The Cross- Releasing The Life-light

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Telephone numbers 0703 03636 59, 0703 76811 98. Email address lsmedia at livingseed.org or visit our website at www.livingseed.org. Let us sit back and listen as the servant of God brings forth the Word of Life. Matthew 4 is talking directly about how Jesus was fulfilling a prophetic word concerning Him.

Let me ask you to read Matthew chapter 4 from verse 12 and then by the time we get to 16, it will be alright. Now, when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, He departed into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast in the borders of Zabalon and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, The land of Zabalon and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.

The people that sat in darkness saw great light, and to them which sat in the region of shadow of death, light is sprung up. May the Lord bless His Word as we study together again in the name of Jesus Christ. This night, as a very quick introduction to the ministry and the mystery of the cross, we want to be talking more deliberately.

What is the ministry of the cross in releasing the life light? There are three issues that we need to note very quickly while we go on in our study. The man that God made, God gave him authority. God asked him to have dominion.

And all through the time that he carried that life, he was actually in charge. And he had communion with God every evening. God came down in the cool of the day to commune with His servants.

He was a friend with God. He was God's partner. Whatever God did in heaven, He brought it to the man and said, What would you want us to call it? And whatsoever he called it, that was the name thereof.

The man that God made, God made him to partner with God. While God sits in the heavens, He appointed him to govern, to rule, to dominate, and to establish His kingdom on the face of the earth. That particular order, God has not changed it, even though man has failed.

That particular order, that everything that will happen on the earth, on behalf of God, God has consigned it that a man on earth will initiate it, while heaven will activate it. Please get me clear. God's intention is that God will have a man that carries the life that is light, and He will govern on the face of the earth for God.

So even when Jesus Christ came, and He began to speak about the kingdom of God, He did not reverse that order. Do you know what He said? He said, Whatsoever you bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven for you. Whatsoever you loose here on earth, is what heaven will loose.

He said, Behold, I give you the keys of the kingdom. God is still looking at men and women that will carry the kind of life that will cause His kingdom to be established and His will to be done on the earth. Permit me to also tell you, that God has never and He will not release the governance of the earth to angels.

Angels, the best they can do, the Bible said they are ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation. But as far as the responsibility of bringing the purpose of God to pass and to bear on the face of the earth is concerned, it is man that God has appointed to do it. And God follows that order up to now.

Can you imagine that Colinus was seeking God. He was fasting and praying to the extent that an angel appeared to him. But to my surprise, the angel only told him, All your prayers and your alms giving has reached the ears of the Lord Almighty and He has sent me.

Sent for a man called Peter, who will tell you how to be saved. And I was asking, What is in it that the angel could not have told Colinus? It is because God follows His order. It is not in the duty and in the calling of angels to rule the earth.

Or to preach the gospel on the earth. Or to subdue the earth. God never handed it over to angels.

And that is why, even as we are facing challenges in Nigeria and we are facing challenges in Africa. And the entire world seems to be facing serious challenges of unrighteousness. You would have expected that God is just going to mobilize His angels and say, Go and overrun the place.

He has power to do it. But He has chosen not to do it. Because that is not the order He has established.

The order that God has established is that heavens and the earth were created by God. But the earth He has given to the sons of men. So I must say to you that as far as the purpose of God on the earth is concerned.

And as far as what God wants to do in our generation is concerned. God has not yet changed His mind that it is a man, it is a woman that He was going to use. Can you imagine? In Ezekiel chapter 22, God, when He has given the catalog of the misbehavior of the people.

To the extent that it could have destroyed. But do you know what He said? In Ezekiel 22 verse 31. He said, I sought from among them.

What? A man. Who will stand in the gap. Who will make up the edge.

That I might not destroy the place. So tonight, what is God doing? What is this work that God was doing? In order to produce men and women. That will have capacity to subdue the earth for Him.

And to undo the matter of darkness. That is the matter that brought the matter of Jesus. And I'm just praying that it will be simple.

As we study the word of God together. To have an understanding of the mystery of the cross. For us to be able to get the kind of life that will subdue darkness.

And that will bring about great turnaround. Great transformation. In our time.

In our generation. In our different nations. As the Lord is speaking to us.

May God help us. In the name of Jesus Christ. So if you refer to the little notes.

While I progress to look at the ministry of the cross. I would like to say to you. No one can subdue darkness.

If it does not bear the life that is light. If the life that you carry is the natural life. That which is born of the flesh.

Is flesh. Flesh. According to Romans chapter 8. They cannot please God.

But since the fall of man. Since sin came through the man. That's why I'm referring you to Romans 5. Which we cannot read particularly at this time.

But since sin came into the world through one man. The Bible said. Death and darkness have reigned over all men that were born of a woman.

All men so born are under the power of darkness. All men are under the power of darkness. Let us quickly note that what imposed darkness upon the earth.

And upon mankind. Is not because darkness was powerful. It was only because the life that is light was quenched.

I still must repeat that. If it will be clear to you. It is not that God made man.

The man he made in his image. It's not that God made him vulnerable. And made him incapacitated.

That Satan can overrun him anytime. No. God did not subject the earth.

To angels. Talk less of to demons. When I read the Bible again and again.

And as I remind you some of the Bible verses. You will understand. That if you carry the correct life.

If the life light is the one you bear. Hallelujah. Satan will run.

So you read a scripture. Like in James chapter 4 it said. Resist the devil.

And what will he do? He will flee. If the devil has power. To overrun and overwrite a man that carries the life light.

Why will he run? Why will he run? One version says. Stand up against the devil. He will turn and run.

Quietly I know. That if not because the life that overcomes. Had been tampered with because of sin.

God's intention. Was not for the devil to find his place here. He was supposed to be a vagabond.

A restless. Running up and down. Not having anywhere to stay.

That was the plan of God. But when man exchanged that life. For the life of the flesh.

Man became impotent. And Satan that had no particular right. To sit on your life.

Has now been given an undue authority. An undue advantage. To misbehave.

And to do all the havoc he does. As soon as Jesus Christ came into the world. I want you to remember.

I'm paraphrasing because I want to go ahead. As soon as Jesus came into the world. And Jesus being baptized.

And God began to speak about him and said. This is my beloved son. In whom I am well pleased.

Do you remember that immediately. The bible said Jesus. Was led to the wilderness.

To be tempted. Of the devil. And as I look at the various temptations.

That Satan brought to our Lord. One of it that was very significant in my mind. All of it is very serious.

But one is very significant. He took Jesus. To a mountain.

And he showed him all the glories of the world. He showed him all the kingdoms. He showed him everything.

And he told Jesus. Something that was a very very terrible statement. He said all these things.

They are mine. And I give it to whosoever. I want.

But he said something. That was a kind of a pointer. Because I was going to ask.

How could he say all these are mine. Did he create any. How could he say all these things are mine.

Did he originate anything. No. But he quickly noted.

Say all these things are mine. For it has been delivered. Unto me and I give it to whosoever I like.

And I was asking. Who delivered it to him. Excuse me who delivered it to him.

It is man. Whatever trouble. That the prince of darkness.

Is now having. It all was because. The life that the man.

Was meant to carry the life light. When he fell into sin. The sin of disobedience.

He lost it. And. You know cheaply.

He handed over. The authority. To rule the earth.

To the enemy. And that one was clinging to it. But he told Jesus said only if you can bow.

I will give it to you. If you can also agree to be my stooge. And to be my delegate.

I will give it to you. That has remained. The lie the devil tells every man.

The devil tells you. You cannot. Operate in power.

If you do not bow to me. The devil says you cannot succeed on us. If you do not bow.

And Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said. Get deep behind me Satan.

It is written. Only the Lord your God. Thou shall worship.

From that day. Please take note. The Bible said even though Satan left him for an opportune time.

The battle line was drawn. How was Jesus Christ going to collect back. What Adam lost.

How was he going to collect it back. That is where. Our study this night.

Is going to come from. I would like you to please. Turn your Bibles now.

To the book of John. John. Chapter 12.

I would like to begin. Our study of that particular passage. Leading to.

What is the first mystery. A ministry of the cross. Which you see as number one.

But leading to that. I wanted to read John 12. Now.

In verse 20. There were certain Greeks among them. That came up to worship at the feast.

The same came therefore. To Philip which was of Bethsaida of Galilee. And desired him say Esau.

We will say Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew. And Andrew again and Philip tell Jesus.

And Jesus answered them. Now. All of you I wanted to please pay attention to this.

Because. We are looking at the mystery of the cross. We are looking at.

The secret. The secret wisdom of God. Behind the cross.

And what is the relevance. Of it. For our own life today.

To such a point. That we will have opportunity. To become a light to the nations.

Though these passages. We will be referring to them as we keep going on through this paper. But I felt that we should take this.

As a background passage. Before we move into other scripture. Jesus.

They ask him. They say sir. Some Greek wanted to see you.

In my mind I thought what Jesus should have said is. Yes let them come in. Or no I don't want to see them now.

Would that not have been the right answer. But. The way Jesus responded.

Even Philip and Andrew. They must have been surprised. Because they could not connect.

That's the first thing I want to tell you about. The mystery of the cross. The cross.

Is God's secret strategy. That he devised. In order to settle a problem.

On the face of the earth. And if anyone of us is going to participate. With God.

In subduing darkness. In becoming a light to the nations. And bringing men that are sitting in the region of darkness.

We have to understand. But beyond mental understanding. We have to have a personal revelation.

Of the mystery of the cross. Now look at Jesus. Instead of answering.

Let them come or let them wait. Or I cannot see them yet. He went into something that even the disciples.

Were wondering. What are you talking about? Verse 23. And Jesus answered them saying.

The hour. Is come. That the son of man.

Should. Be glorified. Now.

Just a little insight. Into the little bible verse. When he said the hour has come.

That the son of man. Should be glorified. If you are an English student.

And someone said. This is the hour. That I should have gone there.

What has that man said? What has he said? I thought somebody would help me. If somebody said. This is the time I should be there.

What has that man said? Oh my God. Nobody is to help me here today. It means.

I will not be there. I am not there. Jesus said.

This is the hour. That the son of man should. Be glorified.

Did you say the Greeks are coming? Did you say they are looking for me here and there? Wow. This is the hour. That the son of man should.

Be glorified. But look at the bible. Verily verily I say unto you.

Except. A cone of wheat. Fall into the ground and die.

It does what? It abides alone. But if it dies. It brings forth.

Hallelujah. Much fruit. Before I come on that.

Because once Jesus began to speak from verse 23. Those of you that carry red letter bible. You will notice that.

It did not stop. Until the beginning of verse 28. Did you notice that? So which means.

If we want to study the bible correctly. We cannot stop. At verse 23.

We must go on until we get to the end. Of what he said. Without stopping.

What did he say there? He said the hour has come. That the son of man should. Be glorified.

Verily verily I say to you. Except. A cone of wheat falls to the ground and dies.

It abides alone. But if it dies. It brings forth much fruit.

He that loveth his life shall lose it. And he that hateth his life in this world. Shall keep it unto eternal life.

If any man serve me let him follow me. And where I am. There shall also my servant be.

If any man serve me him will my father honour. Now. Is my soul troubled.

And what shall I say. Father save me from this hour. But for this cause.

Came I unto this hour. Father glorify your name. What is the mystery.

In that passage. What is the mystery. What is the secret.

That Jesus was unveiling. Even though I am not sure. Those that were hearing him understood.

Immediately. Because. The next comment you find in verse 28.

Shows that they did not understand what he was saying. They were on a different page altogether. What is the mystery.

What is the mystery. Jesus said. That hour.

Was the time I should be glorified. But it has to be postponed. The reason is this.

If I want to be alone. I can go now. If I want to be alone.

The only man. That has lived on earth. That has overcome sin.

That has glorified God. And satan can do nothing to him. The only man.

That satan tried everything. And he could find nothing in him. If I wanted to be the only man.

I can go now. But. Unless the corn of wheat.

Falls to the ground and dies. It abides alone. But if it dies.

What will happen? It brings forth much fruit. It is only when you follow me. To the book of Hebrews.

Chapter 2. That you begin to understand the Bible saying. In order for Jesus to bring many sons to glory. He had to taste death.

For every man. So when Jesus said. Unless the corn of wheat falls to the ground and dies.

It abides alone. But if it falls down and dies. It will bring forth much fruit.

And then he began to say something. He that loves his life. Shall lose it.

He that hates his life. In this world. Shall keep it unto life eternal.

If any man serve me. Let him follow me. Where I am.

There shall also my servant be. If any man serve me. Him will my father honor.

Let me ask you. All of this that I am reading. Is it in answer.

To the question that Philip and Andrew came. And said sir. Some gentleman from Greece want to see you.

Is that an answer to it? Did he talk about the Greek that came to see him? Oh my God. You are not hearing me. Just think Norman.

That people are coming to see you. And your sons or daughters say ah dad. This man is at the door.

They said they want to see you. What do we tell them? And instead of you to tell them what to go and tell them. You switch on.

And you started saying something else. I am sure Philip and Andrew must say sir. But you have not told us.

What to go and tell these people. They are still waiting sir. Because there is a mystery.

The mystery of death. That releases life. The mystery of death.

That multiplies. The mystery of death. That makes you an overcomer.

Unless the corn of wheat falls to the ground and dies. It abides alone. But if it dies.

It brings forth much much fruit. And Jesus knew. That even though that is the hour.

I shall be glorified. That hour. Has to be postponed.

It will become the hour. Of going to the cross. The first mystery of the cross sir.

Is that if not for the cross. There will be no other children of God anywhere else. There will be only one.

The only begotten of the father. And the rest of us. We will be under the bondage.

Of satan. Until we get to hell. When Jesus was going to the cross.

Listen. He wasn't going to the cross for a personal problem that he had with God. It was that for him.

To bring many sons to glory. To produce other brothers and sisters. Who will be qualified to go to heaven in glory.

He had to do what? To taste death. And for you to know that. It was not easy.

For the righteous son of God. Who knew no sin. For whom no death ought to be applied.

Because the people that are lower than him. The people that are less in rank. Than Jesus.

Some of them did not taste death. Because of their work with God. Can you give me an example of one of such? Enoch.

Enoch never died. Elijah was not allowed to taste death. And even Moses.

God took him to a mountain and said look, look, look. But you cannot get there. And there and then.

He died at the feet of the Lord. And God commanded angels to carry him. And nobody can trace where Moses was buried up to tomorrow.

Are you with me? Oh my God, are you with me? When Jesus went to the Mount of Transfiguration. Just a few days before this time. And he took three of his disciples.

He took Peter. He took James. He took John.

Do you remember that? When they went to the Mount of Transfiguration. According to Luke's account. As he was praying the Bible said.

He was transfigured before their eyes. And suddenly. Two appeared.

Who are the two that came? Moses and Elijah. These were two people. Moses represented the law.

Elijah represented the prophets. So the law and the prophets they came. And I'm hearing their discussion.

According to Luke. He said they were reasoning with him. Concerning what? Concerning his death.

What were they reasoning with him? You might not understand what they were reasoning. Until you hear the response of Peter. What did Peter say? Who knows what Peter said? Peter said Lord.

It is good for us to be here. And they are asking you that you don't need to go down and die. You remember that the other time on the road to Caesarea Philippi.

When you started talking about this death, this death, this death. Me, I told you that you will not die any death. And you rebuked me.

You said Satan get him behind me. Now Moses and Elijah the great prophet. They have also come.

These are the ones that we knew never died. In our eyes. And they are telling you that there is no need.

You are bigger than them in glory. Why should you die? Should Jesus have agreed with the suggestion of brother Peter? Who knows what would have happened? From the month of transfiguration, he would have ascended. But let me ask you.

What would have happened to all the disciples that were even following him? Can you ever remember what would have happened? I give you an illustration of what happened. While he was away. Just for that brief moment.

Somebody came with epilepsy's children. And begged the disciples. These are people that have been following Jesus up and down.

And said, this my boy is epileptic. Can you cast him out? Come and see how Andrew was rolling up his trouser. And said, yes.

Come out. And the demon was just looking and laughing. And said, what are you talking about? Then Thomas said, no.

You are not following the method that Jesus used the other time. You know what Jesus did when he went to the man of God? I said, what is your name? How can you cast a demon out that you don't know his name? Thomas theory of casting out demons. So he said, what is your name? The epileptic spirit.

That looks dumb and deaf. Then Andrew said, I started following Jesus before all of you. Move back, move back, move back.

When they did all they could do, brothers. Then the Bible said, the man that brought epileptic. Started quarreling with them.

Said, what are you doing? Actually, it was as they were quarreling that Jesus arrived. If you read your Bible very well, Jesus asked them, what are you disputing with them? What are you fighting them with? And the man with epileptic baby was bold. Do you know what he came and said? He said, sir, I brought my son to you to cast out this demon.

And you were not around. And I expected that this your disciples. Who have been following you up and down for this number of years.

I expected that by now, they should be able to do something. And I brought my child to them. And they could do nothing.

I've been here, they were just parabolating around. They could not do anything. That's why I'm quarreling them, sir.

And I say, huh? Does it mean that if people identify me with Jesus. They have a right to expect that Jesus' light should have rubbed on me. Huh? They have a right.

Does it mean that some people that have come. They say we know that this man has been following Jesus. And that we know that Jesus must have delegated him with something to help our lives.

They have a right. But when they came and they were disappointed. They quarreled with them.

And I've been praying, Lord, deliver me from this quarreling ministry. A ministry that you try, try, try, try, try, try. Put somebody's neck, nothing happened.

They say, what are you there for? And you call yourself a man of God. And they say, yes. It's because you yourself, you are not serious.

And if you have known how to give an offering. Your problem will have been solved. This kind of ministry that you quarrel people.

When you have no power to help them. You shake their head, shake their head, shake their head. Until their neck is paining them.

That was what happened. So by the time Jesus came. And he looked at them and said, you, you.

How long will I be with you? So when the people left after Jesus cast out the demon and everything happened. They came and asked him privately, sir. Why couldn't we cast it out? Do you remember they asked such a question? In their private meeting, they said, sir.

What that demon did to us was serious. Why couldn't we cast it out? And Jesus said, because of your unbelief. So if Jesus had gone.

And they had made three tabernacles there. And you remember that brother Peter. He said, let us make one tabernacle for you.

One for Moses, one for Elijah. He said, any tabernacle for themselves? He zoned himself out. I'm sure we would have been stranded.

I thank God for Jesus. Who chose to taste death. So that people like me and you.

Can be delivered from the power of darkness. Hallelujah. So the Bible said.

He said, but now my soul is troubled. And what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour. If he had stopped.

And there was an amen. That would also have finished us. But can you see what quickly he said? But for this cause.

Came I unto this hour. The reason why I came. Is for this hour.

This hour when I must fall down to die. When this corn of wheat must fall down and die. So that.

So that. It might bring many more to glory. Praise the Lord.

Now, how do we understand that? In verse 28. Then came there a voice from heaven. Saying, I have both glorified it.

And I'll glorify it again. We don't have time. To understand or to discuss.

What that voice was assuring Jesus. But those of you that can read your Bible. You will have gone back to Psalm 16.

When. In the prophetic insight. We were told that Jesus.

Had prayed and said thou shall not leave my soul. In hell. To see corruption.

As if he was saying father. If I agree to go and die. I hope you will glorify your name.

I hope. What you promised me will come out. I hope.

There are many, many songs that I will bring to glory. And the father assured him. I have glorified it.

And I will glorify it again. The people therefore that stood by and heard it. Said that he thundered.

Others said an angel spoke to him. Jesus answered and said this voice. Came not because of me.

But. For your sakes. So look at verse 31.

And verse 32. Now. Is the judgment of this world.

Now. Shall. What is the difference between.

Shall. And should. You know in verse 33.

He said. The hour has come. That the Son of Man should.

Be glorified. But when it came to verse 31. He said.

Now. Is the judgment of this world. Now.

Shall. The prince of this world be cast out. What is the difference between that two statements.

Should. Should is used. As something that ought to be.

Ought to be. And then shall is using. Is sorry.

Shall is used as. Something that was to be done. To be executed immediately.

Is that the lawyers. Interpretation. Thank you.

Should. Is a word of what ought to be done. That will not be.

But shall. Is that which will. Definitely happen.

Don't ever think that. Even the things. That the word of God has used.

Is there for decoration. They are not. Never you.

Rush. And not check. Why God's word.

Had been said the way it was said. It was deliberate. Now look at the word of God.

Now. Is the judgment of this world. May I tell you.

When I begin to go further. In this matter of the cross. I would like you to know.

That at the cross. The judgment. Of the prince of this world.

Was finished. Thank God that I have many. I call judges here.

And senior lawyers. That could understand. What I'm talking about.

That when he said. Now. Is the judgment of this world.

This matter has been pending for years. Since the fall of man. This is the time.

That that judgment. Is going to be. Delivered.

And this is the time. When the prince. Of this world.

Excuse me. Who is the prince of this world. This is the hour.

That the prince of this world. Be cast out. And are.

If I be lifted up. From the earth. What will I do? I will draw all men.

Unto me. I know. Because of lack of contextual understanding.

I know you normally sing that song. Lift Jesus higher. Lift Jesus higher.

For he says. If I be lifted up. From the earth.

I will draw all men. Unto me. I thank you for singing that song.

But you are singing it out of context. Praise the Lord. What was Jesus saying? If I be lifted up.

From the earth. And placed on the tree. On the cross.

Then. I will draw all men. Brothers.

The cross. Is the judgment. That finished.

The prince of this world. And it is at the cross. That the basis.

Of drawing men to God. Was established. If the cross.

Did not take place. If Jesus. Were not crucified on the cross.

There is no way to draw men to God. So can I say to you now. The expectation of revival.

The expectation that people will be saved. People will be brought to God. People will be delivered from Islam.

People will be delivered from occult practices. They will be delivered from all kinds of religion. They will be delivered from the power.

Of darkness. It's only possible. Because.

Of the cross. It's a mystery. So can I put to you.

No matter how you speak. Satan does not. Is not affected.

By your. High intellectualism. Satan is not affected.

By the preaching. Of analytical. Studies.

Satan is not afraid. Of a professor. Of.

When the cross. Is absent. In your message.

Satan is. Not disturbed. With all the activities.

When the cross. Is not the center. Of your discussion.

Anytime you want to deal with. The matter of the cross. You are bringing out.

The judgments. That confiscated. And nullified.

The authority of Satan. To keep men in bondage. Are you hearing me? Every time.

We come to talk about the cross. The cross. Is the place.

Where all. The atrocity. That started.

In Genesis chapter three. That went all over. All over.

Until we came to this point. It is at the cross. That that matter.

Was finished. If you had to be saved. As an individual.

You must come to the cross. Hallelujah. If the power of Satan.

Is going to be broken. Over your life. The only place.

Where it is done properly. Is at the cross. If you have not come to the cross.

There is nothing in your hand. That can deliver you from the hand of the devil. You may sweat.

You may cry. You may shed tears. And I want to tell you.

Satan is such a wicked man. That your tears don't affect him. The devil likes to make you cry.

And when you are crying. He will be laughing. Satan has no tear of pity.

Satan does not think like you are thinking. Whatever you have. The only thing Satan is thinking about.

Is how to devour you. He says Satan. Your adversary.

Satan. Is going everywhere. Like a running lion.

Doing what? Seeking whom to devour. Every time you ever see the appearance of Satan. Anywhere.

He has come to destroy. One time. Jesus.

Saw the activity of Satan. About Peter. He said Simon.

Peter. Satan has desired. To have you.

I see Satan arranging to have you. To have you for what? If Satan decides to have a man now. For what? Is it for promotion? Is it for blessing? Is it for what? For destruction.

Permit me to say to you before I stop on that. Satan has no other plan for any man. Apart from to do what? To kill.

To steal. And to destroy. If Satan is dancing with you.

Be careful. That dance. Will end your head.

In trouble. Sometimes I see young ladies. I'm going for that party.

I'm going for that party. I say who are the organizers of that party? Says my friend. Are you sure? When you get to the party and everybody is dancing.

Those who are organizers. They are the princes of darkness. What do they do to the switch? They just go by the switch box.

And just switch off. You say. There's no light.

There was light. Is because the prince of darkness is now ready. To operate.

Why he brought you to the party. And before you know it. You have been violated.

You have been damaged. Satan does not plan. To give you anything.

In fact. What is the second name? What is the second name of Satan? Devil. I wonder whether you know the meaning of devil.

What is devil? The doer of evil. Is it difficult for you to understand the meaning of devil? What is devil? The doer of evil. Do evil.

Do evil. Do evil. Do evil.

If you. If you say that. Regularly.

Very soon. When to. You know.

When to let us. One will have to give in for the other one. That's why he became devil.

Otherwise. His original name is what? Do evil. Whenever he wakes up.

And they call him devil. You know what they are saying? Go now. And do what? Do evil.

Do evil. Do evil. Do evil.

Doer of evil. Doer of evil. And since.

We cannot be saying that. We can just join the two words together. And it becomes what? Devil.

Devil. Your adversary. It's not your friend.

But. Only at the cross. It is the cross.

That was God's mystery. To finish. Delaying.

The power. The tyranny. And the oppression.

Of Satan. The prince. Of this world.

Now. You know when this discussion took place. Verse 33 it said.

This it said. Signifying. What death.

It should die. And the people answered him. We have heard out of the law.

That Christ abides forever. How sayest thou. The son of man.

Must be lifted up. Who is this son of man? The mystery. Of the cross.

Was shrouded. In their arguments. They didn't understand it.

But I want to pray tonight. That. This mystery.

And. I don't want to tell you anything else. But I want to tell you.

That Satan. Is behind. I'm very very annoyed.

That I'm doing this tonight. You do hear me? Satan is what? Is very annoyed. In fact.

If you see the way he's looking at me from afar. He said what is it now? He's doing that. But whether he likes it or not.

His judgment is already settled. At the cross. It is finished.

He does not want you to have a clear understanding. Of what happened at the cross. He does not want you.

To catch. The secret. Of his defeat.

Whenever we want to go to talk about the mystery of the cross. It looks as if. No no no leave that one.

Leave that one. Satan enjoys. The ignorance of God's people.

About the cross. He is not unhappy when we preach about prosperity. He is not.

Disturbed. When we talk about the cross. When we talk about being happy.

All of that doesn't concern him. Because he knows. That anything that you are saying.

When you have not come to the cross of Calvary. You are just joking. You are not going anywhere.

So when our puppets. Had been robbed. Of the preaching of Christ.

And him crucified. I smelled a rat. I knew Satan.

Has come. He cannot deny the cross. But he does not want people to know.

About it. But by the grace of God. The brothers.

And the sisters. They stood with me this morning and said. Go ahead.

They prayed. They prayed with me. They said pray.

They said oh God. That which will set your people free. We must not hide it from them.

That which will break the backbone of Satan. You must never fear to know it. And I'm trusting God.

That God will help us. In the name of Jesus Christ. Having said that.

We must not hide it. As a biblical base. I could have gone again to check.

All other. Scriptures. That was pointing at that mystery.

But because tonight. We will only stop. At that.

It is a general. Overview. By Jesus.

Had to go to the cross. He went to the cross. In order to make you.

Hallelujah. A partaker of the heavenly glory. He went to the cross.

So that. He may bring many sons. Many daughters.

Unto glory. Please. Go to 1 Corinthians chapter 2 for me.

And quickly read. Verse 6. Verse 7. And I don't know whether you need to get to verse 8. But just read quickly. Just to conclude what we have said.

Because tomorrow. As the Lord will permit me. We shall now.

Look at. The particular ministry. Of the cross.

To terminate. Our old life. So that the exchange.

Of another life. Christ life. Even the life of Christ.

Might take place. Yes brother. 1 Corinthians 2. Verse 6. How be it.

We speak wisdom among them that are perfect. We speak wisdom among them that are matured. Yes.

Yet not the wisdom of this world. Not the wisdom of this world. Nor of the princes of this world.

That come to naught. Now please take note. The wisdom of this world.

No matter how high sounding it. The wisdom of the princes of this world. They come to nothing.

Yes. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery. But we are speaking the wisdom of God.

In a mystery. Yes. Even the hidden wisdom.

Even the hidden wisdom. Go on read it. Which God ordained before the world unto our glory.

Which none of the princes of this world knew. None of the princes of this world knew it. For had they known it.

If they have known it. They would not have crucified the Lord of glory. My brothers and sisters.

Unto the cross happened. God deliberately hid it. When I would study with you.

The process and the procedure of the cross. All the players around the cross. They didn't know what they were doing.

The high priests that decided that Jesus should be crucified. In their own mind. They were doing so to disgrace him.

To put him to shame. And to silence him. They said let's put him off.

So that. He will no longer draw the crowd. They didn't know.

That the cross actually. Is what will make Jesus Christ. To draw.

How many people? All men. To them they thought that if we crucify him. This his followers will be discouraged.

And they will be scattered. And there will be nothing again. He will be forgotten.

They did not know. That the cross is the hidden wisdom of God. Brother please repeat that verse 7 and 8. Repeat it again.

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery. Even the hidden wisdom. Which God ordained before the world unto our glory.

Which none of the princes of this world knew. For had they known it. They would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

May I say to you. That the cross. Was not an accident.

The cross of Jesus. Was not an accident. It was planned.

And ordained. But for what? For our glory. The cross of Jesus.

Was a divine strategy. Kept in the heart of God. Waiting for the time of its activation.

And it was ordained for our glory. Does anybody have another version? Amplified. The brother will read Amplified quickly.

Yet when we are among the full grown. Spiritually mature Christians who are ripe in understanding. We do impart a higher wisdom.

The knowledge of the divine plan previously hidden. But it is indeed not a wisdom of this present age. Nor of this world.

Nor of the leaders and rulers of this age. Who are being brought to nothing. And are doomed to pass away.

But rather. What we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden. Listen my brothers.

What we are setting forth. And I want God to help you to settle with it. I want God.

I know some of you. You are saying this thing is too elaborate. Listen.

This thing that we are setting forth. Even though it was previously hidden. There was no clear understanding about it.

Yes sir. Once hidden from the human understanding. Yes sir.

And now revealed to us by God. That wisdom. Which God devised.

And decreed. Before the ages for our glorification. To lift us.

Into the glory of his presence. Praise the Lord. God devised the cross.

As the wisdom of God. To take us. Out of the power of darkness.

And to lift us up. Into the glory. In his presence.

When Jesus was engaging the cross. Those who were knelling him. They thought they were killing him.

So as to discredit him. And throw him away. But they did not know.

That it was devised. Arranged. Designed by God.

To lift us. Into the glory of God's presence. Yes.

Verse 8. Verse 8. None of the rulers of this age. Or world perceived. And recognized.

And understood this. For if they had. If they had.

They would never have done it. Why the cross. Was not an accident.

It was the devil's mistake. You didn't hear me? What did I say? The cross. Was the devil irreversible mistake.

Once the cross has taken place. Satan has regretted ever since. And I'm telling you.

His regret will never finish. Even as you begin to operate. In the power of the cross.

Satan everyday he sees you. He will keep crying. I know.

That's why he does not like. He doesn't like this message. If he can do anything to stop me.

He would have done. But he cannot do anything. There's no power in his hand anymore.

Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Now.

Because we want to stop on that. What do you do? What should be your response? To this mystery of the cross. When by God's grace I come back.

And I begin to deal with. The instruments that the cross is. To terminate.

The old nature. And to release the new life. As a new coordinate.

For the new creation. When I come to that. We will.

But tonight. What should be. Your response.

I would like you. To read two passages. That will spell out.

Your response. And once we read it. I will ask you to pray about it.

What is the first response? Galatians chapter two. Even though I would have loved you to read verse twenty. But our study.

Has not reached verse twenty. And if I make you to read it. And we are not able to explain it.

It will be vague. So you will not read verse twenty. We reserve verse twenty.

Till when we come back. To this study by God's grace tomorrow. Verse twenty one is what I want you to read.

What is verse twenty one sir? I do not frustrate the grace of God. I don't frustrate the grace of God. For if righteousness come by the law.

If righteousness can be achieved. By the law. Then Christ is dead in vain.

Right. Where is good news reader? Yes. Good news.

Quickly. I refuse. I refuse to.

We are hearing you. I refuse to reject the grace of God. I refuse.

To reject the grace of God. But if a person is put right with God. If somebody can be put right with God.

By keeping rules and regulations. It means that Christ died for nothing. It means Christ died for nothing.

That's the first thing. I want you to note. Is anyone of you sitting here.

And the confidence you have. Is that you are keeping. The regulations.

Is your confidence. Is that you are paying your tithe. And you are paying your dues.

And you are attending Holy Communion. Such that when the word of God is coming to you. You say.

I take Communion. I wish you have understood the Communion. You will have known that there will have been no Communion.

If the cross has not taken place. And that all those who take Communion. Who have not experienced the cross in their lives.

They are simply making a caricature. Of a great provision. How will you be taking Communion.

And you are also still taking Communion. With devils. How can you say you are a Communion member.

But you are also a drunkard. How can you be taking Communion. And at the same time.

You are taking Communion with harlots. Whosoever gave you that assurance. That you are going to heaven.

Because you are a Communion member. Despite the fact that you are. You are a fornicator.

An adulterer. A drunkard. A warmonger.

They have deceived you. When you land on the other side. Your eyes will open.

And if you were to call the pastor. The pastor say. Don't call me.

Face your business. I am facing my own. You see.

In heaven. Are you hearing me? No pastor. Will talk to you.

He will be facing his own business. Because they will be calling him to give account of his own life. I have found so many young new churches.

That because they want to gather the crowd. They don't tell you the truth. When you are excommunicated from a church.

Simply because you are not living right. They put you back bench. The other pastor heard.

He said. No, no, no. Come here.

In our church. Everybody. Is important.

And so as you come in. Said. You are being disciplined there.

We know you are a champion. When a sinner tells you. You are a champion.

And it takes you away from discipline. That will have purified your soul. They are deceiving you.

And you are frustrating. The grace of God. If tonight.

The first response you must make. Is to come to recognize. That's why that song.

I never stop singing it. That song says. No deadly.

Balls of my hands. Can fulfill. The laws of man.

Cool my zeal. No respite no. And cool my tears.

Forever flow. All foresee. Could not at all.

Thou must know. That I am safe. And thou alone.

Nothing. In my hands I bring. Simply to.

To the cross. I clean. Naked come.

To thee for dress. Helpless loo. To thee for grace.

Thou light to. The fountain flow. Wash me say.

What is the response. To cling to the cross. And to say oh God.

If not for your death. I am doomed. If anybody is sitting in this hall.

And you are not clinging to the cross of Calvary. For your salvation. For your deliverance.

And something is telling you. I was the one who roof. The church in my village.

I was preaching somewhere. And a big man of God. The big church member.

He has seized the church particulars. Because. They were not respecting him.

He say he will prove to them. The general of Asia and all the pastors. That they are not serious.

It was his father's land. That they build the church. It was his name.

They carry to the corporate affairs. Say was the trustee. Of the entire congregation.

And now this new pastor came. And was saying. Because he married two wives.

He is no more qualified. To be an elder. What were they thinking? When they were using my land.

They did not know that I married two wives. And you know. He comes to church anytime he likes.

The church document is in his hand. Even the pastors were afraid. But me like this.

You know I did not know. I just went to the meeting. And I was preaching.

And I do not know how I faced him. I did not know. He said you faced me.

I said I never faced you. I was just facing the word of God. I said even if you are the founder.

Even if you are the one that ruled the church. If a man is living in sin. He will not see God.

Let nobody deceive you. You will not make it. He said you faced me.

I said. When did I face you? Actually you were pointing your finger like this. And it was like you are talking to me.

And you are talking to me. So he came out. Trembling.

He said God has talked to him now. He said I will see you tomorrow sir. I said.

He said for what? I said I need to see you. Give me time. I said okay 10 am.

I did not know that the pastors were afraid. When they saw him coming to talk to me. So when he left.

He said what is he saying? What is he saying? Did he want to come out? Is it a troubleshoot out? Be careful. No, no, no, no. I said.

He told me that God told him. And his life. Must change.

And he want to repent. And that before his repentance will complete. He need to see me tomorrow.

So pastor do not worry I will see you. And if he came to beat me up. No problem.

It will be my opportunity. To be beaten for the gospel. So.

The following day. The man came. With big fives.

Fives. I believe. God.

Dealt with me yesterday. I know I am a sinner. I want to return the church.

Document. Call the general overseer. That I have handed over.

The document to you. To give it to them. I am willing now.

That God will have mercy on me. When I called the pastor. I said see.

down. He said, this is what we have been struggling with for years. You mean one message brought it out? I said yes.

I want to ask you, what is your confidence? What are you sitting upon? What is making you think that you are saved? Is it because of some good thing you have done? Is it because of some promise that somebody gave you? Is it because the one who ruled the church? Is it because you are the one who housed the pastor when he first came? That now you are living in sin and nobody can talk to you? You are repudiating the grace of God. Unless you will cling to the cross for your deliverance, for your salvation, for your forgiveness, you have made nonsense of the death of Jesus. And that's a terrible thing to do.

What is the other response that I want you to deal with as you pray with me tonight? Hebrews chapter 6. Who is reading Hebrews chapter 6 for us? And then you will join me to pray. Hebrews 6 verse 4 to verse 6. Please read it and then you will let me stop there. Yes.

Hebrews chapter 6 verse 4 to 6. Yes Pastor. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gifts and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come. If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance.

It's impossible. It's difficult. Seeing they crucify to themselves the son of God afresh.

They crucify to themselves the son of God afresh. And put him to an open shame. Who is that person sitting here? You have tasted the grace of God before.

You have experienced the power of the world to come. You have experienced the good word of God. And you are going back.

You are going back to your vomit. You are touching that which you knew God took away from your life. You are returning back to wicked acts as if you have never met the Savior.

What are you doing to the cross? You are crucifying Jesus the son of God to yourself the second time. And you are exposing my master Jesus to an open shame. What is the right response? To cling to the cross.

To cling to the man of Calvary. And to come to him and to say Lord, since you went to the cross for me, I will cling to the old rugged cross. When the French choir began to sing, they were saying, Jesus, keep me near the cross.

And tonight, I thought as I draw this to a conclusion, you will stand with me. We will sing that song, Jesus, keep me near the cross. Two songs we have been singing, but for tonight, we just sing that one.

The other song was when I surveyed the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of Glory died. My riches gained, I can but lost. And I pour contempt on all my pride.

Every proud man, every arrogant soul, every presumptuous fellow, every man that is twisted in the word of God, consider the man of Calvary this night. He went to the cross to finish the work of Satan and to bring judgment unto the Prince of this world. And to release you, so that you can freely come to heaven and come to glory.

Jesus, keep me near the cross. We stand up. You will be joining us as we sing that song.

Jesus, keep me near the cross. In a precious land. Jesus, keep me near the cross.

In a precious land. Jesus, keep me near the cross. In a precious land.

Jesus, keep me near the cross. In a precious land. Jesus, keep me near the cross.

In a precious land. Jesus, keep me near the cross. In a precious land.

Jesus, keep me near the cross. In a precious land. Jesus, keep me near the cross.

In a precious land. Jesus, keep me near the cross. In a precious land.

Jesus, keep me near the cross. In a precious land. Jesus, keep me near the cross.

In a precious land. Jesus, keep me near the cross. If money could save you, only the rich would have gone to heaven.

If education could appeal to God for your deliverance, the educator should have taken it up. If position could have given you a space with God, your position would have made you a champion. But God knows that nothing else can save.

Nothing else can deliver. Nothing else can set free. Jesus could have gone to heaven.

The hour for him to be glorified came. But for my sake, for your sake, it was postponed. And he went to the cross.

How can you be lost when Jesus already died? How can your soul be lost after Jesus paid such a heavy price? How will you waste the cross? How will you repudiate the cross? Even tonight, how will you go back again as if you want to crucify Jesus to yourself the second time? This night, in a sober moment, we only have the last two stanzas to sing. We don't have a long time tonight to tarry. If this night you are saying, God, I am taking your cross for granted.

I have been thinking that I have another way to make it. I have been thinking that it does not matter. And that was why you never cared to come to the man of Calvary.

Maybe that is why you kept hiking with people. Could have been the reason why your life has been so careless, young man. Is that why you could go pursuing girls? How many women you have violated in your little life? And did you think you are clever for Jesus went to the cross that he might set you free? Yes.

Are you a manager? Yes, you are a manager. But your life is not managed. Your life has scattered.

And the only place for that deliverance is at the foot of the cross. As the choir take the last two stanzas, as you are hearing the voice of the Spirit of God, let nobody talk again. Just come down by yourself.

Just descend by yourself and say, Lord, even though I have been hearing other calls, others have been going out, and it will have looked as if many people are already saved. Why do you give them opportunity again? It is because God is waiting and saying, but others have come. You have not.

Others have cried to me. You have not. There is someone sitting there saying, my father is pastor.

My father is pastor. No, no, no, no. If your father being a pastor was able to save you, Jesus needed not to have died.

I'm calling that pastor's child. Come out. Make your life right with God this night.

Just come. Just run down. Run and say, God, the ministry of my father will not save me if you have not come to the cross.

Where are you? Just come down. Come. Come.

Take the last two stanzas, please. I will finish. O Lamb of God, yes, Lord, bring the sin before me.

Let me see it again, O God. If you are coming, please come quickly. We only have these last two stanzas.

Thank you, my brother. Thank you, my brother. In that cross, in that cross, in that cross, in that cross, in that cross, Yes, Lord.

Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord.

This is the final stanza. This final stanza. After this stanza, we will be praying.

We are not going to wait again. So if you have to come, run. Just run and tell God, I have reputed the cross for too long.

I have thought there's another way. I have been managing as if I would do something. As if your death was in vain.

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