2024-09-01_Sunday 2nd Service; Re-Energized For Advancement: By Pastor David Kiniti, PBC Maturity Pastor

Our reading is coming from the book of Acts, chapter 19, and I'll pick it from verse 11 to verse 20.

Acts 19 · chapter mention

Acts, chapter 19,.

Acts 19 · chapter mention

Verse 11 to verse 20.

We thank God for those who are at the pavilion.

God bless you.

May this word reach you powerfully.

Those who are online continue interacting with us in Jesus' name.

Those who are online continue interacting with us in Jesus name, and so the bible says God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick and the deceased, left them and the evil spirits went out.

But also some of the Jewish exorcists who went from place to place attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying I adjure you by the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches.

Seven sons of one scaver, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this and the evil spirit answered and said to them I recognize Jesus and I know about Paul, but who are you and the man in whom was?

The evil spirit leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks who lived in Ephesus and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices.

And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone, and they counted up the price of them and found it to be 50,000 pieces of silver.

Let's read verse 20 together In this way, the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

The version I have says so.

The word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.

Amen, be magnified.

O Lord, you are highly exalted and there is nothing you can't do.

O Lord, my eyes are on you.

Be magnified, oh Lord, be magnified.

Oh Lord, be magnified.

This moment, even as I speak forth your word, I am an instrument in your hands.

I humble myself before you that, lord, it may please you to use me, and that, lord, you will speak to each one of us, those who are listening live, those who will listen later.

May this word contain the same power that it will come to us this afternoon, and I pray that this word will magnify your name and that, throughout this service, each and everything you want to do, father, I pray that you may guide me, that you will give me discernment so that I may join you as you walk through this word today In the mighty name of Jesus.

May your kingdom advance through this word.

In Jesus name, we pray and God's people say Amen.

We are in the month of September.

I invite you to have your seats in the presence of the Lord.

We are in the month of September.

I invite you to have your seats in the presence of the Lord.

We are in the month of September and we thank God.

He has been faithful to us since January.

He has been faithful to us February and all the way, and now we have four more months to go.

And I am here to encourage you, my brother, my sister, regardless of what you might be going through, any challenges that you may be facing, I am here to tell you that you are advancing in Jesus' name, that there is an advancement in your life, in your family, in your business, in your spiritual life, in everything that concerns you, in your marriage.

In fact, I'm saying the Lord is re-energizing you for advancement and you may want to connect with that word.

It is in our bulletin because the Lord is concerned about you, and this month and next month and November and December, you will have a testimony of the Lord's faithfulness, because he is not yet done with you in Jesus' name.

He is not yet done with you in that situation, in Jesus' name, because he is a mighty and powerful God.

And so this afternoon, briefly, I would like to bring to us this message in line with our theme for this month, and our theme is open door, advancement, uplifted Kingdom, warfare.

And so this month we are advancing in Jesus' name, we are taking territory in Jesus' name, we are occupying new spaces.

I know that is the reason to what we are occupying new spaces in the mighty name of Jesus, because the Lord is with us.

And specifically, I want to share with us on the subject the growing and prevailing kingdom.

The growing and prevailing kingdom and, brothers and sisters, the kingdom of God is an advancing kingdom.

It is not a retreating kingdom, it's not a kingdom that surrenders.

It is a kingdom that advances and takes territory.

And if you are a student of history, you know that there are many kingdoms that have arisen over history and they have fizzled out, they have retreated.

You will remember the Roman Empire, you will remember the Greek Empire, you can remember the Persians, you can remember the Babylonians, and even today we still have empires that are coming up.

But I can tell you, in a number of years, if Christ tarries, those empires will also be part of history.

But the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ will continue to advance from glory to glory and you're part of that kingdom.

Somebody say amen.

This kingdom of God is not only growing.

That is to mean it is not only increasing in numbers, it is not only increasing in terms of taking territory, because Jesus spoke of this kingdom in Matthew, chapter 11, verse 12, and he said Matthew, chapter 11, verse 12,.

Matthew 11:12 Matthew 11:12

He said that from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence and the violent take it by, or rather violent, people.

My version here says From the days of John the Baptist, and I like this one.

It says force.

This kingdom is a forceful kingdom.

It is a kingdom that occupies by force, it takes territory with power.

It is not a soft kingdom that you can toss here and there.

No wonder, then, even Paul is telling us in the book of Ephesians why has God given some to be prophets and some to be apostles and some to be pastors and teachers and evangelists.

It's so that they can raise a people who match this kingdom, a people who are not tossed back and forth by every wind of doctrine.

Ephesians, chapter 4.

Ephesians 4 · chapter mention

Not only is this kingdom growing, but it is also prevailing.

And what do I mean by this?

This kingdom is a kingdom that manifests in power and transformation.

Again, it is Paul who reminds us that this kingdom is not about eating and drinking, it is about power.

It is a kingdom that manifests in power.

Brothers and sisters, generations and countries and communities and families and individuals who have been touched by this kingdom of God have never remained the same.

Show me a city where this kingdom has transversed.

That city has not remained the same, because this advancement of the kingdom we can see from the time of John the Baptist.

We can see Jesus advancing this kingdom the time of John the Baptist.

We can see Jesus advancing this kingdom.

But particularly, we can also see Paul advancing this kingdom throughout his missionary journeys and wherever Paul went.

If you are a student of the Bible, you will notice that wherever Paul went, the kingdom grew and prevailed.

That is the characteristic of Paul's ministry.

In fact, individuals were changed, cities were transformed, marketplaces were changed, even religions, they were changed.

Wherever Paul visited, this kingdom was advanced among kings and also advanced among the ordinary.

In fact, as I was looking at this and as I was just looking at the life of Paul, I even noticed that wherever Paul went, every place, the space that he went into, there was an uproar.

There were uproars, there were riots.

When this man stepped in the Salonica, in Acts, chapter 17, verse 5, listen to what the Bible says.

Acts 17:5

This man is in the Salonica, acts, chapter 17, verse 5.

Acts 17:5

The Bible says but other Jews were jealous because of how the kingdom was advancing.

So the Bible says.

So they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, they formed a mob and they started a riot.

This kingdom is not a silent kingdom.

It shows up and there is a sound that something different is around.

Look at, look at.

So Paul moves him.

He goes to Corinth.

Look at Acts, chapter 18, verse 12.

Acts 18:12

Acts, chapter 18, verse 12.

Acts 18:12

He has moved into Corinth.

He says, while Galileo was proconsular of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him where, to the place of judgment.

Because in a moment I will tell you why is Paul experiencing all these kind of things.

Why is there an uproar?

But again, he goes to Ephesus.

Look at Acts, chapter 19, verse 23.

Acts 19:23

He goes to Ephesus and the Bible says in Acts About that time there arose a what A great disturbance about the way and about the way.

Here is about the kingdom, is about the people of the kingdom, and you can continue.

He goes to Jerusalem, he goes to the temple and many other places, but there is also something very interesting that also, pastor Regan, in all these places Paul left an uproar.

A church was established and that church took territory the church at Corinth.

You remember the church at Thessalonica?

Do you remember the church at Thessalonica?

Do you remember the church at Ephesus?

And you can continue and continue.

That was the advancement of the kingdom and I can tell you it is this growth that we are seeing.

And advancement of the kingdom was characterized by five things One, the manifestation of God's power.

Number two, the exposure of imposters.

Number three, the magnification of the name of Jesus.

Number four, the conviction of men.

And number five, the total transformation of man.

That is the impact of a kingdom that is growing and prevailing.

And in the passage that we read today there is something that then Paul is doing consistently.

That is attracting not only this reaction, but also this result.

Not only this reaction, but also this result.

The Bible tells us that Paul remains consistent in the preaching of the gospel of Christ.

That is what Paul did.

This kingdom is advanced by the word of God, by the faithful preaching.

The Bible tells us in verse 1 of Acts, chapter 19, that it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, paul passed through the upper country and he came to Ephesus and found some disciples.

Acts 19 · chapter mention

Then verse 2 says he said to them Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?

That's where he begins.

You know.

Paul comes to Ephesus.

He is not asking them do you know me?

Have you heard about me?

Do you know that I am a powerful man in scripture?

He shows up and the first thing he sees some disciples looking excited.

They look eloquent because they had received the word from an eloquent man called Apollos.

They are looking like men, mighty men, who are very excited for the kingdom.

But there is something they had not received.

And so Paul is saying with this you cannot advance the kingdom.

Did you receive the Holy Spirit?

Yes, wherever Paul went, it was about the kingdom, and that's why then he goes on while still in Ephesus.

He goes on in verse 8.

Let's look at verse 8.

It says and then he entered.

Now he's done with these guys.

He has already ministered to them.

He introduced Christ to them.

Immediately he laid his hands.

And then he did not bask in the glory of what had just happened, because when you read that passage, those guys, they now received the revelation of Christ.

They received Christ in their hearts and he laid hands on them and immediately they started bubbling in tongues, the manifestation of the Holy Spirit upon them.

But Paul doesn't now hang around to see, hey guys, did you just see that ministry man taking some selfies?

Can you see these guys bubbling in tongues behind me?

It is the man who moves on because the kingdom must advance.

He moves on.

And what is he doing from there?

He goes again in another place, in the synagogue.

And what is he doing in the synagogue?

The Bible says that he continued speaking out boldly for three good months.

Paul was just speaking about Christ, about the kingdom, not philosophies, but the kingdom.

Again, these guys, when it comes to them, they harden their hearts.

And what do they do?

The Bible tells us that they started preparing.

They were disobedient.

They hardened their hearts and so they started speaking evil of the way.

Before the people, inciting the people, and before another riot could start, paul steps out, goes to another place.

What does Paul do when he goes to this other place?

He doesn't go to wine and tell them you know, I was there, I was trying to preach to them.

They are not hearing the gospel, they are disobedient, they are not even listening to me.

Oh oh no.

He went to another place, and this is what the Bible says in verse 10.

When he went to another place, the Bible says that even there, he continued with his disciples, daily reasoning with them, and this took place for two years, so that all those who lived in Asia had the word of the Lord.

This is the man who shows up and you know the first thing he will do is start speaking about the kingdom, start speaking about the kingdom, starts speaking about Jesus.

This is the man who shows up and you know that his actions, his lifestyle will be about the kingdom.

And in the morning I shared about this pastor.

He must have been the maturity pastor of some church and he was busy preaching and his sermons were always about baptism.

Every time he stands up baptism, baptism, be baptized, be baptized.

And one time the elders, they became tired with this gospel and they asked him, man of God, isn't there any other word God gives you?

So they said, we are going to give you a passage of scripture so that you can preach from that scripture.

So next Sunday, man of God, please can you preach from the book of Matthew, and you preach from chapter 1, verse 1 to 18.

Just give me Matthew, chapter 1, verse 1 to 18.

Matthew 1:1–18

And so the man of God went and prepared, he prayed, he was preparing himself to come and preach Matthew, chapter 1.

Matthew 1 · chapter mention

And it says this is the genealogy of Jesus Abraham was the father of Isaac, isaac the father of Jacob.

And then it goes on Judah, the father of Perez, and Zerah, and Hezron and the father.

This one begot this one, this one begot this one.

And it continues.

And this one begot this one, until it comes to Jesus.

And when he had finished reading he paused and asked church, I am wondering, were all these people baptized?

And he went back to his message.

What I'm trying to bring to us is that Paul spends time very consistently in the Word.

Nothing moves him away from the Word, whether it is boring, whether it causes a riot, whether it causes discomfort, whether some people walk away, whether some people leave, whether some people post you on Facebook and Twitter and they salimia you.

And Paul remains very focused on the word of the kingdom.

And, brothers and sisters, I want to submit to us that it is our faithful proclamation of this word and our faithful living out in our deeds, in word and deed, this is what will advance a kingdom that grows and prevails.

Now I want us to switch gears.

Now I want us to switch gears.

You see, we have seen that Paul is very consistent.

He is consistent in the word, in the simple word of the kingdom, the simple word about Jesus.

In fact, he says I want to know nothing but Jesus crucified, and that's all that Paul is consistent about.

And as Paul is consistently doing this, this is what the Bible tells us.

In verse 11, the Bible says and God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hand of Paul.

If this kingdom is going to grow and prevail, it will be by number one God manifesting God, manifesting authentic kingdom power.

Paul is not after miracles.

Paul is not concerned about manifestations.

Paul is concerned about proclamation and living out the word.

And as he does that the Bible says, then this ministry will be accompanied by signs and wonders.

If we are going to have a church, a people who are going to bring up a kingdom that will grow and prevail, this must be people who will remain consistent in the word.

And as they remain consistent in proclaiming, as they remain determined in proclaiming, as they remain faithful in their living out of the word, then God will manifest his power that heals.

He will manifest his power that sets free.

He will manifest his power that delivers.

God will manifest his power that saves.

God will manifest his power that transforms.

You do not need to do anything other than staying consistent.

But what is happening today?

What is happening today?

What is happening today Today?

Instead, we have many people today who are seeking signs and wonders.

They are desperate to demonstrate.

Not for God to demonstrate, but for them to demonstrate signs and wonders.

My place in this gospel is not to demonstrate signs and wonders.

My place is to remain consistent with the proclamation of the word, and that word should be accompanied by my lifestyle.

And then, as that happens, as I pass by, somebody is healed.

As I pass by somebody is delivered.

As I pass by somebody is set free.

As I pass by, somebody is healed.

As I pass by, somebody is lifted to another level.

As I pass by, something is happening.

In fact.

Sometimes, as I pass by, somebody is lifted to another level.

As I pass by, something is happening.

In fact.

Sometimes, as I pass by, there are riots.

You know you can't be salt and light and you show up in your spheres and people are still walking in darkness.

They can't see and you are among them.

When you show up, darkness must disappear.

If the kingdom is going to advance and prevail, then Christians must show up and darkness disappears, Even on the list.

When you show up, at least demons should make some noise, even if there is no riot.

Let's say there is no riot, but you should show up and demons just start becoming uncomfortable.

Some of them start sweating.

I'm talking of demons In the spiritual realm.

They start sweating, they start making noise.

They start asking what do you have with us?

Jesus shows up somewhere and demons are crying.

What now do you have with us?

Jesus shows up somewhere and demons are crying.

What now do you have with us?

Why have you shown up?

But when you show up and demons are still praising with you, they're just swinging around with you In fact, maybe they're taking selfies with you, demons Then I can tell you, it doesn't matter how long your testimony is, that will not amount to a kingdom that will prevail.

No wonder the Bible even tells us, concerning ourselves as individuals, that seek ye first, the kingdom of God and his.

What Righteousness.

God and his, what Righteousness.

Seeking the kingdom of God is getting knowledge and understanding of the kingdom, which comes from the word.

His righteousness is when that word starts transforming you to become more and more like Christ every day.

That is what righteousness is all about, that when people see you, there is a song we sang.

When people see me, they see you, jesus.

When people see you, do they see Jesus.

It's unfortunate that many Christians, when people hear you, they hear Jesus, but when they see you, they, I'm tempted to say they say Satan, may your, may, what comes out of your mouth and what is visible be the same.

And now this is where the danger is.

You know, when they hear and see if somebody, somebody told me and I'll tell you this and never attempt it on me, there are people who have told me, pastor Regan, that when you see a dog advancing, don't run, murife, run.

You know, that is the word.

If you just stand when you see a dog coming, don't stand.

Now, that is what I've heard, isn't it?

But, my friend, when you see a dog, when you see a dog okay, at least for me when I see a dog, I forget what I had Completely and everything in me says Moriferan, and everything in me says Moriferan.

Of course, when I'm with my wife, I gather courage so that I do not ashame the kingdom.

Afadhali idikule.

I'd rather die than run.

But if I am with Pastor Riggs, there is nothing I'm proving.

There is nothing I am proving there.

Pastor Riggs, you can be assured you will only see my jacket doing like this as you tell me, pastor, the Lord is with us.

I will be at home Now.

That is how powerful seeing is.

That's why the Bible says, then, that you are the light of the world.

Let your light so shine Through what your good deeds, so that people may see those deeds.

Not hear a sermon, not listen to a testimony, but see those deeds.

Not hear a sermon, not listen to a testimony, but see those deeds.

Let them see how you treat your wife.

Let them see how you treat your children.

Let them see how you treat your husband.

Let them see how you treat your clients.

Let them see how you treat your workers.

Let them see how you treat your neighbors.

Let them see how you treat your family members Because, as they see, the kingdom will neighbors.

Let them see how you treat your family members Because, as they see, the kingdom will advance, healing will start happening.

Oh, you have forgiven him.

Oh, let me also forgive, as they see you moving from one level of glory to another.

In terms of righteousness, the kingdom will prevail.

Testimonies are good, but our deeds will advance this kingdom.

My friend, you can't be standing with a big Bible and you are trying to preach and somersaulting.

And people are looking at you.

They know you ate company money.

They are sitting there.

They know that check that disappeared.

It is you.

They know you actually bribed your way into that position.

They know, actually, they know you have kicked your wife out.

And now there is another lady you are ministering to.

They know that I'm encouraging her.

And then now you stand with the Bible and imagine that your words will be saying the kingdom will.

They will see the dog and, like Pastor Kiniti, they will run.

The kingdom will not advance that way, brethren, we are talking about a serious kingdom.

We are not talking about a kingdom that retreats.

We are talking about a kingdom that advances.

So that's one.

We have seen people now following more of signs and wonders.

But also we have seen, instead of being consistent with the preaching of the word, the simple word of God, we have now seen many people who are now preaching what I'm calling GMO gospel.

What does GMO mean?

Genetically Modified gospel, a gospel that is devoid of spiritual nutrients that will keep the kingdom growing and prevailing.

It's a weak gospel.

It is a gospel of mysteries.

You know when he stands to preach, they talk about mysteries, things that you are not connecting with.

You are only saying amen.

You are only saying I receive, yes, that's me but you don't know what it means.

It is a depressing gospel, to say the less.

Is it?

The less Like that, the least, sorry, I was looking for least.

By the time you leave that place, you are more depressed than you came.

This kingdom, this word of the kingdom, is supposed to bring liberty, that you came into the house of the Lord and I thank God that we have testimonies of people who come into this house and, because of the consistency of our pastors, they receive a word that lifts their burdens and they glorify the Lord.

I pray that as surely as the Lord lives, pastor Kimani, that we shall stick to that gospel, that as the pastors of Parklands Baptist Church, we shall not seek mysteries, we shall not seek revelations that are.

Let me tell you, there is nothing new to reveal in the Word of God.

It is all revealed Because what was hidden was the revelation of Christ as Savior, isn't it?

That is what was hidden.

That is what the Bible says, that the old, the man of old, did not see.

But now Christ has already been revealed.

What new revelation are you getting?

Aha, unless it is your revelation, okay, there could be some insight.

There is a scripture you have read that you had not seen it that way.

But don't come and tell us that now.

I have something brand new from the Lord that is not in scripture.

That gospel will not advance the kingdom.

Do you know what the Bible says?

It's a very simple gospel that will advance the kingdom.

And that gospel is as simple as this For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only begotten son that whoever believes in him shall be saved and have eternal life.

There is no gospel beyond that, and that salvation is not about your soul only, it is salvation concerning everything in your life.

So you don't need one salvation for your sins, then another salvation for your poverty, then another salvation for your healing.

There is another package here that we are also offering.

This one is another salvation here that, if there are things you hear at night when this one you touch, no, that salvation is holistic.

That is why the Bible says he gives sleep to his beloved.

That salvation is holistic.

That is why the Bible says he gives sleep to his beloved.

That salvation includes sleep.

It's done, jesus said on the cross it is, it is done.

That is the gospel that is not going to advance the kingdom, a gospel of gymnastics.

And you know, brothers and sisters, I am really saddened sometimes when I listen to some preaching, my heart bleeds.

And the reason why my heart bleeds it's not because of the preacher, it's because imagine, there are people like us, a thousand of us, seated there listening.

That causes my heart to bleed.

I had one another time, a clip, and he said now he has started receiving revelation about the day of Christ's coming.

You didn't hear me.

You know your pastors here may not have started receiving revelations of the day, the coming of Christ.

And then he says I will start releasing this information bit by bit to you.

And today I am going to release the first one of what I have already started being shown.

I have already been shown how the trumpet will sound.

Now, the most interesting part is that he had a translator.

So he said okay, prepare, prepare.

And there was quiet Prepare, prepare so that you can hear what the sound of the trumpet will be like.

And the man went.

Then the interpreter also interpreted the trumpet.

Now which one is which?

What does the Bible say?

It says that he will come like a thief.

That's number one.

But it also says this Christ in Acts, chapter one, whom you see God has taken to heaven.

The same same way, you will see him coming back on earth.

And when the trumpet sounds, even the dead will hear and they will know that is not the trumpet of a band.

And when the trumpet sounds, even the dead will hear and they will know that is not the trumpet of a band, it is the trumpet of the king of kings and he has come.

And that's why the Bible says, at the sound of that trumpet, those who have already gone ahead of us, because it will be the trumpet of the Lord, not the trumpet of man.

They will be raised.

There will be no confusion.

You go to Langata Symmetry today in the name of you have received a revelation and blow that trumpet of yours and see whether anybody will arise from Langata Symmetry.

Nobody will come up and if somebody shows up, it will be a demon and it will devour you.

So don't try, because the word of God is very clear and plain.

Every ear will hear.

You will not need to be in a music school for you to hear.

Oh, that sounds like a trumpet of the Lord.

No, that's what the Bible simply tells us.

But we have all this gymnastics and I'm reminded yesterday, as I was talking to some people and they reminded me a time I mentioned, about some preacher who was preaching powerfully and sweating, like I am right now, and delivering the word with power and energy, and then in the middle he said oh, brethren, and Jonah swallowed the fish, and then he continued with his preaching, but one man was disturbed in his heart and Jonah swallowed the fish, and then he continued with his preaching, but one man was disturbed in his heart and he was seated in the congregation.

You know, and you started now saying, oh, you will swallow fishes.

You will swallow fishes, the fishes of your life.

I'm telling you, you will swallow them.

Is that not the kind of gospel we are hearing?

Is that not the kind of gospel we are hearing?

Is that not the kind of gospel we are standing up to and lifting up our hands?

It is a gospel that will not advance a kingdom that will grow and prevail.

It's a gospel of that man who built his house on the sand when the rains and the storms of life came.

That's why sometimes, if that is the gospel, you feed on.

You just see a police officer coming your way, you start, you lose it.

You can face him and tell him I know I have sinned, but I ask you to forgive me.

I know this is clear.

Forgive me and if he refuses, face the judge.

You will give a testimony that, like Paul, I was in prison.

You see, some of the songs that we sing, some of the songs that we sing, we cannot even allow an opportunity to practice them.

We used to sing that song.

We used to sing that song.

Why can't you be arrested and sing like Paul and Silas?

Then come and give us a real testimony like theirs, that while I was in there the doors opened and I came out after paying my bail and I'm here, praise the Lord, will you die?

You won't die, but what will happen?

The kingdom will grow and prevail.

So this fellow raised up his hand and said pastor, you know.

The pastor said oh, maybe the spirit is moving there.

Where are the ushers?

Give him a mic, something is happening.

He said, pastor, you know.

You said Jonah swallowed the fish.

I think it is the fish that swallowed Jonah.

And the man of God was furious Don't raise your hand when I'm preaching to ask questions.

And he said whether it is Jonah who swallowed the fish or the fish swallowed Jonah, what I was emphasizing is that there was a swallowing Brethren.

That kind of gospel will do exactly what it has done.

You will laugh, you will get excited, but the kingdom will not grow and prevail.

Amen.

Now our time is up.

And on that point somebody just said continue.

We will deal with you later On that point.

This is what I am bringing home.

Our Parklands Baptist Church is committed, from our senior pastor to all our leaders.

We are committed to raising men and women with a Berean spirit.

The Bible says in Acts, chapter 17, verse 11,.

Acts 17:11

It says that now the Berean Jews were of more noble character in that when they heard this message from Paul, they received it with great eagerness.

But also also they examined it daily Just to establish that whatever Paul was preaching is the scripture.

I want to invite you today, when you go home, look at this Bible again, listen to this message again, scrutinize it and find out whether what we are preaching here is in the scripture.

And I have told you the message is simple.

God has made this message of the kingdom simple so that everyone can understand.

So the kingdom of God will grow and prevail when we faithfully proclaim the gospel and live out our salvation with fear and trembling.

Let me mention the other three very quickly, as I ask us in a moment after this to stand up.

But the second thing, brothers and sisters, is that God, for this kingdom to continue growing and prevailing, it will be by God, exposing counterfeits and impostors.

You see, the Bible tells us when this man saw that Paul was walking around, people were getting healed, people were being saved, people's lives were changing.

The Bible says in verse 13,.

But also some of the Jewish exorcists who went from place to place.

They attempted to name over those who had evil spirits by saying to them in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, come out.

And we are told about these seven sons of Sceva.

I earlier said there are those who are pursuing the miracles, the signs and wonders instead of remaining faithful to the word.

And so, because of this, these are men and women who are in search of fame.

They are in search of the works and not the God of the kingdom.

They are in pursuit of money, they are in pursuit of crowds, they are in pursuit of power.

They are in pursuit of demons.

May the Lord expose them, because if the kingdom is going to prevail and grow in our country, you know I am tired of hearing that we are 80% Christian.

Because if the kingdom is going to prevail and grow in our country, you know I am tired of hearing that we are 80% Christian.

Yet we have a very big corruption.

You know menace in our country.

Do you know why this is happening?

We have some who are imposters.

May the Lord expose, expose them, so that it will be known.

We can't have men and women Trying to demonstrate the power of a kingdom that they are not faithful to.

No, they can't continue being mentioned Among us.

It is either they come to the Lordship of Jesus Christ or Christ exposes them, so that it is very clear, it is black and white, that these are for the cross, these ones are imposters.

So these fellows?

Paul did not stop them.

It is the work of God and, by the way, it is not us who are going to expose them.

It is not your work to write on Facebook and Twitter about them.

God himself is going to expose them.

That is what God did.

The Bible says that these demons leaped on them and, within a short time, men who are wearing suits, men who are looking very honorable, men who are looking like they have the capacity of the kingdom, they were running on the streets naked and wounded.

I call you out because, if you don't, very soon we will see you running around naked, because God is going to expose you.

It may not be the nakedness of clothes, but it may be the nakedness of the things that you are hiding in the closet.

One time I met a fellow we were fellowshipping with in church and I saw him from a distance and we were approaching each other.

That guy, he was very committed in, you know, development, the things of the church, those things are very committed, brother.

But that guy was smoking.

As we were coming close to each other, I could see.

I could see there is smoke that is emanating from here going that way.

But I can also see this is so and so.

But, brothers and sisters, he had not seen me.

When he saw me, by the time we met, there was no smoke, there was no cigarette.

I don't know where the both of them went.

You may hide like that for a time, but a time is coming Because this kingdom is forceful.

It is a kingdom that grows and prevails.

You will walk naked.

What are we talking about?

We are talking about open door advancement.

It is a kingdom to advance.

It cannot be advanced by counterfeits.

It must be advanced by men and women who are faithful to the word in proclaiming and faithful to the word in living out.

The kingdom will grow and prevail when the counterfeits are brought to shame.

But thirdly, this kingdom will prevail and grow by God, magnifying the name of Jesus, and I am glad that Parklands Baptist Church, we have continually lifted up the banner Of the name of Jesus Christ.

How I pray that none of us will be tempted to lift up the banner of their name.

Paul does not lift up the banner of his name Because the Bible tells us that after all this had happened in verse 17.

That after God had, you know, performed miracles.

After God had exposed the imposters verse 17, the Bible tells us when all this was known, both the power of God and the exposing of these characters.

The Bible says that when this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.

If you want to know whether you are causing kingdom impact, if you want to know whether you are advancing kingdom impact, whether you are advancing this kingdom, just listen to the vibe around you.

Listen to the vibe around you.

Is it saying, you know Jesus has touched me?

Is it saying that Jesus has lifted me?

Is it saying that Jesus has lifted me?

Is it saying that Jesus has saved me?

Is it saying that Jesus has given me peace?

Is it saying glory to Jesus, praise the name of the Lord.

Or is it saying you are a powerful man of God?

I pray that our gospel will say oh, jesus, jesus, your name be lifted up, be lifted up, be lifted up.

We say Jesus, your name be lifted up, be lifted up, be lifted high, be lifted, high, be lifted high, be, be lifted, be lifted.

Let the name of the Lord be magnified and be lifted.

The people turned around and Paul is no longer in the picture, but the name of Jesus is being lifted.

This is not just any other ordinary name.

Philippians, chapter 2, verse 9 to 11.

Philippians 2:9–11

Listen to what the Bible says about this name.

Philippians, chapter 2, verse 9.

Philippians 2:9

It says, therefore God exalted him to the highest place.

This is Jesus, and he gave him the name.

That is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on earth, under the earth and even under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

That is the result that will bring about a growing and prevailing kingdom.

But look at the opposite.

Look at Romans, chapter 2.

Romans 2 · chapter mention

Look at Romans, chapter 2, verse 20.

Romans 2:20

Let's see what Romans, chapter 2, verse 20, says.

Romans 2:20

Give me verse 21.

Verse 21.

Let me just pick it from verse 21.

You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself?

You who preach against stealing, do you steal, you who says that people should not commit adultery.

Do you commit adultery, you who abhor idols?

Do you rob temples?

And then he says you who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?

And then verse 24 says, as it is written, god's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles Because of you.

Instead of the name being lifted, the name is blasphemed.

Brothers and sisters, does that sound familiar in our country today?

Is it sounding something familiar like that Nowadays, if you go somewhere and introduce yourself, I'm looking for a job.

I am born again.

You know me.

I'm a Christian.

I'm telling you, the people will just dismiss you.

You've lost that job.

Instead, just go present your papers.

You know, I'm telling you, the people will just dismiss you.

You've lost that job.

Instead, just go present your papers, stay professional.

Then let us see Later on.

As you serve, let us ask you and by the way you said, what do you do on Sunday?

Then your testimony will take you to the next level, because Jesus will be lifted up when you are.

Represent Jesus.

Let us stand up.

Our time is up and we thank God for this opportunity, but also finally, as we do that, when this kingdom is advancing.

You know God, this one is important as you stand up.

This one is important.

I almost left it out.

You know God, this kingdom will grow and prevail as God convicts men to confession.

You know, it's very interesting.

The passage here says, in verse number 18.

It says this Many also who had believed these are the ones who had believed.

These are not the sinners.

Many also who had believed now came openly and confessed what they had done.

We are not talking about non-believers here.

We are talking about people who had believed and this is what they confessed.

Go ahead in verse 19.

A number who had among them a number who had practiced sorcery.

They had believed.

But what were they practicing Sorcery?

And now you can add a few more they were practicing corruption.

They were practicing grabbing.

They were practicing let's add to the list thievery.

Is there something like thievery?

They were gossip.

They also showed up because of the name of Jesus being lifted up and they said though you see me, I have been preaching, but I have also been exercising, you know, practicing sorcery.

And another one shows up and says oh yes, even me, though I am a church elder, but you know, I have been cheating.

And another one shows up and says you know, I am in the worship team, but I can tell you the truth that they confessed.

Their kingdom will grow and prevail when we confess.

Come out among them, come out of that darkness, so that Christ's glory.

And by the way, let me tell you this as I close you know, sometimes we do things as Christians and we think nobody is.

One time a pastor friend of mine went all the way to Ndiani.

Ndiani is in South Coast and so he was there holiday with the wife.

No, it was Malindi.

And then they went to the swimming pool and he said Now here I am in Malindi.

Is there any congregant here?

Let me just see, there is no congregant.

So the man of God removed his shirt and he had his shirt and he jumped into the water and he was playing with everybody else.

He became just a man like any other and he was playing with everybody else.

He became just a man like any other.

And then the ball was thrown to him and he had somebody saying hey, pasi, throw it to me.

Of course he was with his wife, he was just protecting his decorum.

All right, you know, if I remove this shirt I look different.

So we are in the water there and the ball is thrown.

And then he says you know, if I remove this shirt, I look different.

So we are in the water there and the ball is thrown.

And then he says you know, he just slowly threw the ball to the person and slowly came out of the water and went back to the room for a time of prayer and praise.

What am I saying?

There is nowhere you are hiding.

God will expose you.

Somebody will call you pastor where you don't want to be called pastor.

There is a gentleman who says don't call me pastor out there you are spoiling my deals.

No, somebody will call you pastor and the beans will spill, because this kingdom is an advancing kingdom.

Let's give the Lord glory.

Unifanyeku wakama upendavyo.

Manawewe nimueza iyote.

Unifanyeku wakama upendavyo.

I want to give you an opportunity as we sing this briefly we won't be here long.

Whichever way, you may want to respond to this gospel, because I know the Lord has spoken to you in different ways.

So let me request the pastors and deacons who are here Please just come to the front If you would like to come and respond.

I don't know what the Lord has spoken to you.

Maybe it's something you need to confess.

Maybe it's something you need to repent.

Maybe you're here, you're not born again and you're saying I want to come to Christ today so that I can advance this kingdom.

I can advance as the kingdom advances.

This is your opportunity to come.

Just walk to the deacon pastor who are here.

I also request those who are at the pavilion I hope there is a deacon and a pastor there, or deacons Kindly just stand at the front so that somebody can come to you the leaders who are there.

You can also take that opportunity.

Just stand at the front, let somebody come to you.

So if you want to respond Because this word is not about Pastor Kiniti If there is something you feel this word has spoken to you I see Pastor Felista up there.

You can stand in front, just where you are Pastor, so that if anybody wants to come to you upstairs, you can go to Pastor Felista there.

One more moment as we sing.

You want to respond?

Whichever way, as the Lord has spoken to you, just come.

This man and women who are here will pray with you in jesus name.

Oh, nifinyange, nifinyange, you are the one we are waiting for in this one minute that we have.

You are the one we are waiting for, as the Lord has spoken to you.

It is between you and the Lord.

What has the Lord spoken to you?

Just come forward, hold hands with a brother, hear a sister Respond to this gospel in Jesus' name.

Thank you for that one.

God bless you.

Anybody else, this is your moment.

I'm not going to prescribe for you what the Lord has spoken to you, because you know what the Lord has told you and you know how you need to respond to this word.

So come forth, come forth, come forth in Jesus' name, come forth in Jesus' name.

Come forth in Jesus' name, come forth.

This is your moment.

Don't go the same way.

You came after receiving the word In Jesus' mighty name One last time.

If you are watching us online, let us know in the comment section that you would want somebody to reach out to you, and somebody will reach out to you on that online platform in Jesus' mighty name.

Welcome, my brother.

Welcome.

Just come to one of the pastors, deacon.

Deacon Masolo.

There is even power for healing, because that is the work of God.

If you are believing the Lord for healing, just come to one of the pastors, one of the deacons, pray with them.

Just allow this word To be the one to minister to you in Jesus' name.

I hope there are some people who have responded at the pavilion.

God bless you.

Those who are online kindly let us know.

I can see some other people coming.

Worship team maybe one more time.

We just want you to respond.

I am not prescribing.

I am not prescribing.

It is that which the Word has spoken to you.

It is not that which I am pushing you to do.

That which the Word has spoken to you, that is the one.

I'm inviting you to come and hold hands with someone and pray for a strengthening in the name of Jesus, and I will ask these leaders to remain here for a moment so that, in case you are afraid, you can always come after I leave this pulpit and pray.

Maybe let's encourage someone with some clapping, let's encourage someone who is coming.

I am saying it is what the word has spoken to you.

I am not prescribing what you are going to respond what the word has spoken to you in Jesus' name.

Let's have one of the lady leaders.

I see one of our trustees.

Please come, one of our trustees, just come and pray in Jesus' name.

Pray with our sister here.

What the Lord has spoken to you.

I will not lead you to how you respond.

It is what you have heard this word speaking to you, because this word has power by itself.

It is a word that has power of its own to convict you and to cause you to step forward so that you can respond and agree with someone in Jesus name, nifinia, I pray that at the pavilion, you are responding.

You are responding online.

Just respond.

Put a word there.

We are going to reach out to you.

In Jesus mighty name, who paid of you?

Take a moment where you are standing.

Receive this word.

Receive this word.

What do you want God to do in your life?

Through this word?

Tell him now.

Tell him now.

We have an opportunity, as we begin a new month, to advance the kingdom.

Tell him how you would want him to use you In advancing the kingdom.

Tell him if there is something you would want him to remove from you so that you can have the grace to advance the kingdom.

Ask of him right now, in Jesus mighty name.

This word has power on its own To do that which it says it will do.

It is the word of God and it has power of its own To do that which you stand on that promise and claim you want to advance, in whichever way.

Just speak to the Lord right now.

Tell him that which is in your heart and how you want to advance in whichever way.

Just speak to the Lord right now.

Tell him that which is in your heart and how you want to advance.

You want to advance personally.

Just tell the Lord, because this is the month of advancing in the name of Jesus.

Tell the Lord, tell the Lord, tell the Lord, tell the Lord.

Maybe you want to advance in your relationship, you want to advance in your business.

This word has power to transform all those things that in your relationship, you want to advance in your business.

This word has power to transform all those things that concern your life, because the salvation you received, it is one package.

It is a salvation that advances everything concerning your life in Jesus' mighty name.

And so, lord, we thank you for your word that has come to us this afternoon.

We thank you that, lord, you are causing us to advance.

We pray that, even as we receive this word, for ourselves, for our families, for the work of our hands, yes, for our careers, for the things that we are doing, even for the needs that we have.

This word has power to speak over every area of our lives.

Some of them need this word for salvation and I pray that somebody has received this word to surrender his or her life to you today so that they can advance not only in the kingdom but also advance the kingdom.

So we thank you for hearing our prayer.

We thank you also, lord, for allowing this word to work mightily in our lives.

We thank you for grace to advance in the mighty name of Jesus.

I pray that there will be testimonies upon testimonies of how Christ has caused us to advance, for the kingdom to grow and to prevail in the mighty name of Jesus.

So we thank you that you've heard us and we thank you that you are working mightily and powerfully among us.

In Jesus' name, we pray and God's people say Amen.

Let's give the Lord a mighty hand.

Clap Hallelujah, hallelujah.

Celebrate the King of Kings.

Come on, somebody, celebrate the Lord of Lords.

Come on, somebody, celebrate Jesus.

Amen, amen.

A quick reminder that we have an expo that is going on and you are invited to be part of that expo.

And to our guests, our visitors, kindly through this path.

You will see a building called JSS.

Join us there for a time of refreshment with you.

Let me release this blessing to you that is also found in our bulletin today, and it says that in the next four months from today, you will advance and not retreat.

You will be strong and not weak.

You will be healthy and not malnourished.

You will be bold and not fearful.

You will be cheerful and not depressed.

You will be healthy and not malnourished.

You will be bold and not fearful.

You will be cheerful and not depressed.

You will be optimistic and not hopeless.

You will thrive and not merely survive, for the God of the kingdom will re-energize you for advancement.

And so you are blessed on Monday you are blessed.

On Tuesday you are blessed.

On Wednesday you are blessed.

On Tuesday you are blessed.

On Wednesday you are blessed.

On Thursday you are blessed.

On Friday and Saturday you are blessed, and Sunday you are prevailing in the mighty name of Jesus, because Christ is in you, the hope of glory and now.

May the grace of our Lord, jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us now and forevermore.

Amen and Amen.