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The Holy Spirit Church for Today |
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HEALING PRAYING & BELIEVING FOR THE REVELATION BY FAITH BEING LED BY THE SPIRIT & OBTAINING YOUR HEALING DELIVERANCE SWITCHING ON YOUR FIREWALL IDENTIFYING & CASTING OUT DEMONS CAUSE & EFFECT OF GENERATIONAL SIN EXPOSING RELIGIOUS SPIRITS KINGDOM REVELATIONS JESUS CAME TO TURN WATER INTO WINE JESUS IS THE WORD THE VINE AND THE TREE I AM UNDER GRACE THE GOOD SEEDS REBELLION IS WITCHCRAFT PRESUMPTION IS SIN CHASTISEMENT IS LOVE HE CAME FOR THE SINNER THE SIN FROM WITHIN GOD'S LOVE GOD IS LOVE SIN AND THE COVENANT THE HOLY SPIRIT SHALL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS MANY FALSE PROPHETS SHALL RISE & DECEIVE MANY BE RISEN WITH CHRIST GOD LOVED US FIRST THAT YE WOULD WALK WORTHY OF GOD KEEP THE FAITH JESUS PRAYS FOR US RELIGION IS BONDAGE ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE ME HAVE YOU RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT WATER INTO WINE FOR THIS REASON MANY ARE WEAK AND SICKLY FORGIVENESS WHAT DOES GOD SAY ABOUT OUR WORK LIFE? WHO IS THE HYPOCRITE? HE OVERCAME THE FLESH DO YOU HAVE THE SEAL OF GOD?  What is the Seal of God? Ephesians 1:3-14 explains that God who has chosen us (v.3), predestined us for a purpose (v.5) that when we believed in the truth of the gospel we would be sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (v.13) until Jesus redeems us to His glory (v.14). If we are sealed, then we have an inheritance (v.11) based on Jesus who will reveal to us our predestined part in the plan (v.9) for His glory (v.12) as such we should be mindful to be holy and blameless before God (v.4) Now it's okay if you have not yet heard from Jesus telling you what you are supposed to do. In the meantime, Paul teaches us in Ephesians 4:22-32, the following so that we do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God while we wait for Jesus to speak to us. We have to 1. Put aside our old corrupted ways (v. 22) 2. Put aside our old thinking and replace it with God's way of thinking (v.23) 3. Stop lying to be truly righteous and holy (v.25) 4. Not sin even if we are angry (v.26) 5. Stop stealing; whether stealing money, your employer's time or other people's opportunities but instead diligently work for what we need (v.28) 6. Be careful not to speak rude or vulgar words but say only things that help to improve people or situations, having grace for others (v.29) By this, we will not grieve the Holy Spirit of God (v.30). We must stop all our bitter thinking and words, stop being malicious (v.31) and be kind, tender and forgiving (v.32). So if you do not know what to do before Jesus comes to tell you your purpose, do all the above in the meantime so that your Seal of God remains safe and secure. Reference check: Eph.1:3-14 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Eph.4:22-32 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.  Do you know what following Jesus Christ is about? It's about victory over death. We all have to die but where do we go after we die? When Jesus was crucified, the people of Abraham had known about His impending appearance and coming. This knowledge had been passed down from generation to generation. At that time, they were being ruled by the Romans and they thought that a Saviour would appear to rescue them from their situation. They thought He would come, become King over them and they would be saved. What they did not know was that Jesus would indeed come but to save them from death and not the situation they were in. But how do we get victory over death - by just believing and just going to church? See, Jesus had died in the flesh and rose in the Spirit three days later. He appeared to His disciples so that they would witness that He did indeed rise from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:6 states, "After that, he appeared to more than 500 brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still living". These were some of those who recorded not only in the bible of this happening, but it is also in history that this happened! Jesus showed how He had victory over death! And how do we get victory over death? When we truly believe that Jesus died for us so that we might receive the Holy Spirit. John 1:12 states "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" If you believe and receive Jesus into your life, you become the child of God. And when you have received the Holy Spirit, you are sealed with a promise of eternal life, a life after death. Ephesians 1:13 - And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. Hebrews 9:15 - And for this reason He (Jesus Christ) is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. You can receive the Holy Spirit today! To receive the Holy Spirit, watch and listen to this sermon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ldJNZ1HGWc&t=7s  Did you know Jesus rebuked religious people? He called them hypocrites. What's Jesus' definition of a hypocrite? He says many things about them, one of them is that when hypocrites give, they make a big song and dance of their generosity. They don't give with their heart. They give for recognition. It's the same with helping or doing good for others. If we help or serve, we should just do it from the heart and expect no recognition or reward. (Matthew 6:2-3, Luke 6:35) Jesus also said that when hypocrites pray, they make it a point to show people as if they are so holy or good. They make religion like a big badge they wear to show they are better than others. Instead, Jesus really calls the true believer to be humble and take the lowest seat and be willing to serve in the lowest position. (Matthew 6:5, 1 Peter 5:6) When it comes to fasting, again hypocrites make a big deal out of it. They tell everyone they are fasting for God - 'suffering' and 'sacrificing' for their faith. They are looking for a pat on the back, an affirmation that they are 'so good'. Instead, Jesus says, that when we are fasting, we should appear joyful and full like any other day. We should be thankful in all circumstances. (Matthew 6:16, 1 Peter 4:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:18) Hypocrites are those who only say they are believers or followers but do not show themselves to be one in their deeds. Going to church every Sunday is not counted as a deed of a believer or follower. How a Christian conducts himself day to day, with his family, with people at work or with strangers, demonstrating the ways of Jesus is what shows them as true believers and followers. (Matthew 15:7-8) More of who Jesus considers hypocrites can be found in Matthew 23. Brothers & sisters, do you really believe and follow Jesus? Don't be a hypocrite that wears a badge or go around telling others you are a Christian yet behave in the ways that are contrary to how Jesus would be. Don't pretend to be someone you are not. Jesus said 'If ye love me, keep my commandments.' (John 14:15). True believers and followers demonstrate who they are in Christ by emulating Jesus' behaviour.  The bible contains all the wisdom you need to navigate life according to God; whether about marriage or friendships and even about work. And when you live according to God, you can expect all the blessings, which includes peace, joy and all sufficiency. First, if you want to eat, you must work. Don't expect to live on charity, handouts or donations. Nothing is free in Satan's world except the gifts of the gospel *For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. - 2 Thessalonians 3:10 *And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. - Ecclesiastes 3:13 When we work, we serve with all reverence to our bosses; regardless if they are nice or good to us or not. It does not mean that if our employers are 'no good' that it gives us a right to behave poorly. We still have to do our part and let God be our avenger. *Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. - 1 Peter 2:18 *Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. - Romans 12:19 Not only should we serve with all reverence, we have to work with a positive and willing attitude and be thankful for whatever comes our way and patiently wait for God to promote us to a better situation. If you have done everything right, then you will reap the rewards of it. Being thankful is part of fulfilling the will of God in our lives. *And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; - Colossians 3:23 *In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Finally, when we can prove ourselves in the smallest of things, will we be given greater tasks and responsibilities. If you cannot mop the floor happily and properly, don't expect to be promoted to a restaurant manager. If you can't help with simple paperwork, don't expect to become a supervisor to lead others to do the same. *His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. - Matthew 25:21 Remember, God has peaceful plans towards our life here. To live out those plans, we are meant to turn to Him to do things His way, including the bringing the right attitude to our work. When we look to God with all our heart, and apply His ways, then we will start to see those plans unfold for us in our lives. *For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart - Jeremiah 29:11-13  There are many, many layers to comprehend when it comes to the gospel. One of those layers has to do with 'forgiveness'. In Genesis 2, it is written that God planted a garden and placed Adam in the garden then formed Eve. The garden was the place Adam & Eve nurtured their relationship with God. It was the place where they were with God. Now, God also instructed Adam not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. By the end of Genesis 3, both Adam & Eve were kicked out of the garden for disobeying Him. From here on, man was separated from God. To understand forgiveness is to truly appreciate who God is. He is the maker of this universe and nothing can happen on earth without His existence. This includes our own existence. What Adam & Eve did was unforgiveable; to disobey the great God and creator of the world. God by His grace, did not destroy them as He could have. Instead, they were removed from His presence as we are removed from His presence today. Over time, it is written that man without a close relationship with God became more wicked, riddled with sin and unrighteousness. God even regretted making us. (Gen 6:5-7) However, when God saw there was someone like Enoch (Genesis 5:24) or Noah (Genesis 6:8) or Abraham (James 2:23), God hoped that one day man could return to Him. And this is where Jesus became the way that man could re-establish a relationship with God again. If we are willing to admit our sins and sinful nature (that was caused or passed down from the original sins of Adam & Eve) and receive the sacrifice and blood of Jesus as the atonement for our sins, we could repent from our sins (turn away from sin) and start getting right with God. This is where we are today. If you have believed in your heart that Jesus died for your sins and confessed this with your mouth, you are meant to be on your journey to overcome the desire to sin so that you have a chance to finally be back in the presence of God at the end of time. But, as Jesus said, 'For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses' (Matthew 6:14-15). If we expect God to forgive our past sins or the sins of our forefathers such that we can begin afresh with Him, then who are we to withhold forgiveness from others? Your broken relationship with God cannot start to mend if you cannot forgive others for what they have done to you. When Jesus healed the man, who was paralysed He said 'Son ... thy sins be forgiven thee' (Matthew 9:2) and then 'But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. (Matthew 9:6). See, it was sin that caused the paralysis and it is Jesus who has the ability to forgive the sin and heal just as it is today. Brothers and sisters, if you want to turn your upside-down life the right side up, you must mend your relationship with God. We can do that today because of Jesus but you must also forgive others in order to be forgiven by God. *If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) *In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7) *And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32) *And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. (Luke 17:4)  Why many believers are sick. In 1 Corinthians 11:18-34, Paul talks about division among the believers, something that still exists today where different groups have different ideas of what it means to believe and follow Christ. He used eating together as an analogy of coming together just as Jesus used eating bread and wine as an analogy to partake in the gospel. Let's break this down: Paul starts in verse 18-22 by remarking that when they come together, there are different cliques; some are genuine about following Jesus and some who come for free food. This coming together to eat, is not what Jesus was talking about before His death. To Paul, this coming together as a church and partaking of the food has become a contentious affair as some look down on others or judge others who cannot afford to bring their share of food. It is also an analogy for people who are coming for a 'free-ride' to Christs' eternal kingdom where going to church is seen as a mark of being a Christian rather than repenting from an old life, following Jesus and transforming to become Christ-like. Paul then explains what Jesus was actually saying at the last supper; that when the disciples broke bread and shared wine with Jesus, they were eating with Him the same bread and wine symbolising that, should they see their purpose through in their lifetime, they would be partaking in the same suffering and blessings of the walk as Jesus. When Jesus lived, He performed signs and wonders to show that God is real and was persecuted. Those who ate with Him that day also did the same; they performed signs and wonders and were persecuted, all except Judas, who betrayed him. Judas symbolises the one who partook of the bread and wine unworthily. (Verse 23-25) Every time the church gathers together to partake of the gospel (or food), she is meant to remember Jesus, that He died for us and is the reason we have the chance for a new life with a new heart and a new behaviour. When you step into church, you are meant to have self-examined through the week if you would be worthy of partaking of today's food (or the gospel) and worthy of being part of Christ's church. (Verse 26-28) What did you do in the week before you came to church? Did you tell a white lie to your parents or spouse? Did you cheat your employer of 10 minutes of their time? Did you create trouble for someone, or did you keep your peace? Did you love your neighbour or just loved yourself? Paul is emphasising that coming to church to eat together, is not about eating food but about eating the bread and wine of Christ worthy of His death, worthy of His blood upon your life. In verse 29-30 Paul explains that anyone who comes to gather in church to eat (the gospel) yet did all the things that were unworthy of the cleansing from the blood of Jesus in the week before, not discerning his own wrong deeds, would end up being sick and sometimes die. 'For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep' - 1 Corinthians 11:30 Brother and sisters, now you understand why your brothers and sisters are sick, share this message with them so that they might confess their wrongdoings, ask for forgiveness, change their ways and start again. By God's grace and the blood of Christ, we can still repent and get back on course to transforming and becoming fruitful for the kingdom. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; -Colossians 1:10  Paul asked the believers at Ephesus 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' (In Jesus) and it turned out that they had not and had only received water baptism. And so, Paul baptised them in the Holy Spirit. (Acts 19:1-5)
Jesus said that the Holy Spirit is a promise from God so that we receive the power of God to not only witness to Him, but so that the Holy Spirit can teach and remind us of all things that Jesus taught. (Acts 1:4-8, John 14:26) The Holy Spirit also leads us to become sons of God (Romans 8:14) and when we are walking in the Spirit, then we are not under the law (Galatians 5:18). And, if we want to be true worshippers of God, then we must receive the Holy Spirit (John 4:23) To sum up, if you have not received the Holy Spirit - You cannot witness to Jesus - He cannot teach and remind you of scriptures - You cannot become the son of God - You cannot truly worship God - You have no power to help you overcome -------------------------------------------------------------- You can read and understand more about the Holy Spirit here: https://www.kevindexterministry.com/.../the-holy-spirit... https://www.kevindexterministry.com/.../being-led-by-the... -------------------------------------------------------------- To receive the Holy Spirit, go to this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ldJNZ1HGWc  Is it only God that judges you? The bible says He who is spiritual judges all things. If you have surrendered your life, living by faith, not in the flesh, as in not by your feeling or thinking but by hearing and obeying God, being led by the Holy Spirit, then you may judge others (1 Corinthians 2:15) As members of the body of Christ, we are called to judge each other of being right by God. And it is actually the unbelievers that God judges! (1 Corinthians 5:12-13) Now, if we judge others of their deeds, then we are to judge ourselves by the same standards, otherwise we condemn ourselves. Jesus says in Matthew 7:1-2; "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." He also says in Luke 6:37 "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." So, go ahead and judge others, just as others might judge you but be sure how you judge others is the same as how you judge yourself. We are also called to judge righteously by the Word of God. Paul says those who accept Christ and live their lives, not knowing right from wrong according to God, cannot examine themselves. Thus, they can't judge themselves, much less judge others! These will become sick and die as they receive the redemption of Christ unworthily of His blood sacrifice for us (1 Corinthians 11:27-30) But those that know the Word of God, and can constantly keep themselves in check, need not be judged! As Paul says, "if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged"! (1 Corinthians 11:31)  Do you go to church every week? Do you feel uncomfortable if you don't show up one Sunday? Do you worry about what excuse you have to give or what others might think? Are there some religious rituals, ceremonies or traditions that you feel you have to take part in to show you are a committed believer? If any of this is true of your walk as a believer, then you are in religious bondage. See, Christ came to set us free from the rites and rituals of the first testament. There are no more ceremonies upon the altars or the ark of covenant. Today, in this new testament, we are called to a relationship with Jesus. We are to 'Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.' (Galatians 5:1) 'For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.' (Galatians 5:13) Religion is about doing things; performing certain acts on certain days or at certain times in certain ways and in certain places to make us right or feel right. It gives us a sense of having done our duty and when we don't, we sometimes can feel like we have not fulfilled our part or met the conditions. A relationship with Jesus is about shifting our mindsets, changing and transforming ourselves by learning what is love and how to love through God's love. ---------------------------------------------------- Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:7-10) ---------------------------------------------------- 'that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,'(Ephesians 3:17) - God loved us first by sending His son for us so that we may in turn love others. In this way, our world may change, and this is what being a believer and follower is all about - having love as a basis for our lives henceforth. ---------------------------------------------------- Jesus said, 'If you love Me, keep My commandments.' (John 14:15) - If we truly love God, we do not merely believe in Him but also follow His ways. Jesus said, 'Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.' (John 15:13) with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, (Ephesians 4:2) - If we truly have love, we are able to tolerate and put others first before ourselves just as Christ did for us. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. (1 John 5:2) But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. (1 John 2:5) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15) - If we can truly keep God's commandments and keep our word, then we have the love of God in us. Otherwise, it means we love the world more than we love God. ---------------------------------------------------- Are you a believer of your religion? Are you trapped in religious duty or do you have a relationship with Him who died to set you free? Are you truly renewing your thinking and transforming your ways to be the Christ love-centric way through your relationship with Him? |