Evangelism And Missions

By Dag Heward-Mills

2nd Edition

* * * * *

Copyright 2007 Dag Heward-Mills

Published By Dag Heward-Mills on Smashwords

Scripture quotations are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION of the Bible, unless otherwise stated.

Excerpts in:

Chapter 6 from Portrait of a Protestant Mission, of the book, "SURVIVORS ON THE GOLD COAST, The Basel Missionaries in Colonial Ghana" by Peter A. Schweizer, page 44.

Chapter 12 from Classic Books For Today No. 196, An Hour Series: An Hour With David

Livingstone by Walter McCleary Public Domain.

Chapter 16 from The Trial of J.J.Rawlings by Kojo Yankah, pages 16-19.

Chapter 16 from Josephus, pages 388-389.

Chapter 21 from Welcoming a Visitation of the Holy Spirit, by Wesley Campbell, Published by Strang Communications.

Chapter 28 The Power of Faith, Article in October 1999 issue of Reader’s Digest, author Phyllis McIntosh.

All excerpts used by permission.

E mail Dag Heward-Mills :

info@daghewardmillsbooks.org

evangelist@daghewardmills.org

Find out more about Dag Heward-Mills at:

http://www.daghewardmills.org/

http://www.daghewardmills.org/lci/

http://www.daghewardmills.org/healingjesuscrusade/

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Contents

SECTION I: EVANGELISM

1. The Importance of Evangelism

2. A Focus on Evangelism for Church Growth

3. The Supreme Task of the Church

4. Strategies for Effective Evangelism

5. Keys to the Harvest

SECTION II: INTRODUCTION TO MISSIONS

6. A Brief History of Missionary Work

7. Church Expansion

8. The Work of Church Planters

9. Fruitfulness and Missions .

10. Barrenness in the Church

11. Fighting Different Kinds of Barrenness

12. The Doctrines of Sacrifice and Obedience in Church Planting

13. Strategies for Practical Missionary Work

14. Methods for Effective Missionary Work

SECTION III: SACRIFICE AND FRUITFULNESS

15. Preaching and Missions

16. Preaching the Cross

17. Sacrifice and the Anointing

18. The Christian Leader and Sacrifice

19. Sacrifice and the Glory

SECTION IV: THE WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

20. Recognizing the Supernatural

21. The Presence of the Holy Spirit

22. The Charismatic Gifts of the Holy Spirit

SECTION V: THE DOCTRINE OF HEALING

23. Interpreting “Jehovah Rophe”

24. The Purposes of Healing

25. Understanding the Gift of Healing

26. Healing and the Power of the Holy Spirit

27. Dimensions of the Healing Anointing

28. Characteristics of the Healing Anointing

29. Channels of the Healing Anointing

30. Jesus and the Healing Anointing

31. Humility and the Healing Anointing

32. Seasons for the Anointing

33. The Works of Jesus

Questions

Bibliography

SECTION I

EVANGELISM

Chapter 1

The Importance of Evangelism

Reasons Why You Must Be A Soul Winner

Every pastor must be an evangelist at heart. He must know that he is standing in the midst of a great harvest of souls and must understand that in spite of the many churches around, he is still surrounded by many unsaved souls. Pastors need to know that they must concentrate on the harvest of souls otherwise they will become distracted by money, positions and popularity.

It is a spiritual thing when a pastor is able to see the harvest. It is good for the pastor to be able to teach and preach but that alone is not good enough. He must include the harvesting of souls to his duties. Every pastor must send his church members to harvest souls. I would like to share with you fifty-three reasons why you must be a soul winner.

1. WITHOUT A HARVEST, THERE WILL BE NO SOULS OR SHEEP TO CARE FOR.

A pastor needs to have souls around to join the choir, prayer ministries, and normal church services and conventions. When there are many people in the pastor's church, they provide financial support for church development projects. Church members will also be able to find suitable marriage partners in a big church.

The work of the ministry begins with the harvest.

2. THERE ARE FEW OR NO SPECIALIST HARVESTERS ANYMORE.

Specialist harvesters are the Evangelists: itinerant evangelists, tele-evangelists, radio evangelists and so on. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:5, to do the work of an evangelist. He was telling Timothy that even though he was a pastor he could still do the work of an evangelist at the same time.

3. THE ONLY REASON WHY PASTORS CARE FORTHE CHURCH MEMBERS IS SO THAT THEY WILL GO OUT AND BEAR FRUIT.

Unless sheep are fed and taken care of, they will not give birth. Some sheep can grow and become a great blessing to the Church of God.

4. THE REAPING OF THE HARVEST IS THE CARDINAL SIGN OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A SHEPHERD'S WORK.

Numbers tell a lot about the effectiveness of any ministry. Pastors should not be deceived to think that quality is the only cardinal sign of effectiveness in ministry. The Bible always talked about the large crowds that followed Jesus' ministry. The number of people who get saved matters. It is extremely important.

5. TO AVOID BEING SENT OUT BY PERSECUTION AND TROUBLE.

Often when ministers do not obey the voice of the Lord, trouble forces them into obedience. It took persecution to get the disciples to go into all the world, (Acts 8:1, Matthew 28:19-20). When a minister begins experiencing certain troubles, he should begin to think about whether God is allowing those troubles to compel him to obey his voice.

6. TO AVOID THE MISTAKE OF "POLISHING THE SAME COIN SEVERAL TIMES OVER".

In Luke 15:8-9, the Bible describes a situation of a lost coin, “Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost”. We can gather from this Scripture that there is one lost coin that God wants his people to go out and get. However it looks like God's people are busy just 'polishing the same coin'; giving the same people all the attention and care. There are so many different messages, which are preached to the same people over and over. Pastors must send those polished coins into the field to bring the lost coins into God's house.

7. IN ORDER TO PROVOKE THE HIGHEST HEAVENLY SUPPORT AND BACKING FOR THE PASTOR'S LIFE AND MINISTRY.

According to Luke 15, verse 10, there is a divine spiritual reaction in Heaven every time a soul is brought into the house of the Lord, "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth". The response from Heaven will be happiness, divine provision, joy, prolongation of days and blessings for the minister. Every time a person witnesses, he provokes God's provision. God will bring certain blessings in the way of the person who does his work. The minister will benefit from the principle of sowing and reaping.

8. THE BIBLICALLY, SCRIPTURALLY, AND DOCTRINALLY GOOD SHEPHERD IS THE ONE WHO LEAVES THE NINETY-NINE SHEEP AND GOES TO LOOK FOR THE ONE LOST SHEEP.

The Bible says that a good shepherd is the one who leaves the flock and goes to look for the one lost sheep (sinner), “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost” (Luke 15:4-7).

A good pastor must begin to see the lost. The kind of shepherd/pastor, who has his eyes on the prize (souls), is the one doing the real ministry work. There are many people who don't know about the Lord because nobody has told them.

9. CHRIST IS THE GREATEST SHEPHERD AND THE BEST SOUL WINNER.

The Bible says that Jesus came into the world to save sinners, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15). Pastors must be able to say this about themselves. Pastors must desire to be Christ-like. Christ was a soul winner. Jesus Christ came to seek and to save the lost, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). The Church of God must emphasize on finding and saving the souls. Church members and ministries in the church must be organized to seek and to save the lost. When pastors do

the work of God, they will have an abundance of souls to help to do the work in the ministry.

10. THE FIRST LEADERS THAT CHRIST SPOKE TO, HE TOLD ABOUT SOUL WINNING.

“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). If

Pastors are following Jesus, they will realize that he will make them fishers of men.

11. JESUS TOLD THE LAST GROUP OF LEADERS HE SPOKE TO, TO GO AND HARVEST THE SOULS.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19,20).

12. EVERY CHRISTIAN IS FIRST A SOUL WINNER THEN THEY CAN BECOME TEACHERS, SHEPHERDS, WRITERS, SINGERS, PROPHETS, MUSICIANS OR ADMINISTRATORS.

Jesus said that the gospel must first be preached (soul winning), “And the gospel must first be published among all nations” (Mark13:10). Many pastors want the position or office in the ministry, but following the Lord means being a soul winner, first. The best pastors, prophets, and miracle workers are soul winners first. Miracles exist for soul winning. Signs and wonders bring people to Christ. Preachers cannot enter into towns where fetish dominates without the power of God manifested through signs and wonders. That is what will lead to the winning of souls.

13. THE HARVEST IS OVERWHELMINGLY GIGANTIC; THEREFORE, MINISTERS MUST HAVE A LARGE HARVEST OF SOULS.

Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful, "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few” (Matthew 9:37). Jesus is saying here that the harvest is so large that there is a desperate need for labourers Pastors may not fully understand the size of the harvest. If all pastors left their secular jobs and went into full-time ministry the harvest would still be gigantic. Most ministers do not naturally think of the huge harvest that exists in the Middle East, yet it exists. There are currently 1.3 billion Muslims in the world. Pastors should not fight with other churches over their members. Fighting doesn't bring in the harvest.

14. CHRIST DID NOT JUST PONDER AND WONDER OVER THE RIPENING HARVEST, HE DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the

Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:5-8). Jesus sent his twelve disciples into the harvest, and then he sent seventy others, “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he would send forth labourers into his harvest” (Luke 10:1,2).

15. A TRUE SHEPHERD MUST BE MOVED WITH COMPASSION FOR SOULS AS JESUS WAS; OTHERWISE, HIS CALLING MUST BE QUESTIONED.

16. TO AVOID BECOMING AN IMBALANCE, AN ABOMINATION.

“A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight” (Proverbs 11:1). A great man of God, Kenneth Hagin fell down and broke his arm whilst preaching. The next morning, the Lord Jesus appeared to him in a vision and told him that the reason why he had allowed that accident to happen to him was because Kenneth Hagin was out of balance. Jesus explained to him that God had called him to be a prophet and a teacher, and not a pastor, and so because he was out of God's will, Satan had gained access to him.

As a man of God matures, God evaluates him differently and with a much more stricter hand. A pastor must now allow himself to become imbalanced by concentrating on attending funerals, weddings and other such things that aren't so necessary, all the time.

17. TO OVERCOME THE IMBALANCE IN GOD'S WORK IN TERMS OF EMPHASIS.

18. TO OVERCOME THE IMBALANCE THAT EXISTS IN RELATION TO HARVEST FIELDS AND WORKERS.

The number of workers in relation to the number of harvest fields is very low and those few that exist are under constant attack from the world. Even in the ministry, there are many workers doing the light work, but very few doing the difficult work of harvesting souls.

19. TO ATTAIN THE DIVINE BALANCE OF TWENTY PER CENT OF EVANGELISM.

Twenty per cent of the five-fold ministry is evangelism, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians4:11,12.)

20. THE FORGOTTEN ONES MUST HEAR THE GOSPEL TOO.

21. OVER 1000 GROUPS OF PEOPLE, RACES, AND TRIBES HAVE NOT HEARD THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.

22. NINETY-FOUR PER CENT OF ALL MINISTERS ARE PREACHING TO NINE PER CENT OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION.

23. SIX PER CENT OF ALL MINISTERS ARE STRUGGLING WITH THE REMAINING NINETY-ONE PER CENT OF THE WORLD'S HARVEST.

Many pastors want comfort in the ministry. Many do not want to go, or to be sent into the real harvest of the 91%. They may rather resign, than go into the untouched areas.

24. IT IS TO PREVENT THE INVASION OF FALSE RELIGIONS INTO THE WORLD'S COMMUNITIES.

Christians must not make the wrong assumption that people want to become Christians. There is an inherent desire in every man to know God, therefore whichever religion comes first and whoever sounds convincing is the one that will be received. People really want God. This is proven by the way Muslims for instance are ready to die for what they believe. The search and need for God is manifested through many false religions. As long as Christians are silent, other religions will dominate the world.

25. IT IS TO AVOID THE MISTAKE OF FISHING IN THE BATHTUB.

Fishing in the bathtub (home) will provide little results, because often there are no fish in the bathtub. The harvest is not internal but external.

26. TO AVOID THE MISTAKE OF SOWING SEEDS ON A HARD FLOOR.

27. THE ANOINTING OF GOD WILL NEVER INCREASE UNTIL THE GOSPEL IS PREACHED TO EVERY CREATURE.

The most successful shepherds and pastors are those who "bring" their members to church. As a pastor does what God asks him to do, the anointing on his life will increase. When one is faithful with the little that God gives, God blesses the person with more.

28. THERE IS NO WAY PEOPLE CAN HEAR THE GOSPEL WITHOUT A PREACHER.

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).

29. TO HAVE BEAUTIFUL SHEPHERDORAL FEET.

“How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15). People will be able to believe the gospel when they hear a preacher.

30. EVERY CHURCH HAS A DIVINE DECAPOLIS OF HARVEST FIELDS.

"Decapolis", means ten cities. Every minister must identify his divine decapolis. The mad man of Gadara who got healed preached Christ in ten cities, “And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel” (Mark 5:18-20). Every member and church has ten different cities that God has given them.

31. BELIEVERS WILL PERSONALLY ACCOUNT FOR THE BLOOD OF SINNERS.

“When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand” (Ezekiel 3:18). It is not easy to answer for the blood of someone on earth. This should let every believer know that it will be more frightening to answer for the souls of people before Almighty God.

32. PASTORS MUST HAVE THE ATTITUDE THAT THE SALVATION OF THE WHOLE WORLD DEPENDS ON THEM.

It is helpful for ministers of God to assume that they have the sole responsibility of evangelising the world. It is a good attitude to have even though in reality, one person cannot evangelize the whole world. This is the attitude that eventually leads people into full-time ministry As soon as pastors assume that other people will do the work, the work will never get done. The best pastors are those who still love souls. If a pastor does not, he will love other things.

33. HARVESTING OF SOULS IS A SURE SIGN THAT PASTORS ARE NOT DISTRACTED.

“But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 24:48-51). As time passes in every church and ministry there is a tendency to do things that ministers are not supposed to do. The anointing can lift after a while. Distractions that creep into the lives of believers can lead to the anointing being lifted. Soul winning and evangelism must remain the central focus to keep pastors from being distracted. Building clinics, school, hospitals, etc. are good, but can be a sign that the church is becoming or is distracted from the Great Commission.

34. IT IS TO KEEP QUARRELS, HURTS AND WOUNDS TO A MINIMUM IN THE CHURCH.

When a church does not do evangelism, people begin to become annoyed with many things in the church. A church that is not activity oriented has nothing to do. However a church that is busy with the work of God, keeps these to the barest minimum.

35. TO PREVENT CHURCH SPLITS AND DIVISIONS.

36. TO OVERCOME AND BREAK EVERY TRIBALISTIC AND RACIST TENDENCY IN THE CHURCH.

“And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them” (Acts 11:1-3). Tribalism and racism prevents believers from reaching into some of the harvest fields.

37. THE SIGNS OF THE END TIME ARE INTENDED TO CAUSE BELIEVERS TO MOP UP AND COMPLETE THE HARVEST.

“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:3-14). The gospel shall be preached unto all the world then shall the end come. The last sign depends on you.

38. THE LAST WAVE OF MIRACLE POWER IS INTENDED TO HELP EVERY SHEPHERD AND PASTOR TO REAP THE HARVEST OF THE WORLD.

39. BECAUSE HARVESTING GIVES MEANING TO CHRISTIANITY.

You will feel happy when you see the souls won for Christ.

40. HARVESTING IS ENERGISING AND UPLIFTING TO YOUR MEMBERS.

It gives energy to dull and sleepy members. It creates energy in the whole church when they begin to win souls. Allow the members to win souls for themselves, it will make them happy and energise them.

41. HARVESTING SOULS INCREASES THE SELFESTEEM OF CHRISTIANS.

When a person has an opportunity to win a soul, the person begins to feel a bit righteous. When a person thinks of himself as a good person he does good things. Praise your members every and any time they win a soul.

42. IT GIVES A NEW FOUND PLEASURE TO CHRISTIANS.

Any genuine Christian should find pleasure in winning souls because the Bible says there is joy in Heaven over one sinner that repents. “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).

43. HARVESTING SOULS IS THE PRIMARY TASK OF THE CHURCH.

The Bible says the gospel must be preached “first”. “And the gospel must first be published among all nations” (Mark 13:10).

44. HARVESTING SOULS MAKES YOU A WISESHEPHERD AND NOT A FOOLISH SHEPHERD.

“And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing” (Luke 12:42,43).

45. EVERY SHEPHERD WHO HARVESTS SOULS WILL EXPERIENCE DIVINE PRESERVATION.

Paul had many troubles but the Lord kept him. When you are doing what God wants you to do, God will preserve you (Psalm 91:14, 2 Corinthians 11:23-25).

46. A HARVESTER WILL HAVE DIVINE ASSISTANCE IN HIS LIFE.

“Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name” (Psalm 91:14).

47. SOUL WINNING IS THE HEARTBEAT OF CHRIST JESUS FOR HIS CHURCH.

The heart of Christ is the evangelism of the world. We need to have the same heartbeat of

the Lord.

48. EVERY MEMBER IN THE CHURCH MUST BE A MINISTER.

The Bible teaches that saints are expected to do the work of the ministry. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of

Christ” (Ephesians 4:11,12).

49. TO AVOID THE MISTAKE OF SOWING ON ATERRAZZO FLOOR.

Sometimes you are preaching to hardened Christians who do not respond. Soul winning will lead you to many people and some of these people will make a commitment to the Lord.

50. EVERY MINISTRY MUST BE AN INDUSTRY.

It must conduct outreaches and be self-supporting.

51. EVERY CHURCH MUST BE A CONTINUOUS CRUSADE.

A church must regularly do altar calls, and conduct crusades.

52. THE TIME IS SHORT.

Your life is short. The time to the rapture is short. People have short lives and they go into eternity (John 9:4). “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14)

53. THE NIGHT COMETH WHEN NO MAN CAN WORK.

“The night comes when no one can work” (John 9:4). The 'night' can be old age: age may catch up with you and there will be no strength to avail yourself for the work of the ministry. Ecclesiastes 12:1-7. The 'night' can be certain political/economical situation in a country; [wars, curfews, famine, drought, lights-off] that makes it physically possible to pursue any ministry work. When you have children. When you have a new well-paid job or business. These will demand hard work and time.

Chapter 2

A Focus on Evangelism for Church Growth

The Harvest of Souls

I am a pastor and not an evangelist, but even as a Pastor, my burden is for souls. The burden for souls is not just for evangelists! The Lord Jesus testified of Himself, “I am the good shepherd [pastor]...” (John 10:11). A good shepherd means a good pastor. Jesus was the best pastor that ever lived and yet He said: “For the Son of man is come to SEEK and to SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST” (Luke 19:10). A good pastor is one who seeks and saves the lost. Some people think that a good pastor just thinks about caring for already existing sheep. Do you remember this scripture? “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15). God gave the five-fold ministry to the body of to ensure that the work of Christ continues. We have apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. What is the duty of these different ministries? The ultimate goal for every minister is to win the lost to Christ.

When you go into the hospital, you will find secretaries, cleaners and even messengers. All of these people working in the hospital have the ultimate goal of providing health service for the community. Every secretary employed by the hospital should know that the letters she types contribute towards this goal. So it is with pastors, prophets and teachers. Our ultimate goal is to reap the harvest. When we forget the main reason for which the church exists, we begin to go into error. Sometimes when you talk to pastors, you cannot help but realize that soul winning is one of the last things on their minds. How do I know that many ministers do not care about souls anymore? By listening to what they preach and watching how church services are conducted. Many ministers hold services without making an altar call for the lost. This goes to show that the salvation of the lost is not a burden on their hearts, for "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks". When I see a large crowd, what occurs to me is the souls that can be saved. After an impressive power display, what about the souls who are lost? I can see the harvest. I can see the whitened and ripened harvest fields virtually untouched.

The Importance of Seeing the Harvest

1. SEEING THE HARVEST IN LARGE CROWDS.

“That SEEING they may SEE...” (Mark 4:12). I realize that many Christians, and even pastors, do not notice the harvest of souls around them. I see the multitude of people all around and wonder if these people know Christ! Sometimes, when driving to church, I see crowds of people streaming down the road. I often ask myself, "How many of these people know Christ as their Saviour? How many will really die in Christ? How many of them go to church on Sunday morning?" Recently, my wife and I drove through the streets of Johannesburg (in South Africa), which is a very beautiful city. We saw many nice buildings. At one point during the ride, we had a good view of the entire city beautifully lit with thousands of lights. As I looked down, I suddenly thought to myself that there are so many people in the world. South Africa is full of souls. Adam and Eve have done a good job in filling the earth!

I did not only see the nice buildings, but I saw the vastness of the harvest, which lay virtually untouched. Dear friend, there are millions of people around you. I don't know if you notice that there are so many precious souls who have just a short time to live before tasting eternity. How many people will die in Christ? How many will live again?

2. SEEING THE HARVEST IN ELECTIONS.

In 1996, presidential and parliamentary elections were held in Ghana. Out of the various political parties contesting, there were two main contenders. After voting ended that Saturday, the results from all over the nation began trickling in. I was awake praying in my study at about 3 a.m. the next morning when I decided to turn on the television. The TV station had organised a panel of analysts to discuss the election results as they came in.

That dawn, I saw the whitened harvest of souls even more vividly. For the few minutes that I watched, election results came in from three major cities. In all these three major cities, the opposition party had won by very large margins. The figures showed several thousand votes in favour of the opposition party. I thought, "Wow! The opposition seems to be winning!" I switched off my television and concentrated on preparing for my Sunday services. By midmorning, election results from remote towns and undeveloped districts began to roll in. This time the story was different. The ruling party was having a landslide victory. They won so many votes from rural and distant places that they completely swallowed up the victories that the opposition party had achieved in the big regional capitals.

I looked at the results and noticed the names of places I had never heard of. As I watched the elections tip in favour of the ruling party, God spoke to me. He said, "There are many more human beings out there in this nation than you can see." He added, "The real harvest is out there in the remote towns and the villages." He showed me that masses of people are out there, far away from the big cities. I thought to myself that of the thousands of people out there in the rural areas, how many really know the Lord!

Sometimes we become happy when we have two hundred people in our city church. It is because we cannot see the extent of the harvest fields we are dealing with. There are thousands and thousands of human beings out there beyond the main roads and beyond the cities! Who will go there? How will they hear about Jesus Christ? How can they believe except they hear? And how can they hear the gospel except someone goes there to preach? “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and HOW SHALL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER?” (Romans 10:14).

THE HARVESTING OF SOULS AS THE PRIMARY ROLE OF THE CHURCH

It is easy to get a pastor to go to New York City or Copenhagen. However, it is not so easy to get a missionary to go to one of Africa's lesser-known towns. If pastors saw the enormity of the harvest, perhaps they would realise that we need to concentrate on evangelism. The primary role of the Church is not to build schools. That is the job of the Ministry of Education. The principal job of the Church is not to open hospitals. That is the job of the Ministry of Health. The central task of the Church is not to build orphanages. These are all good things and I believe in all of them. But none of these is the primary reason for which God raised up the Church.

1. THE LAST WORDS OF JESUS EMPHASIZED THE PRIMARY ROLE OF THE CHURCH.

The first thing that Jesus told his disciples when he met them was: “...Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). The whole idea of taking Peter and John away from their learned trade of fishing was to make them harvesters of souls. On a lonely hill with eleven disciples, Jesus issued his last emotional command. “And he said unto them, GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

The last words of a man are probably the most important words that he will ever speak. Some years ago, I read about an aircraft that developed a serious problem. As it flew over some mountains, the pilot informed everyone on board that they were going to crash; indeed, they crashed and everyone onboard was killed. It seemed as if they had about ten or fifteen minutes before they eventually crashed. Many of the passengers wrote notes and messages to their loved ones while they could. I will never forget that scene on television. I couldn't help but wonder what those last messages and notes contained. Anyone who knows he's going away forever would probably give a very important message as his last word.

So what were Jesus' last words? Did Jesus say, "Go and make people rich?" Did he say, "Go and build hospitals and schools?" Did he say, "Go and take the reins of political power?" He did not! He said the Church should go out and preach the gospel in as many countries as possible. He told us to travel far and wide with the good news of the kingdom.

2. THE PRIMARY ROLE IS CARRIED OUT BY PREACHING AND TEACHING.

How many churches have degenerated into social clubs and political groups? Someone may think that I am against hospitals and schools being set-up by churches. You are wrong! Setting up schools and hospitals by churches is a good thing. I went to a Catholic school. Churches run the best schools and hospitals in Ghana. What I am saying is that it is not the primary thing that the Church is supposed to do. That is not our chief task. Perhaps it is a secondary or tertiary function of the Church.

Every institution must know what its principal role is! Would you be happy if you sent your child to school and the main thing he or she did was to attend long prayer services everyday without learning anything? Of course not! The school is supposed to educate the child and not conduct all-day prayer meetings. There is nothing wrong if the school has a weekly service or a daily prayer time. That is a different thing. But every institution has its primary role. When you make a secondary role the primary function, the institution becomes completely confused and irrelevant There are times when pastors come under pressure from governments and the community to change their emphasis. You will hear important government officials saying things like, "We advise the Church to become more socially relevant instead of praying every day."

You will hear dignitaries calling on Church leaders; "We appeal to the Church to extend electricity to this town so that the contribution of the Church will be felt." "If the Church can dig some bore holes for this village, its relevance to the society will be appreciated."Dear friend, digging boreholes and providing water for a community is not what makes the Church relevant! That is not our primary job. The Head of the Church, Jesus Christ, has given us clear instructions to GO INTO THE WORLD AND PREACH! Preaching and teaching is the primary task of churches and ministers. Preaching and teaching the Gospel is what makes the Church relevant. I wish to emphasize this to any politician who intends to make the Church what he calls "relevant". It is because we have lost our drive for soul winning that people have begun to see us as a sort of social institution, delivering social needs. When we preach and teach, people are saved and their lives are changed. This is our best contribution to our society!

3. SALVATION DRIVES AWAY CORRUPTION AND WAR.

What is the greatest canker that has destroyed most African nations? Is it not corruption? Ghana is endowed with riches yet majority of our people are impoverished. Corruption has left its mark on the masses. The situation is so bad that entire shiploads of cocoa can disappear on the high seas. How is this possible? A modern form of corruption involving the inflation of contract figures has surfaced in Ghana. Projects, which should have cost sixteen million dollars, end up costing the nation twenty four million dollars. Where does the eight million dollars go? Straight into private pockets! Inflated contracts are signed everyday and the nation loses millions of dollars into the pockets of vampires.

When people are born again and taught the Word of God, they refuse to be involved in corruption and other evil deeds. This is one of the areas by which the Church becomes relevant. The preaching of righteousness by the church greatly reduces corruption in the nation. Isn't Africa the battlefield for many civil wars and conflicts? Is the gospel not a gospel of peace? As people hear the Word of God, do they not choose peace rather than war? I have several former radical student leaders in my church. These people were once politically aflame, fighting authorities over any frivolous and vexatious cause they could find. Today they are peaceful born-again citizens serving and building their nation. There is no need for the Church to leave its main duties. Dear Christian, let us never forget that we are standing in the midst of harvest fields - whitened and ripened, ready to be harvested. I greatly respect ministers who have stayed with their original call. I recently listened to an evangelist on television. This man has conducted several crusades worldwide. I listened to him speaking about the harvest and I became excited! I said to myself, thank God this man has stayed with the original call."

A Vision to Win the Lost to Christ

I have a vision to win the lost at any cost. It is a vision that has been burning in my spirit. I want to see people saved. I do not think that the answer to humanity's needs can be found in any political solution. Neither colonisation nor independence can help us. Democracy, “house cleaning” or revolutions are not the answer to the problems of Africa or the world. Someone asked me whether I did not want to help people by using my medical profession. I said to him, "I really do want to help people but I know that I can help them best by giving them the gospel." If you give a man quinine tablets and save his life, what have you really done? You have extended his life on this earth for a few more days. What about eternity? When he stands before God Almighty, the message of salvation will help much more than four tablets of chloroquine. I am helping people much more by preaching the gospel than by practising medicine. That is a fact of reality.

Dear friend, I have a vision to plant churches anywhere I can find people. I want to win the lost at any cost. I have a vision to train as many preachers as possible. I want men and women to be as fruitful as they possibly can. I have a dream that God will use me to reap His harvest. Thank God for doctors, teachers and politicians. Let them concentrate on their jobs, and I will concentrate on mine. I am calling on fellow ministers of the gospel. I am calling their attention to the harvest fields that are ripened and waiting for labourers!

THE BENEFITS OF HARVESTING SOULS

1. SOUL WINNING GIVES MEANING TO CHRISTIANITY.

I once had a chat with a taxi driver in London. I told him I was a Christian, and began to share Christ with him. I also told him about the reality of heaven and hell. He laughed and asked whether I really believed in what I was saying. He said, "If heaven is real, why don't Christians just kill themselves and move on to heaven?" What he was trying to say was that since heaven is such a nice place, and Christians have nothing to do on earth, they should transfer themselves immediately to heaven.

If indeed, there is nothing for Christians to do on earth, then this man has a good point. However, the reality is that Christians have a lot to do on earth before getting to heaven. We are supposed to witness and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must win the lost at any cost. The salvation of millions of people depends on us. I'm sorry to say that most Christians have not found out the reasons for which they were saved. The Bible says that we were saved for a reason- for good works! “For we are his workmanship, CREATED in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Christians are backsliding everyday because they have no purpose for being in the church. People attend church, but after awhile they drop out, finding no meaning to church life. Anyone who engages in soul winning will begin to discover the reason for his salvation. Soul winning increases the self-esteem of the Christian.

2. SOUL WINNING GIVES GREAT JOY.

“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place... Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great... Go your ways: behold, I send you forth... And the seventy RETURNED AGAIN WITH JOY... “(Luke 10:1-3,17). Anytime you go out there preaching you will return with joy. There is joy when souls are won. I cannot explain it. Only a mother can explain how she feels after her baby is born. I have seen many women struggling in labour, but neither pain nor the struggle is able to keep them from rejoicing. When you bring people to the Lord, you will discover what it means to have the joy of the Lord. I cannot explain it to you. You have to discover it for yourself.

3. SOUL WINNING ENERGIZES CHRISTIANS.

I have discovered that my church members become energized when they get involved in soul winning. Soul winning leads to church growth.

4. SOUL WINNING PREVENTS CHURCH SPLITS.

When your church members are engaged in fruitful activities, they have no time for petty quarrels that bring divisions. Pastors must teach their church members that a soul is a soul, and is precious to God. When church members are conscious of the souls that need to be won, their priorities become biblical priorities. Church splits and divisions are avoided. When too many Christians are in one place doing nothing, it often generates hurts, quarrels and wounds.

5. SOUL WINNING MAKES YOU ALIGN YOURSELF WITH THE HEARTBEAT OF JESUS.

Some years ago, I had a vision. In this vision, I saw a human heart covered with blood. The heart was beating. God impressed upon my heart that day that the heart cry of Jesus Christ is harvesting the fields. Jesus did not leave His throne for nothing! He came into this world to save sinners (Luke 19:10).

6. SOUL WINNING GENERATES DIVINE SUPPORT.

When you win souls you generate divine support for all that, you are doing. As you read the Bible, you will discover that soul winning generates heavenly joy. There is a heavenly response to each and every soul won for the Lord. “I say unto you, that likewise JOY SHALL BE IN HEAVEN over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Likewise, I say unto you, there is JOY IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ANGELS OF GOD over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:7,10). Churches must know why they exist: to generate souls for heaven. Embassies exist to represent the government from which they came. Similarly, churches are heavenly embassies.

7. SOUL WINNING LEADS TO DIVINE PROTECTION.

Many pray that God will keep them from evil. Did you know that divine protection is made available for all who take part in doing God's will? Psalm 91 says that, God will keep and protect you because you have set your love on Him. “Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore WILL I DELIVER HIM: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I WILL BE WITH HIM IN TROUBLE; I WILL DELIVER HIM, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation” (Psalm 91:14-16).

When you set your love on God to please Him, God says that He will deliver you. I believe that I am doing the will of God. Perhaps that is the only reason why I am still alive. Just like Paul, I have had a few near-death experiences, including near plane crashes and car accidents. “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep” (2 Corinthians 11:23-25). In all these things I can speak like Paul and say that God delivered me from them all.

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38,39). I see God delivering you now! I see God helping you in your time of trouble! I see God standing with you because you have set your love on Him! Do you want to stay in the will of God? Do you want your church to grow? Be a soul winner today. You will see a difference in the church. I only see my pastoral job fulfilled when I am able to convert a member into a minister. I want every member of my church to be a soul winner. I want them to have fruit to show one day. If there is no harvesting of souls, there will be no sheep for the pastor to look after. Every pastor can do the work of an evangelist!

Chapter 3

The Supreme Task of the Church

Emphasizing Evangelism

Why is it that only a few people get involved in soul winning? When people start new churches, we do not see much soul winning. It is easier to start a church by "stealing" sheep than by winning souls, because it is easier to destroy than to build! Before Jesus went away, He emphasized the preaching of the gospel to the lost. It is sad to note that, winning the lost has now become a side issue in the Church. Although the command to go out and reach the lost was a priority, it has been relegated to the background.

Many of us are making the mistake of "polishing the same coins" repeatedly. The already established church members are the nine coins you will read about in the passage below. Ministers spend most of the time polishing these nine coins over and over again! “Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, REJOICE WITH ME; FOR I HAVE FOUND THE PIECE WHICH I HAD LOST” (Luke 15: 8,9).

The lost coin represents lost and dying sinners. Sometimes when I minister in a church, I look at the crowd and think to myself, that these are the nine coins I'm going to polish again! We bring in anointed teachers and spectacular prophets to polish our coins. We hold marriage seminars to polish the coins. More polishing! We have home cell meetings and do more polishing. The polishing goes on! We have end of year get-togethers for our nice Christian brothers and sisters. More polishing! All this while, the one coin is changing colour in the corner. The unbelievers are getting more and more hardened as we concentrate on ourselves. It is time for us to turn our attention to the supreme task of the Church: winning the lost at any cost!

It is time for us to harvest the masses that are waiting for a preacher. We must avoid the mistake of polishing, followed by more polishing, followed by even more polishing of the same coin. Every Christian is first a soul winner. Thank God for the gifts of drama and singing, but you must first be a witness. After you are a soul winner, you may then go on to be a teacher, shepherd, musician, singer or administrator. Christians who become singers without being soul winners do not understand why they sing. They often think that they are supposed to impress people with their nice songs. You are a Christian singer and not a singing Christian there is a difference! Whatever we find ourselves doing in the body of Christ, let us know that we are first expected to bring souls to the Lord.

WAYS OF KEEPING THE FOCUS ON EVANGELISM

A. AVOIDING THE IMBALANCE

I see an imbalance in the work of the Lord. A false balance is a terrible thing. The Bible calls an imbalance an abomination. “A false balance is abomination to the Lord...” (Proverbs 11:1). Too much emphasis is placed on the already established church, to the neglect of a lost and dying world. It is like ten people trying to lift up a heavy log. Nine of them are at one end of the log and only one person is at the other end. This is an imbalance.

B. RECOGNIZING THE ALARMING STATISTICS

Some statistics tell us that there are over one thousand groups (tribes and races) of people, who have never heard the gospel even once. It is also said that ninety-four percent of ministers are preaching to nine percent of the world's population. What does this mean? It means that six percent of all ministers are struggling with the remaining ninety-one percent of the world's harvest! It is no wonder that religions like Islam are gaining grounds in large sections of the world.

C. REMEMBERING THE SACRIFICE OF EARLY MISSIONARIES

Even in Ghana, how many anointed Charismatic pastors would opt to go to remote parts of the country? After visiting the north of Ghana, I realized that many people live in abject poverty. I realized how difficult it must have been for any missionary, Ghanaian or otherwise, to live there! Today, people are no longer willing to make great sacrifices for the expansion of the gospel. Dear friend, we need to remember that people laid down their lives for the establishment of the Church. I appreciate the Swiss, German and Scottish missionaries who came to Ghana many years ago and established the Church. Many of them died of malaria. They would send back messages saying that all the missionaries sent were dead. The churches in Europe would respond by sending more missionaries. Many missionaries died and others, such as Rev. F.A. Ramseyer (1868-1869), were captured and taken to Kumasi by Ashanti invaders. Many of these missionaries such as Johannes Christaller achieved remarkable milestones, such as the Twi (a local Ghanaian language) translation of the Bible, Twi Grammar, a collection of 3,600 Twi proverbs and Twi translations of Christian doctrinal works. Johannes Zimmerman, founded the Basel Mission Schools at Osu and Abokobi (1854). He also made notable translations into the Ga language (another local dialect).

All of this means that, European men of God laid down their lives in Ghana for the establishment of the Church. They did it at a time when there were no airplanes, electricity, running water, cars, televisions and telephones. Even now, with many of these comforts readily available, people are not prepared to go on similar sacrificial missionary journeys. These apostles came, knowing that their predecessors had died or had been captured and killed. You may curse the White man for the slave trade; however, there were some genuine apostles who brought the gospel to us in Africa. They learnt our language! They translated the Bible for us! They lived and died amongst a strange people! All this for the love of Christ! Where is this sacrificial love for the gospel and for our Lord? I have the feeling that heaven will reveal a host of unknown heroes. The people we hail today as great men of God may not be the ones to receive the laurels on 'prize giving day' in heaven!

If we in our own country are not prepared to lay down our lives for this gospel, the Church is not going to expand! It is time for us to send people out to remote towns and villages where Christ is not known. It is time for us to return to the days of true missionaries. It is time for pastors to decide whether they are called, or whether they are just looking for another job avenue.

The Graves of Missionaries

I remember attending a funeral in the Akwapim Mountains of Ghana. Whilst at the cemetery, waiting for the burial service to start, I decided to take a stroll through the graveyard. I read the names on some of the tombs. Initially, I thought I would only see the names of the local Akwapim people. But I was surprised to find the names of Swiss and German people on some of the tombstones. I realized that I was looking at the names of Swiss missionaries who had died on those mountains a hundred years ago. It struck me that these people had paid a great price for the Church to expand to Ghana.

Today, if I do an altar call asking for missionaries to go to certain remote places, I will get little or no response. However, if I do an altar call for missionaries to go to New York or Paris, I will have a huge response. What is happening? Do we really care about the lost, or are we only concerned about becoming affluent and popular pastors in big cities?

4. NOT SEEING THE MINISTRY AS AN ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF EMPLOYMENT

I often wonder what people mean when they say they are called to the ministry. Many people take full-time ministry as an alternative source of employment. I am NOT in full-time ministry because I have no other job. I see it as a calling. I see it as something I have to do. I can confidently say with Paul, "Woe is me, if I preach not the gospel." If I wanted to be rich, I would not be a minister. God blessed me with a very noble and lucrative profession - the medical profession. The ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ is a calling and must always remain a calling.

One minister was asked, "How did you get into the ministry?" He answered, "I was never good at anything in school, so I decided to become a priest."

If that is the reason why you became a minister, you are not likely to carry the burden that Jesus carried! You are not likely to transmit the burden of the lost to your congregation. It is time for us to get back to the primary call of the Church. It is time for us to make soul winning our main task.

Soul winning is the main task of Lighthouse Chapel International. All choristers in my church go on evangelistic outreaches. They win souls and follow them up. I have made them understand that they are Christian singers and not singing Christians! Ushers in my church do 'person-to-person' witnessing. At one time, our ushering ministry became very large because the leader of the ushers often took the ushers out on 'bus-to-bus' preaching.

Let us analyse the number of harvest fields and the number of workers we have. There is a great imbalance between the harvest fields and the labourers. It is time for us to look at maps and find out where the sinners are and go to them. It is time for the forgotten ones to hear. It is time for the poor ones to hear. It is time for the neglected ones to receive some light. It is time for people to graduate from the university and say, "I want to give the rest of my days to the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to win the lost at any cost!"

A Mega Crusade

I once organized a crusade in a prominent park in my city. An evangelist had travelled all the way from America to preach at this crusade. When it was about time for the sermon, I decided to do something unusual. There was a large crowd present. Everyone was seated in great expectation. I thought to myself that almost everybody in that crowd was a Christian. We had advertised the program on television, and Christians had gathered in their numbers. I said to the pastors around me, "Let's send these people out to invite sinners to the meeting." Many of the pastors were unsure of what was happening. I said to them, "The reason for which we are gathered is to win souls for Christ. If there are no lost souls in the crowd, what is the use of this program? Why did we spend all this money?" The crowd was sent out and they happily invited hundreds of hungry souls. Some might have thought that at such an international forum, doing something like that was unacceptable. But that night, we reaped a mighty harvest of souls for the Lord.

THE PRICE FOR DISREGARDING THE SUPREME TASK OF THE CHURCH

1. PERSECUTIONS

God is issuing a warning to the Church: "If you don't spread out, I will spread you out myself." Did you know that the Early Church did not fully obey the instruction to win souls? God has different ways of getting us to obey Him. When the Early Church refused to go out, God allowed a strong persecution to come her way. He sent a man, Saul, to harass the Church until the people were forced to travel away from Jerusalem in order to avoid death. “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was A GREAT PERSECUTION AGAINST THE CHURCH, which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad... “ (Acts 8:1).

2. CHURCH SPLITS

Many churches experience splits and painful divisions. If you look carefully, you will realize that many of these painful divisions actually lead to church growth in the long run. The reason is that more ministers are allowed to develop their gifts and more churches are established. Are you waiting for your church to split up before you obey God? I laugh when people criticize me for planting many churches in the same city. I muse that these people do not know what they are talking about. I have very large and successful branch churches just a few metres from where I am. Most of these pastors used to work with me at the headquarters. When I sensed the potential in them to minister, I sent them out to begin churches. Most of them have succeeded in establishing solid Bible-based churches, and the entire ministry has expanded because of this.

TWO KEYS TO A GREATER ANOINTING FOR EVANGELISM

1. GAINING BY TRADING

Do you want more anointing on your life? There is a process by which anointing and gifts increase. It is called "gaining by trading" “..that he might know how much every man had GAINED BY TRADING” (Luke 19:15). Let me give you a secret right now! The more you do God's work, the more the anointing increases.

Do not forget the story of the master who gave his servants ten pounds. He told them, “Occupy until I come." When the master came back, some of the servants had more than others. Then came the first, saying, Lord, THY POUND [anointing] HATH GAINED ten pounds” (Luke 19:16). The pound represents the anointing.

The pound represents the gifts that God has given to you. That gift supernaturally increases as you begin working! When you plunge into soul winning and evangelism, the anointing on your life will double and triple. I see you gaining by trading! I see you gaining a new anointing by trading with what God has given you! I see you preaching to thousands and doing miracles!

I always enjoy going back to the classroom where I began my ministry. Sometimes, I stand outside the window of the classroom where I began and stare at the few chairs within it. I remember preaching to about ten people. For over ten years, I have been at the pulpit, preaching every Sunday and Tuesday. At the beginning, I preached to about five people. But I have definitely gained by trading. I now minister to thousands of people every week. I always thank God for His mercy.

2. GAINING BY KINGDOM PROMOTION

Learn another secret right here! After improving through the secret of gaining by trading, God will lift you up by another method I call "kingdom promotion". Gaining by trading makes the pound you have swell up. But when the master assesses that you have gained something by trading, you will receive a "kingdom promotion". A "kingdom promotion" is an elevation that is so lofty that it makes you marvel at how far the Lord has brought you. The man who was given authority over ten cities could not compare his new status with his former job of trading with ten pounds. “...thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou

authority over ten cities” (Luke 19:17). In the day you receive a "kingdom promotion", you will know that God has truly lifted you out of the dust. Harvesting the lost is the first and foremost task of the whole Church. I am talking to prophets. I am talking to teachers. I am talking to singers. I am ministering to administrators. The gospel is the first thing. We must win the lost at any cost! “And the gospel must FIRST be published among all nations” (Mark 13:10).

Chapter 4

Strategies for Effective Evangelism

The Principles for Evangelism

We must have the attitude that the salvation of the whole world depends on us. Without this attitude, we will always assume that some zealous evangelist will do the job. Dear friend, there are very few zealous evangelists today. Evangelists have very little support for their work. It seems that it is much more profitable to be a pastor than to be an evangelist. The offerings that are available to the evangelist cannot be compared to the offerings that pastors receive from overfed Christian millionaires who sit on the pews of the church. Why would anyone want to be an evangelist? It is a truly thankless job and the rewards can only be found in eternity. I believe that God divinely blesses anyone who chooses to win souls and makes it his life's work. I would like to discuss two principles that are effective for evangelism.

THE PRINCIPLE OF AVOIDING A MURDER CHARGE

“When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but HIS BLOOD WILL I REQUIRE AT THINE HAND” (Ezekiel 3:18). What does this mean: "blood will be required at your hand?" I remember when my father, a lawyer, was the attorney for a man accused of murder. My wife Adelaide, and her friend Rev. Sackey, were junior lawyers working with my father. It was an interesting case to follow. Both the families of the accused and the deceased were present in Court. Before the jury gave its final verdict, Rev. Sackey had to make a final address in defence of the accused man. The packed to capacity courtroom was tense, as both families followed the proceedings. All concerned parties wanted to know whether this man was guilty or not. What was happening? People were requiring the blood of the slain farmer from the hands of the accused.

When the Bible says that God will require the blood of sinners at your hand, it simply means that you will be asked to answer for a murder charge. I am sure you don't think of yourself as a murderer or a killer. But by refusing to warn sinners, by refusing to hold crusades and by refusing to do door-to-door witnessing, you are indirectly assigning people to hell. God says that He will hold you responsible! That is why you must preach the gospel in every corner, on every highway and on every street.

1. AVOID A MURDER CHARGE BY PREACHING THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL

How beautiful are the feet of those that preach the gospel and bring good news! What is good news? Is the good news that electricity has been extended to the village? Is the good news that pipe borne water is now available in your town? Is the good news that we have a new President? None of these is the good news of the gospel.

There is no news like the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the only answer to the problems of a lost human race. The whole world is confused. If one or two cruise missiles were sold, the problems of millions of people could be solved! There is an imbalance in the distribution of wealth. The poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer. There seems to be a curse in certain sections of the earth. Many people cannot make ends meet. In the underdeveloped world, people talk about the global economic crisis and children not having enough to eat. In the rich western world, people are worried because some won't have turkey and salad to eat at Christmas! Everyone has his or her own problems!

What is the good news that these people need? Everyone needs the gospel. The gospel is good for the rich and for the poor. The gospel is good news for both western and eastern nations. The preaching of Jesus Christ has power in the land of the communists as well as in the land of the capitalists.

2. AVOID A MURDER CHARGE BY MAKING SOUL WINNING YOUR CHIEF TASK

I see a last wave of miracle power coming into the earth. It is going to help us to reach out to the harvest fields. God will support us! The power of the Holy Spirit is on us as we set out to tackle the harvest. Do you know that the rapture will not occur until the gospel has been preached to all nations? Jesus gave us signs of the end. The last and specific sign was the preaching of the gospel to the nations. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14). The end of the world depends on your soul winning. Let us arise together and bring about the return of Jesus Christ to rule this world in authority and power.

Let soul winning be your chief task. When you minister in song, let the lost souls be your target. Dear prophet, when the Lord uses you to minister in signs and wonders, remember that signs and wonders are to attract sinners to Christ. If signs and wonders are just being used to attract rich people to your group, you have not understood why God made you a prophet. The ministry gifts are not given for you to acquire nice houses and cars. They are power instruments for reaping the harvest. When people come to you with financial and marital problems, please direct them first to Christ. Make sure that they are saved in the Lord.

An elderly man once came to see me. He had a string of problems. He wanted me to pray for his clinic, his marriage and his home. He felt that he needed deliverance, ministration and prayer! I asked him a simple question, "Are you born again?" He did not even know what that meant! I knew immediately that this man needed Christ first. I promptly led him in the sinner's prayer to receive the Lord. It was only after that, that I considered his other problems. Dear revivalist, I am very happy about the spectacular display of signs and wonders in your ministry! We have prayed for years that signs and wonders would come back to the Church. But for goodness sake, remember why signs and wonders are being restored to the Church. They are being restored for the harvest. Please us your ability to gather crowds to win souls. I have watched large crowds gather under the ministry of 'signs and wonder' revivalists. It is pathetic to see them gather and disperse time and time again, without a single salvation altar call being made. If you do not do the right thing with your gift, God will give it to somebody else. Dear friend, we must win the lost at any cost!

THE PRINCIPLE OF AVOIDING MISTAKES IN EVANGELISM

1. THE MISTAKE OF DISTRACTIONS

In order to stay focused on soul winning, there are several things I have to deal with. One of them is distraction. It is very easy to be distracted from your primary task. The church has become so established that sometimes she loses sight of why she exists. As a full-time minister, I try to stay focused on my calling. I believe in interaction between churches. However, there are times when those interactions can be distractive. Contrary to traditional belief, it has been shown that a lot of trans-church interaction does not lead to church growth. Hurts, wounds and quarrels have been generated through some of these interactions. Pastors end up spending a lot of time ironing out their differences, and all that time could have been spent fulfilling the primary call.

Recently, our church was attacked by a mob of individuals brandishing sticks and stones. We had a serious confrontation with them and many people got hurt in the process. The scene was played back on national television and many people got to know about it. I was surprised, though not shocked to hear when some Christians said: "It serves them right!" Many people are jealous of their brother's success, and get into conflicts like Cain and Abel did. This is very natural and so I have learnt to stay in my corner and do the work of God. Conflicts and divisions within the church may also distract you from your primary goal of reaching the lost. If your church is involved in a major internal conflict, I will give you a suggestion. Start outreach immediately! Don't say; "I will wait for the problem to resolve before I embark on evangelism." Embarking on outreaches will help to turn attention away from the problem.

2. THE MISTAKE OF PROCRASTINATION

The cardinal enemy of all evangelism and outreach is the demon of procrastination. Outreach is often postponed and put off till later. Some people go as far as cancelling their scheduled outreach programs. "I will witness to him tomorrow," they say. "We will do a crusade next year; after all, there are other pressing problems to deal with." Years ago, I learnt something very important from a Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship meeting. I was invited to be the main speaker at a breakfast meeting. When I finished ministering, I sat down on stage as they concluded the meeting with some announcements. One of the announcements struck me and the Lord spoke to me at that moment. They announced that their next outreach was to be held in a month's time. Right there, the Lord showed me that these people had planned a rigid schedule of monthly outreaches that were not negotiable. They were not negotiable in the sense that they could not be postponed or cancelled. The speakers for their meetings were sometimes scheduled a year in advance. Whether there was a tidal wave, economic upheaval or a political earthquake, the outreach was going to come on. From that moment, I became convinced that fixing an inflexible monthly outreach for every fellowship and ministry in my church was the way forward. There are many cares and problems of this life. Many people are struggling to pay school fees, build houses and buy food to eat.

Many people have marital problems and do not know how peace is going to come to their homes. They say, "How can I think of evangelism when I have so many problems?" “And the cares of this world... choke the word...” (Mark 4:19). Dear Christian friend, do not let the cares of this world choke the call of God on your life. I see you rising up in spite of every weight and difficulty in your life! He that winneth souls is wise! Be wise now! Win a soul today! The soul you bring to the Lord may become a blessing to you in different ways! “...He that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30).

3. THE MISTAKE OF STRUGGLING WITH UNRIPENED HARVESTS

It is a mistake to try to harvest fields that are not ready. Every soul winner must know that God's harvest fields are ripe at different times. Doors to certain regions are divinely opened for a season. After a while, these doors swing shut. One day Jesus said something prophetic. He said, "I must work while it is day for the night will come when no one can work." No matter how anointed or gifted you are, you will not be able to work at night. “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: THE NIGHT COMETH, WHEN NO MAN CAN WORK” (John 9:4). Jesus spoke of a season when no one would be able to do God's work. He said a time would come when no one would be able to evangelise anymore. Take a look at the global harvest field; you will find that the night has fallen on certain sections of the globe. It is now impossible to harvest the fields in those parts of the world.

Look at the Islamic nations of the world. There are millions of people under the cloud of strict Islamic rule. Christianity is virtually forbidden in many of these places. It is very dangerous to preach the gospel in Moslem countries. Do you remember the days of the Soviet Union? Communism stamped out all true church life. Many Russians died without hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ because it was technically, legally and physically impossible to preach the gospel over there.

Look at sections of Africa today. Many African nations are battlefields. I cannot send somebody's husband or father to certain countries in Africa. How would I explain to the wife if the pastor got killed? It is impossible to drive through certain African nations. Rebels have taken over large sections of many countries. The night has fallen in these places. That is why we need to take advantage of every opportunity. Many people think that peace will always prevail. Look at countries like Liberia and Zaire, which enjoyed many years of relative peace. Perhaps we did not know that it was daytime in those places. As I am writing this textbook, there is war in the former Zaire. I cannot go there and I would not like to send anybody there. The night has come when no one can work in Zaire.

In some Western countries like Switzerland, Christians are not permitted to preach on the streets or to hold crusades as freely as we do in Ghana. The police have questioned our Swiss pastor during gospel concert outreaches. Meanwhile, occult and witchcraft shops are springing up freely all over Switzerland. Many parts of Europe are hard ground for the gospel. The spirit of atheism is so entrenched that the preaching of the gospel now looks absurd.

However, there are many places where the night has not yet fallen. It is easier to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in these places. Even in nations where the gospel is permitted, you will find that some sections of the population are more open to the gospel. My message is simple: stay with the ripened harvest. Go where the doors are open. That is why I love preaching to young people. Every year I hold special programs in each of the universities in Ghana. I enjoy preaching in secondary schools. I see such a positive response from the young people. The young people are my ripened harvest.

Example of an Unripened Harvest

I remember speaking with an eighty-year old man at a wedding reception. During the wedding service, I had preached a sermon on salvation. This man was in the congregation and had heard all that I had said. He called me aside at the wedding reception and said to me, "I want you to know something."

"What is it, sir?" I asked.

He answered, "I want you to know that I will never change!"

"Oh!" I responded.

He continued, "I am eighty-years old and I will never change! I want you to know that I will never be born again! I am a traditionalist, I belong to the Anglican Church and I will never be born again!"

I was taken aback! I had never heard anybody speak like that. This man was saying that he was hardened and resistant to the gospel. There are many people like that. Preaching to them yields very little result. Stay with the ripened and whitened harvests.

God will bless your evangelistic efforts. The poor are often more open to receive the gospel than the rich. Therefore, preach more to the poor than the rich. When you spend time on unripened harvests, you will become discouraged with evangelism. You will find it fruitless and a waste of time. Stay with the ripened harvests. God has given them to you!

Win the lost at any cost!

LETTERS OF A SOUL WINNER

As far back as I can remember, I have always had a vision to win souls for Christ. During my early days at the university, I met a law student called E.A.T. Sackey. He happened to be a classmate and a friend of my wife, so naturally we became good friends. I soon discovered that he and I had similar interests like soul winning. I believe that is what drew us together in ministry. I am glad that we are both in the ministry today. Although my calling is to pastor, my hobby is to win souls and organize crusades! I enjoy playing the organ and drums at crusades. I feel very happy when I see the lost being preached to.

I recently discovered some of the letters he wrote to me when we were both students in the university in 1988. At the time, I was a medical student and he was a law student, but neither medicine nor law could drown our divine call and desire to win more people to Christ. I am reproducing below, four memorable letters my friend, the evangelist wrote to me. As you read them, I believe you will be inspired to launch out into the harvest.

1. Baptism of Zeal

2. Dreaming about Evangelism

3. I'm With You

4. Let's Die Preaching

THE LETTERS

A Baptism of Zeal

29-5-1986

Dag,

If ever we need a baptism of heaven, it should be a baptism of zeal. "The zeal of thine If ever we need a baptism from heaven, it house has consumed me." We really need to be eaten up dry with a passionate passion. A burden that would make us uncomfortable until we see and get men saved from the blackness of darkness into the kingdom of His dear son. This should be our waking thoughts and sleeping dreams. We really need the love that is blind to all the possible dangers of the mission. Love that ignores personal safety, disregards the odds against it, drops "sacrifice" from its vocabulary, requires no crutches, ignores all dangers and is intolerant to idleness.

Remember that the master went out at the ELEVENTH HOUR and He found some men still IDLING in the market places. May God help us!

In this eleventh hour, the church seems to be idling, careless of its responsibilities. I'm really doubtful whether I'll want to be part of this system. I'm beginning to believe that it is not the sin of the world that is making the Church sick, but rather the sin and unconcern of the Church that is making the world sick. I'm getting fed up with complacency in the church. I'm filled with Holy anger - against the devil, against sin, against our unbelief AND also against the Church. Everything in the world is broken - confidence in government, confidence in the dollar, marriages are breaking up and teenagers are breaking up their minds with drugs. All is broken - except one thing, the hearts of the believers. But I believe that we need broken hearts to face this colossal mess. Weeping is a command. But there should be action after that (Joel 2:7).

The present lethargy in the Church is almost unpardonable. I need to bear a broken heart over the coldness in the church. Yay!! The fields are really white. DAG, LETS BIND OUR HEARTS TO THE REACHING OF THE UNREACHED. We need to become impervious to the opinions of others about our zeal. We should not care what it would cost us to be burnt out for God. Whether we are flattered or fattened, esteemed or despised, condemned a fool or a philosopher, through evil report or good report, kisses or curses, we should be set to do the will of Him who sent us. We need to move out and away from the centralised system we seem to be having in Accra.

The Church is founded with showmanship, competition, "holding the form of religion but denying the power thereof." (2 Timothy 3:5). Although the Pharisees prayer is always seen as not good enough - ("God I thank Thee I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, etc.") How many church folks can pray such prayers anyway? May God help us! I pray, like Habakkuk did, "LORD, IN YOUR WRATH, REMEMBER MERCY."

Love to all.

EATS

Co-Worker

Dreaming about Evangelism

c/o C 52

An/Sarbah Hall

1987

Hi Brother Dag,

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you." Well since you have so much to do in these crucial times, I had better write just a note, and not a letter. I always thank God for the mission God has called us to. Yesterday God told me clearly that I had better get serious with this ministry because the time is short, and I know you agree as well. Dag, I am bent on seeing the mighty hand of God in our ministry. I'll never be satisfied with anything short of that, and God Himself knows. As we launch out, I'm so certain of the fact that God will be confirmed, so that what was said of Christ, "that a man approved of God by many signs and wonders" would also be said of us and the ministry; so that man's faith will not rely on the wisdom of men but the power of God.

I know that we really do a lot. I see you as an answer to a need in my life. You might not understand this very well, but I hope Maame would explain it further. THE HOLD OF EVANGELISM ON ME GETS STRONGER WITH EVERY PASSING DAY. IT NEVER LESSENS. I DREAM OF IT, WAKE UP WITH THAT DREAM AND GO TO BED, WITH IT STILL OCCUPYING THE GREATER PART OF MY MIND. I know that God will lead us by His own Spirit and we shall see with our own eyes utterly, many coming to taste for the first time "the unspeakable gift." Whatever the Holy Spirit tells you and whatever leading He gives you, be sure that I'll agree with you. Dag, we have to make it, we can make it, and we will make it in Jesus' name. Well, for the sake of formality let me just wish you success in your exams. You're a stranger to failure. Regards to Asamoah, Stanley, Donkash and all those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you. I planned coming to church there on Sunday but I can't because I'm supposed to preach at Nautical College. I'll be there the next Sunday. Love from Cynthia, of course.

Affections

Brother T.

I hope that after exams you'll be free enough with the permission of M so that we can talk and pray for these times.

I'm With You

Pastor,

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. In fact, you mean so much to me, and I don't feel worthy to be a co-worker with you. However, God has considered my low estate and given me favour in your sight. Henceforth all men shall call me blessed!! Please don't let Maame tell you that these are my usual and normal raps. I mean this with all my heart and God is my witness. Well Pastor, I have great confidence in you, as my Pastor and I know we are a terror to the kingdom of the devil and a great embarrassment to demons. Hallelujah.

We're going to work together, walk together and be an unflinching threat to the negative spiritual world. And I also wish to use this occasion to reaffirm my pledge and commitment to you. I want you to know that, you can trust me to the last degree. I'm very stable and settled in mind, purpose, and objective. Glory to Jesus!! I really wish I could come home and give you a birthday hug, but where I am, I'm restrained and inhibited by our perceiving circumstances. I'm with you in the spirit any way.

Bro. T.

Let’s Die Preaching

C47 An/Sarbah

Legon

20/6/86

Hello Brother Dag,

Only the Holy Ghost can reveal to you what's been going on in my heart since I came from Korle-Bu. Like I said, I never knew that you had such a vision at all. I really bless God for you and for making us to know each other in these times when so many believers are seeing the2nd coming of Christ and the end of the age as only subjects for rare curiosity. The hope of Christ's return is not certainly an escapist clause. It's not an alibi for non-involvement. To the contrary, it's a spur to holiness, to evangelism and to obedience. It's a maturation to make God's words on earth OUR OWN, for as Jesus said "Occupy till I come" (Luke 19:13).

One man said we are to behave and give and love and work as though Jesus Christ died yesterday, rose today and is coming again tomorrow. Surely, the greatest need of the Church today is not more members, more buildings, more money. The supreme issue is missions and evangelism, repentance and revival. It is not great strength or great wealth that Christ calls for in His Church on the eve of His coming. It is great faithfulness to Him and great obedience to His will and to the opportunities, He gives us. DAG, LET'S DIE PREACHING! Let's give our whole heart to it. Let's make it our own business so that we can say with Paul, "My Gospel". It makes a lot of difference. Let's be pliable tools in the hands of the Master. He really needs us. I'm dying to see next term come. Our, at long last, sign-wonder-miracle which we have desired is near us!! Glory. I can see my own come to know God, I can see the power of God present to lead, and to see establishment and abundance in the kingdom of God. Glory!!

Dag, I'm quite sorry if I've not been able to express myself quite well. The Spirit will reveal it to you. I have a burden I cannot describe. It keeps bubbling in my heart and belly. The word of God is like fire in my bones. Oh, the world is waiting for us. There's a command from above: "Go ye unto all the world". There's a cry from beneath: "Father Abraham send somebody to preach to my relatives," and there's a call from without "Come over to Macedonia and help us".

WE SHALL SURELY DO IT, IF EVEN IT MEANS SACRIFICING AND INVESTING OUR LAST PENNY INTO IT, OR EVEN WALKING OVER BROKEN BOTTLES.

And the God of All Grace shall see us through. Regards from my beloved C.

df

Chapter 5

Keys to the Harvest

How to Unlock the Harvest

Why do pastors struggle and fight over sheep? Why do pastors want to have members from other churches in their church? Why do pastors start churches by breaking up other churches? I believe it is because they do not know the keys to the harvest. Let me share two important keys with you.

1. THE KEY OF MASSIVE ORGANIZATION

There are more than enough souls waiting to be saved. There are not enough buildings to contain the harvest if it were reaped. Unlock the harvest with the key of massive organization. What do I mean by massive organization? Pastors must mobilize their church members to have massive organized prayer, massive organized fasting and massive organized outreaches. How utterly boring it must be if a Christian's life is just listening to a thirty-minute sermon every week. For goodness sake, there must be more to Christianity than being a pew-warmer. Christians will find satisfaction when they fast and pray for souls. Do you know why many people do not attend prayer meetings? It is because the pastor himself does not get involved. Fasting and prayer is the key that removes scales from a sinner's eyes. When you pray before witnessing, you will have better results. People will be saved! Just like Jesus, you will be anointed when you pray. If you are not prayerful, people will just tell you, "I see your point, but I don't agree with you." All your preaching will be like water dripping off a duck's back! I'm speaking to pastors now! Mobilize the entire church to pray. Mobilize the entire church to fast. Pray for church growth. Pray for salvation. Pray for people to become born-again. You will have tremendous results. A pastor's job is not just to preach and teach, but to lead the sheep. You must lead the sheep into outreaches and soul winning. They will be blessed when they have something to do with their spiritual energy.

Organize crusades, breakfast meetings, door-to- door witnessing, street evangelism and concerts that win souls. Involve the whole church and discover the joy of soul winning. On one of the Sundays, send out your members to bring in anyone they can find on the streets. The following week, organize 'Operation Bring- Your-Family'- that is, a Sunday when everyone brings his or her household to church. Then plan for Sundays when you can have “Operation Bring-Your-Colleagues”. The whole church will invite their co-workers to church. You will experience tremendous church growth. One day, find out how many members of your church were saved in the church. As you do more soul winning, you will find out that more and more of your members will come in through soul winning. It is better to have church growth through soul winning than through the transfer of angry and discontented members from other churches.

2. THE KEY OF “ANAGKAZO”

"Anagkazo" is a Greek word which means "to compel, to force, to drive, to necessitate, to threaten and to use any means at your disposal" to convince someone (Luke 14:23). You will discover that Jesus used the word "anagkazo" when he was speaking about evangelism. The master sent out his servants to anagkazo anyone they could find on the streets, highways, hedges and in the gutters. “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel [anagkazo] them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23).

Many of those originally invited to the party did not bother to come. What is Jesus trying to tell us? The Lord is showing us that gentle invitations will not reach the lost. We have to use any other means at our disposal. Our churches will be empty if we do not use the key of anagkazo. Earlier in this textbook, I spoke of how we organized an international crusade at a prominent park in our city. Many souls were saved during those three days. One of the keys that we used was the key of anagkazo. When the crowd had gathered, we gave a command to the old and young alike. We told them to go out into the streets where the prostitutes and broken-hearted were and bring them in. There was a clear command, "Do not return to the crusade alone. You must bring a soul with you!"

I went out myself with the visiting American evangelist, and together we brought back some people to the crusade grounds. We are not trying to impress anybody. We are trying to obey our Master's command. Many things that are impressive to man are not impressive to God. I heard one evangelist describing how he had printed several million books and had them distributed to every home in a part of Europe. I was most excited when he said that seventy thousand people had written back responding to Christ through the books. That is anagkazo at work - forcing the gospel into every home! He was using every means available to push the gospel into rebellious European letterboxes.

Dear friends, our gentle Christian smiles have little effect in a hostile world filled with sceptical people. People do not trust anything or anyone! Africans thought they could trust their leaders. Then came African dictators, who like vampires, sucked the wealth of their nations. Americans thought they could trust their president and then came the presidential scandals. People thought they could trust the engineers and pilots and then came the TWA, Swissair, Kenya Airways and the Concorde crashes. Many people trusted pastors and then came the tele-evangelists' scandals.

Folks are sceptical about the solutions we offer through Christ. It is time for us to rise up with the key of anagkazo and bring in the harvest. Let us use every means available, such as invitations, entreaties and warnings. Let us use the radio, television and the print media. Let's go out there to a dying world and give them the good news of salvation. If someone's house was on fire and you could see that he was about to perish, would you give him a gentle nudge or would you shake him out of his sleep? Win the lost at any cost! Win the lost if it means using 'Anagkazo'.

3. THE KEY OF FOLLOW UP

When a church begins to practise follow-up, it retains the converts it gets from evangelism. Follow-up leads to retention of souls. Without a follow-up ministry, evangelism is virtually a waste of time, money and resources. All our efforts will be in vain. Every church must develop an effective follow-up ministry that deals with the souls that come to the Lord There are some common mistakes to avoid in follow-up.

a. Preventing the Abandonment of New Converts

The follow-up ministry is a scientific way of preventing the loss of converts. So much energy is spent in winning the lost. A proportional amount of time and resources must be spent to retain the harvest. One of the saddest things I saw in the hospital, was a little baby that had been abandoned by its mother. The mother had gone through nine months of pregnancy, struggled in the labour ward and finally delivered a bouncing baby girl.

When no one was watching, this lady slipped out of the labour ward and vanished. What was going to happen to that baby? Her future lay in the hands of fate. I felt particularly sorry when the nurses had to ask some of the lactating mothers to donate some milk to the baby. Let me also ask this: What is going to happen to all the souls who come to the Lord? Follow-up is to new converts as breast-feeding is to babies.

If the church were to do follow-up, and retain the people we won, the church would experience major growth. Planting churches where crusades and evangelism have taken place is another major part of follow-up. Follow-up also involves prayer for the converts that have been won to the Lord. “My little children, of whom I TRAVAIL [pray] in birth again until Christ be formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). You must travail for your souls in prayer. That is how to follow them up spiritually. After spiritual follow-up, you must visit them. New converts are established through visitation. In my church we do not only have counsellors but we have people who go to the homes of the converts as well.

b. One common mistake people make when they do follow up is to waste time on non-serious and ‘unsaved’ converts.

Paul told Timothy to spend time on serious people whow were serious about Christ. “and the tings thou has heard about me form many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men , who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).

THE REWARDS FOR SOUL WINNERS

1. STARS FOREVER

“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3). God has promised in His Word that those who win souls and those who turn many lives to Christ will enjoy a permanent status of stardom in heaven. The glory of the film stars and the pop stars of this world is fleeting. Some of these stars were so famous that everyone in the world knew them. Yet, a few years down the line, they were forgotten. Their names are not mentioned anymore. They are actually no longer stars. God has promised every soul winner that he will be a star forever. Thank God that your heavenly stardom will not be a temporary one. There are several other special rewards that are listed for those who lived and worked for Jesus.

2. DINNER AT THE TREE OF LIFE

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches; to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7). There is going to be a special occasion where dinner will be served at the Tree of Life. Some of us will be invited. Do you remember when there was an important function to which you were not invited? How painful it was! Make sure that you are invited to the dinner at the Tree of Life. These things look like insignificant prizes. One day, it will matter whether you have them or not. Everyone that overcomes in the ministry will receive this special invitation.

3. BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY OF HEAVEN.

“…Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). A crown separates royalty from the commoners! If you think there are classes on earth, please get ready for heaven. If you think the differences between the Royal Family and the rest of us, commoners are too great, then get ready! Fortunately, you and I have a chance to possess a crown and become royalty in heaven. You will have a chance to be a part of the royal family in heaven. Missionaries who have been faithful unto death can expect to be members of the royal family of Heaven.

4. ESCAPING DAMAGE FROM THE SECOND DEATH.

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh SHALL NOT BE HURT of the second death” (Revelation 2:11). It seems that some people will be hurt by the event of the second death. In other words, they will have some damage as they pass through this experience. The Bible teaches us that some people will be saved as through fire. “If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; YET SO AS BY FIRE” (1 Corinthians 3:15). To be saved through fire means that everything gets burnt up but the individual survives. Although you are saved you experience great loss to your property and personal possessions. Everyone that overcomes has this great promise. You will not be hurt or experience damage through the process of the second death. I hope you see your advantages piling up as you overcome in the ministry.

5. HIDDEN MANNA

“…to him that overcometh will I give to eat of THE HIDDEN MANNA…” (Revelation 2:17). What is hidden manna? Of what use is this hidden manna to my life? Dear friend, you do not know what pertains in heaven. Perhaps those who have this hidden manna will have some great advantage in heaven. When you are a child you do not know the significance of certain things. You do not know the importance of being an American citizen. It means nothing to you as a child, but if you were a grown up you would probably appreciate having U.S. citizenship. Perhaps the hidden manna will be like this - an object of great importance that you will discover only upon arriving in heaven.

6. THE WHITE STONE

“…And will give him A WHITE STONE, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it” (Revelation 2:17). What is this white stone and what can it do for me? Once again, we will probably discover its value when we arrive in heaven. I can imagine why you don't think much of this white stone. After all, what is a stone on earth? But I tell you, it may be the one thing that everyone in heaven longs for. Don't be jealous if I have a white stone and you don't!

7. APPOINTMENTS OVER NATIONS

“And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations” (Revelation 2:26). I am happy to announce to you that, appointments, as rulers over the different countries of the world will be given to people who do the work of the Lord. Perhaps you will be the President of Mexico. Perhaps you will be appointed over Fiji. You will sit on a throne and have an unbelievable status. I was amazed when I read Rick Joyner's "The Final Quest". All sorts of people were sitting on glorious thrones. He described how the least of these thrones were greater than any earthly throne. People were rulers over cities on earth and others were rulers over the affairs of heaven. Others still were rulers over the affairs of the physical creation, such as the stars and galaxies. How real these little scriptures had become! May we not miss our thrones. Win the lost at any cost and you will be appointed over nations!

8. A MORNING STAR

“And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end… I will give him THE MORNING STAR” (Revelation 2:26,28). This morning star is one of the rewards that we will only understand in heaven. What the morning star will do for you, no one knows. I assure you, however, that when you get to heaven you will be glad if you have a morning star.

9. HEAVENLY CLOTHING

“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in WHITE RAIMENT…” (Revelation 3:5). Special clothes will be provided for special people who overcome in the ministry. At a graduation ceremony in most universities, the robes that are worn have a meaning. They signify your achievements and they signify your rank in the academic world. For instance, three bars on the sleeve of the robe often indicate a doctorate degree. As we move about in heaven, those who have these special robes will be distinguished in their heavenly ranks by their achievements on earth. Mind you, these robes are not given to everyone but to "him that overcometh". Win the lost at any cost!

10. A DIVINE RECOMMENDATION FOR HEAVEN.

“He that overcometh… I WILL CONFESS HIS NAME before my Father, and before his angels” (Revelation 3:5). Upon arriving in heaven, you may or may not receive a special recommendation by Jesus to the Father. In the army for instance, after a war is over, you may be recommended by your Commanding Officer. If you are recommended to the government for your bravery, you receive awards like a Purple Heart or a Congressional Medal of Honour. Dear friend, recommendations are going to be made after the last battle is over. Will your Commanding Officer have anything on which to recommend you? I pray so! In receiving this award, you will be taken to the Father in the presence of angels and be highly commended to the Father for your good works. This will be done in the presence of angels and the hosts of heaven. You can understand why you would be respected by all and sundry. If Jesus singles you out and says to the Father, "This was a special son who did more than his share; please accord him a special status in heaven." I tell you, man, you are covered! It is not everyone who will receive such a recommendation. Dear Christian, please aim for these glorious rewards. Win the lost at any cost and you will be recommended by Jesus to the Father.

11. DIVINE LABELLING

“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem… and I will write upon him my new name” (Revelation 3:12). Dear friend, people buy names all the time. A MacDonald's name or franchise is acquired for a lot of money. Polo shirts, t-shirts, belts and shoes carry names that make people buy them. It is not strange that one of the rewards given to some privileged people will be to have the label of God's name on them. Perhaps your robe will be labelled El' Shaddai. Perhaps your designer clothes will be labelled Elohim. May be your belt will be labelled Jehovah Nissi. When people recognize this powerful signature on you, you will be distinguished from others in heaven.

12. HEAVENLY POSITIONS

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am SET DOWN WITH MY FATHER IN HIS THRONE” (Revelation 3:21). Promotion into unbelievable heights awaits you as you do God's will. You will be elevated to the highest of positions according to this Scripture. Perhaps you don't know the value of being on a throne. After all, you have never been on anything like a throne on earth. Perhaps you think you can manage without such a privilege. Don't let the devil deceive you. You must not miss this great reward. You must win the lost at any cost!

A Prayer for God’s People

Lord Jesus, I pray for your people. I pray with all my heart for everyone who reads this textbook. I pray that you will transmit into their hearts the burden that you have O Lord. Show them the reason why you created the Church - the reason why we exist. And the reason why you brought us together as a Church. Show us O Lord the reason why we gather each time. Help us to know that it is not to show off our new dresses, our new suits and our new shoes. Show us I pray, O Lord! Reveal it to each person who reads this textbook. I cannot explain it to them, Lord. I have done my best. I have spoken and I have written, but it is you, Holy Spirit, who can reveal it to the people. Lord, reveal yourself. Select the evangelists you are looking for. Find the people you are searching for to help you accomplish this great work! I see a vast harvest before us. I pray O God that the burden will come upon your people. I pray for the financiers, that you will anoint them and give them the hearts of soul winners. I pray for the supporters and the helpers who help us in the ministry. They are people who assist us to do your Great Commission. O God, I am praying for them today. Holy Spirit, open the eyes of your people and let us see the harvest that is ripe and waiting for us. Help us to notice the lost, walking aimlessly around us. Let us see how people are wandering about as sheep without a shepherd. Jesus, I pray that you will walk in the midst of your people and touch our eyes and hearts again. Let us know why we are alive! Reveal to us what we are supposed to be doing. O Lord

Jesus, I pray with all my heart. I cannot show them, but you can. Holy Spirit, you can show your people what you want. Lord I cannot transmit it to them but you can. Father, in the name of Jesus, let your work be done and let your kingdom come. Let your work be more important to us than anything else. Let souls begin to be harvested. Let the finances come in to support this great effort. Give us a heart, Heavenly Father, for souls. Help us to win the lost at any cost. Give the pastors a heart for soul winning. As we shepherd your sheep, let us never forget why we are shepherds. Help us to be more like you who came to seek and to save that which was lost. I pray in the name of Jesus. Thank you Lord. Amen! The following is a prophecy God gave me for you.

A Prophecy for the Church

Today, certain people are stars in this world. O Lord you have shown us clearly that in the days to come, different people are going to be stars. They that win souls and they that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars forever. They are going to be the people that know their God. The stars are going to be people that have turned many to righteousness. Yea, they shall be those who have contributed to the winning and reaping of souls to the kingdom of God. They shall be those who have brought in the harvest, saith, the Spirit of the Lord.

This is my commission to the church. This is the great commission to the church and the people of God. This is the work that I have called you to do. To go out there and win them. Say not, "It is not yet time." Say not, "I will do it next year." For the fields are white and the harvest is ready. For the people are waiting in their great numbers to be harvested and to be won to me. Yea, Islam is not the way, the truth and the life. No one, no one cometh unto the Father but by me.

Therefore, take this message to the world. Take the Word of God which is like a hammer, saith the Lord. Take the Word of God, which is like a fire, and go forth with that fire. Go forth with the hammer. Go forth in the power of my Word. For my Word shall go and shall not return unto me void but it shall accomplish those things, which it has been sent to do, saith the Spirit of God.

Listen to me, the stars are going to change. They are going to change. The Lord is saying that there is something in it for you. There is a future for you. Do not be shortsighted. Do not see only today, but see the years ahead. See eternity! You can shine like a star in eternity. Eternity will begin, it will begin shortly. It will begin soon, saith the Spirit.

SECTION II

INTRODUCTION TO MISSIONS

Chapter 6

A Brief History of Missionary Work

The Great Commission and Missionary Work

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19,20). This is the famous Great Commission that compels Christians to go into all the world as preachers. Unfortunately, it is one of the least obeyed commands of the Bible. The Church tends to "stay" more than "go". These were the last words of Jesus and must therefore be taken very seriously. This command is as valid today as it was two thousand years ago. It is not only the promises of prosperity that are valid today.

The instruction “to go into all the world” still rings loud and clears as an eternal command from the Lord. This command takes on a new meaning when you think of the kind of world we live in today. The regions where Christianity used to be active have now changed. The spiritually alive sections of the world have shifted from Europe to the poorer and more deprived parts of the world. Today, Europe is the seat of Satan, with most people on that continent being atheists or non-believers. There is now a great need for us to reach out to such parts of the world. How do we achieve this?

1. THE SHIFTING RESPONSIBILITY OF MISSIONARY WORK

It looks as though the responsibility of spreading the Gospel has shifted from Whites to men of colour. Whenever we think of missionaries, we think of White people coming to save the unreached and uncivilised Black races. We imagine pious White missionaries going through the sweltering tropical jungles to reach savages in remote villages. However, all this has changed!

There are not as many savages in remote villages as there were four hundred years ago. Today, it is the White people who need to be reached. It is the White people living in rich and affluent cities who have no knowledge of God. Do not misunderstand me, there are still thousands of poor villages and towns which need to hear about Jesus. But no one can deny the fact that the spiritual landscape of the world has changed enormously. The cloud of ignorance and spiritual backwardness has shifted to the western nations of the world. Spiritual death has placed its icy hands on the churches of Europe. Church buildings that seated hundreds of ardent worshippers every Sunday, today receive less than fifteen old men and women. Many churches meet every two weeks instead of every week. On Sunday mornings, the young people are recovering from hangovers and the debauchery of the night before. They have no time or knowledge of God. In Switzerland for instance, many of the pastors do not believe in God. They are often state employees who have a job to do. A recent millennium survey in England showed that only 28% of the population believed in the traditional understanding of a "personal God". 37% in the survey saw God as a "spirit or life force". This obviously shows a lack of knowledge of the Bible and its teachings. There was also a remarkable drop in the number of people who believed in Jesus as the Son of God. 45% of those questioned believed that Jesus was the Son of God as compared to 71% in 1957. This shows that over the last forty years, over one third of the believers have given up their faith. “And because iniquity shall abound, THE LOVE OF MANY SHALL WAX COLD” (Matthew 24:12). It is time for us to go again into every corner of the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ. I am very grateful for the Americans and Europeans who came to Africa with the Gospel. Perhaps I would belong to some other religion today if they had not come

2. THE NEED TO GO INTO ALL THE WORLD

This command must be taken seriously today. If we do not go when He has told us to, God may be forced to use other methods to drive us into the mission fields. In Acts 1:8, Jesus told his disciples to wait for the Spirit. He promised that after the Holy Spirit came they would be able to go very far with the Gospel. Unfortunately, like most of us do, the disciples did not obey the commandment but stayed together in the comfort of Jerusalem. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

It is much easier to change the carpet in the church and to have a church picnic than to go into all the world and preach. It is when you do what is hard and difficult that you move forward in the right direction. It may not be easy, but it is worth it! When the Church failed to send out missionaries, the Lord allowed persecution to speak a little louder about missionary work. “…And at that time there was A GREAT PERSECUTION against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all SCATTERED ABROAD throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles, which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:1, 5-8). Can you see what power lay within the disciples who were gathered together in Jerusalem? They just had to go! When they went, great things happened. You have no idea what will happen when you go. I speak to all pastors and men of authority in the Church. It is your duty to send men and women as missionaries into the entire world.

If you fail to do this, you are inadvertently sentencing those parts of the world to spiritual death and hell. I shudder when I imagine what it would have been like if missionaries had not sacrificed their lives for some of us to know Jesus. It is this very thought that spurs me on in my quest for world evangelism. I know that within me lies the power to teach whole nations. Jesus said we should go to the world and teach nations. By your obedience, multitudes will find peace and salvation. I think we often do not know the effect of one man's obedience. “Therefore as by the offence of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men…” (Romans 5:18). The story of the Basel Mission of Switzerland has always intrigued me. Perhaps it is because my grandparents and mother come from there. I have always been touched by the sacrifice that the Basel missionaries made for the advancement of the Gospel in Ghana.

3. THE NEED FOR MISSIONARIES

Some people thought there was no need for such an organisation to send missionaries into the world when Swiss people themselves needed Christ. This is a common argument that leads to "paralysis by analysis". I know there are people today who would say, "Why should we send missionaries to any country when there are millions of unsaved people all around in our own country?" "There is no need to go anywhere, the sinners are next door!" "It is much more economical to do evangelism in our neighbourhood!" As I said earlier, I shudder when I think of what would have happened if that argument had prevailed over the simple command of our Lord to "go". I wish to quote the argument that one such person made against the concept of missionaries being sent out from Switzerland in the nineteenth century. "Wouldn't it be strange, if a mission were sent out from Switzerland, while there is such dire need that someone comes to us in order to put an end to the rampant domestic paganism in the heads of our own nobles and commoners, smart-heads and dimwits alike?" (Excerpt translated from Schlatter, Vol. 1, p.13).

It seems there was a loaded debate as to whether people should be sent out into the mission fields of the world or not. However, some zealous members who would not be deterred set up the Basel Evangelical Missionary Society. Gradually a complete missionary organisation, with its own overseas programs was established.

You will notice from this history that the Swiss people attempted to go "into all the world". They were not distracted by the fact that there were sinners in their own cities. Jesus never said that we should go when everyone around us is saved. He just said that we should go! Notice how the Church in Switzerland sent missionaries to all parts of the world at great cost. They sent people to Russia, West Africa and Asia. One thousand eight hundred years after Christ had given his instruction, there was a need to obey and go into all the world! Today, two thousand years after Jesus gave the missionary command, I declare to you that there is still a need for us to go! We must go! If we love Him, we must feed His sheep! We must find a way of going to every single nation of this world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The example of the missionaries of old should serve as inspiration to us in this modern world. We must not just say, "Wow that was a great effort!" We must rise up and do the same and more! Let's now see how the Basel Missionaries gave up their lives as they obeyed the Great Commission

THE BASEL MISSIONARIES

1. THE BASEL MISSIONARIES IN RUSSIA

*”In 1820, two graduates were sent out to the Caucasus - an area that had been newly annexed by the Tsarist Russian empire. In these vast lands, between the Black Sea and the Caspian, there were sizeable communities of German and Swiss settlers in need of pastoral care. But there were also the hitherto little known indigenous peoples. Some of them, had already been Christianised in the early beginnings of the faith whilst others had become Muslims. It was particularly this latter group whom the Basel Missionaries tried to reach with the Gospel. However, this effort ended when the Tsar, faced with a revolt, removed the missionaries out of his empire. The Basel Mission continued to despatch missionaries to the world through other missionary societies. The feedback from these outreaches opened the eyes of their leadership to new missionary horizons, notably, West Africa, India and China. These destinations eventually became the most important targets of the Basel Mission's activities. It wasn't easy and they certainly had problems. Arguments over hierarchic subordination, questions of liturgy and issues of culture arose. However, the work progressed and other people followed the Basel Mission idea and the Bremen Mission for example, was established.

2. THE BASEL MISSIONARIES IN SIERRA LEONE

The first targets of the Basel Mission in Sub- Sahara Africa were Sierra Leone and Liberia. "These territories had been acquired by British and American philanthropists respectively with the intention to resettle freed slaves. Governmental backing had been assured in both cases. In Basel, this development was seen as a good chance for gaining a missionary foothold on the little known African Continent. News went around that a modern education system was about to be set up. Hence, teachers and pastoral workers were required. According to the thinking of the European missionary movement of that time, the 'Whiteman' had to repay an enormous moral debt because of his former trade in slaves on a . This debt could be repaid through good works. Another aspect was that some indigenous societies still persisted in hunting and selling their next of kin; they had to be freed from such conditions of moral backwardness.

'Sierra Leone' was originally the only name of the peninsula, on which the modern capital of Freetown is located. Freetown itself was founded in 1787. The ex-slaves to be resettled came from England and North America, later also from intercepted ships in the Atlantic Ocean. At that time, the hinterland of the peninsula appeared on the maps of the Europeans as nameless tribal territory. It was precisely in this part of the country, where the Basel men ultimately wanted to work: away from the European influenced coastal settlements. In January 1823, four missionaries arrived in Freetown, from where they ventured out to their individual destinations up-country. Two of the 'brothers' were accompanied by their wives. A few months later, the bachelors and the wives of the two remaining missionaries died of yellow fever, which had broken out in epidemic proportions. In no time most of the expatriate community were dead or gone.

The remaining 'brothers' and a missionary, who had arrived later, stayed back as the only Europeans in the territory. They returned to Freetown to carry on the work of the British based Church Mission Society, under whose protection they had come. A year later, the colonial administration decreed that henceforth only British nationals would be allowed in for doing missionary work. At this stage, the Committee in Basel decided to shift its focus to Liberia.

3. THE BASEL MISSIONARIES IN LIBERIA

The territory of Liberia had been dedicated as a resettlement area in 1817 by the African Colonial Society. This private organisation constituted itself in Washington, where it enjoyed governmental backing. The Society's leader, an American citizen by name of Jehudi Ashmun, was installed as the territory's first Governor. Liberia should henceforth be developed as a homeland for freed slaves from plantations in the Southern United States. In 1847, it became sub-Saharan Africa's first independent country. As can be imagined, the setting up of an American-type administration on these shores was by no means easy. At one stage in 1822, three dozens of the new colonists had to fight back about 800 natives. But a few years later, Ashmun felt comfortable enough to issue a public announcement that invited missionary societies to start work in Liberia. The call fell on ready ears in Basel. After the setback experienced in Sierra Leone it offered fresh hope.

Anxieties concerning the high health risks were brushed off with the typical confidence of those, who lay their ultimate trust in the hands of 'Him who had called them'. Inspector Blumhardt wrote in the Mission Magazine of 1827: "We would have considered it shameful to the name of Christ to close our hearts and ears to the misery and the outcries for help of these poor souls in Africa, just because we shied away from the dangers of death. Neither does the European slave trader shy away from the perils of a life-consuming climate, when he roams the same shores day and night like a predator…" As it turned out, Ashmun had painted a rather rosy picture in which "reality and wishful thinking were inextricably mixed up". Adequate housing was unavailable even in the capital, living costs prohibitively high and, worst of all, the population showed little interest in what the missionaries had to offer. The Governor himself fell seriously ill after the arrival of four Basel Mission missionaries in 1828. He soon had to be repatriated to the United States, where he died three months later. The remaining administrators did not really care about the missionary endeavour. Someone seemed to have even retained the mail coming from Basel instead of passing it on. But the proverbial 'straw that broke the camel's back' came in the guise of the hostile attitude of the American Baptist community, then the only other church organisation in Monrovia. These fellow Christians reportedly deemed it necessary to exclude the Basel 'brothers' from church service, for the sole reason that they had not been baptised in accordance with Baptist rules! This rendered the newcomers ineffective as preachers, since they had lost all credibility in the eyes of the town folks. Disgusted, the missionaries left Monrovia to set up their stations inland, just as their colleagues had previously done in Sierra Leone. They all went their own way, in order to work among the native population. Bit by bit, the group dwindled again due to death or illness. Finally, the last remaining missionary's seed money ran out, before he had managed to establish a viable economic basis as expected by the leadership in Basel. After this fiasco, the Mission Directors decided to place the next investment on more promising soil. This opened the way for the most successful chapter of Basel missionary activities in Africa: the one on the Gold Coast. But other important ventures on the Black Continent were to follow, foremost in Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo and the Sudan1. There are two important lessons to learn from the mission to Liberia.

a. Firstly, the missionaries were expected to establish a "viable economic basis".

This meant that they were to find jobs that would sustain them in ministry. This is the lay ministry in practice in the nineteenth century. People became farmers, traders and builders in order to survive as missionaries in a foreign country. You can readily see that it is not a new idea to let people work for a living as they do the work of ministry. I am constantly amazed that people want the church to bear an impossible financial burden that limits the scope and extent of its outreach work. Today, people take pride in announcing how many hundreds of people the church employs. It is as though the more people you have on your payroll, the more successful you are. Dear friend, what matters is what we are able to accomplish for the Lord. We must win the lost at any cost! If it means we have to find a job, so be it. If it means we have to be fully employed by the church, so be it!

b. The next lesson is to be learnt from the attitude of Inspector Blumhardt who thought it was a shame to close our ears to the cries of souls.

His logic was very simple. If European slave traders were prepared to risk their lives and health roaming the shores of tropical West Africa for money, then the Christian missionaries could risk their lives for the souls of men.

4. THE BASEL MISSIONARIES IN GHANA

Around 1826, the Basel Mission sought to widen its network of sponsors. Like-minded religious circles were approached, particularly in Scandinavia. These advances from Basel were first picked up in Denmark by Pastor Rönne, the Inspector of the Danish Missionary Society (DMS). Rönne had once been a tutor of the Crown Prince and enjoyed the confidence of the Danish Court. He also was eager to give the DMS a new push, as it was about to slip into a state of lethargy. An arrangement with the dynamic Basel Mission seemed to be just the right approach.

Precisely in that same year, Governor Johan von Richelieu, the Governor of the Danish station of Christiansborg on the Gold Coast (Danish sources refer to it as the 'Guinea Coast'), arrived in Copenhagen on home leave. While briefing the King, von Richelieu impressed on His Majesty the urgent need for teachers and preachers in this Danish possession. Like the other European powers, who had established themselves on the Gold Coast, Denmark pursued essentially commercial interests. Besides trading with the indigenous population and keeping invaders away from the surrounding areas, the Danish garrison exercised very little influence over the territory. The fort of Christiansborg with its Danish and mulatto population was virtually an European enclave on African soil. Seen through the eyes of its expatriate staff, a term on the Gold Coast meant privations and restrictions in many ways. Moreover, it bore a high risk of death through tropical diseases. A man would go there only for filling his pocket as fast as possible, usually by bartering guns and schnapps for gold and slaves. Under the prevailing Danish law, each colonial employee was allowed to co-habit with one native woman, who thereby acquired certain rights and privileges. This gave rise to a steadily growing mulatto population. It was for the educational and spiritual needs of these people, and of course for the benefit of the Danish garrison staff, that the Danish Government had invited the Basel missionaries to establish themselves in Christiansborg. In Basel, one had a different outlook. By missionary standards, which were notoriously strict, the level of morality at Christiansborg appeared as abysmal. The Mission Committee showed little enthusiasm for the idea of uplifting the new and so far unsettled class of people that resulted from the promiscuity of European soldiers.

In any case, the focus of the Basel missionaries was on the indigenous population, not the Europeans and their affiliations. But they were ready for a compromise, i.e. to let one of their staff serve the garrison, while the others would eventually be despatched to areas outside. An agreement was finally reached, for which both sides made concessions. The Basel Mission got the permission for inland work and in return accepted the hierarchic subordination of its missionaries under a Danish Lutheran Bishop. Otherwise, they could retain full operational autonomy. In December 1828, four missionaries arrived at Christiansborg. They were the Germans Karl F. Salbach, Gottlieb Holzwarth and Johannes Henke, and the Swiss Johannes Schmidt. Death cruelly intervened. Within a few months, three of them had already perished. Towards the end of 1831, the fourth one, Henke, also followed them into the grave. Had it not been for the slow pace of communications in the 19th century, the Mission Committee would probably have given up the whole idea. However, before the news of the last death arrived at headquarters, the Mission Board had already decided to send reinforcements.

In 1832, these arrived: Andreas Riis and Peter Jäger, from both Denmark, and Christian Friedrich Heinze, a medical doctor from Saxony. Dr Heinze was to study the situation of the extraordinary health risks that would be encountered on the Gold Coast, and come out with recommendations for preventive measures. Ironically, 'Invincible Death' summoned him first. And not long after this loss, Riis lowered Jäger into the grave. He nearly followed himself, had it not been for a native herbalist, who saw Riis through the worst convulsions. An Afro-Danish trader, Georg Lutterodt, then offered Riis his comfortable farmhouse for recovery. In 1835, Riis started building-up the Basel Mission's first inland station on the Gold Coast. It was in the town of Akropong, capital of the small Akuapem State. Riis erected his living quarters first. The house was put on a solid stone foundation and equipped with doors, windows and a functional wide roof.

Such attributes the local people had never seen before. His energetic way of taking action earned Riis the nickname of 'Osiadan', meaning the house builder (3.3.). The missionaries that followed produced similar structures. Quite a few of these can be seen to this day. Akropong eventually became the very nerve centre of the Basel Mission in Ghana. Symbolically speaking: Riis' stone-based house in Akropong had served as 'the rock on which the Basel Church was built'! Why did Riis choose Akropong for establishing his first inland mission station? For answering this question, we shall now briefly turn to the second half of the previous, 18th century.

There we discover another remarkable pioneer: the Danish citizen Dr P.E. Isert, a botanist and medical doctor, also an admirer of the Genevan philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Influenced by the latter's 'back-to nature philosophy', Isert was convinced that the damage done to African societies during the period of the transatlantic slave trade could be somewhat repaired, if one encouraged and assisted Africans in the running of their own 'plantation colonies' on indigenous soil. These lands would be reserved for ex-slaves, who were to make a living out of crops produced for overseas markets. The concept we see emerging here could in fact be the very first development project ever proposed for Africa! Isert mooted his idea in a widely sold book after he returned from an exploratory journey to the Gold Coast in 1786. For the same purpose, he later returned to the Gold Coast where he explored the plateau on the Akuapem range, about 60-km inland from Christianborg. He wrote in his memoirs that he literally had to cut his way through the bush, crossing 40 km of the Akra Plain. On the plateau, he encountered a comparatively healthy and hospitable environment. In any case, Nana Atiemo, the Paramount Chief of the State of Akuapem at the time, readily granted him land. The project seemed to take off well. A first report dated 16 January 1789, was carried by Isert himself to Christiansborg. As it turned out, this was also his last one, since he suddenly succumbed to a fever. After a few years, however, the project had to be abandoned. Nevertheless, Dr Isert's efforts were not wasted. They inspired the Basel missionaries, who arrived on the Gold Coast half a century later.

When the Basel missionaries first set foot on the Gold Coast in 1828, the territory - which later became the Republic of Ghana - had British, Danish and Dutch settlements interspersed along its shores. These settlements were essentially fortified trading posts from which the respective governors exercised some indirect control over limited tracts of land extending not too far into the densely forested coastal belt. Various kings, among whom the leader of the Asantes', the Asantehene, the most powerful, held the remainder of the territory. Throughout the 19th century, the Asante Kingdom fiercely resisted any European attempts at further colonisation. Only after the British had bought up the Danish and Dutch possessions, and henceforth could launch a cohesive campaign against the Asantes, did they manage to subdue this nation of proud warriors. At a certain moment in the long sequence of Asante Wars, a group of Basel missionaries was captured in Anum, east of the Volta River. They were brought to the kingdom's capital, Kumase, and kept there during four years as hostages, albeit under a relatively mild regime of 'town arrest' (chapter 3.9.).

Given the political situation just mentioned, and also the arrangements made with other missionary organisations concerning their respective regional priorities, the Basel Mission was for the most part of the 19th century active in the inland area between the Volta and Pra Rivers. Along the coast, the Basel people at first merely covered the Ga and Dangme speaking belt around Accra, later spreading to Winneba in the west and Ada in the east. Hence, the Basel Mission operated between the areas of the Bremen Mission which was engaged since 1847 in the core country of the Ewe, and that of the Wesleyan (Methodist) Mission, which had in 1835 established itself in Cape Coast and first tended to spread westward from there. All of these mission societies had to stay clear of the Asante Kingdom, which then spread over the main parts of the forest belt. The only exception was a Wesleyan interlude in Kumase from 1840 to about 1870. During many of these years, however, its lone representative was not allowed to be active. Only after the deportation of the incumbent Asantehene, Otumfuo Prempeh I, to Elmina Castle (and later to the Seychelles Islands, which marked the end of the Asante Wars) were Christian missions allowed into Asante. This became the high time for the Basel Mission, which methodically laid its network of mission stations over the realm. Finally, the year 1918 brought an end to the involvement of the Basel Mission in Gold Coast as an independent church organisation. At that time, the Mission was reaching out north as far as Yendi in the Savannah Belt, was approaching the border with the Ivory Coast in the western direction, and had consolidated its eastern positions along the Volta River. It thus had mission stations in an area covering about half of modern Ghana.”

It is amazing to see the extent of missionary activities carried out by white people in West Africa. Almost two hundred years ago when there was no email, telephone, fax, jet airlines, electricity or running water, people were prepared to go as far as places like Yendi in the north of Ghana! Even today, in the year 2000, you would rarely find a Ghanaian pastor eager to go to Yendi. Dear friend, the Europeans no longer believe in this Gospel, which they died for. It is the turn of the people who still have faith, to take the Gospel to every remote corner. May we go further than they did, because we have more knowledge, more revelation, more equipment and more access. May we cover more remote areas than they did! May we not fail in this God given responsibility. We must win the lost at any cost! If we have to become missionaries, so be it! If we have to die in a foreign land, so be it! "We would have considered it shameful to the name of Christ to close our hearts and ears to the misery and the outcries for help of these poor souls in Africa, just because we shied away from the dangers of death. Neither does the European slave trader shy away from the perils of a life-consuming climate, when he roams the same shores day and night like a predator…" (Inspector Blumhardt- 1826).

7. Church Expansion

Advancing the Kingdom by Church Planting

There are times when one wonders whether the church is really advancing or not. There are many activities in the church and many programmes are being held. But is the kingdom of God really marching forward or is it moving in circles? Sometimes in a large city, you see new churches springing up. Often, these new churches become the talk of the town and it looks as though God is doing something new. Everyone flocks to the church and everyone seems to take a liking to this new thing. A closer look at these new movements, however, often reveals that the new congregations are made up of people who simply migrated from another nearby church. The kingdom of God is full of carnal Christians who are always looking for something new and exciting. Many pastors get excited because they think their churches are growing and there is a revival. In reality, there is little overall growth in the kingdom of God. People are simply rotating from church to church. The kingdom of God needs to advance in reality.

Years ago, Europeans sent missionaries to Africa and Asia. Through this act of sacrifice, whole nations have been Christianized. People who were previously pagans have been converted to Christ. Let us not deceive ourselves: there are many more people in the world today. There are also many people who do not have an effective church or pastor. There is an even greater need today for real advancement of the church into unchristianized territories. When Europeans sent out missionaries two hundred years ago, there were only one billion people in the world. Today, in the year 2004, there are 6.1 billion people in the world. The secular world always complains about the ratio of doctors to the population. Does anyone complain about the ratio of pastors to the population? How many evangelists are there compared to the millions of people living today? It is essential to find ways of advancing the Kingdom of God in a real way.

1. THE KINGDOM OF GOD WILL EXPERIENCE A REAL ADVANCEMENT WHEN WE FOLLOW CHRIST'S INSTRUCTION.

Jesus' last command was to go into the world and to make disciples! “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. GO YE THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20). In this scripture, Jesus tells all of us to teach people 'the Word of God'. There is no way you can teach people unless you regularly gather them together.

2. THERE IS A NEED TO START MANY GATHERINGS OF PEOPLE IN EVERY POSSIBLE LOCATION IN ORDER THAT WE FULFIL THE GREAT COMMISSION.

A regular gathering of Christians for the purpose of teaching is called 'a church'. In other words, our Lord was telling us to go into all the world and gather people together regularly in order to teach them the word. God is in the business of creating gatherings of teachable people. God by His Spirit is raising men who will go into all parts of the world to gather people regularly to teach them His word. The more gatherings and groups there are, the more the Great Commission is being fulfilled. The more groups that are taught, the more the Great Commission is being fulfilled. These groups are the churches that are being planted by obedient servants of the Lord. Unfortunately, because most pastors are so concerned about what people think, they cannot effectively fulfil this Great Commission. We want to have one big impressive gathering for all to see! We want people to think we are great! After all, the more people there are in the congregation, the more important the pastor looks. “In the MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE is the king's honour (approval and endorsement) …” (Proverbs 14:28).

The vastness of the world and the distribution of people demands that pastors and people move away from the one congregation church to multiple gatherings in different locations. If we are really serious about obeying our Lord, then we have no choice than to obey this. Leaders must be trained. Pastors must be trained. Workers must be trained. The “superstar” mentality of the church must die. This superstar mentality wants us to have one great pastor whom everybody acknowledges and praises. We are often deceived into thinking that the pastor with the largest congregation will be the greatest in heaven. This will not be the case. The pastor who will be greatest in heaven is the most humble and childlike pastor. “At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, WHO IS THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, THE SAME IS GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN” (Matthew 18:1-4). Jesus made it very clear who was going to be the greatest in the kingdom. No one can tell your humility by the size of your congregation. In fact, pastors with small congregations are likely to be more humble (and therefore greater in heaven) than pastors with big congregations. What we need is more congregations, more churches and more fruit for our Master. Let us plant churches! “A church at every door and in every language” must be the goal of every true servant of God. A gathering at every electric pole or under every tree will make the kingdom go forward. Let's stop trying to impress people. Let's stop assessing our ministries by the size of our congregations. Let's have the gatherings. Dear church leaders, do not seek for the honour of men but for the honour (approval and endorsement) of God. “How can ye believe, which receive honour (approval and endorsement) one of another, and seek not the honour (approval and endorsement) that cometh from God only?” (John 5:44).

3. A COMBINATION OF EVANGELISM AND TEACHING FULFILS THE GREAT COMMISSION.

Evangelism and crusades are good, as they are the starting point of these teachings. Evangelists must go forth. But are they really fulfilling the Great Commission? Yes and No! YES, because they have started the process and NO, because without the teaching, which comes by establishing churches, the Great Commission will not be truly fulfilled. Simply put, THE GREAT COMMISSION IS EVANGELISM. The churches are the gatherings and these gatherings are then taught the word.

4. THERE IS A NEED TO PLANT CHURCHES IN VIRGIN TERRITORIES.

Above all, churches must be planted where the Lord directs us. Churches must be planted in the cities and in the villages. I see the need for churches to be planted in virgin territories. Most of us concentrate on areas where things are already working. But I tell you, there are many untouched areas where God has called us to. The passion and the commitment to soul winning and church planting must come back into the church and we must sacrifice our young men for this. Pastors must be concerned that Islam is taking over large sections of Africa and the world, as the church looks on unconcerned. Moslems are sacrificial and do not mind going to the furthermost towns and villages of many nations. Meanwhile the Christians, who have been commanded to go to the uttermost parts of the earth, are sitting in the nearest and most convenient cities of the world! But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and UNTO THE NEAREST, MOST CONVENIENT AND PROSPEROUS CITIES OF THE WORLD! (Which Bible is this?)

THE MINDSET OF CHURCH PLANTERS

“Let this mind be in you, …” (Philippians 2:5). Christ had a way of thinking which made Him do the things He did. 'This verse teaches us to think in the same way that Christ thought'. This is what 'let this mind be in you' means. It is only when your mind works in a particular way that you can accomplish the will of God. I am writing about how your mind must work if you are to become a church planter. Without this foundation, no one will advance into the very difficult task of church planting. The following chapters are basically educating you on the importance of the doctrine of church planting. You will be prompted and your ministry will be inspired to engage in the last great apostolic church planting movement.

1. UNDERSTAND THAT GOD IS MONITORING YOUR WORKS.

Dear friends, your works on earth are being monitored. God is going to require from you an answer concerning what He has put in you. He is going to ask you what you have done with His gifts. God is going to require from you things He has given to you. He will enquire of your works! It is interesting that in the seven letters written to the seven churches, one phrase was repeated over and over - I know thy works. Which works are these? Whatever these are, it must be important for every church to have these works fully in place. Notice the following verses: “I KNOW THY WORKS, and thy labour, and thy patience, 'and how thou canst not bear them, which are evil:' and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars” (Revelation 2:2).

“I KNOW THY WORKS, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan” (Revelation 2:9). “I KNOW THY WORKS, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth” (Revelation 2:13). “I KNOW THY WORKS, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first” (Revelation 2:19).

“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I KNOW THY WORKS, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead” (Revelation 3:1). “I KNOW THY WORKS: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name” (Revelation 3:8). “God did not say, “I know thy houses and thy cars”. He did not say; “I know thy Mercedes Benz” He said; “I know thy works!” He did not say; “'I know thy degrees.” He did not say; “I know thy father and thy mother.” He said, “I know thy works!”

2. CHURCH PLANTING IS THE KEY TO GOING ALL THE WAY WITH GOD. ”For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it” (Mark 8:35). In 1985, I took a decision to go all the way with God. I had just finished a very difficult medical school exam. In my opinion, I just scraped through that exam. As I thought of the effort I had put into the exam, and the extra work I had done, I felt in my heart that it was not worth it at all. Why should I suffer so much for medicine? Why should I give my life for such a cause? I vowed that from then on, my priority would be the work of God. Initially I thought that God was the number one person in my life. I was a very serious Christian leader but I did not realize that God's work was not my number one priority. From that time on, I determined that I had one purpose and that was to do the work of God! All other things became side issues. This was truly a turning point in my life. From then on, my number one goal was God and the ministry. The Medical School had taken its rightful place as number two or three in my heart. That was probably the time that I entered into full time ministry. It is interesting to note that after taking that decision, I began to excel in the Medical School. I had a distinction and I won prizes! To my amazement, I topped my class. My heart was far away from any medical ambitions, yet I was receiving medical laurels. Isn't it amazing that the things you give up are the same things that God gives back to you?

“It takes faith to walk with God. The opposite of what I expected had happened. This is what it is like to walk with God. He that loses his life will gain it! He that preserves his life will lose it. There will never be a time when you will not need faith. We will always have to believe.”' From that time until now, I have been fully plugged into the ministry. Shortly after that period, I planted my first church, which I am still pastoring. Since then I have been involved in planting over 400 churches. I once made a covenant with the Lord that I would plant at least one thousand churches in Ghana alone. I always pray that God will give me grace to fulfill this covenant. I am going all the way! I am not holding back anymore. Let His will be done in my life! In 1989, I qualified as a medical doctor. By April 1990, I had finished my housemanship. All my medical mates were on their way to foreign countries. It was quite clear to me that the Lord was asking me to stay in Ghana. There were just a few people in the church but I decided to stay with it. I knew that I had condemned myself to a life of poverty. I talked to my wife and she agreed. She supported me all the way. I knew I would never have a house or anything like that. I just knew it. However, I said, 'Lord, I love you with all my heart, I will do it. I entrust myself to you.' Many years have gone by and it's been worth it all. He said, 'seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added onto you'. “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it” (Luke 9:24).

3. YOU ARE EXPECTED TO ACCOMPLISH CERTAIN WORKS WHILST ON EARTH.

”For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10). God has good works for you to do. That is why you are alive in the first place. Make no mistake, the only reason why you are still alive, is to accomplish certain good works. I was once with a certain English man who was giving me a ride in his taxi. I asked him if he believed in God. He said he did not believe in God and wondered if I believed in such things. I told him that I did believe in God. Then he asked if I believed in heaven and hell. I told him, “I certainly do”. He asked again, "Do you believe that heaven is a good place?" I answered, "Heaven is a wonderful place and we are all looking forward to going there one day." He continued, "Do you think that life in heaven will be better than life on earth?" "I'm sure it will be," I responded. Then he asked a question that I have never forgotten. He said, "If indeed heaven is better than this earth, why don't you all just kill yourselves and go to heaven right away?" Before I could answer that question, we had arrived at our destination and I had to get down. As I went along, I pondered over the question that this man had asked me. It seemed to make a lot of sense: Why not go to heaven right now if it is such a great place? But God's word shows us why we must still stay on the earth - we are here to do good works. We are ordained to do certain good works on this earth! We cannot leave until we have finished our work on earth.

One day Kenneth Hagin had an experience in which he died physically. As his spirit ascended out of his body, he heard a voice saying, 'go back, go back, you have not finished your work on earth.' His spirit returned to his body and he lived for many more years, accomplishing the good works that God had called him to do. Another reason why we do not kill ourselves is because it is a crime to kill yourself. It is against the law and it is against God's will.

4. WISDOM IS TO BE MINDFUL OF HEAVEN AND CONSCIOUS OF APPROACHING ETERNITY.

Once, one of my pastors came to the office to say good-bye to me. He wanted me to pray for him. He was going out as a missionary to a foreign country. As he sat next to me, the Spirit of the Lord came upon me and I spoke to him under the anointing. I said, “Always think like a dying man and you will be a wise man. Think about your soon arrival in heaven and you will be wise.” You see, when people are on their deathbeds, they think differently from people who are not thinking of the realities of heaven and hell. I remember talking to my wife. I asked her, 'What do you think God will say to me when I arrive in heaven?' I don't remember the answer she gave me but this is something that bothers me all the time. Is heaven happy with me? Is God pleased with me? What will Jesus say to me on the day I see him face to face? Unfortunately, most of us are just thinking about earthly things - money, cars, visas, power, influence and the honour of men. These thinking patterns are not wisdom. If you die without doing His works, you will be a fool on the day of your death. Don't be deceived; your time on earth is limited. After today, you will have one less day of opportunity. The houses you are building and the things you are acquiring have no real value. Jesus said, “Do not pile up things on earth.” Why did He say so? Is Jesus against us having nice things? Certainly not! He was giving us the highest kind of wisdom - to live with eternity in mind and to believe in the resurrection. The more eternity conscious we are, the wiser we will be! Do a little calculation right now; how many more years will you live on earth after reading this textbook.

Compare this with the many years you will spend in eternity. “My father once told me that the way I spend the first twenty-five years of my life would determine how I would spend the next forty-five years of my life. By the age of twenty-five, I was a medical doctor and a pastor. My first twenty-five years have truly affected the years that have followed.” However, I have an even higher piece of wisdom for you: “The way you spend your seventy years on earth will determine how you will spend millions of years in eternity.” Don't be like the rich young fool who thought that life was only an earthly life. He was planning various things when the Lord said to him, "Thou fool, tonight I require thy soul from thee". That very night, the Lord called him up to heaven in spite of his earthly plans. God knows the day He is going to call you to account. Get ready with your works. I know thy works!

5. YOU WERE CREATED TO BE MORE THAN A GOOD PERSON IN THE SOCIETY.

We were not created so that we would just be “good” people. We were created to do certain good works. These good works were ordained by God and not by you. In other words, God has already determined the works that you are supposed to do. No one can do anything to impress God. Your goodness, your morality, your uprightness and your perfection will not impress God. To please God is to do what He says you should do. After eating of the Tree of Good and Evil, men have become obsessed with what they see as “good or evil”. Obeying God is what is right for us to do. Doing good things, moral things and upright things are not necessarily pleasing to God. When Satan approached Jesus in the wilderness, he suggested some “good things” for Jesus to do. Jesus was asked to use God's power to turn stones into bread but He did not. He was also asked to protect Himself with God's power but He did not. These are all “good things” but Jesus did not do them. He knew that the right thing to do was to obey God. The devil also asks people to do “good things” but there is always a hidden agenda. As soon as you step out of God's commands, you are in sin even though you may be involved in a “good thing”.

A. Biblical Definition of Sin Let me help you with a definition of sin.

“Anomia” is a Greek word, which means to reject the law, the will and the way of God. How sad it is that we often think we know better than God. “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4). From this Scripture, we see that transgression of the law is sin. The word “transgression” is translated from the Greek word “anomia”. This means “one who acts contrary to the law.” Vine's dictionary declares that this verse gives the real meaning of sin. Sin is not necessarily doing something evil. It may surprise you to know that doing a good thing, which is not God's will, is sin. As I said earlier, there were many good things that Jesus simply would not do. Jesus could have gone on living longer but He accepted His father's will to die on the cross at the age of thirty-three. Would it not have been a good thing for Jesus to have travelled all over the world preaching until He was eighty years old? There are many sick people that Jesus did not heal. Why didn't Jesus heal them? Was it not a good thing to heal the sick?

At this point, we need to understand the essential definition of sin. SIN IS THE REJECTION OF GOD'S WILL. SIN IS THE REFUSAL TO ACCEPT GOD'S PLAN AND GOD'S WILL. It is the substitution of your plans for God's plans. Sin is the substitution of your wisdom for God's wisdom! That is what “anomia” means. Vine goes on to say, "This definition of sin sets forth its essential character as the rejection of the law, or will, of God and the substitution of the will of self". Years ago, I remember telling God about my plans to serve Him. I decided that I would go into the secular world to earn a lot of money to support the work of God. I told God that I would be a high-income earner who would contribute thousands of dollars to the kingdom. I am not the only one who has had this idea. I have met countless people who have expressed similar ambitions. It is amazing that very few, if any at all of these people actually do bring a lot of money to the kingdom. I am a full time pastor so I know what people do. Most of the rich people I know do not contribute much to the kingdom. In fact, you virtually have to plead with them to cough up a few of their gold coins. Can I be honest with you? I think that, if I had gone on that route (which would have been my way instead of God's way) I would have given very little money to the kingdom. I think I would have probably criticized pastors and churches for the way they use money. Mercy Lord! You see, God knows more than we do and when God called me to full time ministry, He knew what He was doing. I remember clearly at the end of 1990 the Lord asked me to stop every other activity and be a full time ministry worker. My way would have been to give God some money to keep Him quiet. Forgive! I didn't know about my future ministry. I would have forsaken the ministry and the rewards He had called me to.

B. God requires total commitment

I once met a man whose thumb had been cut off in a factory accident. He showed it to some friends as I looked on with interest. He related what happened and told us how much compensation he was paid for his thumb. With mixed feelings, he stated that he had been paid eight thousand pounds sterling for his thumb. At that time, I had only one pound in my account and I thought to myself, "What a lucky man". Years later, the Lord reminded me of this man's thumb and asked me to do a calculation: "If this man was paid eight thousand pounds for just his thumb, how much would two thumbs cost?"

I said; "Sixteen thousand pounds."

Then he asked me; "How much would five fingers cost?"

I said, "Lord about forty thousand pounds."

He continued; "How much would ten fingers cost?"

I answered; "Eighty thousand pounds"

“Then the Lord asked me; "How much would an arm cost?"

I answered; "A lot of money."

"What about a leg, a kidney, a heart and a brain?"

"I am not sure."

Finally, he asked me, "How much would your whole body cost?"

I said, "Millions."

The Lord showed me that no matter how much money I contributed to the kingdom, it would never be up to the value of giving my whole body, spirit and soul to His work. In my limited understanding, I thought that giving a lot of money to God was just as good as giving my whole self to Him.

6. THE REASON FOR YOUR SALVATION IS THE GOOD WORKS.

We often only preach about money and we teach people how to be successful. However, our salvation was and is for a purpose. The Bible says we were saved by grace through faith and that it is not of ourselves but it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). “We are his workmanship created for good works which God has before ordained that we (Christians) should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10.) This is why we are still alive. There are good works for us to do! One of these good works is the planting of churches. We need to go to the villages and to the towns to preach. God wants people who will go with His message. God is looking for church planters. These good works are the reason why God gave us a new life in Him. It is so that we would live for Him and do His purposes. Your works are very important to God. This is the reason for our salvation. “I know thy works!"

7. DOING THE WORK HELPS YOU OVERCOME YOUR PERSONAL PROBLEMS. When people preach and teach it does not mean that they do not have problems. As we minister the Word of God, these problems become smaller. Instead of us focusing on our difficulties, we must lift up our eyes unto the Lord of the harvest and look at what lies before us. Let us stretch out and reach the unchurched people of our day. God has never used perfect people who have no problems. Noah had a drinking problem but God used him. Abraham had serious marital problems, but God used him. Rahab, the harlot had moral problems but God used her. The fact that God will use you does not mean that you have no problems of your own!

We have “this treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Corinthians 4: 7). God's glory and anointing is not in heavenly or angelic vessels, but in earthly vessels. I have always ministered in spite of my personal problems. There are times I have had financial problems, but I did the work of God. There are times I had marital problems, but I did the work of God. There are times I have been sick, and had to be operated upon by surgeons but I still did the work of God. People look at me and assume that I have never had any problems. Perhaps I even have more problems than the average person. But doing the work of God makes it seem as if I have no problems. “But we have THIS TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). Every earthen vessel that the Lord uses is plagued with personal problems. He ministers in spite of these and not because his life is perfect. The good news is that as you focus on the work of God, your personal problems diminish and the excellency of the power of God becomes manifest.

8. THE STRENGTH OF A CHURCH IS MEASURED BY ITS SENDING CAPACITY. The strength of a church is traditionally measured by its seating capacity. The more people the church seats, the greater it is perceived to be. However, the church was born as a sending church. Is your church sending people out? Pastors like to boast about who comes to their churches. They drop names and say 'The Minister of the Sun, Moon and Stars comes to my first service. The Deputy Minister for Financial Corruption is on my finance committee.' Rarely do pastors speak of the people they have sent forth as missionaries. Notice how the New Testament churches operated. “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, THE HOLY GHOST SAID, SEPARATE ME BARNABAS AND SAUL FOR THE WORK WHEREUNTO I HAVE CALLED THEM. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus” (Acts 13:1,2,4).

9. DOING THE WORKS CAUSES YOU TO OVERCOME THE ZILCH OF LIFE. “Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. Yea, I hated all my labour, which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed, myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity. Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:17- 20). One of the words Solomon used many times was the word vanity. Solomon discovered after acquiring everything that everything was vanity. God gave him things many human beings could only ever imagine. King Solomon discovered that each and everything was worthless and empty. He said, “Vanity of vanities all is vanity” Everything is useless.

Everything is useless in the context that Solomon was writing; which was the context of 'under the sun.' 'Under the sun' is a commonly used phrase in the book of Ecclesiastes. Under the sun refers to our earthly existence under the influence of the physical sun - Zilch. The earthly existence that we have is useless. That is the reality. Pastors are supposed to teach and preach the truth. We need to be oriented toward heaven and oriented toward the day of our judgment. A church planter is someone who operates by this wisdom. Planting of churches is not vanity because it will bring us an eternal reward.

10. YOUR WORKS WILL FOLLOW YOU INTO HEAVEN.

When you die, nothing goes with you. I have conducted many funerals. I have stood over the coffins of people that I have known and loved on this earth. I have buried people and put them into the ground. I have seen it repeatedly. No one takes anything out of this world. Cars remain behind, houses remain behind and money remains behind. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; AND THEIR WORKS DO FOLLOW THEM” (Revelation 14:13).

Nothing except your works will follow you when you leave this world. You have to get involved with the work of God. You must plant a church in your lifetime. You have to get involved in your church. God only gives you an opportunity to be involved in His work. God does not need you. He does not need me. He does not even need pastors. If pastors were so important, they would not die. Nobody is of any relevance and significance to God. God's mercy allows us to be involved in His work. Our inclusion in the work is God's mercy towards us!

11. YOU WILL AVOID BECOMING CRITICAL BY PLANTING CHURCHES.

It is better to participate than to be an observer. Observers often become critical of everything. After being idle for some time, you begin to see all the faults in your church. You will notice the pastor's mistakes when he preaches. You will notice his mistakes when he quotes scriptures. You will notice when the anointing is not as strong as it usually is. Before long, you will be familiar with all the shortcomings of your church. You will eventually fall into criticism and become faultfinding. Demons will find in you a haven.

12. PLANT A CHURCH BECAUSE THERE IS A TIME WHEN GOD EXPECTS YOU TO BE A TEACHER.

There comes a time when you should be a teacher of the Word of God. You should teach people, you should give something. “FOR WHEN FOR THE TIME YE OUGHT TO BE TEACHERS, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat” (Hebrews 5:12). There is a time when you must become a teacher. If you do not become a teacher when you are supposed to, there is something wrong with your spiritual development. One day we went preaching and there was a young woman in the group who I asked to preach at an open-air dawn broadcast. She said: "I don't know how to preach. I have never preached before, I don't know enough of the Bible." Then I told her, "You can preach." I told her to repeat everything I said to her. Before long, she was preaching. She preached a whole sermon that morning. She is still serving the Lord today. You will be surprised at what you can do if you only try.

Chapter 8

The Work of Church Planters

Church Planting and God’s Judgement

“Let this mind be in you… For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10). The Bible makes it clear that our works do not save us. We are not going to heaven because of our good works. Neither are we saved from hell because of our good works. We are saved by grace. Our salvation is from the Lord. You cannot do anything to earn salvation. You cannot be good enough to qualify for heaven! Our best is not good enough. Works cannot and will never qualify us for heaven.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness’s are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6). Notice however that the portion of Ephesians that talks about “salvation not by works' is the same that talks about our being 'created for good works.” This means that after we are saved, we get into the good works that Christ has prepared for us. Many Christians relax because they know that they are saved by grace and not by works. They feel that they are already destined to go to heaven. All we have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the ride to heaven. Thank God for the ride to heaven. But upon arrival, questions are going to be asked! "Did you do the things I asked you to do? Did you do the good works that I ordained for you?" Jesus will ask.

THE JUDGEMENT OF GOD

God is not going to judge us the way He will judge the rest of the world. He has prepared an extra judgment for believers. The Bible talks about two different thrones of judgment. The White Throne will be the place of judgment for the world. Christians will be judged at a different seat called the Judgment Seat of Christ. The White Throne is the supreme court of heaven. This is where the decision to admit you to heaven or not will be taken. But there is another judgment seat for believers.

1. THE WHITE THRONE

“And I saw A GREAT WHITE THRONE, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; AND THE BOOKS WERE OPENED: AND ANOTHER BOOK WAS OPENED, WHICH IS THE BOOK OF LIFE: and the dead were judged out of those things, which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works” (Revelation 20:11-13). The Book of Life and the book of works It is essential that your name be in the all-important Book of Life. This determines whether you will enter into heaven at all. But the scripture shows us that there are books that also have the records of all the works we do. This is the book of works! This book will be opened. It contains records of our works. It will show the records of churches that have been planted. The dead will be judged out of these books according to their works.

2. THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST

“Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” ( 2 Corinthians 5:9,10). Believers are going to receive judgment for what they do in their bodies. We must work the works of Jesus. The things we treasure are going to lose value in the moment of death. Everything that has been gathered and accumulated will become a mountain of foolishness. Our accumulated wealth, houses, degrees, clothes and shoes, will stand as testimonies to our faithlessness. We never believed in the resurrection! We never believed that we would resurrect and live again in eternity. Our accumulated perishables will witness against us in that day. They will speak to heaven and declare “he was faithless. He did not obey you. He did not believe, his heart was on the treasures of this world!” One day you will wake up and find that you are in heaven. On that day, what will you have in your hand? Baskets of fruits for the glory of God, or mountains of foolishness that testify against you? Dear friend only one thing follows you to heaven - your good works. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and THEIR WORKS DO FOLLOW THEM” (Revelation 14:13).

Many years ago in 1982, I was in medical school. I remember going for my first Anatomy lecture. There was so much to write. We wrote down a lot of notes. As the professor continued lecturing, I began to wonder whether I was expected to write everything. I asked myself, “Are all these things important?” The lecturer continued his extensive and detailed lecture on the Introduction to Anatomy. He taught us different anatomical terms like “pronation, supination, external rotation, internal rotation,” etc. My notes that day almost filled my notebook. During the class, I asked a friend, "Caroline, do you think we are in the right place?" She said, "No, I don't think so." She told me she was thinking of leaving the school and I said I was also thinking of quitting. We could not imagine seven years of this torture. I thought seven years would never come to an end. We could not wait for seven years: it was too long! But gradually the years came to pass and we finished school. The seven years I thought would never come, have come and gone. Now it's been twenty-two years since I went to medical school. It's twenty-two years since I asked that question.

The point I am trying to make is that eternity, which seems so far, will soon be on us. I thought seven years would never come by. Some of us think eternity will never arrive. We do not believe in the phase two of our lives. We do not believe in phase two of our lives. Our time on earth is short and very soon we will all be in heaven. We will wonder why we thought we would live on earth forever!

THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM AND CHURCH PLANTING

There were two churches worth taking note of in the New Testament, the Jerusalem Church and the Antioch Church.

Characteristics of the Jerusalem Church

1. THE JERUSALEM CHURCH WAS THE FIRST CHURCH.

2. THE IMPORTANT PEOPLE WERE BASED IN THE JERUSALEM CHURCH. EVEN THE APOSTLES WERE BASED IN THIS CHURCH.

3. THEY WERE THE CHURCH THAT HAD FIRST HAND INSTRUCTIONS FROM JESUS TO GO INTO THE ENTIRE WORLD.

4. THEY WERE A VERY PROSPEROUS AND FLOURISHING CHURCH.

“Neither was there ANY AMONG THEM THAT LACKED: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need” (Acts 4:34,35).

5. THERE WAS GREAT GROWTH IN THE CHURCH.

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were ADDED UNTO THEM ABOUT THREE THOUSAND SOULS” (Acts 2:41).

6. THERE WAS GREAT UNITY IN THE CHURCH.

“And all that believed WERE TOGETHER, and had all things common” (Acts 2:44).

7. GOD GAVE THEM VICTORY OVER EVERY PROBLEM AND DIFFICULTY THEY ENCOUNTERED.

For example, Peter and John were released from the custody of the chief priest and elders. They miraculously escaped from jail by angelic intervention. “Then the high priest rose up, and …laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth…” (Acts 5:17-19).

8. THE POWER OF GOD WAS GREATLY MANIFESTED IN THE CHURCH.

In the book of Acts, people who lied to the pastors died instantly. “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, … Ananias hearing these words FELL DOWN, AND GAVE UP THE GHOST: and great fear came on all them that heard these things” (Acts 5:3,5).

9. UNLIKE MANY CHURCHES TODAY, THEY CARED FOR THE POOR.

“… and distribution was made unto EVERY MAN ACCORDING AS HE HAD NEED” (Acts 4:35).

10. BUT THEY DID NOT OBEY THE INSTRUCTION OF CHURCH PLANTING UNTIL CATASTROPHE STRUCK.

“… at that time there was a GREAT PERSECUTION against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all SCATTERED ABROAD throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles” (Acts 8:1). Perhaps all their good characteristics clouded out the reality that they were a disobedient church. When one of the most promising young pastors, probably tipped to be Peter's successor, died suddenly, they sat up. What a blow this must have been to the Jerusalem church! Everything was going perfectly until this happened. Every problem had so far worked together for good. Somehow, every challenge had been overcome by the power of God - until this one. Suddenly, they had a dead pastor on their hands. “And they stoned Stephen calling upon God…” (Acts 7:59). This marked a turning point in the life of the Jerusalem Church. While the church was reeling under this blow, the secular world stepped up their persecution. “…And at that time, there was A GREAT PERSECUTION against the church that was at Jerusalem …” (Acts 8:10).

It was this persecution that made the church finally obey God. It is easy to be deceived by peace and apparent success. After all Bible said, “…when they say peace, peace, then sudden destruction will come upon them…” (1 Thessalonians 5:3). We are not to be led by circumstances or apparent prosperity. These are not indicators of God's blessing. If peace and prosperity were the hallmarks of God's blessing then the Apostle Paul was the greatest sinner because he suffered so much. Notice how many problems he had in his ministry. “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness” (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Notice Paul's philosophy of life. It is only through tribulation that we will enter the kingdom of God. “…WE MUST THROUGH MUCH TRIBULATION ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD” (Acts 14:22).

A Personal Experience of God’s Judgement

Years ago, I had a terrible experience in my ministry. Within one year, three of my pastors died mysteriously. The first one died on the evening of Friday, 27 October 2000. I had a call from his wife that her husband was ill and in the clinic. Within an hour, I had another call on my mobile phone from one of my doctor pastors. She said, "Bishop, Pastor Charles is dead." I said to her, "Do you understand what you are saying?" I remember exactly where I was when I got this call. I couldn't believe my ears. He was a perfectly normal person. He had even had lunch in my house the day before. I drove straight to the clinic and there I saw his wife of only seven months in tears, sitting outside the ward. She was scared and did not even know what had happened. As I walked into the room, I saw for the first time, one of my own sons in the ministry, a promising young man, just 27 years old, lying dead on the bed.

That was one of the most pitiful and saddest nights of my life. As I watched his wife weep over her husband's dead body, I wondered what we had done to deserve this. At his funeral, we encouraged ourselves in the Lord and tried to reassure his wife. I didn't know that within a year I would be back in the business of burying pastors and comforting their widows. Two weeks later, I had another call telling me that one of my pastors was very ill. Initially, he was being treated at a private hospital but we moved him to the intensive care unit of a bigger hospital. I remember battling for his life and running around from place to place, trying to get various doctors to attend to him. I ran around with blood samples trying to save his life. It was all to no avail. Within a few days, he lost consciousness and I eventually had a phone call from the hospital - another Pastor Charles was dead. My heart sunk and depression set in. All strength was gone as I walked home. Another promising young pastor was dead leaving behind a widow with little children. I thought it was all over, but a few months later, whilst in South Africa ministering, I had a phone call. I had just walked into my hotel room in Pretoria when my Senior Associate Pastor called me from Ghana. He said. "Pastor Fleischer is dead." I stuttered; "What…. How… When…?" By this time, I knew there was something wrong. You see, in a sense, we were just like the Jerusalem church. Many of the characteristics of the Jerusalem Church could be found in our church. We were blessed, growing, prosperous, powerful, and as they say 'we had it going on.' It was this event that finally brought my attention to God's plan of church planting for my life.

Do not misunderstand me. God had already used me to establish over two hundred churches. We were into church planting but I had become comfortable with what we had already achieved. I was scared of moving into new territories. I was not so willing to send people anywhere. I had changed, I had backslidden, and I did not even know it. I was a fearful General, afraid to say to one, “go and he goeth.” I could not bear to send these prosperous pastors and workers to areas that desperately needed churches. My considerations were now different. The “Jerusalem prosperity” had gotten into my head and into my heart. I was thinking of the kind of life people would have in some of these towns and villages. What schools would their children go to? Would these young men ever have enough money to build houses or buy cars?

The Lord asked me, whether those were the considerations, I made when I was entering the ministry. The Lord asked me whether our church would be where it is today if considerations of personal well- being and comfort were what had guided us. I knew in my heart that I had backslidden. Many people think it is hard to be sent. But it is even more challenging to be the one to send people into what may be poverty and death. But I am determined to go all out and not to restrain myself again when it comes to church planting. I hear the voice of the spirit saying, 'send, send, send.'

One time the Lord rebuked me. He said I was training many people but I was not sending them out. He showed me that I needed to balance my training with my sending. The Jerusalem Church eventually became a church planting ministry but through great difficulty. “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time THERE WAS A GREAT PERSECUTION against the church, which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. Therefore they that WERE SCATTERED ABROAD went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:1,4).

THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH AND CHURCH PLANTING

“Now there were in the CHURCH THAT WAS AT ANTIOCH certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus” (Acts 13:1-4).

Characteristics of the Antioch Church

1. THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH BECAME THE MOST IMPORTANT CHURCH.

In The New Testament. Some disciples from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch and started a church there. Initially Antioch was just an offshoot of the ministry in Jerusalem. “Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only” (Acts 11:19).

2. IT WAS IN THE ANTIOCH CHURCH THAT BELIEVERS WERE FIRST CALLED “CHRISTIANS”.

“And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were CALLED CHRISTIANS FIRST IN ANTIOCH” (Acts 11:26).

3. THE FIRST RECORDED REVIVAL TOOK PLACE IN ANTIOCH.

Because of this Revival, Barnabas was sent to help. The Church in Jerusalem heard of what God was doing in Antioch and were happy to release Barnabas for the Antioch work. “Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch” (Acts 11:22).

4. BARNABAS DECIDED TO GET PAUL TO JOIN.

5. THE APOSTLE PAUL MADE THE ANTIOCH CHURCH HIS HOME CHURCH. He probably felt more at home in the “Antioch Chapel International” Than In “Jerusalem Christian Centre”.

6. THERE WERE MANY PROPHETS AND MISSIONARY-MINDED PEOPLE IN ANTIOCH.

The Jerusalem church was not so keen on outreaches and missionary work. “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul” (Acts 13:1).

7. THE ANTIOCH CHURCH OBEYED THE VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WITHOUT DELAY.

They boldly sent out their best apostles as missionaries to plant churches. “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, THE HOLY GHOST SAID, SEPARATE ME BARNABAS AND SAUL for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2). Paul and Barnabas did not see much power when they were in Antioch. It was when they moved out that they experienced signs and wonders. The miracles we read about in the book of Acts are the miracles that happened when Paul and Barnabas were out planting churches. The great difference between the Antioch Church and the Jerusalem Church was in their response to the command of Jesus. The Antioch Church heard exactly the same command to plant churches as the Jerusalem Church did. May we follow the example of the Antioch Church. May we promptly obey the instruction to plant churches. There is no need to wait for persecution and trouble before we get involved in church planting.

Chapter 9

Fruitfulness and Missions

The Importance of Bearing Fruit in The Kingdom

My father was a prominent lawyer and politician. He also owned a number of racehorses and a hotel. So you see, he was more or less regarded as a "big" man in society. When I became born again, I would often speak at length to him about Christ. But the more I tried, the more I failed. In fact, as a young raw student, I realized I was nowhere near his calibre, not to mention the age difference of about thirty years. So he said to me, "Listen, son, if you want me to receive your message, you better go get adoctorate in Theology from Trinity College (a Bible College), then come again." And that was that. When my father spoke, it was final. I do not recall seeing any born-again Christians who were politicians and lawyers ever speak to him about Jesus. However, when those of his colleagues who were Freemasons came after him, he accepted their message and became a Freemason.

It was not until the Lord showed me some Scriptures in the Bible, that I understood why my father had not been able to receive the Gospel from me. “And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, [mark those words] cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind;...and God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:24,25). The Word of God teaches us here that every living thing is supposed to bring forth after its kind. Which means that you are expected to give birth to something, which is just like yourself. Why is this the case? Because that is the natural order, God has set on the earth! So if you are a frog, God expects you to give birth to frogs, and not to apes. I believe that is the reason why I failed to influence my father. Even nature shows that it is almost impossible to bring forth something that is not like yourself.

1. THE BEST PERSON TO MINISTER TO YOU IS SOMEONE OF YOUR OWN KIND.

We all differ in many respects. We are not the same. You may come from a certain background or speak a different language. But God can use you to minister to your kind, because you are the one who can easily relate to that particular category of people. Women are good at ministering to women, and elderly men find it easier to relate to other elderly people. Such people are more likely to succeed in putting across their ideas, because they are on level ground. Usually, it is only another businessman who can handle the objections of a stubborn businessman and tell him, "Are both of us not businessmen? And what do you have that I do not? I am also a very busy person, but I tell you, it is time to make Jesus your Lord and Saviour." Or a student could tell his mates, "Hey look, are we not in the same class? Remember that I also have exams to write, but I still find time to worship the Lord and get distinctions. Jesus is coming soon, man. Don't be left out."

Are you a banker, a secretary or a farmer? Whatever kind of person you are, you have the ability to positively influence the people of your kind. If you are a businessman then reach out with the Gospel to other businessmen, because you are best at bringing forth your own kind. The same goes for market women, mechanics, rich men, etc. There are people who will only respond to someone they have something in common with: age group, profession, language, social class, etc. That is why the churches in my country, Ghana are pastored by Ghanaians, and not by the British or the Swiss. Because a local pastor finds it easier to relate to his own people. Now, what does it mean to bring forth?

2. THROUGH OUR CHRISTIAN ACTIVITIES OTHER CHRISTIANS WILL BE BORN INTO GOD’S KINGDOM.

“For in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel” (I Corinthians 4:15). Paul is saying here, "By leading you to Christ through the Gospel, I have given birth to you spiritually. Through my activities, I have caused you to exist in Christ." Do you realize that we're existing because of the activities of our parents? Now through your Christian activities, other Christians who are just like you will be born into God's Kingdom. Take for example, the Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship International. You will notice that most of their members are professionals in their forties and fifties. Their converts are also people in that age group. One reason why they are still thriving is their application of God's principle of bringing forth after their own kind. They reach out to people who are just like them. Have you noticed that even beasts bring forth their own kind? That's how animals multiply. And that is how churches grow. When we stop reproducing after our kind, our numbers decrease and we begin to die out. I can say that I am bringing forth a lot of doctors like myself, who are becoming pastors. In our church today, there are many of such people. These are my spiritual children, having been born due to my personal outreach towards my type. As a result, I am not the only person of my kind in the church. There are others just like me.

Today millions of Christians carry on through life looking and praying for material things. We are not concerned about the Lord's commandment to bear fruit spiritually. So we walk through life like trees without fruits. Like women who are unable to bear children, we have nothing to show for our Christianity. But children are so important that people are not likely to marry if they realize they will not be able to have them. Even loving husbands and wives are likely to seek other partners if they realize their union cannot produce children. In Africa, it is generally considered a disgrace for women to be childless. It is a known fact that some desperate women have extramarital affairs, and pretend the pregnancy was caused by their sterile husbands (until the baby is born with Chinese eyes, everybody believes it)! As you can see, being childless seems to be a big problem in our society. But God looks down from Heaven and sees that there is a far more serious problem than that: The problem of not having spiritual children!

REASONS WHYYOU SHOULD BEAR FRUIT

1. THE FIRST REASON WHY YOU MUST BEAR FRUIT IS TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE TRULY BORN AGAIN.

Oh, I know that you pray aloud and sing the praise songs like everybody else. Some of you are the best dancers and so on. But I have come to realize that all church members are not necessarily Christians. It is unfortunate, but many who go to church are not born again, and do not even know God. Some years ago, we had a patient in the gynaecology department of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana, where I was working. This woman was in her early twenties, but had never been able to have her period. Now, as a doctor I knew that this was abnormal. When she was medically investigated and examined, we discovered that this "woman" was really a man! We found "her" to have male reproductive organs. Which explained why "she" was unable to have her period. So in spite of what "she" looked like on the outside, "she" could never bear children; "she" was not a real woman-"she" was a "he"! That is why some people cannot bear fruit because they are not real Christians. They are not genuine. They are like some shops in town, which are supposed to be boutiques and spare parts shops. Yet, they never seem to be open for business. Each day they claim to be "taking stock", but that is only a front for the cocaine business going on at the back. Be careful, some people are not really, what they claim to be. So, how can I tell whether you are a real Christian or not? Well, that is very simple: “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20). We can distinguish genuine Christians from counterfeit Christians by looking at their fruit! I can tell when I see you bringing forth other believers like yourself to the Lord. (Other students, businessmen, housewives, or whatever).

If, by your spiritual activity, others just like you are brought to the Lord and discipled, then this fruit you are bearing shows you are for real! But if you have no converts to show for your Christianity, then there must be something missing. You are not genuine. You are just an attendee. No wonder some so-called Christians are not even interested in the Bible or the things of God. Their only response to the pastor's sermon is one big yawn! Today, many people come to church for reasons other than a deep desire to seek God. Others just follow a family member or a friend into the church. That is why some people fall away when certain things happen-because they are really not what they claim to be. For this reason, I keep telling the youth in our church, "If anyone wants to marry you, look at their fruits, and not their pretty faces or sweet "raps". By their fruits ye shall know them." In a large church like ours, there are all sorts of beasts mingling with God's genuine flock of sheep. These are wolves in sheep's clothing because when we talk about witnessing, they cannot even bear witness for Christ. Let me tell you this, that if something good has really happened to change your life, you will joyfully go about telling others. No one will have to urge you on. It just happens naturally. Dear friend, if the only Christianity you practise is by going to church on Sundays, then I am afraid to inform you that there is more to it than that (in fact, unbelievers attend church on Sundays too)! Real Christianity takes place OUTSIDE the church AFTER Sundays. Each weekday must have its share of prayer, worship, Bible reading and labouring for the Lord. So if you have always comforted yourself with the fact that you go to church on Sundays, then I am afraid I must discomfort you! Church membership does not prove you are a genuine Christian at all! Here is some sound advice from 2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.” Friend, be for real. First, be born again. Then show by your fruit that you are a real, committed Christian.

2. TO PROVE THAT YOU ARE HEALTHY

The second reason why some Christians do not bear fruit is because they are not healthy. They are not normal, productive Christians, because there is a spiritual sickness somewhere. Sometimes when a woman (a real one) is unable to give birth, it is due to an illness-like infertility. And some causes of infertility are the blocking of the fallopian tubes, inability of the ovaries to release eggs, destruction of the womb due to an earlier abortion and so on. All these are health reasons, which prevent childbirth. In the same way, when Christians are unable to give birth and be fruitful, it is often because there is a disease in their Christian life. Though they are born again, they are spiritually sick. One such sickness is laziness (some people are simply too lazy to labour for the Lord)! Another is pride.

However, the main reason why a lot of Christians are not productive is because they are living in sin. Indeed, nothing affects fruitful Christian living like sin does. During his days as a hotel manager, one of my associates recalls seeing a Christian girl who came to sleep with a male lodger at this hotel. After they were through with whatever they were doing (your guess is as good as mine), this young lady just came out of the hotel room shouting in tongues! What a shame! Really, it is unfortunate. But there are many more like her, who indulge in immorality of every kind, and this kills their ability to witness. I mean, how can you, after doing what you just did, speak to him to give his life to Jesus? Some people have such bad, non-Christian habits that they cannot even muster the courage to share the Gospel. It is all a question of character. I remember a certain charismatic Christian who smoked so much that it became a problem in his office. Everybody complained about it, including his boss. Now, if somebody like this tried to preach to others, nobody would take him seriously. He probably would not even try, anyway!

People like these are spiritually sick, so they cannot bring forth any fruit-just like barren women, but the Bible instructs us in 2 Peter 1:5- 8 to add to our faith, virtue... knowledge... temperance... patience...godliness...brotherly kindness...charity. But I thought it was enough for Christians just to remain in the Faith? What do we need all these extras for? For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful... 2 Peter 1:8. If these things be in you...they make you...! Notice here that Peter lists a number of qualities, which immunize us from becoming barren and unfruitful in the things of God. That is why some Christians are unfruitful-because they have not added these godly attributes to their faith. The cancer of sin has made them unhealthy Christians. Unhealthy people everywhere are not productive.

3. TO SHOW THAT YOU HAVE OVERCOME THE CHOKERS OF THE WORD “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful” (Mark 4:19). My dictionary gives the meaning of the verb "to choke" as: "to block, or obstruct a passage or process". That is exactly what happens to some Christians. They become so occupied with other things that they no longer have time for the things of God. Read the text again, and notice that even the normal, everyday cares of life can retard your spiritual progress. The demands of your job, for example, or the pressures of academic work, or the challenges of bringing up little children can make you unfaithful.

Unfortunately, many Christians allow the blessing of marriage to choke the Word, and they end up no longer being useful to God. "But Pastor, I'm pregnant now and..." Look, as a doctor I can tell you that pregnancy is not a disease. In fact, some Christians are so mindful of the cares of this world, that all they have to offer are excuses: "But Pastor, my children...my school...my business..." What about the Lord's work? Really, if you are too busy to be involved in winning souls, then you are simply too busy! As God blesses and promotes us in this world, He does not intend that it should keep us from doing His work. We must rather overcome these potential chokers and continue being fruitful in His vineyard. Oh, I am looking forward to the day when the church's regular drummer will still be playing the drums, though he would have become the Minister for Foreign Affairs; when women will rise up to be pastors, despite the fact that they have to raise four kids at home; when ushers will still be at it, even when they have become multimillionaires. When the cares of this world will not choke the Word!

4. TO SHOW THAT YOU HAVE OVERCOME THE DEMONS AND DISTRACTIONS IN THE CHURCH

As God's people plant churches, Satan also assigns demons to distract church members from fulfilling the Great Commission. Every church has its share of them. These evil spirits cause church divisions and strife-in fact, anything to hinder the purpose of God! As if that was not enough, many dubious people creep in quietly, as the churches grow. They lie, cheat, steal and murmur. To fall into their company will entice you into wrongdoing. But more importantly, moving with such people can distract your attention from the real purpose of being a Christian. When I was in school, I was despised by some of my mates because I never participated much in athletics. I chose rather to concentrate on my studies (after all, that was why I was there in the first place); but looking at the way some people trained for the athletic events, you would think that was the main reason why they were in school. Their fans who cheered them on did not make matters any better! When the final exam results came in, I had a distinction, while some of my popular athletic colleagues "bombed" miserably. You see, they missed the point. Instead of concentrating on the primary goal of graduating with good grades, they were distracted into sports, not studies. They were mistaken because they did not set their priorities right. Now, I believe that as Christians we must be steadfast and unmoved, no matter what is happening around us. We must have a vision because without a vision, we will be distracted from time to time.

Even as a pastor, I do not preoccupy myself with too many "political" meetings (we are talking about inter-church politics here). I actually determine to stay away from such meetings. This is because I want to remain focused on the vision of winning souls. The Church of God is the only institution in this world charged with preaching the Gospel, casting out devils, and upholding the truth of God's Word. We should therefore not deviate into party politics, inter-church politics, trading, or secular education. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always [not sometimes, but ...] abounding in the work of the Lord,…” (I Corinthians 15:58). Here God is telling us as individuals, students, workers, and as a church, to remain committed to our objectives, come rain or shine. Have you noticed that the principle of always sticking to one thing is applied by those who really make a lot of money? Take a successful company like Unilever, a prominent manufacturing company in Ghana (my country). For generations, they have been steadily producing and making money in Ghana, regardless of the numerous political changes. Governments come and go, but (as they say in their Key Soap commercial) "the tradition goes on." And that is one principle that we, as Christians, must learn- to remain focused, to carry on, to be undistracted. However, for some Christians the only tradition that goes on is their constant distraction from important issues. You really should hear them, as they murmur, complain and gossip: "But why does the pastor drink water halfway through his sermon?" "How come I am never allowed to sing a solo in the choir?" "Have you heard about that sister? I hear she broke up with her "beloved" in order to marry so-and-so because he's got a US visa." "Pssst. Have you seen the pastor's wife's shoes? They must be from Hong Kong." ''I hear that church has a lot of money.'' "Ei, I hear Rev. Sackey is going to Zambia." "What about Pastor Eddy? I hear he..." On and on it goes. Multitudes are perishing, and there is much work to be done. But our attention is diverted to insignificant things. Now, as a member of any church, there are bound to be a whole lot of things, which can distract you. But the real issue is to win souls and make disciples for Jesus. Period. If only we remain steadfast and unmovable by keeping our focus on the Great Commission, we cannot fail to bear fruits.

5. TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE AN ACTIVE CHRISTIAN

Gynaecologists know for a fact that many childless couples are not sexually active. They just lie by each other like wawa and odum logs in an articulator truck headed for a harbour! Some married women actually want children, but do not want to have sex. They "commit" love only about once a month, and then turn around to complain that they cannot have children. That is how it is with some people. They are Christians alright, but because they are not active, they have no children-no converts, no fruits. Just look around, and you will observe that passive Christians bear no fruits.

Do you want to be pregnant and have children? Then you must engage in the activity that will make you pregnant. Do you want to be a fruitful Christian? Then you must engage in the activity that makes you fruitful-witnessing, teaching, helping and getting active in the things of God! Some people say, "But Pastor, I'm the quiet type, I don't want any trouble. I just prefer to mind my own business." "I don't want to preach to my business partner, he'll think I'm 'some way'." And with such excuses, we remain totally idle in a vineyard that is ripe for the harvest. So how can we switch from being mere spectators to active participants? “...break up your fallow ground:...” (Hosea 10:12).

Fallow ground is that which has been left dormant. Idle! Untouched! Unused! And here the Lord is telling us to break up (cultivate) our fallow ground. That is, to utilize our untapped potential. Today there are a lot of genuine, but dormant Christians in the Church. They are gifted with talents, which can enable them to perform even better than those who are already engaged in serving the Lord. However, they just sit there, doing nothing, while a few labourers do their best to fulfil the Great Commission. So it appears as if only a few are called, but I am convinced by the Word that many are called. Many men! Many women! Many young people! Every single Christian has a role to play and until you get involved to the point where you are actually bearing fruit, you cannot call yourself an active Christian. As you begin to use your talents and gifts in the service of the Lord, you will find yourself becoming more and more active. Your regular Christian activity will yield results, and your fruits will definitely begin to show.

6. TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE MATURE

Another reason why you must begin to bear fruits after your own kind is to show that you are maturing. A Christian without converts is immature. It shows that you are not fully developed. You are not of age. You are unripe. We see the same thing in the physical, where a girl who is say, five or nine years old cannot give birth. This is because she is not yet mature or full-grown. After you are born-again, your main aim must be to grow, so that you can move from childhood to adulthood. From immaturity to maturity. But there are a whole lot of Christians who remain in the infant stage. By the time, they ought to have grown to the point where they also teach others, they still have need for somebody to follow them up and so on. To them, the church service is like some drama on TV. All they remember about the sermon are the jokes. An immature Christian runs around from church to church and from one programme to the other, looking for excitement. He is looking for the latest thing in town.

If a famous evangelist were to start a church across the street, they would immediately drop everything and fly there! Listen, are you looking for something new? Then let me tell you, there is nothing new under the sun. Do not be an airy Christian, blown about by every wind of doctrine. Such people are shallow and childish, tossed to and fro, but a stable Christian knows what he is about, and does not allow anything to sway him. He is stable. This is maturity! The mature tree says, "I will not be moved. I will remain planted here, and focus on growing, till I bear my fruits." Church of God, it is time to grow up! It is time to show by our fruits, that we are mature. “When I was a child, I spake...I understood...I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (I Corinthians 13:11).

7. IT SHOWS YOU ARE ABIDING.

“...the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide...He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:…” (John 15:4,5). Jesus is saying here that you and I cannot bear fruit, except we abide in Him. Which means to stay, or be planted. To be resident. To remain in Christ. To continue in the things of God. You see, you have to abide in the same place for some time in order to become productive in that very place. After all, every tree has to be nurtured over a period of time until it can bear fruits on its own. No mango tree can bear fruits after just one year. For example, many of the pastors and elders in our church have been abiding here for a long time-abiding Christians who have developed into fruitful leaders. It is only by staying here to be watered and tended, that they have grown to become useful in this very place. But a lot of Christians do not allow themselves to get to this point, because whenever they are planted, they uproot themselves. Today they are here. Tomorrow, there. One day they are involved in this, the next time it is something else. A tree that is often transplanted will never, ever grow to its full, fruit-bearing potential.

Older people are usually more stable in what they are doing. They seem to have a certain "staying anointing". Have you noticed that the members of the older Christian denominations will seldom, if ever, switch to another denomination? I mean, I have met older people who have made it plain to me that though they do understand our "born-again" message, they will never change. Of course, that's a negative attitude, but there is a positive aspect of staying in one place, which the younger generation must learn. My initial efforts to reach other medical students were unsuccessful. They just ignored me, but as I continued in the Lord's work, I began to succeed. This is because you get stronger and stronger as you abide. Today, the very doctors and medical students who ignored me are responding to the Gospel. Are you having problems trying to affect your peers? Just keep at it. Continue in the good work. With time, they will begin to respond.

Dear Christian, God wants you to have a restful spirit. Be stable in church. Be permanent. Abide. Make a quality decision to be planted in a Spirit-filled, Bible-believing church. Then decide to remain rooted until your fruits begin to show. “Those that be planted in the house of the LORD... shall still bring forth fruit in old age;…” (Psalm 92:13,14).

8. BEAR FRUITS IN ORDER TO HAVE JOY.

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD...Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them:…” (Psalm 127:3,5). Here we understand that he who has many children is a happy man. However, children do not come so easily. In fact, when you consider the many painful and embarrassing things that happen at the labour ward, it makes you wonder, "Why do women want to have more children?" First of all, there is the shame of exposing themselves to total strangers. Then there is the agony of labour itself. The pelvic bones actually move to allow the baby to come out. Sometimes when it becomes necessary to cut the women, their screams confirm the terrible pain they suffer. Really, it is not a small matter. When I first observed a delivery, I had a renewed respect for women.

So why do they do it over and over again? Jesus explained: “...she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world” (John 16:21). After the baby is born, there's a joy that women feel, which I cannot possibly explain. Only those who have experienced it can explain it to you, but there's a supreme joy after childbirth. A deep fulfilment after having brought forth someone they can call their very own. It is this joy that makes them go through it again and again. In the same way, there is a joy you will never experience till you lead others to be born again into the kingdom of God. For someone to be born again and stabilized in Christ under my ministry is a joy I cannot adequately express. The Bible says, "Happy is the man who has his quiver full of such children." This is what keeps me going in the ministry, in spite of all the situations I face as a minister. Apart from often being away from my family, I have to endure a lot of ridicule and suspicion. Sometimes people treat you despitefully, because they assume you are jobless with nothing better to do. I endure the shame, because of the unspeakable joy of winning souls for the Lord! You will never know this joy until YOU begin to bear fruit and see it growing.

9. SO THAT YOU WILL NOT BE ASHAMED

One of the most common verses engraved on many tombstones in our cemeteries is taken from Revelation 14:13. “...Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth...that they may rest from their labours...”. Now notice: It did not say, "Blessed are those in the choir," or "Them that die in the church." Friends, it is a matter of being in the Lord, not just in the church! But the text ends with a very important revelation: ...and their works do follow them. Look, when you die you cannot take anything along with you. No, not your car, your money, or even your clothes. After death the only thing which can follow, you are your works. That is, the fruits you have borne in your Christian life. The disciples you have established in the Lord, your Christian children.

As I pointed out earlier on, it is considered a great shame to be childless in our society. Now, concerning spiritual children, we learn that: “Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them [children]: they shall not be ashamed...” (Psalm 127:5). Very soon you are going to stand before the judgement seat of Christ. Are you going to stand there, empty-handed and ashamed? Or will you bear your fruits now, so that your works can follow you? Think about it.

10. TO PRESERVE YOUR OWN KIND IN THE CHURCH

In the seventh chapter of Genesis, God commanded Noah to enter the ark with his wife, his three sons, and their wives. In addition, he was to take with him, male and female counterparts of every kind of beast. Why was God so interested in preserving a sample of every kind of animal in the ark? It was to keep life going on the earth after the flood. Take a look at verse three: Of fowls also of the air by seven, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of the earth. The Helen Spurrel Translation of The Old Testament puts it this way: “...to preserve the species...” (Genesis 7:3). By so doing, God has ensured the survival of each type of animal to this day, because He knew that Noah could never give birth to any of the other animals. He could only reproduce his own kind-human beings.

This same principle applies spiritually. Bearing fruit after your own kind will ensure that your particular "species" continues to exist in the church. When the Lighthouse Chapel was founded, about half of the small congregation was made up of student nurses. This ratio was sustained for some years. However, at a point, the student nurses slacked in their outreach towards their own kind. So as they continued to graduate and to be transferred outside the city, their representation in the congregation diminished. Today, you will not find so many nurses in our church-because they failed to preserve their own kind. For this same reason, many churches, which used to be the cutting edge of Christianity, are nowhere to be found today. How sad!

Chapter 10

Barrenness in The Church

Diagnosing Barrenness

When barrenness is taken away, fruitfulness is always the result. Barrenness is the number one cause for a lack of church planting in the modern Christian church. But God wants us to be fruitful. God wants us to plant churches. In order to be fruitful you must understand what barrenness really is. Some pastors are barren. No matter what they do, their ministries never flourish. This is the problem God wants to deal with in our churches. In the next few chapters, we will be studying the concept of spiritual barrenness and how it affects church planting. Barrenness is the number one cause for a lack of church planting in our generation. There are a lot of activities and a lot of programmes but there is little or no church planting. As we study, God will reveal to us the causes of barrenness in our lives, churches and ministries. There are several Hebrew and Greek words that are translated “barren” or “barrenness”. These words throw light on the subject of spiritual and ministerial barrenness. Let us consider each of these words as definitions of barrenness.

FIVE SIGNIFICANT HEBREW WORDS

1. “AQAR” - (GENESIS 11:30; JUDGES 13:2,3; GENESIS 25:21; 1 SAMUEL 2; 5; DEUTERONOMY 7:14)

This word means “the destruction or removal of generative organs”. It also means 'To have non-functioning organs; to be barren or sterile. It is used in reference to people like Sarah, and the mothers of Sampson and Rebecca. “There shall nothing cast their young, nor be BARREN (AQAR), in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfill” (Exodus 23:26). Churches or individuals suffering from “AQAR” barrenness are deficient in the generative aspects of ministry. This means they are deficient in the outreach and fruit bearing aspects of church life. They are unable to give birth to other churches. Such churches have many activities but programmes that generate new churches are absent. Every minister must consider the outreach aspect of his ministry. Do you have crusades? Do you plant new churches? The absence of crusades, breakfast meetings, witnessing campaigns and church planting, shows a deficiency in the generative aspect of your ministry. Barren people also receive the Word and probably have the tapes. They may even be involved in other activities of the church. They are seen at prayer meetings and become “fat” spiritually. However, such people will not be involved in church planting, evangelism or soul winning. They have a deficiency in their spiritual generative organs.

2. “SHAKOL” - (LEVITIVUS 26:22; 2 KINGS 2:19, DEUTERONOMY 32:25)

This means “to miscarry, to suffer abortion, to be bereaved of children, to be barren, to cast your young, to make childless and to be deprived of children.” “I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be DESOLATE (SHAKOL)” (Leviticus 26:22). Such churches or ministers cannot keep the souls that God gives them. As you can see, they constantly cast their young and suffer abortions. Such ministers cannot sustain the growth and are unable to continue in the things that God gives to them. Many churches receive large numbers of visitors and even converts. You must work on keeping these converts. You must make sure that your visitors come again. I always pray over my members. "Lord when they go, let them come back to church. As they come back, let them come with more people." This kind of prayer counteracts 'SHAKOL' barrenness. I pray that each member becomes a minister and that each minister gives birth to a church. Another reason why such churches are unable to break out is that they attack their young leaders. They kill fresh blood. The leaders do not allow mavericks to flourish around them. The anointing on all of us is greater than the anointing on one person. You must allow fresh leaders and pastors to be released under your ministry. The fastest growth always occurs when there are multiple ministers working together.

3. “MELECHAH” - (2 KINGS 2:19; PSALMS 107:34; JEREMIAH 17:6)

This word means “a salted land, a desert or a barren land”. It speaks of “no produce” and “no life”. The land is dead to any kind of seed. People suffering from “MELECHAH” are spiritually salted lands. In spite of what you pour into them, they are unable to bear fruit. They are incapable of germinating seeds. A cursory glance at every congregation will reveal several “salted lands” staring at you. Mercy and atonement! They have been in the church for many years and have heard many sermons. They have been anointed and prayed for specially, but still cannot bear fruit. Much is poured into them but little can be expected from these salted ones.

There are also salted churches. No matter the input, the church does not grow. No new churches are planted from that church. Until the salted land is healed, there will be no fruit. “And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my Lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground BARREN (MELECHAH). And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him. And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or BARREN LAND. So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake” (2 Kings 2:19-22). A pastor who is a salted land does not give rise to other pastors of his own kind. He remains in the church he pastors, but cannot bring forth other pastors. Break out of the salted state and start to think of birthing many more churches. I remember the story of a church that could not grow. No matter what happened and no matter who preached, there was no breakthrough.

One day a visiting pastor was waiting on the Lord and he had a vision. Way up in the ceiling he saw a demon sitting above the congregation. This evil spirit had greatly affected the church for many years. God had opened the pastor's eyes to see the “salt” that was making the church barren. He dealt with the evil spirit and commanded it to leave. After that experience, the church began to grow in leaps and bounds. I believe there are real salted situations that need the healing hand of God. I see God removing the saltiness from your life, church and ministry!

4. “OTSER” - (PROVERBS 30:16)

This Hebrew word means “to enclose, to hold back and to maintain”. It also means, “to close up, to restrain, and retain’. In addition, it means, “to shut up, to withhold and to stop”. “The grave; and the BARREN (OTSER) womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough” (Proverbs 30:16). People suffering from this kind of barrenness hold back intentionally. They know a lot, but they hold back and refuse to be fruitful. Pastors with 'OTSER' barrenness have the finances and the anointing to plant churches. However, they give their strength to other things like orphanages, schools and social work. Some of them are more concerned with being politically influential and socially acceptable. The drive for church planting is restrained. Such people can do many things for the Lord but are restrained and hold back their talents. These are usually experienced in the Lord who could do much more for Jesus. Often they have decided to give their strength and talents to other things. In your congregation, you will notice people who are leaders of Old Boys Associations or even political groups. They have time for politics, soccer, MBA's, PhD's and other activities. However, when it comes to the work of God, they are inclosed and restrained. They are reserved when it comes to prayer and worship, but vocal when it comes to discussing politics and other issues. These are the people suffering from “OTSER”.

5. “TSIYAH” - (ISAIAH 41:18; PSALM 63:1)

This word speaks of being “parched and barren”. It speaks of “a drought, a dry land and a wilderness”. “I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the DRY LAND (TSIYAH) springs of water” (Isaiah 41:18). This kind of church is often dry of the Spirit. It is a wilderness devoid of worship, prayer and the lifting up of hands. Such churches and individuals are very secular and logical in their approach to life and the ministry. Spiritual dryness and the lack of worship is a true cause of barrenness. Introducing new worship songs will often fight against this kind of barrenness. Sometimes changing your worship leader will lead to a major change in your church. Changing your choir leader and the type of songs your choir sings can greatly affect your church. Perhaps if the choir were to sing songs about soul winning and reaching the lost, church planting would begin. Do not wait forever to make the changes you need to make.

TWO SIGNIFICANT GREEK WORDS

1. “STEIRAS” - (LUKE 1:7, 36; LUKE 23:29; GALATIANS 4:27)

“And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was BARREN (STEIRAS), and they both were now well stricken in years. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren” (Luke 1:7, 36). This word means 'to be stiff and unnatural'. It speaks of sterility and barrenness. “Stiffness” speaks of people who are unyielding and disobedient to the Word of God. Anyone who is disobedient to the word will be barren. Such people love to look distinguished and diplomatic. Sometimes they pretend to be spiritual but in reality, they are not. Churches often have these unspiritual and stiff people sitting in the front row. This can prevent growth and induce the 'STEIRAS' atmosphere that does not allow growth. You will notice that growing churches are full of lively, exuberant and excited people dancing and praising the Lord. It is time to remove the 'deep freezers' from the prominent positions we have given them. The church is not a 'who is who' parade.

2. “ARGOS” - (2 PETER 1:8)

This word means “inactive, unemployed lazy and useless”. It also speaks of “being idle, slow and barren”. Surprisingly, laziness is one of the principle causes of unfruitfulness in ministry. Lazy people are inactive in church. Their laziness makes them useless to God. “For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be BARREN NOR UNFRUITFUL (ARGOS) in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:8). Unfortunately, the church is made up of masses of spiritually inactive people. To break this type of barrenness, it is important to preach about diligence. It is important to teach the congregation that they must win souls for the Lord.

DIAGNOSING BARRENNESS IN THE CHURCH

It is important to diagnose barrenness when it exists in the ministry. The diagnosis of a problem often leads to the solution. Even in medicine, 80% of our problems are solved when the diagnosis is made. Many ministries are operating under a spirit of barrenness. Many pastors are unaware that they can have a greater level of fruitfulness. In this chapter, I will show you some signs you must look out for in the ministry. If Jesus were standing by you, He would say these words to you. “Herein is my Father glorified, THAT YE BEAR MUCH FRUIT; so shall ye be my disciples” (John 15:8). One way to diagnose barrenness is to look at how the dictionary defines it. If you apply these definitions to your church, you will know whether you are barren or not. God will show you if a spirit of barrenness is in operation. Let us now look at the dictionary definitions of barrenness and see how they apply to ministry. Twenty Definitions of Barrenness

1. To be barren means to be unfruitful.

2. To be barren means to be sterile.

3. To be barren means to be childless, heirless and issueless.

4. Barrenness means you are non-productive.

5. To be barren means to be deficient in production.

6. Barrenness means you are not conceiving at all or producing at all.

7. A barren person is someone who produces in very small quantities.

8. A barren land is a wasteland.

9. Barren trees do not produce the normal fruit.

10. Barrenness speaks of bleakness.

11. To be barren is to be depleted.

12. To be barren is to be deserted.

13. Barrenness speaks of dryness.

14. A barren thing can be described as not being copious.

15. A barren land is a scanty land.

16. Barrenness is sometimes dullness.

17. A barren individual does not produce after his kind.

18. Barrenness speaks of wanting or needing the power of conception.

19. Barren places are impoverished.

20. Barren places are un-tillable.

Let us now look at the symptoms of barrenness within the church context. Examine your ministry and see whether barrenness exists.

Signs of Barrenness in the Church

Barrenness can be said to exist in a church if any of the following exist:

1. If there is no growth in the number of your church members.

2. If there are no converts or, no growth in the number of converts.

3. If there is no growth in church attendance.

4. If there is no growth in the number of full time staff.

5. If there is no baptism or, no growth in the number of people baptized.

6. If there is the absence of healings and miracles.

7. If there is no growth in the number of leaders in the church.

8. If there is no increase in the knowledge of God.

9. If there is no growth in the depth of relationships.

10. If there is no growth in the number of visions and dreams given by the Holy Spirit or none at all.

11. If there is no programme to send out missionaries or, to increase the number of missionaries sent out.

12. If there is no growth in the finances of the church.

13. If there is no increase in the number of scriptures you know.

14. If there is no growth in your experience in the ministry.

15. If there is the absence of or, no growth in the outreaches of the church.

16. If there is no growth in the length and depth of your prayer or no prayer at all.

17. If there is no increase in challenges and mountains to overcome.

18. If there is no challenge and inspiration to a greater vision.

19. If there is no growth in understanding.

20. If there is no growth in fellowships and branches.

Now that you have diagnosed the problem, receive the prophecy of the Lord for your ministry. Believe that these words are coming to pass in your life. “SING, O BARREN, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD. ENLARGE THE PLACE OF THY TENT, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, LENGTHEN THY CORDS, and strengthen thy stakes; FOR THOU SHALT BREAK FORTH ON THE RIGHT HAND AND ON THE LEFT; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. FEAR NOT; FOR THOU SHALT NOT BE ASHAMED: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but WITH GREAT MERCIES WILL I GATHER THEE. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I HAVE MERCY ON THEE, saith the LORD thy Redeemer” (Isaiah 54:1-8).

You see, because I am bearing fruit after my own kind, there are many medical students and doctors in our church. There are several doctor/pastors in the ministry with me now. Some of them are even in full-time ministry. I have preserved my own kind! Now YOU too can begin to make converts of people who are just like you. This is your contribution to the growth and continuity of the church. Dear friend, just think about the increase we would have, if only the church of God would apply God's prescribed method-Individual Christians bearing fruit after their own kind. As we all begin to operate in this way, we will surely experience a higher success rate in our personal evangelism, resulting in growth on all sides for the Body of Christ. Dear friend, this is your time to bear fruit AFTER YOUR OWN KIND.

1

Chapter 11

Fighting Different Kinds of Barrenness

Fighting The Barrenness of Old Age

“Abram married Sarai, but she was not able to have children” (Genesis 11:30 Contemporary English Version). “Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I PRAY THEE, GO IN UNTO MY MAID; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes” (Genesis 16:1-4). We all know the story of Abraham and Sarah. You could consider Sarah as a type of the church. You could also consider her as a type of minister. Sarah could be likened to a pastor who is not bearing as much fruit as he ought to. Sarah could be likened to a wilderness kind of church in which there is no life.

PRACTICAL STEPS

1. DONOTTRANSFERTHE DUTYOFOUTREACHAND CHURCH PLANTING TO ANYONE ELSE. The pastor must lead the congregation to win the souls and bear fruit. According to Genesis 16:1-2, Sarah shifted the responsibility of child bearing to someone else. This was an attempt to overcome the barrenness she was experiencing. She tried to overcome barrenness in the wrong way.

2. DO NOT REJECT THE PROPHETIC WORD.

“Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my Lord being old also?” (Genesis 18:12). Prophetic messages can make a difference in your ministry. Believe in the Lord and you shall be established, believe in His prophets and you shall prosper. Sarah laughed when she heard the prophecy about Isaac. Receive the visitation of God for your life through revelations, dreams and the spoken word. Years ago, I received a message from a prophet. He saw me carrying a flaming torch and leading many people. He gave this message to me in 1980. Twenty-four years have gone by and this prophecy remains in my heart as a true vision. It encouraged me to do the work of God as a student. It encouraged me to persist in the ministry even after school.

3. BELIEVE IN GOD, HIS PROPHETS AND IN THE PREACHING OF HIS WORD. “And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be” (Genesis 17:15). Walk in your calling. You must overcome the greatest enemies of the faith walk. Walking in fear and intimidation will not lead to fruitfulness in ministry.

4. TAKE THE PRACTICAL STEPS THAT LEAD TO FRUITFULNESS EVEN IF IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING FOR YOUNGER PEOPLE.

“For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age… And Abraham called the name of his son … Isaac” (Genesis 21:2,3). Decide to be youthful, zealous, emotional, exciting, energetic and adventurous again. This will break the spell and curse of barrenness over your ministry. Sarah had sex with her husband at the age of ninety. No matter what prophecy is spoken over your life, there will always be some practical things you have to do. Isaac was not supernaturally conceived as in the case of Christ Jesus. He was conceived by the normal method of sexual intercourse. Sarah had to undress and act like an energetic young lady with a youthful husband. Abraham and Sarah were forced to engage in sexual happiness in their nineties. Can you imagine a ninety year old, menopausal woman acting like a pretty youthful bride again? Some ministers act and think like people that are too old. Some amount of youthfulness is needed in the ministry. Youthfulness is necessary for fruitfulness.

FIGHTING FAMILIARITY

Familiarity is the greatest block to the anointing. It cuts off the flow of the anointing that is needed for church planting and church growth. Ministry is a spiritual thing and unless spiritual principles are obeyed, the ministry dries up and barrenness results. Michal is a type of barren ministry. Michal suffered from familiarity toward her husband. She paid for it by becoming barren. Many people have become barren in ministry because they became too familiar with the man of God. “David went home so he could ask the Lord to bless his family. But Saul's daughter Michal went out and started yelling at him. “You were really great today!” she said. 'You acted like a dirty old man, dancing half-naked in front of your servants “slave girls” David told her, “The Lord didn't choose your father or anyone else in your family to be the leader of His people. The Lord chose me and I was celebrating in honour of him. I'll show you how great I can be! I'll even be disgusted to myself. But those slave girls you talked about will still honour me”. Michal never had any children” (2 Samuel 6:20-23 Contemporary English Version).

SEVEN THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOWABOUTFAMILIARITY

1. Familiarity means to know someone or something very well and in such a way as to cause you to lose your admiration, respect and sense of awe.

It also connotes a sense of becoming presumptuous, where a person is too confident in a way that shows a lack of respect.

2. Familiarity was the cause of Michal's barrenness.

3. Familiarity is still the cause of spiritual barrenness in Christians today. Familiarity is the greatest block to receiving God's power from God's men.

5. No matter how great the gift of God, it is neutralized by familiarity.

Jesus was the greatest healer and teacher, yet his anointing was neutralized by the presence of familiar people. “And he went out from thence, and CAME INTO HIS OWN COUNTRY; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this, which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? IS NOT THIS THE CARPENTER, the son of Mary … And they were offended at him. AND HE COULD THERE DO NO MIGHTY WORK, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them” (Mark 6:1-3,5). This scripture shows us that Jesus could not perform miracles in His hometown. They knew Him too well to receive Him as the Son of God. They had questions about His parents, His family and His background.

6. Moses who commanded a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day could not impress his own sister Miriam. She criticized him about his marriage and suffered for it. My heart is often closed to those who are familiar towards me. I simply do not flow towards them. I can virtually sense the questions in the hearts of people suffering from familiarity.

7. Familiarity carves out a road of ministry for anointed people. It directs them away from their colleagues, friends and family. It leads them towards the non-familiar, the poor the forgotten and neglected ones. This is where the outsiders come in. They often come in to replace people that have become too familiar with the anointed one.

FOUR GROUPS THAT OFTEN SUFFER FROM FAMILIARITY

1. COLLEAGUES

Usually it is people who know you closely who suffer from familiarity. When I started my church as a medical student, very few of my colleagues were able to receive from me. They knew me too well and would say in their hearts, "Is this not Dag? We know him and we know his class. We saw him struggling at an exam last week. We know when he passes and when he fails! How can this lanky boy call himself a pastor?"

2. RELATIVES

Relatives also suffer from familiarity. They would say. "Is this not Azoyzoy's (my father's nickname) son? We carried him when he was a baby." They ask, "Do you remember me? I carried you when you were two years old." They say, "I knew your father very well." With this background, how can such people receive me as a man of God?

3. PASTORS' WIVES

Pastors’ wives often suffer from severe familiarity. Just like Michal, when everyone is impressed, they are not impressed with their husbands. They say things like, "I know you", "No one knows you better than I do", "I am the only one who can tell you certain things!" "I am not one of those people who give you praise and affirmation in the office!", "If people knew how you really were, they would be surprised", "No one knows what you are really like." In a sense, they are right about all these things, but the fact is that they are also victims of familiarity!

4. CLOSE FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES

These people also experience familiarity. They have been around you for so long and they have seen your vicissitudes. It is easy to slip and slide into familiarity. Sometimes it would be better not to know someone closely in order not to develop an air of familiarity. Familiarity breeds disloyalty. Familiarity created Judas. Judas is referred to, as “mine own familiar friend”. When people are familiar, they lose their respect and they cross boundaries they should never cross. Familiarity makes people say things they should never say.

When Michal spoke against David, she stood in the shoes of a rebel fighting and opposing God's anointed. She became a critic of “the man after God's own heart”. David had built a tabernacle but she was not impressed. God called him 'a man after mine own heart' but she, a mere mortal, despised him. Imagine that God is impressed but you are not impressed. Isn't it amazing? Familiarity often stems from jealousy and carnality. Michal was jealous of the girls who seemed to appreciate David's ministry. She disliked the fact that David seemed to be impressed with these young whippersnappers. “Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, HOW GLORIOUS WAS THE KING TODAY, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!” (2 Samuel 6:20). When Miriam criticized Moses, she no longer saw him as God's anointed. She moved into the flesh and became a disloyal rebel. “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman” (Numbers 12:1). Judas was the highest kind of traitor. He paid the ultimate price for allowing himself to be deceived by familiarity. “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9). I have had different people becoming close to me at different times in my life. Circumstances can sometimes cause people to associate closely with the man of God. Under these circumstances, the person is susceptible to the spirit of familiarity. It takes spiritual discipline not to become familiar.

I have noticed in my life and ministry how people become over familiar when given the slightest chance. Let me just remind you of the definition of familiarity. Familiarity means, “to know someone or something very well and in such a way as to cause you to lose your admiration, respect and sense of awe. It also connotes a sense of becoming presumptuous, where a person is too confident in a way that shows a lack of respect. ”One day, a young lady was having a problem in her marriage. Her husband said to her, "I am going to report you to the Bishop". She retorted, "I don't care. He also has problems". I smiled when I heard this. I knew that it was only familiarity that was rearing its head. Perhaps I was wrong to have allowed this person to spend a few nights in our home.

On another occasion, another relative who had spent a few days with our family was having some problems. After counselling this relative, she seemed to have understood what I had shared with her. She thanked me and seemed to be blessed. Unfortunately, I later heard that she had said that I was a man of knowledge and not experience. What she was saying was that I had no experience in the kind of problem she had and that my advice was therefore theoretical. I thought to myself, “Today, I have become a man of knowledge without experience. It is only because I allowed this person to relate closely to my family and I, that she had the nerve to make such a comment.” Sometimes it is better to know someone from afar so that you can continue to receive from his ministry. When you are too familiar with your pastor, you can mistakenly see him as a man of knowledge without experience

Assessing Familiarity Levels

In your relationship with a man of God, are you becoming familiar? The following signs will help you determine to what extent you are familiar. Remember that familiarity is the highest kind of anointing killer. It has the highest form of neutralizing power of God's gift. TWELVE SIGNS OF FAMILIARITY

1. OFTEN SITTING AT THE BACK OF THE CHURCH.

Familiarity is when you are no longer intrigued and excited about the pastor and his preaching. You do not bother to come near anymore. Familiar people just sit at the back and observe from a distance. Once I attended a Kenneth Hagin conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. When I came into the hall, the ushers tried to give me a seat at the back. I thought to myself, "How can I sit at the back when Kenneth Hagin is preaching. I want to be as near as possible!" I negotiated with the usher and even made a friend. I told him, "Sir, you don't know where I have come from." I continued, "I have flown thousands and thousands of miles to be here today. I need to be as near as possible. There is no way I can go upstairs or even to the back." He seemed to understand and eventually I had my way. Unbelievably, I managed to sit on the second row. I was so excited when Kenneth Hagin walked by my seat as he preached. When you are familiar, seeing a man of God nearby or from afar makes no difference. Later on, I had a discussion with the principal of their Bible School. I asked him if they had any problems with their students. To my surprise, he did. Their main problem was familiarity.

He said to me. "There are some students who do not come for important conferences like these." He lamented, "This is a great prophet and people come from all over the world to receive from him. But right here, there are students who do not bother to cross the road and come to church". You see, familiarity breeds contempt. Familiarity is all about knowing someone very well. This causes you to lose your admiration and respect.

2. YAWNING

Yawning is often a sign of boredom. A familiar person is presumptuous and arrogantly assumes he knows what is coming. Often, people who yawn during the preaching of the word are saying, "I know this sermon, I know what is coming. I know his line of thought. This man has nothing new to say, Forgive!

3. SLEEPING DURING PREACHING

Sleeping occurs when we are tired. But sometimes it occurs as a result of monotony and boredom, when the man of God fails to intrigue you anymore, you may find yourself sleeping as he preaches.

4. NOT BUYING OR LISTENING TO TAPES

Someone who listens to preaching tapes has not become familiar with the pastor's voice. He sees it as an opportunity to be continuously blessed by the pastor when he is not around. Have you asked yourself why you do not buy tapes anymore? The answer may be familiarity.

5. NOT BUYING AND READING BOOKS WRITTEN BY YOUR MAN OF GOD.

I notice how people come from afar to buy my books. There are times people have travelled many miles to acquire and devour large quantities of my books and tapes. Amazingly my own church members often pass by these same books and tapes and instead call for two meat pies and a bottle of Coca Cola. Familiarity causes you to lose your sense of wonder and intrigue.

6. DISCUSSING THE BACKGROUND OF THE MAN OF GOD.

Every man of God basically, is a 'man'. Since he is a man, he goes through what all men go through. No man that God ever chose had a perfect life. He has a past! He has a family. He has failings. He has an imperfect marriage. He has challenges just like everyone else. It's easy to pick on any aspect of his natural life and neutralize him. Discussing the man of God in a natural way is a sure sign that you have lost your sense of fascination for him. This is the surest way to cancel out the effect of the anointing on your man of God.

“Thumos” and “Ekplesso”

When Jesus preached in His hometown, the scripture says in Luke 4:28, “when they heard these things, they were filled with wrath.” The word “wrath” in Greek is the word “THUMOS”. This means incipient displeasure fermenting in the mind, it speaks of fierceness, indignation (as if breathing hard) and wrath. The familiar people were angry with Jesus' sermon. But when He preached in Galilee according to Luke 4:32 “they were astonished at His doctrine”. The word “astonished” is the Greek word “EKPLESSO” which means to be amazed astonished and struck with terror. Notice that there are only four verses between THUMOS and EKPLESSO. Notice also that THUMOS took place in Nazareth, Jesus' hometown. EKPLESSO took place in a city of Galilee about two hundred kilometers from Jesus' hometown of Nazareth.

7. DISCUSSING THE FAMILY ISSUES OF THE MAN OF GOD.

“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him” (Mark 6:3). By doing this, you are cutting yourself from receiving God's miracle for your life. When Jesus went to his hometown, there was a long discussion as to who he really was. Someone said, “I know that boy, he is my nephew. He and his father have repaired my wardrobes and cupboards for many years”. Jesus could do very few miracles because of the high level of familiarity and doubt in the city. Do not let familiarity cut off your blessing.

8. FAULT-FINDING AND MAGNIFYING FAULTS

Whenever you think of the great men of God you respect, you do not often think of their faults. When there is a visiting preacher, no one considers whether he is impatient or easily angered. No one thinks of whether this man is in debt or whether he has an extravagant lifestyle. All we do is to receive the ministry of this man of God. However, these are thoughts that occur to us about men of God that we are familiar with. We think, "He must be angry today, this man is not patient." As he preaches, we say to ourselves, "We understand what he is saying; why does he not progress to the next point?" I remember years ago, I had a church member who really enjoyed my messages. She recommended me highly to many people who later joined the church. However as time went by, she became familiar with my preaching and me.

One day after church she said to me, "I think you went over last week's point for too long." She continued, "There was very little time for the new points that you brought up." A few weeks later, she made another remark, "The repetition in your preaching is too much." After this, I noticed the frown on her face each time I preached. This lady eventually stopped coming to church. She might have been right but what she did not realize was that, I was preaching to people who came to church this week and missed the next week. I virtually had a new crowd every week. I might have had my faults, but God has worked through me in spite of them. Have you removed the log in your own eye? Why are you concentrating so hard on the speck in the pastor's eye? Familiarity has made you critical.

9. EVALUATING AND RATING MEN OF GOD.

Democracy in its essential nature, calls on us to evaluate our leaders constantly. This is what enables us to vote for the right person. Unfortunately, many are deceived when they think that this same practice of evaluation must be brought into the church. I was coming home one day after church when someone asked a question in the car. He asked, "How did you find the sermon?" The car was quiet for a moment then someone said, "I think he did well, I will give him 70%." Then an older man said, "No, no, no. He deserves about 49%." Someone asked "Why 49%, the message wasn't too bad?" I mused to myself, "This poor pastor is being assessed by his congregation."

10. NOT BELIEVING THE MAN OF GOD'S ADVICE.

When you regard someone highly, you cherish whatever advice he has to offer. As familiarity sets in, it becomes more and more difficult to accept advice. Every time advice is given, there is a reason not to follow it.

11. HAVING NO REGARD FOR THE ANOINTING

When you become familiar, you no longer relate with a man of God spiritually. The fact that he is even anointed does not occur to you. All you see are natural things. If your eyes are on the natural, you will see weakness, dishonour and corruption. “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in CORRUPTION; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in DISHONOUR; it is raised in glory: it is sown in WEAKNESS; it is raised in power” (1 Corinthians 15:42,43). The anointing for ministry is transferred from one man of God to another. The anointing for church planting is transferred from one person to another. Elisha had an exemplary relationship with Elijah. He called him 'father' and served him for many years. He did not lose regard for the anointing because of his closeness. He was the beneficiary of a double portion of one of the greatest anointing.

Not everyone suffers from familiarity. Some people are able to stay close and still have a high regard for the anointing. I have people around who have seen my human 'weakness', 'dishonour' and 'corruption' for many years and yet they maintain a sense of awe, fascination and respect for the presence of God upon my life. That is what Elisha did for many years and he received the double portion of the anointing that was on the life of Elijah. Do not be deceived by the apparent weakness of God's men. The weakness is God ordained. It is intended to filter off unworthy recipients of the grace of God. Jesus taught us to appear weak in the face of arrogant and aggressive people. Turn the other cheek simply means do not fight. It could even mean act weak! Do not mind if they think you have no power. Is it not a 'weakling' who would subject himself to more humiliating slaps? Is it not a weakling who would allow himself to be cheated of his clothes? But this is the Lord's instruction to us. “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, TURN TO HIM THE OTHER ALSO. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, LET HIM HAVE THY CLOAK ALSO. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, GO WITH HIM TWAIN. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away” (Matthew 5:39-42). “Now Elisha was FALLEN SICK OF HIS SICKNESS WHEREOF HE DIED. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And Elisha said unto him, Take bow and arrows. And he took unto him bow and arrows. And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands. And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD's deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them. And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed. And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice” (2 Kings 13:14-19).

Elisha was sick but anointed. He was dying but he was still anointed. His weakness, dishonour and corruption were apparent to all. He performed his last miracle on his death bed and God moved mightily. One of the highest kinds of deception is to look on outward appearances and pass judgment. “…for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7b). This is what leads to racism and prejudice of which we are all guilty. Mercy and forgiveness! How often we judge people by what we see on the outside. Our error will be exposed shortly.

Dead But Anointed

“And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and TOUCHED THE BONES OF ELISHA, HE REVIVED, AND STOOD UP ON HIS FEET” (2 Kings 13:20,21). You can even be dead and anointed! Believe it or not, the lingering anointing on a dead prophet raised someone from the dead. It is easy to be deceived by the natural weakness of God's servants.

12. NOT HONOURING AND APPRECIATING YOUR MAN OF GOD.

As you get used to your pastor, it is easy to take him for granted. We often neglect those with whom we are familiar. I remember one pastor who had never been honoured by his congregation. His church was constantly blessing a particular honoured visiting preacher. When this visiting preacher came to hold a convention, the crowds would gather and the people would express their appreciation for the visiting minister. They would bring money and gifts to honour this visiting minister. But the church would never honour its own pastor. The deception here is that the visitor is the one who is sent from God to them. But the reality is that their own familiar pastor is the one who labours over them with love. I teach my church members that it is biblical to honour and give gifts to the man of God. This is not to enhance the lifestyle of the man of God but it is to honour God's gift and to kill the spirit of familiarity.

THE KEY OF INTERCESSION AND CHURCH PLANTING

Following are examples of ministries that were transformed as a result of intercessory prayer.

1. THE CHURCH PLANTING MINISTRIES OF PAUL AND BARNABAS

“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. AS THEY MINISTERED TO THE LORD, AND FASTED, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And WHEN THEY HAD FASTED AND PRAYED, AND LAID THEIR HANDS ON THEM, THEY SENT THEM AWAY. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus” (Acts 13:1-4). The ministries of Paul and Barnabas were born out of intercession. The greatest church planters of the New Testament times were born as they ministered unto the Lord and fasted. A praying church will always lead to new ministries and church growth. The way out of barrenness is the way into church planting. It is the way into evangelism. I believe that fervent prayer will almost always lead to fruitfulness in a minister's life. A prayerful church almost always becomes fruitful. Churches are planted and ministers are sent out when real prayer begins.

2. THE MINISTRY OF HANNAH

Hannah is a good example of a barren ministry. Hannah is one of the great examples of someone who broke out of the power of barrenness and became very fruitful. The great key that Hannah demonstrated was again the key of intercession. Evangelists and missionaries are always born out of intercession. Hannah was in serious trouble. She desperately needed a breakthrough. She didn't just doodle and dawdle. To "doodle and dawdle" means to "hang around, loiter, to waste time and to make wavy impressions." She was dead serious about what she wanted from God. Dear pastor, fervent prayer will make you give birth to a new dimension in ministry. Intercession will always lead to new spiritual children. “Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken” (1 Samuel 1:13).

3. THE MINISTRY OF ELIJAH

Elijah's ardent prayer as he bent over asking for rain, remains the most well known example of fervent prayer. “And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and HE CAST HIMSELF DOWN UPON THE EARTH, AND PUT HIS FACE BETWEEN HIS KNEES, And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel” (1 Kings 18:41-46). This is the classic example of fervent prayer that was spoken of by James. I see you praying fervently to release the rain of God's blessing on your ministry! Look at the example of Elijah as he prayed to God for rain. Elijah's prayer released the rain of God. When the rain comes, there will be new plants. All the new churches are waiting for the rain. The new things that God has in store will be released through the rain. “Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to everyone grass in the field” (Zechariah 10:1).

4. THE MINISTRY OF JACOB

“And Jacob was left alone, and there WRESTLED A MAN with him until the breaking of the day” (Genesis 32:24). Jacob's all-night wrestling prayer yielded tremendous results. Jacob was blessed and so was his seed. Several thousand years have gone by but the fruit of this fervent prayer is evident for all to see. Israel still stands as one of the most favoured nations on the earth.

5. THE MINISTRY OF MOSES

“Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. SO JOSHUA DID AS MOSES HAD SAID TO HIM, AND FOUGHT WITH AMALEK: and Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when MOSES HELD UP HIS HAND, THAT ISRAEL PREVAILED: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun” (Exodus 17:8-12). Moses' burning prayer for victory over Amalek, is another example of fervent prayer. Amalek is a type of demonic force that fights against God's church from behind. The constant attacks by Amalek will distract the church planting drive of every ministry. It is important to rise up in the ministry and deal with Amalek spiritually.

6. THE INTERCESSION OF THE JERUSALEM CHURCH

The New Testament Church prayed fervently for the power of the Holy Spirit to be upon their leaders. “And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and THEY SPAKE THE WORD OF GOD WITH BOLDNESS” (Acts 4:23,24,30,31).

God heard their prayer and look at the results. When a church begins to pray fervently there are always results. The Word of God is preached when prayer goes forth. Churches are planted when the Word of God is preached. It is important to stress that fervent prayer is what makes the difference. Sometimes, I look at people who claim to be having a prayer meeting. Some of them are sleeping and others are just whiling away time. How would you feel if someone fell asleep whilst talking to you? You would think that he is either disrespectful or very uninterested in you.

7. THE MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST Jesus prayed passionately for the will of God to be done in His life. “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared” (Hebrews 5:7). The evidence of this was when He began to sweat blood. Fervent prayer always works. The ministry of Jesus was a great success! Two thousand years after these prayers, churches are still being planted. Books are still being written. Songs are being composed about Christ. More people are volunteering their lives to the service of our great God. You will have great success in your ministry when you learn how to pray fervently. Whenever you don't know what to do, do what Jesus did. Jesus shouted when He prayed! Jesus prayed until He was sweating! Read it for yourself! “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22: 44)

THE KEY OF COVENANT MAKING AND CHURCH PLANTING

God is a covenant keeping God. There is a little understood revelation on how to move the hand of God, which I call the key of covenant making. Hannah made a covenant to give her child to the Lord. There is no need for anyone to make a covenant before you give your child for the service of the Lord. However initiating a covenant with the Lord can provoke Him to bless you supernaturally; Hannah provoked God to open her womb and to release her children to her. She promised Him the first child even if it was the only one.

Jacob was another person who covenanted to the Lord and by that invoked a great blessing on his life. “And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on... then shall the LORD be my God” (Genesis 28:20,21). A final example of someone who covenanted to the Lord was Jephthah. “And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering” (Judge 11:30,31).

Covenant making is a special kind of prayer in which you engage the Lord in a legally binding agreement. Many people become unfaithful when He honours them in the ministry. The Lord is looking for faithful people who will remain true to His calling as the years go by. Perhaps a prayer of commitment from you to always be faithful to the call of God will release the grace of God that you so desire upon your life. If you will not be faithful to God why will He give you His precious anointing? All those who made these covenants kept them and the Lord also kept His side of the covenant.

THE KEY OF THE ANOINTING AND CHURCH PLANTING

A church planter must seek to be anointed with the Holy Spirit and his power for effective ministry. Rebecca was anointed to break out of barrenness into fruitfulness. “And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them” (Genesis 24:60). I prophesy the anointing of Rebecca over your life and ministry! Say it over and over to yourself and believe that the grace for fruitfulness and church growth are released in your life and ministry. It shall surely come to pass. It shall surely come to pass at last!

“And they blessed Rebecca...”

I bless you to become endued with power for ministry!

“… Thou art our sister…”

I declare that you are my brother and colleague in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are working together for the Master. We have the victory over the enemy. No weapon formed against us will prosper.

One may put to flight a thousand, but two of us shall put to flight ten thousand.

“…be thou the mother of thousands of millions…”

May you be endued with the power for ministry! May you become the father and mother of thousands and thousands of spiritual children! May you have great increase! You will see thousands of thousands coming to the Lord in your ministry! You will experience the things that God has prepared for you! “…And let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them” May you have victory over Satan and demons! May you conquer towns, villages and cities for Christ! May the battle always be in the gates of your enemy and never in your own gate!

As you read this chapter, receive the blessing of Rebecca! I prophesy the anointing of Rebecca over your life and ministry! Say it over and over to yourself and believe that the grace for fruitfulness and church growth are released in your life and ministry. It shall surely come to pass! It shall surely come to pass at last! A Prophetic Word Stand and fight, for it is the last battle on this earth. The gates of hell have been opened wide but heaven has also released its forces. We shall surely win for the captain of the host is Jesus. Many are wounded but many are still strong! Rise from the ashes! Let the wounded join in to fight for the last time. We can win says the Lord! We shall win says the Lord! Your scars shall become the reason for your honour in the resurrection. In that day, the wounds of battle shall make you an honourable warrior. Greater and greater is the glory that awaits my faithful servants! Your glittering crowns, your beautiful mansions, your precious stones and your unspeakable rewards are piling up for eternity. Fear not for I have determined the time and the hour of your victory!

Chapter 12

The Doctrines of Sacrifice and Obedience in Church Planting

Planting of Churches and Sacrifice

“And Jesus answered them, saying, the hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat FALL into the ground and DIE, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much FRUIT” (John 12:23,24). Sacrifice is the missing ingredient for church planting. This master key will take the average ministry from barrenness to fruitfulness. Sacrifice is the key that will transform a reverend minister from an official with a title, to a truly fruitful minister. It will make a church grow from a single church to chain of churches. It will make a pastor move into church planting. The readiness to die is a missing ingredient in many good churches. Many of our churches will remain small until we have people who are ready to sacrifice. There comes a time when what is needed is sacrifice. Failure to sacrifice always results in barrenness. A lot of churches have reached the borderline. Many ministries can do more but they don't. It's because they don't want to sacrifice. They do not lack information or knowledge. Many people know what I know. If you have read my books, you must have some knowledge. However, knowledge is not enough! You will not have the fruits I have even if you have the knowledge that I have. For you to have what I have, you must pay the price. There is a price for everyone to pay. The price of glory is the same for everyone! The scripture says that unless a corn of wheat disappears into the ground and dies, it will be alone.

The Missionary

The corn of wheat symbolizes the missionary. And the missionary is the one who will be sent out to plant the churches. To be alone means to be fruitless. It means to be without members or followers. This dying process in the man of God will eventually bring out much fruit. Jesus would not have borne the fruit He did if He had not died on the cross. He would have been alone in heaven with His Father. He could not have saved us if He had not died and gone to hell. To win followers for Himself and His Father, He had to fall in the ground and die.

The corn of wheat has to fall into the ground and die. When the seed falls into the ground, it disintegrates and decomposes. This is what we call dying. The seed actually goes through a process before it comes out as fruit. That can only take place when it disappears and dies. The need to “die” is the most important truth to grasp. There are many sincere leaders who know many things. They have heard much and think they are high up in God. Knowledge unfortunately breeds pride. “… we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth” (1 Corinthians 8:1). The kingdom is more than a school of history and doctrines. It is more than acquiring numerous certificates of Bible knowledge. Knowledge without this process of dying will yield nothing. Have you noticed that some of the most learned and scholarly Bible expositors are very ineffective at real ministry? In fact, sometimes, the more scholarly they become the more faithless and godless they are. A single corn will become a big tree with many fruits only if it falls into the ground and dies.

The Secondary School of Ministry

It is time to send your young men out. It is time to release those who have been trained into the fields of ministry. The Lord has constantly led me to send my best people out. One day, a Senior Pastor who had several junior pastors under him asked me; "How can I improve the quality of my pastors?" I said, "Send them to the 'secondary school' of ministry." I told him, "Most of the pastors under your care are still in the 'primary school' of ministry and they have been there for many years." "Instead of releasing them into the next stage of ministry, you have kept them with you and that has destroyed them spiritually." I explained, "Instead of these ones becoming pastors of hundreds of people, some of them have become guitarists, singers and ushers in your church. They never moved on in ministry."

I continued talking with this pastor, "it is very difficult to send away people you are used to. It is difficult to send away people you love. You even risk destroying your relationship with them as they may develop a spirit of rejection." I explained; "There are pastors who are very honoured and happy to be overseeing thousands of people today. But when I sent them away from me to begin these churches, they were often sad and felt rejected. I had to counsel and affirm my love towards them many times." I continued encouraging my friend to send out his best people. I explained again, "Unless they go through the experience of the dying seed, they will never really bear fruit. They will prance around you and busy themselves with many activities in church, but actually, bear no fruit."

THE MAKING OF A CHURCH PLANTER

1. THE FALLING PROCESS

Falling into the ground speaks of a period in a man of God's life in which he is unknown and hidden from the view of the general public. It also speaks of a period of rejection, negative response, refusal, denial and denunciation in his life. Church planters and missionaries will go through this experience many times. Don't worry; isolation, rejection and separation are part of real ministry. Concerning John the Baptist, the Bible declares that he was hidden in the wilderness until the time of his showing unto Israel. Every pastor must realize that God has a time in his life when he must be hidden. Do not be in a hurry to be exposed since premature exposure leads to destruction. Jesus Christ was hidden for thirty years before he was exposed to public ministry. His appearance in the ministry surprised those who didn't know that a seed had been in the ground for thirty years.

Moses experienced this falling into the ground. He was utterly rejected by his brethren when he first tried to minister to them. He ended up in the wilderness for forty years. After years of rejection and isolation, he was ready to minister. Joseph had this same experience of falling into the ground. His visions and dreams were utterly rejected. Then he himself was utterly rejected and dispensed with. He found himself working as a slave and then as a prisoner in Egypt. After several years of separation from his brethren he was finally ready for a great ministry. These are just a few examples of this pattern of falling into the ground. I tell you, no true minister is truly accepted until he has been rejected. I have experienced this falling into the ground myself. When I started out in ministry, I was utterly and totally rejected by the ministers of my day. One minister that I had a good relationship with refused to minister to our group anymore. When I asked why, he said, "I don't sow amongst thorns anymore." He and other pastors claimed that I was not called by God and had no business starting a church. They felt I was a medical student who should concentrate on his schooling. They told my assistant not to associate with me because it was dangerous to stay with someone who was not called by God.

I told another minister with whom I had a good relationship, that I had started a church. I received an instant rebuke and was questioned as to which Bible school I had attended. I was discouraged and I went away with my “tail between my legs”. To emphasize the rejection, this pastor decided to hold a campaign right where our church was meeting. He held a big programme and showed a very powerful video of his national and international programmes. It was one of the best presentations of that ministry I had ever seen. Our church looked like a group of lame ducks and dwarfs after this presentation. A powerful invitation was then made to me to join this ministry. After they had left, I asked myself, "Who would want to be with us when there are such powerful and established ministries in the city?" After that programme, we felt demoralized and discouraged. It was obvious that we were a group of struggling students attempting to do ministry work. I also remember an incident when I met one of these great pastors of an established church. It was at a wedding being held on the university campus. I went up to him to say hello and he said, "Oh, hello Dag" Then he paused, looked at me and said, "Pastor!" As I stood before him, I felt in my heart that he was mockingly referring to me as a pastor.

I almost asked him "Sir why are you mocking me?" "Why do you call me 'pastor' when you don't believe that I am a pastor?" I don't know how those words never came out of my mouth. Dear friend, I tell you, that the only thing I felt at that time of my ministry was rejection and intimidation. I went through a period of utter rejection and I continued the ministry work in virtual separation from most of the ministers I had known. God then taught me to minister through lay people. You see, most of the ministries at that time were based on full time workers. Don't be worried when you are not accepted or wanted. Don't be upset when no one invites you. Your day of “showing forth” will come! Today, I am accepted and even respected by some of these great pastors who initially despised me. Perhaps they had no choice but to accept me. After all, I am here even if they don't want me. “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel” (Luke 1:80).

2. THE DYING PROCESS

When the seed falls to the ground, it disintegrates and decomposes. It utterly changes in its character and appearance. By the time God is finished with you, your appearance will be different. Your character will be utterly transformed. Allow the dying process to continue. Except the seed dies, it abides alone. Unless these qualities are allowed to develop, your ministry will not develop.

a. Developing A Personal Relationship With God

During this period of alienation, many important spiritual traits will be birthed in the man of God. A personal relationship with God is one of the most important things that you will learn when people reject you. Every true minister derives his strength from the Lord directly: You see, many will come in that day and say, “I cast out demons in your name and I did great works in your name”. But the Lord will say, “I never knew you”. This goes to say that every minister must be very particular with his relationship with the Lord. Rejection stops the horizontal (human) relationships and leaves you to develop the vertical (God) relationship

b. Developing Humility

The rejection by man is intended to make you develop humility. Humility is the highest mantle a minister can wear. The more humble a minister, the higher his standing before the Lord! One of the common deceptions in the church is that the larger your church, the higher your standing before the Lord. That is not the case; Jesus made it clear that the greatest pastor will be the most humble and childlike amongst us. “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). John the Baptist's humility was evident. He made it clear that he was not worthy to unlace the shoes of Jesus. He deferred to the Lord and stated that Jesus must increase as he decreases. How many pastors today want others to increase while they decrease? “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). The humility of Jesus was evident. He humbled himself and became obedient even to the death of the cross. Moses lost all confidence in himself. The Bible calls him the meekest man on earth. Wouldn't you be meek after forty years in the wilderness as one of the ten most wanted men in Egypt? When you read about the call of Moses, you see how Moses had zero confidence in himself. He was a great person but his opinion of himself was genuinely very low. Notice Moses' own assessment of himself.

The Eleven Complaints of Moses

1. And Moses said unto God, ”Who am I?” (Exodus 3:11).

2. And Moses said unto “… What shall I say unto them?” (Exodus 3:13).

3. And Moses answered “… They will not believe me …” (Exodus 4:1).

4. And Moses said “… I am not eloquent, … I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue” (Exodus 4:10).

5. “And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send” (Exodus 4:13).

6. And Moses …said, “Lord, …Why is it that thou hast sent me?” (Exodus 5:22).

7. And Moses spake “… the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me” (Exodus 6:12).

8. And Moses said “… I am of uncircumcised lips” (Exodus 6:30.)

9. And Moses cried unto the LORD, “… They be almost ready to stone me” (Exodus 17:4).

10. And Moses said unto the LORD, “Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant?” (Numbers 11:10).

11. And Moses said, “the people are six hundred thousand footmen” (Numbers 11:21).

Joseph after being a prisoner for some years did not think of vengeance when he saw his brothers. He could see through it all that God had meant it for good. Joseph had become so mature in the things of God that he felt his brothers had done nothing wrong. In fact, he felt his brothers were used by God. After going through all that I have been through, I have come to love and appreciate the people who once rejected me. I feel that God used them to train me in the ministry. I bear none of them a grudge and I value their ministries greatly. Even the bitterest of experiences have worked out for my good.

3. BEARING MUCH FRUIT

Bearing fruit is a very spiritual thing. Most men of God think that if you have a large church, you have borne much fruit and are pleasing to the Lord. However, you will notice that Jesus was pleasing to His father even before He preached His first sermon. “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED” (Matthew 3:17). You don't have to have a church for the Heavenly Father to say, "This is my beloved son 12 in whom I am well pleased." You don't even have to be a pastor. You don't have to write a book, you don't have to preach a sermon to hear the words, "This my beloved son in whom I am well pleased."You don't need to be famous to hear the words, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." Jesus was not famous when this happened. This scripture shows us that pleasing God is not based on our work per se. Our fruits are actually gifts that are given by the Lord. Have you ever wondered at the immense fruit that Christ Jesus bore? Have you ever wondered how thousands of churches have been planted as a result of His three years of ministry? Two thousand years have gone by and He has more fruit than He has ever had. What did He do that brought about so much fruit? He did six things: just three years of preaching, teaching and healing, living a life of humility, obedience and the sacrifice on the cross. Significant among these things was His sacrifice on the cross as this opened the door for our salvation. Your obedience and sacrifice to the Lord will give rise to many churches.

Spend and Be Spent

If you are a senior pastor, don't be afraid to send out the best that you have. God gave His Son and today He has millions of sons. If God has called you to plant a church don't be afraid to die. Unless you die, you will never bear much fruit. It is time to spend and to be spent for the Lord. Spend your best leaders and workers on the harvest fields of the world. Allow yourself to be spent for Jesus. This was David Livingstone's philosophy. He allowed himself to be spent so that unsaved tribes and peoples could be discovered and evangelized. I quote from an interview that he had before he died.

David Livingstone’s Example

*“At twelve years of age, he showed an anxiety about his spiritual welfare. At twenty he was converted. It was a natural stepping-stone from the Christian home to membership in the church. His folk were worshippers at the Hamilton Church. Two of the elders instructed him in the doctrines. For five months, he walked regularly from his home in Blantyre to his little church in Hamilton to be taught by and be prayed with by one of the elders. After this, he was duly allowed to become a communicant member. It was then he made the decision to consecrate himself to the service of Christ in some form of missionary effort. After graduation in medicine and theology, he applied to the London Missionary Society. Could he come down for an interview? He had no money for his fare. Two friends helped him. The necessary probation period in the London school over, he was ready for his life task.

China was his choice; but the Opium War had closed the door; his heart was turned to Africa, and to that continent he sailed, and landed at Cape Town in 1849. What did he look like as he set sail? Moderately tall, slim in build; a wiry, closely-knit frame suggesting great powers of bodily endurance. He gave as his reason: "when first I felt the expansive benevolence of the gospel in my heart, it became an interesting question to me; how can I spend the remainder of my days in bringing my fellowmen to the enjoyment of the same happiness and peace?"

How can I spend my years? ..."SPEND AND BE SPENT" the missionary ideal was constant in all his years. Preaching and teaching, Livingstone was also a physician to the sick. He had a genius for friendship with these Africans. "Love begets love" was his motto. His hands were never idle; bricklayer, carpenter, stones man and general director of the social economy of his settlements he passed his days in intense action.” The sacrifice of great men like David Livingstone brought about a great expansion of the church into Africa. Truly, there is no other way than the sacrificial way laid down by Christ Jesus. The true church is perpetuated by sacrifice!

OBEDIENCE AND CHURCH PLANTING

“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22). We often think that the person who sacrifices is greater than the one who obeys. The word sacrifice brings to us, terrifying images of suffering and loss. Obedience seems to be a much milder and less demanding option. In fact, our human analysis would rate sacrifice above obedience any day. Once again, God's ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. He makes it clear that to obey is better than to sacrifice. The word "better" means “greater, to be preferred, an improved version, superior, enhanced, more acceptable, more favourable, higher quality, augmented and more desirable”! This verse therefore means that it is greater, to be preferred, superior, more acceptable, more favourable and more desirable, to obey than to sacrifice. Why is obedience to be preferred to sacrifice? When we sacrifice, we often know what we are doing and why we are doing it. We know we are going to suffer and we know the reasons for the sufferings. Why is it more desirable, favourable and more acceptable to God when we obey? The following reasons will explain why obedience is a greater thing compared to sacrifice. REASONS WHY OBEDIENCE IS BETTER (GREATER) THAN SACRIFICE

1. IT IS GREATER TO OBEY WITHOUT FULLY UNDERSTANDING, THAN IT IS TO SACRIFICE.

The greatest blessings in my life and ministry have come from obeying God rather than sacrificing to Him. Most of the time, it is not easy to understand the implications of what you are doing. As I write this textbook, there are things the Lord has asked me to do that I don't understand. The reason why we do not understand is because of our level of growth or our stage of maturity in the Lord. I believe that we will never fully understand what God has asked us to do until we begin to do it. Notice this scripture. It shows us that it is when you do the will of God that you know His will. “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17). How could I understand the impact of full time ministry when I was a lay pastor? Many lay people think they understand what full time ministry is. But I know that they do not appreciate what it is all about. Many lay people think they are serving God just as well as anyone else. It is only in obeying God that I found the importance of full time ministry.

2. IT IS BETTER TO OBEY A COMMAND THAT YOU WOULD NOT NATURALLY DO, THAN IT IS TO SACRIFICE.

When the Lord directed me into the healing ministry, I did not fully understand the effect that it would have on my ministry. Until then, I had operated mostly as a teacher and preacher. Naturally speaking I am a more calculating and logical person. It was not natural for me to move by the spirit or minister things that are spiritual. It is one of the most difficult things I have ever done and I am ever grateful for people who helped me cross that barrier. Today I have seen many miracles in the ministry. I can say it is the one thing that has made a great difference in my present ministry.

“Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). It is very unnatural to give yourself to be killed by wicked men. One of the most frightening experiences of mankind is to know that you are going to die. I have had patients who died shortly after being told that they were terminally ill. If you think about it, you would know that it is a terrifying experience. I remember a lady who had leukemia. She thought she had some kind of fever and was being treated for that. Even though she had a deadly illness, she looked and felt quite well. One morning, on a ward round, she asked one of my doctor colleagues where she could get her drugs. My colleague pointed across the road and said, "Oh, you can buy these cancer drugs from the Burkett's tumour department across the road." The lady was silent! She was shocked! Up until this time, she had not been told that she had cancer or any such illness. This lady was so frightened that her condition deteriorated rapidly. I am sorry to say that within a few hours, this lady went into a coma and died.

The knowledge of approaching death is one of the most terrifying ordeals for any man. Mercifully, God rarely shows us our day of departure. I always remember the blood shot eyes of a thirty-year-old man who was dying of chronic renal failure on a medical ward. He knew there was something terribly wrong with him. One morning as I attended to him, he gripped my hand and said, "Doctor, please help me. I want to go to Germany. I have a brother there who will help me get medical attention." I was scared because I was only a medical student, and I didn't know what to do. I looked downward and saw his urine bag filled with blood and I knew that only God could save him. I always remember the terror in that man's eyes. I remember the sound of his frightened and pleading voice. "Doctor, please help me."

When I think of my Jesus and how He calmly approached His own gruesome death, I only marvel. When I think of how Jesus prayed for God to take the cup away, I appreciate His obedience to His father. Dear friend, it is not natural to walk toward your own death. It is not natural to do things that will hurt and destroy you. To obey is better than to sacrifice! There are many commands of God that will go against your natural mind or way of thinking. It is time to obey. There are people who give extra offerings to the Lord because they are living in disobedience. These extra sacrifices are intended to compensate for their lives of disobedience. Watch carefully every Sunday and you will see many disobedient Christians paying large amounts to the Lord, hoping that these offerings will close the eyes of Jehovah. Mercy!

3. IT IS BETTER TO OBEY INSTRUCTIONS YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH, THAN IT IS TO SACRIFICE.

Disobedience often sets in when you do not agree with the instruction given you. When God instructs us to forgive an obviously rebellious person, we may not readily agree. With time, you discover that forgiveness is greater than revenge. Whenever you are wronged, there is a very self-righteous feeling that makes you want to correct and pay back. It is not easy to ignore this feeling! Great blessings have come my way as a result of forgiving the people that wronged me. It is not always easy to agree with God's style of doing things. “And it came to pass … that God … said, … Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him” (Genesis 22:1-3). I am sure that Abraham didn't agree with the idea to kill his only son but he did what the Lord asked him to do.

4. IT IS GREATER TO OBEY HUMBLING COMMANDS, THAN IT IS TO SACRIFICE.

Many of God's commands humble us. You could say that the number one characteristic of God's instruction is that they humble you. They often make you look foolish in the eyes of men or in your own eyes. When the Lord led me to be a full time minister, I looked foolish in the eyes of other doctors. When I receive offerings or do fund-raising, I look foolish in my own eyes and in the eyes of many people. I planned to make great sacrifices to the Lord when He called me into full-time ministry. I told Him, I would give large amounts of money from the hospital that I would set up. However, the Lord told me that He did not want my sacrifices, but rather He wanted me to work for Him.

One day I called one of my lay pastors and asked him to come for a ride with me to Kumasi; a city about 250 kilometers from Accra in Ghana. "Will you come along" I asked. "It would be a privilege to ride with you," He said "I will slip away from work and join you." As we drove along, and chatted, I told him something that surprised him. I said, "You are a very hard working young man." I continued; "You are always doing extra things for the Lord." You see, this young man was an architect, and in spite of his job, he was constantly working in the church. I told him; "You run around the city doing anything that needs to be done. You are one of the most sacrificial and dedicated pastors I have ever worked with." He smiled gratefully! I continued; "You have done so many architectural jobs for the church and never charged a penny. Whenever there is any extra pastoral work to be done, it is you I call on". I explained; "That is why I called you to come along with me on this trip. I knew you would be able to get away from work at short notice." Then I dropped the bombshell, "But you are in disobedience!" I continued, "You are disobeying God." His smile began to fade. I explained, "The reason why you are so active, so zealous and so sacrificial is because you are trying to compensate for disobeying God. God has called you to serve Him in full-time ministry but you are on the run." He was shocked. "I never thought about that," he said. "It never occurred to me that I was just compensating for my disobedience."

A few months later, this young man gave up his job and obeyed the call to full time ministry. May God open our eyes to see if you are disobeying Him and trying to compensate! Oh how we love to compensate for our disobedience! We don't want to humble ourselves before the Lord. We don't want to look foolish before anyone. We want to do our own thing and make a convenient sacrifice to compensate. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:8.

5. IT IS BETTER TO OBEY INSTRUCTIONS THAT DON'T REQUIRE YOUR WISDOM THAN IT IS TO SACRIFICE.

“Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat” (Matthew 10:9,10). How will I live if I don't provide for myself silver and gold? Walking with the Lord requires that you put aside your own reasoning and trust in His wisdom. To work for God requires faith. When you see the measly offering baskets with jingling coins, going around from pew to pew, you wonder, "Can I survive on these collections?" Is this how God will sustain a full time pastor?" Years ago, I visited a church in Europe. The American missionary pastor had a thriving congregation. As I sat in his office, I got to talk about the finances of the ministry.

I told him proudly, "I am not the kind of pastor who depends on offerings." I continued, "I work as a doctor and do private business. I don't need anyone's money." He looked at me quizzically and said; "I see the wisdom in what you are doing but God's wisdom is higher than yours." He explained, "God has a plan and a pattern by which He is building His church. Your plan and your idea will never be superior to His plan." God's way is simple! 'They that preach the gospel must live off the gospel' (1 Cor. 9:14). He said to me; "You are depriving your congregation of a blessing which they receive when they bless the man of God." I self-righteously thought to myself; "I don't need any of those offerings." However, after that conversation I began to consider that I could not be wiser than God. God must know how to build His church better than I do. Today, I preach the gospel and I live off the gospel. I humbly depend on the method of sustenance that God has designed for pastors. I am not better than any of God's servants. Instead of sacrificing extra time, doing business and other moneymaking deals, I give myself wholly to the moneymaking ministry of the Word and prayer. It is better to obey than to sacrifice.

6. IT TAKES GREATER FAITHFULNESS AND DILIGENCE TO PERFORM DUTIES THAT DO NOT APPEAR URGENT OR IMPORTANT.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19,20). “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Most important things are not urgent. Important things are often unattractive and uninviting. It is difficult to be faithful with what God considers important. For instance, prayer without ceasing is one of the most important things for us to do. Yet we lack a sense of urgency when it comes to prayer. In times of trouble, you often cannot have faith. While you are in the trouble, you will feel like calling on God but fear and anxiety will grip your heart. It is almost impossible to pray under those circumstances. Then you will realize how important it was for you to have prayed. I have been there in the darkness of life when all theories on faith no longer worked. Have you ever wondered why Jesus did not pray when He was arrested? It is because He had finished praying before the crisis began.

When Jesus approached the tomb of Lazarus, He wouldn't have said a single prayer before raising him from the dead. He explained that the only reason He was praying was so that those around would know that He had a father. To preach the gospel and to win the lost is a very important instruction. But often there is no sense of urgency to fulfil that command. The fact that you don't feel any pressure does not mean that it is not important. Pressure does not always signify the importance of a command. It is a great thing to obey the Lord even when we are not under pressure to do so.

7. THE CONSEQUENCE OF OBEYING OR DISOBEYING ONE LITTLE INSTRUCTION CAN BE SO GREAT THAT NO SACRIFICE COULD EVER COMPENSATE.

Look at the mess we are in because Eve disobeyed the Lord. When the Lord God asked her the question in the Garden of Eden (what is this that thou has done?) He was asking: What are these wars that you have brought into the world? What are these sicknesses that you have created? What is this perversion that you have introduced into the world? What are these cancers and HIV that you have unleashed on mankind? Who are these Saddam Hussein, Adolph Hitler and Stalin characters that you have given birth to? What are all these funerals and deaths that you have released? What is this fear and self-preservation that is so dominant in the world? What is this barrenness and pain to women that you have initiated? What are these hospitals that you have given us a need for? Who are these handicapped, blind and lame people that you have produced?

Little did Eve know what she was releasing in that one act of disobedience. She could not imagine how much hurt and suffering she was bringing into the world. This is the one thought that keeps me in the ministry. I think about all the people who would perish if I were to disobey God. Think about Jesus. Think about all the people who were saved through His ministry. By one act of obedience, He has rescued millions from the throes of hell.

Perhaps if He had stayed on for eighty years, preaching in every country, He wouldn't have had the fruits He has today. There is nothing like obedience in the eyes of God. “To obey is better than to sacrifice. Therefore as BY THE OFFENCE OF ONE judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so BY THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF ONE the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life” (Romans 5:18). This is the most important truth you must learn about obedience. I remember the story of a lieutenant in the army who had received orders to fire his artillery at a certain target, which were some miles away. As they prepared to fire, the radio operator had a message for the lieutenant to hold his fire. He ran to his officer to tell him the new order. Something had changed: the position, which was formally occupied by the enemy, had been taken up by their own troops.

However the lieutenant was so zealous and eager to fight that he did not listen to the radio operator. He was so bent on getting into the battle that he didn't listen. In the story, the radio operator was struck by a bullet as he pleaded with his lieutenant to listen to the new message. But to no avail. He eventually died before he was able to relay the message. The lieutenant finally opened fire and pounded what he thought was the enemy position. Soon after that, he received word that his own soldiers had suffered many casualties due to the pounding he had given them. It was told him that he had killed many of his own. This man was later court martialled.

From this story, we see how important it is to obey rather than to sacrifice. The young lieutenant wanted to fight at all cost. But the greater thing to do at that point was to hold his fire and not to get involved. Could it be that there are times that we are just to hold our fire? God is like the general who sees the whole picture. He knows when to sacrifice and when not to, He knows when to fire and when not to fire. I have learnt that to obey is better than to sacrifice. God has asked us not to do things that we would have traditionally done. Could it be that there will be times that it is more important not to preach, than it is to preach because that is what God says?

The Apostle Paul said he had been given different commands by the Lord. At times, he had been commanded to be full and at other times, he had been commanded to be hungry. Paul was intent on obeying the Lord. If the instruction was hunger, he was prepared for it; if the instruction was fullness, he would obey! “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I AM INSTRUCTED BOTH TO BE FULL AND TO BE HUNGRY, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:12).

a. The Disobedience of Saul

Saul was a classic example of one who thought he was wiser than God and could compensate for his disobedience. No sacrifice, no matter how big is acceptable to God if it is done in disobedience. Read the Bible. There are many sacrifices that God is not pleased with. God is not against sacrifice, but He wants your obedience first. “TO WHAT PURPOSE IS THE MULTITUDE OF YOUR SACRIFICES UNTO ME? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats” (Isaiah 1:11).

b. The Disobedience of Joshua

Joshua had a clear mandate from the Lord to wipe out all the heathen nations in the Promised Land. It was explained to him that disobeying this command would result in these very nations becoming a snare onto the Israelites. “But if YE WILL NOT DRIVE OUT THE INHABITANTS of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be PRICKS in your eyes, and THORNS in your sides, and shall VEX YOU in the land wherein ye dwell” (Numbers 33:55). However, Joshua left the heathen in three key cities. He obeyed God everywhere except in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod. Read it for yourself.

“Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle. For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses. And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities. THERE WAS NONE OF THE ANAKIMS LEFT IN THE LAND OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL: ONLY IN GAZA,IN GATH, AND IN ASHDOD, THERE REMAINED. So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war” (Joshua 11:18-23).

It is very interesting to note the three groups of people that Joshua left alive: Gath, Gaza and Ashdod. Each one of these three groups of people gave birth to a significant enemy of the people of God. The Lord foresaw this and that is why he gave that instruction. These cities became the breeding grounds for future enemies. The city of Gath produced Goliath. Delilah who was a thorn in Samson's flesh was from Gaza. The god Dagon, into whose temple the Ark of the Covenant was taken, was in the land of Ashdod. These enemies lived to fight God's people and no one has ever forgotten about these three evil agents.

i. Goliath of Gath

“And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named GOLIATH, OF GATH, whose height was six cubits and a span” (1 Samuel 17:4).

ii. Delilah of Gaza

“Then went SAMSON TO GAZA, and … loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah” (Judges 16:1,4).

iii. Dagon of Ashdod

“And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Eben-ezer unto Ashdod. When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again” (1 Samuel 5:1-3). May the Lord save us from our own modern day cities of Gath, Gaza and Ashdod! Perhaps, by your disobedience, you are giving birth to future enemies of God. A sacrifice will not prevent the emergence of future enemies. Obedience will.

OBEDIENCE IN THE PRIESTLY MINISTRY

When pastors become priests, substantial churches are born. Satan's number one ministry is to accuse pastors of evil. He stands before the throne of God and points out our mistakes to us and to the Lord. This ministry of accusation is so intense that the most appropriate title for the devil today is 'the accuser of the brethren'. While this ministry of accusation is going on, the ministry of intercession is carried out by the priests of the Lord. It is only the ministry of the priest that counteracts the effects of the accuser. The accuser is like a prosecutor. If the prosecutor gets his way, judgment will be meted out. If the priestly ministry doesn't go on, the accuser will succeed. There are seven things that every church planter should know about the priestly ministry.

1. WE ARE PRIESTS UNTO THE LORD.

“But ye are a chosen generation, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9). “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:6).

2. THE PRAYERS WE OFFER ARE INCENSE TO THE LORD.

“Let my PRAYER be set forth before thee AS INCENSE; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141:2). “And the SMOKE OF THE INCENSE, which came with the PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand” (Revelation 8:4).

3. THE PRIEST MINISTERS TO THE LORD AND NOT FOR THE LORD.

“For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices…” (Hebrews 8:3).

4. THERE IS A NEED FOR PERPETUAL INCENSE (UNCEASING PRAYER) TO BE OFFERED UNTO THE LORD.

“And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it. And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, A PERPETUAL INCENSE before the LORD throughout your generations.” (Exodus 30:7,8).

5. A PRIEST SINS WHEN HE DOES NOT OFFER THE INCENSE OF PRAYER. “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should SIN AGAINST THE LORD IN CEASING TO PRAY for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way” (1 Samuel 12:23).

6. THE PRIEST IS ABLE TO SAVE (OR CAUSE SALVATION) BY INTERCESSION.

“Wherefore he is ABLE ALSO TO SAVE them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, SEEING HE EVER LIVETH TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEM” (Hebrews 7:25).

7. GREAT MIRACLES HAPPEN TO THE PRIEST AS HE PERFORMS HIS PRIESTLY DUTY.

“There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, A CERTAIN PRIEST NAMED ZACHARIAS, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. AND THEY HAD NO CHILD, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. And it came to pass, that while HE EXECUTED THE PRIEST'S OFFICE BEFORE GOD in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest's office, HIS LOT WAS TO BURN INCENSE when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And THERE APPEARED UNTO HIM AN ANGEL OF THE LORD standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; AND SHE BROUGHT FORTH A SON” (Luke 1:5-23,57).3

Chapter 13

Strategies for Practical Missionary Work

The Strategy of The Tent Ministry

One of the greatest keys to extensive church planting is the tent ministry. The tent ministry is the sacrifice of pastors and evangelists, who labour without being paid for their services. The enormity of the work is such that, without the strategy of tent ministry, very few churches will be planted. Almost every ministry I know has ground to a halt because of mounting bills, and the high cost of maintaining staff. It is virtually IMPOSSIBLE for the church to employ the people that are needed for the work of God.

The tent or lay ministry is not popular in some circles. In some cultures, everybody must be paid for his services. The organist must be paid! The guitarist must be paid! The sound controller must be paid and the pastor constantly seeks a higher salary for his services. Dear friend, most of the ripened harvest fields are in the poor regions of the world. How will the poor people of the earth be reached in their poverty? Most of these people cannot pay for the services of good pastors and evangelists. The ministry of unpaid pastors and evangelists is the key to continued church planting. Where the sacrificial nature of Christianity is compromised, church planting comes to an end. The church was born on the sacrifice of Christ. The church grew through the sacrifice of the apostolic church. Once again, the church will only expand through sacrifice In the next two chapters; I will be sharing about the tent ministry. As far as I am concerned, it is only through the tent ministry that church planting will be possible on a large scale.

THE TENT MINISTRY

Paul left Athens and went to Corinth, where he met Aquila, a Jewish man from Pontus. “Not long before this, Aquila had come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Emperor Claudius had ordered the Jewish people to leave Rome. Paul went to see Aquila and Priscilla and found out that they were tent makers. PAUL WAS A TENT MAKER TOO. So he stayed with them and they worked together. EVERY SABBATH, PAUL WENT TO THE JEWISH MEETING PLACE. He spoke to Jews and Gentiles and TRIED TO WIN THEM OVER” (Acts 18:4 Contemporary English Version).

1. THE TENT MINISTRY IS ACTUALLY THE LAY MINISTRY.

It is the ability to combine secular work with real ministry. The best example of the tent ministry was the Apostle Paul's ministry. It is so called because Paul was a tent maker.

2. IT IS POSSIBLE TO COMBINE SECULAR WORK WITH THE MINISTRY.

It is a ministry in which you support yourself. You may ask, "Is this the way that God planned for ministry to be? Does the Bible not teach that they that preach the gospel must live of the gospel?” “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14). I combined being a medical student with ministry. I know many people who are effectively ministering the word of God and continuing in their professions. Paul was the great church planter of the New Testament. He was able to accomplish great things for the Lord whilst he supported himself with the tent making business. The tent ministry is even more vital for church planting today.

3. THE BEST NEW TESTAMENT EXAMPLE OF THE TENT MINISTRY IS THE APOSTLE PAUL.

The best Old Testament example is the Prophet Daniel. Daniel had three jobs: i. He was a Member of Parliament for the Babylonian Province. “Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon” (Daniel 2:48). ii. He was the Second Vice President to Belshazzar. “Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom” (Daniel 5:29). iii. He was the Prime Minister during the rule of Darius. “It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage” (Daniel 6:1,2).

4. SOMETIMES IT IS THE WILL OF GOD FOR YOU TO BE A TENT MINISTER AND SOMETIMES IT IS THE WILL OF GOD FOR YOU TO BE IN FULL TIME MINISTRY.

In one breath, the right thing to do is to be fully supported by the ministry, but in another breath, the right thing to do is to support yourself. It is important that we follow the leading of the Spirit at all times. Isn't it amazing that the right thing can become the wrong thing (Anomia), because God said so? Paul declared that he was instructed by the Lord to be both full and hungry. “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I AM INSTRUCTED BOTH TO BE FULL AND TO BE HUNGRY, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:12).

5. THE TENT MINISTRY WILL BE A PROMINENT MINISTRY IN THE LAST DAYS.

Paul's ministry still lives on today. The best way some people can help in the ministry is to be like Paul - secular work during the week and then “reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews on the Sabbath day”. “And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. AND HE REASONED IN THE SYNAGOGUE every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks” (Acts 18:3,4).

6. PAUL PRACTISED THE TENT MINISTRY SO THAT OTHERS WOULD FOLLOW HIS GOOD EXAMPLE.

I now place you in God's care. Remember the messages about his great kindness! This message can help you and give you what belongs to you as God's people. “I have never wanted anyone's money or clothes. You know how I HAVE WORKED WITH MY OWN HANDS TO MAKE A LIVING FOR MYSELF and my friends. By everything I did, I showed you how you should work to help everyone who is weak. Remember that our Lord Jesus said, "More blessings come from giving than from receiving." After Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed” (Acts 20:32-36) (Contemporary English Version). “For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us” (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9). I am talking about a fruitful and lasting ministry. Paul was not a reverend minister who did nothing for God. He was indeed an anointed and powerful church planter. It is time for many who are called to follow this good example.

7. THE TENT MINISTRY CAN BE JUST AS FRUITFUL AS FULL TIME MINISTRY.

I do not know of anyone who will say that the Apostle Paul was inferior to any of the other apostles. He laboured more abundantly and travelled more extensively. He planted more churches than anyone else did. He was truly an effective, anointed and fruitful pastor.

HOW TO OPERATE IN THE TENT MINISTRY

1. WHEN IT IS THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN LIVE IN CERTAIN GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS AND DO THE MINISTRY.

When missionaries were sent from Switzerland to Ghana two hundred years ago, they had to support themselves on the mission field. Many of them became farmers, teachers etc. There was obviously no way of making bank transfers to these missionaries. It is important for ministers to understand that there are times when secular work gives you the legitimate basis for being in particular places. I have pastors in certain countries that do secular work simply because they need to be able to live in that country legally. Are we ready to do anything for Christ Jesus our Lord? If you have to hold down a secular job so that you can live and minister in a strange land will you do it? Is that asking too much? How do you think the Prophet Daniel was able to flourish in Babylon? He maintained his job as a Member of Parliament.

2. THE TENT MINISTRY HELPS YOU AVOID BECOMING A BURDEN.

“Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, THAT WE MIGHT NOT BE CHARGEABLE TO ANY OF YOU” (2 Thessalonians 3:8). There are times when being a full time minister is a burden to a small congregation. Sometimes a particular person in the congregation is burdened by the fact that he has to support you all the time. There are times I wouldn't want to stay in certain people's homes. This is because I feel that my presence is burdensome to my host.

Once we went out preaching and we got back home very late. It was past midnight. Our hostess came out of her room looking very sleepy and tired. She said, "Oh, are you guys back?", "what time is it?" she mumbled. We found out that it was about one a.m. "Would you like to eat?" She asked. I thought to myself, "Of course I would like to eat. I am starving; I haven't eaten the whole day". But I muttered some non-committal and diplomatic answer. My hostess continued, "I have some fish in the freezer, I can defrost it and make some stew." I was quiet but she continued, "I have some rice which I can also prepare". Then she asked again, “Would you like me to make the food?” I thought to myself, "Should a Christian ask someone to defrost fish and boil rice at one a.m.?" I decided that I didn't want to be a burden to this dear hostess. I smiled sheepishly and said, "Oh it is alright". I went to bed on an empty stomach. I simply did not want to be a burden to my hostess. I have learnt to carry secret supplies of food with me when I travel so that I do not become a burden to people. This is what Paul was talking about. He did not want his ministry to become a burden to anyone.

3. THE TENT MINISTRY WILL ENABLE YOU TO SURVIVE IN MINISTRY WITHOUT BEING PAID BY THE CHURCH.

“Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that WE MIGHT NOT BE CHARGEABLE TO ANY OF YOU” (2 Thessalonians 3:8).

Four Ways That Paying Pastors Can Hinder the Ministry

a. Building projects are slowed down or stopped.

b. The church cannot buy the equipment it needs.

c. Missionaries cannot be sent out.

d. Immature church members who do not understand why pastors should be paid certain amounts of money could cause trouble in a new church.

Some people simply do not understand why people who work for God should be blessed. I advise pastors to keep their lives as private as possible.

4. THE TENT MINISTRY ENABLES YOU TO BE FREE FROM ALL MEN.

“For though I be FREE FROM ALL MEN, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more” (1 Corinthians 9:19). Many times people who give money develop an attitude because of the size of their donations. It is very important for pastors to be free from the negative attitudes of church members. The prophets were warned “don't be afraid of their faces”. This is because the facial expression on people's faces often intimidates us. There are times when our being tent ministers eliminates the need for people's gifts and donations hereby eliminating these bad attitudes. “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. For though I BE FREE FROM ALL MEN, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more” (1 Corinthians 9:16-19).

5. THE TENT MINISTRY ENABLES YOU TO ENTER THE MINISTRY WHETHER FINANCES PERMIT IT OR NOT.

“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for NECESSITY IS LAID UPON ME; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16-18). Paul said, “Woe is me if I preach not the gospel.” Sometimes we do not have a choice! We have to do his will whether there is a salary or not. That is exactly how I feel. I do not think that I have a choice. I am bound to obey God. I feel that if I do anything apart from preaching His Word, God will destroy me. I have heard other pastors say the same thing. One pastor said to me, "Before I was in the ministry, I knew that God had called me. At one time I felt that God would kill me if I didn't go into the ministry." He continued, "That is why I am in full time ministry today."

6. THE TENT MINISTRY WILL ENSURE THAT YOU PLAY A PART IN THIS GREAT MINISTRY.

“And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I MIGHT BE PARTAKER thereof with you” (1 Corinthians 9:23). Many of us may never play a part in building the kingdom unless we do it as lay people. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all evangelists? Are all pastors? Obviously not! But thank God, you can support yourself and make a significant contribution to the ministry as a tent minister.

7. SOME PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO RELATE BETTER WITH UNPAID MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL WHO MAINTAIN THEIR SECULAR JOBS.

God is merciful and He makes a way for all kinds of people to be saved. There are people who have their own impressions of full time ministers and find it difficult to receive from them. They find it easier to receive from tent ministers who are obviously not in the ministry for the money.

8. TO FLOW IN THE TENT MINISTRY, YOU NEED TO BE SACRIFICIAL.

The tent ministry is essentially sacrificial in nature. Unlike what many people think, the ministry is very tiring and stressful. Even paid ministers are often called upon to sacrifice. Many pastors do not have a normal family life because their family life is constantly interrupted by the incessant demands of the congregation. When it is holiday time, instead of the pastor having time for his family, he has to attend various church and social functions. No one really cares about it until the pastor's children become rebels. There are many pastors' children who hate the ministry. They feel the ministry steals their parents from them. Besides this, there are many stresses that come to the pastor and his wife by virtue of the position they hold. He is the focus of every spiritual attack; many people do not know this. One time, when Israel went to war with Syria, the Syrian king gave a very revealing command to his generals and to his captains. He said to them; “do not fight with anyone. DON'T FIGHT WITH THE GREAT AND DON'T FIGHT WITH THE SMALL, FIGHT ONLY WITH THE KING PERSONALLY. “But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, SAVE ONLY WITH THE KING OF ISRAEL” (1 Kings 22:31). You can see from this instruction that no target was significant enough except the King of Israel himself. The king represents the leader or the pastor who becomes the focus of the attack.

When a person takes on the sacrifices of ministry without being paid, he makes a double sacrifice. “Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, HAVE WE NOT POWER TO EAT AND TO DRINK? HAVE WE NOT POWER TO LEAD ABOUT A SISTER, A WIFE, AS WELL AS OTHER APOSTLES, AND AS THE BRETHREN OF THE LORD, AND CEPHAS? Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? OR WHO FEEDETH A FLOCK, AND EATETH NOT OF THE MILK OF THE FLOCK? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel” (1 Corinthians. 9:1-18).

The tent ministry will test your Christian character. Virtues like self-control and temperance will be tested. When I was a medical student and doctor on the wards of the hospital, I had to sacrifice my resting times for the ministry. When people were watching TV, I could not afford that luxury. I didn't have time for useless socializing and chatting. All my spare time was taken up.

9. SELFISHNESS IS THE GREATEST HINDRANCE TO THE TENT MINISTRY. Selfishness is the principal reason why many people do not get involved in the Lay or Tent ministry. Most people are basically self-centred in their outlook of life; they have no concerns for anyone except themselves. They are engrossed in the little world they have built around themselves. Selfishness speaks of self-centredness, self-concern, self-awareness, self-help and self-gratification.

A selfish person can never be a servant of the Lord. Selfishness makes you think about yourself but ministry makes you think about people you don't even know. The Apostle Paul lamented about this phenomenon. He noted that all men seek for their own welfare. He said; " No one cares for the things of the Lord." “For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's” (Philippians 2:20,21). We are all selfish by nature but the deeper we get in the Lord, the less selfish we become. The barrenness of most Christians is a result of the spirit of selfishness. Who cares if they go to Hell? At least I am going to Heaven. Who cares if there is a village somewhere that has not heard the gospel? At least my family and I are okay. Who cares if somebody is sick and lying on the hospital ward? At least I am well. Who cares if there is some dirty old prisoner languishing in jail? At least I am free! That is the spirit of selfishness at work in the church and the Christian. If Jesus were selfish, He would not have left His throne in glory and come to this rotten world.

10. LAZINESS IS ANOTHER GREAT HINDRANCE TO THE TENT MINISTER. Most people are not prepared to work for anyone much less to work without being paid.

11. USE A LOT OF WISDOM WHEN PRACTISING THE TENT MINISTRY. “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Because of the intrinsic hatred for God and the ministry, many people would like to pick on someone who claims to be a pastor. “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him” (John 3:2).

People often look out for your faults at work or at school. They say things like, 'I am surprised that a pastor would do that. I never knew that pastors also come to work late.' I remember when I worked at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the biggest hospital in my country, as a doctor; I never told them I was a pastor. I knew that at the slightest opportunity they would use it against me. While a student and a pastor, I never indicated that I was even religious. I didn't want them to know anything about me. It is foolishness to go announcing to the whole world that you are a pastor or a religious leader. Jesus said we should be as wise as serpents. What does it mean to be as wise as a serpent? What wisdom does the serpent have? It has the wisdom to exist quietly in the midst of people who hate it. The serpent is universally hated and killed on sight, with no questions asked. And yet, snakes flourish all around us. There are millions of snakes all over the world. How has the snake managed to live and multiply in a world that hates it utterly? By discretion, carefulness, judgment, secrecy, prudence and caution!

12. BECOME A FINANCIAL SUPPORT BY ENGAGING IN THE TENT MINISTRY. “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to SUPPORT THE WEAK, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). It is amazing that a large amount of financial support comes from my lay pastors. Many times when there is a special appeal for financial support, it is my lay pastors (tent ministers) who often support me most. When you are involved in the ministry, you know the needs of the ministry. Tent ministers are a good support base for every church. 13. THE TENT MINISTRY FIGHTS IDLENESS IN THE CHURCH.

“For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies” (2 Thessalonians 3:11). After people have been in the church for some years, they seem to know all your sermons. No matter what tricks you use, they are able to see through the message and identify where it is coming from. I remember preaching a powerful series in church. People were really blessed. Many commented on how powerful the services had been. Then I had a note. This note was from a long-standing church member. He wrote, 'Dear pastor we were tremendously blessed by your message tonight.' He continued, "This is exactly what you preached five years ago. You only changed the title". He went further and enumerated the messages from where he claimed I had duplicated my current series. Then to reassure me he said, "We were mightily blessed anyway so keep on doing the good work". You see, it is important that Christians get involved with the ministry otherwise, they become critical busy bodies, analyzing and commenting on things that they do not even understand. “LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me” (Psalm 131:1).

PLANTING A CHURCH

Many people are afraid of starting a church because they do not know how to pioneer new work. The art of beginning a church is the art of witnessing, following-up and gathering sheep together. You do not need to break up someone else's church to begin your own! How would you feel if someone was building his house next to yours and decided to break down your house to get some blocks for his? That is madness! Unfortunately, this seems to be the only way that some people feel they can start a church. From today, do not be afraid of starting out in an honourable way. If God has really spoken to you, it will succeed!

1. COUNTING THE COST

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost…” (Luke 14:28). Carefully consider the implications of starting a church. It is not going to be easy! Not many people want to identify with a small thing. I learnt many years ago that there are two types of people in the world. There are those who push the canoe from the sand into the sea. Then there are those who jump into the boat when it is safely on the water. When the canoe is on the sand, it is very difficult to push it into the water. When it is on the water it is safer and many more people jump in. That is why it is easier for a large church to grow. When I began in the ministry, I was despised and opposed! Looking back, I am surprised that I was able to survive the storms of beginning a church on my own. At certain times, I felt like giving up. Everyone in the world seemed against me. They called me names and ridiculed me. When I carried a set of drums from my room in the medical hostel to a nearby classroom, I must have looked like a crazy zealot! "What does this person think he is doing with a few medical and nursing students?" I had no help from any of the bigger churches of my day. Some of them ridiculed me while others even opposed me. There was no help or approval from any man of God.

2. DO NOT BE DESPERATE FOR IMMEDIATE SUCCESS.

Do not become financially desperate in the early stages of ministry. Be careful not to become dependent on the church you are pioneering for your financial survival. That is a big mistake! If you do, you will become a desperate man, clutching at every straw for survival. A small church usually cannot afford to pay the salary of a pas-tor, much less buy him a car. My advice to anyone who is beginning a church is to find a job and start the church as a layperson. When people see that you are not ministering for financial gain, they will be more interested in your new church.

Too many pastors are desperate for more and more offerings from their few members. Sixteen people cannot look after you. Twenty-one people cannot support your upkeep and your children's school fees. Don't be a desperate pastor! Get a job right now! At the right time, the church will have more than enough money to look after its pastors. I had to invest a lot of my own money to get the church to work. Although I am now in full-time ministry, I was not paid for the first five years of the church's existence. There is another reason why you should not draw a salary in the early stages of a church. Money will be needed to buy equipment and to pay for other expenses like rent. If you siphon out the lifeblood of the church's money, it will not develop normally.

3. ACCEPTING THE MINIMUM NUMBER FOR STARTING.

How many people are needed to start a church? The answer is in the Bible! Two or three! “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Some people have criticized me for having two or three people in a church. Well, such criticism comes from an ignoramus. I would rather hear my dogs barking in the morning than to listen to critical and inexperienced scoffers! I do not start my churches with half a section of another person's church. If I have one pastor who is ready to obey God, all I need to do is to send him and he will start the work. The Lighthouse Cathedral was started with as few as five people. When I went to Zürich to start a church, I knew only one person. Today that church has several hundred people in it. One pastor who did not know anybody in South Africa, but was willing to do the work of God, started our church in South Africa. You do not need more than one person to start a church. I have churches that have only three people, and I am not ashamed to say it. Do not try to impress anyone; just do the work of God! Sometimes people are afraid to pioneer a church because they do not know how to do basic Christian tasks. What do I mean by the basics? The basics are praying, witnessing and following up converts. If you are truly called of God then the only person you need is yourself! All churches, which began in this way, have grown to become great trees.

The Bible says that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. “…The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof” (Matthew 13:31,32). What does that mean? Whereas an Old Boys Association or a Keep Fit Club may begin with quite a number of people, the beginnings of a church are like insignificant seeds. But they can grow, and they will grow. Many of my pastors are surprised when their churches grow. They cannot believe that the church will work. The beginning looks so miserable, yet that is how the kingdom of God is. One day, one of my pastors went to church and only one person came. He told me that he was very discouraged and depressed. He led that one person in worship. Then he preached to that one person. Afterwards he took an offering from that one person and then closed the service. He narrated to me how he went back home to his apartment in the deepest and blackest depression of his life. I am happy to tell you that today his church is a Mega Church and is still growing.

4. THE NEED FOR PATIENCE.

There isn't any tree that grows from a seed into a large tree overnight. No human being grows to be six feet tall in one year. No two-year old grows into an eighteen-year old within six months. If you have a hasty spirit, you will not be successful in starting a church. “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him” (Proverbs 28:22). In fact, when you are in a hurry, you are likely to cut corners, break someone else's church and criticize those ahead of you. You will commit dangerous sins in the early days of your fledgling ministry. Do not expect much within a year. Don't be surprised if you only have twenty people after two years. The mustard seed will surely grow into a Mega Church!

5. PRAYING FOR AND RECRUITING PILLARS.

Pray for labourers. Ask God to give you helpers. Then go out and recruit pillars. Jesus called individuals to follow him. Jesus recruited Simon and Andrew. Then He also recruited James and John. “Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother… And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men” (Mark 1:16,17). “And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother… And straightway he called them and they left their father… and went after him” (Mark 1:19,20). These people later became pillars in the church. “And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be PILLARS…” (Galatians 2:9). Sometimes you need to travel quite far in order to convince certain important pillars to join your church. Be extra careful that you do not break down somebody else's church in the process of building your own. Making an open invitation to all is different from coercing people to leave their church to join you. The very existence of a church is an open invitation. Remember that you will reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7). If you pressurize pillars in another person's church to leave, it will happen to you one day.

One important aspect in recruiting people is to pray for labourers. Let it be your daily prayer topic. Ask God for workers and committed people. Pray for people who will be loyal to you in everything that you do. Pray for people who will support you. “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth LABOURERS into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38).

6. LAYING A FOUNDATION OF PRAYER.

I recommend an average time of prayer and fasting of three weeks or more. Pray for the future of the church. Do not expect results next week. The answer to these prayers will be seen in the years ahead. When I first came to Korle- Bu (the area in Accra where our church is located), I would go at ten o'clock every night with four other medical students to the beach to pray. We would pray up until midnight. As I stood on the rocks near the seashore, my prayer was simply, "Lord, let your will be done. Do whatever you want to do with my life." As the years have gone by, the Lord has answered this prayer beyond my wildest imagination. I believe in laying a solid foundation of prayer and fasting at the beginning of every church. The church is a spiritual entity and not a social club. It must be established on scriptural and spiritual foundations. Some useful scriptures in praying for church establishment and church growth are: “…Thy will be done…” (Matthew 6:10). “Thy kingdom come…” (Matthew 6:10). “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance…” (Psalm 2:8). “…enlarge my coast…” (1 Chronicles 4:10). “...increase them with men like a flock” (Ezekiel 36:37). “…for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children” (Isaiah 66:8). “…I travail in birth again…” (Galatians 4:19).

7. BEING A MOTIVATIONAL LEADER.

After gathering a few people into a room, you will need to greatly encourage them, including yourself. People will be thinking in their minds, "Are you out of your mind? Is this what you call a church?" You must learn to do what David did when faced with discouragement. Encourage yourself first. “…but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:6). Then you must encourage the people. Tell them that though the beginning seems to be small, the future is going to be great! “Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase” (Job 8:7). Tell them not to despise the small start. Explain to them that the end is always better than the beginning. When they see that you are encouraged, they will be motivated to continue with the church.

“Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof…” (Ecclesiastes 7:8). “For who hath despised the day of small things?…” (Zechariah 4:10). Tell them that they are privileged to be founding members of a great church. Explain that the foundation of a building is the most important part of a building. Therefore, they are the most important members that the church will ever have. Tell them that Jesus always had a special place and reward for the apostles because they were his foundational members. “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles…” (Ephesians 2:20). Do not make the mistake of rebuking and shouting at them. Do not vent your frustration on your few members. It is not their fault that the church is small in the beginning stages. Preach faith! Preach hope! Preach stabilization! Preach about a better tomorrow! People love to hear that tomorrow will be better than today. You must be bold and shameless in your preaching. “I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity [shamelessness] he will rise and give him as many as he needeth” (Luke 11:8). In the above passage, the Greek word "Anaideia" translated importunity, also means shamelessness. The shamelessly persistent person gets results. Let's face it! There is some amount of shame in beginning a ministry with a few people. That is why people despise small beginnings!

Shamelessness (Anaideia) must characterize all that you do when you begin a church. Shamelessly invite people to join you on Sunday morning. When they see that you are not shy of your church, they will be interested in coming. Shamelessly advertise your church. People will believe what you say about your church. If you have an assistant, he must say good things about the preaching and about the church in general. All of these things help to create a good atmosphere for church growth.

8. WITNESSING AND FOLLOW-UP

This must be predominant in all of your church activities. You must boldly enter into the houses of your city and preach Christ to the people. You must shamelessly lead people to Christ in their living rooms. Pray for them and invite them to church. Stand on the street and talk to passersby about Jesus Christ. If you cannot shamelessly do street evangelism, then you cannot be a pastor.

Lead the congregation in inviting people to church every Sunday. Do not be depressed if most of the visitors do not come back. Most of them will not stay anyway. God will supernaturally bring the increase. Pastors must realize that there is a spiritual principle of sowing and reaping. “Whatever you sow is what you will reap. …for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). If you sow seeds through invitations and witnessing, you will reap from it one day.

My experience is that after a crusade or an outreach we initially have very few results. However, after awhile we begin to have people coming from the very place we did the outreach. Usually they are not the people we witnessed to. But God divinely sends them to us from that place. Use all of the principles of anagkazo.

9. AVOID THESE MISTAKES.

Do not hurriedly appoint people to leadership positions. Allow time to pass before you make definite appointments. Many of the people who are with you in the beginning will leave anyway. Do not be discouraged because of fluctuating attendance. Do not be discouraged because of a rotational shift of the members, i.e., half attend this week, the other half next week. That is how sheep behave. Take no notice of them! Do not rent an expensive hall. Do not keep the church's money in your house or in your personal account. One day somebody will accuse you of stealing, although you may have contributed a lot to the church. Do not count the money yourself but assign people to do so.

10. AVOID THE NON-ESSENTIALS.

Contrary to what people think, several things are not necessary when starting a church. You do not need a complimentary card or a briefcase to build a Megachurch! A constitution is not vital in the early stages. What is important is to have members and a regular congregation. A church logo is not important, neither is a church flag. Initially, it may not be necessary to register a church. Many countries allow freedom of association and freedom of religion. Just build the church and fill it with people. Pray for them, preach the Word, visit the sheep and trust God! Since the greater one is in you, you cannot fail!

PLANTING A NETWORK OF CHURCHES

Every pastor can expect the Lord to use you to plant more than one church. After a period you will have a network of churches. These churches will have to be managed. Managing a network of churches involves training, encouraging and guiding a team of ministers as they work.

KEYS TO PLANTING A NETWORK OF CHURCHES

1. TEACHING ON HOW TO DO THE WORK OF MINISTRY The first key to planting a network of churches is the TRAINING of ministers. The congregation is a field in which you plant seeds. If you plant seeds of leadership and inspire the members to do pastoral work, they will do it. The more you teach on how to do the work of the ministry, the more potential ministers will be released. When you teach your leaders, you are actually teaching many more people. You are also teaching the followers of this leader. Pastors must know the principle of explosive growth: if you want GROWTH, teach your members, if you want EXPLOSIVE GROWTH, teach your leaders! Teaching leaders establishes authority over the leaders who work under you. This is because the authority over the leaders is demonstrated by your ability to feed them. Teaching ordinary members is an investment into the church today. Teaching leaders is an investment into the future when you are gone. Success without a successor is failure!

Every pastor must teach leaders because Jesus Christ taught leaders all the time. Pastors must spend more time teaching leaders than teaching ordinary church members. This is the pattern set by Christ Jesus. Teaching leaders is your greatest key to true expansion. You will not have anyone to delegate if you have not trained leaders. Every pastor must teach his leaders because the leaders will never know what to do unless you teach them. Many pastors assume that the potential leaders around them will acquire vital knowledge by osmosis. People feel that leadership is for special people who are born that way. Osmosis is not the key to leadership - teaching is! I have written textbooks on these subjects. As you teach your members these materials, you will be surprised at what they will become.

2. TEACHING ON LOYALTY

The second key to planting a network of churches is LOYALTY. Loyalty is essential for maintaining a network of churches. The churches you will plant will not be in the same location. It is therefore necessary for people to be loyal wherever they are situated. I have taught a lot on loyalty. I have also written a textbook and other books on this subject. I recommend that you read these books, as they will be a blessing to your ministry. I once heard of someone criticizing me for teaching on loyalty. He said, "Why should you teach on loyalty and disloyalty?" He went on to say that loyalty is not something that is taught but is something that people are inspired to do because of your leadership. I was not surprised that this dear critic of mine had not planted a single branch of his church but was criticizing someone who had planted over four hundred churches. On another occasion, a dear pastor criticized me for teaching on loyalty. However when his church split, he became an avid reader of my books and even promoted them to other ministers. Loyalty is a key subject which must be taught until the culture of faithfulness and loyalty is established!

3. TEACHING ON CHURCH ADMINISTRATION

Church administration involves the managing of the churches that have been created. It involves managing a combination of secular and spiritual issues. It involves balancing natural things with supernatural things. Church administration involves the blending of hierarchical leadership and a democratic form of government. Both of these styles are biblical. The Bible has examples of committees being formed as in Acts chapter 6. As in the case of Paul and Timothy, the Bible also has examples of an autocratic style of leadership with direct instructions being handed down. Church administration requires combining the power of God and the wisdom of God. “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24). Without good church administration, everything that you build will eventually collapse. You need to master church administration otherwise, your ministry will be likened to a rocket that shoots out and falls apart shortly after takeoff.

THE ADVANTAGES OF A NETWORK OF CHURCHES

1. History has proved that the networks of churches or branches are very successful. These networks of churches are sometimes called denominations.

2. There are several well-known networks of churches in the world today. These networks are often the most stable and established congregations everywhere. The Assemblies of God Church, the Church of Pentecost, Church of God in Christ are but a few notable examples of these networks. The largest church in the world, pastored by David Yonggi Cho, belongs to the Assemblies of God Church network.

3. History has shown that belonging to a network of churches can give rise to very large stable congregations. It may be the key to church growth for your congregation.

4. Belonging to a network of churches sometimes eliminates the instability that characterizes young independent churches. The institutional stagnation that sometimes develops in a network of churches may be much less of an evil compared to the advantages that come with it.

5. In a network of churches, there are tried and tested principles, which are passed on to sister churches.

6. In a network of churches, the already existing name serves as publicity and attracts people to the churches. This name becomes like a franchise and serves as a powerful asset. The good name of a network of churches also has spiritual significance that cannot be quantified.

7. In a network of churches, trained members benefit from an established and respected system of pastoral recommendation and appointments.

8. The network of churches can benefit from each other financially. You are not likely to get financial support outside your network. Through a system of brotherly interdependence, churches are able to accomplish much more.

9. Church members readily flow between churches belonging to the same network. The network of churches is therefore to keep members within the fold.

10. Churches within the network easily benefit from anointed senior ministers of that network. They do not have to go through the protocol or experience the cost of having such ministers.

11. Pastors within the network of churches can receive fatherly counsel and encouragement from seniors. Pastors of independent churches are usually suspicious and wary of external ministers who parade as fathers. There is little trust because independent churches often compete with one another rather than support each other.

12. Churches within a network operate under a particular spiritual covering. The same anointing runs through the entire network because it is really one church

Chapter 14

Methods for Effective Missionary Work

The “Anagkazo” Method

“...Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel [anagkazo] them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23). I grew up in a Christian home and was made to attend church every Sunday. I must be honest, I found church very boring. I hated the long boring hymns and I couldn't understand the sermons. The priests looked unreal and detached from everyday life. I remember sitting through many boring and lifeless services at church. My main pre-occupation was to predict the closure of the service. I would count the number of hymns on the board and estimate the closing time of the service.

You see, the priests and the majority of the congregation were not born again. They were what you might call traditional Christians. They had inherited a family religion. One day, the unbeliever priest announced from the pulpit how much beer the whole church had drunk the night before at a party. It all came up to about $1000 worth of beer! The priest went on to say that, one of the members owed him a carton of beer. Surely, many of these people were just practicing a lifeless religion. I can understand why many young people do not go to church anymore. It is just one meaningless, lifeless and boring ritual. If the pastor is not a born again Christian, you cannot expect many members of the church to be born again. When I first attended secondary school, at the age of twelve, I was an unbeliever. That is when I first came into contact with "real" born again Christians. They were all members of the Scripture Union (SU). Though they seemed to be true believers, nothing about them attracted me. I remember one evening in particular, when the SU leader announced at the boarding house that there was going to be a meeting of the SU. I thought to myself, "Who would ever attend such a boring meeting?" These Christians were not attractive. They made weak and lifeless announcements inviting us, the unsaved, to join them. As a result, it never occurred to me to join this uninteresting group. I still cannot remember how I eventually joined the SU. I believe that the Spirit of God worked on me and drew me there without even knowing it! PRACTISING “ANAGKAZO”

Many Christians are genuine and have a real message to impart. But for a message to have any impact, it must be compelling. It must drive the listener to change! The message of the Lord Jesus Christ must persuade the unsaved to make a decision for Christ. That is why I am writing this textbook on what I call "Anagkazo". Anagkazo simply means, "To compel". It also means to necessitate, to drive, and to constrain by all means such as force, threats, persuasion and entreaties. Sometimes we need to go back into the Greek in order to understand the original meanings of some Bible words. You see, the New Testament was translated from the Greek language and the Old Testament from the Hebrew language. Anagkazo is the Greek word that is translated "to compel".

The Importance of Anagkazo

In the book of Luke chapter 14, we read a familiar story where Jesus told of an important person who held a party for his friends. I want you to read this whole portion of scripture so that you will be familiar with the story. “Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel [anagkazo] them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper” (Luke 14:16-24).

This man had the unfortunate experience of spending a lot of money on a big party, inviting important people, only to find out that most of them were uninterested. This man was very surprised about their rejection of his invitation. He became angry as he listened to the excuses of those he had invited. In his anger, he decided to invite anybody he found out on the street. Imagine having a party with people you don't even know! Unfortunately, at that time of the night, there were not so many people around. Even after inviting those on the street, his party was relatively unattended. He then decided to invite the sick, the blind and the handicapped. Imagine that! What an unusual selection of partygoers! His party was full of the nonentities of the community - the down-and-outs of society. I believe this story is symbolic of the Lord Jesus sending us out to invite people to Him. It is also symbolic of pastors sending out their members to evangelize the world. I have discovered that every time I embark on evangelizing the world (inviting many people to a great supper) I encounter the same things that this man encountered. However, I believe this man was a success. In spite of everything, he had his party and his house was full of guests. It might not have turned out the way he initially wanted, but he had his party anyway.

You see, God is sending out evangelists to invite the whole world to know Christ. Unfortunately, many of those who are invited do not respond. The Jews were the first to be invited to know the Lord. But they rejected Christ in their hour of visitation. Therefore, the Gospel was transmitted on to the Gentiles. Many of the elite, who live in large urban centres, hear the gospel on television and in churches many times. However, they do not receive but rather criticize preachers. Again, the Gospel is passed on to the poor and non-elite in villages. They willingly receive the Word because they have no other hope but God.

1. ANAGKAZO IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE A CERTAIN TYPE OF EVANGELISM IS NOT GOING TO WORK IN THIS DAY AND AGE.

People are not going to be convinced or compelled to know God through our little church games. Our "Mickey Mouse" church programs and bazaars will not go very far in today's world. We must go out there and drive them to God.

2. ANAGKAZO IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE MANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT NEED THE GOSPEL ARE NOT IN PLACES WHERE THEY CAN RECEIVE BOURGEOISIE INVITATION CARDS.

If people are going to be touched with the gospel, a new strategy of going to the gutters, highways and the bushes must be employed. Sitting in church and inviting people has long been an unworkable strategy for evangelism.

3. DEAR PASTOR, WITHOUT ANAGKAZO, YOUR CHURCH IS GOING TO BE EMPTY. Please remember that if this man had not employed the strategy of anagkazo he would have had an empty house. Remember this, "A pastor without anagkazo will have an empty church."

4. WITHOUT ANAGKAZO, MANY CHURCHES ARE GOING TO DIE A NATURAL DEATH.

What you must realize is that the membership of a church is very fluid. Many people come and many people leave. If you don't have more people coming in than those you are losing, your church will begin to die. If you don't want your church to close down, you must do what Jesus instructed - go out and practice anagkazo.

5. LIFE IS BECOMING MORE HECTIC AS WE APPROACH THE 21ST CENTURY.

Busy working people are going to have more and more excuses. The strategy of anagkazo will help you to overcome these excuses. Let me now take you through what I call the practical steps of anagkazo. These steps are derived from the story we just read in Luke 14. THE PRACTICAL STEPS OF ANAGKAZO

1. AN ANAGKAZO MAN PREPARES A GREAT SUPPER.

Anyone who wants to be used by God must prepare himself for the ministry. Today, God is using me in the ministry. This has not happened without thousands of hours of preparation. I realize that the sermons I preached to ten people some years ago, are the same sermons I am preaching to thousands today. Preaching to a small group of ten people was part of God's preparation for me. So if you want God to use you mightily, you must start preparing now! Take every opportunity you have to do something useful in the church. Years ago, I remember playing the drums and the piano in my church. Though I didn't know at the time, that was part of my preparation for ministry. Today, I know a lot about music and musical equipment. I can discuss intelligently, all details that concern music, worship and expensive equipment. My experience with the music department has been a valuable asset to me.

2. A PERSON WHO PRACTISES ANAGKAZO DOES NOT KEEP TO HIMSELF BUT INFLUENCES AND AFFECTS MANY PEOPLE.

You will notice that this man in Luke 14 held a great supper and invited many people. One of the primary reasons evangelism does not happen is because Christians keep to themselves. You cannot keep to yourself if you want to be an effective witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. When you sit on a bus, you can decide to be friendly to those nearby. Begin talking to the people around you. I always try to share the Gospel with people around me. I have always believed that I have some Good News about Jesus. He has saved me and set me free. During my second year in medical school, we lived on the beautiful Legon campus. We were transported daily to the other side of town where a teaching hospital was located. This involved a one-hour bus drive from one end of town to the other.

I remember one day as I sat in the bus, I watched some senior colleagues take out condoms, blow them into balloons and fly them in the bus. As these students shouted and laughed over their lewd jokes, I realized how confident they were in what they were doing. We the Christians sat timidly in the bus, looking lame, uninteresting and boring. As I sat there, I decided not to keep to myself. I got the attention of everyone on the bus and began to preach. Although preaching on the bus later became quite common, at that time it was unusual. Some of the students were angry and others were bored. Some looked out of the window in disapproval but I preached on! I decided not to keep to myself anymore. I decided to be like the man in Luke 14.

An anagkazo person does not keep to himself or herself. I lived in London for a period in 1983. I felt stifled by the stiff atmosphere in England. I was used to preaching anywhere and everywhere. But in England I realized that one couldn't easily relate to the people around. Everyone seemed so unfriendly and uninterested in their surroundings. One day, while sitting on the top level of a double Decker bus, the spirit of anagkazo rose up in me and I said to myself, "I cannot keep to myself any longer." I stood to my feet and to the surprise of everyone on the bus; I began to clap my hands to get their attention. I tell you, I may have looked bold on the outside, but I was quite scared on the inside. There were all sorts of murderous looking characters in their seats. But I maintained my cool and delivered a complete full gospel sermon.

The bus was quiet for a few minutes as they listened to this young mad man preach. I took my seat after preaching and got off at the next stop. One gentleman, who got off the bus with me, said to me, "I admire your courage! But I don't think you got very far." Whether I got very far or not is not what matters. What is important is that I preached the Word. And the Word always accomplishes something when it is preached. “…my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth… it shall accomplish that which I please...” (Isaiah 55:11). You see, any form of soul winning in our modern day and age, is going to have to be of the anagkazo type. Gentleness and meekness will not take you very far.

3. ANYONE PRACTISING ANAGKAZO IS NOT PREPARED TO CANCEL HIS SERVICE.

Every pastor, in going through the normal processes of church growth will experience highs and lows. But a pastor with the spirit of anagkazo will never cancel his church service. He will decide to press on no matter how many people attend. One of my pastors told me how only one person attended church on a particular Sunday. He said that he had never felt so low. However, he managed to preach to that one soul and do his best for the Lord.

I remember there was a time we had a very low attendance for one of our services. The Lord told me to do what this man in Luke 14 did- "Go out there and invite the community to church." I said, "How can I do that on a Sunday?" The Lord replied, "You do it, and you will be blessed." I continued arguing with the Lord, "What will our Sunday morning visitors think? We will drive away people from the church." However, the Lord insisted, "Go out and compel them to come in." I obeyed the Lord. I announced to the church that we were going to stop the service, go out into the community and invite them. I said, "We are going to go out to the community to bring them in." I announced, "This is not a gentle invitation. Every single one of you must hold the hand of someone you see out there. Physically bring them into the church building." Some were taken aback. But we did it! And we brought in hundreds of "unchurched" dwellers of the community. That day we had several people giving their lives to Christ. We did this on numerous occasions and over a period, that particular service increased in size dramatically. I was not prepared to close down my service because of a low attendance. That is what any pastor with the spirit of anagkazo is prepared to do.

4. AN ANAGKAZO PERSON IS NOT PREPARED TO HAVE AN EMPTY MEETING.

A pastor working with the spirit of anagkazo is not prepared to have any empty church service. Many years ago, as a medical student, the Lord asked me to start a church. I had no members in my church. Not even one soul to preach to! But I was not prepared to have an empty church. I was still a student when the Holy Spirit directed me to the nursing students' hostel. I remember that very first day. It was around 5 a.m. and still dark. Standing outside the hostel, I clapped my hands and woke them up. They might have been surprised but that didn't bother me. I preached to them about Jesus. After I had finished I did something very bold. I said to them, "If you want to give your lives to Christ, change out of your night clothes, wear something decent and come downstairs. We want to talk to you about Christ." That morning several young ladies gave their hearts to God. Up to this day, many of them are still members of my church. Preaching at dawn to people in their beds has been one of my favourite methods of implementing this principle of anagkazo. One morning, I preached at the hostel of public health nurses. A lady threw down a note saying she was a backslider and needed help. She wanted us to speak with her. That morning we ministered to her and God delivered her. She has now been a faithful member of our church for the last ten years. Although I started out with an empty classroom, it soon became filled with nurses who had given their lives to Christ at my anagkazo dawn broadcasts. Dear reader, I want you to understand something, I did not inherit a church from anyone. I have often gone to places where I knew no one, and no one knew me. I have had to go out and win souls, driving and persuading people about the Lord, until the room was full.

5. HE IS NOT OVERCOME BY PEOPLE'S EXCUSES.

Many people are full of excuses. This anagkazo man in the Bible (Luke 14) listened to three amazing excuses for not attending his party. However, he was not impressed by any of them. The first excuse was about testing oxen in the night. Everyone knows that no one tests oxen at that time of the night. The second excuse was about somebody who had just gotten married. But we all know that a dinner would have been a nice outing for a newly wedded couple. The third excuse was about going to see some land in the night. Let me ask you a question. Would you not assess a piece of land before you buy it? How could you inspect a piece of land in the night? Would you even see it clearly? Yet somebody was using this as an excuse for not attending the party. Any good minister, who wants to reach people, must not be overwhelmed by people's excuses. He must learn to overcome people's excuses. Even as you minister the Word of God, people form excuses in their minds. They develop reasons why they will not obey the Word. Every good preacher must learn to preach against people's excuses and ideas. Jesus spoke directly against the people's reasoning and excuses. And they knew it! “…for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them” (Luke 20:19).

6. KNOWS THAT MANY EXCUSES ARE EMPTY.

As I said earlier, many excuses cannot be substantiated. A good minister must learn to see through the emptiness of excuses. I spoke to one friend, inviting him to church. He in turn spoke about how the time was not convenient and how he had quite a distance to travel. I said to him, "You are a successful businessman. Everything you want to do, you do. You travel. You get up early on weekdays. You even have time to visit your girlfriend who lives a few hundred kilometres away. How come you have no time for God?" I told him, "If you really want to do something you can do it." Some people do not pay their tithes because they claim they have no money. Watch how much money they spend on other things. You will realize that the problem is not a lack of money, but the spirit of greed.

7. HE KNOWS THAT MANY EXCUSES ARE LIES.

There are many husbands who blame the inadequacies of their spiritual relationships on their wives and vice versa. I remember once, one of my pastors did fundraising in a branch church. During the fundraising, the pastor asked for those who would like to give some money for the purchase of church instruments. A husband who happened to be a foreigner was prepared to give a donation. Just as his hand was going up, his wife pulled his hand down. She thought the pastor hadn't noticed. After the service, the lady approached the pastor and said, "You know, the reason why we didn't give any money is because my foreign husband is so stingy." "I will see what we can do," she added. But that was an outright lie. It was actually her husband who wanted to donate something. His wife prevented him.

8. HE MAKES A WAY AND DOES NOT GIVE AN EXCUSE.

Anyone operating with the spirit of anagkazo (the compelling drive) is able to achieve a lot for God. One of the ways by which I assess leaders is to see how they handle the excuses of people. You see, I don't even have to ask young pastors what problems they have. I know the problems they must be having: the problem of some people coming this week and not coming the next week, the problem of people coming late to church and the problem of backsliding Christians! They also have the problem of new converts not remaining in church, the problem of not having enough time to pray and the problem of not being able to do outreaches. If you are a pastor, shepherd, or cell leader, you will have experienced some of these problems. But, dear friend, the Bible teaches us that there is nothing new under the sun. The problem that you have, I have. What differentiates the successful from the unsuccessful is the ability to overcome excuses. Notice that the man in Luke 14 was not moved by any of the excuses and reasons given. He made a way out of every circumstance that was produced by the unwilling guests.

I believe in one thing; if you really want to do something you make a way, if you do not want to do something you make an excuse. I recall when many young people were unwilling to come to church. The young men especially, made all sorts of excuses. The spirit of anagkazo rose up in me and I said, "If they will not come to church, let us have parties for them." We organized a party for the young people in one area of the city. We made invitation cards and distributed them to the youth in the community. They were very happy and said to themselves, "This is another opportunity to jam." I remember that evening in particular, we played upbeat Christian music and danced with the unbelievers. One of them told me later that he wondered why they were not being served with beer. At a point in the party, we switched to slower music and we said we had an announcement to make. By that time, many of the hardened unbelievers were sitting around. To their surprise, I got up and preached the Gospel to them. They were surprised but they still gave their lives to Christ. Many were born-again that night. I have pastors in the church who were saved during some of these surprise evangelistic parties. You see, the Bible says by all means, "save some".

Anagkazo means to compel and to drive people to God. An anagkazo person is not moved by unfavourable circumstances. We were not moved by the fact that these young men did not want to attend church. We made a way around that! Learn to make a way where there's no way. Find a way to overcome every excuse that people place before you.

9. HE GOES OUT OF HIS NORMAL CIRCLES OF LIFE.

Everyone has a circle of friends. The usual thing is to stay within your circle of friends and acquaintances. However, anyone who wants to be used by God must move out of his regular group. You will notice that the anagkazo man in this story was forced to move out of his normal circle of life. This is a reality that we must face if we want to please God! When I was growing up in Accra, I had a group of friends. A sort of elitist company made up of children of foreigners and other bourgeoisie. As a child, I travelled first class on intercontinental flights and interacted mainly with the so-called upper echelon of society. I stayed in top hotels in international cities with my father. My hobbies were swimming and horse riding. You can imagine that in Ghana, where I come from, very few people have such pastimes.

However, there were hardly any Christians in these circles. When I got born again, I found myself moving out of this circle into a very different group. I moved out into better company, different from what I knew. The fact is, in order to please God I could not spend a lot of time in those circles anymore. There were simply no believers in that group. If you want to please God, you will have to move out of your circle and get to know other groups of people. I know that the rich man in this story would not normally fellowship with people who live in hedges or who stand on highways. I know that the rich man in this story would not normally interact with cripples, the blind and the disabled. However, in order to achieve his goal, he had to interact with people of other social backgrounds.

I remember in 1984 when I was a leader of a nice fellowship at the university. We loved each other dearly and were good company for one another (actually, I found my wife in that group!). Many of the people that I knew in that little group are still my bosom friends up to this day. However, the Spirit of God impressed upon me to move out of our little group and go to people we didn't know. I remember, some people were not in favour of expanding our nice little clique. "If you bring in more people, we will lose something," they said. "There's something about a small fellowship. It's nice to be petite. It's a cute little family." But I led this group into one outreach after another, driving and necessitating people to come to the Lord. I was never tired of preaching. People are not tired of sinning, why should you be tired of spreading the Gospel? During the second year of the medical school (which by the way is the most difficult year), I led this group in dawn broadcasts every Saturday morning. Everyone knew about us. They were used to our voices, which rang out loud and clear every Saturday morning. "Thank God for our nice little fellowship," I said. "But we have to go out there and win souls." We must move out of our little circle. There is a very important revelation I want you to catch - people become used to you after a while. After awhile, unbelievers are no longer impressed with our sermons. If you do not rise up with a new approach, a new anagkazo method, your message will become blunt. As we continued preaching at dawn, I realized that people just turned over in their beds and ignored us. I said to myself, "Our messages are no longer driving people to the Lord." But the Spirit of the Lord gave me a bright idea. Since the people were now so used to our voices, we needed to do something new. I decided to send out a group to stand outside the doors of their rooms. I told the preacher for the morning, "When you get to the altar call, we will start knocking on their doors." I told him, "Tell the people who are listening to you they are going to hear a knock on their door. If they want to accept Christ they should open up and we will come in and lead them to the Lord." The preacher followed my instructions. Suddenly, those who were ignoring us had to pay attention. We were knocking on their doors at 5 a.m.! Believe me; many were gloriously born again during those morning broadcasts.

I vividly remember one brother in particular. He would laugh at Christians as they spoke in tongues. He made fun of the gift of speaking in tongues. This is someone who would get drunk and lie by one of the many ponds that litter the beautiful campus of the University of Ghana. That morning as my friend, the evangelist preached and said, "Perhaps you are hearing a knock on your door. If you want to be born again open your door and someone will come in and lead you to the Lord", I happened to knock on the door of this person. I was surprised when he opened the door and welcomed us in. He said, "I knew you would come here. Today is my day!" We prayed with him and he gave his heart to the Lord that very morning. To this day, this man is serving the Lord. I give glory to God for all the people that have been born-again, as we have forcefully moved out to speak the Word. Anagkazo works!

10. THE ANAGKAZO MAN IS NOT SATISFIED AS LONG AS THERE IS STILL ROOM.

A song that I love goes like this,

There's room at the cross for you. There's room at the cross for you. Though millions have come, there's still room for one. There's room at the cross for you.

A pastor must never be satisfied as long as there is room in the church. The man in this story sent out his servants simply because there was room. “…and yet there is room” (Luke 14:22). I believe that every church should arrange more chairs than people. The presence of empty pews should motivate the pastor to reach out until the house is full. The whole essence of evangelism is to have a full church. “…compel [anagkazo] them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23). Evangelism is not intended to be done in a vacuum. It should be related to church growth. All our efforts to lead people to the Lord should bear fruit. We must see our efforts filling church buildings. Whatever the case, a minister must see that there is room at the cross for one more soul.

I believe that if we have this mind, God will use us to fill the church. I have never been satisfied with the size of my church. When we had ten people, I wanted twenty. When we had fifty, I dreamed of a hundred. When God gave me one hundred people, I thought to myself, "What would it be like if I had five hundred people?" When the church was numbered in the hundreds, I thought, "What would it be like if we had thousands?" I think a pastor will get tired of preaching to the same few people after awhile. We must be motivated to have a fuller house. These words keep ringing in my soul, "That my house may be filled!" "That my house may be filled!" Dear Christian friend, never forget that there is still room at the cross.

THE “BIAZO” METHOD

I also want to share on another closely related Greek word, "Biazo". This is because the revelation of anagkazo is very much linked to the revelation in the word biazo. Biazo is a Greek word found in Matthew 11 that means "to use force" or "to force one's way into a thing". This is a quality I find lacking in Christian circles. We are forceful about everything else, except God's work. We are forceful about our jobs, our girlfriends, our marriages and our future. But when it comes to God's work, we become like timid mice!

When I observe the commercials on television, I realize that there are groups of people who are very confident about what they have to offer. They are so confident that they boldly sing catchy songs about how good their product is. Alcohol advertisers are some of the best in the business. We all know that beer and liquor are some of the commonest killers of young people. Alcohol has broken up more homes, destroyed more marriages, caused more car accidents, started more wars and fights than anything else in the world. Yet, they forcibly advertise it. Beer is the cause of many accidents, leading to the deaths of a countless number of people. And yet there are smiling people on television, telling us that it is the "Power" we need. These commercials are being forced down our throats. We are being forced to believe things that are not true. Beer is the devil in solution! Yet we are being compelled to believe otherwise. This unhealthy product is paraded as a good thing.

When I think of the forcefulness of people who want to make money at all costs, I realize that Christians have a better reason to be forceful. Why then is it that Christians behave like lame ducks, toothless dogs and helpless sparrows? I believe that this teaching on the important subject, biazo can change that. Biazo means to force one's way into a thing. If Christianity is going to spread, we are going to have to be a lot more forceful than we are. It is amazing to see fanatic Muslims who are prepared to die for their faith. I wonder how many Christians have half the drive that Muslims seem to have. Should we be surprised if statistics indicate that Islam is spreading faster than Christianity? Whether it is making money, spreading a false religion or selling deadly products, the whole world has become very forceful. That is why I am teaching Christians about being biblically forceful. Another related Greek word I want us to learn about is the word "Anaideia".

PRACTISING “BIAZO”

“Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent [biazo] take it by force” (Matthew 11:11,12). Multitudes of non- Christians are hurtling down a broad street to hell. They sing, they dance, and they wine and dine. They do not give a hoot about the Gospel we preach!

Many of us Christians live in our nice little world where we are oblivious to the reality of sinners going to hell. I once worked as a sub-intern at the mortuary of the largest hospital in Ghana. Something struck me that I want to share with you. Every few minutes a car would park outside the mortuary. In that car was the body of a man sprawled in the back seat, or even sometimes in the boot (trunk). I would stand at the main door of the mortuary as people brought in their loved ones and relatives who had died at home or on the street. These people were so sad and shaken. You must understand that only a few hours earlier they had been talking to a living person who was now gone forever. They were bringing their loved one to a fridge.I noticed that there did not seem to be any particular time of the day when dead people were brought to this mortuary. As I stood there, God showed me that people were dying across the city all the time. Death is not reserved for early mornings or late nights. It happens at random. A person who has never stood at the door of a mortuary will not know how common death is. How frequently people depart for eternity! Just as the Lord spoke to His prophets when they saw certain things, the Lord spoke to me when I stood at that door. He asked, "How many of these people do you think were saved?" "I died for them; I gave up my life for them, but are they saved?"

The Importance of “Biazo”

Listen to me Christian friend, as I said earlier, people are hurtling down the road of destruction. They do not even know that they are going to hell.

1. MANY OF OUR CHURCH BAZAARS, WEDDINGS, FELLOWSHIPS AND NICE CHOIRS ARE NOT ENOUGH TO WIN THE MULTITUDES TO CHRIST.

I remember the story of a war in which the prisoners were taken to large camps. They were stripped of their clothes and herded into huge gas chambers. As they filed in, their captors would play beautiful music for the prisoners. They heard the music. How soothing and refreshing it must have sounded. Surely nothing evil is going to happen to us, they thought. Little did they know that they were about to be slaughtered by the same people who were playing the music. This is the lot of unbelievers today. They hear the music of the devil. The melodies and lullabies of this present world charm them. Because of these things, they do not know that they are walking to their own destruction. “…as an ox goeth to the slaughter…” (Proverbs 7:22). In Matthew 11:12, the Bible tells us that the violent take the kingdom of God by force. What does this mean? The Twentieth Century New Testament puts it this way, “…men using force have been seizing it…”

The William's Translation says, “…men are seizing it as a precious prize…”

The Goodspeed translation says, “…Men have been taking the kingdom of heaven by storm…”

The Weymouth translation says, “…the kingdom of God has been enduring violent assault…”

All these scriptures tell us one thing, that the Kingdom of God can only be established by using the principle of “biazo”.

2. GENTLE WORDS, NICE SONGS, LAME SERMONS AND DOCILE CHOIRS CANNOT HELP MUCH IN THIS INDIFFERENT AND UNINTERESTED WORLD. People don't want to know. They are deceived. They don't care whether Jesus comes today or tomorrow. "Leave me alone," they say. "To hell with this church business of yours." That is why we need what the Bible calls biazo. Biazo means to use force and to force one's way into a thing. Many people are blinded by the devil. We must open their eyes to the realities of heaven and hell. “…the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them…” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

3. “BIAZO” IS MORE THAN PREACHING NICE SERMONS

Apostle Paul did not only give nice sermons. He was actively involved in turning the heads and opening the eyes of unbelievers. I always know when people are ignoring the message. But I don't want anybody to ignore this important message - I must turn their heads and open their eyes. One particular morning, my group in the university found ourselves in a hall, preaching. I realized that the young ladies (it was a ladies hall) were just turning over in their beds, some with their boyfriends. They knew that we would end our "disturbance" after a short while. The Spirit of God gave me a quick instruction on how to use biazo on that occasion. He whispered, "Do not preach generally, but call out their room numbers and direct the preaching to individual rooms." I obeyed. I gave each of the dawn broadcasters four or five rooms to preach to. It was an amazing experience! The people were so surprised to hear their room numbers being mentioned. A voice was coming out in the darkness speaking very specifically to the occupants of particular rooms. Everyone knew they were being addressed personally by God. Of course, some of them were very angry. And some had their boyfriends sleeping in their rooms with them. They could not help but hear a personal and direct message.

I remember that in response to this one lady ran out of her room, came downstairs, lifted up her hands and said, "I want to give my life to Christ today! I want to be born again!" Some were outraged, but some were saved. The Bible says, …blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. Matthew 11:6. When we have city-wide crusades, I stand on the platform and command my church members to go out into the community. We don't wait for them to come to us; we go out there and bring them from their homes. One day, we even went to a "Red Light District" and brought a group of prostitutes to the crusade. I was very happy to see these prostitutes coming to the altar to give their lives to the Lord. You see, if we hadn't forced these women out of their "work places" and to the crusade, they would never have been saved. Most prostitutes do not go to church. They would have just gone about their daily routine. We would have ended up preaching to ourselves. Christian friends, let's stop playing games. If we are going to preach the gospel, let's not preach to ourselves. Let's go out there and drive them in (anagkazo and biazo) to the Lord.

THE “ANAIDEIA” METHOD

Anaideia is a Greek word that is used only once in the Bible. It means, "To be shameless". It also speaks of importunity. In the eleventh chapter of Luke, we learn of a man who exhibited shamelessness in his relationship with God. “I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity [anaideia] he will rise and give him as many as he needeth” (Luke 11:8). In 1982, I was admitted to the University of Ghana, the premier university in my country Ghana. I cautiously entered this new environment wondering what lay ahead. One of the first things that struck me was the shamelessness of unbelievers as they went about their lives.

PRACTISING “ANAIDEIA”

I remember one of the first times I walked into Volta Hall, the hall of residence for the ladies in the University of Ghana. When we got to the staircase that led up to the first and second floors, there was a young man and woman engaged in a prolonged embrace and kiss. I know that in some cultures this might not look strange. However in our culture it is unusual and out of place. This couple continued in their long embrace and intimate kissing as we passed by them. They could not care less about who was watching them! They were not moved! They were shameless! Perhaps they felt they were in love. When we got upstairs, I told my friends, "It seems people around here are not ashamed of what they're doing." Then I asked, "Why are we ashamed of what we believe in? Why are we ashamed of the Gospel? Why do we go around like timid mice who don't have anything to offer?"

The Spirit of the Lord arose within me and I said, "If they are not ashamed of their immoral lives, I'm not going to be ashamed of the Gospel." “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ…” (Romans 1:16). It is amazing to see homosexuals boldly speak of their abnormal lifestyles. They come on television and speak confidently about the perversion of anal intercourse. These people forcefully demonstrate and fight for their rights. How come Christians are so quiet when it comes to speaking God's Word? Many Christians sit in their offices and allow their unbeliever colleagues to shamelessly speak of their evil deeds. The sinners around us dominate the discussions with unwholesome words. That is why I believe many Christians need what the Bible calls anaideia. Anaideia simply means shamelessness. The Apostle Paul practiced anaideia. Remember, it was Paul who said, "We are not ashamed of the gospel."

The Importance of Anaideia

“I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity [anaideia] he will rise and give him as many as he needeth” (Luke 11:8). In Luke 11 Jesus told us a story of a man who needed three loaves of bread. This man buried his shame and embarrassment and went to his friend's house at a very odd hour. The master of the house was woken up. He might have shouted, "What is happening? Are there some armed robbers here? Is there a fire? What is going on outside?" The servant of the house probably replied, "It's the neighbour. He says he wants some bread for his visitors." Dear Christian friend, most of us would not disturb even our best friends at midnight. How much more to ask for something trivial like bread! But Jesus' message here is very simple. If you are not ashamed to press for certain things, you will never achieve them.

1. IF YOU ARE SHAMELESS IN THE WORK OF GOD, YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH THINGS THAT OTHERS WILL ONLY DREAM ABOUT!

God has shown me that people who are very concerned about their public image cannot achieve much for God. It takes anaideia, shamelessness, to start a church. When I discussed with my friend the idea of starting a church, I remember he looked at me in amazement. He said, "What if people don't come to the church? We will be so embarrassed. People in town will hear that we tried to start a church that didn't work." By starting a church, I don't mean to break away with a large segment of someone else's ministry. I am talking about moving into a room that has two or three people and preaching to them. It takes shamelessness to tell these few people that they are now in a great church. If you are not prepared to go through the shame and ridicule of standing in an empty room and looking odd, you will never achieve great things for God. One pastor told me he was afraid to do an altar call (inviting people to give their life to Christ). What if no one responds? Would you not feel ashamed? People will think that you are not anointed and that your message was not powerful enough. It is this very train-of thought that keeps people away from powerful ministry. One of my Elders called and told me that for the first time someone in the church had responded to her altar call. You see, she had been shamelessly doing altar calls with no one responding. But with anaideia (shamelessness and persistence), she eventually had results!

2. ANAIDEIA WILL HELP YOU TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR GOAL.

The shameless man, who asked for the bread, eventually accomplished his goal. I remember when I first began to pray for the sick. I was very worried about what people would think about me. Many times whilst standing on stage, the devil would tell me, "Don't even bother to call out for testimonies, no one will be healed." The devil told me, "Do not disgrace yourself any further. Just end the service here and send the people home." But the Spirit of the Lord rose up within me and I said to myself, "I am not ashamed. If no one gets healed this time, I will do it again, and again, and again! One day, someone will get healed." I am glad to say that many have been healed.

After I had qualified from the medical school, I worked for one year as a medical doctor. At a point, the Lord began to speak to me about entering full-time ministry. I argued with the Lord, "I will work and bring enough money to support the church." I continued, "What will people think of me. To leave such a noble profession and to enter a controversial area." I told the Lord, "No one knows my church! And no one knows me!" "Worst of all, what a shame it is for me to live off people's collection." "That's ridiculous! Why should people contribute their pennies for my upkeep? I find it degrading," I thought. However, the Lord told me, "They that preach the gospel must live off the gospel." “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14). I had to bury my pride as a doctor and shamelessly enter full-time ministry. Through the revelation of shamelessness (anaideia), I have gone far in the ministry. I have achieved things, which no one ever thought would come out of me. Anaideia (shamelessness) is the key you need to accomplish great things for God!

SECTION III

SACRIFICE AND FRUITFULNESS

Chapter 15

Preaching And Missions

Preaching, Teaching and the Planting of Churches

Preaching, teaching and healing are the key activities that give rise to the formation of churches. Jesus Christ understood that His Father had chosen these little understood methods to establish the church. Through Jesus' ministry, millions of churches have sprung up virtually everywhere in the world. Truly, this is the hand of God and this is God's method of establishing His church. “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people” (Matthew 9:35).

The use of much money, administrative techniques, handing out of gifts and building of schools and hospitals has never produced the same results that the three and a half years of Jesus' ministry did. In the next few chapters, I will be outlining the mysteries of preaching, teaching and healing; the strategy that Jesus Christ Himself used to generate hundreds of thousands of churches in different nations, cultures and languages.

Indeed, a lasting church has been born. Two thousand years is not enough time to quench the power of three years of preaching, teaching and healing. As you read the following chapters about preaching and teaching, your duty is to allow God to build faith in you. You must believe in this humble and 'foolish' method of church formation. The highest kind of delusion is to think that we can do anything better than Christ did. He said that it is enough that the servant be as his master. “It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his Lord…” (Matthew 10:25).

I have often wondered what God would do if He became a man. There are so many problems in the world and not enough solutions. In general, we know that God would do good things and solve people's problems. Here are some ideas about what God could do if He appeared on this earth for a brief period.

NINE ALTERNATIVES FOR GOD IN PLACE OF PREACHING AND TEACHING

1. Perhaps God would set up several large universities.

2. Perhaps God would build the biggest hospital in the world to cater for many sick people.

3. Perhaps God would provide potable water for thousands of villages.

4. Perhaps God would construct the largest hydroelectric dam to provide electricity.

5. Perhaps God would set up relief centres to cater for the refugees and displaced children of the world.

6. If God became a man, perhaps He would build many orphanages.

7. If God became a man, He would probably set up great businesses so that He could finance the work of God.

8. If God became a man, He would build schools to cater for all children of school going age. This would reduce illiteracy in the world and greatly improve the lot of many people.

9. If God became a man, He would join some political parties in order to gain influence to help the world. Perhaps He would help the world better by being a president. But God did become a man. God did take on the form of a man for a brief period. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, AND WAS MADE IN THE LIKENESS OF MEN: AND BEING FOUND IN FASHION AS A MAN, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: ...Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11).

How do we know that God became a man? We know for these reasons.

EVIDENCE THAT GOD BECAME A MAN

1. IF GOD WERE TO BECOME A MAN, HIS ENTRY INTO THIS WORLD WOULD BE UNUSUAL.

And sure enough, Jesus was born of a virgin amidst many unusual circumstances. “Behold, a VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

Over 109 prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus' coming into this world.

2. IF GOD WERE TO BECOME A MAN, HE WOULD PROBABLY SPEAK THE GREATEST WORDS EVER SPOKEN.

His words would probably never be forgotten. This is exactly what has happened. Even though Jesus never wrote a book, or recorded a tape, His words are still echoing through the centuries. “For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matthew 7:29).

3. IF GOD BECAME A MAN, HE WOULD BE SINLESS AND PERFECT.

Sure enough, Jesus was the perfect man. He did no sin. “Who did NO SIN, neither was guile found in his mouth” (1Peter 2:22).

4. IF GOD DID BECOME A MAN, HE WOULD OVERCOME THE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE PLAGUED MANKIND THROUGH THE CENTURIES.

He would conquer sickness and disease. That is exactly what Jesus did. All kinds of diseases and sicknesses were banished from the presence of the Lord. “When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and HEALED ALL THAT WERE SICK” (Matthew 8:16).

5. IF GOD BECAME A MAN, HE WOULD CONTROL THE ELEMENTS THAT HE CREATED.

That is what Jesus did. He exercised power over the wind and the rain. He even walked on the sea that He had created. “And when the disciples saw him WALKING ON THE SEA, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear” (Matthew 14:26).

6. IF GOD BECAME A MAN FOR A BRIEF PERIOD, HIS VISIT TO THE EARTH, NO MATTER HOW BRIEF, WOULD ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED.

It would be referred to as the time God visited us. Surely, the visit of Christ has never been forgotten. In fact, the entry and exit of Christ are marked annually by the whole wide world. Two thousand years after the visit of Christ, Easter and Christmas are still worldwide events.

7. IF GOD BECAME A MAN, HE WOULD OVERCOME MAN'S GREATEST ENEMY - DEATH. The Lord Jesus calmly predicted that He would die and rise up after three days. He seemed to have no fear of death. He conquered death and the grave and hell for us that we might not have to go there. “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour JESUS CHRIST, WHO HATH ABOLISHED DEATH, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2Timothy 1:10).

8. IF GOD BECAME A MAN WE KNOW THAT HE WOULD SPEND HIS TIME DOING THE MAXIMUM GOOD FOR ALL MANKIND.

“How God anointed JESUS OF NAZARETH with the Holy Ghost and with power: WHO WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38).

THE MAXIMUM GOOD

Dear friend, let us ask ourselves what activities Christ engaged Himself in during His brief stay on earth. Was it the building of schools and hospitals? Was it the building of orphanages and providing of electricity and water? The answer is NO! We can find out what Jesus did by reading the four gospels. In particular, there is a scripture that summarizes the activities of Christ on earth. I want you to read it carefully. “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, TEACHING in their synagogues, and PREACHING the gospel of the kingdom, and HEALING every sickness and every disease among the people” (Matthew 9:35). WE CAN SAFELY CONCLUDE THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT AND HIGHEST FORM OF ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO ANY COMMUNITY ON THIS EARTH MUST BE PREACHING, TEACHING AND HEALING. Of course, I don't think that any of us would purport to be wiser than God!

1 THE MAIN ACTIVITIES THAT GOD ENGAGED IN WHEN ON EARTH WERE PREACHING, TEACHING AND HEALING.

These three activities must have been the most beneficial to the human race. That is why He engaged Himself in them. More good was done to this world by the preaching, the teaching and the healing of Christ Jesus. If there were anything better or more helpful, He would have done it. This preaching, teaching and healing has given birth to thousands of churches. I often marvel when people ask me why I have left the medical field for the ministry. I suppose they think that giving out medicine is the highest form of assistance any human being could render to a community. I agree that the practice of medicine is a very noble and benevolent activity - what would we do without doctors? But Jesus has shown us the highest and the best kind of help you could ever give to mankind.

2. IT IS SAD THAT PASTORS IN THE MINISTRY ARE OFTEN PRESSURIZED TO LEAVE THEIR ROLE OF PREACHING, TEACHING AND HEALING.

Subtle psychological pressure is exerted on them until they feel that doing something more secular is more beneficial. The highest form of deception is to think you are wiser than God. The ultimate delusion is to think that you can have a greater impact than Christ did. It is time to understand that preaching, teaching and healing are what the world needs. The world is waiting for preachers. The world is waiting for teachers. God is raising an army of preachers and teachers who will do His will. By preaching, teaching and healing, the Lord Jesus has brought forth thousands of churches, which have lasted thousands of years.

3. THE CHURCH HAS DONE MORE GOOD TO THIS WORLD THAN THE UN, WHO AND THE UNHCR PUT TOGETHER.

Definitely the church has done more good to this world than most governments have. All this good is the result of Jesus' preaching, teaching and healing for three and a half years.

I utterly reject the statement of those who say that a church becomes relevant only when it gets involved in Social Work. The church becomes relevant when it gets involved in preaching teaching and healing. That is what God would have done and that is what we should do. The wisdom of God is foolishness to men. God has chosen that by the foolishness of preaching, man should be saved. “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God BY THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING TO SAVE THEM THAT BELIEVE” (1Corinthians 1:21).

People used to tell me how helpful I would be to the community as a doctor, but I tell you that I am of greater benefit now that I am a preacher. I believe the greatest calling upon anyone is the call to preach. The best way we can help humanity is to preach, to teach and to pray for healing. That is why you must pray for the power to preach, for the grace to become a teacher and for the grace to heal the sick. When God became a man, He gave Himself to preaching.

THE POWER OF PREACHING

1 PREACHING ATTACKS THE ROOT OF MAN'S PROBLEM.

a. The Root of all Our Woes

The world is full of sinners on their way to hell. No matter how good you are, your sins are manifest to God. Anyone who thinks he is righteous before God is suffering from one of the highest kinds of deception. The only thing that gives us a right standing before God is the blood of Jesus. Unfortunately, some teachings in the body of Christ have led to the deception that we are semi perfect beings who have a right to be in heaven. Let me give you a few examples of people I know you respect. You will notice that as they got to know God they became more humble and even uncertain of their standing with God.

b. Apostle Paul’s Example

The Apostle Paul graduated downward in his opinion of himself. He moved from being the highest of the apostles to the worst of sinners. This is real growth in humility.

i. First, he saw himself as not being inferior to any of the apostles “. … for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles…” (2Corinthians 12:11).

ii. He later considered himself as the least of these same apostles. “For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God” (1Corinthians 15:9).

iii. After a while, he stopped comparing himself with the apostles and likened himself to the least of the saints.

“Unto me, who am less than THE LEAST OF ALL SAINTS, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8).

iv. Finally, at the end of his life and in one of his last letters, he did not bother to compare himself to an apostle or a saint.

He had concluded that he was the chief of sinners. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save SINNERS; OF WHOM I AM CHIEF” (1Timothy 1:15).

c. Job’s Example

Job was described by God as an upright and perfect man who eschewed evil. However when Job came into contact with the Lord he realized that he was actually a very evil person. He said, "I abhor myself". “I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. WHEREFORE I ABHOR MYSELF, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:2-6).

d. Peter’s Example

The Apostle Peter was fishing one day when the Lord showed up. When he realized that the one standing by him was Jesus, he was filled with a sense of sinfulness and he said, "I am a sinful man". The presence of God always reveals our deepest corruption. “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I AM A SINFUL MAN, O Lord” (Luke 5:8).

e. Daniel’s Example

Daniel was a holy prophet greatly loved by the Lord. However when he came into the presence of the Lord, he said 'my comeliness has turned in me into corruption'. Once again, you see a holy man of God who realizes his sinfulness when he is in the presence of God. “And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my "COMELINESS WAS TURNED IN ME INTO CORRUPTION." and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling” (Daniel 10:7-11). All this goes to prove that there is none righteous, no not one. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10).

It is the presence of this pervading sin that is destroying the whole world. Sin is the reason for all the problems in the world. Sin is the root cause of all our woes. That is why preaching is the most important remedy for the problems of mankind. Preaching attacks man's problem at its very root.

f. The Relationship between Sin and Death

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and SO DEATH PASSED UPON ALL MEN, FOR THAT ALL HAVE SINNED:(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many” (Romans 5:12-15).

Death has passed onto all men because of sin. The sin in our lives leads to death. The Bible also says when sin is finished it brings forth death. “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: AND SIN, when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH” (James 1:15). Death is the inescapable end for all human beings. The very fact that we die indicates the presence of sin. Every time you see someone dying, remember that sin has completed its work. Death is the only natural consequence of sin.

g. The Cause of Death

The presence of sin opens the door to all the known causes of death including the cancers, HIV, incurable diseases, sickness, accidents and old age. The diseases of this world can all be attributed to our sinfulness. As you will notice, none of the human attempts at helping mankind have eradicated the presence of sin and death. So preaching is the only solution that offers life to a human race sentenced to death. “In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4).

No hospital can promise you life. No medical cure can offer you life. The UN cannot solve your problem of death. There is a death sentence on all of us and only Jesus can give us new life. Jesus said, 'I came that you might have life'.

h. The Death Sentence

I remember watching a documentary of a young man who had been sentenced to death in America. It was a sad and moving true story of this black man who was alleged to have killed a policeman. He denied ever killing the policeman and many people believed that he was truly innocent. For six long years, legal battles raged, as lawyers, family and friends tried to get him off death row. Finally, his options ran out and there were no further appeals that he could make.

It was an amazing documentary. They filmed this man up until a few minutes before his execution. His family and friends were invited for a last dinner. They all gathered around and had dinner with him. Finally, it was time for them to go and they hugged him one by one till no one was left. He was then escorted to a private room where he had the opportunity to talk to his pastor and then to his lawyer. Within an hour, the execution had been carried out.

After the execution, his lawyer and his pastor were interviewed. I remember in particular the question his pastor was asked. "What was the last thing you said to him?" someone asked. The pastor answered, "I told him that all of us were under a death sentence, the only difference is that most of us do not know the day of our execution." As I pondered over those words, I thought to myself how true they were. We are indeed under a death sentence. All of us will have to die whether we like it or not. It is just a matter of time till the sentence will catch up with us. It is only Jesus who can deliver us from this death sentence and give us new life. He said, "I am the way, the truth and the life."

This is why preaching is so important. This is what differentiates preaching from all other kinds of human assistance. Preaching ministers life to condemned people! Jesus said, 'the words I speak onto you are spirit and life.

2. PREACHING RELEASES THE POWER OF GOD.

“For I am not ashamed of THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST: FOR IT IS THE POWER OF GOD unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). “HE SENT HIS WORD, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Psalm 107:20). I once had a visiting preacher from Switzerland who made a remark about my church. He said, 'Your church is like a giant youth group'. He continued, 'there are so many young people in your church."

Up until then, I had not really noticed that our church was full of young people. Initially, I thought it was not a compliment for someone to say that my church was full of young people. However, as time went by, I realized that it took the power of God to get young people into church. You see, young people are full of energy and youthful lusts. There are certain desires that are found more in young people. When the church is full of young people, it is a sign that the power of God is present.

The police cannot change young people. Moral codes cannot restrict wild young men. The fear of going to prison doesn't even seem to inhibit people today. However, I know something that has the power to convert the most hardened sinner. Is it not amazing that people who would not listen to anyone - parents, teachers or advisors are 'arrested' by the word of God and are changed forever? Truly, the preaching of the cross is the power of God. From a very early age, I have served the Lord. I have followed Him with all my heart. What could make a young man like me give up his profession and become a preacher? This is the power of God at work. Preaching always releases power and that power has the ability to change people. That is why you must be a preacher. This is because preaching has the ability to release power.

3. PREACHING GIVES HOPE.

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures MIGHT HAVE HOPE” (Romans 15:4). Many people come to church with hopeless and discouraging situations hanging over their heads. As the 'Word of God' comes to them, discouragement and hopelessness are driven away. Like chaff before a strong wind, discouragement and desperation are forced to fly away. The preaching of the word of hope keeps men alive.

I once read about an experiment in which a mouse was put into a deep bucket of water in a dark room. There was absolutely no light in this room. After about three minutes, the mouse drowned in the bucket. A mouse of similar weight and size was put in the same bucket of water and in the same dark room. This time, a little glimmer of light was allowed to seep through. This second mouse kept swimming for about three days before it finally drowned. What was the difference between the two mice?

The thin ray of light that the second mouse saw gave it so much hope. The hope for survival kept the mouse swimming. This is a wonderful story that illustrates how hope can keep a man alive until his miracle comes.

We hardly talk about hope, but without hope, there can be no faith. Faith is the assurance of the things you are hoping for. As people receive hope through preaching, faith is built up.

4. PREACHING SAVES LIVES.

“For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching TO SAVE THEM that believe” (1Corinthians 1:21). God has chosen that by the foolishness of preaching, people should be saved. Preaching saves lives.

The Anointing of Jonah

In the last days, the anointing of Jonah the preacher will be released on men. The anointing of Jonah was sufficient to convert hardened sinners to the ways of God. Nineveh was a city of wicked people and Jonah was initially afraid of preaching there. The entire city was eventually converted when Jonah preached. Jonah did not perform any miracles. He did not slay anyone in the Spirit nor did he have strange manifestations of the Spirit. However, he had a strong preaching anointing and it was strong enough to change an entire city.

I see that preaching anointing coming upon your life! You shall preach to thousands! Men's hearts will change when they hear you preaching. People will be saved when they come under your preaching ministry.

5. PREACHING PROLONGS LIVES.

The book of Genesis shows us that people lived much longer than they do today. “And all the days of Enoch were THREE HUNDRED SIXTY AND FIVE YEARS: Genesis 5:23. And all the days of Methuselah were NINE HUNDRED SIXTY AND NINE YEARS: and he died” (Genesis 5:27).

“And all the days of Lamech were SEVEN HUNDRED SEVENTY AND SEVEN YEARS: and he died. Genesis 5:31. As sin increased, life became shorter. The Bible is very specific about how God shortened life from hundreds of years to one hundred and twenty years. And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be AN HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS” (Genesis 6:3). It seems life was shortened even further from one hundred and twenty years to seventy years. “The days of our years are THREESCORE YEARS AND TEN; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10).

The earlier generations were having 'four hundred year' birthday parties. They had children when they were hundred and fifty years old. Today we are overjoyed if someone gets to the age of eighty. By the time someone is forty, he seems to be an elderly person. Why has the body begun to give up so early? “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years” (Genesis 6:1-3).

900 years was reduced to 120 years because of fornication with the sons of God! Fornication shortened the lives of the people by 800 years. 90% of their lives were taken away because of fornication. The Bible declares 'when sin is finished it brings forth death.' Think about that. Eight hundred years was cut off because of fornication.

Do you see how sin shortened our lives? As you can see, the problem is spiritual and not physical. That is why physical remedies cannot be the solution for mankind. It is a sin problem. And the solution is the preaching of Christ Jesus and Him crucified.

When 'sin is finished', the agents of death i.e. heart disease, lung disease, cancer, sickle cell disease, skin diseases, HIV, tumours, accidents, fights, kidney failure begin to make arrangements to kill us - whether by making the kidney stop, or by causing a car accident. Everyone has a different method by which the death sentence is carried out.

When Christ came to this earth, He knew He was dealing with a complex problem. That is why He didn't just heal everyone. He knew that the problem was deeper. He knew why certain ailments had fastened themselves onto certain people. It was not just an issue of being ill. He knew that there was more to it than that! When the Lord looked at our situation, He thought of the best way to help us, the best way to lengthen our lives. God planned the best way to save us from the things to which we were bound legally. That is why He came around preaching, teaching and healing. It pleased God that by the foolishness of preaching, He would save people.

6. PREACHING AFFECTS ALL AREAS OF LIFE.

Preaching and teaching solve your problems. First of all, your spirit is redeemed. You do not have to go to hell anymore. Thank God that by the power of preaching, your soul will be saved from eternal damnation.

When preaching has powerfully saved your soul, other areas of your life begin to be affected as well. After the soul has prospered, your health will be affected by this salvation. Your financial life is also affected after the salvation of your soul. God's Word begins to heal and solve all problems from within. “Beloved, I wish above all things THAT THOU MAYEST PROSPER and be in health, EVEN AS THY SOUL PROSPERETH” (3John 2).

Thinking naturally, you realize that if a person decides to do away with fornication, he reduces his exposure to the HIV infection and therefore death. When you hear the Word of God, and decide to marry instead of running around with different people, you reduce your exposure to many diseases. Preaching and teaching saves our lives in many ways we cannot even imagine.

Because of the Word of God, we decide to stop smoking and drinking alcohol. This extends our lives automatically by many years. You are at far less risk from cancer, heart disease, HIV, gonorrhoea and depression when you live in line with the word of God.

A preaching tape can save your life. I believe in listening to preaching tapes. You will discover that the Word you get from the tape is 'life to all who find it and health to all your flesh.' “My son, attend to my words…For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh” (Proverbs 4:20,22). Expose yourself to preaching and you will be exposing yourself to many blessings. Jesus came preaching and teaching. “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Psalm 107:20).

The healings were just signs. When people came just for signs He told them they were evil. He taught us that loving signs and wonders without loving His preaching is an evil thing. “But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas” (Matthew 12:39). Preaching starts churches! God wants more preachers! God wants you to preach! Preaching and teaching will heal your marriage. It will reduce the tendency to fight; it will bring peace. Preaching will prevent divorce. Preaching changes lives!

THE POWER OF TEACHING

One day Jesus was teaching in the temple and a demon shouted 'leave us alone.' The word is powerful: it attacks demons directly. “And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. And there was in their synagogue A MAN WITH AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT; AND HE CRIED OUT, SAYING, LET US ALONE; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God” (Mark 1:21-24). Exposing yourself to the teaching of the Word brings healing to your life. Jesus did not just teach people. The people came to hear Him and after that, to be healed of their diseases. “But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together TO HEAR AND TO BE HEALED by him of their infirmities” (Luke 5:15).

There are many accounts in the Gospels where people came to hear Him teach. The reason God is going to raise you up as a powerful teacher is so that you can affect people's lives. God is going to raise you up as a powerful preacher and teacher. “And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came TO HEAR HIM, AND TO BE HEALED OF THEIR DISEASES” (Luke 6:17). Jesus always taught the Word of God before ministering healing. After teaching the Word, He would heal the sick. He did this because the Word of God attacks the source of your sickness. God reaches to the root cause of your poverty. As people are exposed to the Word, healing always comes. “My son, attend to my words…For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh” ((Proverbs 4:20,22). Jesus said, 'the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life, (John 6:63). Life comes into you as you hear the word. Thank God that through the teaching of His word, your spirit comes alive. It is important to continue to expose yourself to the teaching of the word. We realize that the word whether through preaching or teaching, heals us and saves us. What is the difference between preaching and teaching?

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PREACHING AND TEACHING

When the Word comes to us by preaching, our souls are ministered to.

2. When the Word comes by teaching, our minds are largely involved in receiving.

3. Teaching has a more lasting effect than preaching does.

4. Teaching is sometimes more difficult to assimilate. Preaching enters quickly but fades quickly.

5. Preaching is moving and stirring.

6. Preaching is more outwardly impressive than teaching.

7. Teaching is not as popular as preaching. If I were to put a preacher on the left and a teacher on the right, most people would prefer the preacher.

8. Most people would think that a preacher is a more powerful man of God compared to the teacher. If the masses were asked to vote, they would probably choose the preacher because he would be more impressive.

9. Teachers usually have churches that grow steadily. This is because the truth is taught line upon line; and precept upon precept. When building a house, the blocks are laid systematically until you get an orderly and lasting structure.

DIRECT EFFECTS OF TEACHING

1. THE TEACHING OF THE WORD BRINGS LIGHT.

Demons abide in darkness. Demons of frustration, early death and poverty abide in darkness. Pride is a type of darkness. That is why there are evil spirits where there is pride. Thank God, His word is light. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). When the word is taught, a light comes on in our hearts. Demons, which dwell in darkness, are forced to run away. As the word is taught, spiritual illumination takes place. That is why people can be healed while teaching goes on. As the word is taught, your life is transformed. The devil knows this and that is why he does not like you to listen to teaching. That is why he does not want you to have a tape. A tape can change your life forever. One tape can take you to heaven. One tape can turn you into a pastor! One tape can turn you from being a divorcee into a happily married person. A tape can give you stability, turn you from madness to sanity and give you health. The devil does not like teaching because of the light it brings. Years ago, when I was doing my housemanship at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, I lived in one of the hostel rooms. There was a time that my room was plagued with rats and mice.

Every night when I got to my room, I would put on the lights and suddenly, these rats would race all over the room and toward a particular hole in the ceiling. It would send shivers down my spine because I hated rats (and these were big ones). These rats were having a field day while I was out and when the lights were off. But as soon as I turned on the lights, they felt exposed and fled. So it is with us when the light of the Word of God comes on in our lives. Demons are exposed and they are forced to flee. This is exactly how the Word of God operates. The Word throws light on the demons that dwell and flourish in the darkness of our lives! When the light of the word of God is off in your life (when you do not go to church, or when there is no word in your life) demons are free to invade you. Demons look for darkness within human beings. The darkness of unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred, lust, lying, pride, disobedience, sin or anger. That is why the Bible enjoins us not to give any place to the devil. The presence of these dark areas opens the door for demonic manoeuvres and operations. “Neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27). You shall be free from satanic oppression when you put on the light of the word.

2. THE TEACHING OF THE WORD IS THE SWORD IN ACTION.

“…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword…” (Hebrews 4:12). Teaching is powerful. It drives away demons, mental diseases, blindness, uncleanness, pride, stupidity, lust, spiritual problems and poverty. The sword pricks the demons and drives them away. Since the demons do not want to be hurt by the sword of the word they do all they can to stop you from taking in the teaching. That is why sometimes demons make you sleep in church, lest you hear the teaching. Hearing comes before healing! “… which came to hear him and to be healed…” (Luke 6:17).

3. THE TEACHING OF THE WORD IS THE PLANTING OF THE SEED.

The sower soweth the Word, (Mark 4:14). A seed is planted when you hear the Word. If the preacher says, 'you shall be blessed and prosperous,' a seed is planted in your life. The words of a teacher are seeds, which grow and become mighty trees. The reason why many people in my church want to be pastors is because of the seeds I have planted. What you plant is what you reap. Even in ordinary life the things we say about our children come to pass as they grow. As you continue to call your child an angel he grows up to have a sweet spirit and vice versa. As you tell your congregation that it shall be well with them and that the Lord is their keeper and the shade upon their right hand, these promises come to pass. The Lord is your helper, you shall live and not die, and it shall be well with you. You shall have the baby you thought you would not have!

Chapter 16

Preaching The Cross

Preaching the Cross vs. Preaching Prosperity

Some years ago, I read a book by a well-recognized prophet in which he described an encounter with the Apostle Paul in a vision. I was stunned by the account of his reported interaction with Paul. In this interaction, Paul said to him, “Except for in a few places in the world, we can hardly recognize the ministry or the message that is being preached today.” He continued, “When we served, being in the ministry was the greatest sacrifice that one could make and this was reflected in the message of the greatest sacrifice that was made––the cross.”

Some months later, I was walking on a golf course in England with a pastor friend of mine. As we walked and talked, the Lord spoke to me. He said to me, “Preach about sacrifice.” I said, “Lord, I do not know anything about sacrifice. I have never preached about it.” Nevertheless, I had to obey Him. I was surprised to learn so much on this subject and that is why I am writing this textbook. I believe in the prophet’s vision of the Apostle Paul. I also agree that the message and the ministry of the church today are quite different from that of the early church. The concept of sacrificing anything to God is foreign to most Christians today. The focus of Christianity today is money, prosperity, establishment, safety and self-preservation. The goals of most Christians are to get more money, houses, cars, and security. Even pastors measure their success by the amount of money they have, and by the size of the offerings in their churches. The message of prosperity has become the message of the church. Church members are postured as receivers––“Yes Lord, I receive!” This is the catchphrase of the church! It is time for us to present ourselves before the Lord as people who have something to give.

The church must be seen as a group of people who sacrifice for the Kingdom and not as a group of people who only receive blessings. You will notice that whenever the church has a miracle convention meeting, the attendance is different from when it is a teaching service, an ordinary weekday service, or a training camp session.

Any meeting that calls for some kind of work like witnessing or prayer is poorly attended. However, the crowds gather when they expect to receive miracles. But the church is supposed to be a place where we “take up our crosses and follow Him”. Money has never been a measure of God’s approval of our lives and never will be. The Bible clearly teaches that in the last days, some will suppose that gain is godliness. “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that GAIN IS GODLINESS: from such withdraw thyself” (1Timothy 6:5).

REVISITING THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE OF SACRIFICE

“Sacrifice” means, “giving up something”. It is a central theme of the Bible. Many of us first heard of the word sacrifice from the Bible. We read about Abraham’s sacrifice, Isaac’s sacrifice and Jacob’s sacrifice.

1. THE ISRAELITES MADE SACRIFICES TO GOD CONTINUALLY.

Throughout the Old Testament, we see the Israelites making sacrifices to God continually. You could not think of a prophet of God in the Bible without thinking about sacrifices. You could not think of Elijah, without thinking of his experience with the 400 prophets of Baal. Yet, today, sacrifice is one of the most hushed topics. Today, the theme of our preaching is prosperity, miracles and blessings.

2. THE CHURCH TODAY HAS TOTALLY ABANDONED THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE OF SACRIFICE.

The church has become a phantom of the original church; fearful and powerless. Other religions constantly demonstrate to us the essence and practice of sacrifice. The message of sacrifice is very relevant for all of us today. The teaching of sacrifice must return to the church otherwise we will continue to be a phantom of the real church! “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE WILL YOUR HEART BE ALSO” (Matthew 6:20,21). Your heart will be where your treasure is. When I became a pastor, the Lord asked me to put a lot of my own money into the ministry. The Lord made me make many sacrificial donations to help the fledgling church. You see, when you put your money in the church, your heart follows suit.

One of the most painful ways to die is by stoning. Out of the stones thrown, a particular stone will knock you unconscious and kill you. However, before you are hit by the stone that makes you unconscious, all the other stones thrown at you will give you a lot of pain, torture and torment. You suffer a lot from stoning before you actually die.

The Bible tells us that Stephen was stoned to death. “As he was dying, his eyes were opened to see Jesus. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, AND SAW THE GLORY OF GOD, AND JESUS STANDING ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55,56). How did Stephen see Jesus? I believe he saw Him with the eyes of his heart.

3. YOUR HEART WILL BE WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS.

You see, where your treasure is, that is where your heart will be. When your treasure is in Heaven, your heart is in Heaven. When your heart is in Heaven, the eyes of your heart always see heavenly things. Let your heart be with God! When your heart is with God, you will be ready to sacrifice; you will be ready to die for what you believe! Not because you have some special calling, but because you believe what you say you believe!

4. ANYTHING CAN BE GIVEN UP FOR CHRIST.

“But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as rubbish. All I want is Christ” (Philippians 3:7,8Contemporary English Version). “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:7,8). Paul made many sacrifices for his faith and was glad about it.

5. THERE IS NOTHING LIKE LIVING FOR GOD WITHOUT PAYING THE PRICE. Jesus said that unless a corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abideth alone. The seed must always die if it is to bear fruit. Some people want to be pastors without paying the price. Be honest with yourself and accept the reality of sacrifice. In the Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, there are several accounts of how people were killed for their faith. They died in droves. Some were eaten by lions. I would not like to be eaten by a lion. I have been bitten by a lion before and it was not an easy experience. I’ve seen a lion having lunch before and I certainly wouldn’t like to be its supper.

6. SOME OF THE EARLY CHRISTIANS WERE HANGED ON CROSSES.

Some thought they were not worthy to be crucified in the same way as their master Jesus. So they asked to be crucified upside down. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God CONTINUALLY, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15). “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies A LIVING SACRIFICE, holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

7. THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A ONE-TIME SACRIFICE THAT YOU MAKE FOR LIFE.

In the days of the temple, sacrifices were made to the Lord every day. It was part of their service and worship to God. It was a daily thing they did for the Lord. God asks you to present your body as a living sacrifice! This type of sacrifice is an undying sacrifice, something that goes on and on. It is unending! One martyr said, “Eighty and four years have I served the Lord. Why should I deny my Lord at this time? What evil has He done to me?” Someone with faith will never deny the Lord!

THE RELEASE OF POWER

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the POWER OF GOD” (1Corinthians 1:18). The cross is the symbol of Christianity.

1. THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS IS THE PREACHING OF SACRIFICE.

It is also the preaching of power. As Christians, we should preach about the cross. In fact, we should have crosses. I have crosses. I have one I keep in my room. It is the symbol of Christ, the symbol of Christianity and the symbol of the Church! Some of us think that the fish is the symbol of Christianity. It is not. The cross is that symbol.

I remember meeting one of the politicians in my country. He was one of the most senior ministers of the government and was attending a wedding in our church. After the ceremony, he came to my office to meet me. As he sat down, I noticed that he was wearing the emblem of his political party on his lapel. I was amazed at this politician’s boldness. He was wearing his party symbol even at a wedding!

Even though his party had become unpopular, he boldly sported this symbol. His party had led the country into difficult times but he was not ashamed of it. We must be proud of the cross of Jesus Christ. It is our symbol, and a symbol of obedience and sacrifice!

The Bible tells us in the verse we read, that the preaching of Christ is foolishness to those that are perishing but unto us, it is the power of God. Sacrifice releases spiritual power! This explains why many demonic rituals involve some kind of sacrifice. Various animals and sometimes human beings are sacrificed in rituals, to release power. Occultists make sacrifices. People seeking spiritual power are always asked to sacrifice something. The king of Moab sacrificed his son when he saw that he was losing a battle with the Israelites: “And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom: but they could not. THEN HE TOOK HIS ELDEST SON THAT SHOULD HAVE REIGNED IN HIS STEAD, AND OFFERED HIM FOR A BURNT OFFERING UPON THE WALL. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land” (2Kings 3:26,27).

This sacrifice turned away the approaching armies. Power was released by sacrificing the king’s son. This saved the king’s life and the lives of his people. Sacrifice will always release power. Learn this principle––sacrifice will always release power. The Israelites made God angry because they sacrificed their children to idols for power: “Yea, THEY SACRIFICED THEIR SONS AND THEIR DAUGHTERS UNTO DEVILS, And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood” (Psalm 106:37,38).

2. MANY PASTORS AND LEADERS OF CHURCHES ARE POWERLESS BECAUSE THEY MAKE NO SACRIFICES FOR THE LORD AND HAVE NO INTENTION TO DO SO.

Some years ago, the Church in Switzerland was very powerful. They sent missionaries to Ghana, even though they could not speak Ghanaian languages. One of these missionaries called Johann Riis translated the Bible into Twi, one of the most widely spoken dialects in Ghana. He also translated 6000 Twi proverbs into English. Today, there are still Swiss people who speak fluent Twi. They are descendants of the original missionaries.

If I were to send people to certain places for missionary work, there would be an outcry. That is why there is no power in our ministries. There is power only when there is sacrifice! A lot of power is released, for instance, when you fast. This is because a sacrifice is made when you fast. Fasting is sacrificing your meals. When people give up something for the ministry, power is released. The early church was so powerful. The more they were martyred, the stronger they became.

However, when the Church was accepted officially in Rome, it lost its power. This acceptance removed the need for sacrifice and therefore weakened the Church. The power of the Church is often increased where there is opposition and much need of sacrifice.

POWER RELEASED THROUGH SACRIFICE

1. THE POWER TO MAKE PEOPLE FOLLOW

There is an aura around anyone who makes great sacrifices. He is respected and held in high esteem by people around him. People see this person doing things that they fear to touch. This inspires confidence and stirs up followers to do the same. The former President of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings, had many followers. His followers admired and loved him greatly. He was not followed because of his PhDs, or his excellent family background. Paradoxically, he did not have much to boast of in that regard. However, he seemed ready to die for what he believed in. In May 1979, he attempted a coup d’état, to overthrow the government of the day. The attempt failed and he was put on trial. But while on trial, he told the court to leave his men alone. He said he was responsible for everything that had happened! The bold and sacrificial statements of this young man stirred up the interest and support of many people. Jerry John Rawlings, riding on the wave of this support, became Ghana’s head of state and dominated Ghanaian politics for more than twenty years.

It is interesting to read about his trial and what took place afterwards:

*“Mr. President, the principal architect and ringleader in the carrying out of the mutiny is the first accused, Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings of the Ghana Air Force Station, Accra. He is a young man aged about 31” That was the voice of Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. G.E.K. Aikins at the opening of the trial in which six persons had been charged with “Conspiracy to cause Mutiny” and “Mutiny with violence”. A seventh accused was facing the charge of “Concealment of Mutiny”. The date was Monday, 28May 1979. The Burma Hall, conference room of the Ghana Armed Forces, was crowded, following a newspaper report that a court martial was opening that morning. There had been quite a level of anxiety not only in government quarters but also in the military and civilian sectors.

The accused persons were marched in, led confidently by Flt. Lt. J.J. Rawlings who was known to quite a number of soldiers present. He wore dark glasses and was holding something that looked like a scroll sheet. Second accused was Leading Aircraftman John Newton Gatsiko; third accused Leading Aircraftman Sylvanus Tamakloe; fourth accused Cpt. David Baba; fifth accused lanky Leading Aircraftman Albert Kwasi Gbafa; sixth accused Leading Aircraftman Daniel Dzibolosu and the seventh accused was Cpl. Ajowiak Ubald. Particularly for the hundreds of civilians there, Flt. Lt. J.J. Rawlings was a new face. When he was identified as the first accused, the principal architect of the mutiny, curiosity ran high. “Mr. President,” the prosecutor was addressing the Court Martial, “the first accused had for a long time felt disillusioned about the injustices in our society, more particularly under the Acheampong regime; and so when in July 1978, the SMC was reconstituted with the removal of Mr. Acheampong as head of state, Jerry John Rawlings thought things were going to improve. When he realized that there were no improvements in the conditions of life, he was struck with dismay and lamented over what he termed ‘the tarnished image of the Armed Forces’. He regretted that at the time that the military government was due to hand over to a civilian government, the military government had done nothing to improve the image of the Armed Forces.”

The ovation was spontaneous but controlled. The president of the Court Martial was not sure whether it was safe for the proceedings to continue. The general acclaim was that J.J. Rawlings had expressed the true feelings of the junior ranks in the armed forces–– what he himself called the conscience of the Armed Forces.

“Mr. President, My Lord Judge Advocate, Members of the General Court Martial, briefly these are the facts upon which these accused persons have been arraigned before you…this state of affairs threw the whole of Accra into a pandemonium during which a number of the civilian population ran helter-skelter and some fat Makola women succeeded in outrunning the thin ones.”

The crowd greeted the conclusion of the Prosecutor’s statement with laughter––a timely release of the tension that was building up. As the noise settled, the Judge asked the defence counsel to show up. The team for J.J. Rawlings was Mr. Adumoah-Bossman, but the rest of the accused had not been lucky. However, Mr. Adumoah-Bossman pledged that the Bar Association would endeavour to find counsel for the rest.

On resumption, the accused marched back to their seats after consultation with defence counsel. Jerry was heard barking to the rest to ‘straighten up and march like soldiers’. Despite the anxiety of the crowd, the six other accused persons didn’t have much hope. Some seemed like blaming Jerry Rawlings for all this. Adjournment was granted for the court to resume in two days.

History did not follow the full text of Jerry’s draft speech mentioned by the prosecutor ever to be read. But, in his own handwriting, as obtained from my research, he said:

‘Fellow citizens of Ghana, Now! You listen to me well and good because I am not here to make a speech and I am not here to waste my time talking. First and foremost, I am not here to impose myself on 10 million citizens of this country. But, I am telling you today that I am here today in the history of this country to address myself to military senior officers, all those politicians, all those business men and foreign criminals who have used our blood, sweat and tears––the toils of our labouring––to enrich themselves, to drown in wine and women, while you and I, while the majority of us, are daily struggling for survival, yes! “I know what it feels like going to bed with a headache for want of food in the stomach. “Let me give you, the struggling and suffering masses, just one little warning. Should anyone or group of you dare collaborate or help these exploiting pigs to run––this country will once more bleed than we anticipate. “I am not an expert in Economics and I am not an expert in Law but I am an expert in working on an empty stomach while wondering when and where the next meal will come from.

“I am going to prove to you today it is no longer a question of the military against civilians, it is no longer a question of the Akan against the Ewe, the Ga against the Northerner. But a question of those who have against those who have not––a question of the vast majority of hungry people against a very tiny minority of greedy, inhuman selfish senior officers, politicians, businessmen and their bank managers and a bunch of cowardly Lebanese who will not stay in their country to fight for a cause. But who is a fool? You and I.”

“You and I are the bigger fools for allowing such a blatant abuse of human dignity for so long. 22years after independence, you and I are still hitting our heads on the ground and leaving it all to God to save us one day. Where on earth has God come to the salvation of a people without the suffering, starving hungry people taking the law into their own hands? “America has seen her own brand of revolution; France has seen her brand of a revolution. Britain has seen her brand of a revolution. Russia, China, Iran, all of them. Only the black man in the black African Continent goes on leading his fellow black men like a herd of cattle while suppressing them like slaves. Let me tell you today that God will not help you, and the big man will not help you because his stomach is full, his children’s stomachs are full and there is enough for them to go and come as they like. “Only you can help yourselves.”

On Wednesday, 30th May, the court martial resumed. There was something very significant this time. On the walls of Burma Camp, leading to the Burma Hall, posters were conspicuous and early arrivals could not miss the message. Some were written in chalk:

“STOP THE TRIAL OR ELSE…”

“IF YOU WANT TO DIE, CONTINUE THIS TRIAL”

“REVOLUTION OR DEATH”

“THE STRUGGLE WILL CONTINUE”

But in no time, the military tore all of them down, just in time for the Court to sit. The front-page banner headlines in the daily newspaper spoke of Jerry fighting against injustices. The statement of the Director of Public Prosecutions was given wide coverage, much to the annoyance of some members of government. That explained the huge uncontrollable crowds that milled in the hall this time. They cheered openly despite warnings by the Court President, Col J. Enninful. The first witness, Flt. Lt. J.B. Atiemo, confirmed that the first accused had declared that he was prepared to die on behalf of the rest of the accused. The applause grew wilder.

The next morning, the banner headline of the Daily Graphic read: “LEAVE MY MEN ALONE! I’m responsible for everything.” The fire caught on. “Here was a real leader,” one Corporal Adjei told me later. “In the military, the junior ranks don’t like officers who are cowards...moreover; he was saying something all of us had wanted to say a long time ago. We only needed a leader and we all identified him in Flt. Lt. Rawlings. Even those who did not know him before came to love him.”

The third sitting of the court was on Thursday, 31st May. The defence counsel cross-examined the first prosecution witness amidst shouting and clapping in support of the stand taken by Flt. Lt. Rawlings. Before the President adjourned till Monday, 4th June to enable the Attorney-General’s department to find counsel for the other accused persons, he gave what he called a final warning to the public gallery ‘to desist from any further shouting and clapping’. He added that he would not hesitate ‘to stop the public from listening to the rest of the proceedings’.

The die was cast. As the accused persons were being marched away, some of the members of the public waved at them, some with fists raised.” When people saw that this 31year-old man was prepared to die for a cause, it inspired many to follow him. The junior ranks of the army and many civilians rallied to his support. I am not saying that the revolution was right or wrong. All I am showing you is that sacrifice releases the power that makes people follow you. Let’s face it: How many of the democratically elected politicians are prepared to die for what they believe? Some of them do not even believe in their own speeches. They read speeches that are written for them and make promises that are not true. I sometimes marvel at how unreal some of these people are. They rarely speak extemporaneously. Tell me, am I lying?

2. THE POWER TO MAKE PEOPLE BELIEVE

Have you ever wondered why some people are so unconvincing? No one wants to hear what they have to say. Have you asked yourself why some pastors have very few members (followers)? Many politicians claim to love their countries. They talk about their concern for their countries at political rallies and news conferences. Unfortunately, many people do not believe them. Think about Jesus. He never wrote a book and never published an article. He never campaigned for votes or support. In fact, He constantly told people not to publicize the good things He had done for them. He never travelled more than two hundred miles from His hometown. He never preached on TV or on radio. He did not build any institutions to His memory! His picture was never on a billboard and He never owned a car.

Yet, the whole world has gone after Him. Two thousand years have gone by and millions still believe in Him. Thousands are converted to Him daily and there are volunteers who are ready to die for Him today. What is the reason for the long-lasting effect of His ministry? The answer is simple. The sacrifice! The sacrifice of His life on the cross was the most significant spiritual thing that Jesus did on earth. He preached, He taught and He healed the sick. However, the eternal fruit was borne when He gave up His life on the cross. 148PREACHING THE CROSS / 149Have you ever wondered why Jesus did not stay around longer than 33years? When He was threatened, why didn’t He travel to Morocco, Algeria, Macedonia or Egypt? Why didn’t He preach for a few more years? Were there no more good works that He could do on earth? What we need to learn here, is that obedience and sacrifice will bear more eternal fruit than any other good works we do. This one sacrifice for humankind has released so much power into the earth. This is why millions from all nations believe and follow Him. This is why Jesus focused on sacrificing Himself on the cross. The sacrifice on the cross was the key that would release the power of salvation. No amount of preaching or teaching could replace what would be accomplished on the cross.

3. THE POWER TO INDUCE COMMITMENT

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:7-8). Many great men and women have left all to follow Jesus. Kathryn Kuhlman had to leave her husband. Not many women would be prepared to stay unmarried. In one of Kathryn Khulman’s biographies, the author talks about how he had asked Kathryn about her marriage. He said they were alone in a room together when he asked about this chapter of her life. In a rare moment, she began to speak about her former husband and what it had cost her to leave him. Suddenly, the power of God entered the office. The writer described how he could hardly stand. He said the presence of God came into the room so powerfully that he had to leave. A sacrifice always releases power. Sometimes even talking about the sacrifice releases the power.

I once had an uncanny experience when the holy presence of God walked into my office. I was in conversation with two other pastors when the anointing walked into the room. The three of us suddenly knew that someone had walked in. Everyone there could feel that He was standing by us. These things are real. I had never had an experience like that. We have more knowledge than we can use, but no sacrifice. There is power ready to break forth in our lives the moment we make the sacrifice. You will be surprised at how many people will become committed to your cause when you make the sacrifice.

4. THE POWER TO MAKE PEOPLE TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY

I once asked some pastors, “You preach the same messages that I do, don’t you?” Then I asked them, “Is the impact of your message felt?” They stared at me silently. I continued, “Because you have not given up anything for what you believe, people do not take you seriously. You may say the same things that I do but if you do not pay the price, you will never make the impact you need to.”

Many preachers are not taken seriously. Many of their statements are ignored. But everything changes when someone pays the price. Every situation changes in the moment that blood is shed. There was a time when our church was attacked. The people in the community were hostile to us. My young men wanted to fight back and kill the invaders. They wanted us to arm ourselves and launch counterattacks. But I knew that if someone was killed in the confrontation, the intensity and seriousness of the conflict would change forever. This is the reason why we did not fight back when our church was attacked.

Macbeth said , “Blood will have blood!” Jesus said: “He that comes by the sword will go by the sword.” The gravity of every situation changes as soon as a sacrifice of someone’s life is made. Where there is no sacrifice, there will be no power. You may have many doctrines and ideas, but you will have no power in your ministry. You should come to the Lord and ask Him if there is anything, He wants from you. You must give yourself as a living sacrifice to Him. There can be no power without a sacrifice. Sacrifices release the power of God in your life.

When there is sacrifice, there is power. This is why Islamic suicide bombers are making such an impact in the world today. You would think that these terrorist acts would drive people away from their religion. On the contrary, it stirs up more commitment. Sacrifice attracts more followers. God told me that He called me to start churches. He has asked me to send people to the corners of the world to start churches. The Lord told me that there are several people who will respond to this call. He told me not to worry about people’s lives but to sacrifice my best sons and daughters on the harvest fields. I tell you, many have responded and are doing great things for the Lord. God is going to make you sacrifice. He may change your life and change everything about you. He is going to ask you to give up certain things, and as you do, you are going to see His power. When you speak, your words will be taken seriously because of the sacrifices you’ve made.

OPPOSITION TO SACRIFICE

Since sacrifice releases so much power, the enemies of God have historically fought against the concept of sacrifice. When you make a sacrifice to the Lord, it often looks as though you are doing something stupid. You go down in pain but you come up in victory. Not surprisingly, the devil has succeeded in keeping believers as far from sacrificing as possible. The Anti-Christ, Pharaoh and Satan himself, all get involved to prevent you from having any such ideas. It is time for Christians to know that power lies just beyond the cross.

FOUR EXAMPLES OF OPPOSITION TO SACRIFICE

1. ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANIES

“And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them” (Daniel 8:9,10). The Prophet Daniel prophesied about a little horn, which rose to defile the temple. This refers to the reign of Antiochus Epiphanies. He made himself an enemy of the Jews. He profaned the temple, entered the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar. He stopped the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation upon the altar (an idol), and called Solomon’s temple the temple of Jupiter Olympus. This man, a type of Anti- Christ, did not want God’s people to sacrifice to their God.

2. THE ANTICHRIST

“And an host was given him AGAINST THE DAILY SACRIFICE by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered” (Daniel 8:12). “And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, AND SHALL TAKE AWAY THE DAILY SACRIFICE, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate” (Daniel 11:31). Notice right here that, one of the things the Antichrist will do is to stop the daily sacrifice. He will stop people from sacrificing to God. Get this clear! The enemies of God are against you obeying God and laying down your life for Him.

The Antichrist will prevail by peace. He will be cast in the mould of Hitler but will be even wiser. He will prosper not by war but by peace. He will win and succeed. He will come in the name of peace; talk about peace, and everybody will think that he is God. But the most significant thing he will do is to stop people from sacrificing to God. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy, also, he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and BY PEACE shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. Daniel 8:24-

25. When the spirit of Antichrist is at work, it stops you from sacrificing to God. Antichrist is anti-God and anti-God is anti-sacrifice! One of the devil’s goals is to stop you from sacrificing to God! The Antichrist spirit is against your going to church, giving your money, your time and your life to the work of God. That voice in your life is the voice of the Antichrist. The Bible says that the Antichrist will come and stop the people from sacrificing to God. I want you to know that when God is calling on you to give up something or to do something for Him, the spirit of the Antichrist will tell you not to do it.

Desolation in Ministry

“Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the TRANSGRESSION OF DESOLATION, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?” (Daniel 8:13). The taking away of the sacrifice is described as the sin of desolation. Desolation means: destitute, barren, empty, forgotten, dark, rejected and dejected. The sin of desolation is what comes when sacrifice is taken away from the church.

We cannot build more churches if people are not prepared to sacrifice. People have made sacrifices for us to be Christians today. They made it possible for us to know the Lord. Where there are no sacrificial people, the church is desolate. Our church looked very odd when we sent out missionaries to Africa. It looked as though we were destroying the lives of young promising couples. Parents fought against it with all their might. Yet, these same parents would not mind if the UN gave their children a job in a war zone. Recently, I was praying in the presence of God. I was also expecting an important phone call so I had my phone on. (I usually do not have my phone on when I am praying). Then the phone rang. It was one of my lay pastors. Immediately after speaking to him, I had a vision. I saw the same person walking in a hot desert. He was sweating profusely and struggling in the heat of the shining sun. I knew immediately that he was distressed by his secular job. The Lord showed me that this lay pastor was not where he was supposed to be. So I called him and told him, “Pastor, you are in the wrong place. It is time to give it all up for Jesus. You are called to serve in the house of the Lord. You are a priest.” He responded, “Bishop, it’s true, I struggle every day at work. I know I am lost. I’m coming.” That was the end of his secular career. Today he is fruitful in full-time ministry.

It was not easy for me to talk to this lay pastor. I felt very intimidated because he had a good job that was giving him a lot of money. Both Satan and the Anti-Christ were against my talking to this young man about full-time ministry. Your life will be desolate when you hold back the sacrifice that you must make for God! May desolation and barrenness be removed from your church and ministry!

3. JUDAS ISCARIOT

Remember that it was no other person than Judas Iscariot who criticized the woman with the alabaster box. This woman poured out her expensive perfume on Jesus. It was the most valuable thing she had. Women spend hours doing their hair. They know what their hair means to them. A woman’s hair symbolizes her beauty. Mary sacrificed her beauty and her valuable things for Jesus. “Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, JUDAS ISCARIOT, Simon’s son, which should betray him, WHY WAS NOT THIS OINTMENT SOLD FOR THREE HUNDRED PENCE, AND GIVEN TO THE POOR?” (John 12:3-5). It is true that this woman had been living in sin. However, she gave what was most precious to her––her hair, her perfume, her tears, to Jesus.

But Judas Iscariot, the honourable treasurer of the team (your treasurer is usually the most trusted person in the organization) didn’t like it. Even though it wasn’t his alabaster box, his life or his hair that were being sacrificed, he was against it. The appearances of people, who are Antichrist or anti-sacrifice, can be very deceptive. The anti-sacrifice, anti-give-up everything, anti-do-a-lot, anti-give-a-lot spirit is the spirit of the Antichrist. These people often present themselves as being very decent, very logical, very organized, and dignified. But it is still the spirit of the Antichrist.

4. SATAN AGAINST SACRIFICE

“From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and SUFFER MANY THINGS of the elders and chief priests and scribes, AND BE KILLED, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. BUT HE TURNED, AND SAID UNTO PETER, GET THEE BEHIND ME, SATAN: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men” (Matthew 16:21-23). When Jesus explained that He had to die on the cross, one of His pastors, Pastor Peter, took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him. “Be it far from you.” Pastor Peter said. “Never! As long as we are here, it will not happen.” Jesus turned and addressed the person who was against His sacrifice and said, “Get thee behind me Satan.” Jesus spoke directly to Satan, as the person who was preventing His sacrifice.

We can all understand Peter’s love for Jesus. In the natural, the people who love you will often oppose your decision to take up your cross. Peter did not know that the devil was using him. Our Lord Jesus exposed the devil for who he really was. We all know the story of how Peter rebuked Jesus for suggesting that He would die on the cross. Peter did this in the name of love, care, and concern for his Lord. What he did not know was that, this love and concern was actually the voice of Satan trying to prevent Jesus from sacrificing Himself. I qualified as a medical doctor on the 10th of March 198

After working for a year, I decided to go into fulltime ministry. Many caring relatives were against this idea. My father-in-law was so concerned that he offered to help me get a posting to another medical department. He felt I had lost interest in medicine because I had been posted to the Pathology (dead people’s) Department. My dear mother-in-law also was deeply concerned about my situation. She constantly spoke about it. One day, I said to her, “Please-Teacher (she was a teacher, so all her children called her ‘Please-Teacher’), please do not talk about this anymore. I have decided to go this way and God will keep me.” From that time onwards, she never spoke about my decision to quit practising medicine. You see, they were concerned about my welfare. Wouldn’t you be concerned if your daughter was married to some wild young man who did not want to work anymore? Of course, you would be concerned! My mother- in- law loved me just like Peter loved Jesus. In the natural, this is a sign of great concern. However, in the spirit, it is opposition to the sacrifice. The enemy knew that if I sacrificed this treasured and noble profession, power would be released for ministry. All I was about to do was, to take up my cross and follow Jesus. To take up your cross does not mean to build a wooden cross and walk to Mount Calvary. It means following the example of Christ Jesus. It means sacrificing your life for Jesus. And truly, much power for ministry has been released since I took that step. As I write this textbook, it has been only twelve years of full-time ministry. The Lord has done so much and I am grateful that He called me to this honourable work. Ministry is far more honourable than medicine. In comparison to Christ, everything else is dung.

Satan’s Deception

Jesus came into the world to save sinners. In the famous temptation of Christ in the wilderness, Satan showed Jesus the kingdoms of the world. He said, “I’ve got a plan. I know your goal is to save the whole world. I have a plan that will avoid pain. This plan will give the same results. There will be no anguish, no torment, and no forfeiting of anything.” Satan continued, “Just bow down and worship me and all these kingdoms will be yours.” But Jesus knew better. He said, “The sacrifice must come on! I have to suffer. I have to die! I have to pay the price!” Jesus was not fooled by Satan’s easy plan. Please do not be fooled by Satan’s trouble free plan. There are no shortcuts or easy-jets to the will of God. Sometimes as pastors, we are nervy when we call on people to make sacrifices. That is the devil at work! I have learnt not to back down. I have learnt to boldly lead people into sacrificing for the Gospel.

SUBSTITUTE SACRIFICES

“And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, AND THEY SHALL PLACE THE ABOMINATION THAT MAKETH DESOLATE” (Daniel 11:31). History shows us that there were people who opposed the offering of sacrifices to God. Not only were they against God’s sacrifice but they had a substitute. In place of sacrificing to God, the Anti-Christ will put an “abomination that maketh desolate”. This has happened before. Antiochus made the Jews sacrifice pigs in the temple. These pigs were the substitute for the real sacrifice. Below is the account of King Antiochus.

KING ANTIOCHUS AND THE PIG IN THE TEMPLE

“King Antiochus returning out of Egypt, for fear of the Romans, made an expedition against the city of Jerusalem; and when he was there, in the hundred and forty-third year of the kingdom of the Soloucisdae, he took the city without fighting, those of his own party opening the gates to him. And when he had gotten possession of Jerusalem, he slew many of the opposite party; and when he had plundered it of a great deal of money, he returned to Antioch.

Now it came to pass after two years in the hundred and forty-fifth year, on the twenty-fifth day of that month which is by us called Chasleu, and by the Macedonians Apelleus, in the hundred and fifty-third Olympiad, that the king came up to Jerusalem and pretending peace, he got possession of the city by treachery: at which time he spared not so much as those that admitted him into it, on account of the riches that lay in the temple; but led by his covetous inclination (for he saw there was in it a great deal of gold, and many ornaments that had been dedicated to it of very great value), and in order to plunder wealth, he ventured to break the league he had made. So he left the temple bare, and took away the golden candlesticks, the golden altar [of incense] and table [of shew bread], and the altar [of burnt offering]; and did not abstain from even the veils which were made of fine linen and scarlet. He also emptied it of its secret treasure, and left nothing at all remaining; and by this means cast the Jews into great lamentation, for he forbade them to offer those daily sacrifices, which they used to offer to God, according to the law. And when he had pillaged the whole city, some of the inhabitants he slew, and some he carried away captive, together with their wives and children, so that the multitude of those captives that were taken alive amounted to about ten thousand. He also burnt down the finest buildings, and when he had overthrown the city walls, he built a citadel in the lower part of the city, for the place was high, and overlooked the temple on which account he fortified it with high walls and towers and put into it a garrison of Macedonia.

However, in that citadel dwelt the impious and wicked part of the Jewish multitude. From whom it proved that the citizens suffered many sore calamities. And when the king had built an idol altar upon God’s altar, he slew swine upon it and so offered a sacrifice neither according to the law, nor Jewish religious worship in that country. He also compelled them to forsake worship, which they paid their own God, and to adore those whom he took to be gods and made them build temples and raise idol altars, in every city and village, and offered swine upon them every day. He also commanded them not to circumcise their sons, and threatened to punish all that should be found to have transgressed his injunction. He also appointed overseers, who would compel them to do what he commanded. And indeed many Jews there were who complied with the king’s commands, either voluntarily, or out of fear of the penalty that was denounced; but the best men and those of the noblest souls, did not regard him, but did pay a great respect to the customs of their country than concern as to the punishment which he threatened to the disobedient; on which account they everyday underwent great miseries and bitter torment; for they were whipped with rods and their bodies were torn to pieces and were crucified while they were still alive and breathed: they also strangled those women and their sons whom they had circumcised, as the king had appointed, hanging their sons about their necks as they were upon the cross. And if there were any sacred book of the law found, it was destroyed; and those with whom they were found miserably perished also.”

The Principle of Ongoing Sacrifices

There is an important principle here: people who do not sacrifice to God sacrifice to something else! Everybody is sacrificing something. Everybody will sacrifice something. But the question is what will be sacrificed, and to whom will this sacrifice be made? This has always been God’s struggle with His people. The Israelites were constantly worshipping images and sacrificing to idols. They sacrificed even their sons and daughters to other gods and made them pass through fire. “But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, AND MADE HIS SON TO PASS THROUGH THE FIRE, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel” (2Kings 16:3). “YEA, THEY SACRIFICED THEIR SONS AND THEIR DAUGHTERS UNTO DEVILS, And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood” (Psalm 106:37,38). Today, people are not prepared for their sons and daughters to be in ministry. But these same people would love their children to work in risky environments. In 1Corinthians 10:20, the Bible declares that the sacrifices the Gentiles make, are made to devils. “But I say, that the things WHICH THE GENTILES SACRIFICE, THEY SACRIFICE TO DEVILS, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils” (1Corinthians 10:20). “Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem. But he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father: FOR AMON SACRIFICED UNTO ALL THE CARVED IMAGES which Manasseh his father had made, and served them; And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more. And his servants conspired against him, and slew him in his own house” (2Chronicles 33:21-24). Do not deceive yourself. Sacrifices are made all the time. If you do not do it for one cause, you will do it for another. Sacrifices are made constantly. The Gentiles do make sacrifices but to the devil.

EXAMPLES OF SUBSTITUTE SACRIFICES

1 THE SACRIFICE OF DOCTORS

Medical doctors sacrifice very much for their profession. Medical school lasts seven years and postgraduate medical school lasts another five years. I recently asked a doctor about how many years he had studied medicine. Amazingly, he had been in medical school for more than twenty years. Is it not amazing! If someone had said he was going to sacrifice two years of his life in a theological school, people would say that he was wasting his time. If you are in university for twenty years, it means you have a student’s income for that long. No one seems to mind a low income for twenty years for the sake of medicine. But a low income for the sake of ministry is not acceptable to most people.

Many people would not like to work in a church because they fear they would have a low income. I risked my life for medicine, now I risk my life for Christ. I used to sacrifice my “pig in the temple” but now I sacrifice my life to the Lord. My life has been at risk because of the ministry. There was a time my life was threatened for the ministry. I almost died in a car wreck while on a missionary journey to the north of Ghana. A pastor even said to me, “I wonder why you bother to start churches in such places.” I have almost died in near plane crashes. More than once, I almost died while fasting. It may seem I am involved in a very high risk job. But what about the risks that doctors take all the time? I remember one night; I was working in the accident centre of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana. I was suturing an accident victim when the needle slipped and accidentally pierced my gloves and finger. My patient’s blood and my blood were well and truly mixed together that night. I tell you, I heard the voice of God clearly, “You can die of HIV in disobedience, as you continue to do your own thing.” Doctors are at risk all the time. I know doctors who have contracted the Hepatitis B virus from their work. My pastor in China, who is also a medical doctor, told us that the SARS virus started spreading from the hospital he worked in. He told us that the doctors and other medical staff who had treated the SARS patients had all died. I could go on to tell you many more risks that doctors take. But no one seems to mind if they die for the cause of medicine. There is a deep disrespect for God and the ministry. It is not seen as something worth dying for. Dear friend, I would rather die on the mission field than die in the hospital looking after patients. “But I say, THAT THE THINGS WHICH THE GENTILES SACRIFICE, THEY SACRIFICE TO DEVILS…” (I Corinthians 10:20).

2. THE SACRIFICE OF IMMIGRANTS

Many people travel to far places and live as second-class citizens in foreign countries. This sacrifice is okay as long as the purpose is to get money. If this were to be done for the sake of missionary work, eyebrows would be raised. It seems to be acceptable to many. But not for the ministry! I know people who walked across the Sahara Desert to get to Switzerland. One man told us, “There were three of us who walked through the Sahara Desert. Two of us died and I survived.” Is it not amazing that people, who can walk across the Sahara Desert, cannot come to church? Once in Amsterdam, I was counselling a brother to come to church. He told me, “I tried four times to come to Europe from Ghana. Four times I stowed away on a ship. Once the captain threw us overboard into shark-infested waters and we swam to the shore.” He said, “When I got to the shore, I found out that I was in Liberia. I went back to Ghana and stowed away again. I did this four times until I finally succeeded in coming to Holland.” He smiled proudly and declared, “I am a Dutch citizen today.” Then I asked, “Why don’t you come to church regularly?” He laughed and mumbled some lame excuse about his work. Surprisingly, this man would not make any effort to be in church but he was prepared to die to be in Holland. This young man risked his life four times to become a Dutch citizen but he wouldn’t bother to become a citizen of Heaven. “But I say, THAT THE THINGS WHICH THE GENTILES SACRIFICE, THEY SACRIFICE TO DEVILS…” (1Corinthians 10:20).

3. THE SACRIFICE OF PILOTS

Pilots and other airline crew make great sacrifices for money. In this era of Osama Bin Laden, terrorism and numerous plane crashes, it is amazing that these people continue to do the work they do. They come up with all kinds of statistics to show that flying is safe. No one can discount the fear that exists today in airline travel.

Nevertheless, there are wives who happily see their pilot-husbands off to the plane and don’t think twice about it. These same wives would not allow their husbands to work in the ministry. What you must see is that the sacrifice to God has been replaced by a “pig in the temple”. When you are going on a journey for the Kingdom, you will be asked, “Do you have to go, is it necessary?” Yet, this same sacrifice is done regularly and effortlessly by thousands in the airline industry. “But I say, THAT THE THINGS WHICH THE GENTILES SACRIFICE, THEY SACRIFICE TO DEVILS…” (1Corinthians 10:20).

4. THE SACRIFICE OF BANKERS AND ACCOUNTANTS

These people spend many hours at work. Some of them come home after nine p.m. every night. They hardly see their families. But this is okay if it is for the bank. One day, one of my pastors had his mother-in-law visiting. She began to complain about the time that he came home. He reacted, “Mummy, please don’t complain about my work. It is because I am in the ministry that you even speak this way.” He reminded his mother-in-law, “What about your son who works at the bank? You know he comes home much later than I do. Yet, you have no complaints about that because you think his work is important enough for him to stay that long.” Unfortunately, the ministry is seen as a second-rate job not worth sacrificing for. “Sacrifice to the devil but don’t sacrifice to God!” This is the unspoken message of our friends and relatives. “But I say, THAT THE THINGS WHICH THE GENTILES SACRIFICE, THEY SACRIFICE TO DEVILS…” (I Corinthians 10:20).

5. THE SACRIFICE OF BUSINESSMEN

Businessmen risk their lives all the time for the sake of money. They travel up and down constantly trying to make deals. Many businessmen come under such pressure and strain that they develop high blood pressure, ulcers and other stress -related diseases. That is the price they pay for acquiring great wealth. Many businessmen lose their families in the quest for more money. They are hardly at home with their children. They take on the risk of travel and endorse it all in the name of money.

I once heard in the news that all the top executives of St. Louis (a sugar manufacturing company) had perished in a plane crash. This immediately raised the price of sugar. Do you think top executives do not risk their lives? They do, and sometimes pay a high price for it. People are sacrificing all the time. They will sacrifice their God, their church and their families. They will do anything for more money. They will change their lives, they will live anywhere, and they will travel to obscure places and make all kinds of sacrifices in order to make some more money or achieve their life’s goals. When ministers of the Gospel give themselves to the ministry it is always seen as frivolous and unnecessary. What is more fleeting than the making of money and the building of houses on this earth? We in the ministry have given ourselves to the highest and most worthy calling. Take a country like Angola. They have had a civil war for more than twenty years. Yet, you will find the British, Americans, and Europeans living there and drilling oil! In the midst of the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a Congolese diamond mine was listed on the London Stock Exchange. This means that active business was being conducted in the midst of war. It’s amazing what people will do even in the midst of war! All kinds of British, Dutch and American people are prepared to go to these war-torn African countries and risk their lives if it is for money. They are prepared to go where there is fighting and danger. They are prepared to die for oil, for gold and for diamonds. Nigeria, well known for its dangerous cities and high crime rate is home to many white people who will sacrifice anything for money. In search of more money, British Airways shamelessly flies to Nigeria fourteen times a week. Yet, were I to ask someone to start a church in certain African countries, the person’s family would develop hysteria. There would be all kinds of reasons making me out to be an unreasonable and heartless leader. This is the point: People are sacrificing, but they are sacrificing to the devil! The sacrifices are being made, but they are being made to the devil. The legitimate sacrifice to God has been replaced by the sacrifice of a pig in the temple.

6. THE SACRIFICE FOR THE DEAD

Many can give much more for the work of God but they won’t. This money would rather be spent on a house, a car or even a funeral. People attend funerals every weekend in different towns and villages but they can’t come to church. I know of someone who spent as much as one thousand pounds sterling to buy the shroud for his mother’s funeral. It is not common to see people giving a thousand pounds offering, but people will give it for the dead.

7. THE SACRIFICE OF JOURNALISTS

Reporters and journalists make sacrifices all the time and risk their lives in war zones. Many journalists were killed when America invaded Iraq. I watched a beautiful one-eyed lady on TV. One eye was covered with a black patch. She was a journalist who had lost her eye while covering a conflict for one of the news networks. As I stared at this one-eyed woman, I marvelled at what people are prepared to do for their jobs. These journalists are honoured for their bravery in covering wars. Men will honour scientists, doctors, beauty queens, boxers and athletes but they will not honour preachers.

God has however promised that when we set our love on Him, He will honour us. I am looking for the honour of God. “Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, AND HONOR HIM” (Psalm 91:14-15). Seek the honour of God and not the honour of men!

Sacrifice: The Master Key to Fruitfulness

“And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat FALL into the ground and DIE, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much FRUIT” (John 12:23,24). This is the missing ingredient. This master key will take the average Christian from barrenness to fruitfulness. / CHAPTER 16Sacrifice is the key that will transform a reverend minister from an official with a title to a truly fruitful minister.

1. READINESS TO DIE

The missing ingredient in some good churches is this—a readiness to die. Many of our churches are going to be small until we have people ready to sacrifice. There comes a time when what is needed is sacrifice. A lot of people have reached the borderline. Many Christians can do more but they don’t It’s because they don’t want to sacrifice or give up anything.

2. KNOWLEDGE WITHOUT SACRIFICE

Many people do not lack information or knowledge. They know a lot! If you have read my books, you will know a lot of what I know. However, knowledge is not enough! You may not have the fruits that I have even if you have the knowledge that I have. For you to have what I have, you must pay the price. There is a price for everyone to pay. The price of glory is the same for everyone! This Scripture says that unless a corn of wheat disappears into the ground and dies, it will be alone. The “corn of wheat” symbolizes the man of God. To be “alone” means, “to be fruitless”. It means to be without members or followers. The dying process in the man of God will eventually bring out much fruit.

Jesus would not have borne the fruit He did if He had not died on the cross. He would have been alone in Heaven with His Father. He could not have saved us if He had not died and gone to Hell for us. To win followers for Himself and His Father, He had to fall into the ground and die. The corn of wheat has to fall into the ground and die. When the seed falls into the ground, it disintegrates and decomposes. This is what we call “dying”. The seed actually goes through a process before it comes out as fruit. That can only take place when it disappears and dies. This is the most important truth to know. There are many sincere leaders who know many things. They have heard much and think they are high up in God. Knowledge unfortunately breeds pride: “…knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth” (1Corinthians 8:1b).

The Kingdom is more than a school of history and doctrines. It is more than acquiring numerous certificates of Bible knowledge. Knowledge without this process will yield nothing. Have you noticed that some of the most learned and scholarly Bible expositors are very ineffective at real ministry? In fact, sometimes, the more scholarly they become the more faithless and godless they are. A single seed will become a big tree with many fruits if it falls into the ground and dies.

Chapter 17

Sacrifice and the Anointing

The Authenticity of the Old

In the Bible times, you could not even think of worshipping God without making a sacrifice. You simply had not worshipped God until a sacrifice was made. Poor people sacrificed little birds like pigeons and turtledoves. They could not afford to bring sheep, goats and cows. You were required to sacrifice whatever you had. But there had to be some sacrifice! Can we say we worship God, if we present no sacrifice?

You may say, “Christ has sacrificed for us. No further sacrifices are needed.” No one is asking you to die on the cross again! Nevertheless, Jesus told us to take up our crosses and follow Him, didn’t He? This means that even though Christ has made the ultimate sacrifice, we are still to follow His example of self-sacrifice. There are lessons to be learnt from the Old Testament system of sacrifices. The Old Testament is a treasure house of teaching for New Testament Christians.

The Relevance of the Old Testament

Anyone who doubts that the Old Testament is very relevant today should just read on. The following are a number of reasons why Old Testament Scriptures are useful today.

1. CHRIST HIMSELF EXPOUNDED THE THINGS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES CONCERNING HIMSELF IN THE LAW, THE PSALMS, AND THE PROPHETS.

“Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:26,27,44,45).

2. THE THINGS THAT WERE WRITTEN AFORETIME IN THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES WERE WRITTEN FOR OUR LEARNING, THAT WE THROUGH PATIENCE AND COMFORT OF THE SCRIPTURES MIGHT HAVE HOPE.

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

3. JESUS HIMSELF CAME TO FULFIL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS.

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one title shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:17,18).

4. JESUS SAID THAT THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS PROPHESIED.

“For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John” (Matthew 11:13).

5. THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS SPOKE OF THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST AND THE GLORY THAT SHOULD FOLLOW.

It was revealed to them that their utterances did not just concern their own generation but another. “Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into” (1Peter 1:10-12).

6. THE THINGS, WHICH HAPPENED IN OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY IN ISRAEL, WERE FOR TYPES AND EXAMPLES AND THESE THINGS ARE WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION UPON WHOM THE ENDS OF THE AGES ARE COME.

“Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1Corinthians 10:6,11).

7. THE WRITER OF THE BOOK OF HEBREWS SAID, “IN THE VOLUME OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME,” THAT IS, OF CHRIST.

“Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God” (Hebrews 10:7). “Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:6-8).

8. THE SCRIPTURE SPEAKS OF, “FIRST THE NATURAL AND AFTERWARDS THAT WHICH IS SPIRITUAL”, AND THIS IS A PRINCIPLE WHICH MAY WELL BE APPLIED IN THIS STUDY.

“Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven” (1Corinthians 15:46,47). All these points I have enumerated show us that the Old Testament can and must be used as sound teaching material. We cannot afford to ignore the revelation that is contained in the Old Testament.

GETTING CLOSE TO THE ANOINTING BY SACRIFICE

A study of the tabernacle of Moses reveals that there was always the pain of sacrifice before the priest could approach the holy presence of God. The sacrifice had to be made at the door of the tabernacle. This position of the altar of sacrifice (at the door) signifies that there is the need to first offer a sacrifice if you want to go deeper into the things of God. The Holy of Holies, the place of anointing, was the innermost room in the tabernacle. Without walking through the place of sacrifice, you could not come to this place of anointing. How close do you want to be to the innermost room? How near do you want to be to the anointing? This is an important lesson to all of us.

I do not know of any great man of God who climbed to great heights in ministry without paying the high price of sacrifice. Many people know the Scriptures and the doctrines, but are not prepared to pay the price of ministry. “Therefore, they remain powerless and empty handed in the face of a lost and dying world. And THOU SHALT KILL THE BULLOCK BEFORE THE LORD, BY THE DOOR of the tabernacle of the congregation” (Exodus 29:11).

The wave offerings and the heave offerings were needed to bring you closer to God. This is why we need to bring sacrifices to the house of the Lord. As we make sacrifices, we get nearer and nearer to the inner room (place of anointing). We are brought near to the anointing by the blood. It is the blood and the sacrifice that enables us to come near to the anointing! “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off ARE MADE NIGH BY THE BLOOD (sacrifice) of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13).

Chapter 18

The Christian Leader and Sacrifice

The Elimination of Enemies by Sacrifice

Pharaoh is a biblical model or type of Satan. This is because he keeps the people of God in bondage and refuses to let them go. Pharaoh struggled with the children of Israel until they finally got out of Egypt and were on their way to the Promised Land. Even then, he did not give up. He was bent on recapturing the Israelites.

1. SATAN WILL DO ALMOST ANYTHING TO KEEP YOU IN BONDAGE.

He chased the people of God until the Lord eliminated the Egyptians finally and permanently. The Lord stopped Pharaoh and his influence on the children of Israel. How will Pharaoh finally be eliminated from your life? What will break satanic strongholds in your life? All you have to do is to follow the example of the Israelites and you will be free forever. This chapter talks about the elimination of Satan and his demonic chains from your life and ministry.

2. “WALKING THROUGH THE RED SEA” SIGNIFIES WALKING AWAY FROM SAFETY INTO A REALM WHERE YOU CAN ONLY TRUST GOD.

In the New Testament, walking through the Red Sea stands for the dying process. Sometimes, walking by faith appears as though you are being led into your own destruction. It is like walking into almost certain death. Walking through the Red Sea is an action in which you rely on God’s grace. When you walk through the Red Sea, you do not depend on money, friends, family, or natural forms of assistance

3. WALKING THROUGH THE RED SEA IS A POWERFUL TOOL THAT GOD USES TO ELIMINATE ENEMIES.

Satan can chase you and harass you but there are certain places he cannot go to. The devil is not all knowing and all-powerful. To escape from Pharaoh and his agents you need to go where he cannot follow. When you sacrifice to the Lord, you go through the Red Sea. This is because you walk through a dying and a losing process.

When you walk through the Red Sea, you sacrifice your future and place yourself in the hands of God. I am sure you know that it is not a normal thing to walk through the seabed with a wall of water to your right and a wall of water to your left. What if you get stuck in the middle? What if the water comes tumbling down? “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-zephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, THAT HE SHALL FOLLOW AFTER THEM; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so” (Exodus 14:2-4).

Pharaoh’s (Satan’s) aim is to keep you from Christ. Pharaoh failed in his attempt to keep the people from knowing their God. However, Pharaoh does not give up easily. He says, “Chase him, and track him down. Prevent him from going too far.” The devil aims at keeping you from the ministry. Have you wondered why you have undergone such a struggle since you decided to serve the Lord? It is because Pharaoh is chasing hard on your heels.

4. GOING THROUGH THE RED SEA IS A SYMBOLIC BAPTISM.

Paul teaches us that going through the sea was a baptism for the children of Israel. It was a symbolic baptism. They entered into the depths of the sea and came out again. “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, AND ALL PASSED THROUGH THE SEA; AND WERE ALL BAPTIZED UNTO MOSES IN THE CLOUD AND IN THE SEA” (1Corinthians 10:1,2).

You can compare this to what the Bible says elsewhere: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him BY BAPTISM INTO DEATH: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3,4). By baptism, we are symbolically buried with Jesus. Baptism is therefore a symbol of sacrifice and death. When you walk through the Red Sea you eliminate Pharaoh and his agents. When you die to yourself, your desires, your needs and your wants, you eliminate Pharaoh and all other enemies. This is how the children of Israel got rid of their enemies: by sacrificing their lives in the Red Sea. God began to fight for the Israelites only when they entered into the Red Sea. When we’re not afraid to sacrifice ourselves and walk into the Red Sea;

5. WHEN WE ALLOW OURSELVES TO DIE IN CHRIST, OUR ENEMIES PERISH BEHIND US!

If the Israelites had stayed out because of fear, Pharaoh would have recaptured them. They would have been killed in the desert. Many people die of the things they fear. The things that many of us are afraid of eventually happen. Death in the Red Sea is better than being killed in the desert. I have observed people who have shied away from full-time ministry. Mostly, people stay away from the ministry because of the fear of poverty and ridicule. They fear that they will perish in the Red Sea.

I have watched these same people stand at the shore of the Red Sea and discuss how they intend to eventually, one day, go through this sea. They say things like, “Oh that is my ultimate goal. As for full-time ministry, I know that I will by all means do it.” They carry on, “By all means, I will get to that point. I know in my heart that is what I want to do one day.” They explain, “We all get to that point at different times.” Then I have watched Pharaoh descend upon these people. Suddenly, their lives become one long battle as they try to ward off Pharaoh and the world’s system. Soon these people who were just about to go through the Red Sea don’t have time to even go to church. They are fully entangled with Satan and the world’s system. As the battle continues at the shores of the Red Sea, negotiations with Pharaoh start. Soon, a compromise is reached, so that an individual is never to consider going through the Red Sea. I have watched this happen many times. Today, I know people who would have been fruitful ministers of God if they had made the sacrifice much earlier. Are you stuck on the shores of the Red Sea? When you give your precious life to God, you walk through the Red Sea. When you give your future to God, you walk through the Red Sea. The enemy stands at the shores of the sea and says, “I can’t believe he’s going in!! I can’t believe he’s giving up his life. I tried to frighten him about the dangers of the Red Sea ministry.” The devil knows that he can’t follow you through your sacrifice. Satan remembers how he perished when he tried to follow Moses. He laments: “I can’t believe it! I’ve had this experience before! I remember what happened to me at the Red Sea and I do not want to go into the sea again.” (The devil will lose his control over you when you give up everything for God ). It is true. He will lose his control. The devil does not lose his control because of the message you heard. He does not go away after we anoint you with oil, and pray for you.

6. AS LONG AS YOU REFUSE TO DIE AND GIVE UP WHAT YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO GIVE UP, THE WORLD’S SYSTEM WILL DOMINATE YOU.

Until you go through the Red Sea, the world still has control. As long as you stand there and refuse to enter, Pharaoh has access to you! A beautiful young lady became born again. She had had several boyfriends in the past. Slappy Jay, Ricky Zee, Kweku Killer, Big Bobo were all part of the squadron. Zee! Her current and steady lover whom she was planning to marry was none other than the swanky toe-tapping, cool-rapping Dirty Daniel, a favourite with the ladies.

However, one day, she attended a breakfast meeting and gave her life to Christ. To say the least, Pharaoh was very angry at the loss of one of his slaves. For a few months, Pharaoh thought this young lady would return to Egypt. But her commitment to the things of God grew. At an emergency session, Pharaoh decided to get her back at all costs or to kill her. Pharaoh hatched up a plan to kill Freaky Freda with HIV. Pharaoh knew that Freaky Freda could not resist Dirty Daniel. One night, Satan ensured that Dirty Daniel was fully loaded with HIV from his other girlfriend, Slippery Susie. Pharaoh smiled confidently as he charged Dirty Daniel to infect and destroy Freaky Freda for her unfaithfulness to him. Dirty Daniel called Freaky Freda, “Hi baby, I miss you baby.” He continued, “Where have you been? I’ve been calling your number all weekend. The answer was always the same, ‘The mobile number you have dialled is either switched off or out of coverage area.’

“Oh, I was at a camp meeting,” she answered.

“Camp meeting,” he retorted. “What on earth is that?”

“It is a meeting for Christian leaders in my new church,” she informed him.

“Oh, I see. Anyway, I miss you. Do you miss me? Can I come to your place tonight?”

“Yes, I’ve wanted to see you myself. There is something I need to tell you,” she answered. “I’ll be home early.”

Pharaoh and his legions began rejoicing in advance. “The plan is working; we will end this rebellion.”

But that night, Dirty Daniel had the shock of his life.

Freaky Freda said, “No! I am sorry I cannot continue this relationship with you.”

“Don’t you love me?” he asked. “Don’t you want to marry me?”

She told him tearfully, “It’s not been easy for me, I’ve been crying all day. But I have decided to sacrifice this relationship so that I can serve the Lord.”

In the moment that Freaky Freda sacrificed her relationship with Dirty Daniel, she walked through the Red Sea and went out of the reach of Pharaoh. Pharaoh and legions stood by the shore in shock. They said, “We can’t believe she’s going in!! We can’t believe she’s doing it! We are losing control over Freaky Freda.” The devil knows that he can’t follow you through your sacrifice. As you sacrifice your profession for the Lord, Satan loses his influence over your life.

PERSONAL SACRIFICES OF A CHRISTIAN LEADER

“Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, WE HAVE LEFT ALL, and have followed thee” (Mark 10:28). We see again the disciples having to sacrifice to follow Jesus. They left all! They left their professions, families and familiar friends to follow Jesus. It was a sacrifice. You cannot follow Jesus unless you are ready to sacrifice something.

Your ministry is limited by what you keep. If you carry certain things while you run, you will not run fast enough. God is expecting us to leave things behind on the altar and follow Him. We may have to leave our sleep, friendships, televisions, careers and jobs to follow Jesus. There are pastors in large populated areas whose ministries do not grow because they are not prepared to lay down their lives. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, LET HIM DENY HIMSELF, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). “And HE THAT TAKETH NOT HIS CROSS, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:38).

The phrase “if any man” defines those who must take up the cross. Self-denial is one of the basic truths of the Gospel. I do not know of any stronger statement that our Lord made. In this Scripture, He defines those who cannot be His disciples. This act of taking up your cross clearly draws a line between those who qualify and those who do not. Those who therefore cannot be Christians are those who are not prepared to deny themselves. Where are crosses usually taken to? To restaurants, parties, or weddings? No sir! Crosses are carried to the place of execution and suffering. This Scripture has only one meaning: it means that we must follow the example of Jesus Christ and lay down our lives in obedience to Him. Are you obeying the Lord? I got to know the Lord at about the age of fifteen. I have constantly had to take up my cross, deny myself and follow the Lord. Without doing this, my Christianity would always have been a phantom of what true Christianity is supposed to be. Dear friend, Christianity then and now is not easy.

1. MUSIC AND SELF-DENIAL

During my early years as a Christian, I learned to say “no” to things, which ordinary people said “yes” to. One of the first things I had to deny myself of was non-Christian music. I used to love music by Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, the Bee Gees and ABBA. The key verse that guided me in those days was 1 Corinthians 10:23: “All things are lawful but not all things are helpful.” “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.’ (1 Corinthians 10:23). I really loved and still do love music, but there was no way I was going to continue my walk with Christ and listen to that kind of music. Although nice to the ear, it is not spiritually helpful. There are many Christians who don’t do well because they are not prepared to deny themselves of certain worldly things.

2. ENTERTAINMENT AND SELF-SENIAL

There were places I used to go to that I had to stop going to if I was to continue with the Lord. Dear friend, you cannot go to the same old. Except you deny yourself, you cannot be a Christian. I used to go a-gambling at the racecourse every Saturday. I was an avid horse lover and a regular patron of the racecourse. When I got saved, I had to deny myself the pleasure and foolishness of gambling.

3. ASSOCIATIONS AND SELF-DENIAL

Even as I write this textbook, I realize how essential it is for Christians to deny themselves of many things if they want to serve the Lord. I had a set of friends before I got saved. When I got saved, I realized that these unbelieving friends would not be helpful.

4. JOBS AND SELF-DENIAL

There are times you have to give up certain jobs in order to serve the Lord. I remember a brother whom I led to the Lord. I saw him saying the sinner’s prayer. A few days later, I prayed for him to receive the Holy Spirit baptism. I personally laid hands on him and watched him receive the Holy Ghost baptism and saw him speak in tongues. I also counselled him about his lifestyle. I told him, “You have to change your lifestyle. You have to say “no” to the old things, old people and old places of your life.” One day, I noticed that this brother had stopped coming to church regularly. I asked him, “What is happening?” He told me, “I have a new job at such and such hotel.” He continued, “We work in the night and at weekends.” Then I probed further, “What exactly do you do at this hotel?” He mumbled some feeble answer, and I could tell immediately that it was not a decent job. Night after night, he worked amongst smoking, drinking and rollicking men and women of sin, as they danced their lives away on the floor of the nightclub. This was no atmosphere for a good Christian. It was only a matter of time, before my friend completely backslid. The next time I saw him, he was deep in the world and high on drugs.

5. BUSINESSES AND SELF-DENIAL

You see, except you deny yourself, you cannot be a disciple of Christ. I remember another church member, who owned a restaurant in a hotel. One day, in a move to expand the business, the hotel granted him use of a nightclub facility. When I visited the premises, I wondered to myself, “What in the world is a Christian going to do with such a space?” He said, “Oh, they will just play music in the evenings.” This “music in the evenings” degenerated into a nightclub environment with half-dressed girls singing every night. I thought to myself, “How long will this Christian brother be able to stay in the faith?” To cut a long story short, the last I heard of him, he was out of the church and fully established in the world. He had fallen into any kind of dark sin that you can think of. I also heard that he was in a mental hospital. There are times you will have to sacrifice your job so that you can follow Christ. Not all jobs are from the Lord. Every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord.

6. AUDIO-VISUALS AND SELF-DENIAL

The films I used to watch, I could watch them no more. That was not easy for me because I really enjoyed watching films. It is not everything we watch that pleases the Lord. I would go to different cinema houses in my city and have a good time watching all kinds of films. One day, I was watching a Chinese film at Orion Cinema in Accra, Ghana. I thought it was a safe film. Suddenly, the hero of the film developed a fever. As he lay shivering under his blanket, it was decided that the only thing that could cure his fever and keep him warm was a group of naked girls. This film had suddenly changed in its character. That was a turning point for me. I decided to deny myself of this as well. These things may seem trivial to you, but it is the failure to deny yourself these very things that prevents us from walking with God. walked with the Lord, I continually had to deny myself of many other things. One of the things I had to deny myself of was useless socializing. I also learnt how to deny myself of food so that I could fast. As you can see, little by little, and step by step, you take up your cross, deny yourself and follow Jesus.

7. THE SACRIFICE OF TIME

This is the most important sacrifice of a pastor. Without sacrificing time to be with the Lord, there will be no real fruit. Many ministers have time for everything else but the Lord. There is time for TV, socializing, computers, business and sports but there is no time for personal fellowship with the Lord. The ministry is a reflection of a man’s personal time with the Lord. 8. THE SACRIFICE OF MONEY

Many pastors do not know that they have to give their money to the ministry. I believe that every minister must invest personally into the ministry. Of course, you cannot do that if your money is not distinct from the church’s money. It is important that your personal possessions are distinct from the property of the church. If this distinction is not clear, you lose the blessing of giving. You have nothing to give because all you have is church property. And how can you give the church what belongs to it?

9. THE SACRIFICE OF COMFORTS

There are many things in the ministry, which may take away your comforts. If you are not prepared to sacrifice the little things of life, you may never amount to much in the ministry. Insisting on certain comforts on this earth can easily be the reason for your inability to progress in the ministry. You should “set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). When your heart is set on things above, you will not be so fussy about things on this earth.

One night, I was standing by the Pacific Ocean in a foreign country. In front of me were several large expensive yachts belonging to millionaires. I turned to the Christians who were walking with me and said, “I would like to have my yacht in Heaven.” One of them laughed at me and said, “Oh no, I want to have mine here.” This little conversation reflects two schools of thought in Christendom today. Most Christians want to have their comforts here, while a few want them in Heaven. I do not drive the car that I would really like to drive. In fact, I have never driven the car I really prefer. I also know the nicest and best cars but I do what I do for the sake of the ministry. “But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void” (1 Corinthians 9:15).

I do not live in the best house or in the best area of my city. I do know where these “best areas” and “best houses” are. I do know that there are many better places than where I live. I am also aware that my church can afford to provide these things for me. But I am content with what the Lord has given me. In fact, I think I am super blessed. I do not intend to join the struggle to impress people about what I have and where I live. I hope to have the best mansions in Heaven and not here on Earth.

10. SACRIFICING THE FAMILY

Your family will make many sacrifices because of the ministry. You will have to give up time and pleasure with your family so that you can do the work. In Luke 14, the young man refused to attend the dinner because he had “married a wife”. “And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come” (Luke 14:20). Many people do not fulfil God’s will because they try to please their wives. The Bible teaches us to love our wives. But the Bible teaches us to love God first. “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). Jesus talks about hating your mother, your father, your wife, your children, your brethren, your sisters and even your own life in order to be a disciple. If you have to do that to qualify as a disciple, how much more would you have to do that as a Christian leader?

11. SACRIFICING SAFETY AND SECURITY

Jesus sacrificed the safety of Heaven to dwell amongst a group of perverted, depraved and wicked people. We must follow His example if we are to bear fruit. Walking with the Lord will lead you into many dangers, toils and snares. Every journey you make will put you at risk. If your self-preservation is more important than obeying God is, you are not likely to sacrifice your safety and security.

Being in full-time ministry means you must sacrifice your security. It is much more secure to work for Barclays Bank than it is to work for a Pentecostal church led by a twenty-eight-year old pastor. I was once invited to Colombia to minister. I was uncertain as to whether I should go or not. I called a pastor in America to ask whether he knew if Colombia was a safe place to go to. He told me he would find out and call me back. He called me a couple of days later and said, “Brother, it is a very dangerous place. I don’t think you should venture there.” He continued, “I talked to a Catholic nun who told me to advice you not to step in Colombia. She told me of a Catholic bishop who had been shot in cold blood while serving mass.” “Are you serious!” I exclaimed. “Yes,” he replied. “It is very dangerous.” Then, I had some further information. I was told about another pastor who had been shot while getting into his car after church. It became clear to me that pastors were a target in Colombia. I also remembered a renowned pastor who had almost died in a drive-by shooting incident in Bogotá. Of course, I decided I would not set foot in Colombia. However, as I flew down to another country in South America, I had a dream in which the Lord spoke to me. He rebuked me sharply and told me that He was ashamed of me because I was trying to preserve myself. He reminded me that if He removed His protection from me for just five minutes, I would perish instantly. When I woke up, I was frightened and decided to go to Colombia. I needed no further coaxing to take me to Colombia. Dear friend, I cannot begin to describe the extent of the power of God that was present in those meetings in Colombia. I saw the greatest miracles in my life, including the raising of the dead.

Chapter 19

Sacrifice Brings The Glory

Sacrifice brings the Glory

“Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished: and Solomon brought in all the things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion. Wherefore all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto the king in the feast which was in the seventh month. And all the elders of Israel came; and the Levites took up the ark. And they brought up the ark, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, these did the priests and the Levites bring up. Also, king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel that were assembled unto him before the ark, sacrificed sheep and oxen, which could not be told nor numbered for multitude. And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, to the oracle of the house, into the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims: For the cherubims spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above. And they drew out the staves of the ark, that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen without. And there it is unto this day. There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt. And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course: Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:) It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God”(2 Chronicles 5:1- 14).

And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded. And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people. And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces” (Leviticus 9:21-24). As you can see in these accounts, when they offered sacrifice, the glory of God filled the temple. Do you want to see the glory of God in your life? Then do not shy away from the sacrifice that God has placed before you. A minister who has the glory of God on his life has often paid the price of sacrifice.

THE PRICE OF GLORY

1. GOD IS MOVED BY SACRIFICE.

I have noticed that there is no successful minister who does not have a story of suffering and difficulties. Recently, a visiting minister, whose ministry I knew little about, came to speak in our church. As he shared his life testimony, I marvelled at how this principle is played out in everyone’s life. He had been through many things. He had gone hungry on many occasions; he had encouraged his wife on several occasions. He had been without money and food many times. This man is now a very successful minister in the country where he lives. The story is the same everywhere. There is a sacrifice behind the glory of God! Solomon made many sacrifices to the Lord. Suddenly, the glory filled the temple and no one could stand to minister. God was moved by the sacrifice. God is still moved by your sacrifice.

2. MANY SACRIFICES ARE REQUIRED TO BRING IN THE GLORY.

“And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness. And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings” (2 Samuel 6:12,13). This story shows us how King David made innumerable sacrifices as he brought in the ark of God. The ark of God represents the anointing. The ark represents the glory of God. After every six steps, they would sacrifice oxen and fatling. Can you imagine how many sacrifices they must have made from Obed-edom’s house to the City of David? This journey of faith symbolizes the amount of sacrifice required to bring in the glory.

THE FIGHT BETWEEN SELF PRESERVATION AND SACRIFICE

“Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 10:17,18). Jesus was clever; He knew it was a matter of time before the Pharisees would kill Him. He knew that it was just a matter of time before He would be eliminated. The build up of hatred was obvious to all. Instead of waiting for this to happen, He gave up Himself to be crucified.

1. THERE IS A GREAT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GIVING UP SOMETHING AND HAVING IT TAKEN FROM YOU.

In both cases, you end up losing the thing. To give something is a blessing but to lose something is a curse. I have watched as people tried to preserve themselves and their families but ended up losing them. Many have also tried to prevent financial loss as they avoided going into full-time ministry. Somehow, they lost what they were trying to keep. I remember one lady who was trying to prevent the loss of her husband by keeping him away from the church. Anytime church members came to see her husband for some help, she would shoo them away. Her nasty and unwelcoming behaviour was a clear indication to the visitors that they were not wanted. Gradually, she warded away the church members until her vision of securing her husband to herself was accomplished. However, after sometime, her husband began to backslide. He no longer attended prayer meetings and became uninterested in church. As he became less spiritual, he also began to lose interest in his wife. Soon, his eyes were twinkling and his mouth was watering. He considered other girls.

This lady realized that she was about to lose what she was guarding. Then she ran to church and asked the pastor to pray for her marriage. The very thing she was preserving was slipping away. Dear friend, be it known unto you that he who keeps his life will lose it and he who loses his life for Christ’s sake will find it. These are the irrevocable words of our Saviour. “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 10:39). There are people who think they are preserving their family lives by not getting too involved in church activities. They give themselves to secular pursuits thinking that they are safeguarding the future of their homes. Many of these people have ended up losing their children and their spouses as they followed money on a wild goose chase.

2. IT TAKES WISDOM TO SEE AHEAD AND TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE SOMETHING.

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished”.(Proverbs 22:3). Foolishness often keeps us blinded from this reality. I once ran a car rental business. At one point, I had a very good customer who was paying me good money. At times, he would rent my car for long periods and promise to pay later. This suited me fine until the payments stopped coming. After one or two months of waiting, I decided to go fetch my car. I eventually got the car but my customer would not pay up and kept telling me stories. I made several trips to a suburb of Accra trying to get this man to pay. One night, the Lord told me that I was never going to get my money. He asked me to give the money to the man as a gift. (The Lord was introducing me to an eternal principle). I was going to lose something anyway so I might as well give it away first. But I thought I was wiser than the Lord. The man had been so insolent that I didn’t feel like giving him anything. I decided to pursue this man until I got my money. My debtor was a smooth- talking liar, who had a different story each time. Up till now, I have not gotten my money. I lost it. God knew I would lose it anyway. He wanted to bless me, so he asked me to take that step of giving it away but I failed to do so. Give up your life or it will be taken from you.

TAKING YOUR ROOM IN MINISTRY BY SACRIFICE

“...and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel- Meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet IN THY ROOM” (1 Kings 19:16). God has called many of us. However, you have to pay the price in order to take your place in the ministry. Your place in the ministry is also called your “room” of ministry.

1. EVERYBODY HAS A ROOM OR POSITION THAT HE OCCUPIES IN MINISTRY.

This room of ministry defines your standing before God. It also identifies and classifies you among the ranks of God’s numerous servants. It requires something to occupy that room.

2. YOU NEED TO PAY THE PRICE TO OCCUPY THAT PLACE.

The gift or the sacrifice is what will make room for you. “A man’s gift MAKETH ROOM FOR HIM, and bringeth him before great men” (Proverbs 18:16). One day, when you get to Heaven, you will either have a room waiting or not. This will depend on your obedience to the Lord. The gift you give creates a space, and makes room for you. I occupy a particular spiritual position in my country. At the spiritual gates of the country and among the spiritual elders, I occupy a particular chair. It may not be a very great position but it is a position anyway. That is the room God has given me. Perhaps, God has given you a place in the ministry. God has prepared a place for you among the ranks of the ministers. Do you want that place? Do you like that place? Will you take your place or will someone else have to take it?

3. EVEN WHILE IN YOUR ROOM OF MINISTRY, YOU CAN BE REPLACED BY SOMEONE ELSE.

Elisha was given Elijah’s room of ministry. He complained about the ministry. He felt he had sacrificed so much for the Lord. He erroneously thought that he was the only one doing something for the Lord. God told him, “There are seven thousand pastors and churches you don’t know about.” And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him” (1 Kings 19:13-18).

Many years ago, I had a strange vision. In the vision, I saw a man sitting on a chair. I did not know who the man was. Suddenly, a hand appeared and this handpicked the man by his collar and lifted him out of his chair. The hand then lifted me by my collar and placed me in that chair. The Lord revealed to me that I was replacing someone. He said to me that I was to occupy a chair that someone else had occupied before.

4. THERE ARE MANY REASONS WHY GOD MAY REPLACE YOU.

You can be replaced if you do not sacrifice to take your room. There is a place among the Christian heroes for you. I’ve known people who failed to stand in the room that God gave them. It wasn’t long before somebody else took up that room. If you fail to take the step when you should, others will be brought in to replace you.

Jesus was placed in a position of honour. He is the only one who sits at the right hand of God the Father. He was the one who was allowed to open and to read the book. He was found worthy to do these things because He is the “lamb that was slain”. “Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals because thou art the lamb that was slain. And I wept much, because NO MAN WAS FOUND WORTHY to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, THOU ART WORTHY TO TAKE THE BOOK, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation 5:4- 9).

When you listen to an evangelist preaching, you may think that you could preach better than he does. You could probably preach circles around him. However, that does not qualify you to stand in his room of ministry. You may actually know more than he does and have a better character than he does.

5. IT IS GOD WHO GIVES THE ROOM TO THE MINISTER.

There are questions and speculations about many successful ministers. Many wonder why such people are so successful. Why does anyone listen to this person? Why does anyone come for his crusades? This person is occupying a room of ministry given to him by the Lord. One day, as I observed a famous evangelist preach at a crusade, I thought to myself, “I could probably preach this message better.” I marvelled that so many thousands had gathered to hear such a message. When it was time to pray for miracles, there were hardly any healings. Yet the crowds kept coming, night after night.

As I mused over this, I knew that if this were my crusade, no one would attend to hear my “good preaching”. The Lord spoke to me and said, “I have given this man of God a room. He occupies a position that he did not create for himself. He has paid a price to be in that room. It is not by his preaching, organization or even healings, but by the room that I have placed him in.”

Paying the Price

I once formed an association of pastors. One senior minister asked me, “What do you think you’re doing? Do you know what it means to form an association of churches and pastors?” Then he asked me a question: “What have you been through, what have you suffered, what have you survived?” What he was asking was, “Have you paid the price to be the leader of an association of churches and pastors?” He continued, “I have contended with the prince of this nation. What have you been through, what have you suffered, what have you survived?” Later on, I discussed with this pastor about how the government was persecuting me. He already knew about how the government of the day had broken our walls and attacked us in the night. But I told him, “That is not all. After breaking our walls, they sent the Internal Revenue Service to hound us. All my pastors came under investigation. Then they turned their attention on me personally.” I had to fill various forms and I was interrogated at their offices. They questioned me extensively and wanted to know about my car, home, money etc. I sent my Chief Accountant but they refused to see him. They insisted that I came myself; they wanted to see me. Someone who had won an award for being the best tax expert for that year interrogated me. As I narrated my woes to this senior minister, he laughed and shook my hand. Surprised, I asked him why he was giving me a “pat on the back”. He answered, “Congratulations. I have filled that form five times. I have been through that process five different times.” He went on to commend me, saying that I was maturing and paying the price to be in the high place of ministry. So you see, before you can occupy certain positions, you have to pay a price. When you pay the price, you enter the room that God has prepared for you. Elisha paid the price to take Elijah’s room. When Elijah came to Elisha, he just threw his mantle on him. Elisha was surprised. He knew Elijah was calling him. Elijah himself was so sad about it. He knew that Elisha was going to make a great sacrifice. “What have I done to you? What have I done?” Elijah asked. Elisha told his business partners that he was quitting. He took his oxen and ended his business in one stroke. He divided up his business and walked away from it. He told himself, “It is over, I can’t go back.” He was going to follow Elijah. Elisha paid the price to stand in Elijah’s room. Joshua paid the price to take over from Moses. Peter, James and John paid the price to be apostles. How many are going to live and sacrifice for Jesus?

How many are going to stand in their rooms and pay the price? Get in there. God has a room for you. God had a room for me and I believe that He has one for you. I believe that there are more rooms to occupy and I intend to be there. You must determine to be in the room that God has for you!

SACRIFICE: KEY TO EARTHLY AND ETERNAL BLESSINGS

1. GOD PROMISES A HUNDREDFOLD BLESSING.

“And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, BUT HE SHALL RECEIVE AN HUNDREDFOLD now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life” (Mark 10:29,30). God promises that we shall receive a hundredfold blessing now and in the world to come. You can be blessed on earth as you serve the Lord. God is an all-rounder. It is time to believe in His glory.

2. GOD IS A REWARDER.

We must believe that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Expect rewards as you serve the Lord. Expect them on earth and in Heaven. I have been surprised by the Lord. I honestly thought that I was going to be poor and wretched as I followed the road of ministry. I thought I would never have anything. To my surprise, God has given me a hundredfold in this life. How true the Scriptures are. “He that loses his life will save it and he that saves it, will lose it. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 10:39). Because of this Gospel I have travelled all over the world. There were times I was treated as royalty and I wondered who was making a mistake. Are you afraid to trust the Lord? You are making the greatest mistake of your life. Give yourself to Him. It is worth the risk! It is worth it! There is a hymn, by George Bennard, that blesses my heart. It speaks about the cross of Christ. As you read through the words, may the Lord inspire you to lay down your life for Him!

The Old Rugged Cross

On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross The emblem of suffering and shame, And I love that old cross Where the dearest and best, for a world of lost sinners was slain Oh that old rugged cross, So despised by the world Holds a wondrous attraction to me, For t'was on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, To pardon and sanctify me To the old rugged cross, I will ever be true It's shame and reproach gladly bear, Then He'll call me some day To my home far away, Where His glory forever I'll share.

Chorus So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I'll lay down I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.

SECTION IV

THE WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Chapter 20

Recognizing the Supernatural

Cooperating with God

To recognise and to flow with what God is doing is very important. You will only succeed by the extent to which you flow with the Lord. Unfortunately, the Lord is not as predictable as we would like Him to be.

Human beings love computers and predictable things. We want to be able to say; "This is what God will do!" We want to be able to say; "God will heal this person tomorrow." We wish we could predict whether God will use this young man and not the other one. However, most of the time, we are wrong. God does not fit into our stereotypes. You can never tell whom God is going to use.

You can hardly tell whether God is going to heal someone or not. It is very difficult to tell whether this person will live long or not. No one can tell if God will use the pastor's son or a stranger from nowhere. I have seen large families, in which the parents predicted which of their sons would be a priest. They also predicted which son would be a wicked businessman. Surprisingly, the wicked man turned out to be the priest and the priest turned out to be something else. “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated” (Romans 9:13). This is a Scripture that confuses many people. We wrestle with the fact that God would choose a thief and a trickster. Why would God leave the decent firstborn son, who pleased his father and replace him with this con man? However, it is important to accept what God is doing and flow with it. If you flow with the move of God, God will be with you. If you fight against what he is doing you will never succeed. After years of walking with the Lord, I have simply lost all confidence in my ability to know what God will do. I just have to trust him and do what he wants me to do.

I remember praying for a twenty-five-year old lady who was dying in hospital. I knew that God loved her and would never let her die at that age. Unfortunately, she did die in spite of my strong and fervent prayers for her. This was a confusing experience for me because this lady was a faithful long-standing Christian who loved God with all her might. Yet she died in the prime of her life, leaving behind a husband and a child.

Why does God do apparently insignificant miracles in a miracle service when there are really ill people whom we want to be healed? It is these looming questions that caused many of the great healing evangelists to question the healing ministry and eventually fade out. Ultimately, we belong to God. Paul said, "whose I am and whom I serve". He can and will do with us what he wills. We have to grow up in our understanding of God, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). We must grow up into Him in all things. This means that we must grow up in healings, miracles and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. We must grow up in our understanding of the administration of the Spirit. We must grow up in him in the workings and the moves of the Spirit.

ALIGN YOURSELF WITH GOD’S PLAN

The failure to understand that God cannot be predicted and stereotyped will be the reason for failure of many well-meaning Christian leaders. What we need to know and understand is: "What is God doing at this particular moment?" This is often different from what we expect God to do. There will be more miracles, more successes, more victories when we get to walk with God. After all, it is God who will do the work. It is God who will build the Church. It is God who will make you successful. The Bible says it clearly: the God who called you is the one who will actually do it. “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Follow the Visible Appearances of the Holy Spirit

The key to aligning yourself with God is following the Holy Spirit, and the key to following the Holy Spirit is to watch what He is doing and where He is going. Also the key to watching what He is doing and where He is going is to watch out for when He makes Himself visible. Follow the visible appearances of the Holy Spirit. There are three ways you can follow the visible appearances of the Holy Spirit.

1. MINISTERING HEALING

This is the great key to a successful healing ministry: Follow the visible appearances of the Holy Spirit. This is the key to the healing ministry: pray for those that God is healing. Avoid praying for people that God is not healing. All your past failures in ministry can be attributed to your doing things that God was not doing. Every time we pray for someone whom God is not touching, there is an impression that God's power is not there. There is a feeling that there is no anointing. The most successful ministers are those who strictly follow visible appearances of the Holy Spirit.

2. MINISTERING THE SPIRIT

The key to successfully ministering the Spirit is to watch out for what God is doing. If you can see that God is touching someone visibly, then you simply also touch the person. If the Spirit impresses upon your heart that He is touching someone, touch that person. Leave all the other dry bones that are not rising from the dead. This is the great key to successfully ministering the Spirit.

3. CHURCH GROWTH

The key to having successful church planting is to see where God is visibly working with churches. Your new church is likely to work in a city where God is obviously working to build churches. A city in which large churches flourish is a city where the Holy Spirit is visibly causing churches to grow. The story of the healing of the paralytic in John 5 proves to us that Jesus did not attempt to do things unless He saw that God was doing them. In this story Jesus went to the Pool of Bethesda and met a man who had been there for thirty-eight years. “After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. “And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath...” (John 5:1-10). This man had been at the pool for such a long time because he did not have any nurses to help him.

I once saw a similar situation in a hospital. There was a man who had an accident that broke his hip joint such that he couldn't walk. He needed to have surgery but this man didn't know anybody who could help him. He was not a rich man. He was also not an important person. So every time he was scheduled for surgery, somebody else was given his place. This man continued to lie in bed even though his case needed immediate surgery! Eventually, one year too late, he had his surgery. Unfortunately, his hip joint was frozen and could no longer be corrected. He was just like the man in John 5. He had no one to help him.

But Jesus selected this man for healing and ignored all the others who also needed healing. The Bible says, “In these lay A GREAT MULTITUDE of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered…” (John 5:3).. At this meeting, Jesus was surrounded by a large number of very ill people. Would He heal all of them? Did He heal all of them? Did He attempt to line them up and minister to them? The answer is "no". Jesus simply ignored the large number of sick people around Him and ministered to one person. Why did Jesus heal only one person? How did He select this man out of the crowd? He followed the visible appearance of the Holy Spirit. Jesus did not talk to any of the sick people. Seeing this man and suddenly knowing a little about his condition made Him sense that God was interested in that man. We would probably say that Jesus had a "word of knowledge" about that man.

You see, the unspiritual and faithless would say that Jesus just noticed the first person He saw. However, the spiritual person does not operate by chance, luck or good fortune. He knows that God is at work even in his thoughts. “When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith…” (John 5:6). As soon as Jesus saw and knew something about this man, He acted on it and ministered healing. Indeed, He was very successful in this case because the man received a stupendous miracle after thirty-eight years of suffering. There are three great lessons to learn from this experience.

Three Great Lessons

Let us learn them by studying Jesus' comments after the miracle. The words of Jesus give us direction

1. I WORK WHEN MY FATHER WORKS.

In other words, Jesus was saying, "If I see my Father working, I will jump in and work. If I see my Father ministering to someone, then I will minister to him". “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17).

2. I CANNOT DO ANYTHING IN THE MINISTRY THAT IS MY OWN IDEA.

I can only do what I see my Father do. Jesus was teaching that He restricted his ministration to what He could see the Father doing. Unlike some of us, who want to pray for everyone and heal everyone, Jesus restricted himself to doing only what His Father did. Jesus knew that He could fulfil the purposes of God better by restricting His activities to what the Father did. Jesus did not feel embarrassed that He would be allowed to heal only one person. Jesus was not embarrassed by the fact that people would think, "There were not many miracles today." Jesus did not care about whether people thought He was powerful or not. If God wanted one miracle, He would do no more than one. “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise” (John 5:19,20).

3. JESUS KNEW THAT THE FATHER WOULD SHOW HIM (MAKE VISIBLE) THE MIRACLES, THE MOVES AND THE WORKS THE FATHER WAS DOING. When God loves you, He will show you whom He is calling and whom He is sending. When God loves you, He will show you whom He is healing and whom He is touching. If the Father is not showing you this love, you will be left to stumble in the dark and experiment with unworkable options. Occasionally, you will find something that works. But most of the time, you will be found beating the air, sweating away to no purpose. “For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel” (John 5:20). I have learnt one thing. You cannot do anything that God is not doing. If He is not making your church grow you cannot make it grow yourself. If He is not healing you, you cannot be healed. If He is not delivering you, you cannot be delivered. I have learnt and found out that somehow, God doesn't seem to just do everything for everybody. The point I am making is that God is always doing something in particular. We must see what He is doing. We must flow with what He is doing. We must move away from what He is not doing!

COMPARING THE NATURAL AND THE SUPERNATURAL

I became a born-again Christian through the Scripture Union while I was in secondary school. In those days, the emphasis was on the Word of God. We learnt many important things in the Scripture Union. We learnt how to have a personal "quiet time". We learnt how to study the Bible. We learnt about the importance of the Word of God. We also learnt of the integrity of the Word of God. Because of such teachings, I had been solidly founded on the Word of God. I do not agree with or flow in anything not founded in the Word. I want things to be Bible based; otherwise, it is just not good enough. I am grateful to God for this foundational background because that has kept me on the right track up until today. It is this very attitude of sticking to the Word that has brought me to the supernatural

1. THERE IS A SUPERNATURAL DIMENSION TO CHRISTIANITY. The Bible is a supernatural book. Cut out the supernatural events from the Bible and you are left with a book on philosophy. You cannot avoid the supernatural if you study the Bible. I am always surprised that there are people who do not believe in miracles and yet are committed Christians. Is it intentional blindness to what is so obvious? The Bible directs us to a God who is Spirit. The Bible teaches us about angels that cannot be seen in the natural. The New Testament is full of instructions concerning the Holy Spirit. In spite of this, many Christians are left out of the blessings of the supernatural. Among the many things I am constantly learning of in the ministry, one of them is the realm of the supernatural

2. THE BIBLE RELATES JACOB’S RECOGNITION OF THE SUPERNATURAL. Jacob made a very important statement. “And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, SURELY THE LORD IS IN THIS PLACE; AND I KNEW IT NOT” (Genesis 28:10-16). Jacob came to a place, made himself a pillow and lay down to sleep. He had a supernatural experience during the night. When he awoke in the morning he said, "The Lord was in this place, and I knew it not." This is the testimony of many believers. The Lord is with them and they don't even know it. Angels stand by our side and they are not even aware of it. The Holy Spirit speaks to us and we don't even know it. It is my prayer, that by the time you finish reading this book, you will say, "The Lord was in this place and I knew it!" You will say, "The Holy Spirit was here and I felt him."

3. THE GREATEST BARRIER TO THE SUPERNATURAL IS THE STATE OF NATURALNESS.

Surprisingly, the greatest barrier to the supernatural is not demons. The greatest hindrance to receiving the supernatural is not witchcraft power. It is a state of naturalness, if I may use that word. “But THE NATURAL MAN RECEIVETH NOT THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). The Bible states in very clear terms, that the natural man cannot receive the things of the Holy Spirit. This is because "they are foolishness unto him". What does it mean to be natural? To be natural means to be a normal human being. It speaks of thinking normally, as a human being should. It is being logical, intelligent, calculating and analytical. The word natural speaks of employing all normal human faculties. It is interesting that it is this very "natural" attitude that cuts us off from supernatural things. Many years ago, I was desirous of receiving the Holy Spirit baptism. I wanted to experience the Holy Spirit baptsim with the evidence of speaking in tongues like everybody else. I was a born-again Christian but I had not received the Holy Spirit and did not speak in tongues. You must realize that speaking in tongues is a very supernatural thing. I remember once going to a meeting where people were being prayed for to receive the Holy Spirit. Instead of entering the meeting, I observed from outside. All of a sudden, I began to laugh. Hearing them speaking in tongues, led me to laugh uncontrollably. It sounded so ridiculous. I laughed so hard that I thought I had sinned against the Holy Spirit. Later that year, I finally decided that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was for me! I told a few people that I knew someone in town who could pray for us to receive the Holy Spirit. I remember travelling all the way to town to locate the brother who had agreed to come and pray for us. One Saturday this minister decided to attend our meeting and pray for us. As we gathered in the classroom, I was very hopeful and expectant.

After preaching on the baptism of the Holy Spirit this brother prayed for us. He asked those who had received the Holy Spirit to raise up their hands. After looking about the room, I realized that almost everybody had received, except me. I couldn't believe it! I said to myself, "I organized this meeting. I brought this man from town to pray for us. Yet others who have no interest in the Holy Spirit have received." I just couldn't understand it. To my left and to my right people were speaking in tongues but I couldn't. I was very discouraged. The man of God encouraged us to pray in his absence and told us that God would fill the rest of us with the Holy Spirit. I prayed for several weeks, but to no avail. One morning while lying on my bed, I routinely asked the Lord to fill me with his Holy Spirit. Before I realized it, I heard a beautiful language coming out of my spirit. I was speaking in tongues! I was so happy that I didn't stop praying in tongues for three hours. I was afraid that the Holy Spirit would go if I stopped praying. The question is: "Why did it take me six weeks before I received the Holy Spirit?" The answer is in the Bible: the natural man receiveth not! If you are very critical, analytical and judgmental, you are being natural. When you are natural, you will not and cannot receive spiritual things.

4. THE BIBLE SAYS THAT SUPERNATURAL THINGS ARE FOOLISHNESS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NATURAL.

Who can receive the supernatural? The answer is: spiritual people. The opposite of being natural is being spiritual or spiritually mature. A truly mature Christian is a spiritual person. A mature person knows God. I'm not talking about academic knowledge of the Bible. Academic knowledge of the Bible does not make you spiritual. As you know, many people study Bible Knowledge and Religious Studies subjects in school, and yet are hardened unbelievers. “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto CARNAL, EVEN AS UNTO BABES IN CHRIST” (1 Corinthians 3:1). Paul is saying here that he could not speak to them as to spiritual people but as to carnal.

Moving out of the Natural State

“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of FULL AGE [mature], even those who by reason of use have their SENSES EXERCISED TO DISCERN both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). In this Scripture, the Bible declares that strong meat from the Word belongs to mature Christians. It goes on to explain that mature Christians are those who have their senses exercised to discern or distinguish good from evil. I have always wondered what this verse meant. One of the laws of interpretation of the Bible is simply to accept the literal meaning of the words you read. This verse simply says that Christians who become mature have their senses alert. The word "senses" is derived from the Greek word, aistheterion, meaning "organs of perception". God has given you organs of perception. You are expected to use these organs of perception to manoeuvre in this life. Here, the Bible is giving us an additional but very important revelation. It is telling us that these organs of perception can also be used to detect or discern spiritual things.

1. THE ORGANS OF PERCEPTION

What are the organs of perception? They are the eyes to see, the ears to hear, the nose to smell, the skin to feel and the tongue to taste. If we accept this Scripture at face value, then it is telling us that our eyes and ears can be used, if they are spiritually alert enough, to discern between good and evil things. I told the Lord, "We need more than one Scripture to form a solid basis for this revelation." The Lord took me to the book of Matthew 13. “Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But BLESSED ARE YOUR EYES, for they see: AND YOUR EARS, for they hear.

For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them” (Matthew 13:13-17). Jesus made many astounding statements. He said, "Blessed are your eyes and your ears." What does this mean? Jesus was speaking about their organs of perception, (aistheterion). Jesus had just finished teaching them the Word of God yet many could not understand what He was saying. When He said, "blessed are your eyes" he meant blessed are your eyes because they see visions, revelations and the supernatural. When He said, "blessed are you ears" He meant that they heard a little further, the voice of the Holy Spirit and the voice of God. Some could even hear the voices of angels. At another point in the passage, Jesus said that the people had waxed gross in their heart. The word "heart" comes from the Greek word, "kardia", meaning thoughts and feelings. Their thoughts and feelings, which were organs of perception, had become gross (dull, stupid, fat and inattentive).

2. THE ORGANS OF PERCEPTION AND THE SUPERNATURAL

This is the principal revelation I want to bring to your understanding. The supernatural operates through your eyes, ears, thoughts and feelings. Some of the thoughts that flash in your mind are from God. They are the voice of God ministering direction to you. Jesus made it clear that the Holy Spirit would minister to Christians through their minds.

How the Supernatural Works

1. THE SUPERNATURAL AND THE MIND

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and BRING ALL THINGS TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE [mind], whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). This Scripture is saying that the Holy Spirit brings things to your mind. You might have heard great men of God say, "God spoke to me", or some mighty evangelists say, "The Spirit of God said something to me last night". I am sure you have wondered, as I did, that God seems to physically "live" in the houses of these men of God. God seems to speak to them all the time, but never to me. They always say, "God spoke to me."

My brother, Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would bring things to your mind. However, if your heart (kardia--thoughts and feelings) have waxed gross (fat, stupid, dull and inattentive) you will never know when the Holy Spirit speaks into your mind. You will not know the difference between your own thoughts and those from the Holy Spirit. Learn something right here! The supernatural is not always sensational, dramatic or spectacular. The supernatural concerns things that are not natural. My experience in the supernatural is that God uses my organs of perception, of feeling, thinking, seeing and hearing. He will do the same for you. It may not be spectacular or thrilling, but it certainly is supernatural. The supernatural is often mistaken for the natural. Because of that, the supernatural passes us by and we do not even realize it. Do you remember the call of the Prophet Samuel?

2. THE SUPERNATURAL AND THE EARS

The boy Samuel was in the temple of God ministering. After lying down to sleep one night, he heard a voice. The voice sounded so much like the voice of his senior pastor that he immediately got up and went to see Pastor Eli. The prophet Eli said, "I didn't call you, so go back." He heard this same supernatural voice three times and thought he was hearing a human voice. “…Samuel was laid down to sleep; That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And the Lord called yet again, Samuel… And the Lord called Samuel again the third time…” (1 Samuel 3:3,4,6,8). If the supernatural voice were not similar to a natural voice, then why would Samuel make the same mistake three times? It was the experienced prophet, Eli, who guided Samuel to receiving the supernatural. “Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak, for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:9,10).

Many things you have experienced are supernatural. The supernatural is both real and biblical. In the ministry of the Prophet Elijah, you see a widow to whom he ministered. He prophesied that she and her household would lack no food throughout the period of the famine. That prophecy came to pass! However, secretly she did not believe that the supernatural had occurred in her life. When her child died and Elijah brought him back to life, she made a very significant statement. She said, "Now I know that you are a man of God." “And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I KNOW THAT THOU ART A MAN OF GOD, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth” (1 Kings 17:23,24).

This means that all along she didn't really believe that she was experiencing the supernatural. It looked so ordinary to her. I have been in the ministry for many years. God has used me to do many things for which I am grateful. For example, you are reading a book that I have written. That alone should tell you that God is using me to some extent. However, I did not experience thundering and lightning and have not seen Jesus in person.

3. THE SUPERNATURAL AND DREAMS

The call of God on my life has simply been a conviction. A conviction to serve Him. A conviction to do my best. A conviction to obey the desires that He has placed on my heart. The Bible is true when it says many are called. Many, many, many people are called. “For MANY ARE CALLED, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). Many people do not respect the visions they see. Many have had dreams, which they take no notice of. Paul said, I was obedient to the heavenly vision. One night, God spoke to me and told me, "Respect your dreams from today." I told the Lord, "But I don't have spectacular dreams!" The Lord told me to look in the book of Daniel. So I opened my Bible and he showed me that even King Nebuchadnezzar, an unbeliever, respected his dreams greatly. As a result, he was able to receive an instruction from the Lord.

His dream revealed a mighty tree being cut down. If you had a dream where you just saw a tree, would you take much notice of it? Probably not! You may take more notice of a dream where cows were chasing you, birds were flying, and snakes were appearing all over the place. What did Elijah experience? He experienced the still small voice of God. When God spoke to him he was not in the fire, wind, etc. He was in the still small voice. “And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire A STILL SMALL VOICE” (1 Kings 19:11,12).

4. THE SUPERNATURAL AND FEELING

I believe I have a very supernatural ministry. The things I do and have been able to accomplish have been divinely and supernaturally orchestrated. When the Lord began to use me in the healing ministry, I soon realized that people were actually being healed in the service. Coming from a faith background, I used to sing the song, "I'm not moved by what I feel. I'm only moved by the Word of God." This song is true. We are only moved by the Word of God! However, you will notice that Jesus could feel tangible healing power flowing out of His body. The Bible tells us that He knew in Himself that healing virtue had gone out of Him. How did He know that? He knew because He felt it. One version of the Bible says, "Jesus became aware that power had gone out of him." Another version says, "And Jesus perceived, that power had gone out of him."

The question that Jesus asked was "Who touched me?" Perhaps the feeling of the power was like an unusual touch. The disciples asked Him, "You can see this crowd jostling you and pressing in on all sides. How can you ask who is touching you?" Jesus' organs of perception (feelings) were alive spiritually. He could feel power flowing out of Him. He could distinguish between the touch of the crowd and the release of supernatural power. It is interesting to note that the woman also felt that she was healed. She also felt the power of God flowing into her. The Bible says, “…and SHE FELT in her body that she was healed…” (Mark 5:29).

In my experience, people often claim to feel the power of God when they receive healing. Some people feel an intense heat or a warm sensation. Others feel a surge of electric power. Many feel the wind of the Holy Spirit, like a blowing breeze. Again, some do not even feel anything per se, but just sense that they are healed. Friends, the power of God is real.

The Shrinking Tumour

I remember a lady who had a lump on her body. During the miracle and healing prayer time, she placed her hand on the lump and God healed her. She later testified on stage that when she placed her hand on it, she felt the lump actually shrinking beneath her palm. She was amazed and so were we!

The Disappearing Gallstones

There was a lady in one of our miracle services, scheduled to undergo major surgery to remove gallstones. She was suffering greatly from cholecystitis. During the healing time, she placed her hand on her abdomen as we prayed. She felt the power of God go through her body. She later testified on stage that she felt she was healed. The Bible commands us to, "prove all things." After returning to the doctor, the new x-ray showed that the gallstones had disappeared. The doctors had no explanation for this. There was a scan before the miracle time that showed the stones. After the miracle service, there were no stones. By the supernatural power of God a miracle had occurred.

MANIFESTATIONS OF THE SPIRIT

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God, which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (1 Corinthians 12:1-7). Notice that in verse 3, Paul talks about the "manifestations of the spirit." The word "manifestation" used here is the Greek word "phanerosis" which means, "to make visible." Paul is saying in other words, that the making visible (manifestation) of the Holy Spirit is given for everybody's benefit.

1. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MADE VISIBLE FOR OUR BENEFIT.

Everyone needs the Holy Spirit to be made visible from time to time. To be made visible is to be made tangible and available. What is the use of a car you cannot see, and money you cannot touch? Thank God for all the cars in Japan and Korea but I need one that I can touch and feel. Thank God for all the money in the banks of America and Germany, but I need some in my hand now. I need money I can touch, hold and spend. Thank God for the greatness of the Holy Spirit in Heaven. Thank God for the wonders of the Holy Spirit in the Bible. But I need the Holy Spirit practically, tangibly and visibly today. God knows this need of a comforter who can be contacted. He knows we need a Holy Spirit who is made visible whenever necessary. Phanerosis, which is translated "manifestation" also means: a sign, an expression, a demonstration, the symptom, the appearance and the materialisation of an invisible thing. 1Corinthians 12:7 therefore reads: "The sign, the expression, the demonstration, the symptom, the appearance and the materialisation of the Holy Spirit is given to everyone to profit withal."

God manifested Himself in various ways to those who believed in Him. This is something God did in the past and is still doing today. What is the use of a car you can't drive? What is the use of a brother you don't see, and can't call? What is the use of a person who claims to be your friend but is invisible? You cannot contact Him, you cannot relate with Him, you cannot feel Him, and you cannot benefit from Him! It is of no use. In other words, the Holy Spirit is alive in us, and there are times when He makes Himself visible to the church. Without the Holy Spirit becoming visible, we will not benefit from Him, as we should. The phanerosis of the Holy Spirit or the making visible of the Spirit is real.

2. WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MADE VISIBLE, WE FEEL HIS PRESENCE AND SEE HIS WORKS.

Many times, you can feel the presence of the Holy Spirit at meetings. When you sense the presence of the Holy Spirit, He is making Himself visible. Sometimes in my meetings, I have sensed the Holy Spirit move to the back of the auditorium. Sometimes I sense Him sweep through the balcony and sometimes He is on the stage. Many times, I have seen the Holy Spirit on the man of God. I have seen the Holy Spirit bring healing to people in the congregation. There are times that I can feel Him in the car with me and then I start to cry like a baby. I sometimes want to drive alone because of this. When He is present, He does so many things in our lives. He can become real to you today in Jesus' name! The verse we read says that everyone must benefit from the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. He is given for your benefit. If you have never experienced the Holy Spirit in a visible way, it is not because He is not real. It is because He has never been made visible in your life for whatever reason.

From today, phanerosis is going to happen in your life in the name of Jesus! You will see Him moving practically in your life! I have seen the Holy Spirit at work in our church. This is what has transformed our church from a classroom church to a worldwide ministry. The Bible refers to the Holy Spirit as rain. Things grow when there is rain. Plants flourish in the rain. The rain of the Holy Spirit is what has brought the transformation to our church. The Holy Spirit has made Himself visible by transforming my little Bible study group into a worldwide ministry.

Chapter 21

The Presence of the Holy Spirit

John Wesley and the Holy Spirit

The Revivals in England

John Wesley was born in 1703 and died in 1771. He is probably the most well known of all revival preachers. Wesley, a brilliant Oxford fellow and lecturer was converted at age thirty-five and went on to become the founder of the Methodist Movement. John Wesley experienced almost all the same phenomena in his meetings that are taking place today.1 *“In April 1739, Wesley preached at Newgate Prison in Bristol. Wesley records that as he was preaching: One, and another, and another sunk to the earth: they dropped on every side as if thunderstruck. One of them cried aloud. We besought God on her behalf and he turned her heaviness into joy. A second being in the same agony, we called upon God for her also; and he spoke peace unto her soul…

The next day a doctor who suspected trickery or fraud accompanied Wesley to the prison to see for himself. He closely observed a woman who: Broke out into strong cries and tears. He went and stood close to her and observed every symptom, till great drops of sweat ran down her face, and all her bones shook. He then knew not what to think, being clearly convinced it was not fraud, nor yet any natural disorder. But when both soul and body were healed in a moment, he acknowledged the finger of God. Wesley notes: Many more were brought to the berth. All were in floods of tears, cried, prayed, roared aloud, all of them lying on the ground. When I began to pray, the flame broke out. Many cried aloud, many sank to the ground, many trembled exceedingly.

Throughout his life, Wesley witnessed such incredible revival phenomena that even though his preaching was the tool God used, he was continually amazed. In an entry in his journal on July 29, 1759, Wesley records a number of examples that occurred while preaching: Several fell to the ground, some of whom seemed dead, others in the agonies of death, the violence of their bodily convulsions exceeding all description… a child, seven years old, sees many visions and astonished the neighbours with her innocent, awful manner of declaring them. Describing the same meeting, Wesley detailed how the power of God then moved out into the churchyard. The people were affected in ways that were beyond what he could describe. One man was "wounded by the Lord" while others tried to hold him up: His own shaking exceeded that of a cloth in the wind. It seemed as if the Lord came upon him like a giant, taking him by the neck and shaking all his bones in pieces… another roared and screamed… some continued long as if they were dead, but with a calm sweetness in their looks. I saw one who lay two or three hours in the open air, and being then carried into the house, continued insensible another hour, as if actually dead. The first sign of life she showed was a rapture of praise intermixed with a small, joyous laughter… Four days later: While I prayed with them many crowded into the house, some of whom burst in to a strange, involuntary laughter, so that my voice could scarce be heard, and when I strove to speak louder a sudden hoarseness seized me. Then the laughter increased… A week later Wesley wrote: I have generally observed more or less of these outward symptoms to attend the beginning of a general work of God. So it was in New England, Scotland, Holland, Ireland and many parts of England…”

The Revivals in America

Jonathan Edwards was born in 1703 and died in 1758. Seminary professor Richard Lovelace believes: *"Jonathan Edward may well be the greatest American theologian and philosopher - and perhaps also the greatest mind - that America has yet produced. Edwards had firsthand experience with the manifestations of the Holy Spirit and became the chief spokesperson for the work of revival, trying to bridge the difficult chasm of emotional excess and freedom of the Spirit as evidenced with phenomena. Edward's wife, Sarah, a mother of eleven children, experienced her own major visitation from God and was incapacitated for seventeen days. Edwards supported and blessed the graces of God in both his wife and others. It was a very frequent thing to see a house full of outcries, fainting, convulsions, and such like, both with distresses and also with admiration and joy.

It was not the manner here to hold meetings all night, as in some places, nor was it common to continue them till very late in the night; but it was pretty often so, that there were some that were so affected, and their bodies so overcome, that they could not go home, but were obliged to stay all night where they were…and there were some instances of persons lying in a sort of trance, remaining perhaps for a whole twenty-four hours motionless, and with their senses locked up; but in the meantime under strong imaginations, as though they went to heaven and had there a vision of glorious and delightful objects. But when the people were raised to this height, Satan took advantage, and his interposition, in many instances, soon became very apparent: and a great deal of caution and pains were found necessary to keep the people, many of them, from running wild.”

FALLING UNDER THE POWER

Apart from the listed manifestations of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12, there are other demonstrations of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Since these are not bunched together in one list, I call them "the unlisted manifestations of the Holy Spirit". One of the commonest unlisted manifestations of the spirit and power of God is falling down. Falling down is often caused by the wine, the wind and the rain.

1. THE WINE OF THE SPIRIT

The new wine is often seen as a type of the Holy Spirit. In the natural, over-indulging in wine can lead to falling, shaking and trembling. Similarly, indulging in the wine of the Spirit can lead to the manifestation of the Spirit. “For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh…” (Acts 2:15-17). “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” ( Ephesians 5:18).

2. THE WIND OF THE SPIRIT

“The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). The wind is known to pull down trees and even houses. The wind of the Spirit does the same. It is time to believe that these things are real. Do you remember when Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, "Receive ye the Holy Spirit?" “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit...” (John 20:22). Do you remember when the Holy Spirit came into the upper room as a mighty rushing wind? The Holy Spirit operates like a wind. Recently, at one of our miracle services, I was laying hands on all of the people who had come to the altar. One of my pastors later testified, "I had never felt what I felt on that Friday." He went on, "As you approached me, a wind began to blow on me. It was a supernatural wind." He marvelled, "The Holy Spirit is so real." I believe in ministering the Holy Spirit through breathing. The Holy Spirit is real.

3.THE RAIN OF THE SPIRIT

Rain is known to pull down trees and houses as well. Many people run from approaching rainstorms. God says He will come to us in the form of rain. “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth” (Hosea 6:3). EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE FALLING UNDER THE POWER

The occurrence of people "falling under the power", can be found throughout the Bible.

1. THE FALLING OF THE PRIESTS AT THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE. “It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; SO THAT THE PRIESTS COULD NOT STAND TO MINISTER BY REASON OF THE CLOUD: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God” (2 Chronicles 5:13,14). The Bible records that the glory of the Lord at one time filled the temple so much so that the priests, the trumpeters and the musicians couldn't stand anymore. They all went down because of the glory of the Lord. These things happen. They are real. The glory of God can be manifested at different levels. It can come over you to a point where you can't stand. You must pray to experience the power of God so much so that you cannot stand. You must believe God to experience His glory in that way because it is a good thing. I want to experience the glory of God. You should desire to get to the place where these people did in the book of Chronicles. At a time when they were worshipping, the cloud of glory filled the place so much so that the trumpeters and the priests could not stand. It was not that they did not want to stand. It was not that they decided to lie down. 2. THE FALLING OF THE SOLDIERS WHO ARRESTED JESUS. “Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I AM HE, THEY WENT BACKWARD, AND FELL TO THE GROUND” (John 18:3-6). What happened as soon as Jesus said "I am he?" The attackers went backward and fell to the ground. Everybody fell under the anointing. There was no usher to support them. There was nothing to protect them as they went backwards and fell down. Wow! You realize right there that the Holy Spirit was in action. That alone should have frightened them enough.

3. THE FALLING OF THE APOSTLE PAUL'S ENTOURAGE ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS.

“Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. AND WHEN WE WERE ALL FALLEN TO THE EARTH, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” (Acts 26:8-14). Paul described how he and his companions fell under the power on the road to Damascus. When Paul's companions saw the light around them, they all fell to the ground. That was a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. When people fall under the power, everybody wonders if it is real. No matter how many times people see it happen they still watch and wonder.

Sometimes you can see from the way people fall under the power that something unusual has happened to them. Some kind of power has struck them! I keep wondering about it myself even though I see it happen over and over again. I remember I was speaking to a lady whom I had prayed for. Later, she told me what had happened to her when I was ministering to her. She described how she had fallen down during the ministration. I asked her, "Do you normally fall under the power?" She said, "I never fall, I am not the falling kind." She thought that there were some types of people who were prone to fall under the power. She continued, "I never fall, I don't fall. But this time I fell and I fell again and again. I fell so many times not knowing what was happening to me. I was completely powerless to control myself and stand on my feet. I simply could not stand when you touched me." It is indeed a wonder. Falling under the power will make you wonder what is going on. Falling under the power is a sign and a wonder. People who fall under the power are not necessarily healed. When people fall, they may be healed or not healed. They just fall.

4. BALAAM'S ASS FELL AT THE SIGHT OF THE ANGEL OF THE LORD.

“And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff” (Numbers 22:27). The falling of Balaam's ass at the sight of the angel refutes allegations that when people fall under the power they are psychologically induced to do so. How could the donkey have been psychologically manipulated to fall down at a particular time? When the donkey came into contact with the spirit realm, he simply fell down. This is what happens to many people. They are not manipulated or psychologically induced to fall down! They just have a spiritual experience that makes them fall down.

5. ELI FELL AT THE MENTION OF THE ARK OF THE LORD.

“And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years” (1 Samuel 4:18). This experience of falling down also does refute the allegation that if people are made to fall down by the Holy Spirit, they will not hurt themselves. Some people would say that if the power of the Holy Spirit makes someone fall down, the person should come to no harm. However, we have seen numerous cases of people falling under the power and getting hurt. This is nothing new and Eli even died after falling under the power and breaking his neck. It is important to have good ushers to prevent people from getting hurt when they fall under the power.

6. EZEKIEL FELL AT THE SIGHT OF THE GLORY OF THE LORD.

“As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake” (Ezekiel 1:28).

7. THEAPOSTLE JOHN FELL AT THE SIGHT OF THE LORD.

“And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last...” (Revelation 1:17). To "fall as dead" means that Apostle John dropped to the ground suddenly. To "fall as dead" is not a composed and dignified fall. To "fall as dead" means to collapse uncontrollably to the ground. When the power of God is moving, you will see many people fall to the ground as though they are dead.

8. DANIEL FELL AS GOD SPOKE TO HIM.

“So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision” (Daniel 8:17). Daniel also fell under the power when he came in contact with spiritual things. Daniel was a prime minister and he was highly placed in society. But he fell under the power when he came in contact with spiritual realities. Dear friend, there is enough evidence in the Word of God for you to accept this manifestation of the Spirit. Ministers must flow in the reality of God's power. Understand the Word of God and you will experience the richness in all that God has for us.

WEEPING AND CRYING

“And Elisha came to Damascus; and Ben-hadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither. And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-hadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die. And he settled his countenance steadfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept. And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child. And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The LORD hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria. So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master; who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest surely recover. And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead” (2 Kings 8:7-15).

1. WEEPING AND CRYING ARE ONE OF THE COMMONEST MANIFESTATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

It is something I have seen over and over as the anointing of the Lord comes on people. I believe that this phenomenon of crying is one of the deepest human emotions. It is not easy to artificially induce crying and weeping. It is usually an involuntary expression and reaction to something. I have tried to make myself cry. I once wanted to cry while I preached because I realised it had a powerful effect on the listeners. I tried and tried but never succeeded even once in bringing out any tears. However, I have noticed how people begin to weep when the Spirit ministers to them. I notice, commonly, how many people start crying when I lay hands on them. There were times when I myself would start weeping when I laid hands on certain people. I have often wondered why this happens. I think the answer is in the text above.

2. THE HOLY SPIRIT TOUCHES A PERSON’S EMOTIONS AND CAUSES WEEPING.

When the Spirit ministers to a person, the Lord shows and reveals certain things to the person that touch the deepest emotions within. The person starts weeping uncontrollably because of what he sees or realises so clearly. Under the anointing, Elisha stared at Hazael until he was embarrassed. Elisha then began to cry. Hazael asked Elisha why he was crying and Elisha simply told him what he was seeing. As Elisha looked at Hazael, he saw a horrendous murderer who would unleash a reign of terror on the people of Israel. The realisation of how brutal and murderous this man standing before him would be, touched the deepest part of Elisha's heart and he began to cry. "…and the man of God wept. And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel." Elisha then described the details of the terrible deeds this man would do in the future. He saw him setting their homes on fire and killing their young men. He also saw how he would tear up pregnant women and kill their children. "…their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child."

I once laid hands on someone and immediately perceived the secular ambitions of the person. A voice kept stirring within me and saying, "What else do you want? What else do you crave for? What are you looking for in this life? Am I (the Lord) not enough for you?" The futility of this person's life as he focussed on the world and all it had to offer was so strong upon me that I began to weep uncontrollably. I had not been thinking about those things but as soon as I laid hands on this person, my spirit was flooded with these thoughts and feelings. I was overwhelmed with this emotion and I wept pitifully over this fellow. This is exactly what happened to Elisha. He was overwhelmed with the thoughts and feelings of what Hazael was going to become and do in the future.

3. THE CONVICTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT RELEASES TEARS.

“And when he (the Holy Spirit) is come, he will reprove (convince) …” (John 16:8). The Holy Spirit has the power to convict us of certain things. It is not a strange thing to break down emotionally under a strong conviction. “The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure. Behold, their valiant ones shall cry without: the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly” (Isaiah 33:5-7).

SHAKING AND TREMBLING

1. PEOPLE

“And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6). “Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?” (Jeremiah 5:22). “When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops” (Habakkuk 3:16). “And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling” (Daniel 10:11).

2. HOUSES

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” ( Acts 4:31). “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed” ( Acts 16:26). There are a lot of shaking experiences recorded in the Bible. You will often find some kind of shaking experience when the Spirit of the Lord moved. Sometimes people trembled like leaves and at other times, there were earthquakes. Because these experiences are not arranged together in a list, they often go unnoticed. They are very much a part of the work of the Holy Spirit.

I have noticed how people shake, tremble and even convulse when the Holy Spirit is in manifestation. Is it any wonder if this frail human vessel trembles and shakes in the presence of the Almighty God? It is easy to criticize these things from afar. However when you experience the power you will realise how real it is. I remember interviewing a gentleman who was shaking uncontrollably. I asked him, "Has this happened to you before?" He said, "No, never." He continued to shake and tremble uncontrollably. "Are you surprised at what is happening?" I asked. "Very surprised, I have always thought people were pretending and making things up but now I know it is real." Dear friend, is it a strange thing if somebody trembles at the power of God? “Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence…” (Jeremiah 5:22).

VARIED MANIFESTATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT’S PRESENCE

1. MANIFESTATIONS OF JOY

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit is in manifestation, there are sometimes demonstrations of joy. The obvious manifestations of joy are, smiling, laughing, dancing, running, jumping, clapping, singing and even crying. You don't need to be very educated to know that these are expressions of joy. Should it be any wonder if you see any of these manifestations of joy because the Holy Spirit is at work? “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them… And there was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:5,8). “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17). “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them” (Psalm 126:2). “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also” (1 Corinthians 14:15). Don't be surprised if you see people laughing uncontrollably in the Holy Spirit. Don't criticize anyone if you see him or her running about in ecstasy. They are full of joy in the Holy Spirit. These are simply manifestations of the joy that is promised us in the Holy Spirit. I remember watching a man of God as he ministered. He preached in a certain church for six weeks. Meetings took place every morning and evening. No matter what he was talking about people just started laughing. They just broke into uncontrollable laughter and received the Holy Spirit as he preached. The Bible says “When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter...” (Psalm 126: 1,2). It is wonderful to see laughter in the Holy Spirit. It is a wonder. I see God anointing you with holy laughter!

Joy Brings Strength

The joy of the Lord is your strength. When you are down and depressed, you are weak. Depression is loss of hope. It is depression that makes people think of killing themselves. When you have lost hope in an extreme way, then you begin to think of killing yourself. You want to die because there is no hope. A Christian who is full of joy is different from a depressed Christian. God wants to give us a revival of joy in the Holy Spirit!

2. BEING STRUCK DUMB

“And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season...And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all hill country of Judaea. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him” (Luke 1:20, 64-66). Another manifestation of the Holy Spirit is when he strikes you dumb. Zechariah was struck dumb for a while because he did not believe the angel. Once, I remember when Kenneth Hagin was struck dumb right in the middle of his message. He became speechless and could not finish his message. We all sat there in amazement, as Brother Hagin stood speechless for over twenty minutes. God is just showing us that the Holy Spirit is here. He is invisible but He makes Himself visible through these manifestations. This is what we call phanerosis: the making visible of the great invisible Holy Spirit.

2.BEING STRUCK BLIND

Paul was struck blind. Interestingly, Paul experienced several manifestations of the Spirit during his conversion experience. There was a "falling to the ground". There was "trembling". There was an experience of "being struck blind". “And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” (Acts 26:14). “And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 9:6-9,17).

4. SCREAMING

“And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him” (Mark 1:22, 25,26). “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:5- 8). Do not be surprised when you see screaming, shouting, and crying people lying on the floor in a service in which the Holy Spirit is in full manifestation. I would prefer to be like Jesus than to follow the dictates of some starchy, crusty, "immune to God," Christians. Jesus had screaming manifestations and so will I.

5. HEAT AND BURNING

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Matthew 3:11). “John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire” (Luke 3:16). To baptise with water means to pour water on you or to put you into water. To baptise with fire means to pour fire on you or to put you into fire. If you are baptised with water, you will feel cold and wet. It is quite clear that if you are baptised with fire, you will feel some heat. I have heard different people testify of a burning sensation or the feeling of "heat" all over their bodies. I have also heard people testify of feeling heat on specific parts of their bodies. Usually, these experiences indicate that the Lord is baptising you with fire. Many times, people are experiencing healing when they feel the baptism or pouring on of fire. I remember a time I used to feel heat and a burning sensation in one of my hands. This was a strange experience to me because it kept recurring and I didn't know what it meant. This experience of heat in my hand kept recurring. Looking back, I realise that it was the period of time when I began to operate in the healing ministry. I believe God was baptising or putting fire on me and that is why I was feeling this heat in my hand. After God has baptised you with fire, you will be able to walk in the anointing that destroys the yoke. “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:3,4).

FAITH IN THE HOLY SPIRIT’S MANIFESTATION

When the Holy Spirit arrived on the day of Pentecost, there was a great uproar in the city. Some people thought that the people speaking in tongues were drunk. Others thought that the disciples were mad. I am sure there was a large group of people who just didn't know what was happening. Apostle Peter, at the Lord's prompting, rose up in the midst of the confusion and boldly declared, "This is that!" What did he mean by "this is that"? “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But THIS IS THAT which was spoken by the prophet Joel...” (Acts 2:14-16). This is that which was spoken of by the Prophet Joel.

1. TO FLOW IN THE SUPERNATURAL IS TO BELIEVE THAT WHAT YOU ARE SEEING IS WHAT YOU HAVE BELIEVED FOR. This is one of the greatest keys. Peter could have doubted that he was seeing what the prophet Joel had spoken of. Instead, he boldly declared that he was seeing the supernatural.

a. Samuel hears God’s Voice - The Prophet Eli had to point out to Samuel this same truth. He had to tell Samuel, "This is that!" The voice you are hearing is the Holy Spirit. When you have "this is that" faith, you will be able to accept the supernatural happenings in your life. When you hear the voice of the Spirit speaking to your mind, you will no longer say that it is just a thought.

b. Evil spirits come out of people - One time while ministering, a young lady began to scream, twist and squirm. She had to be held down by four strong men. As I ministered to her, she suddenly became still and collapsed to the ground. I wondered to myself, "What has happened now?" The Holy Spirit said to me, "This is that!" This is Acts 8:5-8 re-enacted. “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles, which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:5-8).

That was evil spirits coming out of people screaming and tearing them to the ground. This is what occurred, after Jesus prayed for someone oppressed by an unclean spirit. And they brought him [the child] unto him: and when he saw him, straightway THE SPIRIT TARE HIM; AND HE FELL ON THE GROUND, AND WALLOWED FOAMING. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead” (Mark 9:20-27).

After ministering to a young boy, he screamed, convulsed and fell down as though dead. What was happening? Some modern analysts would have said, "This is post-ictal sleep. This is a temporary relief." But Jesus said, "This is it. He is healed." God told me, "This is what Jesus experienced." When the lady screamed and jumped around, the Holy Spirit told me, "This is what Jesus saw." Many years ago in secondary school, I was involved in casting out thirty-six demons from a young student. For four hours, we struggled, trying to deliver the girl from evil powers. Of the thirty-six demons, all had fled with the exception of one. We were left with only one to cast out! We commanded the spirit to go out but somehow we could never bring ourselves to believe that this girl had actually been delivered. The patron of the Scripture Union was called in. He was an older and experienced Christian. After arriving, he said to the spirit, "I command you to come out in the name of Jesus." After that he asked the girl (just as we had been doing), "What is your name?" She responded normally just as she had been responding to us. He then turned to us and said, "She is alright." "What!" I thought, "Is that all?" You see, this older Christian believed that this was it! This was the deliverance! She was free. Her freedom was proved in the weeks following.

2. AFTER BELIEVING THAT THIS IS THAT, YOU MUST PROVE ALL THINGS. “PROVE ALL THINGS; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Accept supernatural things but prove them. Flow with them, but test them. I like to call people and ask them, "How come you fell under the power when I prayed for you?" During one miracle service, I asked a pastor, "Have you ever fallen under the power?"

"Yes!" he answered. "Were you surprised?" I asked. "Very much!" "Why were you surprised?" He laughed and said, "I thought it only happened to women." He continued, "When you called me forward to pray for me, I said to myself, This thing will never happen to me. I came up there with a posture of resisting any such fall. But before I could realize it, I was on the floor." The power of God hit him and he had no more defences. He experienced for himself the reality of the anointing. One lady told me, "You have prayed for me many times and I have never fallen under the power. I didn't believe much in it." I myself could sense that she didn't believe much in the power of God. When you lay hands on people you can sometimes tell whether they are receiving or not. Some come up with such a natural attitude that you can see that they are cut off from the supernatural. Like Jacob, God is in the room, but they don't even know it!

When it got to this lady's turn to be prayed for, the power of God went through her and she fell to the ground. She told me later, "I was so surprised." I asked her to stand up again and I prayed for her a second time. She fell right to the ground like a domino. I sensed that she was surprised so I wanted her to be doubly sure that the power of God was real. I prayed for her the third time. She crumbled to the ground for the third time. Then I asked the ushers to lift her up again. She narrated, "After the third time I had decided that this will never happen again!" "I will not allow myself to fall again." I didn't know what was going on in her mind, but I decided to pray for her again. As soon as my hand touched her, she crumbled vertically to the ground. She lay on the ground as someone unconscious for several minutes. She was later assisted to her seat. I saw her staggering away, helpless under the power of God. My friend, the supernatural is real. When you move out of natural, human thinking, you will begin to receive and experience the supernatural power of God.

Chapter 22

The Charismatic Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Phanerosis: Making the Teacher Visible

The Bible is replete with instances when the Holy Spirit became "visible" (shown, demonstrated, manifested) to believers. How does the Holy Spirit become visible to the average Christian? Through the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit!

1. THE PRINCIPAL JOB OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS TO TEACH AND GUIDE THE CHURCH.

Every time you are in the presence of the teaching anointing, you must acknowledge the great presence of the Holy Spirit. He is being made visible to you. When you read your Bible and begin to have deep revelation in the Word, the Holy Spirit is being manifest. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, HE SHALL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). This verse is a great key. When I read from the Bible that God would give us the Holy Spirit as our Comforter, I asked myself, "What is this Comforter going to do for us?" God revealed to me that the primary way He makes Himself visible and relevant to us according to this verse is, "to teach you all things." Many people don't benefit from the Holy Spirit. The only way some Christians seem to have the visible presence of the Holy Spirit is by the speaking in tongues. But there is more to God and more to the Holy Spirit than speaking in tongues!

2. WHEN JESUS PROMISED THE HOLY SPIRIT, TO BELIEVERS, HE PROMISED US A TEACHER.

Watch out for the teacher being made visible. Anybody who wants to get to know the Holy Spirit must experience this important way that the Holy Spirit makes Himself visible to us. “When the Holy Spirit comes, he will reprove the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgement. He will also guide us into all truth. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (John 16:8-14)

3. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL ALSO REMIND US OF EVERYTHING THAT JESUS HAS TOLD US IN HIS WORD.

“…AND BRING ALL THINGS TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). I want you to know that when Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, He was promising us a teacher! The Holy Spirit must be manifested in your life as a teacher. You do not know the Holy Spirit if you do not know Him as a teacher. There are two essential rewards that the Holy Spirit brings to you through the teaching of God's Word. a. All Things That Pertain to Life

When the Holy Spirit becomes a teacher to you, He will give you all things that pertain unto life! “According as his divine power HATH GIVEN UNTO US ALL THINGS THAT PERTAIN UNTO LIFE AND GODLINESS, THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM that hath called us to glory and virtue...” (2 Peter 1:3). This verse says that, God has given us all things that pertain to life. What are the things that pertain to life? The things that pertain to life are money, cars, clothes, houses, healing, jobs, good jobs, wives, husbands, children, health, education, long life, prosperity, peace, joy in the Holy Spirit, financial blessings, knowledge, wisdom, good pastors, friends etc. You may ask yourself, " How is the Holy Spirit going to give me all things that pertain unto life though the teaching of the Word?" Look carefully at the verse again. It says that, "God hath given us all things that pertain unto life through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue". In other words God knows that we will receive all things that pertain unto life when we get to know Him better. That is why He sent the Comforter. He sent the Comforter to teach us and to give us knowledge. The knowledge the Holy Spirit gives us about God, will lead us into everything that pertains to this life. You must understand that the Comforter is here to teach you. He is here to manifest Himself as a teacher in your life. That is why you must read and study your Bible! Perhaps the greatest manifestation of the Spirit is the teaching session of the service. Unfortunately, the teaching part is regarded as the powerless section of the ministration. When people scream, fall and shiver we say, "Oh, the Holy Spirit is at work." This is unfortunate, because the Holy Spirit's primary and visible role is in teaching us his Word.

b. All Things That Pertain unto Godliness

The second essential reward of the Holy Spirit when He teaches you the Word of God is that He gives you all things that pertain unto godliness! That means you can live a righteous life to please God. You can be spiritual. You can read your Bible and pray. You can be in church regularly and participate fully. Churches are full of people who want miracles and breakthroughs. If you want a permanent breakthrough then you must believe the Bible because it says, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free," (John 8:32). The principal work of the Holy Spirit is to guide us into all truth. When you allow Him to teach you, you will have access to everything that pertains to life and to godliness. I have a revelation of Heaven. I know it is the most important place to be and I want to go there. I have a revelation of serving the Lord. That is why I want to serve Him more.

I have a revelation that it is more important to get to Heaven and to serve the Lord than to do anything else. These revelations came to me through the knowledge of the Word. Thank God for the miracles. Thank God, for all the things He is going to do to make Himself visible in our lives. But He comes first and foremost as a teacher, and as someone guiding and leading. Receive the knowledge of his Word! By His Word you can be free! You don't have to sin, you don't have to die; you don't have to kill yourself! God is setting you free! Don't die before your time! God is saving you; He is saving your life and extending your life through the knowledge of His Word. You are free by the power of the Lord! You can live a righteous life! You can do the right thing because the Lord is your helper. He said, "I will send the Comforter, the helper, a stand-by, the strengthener." He will strengthen you! You will not fall by the wayside! You will not die before your time! He will bring you all these blessings through His Word! Most of us have never asked the Holy Spirit to teach us personally. I constantly pray for God to give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of His Word. I cannot depend solely on sermons I hear. You only retain eleven per cent of what you hear once. Churches are full of spiritual babies seeking for miracles and signs. But Jesus said it is an evil generation that looks for signs. “And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, this is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet” (Luke 11:29).

4. IF YOU WANT TO BE LED INTO A PERMANENT BLESSING IN THIS LIFE THEN YOU NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A TEACHER.

If you want to walk into everything that pertains to this life and to godliness, then you need the Holy Spirit to be demonstrated as a teacher in your life. Life is made up of two compartments, your natural life and your spiritual life. When one side is not working, it affects the other. That is why God has given us things that pertain to the natural and to the supernatural; all things that pertain unto life and godliness - through His Holy Spirit. You will not go far with God until you ask the Holy Spirit to teach you.

5. THE GREATEST VICTORIES THAT YOU WILL EVER HAVE WILL COME THROUGH KNOWLEDGE.

Even in the secular world it is through knowledge that you move into higher positions. Those who are educated rule those who are not educated. Those who have knowledge suppress and oppress those who do not have it. The people who know how to make things like aeroplanes, ships and cars, rule the rest of the world. When the UN was first formed, every country was equally important. Everybody's vote counted. But with time, you realize that the countries that have more knowledge are dominating those with less knowledge. It is a fact of life. At different workplaces, those with higher education earn much more than those with lower education. What separates the two? What is the dividing line? It is knowledge. Knowledge sets you apart in this life. It is exactly the same with spiritual things. Knowledge puts you in another category.

6. WHEN YOU KNOW CERTAIN THINGS, YOU WILL BEGIN TO MOVE AHEAD IN LIFE AND IN MINISTRY.

Don't cut yourself off from the Teacher. He will be made visible when you apply yourself to the knowledge of God. Many years ago when I was in the sixth form in secondary school, I used to go for extra Chemistry classes in another school. I had to get up as early as 4 o'clock in the morning. I would open my Bible and read it every day. I remember I was studying about Moses at that time. Every day I would read something about Moses and I would pray and ask the Lord to teach me His Word. And the Holy Spirit would teach me. I don't read things just so that I can come and preach them. I have my own personal Bible study and quiet time and I ask the Holy Spirit to lead and teach me. I am only sharing what He has taught me. You may love miracles but if you really want everything that pertains to life and godliness, welcome the Holy Spirit right now and welcome Him to be visible as a teacher! That is phanerosis. I know and respect Kenneth Hagin very much. At a Winter Bible Seminar in Tulsa, I was astounded as this man simply taught the Bible every day. Every morning and evening, it was the Word that had pre-eminence. I respected the power of the teaching anointing even more as I watched crowds gather to receive simple teaching. I had thought that such a great man of God would come breathing fire and miracles. But all he did was to teach and I was so blessed. Let's get into the Holy Spirit. Let's ask Him to teach us. He will give us knowledge. You are being taught now so that you can avoid making some grievous mistakes. I dissected frogs, analysed blood vessels, and did so many things when I was in medical school. How has it helped me? Of what use is the frog that I dissected? How is it helping me now? However, this Word that I read has given me wisdom and direction for my life and my church. It is time to get the knowledge. The Holy Spirit will be made visible to you as a teacher. I see God leading godly and spiritual people into His wonderful miracles, through the knowledge of Him!

PHANEROSIS: Physical Manifestations

It is very important for us to have the power of God in our midst because the devil is always manifesting his power through his agents. When there is no power in the church, the members wander off into the occult world looking for help. Often, when people are in crisis and need spiritual help, they do not turn to the church but to the devil. People don't see power in the churches they belong to. That is why they go seeking for help elsewhere. We need to have the power of God in the church to cater for the needs of people. We must experience the power of the Holy Spirit at our meetings. I remember experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit some years ago. A visiting minister came to my church. After he had finished ministering, he called my wife and I to pray for us. As he laid his hands on me, I felt the Holy Spirit. I felt like waves of oil were coming down over me. It was a real experience. I had never felt anything like that before. I experienced the phanerosis. The Holy Spirit became visible. I knew that the Lord was anointing me. Hands had been laid on me in the past but this was the only time I experienced anything like that.

LISTED MANIFESTATIONS

The Holy Spirit manifests Himself to us in several ways. Let's read this Scripture in I Corinthians 12: 8-10: “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:8-11). This Scripture gives us a list of manifestations of the Spirit. However, there are many other manifestations that are not in this list. They are found scattered throughout the Bible. I call manifestations that are not in this list, The Unlisted Manifestations of the Holy Spirit. As we go along we will see these other unlisted types of phanerosis.

THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE AND THE DISCERNING OF SPIRITS: SEEING AND KNOWING

When the Holy Spirit manifests a word of knowledge to you, you will begin to know things supernaturally. This means that you have received the spirit of seeing and knowing. You must pray for the supernatural ability of seeing and knowing things. This manifestation of the Spirit involves seeing and detecting spirits. To be able to discern or distinguish evil spirits you must have the Holy Spirit. The spirit realm is where God lives. That is the realm where demons and angels operate. When you have the manifestation of the discerning of spirits, you will see and detect angels, demons and even God. Jesus had this gift in manifestation.

a. The spirits of Elijah and Moses appeared to Him on the mount

. ‘And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him” (Matthew 17:2,3).

b. Jesus saw and detected angels in the Garden of Gethsemane.

“And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him” (Luke 22:41-43).

c. Elisha's servant's eyes were opened to see the spiritual armies around him.

“And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17).

Seeing and Knowing Things Supernaturally

Another name for the combined gifts of the word of knowledge and the discerning of spirits, is what I call "seeing and knowing." As Shakespeare said, "There is no art to find the mind's construction in the face." This means that you can hardly know the thoughts and intentions of men by looking in their faces. Seeing and knowing things supernaturally, is a gift that operates in my life sometimes. There are many times that I know things about people supernaturally. The Bible says the Holy Spirit can show us all things. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (John 16:13). Again the Bible says we have the unction and know all things. “But ye have unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things” (1 John 2:20). Every minister must pray for the grace of seeing and knowing.

1. SEEING AND KNOWING: PROTECTION

Many years ago, I was the leader of a little fellowship. One day, I came to church two hours before time and noticed one young lady who was sitting at the back. I couldn't help noticing how spiritual this lady seemed to be. She would come to church earlier than everybody else. She would sit alone at the back and intercede for hours. Her prayers were not the feeble whispering kind. They were manly, strong, fervent and intense. She spoke in the tongues of angels and she prayed in the spirit. On many different occasions I would come to church early and find only this lady interceding intensely at the back. There were times I wondered who was more spiritual: myself or this lady? I asked myself, "Who is the leader: myself or this lady?" Meanwhile, I never said a word to her nor ask her any questions. I wouldn't want to disturb such a prayer time. However, one day, the Lord said to me, "Cause her to know her abominations." I said, " What!" The Lord said, "That girl is a bad girl; cause her to know her abominations," I said "What! It is not possible. This is the most spiritual member of my church. I am even intimidated by her prayers." I told the Lord “She is the only one who comes early to pray and she is always there."

I thought I was imagining things and the Lord seemed to accept what I was thinking. But after a while, I felt convicted to obey the Lord. Sometimes, there are things that do not go away. They seem to linger around in your spirit till you attend to them. In the end, I sat down with this spiritual sister and said; "The Lord says I should let you know your abominations." I was sure that I was wrong about what I was telling her but I still felt I had to. As I spoke, she looked at me in amazement and began to cry. This lady then told me about her life. She told me that every time she travelled outside the country, she slept with somebody different. She went on to explain to me how she had slept with more than two hundred different people as a young person. She confessed that she was a serial and regular fornicator in spite of the super spiritual front that she always put up. You see, the gift of seeing and knowing was manifest because the natural appearance was very deceptive.

There was no natural way I would know who I was dealing with. God gave me the grace to see and know. Perhaps, it was given to protect me. I needed to know the kind of person around me. Perhaps, I would have considered marrying her because she looked so spiritual. Perhaps, the Lord wanted her to be delivered from hypocrisy and a dual life style. Through this gift, you will see and know the truth about the people around you. Through this gift, you will minister accurately to those around you.

2. SEEING AND KNOWING: JUDAS

Jesus knew the people who did not believe in Him. There are three groups of negative people whom Jesus was aware of. a. He was aware of people who murmured against Him. “When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?” (John 6:61).

b. He knew the people who would gang up against Him and betray Him.

“But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him” (John 6:64).

c. He knew the specific apostle who would betray Him.

“Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve” (John 6:70,71). There are many times I have known people who did not believe in me. They would sit in a group and all seem to be eagerly in the flow. But I knew that this one did not believe. I remember one occasion on which the Lord showed me someone who would be disloyal to me. I said to my associate pastor, "Do you see this fellow?" He said, "Yes, I do." Then I told him, " One day he will leave us and betray us." At that time, there was no sign of any such possibility. Two years later, what I said came to pass exactly as I had predicted. This fellow left us and spoke bitterly against me. You see, God had shown it to me by the gift of seeing and knowing. I was prepared for it because God had shown it to me. I remember one pastor who was totally devastated by the betrayal of one of his dearest friends and associates. We sat together at a dinner table as he recounted his experiences. He told me, "Whenever this pastor travelled abroad, he would bring me nice gifts." He continued, "Sometimes he would buy me a neck tie. At other times, he would present me with an envelope containing some dollars or pounds sterling". He lamented, "I thought he loved me, I thought he was with me, I thought these gifts meant something

Dear friend, don't forget that Jesus enjoyed dinner with someone who hated him. On the outward, they all looked happy and committed but Jesus knew what he needed to know. May you have the gift of seeing and knowing manifesting in your life when you need it. 3. SEEING AND KNOWING: DIRECTION

One night, I was in my room praying. It was a Saturday night and I was preparing to preach the next day. The Spirit of the Lord came upon me. I could neither move nor sleep. I was alert and fixed in my chair. The Spirit of the Lord began to speak to me almost audibly about a rebellious person in the church. He revealed how this person was pretending to be faithful when in fact he was full of rebellion. I was seeing and knowing! Then He asked me to do certain things in church on Sunday that would expose the hypocrisy. He said to me, "Blow the trumpet with clarity, give a clear command to the troops and you will see what will happen". The Holy Spirit told me what would happen if I followed his instruction.

The next day, I followed the Spirit's instructions to the letter. Amazingly, this rebellious fellow did exactly what the Spirit said he would do and he was exposed. Within minutes, everything was out in the open and the solution to a long-standing problem had come. Leaders are often lied to. There is often no way to tell whether someone is telling the truth. The deceptions of a leader can lead to his downfall. Many leaders depend on what their advisers and informants tell them. When they are fed with untruths, they often make grievous mistakes that lead to corruption and embarrassment. Many political leaders come out of office, only to discover that they were deceived whilst they were in office. They were fed with lies by sycophants and bottom-licking subordinates. One day, the Holy Spirit manifested through the gift of seeing and knowing. He revealed to me that a particular pastor had been lying to me about many different things. I became fixated in my bed, as the Holy Spirit said, "He is a liar and I will show you five different things that he has lied to you about since you have known him. Then suddenly he revealed a string of unrelated lies that this fellow had told me. Some of these lies dated back several years. I was astounded. I had never known that all those things were lies. This revelation came so quickly that immediately after the revelation; I could not remember it anymore. God wanted to show me that the revelation did not come from my mind and that is why I could not remember it afterward. It took time and prayer to bring back the revelation. Later on, all these issues were proven to be lies. Through the gift of seeing and knowing, I was able to uncover the liar within and eventually root him out of the system.

I love to have good anointed music in my services. Anointed music greatly influences the atmosphere and causes miracles to take place. Years ago, I had a lady who used to sing beautifully in our church. She would sing a solo for me every Sunday. One night, I had a dream. Dreaming is part of seeing and knowing. In the dream, I was in a boxing ring and to my surprise; I was one of the boxers in the ring. I was wearing boxing gloves and so was my opponent. But the even greater surprise was my opponent. Believe it or not, my opponent was this lady singer! The boxing bout began and the lady fought against me with all her might. I fought back and suddenly the dream ended. The Lord had supernaturally revealed to me that this lady was fighting against me spiritually. Later, I found out that she was one of the people who criticised me greatly and therefore fought against me with her words. It is possible to withstand someone through your words. “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words” (2Timothy 4:14,15

4. SEEING AND KNOWING: VISIONS

Visions are also manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Visions are an advanced type of seeing and knowing. There have been times when the Lord opened my eyes to see visions. There was a time in my ministry when I was experiencing a very strong attack of the devil. The pressure and the deception were so strong that I was at breaking point. One night, while on a journey, I had a vision of Satan. I was awakened at about three a.m. I suddenly saw a tall black being standing to the right of my bed. This being began to laugh and mock at me. Then I noticed the face of this being was the face of someone I had known some years ago. This particular individual had mocked me in the past and had said certain things to despise me. It was the spirit of a mocker and the spirit of confusion.

The Lord showed me the kind of spirit that was harassing my life. Confusion is one of the top strategies of Satan against ministers. Immediately, I jumped out of my bed like a bullet and I tell you, I was terrified. Unfortunately, there was no one in the apartment where I was living and I was all alone in this place. I was confused and wondered what was happening. I knew that I had seen the devil at close range and that a great evil was determined against me. I felt as though I was all alone in a haunted house. I decided to have communion by myself. I will never forget that midnight communion because I believe it ministered healing to me and also ministered the power of the blood on my life. The blood gave me victory over the devil and all his plans.

The result of this vision was the termination of a particular battle that I had been fighting. Through this vision, the Lord had shown me who and what was fighting against me. I disengaged from fighting against human beings and moved on into my victory. I became relieved and moved on into my victory.

5. SEEING AND KNOWING: DEATH

On another occasion, I became ill and needed to take some medication. However at that time of my life, I believed that is was not necessary to take medicine if you were a man of faith. Since I was endeavouring to be a real man of faith, I had decided to go on without taking any medication at all. On this particular occasion, I had decided that I would either be healed without medicine or die. As the days went by, I became more and more ill until I was confined to my room. My family did not know what was happening to me because they thought I was just resting in my room. I was determined to rise and be healed without medicine or die by faith. As time went by, I became fixed to my bed, unable to do anything. I was waiting for God to heal me.

I believe the Lord knew how determined I was to be healed without medicine or die. By this time, the only thing I could do was to turn around in bed. At one point, I turned my head to the right and there on my bedside table was an imp-like creature. I knew at once that it was an evil spirit. I knew immediately that a demon had gained access to my life. I knew that I was in danger even though I did not understand what I could be doing wrong. Immediately I knew I had to take medicine to avoid the devil gaining access to my life. I arose and took medicine at once. Through that vision, God saved me from an untimely death. Through visions and dreams, God can save your life from destruction.

6. SEEING AND KNOWING: ANGELS

Twenty-one years ago, I was lost at a train station in Europe. Not only was I lost, but I was also greatly behind schedule and about to miss an all-important connection. Suddenly, a man whom I didn't know offered to help me. Strangely, the man took me from where I was through many winding corridors, staircases and tunnels to the exact spot that I needed to get to. This strange white man said he was not going where I was going but spent fifteen to twenty minutes taking me to where I needed to be. If you know anything about Europe, you will know that this is strange behaviour. As strangely as he appeared, this man disappeared when we got to the platform. I always remember this incident even though it has been many years since it happened. Somehow, I believe that man was an angel according to the verse in Hebrews: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2).

One day, while sitting on a plane, I had a vision of an angel. He was sitting on my left-hand side wearing a light blue gown. He seemed to be relaxed but on duty. I knew I was seeing an angel on guard and I was comforted on the flight. On another occasion, a sister was sitting upstairs, on the balcony of our church. The Lord opened her eyes to see a marvellous vision. As I was ministering, I would speak out blessings and words of faith. Her eyes were opened and she saw a large angel standing on my left-hand side. As I would speak the blessings, this large angel would throw out parcels into the congregation. Many people whose arms were outstretched would receive the parcels. There were smaller angels who would take the parcels from the big angel and give it to the people in the congregation. Angels are real and they accompany us and assist us while we minister. I remember a testimony of someone whose eyes were opened as a man of God ministered. As the man of God was preaching, the person saw an angel walking around him. From time to time, the angel would whisper certain things in the ears of the man of God and he would smile, nod and continue preaching. The minister himself was not aware of the presence of the angel but thought he was experiencing his natural thought flow. I was in a Kenneth Hagin service one night when an angel appeared to him. The angel asked him to follow him. Kenneth Hagin followed the angel down the aisle. When the angel got to a particular man, the angel motioned to him to minister to that particular person. Papa Hagin then told us how the angel had directed him to minister to a particular person. The atmosphere in the meeting was absolutely charged and the service was, for want of a better word, electrifying!

It is real. The manifestations happen to every man to profit withal. We all benefit from the manifestations of the Spirit. It makes a lot of difference to us when we know what is happening in the spirit realm.

7. SEEING AND KNOWING: JESUS

“And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle” (Revelation 1:12,13). Once, I was praying for eight people at a miracle service. The Lord opened the eyes of someone in the meeting and the person saw the Lord Jesus walking behind me. Suddenly, she saw the Lord Jesus move into me and then I was no longer there. She could not see me. She could only see the Lord Jesus laying hands on the people. One of the people I was praying for testified that she felt an extreme and unusual love when hands were laid on her. This love was Jesus' love for her as he laid hands on her. Amazingly, this lady was later declared healed of cancer. These are wonderful visions of Jesus that bring encouragement.

Once, I met an elderly American lady who said to me, "I saw the Lord walking behind you when you were ministering." She told me, " I have very real visions." She continued, "Tonight I saw a rare and unusual phenomenon of the Lord himself walking behind you as you were ministering." Then she asked me, "Do you know that the Lord walks behind you in that way when you minister?" I smiled and told her I didn't know that. I remember one day, I was ministering at a little camp meeting in a foreign country. As I laid hands on the people, the Lord opened the eyes of one of our sisters. She was amazed at what she saw. The Lord Jesus was sitting on one of the chairs behind the pulpit. He was observing what I was doing. She was greatly touched by this vision and gave glory to God.

THE WORD OF WISDOM

The word of wisdom gives you the wisdom to know how to handle complex situations. Wisdom is profitable to direct.

THE GIFT OF FAITH

This is supernatural faith. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit comes upon me and makes me say certain things to people. It is special faith that, when in operation, is as though God himself is speaking. The gift of faith operated in Isaac when he blessed his two sons, Jacob and Esau. “And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son. And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed: Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be Lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee” (Genesis 27:26-29). Up until today, this blessing persists in the life of Israel. It is as though God himself had spoken these blessings even though it was a man speaking. Watch out for when the Holy Spirit comes on people who speak to you prophetically. It is the gift of faith in operation. The same manifestation operated in Jacob, when he blessed and cursed his children. “And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father. Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch. Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations” (Genesis 49:1-5).

THE WORKING OF MIRACLES

I consider the working of miracles to be the gift that causes non-healing miracles to take place. Jesus did several non-healing miracles. In a sense, these miracles are more astonishing than the healings. The book of John contains some of these non-healing miracles:

1. THE CHANGING OF WATER INTO WINE

“Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him” (John 2:7-9,11).

2. THE MULTIPLYING OF THE BREAD AND FISH.

“And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. John” (6:11-14).

3. WALKING ON THE SEA OF GALILEE AT NIGHT

“So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid” (John 6:19,20).

THE GIFT OF HEALING

One other manifestation of the Holy Spirit is healing. He is a healing Jesus. If He is present, He can make Himself manifest by healing someone. It happened to the woman with the issue of blood in the Bible and it will happen to you in Jesus' name. Healing is a manifestation of the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is time for the return of the manifestation of healing in our services! It is time for wheel chairs to be emptied in the church! It is time for cripples to walk in the name of Jesus! That is something only the Holy Spirit can do.

1. THE HEALING OF THE TESTES

I remember what happened at a miracle service in South Africa. There was a lady in the meeting whose child didn't have testes (undescended testes). The child was scheduled for an operation in a few weeks. She came forward in the healing line and I prayed for her child as I did for all the others. When she went home, she immediately took off the clothes of the baby and examined the child. To her amazement, the testes had appeared! The testes were right there. That is a miracle from God. The next day, she came up to me and told me what the Lord had done.

2. HEALING OF THE EAR

There was a young man who had a hearing impairment in the right ear. He claimed that he could not hear if somebody spoke to him on that side of his ear. But when he was prayed for, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him and then he realized that he could hear clearly. We demonstrated it right there in church. He could hear clearly from afar.

3. KNEE HEALING

There was a lady who had a knee ailment from childhood such that if she ran for a short distance, her knees would buckle and she would fall down. This happened to her once when she was crossing the road and she was almost hit by a car. She also said that her knees made certain noises that you could hear if you walked close to her. She was healed in one of our miracle services. The power of God came powerfully upon her while she was concentrating on God for an eye healing. She felt a sense of heaviness in that knee and then she realised that she had been healed. She demonstrated her healing by running around the church. There was no noise and no pain. Her knee did not buckle and she was miraculously delivered.

4. HEALING OF AN ISSUE OF BLOOD

There was a lady who sat upstairs during one of our miracle services. She had not had her menstrual period for one year even though she was not pregnant. She just felt the power of God come over her and she started bleeding immediately in the service. She went to the bathroom to check. She came back to testify about her healing. I remember another lady who had been bleeding continuously for three months. A woman has her menses for a maximum of five days in a month but she had bled for three months. The bleeding stopped right in the service. Just like the woman healed with the issue of blood under Jesus' ministry, this lady experienced a healing of an issue of blood. This is what we describe as the gifts of healings in operation. The Holy Spirit is there to heal you and He is there to prolong your life upon the surface of the earth. The manifestations of healing are real today. PROPHECY

Prophecies are words that are spoken under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. There are two types of New Testament prophecy: the simple gift of prophecy and predictive prophecy. The purpose of simple prophecy is outlined in 1 Corinthians 14:3. It is for exhortation, edification and encouragement. “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort” (1 Corinthians 14:3). The other type of prophecy is called predictive prophecy. In this type of prophecy, events are foretold by the prophet. The book of Matthew, Chapter 24 is a compilation of several predictive prophecies that Christ made about this world. “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3). They are one of the powerful mysteries that God gave us. Prophecy is used to direct, help, influence and lead us. I prophesy sometimes when I am preaching.

DIVERS KINDS OF TONGUES

The gift of tongues is the commonest manifestation of the Holy Spirit. It is a wonderful gift because it is a language from the Lord. These tongues are heavenly languages of angels. Sometimes, the tongues are human languages unknown to the speaker who is manifesting the gift. The Bible says we speak in tongues of men and of angels. “Though I speak with the TONGUES OF MEN AND OF ANGELS, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal” ( 1 Corinthians 13:1). “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries” (1 Corinthians 14:2). You need to speak in tongues because there are many prayers nobody should hear. There are prayers the devil should not understand. He should not know when you command angels to kick him. When you pray in tongues, it worries the devil, because he does not know what you are saying. Once, a pastor who had lived in Norway before, heard me speaking in tongues. As I ministered in tongues, he could hear that I was speaking pure Norgsk (the Norwegian language). The first time it happened, he was not sure whether he was hearing right. On the way home, he told his wife about it in the car. The next day, the meetings continued and he said he heard me speak pure Norgsk again. This time round, he was sure about it and he came to testify. I have never been to Norway and I don't speak Norgsk. That was a powerful manifestation of the presence of the Holy Spirit. That is phanerosis right there! When the Holy Spirit demonstrates His presence in this way, the Lord is giving us a glimpse of glory. He is real!

INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES

This involves the speaking forth of the meaning of tongues that have been spoken. It is not the gift of translation and is therefore not a "word for word" exposé. Interpretation is a gift for everyone who speaks in tongues. Everyone who speaks in tongues must believe in and practise interpreting tongues. “Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful” (1 Corinthians 14:13,14). Interpretation greatly multiplies the blessing that you get from speaking in tongues alone.

THE SECRET TO HAVING MORE MANIFESTATIONS

Somebody asked why these things don't happen anymore. The reason they don't happen anymore is that we don't know about them. The Bible tells us to covet the best gifts. When you desire the gifts, you will have them. God is not going to give you something that you don't desire. Faith cometh by hearing. How can you believe in healing when you don't hear about it? “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). But as we preach about it and you hear about it, you develop interest. You begin to desire it. As you desire it, it comes into the church. I believe that is why I experience miracles in my church. It's because my church members have been taught about healing. I preach at other churches and I realize where the people have not been taught, they don't have much flow of miracles. I have seen many miracles in meetings I have had in South Africa, for instance. It is the same in Nigeria. The people have been taught to believe in miracles. It is not the same in many other places. It is going to happen to you because you desire it. God is not going to give you something you don't desire, something you don't like or something you are not thinking about. But when you have the desire, he is going to pour it into your life.

SECTION V

THE DOCTRINE OF HEAING

Chapter 23

Interpreting “Jehovah Rophe”

The Names of God

Jehovah Rophe is one of the names of God and I would like to share some important things about Jehovah Rophe. God has always introduced Himself by different names to different people. These different names show the different attributes of God and illustrate the diverse ways he demonstrates His power to his creation. God has different attributes even though we simply refer to Him as "God". For instance, the word "love" is translated from three different Greek words. Agape, Eros and Phileo.

a) Agape love is the God kind of love. This kind of love will continue to love in spite of any negative situation. Agape refers to the God kind of love. The God kind of love is the love that loves someone unconditionally. Agape is what you find in John 3:16, For God so loved (agape) the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish …"

b) Phileo love refers to brotherly love. If you hear someone say, "I really love my friend John," he is probably referring to phileo love.

c) However, it is usual to think of eros love (the physical love of passion) when a man says, "I love you" or "I want to make love to you." You will notice that all three kinds of love are translated "love", in our English Bibles. Different names are used for the Lord in the Bible. He introduced Himself differently to Abraham and Jacob. But He used another name when He introduced Himself to David. All through the Scriptures God uses different names as He appears to different people.

1. ELOHIM

In the very beginning of the Bible, God's name is mentioned repeatedly. The name of God that is used in Genesis Chapter One is "Elohim". Elohim describes God as the Creator. Creativity is an aspect of God's character. Man's creative ability is from God. The power of invention is God-given. When man was created in the image of God, he was also blessed with God's creative nature. The creation story therefore reveals God's creative nature.

2. EL SHADDAI

Later on in the Bible, we see God introducing Himself to Abraham. “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the ALMIGHTY GOD; walk before me, and be thou perfect” (Genesis 17:1). The name of God used in this Scripture is "El Shaddai". El Shaddai means "the mighty one with a lot of breasts", or "the mighty breasted one". You see, the breast meets every need of the baby. It is the baby's cereal, milk, porridge and drinking water. A baby on breast milk does not need to take in anything else. So when God introduced Himself to Abraham as El Shaddai, He was saying that, "I'm the Almighty one who has everything that you would ever need." I see God giving you all that you will ever need!

3. EHAYEH ASHER EHAYEH

Later, God confirms the name "Jehovah", the Hebrew "YHWH", which is the equivalent of "I am", the promise-keeper, to Moses. “And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them” (Exodus 6:2,3). His name "Jehovah", is combined with other words to reveal the many aspects of His promise-keeping nature and the different ways He fulfils His promises. At another time, we see God revealing Himself to Moses in a different way. He described Himself as, "I am that I am," which in Hebrew is "Ehayeh Asher Ehayeh". “And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you” (Exodus 3: 13,14). "I am that I am" means "the God who is existing". But it also means "the Lord who keeps promises". God was going to bring Moses and the Israelites into the Promised Land and He was telling him, "I'm the God who keeps covenants and makes agreements. I don't break my agreements." We see God therefore in the Scriptures, introducing Himself in different ways as different situations came up. I am teaching about how God introduced Himself as Jehovah Rophe: God the doctor, God the specialist and God who heals the sick.

A HEALING GOD

“If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: FOR I AM THE LORD THAT HEALETH THEE” (Exodus 15:26). When God saved His people Israel from Egypt, He introduced Himself to them in this verse as "the Lord that healeth thee". The Hebrew words for the phrase "God that healeth thee," are "Jehovah Rophe." The name "Jehovah Rophe" means, "the Lord your doctor', 'the Lord your physician", or "the Lord your healer". So you could use these three words to describe God as "the Lord your doctor, your physician or your healer". When God introduced himself here in Exodus, He was saying, "Let me show you a new aspect of myself; let me show you another side of my nature. I am Jehovah the physician, a specialist." He is the Lord your healer and your specialist! I want you to know that you can experience God's healing in your life if you want to. When we talk of healing, most of us begin to think of physical ailments only. However, there are many areas in our lives that need healing. God wants to heal our very lives. He wants to come into our lives as Jehovah the specialist.

My dear friend, you must believe that the ability to be alive is from the Lord. As a doctor I've been to many hospitals and mortuaries. The last time I was in a mortuary for a post mortem, there were about eight people there. There were four adults and four children. There was also a little child who was just about four years old. If you find yourself alive, you should know that it is God who has allowed you to be here. The breath in you, my brother, is from the Lord. It is God who keeps you from getting sick. He said He would prevent the diseases that are on the Egyptians, from coming to you. This means that the fact that you don't get a particular disease means that Jehovah Rophe, the Lord that healeth thee, has prevented you from getting that disease. You may have seen thousand people die but God is telling you to believe in Him for a miracle of long life because He is the Lord God that healeth thee. Let your heart be fixed on Him. Trust in Him. For He is Jehovah Rophe. "I am the Lord that healeth thee."

JEHOVAH ROPHE

In this chapter, I would like to explain to you in detail the meaning of Jehovah Rophe. What does "Rophe" mean? "Rophe" is a Hebrew word that means "to heal", or "to repair".

1. "ROPHE" MEANS "TO HEAL" "To heal", means "to become or make something healthy again", "to cure somebody who is ill", "to make someone feel happy again", "to put an end to something or make something easier to bear." That is the meaning of Rophe. It means "to heal and to restore health." Most of us only know of common diseases like malaria or flu. There are many aspects of healing which go beyond having a physical disorder. In fact many diseases have no physical cure, especially diseases that have to do with the mind and the emotions. God is able to heal the complex burdens of the human race. As you can see, "to heal", also means, "to make someone feel happy again". It also means to make something easier to bear. This amazing dictionary definition of the word "to heal", opens up many new dimensions to the healing ministry.

2. "ROPHE" MEANS "TO REPAIR"

"To repair", means, "to mend something that is broken, damaged or torn"; it also means, "to say or do something in order to improve a bad or unpleasant situation". When God revealed Himself as Jehovah Rophe, He was saying that "I am the Lord that repairs". You sometimes regret some of your actions. You wish that things hadn't happened the way they did. But God is introducing Himself as the one who can repair. God desires to repair his damaged and blotched handiwork. He wants to repair broken men and restore them. This is because men are the crowning glory of His work. God has pledged to repair completely the earth and all His creation. He will indeed improve this bad situation.

3. "ROPHE" MEANS "TO RESTORE"

"To restore", means "to bring back a situation or a feeling that existed before" or "to bring something back to a former condition, place or position". When God manifests as Jehovah Rophe, He is bringing back a feeling and a state of well-being that existed before.

4. "ROPHE" MEANS, "TO MEND"

"To mend", means, "to repair something that has been damaged or broken so that it can be used again", or "to improve in health after being sick". God is repairing your life so that you can be used again for His glory. God is repairing your broken life and your damaged relationships so that His glory will be manifested fully in your life.

5. "ROPHE" MEANS, "TO FIX"

"To fix", means, "to repair or correct something". Jehovah Rophe means, "I'm the Lord that mends every situation and the Lord that fixes things". Many of us have situations in our lives that need some fixing and adjustments. God introduces things in our lives to adjust and correct certain things that have made you go in a certain way. He makes adjustments. He restores things and brings you a great blessing. I see the Lord correcting every crooked situation in your life.

6. "ROPHE" MEANS, "TO CURE"

"To cure", means, "to make someone healthy again after an illness", and "to make an illness go away". It also means, "to deal with a problem successfully", or "to stop somebody from behaving in a particular way, especially in a way that is bad". God is in the process of making you healthy again. God is the one who has the power to make an illness go away and to deal with your problem successfully.

GOD’S HEALING PLAN

“Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise” (Jeremiah 17:14). The human being is a very special creature. After creating the Heavens and the Earth, God created the crowning jewel of His handiwork--man. You need only to study a little anatomy, physiology or biochemistry to understand the awesomeness of God's creation. There are so many bio-chemical reactions and cycles that go on in the human body all the time. The body is filled with many chemical compounds, hormones and enzymes, which are constantly involved in amazing reactions. I always remember the first time I saw a woman delivering a baby. I marvelled at how God had designed the human body to bring forth children. It is both fantastic and miraculous. Man is indeed God's best creation. God put man in the Garden of Eden because of His love for the best of His creation. Unfortunately, things went the wrong way.

1. THE ENTRY OF SIN NECESSITATED GOD’S HEALING PLAN.

Adam sinned and God had to apply his divine rules against Adam. This is because he is a just God who applies rules fairly and equally to all. This is unlike the justice of men that is often hypocritical and partial. Primitive governments apply the rules, laws and institutions of justice only to their enemies. The police and the military are agents who carry out the personal wishes of the ruler of the day.

In my country, as well as in many other nations, there are people who would not be in prison if another government were in power. There are prisoners in jails everywhere who are praying for a change of government. They know that a new government will apply the laws differently and free them from prison. This is why many developing nations have little or no confidence in the courts of law. God, however, is a just God who applied the rules even to His own dear creation. He said to them, "Now that you have crossed the line you can't stay here; you have to go out." Consequently, Adam had to leave the beautiful garden that God had made for Him. As a result of the sin of disobedience, much of the Earth was destroyed and is still being destroyed. This Earth will eventually be totally destroyed and be replaced with a new Heaven and a new Earth! When sin entered into the lives of Adam and Eve, many changes took place. The first thing that man noticed was his nakedness. They had not noticed this before. Adam, now sent out of the garden, found himself at the mercy of the elements.

With sin now in their lives, death was at work in their bodies. People, who would never have grown old, began to grow old. Eyes, which would never have faded, began to fade. People, who would never have died, had to die. We would have lived forever! They decided to make some clothes for themselves. When the Lord came along, He saw that His creation had made clothes with leaves and He knew that these clothes would not last long. The Lord therefore helped his creation by finding some skin to clothe them. This was God's first step to helping fallen mankind help himself. He has been helping ever since. The wisdom to create and discover medicine is part of God's grace to help mankind. Every medical discovery is part of God's plan to somehow rescue man from his own ways

2. THE HEALING PLAN CENTRES AROUND CHRIST THE REDEEMER. Throughout the ages God prepared a plan to redeem and rescue His creation. This plan is summed up in Christ the redeemer. There were many predictions in the Old Testament about the coming Messiah who would heal and deliver. The coming of Christ to this Earth was predicted long in advance. This is one thing that separates Jesus from leaders of all other religions. His coming was predicted. The prophets detailed His purpose, His life and His death long before He arrived. Isaiah predicted that there would be someone who would take up our sorrows, our grief’s and the chastisement of our peace. He foretold that someone would come to take away the things that disturb our peace of mind in this life. This person would take up our sicknesses and bring us healing through his stripes. “Surely he hath borne our grief’s, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:4).

3. GOD EXPRESSES IN HIS WORD OVER AND OVER AGAIN, HIS HEART'S DESIRE TO HEAL HIS CREATION.

He is very concerned with the repairing of His creation, which is and has been, lost to the devil. “… If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am THE LORD THAT HEALETH THEE” (Exodus 15:26). I want you to know that long ago, God introduced Himself as "Jehovah the specialist doctor". He is revealing Himself to you as Jehovah the cardiologist, the paediatrician, the gynaecologist and Jehovah the physician specialist. The Lord is your surgeon. Today, God is introducing Himself to you as Jehovah your doctor. He is whatever type of doctor you need. If you need a surgeon, He is a surgeon. If you need a physician, He is a physician. The Bible says, "I am the Lord that healeth thee." God has always been concerned about healing and restoring His people.

4. WHEN JESUS CHRIST CAME INTO THE WORLD, HE WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD AND HEALING ALL THAT WERE SICK.

He cleansed the lepers, made the lame to walk and opened blind eyes. He healed all that were oppressed of the devil. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND WITH POWER: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). Jesus' surname was not Christ. Many people think that Jesus' father and mother were called Joseph and Mary Christ. Jesus was Jesus, without the name "Christ" when He started out in ministry. However, His reputation for healing became so strong that after a while, people began to associate Him closely with the anointing. That was why they referred to Him as "Jesus Christ" or "Jesus, the Anointed One". Thank God that every time the church drifts away, God brings us back to the truth. God is leading me to preach and teach about the healing anointing. 38.5% of all the narrative verses in the Gospels, talk about the healing miracles of Jesus Christ. Virtually 40% of all that Jesus did had to do with healing. Healing is therefore not a side issue or a secondary subject in the Bible. It is not something that is supposed to be an afterthought.

5. HEALING IS A MAIN AND CENTRAL THEME OF THE GOSPEL. God is a healer. Jesus is a healer. God introduces Himself as "Jehovah Rophe" and Jesus came along with the anointing of the Ghost to heal. Somebody may say we don't need healing. But that is not true. We need healing more than we need anything else. The devil has done so many things that have twisted our lives into a ball of confusion, hurt, pain and disease. But God wants to repair our lives and bring them back to a certain road of well-being. Some of us need our personalities to be repaired. Some of us need our hearts to be healed. Others need their bodies to be healed. We need to preach about healing because healing is a major part of the gospel. Without it, the Church is not the Church. It is something else. Remember, that when John sent to ask Jesus whether He was the Messiah, He told them to describe the miracles they saw to John. “And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.” (Luke 7:19,22). All pastors should be able to say, "Go and tell them that the blind are seeing, the deaf are hearing, and the lepers are being cleansed. That is the sign that authenticates the genuineness of the calling of God. I spoke to a woman who had attended a meeting conducted by the Prophet Braham, a great man of God. When it was her turn in the healing line, she stood in front of him and he ministered to her. She told me how she heard a sound like the purring of an engine by the side of the prophet as he ministered to her. The prophet often spoke of the presence of an angel as he ministered.

The prophet said to her, "You couldn't have a child, go home and have your baby." She went home and she had the child. She had been married for years and had been unable to have a child. A year later, she gave birth to that child. And that is the only child she ever had. There is real power available for miracles and healings!

DIVINE HEALING

Divine healing is the healing that comes from God. This is in contrast to the healing that man engineers for himself. With our limited minds, we can see only sections of the problems of the human race. Many people do not appreciate the complex problems of the human race. There are several situations in our lives that need the touch of God. What is God trying to heal? What is he repairing and fixing? Divine healing covers all the aspects of healing. The following is a short list of some of the aspects of divine healing.

1. DIVINE HEALING AFFECTS BIRTH DEFECTS AND GENETIC DISORDERS. And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? John 9:1-2. There are many illnesses we fight which are simply inherited from our fathers. For instance, diseases like hypertension, diabetes, asthma, sickle cell disease, mental disorders, mental retardation etc. are received effortlessly by children from their fathers and mothers. Through no fault of theirs, people wake up to the realities that they have inherited conditions and illnesses that they did not contribute to. In the ministry of Jesus, you find healings of conditions that were from birth. God's power of healing can save you from inherited illnesses.

2. DIVINE HEALING AFFECTS EMOTIONAL ILLNESSES.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised” (Luke 4:18) Surprisingly, Jesus' reference to healing in this Scripture is not about healing heart failure (congestive cardiac failure) or heart attacks (cardiac arrest). Jesus' healing ministry specifically mentioned the healing of the broken-hearted. The broken-hearted are people with emotional problems. To have a broken heart is to suffer from deep disappointment. To have a broken heart is to have a devastating experience that leaves a person without hope, faith or love. The Greek word for broken heart is "santribo" and it means, "To be shattered". Our lives are full of shattered dreams and hopes. Christ came into the world to save men from their shattered dreams and aspirations. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3).

What does it mean to have a broken heart? Broken hearts result from disappointments. Sometimes a man promises to marry a lady but disappoints her. This man may end up marrying someone else. Many ladies are devastated by the twists and turns of unfaithful and lying men. What you hoped would never happen is what has happened. God is healing any disappointment you have. He is repairing your heart. He is healing all disappointments. Sometimes you apply for a job and get interviewed. It seems as if you were just about to get the job but for some reason you were not able to get it. If you allow God to heal your disappointment, you will one day look back and thank God for taking you through. He is also healing the hearts of all those who have lost their positions in life. Sometimes you lose a position in life and this affects your finances, your comforts and the quality of your family life. God is healing the hearts of such people.

3. DIVINE HEALING TAKES AWAY THE EFFECTS OF SIN.

“I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee” (Psalm 41:4) Sin has an effect on our spiritual well being. Sin affects your soul. All of us have sinned at one time or the other. There are some people who can't sleep because of their sins. God brings healing for all your mistakes. God heals all our diseases and now He is saying that He is going to heal your soul. He's going to heal your inner man. Some of us are emotionally disturbed. Some of us suffer from the disappointments of men. You cry out, "My soul, my soul, why art thou perturbed?" God is saying, "I am the one who will heal your innermost parts."

Did you know that the psychiatrist is the doctor with fewest answers? Almost every mental patient is given something to make him calm down and sleep. The psychiatrists know very little about why these mental conditions develop. But God reaches to the innermost parts and brings about healing. Medicine cannot do it. But God has a way of healing that disappointment and restoring the soul. “He restoreth my soul…” (Psalm 23:3). I remember meeting a man who said, "I'll never trust another woman." I asked him why, and he answered, "One day, I went out and came home unexpectedly in the middle of the night." He said to me, "I found my wife in my bed with another man. Both of them were completely naked." He told me, "I exercised self-control, but I could have killed them both. I drove them out of the house without their clothes and called the police." As I talked to this man, I realized that his heart was very disturbed. He could not relate normally to women anymore. He hated all women and had decided never to get married. There are many men like that. There are also many women who cannot relate normally to men because of what they've been through. God can give you healing and change you on the inside. I'm a doctor myself. The medicines that psychiatrists give often only sedate the patient or improve their mood. But there is no real healing for the psychological and emotional problem. But God introduces himself as a healer in the book of Exodus. “And said, thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee” (Exodus 15:26). He said, "I am the Lord your doctor, the Lord your healer, the Lord your physician." God is introducing Himself to you as a healer. Will you receive Him as your healer? Will you receive Him as your doctor and as your physician? He will heal your soul. He is Jehovah Rophe.

4. DIVINE HEALING AFFECTS OUR BEHAVIOUR.

“And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains” (Mark 5:2,3). My psychiatry lecturer taught me that most people have some amount of abnormal behaviour. Sometimes people do not have full-blown manifestations of madness but there is some amount of abnormal behaviour in their lives. Today, a whole range of words and definitions have been developed in order to adequately describe the varied levels of behavioural dysfunction. Some people are said to be eccentric, which is a polite description of an odd, queer, off-centre, erratic and strange person. One of the commonest problems is fear or paranoia. Many fearful people live abnormal lives because of various fears they constantly entertain. Others are depressed to varying degrees at different times. Some people suffer from rage disorders, sexual disorders, personality disorders, delusions, hallucinations, mania, and ultimately schizophrenia, which is full-blown madness. Most of us live between the ranges of normalcy and full-blown madness. Divine healing tackles the full range of problems that afflict us. Through the Word of God, we are saved from behavioural patterns that were useless and self-destructive.

5. DIVINE HEALING CURES US FROM THE EFFECTS OF DEATH.

“…but the sorrow of the world worketh death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). When tragedy strikes, there is a sense of uneasiness and fear that is difficult to shake off. There is a sinking feeling that is difficult to get rid of. The heart is sick and broken when a loved one is suddenly and tragically plucked away. Only God can heal the futility, depression and heartache that are associated with death. Many people do not recover from the death of a loved one. Some live in constant bitterness and depression for the rest of their lives. Indeed, only God can heal such feelings of hopelessness and uselessness.

6. DIVINE HEALING CURES US FROM THE EFFECTS OF FUTILITY.

“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). The uselessness of life is something that God takes away by his power and his anointing. Sometimes you look at life and ask what it's all about. You find yourself struggling and unhappy. We often think that when you get certain things like cars, marriage etc. everything will be okay. However, every man will come to the same conclusion that Solomon did: vanity of vanities, all is vanity. Indeed all is vanity. Life on this earth can be defined as building a series of sandcastles that are soon washed away. Have you ever wondered why rich western nations have the highest suicide rates? The emptiness and hollowness of riches stares them in the face and they know that Solomon was right. All is vanity. Many kill themselves because there is no meaning to this life. God's power heals us of the futility of this life.

7. HE WILL PERMANENTLY HEAL THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD.

“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were FOR THE HEALING OF THE NATIONS” (Revelation 22:1,2). Many nations need healing. Rwanda needs healing and so does Burundi. Sierra Leone needs healing. During the civil war in Sierra Leone, rebels cut off the hands of many civilians. Since the Liberian civil war over ten years ago, there is still no electricity in the capital city, Monrovia. Nigeria is divided. Northern Nigeria has become an Islamic region. There is tension between the north, the south and the eastern parts of Nigeria. It is not only poor African countries that need healing. The countries of Israel and Palestine for instance need healing. America is divided by colour: black and white. India and Pakistan fight constantly whilst many nations live with poverty, war and famine. Thank God, that he has leaves that will heal these devastated nations. It is clear that no political, economic or military remedy can ever heal the nations of the world. The Bible says the leaves will be shed to the nations to bring about a permanent healing. HEALINGS AND MANIFESTATIONS

“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases” (Psalm 103:1-3). As a pastor and also as a doctor, I can tell you that we need the healing touch of God. As you come before the presence of the Lord, your heart must be open to receive healing for your diseases and ailments. I have seen many miracles of healing in my life and ministry. Just believe that you will receive these miracles in your life too. Most people think there is healing power when they see manifestations of the Spirit. They only believe in the presence of the power of God when they see people fall and shake. The power of God works through faith. Follow your faith. 1. HEALINGS DO NOT DEPEND ON MANIFESTATIONS OF THE SPIRIT. HEALING DEPENDS ON YOUR FAITH.

Walk by faith, and do not link healing to the presence of manifestations of the Spirit. I have had meetings where there were strong manifestations of the Spirit but no healings. Recently at one of our Camp Meetings, I ministered under a strong anointing. At a point, I was so tired that I had to sit down to pray for the people. The anointing was so strong that everybody who came forward to be prayed for just went down under the power. Soon, the area around my chair was littered with fallen bodies. On another occasion, I remember a man who had had a stroke and was paralyzed on one side. I did not even know that he was in the church service. This man had actually lost his job because of his paralysis. The power of God was very strong at this miracle service. He was not even aware that the healing power of God was working in him. He just realized that he could move his leg and arm again when he waved at someone on his way home. The power of God moved his body. I want to tell you that Jesus is alive!

A Miracle Healing

I love to tell the story of a 31-year-old lady who received a powerful miracle healing. She got married in 1991, and had her first pregnancy in 1993 that turned out to be an ectopic pregnancy. She was operated upon and her right fallopian tube was cut off on the 1st of August 1993. She had a second pregnancy in 1994 that was also an ectopic pregnancy but this time on the left side. She was operated on and part of the left tube was cut off (the doctors tried to save a part of the tube). In 1995, she had a third ectopic pregnancy! She was operated on and the doctors still tried to save the tube. In the first week of August 1996, she had a fourth ectopic pregnancy and this time the rest of the left tube was taken off. Her doctor then told her that the only way she could have a child was by a test-tube baby or by adoption. Being a doctor, I would have given the same recommendation. A year later, during a Miracle Service I held at the Grace Bible Church-Soweto, South Africa, God did a wonderful miracle for Patricia. During the ministration, I asked all those who were sick to place their hands where their illnesses were. Patricia placed her hand on her stomach. Her husband was not sitting with her at that time so he ran to her to make sure she was praying. He thought she would not pray about their situation because it looked so hopeless.

Patricia said, that she felt she was the only one being spoken to. She testified that when she placed her hand on her abdomen, she felt the power of God coming all over her. She said the sensation she felt was difficult to describe but she knew within herself at that moment, that God had touched her! The best description she could give of the healing power was a feeling of "sweet pain". After this healing experience, she went to see her Gynaecologist (the leader of the team of doctors who operated on her), claiming that she was pregnant. She was driven away by the doctor who told her that she needed to see a psychiatrist! This doctor told her she was developing a mental problem because he knew it was not possible for her to get pregnant. But Patricia was so sure that she was pregnant, and she went to see other doctors. It was eventually proved that the impossible had happened: she was actually pregnant! There is no medical explanation for this miracle because a woman cannot conceive normally if she does not have fallopian tubes. When I returned to South Africa on the 26th of September 1998 to hold another Miracle Service in the same church, an excited and overjoyed Patricia Haborone came up stage with her miracle baby, to give this testimony of what God had done for her. She named the child "Odirile", which means-"He (God) has made it"! You know, just like the woman with the issue of blood, Patricia felt something.

2. IT IS POSSIBLE TO FEEL THE POWER OF GOD AND THE UNCTION OF GOD.

Somebody might ask, "What is that feeling like?" It is very much like a normal feeling because it is a feeling. The supernatural and the natural are almost the same. I was preaching about the supernatural power when Patricia felt the anointing. When some people feel the anointing, they dismiss it as something natural. I see God healing your barrenness and turning it into fertility. Believe it and receive it in Jesus' name. Hear the voice of the Spirit ringing in your heart and telling you that you are no longer barren but now you are bearing a child. He is telling you that your rivers have been healed so that you can be fruitful. Just receive it and take it as your own because God is doing it for you. God is healing your finances right now. Poverty is being replaced by dignity. Your dignity is being restored in Jesus' name. God is bringing you honour. He is fixing for you what has been spoilt all these years. God is repairing the waters of your life and the rivers of your home. Thank God for the healing anointing.

Chapter 24

The Purposes of Healing

Reasons Why Gog Does Miracles Today

1. God heals so that His glory is revealed. “When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby” (John 11:4).

2. God heals so that His works will be manifested. “Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him” (John 9:3).

3. God heals to confirm the preaching of His Word. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. And these signs shall follow them that believe … they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16: 15,17,18). 4. God heals in order to help people believe in Him. “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake” (John 14:11).

5. God does healing miracles in order to help people repent and change their ways. “Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not” (Matthew 11:20).

6. God does miracles to authenticate His servants. “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Acts 2:22. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me” (John 10:25).

7. God does miracles in order to destroy the works of the devil. “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).

8. God does miracles to announce the arrival of the Kingdom of God. “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:7,8).

9. God does miracles so that more people will attend church and follow His servants. “And a great multitude followed him, they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased” (John 6:2).

The Reasons Why God Does Not Bother to Heal Everyone

1. Many people believe in the Word of God even without seeing miracles. “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

2. Some people (but not all) believe when they see miracles. “Then many (not all) of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him” (John 11:45).

3. Some people do not believe even when they see miracles. “But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him” (John 12:37).

4. Some people even hate you after they see miracles. “If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father” (John 15:24).

5. People require different catalysts to help them believe. “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom” (1 Corinthians 1:22).

6. The chosen method to bring salvation and repentance is preaching and not healing. “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21). UNDERSTANDING WHY SOME ARE NOT HEALED

There are some common misconceptions that exist about the healing ministry. Without understanding these, they will linger in our subconscious minds and influence our thinking. 1. GOD IS NOT TRYING TO MAKE EVERYBODY BELIEVE.

It is true that God heals so that people will believe. But on the other hand, there are people who believe the Word of God without seeing anything. “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

There are many people who don't see any miracle but believe in God. But there are some people who have to see a sign before they believe. Maybe there are people who have to be on their deathbeds before they believe in God. Some people have to lose everything before they succumb to God's love. There are people who only get saved in prison. But you don't have to wait for that. “Blessed are those who have not seen any of these things but yet they believe. The reality is that not everyone who sees miracles believes in God. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done” (John 11:45,46). Only a few people believe in God when they see miracles. It would be nice if there were many more miracles but the fact is that miracles are only going to add a few more people to the faith.

2. SOME PEOPLE DO NOT BELIEVE NO MATTER WHAT THEY SEE.

They can see the dead rise before their eyes and yet they will still not believe. Abraham told the rich man: "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead" (Luke 16:31). In fact, some people will hate you because of the miracles they see. There are some people who hate me because I preach the truth. Look at this Scripture: "Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the Sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see” (John 9:15-25).

The miracle Jesus did, however, brought about a surprising division. You would have thought that a classic miracle that could not be disputed (the healing of a man born blind) would make everybody believe. If God was trying to make everybody believe by miracles then He failed here. The fact is that no matter what God does, certain people will never believe. God is therefore not in a hurry to impress anyone. I know that there are people who will still not believe what I preach even if they see an angel appear by my side as I preach. I heard of a man of God who had fire appear over his head in a halo when he was preaching. Do you think that everybody believed in his ministry? Certainly not.

3. WE MUST UNDERSTAND THEN THAT MIRACLES OR NO MIRACLES, THE WORK OF GOD STILL GOES ON.

Those who will believe will believe with or without the miracles. That explains why one of the greatest evangelists of our time, Billy Graham, can preach to large crowds of people without any miracle occurring. The Bible says that people are saved by the foolishness of preaching and not by the stupefying nature of miracles. “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21).

4. PREACHING IS GOD'S METHOD FOR SALVATION.

God has determined that people should be saved by preaching and not by miracles. Dear minister of God, keep on preaching; just keep on preaching! Evangelise and tell the truth because it is the method by which God has determined that people should be saved. We have miracle services in my church. We see God doing miracles.

We witness the power of God moving but we know that God is not trying to take away our common sense. We know that He is not trying to take away medicine. We know that He is not trying to displace doctors. Above all we know that He is not replacing the need for powerful preaching. I believe that God has His reasons for healing. Decide today to allow preaching to affect you. Decide to believe the preaching of the Word. “And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand, thousand: and I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them, they do hurt. And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts” (Revelation 9:13- 21). As you can see, the people in this Scripture refused to repent in spite of all that happened to them. God knows that people will not repent even when they see certain things. This is unfortunate but it's real. We need to believe the preaching of the Word when we hear it. We do not have to look for signs before we believe. I will never forget a certain man I visited on his deathbed. He was about forty years old. He told me that if God would give him a second chance, he would leave everything and serve him. But it was too late. The miracle healing power of God does not exist to eradicate sickness from this world.

5. GOD IS NOT TRYING TO ERADICATE SICKNESSES FROM THE WORLD. Some people think that God is trying to eradicate sickness from the world through preachers. God is not trying to remove the diseases of this world through anointed ministers. His anointed apostles and prophets are not agents for the eradication of all known illnesses. If that were so, then God has failed in his quest to do so.

I want you to read this passage: “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: And they knew that it was he, which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?” (Acts 3:1-12

You will notice that this man had been laid at this Beautiful Gate of the temple for many years. The Bible says he had been lame from his mother's womb. His family and relatives had carried him there many times to ask alms from those who entered the temple. A few weeks earlier, Jesus himself had been walking through this Beautiful Gate of the temple. He had preached in this temple many times. Why didn't Jesus heal this man himself? Why didn't Jesus eradicate all diseases from Jerusalem? If God is trying to eradicate illnesses from the world, why did Jesus not wipe out all crippling diseases when He was here? Obviously, God does not seem to have that goal. I have watched as many people go back from miracle services still sick. I remember watching a programme on CNN when Pastor Benny Hinn was being interviewed about people who do not get healed in his miracle services. There have been documentaries that are highly critical of Benny Hinn and Reinhard Bonnke. One of their chief criticisms was about the many people who remain unhealed at their services. In London, there was even a demonstration by cripples against a famous healing evangelist. If all cripples were healed at his services, they would plead for prayer and not demonstrate against his ministry. This confusion comes about because we do not understand what God is doing and what He is not trying to do. That was Jesus' explanation about why He healed only one man at the Pool of Bethesda. “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise” (John 5:19,20).

6. DO NOT BE DISAPPOINTED WHEN GOD DOES NOT HEAL EVERYONE. Do not be angry with God when only one out of several sick people is healed. Jesus said, "I and my Father are one, and he that has seen me has seen the Father." “…he that hath seen me hath seen the Father…” (John 14:9). What we saw Jesus do reveals what the Father is doing. If you want to understand God, understand Jesus.

7. JESUS IS NOT TRYING TO HEAL EVERYBODY. BUT HE IS TRYING TO SAVE EVERY SOUL.

Jesus gave His life for the whole world. He invited everyone to Heaven. Your life on this earth is very transient anyway. The Bible says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Everlasting life does not depend on your kidney, liver, your blood, your skin, eye, brain or leg. Jesus Himself walked on this earth. He knew that there are many reasons why people are sick and there are many reasons why God heals. There are equally many reasons why God doesn't heal. God is trying to give you everlasting life. Jesus came to give you everlasting life. He loves us very much and he does not want any of us to perish. God is not trying to replace doctors, hospitals, or medicine. Paul moved around with a doctor: Luke! There were also times that Paul instructed Timothy to do certain things for his health's sake. “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities” (1 Timothy 5:23). Jesus did not close down the Bethesda Hospital. Neither did He say it wasn't a necessary centre.

8. GOD IS NOT AGAINST MEDICINE.

Unfortunately, extreme faith teachings have given the impression that God is against medicine. They have left us with the impression that God would like to replace all medical personnel with pastors. They left us with a feeling that to take medicine was sinful or unspiritual. For instance, there was a time when many people were being healed through the faith revival. At that time, many ministers would not touch medicine. It was unheard of for a truly spiritual person to use medicine. I heard of a church in which over forty-five people died because they refused to take medicine. There were little children who needed medication, but because of their parents' belief in faith healing, they rejected all medicine for their children. Eventually, the pastor himself became ill but refused medication. By and by, he was brought to church in a wheel chair, still refusing medical help until he died. This kind of thing throws the healing ministry into confusion. We all tend to move away from an area of confusion. This is why many have turned away from the healing ministry-- confusion. But there is real healing power. In spite of the confusion, you cannot discount the reality of God's healing power. There are reasons why we think the way we do now. In this textbook, I would like to help you to understand the place that the power of God and medicine have in your life. You will understand the place that common sense has in your life.

9. GOD IS NOT TRYING TO REPLACE HOSPITALS AND DOCTORS WITH PASTORS AND EVANGELISTS.

God gave the wisdom for medical science. Both streams of healing are ordained of God and are not contrary to each other. I cannot explain why divine healing takes place the way it does. I do not claim to know or understand everything. No one does! The Bible says the secret things belong to the Lord but those that are revealed belong to us. “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29). Again the Scriptures tell us that we look through a glass dimly. This means that when you look through a glass, you cannot see things clearly. It is not everything we know and we shouldn't pretend to know everything because we do not. We definitely do not understand everything because we are looking through a glass. “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). All this does not mean that God doesn't heal. He does heal and if you believe in him you will actually see people being healed. You will see miracles! You will witness the power of God in manifestation! We have to understand the balance between medical science and God's power.

10. THERE MUST BE A BALANCE BETWEEN MEDICAL SCIENCE AND GOD'S POWER

God does not want you to do away with common sense. In the book of Genesis, chapter 3, we read the account of Adam and Eve and how they fell into sin. Adam and Eve found out that they were naked. The Lord decided to help them because you could get sick from being unclothed. Diseases like pneumonia, common colds, skin diseases all come from being inadequately clothed. God began to show them how to look after themselves. He gave them wisdom and showed them how to use skin to make clothes for themselves. That was the first thing that he did when he realized that man had fallen to the mercy of the elements. He knew that man was now going to be subject to diseases, sicknesses, and all sorts of things that were not there before the fall. “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). The Bible says that Jesus Christ is the power and the wisdom of God. “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1: 24). Jesus Christ was not just powerful. When you become a Christian, Jesus comes to help you by being the power and the wisdom of God in your life.

11. CHRISTIANS BECOME UNBALANCED WHEN THEY JUST TAKE THE POWER OF GOD AND LEAVE OUT THE WISDOM.

You need both the power and the wisdom, if you want to make it in this life. Medical science can transplant hearts today and solve many problems. Many children would be dead from various diseases like malaria, convulsions, and measles if there were no medicines. God has given us the wisdom to think and to have common sense. One time, Jesus told His disciples to go aside and rest awhile. He told them to rest. “And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat” (Mark 6:31). Why did Jesus tell His disciples to rest? There are many diseases that come from not resting. My wife is always suggesting that I rest. It is common sense to rest when you need to. Jesus ministered to the sick but he did sensible and practical things too.

REASONS WHY SOME ARE HEALED 1. GOD HEALS TO MANIFEST HIS GLORY.

“When Jesus heard that, he said, THIS SICKNESS IS NOT UNTO DEATH, BUT FOR THE GLORY OF GOD, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby” (John 11:4). This verse shows that God heals for His glory to be revealed. When we have miracles in the church, it is because God wants us to get glimpses of His glory. He wants us to see His power. He wants to show us that He is the Almighty God and that there is no problem too big for Him to solve.

2. GOD HEALS TO MANIFEST HIS WORKS.

“Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: BUT THAT THE WORKS OF GOD SHOULD BE MADE MANIFEST IN HIM” (John 9:3). Sometimes the problems we have are going to lead to the greatest blessings in our lives. God is going to use that thing to bring a great miracle into your life. I see that miracle coming into your life! God wants to make manifest His works; He wants to do His work.

3. GOD DOES THE MIRACULOUS TO CONFIRM HIS WORD.

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, THE LORD WORKING WITH THEM, AND CONFIRMING THE WORD WITH SIGNS FOLLOWING. AMEN” (Mark 16:17-20). God heals to confirm the Word of God that has been preached. Miracles have a primary function of confirming the preaching of the Word of God. This is different from eradicating all the diseases in the community. Confirming and affirming a sermon preached by a pastor is quite different from eradicating polio, measles or small pox from a community.

4. GOD DOES THE MIRACULOUS TO HELP SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE. “If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him” (John 10:37,38). “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake” (John 14:11). Some people just want to see a miracle so that they can believe. Such people just need a miracle. When they see the works they are utterly and completely convinced about the truth of the Word.

5. GOD DOES THE MIRACULOUS TO SHOW APPROVAL OF HIS SERVANTS God does miracles, signs and wonders to show His approval of the person who is preaching. God is not trying to make pastors into doctors. He is not trying to use the evangelist to eradicate malaria, sickle cell disease, hypertension, and diabetes from the entire community. He does miracles to show His approval of His servants. These miracles therefore have specific functions. God is expressing His approval of His servants. “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, A MAN APPROVED OF GOD AMONG YOU BY MIRACLES AND WONDERS AND SIGNS, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know” (Acts 2:22). How did God approve of Jesus Christ of Nazareth? He approved of Him by miracles, wonders and signs. That is the way God approves of His servant. I've been at places, where I have seen God approve of me with signs and wonders. I remember once I was at a place preaching when I heard the voice of the Holy Spirit in my ear.

He said to me, "Today, I will honour you." The Lord did such wonderful miracles at this place. He did this because people who did not really honour me surrounded me. All ministers of God are sometimes invited to churches where they are honoured. Sometimes an invitation is just a formality from someone who thinks he must invite you back. They may not really believe in you or like you. They may not approve of your ministry. But God can honour His servant with miracles. Jesus preached the Word. He said He was the Bread of Life, The Way, The Truth and The Life. God approved of Him and showed that He was speaking the truth by performing signs and wonders. This also explains why people fall under the power. It is a sign. People love miracles. People love a display of power. The display of power shows God's approval of the man of God. They know he can shout out a sermon but it is not that easy to conjure a miracle.

6. GOD DOES THE MIRACULOUS TO DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). You need to understand that there is a devil that rules this world. This is obvious when you look at the chaos in the world: the dictators that are imposed on different nations, the wickedness that is manifested, the inequalities that exist in the society, the starvation, the hunger, the sickness, the diseases and the sufferings of many people prove that the overall ruler is a very wicked person.

The Bible calls him the "god of this world". In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Is it not true that you judge the type of leader in a nation by the things that go on in the nation? There is a song we used to sing: He's got the whole world in His hands He's got the whole wide world in His hands He's got the whole world in His hands He's got the whole world in His hands The words of this song cannot be true because the Bible clearly says that Satan is the god of this world. The devil said that the kingdoms of this world had been handed over to him: “And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine” (Luke 4:5-7).

Some of the kingdoms in this world are Ghana, England, America, Iran, Kosovo, Iraq, Sierra Leone, Israel, Nigeria, Liberia, Cameroon, Angola, and India. The devil showed Jesus some of these kingdoms. Jesus refused to bow to the devil and so He was not given the control of the nations of the world. They stayed within the hands and the clutches of the devil. God is Almighty and reigns over all things. However, the devil is the one that controls this earthly world now. He said He could give it to whomsoever He would. This is why Germany for instance, may be developed but there is also a lot of unhappiness among the people. Switzerland may have a lot of money but there is a lot of pain, sorrow and depression there.

Of course we know that one day "the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign forever and ever, (Revelation 11:15). The devil is the one ruling the world today. He causes the diseases and the sicknesses in this world. Jesus cast out devils from many of the people that He healed. So many problems are caused by the devil. Until you get to the root of the problem you often do not get them solved. This is why Jesus is in the healing business. This is why we believe in healing. We can never stop believing in healing. I have seen many miracles in my ministry. I want to encourage you to believe in miracles because miracles are real and I see miracles happening to you right now! Jesus is the Sun of righteousness with healing in His wings.

DO NOT DENYTHE POWER OFGOD

“Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him” (James 5:14,15). The Bible teaches us in these verses what to do when we need healing.

1. GOD HAS THE POWER TO HEAL OUR SICKNESSES. Unfortunately, there are some people and some churches, who do not accept, recognize, preach about or mention the power of God. There are many good ministers who would talk about good Christian virtues like love, patience etc. but do not go on to talk about the power of God.

2. THE BIBLE HAS WARNED THAT IN THE LAST DAYS THERE WILL BE SOME PEOPLE WHO WILL HAVE GODLINESS BUT WITHOUT POWER. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS, BUT DENYING THE POWER THEREOF: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). According to this Scripture, those who deny the power of God can be godly. Such people will preach about the love of God and will extol Christian virtues but be silent about the power of God. I believe that the power of the Holy Spirit is real. May I make a suggestion? Take a pair of scissors and cut out all the pages and parts of the Bible that talk about miracles. You will find out that you are left with virtually nothing. The pages of the Bible are replete with miracles.

3. GOD IS A GOD OF MIRACLES AND POWER. YOU CANNOT SEPARATE THE SERVICE OF GOD FROM HIS POWER.

In this modern age, people have gradually moved away from the power side of God. People have withdrawn and become more sceptical. As people have become more and more educated, they have moved away from the supernatural. Unfortunately, people who believe in miracles are seen as weird and unbalanced. Some have taught that it is poverty and backwardness that make people believe in supernatural power. Because medical science is so advanced, many have thought subconsciously that miracles are no longer needed. Most Christians do not call for the pastor to lay hands on them or to anoint them with oil when they are sick. We more naturally go to see a doctor. God is not against medicine. Neither is He against common sense. God is fully aware of the development of medical science and common sense. But He is the same yesterday, today and forever. That means that He is still a healing Jesus, ready and capable of much miraculous power demonstration

Chapter 25

Understanding the Gift of Healing

Healing: A Special Gift

Many of us do not realize the link between the temptation of Jesus Christ and the preaching of His first message in the synagogue when He said that the spirit of the Lord was upon Him. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised” (Luke 4:18). When Jesus was taken up to the high mountain, He was shown all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. In other words, the devil gave Him a vision. Now, Jesus had come to this world to save us and to rescue humanity. He was planning to reach everyone. But in a moment of time, the devil showed him all that he was coming to suffer for. The devil said: "Listen, let's make a deal. I will give everything to you right now. You can have it all now. There is a quicker, shorter and simpler way. You do not have to go through all the struggles you have to go through with the Pharisees and Sadducees." Jesus saw an opportunity to win the whole world but He turned it down. When He came out of that temptation and went to church, Jesus began to preach. His first message was, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me." Jesus was announcing that He was going to accomplish the work He had to do (salvation of the world) by the power of the Spirit of the Lord that was upon Him. Jesus was saying that He could accomplish what He had to accomplish without bowing to the devil and without going in another way. He said that God had anointed Him to heal the broken-hearted.

Different Kinds of Anointing

There are different kinds of anointing. There is an anointing for healing. The healing anointing is peculiar to the New Testament. It is a special anointing that God has available for His church. The healing anointing is a peculiar anointing made available to His church. Many people think that the Old and the New Testaments have many miracles. However, a closer look at the Old Testament will reveal very few healing miracles.

The miracles of the Old Testament had to do with the preservation of the nation of Israel. Of all the prophets, Elisha was one of the few who ever ministered to someone who was sick. The rest of them did mainly miracles that had to do with the preservation in time of war. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and Elijah never ministered healing to anyone. Isaiah and Jeremiah came around preaching and teaching. Healing did not occur in their ministries.

The Ministry of Jesus Christ

1. HEALING: A SIGN TO JOHN THE BAPTIST

The whole Bible is supernatural but when we speak of healing, we speak of the Christ. When John the Baptist sent a message to Jesus asking if He was the Messiah, Jesus sent back a message saying that the blind were seeing, the deaf were hearing and the dumb were speaking. He said that lepers were being cleansed, and the dead were being raised. He knew that John the Baptist would understand that the healings were the sign of Christ. He knew that when that message was delivered to John the Baptist, He would know that a new era had begun. The sign of the Messiah was clear. The Old Testament ministers predicted the healing anointing on Jesus but none of them actually ministered healing. That is why Jesus announced that He had been anointed by the Spirit of God to preach and to heal.

2. HEALING: THE CLOSING PROPHECY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings” (Malachi 4:2). The Old Testament closed with a prediction of healing. The prophet Malachi saw hundreds of years into the future and predicted that there would arise the Sun of righteousness who would be the light of the world. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world." But how would we know who the real Messiah was? The prophet said he would have healing in his wings! Is it any wonder to you that the main characteristic of Jesus' ministry was healing?

THE HEALING ANOINTING IS OUR ONLY CHANCE

The healing anointing is our only chance to reach the world for Jesus Christ. It is our only chance to reach every kindred, nation and people for the Kingdom. It is the opportunity for ministers to accomplish what God has called them for. It was available for the twelve disciples and for the seventy people that Jesus sent out. It is still available for all of us through the Great Commission. It is for all of us if we will begin to know and realize what God has given to us.

1. GOD'S STRATEGY AND METHOD FOR REACHING THE WORLD

Once, when election results were released from the different regions of my country, I realized how many millions of souls lived in remote regions. God's heart is bleeding for lost souls. There is no need for us to bow to political pressure to provide social services for the nation. It is not the provision of social services like schools and universities that make us useful to the nation. The church is a special institution anointed by God with special power and anointing. By that power and anointing, we will be able to do what God has called us to do. He has chosen preaching, teaching and healing as His method for reaching lost humanity.

2. THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CHURCH TO COME OUT OF OBSCURITY. Jesus was brought up in an insignificant carpenter's home, but God gave Him something special. What would bring Jesus out of obscurity? What would make anyone listen to his message? What could Jesus do without modern methods of advertisement? The healing anointing is what brought Jesus out of obscurity. The healing anointing is our chance to rise out of obscurity. Jesus never wrote a book, travelled in a car, took a train or plane but he became famous. The Bible says that, "His fame spread abroad", and the whole city gathered at his door. If we want the cities of this world to gather at the door of our crusades, then we need the healing anointing. If we want the cities of this world to gather in our churches then the healing anointing is that key. The healing anointing will bring the whole city to our door so that we can tell them about Jesus Christ.

3. HEALING FOR THE BROKEN-HEARTED.

Jesus said that He was anointed to heal the broken-hearted. There is more to having a broken-heart than breaking up with your boyfriend or girlfriend. Broken hearts are caused by disappointments in general. Many people have been surprised by what life has brought them. People live as though everything is okay but they are bleeding, disappointed and hurting inside. Many of man's problems cannot be cured by drugs, or by the psychologist or by the psychiatrist. Many people need a touch from God to give them hope. God is in the business of coming into your life to heal your broken heart. He is ready to lift you from where you are and take you forward! Many politicians wonder why people keep coming to church because they think that the pastors are just taking money from the masses. They wonder why the people do not see through the supposed deception. You see, the problems that people have are often not apparent. People are smiling on the outside but are crying on the inside. Those who criticize the church don't know what the church does for people. I remember watching an interview of a famous healing evangelist on television. He was asked many questions about his salary, his house and his car. The talk show host was trying to make him look foolish. Then they opened the phone lines and a gentleman called in to be prayed for. Suddenly the atmosphere changed. The caller had cancer and was dying. He wanted the evangelist to pray for him. All the cynical questions that the host had asked meant nothing now. The television host was faced with a desperate, weepy caller who urgently needed help. Only the evangelist could offer that help. The relevance of the evangelist's ministry was obvious to all. More people kept calling and asking for prayer for their pathetic and often hopeless conditions. People have needs and the healing anointing will meet those needs.

4. THE HEALING ANOINTING MAKES THE CHURCH OF GOD RELEVANT. "To be relevant", means, "to be important". We become relevant to the world when the healing anointing is in operation. It is when the broken-hearted are restored and the poor have the good news preached to them that we become relevant. Evil spirits torment people and bring fear into their lives. The healing anointing will deliver people from evil spirits. Many African nations are ruled by fear and superstition. Through the healing anointing, the curses are broken and healing comes. Many tribes in Africa understand supernatural power.

If you have the healing anointing, you can stand before natives who dabble in evil supernatural power and challenge them. However, if you just have a little Sunday school sermon, you will be no match for the witches and wizards of our time. There is so much superstition in Africa. There are rivers where fishing is not allowed and dams cannot be built because of the belief in the presence of gods. Sometimes people are not even allowed to fetch water from these rivers. People are afraid of so many different things. Sometimes out of superstition, we fear to put on certain clothes at certain times. You cannot put streetlights on certain roads because of the presence of gods who supposedly inhabit these roads. People are afraid to use certain roads at certain times. They are afraid to turn off the lights. People are sometimes afraid to travel on Fridays. There is a kind of superstition surrounding travelling on the 13th of any particular month. If the 13th falls on a Friday, it makes it worse. Even airlines are aware of this. There is no seat number thirteen in many aircrafts. There is no thirteenth floor in many apartment buildings. One day, I was travelling on an aircraft. We had a rough landing and the pilot apologized for that and explained that the reason for the rough landing was because it was Friday, the 13th. Many people live in fear. The church becomes relevant when it has something to offer. We become relevant when we have the answers to people's needs. No government can offer what the church offers through the power of the Holy Spirit. No politician can give what the church gives. Neither teachers nor medical doctors can give what the church gives. Only God can heal our broken hearts and save us. Every part of the world needs the healing anointing. Our relevance as a church does not come about by starting schools or universities. The government is the one supposed to provide education. When the church does provide education, it must be seen as assistance that we give to the nation. The salvation of mankind is provided through the cross of Jesus Christ. We have been charged with the Great Commission. No other institution has been charged with this Great Commission. Our relevance comes from preaching and teaching about Jesus. Our relevance comes from healing the sick. It comes from casting out devils.

5. THE CAPTIVES ARE SET FREE

People are possessed with devils. One day, I saw a friend of mine who was high on drugs. I just felt so sad. These problems cannot be solved except for the healing anointing. It is the only thing that can deliver people from drugs, alcohol, and immorality. Many people are bound. They can't be free. The healing anointing will set people free from everything that keeps them in bondage. The healing anointing will bring children to a woman. What a woman goes through when she cannot have a child is agonizing. I happened to watch a documentary in which a snake was inserted into a woman as a treatment for infertility. She had been to see a fetish priest for help and this is the kind of help they had offered her to enable her to have a child. I said to myself, "The difficulties that the problems of infertility bring are beyond comprehension." We are all so afraid of snakes that we do not even want to go near them when they are caged. We all have goose pimples when we even see a snake on television. To see a woman willingly permit a snake to be inserted into her body in order to have a baby shows the extent of her need. People have asked me why I left the medical profession to preach. They wonder if I am doing anything important as a preacher. What I do today is far more important than practising medicine full time. If Jesus could have helped the world better through medicine, He would have been a doctor. But He was a preacher and that should tell you something. Jesus announced that He had come to set at liberty them that were bruised. A bruised person is someone who is hurt. Life is full of pain, hurt and disappointments, and Jesus' healing anointing is to heal the hurt and the bruised. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised” (Luke 4:18).

6. THE BASIC NEEDS OF MAN ARE MET.

In the Old Testament, Elisha went to heal the waters of a town because there was something wrong with the water. “And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren. And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him. And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land. So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake” (2 Kings 2:19-22). Water defines your living conditions. When God heals your waters, He is meeting the basic needs of your life. God is showing you that there are many needy people in this world. There are people who have no treatment for their sicknesses. In poor African countries, some women deliver their babies under trees. This is why we are anointed to preach the gospel to the poor. The poor of this world far outnumber the rich. God is extending our hearts to the poor. You cannot go to the poor of this world and talk to them unless you have some good news. They want to know how the gospel will practically affect their lives. How can they understand the doctrines of the gospel with all their problems, their sicknesses and their extreme poverty? We need to pray for more miracles. Our hearts must desire more miracles; otherwise, we will continue to stay in our little corners having a good time while the masses go to Hell. “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise” (Jeremiah 17: 14). The healing methods of man are greatly deficient. The fact that God heals does not mean that he does not approve of medical science. God is not against medicine. In fact, the intelligence that has been given to human beings to develop drugs by isolating chemicals is from God. He is the source of that gift.

As a doctor, I believe in medical science.9 Thank God for medical science and for doctors. We cannot do without them. They are a part of us and of our lives. However, God has more in store for us than medical science. He can do what medical science cannot do. He does things which medical science cannot do. Sometimes, he does things that medical science can do. We often don't really know what God does. All we know is that he does good things. I like telling the story of a man who was saved from an earthquake in San Francisco. He was interviewed after his earthquake experience. He had survived three days and nights during the earthquake, under the building and in the rubble. He was asked how he had been able to stay alive under the collapsed building for such a long time. He replied, "I am a man of strong willpower. When I determine to do something, nothing can stop me. I am able to stay on course. I don't swerve to the left or to the right. I am a man of strong determination and willpower and so I refused to die. I was determined to live and that is why I believe I stayed alive."

His wife was interviewed as well. She said, "Well, I know my husband and I have been married to him for many years. He is a man of very strong willpower. When he determines to do something, nothing can move him to the left or to the right. He is a firm man. He is a very determined person. He carries through his projects. He has a choleric personality. He moves forward. He is the type who does not waver in spite of adversities. I know my man. I've been married to him for twenty-seven years so I think when he determined he would live, he just stayed alive." This man's doctor was interviewed as well. He was asked, "What do you have to say about your patient who has survived this amazing experience?" He answered, "Well, I know my patient; he is a man of very strong willpower. He has survived because willpower is very important in a patient's life. When a patient decides to die, he dies. When he decides to live, he lives." Eight days later this man with the strong will-power was struck with a heart attack. He died instantly. Then I asked myself, "Where was his willpower?" It is true that the tractors and bulldozers had been able to rescue and save him. The doctors had been able to resuscitate him in hospital but he was not really saved. It was just a few days more before everyone was able to see that he had not truly been saved or healed. That is why we must turn our eyes to the Lord and say, "Heal me, Oh Lord and I will be healed. Save me and I will be saved." It is when the Lord stretches out his hand to heal you that you will be truly healed.

6. THE HEALING ANOINTING IS THE REASON WHY JESUS DID NOT BOW TO THE DEVIL. The devil offered Jesus a fast and easy way to obtain all that he wanted. But Jesus knew that He had something that would help Him save the whole world. That was the healing anointing. This is why He ignored the devil and totally refused Satan's suggestion. He announced that He was anointed when He came out of His temptation: “The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me (or equipped me) to preach the gospel to the poor. He has equipped me to heal, to preach deliverance, to set the captives free, to set at liberty them that are bruised and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:19). Notice that Jesus always taught the Word of God. Remember that the Word of God is very important no matter how you minister to people. The Word of God must always be taught and spoken. That is why I preach and teach the Word of God and do not just pray for people. People can receive their healing when they receive the Word. I want you to notice Jesus' preaching topic. He preached deliverance. We need to preach certain things if we are going to have them. Some people wonder why we don't have miracles on Sundays or at weddings. They wonder why we don't preach about love during miracle services. The Word of God is described as "seed". The kind of response you get depends on the kind of seed that is sown. You do not get any response before you preach. That is why I preach about the healing anointing. If I don't preach about it, we are not going to have it. When you preach about the healing anointing, the anointing begins to feel free in the midst of the people. The people receive a certain understanding and perception of what the healing anointing is and what it can do. They are then able to receive the anointing into their lives.

7. ESTABLISHES THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

“And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you” (Luke 10:9). The arrival of the Kingdom of God is demonstrated by the undoing of the things that were done by the devil's kingdom. That is why Jesus healed the sick. He undid the sicknesses that were brought on by the devil. He cast out evil spirits, which had inhabited human beings. The devil has distorted nature such that storms and earthquakes kill people. Jesus demonstrated his ability to stop all these distortions of nature. That is why he could rebuke storms, walk on water and demonstrate his power over all the distortions of nature. Jesus even overcame death. Before he went to the grave himself, he raised some people from the dead who had been killed by the devil. He demonstrated that the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven had actually come. That is why Jesus sent his disciples to go and heal the sick and inform them that the Kingdom of God had arrived. The sign of the new kingdom was the undoing of the works of the devil. “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name” (Luke 10: 17).

8. PRODUCES JOY

There is much joy when you see the power of God manifested. You begin to get excited. Some people do not know that the Kingdom of God is exciting. The only excitement they have is in nightclubs and in worldly pleasures. When you do the work of God in his way, you experience such joy and excitement beyond description. That is why the Bible says the seventy returned with joy. Demons ran and fled as they prayed. Sicknesses were healed. The healing anointing is our chance for a certain level of joy and excitement. I believe that God is bringing that rejoicing back into our midst

9. EXTENDS THE INFLUENCE OF THE PASTORAL MINISTRY.

It is difficult to gather one hundred people in a room or under a tree. People have interesting programmes to watch on television. There are lots of things to entertain the people of today. People will not just leave their pleasures to attend your boring church service. The healing anointing is the chance for pastors to gather crowds for the glory of God.

10. EXTENDS THE INFLUENCE OF THE TEACHING MINISTRY.

It is a chance for the teaching ministry to be taken more seriously. Many years ago, when I first came into contact with Kenneth Hagin through his books and tapes, I took what he said very seriously because of the supernatural element of his teaching. I noticed that he always shared a lot of supernatural stories when he taught the Word of God. He wrote about his visions and the miracle healings at his meetings. These made me develop a special interest in his other teachings. If God has called you to be a teacher, the healing anointing is the chance for your teaching ministry to go further than you have ever imagined.

11. THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE GOD’S GLORY.

Thank God for preaching and teaching but the healing anointing is our chance for the glory of God. It is our opportunity to see the glory of God. Jesus said, "Did I not tell you, that if you will believe you shall see the glory of God?" “Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” (John 11:40). We have to believe in Him. We have to encourage the healing anointing. We have to say, "Yes, Lord." Preaching and teaching are all part of the power of God. But I am talking about healing now. The healing anointing is our chance to experience the glory of God.

12. THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO DEEPER WITH GOD.

It is our opportunity to go deeper in God and with God. Many of us don't know that there are deeper things in God. The Bible says, "deep calls unto deep". In other words, if you are not deep you cannot reach for the deep things that are in God. Everybody has his deep things. If your "deep" is not calling or speaking, my "deep" will not respond. If the conversation we have is like "Hi" and "Bye" and "Hello", the deep part of me will not come forth to you because it is your shallow part that is coming forth to me. But when you relate deeply with a person, the "deep" part in you comes forth.

When you tell a friend what is in your heart, the deep part in the person who is listening responds. That is why the Bible says, "deep calls unto deep". As far as God is concerned, people who are just relating to Him on a shallow level are not going to experience the deep things of God. God longs for the deeper part of you to begin to call out to Him. There is more to God than we know. There is more to God than we see. There is more to the ministry than what we are doing. There is more than just preaching and teaching.

God is bringing that "more" into our lives. Sometime ago, while I was in the presence of the Lord in a deep moment, the Lord told me that He had given me a healing anointing. He told me He was going to use me in the healing ministry because He had anointed me to heal the sick. That is why I am praying for the sick and preaching about the healing anointing. That is why I have seen so many healing miracles in my "Healing Jesus Crusades". We have experienced God's power and we are going deeper. The anointing is a river. People don't know that the anointing is a river. You have to allow the river to start flowing. Until it begins to flow, you will never see the things contained in the river. As it flows, different experiences will come to you. In the end, the total picture will be that God anointed you to do good.

Chapter 26

Healing and The Power of The Holy Spirit

Healing: The Power and Fire of The Holy Spirit

The healing anointing is the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a special aspect of the Holy Spirit's work. Why do I say that? You will notice that the power and the fire of the Holy Spirit are mentioned as distinct dimensions. In the book of Luke, Chapter 4, the Bible says that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness: “And Jesus being full of the Holy Spirit returned from Jordan, and WAS LED BY THE SPIRIT into the wilderness” (Luke 4:1). Jesus was "led by the Spirit" to go into the wilderness. However, when He came back, the Bible says He came in the "power of the Spirit". “And Jesus returned in THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about” (Luke 4:14).

1. THE SCRIPTURES SHOW A CLEAR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ORDINARY ANOINTING AND THE POWER DIMENSION OF THE ANOINTING.

Jesus went away being led by the anointing but returned under the power of the anointing. The Bible tells us in Acts 10:38 that God anointed Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit and with power. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND WITH POWER: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38).

Once again, the Bible makes a difference between the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Holy Spirit. These two are mentioned separately for a reason. You see, there are many other dimensions of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps one of the most prominent things about the Holy Spirit is His love. The Bible speaks of the fruit of the spirit. The Bible separates the anointing and the power for you to see that they are two separate things. Why did the Bible not just say that Jesus had been anointed with the Holy Spirit? It's because there is a difference between having the Holy Spirit and having the power of the Holy Spirit.

Dear pastors, teachers, elders, church leaders and whoever you are, God is showing us that there is a power dimension to the Holy Spirit. Thank God, you are anointed. But God is trying to give you both the anointing and the power. Notice what John the Baptist said about Jesus. He said Jesus would have both the Holy Spirit and fire. “John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire” (Luke 3:16). Once again, you will notice that fire is mentioned separately. There is a fire dimension of the Holy Spirit. Fire is a type of power. Jesus would have not just the anointing, but also the power and the fire of the anointing. Every pastor can be anointed with the Holy. But every pastor can also be anointed with power.

2. YOUR MINISTRY WILL CHANGE WHEN YOU HAVE BOTH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

You can be a beautiful teacher of the Word of God but you can also have a power dimension to your teaching ministry. There is a fire dimension of ministry. The fire of the Holy Spirit will burn every chaff and every wicked work of the devil. That is the dimension of the anointing that God is trying to bring us into. It is the tangible dimension. It is the power and the fire. Many of us know the fruit of the Holy Spirit, such as love, patience, peace and joy. We believe that these qualities are what the Holy Spirit brings to our lives. We know that He baptizes us and helps us to speak in tongues. But there is more. I want you to understand that the Holy Spirit came to replace Jesus. When Jesus was going away, he said, "I am sending somebody who is going to be with you and He is going to be another Comforter. He is going to be with you and He is going to help you. He is going to do the things I did" (John 16:7). Jesus was the first Comforter and the Holy Spirit is another Comforter.

“On the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples, the Bible tells us that there was a sound. And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:1,2). There is a physical dimension of the Holy Spirit. There is a tangible dimension. There is a dimension in which the Holy Spirit moves out of the invisible, the intangible, to the visible, the tangible and the touchable.

3. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A SPIRT BUT HE ALSO OPERATES IN THE PHYSICAL, TANGIBLE DIMENSION.

Sometimes, people experience the Holy Spirit at miracle services and even feel Him. They say things like, "I felt a cool breeze come over me." If witches and idols can speak, how much more the Holy Spirit? We are used to the love, patience, goodness and gentleness of the Spirit. We are used to the speaking of tongues. We are used to all these things. But we need to open up to the other dimension where the Holy Spirit does things in the tangible and physical dimension.

It is in this dimension that you begin to see healings taking place. That is when the invisible becomes visible and physical changes happen. Would there not be some sound if somebody walked into a room? That is why they heard the sound of wind when the Holy Spirit descended on the day of Pentecost. They saw tongues of fire and they heard the sound of wind. The invisible had now become visible. The untouchable had now become tangible. listen to people carefully when they testify at miracle services. Somebody said that he heard a voice saying certain things to him. Perhaps you are not used to such things. Possibly, you are outside that dimension. It is time to come into the power dimension of the Holy Spirit. After the sight and sound of the Holy Spirit, their bodies began to react to that dimension of the Holy Spirit. Their tongues began to move and they started to speak in tongues. That is the power dimension. This is an experience we read about in the Bible that is for us today. There is a difference between a pastor and a schoolteacher. God is going to make the difference between you and a schoolteacher clear through the power dimension of the Holy Spirit. At different times, when I have spoken in tongues, people claimed I was speaking a language they understood. The Holy Spirit is real. Secular magazines now claim that prayer works. They have done scientific studies to prove that church members have more peaceful sleep than non-church members. They were able to establish that people who are prayed for are healed and more blessed than those who are not prayed for. It has been proven that prayer affected mice and killed bacteria. She Felt the Healing Power Going back to the story of the woman with the issue of blood; we know that she had a bleeding problem. She had suffered a lot from physicians but was still sick. “Then, she touched Jesus and felt within herself that she was healed. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague” (Mark 5:24- 34). This woman experienced the physical dimension of the Holy Spirit.

4. THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL CHANGE YOUR MIND.

Many years ago, I attended a Christian programme. I was a young convert then and I slept through the programme. But the Spirit of the Lord came upon me and I was changed. I remember meeting a friend after that programme. He said to me, "You have changed greatly." What happened to you? You see, the Spirit of God had come upon me even though I fell asleep at the programme. You will be turned into a different kind of person when the Holy Spirit touches you. He is real. He is the secret behind the miracles.

5. JESUS DIDN'T TRY TO DO ANYTHING BEFORE THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME. The discussion between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit could be compared to a situation in which you and I would deliberate on how to save an ant that has broken one of its six legs. We would have to decide to become an ant so that we could attend to the problems of the ant. So the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit had a discussion on how to rescue mankind. Somebody had to pay the legal price for the redemption of mankind. There would be no further discussions after the price is paid. The Lord Jesus decided to go to the Earth for that purpose. However, at a point He said to the Holy Spirit "I am going to need you because you are the one who has the power." The Holy Spirit said, "Okay, you take the lead. At the right time, I will join you."

Jesus came to the Earth and He was born in a manger. He grew up with His father and mother. He had favour before God and man. He behaved in a Christian way. He had a good character, and people liked Him. By his character, He witnessed to people and they were impressed. He even taught in the synagogue and some people were amazed. “And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke. 2:47,52). But that is not all there is to ministry. When Jesus was thirty years old, the Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness. During Jesus' baptism, the Father told the Holy Spirit, "It is time to go." Jesus had been waiting for the Holy Spirit. He knew that great things were going to happen with the coming of the Holy Spirit.

6. IT WAS WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT ARRIVED THAT JESUS WENT OUT PREACHING.

His first message was that the Spirit had come upon him and had anointed him. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised” (Luke 4:18). That was when the miracles began to happen. The chance for any ministry to do something is the healing anointing. People were impressed with Jesus when He debated as a child in the synagogue. Perhaps people are impressed with you but God wants you to go a step further. He wants to put a certain anointing on you so that your life will begin to affect thousands of people. The healing anointing is not just for one or two people. As soon as Jesus Himself began to operate with it, he called the twelve and sent them out. Then he called the seventy and said, "Go and heal the sick; do what I am doing." He didn't wait till He went away. He just said, "You go ahead and do it." Then when He was leaving the earth He gave us the Great Commission: "Go into all the world, preach the gospel, these signs shall follow you." At first, I used to wonder if the testimonies of people were real. It would then be easy to say that the sound of the rushing wind was superstition. It is also easy to say that the tongues of fire were not real. Then nothing is real! Then Heaven and Hell are delusions of the psychologically imbalanced. Dear friend, don't let anyone deceive you. Pastors must walk in the power dimension of the Holy Spirit. Whatever your calling is, you must have the power dimension.

27. Dimensions of The Healing Anointing

The Six Dimensions of Healing

1. HEALING OF SICK BODIES

“And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them” (Matthew 8:14,15). The healing anointing heals fevers, sicknesses, headaches, and pains. It also heals heart diseases and cancers. God is a healer and Jesus is a healing Jesus. I remember once I was in a certain city, ministering at a miracle service. A lady came up with breast cancer. As a doctor, I know what breast cancer is. I prayed for her. As I was praying for her, I said, "Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed, save me and I will be saved." Doctors can do very little about breast cancer. Cancer is often a death sentence. This lady went back to the hospital because she was supposed to have an operation. She told the doctors she believed the cancer had vanished. She reported how the doctors examined her and were surprised that the cancer had disappeared. They were so amazed they asked her to return for further examination. A few months later, these same doctors confirmed that there was no trace of cancer in the lady's breast. God is a healer. I have witnessed many lumps and tumours disappearing at miracle services. The healing anointing prolongs your life. The devil wants to shorten your life. But God will give you long life and prolong your days. In many African countries, the life expectancy (the number of years an average person born in a particular country is expected to live) is low. The healing anointing will extend it! You will live and not die because there is a healing anointing coming your way right now.

2. HEALING THE BROKEN-HEARTED

The heart of a person speaks of the very centre and core of the human being. A broken heart is a disappointed heart. It is a shocked and bereaved heart. Many broken-hearted people become depressed. I have had many depressed people in my miracle meetings testify about how they felt the spirit of depression leaving them. Thank God, for the healing anointing which can heal the heart. The church is a place where the healing anointing will heal every disappointed heart. Jesus is in the business of healing disappointed hearts. Depression is a common and serious illness. You would often not realize how devastating depression is until you become depressed yourself.

Suicide is a common thing among depressed people. I have seen different people commit suicide. Medical students have committed suicide. I have seen doctors commit suicide. I have seen men with good jobs in the United Nations commit suicide. I have seen church members with apparently normal and blessed lives commit suicide. These people were probably depressed and felt life was hopeless. God can heal depression through his power. In the medical world, drugs and electric shocks are used to treat depression. Thank God, for the healing anointing which heals the broken-hearted and depressed people of this world. 3. HEALING THE WILL

The healing anointing heals the soul, which consists of the intellect, the will and the emotions of man. The inability of some people to say "no" to things that destroy them is a sign of a diseased will. Some people cannot say "no" to drinking, smoking and sex. The healing anointing heals you of the inability to take decisions.

4. HEALING THE SOUL

“He restoreth my soul:...” (Psalm 23:3). The soul is devastated by sin. Our emotions and minds are often damaged by experiences we have had. Through the healing anointing, we receive restoration to our minds, our wills and our emotions. Some people cannot love anyone. Others cannot receive love. These are all symptoms of damaged and wounded people who need healing. I once watched a documentary of a nineteen-year-old black American who was a serial bank robber. He escaped from jail many times until he was put in a maximum-security prison for life. I watched with compassion as this teenager with a diseased mind was caged like an animal for life. Why do you think one out of every four black American males is in jail? They are wounded and diseased in their souls. These are people broken by years of discrimination, poverty, racism and fatherlessness.

5. HEALING THE DEMON-POSSESSED

“And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of the disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came near to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; AND THEY THAT WERE VEXED WITH UNCLEAN SPIRITS: AND THEY WERE HEALED” (Luke 6:17,18). In this Scripture, we see how people who were set free from evil spirits were described as being healed. The healing anointing touches lives afflicted by demons. The healing anointing is not just for the healing of sicknesses but for healing the effects of demon oppression. When the healing anointing is present, it drives away evil spirits. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and HEALING ALL THAT WERE OPPRESSED OF THE DEVIL; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38).

Many people have evil spirits. Anybody who is oppressed by the devil or has any demonic activity in his life needs the healing anointing. Jesus healed people who were vexed with unclean spirits. Demons see people as homes where they can live. Many people who were delivered from evil spirits testified that they felt something go out of them. The human being is like a house with many rooms. Jesus described how evil spirits see human beings as houses where they could live. A house has many rooms. Some of the rooms of the house are used more than others. The rooms of a human being could be his mind, temperament, the flesh, the hearts, the attitudes, the emotions, the will and the understanding. “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there…” (Matthew 12:43-45).

There are people whose emotions and moods are occupied by evil spirits. We all do have emotions. We are happy sometimes and sad at other times. But some people become moody very often. No one is able to stay around such people when they get into their moods. Such people often have demons working through their moods. Some people have evil spirits occupying their sexual lives. Others have evil spirits in their minds and understanding. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, healing comes to all these afflicted areas.

6. BREAKING YOKES

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing” (Isaiah 10:27). A yoke is something that keeps you captive in such a way that you can't come out. A yoke is something you can't stop or get away from. Blindness and paralysis for example are yokes. A yoke is a heavy burden that keeps you fixed in a particular state so that your movement and freedom is limited. A cow, which is under a yoke, is being kept in a particular state. It cannot move to the left or to the right. It's under a yoke. The anointing of the Holy Spirit is a yoke breaking and a yoke- destroying anointing. It will heal anything that has tied and fixed you, for your destruction. The healing anointing can break that yoke in your life. The Bible says, "The yoke is destroyed because of the anointing." Some people seem doomed to die tragically no matter what they do. That is the yoke of death. There are some people who are told by the devil that they will divorce when they marry. Divorce seems to be their destiny. They seem to be destined and tied to unhappiness in marriage.

Some nations are under yokes. No matter what they do and what type of governments they have, they go in a particular direction. A yoke is something that is tied around your neck that pulls you in a particular direction. I want you to know that God has loosed you from that yoke and everything that the enemy has fixed you to. The anointing of the Lord is breaking every yoke, every power, and every wicked thing in the name of Jesus Christ! The healing anointing is coming into your life right now as you read this textbook.

You will realize that almost everything about our lives requires healing. I wonder if pastors should be called pastors if they are not involved with healing. The example of Jesus is before us. Healing was central to his ministry. Most of us ministers are more like schoolteachers rather than pastors. When the healing anointing begins to flow, the burdens will be taken off the shoulders of the people. The yokes will be removed from the Christians through the healing anointing. God will destroy the yokes in the Christian's life through the anointing. You can't help but see the healing anointing everywhere in the New Testament. It is part of our calling. Jesus told us, "Go preach the gospel, heal the sick and inform them that a new kingdom has arrived." This is part of our work. That is why I have been conducting healing meetings. That is why I do not withdraw from the healing ministry. There are many easier things to do than to conduct healing meetings. To preach is relatively easier than ministering to the sick. The Prophet Branham had the opportunity to minister to thousands because of the healing anointing that was upon his life. Pastors will have the opportunity to preach to thousands because of the healing anointing on them. There is a difference between the church and a school or hospital. There is a difference between the church and every other social organization. The difference is the anointing of the Holy Spirit. We are not afraid of any disease. The Bible says that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall swear that Jesus Christ is Lord. Jesus demonstrates his power over every kind of sickness and infirmity. It is time to gather whole cities! And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. Mark 1:32-34. The healing anointing is our opportunity to gather the whole city to our churches. The healing anointing is our opportunity to gather the whole city to our crusades. The work of God will enter a new dimension when we operate in the healing anointing of Christ. If God anointed Jesus, then God can anoint you.

28. Characteristics of The Healing Anointing

An Overview of The Healing Anointing

1. THE HEALING ANOINTING IS THE ANOINTING UPON YOU AND NOT THE ANOINTING WITHIN YOU.

“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him” (1 John 2:27). The anointing upon you is different from the anointing in you. Many people do not understand the difference. The Bible teaches that we can all be filled with the Holy Spirit and out of our bellies shall flow rivers of living water. “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). Since we all have these rivers of living waters flowing out of us, don't we all have the healing anointing? The anointing every Christian has is the anointing within. Jesus also claimed to have something within Him. He claimed to have God in Him. And yet he knew when the mantle of the healing anointing had come upon Him. “But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him” (John 10:38). The healing anointing is however another anointing that God places upon the minister. That is why Jesus said that, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…." “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised” (Luke 4:18).

It is like a cloak that comes upon the minister. When the Lord told me that he was giving me a healing anointing, He was not filling me with a new anointing. I was already filled with the Spirit. He was putting an anointing upon me. That is why the anointing is sometimes referred to as a cloak or a mantle. A mantle is something you put on. It is not something that you swallow or you take in. It typifies the anointing that comes upon a person for a special ministry.

2. THE HEALING ANOINTING IS ACTIVATED BY FAITH.

The anointing will not work when there is a lot of doubt. The woman with the issue of blood had faith in the power of God upon Jesus. She didn't know Him personally. She had just heard that there was power around Him. She felt that the power could even be in His clothes. She touched the hem of His garment and virtue and anointing flowed out of Jesus and into her body. “For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague” (Mark 5:28,34). Jesus was going to somebody's house to heal a little girl who was dying. Jesus was surprised when He felt the pull at His clothes. Suddenly, He knew that virtue had gone out of Him. Jesus turned round in the crowd and asked who had touched Him.

The disciples were not happy when they found out who it was. They were not happy about what was going on in the service. It is often like that. The disciples who should have been in the flow were walking around and probably yawning, and getting tired of all the people. They just wanted to enjoy their privileges as Jesus' bodyguards. The lady told Jesus all that had happened. She was uneasy because she felt people might think that she was trying to undress Jesus in public. But she had felt the power of God going through her. The only thing Jesus said to her was, "Daughter, thy faith had made thee whole." Jesus gave the key to the flow of the anointing. Faith is the key that draws out the anointing from the anointed one. I have noticed that people who have faith in me draw out the gift of God in me. It makes it easier for me to even receive a word of knowledge about them. The faith they have in me actually draws out the gift in me and makes a demand on the anointing.

Since I was born, nobody has tried to touch the hem of my garment. You must really believe in a person to touch the hem of his garment for your healing. That faith and absolute trust in the person, causes the anointing to be stirred up. It is real. I notice that as I experience love and trust from my spiritual children, the anointing that is UPON me is also made to flow. This is what the Bible says in Hebrews: “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24). One day, Elisha was passing through a town. A woman asked her husband to make a room for the man of God. Once again, we see a woman recognizing the anointing before the man notices anything at all. She told her husband, " Let's do something for this man of God who is passing through the town." He said, "Okay, give the man a room in the house." One day, Elisha asked the lady, "What do you want from God?" That is the question that the anointing asks everyone who has faith. What do you want? When you have faith, the anointing is stirred up and begins to ask-what do you want? What do you need? What is your desire?" “And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem where was a great woman, and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed and a table, and a stool and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn to thither. And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there” (2 Kings 4:8-11). The woman said, "I live in my own hometown and with my own people." She needed a child. And God gave it to her because she stirred up the anointing in Elisha. God is going to give you what you have asked for. Your faith is what will make you whole. Have faith in God. Have faith in God's servants. Have faith in the healing anointing.

3. THE HEALING ANOINTING IS QUENCHED AND KILLED BY FAMILIARITY. In the textbook of Mark, we learn how Jesus went to his own hometown to preach. He was a known carpenter in that town. They couldn't believe that the same carpenter was saying he had been anointed to preach, heal and set captives free. "How absurd," they must have thought to themselves. “And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the Sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? And what wisdom is this, which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joseph and of Judas, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them” (Mark 6:1-5). Jesus had repaired their beds, cupboards and wardrobes for many years. They knew him as the carpenter and not as a deliverer. The anointing is quenched by familiarity. Familiarity breeds contempt. This saying may not be in the Bible but it is true. Sometimes, it is better for you to stay at a good distance so that you can receive. Sometimes while coming near in a particular way, you tend to despise the man of God and the anointing on his life. It takes grace to be close and still be able to receive. It takes something that not everyone has.

a. Seeing the anointing

Familiarity breeds questions, which kills the anointing. But this daughter with the issue of blood believed that if she could touch the hem of Jesus' garment, she would be made whole. She didn't know whether He was a carpenter or a plumber. And it didn't matter to her. It is a good thing if Jesus was a carpenter but that is not the point when it comes to the power of God. You must set aside analytical or critical thoughts and think in terms of the power of God. The woman didn't care whom His father or mother were. She didn't know how much Jesus had charged to make one king-size bed. It was the last thing on her mind. She could not see good, she could not see bad, she could only see the power of God. And that is what she got! She received the anointing.

b. Familiarity is inversely proportional to the anointing

This is why men of God seem to be more anointed when they are out of their own churches. The further they are from the familiar people, the more the anointing flows. The greatest move of God in my life and ministry has been where I was thousands of miles away from home. It is not because they are more anointed when they travel. It is because there is less familiarity when a minister travels away from his home territory. Jesus Christ Himself could not do much when He came to His own country.

4. THE HEALING ANOINTING HAS BEEN PROVEN BY MEDICAL SCIENCE. Medical science is not at variance with the healing anointing. Remember, in the book of Mark, when Jesus healed a man who was a leper; He asked him to go to the place where people are officially declared healed. That is today's equivalent of a hospital. “And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them” (Mark 1:40-44).

Healing can stand the test of medicine. Jesus knew that His power could stand the test of science. If God has healed you and you are truly healed, your healing can stand the test of any medical examination. I want you to know that God's healing is as real as any other healing. I remember the miracle healing of a diabetic lady who lived on daily insulin injections. She had fasted and believed that God would heal her. She would check her blood sugar levels all the time during the meeting I was holding; to be sure, she was all right. After the miracle service, she went back to see her doctors. The doctors did a couple of tests and found no evidence of diabetes. They apologized to her for mistakenly diagnosing her as diabetic.

a. Scientific Evidence of Prayer and Healing

Science is now documenting the fact that faith in God is able to heal the sick. I would like to quote a very interesting article from the Reader's Digest: *“The notion that religious faith can promote physical well-being is not new. Most of us have heard of cases in which someone, seemingly by sheer faith and will, has miraculously recovered from a terminal illness or survived far longer than doctors thought possible. What is new is that such rewards of religion are becoming the stuff of science.

"We cannot prove scientifically that God heals, but I believe we can prove that belief in God has a beneficial effect," declares Dale A. Matthew, M.D., associate professor of medicine at Georgetown University Medical Centre in Washington, D.C. "There's little doubt that healthy religious faith and practices can help people get better."

b. Compelling Evidence

Just how powerful is the evidence linking faith and health? More than 30 studies have found a connection between spiritual or religious commitment and longer life. Among the most compelling: A survey of 5,286 Californians found that church members have lower death rates than non-members, regardless of risk factors such as smoking, drinking, obesity, and inactivity. Those with a religious commitment had fewer symptoms or had better health outcomes in seven out of eight cancer studies, four out of five blood pressure studies, four out of six heart disease studies, and four out of five general health studies. People with a strong religious commitment seem to be less prone to depression, suicide, alcoholism, and other addictions, according to one research analysis. One of the most extensive reviews demonstrates that the connections between religion and health cut across age, sex, cultural, and geographic boundaries. It includes more than 200 studies in which religion was found to be a factor in the incidence of a disease, explains Jeffrey S. Levin, a former professor at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk. Levin found an association between good health and religion in studies of children and older adults; of U.S. Protestants, European Catholics, Japanese Buddhists, and Israeli Jews; of people living in the 1930's and 1980's; of patients suffering from acute and chronic diseases.

c. How Prayer Heals

Why does faith appear to have such a powerful protective effect? Experts offer several possible explanations. Going to religious services guarantees contact with people. Social support is a well-documented key to health and longevity. Faith gives a sense of hope and control that counteracts stress. "Commitment to a system of beliefs enables people to better handle traumatic illness, suffering, and loss," says Harold G. Koenig, M.D., director of the centre for the study of religion, spirituality, and health at Duke University Medical Centre. Praying evokes beneficial changes in the body. When people pray, they experience the same decreases in blood pressure, metabolism, heart and breathing rates as the famous "relaxation response" described by Herbert Benson, M.D. of the Harvard Medical School. Reciting the rosary, for example, involves the same steps as the relaxation response: repeating a word, prayer, phrase, or sound, and returning to the repetition when other thoughts intrude. While the relaxation response works regardless of the words used, Benson says, those who choose a religious phrase are more likely to benefit if they believe in God.

d. The Prayers of Others' Can Heal

Researchers are investigating whether the prayers of others can heal. Benson and his colleagues, studying coronary-bypass patients, and Matthews, studying people with rheumatoid arthritis, are trying to confirm findings of an oft-quoted 1988 study by cardiologist Randolph Byrd, M.D. Dr. Byrd divided 393 heart patients in San Francisco General Hospital Medical Centre into two groups. One was prayed for by Christians around the country; the other did not receive prayers from study participants. Patients did not know to which group they belonged. The group that was prayed for experienced fewer complications, fewer cases of pneumonia, fewer cardiac arrests, less congestive heart failure, and needed fewer antibiotics. Even more confounding are controversial studies suggesting prayer can influence everything from the growth of bacteria in a lab to healing wounds in mice. "These studies on lower organisms can be done with great scientific precision, and the findings can't be explained away by, say, the placebo effect," says Larry Dossey, M.D., author of Prayer Is Good Medicine.

Dr. Dossey became so convinced of the power of prayer that he began to pray privately for his patients. Nevertheless, he and other experts tread cautiously in this area. "We certainly don't want to start selling religion in the name of science," he says. "People need to make their own choices." And yet, health care institutions are beginning to pay attention to the faith-health connection. Conferences on spirituality and health have been sponsored by Harvard Medical School and the Mayo Clinic. Nearly half of U.S. Medical schools now offer courses on the topic. In a survey of 269 doctors at the 1996 meeting of the American Academy of Family Physicians, 99% said they thought religious beliefs could contribute to healing. When asked about their personal experiences, 63% of doctors said God intervened to improve their own medical conditions. Clearly, their patients agree that prayer is a powerful tool in healing. Polls by Time/CNN and USA Weekend show that about 80% of Americans believe spiritual faith or prayer can help people recover from illness or injury, and more than 60% think doctors should talk to patients about faith and even pray with those who request it.

This yearning for a connection between religion and medicine is partly a reaction to a health care system that has become increasingly rushed and impersonal. "In medicine, the pendulum had swung so far toward the physical that it almost totally excluded anything spiritual," Dr. Dossey says. "This didn't feel right to patients or many physicians, and the pendulum has begun to swing back."

e. How Does Faith Fit In? So what does this mean for the average person? It does not mean adding worship to the list of healthy things you can do. You can't adopt faith as you would a low-fat diet. What you can do is speak up if you're facing illness or surgery and would like your belief to be part of your health care. That doesn't mean you should expect your doctor to pray with or for you. But it's reasonable to expect him to listen to your needs, arrange a visit from the hospital chaplain, or allow time for prayer before you're wheeled into the operating room. "Faith" Koenig maintains, "offers people some control over their lives as opposed to just depending on a medical profession that's becoming more distant and mechanized every day.” The healing anointing is real!

5. THE HEALING ANOINTING IS A LINGERING ANOINTING.

We read the story of a man who died in battle and was mistakenly put into Elisha's grave. This man was raised from the dead when he came into contact with Elisha's bones. Apparently there was a lingering anointing in the grave. “And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet” (2 Kings 13: 20-21). Elisha's grave still contained some anointing. Earlier on we heard of Elisha being sick and then dying. “Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died” (2 Kings 13:14). Someone may ask, "Why did Elisha's anointing not heal Elisha himself?" The healing anointing is a mysterious anointing. Many wonder why one person is healed and another is not. How is it that someone who has died of some sickness, can still minister healing? Anyone who has had hands laid upon him in a miracle service has the anointing resting upon him. Now he needs to have faith to make the anointing begin to soak into him and affect him. The anointing stays around for a long time. It is a lingering anointing.

6. THE HEALING ANOINTING IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ANOINTING FOR PROSPERITY.

The healing anointing is associated with prosperity. Healing is usually accompanied by prosperity. God doesn't just heal you but He gives you something extra. God has added to your life, something that helps you to prosper in this life. Throughout the Bible and even in the charismatic world, you will notice that people who preach about healing often preach about prosperity. In fact, they are known as healing and prosperity preachers. Somebody may wonder why they always teach about these two things. It is because they go together. Remember when Jesus spoke of the anointing, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me," He declared that He had been anointed to preach the Gospel to the POOR. First of all, He addressed the needs of the poor. Then in the very next sentence, he spoke of healing the broken-hearted. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised” (Luke 4:18).

So, with the introduction of Jesus' ministry, prosperity and healing are linked together. When the healing anointing is flowing, prosperity abounds. When people are receiving healing, they are also receiving prosperity. These two miracles move together. Why did God heal you and extend your life? To bless you with more years of abundance over here. “And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian” (Luke 4:23-27).

In Jesus' famous hometown sermon, He spoke about both healing and prosperity. He spoke of the healing of Naaman the Syrian. In the same breath, He spoke of the financial miracle of the widow of Zarephath. These two blessings seem to be linked in the spirit. I see the Lord giving you the prosperity and the healing that you need. “Beloved, I wish above all things that you thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John 2). John the apostle also linked these two blessings. He declared that his greatest wish was for his spiritual children to have both prosperity and healing. Once again, the two blessings are together. You will see it practically happening in your life in Jesus' Name! If God has given you healing, he's given you prosperity as well. It's real. I believe that your prosperity will be so much that people will wonder. They will ask where you are from, what job you do and who has employed you. They would like to know what business you do. You will speak about Jehovah Rophe. His kindness and his goodness that has prospered you. There is healing on the left and prosperity on the right. Don't take these things lightly; they will happen practically in your life. Prosperity and healing walk together. When you receive one, open your eyes because the other one is nearby

29. Channels of The Healing Anointing

The One Behind The Healing

“Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city. They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? When they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city when their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom. What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy beach is great like the sea: who can heal thee?” (Lamentations 2:11-13). This Scripture is asking who can solve a problem as big as the sea. If somebody likens a problem in terms of its size to the sea, then the person is really talking about a big problem. The question is very clear, "Who can heal thee?" As a member of the noble profession of medicine, I must say that I have seen many of the diseases in this world and I know that many of them cannot really be cured by medicine. Usually, doctors only control the effects of diseases. Many things are done just to keep a patient alive. God is a healer and that is why He introduced Himself in the Old Testament as Jehovah Rophe. He is Jehovah your healer, the bridge builder, the healer of your life, the healer of your situations, and the giver of hope. People often don't understand other people's problems. Many times, we try to sympathize with the victims but we don't really understand the extent of the problem they face. Sickness and disease is one of the greatest problems of mankind. Who can heal thee? The Lord can heal thee!

FIVE CHANNELS OF THE HEALING ANOINTING IN YOUR LIFE

1. THE HEALING ANOINTING PASSES INTO YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LAYING ON OF HANDS.

“…they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:18). One of the ways that God can touch you and bless you is through the laying on of hands. Don't take the laying on of hands for granted. Something wonderful happens when hands are laid on you by an anointed person. I remember a few years ago, I was in Korea at the prayer mountain of Pastor Yonggi Cho's church. When he finished preaching, I noticed that many people had queued up for prayer. When I saw the queue, I said to myself, "Well, once I can see a hand being stretched out, I shall not leave this place without that hand being laid on me." I joined the queue immediately and hands were laid on me I said, "Thank you Lord, something is happening to me right now." I believed and I knew that I had received something. I know that the anointing is passed on when hands are laid on you and so I believe that even shaking hands with the man of God can transmit the anointing. I remember a story I heard about Archbishop Benson Idahosa when he was returning to Nigeria from Bible School. He was just about to start out in ministry and his church officials had come to the airport to meet him. As he shook hands with them, they began to fall under the power. It is faith in the contact that activates the anointing. The laying on of hands is a very powerful thing. It is the principle that the power of God is transmitted through physical contact. Even a hug, a handshake or mere physical contact can lead to transmission of the anointing. A simple hug can become as powerful as laying on of hands depending on what you are believing God for! When a dead body fell into Elisha's grave, the contact caused the dead man to come alive. Even contact with bones leads to the transmission of the anointing.

2. THE HEALING ANOINTING COMES INTO YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE ANOINTING OIL.

“And they cast out many devils, AND ANOINTED WITH OIL MANY THAT WERE SICK, AND HEALED THEM” (Mark 6:13). “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, ANOINTING HIM WITH OIL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he hath committed sins, they shall be forgiven him” (James 5:14,15). Praying for the sick with anointing oil is a very scriptural practice. As we dedicate the oil, it is transformed from simple olive oil to the Balm of Gilead and the anointing of Almighty God. If you can believe that it is no more ordinary olive oil, but the healing anointing of the Holy Spirit, it will heal every disease in your life. It is the anointing oil that healed the sick and cast out devils in the Bible. It is real! Remember what Jesus said about the communion. He said it was His body and His blood. He told us to eat His body and drink His blood. “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:26-28). When some people took the communion and believed that it was no longer bread or just wine but actually the body and blood of Jesus, they were healed. When others treated it disrespectfully they became sick and some died. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine Himself, and so let Him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep” (1 Corinthians 11:27-30). In the same way, you must understand that when we pray over the oil, it is no longer oil but the power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit passing into your body. Everybody needs healing. Sometimes a normal person suddenly begins to have a little pain in the leg. This pain may turn out to be something evil. God's healing anointing comes to heal us of things we are not even aware of. Before the thing is manifest, God has healed you. What a healing anointing we have! It restores and refreshes our lives and souls. Thank God for the healing anointing! What a healing Jesus we have! 3. THE ANOINTING PASSES THROUGH THE GARMENTS.

Many people do not recognize the power of the anointing that resides within the clothes of anointed people. The healing anointing seems to be able to stay in the garments of anointed people. The woman with the issue of blood believed that she did not need to be prayed for or anointed with oil. She didn't need to know Jesus personally. If only she could touch His garment, she knew the anointing would heal her. “For she said, IF I MAY TOUCH BUT HIS CLOTHES, I shall be whole” (Mark 5:28). The healing anointing is an invisible power of the Holy Spirit but it translates into the physical. That is why physical methods like the laying on of hands, the anointing with oil and the coming into contact with garments can transmit the power of the Holy Spirit. In another instance in the Bible, a whole city just wanted to touch the garments of Jesus. They were not interested in prayer, counselling or anything like that. “And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; And besought him THAT THEY MIGHT ONLY TOUCH THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT: AND AS MANY AS TOUCHED WERE MADE PERFECTLY WHOLE” (Matthew 14:34- 15:1).

When people believe, the anointing is activated. The people realized by experience, that they could touch the garment, which had been in contact with the anointed person and be healed. There seemed to be something about the garment. "Garment" stands for all types of clothes. They just wanted to touch the hem of whatever Jesus was wearing. The hem, apron, handkerchief, or anything He wore on Him. One day, two prophets were walking by the river, one was anointed and the other was not. The one who was not anointed wanted desperately to get the anointing. As they walked along, the younger prophet asked the older prophet if he could have twice as much of the anointing. The older prophet laughed and said that he had asked a hard thing. He said that if the Lord willed, it might be so. Suddenly, a chariot of fire appeared and even though the younger prophet tried to stay so close, the older prophet was whisked away to heaven. The younger prophet was so sad that he cried. When he had finished crying, he wiped his tears and looked around him. But there was the GARMENT! It had been left behind. The young prophet knew that the anointing could be in the garment. He took up the garment (mantle) and smote the water and asked, "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?" He wasn't sure whether it was an anointed garment or not.

The river decided to obey. Suddenly, the young prophet knew that the anointing was still around. The garment contained the anointing and he had the garment. “And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee. before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. HE TOOK UP ALSO THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH THAT FELL FROM HIM, AND WENT BACK, AND STOOD BY THE BANK OF JORDAN; AND HE TOOK THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH THAT FELL FROM HIM, AND SMOTE THE WATERS, AND SAID, WHERE CHANNELS OF THE HEALING ANOINTING IS THE LORD GOD OF ELIJAH? AND WHEN HE ALSO HAD SMITTEN THE WATERS, THEY PARTED HITHER AND THITHER: AND ELISHA WENT OVER” (2 Kings 2:9-14).When your pastor gives you a tie, don't take it lightly. You can't define God and put Him in a box and expect Him to behave in a particular way. The healing anointing is mysterious! All these different ways are biblical methods that make the anointing flow.

4. THE ANOINTING IS WITHIN THE SPOKEN WORD.

One of the ways in which the healing anointing works is by the spoken word. It is called the "rhema". Many healings don't take place by the laying on of hands. Jesus hardly laid hands on people. He mostly ministered by speaking words to them. He would say, "Go thy way, thy son liveth" or He would say, "Daughter, thy faith has made thee whole." On another occasion, He said, "Young man, I say unto thee, arise." Most people want hands to be laid on them but many miracles take place through the spoken word. Even Elisha operated in that anointing. In the healing of Naaman the leper, Elisha sent a message to Naaman: "Go and wash and thou shalt be made whole."

The healing was in the message that had come. “So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean” (2 Kings 5:9-10). There was a nobleman's son who was not well. The man came to Jesus for the healing of his son. Jesus said to him, "Go thy way, thy son liveth." No prayer. No laying on of hands. No anointing oil. No garment. Just a word! Speaking a word is a valid way of ministering healing. On his way home, this nobleman met his people who told him that his son was all right. He inquired of them what time the son had improved and he found out that it was at the same time that Jesus had spoken to him. Only six words had been spoken. “So Jesus came again into Cana…there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto him and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death…Jesus saith unto him, 'Go thy way, thy son liveth…. And as he was now going down the servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth...” (John 4:46,47,50-52). Try not to think so much about hands being laid on you. God will touch you and change your life through the spoken word of his anointed servant.

SUPERNATURAL LAWS

Every field of endeavour has its rules and bylaws. You must learn the rules of the supernatural if you want to operate in it. The way God does things is sometimes different from the way we would operate. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8,9. Supernatural healing is different from natural healing. One of the biggest questions facing all miracle ministries is, "Why is everyone not healed?" Another question is: "Why do some people seem to have all the blessings and others have no blessings at all?" existence of these questions in your mind can keep you away from experiencing the supernatural. Please remember that there were questions in the minds of the people in Jesus' hometown. They questioned his background as well as his source of power. Generally speaking, they were questioning the validity of his ministry. Let us now consider the following laws, which will help you gain a better understanding of the supernatural.

1. THE LAW OF DIVINE SELECTION

The supernatural operates by the law of divine selection. Jesus spoke about this law in Luke chapter 4. He said that there were many widows in the days of Elijah the prophet; however, only one widow received a miracle. God knows about the masses of humans suffering and he cares. It seems to me that when God is ministering, He selects out of the masses and ministers to some.

“There were many sick and dying lepers in the days of Naaman the Syrian. Jesus again spoke about how Naaman was divinely selected for a miracle. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian” (Luke 4:25-27). It is the same principle that favoured the lame man at the Pool of Bethesda. Some people may say it is because of their faith. Others may say it is because of the anointing on the man of God. What I would simply say is that there is a law of divine selection. We do not understand everything. Nobody does! The Bible says that we are looking through a glass dimly. We neither see nor know everything! “For now WE SEE THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). As the song goes, "We will understand it better by and by." Somebody may ask the question, "Why then do pastors preach as if everyone is going to be healed?" They ask, "Why do evangelists raise our hopes when we may not get healed?"

Dear friend, there is no other way to raise up the faith of people except you stand boldly and speak in faith. Any pastor who begins his sermon by saying, "Some will not be blessed in this miracle service," is not raising up the faith of the people. If you want miracles, you have to preach faith. If you want the power of God, you have to preach about the power of God. Jesus preached about the anointing. He said, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me." He spoke about how God had anointed Him. When you preach about the anointing, the anointing will flow. When you talk about healing, healing will happen. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

As a pastor who cares for his sheep very much, I pray for miracles and breakthroughs for my people. I once prayed for a group of ladies who had not been able to have children. Some of them became pregnant and now have their children. Some years later, I prayed again and some that had not been able to have children still did not have any children. Some, who already had a child, were blessed with supernatural pregnancies. I would ask myself, "Oh God! Why don't you share this thing evenly? So many don't have any children at all, why don't you at least answer their prayers and give at least everybody one child?" Jesus made it very clear in His sermon. There are many sick people like Naaman, who need help. There are many more poor people like the widow of Sarepta, who need a financial miracle. But God will have His own way of ministering to them. When it comes to the supernatural move of the Holy Spirit, you can often not tell what God will do. We do know that He will do something. But we do not always know "who" He will do it for and why He will do it.

2. THE LAW OF HUMILITY

When you study the testimony of the woman with the issue of blood, you will realize that she had been through many things. “And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had SUFFERED MANY THINGS of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse” (Mark 5:25,26). The Bible records that she had been bleeding in this manner for twelve years. It declares that she had suffered at the hands of several doctors. She had been humiliated time and time again by different doctors. Even with modern medicine, women with gynaecological problems have humiliating experiences at the hands of different doctors. I wonder what it was like two thousand years ago.

By the time this woman came to Jesus, she had no confidence in herself. She had no hope in man. She had no trust in human medicine. She had been completely softened by the experiences of life. This had made her humble and open to receive. The Bible says that God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. God gives miracles and blessings to humble people. When you are proud, you often don't know it. Experiences of life can calm you down and allow you to begin to trust in the grace of God. Don't be worried by the difficult times you are going through. Perhaps, you are on the road of humility. God is breaking down your resistance. He is causing you to be ready and open to receive grace. Your day for a miracle is around the corner. This woman did not even want to meet Jesus. All she wanted to do was to touch the tip of Jesus' garment. That is humility indeed! Humble yourself in the sight of God and He will raise you up! “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). 3. THE LAW OF REPEATED AND SUSTAINED MINISTRATION

I have also thought that if God ministers to you, you should instantly recover. This is a natural expectation. However, I have come to see that there is often a need for repeated and sustained ministration to the same person. You will see this law in operation many times in the Bible. A common example is when Naaman was asked to dip himself in the River Jordan seven times. He was asked to bath seven different times in the same river. The question is why not once? Why not three times? Why not six times? The answer is, "I don't know." God wanted to bless Naaman after the seventh ministration. “And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean...Then went he down, and dipped himself SEVEN times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (2 Kings 5:10,14).

Elijah prayed for rain seven times. On seven different occasions, he sent his assistant to look at the clouds. “…And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again SEVEN TIMES” (1 Kings 18:42,43). “There was no sign of rain until after the seventh prayer. ...And it came to pass at the SEVENTH TIME, that he , Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand…” (1 Kings 18:42- 44).

After that session, Elijah's assistant noticed a very small cloud in the form of a man's hand. I see God giving you a miracle. I see the miracle appearing after several ministrations. Do not be tired of being prayed for. Greater men had to pray seven times and were not angry with God. Please do not be angry with God; do not develop a bitter spirit and attitude! When Elijah prayed for a dead boy, he prayed three times. “And he stretched himself upon the child THREE TIMES, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again. And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived” (1 Kings 17:21,22). He lay on the boy three times and prayed. Is this just a mystical ritual? No it is not! It is the law of sustained and repeated ministrations at work.

Do you remember when Joshua led the people of God around the walls of Jericho? They had the greatest breakthrough of their lives. But it came only after the seventh round of ministration. “And it came to pass at the SEVENTH time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city. So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets… that the wall fell down flat…” (Joshua 6:16,20). The walls of opposition in your life are crumbling right now in the name of Jesus! Keep up the sustained ministration. You may be anointed seven times, before your miracle will finally come. I see the walls of hindrance to your marriage crumbling before the mighty anointing of the Holy Spirit. Walls erected by the devil and his agents cannot keep you out of his blessings. As you read this textbook, the power of God is flowing into you to bring the gates of wickedness and the high things in your life crashing down. Receive a divine blessing from the Lord right now! Study the ministry of Jesus. He prayed for a blind man in Mark 8:24. “And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. AFTER THAT HE PUT HIS HANDS AGAIN UPON HIS EYES, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly” (Mark 8:22-25).

After the first ministration, the man saw men as trees. Even Jesus had to minister a second time before the miracle finally came through. Someone may ask, "If he was truly the Son of God why did he have to pray twice?" That was the law of repeated ministration at work. If you have the time, study about the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. The disciples did not receive the Holy Spirit only once. In John 20:24, Jesus breathed on them and said receive ye the Holy Spirit. That was their first anointing. “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST...” (John 20:24). Later in Acts 2, the disciples received a baptism of the power of the Holy Spirit. “And THEY WERE FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4).

In Acts 4, the Bible says that they were filled with the Holy Spirit again. “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31). If the first filling was enough, then why did the Bible show this three times? This was the law of repeated ministration. I love praying for my church members -- it is very biblical. One day, something will happen and their lives will never be the same again

4. THE LAW OF SPIRITUAL TIMING

It is a known fact that we all need a blessing from the Lord. It is important to understand the law of the timing of miracles. Why did Jesus come into the earth only two thousand years ago? The Bible says when the time was right, God sent his Son. “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law” (Galatians 4:4). Jesus was a gift of God to the Jews, but in the day of their divine blessing, they did not receive the gift. It is important for you to recognize the time of your visitation. Just as you have a time when you do certain things. God has a time in his timetable when He is going to bless you with certain gifts.

God's Timing Is Best

In 1988, God placed me in the office of a teacher. At another time, He placed on me the anointing to pastor. He then gave me an anointing to minister prophetically and later an anointing to minister miracles. Why didn't he do it all at once? God has a time for your breakthrough. As you flow with him, you will come into special days for your life and you will be truly blessed. Do not be angry with God because He is keeping to His schedule. God may not come when you want Him to come. But He will come in time. Be a man or woman of understanding. You will have your miracle baby. You will have your healing. You will have your financial breakthrough. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and understand the time. When it is your time, walk in it and be blessed.

Prophecy

For there shall come a time, saith the Lord, when you will not seek for miracles but you will seek for my wholeness. When you seek after me, I will add unto you all things that are necessary. Fear not my little flock, for I have laid a table for you in the presence of your enemies. Do not be afraid of the enemies you see all around you. For in that day, saith the Lord, I will pour out my anointing so strong that you will taste of my goodness and my mercies. Those that despise you will stand and declare, "The Lord has done great things for them."

29.Jesus and The Healing Anointing

How God Anointed Jesus of Nazareth

“HOW GOD ANOINTED JESUS OF NAZARETH WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND WITH POWER: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: AND BEING FOUND IN FASHION AS A MAN, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-8). Many people do not understand that Jesus Christ, although He was the Son of God often referred to Himself as the Son of Man. I believe that one of the reasons He did that was for us to recognize that He took upon Himself the form of a man. The Scripture tells us that, "He humbled himself and was found in fashion as a man." Becoming a man means that He had all the frailties and weaknesses of man. The Bible says that He was tempted in all points like us. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

1. WHATEVER TEMPTATIONS YOU HAVE, JESUS EXPERIENCED THEM TOO.

If you have a temptation to drink, He was tempted to drink. If you have temptations to commit fornication, Jesus was tempted to commit fornication. If you are tempted to lie, He was tempted to lie. If you are tempted to steal, He was tempted to steal. If you are tempted to bear a grudge against someone, Jesus was tempted many times to hold a grudge against the people who persecuted Him all through His life. If you are tempted to be afraid, He was. He was tempted to be afraid of going to the cross and to face all the wicked people. He was tempted because He was a normal human being.

He is the greatest example for all of us. If we follow Him, we are not following someone that cannot be followed. We can follow Him because He became like we are. He had the weaknesses that we have because all men are imperfect. This is why he had to pray like we do. If he were God on Earth, He wouldn't need to pray. The question we ask ourselves is, "How was this man able to do the miracles that He did? How was He able to raise the dead? How was He able to call back to life a man who had been dead for four days, and whose body had decomposed? How was He able to call a man out of His coffin and make Him come alive again? How was He able to heal blind people? How come people who were suffering from certain diseases were healed?" We can find the answer from the Bible. It tells us about how God anointed Jesus Christ of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. That was when He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil. The anointing is the explanation for miracles.

2. JESUS WAS ABLE TO DO MIRACLES BECAUSE OF THE ANOINTING THAT WAS PUT ON HIM BY THE FATHER.

God anointed Jesus with the power to cast out devils, the power to bring solutions, and the power to break the yoke of the enemy. Jesus, who was now in the form of a servant, was a special servant because He was anointed to do the things that He was called to do. Many people think that Jesus was called Jesus Christ because His surname was Christ. They think that He was the son of Mr. & Mrs. Joseph and Mary Christ. That is not the case. Jesus was known as Jesus of Nazareth but He was actually given a nickname, "Christ", which means "the Anointed One." This was because He was so much associated with the presence of GOD and the anointing.

This anointing explains to us the miracles that Jesus did. It explains why Jesus Christ, although He took on the lower form of man, was able to do great things. The Bible says He went about doing good. What were the good things that Jesus did? The good things were, healing people that were suffering and people that were oppressed by the enemy. I see the Lord healing you of every oppression of the enemy in Jesus' name! The anointing that was upon Jesus shows us a great example so that we may also desire the anointing. When you recognize the secret behind the miracles and anything that any man of God does, then your interest will not be in the man of God. Your interest will not be in his car, his house, his educational background, his wife or his money but in the anointing, that is upon his life. Because of this great example, we have hope and we know that just as God anointed Jesus, he will also anoint us. I see God anointing you in the name of Jesus!

3. THE GOOD THINGS THAT JESUS DID ARE THE GOOD THINGS THAT GOD IS CALLING US TO DO.

It is good to build schools and provide social amenities but the good works that Jesus did were healing the sick, casting out devils, raising the dead and cleansing the lepers. It is important for us to understand this revelation. As you do, you will begin to think in the right way when you are relating with people.

Elisha and the Anointing

Elijah lived with Elisha for many, many years. At the end of Elijah's life, he asked him, "My son, what would you like me to leave you when I die? Do you want my house? I've got three houses down in Bethel. I've got a house in Jericho. I've got a house down here and houses all over town." Elisha said, "I don't want your house." Elijah asked Elisha, "What would you like to have? I've got a land in Bethlehem, and another plot in Jericho." But Elisha said, "I don't want your lands." He asked again, "Do you like my donkeys? I have 27 donkeys which I travel with all over the world. Do you like my cars?" But Elisha was too wise for that. He said, "I don't like your donkeys. I don't like your cars. I don't want anything. I want the anointing that you have. I can see that the secret behind the power and the miracles is the anointing." Elisha said, "All I want is the anointing. Touch me with the anointing. Let me have two times the anointing that you have. Keep your cars, keep your donkeys, keep your houses, but give me the anointing."

Many people don't know that the secret behind the blessing of the Lord is the anointing. When Jesus lowered himself and became a man, born of a peasant woman, into a carpenter's house and under questionable circumstances, he seemed very lowly. But the anointing makes all the difference! I see the anointing making the difference in your life! I want you to understand that the anointing is the most perfect thing that you must seek for. It takes a lot to be anointed. When Elisha asked Elijah for his anointing, Elijah said, "You have asked for a hard thing." “And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, THOU HAST ASKED A HARD THING: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so” (2 Kings 2:9- 10). It is not easy to be anointed. You may go to school but not become anointed. You may be qualified from a Bible school but still not be anointed. You may read books but still not be anointed. But God wants to anoint us.

4. THE ANOINTING IS WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF EVERY CHRISTIAN.

It was the anointing that made the difference in the life of Jesus. The Apostle Paul was anointed. He said, "He that hath anointed us is God." “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God” (2 Corinthians 1:21). When I started teaching in the Ministry, I didn't know what the anointing was. But I realize that you don't need to understand how the anointing works. Many of us do not understand how the television works, for instance, yet we use it. So when I got started, I just wanted to serve the Lord. I didn't know what it meant to be anointed. That is why later in my Ministry I wrote the book, "Catch the Anointing" to help others who want to learn about the anointing. I was teaching all right but you see, there's a difference between a schoolteacher and an anointed pastor. A schoolteacher teaches and a pastor also teaches but the difference is the anointing.

How Some Attempted to Explain Away the Anointing on Jesus

1. THE PEOPLE AROUND HIM DID NOT RECOGNIZE THAT HE WAS A PRECIOUS GIFT.

I've noticed that people want to find a reason for everything and they want to explain everything away. They usually end up with the wrong reason. Jesus Christ was the greatest person that ever lived but he was killed. The Bible says that unto those who believe, he is precious but unto those who believe not he is a stone of stumbling. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, “Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed” (1 Peter2:6-8). God will use somebody who will become precious to some but a problem to others. Sometimes, when you stay away from people or you look from afar, the enemy gives you various reasons why certain miracles happen.

One time, the people who were criticizing Jesus said he was using the power of Satan to cast out devils. Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. Matthew 12:22-24. You immediately see people trying to ascribe a reason for the power. There are people who try to say that the anointing is not the anointing but that it's something else.

2. JESUS WARNED THEM AGAINST SPEAKING EVIL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BY WHOM HE WAS DOING THE MIRACLES.

Jesus at one time had to sound a strong warning that not anyone who speaks bad things about the Holy Spirit would be forgiven. “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven unto men” (Matthew 12:31). Whenever God does great things, people seem to have an explanation for the miracles other than the power of God at work. When people see Reinhard Bonnke and the large gathering of crowds at his crusades, people like to explain that it is because he is a German that he has a lot of money to organize large crusades. Behind any man of God, is the anointing. Don't let the anointing draw out the evil that is in you. Don't let the anointing draw negative comments from you. Sometimes, I watch as people try to demean miracles and try to belittle the power of God. Many people do not regard testimonies of the healing of headaches, for instance. But as a medical doctor, I know that a headache could mean many things. I once met someone whose friend had developed a headache. He took medicine but the headache did not go away. It was discovered later that he had a tumour in his brain and he was actually dying. The doctors told him to go and put his house in order because he was going to die. As this person spoke to me I said to myself, "A headache has turned into death." Yet, we often, medically, despise healing miracles where headaches are healed.

3. NOT MANY OF JESUS’ MIRACLES WOULD SURVIVE THE TEST OF MEDICAL ANALYSES.

However, if you were to analyse Jesus' miracles medically, not many of them would survive the test. For instance, in the healing of the boy suffering from epilepsy, the demons shook him and then he fell to the ground as though he had died. “And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead” (Mark 9: 22-26).

Now, if we were to analyse that medically, what we could say is that this boy just had another convulsion after Jesus had prayed for him and went into what is known as "post-ictal sleep". In the disease known as grand-mal epilepsy, the patient experiences what is known as "tonic-clonic seizures" (violent contractions of the large muscles of the body). After these seizures, the patient goes into a deep sleep for some time. This deep sleep is known as the post-ictal sleep. This is the normal pattern that always occurs in grand-mal epileptic seizures

Indeed, some could criticize this miracle of Jesus and say that the boy was not healed of epilepsy but simply experienced a post-ectal sleep. There are many questions you can ask about many miracles. In fact, many times the Lord has had to rebuke me. Sometimes, he even used the people who got healed to rebuke me. I remember one time I prayed for the sick and a certain man testified that he had been healed. I kept asking, "Are you sure you are healed?" The man was irritated and said, "Look here, I am not a child! I said I am healed. If I had not been healed, I would not come here to testify." I had been rebuked soundly by this irritated testimony-giver. At another time while I was praying for the sick in Malaysia, a lady doctor came to testify that she had been healed. I asked her repeatedly, "Are you sure you are healed?" She became irritated at my doubtfulness. She looked at me and said resolutely, "Listen, I'm healed." This was a medical doctor testifying that the Lord had healed her. I immediately felt foolish and realised that I was the one who had no faith. 5. WE NEED TO OPEN OURSELVES UP AND RECEIVE THE POWER OF GOD. We need to recognize men of God when they are amongst us, before they die. We must not kill the prophets that are sent to us. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matthew 23:37). When I look back in my ministry, I realize that I have witnessed many live occurrences of miracles similar to almost every single miracle recorded in the Bible. For example, I have seen women healed of long-standing bleeding problems. I have listened to the testimonies of people who have not had their periods for a long time, receive healing. I see you being healed right now in Jesus name! I have seen paralyzed people come out of their wheel chairs. I remember one woman in South Africa who was paralyzed and had been in the wheel chair for some time. She came to church to give a testimony that she had been healed. The interesting thing about this was that when she came to give her testimony, she came in her wheelchair. I was wondering what she was going to do with the wheelchair on stage. I could not ask her to leave so I allowed her to stay.

Then as I got to her to give her testimony, she said, "I have never been able to stand, sometimes I crawl but now, since you prayed, I can stand." She said to me, "Watch!" She came out of the wheel chair and said, "I could never do this, never on earth." By the end of the programme, she was walking to church on her own. The amazing thing is that her unbelieving husband said, "I now believe in the God you're serving and the church that you're going to." I have witnessed the blind receive their sight. I have witnessed miracles similar to all the twenty-one recorded miracles that Jesus did in His lifetime. I realize that just like it was with Jesus, when the anointing is present, it will bring out the good thing or the bad thing in you. There was something good in even the tax collectors. They wanted to serve God, and the anointing brought out the good thing that was in them. Pilate was supposed to be a just ruler. The principles he had been using to rule the country were what he used in the case of Jesus. He proved that he had been running the country with injustice. He demonstrated that he did things to please men. His meeting with Jesus brought out the evil that was in him.

THE ANOINTING ON JESUS PROVOKED REACTIONS

You must allow yourself to be open to receive the anointing because every anointed person is surrounded by different kinds of responses and reactions.

1. JESUS ALWAYS BROUGHT OUT THE HIGHEST REACTIONS OF PEOPLE TO HIMSELF.

He always brought out the deepest responses from people. If you were evil, He brought out the most evil that was in you, and if you were good, he brought out the best in you. He made people leave their jobs and follow Him to become preachers till they died. He made the Pharisees get to the point where they requested Barabas over Jesus. That brought out the extent of wickedness and evil that was in them. His presence brought out the best and the worst in everyone.

2. THE ANOINTING MUST BRING OUT THE BEST AND NOT THE WORST IN YOU.

It is important that when the Lord presents you with the anointing, it must bring out the best in you instead of bringing out the worst in you. Instead of bringing out the worst criticism and the worst offensive remarks and comments, rather let the best in you come forth. When the blessing of God comes to us, it may bring out the worst that is in us. Make sure that the worst that is in you does not come out when the Lord presents you with the anointing. There are people who have been presented with the secret of catching the anointing and it brings out the worst criticisms from them. The anointing is the principal reason behind what people are doing. May the anointing bring out the best that is in your life!

3. MAY THE ANOINTING PROVOKE IN YOU A DESIRE TO TAP INTO IT.

Tell yourself, "I'm going to have this anointing myself." I see you receiving this anointing in the name of Jesus! T.L. Osborne, the famous American evangelist, sat in a church service where Prophet Branham was preaching. He said to himself, "I can feel him, I can feel him." That's what must be stirred up in you.

The Anointing Makes the Difference

God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power. This is what made Him do the miracles that he did.

1. WE CANNOT PREACH JESUS WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT THE MIRACLES.

If you take the Bible and cut out all the miracles from it, you will be left with nothing. There are miracles from the beginning to the end. I see the Lord doing a wonderful thing in your life! I see the Lord anointing you! I see the Lord making you into a different person! One day, somebody was talking to my mother and she told the person, "Sometimes, when I see my son on the stage, I'm not sure whether I'm the one who gave birth to him." When the anointing is on your life, you're a different person. People will like to draw you back to the old times and say that you're nobody.

2. WHEN THE ANOINTING IS ON YOU, YOU'RE TURNED INTO ANOTHER MAN.

I see the anointing of the Lord coming upon your life! You may be known as a thief today but one day, you'll be known as an anointed person. The anointing changes you and makes you into a miracle worker. It changes you into a supernatural person. You become a blessed person. The anointing heals you and brings the power of God into your life.

3. IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT, YOU'LL RECEIVE THAT ANOINTING.

When the anointing comes near you, let it bring out the best in you. Become like the woman with the issue of blood. The Bible says she said within herself, "If I may but touch the hem of his garment, I shall be made whole." You see the anointing that was passing by brought out the best in her. It brought out the desire to touch the hem of his garment. It brought out the desire to get close and to get into contact with the power and the anointing of God. Let the anointing bring out the best in you. Whenever I see an anointed man of God, I always respect him. One day, the Lord spoke to me about a prominent man of God in my country. He told me never to fight him, but to honour him. He told me that if I honour him, the anointing would come upon me. What you fight cannot come to you. This is your time to be healed because He is a healing Jesus

31. Humility and The Healing Anointing

God Anoints The Humble

If you study the life of Jesus, you will discover certain things he did, which explains how He became anointed. Now I want us to look at a verse from the book of Luke. “Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased” (Luke 3:21,22).

1. JESUS, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS GREATER THAN JOHN THE BAPTIST, SUBMITTED HIMSELF TO HIM.

He actually joined his ministry by allowing John to baptize him. God will anoint someone who will humble and submit himself to another. There are many rebellious elements in the church that are looking for anointing. They are looking for God's gifts. God does not anoint illegal things. That is why the Bible says that everyone that uses the name of Christ should depart from iniquity. “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, LET EVERY ONE THAT NAMETH THE NAME OF CHRIST DEPART FROM INIQUITY” (2 Timothy 2:19). Again the Bible says, "Because thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity, God has anointed you above thy fellows." “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows” (Hebrews 1:9).

God doesn't just anoint everybody and just anyone. You can see here Jesus Christ humbling and submitting Himself to the person who was there before He came. Sometimes I look at people who want to be anointed and you see them fighting with everybody who was there before they came. Why do you fight with somebody who was there before you? You don't necessarily have to preach what he's preaching or teach what he's teaching. You can have a different message. We all have to learn to acknowledge the fathers that God puts before us. 2. HUMILITY PLEASES GOD.

Notice that before Jesus even had the chance to heal one person, a voice came from Heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son." If you really want to please God, it is not necessarily in preaching and teaching. You will please God by just humbling yourself. The first fall was caused by pride. That first fall of Satan, has caused every other fall since then. I remember talking to an American pastor who used to be a general superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church. He said that in his term of office as the superintendent, he had dealt with one thousand and five hundred pastors who fell into various difficulties and problems. He remarked that the one common factor in all these cases was pride. It was not immorality but pride. If you want to be great in the house of God, it is not by preaching or sitting on the stage. Jesus told us who the greatest in the Kingdom is when He was asked. He called a child and said, "This is the greatest in the Kingdom of God." At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" “Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1-4).

If you become as humble as a child, you will be the greatest in the Kingdom. That is why the Son of God went to John the Baptist's ministry to be baptized like everyone else. He did not ask to be treated specially. "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up" (James 4:10). There are two jobs at stake here. There is a job offer and God has decided to play musical chairs with you. If you sit on the chair, He will stand, and if you stand, He will sit. If you choose to humble yourself, He will exalt you but if you choose to exalt yourself, then He will bring you down. You have to choose.

My Call to the Ministry and Humility

When the Lord called me into the Ministry and I started out in obedience, one day my father said to me, "I cannot stand the fact that my son will live from collections or offerings of people. It is below you." But the Lord told me to enter into ministry and to humble myself. I struggled with this because I reasoned with God, that I am a doctor. I argued that I did not need the coins and little contributions of people to take care of myself. Sometimes, people even look at you and pass comments about using the church's money. When you drive a car, they are thinking about their offering. When they see the pastor eating at a restaurant they think about their offerings. So I told the Lord, "I cannot," and the Lord said to me, "You are nothing, you are nobody."

That is true because we are all nothing. Maybe you haven't been to the mortuary before. If you die right now, you will be surprised to find yourself lying naked at the mortuary. We are what we are by the grace of God. That's why we should humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord and allow Him to lift us up at the right time. This is exactly what Jesus did when He came down to earth. He didn't want to be exalted. That's how Jesus became anointed because he humbled Himself. He joined the masses for baptism. Stop trying to be special. Stop trying to be different. Stop trying to be some unique person. Just become nothing. When you humble yourself, God will pour His grace on you.

3. IF WE DO NOT HUMBLE OURSELVES, WE CANNOT LEARN AND RECEIVE FROM THE PEOPLE THAT GOD SENDS TO US.

We will just look on and analyse them. Many of us are outside the grace of God because we can't receive from the people that God has put in our lives. Jesus told a parable about a certain nobleman who made a vineyard for some people and when he wanted fruit from his vineyard he could not get any. His people were all beaten and sent away. “Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him” (Matthew 21:33-39). This is what happens in the Church. When God sends people into our lives, we cannot receive from them because we are not able to humble ourselves. It is only because Jesus humbled Himself before John the Baptist that God anointed Him. That was the hour that the Holy Spirit descended. That was the anointing.

4. THE ABSENCE OF HUMILITY IS THE REASON WHY MANY OF US ARE NOT BLESSED.

We're expecting somebody to come from somewhere to be a blessing to us. We must humble ourselves to receive from the people that God sends to us. If you need electricity in your home, you do not have to go to the dam to tap from the source. People will think you are mad. You cannot claim that you want direct power. You cannot argue that you don't know how the cables run and so you must get the direct connection. People will ask, "Don't you have a socket in your house?"

That's what the Lord is asking you. Is there no pastor in your church? Is there no man of God in your land? Why do you want to come to me directly for the anointing? The anointing is right there. The socket is right here. Connect and receive your blessing! I see you becoming connected to power! One day, one of my little sisters was playing with a lamp. She didn't know the power she was playing with. The lamp was high. She put her finger in the lampshade and I saw her jump. She was connected to the electric dam directly. By the time she was able to take her finger out, the whole finger had been burnt. Even though it was only a lamp, it was the power right there. God is sending you power. He's sending you something higher than electric power. Humble yourself and receive it. God will raise you up and bless you in the ministry. He will bless you in life when you learn to humble yourself. If some ladies would humble themselves, they would have husbands. Because you are proud, there's nobody you find suitable for you. Nobody is good enough for you. You feel so big! One day, I met a sister in my church and I asked her, "Sister, are you not getting married?" She told me, "You don't have my type of husband in the church." So I asked her, "Which type are you?" Jesus could have said, "My type is not being baptized now. I'm waiting for my type to be baptized." There are some people who walk around with big briefcases as if they are some big businessmen. When you get closer, you find out that the briefcase is filled with newspapers. You must humble yourself and get a job. God wants to pour His love on you but you're too big. You see, the anointing is poured downwards and not upwards. The Bible says it came down on Aaron's beard. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of His garments; Psalm 133:2. It can only come on you when you're lowly and not when you are high. It is coming down on the people that are down. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord. The way up is the way down. The way high is the way low. I see the Lord anointing you!

HUMILITY AND PRAYER

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14

1. PRAYER AND THE ANOINTING

“Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that JESUS ALSO BEING BAPTIZED, AND PRAYING, the heaven was opened” (Luke 3:21). You must note that the anointing came upon Jesus when He was praying. The fact is that there's no anointing without prayer. Prayerless people are powerless people. Prayer is what gives rise to the intangible aura around someone who is anointed. It is the aura of the presence of God. It is something inexplicable. Someone would wonder why the Pharisees were afraid to arrest Jesus. He was preaching openly. He had been in the temple, casting out thieves. He had marched into Jerusalem on a donkey. Jesus moved openly. Why were they afraid to arrest Him? Why did they need Judas to betray someone who walked openly in public? It is because there was an aura around Jesus. There was something about Him. The Pharisees themselves knew that there was no one who spoke like He spoke. There was something about His words. His words have lasted for more than two thousand years. He never wrote a book but two thousand years later, millions read His words. In fact, His disciples noticed it and asked Him, "Teach us how to pray." They did not ask Him to teach them how to preach or to become anointed. “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1).

2. PRAYER IS THE CHANNEL FOR AUTHORITY AND ANOINTING.

You see, when you have been with someone, you can speak about the person with authority. The authority comes because you have been with the person. This authority is a manifestation of the anointing that is on your life. The more anointed you are, the more authority you will have. And the more authority you have, the more powerful you will be. Some years ago, our church had a problem with the government. Our church had been vandalized and we needed some help. We needed to get close to the highest authority of the land, so we found someone whom we knew was close to the President. I remember going to his house to explain the problem to him. I remember that every time I saw him in his house, there was an aura of importance around him because this person was always with the President.

Sometimes, we had to wait for him in his house till he would come and meet with us. We always knew that he had been with the President. We took our files to him and when he asked us to leave the matter with him, we expected that he would be able to see the President and do something about the problem. We believed everything he told us because we knew that he had power. We knew he was close to the real source of power. We were attracted to him because of his authority. Although he never really helped us, we kept on going there because of his authority and the fact that he was always with the President. It was not his physical strength that attracted us to him. We went to him because he was close to the President. People received Jesus Christ because they could tell that He had been with the highest of powers. They knew that He had been with the Almighty El-Shaddai. They knew that He had been with Jehovah Rophe. The presence of the Lord around Him came from the fact that He had spoken to the Lord. As we come close to the Lord, we get close to His presence. We will begin to get as near to Him as Jesus was. When you don't know what to do, look at Jesus and do what He did. As Jesus prayed, the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him and a voice came from Heaven, which said, "This is my beloved Son." “…And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). I see the anointing upon you as you come into His presence today!

3. IT IS IMPORTANT TO PRAY FOR GRACE.

God listens to prayers. Sometimes, we pray amiss. We do not pray for grace. Grace is the prayer that God never refuses. There are many things you will ask and God may never listen to you, but if we pray for grace in every difficult situation, He will answer. You know why? It's because grace is something that you do not deserve. When you are asking for something you don't deserve, nobody in Heaven can bring any issue against you. Nobody can bring an accusation. It's because you are asking for grace, something that you don't deserve.

Apostle Paul said the grace of God is sufficient for us. The grace of God is sufficient for that problem in your life. The grace of God is sufficient for every situation. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). I see the grace of God moving into your life! I see his grace moving over your finances. The grace is moving into your body and into your life! It is moving into every situation! His grace is coming into your ministry! His grace is coming into your church! It is what you don't deserve, but He's giving it to you to bless you and to lift you up!

32. Seasons For The Anointing

The Right Time and The Right Season

“AND JESUS HIMSELF BEGAN TO BE ABOUT THIRTY YEARS OF AGE, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli...” (Luke 3:23). This particular verse is significant because the experience of Jesus becoming anointed did not happen to Jesus until He was thirty years old. This shows us that some of the things we have prayed for and have not received, are not because we did not pray aright. Sometimes it's because we are not yet "thirty years" of age. Jesus began to enter into the blessings that had been determined for Him when He was thirty years old. There is a time for certain experiences. The Bible talks about a tree bringing forth fruit in its season. “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:3).

THE KEY OFWAITING IN FAITH

1. THERE ISASEASON FOR YOUR BREAKTHROUGH.

John the Baptist was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. The Bible says that the priests that were counted for the work of the Lord were those that were thirty years old and above. “Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward” (1 Chronicles 23:3). In fact, David began to reign when he was thirty years old. “David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years” (2 Samuel 5:4). There is a season for everything that God has planned for your life. Be patient and wait for Him. When it's the season for your blessing to come, it will surely arrive. There will be no delay. Pray and cry no more. Don't think that you have done something wrong. It's only because the season for your anointing has not come. There is a time for God to lift you up. Enter into your season of lifting. The season of blessing, the season of healing and the season of promotion shall come at the right time! I see you entering into the season of God for your life!

Do not give up on your faith. Keep believing and hoping that the right season will come for your anointing. Maybe you are a woman believing God for a miracle to have a child. Do not stop believing. Maybe God has a special season for your baby to arrive. The mother of John the Baptist did not know that her son had to arrive at the right season. John the Baptist had to be born a few months before Christ was born so that he could prepare the way for Jesus' Ministry. That was God's season for him. He could not have come earlier, or later. Elizabeth had to wait for the right season to have her child. The Lord was pleading with Elizabeth, "Please, please don't give up!" The Lord is pleading with you too and saying, "Please, please don't give up!"

Until you begin to be about "thirty years", nothing will happen. If you are a pastor, don't give up. The time for your anointing and breakthrough is coming. Your time will come as surely as the night follows the day. It will come at the season that God has determined for it. Even though you may be full of the Word and the Holy Spirit, there is still the right time to receive certain blessings. You may be a beautiful and faithful sister in the church. You may diligently do your nails and your hair but no one shows up. When the time that God has ordained for you comes, you may not even wash your face or put on makeup, but your husband will walk to you. When it's the rainy season, you don't have to call for the rain. You won't need to fast and pray for the rain. The rain itself will pour on you because its season has come. Have you seen somebody praying for rain in the rainy season? We sometimes rather pray that the rain should go away. There is the right time for God to send you a husband. You may be a fertile wife but there is the right time for God to give you a child. You may be a good businessman but there is the right time for God to lift you up and put you where you are supposed to be. There is the season, and there is the right time! I see you beginning to be in "about" the time of certain things in your ministry! I see the Lord doing a great thing in your life! I see a lifting up coming into your life! I see God lifting you higher! Believe in the spoken Word.

2. BELIEVE TO RECEIVE A MIRACLE THROUGH THE SPOKEN WORD.

a. Christian Artiste in His Season

I was preaching in one of the nations of Africa when one of their top Christian gospel stars came to sing a song. He announced that he was dedicating the song to me. He explained that the year before, I was in their church preaching when I told them about a vision in which angels were distributing parcels to those who stretched out their hands to receive. He said I pointed to him and said, "You are the next star." He said he was not known at that time. Nobody knew him to be anything. But he became a star. His season had come. He was now playing with some of the top gospel stars in the United States. That is the power of God through the spoken Word. Hands may not be laid on you; I may not touch you. But the words I speak to you have the anointing power. Believe that the right season is coming upon you!

b. The Season for a Mega-Church

Years ago, I preached mainly to small groups. I began to complain to the Lord that even though I was always preaching, I never preached to a large group of people. I was always starting little groups and preaching to them but none of these groups ever became large. The Lord told me not to give up. He promised me that there was a mega-church down the line for me. At the right time and at the right season, I began to see the mega-church the Lord had promised. You are just about to enter into your season! You are just about to be "thirty years" of age. It's wonderful! It's marvellous! It's happening in your life! It will come suddenly! The Lord will do a great thing. He'll heal your mind. He'll heal your soul and heal your life. He'll turn you around. He will put your feet on a rock to stay.

I see a light! Somebody is in darkness but the Lord is beginning to send a light because it is about time that there should be some light in your life. You have been walking in the darkness for a long time but the Lord is bringing you light. The Lord is saying that the sun is about to rise. It's around the time for light to come. Receive the blessing! Receive the healing! God anointed Jesus Christ with power. That power is coming into your life now! There is power to heal and save you. There is power to destroy the work of the devil. There is power to lift you higher. There is power to receive the Holy Spirit.

THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AT WORK IN SEASON 1. THE HOLY SPIRIT’S POWER WORKS EVERYWHERE.

One day, I received a letter from a lady in Malaysia. She said that once when I was in her church preaching, I pointed at her and I said, "I see you getting a car." She told me about how the miracle happened. She said she just had to write because of the supernatural way in which it happened. The healing power of Jesus works in Malaysia, it works in Colombia and it works in Ghana. It works everywhere in the world. Receive the power of the Holy Spirit in your life! Let that power work in your life! Let it work in your finances! Let it work in your business! Let the power of the Holy Spirit work in your school! Receive the touch of the Lord upon your mind!

2. THE HOLY SPIRIT’S POWER WORKS IN ALL SITUATIONS FOR GOOD. The healing power of the Holy Spirit works on all kinds of problems. It works on difficult problems. It works on marital problems. It works on financial problems. It works on sicknesses. It works on unsolvable problems. It works on all sorts of problems. It worked yesterday, it works today and it will work tomorrow. It's coming into your life right now. He is a healing Jesus. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. You'll never be the same again. No one who came into contact with His anointing was ever the same again. You'll see practical change in your life in the name of Jesus. God has turned your life around and taken you out of the miry clay. He has placed your feet upon a rock to stay. It is your season to be blessed! “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). I want you to know that Jesus can heal situations that doctors cannot solve for you. I have seen God do many miracles. One day, a man came to me. He stammered badly. He stammered so badly that he had to hit himself before he could speak a word. Stammering is something doctors cannot heal. At the miracle service I was having, Jesus touched him and he was healed of that disease. He began speaking fluently to his own amazement! Imagine how someone who had to hit himself in order to speak was healed of that stammering tongue!

3. THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT HEALS THE OPPRESSED.

The Bible says Jesus went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: WHO WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). A few years ago, an 11-year-old young girl attended a miracle service. This young girl had had her left eye damaged years earlier in an explosion involving two live wires. The other child who was there when this accident happened was killed. This little girl had escaped with damage in one eye. She could not see at all with that eye. God touched and healed her in the miracle service. Suddenly, her eye opened and she could see with that eye. Jesus is healing you right now. Receive your healing! With all our advancements and developments, there are many questions we cannot answer. Human beings have created airplanes, ships and rockets. We have taken trips to Mars and to the stars. We have journeyed to the moon. With all our education and achievements, no man is able to change the heart of a man. We are also still faced with many diseases we cannot heal. But I see God healing you and changing your life. I see Jesus doing good to you. Jesus went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed. Jesus is healing you right now. He heals mad people. Many mad people have been healed by Jesus. He is the Son of the Living God. God is healing you. He is touching you. Healing is flowing to you. Testimonies of Jesus Doing Good to Men within God’s Timing

There are many testimonies of Jesus doing good. Jesus is still doing good today. I was once holding a miracle crusade in Columbia; the Lord glorified Himself and healed many people. 1. LADY IN WHEELCHAIR WALKS AGAIN.

There was a lady who had not walked for a year. She came to the crusade in a wheelchair. God healed her and she came out of her wheelchair at the crusade. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is still doing good.

2. TIBIA BONE HEALED

There was a man who had had his tibia bone shattered. He had had three operations and he still could not walk. He had been in this condition for eight months. He walked at the crusade by the healing power of Jesus. Jesus did it again!

3. LADY HEALED OF DEAFNESS AND DUMBNESS.

A deaf and dumb lady who had been in this condition for twenty-five years was touched by the power of God and healed. Her mother testified that she had never been able to hear or speak since she was born. She heard and spoke for the first time. She called her mother, "Mama" for the first time in her entire life. That night Jesus did what doctors had not been able to do. Jesus is still doing good and He will do good to you.

4. VICTIM OF CANCER WALKS AGAIN.

A lady had cancer in her spinal cord. She had undergone an operation and the tumour was removed but she could not walk for five months. She was in a wheelchair. God emptied her wheelchair. Jesus did a good thing and helped the woman to walk.

5. CRIPPLED BOY HEALED.

There was a little boy who had not been able to walk for three years. God healed him and he walked that night.

6. THROMBOSIS CURED

There was also a lady who was suffering from a thrombotic disease and had not been able to walk for one year due to the thrombosis. She was in a wheelchair. God healed her. It is wonderful and marvellous what God can do.

7. SUPERNATURAL EYE SURGERY.

This little boy could not see because he had cataracts in his right eye. He always had his eyes closed. God touched him and healed his eyes!

8. LAME LEGS RECEIVE STRENGTH.

There was another lady who had not walked for six months but Jesus healed her.

9. BLIND EYE OPENED.

There was a man who could not see with the left eye. God healed his eye. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

10. DELIVERANCE FROM EPILEPSY

A lady brought her son who was epileptic to the crusade grounds. That night, God healed her son of epilepsy. This woman confessed that she had seen a vision of Jesus in the meeting. Jesus told her that her son had been healed. Her son was healed in the service as Jesus had told her.

MIRACLE-WORKING JESUS

I present to you the Jesus of miracles. I want you to meet the Jesus who works miracles. How can these things be? How can these miracles be? I want you to know that the secret behind these miracles is the Holy Ghost! You cannot do anything for God without the anointing of the Spirit of God. Jesus was born into this world and for thirty years he did no miracle. He was a carpenter working with his father. But the Bible says, the time came when God called him to the wilderness to fast and pray. He waited on the Lord and God blessed him and anointed him. It was this anointing upon him that healed the sick and cast out demons.

1. JESUS IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER. HE IS A HEALER.

“He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Psalm 107:20). God does not like proud people. He does not like people who boast about things He has given them. You must humble yourself and believe in God. If you are a young person, you must know that the life you have today is from God. When God blesses you, you must give the glory to Him. Don't be like the San Franscisco man. You must not say that it is your strong will power that has saved you. If you're alive today, thank God for his mercy. God wants you to give Him the glory. If you are healed, God wants you to give Him the glory. He will heal you, save you and cast devils out of you. There is no problem or difficulty that He cannot overcome. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8).

2. JESUS DOES NOT HAVE TO COME TO US PHYSICALLY FOR US TO RECEIVE ALL THE MIRACLES WE NEED.

One day, an important man whose servant was sick invited Jesus to his house. The servant was dying and this centurion had asked for Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus agreed to go and heal his servant. On His way to the centurion's house, the centurion sent a message to Jesus not to bother to come to his house. He told Jesus, "Just stand there and say something and my servant will be healed." “Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it” (Luke 7:7-8). Physical distance is not a barrier to the anointing.

As the Word of God is preached, you will be healed, even if the man of God does not touch you. God sent His Word and healed His people. I see Jesus coming to heal you. I see Him sending His Word to heal you. I see Him healing you right now. I see you coming out of your wheelchair. I remember a vision I once had. God told me that he had put fire in my mouth and that when I speak, fire would come out of my mouth in the realm of the spirit and people would be healed. I do not have to touch you before you receive the power of God into your life. I bind every blind spirit in your life in the name of Jesus! I bind the spirit of paralysis in the name of Jesus. Receive your healing in the name of Jesus. God is opening the eyes of the blind. Receive it now in Jesus' name! God is healing you of cancer. He is healing you of arthritis. His power is like ointment. Receive its warmth all over you! He is healing the barren. He is healing epilepsy. God is healing you of the spirit of madness and depression. Your marriage may not be working but God is bringing healing to it.

You will not be divorced because God is healing your marriage. You will not die! You will live! God is giving you a car. He is building new houses for you. Receive these blessings right now. Receive the spirit of prosperity. God is taking away reproach and shame from your life. I see God giving you a blessing. Receive your blessing. I see you being blessed! I see God blessing you! I see God healing you! I see God delivering you and I see God giving you houses and cars! Your life will never be the same again!

TESTIMONIES OF MIRACLES BY JESUS

I once preached at a crusade in which there were thousands of people present. There was no way I could lay hands on anybody. But Jesus healed many people.

1. ACCIDENT VICTIM HEALED.

There was a man who had been knocked off his motorcycle by a car. As a result, he could not walk. He could not even stand. He had a fracture in his hand as well. The Lord touched him and healed him by His Word.

2. LAME MAN WALKS AGAIN.

Another person who for nine years could not walk without a walking stick, was healed. I never touched any of these people but the Lord healed them. He sent His Word and healed them.

3. WEAK BONE CONDITION CURED

A lady with osteoporosis for more than five months was brought to the meeting. She could not walk. She was in bed all the time because she could not even get out of bed. She was brought to the crusade in a wheelchair. The power of God brought her out of the wheelchair and she was able to walk on her own. I never touched her or spoke to her personally. He sent His Word and healed them.

4. PARALYSIS MIRACULOUSLY HEALED.

There was also a man who was totally paralyzed. He had been in the wheelchair for five years. Since he had not walked for a long time, his legs had become smaller than the usual size because the muscles had not been exercised. He could not walk at all. In fact he could not even move his legs on his own. The Lord touched him and life came back into his legs. Power returned to his legs and he began to walk. As a medical doctor, I know that when you have been paralyzed for some time, the muscles atrophy. Sometimes, the nerve supply is cut off and the legs become like sticks that cannot do anything. It is a miracle even medically speaking, for a paralyzed person who had to be bathed daily to start walking. He sent His Word and healed His people! Actually, there seems to be more power available when the Lord Himself touches us.

5. A LADY RISES FROM HER WHEELCHAIR.

There was yet another lady who had not been able to stand for three months. She was brought to the meeting in a wheelchair. But she got out of the wheelchair by the power of God. I never touched her and I never laid hands on her. He sent His Word and healed her. 6. BOY’S TWISTED LEGS STRAIGHTENED.

Children also receive their healing when the Word of God is sent to them. There was a child who had a twisted leg and walked with difficulty. The Lord touched him and he was healed completely. The leg was straightened out completely. Isn't that wonderful? This little boy broke down crying, because he was so overwhelmed by the miracle. His auntie told me that he needed to have surgery but she did not have the money for it. His legs had been totally out of shape. They became arched and so he was given orthopaedic shoes to straighten them. God touched those legs that night and healed them completely!

7. BREAST TUMOUR HEALED.

In the same meeting, there was a lady who had a tumour in her breast. She said when prayer was going on; she suddenly felt some warmth in her chest. She did not even touch her breast. Suddenly, she realized that she was bleeding in that spot. She found out to her surprise that the tumour had disappeared.

8. YOUNG BOY TAKES FIRST STEPS.

Jesus continued to touch little children in the crusade. Another young boy had been brought to the meeting by his grandmother. He had crutches because he could not walk at all. Whenever he tried to walk, he would drag his feet and not be able to walk. The Lord touched him and healed him. He took his first few steps as the grandmother looked on with joy and excitement.

9. DELIVERED FROM EFFECTS OF MENINGITIS.

A lady brought her two-year-old son to the meeting. This woman had three children, two daughters and a son. Her first two children were born normally and grew well. Her only son, however, contracted meningitis when he was seven months old. The disease had affected him so badly that he could not walk. Every time he made an effort to walk he would just stand and wriggle his waist and sit down. He had very little strength and could not do any strenuous work. The mother was praying for a miracle as she sat down in the service. She saw the power of God touch her son. In a moment he began to take a few steps. The mother was so overcome that she broke down crying. She told me, "Because God has healed him I want you to pray for him that God continues to strengthen him." Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever! He sent His Word and healed them.

10. HEARING RESTORED TO DEAF EARS.

A deaf man was brought to the service by his friend. His friend testified that he was deaf in both ears. The power of God touched him and he was healed in both ears. He had never been able to hear in those ears! I am sharing these testimonies so that you will be encouraged to believe in the power of God.

11. PARALYZED MAN AND WOMAN HEALED.

A young man who had been paralyzed for thirteen years was healed by the power of God. He had come to the meeting in a wheelchair. He was able to walk and do what he could not do before. The Lord touched him and healed him. He is the Lord that healeth thee! There was yet another lady who had been paralyzed for three years. She had been suffering from arthritis and the disease had crippled her. The Lord touched her and healed her so that she could walk again.

12. EPILEPTIC GIRL RECEIVES THE WORD VIA RADIO AND IS HEALED. People were even healed through the radio. How could I lay hands on people who were far away from me? They heard the Word of God through the radio and received their healing. There was a little girl who tuned in to the radio. She was epileptic and had attacks every day. In fact, she experienced at least ten epileptic seizures every day. As she listened to the radio, God healed her. In the middle of the programme and as prayer was going on, she started having attacks. Then it ceased. This was about eight o'clock in the evening. She knew she had been healed because she did not have any seizures the following day. She would have had at least ten seizures in a day. This is a powerful miracle by any standard. The miracles continued as His Word was preached.

13. MAN SET FREE FROM WHEELCHAIR.

There was another paralyzed man brought to the crusade in his wheelchair. This man had blocked arteries and could not walk. He had been to see many physicians but they could not help. In fact, they had suggested that he have his legs amputated. He did not know about the crusade until his daughters informed him about it. They promised to bring him the next day. For four years and four months he had not walked. He could not even lift his hands during the worship time at the crusade. He had so much pain. He was in a wheelchair when the power of God touched and healed him. His daughters confirmed that it was a miracle. As he walked, they said he had never done it before. God did a miracle!

14. HYDROCEPHALUS HEAD SHRINKS BY THE POWER OF GOD.

One of the amazing testimonies was that of a baby's large head which shrunk at the crusade. Is it not wonderful that God does great things even when no one touches you? A baby had been brought to this crusade with hydrocephalus. This is a condition in which the head of the child is greatly enlarged. His head just began to shrink. It reduced dramatically and the mother testified that the head of her baby had reduced in size. As the Word of God comes forth, believe that God will heal you. He sent His Word and healed them. Miracles are going to come into your life as you hear the Word of God.

33. The Works of Jesus

The Power of God at Work

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” (John 14:12). Jesus came into this world many years ago. He did a lot of miracles while He was on earth. I want to announce to you that He is doing those same miracles today because Jesus told His followers that, "The works that I do shall you do also, and greater works, shall you do, because I go to my Father." We will live to see the power of God.

We will see the works of Jesus. Angels are real and God gives His angels instructions to accompany His servants. Jesus Christ is alive. He is saving and healing us today as He did yesterday. As with the thief on the cross, He is right by you even in your darkest hour. You can turn to look at Him just as the thief did. You can ask Him to have mercy on you. Jesus told the thief that He would be with Him in Paradise. The blessings of God are right beside you. He will forgive you and save you when you call upon Him. God is opening your eyes to see His power and His goodness. Today, Jesus is here. He is working through His servants to do the same things that He did yesterday. He promised that they would do the same works that He did.

POWER OVER THE ENEMY CALLED “DEATH”

1. THE WIDOW AT NAIN’S SON RAISED TO LIFE.

One day, He saw a certain woman whose only child was dead by the city of Nain. The woman was crying over her dead child. The Bible says that Jesus had compassion on her. He said to the young man, "Young man, I say unto you, arise.” “And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother” (Luke 7:13-15). I command you to arise from your wheelchair, or your stretcher. Jesus is saying unto you to arise. You will experience Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit in your body!

2. JAIRUS’ DAUGTHER RAISED TO LIFE

The Bible tells us that Jesus was called to a certain man's house. This man was a ruler of the synagogue. His daughter died. But Jesus laid hands on her and she rose from the dead. “And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat” (Luke 8:54,55). I am a doctor. I have witnessed many people die. I have seen people in the mortuary. I have seen how death takes away people's lives. Doctors cure most diseases, but when the hand of death comes over a body, the doctors retreat.

One day, I was in the emergency room attending to a dying lady. As a young doctor, I was witnessing such a case for the first time. We tried to save her. My boss was standing by me, and the nurses were all around. We did all that we could to save her life. Unfortunately, she stopped breathing and died whilst we were working on her. When my boss noticed that she was dead, she turned around and walked away. She didn't try anything anymore because death had taken over. Death is the greatest enemy of man. It is the unsolvable problem of man. It is the problem that doctors cannot cure.

Years ago, we witnessed the death of Princess Diana. There was nothing human beings could do. They had all the money in the world, they had all the doctors in the world, but human beings looked on helplessly. But it was not so with Jesus. Jesus was not afraid of death. Jesus was not helpless when He stood before death. He conquered death. He pulled people out of the grave with His awesome power. Jesus began the journey to Jairus' house. On the way, something terrible happened. The child died and people were sent to tell Jairus, "Your daughter is dead, there is no hope." But Jesus turned to Jairus and said to him, "Don't be afraid. Only believe." When Jesus got to Jairus' house, the place was filled with people who were crying. They were so sad. They told Jesus, "You came too late. The doctors and the nurses couldn't help us." But Jesus asked, "Why are you crying?" You may be in anguish but Jesus is asking you, "Why are you crying?" I want to announce to you that there is hope because of Jesus

THE POWER OF GOD IS STILL AT WORK TODAY

Jesus is saying to you today: "Don't be afraid, only believe." He will turn your night into day. He will turn your darkness into light. Perhaps, you are dying but I want you to know that you will come into contact with the power of Jesus. Maybe your daughter or son is not well; but I want you to know that Jesus is alive with the power of the Holy Ghost. The power of Jesus is entering into you as you read this textbook. He is the Lord that healeth thee. Wherever you are, the Holy Spirit is present with you. Receive your miracle! Place your hand where you have pain. Place your hand on the disease. The power of God will fall upon you like heat, and like the wind. You will feel like the power of electricity passing through you. You will feel the touch of God. The power of the Spirit is with you right now.

Sometimes, you may not feel anything but you will notice that the power of God has healed you in the name of Jesus. I command the paralytics to be loosed in the name of Jesus. I command those in bondage for many years to rise out of that wheelchair. I command the deaf and the dumb to begin to speak and hear in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. I speak to cancers, to the diseases of the mind, mental diseases, spirits of madness, epilepsy, to depart in Jesus' name. I command migraines and arthritis to depart in the name of Jesus. Receive strength. Begin to move your leg, begin to move your limbs. God is lifting you up. God is healing you because He is the Lord that healeth thee. You may have kidney failure, liver failure or heart failure. God is healing you. He is touching you. You may be in hospital. Receive your healing. Rise up in the name of Jesus! You will not remain in the hospital! You will not remain in that stretcher or wheelchair! “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). I believe in the miracle-working power of God. The same power healed these:

1. PARALYSIS

There was a lady in one of my miracle crusades who was suffering from paralysis. She had been confined to a wheelchair for three months. When she was healed, she pushed her own wheelchair around on the platform. God healed another lady of polio so that she could walk. She was a student in the university and she had asked for healing so that she could continue her studies. In the same meeting, two men who had been bound by paralysis for ten and twenty years respectively were healed by the power of God. Whoever you are, receive the power of God and your life will never be the same in the name of Jesus!

2. OSTEOPOROSIS

Again, in the same service, there was a lady who had osteoporosis for more than a year. The doctors had told her that her condition was deteriorating. There were times she could not move at all because of the pain. The Lord had told her two months before the meeting that she was going to be healed. At the crusade, she suddenly felt something snap in her back. She then felt some pain and the feeling of soft hands touching her back and she was healed. She was grateful because she did not have money to get the medical attention she needed. 3. KIDNEY PROBLEM

There was yet another lady in one of my meetings who had a kidney condition. Her kidneys were swollen and she could not bend over. Her abdomen was also swollen. She was healed and was able to bend over.

4. BRAIN TUMOUR

God also healed someone with a brain tumour. She came to the crusade to be prayed for and said that she felt something leave her body during the prayer. She went back to her doctors for examination. She had her x-rays done again. The tests all came back negative. Doctors testified that the cancer was gone. He is a wonderful God and He will heal you today! He is still doing His works! He has promised that the works that He did will we do also!

THE SECRET BEHIND THE MIRACLES IS THE HOLYSPIRIT

The secret behind the miracles is not a man. It is the mighty Spirit of God. Whenever we gather in the name of the Lord, the Holy Spirit is there. He is always ready to help many people. Not only does he heal the sick but He also raises up several people to do His work and His will. There is no greater work than the work of Jesus. I want you to know that God is appointing you and calling you to do His work. He is sending you to go out there for Him. God is going to raise up many people to do His work. Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. As Jesus was praying and coming out of the water, a dove descended from Heaven upon him. That was the Spirit of the Lord. When the dove descended Jesus knew that the power had arrived. He knew that the anointing had come. “ And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him” (Matthew 3:16).

I want you to know that you cannot do anything for God without the anointing of the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit came upon Jesus, He went into His own country, and preached there. He preached a very important message. He said the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18,19). One of the most important messages He preached was about the Spirit of God being upon Him. He said He was going to preach the gospel to the poor because the Spirit of the Lord was upon him. Jesus knew that the Spirit of the Lord had come upon Him and that was why He announced to the people that the Spirit was there. He could feel Him. He could sense the power and the anointing to heal.

THE HOLY SPIRIT EMPOWERED JESUS TO DO MIRACLES

The secret is the Holy Spirit. That is why Jesus did not do any miracle until the Holy Spirit came on Him. After the mighty Spirit of God had come upon Jesus, He went about doing good and healing the sick. Jesus met blind Bartimaeus and healed him. Blind Bartimaeus had heard that Jesus was passing by. He shouted for help. He asked for mercy. The people around him tried to shut him up. They said he was disturbing the peace. They told him, "Shut up! You blind man, keep quiet and do not disturb Jesus." But the man continued to shout and to cry louder for help. “And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way” (Mark 10:51,52). I want you to understand that the same Jesus who passed by Blind Bartimaeus is passing by you today.

Don't be discouraged If people are telling you that Jesus will not heal you. That is what they did to Blind Bartimaeus. Jesus will hear your cry. I see Jesus hearing your cry! Jesus stopped by Blind Bartimaeus. I see Jesus stopping by you. He has noticed you praying and knows about your situation. In the same way that Jesus asked Blind Bartimaeus, "What do you want me to do for you?" He is asking you the same question. You need to have the faith of Blind Bartimaeus. As you read this textbook, understand and believe that Jesus is passing your way. There is nothing too hard for Him to do. The Bible says there is nothing impossible for God. There is no river too wide that God cannot cross it. There is no mountain too high that God cannot move it. I see you experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit! You are receiving healing right now. I declare and confess that you are being healed of cancer. You are getting up from your wheelchair. God is healing you by His Word! The Holy Spirit is the one who heals the sick. He is the invisible power of the Church. He is the secret behind the miracles. Below are examples of miracles generated by the Holy Spirit.

1. BLINDNESS HEALED

There was a blind man who was healed in one of my meetings. This man was blind in his right eye and had a cataract in his left eye. He had undergone surgery twice but still could not see with the right eye. The Lord touched him and healed him. He could clearly see with the right eye when he had the left one covered. Blindness is something that medical science has struggled with. But two thousand years ago, Jesus conquered blindness. The Holy Spirit is the key to experiencing healing.

2. HERNIA DISAPPEARS

There was also a little girl who came to a miracle service with a hernia that she had from birth. She had a lump that was always present. The Lord healed her and the hernia disappeared. After being examined by a doctor, it was confirmed that the hernia was gone. The little girl could say nothing but point her finger there and smile.

3. DIVINE SURGERY ON URETHRA

There was a twelve-year-old boy in a miracle service who had a problem with his urethra. As a result, he had problems urinating. He could only pass urine in little drops. He would take a very long time to urinate. There had been plans for surgery but his mother could not afford it. The Holy Spirit miraculously touched and healed him. That is the secret behind the miracles: the Holy Spirit. After he had been touched by the Lord, he was taken to the rest room to urinate. He did this freely and came back to give glory to God. He had felt the power of GOD coming over him. He had felt something touch him during the service. The Holy Spirit is the secret behind these wonderful miracles.

4. PARTIAL PARALYSIS HEALED

I remember a certain man whose legs were totally shattered. He had had a surgery that left him almost paralysed. He ended up walking with crutches. He lamented that he wanted to walk because he had little kids and wanted to play with them. The Holy Spirit touched him and he started taking a few steps as the Lord healed him.

5. HEALING OF A DEAF MUTE

One of the outstanding miracles I have seen was that of a lady who had not been able to hear or talk for thirty years. She could not say anything. Neither could she hear anything. She could not stop nodding and crying when she realized that she had been healed. He is still a healing Jesus today! The secret is the Holy Spirit. He is the invisible healer sent by the Father to bless our lives.

THE MIRACLE POWER OF GOD ATWORK

“For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37). We serve a God who is alive. We do not serve a stone or an idol.

Inanimate Gods Have No Power

One day, I went to a traditional ruler. As I talked with him, he realized I was a minister of God and he said to me, "I serve the river. I worship the river that runs by my house." I said to him, "Dear Sir, with all due respect, I want you to know that I serve a living God." Some years ago, a friend of mine went to his village in Africa. There are usually many idols and images in African villages. This friend felt like passing urine and since there was no real bathroom in the village he went into a corner and began to urinate. As he was urinating, some people began to shout at him, saying, "Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! What are you doing?"

But he was already urinating and could not stop till he finished. He then turned around and saw a lot of people looking at him angrily. He was wondering what he had done wrong. Then they told him, "Did you know that you were urinating on our god?" Nobody can urinate on our God. He is alive today and that is why he opens the blind eye and makes the dumb to speak. If you are a god why don't you speak out in protest when someone is urinating on you? Even a chicken would run away if you "wee-weed" on him. In Luke 1:34-37 Mary asked the angel, "How can these things be?" The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee... For with God nothing shall be impossible." I declare that nothing shall be impossible for you. Every impossible situation shall be made possible. One day, Jesus Christ received a message from some sisters that he loved. The message was that his friend Lazarus was dying. Jesus knew the family very well. Lazarus' sisters, Mary and Martha were his personal friends. Jesus heard about Lazarus' death and told his disciples that Lazarus was sick. Jesus was not in a hurry to get to Lazarus. This was the third time that he had been faced with a death situation.

Perhaps some people had said that Jairus' daughter was not really dead when he had raised her up. This time he wanted Lazarus to be dead beyond all doubt. When Jesus raised up the dead boy from the city of Nain, some people might have doubted it. Some people might have said it was not real! This time, Jesus was going to wait until the man was buried. That is why when Jesus knew that Lazarus was dead he waited for four days. Jesus Christ raised the dead from their homes (Jairus' daughter). Jesus Christ raised the dead from a coffin (city of Nain), and Jesus Christ raised the dead from the cemetery after burial (Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha). He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. With him, all things are possible. “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). I want you to know that Jesus is crying about your situation. He cares about you! Jesus went to the cemetery. He told them to dig out the coffin and bring it out. He said, "Lazarus, come forth!" “And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth…” (John 11:43-44). Perhaps you are wondering why it's taken so long for you to receive a miracle. It's because Jesus wants everybody to know that He has power to set you free. When the Lord shows you His power, there will be no questions about it. With man it is not possible, but with God, it is possible. Mary asked, "How can this thing happen?" The angel of the Lord told her: the Holy Spirit shall come upon you and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you. The Holy Spirit is with you right now and His power is available to save and heal you.

IMPOSSIBLE SITUATIONS THAT WERE MIRACULOUSLY HEALED

1. BOUND IN A WHEELCHAIR FOR TWENTYFIVE YEARS

A young lady was at a miracle service I was holding. She had been in a wheelchair for twenty-five years. She could not move by herself. She always needed to hold on to somebody before she could make any movement. A cousin of hers had brought her to the meeting. The Lord touched and healed her and she walked by herself. God can heal impossible situations!

2. EIGHTY-YEAR-OLD HEALED

An eighty-year-old woman, who gave her name as Maria, was healed of an eye condition that made her see everything around her as cloudy. She could not have surgery because of a high blood pressure condition. But now she could see everything. To prove her healing, she started counting the emptied wheelchairs that were lined up on the platform. With men, it is impossible but with God, all things are possible! The angel told Mary that the power of God would overshadow her. The power of the Holy Spirit is what overshadowed these people who were healed. With man, it is not possible, but with God, all things are possible. 3. MAN WITH BROKEN ARTERY

Another man was at one of my miracle meetings who had been in an accident. His leg was affected by this accident. As a result, one of his main arteries was cut and he had pain in his knee. He discovered that his knees could not support his weight anymore and his ankles got swollen. He had to use crutches to be able to move around. He felt at the meeting that a warm feeling like heat was coming over him. It came over his diseased leg. Suddenly, he started running and holding the crutches in the air. This is what I call the power of the Most High overshadowing you. With God all things are possible.

4. VICTIM OF STROKE HEALED

At a meeting where I preached that, all things are possible; there was a partially paralysed man who had not been able to walk for a month. He had suffered from a stroke, which had left half his body inactive. He could not lift his arm and could not walk. The power of God came upon him and he started walking.

5. MAN WITH TWENTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD ARM PROBLEM

For twenty-eight years, a certain man who had been involved in an accident could not stretch his arm. He had had surgery, which had left a scar on his arm, and he could not stretch long enough to be able to touch his shoulder. The operation had left him handicapped. But the Lord touched him and he was able to stretch his arm. He was able to do what he could not do before. It was a miracle!

6. THREE-YEAR-OLD TAKES FIRST STEPS

A lady, who worked with the city council, brought her granddaughter to one of my miracle crusades. The little girl was three-and a- half years old. The problem was that she could not move her body or walk. All she could do was to move her neck. She could not stand up nor take a step. God touched this little baby and she began to walk. This was a miracle from God. All things are possible.

7. THYROID MASS HEALED

Another powerful miracle I have witnessed is that of a lady who was suffering from a thyroid mass. This condition deteriorated so rapidly that it was affecting her ability to swallow and her breathing. She went to see a doctor and she was scheduled for surgery. But before she could go in for the operation she came for a miracle crusade. After attending the meeting for three days, she felt that she had been healed. She went back to the doctor. The doctor examined her again but the tumour was gone. He told her that she did not need to have the surgery anymore! She came back to the healing crusade with her x-rays to testify about her healing.

8. DEAD BABY RESURRECTED

The most outstanding miracle I have been privileged to witness is the raising of a baby from the dead. This lady had taken her child to the clinic because it had developed a fever. By the time she arrived at the clinic the baby had stopped breathing and she was told that her child was dead. The doctor wanted to put the baby in the morgue. In fact, the mother was asked to leave the body in the clinic because it was dead. She decided instead to bring the baby to a crusade I was holding in Columbia in February 2000. She was desperate and believed that the Lord would raise the baby from the dead. Believe it or not, but the power of God touched this baby and brought it back to life.

The mother came to the stage to testify. As I listened to her, I wondered, "Is it real? Is the baby really healed? Was he really dead?" As I watched the baby's mother sobbing and testifying, I gave glory to God. The impossible had happened: the dead had been raised. With God all things are possible! “Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be …And the angel answered… For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:34-37).

*******************

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Answer all options with either T (true) or F (false). All quotations are from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible unless otherwise state

1. "A good pastor is one who seeks and saves the lost". This is inferred from which of the under-listed verses.

a Luke 19:10

b John 10:11

c Acts 4:12,13

d Acts 2:42

e Matt. 6:9

2. The following quotations and their scriptural references are correctly matched.

a. Follow me, I will make you fishers of men - Matt. 4:19

b "Christ Jesus came into the world to save - I Tim 1:15

c "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature-Mark 15:16

d Occupy till I come - Luke 19:10

e I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day, THE NIGHT cometh, when no man can work - John 9:4 3.

3. The following are missionaries who made great sacrifices for the expansion of the gospel in Ghana.

a. Zwingli

b F.A.Ramseyer

c Johannes Zimmerman

d Johannes Christaller

e Martin Luther

4. The following are mistakes that prevent effective evangelism

a. Procrastination

b Church interaction

c Struggling with unsuspended harvests

d Witnessing where there are many unbelievers

e Witnessing to people who have never been to church

5. That seeing they may see

a. Matthew 12:4

b Mark 3:12

c Matthew 3:14

d Mark 12:4 e None of the above

6. According to the textbook the following set of people do not notice the harvest of the souls around them.

a. Pastors, Evangelist and Teachers

b Pastors and Teachers

c Pastors and Christians

d Pastors, Evangelist and Christian

e All of the above

7. According to the textbook

a. Do not see the buildings.

b See the harvest

c See the vastness of the harvest

d In addition to all that you see, you must also see the vastness of God's creative ability

8. According to Jn 10:11, Jesus said;

a. I am the great shepherd

b I and the father are one

c I am the good shepherd that ever lived

d I am a Shepherd indeed

e None of the above

9. What should be the correct sequence in the following statement. For the son of ……………………. Is come to ……………… and to …………. That which was ………………….

a. God, save, seek, given

b Man, save, seek, lost

c Man, seek, save lost

d God, save seek, lost

e God, save seek, give

10. The above Scripture can be formed in..

a. Luke 18:19

b Mark 19:18

c Luke 10:19

d Mark 18:10

e Luke 19:10 11.

11. A. good pastor is one who ……..

a. Saves the lost

b saves to seek the cost

c seeks to some the lost

d none of the above

e All of the above

12. Some people think that a good pastor ……..

a. just sleeps at home with the sheep

b just thinks about caring for already existing sheep

c just thinks about the great harvest and participates as well

d just manages with the few sheep available in the church

e none of the above

13. Where is this Scripture in the book of Timothy?

"……, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

a. II Tim 1:3

b I Tim 1:10

c I Tim 1:15

d II Tim 1:10

e I Tim 6:6

14. Why did God give the five-fold ministry to the body of Christ?

a. To ensure that Jesus Christ is revealed

b to ensure that the work of Christ continues

c to ensure that the work of Christ is revealed

d to ensure that God's ministry continuous

e All of the above

15. What is the ultimate goal for every minister?

a. Be pure and powerful

b To reap the harvest

c To win the lost to Christ

d To win the whole world for the church

e To achieve perfection

16. After seeing a large crowd, what next?

a. See the educated ones in front

b see the Lord on his throne

c see the souls who can be saved

d have a bible with you

e All of the above

17. Which of the following are false …………

a. Elections help present the harvest fields.

b Elections express the harvest fields

c Elections expose the harvest fields

d Elections destroy the harvest fields

e Elections increases the harvest fields.

What should be the correct sequence in the following statement?

X How then shall they___________ on him in whom they have not_______?

Y And how shall they __________ in him of ________ they have not _______?

Z And how shall they __________ without

a.__________________?

18. LINE X:

a. a.bag, heard absent

b force, understood

c call, perceived

d hear, heard

e None of the above

19. LINE Y:

a. 20 believe, whom heard

b understood, whom, believed

c perceive, whom, understood

d receive, whom, preached

e none of the above

20. LINE Z:

a. Preach, spirit

b hear, message

c hear, prophet

d minister, preacher

e hear, preacher

21. Which of the following scriptures talk about evangelism?

a. Matt. 5;11

b Matt 28:19

c. Matt 4:19

d .Mark 16:15

e. Mark 5:19

22. The following are primary roles of the church?

a. Building hospitals

b Building the best schools

c Preaching the word of Christ

d Teaching God's word

e Having the best church buildings in town

23. Which of the following drives away corruption and war?

a. peaceful democracy

b righteousness propaganda

c salvation

d riches e none of the above

24. The vision to win the lost at any cost involves the following

a. To train as many preachers as possible

b To plant churches anywhere

c To train many doctors, teachers and nurses

d To dine with political heavyweights

e To heal the sick with tablets.

25. Fill in the gaps with the given options to form Eph. 2:10

For we are his (a) , created in (b) , unto (c) , which God hath (d) , ordained that we should (e) , in them.

a. workmen

b. Jesus Christ

c. Goodness

d. Already

e. live

26. Christians are backsliding everyday because

a. They have no purpose for being in church

b They are trying to win souls

c They have not found the reason for their salvation

d They have nothing to do after their salvation

e They find no meaning in the Christian life

27. According to the textbook soul winning

a. Gives meaning to Christianity

b Gives great joy

c Energises Christians

d Prevents church splits

e Is the heartbeat of Christians

28. Match the scriptures below with their corresponding statements

a. Soul winning generates heavenly joy ---- Luke 15: 7, 10

b Soul winning leads to divine protection ---- Ps 91: 14 - 16

c Soul winning gives great joy ---- Luke 10: 3, 7

d Soul winning gives meaning to Christianity --- Eph 2:10

e Soul winning prevents church splits --- - Rev. 3:17

29. Polishing and more polishing of the same coins occur when

a. We preach to the crowd already in church

b We bring in anointed teachers and spectacular prophets

c We hold marriage seminars

d We have home cell meetings

e We have end of year Christian get together

30. The Scripture "Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a. candle, and sweep the house and seek diligently till she find it?" is found in

a. Luke 8:15

b Luke 15:8

c Luke 15:9

d Matthew 8:15

e None of the above

31. The imbalance in the lives of Christian refers to the fact that

a. Some Christians only sing but don't w in souls

b Too much emphasis is placed on the already established church

c The cost and dying world is neglected by the church

d Too much emphasis placed on soul winning.

e Nine coins are being over polished while one is "changing colour" in a corner

32. True or false?

a. Many Christians are Full Time Ministry as an alternatively employment

b An altar call for missionaries to go to New York will yield alittle response

c An altar call for missionaries to Northern Ghana will yield a huge response.

d The missionaries who died in Ghana were looking for Gold

e God is saying "if you don't spread out, I will spread you out."

33. Gaining by trading means

a. The more you do God's work the more the anointing increases

b God's gifts supernaturally increases as you begin working

c You become richer as you preach more

d Your anointing will double and triple as you wait (on the Lord)

e Your anointing will double and triple as you plunge into evangelism

34. Kingdom Promotion

a. Comes before "Gaining by Trading"

b Comes after "Gaining by Trading"

c Is an elevation that makes you marvel

d Is an elevation you give to yourself after gaining

e Is when you change your title from Pastor to Bishop

35. Mark 13:10 says

a.………. Thou hast been faithful in very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

b ............And the Gospel must first be published amongst all nations.

c ……… that he might know how much every man had gained by trading

d ……… and at that time there was a great persecution against the church

e. none of the above

36. When I say unto the ____(a)_____, then shalt surely die, and thou givest him no ___ (b) ____, nor speakest to warn the _____ (c) ____ from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shalt die in his ____(d) ____ but his ____ (e)____ will I require at thine hand

Which of the words below correctly fill in the indicated spaces.

a. sinner

b warming

c wicked d wickedness

e soul.

37. The scripture quoted above is found in

a. Jeremiah 3:18

b Isaiah 3:18

c Hosea.3:18

d Ezekiel 3:18

e Amos 3:18

38. According to "win the lost at all cost", God considers the following people as murderers and killers.

a. Those who refuse to warn sinners

b Those who refuse to hold crusades

c Those who refuse to do door to door witnessing

d None of the above

e All of the above

39. There are very few zealous evangelists today because....

a. Evangelists have little support for their work

b It is much more profitable to be a pastor

c Pastors receive more offerings than evangelists d It is a thankless job

e The reward can only be found in eternity.

40. In order to stay focused on soul winning, some of the things to avoid include

a. Distractions

b Procrastinations

c Outreaches

d Prayer meetings

e Struggling with un-ripened harvests

41. The way to overcome procrastination in ministry is

a. To have crusades everyday

b Plan a rigid schedule of outreaches

c To attend a full Gospel Businessmen's fellowship meetings every month

d Avoid postponing or cancelling fixed meetings

e Disallow the cares of this world from choking the word

42. The Scripture "He that winneth souls is wise" is found in

a. Psalm 30:11

b Ecclesiastics 11:3

c Proverbs 13:11 d Isaiah 11:30

e None of the above

43. Which of the following may be seen as un-ripened harvests to be avoided

a. War zones

b Islamic regions

c Atheistic communities

d Old denominational unbelievers

e European cities of today

44. Ripened harvests field include

a. Young students in universities and secondary schools

b Moslem communities

c Hardened fetish priests

d Sick people in hospital wards e Condemned criminals in the prisons

45. According to the textbook "If ever we need a baptism from heaven, it should be a baptism of ________" . Complete this phrase.

a. The Holy Spirit

b Fire c Power d Zeal

e All

46. The quotation above was made by

a. The Apostle Paul

b Jesus Christ

c Bishop Dag Heward Mills

d Rev. E. A. T. Sackey

e None of the above

47. Complete this quotation from the chapter titles "Letters of a soul-winner" I am filled with Holy anger against ________________

a. The devil

b Sin

c Unbelief

d The church

e The pastors

48. Fill in the gaps in this quotation with the appropriate words and phrases. The hold of evangelism on me gets __(a)___ with every passing ___(b)___. It never lessens. I dream of it, ___(c)___ with that dream and ___(d)___ with it still occupying the greater part of my ___(e)___.

a. Stronger

b Year

c Sleep

d Go to bed

e Spirit

49. The quotation above was taken from the letter entitled.

a. I am with you always

b Dreaming about souls

c I have a dream

d Reaching the unreached

e Lets do the work

50. Letters of a soul winner comprises the following subtitles

a. Reaching the unreached

b Baptism of fire

c Dreaming about evangelism

d I am with you

e Let's die preaching

Use the incomplete quotation below to answer the questions that follow Go ye therefore, and ___(a)___ all nations, ___(b)___ in the name of the Father, and of the son and of the Holy ___(c)___: teaching them to __(d)___ all things whatsoever I have ___(e)___ you: And lo, I am with you, even unto the end of the world

51. Which of these words below correctly fill the corresponding gaps?

a. Visit

b Preaching

c Spirit

d Obey

e Instructed

52. Even with all the gaps correctly filled in, two key words will still be missing from this Scripture, Name these two words.

a. Never

b Amen

c Always

d Forever

e None of the above

53. The above scripture is found in

a. Matthew 18:28

b Mark 16:15

c. Matthew 28:18

d Matthew 19: 28

e None of the above

54. This quotation is often referred to as

a. The great Olivet statement

b The beatitudes

c The great parable

d The great commission

e The famous commandment

55. This statement was made by

a. Matthew

b Mark

c Paul

d Jesus Christ

e The Gospel

56a. Which of the following statements prove that the world's spiritual landscape has changes?

a. Today Europe is the seat of Satan

b Most people in Europe are atheists or non-believers

c The spiritually alive sections of the world have shifted to the poorer parts.

d Today it is white people who need to be saved

e God is acknowledged in Africa today more than in Europe.

Use the paraphrased passage below to answer the questions that follow.

A recent survey in England showed that only 28% believed in a "personal God". 37% saw God as a "spirit or life force," 45% believed Jesus as the son of God, as compared to 71% in 1957. 78. From the above passage we can conclude that, in England today…

a.72% don't believe God is a real person

b 37% don't believe God is a real person

c 72% don't believe in the Bible's teaching on God.

d 63% don't even care about God's existence

e only 28% believe God is a real person

56b The statistics above indicate that in England today _____ don't believe that Jesus is the son of God.

a.55%

b 71%

c 37% d 28%

e 45%

57. Compared to 1957 how many believers in England have given up their faith in the Son of God?

a.26%

b 28%

c 71%

d 37%

e none of the 1/3

58. The Basel Evangelical Missionary Society sent missionaries to

a. Russia.

b West Africa.

c Asia.

d India.

e China.

59. There are _________ keys to the harvest

a.2

b 3

c 4

d 5

e 6

60. The key of Massive Organisation means that to unlock the harvest, pastors must mobilize their church members to have

a. Massive organised prayer

b Massive organised fasting

c Massive organised outreaches

d Massive organised dancing

e Massive organised waiting

61. The key of Anagkazo means to

a. compel

b force

c drive

d necessitate

e threaten

62. The word Anagkazo is

a.________ word which is taken from _________

a. Jewish/Luke 14:20

b Greek/Luke 14:21

c Aramaic/Luke 14:23

d Greek/Luke 23:14

e Greek/Luke 14:23

63. Which of the following activities constitute Anagkazo in practice?

a. Leaving church or crusade grounds to invite sinners

b Printing nice invitation cards to the wealthy to come to programmes

c Putting Christian literature into ever letter box without the owners' permission

d Doing house to house evangelism

e Playing fine Gospel music to attract sinners

64. In stage 1 of the "The science of the following-up Ministry"

a. Mortality rate is low

b Mortality rate is high

c No medicines (to check mortality rate)

d There is a medical revolution

e The growth of the population was very low

65. In the stage II of the "the science of the follow-up Ministry"

a. At time "x" there was no medical revolution

b At time "x" there was a medical revolution

c Mortality rate was greatly reduced d Mortality rate was greatly increased

e Suddenly the population began to shoot up rapidly

66. Which statements are true about the follow-up Ministry.

a. It leads to retention of souls

b Without it, evangelism is virtually a waste of time and resources

c. It is a scientific way of preventing loss of converts

d Follow up is to new converts, as breast feeding is to babies

e As a mother who abandons her baby so is an evangelising church without a follow-up ministry.

67. Follow up also involves the following.

a. Planting churches where crusades and evangelism have taken place

b Praying for the converts that have been won

c Visiting the converts that have been won

d Ignoring the converts that have been won

e Selecting the best converts and leading the rest

68. 2 Timothy 2:2 advices us against the mistake of

a. Wasting time on serious and faithful converts

b Wasting time on non-serious and unsaved 'converts'

c Praying too much instead of following up

d Not doing outreaches but remaining in church

e Committing what we have received to the unfaithful

69. "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever", This quotation is taken from

a. Proverbs 11:30

b Matthew 28;19

c Daniel 12:3

d Daniel 3:12

e Proverbs 30:11

70. Some of the special rewards promised for those who live and work for Jesus include

a. Dinner at the tree of life

b Becoming a member of the Royal Family of Heaven

c Escaping damage from the second Death

d Eating the Hidden Manna.

e Receiving the White stone

71. Match the following scriptures with their corresponding statements:

a.………. To him I will give power over the Nations, Rev. 3:26

b ………. The same shall be clothed in White Raiment; Rev. 3:5

c ………. I will give him the morning star : Rev. 2:28

d ……… I will confess his name before my father; Rev. 3:5

e ………. I will write upon him my New Name; Rev. 3:12

Use the passage below to answer the questions that follow " I pray that you will transmit into their hearts the burden that you have O Lord ……. Show us the reason why we gather each time. Help us to know that it is not to show off our new dresses, our new suits, and our new shoes. Reveal it to each person who reads this textbook".

72. According to the passage above, the reason why we gather each time is to

a. Pray

b Show of our new dresses

c To read this book

d All the above

e None of the above

73. "Reveal it to each person who reads this book: The "it" refers to

a. The burden of the lord for souls

b The reason why we gather each time

c The correct time for us to gather

d The way we should dress to church.

e None of the above

74. The following statements are true about a church

a. A church is a regular gathering of Christians for the purpose of teaching

b. The Great Commission will be fulfilled when there are more gatherings and groups

c. God is in the business of creating gatherings of teachable people.

d. God by His Spirit is raising men who will go and gather people regularly to teach them his Word

e. All of the above.

75. The population of the world in 2004 according to the book "Church Planting" is

a. 6.1 billion

b. 6.1 million

c. 1. 6 billion

d. 4. 1 billion

e. Two hundred million

76. In the multitude of people is the king's honour means that

a. Pastors are kings

b. Pastors and all Christians are kings

c. The more people there are in the congregation, the more important the pastor looks

d. Pastors should have one big impressive gathering in order to fulfil the Great Commission

e. Multitudes of people in one place would help to fulfil the Great Commission

77. The following statements about pastors are false.

a. The pastor with the largest congregation will be the greatest in heaven

b. Pastors with big congregations are likely to be more humble

c. Pastors with small congregations will b e great in heaven

d. The pastor who will be greatest in heaven is the most humble and childlike pastor

e. Pastors who are converted and become as little children shall enter into the kingdom of heaven

78. How can ye believe, which receive honour (approval and endorsement) one of another, and seek not the honour (approval and endorsement) that cometh from God only? Is in

a. John 4:54

b. John 4:45

c. 1 John 5:44

d. John 5: 45

e. John 5:44

79. Fill in the following gaps. For by ? are ye saved through ?; and that not of ourselves: it is the ? of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good ?, which God hath before ordained that we should ? in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

a. Faith

b. Grace

c. Gift

d. Deeds

e. Walk

79. The following statements are true concerning the definition of sin.

a. Sin is not necessarily doing something evil

b. Doing a good thing which is not God's will is sin

c. Sin is the rejection of God's will.

d. Sin is the refusal to accept God's plan a n d God's will

e. Sin is the substitution of your plans for God's plans

80. The following statements are false concerning the definition of sin.

a. Sin is the substitution of your wisdom for God's wisdom

b. "Anomia " means to reject the law, the will and the way of God.

c. According to 1 John 3:4, sin is the transgression of the law

d. Transgression means one who acts contrary to the law

e. Anomia is a Hebrew word

81. Concerning the strength of a church,

a. The strength of a church is traditionally measured by its seating capacity

b. The church was born as a sending church

c. Pastors rarely speak of the people they have sent forth as missionaries

d. The Antioch church had several prophets and teachers who were also Ministers of State

e. Barnabas and Saul were sent forth from the Antioch church

82. As it is written, ‘There is none righteous, no, not one’... is found in

a. Romans 3:10

b. Romans 10:3

c. Romans 10:30

d. Romans 3:3

e. Romans 3:1

83. The Bible talks about two different thrones of judgements.

a. The White Throne will be the place of judgment for all believers.

b. The Judgment seat of Christ is a different seat to judge the world

c. The White Throne is the supreme court of heaven

d. At the Great White Throne the book of life will be opened

e. At the Great White Throne the book of works will be opened

84. Comparing the Jerusalem and Antioch churches,

a. It was persecution that forced the Jerusalem church into church planting

b. Saul and Barnabas were in the Jerusalem church

c. There was great growth in the Jerusalem church

d. Believers were first called "Christians" in the Antioch church

e. The apostle Paul had as his home church the Jerusalem church

85. Further questions concerning the Jerusalem and Antioch churches:

a. The miracles in the book of Acts are t h o s e Paul and Barnabas experienced

b. The great difference between the Antioch church and the Jerusalem church was their response to the command of Jesus

c. The Jerusalem church cared for the poor

d. The first recorded revival took place in Antioch

e. The church at Antioch was started by disciples from Cyprus and Cyrene

86. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people is found in

a. Matthew 6:35

b. Matthew 9:35

c. Mark 9:35

d. Matthew 9:45

e. Matthew 6:38

87. The following statements about God becoming a man are true

a. Over 109 prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus' coming into this world

b. Some diseases and sicknesses were banished from the presence of the L o r d in Jesus' ministry

c. That Easter and Christmas are worldwide events are pointers to the fact that God visited us

d. Jesus conquered death and the grave a n d hell

e. Jesus spent his time doing the maximum good for all mankind

88. These are reasons why preaching is powerful.

a. Preaching attacks the root of man's problem

b. Preaching releases the power of God

c. Preaching gives hope

d. Preaching saves lives

e. All of the above

89. The following statements about sin are true:

a. Sin is the root of all our woes

b. Sin leads all men to their death

c. What is sin today may not be sin tomorrow

d. Sin is behind all the causes of death

e. is sin to one person may not be sin to another

90. These are differences between preaching and teaching:

a. When the word comes to us by preaching, our minds are ministered to

b. Preaching has a more lasting effect than teaching

c. Preaching is moving and stirring

d. Teaching is more outwardly impressive than preaching

e. Teachers usually have churches that grow steadily

91. These are direct effects of teaching:

a. The teaching of the word brings light

b. The teaching of the word is the sword in action

c. The teaching of the word is the planting of the seed

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

91. About the tent ministry,

a. The tent ministry is actually the lay ministry

b. It is not Biblical to combine secular work with the ministry

c. The best New Testament example of tent ministry is the Prophet Daniel

d. The tent ministry will be a prominent ministry in the last days

e. Tent ministry is not as fruitful as full time ministry

92. The following statements are true about the tent ministry

a. It helps you avoid becoming a burden

b. It will enable you to survive in ministry without being paid by the church

c. To flow in the tent ministry, you need wisdom but not sacrifice

d. The tent ministry enables you to be free from all men

e. Laziness is the greatest hindrance to t h e tent ministry

93. Concerning Hebrew words for barrenness:

a. Aqar means to miscarry or suffer abortion

b. Shakol means, a salted, barren or desert land

c. Melechah means the destruction or removal of generative organs

d. Otser means to enclose or hold back

e. Tsiyah means a drought, dry land or wilderness

94. Are the following match-ups true?

a. Aqar Genesis 11:30

b. Shakol 2 Kings 2:19

c. Melechah 2 Kings 2:19

d. Tsiyah Proverbs 30:16

e. Otser Psalm 41:18

95 The Greek words for barrenness:

a. Elizabeth was argos

b. Steiras is in Luke 1:7

c. Argos means inactive, unemployed, lazy and useless

d. Argos is in 2 Peter 1:8

e. Preaching about diligence breaks the argos type of barrenness

96. Concerning the definition of barrenness:

a. To be barren means to be issueless

b. Barren trees do not produce the normal fruit

c. A barren land is a wasteland

d. A barren thing can be described as copious

e. Barrenness speaks of having the power of conception

97. Barrenness in the church is said to occur when:

a. There is the absence of healing and miracles

b. There is no growth in the depth of relationships

c. There is no growth in the number of leaders in the church

d. There is no growth in the number of full time staff

e. There is no growth in fellowships and branches

98. These are ways of fighting the barrenness of old age:

a. Do not reject the prophetic word

b. Believe in God, his prophets and in the preaching of his word

c. Delegate outreach and church planting to zealous shepherds

d. Play music in your church that appeals only to the young

e. Reject every old minister who comes to preach in your church

99. These groups often suffer from familiarity

a. Presidents

b. Colleagues

c. Relatives

d. Pastors' Wives

e. Unbelievers

100. Familiarity:

a. Was the cause of Michal's barrenness

b. Is not a cause of spiritual barrenness in this day and age

c. Was unable to neutralize the anointing on Jesus' life

d. Is the greatest block to receiving God's power from God's men

e. Connotes a sense of becoming presumptuous

101 The following are signs of familiarity:

a. Yawning

b. Discussing the background of the man of God

c. Evaluating and rating men of God

d. Having no regard for the anointing

e. Honouring or appreciating your man of God

102. The following ministries exemplify the fact that intercession is the way out of barrenness:

a. The ministry of Hannah

b. The ministry of Elijah

c. The ministry of Jacob

d. The ministry of Moses

e. The Jerusalem Church

103. These are the stages that a missionary goes through when you send him to plant churches:

a. The Falling Process

b. The Dissolving Process

c. The Dying Process

d. The Denying Process

e. Bearing Much Fruit

104. Obedience is better than sacrifice because:

a. It is greater to obey humbling commands than it is to sacrifice

b. It is better to obey instructions you do not agree with than it is to sacrifice

c. It is better to obey without fully understanding, than it is to sacrifice

d. It is better to obey a command that you would not naturally do, than it is t o sacrifice

e. It is better to obey instructions that don’t require your wisdom than it is to sacrifice

105. Concerning church planting and the priestly ministry:

a. The prayers we offer are incense to the Lord

b. The priest is able to save (or cause salvation) by intercession

c. Great miracles happen to the priest as he performs his priestly duty

d. A priest sins when he does not offer t h e incense of prayer

e. We are priests unto the Lord

106. These are steps in planting a church:

a. You should get a complimentary card first

b. Count the cost

c. Elect a council of elders to begin with

d. Count the cost

e. Lay a foundation of prayer

107. Are the following statements true or false?

a. The word of God teaches us in Genesis 1:22,23 that every living thing is supposed to bring forth after its kind

b. You are expected to give birth to something which is just like you because that is the natural order God h a s set on the earth

c. The best person to minister to you is someone of your own kind

d. There are people who will only respond to someone they have something in common with

e. Bringing forth means leading somebody to Christ through the gospel by your own means and strength

108. Through your Christian activities you can cause someone to exist in Christ. What scripture best supports this statement?

a. I Corinthians 14:15

b. I Corinthians 15:14

c. I Corinthians 1:14

d. II Corinthians 4:15

e. I Corinthians 4:15

109. To prove that you are a real Christian,

a. You must be able to pray over a long period

b. You must be able to have your own praise and worship

c. You must not walk through life like trees without fruits

d. You are expected to give birth to something which is just like yourself

e. You must follow the Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship International example.

110. What Scripture can help you tell whether someone is a real Christian or not?

a. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them - Matthew 17:20

b. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them - Matthew 20:17

c. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them - Matthew 20:7

d. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them - Matthew 7:20

e. Ye shall know them by their fruits - Matthew 7:16

111. Are the following statements true or false?

a. Some people cannot bear fruit because they are not real Christians

b. We can distinguish genuine Christians from counterfeit Christians by looking at their fruit.

c. If by your spiritual activity others just like you are brought to the Lord and discipled to behave like you then this fruits you are bearing shows you are for real.

d. Some Christians do not bear fruit because there is a spiritual sickness somewhere

e. Real Christianity takes place outside the church after Sundays and you must constantly examine yourself if you are in the faith according to II Corinthians 5:13

112. Which of the following is not a disease that enable a Christian to give birth and be fruitful?

a. Laziness

b. Pride

c. Immorality

d. Living in sin

e. Smoking

113. The following qualities immunize us from becoming barren and unfaithful in the things of God

a. Faith and Patience

b. Virtue and Temperance

c. Knowledge and Wisdom

d. Godliness and Charity

e. Brotherly kindness

114. The statement in question 7 can be supported by the scripture below:

a. Galatians 5:22

b. I Peter 1:5-8

c. II Peter 1:5-8

d. I Peter 5:1-8

e. I Corinthians 4:13

115. "In order to bear fruit one must overcome the chokers of the world".

Which of the following statements best explains the above statement?

a. One should not become so occupied with other things that they no longer have time for the things of God

b. One should not allow himself to become like many Christians who allow the blessing of marriage to choke the mind and end up no longer being useful to God

c. One should note that as God blesses and promotes us in this world, he does not intend that it should keep us from giving unto the church.

d. One should be mindful of the cares of this world but not to the extent that all you have to offer are excuses in not doing the work of God

e. One should take into account the fact that God blesses and promotes us in this world so that we will keep on doing his work.

116a. Which of the following scriptures support the fact that there are chokers of the word in the Christian's life?

a. Matthew 4:19

b. Mark 4:19

c. Mark 19:4

d. Matthew 13:22

e. Matthew 19:4

116b. What is the fourth reason why you must bear fruit?

a. To show that you have overcome the demons and distractions in the church

b. To show that you have overcome the chokers of the word

c. To prove that you are a real Christian

d. To show that you are an active Christian

e. To show that you are mature

117. Complete the following scripture

F ill in the gaps: Therefore, my beloved brethren be ye - a- , -b- , always -c- in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your -d- is not in -e- in the Lord.' I Cor 15:58

a. steadfast

b. unmovable

c. abounding

d. work

e. useless

118. How can we switch from being inactive or mere spectators to active Christians?

a. By breaking up our fallow ground

b. By utilising our untapped potential

c. By making our lives speak to the people around us

d. By using our talents and gifts in the service of the Lord

e. By making sure that we are growing as Christians

119. Fill in the gaps:

When I was a -a- , I -b- as a child, I -c- as a child, I -d- as a child: but when I became a man I -e- childish things. I Corinthians 13:11

a. Boy

b. Taught

c. Speak

d. Understood

e. Thought

120. I Corinthians 13:11 supports

a. the seventh reason why you must bear fruit

b. the third reason why you must bear fruit

c. the eighth reason why you must bear fruit

d. the fourth reason why you must bear fruit

e. the sixth reason why you must bear fruit

121. "Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." This scripture can be found in ?

a. Luke 14:13

b. Luke 15:23

c. Luke 15:13

d. Luke 14: 23

e. None of the above

122. Which word in the above scripture is translated "Anagkazo

a. Highways

b. Hedges

c. Go

d. Compel

e. filled

123. Which of the following phrases also mean Anagkazo ?

a. To necessitate

b. To drive

c. To constrain

d. To oppress

e. To persuade

124. “Anagkazo” is a.…………. word

a. German

b Latin

c Hebrew

d Aramaic

e None of the above

125. Which of the following methods of evangelism employs practical Anagkazo ?

a. To use entreaties

b To threaten your listeners

c To shout at your listeners

d To fight with those who refuse to listen

e To weep before your listeners

126. Biazo is a.……I……. Word which means ………II……..

a. I = Greek ; II =Shamelessness

b I = Latin ; II = Force

c I = Greek ; II = Force

d I = English ; II = Power

e I = Greek ; II = Power

127. According to the textbook Christians are forceful about everything except………………

a. Their jobs

b Their girlfriends

c Their marriages

d Their future

e God's work

128. "ANAIDEIA" means ……………..

a. Fear

b To compel

c To be ashamed of something

d To force one's way into something

e None of the above

129. Another word which can be equated with Anaideia. is ……………

a. Opportunity

b Fortune

c Misfortune

d Importunity

e Disgrace

130. The "Anaideia." principle is taught in ………………

a. Luke 11: 8

b Luke 14 : 14

c Mathew 11 :28

d Mathew 11 : 8

e None of the above

131. Which of the following statements is found in Romans 1:16 ?

a. Many are called but few are chosen

b There is now therefore no more condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus

c For I am not ashamed of the gospel ……. d ……… the violent taketh it by force

e None of the above

132. Many Christians are genuine and have a real message to impart, but for the message to have an impact……..

a. It must be compelling

b It must drive the listener to change

c It must persuade the unsaved to make a decision

d It must be very mystical e It must bring in

a.lot of money

133. The main emphasis of "Anagkazo" is

a. How to organize a great supper

b How to threaten and force people

c How to win souls

d How not to have an empty church

e Prayer

133. Why is "anagkazo" an important revelation? It’s important because……….

a. A certain type of evangelism will not work in this age.

b Without it your church will be empty .

c Without it many churches will die a. natural death .

d People are going to give more and more excuses .

e Jesus taught it

134. How many practical steps of anagkazo does the textbook list?

a. Six

b Seven

c Eight

d Nine

e Ten

135. Which of the following are listed among the practical steps of anagkazo ?

a. An anagkazo man prepares a great supper

b He plays the drums

c An anagkazo person does not keep to himself

d They make balloons out of condoms

e He is not prepared to cancel his service

136. Some examples of practical anagkazo employed by the Bishop and stated in his textbook , anagkazo include

a. Playing the drums in his younger days

b Clapping for attention to preach on

a. London bus.

c Clapping to wake up sleeping nurses to preach to them

d Doing dawn broadcasts at the hostel of Public Health Nurses

e Moving out of his nice cute little circle of friends to reach out to others.

137. Bishop Dag's statements about preaching to a small group of only ten people and playing the drums and piano in church illustrates………….

a. Step two of practical anagkazo

b The need for preparation before greatness

c The fact that an anagkazo man prepares a great supper

d Step three of practical anagkazo

e None of the above

138. When the Lord asked the Bishop to close a Sunday Service and go out into the community to bring the unsaved to church………………

a. He was illustrating step three of practical anagkazo

b It showed that " anyone practicing anagkazo is not prepared to cancel his service"

c He was illustrating step one of practical anagkazo

d He obeyed and it worked

e He postponed it till the next Sunday

139. "... For they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them". This scripture………

a. Is found in Luke 20; 19

b Shows that Jesus preached against excuses

c Illustrates practical anagkazo step four

d Is found in Luke 19 ; 20

e Shows that an anagkazo man is not overcome by people's excuses

140. Which of the following statements about excuses are true ?

a. Many people are full of excuses

b Manny excuses can be substantiated

c Many excuses are empty and are lies

d All the three excuses in Luke 14 are empty

e A bad minister preaches against people's excuses

141. Some common problems experienced by young pastors include the following;

a. Some members come this week but not next week

b People often come late to church

c People backslide

d New converts don't remain in church

e Outreaches not being done

141. The following statements are steps of practical anagkazo

a. He is not overcome by people's excuses

b He knows that many excuses are empty

c He knows that many excuses are lies

d He makes a way and does not make excuses

e He goes out of his normal circles of life

142. ……"master it is done as you commanded and still there is room"

a. This statement is found in Luke 14 ; 22

b This statement is found in Mathew 14 ; 22

c This verse was used to explain step 9 o f practical Biazo

d This verse inspired the song "There is room at the cross for you "

e This statement was made by a servant to Jesus

143. "And from the days of ……I…… until now the ……II…….. suffereth ……III…….. and the ……IV……… taketh it by ……V……..

a. I is Jesus Christ

b II is Kingdom of Heaven

c III is violent

d IV is violence

e V is force

144. Mathew 11v12 illustrates which of the following words ?

a. Anagkazo

b Anaideia.

c Biazo

d All the above

e None of the above

145. The following church programmes are enough to win the multitudes to Christ

a. Bazaars

b Fellowship meetings

c Nice choir practices

d Weddings

e Anagkazo Crusades

146. Match this translation of Mathew 11:12 with its appropriate source. "The kingdom of God has been enduring violent assault "

a. Weymouth Translation

b. Goodspeed Translation

c The William Translation

d The Twentieth Century New Testament

e The N .I . V.

147. "Men have been taking the Kingdom of Heaven by storm " This translation of Mathew 11:12 comes from which translation ?

a. Weymouth Translation

b. Goodspeed Translation

c The William Translation

d The Twentieth Century New Testament

e The N .I .V.

148. Match this translation of Mathew 11 :12 with its appropriate source. "Men are seizing it (The Kingdom of Heaven) as a precious prize

a. Weymouth Translation

b Goodspeed Translation

c The William Translation

d The Twentieth Century New Testament

e The N .I .V.

149. The following reasons from the textbook prove that without Biazo we shall not succeed.

a. Sinners do not give a hoot about the gospel we preach

b People are hurtling down the road of destruction

c People are dying across the city all the time

d Sinners don't care whether Jesus comes today or tomorrow

e Many people are blinded by the devil

150. " …..the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not…" This is found in

a.1 Cor. 4 :4

b 2 Cor. 4:4

c 1 Pet. 4 :4

d 2 Peter 4 :4

e None of the above

151. Which of the following methods of practical Biazo did the Bishop employ at his preaching sessions at the ladies' hall of his university ?

a. He sang Amazing Grace very loudly

b They clapped their hands till all the ladies woke up

c He preached gently

d He called out their room numbers in his preaching

e He directed the preaching to individual rooms

152. Some other practical methods of Biazo employed by the Bishop in his university days include the following

a. He directed each of his dawn broadcasters to ten rooms

b He directed each of his dawn broadcasters to about five rooms

c He directed his dawn broadcasters to t h e lecturers houses

d He directed his message at the Vice Chancellor

e He screamed till he lost his voice

153. Reactions to the application of the Bishop's practical Biazo methods during his university days include the following

a. The people were very surprised

b Some people were very angry

c Some people were outraged

d One lady ran downstairs to be saved

e Some people came down to beat up the dawn broadcasters

154. During our city-wide crusades , each time the Bishop from the platform commands church members to go out into the streets to bring in souls, he is demonstrating

a. Anaideia.

b. Biazo

c. Anagkazo

d. Fanatism

e All the above

155. " … yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth". This statement

a. Was made by Jesus

b Was used to teach on evangelism

c Was used to teach on prayer

d Is found in Mathew 11 :8

e Illustrates the revelation of Biazo

156. Which of the following statements are true?

a. It takes shamelessness to start a church

b It takes shamelessness to ask for bread

c It takes shamelessness to do an alter call

d It takes shamelessness to pray for the sick

e It takes shamelessness to call for testimonies after praying for the sick

157. Starting a church involves

a. Breaking away with a segment of someone's church

b Moving into a room with two or three people and preaching to them

c Telling your few people that they are in a great church.

d Renting a nice big hall to begin

e Making expensive radio and television announcements

158 According to the textbook, the following happened when he began to pray for the sick in church

a. He was not worried about what people would think

b The devil told him "Don't disgrace yourself…………."

c The devil told him "Just close the service here………."

d He said to himself "I feel ashamed "

e He said to himself "I won’t do it again "

159. According to the textbook, some of the thoughts that keep people from powerful ministries include…………

a."What if no one responds (to my alter calls ) ?"

b "What if the offerings are not much ?"

c "People will think that you are not anointed "

d "Your message was not powerful enough"

e All the above

160. The Greek word "phanerosis" means

a. Manifestations

b. To make visible

c. Power

d. Wisdom

e. Knowledge

161. To be made visible is

a. Made tangible

b. Available

c. To understand

d. To make powerful

e. To interact

162. Phanerosis which is translated manifestation also means

a. A sign

b. An expression

c. A demonstration

d. The symptom

e. The appearance

163. The following statements are true

a. You can never tell who God is going to use

b. If you flow with the move of God, God will be with you

c. If you fight against what God is doing you will never succeed

d. You must grow up in healings, miracles, and unbelief

e. God can do certain things only

164. Which of the following things must a believer grow up into?

a. Healings

b. Miracles

c. Manifestations of the Holy Spirit

d. Moves of the Spirit

e. The greetings of the Spirit

165. Which of the following statements are true?

a. What we need to understand is what God is doing at this particular moment

b. God can be predicted and stereotyped

c. Following the Holy Spirit will help you to align yourself with God

d. According to the author, there are four steps in following the visible appearances of the Holy Spirit.

e. Avoid praying for people that God is not healing.

166. The most successful Ministers are

a. Those who ignore the Holy Spirit.

b. Those who do not follow the Holy Spirit.

c. Those who strictly follow the appearances of the Holy Spirit.

d. Those who pray a lot.

e. Those who read the Bible a lot.

167. The following statements are true?

a. You can do everything that God is not doing.

b. You cannot do anything that God is not doing.

c. You can be healed if He is not healing you.

d. If God is not delivering you, you cannot be delivered.

e. All of the above

168. How does the Holy Spirit become visible to the average Christian?

a. His silent voice

b. His audible voice.

c. His teaching ministry.

d. Through His fire.

e. None of the above.

169. When Jesus promised his Holy Spirit to believers, He promised us

a. A prophet.

b. An anointed evangelist.

c. A seasoned Pastor.

d. A teacher

e. All of the above.

170. Which of the following scripture(s) teach us that the Holy Spirit is here to remind us of what Jesus told us in His Word?

a. John 16:8-14

b. John 14:26

c. John 14:16

d. John 14:15

e. None of the above

171. Which of the following are the essential rewards that the Holy Spirit brings to you through the teaching of God's word?

a. All things that pertain to success

b. All things that pertain to the anointing

c. All things that pertain to life.

d. All things that pertain to Glory.

e. All things that pertain to godliness.

172. What do you understand by the expression "All things that pertain unto godliness?"

a. It means you can live a righteous life t o please God.

b. It means you can live a sacrificial life for God.

c. It means you can be in Church regularly and participate fully.

d. It means you can be spiritual.

e. All of the above.

173. Life is made up two (2) compartments. These are:

a. Supernatural life b Supersonic Life

c. Spiritual life

d. Natural life

e. All of the above.

174. Cut out the supernatural events from the Bible and you are left with a book on

a. Literature.

b. Natural life.

c. Philosophy.

d. Astrology.

e. None of the above

175. The greatest barrier to the supernatural is

a. Demons.

b. Witchcraft power.

c. Chemical weapons.

d. State of naturalness

e. None of the above.

176. Which of the following statement(s) is true?

a. Mature Christians have their senses exercised to discern good from evil

b. Mature Christians are those who pray all the time and read the Bible every day.

c. The word "senses" is derived from the Greek word "aistheterion".

d. Young Christians are not supposed to eat strong meat.

e. None of the above.

177. God expects Christians to use their organs of perception to:

a. Mature in life

b. Manoeuvre in life

c. Detect or discern spiritual things.

d. Manipulate their way into spiritual things

e. All of the above.

178. The word "heart" comes from the Greek work:

a. Cardia

b. Kardia

c. Kardos

d. Cardos

e. None of the above.

179 The heart of some Christians has become gross. This means

a. Dull

b. Stupid

c. Fat

d. Inattentive

e. All of the above.

180. The supernatural operates only through your

a. Eyes

b. Ears

c. Thoughts.

d. Feelings

e. All of the above

181 The supernatural is always

a. Sensational

b. Dramatic

c. Spectacular

d. Experiential

e. None of the above

182. According to 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, the following are listed manifestations of the Holy Spirit

a. word of wisdom.

b. word of knowledge

c. Prophecy

d. shakings

e. None of the above

183. When you have the manifestation of the discerning of spirits, you see and detect the following

a. angels

b. Demons

c. God

d. hell

e. All of the above

184. The gift of Seeing and Knowing will bring about the following

a. Protection

b. Prophetic utterances

c. Identify Judas' around you

d. Direction

e. Uncover liars

185. Leaders are often

a. praised

b. paid honorarium

c. lied to

d. teased

e. told the truth

186. An advanced type of seeing and knowing is

a. the gift of prophesy

b. the gift of tongues

c. visions

d. the spirit of wisdom and revelation

e. dreams

187. One of the top strategies of Satan against ministers is

a. sexual immoral conduct

b. backsliding

c. blasphemy

d. undermining

e. Confusion

188. God can save your life from destruction through

a. testimonies

b. dreams

c. miracles

d. visions

e. None of the above

189. Which of the following are listed demonstrations of the Holy Spirit?

a. baptism in the Holy Spirit

b. interpretation of tongues

c. falling under the power

d. the word of wisdom

e. the word of knowledge and the discerning of spirits

190. Which of the following phenomena did John Wesley experience?

a. bodily convulsions

b. people dropped on every side

c. people's bones shook

d. several fell to the ground

e. manifestation of demons

191. What is the commonest unlisted manifestation of the Spirit?

a. Supernatural miracles

b. Prophecy

c. Falling under the power

d. the rain of the Spirit

e. None of the above

192 When the Spirit ministers to a person, the Lord shows and reveals certain things to the person that touch the deepest emotions within. The person will most likely

a. prophesy

b. speak in tongues

c. discern spirits

d. fall under the power

e. weeps uncontrollably

193. What are obvious manifestations of joy?

a. crying

b. clapping

c. running

d. smiling

e. laughing

194. What are people usually experiencing when they feel the baptism or pouring on of fire on parts of their bodies?

a. the joy of the Lord

b. the anointing

c. sanctification

d. healing

e. judgment from

195. One of the greatest keys to flowing in the supernatural is

a. having faith in the unseen

b. to believe that what you are seeing is what you have believed for

c. desire the healing anointing

d. regular prayer and fasting

e. watching healing videos

196. What must you do after believing "this is that?"

a. Simply accept supernatural things

b. Prove all things

c. confirm it with two or more witnesses

d. flow with them but test them

e. None of the above

197. God's different names

a. are revealed to different people

b. show the different attributes of God

c. illustrate the divers ways he demonstrates his power

d. cannot all be known

e. are Hebrew words

198. Which name describes God as the Creator?

a. Jehovah Rophe.

b. Elohim

c. El Shaddai

d. Ehayeh Asher Ehayeh

e. YAHWEH

199. El Shaddai means

a. God the creator

b. the Almighty one who has everything that you would ever need

c. the mighty breasted one

d. the God kind of Love

e. our Healer

200. Ehayeh Asher Ehayeh

a. means the promise keeper

b. was a name revealed to Moses

c. Means "I am that I am"

d. is Greek

e. means the God who is existing

201. FOR I AM THE LORD THAT HEALETH THEE is found in

a. Exodus 14:14

b. Exodus 9:3

c. Exodus 10:11

d. Exodus 15:26

e. Exodus 24:13

202. Jehovah Rophe means:

a. The Lord your doctor

b. The Lord you physician

c. The Lord your advocate

d. The Lord your righteous judge

e. The Lord your healer

203. Healing involves

a. physical ailments only

b. many areas of our lives

c. preventing us from getting sick

d. keeping us alive

e. God coming into our life as a specialist

204. To heal means

a. to make healthy

b. to become healthy

c. to make something easier to bear

d. to cure somebody who is ill

e. All of the above

205. Rophe means to

a. assure

b. fix

c. mend

d. build up

e. edify

206. What percentage of the Gospel verses talk about the healing miracles of Jesus

a. 20%

b. 40%

c. 60%

d. 80%

e. 99.5%

207. Which of these are facts?

a. All are healed

b. God is trying to make everybody believe

c. many believe who don't see any miracles believe

d. no one will hate you when you preach the truth

e. Certain people will never believe, no matter what God does.

208. True or False?

a. God has determined that people should be saved by preaching

b. God has determined that people should be saved by miracles

c. God is trying to eradicate sickness from the world through preachers

d. Jesus is trying to heal everybody

e. Jesus is trying to save every soul

209.The healing anointing is

a. more prominent in the Old Testament

b. our only chance to reach the world

c. available only for the twelve apostles a n d the seventy sent out

d. brings healing to the broken-hearted

e. our chance to be relevant

SHORT NOTES QUESTIONS

1. The manifestations of the spirit are given to every man. Explain this assertion.

2. Briefly explain the Greek word 'phanerosis'.

3. What is the importance o f the phanerosis of the Holy Spirit.

4. "You will only succeed to the extent to which you flow with the Lord". Explain this statement.

5. Why is it important for us to flow with God?

6. Briefly explain how you can align yourself with God?

7. Describe briefly the three ways you need to flow follow the invisible appearances of the Holy Ghost?

8. Write about three important lessons you must have in mind as you follow God?

9. "The Holy Spirit must be manifested in your life as a teacher". Explain this statement briefly.

10. As a teacher, the Holy Spirit plays several roles in the life of a believer. List some of them.

11. Explain the natural and supernatural dimensions of the life of the believer.

12. What is "Kardia"? How important is it for a Christian life?

13. Organs of perception are useful for the supernatural life of the believer. Explain how.

14. How can you move out of naturalness into the supernatural?

15. When people say "God spoke to me", what does it mean? How can you experience this? 16. List the manifestations of the Holy Spirit as found in I Cor 12: 8-11.

17. Write short notes on the Nine (9) gifts of the Holy Spirit. 18. Explain the gift of seeing and knowing, showing its importance in different areas of your life.

19. List and describe the unlisted manifestations of the Holy Spirit which John Wesley experienced in his ministry.

20. With the help of appropriate scriptures, explain why people fall under the power of the Holy Spirit. 21. Explain the nature of the Holy Spirit as

a. Wind

b. Rain

c. Wine

22 Write a half page note on the phenomenon of falling under the power of the Holy Spirit.

23 People sometime weep and cry under the power of the Holy Ghost. What is the scriptural basis for this manifestation.

24 Trembling in God's presence is a real manifestation of the Holy Ghost. List some examples in the Bible with accompanying scriptures.

25 Explain what the author means by "This is that" faith. Why is important. Give two (2) instances to illustrate this.

26 List some of the varied manifestations of the Holy Spirit the author speaks about. Explain four (4) of them.

27 Explain the great revelation in Exod 15:

26 to humankind.

28 Write a brief note on the different names of God.

29 Explain the meanings of the following names of God

a. Jehovah

b. El-Shaddai

c Elohim

d. Ehayeh Asher Ehayeh

30. Write a one (1) page note on the different dimensions of the Hebrew word "Rophe".

31. Sin in the life of Adam and Eve brought dramatic changes in the body of human beings. Explain this assertion.

32. How did sickness and disease enter into the life of man? Explain in one (1) page, God's healing plan.

33. Jesus Christ came to heal. Explain this statement.

34. "Somebody may say we don't need healing. Explain why you do not agree with this assertion.

35. Write a short note to explain the fact that divine healing covers all aspects of healing.

36. "Healings do not depend on manifestations of the Spirit. Explain this assertion.

37. Write a short on why God works miracles.

38. Sister Jane said to Bro Enoch, "Am really disappointed in the Lord. You did not heal my brother during the miracle service". What explanation should brother Enoch give to Sister Jane in order to help her maintain her faith in the Lord.

39. God does not heal everybody. Explain why.

40. Miracles are common yet not the method of salvation. Explain why.

41. Explain to your new convert why she or he must continue to take his or her medications, even though God can miraculously heal.

42. God does healing miracles in the life of people. Write a short note to explain why this is so.

43. The healing anointing is our only chance to reach the world. Discuss this statement.

44. There are several reasons the church must have the healing anointing. List and write short notes on them.

45. Explain the following characteristics of the Holy Spirit. i. The Anointing ii. The Power iii. The Fire dimension iv. Physical dimension

46. The healing anointing has six (6) dimensions. Discuss each of them. 47. Outline seven impact of soul wining in the church. 48. Is it true that there is a murder charge if Christian fails to win souls for the Lord.

49. How can one avoid such if true. Explain with scriptural support.

50. Mention 3 things that can take your focus away from soul wining.

51. Discuss how the work of the white missionaries have impacted Christianity in Ghana today.

52. Will there be reward for the soul winners? If yes what will it be.

53. Is evangelism the fulfilling of the great commission. Yes-NO. Explain the above statement.

54. Compare and contrast the Jerusalem church and the Antioch church with regards to church planting.

55a. Why is preaching of God’s word powerful.

b. Why is teaching of God’s word powerful.

c. Discuss the difference between teaching and preaching. d . What three direct effect are teaching on the child of God.

56. What is the Tent Ministry, How different is it from the full time ministry.

57. Barrenness is the number one cause of lack of church planting in the modern Christian church.

a. How would you diagnose Barrenness in the church.

b. How do you fight the different kind of Barrenness.

58. Discuss the three keys to planting a network of churches.

59. There are seven things that every church planter should know about the Priestly Ministry. Briefly enumerate them.

60. What steps should be followed to start a church. Why do people fear to start a church?

61. What advantages are there of a network of churches. Briefly discuss them.

62. Familiarity is one common cause of barrenness. Name (10) signs of familiarities.

63. As Christians, what does bearing fruit involve and how can we bear fruit.

64. Why should we bear fruits.

65. How does bearing fruits after your kind show that : (i) You are abiding in Christ (ii) You have overcome the demons and distraction in the church (iii) You are healthy

66. From which verse of scriptures is the word anakagzo found? Give the simple meanings of the word anakagzo?

67. How different in meaning are the words Anakagzo, Biazo and Anaideia.

68. From the story Jesus told in Luke:14 of the important man who held a party for his friends, what practice steps to Anakagzo can one use to win souls.

69. Why should you say that Anakagzo is an important principle to soul wining. (Give at least 4 reasons).

70. When would you use Biazo and why?

71. How would you use Anaideia for soul wining?

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Alasdair, Heron. The Holy Spirit. 1 Bathstreet, London: Marshall Morgan & Scott, 1983. Anderson, Neil T. The Bondage Breaker. Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2000.

Andrews, Ian. Building a People of Power. Milton Keynes, England: Word Publishing, 1988.

Bailey, M. Keith. Divine Healing: The Children’s Bread. Camp Hill, Pennsylvania: Christian Publications, 1977.

Bevington, G. C. Remarkable Miracles. Gainesville, Florida: Bridge-Logos Publishers, n.y. Bloomer, George. Empowered from Above. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 2002. Boice, Montgomery James. Ordinary Men Called by God: A Study of Abraham, Moses and David. Grand Rapids, Michigan: n.p. 1982.

Bonnke, Reinhard. Mighty Manifestations. Frankfurt, Germany: Full Flame GmbH, 1982. Bottari, Pablo. Free in Christ. Lake Mary, Florida: Charisma House Publishers, 2000. Bridge, Donald. Spiritual Gifts & the Church. London: Intervarsity Press, 1974.

Brown, Herbert W. Fire, Radiance and Love. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1979.

Brownville, Gordon C. Symbols of the Spirit. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publisher’s, 1978.

Bush, Lewis and Beverly Pegues. The Move of the Holy Spirit in the 10/40 Window. Seattle, WA: YWAM Publishing, 1999.

Butler, Staut M. Heritage Lecture: Is Prayer Good For Your Health? A Critique of the Scientific Research: The Heritage Foundation, December 22, 2003.

Chambers, Oswald. The Love of God. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Discovery House, 1985. Coleman, Robert E. The Holy Spirit and the Word. New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1975.

Coomson, Kofi. The True Independent Chronicle. Friday December 6, 2002.

Cymbala, Jim. Breakthrough Prayer: The Secret of Receiving What You Need From God. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003.

Dehaan, Richard. The Holy Spirit and You. Grand Rapids, Michigan: W Radio Bible Class, 1928.

Dickason, C. Fred. Angels, Elect and Evil. Chicago: Moody, 1975.

Dickson, Athol. The Gospel According to Moses. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Brazos Press, 2003.

Emmaus Bible School. The Holy Spirit at Work. North Oak Park Avenue, Illinois: Emmaus Correspondence School, 1977.

Erikson, Millard J. Christian Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1985.

Fison, J.E. Fire Upon the Earth. n. c. Edinburgh House Press. 1958.

Fountain, E. Daniel. Health, the Bible and the Church. n.c.: Fountain, 1989.

Freeman, Wade C. The Holy Spirit’s Ministry. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1980.

Gill, Joyce and A. L. Miracles Are Still Happening. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker, 2000. Graham, Billy. Angels. New York, NY: Pocket Books, 1975.

———. The Holy Spirit. Waco Texas: Word Books Publishers, 1978.

Grill, Joyce. Miracles Are Still Happening. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, 2000.

Hagin, E. Kenneth. Bible Healing Study Course. Tulsa, OK: Faith Library Publications, 2004.

———. I Believe in Visions. Tulsa, Oklahoma: Kenneth Hagin Ministries Inc., 1984. ———. Jesus, the Open Door. Tulsa, Oklahoma: Kenneth Hagin Ministries Inc., 1984.

———. Seven Things You Should Know about Divine Healing. Tulsa, OK: Faith Library Publication, 1979.

———. The Healing Anointing. Tulsa, OK: Faith Library Publications, 2004.

———. The Triumphant Church. Tulsa, Oklahoma: Faith Library Publications, 1993.

———. Understanding the Anointing. Tulsa, OK: Faith Library Publications, 1982. Heijkoop, H.L. The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: Christian Literature Crusade,1974.

Henry, F.H. Carl. God, Revelation and Authority. Waoc, Texas: Word Books Publisher, 1983.

Henry, Matthew. Mathew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible. n.c.: Hendrick Publishers Inc., 2003.

Hession, Roy. Be Filled Now. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: Christian Literature Crusade, 1980.

Heward-Mills, Dag. Church Planting. Accra, Ghana: Parchment House, 2004.

———. Transform Your Pastoral Ministry. Accra, Ghana: Parchment House, 2001

Hinn, Benny. He Touched Me. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999. ———. The Anointing. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Inc., 1997.

Howard, David. By the Power of the Holy Spirit. Downer’s Grove, Illinois Intervasity Press, 1975.

Huch, Larry. Free At Last. New Kensington, Pennsylvania: Whitaker House, 2004.

Hunter, Frances and Charles. Handbook for Healing. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker, n.y.

Jensen, Jerry. The Baptist and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Los Angeles, California: Full Gospel Men’s Voice, 1963.

Jones, Doug. Understanding the Healing Power of God. Tulsa, OK: Faith Shield, 2001. Hannen, Scott. Healing by Design. Lake Mary, Florida: Siloam, 2003.

Joyner, Rick. Breaking the Power of Evil. Shippensbury, Pennsylvania: Destiny Image Publishers, 2002.

Katter, Calvin K. Ye Shall Receive Power. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Evangelism Associates Int., 1979.

Kenyon, E. W. The Two Kinds of Faith. n.c.: Kenyon Gospel Publishing Society, 1998. Kuhlman, Kathryn. I Believe in Miracles. Gainesville, FL: Bridge-Logos Publishers, 1990. ———. Nothing Is Impossible with God. Gainsville, Florida: Bridge Logos Publishers, 1974.

Lawrence, Roy. The Practice of Christian Healing. Marylebone Road, London: Holy Trinity Church, 1998.

Lehman, Chester K. The Holy Spirit and the Holy Life. Scottdale, Pennsylvania: Herald Press, 1960.

Leon, Morrison. Spirit of the Living God. 39 Bedsquare, London: Intervasity Fellowship, 1967.

Lewis, Aaron D. Healing for the 21st Century. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 2000.

Lewis, C. S. Miracles. New York, NY: HaperCollins, 1974.

Lockyer, Herbert. The Breath of God. Cleveland, Ohio: Union Gospel Press, 1949. Nysewander, Mark. The Fasting Key: How You Can Unlock Doors to Spiritual Blessing. Tonbridge, Kent: Sovereign World, 2002.

Lucado, Max. Grip of Grace. Nashville, Tennessee: W. Publishing Group, 1996.

———. He Still Moves Stones. Nashville, Tennessee: Word Publishing Inc., 1993. MacArthur, John. Unleashing God’s Work in Your Life. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2003.

Maddock, Morris. The Christian Healing Ministry. London: SPCK, 1995.

Marshall, Catherine. The Helper. Waco Texas: Word Books, 1980.

Mayhue, Richard. Divine Healing Today. Chicago: Moody, 1983.

Maynrd, James. I Believe in the Holy Ghost. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Bethany Fellowship Inc., 1965.

Mcconkey, James H. The Holy Spirit. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Silver Publishing Society, 1956. Murray, Andrew. The Full Blessing of Pentecost. 22 Berners Street, London: James Nisbet & Company Ltd., 1908

———. The Spirit of Christ. Minneapolis, Minnessota: Bethany House Publishers, 1979. Overholtzer, Irvin J. Studies on the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Discovery House. 1952.

Owen, John, D,D. The Holy Spirit, His Gifts and Power. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 1960.

Packer, J. I. Keep in Step with the Spirit. Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell, 1984.

——. Knowing God. Downer’s Grove, Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1973.

Peale, Vincent Norman. The Positive Power of Jesus Christ. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers Inc., 1980.

Pentecost,Dwight J. The Divine Comforter. Chicago: Moody Press, 1978.

Percy, Welsing R. Prayer and Fasting: The Mysteries Unlocked. n.c.: Series Publishing, 2004.

Prince, Derick. Derick Prince on Experience God’s Power. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 1998.

Pritchard, Ray. Names of the Holy Spirit. Chicago: Moody Press, 1995.

Rouch, John. National Geographic News: Friday the 13th Phobia Rooted in Ancient History. August 12, 2004.

Sauelle, Jerry. Expect the Extraordinary. Tulsa, OK: Harrison House, 2000.

Sherrer, Quin. Miracles Happen When You Pray. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 1997. Geivett, R. Douglas and Gary R. Habermas eds. In Defense of Miracles. UK: Apollos, 1997. Smeaton, George. The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1974.

Sproul, R.C. One Holy Passion. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Inc., 1987. Spurgeon, C. H. The Anointed Life. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker, 2002.

Spurgeon, Charles. Power over Satan. New Kensington, Pennsylvania: Whitaker House, 1997.

Stramford, Bryant. The Courier Journal, The Body Shop: Does Prayer Have Health Benefits? Louisville, KY, June 9 2005. http:// www.courierjournal. com

Subritzky, Bill. Demons Defeated. Tonbridge, England: Sovereign World Ltd, 1996. Sumrall, Lester. The Believer’s Handbook. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 2002. Swindall, R. Charles. A Man of Selfless Dedication. Nashville, Tennessee: W Publishing Group, a division of Thomas Nelson Inc., 1999.

Thomas, Robert L. Understanding Spiritual Gifting: A Verse-By-Verse Study of 1 Corinthians 12-14. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel, 1978.

US Census Bureau Interaction Programme. Demographic Data and Measurements: World Birth and Dearth Rates, 2001. Microsoft Encarta 2004.

Warrington, Keith. Jesus the Healer: Paradism or Unique Phenomenon. Waynesboro, GA: Paternoster, 1952.

Welsing, Percy R. Prayer and Fasting: The Mysteries Unlocked. n.c.: Series Publishing, 2004.

Wigglesworth, Smith. Smith Wigglesworth on Healing. Kaduna, Nigeria: Evangel Publishers Ltd., 1999.

*******************

Other Textbooks by Dag Heward-Mills:

Pastoral Ministry

Church Administration and Management

Basic Theology

*These titles are also available in Spanish and French. Information about other foreign translations of some of the titles above may be obtained by writing to our email address.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

The Importance of Evangelism

Chapter 2

A Focus on Evangelism for Church Growth

Chapter 3

The Supreme Task of the Church

Chapter 4

Strategies for Effective Evangelism

Chapter 5

Keys to the Harvest

Chapter 6

A Brief History of Missionary Work

Chapter 8

The Work of Church Planters

Chapter 9

Fruitfulness and Missions

Chapter 10

Barrenness in The Church

Chapter 11

Fighting Different Kinds of Barrenness

Chapter 12

The Doctrines of Sacrifice and Obedience in Church Planting

Chapter 13

Strategies for Practical Missionary Work

Chapter 14

Methods for Effective Missionary Work

Chapter 15

Preaching And Missions

Chapter 16

Preaching The Cross

Chapter 17

Sacrifice and the Anointing

Chapter 18

The Christian Leader and Sacrifice

Chapter 19

Sacrifice Brings The Glory

Chapter 20

Recognizing the Supernatural

Chapter 22

The Charismatic Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Chapter 23

Interpreting “Jehovah Rophe”

Chapter 24

The Purposes of Healing

Chapter 25

Understanding the Gift of Healing

Chapter 26

Healing and The Power of The Holy Spirit