Walking In The Spirit

Walking with Jesus Walking in the Spirit During our last time together, you discovered that the Holy Spirit is the source of the Christian’s power to walk with Jesus. Have you continued to confess known sins to God and to surrender control of your life to the Holy Spirit? If so, what difference has that made in your life? I invite you to watch this next story to see the power of the Holy Spirit in changing people’s lives. Hey guys! Yeah, yeah. Look at this boy, what is he doing here? Yeah, what is he doing here? Looks like he’s asking for it again! Yes, and this time we will leave a permanent mark on him! He thinks he can still come here and watch us play! He better stay at his Teacher's house. Yeah, he better! And go show him! Ask him what his problem is. Yeah, go ask him what he wants. And make sure that you let him know what you’re all about. Bump your chest! Permanent damage, don’t forget. Idiot! What do you want? I came to watch you guys play. I also brought you some bananas and water. What? Is this some sort of a peace offer from you or something? Yes. Um. I’m really sorry for fighting with you guys the other day. What do you think he’s doing here? I don’t know. You know I never wanted to. I think he’s crazy or something. Yeah, he was supposed to go there and punch him. Look at Taye. Is that, is that what we talked about? Ah, no. I think he’s crazy or something. Let's go see what is happening. No, no no! We stay here! I could not finish these bananas by myself, so I carried some to share with the boys. I don’t think this gonna work, I mean, anyway, let me call them. Look he’s eating his banana. He’s drink his water. Guys, come on, let’s go! No we shouldn't go! We, we stay here. It’s fine, it’s fine, I’m just gonna figure out what’s going on. No, really, we shouldn’t go! Oh guys what’s up? Is this the plan? Take it easy, take it easy. Ah, honestly, I hate this. I hate this. You came here to eat bananas? Dauda has something to say. What do you want? I came to make peace with you. Huh, Peace. Friends fight now and then, but then they never stop being friends. Dauda are you apologizing? This is not something we do. Gang members, we don't apologize! Yeah Well, I am now a Christian Lawal, and Christians do say sorry for the wrongs they’ve committed. Jesus Christ has taught me to apologize for anything and everything that I have done that is wrong. I might not be a member of the gang, but, we are still friends. Dauda, you can't stay out of the gang and still be our friend. Come on guys, he came to make peace, at least he’s brought us water and some bananas. Come on, I mean. Rubbish! You know this whole thing with, Dauda is causing our gang to break. Can you imagine? That was not part of the plan. You are either with us, or not with us. Why did you even bring us the water? Now soon enough you’ll see them eating the bananas and drinking his water. Guys, I bet you must be thirsty. Why not have some water, then we talk about this. This shouldn’t be happening! This shouldn’t be happening! So boys, what are friends for? Now look at Lawal! What is he doing? Why can’t Musa and Gabriel join us? Well I guess they’re still mad at you. Well, why don’t you go and talk to them? Let me call them. Gabriel! Musa! They’re calling us. He’s stupid! They are all fools. They are. Dauda bewitched them with water and bananas. Ah, let's go. They’ll join us later. Let’s go home. I can’t stand this! This is stupid! No! We go, we go confront them. Let’s go confront them. If you go close to him, you will eat his bananas and drink his water. End of show, let’s go. Ah, there’s the teacher. Hey guys, good to see you! Hi Teacher. Good to see you too. How’s the game? Good. It was good. Ah, Teacher, I brought my friends over so that you could talk to them. I don’t know your names. Hi, my name’s Lawal. Lawal. I’m Shaka Shaka I’m Taye Taye Good, welcome, come and sit down. So guys, what can I do for you? Well, what did you do to Dauda? He’s so different! I didn't do anything. The Lord Jesus Christ did. He is the Son of the Most High and can change anyone who decides to follow Him. So, Dauda what really happened? Well, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. And now I am a child, of God. And as a child of God, he has received the Holy Spirit. To help him live the way God wants him to. So any change you see in Dauda is the fruit of that Spirit. Fruit of the Spirit? What is the fruit of the Spirit? The evidence, of the Holy Spirit, living in Him. Just think for a moment. Can there be, fruit, without a tree? Not really. Well, in much the same way you can’t have the fruit of the Spirit unless you have the Spirit first. I would love to hear more about, about this Holy Spirit and, and His fruits. That’s wonderful! This evening, there’ll be people coming over here. We‘ll get together, we’ll sing and pray. They’ll ask lots of questions. But we’re going to have a good time. Would you like to join us? Sure, we’ll come. Yes. That’s right! Jesus is the one who can change lives and give eternal life. So, change happens when you give your life to Jesus Christ? Yes, and then your life, is guided by the Holy Spirit. And it’s a daily walk with Him, knowing very well, that He lives in us, and we in him. Teacher, could you please explain that to us? I’ll try. God speaks to us, through this book, the Bible. In John chapter fifteen, verse five, Jesus says; I am the vine, you are the branches. He who lives in me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without me you can do nothing.” What does that mean? Well, the branches draw from the vine. Jesus is the vine and we, as his children are the branches. We draw life from the Holy Spirit just as the branches draw life from the vine. This means having the life, of God in us. When you receive Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes into your life, and enables you to live a Godly life. Now if we turn to Galatians chapter five, verse twenty-two, we read; But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” So, love is a fruit of the Spirit? Yes. It enables us to love others; not just our friends, but our enemies too. No wonder Dauda could, ah, come to the game and bring us water and bananas. That’s right! And when we have joy, we can live life to the full and bring joy to the lives of others. And that’s not all, when others see the magnificent fruit of the Spirit, they too are drawn to Jesus Christ. Like we saw in Dauda? Yes, like we saw in Dauda. Jesus Christ has turned his life completely around. But remember, he will fail. Actually you're talking about our fight. But, we provoked him sir. Yes, and he shouldn't have given into your teasing. But I know that he felt really badly afterwards. You know, he shocked us by apologizing. And then he brought us all, water and bananas. This is a bit strange. Here’s a boy who used to lead the "Boy's War" in neighboring villages. Apologizing is not something I could have done by myself Lawal. And let’s understand that this growing process is a two way street. God plays His part, by filling us with the Holy Spirit and we must play ours by living, and walking in him continually. And this we do by submitting ourselves, to the Holy Spirit. Teacher, I want my life to be different Me too. Then, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. When He enters your life, you will live your life as you should. Who here is prepared to say “yes”? Are you ready? Oh Yes. Yes. Then let us stand and pray. My Lord Jesus Christ My Lord Jesus Christ I admit I admit I have been running my own life I have been running my own life and sinned against you. and sinned against you. Forgive me my sins, Forgive me my sins, and take control of my life and take control of my life and make me and make me a new person. a new person. I ask this I ask this in Jesus’ name. in Jesus’ name. Amen. Amen. Ah, Chief! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Yusuf! Welcome! Please, take a seat. Thank you very much. Now, I wanted to thank you for the large basket of maize that you sent to me yesterday. My wife went to the farm and brought home plenty of vegetables. It was more than we need, so I have already told her to pack some in a basket for you. Ever since you got back your land, you have showered us with so many gifts. Thank you. And I will still bring you more. No, Yusuf. I have enough. You completely amaze me Chief by what you did. It was not out of my own will. It would have been impossible if Jesus Christ had not told me to do it. Jesus, you’ve told me that before. His Spirit touched my heart and made me feel bad about what I have done to you. It pleases Him if you do what he says. Dauda is always talking about Jesus. You know he’s changed quite a lot, just like you, Ho, although he still fights. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Yusuf, when will you accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior? Huh, who me? Yes, of course. Jesus has given you back your land. He has made us friends again Why don’t you love him back? I will think about it. I will surely think about it. Morola! Morola! Ah, tell Lamin to bring something for Chief. I just came for a visit. I don’t want any gifts. Good day. Yusuf, you didn't tell me your wife is pregnant. Ha, ha, ha Ah I was planning to tell you when the baby comes. Now what is this? It’s the local gin. You’re going to like it, it’s, ah, very fresh. My favorite. I am free from all this. I won’t drink it. I don't drink any more. Since when? Since I have a new Master, Jesus Christ. I wish I had met Him earlier. It would have saved me from a lot of problems. I wouldn’t have married a second wife. You? Ha, ha, ha Your father had, seven wives and you planned to beat his record. I plan to take four. Ha, ha, ha Yusuf, don’t even think about it. (seriously) My father had many wives and I boasted that I would break the record according to family traditions, but that is not according to the will of God. Has Teacher talked to you about this? Yes, he has told me about the plan that God has for mankind. The Bible says this: In the Garden of Eden, God created a man and a woman. I thought about it, and I realized that the more wives someone has, the more the problems and the more the responsibilities. You know, things are not that peaceful with these two under my roof. I settled a serious quarrel, just yesterday. You know, I would have been happier with one wife. My father was unable to take care of seven. So, what do you plan to do? Do you plan to send your second wife away? No, that, would be irresponsible. What I do know is that I will not marry any other wives. Now Yusuf I must go. Thank you for the gift, and thank you for your time. Chief, you’ve really given me food for thought. Thank you for the visiting. That’s what friends are for. Thank you. Let’s go. Good evening, Sir! Good evening, Baba! Where have you been? At the field. Playing soccer. You’d like some food? Yes. Morola! Yes father. Clear up the plates, I'm through. How’s your day been? Not bad, did you win? Morola, what’s wrong? Morola! Morola! Morola! Morola! Morola! What’s happening? Boys help me! Morola! Morola! Morola! (urgent, distressed) Oh, Morola! Boys, help me! Morola! What’s wrong? Oh my God! Hold her hands. What’s happening to her? Morola! Morola, can you hear us? What’s happening to you? Morola! Morola! (urgent, forceful) Father, what’s this? What are you doing? What are you doing? Father, what’s this? Boys, help me! We have to get her to the herbal healer immediately! Help me boys! No! Where are we taking her? To Ganga’s house, hurry! To the herbal healer, hurry! No father, we can’t take her to the medicine man! We can't go with you to the, medicine man’s house! We have to take her to Ganga’s house. He’s going to pray to his god and he’s going to heal her! No father, we cannot take her into another god’s house! You can't do what? Do you want your sister to die, is that what you want? No, that’s not right father. You know that Jesus can heal her! Boys, help me carry her. Boys! No Baba, but we shouldn't do that! No father, wait! Taye, Lawal, let's pray for her! Father in the name of Jesus, I don't know what to say, but I know that you heal people like her. Please heal Morola in the name of Jesus Christ we pray and believe. Amen. Morola! Morola! She’s awake! Oh Morola! It’s a miracle! You’re wonderful! Thank you, Jesus! Are you ok? You ok? Dauda, you did it! Teacher! Hi. Hi. Hi. Hi guys. I guess you want to talk to me. What you said was true! About what? It was just like what we saw in the film! You see Morola had convulsions. She was twisting and shaking and there was stuff coming from her mouth. And then Dauda’s father wanted to take Morola to Ganga, the herbal healer. But Dauda didn’t want to do it. And then he prayed for Morola and then she got better. At first I was scared. Then I prayed in the name of Jesus, and suddenly the convulsions stopped. It was a miracle! Thanks be to Jesus Christ! God is faithful! Teacher. I want to be able to do exactly what, Dauda did. Dauda didn’t do it. God, answered Dauda’s prayer. Dauda just applied his faith. I want us to thank God for what He did in Morola’s life. And also I want us to pray for my father. Good! Let’s take a minute to continue our conversation with the Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, we come to you in prayer. Grant your mercies on us we pray. Hmm! Dauda and Chief have now changed a lot, eh? You see, you too will demonstrate Jesus’ character and power as the Holy Spirit guides and empowers you. When this happens, others will see the change in your life and also want to walk with Jesus. Why don’t you thank God right now for those changes already taking place in your life? But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.