Victory

00:03 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, [snorts] died, and rose again. He ascended into heaven. He shall soon come again. I believe in God the Holy Spirit who worshiped and my guide. I believe in holy fellowship, faithful giving and service to God in this church. I believe the Holy Bible is [snorts] the perfect word of God. I am what it says I. I have what it says I am and I can do what it says I can do. Today as I learn the word of God here in my spiritual family, I am blessed, healed, and anointed for a holy and victorious living. I will never again be the same in Jesus' name. Amen. The Lord bless us. Please be seated. It's been a cold morning, huh? When the alarm rang and I got up,

01:12 it I thought it's midnight and I looked at the temperature. It was 12 or something. >> [snorts] >> starting uh I don't know so many years now this this Sunday next Sunday usually we keep those who are traveling from our church in prayer uh that God's blessings be on them wherever they are because these are holiday seasons and people travel a lot many people travel back to Bangalore uh to be in church for Christmas and New Year And it's so beautiful to have the large family reunion as we come to celebrate and thank and worship our Lord together. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> So today I want to continue learning with us from God's word. We were looking at the mystery of the king. Matthew's gospel presence Jesus as the king. In

02:16 fact when Matthew's gospel uh Matthew wrote the gospel as a Jewish writer. He starts off the genealogy of Christ as in which family Christ was born. He starts with Jesus the son of David because Matthew is trying to show Jesus as the son of David as a king of the Jewish people. In Mark's gospel, we look at how Mark wanted to show Christ as the savior who came to suffer for us, a servant. But in Luke's gospel, he is the only non-Jewish writer. He was not a Jewish guy. Luke was not a Hebrew. He was not a Jewish guy. He was a gentile like us good people. So, uh he was non-Jewish and he wrote uh the gospel of our Lord Jesus and it's called the Gospel of Luke. And so he comes to it from a very different paradigm. You know back in those days people believed God was very holy and people were irredeemably sinful. Human beings are irrevocably

03:20 lost and sinful and God is such a holy God. Both cannot come together. There can be no union between the divine and the human. The Roman, the Greek and oriental religions believed that God is so holy which is true. Man inherently is sinful which is true and therefore there can be no union. And so different philosophies, different religions approached the topic very carefully and yet differently. The Romans and the Greeks believed in the Samaritan uh kind of viewpoint. The orientals believe and some believe that you have cycles of birth and rebirth and that you have to go through this punishment of life being uh one of the stages and maybe at some point through punitive life through a punished life you might somehow reach God at some point because God is so holy and distant. Now from that background they began to develop religiosity and therefore religion back in the times of

04:25 Luke so much more when he wrote the gospel of Luke was about appeasing God somehow make God happy. Stop God from being angry with you. So everything was crafted everything was done in a way that God would not be so mad at you. You know somehow stop God getting angry. They worshiped God. They prayed not out of love, more out of fear. The more out of a sense of desperation, you know, give offerings to God, give money to God, go to God, do whatever he wants so that he'll not be mad at us because he's a holy God and we are sinful. Now, in [snorts] that context, Luke's gospel, he begins to write. And that is why Luke's gospel connects the genealogy of Jesus right to Adam, the son of God. He's trying to say Jesus is the second Adam or the last Adam and the perfect man. When God became human and dwelt with us, that big bridge between God and humanity was built. That big bridge was built

05:30 through Christ Jesus. For he became the way, the truth, and the life. That God came down to us and we connect with God. and and and that beautiful analogy Luke's gospel brings out so beautifully saying that Jesus is incarnate son of the living God. He has come to give us victory. He has come to give us victory. We started with the mystery then we looked at the history and today we look at the victory Christ provided us with God becoming human to have friendship with us. Go ahead, give God a big thanks. Absolutely. [applause] Hallelujah. And and and this whole concept of, you know, in the in the Gospel of Luke, you will find the word Jesus, the son of man, son of man, more than 25 times. More than 25 times, the word Jesus as the son. Wasn't he the son of God? Wasn't he God in flesh? Why does Luke keep calling Jesus the son of man? Because Luke wants to show Christ

06:34 as the perfect human who connected God with us. God became a human so that we can become like Christ and have a relationship with God. >> And the son of man is not a new thing that Luke invented. It was actually the prophecy of Daniel. In Daniel chapter 7, you have Daniel the prophet talking about the son of man who will come. So he took that line from Daniel's prophecy in chapter 7 about Jesus and then began to use that to tell the Jewish audience the son of man you are looking for which Daniel had prophesied is Jesus. He is the son of man. In fact, Daniel chapter 9, I didn't give it to you guys, but I think you should put it up. It's verse 25 and 26. Daniel chapter 25 and 26. Let's do King James version. It gets messed up. I mean, it's really, you know, hard to understand. So, I'll explain it later. Know therefore and

07:38 understand. This is Daniel 9 25 and 26. Let's read together. Know therefore and understand that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the prince shall be seven weeks and three score and two weeks. The street shall be built again and the wall even in [snorts] troubles times. And after three score and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off but not for himself. And the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. And the end thereof shall be with a flood. And unto the end of the war desolations are determined. Did you understand anything? You didn't right now. That's why I wanted a King James version. [laughter] Daniel the Daniel the prophet he is prophesying about 700 years before Jesus could be born. Now what was the scenario in which Daniel the prophet is prophesying? He is sitting in Babylon. He's not sitting in Jerusalem because

08:42 the Babylonians came and captured Jerusalem. Broke down the temple of God partially. Burnt it down partially and took away Daniel and the gang as slaves. Now he's sitting in Babylon and the Holy Spirit is speaking to him and he's prophesying that Jerusalem [clears throat] will be rebuilt. Now Daniel is prophesying Jerusalem will be rebuilt. The temple there will be an attempt to rebuild it. Now we know that happened during the time of Nehemiah. Nehemiah was the one who started rebuilding the temple. It started with Ezra but it continued and sort of completed with Nehemiah. Now Daniel the prophet in that verse 25 and 26 that sounded King James version. Okay. What he's saying is to put it in simple English because one week in prophetic language, okay, is a a 7-year period. So he's actually saying 483

09:44 years from the time the order to rebuild Jerusalem is given. Calculate 483 years from the time Jerusalem will be rebuilt. Now look, nobody believed at that time Jerusalem can be rebuilt. They hoped for it. They prayed for it. Now Daniel the prophet is saying there will be an order from some king that will say rebuild Jerusalem. Now we know that Artiser was the king, a Persian king who ordered that. Okay. Now Daniel didn't know that. Daniel prophesied in the coming days there will be a king who will order Jerusalem to be rebuilt from the time the order is given for Jerusalem to be rebuilt. Calculate 483 years. Now historically >> [snorts] >> uh that happened I think in 440 BC. King Artiserex gave the order saying rebuild the temple in about 4 uh 43 uh BC I think it was. Now from that time Daniel

10:49 says calculate 483 years. At the end of 483 years the Messiah would already have been born and he would be cut off not for himself but he would die for others. He would be cut off. Now Daniel the prophet gives the date accuracy weak accuracy saying 483 years from the time the order to rebuild Jerusalem the Messiah is going to be sacrificed and after that he gives a period and says Jerusalem will be totally destroyed the temple will be destroyed a prince with his people will come and destroy it that's exactly what happened in AD.70 after the Lord Jesus was crucified, rose again from the grave, went to heaven, and after a few more years, just as Daniel prophesied, the [snorts] entire Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman prince. The Roman prince came, destroyed everything. The temple was gone, everything was gone. Everything in the

11:53 Bible, what God said, date accuracy has been fulfilled. If anybody has doubts where the Bible is true, read the scripture. [snorts] Anything God says date accuracy gets filled. The only thing God has not told us date he said it's going to happen but he never gave the date is when he'll come back. >> Everything else date also is given. Only when he'll come back date is not given. He said be ready. >> But he didn't give the time. Always be ready. >> He'll come sometime. Now I always say this if all the prophecies of his first coming which was more difficult I tell you it was very difficult because his first coming a virgin had to give birth it had to be in Bethlehem about 300 prophecies had to come true for his first coming it's very difficult by permutation and combination I did a AI math check it's impossible it's AI said it's impossible for 300 such prophecies to come together it is impossible

12:56 because the permutations combinations are too many mathematically it's impossible but it happened now God knew someday AI will say it's impossible that's why he said in Luke's gospel chapter 2 whatsoever is impossible with man or AI is possible >> with God [cheering] okay [applause] everything is possible with God hallelujah >> hallelujah >> now everything God [clears throat] said about the first coming was fulfilled Jesus came second coming is just for him to come back. Nothing big in it. In the first coming, he had to die. Messiah has to be cut off for his people. He has to rise again from the grave. Impossible scenarios. Everything was fulfilled. Second coming, he just has to come. That is the easiest. So he said, "I'll not tell you the time. I'll come. You'll be ready." >> Jesus is going to come, pastor. He said before Christmas I don't know

13:59 I have no idea the thing is Jesus never told us when he'll come but 6 months ago blood had moon had become blood red every year it becomes there are many people who are waiting for moon to become blood red then they get ready for the lord all these jokes keep it aside okay you can sell books and sermons on that but if you want to be with Christ when he comes be ready we never know when he comes >> hallelujah Yeah. >> But he will come. >> Amen. >> If his first coming which was impossible happened, his second coming which is so easy will surely happen. >> Amen. >> Everything about Jesus coming prophecy accurately happened. Now Luke's gospel is saying Jesus is the perfect man who modeled for us how to live a successful life because God wants us to be successful. What is success? Making money is not success. It's a part of success. Making money is not the full success. It's just

15:02 a small part of success. Having a job is a part of success. Getting married is a part of success. Right? All these things are partial success. in their own ways. A a full success is about life's purpose becoming fulfilled. That is full success. Full success is not just having money or a job or a marriage or a house. There's all different parts of success. But making sure your life has contributed to God's call for your life. That life has become meaningful because you fulfilled what you were meant to do. Now that is full success. And how do you have that full success in life? Christ our Lord teaches us that number one is a life of prayer. Let's say that together. A life of >> the Lord Jesus as the perfect man prayed a lot. Did he have to actually pray? Of course no. He is God. Whom whom should he pray to? Now set an example to be an example for you and me. He prayed like how you and I should prayed. The Bible says in the book of Hebrews and Jesus

16:04 our example who became everything that we can follow him must follow him. We must look at what example Christ has set so that we can experience God's fullness in our life and one of that is called prayer life. Now please understand Christian prayer or Bible- based prayer is different from the prayer life of other religions. We should not confuse the two. Prayer life of a Christian faith is a relationship with God. Another way of calling prayer life is conversations with God, dialogues with God, worshiping God, friendship with God, walking in that victory with God. That is called prayer life. Staying in the range with God, signal range with God. Staying [snorts] in signal. You know sometimes you get into a lift or you go into some basement of a restaurant in the car parking and there is no mobile signal. You haven't experienced that. That's that's nice. But I have. You know you're

17:07 talking to somebody and you get into a lift and suddenly there is no signal and your voice is cracking breaking. Why? Because in that lift cubicle escalator area uh signals are not coming. A life without prayer is staying outside divine signal. A life of prayer is staying in the signal region. >> A divine signal region >> is to meet with God often in prayer and keep those spiritual batteries charged constantly. That is so important. Prayer is communion, fellowship with God and staying in connection with God. The Lord Jesus prayed all the time. He prayed at different occasions. Remember the Lord Jesus was getting baptized. Now we all know the story. The Lord Jesus was getting baptized, right? He went to River Jordan and you have John the Baptist coming to baptize the Lord Jesus or the John the Baptist was already there. The Lord Jesus walked up there to get baptized and John the Baptist says, "No, no, no, no. You are already a Christian. Why should you be baptized?

18:10 Uh in fact, you are so holy. I should be bapt Jesus said, "Lay, I have to set an example so that Bangaloreans can follow. Therefore, okay, allow me to be baptized now. I don't need to be baptized. I know that, John. I know I'm the son of God, but I have to be an example for others. So, I want to get baptized now. And uh hey, but when you were a baby, they took you to the temple and did whatever. No, no, no. This baptism, I have to, as a grownup, I have to believe and be baptized. So, let me be an example. So, Jesus, our Lord, walked into the water, got baptized. The Bible specifically says he went under the water and the most important part came up out of the water. >> [laughter] >> He came up out of the water and the Holy Spirit came upon him. We all remember that, correct? But let me show you something that we often miss. Look at Luke's gospel chapter 3 and verse 21. Now when all the people were baptized and when Jesus also had been baptized and was >> sometimes we miss that

19:16 and was praying. He wasn't feeling wet and cold. He was praying. He wasn't strategizing about the next ministry. He was praying. We sometimes miss that. When Jesus had also been baptized, others were not praying. Jesus was praying. Then the heavens were opened and they heard the voice of the father saying, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him." Now, what is the Bible saying there? Jesus our Lord had a culture of praying. You and I, please believe me, you can never over pray, you can overeat, you can over talk, you can oversleep, but you can never over pray. >> Oh my god, I prayed too much today. No, you didn't. No matter how much you pray, it's still necessary. >> Amen. While Jesus got baptized, he was praying and heavens opened above him. >> Every time Jesus prayed, heaven didn't

20:21 open. Many times when we pray, nothing happens to the heavenly. We wonder, God, did you even hear what I said. Sometimes it opens. Now don't try to find out the mhortam when heaven will open. This is the problem with many people. They teach you should pray early in the morning because there is a window of time when heaven will be open and angels are moving around looking for next assignment. All this is not required. There might be some truths to it which is not applicable to us. For us, you can come to the throne room of God any time of need by the blood of Jesus. Hallelujah. You can walk into his presence anytime and your heavenly father is willing to listen to you. Amen. [cheering] Some people say we must pray in the middle of the night. See, it's up to you. It's fair enough. Whatever time you like to pray. But the

21:23 point is more than believing in prayer. When you pray, believe in God. >> Amen. >> It's not faith in prayer. It is faith in God that builds prayer. Hallelujah. I prayed so I will get the job. I don't know brother. But if you believe God has a plan for you with or without the job you will have success in life. [applause] Amen. Young man in our church recently I was talking to him and he's doing extremely well. He's so blessed at a young age to have the kind of success God has given him in in the city of Bangalore. He was telling me, "Pastor, I wanted to just get a job and run away from the city because we were not doing well." And he said, "I don't know how to tell you. One Sunday, I came to church and I heard you were preaching and God put a vision in my heart. I received Christ as my Lord. I became a believer. I started following Christ. And one thing that hurt me is I never got a job." He was looking for jobs. He never got a job. And it seems

22:25 he came and asked me, can I [clears throat] start a business? And I told him, start a business, but don't invest money. invest your time, invest your energy, but don't invest money. And he was confused. And he went [clears throat] back thinking that's why I shouldn't talk to a pastor. I should talk to a businessman. Pastor is only for spiritual things. And I think that is true. That's a fair assumption. So he was praying and he was seeking God and he felt in his heart that let's try what pastor said. Maybe God was speaking. So he started trying it out without putting money. He said that has sustained me pastor. Today I'm doing so excellent. My joblessness was not for my destruction. It was so that I will give job to dozens of others. And that's what has happened. And I don't have any loans on me. I want to tell you when you pray sometimes you will see heavens open. >> Sometimes you won't. Your faith should not be based on your experience. Your faith should be built on the promise and the word of God Almighty. On the fact that he's with you. His presence is with

23:30 you. Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. >> Jesus prayed at the time of baptism which is an odd time to pray actually but he was praying at that time. Jesus our Lord chose 12 disciples. Sometimes you look at them and you know he didn't pray properly. That's why he selected such people. Take a look at Luke 6:12. The Bible says in these days he went out to the mountain to pray and all night he continued in prayer to God. The Lord Jesus took a whole night to pray and the next day he decided to select those 12 disciples. I tell you prayer doesn't mean that every decision you make won't have any problem. Pastor I fasted and prayed and then opened my eyes and saw her in the church and married her. Don't know why my life is like this. Prayer doesn't Prayer [laughter] I didn't know I'll get [clears throat] so much response. Uh prayer doesn't mean that your solutions won't have problems.

24:34 Prayer doesn't mean that the choices you make will be perfect. No, prayer only means that you have making decisions as God guides you and he will give you grace to overcome every problem that comes in the process. >> That's the reality. [applause] Hallelujah. Pastor, I got this job after so much prayer, but why is it such a hassle? Pastor, we got this child after so much prayer. How did it turn out to be like we deserve? You see, whatever may be the challenge you're feeling, the truth is when you pray, God will bless that prayer >> and he will be with you in the consequences of the decision. Amen. >> The Lord Jesus spent a whole night in prayer. I mean, you are the son of God. You are God on earth. Can't you just go pick 12 correct people? Yes, I can. But I want to set an example. I don't make choices until I talk to my father. [clears throat] And he spend time in

25:38 prayer whole night. Night is a time people used to sleep. Back in those days they didn't stay awake because there was no mobile phone, no electricity, no clubs, nothing was there back in those days. When it was dark, people went to sleep. And if they didn't have a sleep, they struggled because there was no one else who is awake. There are no coffee shops. There are no bars and pubs. There's no iPod and music to play. There's nothing. Even the animals go to sleep. It's not like you can pick up a animal and take it to graze or to do something in the field. Everything goes to sleep. Back in those days, the Lord Jesus stayed awake whole night. It's not like he had some, you know, headphones and listening to Christian music and trying to stay awake with some coffee. No, it it's so different from today. He spent whole night in prayer. We all go through dark moments in life, don't we? All of a sudden, somebody who we were

26:42 expecting to help us out turns against us. We were expecting a good report, but it turns out to be confusing from the medical center. Sometimes we go through situations where we really thought we'll have the kind of success because we worked towards it and someone else stole the prize away. You kind of feel so insulted. You know, people you've you've really honored dishonor you in return. All these things happen in life. I mean that paper you studied and you really wrote well and you got the least marks for that. I mean how do you justify that? How do you come to terms with this? You went to the barber every time he cut your hair good. This time the hair stylist you told them this is the most important moment of my life. I just need it right and they messed it up thoroughly. It'll going to take 3 months to fix it now. Happens to all of us at different levels. You did your facials, everything is perfect now. You're so happy. And then you notice, man, the pimple is just come at the wrong time in the wrong

27:44 place. You just feel Jesus, did you go through this? I tell you, we all go through dark moments in life. What do you do at that time? Jesus spent it in prayer. >> The Lord spent it. Learn to pray more. >> Spend more time in prayer. >> Hallelujah. Hallelujah. >> Prayer is not just you know uh doing something else and giving in between attention. No, prayer is putting full attention. I mean you can pray when you drive. You can pray when you are at work but there is something about dedicated focused prayer and that cannot be replaced by other kinds of prayer life. Jesus spent the whole night in prayer because [clears throat] he was working in the morning. Now if you are not working in the morning, pray morning itself. Many people take that scripture they sleep throughout the day and night they'll be praying whole family is fed up because of you. No don't do such things. Jesus our lord prayed in the night

28:46 because morning he was doing the will of the father doing the works that he was supposed to do. You find in Luke's gospel chapter 22 let's read this uh together verse 41. And he withdrew from them about a stone throw and knelt down and >> prayed. >> Uh-huh. Look at his posture in prayer. He knelt down and prayed. Why did he go a stone throw away? Because these fellows are snoring and sleeping and that is affecting him. So he went far away where their noise will not disturb him. And sometimes these disciples, you know, they talk during the sleep. I mean when they're awake the way they talk I'm sure they sleep talk. So the Lord went away from them and spend time talking to the father. Hallelujah. He didn't want other sometimes you got to learn to lock your closet, lock your door and just talk to your father from the bottom of your heart and speak to him. Amen. Whole night the Lord spent in prayer.

29:48 Heaven didn't open. Angels didn't come. Nothing happened in the time of baptism. Heaven opened. Now here also in the garden of Gethsemane he's going to be crucified. It's the time to be anxious. That's the time to feel anxious. You're a human. You feel anxious. You know you're going to be crucified. You know the excruciating pain it's going to take on you. You know the kind of insult you're going to go through. I mean this is not like you know somebody insulting you on Facebook and YouTube. This is not like somebody uh you know smearing you in the newspaper. This is going to be historic shame. They're going to hang you naked on the cross. Now, you know, you'll come back alive, but it's too much to go through. That's the time to feel anxious and just go and take some anti-depressants. Jesus went and prayed and said, "Father, let your will be done, >> but I'm feeling tired, Lord. I need strength, Lord. Hallelujah. Follow Jesus. >> Follow. Don't follow some YouTube

30:50 prophet, some healing evangelist. Watch them. But follow Jesus. >> Amen. >> Learn to have his prayer life. >> Jesus was a perfect man. He fulfilled every prophecy. And yet he prayed. >> He prayed. >> He didn't pray so that it'll happen. He prayed because it will happen. Amen. >> Father God, let your will happen. >> Even if I don't pray, I know I will see the miracle, but I pray because I want to do the right thing as a human. >> One of the one of the unique parables the Lord Jesus taught is a parable of the prodigal son. That parable is not there in Matthew, Mark, and John. It's a unique parable Jesus taught. There are two sons to a rich father. Okay? Now uh rich father, two sons, elder son is disconnected from the father by moral uh or what do you say legalistic attitude. Younger son is disconnected with the

31:52 father because of rebellious attitude. Okay. Now younger son goes to the father and says father give me all the inheritance that belongs to me. Which means he's educated. Okay. Must be an LLB. He kind of knew what what is his share. He says dad give me what belongs to me. Fair enough. Now it's legally his. Father says done. Take it. The guy goes and wastes it completely. [snorts] Has it completely destroyed he and he weighs it on the worst things that destroy his life. It's not just that he invested it somewhere meaningfully and started a life. The fellow younger fellow he goes and he's like a happy golucky. Destroyed himself completely and now [snorts] he's hungry for food. He's begging for food. Okay. And he he's fed up. He says, "I'll go back to my father's house and I'll request him at least to keep me as a servant because my dad at least pays his servants." You know, he's a he's a good pay master. So, he goes back to his father. When he goes back to his father, the father is standing waiting for him. The [snorts]

32:54 father hugs him and says, "Come over." And he says, "Father, I'm sorry. I I I I don't deserve to be hugged by you, but just give me a chance. I'll serve you. I'll be a servant." Again, the boy is still transactional. He's transactional. He's looking at, I'll do something for you so that you are justified when you take care of me. Father says, I'm sending you to the spa, giving you the cleanest wash you ever had in life, and I'm going to make sure you put on the best robe and a ring on your finger. You're back in the house, and we're going to celebrate. The boy is shocked. The boy doesn't understand what's happening because the boy never understood the father. The boy was connected to the wealth of the family and not to the father's heart. Many people in the church are connected to the healing power of God. They're connected to the prosperity anointing of God. They're connected to the miracles of God. Be connected to the heart of God Almighty. That is so important. That is so important. Hallelujah. And this guy, he is connected now to the

33:57 heart of the father and he understands the father's heart and he rejoices with the father. Now the elder son comes. Okay. Luke chapter 15. I'm sort of giving you concise version, comprehensive version. Student days we used to call it the digest summary synopsis. Elder son comes and he hears all the sound. Now when he hears all the sound of rejoicing and celebration, he's confused. Now what should the elder son do? Just walk in and say, "Dad, what's going on? Tell me about it." No, he doesn't enter the house. He knocks. Ask the servant, "What's going on?" I mean, can't you just go? This is your house, fellow. You're the elder son. Go in and talk to the father. Figure out directly. No, let's talk to somebody who is not in the house. Let's talk to someone who left the church and find out. This is the elder son spirit. Keep looking at me so no one will

34:59 suspect you. But the point is [laughter] the point is elder son attitude is the most dangerous spirit in the house of God. It's the most dangerous spirit because a younger fellow repented and came back to the father's heart. But the elder fellow who seemed to be faithful who seemed to be doing all the duty who was always there for everything now is standing out because he was never connected to the father's heart. He was connected to the morality of the house. He was connected to the law of the house. He was connected to the duty of the house. He was connected to his position in the house. He was never connected to the father's heart. And the worst part of the story for me is how the elder son who looked like the good boy was actually the bad boy who rejected the father and said I'm not coming inside. And he stayed out for the rest of the story. He stayed out and never came back in. [clears throat] Many times you and I value the promises of God more than the presence of God. Let

36:04 the presence of God be more important than the promises of God. God will bless you. God will give you success. Hallelujah. The Christmas cake is very nice, but the Christmas boy is more important. >> His presence is more important than his promises. Go ahead, give him a mighty hand clap. Absolutely. Hallelujah. >> [applause] >> Don't be disconnected to the father's heart because it's the presence of the father. Prayer time is the time of connecting with the presence of God. >> Amen. That 2026 become a year of prayer starting now. Don't wait for January 1st. Start now. Amen. Hallelujah. You can start warming up for 2026 from now. Get into the prayer mode. Hallelujah. and say, "Yes, Lord. I want to just thank you. Even if I can't feel your presence, you're going to feel my presence. >> I'm going to thank you and worship you

37:05 and love you, Lord. Whenever you want to make me feel your presence, I'm happy to experience your grace." Jesus, our Lord, as a perfect man teaches us this. The second thing the Lord teaches us as a perfect man is the fact that he was totally spiritled. Let's say that together. He was >> totally spiritled. totally spiritled. He was not money led. He was not for me now this is a big thing. He was not ministry-ledd. He was spiritled. >> Amen. >> One of the big challenges I see with people who are spiritual are sometimes they are so buffeted. They are so oppressed. They are so driven by ministry. And I have to tell you, I had to repent of that myself. You know, I thought I am more spiritual only if I fill my calendar with more preaching activities and and it dawned on me, no, I got to learn to wait on the Lord. There are some things God don't want you to do. Sometimes there are places God don't want you to go and preach. They

38:08 are good people and and you really feel like they they need to be helped, but sometimes the Lord says, "No, I have other plans for them. You don't go there." >> Amen. Yeah. This is this is really I I call it the I call it the Pentecostal paradox. The pent [laughter] the Pentecostal paradox. It's this. When a young man sees a girl who is waiting to be married, but she's not so pretty and she's not from a rich house, he's praying and praying, but doesn't feel the Holy Spirit guidance. I mean, clearly he feels God is telling him to wait. But then he sees a very beautiful girl, but she's still not very deep in the Lord. She's 50/50, but she's from a very rich family. And and when praying, he feels the burden to marry her and bring her in Christ Jesus. I call it the Pentecostal paradox. [laughter]

39:12 Christ Jesus teaches you, don't be led by your eyes. Don't be led by your passions. Be led by the spirit of God. Go ahead. This is a good one to clap. Absolutely. Be led by the spirit of God. Being led by the spirit of God, the Lord Jesus teaches us at least three things. Number one, let's go to Luke 4 and verse one. And Jesus full of the Holy Spirit. Hold on. Hold on. See that line there? Full of the Holy Spirit. Okay, please memorize that. Full of the Holy Spirit. Return from Jordan and was >> Uh-huh. Being full of the Holy Spirit is different from being led by the Holy Spirit. Sometimes people can be full of the Holy Spirit but they are not led by the Holy Spirit. Some people are led by the Holy Spirit but are not full of the Holy Spirit.

40:17 Don't confuse one for the other. One cannot replace the other. Both are important and both are distinct. Now when you go to Luke 4 and verse 18 I don't know if I gave it to you. It's okay. Luke 4:18 the Bible says and Jesus was anointed. The Holy Spirit was upon him. Yeah. The spirit of the Lord is >> now you see three distinct activities of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Lord. Thank you. And the Holy Spirit was upon him. One is he was full of the Holy Spirit. The other is he was led by the Holy Spirit. And the third is the Holy Spirit was. In other words, all of us can have all the three activities of God in our life. >> I was looking at what is the difference. Is it just grammatical difference? Is it just some kind of poetic difference? No. To be full of the Holy Spirit means that the spirit of God governs and rules our inner heart, shaping our attitudes,

41:20 desires, our responses. To be led by the spirit means allowing the Holy Spirit to help us with our choices, character, conduct, our expressions. And to be anointed by the spirit means allowing the Holy Spirit to empower us for divine miracles God will perform through our lives. It also means that when you're filled by the spirit, you're developing Christlike character from within you. To be led by the spirit means to make right choices and align your life with the will of God. And to be anointed by the spirit means allowing the power and the authority of God to flow through your life. 22 years 22 years one man was a drunkard. This is professional drunkard. This is not a average drunkard. This is not the the pseudo Christian saying as social drinking and all. No. Okay. This is the professional drunkard. Okay. 22 years he was drinking.

42:25 He used to drink every day. The day he got married, he was drunk. His wife told me, she said, "I've never seen him sober. 22 years we are married. We have two children. I've never seen this fellow. Normally he's always drunk. And in that condition, he can also work. But during work he's still in the hangover level. After that he will drink fully and come home. Pastor now this is life. So I'm kind of used to it. He's drunk. Never normal. I said okay now what is the situation? Said don't know what to say pastor. A few weeks we've been coming to church. He's not drinking now. We don't know how to respond. We are happy. We are so happy but we are learning to cope with this change because every day including Sundays he will come to church whichever church they were going to occasionally he would go to church and on the way back either he'll buy the bottles to

43:29 restack the refrigerator or to drink that day he will pastor we came to this church on such and such a Sunday that was three or four weeks back and from that day he's not drinking. I said are you complaining or are you thanking God? They said we are thanking God. We are very happy but the fellow is not drinking and we want you to pray he'll never drink again. So I said sure and I asked him I said what happened? He said 22 years this lady has been telling me don't drink. My mother has been telling me from my childhood like he started drinking at an early age don't drink but I don't know what happened pastor in the church I came I lost the interest to drink you said don't drink but it hit me I just lost the interest mother is telling don't drink from time immemorial wife is saying don't drink from 22 years nothing could stop him pastor Johnson

44:32 says don't drink and continues to preach and the fellow stops drinking. Why? Because there is an anointing, there is an authority, there is a power, there is a grace, [applause] there is a strength, you know, you know, when I prepare messages and I come here, I depend fully on the Holy Spirit. I know he's going to do what he wants to do and he is able to perform anointing. Everybody give the Lord a big hand. Absolutely. Hallelujah. Jesus our Lord prayed. Jesus our Lord was filled with the Holy Spirit. He fulfilled every prophecy of the scripture. But he understood the importance of being led by the Holy Spirit. To be filled by the Holy Spirit. And if you are called to serve the Lord, then there is an anointing of the Holy Spirit. To be filled by the Holy Spirit is important to be Christlike. To be led by the Holy Spirit is important. So your choices are Christlike, but to be

45:35 anointed is important so you can make a difference in the life of others and in the calling that God gives you to fulfill. I was thinking of saying one more story, so I'll not read the scripture. I'll just say it. When you're filled with the Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus as he was walking, there was a widow's house. Now Luke's gospel is the only one that says this story as and there are reasons to that. As Jesus our Lord was walking with his disciples. Who are disciples? [snorts] Not the ones who have membership in the trust board of Jesus. They are the ones who walk with the Lord Jesus. >> They are called disciples. Okay. So the Lord Jesus as he was walking with his disciples there was a huge crowd coming from the other side. It was a popular widow. She was a very popular woman who had a good son but he died. Sometimes good things come to an end and we don't know why. And it's painful. Sometimes good things come to an end before its time and we don't know

46:38 why. It is tragic. And this lady's good things came to an end. That son died. As she was coming with the coffin, the pawbearers carrying the coffin for the burial. The Bible says Jesus stopped. He looked at that huge crowd coming with a dead body to bury. The woman was crying. People were crying. The Lord was moved with compassion. The Lord stood there. I love that passage. Jesus is the prince of life. And there was the death coming. When death and life meet, death has to surrender. Death has to stop. [applause] Hallelujah. [cheering] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. [applause] Hallelujah. When you're full of the spirit, you're led by the spirit, and you're anointed by the spirit, no death can cross your path. Jesus touched the coffin and told the

47:42 lady, "Don't cry. Don't cry." Actually, before he touched the coffin, first he told the lady, "Don't cry." And then he touched the coffin and the boy sat up. After that I don't see anything about the crowd until they all started shouting the Lord is glorified from a distance because when a dead man sits up I don't think anybody has the courage. Paying 1,200 rupees and watching a movie is different from a real devil in the house. Y'all are laughing. My time's up. I have to close. One story is running through my mind. Okay, I'll say the story and I'll close. There was a young man uh he's u uh was young. There's a 30-year-old story, 25 year old story. Uh he was somewhere in u Hutchinson road Hutchins road Hutchins road and uh Coxtown region that that Fraser town Coxtown region. So he is a movie maker. He's a movie maker from

48:44 Punea uh school of uh movie making and he's done movies on uh stories and demons and back in the television days you know when television was king so he used to do production for different thing and he's done all these things movies on uh babas gurus and religious things and he doesn't believe in god we used to have a prayer I used to go and do a bible study back in those days in Coxtown region and this fellow one day came for prayer and he literally was laughing at me, mocking and you know it's okay and I you know my English is not great I mean so there are some words I said incorrectly and he would correct me while I'm speaking no that's not the way okay and you know I'm trying to be humble and just accommodate a rogue just just being quiet and just hoping this will change he came only once I think after that one day I get a call from the man who conducts the prayer Yeah. And he says, "Pastor, can you come [clears throat] fast?" I said, "Okay."

49:47 Then I go to his house and uh back in those days, church was just I think the church had just started back in those days. And u he took me to this fellow's house, this movie maker's house which is close by. And when I entered the house, this fellow is shivering, you know, not shivering with cold, uh shivering with fear. He's actually shivering and he can't talk. He can't he's crying and he says to me, "Devil came to my house. Devil came to my house." The joy I felt only I know if Ed or it comes I can't help but if devil comes boy you got the solution. [laughter] I I told him now sit. Devil came we'll take care sit how you'll take care I said you sit why you worried there through that window he's pan paranoid he's he's gone mad ham

50:55 I sat [laughter] and he picked up a Bible what happened when the demonic spirit entered the house this fellow got so scared he ran to the cupboard pulled out an old Bible he knew who was somewhere there pulled out all the books and found the Bible and kept the Bible open sitting in front of it has no guts to read it uh because this thing is moving around and he's scared he's saying I can't on the fan why it was sat on top of the fan you know I said are you worried you will give it discomfort it was so funny about 1 hour in that man's house well in two two weeks or 3 weeks we baptized him and he he he was delivered Ed. Then I asked him, you release so many movies on religion. You release so many movies on ghost. Now what happened? He says that is different. This is real. [laughter] And he told me when I see your guts, I feel ashamed of myself. And I told him, he who lives in us is

51:59 greater is far greater. [applause] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Jesus touched that coffin and the man jumped up and Jesus returned the boy and threw the coffin away. Close your eyes and say, "Father, like [snorts] Jesus was filled with the spirit, I want to be filled with your spirit." As Jesus was led by the spirit, I want to be led by the spirit. As Jesus was anointed for your purpose, whatever purpose you want me to fulfill, give me that extra grace, that extra strength, that extra empowerment to do the will of God. It is possible to have one anointing and not the have the other. No Lord, I want to have all the three. I want to have all the three levels of your grace working in my life. Like the Lord Jesus had all the three in my life. I want to be led by you. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Holy Spirit. Hallelujah. Wherever you're

53:04 seated standing, would you just say to the Lord, "Father, I really welcome your Holy Spirit in my life. I rededicate my life to prayer to seeking you. So that in my work life, in my marriage, in my friendships, in my university, in my studies, everywhere I am, that I'll be faithful to you, that I'll be successful, that I'll be for your glory, that I'll not be led by my fear, that I'll not be led by my challenges, that I'll not be directed by my friends. I thank you for all those things, but I want to be led by your Holy Spirit. Sometimes I don't know how to hear you, Lord. Sometimes I don't know how to identify what you're saying. Help me to learn it in prayer. Help me to learn that through your scriptures. I thank you. I thank you that you are a good God. I thank you that the house of

54:08 God is a place of victory in Jesus' name. Hallelujah. Let me not have the bad attitude of the elder son, but let me have the good attitude of the younger one [snorts] who repented and came back and understood the father's heart. Let me not trust in my own holiness. Let me not trust in my own disciplines. As good as they are, let me be connected to your heart, oh God. As much as morality is important, help me to go beyond morality, let me be connected to your heart, to your desire. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Heavenly Father, this beautiful morning, we feel so revived in our spirit. Thank you for speaking to us. [music] May your blessed grace go with each one of us. To you be all the glory and honor. We especially pray that 25th as we gather in the palace grounds. Thank you for the big numbers that we are going to see. But more than that, thank you for your

55:10 mighty presence. Hallelujah. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your glory that is going to be there in Jesus' name we pray. And the people said, >> "Amen." >> Amen. Shall we stand? We'll sing a song and we'll pray and close. Oh Lord my God, when I awesome wonder consider all the works thy hands have [singing] made. I see the stars. I hear [music and singing] the rolling thunder. Thy part throughout the universe display.

56:15 and s my soul, my savior [music and singing] God to thee. How great [singing] thou are. How great thou are. [music] and [singing] sing my soul, my savior [music] God to thee, how great. [music] Shall we all lift hands and sing how great [singing] thou [music] art? Please put your hands down. And [singing] through the woods [music] and [singing] forest glade I wonder and hear the birds sing [music]

57:17 sweetly in the tree. And I look [music and singing] out from lofty [music] mountain [singing] grandeur and hear the broom [music] and feel the gentle breeze. [music] Then sings my soul, [music and singing] my Thank you [music] Jesus. Hallelujah. How great thou are. How great thou are. [music] Then sings my [singing] soul my to thee. [music] How great thou are. [singing]

58:25 How great thou [music] are. And when I fail, [music] how long [singing] is not sparing sent [music] him to die? I scared can take it in that on the cross my blood and [music] thank you Lord. He bled [singing] and died to [music] take away my [singing] sin. and [music] sings my soul, my savior [singing] God to me. [music] How great thou are.

59:32 How great [music] thou. [singing] Shall we lift our hands as we sing it together? and sings my soul, my savior God [singing] to thee. How great [music] thou art, how great thou. Go ahead, church. Go [music] ahead. Praise him. Thank him. Come on, worship him. [music] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Come on, open your mouth and [music] praise him for some time. Let there be a breakthrough. The covenant blood of Jesus fill every life. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

1:00:43 Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Let the power of the Holy Spirit. Oh, the grace of the [music] Holy Spirit fill every life. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Thank [music] you, Jesus. Heavenly Father, we just want to thank you Lord for this beautiful morning. What a presence of [music] yours in our midst. Thank you Lord for the time of worship. Thank you as your word is spoken. Thank you so much God that Lord [music] your word is working and doing wonders in our lives. Thank you for the teaching of your word to Lord today. And we pray as we take that word and we begin to apply in our lives. We thank [music] you God your word will do wonders. Your word will change. And we pray, Father God, that each one will see the blessed miracle [music] working hand of God. Thank you, Father. We pray for the newcomers today. We bless them. We thank you, [music] God. Above every word is your word that can transform and change. And we thank you [music] that

1:01:44 you have spoken to their hearts. We pray God that their lives will find a new meaning and purpose [music] today. And Lord, as they go from this place, let that beautiful presence of yours, [music] Jesus, go with them. Strengthen them. Bless them, I pray, God. Father, we pray for those who are celebrating their birthdays, [music] their marriage anniversaries this week. We pray God that the year ahead will be a year of greater miracles, greater blessings, greater purpose, oh God, to live for see great [music] achievements, oh God, that the families will enjoy blessed prosperity, unity in their lives, good health, peace, happiness, oh God, and a home that will live for the gospel of Jesus, honoring you, God. Father, thank you Lord as [music] there are people who are traveling maybe this week oh God to going back home going for different purposes. I pray for your journey mercies protect them keep [music] them safe wherever they go Lord in their journey keep them safe whichever place that they go keep them safe and healthy [music] Lord and I pray you'll bring them back with beautiful testimonies of your goodness and grace

1:02:48 [music] and favor and Lord Father that whatever work that they go for that they'll have success Father Father we pray as your children with a heart of gratitude worship [music] give their tithes their offerings unto you we pray that you'll bless the work of their hands and you'll make it fruitful for those who are going through difficulties in their finances [music] that the difficulty ends this year. And Lord, we pray God that they will have abundance. They'll come to [music] your presence, oh God, with joy of your blessing and goodness on their life. Thank you, Lord, prosper them. Lord, [snorts] as your people go back [music] and pray, your presence, your peace will go with them. Thank you for this beautiful day, Lord. [music] As we come back for Christmas service, we pray for miracles that will happen. Lord, thank you. Give you all glory, honor, and praise in Jesus mighty name we pray. 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 forever more. Amen. God bless you all the newcomers that are here today. We want

1:03:49 to welcome you. Let's put hands together. [applause] So, as you walk out, there's the guest launch people there waiting to meet with you, talk and pray with you. Rest of you Christmas service 25th December 9:00 a.m. be there by 9:00 so you can park the car and uh come in 9:30 the service will start at Tripurawasi and then there are some calendars out on sale. If you haven't picked your calendar, please go ahead pick the calendar. Pastors are here lining up in the front overflow for prayer if you need. Bye-bye. >> [music] >> Heat. Heat.

1:05:27 Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.