Knowing Jesus and Experiencing Him in Life.

Standing Tall As Rising Stars (STARS)

Message:  PASTOR W F KUMUYI

Text: Matthew 16:15-17; Philippians 3:10.

There are things we know and we cannot experience. For example, 3+4=7 is true but there is no way I can experience it. But as for Christ, we can know and experience Him as Saviour, Redeemer, and Lifter up of our heads. We know and experience Him in life. In the morning, He is with us, in the afternoon, He is there with us.

He asked His disciples who they knew Him to be because they have been with Him in all He did. Simon Peter said categorically that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God due to the experiences he has had with Him. This is the experience, far beyond head knowledge, beyond just knowing Him. It is experiencing Him as Christ, as Redeemer and Saviour. Experiencing Him in the morning, afternoon, and at the crossroads in life.

He knows your name, and your surname as well as your family and everything about you. He told Peter that the revelation came to him from heaven. He is with you and if you call Him whenever you have problems, your way will be clear.

Point 1. Who Is Jesus to You?

1. HE is the SON of GOD who became the Son of man to make all men sons of God: Matthew 16:15-17; Acts 8:35-37.
2. He is the SAVIOUR of the guilty: Acts 5:30-31; Romans 3:19,23-24.

He sees and knows where you are so that you can be saved from every form of guilt. God raised Jesus up to be your Saviour and take all your guilt away.

3. The SOURCE of all GRACE: John 1:16,29; Titus 2:11-14.

Grace is like water, you need it everywhere you are, at every point, from young to old age, till you leave this world. When you become born again when you become a worker, a leader, and till you are old and leave the world, you need grace. You need grace for every aspect of your life, there is never a time you don’t need it.

The grace of God is like the ocean of water, it has been there before you were born and will still be there after you leave this world. The level of grace you need the Lord will give to you.

G R A C E:

• God’s Redemption At Christ’s Expense
• God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense
• God’s Righteousness at Christ’s Expense

Receive the grace of God into your life, and nothing will be difficult for you.

4. The SANCTIFIER of the GODLY Hebrews 23:12-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:22-24)

Some people think they will only be sanctified after they have put in some qualifying work. No. Your Saviour who saved you is also your Sanctifier, and He will do it willingly, all by Himself, it is not something you can do by yourself (Hebrew 13:12). All you need to do is desire and ask for it in faith.

5. HE is your SUCCOUR and SUPPORT in temptation (Hebrews 2:17; 1 Corinthians 10:13)

No temptation that is beyond you that can come to you. Our God is a good Father, the test that a primary school pupil and secondary and tertiary students would write are all called exams but the contents are different. So, God in His wisdom will not allow a temptation that is beyond your ability to come to you. And when it comes your way, you will overcome, all you need to do is to look up to Christ for help. He will make a way out for you.

Someone inside the prison cell is facing the wall, backing the door, he is so dejected that even when the door is opened after he had been pronounced free, he didn’t know because he has turned his back to the door of his escape. God will make your life shiny and beautiful, just open your eyes and see what He has done for you.

6. HE is the BAPTIZER in the HOLY GHOST. Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5,8.

The word ‘baptize’ is a Greek word ‘baptize’ and it means that you are submerged in water. As for the baptism of the Holy Ghost, you are immersed by the power of God, and all fear, timidity, shivering, and lack of confidence are taken out of your life in Jesus’ name.

7. The Sun of Righteousness. Malachi 4:2; Romans 14:17.

Today, your life will take a new stature, and the glory of God will shine upon you. The sun of righteousness will rise upon you with healing in its wings. Today, every sickness in your body is taken away.

There was an old woman who stood by the side of the road, and a young man saw and wished to give her a lift to her house. She boarded the vehicle but still carried her load on her head. The driver looked back and saw this and asked why. She said she didn’t want to take too much from the young man, since he had assisted by giving her a lift, she could just carry her load by herself. He told her that since he carried her, he could also carry her load. He didn’t make fun of mama. So, mama obeyed and put down the load.

Jesus will carry you and remove your sickness from your body. He will also take you to heaven and put you down in front of your mansion. With my eagle’s eyes, I already see you in front of your mansion in heaven.

1. What Says Jesus to You?
2. “Follow Me Now, Always in All Things” (Matthew 4:19-20; John 10:4-5,27; 8:12,31; 1 Peter 2:21-24)

Jesus says you should follow Him now and, in all things, He will make your life beautiful and meaningful. He called Peter who was a fisherman and promised to make him a fisher of men. As for you who are not a fisherman, follow Christ with your mind on your life’s goals and dreams on whatever you are supposed to be: an Engineer, a doctor, etc.

After Jesus called Peter, he left his net immediately and followed Christ. Some people hold on to their nets, and they miss out on the baptism of the Holy Ghost, doing exploits and partaking in the future fishing which would bring in a multitude to God’s Kingdom.

2. “Have Faith, Never Wavering at Any Time” (Mark 11:22-24; Matthew 21:21-22; Luke 7:50; 18:8)

Jesus loves you. He is not looking at you the way you are now or the mistakes you are making, He will mend your life. If you go to the porter’s place, you will see unfinished works, but if you go back later, you will see the work completed and beautiful. God is still working on you, in the next few years, they will see the work of God complete in you.

When I was in primary school, I told you that I was very playful, and at times, I would not go to school, and my father did not know. One day, a teacher came from the University of Ibadan and gave us some algebraic sums to solve, and that day happened to be my good day, the boy who was dead to Mathematics came alive, and I got all the sums correctly. My case was like that of a dead clock that is correct at least two times a day. Not only that, I had written myself off, never imagining I could be anything in life. I saw myself as a village boy who could not go far in life.

He marked my paper 102%, apportioning 17 marks to each answer. He came to the class and distributed the papers to all others and held on to mine. He wanted to see the genius. Then, he called my name. I stood up carefully because I didn’t know what to expect. All I’ve been saying about myself was, “I cannot, I could not, I will not”, and I was always at the back of the class.

He asked “Who is this? Stand-up” He then told everyone I was a Mathematician because I got all sums correctly. Since that day, everyone called me Mathematician and brought difficult sums for me to solve. My language changed and I called myself the same. It didn’t sit well at first, but later, it clicked and the Mathematician inside me woke up fully.

Later, I went to the University of Ibadan in the year 1964 and passed out with a 1st class in Mathematics in 1967 because I said so. What are you saying about yourself? Say it, it will happen. Say it so you can have it. Say it in public and in private. Say it in your heart, say it to your friends and anyone who cares to listen and hear you. You will become what you say.

3. “Fear Not, Abide Always in My Truth”

(Luke 12:32; Mark 5:36; Acts 18:9-10; Hebrews 13:5-6)

Anytime you are called to do something, don’t say the lion, difficulty or hindrance is in the way. Be bold and courageous and in the future, you will tell me, “Daddy, you said so, I got there!” Don’t be afraid of anything or anyone. Don’t fear the bully, come out of the house, all enemies are defeated. Fear not, all enemies are destroyed. The Egyptians you see today, you will see them no more. Fear not, little flock, it is the will of your Father’s will to give you the Kingdom.

We all have a part of the Kingdom of God apportioned to us. Yours will not be given to me, and vice-versa. You are a possessor. Fear not, abide always in His truth. You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. You are free to obtain, partake, arrive, achieve, and excel in this life. You are blessed here and in eternity.

1. Works of Jesus Through Youths

Jesus will work through you and for you. Your life will shine and sparkle. He will lift you up and give you a double promotion. There was a girl when I was teaching, she got triple promotion. Jesus will promote you and lift you up.

1. What Jesus Has Done for You.

1 Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 5:2-4; Titus 2:14; John 14:2-3.

Has Christ done something for you? Forgiveness, salvation, He saved, kept and will take you home to heaven. The food is prepared for everyone in the family. If you think everybody can take and not you, you will not come to the table, but everyone’s portion is there. In the Kingdom of God, in the promises of God, your portion is there, in the salvation of God, success in life, your portion is there, cheer up, and remove the fear and weakness. Let your language, confession, habit, character and companions be new. Your companions tell who you are and who you will be. You will go forward and achieve because this is what Christ has done for you.

2. Works Jesus Is Doing in You Right Now.

John 5:17; Philip 2:13-16; 1 John 3:8-9; Romans 8:11.

Imagine a car owner near your house always washing and cleaning his car. Do you think that the car owner is wiser than Christ? Never. If he could take care of his car, Christ will work more on you. You might have slept last night tired and fagged out, and you cannot read to assimilate, He will visit and work on you even when you are sleeping, He works and resets your brain and mind and the weariness disappears. You wake up renewed and energized and you can do anything. He works on our hearts, goals, intentions and everything, He is cleaning and refuelling you. He is working every time on you. His work will never stop in your life.

Jesus still continues to work, despite the fact that all creation of God are in place. He put the stars, planets in place and we assume He has stopped working. Jesus says as God works, so does He. He works on your salvation, steadfastness, soul, spirit, journey, achievements, every aspect of your life. He works in me and in your life all the time. Every day, week, and month will lead to the next step forward. When sickness comes, He is there as the abiding Healer, Doctor who will heal your body.

3. Wonders Jesus Does Through Youths.

1 Samuel 17:33-37; Psalm 71:17; 105:17-22; John 14:13-14.

• The people of Egypt never knew that a young boy in the person of Joseph will be the one to work wonders and the whole nation of Egypt will be delivered from famine.
• The people of Israel never knew that a young child in the person of Jeremiah would be the one to show them the revelation of God and where they ought to be.
• People didn’t know that John the Baptist, a young adult is the one who will reveal the Messiah unto them.
• People did not know that Mary the virgin and young adult will be the one to bring Jesus, the Saviour to the world.
• Neither do people around you know that you are the man, the woman who will do exploits in our land, in our continent, and the world. Through your words, pronouncements, vision, eyes, auditory organs, and everything God has given to you He will fulfill His will. The world is waiting for you.
• Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Jesus is saying that we are His representatives because He had to go back to heaven so as to prepare a place for the millions who will be saved. So, we are His representatives in the different places we are.

Marine Engineers will be needed, as with so many other notable professions. So, don’t say you cannot because if Jesus were here, that’s what He will do.

To all young people today everywhere in government, in any profession, in the colleges, in the education sector, etc. God is raising you up, and you will be able to do all I have not done.

• I cannot fly a plane, some of you will,
• At this stage, I cannot be a Governor of a state or President of a country but some of you will,
• I cannot go back to school and be a lecturer or a professor (I’m already a professor of the Bible).