“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader among them.””

Numbers 13:1-2 NKJV

Introduction 

• I enjoy watching spy movies like James Bond; Mission Impossible; Mr & Mrs Smith and even Johnny English 🤣
• Spies 🕵️‍♂️ are always equipped with the latest technology gadgets
• Those gadgets were fictional in the 70s, 80s & 90s and today they are reality´

• So, God is the first one who gave a mission to the spies and equipped them with His word and the testimony of what He has already done
• We are also equipped by Gods word and our testimonies
• If what the spy movies promised has come to pass, how much more what’s God promises in this Word?

God doesn’t lie

““God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”

Numbers 23:19 NKJV

• When God gives a promise it doesn’t always happen instantly but rest assured that it will come to pass.

• Words in general are powerful but Gods Word supersede everything because nothing exists without His word.
• When you profess and declare the bible with the Holy Spirit influence, the devil is not able to distinguish if it’s you or God speaking.
• For those who are expecting something new, I am sorry to disappoint you but have you done what you already know?
• God has been speaking do we have faith to receive His promise?
• The root of all evil and sin is unbelief

• What He says will happen with or without your participation
• He doesn’t need you, you need Him

““For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

Isaiah 55:10-11 NKJV

Mission Deliverables

Numbers 13:3, 17-20 NKJV

• These were seven 7️⃣ things for them to deliver

Numbers 13:23-29 NKJV

• They were given 7 things to spy and they only gave feedback on 4

• These guys didn’t take notes 📝 of their mission

Numbers 13:30-33 NKJV

• I am sure that they were arguing all the way back to the Israelites camp ⛺️ about which report they must give to the people of God
• Caleb saw that they are straying and tried to save the day which ended up going Southwards

Numbers 14:1-10 NKJV

• There is a message of defeat that causes people of God to lose hope
• Be careful of what you consume on social media, TV, radio and etc.
• Whose report do you believe?
• People wanted to elect a new leader, and that is not how the things of God works.
• Things of God don’t work with democracy.
• The leaders were devastated by this situation.
• Let’s be like Joshua and Caleb 

John 14:1-6 NKJV

Introduction 

• Thomas had a great role in the bible

Present with Him

• Where I am, there you may be also
• There are 2 extremes - people who just want to make it to heaven and people who are so caught up with earth that they will miss heaven.
• Wherever you go, have Jesus Christ with you.
• Uyephi uJesu wakho uma esusemsebenzini with your co-workers
• We must not miss to be present with Him where He is
• “Where I go you know, and the way you know” statement made Thomas ask the question 🙋‍♂️ 
• Thomas was always attentive to what Jesus said
• We were never going to know this statement if he was quiet

The Way

• Jesus is saying “I am the way”, this can be defined as 

1. the path, road, track and direction
2. a method, style, or manner of doing something; an optional or alternative form of action. e.g. I don’t like his way of doing braai meat 🥩 . The customary behaviour or practices of a group e.g. African way of respect. 

• Both definitions are fitting to who Jesus Christ is to us
• Jesus Christ models the way we do life hence we are called Christians 

Acts 11:26 NKJV

• Jesus Christ started a new culture called Christianity ✝️
• The world must see Christ in us with no doubt

Colossians 1:27 NKJV

• People don’t know Jesus but they know us His representatives

Other ways 

• There is a Zulu prophet who is called the way which is blasphemous since his followers are reading the same bible as us
• However it may be true, there are ways to different directions
• Jesus is the way to eternal life
• Other ways May lead you to other destinations
• A Lamborghini vs Auris example 

Isaiah 43:19 NKJV

Isaiah 41:18 NKJV

• God makes a way where there is no way

The Truth

John 1:14 NKJV

John 1:17 NKJV

• Jesus Christ has grace and truth
• The combination of the two makes powerful characters in us as His followers
• Truth aligns us with what God requires in our lives
• The word of God is the truth we should fill our hearts with

John 8:32 NKJV

• The truth set us free, the devil wants to see us bound in lies
• People don’t want to told the truth, as preachers we are put under pressure to compromise the truth
• People uses money to keep influence the truth
• People threatens you with membership growth and relevance to compromise the truth
• When you fall into that pit, then everybody relax and seep a cocktail 🍹 of sin
• The devil is a liar from the beginning
• He disguises the lies with a percentage of truth

John 8:44 NKJV

• The end game of lies and following devil is death 💀
• He wants your marriage dead 

James 1:13-16 NKJV

• Don’t be deceived, know The Truth

Truth + Grace = Life 

Truth + Condemnation = Death 

Conclusion: The Life

John 1:4 NKJV

• Jesus is the Life Giver
• A dead Adam lying there needed a breath of God to become a living being
• There is no life without Jesus

Ephesians 2:1-6 NKJV

I AM Part 7 : I am a Good Shepherd 🐑🐏

““Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”

John 10:1-16 NKJV

Introduction 

• Genesis 4 we already see the first Shepherd in Abel whose sacrifice was accepted by God
• Abel is a type of Jesus who died in the hands of His own
• If there is no shepherd the sheep 🐑 become a wild animal
• The natural instinct of the sheep is to stray - if we are not shepherded correctly we are bound to stray
• They follow the green even to the point of being exposed to danger

Shepherd Fights

Genesis 13:5-13 

• Don’t take a Lot when God calls you to anew
• Some of our problems is because we have a Lot to deal with 
• It’s an unhealthy habit to fight for sheep
• The church is having a lot of shepherd fighting in stead of working together
• There should be unity in the body of Christ 
• The green pastures are not always the best option when there are people who will corrupt what God is doing in your life 

Good Shepherd / Bad Shepherd 

Exodus 2:15-21 NKJV

• If Jesus says He is a good shepherd then there should be bad shepherd 
• Moses chased away bad shepherds who were taking advantage of the women 
• Things happen faster if you are submitted to a shepherd 

I Samuel 17:15, 26-28 NKJV

• Stop getting involved in battles that doesn’t matter
• Know your enemies and fight against them not your brother 

I Samuel 17:34-37 NKJV

• Overwhelming never ending reckless love of God
• Real love is not afraid of death but defeat death
• Hireling flees away from danger
• Jesus goes where it’s dangerous for the sheep

Who is your Shepherd?

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.”

Psalms 23:1-6 NKJV

Conclusion 

John 17:12 NKJV

• Jesus is like a pilot 👨‍✈️, He will get you home safely
• His main goal is to get us safe in n heaven
  

“““Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

John 10:1-10 NKJV

Introduction 

Different Types of Doors

1. Sensor doors - need you to be in the proximity of the entry
2. Deadman switch doors - when you open it stops the activity and make area safe
3. Burglar bars gate - makes it hard to break in 
4. Access code doors - wrong code doesn’t work. 
5. Fingerprint scanner door - it must be you and nobody else (There is a personal door for you)

Access Denied

Revelation 3:20-21 NKJV

• Jesus is knocking at the door 🚪 of our hearts
• Many times we lock Jesus out of our hearts because of the cares of this world
• There are benefits of opening the doors of our heart to Him
• The one who created the heart is knocking instead of breaking in
• It’s a democratic decision to open Jesus
• Don’t give access to the devil
• The devil comes as a desire to satisfy a specific need
• He doesn’t have a gentle knock like Jesus

Genesis 4:7 NKJV

• “If you do well you will be accepted”
• Today’s gospel doesn’t encourage people to do well
• We preach that God accept you the way you are which is true but the greater truth is that He won’t leave you the way you are
• If you don’t do well sin lies at the door
• So, the devil is imitating Jesus by standing at the door waiting for you to open
• Many families have opened for the devil and found themselves destroyed
• Many churches have open for the devil and ended up splitter and believers backsliding
• Many friendships … and ended up as enemies
• Ended up … broke, stranded, hopeless, desperate, lonely, stranded, confused … that what the devil does best when we open for him

1. The devil breaks into your door
2. The devil uses lies and is the imposter 
3. The devil uses fear to make you open the door for him 

• Jesus possesses the power to secure your life and protect you from the devil

Exodus 12:22-23 NKJV

• The blood of the lamb 🐑 on the doorpost saved the children of Israel 🇮🇱 from destruction
• There are things we do to keep the devil out of our lives
• There is a lot of destruction happening in our world, our doorpost must have the blood of the lamb

VIP Access 

Luke 13:24-27 NKJV

• There is a V.I.P access for anyone who wants to join us to eternal life in heaven
• People deny themselves the opportunity to come in as V.I.Ps in a smaller door
• The option taken is always where everyone is going

Revelation 3:8 NKJV

• Jesus opens a door of opportunity for us and no man can shut it
• Many people will shut the door on your face but Jesus…
• There are many doors that Jesus open in your life 

Conclusion: Door that leads to Salvation 

Genesis 6:16 NKJV

• A specific measurement of size is given to Noah to build an ark
• If Noah doesn’t do as instructed by God, some of the animals were not going to enter the door
• God wanted to save everyone who believed, all they needed to do was to get in through the door 
• That door is Jesus
• The same is happening today, all we need to do is to believe

Amen 🙏🏾 

Introduction 

• Lazarus died 2 days after his sisters sent a message to Jesus about his illness 
• Journey from Galilee to Judea (Bethany) was 113 km - 4 days 
• With no telephone 📞 or cellular phone 📱 the only way to send a message was through the messenger who could have also taken 4 days to get to Jesus (2.5 days if walking day and night)
• There only one way to save Lazarus from dying was for Jesus to send a word of prayer to heal him from where He was
• Jesus chose to stay where He was because he loved Martha and Mary an Lazarus

When Will Jesus Show Up?

• Jesu ufik’ ekuseni 🎵 didn’t apply in this situation. Jesu came when it was hopeless
• How do you deal with a late reply from your Lord God who created the whole universe?
• How do you deal with the delayed response from your God?
• Jesus loved Lazarus confirmed more than once in this passage of scripture 

John 11:3 NKJV

John 11:5-6 NKJV

Death Downgrade to Lullaby 

John 11:11-16 NKJV

• The statement of Thomas was confirming Matthew 16:24

Matthew 16:24-26 NKJV

Martha’s Theological Discussions With Jesus 

John 11:17-27 NKJV

• Martha left the mourners and Mary at home to meet Jesus on His way to her home
• Many people in our days would have judged her for that
• Martha wanted a physical presence of Jesus in her life like we do
• Martha had so much faith in Jesus healing his brother but didn’t expect resurrection to happen not after 4 days
• Martha believed in the resurrection at the last day
• Jesus said “I am the resurrection and life” when He was speaking to Martha
• We wouldn’t be preaching about this topic if it wasn’t for Martha’s discussion with Jesus away from the mourners
• “Do you believe this, Martha”
• In faith Martha answered yes and Jesus used her yes to do the miracle
• Jesus doesn’t have resurrection power but He is resurrection
• If you have Him in you all dead things including you will be resurrected

Jesus is Mourning With Mary

John 11:32-35 NLT

• Mary had a different expression than her sister, we know this even from other scriptures about her
• Jesus didn’t have a theological discussions with her but He wept with her
• Sometimes we must check the situation before we talk too much
• A mourning person don’t want your theology but your presence
• Mourners had a funny attitude, they kept on whispering 

John 11:36-44 NLT

• The smell of death is terrible 
• Jesus is calling you out of death to eternal life 
• (1) Hands (2) Feet (3) Face bound with grave clothes - Jesus has power to deliver us. 

Conclusion: Public enemy but Jesus’ friend 

John 11:50-53 NLT

• Clever people plot to kill Jesus for resurrecting Lazarus
• In doing that they were fulfilling the purpose and assignment of Jesus
• God can use the words of your enemies to prophesy your destiny
• God is always in control, never doubt His sovereignty
• He does what He wants to every time He wants to.
• The death of Jesus brought the nations of the world 🌍 together and salvation in our lives
• Healing ❤️‍🩹 and the power of deliverance is found in Jesus

John 12:9-11 NLT

• The devil is not satisfied to kill you once but he wants to kill again
• Your testimony is a threat to the kingdom of darkness 
• Keep your testimony of where God saved you from
• We overcame the devil by the blood of Jesus and the word of our testimony 

Revelation 12:11 NKJV

• It’s bothers the devil that there are people who are saved by God and he will fight it with all his strength
• We need to stand bold and declare then lol word of God
• We are over-comers and He is resurrection and life

Amen 🙏🏾 

Romans 8:34

Isaiah 53:8-11

John 15:1-17

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.””

John 8:12 NKJV

Introduction 

• Light is the most important ingredient of life.
• Without it we would be not just living in darkness but we will hardly ever survive.
• As South Africa is facing energy crisis due to Eskom load shedding, we have opted for alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power, also know as clean energy sources.
• Solar energy is a free gift of God available for everyone however only with solar system can convert it to electricity.
• Jesus is also available for everyone but only people who give their life to Him have access to eternal life.
• Remember the two thieves at the cross had equal access to Jesus but only the one who believed got eternal life.
• One can increase the capacity to receive more from Jesus the same way we increase our capacity to receive solar power until we are off-grid

In creation 

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.”

Genesis 1:1-5 NKJV

• There we 3 problems that The Trinity Had to deal with:

1. Earth with no form - תֹּהוּ - tôhû -to'-hoo ~{From an unused root meaning to lie waste; a desolation (of surface), that is, desert; figuratively a worthless thing; adverbially in vain: - confusion, empty place, without form, nothing, (thing of) nought, vain, vanity, waste, wilderness.}
2. Void - בֹּהוּ - bôhû - bo'-hoo ~{From an unused root (meaning to be empty); a vacuity, that is, (superficially) an undistinguishable ruin: - emptiness, void.}
3. Darkness in the face of the deep - חֹשֶׁךְ - chôshek - kho-shek' ~{From H2821; the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness: - dark (-ness), night, obscurity.}

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

John 1:4-5 NKJV

• God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.💡 
• After saying this, all the issues listed above were resolved.
• We can do the same today, let’s call for the light to shine in our lives.

• God created light for us as His children.
• The earth depends on the light to survive, human beings, plants 🌱 and animals 🐇 can’t survive without sunlight.
• The plants take our CO2 + H2O > Glucose + O2
• We can’t breathe without the light.
• We can’t breath without Jesus - John 1:4-5
• When Jesus Christ shines on us the darkness have to disappear
• Light and darkness cannot share the space

Knowledge of the Word

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”

Psalms 119:105 NKJV

• The Spirit moved upon the face of the deep and God said… 
• This is how we experience light in our lives.
• God speaks and light 💡 comes.
• Light is the revelation of Gods word in our lives
• Imagine a world without light
• Our default setting is spiritual blindness
• Without light we can’t walk or drive or work or eat
• If we walk in darkness we are vulnerable to danger
• A child sometimes sleep when there is light because light drives away fear.

Love for darkness 

1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 NLT

• The world like darkness, they exalt it however they don’t like the consequences of it.

Psalms 18:28 NKJV

Ephesians 5:8 NKJV

Daniel 2:22 NLT

1 John 1:5-6 NLT

I AM Part 2 : Bread 🍞Of Life

“Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.”

John 6:15 NKJV

Introduction

• How do you deal with the complexity of success?
• We normally capitalise on yesterday’s success to project today’s successes.
• I am the best thing ever happened… 
• What does Jesus do every time He succeeded?
• He would withdraw from the crowds to get an intimate time with God.
• Advice: run away from the people who want to make you… king or whatever.
• The social media that made you can also destroy you.
• The boss that promoted you even when you didn’t deserve promotion will be the one firing or demoting you when you can’t deliver.
• Whatever Jesus does for you have a deeper spiritual meaning than what the eye can see.
• You don’t make Jesus what He already is.
• That’s a bad attitude of the devil himself.
• When you are doing what God called you to do, you shouldn’t be hunting for fame because it will come naturally.
• You will stand up above the rest and you will have a spirit of excellence in all you do.
• Whether you are a baker or a teacher or a professional or a scholar or a preacher.
• When king Saul was looking for a best harp psalmist in the country they called for David.
• When they were looking for a dream interpreter they went for a prisoner.
• Don’t chase fame, rather chase excellence and spend time with God.

Seeking Jesus

John 6:24-25 NKJV

• Seeking Jesus is always a good thing.
• The question is why?

3 questions they asked to Jesus.

1. They asked Jesus when did You come here?
2. “Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”” John 6:28 NKJV
3. “Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do?”John 6:30 NKJV

And then they hinted Him:

John 6:31 NKJV

• The hint was give us that bread 🍞 you gave us on the other side of the river.
• They missed the true meaning of bread.
• If Jesus fell into a trap of people pleasing, He would have been a showman instead of a Savior.
• They wanted Jesus to show off.
• They were so used to the display of magicians.
• The hunger they had was not for God but for miracles.
• Our hunger should be for Jesus Christ Himself not for what He can do.
• 🎶 King of glory fill this place, I just want to be with you.

I AM a bread of life

• Now that we have a background of this story. 

John 6:32-38 NKJV

• Bazalwane, God is a giver and you can never out-give Him.
• Moses did not give you… God did.
• Your father did not give you, God did.
• We have misrepresented God as a needy God.
• If anything when we give, it’s because He has already given to us.
• All we are doing is to steward or distribute what He has given to the right places.
• The more we give in the right places the more He blesses so that we can give more.
• The Bread 🍞 in this instance is Jesus Christ.
• The reason why you have been hungry is because you have been eating wrong diet.
• The bible started with dietary prescriptions and restrictions.
• Jesus is coming in to fulfill Genesis 2.
• There were 2 special trees.
• The one that will cause you to surely die 💀 
• The one that gives life.
• Jesus is both the baker and the bread.
• We shall never hunger or thirst again.
• The problems in this world are caused by hunger, yes physically and spiritually.
• Jesus is the only solution