Apostle Allison Smith Conliff emphasizes the necessity of spiritual alertness and unwavering faith, warning the congregation about global disasters and a forthcoming divine "shaking" of the nation. Drawing from the Book of Acts, the sermon highlights the resilience of the Apostle Paul, using his trials and legal defenses to encourage believers to remain steadfast against worldly criticism. Apostle Conliff shares personal testimony regarding God’s goodness and protection, urging her audience to live consecrated lives rather than secret, sinful ones. The message concludes with a call for intentional positioning and faithfulness, reminding the church that they are handpicked by God to serve as witnesses of His power.

Key Points:

A believer's private character and public spiritual testimony must be fully aligned and consistent, as God expects a life of total consecration rather than "part-time" devotion.

Here are the specific ways a believer's private character should reflect their public testimony:

The Apostle highlights a concern that some individuals in the church maintain a "secret" lifestyle that does not match their public persona. Apostle Allison emphasizes that believers will eventually give an account for their lives, implying that private actions must be able to withstand divine scrutiny. To reflect a true spiritual testimony, one's "secret time" should be dedicated to activities that nourish the soul, such as reading or listening to the Bible, worship, and prayer, rather than entertaining "slackness" or impurity.

Drawing from the example of the Apostle Paul, a believer should be able to state boldly that they have lived their life "with a perfectly good conscience" before God. This means that a believer’s private decisions and inner thoughts should align with the word of God so that their public testimony has "backing behind it". If God has truly changed a person's life, that change must be visible to others; if people cannot see the difference, it suggests a disconnect in the life being lived.

The Apostle critiques the idea of being "part-time believers," noting that God selects people for full-time commitment. A believer's testimony is not something that is switched on only during church services; it is a 24/7 responsibility where they "go with the rules" of the Kingdom rather than trying to modify God's word to suit their own preferences. This includes:

• Integrity in speech: Private promises should be kept with the same weight as public ones. For example, if you tell someone you are bringing them lunch or giving them money, you must do it, as failing to do so makes one a "liar" regardless of their spiritual standing.
• Attitude in service: Even tasks done out of the public eye, such as cleaning the church or "mopping for Jesus," should be done with a joyful heart and a right attitude, reflecting a genuine love for God rather than a desire for recognition.

In private, believers must choose not to "fit into the puzzle of the system of the world". This involves standing up for God's laws even when society legalizes or encourages things that God is against. Character is defined by the refusal to pervert one's mind with worldly influences, ensuring that the internal presence of Christ, the one who "lives on the inside", is not dismissed or suppressed by private sin.

Finally, the character of the individual determines the weight of their spiritual influence. Apostle Allison notes she is careful about who she allows to minister or "lay hands" on others because many believers currently do not reflect Christ as they should. A true testimony is born when a believer's past, "mess", is sanctified into a "message," and they are no longer ashamed to testify about how God changed their private lifestyle.

Rec. Date: 7th July 2024