The Yields of Spiritual Discipline

Apostle Allison Smith Conliff’s sermon is grounded in Acts 13, provides a rigorous analysis of the believer’s anointing, the necessity of spiritual disciplines, and the confrontation with demonic opposition. Building on her consistent themes of divine authority and humility, she asserts that once an individual is anointed, they are "no longer an ordinary individual" and must function according to heaven's standards.Apostle Conliff defines the anointing not as a status symbol but as a tool to destroy yokes and undo heavy burdens. She warns that this power is not inherent to the person; rather, it is the "power of God on the inside" that allows one to face troubles that are impossible to overcome alone. This reinforces her previous teachings that divine authority requires total dependency on Jesus rather than the flesh.A major portion of the sermon addresses the "must" of fasting. Apostle Conliff describes fasting as a necessary sacrifice of the appetite for spiritual "growth, expansion, and prosperity". However, she warns that fasting is "waste" if it is not accompanied by unlimited forgiveness. She argues that the flesh resists forgiveness, but a person "saturated under the anointing" can overcome personal hurt to obey God’s command to forgive, which is a prerequisite for receiving blessings.Using the account of Paul and Barnabas at Cyprus, Apostle Conliff details the confrontation with Elimus the sorcerer. She identifies the sorcerer’s job as turning people away from the faith through "familiar spirits" and fraud. Key insights include:Holy Boldness: Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost, did not curse Elimus but spoke the right words of rebuke.Demonstration of Power: Spiritual teaching must be accompanied by a demonstration of God's power, such as the temporary blindness that struck Elimus.Fearless Witnessing: She encourages the congregation not to be "discouraged believers" who shrink from opposition but to fill up with the Word through practices like the 5:00 a.m. prayer to "point out demons and cancel them".Apostle Conliff demands a radical abandonment of "skeletons" and carnal weapons. She specifically targets:Secular Influence: Believers cannot sit at the "savior's table" while feeding on "dance hall," hip-hop, or rock music, which she claims can invite "evil presences".Integrity: One cannot "practice lies" and expect to function at the altar.Kingdom Investment: True members of the family of God do not just receive; they invest their "health and strength" through service and helping others.Consistent with her conversation history regarding the dangers of pride, Apostle Conliff warns against "playing with the servant of God". She explains that a holy life carries the weight of divine pronouncement, noting that she has "spared many" by not opening her mouth in judgment unless absolutely necessary.The sermon concludes with a call to unquestioning obedience. Just as Paul and Barnabas were "sent out by the Holy Spirit," believers must move where God assigns them rather than staying in their "comfort zones". The ultimate goal is to live a "set apart" life that allows the Holy Spirit to use the individual effectively to promote the Kingdom.Rec. Date: 1st May, 2025