes unusual power of God to give us the courage to stand up to what is right and what is important. And and to hold our convictions, to hold our value systems without any fear. Courage has got different explanations, you know? People [snorts] define courage differently. I think it was Aristotle who said, "Actual courage or true courage is the difference between uh knowing what to fear and knowing what not to fear." I mean, that's how he defined courage. Different people um define courage differently. You know, in

06:25 the ethical standing of our perspective, courage is uh when you um wh- when when you are standing up for whatever is right, even if it costs you, even if you have to sacrifice, it's called courage in the sense of ethics and values. But, when you talk about interpersonal relationships, courage is the ability to speak truthfully, uh you know, even when it's difficult. You know, and and to temper it with love, wisdom, and humility takes a lot of courage. In lot of relationships, sometimes people don't say the truth. You know why? They don't have the courage to say the truth. They're afraid what will happen to the relationship. Um will they feel bad? Will they walk away from me? Will they never come back? And so, and so they lose courage, and they don't have the courage to speak the truth. And some people, in the name of courage, they speak stupid things. Uh you know, th- that courage is not foolishness. Courage is not lack of

07:29 wisdom. Uh courage is the ability in relationships, courage is the ability to say what is right and to say what is truthful in a way that is polite, humble, wise, loving, but to say it anyways, because a lot of times if you are silent, it will end up uh not only as someone who is lacking courage, but it'll end up in regrets, in compromises, you know, and sometimes you even lose the calling of your life because you didn't have the courage to say, "I'm sorry, that's a no." You didn't have the courage to say, "It's a yes to something else." Don't lose your courage. Allow the Holy Spirit power in your life to give you courage in every relationship that you handle. Allow the Holy Spirit to have space in every relationship of your life, with whoever that friend may be, with whoever that relationship you are building, with whatever kind of transaction or whatever kind of bonding you may be having. If that relationship does not allow for Holy Spirit work, then that's a

08:34 relationship where you must seek the Holy Spirit to come into and let the Holy Spirit guide you and give you the power to be courageous. In the in the world of philosophy, you know, across traditions, boldness or courage is many times seen as the ability to do your duty without the fear of consequences. The ability to do what is called of you without the fear of consequences. And that kind of courage, especially in many religions, you know, be ready to do whether it's called right or wrong. Irrespective of what is the consequence, it's called some kind of courage. There's there's another kind of courage in some traditions where the ability to give up without any fear. The ability to give up comforts, the ability to give up renounce life itself, the ability to go through pain is considered some kind of a courage. Courage also, in many traditions,

09:36 is the ability to accept what you cannot control. You know, just just be happy you're born into that cast, that community. You can't eat something, you have to wear certain clothes, you have to marry someone. Well, have the courage to accept it. When you have the courage to change your fate, it's not considered courage. It's interesting how courage has got different definitions in different philosophies. In In psychology, they say the ability to act in spite [clears throat] of the fear inside you is the actual courage. In other words, they say everybody's got courage and everybody's got fear. And courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is the ability to do what you have to do even though fear is worrying you and troubling you. Now, that's another aspect of psychology. Courage, they say, is the ability to take the initiative, to take the step that you have to take even though everything inside you feels paralyzed, worried, and you don't know

10:39 what you're going to do. Well, I want to tell you, in the Bible, courage is a byproduct of allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your life where you are not only bold to do what is right, you have the wisdom of God and the love of God to do it because it's the Holy Spirit working inside you. Sure, go ahead. Give God a big hand of praise. That's courage. >> [applause] >> It takes courage to be bold. It takes courage, but that comes through the Holy Spirit. And that courage that Holy Spirit gives us is a power that produces holiness. It produces purity. Produces purity in our union with God without mixing other names or idols of any kind of the soul or the spirit or the body. That kind of a union with God without mixing it up with any other um diluting it with uh any you know, without diluting that relationship with God. Uh maintain that purity. A lot of times we mix up our relationship with

11:41 God with syncretism. You know, that's a word I learned when I tried to figure out what What do you call a mixture when people take little from that tradition, little from this tradition, little faith from the Bible, little faith from something else, and they mix it up and make their own, you know, uh mixture. Mixture is the favorite uh snack of Bangaloreans. And somehow they bring it to religion, also. And the And the word for uh bakery snack is mixture, but for the word for uh religious mixture is syncretism. You know, mixing up everything. Now, God looks for purity in relationship. Hallelujah. Many people say that's selfish. No, it's not selfish. That's just wisdom. When you get married, I've been I've been conducting marriage from the last 30 years. How many marriages have I conducted? I've never seen anybody saying, "Pastor, when you do my uh covenant with my spouse, you know, when you say until death do us part, and and we repeat the

12:44 words, can you add one word? Just say that every Monday, Friday, Saturday I will be with but Tuesday and uh Saturday I'll be with somebody else." That's That's sacrilege. That's wicked. No marriage can be conducted like that. Why? Isn't that selfish? It's not selfish, that's wisdom. You know, purity is not selfish. Purity and holiness is wisdom. Hallelujah. Some people in the name of being broad-minded have become fraud-minded. Keep spiritual purity. Amen. I'm worshipping God. What is there if I add a little bit of satanic music? So what if those singers are Satan worshippers? They are also singing some good songs. Let me enjoy that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> [clears throat and cough] >> It's just It's just plain foolish. As simple as that. You know, there is

13:48 there is no hotel that will cook veg food and non-veg food in the same kitchen. I'll say that again. I look like you're suppressed. There is no hotel that will cook veg food and non-veg food in the same kitchen. Because the ideology behind veg food and non-veg food being different when it comes to the kind of religious thinking is very simple. The utensils, the vessels, the chefs that handle the non-veg should not touch veg, you know. Veg should not be mixed with non-veg. There is a separation between the two. This is simple philosophy, basic maths of when it comes to purity of, you know, faith and culture. But somehow there are many Christians who think you can mix God and Holy Spirit. It doesn't matter. Well, it does matter. It does matter. Just like how people who worship Jesus do not for fun go to satanic things. For fun, you don't want people who worship Satan

14:50 and enjoy them doing some Christian stuff. Not [snorts] required. Keep your spiritual purity. Okay, I'll preach a little more on that because it looks like you didn't like it. I'm going to try and see if I can make you like it. It is important to maintain spiritual purity. Pastor Johnson, you you you you don't you don't sound scientific. Yeah, of course I don't I don't sound like you. God called me not to preach what you like, but God called me to preach what he likes. He likes purity. He likes purity. >> [applause] >> He likes purity. >> [clears throat] >> Amen. I I don't Is it Have you heard a saying that don't put your legs in two boats? Is that Is that the right thing to say? Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. You can't put your leg in two boats. Either you are with Christ and you belong to him or you are with those who are antichrist and satanic and you are with You can't put your leg in two boats. I think they say that it's right as what

15:54 you all are saying. Mhm. >> [clears throat] >> Pastor, is just for fun. See, look, you had a good breakfast. Now, for a little fun, eating little poison, is it okay? I mean, uh just for a dessert. Fun is no excuse. Entertainment is no excuse to dilute purity. >> [applause] >> You know, one thing I love about this church is next Sunday, not only you're coming back, but you're going to call more people and come back because this church loves to hear about purity. Whether we like to live it or no is a separate issue, but we like to hear it. We like to say the truth and we enjoy when it is unvarnished and it comes out raw. That's why the Bible says, "Come out from among them and be separate," says the Lord, "then I will be your God and you will be my people." >> [applause] >> Amen. Hallelujah.

16:56 You can't be a little bit of that and little bit of this. Maintain spiritual purity. Now, of course, that that Have you ever heard me curse satanic musicians? Have you ever heard me curse any other religious people? You will never hear it. We are not called to insult others. We are not called to look down on others. We are called to walk in the purity of God's word. Do what is right. Keep spiritual purity. Don't mix it up. Don't be in Christ so long that you've forgotten Christ himself and you're more attracted to things outside. That is a spiritual depletion. It's not spiritual growth. Oh, but I saw famous worship leaders who are worship leaders in church in Christian faith are also compromising. Hey, you're not following them. Solomon in the Bible had 1,000 wives. Don't try. You're not following You're not following Solomon. You're following Jesus. You're not following modern Christian faith. You're following Jesus. >> [applause]

17:58 >> Amen. These are very important things. This church is going to grow more. We're going to see hundreds of thousands of people come to church, but it will happen without compromise to the word of God. Hallelujah. Amen. We We got to be loving to people who are sinful. [clears throat] We ourselves have sin in our lives, but that does not mean that we change the standards of God's word. Whether we practice it or no, God's word remains pure. And when Holy Spirit power comes in you, there is strength to remain pure. Hallelujah. He gives you the courage to live a holy life. He gives you strength above these kind of temptations. See, temptation for people without Christ is to rob a bank, to live in adultery, you know, domestic violence. For for Pentecostal people, for spirit-filled people, temptation is not robbing a bank and murdering someone or looting public money. No, but temptation a lot of times for Pentecostal people, spirit-filled

19:00 people, is to enjoy satanic music, you know, is to watch things that God hates. You know, temptations are different at different levels. Don't fall into these temptations. Walk in the grace of God almighty. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. All who couldn't say hallelujah till now, you need the Holy Spirit power in you to be able to say hallelujah to the word of God. What you are lacking is the power of God, the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. This is so very important. Jesus says our Lord is not coming back to see those who are living in adjustment. He's coming to pick up those who are living in purity. And we ought not to be allowing dilution in spiritual realm. Amen. You remember once the Lord Jesus was talking about demonic powers and he told his disciples the prince of this world is coming against me, but he can do nothing because there

20:05 is nothing of him in me. When the demonic powers come, they have nothing of themselves in my life. I only have the things of my father in me. Uh would would would you be able to say the same about your laptop hidden folders, your mobile hidden files, the kind of music history that you maintain on your mobile? Are you sure you can say there is nothing of the demons in it? Now that's a testimony you probably want to aspire for. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. >> [cough and clears throat] >> Emotional purity is very important. Emotional purity is where you don't allow um bitterness and jealousy and anger, unforgiveness to control you. Many people are holy, they wear only white and white. They they are fasting during the Lent season. They don't eat non-veg during uh the Easter season. Then they kill everything moving on Easter. That is different. But,

21:08 but before before Easter. Now, it's it's all right. It's a good tradition to maintain some kind of diet in honor of God. It's all right. It's fine. But, what about emotional purity? You know, God is watching our hearts. And it's important to have internal emotional purity. Intellectual purity is very important. Purity of thoughts because what you think and how you think shapes who you become. Intellectual purity is very That's why you should be careful of what goes in through your eyes in the in the sense of what you're reading and what you're watching. What goes in through your ears? Who are you allowing to speak into you? You know, these things are very important. And the Bible says maintain physical purity. Honor your body. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Look at 1 Corinthians chapter 6 and verse 19. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who is in you? Whom you have received from God. You are not

22:12 Well, let's read that one more time. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who is in you? Whom you have received from God. You are not Hey, you don't belong to yourself. Somebody already purchased you. Adopted you. You belong to him. >> [applause] >> Hallelujah. Like how some people go to the bazaar, they go to the market, and they buy the caged parrot and the caged birds. And And once they've purchased them, just release them and say do what you want. That's exactly what Jesus our Lord did. He purchased us on the cross and gave us the spirit of freedom and said, "Hey, I'd like you to follow me. I'd like you to believe in what I teach you so you can have a good life, but I'm giving you freedom." Christ gave us freedom. He purchased us. We belong to him. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Amen. That's why you can tell cancer, you have no authority in my body. I'm a

23:16 temple of the Holy Spirit. >> [applause] >> Amen. That's why you can tell anxiety and mental disorders, you have no authority in my body. I'm a temple of the Holy Spirit. Satan, I am not your garbage bin for you to drop all the dirt. I am a temple of the Holy Spirit of God. Amen. Oh, go ahead. Give God a mighty hand, my brother, my sister. You have a future from God Almighty. You are a temple of the Holy Spirit. >> [applause] >> Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Just like how the Holy Spirit comes into this church building, Holy Spirit has come in a higher level into your body. >> [clears throat] >> But the difference is evil spirits, when they possess you, you lose your mind. But Holy Spirit, when he comes into you, your mind starts working better. Hallelujah. [snorts] Holy living in our physical body. Holy living in our relationships,

24:18 treating others with respect, honor, love, purity in intention. In relationships, Holy Spirit power brings purity in the way we handle people. Because we are not our own. You know, God does not work from a distance. God works from within us. I'll say that again. God does not work from a distance. God works from within us. Knowledge is not power unless you've allowed Holy Spirit to work on that knowledge. Amen. >> [clears throat] >> You know, in my life something very drastic happened. You know, in in this church from my life personally in this church, there are some foundational moments that changed me and changed the trajectory direction of this church or the way we work. So, I'll tell you one story. Are you all getting bored or something? Shall I tell

25:19 you one story? It's okay? All right. So, um So, I'm like 21 22 years of age and started this church and there's hardly anybody and now after 1 or 2 years there are about 100 150 people and I want to I want to start Bible studies and that's when I realized I mean I'm a preacher, but but you know, I I start feeling inadequate and because I haven't gone to a Bible college and I'm thinking maybe I don't know I don't know how to handle this thing. So, let me go to a Bible college, you know, so because you know, sometimes when when you want to be humble and you want to feel low and you you just feel so holy about it. You know what I'm saying? One of the ways of interpreting that is to feel inadequate and as a expression of humility go take it from whoever gives you whatever. And [snorts] yeah, I mean that was foolish, but anyway, I I went to this friends of mine. They're respected elders and I don't want to take their names because I still love them. They're my good friends. Some of them are still alive. They're elderly people

26:20 and it's a Bible college. So, I went to the Bible college. I met with them. It was I don't know. Was it a Tuesday Wednesday morning? I went there and I met them. They were so kind. They were all in a group actually and they gave me tea, coffee, cookies. They just had their morning prayer or something and I had joined in and then they said one of them said, "Hey, how come you're here?" Now, you know, there's a difference of about 20 30 years between them and me. I'm like 20 25 years younger to them. So, I said, "Well, you know, I started a church and God's been blessing it and crowds are coming must be about 100 people or 50 people, whatever number. And and I'm so happy things are working out. Now, I want to start Bible study in church and I thought I'll come and invite you guys if you can take turns and start coming to my church and help us with Bible study. And one of them said, "Oh, systematic theology?" I said, "Yeah, I don't know. I mean, whatever systematic, you just just come." And one of them, my dear friends, he mocked me

27:24 that day. I don't know what happened to him. He's a good guy. He I'm sure he doesn't remember the story and I'm glad for it. And when I'm saying the story, if you're watching, it's not you, just forget it. So, he just laughed at me and he said, "These days young boys just go start a church, don't know systematic theology, don't know Pauline epistles, don't understand" uh he just he just rattled stuff that I I can't remember exactly the things he He said a lot of stuff and he said, "You go do what you want. Don't come and disturb us." I mean, he's my friend and he's a nice guy. I don't know what happened to this guy. You know, sometimes some people can go cuckoo in the brains. Go nuts. That's exactly what happened for a for a about 7 million minutes or 8 minutes, suddenly his brain suspended working. So, >> [cough] >> I felt so offended. You know, at that moment, I am looking for a exit from that point. I want to just get out without looking defeated, you know.

28:28 I want to cry, but I can't. I'm smiling and I'm like, "Yeah, yeah, yeah. What a piece of wisdom. Yeah, you're right." You know, you you have to pretend like they are right and you know, they said something right even though they are like they are the farthest from wisdom they've ever been. But, but I just shook my head. I said, "Thank you so much and I'll pray for them." No, no, don't pray. Do just shut down the church. Go first, get a Bible college education. Something and all he said. I said, "Thank you. Thank you." I got on to my RX 100. I had a helmet with a black color visor with a question mark, who? You know, yeah. I told you God delivered me from Pentecostalism. >> [clears throat] >> But back in those days from that place till my church, I cried about 10 to 18 km. I was crying. I was crying. I was like, "God, why am I insulted by these guys who are my friends? What happened to them?" I cried. I cried. I came into my room, took off my helmet and just knelt down

29:31 by the bedside and I said, "God, this is not happening. You called me to pastor a church and turn my friends against me. What nonsense? This is not how it works. You got to make them help me." And And as I was praying, I felt the Holy Spirit telling me, "Who told you to ask them for help? You ask me for help. I will guide you. I will show you." >> [applause] >> You know, next Sunday in the church I announced from Monday morning I'm starting Bible study morning 7:00, evening 7:00. How many will come morning? How many will come evening? That was the first time 21 days I fasted. No eating food, only tea, coffee. Sometimes Nestle Milkmaid. And uh And nobody's perfect, right? So So I was uh every day I'm praying, "God, tomorrow what I will teach?" That's how I came up with the first booklet, 21 laws.

30:35 You know, taught about sin, humanity. I mean, 21 uh lessons from the Bible in fasting and prayer. And I learned thing, when God calls you and gives you his spirit, he is able to guide you, he is able to lead you, >> [applause] >> you know. He's able to take you forward. For me, for me that that season was such a defining moment. Because from a sense of being feeling inadequate and depending on others, God taught me that you depend on God. You respect others, you're willing to accept it from others, but you're not at the mercy of others. You are at the mercy of God and him alone. When the Holy Spirit comes on you, you realize that you belong to him. Somebody shout a big amen. That's why the Bible says you do not have a spirit of fear. When Holy Spirit has come on you, look at the the book of 2 Timothy, chapter 1 and verse number 7. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power

31:39 and of love. Okay, just just to complete the previous story, I feel it'll be justice to do that. Then I'll come to this verse. All of those guys who are my friends, I said from that Bible college, in the last 25 years of this church, I have invited all of them and they all have come here and preached. None of you know who these guys are so because we have so many guests coming and they all have come and preached here. Even they don't remember the story of what they did to me, but I remember and I'll never [clears throat] reveal their names, but the point I'm trying to say is, you know, when you follow after God's heart and you allow the Holy Spirit power in you to do the work that God wants to do. Many people God wants to empower you, but you are not going back to the Holy Spirit. You're running here and there. Kneel down, switch off every music and television and mobile phone and noises. Kneel down before God and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your IT sector, in your medical care, in your judicial office. Wherever you are, he is able to guide you and give you victory and you will walk in success. [applause]

32:43 Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Please understand when the Holy Spirit came down, it was not a group of high priests and associate priests in the temple who received the Holy Spirit. It was tax collectors, fishermen, it was a carpenters, it was ordinary people who received the Holy Spirit that made a difference in their personal lives. They became successful preachers of the word because there was success in what they did. And I want you to know when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you can have better focus. You can have better disciplines. You can have better victories and lifestyle. Why? You're guided by the holy hand of God. He gives you power. Oh, go ahead. Give God a big hand. This is true. This is real. Amen. Okay, let's read that verse again. Second Timothy chapter 1 verse 7. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a three things that God has given us. But before those three things are

33:45 elaborated, first he says, fear is what stops those three things from being revealed. Fear is the contagion. Fear is the contagious thing. Fear is the restriction that stops the other three things from activating. One. The Bible is saying God has given us power. Let's say that word together. Last Sunday I told you the word is dunamis, dynamic. >> [cough] >> Explosive [clears throat] power. Explosive power. Explosive power in your intellectual capacity. How does it work? When the Holy Spirit helps you in your intellectual world, it He helps you to think with clarity and discern the truth in the midst of confusion and too many voices. In relational life, the Holy Spirit power gives you the intellectual ability, the power to build right influences, trust right people.

34:49 Holy Spirit helps you do that. And And stewardship of this power is very important. Should be a good steward of this power. Why? Because power of God can break you or build you. Depends on how you handle it. There are many servants of God who who because of the anointing of God on their life, they really improved in life. But eventually, sorry, their lack of discipline destroyed them. It is so important to realize God's power can build you. And if you don't handle it right over a season of life, the same power may destroy you. Many swimming champions, they have got hurt not on a road accident, but during the swimming. Many football champions, their biggest [clears throat] injuries have come not while cooking in the kitchen, not while playing with friends, in the classroom, but while playing a

35:53 game on the field. It's the same thing with the anointing. If you don't handle it right, the anointing of God if not handled with godly wisdom, it's not right stewardship. And that's why accountability is very important. The Bible is saying he has given us the spirit of power. Second, he has that power of God also brings love. Everybody say the word love. Love is different from lust. Lusting is not from the Holy Spirit. What's the difference between lust and love? Love is the willingness and the discipline to be responsible. Lust is the desire to consume what looks pleasurable. To enjoy is lust. To love is the willingness to give. A lot of times what we feel, many people they they say I love the Holy Spirit gifts. Actually, you're lusting the gifts. You you want to enjoy it. You want to make benefit from it. Now, that becomes wrong only when there is no honor and respect for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Loving God,

36:56 it's [clears throat] a discipline. It's It's not just a feeling, but a decision. You know, I talk about marriages because that that's a moment of reality. And And when I conduct marriages, I tell people loving each other is not the same as feeling nice. See, how do I say this? People come to the point of marriage because they like each other. But after marriage, they don't live together because they like. Many times they don't like. >> [laughter] >> They hate each other sometimes. But why do they still live together? Because they realize one thing, love is not just a feeling, love is a decision. It's a commitment. It's It's something they have decided for themselves that even in the moments when I don't like how you behave, I have committed to be responsible to you. I have committed to take care of you. I have committed to be fully involved in your life to bless you because I've made

37:58 a decision to love you. Where do we get that from? We get it from our God who said even when you are faithless, I'll be faithful to you. I will never leave you. I will never give up on you. >> [applause] >> Hallelujah. God gives us the power to love. Everyone say with me, power to love. And so you kind of know what to love and what not to love. The discipline. I tell you, marriages get strong, relationships get strong when you handle it with proper love. Love always costs something. There is vulnerability in love. There is forgiveness in love. There is practice of patience in love. I mean, God does that with us. And >> [clears throat] >> if you don't have that, then love becomes lust and control. If patience and forgiveness and giving the culture of giving, let's say that together, giving. In true love, there is giving. In true love, there is giving. You give your time. You give your talents. You give everything from your heart

39:02 sincerely. But make sure it is for somebody who is worthy. This is for unmarried people. Don't go put all dump all your love on fellows, boys or girls, who are unworthy. Make sure that you find people of your faith, people of your convictions. And then, "Pastor, I don't find like what to do." Be like Adam. Wait on God. He didn't just pick up the best-looking chimpanzee. He waited on God. God made all The Bible says God made all the animals pass before him. He saw all the animals. I mean, of course he winked at some monkeys, you know. But he didn't go beyond that. He didn't text them and all that. He waited on God. Wait on God. "Pastor, I've been waiting. Nothing is happening." Then single happy life is better than a married life with a chimpanzee, I'm telling you. >> [applause]

40:06 >> Even if he's as good-looking as Goliath, better to be alone than to be married to the wrong person. "Pastor, I'm already married to do that is right person. Just live peacefully with them. Amen. Practice love in an appropriate way. Why Holy Spirit comes in you not to practice hatred, but to practice love. Amen. And third, he gives you a sound mind. Everybody say sound mind. They put up a scripture for the last time, please. He gives you a sound mind. Let's read again. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and This is where the Pentecostals have separated that scripture. They have made a sound separate mind is separate. I tell you my friends, >> [clears throat] >> Sound mind means working mind,

41:11 disciplined mind, >> [clears throat] >> a stable mind in the midst of chaos, able to regulate emotions correctly, able to handle intellectual discernment, where your faith gets stronger than fear. And do you know Apostle Paul? Let's read that one more time. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Let's read one more time. For God has not given us but of power, You know where You know where he sat and wrote this? In hotel in ITC five-star hotel sitting in presidential suite, drinking a colada, you know, with a lasagna on the right side, tapping his iPad. The AC was so perfectly adjusted with waiters and butlers waiting for afternoon lunch order. He says, "God has not given us a spirit of fear." No.

42:13 That's not where he wrote it. He was sitting in the prison of Rome. And the death warrant was on him that he will never get out of that prison, but he's going to be executed. In fact, this is one of the last letters he wrote. And they know he's going to be killed. They're going to chop off his head. And he knows that's what is going to happen. So, he's writing the last letter. And he says, "God has not given us a spirit of fear, guys. He's given us a fear of power, of love." Don't tell me the scripture doesn't work when you lost your job. Don't tell me the scripture doesn't work when you had a relationship breakdown. It does work because it was written by the Holy Spirit through a man who was facing his execution and said, "God has not given us >> [applause] >> Oh, go ahead. Give God a big hand. Come on. >> [applause] >> Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Close your eyes and say, "Father, thank you for your Holy Spirit. You've given us the spirit of power. And help us, Lord, that your Holy Spirit

43:17 will work in us. That our nature will become more Christ-like. That we will not pick up useless fights. We'll pick up battles that you want us to fight. And you will help us ignore battles that are distractions from the calling. Help us, Lord, to enjoy you. >> [clears throat] >> Help us, Father, to become more successful in this world so that our life and testimony will win other souls to your kingdom. >> [clears throat] >> Thank you, Jesus. As we go through struggles, as we go through loneliness, help us to practice love. To practice love in a meaningful way. Not to love the things of the world, but to love the things of you, oh God. And that our life will be a giving life. >> [snorts] >> Hallelujah. Especially to your kingdom to give. And help us not to restrict our giving

44:21 just to money and tithes and offerings. As much as we want to be faithful in that, help us to learn to give beyond money. That along with money, we will give of our time to seek you. We will use our strength to follow your heart. To give you, Lord, an act of worship. I thank you, Father, for the power of your healing, for we are temples of your Holy Spirit. Whether the healing be financial or the healing be relational, or the healing be physical, or the healing be at the realm of the mind. Thank you that your power does heal. Thank you that that healing also includes healing of our relationship with you, God. Some of us who are hurt with you >> [music] >> and are holding grudges in such a foolish way. Thank you that your healing will bring unusual strength to surrender to your greatness.

45:25 Though we don't fully understand many things you do, we fully believe whatever you do. You are a trustworthy God. Hallelujah. >> [music] >> Thank you for your mercy. Thank you for your grace. Thank you that whatever people may have done bad to us, whatever people may have done as evil to us, you're able to turn it into miracles. You're able to turn it for good, and you're able to honor us. Hallelujah. Your Holy Spirit never dishonors anybody. Your Holy Spirit always honors, always brings success, always brings victory. We thank you, Father. Lord, as your servant today, in the name of Jesus, I bless each one sitting here, standing here. I bless each one in the name of Jesus. [music] That each of them will walk in your success. Each of them participating in your worship today, having heard your

46:27 word today, Father God, will walk in your miracles. That your Holy Spirit power will be abundant on their lives. >> [music] >> That we will continue to be filled again and again with your Holy Spirit on a daily basis, >> [music] >> seeking you that your Holy Spirit will fill us more and more and more and more. That our professional lives will be filled with your power. We thank you, Lord. We thank you. Thank you for your blessing. In Jesus' mighty name we pray, and the people said, "Amen." Shall we all stand? We'll sing a song. We'll pray and close. >> He is my everything. He is my all. He is my everything. Both great and small. He gave his life [music] for me. Made [singing] everything new.

47:31 He is [music] my everything. >> Let's sing it again. Come on, church. >> [music] >> He is my everything. [singing] He is my all. >> [music] >> He is my everything. Both great and small. He gave his life for me. Made [music] everything new. He [singing] is my everything. He is [music] my all. Like honey in the rock. >> [music] >> Sweet honey in the rock. >> Oh, yes. For he tastes [singing] like >> Honey in the rock. >> [music] >> Oh, taste and [singing] see that the Lord is good. [music] For he tastes like [music] >> Honey in the rock.

48:32 >> [singing] >> I just keep trusting [music] my Lord. On the winding road. >> Oh, yes. I just keep trusting my Lord. >> [music and singing] >> And he gives me a song. Though the storm clouds [singing] are in the sky. >> [music] >> On the heavenly trail. I just keep [music] trusting my Lord. He will never fail. He's a faithful [music] friend. >> [singing] >> Such a faithful friend. I can count [music] on him >> [singing] >> to the very end. Though the storm [music] clouds darken the sky. On the heavenly trail. [music] I just keep trusting my Lord. He will never [music] fail. I just keep trusting my Lord on the narrow [music]

49:34 way. >> [singing] >> I just keep trusting my Lord as he leads each [music] day. Though the road is dreary at times >> [music] >> and I'm sad and blue. I just keep [singing] trusting my He'll see me through. [music] How many believe that? Come on. He is a faithful God. [singing] Such a faithful [music] God. He is always there, >> [singing] >> walking by [music] my side. Though the road is weary and long, and I'm sad >> [singing] >> and blue, >> [music] >> I just keep trusting my Lord. >> [singing] >> He will see me through. >> [music] >> Go ahead, take a few minutes to worship him, praise him. Come on. Lift up your voice. >> [music] >> Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

50:37 >> [music] >> Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Come on, open your mouth and praise him. [music] Let the Lord deposit a fresh anointing on your life. >> [music] >> Oh, a fresh anointing. A fresh anointing. Every spirit of [music] fear, every spirit of bondage, we rebuke in the name of Jesus. >> [music] >> Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Jesus. >> [music] >> Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, oh God, Lord, for your beautiful presence and that promise from the scripture, oh God, Lord, that you have not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, of love, of sound mind, oh God. Thank you for giving us the courage, oh God, Father Lord, to Lord be victorious, oh God, Father Lord, by your Holy Spirit.

51:39 >> [music] >> Lord, we pray for everyone who has come here for the very first time. As a church, we bless them in your name, and that Lord, they will also experience, oh God, Lord, deliverance from every fear, oh God, Lord, and your power at work in their lives, oh God Father. Lord, we pray Father Lord for everyone who is traveling this week that your journey mercy shall go with them. We pray for those who are celebrating their birthdays or their wedding anniversaries this week. We pray upon your favor upon their lives again upon the years ahead of God Father Lord. Lord, we also remember if anyone amongst us has lost their loved or dear ones this week, oh God Lord. We pray that Lord your comfort will be there in the midst of their pain and Lord you will help them to move forward with your presence so God Father Lord. We also pray over the tights and the offerings, oh God Father. Thank you, oh God Lord, for helping us, oh God Lord, to sow in your kingdom, oh God Lord. All that we have is from you, oh God Father Lord, and it's our honor to Lord give back to you Lord as a respect, as a honor, as thanksgiving, oh God Father. We pray you will multiply every seed sown in your kingdom, oh God Father. And any Anyone is lacking in their lives, Lord, we thank you for you are our provider, you are our miracle worker, oh God Father Lord. We will see

52:41 your divine provisions. Your children will not lack because that's your promise, oh God Lord. Thank you for your presence once again with us and it's back with your blessings, oh God Lord. We give you all the glory, honor, and praise. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Now may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of our heavenly Father, and the sweet and abiding fellowship of the Holy Spirit, may it rest and abide each one of us now and forevermore. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. God bless you all. Church, we would like to welcome those who are here for the very first time. Shall we put hands together and welcome them into the house of God. If you are here in Bethel World for the very first time, as you go out there's a best lounge out there. Please do visit that place and there's a team waiting to pray with you and and talk to you. And VBS is happening the coming week. Please do send your children and if you need prayers, please come in the front. Pastors are here in the overflow also to pray for you. God bless you all. Thank you. >> [music]

55:40 >> Mhm. >> Mhm.