Transcribed – DR2025-Message 9: We Are Not All Equal Before God – Pastor Gideon (Feel free to use the translator tools)
Opening Song
1 Sing them over again to me,
wonderful words of life;
let me more of their beauty see,
wonderful words of life;
words of life and beauty,
teach me faith and duty.
Refrain:
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.
2 Christ, the blessed one, gives to all
wonderful words of life;
sinner, list to the loving call,
wonderful words of life;
all so freely given,
wooing us to heaven. [Refrain]
3 Sweetly echo the gospel call,
wonderful words of life;
offer pardon and peace to all,
wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior,
sanctify forever. [Refrain]
Introduction
I consider it a great privilege to stand in for the man of God, To speak to this great assembly, Trusting in the grace and mercy of God to bring the mind of God, Intended to produce cleansing and setting of things in order in our lives.
Titus was set or allowed by Paul to set things in order in a particular place. And then in 2 Kings chapter 20 and verse 1, let’s read. 2 Kings chapter 20 and verse 1, In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death, And the prophet Isaiah the son of Pharaoh came to him and said unto him, Thus says the Lord, set thy house in order, for thou shalt die and not live.
So are we here to set our house in order because you are going to die or that I’m going to die? The answer is no and yes. Not because I don’t want to die and I don’t want to die now. Yes, because no one knows when it will happen.
And as a result of that, it is expected that every one of us should be ready.
Messages Already Heard in the Retreat
And by the grace of God, we have listened to the following messages. Essence of this retreat.
Setting the stage for spiritual renewal. Influence of our polluted world. And the journey just come.
This they do because they know not the Lord. We have also listened to who wants to be a billionaire. And then everything is God’s agent or everything is God’s servant.
And we urge you to pay attention to the truth of God that we are bringing. Because it is intended to also continue in the cleansing that God has determined. It is intended to be part of what God has determined to bring the cleansing.
So then for this season, passing us through the pool and coming out cleansed. In readiness for rapture or departure. And the work that God has called us to do.
Congregational Song 201
GIVE ME A DOUBLE PORTION
hymns
Verse 1
Long ago in days of old, stood a man of God were told, As he talked to Elijah that day
His request he did repeat standing at Elijahs feet, a double portion I can hear him say
Chorus:
Give me Lord a double portion, pour Thy Spirit on me
Thru eyes of faith Thy wondrous works I can see
But I need Thy helping hand in this troubled sinful land
Give me Lord a double portion from Thee
Verse 2
As Elijah stood that day to Elisha he did say, Ask me what I shall do unto thee
And Elisha then replied walking at Elijahs side, A double portion let it fall on me
Verse 3
Lord I always to Thee pray, just for strength from day to day But I see theres so much to be done
That I have to kneel a new, and this favour ask of you, A double portion this fight must be won
Message Theme
By the grace of God, we are bringing to us a message. Entitled, we are not all equal before God.
If we look at the song that the music ministers have finished ministering now, find that in stanza one, which reads, long ago in days of old stood a man of God, we are told. As he talked to Elijah that day, a man of God speaking to another man of God. Because that man of God recognized that we are not all equal.
And that was why he spoke to his master. He recognized that Elijah was higher than him. And that was why he could go the extent he went with Elijah before they came to a point of departure.
And after Elijah had departed and the spirit of God from Elijah came upon him, as he joined his former colleagues, they were able to recognize that level has changed.
And therefore, we urge you to rise with us and let us pray. And ask God that the lessons we should learn from this message, which is entitled, we are not all equal before God, should be learned.
Opening Prayer
And so, our Father and our God, we want to thank you because of your intention, what you have intended to achieve through this message, through this discourse. It is our prayer that after we have gone through, after we have passed through this session of teaching, when we come out further sanctified, further cleansed, further purified, and further prepared for the master’s use, you are interested in us. Therefore, help us, Lord, to carefully, as we listen to the word of God, to identify the things that should be taken out from our lives.
So at the end, great Father in Heaven, we will be what you have in mind. Thank you, blessed Holy Spirit. I want to speak as an oracle of God, and I trust Lord because before the man of God let me go to go and deliver this message, he laid his hand upon me and he spoke into my life and said, go and deliver.
Eternal Father in Heaven, I rely on the help of the Holy Spirit. He has been helping us before, and I trust that he is going to help again. Help me and also help the listeners.
Every one of us, great Father, at the end of this ministration, every one of us will be fit as it were for the master’s use. Thank you, Father, for hearing us. In Jesus’ name we have prayed.
Amen.
Scripture Reading 1
Once again, we welcome you, and we plead with you to pay rapt attention. It’s very, very important as we go through a few scriptures in Genesis chapter 18, and let’s read from verse 17.
And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do? Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and a mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him. For I know him that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he has spoken of him.
Here we find the Lord talking of Abraham as one that he found fit which a man he considered a man that he shouldn’t keep his secret away from.
And so he went ahead and divulged what was his secret to him. And on hearing the plan of God, Abraham intervened, and that brought about the freedom and deliverance of Lot from the catastrophe that eventually came upon the city of Edweline.
So Lot was delivered not because of himself, but because of Abraham that had an intimate relationship with God.
Scripture Reading 2
So let’s go to read Numbers chapter 12. And we read from verse 1.
And unto Aaron and unto Miriam come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation, and they three came out. And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud and stood in the door of the tabernacle and called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forth.
And he said, Here now, my wits, if there be a prophet among you, I, the Lord, will make myself known unto him in a vision. I will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all my house.
With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently I am not in that species. And the smillitude of the Lord shall he behold, wherefore then were he not afraid to speak against my servant Moses.
So God reminded Miriam and Aaron, who possibly Miriam, on hearing and on observing that the wife of Moses had returned, thought that her position was being threatened.
And so she instigated Aaron into speaking against Moses. And God called the three. And when the three came, the Lord proved that if you have a prophet among you in a vision and in dream, I will only allow the prophet to have access.
But for Moses, my intimacy with him and dealing with him is beyond seeing me in vision or in dream. Moses will see my face, face to face, I will talk with him mouth to mouth, showing that Miriam and Aaron were ministers, but they were not at the same level with Moses. They were not all equal.
Scripture Reading 3
In Matthew chapter 20, Matthew chapter 20, and let’s read verse 23. Matthew 20, and let us read verse 23.
This is the story of the family of Zebedee, the mother of Zebedee’s children and her sons coming to Jesus to ask for position.
And then hear what Jesus told them in verse 23.
And he said unto them, He shall drink indeed of my cup and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with. But the seat of my right hand on my left is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
Confirming that it’s not everybody that will sit at the right hand of God, it’s not everybody that will have access to the left hand, but there are some people that will have it. Meaning that in eternity we will not be all equal, even in eternity.
Scripture Reading 4
And in chapter 25 of Matthew, and let’s read verse 14 through to verse 30.
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country who called his own servants and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, and to every one, according to his several abilities, and straightway took his journey.
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and met other five talents.
And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
For he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lost money.
After a long time, the Lord of those servants came and reconned with them.
And so he that had received five talents came and brought out five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliverest unto me five talents. Behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant.
Thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliverest unto me two talents. Behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant.
Thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed.
I was afraid and went and hid thy talent in the earth. Look, there thou hast that is thine.
His Lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant. Thou kneweth that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed.
Thou artest therefore to have put my money to the changers, and then at my coming I shall have received my own weight hugely.
Take therefore the talent from him. Give it unto him which hath ten talents.
For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance.
But from him that hath not shall be taken away, even that which he hath.
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Message Direction
Now this parable also establishes the fact that we are not on a war before God. And so we are going to see through the lenses of the scripture to determine the truth of equality and inequality before God. We are going to allow God to talk to us from what is written in the Holy Rites.
And I want to say that from the discovery, from the study I was able to arrive at the point that we are equal and we are not equal. We are going to explain as we go on in the message. We are going to show areas where we are equal and areas where we are not equal before God.
And this is intended to help us in the church, to help us to have harmony, to help us to live the way God will have us to live so that we can have benefit of serving the Lord. This knowledge will be very helpful to balance our behaviors, to balance our attitudes, and then our actions as we relate with one another as we operate in various departments in the church, in our families, and with one another, and even among leadership.
Key Teaching Statement
Now, the Bible presents a dual view that all humans share equal worth as being met in God’s image.
Yet, God ordained natural and spiritual differences in talents, in roles, and in rewards. Now, this leads to inequality in function and inequality in divine value.
It is important that we all realize that we have inherent equal dignity and as creations of God’s image.
However, God ordains differences in circumstances and differences in rewards. And this is not favorizing, but outcomes and positions vary based on individual choices, based on divine design as well as spiritual development and growth.
Foundational Question From Scripture
In 1 Corinthians 4, verse 7, Paul asks a question.
In 1 Corinthians 4, verse 7, he says, For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now, if thou didst not receive it, why does that glory as if thou hast not received it?
Paul says that we are different from one another. We are different in talents. We are different in knowledge and in giftings and so on and so forth.
Sub-Headings Announced
Now, this course will be approached under three sub-headings.
The first thing is Biblical concepts of our equality before God.
After we have seen that, we will look at Biblical concepts of our inequality before God.
And then we will be concluding with the implications and what we stand to benefit as we understand the equality of one another and their non-equality of one another before God.
Biblical Concepts of Our Equality Before God
Now, these Biblical concepts or the Biblical concepts of equality before God emphasizes that all have equal works before God and equal image before God. This concept stresses that all people are created in God’s image and then all people are given inherent dignity, value and soul in Ezekiel chapter 18 and verse 4.
Ezekiel chapter 18 and verse 4. It tells us that all souls, behold all souls are mine.
The soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine. The soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Your soul and my soul are considered equal before God because we are all created in the image of God.
In Genesis chapter 1 verse 27, He created us in His own image. Genesis chapter 1 verse 27. So God created man in His own image.
In the image of God, God created him. Man and female created them.
Every one of us is created in the image of God.
So we have the same value of soul before God. Our dignity before God is at the same value.
Now, this concept, it emphasizes that God shows us that there is partiality.
That is everyone who fears Him and thus righteousness is accepted. That there is no partiality.
God shows that there is no partiality.
There is no favoritism. Whosoever that fears God is regarded before God.
That is proven in Acts of Apostles chapter 10
Now, this concept emphasizes or references the universal need of salvation by all humanity whether big or small who has fallen short of God’s glory.
Romans chapter 3 verse 23 For all have sinned and come short of God’s glory.
The big man needs salvation. The small man needs salvation.
The big evangelist, before he became so called big evangelist he had to undergo the salvation process.
In Romans chapter 3 and verse 23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Chapter 10 of Romans 12 and 13 Romans chapter 12 Let’s look at verse 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Whosoever that shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Now look at verse 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.
This establishes the concept of equality of all of us before God.
Equality of us before God refers to sameness in measure sameness in likeness or likeness in quality in status or nature or also shows about impartiality in treatment.
God does not have partial treatment of people. Before God He sees all of us as equal.
However, what you do and how you make use of the graces of God and His provision where now we define the level you will be whether we will be at the same level or your level will be higher than mine as regards in the presence of God.
Every human being has a natural equality with every other person because all are creatures or are created in God’s image.
No one has been created more or less like God than anyone else.
Nobody is created below God. All of us are created in His own image.
You are not higher than I in God’s creation and I am not higher than you in God’s creation.
That is where all of us are equal before God.
Now the Bible does not promote a worldly or family equality but rather a spiritual one where everyone despite differences holds equal divine value.
The Bible teaches equity, fair treatment and recognition of inherent worth of everyone.
We are not equal in talents, we are not equal in worldly status but we are equal valued by God who knows all and who does all.
And so we are equal when it comes to the creation. You are created in God’s image and I am created in God’s image.
Then we are equal.
Now in receiving graces before God we are equal but what then you do with what is given to you when now separates you will define your life and make the difference.
So I go to the second point.
Biblical Concepts of Our Inequality Before God
Biblical concepts of our inequality before God.
Now looking at Matthew chapter 25 where we have read we see that the householder the master who had talents to share when he brought all his servants now in chapter 25 of Matthew 14 and 15 the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country who called his own servants and delivered unto them his goods and unto one he gave five talents not because he was partial he has assessed the ability and find out that this one can manage five then to another two, to another one and then look at the next statement to every man according to his several ability so the distribution was not a show of partiality he had looked at the ability of everyone he knew that this man can manage five talents then he gave him five the other will manage two, he gave him two this other one will manage one, he gave him one so he find out that we are not equal in talents we are not equal in giftings we should understand this truth very well
now let us further consolidate this point in Matthew chapter 10 Matthew chapter 10 and let us read verse 23 this is the parable of the sower that went and sowed seeds and then in verse 23 for he that received seed in the good ground is he that heareth the word understandeth it which also beareth fruit look at the gradient, look at the level of the fruits and bringeth forth some an hundredfold some thirtyfold some sixtyfold
now you can see the degree of the productivity now hundredfold sixtyfold, thirtyfold all heard the word and all went into practicing what they have heard first produced one hundredfold second sixtyfold, thirtyfold so in the church there are people that have one hundredfold of productivity sixtyfold and some thirtyfold
the hundredfold and the sixtyfold and thirtyfold they are not equal am I right? they are not equal and therefore it should be understood that we are not all equal in the house of God all pastors are not equal all elders are not equal and so on and so forth
now when we become born again we have access, all of us to the same grace, to the same spirit to the same scriptures to the same virtue of the kingdom everyone have access to the same but what you do with these things you have access to will now determine the level that God places you so what we do with this is what serves as distinction from others what distinguishes you from others
now it is a gross error to think or to equate the man that lives a righteous life the man who commits to the rudiments of spiritual favancy and who labors in the word of God and the doctrine to one who is largely complacent, is born again but is complacent and with the spiritual attains and with his calling they are not at the same level
a person who is serious minded in the pursuit of the things of God and a person who is as far as he is concerned God is secondary they are not at the same level
when you place God as secondary in your life and somebody has placed God as the first priority in his life you and that person are not at the same level before God God sees this other person higher and then sees the other one lower we should recognize this
in Hebrews chapter 13 13th chapter of Hebrews and let us read verse 7 Hebrews chapter 13 and let’s read verse 7 remember then we shall rule the rule over you who has spoken unto you the word of God whose faith follow considering the end of their conversation
and verse 17 obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves for they watch for your souls and they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you
even before human beings in the world all lawyers are not at the same level you are a lawyer but this other one is a senior advocate before men and before the court of justice if you have case you are just a lawyer a good one but then this one is a senior advocate and both of you have entered into the court the court will first listen to the senior advocate doctors are not all equal even carpenters are messengers and in the day to day affairs we are not all equal and then before God it should be understood that we are not all equal before God God regards people and that is at the level of how they regard him
in 1 Timothy 5 and verse 17 1 Timothy 5 and verse 17 let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor elders that rule well are not at the same level with elders that are not ruling well elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor elders that rule but not well you can give them honor but elders who rule well should be given what? double honor especially they who live up in the word and what? doctrine that is the word of God
so if somebody is telling us that we are not all equal we should understand it it is in our benefit it is to our benefit rather
and so we find that also God himself designs people with various strengths intelligence, gifts and the potentials we are not all equal in potentials we are not all equal in gifts we are not all equal in intelligence
now listen to me we are not all equal in speaking English
two weeks ago I told the congregation I was ministering to that you should recognize where you are and I told them that if it comes to speaking English and in teaching I mentioned a name of a particular under pastor and I asked is he there? that if you come to that point he is better than me he is higher than me and when we gather and we are talking and there is an issue that an English word that came out and I am looking for how the correct explanation I will look to its duration because we are not equal in that he is higher than me and he knows better than me in that area
so we should be able to recognize that we are not all equal even before God in the matter of tense of God and so we are not all equal in gifting we are not all equal in spiritual roles there are varying degrees and hierarchical positions of responsibility in God’s kingdom Matthew chapter 20 verse 23 confirms that
now do you know that there are masters and servants the Bible recognizes that there are parents and children and then husband and wife you say husband and wife are they equal before God? no sir, no ma the Bible says the husband is the head of the house and so this issue of equality gender equality and all that anybody that is going that direction he is fighting the word of God that is the way God has stated that things will be in Ephesians chapter 6 and verse 5 Ephesians chapter 6 verse 5 servants be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling in singleness of your heart as unto Christ and Jesus confirmed that servants are not like their masters but they can push forward to become like their masters or lords and then disciples
so now look at verse 1 children obey your parents in their love for you this is right honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with promise you are not equal with your father your father is like a God to you and your mother now ask me how do you know
now listen Noah drank wine and messed up what he did was wrong but that did not give audacity to his last son to now mess him up he got a cause for abusing and messing his father up therefore it follows that we must recognize that you and your father and your mother you are not equal before God
we are all human beings created in the image of God but we are not equal before God and so we should take note of that we should take note of that is very very important among all our children and so on and so forth
in Matthew chapter 10 Matthew chapter 10 let’s confirm further that the issue of master and servant that Jesus acknowledged and then a master is considered to be higher than the servant
verse 24 the disciple is not above his master nor the servant above his lord is not it’s enough for the disciples that he be as his master and the servant as his lord if they have called the master of the house blessed be how much shall they call them of his household and so before God we are not equal
now we are also not equal in behavior now there is also behavioral inequality we have the wise and we have the foolish the wise and the foolish they are not equal before God
let’s prove it from Proverbs chapter 10 and verse 8 Proverbs chapter 10 and let us read verse 8 the wise in heart will receive commandments but a practicing fool shall fall verse 14 wise men lay up knowledge but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction and then look further to chapter 17 and verse 28 of Proverbs even a fool when he holdeth his peace is counted wise he that shorteth his sleep is esteemed a man of understanding
Ecclesiastes chapter 9, 17 and 18 so a wise man and a foolish man they are not equal the five virgins that were foolish and the five virgins that were wise they were not equal before God
in chapter 9 of Ecclesiastes 17 and 18 the ways of wise men are hard and quiet more than the crying of human that rolleth among fools the ways of wise men they are hard wisdom is better than weapons of war but one sinner destroyeth much
so in the matter of behavioral inequality or equality we are not all equal
now on this issue of our inequality before God Jesus did not keep quiet he also contributed and spoke very clearly about it as we have seen in Matthew chapter 13 verse 23 and Matthew chapter 20 verse 23 and Matthew 25 where we read
we find where he said things as they should be the stewards were given resources unequally by their master based on their several ability and based on their returns they were allotted cities also unequally in Luke chapter 19 11 to 26 you see that in the allocation of cities there was unequal allocation the one who produced with his five ten talents was given ten cities the other was given four cities
so you find that in the matter of equality or inequality Jesus confirms that God does not reward people equally
we should recognize that when we go to heaven you cannot be equal with Abraham Abraham is the father of faith you are not father of faith and so we need to understand this if we understand this it will help us even in this life to give honor to whom honor is due and then I listen to who we should listen to and obey who we should obey and then I take instruction from who we should take instruction and stop where we should stop
and so listen, angels are not equal in ranks we have Archangel Michael and we have Gabriel they are not equal and do you know that there is a hierarchy among evil spirits let’s go and see and because they follow this order though they are devils and evil spirits they are brother but you see that they maintain unity among them
if there is no unity among the devil his kingdom would have finished
Jesus said that if kingdom finds kingdom now how does the devil or Satan maintain unity in his kingdom it is because people recognize this this concept of what inequality that there are levels who are not equal
Ephesians chapter 6 and if Satan could maintain peace in his kingdom now if we understand this there will be peace in the home there will be peace in the church
Ephesians chapter 6 and we read verse 12 for we rest not against flesh and blood but against principalities number 1 against powers number 2 against the rulers of darkness of this world number 3 against spiritual wickedness in high places number 4
do you see the ranking now we find that powers the rulers of darkness they recognize that principalities are above them and all of them recognize that Lucifer is above them all
do you know that up to today that angel Michael recognizes the position of the devil even before his fall and that was why he could not rebuke could not rebuke Lucifer when they were dragging Moses’ body but he said the Lord rebukes you the Lord rebukes you
therefore men and women of God children of God it is important we recognize this we we don’t have equality in the spirit oh yes and the spiritual gift things I have said that and we are not equal in spiritual awareness somebody has awareness more than the other
when Moses and Joshua went up to the mountain and they came down and both had a noise that was made one said this is a noise of war and Moses said I don’t hear the noise of war I hear the noise of those that are singing when they came down who was right Moses
so both of them were not equal in discernment we should know that we are not equal in discernment we are not equal in understanding we are not equal in in relationship with God oh yes
Abraham is called God’s friend Abraham God called him my friend shall I hide what I do so intimacy is level by level there are those that are closer to God more intimate to God there are those of that God can hear readily there are those of that can readily interpret the mind of God but there are those who will not do that
we should recognize this and when we do it will be well with our souls
now in Romans chapter 1 verse 11 Romans chapter 1 and let’s quickly read verse 11 and Paul said for I long to see you that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift to the end you may be established
now Paul and these ones that he was saying that he longed to see so that he can impart some gift are they at the same level no one has gift to impart the other is at the receiving so they are not equal
Paul and Timothy they are not equal Paul laid his hand upon Timothy and said make a good warfare with the hands laid upon you stir up the spirit and the prophecy I made on your head go and war with it so they are not equal
Timothy a man of God Paul a man of God but they are not equal that has to be recognized and the earlier we recognize this the better for us
in Philippians chapter 1 and verse 7 the better we will relate with those that God has set above us
Philippians chapter 1 and verse 7 even as it is need for me to think this of you all because I have you in my heart in as much as both in my bones and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel you are all partakers of my grace
one had grace that others should partake of
Moses and the 70 elders that they took the spirit from him and put upon they were not all equal
Moses and Joshua that God said unto Joshua said unto Moses take the spirit upon you the honor that is upon you and put upon Joshua they are not equal
somebody has honor that he will transfer to the other
this has to be realized if we want to enjoy God and enjoy the benefit of staying in a movement like ours we need to understand this spiritual order
this spiritual order will help you that when you are talking to one that is above you or writing to your senior or talking to your senior in the faith, in the ministry you will be very very careful you want to advise, you will be very careful whatever you want to do you are careful because we are not all equal before God
we don’t have equal access to information we don’t have equal access to information
at the time when Noah had information that the world was going to be destroyed there were preachers the Bible talks about Noah being a preacher of righteousness now Noah was not at the same level with other preachers the preacher of righteousness had access to that information this other don’t have access to it
we need to understand this it is in our interest that we do so
and then we are not equal in spiritual awareness look at Matthew chapter 16 after Jesus asked a question who do the sons of men say that I the son of man is everybody kept quiet and Peter stood up and answered he said flesh and blood has not revealed this to you and on this note, upon this your confession I will build my church and the guests of flesh shall not prevail
there were other apostles but they didn’t have access to this information
now the three apostles that were taken to the mount of transfiguration there were things about Jesus they knew that others didn’t know and Jesus said unto them keep this thing, don’t let any person know about this
and so Peter, James and John had access to what the rest didn’t have so they are not equal this should be recognized
somebody may say but the other one is Old Testament what about this, this is New Testament prophets are not equal all prophets are not equal we should know that Elijah a prophet Elijah a prophet one made the other one made the other one was instrument to the making of the other one was a prophet maker
lack of this recognition was one of the things that the devil used to destroy Saul Saul was filled with the spirit of God he became another man that he wouldn’t take instruction again from Samuel he began to act independently began to walk as if there was no person above him
first instruction that Samuel gave, he violated it second instruction, he violated it and that was how the mighty has fallen
when you want to find out how has the mighty fallen the things that make the mighty to fall is when the mighty refuses to recognize the hand that ordained him
when you refuse to listen to who you should listen to when you begin to think because you are now having fire in your bone in your eyes, in your ear and you see more than who anointed you who ordained you, who appointed you you pray miracles happen and wonders happen and everybody is talking about you and nobody is talking about the man who ordained you take time because if you forget that somebody lifted you up somebody lay hands on your head somebody imparted a grace upon you if you forget and begin to relate with that person anyhow you are on your way to collapsing
this is true, we’ve seen it happen we have seen it happen as written in the Bible and as in our own day
so we are not all equal in spiritual awareness in spiritual understanding even among the apostles as I said earlier, they are not all equal
Paul and Timothy as I said earlier we are not equal one is a son to the other my son Timothy so if Timothy will not listen to Paul then he has put himself into trouble
we do not have equal degree or relationship with God
God said to the people Moses will talk with me mouth to mouth for you, I can only talk with you in a dream, in a vision but beyond this, no
so in relationship with God we are not equal there are people that are intimate with God there are people that God discusses what is happening there are people that God shows those things that are beyond what is written and we should listen to them
we have them among our fathers in the Lord the chief of these and we have also them among our ministers that should be listened to
in Genesis chapter 18 God said of Abraham shall I hide what I do? see Abraham was called by divinity come and let’s have your opinion let’s see what you say about this, let’s have your contribution and Abraham made his contribution
Abraham came up and said if you see 50 people, what will you do? from 50 he came down and from there he came down and God was listening and at the end God remembered Abraham he gave him that privilege to contribute
there are people that God allows to have access to his mind to know what is happening among the children of Israel they were not all equal in wisdom a particular tribe among them was distinguishing in the matter of wisdom they had wisdom and so we should follow this truth and allow it to influence our conduct
Abraham was called a friend of God in James chapter 2 verse 23 let’s see Abraham called a friend of God and shortly we will go into prayers
James the 2nd chapter James 2nd chapter of James and verse 23 and the scripture was fulfilled we said Abraham believed God it was imputed unto him for righteousness and he was called the friend of God
this can be confirmed in Isaiah 41 verse 8 and also in Galatians chapter 3 verse 8 and 9 it is confirmed that Abraham is a friend of God and so Abraham and Lord were not equal before God one was used to make the other one was used to rescue the other one was used to build the other
and it was when Lord you know in Genesis chapter 10 his goods multiplied he began to have a lot of tents he had plenty tents around he thought that the worth equal worth or even worth more than that of Abraham had made him to become higher than Abraham
and therefore instead of listening to Abraham when Abraham called him and said go left or right whichever way I will take whatever is left instead of saying I cannot disconnect from you he disconnected and that was the beginning of his downfall
even when Abraham went to rescue him instead of after being rescued returning to his master he still insisted and finally the city and all the years of his labor was wasted that was because of not recognizing that somebody was greater than the other person and so his years of labor wasted and he ended in shame we all know that
and so it follows that Moses even Moses and Aaron and Miriam and Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and Joshua they were not all equal oh yes at the point Korah, Dathan, and Abiram thought that God is speaking to us we are prophets, he was a prophet and God said hold on bring them out so that we will show who is a prophet and who is not a prophet we know the story how they ended and so we should be very very careful
Joshua Ordained by Moses
now look at Deuteronomy chapter 34 and verse 9 34 of Deuteronomy Deuteronomy 34 and let us read verse 9 and in verse 9 it says and Joshua the son of Noah was full of the spirit of wisdom for Moses had laid his hands upon him and the children of Israel harkened unto him and did as the Lord commanded Moses
do you see that the harkening of the children of Israel to Joshua was conceived of the hand of God that was laid that Moses laid upon Joshua so they are not equal
we are not equal in ministry should be all recognized in Numbers 27 Numbers 27 let us further give proof to this before we quickly see the implication few of those things I have already mentioned them then we will rise and draw a line
chapter 15 of Numbers and verse 15 and Moses spake unto the Lord saying let the Lord the God of the spirits of all flesh set a man over the congregation which may go out before them and which may go in before them and which may lead them out which may bring them in that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd
and the Lord said unto Moses take thee Joshua the son of Nun a man in whom is the spirit lay thy hand upon him
what a great man Moses was a great man a humble man that that God told him to use such and such person as a replacement and Moses did not go after that man he humbly obeyed it was even Moses that requested that God should now since you said that another person should take over show me who will take over and God showed him and in humility he went and ordained him
now look at verse 18 and the Lord said unto Moses take thee Joshua the son of Nun a man in whom is the spirit and lay thy hand upon him lay your hand upon him and so he did so Moses and Joshua they were not equal
and if you read Joshua chapter 1 you will see lots of references since the people met there they were all the references was as we obeyed Moses so we are going to obey you as we keep the commandments of Moses so we are going to obey you so we also we also have truth that confirms that all prophets are not equal I have said that
Prophets Are Not Equal
and then when we read 2nd Kings chapter 3 lets quickly read 2nd Kings chapter 3 to confirm that all prophets are not equal that is there are trainee prophets and apart from trainee prophets there are prophets
even among us there are young men that are coming up they are prophets but there are men that have been there that also they are prophets that God through their ministry is helping them into ministry
in 2nd Kings chapter 3 and verse verse 11 Joshua said is there not here a prophet of the Lord that we may inquire of the Lord by him and one of the king of Israel answered and said here is Elisha the son of Shaphat which poured water on the hands of Elijah
do you see that Elisha who poured water into the hand of Elijah this is a prophet and then pouring water into this it is not pouring water that now lifted him and gave him double portion of the spirit of God so Elisha
Elisha and his servant also were not at the same level in chapter 6 of this 2nd Kings you find that Elisha woke up one morning and his servant saw the place filled with the chariots and then he raised an alarm and Elisha said they that are with us are more than they that are against us oh Lord open his eyes and the eyes opened
so both of them are prophets this is a prophet in training but then this one is a senior prophet who saw
so we should recognize that we are not all equal
whatever wherever you are recognition of this will help you to know how to talk to your superior to know how to write to your superior to know how to stay in church to know how to behave and it is going to be of a great benefit
Practical Illustrations and Humility
and so I have earlier said that Moses was not equal with all those 17 men that you can confirm from Numbers chapter 11 16 and 17 and 24 to 25
a man that you take the spirit from him and distribute it to 17 men cannot be equal with those men
and here we are with all sense of humility whoever that is a watchman today whoever that says anointed whoever that says baptized whoever that says that he is on the firing line whoever that says he has words of knowledge and they have insight into the word of God by whom were you made
now all the Israelites today whose seed are they Abraham
all watchmen today whose seed are we the one of the one of the Melitobin and therefore we should recognize this
and the earlier we recognized I’m not preaching him but we are stating the obvious that will help us in our localities in the places where we are I help us to tap from one another
when you recognize that brother air is carrying what you don’t have in terms of humility is higher than you go and ask him how do I I learn from so many people I learn from people that are quiet they are very very quiet I want to be like them
whatever I find that you have that I don’t have I consider myself that in that area you are higher than me and we are not equal and therefore I want to tap from you in all humility
now listen to me when I was to write when I was to write GCE as an adult I have some young men in the church that some of them 18 years some of them 16 years and some of them less than that but they can do mathematics very well they know all these things very well I brought them and they sat down and they and they teach me and they still call me daddy and I was following them at the end of higher than me in that area they are and they will say it is this way it is this way you should write it and not the other way this is the way we should solve algebra and this and I say yes or that if I say but I am a pastor then go and write and then you will know that I am not going to mark your papers because you are a pastor
we should recognize this when we do that there will be joy in the church there will be peace in the church there will be oneness in the church things will work seamlessly
Key Summary References and Examples
and so we what then are the implications and the benefits I have shown some of them we must accept that we are not all equal in the watchman among the elders among every one of us we should accept it
103 verse 7 it says he made known his ways unto Moses his acts unto the children of Israel
Moses had the mind of God Moses had the way they should go Moses had access to when to move direction but miracles were given to the children of Israel but the man who has the strategy on how to get to the promised land was Moses
and so we must recognize this that we are not all equal
and I have said earlier that NJ Gabriel and NJ Michael are not equal now because NJ Gabriel recognizes that they are not equal with NJ Michael he makes references to NJ Michael go and read Daniel chapter 10 and verse 13 verse 20 and verse 21
recognition of this will help us that we should not join the ignorant folks to abuse the fathers to disregard the fathers to find the fathers falling or standing did you understand what I said
there are people today that are abusing the fathers whether falling father or standing father
when we understand this that even Lucifer after Lucifer’s fall that NJ Michael could not rebuke him direct that will make us that even some great men that somehow have become a victim to their carelessness that we should not join people to abuse them to insult them
what can you say about David and Saul Saul was fallen Saul had gone into terrible things and David had opportunity to lay hand on him the Holy Spirit had departed from Saul and David said how can I lay my hand upon the anointed of God
at that time he was calling anointed of God there was no more anointing in Saul the anointing had been transferred unto him
if it were to be the present there and they know that very obviously the anointing has left their boss the anointing has left the master now it’s resting upon them they will mess up everywhere but not David
and so when we understand this this inequality before God that God regards some men higher than others because of their sacrifices because of what they have gone through it will help us to dwell in touch with wisdom
we must be careful as Avelius said and then because we are not equally because we are not equal we must learn to listen to those that are above us we must learn to submit we must obey the instructions of these men that are above us
in Deuteronomy chapter 33 and 1 to 3 tells us that the people sat at the feet of Moses to listen to Moses speak to them all sat at Moses feet and Moses spoke to them
Vessels in a Great House
now recognizing that all the vessels are not equal in value we are to make an effort to experience cleansing this time so as to improve our value in 2 Timothy
2 Timothy chapter 2 and we read verse 20 but in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver but also of wood and of earth and some to honor and some to dishonor
if a man therefore himself from this that man shall be a vessel unto honor sanctified and meet for the master’s use and prepare unto every good work
so recognizing that we have different vessels and there can be improvement as we yield to the cleansing of the almighty this time as we yield to the word of God this time there can be a spiritual elevation there can be a shift there can be a move that will place you higher before God
Lesson From the Kingdom of Darkness
and therefore when we look at the unity among the evil spirit when we look at how notorious and dangerous demons are in attacking their enemies but we have not seen any record where demons attack demons and that was because of their recognition of this other that we are not all equal
therefore when principality gives instruction or everyone carries out the instruction and so if in the kingdom of darkness their work is still progressing am I right? do you think that the works of the devil has stopped?
over the ages they are still working, they are still fighting, they are still attacking people they refuse to be tired because of maintaining oneness, because of maintaining unity, but that unity was based not on righteousness, not that they are holy, but on the recognition that there is hierarchy, the recognition that we are not all equal
and so when the big demon gives instruction to the small one, enter, he enters and then when they gather in the places where they do all those magic and all that and then the bigger demon will come and say, get out and then you see the other one tumble and then you will think that the pastor is operating with the spirit of God when you don’t know that it is higher demon that has met a smaller demon and then the smaller demon must not must not disobey the bigger one
if we understand this rule when we come for public work, there will be one voice, everybody will not be a leader this one is talking and this one is talking and this one is talking
Application to Family and Church Life
when we recognize this, then we will listen to those who we listen to, will obey and submit
when a wife recognizes that the husband is the head of the home she will naturally submit, there will be unity there will be friendship, there will be fellowship, and when children understand this, and when members of the church understand that they are not equal with the pastor before God
I am not equal before God with the Jews and with some of our elders there are elders that God who contributed to the foundation of this church that I am not equal before them, no matter whatever you are doing you cannot be equal with those that are the foundation of the house if there is no foundation of the house, how will the house have ever stood
so we must come to this and with joy accept this spiritual arrangement and then joyfully align our wills align our ways, align our minds and then submit submit to this way for our good, praise the Lord
if we submit it will be in our own interest, in our own joy
Balanced Conclusion Statement
and so it follows that God of heaven will want every person that is a watchman think about this we are equal in the in creation, God created all of us, he values all of us as far as our souls are concerned, as far as grace is concerned, but then in talents and in gifting and in anointing and in in sacrifices that have been made, we are not all equal, we are not all equal in intimacy with God
there are people that are closer to God, there are people that God will unveil their mind there are people that will only pray for five minutes and the Lord is speaking to them, another person will pray for five days and yet he has not heard from God does it happen? it happens
we should recognize this there are people that they can shout around this and that and that and that and pray sweating and prophesying on your head but there is somebody that will come up there and say you are healed they are not equal
Call to Personal Understanding
now if we understand this spiritual arrangement now listen to me
after we are coming sometimes when we are coming to this place and then our father in the Lord will pray fantastic prayers at the end of that prayer we will all go back and you will see some people will come around and say I want you to pray for me
after the man that by his grace will partook in the grace of God after the man by the wisdom of God that will tap from him whatever we are today God made us that through him have prayed for you, you are looking for our prayer is because you don’t understand the earlier we understand this the better for us
that when you are privileged to meet whosoever that by divine arrangement is higher than this other person then and it says a little word you will not say is this this way
there are some people that have come for prayers and are going to meet prayer warriors and they fasted for five days and they did all the shouting and all the prayer and they walk into my office for prayer and after the person finish talking I said is that all you don’t have any problem go
I said you go you go when do you want the thing you are looking for you say that I want it before the year end I want to have my baby before the year end no problem go and have your baby now
those who recognize that there are levels we not say but the other time these people spend five hours spare and sweating and praying for me and then he just told me he just said go
we need this understanding to go a long way to set things in order to help us in relating with one another and help us to move forward and help us to understand
if the man of God comes and it is only you are blessed in Jesus name that is enough to lift up a man that has understanding to know that when this man of God says you are blessed that the hours of sweating and prayer that this one you are blessed because God recognizes this concept of inequality we are not equal before God
Final Call and Prayer
let me borrow from let me borrow from my friends tell your neighbor sitting with you we are not equal before God recognize who you should recognize and tap into the blessings and resources into the man
let’s rise up and pray let’s rise up wherever we are and begin to tell the Lord thank you, thank you thank you we have heard your word, we have heard your voice as we have heard your voice we are only left with the option of obey
I want you to pray pray as a music ministry as they prepare to come and they render words, render songs that will challenge you and me and the song is saying trust and obey
when we walk with the Lord in the light of his word what a glory he sheds on our way, his word has come, it is left for you and me to allow ourselves to start walking in the light of his word or to continue in our own mind in what we think and in the word concept of we are only equal before God
we are equal before God, we have seen that but we are not equal before God, I think we are able to answer the question, lift up your voice and let us pray pray to the Lord, I say pray to the Lord, pray
trust and obey as you are praying we are telling the Lord I will take from today I will recognize who has what I don’t have and I will go and get and tap from this person that is what I will do today
if I discover that you carry a fire that I don’t have I will take the fire from you
if I discover that you live holy life, a life of righteousness a life of holiness, I will make you my friend so that you can rub off you can rub me, rub off into me part of the holiness you are carrying that’s how it should be
so let’s let’s round off our prayers and then I listen to the music ministers as they bring us a retention, trust and obey
Closing Song
1 When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2 Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey. [Refrain]
3 But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey. [Refrain]
4 Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey. [Refrain]
Final Exhortation and Closing Prayer
wherever you are I want you to lift up your voices, picture yourself like Elisha that day kneeling before or standing before Elijah’s feet and asking for a double portion
picture yourself standing and then before the God of the WATCHMAN and asking the Lord what is in our pastor, what is in the man of God, the grace is carrying the wisdom of God in him, the fire that is in him, the insight the understanding I want you to take it
his simplicity he told us yesterday night about people that led him how he never gave any person problem how he submitted to authority how he went to a place and he was somehow embarrassed but he kept it, never told any person
lift up your voice and tell the Lord what is in this man of God and what is found in the man that are walking closely with him take it put it inside me so that I want to be like my father in the church, I want to be like the hands that mold me
the Lord wants you to talk to him, thank you blessed Holy Spirit thank you because we have heard your word even your word and we desire great father to improve in our work with you, we have understood Lord that we are not all equal but then we can grow, we can develop
that in the matter of salvation we are saved the same salvation in the matter of the grace the same grace but then we can develop we can seek to improve, everlasting father in heaven
look at the story about the community of the devils how they recognize this issue of not being all equal and their recognition has made the kingdom of darkness to be waxing stronger and stronger, in spite of all the bombardment they have continued to remain intact waiting great father
in the day that Jesus Christ will come and then I take hold of the devil and all his host and then I catch them for 1000 years, my father, my God create understanding create awareness create insight, make us to know that we are not equal in awareness, we are not equal in authority, we are not equal in understanding, I cannot act the way Jesus acts because my authority is not of his authority but then great father in heaven we find that we are having confusion in many places because some people are acting as if they are Jesus in their places
my father help everyone of us to recognize that we are not all equal and so that we can happily accept where you have kept us and then desire to improve
help the wives to understand that the husband is the head help the husband to understand that wife is a wicked person and then needs love
precious father in the families, my father and my God, if we have this understanding commotion will cease
we have this understanding in the church my father, the Christ said that I feed everywhere, will become a thing of the past
we have this understanding my father and my God there will be no robbing shoulder of one another or with one another
we have this understanding there shall be seamless oppression among elders and among ministers
therefore spirit of the living God I want to ask that you help us you have been helping us and I know you are going to help us, thank you for answer to prayer, may the grace we have received be multiplied may the wisdom be multiplied the understanding be multiplied
thank you father for answer to prayer may the cleansing great father in heaven increase, may we improve in the cleansing, may we improve in our intimacy with God
may we great father grow from being just disciples to becoming friend of Jesus, Jesus I call you friend because some of us they don’t know what their masters do
blessed redeemer bring us into intimacy so that we can have your mind and know know what should be known at such a time like this, so that we can live the way we should live and help others to live
thank you father for answering, be thou exalted and be thou glorified in Jesus name we have prayed, amen
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