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Introduction
Pastor Mensa Otabil, Founder of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) and Senior Pastor of Christ Temple East, Teshie-Accra, has challenged Christians to move beyond spiritual experiences and deliberately act on what God has deposited in them.
Preaching on Sunday, August 16, 2026, Pastor Otabil continued his post-40 Days of Power and Greater Works teaching series with a message titled “Work Out What God Has Worked Into You.”
Drawing primarily from Philippians 2:12–13, he explained that Christianity is not merely about receiving from God; believers must translate what God places within them into visible action.
“God works it into me; I work it out of me.”
God Gives Both the Desire and Ability
Pastor Otabil highlighted two phrases in Philippians 2: “work out” and “works in.” He explained that while believers are commanded to work out their salvation, God first works within them.
According to him, God works in believers “both to will and to do.” The “will” represents the desire, vision or ambition God plants within a person, while the “do” represents the capacity to act on that desire.
“He’s giving me a desire. He’s giving me an ambition. He’s giving me something to want.”
He stressed that spiritual seasons such as prayer, fasting and conferences should therefore never be reduced to emotional experiences. They are moments when God invests something into His people.
Spiritual Impartation Is an Investment
Reflecting on ICGC’s recent 40 Days of Power and Greater Works, Pastor Otabil said the extended season of prayer, fasting, worship and teaching was intended to produce something tangible in believers.
During such moments, people may receive new ideas, dreams, convictions and an unusual confidence to attempt things that previously appeared impossible.
“It’s not goosebumps. It is an investment God is making in you.”
Using David as an example, he explained that God had already worked something into David before he encountered Goliath. The battle simply provided the opportunity for David to manifest what God had developed within him.
He therefore urged Christians not to dismiss God-inspired dreams simply because they appear bigger than their present abilities.
Work It Out With Urgency
Receiving from God, however, is only the beginning. Pastor Otabil emphasised that believers have a responsibility to work out what God has placed within them “with fear and trembling.”
He explained that the phrase does not mean living in terror, but approaching God-given opportunities with eagerness, seriousness, passion and urgency.
“If God puts something in your heart, don’t be relaxed about it.”
He warned against procrastination, laziness, excuses and the assumption that things will automatically happen because God has spoken.
“God has already worked the miracle. It is inside of you now. Fear and trembling. Wake up and work it out. Put in effort. Put in your energy.”
Conclusion: Don’t Miss Your Moment
Pastor Otabil concluded by urging Christians to recognise God’s investment in their lives and pursue their assignments with intensity. Spiritual impartation must become action, discipline and purposeful living.
“Whatever God works into you, you have to work it out.”
The message leaves believers with a compelling question after seasons of prayer, fasting and impartation: What are you doing with what God has put inside you?
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