His and His Alone — K.P. Yohannan

Prayer and Surrender to the Holy Spirit

Scripture and ask the Holy Spirit to teach us tonight. Shall we pray? Our Father, we are so grateful we are That we are your sons and daughters. How blessed we are. Oh Lord to sit in your presence to worship you the way We did this evening and you received it Lord.

We are so happy. And Lord, I want to thank you for sending me here and I ask you that by the Holy Spirit. You will take the feeble words that I will share tonight. Then you will touch hearts Jesus reveal universal to us in a fresh and a new way.

Teach us Oh Lord Your ways and give us grace to follow you all the days of our lives. Thank you for everything in Jesus name. Amen after finishing My high school in southern part of India. I left my home traveling 2 ,000 miles to north with one intention to Serve Jesus and See other people that do not know the Lord come to know him.

I did not know going to North India will mean beatings and persecution and rejection. No, I didn't know that I was born and raised in a community where in 8052 Thomas Christ disciple came and preached the gospel and planted seven churches and one of the church Thomas Christ disciple planet happened to be three kilometers from my village.

Where I was born and raised that makes me a better Christian, I think I had this wonderful privilege to be born in a home where My parents knew the Lord. But as I went in North India, I will discover there are multitudes which means millions.

That never had a chance to hear Jesus name and we would go from village to village and ask Have you heard of Jesus? Have you heard of Jesus? Misuna hey the typical answer they give oh I've been living here for last 50 years.

No one by that name live in our community. But you go to the next will that you may find him there. And I realized all the sudden I am among people that do not know his name. But then as we began to preach the gospel persecution Became a way of life.

One of the first place I was beaten and Abused along with seven other co-workers the name of the place called boondi in northwest of India. Half a dozen times other teams went there with the gospel and Every time they were beaten Bibles burned kicked out of the community and we happened to be the next team.

Time God nobody told us how bad that place is until we got there. Two by two we kind of book bags and went to homes and gave gospel tracts and witness to people but within Less than an hour's time I found myself laying in the dirt a tall Rajput Strong man, just kicking me like you kick a football and my co-workers beaten some even could Stand on their legs.

They were dragging them like you drag a dead animal. There's a mob the leader spoke Get out of this place you dogs. We don't need your God. We got plenty. We give you five minutes. If you don't we will kill you with great struggle.

We left the place Boondi by now became synonym for martyrdom. You want to get killed. You go there a few years will go by a Nineteen-year-old barely 20 years a young man. Having gone to the Bible school.

One Young Missionary's Obedience

We have 54 Bible colleges scattered throughout ten Asian nations with some 8 ,000 young people study there the three long years of training before they go to the mission field. This young man as he graduated said to the leaders.

The Lord was leading him to go to Boondi. This guy is a skinny little chap not tall but short. So when he said that the senior elder said you are joking and you. He said no a Whole year. I prayed the Lord burdened my heart to go to Boondi.

They said you don't know what you're talking about. Boondi is not the place for you to go. You are young. You are skinny. You are weak. You don't know much. They were right. But he insisted they said all right.

They prayed for him. He went to Boondi. Got a small place. About five dollars a month rent with all the literature he carried. He began to witness to people Here and there. But he never been to Boondi before only heard the horror stories from people like us.

One night while he was sleeping a group of men came and busted his door open and he found himself surrounded by these men and a tall man pulled him up by his leg like you hold up a chicken and. This is what he said in the native Hindi language.

You young fellow we were watching you during these past days. You came here to convert us to Christianity. Who send you here we can tear you apart like you do with a chicken. This is not the place for you.

But tonight we will not kill you first thing in the morning. You leave our community never to come back and they dropped him. He got scared. I would do. He went back to the mission station. From where he was sent and reported what happened trembling and they said well.

That's what we told you will happen while this conversation going on the senior most pastor elder walked into the conversation and Learning what was going on said son. I just want to ask you one question.

Did Jesus ask you to go to Boondi? Did he really tell you to do that? He said I know he did because my heart was burning for a whole year and that's the place he told me to go, but I don't know how I can face it.

I'm scared. The leader said son Go back to Boondi. Silence, they couldn't believe he would do that to this young fellow. They will come back. They will harass you. They will beat you. It happened before.

Then he said there's a slight possibility. They will kill you also, but son. Remember this. If that is the place You must lay down your life. For his sake who gave himself for you son remember. Heaven is a much better place than Boondi and you wait in heaven for us and we will come and see you later.

He knelt down they laid hand on him prayed for him. He got in the bus. Actually believing that he will never see them again face-to-face. As it was the case of Paul when he went to Jerusalem from Ephesus.

They wept he wept. Saying goodbye on the way to Boondi. Within a few days the same group of men now more angry and upset. Came back to him and said now You have come back to make us murderers. Why did you do it?

Who told you to come here. Who is behind you? This young man. Listened to their threats their sharp Murderous words their anger with soberness and calmness and a gentle spirit. Finally he looked straight into the eyes of the leader and said by some Sir.

The sooner you do your job. It is better for me. Heaven is a much better place than Boondi. Anyway, go ahead. These men's eyes popped out. What you do with someone who actually want to die? They were totally confused.

The Gospel's Transforming Power in Boondi

A few years will go by. I get a telephone call in the United States. Hello. I said, yes, this is me speaking this brother KP. Brother, I'm calling you asking you. Would you come to Boondi? I said what I Want to put the phone down.

The name Boondi is a nightmare flashback. He said no. No, no, I know. We want you to come and inaugurate the church that we just finished constructing in Boondi. Now the story changes. I flew to Delhi.

Took a train to Kota Rajasthan. Then went on to Boondi. Tonight worship was great. But do you really want to see people's face glow? With the love and the grace lost in the wonder of the grace of Jesus.

Come to Boondi. Some hundred and fifty adults and children their wives. Just worshiping the Lord the first generation Christians. I taught God's Word. Cried through the whole worship service. Dedicated to the church when it was all over.

This young brother said this is a fellow who said he'll tear me like a chicken. And his wife his friends what made the difference. The whole world is talking about Canada. It is becoming more difficult to preach and read the Bible in your country.

Things you do here. The most heathen nations will not practice. This is a nation that send missionaries all over the world. That died on the mission field and you still can read the names on the tombs.

You are the sons and daughters and Grandchildren all those people. There is a verse in the book of Lamentations chapter 1 verse 12. This man is weeping. He's nicknamed the weeping prophet named Jeremiah.

He's asking question. Is it? Nothing to you all you that pass by. He continues. Can't you see the calamity the pain the burden? I've been inflicted with. Don't you care if you are a Bible student? You know Jeremiah.

Cannot describe of the pain the agony emotionally or physically about himself. The description cannot be about him, but it is very subjective the way he says it you see. What has happened to me? You know what happened?

As he looked around and saw The darkness the sin the idolatry and the lostness of his generation rejecting God and the judgment hanging over them. He was broken and wounded within himself with the burden for others and.

Then he takes the pain of the lost world upon himself and says I am hurting so deep. You who profess to know God don't you care? Can't you see what is happening? Nehemiah was quite comfortable in the palace most trusted individual by the king.

Nehemiah and Jeremiah: Burden for a Lost Generation

But then one day as he was having a good time and enjoying his life. Couple of fellows came and said oh, we just want to tell you what's happening back in Jerusalem. They told of the broken-down walls.

The hopelessness and the lostness of the people and all the sudden he began to weep. He lost his appetite. He couldn't find any rest. He knew to walk into the king's presence with such a donkey long face.

That means death. Yet he could not conceal it when the king saw it said Nehemiah. But what or not is going on with you. Then he tells all king. How can I laugh? How can I be happy when this is happening to my people?

The church today seems to be laughing their way to heaven they imagine while Multitudes and millions and dying and perishing without knowing the fear for the living God. I confess to you my brothers and sisters.

I Am NOT talking about this whole crowd. I'm not talking about your husband and your wife. I'm not talking about your congregation or your pastor. I'm not talking about your son and daughter. I am talking about you and you alone one person.

One Person Standing Against Darkness

It only take one individual one person I believe to route out the forces of darkness and Establish a testimony for the glory of Jesus. Ask this young Dear brother that went to Boonty. Why? How come you can do something like this?

Is it the three and a half years of theology. A A bachelor's degree in Bible experience and deep worship. Ability to preach and communicate about deeper life. What is it That makes you do something like this to shake the foundation of Boonty and establish a church.

The answer is very simple. I am no more mine. I Died That day when I knelt down and decided to go back to Boonty. Some places they invite me to preach. They never invite me back again. Why? For your sake that you will have kindness toward me.

I will tell you for 30 years I've been speaking to God's people like this North American Europe and I am NOT a stranger to this country nor our church here. I am part of you and My heart. I break I weep I agonize before my God for the Shallowness the carnality and the lack of authentic Christian life That now we have at large among us.

Media, Christian Celebrity, and Spiritual Shallowness

We don't like books. Dallas Texas where we have our headquarters of United States. There are 14 Christian radio stations. 24 hours Blaring out every kind of teaching you want here on planet Earth some conservative.

Some radical some balance some totally off the wall. There's a one guy one time said literally said send me $25 and I will send you the secret formula and the oil that helped to grow hair on your ball head.

What a racket. When in India with over a billion people not one Christian radio station. How much more information my brothers and sisters? Do you need before you come clean and totally? All his and his alone.

That's a question in the book of Issa kill chapter 22. God speaks with much. Burden, I sought for a man. May I add a woman? One person to stand in the gap to make up the hedge and stand on the behalf of the land.

So that the land will not be destroyed. But I found none. We are a people That are consumed with making big shows and noise we rather have 1 million people March to Washington for picketing and hold up our placards.

Or write books about what's going wrong? But how difficult is defined. Just one person who will say I am taking a 20 days to fast and wait before God. To stop the flood of darkness upon this nation or from this lost world plunge further into darkness.

Again let me say the same thing again and again. I am NOT talking about a crowd. I am talking about you. My dear brother my dear sister. Why am I saying it? Last 25 years of. That's my brief journey with our mission.

Martyrdom and Faithfulness Among Muslims

I Have seen it again and again in some places. Just one individual one sister one brother that makes a difference. We have a ministry among the Muslims, which we don't talk about much on our websites because security reasons.

We have a school where we train only missionaries to work among the Muslims. Two young people finish their training went to a community to preach the gospel. Thank God their damsel came out of Muslim families.

Radically committed to Christ. These co-workers began to preach the gospel. They baptized two dozen people in a very short time Muslims. One morning these two brothers Hussain and Salsal their names they're on the way to their ministry and.

On the way a group of men met them. The leader stepped forward and said, oh, so you are Hussain and you are Salsal. Oh, you came to tell us about your Jesus. They were smiling and our brothers thought they are friends and Hussain responded.

Yes. Would you like to hear? No more words exchanged. The leader pulled out a dragger a long knife and stabbed in the heart of brother Hussain. He fell in a pool of blood. Salsal grabbing hold of him weeping.

They stabbed him six times. Believing they both are dead these men fled. Hussain the senior brother died on the spot. Salsal was taken to the hospital. He recovered but here's the problem. Hussain was married to tiny babies little children hearing about the news.

Her father who is a radical Muslim traveled from distant village to meet his daughter and. This is what the father said. My daughter thank God the devil is dead. Talking about her husband who got killed.

Now you come home with me with my grandchildren. Now Sisters wives college girls. Listen to me if you are in her place a 24 25 year old young girl in a hostile community. No relatives. No friends. A strange land.

If you are told that by your unbelieving father. What would you say? How would you respond? See, this is where Christianity becomes intensely practical not shouting words, but radical commitment to something what living for and dying for this anger.

Between tears and pain said my father. You don't understand the Jesus. My husband loved I love him so much the people that he loved. I Love them. Father I cannot come home with you. I Must raise my children here so they can preach the gospel to these people.

This is my home. That shocked the father he could figure this out. He stayed on with her and she led him to the Lord Jesus Christ and he was baptized. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Again, let me come back to this.

Dying to Self and Resisting Spiritual Poison

It is about you. I am talking. It is about you. I'm talking. Watch money made this fantastic statement in this book. Character of a Christian worker or a believer. Let me say. In the chapter a mind to suffer.

He describes the powers of darkness satanic forces. Will manipulate will influence. Will use everything in this power and control to cause you to respond to external stimuli the Inconveniences the rejection the misunderstanding the loss of money and health and reputation and all things even.

The feeling that you are going to be killed. He will use all that but once a Believer has made the decision that is okay I am already dead. I am NOT my own Blood was the price he paid to purchase me and he says no sin.

No devil can hold you back. You will become that individual and conquer the world. Immunization is immunizing. Not to get smallpox. They give you a little Smallpox, am I right? You see I am. I'm a doctor but not this doctor.

There are people who handle Cobra Baba King Cobra big Cobra. They strike you one time you are finished. But there are people who handle this huge monsters Cobras on the streets of India and they bite them, but they never die.

You wonder what happened? Well, they had little of this poison on a long period of years. No poison can affect them anymore. You understand. Let me explain to make my point. Don't take this serious now.

Rejecting Prosperity and Entertainment-Driven Christianity

Okay, just this part don't take it serious. Stop watching Christian television. Do you know some of the richest people in America and Canada? In our community right now are Christian preachers. I know one who got 12 million dollars advance to write a book for a publishing house.

Where did you where do you read Jesus ever collecting money for preaching the gospel? Where do you find ever Apostle Paul and the followers of Christ going around making? Millions and buying things for themselves in the name of preaching the gospel and teaching the poor believers if the light in you Becomes darkness how great is darkness?

I am least impressed Moved by the preachers today. We have we have no prophets. This world is crying out for some prophet somewhere like Jeremiah. Who will weep his eyes out and call people repentance?

I mentioned this afternoon Speaking at a large pastors conference or a thousand people some time ago. Along with me another man was speaking. He said it is reported in many cities of the United States.

If there's a pastors conference in a city that week, they will have rendered Maximum number of x-rated movies than any other time in the whole year. Why I'm saying that you I'm a pastor. Also. I've been one for five years in Dallas, Texas.

I am NOT angry with the pastors if that is the pulpit if that is the shepherds. Where are we going. Don't be deceived by the noise by the shout by the TV preachers. Now, you know why they will not invite me back in some places here.

They will invite me back. Oh My brothers and sisters. I am NOT a professional preacher. You asked my colleagues I don't sell books to make money and Have secret bank accounts and none of those things.

I say these two because there's too many things are going wrong in our world. I'm calling you as an individual to face the reality of the radical Jesus of the New Testament who still says if Anyone want to come after me?

He or she must deny Himself and pick up his cross and daily come after me if you love your father. Your mother your sister your brother your son your daughter. I wish he stopped there. I Would be happy too bad.

He's not the Christ I can create for me. He's the Lord not my servant. Then he went on to say unless you love me more Than your own life you cannot be mine. Where are the preachers that preachers be saying?

Do not love yourself. Don't you think this is a clear indication when we spend? One cent of the dollar for two billion people that never heard the gospel and Spend all the rest on ourself. Don't you think something wrong with us?

When average believer pray less than six minutes a day, don't you think something wrong with us? In one church some time ago some 14 ,000 members I was preaching and I told them I Challenge you to take one day or the week to fast before God which I do myself.

Which is the least one can do. Then I made a joke out of it. If you're trying to lose one more pound add one more day. Do you know what they almost murdered me. They draw me out of town legalism bondage.

Putting us on a guilt trip. Hey, listen to me. You read you read you read. I beg of you without TV television preachers help the New Testament and the epistles and see Jesus and his followers and their lifestyle.

The New Testament Pattern of Radical Discipleship

No wonder in Acts 17 it says these those who turn the world upside down. They have come here. Also in Philips translation these world Revolutionaries have come here. Also was what was it picketing? Money power Buildings.

No, it was the way of life. I won't ask you How long it take before you break from that besetting sin that nobody knows about that you're grappling with internet porno books magazine music friendship Loving money this that how long I ask you before you say no To that and break free from it how much more information you need before you will watch The tsunami the Bangladesh the Eastern Europe the Albania and you start weeping and You children ask mommy.

What happened to daddy? You're watching television. He just start crying. You go and ask daddy the following week the kid come to the mummy and say mommy is daddy angry with us. Why you say that? I mean he has not been eating with us for last four or five days.

He used to be with us for breakfast lunch and in but he's not he said what happened to him. You really want to know? Yes, mommy. You remember we talked about in our family prayer time. But what happened in China?

What happened in Bangladesh. Hundred thousand people died overnight and millions displaced and lost. Yes, mommy. But you see Daddy decided To fast and you know my child. Many hours of the night. He's not sleeping with mommy in the bed.

He's in other room praying and someday mommy joined him and The child says nothing. Not a word, but 15 years later. That young man testifies. I remember my father. I remember my mother. If you think your superficial preachers and your books your novels and your cheap worship and the noise is Going to make you to have your children grow up to change Canada and this generation.

You're fooling yourself. It is going to be life. Wicked thing life. Psalm 42 or 7 the deep calls under deep this watch is against me. Let me conclude the ministry. I'm part of right now is recognized as possibly the largest church planting ministry in the 1040 window and the things that God is doing is unbelievable.

92 languages daily in 11 nations millions hear the gospel and On and on. I can go and tell you all night long stuff's going on. Say wow, but I can't be. Oh, dr. KP. You are such a fantastic Christian leader.

Nonsense. I'm a poor struggling missionary repenting million times a day just like anybody else. But I tell you what? Somebody is responsible for all this. It's not me. Hardly five feet tall a skinny fragile little woman that never left her village.

A Mother's Prayer and the Missionary's Calling

But she loved Jesus so much. She will wake up No later than 4 in the morning and spent 2 -3 hours on her knees in prayer. She never read any book except her Bible. That's all she had. She would tell her sons or the six boys about Jesus and lead them to the master.

She prayed Oh Lord out of six boys at least one call to be a missionary one by one. Her older sons went to business and farming and all these different things and she began to lose hope and Then her youngest son was born.

That is me. As I was growing up. She later said you were so shy and timid and withdrawn and skinny also. You don't believe it, but it's true. I Ate too many hamburgers. She kind of lost her hope completely.

This is the last one. He will not do one thing for God. There's nothing in him make him do anything. That is when she decided to fast every Friday special day of fasting and Three and half years. She fasted the thought telling one human being The same thing Lord before I die.

Please call one of my son. She was not even thinking about me. When I finished my high school, I remember also today I came home One day and said to my parents father and mother if you allow me I'd like to go and serve Jesus in North India before I could finish my statement.

My mother jumped up and said, please go. I Thought she hated me. I was unwanted. You must know I did not know her prayer. She never told me. I went off to North India. After two years, I will come back.

That is when she will tell the story. I was stunned. I recognized it was her prayer and Commitment in 1990. I was on the way to Seoul Korea to speak at the conference. When I got to Bombay I heard my mother at the age of 84 was taken to the hospital, but the heart problem.

She hardly ever been sick in her life. I cannot think of one time. She was sick. The best memory of my mother is the Bible verse. She caught at a million times almost literally from the childhood. I was growing up as a toddler.

I would hear her say this verse all the time like a mad person. Whom how I in heaven but you and on earth. I desire no one beside you and She would keep saying that Psalm 73 verse 25 There's no one nothing.

I want to beside you. I didn't understand what all that meant when I was growing up. I went to the hospital that weekend my best friend On earth and my prayer partner 6 15 in the morning or so. She died the saddest day of my life.

A Legacy of Sacrifice and Giving

Her funeral took place. I must go back to America. Had a final meeting with my brothers. We sat around in the room talking about our mother. One of my brother who is a businessman who makes a lot of money asked a question.

How much money did our mother leave in the bank? See our father passed away earlier. He was a believer, but according to our culture and customs her sons will give her money every month whatever she asked.

But we never saw her spending any money. So if you don't spend money, what do you do you put in the bank? Wow, that's a good idea answering the question. My other brother. An old worn-out notebook. And he start turning pages.

He said I found this under the pillow of our mother's bed. We were curious. Record of all the money. He said as far as I know there's nothing in the bank. And somebody said what happened everybody. Everybody's listening.

He said well He Pages after pages. Her trembling hand scribbled the names of young people studying in Bible schools. Missionaries all over India and the money she was sending them. Against their name mentioned and I broke down and start to weep.

Oh Not because there was no money in the bank. You see what happened all the sudden. I remembered a few years prior to that when I came to visit my mother. She was wearing a blouse torn from here to here stitch a terrible job.

I was angry to the core. I said mother what madness got into your head. Don't you have any feelings for your sons? What will other people say about us that we don't take care of you mother? We give enough money to buy a new dress every week if you want.

How come you do this to us you put you put cow dung on our head and shame on our face? And you know preachers can really be preaching and this my mother. I Mean you cannot help. Once you look into your eyes, you cannot take your eyes off it just glows and ever never fading perpetual smile.

And never forgot. She said you little fellow. You don't understand nothing. Someday you will understand. And made me more angry as I sat in the room. It was as though My mother walked back put her arms around me saying my little son.

Now you understand What mother? Lived for Her last Request she left with us her sons went like this. When I am dead and gone The only thing I will leave behind it is My earrings. My wedding ring and the gold chain my husband gave me at the age of 19.

When he married me. I Wanted to sell these items and give away to preach the gospel among people that never heard my Jesus name. I want to meet them also in heaven and sometime Once in a while. I have a dream of her.

I'm happy and I'm very sad because I miss her. But I still can hear as Paul told to Timothy in chapter 2 verse 1. But for you my son so day a monosyllabus in Greek, but for you Let all the world and Christianity and coworkers whatever they do let them do it but for you my son Make those difficult choices.

And I can hear sometime a mother saying my Dear son, it's worth Paying the price staying on the narrow road. Don't deviate. Let them be but for you Keep walking. It's what do you think? My mother has great regret about not buying brand new dress every week.

Do you think my mother has regrets about not getting a brand new car? Or being talked about us a most beautiful looking rich woman. Who care is stupidity? She must be dancing in heaven. Looking down on earth saying there will be Hundreds of millions of people have because I cried to my lord and Fasted the price I died to myself.

I cared for nothing except him and for him. That's all I don't know about you. When I was coming from the airport my colleague my Canadian director was telling me There can be something quite interesting when you were asked to come and speak here.

Somebody called What is the honorium that we expect? I said, what did you say? I? Was hoping he will say ten million dollars. He's my follower also. So he said oh we I just told them the same thing Wherever the Lord lead me.

I go and speak if they give me one penny or one dollar or nothing. No problem. I don't take nothing out of it myself anyway. And I have no dreams from patience. I am now 54 when I reach 50 I Decided to take a day off just to be alone to pray and talk to the Lord.

Knowing Christ as the Christian's Greatest Need

I know him I hear him. He's close to me, I love him so much and I said Lord I'm 50 years now. I Wanted to talk to me today. Would you please I? Waited and waited and waited late in the afternoon. Maybe I was dreaming.

Maybe I was spaced out. No, I didn't take any drugs. Maybe it was a vision. I do not know all I know. He asked me to walk with him and I began to walk with him. The long white robes I could see his face and once in a while if I lagging behind He will reach out and take my hand and we walked and we came to kind of a slope.

Slight hilly area all grass beautiful grassy area and We walked up to the top of that then he said look and I looked. It was sunset horizon and Then he said son a Few more years a few more years left.

Get to know me. Get to know me better, and he left me my brothers and sisters your greatest need Is not what you're looking for. It is knowing him that will propel you To die if that's what it takes. To the answer to our generation to our world.

The Call to Surrender and Follow Jesus

I Want to pray with you? Would you stand with me just for a minute? All I know is this. The Lord whom I love whose I am asked me to come here and I know. You are here because my Lord brought you here.

He knows you so well every hair on your head is numbered. He knows your name your address your past your present your failings the stupid things you did and everything imaginable that you know about yourself he knows and He loves you just the way you are and he won't embrace you like the father did with the prodigal son.

He's not looking for Perfect specimens, he is looking for broken hearts.