WEBVTT 00:00:01.199 --> 00:00:05.759 The title of the message is The Liberating Power of Knowing God. 00:00:06.080 --> 00:00:10.560 We will be reading from Ephesians chapter 1, verse 15 up to verse 23. 00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:17.679 As you know that this is the month of the liberating power of knowledge, uh revelation connected. 00:00:17.920 --> 00:00:23.359 And so I've chosen the title, The Liberating Power of Knowing God. 00:00:23.440 --> 00:00:29.359 It's a powerful, powerful theme: the liberating power of knowing God. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.600 And our prayer today is that we would truly know God intimately. 00:00:35.840 --> 00:00:37.200 So I'll ask us to stand. 00:00:37.280 --> 00:00:41.679 We read from Ephesians chapter 1, verse 15 up to verse 23. 00:00:45.119 --> 00:00:47.200 This is what the Bible says. 00:00:48.240 --> 00:01:04.719 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:19.359 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better. 00:01:20.079 --> 00:01:39.680 I pray that your eyes or the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. 00:01:40.000 --> 00:02:05.120 That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and then seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in this uh the present age, but also in the one to come. 00:02:05.359 --> 00:02:06.640 Verse 22. 00:02:07.040 --> 00:02:10.400 And God placed all things under his feet. 00:02:10.560 --> 00:02:21.759 Hallelujah! And God placed all things under his feet, and not just that, appointed him to be head over everything for the church. 00:02:21.919 --> 00:02:23.599 I see promotion, hallelujah. 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:34.879 This is what God does: elevation, promotion, expansion, increase, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. 00:02:35.039 --> 00:02:36.639 We may have our seats. 00:02:39.439 --> 00:02:56.159 Almighty God, I thank you for the word that's coming forth, and I thank you for hearts that are ready, those who are here in person and those who are following this service, worshiping with us online, all over the world. 00:02:56.479 --> 00:03:02.479 And I thank you that this word is coming across, and I pray that God would receive it with thanksgiving. 00:03:02.719 --> 00:03:04.240 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:03:04.560 --> 00:03:05.199 Amen. 00:03:05.680 --> 00:03:08.400 The liberating power of knowing God. 00:03:12.719 --> 00:03:37.759 The knowledge of God transformed Paul's life, and therefore, Paul is someone who understands what knowing God can do for someone, and therefore he prays for the church at Ephesus, the church at Ephesus, that they would truly know God. 00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:52.560 The foundation of our faith is not a creed. 00:03:54.319 --> 00:03:57.599 And uh, or is it it is not a denomination? 00:03:58.240 --> 00:04:12.319 The foundation of our faith is not a system, the foundation of our faith is Jesus Christ, and therefore knowing him becomes critical for our faith. 00:04:12.879 --> 00:04:20.560 Knowing him or knowing God becomes critical, uh very foundational for our faith. 00:04:20.720 --> 00:04:25.759 In first Corinthians 11 1, the Bible says, For no other foundation can any man lay. 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:30.160 First Corinthians chapter 11 3 verse 11. 00:04:30.319 --> 00:04:34.399 1 Corinthians uh chapter 3, uh verse 11. 00:04:34.879 --> 00:04:35.680 Verse 11. 00:04:35.839 --> 00:04:36.639 3 11. 00:04:37.600 --> 00:04:46.800 No other foundation, yes, yes, for no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid. 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:48.319 In other words, it's already there. 00:04:48.480 --> 00:04:53.279 The foundation is already there, and that foundation is Jesus Christ. 00:04:53.600 --> 00:05:05.360 So the rest of the life we live, we are building on a foundation that is already set, and so uh there are three dimensions of knowing God that I want to bring to us. 00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:13.279 Number one, know his person, number two, know his mind, and number three, know his power. 00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:17.600 Know his person, know his mind, know his power. 00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:20.560 The liberating power of knowing God. 00:05:20.879 --> 00:05:23.920 First of all, know his his person. 00:05:24.959 --> 00:05:38.959 Paul encountered uh Jesus on the way to Damascus, and he had a very personal engagement on the way to Damascus, Acts chapter 9, verse 1 to 5. 00:05:39.120 --> 00:05:41.600 Acts chapter 9, verse 1 to 5. 00:05:41.839 --> 00:05:47.360 And I want to pray and hope that every one of us here has had a personal encounter with God. 00:05:47.519 --> 00:05:49.120 Because this is how it begins. 00:05:49.360 --> 00:05:57.040 Knowing God really starts by knowing his person, having a personal encounter with him. 00:05:57.759 --> 00:06:03.120 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:18.000 He went um to the high priest and asked for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 00:06:18.160 --> 00:06:25.040 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:31.439 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? 00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:32.639 Who are you, Lord? 00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:36.879 Saul asked, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:37.839 He replied. 00:06:43.920 --> 00:07:05.680 And of course, from there he goes uh onto the house of Judas on uh a street called Strait, and a disciple of Jesus Colonia later is spoken to by God, and he's led to lay a hand on Paul, who was blind for a whole three days, and his eyes come back, and he's assigned, given an assignment. 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:18.319 But uh knowing God for Paul was very liberating, and especially number one, that personal engagement and that personal encounter. 00:07:18.879 --> 00:07:22.720 My journey of knowing God started when I was almost 17 years old. 00:07:22.800 --> 00:07:26.480 I was in form two, and somebody came preaching. 00:07:26.639 --> 00:07:31.839 I have talked about it in the podcast that uh you saw on the screen. 00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:48.160 Um, and uh somebody came preaching, and John 3.16 was the key scripture, and he simply said, For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 00:07:48.399 --> 00:07:55.120 And that verse, the love of God, the plan of God for my life came so clear. 00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:58.079 And uh on that day I connected. 00:07:58.240 --> 00:08:03.360 That was my encounter with God, a personal encounter with God. 00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:36.159 You can never truly know God unless you start with a proper foundation, and that is Jesus Christ, and that is why many people struggle in their discipleship uh because they haven't known Jesus, they don't have a relationship with Jesus, and they are trying to build a Christian life, not on a foundation, Jesus Christ, but on maybe a creed, maybe a denomination, maybe a baptism, maybe a confirmation, maybe another ritual. 00:08:36.480 --> 00:08:42.879 But they never, never encountered Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:53.440 And for that reason, they struggle in their discipleship because the foundation is not Jesus, and the foundation is not firm, it is not strong. 00:08:53.840 --> 00:09:01.600 And so I gave my life to Jesus, and I've been walking this journey since then, the journey of knowing God better. 00:09:01.840 --> 00:09:10.799 And Paul is praying for the church at Ephesus that they would know God, they would know God by knowing his person. 00:09:11.200 --> 00:09:14.000 So in verse 17, this is what it says. 00:09:16.480 --> 00:09:18.399 I keep asking, this is a prayer. 00:09:18.480 --> 00:09:29.039 I keep asking that God, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better. 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:32.879 That last part, so that you may know him better. 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:38.320 And this pastor prays for each one of us that we may know God better. 00:09:38.559 --> 00:09:39.600 Hallelujah. 00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:47.039 Get to know God better, the person of Jesus Christ, the person of God. 00:09:47.279 --> 00:09:55.840 Psalm 23 is a celebration of a man who knows God, and he knows God from first person. 00:09:57.200 --> 00:10:02.480 It is what you call a personal statement of faith. 00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:08.799 It is a celebration of a relationship by a man and his God. 00:10:09.600 --> 00:10:13.440 And he speaks forth that relationship. 00:10:13.679 --> 00:10:18.799 He puts it in a very short, uh, you know, I think this is just a short write-up. 00:10:19.039 --> 00:10:25.919 Psalm 23 is only six verses, and he's able to put everything together, and he's saying, This is how I know God. 00:10:26.399 --> 00:10:28.399 And he says about seven things. 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:37.600 There are seven things, I won't go into each one of them, but there are seven things, a very powerful statement in terms of knowing the personhood of God. 00:10:38.080 --> 00:10:40.240 I will read it, Psalm 23. 00:10:40.720 --> 00:10:46.080 And he says, The Lord is my shepherd, my shepherd, I lack nothing. 00:10:46.480 --> 00:11:00.320 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul, he guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. 00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:13.840 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, and then your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:19.759 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:26.799 You anoint my head with oil, and my cup runneth over uh overflows. 00:11:27.039 --> 00:11:29.360 Why don't we read verse six together? 00:11:29.679 --> 00:11:41.840 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:43.360 Let's give a hand to the Lord. 00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:45.919 That's a powerful yes. 00:11:48.480 --> 00:11:55.200 I don't know how many of us can write up a statement, a statement of faith, a personal statement of faith. 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:58.559 And somebody saying, Jesus is my personal savior. 00:11:58.720 --> 00:12:02.320 And you are able to write just a short statement like that one. 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:10.879 Did you count how many times he says, I, me, my did somebody, Damaris, did you count? 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:21.679 Yes, as Bible study, because we're talking about a walk with God, we're talking about knowing God and the depth of knowing God, and uh how many times, Cecilia? 00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:23.519 Did you Jane? 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:24.080 Did you? 00:12:24.960 --> 00:12:32.240 Okay, so how many times did you count? 00:12:35.440 --> 00:12:37.200 Brother Jay, did you count? 00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:39.600 And your sister wife Pauline there. 00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:42.960 So, how many times? 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:53.279 Now do a Bible study, and you see how many times he says, I, me, my, and uh, what does he say about his God? 00:12:53.840 --> 00:13:00.000 People who know their God, of course, later I'll be sharing the verse, say they shall be strong, they shall do exploits. 00:13:00.320 --> 00:13:07.840 But the the kindergarten of really this liberating power is knowing God. 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:09.679 It begins right there. 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:22.799 It is the doorway, you know, it is the threshold, and somebody should be able to say their journey, how they know God, not how your grandmother knew God or how your mother knew God, but how you know God. 00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:25.200 And that is how Paul writes to Timothy. 00:13:25.279 --> 00:13:34.879 He said, The faith that was in your grandmother and was in your mother now is in new Timothy, Elois and Eunice, and now Timothy. 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:36.799 And so those personalities are important. 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:37.840 They had their faith. 00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:43.120 We had a generation that had a faith, even Europe had a generation that had a faith. 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:47.440 But the question is, what is this generation saying? 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:49.679 What are these people saying? 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:52.720 What is it that you are saying? 00:13:53.039 --> 00:14:04.559 Do you have a God whom you can say you truly know and you are able to, you know, uh write like David, a Psalm, like Psalm 23. 00:14:04.799 --> 00:14:10.000 And so let me say that the highest calling of man is to know God. 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:11.919 That is the highest calling. 00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:17.840 And therefore, the driving ambition of every person ought to be then to know God. 00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:23.200 And uh knowing God, when you know God, you get to know yourself. 00:14:23.519 --> 00:14:27.200 And why people don't know peace is because they haven't known God. 00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:34.799 In Psalm 46, verse 10, it says, Be still and know that I am God. 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:37.919 Psalm chapter 46 and verse 10. 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:45.919 And uh, whoever doesn't know God is not wise, because the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:50.639 And really, if you need one to be wise, then the beginning is right there. 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:53.120 Get to know his person. 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:54.480 It's an encounter. 00:14:54.720 --> 00:15:00.399 Jesus told Nicodemus, unless a man is born again, John 3 3, uh he cannot see the kingdom of God. 00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:02.559 John chapter 3 and verse 3. 00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:06.720 And therefore, uh, we must start with knowing his person. 00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:09.039 How do you know God by knowing his person? 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:11.440 But secondly, and that's a relationship. 00:15:11.679 --> 00:15:13.919 Secondly, know his mind. 00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:23.519 Know his mind, and this is revelation: getting to know the mind of God, kingdom mindset. 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:29.200 In verse 18 of Ephesians chapter 1, this is what it says. 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:41.759 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance uh in his holy people. 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:51.360 So he's praying that there would be enlightened believers, and uh their their eyes, the eyes of their hearts would be open, that they may know the mind of God. 00:15:51.600 --> 00:16:00.159 I'm telling you, when you go into the mind of God, you see the great things God has in mind concerning you. 00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:12.960 In fact, in that verse, he says this that you may know the hope in the mind of God is the hope to which he has called us in his mind. 00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:20.000 And secondly, in the mind of God is the riches of his glorious inheritance for his holy people. 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:28.960 So when God opens, when we get to know his mind, then we say, see what is inside God's mind concerning us. 00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:32.080 Jeremiah 29, 11, we all know it. 00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:37.039 It says, God says, I alone know the plans I have for you. 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:44.240 There are plans for good and not for evil, to plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:47.360 In God's mind is a plan. 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:51.919 In God's mind is your victory. 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:55.360 In fact, in God's mind is a breakthrough tomorrow. 00:16:55.440 --> 00:16:56.559 Hallelujah. 00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:59.519 In God's mind is a great year. 00:16:59.840 --> 00:17:04.319 In the devil's mind, you know, it's just destruction. 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:06.720 He comes to steal, kill, and destroy. 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:10.240 But in God's mind are good things. 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:15.440 And uh knowing God requires knowing his mind. 00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:17.200 What is in his mind? 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:26.160 When you read the scriptures, Romans 12, verse 2 says, Do not be conformed to this world, but be renewed. 00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:29.599 You know, uh be transformed by the renewal of your mind. 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:31.279 Let me just read it from scripture. 00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:38.000 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:45.440 Then you'll be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing, and perfect will. 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:52.240 A lot of people are not walking with the mind of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:55.680 They don't have the kingdom mindset. 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:59.440 Now, our minds need renewal. 00:17:59.920 --> 00:18:09.680 And knowing the mind of God, what does God have in mind concerning tomorrow, my future, my children, my work, you know, my destiny? 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:12.559 What does God have in mind regarding me? 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:17.119 The scriptures need to fill our minds. 00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:21.279 What God has written is his mind. 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:23.680 It is also his will. 00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:27.920 And knowing his mind requires that we get to know his word. 00:18:28.400 --> 00:18:33.440 I memorize scripture because I want to know what is in God's mind. 00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:40.240 In John chapter 6, I believe verse 6, give me John chapter 6, verse 6. 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:51.039 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind, you know, he had in mind, this is God. 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:55.200 He had in mind what he was going to do. 00:18:55.519 --> 00:19:01.839 God is never caught by surprise, he already has in mind what he's going to do. 00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:06.880 And that is why we should be praying, access into the mind of God. 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:16.079 1 Corinthians chapter 2, verse 9, uh up to verse 12 shows us how the Holy Spirit helps us access the mind of God. 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:17.359 This is what is written. 00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:30.000 However, as it is written, what no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, what no human mind has conceived, the things God has prepared, you know, for those whom he loves. 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:34.640 These are the things God has revealed to us by his spirit. 00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:41.759 And therefore, we get access into God's mind through his spirit, as he interprets the word to us. 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:45.759 The spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:51.119 For who knows a person's thoughts except their own spirit within them? 00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:56.880 In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the spirit of God. 00:19:57.279 --> 00:20:09.839 What um we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:18.319 And so God has made it possible for us to know him, but he has also made it possible for us to know his mind. 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:27.680 He has made it possible for us to know him by sending his son Jesus Christ, who came and died, was buried, and rose on the third day. 00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:32.720 And through Jesus Christ, we get a relationship with the Father. 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:33.599 You know? 00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:42.720 John 1 12 says, and to all who received him, who believed in him, he gave them the power to become the children of God, you know, sons and daughters of God. 00:20:42.880 --> 00:20:52.079 Through Jesus Christ and verse 14, talking about Jesus coming, and he says, uh, go back to verse 13. 00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:53.279 I think 13 is very important. 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:54.480 I should not jump it. 00:20:54.640 --> 00:21:01.119 Children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or husband's will, but born of God. 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:02.880 Then the word became flesh. 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:05.440 This is Jesus and made his dwelling among us. 00:21:05.599 --> 00:21:14.240 We have seen his glory, uh the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father, uh full of grace and truth. 00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:18.640 So through Jesus, our Lord Jesus Christ, we we get to know God in person. 00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:27.200 Then through the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit, we are able to enter the mind of God. 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:37.279 And so when you uh uh you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, the next thing is you pray, Holy Spirit, fill me. 00:21:37.599 --> 00:21:43.759 For Holy Spirit come into my life and fill my life. 00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:51.039 The moment you receive Jesus, the Holy Spirit also uh comes in there and he comes to teach you all things. 00:21:51.279 --> 00:22:06.079 He comes to be the parakaleo, the paraklitos, the one called alongside, and uh he becomes your friend, your comforter, and Your guide to exposing the mind of God, teaching you the mind of God and bringing it home. 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:10.720 And so Paul praying that they may know his mind. 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:16.640 And the way to know the mind of God is to know his spirit. 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:21.119 Allow the Holy Spirit to function within your life. 00:22:21.359 --> 00:22:29.039 And therefore, when you have the mind of God, you receive a divine perspective to things. 00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:35.599 Where people see limitation, you see possibilities, because that's how the mind of God is. 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:39.759 God sees possibilities, He doesn't see limitations. 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:42.720 Where people see failure, you see destiny. 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:43.839 Perspective. 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:45.200 Kingdom mindset. 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:46.640 Kingdom perspective. 00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:49.759 Where people see defeat, you see victory. 00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:55.759 When David looked at Goliath, instead of seeing a giant, he saw an ant. 00:22:56.480 --> 00:23:00.000 That does not mean that Goliath became smaller. 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:00.559 No. 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:03.519 David had a kingdom mindset. 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:05.839 He had the mind of God. 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:12.000 And he looked at Goliath, he saw that was an ant, and from there he made a declaration. 00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:14.480 I will bring you down, I'll cut your head. 00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:18.160 Of course, he carried it around, and God is giving you to me. 00:23:18.880 --> 00:23:20.480 He got a divine perspective. 00:23:20.720 --> 00:23:24.960 You go back to your business, you start looking at it with the mind of God. 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:32.960 God is saying your business is a success, but your physical eyes are saying your business is a failure. 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:42.799 So today I pray that somebody receives the mind of God regarding your children, regarding your family, regarding your destiny, regarding your neighborhood. 00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:45.440 See it through the mind of God. 00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:51.039 God thinks, and his thoughts are different from our thoughts. 00:23:51.440 --> 00:24:05.039 Isaiah 55, verse 8 says, Um, God's ways are not like our ways, neither are his thoughts, no, for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:09.680 And then verse 9 says something about the comparisons here. 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:16.319 As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:20.319 And he goes on to talk about uh, of course, the rain. 00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:32.400 But uh the way God thinks about anything and everything is so far removed from the human thinking, and that is why we should adopt the mind of God. 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:40.640 I pray this coming week that God will give you his mind regarding the week and regarding things about your life. 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:52.640 You know, your prayer life will change, your language will change, your socializing will change, and those things that look bigger than you, suddenly you realize there's a God who is bigger than those things. 00:24:52.880 --> 00:24:57.279 Let me say once again from the mind of God, you are a success. 00:24:57.839 --> 00:25:00.720 From the mind of God, you have a breakthrough. 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:03.119 From the mind of God, you are a winner. 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:06.000 From the mind of God, you are more than a conqueror. 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:09.359 From the mind of God, you are breaking through. 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:12.400 That is the mind of God, his perspective. 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:18.559 You have a future from his mind, and uh that future the devil cannot stop it. 00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:33.920 But finally, know his power, know his person, know his mind, and then finally know his power, and this is manifestation, relationship, revelation, leading to manifestation. 00:25:34.079 --> 00:25:36.319 In chapter 1, verse 19 to verse 23. 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:41.200 This is what the Bible says, and his incomparably great power. 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:46.319 So, in describing the power, he calls it incomparably great power. 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:54.400 There is no other power that compares with the power of God for us who believe. 00:25:54.720 --> 00:26:00.319 Then he goes on to say what this power can deliver, or what this power uh can do. 00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:04.000 That power is the same as a mighty strength. 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:12.559 There are three things there: the word race, the word seat, and the word uh place. 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:14.319 You'll hear those words. 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:18.720 He exerted this power when he raised. 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:20.400 This is what the power does. 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:23.359 I talked about elevation and lifting earlier. 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:46.480 He raised Christ from the dead, and then seated, this power brings you to a place of rest, not just sitting you, but I mean racing you, but also sitting you at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age, but also in the one to come. 00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:59.440 And then verse 22, the the the next word, and God placed, and God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be uh head over everything uh for the church. 00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:03.359 So the church at Ephesus must not depend on human power. 00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:06.720 Ephesus had so many challenges. 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:09.920 In fact, they were fighting spiritual battles. 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:14.160 That is why the book of uh to Ephesians is famous. 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:19.359 In fact, it's a soldier's manual, it's a spiritual warfare book. 00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:34.799 In chapter 6, from verse 10, where he begins to say, Finally be strong and in the strength of his might, be strong and in the strength of his might, that you may be able to stand against the darts or fiery darts of the enemy. 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:50.640 Therefore, um wear every uh the full armor of God, the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the sword of the spirit, the belt of truth, and the shoes of the gospel. 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:57.759 They were facing all kinds of challenges, and they were assisted by the devil almost physically. 00:27:57.920 --> 00:28:01.359 There was a manifestation of evil powers in that place. 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:11.759 But then Paul writes to them and he says, You get to know his power, hide inside his power, and you will prevail. 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:19.039 You know, this power is greater than any other power. 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:20.960 Hallelujah. 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:34.880 Last week I was talking about the Jezebelic forces and powers, but I I say uh God is about to demonstrate his power in a big way, and no power of hell shall be able to stand in your way. 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:42.640 And so in Daniel 11, verse 32, King James Version, it says, They that do know their God shall be strong. 00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:46.960 You know, they that do know their God, King James Version. 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:51.359 King James Version, yes, this even new King James is okay. 00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:56.319 Those who do not who do wickedly against the covenant, he shall corrupt with flattery. 00:28:56.480 --> 00:29:01.279 But the people who know their God shall be strong, and what else? 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:04.480 And carry out great exploits. 00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:09.200 The ones who do know their God shall be strong, and they shall carry out great exploits. 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:14.400 And uh, and so therefore, this power is so liberating. 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:19.920 Even where human weakness comes, the power of God makes you stronger than what a human being can do. 00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:32.160 Acts chapter 1, verse 8 says, You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth. 00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:42.240 So we can go into any domain, into any realm, because the power we work with is greater than any other rule, principality, or any ruler or any power. 00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:50.400 And therefore, Jesus is raised, the power of death is broken, and there are hierarchies of power. 00:29:50.640 --> 00:30:00.799 You know, the power we are talking about, know this power from the death, Ukochini, that power of death, and then all these layers. 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:16.880 I normally call them spiritual atmosphere, spiritual ionosphere, spiritual stratosphere, all these layers of powers, you know, principalities and rulers, all of them. 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:23.039 God has given us power to be able to have authority over them. 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:29.440 And Jesus was lifted and then seated at the place of rest on the right hand side of the Father. 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:32.640 God is saying, Know this power. 00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:42.799 We have all kinds of powers that people know: political power, financial power, education power, and you can add Ugali power. 00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:51.599 When you've eaten ugali like me, because I like Ugali and Cukuchoma, somehow I'm a cuckoo fry, whatever, boil. 00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:54.000 Kenya, it has to be. 00:30:54.319 --> 00:30:54.960 Hallelujah. 00:30:55.279 --> 00:31:02.480 I'm even so swallowing saliva now because it's yes, with kunde. 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:06.400 And that combination gives you some power. 00:31:06.720 --> 00:31:10.720 You can go a distance, then you get hungry, and the power goes down. 00:31:11.119 --> 00:31:33.680 But I want to say the power that God gives you can break the yoke of death, breaks the yoke of principalities, and breaks the yoke of prince uh of power and rulers in the heavenly realms, in every sphere, under the earth, above the earth, on the earth, and above the earth. 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:37.279 And so he's saying, know this power. 00:31:37.599 --> 00:31:46.960 These other powers we get to know when you are confronted by death and by all these other things, those things are powerless. 00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:55.119 But there is a power that's above every other power, and this is the power that Paul is telling the church at Ephesus to know. 00:31:55.279 --> 00:32:10.079 And in your own family, I pray, may God help you, know this power that comes through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and makes you move from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the world. 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:11.279 That is horizontal. 00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:18.240 But also dealing with things that are deep down there and also the hierarchies that are above uh the ground. 00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:21.359 This power is in your hands, it's in my hands. 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:24.079 Sometimes we don't know it, we don't exercise it. 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:28.400 And Paul is actually saying, get to know this power. 00:32:28.640 --> 00:32:40.240 And so the liberating power of knowing God comes through knowing his person, knowing his mind, and also knowing his power. 00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:48.319 The enemy fights revelation because a believer who understands God's purpose and power for their life is unstoppable. 00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:50.559 Ephesians 3, uh 7. 00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:58.400 And I pray that today you get to know this power through knowing God. 00:32:58.720 --> 00:33:01.680 And I pray that this week you determine to know God. 00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:04.480 I do have quiet time. 00:33:05.599 --> 00:33:17.759 I spend time in the Word of God and I've set apart moments, um, like in the morning, uh, to be able to satisfy my hunger and thirst for God. 00:33:18.720 --> 00:33:28.799 In uh the book of uh Psalm 42, verse 1 and 2, it talks about the deer, as a deer pants for the water, so my soul pants for you. 00:33:28.960 --> 00:33:40.799 In fact, there is a song that goes, As a deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after you. 00:33:43.359 --> 00:33:54.240 You also are my heart's desire, and I long to watch you. 00:33:54.640 --> 00:34:22.079 Yes, we can sing it as panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after you alone are my heart desire and I long to wash. 00:34:24.559 --> 00:34:26.000 You know the other verse? 00:34:26.559 --> 00:34:39.519 You alone are my strength to you, I love my spirit. 00:34:52.000 --> 00:35:23.679 And I love to just once more the first part as a deer as dear pant for what for my for long after you are my heart. 00:35:24.880 --> 00:35:32.800 Desire and I long to shape you. 00:35:34.639 --> 00:35:44.480 And so David, and that's why God called him a man after my own heart, would wake up early in the morning just to meet with God. 00:35:44.639 --> 00:36:05.679 And I was saying, I have my moments early in the morning where I go to my closet and there with my Bible, I read the word, I meditate on it, I begin to declare it, then I pray the word, I decree the word, and then I can face the day. 00:36:05.920 --> 00:36:12.719 And today I'm inviting someone or refreshing someone, you know. 00:36:13.199 --> 00:36:24.000 If you've not you don't have this kind of schedule in your life, you can connect with it because, as you can see, there is a hunger and a thirst in every human being to know God. 00:36:24.480 --> 00:36:33.519 This hunger and thirst cannot be sorted out by water, by food, by money, and things people pursue. 00:36:33.760 --> 00:36:38.320 No, only God and knowing Him can fill that space. 00:36:38.559 --> 00:36:43.920 There is an hunger, you know, there is a there is an affinity for God in man. 00:36:44.079 --> 00:36:57.360 There is an affinity for God in man, and so you'll either go to a mountain and make a mountain your God, or a tree, or a river, or just something that looks big. 00:36:57.519 --> 00:37:00.159 And it has been that way for many centuries. 00:37:00.320 --> 00:37:04.960 Before Jesus came, people went everywhere because of this affinity for God. 00:37:05.199 --> 00:37:09.679 The Samaritan woman, you know, she was thirsty for God. 00:37:10.320 --> 00:37:14.960 The encounter with God at Jacob's well changed everything. 00:37:15.199 --> 00:37:19.760 Knowing God satisfied the thirst and hunger in in her life. 00:37:20.000 --> 00:37:28.239 And so you you you you you don't have if you don't have this kind of uh uh culture, you're missing out something. 00:37:28.400 --> 00:37:32.800 And the only way your thirst and hunger can be fulfilled is truly knowing God. 00:37:32.960 --> 00:37:48.400 And the practice of, especially for me, I don't know what would be best for you, in the morning, just taking time, setting apart a time, and and you have your Bible and you pray and you surrender your day uh to the Lord, then you walk with him. 00:37:48.880 --> 00:37:54.719 That kind of practice is called having a quiet time, is something I would recommend. 00:37:54.960 --> 00:37:56.719 In Mark 1, verse 35. 00:37:56.800 --> 00:38:02.000 As I come to a close, Jesus had that practice very early in the morning. 00:38:02.079 --> 00:38:05.840 For him, it used to be in the morning, Mark chapter 1 and verse 35. 00:38:06.079 --> 00:38:18.320 For Jesus, very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went to a solitary place, a quiet place. 00:38:18.480 --> 00:38:19.920 We call it quiet time. 00:38:20.079 --> 00:38:21.280 And there he prayed. 00:38:21.519 --> 00:38:24.800 He was actually connecting with his father. 00:38:25.039 --> 00:38:29.679 The anointing that Jesus worked with during the day came from the closet. 00:38:30.000 --> 00:38:34.559 Your public life will never rise above your closet life. 00:38:34.960 --> 00:38:36.079 I want to repeat that. 00:38:36.320 --> 00:38:40.960 Your public life will never rise above your closet life. 00:38:41.199 --> 00:38:48.159 It is those things that you practice in the private closet that will manifest in the public. 00:38:48.559 --> 00:38:57.119 And I pray that this month, as we seek to know, the highest knowledge is knowing God. 00:38:57.440 --> 00:39:02.800 Actually, the highest knowledge, levels of knowledge is knowing God. 00:39:03.119 --> 00:39:06.400 And therefore, revelation enters you there. 00:39:06.559 --> 00:39:08.719 The knowledge of God requires revelation. 00:39:08.960 --> 00:39:12.320 And God has revealed Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ. 00:39:12.480 --> 00:39:14.800 And so through Christ, we can know God. 00:39:14.960 --> 00:39:17.920 Through Jesus Christ, we can have the highest knowledge. 00:39:18.079 --> 00:39:21.360 And I pray that this month becomes that month. 00:39:21.519 --> 00:39:28.719 The seventh month of the year becomes the month when we shall truly, profoundly know God. 00:39:29.360 --> 00:39:32.719 If you're here, you've never given your life to Jesus Christ. 00:39:32.960 --> 00:39:37.280 Where you are, I invite you to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. 00:39:37.519 --> 00:39:40.800 That is how you start your journey of knowing God. 00:39:40.960 --> 00:39:44.159 Receiving Jesus is simple, it's by faith. 00:39:44.320 --> 00:39:51.920 You just simply say, Lord Jesus, come into my heart, be my Lord and King, wash away my sins with your precious blood. 00:39:52.159 --> 00:39:54.239 Now make me a new creation. 00:39:54.400 --> 00:39:56.800 The old is gone, the new has come. 00:39:57.039 --> 00:39:59.360 Holy Spirit, now take over. 00:39:59.519 --> 00:40:05.519 And after that, you can say, I am under new management, under new lordship. 00:40:05.760 --> 00:40:08.400 I'm not the same as I was yesterday. 00:40:08.639 --> 00:40:10.400 I'm now a new creation. 00:40:10.639 --> 00:40:18.639 And if you have prayed that prayer online or even here, I want you to know that you have started your journey of knowing God. 00:40:18.800 --> 00:40:21.440 And I want you to know that you are born again. 00:40:21.599 --> 00:40:24.960 Let's all stand up now as we pray together. 00:40:28.800 --> 00:40:36.960 For those who have prayed that prayer of receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior, after this service, you can see one of our deacons. 00:40:37.119 --> 00:40:40.480 Deacon Yohu is here, Timothy is there, uh Deacon Dr. 00:40:40.559 --> 00:40:44.960 John Gishana is here, and uh Deacon Wairago is also here. 00:40:45.119 --> 00:40:50.559 Uh, we have uh deacons, I think Pastor Kiniti must be as always right there, and your wife. 00:40:50.800 --> 00:40:55.519 So we are all around, and uh you Geshing Giri is also here, and Pastor Sam. 00:40:55.760 --> 00:41:08.880 Um, the spiritual leadership is actually in the house, and you can walk to any one of us the around here, and Pastor Kiniti is there, and say, Today I have started my journey of knowing God. 00:41:09.280 --> 00:41:14.480 Today I have received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. 00:41:14.719 --> 00:41:30.800 But if you know Jesus as Lord and Savior, grow in the knowledge of the mind of God, and that means get into scripture, meditate on the scriptures, understand the scriptures, decree and declare the scriptures. 00:41:31.119 --> 00:41:40.800 You will know the mind of God, and I pray you grow in the knowledge of the mind of God, and finally, as you know him, know his mind. 00:41:41.199 --> 00:41:44.639 May you uh prevail in terms of exploits. 00:41:44.880 --> 00:41:50.480 And I pray that your ministry grows tenfold, sixtyfold, a hundredfold. 00:41:50.719 --> 00:41:56.480 Your fruitfulness, John 15, 8 says, God desires that we bear much fruit. 00:41:56.639 --> 00:41:59.519 In fact, the word used there is much or a lot. 00:41:59.679 --> 00:42:01.199 John 15, verse 8. 00:42:01.440 --> 00:42:02.639 Do exploits. 00:42:02.880 --> 00:42:07.199 My prayer is that there will be so much fruit coming out of you. 00:42:07.599 --> 00:42:11.199 You know, hallelujah, there'll be testimonies, people bringing other people. 00:42:11.360 --> 00:42:19.599 Like if all of us led people to Christ this week, one person, and you come with that one person next Sunday, just one person, we shall be double. 00:42:19.679 --> 00:42:20.480 Can you imagine? 00:42:20.719 --> 00:42:27.679 This congregation can be double, those are called exploits, signs and wonders, can be double in one week. 00:42:27.920 --> 00:42:34.079 And if you bring two people each, by the way, next Sunday, we can be three times this congregation. 00:42:34.320 --> 00:42:40.559 Is it very difficult to bring exploits of souls and even one soul? 00:42:40.960 --> 00:42:44.000 This pastor will be so happy, heaven will be very happy. 00:42:44.159 --> 00:42:47.599 If next Sunday you come with somebody else, you have led to the Lord. 00:42:47.760 --> 00:42:49.599 May God open those doors for you. 00:42:49.840 --> 00:42:54.639 May you lead someone to Jesus Christ and may you bring them to church next Sunday. 00:42:54.880 --> 00:43:02.719 In fact, I'm praying next Sunday, Betty, that people, Pastor Kiniti, people will come with someone. 00:43:02.960 --> 00:43:05.039 They have led to Christ this coming Sunday. 00:43:05.199 --> 00:43:07.039 Even me, I would like to come with someone. 00:43:07.199 --> 00:43:08.159 I've led to Christ. 00:43:08.320 --> 00:43:09.840