Stay in Jesus (Dutch)

Shall we pray? We come to you, our Father, knowing how much we need you. Unless you draw us, O Lord, we cannot come after you. Unless you draw us, O Lord, we cannot come after you.

Lord, let the power of the Holy Spirit work among us and in us this afternoon. And let your word be used this afternoon to change us in an effective way. Lord, thank you for what you are doing in the lives of your people during this meeting.

Even this afternoon, O Lord, we come before you asking that we may see Jesus more clearly. Please, we pray by the power of the Holy Spirit, you remove all the distractions of the enemy. Please, we pray by the power of the Holy Spirit, you remove all the distractions of the enemy.

Use our weak words to speak to your people. We thank you and give you all the glory. In Jesus' name.

Amen. Amen. Well, I tried to take a brief sleep or nap this afternoon.

Because my inside clock is all mixed up. And I fell off my bed. And my bed is about two feet wide, I think.

Two and a half feet wide. Normally I sleep on a very large bed. My wife, of course, is down on the bed.

And she says in the morning I take over the whole bed. So people in the Netherlands decided to teach me a lesson. But I survived.

Well, good to see you again. And this evening we have one more session, then we are heading to the airport. And David and I will catch a flight tomorrow early morning to Frankfurt, then to Dallas, Texas in the United States.

So please do pray for us. These flights are not easy, they are crazy. But I try to sleep as much as possible.

But then the heaviest burden we carry right now is what is happening in Nepal. But the heaviest burden we carry right now is what is happening in Nepal. And I want to ask you, do you use your smartphones or your computer to go to our website and read about what is happening in Nepal? And think about the one and a half million people who are walking on the streets.

And just this afternoon I heard our missionaries are carrying people that are wounded, broken legs, and they had to walk kilometers to get to places to find help. And this afternoon I heard our missionaries are carrying people that are wounded, broken legs, and they had to walk kilometers to get to places to find help. And when you type in www.gfa.org on your computer, and you go to those pages, the daily pictures are being put up.

And we have lots of sisters who are missionaries working there. And our sisters of compassion, they are the sister's order, they look like Mother Teresa's sisters. And you see these little sisters, the amount of work they have to do.

And some of them just around the clock. And several families, just one man survived, one wife survived, the entire family is gone, destroyed. But so far nine of our churches were completely destroyed.

But our leader was telling me this 50 kilometers distance, the earthquake just devastated so much things. And so many foreign people are coming there to help, Red Cross and all kinds of things. But he said it is just the first few weeks, then all be gone.

But hundreds of thousands of families need to be helped and cared for, and children, and it's going to take years of hard work. But the reality is that hundreds of thousands of people and families there, and children, need years of help to be rebuilt. And I thank God that luckily we have 450 churches from our organization who are active there.

The Bible says that we are the body of Christ. And it is important that you don't look at the news as if you are a Dutchman or an American. Because where do you find the prayer requests? If you have a prayer meeting all night, then it is easiest to look at the television, read magazines, and see what is going on.

And then that becomes a prayer letter. Why? Because Satan is working so hard. And God is trying to bring his love to the people.

And when you read the book of Acts, why do you read that? Why do I read that? It is 34 years, 30, 32 years of church history. And I challenge you to read it. And read it and learn about today.

When you read chapter 4, you find them beaten up. Then you see that Christians are being abused, persecuted. And they are driven out of society.

And these are believers. When you read that, what does God say to you personally? Then you must think, is this going on today? How should I respond to this? And then you look at the lives of believers in Islamic countries. When you hear about the brothers and sisters in Pakistan, who are being arrested and executed because they believe in Jesus.

And you learn about all the things that are going on in the world. But then you feel it. Then you pray.

And you cry out to God. And that is when the Lord leads you to learn about what is going on. And you may go to Gospel for Asia website.

Or Wycliffe website. Or some other organizations. And you learn what they are doing.

And then you know what they are doing. Now you can pray. And now you can participate.

How can we reach these people? What can we do about it? I can still remember. A few years ago I was called by a man from Houston, Texas. He is passing a church with, I don't know, 14,000, 15,000 people.

And he called and said, can I talk to you? I was surprised that he would even call me. In America these big pastors are very big. You hardly can get to them.

Then he started talking. He said, I went to a bookshop. I picked up your book, Revolution World Missions.

And I started reading it. He said, it broke my heart. Then he started telling about things in the book.

Then he started sobbing. Then he will talk again. And he started talking again.

And he said, Brother Johan, can you help me to be able to do something? And to participate in this ministry in India, in Pakistan, in Bhutan. In all those countries where they don't know Jesus yet. He said, all these years I did not tell my people about the lost world.

Millions of dollars of budget. And I must do something. Then he said something else.

He said, I am 62 years old. In a few years my life is over. In a few years my life is over.

And I want to do something quickly. To reach the maximum number of people. And to save for eternity.

And I said, John, I can tell you a lot of things. I told him about the Dalit class. And the illiterate people in India.

And I said, 90% of the people there are illiterate. They are an alphabet. And I said, we are praying for 100 people.

With a new project to show a film about the life of Jesus. With a beamer projector. And I explained to him the uniqueness of it.

How we can show films about hell. And then he asked, how much will it cost? I said, it is somewhere about a million dollars. It is a very big amount.

And he hung up the telephone and said, I will pray about it and let you know. A week later. I don't know the exact amount.

It was over a million dollars he sent. And he kept on sending money to support missionaries. Print Bibles.

And support children. Then he travelled to India. To see what God is doing.

And about 7 million dollars he invested in the work. So one day I was in India. Middle of the night the phone rang.

Middle of the night the phone rang. It was not this phone but it was the phone by the bedside. It was my wife.

You know when your wife calls you don't need to say anything. You know why she is calling kind of. There was silence.

I said, Gisela, what happened? He died. That is a fast sentence. He died.

I said, who died? Then she mentioned our dear friend, this John. The heart attack, he died. And I remember.

I remember saying to myself. In a few years time. His heart was broken for the lost world.

His life was gripped with Christ and his concerns. He was able to see several million people come to Christ. Through the projects he did.

What a privilege the Lord gave them. You see today the subject I am given to speak is abiding in Christ. It is a continuous living with Christ.

How do you do that? Word of God gives us the guidance. Let me tell you something else. This Bible is a story book.

It is not a theology book. That is a mistake I made. You read the book of Genesis.

You read about what God did. And Adam and Eve. What they did do.

And what happened to them. And then you go to Exodus. The story of God's people.

Leviticus. Numbers. Deuteronomy.

And you read the book of Psalms. It is the story of people's lives. And the Corinthians says.

All these things happened to them. For our example upon whom the end of the world has come to. For our example upon whom the end of the world has come to.

So when you read the Bible. You can intellectually understand it objectively. From doctrines.

Calvinism and all kinds of isms. And you must basically live your own life. But this is food.

Man shall not live by bread alone. But every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. So when you eat this.

When you have the nutrition. The wine and the branches. It is one and the same.

When here my hands feel hurt. Or if I step on a thorn. My entire body feels it.

And when my brain says something. My hands raises. It is all connected.

Everything in the body is connected. Staying in Christ. That is something very authentic.

That is something essential. During your sleep. He can wake you up.

And suddenly. You feel. That a Bible verse comes to your heart.

A thought. And then the Lord says you must pray. Your life revolves around Christ.

The living person. And sometimes it is logical for no one else. Think about it.

David was on his way to fight with a group of people. He said God what am I going to do? God said go and fight them. It is war.

And they won the war. A little later. The same thing happens.

And David said what am I going to do? God said. Do nothing. Just do nothing.

Be quiet. And God took care of it. Two incidents.

David could have said. Oh God only told to do that. No problem.

I don't have to pray and talk about it. I can go and do the same thing. I mean what is happening in Nepal right now.

We have so many teachings going on here. We have so much teaching going on here. But is there a space in your thinking.

Dear God. That is happening for so many people you love. What is it you want me to do? Are you praying for some things happening there? You know the name of some of the workers there? Have you looked for information? How they may hear the good news? How do we engage in the reality of the world? If you are thinking.

Why are you telling all these things to me? If you are thinking. Oh I was waiting for him to give a big teaching on some subject. Oh I was waiting for him to give a big teaching on some subject.

But read 1 John. Do you know what it says? It says. We are in this world as he was in this world.

At this moment you are Christ's representative on earth. Your tears belong to him. Blood was the price he paid to purchase you.

You are not your own. If you are your own. Then you don't belong to Christ.

I have no reason to talk to you. But if you belong to him. Then it's not just a little bit.

But it's all his. But he is not a task master. He waits for you to be responsible.

So he can guide you. And I plead with you. To plug your life with the world.

To connect with him. And to see the world as he sees it. You have a goal in your life.

To live as Jesus lived on earth. And that is the way we have to go. And I just want to say.

Take a minute to pray. I know you have been praying for Nepal. And also for other things.

Like people sitting next to you. Two or three. Do people hold hands here? Alright.

If you hold hands or not. Just into three or four small groups. Let's pray for the country of Nepal.

Let's pray for the community of Nepal. Let's pray that God will provide the means. To help the poor people.

Let's pray that God. Will strengthen the missionaries. Who are working day and night.

Right now we need to see millions of dollars raised up. To provide supply. To rebuild and help.

And prayer God will provide. But most of all. Many will come to know the Lord Jesus Christ.

Fifth. The constitution of the country. The constitution of the country.

Now it is illegal. To have a Christian church in Nepal. Christianity is not an approved religion in Nepal.

One of our brothers went to jail. Ten years recently. He is crying preaching the gospel.

And many are suffering. And we are praying the constitution of the country will change. So I gave you a few prayer requests.

You can add your own prayer requests now. Just make small groups. Two or three people together.

Just pray for this. And our Lord. We want to thank you for your grace and mercy.

And we pray and believe. That Nepal shall be saved. That even through this suffering.

At this time. Thousands will know Jesus cares. And thousands will know.

That God can save them. And Lord we pray you do that. In the name of Jesus our Lord.

Amen. In our ministry. Our ministry.

Begins our day. Every day with a prayer hour. And in the United States.

That means. That 150 to 200 people come together. To pray.

And we do the same in Canada. And Tuesday evening. We come together to pray.

And the first Friday of every month. Then we pray the whole night. And in 25 to 30 countries.

Where we work. People gather there. And sometimes it is 2 or 3 o'clock at night.

And we are not even through. All prayer requests. How do you explain that? This ring on my hand represents.

I am married to someone. And I was rushing out of my room. So I forgot to put my other ring on my hand.

That is the ring that was given by my church. When I was consecrated. And made the bishop of the church.

And 3 days I was alone in fasting and prayer. To make the decision. Obey the elders of the church.

And I was invited to surrender. My entire life for the church. In the end I said yes.

And today there are 2.7 million believers. 14 different countries. 14 yes.

And when I see the ring. It reminds me 24 hours. That I am married to the church.

I make no decisions for my interest. When I hear about Nepal. Or Bhutan.

Or Tibet. And I hear their pain. And I start crying.

Just like my own children. They are my children. As a matter of fact the day before coming to this conference.

I told David Carroll. Can we cancel it? Because my heart was so broken. That I need to be in Nepal.

My emotions. My life linked with those poor believers. That is what happens when you are married.

And you made a covenant. And this is the one you live with. In health.

And in sickness. In poverty. In riches.

You abide with the person. Is that done here? Yes. You got a wonderful wife sitting there.

Thank you. He says that I got a wonderful wife sitting there. And I am aware of that.

What happens then? You see. You wear a three piece suit at such a wedding. The evening comes.

You go to the bedroom. You close the door. Do you sleep in a three piece suit? If you do.

You go to the doctor. You are one individual. And then you ask your wife.

You look sad. What happened today? Because you were at work. And she is not saying much.

And then. First she says. Oh.

Nothing. He says no there is something. Then she says.

Yeah our son. He didn't obey me. Another day.

She says. You see what time you came home? I was waiting for you. You were two minutes late.

And life goes on. After five years. You don't ask any questions.

Why? You just know. My wife says. We have been married since 1974.

And when I call her on the phone. Before I say anything. She feels.

Everything about what I was going to talk about. Her first word. Tells me the condition there.

And what are things she is concerned about. I know the kind of flower she likes. I know what she I like.

I like real spicy Indian pickles. She is a German. She hates.

Spicy pickles. Do I bring her spicy pickles? No. I bring her German sausage.

And dark bread. I am thinking about her. And then she is what I like.

Why is it? We have become one. We understand each other. And life grows together.

Our children are born. They came out of the result of who we are. Our children and their families.

Are walking with the Lord and serving God. It had to do with our values. Where we are in our life in Christ.

So when you say abiding in Christ. That is a life of entering into the life of another person. In John 15 Jesus said.

Abide in me and I in you. And you will bear much fruit. And you will glorify the Father.

Listen very close. I am going to end very fast. Many people think.

This fruit he is talking about. Is doing a lot of things for God. It is not.

Galatians chapter 5. Talks about the fruit of the Holy Spirit. You and I are called. Not to just obey the commands of Christ.

We are invited to be partakers of his nature. But we are invited. To be partakers of his divine nature.

It is like my translator. Or a doctor. He can tell me.

Do this, do that, do this, do that. That is the old testament. You do this and I will bless you.

You do this and I will punish you. That is legalism. It is bondage.

I am a slave. But the new covenant is this. We are no more separate.

Christ's life in me. And my life in him. I am no more my own.

And I partake of the nature of Christ. There is a song that goes like this. Let the beauty of Christ be seen in me.

All his wonders, compassion and purity. Oh the spirit divine. Let my nature refine.

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me. It begins in your home. His love.

His compassion. His sacrifice. His seeking the will of the Father.

His doing nothing of his own. Only doing what the Father says. Not what he wanted.

Dying to self. Let me ask you this. When was the last time you asked the Lord saying Lord what must I do with this money? Your car is getting old.

And the Lord knows that. Did you say Lord should I buy the car? And you have this job. And you got a great opportunity to have a high promotion lot of money job.

Did you ever ask Lord do you want me to do this? Or should I stay here? Or move to a poor area or somewhere to get less money? You see what is Christianity all about? It is Christ once again walking on earth. And that's why Jesus said you are the light of the world. In the gospel he said I am the light of the world.

You will see me and you will find life. In him was life and the life was the light of men. What was the light? It was Jesus behavior.

It was Jesus embracing the lepers. It was Jesus kneeling and praying and crying. It was him walking 80 kilometers just to speak to one woman.

It was him not not going to Lazarus house to raise him up when he heard he was sick. And it is about Jesus not going to Lazarus house when he heard his friend was sick. And then he goes after he is dead.

And minute by minute he only did things like that. And that was the light. What about my life? What about your life? We acquire information in my head.

And we think we know everything. But our life of humility and brokenness and gentleness is lacking. I come from a culture where husbands will never ask forgiveness on their wives.

No matter what, always the wife is wrong. Always the wife must ask forgiveness. When I got married nearly two years went by.

No, we did not have big problems. But often she will cry. Then I say, what is wrong with you? Then she will say something I said.

Ah, never mind. You are a German. We Indians are like that.

Then one day the Lord spoke to my heart. Not about culture. Not how I was raised.

The hurting someone with even a word is sin. But the Lord said, if someone else hurts you with your words, then that is sin. Especially your own wife and children.

And I will never forget that day that we went to the kitchen and I said, darling, I want to talk to you Would you please forgive me? What I said was wrong. I have sinned against you and my God. And I specifically spelled it out.

You know what she did? She started crying. I said, what did I do now? The whole neighborhood is in trouble. Then she said, for two years I have been praying that the Lord will help you understand what is sin and what is not sin.

And finally God answered my prayer. And she cried again. When my son was about four years old I punished him for something that I thought he did.

And he ran back to his room laying in his bed, sobbing. We had a policy in our home, children not crying out loud. So my wife came to me What did you do to him? He is sobbing.

I said, I did nothing to him. But something happened. I know what happened.

I said, son, I am so disappointed in you. And I remember going to the room He was there weeping, his face buried in the pillow. I sat beside him.

I put my hands over him. And I said, son, Daddy came to ask you to forgive me. I did so wrong to you.

I should not have said that. That is not the truth. I am not disappointed in you.

But I spoke terrible words. Please forgive daddy. Then he turned around.

In between sobbing He said, daddy, you can beat me all you want. But you said something I never could understand. And then now I was crying.

See, is that the way Jesus would do to us? And he could see the love of the Lord through his Father. He could not see the love of the Father to the Lord Jesus in my way of acting. So what makes me do that? Yesterday I made a telephone call to someone in Arizona.

He had sent me an email in January. And any given day when you open your telephone you have two, three, four hundred emails. I have four or five secretaries that actually do all this work.

And somehow I missed that. And I heard this brother is so angry and upset. I knew him from many years ago.

And he asked me to give him some encouragement, some recommendation. But I didn't see it. So somebody called me up about that.

So I got the telephone number. And right after the meeting I went out and made the call. He picked up his telephone.

I said, this is KP Johanan, so and so calling. And I said, I'm calling just to ask would you please forgive me? I just learned that you sent this email long ago. And I should have responded to this.

And I did wrong. Just when I said that I started crying. Because he never saw me crying.

This brother. I started crying. He's a young brother I trained many years ago.

And I sent him to Bible school. Got a postgraduate degree. He worked with us eight years.

But I lost connection with him. He sees me as his leader. But I failed.

What must I tell him? Oh, he don't know I got thousands of emails to answer. I'm so busy. And all the things I can tell him.

That was not needed. All I need to say is please forgive me. I did wrong.

And I couldn't hold my emotions. Then he started apologizing. Oh, my bishop, please don't cry.

And I said, I'm sorry. I'm so convicted of failing you. I didn't have to do that.

The reason I'm doing that is because in me I realized Jesus somehow must express his love for other people. I think the time is to stop. Not my fault, but the watch is wrong.

But here is the key. Christianity is a practical, practical thing. That's some practical applications.

This is what I do. You don't have to do that. Every morning when I wake up there are some things I do.

I kneel by the bedside and I say, Lord Jesus, my body, my soul, my spirit, I lay it on the altar. I'm yours. Then I pray the Lord's Prayer.

Then I repeat the Creed of the Church. Then I say, Lord, with the cross you seal me. Then I go into anything else.

But personal devotion, prayer, everything is after. About noon time I pause and do the same thing. Evening time I find the same thing.

Night, when I go to bed, that is a longer time. I sit alone. And I have a conversation with Christ.

I say things like this. Jesus, this whole day I journeyed with you. Would you please tell me about how this day was? And then I'm quiet.

Sometimes I hear him say, You did very well. You represented me very well. What he said was right.

I am glad. Sometimes I hear him say, I am sad. What he said was not right.

Your attitude was not right. And then I say, Lord, I am sorry. Tomorrow I will do better.

And that is the last thing I do when I go to sleep. Why do you do that? You have to connect your abiding with Christ with the practical things you can do. And the Lord gives you wisdom.

May the Lord give you wisdom. And I want to remind you again of my brother David Carroll. On the table there.

We still have hundreds and hundreds of messengers that you can pray for and that you can help to reach the lost world. Walk with Jesus. Love him more than life itself.

Oh, just one more thing. The older you get, the more dangerous your journey is. More trimming has to take place.

More trimming, more cutting away of things. Because more fruit, the life of Christ must be in us. May the Lord speak to us.

May the Lord bless you. May the Lord multiply your life a thousand times. May your tribe increase.

May the Lord's grace be with you. Thank you. Amen.