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Praise the Lord!!! I have two points to make this morning so I hope you'd follow me as we make the points. You know Jesus is the Son of God's love. Bible says He's the delight of the Father. Everything in heaven revolves around Jesus. You know that? Bible calls him the Sun of Righteousness. He's the center of Heaven. What happened before Jesus ascended to heaven? Was everything revolving round Jesus? No bible says God highly exalt Him. Let me read from the book of Colossians We'd pick it up from verse12.

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Col 1:12

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

See that? He has qualified us. He has made us meet. I didn't have to qualify by my good works. Bible says He imputes righteous without works. {Rom 4:6} See He qualifies us to be partakers. Verse .13 Col 1:13-14

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Last time I shared with you of about the four categories of demons: first you have principalities, then powers, then rulers of the darkness of this world, then finally wicked spirits in heavenly places {Ephesians 6:14}. Verse 13 says Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness Say I don't belong there! I have been delivered.

and He said has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son. That word dear is agape (pronounced ag-ah'-pay). Jesus rules and reign in this kingdom. Do you live there? Alright verse 14.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

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Now he you'd just take a pause there let's run to Hebrews chapter 1. Heb 1:1-4

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

The Son is the brightness of Gods glory and the express image of His person. Remember we just read Colossians 1:14-15 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: You know if you look into the mirror, you see your express image. Jesus is the express image of the Father. That's why He told Philip once you have seen me, you have seen the Father. Jesus is the express image of the Father. By Himself, when he had purged our sins; when He had done his job, Bible says He sat down. He 's no more working. He is seated, waiting for his church to put down everything under His feet. Ok lets go back to Colossians.

Col 1:16-17

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

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For by Him were all things created All things were created by Him! Wow! I told you heaven revolves around him. He is the center of the universe. Al things were created by him. Do you know heaven was made? Everything youd find in heaven was created. Only God was not created. Everything in it was created. The angels that were there were created. They were created. Verse 17

Col 1:17

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

All things were kept in place. Even the very lives are kept in place. They say around the sun, the earth revolves in orbit. It has never missed its place once. It tells you the power of Gods Word. Its showing you the efficacy of His word. Praise God. Verse 18

Col 1:18

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead

You know Jesus when He was in the earth, He had to die spiritually. Not because he did anything wrong but for our sake. Say for my sake. He had to die. He became the first person to be born out of spiritual death. Let's read on it gets better.

that in all things he might have the preeminence.

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That in all things Now remember He's the first to be born out of spiritual death. He is the last Adam. Thats what the Bible calls Him (1 Cor 15:45). There's no other coming. He's the first of a new race; the new creation.

Col 1:19

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

It says it has pleased the Father that in Him. Go to Chapter Two. He clarifies it and makes it easier for you to understand. Chapter 2, verse 0

Col 2:9

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Did you see that? In Him dwells all not some. All the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Jesus. First Jesus was on the earth. Then He died. Then He resurrected from the dead. Having resurrected from the dead, you'd see that, when He had ascended, He has sat down on throne. The fullness of God now DWELLS physically in the body of Jesus. When you get to see the God in heaven, don't expect to see three thrones. Of course I believe in trinity. But God now dwells bodily in Jesus. So when you see Him seated on that throne that's God. It has pleased the Father to do that. And He has given Him a name above all other names. Once the angels hear His name everything goes down flat.

Philippians 2. From verse 9;

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Wherefore when he says wherefore it means something came first; he said because of His humility... He was humble and obedient up to the point of death.

Phil 2:9

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Now I always like to say this to people: He was called Jesus at birth. The angels announced it at His birth. His parents called Him Jesus. All through his life He was called Jesus. After his death He was still called Jesus. But the bible says that God has highly exalted Him and given Him a name Something definitely happened after his death. In Matthew 28 he said all power is given unto Me. He didn't say some. That means the devil has nothing if you understand English. All power is given unto me... Something happened. The name Jesus is now the name that the Father answers to. The name that the Holy Ghost answers to. The Father has assumed that name. Glory! Lets read on.

Verse 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father

That at the mention of that name, some... No he said every knee. Did you notice that the word things is in parenthesis? Now since something is missing and they put things there you could as well put creatures. But this things in heaven they could be creatures or beings. Some of them look weird! So weird that after they describe them to you, you don't want to think of them afterwards.

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Like if you are trying to describe space shuttle to your great grandmother who has never seen an airplane in her life... to her it would make no sense. But youd have to find something similar that you could use to describe In the same way, there are things in heaven, you cant find a way to describe them. They just look weird! Like aliens! But there are things to see in heaven. Praise God.

Once that name is mentioned think about it, angels hit the floor. If creatures in heaven fall at that name, which beings on earth? Is there anything on earth that is giving you cause for concern. Maybe you havent been calling the name of Jesus on that person. It said at the name of Jesus the knees of things in earth must bow. He even calls the three worlds; he said they must bow! This is a command by God. Once two hear the name of Jesus you must respond. You have no option. Is there anything you need to talk to? Youd tell it, at the name you should bow. You MUST bow! There is no option and you must not give it an option in your mind. Tell it it must bow. You must have confidence in that name. You see how powerful that name is? He said of things in heaven.

When Jesus rose again, He said All authority has been given unto me. He said go therefore You cannot fail. Jesus thinks you cannot fail. And He can't imagine you failing!

One time a man of God laid hands on a man who had a back problem. Now Jesus had earlier spoke to him; He said if the sickness is caused by a demon it would go. So during a meeting when the man of God saw this man with the case, he prayed for the sick man. Then he told him Bend down and see if it would work Of course it didnt work, and he sent back to his seat. Then Jesus appeared to him and told him, I told you you would cast out devils in my name. The man said, Yes Lord, but I did it and it did not work! Then Jesus said, I told you, you would cast out devils in my name. The man said, Yes Lord. I did, it did not work!

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Third time Jesus said to him, eyes flashing, I told YOU that you would cast out devils in my name! Then He disappeared. He can't imagine that! How dare you say you used the name of Jesus and it did not work! Against who? Which devil? Firstly you need to understand that before the Cross people would understand that God and the devil where equal and opposite force on both sides. How untrue! The devil is a created being! Before he even became the devilThe devil said It was given unto me talking about how he took the authority from Adam (Luke 4:6). You see the devil never had the authority he had from the start, Adam gave it to him; the power he gave it up for nothing. That's why its called high treason. Never give up what God has given you for nothing. Bible says Jesus met him in hell. He stripped them of all power. Bible said He spoiled principalities. Hebrews 2:14 said Let's look at it instead

Heb 2:14-15

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he{talking about Jesus} also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

The word destroy there it means to annihilate, to paralyze. This was even at his death! He paralyzed him. You know there are some competitions that people have entered where they have lost the use of their body functions, they may come back paralyzed. Some even may lose their lives. Some people have lost their limbs.

The devil has a permanent damaged he has not recovered from. Brain damage! Spinal cord damage! Have you ever seen a paralyzed person? May God open your eyes to see that devil in that wheelchair. He paralyzed him; collected the keys of hell and death. Jesus took it from the devil. Said I got the keys! He is so

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paralyzed now With brain damaged. That was at the cross, you can't imagine how he is now: in a sorry state.

So Jesus said to that man of God, I told you you will cast out devils in my name. When Jesus disappeared, the man realized! So he called the man back and this time said, Bend down! Cos he realized every time he said if he nullified it. Previously hed say Bend down and see IF you could touch your toes We don't use the name and say let's see if it would work. I know it would work!

Is there anybody that has been harassing you? Call His name. Thats a name that work! Thats No. 1: Its a name above every name. Say. Maybe I should give you... Is there anything you'd like to handle in the name of Jesus? Let me give you two minutes. Call the name of Jesus on that situation. Maybe in your body talk to it. There's power in the name There's victory in the name There's protection in the name Wherefore God has highly exalted Him... Thank you Lord. Halleluyah! Say thank you Lord, because it has changed. THERE IS A CHANGE IN THE NAME OF JESUS. Thank you Lord!. Alright second point: Romans 14. Wow! Now you know why we shout, cause nothing ever troubles us. You say is there nothing really? Well thats why we have been given the name. And we know how to use it! The name has been given to all. Some know how to use it, some don't. We use it to work miracles. Like for example, how many of you are car owners? You could even show me the keys, but you don't know how to drive. So they suffer world order even though you have the name. You suffer and suffer, even cry to God. God is not moved because he has given you the tools. He said work out your salvation. And you can't threaten God even in your prayers. From verse 13:

Rom 14:13-17

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

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I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

The kingdom of God is not meat and drink... But it is righteousness! First of all, the kingdom is righteousness. Bible tells up of Jesus, (Rom 4:25)Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Then chapter 5:1, its all the same; Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

2 Corinthians 5:21 says, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. We have been declared not guilty that's what justification is. Not forgiveness. There is a reason for that! The person who did those things died in Christ, this one is a new creation. He never existed! And he was born into righteousness you understand? He couldnt have had a past. So he says tye kingdom of God is righteousness! We need to be righteousness conscious; the rightness of God in a man. But because of our religion and upbringing we have been sin conscious.

Then next he said, the kingdom of God is peace. You know I told you what peace is Not the absence of troubles. Rather it is the power of control. Thats why Jesus when he was on that boat could sleep.

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Isa 32.17

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

Thats the same thing he said in Romans. Romans said, we have peace with God. Isaiah is now saying the work of righteousness shall be peace! It produces peace in your life. There is a quietness of the Spirit in your life. There is a peace inside you. There is trouble around you but there is quietness. Why? Its the effect of peace. Some say Im an optimist. No no no, I'm not optimist. I know! The effect of righteousness. I know that I know that I know that I know! Alright back to Romans. Verse 14. Look at the last one. And JOY!

Joy in the Holy Ghost. Joy is characterized by laughter, shouting and dancing. Remember it is a fruit of the Holy Ghost. Isaiah tells us with joy you shall draw waters out of the wells of salvation! (Isaiah 12:3). The joy of the Lord that would make you laugh all the time. Sometimes you'd see people that look like they've been baptized in lemon juice, looking serious all the time! Everything is very serious. And you know if you are not a joyful and happy person, money would not gravitate towards you. Do you have the joy of the Holy Ghost? I mean, there are people; he has the righteousness but he doesn't express it! Just same way some have the joy but they don't express it. Ask the person next to you, what is the matter? You know its strange, the times we are in, were we pay people to say nonsense just so that they could make us laugh. What kind of rubbish is that? But you are like your Father. Just start laughing. Amen? And the devil is wondering, what is the matter? He shouldn't be laughing! Say Devil you may have meant this for evil but joy comes in the morning!

Verse 18:

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For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

In these things What things? In righteousness, in peace and in joy. Can you see that? You are acceptable to God!

Alright 1 Peter chapter 1.Verse six.

1 Peter 1:6-7

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Oh glory. He said then you'd understand why you've been going through tough times. Not tough times of not having a job. But talking about trials that come to you because of your faith in Jesus, cause everyone has abandon you cause you believe in Jesus.

1 Peter 1:8

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Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Did you see that? Your lips alone can't express this joy. You see a man doesn't have money in his pocket but he has joy. You know sometimes people come to testify, He done for me But this joy is not based on things, its from the inside! Thats what the early church had. Let's read on.

1 Peter 1:9-10

Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

Did you see that? Back in the Old Testament they prophesied about the grace that should come. Has it come? Yes! See that? We are the beneficiaries of this grace. Continue.

11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

AND THE GLORY... Christ has come. He suffered and He died. And He has risen. This is the glory that follows. Now you understand. Look at this:

1 Peter 1:12

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Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Do you see that? Oh I do not think angels want to look into a life of gloom. That would not interest them that would not excite them. But a life of joy expressing joy all the time! You would catch the attention of angels. A life full of the Holy Ghost! Hmmm! Sometimes things may occur; youd say I have a matter to handle, and you say Im going to do all night prayer. Its good to revert to prayer, but do it with joy. To engage in prayer without the Holy Ghost is not the way. It would not work. Or some say, Im going to declare seven days fast I believe in fasting, but do it with joy. And dont think that its by your fasting things are going to change, its not by fasting brother! Jesus, bible said, having done all things, He sat down. So its not by your fasting that would now make God watch you. Its the joy of the Holy Ghost! Worry? Me? I have the joy in the Holy Ghost! Are you with me? Listen when youve received the Holy Ghost, you have this joy inside you! Youve got to express the joy thats inside you. Get excited! Dont come to church looking gloomy! Listen dont let things and issues rule your life. Joy in the Holy Ghost!

You may say I have this burden. If you feel you have a burden, go and pray don't come and pass it on other people. Go and pray! When the burden has lifted you'd feel this joy that would come. Then you'd break out into laughter. Then you'd be so full of the Holy Ghost you'd begin to dance. The joy of the Lord! You just bubble all the time. Lift your hands and begin to joy. Joy in the Holy. Glory! (Tongues) I've got joy in the Holy Ghost!

Dont come singing mournfully, I love you with the love of the Lord No! There is joy inside you. Youve just got to pull it out! Joy in the Holy Ghost! You carry it with you all the time! Joy in the Holy Ghost. And that is your strength! The joy of the Lord is your strength. Remember its a glorious life He gave to us, full of glory! Thank you Jesus. Just lift your hand and thank Him for this joy inside of you. Halleluyah.

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