Ministering: Pastor Walter Ekelemu
Topic: Catch the fire
Text: Mark 16:15-20 (NKJV); John 21:1-17 (KJV); Acts. 1:2&8 (KJV)
Mark 16:17 & 20 (KJV) underscores that signs will follow “all” who believe in His name. No matter the harm and danger that come their way, they will prevail.
1 John 4:8(MSG); God is love. He is the source of love. He is the initiator of love. In Him, there is no darkness. The Bible lets us know that if you do not love, you do not know God. The question is: Are you sure about God’s love for you? The surrounding circumstances may make you doubt His love for you. His love for you is not characterized by your experiences but by who He is. The truth is, God’s love for you is immeasurable (Romans 5:7 TPT). He loved you even in your unrighteousness so much that He sent His only Son to die for you. John 3:16 is the assurance you need of how much love God has for you.
Knowing how much God loves you, the question is: Do you love Jesus? John 14:15 (NKJV) tells us how Christ wants you to show your love for Him. A true expression of love for God is obedience. Obedience is the true test of your love for God. In John 21:15-17 (KJV), Jesus appears to His disciples at the Sea of Galilee. During this encounter, Jesus asks Peter three times, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Each time Peter affirms his love for Jesus, responding, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” To each of Peter’s affirmations, Jesus gives him a command: “Feed my lambs,” “Tend my sheep,” and “Feed my sheep.”
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) urges us to seek Christ first and to put the Kingdom of God as our priority. Our love for Jesus must be powerful enough to transcend the things He gives and provides for us. Our love for Him must surpass our needs.
The Holy Spirit is the power and presence given to believers to enable them to be effective witnesses for Christ. According to Mark 16:17 & 20 (NKJV), signs will follow you only if you “Go” (spread the fire). It is in “going” that signs will follow. When you “go”, you will transcend from being a fisherman to a fisher of men. If we must spread the fire, we must go back to the place where we yield to God’s commandments.
