Fear of the Lord

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 [clears throat] the holy word of God. I 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'm blessed, healed, and anointed for a holy and victorious living. I will [snorts] never again be the same in Jesus' name. Amen. The Lord blesses. Please be seated. As we always do, which is to honor the holy communion, the holy Eucharist of

01:02 our Lord. Today, we want to honor the body and the blood of our Lord, which was broken, wounded, pierced, when he shed his blood for us on the cross. If two people come to me and say, "I want to get married. We want to get married." I ask them, "Which church are you from?" One person is from your church, pastor. Another person is from another church. Oh, okay. No problem, but you have to get a letter from the other church. We will conduct your marriage. Funeral. Pastor, somebody passed away in my family. No problem, we'll help you. Which church they were attending? I come to your church, pastor, but my family member was going to another church. No problem. We just need consent from the other

02:05 church. We will help you. >> [cough] >> When it comes to any ceremony, we want the other church also to be honored. It's a tradition that all churches maintain. But when it comes to holy communion, it doesn't matter which church you are. We don't need consent from anybody. If you are a born-again, baptized believer, this is the Lord's body for you. Why? Because for every other ceremony, denomination is important. But when it comes to holy communion, it does not belong to any denomination. It is the body and the blood of our Lord. If you are a believer, doesn't matter what your background is. Nobody wants to know. You are entitled [clears throat] to touch his holy body, to touch his holy blood, and receive his

03:09 grace. This is one of the most unifying moments in Christian faith, where our backgrounds don't matter. Who we belong to matters. We belong to Christ, our savior and our Lord. Holding up the elements of communion in our hands, shall we say, "Lord, thank you that you have brought us together as your sons, as your daughters, through the great work of the cross, through the work of Calvary. We thank you that our backgrounds are washed away in the blood of Jesus. And our future is anointed by your Holy Spirit. We thank you, Lord. Thank you for the work of the cross, that our sin was forgiven, and your Holy Spirit was given to us. Hallelujah. Heavenly Father, this morning, we together come before you as your

04:11 children, humbled by your grace, anointed by your spirit, thanking you for the precious body and the blood of Jesus, our master, that was broken on the cross of Calvary. Today, as we prepare to eat and drink of it, may the life and the power of your Holy Spirit flow in us. May your grace flow upon us. Some of us who may be partaking of this in some struggle, in some sickness, in some difficulty, we pray today the power of your Holy Spirit will work on their life. Your miracle will work on our lives. Some who may be struggling with habits, addictions, be delivered in the name of Jesus. Lord, may the power of your Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave now have his full work in our lives. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Let's eat of his body and drink of his precious blood

05:16 together. Dear Lord Jesus, we want to thank you. Thank you that you have made us, through the adoption by your spirit, the sons and daughters of the most high God. Thank you for this very emotional moment. Oh, heavens can never ignore the blood of Jesus. And thank you that we belong to you. In your holy name we pray. Amen. Amen. >> [snorts] >> Thank you, ushers. They are passing the bags to those of you who like to use like to drop the used cups, you may kindly do so. Last week, five days of vacation Bible school here, my goodness, I've never seen I was looking at all the

06:21 photographs on the social media. Never seen that kind of a crowd of kids coming, and I think the last day the parents or some parents also joined. I'm so glad. I want to appreciate all the volunteers who really went out of their way. Yeah. Yes, yes. >> [applause] >> You know, some of the stories were so personal and touching. Uh my children were telling me about a situation of a young uh one of the volunteers, you know, I don't know was was it 200, 300, 400 volunteers here to manage the big crowd. >> [snorts] >> A third-year degree student who is a volunteer living in Sarjapur, traveling every day to serve, was here all the five days of the VBS. You know, he would catch a bus uh at 7:15 in the morning to reach here on time. And by 3:30, when he finished his work, it will take him about two hours to reach back his home, but uh he wouldn't go home. He He this degree student uh was working in Starbucks near his house.

07:26 So, he would join back as a barista, and because of all these uh Swiggy orders and things like that, he would sometimes work till about 2:00 in the morning, 2:00 a.m. Go home, catch a sleep for 3 and 1/2 hours, wake up when the alarm rings, and jump into the next bus, and come back here. Never looked tired, never looked for recognition. So, >> [applause] >> so, I wrote a poem for him. I didn't write I told AI to write. But this poem is for you. He's a third-year college degree student, bright and young, with a heart full of worship and praise on his tongue. He lives in Sarjapur, far from the church, but nothing could stop him, nothing could lurch. Before the sun rises, before the birds sing, he'd wake up at 5:30, ready for everything. He'd catch a bus through the morning air and reach Bethel by 7:15, always there. For five whole days of VBS, he never missed no session, no morning was skipped or dismissed. He

08:30 served on the volunteer team, faithful and true, giving all that he had in everything he'd do. No spotlight above him, no name on the wall, no cheers or applause in the corridor or hall. Just quiet devotion, just hands and a heart, showing up every morning and playing his part. When the day's work was done and the others went home, he didn't rest. He didn't sit alone. By 3:30 p.m., he was back on the road, two hours by bus, carrying a tireless load. He'd walk through the doors of the Starbucks nearby, tie on his green apron, and not breathe a sigh. A barista by evening, a servant by day, his shift stretching long till the night slipped away. Sometimes till 2:00 a.m., he would stand on his feet, serving hot cups of coffee in the rain and the heat. Then home he would go, worn down to the bone, to sleep just 3 and 1/2 hours alone. >> [clears throat] >> Then 5:30 again, and the alarm would ring out. He'd rise without grumbling, without any doubt. The bus and the train and the traffic

09:32 once more, and back through the Bethel AG's open door. That was not That was not inconvenience, not an easy ride. This was pure sacrifice, worn on the inside. This was not duty, not ticking a box. This was devotion that no tired heart blocks. So, Bethel AG stands blessed and amazed by a college student quietly living for praise, not seeking spotlight, not chasing the fame, but giving his all for the glory of his holy name. >> [applause] >> That's an appreciation. And that person remains anonymous, but to all the volunteers who sacrificed so much. Well, I want to go on to the next one. I want to welcome all of you teenagers, youths to the teens camp happening from 12th to 16th of May. Go register on the teenscamp.com because they are covering

10:34 topics which are so important. Stress, how to handle failures and success, dealing with friendships, addictions that sometimes are heavy peer pressure, uh how to deal with freedoms that you get and with success that comes sometimes with great difficulty, sometimes with ease. They're going to cover all these topics. And parents, they may say things that you find it difficult to say at home, so send them. Make sure that when you send them, uh you also help them reach here, but it's going to be a blessing. The next 5 days, 12th to 16th, I believe is going to be teenagers on fire for the Lord, blessed by his grace, going back with a vision. And young people who want to volunteer, it's your turn. God's going to bless you. Amen. I think I'm going to start preaching from God's word. Let's get into God's This month we are calling it the Hello, official, I'm starting preaching now. Okay. >> [clears throat] >> So, this month we are studying on the word wisdom. Let's shout wisdom. This year is called abounding, right?

11:36 And so, this month everything is abounding. Last month we dealt with abounding in the power of God. And this month we're dealing with abounding in the wisdom of God. So, wisdom is the shorter version. Every culture has a word for people who make right choices or right decisions at the right time for the right reason. Every culture has a word for them. Bible has a word for them. It's wisdom. And in the Bible, that one person called wisdom, okay, is Christ Jesus our Lord. And therefore, the scripture tells us wisdom has a source. Wisdom has a beginning, but it's not just a starting point, it's a foundation. Let's look at Proverbs. Proverbs and chapter 9 and verse number 10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy one is So, wisdom begins, is how we understand it in English. But in the Hebrew, the word reshiyt's there basically doesn't

12:40 mean just beginning, it means the first principle. The first principle of wisdom, the first principle of wisdom is not just about a starting point, but a permanent ground, a foundation of priority. A priority on which everything else is built. It's not just a starting point from where you start off and then never go back. Fear of the Lord is not just a starting point, it's the priority on which everything else is built. That's the meaning given in the original scriptures. And the word fear that we translate in English as fear, in the Hebrew comes from the word yirah, which basically means a reverent awe. Not a terror of fear, not a terror. Some people think coming to the church and trembling before God and being afraid of him makes him happy. No, it doesn't. >> [clears throat] >> Making Making God happy doesn't require you to fear God and say, "God, I'm scared of you." God says, "Excuse me, you're my child. If you're so scared of me, something's wrong." In fact, the [snorts] Bible says in James chapter 2

13:43 verse 19, the devil trembles before God. The devil trembles before God. When the devil sees God, he trembles. He's scared. So, if you think being scared before God makes God happy and make God love you, then God must be madly in love with the devil. >> [snorts] >> And that's not true. Why is it that all of the shivering of the devil before God does not give any favor to the devil from God? Why? Because he shivers before God because of God's power and might. He's scared of that, but he never Satan never honors the character of God. Satan never honors the principles of God. Satan breaks every commandment of God. Satan is against God. Only thing he shivers and he's scared when he sees God because God is great. So, fear of God is not the same thing as Satan has the fear of God. Fear of God for a child of God is not trembling before God. Well, it's very important to respect God, no doubt about it. But to fear God is more about honoring God. The word yirah in the scripture has at least

14:48 three definite dimensions of usage. One is the cognitive knowledge of God. Yirah means the cognitive knowing of God's person and God's principles, which is not just tradition and sentimental, but a genuine knowledge of who God is. Second is the effective knowledge of God, feeling God's power and love, which makes you change your lifestyle, which has an impact on you. That is a dimension of the fear of God which we ought to have when we look at his greatness. And the third is volitional, which is obedience, especially when there are long delays and you're waiting on God to do something because of your fear for God, you know he will work at the right time, and you will still honor him in the waiting period, and you know he's a miracle-working God. >> [applause] >> Hallelujah. See, fear of God is not a technique, it's a person. Fear of God is not just some kind of a adjustment with God, it's a behavior which brings wisdom, which brings wisdom. Because

15:52 wisdom itself is a person. Look at 1 Corinthians chapter 1 and verse number 30. And [snorts] because of him, you [clears throat] are in Christ Jesus, who became to us Come on, let's read that again. And because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness, sanctification, redemption, of course. Jesus, the eternal word of God, became flesh. And another name for him was the wisdom of God. What comes from Christ our Lord is wisdom. Therefore, wise living is not only self-effort, it is also a relationship with wisdom. And his name is Jesus. Relationship with Christ is the source of meaningful wisdom. And that is so very important. And this wisdom is explained to us through a parable in the scripture on how to fear God. What does this wisdom reflect us? Let's take a look. Matthew's

16:56 gospel chapter 25, verse number one. Then the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven will be like 10 virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the Now, we've done this parable series in the church, and that was such a beautiful elaborate. And for those of you who remember that study, today is going to help you more. Now, the Bible is telling us the Lord Jesus shared a beautiful story. Now, this is a Jewish parable, okay? Which means it's based on Jewish culture. The minute you talk about Indian culture and Indian wedding, you know what it is. All right, we can imagine based on which part of the country, which language group, you kind of know what's going to happen because you know how it works. Jewish wedding has a Jewish cultural perspective to it. In the Jewish wedding, the number 10, okay, the number 10 is a number which is all-encompassing because in Jewish thinking till number nine is one digit. The minute you talk about 10, there are two digits, which basically means it

17:59 involves It's just a traditional thinking. It involves everything. They are like, "That's a big number." The Lord Jesus used 10 as a number in some way of thinking to say that it involves everybody. But he said five were foolish and five were wise. Now, many people think, "Oh, that five who are foolish are people in the world and five who are wise are people in the church." That's a nice way of thinking, but it's wrong. All the 10 are virgins, committed to the bridegroom called Christ, which simply means the full 10 is a number of the church. World is not included here. 10 are also church. Only thing in the church, five are foolish. >> [snorts] >> I feel it very difficult to say it loud and clear, but I guess you heard me. >> [laughter] >> But But But you can't make out who is wise and who is foolish because why? All the 10 had lamps in their hand. All the 10 had invitations to come to

19:02 the bridegroom. And all the 10 were sleeping and snoring snoring, I added. All the 10 were sleeping similarly. And no one knows the difference between wise and foolish because both are similar in every way. The difference comes at the catch moment when the bridegroom arrives. The only difference, both wise were also sleeping, foolish were also sleeping. Wise also had lamps, foolish also had lamps. Everything was similar. The difference was wise had oil in the lamp. And the foolish were thinking, "We'll borrow that time." They were not prepared. This shook me when I studied this again. Every time I study the scripture, something new, you know, something probably I knew before, but it wakes up again inside us. Simple mistake with these five foolish were they were not prepared. They did not respect their bridegroom so much where they said, "Let's be prepared."

20:06 No, they had some amount of disrespect. They said, "Let him come, we'll manage." That category is called Pentecostal? No, foolish. Foolish. Foolish. Foolish. The oil >> [laughter] >> It's possible that sometimes we start wise and then we feel wise while we're actually becoming foolish. If you think I spoke about you in particular, it could be true. Though I didn't know. Oil is the inward life, the inward preparedness, a heart that fears God, a life of prayer, and ongoing communion with the Holy Spirit because the oil in the Old Testament clearly links it with the Holy Spirit. There are scriptures like 1 Samuel chapter 16 verse 13 or Psalm 45:7 which talks about the oil as a sign of joy and separation, consecration to God.

21:10 Lamp is the external stuff that everybody gets to see, the Sunday morning coming to church to worship God, you know, the special decor on Christmas day in the house. These are all These are all things people get to see. But the lamp is just a substance in your hand unless oil is in it, it has no meaning. Because oil cannot be always borrowed. I want to ask you a question. Why do you think the five foolish women who didn't have oil looked at the five wise women who had oil and said, "Hey, come on, give us your oil." Why do you think they did that? Because they've done it before. Say that with me, because It's adjustment. It's always happened. >> [snorts] >> Mom's prayer is enough for me, pastor. Pastor, you pray, that's enough for I don't have time to pray. I'm sending my children for fasting prayer. I can't volunteer, but I'll put money and go. Put money, but put yourself in the presence of God. Hallelujah. Amen. Others help in spiritual life is good, is important, but don't always expect

22:15 borrowing to succeed. Because there are decisive moments in life where the wise will not be able to cover for you. Because they don't want to look disrespectful to their God by giving away to you what they should be giving to God. Hallelujah. No one survives on borrowed faith, borrowed prayer, borrowed communion. If you survived so so long on somebody's prayer, somebody's grace, somebody's support, that's a good thing. It's not a bad thing, but you got to become wise in the hands of God. Don't be the foolish, be the wise in Jesus' name. Because inward grace cannot be transferred all the time, especially in decisive moments. The delay is a common thing that happens to everybody. And see, the Lord Jesus did not come and say, "Who all were sleeping? Can't you just wait for me? Huh?" No, the Lord never asked that because sleeping even wise people sleep. Not in church, at night. At night. Everybody

23:18 Everybody goes through midnight. Even wise will go through midnight. Even foolish will go through midnight. Some of us we are going through midnight seasons waiting for God and you're wondering, "Has God left me?" I want to tell you this is a common experience for some unknown reason that he never explains, bridegroom may come late on our watch. He's on time on his watch, but some adjustment problem in that timing latency >> [applause] >> between eternal plan of God and our time on the earth, there is sometimes buffering issues. So, latency issues are there. There are some delays. Bridegroom never goes to explain those things. Sometimes it's delayed. If some of you are waiting on God saying, "Why you're not coming, Lord?" Be prepared before you sleep. If you sleep off, it's okay. Everybody understands, but be prepared before you sleep. Be prepared because you'll never know when the opportunity will come. You'll never know when the miracle will come. You'll never know when the deliverance will come. You'll never know when God is going to make a way where there seems Hey, come on, you got to be ready knowing God will BREAK THROUGH for

24:22 me. Hallelujah. Come on, go ahead, give God a big hand. This is so important. >> [applause] >> Wisdom is not perpetual staying awake. No, some people think I've always got to stay awake for Christ. Excuse me, go take rest. I learned this very important principle in my church ministry. The Lord called us to be with him, which includes resting in him. Being busy all the time is not a very smart thing. And guess what? Many of us we have time to rest, but scribbling on the phone waste our time. Attending to unwanted gossips waste our time. You need time to sleep. Wise people sleep and they look as bad as the foolish when they sleep. >> [snorts] >> But sleep is important. The thing is at midnight midnight. Why did the Lord say at midnight the uh bridegroom came? Was to say at the most unexpected time. Let's say that together, most Many times miracles happen at the unexpected time.

25:24 Unexpected time. God has a way of working at unexpected time. Hallelujah. Expected time nothing happened, so you gave up and you thought nothing is going to work. Look at that fellow, 38 years he's lying down by the pool of Siloam and thinking now nobody can heal me because every day an angel of God would come into the pool and stir the water. And anybody who jumped into the pool first would be healed. This paralyzed man 38 years he's lying there for his turn, but before he can roll himself into the pool or he can beg somebody to throw him into the pool, every time the angel stirs the water, somebody else [snorts] jumps in and gets healed. The Lord Jesus walked up to him and said, "Hey." And he said, "I'm here from 38 years and nobody is there to throw me into the pool and therefore I'm lying down." 38 years he's lost all hope. Instead of sleeping at the edge of the pool, he's now sleeping somewhere near the gate. He's in the plan that now in a few days I'll roll over to the graveyard. Instead of rolling into the pool, he's

26:28 given up, but he had no clue that day at an unexpected time he was not talking to the angel that stirred the water, he was talking to the God who sent the angel. And Jesus says TO HIM, "RISE UP and walk." This morning in the name of Jesus I tell you the month of May you're going to rise up and walk in wisdom. You're going to walk in understanding. You're going to walk in discernment because you're not walking alone, Christ walks with you. Hallelujah. Amen. The midnight cry, the door closes. Why? The wise said to the foolish, "Sorry, now we can't give oil. Master is watching." And the foolish they say we'll get oil and come, we'll pray little and come. By the time the bridegroom takes the five God is not interested in numbers. He is interested in numbers, but he's also looking at quality. I told you this about the church, this is not about the world. All are five virgins. One is not WhatsApping her ex-boyfriend.

27:31 No, this is genuine class. Committed people, but problem is fear of God is not there. Fear of God is reflected in preparedness for Christ. And this is not Fear of God is not just whenever Jesus comes I'll vanish, I'll go. No, that is a good thing, but fear of God is ready to do whatever God wants you to do every day on the earth. To forgive, to love, to pray for others, to get a better discipline, to walk in success, to give. Hallelujah. God is not just interested in coming and taking you to heaven. He's also interested in you giving a heavenly life while you're on the earth. You don't have to live hell on the earth. You can live heaven on the earth for the kingdom of God has come down. >> [applause and cheering] >> Amen. Go ahead, give God a big hand. Absolutely. And And you know, you know what really bothers me is the door is shut and by then the five church members came. They're holy women. They don't have any

28:34 other place to go. They came and knocked on this door to the bridegroom and to the other prayer fellowship group. We come, open the door. Bridegroom said, "I don't know you." Does the Does God have divine memory issues? Does God have forgetfulness? Why did God say, "I don't know you?" That's an expression of saying, "If you can't respect me and be prepared, I cannot respect you and take you in." God is not asking for your big offering, 5 kg gold, bring it now. No. God is not saying that you have to wear dhoti and walk around begging. No. God is saying learn to be prepared for what I'm going to do in your life. And a mark of your respect for me is not just how many hallelujahs you can say. Say hallelujahs, that's important, but it's not just about that, it's about how you prepare your inside. That's the sign of your fear of the Lord. How do you honor the work job God has

29:38 given you? How do you honor the marriage God has given you? How do you handle your single status God has given you? How do you handle the friendships God has given you? Do you handle it in the light of the fact that God is watching? That God is involved, that this is a blessing of God. Or are you unprepared? God is saying guys, foolishness is not low IQ. Foolishness is bad attitude. I'll say that again. Wisdom is not just about high IQ and intelligence. Wisdom is also about fear of the Lord, being prepared, a good attitude towards what God does in our life. Amen. In other words, it's not really an intelligence issue, it's an attitude issue. Wisdom has its opposites. I was just noting down from the scripture. In in the Bible, wisdom is called discernment, the ability to understand things. And the opposite of that is called confusion. The ability to mix everything

30:41 and create confusion. The practical outcome is when you walk in wisdom of discernment, you have clear sense of direction irrespective of noises around you. And when you walk in confusion, you have absolutely no clarity and you take wrong decisions. Wisdom has humility as a part of it. Let's say that together. Wisdom has humility as a part of it. Wisdom is humble. But its opposite is pride. The lack of wisdom has an attitude of pride, which is not willing to learn, which will always resist advice, but humility is willing to grow, willing to serve with whatever greatness it has. Wisdom is understanding, the willingness to learn, understanding, to get a perspective of things. >> [clears throat] >> But the opposite of wisdom in the scripture is ignorance. Saying that I don't have to know that. I don't want to know about it. Ignoring what comes your way

31:44 is the opposite of understanding. Wisdom is right application of what you know. And ignorance is stagnation and repeated mistakes. You make mistake one time and you learn, that's not foolishness. But when you make mistakes again and again and won't don't want to learn, and that comes under the category of ignorance. Wisdom is patience and prudence, being proactive, waiting long enough because you know everything has a process. And the opposite of wisdom is impulsiveness, recklessness. Practical outcome, patience and prudence gives [clears throat] you good results. But impulsiveness and recklessness leads you into regrets and continued errors. And today I want to touch on the topic of finances because the world is going through an upheaval and Bangalore is not exempt from that. Financial prudence is very important. Look at 1 Timothy chapter 6 and verse number 10. Financial

32:46 wisdom, let's read. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. All means everything. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs means pains. What is the Bible saying? Love for money. See, we must have money. God wants you to have money. Honey, get money. It's very important. But don't love money. Don't run behind money. Run behind God. Love God. >> [applause] >> Many people don't have money, but they love money. Just because you love money doesn't mean money will come. Many people who love money, but they don't have money. And they don't have God because they don't love God. They are praying to God. God, God, God, give me money. God says, go ask money. Why you are asking me? You love money. >> [clears throat]

33:49 >> Learn to love God. What about the other amens? I'll give you some more things to say amen. I was shocked when I was reading in Indian culture today, I was shocked that in the top 20 metros of India, the top three reasons for loans, personal loans are buying mobile phones, going on a vacation, buying ticket to expensive concerts, and wedding and parties. Top four reasons in India today why people are taking personal loans. I really couldn't believe this. So I I fact-checked it. And it's true. Young people who are working are going and taking loan to buy a new mobile phone. For what? Who will call you? Whoever called you on your old phone only will call you on NEW OLD PHONE. >> [applause] >> CHURCH, DON'T FALL IN THIS TRAP. I was in Hyderabad preaching for a

34:54 wonderful man of God. And after we finished dinner, he says, thank you for preaching for me. Please come back. And all gives me a hug and gives me a gift. And I looked at it, it was a iPhone and I said, for what? I don't need this, pastor. I have a phone that works. He said, yeah, yeah, it was on the table and I saw it. He said, you are pastoring a professional church in Bangalore. We are all watching. We are all so proud of your ministry. At least use latest phone. When we sat down for dinner, I noticed he was sending some message. But I thought must be his wife or some instruction, you know, as a pastor he must be telling somebody something. I didn't know he was actually texting one of his church member who has a iPhone store. Saying, bring iPhone 17 to such and such and hotel. Not 17, 13 I think, 50. I don't know these numbers. Yeah, who cares I tell you, man. All these numbers are the same because they do the same thing, no? Somebody calls you when you're sleeping at night. That's the same thing every phone does. Or they'll send one alarm without telling you they're going to send an alarm.

35:58 >> [cheering] >> Did I say something? No matter how expensive phone you buy, the wisdom on the other side cannot be in your control. Mhm, that's not the way to say this. That pastor gifted me and he said, please for God's sake. When I came home, my kids are like, Dad, you got the latest. Somehow I never bothered. I never look at which fellow is coming with which car, which shoes, which mobile. I tell you the person is more important than the product. >> [applause] >> Now, now I thank God for that pastor and I fully appreciate his gift. But personally I don't bother about these things. And I want to encourage all of you. If you don't if it's not a necessity, don't waste your money on these things. I mean, if you want to give me a gift, I understand, but Okay, that was a joke. I don't need a

37:03 gift. Mobile phone, vacation. For what? Before you come back, you've already forgotten what you did there. Where was the last place you went for vacation and do you even remember which folder you took with the photos in? Go for a vacation, but not on a loan. Sometimes the most beautiful place to go on a vacation >> [clears throat] >> is a life without EMI. >> [applause] >> All who didn't clap, finish your EMI fast. Concerts. Oh, please. Don't waste your time on weddings, parties. Pastor, I'm waiting. I'll get married only after 2 years. Why? I have to make money to feed whom? They are not foodless people. I like Singapore Singapore Chinese people. When they do wedding, you know, they don't provide you food. They keep it in a hotel. I like their culture. And they invite everyone

38:05 whoever they want to, but people have to come by their own food and eat there. I know sometimes we just want to stand in Delhi and say, "Bees." Singapore Chinese, right? >> [laughter] >> But honestly, I mean, you know, when when I got married, me and my wife after our wedding, I drove myself to the reception. I'm not saying you should do this. But at that young age, God had given me a beautiful Maruti van. And I told my wife, I mean, we we really don't need a you know, we can travel on this. I have a vehicle. So when I entered the reception area, people were shocked. They were scolding each other. Why didn't he drive pastor? I told them, "Boss, my hands and legs work. Car works." Don't try to impress anybody. Try to be successful. Now, if you're in business and you have to impress somebody, that's a different application, okay? That's different. I mean, please go ahead and do whatever fakery you want to. But but

39:08 >> [clears throat] >> you know, many of these real estate guys with that big chain and all. It's all it's all fake. Not not all. Our church is honest people. Should soon go in the offering bag. Okay, let me give you some quick tips for successful financial handling. Number one, avoid lifestyle of inflation when promotions come. Raise your giving, raise your saving before you raise your spending. Look at the cost of any product based on its value for you. Don't look at a product based on what its EMI is. It's a very wrong way of living. Requirement is a bigger consideration, not affordability. You may be able to afford many things, but is it required? When you talk of debt, when you talk of loan, look at if the loan is being taken for a depreciating asset over time, then it's not an asset, it's a liability.

40:12 Take a loan only for things that are appreciating in time. Because a depreciating asset is usually a bondage. Are you all coming back next Sunday? Oh, you like this? I thought you'll get upset when I read out realities. Maintain financial transparency with yourself at home, at work. Integrity in small things matters and it protects you in your calling. Plan housing financial commitments around your income, not around your aspiration. Learn the difference between investments and lenders, especially for those of you believers who are getting into business. I'm telling you, man, business is a sharky shark world, doggy dog world. Bad words, but this is the reality. And and faith alone is not enough. You got to be shrewd. There's a difference between investors and lenders. They may come to you as I'll invest into your project. They're actually lenders. They want their money back. That's

41:14 called lending. Investment means I'm ready to take the risk with you and I'll share the profit and the loss. That's called an investment. Give first. Give to God first, save, that's second, and spend at last. Proverbs chapter 3 verse 9. This is wisdom, financial wisdom. Read. Honor the Lord. Come on, let's read that together. So, How many of you want God to be your financial partner? This is the key. This is the only way God will be your financial partner. God says, learn to honor me. See, this is wisdom. This is fear of the Lord. Learn to honor me. It's an attitude issue. It's not a money issue. It's an attitude issue of the heart. Learn to honor me. When you do your holy communion, honor, respect. It's important to give honor to God.

42:18 Firstfruits is a sign of priority, not leftovers. You know, many of us, sometimes we give God what is balance after everything is over. That that's just a sign of irresponsibility. It The important thing is to honor God in our attitude and in our culture. That's very important. There is a difference between knowledge, wisdom, and folly. Knowledge and wisdom are actually different. What is knowledge? Knowledge is acquisition of facts and information. That's knowledge. What is wisdom? How to apply that knowledge is wisdom. Many people have a lot of knowledge, but they don't know how to apply it because they don't have wisdom. That's why pornography should be avoided because it's knowledge without wisdom. It destroys you. It never helps anybody. Nobody watches pornography and comes out more holy and clean and with better family life. No. It's a destructive habit. Addictions, alcohol, drugs, they are destructive habits.

43:21 Looking for validation from others is a destructive habit. You have God on your side. Walk in that freedom. Every information is not necessary and good, but handling of the information is so important and that is wisdom. >> [clears throat] >> Knowledge only tells you what is true, but wisdom tells you how to handle the truth. Knowledge may or may not be applied to life. You get to know things, you may practice it, you may not. Wisdom always is applied to life. Knowledge only produces awareness, but wisdom produces right living and successful character. Hallelujah. This story of wisdom in Christ tells us one simple thing. Wise Christians are not those who know more about Jesus. Wise Christians are not those who know more about the bridegroom. Wise Christians are those who are more prepared for the bridegroom. That's wisdom.

44:25 >> [applause] >> Instead of wasting all your life studying about Antichrist and Revelation devil, study about Jesus in Revelation. Be prepared for him. >> [clears throat] >> What about all the other amens? Look at the person next to you and say, "It's wisdom to say amen." And the greatest amen you can say is a changed life. This is not just about the rapture when bridegroom comes to be prepared and go. This is about daily living because every day Christ is coming in your life to take you forward in life and to be prepared to move forward in his grace. >> [applause] >> This month is a month of wisdom and I'm telling you in the next 7 months you're going to walk many foolish decisions you've made in the past. I believe in the future God is going to help you get over it with wisdom and understanding. You're going to walk in miracles and favor in the name of Jesus. You will not walk in shame, but you will walk in honor, in victory. Hallelujah.

45:29 Go ahead. Give God a mighty hand of praise in Jesus' name. In Jesus' name. Close your eyes and say, "Father, I receive your presence in my life, the presence of your wisdom. Your Holy Spirit that guides me, that helps me to make wise choices, that helps me to make right decisions, that helps me in my weaknesses. I thank you, Lord. I thank you, Father, that I'll not only budget the way I spend, but I'll also budget the way I talk, the way I receive information. Father God, that wisdom will rule in my life. Hallelujah. Everybody talk to the Lord for a few minutes. Some of you who may be struggling in the area of wisdom. The Bible says in the book of Isaiah the Holy Spirit is a spirit of wisdom. Receive the presence of the Holy Spirit and you are going to see wisdom increase in your life. Hallelujah. You may be lacking in knowledge, but you don't have to be lacking in wisdom. Wisdom is a

46:32 gift of God. It's something you develop in your relationship with the master. Thank you, Jesus. I really feel strong in my heart this morning that God wants to impart wisdom, the ability to make right choices, the ability to make decisions with a sense of discernment, with a sense of insight that not only gives you success on the earth, but a success that stretches out into eternity. Hallelujah. A preparedness for the opportunities God is bringing in your life. >> [snorts] >> A preparedness to avoid the things that waste and destroy, that come as pestilence, that come as plague to weaken you, to weaken your soul. To avoid those things, that's wisdom from God. Heavenly Father, today as your servant, I pronounce your blessing upon your people.

47:34 Those of you who, while I'm going to pray, I just feel strongly, those of you really feel in your heart, "Pastor, I need that favor of God. I need more wisdom from him." If you can just raise your hand, I want to pray with you. Heavenly Father, I pray for these hands that are raised in your presence. And I pray for an abundant overflow of wisdom this month. I pray there will be an overflow of wisdom that will continue throughout their life. The wisdom that comes by your Holy Spirit, the wisdom that comes through a relationship with Christ our Lord. Let that wisdom flow so that in our daily living we will be victorious. In our daily living our character [music] will be more Christ-like. In our daily living we will move into prosperity, into [music] healing, and into sharing the gospel with others in a meaningful manner. >> [music] >> Let that wisdom flow in our daily choices of life, that wisdom from you. >> [music]

48:36 >> Father, for the pain, for the struggle, for the shame that people may have endured for lack of wisdom in the past, I pray the coming days will be days of makeup, days of restoration, days of regain. >> [music] >> And I speak that favor of yours on your people. Let the church grow, be blessed. Let your people experience that increase. >> [music] >> In Jesus' name we pray and the people said, "Amen." Go ahead. Give the Lord a big hand of praise. >> [applause and music] >> Hallelujah. >> [music] >> I am thine, O Lord. I have heard thy voice and it told thy love to me. >> [music] >> But I long to [singing] rise in the arms [music] of faith and be [singing] closer drawn to [music] thee.

49:41 Draw me nearer, nearer. >> [music] >> To the cross where thou hast died. >> [music] >> Draw me nearer, nearer. Oh, yes. >> [music] >> To thy precious bleeding side. Consecrate [music] me now to thy service, Lord, by the power of grace day [music] by day. Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope, and my will [singing] be lost in [music] thine. Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer. >> [music and singing]

50:43 >> To the cross where thou hast died. Draw me nearer. >> [music] >> Oh, yes. My Jesus. To thy precious bleeding side. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour that before [music] thy throne I spend. When I kneel in prayer, and with [music] thee, my God, I commune as friend with friend. Draw [music] me nearer. Nearer, blessed Lord, [music] to the cross where thou hast died. >> [singing] >> Draw [music] me nearer,

51:46 nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to thy precious bleeding [music and singing] side. There are depths that I may [music] not know till I cross >> [singing] >> the narrow sea. >> [music] >> There are heights of joy that I may not reach till I rest in peace with Shall we lift our hands, everybody? Tell him, Jesus, "Draw me to you, Lord. You are the wisdom of God. >> [music] >> Draw me closer to you, Jesus." Come on, church, cry out to him. Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to thy precious [music] bleeding Go ahead, take a few minutes, clap your

52:53 hands, open your mouth, praise [music] him for some time. Every spirit of foolishness, every spirit of darkness, be broken in the name of Jesus. [music] Every muscle memory and reflex [music] of foolishness, I rebuke in the name of Jesus. Every addictions of foolishness, I rebuke in the name of Jesus. Every [music] addiction of lethargy, of laziness, I rebuke it in the name of Jesus. [music] Let the people be free, free, free, free by the power of the Holy Spirit. [music] Makala raba shata. Come on, praise him. I believe this morning is a morning of deliverance by the power of the Holy Spirit. >> [music] >> Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Oh, we praise you, Jesus. We praise you, master. We honor you, Jesus. We love you, master. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

54:02 Heavenly Father, we [music] just want to say thank you, Lord, for your word that came alive into our hearts. Thank you, Lord, that you are the source of wisdom, and it's our prayer, oh Lord, that your divine wisdom may be reflected in every areas of our life, in our character, in our values, Lord, in our spiritual life, in our walk with you, in [music] our finances. We pray, oh God, that you will give us a an attitude to change, to prepare into all what you have planned us to be. >> [music] >> We bless your precious holy name this day. Father God, at this time, we pray for those who have come here for the very first time. >> [music] >> Thank you so much that you brought them here into your presence, and we pray that you would bless them, that your divine wisdom, oh Lord, rest upon them, that they may have a divine encounter with you. May their lives never be the same again. Lord, we pray for those who are celebrating the birthdays and marriage anniversaries this week. Thank you so much for adding another year into their lives. May the years ahead be prosperous and blessed by you. [music] May your wisdom prevail in their marriages. We pray, oh God, that you would bless them, that that your divine grace will take them through. your divine grace and your presence go

55:07 with them with whatever purpose that they're heading for. We pray for your hand of grace and wisdom to be upon their lives. Dear Lord, we pray for the tithes and the offering that people have given to you with a sincere heart, that you would bless [music] them, that our church will always have provision, oh Lord, as your word says that you will supply all our needs according to your riches and glory. And we pray that your divine grace [music] be upon the finances, Lord. Father, we pray at this time we remember those who are going through a time of pain, of sorrow, of losing their beloved ones. We pray for your hand of grace and your comfort to be upon their lives. We thank you, and we love you, Lord. May this week be a blessed week where we will walk in the power of your wisdom. We thank you, and we love you in Jesus' most holy name we pray. Amen. Now, may the grace of our Lord Jesus, the love of our heavenly Father, and the sweet abiding presence of the Holy Spirit rest and be with us from now and forevermore. Amen. Amen. Amen. God bless you all once again. We want to take this time to welcome all of you who are here for the very first time. Come on, church, give them a very warm welcome. Those who are watching us online today, those who are here, we

56:10 would love to meet you in our guest lounge. And if you need prayers, [music] our pastors are here in the front as well as in the overflow. God bless you, and have a blessed week. >> [music]