Life by Faith

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 in this church. I believe the Holy Bible is the perfect 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 am blessed, healed, and anointed for a holy and victorious living. I will never again be the same in Jesus name. Amen. Lord bless us. Please be seated. We've been studying on God's word from

01:03 the scriptures on faith, and today I want to continue learning with you on the importance of walking, living, transacting, doing everything through faith in Christ Jesus. And if you really think about it, a lot of times what gets attacked is our faith. It's not our job, it's not our money, it's not our family. Now, we may feel the attack in those levels, but really what is getting attacked is our faith in God. You know, whether it's our friendships under attack, whether it is our health under attack, what really is the target of the enemy? It's our faith. When we are targeted in different areas, if you really look at your life, look at the stress points of your life, look where you are having challenges, difficulties. Now, that is not what the devil wants destroyed in your life. >> [snorts] >> Through that, he wants your faith to be destroyed because your faith is what overcomes the world. Your faith is what defeats the enemy. Your faith is what

02:07 opens heavens and God's goodness into your life. It is your faith that makes the miracles happen in the most unusual manner. And therefore, the enemy always attacks your faith through attacking other components of your life. To weaken you in faith. That's really what the enemy wants. And that's why the Bible says in Romans chapter 14 verse 23. Let's read. And everything is sin. I mean, this scripture really changed my way of looking at prayers, looking at worship, looking at giving to God, looking at preaching, looking at the work we do, looking at the studies we do. It changed everything. When you don't do anything with faith in God, that is like sin before God. The prayers we make without faith. The coming to church without faith. The activities without faith. Another synonym for that is called sin.

03:11 Sin is not just bank robbery and committing adultery. Sin is just not lying and cheating. Sin is also our religious activities which are not from faith. And God's word is saying, "Anything that is not done in faith is sin." Faith in God is fundamental for walking in righteousness. If God has to value anything as holy and anything as without sin, then it must be built on faith. And this is so very important. Building in faith is so very important. And that's really why the devil keeps bringing confusion in our mind. Why? So that whatever we do, we don't do it in faith. We do it in confusion. And God cannot bless sin. And therefore, what we do in confusion, God cannot bless. Because sin is something God cannot bless.

04:14 Whatever you do, do it in faith. This is so important today as you're listening to God's word. Build your life on faith in Jesus name. Build your prayer in faith in Jesus name. Hallelujah. It is so important that our faith is built on God's word. And I don't want to go back, but just remind us that faith should come by hearing God's word. Faith is not something you build through some positive reinforcement, watching some movie, some self-confidence, uh impulsive, uh inspirational video, convincing yourself by saying something 25 times every morning or 100 times every morning. That's [snorts] not the faith we're talking about. We're not talking faith in faith or faith in ourselves. We're talking about faith in God. And that faith comes through the veracity, comes through the totality of the Holy Bible. And that faith is what God is looking for. And when he finds that faith, he calls it holy. He calls

05:18 it righteous. He calls it victorious. Hallelujah. You know, there's one conundrum, one confusion that used to bother me quite some time, uh but until it got clarified. It is It used to be that, you know, quite some time ago, I used to travel quite a bit in India. Internationally, but but more in India. I would go into villages and smaller towns and preach in conventions and meetings where where the local churches would gather and invite me as a speaker and I I I love doing it especially in my teenage and a little above. I love doing this. And I used to see miracles like, you know, unusual miracles. Healings of blind eyes opening, people who can't walk getting up and walking. And they would come to the church stage and testify in the convention that I was born with this impediment or I met with an accident had this problem or I had this sickness that was incurable and God healed me. I would hear those

06:20 testimonies where they would come and say them public and my faith level will shoot up. And no matter where I go Sunday I'm back in church especially after church ministry started. And when I come to church I preach the same messages or whatever God put in my heart, but not even a headache is healed. In fact, that auntie who last week had stomach pain now has back pain also. And I used to wonder God, those people in those towns are not even Christians so to speak. They're not people who even have a church to attend. But here, these are born Christians and then born again Christians. And why nothing is happening? And these are righteous people in Bangalore. These are good people in Bangalore. Why is it that healings and miracles are happening there in the townships, but it's not happening much in the city? Why? Is it a problem of the location? It It's surely not your problem because if you can do it there, you can do it here.

07:23 So So why is this difference? And it used to bother me and months together I I've been thinking, debating with myself. And And really I found there are many reasons. One of the reasons is the faith factor. You know, when in towns and villages they keep this Changaikki Sabha, this healing prayer, Jesus heals, Jesus blessing festival, people come expecting a miracle. They come expecting God will do something. This Jesus is a miracle working God. He will change my life. He will do a miracle. They >> [applause] >> come with that expectation and therefore God touches them. Hallelujah. But in church in Bangalore city, people come with one confidence, this pastor will stop on time. This pastor, he will not bore us. This location, bus service and auto service is available. There is parking space. These are the

08:27 thoughts and expectations many Christians have. And they also feel that pastors are good pastors, team of good pastors, they'll be available for prayer, they'll pray, then on the way back we can pick up some medicines. Their expectations are different and God meets their expectations. Faith is what God will bless. Hallelujah. I'll say that again, faith is what God will bless. Many times we we we depend on our own righteousness. God, I've been righteous. God, I've done good. So why should I ask you? You have to take care. No, no, no, no, no. It's [snorts] a It's a father-child, it's a parent-child relationship. Learn to open your mouth and talk to him and let [snorts] that conversation be built on faith in Christ Jesus, not in the pride of self-righteousness, but in the humility of relationship that was given to us in the cross of Calvary. Hallelujah. Am I helping anybody here?

09:31 Anything that is not done in faith is sin. Is [clears throat] bad as sin. Is sin. There is no good sin and bad sin. All sin is sin. Hallelujah. God, I just can't remember any sin I did in the last whole month. God says there are too many, but I don't want to remind you because I died to forgive that. And today morning God is reminding us anything that is not done in faith is sin. Hallelujah. When you go home to your family, if you're going in doubts of whether this will work out, it is sin. God can't bless it. Go home in confidence that it's going to work out. That God will bless because your faith in God is righteousness. >> [applause] >> Walk in faith in Jesus' name. Walk in faith in God. Hallelujah. Walk in faith, not in circumstances, but faith in God. Circumstances may be bad, but God is a

10:35 good God. He will handle everything. And even if things don't go out good the way I view it, the way I experience it's okay. He's got a better plan for my life. I'll continue to trust him. I don't trust him for good results. I trust him for who he is. Whether results are good or bad, I have faith in him. >> [applause] >> THAT IS THE faith that God wants all of us to walk in. Somebody shout an amen. The Bible is saying anything that is not done in faith is sin. Your work, your studies, your worship of God, your prayer, serving as a volunteer, do it with that commitment, that passion of faith, not with a wavering mind, knowing that you're doing it unto God almighty. Because true faith is not static. It's not a passive mental agreement with whatever God's word says. No. True faith is not just agreement with God. True faith is a passionate

11:40 commitment into obedience and worship that you live out as a reality while [snorts] you navigate the hurdles that come against your faith. Hurdles come against faith. Now, that's a reality. There's nobody here whose faith is not challenged occasionally. I started with telling us that every attack on your life is really an attack on your faith. Every attack on your life, on whatever aspect of your life, is really an attack on your faith. And it's through faith that you overcome these things. But some of the common attacks all of us have from children, small children, to older people, everybody has this. Fear. Everybody is afraid of something or the other. THE MOST POWERFUL MAN IN THE world is afraid he will lose it. The most beautiful lady in the world is afraid she'll lose it. The most wealthy man in the world is afraid he'll lose it. The most prosperous woman in the world is afraid she'll lose it.

12:43 The first rank holder is afraid he'll lose it next time. Fellow who got a job is afraid when he lose it. Fellow who didn't get a job is afraid if he'll ever get it. There is nobody who has no fear. Everybody has some fear. Fellows who have sickness are afraid of what the sickness will do to them. People who don't have sickness are worried when sickness will come. This anticipation of something bad is a reality of human life. Psychologists tell us that there are six fundamental fears all human beings have, at least six. [clears throat] Fear is a reality. But don't let it deflate your faith. Hallelujah. Every time faith pops up, add some more faith to it and quench the fear. Don't support fear. Whenever faith comes up, don't call it unreasonable. Support that faith. Whenever fear comes up, call it unreasonable and quench it. Shut it down.

13:45 Hallelujah. You have the You have the freedom to choose whether you want to believe in the ability of what the enemy can do or you want to believe in the ability of what God can do. Both are realities. You'd rather trust an almighty heavenly father than trust a somewhat powerful demon. The almighty is your HEAVENLY FATHER. >> [applause] >> TRUST HIM. Believe him. Walk with him. Expect from him and he will do great and mighty things. Temptations come against our faith. Temptations is a reality. Distractions are a reality. Pastor, I've never done it but I've thought of it. Pastor, I've never got involved in it but I've enjoyed it in my mind. There's nobody who is not tempted and distracted. Every And everyone's temptation is not the same. Some people are tempted to overeat. And some people are tempted to never

14:48 eat. Temptations sometimes are opposite. Some people are tempted to work harder and harder without caring for their health and some people are tempted not to work at all. >> [laughter] >> Temptations are different. Different people have different temptations. Some people's temptation is not to go to church. Others temptation is never to leave the church. Temptations are a variety. People have temptations because they want to avoid something else. Temptations are distractions. Isn't it the devil who brings temptations? Well, a lot of times it's the devil. A lot of times it's just circumstance and situation. A lot of times it's just biology. It's just uh entertainment. It's just friendships. It's just physics of life. Uh it's not always the devil. I tell you, sometimes the devil is not as smart as the troubles you have. Oh, I just said something powerful.

15:54 Temptations. Now, remember one thing. Temptation is not a sin. Temptation leads to sin. When temptation comes, just say, "Excuse me, wrong address. Try somebody else." Kick the temptation out. And then the temptation's gone. You're not a sinner. Somebody said it so beautifully. You can't stop a bird from flying above your head, but you can you can [clears throat] stop it from making a nest on your head. Temptations are like birds flying above your head. They just fly above. Then just chase it away. Leave it off. Don't put too much attention to it. But you sure can stop it from building a nest in your head. That's what we need to do. If I'm tempted, so I'm a sinner. No, you're not. You're tempted means your brain is working. You're still alive. You've got a good IQ. That's all what it means. It means you're still on the target list of the devil. Anybody feeling useless? Check when was the last time you were tempted.

16:56 It means Satan still is scared of you. There's something good about you he wants to destroy. Temptation is a proof that you are on the blessing list of God and the hit list of the enemy. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Fear comes against your faith. Temptations come against your faith. Somebody was asking me, "Pastor, I get so many temptations. Is that because Holy Spirit is not with me?" And I told them, "Fellow, the proof that you realize it is a temptation is the evidence that it's the Holy Spirit working in you. Because if Holy Spirit was not there, you won't even know it's a temptation. You'll just know that you don't have the ability to do fulfill those desires. That's all. You won't know it's a temptation. The ability to feel repentance about it, the ability to feel sorry about it is because you have the Holy Spirit working in you. All these things come against your faith. Faith is under the attack.

18:01 Third, persecution comes comes to destroy our faith. The Bible says in 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 12, "Suffering as a child of God is inevitable. Every godly person will suffer. That's not because you did something wrong. Oh, we live in a world where people will just simply assign a mistake on your life and blame you if something goes wrong in life. Your printer didn't work on the day you are supposed to submit the project and print out is not coming. You know what friends will say? Tu ne kuch pap kiya hai. You done some sin. Printer is not working because it's a manufacturing defect. Suddenly you caught a sickness. That's because you ate something bad or didn't take care of your health. No. No. At such a young age why this problem came? Because God is angry. Because everything attacks your faith. That's why the Bible says faith comes by hearing the word of God. Faith doesn't come by hearing the neighborhood. Some people's antenna will catch every signal in town. I TELL YOU SHUT THAT antenna

19:04 down. AND CATCH WHAT THE HOLY Spirit is saying. >> [applause] >> IT IS SO IMPORTANT. AMEN. PERSECUTION IS A REALITY. SUFFERING is a reality of life. Even the most holy people suffer. If you are born as a human, suffering is there. The Bible says in the book of Job, "As sparks fly upward, nature of life." You know, hotter things go upward in atmosphere. Cooler things go downward. This is not a physics class, but the point is the book of Job, "As sparks fly upward, so man is born to suffering. There is a tendency to suffer. There is a tendency for trouble. That's human life." Pastor, I don't know, from my childhood, anything I touch is trouble. Bro, you're human. >> [clears throat] >> Some people are too much human, but anyway, there there I know some people are born to too much trouble. Well, God can help you. You will come out victorious. Amen. It is so important to understand persecution comes to test your faith.

20:09 But, whatever you give up, don't give up your faith in God. Hold on to it. Hallelujah. David committed so many sins, went through so many failures. One thing that he held on to was not his most good-looking wife, was not the throne and the chair, was not the gold and the silver, was not even the militia that he developed. He was not fighting for the copyright over the songs he wrote. No, he not even for the harp. There's one thing he fought for, his faith in God. Take away anything, but not your spirit from me, Father. I believe in you. I trust you. You know what? Sin comes to destroy your faith. Fear comes to destroy your faith. Persecution comes to destroy your faith. You treat your faith as precious, God is going to treat you as precious and very, very precious. Abraham was tested. The Bible last Sunday, we looked at Hebrews chapter 11. Oh, there was no time to run through the passage was 8 to verse 19, But one of the things that's mentioned there is about Abraham, how he

21:12 God told him, "Take your son whom you love." Because he had two fellows. One was Ishmael, the other was Isaac. If God says sacrifice son means he'll definitely sacrifice Isaac. Because 10 years ago he already sent him out of the house. Now sending someone calling him back and knocking him off is not It is difficult, but not too hard. So God gave specific instructions. "Take your son whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land I'll This go to the land I'll show you became a trademark between God and Abraham. >> [laughter] >> God says step out of the You know, sometimes God will take you back to the initial steps of faith. After having walked with the Lord for 35 years now, I'm walking with God. By the time you're giving a testimony, God says let's start from ground zero again. God tells Abraham, "Take your son whom you love to a place I'll show you." I'VE HEARD THAT BEFORE. "TO A PLACE I'LL show you. There you sacrifice him." It's crazy, you know, when you know you

22:15 have to sacrifice but don't know where. Many of us we tell God, "God, beat me, but do it in private, God. Not in public." >> [laughter] >> We all love correction when it's done with dignity. God says, "I'll show you where. Three days journey." The guy Sarah never asked where you're going because she knows. He'll say, "I don't know. Ask God." So she never asked. She never asked anything. At least Bible doesn't record she asking anything. Isaac also didn't ask, "Where are we going?" He never asked. He only asked, "Where is the sacrificial animal?" Because the guy knew how to do sacrifice. In any house which is a believer, the children will grow up knowing how to worship God, how to offer to God, how to sacrifice for God in a house where they don't know. I'll tell you one joke. You all are looking very serious, so I'll tell you one joke. In one house [clears throat] one lady for somehow she bumped in the supermarket, she bumped into the pastor

23:18 of the church. >> [sighs and gasps] >> Hi pastor, how are you? And pastor said, "Sister, I haven't seen you in church for long." Pastor, we've been so busy, but you know, we pray in the house, we worship in the house. Okay, okay, but try to come to church. Yes, but pastor, since we met you, why don't you come home today evening for dinner? >> [gasps] >> Oh, sister, I'm so caught. No, evening my husband and children will be there. Please come home with your wife, we'll have dinner. Pastor said, "Okay, I'll come." So, he called up his wife and said, "You know, tonight we have to go to this family for dinner. These people never go to church, there is no prayer in the house." She was lying. But pastor also knows, but what to do? Pastor went. Pastor went to the house and in the house pastor sat down for dinner and then pastor looks around and says to the little girl in the house, "Why don't you say grace? You say the prayer, then we'll have the food together." She looks at mama and says, "Mom, what is that?" Now everybody is beginning to realize

24:20 this house there is no prayer. So, the mother trying to cover up the whole struggle says to the daughter, "You know what mom keeps telling God all the time in the kitchen? You hear me praying? Just say that." And the little girl says, "Oh, that one. Okay." She says, "God, I have no idea why I called all these people home." >> [laughter] >> That's the only thing she has heard the mother pray to God. But Abraham's son Isaac knew when you have to offer a sacrifice, there's got to be something to GIVE TO GOD. >> [applause] >> OKAY. This this Isaac sacrifice is crazy, yeah? Because God had promised him, "I'll make you a great nation. I'll bless you with children." And by the time he's 100, this fellow is now born. Isaac is born. Now he's about 20 Isaac is about 20 25 years of age, I don't know, whatever. He's He's grown up

25:23 and uh Abraham tells him, "Tie your hands and legs." And Isaac was an obedient guy. He was righteous. I mean, he had so much faith that if even if dad wants to kill me, God will keep me alive. His faith is not given in the Bible. I have no idea why, but anyway, maybe anyway, so >> [gasps] >> Abraham ties him up, puts him on the altar. Now, the question that comes to us is, "Abraham, did you not ask yourself that if you kill Isaac then and offer him as a sacrifice, then where will your children come from? How will you become a nation? How will you become nations?" The Bible says in Hebrews chapter 11 verse 8 onwards, Abraham did the maths. The Bible says Abraham did the maths and he calculated that when I offer Isaac as a sacrifice, because God has to give me nations through my children, surely God will raise this Isaac again after he's become a burnt offering from

26:26 the ashes, God will raise him up again. Abraham did the maths. >> [applause] >> Hallelujah. The The difference between faith and fear is this. Faith sees beyond what fear sees. Fear only sees THE DEATH. FAITH SEES THE intervention of God and what God WILL DO BEYOND. >> [applause] >> HALLELUJAH. Even Abraham HAD FEAR, BUT FAITH IS WHEN YOU LOOK BEYOND what the enemy can do, what the situation can do. And the Bible says something very interesting which I never found all this while. I found this 2 weeks ago. And the Bible says, "Abraham was the first one to envision resurrection." There was no prototype of dead coming back to life. There's never been in human history dead coming BACK TO LIFE. THE FIRST ONE WHO BELIEVED THAT THERE CAN BE A RESURRECTION WAS ABRAHAM.

27:30 HALLELUJAH. And he realized, "My God is not only a God who brings life, HE'S GOD WHO BRINGS life into the dead again and brings real life, reborn, BORN AGAIN." >> [applause] >> GO AHEAD, GIVE GOD A BIG HAND. THAT'S FAITH MATHEMATICS. HALLELUJAH. Faith will have its testings. Faith will give you opportunities to prove what you believe. And that happens in every human life. Look at James chapter 2:14. Let's read this. What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says they have faith but does not have the works? Can that faith save them? God's word is saying, "When faith is there inside, work will come automatically outside." Hallelujah. Work is automatic. It will come

28:34 automatically. Faith will radically shape how we work with others and how we view others. Instead of operating from a fear of God, we start operating from the love of God. These are two different things. Many people are operating in faith, but they're operating from the fear platform. Start operating in the love platform. Fear of God is good. I I I truly believe in it. It's important to honor God and fear God in that sense of it. But to fear God as if he's your enemy is the opposite of faith. You should love God because God is on your side. You fear God because he's a holy God, but you love God because he's your heavenly father and he's on your side. And he loves you abundantly. Hallelujah. Any fear that takes away love for God from your heart is not a godly fear. And one of the mistakes of traditional Christianity is many people are made to

29:37 feel, "Let's go to heaven not because they love God, but because there is no other place apart from hell. And hell is not [clears throat] nice. Hell is bad. Hell is so to avoid hell, even though they don't love Jesus, they want to go to heaven. This is complete hypocrisy. This is like marrying for money. I know. >> [sighs] >> There are five basic essentials that come as a part of our faith when we talk of relationships. Faith is the foundation even in our relationships with fellow human beings. Number one, we are called to have fellowship. This is the mistakes I make. Now that I'm a believer in Christ, I won't talk to anyone. I won't smile at anyone. I won't wish anyone. I won't shake hands with anyone. I won't sit with anyone. He that sitteth in the seat of the scornful. He that walketh in the walk of the ungodly. No, no, no. I am holy.

30:39 Brother, the day you were born again, if you became so holy, you would have been dead to that day. God would have taken you. God has kept you alive because he has a purpose with you. Don't become so lonely that even God can't reach you. God reaches [clears throat] you through his people. Calling. When God created us, the first thing he said, "It's not good to be alone." At least married people say one amen. God It's It's not good that a man should be alone. What about woman? They didn't have the chance. The man was already there. I know many women are saying that's always the situation. Yeah. It It's not good that the man should be alone. Relationship is why God created us, but it should be built on the values

31:41 of faith. In fact, medical science today has proven beyond shadows of doubt that money does not give you the long-term health and quality of life. It is not your intelligence that gives you quality of life and longevity of life. All of those things are good. But the one thing that makes your life live the longest and healthiest is good relationships. And that's exactly what the mobile phones are violating. And that's not my point, but just a postscript. Discernment is very important aspect of faith. What is discernment? It's not Discernment is not faithless cold suspicion on everyone that comes by. No, it is a love that is built on faith which has learned to see clearly. Philippians chapter 1 verse 9 and 10 talks about it. Psychology calls it social cognition. Psychology came now. Philippians was written 2,000 years ago.

32:45 Love is a part of faith. It is a decisive faith. It's not just a feeling, but it's a settled orientation of the attitude on how you have chosen to feel good about the well-being of others. That's the platform of love. Trust is a part of faith. But but listen to this very carefully. Trusting Love is a command. You have to love everybody, but trusting is a personal choice of judgment in the Holy Bible. Love is something you give freely to everybody, but trust is something you should extend only to those who deserve it wisely. To trust someone unworthily is not a virtue. It is the failure of discernment in faith. You should trust God and the discernment he gives. Hallelujah.

33:48 JESUS LOVED EVERYBODY, BUT JOHN'S gospel chapter 2 verse 24 and 25 says, "But he did not commit himself to everybody." What is the Lord teaching? Hey, let's become like Jesus. Love everybody, but trust only God and those who are trustworthy. Respect is something that is built out of faith. Honor those people around you. Even if you can't trust them, you can honor them. Amen. Hallelujah. Respect everybody because everybody is created in the image of God. If they deserve, trust them. Even if they don't deserve, respect them. Just honor people. There's nothing wrong. Be respectful to anybody that comes in your life. Many many people who has children have gone through abuse of violence or sexual abuse or abuse of a variety. When they grow up, they find it very difficult in relationships. I cannot forget one day after preaching about God's love and the love of our

34:50 heavenly Father. One young lady who was doing nursing, she was from a nursing college. She walked up to me and said, "Never again talk about Father. I can't relate with that." And I said, "God is your heavenly Father." She said, "Pastor," and she was crying, "don't ever talk about God as my Father. I always see God as my friend." And I said, "Now, what happened?" She said, "My father abused me. My father made me suicidal. I'm a psychiatric patient because of my father. Don't again talk of my father." I said, "Whenever I talk of the devil, think of your father. But when I talk of your heavenly Father, remember I'm talking of the best friend you will ever have." People who've gone through fatigue in in childhood, uh it takes divine faith in God to come out into healing. And this morning, faith is your medicine by the power of the Holy Spirit. Whatever you may have gone through, faith brings healing. Go ahead, give God a big hand. >> [applause] >> Faith brings healing.

35:53 Faith makes you competitive and successful and excellent. Competitive is a wrong word, actually. Excellent is the right word. It makes you excellent. FAITH IS NOT AN a reason for idleness. God fed Elijah. And God will feed me. God fed Elijah. First, you become Elijah. Do what God told you to do. Huh. Walk from Israel till Zarephath. That's what? 800 miles. Take a walk. 800 1,500 km. Don't walk, just obey. >> [laughter] >> Faith is not an EXCUSE FOR IDLENESS. I believe God will do everything, so I'll do nothing. You are operating in a demonic software. This got to be bugged out. In Jesus name, people walking in faith will walk. The Bible says in COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 2, WHATEVER YOU DO, YOU WILL DO IT. That means first you'll do something.

36:57 Whatever you do means you'll do something. >> [applause] >> And second, you will do it as unto THE LORD. HALLELUJAH. JOSEPH, I love the scripture. It's one of my favorites. Genesis chapter 39 verse 2 and 3. The Bible says Joseph was a slave. You know, some of you will think, how can God bless me? I'm just you know, I'm on the low. I'm on the lows. Uh low ranking. I'm on the low pay grade. I'm I'm low in responsibilities, you know. Maybe this message is applicable for successful educated people, those who have influence. I don't have anything. Joseph, you can't get worse than Joseph. Joseph was a slave. You know what a slave is? You don't know. Good, you don't know. Slave is not a servant. The maid who comes to clean in the house and mop, that's not a servant that's not a slave. Slave means they don't get a salary. They have to do whatever you say. They

38:02 don't even have a name. They only have a number. They are not Even prisons have human rights. Slaves have no human rights. The owner of the slave can decide when to kill a slave. There is no question about it. Even animals have animal rights. Slaves have no rights. JOSEPH WAS A SLAVE. And many people think because I'm in a bad condition, it's proof God is not with me. READ THE BIBLE. JOSEPH WAS A SLAVE, BUT GOD WAS WITH HIM. >> [applause] >> IT IS POSSIBLE IT IS POSSIBLE THAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH THE WORST TIME IN YOUR LIFE, AND GOD IS WITH YOU THERE. And you think you're going through it because God is not with you. No, no, no, no. You are going through it, but God is WITH YOU. AND BECAUSE GOD IS WITH YOU, YOU WILL PROSPER. You will prosper. You will prosper. You will come OUT OF

39:05 IT. HALLELUJAH. HEY. JO- JOSEPH KNEW ONE THING, MY GOD IS A COVENANT-KEEPING GOD. OH, THAT FAITH IS ONE THING HE DIDN'T GIVE UP. HE HELD ON TO THE FAITH. PERSECUTION CAME, fear came, temptation came in big quantities. Not in spoons, in buckets. >> [snorts] >> But the guy protected his faith. And the Lord was with him. AND AS A SLAVE, >> [laughter] >> HE STARTED TO PROSPER. He started to prosper. He started to prosper. He started to prosper. Hallelujah. He prospered and prospered and prospered. I I feel like telling one story. My time's running out. I've got one more page to go. But I feel like saying one story. Shall I say one story? Okay, now it's your [clears throat] fault. >> [gasps] >> Sorry. So, >> [sighs]

40:06 >> one man came to our church. He is If I remember right, he is not from a Christian background, and but he came to Christ, and he developed faith, but he's hiding. He's hiding because too many debts and too many loans and he's hiding. So, hiding he came to church. And he says, "Pastor pray Somebody brought him actually. Pray for me. I've received Christ as my Lord. I don't know. I just felt strongly in my heart, God is going to bless you, bro. You're going to have abundance." That fellow giggled. Because there is Forget about abundance. There's no money to eat food. He's left his family and ran away. Can't live because too much of loans. After I don't remember how long, maybe was it months or years, whatever. He called me one day, "I'm rushing to Hyderabad." Then I asked, "What happened?" He's shouting on the phone, "Hallelujah, pastor." I said, "Okay." That you can say, but what what is the text?

41:07 What is the substance? Substance is very He couldn't say. He couldn't complete it. His friend later told me, "After a lot of prayer, we all were praying for him. He was still hiding. Somehow police found where he is. He thought finish. Arrested." Police were searching for him because of a Supreme Court order. Because the land in Hyderabad which belongs to Mughals or Sultans, I don't know which was the guys that came there. Nizams. This fellow somehow in the last 10 15 years that he's been running around hiding, court had ordered to find out that family line. This fellow is from that family line. He didn't know. But through a series of tahsildars and family tree, they found out he Without his signature, things will not complete. "Pastor, crores and crores of rupees have become mine." "Whatever the Lord spoke, it happened, pastor. I'm so happy, pastor." He had told me, "If God bless me." It will never happen, but if God bless me,

42:11 "I will give to God." So many things he had told. Because when the Lord spoke, God's going to deliver you, he was so excited. He found it hard to believe. He was coming to church secretly with his friend. That day was so excited. Hallelujah. After that I've not heard from him. I mean, story is over. Story is over. Many people, once they are blessed, story is over. Hallelujah. If you're listening, bro, God bless you wherever you are. You know. >> [laughter] >> If God is with you, somehow, somewhere, he will do a miracle in your life. >> [applause] >> I don't know how. Hallelujah. But he knows how to do a miracle. Amen. IT TAKES FAITH TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS. And faith is so important to forgive others. Because without faith, you can't forgive others. It's You know, faith makes you uh

43:14 experience a reduction in your resentment, in your hostility, and your desire for revenge against those who have done wrong to you, while you're able to maintain the need for justice. There are two factors in forgiveness. One is what I call the decision of forgiveness, which is intellectual, and the other is what I call the feeling of forgiveness, which is emotional. The intellectual forgiveness is where you make up your mind, someone has done wrong to me, but I'm going to I'm going to give up the desire for revenge. Whatever law has to do, whatever society has to do, let them do. But I will not seek revenge. I leave it to God. I leave it to the agencies to do their work. I am not going to look down at them. I'm not going to look for their fall. I'm not going to look for their failure. I leave it to God. That's intellectual decision. But, intellectual forgiveness doesn't always mean emotional forgiveness. There is still that pain. There is still And And emotional forgiveness is when

44:17 you're able to trust God more, and you're able to replace negative emotions with more positive ones. Knowing that pain of the struggle you went through because someone did you wrong is not the same as unforgiveness. Pain is not unforgiveness. Sometimes you go through pain because of someone did something wrong to you, even though you forgive them. That's a different thing altogether. But, what is reconciliation? Reconciliation is when you watch the other person repenting of what they have done and trying to rebuild trust by uh compensating for what they have done. In other words, forgiveness takes only you. Reconciliation takes even the one who did the wrong against you. The The theological mistake many people make is when they use faith without discernment. And through faith, they say, "I not only forgive, I reconcile." Now, that's wrong. Faith should be in the word of God, not in what society says. God's

45:20 word says, "Faith must lead you to discernment." And this is very important because sometimes you forgive in intellectually, and you forgive emotionally, but because you believe in God, you want to follow his word, you keep a uh social distance, if that's the right word, because you don't want to be put into trouble again. It's a part of your faith in God. Forgiveness is important, and it's a part of your faith in God. Forgiveness is a part of your faith in God. You know, there are two lakes that are connected to one river. It's called the River Jordan. When you look at the study of map of Israel, there's a river called Jordan. One lake is called the Lake of Galilee. I've been there. Man, the water is pristine. It's so clean. Even even 7 ft 10 ft into the sea, you can see s e a, sea. s e e, see. You can In the sea, you can see uh the the bed of the lake. You can see the bed of the sea. Water is so clean. It's so clean. Even

46:22 today, it's so clean. Oh, it's so clean. A few more kilometers that River Jordan flows. So, River Jordan comes into the Sea of Galilee, and from the other side, it flows out from the Sea of Galilee. There's another sea called Dead Sea. I've gone there also. That's the only sea in the world where no one can commit suicide. Because if you jump inside, it'll push you up. It is so buoyant with dirt. There are no birds flying on the sea because of the toxic chemicals that go up in the vaporization. You know, it's People sleep on that and drink coffee, tea, and read newspaper. I've seen it. You can't sink in that. I didn't try, but I saw people floating in that. Not swimming, floating. Because the water is so buoyant, it's so thick. It's so dirty. It's so dirty. You know why? Because Dead Sea is not like Sea of Galilee. Sea of Galilee receives and gives away. Dead Sea is what we call in India filthy

47:26 rich. It receives, but never gives. If you think I spoke about you, it was purely coincidental and not intentional. We received forgiveness. We must pass on forgiveness. 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, let's read verse 18. I'm done. Give thanks. For this is the Without faith, you can't do this. Without faith, you can't do this. It takes faith to do this. And I want to close. I want to close. The last verse, please put it up. And the Bible says this, let's read together. So in Christ Jesus, you are all Your identity is built on faith. Your identity is not built on the result of what you do. Your identity is not built on the sin you have committed. Your identity is not built on what others have spoken or prophesied on you. Your identity is built on the faith that

48:30 you have received through the word of God. Hold on to your faith. >> [applause] >> Don't give up your faith. Close your eyes and say, "Father, I thank you for faith you've put in my heart. Faith in your word, faith in you by your word, faith that is built through your word, faith that comes through the spoken word, the rhema, spoken by the Holy Spirit. I thank you for your word. I thank you that I'm your child. Irrespective of what happens around me, I thank you that you are my master. You are my father. You are my God. Hallelujah. As Joseph prospered because you were with him, though he was a slave for a season, his identity was secure that he is your child. So I want to be, Lord, irrespective of what I go through. I don't want to change the substance of who I am. I am your child, and that will remain my substance. That will remain my identity. That will remain who I am.

49:35 There are times I do wrong things, but my identity will not change. I am your child. I'll come back into looking more like you. I'll come back into overcoming those sinfulness. I'll come back into overcoming those weaknesses. Hallelujah. I thank you, Lord, that through faith you're building my life. Through faith you're doing miracles. Through faith you're making me excellent. Through faith you're opening up opportunities. Through faith the way I talk is changing. Through faith the way I perceive things, my paradigms of life are changing through faith. Through faith the way I pray is changing. The way I seek you is changing. Hallelujah. I thank you, Jesus. I go to battle, but from now I go with faith into those battles. Whether it's a fight against time, whether it's a fight against my weaknesses, whether it's a battle against the corporate politics, I go with faith now. I go with a smile in

50:39 my heart knowing that you are in control. Hallelujah. If God be for us, who can [music] be against us? Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Take a few minutes, everybody. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God concerning you in Christ Jesus. >> [music] >> Thank God with a heart of faith saying, "God, I trust you. I trust you. I trust you." >> [music] >> Thank you, Jesus. Heavenly Father, today as your servant, as a priest over your house, I bless this congregation. [music] May they grow. May they increase in your favor. May they increase in faith. May they walk in your blessings. And some who need miracles, let it happen in their life, oh Father. May they walk in your wisdom. Hallelujah. May they experience the joy of seeing more people coming to you through their life. >> [music] >> In the name of Jesus, I pronounce your blessing upon them. Prosper them in abundance. May they walk in your victory. In Jesus' mighty name we pray,

51:43 and the people said, "Amen." Give God a big hand, shall we? Oh, yes. >> [applause and music] >> Oh, what a wonderful, [singing] wonderful day. Day I will [singing] never forget. After I wondered [music] in darkness [singing] away, Jesus, my savior, I met. Oh, what a tender, compassionate friend. >> [music] >> He met the need of my heart. Shadows dispelling [music] with He made all the darkness depart. >> [singing] >> Heavens came [music] down and glory [singing] filled my soul. >> [music] >> When at the cross my savior made me whole. My sins [music] were washed away and my night was turned to day.

52:51 >> [music and singing] >> Heavens came down Oh, yes. >> [music] >> Born of the spirit with life from above into [music] God's family divine. Justified fully through Calvary's [music] love. Oh, what a standing is mine >> [music] >> and the transaction so quickly was made when as a sinner I came. >> [music] >> To God be all the offer of praise. [music] He did conquer. He saved me. Oh, praise His dear name. >> [music] >> Heavens came down Yes, Jesus. [music] Thank you, Lord. Thank you, master. My savior made me whole. My sins [music]

53:53 were washed away and my night was turned >> [music and singing] >> today. Heavens came down. >> [music] >> Now I have hope that will surely endure >> [music] >> after the passing of time. I have [music] a future in heaven for sure. There in those mansions [music] sublime and it's because of that. >> [music] >> Oh, yes, Lord. Absolutely. Cross I believe. Riches eternal and blessings [music] supernal from his precious hand I receive. >> [music] >> Heavens came down. Shall we all lift our hands, everybody? Come on, sing it together. When [music] at the cross my savior made

54:58 me whole. My sins were [music] washed away and my night was turned >> [music and singing] >> today. Heavens came down and glory filled. >> [music] >> Go ahead, church. Give the Lord a mighty hand of praise. Lift up your voice in faith. [music] In faith. Clap your hands in faith. Shout your thanks in faith. Hallelujah. >> [music] >> Rejoice in faith. Your master is the name above every other name. His [music] promises are eternal. Heaven and earth may pass away. His word will never pass away. [music] Those that look to the Lord, their faces were radiant and they were never put to shame. Hallelujah. [music] Go ahead. Go ahead. Go ahead. When you shout with faith, [music] that walls of Jericho will come down in the name of Jesus. Prayers of [music] faith will turn

56:05 barrenness into fertility. Hallelujah. Oh, faith, faith, faith, faith, [music] faith. Faith in the choices of God. Faith in the plan of God. Faith in the persecution. Faith in the temptation. [music] Faith in the moments of fear. In the mighty name of Jesus. >> [music] >> Hallelujah. >> [music] >> Heavenly Father, we want to thank you this beautiful morning, Lord, for your loving presence, oh God, in our midst through a time of worship. Thank you for [music] your word that came alive today, Lord. Thank you for opening our eyes to see, oh God, your beautiful word. And thank you, Lord, that you're bringing changes in our life. Thank you, Father God, that there are miracles that are happening, oh Father God, right now as your word is already spoken. Bless your people, oh Father God. May your favor be on them. Father, we pray for the newcomers [music] today. We bless them. We thank you, Lord, that you have spoken to their hearts. That Lord Father, that your faith, oh God, will rise within

57:08 them to believe [music] in you, trust in you. And Lord, when they walk out of this place, they walk out with that grace. And the miracle working on hand of yours [music] will touch every need of their lives. Bless them, we pray, God. Father, we pray for those who are celebrating their birthdays, marriage anniversaries this week. We thank you another year of your great faithfulness, your fulfillment in everyone's life. [music] And we thank you that the year ahead will be even more blessed. That Lord, your people will enjoy the works of faith. As they trust in you, you will do mighty miracles in each one of their lives, oh God. [music] Let the families be blessed, prosperous in everything that they do, oh God. May your peace and your protection be on them, oh Father. Father, we pray for those who are traveling this week. May your journey mercies go with them. Protect them. Keep them safe. Bring them back safely. >> [music] >> And whatever work that they go for, when they do it with faith, let there be miracles on their jobs. Miracles on everything that they touch, oh God. Thank you, Lord. [music] Father, we pray God for some of them who would have lost their loved ones this

58:09 week and are going through pain, oh God. and I pray that your blessed comfort, Lord, will be in their lives. That your peace, oh God, will bring assurance of your presence in them, Lord. >> [music] >> Lord, may your presence, oh God, continually be with them as you promised that I will never leave you. I will never forsake you. Thank you, Lord. Bless them. Father, we pray as your children with a heart of gratitude worship, give their tithes and offerings unto you. I pray you'll bless the work of their hands and make it fruitful for them. And Lord, for some who might be going through a difficulty, in the name of Jesus, we pray let the fear of finances turn into faith, oh God. Let there be abundance and we pray let there be prosperity, oh God. As it is a year of abounding, let your children prosper. That they will come back with testimonies of how you changed things in an instant, oh God. Thank you once again. As your people go back another week ahead, >> [music] >> I pray God your presence will go with them. Let them have a blessed week, I pray. We give you all the glory, honor,

59:12 and praise in Jesus' mighty name we pray. Amen. Now, may the grace of our Lord Jesus, the love of our heavenly Father, and the sweet abiding fellowship of the Holy Spirit rest and abide upon each one of us from now and forevermore. Amen. God bless you. You have a very blessed week ahead. All the newcomers that are here today, we just want to welcome you. Let's put hands together for the newcomers. All newcomers, as you walk out there's a guest lounge, people waiting to meet and talk with you. If you need prayers, the pastors are lining up in the front and in the overflow for prayer. Bye-bye. >> [music]

1:02:17 >> Mhm.