Scripture reference: Matthew 18:2-3 (AMPC); Romans 6:5 (NKJV); Genesis 11:3-4 (NKJV); Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV); Genesis 12:1-2 (NKJV); Romans 4:7 (NKJV); Hebrews 13:7 (AMPC); Daniel 1:1-5 (NKJV); Zechariah 1:16-17 (AMPC); Hebrews 11:8 (NKJV); Revelation 3:15-18 (AMPC); Acts 9:6-8 (AMPC); Genesis om22:7-9 AMPC); Romans 8:16-17 (TPT); Psalm 84:11 (NKJV); Malachi 3:8 (NKJV); Joshua 1:1-3 (AMPC)
Oh, praise the Lord, we have joy. Joy, joy, joy. We have got the name of Jesus, the anointing of the Holy Spirit, we have got joy, the strength of the Lord. Just before we are going to look at the Word of God, let’s pray in the Spirit. Let’s just build ourselves up on our most holy faith with a smile on our faces, stirring up our faith, stirring up our joy in the name of Jesus we say… (Pastor Christi leads the congregation in praying in the Spirit. Yes, Lord, yes Lord. (Praying in the Spirit).
Oh, Father, you find us with believing hearts in faith here this morning, Lord. Thank You for Your love. Thank You, Father, thank You, Jesus. Jesus, we love You, we love You. You are our first love, You made it possible for us to go boldly to our heavenly Father and You have asked that the Holy Spirit would come. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You. We are being led and directed by You, Holy Spirit. You are so welcome here. We praise You, Lord.
Father, thank You for Your presence here today for us – Your presence. Thank You that You are always with us, not only today, always Lord. Father, there’s no trace of familiarity in us today because that’s what we chose with our hearts, that’s what we chose. Our hearts are ready to receive from You Father, from heaven, Your words, Your plans and Lord, we say it upfront, changes, changes that we have got to make, that You have for us. Lord, this is a defining moment for all of us.
Thank You for Your exceedingly great grace for every one of us here today and Father, in the name of Jesus, thank You for Your anointing here this morning in us and upon us; in us and upon us – Your burden moving, yoke destroying power in our hearts, in our lives, in our understanding and in our doing. Your undeniable manifestation of Your work among us today. Father, we ask You in the name of Jesus, touch our hearts. Touch our hearts this morning Lord. We believe, we receive and if you are in agreement with me and I know you are, we say; Amen.
You may be seated. Praise the Lord. Really, really a privilege every time that Pastor John is asking me to minister here. It is a privilege to minister the Word of God and I know every one of you, you know that. It is so great to see you, so wonderful. Pastor John and Pastor Sharon are in Witbank together and they send all their love. I know, I know you have been seeing them and this is what my heart wants for you all the time. Jesus and then Pastor John, Pastor Sharon, Pastor Lynn is here with you all the time and Pastor Melusi and we are one big family. Will you please open your Bible straight away at Matthew 18, Amplified Bible, verse 2-4. I know your Bibles are underlined by now. Thank you, Daniel, that I could send all my scriptures to you today. People, it is a wonderful thing in your Bibles and on your iPad, I am going to go there quickly today because of what the Lord gave me but it is wonderful if you can keep up. You can get fit in going there in your Bible or on your iPad.
Matthew 18 verse 2-4, Amplified. And of course after the question the disciples, 2And, Jesus, He called a little child to Himself and put him in the midst of them, 3And Jesus said, Truly I say to you, unless you repent. People, there is a spirit of repentance in the church of Heritage of Faith and that is us, the people, in our hearts. Unless you repent (change, when God is showing us to change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never ever enter the kingdom of (God) heaven [at all] (Matthew 18:2-3 AMPC). Look at the Amplified; at all. Now that is not our hearts, God knows that is not our hearts, but whoever and that is all of us here today who will humble themselves and therefore become there is absolutely, God is not after our doing, Jesus did everything, everything. The Gospel is not starting, the Good News is not starting with a big ‘do’. It starts with the big ‘done’ in Christ Jesus. He is interested in our becoming. Really, if you thought, if I thought we did, there is some more becoming to do. We just take it by faith. It is the Word of God that is living and active, piercing and penetrating in our hearts. Will you now please open your Bibles at Romans 6 verse 6. I am going to read from the New King James and Pastor John has been ministering about the resurrection life of Christ Jesus powerfully, powerfully. But we have to look at Romans 6 verse 6 today again. 5For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, our Lord Jesus. Look what the Word says; certainly, certainly, we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection (Romans 6:5 NKJV). This is what is on my heart today and God has been for two weeks on me with this. There is no other gospel that anyone can tell you. The Gospel comes to the cross that is our salvation to get to resurrection life. There is no other gospel.
Death is the path to life. Death is the path to life. Death to self-will is the only, only opening, only gateway to the abundant life of Christ Jesus. Please, open your Bibles at Genesis 11, Genesis 11. We can experience no resurrection life not in your call, not in your assignment, not in your life with Christ if we do not first experience the dying to ourselves. Now, this is a very serious message that God is bringing to all of us. The title of my message this morning is I will take the children, Part 7. Pastor Sharon did five parts. Pastor John preached so powerfully last week and today Part 7; The blessing or the grind. The blessing or the grind. Pastor Sharon started with this message coming from the Lord. I am going to take, and it is all of us, the young little children or the older little children because we become. God is taking us but we have to come out of Babylon. All of this, all of this is only about one thing, all of it and there is so much revelation; it is about loving Jesus. That is what it is about. It is about truly loving our Lord Jesus and if we are going to obey Him if we say we love Him.
Now many, many things to say about Babylon, because we have heard that we should come out of Babylon. Pastor Sharon showed us how much we have been impacted, imprinted and influenced by Babylon; the world system. She already started to show us many things. Now I am going to add, first of all, thank You, Holy Spirit. I am in agreement with you because I know that you know there is much more to come from Pastor Sharon. We pray today in unity here that God will give Pastor Sharon the full message and it is for the Johannesburg church first. Now for Witbank too and it is going to go to the world so we receive it but we ask God for all of it today, all of it.
I am going to show you, there is many but just because of time this morning I am just going to show you one or two scenarios of how the Babylon system works in pattern and in example. Now here is the question that we have got to ask because I am already hearing it from Jo’burg to the Witbank people. Can we really come out of Babylon and live like this with God? Can we really? Is it possible that God has this for us? So how impacted are we already by the system? The only thing that I can ask all of you here today including me is to look at our own hearts. Really, to focus and see. Genesis 11, here we see Pastor Sharon shared that, they are building the tower of Babel and they said to one another, 3Come, let us make bricks, and bake them thoroughly. They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4And they said (Genesis 11:3-4 NKJV). Here are two things that I want for you to see today, just to touch on today. What was the first thing they have said in Babylon? Let us build ourselves. One translation says, let us make for ourselves. That is what they said. It was all about I, me and myself. 4Let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens. Here is the second one that I want you to see. The second thing they said, let us make a name for ourselves. Let us build, let us make for ourselves and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth (Genesis 11:4 NKJV). What did they do? They do what we saw we did in our own lives. We see people out there they start to, like many people today, do what they want to do. Build the way that they want to build. Not enquiring from the Lord, to start something for themselves. I’ve been there. I’ve been there in my life. You’ve been there. They’ve built in their own strength and wisdom but we know Zechariah 4:6 so beautifully, we know, 6Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6 NKJV). Because we know God knows the plans, but by my Spirit.
I want you to see two things what they did here; the system, Babylon, what the world system does. I’ve already pointed them out to you but I want to show you. The first thing of the two is they wanted to build for themselves, to make for themselves. Number two, they wanted to make a name for themselves. Isn’t this secretly what’s happening in all the hearts of the people? Our lives as well? To be well-known, to be important? To build something great out there? That is why it is a spirit of repentance that is here in our lives. Not just once, it feels to me I’m going there daily with the Lord and I’m so glad. That is the good news, that is salvation. But what the men of Babel vainly sought after was the very thing that God wanted to give them. They vainly sought after this but God wanted them to have this. How can I really say this to you? Let me show you; by faith, by faith and by following God’s plans and not his own plans Abram gained the very two things that they were after. Please, go to Genesis 12. Let me show you, let my show you what Abram gained by laying down his self will, his platform. Because, people, when you have a platform you definitely build. You go forward in yourself. I’m going to show you today what the Lord said to me how many people live according to Bible principles. They do not follow God. They do not lay down themselves, they say I live according to Bible principles, but God cannot lead them. They are still building for themselves what they wanted to do.
So here is Abram, let’s see what happened. Now Genesis 12 verse 1 to 2, 1Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country. But you know what, I was just preparing and then the Holy Spirit started to speak to me. Please, look at those words get out, get out. The Holy Spirit just said to me, I am going to speak here and today I have to say it, I am going to speak to the little children, the adults,[us. I am going to speak to the little children, the young people. Fourteen years old, seventeen years old, twenty years old, because there are things currently in our hearts that we wanted to build, we started and God says, “Get out, get out.” He is going to talk to us about it, but Abram was willing. “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house To a land that I will show you (Genesis 12:1 NKJV).
In principle we understand, first of all, this is how God will plant all of us and He did, but there are things that we wanted to start to build in our hearts and God says, “Get out.” But listen, listen to the Word of God. God says, “Get out” and verse 2 says, 2I will make you a great nation; I will bless you, And make your name great; (Genesis 12: 1-2 NKJV). They wanted to get a name for themselves. God says, “I, I bless you. I make your name great. It is going to happen to you, but it is I, I,” says God,” I lead you in the Promised Land. You do not go in by yourself. I lead you in. I give you a great name.” How awesome is God? Just very quickly Romans 4 verse 17. God is taking us from glory to glory. Romans 4:17, 17(as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) (Romans 4:17 NKJV). God is saying to all of us, “I am making you, I am making you. Not yourself.” This is if you want to walk the way of Abram and not the way of the world system because for themselves they make, but God says, “I make you.” This is what we just received this morning; yes, Lord, in our becoming.
Two things happened with Abram; God made his name very great and Abram we – all must listen to this today – and Abram became very wealthy, so wealthy he could build a city. But in contrast with those in Babylon he did not try to build anything for himself. So I have to ask you this morning, when I got this from the Holy Spirit and I was just preparing, does this sound like anyone to you here this morning? Certainly. I know it is the same for you as it is for me. Pastor John, we have a living example among us. Twenty years ago, many of you know, he had an absolute opportunity and then many in between, to build a huge church for himself here in Johannesburg, we know. Many other opportunities came for Pastor John, just like Abram. We have got a living example here. But instead, he laid down his self-will. His self will. Do you think there were no things in Pastor John’s heart? But he laid it down so that Jesus could build. We are all witnesses of that today. We are all witnesses of that today. So in contrast to those in Babylon, Abram did not build, try to build anything for him. Abram’s goal in his life was to have a place in which God was building and not men. We are part of that here with Pastor John today because his focus was on God instead of trying to make things happen for himself. Listen to this; Abram became a blessing to every family on the face of the earth. Where are we with Pastor John here? Where are we here? He is such a blessing, a gift given to gifts. God gave him to us. I take my own family today, my own family, I am looking at you sitting in your families here today because Pastor John would not, like Abram, wanting to build for himself. I am looking at the beautiful families in Witbank. We are blessed. We have a living example. Thank you, Holy Spirit.
I did not add this one but please go to Hebrews in your Bible, sommer quickly. It is just a beautiful scripture in Hebrews 13 that I want to remind you here today. You know I have often told you how I keep my eye on Pastor John and Sharon, really I do it. Not just in the pulpit, but any and everywhere where I can have an opportunity, to look at them. These fathers and Pastor Sharon our spiritual mother, but also you know there is no male or female. Look at Hebrews 13, (sorry for that, my mic too close to my mouth.) Let me just see, verse 7; in the Amplified. 7Remember your leaders and superiors in authority [for it was they] number one, who brought to you the Word of God. And what are they doing right now? Still bringing us the Word of God. Observe attentively and consider their manner of living (the outcome of their well-spent lives) (Hebrews 13:7 AMPC). We consider father Abraham, we consider. We consider Pastor John and Sharon’s lives and example here, because they did not want to build for themselves but to lay down their personal platform so that Jesus could build. Very important, I know this; many people think that Abram did not have much going for him when God said, “Get out, go from this place,” but they are very wrong that was not true. A great deal is known about Abram’s background. He was of a noble family. That family was part of the greatest culture in their days, many people really do not know it. It is even in this Bible that Doctor Jerry brought out with the two translations, they write about that in here. In Abram’s time, they had science and technology that surpassed any other culture in their time. I was in awe when I read it here in this Bible a long time ago when Doctor Jerry just brought out this one. But Abram was willing to give up and leave everything of the known, the greatest life available to him.
People, we all have things available right now. We touch the world system. We are not from the world but we are in the world. He was willing, there was that willingness in his heart to give it up. I am going to talk to you and I am going to come back to Father Abram in a little bit. But I want to talk to you about this second scenario when we look at how the system of Babylon works.
Like I said there is much to say and I am going to touch on a few things because Pastor Sharon is bringing all the other messages that we must still hear. But I am going to give you a glimpse, there is great deception in the system of the world. Now, this the Holy Spirit emphasised to me again and again. Very important for us to understand today. Most Christians will tell you like I already said, that they walk and they apply Bible principles that does not mean that you are following Jesus. You can tell me that you tithe, you can tell me that you watch the words that you are saying; life and death are in the power of the tongue. You can walk and apply bible principles that are not to say you are being led the Holy Spirit according to the plans, purposes and pursuits that God has for you. I like it so much when Pastor Sharon shares it in this way; God knows the plans, He knows the plans He has for you. We do not have to come up with any other plans but He knows the plans He has for us. There are many believers who live and apply Bible principles but they still go where they want to go, they still do like Samson, what they feel like doing, they follow their plans, and not the plans of the Lord.
So please let’s go to Daniel chapter one today. Daniel, chapter one from verse 3 to 5. In this case, I am going to read from the New Living Translation. Now just before we go there; when we take a glimpse of how Babylon works, you must understand in the world it is all about competition for elite jobs. Going to university and to study for some people, and that was the case in my life as well, was a must. Then you have to keep improving yourself. More and more competition in the workplace, you will find that it is a necessity in the world system, in Babylon. And all of us are greatly impacted by it. So that is why I am asking my heart, your heart, how we are already influenced by Babylon? We are not talking about no one can go and study. We are not saying that. It is if God lets you. It is His plans, purposes and pursuits. But we are so impacted by Babylon that most people are not able to think any other way. I really want you to see what happened here in Babylon, 1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. Verse 2, 2And the Lord gave the king of Juda into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar, into the house of his god. I’m going to speak about it later and just touch on it today. Zion is greatly impacted by Babylon, the world system, greatly impacted by Babylon. 3Then the king instructed the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children. Immediately some of the children of Israel and some of the kings’ descendants and some of the nobles, 4young men in whom there was no blemish. And I’m going to share with you now; we know Satan, Molech, is after the children 4…young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had the ability to serve in the king’s palace, to serve the world system in Babylon 4…whom they might teach the language and the literature of the Chaldeans. You see further education all the time. 5And the king appointed, oh I’m going to talk about this. Look how sneaky Babylon is. 5And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and for three years still training them. Why? 5…so that at the end that they might come and serve before the king and not God (Daniel 1:1-5 NKJV).
Well, you can see how Babylon, the king ordered his people to bring the children, and then the nobles, the fighting men and the women, the artisans, skilful people, and those who can contribute to the mighty strong world system. Just like Pastor Sharon shared, the children were taken from their parents to serve in Babylon. The king took them away to train them for employment to be used under him and not God. You know what? We know this, this is a prophecy in Zechariah, and I just want to touch on this, because Zion is so plundered by Babylon. Children are an inheritance from the Lord, so children are valuable treasures that God has given us and must be protected. Pastor Sharon shared about Molech. 2 Kings, Isaiah 50 is talking about earthly biblical history, where children were taken by creditors for collateral on debts contracted by their fathers. Children are a great commodity of life on the earth. I did not know that the Hebrew word for son and daughter means to build. Now this was a prophecy long time given about Zion and it is – I did not ask Daniel to put this on the board – I’m just going to read it to you. Zechariah 1:16, you can write it down. The Lord says, 16Therefore says the Lord, I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion (lovingkindness and mercy). My house, My house, shall be built. How? With the sons and the daughters of God that Babylon is taking; says the Lord of hosts, and a measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem [with a view to rebuilding its walls]. 17Cry out, verse 17 says, saying, thus says the Lord of hosts: My cities shall yet again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion and yet choose Jerusalem (Zechariah 1:16-17, AMPC). God is starting, when God brought this prophecy, He says I’m going to add My sons and daughters that will cause His Kingdom to prosper.
So people, can you see what’s happening in the system of Babylon very, very plainly? Now I’m going to read to you again verse 5. Daniel 1:5, look how sneaky the system is. 5And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine (Daniel 1:5 NKJV), that the king is drinking and three years ongoing training in the marketplace; you must be the best, you must be the best – not because you’re being led by God and God is excellent. No, no, no, no – driven, driven to keep up so that at the end of their time they might serve before the king. People want their children to go for elite jobs in the world system. Why? We see that the king gives the delicacies. You can drink of his wine. Why? Because there are great benefits in having jobs like that. The king provided delicacies and of his own wine. Not only that, further training, many benefits come with these jobs. The king treated them in such a way making their captivity easy. It’s nice to have these jobs, to have all these benefits. People, I know in my own personal life all about that. I went for that before God had to speak to me like He spoke to the Apostle Paul. We understand that. Because and listen to this, then he owned the work of their hands, not God. Babel and the king of Babel could own the works of his hands, not God.
The Apostle Paul, just as I said, it was so powerful to listen to Pastor John last Sunday. The Apostle Paul was influenced just like us by this. Pastor John shared with us the lives of Samson and the Apostle Paul. The Apostle Paul started out according to his father’s wishes to go and study to be a lawyer. Paul decided to make a career for himself. We understand this, this is what’s happening with you in the world system. He got a name for himself to the extent that the Sanhedrin would give him the go-ahead to go and attack the believers, till he heard the voice of God calling him, telling him, “It will go badly for you if you do this if you keep on doing this.”
We’re all at the moment of Paul; we know what question to ask. Paul said, “Lord, what do You desire me to do? What do You desire me to do?” That question is coming for all of us, all of us. You know what? I’ll never forget it; I was in my fourth year; in my fourth year of studies. Now when I came out of matric, the first thing that the Lord showed me was about the tithes. The way we grew up, I really did not know anything about the tithe and it changed my life because I had to study that for the first time for myself. And I want to say to the little, to the young little children because we’ve got the older little children here; the time has come for you, you need to know what God says about finances. I know mom and dad, I know we’re in blessed families being taught by God, but you will not be able to go on to live on by their faith. So, it changed my life tremendously, tremendously. In my fourth year, well, in my first year I got the first Kenneth Copeland book. So I could not hear the voice of God growing up. I was not spiritually developed. The Holy Spirit spoke to me, but I could not hear Him. So when I started to study this way even when I studied, it was in my fourth year that the Holy Spirit said to me plainly, “I never wanted you to come and study this.” Plainly. And you know what I did in matric? I prayed a very ignorant prayer. If it’s Your will, then they will accept me for this course. The Lord said to me, “Your marks are good, you applied, you did it all on your own. They accepted you, you did this.” But it was a tremendous wake-up call in my life because that’s what happened to me, what happened to Paul on the road of Damascus. Get out of Babylon. How Lord? Well, we see the life of Abraham and we’re going to talk about this today.
Pastor John is using this word and I like it because it is explaining so much; you’re sitting here today and your business brain is in the way. Mine is in the way; you sit here today and your parent brain is in the way. Why does Pastor John use words like this? Because we’re impacted by the world system, by Babylon. And God says, “Change. Renew your mind to the way we live in the Kingdom of God.” So this is very important. I’ve shared with you this part of Daniel’s life because many Christians are looking and planning on having elite jobs. Once Christians have it, they work hard in Babylon to keep advancing. Now I’ve added this on purpose, I remember many, many years ago, even me and Grobbies coming out of Babylon and not knowing it. You know, so many people who chose for themselves, who go where God did not send them; I mean we were just (something that came off the wall there because of the wind), you know this is how people live out there. We do what (thanks Daniel, thank you) we do what we want to do. I mean, I did the same, I did the same before I knew better. And then you ask God to help you and of course, in the wilderness, He will always help you to the extent that He can, but He did not tell you to go there. But then when we because of what we’ve studied, because of what we did, of course, you’re going to get that kind of income, but then Christians will turn around and say, “Look how the Lord blessed me.” No, that’s not the blessing of the Lord. That’s your working in Babylon that is bringing forth what Babylon allows you to have. But God did not bring you to that place, He did not tell us to do those things, we did it all by ourselves. But I just want to highlight the point how people are still doing their own thing and when something goes well for them, “Look how the Lord is blessing me.” No, the Lord’s not leading you and of course, He loves you, of course, He’s looking out for you. But this is not God. I had to learn the same. Like Pastor John said; the contest is here, light versus darkness.
Satan comes with great deception, all of his lies with tremendous fear. I mean can you imagine at the end of my studies? “No, this is not what I told you to do.” But when I asked God, He spoke to me very quickly. He is so faithful. Satan comes with his lies and his fears to tell you there’s no way, you cannot live this way. You’ve got to build this way to look out for your kids, to make something for yourself, to get a name for yourself but that is all lies. We see Abraham, Abraham walked with God. He became rich. He could have built cities as I said. But, “No, You build, Lord.” And He made his name great.
Please, go to Hebrews 11:8 – also, I know, underlined so beautifully underlined in your Bible. I’m reading from the New King James. 8By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place (Hebrews 11:8 NKJV). Now, people, I want to say this again. Thank You, Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reminded me actually this morning about it. You know, in Bible School in Witbank, now going for 17 years, people are coming from other places so beautifully to return to their churches the way that God wants it to be. I have touched the lives of a few couples that came to see me because their ear could hear that God wanted to plant them. Many of those students come and are in wonderful churches but then we do find students who are not yet planted. And of course, they hear the Word of God. Twice the Lord allowed me because in other circumstances He did not allow me to see the people. I remember with the second couple it was all about being planted. And just before I went for the meeting the Lord said, “And by the way, I just want to tell you that they’re not going to listen to you.” I said, “Lord, but You tell me to go?” He says, “Yes because I want them to know.” I said, “Lord, why? Why will they not listen because they come to inquire?” He says, “Because they’re not willing to give up the existing platform.” You see, I knew about their lives. They got to a church, both very gifted people, and they were already singing in their worship team. And the Lord said to me, “Their hearts do desire to get to the right place.” But you see, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place. He said to me, “You must understand this is how it works – when you do not want to lay down your self will.” Many times the things that you’ve started to build you’ve got a platform. That’s why Pastor John said, “If that’s your platform your power will come from you working that system.” And not, the power came for Abraham by laying down his will and his platform to go. 8To go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going (Hebrews 11:8 NKJV). But he went out on the Word of God. He went out on a promise. That’s the way we walk with God. That’s the way we walk with God. That’s why we see the beautiful life of Abraham.
We see Pastor John still, still stepping the next step and the next step because God is leading him. Prosperous, blessed, anointed. Busy with eternal purposes. Not just wondering how will we make a living. God’s got all the plans, He knows the plans and the purposes that He has for us.
I need to say this to you again this morning. We are talking about death is the path to life. Death to yourself will is the only, only opening. Death separates the natural things that you’ve planned. Death separates natural things from spiritual things. You know, when I’ve just made these highlights when I was sitting there and preparing, the Lord said to me, and I’m sharing it with you this morning. The Lord said to me, “In the Johannesburg church many are confronted with this today on the scale,” He used these words, He said to me, “On the scale.” Like Pastor Sharon shared when Brother Copeland said many people do not want to ask God even where they must be planted because for most people it will mean that you must pack up here and go there. So the Lord said to me, He said to me, “There are things in the hearts of the Johannesburg people.” Now of course, in Witbank as well He said to me that they are not willing to give up because most Christians walk away and they actually, really, they will tell you they don’t want to confront any inconvenience or pain. That’s not the true gospel. That’s not the true gospel. No resurrection life can come except if we die to ourselves. Then we experience the resurrection life of Jesus Christ. I want to say to you here, and He reminded me, you all – we’ve got the wonderful books of our spiritual father Kenneth Hagin. You know, at one time God asked him to pastor a church and he did not want to do it. He did not want to do it and that struggle between him and God went on for quite some time. And then at the end where he laid down his self will, the Lord said to him, “Kenneth, I just wanted you to be willing and obedient; willing. You were not even willing to do it.”
There are things in the hearts of people here that the Lord said to me you live by Bible principles, you’ve been taught that and you do it. But there are things in your heart. “Don’t touch this, Lord. Don’t touch this thing. Don’t tell me any other thing.” You see, you’ve started to build for yourself. It’s something that you want. And it’s the way you want it and God may not even touch it. And resurrection life can only come after that death.
I want to say to all of you here today – really, this, and I know you know it but I need to say it like this; it takes great courage to live by faith. It takes great courage to live by faith. We are not heirs of faith because we know that we must live by faith. We are heirs of faith because we must actually live by faith. It takes great courage. You touch that dying in yourself not once, not twice, all the time. And every time when you lay down your life you receive the resurrection life of our Christ Jesus. And I would be telling you a wrong gospel today if I do not tell you that death is the path to life. And yes, I want to say to all of you, yes, not one time, not twice, not three times, not four times will you stand in front of the Red Sea because Satan, just like Pharaoh, will not like it when you leave Babylon or Egypt. Pharaoh at that stage came with the most aggressive and bold attack on God’s children trying to leave Babylon. They stood at the Red Sea with no apparent escape and the Lord said to me, “Many people feel like this. Many people feel like this.”
Well, I know for my own personal life, I know for my own personal life. Thank You, Lord, for leading me even to the Red Sea. Why? Because it’s at the Red Sea where the enemy is to be utterly destroyed. That is the way of God. It never stops. We will get to Jericho and the walls are big. There will be giants but they are our bread. But when we listen to what He said, and I’m going to go there, He already gave us the land. And we listen and we walk out as Peter said to Him on the water, “Lord, tell me to come. Because then I’ve got your Word and can walk out.” We’ve got His Word. But let me tell you, you will get to those places and it will take all the dying of yourself will and you will feel like your back is to the wall. That’s exactly where God wants you because He knows the plans and the purposes that God has for us. Praise the Lord.
Then I want to take you please to Revelation 3 verse 14. Pastor Sharon ministered this so powerfully. You know you hear me many times talk about, I had to develop a stomach. I’m so glad when she explained to us when God says, “I will spit you out of My mouth. You’re not warm, you’re not cold. I will spit you out.” I mean, I thought that in growing up that, well, now God is spitting you out. It’s over with you. No. He’s giving it to you. From His chest, He’s telling you. I’m so grateful for that. You know what? Twenty years ago when I got to be planted and you – I mean, I had to develop a stomach. Why? God’s going to tell me, He’s going to tell me how it is and we’re going to read it here today. So it’s the next and the next step with God on our journey with Him. As we put our foot in the message, as we put our foot in the sound, He’s got everything paved out for us.
Let’s look at Revelation 3 because this is what’s happening to us here today and in this process. Well, I’m going to read from verse 15. He’s talking to the church of Laodicea. 15I know your [record of] works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! Verse 16, 16 So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth! 17For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not even realize and understand that you are wretched, poor, blind, and naked. Look at verse 18, 18Therefore I counsel you to purchase from Me gold (Revelation 3:15-18 AMPC).
This is what we are doing here – we are developing a stomach. Certain things in our lives are wrong. Develop a stomach. I’m so grateful, I was lawless. Most of you were lawless, opinionated, misaligned. I mean we did what we wanted to do. I had to develop a stomach. But it’s because of the love of God, all of us here today. But God loves us, He wants to give us the gold. This is what’s happening here. The way that God is spitting it out to Pastor John and Sharon. Saving our lives, it’s the gospel, because He loves us. He wants to give us the gold. He says, 18…purchase from Me gold refined and tested by fire, that you may be [truly] wealthy (Revelation 3:18 AMPC). Abraham wealthy. Yes, you can build cities. He is going to do it for you and me. This is the God we are but we are not going to build for our own sakes; God wants to build. 18…that you may be [truly] wealthy, and white clothes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nudity from being seen. Look at verse 19, here is the love, 19Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their (your) faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them (you)], because I love you (Revelation 3:19 AMPC). Thank You, Lord Jesus.
When I heard the first message of I will take the children, I want to say to you today; I repented. Do you think – I know we don’t have children – but do you think I never gave advice, never been in a conversation with someone about their children? I repented. I’m still in that spirit of repentance. Look what verse 19 says, burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude] (Revelation 3:19 AMPC). Pastor John read those definitions and I’m going to highlight one of them that he said. But I’m all the while, and I know it is the same with you; Lord, we’re changing. We’re changing and You are helping us. That is where the resurrection power comes in powerfully; supernatural increase. It is so wonderful but we’re changing.
Children, Pastor John spoke to you last Sunday and now I’m talking from very little to 16, 17 years old, the children here. He said, “Children, this is where you change your purpose and your lifestyle.” Mom and Dads who have been here a bit longer, they know it. We the big, little children, we are hearing it again but God is talking to the children here today.
I need to say a very important thing that God said to me. He is speaking to all the parents and children here today. Pastor John and Sharon shared many examples in the Word of God about parents and children. Listen to this; in some cases parents obeyed God and the children did not obey God. Samson; his parents heard from the angel. They obeyed God, they even said to him, “Samson, don’t do this thing. Don’t take a wife from the Philistines.” He did not want to obey. In this case, we have parents who obey but children not. Please, don’t think this is just the one way around. God is talking to parents and He is talking to children.
Then we see little Samuel; a child who obeyed where there was a grown-up Eli who did not obey God. We’re going to have in families – and this is not God’s desire – we’re going to get to where Abraham and Isaac went together. Children, this is the time where you’ve got to choose. Children, if your parents are choosing or not, you must choose for yourself. Parents, if your children are choosing or not, you’ve got to choose for yourself. It is very, very important.
Pastor John shared with us different definitions about repent but I want to remind you of this one where he said, Pastor John said; I’m calling you to repent in your heart. To call for your repentance which means a turnaround. It means you understand that your life, the one that you live, must be according to the purpose and the plans that God has for you. Your lifestyle must follow with the purposes of God and if you hear God today, Pastor John said last Sunday, even if it is costing you your current life. Death is the pass to life.
In the world system, Pastor John said, if you don’t allow God to manage your life and you don’t allow God to tell you which way to go, it will cost you your future like Samson. In the world system, you will end up in the Laban syndrome walking around in circles and circles and circles at the grind following your own next feeling, your own next decision, never being led by God. When I saw it again – I just went over my notes this morning – the Lord said to me, “Christi, what did you think?”
You know, Samson was now blind. They took him to prison and he was now walking in circles at that grind. The Lord said to me just doing the next thing that Babylon will allow you to do. Do we really think we’re in the world system and we do what we want to do? We just get the business that Babylon allows you to get. It’s only being led by God that you get what God wants you to get and no one can stand in your way. We’re going to go there. But truly, when you are in the world system you think you are blessed to get the next job. Babylon is allowing you to walk in circles, allowing you, taking your strength to do just what they actually allow you to do. It is just that clear. Some are just very lucky if things in the world system work out for them and then it looks very good. It’s what Babylon allows you to do. Like Samson, you will be in prison and you will walk around and you will walk around and you will walk around. You are not strategically being led by God. This is huge.
Samson lost his eyes, his vision. He could only do what they chose for him. They tapped his strength, now made him a grinder at the mill in the prison. They managed his strength and his purpose like the Babylonian king with Daniel and others. Now the king owned the works of their hands. Sho, thank You, Lord, for helping us, every single one of us.
Now, Acts chapter 9 verse 6 to 8, here was the moment of the Apostle Paul. Pastor John shared it last Sunday. 6Trembling and astonished he asked, Lord, what do You desire me to do? People, we know that he sat at the feet of Gamaliel. Who of us can compare with him today? Just one on one in the natural in the world system. But listen to what happened to him, The Lord said to him, But arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. People aligned and God’s got them will come and tell you what to do. Verse 7, 7The men who were accompanying him, God called men to come and help him. Verse 8, 8Then Saul got up from the ground, but though his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him (Acts 9:6-8 AMPC). They led him. When that is happening with you, when you know you’re coming to come out of Babylon, when you’re going to walk with God, God’s got those people that will help you.
I want to say this again the way Pastor John said; your business brain and your parent brain might be in the way here because we have been impacted. This great Apostle Paul and the great Samson, like I said, just one on one, us comparing with them in the world system. Paul studied at the best university, sat at the feet of Gamaliel. Later on, had a name, went to the Sanhedrin and they gave him the go-ahead. But Pastor John said this, this was so profound from last week when the Word of God came to us. Pastor John said Jesus could tell him. On that road of Damascus Jesus could just tell him what to do but God sent messengers that would come to Saul to lead him by the hand and say things to him that would activate him to follow his calling for his life. What do you think Pastor John and Sharon are doing? They came, these messengers, with the love of God to spit it out. These two messengers of oil, now there is much to say about this but I’m not going to go there today. Pastor John and Pastor Sharon, we know many years ago the Word that God gave them; shoulder to shoulder, two sons of oil. They are going to point and they are going to speak for God. This is very important for us to understand.
Samson, the angel of the Lord came to talk to his parents. You must understand if an angel came to talk about me to my parents, I would know it. You will know it. You must understand he knew that but Samson so strong but my own platform, my own self will. The process that he was in was not in God’s order. It was all his emotions; what he wanted to do, what he felt like doing. His anger was a very, very big problem. No fruit of the Spirit. His emotions, he made his own plans; I can do what I will. Must I humble myself to be led by God’s messengers into God’s order for my life? The answer is, yes.
Abraham not knowing where he was going humbled himself. He became rich because he actually believed God knew the plans and the purposes for his life. This is what I want to say to you and this is what the Lord since I’ve listened to all Pastor Sharon’s messages and I’ve listened to Pastor John’s message from the Lord last week – Samson, my own emotions, my will, my feelings. He was at the grind at the mill, walking in circles, what they chose for him to do. Abraham, blessed. Samson at the grind. Abraham blessed. Samson at the grind. The Lord said to me, and actually Pastor Sharon worded those words, not me; the blessing or the grind. The blessing or the grind but we hear God today.
Then, I want to end with this this morning. So powerful where Pastor Sharon took us; Genesis 22 verse 7 to 9. What is God’s desire? God’s desire is a son like Isaac with a father like Abraham. Ah, this is beautiful and this is what God’s got here. Fathers like that, sons like that. I’m going to read Genesis 22 verse 7 to 9, the way Pastor Sharon gave it to us. 7And Isaac said to Abraham, My father! And he said, Here I am, my son. [Isaac] said, See, here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt sacrifice? Verse 8, 8Abraham said, My son, God Himself will provide a lamb for the burnt offering. So the two went on together (Genesis 22:7-9 AMPC).
This is what God wants. The two went on together. Now verse nine, 9When they came to the place, Pastor Sharon said, “Spaces and places.” God’s already, He’s got it for us; father, sons. Everything; spaces and places of which God told him. He’s got this for us. So we have got to occupy and I’m going to talk especially, well, I thought at first because when I made my notes, the Lord said to me. “You speak to the young people here today.” And then when I was done, He said to me, “This is what you are going to say to the older people.” I said, “Lord, you are amazing.” I am going to come back to the places and spaces to really end with this.
First, I have to ask you this question and that’s for the kids and for the older little children. Do you really think God wants us to have His best? I want to show you and take you to Romans 8:16-17 today. This is such a powerful and beautiful translation, The Passion Translation of this verse. Listen to this. God has His best ready for us. Verse 16, 16For the Holy Spirit makes God’s fatherhood real to us as he whispers into our innermost being, “You are God’s beloved child!” He is saying it to you and to me today. Verse 17, 17And since we are his true children, we qualify to share all his treasures, for indeed, we are heirs of God himself. And since we are joined to Christ, we also inherit, listen to this, all that he is and all that he has. This is what we get. We will experience being co-glorified with him provided that we accept his sufferings as our own (Romans 8:16-17 TPT). We are His beloved child, we qualify to share in all His treasures, all that He is and all that He has. There is no doubt, little children, big and small if God is giving us His everything, He is giving us His everything. He is giving us His gold but now Psalm 84 verse 11, 11For the Lord God is a sun and a shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11 NKJV).
Now, why would I bring that in by the Holy Spirit? God will withhold and He is not withholding anything from you and me, from the ones who are walking uprightly. So that word ‘we come back’ is a serious commitment. Are you just applying some Bible principles but you live for yourself? Things in your heart telling God, “Don’t touch that. I am not going to pack up and make a change.” Are you telling God? He says it’s a serious commitment – those who walk uprightly. Because it requires your willingness to give God your best.
Now, people, I need to go there today because we are talking about the plans of God which are fully provided in His blessings, fully provided. Many people don’t want to talk about prosperity but it is the whole Word of God, the whole Bible. So, what is my best? And I have to come back there today because children, you need to know this; I will fear God here first with my tithe. Very important. If God cannot trust you with the unrighteous mammon, you think He must talk to you about great callings and assignments? But money, the love of money is a problem? We will fear God here first.
When it comes to living a prosperous life, tithing is the first subject that we have to talk about because it is the cornerstone of real biblical prosperity. It is always, why? Why, why? What is money – like Pastor John said – for God? Because it’s revealing your heart; it’s revealing your heart. He wants to lead you in everything. But let’s talk about the heart and walking upright before God. So, it’s the cornerstone of real biblical prosperity. Why? God said Himself in Malachi 3, 8Will a man rob God? (Malachi 3:8 NKJV). How can we walk upright with God and steal from Him? So that’s plain but I’m saying it here today. Here is sitting beautiful children and I know you know it but the time has come for you to know what God says about finances. You have to know what God says about finances, it’s for you. Of course, it’s for Mom and Dad and they are a powerful living example but God is talking to the big little children and He is talking to the younger little children. The person who fails to tithe disqualifies him or her from receiving the inheritance of abundance because God wants to love us.
A precious lady in Witbank about two months ago came to see me. She started to use her tithe to help family members and she shared with me, she said to me, I know her, twenty years now. I saw how God blessed her tithing, opportunity after opportunity. I actually saw how the order in her own family came into the place the way God wanted it to but the system, the oppression and the pressure out there were just too much and she started to help some of her family members. It was about two months ago she came to me and she was tired of being tired and that’s always a good place. I’m glad. If you are tired to be tired, chose to follow God. You know what? She knew she had to fix it and she did and she repented and you know when I talk to her and I know she had a wonderful conversation with Pastor John, I said to her, “Isn’t it wonderful, when you obey the Word of God, your confidence and your joy is there to go out for everything that God has for you?” But when you disobey, when you keep things away in your heart, from God, “Don’t touch that part of my life.” “I knew I did not ask You if I must do it.” You can see it in the life of a believer. They are there, they’re there on the edges because they have no confidence to walk out on the Word of God. If you take the Word of God and you believe the Word of God and you obey the Word of God; get out of my way. I have what God says I can have. It is so important. It is so important.
Little Elisha is here from the Witbank church and he is just saying hello to me. He is so wonderful, you know. Even when church or prayer group starts in Witbank, he will always come. (Hello, hello, Elisha.”Thank you for saying hello to me. Good morning. Good morning.) People, this is so God’s heart for us. This is God’s heart for us this morning. So, we see for ourselves today, that we have a right to God’s best but here’s the big thing; when we are going to lay down our platform and our lives to the Lord. Do you really want it? Because then you will not hide something anymore in your heart to say, “Lord, don’t touch that part in my heart.”
I like what Doctor Jerry said; if it’s to be, then it’s up to me. If it’s to be, then it is up to me. People, things are up to us because it’s to be. All of it is up to be. So this is the last verse for this morning. Please, go to Joshua chapter 1 verse 1 to 5, 1After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ minister, 2Moses My servant is dead. So now arise. I want you to see the arise and shine anointing of Isaiah 60 that God gave us through Pastor John. It’s the arise and shine – it’s an anointing on us. Come on, get up and do it. Arise and shine [take his place], go over this Jordan, you and all this people. We are so well trained. Pastor Sharon ministered to us again and again, we are people going in, you and this people, Pastor John. It’s a people going in which I am giving. Now, just again here, the Lord already told us, just like the Israelites; I’m giving you the land. Most of you will remember a few weeks ago, Pastor John with Prayer Connect, he said, “Father, thank You very much, we eat the fat of the land and everything that the Promised Land has, we take it today.” We know already it is ours. We go there, but now, verse three is very important in closing here today. He says, “I’m giving you the land,” and going back to Abraham and Isaac now; the places and the spaces allotted to us, God’s got them for us. Parents with children, parents, children, every one of us individually; what places and spaces are God talking about? Look at verse three, 3Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread (Joshua 1:1-3 AMPC).
That’s why I am really looking at the young people here today and then I’m going to look at the older young people here today but I have to look you in the eye and say this to you today; God said to me I’ve got to speak to you. This is what’s very important. If God says I will give you this territory, I’m giving you this land, what does it mean? Number 1; the Promised Land is all the blessings and our covenant rights that we’ve got. But I want the young people to listen to me today and the older young people too. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is our blessing right but many people, the sole of their foot has never tread upon that land, so they don’t have it. Healing is yours, but the sole of your foot must tread on the blessings on the Promised Land that God gave you. That’s why I am looking at the young people here today. It’s not Mom and Dad’s responsibility anymore to understand Kingdom finances. Young people, your foot must tread upon the Promised Land, the promises that God gave you. Very important. You’ve got to learn everything from Mom and Dad and in the church about it. Your time has come. God is calling you to know that you can walk in these things that belong to you – the Promised Land, in the name of Jesus. This is the spaces and places.
Then the Lord said this to me, there are, of course not all of you but if it’s you, change this today. The Lord said to me, there are people sitting in the Johannesburg church and even saying they are walking according to Bible principles. You have not actually tread with the sole of your foot on these blessings. You still have to take that land. Finances, starting with tithes and offerings, baptism of the Holy Spirit, healing, the promises that God has for you. People, you can’t see someone walking by faith. You can’t. You can only see the results. I can tell you I walk by faith. There is no evidence or things that you can see in my life. I can talk the talk but until I move the mountain, you can see if my faith is working.
The Lord said to me there are, He did not say this about the children. He said, I want the children to know, I’m walking with you and you need to understand, you must be able to tell someone what God says in the Bible about healing or finances or any other promise but there are grownups here, the Lord said, they did not tread upon that promise. No more, it belongs to us. We have got Promised Land to take today. God is giving us much more. He is now going to show us places and spaces allotted to us, like never before, like never before. And I know, with Pastor John, our spiritual father and fathers like Abraham and sons like Isaac, we are going to take these spaces and these places. But it starts very personally by putting your foot right there and you tread upon that promise and you take it and you go forward with God in the name of Jesus.
Again I say what Brother Jerry said because it is important. Everything begins with a decision. God’s giving His best to us but a big question is, do you actually want it? Do you actually want it?
Before I end with this, thank You, Holy Spirit. You know what? Some of you know, a few years ago, for us to develop a stomach and God spitting us out the Gospel, the Good News to us so that we can change so that we can be convicted and be cut in our hearts deeply. I’ll never forget that morning in Witbank when Pastor Sharon got up with money matters and she just said, “I just want to say to the people here today, if you’re not tithing, don’t put an offering in.” You want to come to church another five years, ten years, fifteen years and not obey Jesus? What is it that you are after? Do you love Jesus? I mean there comes a time that you absolutely know in your life; I don’t want to follow Him, I am not following Him – it’s only my ticket to heaven. But I’m grateful for that day because we come to church because we love the Lord and He has got His Word for us. It’s the Gospel, it’s the Good News. Like little children, change and obey. Praise the Lord.
Pastor John said a very important thing last week, even when Samson, when he was there at the grind – it’s never too late, it’s never too late. So I am going to ask you now if you will close your eyes and before you close your eyes, Pastor John is working through Plans, Purposes and Pursuits of Brother Hagin. You know what? I don’t know how many times I have read this book and I will not stop because it’s always about His plans, purposes and pursuits and what true worship is and I’m going to read to you what Brother Hagin wrote, one of the things that came. When you speak to yourself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs because yesterday is over. When we come to repent today, Jesus is right there to lead us by the hand like the Apostle Paul. Let me show you, let me show you. He knows the plans that He has for us. Well, you can close your eyes, but if you will just pray, and if we will just go there with the Lord.
Yesterday is gone and should be forgotten. Satan will oftentimes, as well as friends, remind you of your yesterdays but remember that your yesterdays, all that is wrong, is under the Blood and all that is good and is right, it will be alright for you to recite but walk in the Light and know that your yesterdays are forever gone and today is beautiful. So walk with the Lord and enjoy His blessings for yesterday does not exist.
Father, as You come to spit out Your Word for us, we say thank You. We love You. We love You, Father, in the name of Jesus. Being led and directed, being helped, being taught by You Holy Spirit. You are our Strengthener, our Helper in everything, even to see the gold where we still have the bronze in our hearts, in our thinking and in our doing. We love You, Lord. Thank You that You come to us too as a church to spit it out, to make it very clear to us because Lord, we have got hearts, we’re in this house in a spirit of repentance again and again. And Lord, we are quick. We’re not sulking two weeks or moaning and groaning. We freely come to You to admit that we have sinned, Lord. We confess our sins and You are faithful, faithful and just to forgive us. Lord, and then according to Isaiah 46, we come right before You because You are the great blotter-outer of our sin to come and state our case.
So this morning we come and Lord, we will at our own time, and with being with You, we will come and talk to You and repent Lord. We thank You for the cleansing flood of the Blood, Lord, every single time Lord, and we know today and for every single thing, not just once but thank You Lord for all the time. We love You, Lord. As we go from this place, we go because we are blessed. You are leading us, we are not jumping through the new door. You are leading us through the new door, experiencing the supernatural increase in anointing, in grace, in breakthroughs, in our relationship with You, in practising Your presence, in our prayer life, just talking to You, being with You and being led by You. Supernatural increase. We love You, Father. We love You. We love You, Lord Jesus. We love You, Holy Spirit. We love Your Word. We love one another.
We give You all the glory. And Father, I pray with everyone here in agreement, that our week will be filled with Your goodness, filled with blessings and supernatural favour. Father, we pray that Your peace, peace Lord, that nothing missing, nothing broken in all the areas of our lives. Lord, Your peace in our physical hearts. We receive today Your peace in our bank accounts. We receive Your peace in our doing. Lord, all the young ones and the almost grown-up young ones, Lord, the peace where they study, Lord, where they work with You. Father, that our joy, that Your joy which is our strength will flow through us like never before. Father, in the name of Jesus, the blood of Jesus surrounds each and every one of us. We are sons of God, we are sons of God, we are being led, and being directed by the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus and we all say; Amen. Amen
It’s so wonderful to be here with you. I know it’s summer. We’re out of the winter but I will still say, I hope for someone there is a skaapboud (leg of lamb) waiting. I’m not sure, even if it is possible and if that’s the case, have a wonderful blessed Sunday.
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TOUCH | TEACH | TRAIN | TRANSFER
