Summary of the preaching
Sunday, April 17, 2023 – Apostle Billey.
Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace,
Easter is deliverance, reconnection with God.
And even though for Christians we were already connected, this is an opportunity to reconnect even more to be even stronger.
So if we have 100 years to live, every year is an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with God.
Material or money cannot build a relationship.
What strengthens a relationship is the communication between the two people.
The words exchanged that the other listens to, accepts and responds too –
Mutual acceptance is effective when we accept what the other says – that’s what strengthens a relationship.
The more openly we discuss, the more we share, the more we communicate – the better the relationship becomes.
And it is God who created all this. For indeed, the best communicator in the world is God, it is he who gives life, restores…
** How does he do it?
It is through his word – through what he says.
Even the blood is through his word. We don’t see the blood shed on us physically but we receive it through what it tells us.
Indeed, what He says allows us to understand the truth that is in Him and it is this truth that sets us free.
John 10.38 But if I do them, even if you do not believe me, believe in them, so that you may know and acknowledge that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.
** How can someone be inside another?
Physically it is not possible but spiritually it is possible.
It was sin that was the problem – because of sin we were far from the glory, the presence of God.
But the moment you receive the blood of Jesus, you are reconciled.
** The grace of God’s presence in us is primarily for born-again Christians.
What prevented the Lord from being in the Christian was sin.
When Jesus was on earth, the Father was in him so that means he was not alone
If Jesus despite being born miraculously needed to have his Father in him to do what he had to do. And moreover the Lord Jesus never committed any offence and He needed His father to be in Him.
How much more do we need Jesus to be in us?
It is imperative for us to own Jesus.
** What should happen then?
Jesus needed his Father – you too need him to be in you so that you know you are not alone.
You have to be aware of this continuously.
John 14:10
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak of myself; and the Father who dwells in me, he does the works.
Here in the first instance, we will focus on this part:
the Father who dwells in me
,
God the Father is in Jesus.
And Jesus needed to carry His Father within Him.
Where does the Father live? In Jesus and it is the Father who does the works through Jesus.
We are created in the image of God – that is why Jesus came.
If Jesus had come only to remove sin and stopped there – the work would not be totally finished.
After Jesus took away your sin that was the problem, then
he came to live in you.
For us to be victorious, Jesus must dwell in us.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
God is in the Son and the Son is in the Father
And those who accept the Son are reconciled to God – and become children of God.
The problem of sin had to be solved first. That is why the Lamb of God Jesus Christ shed his blood to cleanse us.
Let’s not forget that sin is what separates us from God. It is sin that creates death.
When sin is removed – everything becomes possible for us because Jesus then comes to live in us.
Jesus needed his Father to do what he had to do.
You also need Jesus in you .
It is imperative that the glory of God be in you.
And this is possible as soon as the sin has been removed.
God allows us to redeem time like Moses who thought his time was up at 80 but everything changed when he met God. And everything changed for him. God thus restored his life …
Indeed, where the child of God is – God is there – So, our houses must be houses of love, peace, communication, joy because Jesus is in us.
Let’s understand this:
- If a house is inhabited by a glorious person – when you enter it you will feel good.
- If this house is inhabited by a person who smokes, for example, everywhere in the house you will smell of cigarettes.
The Lord Jesus is able to restore your life, your home, your house…
John 14:20
In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
That is why it says we are the temple of God, we are created to be the dwelling place of God ….
To drive a car – you have to be inside.
Now we are the temple of God, who must therefore dwell in us?
In order for him to lead us every day by his spirit – he must be inside us.
We must not live an average Christian life, of religious…
We should not go to church without understanding, without being deeply connected to Jesus.
Going to church and continuing to criticize, to live in impurity…
If the Lord does not take possession of the house, there is no way out.
Indeed, it is God who gives joy, peace, love, unity, abundance….
** Who should live in the house/temple after being washed?
After renovating a house and doing the work, aren’t you going to live in that house?
Even if you can’t live there yourself, you will choose to put someone you approve of there.
Beloved, it is Jesus who must dwell in you.
Because if he doesn’t live there, the thief will take possession of the place.
Now we know that :
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal, slaughter and destroy ….
And because of this, there will be despair, sadness, discouragement, hatred in this house ……
Listen to this story:
Two neighbors – a woman and a man – did not get along at all, they totally disagreed on many points especially on snow days, organization of garbage cans etc…
The gentleman became ill.
The neighbor did not see him for a long time and asked about him. She learned that he was very ill and hospitalized.
She went to the hospital to find out more – and learned that she had only a short time to live unless a new kidney could be found.
Out of compassion, she offered her kidney and was found to be a match.
Then she asked the doctor not to reveal her identity, and he kept it a secret.
However, the nurses and hospital staff who knew about it eventually revealed it to the neighbor who was looking for his benefactor.
When he heard the news, he was so touched by the gesture of his former enemy.
He was grateful for life for having given him his kidney and thus saved his life.
How much more should we be grateful to Jesus who did not give us a kidney but gave us his whole life.
That is why we must commit ourselves totally to Jesus.
Jesus is our redeemer, our owner, we must not let anyone else live in us. His character must be developed in us.
Indeed, when Jesus is present it is love, grace, favor, We are not in partnership with the Lord – he is the King of kings and we belong to him.
We need to be totally focused on Jesus because he has given us life.
LET US PRAY →
I am the temple of God
Yes, Lord, you are in me.
You are my shepherd – my redeemer – my king – my life.
You are my alpha – my Omega,
My strength, my light, my best friend.
Thank you for the deliverance.
Thank you for this new strength you give me.
You are my strength.
Thank you for life.
I give myself to you, you are my life.
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Amen!