OVER DEZE AFLEVERING
In her First Fruits Sunday sermon at Lighthouse Empowerment Sanctuary, Apostle Allison Smith Conliff delivers a sobering exhortation on spiritual discipline, total surrender, and the heart attitude required in giving and serving God. Drawing from Genesis 4, she contrasts the sacrificial obedience of Abel with the spiritual carelessness and rebellion of Cain, urging believers to align their hearts with God.
1. The Power of Fasting and Spiritual Access
Apostle Conliff highlights the church's eight-day sacrificial liquid fast, emphasizing that fasting is a vital discipline that smites the enemy, disables Satan, and draws believers closer to God. She stresses that access to God's presence and divine restoration requires intentional sacrifice, comparing it to needing a passport and visa to travel. Believers cannot expect divine answers or access to heavenly blessings while remaining unwilling to yield their desires, time, and appetites to God.
2. The Mandate of First Fruits and Surrender
First Fruits is established not as a legalistic requirement, but as a voluntary act of honoring God with one's best and surrendering all to His will. Having practiced First Fruits since 2009, the ministry has experienced supernatural speed, miracles, and signs of the Holy Spirit. ApostleConliff cautions that outward participation, such as singing, dancing, or dressing up, is meaningless if the heart is not in sync with God. Using the narrative of the man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5), she warns against making excuses instead of being ready to be made whole through yielded service.
3. Analysis of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4)
A central portion of the message is an exposition of Genesis 4:
- Abel’s Honorable Sacrifice: Abel brought the firstlings and fat of his flock, offering his absolute best out of love and respect for God, which God accepted.
- Cain’s Heart Condition and Rejection: Cain brought a careless offering with a wrong attitude and sin crouching at his door, causing God to reject his gift.
- Refusal to Mend Ways: When God graciously instructed Cain that he could be accepted if he did well, Cain refused to repent. Instead, driven by jealousy, he lured Abel into the field and murdered him.
- Rudeness and Divine Judgment: Cain responded disrespectfully to God ("Am I my brother's keeper?"), bringing a severe curse of wandering and unfruitful labor upon himself. Yet, God's anger was tempered with mercy by placing a protective sign on Cain.
4. Pure Intentions and Freedom in Giving
Apostle Conliff strongly rebukes spiritual manipulation regarding finances. Over 17 years of ministry, leadership has never pressured or called anyone regarding tithes or money, trusting God alone as the sole source of provision. Rebukes in the church are directed at ungodly behavior and soul care, not financial contributions. Giving to God must never be done for public recognition, murmuring, or obligation, but out of pure love.
5. Sobering Vigilance and Rejecting Division
Highlighting the brevity of life and recent global tragedies, Apostle Conliff calls for spiritual alertness. She warns against becoming a "Zion wanderer", someone present in God's house yet unanchored, bitter, or rude. Believers must represent Christ in their speech, walk, and thoughts, eschewing character assassination and walking in genuine family unity.
