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to enrich your faith. Here's today's sermon.
Amen. Okay, so I think this is the tenth part.
I don't know when we will finish. Glory to Jesus.
Okay, we've been looking at a series of issues
around or about women's liberty. And we are at
a point where we are asking a question. Wait
a minute. What is God's original plan or intention
for creating a woman? Now, this is very important,
especially... in this season that we are considering
manifesting the kingdom. You cannot manifest
the kingdom you don't know. You cannot manifest
the kingdom you don't know. Manifesting the kingdom
is not something accidental. It's something that
comes from knowledge. So the fact that you are
in the kingdom does not mean that you're going
to manifest it effectively. That's why we are
taking time to remove obstacles. that will hinder
us from manifesting the kingdom. And one of these
obstacles that has hindered us for a long period
of time is a lot of matter around our sisters.
Because there are a lot of issues that we have
to dismantle. And why do we need to dismantle
them? Because you will see as we begin that many
of the strongholds that has kept people from
growing and becoming effective in ministry, are
things that claim to come from Scriptures. So
you have to be careful when you go to Scriptures.
And that's why Apostle Paul says that we are
ministers of who? The Spirit. We are not of letters,
the ministers of letters. For the letters kill
it, but the Spirit give it what? Life. Hallelujah.
Amen. Now, in our last message, last time, I
think that's part nine, I concluded by coming
to a point, looking at Genesis 1, verse 26 to
27, particularly these two verses. And when we
read that place, one thing we were able to establish
that God... Created man, male and female. And
he created them in the what? In the image of
God. And we said one important part of our study
which we will do is to actually find out what
exactly is that image. Now, let me give you some
hints. Look at Genesis chapter 9. Genesis chapter
9. Genesis. Chapter 9. I want you to open your
Bible. Else I will shut this thing down. Because
we are not just telling you. This time is time
for Bible study. And when you study, you study
actively. You don't study passively. That's why
probably many of our graduates today, they are
graduating with empty heads. Because the problem
is that... They go to class. I mean, when I teach
some of them, especially, anyway, probably some
people from the medical school are a little bit
serious, but they are on serious issues too.
So I'm really pathetic. I mean, I feel so sorry
for our next generation of doctors. I used to
talk to them so well in the class. You understand?
But probably the most unserious people are the
people from this area. No, I don't call names.
I only say people from this area. You see some
of them come into class with only phone. They
will just sit down as if they come to watch movie.
I ask one, am I a movie? Please don't do that
in the church. There should be evidence after
coming to church for a long period of a time.
Don't come here and be wasting your time. I mean,
please don't come here and waste your time. I'm
telling you the truth. Very soon you will have
gray hairs. When I came to this side, I don't
have gray hairs. You know that song? Fading away
like the stars of the morning. You know that
song? Okay. So you better utilize your time quite
fast. And this is a time of development. If you
miss this part, you miss it. I'm telling you.
Because the time, the area, I mean, the stage
in which you will be moving in is brutal. You
understand? Nobody will understand with you that
you are in Cyprus. Life doesn't look at it that
way. You understand? Hallelujah. What did I say?
Genesis 9. Let me leave that one. Genesis 9.
So, there is something that got my attention
when I was just going through. So, I want to
just give you a hint before we come to study
it. Now, if you look at this scripture. He talks
to you about Noah and all that after the flood.
And I want you to just look at, he said, verse
3, every moving thing that lives shall be food
for you. And I've given you all things, the green
herbs. Then when you go down, let me just move
down quickly. Verse 6, look at verse 6. He said,
for whosoever or whoever sheds man's blood, by
man his blood shall be what? Shed. For, that
is, in the image of God he made who? In the image
of God he made man. Now, you know, normally when
we normally look at Genesis chapter 1 verse 26
and 7. we quickly conclude that that is talking
about people in Christ, right? So how do we go
about with some scriptures like this? That means
we will have to study carefully. Are we together?
That's why I say we have to pay attention. Amen.
But before we go there, there's something I have
to put some layers before we arrive there. Amen.
Okay, so... Now, I just give you something to
chew while you continue to hear. What then is
the image of God? Because here he's talking about,
he doesn't seem to talk about the man in Christ.
Is that correct? Yes. He's just talking about
the man, any man you shed the blood in the sun.
He said, no, don't do that. And the reason is
because that man is made in who? The image of
God. Okay. So, now let's go back to where our
sister read for us. Matthew 19. Matthew 19. Now
look at verse 3. He said, the Pharisees came
to him. That is, they came to Jesus. Testing
him. That means they were not coming to learn.
They were coming to test him. Because they think
they have knowledge already. And saying to him,
is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for
just... Any reason? Now, once they use the word
lawful, that means definitely they are referring
to what? The law. Are we together? Of course,
they knew that Moses' law didn't say for any
other reason. But you know, why did they come
to meet him? They wanted to test him in the sand.
So they knew the law. They knew what the law
says. But they came to test Jesus and asked him,
is it lawful in the sand that you... Put away
your wife or divorce your wife, you know what
I'm saying? Just any other reason. Now, listen,
besides just that they want to test him, that
question is open to us what is their view concerning
a woman. Are we together? I want you to look
at it. Because they have an understanding of
what a woman is, according to them. So their
question does not just only show that they want
to trap Jesus. But it opened to us of their ideology,
of their view concerning who a woman is. And
interestingly, as we will see, they are bringing
it from the law. Are we together? So they said,
is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for
just any other reason? And that's why I wanted
you to look at that verse very carefully. Now
for them, a wife, pay attention. For them, a
wife is something you can just put away. Did
you understand what I'm trying to say? For them,
apparently they don't know what a wife is. Do
you understand? Because after Adam's sin, when
the Lord came, Adam too was trying to accuse
God. But there's a statement he made which have
an indication why God brought Eve to him. He
accused God, but I want you to pay attention
to know because the point is not the accusation.
He said, the woman you gave me to be with who?
With me. Did you understand what I'm trying to
say? I want you to know that word, the woman
you gave to me to be with who? To be with who?
But now, look at how the Pharisees are thinking.
To put her what? Away. To put her away. Now,
in no place, when you look at the Pharisees,
in no place do you see that the woman have any
faith of her own. That means her faith is dependent
on them. Is that correct? Are we together? That
means her faith depends on them. They decide
when to put away. And while... They are focusing
on just put away. Now look at the answer of Jesus.
And I want you to pay attention to that. Verse
4. Are you in verse 4? And he answered and said
to them, Have you not read that he who made them
at the beginning made them what? And said, For
this cause a man shall leave his father and mother
and join to his wife. The two shall become one
flesh. So when the Pharisees are talking about
putting away, it's an indication how they see
a woman. A woman is like a commodity. A woman
has no equal value with them, which means that
the power of what to do solely lies... Are we
together? So their view is already open. But
while they are focusing on putting away, we're
going to look at it. Look at what Jesus said,
that have you not read? I know we have done that
study. You understand? He's talking about that
reading is not just casual reading, an aginoscope.
We saw that it's about reading. properly, completely,
through, across. And he pointed out, look at
verse 5, for this cause or for this reason, for
the reason of what? The reason of verse 4, the
quotation there. He said, a man shall leave his
father and mother and join to his wife. Look
at what Jesus said. And do what? And joined.
What are they focusing? And put away. Jesus is
saying, join. They are saying what? I'll put
away. Now you see that a complete viewpoint.
You understand? One, the view of Pharisee concerning
a woman. Another, the view of God concerning
a woman. That she's not a property to just throw
anyhow. You understand? No. That the will of
God, the plan of God, the original intention
of God is... That the two are joined. The two
are joined. So by now you clearly know the difference
between the Pharisee view. Are we together? And
the view of Jesus. Which is hinged upon scripture.
Because he quoted scripture. So we want to see
the difference between the Pharisee because they
also quote scripture. When they discover that
Jesus called scripture, they say, okay. Ah, okay.
So they will have to now scripturize much clearly
their view. They now ask him in verse 7. Look
at verse 7. They said to him, why then did Moses
command that to give a certificate of divorce
to put her away? They say, why did Moses then?
They focus. It's Moses. They said, this thought
you are saying, what we are giving you, it was
Moses that brought it. So what are you trying
to say? It's scriptural, what we are giving you.
You know, just the same way the devil will cause
scripture, Jesus will also cause scripture. Are
we together? They are still defending their view.
Now, I want you to note something here quickly
before we move. That the fact that you claim
that your view came from Scripture does not make
it that it's right. And that's why we have to
be careful. And that's the reason why, as I said,
all the issues we are discussing concerning women's
liberty, concerning whether a woman should speak
or keep quiet in church, concerning whether a
woman can lead a church, concerning whether a
woman should wear a trouser or not, concerning...
whether a woman should, what do you call it,
cover her hair or not. All these, I want you
to note that they are all picked from where?
From scriptures. Here we are seeing a Pharisee
also trying to argue with Jesus, backing their
viewpoint from where? From scriptures. So that's
why we said, if ever somebody say, it's in the
Bible, it's in the Bible. You know, sir, have
you had that argument? You say, it's in the Bible
now? That's why we have taught you, Right? Yes.
As I said, you know, some people were surprised,
I followed them. Even if you block us, they will
bring good. Yes, sir. If they block us, I'll
call them, we will do Bible study with them.
Then I will give them assignment. So be careful
how you post, because I'm watching. That's my
work. And that's our work, sir. Yes. Glory to
Jesus. So what we are trying to say is that is
to clarify true scriptures, to understand what
is God's view, because that's what matters. What
is God's view concerning a woman? And if that
is not corrected, it's going to affect you and
it's going to affect your relationship. I hear
some of you say, that's how women are. That's
how women are. That's how women are. Sometimes,
if you don't beat a woman, she's like a baby.
If you don't beat her, normally her sense is
not normally okay. You see, your village is following
you. Or you hear so many comments, careless comments,
regrettably, even sometimes by ministers, that
men are made naturally to have, to need varieties.
You see how, how we are spiritualizing flesh.
You know, sir? That means if you think that a
man needs varieties, that he cannot stay with
one woman, that means in your head you are thinking
that women are what? Dufe? Or women are... You
know what I'm trying to say? Groceries, like
Pasuji used to teach us in healthy living, that
you need different colors of fruit to be healthy.
You see? Suddenly now you will turn sisters to
become fruit. So you need black, blue, short,
tall. And that's why it's critical. When you
go with this type of thought, how will you not
frustrate the agenda of God? How won't pride
enter you? When they say minister to one another
and a lady comes to minister to you, you see
her as tomatoes. So something needs to be corrected.
And that's why we are taking time. It's not possible
for you to really become effective in ministry,
whether you're a man or a woman, if you have
a wrong perception about a woman or about a man.
This is how, that's why I often tell believers,
be careful when they start all this movement.
Try to know where are they going. Don't just
be... Be carried away by the label alone. Say
Black Lives Matter. Do you understand what I'm
saying? Feminist movement. You know, don't just
be carried away by label. Try to know where are
they going? What exactly is the source of their
motivation? You'll be shocked. Did you understand
what I'm saying? You'll be shocked. This is the
reason why we have... You know, the last time...
We are talking, you understand? I was talking
about, even for concerning this issue of gender,
what do you call it? Gender equality, you understand?
All those grammar, gender equity, gender equality,
whatever. You understand? What shaped, what is
shaping your thoughts and your understanding?
As I said, don't be carried away by labels, you
understand? That's why we are saying, learn to
read. You don't want to read, you understand?
Because you will need to be hardworking. to read
properly, to understand what actually the thing
is. I mean, the movement is about. And that's
why we're taking time to talk about distance.
You know, I saw one lady fuming online. Fuming!
Yes, sir. I'm qualified, but they are paying
me less because I'm a woman. They are paying
me less as a woman. Now, if you are not well
read, You will just speak it like that. But anybody
who is, even if you understand basic statistics,
right, will know that, yes, gender could contribute
about a difference in salary, but that difference
in salary is not actually a unilateral factor.
It is several factors that contribute to it.
Do you understand what I'm trying to say? So
let nobody just come and simplify something to
you and say it's because of gender alone. Wait
a minute. Do you really understand what we call
Latin variables? What am I trying to say? There's
a way that these people can be loud and they
carry you away and then use emotion. Back to
where we are. What I'm trying to let you know
that there are many things that are actually
in the scriptures. But they are picked wrongly.
Just like the Pharisees. We don't want to be
like the Pharisees. We don't. Not at all. Look
at verse 8 of that Matthew. What? Matthew 19.
Good. He said to them, Moses, because of the
hardness of your heart, permitted you to do what?
You know, Jesus unveiled it. Initially they say,
why did Moses? More or less to say that the source
of divorce is Moses because he's the one who
asked us to have certificates. But Jesus said,
no, the source of divorce is not Moses. The source
of putting away is not Moses. The source is you.
It's your own willingness. That's what that heartness
of heart means. Your unwillingness or your disobedience
to the word of God. You are heart -hearted because
of your wicked heart. Moses wanted to help the
sisters to have, what do you call it, safe landing.
Because he knows the wickedness of these people's
heart, he will allow it haphazardly. These people
are going to do damage. So the only thing Moses
did... Is to systemize the process. So that they
should have some dignity. Even if you want to
put them away. But he said the source of putting
away of divorce is you. Is the hardness of your
heart. Because of the hardness of your heart.
Moses permitted you to divorce. Moses permitted
you. to divorce. But from the beginning, it was
what? It was not so. Again, Jesus pointed them
back to what he has earlier said. In the beginning,
it was not so. In the beginning, it was not so.
Now, when you look at these scriptures, it looks
superficially as if Jesus is just focusing on
the issue of marriage. I mean, do you understand
that? Because it looks as that's what the point
is. But there's a deeper discussion which we're
going to look at that is much more deeper than
that. It's not just talking about the issue of
marriage and then divorce. No. There's something
deeper than that of value which I want you to
see. How a woman is viewed. Did you understand
what I'm trying to say? That's what I want you
to see. Because... The matter of divorce will
not have come in if their value of women is accurate.
Do you understand what I'm trying to say? The
matter of putting away will not have come if
their understanding, their view concerning women
is accurate. Because Jesus said, you understand,
is to join or to cleave. Now, that scripture
Jesus called is two scriptures. Although it was
repeated somehow. Let's go back to them. And
as I said, one of the scriptures is Genesis chapter
1. Genesis chapter 1 verse 26. That image. But
there is something. Let me go to the second scripture
first. Which is Genesis 2 .24. Genesis 2 .24.
Please go with me quickly. Genesis 2 .24. Thank
you Jesus. Therefore. A man shall leave his father
and mother and be joined to his wife. And the
two shall become one flesh. The two shall become
one flesh. Now, to understand this scripture,
because it says what? Therefore. Are we together?
Oh, are we with me? Are you with me? Therefore.
That means you are coming to a conclusion. There
is a view. Listen, listen to me. Just like we
said concerning the Pharisee. You see, the issue
of putting away the woman comes into being because
of their corrupted understanding of who a woman
is. So already we will not be focusing on marriage,
marriage, marriage. That's not the point. We
want to dig into the source of the problem. Did
you understand what I'm saying? We want to dig
into the source of the problem. And so when he
said, therefore, a man will leave his father
and mother and be joined to his wife, and the
two shall become one flesh. To understand that,
because that's almost a conclusion, is to go
back a little bit contextually, to read, to understand,
till we come down. Look at verse 18. Maybe we
should start from verse 18. Although we can go
up again. And the Lord God said, it is not good
that man should be alone. I will make him a helper
comparable to him. Verse 19. And out of the ground
the Lord God formed every beast of the field
and every bird of the air and brought them to
Adam to see what he will call them. And whatever
Adam called each living creature, that was its
name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the
birds of the air, and to every beast of the field.
But for Adam, there was not found a helper comparable
to him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep.
to fall on Adam and he slept and he took one
of his ribs and closed up the flesh in its place.
Then the ribs which the Lord God had taken from
man, he made into a woman and brought her to
man. And Adam said, this is now bone of my bone,
flesh of my flesh. She shall be called woman
because she was taken out of man. Now, you see,
this is the context. Are we together? Now, upon
this strength of revelation and understanding,
that was when we have what? Therefore. Are we
together? Now, when a man had this understanding,
he will not be thinking of separation. He will
not be thinking of a woman as a commodity. Do
you understand what I'm trying to say? He will
not be thinking of a woman as lesser value. That
someone that he can just throw away anyhow. Do
you understand what I'm saying? So, the question
is that we need to unpack this. Because until
you come to this revelation, you will have erroneous
view concerning a woman. Now, Look at verse 18
again. And the Lord God said, it is not good
that man should be alone. I will make him a helper
comparable to him. Now for many years when I
was growing, actually I was taught that this
place, the helper is the woman. Because when
you go down there and they say, therefore shall
a man leave his father and mother and join to
his wife. So automatically they all conclude.
That it is woman that God is talking about. You
understand? So this passage is always taught
as marriage passage. Do you understand what I'm
saying? It's always taught as marriage passage.
Whereas, that is not marriage passage. But for
many years, of course, I was taught, groom, you
understand, that the woman is a helper. Now,
because of that erroneous, what do you call it?
Interpretation. A woman's purpose. And a woman's
value is attached to that of a man. Did you understand
what I'm trying to say? That means a woman does
not have value outside a man. Meaning that if
that is the purpose of a woman's life is to become
the helper of who? Of man. That means if you
are not married, you are useless. Did you understand
what I'm trying to say? That is the implication
now. Why are you looking at me as if you don't
understand what I'm saying? That is the implication.
Because if a woman is a helper of man, you understand,
which we have been taught in the context of marriage,
that means to fulfill your purpose, you have
to what? You have to marry. Else, if you don't
marry, you are useless. That is another worldview.
And for many years, many women, in trying to
feel that, no, how banal, that means... How can
they say that? Do you understand? That my value
is only attached to that of man. And that's why
you hear many women are very angry. Let me tell
you one thing. This is the origin whereby, let
me point to you some things which probably you
have not observed. Do you understand? Let's say,
Pastor Ima, if you're going to write his name
now, you will not say, Dr. Master Ima. You will
say what? Talk to me now. You will say what?
Dr. Ima. Now, our sister Titi, if you want to
write her name, how will you do it? Doctor what?
Now, what are you saying now? Did you see what
I'm trying to say? Meaning that you cannot just
call her doctor like that. That Mrs. had to be
a... Why will you put Mrs. if you don't want
to put master to him? Oh, some people are saying
her. That's the origin of the culture. That a
woman's purpose and value must always be attached
to a man. Outside a man, she has no value. It's
from this erroneous interpretation. This is the
reason why we have to pay attention very well.
If you are sleeping, wake up. Because deliverance
is happening now, now, now, now. So we agree
with that. But you see, as you are growing in
the Lord, some things will come and be hooking
you in the neck. Now let me give you one of the
scriptures that begin to shatter my distance.
I say, uh -uh. I already know that because most
times when that scripture is provided, it's concerning
the issue of ministry. They will say, you see,
in fact, they used to counsel us. He's a man
of God. Why are you thinking of a woman? You
need to have the work you are doing before you
think of a woman. If you don't have work to do,
what would the woman come to help you with? Did
you hear that? Meaning that the woman doesn't
have any work. Her work is to help the man. So
most times, that was when we would start praying.
Lord, show me my purpose. And because we are
confused too. Lord, show me my purpose. Because
you are trying to pray to know the purpose. So
that when the woman is coming, you say, woman,
this is the work the Lord has called me. You
understand? And the issue is that she's mandated
by religion. Mandated that she has to follow
your own, what you call, purpose. Did you understand
what I'm saying? And women have been becoming
angry. Why will God do such a thing? And I've
heard all kinds of interpretations to defend
women. Again, that will corrupt the passage much
more. The woman will say, you see, when they
say you are a helper, that means you have more
wisdom. Without you, the man cannot do anything.
Do you understand what I'm saying? The reason
is not to try to console themselves. You understand?
At least I am important. You understand? At least
I am important. Because without me, the man cannot.
In fact, they will go through this passage. I
used to fear. You understand? They will see when
the man was in the garden, there was nothing
in him. That's why the devil couldn't do anything.
But suddenly when the woman arrived, hey, hey,
the devil feel threatened. And that was why he
came and followed the woman. Because he knows
whatever is of the man is in the woman. Hey,
hallelujah. No, there's a problem. So when I
read this scripture, come to me. Let me read
this scripture. Don't worry. I'm going slowly
because we must dismantle these things and digest
it. Did you understand what I'm saying? Correctly,
so that we don't put barriers. Because let me
tell you, some of the men are thinking that when
a woman becomes almost like... like jelly or
like a banku you just hit hit like this that
it is to the advantage you are a coward you don't
understand what you're saying no if your wife
have no understanding of her original makeup
you understand you will discover that the home
will not be productive it's against both the
man and the woman the church today have not yet
we are still struggling because We have made
this thing and deny our sister expression. You
know what I'm saying? We have denied. Second
Corinthians. Oh, glory to Jesus. Second Corinthians.
Look at Second Corinthians. I mean, this is a
scripture that hooked me in the neck. And I began
to study and say, eh, eh, there's a problem here.
Because we are taught that the manna is the one
with the purpose of God. The woman is coming
to help. And suddenly I read this scripture.
Read with me. He said, verse chapter 5. Okay,
sorry, I didn't call the chapter. You know, I'm
vibrating because of my, my spirit is angry concerning
this issue. Look at chapter 5. 2 Corinthians
chapter 5. Pastor Iman already read to us that
scripture. I love that scripture. You understand?
Let me start from verse 14. For the love of Christ
compels us. Because we taught church that if
one died for all, then all died. Verse 15. And
he died for all. For how many? Male. Only male.
He died for who? For all, male and female. That
those who live should live no longer for themselves,
but for him. But for him. To live for who? For
him. For the man? For who? For him. For the man,
for him. Live for him. Who died for them and
rose again. Look at verse 16. Having this understanding.
He said, therefore. From now on. We regard no
one according to the flesh. This is not a matter
of sex. Visualistic. Having this understanding.
Now we regard no man. In the worldly. Is it NLT?
There is one version that says in the worldly
point of view or something like that. Human point
of view. Please start. There is one version that
says NIV. So from now on, we regard no one from
what? A worldly point of view. Meaning that looking
at believers from the fleshly standpoint. From
the physical, it's actually a worldly point of
view. Though we once regarded Christ in this
way, we do so what? No longer. Verse 17. Therefore,
if anyone, male or both male and female, if anyone
is in Christ, he is a new creature. In fact,
if you look at in Kidronity, that he is in italics.
That means it's inserted. In Christ, a new creature.
That's how it is. All things have passed away.
Behold, all things have become new. Verse 18.
Now, all things are of who? All things are of
God, who has reconciled us to himself. Oh, I
want you to understand with me. Is the only man.
Only male that has been reconciled. He said.
He has reconciled us to himself. That is male
and female. Through Jesus Christ. And has given
us. Those who have been reconciled. Given who?
Us. The ministry of reconciliation. No different.
Male and who? And female. This thing hook me.
And say. So how come we read Genesis differently?
That the ministry is of the man. The woman is
coming to be a helper. How then now is saying
that the ministry is us? Those who have been
reconciled have been given the ministry of reconciliation.
Which means that our salvation ushers us into
ministry. Are we together? Everybody here is
called. All of us. You know, sir? I have explained
this thing. The will of God is that today you
are taught. Tomorrow is your turn to teach. Did
you understand what I'm saying? That is, you
are taught and you grow. Listen. Pastoring is
not a name. It's not a label. It's a work. Oh.
Did you hear what I said? You know, some of you
when they ask you, because there's erroneous,
I mean, teaching about it. You think pastor is
the one who just, no. You know, pastor is a mature
believer who actually also teach others to grow.
That's what, that's the work of pastoring. Pastoring
is feeding. I have taught it in this, this thing.
You understand? It's from the word shepherd.
And what does shepherd do? To feed. What am I
doing now? I am feeding so that you can grow.
So, The will of God is for you not to stay stunted.
Not to, I mean, the will of God is for you to
grow to become a pastor. Did you hear what I'm
saying? So don't be rejecting, no, me, I'm not
a pastor. I won't become a pastor. Pastors are
not the people who just live whatever they are
doing and come and stay. You understand? You
know, we have all kinds of erroneous thinking
about ministry. That's why we said in our lifetime,
that will be corrected. You do understand what
I'm saying? And you must make that choice that
must be corrected. You understand? Paul has a
career. Zenos is a lawyer. Are we together? Luke
is a what? He's a physician. Does that stop you
from ministry? Oh, talk to me. Does your career
stop you from ministry? Does it stop you from
being called an apostle? No. So this is not a
name. Nobody will say, no, God called me only
to be pastor. You know? Me, I'm not a prophet.
You understand? Me, I'm only a pastor. I know
how to counsel people. Who told you pastoring
is also about counseling? Are you a psychologist?
Yes, we do counseling. Are we together? But the
counsel you will give people is to teach them
the word of God. That's the counsel. That's what
is called the counsel of God. Hallelujah. Amen?
So, you will keep drumming that into your spirit.
Because you have to hear from the end. For we
will drum it into your mind, you know, sir, that
you are called. Because everyone that has been
reconciled is given the ministry of reconciliation,
you know, sir. And what is the ministry of reconciliation?
It didn't leave us in the dark, verse 19. That
is, what is that is? That is trying to explain
what the ministry of reconciliation is. He said
that God was in Christ, reconciling the world
to himself. not imputing their trespasses to
them, and has committed to us the word of what?
The word of reconciliation. The minister who
has been called into the ministry of reconciliation
is giving the word of reconciliation. What is
the word of reconciliation? The gospel. That
is, God is not imputing men's sins. You know,
sir? God is not imputing men's sins. He has died
for the world. That is the gospel. And you and
I have to preach. Now then, verse 20. We are
only men. We are Christ's ambassadors. All of
us. As though God was pleading through us. We
implore you, on Christ's behalf, be reconciled
to God. So, when we begin to read, I mean, this
is just one. When I began to read many... scriptures.
I say, there's something wrong somewhere. How
can you say that a woman's only purpose is to
help a man? That means, as I said, if you're
not married, you're useless. But that's not scripture.
Marriage is a choice. Your purpose has no inclination
with marriage. You fulfill purpose whether you're
married or not. The greatest people that talk
about marriage never got married. Did you understand
what I'm saying? So your authority to even speak
about marriage is not because you are married.
Did you understand what I'm saying? You know,
I know some of you, immediately the first day
you are getting married, you start dishing out
advice. After one week, you start giving us countdown.
You say one week in marriage. So you start using
the social media language. Some things I supposed
to have known before I got married. Because you
want likes. These days, it's not even those who
are married. I saw some unscrupulous element.
Why I call them unscrupulous element is not because
I'm trying to abuse them. It's the audacity.
Did you understand what I'm saying? It's the
audacity at which they speak. You know, sir?
I mean, we were watching one of our... This is
with my wife here, sir. I mean, we just... Let
me not say it. The point is, I say, she's a young
lady. And we already know our problem. The problem
is that even now, she's difficult to keep relationships.
You understand? She's like a junction box. Many
men, she's still hanging with other men. You
don't understand junction box? Where you find
different wires. And then she's online saying
that the reason why people have problem in the
marriage is because there is no money. So, if
you see people divorcing, it's because, There's
no money. Maybe she needs to go and ask Bill
Gates. Why did they get divorced? Right? If it's
because of money. Please, we don't want you to
disgrace yourself. I beg in the name of God.
Limit the way you speak anyhow online. You know,
some of you, I used to teach you how to speak.
I said, no, no, no, don't speak like that. You
know, sir. Please, just having internet is not
opium. Don't be carried away just because nobody
is there so you can just say anything. You will
regret it tomorrow because this internet, don't
forget this. You know they forget, right? They
will vomit it back to you. And that's why we
are concerned that we need to do so much more
to arrive at the accurate understanding. Now,
once you study something, As I told you last
time when we laid the foundation before we start
this one, that the author of scripture is one,
right? The Holy Spirit is the one behind what
we call the Old Testament. Jesus taught what
is captured now in the gospels, right? The same
person is the one who now told the disciples,
when the spirit of truth is come, He will guide
you into all the truth. He said, there are many
things I will say to you, but you cannot bear
them now. That means the entire epistles is also
the product of the Spirit. So the whole of it,
you cannot read. As we said again, the entire
Bible is a context. So when you read the Bible
together and you begin to have contradiction,
know that they say something's foul somewhere.
You need to return back to look at it because...
God is not an author of confusion. He cannot
speak something in Genesis and speak something
different in the epistles. It's the same. And
that's what we are going to do to read through,
to come to accurate understanding that a woman,
you have value equal with the man. And that your
purpose, your ministry is not dependent on a
man. If you like, you marry. If you don't like,
you live your life. You will succeed. You will
achieve and fulfill the purpose of God on the
earth. Are we together? And that is the goal.
Because and to understand, not just only because
you don't want to get married. I often speak.
You want to get married, you must be married
for God. You don't want to get married, you must
not get married because of God. Not that you
hate men. You are in the wrong track. You regret
it. You understand? If you're not going to get
married, it should be because of the gospel.
It should be because of the work. If you're going
to get married, it should be for the gospel.
If you do it for any other reason, you are on
your own. You understand? You are on your own
because it's going to speak. It's going to speak.
I pray for you. I truly pray for you. That it's
a new dawn. It's a new dawn in your life. It's
a new dawn in your life. Your ministry is expanding.
Your knowledge of God is expanding. The word
of God is glorifying your life. Everything is
glorifying your life. I pray for you that your
path will not cross wicked men. Your path will
cross with men of value. Men who will see you
as God sees you. Men who will value you. Not
as the Pharisees. People they think they can
use and discard. Not like the Pharisees. That
will see you and see that you are a product to
be used and discard. No, you will not meet those
people. You will meet people who will see you
as you are. Who will see you as one who should
be cheered for. Who should see as a partner in
ministry. Who should see a person who is as a
partner in this great commission. We appreciate
you being here today. We hope you carry this
word with you throughout your week. Don't forget
to check the show notes for additional insights.
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Until next time, stay blessed.