Eternal Glorious Fountain Ministry (EGFM)
Programme: Believers’ Convention 2024 (Day 7 - Morning Session)
Date: Saturday, 24th August, 2024
Minister: Reverend (Mrs.) Tomi Akinnola
Transcript Excerpt
There are times when the Spirit of God is speaking to us and we will think it is just our minds; this is why we need to decipher between when the Spirit is speaking and when our minds are speaking. One who wants to follow Christ should follow Him well. We should not chase the ephemeral, rather, we should chase Jesus!
“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. [19] And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. [20] And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life”. (1 John 5:18-20). There is an emphasis on knowing. Most times, many christians are ignorant and lose life as a result (Hos. 4:6). God wants us to have knowledge. One who wants to know must seek knowledge, for only seekers end up knowing. Thus, one who does not seek will not know. We must take a step to know; one cannot be complacent and idle and expect to have knowledge.
There is a measure of knowledge that must come to us. We must also have the understanding of what is coming to us for us to really know. This means we must be seekers of knowledge or else, we will not have it. We must be a people that stand to know (John 5:20); this means we must understand so we can know. The Son of God is not coming, rather, “He is come”. This means that He is come now and will keep appearing, but only to those who are expecting Him.
“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end [2] And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; [3] Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God…” (John 13:1-3). Knowledge is extremely important in our walk with God. Jesus got to a point in His time on earth and knew He must do certain things to His disciples (John 13:4).
There are so many garments we are wearing which will prevent us from seeing Him when He comes. Thus, we need to cast off these garments as they are a hindrance to our movement in the spirit. We have so many garments to put off, as they are not garments of righteousness. We should get to a point in our walk with God where we willingly cover our brethren. We are to love our brethren, even with their infirmities.
“After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.” (John 13:5). The word of God is the water which we are to use to wash one another.
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; [26] That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” (Eph. 5:25-26). It is the word that washes. By our words, we are to wash our brethren. Thus, we should be careful of the words we speak to our brethren. Jesus wanted to lay down a principle among His brethren and He used Himself as an example.
“That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. [28] So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.” (Eph. 5:27-28). Let your words wash your brethren. If your brother has a blemish, it is your fault. If your word is washing your brother, he should be without blemish. When one’s wife has a blemish, it is the husband's fault as his words ought to wash her. Thus, we must ensure our words wash one another; even when we do not speak, our smiles can wash one another.
Jesus took water and washed the disciples' feet. He did not do this because their feet were dirty but because He wanted to lay down a principle and example. We should be uncomfortable if we speak hurtful words.
“Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?” (John 13:6). God would bring us to a point that even when we are hurt by our brethren, we would still be able to speak words that would wash them.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” (John 13:7). We ought to be able to do some things even when we do not know why.
“Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. [9] Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” (John 13:8-9). We need to be washed constantly by the word of God. Our feet signify our walk.
“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” (2 Pet. 3:14). Peace within yourself is very important. There are many times we are hurting and lack peace within ourselves. If we do not have peace with ourselves, we cannot have peace with others!
“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; [16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” (2 Pet. 3:15-16). Many writings have come forth to us. One who is just coming to these waters may not understand all that is being said, but such a person should be patient and with time, he will understand. Be at peace with the atmosphere of the Spirit. Do not be an unlearned and unstable person. If you wrestle with one part of scriptures, you will also wrestle with others. As such, if you do not understand, pray to God for understanding.
“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.” (2 Pet. 3:17). We shall not fall in Jesus name. Amen.
Blessings!