Topi

c:
Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament
(
Ser
ies1-57)

By

Past
orBanj
oAy
eka
(
07037378984)
Edi
tedBy
SegunBel
l
o,Tomi
Ayokunl
e
&Adel
anaTol
ulope

I
t’
sTi
meToEat
 Under
standi
ngt
heOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesOne)

Nowt obegi nwi th,whati sOl dTest amentandwhati sNewTest ament ?OldTest ament
i
st heol dcov enantt hatser v east hemai ncondi tionofpl easi ngandaccept ancebef ore
Godwhi l
eNew Test amenti st henew cov enantt hatser vesast hemai nconditionof
pleasing and accept ancebef oreGod.So t hedi fferencebet ween t heol d and t he
testamenti st hecondi t i
onofaccept ance.Ol dTest amenti snotGenesi stoMal achias
manydot hi nkandNewTest amenti snotMat hewt oRev elation.Andgett hisalso,Ol d
Test amenti s notwhathappened bef ore Chr istand New Test amenti s notwhat
happened af terChr ist
.We hav e manywho l i
v ed befor e Chr istwho enj oyed t he
cov enantoft hisnewt estamentandwehav emanywhol ivedaf terChr i
standdonot
enjoyt henew cov enantbecauseoft heirl ackofknowl edgeabouti t. Becauset he
cov enantofaccept ancei nt heol dt est
amenti sbased onwhaty oudo whi let he
cov enantofaccept ancei nt henew t estamenti snotbasedonwhaty ouandwehav e
manywhoenj oy edthisnew cov enanti ntheol dt estamentbi blel i
keJacob,Abr aham,
Isaac,andal ltheher osoff aithment ionedi nt hebookofHebr ews11.Sowhent alking
aboutt hef actt hatGodhasr ejectedtheol dcov enant .WhatGodr ejectedisnotGenesi s
toMal achi,andwhatGodaccept edisnotMat hewt oRev elation.Mi sunderstandingof
whatOl dTest amentandNewTest amentmeansi swhatmakesmanyt obesay i
ngsuch.
Sowhent heki ngdom i st alkingaboutol dt estamentt heyar enotr eferr
ingtoGenesi s
toRev el
ationwhi lewhent heki ngdom i sr ef erringt onew t est ment,theyar enot
referri
ngtoMat hewt oRev elation.

Intheki ngdom, thereisnothingli

keoldtestamentbi bleandnewt estamentbi ble,
allthosesepar at i
onwasdonebyt hoset hatcollat
edbi bleandchosesuchnamet o
diff
erenti
atet heev entt hathappenedbef oreChr i
standt heev entaf terChr i
st.Sot he
wor doldandNew Test amentisaki ngdom l anguagebor rowedbyt het hoset hat
coll
atedbibl etodepi cttheconditionofaccept ancebef oreChr istandt hecondi ti
onof
acceptanceaf terChr ist.Becauseonl yfew enjoyedt hecov enantofNew Test ament
beforeChr istbutt hegr acet hatbroughtthisNewTest amenthasappear edtoal lman
whobel ievei nJesus.Sot hemeani ngoft heoldt estamentandt henewt estamenti s
diff
erentfrom t hemeani ngmanyadopt edf r
om ol dt heol ogyoft hechur ch.Because
Testamenti t
selfmeanscov enant,thatisacov enantofaccept ancebet weenmanand
God.SoOl dTest amenti stheoldcov enantchosenbyt heki ngdom ast hemeanof
acceptanceandappr ov albyGodwhi l
eitisbasedonwhaty oudo, thatis,i
tisbasedon
yourobedi encecal ledl aw.Whi l
et heNewTest amenti st henewandcur r
entcov enant
chosenbyt heki ngdom ofGodasmeansofaccept anceandappr ovalbyGodwhi chis
basedonwhatChr i
sthasdonecal ledgrace.

Now,whydidGodrej
ecttheoldcovenant
?Becausethecovenantmakesy
ou
r
eject
ednotbecauseoft
heevi
ly oudi
d,i
tisbecauseoftheevi
lonemandi dcal
led
Adam,i fthati st hecov enantt hatleadt oy ourr ej
ection,acov enantmustal sobe
designedi nsuchpat t
er nt hatmustl eadt oy ouraccept ancewhi chi snotgoi ngt obe
basedont hegoody oudo,becausey ourr ej
ect ionwasnotont hebasi soft heev ilyou
do.Thati swhyt her ight eousnessofonemani sal sowhatGodneedst omakey ou
accept ed back i nt ot he ki ngdom.You ar er ej ected notbecause oft he si ny ou
commi tt
edsoy oucannotbeaccept edbecauseoft her i
ghteousnessy oukeep,y our
rej
ectionwasani nher itancesoal soyouraccept ancemustcomet hroughinher itance.
Sot hisist heol dandt heNew Test ament ,sowheny ouar est udyingtheBi ble,t hi
s
mindsetmustbey ourbasi s.Soy oudon'tstudyt heBi bl
et olookf orwhatt odot hatwi ll
makeGodt olovey ou, y oust udytolookforwhatHehasdonet haty ouwi l
lhol dunt oas
keyt obequal i
fi
edf orbl essingandcomet ot het hronewi t
hbol dnesswher ey ouwi ll
obtainmer cyandf indgr acei nti
meofneed.Undert heol dcovenant ,youst udyt ol ook
forwhatt odot obeaccept ablebef or
eGodandbyt hewor kofthel awshal lnomanbe
j
ustifi
ed butundert henewcov enantyoust udyt olookf orwhathehasdone.Soi fy ou
arest udyingt helaw,y oust udywi ththemi ndsett hatsomeonehascomet ofuf i
llthe
l
aw,Hesai d" Ididnotcomet oabolishitbutt of ufi
llit"sot hatwecancl aimt he
spir
itualbl essingsat tachedt othelaw wi thoutcondi tionknownast hebl essi ngof
Abraham .Thecondi tionoft hespi r
it
ualbl essi ngundert helaw hasbeenf ufil
ledi n
ChristJesus.

I
nt heki
ngdom,theev ilworkofthebestsinneristhesamet hi
ng asthegood
workoft hebestri
ghteousness.NowBanj o,arewenowt orej
ectthel
aw?Godf orbid,
becausethelawisspi
rit
ualjustandholyJustbefoll
owingmei ntheseri
es,
youwillsee
theki
ngdom posit
ionandbenef i
tsofthelaw t
oourChr i
sti
anrace.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesTwo)

Thatwehaveunderstoodthatt
he" New Testament
"meanst henewcovenantchosen
tobeabasesofacceptanceandreceivi
ngblessi
ngfrom Godwhichisthecovenantof
gracet
hroughf
aith(Rom 5:1-
2),whil
ethe" Ol
dTestament"ist
heoldcovenantwhi ch
wasbasedonreceivi
ngblessi
ngfrom whichisgr
acethroughworkoflaw(Rom 2:13).

Now thatthel aw hasbecomeol dcov enantofacceptancebef or

eGod,whati s
now thepositionoft hel aw i
nt heNew Test ament,canwenow r ejectthel aw?God
for
bid.Thebi blesay sinRomans3v s31:thatdoeswet hennulli
fythelaw, becauseof
thi
sf ait
h?Notatal lratherweuphol dt helaw.Ampl i
fi
edversionsays:weconf i
rm,
est
ablishanduphol dt hel aw.Thequest i
oni s,est
abli
shi tt
obewhat ,sincei ti
sno
l
ongert hebasesofki ngdom acceptance?Theansweri stoconf ir
m,est abli
shand
upholditamongour selvest obeabasesofl ivingagodlyli
feamongour sl
ev es.Justas
fai
thisthecondi t
ionofaccept anceandreceiv
ingfrom God,soalsolawisthecondi ti
on
ofacceptanceandr ecei vi
ngf r
om man.

Byf aithy ouar er i

ght eousbef oreGod, butbyl awy ourar erighteousbef or
eman.
Mandoesnotj udgey oubutf ait
h,t heyj udgey oubyl aw.Becausebyl aw wehav e
accurateknowl edgeofgoodandev i
l( Rom 7: 7).Thati swhyt hel aw becamet he
pri
nciplegi v enbyt heki ngdom t ogov er ntheEar thsincet heear thisanabodeofgood
andev ilaf terthef allofman( Rom 13: 1-5), whi cht heassi gnmentoft hef irstcomi ngof
JesusChr istwasnott opul lev i
loutoft heear th,butt opul leviloutoft hehear tofmen
whohav echosent obei dent i
fiedwi tht heki ngdom.I tissecondcomi ngt hatwi l
ldo
permanentj usticet otheev i
lonear t
handt heear thitself
.Thati swhywemustexal tthe
l
awt ogov ernt heEar th,lestl awl esswi llopengat ef ormanyev i
landi twi llprevailover
theChur ch.Andasweexal tt hel awi nt heNewTest ament ,wedon' texal titaslawof
Moseswenow exal titast hel aw oft heHol ySpi ri
t.Becauset hesamet hingt hatt he
Moseswr ot eint hest one, HolySpi ri
thascomet owr i
teitint hetableofourhear ts(Heb
10:15-16) .Sol awi snotl ongert heLawofMosesi snowt helawoft heHol ySpirit
.So
oneoft heev i
dencest hatmanwi l
lknowt haty ouhav etheHol ySpi r
itist haty ouar eby
naturef ufill
ingwhatt hel aw say s.Law i snow t hef ruitoft hespi r
itt hati sGal atians
say sexceptt hist herei snol aw ( Gal5: 22- 23) .Youcannotcomeoutf r om awoman
afterfornicat i
onandbespeaki ngi nt onguesandexpectt hewor l
dt obel i
ev ey ou,ev en
thoughy oucomewi tht hewor dofpr ophecyf ort hem, t
heywi l
lnotaccepty oubecause
l
awi sthecondi tionofaccept ancebef oreman( 1Ti m 1:8-10).Sot hel awi snol onger
thelawofMoses, thet encommandment si snol ongert hel awofMoses, becauseHol y
Spiri
thasbyhi msel fwr itt
eni tatt het ableofourhear t
s( Heb10: 16),sowedon' tneed
anyonet ot ellust hatf ornicationorl iei sasi nweknow becauset hehol yspi r
ithas
writt
eni nt het abl eofourhear tnotasacondi tionofaccept ancebef or eGodbutt obea
conditi
onofaccept ancebef oreman.
 Int heOl dTest amenti fy ouf ornicat ey ousi nagai nstt hehostofheav en( Gen
39:9) ,butint henewt estamenti fyouf or nicatey ouseeagai nsty ourbody( 1Cor6: 18) ,
andagai nstt hecal landi dent i
tyofGodupony ourl i
fe,y ousi nagai nsty ourr eput ation
andi nt egrity,becausei fmencat chy ouf ornicat ing,y oucannotcomet ot hem int he
nameofGodandt heywi llacceptorr ecei vey ouagai n,ev ent houghy ouar ecal ling
downf i
ref rom heav ent heywi l
ltagt hef ir
east rangef ire,ev ent houghy ouar edoi ng
genui nemi racl
et heywi l
ltelly out haty ourpoweri sf r
om t hepi tofhel l.Sowhatabout
i
fi ndeedGodsendy out ot hem?Youhav ebyy our sel fr educedt heef fi
cacyoft he
messageofGod upon y ourl i
fe.Lookatt hepast orst hathav ef allen i nto sin of
fornicat i
onandhav ecomeoutopenl yt oconf ess,t houghGodhasf orgi vent hem,
becauseoft hepoweroft hebl ood, butmanwi llnotf or get .Theydar enotpr eachabout
raptureagai nandmenwi l
llisten.Theycannotr ebukedi sobedi enceagai n, becauset heir
obedi encei snotcompl ete.Theonl ymessager emai ningi nt heirmout hist hepowerof
mer cy ,fav our,grace and manymor e.Theycan no l ongerpr each t he compl ete
messageofChr i
stany mor e.Why ?Becauset hebl oodofJesuscanonl ywat chy oursi n
befor eGodandmakei tnott ober emember edagai n, buti tcannotwat chy oursi nbef ore
man.Your emainRahabt hehar lottil
ly oudi e(Josh2: 1) .Sot hemai npur posewhywe
exaltt helawnowi st hatithasbecomeat oolt ogov ernt heEar th,at oolt ogov ernour
earthlyl i
fe( 1Peter2: 13-17) ,sot hatifourl i
ghtofsal v ationshi nemencanseeourgood
wor k( Mat t5:16).Becausei tiswhenmenseeourgoodwor kt hatt heywi l
lgl orifyGodI n
heav en.Soi nthenewt est amentl awi st hecov enantofaccept ancebef or emenandnot
cov enantofaccept ancebef oreGod.Themomenty oubegi nt ot eachi tasacov enantof
accept ancebef oreGod,y ouhav ebecomeEv et hati sgi vingt henewAdam t hatcomes
throughChr i
stint hisgener at i
ont hef orbi ddenf r
ui t.Becausel awi st hef or biddenf r ui
t
i
nt hegar denofEden( Gen2: 17) .Seey oui nser iest hreet oexpl ainthisdeepr evelation.
Youwi llseewhyGodpl antedt hetwot reesi nthegar denofEden( Gen2: 9).
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesThr
ee)

Letusbegi
nsomemy
ster
iesst
udyoft
her
eal
i
tyofl
aw i
ntheNew Test
ament
.
Havethisatthebackofyourmi ndt hatt
hisstudyisnotagai
nstthelaw,andIwi l
l
neverpr
eachedagai
nstthelaw,butthemodeofpr esent
ingl
awtoourcongregat
ionis
whatisnotinli
newi t
ht henew testamentteachi
ng.Law i
snotat oolt
hatgoverns
spirit
ualrealm,itisat oolt ogov er
nt heear t
hl yrealm.Li ghtanddar knessar ewhat
gov ernthespiri
tualworl
d.Teachingi ttobeat oolthatgov ernsther el
ati
onshipbet ween
Godandmani sl i
kegivi
ngmenaf orbiddenf ruit.Anyt eachingt hatpromot esthefearof
Godmor ethant heloveofGodi sagai nsttheNew Test amentdoct r
ine.FearofGod
mustbet aught,butitmustbei nl inewi t
ht hef actt hatGod puni shmentf oryour
disobedience is because oft he lov e God hav ef ory ou,t hati s whyi tis call
ed
"Chast i
sement "(Heb12:5-11).Becausei fGoddoesnotf l
ogy ouf oryourwr ongdoi ng,
i
ti sabi gsi gnthaty ouhavebeenr ejectedt oy ourowndest ructi
onSot heissuewe
havei snotwi t
ht hel
aw, l
awi sholyandspi ri
tual (Rom 7: 12,14.)
, butourissueiswiththe
preacheroft helaw(1Ti m 1:
7).

Now, whati st heKi ngdom posi ti

onoft helaw?Andwher edi dthepr eacheroft he
l
awmakemi stake?Thi siswher epr oblem began.Twot r eeswer ei nthegar denofEden
(Gen2: 9):onewast het reeofl i
fe( grace),thesecondwast het reeoft heknowl edgeof
goodandev il(law) .Justbef ollowi ng,Iwi l
lshowust hemy steryoft hoset wot reesv ery
soonandwhatt heyr epresenti nt heNewTest ament .Adam wasdecei vedt oeatf rom
thet reeoft heknowl edgeofgoodandev i
l,andAdam di edandl osthi set ernal
blessings,thati st hepi ctureoft hel aw,becausel aw ki l
ls,iti st hespir i
t( grace)t hat
givethl i
fe( 2Cor in3: 6).Mi ndy ou,oncel aw i si nt roducedt oy ouasameansof
accept ancebef oreGodandy ouaccepti tasabasi st or elatewi t
hGody oubecome
spiri
tuall
ydead, becausey ouwi llnev erpleaseGodi nt hatway .Youbegi nt ot r yt owor k
outr i
ghteousnesswhi chwi llev ent uall
yleadt of r
ustrat ion.Youwi llalway sseet haty ou
arenaked.I twi l
lal waysr emai nonet hi
ngl efttobeper f
ect ,themor ey ouov ercome,
that'
st hemor ey ou' llseeanot hersi n.Youwi l
lalway sl ookf orl eavet ocov ery our
nakedness,becauset het r
eeoft heknowl edgeofgoodandev ilismaki ngy out oknow
youar eev ilev eryday .Now,seewhatt heBi bl
esay saboutt hel aw,andseewhatt he
Biblesay saboutt hef orbiddenf ruitfory out oknowt hatl awi st hef orbiddenf r
uit.The
biblesay sbyl awmanhav et heknowl edgeofsi n( Rom 7: 8-11) ,whi chmeansl awi st he
frui
tt hatpr oducest heknowl edgeofgoodandev ili nman.Paulsay swi thoutl aw I
couldnothav eknownsi n( Rom 7: 7),Icoul dnothav eknownIam naked( Gen3: 10-11).
SeeGenesi s2v s.
9KJV:Andoutoft hegr oundmadet heLor dGodt ogr owev er ytree
thatispl easantt ot hesi ght,andgoodf orf ood;t het reeofl i
feal soint hemi dstoft he
garden,and" thet reeofknowl edgeofgoodandev i
l"Sof or biddenf r
uitisnotaf ruitof
sin,i
tist hef ruityoueatandy ougai nknowl edgeofgoodandev i
l.I tisat reet hatgi ves
knowl edge, butwhatkindofknowl edge?Theknowl edgeofgoodandev il(
Gen2: 9).And
alsowhydi dl awcomet oexistence?Sot hatwecanhav etheknowl edgeofgoodand
evil
.Andt hiskindofknowl edgewi l
lal
way smakey out oseey ournakedess( Gen3: 10).
Itwillmakey out oseethaty ouarenotper fectbef oreGod.I twillmakey out oseet he
evilyouar ecommi ti
ngalt hiswhilethatyoudi dnotknow,andwi l
lcreat
eament al
it
y
thatwi l
lmakey oubetor unningawayi nthegar denofEden,whenGodwi shest ov i
sit
you, eacht i
mey ouhearGod, youbecomeaf rai
d( Gen3: 10),
becausel awhaspr esented
youasasi nnerinthehandsofangr yGod.SoGodcr eatedAdam andEv etobenaked
(Gen2: 25." Nakedness"meansi mperfect
ion,whi chmeansAdam andEv ewer enot
perfectfrom t hebegi
nning,buttheydidnotknow.Mi ndyou, everythi
ngGodcr eatedare
good( Gen1: 31),butthereisdif
ferencebetweengoodandper fect
.Everythi
ngGod
creat
edwer ecr eatedwiththechancet ogrow,sotheyaregood,butnotyetperfect
.
Nol i
vi
ngcr eaturewascr eatedperf
ect,theywereonlycr
eatedgood,thelif
einthem
cangr ow t
ot heper f
ecti
onGodhavei nmi nd.SoGodhidthisi
mper f
ecti
onofAdam
from eveandt ol
dthem thet reetobeeat i
ngthatwillmakethem t
ogrowintoper fect
ion
whichist het r
eeofl i
fe(gracemessage{ Gen2: 16})
.Cany ouseemy steryof gr ace
messaget hatmanydonotknow.Theyt hi
nkt eachingpeoplet
helaw thatproduces
knowledgeofgoodandev ilist heri
ghtmessaget oproduceperf
ecti
on,givi
ngi twith
thatmot i
v eisf or
bidden fruit
.Justbef oll
owing thisseri
esIwi l
ltel
lust henew
testamentwayoft eachingthel awandt headvantangeoftotheki
ngdom.Mi ndy ou,the
treeofknowl edgeofgoodandev i
lthatGodsay sAdam shouldnoteatisnotabad
frui
t(Gen2: 17),
solawi snotabadf r
uit.

Godcr
eateditfort
hem, f
orapur
poseatati
met ocome,
andthatpurposewil
lbe
expl
ainedint
helaterseri
es.Thati
swhyyou'
l
lseethatl
awwasgiv
enf orapurposeand
thepurposei
sverygood.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesFour
)

Now,t hequest ioni swhydi dGodpl antt het reeoft heknowl edgeofgoodand
evil?Mi ndy ou,t hesamepur posewhyt het reeoft heknowl edgeofgoodandev i
lwas
plant edi st hesamepur posewhyl aw wasgi ven.Thel aw wasnotpr i
mar i
lygivent o
humbl eus, thati ssecondar ypur posef oranyonewhot r
ytothinkt heycanchooset odo
goodov ert hecompl et el awi nt heener gyoft hef l
esh.Butpr i
mar ilyitisgi v
ent hatwe
mi ghthav et heknowl edgeofgoodandev il.Sot hatasweeatt het reeofl ife(grace
message)wegr ow anddev el oppowert ochooseanddogoodandt hendenyev il.So
l
awi snotwhatt ober ejected, butwhent hepur poseofi tisnotknownhol ymenbegan
tot eachi ti nwr ongway .I fy oucanunder standwhyt reeofgoodandev ilwaspl antedi n
thegar deny ouwi ll
under standwhyl awwasgi ven.I fyoucanal sogott heunder standi ng
whyGodi nst ructedadam nott oeaty ouwi l
lnotwhyl awi snotneededf orasoult hati s
j
ustbei ngpl ant edint hegar denofEden( newbor nagai nchristian) .From thename, we
canknowt hepur poseoft het reewhi chi st ogi vet heknowl edgeofgoodandev i
l,and
thebi blesay st hati sal sot hemai npur posewhyl awwasgi vensee;Paulal sosai di n
RomansChapt erSev en( 7),thatwi thoutt hel awIwi l
lnothav enot hatcov etousnessi s
sin.Soweknowt hepur poseoft het reeal ready ,butt hequest ioni swhydi dGodpl anti t,
becauset herei sdi ffer encebet weenknowi ngt hepur poseofat hingandknowi ngt he
pur posewhyi tisgi venorpl anted.Thi si swhatwecal led"whenpur posei shiddeni n
pur pose. "Fori nstance,weknowf oodi sgi vent ogi venut ri
ti
ont ot hebodyt hatwecan
hav eener gyt hent hequest i
oni swhyi st heener gygi ven?Sot hatwecanuseourbody
todot heki ngdom assi gnment .Sot hati san exampl eofwhenapur posei shiddeni n
anot herpur pose.Sol etusbegi nt hej ourney ;Wehav eknownt hepur poseoft het r
eeof
knowl edgeofgoodandev i
lfrom hi snamesoi t'
snotabadf r
uit.Iti saf oodmeantt obe
eat en,justasl aw i snotabadf ood,i tisaf oodmeantf oroursoul .Itisat reeoft he
Knowl edgeofgoodandev il
,soi tisnott het r
eey oueatandbegi nt odoev il
,itisf rui
t
thaty oueat ,andknowandunder standgood, andal soknowandunder standev il
,soy ou
cangui deagai nstt heev i
landdogood.Soeat ingi tnowi sofnov alueBecauseAdam
asnotgr owt obui l
dcapabi l
ityt ochoosegood, soi fheeatwi thouthav i
ngt hecapabi lit
y
yethewi l
lchooseev i
landdi e.Mi ndy ouGodcr eatedadam wi thwi ll
,buthehasnot
grownenought obegi nt ousehi swi ll.Justasy oucannotal l
owy ouroney earoldchi l
d
toexer cisehi swi ll
,becausehewi l
lusual lychooseev i
l,soy oumustpr eventhimf rom
exer cisinghi swi llunt ilhegr owst osomecer tainagewher ey oucanl eavehi mtohi s
choi ce.Sot het i
mef orAdam t oeatt hatf r
uithasnoty etcome.

Secondlyevent
houghGodal l
owedhimtoeatimmediatel
y,hegott ot
hegarden
ofEdeniti
sofnouse.Becauset hoset
hathe(Adam)neededtobedoi nggoodtohave
notyetbeenborn.Thepurposeofgoodistoyournei
ghbor(Rom 15:2).Sowhenmen
begantomul t
ipl
y(Gen6:1),t
hetreeofknowl
edgeofgoodandev i
lneedstobecome
foodneededt obeeat ensot hatmanwi llknow t hegoodneededt obedonet ohi s
nei ghborandev ilneedednott obedonet ohi sneighbor .Sot het i
met obegi ntoeatt he
fruitoft r
eeofknowl edgeofgoodandev ilhasnowcome.Becausel awi nthisoccasi on
hasbecomeat oolneededwhenmenbegant omut i
plysot hatgodl i
nesscanbe
promot ed.Ifiti sonl yyouandGodal oney oudon' tneedl aw, al
ly ouneedi sthet reeof
l
ife( whi chi sgr acemessage[ Gen2: 16]).Sot hepr oblem ofAdam wi t
hGodi st hat,
fi
rst l
yheat et hef r
uitbeforet het i
me;andsecondl yheat eitwi t
houtknowi ngt hemai n
pur pose,wher easi twasr eser v edf oranot herpur pose.Whi chi swhatmanyar edoi ng
wi ththet eachingofl awt oday .Sat ant oldEv et hatthet reecanmakey ouwise( Gen3: 5).
Samet omanypast ors,t
heyt eacht hatlawcanmakey ouwi sewhi chi strue,butki ndof
wi sdom? ;andsi ncerelyspirittualwi sdom onl ycomesf rom Jesuswhi chist het reeof
l
ife.SoAdam doesnotneedl awnow,hei sj ustalonewi t
hhi swi feandbot hoft hem
areone, sot heydon' tneedl aw.Lawbecameat ool neededwhenmenbegant obecome
twoandt hreesot hatorderl
inesscanpr ev ail.Somet hi
ngi swr ongwi thy ourrelati
onshi p
i
fy ousetl awf ory ourwi f
e.Sot oGod,Adam di dnotneedt het reeofgoodandev ilas
att hatt i
me.Butat i
mewi llcomewhent heywi llmul ti
ply,becauset heyhav ebeent ol d
tor eplenisht heear th(Gen1: 28) .Soatt hatt i
me, thet r
eeofknowl edgeofGodandev i
l
wi l
lbeneededbyt hem t obeeat i
ngt ogui deagai nstev i
landpr omot egoodamong
themsel ves.Becausecomi ngt ot het reeofl if
e,iti sat reet or elatewi t
hGod,whi le
comi ngtot het reeofgoodandev ilit
'sat reet orelatewi thman.Youdon' trelatewi t h
manbygr ace, lestlawlessnesswi l
lpr evail, l
awmustbesett ocont rolman( 1Ti m 1: 8-
9).Cany ouseewher emanypr eacher smakemi st
ake.Theynowsetl awasy ardstickt o
relatewi thGod.Sot hemaj orassi gnmentoft heknowl edgeoft hegoodandev i
list o
prev entdev ilfrom ourgar den.Cany ouseet headv ant ageoft helawandgr ace?

I
fy oudon' tsetl aw f ory our self,yourl i
fewi llnotbei nor der,y oumustl earnt o
discipl i
ney ourselftopl easey ournei ghbor ,butcomi ngt oSpi rit
ualthingsal lyouneedi s
thet reeofl i
fe.Butt hepr obl em oft hechur chi st hatwear eusingt het reeoft he
knowl edgeofgoodandev ilt oaddr essspi ri
tualissues.Wear eusingi ttoaddr essour
relationshipwi thGodi nsteadofusi ngi ttoaddr essourr elationshipwi thmanandwi th
our selves.Sot hepr oblem wi tht hef orbiddenf ruitisthatt heyat eitinawr ongwayand
att hewr ongt i
met heni tproducedwr ongef fect( Gen3: 6-7).Samet ol aw, manyar ejust
eat i
ngi tinawayt hatt hesamel aw t hat'
ssupposedt obr ingl i
fetot hem isbr inging
deat h( Rom 7: 10),justast het r
eebr oughtdeat ht oAdam.Lawwasnott ober ej
ected,
l
awwasnotmeantt obeabandoned, justast het reeoft heknowl edgeofgoodandev i
l
.
Ifthet r
eei sev ilGodwi l
lnotcr eatei t.SomesayGodcr eat edt hetwot r
ees( Gen2: 9b)
formant oexer ci
set heirwi ll.No, thati sawr ongt eaching, ther ealtr
eegi vent omant o
exer ciset heirwi l
list het reeoft heknowl edgeofgoodandev il
.Butt het i
mehasnot
come.Thet r
eeofl if
ei sf ort heirspi r
its,whi l
et het r
eeoft heknowl edgeofgoodand
evilisf ort hei
rsoul s.Butt hei rsoulshav enoty etbuiltcapaci tytohandl ethet r
eet hatis
whyGodt
oldt
hem nott
oeatit(
Gen2:17)
.Threefoodwasdi
mensi
onalf
oodwhi
chwas
gi
vent
oAdam,int
hegardenofAdam (
Gen2:9):

1.Thef
oodofhi
sspi
ri
t(t
reeofl
i
fe)

2.Thef
oodofhi
ssoul
(tr
eeofknowl
edgeofgoodandev
il
)

3. Thef
oodf
orhi
sbody(
thef
rui
toft
reef
rom t
hegr
ound)

Thet reeofl if
epr ov idespowert ogr owt heirspi ri
tsandpr ov i
depowert oexer ciset heir
will
;t hetreeoft heknowl edgeofgoodandev i
lpr ovidesknowl edgeofwhatt hesoul
willexerciseupon;whi let hef oodf ort hebodyi st ogi vegr owt handnut rientt ot he
body .Sot hemai nt reedesi gnedbyGodt omakemenexer ciset heirwillist het reeof
theknowl edgeofgoodandev il
.ButAdam hasnoty etgr ow enought obegi vent hat
assignment .Becauset heassi gnmentofAdam goesbey ondt hegar denofEden.Hi s
assignmentcar ri
edt hewhol ewor l
d.St udyt hebookofGenesi sbyy oursel f.Sohehas
noty etstar tedany thi ngi nthegar den,hewasj ustt heref orgrowt handpr epar at i
onand
tokeept hegar den.Wher eGodpl annedt osendAdam t ogoanddomi nat ei ncludet he
gateofhel landatt hatper iodt heknowl edgeofev ilisneededf orAdam byt hatt i
me.
Cany ouseet hemy steryoft r
eei nthegar den?Thati swhywhenaper soni sbor nagai n
(John3: 3-7) ,thef oodheneedsf i
rstisnott het reet hatgi v
eshi mt heknowl edgeof
goodandev il
,buthewi llstil
lneedi t(1Cor in3: 1-3).Hedoesnotneedal lt hist eachi ng
ofl aw,and don' tf or nicatet hatwear epr eachi ng about .Ev erysi nnerknowst hat
fornicati
oni sev i
l
, youdon' tneedt ot el
lthem.Theyknowbef oret heygotbor nagai nthat
fornicati
oni sev i
l.Soknowl edgeofgoodandev ilisnotwhatt heyneed, thati swhywe
makeChr istianit
ybor i
ngf orpeopl e.Thet eachi ngt heyneedi show t obef reef r
om
fornicati
on, andnott eachi ngofwhatl awcanpr ovide.Lawwi l
lonl ygivey oupr evention,
butnotcur e.Law wi l
ltelly oudon' tsleepwi thasi sterinar oom,whi chi sv er ygood
becauset hat '
spr ev ent i
on,whataboutt hesi steri ny ouri magi nation.Thesi steri nt he
room ofy ourhear t,t heonet hatcomest oy ouri magi nationwhi l
emast urbat ing.We
needheal i
ngf rom si n, t
hati swhyt hebi bl esay st het reeofl ifeist r
eeofheal ing.

Law messagesgi vepr eventi

on( 1Ti mothy1- 8-9),whil
egr acemessagesgi v
e
cure( Titus2: 11-
12).Thatbornagai nbr otheriny ourchur chfir
stneedst hetreeofl i
fe,
eatingt het r
eeofknowl edgeofgoodandev i
lwillmakehi mtodi eagai nandagai n..
.
Andspi ri
tualdeathisnotwheny oubacksl ide,spir
it
ualdeat hiswhenamanbecomes
reli
gious.BecausewhenAdam at ethef ruithedi dnotr ejectGod,hedi dnotsayGodI
don' tneedy ouagai n.Butt hefearofGodent eredhim whi chiswhatwepr eacht oday,
i
nst eadofhi mt obeopenabouthi ssin,heusedt hel eavesofr eli
giontocov erhimsel f
(Gen3: 7-10).Whatl eavesareweusi ngt ocov erourselves?Someuset heleavesofbi g
bible,somet heleavesofr el
igi
ousdr essing,thel eavesofsel fdenialofear ingand
attachmentt hatmaket hem toappeart heyar enotnakedi nsi
n.Sof orbiddenfruitdoes
notmakey oual i
arorsi nner,i
tmakesy our eligious.Iam di ggingdeepf ory out oknow
whatAdam at e.I tmakesy ouspi ri
tuallypr oud,r efusingt oacknowl edgey ouar ea
sinner .Thef irstsi nAdam mani festedwhenGodconf ront edhi m wasi nabili
tyt o
accepthi msel fasasi nner .Henev eraccept edhewaswr ong, holierthant houat t
it
ude
(Gen3: 11-12).ToAdam, everyoneisasi nner ,Evei sasi nner ,snakei sasi nner ,buthim
i
sv eryrighteous.Ar ey ounott heoneIam t alki ngto?Youmaybeawi f
eofapast or,but
whenGodi ssay i
ngal lyourr ight
eousnessi sl ikeaf i
lthyr ag( Isa64: 6),y ety ouar e
thinkingy ouar er i
ghteoust hansomepeopl e.Whot oldy out hat?Becausey ouhav e
eat i
ngf orbiddenf rui
t.
Sot hef i
rstsinAdam mani festedi swhatIcal l
ed"Spi ritualPr i
de."
Whycan' tyouhumbl ey oursel
f,allyouneedi st hebl oodt owashy oucl ean.Whaty ou
needi snotl eav esofr eligion.Adam usedl eav est ocov erhimsel f
,butGodr emov edt he
l
eav esandki l
l
edani mal tousei tsski
nasacov erfortheirnakedness( Gen3: 21).Al lyou
needi sthebl oodoft hel ambt ocovery our sel fbeforeGod,whi l
et heskinofani mali s
whaty ouneedt ocov ery ourselfbeforeman.Godusedt wot hingst osol vet hei rproblem:
thebl oodoft hel ambandt heski noft hel amb.Theski noft hel ambt ocov ert heirsin
bef oreman, whi lethebl oodoft helambi st ocov ertheirsinbef oreGod.

Now whatisthemyster
yofthesetwo;weallknow t
hatthebl
oodoft
hel
amb
sy
mbol
izes"
Jesus,
"butwhatdoest
heskinoft
helambsy mbol
ize?
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesSi
x)

I
nthepr ev i
ousser i
es,wet alkedaboutt herealityoflawandgr acei nthebookof
Mat thewt oRev elati
onknownas" NewTest ament "byt hechur ch.Weshal lbegoingon
aj ourneyont heOl dTest amentt oseet her ealit
yofgr aceandl aw i nt hebookof
Genesi stoMal achif ory out oknowt hatthoset hatGodchoseandanoi ntedi ntheol d
testamentHedi dnotchooseandanoi ntthem byl aw,( Deedofr ighteousness)t hey
wer eallchosenandanoi ntedbygr ace,butt heywor kourt hei rgracebyobt aini
nggood
report.Sot headv antaget heyhadov ermanychr i
stiansoft hi
sday si sthatt heynev er
tookt hegr aceofGodf orlasci
viousness.Theynev ertookt hegr aceofGodf orgrant ed
asofmanyi nt hi sgener ati
onwhonev erunder standt hemy steryofspi ri
tualBalancing.
Noneoft hem wasusual lyperfect,buti fyoul ookatt hesinmanyoft hem commi t
t ed
theyar esinofi gnor ance.Noneoft hem knewwhathedi dwaswr ong.I nexcept ionof
few andt hosef ew pai dforthesi nbyt hemsel vesl i
keSamson,Jonahe. t.
c;whi l
ef or
thosewhocommi t
tedt hosesi ni ni gnorance,andt heirgener at
ionpai df orit:like
Abr aham,Dav id,Sol omon e. t.
c.So whatmany of t hem mani fested wer et he
weaknessesoft hesi nfulmanandnotnecessar i
lywi l
fulsin.Becauset hereisdifferent
betweenf all
ingi ntosi nandcommi tt
ingsin.Theyar esinner swhohat edsi n,notthat
theyar ether ighteousonewhohat edsi n.Thought heirgooddeedswer enotcount edt o
them byGodasr ighteousness.SeeRomans4v s2-5t oconf i
rmt hat:

2.i
nf act
,Abraham wasj
ust
if
iedbywor
ks,hehadsomet
hingt
oboastabout
—but
notbefor
eGod.

3.NI
V:WhatdoesScr i
ptur
esay
?“Abr
aham bel
i
evedGod,andi
twascr
edi
tedt
o
hi
m asr
ight
eousness.

4.NIV:Now tot
heonewhowor
ks,wagesar
enotcr
edi
tedasagi
ftbutasan
obli
gat
ion

5.NIV:However,totheonewhodoesnotwor kbutt
rust
sGodwhoj
ust
if
iest
he
ungodl
y,t
heirfai
thiscr
edi
tedasr
ight
eousness

Howev er
,event houghGoddi dnotcounttheirgooddeedst ober ighteous,mancount ed
i
tt othem asri
ght eousnessandbecauseoft hattheyobt ai
nedgoodr epor tbefor
eman
(Heb11:2).Butthisgener ati
onmanyar erighteousbyfaith,butthei
rlivesar enothi
ngto
writehomeaboutbef oremenandbef oret
hecl oudofwitnesseswat chingus( Heb12:1).
Somear eindulginginsecr etsin,whil
esomear eevenli
v i
ngt hesinfulandi mmor all
i
fe
openly,y
etstil
lspeaki ngintongues.Sowehav eknowledgeaboutt het eachingofthe
HolySpiri
tonl oveofGodandt hegraceoft heLordJesus,butl ackknowl edgeabout
thedealing oft heHol ySpi r
it(2 Cori
n13: 14).Thati swhyt her ighteousnesswe
receiv
edbyf ai
th( Rom 3: 21-22)couldnotf i
ndexpressiont omani festbef oremanas
fr
uitofr ight
eousness.Wenow hav ethegiftofrighteousness,butl ackt hef rui
tof
ri
ghteousness.Thatiswhyt hebel
i
efofmanyont herighteousnessofChr i
stwi l
lnotbe
counted asr ight
eousnesson t helastday,becauset heyar et aki
ng thegr acef or
l
asciviousnessandt akingi tasli
cencetosin( Rom 6: 1).Getmywr i
teupon" The
RighteousnessOfTheKi ngdom"tounder
standmor eaboutt hereali
tyofrighteousness
beforeGodandr i
ghteousnessbeforeman.Thatiswhyi fyouwantt ounder standhow
toli
vebyfai
thwestil
lneedtogobacktot
heoldtest
ament,andlear
nhowmenofold
usedfai
thandpat
ienceinher
it
edt
hepromises(
Heb6:12)
.Theyinher
itedt
hepr
omi
ses
(
gif
toft
hespi
ri
t)byf
ait
h,andal
soobt
ainedgoodr
epor
t(f
rui
toft
hespi
ri
t)(
Heb11:
2).

Under standi ngt hegr acet hatcomest hroughf aithwi llmakey out oobt aint he
promi ses,whi l
et hedeal ingoft heHol ySpi ritwi llmakey out oobt aingoodr epor t
.So
twot hingsar eneededher e" pr omi seandgoodr epor t.
"Mi ndy oudespi tethef actt hat
Godnev erexpect edout war dr ight eousnessf rom t hem,becauseheknew t hatt hei r
ri
ght eousnesswasnotdonebygr ace, becauset hegr acet hatcanhel pamant obeHol y
andr i
ght eouswhi chi sHol ySpi ritwasnotav ai
labl et hen.Hol ySpi ritonl ycameupon
them bef oreChr istbuthenev erst ay edint hem.Butf orusi nt henewt est amentGodi s
expect ingbot hi nwar dandout war dr i
ghteousnessf r
om us,becausewehav eev er y
heav enlyequi pmentt omakeusbeone.Nomat tert hesi nav ailableonEar t
h, wher esi n
abode, divineequi pmentt omakeusov ercomei t( grace)abodemuchmor e(Rom 5: 20) .
Justasundeser v edmer cyi sav ailablesoal soundeser v edpowert oov ercomesi ni s
available.Sowehav eHol ySpi ritinuswhocanmani festr i
ght eousnessoutofus.Soour
ri
ght eousnessi nt henewt estamenti snotar i
ght eousnessoff ilt
hyr ag( Isa64: 6) ,ther e
i
sHol ySpi ri
tatwor ki nust hatmani festsi tout .itonl ybecomesf il
thyr agwhenwi l
l
mani festi nsel fwi ll
.Becausedi sobedi encei nt henewt estmenti snotgoi ngagai nstt he
l
aw,butdi sobey ingt heHol ySpi ritwhowr ot ethel aw att het ableofy ourhear t(Heb
10:16) .Sof r
ui toft hespi ritist hef ruitthaty ouhav eobey edHol ySpi ri
tAndnott hef r uit
thaty ouhav eHol yspi rit,becausey oucanhav eHi m,y etnotmani festt hef rui tofHol y
Spirit.So hav ingHi m i snott hei ssuebutHi sposi tioni ngi ny ourhear tmat ter s.
Becauset herei sonet hingf orHol ySpi rittobewi thy ourspi ritandt her eisnot hingl i
kei t
forHi mt obei ny ourspi rit,andt her ei sanot hert hingf orHi mt obeupony ou( Act s1: 8) .
Giftisj ustasi gnt hatHol ySpi rithasr estedupony ouandnotanev idencet hatHol y
Spiritisi ny ou.Thati swhybot hpeopl ebef oreChr istandaf terChr istmani fest edt he
giftoft heHol ySpi rit,butonl yt heNew Test amentbel i
ev er smani festt hef r uitoft he
Hol ySpi rit
.Thepur posewhyHer est supony oui sf orki ngdom assi gnment ,Whi l
et he
purposeHest aysi ny oui sf orki ngdom l i
fest yle.Manypeopl eonl yhav eHol ySpi ritwi th
them orupont hen,butHei snoti nt hem.Seet hebookofJohn14v erse17( KJV)t o
comf i
rmt hedi ffer ence:" Ev ent heSpi ritoft r
ut h;whom t hewor l
dcannotr ecei v e,
becausei tseet hhi m not ,neitherknowet hhi m:buty eknowhi m;f orhedwel let hwi th
you, andshal lbei ny ou. "Soi tispossi blef orHi mt obewi thy ouandnoti ny ou.Andt he
maj orassignmentoft heHolySpiri
tistost ayiny ourspiri
tandnott ostaywithyour
spiri
talone.Butwi lf
ulsincanmakeHi mt ochangel ocat
ion,andt hatisdangerousto
youret er
nity.ThoughHei sinyourbody ,butHei snoti nri
ghtl ocat
ionifHestayswith
you.Yourbodyi sonl yHistemple,Hisdwel l
ingplacei siny ourspiri
tthatsymboli
ses
"Al
tar"intheol dtestament.Thel
ocat i
onoft hearkofGodi si ntheHol yofHoli
es(Exo
26:34).ThatHei sinthetempleisnott heissue,butHemustbei ntheHolyofHol i
es
whichi sinsideyourspi r
it
.Sothemomentt heHolySpi ri
tleavesy ourspir
it
,youloose
thef r
uitofthespiri
t.

Thebi bledoesnotsayHecamet ost ayi ny ouforev er, butHeonl ycamet ostay

withy ouf orev er(John14: 16).Ther eisdi fferentbet weenst ay i
ngwi thyouandst ayi
ng
i
ny ou.I fy oucommi tsinHedoesnotl eav ey oual onebecausey ouhav ebeenseal edby
Him( Eph4: 30) , butHeleavesHi sdwel l
ingpl ace, whi chisy ourspi ri
t.Hispr esencewi ll
l
eav et heal t
ar .Thef ireont heal t
arwi l
lquench,t hatisquenchi ngt heHol ySpi ri
t(1
Thessa5: 19).Yougr i
eveHi m wheny ouactceasel essly(Eph4: 30),butyouquenchHi m
wheny ouacti nsinwi l
full
y( 1Thessa5: 19) .Sot heWor d,t heCommandentandt he
StatusofGodar enottobet akenf orgrantedi nNewTest ament .Wecannotaf fordthat,
becausewear ebor nbythewor d,wecar ryt hewor dsowemustmani f
estthewor d.The
onlydi fferencebet weenusandt hepeopl eoft heol dtestamenti sthattheyar eunder
theWor d,butf oruswear einsi detheWor dandt heWor di si nus(1John3: 24).To
them t heykeept hewor d,butt ouswemani festt hewor d( Col1: 27).Themov ement
youar ebor nagai n,youarebor nbyt hei ncor rupt ibleseedwhi chi sthewor dofGod( 1
Peter1: 23) .Thesper mt hatpr oducedy ourspi ritualmani st heWor d.Sot heki ngdom
doesnotexpecty out omanifestany t
hingl esst hant heWor d.Thewhol ecreatur esare
waitingf orthemani festi
onoft hesonsofGod( Rom 8: 19).Sowhatar etheyexpect i
ng
ustomani f
est ?TheWor d!Wear enolongerundert helaw, butt helawi snowi nsi deus
(Heb10: 16).
*Tot heol dtestamentt heykeptt hel aw,buti nt henew t estamentwe
mani festt hel aw.Becausewear et helawt hathav ebecomef lesh.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesSev
en)

Ifyoucanunder standal lthesebasesy ouwi llunder standt hemi ndofGodf or

thisear tht hr oughy ourknowl edgeoft heol dt estamentandnew t estament .Primar i
ly
youmustf irstknowt hatol dt estamenti snotGenesi st oMal achi,andnewt estament
i
snotMat thew t oRev elation.Wheny ouseeussay i
ngwear enotundert heol d
testamentagai nwear enott ryingt osayweshoul dt hrow awayt heol dt estament
versionoft hebi ble,becauseev erythi
ngcont ainst hewor dofGod.Whatwear et r
y i
ngt o
sayi st hatt he" Oldcov enant "ist hecov enantuponwhi chGoddeal twi thmenbef or e
Christwhi chwasbasedony ourwor kory ourobedi ence,whi l
et heNew Test amenti s
thecov enantt hroughwhi chGoddeal swi t
hmenaf tert hedeat hofChr i
st,whi chi s
basedont heobedi enceofChr i
st.Sowenol ongerpr ayint henameofourobedi ence
l
ikeoft heol d,wenowpr ayi nt henameofJesusChr i
stany t
hingweaski nHisnameHe
givesi ttous( John14: 13-14) , becauseHi sobediencehasboughtev erythingf orusf ree
ofchar ge.Cany ouseewher ewebegi nt ohav eissuewi thtithepr eacher s.Youcannot
under standt hisbasi cf oundat ionalrevelationandsayi fsomeonedoesnotpayt ithe,
hewi llbepoor .Mi ndy ouGodcangi vei ttoy ouasaper sonalr evelati
on,t her ei s
nothingbadi nt hat,Godcani nstructyout obepay i
ngi tjustasGodi nst r
uct edsome
prophet st obeput tingonwhi te.Wehav eper sonalr evelati
onandwehav egener al
revelation.God can bl ess y ou per sonal l
ybase on per sonalr ev elati
onalcov enant
betweeny ouandHi m, butdon' tgener al
izei t
,becausedoi ngt hatnegat ethedoct ri
neof
NewTest ament .Becauset heunder st
andi ngofNewTest amenti swhatmakesamant o
say, ipaymyt i
thebecauseGodhasbl essedmenott hatGodshoul dbl essme.Because
Godonl ybl essesev ery oneHechoosest obless,becauseChr istbecamepoorsot hat
wecanbeRi ch.

Thecov enantthatpr oducest hef inancialbl essi

ngofanymani sbasedont he
povertyofChr ist
.Pr osperityt hatcomesasar esultofpay ingoft i
theasgener al
covenanthasexpi r
ed.Thati swhyt hef i
rstApost lesnevertal kedaboutt itheinalltheir
daysonEar th,andt hatshoul dbeenoughev idencet oshowust hatti
thingshoul dnotbe
general
izedaspar tofNewTest amentf oundat i
onalkeyt opr osperit
y.Stillholdingunto
thatoldcov enantisl ackoft heknowl edgeofWhatChr istcamet odof orus.Sowhat
makest hecov enantoft i
thingt oberelevanti snotbecausei twasf oundi nt hebookof
l
awori twasf ounddonebyAbr aham,ev ent houghwef oundi tinbookofRev elat
ionor
i
nt hebookofGal atianswewi llr
enderi tineff ecti
ve,becausei tcont r
adi ct
st henew
test
amentGodest ablishedt hroughthebl oodofJesus.SoIam notspeaki ngagainst
ti
thi
ng,whatwespeakagai nsti sthemessaget hatthespi r
itofmammonhascomet o
addto:Whi chisequat i
ngt obeay ar
dstickofr ecei vi
ngf i
nanci albl
essingf rom God, t
hat
i
sabi gher esy .Godcanr ev ealittoy ouper sonal l
y,andl eti tbeper sonal ,thatwi l
l
producer esult
sf ory ou,wher easitisnotay ardsti
ckt hati twillproducer esul
tsfor
other
s.Wehav epeopl eonthi
seatwhopai dt it
hesf aithf
ull
yanddiedinpov ert
y,why?
Becauset heydi
dnotunder standthei
rpersonalr evelati
onalkeytopr osperit
y.Jesus
nevercondemnedt i
thi
ng,whoar ewetocondemni t
,butJesusnev erplacednecessity
oni t
.Jesuscalledit"NotWei ght
ierMatter".Soi fiti say ar
dsti
ckt omeasur eour
fi
nancialopenheaven,Jesuswouldnothav ecal l
edi t"notweight
iermat ter
,"Because
openheav enissomet hingt
hatisimportanttousandJesusknew t hat.How woul d
Jesuscallsomethi
ngt hatHeknewwoul dopenourheav ennotweighti
ermat t
er.Soif
ti
thi
ngi sthekey,Jesuswouldcallitwei
ghtiermat ter.ButHer ebukedt hephar i
sees
t
hatt heynegl
ectedt heweightiermat t
ert hatcanopenheavenandt hatweighti
er
matterwasment ioned(Mat t23:23),andt henHesai dweshoul dalsonotnegl ect
t
it
hingwhichisver yimport
ant,becauset heyaddt otheexpansi
onoft hegospel,the
f
ullti
mepastorsdependoni t,soifyoulovet hef
ullt
imepastorsandt
hei rchi
ldr
enyou
wil
lpayyourti
thes.Andthatispayinginlovewhichiswhatproducesr
ewar dinthenew
testament( 2Cor in9: 7).Anyspi ri
tualthingdonef ort hepur poseofget ti
ngsomet hing
from abov ei sawr ongdoct rine.I tisadoct rineoft heOl dTest amentandt hathas
expiredbyt hebl oodofJesus.Youdon' tfastbecauseofpower ,y ouf astbecausey ou
haver eceiv edpower .Ther ewer emanywhoenj oy ednew cov enantbl essingwhi chi s
spiri
tual blessi ngsbef oreChr i
st ,andt heirnameswer ement i
onedi nHebr ew11; noneof
them r ecei vedpower ,becauset heyf asted,t heybi bl esay sbyf aithandpat iencet hey
i
nher it
edt hepr omi ses( Heb6: 12) .Ijustdon' tknowi fthisourgener ationi snotr eadi ng
theirbi ble.Webel iev epeopl e'sexper i
encet hant hewor dofGod.Si ncer elyIdocr y
seeingt hechur chst i
llfarf r
om NewTest amentr eal it
y.Andi tisbecausewedon' tgi ve
ourmi ndst ot eachi ng.Wel i
st ent opr eachi ngmor et hant eachi ng.Andpr eachi ngi sf or
thebabi esandt hosewhoar enoty etbor nagai n,whi l
et eachi ngi sf ort hemat ure.Many
ofthosewel isteni ngt oi nNi ger iaar enott eacher sbycal li
ng, manyoft hem ar epast ors
bycal lingandwi thApost l
egr ace.Andt hati swhyseasonalknowl edgei sfarf rom our
Christianr ealities.ThankGodf orpeopl el ikeApost leJoshuaSel maandmanymor e
whoar ecomi ngupt or escuet hi
sgener ationofy outhf rom deepr eli
gioni gnorance.
Becauseoneoft hemaj orbenef it
soft heNew Test amenti sthati ti sacov enantt hat
canbeexpl ai
ned.I ti sacov enantt hatcamewi tht eachi ngcapabi lity,andt hati swhat
makesi tgracemessage.I tisagr acemessagenotonl ybecausei tt eachesundeser ved
favour ,butbecausenot hingaboutNewTest amentt hatishi dden, ev erythingi slightand
l
ightmeansunder standi ng.I ti snotOl dTest amentt hatt ell
sy ouwhatt odoandy ou
darenotaskwhy .NewTest amenti snotat eachi ngt hatsuspendsy ouri ntel
ligenceand
callitf ait
h.Youmustusey ourspi rit
ualsense.BecauseNewt est amenti sacov enant
thatt eachesy ouwhatt odo.Ther eisdi fferentbet weent ell
i
ngandt eachi ng:t elling
makesy out ober eligious,whi leteachi ngmakesy out obespi ritual .Thati swhywhen
the gr acet hatbr i
nget hsalv ationhat happear ed,t hebi blesay sHebegant o" teach"us
to deny ungodl i
ness,not" tell
ing"us t o deny ungodl i
ness ( Titus 2: 11- 12).What
preacher soft hel awcamet odoi st otellust odenyungodl i
ness, sowewer eunabl et o
denyit
.Wef or
medi t
,weact
edit,butoursecretli
fei
sfull
ofsin,
why?Becauset
eachi
ng
i
slacki
ng.Andt hati
soneofthethingsGodisdoinginthisl
astday
s.Nothi
ngaboutt
he
ki
ngdom thatcannotbeexplained.Ourint
elli
gencemustnotbesuspendedalli
nthe
nameoffait
h.

Fait
hi tsel
fcanbeexpl ained,becauset he" substance"oft hi
ngnotseeni s
"knowledge."(Heb11:1).Soknowledgecomest hr ought eachingandexpl anat
ion.Iti
sa
doctri
nethatcannotbeexpl ai
nedt hatleadstoargument .Don'tjusttel
lpeoplewhatt o
do and hide underf ai
th,and make i tgeneralcov enant,itis when y ou hav e no
explanati
ont owhaty ou aredoi
ngt hatyoucallitactoff ai
th,whichiswr ong,thatis
occulti
sm.Weknow t i
thi
ngisgood.Now y out eachi tthatt i
t hi
ngist hesecretof
prosperi
ty,andnow t heypointy out odangoteandsomer i
chpeopl ewhoar enot
Christ
iansandt heyaskyouhowdi dt heybecomer ich?

Andy ousayt heycanbet hiev es.Theypoi nty out oGbi l

eAkanniagai n,DaddyGbi lehas
beent ryingt ocor rectthiser roroft it
hingforl ong, theydon' tpayt i
thei nhi smi nistry, yet
Godbl essest hem.Theny ouar edumbf ounded, why ?Youar edoi ngwhaty oudon' thav e
knowl edgeabout .Thehi ghesty oucansayi st hatitiswor kingf ory ou, i
fwhati swor ki ng
fory oui st heev idenceofdoi ngr i
ghtthing,i dolwor shiper swi llbeaccept edasgood
doct r
inet hen, becausei ti sal sowor ki
ngf ort hem.Ev eryreligiouspeopl ebel iev eint heir
reli
gions,becausei ti swor kingf orthem.I st hoseBuddhi stsandi slami cnotar i
ght
doct r
ine?No!Sot herei sapoweri nbel i
ef.Ify oubegi nt odr opf ivest onesi nacor ner
andbel iev eini tasasomet hi ngt hatopensy ourf i
nancialheav en,aspi ri
tofmammon
from t hegat eofhel lwillent ert hosest onest omakei twor kandsuddenl yy oubegi nt o
seef inanci aldooropens,whatdev ilwant st oachi evei snott omakey oupoor ,butt o
shifty ourf aithawayf rom t hef ini
shedwor kofChr i
st.Anyhei sr eadyt ogi vey out he
whol ewor ldi fy ourbel i
efcanbeshi ft
edawayf r
om i t.Any t
hi ngy ousayt hatt he
ungodl ycanr ejectwi t
ht hei rr easoningi tmeanst hewi sdom i nt hatt hingi snot
accur ate.WhenJesust aughtnoPhar i
seesdi dhav eawor dt ocount erhi m.Theyknew
whathewast eachingwasr i
ght ,theyonl ychosenott oaccepti t,becausei twi l
laff ect
theirtithesandof f
er i
ngs.Sosamet ot hi
st eachi ng,manyoft heseourpast or swear e
talki
ngt oknow t hatwhatwear eteachingi st het r
ue,buti ft heyt eachi tt heyt hi nk
member swi llnotpayt ithesagai nwhi chwi llaf f
ectt hei rpr omot i
on.Becauset he
promot ionf rom ar eapast ort ozonalpast orisbasedont hel ev eloft i
thesandof f
erings
thepast ori nchar gei sabl etor emi t
.Thati sev il
,ifIam per mi ttedt ospeakt het ruthwi th
allhumi l
ityt odenomi nat i
onsi tmayconcer n.Sowear eint heagewher eweneedt ogo
backt owhatwehol dunt oandaskquest ionsabouti t
.Thechur chneedsexpl anat i
on.
Wedon' texpl ainawei r
dt hingi ntheki ngdom andcal li tmy stery ;Ther ei saan
accur ateexpl anationt oev er ydoct ri
neandt heonet hatisnoti nl i
newi thnewcov enant
mustbepull
down.Therev
ival
ist
softheki
ngdom maybesi l
entabouti
t,becauset
hati
s
noti
nthei
rassi
gnment
,buttherevol
uti
oni
stscannotbesi
l
ent.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheTest
ament(
Ser
iesEi
ght
)

Gett hi scl earunder standing, justaswehav eoldandnewt est ament ,soalsowe

havegener alandper sonalcov enantort estament .Everydest inyhasi t
sownper sonal
covenantasi def rom thenew cov enantt hatser v
esasgener albasi sofr eceivi
ng
spir
itualbl essi ngsi nt
heNewTest amentf rom Godwhi chthroughf aithinJesusChr i
st .
Thisi swher eev eryChr i
st i
anneedst obesensi ti
veandunder standt heirper sonal
covenant .Don' tabandony ourper sonalcov enantwi thGod,becausey ouhav el
isteni
ng
toonegr acemessaget hatt ell
sy out hatnotbywor k,andal sodon' tjustst umbleont he
personalcov enantofot hers, becauset heytellyouwhatt heydot hatcommandsr esults,
Whichy ouar enowt hinki
ngsucht hingscanwor kforyou.No!Dest inyassi gnment sar e
dif
ferentf rom each ot herand God deal s wi thindivi
dualbase on t heirkingdom
assignment .Soobey i
ngordi sobey i
ngsuchper sonalcovenantat t
achedt oy ourdestiny
ormi nistryasal ott odowi thi ndividualsuccessonear th.Gett hisf act,t
hisear thisnot
arespect erofman,butar espect erofpr inciples.Yourl i
femustbegov er nedbysome
certainpr inci plesbef oret hingcanwor kfory ouonEar t
h.Themet hodofoper ati
ngi n
thespiritual real mi snott hemet hodofoper atingi nthephy sicalrealm.

Int hephy sicalr eal my ourdet ermi nat i

onasal ongwayt ogot owhat every ou
wisht odo,butconcer ni ngspi r
itualt hingsy oucannotj ustsayIwantt obeapr ophet
withstrongdet ermi nat ionandt hinkheav enwi llhonoury ou.Sospi rit
ualwor ldisnota
respecterofpr incipl esunl ikenat uralwor ld,itisar espect erofani dent i
tywi t hChr ist
ordev il
,pr edest inat ion,andper sonalcov enant .Thati sy ouri dentity,whi chi sy our
sonshiporwhom y ouar e;andy our_ predest i
nat ion_whi chi swhatGodcr eatedy ouf or
beforethef oundat ionoft hewor l
d( Rom 8: 29-30) .Sonomat t ert hehol i
nessofEsauhe
willnotstil
lhav et hef av ourofGod, becauseoft hepowerofpr edest i
nat i
onatwor k, and
l
ast l
ythecov enanty oumustabi debybef or esuchpr edi camentwi l
lcomet opass.So
youmustunder st andt hi ski ngdom phi l
osophy .Idohearpeopl esay ingt hespi r
itual
realmi sgov ernedbypr i
ni ciples,No,t hati swr ong,iti st hephy sicalreal mt hati s
gov er
nedbypr incipl es.Thespi r
itualr eal mi sonl ygov ernedbyl ightanddar kness.That
i
swhyi ti scal ledt heki ngdom ofl ightordar kness.Sot hel eveloft helighty oucar ry
determinesy ourposi ti
oni nt hespi ritt
ualr ealm;andi fi tisdar kness,t hel eveloft he
darknessy oucar ryal sodet ermi nesy ourposi ti
on.I tiswhensomedi mensi onsoft he
l
ightar et ranslat edandcommuni catedi nwor dst hatitbecomel aw andpr i
nciplet o
gov er
nt hisear thandgov erny ourear thlyl if
e.Thati swhyi nt heNew Test amenty ou
don'tint
roducepeopl et opr incipl e,youi nt roducet hem tol ight ;butt heOl dTest ament
i
ntroducesy out opr i
nci ple,becauset hebl essingsat tachedt ot heirobedi encei sonl y
naturalandmat erialbl essi ngs.TheOl dTest amentdoesnotseet her eal
ityabov et his
earth.Ev erybl essi ngat tachedt ot hel aw i sanear t
hlybl essi ng,thatmakesust o
understandt hatal aw i spur posel y giv ent ogov er
nthisear th,whi l
el i
ghtgov ernst he
heav en.Soanypr incipleyour eceiv ef r
om t heki ngdom i sf orear thlyblessi ngandnot
spiritualblessi ngwhi chyourdet ermi nat i
onhasar oletopl ay .Cany ouseet heef ficacy
ofl awnow;i tisf ory ourownadv ant age.Anyl awy oubr eakasachi ldofcov enanthas
ani mpl icationt oy ourear thlylif
et hatiswhyy oumustnott akel awf orgr ant ed.( Iwill
expl ainmor eoft hisi nthenextser i
es) .Becausey oucanbeunderopenheav eny et
undercl oseEar th.Soy oumustunder st
andt hegener alpri
nci plet hatgov ernsev erylife,
andy oumustunder standt hepr inci pleorl awt hatgov er
nsy ourper sonallife.Mi ndy ou
per sonalcov enantmustnotnegat egener alcov enantthatgov ernsal lmen,buti tcan
onl ybemor eorhar dert hani t
." AndGodcant akey out oany wher eint hescr i
pture
eithert heOl dTest amentort henew t estamentt oest ablishper sonalcov enantwi th
you. "Godcanbui l
daper sonalcov enantwi t
hy ouont i
thing,obey i
ngi tcanl eadt o
blessi ng,whi ledi sobey ingitcanl eadt opuni shment .Mindy out hisnotcur se.Ther eis
differentbet weenpuni shmentandcur se.Goddoesnotcur sehi schi l
dreni nt heNew
Test ment ,butt her ear econsequencesofdi sobedi enceassi gnedt oev erylawt omake
your epent .Thi si swher et hoset hatr eceivedt her evelati
onoft it
hingmademi stake.
Manyoft hem r ecei v
edi tasper sonalr ev el
ationt ooper atewi thonear th,becausei t
hassomet hingt odowi tht heirdest inies,butt heymademi stakebyest ablishing
doct rineoni tandmadei tgener al.

I
nt heki ngdom wehav egener alcov enantandper sonalcov enant .Thegener al
covenanti swhatwemustmakedoct ri
neof .Fori nstance,don' tf or nicatei snota
personalcov enant ,suchmustbeabi debyev eryone.Butf or tyday sdr yf astingand
prayer sis nota gener alcov enant .So y ou don' tneed r ev el ati
on t o obeygener al
covenant .Itiswr it
tenpl ainl
yandcl earlyint heTenCommandment s( Exo20: 1-17) .But
comi ngt oper sonalcov enanti tcomesbyr evelat i
on.Soi fy ouhav er ecei vedt i
thi
ngby
revelati
on,Iwi lladv i
sey out olisteningwhenot hersar epr eachi ngagai nsti t.Whatwe
preachagai nsti swhenwhatshoul dbeper sonal i
zed( Per sonalr ev elation)i sbei ng
gener al
ized.Soper sonalcov enantshoul dbekeptt oour selves.Youmustl ear ntoent er
the secr etpl ace t or eceive per sonalr evelation aboutt he hi dden cov enantt hat
surroundsy ourlif
e.Andy ourli
fehasi tsownf orbi ddenfruit.Soper sonalpr inciplemust
notbet aughtasgener alpr i
nciple,t heyar et wodi f
ferentt hi ngs.Per sonal lyIhav e
somecov enant sthatsur roundedmyt eachingandwr iti
nggr aceandt hemor eiobey
thesecov enants,themor eIfl
owi ngr ace.Butsomeonehasonceseent hisinmeand
tri
edt ocopyi t,buthesl eptoffal ltheday .Hesawt hehour sandt imeiwasusi ngt o
study i
ngspi ri
tualmat eri
al sandbi bleal onei nar oom andhecamet hathewant edt obe
l
ikeme, thespi ri
tiswill
ingbutgr acewasnotgi ven( Matt26: 41) .Iqui cklyt oldhi mt ogo
andl ookf orjobt odot hatwi l
lgiv ehim moneyandnotwast ehi st imet ry i
ngt obeal one
withGod, whenGodi sexpect inghi mt obeal onewi thhiscar eerorbusi ness.I twi l
lnow
becomeaner rortobui lddoct ri
neoni tandt eachi tasoneoft heki ngdom pr inciples
thatbef orey oucanwr i
teandr eceiv er evelati
on,y oumustst ayat leastf i
ve( 5)hour s
withbi ble,t hati sher esyt hatmanyofourFat her sbr oughtt ot hechur cht hatwear e
tryi
ngt ocor rect.Don' tbui l
ddoct r
ineonper sonaldeal ingsorexper iences,i ti sabi g
error.Toy oui tmaybef ast i
ng, leti tbeper sonal, don' tcomeandbui l
ddoct ri
neoutofi t,
l
estmenwi l
ldoi t,butt heywi l
lnotr eceivether esul tyour eceivedf r
om i t
,becauset o
youi ti sanobedi encet hati smi xedwi thf ait
h.Butt ot hem i tdoesnotpr ofitt hem,
becausei tisnotmi xedwi thf aith.Soy oumustbesensi ti
vet ot heper sonall eadi ngof
theSpi rit.Godcant ellyout obesuppor ti
ngami ni strywi t
hsoandsoamount ,andt he
mor ey oudoi tf i
nanci aldoorbegi nst oopen.I twi llnowbecomeaner rori foppor t unity
i
snowgi vent oy out opr eachandy oubegi ntopr eachonpowerofgi v i
ngt omi nist r
yis
thesecr etoff inanci albeakt hrough.Thatshoul dbeper sonal ,becauseIwi llshowy ou
tenst ingy ingpeopl ewhoar ev er yr i
ch. Wear et oof oundofgener alizi
ngper sonal
exper i
encei nt hebodyofChr i
st .Itwi llalsonow becomeaner rorify ounegl ecty our
personalpr i
ncipleofgi vingt omi nistry,becausey ouhav ehear donegr acet eachert hat
taughty ou,t hati tisnotbywor kbutbygr ace.Theyar ej okingandgambl i
ngwi thy our
dest i
ny .Thati sasi gnofaf oolishv irgi
n( Mat t25: 3).Soany thi
ngy oudoasi def r
om
whatChr i
sthasachi ev edt hatpr oducesbl essingi saper sonalcov enantandnotgener al
cov enant .Gener alizingi tisasi nagai nstt hecr ossofChr istandy ouar eclosingt he
heav enofspi ri
tualbl essingsupony ourcongr egat ion.Becausewhaty ouar et eachi ng
them ist oobt ainbl essi ngf rom Godbyt heirwor ksofr ight eousness.Sot i
thingcanbe
taughtasoneoft hesecr etst opr osper it
y,butnotonl yt hesecr et.Don' tsayi fy oudon' t
ti
thet hingswi l
lbet ightort her easonwhyy ouar epoori sbecausey oudon' tpayy our
ti
the,al lt hoset eachi ngsar et eachi ngsponsor edbyt hespi ri
tofmammon.Because
therear epeopl et hatt heirper sonalcov enant sofpr osper itydonothav et odowi th
ti
thing,ei thert heyt itheornott heywi l
lmakei tf i
nanci ally.Thati swhyi tisdanger ous
tocopyexper iencei nt heChr istianr ace.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesNi
ne)

Gett hisf act ,youcanbeunderopenedheav enandbeundercl osedear th.

Ther ear edoor st hatmustbeopenedont hisear thbef or et hingscanwor kf ory ouand
thesepr i
ncipl esandl awsar ethekey st oopendooroft hisear th.Soy oucanbeunder
openedheav enandbeundercl osedear t
h,andal soy oucanbeundercl osedheav en
andbeunderopenedEar t h.Cany ouseewhysomeonewhoi snotbor nagai n,but
under st andt hepr i
nci plesoft hisear thcanmakei tinl i
fe.Becauseheunder standst he
pri
nci plest hatgov ernt hisear thandheoper atesbyi t
.Cany ouseewhyy oumustnot
all
owy ourknowl edgeaboutgr acet omakey ounegl ectt heef ficacyoft hel aw, yety our
spiri
tualbl essi ngy our ecei v ebygr acewi l
lnotf i
ndexpr essi ononear th.Youcanbean
anoint edmanofGody etbepooronear th,becauset her ear esomecer tai nlawsof
fi
nanci alsuccessy ouneedt oabi deby .Mi ndy ouIam notsay ingt hel aw ofpay ing
ti
theorgi vingt ot hewor kofGod,t hati snotwhatIam say ing.Iam t alkingabout
somel awst hathav et odowi thr elat ionshi pwi t
hmanonear thort hathav et odowi th
cir
cumst ances.Al lt hesel awsar ewhatsomeofal lthesebor nagai nst umbl edont hat
door sonear thbegant oopent othem.Somecanbet hel awofser vice, somecanbet he
l
awofhar dwor k,somecanbet hel awofhumi li
ty,somet hel awoff aithf ulnesst oy our
boss, somei tcanbet hel awofi ntegr ity,ordi li
gence, allthesear el awst hatgov er nt he
successofmanonear th.Fori nst ancei fyouempl oymei ny ourcompanywi t
hagood
payandy ouf oundmet obeal i
ar,suchcanl eadt osack,becauseIhav ebr okenal aw.
Andev ent houghy oudonotsackme, thattrustwi l
lnotbet hereagai n,why ?Becausea
l
aw hasbeenv i
olat edbymeandt hatsi ngl eactcanl eadt ocl oseofdoorf orme,
becausei fanyoppor tunityofr ecommendat ioncomest hatcanl eadmet omynextl evel,
youwi llnotr ecommendmeagai n.Mi ndy ou, Imayst il
lbespeaki ngi nt ongue, because
l
iedoesnothav eany thingt odowi thcl oseheav en.Theobedi enceofChr isthas
secur edt hatf orus.Thati swhyi ti scal l
ed" undeser vedf av our .
"Butont hisear thno
mancandof avourf ory ouwi t
houtanyr eason.Ther emusthav ebeenonel aw y ou
obey edconsci ouslyorunconsci ousl yt hatpr oducedort hatmadey out oqual if
yf ort hat
favourbef or eman.I tmaybet hewayy ouappr oacht heper son,ori tmaybey our
dressing,i tmaybey ourwayofexpr essi on,butsomet hingmostdr awy ourat t
ent iont o
him orher .Thati swhycomi ngt ot hemat ter soft hisear t h,int heNewTest amentl aw
mustnotbet akenf orgr antedasl ongasnat uralbl essi ngi sconcer ned,because
what ev ery ousowi swhaty ouwi llr eap.I ti swhaty ougi v et ot heear t ht hatt heear th
willgiv ebackt oy ou.I tiswheny ourobedi encet ot hel awi scompl eteandy ett heear th
doesnotcommandduer esul tsthatweneedt ocal ltheat tent i
onoft hespi ritualwar far e
i
ntot hemat ter .Becausewhent imef orat hingi sr ipenaf tert heseedhasbeenpl ant ed
andnor esul t,thenwei ntr oducesuchper sont ot heagencyoft hespi ri
t ,whi chi st he
spiri
toff av ourf rom abov e.Thati swher epr ay erisnowneeded.Youdon' tnegl ecty our
dutiesasabel i
ev eri nkeepi ngt hel aw t hatgov er nst heear thandnotbepr ay i
ng,
thi
nkingthi
ngswi l
lworkfory ou.Soi ntheOldTestamentyourobedi enceopened
heaven,butnotaft
erthedeat
h,andr esurr
ect
ionofJesusChri
st,becauseintheNew
Testamentiti
stheobedienceofChristthatopenedheav
en.Sowhaty ourobedi
ence
doesisthati
topenstheear
thforyou.

Theear thi ssur roundedbydoor s.Ther ear egat esont hisear thbef or eev er y
successandi twi llt aket hekeyofl awt oopeni t.Ify oumedi t
at eont hebookoft hi s
l
aw t houshal lmakey ourwaypr osper ous( Josh1: 8).Gett hisf act,whati swr itteni n
thebookoft hel aw i swhatgov ernedt hisear th.Theconst i
tut i
onofcount rieswer e
est abl ishedf rom t heHol ybookoft hel awei therconsci ousl yorunconsci ousl y.Ther ei s
nomor allawi nt hebookoft hel awt hatt hesoci et yi sagai nst .Whoar ewet onowsay
wear enol ongeri nt hel awconcer ningt hemat t
erst hatgov ernt hi sear th.Fori nst ancei f
youki ll,heav enmayf orgi vey oui fy our epent ,becauseoft heagencyofgr aceand
mer cyt hatispr evai l
ingov ert heseatofj udgmenti nheav en( James2: 13) ,butear thwi l
l
notf or givey ou.Youwi llst i
lll andi npr isonwhy ?Becauset hisear thisgov ernedbyt he
l
aw.I ti sadi vineor chest rat edar rangement .Gr acemustnotbegi venasat oolt o
gov er nt heear th,l estl awl essanddeepcal amitywi llpr ev ail
,becauset henat ur eof
nat ur almanast het endencyofv iolatingt hel aw( 1Ti mot hy1: 8-10) .Butt henat ureofa
spir i
tualmandoesnotv iolat et hel aw,becausebynat ur et heyar enoti nter est edi n
l
awl essness.Youdon' tneedl awt opr ev entsheepf rom ent er ingt hemudwhy ?Because
bynat ur eitdoesnotst ayi nt hemud.Buty ouneedl awt opr ev entapi gf rom ent ering
themud.Soi ftheyar est i
llusi ngl awt opr eventy ouf rom si n,itmeanst her eisanat ur e
ofsi ni ny ou.I tmeansy ourmor talbodyhasnoty etexper i
encedt hedeal ingoft heHol y
Spi ri
t.Sokeepi ngt hel awi sagoodsi gnt oobt aingoodr epor tandgoodr epor tisakey
thatopenssomecer taindoor sont hisear th.Thesoci etyst i
llseef ornicat i
onassi n,
event hought heyar edoi ngi t.Theydon' texpecty out hathasbeeni dent ifi
edwi t
hGodt o
doi t.SoIam say ingt hisf ory out oknowt hatei therdi rect lyori ndi rectly,itist hebookof
thel aw gui dingt hesoci ety .Sosay ingIam nol ongerundert hel aw,i tisonl yon
Kingdom mat ters,notonear t hlymat ter s.Wet alkagai nstt hel aw asabasi sof
relationshi pwi thGod,butweexal ti tasabasi sofr elationshi pwi thmanandonear th.
BecauseIhav emanyscr i
pt urest opr ov et oy out haty oucannotpl easeGodbyobey ing
thel aw,butIhav escr iptur et opr ov et oy oual sot hati tt akesabi dingbyt hel aw t o
pleaseman.Andt hi scombi nat ionofal lthesel awsi ny oui scal ledt hef r
ui toft hespi ri
t.
Ever y thingi nt hel awi si nsi deev er y t
hi ngi nt heNi nef rui toft heSpi ri
t(Gal5: 22- 23) .Soi f
youwantt osecur eopendoorf ory our sel font hisear th, youmustl ett hebookoft hel aw
nott odepar tfrom y ourhear t( Josh1: 8).Youmustl ett hel awbeal ightunt oy ourf eet
andal ampunt oy ourpar t( Psa119: 105) .Youneedl aw asabasi cpr i
nci plet ogui de
yourl ife.Itiswheny ourobedi encei scompl eteont hemat terofl awt hathi gherl ightcan
begi nt obecommi ttedi nt oy ourhandcal led" Rev elat ion. "Becausei fy ouar enot
faithf ulwi thl ittlelikedon' tf orni cat eordon' tlie,t heki ngdom cannotcommi thi gher
rev
elati
onwor dunt
oy ourhand.Ify
ougettothetopbygrace,y
oucannotmai
ntai
nthe
topbygr ace.Youneedt obel aw andpr
inci
pleabi
ding,l
estyoufal
lfr
om gr
aceon
eart
hlyposit
ion.

I
nt hespir
itualposit
iont hewaytogett othetopi sbygr ace,andthewayt o
maintai
nt hetopisbygr ace,becauseify
oustartspir
it
ualthingswithgraceandendit
wit
hlaw, youwil
lfallf
rom grace.Butoneart
hlymat t
ersoronmat tersrel
ati
ngtoli
fe:i
f
yougett othetopbygr aceorl aw,youmustdisci
pli
ney oursel
ftomai nt
ainthet
opby
l
aw, l
estyoufallf
rom grace.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesTen)

IntheOl dTest ament ,theyobey edt hewor d,buti nt heNew Test amentwe
mani f
estthewor d.Weexpr esst hewor d.Andt herei sabi gdi fferencebet weenobey i
ng
thewor dandmani fest i
ngt hewor d.Youobeywhent hewor di sgivent oy ou,buty ou
mani f
estwhent heonei sputi ny ou.Wheny ouar eundert hewor d,youobeyt hewor d
butwheny ouar eint hewor dy oumani festthewor d.Mi ndy ou, t
hewor dbe" obedi
ent "
i
sf rom bothi ntheOl dTest amentandNewTest amentv ersionoft hebi ble.Butwhat
Godi sexpect i
ngf rom usi ntheNewTest amenti shi gherthanobey ing."Obedi ence"is
usedwheny oust il
lhav eal ter
nat i
ve,but" mani festat i
on"isusedwhent hewor dhas
becomepar tofy ou.Becausewewer enott oldi nt henewt estamentt hatwear eunder
thewor d,
butwear et oldt hatthewor disi nusandwear eint hewor d( 1John3: 24).So
thewor dmani festitsel fouti nusasl i
fe,asl i
ght ,andast r
uth( John1: 4-14).What ever
thatfindsi tswayi ntoy ou,wi l
lsurelyf i
nd i tswayt o expr essi tselfout .So the
dimensionoft hewor dy oudi splayisthev ersionoft hewor di ny ou.Becausey ournew
naturewasmadebyt hewor d.Sowear enow awor dt hatbecomesf leshanddwel l
amongmen( John1: 14) .Wear enol ongercar r
yingt hewor d,weandt hewor dhas
becomeonef lesh( Rom 12: 5).Wear enowt hel i
vingepi st
lethatmanshoul dst udy.

IntheNewTest ament ,wear ecr eatedt obeamy st ery,thatmanwi llcontinuet o

best udyi
ng.I tisnoti nt heNew Test amentpl ant hatmanshoul dknow Godt hrough
books.Hi spl ani sthatmanshoul dknowGodt hroughman( 1Cor in11: 1).Hi spl anis
thatoncey ouseeman,y ouhav eseenGod,becauseIam amancr eatedi nhi sexact
i
mageaf terhi slikeness( Gen1: 26) .Iti swhenwel ostt hei mageandl i
kenessofGod
thatbookknownasHol yBi blet ookt heposi tionofman,Godnow becomeswhatwe
l
earnandknowt hr
oughbooks.Whent hebi bl
esay sinthebegi nningwast het hewor d
(John1:1) ,hedoesnotmeani nt hebegi nningwasbi ble,hei snotr eferenci ngtobi ble
asthewor dofGod.Fr om t hef oundat ionoft hewor ld,bookshoul dbeamat erialthat
containshi st
or yandf acts.Soi fGodi schoosi ngbookatal l
,itistobeamat er
ialwher e
Hispastf act s,presentandf ut urecal ledpr ophesyi sdocument edforment oread,but
comingt ot hemat eri
alneededt oknowhi mi nper son,bookt hatwecal ledbi blewasnot
i
nhi sor i
ginalpl an.Becauset heonl yt hi
ngcr eatedt or epresenthi sf ullidentityand
i
mageonEar thi sman( Gen1: 26- 27).Soi fyouwantt oknowadi mensi onofGodHi s
planist ost udyBanj oAy eka,becauseBanj oi sawor dt hatbecamef leshandhei s
dwelli
ngamongman.Fr om t hef oundat i
onoft hewor d,wear ecr eatedt obewor dt hat
becomef lesh,butwhenwel ostourr ootaf terbecomi ngf lesht hroughAdam,webegi n
togrowandgr oom inf leshnowt hatwehav egai nedourr ootbackt hroughChr istwe
mustgr owt obecomewor dagai nwhi chi sourt rueidentity,becauset heseedi sal ready
i
nus.I tisnotbycr ammi ngbi blev erses, i
tisbyr enewingy ourmi nd( Rom 12: 2).I fthe
bibl
esay sGodi swor d,thenwhoar ewe, wear ealsothewor doft heEar t
h.
 Ev ery thi
ngGodi s,i swhom wear eont hisEar th.Thebi blesay sGodi sli
ght( 1
John1: 5) ,thati swhyJesusal sosai dhei sthel ight( John8: 12) ,andHeal socal ledus
thel ightoft hi
swor ld( Mat t5: 14).Thi si st hemy ster yt hatJesuswast ell
ingThomas
whenheaskedHi mi nt hebookofJohn14v s8- 9:t hatshowust hef at herandwewi ll
besat isf i
ed, butJesusr eplied, ifyouhav eseenme, y ouhav eseent hef ather .Heart his,
weneedt ounder standt hei mpl icati
onofJesuswor dt oourl i
ves.Thepur posewhyHe
camet oEar thist oshowusourt r
uei dent ity,sohei ssay i
ng, ify ouwantt ost udyGod, I
am t hei mageandhi sl i
keness, i
fy ouhav eseenme, youhav eseent hef ather.Ipr aywe
gett ot hisst age,wher eourl i
v eswi llreflectt het ruei dent it
yofGod.Iask,i fmensee
youwhatwet heysee?Woul dt heyseeGodort heywi llseesel fishness,anger ,lust ,
andmanymor e.Sot hepl anoft heki ngdom i sthatpeopl eshoul dl ear nHi mf rom us
(John17: 20) .Thati swhyhesai dint heNewTest ament( Hebr ew8: 10)t hatat i
mewi ll
comet hatIwi llputmyl awi nt heirmi ndsandwr i
tei ti nt heirhear ts.Sot her eisabook
creat edbyGodwhi chHepl annedbef or et hef oundat ionoft hewor ld asi def rom bi ble
thatHi swor dandl awshoul dbewr itt
enandt hati st het ableofourhear ts.Ourhear ts
hav eachapt erandv erse.BookofMat thewt oRev elat i
onshoul dbei nourhear t
s.Hi s
plani st hati fy ouwantt oseeanyv ersionofGodi snott olookatt hebookofMat thew
orGal at iansbutt ol ookatme.Thati swhyJesussai dy oust udyt hescr i
pt urethinki ng
youwi llf i
ndl i
fe,butt hescr i
pt urei st alkingaboutme( John5: 39) .Samet ome,t he
scriptur ei st alkingaboutmeBanj o.Itiswhenmanl osthi sident ityt hatGodhast ot ake
usbackt ot hebook.Becausemani snott rustwor thyagai n.Ify out ryt ol ookatmant o
l
ear nGod,y oumayendupbecomi ngdev il
,becauset hev ersionofdev i
ly ouwi l
lseei n
them i smor ethant hev ersionofGody ouwi l
lsee.Thenshal lwecont i
nuet or enewour
mi ndt hatwecanbet r
ansf ormedt oGod' simageandpl an( Rom 12: 2) .Becausef rom
whatIsaw i nt hespi ri
t,wehav enoty etbegunt ooper atei nt hef ullnessofwhati s
embeddedi nt heNewTest ament ,wear est il
lfarf r
om t her ealityoft heNewTest ament
doct rines.I '
mt akingaboutar ealm wher ey ourl ifei sadupl i
cat eofChr ist,inwor ds,
thought sandact ions, ifweal lfocusont hi s,wewi llgetoutofal lt hisr el i
giousact st hat
makeust of ocusandbezeal ousaboutt hewor kofGodandf or gett hel ifeofGod.Al l
weseei st hemi stakeofot her s.Wenev erseeour sel ves,wehav el eftt her oleof
per sonaldeal i
ngt ogr owi ntot hecompl et eimageofGod.Wear ebusygr owi ngint he
wor kofGod.Pl easedon' tgetmewr ong,Iam notagai nstscr iptur eooo.Pr esent ly,
scriptur ei soneoft he Ki ngdom accept ablemeanst oknow God,butnott hemai n
accept abl eway .Itisbecausewehav enoty etgr ownt ot hest agewher eHecant r
ustus
asal ivingwor df orment ober eadingt hati swhywear esubj ectedbyt hespi ri
ttof ocus
onbi bl ef ornow.

Accordingtothespiri
tualorganogr
am:thefir
stkingdom acceptabl
ewayt o
knowGodisthroughJesusChri
st(Matt11:
29)
.Youcannotfindt
hisdimensionofGod
fr
om Genesi
st o Revel
ati
on.IttookPault o ent
erthi
rd heaven bef
ore he coul
d
under
standt
hisver
sionofGod(
2Cor
in12:
2).Thi
sisdi
mensi
ongot
tenbydi
rect
revel
ati
onofChr i
stthroughHol ySpirit
.Thef ull
nessoft hi
sdimensioniswhatJesus
wassay i
ngwhenhet oldhisdiscipl
est hatwhent heHol ySpir
itcomeshewi l
lnotspeak
ofhimself,buthewi l
ltakeofmeandr eveali
tt oyou( John16:13-15).Mindyouhedi d
notnecessarysayhewi lltakeourbi bleandhewi l
lrevealit.Sothesedi mensionsof
dir
ectrevelat
ionalknowledgearest i
llfewi nthebodyofChr ist
.Thesedi mensionsare
dif
fer
entf rom seeingv i
sions.Ifyouar eint hev i
siony ouwi l
lknow,butPaulsai d
whetherIam inthebodyIdon' tknow, whetherIam int hespir
itIcannotexplai
n(2Corin
12:3)
.

Thesecondmeansofknowi ngGodi sthr ought hebi ble;whi lethet hirdmeans

ofknowi ng God i st hrough cr eatures;and l astt hrough man.Butt hisi snott he
arrangementGodhadi nmi nd.Hi splani st omakemant hesecondmeansofknowi ng
him afterChr ist(1Cor i
n11: 1).Soat i
mewi l
lcomewhenwewi llbegi ntost udyscr i
pture
nott ogetr ev elati
on,butt ogetconf i
rmat ionofwhowear ebecauseatt hatt ime,man
willbet helivi
ngr evel ati
onofGod.Att hisst agey ouwi l
l understandGodmor e,ifyouar e
studyingmant hani fyouar est udyingbi ble.Ihearsomeonesay i
ngt hi scannotbe
possiblewai tandsee,y ouwi l
lseet hest ranger eviv
alcomi ng.Ther eallastr ev iv
alhas
noty etbegun.Wear est il
lint hear eawher eGodi sr ai
singment ocor recter r
orsof
doctrinessot hatwhenr evivalwi l
lbegi n,itwi llmeetr ightdoct ri
nesonEar th.Because
whent herev ivalwillbegi n,theunexpect edwi llbegi vingt heirlivest oChr istandmeet
ri
ghtdoct rines.Kany eWesti sjustsmal ltowhati sgoingt ohappen.Ol ami de( Badoo)i s
sti
llgoingt obeanApost leoft hegospel .Andy ouseet hosequi tt
ingsecul arsongst o
dedicatet heirsongst ogospel .Thati swhyIj ustpi t
yt hosewhoar ebor nagai nand
say i
ngt heircal li
ngi st osecul armusi c,whent hosei nsecul armusi car eget tingbor n
againt orenounceal ltheirsongst obegi nChr i
stiangospelmusi c.Iprayt hef i
rstwillnot
becomet hel astint hesel astday s.
 Under
standi
ngTheNewAndTheOl
dTest
ament(
Ser
iesEl
even)

Nowl etusbegintodigdeept heposi tionofsi ninl inewi t

ht heNewTest ament.
Wehav etwodi mensionsofsi nwhi char e:sinasanat ur e,andsi nasanact .Si nasa
natureisthef actthatyouar ebornsi nner.Itdoesnothav et odowi thwhaty oudo,i t
onlycomest odowi t
hwhoy ouare.Andunt ilyouar ebornagai n,youcannotbecount ed
assaint.Becauseundert hi
sdi mension, i
tisbyonemansi nthaty oubecomesi nnerand
i
ti sbyonemanr i
ghteousnesst haty oucanbecomer ight eous( Rom 5: 19).Soy our
understandingaboutt hi
sdi mensionl eadst oest abli
shmentofy ourr el
ationshipwi th
Godt hatyoul osttr
ueAdam.Buti fyoust opher ey ouwi llmi xt hewhol ethatGodhav e
foryou.Thisi swheresomegr acepr eacher sst oppedandt heyl edmanyt oer ror.Now
theseconddi mensionofsi ni sthesi nasanact .Thisi st hesi ny oucommi t
tedby
viol
ati
ngy ourcapabi l
i
tytochooser i
ght .Andt hisi sthedi mensi onweneedt ost artto
dealwiththatmanywi l
lnottakethegr aceofGodf orlasciv i
ousness( Rom 6:1-2).Byt he
graceofGod,Iam agr acepr eacher,butt hef actist hatgr acei sj ustadi mensi onof
thegospeloft hekingdom,andnotal l
.Soaspr eacher sofGodar erisi
ngi nthis
Kingdom,t heyar ethosewhowi l
lbr i
ngbal anci ngt ot het eachi ngofgr aceandt he
teachi
ngofl aw.Sot hatwecanunder standt her ealityofsi nint heNewTest ament .

Letusmov ef orwar d:I nt heNew Test amentsi ny oucommi tdoesnotbr eak

relati
onshi p,buti tbr eaksf ellowshi p.I tdoesnotbr eakr elationship,becausei tisnot
yourr ighteousnesst hatest abl ishedt her elationship,buti tist hemani festi
onofy our
ri
ght eousnesst hatest abl i
shesf ellowshi p.Thi swher ewemustgett hebal anci
ng; Int he
OldTest amentt hesi ny oucommi tbr eaksr elati
onshi p.Youcanseet hati nAdam,he
wast hrewoutoft hegar denofEden( Gen3: 23-24),andl osthi si dentit
ybecauseofhi s
sin.Buti nt heNewTest ament , sindoesnotchangey ouf rom bei ngason.Youar est illa
sonandGodi sst il
ly ourf ather .Thebi bl ecal lsthatguypr odigalson( Luke15: 11- 32) .
Ther ear eal ott ol ear nf r
om t hatbi blev erses.Hewasnotcal l
edbast ardorsl av e,
becausehel efthi sf ather ,buthei sst il
lason.Hi sfatherdi dnotdenyt hathei sonl ya
prodigalone.Soy oursi ndoesnotchangey ourident i
tyoncey ouar esav ed,buti tcan
affecty ourf ellowshi p.Ther e ar e bl essi ngs t hatcome y ourway as a r esul tof
relati
onshi p,andt herear eblessi ngst hatcomeasar esultoff ellowship.Youcannotget
byr elati
onshi pwhati smeantt obegot tenbyf ell
owshi p.Thati swhyy oumustl ear nt o
mai ntainy ourfel l
owshi pwi t
ht heHol ySpi ri
t( 2Cor i
n13: 14) .ThewayGoddeal swi tha
sinnerwhoi ssinni ngi sdi ff
erentf rom t hewayHedeal swi tht hesai ntwhoi ssinni ng.
Indeal ingwi tht hissai ntwhocommi tssi n,Hegui dest hei rf uture,Hef logsthem wi th
ri
ghthandanddr awst hem backwi t
hl efthand( Heb12: 5-11) .Thisi swheny ouar e
receivingsomemessagesofhopewhenGodi sdeal i
ngwi thy ouwi thsomesuf f
ering.At
ti
mesy ouar ecar riedawaywi tht her ev elationofhopey ouar er eceiv i
ngandf ailt o
repent ,buty ouf ailtoknow Hei sonl yspeaki ngt oy ou,becauseHel ov esy ou.Ihear
somepeopl esay ingt hatt hedayy ousi ni sthel astdayy ouhearHol ySpi ritort hel ast
ti
mey ouobeyi st hel astt i
mey ouhearHol ySpi ri
t.No, t
hati snott rue.Thet ruthi st hat
thel astt imey ouobeyi st hel astt imeHol ySpi rittakesy out onextcl asst ot eachy ou
thesubj ecti nt hecur ri
cul um oft henextcl ass.HeHol yspi ritwi llst i
llbet eachi ngy ou,
becauseHecamet obewi thy ouf orev er( John14: 16,26) .Fori nst ancet haty ouhav e
car r
iedov er ,doesnotmeany ourl ectur erwi l
lnott eachy ouagai n.Hol yspi r
iti st he
l
ect urer ,whatHewi lldoi st obespeaki ngt oy ouagai nwhatHehast aughty oubef or e.
Att hisst aget her ev elationscomi ngt oy ouwi l
lnotbenewt hi ngs, Hewi l
lbet akingy ou
throught hecl assHet ooky out hroughbef ore.Hewi llbel eadi ngy out omessaget hat
youknow al ready ,butoncey oupassHel eadsy out ot henextcl asst hatcont ains
anot herdi mensi onofRev elat i
on.Becausewhatt heHol ySpi ritwant st omani f esti ny ou
i
st ot akey out oast agewher ey ouwi ll
begi nt oexper iencet het wodi mensi onsofgr ace.
Onewhi chi st hedi mensi ont hatmani festshi msel fasgi f t( 1Cor in12) ;whi let he
secondi st heonet hatmani fest shi msel fasf r
uit( Gal5: 22- 23) .Yourr elationshi pwi th
Godpr oducest heonet hatmani festsi ngi ft
,whi ley ourf ellowshi pwi thHi m pr oduces
thef ruitoft hespi ri
t.Thati swhyy oumustl earnt ounder standt hebal anci ngsot hatt he
blessingt haty ourr el ationshi pbr i
ngswhi chi sgi f
toft hespi ri
twi llnotbeev ilspokenof .
Youmustal sounder standt hef ellowshi psot haty ourl i
fewi llnotonl ybemani festing
thef ruit,butal sowi t ht hegi ft
.Becausey ouwi l
lbef rustratedi nt hisl astday si fal ly ou
hav et oof ferist hef rui toft hespi ri
t ;
andy ouwi l
lbeev i
lspokenofi fall youhav et oof fer
i
st hegi f toft heHol ySpi rit.Under standy ourweaknessesandl ookf orteachi ngt hat
addr essest hatar ea.Thescr i
ptur ei sdesi gnedi nsuchawayt hatspeaksoft he
weaknessesofwhom t hewr i
teri swr iti
ngt o.WhenPaulgott ot heCor int hians,He
taughtt hem aboutgr ace,buthedi scov eredt hatt hisdi mensi onofgr acei snotst range
tot hem.Hecoul ddi scer nitbyt heev i
denceoft hemani fest ionofgi ftofChr istamong
them,buthedi scov er edt hatsomet hingi swr ongwi tht hei rchar act er.Somet hingi s
wr ongwi t ht hei rr elat i
onshi pwi t
honeanot her( 1Cor in3) .Iti sCor inthianschur cht hat
someonebegant osl eepwi thhi sf at her'swi fe,iti sinCor int hianst hatsomeonedr ank
the whol e wi ne keptf orHol ycommuni on.So when Paulsaw t his he began t o
communi cat et hev er siont hati smi ssingt ot hem.ButwhenPaulgott oGal atianshe
nev ert alkedaboutt hegi ftoft hespi ri
twi t
ht hem,becausehesawt hev er sionofGod
theyknow,coul dnotgi ver oom f ort hemani festi
onoft hegi ftofChr istt omani f
esti n
them,whi chi sr ight eousnessofwor ks.Becauset heywer echur cht hatst artedi nt he
Spi r
it,butendedupi nf lesh, soPaul calledt hem f ool ishGal atians( Gal 3) .

ToCorinthi
anshecalledthem babi
est heydidnotunder
standthehol i
ness,and
santi
fcat
ionofGod,butwhenhegott oGal ati
anshecall
edthem fool
ish,becausethey
didnotunderstandthegraceofGod.Sot hewi seandthematurebeliever
sar ethose
whounder st
andt hegraceandal sounderstandthesanct
if
iedl
ifethatcommandst he
fel
lowshipoftheHolySpiri
t.ThenIask,wheredoy oubel
ong?
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesTwel
ve)

Getthi
st odaythattoeverysi
nthereisapunishment.Mindy ounotapuni shment
todestruct
ion,butapuni shmenttorepentance.I
ntheOldTest amentthewagesofsi n
i
sdeat h(Rom 6: 23a)
; buti
nthenewt estamenttherearesinthatareunt odeath,whil
e
there are si
nt hatar e notunto death( 1 John 5:
16-17).So t he purpose ofthe
punishmentofsi nisnotbecauseGodhat esy ouasason,t hepurposei sbecauseHe
l
ov esyouandt hispurposeisstat
edclearl
yinHebrew12:7-8

8 KJV:I
fyeendur
echastening,
Goddeal
ethwi
thy
ouaswi
thsons;
forwhatsoni
s
hewhom t
hefat
herchastenethnot
?

9 KJV:Butify
ebewi thoutchast
isement
,wher
eofal
lar
epar
taker
s,t
henar
eye
bast
ards,
andnotsons.

Getthi s,nomat terwhaty oudot oGod, Hecannev ersendy ououtofHi spr esence.I n
theol dt estamentwhenAdam si nGodsenthi m outofHi spr esence( Gen3: 23, -24),
butint heNewTest ament ,ifyousi nHepuni shy oui nHi spr esence.I tisonl ywheny ou
chooset orunawayf rom Hi mt hatHel eav esy oual one.Soi fy oudon' tseeanyt raceof
Godpuni shingy oui fy oucommi tsin, Idoubty oursonshi p.Idoubti fy ouar eacov enant
chil
d.Thaty ouar epr osper i
ngwhi ley ouar ecommi tt
ingsini snotanev idencet hatGod
l
ov esy ou,iti sanev i
dencet hatHehasabandonedy out oy ourowndest ruction( Pr ov
14:12).Sowemustt r
yt ounder standt hev ersi
onofGodwear edeal ingwi thint heNew
Testament .Thev er si
onofGodi nt heOl dTest amentwasaj udgmentGod,whi let he
versi
onofGodi nt heNew Test amenti saj usticeGod.Just i
cei swhenl ov eismi xed
withjudgement .Thati sf l
oggi ngy ounott odi e,butt or epent .Sosi nni ngi nt heNew
Testamenti st obedoi ngy oursel fgr eathar m,becauset hel oveandgr aceofGodi snot
al i
cencet osi n( Rom 6: 1-2).Ther ear edi mensi onsofGody ouwi llnotenj oyasa
sinni
ngsai nt;notbecauseHi sbl essi ngsar eobt ainablebywor ks,butbecausesome
areobt ai
nabl ebymat urity.Andsi ni sspi rit
ualev idencet haty ouar eababyChr istian.
Sopuni shmenti sdi ff
er entf rom cur se.Tot hem i nt heOl dTest amenti twascur set hat
i
st her ewardoft heirsi n,whi l
ei nt heNew Test amenti ti schast i
sementt hati st he
rewardofoursi n.Goddoesnotcur sei nthenewt estamentandt hecur seHepl acedi n
thebookofl awhasnoef fectonanybel ieverwhounder standst hemy st eryoft hecr oss
andt hebl oodofJesus, becausecur sei sev eryonewhoi shungont het reef oroursake
(Gal3:13) .Sodon' tal l
owany onet ot hreateningy ouwi tht hecur seofcl oseheav eni n
thebookofMal achi3,becausey oudon' tpayt it
he.Pl aci ngcur seonco- beli
ev erbya
prophetorapast ori snotaNewTest amentdoct rine,becauseIdi scov eredt hatsome
prophet sar efoundofdoi ngt hat .Thebi blesay snoonecancur sewhom Godhasnot
cursed( Num 23: 8).Becausecur sei sadest ruct i
onoft hef ut ureofaper son,but
chastisementi stot hepr esentt haty oucanr epentandbecomewhatGodwant sy out o
become.

Cur sei sasi gnofr ej ect ion.Andi ntheki ngdom,Goddoesnotr ejecthi sown.
Alasy ouchooset or ejecty our sel fandHei sal way sr eadyandwi lli
ngt owel comey ou
backl i
ket hepr odigalsoni fy ouar ewi llingt ocomeback( Luke15: 11- 32) .SowhatHe
doest oHi ssoni sthatHechast i
sest hem f ort heirdi sobedi ence,byensur ingt hatthey
donotgett hebl essi ngduef ort hem unt i
lt heyobey .SoIam soundi ngt hisf ort he
secondt i
mewi thal lsenseofassur ancet hati fy ouar ecommi tti
ngsi nandy oudon' t
seet henegat iveef f
ect siny ourl if
e, i
tisabi gsi gnt haty ouarenotacov enantchi ld,orit
i
sasi gnt haty ouar enoty etasonoft heki ngdom.Thaty oucanl i
eandmakemoney
doesnotaf fecty ouasabast ar d;butcomi ngt ot heki ngdom ci t
izen,y oucannotl iet o
getjobandt hinkGodwi llov erlooki t,youwi l
lpayf ori t, notbecauseGodhat esy ou, but
becauseHel ovesy ou.Sowedon' tteachl awi nt heNewTest amentandpr esenti tasi f
Godhat esy ouasasi nner ,Hel ovesy ouasasi nner,butHehat essi n.Soi nt heNew
Test amentGodhat esnosi nner .Thatt heologyofGodhat i
ngy ouasasi nneri sanol d
testamentdoct rine, i
fy ouwantt oknowhowGodl ooksl i
ketoy ouwheny ousi nl ookat
thest or yofthepr odigal son( Luke15: 11- 32).Sol earnt ocheckmat ey our selfandcheck
yourf ellowshi pwi t
hGod, ift hingsar enotwor kingf ory ouasason.Andasabast ard, i
f
thingsar ewor kingf ory oudespi tet hef actt haty ouar ecommi tt
ingsi n,checky ou
relationshipwi thGod,becauseIdoubty oursal vation.Andt hatasadanger ousef fect
toy ouret ernit
y .Remembert her ichmanandLazar us( Luke16: 19-31) .Becauset he
reasonwhyGodpuni shesHi sownnowi sbecauset hatt heycanescapet hej udgement
comi ng( 1Cor in11: 32) .AsasonHewi llall
owy out oexper iencehel lnowi fy ousi n,so
youcanr epent ,becauset hatexper iencei nhel lisapl acewher ey oucannotr epentany
l
onger .Soknow t hi
st odayt haty ourdi sobedi encecanbet her easonwhyt hingsar e
notwor ki
ngf ory ou.I tcanbet haty ouar ef aili
ngy ourexam i nt heschooloft hespi rit
.
Mindy ou,yourspi r
itualbl essi ngi sst i
llanundeser vedf avor .Itisst i
llabl essi ngt hat
comesbygr ace,butasl ongasachi l
dr emai nsachi ld,hei snotdi fferf rom asl av e
(Galat i
ans4) .SoGodwi llhol dy ourbl essi ngunt i
l youar emat ur eenough.

Oneoft heway st oknow y ourspirit

ualmat urityist hel eveloft hespi ri
tual
thingsyouknowandaf t
ert heknowl edge,youwi llbei ntroducedt ot hemi ni
stryoft he
dev i
lforexaminati
on.Andaf t
ersev er
altempt ati
onsandt ri
als,y ouwi llbequal if
iedor
disquali
fi
ed.Iti
snotonlyamat terofwhatyouknow, buthowy ouar eappl yi
ngi ttoy our
l
ife.Youcanknowt hatfornicati
onorl i
eisasin, butanoppor tunitywi l
l becreatedcal led
"Exam Hall"whereyouwillbeseei ngmoneyandl i
eony ourway ;fornicati
onandsi ster
aloneinar oom,atthi
sstagei tiswhent heki ngdom wi l
lknowi fy ouar etheJosephof
thisgenerati
onoryouaret heSamsonoft hisgener ati
on.Cany ouseet hatmanypeopl e
i
nt hebodyofChr istarest il
lbabyChr ist
ians.Nomat tertheposi tioninf aith,ev en
thoughy ouareageneralov erseerorhigherpast or,asl ongasy ouar est i
l
lcommi t
ting
sin,y ouar eani mmat ur eChr ist i
anandt her ear et hi ngsGodwi llnotcommi ti nt oy our
hands.Thati swhyy oumustbet est ed.Soanyt imet heoppor t
uni tyt odi sobeycomes
yourway ,iti sabi gexami nat i
oncomi ngy ourway ,andt her ear eangel si nt hespi ri
t
mar kingy ourscr iptt osubmi ti tbef oreGod.Remembert hatt hebi bl esay saf terJesus
wast empt ed,angel scamet owel comehi m( Mat t4: 11) .Sot oev eryt i
mey ouar egi v en
room t oobey ingordi sobey i
ng,t her ear eangel sar oundt hecor nerwai t
ingt oembr ace
youorl eftbackt oheav enwi thasor row.Becausej ustast her ei sj oyi nheav enov era
soul thatr epent( Luke15: 7), soal sot her eissor rowi nheav enov erasoult hatf al l
sback
tosl eep.Yourl ifeaf fect st heemot i
onall i
v esoft heci tizensoft hespi ritualwor ldwho
arecl oudofwi tnesses( Heb12: 1) .Thati swhyy oumustbeexposedt ot hemi ni styof
satanasy ouj our neyi nt hi sl ife.Becauseunt i
ly ouar eexposedt ot hemi nistryofSat an,
youcan' tbeusedf ort henextassi gnment .Whatqual ifi
esy ouf ort heassi gnmenty ou
arenow;i ti sbecausey oupassedat esti nt hepast .Whatweseei nt hesecul arschool
i
sapi ctur eoft heki ngdom r eal i
t y.Youdi scov ert hatbef or ey ouar epr omot edt o
anot hercl assorl ev elt her emustbesomecer tai nl ev elsofexami nat ions.Buty ouwi ll
discov ert hatbef or egoi ngi nt ohi gheri nst i
tut i
ont heexam i sv erysev ere,whybecause
crossi ngf rom onecl asst oanot hercl assi sdi ffer entf rom cr ossi ngf rom onebr idget o
anot herbr i
dge. Soi fi ti st oanot herdi mensi onofl i
fewhi chi scr ossi ngbr idgebe
expect i
nghi ghert empt at ionort rial.Thati swhyJesushi msel fhadt obel edi nt o
wilder nesst obet empt edbydev i
lf orf ortyday s( Luke4: 1- 2).Soy oumustbel edi nto
thewi lder nessatev eryj unct ionofy ourl if
ebef or et henextl ev el
.Sot oev er ymant her e
i
saj unct ioni none' sl ifewher ey ouwi llbet empt edoft hedev ilf orday s,bef or ey ou
crosst oanot herl ev el.Andi fy oupass,y ouwi llr etur nwi t
hacer tifi
cat et hatwi llqual if
y
youf ort heassi gnmentoft henextl ev el.ForJesus,Her etur nedwi thpower ,because
Hisassi gnmentr equi redt hat( Luke4: 14).Fory oui tmaybet haty ouwi llr etur nwi th
fi
nanci albr eakthr ough.Andi fy ouf aily ouwi llr emai ni nt heschoolofwi lder nessf or
year s.Cany ouseet heef ficacyofobedi encet ot heNew Test amentbel i
ev er s.What
disobedi encebr ingsi nt heNewTest amentcanbel i
kent owhatf ail
inganexam br i
ngs
i
nt heacademi cenv i
ronment .Youwi llnotgr aduat eunt i
ly oupass.Cer ti
ficat ei st he
statementofy ourr esult.Samet oy ourl i
fe,ther ei sast atementofr esul ty oumustshow
tothi swor ld.Sot heki ngdom hasawayofmaki ngy out or epeatacl assi nt heschool
oft hespi r i
t.Hel ov esy out hati swhyHef ailsy ou,becausey ourl ifewi l
ldomor ehar m
toy ourdest i
nyi fy ouar epr omot edt ot henextl ev elwi thoutpassi ngt her equi redexam.
Youmustbeabl et odef endwhaty oucl aimy ouknow.Youcannotr ebukedi sobedi ence
until yourobedi encei scompl ete.Youcannott alkaboutf or nicat i
on, wheny ourl ifei sf ull
ofimmor ality,No, theki ngdom doesnotoper atel iket hat.Yourmessagemaybear ound
mer cyofGod, bloodofJesus, butsomecer t
ainmessagest hatbr ingsol utiont ot hesi n
diseasesofmancannotber ev eal edt oy ou.Asi ckdoct orcannott reatasi ckpat ienti n
ther eal m oft hespi ri
t.Youcancomet othepul pitandsayev eryonet hatf or nicat ewi ll
got ohel l
,al lthosear ej ustr eligi ousmessage,i tcannotdot hem anygood.Thechoi r
l
eaderundery oumayst il
limpregnat
ethechoi
rmember.Weneedmessageonhowt o
overcomefornicat
ion,
weneedmessageonhowt oover
comelust
.Note,
allt
hesedon'
t
shakesister
,don' tvisi
tbr ot
her'
shouse,messageofholi
nessthatappearto be
wisdom,butcannotpr ovi
desoluti
on.

I
nt hespiri
tualmatt
er,prev
enti
onisnotbetterthancure,
becauseifpr
event
ionis
better
,Christwouldnotneedt ocome.Hecamet oobtaincuret
osinforus(1John3:5-
8).Butmanypast orsdonotknowhowt oteachcur etosin.Whatthei
rmessageisall
abouti s prevent
ion,thatis whymanygr ace preacher
s haveissue wit
h hol
iness
preacher.Becausepr ev
ent
ionisonlyneededaft
ercure.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesThi
rt
een)

Now t hatwehav eunder st ood thei mpl i

cat ion ofsi ni nt henew t estament
throught helastser ies.Thi st eachingwi l
lnotbecompl etei fwedonotdealwi t
hhow
toov er comet hissi n.Becauseat eachingt hatt el l
sy ouwhatnott odo,butdonot
prov idehowt oov er comei snotaNewTest amentt eaching.Whatadv antagei sittoa
doct ort hatdi agnosesy oursi ckness, butcoul dnotpr ovi
decur e.So,fr om mywal kwi th
God,t hedi mensi ont hatpr ov idedmyv ictoryov ersi niswhatIwantt oshar ei nt his
series.SoIam wr i
tingt hisdi mensi onwi thal lsincer it
yofhear tandmyconsci ence
bear smewi t
ness.Iam aper sonwhoGodt ookt hrought hev alleyofshadowofsi nand
taughtmehowt ocomeoutoft hev all
ey( Psa23: 4) .Ihavef all
eni nsin, sl
eptinit,after
mysal vation,Ist ruggl et ocomeouti ntheener gyoff l
eshwhi chwasnotpossi ble,but
gaint hev i
ctoryint hepowerofChr istbothi nf aithandi nfruit.Manywhosawust hen
saidBr oBanj ohasbacksl i
ded.Weknew webackl isi
dedt ruly,butitwasaj ourneyt o
trainushow t oat tainv i
ctor yov ersi nsot hatwecant eachot her
show wegotour
victor y.Jesussai dt opet er, thaty ouwi l
lsur elyfall, butIhav epr ayedf ory outhataf ter
youhav er isenst rengt heny ourbr ethren( Luke22: 32).Trulyourf al
llef tascaronour
body , bot hthosewhosawt hescarandmockedust henoncampus, lat erbegant osee
themar kofChr isti nt heresul t sthatourv i
ct oryispr oducing( Gal6:17) .Thati swhyy ou
don' tmocksomeoneundert hedeal ingofGod,becausewhenhecomesoutf r
om t he
prisonofsi n,y ouwi l
lseehi mi nt hepal acewi t
ht hecr ownofr ighteousness.Thati s
whyIgotangr yint hespi ritatmanyt eacher soft hel aw.Iwasonceamongt hem, butI
l
ef t,becauseIdi scov er edt hatt heyhav enosol ution.Thought heypr esentt hemsel ves
assomeonewhohav esol utionandpeopl ehonourt hem justaswegai nedhonourwhi le
oncampust henbypr eachingl egalisticholinesswhatwepr eachonl ysubj ectpeopl et o
ordinanceandt hati swhatmanyt houghtt obet het ruemessage.ButwhenPaull ookat
thosepr eachershesai dinCol ossians2t hat

20why
,ast
houghl
i
vingi
nthewor
ld,
arey
esubj
ectt
oor
dinances,

21(
Touchnot
;tast
enot
;handl
enot
;

22Whichal
lar
etoper
ishwi
tht
heusi
ng;
)af
tert
hecommandment
sanddoct
ri
nes
ofmen?

23Whicht
hingshav
eindeedashewofwi sdom i
nwillworshi
p,andhumi
l
ity
,and
negl
ect
ingoft
hebody:noti
nanyhonourtot
hesat
isfyi
ngofthefl
esh

SoIam nott eachingthi

sfrom theoret
icalknowledge,
butf r
om pract
icalexper
iencet
hat
hasy ieldedt
hef r
uitofri
ghteousnessi nme.Ist andbeforemyconsci encetosaythis
thatificommi tanysintoday,i
ti sonlysinthatIdon'tknow,andwhi chIbeli
eveisnot
mor et hanwhatIknow.Iam notboast i
ng,butIam onl yboasti
ngi nthepowerof
f
ini
shedwor
kofChr
istatwor
kinmybody
.

Whati sthesoluti
on?Now,ont hemat terofsin,whaty oumustf ir
sthav eatthe
backofy ourmi ndisthatbothi nwardandout wardr i
ghteousnessi sattai
nable,because
thi
sbel iefisthef oundati
onoft hev ictor
yandi tasal ongwayt ogoi ny ourvict
ory.I
f
youcar rythement ali
tythatnoonecanbehol yorr ighteousy ouhav ebeendef eated
alr
eady .Andanygr acemessaget hatleftyouatt hatrealmi sadanger ousf oodtoeat.
Secondl y,youmustunder standt her oleofGodi ndealingwi ththemat t
erofsi nandyour
rol
e,becauset hereisadi mensi ont hatGodwi l
ldof ory ou,whi l
ethereisadi mension
youdobyy oursel
fintheener gyoft heHol ySpiri
t.Sot hereisaposi ti
onofr esti
nginthe
fi
nishedwor kofChr i
st;t
herei saposi t
ionofstandingt or ecei
vest r
engthfrom theHoly
Spiri
t;whilethereisanotherposi ti
onofwor ki
ngorwal kingouty oursal
vati
on.

Nowl etmeexpl aint hedet ailsoft hef ormul aofsi tti

ng,st andi ngandwal kingi n
relationt oy ourv ictoryov ersin.Now her ei stheanswer :Wehav et wot ypesofsi n,
whi char e, sinasanat ur e; andsinasanact .Itisaner rort onegl ectt hesi nasanat ure
tobedeal i
ngwi tht hesi nasanact .Thesi nasanat urei swhatqual i
fiesy ouasasi nner
becausey oucamet hroughAdam.I tisthesi ny ouwer ebor nwi th,iti scal l
edAdami c
nat ure;whi lethesi nasanacti sthesi ny oucommi tt
ed, thisist hef r
uitoft henat ur ein
you.Soy oudon' tdealwi tht hef r
uitandnegl ectt henat ure,lesthewi l
lpr oduceanot her
freshf r
ui t.Cany ouseewher ehol i
nesspr eacher sgoti twr ong,cany ouseewher ewe
begi nt ohav eissueswi tht hosepr eacher soft hel aw?Thei rmessagemaysoundasi fit
i
st het ruth, buti tlacksol utiontot hesi nfulnature.Lawonl yshowsy ousi nandcutt he
branches,butasl ongast her ootr emai nst hebr ancheswi l
lcomebackagai n.Sot he
firstt hi
ngt odealwi thi st henat uref i
rst.Mi ndy ou, wear est illcomi ngbackt ot hel aw
thatdeal swi ththebr anches, becausei tal sohasi tsownr olet opl ayi ny ourv i
ctory.But
firstlywhati sneededt odealwi thi sthenat ureofsi n,andt hesadnewsabouti tist hat
youcannotdealwi tht henat ureofsi nbyy oursel f,sosur rendert hatsel fener gyand
ent ery ourr est,becauset hegoodnewsi st hatChr i
sthasdonei tfory ou.Nosi ni ny our
l
ifehasr ootagai ni nt her ealm oft hespi ri
t,bei tmast urbation,f ornicationandmany
mor e,theyar ejustl ikeir okot reet hathasnor oot ,buti nabi l
itytounder standt hi
swi l
l
makey out ot hi
nkt haty oucannotov ercomesi n.Socomi ngt ot hemat t
erofdeal ing
wi tht henat ure,itisnoty ourr ole,youmustl ear ntoent ery ourr est,andsi twithChr istin
theheav enlypl ace, thisishowwear r
ivedatt hef or mularofsi t
ting.

Nowwhati sy ourrole?Yourroleistodealwi t
htheactofsin,asChr isthasdealt
wit
ht henat ur
eofsi n,youmustdealwi ththeactofsi n,t
hatiswhyt heBi bl
esaysin
Colossians3:5Mor t
ifytherefor
ey ourmember swhi chareupont heeart
h;f orni
cat
ion,
uncleanness,inor
dinate affect
ion,evilconcupiscence,and covetousness,whi ch i
s
i
dolatry.Noteawor dthere:"mor t
if
yt her
eforey ourmember s,"notprayingt hatGod
shouldmor ti
fyitf
ory ou.Itisyourresponsibi
l
ity
,justthatt
her esponsi
bil
it
ymustbei n
theener gyoft hespi rit,thati swhyhei scal ledhel perandst r
engt hener.Thati showt o
knowt hosewhoar er ely i
ngandobey ingt heHol ySpi ri
t,becausei ti
sasy oumor tifyy our
member s, thatt hef ruitoft hespi ri
twi llbegi nt oshowi ny ourbody .Sodespi tethef act
thatt henat ur eofsi ni ny ouhasbeendeal twi t
h,t hemember soft henat ureisst i
llin
you.Chr istdi dnotdealwi tht hemember s,hegav et hatassi gnmentt oy ouundert he
helpoft heHol ySpi r i
t.Chr i
sthascomet omakey our ighteous,t henHesentt heHol y
Spirittomakey ouHol y .Whaty ouar edeal ingwi t hisnott henat ure,butt hemember s.
Soi fy ouar ecl ai mingy ourr ight eousnessi sbyf aithandf ailtodealwi tht hemember s,
youwi l
l endupi ni niqui tyagai nandagai n.Wher egr acepr eacher smademi stakei st hat
theyf ailed t or ev ealt he par tofman i n deal i
ng wi th member s.And wher el aw
preacher smademi stakei st hatt heyf ai l
edt or evealt hepar tofGodi ndeal ingwi th
natur e,andal sot heyf ai l
edt ot ellust hatev enourpar tcannotbedonei nt heener gyof
thef lesh.Theyt aughty out odet ermi ne,noi tisnotbydet erminati
on,i tisf i
rstby
receiv i
ngst rengt ht or esi st .Thati soneoft her easonswhyHol ySpi ri
tcamet ogiveusa
strengt ht omakedeci sionont hemat t erofsi n.Wi thoutt hest r
engt hoft heHol ySpi ri
t,
manwi llonl ybewi lling,butt hef leshi sweak( Mat t26: 41) .Andhow dower ecei ve
strengt hf rom t heHol ySpi rit
?Byst andi ng, bysi t
tingy ougai nv i
ctoryov erthenat ure; by
wor kingandwal kingy ougai nv ictoryov ert hemember s;whi l
ebyst andingy our ecei ve
strengt ht ogai nt hepowert owor k.Andt hest rengt hi sgot t
enbywhaty ouar edoi ng
now,st rengt hi sgot tenbyspi ritualunder st
andi ng.Youdon' tgetst r
engtht oov ercome
sini npr eachi ng.Pr eachi ngonl yl eadsy out or epent ance,butnotv ict
or y.Thati swhy
thosewhol i
st eningt opr eachi ngal way swi l
lcomeoutf oral tarcal l
.Pr eachingl eads
yout oal tarcal l,butt eachi ngl eadsy out oCal var y.Soeacht imey ouar el i
steningt o
revelationalt eachi ngaboutChr ist,whatHehasdoneandwhaty oushoul ddo, youbegi n
togai nst r
engt ht oov er comesi n.Sof or nication,mast urbation, l
ieisnotexpect edt obe
namedamongy ouagai n( Eph5: 3),because:

KJV:Forwhi
chthi
ngs'saket
hewr
athofGodcomet
hont
hechi
l
drenofdi
sobedi
ence
(Col
ossi
ans3vs6)
.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesFour
teen)

Oneoft hef act orswewantt oest abl i

shi sthef actt hatt hechur chhasnoty et
full
ycapt uredt heoper at i
onsoft henew t est amentr eal i
ty.Wehav et ast edit,butwe
hav enoty etcomet ot her eal i
tyofi tsfullness.Andt hati soneoft her easonsf ort his
study ,sot hatwecanunder standt hecov enantt hr oughwhi chwear etost anduponand
oper at ewi th.Manyar est i
llmi ssingt heol dandnew cov enantt ogethert odealwi th
God.Theyf or gett hatt her elati
onshi pbet weenGodandmani nt heOl dTest amenti s
ther elationshi pbet weenmast erandser v ant,whi l
ei nt heNew Test amenti tisa
relationshi pbet weenf at herandson( Mal1: 6).Justl ookatanyl ovelyfatherar oundy ou
andseehow her elateswi thhi sl ovelyson,t hati st hepi ctur eoft her el
ati
onshi p
bet weent hef atherofy ourspi ritandy ourspi ri
t.Ifyoucancar rythisment ali
tyinyour
pray er, anddeal ingwi thGod,y ouhav eent eredt her eal m oft heNewTest amentr ealit
y.
Thati st heki ndoff aitht ooper atewi t
hi nt heNewTest ament .Letmesayt hismy stery
aboutt hekingdom, ify ouwantt ounder standGodgener all
yst udyt heBi ble, i
fyouwant
tounder standHi mi nper sonst udyJesus,buti fy ouwantt ounder st andhi mf r
om
kingdom per spect i
vest udy i
ngt heenv ir
onment .Ev ery t
hingi nt heenv i
ronmentspeaks
oneort wo t hingsaboutGodandy ourr elati
onshi pwi thhi m.Butchur chhasnot
under stoodt hi s.Theyst i
lllookathowGoddeal twi t
hPhar aohandNebuchadnezzart o
j
udget hei rrelat i
onshipwi thhim.Andi nor dert oest ablisht his,weneedt obegi nt o
expl oresomeoft heer ror sthathav ebecomewayofl ifeint hebodyofChr istwhichGod
i
sr ai singment opul ldowni nthisgener ation, whi char enoti nl i
newi t
hNewTest ament
doct rine.

Nowl etmeaskt hisquest i

ont hatwhyi sitthati tisonl yonement hatusual ly
ri
sestot het opinev er
ydi spensat i
on?Hav ey ouev erobser vedt hat?Youwi l
ldi scover
thatnoneofhi sf ol
lower swi llbeabl et oriseabov et heper sonl eadingt hechur chor
minist
ry.Thati sst i
l
lanOl dTest amentpat tern.Godhasl eftt hatr eal
m,Hi smi ndi st o
rai
segener ationandnotr aiseonemanl ikeMosesorEl i
jah.Themodeofoper ationsof
Godi nt heOl dTest amenti st or aiseonl yonepr ophetpert ime,buti nt heNew
Testament ,thepowerhasr estuponal landal lbegant ospeaki ndi ff
erentl anguages
(Acts2:4).Thati sapi ct ureofGodmodeofoper ationsi nt heNew Test ament ,wher e
sonsanddaught erswi l
lbepr ophesy ing( Acts2: 17) .Sot heki ndofmi nistryGodi s
rai
singint heNewTest amenti snotonemanmi nistry.Becauset hisisnott heki ndof
minist
ryJesushandedov ertous.Hi ski ndofmi nistr
yi st or aiseagener ati
ont hatwi l
l
dowhatHedi dandal sodomor ethanwhatHedi d( John14: 12) .Nowwhyi sitt hatitis
onlygeneralov er
seert hati sdoi nggr eatwonder sandnoneofhi sf oll
ower swi l
lbeabl e
todolikehi m?Whatcoul dbewr ong?Nowl etmeexpl ainit:thissi mpleansweri sthe
actofpoint i
ngpeopl et ot hepr i
cey oupai dandnott hepr i
ceChr i
stpai d.

Oneoft
heer
ror
smadebymanyspi
ri
tuall
eader
siswhatJesuswasr
efer
ri
ngt
o
ashol dingt hekeyofknowl edgeandr ef usingt ol etpeopl eent er( Mat t23: 13) .Weask
them whati st hesecr ett ot heirsuccess,t heypoi ntust ot he40day sdr yf ast ingt hat
theywentoni n1990andpowerbegant of low.Theypoi ntust ohowt heysol dt hei rcar
forev angel ism anddooropened.Theygi veusawr ongkeyt oat tai nspi ritualpower .
Whatt heydi dbygr acet heybegi nt ot eachment odoi tbyl aw.Theyl ookatt hei
r
blessi ngsandat tackf rom t hepi tofhel ll i
ftupt heirhear tst othi nki tisbyt hei rdoi ng
thatt heyat t ainedt hosesuccess.Sot hei rf ollower skeepont ryi
ngt hosepr ice,y etthey
cannotat taini t.Jesusdi dnotl aysuchexampl ef orus.Weknowhewentf or40day s
fasting( Mat t4: 2) .Butcomi ngt ohi sdi sci ples, Heonl yt oldt hem i fy oubel i
ev ewhatIdo
youwi lldo, andmor et hanwhatIdoy ouwi lldo( John14: 12).Henev ersai dbef orey ou
candowhatIdoy oumustpayt hepr iceIpay ,whenhesentt hem out .Hedi dnotput
them i nf ast ing.Thebi blesay sHebr eat hedont hem andr eleasedhi spoweront hem
andt heycamebackwi tht estimony( John20: 22) .Whent heycoul dnotcastoutdemon
theyaskedHi m, whycoul dn' twecasti tout ?Heonl ysai dbecauseofy ourl ittlef aithand
thati sal l( Mat t17: 19- 20) .Hedi dnotsay ,becausey ouar enotHol yl ikeme,or
ri
ght eousl ikeme,Heonl ysai d,becauseofy ourl itt
lef aithandHesai df ur theri fy ou
hav ef aithy ouwi l
lsayt ot hemount ai nmov eandi twi l
lmov e( vs.20) .Thati sal l
.The
probl em af fect i
ngt hechur chnow i st hepr oblem t hataf fectedt hoset hatt ransl ated
kingJamesv ersion,becausewef ailt obel iev eint hesi mpl i
cityoft hegospel .Wel i
ke
somet hinghar d, i
fsomet hingi snotdi fficul twear edecei vedt obel iev et hati ti snott he
truth.Somenwhot ransl atedKi ngJameswentt oaddt heirownwor dst hatwasnoti n
theor i
ginalmanuscr i
pt" thatt hi
ski ndgoet hnotoutexceptbyf ast ingandpr ay er( Matt
17:21) .Wi t hal lhumi lityt ot hoset hatcol latedki ngJamesv ersion, thatSt atementi snot
thewor dofourLor dJesusChr i
st,itisnoti nt heor iginalmanuscr i
pt .Itwasi mput edby
menwhol ov et omi xt hegr acewi t
ht hel aw.Andt hati st hepr obl em oft hechur ch.Why
dowel iket opl aceembar goont her oadt ospi ritualgr eat nessbymaki ngi thar d?Road
tophy sicalgr eat nesscanbehar d,butnott ospi ritualgr eat ness,butt heyhav emadei t
toappearl ikeamount ain.WhenJesussai dmyy okei seasyandmybur deni sl i
ght
(Mat t11: 30) .Bef oreJesusl eft,Het ol dHi sdi sciplest ogoandwai tf orhi mi nt he
upperr oom f ort hecomi ngoft heHol ySpi ri
t( Luke24: 49) .Hedi dnott ellt hem t ogo
andbef ast i
ngt her e.Hej ustt ol
dt hem t ot ar r
y ,anyot hert hingt heybegant odoasi de
from j ustt ar ryi st hewor koft hef lesh.Nof astingcanbr ingpoweroft heHol yspi ri
t
down.Youcannotr ecei vepowerbyf ast ing,y oucanonl yr eleasewhaty our ecei vedby
fasting.Whatbr oughtHol ySpi ritwasnotbecauset heywer ei noneaccor d,what
broughyt heHol ySpi ritwasnotbecauset heypr ay ed;Jesuswhoi st hehi ghpr iesthas
gonet opr ayf ori tint heheav enl
ypl ace.Hehaspai dt hepr i
ceandHehasgonet oshow
thehostofheav ent hepr iceoft heanoi ntingwhi chi st hecr oss.Andt hehostofheav en
releasedal lpower sint oHi shand.Andt hebi bl esay sHegav egiftst oal lmen( Eph4: 8).
Hehaspai dt hepr ice.Thought her ei sapr iceoft heanoi nt i
ng,butt hepr icei snott he
priceanymancanpay ,chr istpai dital l(Gal3: 13- 14) .Soei thert heywer ei noneaccor d
ornot,thepoweroft heHolySpi
ritwoulddescend,becausethedayoft hePentecost
hasfull
ycome.Whatt heki
ngdom wantedtoachieveasagreatr ol
etoplayont heday
ofPent ecost.The dayofPent ecosthas spir
itualmeaning tot he kingdom and
mini
sterialadvant
agetothechur
cht hatChr
istwantedtoestabl
ishonEar th.

Gett his,ifmanf ailstomaket hepr ophecyt of ull

fili nt hatday,Godwoul drai se
stonet omaket hewor kofChr i
stfulfi
lt hatday ,becauset her ewasanur gencyi nt he
spi ri
tandmancoul dnol ongerdelayt hemov eofGodagai nasoft heol d.Andi f
ev entuallyi twoul dtaket heironeaccor dt obr i
ngdownt hepowerofHol ySpi r
it
,God
knewhowt oachi evet hat.Heowest hehear tofKi ngandchi ef;Hecansof tent hehear t
ofanymanandhar dent hehear tofanymansot obecomeoneaccor di sint hehandof
God.Iam say ingt hi
sf ory outoknowt hatt her eisnot hinganymandoest obr ingdown
thepowerofGodf r
om heav en.Andwhent hedi sci
plesr eceivedpowert heyqui ckly
acknowl edgedt hi
sdi mensi on.Theypoi ntedt hecongr egat iont othebookofJoel2: 28-
29,t hatwhaty ouar eseei ngi sthemani festionoft hepr omi semadebypr ophetJoel .
Theydi dn'tpoi ntment ot heirfast
ing,theydi dn'tpoi ntment ot hei
rholiness.Ipr ayev ery
greatmanwer eadthisandunder standt hatt heyar eonl yf ulf
il
li
ngapr ophecy .Poi nt
ment othepr ophecyandpoi ntmet oGodwhochosey oubygr ace.Ther ear epeopl e
thatt herei sapr ophecyofbei ngapast ori nthei rfami l
y ,sot heyar ejustf ortunat etof al
l
victim oft hecov enant .WecanseePet erheal edt hel amemanbyt hepoweroft he
Chr istatt hegat eoft het empl e(Acts3) .Thebi blesay sev ery bodybegant ol ookthem
asoneHol ymenasi fitisbyt heirholi
nesst heydi dt hemi raclejustaswear ethi
nki ng
todayt omanyoft hisourgener aloverseer s.Butt hankGodf ort hehumi l
ityi npeterHe
qui cklycor rectst hei
rimpr essionseewhatHesai d.Act s3v erse

12 KJV:AndwhenPetersawi
t,heanswer
edunt
ot hepeopl
e,YemenofI
srael
,why
mar v
elyeatthis?orwhylooky esoear
nestl
yonus,ast houghbyourown
powerorhol
inesswehadmadet hi
smantowalk?

13 KJV:TheGodofAbraham,andofI
saac,andofJacob,t
heGodofourf
athers,
hathglori
fi
edhisSonJesus;whom yedeliv
eredup,anddeni
edhimint he
presenceofPi
l
ate,
whenhewasdeter
minedtolethi
m go.

14 KJV:Buty
edeni
edt
heHol
yOneandt
heJust
,anddesi
redamur
der
ert
obe
grant
edunt
oyou;

15 KJV:Andkil
l
edthePr
inceofl
i
fe,
whom Godhat
hrai
sedf
rom t
hedead;
wher
eof
wear ewi
tnesses

16 KJV:Andhi
snamethroughf
aithi
nhisnamehat
hmadethi
smanst
rong,
whom
yeseeandknow:y ea,thefai
thwhichisbyhi
m hat
hgiv
enhi
mt hi
sperf
ect
soundnessi
nthepr
esenceofyouall
.

Thequest
ioni
s,wher
eist
hishumi
l
ityamongourspi
ri
tuall
eader
soft
odayt
hatwewi
l
l
l
etpeopl eknowt hati ti
snotourr ighteousnessandHol inesst hatwedoal lthisgreat
miracles, t
hatitist heholinessofJesus.I fwecanpoi ntourf ol
lowerst oJesusi nstead
ofpoi nti
ngt hem t ooursacr if
icetheywi l
ldomor et hanwhatwedo.WhenJesust old
hisdisci pl
est hatcany oudr i
nkoft hecupiwantt odr i
nk( Mat t20:22),Hewasnot
tal
kingaboutt hecupneededt odri
nkbef orepowercanf low orspiri
tualblessingcan
come,Hewast alkingaboutt hecupneededt odrinkthatwi llquali
fythem f ortheir
eternalpositionswhi chistojudget hetwel v
etri
besofI srael
.Thatcuphasnot hi
ngt o
dowi tht heirspiri
tualposi t
ionsonEar t
hwhi chistheapost oli
cof fi
ce,comi ngasgi f
t
onEar t
h.Chr isthasl edthecaptivi
tycapt iveandHegav egi f
tst oallmen( Eph4: 8)
.
Thisist heNewTest amentmi ndsetofraisingafol
lowerthatwi l
l domor ethanwhaty ou
do.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesFi
ft
een)

Now l etusbegi ntodealwi thsomemat terst hatser veaspr iori

t yi nt heNew
Test amentt hatwehav emadedoct rineoft obedoi ngi tast heOl dTest amentway .The
fi
rstonei spr ayer:hmmmm. .
.Thi sist hemostsi mpleactofaChr istiani fwecanseei t
i
nt hel ightoft henewt estament ,butoneoft hemostdi fficultthingst odoi fwehandl e
i
ti nt heol dt estamentper spect ive.I nt heOl dTest ament ,pray eri sawor k,buti nt he
NewTest amentpr ayeri spar tofwayofl if
e.Becausepr ay erisjustacommuni cationor
dialoguebet weent wospi ri
t ualbei ngs, thati sy ourspiritandt hespi ri
tofGod.I fitisnot
spiritt o spi ri
tmat t
eri tbecomes r eligious.And t he deepestl evelofpr ayeri s
communi on.Thef i
rstl eveli scommuni cation;thesecondl eveli sf ell
owshi p;t het hird
l
ev eli sCommuni on.Andnoneoft hesedi mensi onsr equi resy ourphy sicalbody .I tis
notamat t
erofhow y oushakey ourbodyorshout ,al lt hosef ormsar enotbadi fit
shoul dbedef i
nedbaseonouri ndividualemot ionsandnotawaymanshoul dpr ay.Can
youseet hatmanyt hingsar ewr ongwi thwhatweseei nt heenv ir
onmentofpr ayer.Just
asky our selfhow doy ouspeakt oy ourf ather?Thati sj ustt hesi mpl ewayt ot alkt o
God.I tisnotamat t
erofshout ;itisamat teroff aith.Youdon' tt eachachi ldhowt o
talkt ohi sf ather,hej ustnat urall
yf l
ow,pourouthi smi ndonceheknowst hisf ell
owi s
hisf ather .Achi l
ddoesnotgot ohi sf atheronl ywhenhewant st ot alkt ohi m,hedoes
notgo t o hi sf atheronl ywhen hehasa r equest,i ti sr elationshi pt hatl eadst o
communi cation,andcommuni cati
onl eadst orequestandt hent oanswer .By passingal l
thesemakei trel
igion' sact .Ihav esai di nt hel astseriest hati fyouwantt ounder stand
Godi nt heNewTest amentasaf ather ,justtakeal ookatt heenv ironment ,andpi cka
fami lywhol ov est heirchi l
dr ent hatisi fy oudon' thaveagoodnat ural father .

Asf orme, IknowhowIr elat edwi t

hMrAy ekawhenhewasal ive.Il
ikedsl eeping
i
nhi sr oom,ev enhewast heonet hatusual l
ysentmeout ,becauseofmywahal a
(tr
oubl e).Andt hatisthesamewayy oumustenj oyt hepr esenceofGod.Imustconf ess
toy ou,mostofourpr ayersarest illinli
newi t
hOl dTest amentmet hod,becausei nthe
newt estamenty ourshouthasnor oletopl ayi nt heki ngdom.TheGody ouar epr ay
ing
toisnotonear th,andi snotaf leshandbl oodsospeaki ngbymout hisameansof
communi cati
ngt ophy sicalmenandnott hemeansofcommuni cat i
ngt obei ngi nthe
spir
itualr eal
m; nott hatGodwi l
lnotheary oui fyouspeakbymout h,butlearnt ogetout
ofal lthesement ali
ti
esofshout ing, t
hinki
ngi tisbyt hatGodwi l
lhear .WhenJesuswas
tal
kingaboutpr ayer,Hesai dourf atherwhoar tinheav en( Mat t6:9),Hepoi nt edust o
thel ocationwher eGoddwel l
.Soy oumustl earnt ochanget ot hel anguageofheav en
whent alkingtoHi m.Becausei nt heheav enlyr ealmt het houghtofy ourhear tisl ouder
thant hev oi
ceofy ourmout h.Soi ti snotaboutt al
kingwi t
hmout h.Ther ealm oft he
spiri
ti snotmov edbyy ourvoice,y ourwor dbecomespower fultor ealm ofdar kness
notbecausey oushout ,
butbecausei tismi xedwi thfaith.Speakingt odemoni nal ady
andtheladyi
srespondi
ngisbecauset
hedemonhasbor
rowedt
heear
soft
hatper
son
tohearwhaty
ouar esay
ing.

Gett hismy ster y,i

fy ouar espeaki ngt oai randademoni spassi ngby e,hecannot
under standwhaty ouar esay ing,heneedst oent eral ivingt hi
ngt obor row itsear st o
hearwhaty ouar esay i
ng.ThatwaswhySat anent eredsnaket ospeakt oEv e( Gen3: 1).
Sot hati swhyt heyneedt heagencyofmant ocar ryoutanyassi gmentont hisear th.No
demoncanst ayi nt her eal m oft hespi ri
tandshootar row ofacci dentandt hat
accidentwi llcomet opass.I tisal ie.Theymustent ermananduset hehandofmant o
shoott hear roworuset hemout hofmant oshoott hear rowbef oresuchwor dcanbe
effectivet ocomet opass.Sowher eam Igoi ng?Ther ealm oft hespi ri
tisnotmov edby
thewor dspokenwi thmout hasl ongast heydonotputonamat eri
alwor ld.Thati swhy
ther ealm oft hespi ri
tseest hel ustoft hehear tt oal adyasaf onicat i
on( Mat t5:28) ,
becauseasf arast hespi ritr ealmi sconcer n,hav i
ngsexi nani magi nat ioni sasr ealt o
them ashav i
ngsexwi thaphy si callady .Sot ot her eal m oft hespi rity ourspi ritist he
realy ou.Sowhaty oudowi tht hespi ri
tiswhatr eallycount sandnotwhaty oudowi t
h
thebody .Soi fy ouwantt opr ay ,f i
rstknowt hatt heper sonalityy ouar epr ayingt oi sin
heav en, soy oumustunder st andt helanguageofheav ent obeabl etoi nteractwi tht hem.
Andt oknowt his,y oumustf irstknowwher et heheav eni slocat ed,andt heheav eni s
l
ocat edi nsideofy ou( Luke17: 21) .Godcandwel linanypl aceout si
deofheav ensoHe
hast omakey ourhear taheav enbef oreHecandwel lther e.Soheav enhascomedown,
Hiski ngdom hascomedownt oy ourhear t.Sot hecl osestper sont oy ourspi ri
tisGod.
Soj ustcommuni cat et oHi mi ny ourspi ri
t,anddoi ngt hatispr ayer.Godi snotont he
mount ainsy ouar egoi ngt o.I tisi gnor antthatl eadsmanyt ocar ryGodt omount ain, and
goandmeetHi mt her eagai n.Mount ai
ncanbegoodi ft hepur posei st ohav et i
mef or
yoursel fandav oiddi stract ion.Sobegi nbyspeaki ngt oHi mi ny ourspi ri
t,dev el
opt he
consci ousnessany wher eatanyt ime.I fy ouar egoodi nt ongue,speakt oHi mi na
l
anguagey ouwi llunder st andi nt hespi rit
.Don' tletany onedecei vey out hatunt ily ou
prayi nt onguef or3hour s,y ouar enoty etapr ayer fulper son.Al lt hosear ereligion
burdens.I tisnotscr i
pt ural.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesSi
xteen)

Now letust
alkexcl
usi
vel
yaboutt
her
eal
i
tyoft
it
hingi
ntheNew Test
ament
per
spect
ive.

Fir
st l
yint heNew Test ament ,any t
hingt hati snotoff aithissi n.Ther eforet hef i
rst
i
ssuenowi snotwhet hery out it
heornot ,itisifyouar eti
thi
ngi nf ait
h;becausebei nga
fai
thfulti
theri snotwhatmakesy ourt itheaccept abl e,andbei nganaddi ctedt itheris
notwhatmakesi tacceptabl e.Whatmakesi taccept ableiswheni ti
sdonei nf aith.So
Godi snotl ookingatt headdi ctedact ,al lthosear ej ustreli
giouswor ds.I slami car e
fai
thfulandaddi ctedtochar ti
nggiving,andt hatdoesnotmeani tisaccept ablebef ore
God.Sot hef irstfactwewantt oestablishaboutt i
thingi sthat"i
tmustbedonei nf ait
h".
Andt heteachi ngthechur chwasbr oughtupwi t
hdoesnotpr omot ethat.Itwasaki nd
ofteachingt hatpr omotest i
thingoutoff earandoutofcompul sion.Andany thingdone
i
nf earoroutofcompul sioni snotaccept ablebyGodi ntheNewTest amentdoct ri
ne.
Sowhyar ewemaki ngt hegoodof feringofourmember snott obeaccept abl eby
thr
eat eni
ngt hem wi thcur seoft hel aw whenChr isthasr edeemedt hem f r
om t he
curseoft hel aw( Gal3:13) .Themomenty oubelievei nJesus( Rom 10:8- 11) ,y ouar e
nol ongerunderanycur seoft helawagai n.Lawi tselfhasnotbeenabol i
shed,butt he
curseoft hel aw hasbeenabol i
shed.Becauset hecur seoft hel aw hasnot hingt odo
withy oupay ingtit
he.Itisfai l
edone, failall
.

Undert helaw,ev ent houghy ouar eaf ait

hfulti
ther,anddoesnotdoal lt hati s
writ
teni nthebookoft hel aw youwi llbecur sed.Sowepaynotaccor di
ngt ot hel aw,
anditisl awthatat t
achedapar ticul
arblessingandcur set opayi
ngoft i
the.Butunder
fai
th,i
ti snotso( Rom 1:17)Nowt hequestioni s,whati stheattr
ibutesofsomet hing
doneinf ait
h?Thebi blesaysChr ististheauthorandf i
nisherofourfait
h( Heb12: 2) .The
fi
rstevidenceist hatitmustbeabl et oli
nktot hewor dofChr i
storlif
eofChr i
st .Soi n
theNewTest ament ,anyt
hingwear edoingmustbeabl etobel i
nkedtowhatChr istsai d
orwhatChr i
stdid.Sowear etotithe,becauseJesussai dso.Jesussai dwemustnot
l
eav ei
tundone.Seet hebookofMat thewchapt er23verse23say s:

KJV:Woeunt oyou,scri
besandPhari
sees,hypocri
tes!fory
epaytitheofmint
and ani
se and cumin,and hav
e omit
ted the wei
ghtiermatt
ers ofthe l
aw,
j
udgment,mercy,andfait
h:t
heseoughtyet ohavedone,andnott oleavethe
ot
herundone

Soholdi
nguntothatwordtotit
heist
otit
heinfai
th.Thatiswetit
he,becauseJesussaid
wemustnotl eftitundone.Thisal
oneisenoughev i
denceandt ooltoholduntoi n
payi
ngti
theandnott hebookofMalachi
,becausethebookofMal achiwasnottal
king
tobel
iev
ers,i
twasaddr essi
ngthepast
orsofthoseday sknownasLev i
tesandpri
ests
whowouldcoll
ecttit
hesfrom membersandwouldnotbr ingi
ttothehouseoft heLord
i
nst ead,t heywoul dpocketpeopl e'smoneyandbeusi ngi tt obuybi gcar s.SoMal achi
chapt ert hree( 3)shoul dbequot edamongpast or sandnott ot hechur ch.i twasnot
talkingt ot hechur ch.ReadMal achif r
om chapt eronet ot heendbyy our self, possi blyin
comment ary .Don' tletusbeal lowi nganyonet ocaj oleusi nt hislastday s.Wear ei nt he
ageoft echnol ogy ,youcanmaker esear chbyy our sel f
.Soi nt henewcov enantwet i
the
notbecauseofwi ndowsofheav en,butbecausei tisawor dthatpr oceededoutoft he
mout hofChr i
standt hatiswhatwear eexpect edt ol iveby ,becausemanshal lnotl i
ve
bybr eadal one,butbyev erywor dt hatpr oceedet houtoft hemout hofGod( Mat t4: 4);
Notbecauseofonewi ndowofheav ent oopenorcl ose, orbecauseofcur seofdev ourer.
Studyt heNewTest amentv erywel l.Nopar t
icularr ewar di sat tachedt oanobedi ence,
highesti sthaty oushal lber ewar ded, andi fther ewar di stobement ioned, theywi llcall
theki ngdom ofGod, t
hati sfait
hf ory ou.Butbecausewel ov eJesus, andJesussai dif
youl ov eme,keepmycommandent s( John14: 15) .Sowear et opay ,becauseJesus
saidso,notbecauseoft hebl essi ngat t achedt oi t.Any thingy oudo,becauseoft he
ear thlybl essi ngsat t
achedt oi t,iti snol ongerdonei nf aith.Fori nstanceGodcant ell
yout of ast, youdon' tneedt oknowt hepar ticul arbl essi ngat tachedt oi tbef or edoi ngi t
.
Trul y,blessi ngwi llfol
low,buty oudon' tknowt heki ndofbl essi ngs.Sodoi ngi twi thout
anymi ndoft hebenef i
tiswhatmakesi tf aith,nott haty ousai diti sbecauseofpower ,
No!Youdon' toper atewi t
hGodl i
ket hat .I twasaf terAbr aham gotoutofhi sf ather '
s
houset hatGodshewhi mt her ewar dofhi sobedi ence( Gen12) .Knowi ngt her ewar d
bef oreobey i
ngi sapr i
ncipleoft hel awandnotFai th.Sot her easonwhyGodsay sy ou
shoul df astmaybef orther easont or egul atey ourheal th,becausef astinghasheal th
adv ant age, ori tmaybebecauset oi ntercedef orsomeone.Samet ot ithing.Sot i
thingi s
donei nf aith, becauseJesussai dweshoul dnotl ivei tundone( Mat t23: 23) .Thati st he
ment alityweoughtt ocar rywhent ithing.AndHeknowshow t or ewar dt hel abourof
yourobedi ence( Heb11: 6).Sot hewei ght iermat termustf irstbedone,whi chi s" Mer cy
andJust ice,"andy oumustnotl ivet i
theundone.WhatJesuswassay ingher ei st hat
yourt i
thei snotaccept able,ifthewei ght iermat teri snotf i
rstdone.

Youcannotbekeepi ngmal icewi thsomeoneandt hinkingy ouwi lltithe,and

Godwi llaccepty ourti
the,No!Jesussai di
fy ouwantt odropy ourof feringandy ou
discovert haty ourbr otherishav i
ngsomet hingagainsty ou,f ir
stkeepy ourof f
ering
andt it
hei ny ourpocketandset tl
ef ir
stwithy ourbr other
,lesty ourof feringi snot
acceptabl e( Mat t5:23-24)
.Butt hechur chfail
st otellthetithersthis.Thewei ghti
er
mat t
eri sr ighteousness,t hewei ghti
ermat teri sgodl i
ness,t hewei ght i
ermat teris
fait
hfulness, butwenev ert
oldti
ther sthatift
heirobedienceisnotcompl ete, t
hei rti
thes
arenotaccept able.Wet eachholinessandl i
nki ttoheav en,butwenev ertol dt hose
ti
therst hatyoucannotbeanunhol yvesselsbothinfaithandi ndeed, andt hinkGodwi l
l
accepty ouroffering.Thatiswhyy ouseesomewhol i
et ogetj obs,nowbegi nt odr op
offeri
ngsandt ithesfrom suchunhol yjobs.For ni
catorsar enow f aithfult ither,very
disobedi encei not herar easofl ife,butf aithfulInt ithing,whatki ndofev ilteachi ngt hat
promot essuchact .Mostoft hef aithfultithersIhav ebeencomi ngacr ossar ethoset hat
theirlivesar enot hingt owr i
teabouti nter m ofChr istl i
kechar acter,y ett heyar ef aithful
ti
ther s.Whatki ndoft eachingi st hat?Youseet hosewhol i
et omakemoneybr inging
theirt it
hest othechur ch.Howcanunr ight eousf ellowshol danunr ight eousmammon
andt hinksuchf i
lthyt hingswi llbeaccept ablebyGod.Packal lthosewhowant st opay
ti
thesoutandt eacht hem Just iceandMer cy,andi ft heyhav epassedt het estofMer cy
tothei rnei ghbor hood,andJust icet opeopl e,theycandr opt heirti
thes.Butdr oppi ngi t
whent hewei ghtiermat terisl eftundonei shy pocr iticalacti nt hesi ghtofGod.We
teachpeopl et opayt ithe,butwenev ert aughtt hem,t hoseat tr
ibutest hatqual i
fyt hem
topay .Ipr ayGodwi l
ldel i
vermanyoft heseourpast orsf rom thespi ritofmammon.So
thef irstpoi ntwear eest abli
shingont hemat teroft ithingi sthatwepay , becauseJesus
saidso( Mat t23: 23).Sonotpay i
ngi st odi sobey i
ngt hewor dofChr ist,andt hati s
unright eousness, becauseJesusknewt hatt i
thingwi llhav eadv antaget ot heexpansi on
ofHi swor k,soHet ol dust hatwemustnotl eav ei tundone.Butl inki ngi ttoopen
heav enorcl oseheav eni snotanewt est amentt eachi ng.Whati snowt heposi tionof
Christt hatbecamepoort hatwecanber ich(2Cor in8: 9).Itisourwr ongt eachi ngon
ti
thingt hatl eadsal ltheseunbel ieverst obemaki ngj estofus.Theypoi ntust omany
whoar enotpay i
ngt i
thebutar ev eryrich.Why ?Becausewear etoof ondofat tachi ng
ther ewar doft i
thingt omoney ,andt hatiswr ong.Sot i
thi nghasnot hi ngt odowi t
hsuch.
So,doi ngi tisjusti nthesamecat egor yofev eryot herobedi enceandnotdoi ngi tisin
thesamecat egor yofev eryot herdi sobedi encel ikef or nication,lie,angerandmany
mor e.Seey ouint henextser ieswher eweshal lbet al kingaboutanot herr easonwhy
wemustpayt i
thei nt heNewTest ament .

Attheendoft hi
steachi
ngy
ouwi
l
lsur
elyhav
elov
etopayy
ourt
it
he,
andbef
reedf
rom
thefearofdev
ourer.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesSev
ent
een)

Yest
erdaywebeganast
udyonti
thi
nginl
inewit
hnewt
est
ament,
andweest abl
i
sheda
poi
ntthatti
thi
ngisi
mport
ant
,becauseChri
stsai
dwemustnotlef
titundone(Mat
t
23:
23).

Nowt hequest i
oniswhatist hemy ster
ybehi ndt it
hi ngthatmadeChr istt osay
wemustnotl eavei tundone?Becausewhatpr oducesspi ri
tualunderstandingoft he
real
ityofthescriptur
ei swhenweunder standthel it
erall
yandr ev el
ati
onalmeani ngofa
subjectsmat t
ers.Inthelastseri
eswehav edealtwi t
ht heliterallyr
easonwhywemust
ti
the.Soint hi
st eachingweshallbedealingwi thther evel
at ionalreasonoft ithing.Get
thi
spoi ntfi
rst,themy st
eryintit
hingasnot hingt odowi t hopenheav en.Youropen
heavenhasbeenobt ainedandsecur edbythedeat hofChr ist.Thecot t
onoft het emple
thattornafterHi sdeathont hecross(Mat t17:50-51),isapi ctureofopenheav enof
everyone who bel i
ev ein Him.So don'tl etany one caj oley ou wit
ht hatt eaching
sponsoredbyt hespi ri
tofmammon.Butt herear ebetterreasonst opayt ithet hanthat
thanpointi
ngpeopl etoMal achi
.

Now whyt i
thingaccor dingt ot heNew Test ament ?I ntheol dt est ament ,ifyou
wantt omakeany thinghol y
,y oupr esentt hef i
rstf ruitofsucht hingt ot heLor d,thati s
whyal ltheirfir
stbor nwasdedi cat edt ot heLor d.Sot hatther estchi ldr encanbehol y,
becausei fthef i
rstfruitisnotsetapar tf orGod t her estwi l
lnotbedecl arehol y.Thati s
oneoft heseasonwhyonedaycal ledSabbat hdaydaywassetapar tal sosot hatthe
restdayoft heweekcanbedecl ar ehol ySoi not hert omakey ourchi l
dr enorcr opshol y
bytheny oumustpr esentt hef i
rstf rui
tofi ttot heLor daccor dingt ot heol dcov enant.
See( Romans11v s13t o17,andNumber s15v s19t o21) .Thi si sal sot hemy stery
behindt hedeat hofJesuschr istonourbehal f,thatwecanbehol ybef or et heLor d.That
i
swhyHemadeHi msel fthef ir
stbor namongt hedeadandamongt hel i
v i
ngwhoar e
saved.Soourhol inesswasat tained, becauset hef i
rstf r
uit(HeChr i
st)becamet hefirst
frui
tandof ferHimsel fassacr i
fice.Hei st hef irstbegot t
enson( Rom 8: 29) .Now t he
questioni swhatdoest hisast odowi thNew Test amentt eachingont ithingandf irst
frui
t?Itisbecauseoft hedef init
ionChr istgav etomoney .Hecal ledmoneyunr i
ght eous
mammon( Luke16: 11) ,andi nor dert omakei tr ight eousandsanct i
fybef oreGod,t he
fi
rstfruitofitmustbegi vent oGod.Ther ei samy steryinusingsacr i
ficet omaket hi
ngs
tobecomecl ean.Thebi blesay spr esenty ourbodyasal ivingsacr ificehol y,and
accept abl
e( Rom 12: 1).Sobef orei tcanbeaccept ableitmustbehol yandbef orehecan
behol yhemustbeof f
erassacr ifi
cet oGod.Sowhatmakesuscl eani snott hebl ood
i
tself,butbecauset hebl oodcameasasacr i
fi
ce.Andt hebiblesay sifwewantt oshar e
i
nHi sgl ory,wemustshar einHi ssuf fering( Rom 8: 17).Sogi vingf ort heexpansi onof
theGospeli ssharingi nt hesuf feringofChr istanddoi ngthat,youwi llal soshar ei nHi s
glory.Mi ndy ou,t hegl or ymaynotbei nf i
nanci alormonet aryt erm.Don' tletusbe
taggi
ngeveryblessingtobemoneyt hati
sWordlymindset.Backtomypoi nt,each
ti
met hekingdom l
ooksdownt oseemoney,whattheyseeisunrighteousmammon,
becausethechannelt hr
oughwhichitcomesfrom isunholy
,event houghyouar e
fai
thf
uli
ny ourpl
aceofwor kt
hatdoesnotmeanyourmoneyisholy,becausetheboss
youareworkingwit
hcanbear i
tual
i
st.

Themoneyy our ecei v ef rom ATM canbemoneydeposi tedbyoner i

tualist.I
mustconf esst oy ou, thehi ghestper cent ageoft hemoneywespendonear t
har enota
printedmoney ,theyar er i
tualmoney .Theyar emoneyv omi tedbyt hepi tofhel ltot hose
whohav eent eredt hedenofhel ltodi newi tht hedev il.Soi nonewayort heot hert he
moneywi llgett oy ourhand,becausemoneyi sacur rencyandt hewor dcur r
encyi s
der ivedf rom t hewor d" Cur rent"t hati s,somet hi ngt hatcanf lowandci rculat ear ound.
Sameasel ect ri
city .Tot heki ngdom moneyi sunr i
ght eous, itisunhol y,andt heki ngdom
wayofmaki ngi tr ight eousandhol yi st obr ingt hef irstf ruitofi ttot heLor dt hatt her est
canbehol yandaccept able.Soy ourof feringi snothol y ,ify ouhav enotr emov edt i
theof
fir
stf ruitofi tt odedi cat et ot heLor d.Mi ndy out ogi v et ot heLor di sdi ffer entf rom
dedi cat ingsomet hi ngt ot heLor d.Sowhatmakesi thol yi snotbecausei ti sgi ven,but
becausei tisdedi cat ed.Soof f
er i
ngi sgi venbutt i
theorf ir
stf r
ui t
si sadedi cat edt hings,
soi ti saser iousmat ter.AndMi ndy ou,t itheandf irstf ruitar et hesame.Cal cul atet he
tenper centofal ly ouri ncomei nay ear ,youwi lldiscov ert hati twi llamountt of i
rstf rui
t
accor dingt oHebr ewcal endart en.Becauset enmont hi swhatt heycountt obeoney ear
tot hem.Soi sei thery oupayy ourf irstsal ar yatoncet oGod, thatt her estcanbehol yor
youpayt enper centofi tev erymont ht hati si fy ouar easal ar year ner .Sot omakei t
easyf ort hechi l
dr enoft heki ngdom,t hati swhyChr istt oldust opayt i
the.Chr i
st
nev ert alkedaboutf i
rstf r
ui ts,becauseTi theandf irstf ruitar et hesame.Ti thei sj ust
ani nst rument alpay mentoff irstf rui t.Thi si st her ev elationbehi ndt ithing.Mi ndy ou,
thismy st eryi snotcompul sor yi fy oudon' tpay ,Godwi l
lst illblessy ou,becauseJesus
himsel fsai d moneyi sl i
kear aint hatf allsupont her ight eousandt heunr i
ght eous.You
onlypaysot hatev eryot herofy ourof f eringcanbehol yandaccept ablebef oreGod.I t
i
sj ustameansofpr omot i
nghol inessandsanct ity ev er y
thingar oundy ou.Ihear
someonesay i
ng,butt hebl oodofJesushasmadeev er ythi ngcl eany es,y ouar er i
ght;
Butnott hingst hatcomef rom t hedev il.Ev erythingcr eat edbyGodhasbeenmadehol y
byt hebl oodoft hel ampbot hphy si calandi nv isibleexceptt hingscr eatedf r
om t he
realm ofdar kness.Andt hebi blecal ledmoneyt het reasur eofdar knessi nt hebookof
Isaiah45.Sot hisear thi sacombi nat ionoft hingsmadebyGodandt hingsmadeby
dev il
.And moneyi soneoft het hi ngswear et aki ng about .Ir epeatt hehi ghest
per cent ageoft hemoneywear espendi ngdonotcomef rom nat ur alt hings,t heyar e
from demoni ct hings.Andt heonl ymeansofmaki ngt hem hol yi st obr ingt het itheor
fir
stf r uitofi ttot heLor d.Thati swhyAbr aham pai dt ithest oMel chi zedek( Gen14: 18-
20) .Mi ndy ouAbr aham hadnotbeenpay i
ngt ithei nal lhi sbl essi ngsbef orewhy ?
Becauset hosebl essingswer edi rectblessi
ngfrom theLor d,andthenmoneywasnota
meansofexchange.Ev eryofhi sbl essi
ngwasani mals,humanandf arm product s.But
theblessinghepai dt enthper centagef r
om toMel chizedekwasanunhol ybl essing.I
t
wasabl essingthather eceivedf rom awonbat t
le,bloodofhumanhasi nv olved( Gen
14:16),itwasnotadi rectblessi ng.Thatiswhyhepai dt enthpercentaget oJesus
(Melchizedek),thatt he r estbl essing can be holy.Can y ou see the my sterywhy
Abraham t i
thethatmanydonotknow.Soourt i
thingisintheor derofMelchi zedek, and
notinor derofMal achi3.Thati swhyt heBiblesay sAbraham pai dti
thesinf ait
h( Heb
7),becausenoonet aughthi mt opay .Hecaughtt hismy sterybyr ev
elat
ionandact ed
upon it.Thati swhywesayf aithi srespondi
ng t o Revelat
ionalunder standing or
knowledge.

Abr aham di dnotpay ,becausehewant edopenheav en,thati snotf aith.Faith

doesnotactl iket hat ,f
aithdoesnott hinkoft hesel fbenef it,het hinksoft hebenef it
sof
whathei sdoi ngt ot heki ngdom andt ohumani ty,thati swhyt hebi bl
esay sfaith
expressesi tselfinl ove( Gal5:6).Sot hereasonwhyChr istsai dweshoul dpayt it
hesi s
thatther estcanbesanct i
fi
ed.Wear enotpay ingaccor dingt othel aw,wear epay ing
accordingt ot heor derofMel chizedek.Soal ltheset eachi ngsordoct ri
net hatcol l
ect
fi
rstfruitandal socol lecttit
hesar enotscr iptural.Theyt hemsel vesdonotknowwhat
theyaredoi ng.Theyonl ytakescr i
pt ureli
terallyandusei ttoenr i
cht heirchurch.Many
oft hose t eachi ngs wer e sponsor ed by t he spi ri
tofmammon.So y ou cannot
understandt hisr ev el
ationandwi llnotl ovet opayt i
thes.Al lthisl ayingofcur sesof
devoureront hoset hatdonotpayt it
hesi snoti nlinewi t
hNew Test amentt eaching.
Godi snoti nterest edinanygi v
ingt hatisnotdonei nlov e.Heonl yl ov escheer fulgivers
(2Cor in9: 7).Sot hepr oblem oft hechur chi st hatwet ookt het eachi ngoft i
thing
extr
eme.Al lt heset it
hesr ecordsandt i
thescar dsar eext reme.Wedon' tneedt hose
thi
ngsi nthechur ch, usingtithi
ngasay ardsti
ckt opr omot i
oni sverywr ong
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesEi
ght
een)

Wehav ebeendeali
ngwi t
hthereali
tyoft
ithi
ngaccordingt otheNewTestamentint
he
pasttwoseri
esnow.Wehav et al
kedaboutt hefi
rstr easonforpaymentoftit
heas
beli
ever
si sbecauseJesussaidwemustnotl ef
ti tundone( Matt23:23)
.Andwe
expl
ainthesecondreasoninthelastser
iesbyshowi ngust herevel
ati
onalr
easonf
or
payi
ngtit
heswhichgoesbeyondallopenheavenordev ourerr
easons.

Nowt hequest i
oni s,whati st hethirdr easonwhybel i
ev ersar eexpectedt opay
ti
thes?" I
t'
sbecausei sacont r
ibut i
onor dainedbyGodt osuppor tthef ullt
imepast ors.
"
Ourt ithesar ethephy sicalinheritanceoft hef ulltimepast ors.Soi fwel ovethem Isee
nor easonwhyweshoul dnotsuppor tthem.WepaybecauseGodsai dweshoul dgive
ourt ithest othem,andweal sopay ,becausewel ov et hem.Manyoft hem surrender
theircer t
if
icatestomi nistertousper tai
ningt ot het hingsofGodonf ullti
mebasi s.Why
shoul dwedenyt hent heirinheritance?Gett hi
sf act,themai npur poseofpay ingt i
thes
i
snott hatthereshoul dbemeati nt hehouseofGod,i ti
st hatt hereshoul dbemeati n
thehouseoft hef ulltimepast ors( Levi
tesandPr i
est soft oday{ Mal3: 10}
).Themeat
thatshoul dbei nthehouseoft heLor dist het itheoft i
thesexpect edt obepai dbyt he
Lev i
tesandPr i
ests.St udyt hebookofMal achiv erywel l
.Soi fy oust udythebookof
"Mal achifrom Chapt erOne"y ouwi l
ldiscov ert hatGodwast alkingt ot heLevitesand
Priestsi nthatcont entandnott heI sreali
tes,andwhatwast heirsin?Theywoul dcol l
ect
ti
thesandat eall
,whi chwasagai nstt helawgi vent ot hem.

Accordi
ngt ot helawtheIsrael
it
eswouldpaytithest othelev
itesandpri
ests,
and
theLevi
tesandpr iestswouldnowpayt i
theoutofthet it
hest heyrecei
vedtotheLord.
Andtheirdi
sobediencewasaf fecti
ngtheansweroftheobedi entisr
aelit
eswhohadpaid
thei
rti
thesfai
thfull
y .Thatiswhatmademet oknow t hatpay i
ngt i
theisnotenough,
whattheydowi t
hy ourti
thematters.
SeeMalachi3:
3-4:

3 NIV:Hewillsi
tasar ef
inerandpuri
fi
erofsi
l
ver;hewi
llpur
if
ytheLev
itesand
ref
inethem li
kegoldandsi lver
.ThentheLordwil
lhavemenwhowi llbri
ng
off
eri
ngsinri
ghteousness,

4 NIV:
andtheof
fer
ingsofJudahandJer
usal
em wi
l
lbeaccept
abl
etot
heLor
d,as
i
ndaysgoneby
,asinfor
mery ear
s.

Asyouar epay i
ngt i
thestot hem,t heymustalsopayt oGod.Cany ouseethatifthe
sonsofLev i
teswer enotpur i
fiedtheofferi
ngsofJudahwoul dnotbeaccept able.So
youcannotbeusi ngt heofferi
ngsoft hechurchtodoanyhowandt hi
nkwewi llkeep
qui
et,No,wewi llnot,becauset hei
rpurit
ydeterminetheacceptabi
l
ityofourofferi
ngs
andti
thes.Sothepur poseofthet i
theoftit
hesisthatt
hereshouldbemeati nt
hehouse
ofGod;andt hepurposeoft hemeati stofeedthepoorandwi dows.Soy oudon'tuse
ti
theoft
it
hestobyexpensi
vecar
,thati
fwi
dowsandpoorcomet
othechur
ch,
theywi
l
l
havemeattoeat
.

Now,t hi
sl awi sst i
llappl icabl
et ot heNewTest amentnotbecauset hebl oodof
Jesushasnotdel i
v eredusf r
om t hecur seoft hel aw,butbecausewest i
llhav eLev i
tes
andPr iestst il
ltodaywhoar ef ulltimepast or s.Iti snott hebl oodofJesust hattheywi l
l
eat, i
tisnott hef inishedwor kofChr i
stt hatt heywi lleat,Chr i
stwi llnotcomedownf rom
heav ent ofeedt hem, i
tiswe, Hewi l
lsend.Andoneoft hest ableway sofmeet i
ngtheir
needsi st opayourt i
thest ot hem andt heyar eal sot opayt heirt it
hesoft het it
hest o
Godbypay ingt ot hepoor .Wher eIseeer r ori swhenachur chispay ingt itheoft it
hest o
anot herchur ch,No!Accor dingt ot hebookofMal achi,tit
heoft i
thesi st hatt hereshoul d
bemeati nt hechur ch.Andt hemeatshoul dbef ort hepoorandwi dows.Wher emany
preacher sal somakemi st
akei swhent heybegi nt ouset hebookofMal achit oaddr ess
thechur ch,No!Ti thingi nthebookofMal achishoul dbeusedt oaddr esst hef ullti
me
past ors,whoar egoodi ncol l
ect ingtithes,butbadi npay ingt itheoft it
hes.Ast heseed
ofAbr aham, wear et opayaccor di
ngt ot heor derofMel chi zedek.Andt ithingaccor ding
tot heor derofMel chi zedeki snott ocar rycur sei fyoudon' tpay ,becausei tispay i
ngby
fai
thnotbycompul sion,butbyr evel
at i
on.Tr ulyi tcar r
iesbl essing,butt akey ourmi nd
outofmoney ,don' tl etusseemoneyhast heonl ybenef itoft it
hing,t hati sadoct rine
ofmammon.Thebl essingofAbr aham i smor et hanMoney( Gal3: 14) .Itiswheny ou
don' thav er evelationoft it
hingt hatDaddyf reezecanbet hrowi ngy ouupanddown.And
i
tisal sowheny oudon' thavet hedeepr ev elat i
onalunder standingaboutwhaty ouar e
doingt haty ouwi l
lbet it
hing,becauseoft hef earofdev our er.What ev erthati snotdone
i
nl ov ei sasi nandwhat everdoneoutofcompul sionisnotaccept able.SoIwr itethi
st o
the past ors who ar e concer ned aboutt ithing t haty ou puty ourmember si nto
consi der ati
on.Whaty oushoul dbeaf t
eri snoti ft heypayt i
thes, butwhaty oushoul dbe
afteri si fthosewhoar epay ingar eaccept abl ebef oreGod.Ther ei sonet hingt opay
ti
the,whi l
et herei sanot herthi ngf ory ourt ithet obeaccept able.Accept abili
tyiswhat
shoul dbeourconcer nandnotwhatweent erourpocket .Youdon' tneedt othreatening
peopl ewi t
hcur sebef oretheywi llpay.

I
fy outeacht
hem inaNew Testamentway
,theywi
llev
enpaymor ethant en
percent.Seeyouinthenextser
iesonNewTest
amentwayofgivi
ngof
fer
ing,because
off
eringisdif
fer
entf
rom t
it
hing.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesNi
net
een)

Now wehav edeal tthor oughl ywi thther eali

tyoft i
thi
ngaccor dingt otheNew
Test ament .Solet '
smov efur thert odealwi tht her eali
tyofof f
eringinl inewi t
hNew
Test ament ;becauset helaw t hatgui dest i
thingisdi f
ferentfrom t helaw t hatguides
offering,andthepur poseoft het woar ediff
erent.Knowt hisfact,thef i
rsti ssueher eis
nott heofferi
ng,butt heper songi vingt heof fer
ing.Thati swhymanyoft heseour
nowaday spastor sneedt or epenti nt hislastday s.* Att i
mes,ifIseet heat t
it
udeof
somepast or
st owar dsmoney ,If eellikeaskingt hat ,arethesepast or
sbor nagain?It
hasbecomewor stinsomepast orst oast aget hatify ouar enotgiv i
ngof fer i
ngort i
the
tot hem,y ouar enotbor nagai n.Tot hem thef erv entbr ot
hersandsi st ersaret he
fai
thf ultit
hersandgi vers.Wear enow i nagener ati
onwher ebywear enol onger
concer nedaboutt helivesoft heper sonsgi vi
ngof ferings,allwear econcer nedabouti s
theof f
eri
ngsint heirhands.Butl ookatwhatt heBiblesay sinMal achi3:3- 4:

KJV:Andheshallsitasar efi
nerandpuri
fi
erofsi
lver
:andheshal
lpuri
fyt
he
sonsofLevi
,andpur gethem asgoldandsil
ver
,"t
hattheymayoff
erunt
othe
Lordanof
fer
ingi
nrighteousness.
"

Firstt hing,lookatt her easonwhyGodwaspur i

fyi
ngandr efi
ningt heLev i
tes,Hesai d
that" theymi ghtgi veanof feri
ngunt otheLor dinri
ght eousness. "Whi chmeansi ftheir
l
ivesar enotr ighteous,t heiroffer
ingsar enotaccept able.Soi ti snotamat t
erofhow
bigt heof feringi s,i tisf i
rst,amat teroft heright
eousnessoft heper songi vi
ngt he
offer ing.SoGodabandonedf i
rst,
thei ssueofof f
eri
ngandbegant odealwi ththeirli
ves
bypur i
fyi
ngandr efi
ningi t,becausei ftheyar enotpur if
iedandr efi
ned,t heirofferi
ngs
arel i
kef i
lt
hyr ag.Mi ndy ou,itisnotamat terofpur i
fyingal one,andnotr efi
ning,
becauset herei sdi f
fer entbetweent het woYoupur i
f ybybl ood, whi l
ey our efi
nebyf ire.
Sot heki ndofr ighteousnesswear et alkingabouther e,thati sneededbyt hosegi vi
ng
offer i
ngsi snott her ighteousnessoff ait
ht hatisat t
ainedbyt hebl oodal one,itisthe
ri
ght eousnessasaf rui
tt hatisat tainedbyf ire(refi
ning).Wear et alkingaboutt he
deal ingsoft heHol ySpi rithereint erm ofl i
feandgodl iness;Becausebybl oodt hey
obt ainedt hepur ifi
cat i
onbyf ai
th,butbyf iretheyexper i
encedt her efi
ning.Soi tisnota
mat t
erofr i
ght eousnessbyf aithalonet hatmakesy ourof feri
ngt obeaccept able,i
ti s
alsoamat t
erofr ighteousnessbyact .Andt hepurposeoft hisisthatt heirofferi
ngscan
ber ight eous.

NowIaskt hat,canchurchgett oastagewher ewewi l

lstar
trejecti
ngpeople's
offer
ings,asitisevidenttoust hatthei
rli
vesarenotr i
ghtwithGod?Becausemany
offer
ingshavenor ecordinheaven.Thosethatareli
censedtoli
ftuptheiroffer
ingsare
thoset hathavecleanhandsandpur ehearts(Psa24:4).Thebiblesay sli
ftupy our
holyhands( 1Tim 2:8).Ev
enJesust esti
fi
edtothisreal
it
y.LetusseewhatJesussai d
i
nMat
thew5v
s23-
24t
hat

23NI
V:Ther
efor
e,ifyouareoffer
ingy
ourgiftattheal
tarandt
her
eremember
t
haty
ourbrot
herorsi
sterhassomet
hingagainsty
ou

24NI
V:l
eav
eyourgi
ftt
her
einf
rontoft
heal
tar
.Fi
rstgoandber
econci
l
edt
o

Idon' tknow ift hi

swor dofJesuscanbequot edont hepulpitbef oreof feri
ngt ime;
i
nst eadofquot ingwher eI saacsowedi nthelandandr eapedmul ti
pl efold( Gen26: 12)
orwher eSolomongav ebur ntof feringandGodbl essedhi m( 1Kings3) .Thosebi ble
versesar egood,butIguesst hef i
rstonesai dbyJesusshoul dbet hef i
rstt hi
ngt ol et
thosegi vi
ngof f
er i
ngst oknow.Don' tletushidet hetruthundercar pet .Weshoul dnot
beconcer nedaboutwhatwewantt ocol l
ectfrom theirhands,weshoul dbeconcer ned
aboutt hel i
vesdr oppingt heof feringst hattheywi llknow f r
om t heonsett hatt heir
offeri
ngsar enotaccept ablebef oreGodsot heyshoul dnotbeexpect ingr ewards.Just
aspeopl earer ejectingHol yCommuni on,becauset heyknowt hattheyar enotwor thy,
soal soweshoul dt eacht hem t ohol dthei
rofferingsiftheyknowt heyar enotwor thy.
Thisi snotamat terofcol lecti
ngof feri
ngsandt heusher swil
lbringi ttothepul pi
tand
thepast orwil
lnowbecal li
ngt hebl oodofJesusuponi t.Thetool sf
orpur i
f i
cationhav e
beenment i
oned.Thebl oodi sonlyoneofi t
,fir
emustbei nv
olvedtor efi
net hel iv
esof
thet i
thersortheonegi vingof feri
ngs.

Gett his,wecannothav eissuewi thof f

eringsi nt hechur chwhent hel i
vesof
giversar eright .I
tiswhent heirli
vesar enotr i
ghtt haty oubegi nt ot hr eateningt hem
witht hef earofnotpay i
ngof f
eri
ng.Sol etusdealwi tht hel ivesoft hegi versf i
rst,
befor ewedealwi ththemat teroft hebenef itsofgi vingof fering,andt her easonwhy
believ ersshoudgi veof fer i
ngi nl i
newi t hthenew t est ament .Sogett hisasy ouar e
goingt ochur cht oday, i
fy ouknowsomeonehasi ssuewi thy ou, f
irstcal lt oset t
leitwi t
h
thatper son,bef oredr oppi ngy ourof f
er i
ng.Thei ssueofof f
eringdoesnotconcer nt he
bloodofJesus.Theki ngdom i ssostrictabouti t,becauseoft hespi ri
tbehi ndi tcal l
ed
"Mammon( Luke16: 11) .
"Andal sobecauseoft hei ntegr it
yoft heki ngdom ofGod
(Mat t6: 33a) .Soev eryKi ngdom st epmustbet akenbef or eofferingcanbeaccept able.
Andt hef i
rstst episthaty ourl i
femustber i
ght eous, bot hbyf aithwhi chi sobt ai
nabl eby
thef i
ni shedwor kofChr i
st ,andbywor kwhi chi sthepr aticalri
ght eousnessachi evedby
thehel poft heHol ySpi ri
t .Thebi blesay sCai nof feringwasr eject ed,becausehi sl if
e
wasnotr ight .Contraryt owhatwewer et aughti nchi l
dr en'
schur cht hatCai nof f
er i
ng
wasr ejected, becausehi sof feri
ngwassmal l
.Seewhatt heBi blesay sinGenesi s4v s7
(NIV) :*Ifyoudowhati sr i
ght , wil
lyounotbeaccept ed?HeCai nhasber ej ectedalready ,
sohi sof f
eringcoul dnotbeaccept able.Thei ssuei snott heof feringofcai n,thei ssue
i
st hel i
feofCai n.Soy ourl i
femustber i
ght ,sot haty ourof feringcanbegi veni n
ri
ght eousness.Mi ndy ou,t herei sdifferentbet ween" givingof feringi nr ighteousness
and gi
vi
ng offer
ing of r
ight
eousness.
"We hav
e deal
twi
th"
giv
ing of
fer
ing i
n
ri
ght
eousness.
"

See you i
nt he nextser
ies wher
e we shal
lbe t
alki
ng aboutgi
vi
ng of
fer
ing of
ri
ght
eousness.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesTwent
y)

I
nt helastser
ieswet al
kedaboutoffer
ingi
nr i
ghteousnesswhi
chdealswit
htheli
feof
thepersongivingoffer
ingandint hisser
iesweshal lbetal
kingaboutthesecond
dimensionofit,whi
chisgiv
ingoff
eringofr
ighteousness.

Theki ngdom i sal soser iousaboutt hi sar eaofof fer ing.Whaty ouar egi vingdoes
notf i
r stmat tert ot heki ngdom,butwher et heof feringi scomi ngf r
om mat ter.I si tan
of f
eringf rom t her i
ght eouswor kort heof feringf rom t heunr i
ghteouswor k?Howdo
yougett hemoney ?Youcannotl i
et ogetaj obandt hinkt heki ngdom wi llacceptt he
of f
eringf rom t hej ob.Thesour cei saser iousmat tert ot heki ngdom.Of feringi sf rom
thebl essi ngGodpr ov idesf ory ouandnotf rom t hebl essi ngy ougotbycunni ngway .
Ishmaelcoul dnotbeusedasasacr i
fice,becausehewasnotachi l
dbor noutoff aith.
Ishmael icof feringi snotaccept ablei nt heki ngdom.Justast heof feri
ngofCai nwas
notaccept able( Gen4: 7), soal soof f
eringofI shmael wasnotaccept able,becausei tisa
blessinggot tenoutofsel fwi l
l( Gen16) .Anof feringi nunr ight eousnessi sl i
keof fering
ofCai n,whi leanof fer ingofunr ighteousnessi st heof fer i
ngofI shmael i
c.Not hingwas
wr ongwi t
ht heof feringofCai n,butt heof feringwasr eject ed,becausehi sl i
fewas
rejected.Samet hi ngasi shmael ,not hingwaswr ongwi tht heof feri
ng,buti twas
rejected, becauset hesour cewasuncl eaned.I ti sonl ythej obt hatGodpr ovidesf ory ou
thaty oucanpayof fer i
ngf r
om.I tisonl yt hewor korgi ftgot teni nar i
ghteouswayt hat
theki ngdom canaccept .Youcannotsl eepwi thhagaroft hiswor l
dandt hinkt he
Ishmael borncanbeusedasof feri
ng( Gen16) .Thati swhymostoft hepeopl et hatt hei r
of f
eri
ngsar eunr ight eousar et hepeopl et hatt hei rlivesar eunr ighteous.Ihearsome
say i
ng, Igott hej obev ent houghIl ieorr educemyage, becauseGodwant st ogi veme,
No!Ther ear et hingsy oucangetont hisear thwi thoutGod.I tisonl yspiri
tualbl essi ng
thaty oucannotusecunni ngwayt oget , Alas!Youmeetdev ildirectl
y.Butper tainingt o
mat teroft hisl if
e,Bi blesay sheav eni st heLor d,butt heear thashegi v ent ot he
childrenofman( Psa115: 16).Not eawor di nt hatbi blev er se,Hedoesnotsay ,"ashe
givent ot hechi l
dr enofGod? "buti tist ot hechi l
dr enofman.Becauset hechi l
drenof
Godi sdi f
ferentf rom t hechi l
dr enofman.Thechi ldrenofmanar et henat uralpeopl e
thatar ewhyy oudon' tneedt obebor nagai nt omakei t.ify oucanmaneuv ery ourway
youwi llber ichi nt hisl ife.Atl eastpeopl ear epl ay ingbetnai janowandt heyar emaki ng
i
t .Lol,butast hechi ldr enoft heki ngdom wecannotdot hat .Sof orwet hechi ldrenof
God,wecannotactl iket hechi ldrenofman,becauseourki ngdom i snotoft hisear th
(John18: 36) .Sowecannotmakemoneyi nt hewayt hewor l
dar emaki ngi t.Soi fy ou
chooset omakei taccor dingt ot hesy stem oft hei swor l
d,y ouwi l
lsurelymakei t.So
don'tt hinkt hati fy oul iet ogetaj oborl iet ogetacont ract ,Godal l
owsi tbecausey ou
hav ebeendest i
nedt ohav eit,thati sal ief rom t hepi tofhel l.Youhav eonlysucceeded
i
ngi venbi rtht oi shmael ,becausey oucannotwai tf orI saac.WhenGodwant edt o
demandforsacrifi
cefr
om Abraham,Hesai
d,gi
vetomeyouronlyson(Gen22)?The
quest
ionis,wasIsaactheonl
yson?No!Butasfarast
hekingdom i
sconcer
ned,God
onl
yrecogniseswhatHeprovi
desforyouandHecanonl
ydemandof f
eri
ngfr
om what
Heprovi
desf ory
ou.

Now Iask,how doy ougett hatj ob?Thi si saser iousmat terher e.Ar ey out he
owneroft hecer ti
ficatey ouar eusi ng?i fy ouaredonewi ththoset hings,wheny ouar e
noty etbor nagai n,Godmayov erl
ooki t,becauset het i
meofi gnor anceHeov erlooks.
Buty oucannott ryi taftery ouhav et ast edtheknowl edgeoft het rut
h( Heb6: 4-7).
Ly i
ngt ogetmoneyi sani nsul ttot hespi ritofgracei nt heNewTest ament( Heb10: 30).
Itisani ntenti
onal lysin.i tissi nningwi llf
ully,andt hegr aceofGoddoesnotcov ersuch.
Soast he" offeringi nr i
ght eousness"i saser iousmat tert ot heki ngdom,soal so
"offer
ingofr i
ght eousness"i saser iousmat t
ertot hem.Ev enthoughy oubui l
dachur ch
aftereat i
ngGov er nmentmoney ,theki ngdom i snoti nter ested.Godsai dt oDav idy ou
can'tbui l
dmyhouse,becausey ourhandi sfullofbl ood( 1Chr on28: 3) .Despitet he
wayGodl ovedDav i
d,Hecal ledhi m amanaf terhi sownhear t( 1Sam 13: 14) .He
revealedmy steryper t
ainingt oChr istt ohi m( Dav i
d)i npr ophecy( Psa22) .Hedi newi t
h
God,butwheni tcomest ot hemat terper tai
ningt ot hehouseofGod,hi sof fer
ingwas
reject
ed,becausehi shandwasf ullofbl ood.Andt hissamehouseofGodi swhatwe
arebui l
dingwi thmanybl oodmoney .Wear enol ongercar ewher et hemoneyi scomi ng
from, allwejustneedi smoneyt oremi ttoheadquar tersot hatwecanbepr omot ed.Our
promot ionf r
om ar eapast ort ozonalpast oriswhatmat tert ous.Ourpr omot i
onf rom
assistancepast ort opast ori sourconcer n.Wenol ongerhav econsci ence.I fGodcan
refusedDav idf rom bui l
dingHi shouse,whoar ey out hatHewi l
lnotr eject,ify our
offeri
ngi scomi ngf r
om wr ongchannel .WhenGodbegi nst opreparemef orsomet ruth,
Hel eadsmet or esignf rom onedenomi nationwher eibel onged,becauseIcoul dnot
seet r
ut handkeepqui et.Tohel lwi thy ourmoney ,ev ent houghy ouar eagov er
norofa
stateasl ongast hesour cei snotpur e.

Seeyoui
nthenextser
ieswher
eweshallbetal
ki
ngaboutof
feri
ngbyr i
ghteousness.We
havetal
kedaboutoffer
inginri
ght
eousness;off
eri
ngofrighteousness;seey ouin
off
eri
ngbyri
ght
eousness.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesTwent
yOne)

Wehav ebeendealingwi thdiffer

entkindsofaccept ableof f
eringsint hekingdom.
Wehav etal
kedaboutof feringinrighteousness; offeri
ngofr ighteousness; andt hethir
d
oneweshal lbeconsi deringi swhatIcal l
edof feringbyr ighteousness.Andt hi
si sa
situat
ionwher ebywhaty ouar egivingismeasur edwi thwhaty ouhav e.Givinglessthan
whatt hekingdom isexpect i
ng,isanof feri
ngbyunr i
ghteousness.I tisasi gnthatyou
arenoty etrighteousindeal ingwi ththeunr ighteousmammonandt heimpl icati
onis
thatthekingdom wi l
lnotbeabl etotrustyouwi tht hetrueriches( Luke16:11) .Because
Jesussaidi fyouar enotfaithfulwithunrighteousmammonwhowi l
ltrusty ouwiththe
trueri
ches.

Getthis,t
rueri
chesi snotmoney,i
tisasupernat
uralendowmentthatcancommand
ri
chest oyourli
fe:anoint
ingist
rueri
ches,wi
sdom,poweraretrueriches.Thosear
e
t
her ealbl
essi
ngofAbr aham (
Gal3:
14)
.

Permitmet osharesomet esti

moni esofmyexper iencei nthisser i
esonhowa
gracecameunt omyl if
ebaseonf aithfulnessi nhandl i
ngt hisunrighteousmammon.
WhenIwaspost edtoKebbist atein2014f ormyNYSC, thatwaswhenibegant osense
unusualgr acetowr i
teandt eachi nmyl i
fe.iwasunabl et oexpl ai
nhowt hisencount er
camet hen,unti
lwhenHol ySpi r
itbegant or evealwhatl edt oitaft
eray ear ;Mindy ou,I
don'tshar ethi
sasat esti
mony ,becausei ti spersonalandIdon' tpresentmy selfand
neglectt hecrossofChr ist.Now t ot het estimony :thenibegant oexper iencesome
dealingsaboutmoney .Byt hehelpoft heHol ySpiri
t,Ihadnor ighttospendmyal awi
(all
owance)anyhowt hen.Iser vedi napl acewher emeati sverycheap, butf oray earI
didnotusemeatt ocooksoup.Icookedwi thoutanyt hi
ngi nsidesoupf orcompet eone
year,becausewhatIwasent itl
edt oi nmyal awi(all
owance)wasj ustf ourt housands
naira( #4,
000).Bythedeal i
ngoft heHol ySpi rit
,therestoft heal l
owancewast obl ess
l
ifeaccor dingtotheleadingoft hespi ri
t.Thought hegr acewassosuf f
icientf orme
duringt hisdeali
ng,butmyf ait
hfulnesst ot hislit
tl
eunr i
ght eousmammonmadet he
kingdom t obegintotrustmewi tht ruericheswhi chisthegr acemani f
est ingnow.That
wast hebeginningofmywr i
ti
nggr ace.Thatwashow Ibegant osenset hespi rit
ual
wisdom ofGoduponmyl i
fe.Ihardlyshar et hisaspectofmymi nistr
ysot hatmanywi l
l
notmi sunderstandmeandmakei dol ofit.Mi ndyout hegr aceofGodi sf ree, Christhas
pai
dforit.Youdon' tgetitbyyourr ighteousnessorf ai
thful
ness,butthereare
di
mensi
onsyougett obyyourmat uri
ty,becauseasl ongasachi l
dremainsababy,he
i
snotdi
fferentfrom asl
ave,t
houghhei sthel or
dofal l
,buttheblessi
ngwillnotbe
gi
ventohim( Gal4).Andmat ur
ityisnotonl yknownbyt hev i
rt
ueofr ev
elat
ional
knowl
edgey ouhav e,butbyt hevir
tueofr evel
ationalknowl
edgey oudo.Because
accor
dingto1stCorint
hiansOne:thechurchofCorinthi
ansareveryknowl
edgeabl
e,but
i
nChapt ert
hree:Paulcall
edthem babychri
sti
ans,whybecauset heywerenotdoer
sof
whattheycl ai
medt oknow.Sooneoft hewaystot estourmaturit
yasbelieversi
show
wehandl etheunright
eousmammon.Mat uri
tyi
sbei ngtest
ed onhowy ouhav ediedto
thethi
ngsoft heworl
d,becauseever
ythi
nginthisworlddoesnotcomef rom thefat
her
(1John2: 16).Soyourmaturit
ywil
ldeter
mineifsomedi mensionsoftr
uer i
chescanbe
commi t
tedi ntoyourhands.Mi ndyou,don'tthinky oucanr ecei
vepowerbygi v
ing
money ,
No!Becausesomepeopl emayhearmyt esti
monynowandbegi nt ogivetothe
peoplewhenGoddoesnotsendt hem.YoucannotbuyGod' sgracewithmoney( Acts
8:18-
21).

Myownwasnotdel iver
ed, becauseIwant edt r
uer iches.Itwasdeal ing,idi dnot
event hinkofanyr ewar dorknow whatwoul dcomeoutf rom it,No!Iwasj ustdoi ng
thoset hingsunconsci ousl y.Ijustf eltthatIcan' tbeeat ingi nluxur y,whensomel ives
areinpov erty.Soitwast hatunder standingt hatl edmet obecomepoorf oroney earso
thatt hroughmypov er tysomecaneat ;BecauseImustconf esssi ncet hatper i
od,I
hav enotl ivedt hatkindofsacr ifi
ciall i
feagai n,becausei twasdonet henbygr acenot
bymy sel fef fort(Zach 4: 6).So Idon' tt each i t,Ionl yshar ei tf ort he sake of
confirmat ionofwhatJesuswassay i
ngaboutt r
uer iches.Soi twasl atert heHol ySpi ri
t
begant or evealtomet hatwhathappenedt omei st heful f
il
lmentofwhatJesussai d
i
nt hebookofLukeChapt erSi xteen( 16) .Thati fyouar enotf ait
hfuli ntheunr i
ght eous
mammon, whowi l
lcommi tthetruer ichesunt oy ouhand( Luke16: 11) .Thati swhyIdo
sayt her ewar doft it
hi nggoesbey ondf i
nanci alopenheav enofMal achit hreet hatwe
areusedt o.I
tisal owmi ndsetofunder standingofwhatt hekingdom hav ef orust hat
l
eadst ot hat.Sot i
the,andt akey ourmi ndoutoft hosenat uralblessingsandj ustkeep
onseeki ngf i
rsttheki ngdom ofGod( Mat t6: 33).Soheav eni swat chingy ourof fer i
ng.
JustasJesussati nt het empl ewat chi ngt heof f
er i
ngofev eryone, soal soHei sdoi ngit
i
nt hespi r i
ttoday( Mar k12:41-44);becauseof f
er i
ngasar olet oplayi nadv ancingt he
kingdom ofGod.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesTwent
yThr
ee)

Oneoft het hingsIhav eobser v edint hebodyofChr istisi nabi l

i
tyt ostrike
balancei nt hecour seoft eachingi nt heNew Test amentway .Ther eisonet hingt o
under stand the cov enantoft he New Test ament ,whi l
et herei s anot hert hing to
under standallthatthecur ricul
um ent ail
s.Andunder st
andi ngofal lt hatthecur ri
culum
ofwhatt heNewTest amentent ail
swi llhelpy out ounder st
andt hebal ancingoft heNew
Testamentt eaching.Manyhav et hrownawayt hisdimensi onoft eachi ngt hatcoul d
havehel pedt hem inonewayort heot her
,justbecauset heydonotbel i
evei nsuch
dimensi on.Youseesomesay i
ngt heydon' tbeliev einmount ainoff iremi ni
stry(MFM) ,
j
ustbecauset heyhav ecaughtt heRev elati
onoft het eachingofgr ace.Yes, i
tispossible
tot hrow awayt hedel i
verancemi nistry,ify oucaughtt heRev elationofgr ace,but
remembert hatnotal lhavecomet ot hatdi mensi on,becausey oudi dnotcomet othat
under standi
ngi naday .So,oneoft heway st okeept hosewhodonotcat chsuch
revelation i
st ointroduce t hem t o anot herv ersi
on wher etheycan secur et heir
deliveranceandt hati swhyGodanoi nt edsomef ordeliverancemi nistry
.

Letusunder standt her eal

it
yoftheGospelaccor di
ngt otheNewTestament.I
haveobser ved sev
en subj ectsthatcontai
nt hecur r
icul
um oft heNew Testament
teachi
ngbaseonwhatmyr ev
elat
ionali
ntel
l
igentcancapturefornow.Mindyou,Iam
notsay i
ngt hatiti
stheonl yKingdom message, butIam sayi
ngthatwhenev
eryoufind
yoursel
ft eachingorlisteni
ngt oanymessage,mostoft hosemessagesusuallyl
ink
aroundthissev ensubjectsofthegospel.Whichare:

1. Thegospel
ofsal
vat
ion.

2.Thegospel
ofhol
i
nessandr
ight
eousness.

3. Thegospel
ofgr
ace.

4. Thegospel
ofpr
osper
it
y.

5. Thegospel
oft
heki
ngdom.

6. Thegospel
ofdel
i
ver
ance.

7. Thegospel
ofet
ernal
li
fe(
rapt
ure,
li
feaf
terdeat
he.
t.
c.)

Andt hereisnoneoft hesedimensi onst hatisi

rr
elev
anti nthebodyofChr ist.Andwe
aregoi ngtobedoingjusticetothem all,andhowt ostri
kebalanceinal
lthet eachi
ngs.
Becauseexal t
ingoneabov eotherisar oadt oent
ererrorinthebodyofChrist.Idosay,
thatwhatbr i
ngserroratti
mesi snotonl ywhenamessagei swr ongl
ypr
each, butwhen
adimensi onofmessagei sov erstr
etched.Agoodpr eacheristheonewi t
ht heabili
ty
tostrikebalanceinhi steaching.Asgoodandsweetgr acemessageis,i fyouover
st
ret
chi
t,youwi
llent
erher
esy.Thati
swhyy
ouseesomewi
tht
hei
rdeepknowl
edgeof
grace,theyar est
il
lfoundindif
ferentkindsofi mmor al
it
y.Eventheapostl
eofgr ace,
whichi sApostlePaulstr
ikebal
anceinhi steaching.ThesamePault hatdugdeepon
theRev el
ationoftheloveofGod,andt hegr aceofGodi nthebookofEphesi ansand
Romans,ent er
edCorint
hiansandt ol
dthem agai nt hatnoforni
cat
or,nei
therliarwill
enterthekingdom ofGod.

Now,wasPaulcont radict i
nghimsel f?No,butt hespi ri
tofspi ri
tualbalancingdi d
notal lowhimt oov erstret
chadi mensionandl eaveanot herdimensi onunt ouched.Can
youseewhyGodr aiseddi fferentkindsofmenofGodwi t
hdi f
ferentcal li
ngand
revelat i
onjusttoensur ethatt heycapt urethewhol egospeloft heki ngdom.Wi thall
humi li
tyt ot hebodyofChr i
st,no denomi nationhasi tall
.Si t
tingdownwi thy our
denomi nati
onalmessageal onei stobedoi ngy oursel
fagr eathar m.Thatcanl eady ou
tospi rit
ualkwashiorkorYoucannotenj oyt hef ull
nessofGodi nthatdi mensionandany
areay ouar espir
it
ual l
yignorantcanbet heopendoorf orthedev i
ltodoy ougr eathar m.
Ther ear edimensionsofmessagey ouneedt ol i
steni
ngt oinor dert ounder standy our
positioni nGod,andy ouat tai
nedy ourr i
ghteousnessbyf ait
h,buti fy ousi twi ththat
alone, youcanendupf orni
cat i
ngandst i
llbeclaimi ngyouar ether ighteousnessofGod.
Buty ouneedamessagel iket hemessageofHol i
nessf rom DaddyKumuy i,wher ey ou
willhav etheknowledgeofpr actical
holinessandr i
ghteousnessal so.

NewTest amentv ersionoft hebi blei scompl eteandbal ance.ifyousi tdownwi th

deeperlifemessageal one, wi thoutt hef ullunder standingoft hemessageofgr ace, y
our
holi
nesswi lll
eadt olegal i
stichol inesswhi chi snott hemessageofnew t est ament .
Yourhol inessmayendupl i
ket heoneofPhar iseeswhi chist heout wardhol iness,but
ful
loff ilthywithin( Mat thew 23) .Yourhol inesscanl eadt ospi ri
tualpr i
de,t hinking
holi
nesscanbeat tai
nedbysel fdet ermi nat i
onandy oumayendupi nf rustration.
Because Imustconf ess t oy ou,t he j oyand honeyoft he Gospeli si nt he f ul
l
understandingoft hegr acemessage.Knowi ngdi mensi onsoft heGospeli sanoi ntingt o
bri
ngt hej oyoft heLor d,asi deoft hegr acemessage.Thati swhyy ouseet hosewi th
theunder st
andingofgr aceal way sf ullofj oy,whi l
et hoset hatunder standhol iness
withoutgr acewi llalway sl ookunhappy ,sadandangr y .Soy oucan' texperiencej oyof
salvat
ioni fyoudon' tunder st andgr acemessage.Butt hati snotal laboutt hemessage
oftheki ngdom.Soal lthesebal ancingar eneededi nt hebodyofChr ist
.Att imesal so
yourf ullknowl edge ofgr ace message wi th practicalknowl edge ofhol i
ness and
ri
ghteousnesscanmakey out odespi sedel iverancemi nistry.Letmesayt his,t he
Kingdom ofdar knessi sr eal andt heiract ivi
tiesar ereal upont hef aceoftheEar t
handi n
thel i
feofman.Despi tet hef actt hatt her ear edi mensi onsofknowl edgey ouwi l
l
possesst hatwi l
lgi vey ouv ictoryov ert hepoweroft hedev ilasIsai dear lier;But
remembert hatnotev erybodycanhav et hatknowl edgei noneday ,youyour selfdi dnot
havet hatknowledgeinaday .Sodon' tforceyourspi
rit
ualknowledgeonpeopl e.There
arepeopl ethattheyar enotblessedwi t
hhighspirit
ualint
ell
igencelikesomeofus.
Therei snothi
ngy oucant eacht hem aboutknowingt hei
rri
ghtwi t
hGodt hattheywill
understand.Whatconcer nsourmummi esint hevil
lagewitht heknowledgeoft he
fi
nishedwor kofChr i
st,whent hereisonepr ophetintownconduct i
ngMor ni
ngPr ay
er
ongener ati
onalcurses.So,thereisway sGoduset omeett hespiri
tualneedoft hose
setwhi chisdel
iver
ancemi ni
stry.

Per sonal ly,from wher e Igett oi nf ait

h now,i fy ou linkmychal l
enges to
gener ationpr oblem asapr ophet ,iwi l
ljustbel ooki
ngaty oubecauseIhav epassed
thosel ev els.Butt hatdoesnotmeangener ational bat
tlesar enotr eal, becauset hereare
peopl et hathav enotgr ownt oast ageofusi ngt heweaponofknowl edget of i
ghtthe
dev il
.Theonl yweaponi ntr
oducedt othem ist heweaponoff astingandpr ayer,goingto
vigilandmov ingf rom onemount aintoanother .Becauset hei rfait
hhav ebeenat t
ached
tosuchdi mensi ons,andGodcanbyhi sMer cyov er
lookt heirignor ance,becausei tis
nott heirf aulttor emai ninsuchl evel.SoGodhaspl acedapast ort omeett heirneedsin
thatl evel.Gett his,toev erylevely ougett o,t herear emenofGODav ail
abl etomeet
yourneedi nt hatr ealm.Nomat t
ery ourlow l evelofspi ri
tualI ntelli
gent ,thereare
past orsanoi ntedf orsuchpeopl e.Youhav ehear dmesay ing,Goddi dnotcal lmet o
babyChr i
st i
ans,andt hatisthef actinther ealm oft hespi ri
t,becauset herear esome
thingsIshar et hatcanmaket hebabyt obacksl ideifhedoesnotf ullyunder standmy
message.Thati swhymanypeopl ethi
nkt heyar epreachingher esy ,theyar enot ,i
tis
eithertheyar et eachingthedi mensi onsy oudon' tunder standort heyar et eachingthe
dimensi onst hatl ookchildi
sht oy ou.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Twent
yFi
ve)

Int he l
astser ieswe di scussed t he ef fi
cacyoft he message ofgospelof
salv
ationt othebodyofChr i
st.Andaf tert hi
st hefirsthungert hatusual lydevel
opi n
everynewconv erti
sthehungerf orrighteousnessandhol iness.I fanewconv er
tbegins
todev el
opt hehungerf orpowerandanoi nt i
ngaf t
ersal vation,imustconf esssucha
goodt eachinghasbeeni ntr
oducedt ohi m att hewr ongt ime.Ev enpr osperi
tymessage
i
snotwhati snextaf t
ersalvati
on, becausehowcansomeonewhohasnoty etmastered
ri
ghteousnesshandl eunr i
ghteousmammonandwi llnotfall.Thati swhyaf tersalv
ation
thenextt eachingi stheteachingofhol i
nessandr ighteousness.Soev er
ybabymust
betaughtt horoughlytheimpor t
anceofpr acticalholinessandr i
ght eousness,unti
lthey
gettoast atewher etheyhav etrainedt hemsel v estodi st
ingui shbet weengoodandev i
l
.
Becauset heev idenceofbabyi st hattheyar enoty etacquai ntedwi t
ht heteachi
ngof
ri
ghteousness.Thati swhyt hebookofHebr ews5: 13-14st atedt hat:

13NI
V:Anyonewholiv
esonmi l
k,bei
ngst
il
lani
nfant
,isnotacquai
ntedwi
tht
he
t
eachi
ngaboutr
ighteousness.

14NI
V:Butsol
idf
oodisforthemature,whobyconst
antusehav
etr
ained
t
hemsel
vest
odi
sti
ngui
shgoodf
rom evi
l.

Cany ouseet hatt hepur poseofhol i

nessandr i
ght eousnessi st ogett hem t oast age
wher ebyt hey( NewConv erts)canmakeuseoft heirsenseswi thoutbei ngt aughtagai n
to discerngoodf rom ev il? So ifally ousi tdownwi thi sal labouthol inessand
ri
ghteousness, Iwanty out oknowt haty ouarest i
llababyChr isti
an.Tomanyt heythink
holi
nessmessagei sf ort hemat ur
e,Imustconf esst oy ou,isf ort hebabyChr i
sti
ans.
Youdon' tneedt ot ellmat urepeoplet odot her i
ghtt hing.Thati swhyt hebi blesay s
"soli
df oodbel ongt ot hemat urewhohast rainedt hemsel vest odist i
nguishgoodf rom
evil( Heb 5: 14).Mi nd y ou,no onet rainthem ( mat ure).Thebi blesay st heyt rain
themsel ves; butf ort hebabi esyoumustst i
l
ltrainthem sot hatt heycanbeski l
lfuli
nt he
wordandactofr ight eousness.I tiswhent heyhav egot t
ent ot hi
sf ullunderstandingof
Holiness and r ight eousness t hatGod wi llnow begi nt oi nt r
oduce t hem t o grace
message.You can handl e grace message successf ull
y,unt i
ly ou hav e gained
knowl edgeofgoodandev il
.Butmanyst opatpr acti
calhol i
nessandr ighteousness
thi
nkingt hati st heendoft hemessage,butt heyendupi nf r
ust r
ation;BecauseHav ing
theknowl edgeofpr acticalr i
ghteousnessandhol inessi snott hepowert olivethel i
fe
ofhol i
nessandr ight eousnessTher ei sdifferentbet weenhav i
ngt heknowl edgeof
holi
nessandr ight eousness,andl ivi
ngt hetruel ifeofhol i
nessandr ighteousness.I
mustconf esst oy out her ear emanywhocl aimt ohav eknowl edgeofhol i
nessand
ri
ghteousness,pr eacht hemessageofhol i
nessandr i
ght eousness,butt heyl i
v eaf ake
l
ifeofhol i
nessandr ight eousness.Unt i
lyoumov ecl osert ot hem t hatiswheny ouwi l
l
begintoseedi f
fer
entkindsofcar nalli
femani f
esti
nginrel
igiousformint hei
rli
ves.Why ?
Becauset hereisadimensi onofr ighteousnessandhol i
nesst hatitisonl yt
hegr ace
messaget hatcanintr
oducey outoit.ThemessageofHol i
nessandr i
ghteousnessonl y
i
nt r
oducey outoactofrighteousness,butnotthenatureofr i
ghteousness.Andbecause
youar enotintr
oducedtot henatureofr i
ghteousnessthatcanonl ybeatt ai
nedbyf ai
th,
youwi l
lbegintouset heol dnaturetopr act
icetheli
feoft henewnat ure( Matt9:17)
.I
discussedinoneofmypastser i
est hatwehav etwodi mensionsofsi n:whichi sthe
natureofsin,andtheactofsi n.

Atsal vat i
on, andpr obabl yaf tersal vati
ony ouwi l
lbesomuchawar eoft heactof
sin,butl ackt heknowl edgeoft henat ureofsi n.Becauset hegospelt hatusual l
y
producest heknowl edgeoft hisactofsi ni sthegospelofhol i
nessandr ighteousness.
Andi fyoucanl ookar oundcr iti
cally,y ouwi l
ldiscov erthatt her ear egener alov erseer s
whom Godhasr aisedmi ght i
lyt ochampi ont hismov ement .Becausei ti sadi mensi on
oft het eachi ngoft henew t estamentt hatwer eal l
yneed.Thebi blesay sletourl i
ght
shi nebef oremen( Mat t5: 16) .Butabi l
itytot rulymani festt hel if
eandl i
ghti snot
hiddeni nt hemessageofhol inessandr ighteousness,i tishi ddeni nt hemessageof
Gr ace.Thati swhyy ouwi l
ldi scov ert hatwheny ouf i
rstgotBor nagai n,y ouwi llf i
nd
your selftryingt oki llsinbyy our self,andt hemor ey out r
ying, themor et hoseact sofsi n
produceanot hersi n.Sowheny oubegi nt oexper iencet his,iti sadr awi ngt ot he
knowl edgeofgr ace.Thati show Goddoesnotusual lycal lhisownchi ldrent ot he
knowl edgeofgr ace,butHef i
rstopenst heireyest otheactofsi n.Youwi llseet hem
falli
ngandr isingondai lybasi sint hecour seoft r
yingt oov ercomesi n.Thei rbushof
l
ustwi llbebur ning,y etthel eav esoft heirsalv ati
onwi llnotconsume.Nor mal lysi n
shoul dconsumet hel eavesoft heirsal vat i
on,butatt hisst aget hemor et heyf allt he
mor etheymov ecl osert oGodf orhel p.* Theyt ryi
ngf astingandpr ayerjustt oov er come
theactofsi n, buti nt hecour seoft hi s,Godbegi nst ointroducet hem t ogr ace.SoGr ace
will f
ir
stt aket heirey esawayf rom t heactofsi nandopent hei reyest ot henat ureofsi n.
Lawshowsy out heact ,butgr aceshowy outhenat ure.Thati swhyt heBi blesay st he
gracet hatbr inget hsal vationhasappear edt oallmen t eachi ngust odenyungodl iness
(Titus2: 11-12) .Mi ndy ou, not" tell
ing"ust odenyungodl iness, but"teachi ng"ust odeny
ungodl iness.Atsal vat i
ony ouar et oldt odenyungodl iness,butl aterasy ouwi llbe
growi ng,t heHol ySpi ri
twi llbegi nt oi ntroducey out oagencyt hatt eachesy out odeny
ungodl iness.Lawt ellsy ouwhatt odo,whi l
egr acet eachesy ouhowt oachi evei t.You
knowhol i
nessandr ighteousnessbyl aw,buty ouwi l
lliv
et hel i
febygr ace.Soi fy ousi t
downwi tht het eachi ngofhol i
nessandr i
ghteousnessal oney oumaybef rust rated.
Thati swhyi fy oul ookatt hosewhocl ai
mt heybel ongt ohol inesst eachi ngchur ch, you
willdiscov ert hatmaj ori
tyoft hem l ackhumanr elati
onshi p.Theyl ackMer cy,whi l
et heir
hol i
nesswasnotmi xedwi thgr ace.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndNewTest
ament
(Ser
iesTwent
ySi
x)

Wehav ebeent
alki
ngaboutthedimensionsofgospelt
hatcontai
nthecur
ri
cul
um inthe
schooloft
hespi
rit
.Wehavet al
kedaboutthegospelofsal
vati
on;wehavetal
kedabout
thegospel
ofHoli
nessandri
ghteousness.

Now, letusdi gdeepont hegospelofgr ace.Wet alkedaboutt wodi mensi onsof

sinwhi char et henat ur eofsi n, andactofsi n.Andt hegospelofsal v ationmakesy out o
beawakent osi n, whi let hegospelofhol inessandr ight eousnesshel psy out obeawar e
anddeal twi tht heactofsi n,thent hegospelofgr acehel psy out obeawar eanddeal t
witht henat ur eofsi n.Cany ouseet hemy steryofhow t heset eachi ngsar ebei ng
arrangedaccor di ngt ot hecur riculum oft heschooloft hespi r
itt hatmanydonot
under stand?Nodi mensi onoft eachi ngmustbeby passed.Cany ouseewher esome
gracepr eacher smademi st
ake,i nt hecour seofpr ov idingsol utiontot henat ureofsi n.
Theynegl ectt heactofsi n,youseet hem say i
ng' talkingaboutsi ni
sl aw' .Andt hi sleads
manyt ol awlessness.Pr eachi ngonsi ni snotat eachi ngofl aw.Lawi swhenr ulesand
regul ationsar egi v enassol utiont osi n.Rul esandr egul ati
onsar eonl ypr event i
onst o
sinandnotcur e.Andi nt her eal m oft hespi r i
t,pr ev ent i
oni snotbet tert hancur e,
prev ent ionisonl yneededaf tercur e.Cany ouseewhyy oucannotbehol yindeedi ft he
gracemessagedoesnotpr ov idecur et oy oursi npr obl em.Youwi llonl ybeout war dl y
holy, buti nsecr ety ouknowhowwr etchedy ouar e.Youwi l
lbef r
eef rom f ornicat ion, but
sti
llmast urbat ing,becauset hehol inessmessagegi vesy ouunder st andingnott ogo
afterwoman, butawomancomest oy ourimagi nat ionandl awcannothel poutt heny ou
fal
li nt omast ur bat ion.Pr event ioni si nt het eachingofr ighteousnessandhol iness,but
curei si nt het eachi ngofgr ace.pr eventioncamet hr oughMoses,whi l
ecur ecame
throughJesus.Thebi blesay sl aw camet hroughMoses,whi legraceandt rut hcame
throughJesus( John1: 17) .Thebi bledoesnotsayy oushal lknowt hel awandt hel aw
willsety ouf ree,l awcannotsety ouf ree.I tisthet rut ht hatset syouf ree( John8: 32) .
Sonot hingint heol dt est amentcansety ouf r
ee, becauset ruthcamebyJesus.Andt he
messageofgr acei st het r
ut h.Show meanymant hatby passedandnegl ect edt he
teachi ngofgr ace,Iwi l
lshow y ouamanwhohasnotov er comet henat ureofsi n.
Becauset osome, gracemessagel eadspeopl et osi n, sot heyt hrowawayt hewat erand
thebaby .Mi ndy ou, i
tt akeswi sdom t ocommuni categr acemessaget ot hebabi es.For
i
nst ance, thesubst anceusedf ordoi ngPapwhi chi sf oodf orbabyi sast rongf ood, but
afteri tisgr ounded,si ev ed,itbecomessof tfoodbef or esuchf oodcanbegi vent ot he
baby .Samet ogr acemessage, itmustbesi evedandgr oundedbef or eitcanbepassed
tothebabyChr i
st iansl est ,t
hef oodofgr acecandot hem har m.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndNewTest
ament(
Twent
ySev
en)

Nowl etusbegi nt odi gdeepont heef f

icacyoft hegospelofgr acet ot hebodyof
Chr ist.I ti st her evelationoft hegr acemessaget hatopensy ourunder st
andi ngt ot he
fi
nishedwor kofChr ist.Wheny ouseeaChr ist
ianwhohasnotent er edhi sr est,itisa
signt hatadi mensi onofr evelati
onoft hegr aceofGodhasnotappear edt ohi m.The
mor er ev elat i
onofgr ace,t hemor ey ouceasef rom spi rit
ualst ruggl eov erspi ritual
things.Asgoodasf astingi s,butImustconf essi fwemeasur emanyNi ger i
ans
fast i
ngt odaywi t
hspi r
itualt hermomet er, youwi lldi scov ert hatmanyoft hei rf astingi s
asar esul tofl ackofr evelat i
onoft hegr acemessage,becausemanyofwhatwear e
fast i
ngaboutar et hingst hathadbeenset tl
edont hecr oss.Buti nabi li
tyofmanyt o
cat cht her ev el
ationofgr acemakest hem t obepay ingt hepr icet ogetwhatChr i
sthas
paidt hepr icef or( Gal3: 13-14).Imagi nesomeonepai df oracl othesf ory ouandt old
thecl ot hessel lerthatwhenev ery oucomei nhisnamey oushoul dbegi v enacl othes
freeofchar ge,buti nabilitytoknow canl eady out opayt hepr icet ogett hesame
clothest hatsomeonehaspai df ory ou.Show meamanwhoi smov ingf rom one
mount aint oanot herseeki ngf orVictor yov ergener at i
onalbat t
le,Iwi llshowy ouaman
whohasnotencount eredt her evelationofwhatChr isthasachi ev edf orhi m.Rev elat i
on
ofgr acemakesy out oknowwhom y ouar eandy ourposi tioni nChr ist.Itmakesy out o
knowy ouri dent i
tyandt hepoweratwor ki ny ou.I tmakesy out oknowwhom Godi s,
whatHehasdonef ory ou.I talsomakesy out oknowwhom dev ilis,t hathedev i
lhad
beendef eat ed.Manydonotknowt his,t heyar est illseei ngdef eateddev ilint heirl i
v es
asapower fuldev i
l
.Nott hatDev ildoesnothav epower ,buthehasnoaut hor i
tyt ouse
thepowerov erthoset hatknow t heirr ight.Andt hati sasgoodashehasnopower ,
becausewhati st hegoodoft hepowersomeonehas, buthav enotr i
ghtt ousei tony ou.

Permitmet osayt histhatt heef f

ectofi gnor anceoft her evel
ationoft hegrace
ofGodi sasdanger ousast heef fectofmanysi n.Becausei gnor ancei sal i
censeoft he
dev i
lt ooperateov eradi mensi oni ny ourlife.Lackofr ev
el ati
onofgr acei st obein
darkness,andbehol dingt ouch( Thebookoft hel aw).Andt hatist hejoyoft hegodof
thiswor l
dt hathemaybl i
ndf oldtheey esofmanyf orthem nott oseet hegl ory( 2Cori
n
4:4).Lackoft heknowl edgeofgr acei sasgoodasl acki ngt heknowl edgeoft he
foundat i
onoft heNew Test amentdoct ri
ne.Thef oundationalmessageoft heNew
Test amenti sbasedont heunder st andingofgr ace,ev eryotherdoct r
inei slikeabl ock,
andmat eri
alforbuilding.Foundat ionalmessagei sdi f
ferentf rom element arymessage.
Element arymessagei slikeclearingt hebush,packi ngthesandt ogethert oshowt hata
buildingisaboutt otakepl aceint hispl ace.Thati swhynomat t
ery oury earsi nfait
h,if
youhav enotencount eredgr acey ouar est i
llababychr isti
anasCor i
nt hianschur ch(1
Cor i
n3) ;Ohf ooli
shChr i
st i
anasGal ati
anschur ch( Gal3) .Wheny oulackt her evel
ati
on
ofgr ace,thewor dbecomest hel ampunt oy ourf eet(Psa119: 105),becausey ouare
alr
eadyi ndar kness.Butwheny oucaughtt heRev elat i
onofgr acey ouent erintoday .
Thewor di snol ongeral amp, butasunt hatshi netht hatdar knesscannotcompr ehend
(John1: 5) .Youdon' tneedl ampi ntheday ,l
ampi sonl yneededi nt heni ght.Theear t
hi s
l
ikeadar knesst oDav i
dwhenhewr ot ethatbi blev ersewhi chwast rue,becauset he
l
ightoft hewor ldhadnotcomet hen.Byl awy ouwal ki ndar kness, whilebyknowl edge
youwal ki nt heday ,becauseknowl edgei sl i
ght .Whatt heWor dsay si st hel aw,but
whatt heWor dmeansi st hel i
ght .Byhear i
ngy ouknow whatt heWor dsay s,whi leby
under standi ngy ouknowwhatt hewor dmeans.Becausewhatt heWor dsay satt imes
maybedi ffer entf rom whathemeans,buti nabi l
ityt ounder standt hismakesy out obe
undert hel aw, becauset hehi ghestt hingthel awshowsy ouaboutt heWor dofGodi st o
obey.Butt hewor dismor et hant hat,thewor dist obeeat ing.Underl awt hewor di sa
ropet hatbi nds,whi leundergr acet hewor di saf ood.Thewor di sal amp,becausei t
hadnoty etdev elopedcapabi lityto swal low dar kness.Ther ev el
ationhadnoty et
compl eted.So Ij ustnoddedmyheadwhenIseesomeonespeaki ngagai nstt he
teachingofgr ace.Theopposi t
eofgr acei swor k.Wear ecr eatedt oent erourr est .Our
spiri
tualr esti scer t
ain.Wedon' tdoany thingt ogetany thingi nt heNew Test ament ,
becausewhatwear eenjoy ingiscal l
edi nherit
ance.I fy oudon' tunder standt hi syoumay
sti
llbet hinki ngy ouneedt ofastmor et ogetmor epower , tot it
hemor et ogetbl essi ng;
Itistheunder standingofgr acet hatmakessomeofust obegi nt ocor r
ectt hewr ong
teachingont i
t hi
ng.Tot heFat her soff ai
th,itlooksasi fwear er ebelling,butweonl y
encount eredhi gherlightonourwayt oDamascus( Act s9) .Imustconf essi fy oudeepl y
under standgr acet osomeext ent ,youmaynott i
theagai n,notbecausegr acet eaches
nottot i
the,buti tisagai nstt het eachi ngwewer ebr oughtupwi t hwhi chi sopposi tet o
whatt heHol ySpi ri
tist eachi ngusaboutgr aceandt ithing,andhow t ot i
thei ngr ace,
whichi st i
thi ngbecausey ouhav ebeenbl essed.

Ti
thi
ngbecauset
hewi
ndowsofheav
enhav
ebeenopened.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesTwent
yEi
ght
)

Now,l etust alkaboutanot hergospelwhi chi st hegospelofdel iverance.Ihav e

obser vedt hatt her ear eal way scl ashesbet weenpeopl ewi thdel iverancemi nistr
yand
thosewhohav ecaughtt her ev elationofgr ace.Thi scanhappent oany one, becauseon
anor malgr oundt her ear el evel sy ougett oi nf aithwher ey ouwi l
lknow t hatwar fare
pray erisnott hehi ghestkeyt ogetdel iverancei nt her ealm oft hespi r
it
.Ther esul ts
from knowl edgei smor eper manentt hant her esul tf rom pr ay eronwar faremat ter s.
Pr ayercancastdemonsout ,butwhent hel ifei sempt yofknowl edge,i tmaycome
backagai n.Butknowl edger ender st hepowerofdev ilimpot ent .Sot hisdi mensi onof
under standi ng usual lyl eads t o mi sunder st andi ng bet ween gr ace pr eacher s and
del i
verance pr eacher s.Mi nd y ou,God or dai ned t hese t wo mi ni stries f ordi ffer ent
assignment s.Thequest ioni swhydoesdev i
lat tacksomebel iev ersdespi tet hef act
thatt heyar ehol y?Mi ndy ou,t her ear er eal msy ougett oi nf aithwher ey ouset t
let he
dev i
l,thaty ounol ongerhav ei ssuewi thhi m agai n,becausehi sassi gnmentov ery our
l
ifei sundery ourf eetbasedony ourunder standi ngaboutwhatChr i
sthasachi evedf or
you.Per sonal l
y,wher eIhav egot tent oinf ai t
h,i fanynegat ivet hi nghappenst ome,I
don' ttagitt othedev il,youcan' tfinddev ilint hepi ctur eofmyl i
feagai n,nott hatIdon' t
exper i
encenegat i
vet hings,Iexper ienceal otbecausemanyar et heaf fl
ict i
onsoft he
ri
ght eous, butIhav egot t
ent oast agewher ebyt heact orsi nt hescr i
ptofmyl ifeisonl y
meandGodandt hehostofheav en.Ther eal m Iam oper ati
ngi sf arabov epr incipalities
becausei t'
st her ealm wher eChr isti ssi tedandsamet oy oui fyoubel ieve.Soi t'sei ther
whatIam passi ngt hr oughi sasar esul tofmydi sobedi ence, ignor anceorbecauseGod
wasusi ngt hosechal l
engest opr epar emef ormyassi gnment .Soi fIr eceiv eanyat tack,
Idon' tlookatt hedev ilthatshott heat tack,becauset her eisnot hi ngIcandot ost op
himf r
om shoot i
nghi sar row,butt her ear emanyt hingsIcandot opr ev enthi sar row
from ent eringi ntome, whi chi st oputont hewhol ear mourofGod( Eph6: 11) .SoIl ook
athowcomet heat tackwasabl et openet rat e,wher edi dIdr opt heamourofGodwhen
thedev i
lstroke.Becauset hebi blesay sify ourwaypl easest heLor d,hewi llmakey our
enemi est obeatpeacewi thy ou( Pr ov16: 7) .Mi ndy ou, noti fy ourl ifepl easesGod, buti f
yourwaypl easesGod.Ther ei sdi ffer encebet weeny ourl ifepl easi ngGodandy ourway
pleasingGod.Thi si sacr iticalmat terher e, itispossi bl ef ory ourl ifet opl easeGodand
yourwaydoesnotpl easeGod.Youcanbel i
v ingr i
ght eousl yt oy ourbestknowl edge,
youcanhat esi n,butcomi ngt ot hewi l
lofGodf ory ourl i
fe,y oumaybemi ssingi t.For
yourwayt opl easeGodmeanst obel i
vingaccor dingt oGod' swi ll
.Doi ngapast or 's
wor kisagoodwor k, butdoy ouknowt hati tmaynotbet hewi llofGodf ory ou.Youmay
notbef ornicating,l ying,y oumaybedecentandgodl y ,butcomi ngt ochoi ceofcar eer ,
Godmaybeaski ngy out ost udyphy sicseducat i
on, buty ougoonandputi nf orlaw.

Att
hisst
age,y
ourl
i
femaybepl
easi
ngGod,buty
ourwaymaynot
.Bl
oodof
Jesusmaycovermanythi
ngspert
aini
ngtowr ongl
if
e,butcomi
ngt
owr
ongwayt
he
sol
uti
oni
storepentandgobackt
othewil
llessyoupayfori
t.

Thesi nofmi ssingt hewayorwi llofGodi s" Transgr essions"whi l

et hesi nofl ivi
nga
wrongl ifeis" Iniqui t
y."Li vi
ngawr ongl i
feisdi ffer entf rom goi ngi nawr ongway .And
thisist hear eawher emanysi ncerebel i
ever smi ssedi tinl ife.Hopet hisi snott he
reasonf ory ourf rustrati
on;hopet hisisnott her easonwhyy oucan' tfindj oyi ny our
mar ri
ageagai n?Youhav egonet odi f
ferentpr ophet sonmar it
alpeace,butcany ou
rememberwher ey oumi ssedt hemar k? Tr uly,t hatsi steri sgodl y,shehasagood
character,butshemaynotbemeantf ory ou.GODmaybepr epar i
ngherf oranot her
person,butbecause y ou ar et he pr ayercoor di nat orofy ourf ell
owshi py ou t ake
advantageoft heaut hor i
tyi ny ourposi ti
ont opr oposet oher .Now,dev ilst rikes.You
cannotmi sst her i
ghtt rackanddev ilwi l
lnotst rike.Thati swhymanydonothav e
peacei nl ifeasabel iev er,becausemi ssingt hemar ki sgi v i
ngdev i
lthel icenset o
begint owagewarandst ealy ourj oy.Yourenemycannotbeatpeacewi thy oui fy our
waydoesnotpl easeGod.Andt hi siswher edel iv eranceandwar farepr ay ermi ni str
y
comesi nt ohel pthoset hatt heirlivesar epl easi ngGodbutt heyhav emi ssedt heway .
Becauset heyar et hosewi tht heanoi nti
ngt ohel pt of i
ghtt hosewhohav emi ssedt he
mar k.Andal sot hosewhoar ei nther ightpat h, butar eignor antoft hef i
nishedwor ksof
Christandt hegr aceofr evelation,andal sot hebabi es.Thr eemaj oradv ant agesoft he
deliver
ancemi nistyar e:t ohel pt hosewhom dev ilat tacks,becauset heymi ssedt he
mar k;secondl yt ohel pt hosewhoar eignor antoft her ev elationofwhatChr i
sthas
donef ort hem;andt hirdlyt hosewhoar ebabychr isti
ans.I fy oupasst heset hree
stagesandy ouar estil
lexper ienci ngnegat ivei nl ife, pleacedon' tlookatt hedev il
,focus
onGod,Ibety ouitisnotdev ilthati satwor k,ev er ythingisgoi ngt owor kt oget herf or
good( Rom 8: 28) .Sowecannotr uleoutt heef fi
cacyofdel iverancemi ni
st r
yi nt hebody
ofChr i
st,becauseofany onet hatf all
swi thint hosecat egor i
esment i
onedabov e.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesTwent
yNi
ne)

Ther eisadi mensi onthatGodi staki ngChr isti

anitytowhi chi st
hedi mensionof
thekindoff aithofAbr aham.Theki ndofr elationshipHewant st oestabli
shwi thusis
nott heki nd ofMosesand God r el
ati
onshi p,i tisnott heki nd ofEl i
jahand God
rel
ationship,itisthekindoft her el
ati
onshipbet weenGodandAbr aham.Thati swhyt i
ll
todayt hekingdom st il
lr ef
erhimt obet hef atheroff ait
h.Chr i
stist heaut horoffai
th,
butAbr aham i sthefat heroff ait
h,whichwecanst il
llookati tt olearnt hekindof
rel
ationshipGodi stry i
ngt oest abli
shbet weenusandHi m.Ev ent her el
ati
onshi
p
betweenAbr aham andGodi sst il
llow tot heki ndofr elati
onshipGodi stry
ingto
establi
shbet weenusandHi m,buti nallthehi st
or yoft hedeal i
ngofGodwi thman,
Abraham' srel at
ionshi
pi stheclosesttotheki ndofr el
ati
onshi pHewant s.

Now,l etusst udyt hisrelati

onshipt ounder standwher eiam drivingt o.Doy ou
discov erthati nalltherelationshipbet weenAbr aham andGod,Sat anwasnoti nt he
picture?Doest hatmeanSat andoesnotexi st?No, HedoesbutAbr aham' skindoff ait
h
doesnotal l
ow himt obei nt hepicture.ShouldIt ellyout hefact?Thechur chi sst i
ll
gettingt othisstage.Gett hi
sf act,oneoft hemostpai nfulandfearf
ult hingt oDev ili
s
notwheny ougat herinv i
giltofighthim, isnotwheny ouor gani
seacr usadeandi nvit
e
apower fulmanofGodwi ththet hemeoft hepr ogram " Breaki
ngtheSt ronghol doft he
Enemy ."Butwhatpai nshi m mosti swhenhi snamei snotment i
onedi nanyi ssueof
thislif
e.Hel ovestobepopul ar,heloveshi snamet obement i
onedwhenev i
lseemst o
bemani f
esting.ButIpr ayGodwi l
ltaket hechur cht ot hiskindoffaith,wher eweno
l
ongert agdev i
lonanymat terper t
ainingtot hechi ldrenofGod.Mi ndy ou,Abr aham
mademi stakey etdevilwasnotment ionedint hescene.I twasamat t
erbet weenhi m,
Sarah, Haggai andGod( Gen16) .

Secondl y,didy oualsodi scovert hatsi nwasnotment i

onedbet weenhim and
God? Hewasnotper f
ect,Icoul dcountmanysi nshecommi tted,butIhearGod
say i
ng,"
I'
v efoundnoi ni
quityinJacob. "(Num 23: 21) .ThenIaskwher edidthemi nistry
ofsinanddev ilcomei ntot
hebodyofChr i
st?Wher edi dwebegi nt his?Mi ndyou, Istil
l
preachsin,Ist il
lpreachdev i
l,butImustconf essIpr eachthoset hingsj ustbecauseof
thelevelofignor anceIam seei ngi nthebodyofChr i
st.JustasPaulsai dinHebr ew5
vs.11that:Wehav emucht osayaboutt his,buti ti shar dtomakei tcleartoy ou
becausey ounol ongertrytounder stand.Sowest i
llhav emanyoft hi skindofpeopl ein
thisgenerati
on,andImustconf esst heyar et heonesdr awingusback.Ther ear e
dimensionsofmessageIf eellikenott eachingagai ninor derforpeopl et oknow our
standthatwedon' tpreachsinnotbecausewear ecommi t
ingsin, butbecausewehav e
gottenamy steryint hespiri
tt hatt obesi l
entaboutsi nist hesecr etofr ender
ingsi n
power l
ess,butt ot al
kabouti tgivesi tmor est rengt h,manypast orsdonotknow t his.
Becausei twillbehar dtotellthisgener at i
ont hatt heki ndoft hescr iptGodhaswr it
ten
forust oacti nnewt estament ,dev i
landsi nhasnor oleinit,notbecausewear eper fect,
butbecauseGodhascr eat edasy stem cal ledt hebloodofJesust hatmakeshi m nott o
seeoursi nsagai n,Godi snoti nterestedi nr emember i
ngy oursi nsofy esterday .Si n
camet hroughl aw, whi l
el awcamet hroughMoses.Mi ndy ou, notthatsi nwasnoti nt he
wor l
dbef orel aw,buti twasnotcount edassi n,andbecausei twasnotr ecogni zed,he
hasnopowert ocont r
olmenaswheni twasr ecogni zedt hroughl aw.Thatwast hedeep
teachi ngPaulwast r
yingt ocommuni cate,t hatlookpeopl eofGod,i fy ouwantt o
over comesi n, l
earnnott obesi nconsci ous, andt heonl ywaynott obesi nconsci ousi s
nott obel awconsci ous, becauset heconsci ousnessofsi ni st heconsci ousnessofl aw,
andt heconsci ousnessofl awi st hepowerofsi ntof allyouandf ally ouagai n(Rom 7) .
Andt hisi st hedi mensi ont hatt eacher sofgr acecamet ocor r
ecti nt het eachi ngsof
teacher s ofhol i
ness.ButImustconf ess,t he church i s stillf arf r
om t his deep
under st andi ng.Soi nt hel aneoff aith,nosi n,nodev i
l,nott hatsi nanddev ildonot
exist,butt heyar enoti nt hepi ct ure.AndImustconf esst hebestwayt oov er come
theset wof or ces( dev i
landsi n)i st oer aset hem outofourmemor y .Thismaybet oo
diffi
cul ttounder stand,becausei t'
sagai nstt hedoct r
inewewer ebr oughtupwi th,butI
bety out hemor ey ouunder standgr acet hemor eyougett ot hislev el.Andt hatwi l
lgi ve
youv ictoryy ouar eseeki ngf ori ndel iverancemi nistry.Butf ort hosewhoar edul lin
under st andi ngandl ow i nspi ri
tuali ntelli
gence,t heyst i
llneeddel iverancemi nist ryt o
helpt hem, becauset ot hem t heirgl oryisi nthehandoft heenemy .Theyar estillseei ng
oldwomeni nt heirv i
ll
agesr esponsi blef ort hedel ayoft hei rsuccess.Theyst il
lsee
eatingi nt hedr eam asat t
ack,sot heymustshoutf ir
esev ent imesandbegi nshout
'
ev eryar r
ow at tackingmedi edie,di e,di e.
'Butasy ougr ow i nther evelationofgr ace,
youwi llbegi nt oseedi fferentl evelsofov ercomi ngthedev il
.

Thef ir
str evelationmaybet haty oucanf ightandconquerhi m,becausey ou
possesst hehigherpowert hanhi m.Later,you'l
lbegintoseethatiti
snoty ourdutyto
even bef i
ghti
ng hi m,t haty ou hav eangel sf i
ghti
ng foryou.Asy ou grow int he
knowl edgeofgr ace,y oubegi nt oseet haty oudon'tevenneedtowast ey ourtimeon
him, becausehei sadef eatedf oolalr
eady ,becausewher eyouareseatedisf arabove
principali
ties,andl atery ougett oast agewher ey oudon'tevenseehi mi nyour
picturesagai n.Andt hati swher eGodi st akingusto.Ast agewherewebegi ntosee
thatwhati shappeni ngt ousi snotdev i
l
.Ijustdon'tknowhowt oexplai
nt hi
sexact l
ythe
wayiam seei ngi tint her ealm oft hespi r
it
,becausei ti
stoohardt oexplain.90%of
whatchur chisstilldoingi sst i
l
lreli
gion.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesThi
rt
y)

Wehavebeendealingwit
htheteachi
ngt hatcont
ainsthecurr
icul
um ofNewTestament
asthespi
ri
tisgiv
ingutt
erance Wehav edealtwit
ht hefactofthegospelofsal
vat
ion;
wehavedealtwit
ht hegospelofhol
inessandr i
ghteousnesswhichnow ledustothe
doct
ri
neofgraceandtheteachi
ngofdeli
v er
ance.

Now,l etusmov etot henext ,whichi st hegospelofpr osper ityandt hegospel

oft heki ngdom.Gett hisf act,t hegospelofpr osper i
tyist heki ndofgospelt hat '
s
supposedt obeexposedaf teramanhasunder stoodt hegospel oftheki ngdom andnot
bef oret heknowl edgeoft hegospeloft heki ngdom.Becauset hegospeloft heki ngdom
i
st hedi mensi onofgospelt hatopensy ourunder standi ngtoy ourpur poseonEar th.The
gospelofgr aceopensy ourey est oy ouri dent ityandposi ti
oni nChr ist ,whilethegospel
oft heki ngdom opensy ourey est oknow y ourassi gnmentf orChr ist:knowi ngy our
posi ti
on i n Chr i
sti sdi fferentf r
om knowi ng y ourassi gnmentf orChr ist.Unt ily ou
under standy ourassi gnmentf orChr i
sty ouwi llnotknowt her easonwhyGodpr osper s
mani nt henewt estamentandt hel ackofsuchunder st andingcanmakey out obeusi ng
ther i
chesGodcommi tint oy ourhandsf orsel fishassi gnment si nst eadofki ngdom
assi gnment s.Becausey ouwi llt hinkt her easonwhyGodbl essedmani nt henew
testamenti sbecausehei sat ither ,no,iti sbecauseofki ngdom assi gnment .Justas
someofusr ecei vedwr i
ti
nganoi nti
ngbecausewear ecal ledi nt oteachi ngMi nist r
y,so
alsosomer eceivef inanci alanoi ntingbecauset heircal li
ngi sneededt of i
nancet he
kingdom assi gnment .Itiswheny out hinky ourbl essi ngisbecauseofy out haty ouwi l
l
bet hinki ngy oucanbeusi ngt i
thingt osecur eopenheav en.Unt ilwebegi nt oseemoney
asagi ftj ustast heot hergi ftsf ormi ni
stry ,wemaynotunder st andwhyGodbl essesa
manf i
nanci ally.Thati sthepur poseoft hemi nist r
yoft heki ngdom.I fy ouseet hisl i
fe
from ki ngdom per spect i
ve,y ouwi l
lunder standt her easonf ormanyt hingsi nt hisear th
andi ntheheav enlypl acesandal sot hepur poseofi t.Becausei tisonet hingt oknowa
thing,whi leiti sanot hert hingt ounder standt her easonorpur poseofat hingandi ti s
whenpur posei sknownt hatabusei sov ercome.Moneyi sbei ngabusedt odayj ust
becauset hechi ldrenoft heki ngdom whoar ef ortunat et obecal ledi nt of inanci al
mi nistr
yl ackt heknowl edgeofwhyGodbl essest hem.80per centoft her ichChr isti
ans
donotknowt hereasonwhyGodbl essedt hem.

Getthis,ifyouar ef ortunatet obeamongt herich,youar ejustl

ikear eservoir
,
thatisbetweent hebor ehol eandt hetap.Theboreholeisli
keheav enwheret reasures
arekeptsopeopl et hatneedswat erdonothav eaccesst ot hewat er
,butt heyhav e
accesst othestoraget ank.Thati showGodcr eat
edev eryoneofus.wear ecr eat
edt o
dependoneachot her.Fori nstance,ther
earedimensionsofr evelati
onyoucannotget
byy oursel
fev ent houghheav eni sinyourroom,Godwi llstil
lpointyout ohumbl e
yoursel
fundert hepr eaching,t eachingorwrit
eupofmenwhom Godhasbl essedwi th
revelationt ogett heknowl edgey ouneed.Samet of inance,t herear epeopl eGod
blessesdi rectly,justaswedon' tst ruggl et owr i
tesoal sot heydon' tstrugglet or eceive
fi
nanci alpr osper i
ty,why ?Thepur poseofi ti st obl essot hers.Sot hebor ehol esuppl y
wat ert ot hest orage,whi lethest or aget anksuppl ywat erf ormen.Themor et he
storaget ankr eleaseswat er,t hemor et heygetmor e. Themor et hest oraget ank
blessesl ifewi t
hwat erthemor ei tr ecei vesmor ewat erfrom t hebor ehol e.Ifitr efuses
tor el
ease,i twi llstopr ecei vi
ng,andt hewat erint hest oraget ankwi l
lbegi nt osmel l.
Thisi st heki ngdom wayofr ecei vi
ngbl essi ngf rom abov eandnott it
hing.Letal lther i
ch
meni nt hechur chl earnf rom t hi sst or aget anki nt heirhouses.I tisabi gmessaget o
l
ear nf rom.I fyouunder standt hispr inci ple,y oursour cecannotgetdr y.Nodev ourer
cant ouchy ou,nocl oseheav en,ev ent houghy oudon' tpayt ithe,becauset hi sist he
kingdom pr inci
pl eoff l
owi ngi nf inanci alpr osper i
tyf orthosewhoar ecal ledi nt oit.
Becausey ouhav etounder standt hatf inancialr ichesi sacal li
ng, justassomeofusar e
call
edi ntomi ni
st ry.Butwhent hegospeloft heki ngdom i snotwel ltaught ,youbegi nto
useki ngdom moneyf orsel fi
shr eason.Youbegi nt odi neandwi newi thmoneygi vent o
yout or aiset hechi ldrenoft heki ngdom.Youar eusi ngt heschoolf eesofmanyt hat
Godcommi tintoy ourhandst obyj eepof30mi l
li
on.I magi netheschoolf eesofpeopl e
i
ny ourchur chandcommuni t
yt hat30mi lli
onwi l
lpay .Cal culate,30mi l
lionnai raand
divi
dei tby50t housandnai r
a,t hati s600st udent s' schoolf ees.Ah!Andonemanwho
clai
mst obeadeaconorpr ov i
nci alpast orint hechur chwi llber idingthedest inyof600
student si nt henameofRangeRov erJeep.Imustconf ess,t hechur chdoesnot
under st andChr istiani t
y.Weneedt ogobackt ot hebookofAct stol ear nf rom t he
apost lesandst opal lthist i
thingpr eachi ngj ustbecauseoft hegai nwewantt oget
from it.Howcany ouber iding600st udent s' schoolf eest hatGodcommi ttedi ntoy our
handsandt hinky ouwi llnotf acej udgementi net erni ty.

Oneoft hegreatr
ichestmenwear etoemulateisAbraham andthebiblesays
hebuiltonlytent(
Gen12: 8),notest
ate:notbecausetentwast hel
atestandmoder n
houset hen,butbecauseAbr aham'scannotaffor
dt obuil
dmor et
hant hat
.'Seethe
reasoninthebookofHebr ews:

NIV:I
nst
ead,theywer
elongi
ngforabet
tercount
ry—aheav
enlyone.Ther
efor
e
Godisnotashamedtobecall
edthei
rGod,f
orhehaspreparedacit
yforthem
(Heb11:
16)
.

Iam notsay ingallthosethi

ngsar ebad,
butifweunder
standt hekingdom, wewillknow
that
, youneedt oaskt hepurposewhyHebl essedyouwit
ht hatbi gcont
ractjob,
notf or
yourself,butforli
fe.Unti
lyougett othi
sstage,youar
est i
l
lar obbereventhoughy ou
areaf ait
hfulti
theroraddi ct
edt it
herassomepeopleboastaboutt heirobedience.
Becauset obet hiefinthekingdom istospendwhatwasputi nyourcare.Therei s
dif
ferencebet weenwhatwasgi ventoyouandwhatwasputi ny ourcar
e.Themoment
theprov isiont hatcomest oy oui smor et hany ourdailybreadormont hlybread, Iwant
youtoknowt hatt herestisnoty ourown.Tobui ldast or
et obegintostoret hem there,
i
swhati scal ledrichfool( Luke12: 16-21).St or
ei tinli
v esandnoti nbank.Ther ei s
dif
ferencebet weenGodbl essingy ouandGodput ti
ngmoneyi nyourcare.Mostofwhat
wecal ledbl essing,isnotblessing, i
tisjustGodmaki ngy ouacar et
akerofadi mension
ofkingdom weal t
h.Butitisunf ortunatethatyouhav ebecomepr oudwithy ourweal th.I
hearGodsay ingr i
chfool,whoi sexpandi nghisst oretost or
emor egoodsf orhimself.
Lookingatt hatbi bleverse,thatt her i
chmanwasst ori
nggoodsi snott hei ssue,but
thebibl esayhewasdoi ngf orhi mselfnotf orot hersandnotf ortheKi ngdom ( Luke
12:16-21) .AndwhenJesussawhi m, Hesaidy ouar eri
chf ool
.Ri
ch,butfoolish.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesThi
rt
yOne)

Letust alkmor eaboutt hegospelofpr osper i

ty,becauset hisisoneoft he
gospelst hathasbeenwr ongl yt aughtandov erst r
etched.Allwedoi stoattacht he
covenantofbei ngr icht ot ithi
ng,andt hatisawr ongdoct ri
ne.Becausei ntheNew
TestamentGoddoesnotbl essy oubecauseofy ou,hebl essedy oubecauseofot hers,
andt heki ngdom assi gnmenti ny ourhands.Sot hereisnot hi
ngy oudot oqualifyfor
suchblessi ngs,i
tist hepr icet hatChr i
stpaidthatqual i
fi
esusf ori t.Ifyouarefortunate
tober ich,not ethaty ouar ecal l
edi nt
oi t.I
tisacal l
ing,tobeweal thyisnotbyy our
choice,itisbyHi schoi ce.i tisnotofhi mt hatwi l
leth(Rom 9: 16) ,ifiti
sofhi mt hat
wil
lethev eryonewi llber ich,becausenoonel ovest obepoori ncl udingme.I tisnot
al
soofhi mt hatrunneth, i
fi tisbyhar dwor k,
thosewhodi gwel l
andbor ehol
ewillbet he
ri
chestpeopl e.Manyar ehar d-working,butnotfortunate.Andy ouj ustsuddenlyseeone
l
azyguywhoonl ywenti ntomusi cindustryandhehasal readyblown.

Gett his,thecov enantthatsur r

oundspr osperi
tyi smy sterious,andwewi lldeal
withi tint hisser ies.You'l
lseet hataswehav egener ationalcur sesoal sowehav e
gener ati
onalbl essingmor eoft hiswebedi scussedi nt helaterser ies.Now,gett hi
s
point,theki ngdom f r
ownsandi sser i
ouswi thusingyourmoneyt ohel plivesthanusi ng
i
tt ohel pthewor kofGod.Thel ivesoft hechil
drenofGodi smor ei mpor tantt hant he
wor kofGod.Becauset herealwor kofGodi sthelif
eofmanandnott hebui l
dingof
thechur ch.Ther ealmeaningofgi vi
ngt oGodi st ogiv
et ot hel i
vesoft hesonsofGod
andnott hepr ojectort hehouseofGod.Per mitmet osayt his,asgoodast i
thingi s,
givi
ngt oliv esi smor eimportanttotheki ngdom thantithing.Iam at i
therbyHi sgr ace,
butt het r
ut hmustbespoken.Nowher ei ntheBiblethatJesussai di fyoudon' tt it
he
youwi l
lnotmakeheav en.Buthement i
onedi tt
hatifyoudon' tgivet othepoort or ai
se
them upy oumaybecastoutont helastday( Matt25:31- 46).Fory out oknowt hatt he
kingdom i s ser ious about usi ng y our money t o hel p l ives t han chur ches
(Buil
dings) .
Nowher ei
nt hebibl
eJesuscal l
edthosewhodi dn'ttit
heanunr i
ght eousone,
buthecal ledt hosewhodi dnotgivetot hepoorunr i
ghteouspeopl e.SeeMat hew25v s
31-40:

31NI
V:“WhentheSonofMancomesi
nhi
sgl
ory
,andal
ltheangel
swi
thhi
m,hewi
l
l
si
tonhi
sglori
oust
hrone.

32NIV:
Allt
henati
onswil
lbegather
edbefor
ehim,andhewi l
lsepar
atethepeopl
e
onefr
om anot
herasashepher
dsepar
atesthesheepf
rom t
hegoats.

33NI
V:Hewi
l
lputt
hesheeponhi
sri
ghtandt
hegoat
sonhi
slef
t.

34NI
V:“
ThentheKingwi
llsaytot hoseonhisr
ight
,‘Come,youwhoareblessedby
myFather
;takey
ouri
nheri
tance,theki
ngdom pr
eparedf
oryousi
ncethecreati
on
 oft
hewor
ld.

35NIV:
ForIwashungr
yandy ougavemesomet hingtoeat,Iwasthi
rst
yandy
ou
gavemesomethi
ngtodr
ink,Iwasast
rangerandyouinv
itedmein,

36NI
V:Ineededcl
othesandy
ouclot
hedme,Iwassi
ckandy
oul
ookedaf
terme,I
wasinpri
sonandyoucametov
isi
tme.
’

37NI
V:“
Thentheri
ghteouswi
llanswerhi
m,‘Lord,whendi
dweseey
ouhungr
yand
f
eedyou,
orthi
rst
yandgiveyousomethi
ngt odri
nk?

38NI
V:Whendidweseey
ouast
rangerandi
nvi
tey
oui
n,orneedi
ngcl
othesand
cl
othey
ou?

39NI
V:Whendi
dweseey
ousi
ckori
npr
isonandgot
ovi
sity
ou?
’

Sowhenthescri
ptur
eist
alki
ngaboutgi
vi
ngt
oGodseev
erse40t
oreal
l
yseewhati
t
meanst
ogivetoGod:

40NI
V:“TheKingwil
lrepl
y,‘
Trul
yItel
lyou,whatev
ery
oudi
dforoneoft
hel
eastof
t
hesebrot
hersandsist
ersofmine,
youdidforme

Imustconf esst oy ousinceIhav ebeeni nfai

th,Ihardlyseepastorsquoti
ngthisbible
versetopreach,al lwepr eachisMalachi3.Becauseweknowt hatwewi l
lnotbenef i
t
from Mathew25, butwewi l
lbenefi
tfrom Malachi3.Whenar ewegoi ngtobedeliv
ered
from t
hespiritofmammoni nChurch?I ft
hewaywet alkedaboutgivi
ngtoGod'sworki s
thewaywet alkedaboutgi vi
ngtoGod' speopleli
vest hechurchcouldhavetakenov er
thisEart
h;Becauset hepowerofi nfl
uenceandconv ictionisi
nt hepowerofthemout h
ofwepast ors.

Ther ealwor kofGodi shumanbei ng,ev er

yot hert hingist hewor kofman.We
j
ustuser eli
gioust alktobecol l
ectingmoneyf rom chur chmember s.Cl aimingt hatif
theywantGodt obl esst hem,theyshoul dcomeoutandgi ve1mi l
liont oGod.Iasky ou
pastor,givi
ngt oGodorgi v
ingtoyou;gi vi
ngtot hewor kofGodorgi vingt oy ourwor k?
Manywi l
lnowbegi nt ocomeoutt opl egdeunderf or
ce, becausey ouhav ecaj oledt hem
withoneconcoct iont estimony.Whoi sbenefiti
ngf r
om al lthisplegde?I tisnotGod,i t
i
snott hepoor ,buty out hepastor.ThedayIcameacr osst hisbiblev ersei npr overbs
thatsay s"giv
ingt ot hepoori sl
endi ngtoGod( Prov19: 17) .
"ThenIask,whycan' tthe
pastorsandgener alov erseersemphasi zemuchont his,thewayt heyemphasi zeon
ti
thi
ngandof fer
ings.Becausei twi l
lnotpayt hem iftheyemphasi zeongi v i
ngt ot he
poor;and* thebi bleint hebookofJames1v s27say s" pur erel
igioni st ogi vetot he
poor."Thati susey ourweal thtoaf f
ectliv
es.Gi vi
ngt ot hepoori snott hiski ndof
Muslim wayofgi vingt ent ennair
a;Iam t al
kingofgi v i
ngt hatwillchanget hel i
vesof
t
hepoorandnotchangethei
rstomach.Wear
enott
alki
ngofst
omachi
nfr
ast
ruct
ure,
wear
etal
kingaboutl
i
fei
nfr
astr
uctur
e.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesThi
rt
yTwo)

St i
llont hegospel ofpr osper ity.Becauset hisi soneoft hegospel t hatthechur ch
ofAf r
icawasi gnor antofi nthet imepast ,mostespeci all
yi ntheear ly60st ol ate70s
befor eGodbegant oraisemenl i
keBi shopBensonI dahosa( BlessedMemor y),Bi shop
Dav i
dOy edepo,wi tht hegr acet oopenmenupt ot her ealityofpr osper ity
.Andt hati s
oneoft her easonswhyGodbl essedt hosement hatGodusedt ochampi ont his
prosper ityr evival,becauset hei rl i
vesmustf irstbeanev idenceofwhaty ouar et o
preach.Sot hei rprosper it
yi snotbecauset heyhav ef aitht opr osper ,iti snotbecause
theyconf essedpr osper ity,itisnotbecauset heysowedseed,i tisbygr aceneededt o
mani festwhatGodwascal li
ngt hem i nto.Fori nst ance,i fGodi scal li
ngy out opr each
power ,Hemustbl essy ouwi thpowersot haty oucandemonst rat ewhaty ouar e
preachi ng.Pr eachi ngi snotef fectiveunt i
li tisbei ngdemonst r
at edwi thev i
dence.I f
yourl i
fedoesnotr evealanydi mensi onofwhatGodhascal l
edy out opr each, itmeans
somet hingi swr ong,andsuchcal lingwi l
lnotbeef fective.Godcannotsendy ou
errandswi thoutgi vingy out ranspor tmoney .Itisapr i
ncipl eoft heki ngdom.Youcan' t
beagr acepr eacherandy ourl ifei snotanev idenceofspi r
it
ualgr ace.Fori nstance,
partofmycal l
ingi st opr eacht hegr aceofGod, i
fy oucomecl oset omey ouwi llseet he
pureev idenceofnost rugglet omani festspi ritualgr ace.Youmayt hinkimusthav e
beenoneguyt hatst udymuchbef oreIam abl et owr it
e, i
fy oumov ecl osert ome, Imust
conf esst her ei snospi rit
ualsacr if
icey oucanpoi ntt ot hatqual i
fiesmet obewr i
ting
whatIam wr iting.I twi l
lbeobv ioust oy out hatt hisi spur egr ace,becauseseei ngme
wher eipl ay ,myl i
fedoesnotsoundspi ritualorr eligious,Iam af reeguyt ot hecal l
,
becauset hement alit
ywecar ryi nAf ri
cai st haty oumustbeser i
ousspi ri
tuallybef or e
youcanmani festgr ace.Youhearpr eachi ngl i
key oumustspeaki nt onguef ivehour s,I
mustconf esst oy ou,Ihav enev erspokeni nt ongueupt oonehoursi nceIwasbor n
again.Youcannotcomeandki llme, andputbur denonme.Ihav eunder stoodGodt oa
stagewher eIhav eent eredmyr est .Ify ouspeaki nt onguef ortenhour sgoodl uck, iwi l
l
env yy ou,andappr eciateGod' sgr aceuponmyl i
fe,butdon' tcomeandt el
lmet hati fI
don'tspeaki nt onguef orhour si tmeansIam notbor nagai n.Whatgotmeangr ymost
i
nt hebodyofChr i
sti swhenIseement eachi ngpeopl etobedoi ngbysel fef f
or twhat
theyar edoi ngbygr ace.Samet ot hosecal l
edt of inancialpr osper ity,becauseoft he
CallofGodupont heirl ivest opr eachpr osper i
ty.Ther ei sanur gencyi nt hespi ri
tt o
blesst hem f i
nanci al l
yandmakeacov enantofpr osper it
ywi t
ht hem ofwhi chanyone
thatkeyi nt ot hatcov enantt hegr acewi llflowi ntot heirlives.Thati swhyi fy oubel i
ev e
i
npeopl el ikeDaddyOy edeposomuch,ameasur eoft hef inancialanoi ntinguponhi s
l
ifewi llflowt oy ourl i
fe,becauset hebi bl esay shet hatbel i
ev eapr ophetwi llrecei vet he
rewar dofapr ophet( Mat t10: 41) .Sot her ear emy steri
esbehi ndt heirpr osper ityt hat
goesbey ondwhatt heydoandt hesacr ifi
cet heypai d.Manyoft hem donotev enknow.
Godwasseei nggener ationaheadwhenHecal l
edt hem andsett hem apar tf r
om t heir
mot her s' wombs.Sodon' tletany oneboasti nhi ssuccessori nhi ssacr ifice.Ifany one
want st oboastl ethim boasti nt heLor d( 1Cor in1: 31) .Sof ort hosemenofGodt hat
Godr eallybl essedf i
nanci ally ,t hemy steryi sbecauset heirCal l
ingr equir edt hatt hey
mustbebl essedf inancially.Becauset her ear emenofGodt hatGodr eallybl essed,
whilet her ear emenofGodt hatusedt henameofGodt obl esst hemsel ves;andt hose
thatar ef oundofmani pul atingmember st osow, sel
loil, handker chi efandwat erj ustfor
them t ober ich,att heendt heyappeart opubl icasi fi tist heLor dt hathasbl essed
them andt hesear ethesett hatsowedt ot hepr osper i
typr eacher s.Whent her evivalof
Prosper itycame,menl i
keDaddyOy edepo,DaddyAdeboy e,Bi shopWal eOkepr eached
i
twi thsi ncer ityofhear tsnotbecauset heywantt ober ich, butbecauset heywantt hei
r
member sandf ollower st ober ich.Theypr eachpr i
nciplesofpr osper it
ywi t
hal lsi ncerit
y
notbecauset heywanty ourt i
t hes.Butsuddenl ysomedemoni cpast orswi thspi ri
tof
mammonbegant oov eremphasi zeont hepr inci pl
est heypr eachedj ustf orthei rown
advant age,t hosewhohasl ostt hef earoft heLor dwhom t hei rbel lyist hei rgod( Phili
p
3:19) .Theyt eacht it
hing, givingasi ft heywantmember st opr osper ,buti twasbecause
ofthegai nt heywi l
lbenef i
tf r om i t,andt heirmot i
v esbegant osmel lli
keaf il
thyr ag
aroundt hem,i nsteadofbei nghonor ed,menbegant odi shonort hem.AndwhenGod
begant of i
ndf aultwi tht hewayt heyhandl et hesi ncer epr inciplesr ecei vedbymen
call
edt opr eachPr osper ity,Godbegant or aiseanot hermencal ledGr acepr eacher sto
correctt heer r orst hatt hegr eedysocal ledpr osper it
ypr eacher shav ebr oughtt othe
bodyofChr i
st .Becauseoft hei rgreedi nesst heyusel esst heCr ossofChr i
st( Phi l
li
p
3:18) ,andexal t
edMal achiasakeyt oPr osper i
ty;Ift heyt eachongi vi
ng,t heyonl y
focusi tont ithesandof fer i
ngs.Theynev ert alkedaboutgi v i
ngt obl essl i
ves,why ?
Becauset heywi llnotgai nf rom t hat .Thati swhyi fy out hinkGr acet eacher sar e
rebelling,becauset heyar et al kingt omanyf at her soff ait hduet ot heirgr eediness,y ou
arej oki ng.I fy oucangoogl ei nt hespi ri
ty ouwi llseet hatt heyar eonl ydoi ngast hei
r
Calli
ngr equires.Ther ear edoct ri
nest hatcannotbecor rect edi fwedon' tv oiceoutt o
theirf aces.Nott hatGodwant sust obepoor , butt hepr inci plesofpr osper itythoughtby
them i snoti nl i
newi t
hnewt est amentdoct rine.Pay ingt ithesasay ardstickt ober i
chis
notanewt est amentpr eachi ng.Pay ingt ithesbecausey ouhav ebeenbl essedi saNew
Test amentt eachi ng.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndNewTest
ament(
Thi
rt
yThr
ee)

Webegant het eachingont her eali

tyoft hegospelofpr osper it
yi nthel astser ies.
AndIwanty out oknow t hatal lthatGodwant edust oknow t hrought hegospelof
pr osper i
tyi st hatHe( God)r eallywant sust opr osper.AndHehasmadeev erypr ov i
sion
forust opr osperandt hosecal ledt oannouncet hisgoodnewsofpr osper it
yr eal l
ydi d
j
ust i
cet ot hatandt heydel iver edt hebodyofChr i
stfrom t hement ali
tyofbei ngpooras
ay ardstickt ohol iness.Buti nt hecour seofest abli
shingt hissi ncer ef act,manyer rors
wer ebr oughti nt opr osperitymessage,andt hoseer rorsarewhatwear egoi ngt obe
deal ingwi th.Becauset herear ePeopl ethatnomat t
erhowt heypayt it
hesorgi vi
ngt hey
maynotexper iencef inancialpr osper i
tyathi ghl evel
,becauseoft hemy steryat tached
tof inanci alpr osper it
yt hatmany do notknow.Don' tletany body puty ou i nto
condemnat i
ont haty ouar er esponsi bleforyourpov erty.Thedoct ri
net hatsai dy ouar e
responsi blef ory ourpov er tyi swr ong,t het eachi ngt hatsai di fy oudonotmakei t
financi allyi nlifeitisy ourf aul t
, i
sav erywr ongt eaching.Tr ulyt her earepeopl et hatar e
responsi blef ort heirpov erty,butnotal l
.Manyonl yf ellvi
ctim ofci rcumst ancest hat
goesbey ondt heircapabi li
ties.Sot hef actort hati sresponsi blef orpeopl e'spov ertyis
deepert hanwhatwear eseei ngont hesur face.Becausepr osper i
tyisnotaper sonal
i
ssue.Wheni tcomest opr osper it
yGoddoesnotaddr essitonper sonalbasi s,i tison
ter r
itori
albasi s.I fitisonper sonalbasi s,witht hewayGodl ov esmeHewi l
lnotcr eate
mei nNi ger ia,andi fIam i nUKbynowt hereishi ghpossi bil
ityt hatIwi l
lber i
chert han
mycondi ti
onnow.Sowi ththel evelofmyknowl edgey etmyenv ironmentcont ri
but est o
mysi tuat i
on.

Att imes, weuset hi

swor doff ait
ht ocl aim somet hing, allthosecl aimsar er esult
oflackofknowl edgehow Godbl esses,ev ent houghy oudonotpr ayf orpr osperit
yi f
Godwant st oblessy ouHewi ll
.Sot heissueofpov ertyisadeept hi
ng.Ther earesome
power shi gherthant hewi l
lofmanypeopl e.Mi ndy ou,thi
si snotpr i
mar il
yt hemat terof
thedev i
l.Thei ssueofpr osperi
tyi sthei ssueoff oundat i
on, andoncet hisf oundationi s
faulty,itwi l
ltakeal i
feoragener ati
ont opayt hepr i
cetocor rectt hef oundat i
onf orthe
gener ationcomi ng.Andwhenev erGodwant stoi nt er
veneov ert hi
sf oundat ionagai n,
Hecal lal if
ei naf ami l
yandmadef i
nancialcov enantwi thhi m sot hatt hroughhi m all
theper soncomi ngoutf rom thatf ami l
ywi llber ich.Becauset herear ethr eecov enant s
thatdet er minet hepr osper it
yofany one:I tisei thery out api ntot hecov enantofal and
ory ou t ap intot hecov enantofy ourf ami l
yorGod est abl i
shesa new f i
nanci al
cov enantwi t
hy ouaf r
esh,notf ory oubutf oranot hergener ationt hatwi l
lcome
throughy ou. Andal lt hesemy steriesar ewhatwear egoi ngt obeunf oldi
ngi nt his
series,itwi lloccurt oy ounowcl ear l
ythatt heissueofpr osper it
ygoesbey ondal lthis
ti
thingt eachi ng.Gett hi
sev ent hought hesonofDaddyOy edepodoesnotpayt ithe,he
cannev erbepoor ,becauset hecov enantofhi sdadal onei senought oopendoor sf or
him.Godt ol
dAbr aham t hatt hroughhi mt hef ami l
iesoft heEar t
hshal lbebl essed
(Gen 12: 3).So t herear epeopl et hatGod cal led liket hatand madecov enantof
prosper it
ywi tht hem ofwhi chany onet hatcomesoutoft hatf amilyt hatcov enantwi l
l
foll
owhi m.Whengener ati
onalcov enantisatwor k, any onecomi ngoutf r
om t hatf ami l
y
willenjoyi t.Ifi tisal andmanyi nt hatlandwi llenj oyi teitherbor nagai nornotbor n
agai n.Ev ent hought heyar enotbor nagai n,asl ongast heycomeoutf r
om t hatf ami l
y
theywi llmakei t.Becausewheni tcomest omoney ,i
ti sacov enantGodhaswi tht he
childrenofmenast heirGod.I tist hespi ri
tualblessi ngt hatHegi vesusasaf ather.So
asl ongati tisGodt hatcr eatedy ou,y ouar eentitledt oenj oyt hefinanci alcov enantof
God.Soy ourr ichesi snotbecausey ouar ebornagai n, i
tisignor antoft hebl essi ngt hat
i
smeantf orsont hatmakesy out ot hinkGodbl essesy ouf inanciall
ybecausey ouar e
anobedi entchi ld.Lookar oundy ouwi llseemanydi sobedientChr i
stianswhomadei tin
acl eanway .Sowheni tcomest omoney ,itisar aint hatf allsupont her oofoft he
ri
ght eousand t heunr i
ght eous,bor n again and t henon- bor n agai n.So t her ear e
my st er
iesi npr osper it
yt hatify oudon' tunderstandy oucanbehol y,faithfuli nt i
thing
andst i
lldiepoor .

Cany ouseet histracesi nAdel ekef ami ly,theonet hatwenti ntopol it

icsmadei t
andbecamesenat or,t heonet hatgoest oeducat ionbui ltAdel ekeUni ver si
t y,theone
thatent eredmusi ci ndust rybecamet hemostf amousmusi cancal l
eddav ido,ei ther
theypayt i
thesornott herei scov enanti nt hef ami l
yt hatt heyt hemsel vescannot
explain.Ther ear emanywhocansi ngmor ethanDav idoy etnooneknowst hem.Unt i
l
youunder st andal lthesemy steriesy ouwi l
lnotent ery ourr estov ermanyi ssuesoft his
l
ife.Imustconf essi tisjustt hel andaf fecti
ngmanypeopl e.Idosayt hatacur sedman
i
nabl essl andi sbet terthanabl essedl i
feinacur sel and.St udyt heBi blev erywel l
,
whenev erGod want ed t o bl ess t he chi l
dren ofI sraelites,He di d notbl ess t hem
i
ndiv i
dual lyhebl essedt heirl and.Thati swhyi twasl andofCanaanandnotl i
feof
Canaan( Gen17: 8) .Canaani teswer eapeopl eundert hecur seofGod,butwhent hey
enteredbl essedl andt heybegant opr osper ,becauset hel andcal ledl andofCanaanhas
beenbl essedt hroughAbr aham ev enbef oret hepeopl eofCanaanbegant odomi nate
theland.Sot hepr oblem ofpov er tyofmanyi nAf ri
cani snoti ndi vidualpr obl em,i tisa
problem oft heland.Thati swhywear ejustf alli
ngi nt oal lthiscaj ole ofal lthese
prosper ityt eacher st eachingt ithingasay ardst ickofpr osper it
y ,becausewecannot
under standwhyt hingsar edi f
ficul tandwear el ookingf orbr eakthr oughatal lcost .You
cannott ellpeopl eofUKt hati ftheydonotpayt ithes, t
heywi l
lbepoor ,theywi lljustbe
l
ooki ngaty ouasaf ool,becauseGov ernmenti sser iousl ymeet i
ngt heirneeds.You
cannotbepr eachi ngsuchi nAmer i
cawher ethecount ryal readyhasani nher it
ancef or
theci tizens.Si ncer elyal ltheset hingswear epr ayingt oGodf ori nNi ger iai swhat
Gov ernmenthaspr ov i
dedi nUK.Thati swhyIsayt heissueofpov ert yisnotpr imar i
lyan
i
ndiv i
dual problem; itisagov er nment al problem orf ami lypr obl em.
 Seeyoui nthenextseri
eswher eweshal lbedeali
ngonhow pov ert
yisal
soa
famil
yprobl
em; Mindyounotgenerat
ionalcur
se, wehavebeenf
reedfrom suchbythe
bloodofJesus.Stil
lpr
ayi
ngtobr eakgenerat
ionalcur
seisapureignoranceofwhom
youarei
nChr i
standwhatChri
sthasdonef oryou.

Howdoesf
ami
lypr
obl
em l
eadt
opov
ert
y?
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesThi
rt
yFour
)

Iwanttobeli
eveIam notspeaki
ngstrangel
yint hi
sdi mension,becauset herear e
deept hingsaboutthereal
it
yofprosperi
tynotknownt omany .Youhearmanysay i
ngi f
theygett o heaven theywi l
lask God,whyar et he righteous forsaken and t he
unrighteousmaki ngit?Getthi
stodaythatwheni tcomest of i
nancialprosperit
y,God
dealswi theverymanasGodt ohumanbeingorasCr eatortocr eat
ure,notasf athert o
son; becausenotallmenaresonsofGod.Godi saGodofal l,butnotaf atherofall.So
Hei sonl yafat
hertothebornagainChri
sti
ans.SoHeonl ydeal swi t
hmanasGod, when
i
tcomest oear t
hlyblessi
ngs.Sof or
gety ourspiri
tuali
tywheni tcomest oear thly
blessings.IfGodbl essesyouf i
nanci
all
y,Hebl essesy ouj ustasHebl essesot her
Musl imsorpagans.

Egy ptdidnotknowany t
hi ngaboutt it
hing,whent heywer ether i
chescount ryin
thebi ble;andJacobt het i
therwashungr yandneededt opackhi sfami l
yt ot hel andof
Egy pt.Becauset herei sadi vinepur posei nal lt hoset hingst hatwashappeni ngt hat
Egy ptthemsel vesdidnotknow.Samet oMar kZucker bergthatcr eatedFacebook, ther e
i
sadi vinepur posei nf acebookt hathehi msel fdoesnotknow, thatiswhyGodgav ehi m
thegr acet odoi t.Youmaybet hinkingt hatwhyGoddi dn'tchooseonepr ay erbr other
i
nonepr ayermount aint of ulfilt hatassi gnment ?Ther ei sadi vinepur posei nt he
prosper it
yofDangot et hathehi msel fdoesnotknow.So,aski ngwhyGoddi dnot
chooseChr i
stians,nott hatther ei snoChr isti
anwi thcapabi l
ityt ober i
chl i
kehi m,No!
ButGodi st r
yingt ocommuni cat et oust hatwheni tcomest oFi nanci alblessing,i ti s
notbybei ngbor nagai n;Becausemoneyi stheaspectofGod' sbl essingt hatany one
bor nagai nornotbor nagai ncanaccess; Becauseheav eni st heLor dandt heear thhas
Hegi vent ot hechi ldrenofmen( Psa115: 16) .Mi ndy ounotchi l
dr enofGod.Soany
childrenofmanwhopossesswhati ttakest obesuccessf ulcaneasi l
ymakei t.The
maj oradv antageofChr isttopr osper i
tyistobr eakt hegener ati
onalcur seuponanyone
whoi sunf ortunat etocomeoutf rom t helineaget hatisundergener ati
onalcur se( Gal
3:13).Sot heonl yplacewher et heagencyofspi riti
sneeded, iswhent hecauseofy our
pov ertycanbet racedt oacur se.Soasi det hat ,anyonecr eat edbyGodcanuset he
talentGodgav et ohi m orhert omakei tinl i
fe.BecauseGoddeposi tedameasur eof
talentsi nthel i
feofi ndi vidualint hisl i
fe,andt her eissuccesst i
edt ohowt heyuset he
talents.SoIam say i
ngt histol ety ouknowt hatwhent alkingaboutf i
nanci alblessi ng,
nev ersaywhyi sGodnotbl essi ngy oudespi t
et hef actthaty ouar eser vi
ngHi m dayand
night:No!Bei ngdedi cat edt oGodi snotay ar dstickt opr osper ity.Sol ett hatgett o
yourunder standi ngsot haty ouwi llbeabl et osayl ikePault hatnot hingcansepar ate
mef rom thel ov eofGodbei thunger ,l
ackofhusband, Jobl essnesse. t.
c.(Rom 8: 35) .I
am say i
ngt hissot haty oucanbeabl etoseet hemai nreasonwhypr osper itygoest o
someandl eavesome.Sol etusgobackt ot hepoi ntwebeganl astweek.Wehav e
t
alkedaboutt
hecov
enanti
nal
andasay
ardst
ickt
hatdet
ermi
nest
hepr
osper
it
yof
many.

Gett his,nott hatnoonei nacur sedl andcan' tbebl essed,butanyl andt hatthe
ri
char ef ewert hant hepoor ,know t hatsomet hingi swr ongwi tht hecov enantoft he
l
and; nott hatthepr oblem t heyar efacingi snott hefailurefrom t heirfault
,buttheyjust
discov eredt hatt heycannotdoany t
hingabouti t.Gett his,iti
snott hatt her
ei snopoor
peopl einUK,butt heper cent ageoft hosewhoar erich,weal thy,andav eragelydoing
wellar emor et hant hosewhoar epoor , andt hati showt oknowabl essedl and.Butin
Niger i
at hosewhoar epoorar emuchmor ethant hosewhoar er ich.Nott hatwear elazy,
nott hatwedon' tknowwhatt odot omakemoney ,nott hatwear eshor tofideas,but
manyoft heideasar enoty eldingf r
uit,why ?Becausei tislikeagoodseedi nadr y
season.Mi ndy ounott hatAf ri
cai snotf avour edbyGod,butmanydonotknow how
Godpl annedt hisEar thandt hedi mensi onsofbl essingst hatGodbl essedAf ri
cawi th.
Nocont inenthav eallofGod.Goddi videdHi sbl essingsandshar edi tamongal lthe
Cont i
nent s.SoAf ri
cai sfav our edwi t
hanot herdi mensi onofbl essingscal l
edspi r
it
ual
blessings.Themostcont inentt hathast hehi ghestgr eatmenofGodi nthewor ldi s
Africa.Themostcont inentthathav epassi onf orGodandf orthet hingsofGodi sAfri
ca.
Manyofusnegl ectthisdimensi onandbegi nt oenv yt hewhi tet hi
nkingGodl ovesthem
mor et hanus.

Everywi sdom ofGodi sshar edi ntodi mensi ons:Spi ri

tualwi sdom,Sci entifi
c
wisdom,f inancialwi sdom and many di mensi ons of God' s wi sdom.Ther e ar e
cont i
nentst hatarebl essedwi thf i
nanci alwi sdom.Ther ear econt inentsbl essedwi th
scientif
icwi sdom;butcomi ngt oAf ri
ca,wear ebl essedwi t
hspi r
it
ualwi sdom,buti tis
unf or
tunatet hatmanyofusdonotdi scov ert his.Wenegl ectt hisdimensi onandent er
reli
gion.Wef ailtouseourspi r
it
ualthi nkingandi ntel
ligence,i nsteadwesuspendour
i
nt ell
i
genceandbegi ntocal litfai
th.Fai t
hi snotact i
ngonl ettersoft hebi bleand
suspendy ourspi ri
tualintel
li
gence;f aithi sact ingonunder standingt hatcomesf rom
yourspi ri
tualintel
ligence.Goddi dnotcr eateAf r
icat ober eligious, wear ecr eatedt obe
spirit
ual.Wear emenofspi ri
tualintel
ligenceandwi sdom.Wear etocar ryadi mensi on
ofGodandshowi ttothewor ld.Webecomer eli
gionwhenwel ostt hepur posewhywe
arebl essedi nAf r
icawi t
hmor eofGod.SoJustaswear erunni ngabr oadf orfinanci al
blessing,soal sotheyshoul dber unningt ousf orspiritualblessi ng.Comet oAfrica,y ou
willseedi f
ferentmani festat
ionsofspi ritualgr ace:bei tpr ophet ic,deliv
erance, teachi ng
andmanymor e. Wemaybebl ackt osci ent if
icwi sdom,butwear enotbl ackt o
spirit
ualwi sdom.Ihav emadeupmymi ndt hatt het heki ngoft hewhi temanwi l
lseek
formeknowi ngadi mensionofGodIcar r
y.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesThi
rt
yFi
ve)

We hav e been t alking aboutdi fferentf act orst hatcont ributet of inanci al
prosper i
tyofpeopl e.Wef ir
stest abl i
shedapoi ntt hatf i
nanci alprosper ityisaGod' s
givengi ftasaGodt ohumanbei ng.I tisonl yspi ri
tualbl essi ngt hatGodgi vesasa
fathert oson,t hati swhyt hebi blesay sIhav eblessedy ouwi thev eryspi r
itualblessing
i
nt heheav enlypl aces( Eph1: 3),andnoti near thlypl aces.Thebl essingi near thl y
placesbel ongt oal lmen,butt heonei nheav enlypl acesi si nChr istJesus,andunt i
l
youar einChr isty oucannotmani festi t.Thequest i
oni s:isi tt hat Goddoesn' twantt o
blessuswi t
hmoney ?No!God' spl anf ort hesonsi st hatt hedi mensi onsofspi ri
tual
blessingy our ecei v eshoul dbet hemagnett hatwi lldr awf inanci alblessingt oyourl i
fe.
HeGodcal l
edf i
nanci alpr osper it
yunr ighteousmammon,andcal l
edspi r
itualblessing
trueriches( Luke16: 11).Fory out oknowt hatt hev al uewepl aceonmoneyonear t
hi sa
bigdi sappoi ntmentt ot heki ngdom,becauset heyexpectust oseemoneyast he
Kingdom i sseei ngi t,whi chissomet hingt hati scapabl eofcomi ngifonl yy oucanseek
fi
rstt heki ngdom ofGod,becauset het r
easur eoft heki ngdom y oul ayhol dunt ocan
makeev eryot hert hingt obeaddedunt oy ou( Mat t6:33) .Sol omonnev eraskedf or
money ,henev erpr ayedf ormoney ,buthedi dr equestf orsomet hi
ngcal ledwi sdom ( 1
Kings3: 9).Heunder stoodt hatify oucanl ayhol donwi sdom, longl ifewillatbeaty our
ri
ghthand,whi ler icheswi llbeaty ourl efthand( Pr ov3: 16) .Whenhel aidhol dont he
truer i
cheswhi chi swi sdom,andt hebi blesay shebecamet hemostr ichesman( 1
Kings3: 13) .Hedi dnotbecomet hemostr i
chestman,becausehewasbl essedwi th
money ,buthebecamet hemostr i
chestman,becausehewasbl essedwi thwhatcoul d
producemoney .Samet oanycount ryt hati sr i
cht oday ,t her ei ssomet hingt heyhav e
thatcommandsnat iontor iseandseekf ort hem.Wesuddenl yseehowchi nai srisingt o
thet opmostl ev elint hewor l
dnow,notbecauset heygetmor eengi nest hatcanpr int
money ,butbecauset heydi scov eredt her iseoft heirst rengt h.Theydi scov eredthear ea
oft hiswi sdom,andbegant ousei ttocr eat esomet hingandt heirpr oduct sbecome
whatal lAfricansar elooki ngf or.

Now Iaskus,whati sourst rengthinAf rica,whatdi mensi onsofwi sdom di d

Godbl essuswi th?Wecannotbel i
kechi naandmakei t
.Don' tl
etusdecei veourselves,
event houghwepackal lourkidstoChi natot r
aint hem fort wenty(20)y earsonhowt o
producephonet heywillnotbeabl etotocomebackt oNiger i
at odowhatt heChi nese
aredoi ng,becausethecapabi l
it
yinusi sdif
ferentf r
om thecapabi li
tyinthem.Youwi ll
bedi sappointedtoseet hosekidsreadingbibleint heplacewher et heysupposedt obe
l
earninghowdodophone.Youbesur pri
sedtoseet hem or ganizi
ngcampusf ellowship
revi
valwhent heyaresupposedt obemaki ngresear ch.Thati sthewayGodcr eatedus,
wej ustfailtodiscoveroursel
ves,andwewantt obel i
ket hewhi te.Thedi mensi onsof
wisdom av ail
ableforusisdiff
erfrom thedimensi onsofwi sdom av ail
ableforthem.Let
usdi scov erourdi mensi onsandoneofi ti swhatiment i
onedi nt hel astser i
escal led
"Spir
itualWi sdom. "WeknowGodmor et hananycont i
nentont hisear t
h.Ther ealmi s
opent ousmor et hananycont inent .Wecanexpl oret her eal m bey ondt hi srealm mor e
thananycont i
nent .Thati swhyy ouwi l
ldiscov ert hatev ent houghwhenChr isthasnot
comet oAf rica,Af ri
cai st hehomeofdar knessf ullofdi fferentspi r
itualpower s.They
arethemostf etishcont inentf ul
loft hemani f
est ionofdi fferentspi r
itualpower s.You
seepeopl eofdemoni cpowerki lli
ngmi ssi onaryt hatcamef orev angel ism.I tgott oa
staget hatt hewhi tebegant odi scov erthisandcamet oourl andt obegi nt obuyt he
oraclesandgodsofAf rica,becauset heysawt hatAf ricaar epeopl ethatv aluespi ritual
wor l
dandnotonl yt hatt heyv aluei t
, butal sot heypossessedi t
,becauseoft hepr iestly
potentialsi nus.Wecanonl ylaunchi ntother ealm oft hespi ri
tmor et hananycont i
nent ,
Itisbygr acel etmet elly ou.I tist hisnat ur et hatmakesust obet hemostr eligious
continent ,becauset herei sanat urei nust hatbel i
ev esnot hingi snatur al.Thaty oual so
beli
ev et hatbef orey oucansucceedy oumustbeabl et oengaget hespi r
itualwor l
d.Any
l
ittl
est ranget hingsy ouobser veasanAf rican,y oust artseeki ngf orpr ophet .Whent he
whitear ei npr obl ems, t
heygoonr esear cht oseekf orsol utiont otheirpr oblems.When
thecont inentt hatbel i
ev esinphi losophyi sinpr obl em t heygot osecr etpl acest o
engaget heirr ationalt hinkingt oreasonoutt hesol ution; butwhenAf ricani si npr oblem
thefirstt hingt hatcomest oav erageaf r
icanmani st oseekf orcauseandt hesol ution
from aspi rit
ualper son:i fiti sChr isti
an,y oubegi nt oseet hem mov ingf rom one
mount ai nt oanot hert ol ookf orpr ophet ,ifi tist radi tionalistyouseehi m seeki ngf or
herbalist, whi l
ei fitissomeonewhobel i
ev eshecant alktoGody ouseehi m pr aying.

Anav erageAf ri
canwi l
lnotengaget heirthinkingt opr offersol ution,i nstead
theyengagepr ayer .Thati st hewaywear ewi redbyGod, noonecanchangei t
.Thati s
thewaywear ecr eat edbyGod,andGodexpect sust omaxi mizeitandr ulet hewor l
d
withit
.Itiswheny ourpot ent i
alisnotrecognizedthaty oubecomeasl avet ot hosewho
havediscoveredthei rpotent ial
s.Theynowbegi ntousey out ofulfi
lltheirvisions.Af ri
ca
wakeup!Wehav ewhati tt akestober i
ch.Thegr eatestbl essingint hekingdom i swhat
Godbl esseduswi th,buti nabili
tytodiscovert hi
smakeust obecomet hesl av eoft he
white.Theycr eatedai rplaneandwear eamazed.Wecanal sotellthem t hef utureand
theywillbeamazed.Cr eatinganai r
planeisamani f
est ati
onofadi mensi onofwi sdom,
whileseeing tomor r
ow ( Propheti
cGr ace)f rom God i sanot hermani f
est ati
on ofa
dimensionofwor dofwi sdom.Wedon' tneedt orunaf t
ert hewhi te,wehav ewhati t
takesforthem toseekf orus.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesThi
rt
ySi
x)

Ibel iev ewehav ebegunt oseet hemy ster i

esbehi ndt hepr osper i
tyofmany .That
the firstt hing i ni t,i s notpr imar i
lya mat terofi ndi vidualpr osper ity.Ther ei sa
predest inedpl anbehi ndmanyev ent sont hesur faceoft hisear th; Nott hatt hepur pose
whyt hoset hi ngswer epr edest inedar ehi ddenf rom men, No!God' spl ani st oshowus
thehi ddenwi sdom t hathasbeenkeptsecr etbef or et hef oundat ionoft hewor l
d( 1
Corin2: 7) .Wher emanyofusf i
ndi tdi fficul tt oacceptsomepr edest i
nedact si s
becauseoft hef actt hatsay sy ouar er esponsi blef orwhat every oubecome,Yes!That
maybet r
ue, becausewear ecr eat edwi thawi llandchoi ce, wear enotr obot s, butnot e
thi
st hatt her oleofwi lldoesnotnegat et her eal it
yofpr edest i
nat i
on.Thef actof
predest inat ioni shiddeni nt hedi mensi ons,nat ure,f orm andt hecapaci tyoft heki ndof
wisdom i nus.Thati swhyy ouwi lldiscov ert haty ourchoi ceandwi ll,wi l
lal way sbei n
l
inewi tht heki ndofwi sdom andf ooli
shnessav ailabl einy ou.Youwi llonl ywor ki nl i
ne
withy ourwi sdom,andy ourwi sdom i sagi ftf rom God.Youcannotbecausey ouar e
createdwi thachoi ceandchoosebywi l
lt omakeaer opl ane.Asl ongast her ei sno
wisdom t of uelsuchwi ll,itwi llnotendi nr eal i
ty ,itwi llonl yexi standdi ei nt her eal m of
i
magi nation.Soi tisnotenought osayy ourpr osper i
tyisbasedony ourdet er mi nat i
on.
Therear epeopl et hathav et hedet ermi nat i
onandt hewi l
l
ingness,butt her ei sno
wisdom t hatcansponsorsuchwi ll
ingnesst owar dst her oadofpr osper ity.Theyendup
wakingear lyi nt hemor ning, comi ngbackl atei nt henameofhar dwor k, yetnor esul tto
show f ori t. ThankGodf orhar dwor k,butImustconf esst hathar dwor kdoesnot
determi nepr osper ityi nAf rica.Thel aw ofhar dwor kcanonl ybeappl i
edwi thi nan
environmentt hati sbl esseddi r
ect l
ywi thpr osper ity. Thati swhyi nt hecour seof
preachi ngonpr osper ityi nAf rica,wi sdom demandst hatwedet ermi net heki ndoft he
natureandl awbyr ev elat i
ont hatt hel andofAf ricawi l
lrespondt o.I nAf ri
cani tisnotby
"hardwor k"i ti sby" smar twor k."Soasgoodasourwi l
lisconcer n,ther ear egoodwi ll
youcannotmani f
estasl ongast her esour cest hatwi l
lsponsori tar enotav ailable,
becausey ourassi gnmenti snoti nl inewi th such.And t hatr esour cesar edi v i
ne
enablementgi venbaseonwhatGoddest inedy out obe.Sof orAf rica,nomat terhow
wedet ermi net odoai rplane, i
tcannotbel i
ket hosewhoar ebei ngpr edest inedf orsuch
assignment .Ev ent houghaNi ger ianmanpr oducesaer opl ane, theNi ger iaindi geneswi ll
beaf raidt oent ert heai rplane, why ?Becauset hegr acet obel i
ev eandt heconf idencei n
oursel vesi nt erm ofsucht echnol ogyi snott her e.Butcomi ngt ospi ritualt hingswecan
putal lourl i
v esandt rustt owhatourpast or ssay .Fory out oknowt hedi mensi onwher e
thegr aceofGodi satwor ki nus. Andt hati swher eourpr osper i
tyl ies.i tl iesi n
engagi ngt heagencyoft hespi ri
tt oachi ev eear thlybl essi ngs,becauset hati swher e
ourcapaci tiesl ie.Wecandomuchofpr ay erandmuchoft hi
nki ngi nget tingsol utions
toourpr obl ems.Thati st hecapaci tybui ltinus, whi chi st hecapaci tyt obel i
ev ei tisonl y
Godt hatcanhel pus, andt hatnott hel awt hatcanhel pus.Justi magi neaper i
odt hen,
whenwebegant opreachallChri
sti
ansshoul dgooutandvote,wet hi
nksuchl
awcan
worki nthepol i
ti
cal syst
em ofNi ger
ia,No!Itcannot
,thet oolofprayert
hatwe
neglect
ediswhatwemustgobackt o,becauset
heprobl
em ofNigeri
ahasgonebeyond
tel
l
ingChrist
ianstogooutandv ote.

ThewayGodcr eat edusi st hatwhatweneedt osucceedi si nev er yone' s

capaci ty.Mostoft hosecount ri
est hatar er ichtodayonl ysucceedi nusi ngwhatt hey
hav et ogetwhatt heyneed.Ther eisar odofMosesi nt hehandofev eryone, andy our
successl iesi nwhati si ny ourhand.Sof orusi nAf rica,GodHi msel fi souri nher itance,
pray eri sourr ode, andHi spl anf orusi stouseHi mt ogetev erythingweneed.Wehav e
thegr acet ocal lt
hingst hatar enotast hought heywer e.Wear eEl ij
ahandEl ishat ot his
wor ld.Wespeakbydecr eeonanycont r
ary si tuat i
ont oexper iencecl oseoropen
heav en.Oursuccessi si nourmout h.Wear epeopl ewi thspeci algr acet odet er mi neby
prophecywhatwebef al lAmer i
cansandy ouseet hem r unni ngaf t
erust oknowwhati s
thesol utionandhowi twi l
lcomet opass.IhearGodsay ingwhycan' tAf r
ical ear nf rom
Josephwhor oset opr imemi nisternotbycer ti
ficat e,butbygi ft(Gen41) .Thepov erty
ofAf ricast artedwhenwebegant obehav el i
keot hercont i
nent sandr efuset obewhom
wear e.Andwecannev erbef r
eef r
om pov ertyunt ilwest opl ooki ngout war dt obel i
ke
them,andbegi nt ol ooki nwar dt obewhom wear e.Al lthi scopy catt hatl eadst oan
Africanmanbecomi ngaPhDhol deri nmechani cal engi neer ing, yethewi llnotbeabl et o
repai rhi scar .Ourheadsar ef ulloft heor ies,butourhear tsar eempt yofpr act icals.We
canbl ow Engl i
sht il
lt omor row y etnoti ndependent .A st udentwi llgr aduat eandbe
relyi
ngonGov ernment ,wher easgov ernmentshoul dbet heonet hati ssupposedt o
relyi
ngonhi m.Why ?Becausewel eftourgr aceandbegant ocopyt hewayofl if
eand
educat ionalsy stem oft hewhi te.Wear enotwi redt obel i
ket hem,t hati swhywear e
forcing our sel ves t ol ear n whatt heydi scov ered bysel fknowl edge.On a nor m,
educat ioni snotsupposedt obewhaty oushoul dbecr ammi ng.Wear ecr ammi ng,we
aret ryingt oputi nourmemor i
eswhatwear enotwi redf or.Al lt heseat t i
t udesof
soaki ngt owel inwat erandput ti
ngi tony ourheadwhi l
er eadi ngi snotGod' spl anf orus,
i
ti sl iket ryi
ngt oputi ny ourbr ain whati t'
snotwi r
edt oaccept .Ourbr aini sl ikea
magnet ,wheni tcomesacr osst heknowl edge neededf ori t,itwi llaccepti twi thout
stress.Wheny ourmemor ycomesi ncont actwi thwhati ti swi redt oknow, i
tdoesnot
struggl et oknowi t.Sol etusaskour selves,whati swr ongwi thusi nAf rica?Al lthese
aret hei ssuest hechur chsupposet odealwi th.Thi si st her ealpr osper ityt eachi ngsi n
l
inewi tht henewt est amentdoct ri
ne, andnotal lt
hesesowi ngofmi l
lionsofnai ra, giv i
ng
ti
thes, pay ingof ferings ki ndoft eachi ngswear er epeat ingev erySundayasay ar dst ick
topr osper ity.Wear et alkingaboutnat i
onali ssuesher e.I tisnott hewi llofGodt obl ess
usf rom i ndiv i
dualbasi s, whenatnat ionall evelthingsar ewr ong.* Thepur poseofGod' s
blessi ngi nt henew t est amenti snotf ory ou,Hebl essedy out obl essl ife.Soi tisnot
yout hatGodi shav ingi nmi ndwhenHebl essedy ou.
 Inthe New Test ament ,He f i
rstputl iv
es attached toy ourdest i
ny into
consider
ati
on.Hechosey ourAbraham,becauseachi l
dwi l
lbebornt hroughyou.So
thereissomethingGodispl anningtodoi nthenext300y ears,andHeknowst hatthe
roleyouwil
lplaynowwi l
lhav esomethingtodowi thwhatwillhappeninthat300y ears.
Cany ouimaginethatChriststi
llhad4000y earsaheadtocomey et,Godhadbegunt o
planwithAbraham asiftherealpurposewhyHecal l
edhimi sbecauseofhi mself(Gen
12).Sogetoutofallt
hesesel fi
shment al
it
iesconcerni
ngGodbl essi
ngusal one.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesThi
rt
ySev
en)

Now Ibel i
evey oucanseet hemy st
eriesbehi ndt her eal i
tyofpr osper ityinl ine
wi t
hnewt estamentper spect ive.Fory out oknowt hatify ouar ef ortunatet obeamong
ther i
ch,i tisabi ggr acef rom abov e,becauset her acei snott ot heswi ft( Ecc9: 11).
Wehav edeal twi thpr osperityi nlinewi t
ht henat ionall evel.Now,l etust al kaboutt he
realit
yofpr osper it
yf rom fami lylevel.Becausej ustaswehav enat ionalcov enant ,so
alsowehav ef ami l
ycov enant .Andj ustaswehav egener ationalcur se,alsowehav e
gener ati
onalbl essing.And j ustas t he gener ationalcur se af fect i
ng one f ami lyi s
differ
entf rom eachot her,alsot hegener ati
onalbl essingi ni ndividualf amilyi sdi ff
er ent
from eachot her .Everyfami l
yonear thhasoneuni quebl essi ngt hatbr ingsgl oryt othem,
andal sot heyhav eonecur set hatbr ingsshamet ot hem.Mi ndy ou,t osomef ami lies
theirgener ationalcur sei snotpov erty,whi l
et osomet hei rgener ati
onalbl essi ngisnot
money .Ther ear efami l
iest hathasnogener at
ionalf inanci albl essingf oll
owi ngt hem,
buti nt i
meofheal ththeyal way shav egoodheal th.Youseet hem l ivi
ngupt o100y ear s
beforet heydi ed.Thel eastper sondy i
ngi nt hefami l
ywi llbecl ocki ng90y ear s.Andy ou
seeanot herf ami l
yblessedwi thf i
nanci alprosper it
y ,
buty ousuddenl yseeonecommon
gener ati
onalsi cknessaf fectingev eryoneoft hem.Fory out oknowt hatify oudon' tsee
anygener at i
onalf inancialbl essi ngi ny ourf ami l
y,ther ewi l
lbeoneuni quebl essi ng
trendingi nthef ami ly.AndIwi llexplaini nthel atterser ieshowunf ortunatef ami l
ycan
becomef ortunat e.

Theonl ypr oblem ofmanyf amilieswhoknow notChr istJesusi sthatt herei s

tendencyf orthegener ationalcur set oov ershadow t hegener ationalblessingi nt hat
family
.Themomenty ouhav eChr isty ouhav epowert oov ercomet hegener ational
curseandmani festt hegener at i
onalbl essi ng.Buti fyoudon' thav eChr i
st,youcanst i
ll
manifestgener ationalbl essing,butal so car ryt he gener ati
onalcur se in addi ti
on.
Becauseonceabl essingi sgener ati
onal, youdon' tneedt obebor nagai ntobenef itfrom
i
t,whatqual if
iesy oui st haty ouar ebor nf r
om t hef ami l
y.Thati swhyy ousuddenl ysee
somef amili
esv er ybr il
liant ,ofwhi chei thert heyar ebor nagai nornoty ouseet hem
comingoutwi t
hf ir
stcl assi nt heirhigheri nsti
tuti
onorbecomef ir
stint heirprimar y
school.BecauseGenecont ri
but est other ealityofacademi cintell
igence, t
hatiswhyy ou
don'tblameany onewho i sdul lacademi cal l
y,becauset hef ami l
yhecomesf rom
contri
butet ohi sacademi corsoci alint elligence.Sosamet of i
nancialpr osperit
y ,at
ti
mest her earei nher it
ancecov enantt hatmanyar efortunatet oi nheri
tandt hatgi ves
them good successi nany t
hi ng theyl ayt heirhandsupon.Iknow ofonef ormer
governorofast atei nt hewest ernpar tofNi geri
at hatherpar entcampedApost l
e
AyodeleBabal oladur i
nghi sev angelism mi ssi ontoonecommuni ty,andhespokesome
propheciestot hebabyi nt hewomboft bet hef amilythatcampedhi m.Imustconf ess,
themani nquest ionwasnotabor nagai n, butapr ophecyspokenaheadofhi m became
covenanttohisli
feandhi schil
dren'schildr
en.Ther earemanyofourf or
ef at
hersthat
haddoneonegoodt hingsortheot hertosomemi ssionariesthatcametoAf r
icai
nt he
centur
ypastt hattheyspokesomepr opheci est
ot heirgenerati
onandy ouseeev ery
chi
ldcomi ngoutfrom thatf
amilyli
v i
ngi nli
newi t
ht hatprophecy.Sametothoseunder
generat
ionalcurse.Itwasbecauset heirforefathershaddonesomet hingev i
lthat
someoneundert heinfl
uenceofdemoi ncpowerpl acedacur seuponsuchf ami
ly,of
whichitwill
onlytakethebloodofChr isttor emovei t
.

Now t hisist hef actaboutt hemat ter:t hebl oodofJesusdoesnoter ase

gener at i
onalbl essinguponanyoneei thery ouar ebor nagai nornot ,buther emov es
gener at i
onalcur seuponany onet hatgi v eshi sli
fet oHi m, becauseol dev i
lthingshav e
passedaway( 1Cor i
n5: 17).Not hingj usthappennat urallywheni tcomest of inanci al
prosper i
tyinAf ri
ca,becausebydi vinei nher i
tancef i
nanci alpr osperit
yisnott hepor tion
ofAf rica.So bef or eany onecanhav ei t,itmusthav ebeenbecauset herear esome
agenci esi nthespi ritbehi ndi t
.Not hingf inancialbr eakt hroughj usthappennat urallyi n
Af r
ica.Youcannotr isetot het opf inanci allyifsomecov enant sorpower sdonotwor k
wi t
hy ou.Youcant r
yt hati nanot hercount ry,butcomi ngt oAf ri
cai seitheranagency
from t heheav enorsomeagenci esf rom dar knessar ebehi ndi t.Becausebynat ional
cov enant ,i
tisspi ritualblessi ngt hati st hepor t
ionofAf ri
caandGodexpect st hem t o
uset hatspi ri
tualbl essingt oinv okef i
nanci alprosper it
yi ntoexi stence.Becausemostof
theev i
linAf ricawer espokeni ntoexi st encebyspi ri
tualev i
lmen.Sobl essingcanonl y
bespokent oexi stencebyspi ritualmen.Not hingjusthappennat urall
yinAf rica, afor ce
mustcomef rom thespi r
itualr ealmt opusht her ealit
yt oexi stence.Manyhav ehear dof
howDangot et herichestmani nAf ri
cahadanencount erwi thBi shopBensonI dahosa
(BlessedMemor y).Thepr ophetspoket ohi sl i
feandt i
l
lt odayhehasnotr ecov er ed
from suchbl essing.Sowheny ousuddenl yseeat rendi naf ami l
y,communi tyorst at e,
pauseandwat ch,ther eisanagencyoft hespi ritbehi ndi t,bei tgoodorev il
.Mostof
thoser uli
ngNi geri
af r
om West ernpar tar efrom Ogunst ate.Itisnotnat ural,itwasa
prophecydecl arebysomeol dmi ssionar i
est hatcamet oset tl
ei nthatst ate.Because
from hi storywewer etoldt hatwhent hosemi ssi
onar iesf irstlandedi nNiger i
at heyf irst
camet oonest ateandt hepeopl eoft hatcommui tysentt hem out ,butwhent heynow
wentt oAbeokut ai nwhi cht hepeopl eofAbeokut aembr acedt hem andt hatl edt hose
mi ssionar i
est ospeaksomepr opheci esont hatland.Ther eisadi vi
nehi stor ybehi nd
manyt hi
ngshappeni nginsomef ami lies.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesThi
rt
yEi
ght
)

Oneoft het hingsthatmanyst udentsint heschooloft hespi ri

tneedst oknow
i
st hat ,y oucan' tknow t hemov eofGodt hroughbi blest udy ,y ouknow i tthrough
spiri
tualsensi t
ivit
yandobser vationofwhati shappeni ng.Youcanknow t hewayof
Godbybi blestudy ,y oucanknow t henat ureofGodbybi bl est udy ,butcomi ngt othe
mov eofGod,y oucannotknow i tt hr
oughbi blest udy .Ev erythingwehav ei nthe
scri
pt urei st hev ersionofthewayofGodandnat ur eofGodt hatHewant sust oknow,
butcomi ngt ohi smov e,wemustl earnt obesensi ti
vet ot hemov eoft hespiri
t.Trul
y
theIsr aeliteshadt hebookoft hel awi nthewi l
der ness, butwheni tcomet othet i
met o
mov ef orwar d,theywoul dhavet ol ookatt hecl oudoff ireandl i
ghtaheadoft hem,
because i ti s bysuch obser vation t hattheycan mov ef or ward( Exo 40:36).Thi
s
dimensi onal soisneededt obet akeni ntoconsider at i
oni nthesel astday sbyev eryman
ofGod:Becausei fthatisnottakeni ntoconsider ation,whati twi llr
esul ttoisthatmen
ofthescr iptur
ewoul dnowbegi nt ouset hescr ipt uret ofightagai nstt hemov eoft he
spiri
t,andt hatisexact l
ywhatwear eseeingi nthesel astday s.Andt hatwast heissue
thescr ibesdur i
ngJesusday shadwi ththeteachi ngofJesus.Ev erythingtheysawHi m
doingt endst ocont r
adictwhatisint hebookoft hel aw.

I
nt hebookoft hel aw,whoar ey ouasal adyt obeki ssi ngt hef eetofapr i
est ,
theywi llstoney out odeat h, butsuddenl ywesawMar ywhobr okeheral abast erboxand
usedi tt or ubt hef eetofJesus,att het imet hescribeswer elooki ngatt hescr ipturet o
seeanact iont hati sagainstt hel aw, Jesuswasseei ngt her ev
el ationofwhatmar rywas
doing,whi chwaspr eparinghi mf orbur i
al(John12) .Samet ot hewomant hatwas
caughti nt heactofadul t ery( John8: 1-11).Theybr oughthert oJesust obest onedt o
deathaccor dingt ot helawofMoses( Deut22:22- 25),whi chwasr ight,butt her ewasa
new mov eofGod' smer cywhi cht hePhar i
seescoul dnotunder standatt het imet hey
werel ooki ngatt hel awtoseet hej udgementt hewomandeser v ed.Jesuswasl ooki ng
downandbegant owr i
teont hef l
ow t henew wayofhandl ingsuchi ssue,whi ch
emanat edf rom t het hroneofGod.Andconf l
ictbeganbet weent hemanoft hescr i
pture
andt hemanoft hespi r
it.Ihearsomeonesay ingtherei snothi ngnewt hatwi llhappen
thatwi l
lnotbef oundi nt heBi ble:Yes,y ouar er i
ght.Ther eisnot hingnewi nt heBi ble,
butther ear enew under standi ngaboutwhati snotnew i nt hebi ble.Thebi bl et alks
aboutt hehol inessofGodandnot hingi snewaboutt hat,butther ei snewunder standi ng
ofthewayt oat taini t
,dif ferentf rom t hewaywear ebr oughtupwi th.Thebi bleal so
tal
ksaboutt hepr osperit
yofGodandnot hingaschangeabouti t
.West il
lbeliev et hat
Hewant sust opr osperi nt erm off inancej ustasourf athersi nf ai
tht houghtus,but
thereisnow new under st andi ngoft hewayt oat tainiti nlinewi t
hNew Test ament
perspect ive.Sot heknowl edgeoft hewor dnev erchanged,butt hewi sdom oft hewor d
i
sl i
fe( John6: 63),soi tcanchange.Andt hatiswhatmanydonotknow,any t
hi ngt hat
i
sl i
fecanchange,t ruthmanynotchange,becausei tisabsol ute,butlifecanchange,
becauseitisprogressive.Soy oumustl earnnotonl ybeseeingt hewor dfrom absolute
trut
halone,butseeingitfrom l
ifeword.Andt hatnewunder standi nginitisthef orceof
theSpiri
t,
*becausegr owthproducesnewunder standing.Ev erynewunder standingis
forapurposeperseason, andwhent hetimecomesy oubegint oseet heunder standing
ofmenopeni ngt othenewr evel
ati
on.Andwhent hi
sbegi ns,thereisal waysapr obl
em
betweent hi
snew r evelati
onandment hatchampi ont helastmov e.Andt hoset hat
championt helastmov emayendupbei ngthef i
rsttoolthatdev i
lwillusetof ightthe
new mov e.Becauseoft heiri
nabili
tytounder st
andt hedifferencebet weenabsol ute
wordofGod( Logos),andapr ogressiv
ewor dofGod( Rhema) .

Manypeopl ebel iev

et hatwhensomet hingi snew,i tisnotGod.Wear efoundof
thehabi tofhol dingunt othepastt rutht hinkingt hatthr owi ngsucht ruthawaymeanst o
backsl i
de.No,Godsay sIwi l
ldoanewt hing,thati thasnotent eredi ntot hehear tof
man( 1Cor in2: 9),that 'swhatHehasf orus.Sot herear edeept hingst hathehasf or
mant hati nt hisy ear2019i thasnotent er edintot hehear tofanyman.Sowhyf ighting
thenewmov eofGod?Noonei ssay ingy ourol dr evelati
oni sheresy ,noonei sagai nst
thedoct ri
nesofourf athersinf aith, butwhatwear esay i
ngi sthatGodi saGodofbot h
absol uter evel ationandpr ogressiv er ev elati
on.Andt hemai npurposewhyHechose
thatwayi ndeal ingwi thusi sbecausewear ef oundofi dol izi
ngamov eorpr i
ncipleof
God.Wear ef oundofmakeaspi ritualmov et obecomer eli
gionandoncei tisso,a
power f
ulmet hodbecomesmer et r adi ti
on.Youher et hem say i
ngt hisi snott heway
Apost leJosephAy odel eBabal ola( Bl essedMemor y)handedi tovert ous,f orgetting
thatifApost leAy odel eBabal ol
ai sst i
llal iveinthisage, hewoul dhav echangedmanyof
hisdoct ri
nest hatwear eignor ant l
yconsumi ngnow.Andi fIshouldt ellyouonet hing
churchoft hisgener ationisl ackingi st hisabi li
tytoknowt hemov eofGodperseason.
It'
stheabi lit
yt oknowwhenamet hodusedbysomeonet hatoncepr oducedr esul tsis
outdat ed.WhenGodi snol ongeri nt hepoolofbet hesda, butcamedowni nt heform of
mant ost andbesi det hepool ,yetwhent hesi ckmanf oundGodhi sfaithwasst i
llint he
pool( oldmet hod:John5: 1-15).TheGodofangel swasst andingwi thhi m,y ethewas
sti
lllooki ngf orwhom t ocar ryhimt ot hepoolt omeett heangelt hatdost eerthepool
everyy ear.Hmmm. .
.Thespi ri
toft radi ti
on.Mi ndy out hepoolst i
llpr oducesr esul ts;
i
kejiAr a- i
kejiwat erst i
llproducesr esul ts,butl it
tledot heyknow t hatGodi snol onger
there.

Therei
sashifti
nthespir
ittheycouldnotunderst
and,why ?Becauseanewmov e
wil
lalway scontr
adi
cttradi
ti
on,andBecauseoft hat,thet r
aditi
onali
sti
nt hechurch
cal
ledEldersofthechurchbecomePhar iseesofthenewage.I twil
lappearasifthey
areteachersofthelaw.Theywillshowy ouwithevi
dencet hetradit
ionfr
om thebible.
Theywi l
ltakeyoutoMalachi3tot el
lyouaboutti
thing,buttheycouldnotdiscer
nthat
thecl
oudhasshi f
ted.Hmmm. .
.Becausewear efoundoffighti
ngthemov eofGod,
onceiti
sdif
fer
entf r
om oldones.Themenofi ssacharwer
egi f
tedinthi
sdimensi
on.
Theyhadtheunderstandi
ngofthemov eofGodperseason(1Chr on12:
32).
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesThi
rt
yNi
ne)

Iquicklyest ablishedanot eint hel astser i

est oopenourunder standi ngt ot he
reali
tyoft hedeepr evelati
onalmov eofGodi nt hisseason.Mostespeci allyi nthear ea
ofhol inessandpr osper ity.Youwi l
ldi scov erv i
vidlyi fy ouar espi r
ituallysensi tive
enought hatt hemaj orer r
ort henewmov eoft hisseasoni scor rectingmaj orlyont he
doct r
ineofpr osper it
yandt hedoct rineofhol i
ness.Mi ndy outhegr acemov ementi s
notat t
ackingt hedoct ri
neofhol inessandpr osper i
ty,buti tisamov ementanoi ntedby
Godt ocor rectsomeer rorsi nt het eachi ngofhow t oat t
ainhol inessandpr osperity
.
Hol i
ness:t heyt oldushowt oachi ev eitisbykeepi ngt helaw;Pr osper ity:theyt oldus
howt oachi evei ti
sbypay ingt i
the,andnoneoft hesemet hodsi st r
uei nl inewi tht he
NewTest amentt eachi ng.Thati swhyi fy ouhav enotencount eredt her evel ationoft he
graceofGod, anycor r
ectionwear emaki ngi nthesel astday smaybesoundi ngst r
ange
toy ou.Butf ort hosewhohav eencount eredt her evelationoft her ighteousnessbyf aith
willknowt hathol i
nessi snotamat terofkeepi ngt hel awaswewer ebr oughtupwi th
(Rom 3: 22).Andf ort hosewhohav eencount eredt her evelati
onoft hecr ossofChr i
st
willknow t hatt herei snot hingy ouwi l
ldot hatwi llqual if
yy ouf orGod' sbl essing,itis
whatChr istdi dandy ourmat urityint heknowl edgeofhi mt hatqual i
fi
esy out obea
partakerofhi sbl essingsi ncludingpr osper i
ty( Gal3: 14).WhatHehasdoneont he
crossqual
if
ieseveryhumanbei ngboththebor
nagai
nandt heunbel
ievert
ogett
he
physi
calbl
essingsofGod,whi l
ebeingbornagai
nandtheknowledgeofwhatChr
ist
hasdonequali
fiesyouforspi
ri
tualbl
essi
ng.

Thecr osshasopenedt hef inancialheav enuponev eryhumanbei ngonear th,

botht heChr isti
ansandnon-Chr i
sti
ans.I nt heOl dTest amentphy sicalorf i
nanci al
prosper ityisanev idenceofobedi ence,buti ntheNewTest amentbei ngahumani san
evidencet haty ouar emeantf orf i
nanci alpr osperit
y.Soi ft her easonwhyy ouar e
fol
lowi ngChr istisbecauseofmoneyy ouar ewast i
ngy ourt i
me,becausey oucanhav e
i
twi thoutgi veny ourl i
fetoChr i
st.Al lthesear ewhatgr acet eachi ngcamet ocor rect.
Sowhenmanyofusf i
rstencount eredgr ace,itdawnedonust hatwear enol onger
undert hel aw,butnowundergr ace.Itdawnedonust hatlivingr ightisnotamat terof
struggle,butanexpr essionoft hegr aceatwor ki nus.Itdawnedonust hatiti sno
l
ongeramat terofwhatwedo,butamat terofwhatHehasdone.I fthegr acei snot
available, wer estint hefini
shedwor kandst opstruggli
ngt obeper f
ect,andi fwesense
thegr acewewakeupandst andi nther esur recti
onpower ,
becausewemustnotr emai n
sit
edwi t
hChr ist
.Weonl ysitbecausewear ewai t
ingforgr aceandoncegr acecomes,
west andwi t
hChr i
standbegi ntodot hewor kofr i
ghteousnessnoti nselfwillagain,but
i
nChr ist'
swi ll,becauset hereisnowapoweratwor kinusmaki ngust owi l
landt odo
(Phil
lip2: 13).Imustconf esstoy ou,ift herei snopoweratwor kinme,Idon' tstruggle
toliveanyhol ylif
e.IfIdon' thavet hegr ace,Iwi l
lratherbegl oryinginmyweaknesses
thanpret
endingtobewhatIam not,sot
hatChri
stpowercanr
estuponme,becauseI
havecaughtar evel
ati
onofrecei
vi
ngChr i
st'
spoweroverweaknessi
n2Cor in12:9
whichsays:

NIV:Buthesaidtome,“ Mygraceissuff
ici
entf
oryou,f
ormypowerismade
perf
ectin weakness.
”Theref
ore Iwi
llboastallt
he more gl
adl
yaboutmy
weaknesses,
sothatChri
st’
spowermayrestonme

Sodon' tl
etmyenemyr ejoi
ceovermyweakness, becauseIbeari nmybodyt hemarkof
thecrossandt hemar kistheevidenceofthegr aceofGodatwor kinmyl if
e( Gal6:
17).
Sowhent hisnew mov ementcame,t heholi
nesspr eachersandpr osperi
typreachers
begant ofightagainstit,becauseitagainstt
her uleofdon'ttouch,tasteandpayt i
the
theytaughtuswhi chwasunabl etohel pus,wedon' tdespi
set heirmessages,because
i
ti spreventi
on,butwewantcur e.Youdon'tgivememosqui tonetwheny ouhavenot
curedmeoft hemal ari
ai nme.Thecur eofpov er
tyisnott i
the,thecur eofsinisnot
keepingthelaw.Ineedadr ugandinject
ionbeforemosqui t
onet .

*Thehol inesspr eachi ngi sl ikemosqui t

onet ,thoughhet aughtusnott of ornicat eand
weabi de, butwemast urbat e.Thesamenat urethatmani f
esti nf ornicat ioni sthesame
naturethatmani festi nmast ur
bation.Thenwebegant ocryoutwhowi lldel iverusf rom
thisnatur eofsi n,becauset hegoodwel ovet odowedonotandt hev er yev ilwehat et o
doi swhatwedo.I tisnol ongeruswhodo, butt hesininus( Rom 7) .Sowedon' thav e
problem, thepr obl em i sinus, andt hecur et othatsi nthehol inesspr eachercannotgi ve
us.Becauset heyt hemsel vesneedcur ebecausei tisobv i
ousi nt hei rliv es.Theyt aught
ust hef earofGod,si nandhel l
,butsol utioni snoti nthat .Wedi dnotf or ni
cat enot
becausewel ov enott odoi t
,butwef eart odoi t.Andanydi mensi ont hatisbei ng
obey edbecauseoff earofGodandhel lisnotaNewTest amentt eachi ng.I nthenew
testamentweobeybecausewel ov etoobey .Thef earoft heLor di sonl yt hebegi nning
ofwi sdom ( Prov9: 10).Andwecannotr emai nint hebegi nningofwi sdom, whenwecan
accesst heend.Tor emai ni nt hef earoft heLor di st oremai ni nt hebegi nning.Sowe
mustl ear ntomov ef r
om t hef earofGodt ot hel oveofGodsot hatwecanenj oyt he
full
nessoft hewi sdom.Feari st hebegi nningofwi sdom,whi l
el ov ei st hef ull
nessof
wisdom.Sot henewmov ementnev eragainsthol inessandpr osper ity, buti tagai nstt he
oldmet hodofachi evingi t.Becausei nsci encet hemor et her esear ch,t hemor ey ou
discoveranew t echnol ogy ,drugandsol utiont hati seasi erandf ast ert hant heol d
met hod, becauseany thingol dareusual lyslowandhar d.Sowhatev er ynewt echnol ogy
usuallyachi evesi st owor kupont heweaknessoft heol dt echnol ogywhi chwi l
lbe
easierandf asterandt hemomentanewt echnol ogycomes, t
heol dbecomesobsol et e.
Samet ot het hingsoft hespi ri
t.Wef oundaspi rit
ualtechnol ogywhi chi shar derand
verydi f
ficul ttoachi ev eandappl y.Wewer et aughtt oapplyi tbyt el
lingust hatnot hing
ofv aluecomeseasi lyandcheap.Theyt oldust hepr iceforanoi ntingi shar d.Butas
wecont inuet omakespi ri
tualr
esearch,webegant oseepossi bil
ityofachi evingt he
samer esul twithoutst r
uggl eandeffortofanypr ice,becausewest umbl edont hewor d
ofJesust hatsay shi sy okeiseasyandhi sbur deni sl i
ght( Matt11:30).Butl ookingat
they okeofanoi ntingandpowerpl aceduponusbyt heteachingwewer ebr oughtup
with,itisnoteasy ,becauset heyaretelli
ngusi tis40day sdr yfasting.Theyar et ell
ing
usi tisbei nghol ylikeangel .Wecompar edt hey oket owhatJesussai di nMat thew11
vs28,wef oundt hatweneedt obegint owor kanewt echnologyt hatwi llachi evet he
samer esul t,butwi thl essereffort
.Andt hati swhatt hegr acet eachingcamet odo.
Ther eisanewt echnol ogyi ntheunder standingofgr acethati fyoucancat ch,y ouwi l
l
producet her esultst hatmenwhowenton40day sdr yfastingreceivedify ourcal l
i
ngi s
i
nl inewi thsuchr esul t
.Becauseev er
ydi mensi onofanyspi ri
tualmani fest ati
oni nt he
NewTest amenti sbycal l
i
ngandel ect
ion,notofhi mt hatrunnethorofhi mt hatwi ll
eth
(Rom 9: 16) .Don'tletany oneappearstoy ouasi fitishisholinessorsacr ifice.

Payapr i
cei nt entionallyt ogetspi r
itualbl essi ngi stobepay i
ngf ori gnor ance.
Theypai dt hepr ice,becauseofi gnor anceoft hef actthatsomeonehaspai dt hepr ice
forthem.Andwhenknowl edgei smi ssing, effor tisl i
v i
ng; andwher eknowl edgei sliv i
ng,
effortwi llbemi ssing.Lear nf rom any thingmanualandaut omat icont echnol ogy ;law
teachingi sl i
kemanual ,whi l
egr acet eachi ngi sl ikeaut omat ic.Whataut omat i
cneeds
i
sknowl edge,becauseev erythinghasbeenpr ogr ammed.Butwhatmanualneedsi s
effortbecausey ouref for t
si nputwi l
ldet er mi net her esultsout put.Butcomi ngt o
automat ic,t heknowl edgedi scov eredwi l
ldet ermi net heout putresult.Underaut omat i
c
youonl yr ef uset odo,becausey oudon' tknowwhatt odo.Andoncey ouknowy ouwi ll
surelydo,becauset hedoi ngi sv erysi mpl e,ev er yt
hinghasbeenpr ogrammed.I tis
fi
nishedt oev eryhumanef fort
s.Butundermanualy our efuset odo, becauset herei sno
powert odo.Amanundermanualwi llal way skeeponcr yingformor epower ,butaman
underaut omat icwi llalway skeeponcr yf orknowl edget oknowt hepowerav ail
abl ei n
him.Whent hingsdonotwor kunderaut omat ic,y ouknow y ouhav et amper edwi tha
processi nl inewi t
ht hemodeofoper ationsdesi gnedbyt hemanuf act urer.Amanof
manualwi llpr efermount ainofpr ay er,whi leamanofaut omat icwi llpreferlibrar yof
knowl edge,t hati shi smount ainr oom.Becausemet hodt ousehasbeengi venont he
technicalequi pment ,al lheneed i st or ead t hei nstruct i
onsr ecommended byt he
manuf act uringcompanyandasheappl i
es, heget sr esul tandi fhedoesnotunder st and,
hecal lst her epresent ativeagentorcust omercar eoft hemanuf acturer( HolySpi ri
t )to
askf orwi sdom onwhatt odo.AndIbel ievey ouknow t hephonenumberoft he
customercar e(Hol yspi ri
t).Hmmm. .
.Under st andi ngt heol dandt heNewTest ament .
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesFor
ty)

Now,backt o ourst udies on t he r ealit

yaboutpr osperit
yi nl ine wi t
h New
Testamentdoct ri
nes.Wehav edeal twi t
hi tf rom national level t
oshowushowsomeone
undert hecur seofpov ertycant rav eloutoft hecount ryt oanot hercount r
yt hatisunder
thecov enantofpr osper ityandmakei t.Weest ablishedaf actt hatacur sedmani na
blessedl andi sbet terthanabl essedmani nacur sedl and.YoucanseewhyJacob
had t ol eav ehi sl and t o Egy ptdespi tet hef actt hathewasundert hei nherited
covenantofpr osper i
t y
,becauseEgy ptwasabl essedl andatt hatper i
od( Gen46) .Can
youseewhysomeonewhohasst r
uggl edt omakei ti nNi ger i
af orlongwi lljusttr
av elto
UKandwi thint woy earshei sal readyami l
li
onaire.Wehav ealsot alkedabouthow
prosper i
tyi sal so af ami l
ycov enant .Weest abli
shed af actt hatj ustaswehav e
gener ational cursessoal sowehav egener ational bl
essi ngs.Andwesai dt hatcomi ngt o
gener ationalbl essings,y oudon' tneedt obebor nagai nt oexper i
encei t,asl ongasy ou
aredi rect l
yr elatedt ot hef ami l
ybybl oody out endt oenj oyi t,becausecov enantwor ks
baseonbl ood.Thatev ent houghy oudonotpayt itheory ouar enotbor nagain,y our
Dav i
docanst i
llber ich,y ourOt edol acanst i
llmakei t,y ourDangot ecannev erbepoor ,
someoft hem ar eoper atingundergener ati
onal covenantunknownt othem.I nt hi
sspi ri
t,
themomentani ssueorev entbegi nst or epeati tsel fi naf amily,townorcount ry
,
spiri
tualwi sdom demandst hatwepauset owat chandaskquest i
onst ot racei ttoa
covenant ; nothingj usthappensr epeat edl yift hereisnof orcebehi ndit.Bot hi nblessing
andi ncur se.Butt hemomenty oucani dent i
fyy ourselfwi tht hebloodofJesus, youar e
freef rom anygener ationalcur se.Now,l etust al kaboutt het hir
d one,whi ch is
i
ndi v
idualcov enant .

Getthisf act,t
herear epeopl ethatent eraweal thcov enantr el
ationshi pwithGod
notfortheirpur pose,butf orgenerationalpur pose.Thi ssetar enotundergener ati
onal
covenantornat ionalcov enant,butt heyencount erGodper sonallyandGodmakesa
covenantofpr osperi
tywi tht hem.And t hepur poseofi ti snotf ort hem,butf or
generati
onat tachedt ot heirli
ves.Ihav et r
iedt ocor r
ectani mpressiont hatGoddoes
notblessy oupr i
marilybecauseofy ou,Hebl essesy oubecauseoft hel i
vesand
desti
niesattachedt ot hatsuccessbef orethef oundat i
onoft hewor l
d.Andt hisi
swhat
bi
rthedacal ling.Godt oldJer emiaht hatbef oreyouwer ebor nIhav eor dainedy ounot
becausey ouar eholy,bef orey ouwer ef ormedi ntot hephy sicalbody ,Ihav esety ou
apartwheny ouwer est i
llaspi r
itwit
houthumanbodyneededt ofunctiononEar t
h(Jere
1:
5).Samet oy ou,therear emanybor nagai nChr isti
anst hatGodcal ledi ntopr osperi
ty,
nottobepr osper it
yteacher s,buttobeapr osperitycar r
iers.Mi ndy ou, any onenotbor n
againcanenj oyanyf orm ofi nheri
tancet hatleadst ohi m bei ngfinanci all
ypr osperous
butcomi ngt ocalli
ngandGodhav i
ngapr osper i
tycov enantwi thy ou,y oumustbe
bornagainbef oresuchcal li
ngcanbegi nt omani f
est.Iti samat terofspi r
ittospiri
t,
(fathert oson)notamat erofl ifeandci rcumst ances.Becausepr osper i
tycanbe
recei v
edbyanoi nting, whi lei tcanber eceiv edbyt alentmor eoft hiswi llbeexpl ai nedi n
thenextt eachi ng.Andt hisi st hepoi ntIwantt oest abl i
sh,t rulyGodwant sal lofust o
prosper ,butHedoesnotcal lusal lintot hemi nistryofpr osper ity.Themi nist ryof
prosper it
yi swhenGodcal lsy ouandsety ouapar tsot hatt hroughy ouhundr edsor
thousandsofl i
f ewi l
lbl essed.Soi tisbecauseGodwant st het housandsandhundr eds
tobebl essedt hati swhyHecal l
edonl yoneper sonsot haty oucanbeav esselt obe
usedofwhi cht hroughy oumanywi l
lri
seup.Thati showGodoper atesi nt heki ngdom,
i
fHewant st obl essanat ion,Hedoesn' tlookf oranat ion,Hewi l
ll ookf ori ndiv iduals
andgi vetoi ndi vidual st hebl essi ngsofanat i
onsot hatt hrought hosei ndividual s,lives
canbebl essed.Thati swhati tmeanswheny oubecomeabl essi ngt ol ives.For
i
nst ance, itist heWi l
lofGodt hatwear eheal edandbei ngoodheal th( 3John1: 2) ,but
Hesai difany oneamongy oui ssickl ethi m cal lupont heel der s( James5: 14) .Why ?
Becauset her ear eel der st hathav ebeenbl essedwi tht heanoi ntingt ohealgener ations.
GoddoesnotbecauseHewant susal ltobeheal edandbegi nt odeposi theal ingpower
i
nt oev eryone,orbegi nst ohealusoneaf tert heot herbyHi msel ff r
om heav en.Rat her
Hel ooksf ormant or epr esentHi mi nt hatdi mensi on.Samet ot hemat t
eroff i
nanci al
prosper it
y.SowhatHedoesi st hatHechoosesani ndividual ,sethi m apar tandbl ess
him wi thheal inganoi ntingsot hatt hroughhi m manyl ivescanbeheal ed.Thati swhyno
mat t
erhowy ouhav ef ait hf orheal ingbyy our selfyoumaynotexper iencesomeheal ing
i
fy ouar esi ckunt ily ouv isitt heel ders( theper sonwi thheal inganoi nting)t hat 'st he
principleoft heki ngdom.Samet or evelati
on,Ihearsomepeopl esay ingy oucanst udy
Bibleal one,becausey ouhav eHol yspi rit
,t hatisast at ementmadeoutofi gnor ance
thatspr i
ngs f r om l ack ofknowl edge ofki ngdom way ofoper at i
ng.Ther e ar e
dimensi onsofr evelat iony oucan' tgetunt ilyousi tundert het eachi ngoft hosecal l
ed
i
nt ot heof f iceofat eacher( Eph4: 11) ,andbl essedwi t
hr evel ati
onalgr ace.Yousee
them exposi ngt oy oui nadaywhatcoul dhav et akeny out went y( 20)y ear st oknowi f
youdon' tencount ert hem.Sowhenev erGodwant st obl essanat ionwi that hing,He
setsani ndi vidualapar tandr eleasesuponhi mt hebl essi ngsoft housands.Thi ssame
thingappl iest of inanci alpr osper i
ty.Soj ustasIcannotboastoft hewr it
inggr ace
uponmyl ife, becauseIknowi tisacal ling, soy oushoul dnotboastofy ourpr osper ity
andbegi nt ol inki ttoy ourt i
thingandsowi ngt ot hewor kofGod.I tisnotofwor ks, lest
anymanshoul dboast( Eph2: 9) .

I
fy ousow t othewor kofGod,Godwi llnotblessy oumor ebecauseofy our
sacri
fi
cialgi
vi
ng, Hewillonl
yblessy ouforusi
ngyourcalli
ngbecauset owhom muchi s
giv
en,muchi sexpect ed.Becausei nthespiri
tthemor eyouusey ourcall
ingint he
si
ncerit
yofhear tthemor egracef l
ows.SoGodi snotseeinganyofy oursacri
fi
ce,the
sacri
fi
ceofChr istisenoughf orHim.Hei sonlyseeingaf ai
thfulserv
antthatisnot
buryi
ngHi sgrace( Matt25:
16- 18)
.Andt hemorey ouuset hefinanci
algif
tHegav et o
yout oaf fectl ivesandexpandt hekingdom,t hemor eHebl essesy ou,becausethatis
thepur poseoft hegi f
t.Gi f
toft hespiri
tincreaseswhent hepur posewhyi tisgivenis
beingut ili
zedandmaxi mi zed.Ipraythet eacherofprosper it
ywi l
lunderst
andt hi
sand
sincerelyt eacht hei
rmember st hi
s.Noonei spoorbecausehedi dnotpayt i
theandno
onei sr i
chbecausehepai dtit
he.Indi
vidualprosperi
tyi sacal li
ng.Itisnotbywhaty ou
do, t
her ear emanywhohav edonet hesamey et,noresult.Learnt ounderstandthatthe
momentGodcal lsyoui ntoanassi gnment ;t
hereareangel sthatwi llworkwi t
hyout o
ensur esuchcal li
ngisf ulfi
ll
ed.Ifyourcall
ingist opower ,therear eangelsi nchar
geof
power ,ifitispr osperi
tyt hereareangelsi nchargeoff avourt hatwi l
lbemaki ngthings
towor ktoget herf oryou.Youcanbegi ntosellpurewat erandsuchpur ewaterbecomes
pur e wat erf actory,from t herei tbecomes t abl
e wat er
,f rom t herei tbecomes
i
nt ernati
onal .Why ?Itisnotbypowernorbymi ghtbutbyt hespi rit(
Zach4: 6).
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewCov
enant(
Ser
iesFor
tyOne)

Iestablishedapoi ntinthel astseri

esoft hethreeway sofexperiencingprosperit
y,
whicht hef irsti
sbyanoi nt
ing;secondl ybyt al
ent;thir
dlybyinher
it
ance.Andgett hi
s
f
actt hat,iti sonet hingtor eceiveprosperi
tybyanoi nti
ng,whil
eitisanotherthingto
r
eceivepr osperit
ybyt al
ent,whi l
eitisanot herthi
ngt orecei
veitasi nher
it
ancef r
om
yourbiol ogicalfatherwhoi sr ichalr
eady ,becauset heBibl
esay sthatagoodf at
her
l
eavesi nher i
tancef orhischildr
en'schil
dren( Pr
ov13:22).

Nowl etmeexpl ai
nt histhr eedi mensi onsoneaf tertheot her.Thef i
rstist obea
blessingf rom Godt oother s;thesecondi st obebl essedbyGod;whi lethet hir
dist o
bebl essedbyman.Letmeexpl ainitagai n:tobeanoi ntedf orpr osperi
tyisforGodt o
makey ouabl essing;t obebl essedbyGodi sforGodt obl essy ouwi thsomegi fts,
talent
st hatcancommandweal tht oy ourself,Whil
et obebl essedbymancanbel iken
toy ourr i
chdadl i
vinggoodi nher itancef ory ou.Wehav emanywhoar eenj oyingthis
dimensi on.Thati swhysomepeopl et hatarenotbl essedwi t
ht hel astonecanl ikel
ybe
blessedwi theithert hefir
stort hesecond,noonei screatedunf ort
unate.I
tisonl ythat
manybecomepoor , becauset heyf ai
ltodi scoverthemsel v
es.Andbecauseoft hatthey
begint ocopyot hers,andt hati st hepr oblem ofNi geri
ans.Nowusi ngthetwochi l
dren
ofAbr aham asanexampl ey ouwi l
lunder standmypoi nt.*Godsai dthatIwi l
lbless
I
shmael ,butmycov enantwi llImakewi thIsaac:InthatGenesi sChapt er17v s.20-21:

20NIV:Andasf orIshmael ,Ihaveheardyou:Iwil

lsur
elybl
esshim;Iwi
llmakehim
fr
uit
fulandwillgreat
lyincreasehisnumbers.Hewil
lbethefat
heroft
welv
eruler
s,
andIwillmakehimi ntoagr eatnati
on.

21NI
V:.
ButmycovenantIwi
l
lest
abl
i
shwi
thI
saac,whom Sar
ahwi
l
lbeart
oyouby
t
hist
imenexty
ear.
”

Whi chmeansi tispossibl etobebl essedbyGodf i

nanci alandy etnotunderacov enant
off inancialpr osperit
y.Any thingcov enanti sgener ati
onal .ItmeansGodi snotonl y
blessi ngyou, butHei smaki ngy ouabl essi ngf orgener atons.Tobebl
i essedbyGodi s
differentfrom Godmaki ngyouabl essing.Sof orIshmael ,Godbl essedhi m,butf or
Isaac,Godmadehi m abl essing( Gen17: 20-21).Thati swhyt heblessi
ngofI shmael
cannotbei nherit
ed,becausehei snotunderacov enant .Soy oucanbebl essedbyGod
yetnotundert hecov enantoff i
nancialpr osperity.Andany oneGodwant stobl ess,He
cangi vehi m at alent,abusi nessi dea,acr eativeeducat i
onandmanymor et hatwi l
l
ser veasasour ceofpr osper it
yf orhim andy ouseehi m pr osperi
ng.Butf ort hose
undert heanoi nti
ngofpr osper it
y,what evert heyl ayt heirhandsuponbecomepr osper.
Any thingt heysel lbecomeswhatt hegener ati
onwi l
lbel ookingf or
.Iftheyent erinto
mi nistry,
themi nist
rywillbebl essed.Iftheygoi nt obusi nesst heywillbeprosper ous.If
theygoi ntoeducat i
onthesamet hi
ng.Anyl andt heyst epuponGodgi vestot hem.Any
j
obt heyl ayt hei rhandsupont heybecomepr osper ous, i
ftheysowi nadr yl and,theywi l
l
reapmul t i
plef oldsl ikeIsaac( Gen26: 12),why ?t heanoi nti
ngofpr osper ityupont hem
canbr eakanyy okeofpov erty ,delayandr ecessi on.Kudost oDaddyBi shopOy edepo
witht hisanoi nt i
ng.Theseset sar enotonl yabl essing,butany onet hatbel ieveint hem
and keyt hemsel ves intot heircov enantbegi nt or eceive a measur e off i
nanci al
anointingupont hei rli
ves,becauset heyar esetapar tt hatt hr
ought hem t hef ami lyof
manynat ionsshal lbebl essed( Gen18: 18) .Justi magi net henumberofst affwor kingin
Cov enantUni v ersity,bot ht eachi ngandnont eachingst aff ,i
magi net hosewhohav e
beendel iveredf rom pov ertyt hrought hecov enantupont hel i
feoft heser vantofGod
BishopDav i
dOy edepo.We hav esomel ect urersr eceivi
ngupt o#500, 000assal aryin
thesameUni v ersity,thoseset scoul dhav ebeenj obless,butacov enantuponaman
hasbr oughtt hem f rom not hingt osomet hing.Thati sthemy steryoff inanci alanointing.
Itisnotbyt ithing,i tisbycal ling.Manyoft hosewhor eceivedt hiski ndofgr ace
cannotexpl ai nwhyGodbl essedt hem l iket hatandmaket hem bl essi ngtot heir
gener ations.Butj ustfort hem t ohav esomet hingt oexpl ainonhowt heygott othet op
topeopl e,t heybegi nt ol i
nki tt ot hei
rdoi ngs,t hatisabi ger rorf ort hosewhohav e
gottent ot het opundert hiski ndofanoi nti
ngdomake.

Mindy ou, wheny ourbl

essi
ngisbytal
ent,i
tcansti
llbeexplai
nedbecauseiti
sby
processyout aket hatleadstogreat
ness,butcomingtoanoi nt
ingtopr
osperitisful
l
y
bygrace.ItislikeGodr eturni
ngthecapt
ivi
tyofZionthatitbecomesli
keadr eam (
Psa
126).Iti
sinexplicable.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewCov
enant(
Ser
iesFor
tyTwo)

Ibel i
ev et hef actt hatnomani sbor nt obepoor ,becausenoonei sbor nwi t hout
potent i
al.Youcanbebor npoor ,buty ouar enotbor nt obepoor ,andt haty ouar enot
bornt obepoordoesnotmeany oucannotdi epoor .Unt i
lwef ightagai nstt hesy stem
thatki l
lst hepr osper ityofmany .Ther ear emanywhoar enotbor nt obepoor ,buty et
diedpoor ,becauseofmanyf actorswear egoi ngt obeconsi der i
ngl at er.Because
therear emanyf actor st hatcont ri
butet ot hepov ertyofmany .Butt hef actst i
llremai ns
thaty ouar enotbor nt obepoor .Itwi l
lbewi ckednessonGod' ssi det obr ingusi nt ot he
earthwi t
houtput t
ingi nust hingsneededt osucceed.Thef ail
ureofpeopl ebegi nswhen
theybegi nt omov ear oundl ookingf ort hingsneededt osucceedi nst eadoft hem t ol ook
within.Thepr i
mar yt oolofsuccessi snotar oundy ou, butf i
rstwi thiny ou.Thet reasur e
withini ndividuali sgr eatert hanal lthet reasuresar oundt hem.Thati swhyIsai dt hat
everyhumanbei ngf allswi thinthecat egor i
esofpr osper it
yIment i
onedi nt hel astser ies.
Itisei thery ouar eanoi ntedt opr osper ;ory ouar ebl essedwi that alentneededt o
prosper ;ory ourf atherl eav esani nher itancef ory ou.Sot hepr osper it
yofanymanf alls
withint heset hreecat egor ies.Soy ouhav enoexcuset osayy ouar eunf ortunat e.You
mustnotal lowy our selftor emai nav i
ct i
m ofci rcumst ances.Theci rcumst ancesi sonl y
af i
ret obr ingoutt hegoodi nyou, buti fyoucannothandl ei tbyknowi ngt hepur poseof
theci rcumst ancest oy ourl i
fe,thesameci rcumst anceswi t
hpot ent ialt obr i
ngoutt he
goodi ny oucanal soki l
lthegoodi ny ou.Andmanyt hatal l
ow ci rcumst ancest oki l
l
them ar emor ehi ghert hant hoset hatal lowci rcumst ancest omol dt hem.Thoughwe
don'tneedt obl ameour selvesasi ndi vi
dual sfirst,butwemustbl ameour sel vesas
national ,becauset hecauseofpov ertyofmanycanbecl assi fiedi ntot hree:Fi rst,
nationalpr oblem;secondl y,fami l
ypr obl em;andt hi rdindi vi
dualpr oblem.Andi fwedo
notbegi nt ot rasht hi sf i
rstpr oblem ( nationalpr obl em) ,wecannotar ri
v eatt her eal ity
ofpr osper ityGodwant sust oexper i
ence.

Imustconf ess, NewTest amentt eachingi snotr eli

gious.Ift hegracet hatbrings
salvati
oncanbegi nt ot eachushowt odenyungodl i
ness( Titus2: 11-12),Iwanty out o
know t hattherei sno ar eaofl i
fet hatgr acecannott eachand expl ai
n.And t hi
s
dimensi onoft eachingt hattheNew Test amenti slackingi st heabi l
it
yt oexpl ai
nt he
real
ityofl if
einasi mpl eandeasi estwayf orthesi mplement oappl yittot heirliv
es.I f
whaty ouar etaughtcannotbeappl ied,itmeanssomet hingismi ssingint het eaching.
Wepr eachabur densomemessagesandendi twithfaith.Allwet eachonpr osper i
tyis
ti
thing, giv
ing,prayerandhar dwork.Andt hesear enotal laboutt her eali
tyofpr osperit
y
thatiswhymanyChr ist
iansar efr
ustrated.ThenumberofChr isti
anst hatar ef r
ustrated
aremor ethant hosel iv i
ngcomf ortablel if
e,andev ent hosel ivingcomf or t
ablel if
e
cannotexpl ainthemy sterybehindtheirpr osper i
ty.Justbef ollowingi nthist eachingas
webegi ntoexposet hemy st
erybehindt hecauseofmanypoorpeopl einl i
fe.Because
i
fwedon' tknow t hecause,wecannotar riv
eatsol uti
on.Soluti
onisnoti nallthese
prayer
sofbr eakthroughonal lthesepr ay
ermount ai
ns.Soluti
onisnoti nallthese
seminarsonhowt obeami l
li
onaire,i
tisnotinallthesesevenkey st
opr osperi
tywhich
numberonewi llbetit
hingandgi vi
ngtopast orandthewor kofGod.Justf i
rstknowthat
yourpovert
yi spri
mar i
lynoty ourcauseandf aul
t.Itmaysecondl ybeyourcause,but
pri
maril
ynoty ourcause.Iti
sf i
rstanationalprobl
em, andthatistheareawher edevili
s
faci
ngtoattackmanyl ives.

See you i
nt he nextseri
es,wher
e we shal
lbe t
alki
ng abouthow t
he count
ry
cont
ri
butestoyourpover
ty.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesFor
tyThr
ee)

Weest ablishedapoi ntint hel astser i

est hatt hecauseofpov ertyi sf i
rsta
nationalissueandt hati
swhatwear egoi ngt obedeal ingwi thinthisser i
es.Mi ndy ou,
whenImeannat i
onal,Idonotmeangov ernmentorpol i
ti
calmat ter .Idonotmean
peopl eleadingus,becauset hosewhoar eleadi ngt odaymetasy stem ongr oundand
thesy stem i swhatt heybuiltupon.Thati swhyi fmanyt hatar emaki ngnoi set oday ,
clai
mi ngt heyar ef i
ghti
ngcor rupti
onwer egi vent heoppor tunit
yt obei nt hesy stem,
suchper sonswi llendupcompr omising, becauseunt i
lasy stem ischanged, thepeopl e
cannotchange.Thati swhyi tdoesnotamazemet oseet hewi feoft hev icepr esident
wentt okogist atet ocampai gnf orYay aBel lo.Ev ent hedev i
lhimsel fknowst hatYay a
bell
oi sawr ongchoi ce,butwesaw t hewi feofapast orjoini
ngt hecor ruptpeopl et o
campai gnf orYay aBello.Shemaybei nnocent ,butt hesy stem shef oundher self
demandst hatshemustj oi
n.SoImustconf esst oy ou,t hepr oblem ofNi ger i
ai snot
badl eader ship,itisbadsy stem.I fwehav egoodl eader shiptoday ,ther ootcauseof
pover t
ycanst il
lnotbesol v
ed, i
fthesy st em doesnotchange.Andt hecauseofpov erty
startedwhenwebegant oadoptasy st em ofoper at i
ont hati snoti nl inewi tht he
system desi gnedbynat uret obr i
ngoutt hegi anti nus.Godcr eatedev erycount ryand
cont i
nentwi thapar ti
cul
aranduni quenat ur
e.Thati swhyt hesy stem t hatwor ksi nt he
European count riesmaynotwor kf orAf rica count ries.When a count r ywant st o
i
nt r
oduceal ongl ifemeansofbr ingingt heci t
izensoft hirdcount r
yourofpov erty,what
theyf i
rstintroducei seducat i
on.Andmi ndy oueducat ioni snotgoi ngt ocl asst or ead
andwr i
te,andcomeoutwi thcer ti
ficat e.Andt hati swher eNi geri
ai smi ssingi tt hat
l
eadst onat ionalpov ert
y.Andoneoft hesenat ionalpr oblemsImeant ,iti sagener al
system wehav eadopt edintheeducat i
onal syst em oft hecount ry.

Thesy stem ofeducat i

oni nNi ger i
adoesnotpr oduceCEO,i tonlypr oduces
servants.I
tdoesnotpr oducejobcr eat ors,itonl ypr oducesj obseeker s,andpov er t
y
i
ncr easeswhenj obseeker sar emor et hanj obcr eat orsinthecount ry.Ourpov er t
y
beganwhenwest ar
tedt oplacev al
ueoncer ti
ficateandnegl ectpr acticalknowl edge
whichshouldbet hecor ev al
ueofeducat i
on.I tisaf ail
uretospend f our(4)year si n
schoolandgr aduatetobel ookingf orjob.Thesy stem ofeducat i
onshoul dmol dusi na
wayt hatwewi l
lgraduat eandbecomej obcr eator sandnotj obseeker s.Nomat t
ery our
grade,eventhoughy oucomeoutwi t
hf irstclassandy ouarelookingf orjob,youar ea
fail
ureasfarast hekindofeducat ionGodpl anf orAf ricaisconcerned.Andt hi
sf ailure
i
snotcausedbyus,i twasanat ionalpr oblem,becauset hesystem t hatwascr eat ed
doesnotshapeourmi ndstowar dsbeingaCEO.Wei nher i
tedasystem t hatcri
ppledour
creati
vit
yand i ni
ti
ativei nt
ell
igence.Wenow l ackwi sdom,butgood i nknowl edge,
becauseknowl edgei st heory
,whi lewi sdom i spr actical.Onanor malgr ound,school
shouldbeapr acti
calpl acewher ewebecomecr eat orsofsomet hingsandt heny ou
empl oyt heill
iteratest owor kf ory ouaf t
ergr aduat i
on.hatt heki ngdom expect sust o
bel ookingf orinAf ri
caaf t
ergr aduationi sr esour cest ocar r
youtwhaty ou'vel earnti n
four( 4)y earsandnotj obwher eyouwi llt endery ourcer t
if
icat e.Buti tisunf ortunat e
thatitist hei l
li
teratest hatar eempl oyinggr aduat esnow,whi lewewentt oschoolf or
four( 4)y earst owast eourpr ecioust i
me.Agr aduat eofbusi nessadmi ni
strationwi l
l
now gr aduat ewi thzer obusi nessi deaori niti
ati
v ei nhi shead,y etcameoutwi t
hf i
rst
classbei ngt hef actthathei sabr i
lli
antper son.Thati snoteducat i
on.Wear enot
createdbyGodt obel i
ket hat.Wedon' tlear nwhatourcapabi lityisdesi gnedt olear n
i
nAf ri
ca,andt hati smycr y .Wel eftthewayouri ntelli
gencecapabi l
it
yiswi r
edbyGod,
andbegant olear nthecust om, cultureoft hewayofst udybyt hewhi te.Youcan' tcopy
aper sonorcount ryandnotbeasl avet ot hatper sonorcount r
y .Thati snotci vi
lization.
Civil
izati
oni snotcopi ngthecul tureoft hewhi te,t hatisfoolishness.Wewi lldi scuss
whatci vili
zationi sal laboutbynextser ies.Ihav eoncesai di tt hatourbr aini snot
createdt ostruggl etolearnt hings.Ourbr ainwasnotcr eatedtost ruggletoretaint hings.
Alltheseat ti
tudesofsoaki ngt oweli nwat ertoputonourheadswhi l
ereadi ngf or
examsi sabi gst upidit
ywei nher i
tedf r
om ourf at
her s.

Any thingy ourmemor ystruggl et oretaini snotf ory ou.NomanonEar thisa

dull
ard.Ev eryonei sbr il
li
anti nonewayort heot her,t
hati swhyy ouseesomeonewhoi s
notintell
igenti nbookorcannotcopewi thbookwi llgot olearnf ashiondesi gni
ngor
roadsidemechani candt henbecomesgur uinhi sjob.Thatper soni sintel
ligent,buthi s
i
ntell
igencei swi r
edt oknowsomecer tainthingsv er ywell.Samet oAf ri
cansatl ar ge,
ther
ear ear easwear egi f t
edat ,t hatwehav enoty etdiscov eredatnat ionallev el
;
Becauset ousi nAf r
ica,any onethatdoesnotknowbooki sadul lard.Idon' tknowhow
wef oundour sel
v esami dstt hatf oolishunder standingt hatseemst obet r ue,butnot .
Havey ou noti magined t hatt here ar e peopl et hatt heirmemor i
es cannotr etain
mathemat icsorphy sics, butputt hem i nmechani cwor kshop, you'l
lseet hem becomi ng
agoodpr act i
calmechani calengineer st hansomeonewhohav eMast ersinmechani cal
engineering,y etcoul dnotopent hebonnetofacar ,busycr ammi ngt hewhol eAbabi o
andOkeket extbooki nhi sheadf orei ght( 8)year s,yetlackabilit
yt ochanget hebat t
er y
ofhiscar .Amast erhol deri ncivi
lengi neer i
ngwi llnotbeabl etomol dblocks.al lthese
aret hef oundat ionofpov ert
yinNi geria.Andunt i
lwegobackt oourf oundat i
ont o
corr
ectt his,thegener ationcomi ngmayst ill
inher i
tthispov ert
y.

Howcany ougraduateasamechani calengi

neer
ing,andy etyoucannotproduce
anymetalfactor
y.Event houghi tisironoralumini
um potandt henbuil
doni t.Atl
east
youshouldbeabl et obeanexper tinonemechanicalthing:bei tconst
ructi
ngone
i
nstr
umentofwhi chaftergr aduatingy ouopenaf act
oryshopandbegi ntopr acti
ce
whatyoulearntf
orfour(4)y ears.Goi ngtost
udyeducati
onint heschoolisnottocome
outandbel ooki
ngf ort
eachi ngj ob,buttocomeoutwi thami ndsettoopenaschool
andshow t hewor ldt haty ouar eapr ofessi onalt eacherbyt hewayy oucoor dinating
yourschool .Youcanst artfrom cr eche, andf rom t her ey oubecomeCEO.Whenmyey es
openedt owhatIam wr i
ti
ng,Ir esignedf rom mygoodj ob,andsai dt omy sel
fthatIwi l
l
nev erservedhumanbei ngsagai nt illIdie.Iwi l
lr atherbegi nt oinvestmyt imeonmy
ownbusi nesst hansi tti
ngdownf rom 7am t o6pm onanot herman' sjobwi thasui t.Al l
thoset hingsar ejustpackagi ng.Noamountofmoneycanbuymyt i
me.Imustbr eak
my selffrom t hisy oket hesy st em ofeducat ioni nNi geriahaspl aceduponme.Myboss
oft helastcompanyIwor kedwi t
hi snotapr ofessi onalwheni tcomest omyf i
eld.Iam
agoodest at esur vey orwhoknowsmyj obt osomeext ent s,butt hej obment alityI
graduat edwi thmademet obegi nt obewr i
tingCVaboutandbegant owor kingl i
ke
elephantandeat i
ngl ikeanantundersomeonewhoi snotapr ofessionali nmyf ield.
Howcany ouputagr aduat ei nawor k,her esumesf rom 8am andcl osesby6pm y et
yout alkt ohi m asi fhei sasonofnobody ?Justbecauseofwhatt hesy stem oft he
count ryhast urnedust o.Imadeupmymi ndt hatIwi l
lrat herber eceiving#20asgai nin
myownhandwor kt hanber eceiving#200, 000i nt hecompanyofanot herper son.
Becausei fIi nvestmyt i
meandener gyonmybusi nesst odayIwi l
lbecomesomebody
tomor row.Banki ngj obi sthewor stofal l
.Youonl yseet hem i nsui t
s, allthoseonesar e
packagi ng,y ouneedt oseet hef r
ust rati
ont heyexper i
encebecauseoft het ar
getpl aced
upont hem.I tget stoast ageIaskedmy self, i
fmycompanyi sexpect i
ngmet omeeta
target,whycan' tIchannelt heener gyonmybusi nessandcompany .Youcangr aduat e
asanaccount antandbegi nal ocalmi cr
of inancebankofy ourown.I tmaybeadai ly
cont r
ibuti
on.Ther ear eway sy oucanpackagei tthatwi l
l bedi fferentfrom al lthesel ocal
dailycont ri
but ors.Unt ilwegetoutoft hissl av ement ality,wear ef arf rom pr osper ity
event houghwepaydoubl et it
hesandgi vingdoubl eof ferings.

Thechurchisblessedwitht hewisdom ofGod.Weshoul dbeabl etogive

wisdom toourmembersthatwi
llbeusefulfort
hem i
nthesociety,
insteadofor
ganisi
ng
programsandt agitthehoursofbr eakt
hroughandf i
nancialfreedom.Comi ng t
o
prosperi
ty,i
tismoreofwisdom thanmor eofpray
er.AndIthinkthechurchislaggi
ng
behindinthi
swisdom t
omakeweal th.
 Under
standi
ngt
heOl
dandt
heNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesFor
tyFour
)

Ther ear ef ourcategor i

esofpeopl ewear edeal i
ngwi t
hov ert hismat terof
prosper i
ty ,thef i
rstar ethosewhoar eweal thy ,thesecondar et hosewhoar er ich,t he
thirdar et hosewhoar eav eragewhyt hel asti st hepoor .Andbef or ewecansaya
count ryi sr ich,itmeanst hepeopl ewhoar eundert hecat egoryofweal thyandr i
char e
mor et hant heav erageandt hepoor .Onanor malgr oundt hesuccessofacount ryata
nat i
onall evelist obeacount rythathav emor eofr ichpeopl e.Butopposi t
ei st hecase
i
nNi ger ia,thepoorar emor et hant her i
chandweal t
hy .Livi
nganav eragel ifeisnota
blessi ng, whyl ivingpoori sacur se,whenImeanacur seIam notsay i
ngcur se
pronouncedbyGodbutcur sepr onouncebyt henat ure, becauset henat ur eisasy stem
thati spr ogr ammedbyGodt ogov erntheaf fairsofl ife,andt hi
snat ur
ehasl aws, cur ses
andbl essi ngsat tachedi t
,mi ndy out hislaw i snotl aw i nthebi bl
e,t heyar ei nv isi
ble
priniciplesdesi gnedbyGodt ogov ernanat ion,f ami lyandi ndivi
duall iv
es. Ev er y
desitinyasacer tainlaw ofnat ureitmustr espondt oandoncey oubegi nt omov e
cont raryt owhatt henat ureexpect ,thenat urebegi nt of i
ghty ou,att hisst agei ti snot
Godt hati sf i
ghtingy ou,i tist heconsequencesat tachedt ot hel aw ofnat ur e.For
i
nst ancei thasbeenpr ogrammedt hatoncey ougoi nt oteachingj obnat urewi l
lrespond
posit i
v el
yt oy ouandopendoor sf oryoubecauset heyunder standt hev oiceofy our
dest i
nyandhearwhathei ssay ing,butifyounegl ecty ourdestinyassi gnmentandbegi n
togoi ntoanot hercar eery ouwi l
lseet henat ur efightingy oubecausei tisonl yt hev oice
ofdesi ti
nyt hatnat ureli
stenst oandnott hev oiceofy ourmout handoncey ourdest i
ny
i
ssi lentt henat ur ebecomesadamant .Andt hisist her ealit
yoft hepr obl em ofNi geria,
thenat urei sser iouslyagai nstt hecount rybecausewear edoi ngwhati sdi fferentf r
om
whatGodcr eatedust odo.Wehav emi splacedf oolishnesst obeci vi
l
izat ion.

Civi
li
zati
onmeani mprov i
ngonwhaty ouhav e,whaty oucandoandwhaty ou
aregoodat ,itisnotnegl ecti
ngourpot entialtobegintolearnthepotenti
alofanot her
country.Civi
li
zationisnotnegl ect
ingt hev alueofourr eali
denti
tytobegint olearnthe
i
dentit
yofot hers, t
hatisfoli
shnessandt hatiswhatwecal l
edcivi
li
zati
oninNi geri
a.We
l
ostwhom wear e,whatwecandoandwhatwecanbe,t obegi ntolearnanot her
i
dentit
yent i
rely
.Thati swhywhatwer elyupont osucceedi snol ongerwhatwecar ry,
butwhatwel earnt.Wear enotdest inedt osucceedbywhati si
nourheadbutwhati s
i
nt heabundanceofourhear t.Whaty ouhav einyourheadcannotmakey ousucceed
butwhaty ouhav einy ourheartbecauseoutoft heheartcomest heissuesofl if
eand
notoutoft hehead,wi sdom doesnotcomeoutoft heheadi tcomeoutoft hehear t.
Whaty oulearnthr oughbooksst ayiny ourheadwhywhaty oulear
ntfrom naturestayin
yourheart.Yourcer ti
fi
cateistheoutputofwhaty ouhav einyourheadifduepr ocessis
att
ained,whypr acti
calwisdom i stheev i
denceofwhati siny ourheart
.Theheadof
Afri
cansisf ul
lbutourhear ti
sempt y ,wecanonl ybl
owempt ygrammar .Ourpot ential
i
ssuf feri
ng,ourcapabi li
tyisidleandwhent hi
shappens,al ly ouwi l
lbel ooki ngf oris
whatt odot osurvive.Becauset hecapabi l
itytomakei mpar thasbeencr i
ppl edby
cir
cumst ances.Andt hatnowmaket hepoort obemor et hant her i
ch.Andt hemoment
thepoori smor et hant her i
ch,theweal thyandt hemi ddlecl assi tmeanssomet hingis
wrongwi ththatsy stem ofoper ati
oni nthatcount ryandt hati sthecaseofNi ger i
a.AndI
am wr iti
ngt hist ot hecount rytocomebackt ot heirsensesont hecur r
iculum of
educat ionwear eusingi nourschool s.Allthisjackofal ltradesandmast erofnonei sa
puresi gnt hatwedon' tknow whatwear edoi ng.Icanr ememberwhenIgai ned
admi ssiont het otalcour sesIof fer
edi nmyf ri
sty earwas22,whendi dwear riveat
theset hings.Such sy st em cannotpr oducepr of essi onal s,ev en thoseabr oad t hat
i
ntroduced t his syst em ofeducat ion t o us nev erof fered such cour ses i nt hi
s
depar tment ,youonlyseet hem offer
ing3or4cour sesi nadepar tment.Letmesayt his,
nomani screatedt oknowal lt
hings, evennoonei scr eat edt oknowmanyt hings.Show
meamant hatknow manyt hingsIwi llshow y ouamant hatwi l
lnotbeknownby
anything.Wear ecr eat edt ocompl ementeachot her ,ify ouar evastinwhaty ouar e
doing,y ouwi l
lstandbef orekingsev ent houghy oucan' tspeakEngl i
sh.Mostoft hose
Chinesesi gningbi gcont r
actswi thNi geriagov er nmentdonotknow how t ospeak
Engli
sh,butbecauset heyar egur ui nwhatt heyknow how t odo,t hegov ernmentof
Nigeriahast oseekf ort hem tohandl etheconst r
uct ionofbr i
gdesandr oads,whenwe
havet housandsofPhDhol dersincivilandmechani calengi neer ing,y
ettheirat tentionis
notneededbecauset heyonl yhav eknowl edgebutl ackwi sdom.Ihav esaidi tthatt here
i
sdi f
f erencebet weenknowl edgeandwi sdom.

The educat i
onalsy stem ofNi ger
ia onlyproduce knowledge,butdoesnot
producewisdom.Andknowl edgeonlyproducebeli
efwhi l
ewisdom producer esul
ts.
Youknowi gnor antpeopl ebyt hewordthatproceedoutoft hei
rmout hwhyy ouknow
thefooli
shbyt heact i
ont heytake.Wemustbegi ntolearnwisdom i
nAf r
icasot hatwe
canbeaj obcr eator.Gaini
ngadmi ssi
onintohigheri
nsti
tuti
onforAfri
cansshouldmean
togainadmi ssiontol earnwisdom sothatyoucangr aduatetobecomesomet hingf
or
yoursel
fandnotsomet hi
ngforother.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesFor
tyf
ive)

Ibelievewehav eseenthear easthatGodexpect susaschur cht oaddr essont he

i
ssueofpr osper i
tybyt hewisdom ofGoduponourl ivesandnotal lthistithi
ngofat hing.
Thepr oblem ofNi geriaint er
m ofpov ertygoesbey ond t hat.Al lthesei ssuesof
attackingt hedemonofpov ert
yi snott hesol ution,Chr isthasdeal twi t
hanypower
againstourpr osperity.Nodev our ercanwi thstandt hebl oodofJesus.Sof r
om t he
spiri
tualr ealm,t her ootofpov ertyhasbeendeal twi th( 2Cor i
n8: 9),itisourdut yto
usewi sdom t obegi nt obuil
dt hest ructureofpr osperit
y( Pr ov24: 3).Allweneedi s
wisdom.Poweri sat oolfordemol i
tion,whi l
ewi sdom i sat oolf orest abli
shment .Sot he
curseofpov ert
yi nAf r
icaisnolongerspi ritual,i
ti sthepr oblem ofl ackofwi sdom.The
demonofi gnor ancei sthedemonf i
ghti
ngAf ri
cans.Andt hedemonofi gnorancedoes
notdi ebyf i
re,itdiesbyst udying.I tdoesnotdi ebyengagi ngi npr ayer,itdiesby
engagi ngi nt hinkingandmedi tati
on.Wear et ogat hertopr ay ,i
tshoul dnotbet obe
fi
ght i
ngonedemont hathadbeenconquer edont hecr oss, buttobepr ayingforwi sdom
onwhatt odo.Whatpr acti
calprincipletoappl y?Becausej ustasknowl edgecomesby
studying,sodoeswi sdom comesbypr ayer,deept hinking,medi t
ationandobser vat
ion
(Josh1: 8),ast hespi ri
toftheLor dJesusChr istgivesuscapaci ty.

Nowt hatwehav eunder stoodt henat ional cur seofNi geri

a,whati st hesol ution?
Letmequi cklysayt his,someonemaysaywhydoInott alkaboutbadgov ernmentor
badl eader ship?I tiswheny ouar enotbusyt haty ouwi l
lhav et imef orbadgov ernment .
Iti
swheny ouar er eal l
yongov ernmentf orjobanddai l
ybr eadt haty ouar ebusyhav ing
ti
mef orthem.I fall ofusar eupt osomecer taint asks, Wewi llonlyl
etgov er nmentt obe
takingcar eoft hel esspr ivi
lege, thesi ck,thecr ippleswhom ar einonewayort heot her
hav ingachal l
engest hatcanaf fectt hem andal sof ocusongoodr oad, pipebor newat er
,
andel ectricit
y.I tisapov er
tyment ali
tytobecompl eteasahumanbei ng,cr eatedwi th
pot ential,andber elyingongov er nment .Itisal ackofknowl edgeoft het reasur einy ou
thatl eadst ot hat.I tiswheny ourhear tisv acantt haty ouwi l
lbel ooki ngf orv acancy
j
ob.Youcannotbel oadedandwi llnotbeneededi nthesoci ety.Abi lit
yt omakean
i
mpacti st heKi ngdom wayofpr osper it
y.Sof orgetaboutgov ernmentbei tAPCorPDP
att hisj uncture.Al ly ouneedi sPPA( Pr i
mar yPl aceofAssi gnment )
.Thati sapl acet o
releasey ourdest i
nyAssi gnment .Becauset ot heki ngdom,unt ilwhaty ouar edoi ngi s
whaty ouar edest inedt odo, t
heKi ngdom nev erbel i
ev edy ouar eonanassi gnment .And
i
ti swheny ouar eonassi gnmentt haty ourdest inywi llbehappywi thy ou.Ther ear e
someofust hatourheadsdonotal lowoneManagi ngDi rector( MD)t oj ustbet alki
ngt o
usany how.Yourdest i
nywi l
lnotbehappywi thy ou,becausebyt hev i
rtueofwhaty ou
carr y,youri nnermannev erexpect edy out obeasl av eunderanycompany .Ev ent hough
youar ewor kingf oracompany ,i tshoul dbebecausey ouar eaddi ngv al ueandnot
beingal i
abi l
ity.Youcannotcar ryasal aryment alityandbecomesomet hi
ngsi gnifi
cant
i
nli
fe.I
tisthesyst
em ofNigeri
athatl
eadsustoal
lthi
sat
ti
tudeofdoi
ngwhaty
oudon'
t
l
ovetodo,butbecauseyoujustwantt
osurvi
ve.

Now whati sthesol ution?I tisbyf ocusingonwhaty oucandobestaty our

earli
estage.I ti
sbydi scov er
ingwhaty oucandoaty ourear li
estageanddedi catesyour
l
ifeandt i
mest udyingoni ttobecomepr ofessi onalinit,andnott obepr ofessorinit.
Whatwepur suei nNigeriaist obecomepr of essor,whi l
ewhatt hekingdom expect sus
tobecomei st obecomepr ofessi onal.Andt her eisdi f
fer
entbet weent hetwo.Ther eare
manypr ofessorswhoar enotpr ofessional .Whatweputi nheadmakesuspr ofessors,
whilewhatwear eher eon Ear t
ht o do makeuspr of essional.So thesy stem of
educationofNi geri
aneedst obechanged.I tshoul dbemor eofpr acti
calt hantheory.It
i
st hetechni calschoolt hatreal l
ywant st ogett hisreali
ty ,butmanyoft heset echnical
schoolsar enol ongerr ecogni zedi nourcount ry.Andt echnicalschooli soneoft he
mostv aluableschool sinchi na.Thati swher ewhaty oulear ncanmakey out obecome
somebodyf ory oursel
f.Asear lyasagef ive( 5) ,parentsandt eachersshoul dbeabl eto
dil
igentlystudy i
ngachi l
dt obegi ntopr edi ctwhatheorshemayl i
kelybecome.They
shouldbeabl et odictatei spassi on.Icannotf orgett heat tit
udeofmyi mmediate
brotherwhenhewasy oung.Atagesev en( 7) ,hehasdev elopedpassi onf orcooking.At
aget en( 10),hehasbeencooki ng fort hef ami ly.No onet ooknot iceofi t,unt i
l
cir
cumst ancespushedhi mt ost udyhot elandcat eri
ngmanagement ,andhei sdoing
greatinit.Mi ndy ouathisear lyage, mypar enthasbeenpl anningmedi ci
neandsur ger y
forhim, becauset ousi nAf r
icant hatist hebestpr ofessi
on.

Thequest i
onis,whatisyourdesti
nysaying?Youcanheart hev oiceofyour
dest
inybyy ourpassi
on.Whatdoyouhavepassionfor,whatdoy oul
ovetodo,wher e
doesyourcapabi l
i
tyli
e?Begintostudy
ingandl ear
nt owardst hatandy ouwillsee
your
selfbecomingamanofy our
self
.TheplanofGodist hatpeopleshoul
dpayy oufor
whatyouknowhowt odobest
.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesFor
tySi
x)

Past
orBanj
o,howdowegett
othi
steachi
ngofpr
osper
it
y?

PastorBanj o:yes,webegant het eachingbyi ntroducingthedif f

erencebet weent heold
and t he New Test amentdoct r
ine.We l atermov ef urt
hert o begi nt o explaint he
di
mensi onsofgospeli nt heNewTest ament .Webegani tbyexpl ai
ningt hegospelof
salvation;thenmov et ot hegospelofhol inessandr i
ghteousness.Wel atert al
ked
aboutt hegospelofgr ace,whi chwel aterent eredintothegospelofpr osper i
ty.Sowe
begant odigdeepont hedoct ri
neoft heteachi ngofpr osperi
tyt oexposehowchur ch
hasbeent eachingitinawr ongway ,becauseal lt
heyemphasi zeonast hey ardstickof
prosper i
tyist i
thi
ng,giv i
ng,pr ayerandhar dwor k,whichi stotall
ywr ongcompar eto
whatGodi sexpect i
ngf rom t hechur ch.Andi nthecour seofpr ovidingsol ution,we
begant oexposet hemy ster
iesbehi ndanypr osperitywhichhasnot hingt odowi t
h
ti
thi
ngandt hedeepr eal
ityofwhatcausedpov ert
yi nAf r
ica,whi chwehav ebeen
dealingwi t
ht hesoluti
on.Wehav et al
kedaboutnat i
onalcausesandt hesol uti
ont obe
fr
eef r
om nat i
onalpov erty.Andi fyour ememberwement ionedt hreecausesofpov ert
y
whichar enationalcause; familycauseandi ndi v
idualcause.

Nowl etusmov et ot hesecondcause, whichi sthef ami l

ycause:Letmesayt his
fact,themomenty ourf atherhasnoi nheritancef ory ou,i twi llsur elyaf fecty our
beginningi nr i
singupi nlife.Thebiblesay sagoodf atherleav esani nher itancef orhis
chil
dren's chi l
dren ( Prov 13: 22).Whi ch means any f athert hatcannotl eav e an
i
nher i
tancef orhi schi ldr
eni sabadf atheral ready .Manyoft hef ather shav ef ai
ledin
thi
saspectandwemustnotf al
lwithint hesame.Youaspar ent saret heonet hatinvi
te
achi l
dintot hiswor l
d.Ther eisonet hingt ocr eateachi l
dbyGod, whil
et her eisanot her
thi
ngf ory out oinvit
ehi mt ocome.Andunt ilyoui nv i
teachi ld, Godwi llnotsendhi mt o
theear th.Andsexuali ntercourseisani nvit
at i
onofachi ldf rom spi r
itualr ealmt othe
physicalrealm.Eacht imey ouhav easexy ouar ecal l
i
ngchi ldintot heear th.Sexi sa
voiceint her ealm oft hespi ri
tthatthespi ri
tofababyr espondst obef orehecomest o
Earth.SoGodwi l
lnev ert hrow achi l
dt hr ought heskyi ntot heear th.Youar et heone
thatcallthem.SoGodwi llholdyour esponsi blef ortheirsuccess.Andt hepov ert
yofa
parentwi llsurelyaffecty ourbegi nningi nl if
e.I tmaynotaf fectt heendi ng( Ecc7: 8),i
f
yourseed can shootoutamong t he t horns bycal ling.You cannotcompar et he
beginningofachi ldt hatgr aduateswi thoutsi nglehel per,withsomeonet hatgr aduates
andt heconnect i
onofhi spar enthassecur edt woj obsforhim.

Imetasi stersomemont hsagowhogotaf ederalgov

ernmentjobwi t
hout
applyi
ng.Whereshesatathomei nLagos,anappointmentcamet omeethert here,
becauseoftheinf
luenceofherdad.Whatkeptmethi
nkingonherissueist
hatshetold
met hatshewil
lonlybetaki
ngthejobjustf
ortwo(
2)mont hstoboastherCV,because
accor dingt ohershewi llbel i
v ingt hecount ryf orhermast eratUKbyt his Januar y.So
shesai dshewi llr esignaf tert womont hs.ThenIsai dt omy selft hati nt hissame
count ryt hatt hesonofonemani st irelessl yseeki ngf orf eder algov ernmentj ob:i na
count rywher eihear dsomegr aduat essay ingev ent houghi ti sacl eanerorsecur ity,as
l
ongasi ti sf eder algov ernmentj obhewi l
lt akei t.Andt hesamecount rywher et heson
ofonemani st rav eli
ngabr oadf orhol iday s,andt hesonofanot hermani sl ooki ngf or
j
ustoneoppor tuni tyt hatwi llt akehi mf rom abul eegbat oAbuj at ogetaj ob.Why ?
Somet hingi swr ongwi ththef oundat ionofone.Letmesayt his, i
ti snoty ourf aul tthat
youdi dnotgot ocov enantuni versit
y.Youmaysayschooli sschool ,don' tl etusbe
spirit
ualaboutt hi s,l etust alkr eality,schooli snotschool .You cannotcompar e
cov enantuni versitywi thRuf usGi wapol yowoi nondost atewher eigr aduat edf rom,
wher eweusedf our( 4)y ear st of i
nishedanOr dinar yNat i
onalDi ploma( OND) ,because
ofoneASUU orASUP st rike.Letmesayt his,i ti snoty ourdut i
est o bel aying
foundat i
onofy ourl i
febyy our sel f
,y ourdut yist obui l
dont hef oundat ionl aidf ory ou
byy ourpar ent s.Butf ormanyofus,wear et heonel ay ingf oundat ionofj obby
ourselv es.Wegr aduat eandbeseeki ngf orj obbyour selves.Mov i
ngf rom st reett o
str
eet ,from pi ll
art opostwi thCVl i
kesheepwi thoutshepher d( Mat t9:36) .Wear ej ust
appl yi
ngany how onanyj ob.Idon' tknow how someonewhost udi edar chi tect ur ebe
appl yi
ngf orCi vil Def enseorPol iceFor ce.Whyal lthese, becausenohel pert or aisehi m.
Hest ruggl edt of inishhi sBSC,byeat ingconcussi onbeanswi thoutoi lf ory ear s.Now
afterNYSC ( Niger i
aYout hSer v i
ceCor ps) ,itbecomesNow YourSt ruggl eCont inue
(NYSC) .Thi sl i
fei sgov ernedbyconnect ion.Youmustknow someonet hatknows
someonet hatknowst heper sont hatwi llsi gny ourpaper .Youneedt henameof
someonet omov et osomecer tai
nl ev elsi nt hephy si
calr ealm.Justast henameof
Jesus,y our ecei v espi r
itualbl essing,soal soy ouneedt henameofsomeonei nt he
phy si
calr ealmt ogett osomecer tainposi tions.Buti tisunf ortunat et hatsomeofour
fathersdonotl eav eani nher itancef orus.Tr uly, wemustnotusei tasanexcusef orour
fai
lurei nl ife,butwemustusei tasanexcusef orourst r
uggl eatt hef oundat ionl ev elof
ourl i
fe.

Abr aham leftani nheri

tancef orIsaac( Gen25: 5),Isaacl eftani nheri
tancef orhis
chil
dren( Gen27&28) .Wecanseehowj acobsuf feredf orfourteen( 14)y earslabouring
i
nhi sinlawhouse( Gen29) ,j
ustbecauseher anawayf rom hi sf at
her '
shousewi thout
anyphy sicalinheritance.WhenI saacwant edt omar r
y ,henev erst ruggled,Abr aham
onlysenthi sserv antwi ththebestr anger overatt hatper iodt oanot hertownt oseek
wifeforhi ssonI saac( Gen24) .Whowi llseer anger overt hatwi llnotf oll
ow,most
especial
lyi nthisr ecessionper i
od.Whent heserv antgott oRebbecca' shouseandhe
mentioned t henameofhi smast erAbr aham,t heyal lwel comehi m and r el
eased
Rebeccaf orhim despi tethef actthattheydi dnotseeI saac.Whet herI saacisi mbeci l
e
theydidnotwantt oknow,becauset heyhav ebeenhear ingt henameAbr aham (Gen
24:33- 51) .Abr aham t henwasl i
keDangot eorOt edol aoft hisourer a.Hewassor i
ch
andpopul ar;hi sweal thwasat opici nt hemout hofev eryonet hen.Oncey ouopent he
newspapert heny ouseeont hef rontl i
neofEgy ptnewspaper" DrAbr aham bought
5000cowsi naday .
"Engi neerAbr aham hav e10, 000ser v ants.Thepunchnewspaper
andt henat ionnewspaperwi l
lal way st alkaboutAbr aham.NTAhasi nvi
tedhi mi non
manyoccasi onst oexpl aint hesecr etofhi spr oper ity.Hei sal soamanofGod,he
recei vedi nv i
tat i
ononmanyoccasi onst omi nister.Soev eryoneknowsAbr aham l i
ke
dangot eoft hei rgener ation.SoIwasnotsur prisedwhent hepar entofRebeccaj ust
releasedherwi thoutseei nghi ssonI saac.Justi magi neOt edol asendi nghi sdr i
vert oa
fami ly,Iknow somepar entswi llgivet wooft hei rdaught ersatoncet oOt edolaev en
thought heydonotseet hesoni n-l
aw.I sitnoti nNi ger iathatpeopl ear edoingweddi ng
withpi ctur esj ustbecauset heguyi si nUK.Ij usti magi newhent hesonofDaddyDav i
d
Oy edepowoul dpr oposet ohiswi fe,thesi sterwi l
lnotev enmi ndt opr ayabouti t,butf or
someofus,y ouheart hosesi sterssay ingt heyar est i
llpray i
ngf orconf i
rmat i
onf orsi x
(6)mont hs,why ?becauset hel astt imet heysawy ouwaswher ey ouwer ebuy i
nggar ri
andgr oundnutwi thonecol dpur ewat erwhencomi ngf rom j obi nt erview.Whocant ry
whatAbr aham di dasapoorman.Noonewant stoknowi fyourf utureisbr ightagai n.
Doy out hinkt hepar entofRebbeccawoul dr eleaset heirdaught er, ifIsaacwast heson
ofLazar usorJabez ?Idoubti t
,ev en when Rebbeccasaw I saac,hef ellinl ove
i
mmedi atel y,becausehi sbodywasv eryf resh( Gen24: 64- 65) .Someonewhot ook
appl ej uiceasbr eakf ast,unlikesomeofust hatourf acei sbl ackandwhi tetelevision.I
am j ustexpl aini nghowi tcanbef rust rati
ngwheny ourpar ent shav enoi nherit
ancef or
theirChi ldren.Al ifewi thouti nher it
ancei st hebegi nni ngoff rust rati
onandst rugglei n
l
ife.WesawJacobt hatr anawaybef oreher ecei vedphy sicali nher it
ance, ev enthough
hisf at herr eleasedspi ri
tuali nher it
ancef orhi m whi chi spr ayer( Gen27&28) ,y ethe
struggl edf orgoodf our teen( 14)y ear si nt hehandofagener almanageratLaban
Agr icultur aland Li vestocks Ni geria Li mi ted,j ustt o mar ry Racheal ,because he
appear ed as a son ofnobody .Why ?Because he hasno i nher itance.Hav i
ng no
i
nher i
tancei st hebegi nningofser v ant underanot herman.Mi ndy ou,inher i
tanceof
par enti snotonl ymeantt obei nher i
tedaf tert hedeat hoft hef ather .Ther ear epor tions
thaty ourf atheri sexpect ed t o giv ey ou af tery ou hav eachi ev ed somel evel sof
educat ion.

Thereareporti
onsheissupposedtogiveyoutost
artyourl
if
ewith,butoncethe
f
atherhasnoinheri
tance,
thechil
dbeginstost
ruggl
etostartfr
om t
hebeginning.I
tisa
f
ail
urefrom y
oursideasapar entf
oryourchi
ldtobeginl
if
ef r
om wher
ey oubegan.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesFor
tySev
en)

Wehav et alkedaboutnat i
onalpr oblem andf ami lypr oblem ast hef irstsetof
causeofpov erty.Andnow l etust alkaboutt het hir dcausewhi chi st hei ndi vidual
probl em Thesol utiont onat i
onalcauseandf ami l
ycauseofpov ertyl iei nindi vidual .The
changet onat ional probl em begi nswi thus.I tistimet obesower s, sot hatGodcangi ve
usseed.Thebi blesay shegi vesseedt othesowerandgi vebr eadt ot heeat er( 2Cor i
n
9:10) .Whi chmeanst her ear etwocat egor i
esofGod' sbl essing,whi chi sei therseedor
bread.I fy ourpr osper i
tycan' t bei nher i
tedbyy ourchi ldrensuchpr osper i
tyi sjusta
bread.Wegett ot hisst ageofpov ert y,becauseoff athernegl ect i
ngt heseedandgof or
thebr ead.Br eadcannotpr oducei nheritancef orchi l
dren' schi ldr enoft henat ionor
fami l
y( Pr ov13: 22) .Ify ouar et hety pet hatisf oundofeat i
ngt omor rowy am t oday , y
ou
aref arfrom bei ngasol utiont othisgener ation.Wear ei nagener at i
onwher ewepr efer
gallonofor angej uicet ogal lonofor angeseed.Unt i
lwebegi nt opr ef eror angeseedt o
orangej uicewemayal soendupeat ingt hef utureoft hecomi nggener ati
ons,t hinki ng
wear eenj oy ing.Manycannotseef utureagai nnow, notbecauset heydon' thav ef utur e,
butbecauseourf athersbot hatnat ionall evelandatf ami l
yl ev elhav eeat enupour
future.Wear eonl yhopi ngi nGodnow.Al lwear ehol dingunt oi st hewor dofGod.Al lwe
arehopi ngf orismi r
acl e,becausel ookingatt hef utur ewi tht heey esofourmi nd,we
cannotseeanyhopeofgoodt omor row.AndIseet hey outhoft hi sgener ationi swi th
thesamemi ndset .Al lwear econcer nedabouti stoday .Iam pr ay i
ngf ory out hwhowi ll
sacr i
f i
cet hei rbreadandr eceiveaseedt hatwi l
lbepl ant edandgr owt of eedanat ion.
Weneedt obegi nt ocr yt oGodnotf orbr eakthrough,butf orseed,becausehei st he
Godt hatgi vesbr eadt oeat erandseedt osower( 2Cor in9: 10).Br eadi sl i
keaj ob,whi l
e
seedi slikebusi nessi dea,i tiscreat i
v eideas.Butt hemi ndsetofNi ger i
anshav ebeen
shapedt obel ooki ngf orbr eadwhent heseedi sal r
eadyi nt hem.Unt ilwebegi nt oseek
forseed,wecannotl eav eani nher i
tancef orourchi ldren,becauset hedayy oudi e,
anot herper soni swai t
ingf rom anot herper sont otakeupy ourj ob.Butt hei dea( seed)
cannev erbewast ed.Letuswakeupandbegi nt ouset hepot ent i
ali nus.

Youmayst ar
twithsmal l,from wher ey ouarenowandbegi nt ogrow.Manyar e
trusti
ngGodf orspir
it
ualrainfrom abov ewhent heyhav enospi r
it
ualseed.Youcannot
hav eseedathandandbepr ay i
ngf orrain,andt hinki
ngGodwi llnotanswery ou,
becauseihearGodsay i
ngt oyourMoses, whatisthatiny ourhand?( Exo4:2).WhenHe
want edtoblessthehandwor kofPet er
, whatJesusdi dfir
stwast odemandf orhi
sboat
(Luke5:3).Letusgetoutf rom al lthissalaryment al
itythathasputmanyi ntoseri
ous
bondage.Youneedt oinvestyourt ime,pot enti
ali
ntoy ourownbusi ness,companyand
i
nv estment,
becausenomancanpayf oryourt i
me.Ifyouar et aki
nganyj ob,itshoul
dn't
bet oomakemoney ,butt ogat herknowl edgeandexper iencethatwi llbuil
dy outo
becomewhaty ourdestinyiscryingf or.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesFor
tyEi
ght
)

Letmesayt hisaswedr opt hef i

nalnoteont heteachi ngofprosperit
ywhi chisknowi ng
thedi ff
erencesandsi milariti
esbet weent he subj ectofpov ert
yandl acki
ng.Ther eis
differentbetweenbei ngpoorandbei nglack.Therear emanywhoar enotpoor ,butl ack.
Lack comes as a r esultofmi smanagementand t hisis caused byf oolishness.
Becauset heeffectofpover tyandl ackisprimari
lycausedbyi gnoranceandf ool ishness.
Ignor ancepr oducesnotdoi ngany thi
ngwhi ch resul tstonothav ing any thing,whi l
e
foolishnesspr oducesdoingwr ongthingwhichr esultstoloseev er
ythi
ng.Youknowt he
i
gnor antpeopl ebyt hei
ri dleness,whi leyouknow t hef ool
ishpeopl ebyt hei rwr ong
act i
onandwast eful
ness.Fori nstance,theprodigalsondi dnotacti gnorant l
y,buthe
actedf ooli
shly(Luke15: 11- 32).Thati swhyAf ricansar emor eoff ooli
shnesst han
i
gnor ance.Andt hecuret oi gnorantist ostudying,whi l
et hecur eoff oolishnessi s
thinking.Cany ouseeAf r
icansnow, wedon'tstudyandwedon' tthi
nk, butwecanpr ay,
andwecannotgetbypr ay erwhatt heKingdom expect sust ogetbydeept hinkingor
study ing.

Ourgener at i
oni sl ackingr efl
ect ion, andf rom t het alkandact i
onofmanyy oucan
sensedeepi gnor ance.Wecansi tdownwi thmov iesf orhour s,from therewewi llgoout
to pl ay ,from pl ayweend up sl eepi ng.Ourt hi nking f acultyi ssuf f
er i
ng f r
om not
engagi ngi t.Ifthosewhoar ewr iti
ngscr i
ptst hatwear ewat ching,sitdownwi thmov i
e
thewaywedo,t heywi llnotbeabl et opr oduceascr i
ptt hati sfullofwi sdom.You
cannotsepar atewi sdom f rom thi nking.Ther ealhar dwor kisnotengagi ngy ourbody ,i
t
i
sengagi ngy ourt hinking.Manyar ehar d-wor kingphy si
cal l
y ,buti dleinmemor y.The
pov ertyt hatsuchactwi llcausewi llbemor et hant heonephy sicalidlenesswi l
lcause.
Har dwor ki snotwaki ngupear l
yi nt hemor ningandcomi ngbackl ate,thati sbi g
foolishness.Youcanst ayony ourbedandbeengagi ngy ourmemor y.Iam notsay ing
youshoul dnotr eadbi ble,butcl osey ourbi bl eandengagei ndeept hinkingand
medi tationonl i
femat tersi nlinewi thGod' spl anf ory ourl ife.Ourmemor yi sagi f
t
from God, evenoneoft hegr eat
estgi ft
swehav ef rom Godi sourabi li
tyt othink, butwe
failtomakeuseofi tinAf rica.Weal lowr eligiont oki llourt hinking.Wear edecei vedt o
thinkingt hatact ingi nf aithi sactingf ool i
shl y.Al lwehav ei sPr ayerMount ains,andnot
thinkingmount ai
ns.ThebestOr ioke( Mount ain)i si ny ourhead.Al lwewanti nAf r
ica
i
sf i
reofEl ij
ah,notwi sdom ofSol omon.Wewantr ev i
valofpower ,andnotr ev ivalof
wi sdom.Andwhent hepowercomes, allweseemosti speopl ef al
lingunderanoi nti
ng,
andt hesamesett hatf elllastweekar eal sot hesamet hatwef allthisweek.Iam no
l
ongermov ewi tht hoset hings.Wehav eseeni tonmanyoccasi onsi nourmi nistrati
on,
butl at erIt oldGodt hati snott hesol ut i
on.Ther eismor et oal lthese,i fallthisi sal l
aboutChr isti
ani t
y ,i
tmeanswear ef arf rom r eal it
y .Iwantgr acet hatwi ll
makepeopl eto
ber isingundermyanoi nt i
ngandnotf alli
ng.Oursoul sarel ongi ngf orwi sdom.Ther eis
hungeri nt hehear tsofmanyseeki ngf orrevelati
onalknowl edge,becausei ni tlies
per manentsol uti
ont hatcanr aiseamanupi nli
fe.Andt hatiswhatweneedi nAf r
ica.
This wi sdom of Sol omon t hrough pr overbs,songs of Sol omon and book of
Eccl esiastesi sst illbenefit
ingt hisgener ati
onmor ethant hepowerofEl i
jah.Wisdom
attractsweal th.Youdon' tneedt opr ayf orwealthwheny ouhavewi sdom,becauset he
Biblesay sy ouwi llhav eitaty ourl efthand( Prov3:16).Ther ear epovert
ycausedby
i
gnor ance,whi lether eareonecausedbyf ooli
shness.I gnoranceisnotknowi ngwhat
todo, whilefool ishnessi snotdoi ngt her i
ghtthing.Lazinessisknowi ngwhatt odo, but
refuset odoi t.Butt oav erageNi gerianswear enotl azyImustconf ess. Soour
probl emsi si gnor anceandf oolishness.Soy oumustl earnt oknowi fyourpovertyisas
ar esultofi gnor anceofwhatt odo, oritisbecauseoft hewr ongst epyouhav etakeni n
l
ife.I gnorancemakesy out ost andbef oreoppor tunityandy etnotknowi ng,whi l
e
foolishnessmakesy ouloseoppor tunitywheny ouhav e100%chanceofmaki ngit.Soi n
deal i
ngwi t
ht hesol uti
ontopov erty,wemustl earntobev eryawar eofignoranceand
foolishness.

Nowwhati st hesol utiont ol ack?Gett his, Goddoesnotusual l

ybl essatal ltime.
Therei salway sr ainingseasonanddr yseasoni nt hef inanci allif
eofev er yone.Soy ou
mustl earnt oadoptt hepr i
nci plesofJosephi ndeal i
ngwi thy ourf i
nanci al l
ife.Youmust
l
earnt omaxi mi zet heoneHehasgi v eny ou,l estdr yseasonwi llcashy ouunawar e.
Learnt osav eandst oregoodsf ordr yseason.Josepht oldPhar aoht hatt her ewi llbe
seven( 7)y earsofabundance, whilet her ewi l
lbesev en( 7)y earsoff ami ne( Gen41: 29-
36).Andt hisi st hesi tuationar oundev eryhumanbei ng.ButJosepht oldPhar aoht o
storegoodsf ort heday soff ami nesot hatwhent hef ami nehi tst hel and,t hegoods
keptwi llbewhatt heywi l
leatf rom.Andt hesepr inciplesmadet hem t obecomet he
ri
chestcount ry.Ther ear ewi sdom t hatpr ovidedeeppr osper itybey ondal lt heset i
things
wef oundour sel vesi n.Josephnev ersai di ftheywantt oexper iencepr osper it
yt hey
shoul dtit
heorgi v e,No!Henev ert oldt hem t hatt hesol utiont oov ercomet hef ami ne
comi ngi st opr ay . Iknow i fi ti sournowaday spast ori sJosepht heywi llqui ckl y
organizesev enday scr usadeandt agi t"Br eakingt hegener at i
onaly okeoff ami ne."But
forJosephhegav et hem wi sdom,pr i
nci pleandpl anni ng.Weknowt hatt hosecr usade
aregood,butt her ei smor et oi t.Ther ei sashi fti nt hisspi r
it,thepr inci pleusedby
Apost l
eAy odel eBabal olamaynotwor ki nthisgener ation.Mi ndy ou, Egy ptdi dbecome
ther i
chestcount r
y ,notbecauset heyhadt hef irstsev eny ear sofabundance, becausei
wantt obel ievemanynat ionsar oundt hem hadt hesamebl essing;Butt hef oolishness
oft hosenat ionsmadet hem t oeatt heirt omor row y am t oday .Samet oy ou,y our
extr
av agancespendi ngofy est er
dayi swhatl edt oy ourbor rowi ngt oday .Youdon' tbuy
whaty ouwanti nt hedayofabundance,y oubuywhaty ouneed,andi nv estt her est .
Becausei tist hef ruitoft heseedy oupl ant edt haty ouwi llreapi ndr yseason.Wher ewe
aremaki ngmi st akei st hatwedon' tknowt hatr ainingseasoni sapl antingandi nvest ing
season,butbecausei tisaper i
odofabundanceweeatupbot ht heseedandt hef rui
t
toget her .Youwi l
lnowseesomepeopl er i
dingcar sof#2, 000,000y ethav enomoneyi n
hisaccount .Anyt i
mey ouexper ienceabundancet hati sy ourr ainingseason.Al lthese
principl esar ewhatweneedov ert hisearthlyissue.Idosayi t,pertainingt oear thl
y
mat ter ,itismor eofwi sdom t hanmor eofpower .Chr i
sthascomet odest roythewor k
oft hedev i
l(1John3: 8).Ourassi gnmenti st obuildthewor kofGod.Wear ecal ledinto
mor eofbui l
dingthandest roying.Wear et obegi nf r
om wher echr istst opped.He
anoi ntedust ocarryoutt hepr ojectfrom wher eHest opped( John14: 12) .Andwear e
tost ar tf rom wher eHest opped.* Hest oppedwhenHedest roy edpr i
nci pali
ties.He
stoppedwhenHeputdev i
ltopubl i
cshame( Col2:15).Hest oppedwhenHewentt ohell
todealwi ththedev i
l,wi t
hdrew aut horit
yf rom him( Rev1: 18).Themaj ormi ssionof
Chr i
sti st odestroy,andnott obui l
d,whi l
eourmaj ormi ssioni stobui ldandnott o
dest roy .Itisnotourdut ytobedest royingprincipali
ti
es, thatonehadbeendest royedby
Chr i
st .Wear emor eofbui l
derst handest royers.SowhenHeascendedt hebi blesay s
Hegav egi ftstoallmen( Eph4: 8).WhenPaulbegant oexpl ai nthepur poseoft hose
giftshesai dforedifi
cation,exhor t
ationandcomf ort
.

Edif
icati
oni sal anguagebor r
owedf r
om buil
di ng, const
ruct
ingengi neer,t
hati sto
addanot herblockont heexi sti
ngbl ockoneaf tertheot her.Soper tai
ningt othei ssue
ofpr osper i
ty,ourcauseofpov ert
yi snotdev i
l.Dev ilhadbeendef eated.I tisnot
gener ati
onalcur se,t hi
shadbeenset t
led.Soourpr oblem isbecausewef ai
lt obui l
d
goodt hi
ngsont hel andt hatchri
stdemol i
shedforus.Imustconf esst hechur chneeds
mor eofwi sdom t hanmor eofpower .Thismaybet oohardt oaccept ;Becauset he
problem wear ecryingf orpowert odeli
v erusfr
om t odayi sasar esultofoury esterday
i
gnorance.Youcannotactf ooli
shlyandnotbewounded.Andt hisiswhyy ouar ecr yi
ng
forpowert ohealy ouf r
om y ourwound.Butwhycan' ty ougetsomet hingt hatmakes
yout obef reefrom f all
ing,whichi sWi sdom.Mi ndy ou,Iam notagai nstt hepowerof
God,butwewi l
lnotneedmuchofhi spower ,i
fwi sdom i satwork.Becausewher ewe
gettoi ntheKi ngdom now, weneedmor eofbui l
der st handestroyers.Andwi sdom i sto
buil
d( Prov24: 3),whi l
epoweri stodest roy.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesFor
tyNi
ne)

Letusmov ef urt
hert oanot herdimensionofgospelwhi chi st hegospelof
deli
ver
ance.Wehav edealtwiththegospelofsal vati
on,hol
iness,ri
ghteousness,gr
ace
andprosperi
tyinli
newitht heNewTest amentdoctri
ne.Ouraim ofthisstudyistoopen
theeyesofmanyt otheunder standi
ngofwhatGodexpect sfrom thechur chi
ntheNew
Testament;Becausethechur chisst i
llf
all
i
ngbehi ndfrom thisreali
ty.Manyar esti
l
l
operat
ingasthoseundert heol dcov enantthathaspassedaway .Nowl etusbeginto
dealwiththereal
it
yofdeliveranceinl i
newiththeNewTest amentr eali
ty.

Firstly
,i st her e any thing l i
ke del iv
er ance mi nistry ,does God cal lpeopl et o
deliverancemi nistry?Whati sdel iverancei nl i
newi thNew Test amentt eachi ng?Now
l
etmebegi nbyt hef i
rstquest ion,y est herei sdiv i
nemi nistrycal led" Del iverance
Mini stry "int hebodyofChr istandt herear epeopl et hatGodcal ledintot hiski ndof
mini stry .Andt hepur poseoft heircal li
ngi smaj orl
ytot hei gnor anceandt hebabi esi n
Chr i
st .Whi chi s,t hosewhol ackt heknowl edgeofwhatChr i
sthasdonef ort hem or
thosewhohasnotgr ownt ot hemat urit
yt ounder standwhatChr isthasdonef ort hem.
Thei rCal l
ingi st othosewhocannotbyt hemsel veswal kint her eal i
tyoft hev ictoryt hat
Chr i
sthasat tainedf ort hem.Sot hemomenty ouar e cal l
edi ntodel i
verancemi nist r
y
j
ustknowt haty ourtar getedaudi encear et hebabyChr istians,whohav enoty etgr own
tomat ur i
ty,andt hemat urewhoar eignorantoft hef inishedwor kofChr ist.Because
youcanbemat uredi nChr i
standy etst i
llbei gnor ant.Pr esent l
yt her earedimensi onsi n
Chr i
stt hatiam st illignor antof ,samet o ev eryone.Butt her ei sadi mensi on of
i
gnor ancet hatgi v
est hedev illicencet oattacky oucal led" theignor anceoft hef inished
wor kofChr ist."Sooncey ouf allintot hecat egoryoft hosewhoar eignor antoft he
revelat i
onoft hef inishedwor kofChr ist,Iwanty out oknow t hatdev i
lcanst i
llt ake
adv ant ageofy out oputy oui ntohi sbondage.Dev i
lcanst il
lattacky oubyshoot inghi s
arrowf rom t hepi tofhel l
.Youcanst il
lbesl eepingandbeexpect ingat t
ackf rom eat ing
orf orni catingi nt hedr eam,butf orsomeofuseat i
ngi nt hedr eam gi v
esdi vinepr otein
andi tmakesmet ol ookf r
esh.

Forni
catingint hedream makesmet oenjoywhatIcannotdowhi leonEar thas
asinglebrother.Sowear enotf reakedbythoset ri
ckagain.Butf orthebabiesinChr i
st,
theywillsti
l
lneedt ogot omount ainoffir
e,forpowermostchangehandpr ogram to
ensuretheenemyt hatatt
acksy ouwi l
ldiebyf i
re.Yourignor anceaboutt hecr ossof
chri
stiswhatl eadst oallt hi
sgy mnasti
cpr ayerofki l
l
ingt hedev ilthatbecomesa
l
icencet oattackandoppr esst hemor e.Therear elev
elsyougett owher eyouwi l
lno
l
ongerseedev ili
ntheev i
ly ouareexperi
encingagain,andthati sthest ageIam.I fyou
comet omeandsaymyst agnancyorchallengesareanat tack,iwilljustbelookingat
youandwi l
lnotbl amey ou,becausey ouspeakbaseony ourspi ri
tualunderstanding;
Becausei fyoual soseeJosephi nthepit(Gen37: 24),i
npot iphar
'shouse( Gen39: 2),
andi npr ison( Gen39: 20) ,
y ouwi llal sol inki tt ogener at i
onalbat tl
e.Youwi lltellJoseph
togoi ntosev en( 7)day sf ast ingandpr ay ert obr eaky oke.Iknow y ouwi l
li ntroduce
Joseph,Jacobt ot henewpr ophetwhi tet hati si nTown.SoIwi l
lnotbl amey ou,iwi l
l
onlybel ievet hatt her eisadi mensi onofv i
ct oryat t
ai nedbyChr istf orust hathasnoty et
appear edt oy oubyr evel ation.Sof ort hebabi esandt hei gnorancei nChr i
st,theyneed
thiski ndofmi nistry.Becauset her ear epeopl ewhodonothav espi ri
tualcapabi li
tyt o
capt uret hisr ealityofr est ingi nt hef inishedwor kofchr i
st .ThesesetGodwi llhav et o
desi gnanot hermeanst omeett hei rneedscal l
ed" war far epr ay er."Whatconcer nsmy
grandmot heri nt hev il
lagewi tht her ev elationoft hef inishedwor kofChr i
st,whenshe
doesnotj okewi thmor ni ngpr ay erconduct si nAngl i
canChur chi nmyv i
ll
agewher ethey
breakt hey okeaf fectingherchi ldreni nLagos.Youseet hosegoodmot her shol dingt he
picturesoft hei rchi l
dr ent omor ningpr ay ers,andy out hinkGodwi llov erlookt heir
sincer ei gnor ance, No!Hemustat tendt ot hem bymer cy ,becauset het i
meofi gnor ance
i
nt hel ifeofi ndi vidualHeGodov er l
ooks( Act s17: 30) .Thati swhywehav epr imar y
meansofwar fare, andsecondar ymeansofwar far e, andt ertiarymeansofwar fare.So
fort hoseset ,Godadopt edt ertiar ymeansofwar far et oat tendt ot heirneeds.Wear e
goingt obedeal ingwi tht hepr imar yandt hesecondar ymeansofwar farei nt henext
teachi ng.Sot heexper i
enceoft hosewhof al lundert hi scat egor yofbabyandi gnor ance
donotal l
owt hem t oacceptt her ev elationt hatChr isthasdeal twi ththei rspi rit
ualand
gener at i
onalbat tl
e,becausewhatt heyar eseei ngar oundi spr ov i
ngi ttobewr ong.So
youmusthav ei tatt hebackofy ourmi ndt hatGodi si nv olvedi n someoft he
deliverancemi nistry.Ther ear epeopl eGodcal l
edi ntot hiski ndofmi nistryandl i
v es
hav ebeenget tingdel iver ancet hrought hem.Wher emanyoft hem makemi stakei st hat
theirr esul t
smaket hem t ot hi nkdel iverancemi ni st r
yofdi ebyf i
re,at t
acki ng t he
attackerandar rest i
ngt hear rest erorki l
linggener at ionalcur sei sadoct ri
neofNew
Test ament ,No!I tisnot .I tisonl yal lowedi nNewTest amentbyGod' smer cytomeett he
needsoft hosewhohav enotandcannotdev elopspi ri
tualcapabi lityandi ntelligentt o
under st andt her eal it
yoft hef inishedwor kofChr ist .Justbef ol
lowi ngt hist eachi ng,
becausewear egoi ngt obet al kingofhowt oexper ience del iverancewi thoutal lthis
gy mnast icpr ay ersofshaki ngt heheadandbodyt hi nki ngt hev iolentt aket hi tbyf or ce
(Mat t11: 12) .Becauset her eal ityi st hatChr i
sthadf oughtal lt hosebat t
lesandHehad
wont hem ont hecr oss.Soy ourexper i
encei snott het rut h,thewor dist het ruth( John
1:14) .Yourexper i
encei sonl yt hef act ,buti ti snott het r
ut h.Butf ort hosewhocannot
retainsuchknowl edge,wet eacht hem mor eoft hechur chwayofat t
ainingdel iverance
thatwear eusedt o.

Imustconfesst oy
ou,Iam gracedwi t
ht hi
sdimension.Ify
ouseewhereIlead
del
iv
eranceprobl
em, youwil
lsayisitnotthesamePast orBanjoofTimeToEat?YesI
am,Ionl
ymov ewithpeoplespi
rit
uali
ntel
li
gentinanyplaceIam sentbyGodandcall
ed
bymant ominist
er.ByGod'sgraceIhaveacal l
ingint
odeli
verancemini
str
y.SoonceI
discoverthatyourspiri
tualint
ell
igentcannotretai
nt hedeepandeasywayofat taining
permanentdel i
verance,whichistheknowl edgeofthet r
uth(John8: 32),iwilllaunchy ou
i
nt owar f
areprayer,andbyGod' sgr ace,HisMercywi l
lbringr esul t
.Sonodi mensi oni s
tobecondemned,becausewehav epeopleofdifferentunder standingi nt hebodyof
Chr i
st.Justthattheef f
ectoft hosewhoar eignoranti sthatt heirdel i
verancei snot
alway spermanent,theywillst
il
lcomebackagai nandagai nf ormor epr oblem, because
themor etheyareget ti
ngdeliverancef r
om onepr oblem,t heywi llenteri ntoanot her
attack.Sodev i
lalwaysuset hem ast oegame,thati swhyt hei rpast orswi l
lal way ssee
wor ktodo.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesFi
ft
y)

Isai
dinthelastser
iest
hatt
herevel
ati
onofthef
ini
shedworkofchri
sti
swhati
sgi
ven
youtot
alv i
ctor
yov ert
hepower,ar
row andatt
ackoft heenemy.Ihear
dsomeone
aski
ngthathowcanwegettherevel
ati
onofthefi
nishedwor
kofChri
st?

Nowl etusdr awt hisillust r

ationf rom t hear kofNoah.Noahi sapi ctur eofChr ist
andanassi gnmentwasgi vent ohi mt obui l
danar k(Gen8: 14-16).Thepur poseoft he
arkist hatwhosoev ert hatent er sitwi llescapet hej udgementcomi ng( Gen7: 7).Mind
you, Goddi dnotaski ndividualt obui ldhisownar k, i
nsidet hef i
nishedwor kofNoahl ies
thesal vati
onanddel i
ver anceofanymani nt hatper i
od.I rr
espect iveofy oursi n,once
youcanl i
stentoNoahandr uni nt ot hef i
nishedwor kofNoahi nthear k,youwi llescape
thejudgementcomi ng.Andbef oreNoahf i
nishedbui ldingt hear k,al lyouneedt odoi s
tobel i
eveNoah, butbel iefal onedoesnotguar antedel iveranceaf tert hebui ldingoft he
ark,becauseaf tert hebui l
dingal lyouneedt odoi st oent er.Insidet hear ky oudon' tdo
any t
hing.Nor mallyl ionwoul dseey oubef oret hear kwasbui l
tandt eary oui ntopi eces,
butinsidet hearkhel ostt hecapabi li
tyt odoy ouhar m, becauseposi tionandl ocat i
oni s
whatdet erminesaut horityint her ealm oft hespi r
it;Becauseoncet hel ion( demon)
enterst hear kt heyhav enotcapabi l
ityt odoy ouanyhar m.Mi ndy ou,l ioni sst i
ll
power ful,butinsi det hear ki tsaut hor it
yhasbeenwi thdrawnandy ouraut hor it
yi s
restored.Butout sidet hear ky ouraut horityi swithdr awnandt heaut horityoft helion,
snakei sr estor
ed.Soi ti sonl yi nt hear k( Chr i
st)t hatyoucant r
enduponser pent sand
scorpionsandt heywi l
lnothar my ou( Luke10: 19) .Soal lthosewhocamet ot hear k
throughNoah, wasj ustr estingi nt hef inishedwor kofNoah.

Insidet hear k,therear emanydanger ouswi deani mal s,yett heylackaut horityto
harm us.Thesamet oanyonei nChr i
st .Chr i
stisapi ct
ureoft hear kofNoah.Noah
himsel fisapi ctur eofJesus.Ther ei sdi ff
erentbet weenhav ingJesusandbei ngi n
Christ.Ther ear emanyChr istianst hathav eJesus,t heyar ebor nagai n,theyhav e
receivedJesusast heirLor dandSav i
our ,justast hefami l
yofNoahbel i
evedi nNoah
andr ecei vedhi m ast heirSav iour ,butt hati snotenoughf r
eedom.Thei rf r
eedom does
notliei nj ustbel i
ev i
ngNoah( Jesus)unt i
ly ouent erthear k( Chr i
st)y ouar enotsav ed
from theat tackoft heenemy .Yourbel iefcanmakey out or ecei v
eet ernallif
eandbe
freef r
om hel l
, butconcer ningt hef loodoft hisli
fe,thear r
owoft hewi cked, youneedt o
entert hear k.Iti si nt hear kl iesr est .Buti tisunf ort
unat et hatmanyChr i
sti
anshav e
neglectedt hear k.Theyar ebui ldingt heirownar kbyt hemsel ves,bymov i
ngf rom one
vigi
ltoanot herv i
gil.Youseet hem say ingi ftheydon' tpraybef or etheysl eepenemycan
comeandat t
ackt hem.Sot hepur poseoft heirmor ni
ngpr ay erwhent heywakeupi st o
bef reef rom t hepest ilencet hatwal ksi nt heday( Psa91: 6),whi lether easont heypr ay
beforesl eepi ngi st obef r
eef rom t hear rowt hatfli
esi ntheni ght( Psa91: 5).Sot heirark
i
si nt hei rmor ningdev oti
onandni ghtpr ayer.Cany ouseet hei gnoranceofsome
Chri
stians?Yourpr ayercannotsav ey ouandf reeyouf r
om attack,ev enthoughy ou
wakeupi nthenighttopr ayforhoursandbesweat i
ngl i
keChristmasgoat ,asl ongas
youlackt hi
srevel
ationofenteri
ngintothearkofChri
st,devi
lwil
l st
il
lcomei mmedi ately
asyousl eep.Itisani nsultt
ot hefi
nishedworkofChr i
sttobepr ayingbeforeIsl eep,
becauseofat t
ackoft heenemy .Andthisrevel
ati
onofbeinginChr i
sti
st hemy steryt hat
manyhav enotcaught .ApostlePaulwassay ing somest r
anget hingsi nRomans
chaptereight(8)t
hatmanydonotunder st
and.

Vs1:
Hesai
d,t
her
eisnownocondemnat
iont
othem whoar
einChr
istJesus.

Gett his,condemnat i
oni sthel icenceoft hedev i
ltoat t
ackanyman.Condemnat ionis
notonl ywheny ouhav econdemnat ioniny ourhear tasmanydot hinkwheny oudo
wrong.Condemnat i
oni sal anguageoft hecour tofl awwher ebythej udgepr onounces
fi
naljudgementupont heaccused, andt hatjudgmenti scalledcondemnat ion, andupon
thatj udgementorcondemnat ioni swhatt hepol icewi llactupon.Sot hepol i
ceor
war derhasnotr i
ghttodoanycr i
mi nalanyhar m,ift hejudgehasnotcondemnedt he
criminal.Andt heposi ti
onoft hecr iminalmakesi mmuni t
yt ocov erhi m.Fori nst ancei f
theGov ernorofast at
ecommi tacr ime,hecan' tbear r
ested,becauseofhi sposi t
ion,
theirseati nGov ernmentposi t
ioncov ersbyi mmuni ty.Samet oChristJesus,oncey ou
arei nChr ist,immuni tyhascov eredy ou.Andal soAccor dingt otheconst i
tuti
on,t he
policehasnotr ighttopuni shy ouagai nasl ongasy ourcasei sinthecour t,nott ot al
k
ofwheny ouhav ebeendecl aredf ree.Sosamet othosewhoar einChr i
st,ther ei snow
nocondemnat i
ont othem.Thatv ersei snotsay ingy ouwi l
lnothav econdemnat i
oni f
yousi n,youwi llhaveasl ongasy ouhav econsci ence.Buti tissay i
ngev ent houghy ou
commi tsinasl ongasy ouar ei nChr i
sty ouar enotcondemned.Andsi ni st heonl y
l
icencef ordev i
loranydemont oat t
ackanyman.Andt hepr onouncecondemnat i
on
Judgmentofsi niscur se,andcur sei stheaut horit
yt hatdev ilhavet oat tackanyman.
Andt or emov et hecursef rom y ourl i
feist or emov et heaut hor i
tyoft hedev ilovery our
l
ife.Andnow Chr i
sthasr emov edt hecur seuponanyman,bot hgener ational ,self
affl
ictedcur se, thecur seoft hel aw, oranycur sef r
om anyoneupony ourlifehadbeen
nailedt othecr oss( Gal3: 13).

Nowt hereisnocondemnat ion( curse)tothem whoar einChrist(Rom 8:1).So

allthese pr ayermount ai
ns wheret heybr eakgenerati
onalcurse againi s a deep
i
gnor anceofwhatChr i
sthasdonef ort hem.Show meamanwhoi sstil
lfi
ght i
ng
gener ationalbattl
e,Iwi l
lshow youamanwhoi snoty etinChrist
.Hehasbel ieved
Noah,buthe i snoty eti nthe ark.Becauset hef i
nished workofNoah i swhat
determi nedt hev i
ctor
yofanyonet hatwassav edinthedayofNoah.ThatChr i
stisin
yougi vesy oupower ,butbeingi
nchr istgi v
esy ouauthorit
y(Matt28:18).Authori
tyis
alway sbasedony ourpositi
on,whil
epoweri sdetermi
nedbywhaty oucar ry.
 Asol diercarryi
ngaguni sunderpower ,whileapr esidentinhisposi t
ionisusi ng
authority
,and t hesol dierhav ing agun cannotj ustshoot ,hemustobeyt hel ast
commandandt hepresidentwhohasnoguni sthecommanderi nchiefofal lt
hear med
forces.Sooncey ouarei nChr ist,y oubecomet hecommanderi nchi efofanyar med
forcebot hfrom t heKingdom ofl ightorf rom thekingdom ofdar kness.Becauset hey
onlyactaty ourbel i
efandaty ourcommand.i fyoubelievetheycanst illatt
acky ou,they
willsurel
yattacky ou,becausey ourbel iefi
sal i
cense.Soi tistimet oenteryourr est.So
allyouneedt odoi stoj ustenteri ntot heark,youdon' tneedt obepr ay i
ngagai nstt he
fl
ood, nothi
ngl i
keal l
gener at
ional floodsdiebyf ir
e.Youcannotst opfloodf r
om comi ng,
youcannotst opt heattackfrom comi ng,ally
ouneedt odoi stoentert heark( Christ)
andy ouwi l
lbef ree.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesFi
ft
yOne)

Gett hisf act ,youdon' tfi

ghtt hedev ilbyfacingthedev il
,y ouf ighthim byf acing
Christ
.Thebestwar farei swheny oudon' thavet i
mef orthedev i
l.Thedayy ouer ase
himf rom y ourmemor yi sthedayy ouat tainyourv i
ctoryov erhi m.Togat herandbe
tal
kingaboutt hepoweroft hedev ilisabi gsignofdef eat,buttogat herandbet alking
aboutt hepowerofChr istandwhatHehasachi evedf orusi st her ealwar faretot he
Kingdom ofdar kness.War f
ar ePray er sisnotalltheseloudpr ayer sandbeshout i
ngdi e
diedie.Wedon' tdealwi t
hdev illi
ket hat,thoseusi ngt hoseweaponscannotat tai
n
permanentv ictor y,theywi l
lal waysexper ienceat t
ack.Whycan' ty out hrow awayt he
weaponofSault ot aket heweaponofDav idanddealwi thGoliathonceandf orall(1
Sam 17: 39-51).Al lthisf asti
ngandpr ayermet hodofwar f
areist heweaponofsaul ,and
thatcannotputanendt oy ourgol iath.I ti
ssoheav y,andIper sonal lyIam notusedt o
that.Ionlyappr oachdev i
lint henameofJesusandatt hement i
onofHi snameev ery
kneeshal lbow ( Phi li
p2: 10-11) ,Thati sall.Notatt heshoutofHi sname,notatt he
ment i
oningofHi snamet hreet imes, itisjustsingularwhichmeansonceandt hatisal l
.
Wear eonl yfight ingi nfaith(1Ti mot hy6: 12) ,
andgoodf i
ghtoff aithisnott obewor king
outthesol uti
on, buti ti
sl ookingf orthesol ut i
onthathasbeenpr ov idedf ortheirvi
ctor y
.

IntheNew Test ament ,wear enotcal ledt of i

ght.Fi ghti
ngi snotourcal l
ing.
Christhaswont hebat tleandHehasgi v enust hev ictory( John16: 33).Allweneed
nowi stost andi nt hatv i
ctoryment al
itytomai ntainourv ictory.Thatiswhywheny ou
l
ookatt hebookofEphesi ans6: 12-18:youwi l
ldiscov erthatt hemaj orweaponofour
warfarement ionedi nt hatbi blev ersesi snotat tackingweapon,t heyar eresi sti
ng
weapon.Wear ecal l
edt o" resi
stingt hant oattacki ng,"becausey oucannotst opt he
devilf
rom shoot i
nghi sarrow.Youcanonl ystophi sar rowf r
om get t
ingtoy ou,because
youhav eputont hewhol eamourofGod( Eph6: 11) .Thati swhyt heamourofdef ence
i
nt hatbookofEphesi ans6: 1-18ar emor ethant heamourofat tack.Itisonl yone
amourofat tackt hatwasr ecommendedwhi chist heswor doft hespi r
it(vs17) ;ev en
fasti
ngandpr ayerwasnotr ecommendedany wher e.Idon' tknowhowAf ri
cansgett oall
thesedoct r
inesofwar f
aret hatar enotscr ipt
ural.Manyofourwar far
esar enoti nl ine
withtheNewTest amentdoct ri
ne.Int heNewTest amentdev i
lhasbeendef eated.And
how didGoddef eathi m ov erus?Hewi thdrew hisaut horityov erus.Sodev i
lhasno
l
egalr i
ghttoaf f
li
cty ouany mor e.Andi ti
supont hatgr oundwer ebukehi m andher un
away( James4: 7).
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesFi
ft
yTwo)

Getthi
sf act,themaj oraspectwher edev i
lstandst ooperatefrom now i st o
standfrom t
hephy sicalreal
m.Imustconf ess, hehasl osthispowerwheni tcomest o
standi
ngf r
om t hespirit
ualrealm ofev erybeliever,butmanydonotknow.St andi
ng
fr
om therealm ofthespiritt
ofighthimiswher ey ourvictoryi
ssure,butf
orhi mitisnot.
Thatiswhyheal wayslovetolaunchyououtoft hespiritualr
ealmtothephy si
calrealm,
andwhenhesucceedsi ndoingt hatt
oy ou,thati swheny oubecomecar nall
ymi nded.
Thereisdif
ferentbetweenbei ngnaturalandbei ngcar nal.

 Carnal
i
tyi
stobedoingsomethingwi
thanot
heri
ntent
ion.Fori
nst
ance,t
ogi
ve
youmoneycanbespi
ri
tual
,nat
ural
andcar
nal
.

Now l etmegi veexampl et hatwi l

lshow t hedi fference.Icangi vey oumoneybyt he
l
eadi ngoft heHol ySpi ri
tt hati s,Iam bei ngl edt osow aseedi ntoy ourl ifebyt he
l
eadi ngoft hespi ri
t,thatisspi ri
tual
.Theleadi ngi snotunawar et ome,iknowi tist he
spiri
tatwor k( Phil
ip2: 13).Tobenat urali sj ustt osay ,if eellikegi vi
ngy oumoney .
Any bodyei t
herbor nagai nornotbor nagai ncanoper atei nthisr ealm,becausewear e
creat edasnat uralhumanbei ngsandt obenat uralisnotsi nful.Theki ngdom doesnot
expectust obespi rit
uali nal lthings.Youmustbenat uraltooper ateint hisear thov er
somet hing.Thati swhyy ouwi llj
ustseesomeonesay s,Ijustf eellikehelpingy ou,ev en
thoughi tmaybeHol ySpi r
itpr ompt i
ngsuchdesi re, buthei snotawar eoft heagencyof
thespi r
itbehindi t(Mat t7:11) .Whi l
ethethi rdonewhi chist obecar nal,ist ogi vey our
moneywi thawr ongmot iv
e:ei t
hertogainhonouri npubl icthatIam agi v er,thatiswhy
alltheset el
e-evangelistsgi vingandcomi ngt ot el evisionst ationt oshow t hewor ld,is
carnal it
y.Thati sgivingt opeopl eforother st oknow t hatIam gi vingsomet hingi s
carnal it
y( Mat t6:1-2).Sodoi ngt herightt hingwi thawr ongmot i
veiscar nal i
ty.So
carnal it
yandsi nful
nessi sapur enatureoft hedev i.“
l Car nalit
yi sdoingr ightt hingwi th
awr ongmot ive,whi l
esi nfulnessi sdoingwr ongt hingopeni ngwi thouthi dingi t.
”That
i
swhycar nal
ityismor ecommonamongt her el i
giouspeopl e,becauseoft henat ureof
tryi
ngt odepictt hechar actert hatisnotinthem.

Anycar nalmanhast het endencyt ofalli

ntot heat tackoft hedev il.Andt hatis
themi ssionofthedev i
lthatis,todr awyouintocarnalit
ysot hathecanat t acky ou.That
i
swhyy oumustbev igil
ant,andwat chfulsothaty ouwi l
lnotf alli
ntot het rapoft he
enemy ;Becausecar nali
tyisawat erthatquenchest hef i
reoft heHol ySpi rit(1Thessa
5:19),andt hatisdanger ous.Att hisstageyouwi l
lthinkitisdev i
ldoingy ou, No!heonl y
drawsy oui nto carnal
ity,becausecar nali
tyautomat icall
ypr eventsy ouf rom some
certai
nspi ri
tualarmour .Cany ouseewhymanyar ei nthemi nistr
y,whenGoddi dnot
sendt hem.Theyj ustheardoft hegoodygoodyi nthemi nistr
yandt heyj umpedi ntoit
.
Suchpeopl ecannotbef reef r
om t heattackoftheenemy :Becausemi ni steri
alwor kis
bycal li
ngandnotbyHol i
ness( 1Thessa5: 24) .Hol inessonl ymakesy ouav esselunt o
honoraf tery ouhav ey ieldedt oy ourcal ling( 2Ti m 2: 21) .Andsecondl y,theweaponof
thedev i
l nowi smor eofphy sical weapont hanspi ri
t ual weaponov ert hel ifeofbel i
ev ers.
Soev erybel iev ermustbeawar eoft hat .I fy ouunder standy ourr ighti nChr ist,hi s
spir
itualweaponi spower l
essov ery ourl ife.Ther ei snodi v i
nat ionagai nstJacobagai n
neit
hert her ei sanyenchant mentt hatcanwor kagai nstI sreal( bor nagai nChr ist i
ans)
whoknow t hei rr ight( Num 23: 23) .Butt heonl yt hinghecandoi st ousephy sical
weapont oat tackbel iev ers.Hecannotdoany thingi nt her eal m ofdar kness,andsuch
feti
shpowerwi llwor kagai nsty ou.Nowi tchescanki llanyChr isti
anwhoknowshi s
positi
onandr ighti nChr ist.ButBokoHar am doesnotknowi fy ouar est andi ngi nany
positi
oni nChr ist,t heycanki lly ou,i fy oudonotr unf ory ourl i
fe.Soy oumay be
surprisedt hatt hesamebor nagai nbel i
ev ert hatar row ofdar knesscannotaf fecti s
shotwi thaphy sicalgunandhedi es.Youmaybesur prisedt hatt hesameChr isti
an
whowaspoi sonedwi thdemoni csubst ancef ul lofi ncant ationanddi dnotdi e,same
Christiani sgi vensni perorsomehar mf ul sci entifi
cchemi calandsuchper sondi es.Why ?
Becausest andi ngi nt hespi ri
tual realm dev i
l hasl osthi sposi tiont oat tackanyChr istian.
Sowhenheunder stoodt his,hel ef tthespi ritualr eal mt obegi nt oat tackt hebel iev ersi n
thephy sicalr eal m.Henowbegi nst oat tackbel i
ev er swi thphy sicalt ool s.Hebegi nst o
entermant oat t
ackmannotwi thspi r itualweapon,butwi thphy sicalweapons.You
cani magi newhysomemi ssionar i
esar eki lledi nt hemi ssionf i
eld.Att imeswef eell i
ke
asking,whyi sGodsi lent ,whywoul dGodj ustal low St ephent obest onedt odeat h
(Acts7:58- 59) ,Whydi dt heapost l
esf acet erri
bl eat tacki nt hef l
esh( Act s4) ?When
devildi scov er ed t hathecannotst op t hebel i
ev ersi n Jer usal em agai nled byt he
apost l
es,her aisedsomebat tali
onsofJewl edbysaulwhol aterbecamePault of i
ght
beli
ev ers( Act s8) .Itwasbecausedev ilknewt hathehasl ostt hepowert oat tackpet er
from thedr eam.Heknewt hatt hisat tackofcr yf rom t hedr eam canonl ywor ki nt hel ife
ofunbel i
ev ers, babi esandi gnor antChr i
st ians.Soheknowst hatt heonl yenemyt hati s
noty etatt hef eetofJesus i st hedeat hoft hephy sicalbody .Spi ri
tualdeat hhadbeen
swal l
owedupi nv i
ctor yov erev erybel iev er( Rev1: 18) .Thi si st hemy st erybehi ndt he
wordofJesuswhenHesai d," donotf earhi mt hatcanki llthebody ,butf earhi mt hat
cancastbot ht hesoulandbodyi nt ot hehel l( Mat t10: 28) .Whi chmeans,Jesus
acknowl edgedt hef actt hatdev ilcanki llt hebody .Sot hedi mensi onoft hedev ilwhi ch
weshoul dbewat chf ulofi snott hedev ilst andi ngi nt hespi ritualr eal m agai n,i tist he
devilst andi ngi nman.Hef indssuccessi nusi ngphy sicalweaponnow mor et han
spir
itualweapon.Hef indssuccessi nusi nghumanbei ngsagai nstbel ieverst hanusi ng
demons.Heusesdemonsagai nstunbel i
ev ers,babyChr i
stians,car nalChr istiansand
i
gnor antChr i
st ians.Butf orbel i
ev ers, fullofpower , wisdom andr ev elat i
onalknowl edge,
heusesmanagai nstt hem.Iam mor ecar efulandaf rai dofphy si calmant handemon,
becausewhendeal ingwi thman,wi sdom i spr of itabl et ohandl et hei rsi t
uat ionmor e
thanpower( Ecc10: 10) .
 Theweaponoffi
ght
ingthedev
ili
nmani
sdi
ff
erentf
rom t
heweaponoff
ight
ing
demoninther
ealm oft
hespi
ri
t.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesFi
ft
yThr
ee)

Manypeopl esti
llfi
nditdi f
fi
culttobel i
evewhatChr isthaddonet othedev il
.I
mustconfess, i
fdevi
lismanifesti
nghi spowerov eryourli
fe,
heisoper ati
nginitil
legal
ly.
Heisonl
yt akingadvantageofy ourignorance.From thereal
m ofthespi r
it
,devilhasno
ri
ghttousehi spowerov erthel i
feofany one.Nott hatdevi
lhasnopower ,wecannot
di
sputethef actthatsomedi mensi onsofpoweri sstil
linhisdisposalandwi thinhis
ki
ngdom.Butt hefactisthathehasnoaut hori
tytousehi spowerov eryourlif
easa
sonofGod.

Nowl
etmeshowy
out
hisscr
ipt
ure:
Col
ossi
ans2:
14-
15:

14NIV:havi
ngcanceledt
hechargeofourlegali
ndebt
edness,whi
chst ood
agai
nstusandcondemnedus;
hehast
akenitaway,
nai
li
ngittot
hecross.

15NIV:Andhav
ingdi
sarmedthepower
sandauthor
it
ies,hemadeapubl
i
c
spect
acl
eoft
hem,t
ri
umphingov
ert
hem byt
hecr
oss.

Underst
andi
ngoft hesetwoscr
ipt
uralv
ersesi
senought
ogi
vey
oudeepv
ict
ori
ous
rev
elati
onaboutt
hedevil
.

Nowl etust akei tfrom v er se14i tsay s, hav en'tcancel edt hel egali ndebt edness,
whichst oodagai nstus, andt hatl egali ndebt ednessi swhatdev ilstoodupont oat tack
usbef oreChr ist.Asl ongast hishandwr i
tingi sst il
lav ail
abl edev ilwi llhav e100%r i
ght
to attackanyone,becauseno oneonear thi sf reef r om whati swr i
tteni nt he
handwr it
ing.Ifthedeat hofMosescoul dbeat tackedj ustbecausedev i
lhadsomet hing
againsthi m,how muchmor et hel i
v i
ng.Gett hi s,t heaut hor ityoft hedev ilbecomes
activeoncehehassomet hingagai nsty ou.ButwhenChr istcame,Hecancel edal lthe
handwr it
ing,bot ht heoneGodwashav ingagai nstusandt heonedev ilwashav i
ng
againstus.God wi ll
ingl y sur render ed al lHe has agai nsty ou,because ofHi s
uncondi t
ionallov e,whi ledev i
lfor cef ullysur render edwhathehasagai nsty ou,because
Christpaidt hepr ice.Sot hebl oodofJesusi snotapastt enser at heri sev eral iv
e.I t
coverst hepast ,pr esentandt hef utur e.Andaf t
erHehaddonet hati nv erse14,He
wentt ov erse15t odealwi thdemons.Ver se14deal twithsat an,whi lev erse15deal t
withdemons.Dev ilisouraccuserandt hepowert oaccusewascancel ed,becauseby
thebl oodofJesusiam asHol yasJesus.Iam hol ymor et hant heangel .Theway
Jesusi shol ythati sal sot hewayIam hol yi nt hesi ghtofGod.Jesussai ddev ilcame
tomeandhef oundnot hingi nme( John14: 30) .Samet ome, hecamet omebanj o,and
hef oundnot hingagai nstme,notbecauseIam per fectaccor dingt ot hel aw,butIam
perfectaccor dingt ot hegr aceav ailablebyFai th( Eph2: 8) .Andhi si nabi l
itytof ind
anythingi nme,makesmeachampi on,Iam achampi onov erhi m.Butwheni tget sto
verse15,Jesusbegant odealwi tht hedemonst hatat tack.Andhow di dHehandl e
t
hem?Thev
erse15say
s,andhedi
sar
medpr
inci
pal
i
ties.

Thewor d" di
sar med"i sami li
tar yl anguaget hatistor emov ebul letfrom agun.
Mindy outhegunwasnotr emov edf rom hi m, butthebul l
etwasr emov ef r
om t hegun.
Sobecausey oudonotknowt hatt her ei snobul letinthegun,y ousur renderwhent he
thi
efasksy out ohandsup.I magi nesomeonecomest oyourhousewi t hat oygunand
asky out osurrendery ourmoney ,ther eisahi ght endencyt osur render ,becausey ouare
notawar ethatt hereisnobul l
eti nhi sgun, butoncey ouareawar ebef orehecomest o
yourhouset hatt hesamepar t
iculart hiefi sfoundofusi ngt oygun, youwi l
lbev erybold
aslionandr efuset osur rendert ohi m.AndIam maki ngy out obeawar et odayt hatthe
pri
nci pali
ti
eshav ebeendi sarmed.Nobul l
etinhi sgunov ery ourlife.Youcanwor kin
thesi ghtofpr incipali
tiesandpowerandt heywi l
ldoy ounoar m.I fIexper ienceany
negat iv
e,iknowi ti
snotpr incipalit
ies,iknowi tisnotdev il
,Iknowi tisnotpr inceof
persia,iknow i ti snotwi ckedr ulersi nt heheav enl yplaces( Eph6: 12) ,becauset hey
hadbeendi sar med,t heyhadbeenputi ntopubl icshame.Ev erynegat ivet hathappens
tomei sat oolt otakemet omydest inationandmakemet obecomewhom Iam
destinedt obe.MyJosephdoesnotneedt obef i
ght i
ngagai nstanyspi r
itofpr isonorpit
,
becauseiknowt hatthepr i
soni sar oadt omypal ace.Ihaveunder stoodt hemy ster
yof
how God,t urnedev erythingt ohi spur pose.Noweaponf ashionedagai nstmeshal l
prosper ,andev er ythoughtt hatr iseagai nstmeshal lbeconder m( Isa54: 17).Ifdevi
l
try
st oat t
ackmei nonesi de,hewi l
lfleebef or emesev entimes( Deut28: 7).
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesFi
ft
yFour
)

Now l etus address the subjectofcur se underdel i

verance ministr
y.The
quest
ionis,cananew t est
amentbel ieverbeundercurse,cant heybeundercur seof
anykind,bei tgener
ati
onalcurse,sel faff
li
ctedcurse,propheti
ccur sethati scurse
i
mposedbyanymanofGod, orcurseimposedbydemoni cpeoplee.gwi t
chcraftpeople?
Nowletusdeal wit
hitoneaftert
heot her.

Fi
rstongenerat
ionalcurse:asanew test
amentbel
i
ever,y
ouar enol
onger
underanygener
ati
onalcur seagai
n.Oncey
ouarebor
nagain,ol
dthi
ngshave
passedawayandev er
ythinghasbecomenow(2Cori
n5:17)
.

Foranypr ophetsayi
ngy ouar eundergenerati
onalcur
sei sabigi gnoranceonhispart,
andf oryout obeli
evet hatisalsoabi gignoranceony ourpart.Mi ndy ou,i
fyouare
i
gnorantofy ourposit
ioni nChr i
st,pr
ophetcanseet hemani festati
onofgener at
ional
curseiny ourli
feandt ellyoubypr ophet
icgracei nthei
rli
fe,butt heyshouldletyou
knowt hatsuchcurseisoper at
inginyourl
if
eill
egall
y.

Gener ational cursehasnol egal rightt ost ayint hel i

feofanybor nagai nbeliev er
.
Ther eisnot hingl i
key oust il
lhav et of ightandbr eaki taf tersal vati
on.Letmet elly ou
whati tmeanst obebor nagai n.Idi scov eredt hatmanydonotknowi t
.Tobebor nagai n
i
st osur rendery ourlifethati sundergener ationalcur set oChr istandr ecei veanewl i
fe
thati sundergener ati
onalbl essing( whichi si nlinewi thAbr ahami cbl essi ng.Gal3: 13-
14) .Yourl i
fet hathasgener ationalcur set haty ousur renderi sy ourAdami clifeinl ine
withy ourbi ol
ogi call i
fe,andy ourAdami candgenet i
c( biologi cal)l i
feisunderacur se,
thati sani ndisput ablef act;Butoncey ouar ebor nagai n,y ousur rendert hel i
fe,t he
genei ny oui snol ongert hegenef rom y ourf ami l
y,iti snowAbr ahami cgenesot hat
thebl essi ngt hathasbeenpr omi sedt ot heseedofAbr aham canbey our s( Gal3: 14).
Thebl oodt hatf lowsi nmenow i snotay ekaf ami lybl ood,i ti st hebl oodofJesus.i
now car ryt heDNAofChr i
st.SoIcannotbeapar takerofanygener at i
onalcur sei n
Ay eka'sf ami l
y .Ev ent houghIam ASbymyf ami l
ygeneandy oumar rymeasAsby
genot ype, youcannotgi vebi r
tht oAS, becauseChr i
stisnotAS, Abr aham i snotASorSS.
SohowcanIbeAS,becauset hatist hef ami l
yIcamef r
om.Whendoct ordet ectst hat
youar eASOrSSi saf act,butwhatIam say ingasy ourspi ritualdoct ori st het ruth.I
hav edi agnosedy ouasabor nagai nChr istianandIam usi ngt hi soppor tunityt otelly ou
thaty ouar eAA.Fi ghtinggener ati
onalcur seaf tersal v ationi sabi gi gnor anceoft he
highestor der.Mi ndy ou,itisnott hatwedon' thav ebel iev ersundergener ationalcur se,
wehav emany ,buti tisbecauset heyar ei gnor antoft hebl essi ngat tachedt ot heir
salv at
ion.Andt hati swhyGodsentt hemi nistryoft hepr ophett ot hem t odel i
v erthem,
becauset heydon' tknowt hatt heyhav ebeendel ivered.Mi ndy ou,nott hatt hemoment
youar ebor nagai ny oushoul ddel ivery our self.Nott haty ouhav er ecei vedpowert o
deli
very oursel
f,No!No! !AndNo!!!Thef actist hatonceyouarebornagain,y ouhave
beendel i
v er
ed.Youhav ebeendeliveredalready;youarenotfi
ghti
nganybat t
leofcurse
again.Iti sabat tl
et hathadbeenf oughtandwonbyChr i
st.Thereisnot hingl
ike
breakinggenerationalcurse,t
hatlanguagei snotaNewTest amentlanguage.Thereis
nothinglikefi
ghti
nganygener ati
onalcurset hatalsoisnotaNewTestamentlanguage.

Int heNew Test ament ,wedon' tbr eakgener ationalcur se,wewal koutofi t,
becauset hegener ationalcur seisst il
ltyi
ngt hosewhoar enoti nChr i
stiny ourf ami l
y
down, butoncey ouar ebor nagainy ouwal koutbyr ev elati
onalknowl edge.Letmegi ve
yout hispictur etounder standwhatImean.I tislikey ouar et i
eddownwi thachai n,with
someki ndofpeopl e,andsuddenl yt hechainl oosesi t
sel fandy oumov eout .Mi ndy ou
thechai nstillti
esomepeopl edown,butsomet hi nghappenst oy ouandmakey out o
haveaut horityov erthechai n.Thechai naut omat icallyloosesi tself.Thechai ni tselfis
underaut hor i
ty,andi thasbeenpr ogrammedt ol osei tselff rom anyoneundert henew
creatur ereality.Soitisnoty outhatwi lll
oset hechai n, thechai nhasbeenpr ogr ammed.
Untilweunder standt hisdi mensiont hateverythingi nt her ealm oft hespiri
taf terChr i
st
i
saut omat i
c.I thasbeenpr ogr
ammed,oncey oupr esst hebot t
om ofsal vation,t he
chainr emov es.Butoncey oudon' tknowt hatithasbeenr emov ed,youbegint oseekf or
prophetabout ,becausey ourexper i
enceisnotpr ovingi ttober eal.New test amenti s
automat i
c, whi l
eOl dTest amenti smanual .Andmanypr ophet sdonotunder standt hi s,
theyar est i
lloper at
ingwi t
hmanual (
fasti
ngandpr ayer)t obr eaky oke.

Gett hisf act,wedon' tmov ebyexper i

encei nt henewt est ament ,exper iencei s
j
ustapr esentf act ,butnott het r
ut h,nott hef utur et ruth.Al ly ouneedi st ousey our
bel i
eft odr awt hef uturet r
utht ot hepr esent;Becausewhaty ouar eseenast hef uture
truthi sthepr esentandf inaltruthint herealm oft hespi ri
t.Sogett hisfact, i
gnor ancei s
whati smaki ngy out obr eakwi thpr ayerwhathasbeenbr okenbyChr istont hecr oss.
Gett his,"itisf inished"( John19: 30)t hatJesussai dont hecr ossi saf inalwor dt o
ev eryst ruggl eandbat tl
eoft heenemy .Wear enotcal ledt obat tleaftersal vation,we
arecal l
edt or est.Wedon' tfightint heNewTest amentbyf acingt hedev il
;wef ightby
turningourbackt ohim.Anyt hebat tl
ey oufightbyf aci ngi ti nt heNewTest amenti sa
signt haty ouhav ebeendr i
ftedal ready .Evensi n,y oudon' tov ercomesi nbyf acingi t
.
Thati swhyl awcannotdel iveranyonef r
om sin, butJesussai dast hesnakewasl i
fted
upi nthewi lder nesssoal soshal lt hesonofmanbel iftedup( John3: 14) .Andwhat
happensi nt hewi l
derness,asnakeofsi nandgener ationalcur sewasbi ti
ngt hem,and
Moseswasl edt ohanganot hersnakeont het ree,andany onet hatl ooksatt hesnake
thatwashungont hetreewhi chi sChr i
stissav ed,whi leany onet hattriest oki llthe
snakeofsi nandgener ationalcursebyhi mselfbyf acingt hesi nwaski l
ledbyt hesnake.
Ify ouf ightgener ationalbat tl
ebyf acingi t
,youmayendupdy ingoft hegener ational
cur se.Youcannotat t
ainv i
ctor yli
ket hat;youwi llkeeponf i
ght ingl ikemount ainoff i
re
chur
ch.Per
mitmetomenti
onnameofchur
ches,becauset
her
ear
echur
chest
hatonce
youarematur
ed,
theyar
enotmeantf
ory
ouagain.

Wejustneedt
obenai
li
ngt
het
rut
htot
hosewhodonotunder
stand,i
fwespeaki
n
par
abl
e.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesFi
ft
yFi
ve)

Yest erdaywebeganbydeal ingwi tht hesubj ectofcourse,becauset hi

si spartoft he
maj orf unctionsoft hedel i
verancemi nistrywhi chist obr eakingyokei nt heli
feof
peopl e.AndweAf ricansar efoundofbel iev i
ngsuchjunks.IdoknowoneYor ubadrama
minist r
yt hati sfondofpr omot i
ngsuchi gnorancemi ni
str
ationofy oke,cur seand
bondageoft hedev i
l.Yousuddenl yseeonemanatt hejunctionofhissuccess,one
demoni cpol icewi l
lnow st andagai nsthi m andsay shewi llnotpassandmakei t
fi
nanci all
y,becausenoonei nhisgener ationhasev ermadei tduet othef actthathis
grandf atherhaddoneoneev ilandcur sehasbeenpl acedonhi sgenerati
on.Andy ou
seet hewr i
terofthescr iptdepicti
ngt hev ictim onapray ermount ai
nprayingwi t
hallhis
strengt htobr eakthey okeandaf terlongbat tl
ewi t
hthedemon, theyokewi l
lnowbr eak.

Sincer el yi fthatisChr isti

ani t
y ,Iwi llnotgi v
emyl if
et oChr i
st ,becausewhati s
nowt hev al
ueofbei nginChr i
st,whati st hepur poseoft hecr oss, whydi dhecomet o
sufferi fIwi llst il
lneedt opayt hepr iceof7day sf astingt obr eakmyy okemy sel f
?
Heart het ruth,t her eal
it
yofNew Test amentdoct rinei sinsi deknowl edge,i fy oucan
exaltknowl edgey ouar efreet otall
y( 2Pet er1: 3).Becauseev erythingwi t
houtr emai ning
anythingi nt heNew Test amenti sgot tent hr oughknowl edge.Any oneper ishingi nt he
New Test amenti sbecausehel acksknowl edge.Any onei ncapt i
v i
tyaf tersal vationi n
theNewTest amenti sbecauseheorshel acksknowl edge,notbecauseheorshei sa
prayerlessper son.Any onet hatisnoty etf reei sbecausehel acksknowl edge:because
hesai dy oushal lknowt het r
uthandt het rut hshal lsety ouf ree( John8: 32) .Any thing
youwantt oget ,knowl edgei st hechannelt hroughwhi chy ouhav eit .Hesai di
nJohn
17:3:t hatet ernall ifeisr eceivedt hr ought heknowl edgeofChr istandGod.Hesai d
againt hatgr acebemul tipli
edt hrought heknowl edgeofChr istandGod( 2Pet er1: 3)
Sot el
lmeany thingy ouar elacking, Iwi lltelly ouy ourl ackofi tisbecauseofi gnor ance.
Imustconf esst oy out hatspi ri
tualpoweri spr i
mar i
lydesi gnedbyt heki ngdom t o
obtaini tbyknowl edge.Thepowert hatknowl edgecanr elease,299day sdr yf asting
andpr ay ercannotr eleasei t
.Wewi llmakeal otofmi stakei fwet hinkt hewayGoddeal s
withApost l
eAy odel eBabal ol
a( BlessedMemor y)andmanypr ophet soft heol di st he
wayGodwi l
ldealwi thus.Youwi llbedi sappoi nt
edt ot hinky oucanobt ainbyf asting
whatApost l
eAy odel eBabal olaobt ainedbyf asti
ng.Ti meofi gnor ancehaspassed
(Acts17: 30) .Godusedt hosemet hodf ort hem,becausemenoft hoseday shadno
spiri
tualcapabi l
ityt ocompr ehendspi ri
tualknowl edge.Theycannotr eadnonecan
theywr i
te.Sot hemet hodofcommuni catingknowl edget othem i sv eryshal low.SoGod
hast odev elopOl dTest amentmeansoff ast ingandpr ay ertogett hei rspi rit
sconnect ed.
Buti nt hisseason,t hecapabi li
tytounder standhasbeengi v ent omanybor nagai ni n
thi
sseason.Wear ei ntheer aofspi ri
tualwi sdom andr ev elati
on.Sooncespi rit
ual
knowl edgei sr eleasedandy oucanunder standi ttobel ievei t,thati sal lthatpr oduce
yourvictory.I
tisallaboutbel iev
et hatcomest hr
oughknowl edgeandt hatiswhatGod
i
susi ngust odoi nt hisl astday .Sot haty oucanat tainy ourdeliv
erancet hr
ough
revel
ationalknowledge,becauset heonl ydel i
verancethatisper manenti stheonet hat
comes t hr
ough r evel
ation.And t hrough t he revel
ation,many hav e gott
en their
deli
verancey ester
dayf rom gener ati
onalcur se.Becausei sjustfory outobelievethat
youhav ebeenf ree.Mindy ou,notbelievingt hatyouwillbef ree,andnotbel i
evingthat
youcanbef r
eeory oumaybef r
eeal lthosear ejusthopeandnotf ai
th

Fai
thsaidyouhavebeenfree,buthopesaidy oucanbef reeAndbef oreChri
st,
scri
ptureisabookofhope,butaf t
erChristscr
iptureisabookoff ait
h.I ntheold
test
ament ,t
heyreadtoknow whatGodcando,buti nt henew test
amentwer eadto
knowwhatChr isthasdone.Soongenerati
onalcurse,Christhassetyoufreeandy ou
arefreeindeed(John8:36)
.Al
lyoujustneedistobel i
eveandy ourbel
iev
eshal lmake
youfree(Matt21:
22).
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesFi
ft
ySi
x)

Li
keaflutter
ingsparr
ow oradar
ti
ngswal
l
ow,anundeser
vedcur
sedoesnot
comet
or est(Pr
overbs26:
2NI
V).

Anundeser
vedcur
sehasnoeff
ect.It
sint
endedvict
im wi
l
lbenomorehar
medby
i
tthanbyaspar
roworswal
lowfl
it
tingthr
oughthesky(Pr
over
bs26:
2TLB).

Li
keaf l
utt
eri
ngspar
roworadart
ingswall
ow,anundeser
vedcur
sewi
l
lnotl
and
onit
sint
endedvi
cti
m( Pr
over
bs26:2NLT)
.

A curseyoudon’tdeser
vewil
ltakewi
ngsandf
lyawayl
i
keaspar
row ora
swall
ow(Prov
erbs26:2CEV)
.

Youhaveasli
tt
let
of earfr
om anundeser
vedcur
seasf
rom t
hedar
tofawr
enor
theswoopofaswal
low( Prov
erbs26:
2MSG).

Now thatwehav eestabl

ishedthef
actt
hatnobeli
everi
sunderanygener
ationcur
se
excepttheignorantones.Letusmoveontodealwi
ththesecondt
ypeofcurse,whi
ch
i
st hecurseplaceduponsomeonebyamanofGod.

Firstandf oremost ,letmef i

rstcor rectt hisi mpr essionoft hisev ilactbysome
menofGod;I ti snoti nl i
newi t
hnew t est amentt eachi ngt obepl acingcur seupon
anyoneasmenofGod.Ev enJesussai dweshoul dliveandpr ayf orourenemi es( Mat t
5:44),howmuchmor eaf el l
owbel i
everofour si nChr ist?Nowl etmesayt his, noman
ofGodcanpl aceacur seony ouasabel i
ev er ,l
esthei njureshi msel f.Thebi blesay swe
aretheseedofAbr aham andt hecov enantuponAbr aham andhi sgener ationi st hat
anyonet hatbl essest hem shal l beblessedandany onet hatcur sest hem shal lbecur sed
(Gen12: 3).AnymanofGodt hatplacesacur seonme,aspl aceacur seonhi msel f
unknowi ngly.Wer emembert hecaseofPr ophetbal am ( Gen22) .Theki ngbal akasked
himt ocur set heI sraeli
tes,andhesai dnoonecancur sewhom Godhasnotcur sed
(Num 23: 8).Asl ongasy ouar enotundert hecur seofGod, noBal aam oft hisgener at i
on
cancur sey ou.AndGodcannotcur sey oui nt henewcov enant ,becauseoncey ouar e
bornagai nt helov eHehav ef ory ouisuncondi tional .AndonceGodhasnotcur sedy ou,
noanoi ntedv esselcanl ayacur seony ouasabor nagai nChr istian.I fitwor ks, itmeans
hiscursei smor epower fult hant hebl oodandt hecr ossofJesus.Whi chcannev erbe
possible.Itist i
mewebegi nt odealwi ththeef ficacyoft heDNAt hatwecar ry, whichi s
thebloodofJesus.Thel ifey ouhav einy oui set ernall i
fe.Al ifef rom abov ecannotbe
cursedbyanyman,notev enbyangel .Whoar ey out opl aceacur seonal ifet hatt ook
thebloodofJesust ober edeemed?Doy ouknow how pr eci oust hebl oodi st ot he
kingdom?SoIdon' tunder stand,isi ttheet ernall ifet haty ouhav et hatapast orwi ll
curseory ourol dlifethathadbeenbur i
edwi thChr i
stalr eady?
 Ifyoudoanywr ongt oanymanofGod, t
heki ngdom count si ttobemi stake,and
Godwi llaskt hemanofGodt hatifhehi msel fiswi thoutsi n,lethi m castt hest oneof
curseonhi mf ir
st(John8: 7).Andbewai t
ingi fGodwi llnotcur sehi m alsoanyt imehe
doeswr ongt hingt oGod.Whatki ndofev ilist hat,thedi sciplescamet oJesusand
saidletuscal ldownt hef i
reasEl ij
ahdid,Jesusr espondedt haty oudon' tknow t he
spiri
tthati siny ou(Luke9: 54-55) ,becauset hesonofmandi dnotcomet okill
,butto
save( Mat t18:11).Ready ourbiblev erywell..
.Wehav eturnmanyoft hesemenofGod
toanothergod.Thef earwehav ef orthem ismor ethant hef earwehav ef orGod.When
you( Pastor )didwr ong,how manyt imesdi dGodcur sey ou?I ft hebl oodofJesus
couldtakeawayt hecur seofGod,whi chi st hecur seoft hel aw awayf rom ourl i
ves,
whoi sapr ophetoranapost l
et hatthebloodcannott akehi scur seaway .Idon'tknow
whom Iam wr i
tingthist o, thoughi tmaybet hatonepr ophetatonet i
mepl acedacur se
upony ou, anddev ili
sbr ingingt hecur setoy ourmemor y,becauset hesit uationy ouare
faci
ngi stryingt olookl iket hecur se;Ifyoubel i
ev eit,i
twi llcomet opass.Ev er
y t
hingis
notaboutt hecur seoft hemanofGod,butev erythingi sabouty ourbel ief.Yourf ait
h
canbeamagnett hatwi llat t
ractitorbeashi eldt hatwi llrejecti t
.ButGodsendsmet o
younowt hatt heunder ser vedcur seshallnotst andaccor dingt oPr overbs26v s2.And
nomancandet erminei ft hecur sei sdeservedorundeser ved.

GodsaidIshoul
dtellyouthatnoweaponf or
medagai nstyoushallprosper ,t
hat
anytongueraiseagai
nstyoushallbecondemned( Isa54:17).Relaxyourmi nd, don'
tl
et
devi
lbringsthecur
sebackt oyou.Ifhedoeslethim knowt hatitiswrit
tent hatnoone
cancursewhom Godhasnotcur sed( Num 23:
8).Nomancani ni
tiat
eacur seuponany
bel
iever,asl
ongasGodhasnotcur sed.Thei
rcurseov ery
ourl i
feishighsoundi ngnoise.
 Under
standi
ngTheOl
dAndTheNewTest
ament(
Ser
iesFi
ft
ySev
en)

Godhashelpedussof art
odealwit
hmanyr eal
i
tiesoncur
seissue.Wehav
etal
ked
aboutt
her
ealit
yofgener
ati
onal
cur
se,i
mposedcursebymanofGod.

Now l etusr oundt hist eachi ngof ftheol dandt henew t est amentdoct ri
neby
touchi ngt hel astt eachi ngont her ealit
yofsel faf fli
ctedcur se.Now,t hequest i
oni s
canasel faf f l
ictedcur sehav ei mpar toverone' sl i
fe?Maybet hecur sey oupl aceupon
your selfi ni gnor anceorspeaki ngnegat i
vewor dst oy ourself,cansuchwor dshav e
i
mpacti ny ourl ife?Now,gett hisf actaboutt hepoweroft henewl i
f eyoucar r
ycal led
"Eternall if
e. "Iti sal i
fet hatnocur secanaf fect.Per mitmet osayt histhatev ent hough
youcur sey our sel f,i
thasnoef fectont henewl ifey oucar ry.Any thingt hataf fectsy our
new l if
ei swhaty ouper mitbyy ourbel ief.Theonl yelementt hatcanaf fecty ournew
l
ifer ealityisy ourbel ief.Thismaybet oohar dt oaccept ;Because, i
tisnotaLi fet hati s
deter mi nedbyy ou, i
tisal i
fedet erminedbyGod.Thati swhydev ilget sti
redov erus.He
cannol ongerusepeopl et oaf fectournewl i
fe,andhecannol ongeruseour selvest o
affectournew l ife,becausei tisal ifethatcannotbeki l
ledbyman.Thati swhyi ti s
calledev erlast ingl ife.Andoncey our ecei vet hel ife,youbecomeet ernalbei ng.Itisa
l
ifet hati shi ddeni nChr i
stJesus.I tisnol ongeriwhol ive,becauset helif
eil iveint he
fl
eshi snow t hel i
feofChr i
st( Gal2: 20) .Mi ndy ou,wecannotr uleoutt heef fectof
natur alconsequencesov eranywr ongwedoaf tersalv ati
on.Butcur seisnotanat ur al
consequence,i tisaspi r
itualmat ter,andany thingt hati sspi r
itualbecomespower less
whent her eal m ofl i
ghti satwor k.Youl i
fecanonl yexper iencey our selfaffl
ictedcur s- e
wheny ourl i
f ei sbr eakingsomenat uralcauses.Thati swhywi sdom i sneededt omov e
i
nt hi snat ur alwor l
dsot haty ouwi l
lnotf al
lv icti
m oft heconsequencesofNat uralsi n.
Buti ft hel ifey ouar elivingisi nl i
newi t
ht henewl if
ei ny ou,y ouar ef r
eef rom cur se.
Ther ear esomenat uralconsequencest hatf ollow wr ongact ions.Andt hisi st he
natur alconsequencesaf fectingmanyt hatt heyar ecalli
ngcur se.Soy oumustt r
yt ol i
v e
agoodst andar dofmor al l
if
et oav oidanyf orm ofnat ural curset hatcanl ookasi fcur se
i
satwor kiny ourl if
e.

Now wehavecomet
otheend oft
het
eachi
ng on "
Theol
d and t
heNew
Test
amentt
eachi
ng.
"
Seeyounexti
nanotherser
iesent
ir
ely
,Ti
tl
e:TheVal
ueOf
Wisdom AndRev
elat
ion

Fr
om TheDeskOf

Banj
oAy
eka

07037378984

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tedby

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