Tony Alamo with Tony Alamo World Wide Ministries
The Kingdom at Hand: Purpose, Poverty, and the Call to Live Heaven on Earth
Ep225 How To Have Gods Life Living In You Part 123
Program 225 Opens With Rovon and the Purpose of Ministry
In Program 225, part 123 of How to Have God’s Life Living in You, Tony Alamo opens by offering listeners a free CD or audio tape copy and then reflects on his former career in entertainment promotion. He recounts how, after becoming a Christian, Susie encouraged him to promote the singer Rovon, whose real name is given as Jim Hahn, in order to show that he had not lost his abilities or judgment after leaving the worldly entertainment field. Tony uses this story to emphasize that he believes his true purpose is no longer worldly promotion, but preaching that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Promotion, Fame, and the Warning of a Divided Life
Tony tells the story of Rovon’s rapid rise from working in a lumberyard to becoming a headliner at the Dunes Hotel Casino de Paris, receiving RCA Victor attention, appearing on major stages, and recording “The Lord’s Prayer.” He says he wanted Rovon to focus entirely on gospel music, but claims Rovon continued to pursue worldly fame and died young after ignoring spiritual warnings. Tony presents this as a cautionary example: being born again, in his view, must be followed by obedience to the Lord’s purpose, or the profession of faith “doesn’t count at all.”
Repentance and the Kingdom of Heaven
The sermon turns to Jesus’ first public proclamation after His baptism and wilderness temptation: “Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Tony teaches that the kingdom of heaven entered the world through Christ and can now live inside believers when they repent, receive cleansing through Christ’s blood, and are filled by the Spirit. He argues that the central purpose of Christian life is not comfort, wealth, food, houses, cars, or personal ambition, but representing the kingdom of heaven on earth through obedience, ministry, and service.
Africa, Poverty, and the Commonwealth of the Kingdom
Tony then focuses heavily on ministry work in Africa, describing reports from Buster and his wife about poverty, lack of toilets, unsafe water, hunger, shelter needs, and people sleeping outdoors. He contrasts the material desires of many American Christians with what he describes as African believers asking primarily for literature, Bibles, and the Messiah book. Tony says the ministry is helping with tools, bathrooms, water tanks, food, and practical instruction, and he challenges listeners to contribute rather than merely call themselves Christians. His claims about African conditions and ministry impact are presented as his statements from the transcript, not independently verified facts.
Prayer for Anointing, Giving, and Kingdom Responsibility
Tony prays over the program, thanking God for the kingdom of heaven living in believers and asking that people be convicted to help build it on earth. The prayer emphasizes sowing and reaping, financial giving, truth, obedience, discipline, care for the poor, clean water, food, shelter, and ministry expansion. He criticizes prosperity preachers, expensive lifestyles, and religious leaders he believes falsely claim to be doing major work overseas, while presenting his own ministry as directly involved in practical aid and gospel work. The prayer reinforces the episode’s core theme: those who truly belong to the kingdom should show it through action.
Letters From Nigeria, Atlanta, India, and Chile
Sharon reads several letters requesting materials and reporting ministry activity. A letter from Nigeria describes a Christian library, sermon tapes, Bibles, literature, and reported decisions for Christ in a school for the handicapped. A listener from Atlanta asks for Bibles, Bible dictionaries, concordances, literature packets, and guidance to establish Bible studies throughout the area. A pastor from Andhra Pradesh, India thanks Tony for newsletters and says the literature is changing lives in local villages. A letter from Santiago, Chile requests messages on CD or tape for a rented radio program, which Tony praises because the writer is not asking for money to air the broadcasts.
Solomon, Purpose, and the Closing Call to Salvation
Near the end, Tony begins a message on purpose, using King Solomon and Proverbs 19:21 to contrast human plans with the Lord’s purpose. He argues that people spend their days pursuing routines, grooming, errands, and personal plans without asking what God wants them to do. For Tony, the highest purpose is to preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. He closes by urging listeners to repent, become born of the Spirit, receive the kingdom of heaven within, and say a salvation prayer. Sharon then gives the ministry website, mailing address, phone, and fax information for receiving Program 225 free of charge, and Tony previews part 124.