Manifesting the Kingdom of God 3 | The Believer's conference 2025 day 1

Hi there, welcome to NECF. We're excited to share

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to enrich your faith. Here's today's sermon.

Amen. Thank God for food. we've been ministered

to. I want to encourage us to don't use the food

as a foil to sleep. If I see you sleeping, I

will call your name. Amen. So let's turn to Matthew

16 once again. Hope you're enjoying our time.

Alright. Matthew chapter 16. Matthew 16. And

Matthew 16 · chapter mention

I'm reading from verse 13 once again. When Jesus

came to the region of Caesarea, Caesarea Philippi,

he asked his... disciples saying, who do men

say that I, the son of man, am? So they said,

some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and

others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. He said

to them, but who do you say I am? Simon Peter

answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son

of the living God. Jesus answered and said to

him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, for flesh

and blood has not revealed this to you, but my

Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you

that you are Peter. And on this rock, I will

build my church and the gates of Hades shall

not prevail against it. And I will give you the

keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatever you

bind on earth will be bound in heaven. And whatever

you lose on earth will be lost in heaven. Hallelujah.

So we are down to verse 17. where Jesus replied,

Jesus responded to the revelation that we see

Peter made about Jesus Christ. And there are

some key and very vital words that we will study

from the response of Jesus Christ to Peter. Firstly,

Jesus said to Peter, said to him, Blessed are

you. Or we say blessed or blessed are you. Simon

Barjona. For flesh and blood has not revealed

this to you. But my father who is in heaven.

So one thing that is crucial in this verse is

the idea of God's blessing. And I don't want

to go detail into it. because I know that we

have a teaching in church, Pastor Victor, I think

you taught about the blessings of Abraham, right?

So please, I would love you to find time and

go back to the church website and go through

that. What does it mean, blessed? When Jesus

Christ said, blessed are you, Simon Barjona,

what does it mean by blessed? What does it mean?

Jesus called Peter blessed. What does it mean

to be blessed? Now blessing or blessed is never

used especially in the New Testament. The Gospels

and the Epistles will see clearly that it's never

used for anything material. Alright? So when

Peter When Jesus said Peter is blessed, it's

not meaning that you are rich in money or immaterial

things. That's one thing that we should note.

That the blessing here is not a material blessing.

It's not because he has gained something material.

That is why he is blessed. The blessing is a

product of his faith in The word of God. The

faith he had in what the prophets have said about

who Jesus is. And the word bless is the word

mercurius. And there's another one which I wouldn't

want to just go into that. But it means fortunate.

It means to be well spoken of. So Peter rather

He is fortunate. He is fortunate. He is fortunate

in the understanding of what he has concerning

the Christ. The blessings or the fortune is to

be found in the riches of God in Christ Jesus.

That is in the revelation of who Jesus is. It

has to do with the gospel. It has to do with

the gospel. The blessing of the believer has

to do with what? With the gospel and all that

Jesus has done. The gospel is actually what Jesus

has done. So the blessings of the believer is

enshrined in the finished work of Christ. John

John 20:29

20 verse 29. John chapter 20 verse 29. Jesus

John 20:29

said to him, Thomas, that's Thomas when he was

in unbelief. Thomas, because you have seen me,

you have believed. Blessed are those who have

not seen and yet have believed. So Jesus Christ

here is calling Thomas a blessed man. No, not

Thomas. He's saying that it is a blessing to

what? To believe. It's a blessing to believe.

It's fortunate. It's to be fortunate to be found

in what Christ has done. Blessed are those who

have not seen, but they have believed. And we

see that Peter, in the same way, believed what

Jesus Christ is in regards to what the prophets

have written about him. That he is the Messiah.

He is the one that Christ, that is the one that

will come to die for the forgiveness of the sins

of men. And he said flesh and blood. Flesh and

blood simply means this information you've received

is not from men. Alright? This information is

not from men but is a revelation that is from

God. It's a supernatural revelation. So flesh

and blood have not revealed this to you. So what

does it mean revealed? That is what I really

want us to focus on this moment. All right? Maybe

tomorrow we'll come around and we'll look at

more about Peter himself. But what does it mean

to have revelation? What does it mean revealed?

Why would Jesus say, you know, flesh and blood

have not revealed this to you? How did Peter,

God is revelation? Revelation is important for

us in life and ministry. Now the word revealed

as in Matthew 16 verse 17. Matthew 16 verse 17.

Matthew 16:17 Matthew 16:17

Blessed are you Simon for flesh and blood has

not revealed. The word revealed here is translated

from the Greek word apocalypto. And the word

means to uncover. It means to uncover. It means

to make known or disclose something. Especially

something that is hidden. To disclose something.

To make known something. To uncover something.

So this revelation is not just a feeling. This

uncovering that Peter had is not just an emotional

feeling, but an understanding that comes by faith

in the written word of God. In the written word

of God. Hallelujah. In the cell meetings, we've

been talking about the issue of rapture. And

we told you that the word rapture is not, is

new. I mean, rapture per se, the doctrine of

rapture is new in the Christian faith. And we

made mention of a man and their beliefs and how

that they depend on inspiration, right? Apart

from scripture, we saw that the doctrine of rapture

was not found in the explanation of scriptures,

but rather an inspiration that they have. So

this revelation is not an inspiration that Peter

had. It's not an inspiration that he had apart

from what is written and can be seen in scriptures.

It's actually faith. In what has been taught

in scriptures. So the revelation he had. Is not

something new from anywhere. In fact this is

not the first time. He had this revelation. It's

seen in scriptures. Alright. It's littered around

all through scriptures. So this concept is not

new. It's what God has been doing. Has revealed

to Moses. And has revealed to Abraham. And all

the men of old. So it's not just an emotional

thing, but Peter had faith in the written word

of God. So the written word of God is fundamental

to any revelation that we are going to have.

Without an understanding of the written word

of God, then our revelation, whatever inspiration

we have, is questionable. Faith is the access.

to the revelation of the mystery of God, the

mystery of God. Faith is an access to how we

understand or we have, you know, an uncovering

of the mystery of God. It is given to us who

believe. It is given unto us believers. The scripture

says, To understand the mysteries of the kingdom.

It is unto us who are believers. That God has

given the ability to have the revelation of mysteries

in scriptures. Mark chapter 4 verse 10. We will

Mark 4:10

see. Mark chapter 10 verse 4. Mark chapter 4

Mark 10:4 Mark 4:10

verse 10. But when he was alone. Those around

him with the twelve asked him about the parable.

Jesus would teach in the parables, in signs and

symbols and speak in parables to the people.

Then the disciples would come. Mark chapter 4,

Mark 4:10

verse 10. But when he was alone, those around

him with the twelve asked him about the parable.

And he said to them, To you, it has been given

to do what? To know the mystery of the kingdom

of God. Today, it has been given to us who are

believers. It has been given to know the mystery

of the kingdom of God. But to those who are outside,

who are the outsiders? Those who are not in faith,

right? Those who are unbelievers. Those who are

outside. All things comes in what? In parable.

Why? So that seeing, they may see and not perceive.

This is a quotation from Isaiah. And hearing,

they may hear and not understand. Lest they see.

Lest they should turn and their sins be forgiven

them. And he said to them, do you not understand

this parable? How then will you understand parables?

Then he began to explain to them what he meant

by what he says, the parable of the sower. Because

the children of God have access to the revelation

of God. Hallelujah. But to those who are outside,

to them it's parables. To them are mysteries.

Okay? For to us, it's a revelation that we've

known, we've received. To them, it's a mystery.

And sometimes it seems, why would Jesus call

Isaiah and say, sin, they may not see. Let's

go back to that, verse 11. Mark 4, 11. Verse

12. Verse 12. So that seeing, they may see and

not perceive. And hearing, they may hear and

not understand. Lest they should turn and their

sins be forgiven. It seems as though God shows

speciality in revelation. It shows as though,

you know, God hides some things from some people.

And sometimes we do. Think as if there are some

people that have some special revelations that,

you know, it's only them that can have this special

revelation of scriptures. Or, you know, a divine

inspiration from God is just for some specific.

Does God hide information from people and reveal

it to some special people? Luke chapter 10 verse

Luke 10:20

20. Luke 10 verse 20. Nevertheless, do not rejoice

Luke 10:20

in this, that the Spirit are subject to you,

but rather rejoice that your name are written

in heaven. In that hour, Jesus rejoiced in the

Spirit and said, I thank you, Father, Lord of

heaven and earth, that you have hidden these

things from who? Who is he leading to? From the

wise and the prudent and reveal them to who?

To babes. Even so, father, for so it seems good

to your side. So, at reading of this text, we

see clearly that Okay, verse 22. All things have

been delivered to me by my father and no one

knows who the son is except the father. And who

the father is except the son and the one whom

the son wills to reveal him. The son wills to

reveal him. So it seems as though, you know,

God concealed the revelation. Okay? Some people

say, ah, there is only Peter that got the revelation.

But no, the Bible didn't tell us there is only

Peter. All right? Peter has always been the spokesperson

of all. Okay? So let's not accuse others. of

what the scripture did not say about them, right?

You know, Peter has always been a spokesperson

to all of them. But then it seems as though some

people have been apportioned to have special

revelation. As I said earlier on, to us is given

to understand the mysteries of the kingdom. Does

that mean that God has deliberately concealed

this mystery so that others will not know? And

when we read scriptures like this, It seems so

because rightly Jesus said that he has hidden

it to who? To the wise and the prudent and has

revealed it to who? He has revealed it to babes,

to children. The word babes there means to children.

Okay? Matthew 11, 25. Matthew 11, verse 25. Matthew

Matthew 11:25 Matthew 11:25

11, verse 25. At that time, Jesus answered and

said, I thank you, Father. Of heaven and the

earth. That you have hidden these things. From

the wise and who? And prudent. On the line wise

and prudent. Wise and prudent. And have revealed

them to babes. To children. Even so father. For

it seems good in your sight. So it seems good

to the father. That the revelation of the kingdom.

Be unto babes. And not to the wise and the prudent.

And I ask, does God hide revelation? Does God

conceal revelation? Why would Jesus say that

God has hidden it from the wise? Why would it

be that Jesus is making this statement that the

revelation has been hidden to the wise? Now,

remember the context of Matthew 11, 20? The context

is that Jesus... Was rebuking the unbelief of

the cities. Let's look at verse. Yes. Matthew

20. Let's look at 20 to 24. We see that the context

that Jesus was rebuking the unbelief. Of the

people. Yes. Then he began to rebuke the cities

in which most of his mighty works has been done.

Jesus has done mighty works in these cities because

they did not repent. They did not turn to believe

in Jesus Christ. Woe unto you, Chorazin. Woe

unto you, Bethsaida. For if the mighty works

which were done in you had been done in Tyre

and Sidon, They will have repented long ago in

sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, it will

be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day

of judgment than for you. And you, who are exalted

to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. For

if the mighty works which were done in you had

been done in Sodom, it will have remained till...

this day. But I say to you that it shall be more

tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of

judgment than for you. At that time Jesus answered

and said, Oh, I thank Father, Lord of heaven

and earth, that you have hidden these things.

Which things has he hidden? Revelation. That

you have hidden these things from the wise and

prudent. And I've revealed them to the babes.

So these people refuse to believe. They choose

to live in unbelief. Alright? They choose to

live in unbelief. That is the context of Jesus'

statement here. So what category of people are

those in whom God said to hide things from? He

said to hide things from. Who are those categories?

The wise and prudent, right? The mysteries of

the kingdom are hidden to who? To the wise and

what? And prudent. The mysteries of the kingdom

is hidden to who? To the wise and the prudent.

And who are those in which receive revelation?

Babes, children. Okay? So, now. Babes or children

can have different meaning in scripture. Depending

on the context of his use, it can have different

meaning in scripture. Whenever you see a child

or a baby, it doesn't mean the same in every

part of scripture. So, as we always teach in

church, we say context is very important in interpreting

scriptures. Now, let's see some places in which

the word babes or children is used. 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 3:1

3, verse 1. 1 Corinthians 3, verse 1. And I,

1 Corinthians 3:1

brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual

people, but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.

Okay? As to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk

and not with solid food, for until now you were

not able to receive it, and even you are still

not able. For you are still, are you still carnal?

This is no secret. It's not saying that they

are carnal, right? But their behavior is what?

It's like carnal people. For where there are

envy, strife, and division among you, are you

not carnal and behaving like where? Like ordinary

men, which means that they are not ordinary men,

but they are behaving like ordinary men. So,

go back to verse 1. Go back to verse 1. So, He

says, as to babes in Christ, meaning that they

are children when it comes to the things of Christ.

They are not matured in the things of Christ.

So here, the word babes or children is referring

to what? Level of maturity of the believer. The

Corinthian church in which perform many, many,

you know, activities of the spirit. prophetic

words, healing and all those things, he's calling

them children because of their behavior, their

character, right? He's showing that they are

not mature. Some of them are saying, oh, I'm

for Pastor Kostin. Oh, this one, I said, oh,

I belong to Pastor Victor's camp. And there's

division among the church. And we'll see he's

asking them, is Jesus Christ divided? Why are

you behaving like babies? Why are you behaving

like kids? So babes or children here is referring

to what? The spiritual development of the believer.

1 Corinthians 13 verse 11. 1 Corinthians chapter

1 Corinthians 13:11 1 Corinthians 13:11

13 verse 11. When I was a child, I spoke as a

child, I understood as a child, I taught as a

child, but when I became a man, I put away childish

things. For now, we see in a mirror dimly, but

then face to face now, I know in part. When I

shall know, thus I also am known. Chapter 14,

verse 20. 14, verse 20. 1 Corinthians 14, 20.

Brethren, do not be children in understanding.

However, in malice be babes, but in understanding

be what? Be matured. Let's go back again and

look at this. He says, brethren, do not be children

in understanding. So, is it okay to remain a

child when it comes to understanding? Nobody

wants Going to give birth to a child and the

child remains a baby. You know, he's 10, he's

still a baby. 20, still a baby. The will of God

for the believer is that we grow to maturity.

Alright? So the level we are right now, that

is not the end goal for us. God desires that

we grow beyond this level of knowledge. That

we mature in knowledge. That we begin to We begin

to take responsibilities. Responsibility is a

product of growth. And growth comes by knowledge.

So Ephesians 4 verse 14. That we will not be

Ephesians 4:14

children. Ephesians 4 verse 14. That we should

Ephesians 4:14

no longer be children. The previous scripture

we see, it says as to regards to malice, you

know, we should be babes when it comes to these

things. As to what is evil, we should be babes.

But when it comes to maturity, we should grow.

When it comes to godly things, we should grow.

That we should no longer be children tossed to

and fro and carried about with every wind of

doctrine. By trickery of men. In the cunning

craftiness. Of deceitful plotting. But speaking

the truth in love. May grow up in all things.

In him who is. The head Christ. From whom the

whole body. Join and knit together. Every joint

that supplies. According to the effective working.

By which every part does its share. Causes growth

of the body. For the divine of his self and love.

So God intend. That we grow. God's intention

for us is that we grow. 1 Thessalonians chapter

1 Thessalonians 2:7

2 verse 7. 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 7.

1 Thessalonians 2:7

It says, but we were gentle among you just as

nothing mother cherishes her own children. Just

as her nursing mother cherishes her children

so affectionately longing for you, we are pleased

to impart to you not only the gospel of God,

but also our own lives because you have become

dear to us. So when it comes to faith in the

gospel, we must be like babes, right? Our conduct

towards the gospel, our attitude towards the

gospel message is... To be like babes. What do

babies do? What is the attitude of babies? A

child believes everything the father told him,

right? He doesn't argue. He believes all. Innocence.

But in the gospel, we act as babes. We must be

like babes. When it comes to the gospel, believing

it completely and obeying. Believing the gospel

completely and obeying. That should be our disposition

as babes, as we got the gospel. But when it comes

to growing in the truth, we must not remain babes.

We must keep on growing and mature. Hallelujah.

So, the word babes, Must be defined within the

context of his usage in the text. So that we

will not mistake one for another. The Bible is

not saying that you should remain a child. No.

The Bible is saying you should grow. Amen. You

should grow. Be mature. Be an adult. Grow. Take

responsibility. And we grow by the word of God.

By the teaching of the word of God. And by practicing

it. So from Matthew 11, 25 -26, God's revelation

is unto those who believe. That is the babes'

belief, right? It's unto those who believe, just

as babes. The babes receive the gospel by faith,

while the wise and prudent are the unbelieving

ones, who by the wisdom and the knowledge of

this world reject the faith. The wise and prudent

are those who think that they know it all. They

are smart. They are well educated. But you know,

it's the opium of the masses. It's for control.

You know, with my PhD, my education, you people

are, you believe in God because you didn't go

to, because you are not learned, you didn't go

to school. You know, it's because you are poor.

That's why you trust in God. In their own wisdom

and their own prudence, they rejected what? They

rejected the faith. So the gospel is hidden to

the wise and the prudent of this world. So if

you believe that, if you see yourself as a wise

and intelligent and brilliant and the Bible says

the fool, right, says in his heart that there

is no God. So your wisdom is actually foolishness.

So the gospel is a mystery to the wise. It's

a mystery to the prudent of this world. He cannot

wrap his mind around worshiping a man called

Jesus. He cannot wrap his mind. He can't see

the intelligence in the idea that somebody died

and then all are forgiven. By believing. Come

on. The wise and the prudent of this world wouldn't

want to acknowledge that forgiveness is free

gift in Christ Jesus. So it becomes hidden to

him. It becomes a hidden mystery. Father, we

see Paul describes this wise and the prudent

of this world. Romans chapter 1 verse 18. Romans

Romans 1:18 Romans 1:18

chapter 1 verse 18. It says for the wrath of

God. The wrath of God. I believe we're going

to do a teaching about the wrath of God very

soon. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven

against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of

men. Who suppresses? Okay, let's see. The ungodliness

and unrighteousness of men. What do they do?

They suppress the truth in righteousness. Suppressing

simply means they reject the truth. Verse 19.

Because what may be known of God is manifest

in them. For God has shown it to them. So they

are not without knowledge. For since creation

of the world, his invisible attributes are clearly

seen, being understood by the things that are

made and his eternal power and Godhead. So that

they are without what? They are without excuse.

The Pharisees knew what Christ was saying. Alright?

They were not in ignorance. They know what he

was saying. Because although they knew God, they

did not glorify him as God. Nor were thankful,

but became futile in their thoughts. So the wise

is in their mind, in their thoughts, and their

foolishness, and their foolishness were what?

Were darkened. Professing to be what? To be wise.

We're intelligent. Come on. You have to intelligently

explain this to me. So in their intelligence

and their wisdom, they became fools. Right? And

changed. Look at what their foolishness has brought

them. They changed the glory of the incorruptible

God into what? Into idols. Into image. Today,

it's not fancy. carve a wood and kneel down and

worship. So, we have it in form of money. The

glory in, yeah, they changed the glory of the

incorruptible God into an image made with corruptible

man, made like corruptible man and birds and

four -footed animals and creeping things. Therefore,

God also, see, this verse says, God gave them

up. To uncleanness. So God hides. And God gives

up people. God gave them up. Really. God also

gave them up to uncleanness. In a loss of their

hearts. To dishonor their bodies among themselves.

This is the result of them rejecting the truth.

Who exchange the truth of God for the lie. And

worship and serve the creator. Rather than the

creator. Who is blessed forever. Let's see more.

For this reason, they say again, God gave them

up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged

natural use for 26. For what is against nature.

This is a product of rejecting God. For this

reason, God gave them up, right? Yes, verse 27.

Likewise also, men leaving the natural use of

the woman. burned in their lust for one another,

men with men committing what is shameful and

receiving in themselves the penalty of the error

which was due. And we see that the depravity

of mankind is a product of what? Of the rejection

of God. Thinking that they are wise, they rejected

the truth about God. And the Bible says that

God gave them up. Now we're going to look at

what does it mean God gave them up. But the product

of the depravity of man is from what? From his

rejection of God in unbelief. So these men that

claim to be wise are actually fools. To them,

it's not given to understand the mystery of the

kingdom of God. Because the mystery of the kingdom

of God is received by faith. Faith in who God

is as revealed in Christ Jesus in the scriptures.

By the wisdom of this world, which refers to

what? Human philosophy. You know? The education

system. The ideology of men. So by the wisdom

of this world, men cannot know God. By the wisdom

of this world, men cannot know God. 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 1:17

chapter 1 verse 17. 1 Corinthians 1. Is it the

right place? 1 verse 17. Yes, yes. For Christ

did not send me to baptize, but to preach the

gospel. Not with what? With wisdom of words.

Not with the wisdom of men. Not with the wisdom

of words. Lest the cross of Christ should be

made of no effect. So the wisdom of this world

conceals the truth about Christ. It hides the

truth about Christ. The wisdom of this world

limits men from seeing Who Christ is. For the

message of the cross, right? The cross refers

to all that Christ has achieved. All that Christ

has done. The cross is not just a tree. The message

of the cross, the cross refers to all that Christ

has achieved in his death, his suffering, his

death, his burial, and his resurrection. For

the message of the cross is what? The entire

message about Christ is what? Is foolishness.

To those who are world. Who are perishing. But

to us. Who are saved. Hallelujah. It is what?

It is the power of God. It is the power of God.

For it is written. I will destroy the wisdom

of the wise. And bring to nothing the understanding

of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is a

scribe? Where is a disputer of this age? Has

not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

For since in the wisdom of God, the world through

wisdom did not know God. The world through wisdom.

That means the world has its own wisdom. The

world has its own wisdom. But through the wisdom

of the world, God cannot be known. It pleased

God through the foolishness of the message. Preach

to save. It pleased God through the foolishness

of the message. Preach to save those who believed.

For Jews, what do Jews request? You always see

them, show us a sign, show us a sign. They request

for a sign. And Greeks, what? They are philosophers.

You read through history? Pluto? Oh, Plato. All

the philosophers, political thoughts, economic

thoughts, history. The Greeks are so... See,

Greeks are very, very important in knowledge.

You can't take it away from the Greeks. Somebody

will just go and do once more on the graduate

and say there's no God. No, I believe in science.

Science that you don't even, you are not, you

are not even a qualified scientist. You don't

even created one thing from the knowledge you

have of that science or the technology you have.

You know, this generation is AI, you know. So,

verse 23. But we preach Christ crucified. Hallelujah.

To the Jews is a stumbling block. And to the

Greeks, it is foolishness. But to those who are

called, both the Jews and the Greeks, Christ

is what? Is a power of God and the wisdom of

God. Because the foolishness of God. Now, we

are not saying that God is foolish. This is just

a contrast. This is a language used to describe,

you know, what the writer is describing here.

God is not foolish. Okay. Because the foolishness

of God, if it's actually foolishness, is wiser

than men. And the weakness of God, is God weak?

There's no weakness in God. He's stronger than

man. For you see, you're calling brethren, for

you see, you're calling brethren, that not many

wise, how did I read it? That not many wise according

to the flesh. Not many mighty. Not many noble

are called. You are called not because you are

wealthy. Not because you are intelligent. Not

because. But God has chosen the foolish things

of the world. To put. To shame the wise. It's

pride. It's pride in man. And God has chosen

the weak things of the world to put to shame

the things which are mighty. And the best things

of the world and the things which are despised.

The things which are despised, God has chosen.

And the things which are not to bring to nothing

the things that are. And no flesh, that no flesh

should glory in his presence. But of him you

are in Christ. Hallelujah. You are in Christ

Jesus who became for us wisdom from God. Hallelujah.

Jesus is our wisdom and righteousness and sanctification

and redemption. That as it is written, he who

glories, let him glory in what? Let him glory

in the Lord. Not in wisdom. Not in intellect.

Not in your resources. But that you glory in

the Lord. So by wisdom of this world, men cannot

come to know God. And also, by human wisdom,

we cannot preach God to the world, brethren.

We cannot use the wisdom of this world to preach

the gospel to the world. Hallelujah. I see many

times, you know, people want to preach, they

begin to bring in some certain things, trying

to use the things of the world, the definitions

of the world. You see? Let me tell you one thing

about, one example. Riches in the kingdom of

God, right, is not the same thing as riches in

the world. Okay? In the kingdom of God, riches.

is defined by what? Listen, I'm talking about

material wealth, not even spiritual. Listen,

material riches in the kingdom of God is not

in the accumulation of resources. Okay? It's

in how much you give. That is how we quantify

who is rich in the kingdom of God. The other

way around is the world's way of defining who

is rich. In how much you are able to accumulate

and keep in your bank. They say, how much is

your net worth? That's how the major riches in

the world. So, our vocabulary must be distinct

and aligned with what the scripture teaches.

By the wisdom of men, we cannot preach God to

them. 1 Corinthians 2, let's go to chapter 2.

From verse 1, we see Paul when he came, he says,

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not

come with excellency of word, excellence of speech,

or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony

of God. He didn't come with sweet words. He didn't

come with human wisdom. He didn't come with,

you know, he didn't display his intellectual

capacity in preaching about Christ. For I determined

not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ

and him crucified. So when you're going for evangelism,

you're not going there to show your intellectual

ability. You're not going there to show that

you are intelligent or you are smart or you are

brilliant. You are there to show people the intelligence

of God, which is the cross. Hallelujah. The more

you try to modernize it, you go off point. Let's

look at how Paul said it. He said, for I determined

not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ

and him crucified. Why? I was with you in weakness,

in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech

and my preaching were not with persuasive words

of human wisdom. He didn't use persuasive words

of human wisdom on them, but in demonstration

of what? Of the spirit and of power. That your

faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but

in what? But in the power of God. In the power

of God. So, how do we explain the idea? Of God

hiding things from the wise and prudent. How

do we explain this? Isn't God now responsible

for their unbelief? Since he has hidden it from

them. Is God not responsible for their unbelief?

Since God has hidden it from them. Now let's

go back to that text in Luke. The word hide as

used in Luke. Luke chapter 20 verse 22. and Matthew

Luke 20:22

11 .25. Luke 20. Is it Luke 20? Luke 10 .20 rather.

Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the

spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice

because your name are written in heaven. Next.

In that hour, Jesus rejoiced in the spirit and

said, I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and

earth, that you have hidden these things from

the wise and prudent and revealed them to the

babes. Even so, Father, for it seems good in

your sight. Now, this hide in this text is a

figure of speech. In literature, you know, we

call it a figure of speech. We are writing, right?

It's called metonymy. There are different classes

of metonymy. If you go out, you can make research

about it. If you've got a speech called metonymy,

M -E -T -O -N -Y, M -Y. Especially the metonymy

of the effect of the cause. Now, let me explain

this in simple language. It's a situation in

which we have more than one character. In an

event, an event happens with having more than

one character, but one character is mentioned.

Often, the one that is not active in that event

is accorded as responsible for that action. Do

you understand what I just explained now? Okay,

let me explain it in... I and Pastor Victor and

Pastor Chidi, something happened, right? And

then... Of course, we went to Pastor Chidi's

house. And I did something. And because Pastor

Chidi is his house and they say it is Pastor

Chidi that did it. You understand? I'll give

you examples in scripture. For example now, in

Exodus chapter 9 verse 12. The example of Pharaoh.

Exodus 9:12

Exodus chapter 9 verse 12. But the Lord had in

Exodus 9:12

the heart of Pharaoh and he did not heed them.

Just as the Lord has spoken to Moses. So was

it God that had in the heart of Pharaoh or Pharaoh

refused to believe what Moses said? He what?

He refused to believe, right? So in this story

now, it is reported that God hardened his heart.

The Bible said God hardened the heart of Pharaoh,

but in reality, right, Pharaoh hardened his heart

against the word of God. Okay? Let me give you

another example. Which one would I give? Another

metonymy, but it's not a metonymy, of course,

an effect. Let's say the chief of staff to the

president of America, for example, now, says

something bad about Russia, for example, now.

If it's going to be written, who will say that

thing? The White House, right? What does the

White House mean? The president. Why? Because

the president is what? He's the president. He's

the one that appointed him. But in, of course,

in real sense, the president did not say, but

the White House, the White House refers to the

president, it refers to the seat of the president.

Isn't it? So if the news will write that, they

will refer to us, the White House. And when you

say the White House, first you know that it is

Donald Trump. Are we together? So in this, it's

a way of communication. And the people responsible

here, we see here, there is a Pharaoh disbelieved

the word and he did not act in obedience to what

Moses said. But it is recorded as God had in

his heart. Romans chapter 1 verse 24, we saw

Romans 1:24

earlier on. 1 24 says, therefore God also gave

them up to uncleanness. When we read earlier

on. Was it God that gave them up or they refused

to believe God? There is two options. If you

believe God, this is the outcome of believing

God. This is the outcome of disbelieving God.

When you disbelieve God, what will happen? A,

B, C, D will happen. When you believe God, what

will happen? A, B, C will happen. And you choose

to believe God, right? Or you choose to disbelieve

God. So we see the action, the result of your

action. It's what we see as a result of their

disobedience. So, verse 28 also mentioned that

24, 28 we see also, God gave them up to loss

of their heart to dishonor their bodies among

themselves. Verse 28. Verse 28. And even as they

did not like to retain God in their heart, in

their knowledge, God gave them over to the base

mind. To do those things which are not fitting.

As though God is responsible for the things they

did. But the action here. Is the action in not

retaining God. Okay. Then we see the result in

their lives. So the text said God gave them up.

But in reality. They chose not to believe in

God. And we see the consequence of their action.

In all that we see in the text. So in reality.

God does not hide the truth from people. Hallelujah.

God's desire is that all men should be saved.

God's desire is that all men should be saved.

God has not sat down and written a certain list

of some people that these are the only ones that

will be saved. Some people believe that there

are some numbers that God has decided that these

are the only ones that will make heaven. The

rest, God has destined them for judgment. How

come you are inside that number? What makes you

special than others that you say God has destined

them for destruction? So you mean God will sit

down and the thing that God will do is that he

will prepare men for destruction. Then there's

no love in that God. From the foundation of the

world, he knows. And he prepared them for what?

For destruction. That is what God sat down and

did. Then that is a misrepresentation of the

character of God. So, God does not hide the truth

from people. God is light. And in him there is

no what? There is no darkness. To say that God

hides, it means that there is darkness in God.

So God does not hide his truth. God's revelation

is a matter of faith in the word of God. We who

believe in the word of God have the revelation

of the mysteries of God. Alright? So we believe,

we act on faith on what God has said. We act

as children. Just as children believe and they

obey, we act and we believe and we obey. Just

like children. So to us, God's revelation is

a matter of faith in the word of God. We believe

in the word of God. We who believe in the word

of God have revelation of the mysteries of God.

1 Corinthians 2 .6. Let's continue. 1 Corinthians

2 .6. We see when Paul was talking about contrasting

the wise and the prudent and the babes. Say,

however we speak wisdom among those who are mature,

yet not wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers

of this age who are coming to nothing. But we

speak what? The wisdom of God in a mystery. The

hidden wisdom which God ordained when? Before

ages for our glory. Which none of the rulers

of this age knew. For had they known, they would

not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as

it is written, I have not seen nor heard. nor

have entered into the heart of man the things

which God has prepared for those who love him.

He's actually prepared for those whom God loves.

But God has what? God has revealed it to who?

Huh? To who? To us. How? Through his spirit.

So we have the revelation of God through his

spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes,

the deep things of God. Colossians 1, verse 24.

Colossians 1:24

I now rejoice in my suffering for you and fill

up in my flesh what is lacking in the affliction

of Christ for the sake of his body, which is

a church. Of which I became a minister. According

to the stewardship. From which was given to me.

For you to fulfill. The word of God. The mystery.

This is the word of God. The mystery which has

been hidden from ages. And from generations.

But now. Has been revealed to his sense. To them.

God willed. To make known. What are the riches

of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles?

Which is what? Which is Christ in what? In you,

the hope of glory. Christ in you, the hope of

glory. Mystery revealed to the believer. Mystery

is what? Is revealed. Hallelujah. To us, it is

given. To you, It is given to know the mysteries

of the kingdom. So we are not in darkness. We

are not in darkness not to know what God has

done. Amen? We are not in darkness to know what

God has done in Christ because we believe just

as babes believe. That is why the gospel can

be understood by someone that went to school.

And can also be understood by someone that did

not go to school. Even if you cannot read and

write, you can understand the gospel and you

can believe the gospel. And you can also preach

the gospel. Hallelujah. Because it's for those

who have the minds of children who believe and

obey unto them is given the understanding of

the mystery of God. The mystery in the Greek

word is a word mysterion. Mysterion. M -Y -S

-T -E -R -I -O -N. Let me spell it again. M -Y

-S -T -E -R -I -O -N. Mysterion. It means something

hidden. A secret. And this hidden stuff is...

It's what should be taught, actually, in this

context. It's what should be taught, said, and

declared. It's something that should be taught,

said, and declared. Now, let's have a short study.

How the Bible explains this mystery. What the

Bible calls this mystery. The Bible explains

this mystery in several ways. It is called the

mystery of the kingdom of heaven. In scriptures

you will see it. Mystery of the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew chapter 13 verse 11. Matthew 13 verse

Matthew 13:11 Matthew 13:11

11. He answered and said to them. Because it

has been given to you to know what? The mysteries

of what? Of the kingdom of heaven. But to them

it has not been given. So here it is represented

as the mysteries of what? Of the kingdom of heaven.

It is also the mysteries of the kingdom of God.

Kingdom of heaven. Same thing. The mysteries

of the kingdom of God. Mark chapter 4 verse 11.

Mark 4:11

Mark 4 11. He answered and said to them. Mark

4 11. And he said to them. To you it has been

given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God.

But to those who are outside, all things come

in what? Parable. All things comes in parable.

Mystery of the kingdom of God. Look at verse

10. Mystery of the kingdom of God. We've seen

mystery of the kingdom of heaven. It's the same

thing as mystery of the kingdom of God. And he

said to you, it has been given to know the mysteries

of the kingdom of God. But to the rest it is

given in parables that seeing they may not see,

hearing they may not understand. And the reason

that they will see and not see, right, is because

of unbelief. It's because of unbelief. So we

see the mysteries of the kingdom of God, mysteries

of the kingdom of heaven. We also see in scriptures

the mysteries of God. All is the same thing.

1 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 1. 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 4:1 1 Corinthians 4:1

chapter 4 verse 1. Let a man consider us as servants

of Christ and stewards of what? The mysteries

of who? Of God. Alright. Still the same thing.

The mysteries of God. Colossians 2 verse 2. Colossians

Colossians 2:2 Colossians 2:2

2 verse 2. And their hearts may be encouraged.

Being knit together in love and attaining to

all riches of the full assurance of understanding

to the knowledge of the mystery of God. Mystery

of God. Both of the Father and of the Christ.

Mystery of God. Both of the Father and of the

Christ. In whom? Are hidden all the treasures

of the wisdom. Of wisdom and knowledge. Mysteries

of God. We will also see this same mystery. As

the mystery of Christ. The mystery of Christ.

The mystery of Christ. The same thing. Ephesians

Ephesians 3:4

chapter 3 verse 4. The mystery of Christ. By

which when you read, let's go back to verse,

let's go from verse 1. From verse 1. For this

reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus

for you, Gentiles, indeed you have heard of the

dispensation of the grace of God. This dispensation

is what? The stewardship, the administration

of the grace of God which was given to me for

you. Even did, yes, how that by revelation, by

what? By revelation, he made known to me the

mystery as I have briefly what? Written. Already.

By which when you read, when you read, you may

understand my knowledge, he called it in the

mystery of Christ. which in other ages was not

made known to the sons of men. Which ages? Of

course, going back to the times of the prophets,

right? Made known to the sons of men, and it

has now been revealed by the Spirit to his holy

apostles and prophets. Apostles and prophets,

yes. That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs

of the same body and partakers of his promise

in Christ through the gospel. So he called it

the mystery of Christ. The mystery of God is

a mystery of the kingdom of heaven, is a mystery

of the kingdom of God, is a mystery of God, is

the same thing as a mystery of Christ. Mystery

of Christ. Colossians 4, verse 3. Meanwhile,

Colossians 4:3

pray also for us. That God will open us a door

for the world to speak what? To speak the mystery

of Christ for which I am also in chain. So is

this mystery also the gospel? Huh? Is it also

the gospel? We will see that it is also referred

to as a mystery of the gospel. Ephesians 6 verse

Ephesians 6:19

19. Same thing. Ephesians 6 verse 19. And for

Ephesians 6:19

me, that all trans may be given to me, that I

may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery

of what? Of the gospel. Hallelujah. The mystery

of the gospel. So what should be the response

to the gospel? Faith, right? Faith. The mystery

is also the mystery of the faith. The mystery

of faith. 1 Timothy 3, verse 19. 1 Timothy 3,

1 Timothy 3:9

verse 9. Verse 9, not 19, verse 9. 1 Timothy

1 Timothy 3:9

3, verse 9. It says, holding the mystery of what?

Of the faith with a pure conscience. The faith

entails all that pertains to Christ. The faith

entails all that pertains to the kingdom of God.

The faith means all that pertains to the kingdom

of heaven, the kingdom of God, the kingdom of

Christ. There's no difference between the kingdom

of God and the kingdom of heaven. It's the same

thing. Agreed? So this mystery is one. Alright?

It's also referred to as the mystery of godliness.

1 Timothy 3 verse 16. The mystery of what? Of

1 Timothy 3:16

godliness. And without controversy, great is

the mystery of what? Godliness. And he explains

it. God was manifested in the flesh. Justified

in the spirit. Seen by angels. Preached among

the Gentiles. Believed in the world. And received

up in glory. Hallelujah. So all this refers to

the same. So when we are talking about mystery.

There are not many mysteries. Hallelujah. Even

when Paul was talking about marriage, he said

he's referring to the same thing. He's talking

about Christ and the church. Amen? To you and

I is given to know the mystery, the mystery of

God. To know the mysteries of the kingdom. Do

you know why? Because we have a responsibility.

We have a responsibility. So to us, it's given

because we have, of course, we are safe and we

are part of the mystery because Christ in us

is a mystery. Hallelujah. God, indwelling man,

the kind of man cannot understand that ideology.

The man that is not born again cannot understand.

How can you say God lives in you? It doesn't

make sense. But that is the wisdom of God. That

is the mystery of God revealed to us. For to

us, it's not a mystery, it's a revelation. Hallelujah.

Amen? And Paul made it very clear that this revelation

of the mystery are from the teachings of the

prophets. Okay? It is a message of God through

the mouth of the prophets. Right? Romans chapter

Romans 16:25

16 verse 25. I think we saw this text earlier

on. Romans 16, 25, 27. This mystery is not so

mysterious. This mystery did not appear mysteriously

from nowhere. Okay? It didn't appear mysteriously

from nowhere. That is why we saw what Peter said.

What Peter said is written by the prophets. It's

what the prophets have said. To him who is able

to establish you according to my gospel. And

the preaching of Jesus Christ. According to what?

According to the revelation of the mystery kept

secret. Since the world began. But now made manifest.

How? And by the prophetic scriptures. So Paul's

mystery is not that he got it somewhere. He believed

the word. He understand the word. He believe

therefore he got understanding by the spirit.

Hallelujah. He believe by the spirit he got understanding.

So he's able to write. Amen. But now made manifest

by the prophetic scriptures. Made known to all

nations according to the commandment of the everlasting

God for obedience to the faith. Verse 7. To God

alone. wise, the glory through Jesus Christ forever.

Amen. So clearly we see here that, as I said,

the mystery didn't just appear mysteriously.

It is in the writings of the prophets, started

with Moses, right from Genesis chapter 1 verse

Genesis 1:1

1, that's when the mystery was revealed, was

stated, coming down to the writings of the prophets,

to the Psalms, and then we see, manifested in

the epistles, revealed in Christ in the epistles,

then we see after his resurrection, glorified

in us. Hallelujah. So Jesus is a centrality of

this mystery. Listen, when we say mystery, we're

not talking about portals. We're not talking

about something that is new. You're looking for

fresh revelation. What we're saying is that it's

a revelation of Christ. Don't go and then be

looking for some fresh revelation to give people.

There's no new revelation. Alright? It's to the

unsafe that it is a revelation. It's a mystery

to the unsafe, rather. But to us, it's a revelation.

There's no mystery. You cannot come and be talking

to believers and then you are telling them potters

and who do you want to impress? Believers have

common knowledge with the one you have. They

have show to them what Christ has done. That's

what is necessary. Amen? So we don't come here

and begin to tell you our experiences or anything

that we've achieved on our own. But we show you

what Christ has done. What Christ has revealed.

Hallelujah. So Jesus Christ is the center of

this mystery. He is the centrality of this mystery.

Colossians chapter 2 verse 1. You will see that

Colossians 2:1

Jesus Christ is the center of this mystery. For

I want you to know what a great conflict I have

for you and those in Laodicea and for as many

as have seen my face in the flesh. that their

hearts may be encouraged, being knit together

in love and attending to all riches, of the full

assurance of understanding, to the knowledge

of the mystery of God, both of the Father and

of Christ. So you see, Jesus Christ is in the

center of this, right? Jump to chapter 4, verse

3. Chapter 4, verse 3. Colossians 4 verse 3.

Colossians 4:3

Praying also for us that God will open us a door

for the word to speak the mystery is of Christ

for which I am also in chains. The mystery is

of Christ and is revealed to us and we know what

it is. Hallelujah. Ephesians 1 verse 3. Ephesians

Ephesians 1:3 Ephesians 1:3

1 verse 3. It says, blessed be the God and the

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed

us with every spiritual blessings in the heavenly

places. Heavenly place. In Christ. In the heavenlies

in Christ. Just as he chose us in him before

the foundation of the world that we should be

holy and without blame before him in love. This

is the mystery explained. Having predestined

us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to himself

according to the good pleasure of his will. To

the praise of the glory of his grace by which

he made us accepted in the beloved. In him we

have redemption through his blood the forgiveness

of sins according to the riches of his grace.

Which he made to abound to us in all wisdom.

Now this wisdom and prudence is not of the world.

Alright? There's a wisdom and prudence of the

world. The wisdom and prudence of God is in Christ.

Having made known to us what? The mystery of

his will. The mystery of his will. According

to his good pleasure which he proposed in himself.

That in the dispensation of the fullness of time.

He may gather together in one all things in Christ.

Christ is the centrality of this mystery. He

gathered all things in Christ, both which are

heavenly, which are unseen, and which are on

earth. What is on earth? Us. On earth means us,

in him. Hallelujah. So Jesus Christ is the center

of this mystery. Jump to chapter 3, verse 3.

Chapter 3, verse 3 to 9. How that by revelation

he made known to me the mystery, as I have briefly

written already, by which when you read, when

you study, this read is not just read, when you

study, when you chew over it, when you expertise

in it, You may understand my knowledge in the

mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not

made known to the sons of men, as it has now

been revealed by who? By the Spirit to his holy

apostles and prophets. Are you a prophet? Are

you a prophet? Are you an apostle? You are not

the apostle, but you are an apostle. You are

a prophet. Hallelujah. Do you have the revelation

of Christ? Yes, you have the revelation of Christ.

Amen? You have the revelation of Christ. Hallelujah.

That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs of the

same body. They should be inclusive in this that

God has done. Of the same body and partakers

of his promise in Christ through the gospel of

which I became a minister. So Paul is a minister

of what? Of mystery. Of who? Of Christ. Does

it give you a hint? They are also a minister

of what? Of the mystery. To which I became a

minister according to the gift of the grace of

God given to me by effective working of his power.

To me who am less. Than the least. Is there anything

like less of the least? I don't know what Paul

was thinking. Who am the less. Than the least.

Of all the saints. His grace was given me. Was

given. That I should preach among the Gentiles.

The unsearchable riches of Christ. And to make

all see. What is the fellowship? So listen, as

you are reading what Paul, be reading yourself

in the writings of Paul. Alright? To make all

see what is the fellowship of what? Fellowship

here means what? Sharing, right? Fellowship here

means what? Distribution of the mystery which

from the beginning of ages has been hidden in

God who created all things through Jesus Christ.

To the intent now. That the manifold wisdom of

God. Hallelujah. Wisdom of God. Might be made

known. By who? By angels. Who is the church?

We are the church. Hallelujah. So what are we

to do? We are to make known. The manifold wisdom

of God. Seen in the mystery of Christ. Be made

known by the church to the principalities and

the powers in the heavenlies. Hallelujah. According

to the eternal purpose which he accomplished

in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is powerful. In

whom we have what? We have boldness and access

with confidence to faith in him. So we are now.

ministers of Christ, you and I. Why? Because

we know the mysteries of Christ. Amen? We know

the mystery of Christ. We are now ministers of

Christ. We are custodians of the mystery of Christ.

We are stewards of the mysteries of God. 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 4:1–2

4, verse 1 to 2, we saw. 1 Corinthians 1, verse

1 Corinthians 1:4

4. 1 Corinthians 4 verse 1 and 2. It says 4 verse

1 Corinthians 4:1

1. Let a man so consider us as servants of Christ.

And what? Who is a steward? Who is a steward?

Steward is a Greek word oikonomos. O -I -K -O

-N -O -M -O -S. O -I -K -O -N -O -M -O -S. Oikonomos,

which means the manager of household. You are

a manager of, what does a manager of a household

does? He manages a household, and he does what?

If there are people, you serve them their needs,

their food, in time and in season. A manager

of household. Or household affairs. So he says.

Let a man so consider us as. The servants of

Christ. And the ergonomist. A servant serve.

Of Christ. Which is what? Stewardship of what?

Of the mysteries. You are the servant of the

mysteries of God. You serve the mysteries of

God. To men. Moreover. What is required of that

servant? What is required of that economist?

What is required of that manager of the mysteries,

the steward of the mystery? It is required at

a steward, in stewards that one be found what

faithful. Faithfulness will mean that you are

doing what you have been entrusted to. Amen?

So you are a steward of the mysteries of God.

So God is equipping you now to do what? To be

an effective steward of the mysteries of God.

Hallelujah. It is no longer concealed to you.

It's a revelation. Amen? So you are to explain,

to teach. We are the ministers and the managers

of God's work. Therefore, We must be faithful

to God's work. Faithfulness is required of the

believer. 1 Timothy chapter 3 verse 9. Give me

1 Timothy 3:9

from verse 8. Likewise, deacons. Who is a deacon?

A believer. That have grown, have matured, and

have come to the place of what? Responsibility

in a church. Alright? If you are a team leader,

you are a deacon. Amen? You are a pastor in training.

Alright? That's what a deacon is. Like what deacons,

if you are in training center, you are a deacon.

Oh, you don't know? You think we don't know what

we are doing there? Just the idea. You're already

implicated. Like was Dickens, must be what? Must

be reverent. Not double -tongued. Not given to

too much alcohol. In fact, if we catch you, don't

even drink. Talk more or say too much. Not greedy

for money. Holding the mystery of the faith with

what? With a pure conscience. Your disposition

towards the mystery is not for what you gain

from it. With a pure conscience. They say you

should do follow up. You are following up somebody

for a bad conscience. I don't want to call names.

But from what? A pure conscience. Holding on

the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.

Ephesians chapter 6 verse 19. Ephesians 6 verse

Ephesians 6:19 Ephesians 6:19

19. And for me, Look at Paul saying. Pray for

me. That's the context. That I may have utterances.

That utterances may be given to me. That I may

open my mouth boldly. To make known. What? The

mystery of the gospel. It takes boldness. Alright.

It takes boldness. Boldness by the spirit of

God. To declare the mystery of the gospel. Because

you will be rejected for it. Persecution will

come on the account of this mystery. It requires

boldness. It requires sacrifice. To do what?

To preach this gospel. If you go somewhere, you

will be denied opportunities on the account of

this gospel. But you must preach it. So, utterance

may be given that you have the ability to speak

it, the wisdom of God to communicate it. That

utterance may be given to me that I may open

my mouth boldly to make known the what? The mystery

of the gospel. Mystery of the gospel. So, this

mystery is relative. Amen? What do I mean by

his relative? To the unsafe is what? It's a mystery,

right? To us who believe is no longer what? It's

no longer a mystery. The gospel is a mystery

to the unsafe. How is it made known to the unsafe?

Through preaching and explanation. Are we together?

So the mystery is not received revelation, no.

It's by explanation. Hallelujah. It's by explanation.

Now, who has the responsibility to make this

explanation? You and I. That is why we are here.

That God will empower us to give what? To give

this explanation to the nations, the world around

us. That is why God is spending time on us so

that we will be equipped. We will have utterances.

Some of us, the utterance we need, first of all,

is to sit down and learn. Then you will have

what to say. Amen? When you sit down and you

learn, you will have what to say. You will know

how to say it. You will know when to say it.

Your degree of boldness is directly proportional

to the level of knowledge you know. But you become

a fool if you are bold in ignorance. Do you understand?

Because you will just go and make a mockery of

it. You know those sons of Siva that we saw?

They say in the name of Jesus Christ who Paul

preached, they want to cast out demons. It doesn't

work like that. So we have a stewardship. And

this stewardship is what? Is the gospel, the

mystery of the gospel. And it is known through

preaching and explanation. So for Peter, go back

to Matthew 16 verse 17. We're coming back to

Matthew 16:17

where we started. Matthew 16 verse 17. For flesh

Matthew 16:17

and blood has not revealed this to you, will

it mean what? What will it mean? Huh? Hello?

All this explanation for you to keep quiet? What

will what? It says for flesh and blood has not

revealed this to you. So what does reveal this

to you, what will reveal this to you mean? Hmm?

Revelation. I'm looking for, what does that revelation

mean? That he believed, alright? Simply, that

he believed in what was said about Jesus Christ

from the writings of the prophets. That is a

revelation. Faith in what has been written about

Jesus Christ. To reveal as seen in the case of

Peter is faith in the explanation of the Old

Testament scriptures. What we call the Old Testament

scriptures. Hallelujah. So, I just want us to

pray. We'll stop here for now because of time.

We'll be praying that prayer in Ephesians chapter

Ephesians 6:19

6 verse 19. That God will grant us utterance.

Let's rise on our feet. As we write about our

writings, let's rise on our feet. And for me,

that utterance may be given to me, that I may

open my mouth boldly. Now we know the mystery

of God. Hallelujah. We know the mystery of God.

That I may open my mouth boldly to explain, to

preach, to teach the mystery of the gospel. Let's

open our mouths and begin to pray. We're going

to take some time now and pray. Please, let's,

from all the things that we've learned, let's

ask God to help us. Thank you for listening to

today's sermon. Your journey matters to us. Let's

keep walking together. Visit our website for

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next time, be blessed.