1TRUE FRUITFULNESS

Turn to the book of John— the gospel of John. Chapter 15, I believe. Hallelujah. Thank you,
Master. Oh, praise you! Starting at verse 1. [John 15:1] Is everybody there? Jesus speaks
and he says, I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser. You can read it with me.
Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit,
he prunes that it may bear more fruit. Welcome to the pruning season. It’s the season of
pruning. So you’ve been doing pretty good lately, huh? That’s good. Get ready. It’s time to
get pruned. We’ve got to welcome the pruning. You know God begins to expose little things
that we thought were alright with us. It’s the little things. It’s that little thing. Remember
when they gave you the change from the store— and you forgot that— Oh, they gave me too
much. Well, it must be a blessing from the Lord. Hello. [Laughter.] And you didn’t return it.
God begins to expose that now. It’s called the pruning season. Remember when you got
offended. Hello. Remember when you got angry with God because he didn’t do what you
wanted him to do. Amen? Remember when you cut somebody off on purpose because you
were angry. Or you said something about that person— and you accused every one of them
of the same thing. Come on— its called pruning season! Hallelujah. Why? So you can bear
more fruit! Listen, everybody’s being exposed. It’s exposure time. Look how much of the
body of Christ is being exposed. You know God exposes you privately before he exposes you
openly. So you had better take care of what has to be done now before it gets done in front
of the public. Hallelujah. Okay, in verse 3, You are already clean because of the word which I
have spoken to you. He says, Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of its
what? —Hallelujah!! Of its what? I’m telling you I can’t shake this thing! —unless it abides in
the vine; neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, and you are the branches:
He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit. For without me you can do nothing. If
anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch, and is withered. And they gather
them and throw them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in me, and my words
abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. Now it’s amazing that
everybody asks and they claim the scripture— COME ON MAN! I’m asking! Why isn’t it
happening?!!! Because most of the time what we are asking isn’t according to God’s will!
Now listen. God’s timing is God’s will! If it’s not God’s timing, then it’s not God’s will. So
many times people ask out of time, don’t they. You know why? Self. Self. Me, myself and I.
Right? Because of what? Self. Because we love to shake hands with anxiety and stress. You
know, it’s like the military— hurry up and wait! Anybody ever been in the military? Man
you’ve got to hurry up and wait! And that’s it. Come on hurry up, get it, pack up ....!!! Then
you wait. And you wait. And you wait!! And you wait!!!!!! And you wait. So what he says is
something very important. He says, listen abide in me and I in you as he branch cannot bear
fruit of itself. Self is unfruitfulness. Is everybody with me? Self is unfruitful. Now what we
want to talk about tonight is true fruitfulness. We want to be fruity— not nutty. Hello. We
don’t want to be granola bars out there, which are nutty and fruity. People who are granola
bars out there are associating with familiar spirits. They are nutty and fruity. Hello. They
want to be so spiritual, but they are actually granola. Hello. Did you ever meet someone like
that? They always had a word for you every time you meet them. I’ve got a word for you!!!
I’ve got a word for you! Repent for associating with those familiar spirits! Every time you
meet someone if they have a word for you, give them a word! Turn around and say man I’ve
got a word for you: Know the voice of God! Most of the time somebody’s in that circumstance
because they are constantly trying to promote self. If somebody keeps coming up to you
saying, I’ve got a word for you— tell them, Repent! I’m not saying this if somebody comes up
one time. But you know sometimes— you always see somebody, Man I’ve got a word for you.
I’ve got a word for you! I’ve got a word for you!! Wonderful. What can you give that my
Father can’t give me! Hello. That’s why you and I are supposed to have a relationship, aren’t
we. Amen? So we can hear God! We know him— that’s the purpose of it. We’re supposed—
He says listen if you abide in me and I in you - Man, we be down!! He said, Come on, ask!
Because you’re not going to ask amiss, you’re going to ask according to his will! And you’re
going to get it! Now it may not be today. Where are your mothers? Mothers of these two
men, stand up. God answered your prayers, didn’t he. Hallelujah!! [Clapping.] But you
wanted it a long time ago! [Laughter.] In fact, there were points when you thought, Man I
never know when it’s going to happen. Grandma. Where’s grandma! There’s grandma. Hi,
grandma. God answered your prayers. HALLELUJAH!!!! And you never thought it would
come. When, God when!!!!! God believe me, I see it up there— When? When? When!!!! It
happened. See sometimes God allows things to delay just so he can get you closer to him!
He’s got it all in control! But see, we as self— Self wants things now! I want it right now!
The bible says the Lord is my shepherd— I don’t want it right now. [Laughter.] Everyone say:
The Lord is my shepherd. I don’t want it right now. I love to wait on the Lord! Hallelujah.
Oh, true fruitfulness! Would you go to John 6, please. John 6. We will go there. Glory to
God. One time we— you know some people, you have to understand they just want to get
closer to God so they begin to go over the boundaries. Because of self. One time we were at
this meeting— Mom and I were at this meeting and this woman who was leading this meeting
and it was in a small room— And she said, Can you feel the heat of the Holy Spirit? I looked
at Mom and said, Man, somebody needs to open a vent in here, that’s the problem! The
vents were all shut - it must have been a hundred degrees in this room and they are talking
about the Holy Ghost when people are about to pass out! [Lots of laughter.] That’s not the
anointing! I wanted to get up and stand on a chair and say, Listen here’s the Holy Ghost—
wait a minute, let’s open up the vent now! Oh, hallelujah! Do you feel that heat?!! Yeah, I
feel it alright! Give me a chair, I’m going to open up a vent in here! Oh, hallelujah. But you
know most of them mean well! We’ve all been granolas at one time or another. Amen?
Praise God! But we can laugh about it now! Because we’ve all been there. And some of you
that are new, you’ll get there! Don’t worry about it. You will know. The Holy Ghost will go,
Hey granola! Hallelujah! Come on, get rid of the nutty and get fruity! Praise God. John 6:54.
Praise you Lord. Is everybody there? Good. Whoever eats of my flesh, says Jesus. And
drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food
indeed and my blood is drink. He who eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, abides in me and I
in him. Now he’s talking about the word and the Spirit. As the living Father sent me, and I
live because of the Father, so he who feeds on me will live because of me. See so we have to
learn to feed off of him. This is the bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers
ate the manna and are dead: he who eats of this bread will live for what? —forever. These
things he said in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Therefore many of his disciples,
when they had heard this, said, This is a hard saying; who can understand this? When Jesus
knew in himself that his disciples complained about this, he said to them, Does this offend
you? What then if you should see the Son of man ascend where he was before? He said
something powerful here. He says, It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing: the
words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. The flesh profits what? Nothing. Come
on, everybody say it: The flesh. Profits nothing. Amen. Now, what we are going to do is
coordinate the arena of self and flesh. Because self profits nothing. Does everyone get it?
We will go into another area here shortly. So just hang tough. Go to John 3. Oh, hallelujah.
Now remember, we’ve been talking about self. When you and I were born into the world, we
were born in darkness, weren’t we. Amen? That’s why we had to come to light. And the
woman that— and Adam and Eve— who associated with the serpent in the garden, we know
that he was a promoter of self, wasn’t he. Because pride is what removed him from the
presence of God. So what he was trying to do was produce offspring himself. The only way
he could produce offspring was to impart “self.” See because Adam and Eve didn’t know
what self was. Their entire focus was on God. Amen? They had glorified bodies. They were
glorified. They were made eternal! Adam and Eve were not made to die. They were created
as eternal beings. Amen? Good. Now, so when you and I were born, we were born in
darkness— self. And it’s proven by young children. Remember we talked about the kids
going around— What do they say? Mine! Give me! Me, myself and I. I mean little children,
you can tell man. I mean they are full of self, aren’t they. It doesn’t make them bad. They
are just a part of the fallen race. Amen? Because the enemy began to produce offspring.
Hello. We were the offspring. The bible even says— Jesus said the pharisees and the
Sadducees and so forth— You know they were sad you see because they missed God, right
[Laughter.] Okay. And Jesus even said to them, Your father is of the devil! Whew! Thank
God there is an age of accountability. That’s why all children’s names are already written in
the Book of Life. So when they die, they go home. But there is an age of accountability,
because there are no children in hell. Amen? There are no children in hell. If you have
talked to people who have been there, there are no children in hell. Of course, there isn’t one
unbeliever in hell either! Everyone that’s there is a believer. Hallelujah. So there had to be
— something had to happen so that self could get separated. That’s why we must be what?
Born again! Because everyone is born with the character— that specific character of God but
it just hasn’t been awakened yet. That’s why everybody’s different. Amen? Oh, hallelujah.
Okay, go to John 3, is everybody there? In verse 1. There was a man of the Pharisees,
named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: This man came to Jesus by night,— You know why?
Because he didn’t want anyone to know him! Man, I’m not getting near Jesus!— If I go near
Jesus during the day— You know why? Self was in the way! He was afraid of what they might
think of him. He was afraid he might lose his position. But you know what? No one else went
to him at night. Amen? He said, you know there is something about this guy— that I like.
Because Nicodemus was an upright man! Oh, hallelujah. And this man came to Jesus by
night and said to him, Rabbi,— Now listen, for someone who was a pharisee to say “Rabbi,”
which means teacher— Whew, that was humbling yourself!! He says, we know that you are a
teacher come from God: for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.
And Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born again,
you cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to him, How can a man be born when
he is old? [Mr. Spirituality!] Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be
born? Now I know this was a serious question— I mean to him this was serious!! How could a
man be born!! I mean, I can’t fit!! [Laughter.] I’d kill her. Ain’t no way man! How could this
happen? You have to understand he was thinking carnally, wasn’t he. Jesus was trying to
bring him to another level. Jesus said, Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of
water and of Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is
flesh;— That which is born of self is self. And that which is born of spirit is Spirit. Don’t
marvel that I said to you, You must be born again. The wind blows where it wishes and you
hear the sound of it but cannot tell where it comes from, and where it goes: so is every one
that is born of the Spirit. So we know here because— that people had to be born again. Not
of the flesh but of the what? Spirit! So that caused Nicodemus to have a totally different
outlook on things. Go to John 1. Oh, hallelujah. So we know that the flesh profits
everything? Nothing. The flesh profits nothing! Nada! Now verse 10. John 1:10. He was in
the world, and the world was made through him, and the world did not know him. He came
to his own, and his own did not receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave
the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name: Who were born,
not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of what? But of God. Not
born of blood! Now remember something— this is very powerful— Because the bible says— I
want to go back to Adam and Eve for a second. Adam and Eve were created eternally. So
neither Adam nor Eve could trip and bleed to death. They couldn’t trip and fall and bleed to
death, could they. Because they didn’t have blood, they were glorified. Is everybody with
me? Okay. The bible says that after the powers of satan took over, they changed, didn’t
they. The prince of the power of air. Amen? So everything changed, didn’t it. Now the bible
says in the book of Leviticus that the life of the flesh is in the blood. So, it says here that they
were what? —who were born not of the blood. That’s the natural life support system, isn’t it.
Amen? They weren’t born according to the natural arena. It says, nor the will of the flesh.
The life of the flesh. The will of the flesh— in other words, like lusts! Hello. Lusts. They
weren’t born according to the life support system of— they weren’t born out of lusts. Who
are not born out of lusts. Is everybody with me? Okay. Nor the will of what? Man. The
natural reproduction. Amen? But they were born of what? God! In other words, by Spirit!
So here’s a whole arena because all the rest of these are representations of self. Now we see
— that they had nothing to do— they weren’t born according to the natural life support
system. They weren’t born according to flesh! And they weren’t born according to the will of
man or according to the natural reproduction! They were born of God by Spirit!! And ALL
SELF has been separated from them. Is everybody with me? Oh, hallelujah. Now go to
Genesis 25. Genesis 25. Is everybody alright? Bless you Master. Okay. Thank you. Genesis
25:21. You know one of the things that the Lord did when Adam and Eve were removed from
the garden, where there was fellowship, because of their fall— God couldn’t associate with
self. Amen? Because self was a representation of the child of who? The devil. So what did
he have to do? He had to kill an animal and put a skin around them representing blood, so he
could commune with them. Life for what? Life. Is everybody with me? So God actually did
the first sacrifice, didn’t he. He did the first sacrifice. He killed an animal and clothed Adam
and Eve with skin. And what did he do? You know what he did? He restored to them the
promise of dominion, fruitfulness— does everybody get it? Now they were under satan’s rule,
weren’t they. Because satan ruled over them now. But he still gave them favor, didn’t he.
He restored to them his promise to be fruitful and what? Multiply. Is everybody with me?
The one thing that they lost— of course, they didn’t have dominion over the fish anymore—
so they couldn’t ride Moby Dick when they wanted to. They couldn’t go skiing with the
dolphins anymore. They lost that dominion. But they still had dominion and authority— but
not over the air or the powers of darkness. They lost everything else. Now they just had
dominion over mankind. Amen? They became mommy and daddy over mankind. So right
then and there in the garden, God showed Adam and Eve how to please him with the correct
sacrifice. Amen? Okay. So one of the things that had happened was God restored the
promise— where he said to be fruitful and multiply— according to their birthright. Is
everybody with me? But it wasn’t the fullness of their birthright, was it. Because they lost it.
Okay? He gives us an example in Genesis 25:21. Is everybody there? Good. I’ll be there in
a second. Here we go. Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was
barren: and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. But the children
struggled together within her; and she said, If all is well, why am I like this? Both children
within her— they were, you know, fighting. So she went to inquire of the LORD. And the
LORD said to her, Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your
body. One people shall be stronger than the other people; and the older shall serve the
younger. That means the first one out of the womb is going to be a servant of the second
one out of the womb. So when the days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were
twins in her womb. And the first came out red, he was like a hairy garment all over; so they
called his name Esau. Afterward his brother came out and his hand took hold of Esau's heel;
so his name was called Jacob: Isaac was sixty years when his wife bore these children. So the
boys grew and Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field. But Jacob was a mild man,
dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau. Why? Because he ate of his game. He fed him.
Hello. I love Esau— come on, what are we eating! But Rebekah loved Jacob. I’m telling you
Mama knows best! Now Jacob cooked a stew and Esau came in from the field and he was
weary. And Esau said to Jacob, Please feed me, with that same red stew; for I am weary.
therefore his name was called what? Edom. But Jacob said, Sell me your birthright as of this
day. And Esau said, Look man I’m about to die, so what is this birthright to me? And Jacob
said, Swear to me as of this day. So he swore to him: and he sold his birthright to Jacob— to
fulfill self. And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils. Then he ate and drank. He was
full now. And he came to his senses. And he arose and went his way. Then Esau despised
his birthright. He hated his birthright. Actually what he did was he was upset with himself.
He sold his birthright for something to eat. Wow! Now prophesy was being fulfilled now,
wasn’t it. What the Lord had said. The older will serve the what? Younger. By what? Selling
his birthright. Oh, now go back to Genesis 3. You know the fight was in the womb. It was a
fight over his birthright. It was a fight over good and evil. Jacob grabbed Esau’s heel. Didn’t
he. He grabbed his heel! Yo, come here! He was fighting for his birthright in the womb!
Because he was the chosen, wasn’t he. Mama prayed him in! In Genesis 3:6, is everybody
with me? So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was pleasant to
the eyes and the tree desirable to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat,
and also gave to her husband with her; and he did eat. Hello. What happened? They lost
their birthright. They sold their birthright to fulfill what? Self. Oh, the devil tricked them. He
knew that if they would eat, they sold their birthright. Does everybody understand that?
What was the birthright? Eternal life. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they
knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves on themselves, and made themselves
coverings. Amen? Now, they ate and they lost their birthright. They lost eternity. Now go to
verse 14. So the LORD God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, you are cursed
more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and
you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity (or hatred) between you and
the woman, between your seed and her seed; and it shall bruise your head, and you shall
bruise his what? Heel. A representation of fight. Does everybody understand that? The
same fight that was in the womb already occurred— I mean was prophetic of what was going
to happen. Does everybody understand that? And how was that going to happen? With
Jesus. Why? Jesus came to restore our what? Birthright! Does everybody get it? Jesus
came to restore our what? Our birthright. So this was prophetic of what was going to— God
already said it! Because nothing happens unless he speaks it in! Amen? That’s why he had
the prophets and so forth. Oh, hallelujah! The heel— the curse on the serpent. Judgment.
The heel is the fight and man became flesh, didn’t they. They are associated— between self
and flesh. That’s when man became flesh, didn’t he. Amen? Because now the life of the
flesh was in the blood. Self and flesh were now associated with one another. Hello. Cool.
What did they do? They became mortals. And lost immortality. They became mortals and
lost immortality. Now look at what happened. Watch this. In verse 17— or 16. And to the
woman he said, I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring
forth children; and your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you. I won’t
go there. [Laughter.] Hallelujah!! Then to Adam he said, Because you heeded the voice of
your wife, and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of
it: [boy things weren’t looking too good right now] cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil
shall you eat of it all the days of your life; Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you.
You shall eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread,— In other
words, you’re going to have flesh! This is a part of flesh living, isn’t it. —till you return to the
ground; for out of it were you taken: for dust you are, and to dust shall you return. And Adam
called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. Also for Adam and Eve
the LORD God made tunics of skins, and what? Clothed them. To what? Restore. To restore
part of their birthright. But the main part of their birthright they lost was eternal life.
Hallelujah. And if you want to know what happened to Adam and Eve, you will have to catch
it another time. They’re home, okay. Praise God. Jesus went and rescued them. Go to
Romans 8. Is everybody alright? So do you see the association— The purpose of being born
again was to be severed from self. Amen? And you see the association between self and
flesh, right? Right?! Cool. Romans 8. Is everybody alright? Praise God. Romans 8:5. Is
everybody there? Would you read it with me please? For those that live according to the
flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh— Oh, so those who live according to self set
their minds on the things of the flesh. Amen? But those who live according to the Spirit, the
things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is what? Death. So living your life according to
your self is death, isn’t it. But to be spiritually minded is life and peace. How many of you
want life and peace? Then come out of yourself. Hallelujah. Because the carnal mind is
enmity against God. In other words, it hates the ways of God. It is rebellious to the ways of
God. For it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. Now you know, and we have
gone through this already— How many times has something happened, and the first reaction
is “Oooooooo!” Something happens and you want to shoot back right away. You want
VENGEANCE!!!! You want to be right and justified and you want everyone to know that
you’re right. Hello. That’s the first thing that comes to you. Why? Because “self” still lives
in here. Amen? Still there. And then when the Holy Ghost kicks in— and he elbows you,
right? He says, Come on. Come out of yourself. I’m here. Thank you Jesus!! Because you
know your first reaction will get you in trouble every time. So as soon as you get ready to—
then— whew! I’m glad I didn’t do that! But then there are those times when you do it! And
you go, Oh!!!! Why did I do that??!! I knew the Holy Ghost was telling me the whole time!
But then thank God for repentance. Amen? Thank God for Jesus standing in the gap for us!
Oh, hallelujah. Okay, let’s go on. So then those— in verse 8— who are in the flesh cannot
please God. He says, But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God
— Now I want you to see the difference here. If the Spirit of God dwells in you. He says the
spirit of who? God dwells in you. Now he says something— Now if any one does not have
the what? Spirit of Christ, he is not his. So there is a difference there, isn’t there. Hmm. I
really believe this was not correctly translated in that arena. I believe it is supposed to be the
spirit from God. Dos everybody understand that? Because the Spirit of God and Christ should
be— the Christ was the same. Now understand this the Spirit of God represents God the
Father. But Jesus said I will pray to the Father that he would send his Holy Spirit. Amen? So
there is something different here though. Because he’s talking about the Christ now. In
other words, if the Spirit of God because he was acknowledging him as God. Right? Because
Jesus was God— dwells in you. But then he says, —but if the Spirit of Christ— Why? Because
that’s his character. Does everybody get it? See because the Spirit of God was hovering over
the earth - but he was not the Spirit of Christ, was he? Even though he was God— but there
was a difference. Because the Spirit of Christ put on flesh! That’s why he knows everything
about me and you. He knows the sins. Amen? He knows what you and I go through now.
Now the Spirit of Christ is a representation of God’s character that came into the natural
realm. Is everybody with me. Oh, hallelujah. So, that’s why we— Now who expressed the
Spirit of Christ? The Holy Spirit. Amen? The Holy Spirit. Okay, let’s go a little further. Is
everybody okay? Now in verse 10 he says, And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because
of sin; but the Spirit is life because of what? Righteousness. But if the Spirit of him who
raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life
to your what? —mortal bodies! Because that’s what was lost. Right? Why? Your
inheritance has been restored. Your inheritance has been restored, hasn’t it. Your birthright
has been restored— through Christ. And only through him. Or else you would continue to
have a mortal body. Humans have mortal bodies. That’s that. Amen? But you and I have a
brand new suit waiting in the closet. Hallelujah. Okay. Now, go to— The Spirit of God.
Right? From the Father. And he says the Spirit of Christ— In other words, you and I have
been restored now. Our birthright has been restored. Image and likeness of the character.
The Holy Spirit is the supporting agent of that new character that’s in you. Is everybody with
me? He’s the supporting agent. He’s the character of Christ. Amen? The anointed one and
his anointing. Is everybody with me? What does the Holy Spirit do? He expresses, supports
the new character that’s in you, doesn’t he. The one that you were born again with. The one
that was awakened. See you were actually born with the character of God. Everybody has a
specific character. Remember we talked about already that— the end result will be the same
for everyone. But God can use you in different areas according to your character. Amen?
But the end result is the same. Whether it be in ministry or street ministry or just being an
example. How you can be a mom, a dad, whatever. However God is going to use you in that
character. Some of us can reach bikers. Some of us can reach prostitutes. Some of us can
reach whatever— drug addicts. Some of us can reach homosexuals— whatever it is, that God
has allowed you— in your character that is brand new now— He will take that which was self
— Amen? And turn it around to the good, won’t he. He, the Holy Spirit, will develop your
character according to what is needed. Is everybody with me? Amen. Okay. Because he
knows— Remember the bible says that we are all the body of Christ but we are not all the
feet, we are not all the hands, we are not all the eyes, and so forth. Everybody has a specific
function. That’s why God predestined us for that, didn’t he. Amen? And there isn’t one
person who is alike. Even twins aren’t alike. There is still a difference in their character in
some way or another. Even though outwardly it may seem like they are identical. Oh,
hallelujah. Is everybody alright? Okay, so we see here now that the Holy Spirit is the
supporting agent of the new created character of the Spirit. Not of flesh— or not of self. Now
in verse 12 it says, Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh [or to self], to live
according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit
you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of
God, these are what? Sons of God. Why? Now you are in his likeness, aren’t you. You’re in
his image and likeness. Is everybody with me. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage
again to fear but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out Abba, Father, which
means Daddy. The Spirit himself what? Bears witness with our spirit, or our new character,
that we are children of God. So he’s the one that’s the supporting agent, isn’t he. And if
children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if we suffer with him, that we
may also be what? Glorified with him. In other words, the sleeper has been awakened in us.
The Spirit bears witness of the new creation of the character that was predestined to be in me
and you. The birth character. Now look at verse 26. Just to give you an expression of the
Holy Spirit and his assistance with us. What does it say? Likewise what? Likewise the Spirit
also helps in our what? Weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we
ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Hallelujah. Now he that searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because he
makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. So we see here that, not only
does the Holy Spirit bear witness with our Spirit that we are children of God— and supporting
our new character, separating us from self, but he also helps us in our weaknesses, doesn’t
he. Amen? That’s why tongues is so important because our strongest struggle is prayer.
Man, our flesh just hates prayer! Self hates to pray. Amen? Thank you Lord for this day.
God Bless everybody. Hallelujah. [Laughter.] Amen? Thank you for the new car that’s
coming. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. In Jesus’ name. That’s flesh prayer. Self
prayer. No intercession. No groaning or travailing. No holy rolling. No [Pastor prays in
tongues]. You know some people don’t want to pray in tongues because they want control.
Man, if I don’t know what I am doing, I am not getting involved. And the devil has them so
bound up in fear that they can’t get filled and the gift can’t manifest to them. God gives us
all tongues! Amen? When a baby comes out of a womb, what’s it do? Whaaahhhhh!! Man
when you get born again, [Pastor prays in tongues again]! [Laughter.] Hallelujah! Man, I just
got a new language. You’re not shutting me up!! I don’t know what I’m saying, but praise
God! I’m finally out of the way!! The devil doesn’t know it either though. Oh, praise God!!
Okay, Titus 3. Praise God. If I start teaching this in the Holy Ghost, just write the
interpretation down. Because we are running out of time. Titus 3:3. For we ourselves were
also once what? Foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various pleasures, living in malice
and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our
Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration, and renewing of
who? The Holy Spirit; whom he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;
that having been justified by his grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of
eternal life. So we see here there is a regeneration. Now look— I want to go a little further.
In verse 8, This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that you affirm when? Constantly,
that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good fruits or good works.
Does everybody see? These things are good and profitable to men. Go to Hebrews 3. That
we should maintain good fruits or good works. Hebrews chapter 3. Hallelujah. In verse 12.
Hebrews 3:12, would you read it with me? Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an
evil heart of what? Unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily,
while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we
have become partakers of who? Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast
to the end. Partakers of Christ! That’s that character, isn’t it. While it is said, Today if you
will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as in rebellion. Now self loves to rebel.
Remember it hates the things of God. It hates to submit to the things of God. Amen? So we
are partakers, if we hold. Amen? Isn’t that the first thing that comes to you— rebellion. Man,
you’ve go to put rebellion under your feet, don’t you. It’s associated with self. Go to
Proverbs 14. Is everybody okay? Self is associated with flesh, isn’t it. Proverbs 14:16, would
you read it with me? A wise man fears and departs from evil. Say it again. A wise man fears
and departs from evil. One more time. A wise man fears and departs from evil: but a fool
rages and is self-confident. Oh, I know how to do all that. I’m self-confident. See the enemy
always wants to put you in a position where you rely on yourself. That’s self-confidence and
God says you’re a fool. You’re a fool. You know even before teachings and so forth, I get
attacked by the devil. He says, Come on, you know this stuff. What was he trying to do?
Promote self-confidence. —I’m like, No I don’t! I have to sever myself and empty myself,
because I have to totally rely on him. Amen? That’s why the bible says deny yourself, right?
Because if you are going to do it according to your talents— See look at all the talents God
has granted people out there. And they’re playing music for the devil. Amen? They’re doing
all kinds of stuff for the devil. And what’s happening? They’re promoting who? Self. No
matter what kind of talent it is, it’s promoting self. That’s why we must come to a point
where we labor unto the Lord, so that you’re not relying on your talent. You are relying on
Him! To use you!!! Amen? So that talent can be pure and perfected according to his will and
not ours. That’s where people become comfortable and complacent. They begin to rely on
their own self and their talents, instead of relying on God. And they become involved with an
independent spirit and self-confidence and rebellion. They become rebellious! That’s one of
the sure fruits of self. Is everybody with me? Hallelujah. You know, you think about it— In
all those areas where flesh has been manifested, self has been manifested, you know. Look
at what Paul said. Go to Romans 7. Do you want to hear this? Hallelujah. Well then shake
that sleepy spirit. Remember self just wants to go home, sit in front of a TV and eat popcorn.
After service! [Laughter.] Hallelujah. Romans 7:14. For we know that the law is spiritual: but
I am carnal, sold under sin. That’s a powerful statement Paul makes. Man, I’m sold under
sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand [we’ve all said that]: for what I will to do, that I
do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If then I do what I will not to do, I agree with the
law that it is good. But now it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells in me. Now what’s
self associated with? Hello. Amen. Does everybody get it? It promotes sin. Me, myself and
I. For I know that in me— Come on look at this one. This is powerful. Verse 18, For I know
that in me, that is what? In my flesh,— Now he associates, doesn’t he, both of them!! He
says, I know in ME, IN MY FLESH, that’s me— self and flesh. I know that in me, I mean in my
flesh, nothing good dwells. Why? Because the flesh profits nothing. For to will is present
with me; but how to perform what is good, I cannot find. For the good that I will to do, I do
not do: but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now this is Paul writing this!!! Spirit filled.
Paul– tongue speaking, casting out devils, been brought to heaven, personal encounter with
God Almighty– Something was still wrong. Self. He still had self. I mean he begged the Lord
to kill him, didn’t he. No, what did he do? He begged him to what? Remove— remove that
what? Infirmity. But see if God removed that infirmity, he would have to kill him. Because it
was self associated with flesh. Amen? So in other words, he was begging God to kill him. Kill
me!!! Okay, in verse 21, I find then a law, that, evil is present with me, the one who wills to
do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man: but I see another law in
my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law
of what? Sin which is in my members. What’s it doing? Bringing you to self. Oh wretched
man that I am, who will deliver me from this body of death. I thank God through Jesus Christ
our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of
sin. So who does he attribute his deliverance from self to? Christ. The Anointed One and his
anointing. The character of Christ that dwells in him by the Holy Ghost! Promoting the
character that has been— created for the new character of God Almighty. Amen? That new
character from him to you. This is where you are what? Born again! Oh, hallelujah. Matthew
7. Matthew chapter 7. Is everybody okay? Glory to God. Glory! Almost there. In verse 15.
Matthew 7:15. What does it say? Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's
clothing, but inwardly they are what? Ravenous wolves. You will know them by their what?
Fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Even so every good
tree bears good fruit; but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor
can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear fruit is cut down and thrown
into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. You know what’s in me and you?
Two trees. Hello. You’ve got two trees in you now. The same thing that was in the garden.
Self was in the garden, wasn’t it. Amen? And Christ was in the garden. Now you’ve got self
in you and Christ in you. Now what you eat is what you become! What you eat is what will
bear fruit. Amen? So that’s why we must make that choice every single day. Beware of self.
It says, false prophets. Beware of self. Religious spirits. Beware. Let me tell you. Self will
lie to self, won’t it. Man, you lie to yourself all day long. Try and convince yourself to do this.
Well whose telling you? Man, you’ll be eating off that tree! You’re eating off that tree and
self was getting promoted. Is everybody with me? Come on, we all talk to ourselves, don’t
we. That’s because there are two trees in you. Hello. One says, Come on this way! The
other one says, No be rebellious! One wants to do the right thing. The other one says, No!!
The other one is screaming and kicking— me, myself and I. The flesh is manifesting whatever
is ruling. Because the flesh produces the fruit. That’s where it’s manifested. Amen? So
beware of self and religious spirits. Good tree, bad tree. You’ll know them by their fruit,
won’t you. Self and flesh connected— That’s why we must deny self. See when you deny
self, flesh is crucified, isn’t it. Amen? Flesh is crucified. Go to Galatians 5. Oh, hallelujah.
So there is an area where there is true fruitfulness and true fruitfulness comes from the Spirit
of Truth. It is the tree of life. In Galatians chapter 5. Oh, hallelujah. Is everybody alright?
Good. In verse 22, would you read it with me. But the fruit of the Spirit is what? Love, joy,
peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control— in other
words, control over self. Amen? Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s
have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk
in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Why? Because that’s promoting self, isn’t it. The flesh. That’s called the fruits of the Spirit,
isn’t it. These are fruits associated with the Spirit of Truth. The born again character.
Remember, self is unfruitful. Christ is fruitful. Amen? Go to verse 16. I say then, walk in the
Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh or the lusts of self. For the flesh lusts
against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary to one another: so
that you do not do the things that you wish or desire. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are
not under the law. Now the works of the flesh or self— Amen? —are evident, which are
what? Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contention,
jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfishness, ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy murders,
drunkenness, revelries, and the like, which I tell you beforehand, just as I have also told you
in time past, that they who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. So we
see here something very powerful— those who are living a selfish life, will not inherit the
kingdom of God, will they. Oh, hallelujah. Look how many times we get angry at something.
Man one time I was out— it was dark out. It was hot out and I was working on my wife’s
brakes. Right. And man it was cooking out there and the mosquitos are buzzzzzzz and biting
me and I’m like — I didn’t have enough money to bring the car into the shop. I was a born
again believer. I had to get my wife’s brakes done so she could get to work. And I’m working
on this thing and I’m getting frustrated— this nut wouldn’t come off (and it was the wrong
one I was working on anyways) [laughter], couldn’t see two feet in front of me. I’m working
on this thing. I’m finally getting frustrated and I said, That’s it!!! And I’m all angry and poof -
the thing snaps and pops me in the mouth and my tooth falls out. [More laughter.] I was so
angry I wanted to smash that tooth— and I started talking like that [Pastor makes sound
effects and hisses as an example of how he was talking with missing tooth]. And I’m thinking
how can I go preach— I’m going to spit on everybody!!! I come in the house with all this
blood all over me. Mom is over there at the dishes, washing dishes. I open my mouth and
she laughs at me! [LOTS of laughter!!] Look at you! [Pastor mimics Maureen laughing]. I
wanted to cry! I’m thinking— I’m going to the jail, how can I go there— spitting on
everybody. I’m thinking, how are they going to understand. I wasn’t accustomed to speaking
with no front tooth. I was trying to read the word [more sound effects]. It just didn’t sound
right. Man and I prayed— Oh Lord help me– you know, I’m sorry— cause I got in the flesh!
Forgive me. The next morning I called these places— everybody— and you know I picked up
the tooth and put it in my pocket. I wanted to preserve it. I don’t remember if I put it in the
refrigerator– I don’t know. Anyway, I wanted to preserve it. I knew it had to have water to
live. [Major laughter.] So I get up in the morning and I’m looking in the Yellow Pages trying to
find some emergency dentist. And I called this one place and the guy says, Well for 25 bucks
— And I said, Man that’s all I’ve got is 25 bucks! I mean that’s all I had. And he said to come
on in and he would do an x-ray for 25 bucks and we’ll see what we can do. I said, Cool. He
checks me out and says, Aren’t you in pain? You see the first thing that happened– I kept
saying, No pain in Jesus’ name. He said that’s busted so close to your root! And I said, No
I’m not in pain. And he’s looking at me. And I pulled it out of my pocket and said, Listen I
have my tooth right here! [Laughter.] Can’t you just like put it back in? He looks at me and
says, You can’t do that. So I thought well maybe I’ll throw it out— And I said, No. I’ll put it
back in my pocket. I put the tooth back in my pocket as I was spitting on him. And he says,
Well it’s going to cost you about 600 bucks, whatever it was to have it fixed. I’m thinking, I
don’t have 600 bucks!!! So he says, Well do you want to make an appointment? I said,
Nope!! I got off my chair. I went home and I prayed again. I said, Lord you’ve got to help
me with this. I can’t live— this is crazy! I can’t speak this way! I sound funny and I look
funny and my mother-in-law was laughing at me! Did you see her laugh at me!! I looked
funny!! Anyway I’m praying and all of sudden I called this one ministry and they led me to
this other one. And this guy says, There is a dentist that might help you. I said, Cool - call
him for me. This is an emergency. So anyway I get the guy on the phone and I’m begging
him, Please help me!!! He says, Come on in. I said, Cool. I think the holidays were just
coming or something. And like everyone was going on vacation. I don’t remember what
holiday it was. So I was like man nobody’s going to be around, I’ve got to spend all this time
— you know. Drip and drooling out of my mouth and whatever. And all because I was in the
flesh! Amen? And kept going, Aw man how stupid could I have been!! Why didn’t I just
settle down, rest in the Lord, trust in the Lord to do this. I should have just had my wife stay
in the next day– it would have been cheaper! You know. But I was in the flesh, didn’t see
things through. And anyways, I called this doctor and went in to go see him. And I’m praying
out there in the waiting room, Oh, help me Lord! Help me! How much is this going to be?!!
And I’m thinking, Can he help me? So I get in the chair and he says, Aren’t you in pain? I
said, No I’m not in pain. I said no pain in Jesus’ name. And he says well, you’re going to need
to grind that down, you’re going to need to have this capped— it’s going to be this, that and
whatever. I said, Oh come on! And so he walked away, went in the other room – cause I
brought my x-rays with me. I said, Lord please!! No pain in Jesus’ name, no needles and
please fix my tooth! I’m trusting in you. You know what’s what. The guy comes back in the
room. He says, You know I really don’t— he says the only thing I— he says I have to mold
this thing and crown it and do all kinds of stuff. I said, Well wait a minute, I have my tooth
with me! Can’t you— and he looked at it and he says, Maybe we can do something, we’ll try
it. So he comes out and he puts this stuff on it and stuffs it back in my mouth and I said,
Wow. He said, Does that feel alright? I said, Wonderful. And he put this blue light on it. And
stuff. And a few minutes later— Man I had my tooth back. I was thanking God— I wanted to
kiss this guy. You know I was never so happy to have a tooth back in my mouth! And I got
done and you know how your tongue is so sensitive to things, you know. And I thought, Man
this feels good— it’s like my normal tooth!! Whoa!! I was so happy and stuff. And I’m
thinking, Oh now what’s he going to charge me. And I get out and I said, How much? And he
said, Nothing. I said, Nothing? He said, Nothing. Man I hugged him. Thank you!! Thank
you!! See God rescues us! Amen? God rescues us! But this whole thing was a result— I had
to go through all that stuff because I got in the flesh! Amen? All that because I got in the
flesh! Oh, hallelujah. No it came off and I had to get it redone — but it was a year later.
Praise God! Now. Go to Galatians 3. A couple more scriptures and we’re done. You don’t
mind, do you? Galatians 3. Praise God! Hallelujah. Starting at verse 1. O foolish Galatians,
who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, or the Spirit of Truth, before
whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you crucified? This only I want to learn
from you, did you receive the Spirit by the works of the flesh or by the hearing of faith? Are
you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by what? Flesh,
or self? Do you know how many people have started wonderfully in the Spirit and then they
got self-confident. And then the next thing you know, now their works are— they’re in the
flesh and they wonder why they struggle. They wonder why things aren’t happening. They
are wondering why God’s causing them to wait even longer. Because they started off in the
Spirit and went to the flesh. Amen? They became self-confident. Oh, hallelujah. Okay.
That’s called backsliding, isn’t it. Amen. Go to Galatians 6 while we are in Galatians.
Hallelujah. Galatians 6:7. Do not be deceived; God is not mocked. For whatever man sows,
that will he also reap. For he who sows to his self, I mean his flesh, will what? Reap of the
flesh and what? Reap of corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit, will of the Spirit reap
everlasting life. So he who sows to himself is going to reap corruption. And let us not grow
weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. Therefore as
we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, especially those who are of the household of
faith. Sowing to the flesh, sowing to self will reap corruption. Lying, accusing, manipulating,
stealing, not submitting, fornication, all these things are associated with the fruits of self,
aren’t they. Protecting self is sowing in the flesh. Amen? Blaming others for your
backsliding, moving out of God’s time, all of these things are sowing to the flesh. Does
everybody get it? And there is always a reaping of corruption. And I want to close at
Ephesians 5. Oh, hallelujah. So there is true fruitfulness, isn’t there. True fruitfulness comes
from the Spirit of Truth. Amen? The Spirit of Truth. That means you are eating from the tree
of life. And not from the tree of death, which is self. And you will bear fruit according to the
Spirit of Truth. In Ephesians 5:8. Oh, hallelujah. Read this with me. For you were sometimes
darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit
is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather what? Expose them.
For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all
things that are exposed are made manifest by the light: for whatever makes manifest is light.
Therefore he says, Awake you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you
light. Now come on go a little further. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but
as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but
understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not be drunk with wine, which is dispensation, but
be filled with the Spirit; speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things to
God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting to one another in the fear
of God. That is denying self, isn’t it. So there are true fruit— true fruitfulness that comes
forth by denying your self, isn’t there. Self and the flesh are associated with one another.
But as you and I are led by the Spirit the flesh gets crucified so it can be utilized by the Spirit.
Hallelujah. Father we thank you for your word and we ask Master that in the name of Jesus
that you would continue to bring us revelation of denying self. Lord I thank you for this period
of time of exposing self and we thank you Lord for your word that says deny yourself, pick up
your cross and follow me. Lord you are awesome and you are mighty - you denied yourself
and farbeit that we should not deny ourselves. So Lord we commit to you all things, and Lord
we ask that this seed that was imparted today grow and bear fruit and that we be led by your
Spirit so that our flesh would be crucified and that Christ— the new character would have his
way - regenerated by the Holy Spirit - In Jesus’ name. And everybody said? AMEN!!
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