Following the Instruction

Apostle Allison Smith Conliff delivers a pointed analysis of Genesis 9 and 11, titled "Following the Instruction." She uses the narrative of the Tower of Babel to warn against spiritual pride, self-sufficiency, and the dangers of direct rebellion against God’s sovereign plan.The sermon centers on the contrast between God's command to Noah to "replenish the earth" (meaning to scatter and multiply) and mankind's decision to settle in the plain of Shinar to build a city and a tower. Apostle Conliff identifies this as a move toward "self-sufficiency" and a desire to show what man can do independently of God. She teaches that rebellion against God is "deadly" and warns that one cannot "fight God and win".Building on themes from our conversation history, Apostle Conliff reiterates that seeking fame or riches to elevate self or "outdo God" is "looking for trouble". She notes that while riches are not inherently wrong, using them to put down others can "cut your life short". She critiques the vanity of worldly status, using the example of people pouring expensive brandy into coffins, reminding the congregation that a dead man cannot drink and that the only registry that matters is the "Lamb's Book of Life".A major point of the sermon is the sanctity of the altar. Drawing from Noah's example of building an altar after the flood, Apostle Conliff rebukes the casual treatment of the church altar as a place for laughing or idle talk. She warns that if believers do not "protect" God's business, He cannot protect theirs. Referring to Old Testament priests who would fall dead if they entered the Holy of Holies with sin, she emphasizes that while we live in a dispensation of grace, we must not use that freedom to perform "foolishness".Conliff calls for a "set apart life" that eliminates hypocrisy. She specifically rebukes the practice of "bad talking"others in private spaces, such as the toilet or even in dreams, urging the congregation to "clean it up". She also demands integrity in communication with leaders. She notes that many seek prayer in crisis but fail to return with a "testimony of victory," which she views as a form of "lying" and a failure to properly honor God's intervention.The Apostle addresses several practical areas of life:Leadership: Believers must respect their leaders but never put them on a "pedestal beyond God." The glory must always remain with the Almighty.Youth and Education: She urges youth to apply themselves to their studies (primary to tertiary), warning that a "harden" heart that ignores instruction will result in them working for their classmates who took education seriously.Civic Duty: With an election approaching, she encourages the congregation to vote based on God's lead rather than race or personal connections, asserting that those who do not vote have no voice to complain afterward.The sermon concludes with a call to be "contented" in God, as "godliness with contentment is great gain". Apostle Conliff prays for a "divine shift" where the people return to a "heart of worship 100%," protected by the blood of Jesus from "unholy alliances" and the "wrecking balls" of dysfunction. She implores the church to remain "anchored" in the things of God, ensuring their plans never disrupt their alignment with His word.Rec. Date: 24th April, 2025