Apostle Allison Smith Conliff explores themes of divine loyalty and the consequences of sin based on the book of Jeremiah. She warns congregants against casual faith and the hollow practice of placing worldly vices in coffins, emphasizing that death offers no escape from spiritual accountability. By contrasting the "stony hearts" of the ancient Judeans with the resilience of modern believers, the message encourages listeners to reject reliance on human influence in favor of trusting God. Those who prioritize fleshly pursuits are likened to stunted desert shrubs, while those who anchor themselves in Christ are compared to flourishing trees planted by water. Ultimately, the message serves as a call to integrity and spiritual freedom, reminding the audience that God searches the motives of the heart to reward each person according to their deeds.

Key Points:

The sermon characterizes the eternal consequences of choosing sin over righteousness as a definitive, irreversible separation from God, emphasizing that earthly habits and vices cannot follow an individual into the afterlife.

The Accountability of the Soul: Every individual is assigned a specific time on earth and must eventually give an account of their life. The sermon rejects the idea that individuals can continue in sin, such as drug use or excessive drinking, and expect a favorable welcome in heaven. Rather than hearing "well done," those who choose sin will be asked, "What have you done with my son [Jesus]?". The Apostle stresses that there is no "purgatory" or middle ground; the only options are heaven or hell.

The Loss of Divine Inheritance: Choosing sin results in the loss of spiritual and eternal rewards:

• Loss of Heritage: Living in sin causes the "wonderful inheritance" God has reserved to "slip out" of a person's hands.
• Eternal Anger: The sermon warns that persistent sin kindles God’s anger into a "roaring fire that will burn forever".
• The "Sting" of Death: For those who live for God, death has "no sting" and the grave has "no victory". Conversely, those without God will "feel the sting" once they depart this life and realize they are on "the other side".

The Metaphor of the Stunted Shrub vs. the Fruitful Tree: The sermon uses imagery from the book of Jeremiah to contrast the eternal states of the sinful and the righteous:

• The Sinful: Those who turn their hearts from God are likened to "stunted shrubs in the desert" with no hope for the future. They are destined to inhabit "parched places" and "salt land" where there is no life because of the judgment on their sinful choices.
• The Righteous: Those who trust in the Lord are like trees planted by the water, remaining green and constantly yielding fruit even in times of drought.

The Law of Sowing and Reaping: The sermon concludes that God searches the heart and examines secret motives to give "all people their due reward". Choosing wickedness is described as sowing "thorns and thistles" that will eventually cause the individual pain, while choosing righteousness leads to reaping mercy and blessings. Apostle Allison asserts that it is a "fairy tale" to believe one can live as a murderer, thief, or "wicked man" and still enter heaven "like a docile lamb".

Rec. Date: 15th October, 2023