- Theme: REAPING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND DIVINE REMEMBERANCE
- Texts: Gen. 8:22; Hos. 10:12; Jn. 4:35-38; Gal.6:7
- Topic: LIVING TO DIE AND DYING TO LIVE
- Subtexts: Isa. 22:13; Matt. 19:16-22; Jn. 12:24,25
DAY 21 Outline (RECAP) – LIVING TO DIE AND DYING TO LIVE – 21-Days, 2026 FIRST-FRUIT Prayers and Fasting
FASTING EXERCISE
,FIRST FRUIT FASTING
,GENERAL
February 16, 2026
WATCHMAN CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL MOVEMENT
21 Days FIRST FRUIT FASTING FELLOWSHIP 2026 (Premium Edition) (Day 21)
We shall be concluding our 21 days First Fruit Fasting exercise with this message that happens to be a catch-phrase of the angel of God to this movement.
Testimonies abound of the wondrous experiences that participants have got:
spiritual awareness, purification of life and spiritual empowerment; aside physical and matrimonial restoration.
The testimonies accord with the prophecy of the Golden Era that the movement has entered.
Today‟s message is the key to participating and sustaining the glory that is being revealed.
Our first two texts reveal the mindset of men who are ignorant of the ways of God:
the first being the erring Israelites that should have been mourning and seeking God‟s mercy choosing rather to gratify their senses while there is earthly life; while the second was a religious man who loved the husk that he had accumulated more than the needed invaluable reality-eternal life. These were people living to die.
While the 3rd text was the Master‟s revelation of the secret of enjoying the prosperous life of God: dying to earthly life.
Our message shall come under the following subsections: (A) Living to die (B) Dying to live (C) The Sequel of the Ways
(A) LIVING TO DIE (Isa. 22:13; Matt. 4:4, 19:16-22; 1Cor. 15:36)
“Living to die” is about concentrating on one‟s terrestrial existence ie just focusing
on matters of earthly consequence without preparation for the next life. Therefore, they only bother about what to eat and drink, wear; where to live; resources for
offspring and dependents which are all good things but very insufficient (Prov. 13:22 cp. Lk. 4:4, 12:19-21)
This “living to die” group is made up of 2 categories of persons: (i) the unsaved (adamant or religious sinners) (ii) the saved but carnal.
The unsaved should know that unbelievers in church are clear metaphors of the mixed multitudes that joined the exodus and never got any inheritance at the end of their 40 years journey, if they made it to the end. The unsaved Jews at the time of the Lord‟s earthly ministry belong to this group (Lk.9:60).
Our focus is on the category that has had an encounter leading to salvation but are yet carnal. This second group of persons typifies the rebellious Israelites who passed through the sea, ate manna from heaven and drank miracle water that
flowed from the rock (which is Christ–1Cor. 10:4) but never entered the promise land.
They constantly do things that make them subject to the accusation of the Lord‟s enemies (2Sam. 12:14; Job 1:7-12, 2:3-6 cp Rom. 8:1; Tit.1:16; Rev. 12:10)
These are the people that walk in the flesh: resist any truth that impinges on their fleshly desire like: making restitution (1Tim. 3:15, 6:3-5, 2Tim.4:3,4) consumption of alcoholic beverages (Prov. 23:29-35; 1Pt. 5:8); wearing of worldly attire which exposes nakedness or is suggestive (Rev.7:10; Eccl.7:26). Such that cover the nakedness but have non-functional superfluous extension that have no function
other than prevent seamless smart movement, are not befitting of a sober believer
(1Cor. 11:13, 1Tim. 2:9) Christian adornment goes with the principle of functionality and aesthetics (Ex. 28:2 cp. 1Cor. 10:31).
This group includes those that don’t bother about the name of the Lord but pursue their own gratification (1Cor. 8:2,9,11-13, 10:23-24,31-33). They include those that foster tribalism, ethnicity, sectionalism and politics in the assembly and those that cause divisions (3Jn.9; 2Thess. 3:6-7; Col. 3:8-11; Phil.3:18-19; Gal. 3:28).
It should be strongly noted that: “Believers” who resist the truth are susceptible to getting into delusion (2Thess. 2:11-12).
Living to die is the way of people that have no hope, even the children of wrath (Eph. 2:2-3,12). But those that have godly boldness rather choose „dying to live‟ (Eph. 3:11-12; Heb. 4:16)
(B) DYING TO LIVE
“Dying to live” pertains to a believer consciously submitting his will and personal ambition, to robustly embrace the Lord’s programme for his life, just as Ruth and the Apostles of Jesus did, respectively (Ruth 1:15-18; Matt. 10:37-39; Mk. 10:23; Rom. 12:1-2).
It must be remembered that a believer is one that has repented of and confessed his sins; put his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Prov. 28:13; Rom. 10:9-10); and as a result is no longer a slave to sin (Rom. 6:14; Jn. 1:12). They are the new creation empowered for good works (Eph. 2:6-10; Tit. 2:13-14). They reckon themselves to be dead to sin (Rom.6:11-14).
Now, such new creations are expected to go for higher grounds of relationship with God and of divine service (1Pt. 2:3; 1Cor. 14:12,20). They pursue Christ-likeness in attitude and conduct (Matt. 11:28-29; Rom. 13:14; Phil. 2:15; Col. 3:1-5). Having died to self and ambition, it becomes easy to align with the Spirit of God and enjoy His guidance (Isa. 55:8,9; Rom. 12:2; Phil. 11:21). Such are bold and honest and so will neither deny their mistakes or wrong doings when accosted (Prov. 28:1; Ps.51:3-5) nor become arrogant and unrighteously bold, as often seen in the ignorant persons (1Cor. 8:1; 3Jn. 9-10; 2Pt. 2:9-11). They are cautious about being a stumbling block to others, so they don‟t constitute themselves a nuisance to either the laity or the authority (Matt. 18:7; Rom. 14:13; 1Cor. 6:7). Therefore, they neither scorn nor find faults (Pro.9:8; 1Pet.4:15).
They love God and all about Him, so they value and keep His commandments with all their heart (Deut. 6:2, 10:12-13; Ps. 119:128; Mic.6:8).
Consider the Patriarch Abraham leaving his people to follow God to an unknown destination (Gen.12:1-4; Heb. 11:8-10); Moses abandoning the potential glory of an Egyptian emperor to follow the slaves of the Egyptians (Heb. 11:24-26 ); Joseph, who refused to yield to his mistress‟ advances because he feared God (Gen. 39:1- 20); Daniel, who refused to be offended with God for allowing him to be a captive, but rather remained loyal to His word (Dan. 1:8; 6:3-5) What about the prophets, apostles and saints that accepted martyrdom for their faith (Matt. 10:37-39; Acts 7:54-60, 12:1-3; Heb. 11:34-39)?
A recur in these characters is that they lived by the word of God and fulfilled their earthly purpose (Matt. 4:4).
As actions go with effect so does every major decision in life go with consequence(s).
(C) THE SEQUEL OF THE WAYS (Gal. 6:7)
The transient life on earth is all about sowing and reaping (Gen. 8:22; Eccl. 3:1-10; Gal. 6:7).
The people that focus on earthly pleasure and achievements but give little or no attention to their eternal wellbeing are foolish and do reap corruption (ruins) which encompasses lack of peace and joy which inturn are fundamental in wholesome earthly existence/living (Lk. 12:20; Isa. 48:22). It includes the emptiness and sorrows that follow the pursuit of the mundane (Prov. 23:5; 1Tim. 6:6,9-10); and the indescribable torment of an eternity without God. (Gal. 6:7, 5:19-21; 1Cor. 6:9,10; Mk. 8:36).
On the other hand, the product of dying to live is positive and unquantifiable: ranging from earthly tranquility amidst the persecutions and tribulations (Jn.16:33) to an eternity of indescribable bliss. (1Cor. 2:9)
They enjoy the grace of God and flourish in the fruit of the spirit; abiding peace and joy (Rom. 14:17; 2Thess 3:16; 1Tim. 1:2), love abounds and faith grows exceedingly (1Tim. 1:5; 2Thess. 1:1-3) and decorated with patience and humility that draw God‟s uplift and realization of promises (Heb. 6:10; Jas. 4:6); going from strength to strength; and grace to grace. They leave a legacy of godliness.
It is the saints of this group who die to live that mount up with wings as eagles, as they are led by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 12:24-25; Rom. 8:14,16). They ultimately step into eternity to enjoy the indescribable bliss (Acts 7:55-58; 2Tim. 4:7-8).
Considering the consequences of the two kinds of life, a wise man will definitely choose dying to live.
Let us rise to pray.